"Based on strategic simulation data, the chance of victory in this battle is below 0.7%."
The central processor of the Mechanicus Ark Steel Soul emitted a trembling hum as Archmagos Cawl's new proxy body awakened from its life-support pod.
As this mechanical body, nearly two-thirds smaller than the standard model, stretched its joints, the electronic hymns played by its servo systems echoed through the chamber. The identification codes used to verify its identity had long since been erased from its exposed chassis.
Data streams churned beneath the robes of the priest standing before the observation screen, his identification code concealed beneath three layers of encryption.
"The dedicated data link has been physically severed, but the public channel remains synchronized."
Cawl calibrated the signal interface connected to the Dawn.
"This is an observation window deliberately left open by them, Archmagos."
As dust motes twisted in the light, a tall figure gradually emerged.
He was a Space Marine, but far more massive than an ordinary Space Marine. His armor was not any model currently used by the Imperium, yet it was clearly more refined than the Power Armor fielded today.
It was MK10 Power Armor, a gift Archmagos Cawl would one day bestow upon a new generation of Space Marines.
"The target vessel has passed the Level Three purification protocol. Of the seventy-two observation nodes we deployed, 67% have suffered logic overwrites. The remaining units have initiated self-destruct procedures."
Alpha Primus's report carried the characteristic distortion of encrypted communications.
"Furthermore, personnel data-stream analysis indicates that the crew's quality-of-life index has risen by 82%, while the production efficiency curve is showing exponential growth—the elders moved quickly."
He showed no surprise at the Archmagos changing bodies, clearly long accustomed to it.
"Worthy of the elite of that era. It seems my concern was unnecessary—however,