Chapter 367: The Emperor Manifests
Next, Ryo proposed a second option, an option that sounded to Sigismund even more... absurd than the first.
"As for the other choice..." Ryo's synthesized voice seemed to lower slightly, carrying a peculiar tone. "That is, we pray to the Emperor."
Coming from a Magos of the Adeptus Mechanicus, this proposal seemed particularly jarring. The Mechanicus worshipped the Machine God, the Omnissiah. Although there was an intersection with the Imperial Cult, directly proposing to "pray to the Emperor" for help was absolutely not their conventional way of doing things.
Ryo watched for any subtle change that might appear on Sigismund's face and continued to explain: "The Emperor... He sits upon the Golden Throne, His psychic radiance manifesting as the Astronomican, guiding the course of the entire Imperium. If there is any entity capable of transcending the chaos of the Warp and directly pointing us toward a feasible path to Terra in the material universe, then He is the most likely candidate."
"We do not need to understand how He does it; we only need to believe and make the request. After all..." Ryo added, carrying a certain profound meaning, "Your ability to break through that Warp storm blockading the star system and arrive here with such precision is inherently a low-probability event akin to a miracle."
"Successfully traversing such violent psychic turbulence without the support of high-precision navigation, relying solely on shallow jumps, perhaps reflects the mighty power of the Emperor behind the scenes. It was His will that guided your course through the torrents of the Warp, just as the Astronomican pierces through the fog."
Sigismund fell into silence. Ryo's words indeed sounded absurd to his ears. Pray to the Emperor? In this era where the Imperial Truth was still revered as the guiding principle, such a proposal bordered on blasphemy.
Lorgar and his Lectitio Divinitatus had long been nailed to the pillar of shame. The Emperor was the leader of human rationality, not a god.
However, cold logic ruthlessly pointed toward this seemingly unreliable conclusion. Had it not been for the intervention of some power beyond common sense, how could the fleet he led have accurately arrived at this heavily blockaded star system amidst such a violent Warp storm, relying on the inefficient skipping-stones method?
This could absolutely not be explained by coincidence or luck. Reason and cognition clashed violently at this moment.
His brows furrowed tightly, and traces of struggle rarely seen on his resolute face were revealed. The Imperial Truth taught them to discard superstition, but reality forced him to consider this 'irrational' possibility.
Ultimately, pragmatism and absolute loyalty to his mission overpowered everything else. He took a deep breath, as if to suppress all his doubts, looked up at Ryo, and asked that crucial question in a deep voice: "What must we do?"
Ryo's response carried the unique pragmatism of the Adeptus Mechanicus and a trace of composure in the face of the unknown: "As to how exactly one should pray to the Emperor, there are no ready-made ritual protocols available for reference. Within the framework of the Imperial Truth, this is inherently a... non-standard operation."
The light of his crimson optical lenses remained steady as he continued to elaborate on that plan, which was so simple it bordered on plain: "But logical deduction suggests that the most direct method is none other than calling upon the Emperor's name with the most devout thoughts. We must articulate our predicament and our plea, praying that the will of the Master of Mankind can pierce through the veil of reality and the Warp to show us the way. This has nothing to do with dogma, but is a... necessary attempt based on our current desperate situation."
He assigned tasks: "Lord Sigismund, please find a relatively quiet place, preferably one with an icon of the Emperor. Focus your mind and issue the call. I must immediately go and properly seal the warp engine core and the miniature biosphere used to demonstrate the Genesis factor. At the same time, this outpost cannot be abandoned. It is an important base for my academic research, and the garrisoning defense forces must be arranged."
Having spoken, Ryo's massive mechanical body turned and sprang into action. He first headed to the core laboratory, commanding servitors and Tech-Priests to carefully dismantle that precise and crucial warp engine core from the testing platform. They packed it into a specially made, sturdy transport case lined with cushioning force fields and anti-scan coatings.
Following that, he also boxed up the biosphere encapsulating the Genesis factor.
At the same time, Ryo issued a series of clear directives via datalinks to Ignis and the Skitarii commanders. The base's supreme defense protocols were immediately activated. All automated turrets and proximity mine arrays entered a state of standby, while damaged shield generators and communication arrays were prioritized for repair and synchronized reinforcement.
To ensure the defense systems could operate independently for a long period, comprehensive energy rationing was implemented in non-core areas. All garrison personnel immediately entered a combat-readiness duty state, strictly executing rotation and reporting protocols.
Furthermore, Ryo swiftly coordinated the recently arrived Nexum reinforcements—the two full macroclades of Skitarii and the Legio Steel Hounds' Titan battle group. He ordered them to establish a joint defense system on the spot to guard this strategic stronghold together.
His dispatching was precise and highly efficient, every step meticulously calculated. When all commands had been issued, this Death World fortress had once again transformed into an impenetrable, hard bone, sufficient to deter any potential coveters.
While Sigismund was still in front of the mural depicting the Emperor's glorious image, striving to focus his mind and attempting that unfamiliar and heavy prayer, Ryo had already efficiently completed all pre-departure preparations.
The two creations concerning the Imperium's future—the warp engine core and the Genesis factor biosphere—were properly sealed within their specially made sturdy containers, and the base's defense systems had been fully restarted and reinforced to the highest alert level.
During this brief interval of waiting, the tenacious spirit of the praying Sigismund seemed to touch an invisible critical point. His consciousness abruptly detached from its normal state, plunging into an indescribably profound condition.
All sounds and perceptions of the surrounding reality faded away, replaced by a deep awareness of being enveloped and scrutinized by a boundless, mighty power.
He felt it—a grand, ancient will, containing unimaginable power and coldness, yet simultaneously bearing an endless burden. Like light originating from the genesis of the universe, it pierced through layers of dimensions, focusing precisely upon his soul.
Without any need for doubt, Sigismund instantly comprehended from the depths of his soul—this was none other than the gaze of the Master of Mankind, the Emperor. The Emperor had indeed answered Sigismund's prayer.
Although there were no outward signs or miracles manifested, Sigismund's heart was incomparably certain—that grand perception piercing the depths of his consciousness was exactly the will of the Master of Mankind, the Emperor.
Although he received no specific verbal instructions, in the instant he made contact with that will, Sigismund had already understood his ensuing mission.