The initial establishment of the temporary workshop granted Osiris a brief but insufficient period of stability.
He stabilized his posture against the metal workbench, his optical sensors fixing on the low energy readings displayed on his visual interface.
He instinctively activated the tactile feedback on his brow-plate, a lingering habit from his original organic state, despite the reinforced alloy covering most of his cranium.
"Our foundation remains critically energy deficient," he synthesized softly. His fingertips tapped the tabletop in a repetitive, calculated rhythm.
The Martian-pattern fusion core within him operated like a perpetually hungry engine; although connected to the town's repaired solar array, the power was not sufficient to restart the primary core.
Furthermore, the anomalously quiescent Archaeotech Relic at his waist posed an unknown variable; only the Machine God knew the magnitude of its potential next energy drain.
He pulled up the area scan schematic previously generated by the servo-skull, Buddy, his gaze moving between several marked points.
Promethium metal, high-density power cells, electronic components, biomass… all resources were scarce, and all were urgently required for phase two operations. Everything salvageable within the immediate town perimeter had been cataloged and recycled; even the dedicated, non-compliant cleaning automatons had been broken down into usable components.
"Buddy, external resource acquisition protocol is initiated," Osiris transmitted, gently stabilizing the skull hovering at his shoulder.
The skull's mandible clicked twice, and the blue light in its optical ports pulsed slightly, signifying acknowledgment of the command.
Osiris walked to the workshop entrance and disengaged the temporary metal baffles he had constructed.
The afternoon sun irradiated the desert sand, and thermal currents subtly distorted the distant rock formations.
"Initiate Level Three wide-area survey. Re-scan the surrounding terrain, specifically the Hydrocarbon Extraction Pit to the northwest and the Unstructured Materials Accumulation Zone to the northeast. Execute a complete regional survey for optimal route calculation."
The servo-skull rose silently to an elevation of approximately ten meters and began a systematic, orthogonal sweep centered on the workshop.
Osiris leaned against the doorframe, observing the pale blue beam of coherent light projected from the skull's optical array as it traversed the ruins and distant rock formations.
The scanning beam cycled through programmed frequencies: visible light, enhanced infrared, and then deeper material composition analysis.
"Protocol Step 1: Wide-area terrain scan. Establish a foundational elevation and stratum model," he instructed quietly.
The skull emitted a low, resonant hum, and the scanning beam increased its density. The undulations of the dunes, the directional flow of the rock layers, and the outlines of abandoned structures were accurately recorded, forming a core terrain grid.
"Protocol Step 2: Subterranean probe. Focus on detecting ferrous metal reactions and concentrated energy signatures within a ten to fifty-meter depth envelope," Osiris added.
He waited patiently, watching S-03 adjust its frequency to emit specialized geological penetrating waves.
Minutes later, a set of high-confidence data points was marked.
"Report: Intermittent low-energy reactions detected approximately thirty meters underground, 7.3 kilometers northwest. Signal characteristics match mining equipment, with a 67% decay waveform correlation. Simultaneously, localized metal enrichment is detected, suspected to be an extension of a mineral vein."
"Northeast quadrant analysis?"
"Report: Large-scale metal accumulation signals detected, but energy readings are chaotic, indicating strong interference. Source distribution covers two square kilometers, with highly variable depth. Specific material composition and risk parameters remain indeterminate," the Skull reported via binary databurst.
Osiris affirmed: "Accepted. Overlay all derived data and generate a comprehensive tactical map."
The light in the servo-skull's eye sockets became focused, projecting a detailed holographic map onto the air before Osiris.
The map outlined the terrain with clear blue lines. The Hydrocarbon Extraction Pit was marked as a flickering orange light point, with energy readings and technical parameters noted adjacent. The Unstructured Materials Accumulation Zone was displayed as a large red danger zone, with rotating warning signs.
The map meticulously logged quicksand areas, stable rock formations, optimal travel vectors, and several ruined structures that could provide kinetic cover.
Osiris studied the enriched map, his mechanical fingertip tracing across the holographic projection, zooming in to examine topographical details.
"The Extraction Pit is a moderate travel distance, with clear energy signatures, and an associated mineral vein… Although presenting a quantifiable risk, the probability of success merits expenditure," he synthesized, then switched the display to the northeast area. "The Accumulation Zone may harbor richer resources, but the distance, high interference, and excessive unknown variables mandate a lower priority."
He remained silent for a moment, his gaze shifting across the map, weighing the probability of return against the cost of activation.
Finally, he reached out and lightly tapped the mine shaft location: "Target designation confirmed. Proximity and controllable risk factor make this the optimal objective for the first outdoor exploration."
He deactivated the holographic projection and began the Litany of Preparation for departure.
First, he inspected his main weapon—a terrifyingly large-caliber heavy plasma incinerator.
This masterpiece from the Forge World was now utterly inert.
Osiris attempted to activate its energy circuit, receiving only a faint system hum and a prompt: "Insufficient core energy. Unable to complete plasma charging sequence. Recommended: core energy recovery to above 45% before activation attempt."
A single full-power discharge from this weapon was sufficient to vaporize most known threats, but the energy consumption was catastrophic to his current reactor readings. It was indeed a luxury in this state of energy deficit.
Instead, he accessed his internal storage for a roughly designed pistol.
This was a Custom-pattern Bolt Pistol, an unsanctioned schematic deviation from his younger days on Mars.
At the time, he judged the traditional bolt gun design to be "kinetically inefficient," so he modified it himself, incorporating a more advanced recoil buffering system and complex aiming augments.
Though its power and range could not compete with standard Astartes issue, it was lightweight and reliable. Crucially, the .50 caliber bolt rounds were one of the few ammunition types he could still manufacture in small, controlled batches.
"Operational redundancy is a virtue," he muttered, checking the magazine, which was filled with his self-manufactured rounds.
While lacking the armor-piercing capabilities of military-grade shells, they possessed more than sufficient kinetic force for soft target neutralization.
Next was the inspection of the Omnissian Field Generator.
He activated this energy field generator. A nearly invisible shimmer around his form flickered once before stabilizing.
"Shield integrity: 23%. Capacity to withstand low-power energy weapons and small kinetic weapon attacks is confirmed. Warning: sustained attacks will exponentially increase energy consumption."
"It is a sufficient protection layer, provided we avoid heavy ordnance," Osiris synthesized.
In this region, which did not appear to possess advanced military civilization, this level of protection was deemed adequate to neutralize most threats.
He secured the Custom Bolt Pistol on the magnetic attachment point at his waist and retrieved two spare magazines. A basic repair kit and a multi-functional scanner were stored neatly beneath his red robe.
Finally, he unfurled his self-made leather map: "Buddy, assist with detailed route marking. Prioritize plotting cover points and concealment vectors."
The servo-skull lowered its altitude and projected a thin red beam, precisely marking the stable rock formations, quicksand hazards, and optimal routes onto the map.
"Analysis complete. Data accepted," after a final check of the route and equipment, he rose. His dark red robe swayed gently in the hot wind. "Maintain station security with high vigilance. Do not permit biologically non-compliant vermin to breach the perimeter or compromise the wiring conduits."
The servo-skull's mandible clicked twice. The blue light in its optical ports glowed steadily, a silent testament to the Magos who once was, watching its master step out of the fortified workshop and into the scorching, chaotic sand sea.