A soft, blue halo emanated from the holographic projection device, outlining the D-7 Mutants Resettlement Zone on the silver-gray metal console.
Inquisitor Chen Xi stood at the edge of the light, his gaze calmly surveying this scene of struggle for survival under an iron order.
The faint light of the projection illuminated his sharply defined face.
He was dressed in a meticulously tailored black uniform, symbolizing the absolute authority of the Inquisition, with a short cape lined in scarlet draped over his left shoulder.
A column-shaped Inquisitor Rosette, cast from adamantium and inlaid with scarlet gems, was pinned to his uniform on his chest, reflecting a cool glint under the blue light—a symbol of the Emperor's loyalty and the purification of heresy.
The heavy blast door slid open silently.
Sister Figgsin appeared at the doorway, her entire body encased in pristine ceramite power armor, its smooth surface only lightly dusted at the joint seams.
She entered with steady steps, her power boots making clear, rhythmic soft sounds on the metal floor.
Stopping precisely three paces behind Alex, she rendered the solemn Imperial Aquila salute to the Inquisitor and Sub-Sector Governor.
"In the name of His Majesty the Saint, I salute you, Inquisitor," her voice, clear and pleasant, came from the helmet's amplifier, carrying the calm penetration characteristic of a Battle Sisters.
Alex withdrew his gaze from the projection and nodded slightly.
"Sister Figgsin, report," his low voice carried its usual authority, his well-defined fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the edge of the console.
Figgsin quickly unlatched her helmet and removed it.
A wisp of light golden braid fell from her temple, brushing her young, focused face. Her clear and sharp gaze fixed on the Inquisitor's broad back, as she securely attached her helmet to the magnetic clasp at her waist.
"Inquisitor, D-7 operates smoothly overall," Figgsin's clear and pleasant voice echoed in the room, her light golden braid swaying slightly as she looked up, the faint glow of the projection illuminating her focused face: "Psionic contamination checks of core pipeline nodes have been completed, and all processing is within safe thresholds.
The resident mutual aid network operates smoothly, and reports of accidental disturbances have significantly decreased.
I recommend implementing a secondary ration incentive program for individual units actively participating in maintaining order, to consolidate the results."
Her armored fingers habitually brushed the hilt of the Bolter at her waist, a symbol of purity and combat, and she continued calmly: "However, the physical wear and tear caused by continuous high-intensity labor warrants attention, primarily manifesting as joint abrasion and skin problems.
Coordination has been made to strengthen the supply of protective equipment and increase the frequency of Medical Priest patrols."
"Based on the latest principles of the 'Rostov Mutants Management Regulations,' three cases of critical Level 4 mutation have been confirmed," Figgsin looked up, her gaze directly at Alex's broad back: "Affected by irreversible mutation deterioration, the labor capacity of the relevant individuals is essentially lost, and there is a risk of passive spread.
Therefore, in accordance with the spirit and chapters of the regulations, I request immediate activation of the 'Emperor's Mercy program' to completely eliminate the source of contamination."
A short distance away, Sage Ovilia stood quietly.
Her red, finely crafted robes accentuated her serene face, appearing no different from an ordinary person at first glance.
Only a few slender, multi-jointed mechanical tentacles behind her back subtly danced, adjusting their angles with barely perceptible movements, revealing her identity.
Several brass-cased servitor skulls, their eyes glowing faintly red, floated around her like dutiful acolytes, emitting a soft hum.
"Sister Figgsin's observations and my data analysis show a high correlation," Ovilia's steady, efficient synthesized voice rang out, the light points of her mechanical eyes focusing on Alex: "Integrated analysis of the D-7 vital signs monitoring network shows that individual B-7-09's somatic cells exhibit significant inert resistance to secondary promethium radiation. I recommend deploying him to the outer area of the New Earth Island Airport secondary reactor for extreme tolerance testing, to evaluate his potential utilization rate under maximum tolerable radiation values."
Her mechanical tentacles slightly extended as her thoughts progressed: "Case D-7-42's skeletal muscles exhibit extraordinary strength under specific stress. I recommend incorporating him into the heavy vehicle component handling sequence for specialized extreme load-bearing and fatigue testing, to quantify his ultimate exploitable value.
It is worth noting that under the current management framework, the estimated overall survival probability of the target group over the next five years has steadily increased from an initial 24% to 43.7%, showing a positive development trend in the survival stability curve."
She paused briefly, the servitor skulls simultaneously emitting a faint computational hum: "Based on this trend, I propose optimization suggestions: establish a pre-set job transfer mechanism and supporting system for individuals approaching the Level 3 mutation threshold; construct a dynamic monitoring and early warning network for accelerated regional mutation deterioration; strengthen reproductive health support systems for the childbearing-age group.
Furthermore, standardize the 'Emperor's Mercy program' containment process to ensure that all remaining physiological potential of critical individuals is fully exploited before final disposal, maximizing resource recovery rate."
"Sister Figgsin," Alex's gaze finally moved from the projection, his deep pupils turning to the Battle Sisters who had removed her helmet: "Is your requested 'Mercy program' based on contamination risk or pure survival care?
Can the job transfer mechanism proposed by Sage Ovilia cover some similar cases, delaying their entry into the isolation phase?"
Figgsin straightened her back, her young face unwavering: "Inquisitor, risk is the primary consideration! The regulations clearly state that Level 4 critical status has the potential for uncontrolled passive spread.
The job transfer mechanism has its value, but for these three cases, their mutation degree and deterioration speed have exceeded the current coverage of this mechanism.
'The Emperor's Mercy' is a necessary purification method. I also recommend attempting intensified medical intervention before disposal. This is the last solace for suffering souls and an embodiment of the program's 'Mercy' name."
Alex nodded slightly, his gaze turning to Ovilia: "Sage, a 43.7% survival rate increase is significant, but at what cost?
Is the physical wear and tear mentioned by Figgsin part of the cost of your 'effective management framework' reported?
Are your recommendations for protective equipment upgrades and medical support consistent with Figgsin's demands? How are resources balanced?"
Ovilia's mechanical eyes seemed to flicker for a moment, her synthesized voice remaining steady: "Wear and tear is a necessary concomitant variable of efficiency, Inquisitor.
Increasing protection levels and medical frequency requires additional resource input, and Sister Figgsin's demands are data-supported.
My optimization suggestions are centered on increasing the slope of the overall survival rate curve, investing in preventive resources such as protection and early warning networks.
In the long run, this will reduce wear and tear costs and the trigger rate of the 'Mercy program,' increasing the average effective labor duration of the group. This is consistent with Sister Figgsin's short-term measures of strengthening protection and standardizing disposal processes, and they are complementary strategies on different time scales."
"Long run?" Figgsin's voice involuntarily rose by half a tone, her clear blue eyes directly meeting Ovilia's inhuman mechanical pupils: "Sage Ovilia, I respect the god of machines' logic.
But you mentioned deploying individual B-7-09 to a radiation zone for extreme testing, and D-7-42 for extreme handling testing—isn't this accelerating the consumption of their lives, pushing them to the endpoint of the 'Mercy program' faster?
Does the 'efficiency' in your optimization plan completely equate to extracting their last bit of usable value, completely stripping away the basic compassion for souls that 'The Emperor's Mercy' should embody?"
Her knuckles tightened slightly under her power armor, her tone carrying the characteristic questioning of a Battle Sisters.
Ovilia's mechanical tentacles ceased their subtle movements, her synthesized voice gaining a hint of calm opposition: "Sister Figgsin, your questioning is based on emotional projection.
'The Emperor's Mercy' is an inevitable and necessary endpoint.
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