To Stir Up the World, Start by Stirring Up This Ship

"Your will, my lord."

Captain Aurora was increasingly astonished.

The Machine Spirit of this ship—the Dawn—had always been incredibly aloof; it would never respond so proactively. It was a blessing enough that it hadn't thrown a tantrum over the name change, let alone acting in such a manner.

Carrying the bewilderment that lingered in her heart, Aurora led Romulus and his retinue under the guidance of the servants to the bridge, which was filled with the distinct style of the Adeptus Mechanicus.

"My lord, these are the personnel files and service records for every position on the ship. Please, see if any adjustments are required."

Inviting the Angels of the Emperor to take their seats, Captain Aurora handed over a detailed roster, a faint trace of anxiety in her eyes.

Romulus took the materials, his superhuman memory rapidly cataloging the information as he flipped through the pages far faster than any ordinary person could.

"No need. Keep the positions as they are. However, please provide me with a detailed breakdown of the ship's functional data and the corresponding personnel profiles later."

Romulus spoke.

He had just boarded the ship; there was no reason to shuffle around people who were already performing their duties well.

"Understood, my lord."

Captain Aurora breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the Angel seemed intent on interfering with the ship's personnel, it was for the best that he was willing to conduct a thorough investigation first.

"However, I do have a few requirements."

"Please speak, my lord."

The captain's response held less anxiety and more confidence.

"We will certainly see them fulfilled."

Aurora had mentally prepared herself for the fact that a change in ownership would lead to changes in the ship's regulations.

"Very well. First, our Chapter will set new standards for the diet of the staff aboard this ship. This is the list. The Chapter will install new food production modules, and you may have the Tech-Priests verify their feasibility."

Romulus handed over a pre-prepared form.

"Secondly, the Chapter will distribute a medicine capable of curing the vast majority of void-faring occupational diseases. You may have the medical department conduct a safety assessment beforehand, but it must be distributed to every single person."

Aurora carefully examined the categories on the form, which noted that the food was reprocessed from high-concentration nutrient solutions via conversion modules.

She knew the Imperium possessed food conversion technology, capable of turning Corpse-starch or nutrient paste into food that tasted and felt exactly like the real thing.

However, such technology was prohibitively expensive; even a single-person module cost a king's ransom.

True nobles enjoyed vast amounts of organic food and could simply purchase live livestock if they wanted to eat, while the remaining commoners were in no position to be picky—they were lucky enough to get nutrient paste that hadn't expired.

At most, some high-ranking naval officers might try to acquire such systems, so it was impossible to promote them throughout the Imperium.

As for void-faring occupational diseases, honestly, they were considered unnecessary concerns for the Imperium.

High-ranking officers had dedicated medical departments providing comprehensive care, while the lives of indentured laborers and technicians were worthless; every time they passed a starport, the reserves were at least in the hundreds of millions.

Worrying about that was less important than worrying about whether the defense forces were prepared for the next time they rebelled.

"Thank you for your benevolence, my lord!"

Looking at the requirements on the paper, Aurora couldn't help but feel happy for those low-level technicians.

These weren't demands; this was a welfare package.

Aurora was naturally pleased; if the lives of the low-level workers improved, they wouldn't think about rebelling, and she and the other administrators wouldn't have to deal with the extra work.

Every time these people rebelled, especially when it happened in the Warp, almost everyone on the ship was terrified.

"Good. Please send specialists to assist. The equipment is in the cargo hold. Our warriors will accompany you for the transport, installation, and distribution."

Romulus raised his hand, and two Space Marines stepped out from the group behind him.

"Understood."

Aurora immediately dispatched the relevant personnel to accompany them.

Fortunately, the Sages of the Adeptus Mechanicus were accustomed to efficiency and adapted well to this pace.

"Next are the requirements."

Romulus produced another document, written in considerable detail.

"I want you to organize a group of workers to designate an area for the construction of a church to spread the faith of the Ecclesiarchy. The design blueprints are included. You may modify them according to actual conditions, but you must ensure that each area can fulfill its intended function."

This was something Romulus had planned long ago. He had reviewed many Imperial documents and drafted different schemes.

However, after inspecting the fleets of the Carcharodons and the Adeptus Mechanicus, Romulus ultimately chose a conservative plan, confirming the prototype of a church school. With Sisters of Battle overseeing it, it should be able to operate stably.

After all, the Imperium was certainly unreliable; one could see from the Age of Apostasy that Terra's ability to mobilize the masses was not even a fraction of the Ecclesiarchy's.

As for the matter of faith, according to Ramesses, if you dared to mention the Ecclesiarchy ten thousand years ago, you would be dead for sure, because the Emperor could actually show up with a fleet and reality-check those demons and monsters.

But this was 40k. The Emperor was welded to the Golden Throne and couldn't get down. The faith of the Ecclesiarchy was the only means the Emperor had to protect humanity; you would have to be insane to still believe in the Imperial Truth.

Aurora took the blueprints, marveled at the design of the church, and then couldn't help but gasp at the welfare provided for the workers.

"Also, from now on, the supply of materials for Servitors will be handled by us. No Servitor modification will be permitted without our consent."

It seems these lords care deeply about mortals.

"I understand, my lord."

Aurora felt it necessary to relay this signal, lest some idiot who couldn't read the room ruin the Angel's request.

"The Canoness will accompany you."

Romulus then spoke to Arabella.

"Sister Arabella, I hope the Sisters of the Order can conduct a census of all children under the age of 12 aboard the ship, then establish parish canteens so these children may eat at regular intervals and be instructed in the Imperial Creed."

The infrastructure standards and efficiency of the Empire were exceptionally high, especially regarding ships of the Adeptus Mechanicus; as long as there were sufficient raw materials, a day was more than enough to completely overhaul a section.

This bizarre nation always existed in a superposition of being both advanced and backward.

"Yes, my lord."

Arabella understood that while they could offer little help in combat, they had to handle these trivial matters well for the Saints.

"I will prepare everything personally. Please, follow me, Your Grace."

Aurora then took her leave, inviting Canoness Arabella to depart with her.

Romulus subsequently dismissed the officials of various ranks and went to the bridge antechamber with Ramesses.

From here, one could survey the entire star system through the bridge, and looking down, one could see the weary yet slowly crawling masses on the monitors.

Romulus certainly had thoughts of improving the environment of this warship; after all, the Empire's average working hours were enough to make the British Empire of the colonial era exclaim in awe.

However, he had not yet made a specific investigation, so he would not rashly alter the ship's entire ecological structure, choosing instead to first attempt to raise the living standards of the vessel as a whole.

Of course, even if he had to face various difficulties after an investigation, Romulus would not give up.

For he understood the principle: "If one cannot sweep a single room, how can one sweep the world?"

If they couldn't even manage a single Tyrant-class Cruiser and its ten thousand souls, they might as well forget about managing a planet or an empire in the future.