Warhammer: Empire Reboot

"From today onwards, this knife can be wielded by a different person."

Lawson looked at him with a half-smile.

"What if I said we don't need the Assassin's Court?"

Fadix remained unfazed: "That proves the Empire truly doesn't need the Assassin's Court anymore. I will obey."

"But I still suggest you don't remove it."

"There are some enemies in the Empire that are worth fighting with the fleet, some that are worth capturing with the Inquisition, and some that are better off dying before they know they've been exposed."

“This kind of dirty work has to be done by someone. Of course you have stronger soldiers at your disposal, but it’s not worth it.”

Lawson finally smiled.

"The Assassins' Court will be retained and incorporated into the Trial Court."

"Jia Sisi will be in charge of the overall supervision, while you will continue to oversee the specific operations of the Assassin's Court."

A change finally appeared in Fadix's eyes; he had been prepared to hand over his position.

"You're going to continue having me serve as the Grand Tutor?"

"Why not?" Lawson said. "At least you proved your loyalty during the Six-Headed Council incident."

Fadix understood the underlying meaning in those words and lowered his head slightly.

Lawson raised his hand: "Go and hand over the reins to A44."

Fadix turned and walked to the door, but Lawson suddenly called him back.

"Grand Mentor".

Lawson smiled and asked, "If you hadn't come today, I was indeed planning to look for you in a few days."

Fadix also gave a very faint smile.

…………

Terra has been embroiled in bloodshed for the past three months.

The past three months have also been difficult for the Cult of Mechanics, especially for Mars Forging General Raskian.

Lawson allocated three hundred places to the Mechanics Cult.

The Mechanicus was permitted to send three hundred members into the Forge World, the dark side of the Empire.

When the news reached Mars, almost every qualified great sage wanted to go.

The final three hundred selected were all truly influential figures within the Cult of Mechanics.

There is a casting general who has mastered the world of large-scale casting.

There are high-ranking sages who study ships, plasma technology, Titans, automata, and biomechanics.

There are also a few old monsters that even Raskian finds difficult to command on a regular basis.

They were taken away by the T sequence and then remained silent for three months.

Initially, the Cult of Mechanics attempted to maintain a semblance of dignity.

Because they see too much.

A highly automated ship production line, using Fio-tak, ceramic steel and other composite materials.

Standardized modular production enables a weapon manufacturing system that allows for rapid model switching.

And then there are those things that troubled the Great Sage of the Mechanicus the most: stability, reproducibility, and mass production.

Of the three hundred great sages of the Mechanicus, half began asking questions to the T-sequence that very day, while the other half initially feigned modesty but joined in the questioning the following day.

So three months later, Raskian finally came to the Sealholder's Palace on his own initiative.

There were only two chairs in the reception room.

When Raskian entered, he saw that Lawson was already sitting there drinking tea.

"The Lord of the Seal invited us to see those things, surely it wasn't just to hurt the pride of the Mechanicus."

"of course not."

Lawson put down his teacup and got straight to the point.

"The Mechanicus and the Empire have cooperated for ten thousand years. The Empire has been able to survive to this day thanks to the Mechanicus."

"But the galaxy has changed, and the empire has changed. Your current system can't keep up."

Raskian was not angry.

If Lawson had said those words three months ago, countless people within the Cult of Mechanics would have considered it an insult.

Things are different now.

Lawson continued to lay his cards on the table: "So, it's time to revisit the relationship between the Empire and the Mechanicus."

"I don't like beating around the bush. If you want to start a holy war, the Empire will fight you to the end."

Raskian shook his head silently.

The greatest significance of this visit by the three hundred great sages was that it shattered this illusion.

The dark side of the empire has already revealed enough.

There's much more to come that hasn't even been shown yet.

If it really comes to a holy war, the Mechanicus has absolutely no chance of winning!

"Of course, war is the stupidest option," Lawson said again.

"So I'm giving you two choices."

"First, the Mechanicus will continue to exist as an ally of the Empire, the Double-Headed Eagle can be preserved, and the traditions of Mars can be preserved."

"But those special privileges of the past must end, and the forced conscription of civilians into machine servants must all cease."

"Imperial citizens are part of the Imperial population, not raw materials for the creation of the world."

"Commercial, mining, transportation, and production orders will be handled according to the new rules."

"The Empire will place an order with the Mechanicus for whatever it needs. You will produce it, and the Empire will pay you resources, technology, or other compensation."

"Everyone has clearly marked prices."

Laskian listened very attentively.

"What about the second one?"

"Incorporated into the empire."

"Losen said."

"The Cult of Mechanics is no longer an independent ally, but has become part of the Imperial technological system, retaining specialized institutions and the division of labor in the world of casting technology."

"However, strategic planning, resource allocation, and supreme administrative power are subject to the unified jurisdiction of the imperial central government."

"The benefits are also very direct."

"You will be able to access the technology of the Empire's dark side more deeply, and the production system will also be fully upgraded."

"Think it through."

"Allies, or family."

The light in Laskian's mechanical eyes flickered slightly.

This is not a trivial matter that he can decide on his own.

This statement relates to the relationship between Mars and Terra that has existed since the Great Crusade.

Laskian left for two hours to hold a brief remote meeting with senior members of the Mechanicus.

Then he returned to Lawson's side.

"If the Cult of Mechanics chooses the second option, I have one request: upgrade our physical bodies!"

Raskian's tone was very serious.

"After those three hundred people returned, they almost blew up the Mars communication channels."

"Their most unified opinion now is not even politics, but prosthetics."

Lawson walked over to Raskian and put his arm around his shoulder.

"That's a good idea! It's their standard configuration."

"You are the leader of the Mechanicus Cult, so your status must be high."

"We use the best materials, design the structure individually, and even customize the appearance."

Raskian suddenly had a bad feeling.

"You can choose the color scheme yourself: Barbie pink, fluorescent green, rainbow gradient, or if all else fails, I can even add some glow strips."

"To ensure it is unique on the entire planet Mars."

Raskian's mechanical eye stared at Lawson for several seconds.

"Your Excellency, the one who holds the seal, has considered everything so thoroughly. I am at a loss for words to express my gratitude."

The smile on Lawson's face suddenly vanished.

"What are you thanking me for? From now on, we're all family, dear friends, and brothers. There's no need for gifts!"

Laskian was stunned: "I didn't say I was going to give you a gift."

Lawson's expression immediately became even more serious.

"You're going to give me Void Dragon fragments? Absolutely not! That's ridiculous!"

The light in Laskian's mechanical eyes stopped: "Master of the Mark, what I meant was..."

Lawson had already grasped his mechanical hand.

"You're really putting me in a difficult position..."

"Okay, thank you!"

Raskian: "I don't..."