When the Astral Knight fleet arrived on Mars, it was not the current Forge General Ud Udia Lasky who came to greet him, but not even a great sage, just a ruling sage named Faustine. .
Any other Space Marine might have taken this as an insult, but after Soshyan briefly communicated with the Fastidian sage, he was sure that Mars was not doing this out of contempt. Or for some other reason, but this Fasting is indeed relatively rare and can communicate with Soshyan, a member of the Advanced Mechanicus, using non-Mechanicus thinking.
Most senior members of the Adeptus Mechanicus will try their best to erase their irrationality, that is, their emotional and human functions, but this sage instead made a separate partition for his human nature and emotions. It was preserved with great care, so the first thing he asked when he saw Soshyan was-
"Soshyan Alexei Chapter Commander, did you have a pleasant trip?"
>From this point of view, the considerations of the great sages of Mars were surprisingly "humane" and they knew how to use a "normal person" to receive Soshiyang.
Mars, as the core world of the Adeptus Mechanicus, is also the largest treasure trove of technical knowledge in the empire. Its status is no less than that of Terra. However, there is one strange thing. When Soshyan stared at this red planet for the first time, He always felt like there was something whispering in his ear. The voice was very, very weak, almost like an auditory hallucination, and he couldn't even hear clearly what it was.
The fleet is docked at the Hope Airport on Mars, which is part of the huge steel ring in the orbit of Mars. As the largest orbital space structure of the human empire, the equatorial belt of Mars is not only surrounded by a ring named Hope. The two giant ports of the Airport and Hand of God Airport are also home to the Imperial Navy Assembly Plant and the Imperial Navy Shipyard. Mars has therefore become the main anchorage of the Solar Fleet. In addition, there are countless large and small structures scattered throughout the orbital steel ring. Small space factories, these factories operate around the clock, providing an endless supply of materials for the largest shipyard in the empire. Another biggest difference between the orbital ring of Mars and Jupiter is that it is directly connected to the ground of Mars—— Through the huge space elevator called the Twelve Ladders, personnel, equipment and materials on the surface of Mars can be quickly transported to orbit.
After arriving at the airport, Soshyan, accompanied by Sage Fasting, visited the giant shipyard in Mars orbit.
"It is truly a miracle of knowledge, a great creation."
Standing in the closed shuttle, staring through the huge curved glass at the basically completed construction lying in the dock An Emperor-class battleship, Soshyan couldn't help but sigh. There were not many shipyards in the empire that could build battleships. Even the shipyard in Ulan Huda could only barely build heavy cruisers.
The huge battleship was fixed in a huge frame by gravitational locks. The undulating spine of the ship without any modification was like the outline of a mountain peak. When the shuttle lowered its height, Soshyan could clearly and intuitively see countless engineering ships on the huge The activities on the ship are like a colony of ants building a nest. Through the giant tempered glass that has been installed, countless workers, servitors and technical priests can be seen installing various equipment inside.
The manpower and resources required to build such a giant ship are unimaginable even to Soshyan.
“What does the Chapter Master think of knowledge?”
Fasiding on the side suddenly spoke. The sage’s whole body has been highly mechanized, with only his left eye and left forehead remaining. Part of his body was still preserved, but the voice he made at this time was a very rich and noiseless voice of a middle-aged man.
“Knowledge is the light of reason and the way for human beings to move towards the future.”
"What about faith?"
Soshiyang looked at the sage. He was not sure whether the other person was hinting at him. Due to his understanding of the Mechanicus, he guessed that maybe he was talking to the other person now. Being observed by many people.
However, this does not affect his attitude. After all, modesty does not mean being submissive.
“Faith is a substitute when knowledge is not enough.”
The ruling sage in red robes and holding a mechanical battle ax stared at Sosh with his eyes that were still human. Yang suddenly nodded.
"Knowledge is the only way to save mankind."
Then he changed the subject.
“But we still need to pay attention to the means, and we need to pay more attention to the right path in acquiring knowledge. Overstepping the bounds will make us use the acquired knowledge in the wrong place, such as modifying the Omnisiah contract without authorization. And the doctrine." The shuttle began to rise, and Soshyan also knew that what was coming would eventually come, and Mars would not let Angstrom go so lightly.
"I am an Astartes. I am not qualified or capable to discuss the teachings of the Adeptus Mechanicus. In my opinion, everything is just serving the Empire and war."
"Even if Reza's heretics were allowed to get involved in Angstrom?"
Soshyan turned his head and glanced at the other party, and then said meaningfully:
"I only know One thing, Ryza is very close to the Maelstrom, Mars is very far from the Maelstrom."
"Chapter Master, Mars has the power to decide the Director of each Forge World, which is sacred to the Emperor and Mars. Part of the contract.”
“I respect the authority of Mars, very much, but it was a time of war, and Angstrom’s stability was crucial to the expedition. I felt that compared to an expedition, In terms of success and failure, temporary personnel appointments are not too much. And I have repeatedly emphasized that everything in Angstrom is temporary. I have never interfered in the internal affairs of the forging world. Mars can appoint a new casting director at any time. .”
"There are rumors that the Astral Knight and Reza are very close."
"I have to point out that there is a fallacy in your words, Sage."
"Oh?"
“The Adeptus Astartes and the Adeptus Mechanicus are very close. We regard the Adeptus Mechanicus as a whole, so we can cooperate with any forge world as long as necessary, because this is the relationship between the Emperor and the Mechanicum. The sacred contract of the Order, however, I personally always maintain respect and necessary awe for Mars. As you said before, knowledge is the only way to save mankind."
Fasidin blinked. naked eye.
"Do you agree with this?"
"Mostly."
"I thought that in the eyes of the Astartes, only war could save everything."
"Hmm. , so I said most of it, because knowledge alone is not enough, but also force and strength."
The ruling sage nodded thoughtfully, and then they returned to the airport.
Since the foundry director was already in Terra, Soshyan had nothing to talk to the great sages. On the contrary, it was the Fasting sage who left a deep impression on Soshyan, who showed a strong desire for adventure. Soshyan also welcomed the other party to explore the Storm Star Territory.
After staying for one day, I simply took a spin on Mars and visited places such as the Olympia Dune Hive, the Acheron Groove Forge Temple Group, the Second Billion Watt Tribe Complex, and Seton After visiting famous areas on Mars such as the Nia Sea of Mists and the Sea of Iron Curse, he led the fleet straight to the final destination, Terra.
But before entering Terra, he has to go to another place first -
The true home of the Imperial Fists Chapter, the Mountain Formation!