With a clang, Ron tossed the welding mask into the pile of parts beside him.
He looked at his masterpiece, clearly quite satisfied.
"Not bad. It looks pretty convincing. From now on, you're a Tech-priest!"
Standing before Ron was a "person" clad in a rust-red hooded robe, with a skull-like iron mask embedded in his face, scarlet electronic eyes, and octopus-like mechanical arms protruding from his back.
Most conspicuous of all was the Imperial Aquila Ron had just welded onto him.
This appearance was not merely similar to an Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-priest—it was practically identical!
"Governor, what is a Tech-priest?"
Moss, dressed like an Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-priest, scratched his head in confusion.
"A Tech-priest is a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus. They like to use all sorts of mechanical technology to modify their bodies..."
Ron gave Moss a detailed introduction to the Adeptus Mechanicus.
The Adeptus Mechanicus was headquartered on Mars. It was an important religious organization within the Imperium, and its members possessed formidable technical expertise.
Though nominally part of the Imperium, it was more like a state within a state.
They possessed exclusive technologies, their own Forge Worlds, armies, and fleets.
Of course, like the Imperium's other organizations, they revered the God-Emperor, also known as the Omnissiah.
They also believed that every machine contained a "machine spirit."
Machines could only function because machine spirits existed within them.
The Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-priests bore responsibility for most of the Imperium's scientific research, engineering, equipment maintenance, and industrial production.
They also had an important duty: archaeology, excavating the technologies left behind by humanity's Golden Age.
After finishing his explanation, Ron looked at Moss and gave his order.
"From now on, you must play the role of a Tech-priest properly. You are not allowed to reveal your true identity to anyone!"
"Understood!"