Within the Forge Temple, the transfer of power had essentially been completed.
The metallic scraping as the former Fabricator-General was escorted away sounded like an elegy for the old era, while the steady synthetic voice of the new Fabricator-General, Belisarius Cawl, proclaimed the dawn of a new one.
"Everyone!" Cawl's massive mechanical body turned toward the senior officials present. "Mars's transformation has begun. First, return immediately to the Forge Temples, databases, and research sanctuaries under your authority, and begin organizing all core technological records. They will serve as the foundation for technological integration and assessment with the Regent and our Hilling allies."
He paused, turning his gaze toward He Xi, who stood quietly to one side with snow-white silver hair. "Second, Queen He Xi has agreed to remain on Mars for some time and open a door for us into an entirely new hall of knowledge. All Sages and chief researchers without urgent forging assignments must make time to study under Lady He Xi. This is an excellent opportunity for the Adeptus Mechanicus, and even the Imperium of Man, to achieve a qualitative leap in technological advancement!"
The moment he spoke, a suppressed buzzing filled with excited electrical currents rose throughout the temple.
The radical Sages who had personally witnessed He Xi explain the principles of fundamental science needed no further encouragement. Even many Archmagi who had originally been neutral, or even somewhat conservative, now had blazing light erupting from their eyes.
The Hilling Empire's technology, with its rigorous logic and formidable effectiveness, had already quietly spread among the upper ranks through their previous exchanges.
"Fabricator-General, your wisdom is unparalleled!"
"I can free myself up at any time!"
"My project can be handed over to my deputy! Learning new knowledge is the priority!"
"By the Omnissiah, this is a once-in-a-millennium