Zaire found David hard at work on a construction project.
One by one, metal building materials seemed to be enchanted by some mysterious magic.
With a casual toss from David, they landed precisely in their correct positions.
Then, with a gentle swipe of his metal palm, the tiny gaps between the materials seamlessly fused together, forming a complete structure.
Zaire, with a smile at the corner of his mouth, greeted Connors, who was crouched on a chair.
Without looking up, Connors simply waved a hand in acknowledgment, continuing to study the many pieces of data on his tablet.
Zaire didn't mind.
He walked up to David.
His cyan wolf-like pupils focused on the nearly dazzling movements of the mechanical figure.
Unable to hold back, he praised,
"David, every time I see your construction skills, it's like watching a masterpiece unfold."
David rotated his metal head slightly, his hands and limbs never ceasing their work.
"Thank you for your praise, my lord. Do you need me for something?"
Zaire bared his fangs in a grin and said with amusement,
"Actually, it's nothing too urgent... My little miracle, you know, I just acquired a mechanical arm and a servo-skull. I suspect its system might contain some Mechanicus technology, so..."
Before he could finish speaking, David's blue-lit eyes flickered as he turned his metal head.
He nodded slightly and said,
"Please wait a moment, my lord. This section of the construction will be completed shortly."
"I'm in no hurry. Finish your work first."
Zaire crossed his arms and stepped back a few meters, giving Iron Man David space.
In the next instant, the synchronized movements of the metal giant quickened even further.
The metal building materials surrounding him rapidly decreased.
About five minutes later, when the last piece of material was seamlessly fused into the wall,
the first section of the laboratory was officially completed.
David took a few steps back, slightly hunching his metallic spine, the blue light in his eyes rippling as if admiring his own creation.
Finally, he gave a small bow toward Zaire in the distance.
"Thank you for your patience, my lord. Let's go."
Zaire nodded and turned to leave the lab.
The two did not disturb Connors, who sat nearby with a furrowed brow, constantly scratching his thinning blond hair, as if trapped in an unsolvable dilemma.
Three minutes later,
Zaire and David arrived at the base hall, stopping in front of the lounge door.
"By the way, that servo-skull seems to have some issues. The Empire's product quality is..."
However, the moment Zaire pushed open the metal door,
his keen instincts immediately alerted him to danger!
In an instant, his cyan wolf-like pupils shrank sharply.
His towering figure leaped forward, narrowly dodging a sudden attack from inside the room!
Buzz!
A deep whooshing sound accompanied the rapid descent of a massive servo-arm,
slamming heavily onto the metal floor!
Boom!
A deafening crash echoed through the lounge.
At the same time, Zaire, his expression cold, had already turned his powerful body.
In one swift motion, he drew the plasma pistol from his waist.
His finger rested on the trigger!
Just as electric light surged within the gun's barrel, the scorching plasma about to fire—
"Wait—!"
The floating servo-skull frantically shook its mechanical claws.
Its artificial voice was filled with unmistakable shock and excitement!
"By the Omnissiah! An unknown Primarch?! I swear upon the honor of the Adeptus Mechanicus! This is just a misunderstanding! A Martian-sized misunderstanding!"
"Primarch, please don't shoot! I surrender! I surrender!"
However, before the floating skull could continue,
two black, metallic hands suddenly appeared beneath it.
David caught the airborne servo-skull in his grasp, effortlessly restraining it.
No matter how the skull adjusted its anti-gravity thrusters,
it was unable to break free from the ironclad grip!
"Ah—"
"A Man of iron?! By the Omnissiah! Omnissiah protect me! There's actually an Man of iron here?! An actual Man of iron?!"
"Where are the Protectors?! Primarch, call the Astartes battle group immediately!"
As if the sight of Iron Man David had pushed it to the brink,
the servo-skull's glowing red optics flickered wildly as it screamed in near hysteria.
"Shut up!"
Only when Zaire, expressionless, once again aimed his plasma pistol at it did the servo-skull finally fall silent.
"I ask, you answer… If you lie, I'll send you straight to the Emperor."
Zaire's cyan wolf-like pupils stared unblinkingly at the floating skull.
His voice was slow and deliberate,
"Name?"
"If I remember correctly… Reditus?"
"Age?"
"Uh… Eight or nine hundred years? Maybe a thousand?"
"Rank?"
"Adeptus Mechanicus, Forge World of Steel Orb, a Tech-Priest, originally a Forge Master, an expert in relic excavation… Respected Primarch, I've had many titles… Ah! I'll shut up, shutting up now!"
"Why are you a servo-skull? Did you upload your memories yourself? Or were you corrupted by Chaos?"
Narrowing his eyes, Zaire stepped closer,
pressing the plasma pistol's barrel right against the skull's forehead.
"Primarch, I really don't know… I just remember dying during a relic expedition, likely killed by Necrons… Then, when I woke up, I was like this…"
"Allow me to explain—I thought I had been modified by traitors or xenos, so I was trying to escape! I didn't mean to attack you…!"
At this moment, the servo-skull, Reditus,
had its glowing red optics blinking furiously, its mechanical voice filled with confusion and grievance.
However, Zaire suddenly smirked.
With a subtle nod, he signaled to David.
David immediately understood.
His metal hands began to tighten their grip.
Instantly, a terrifying creaking noise came from Reditus' pristine skull,
as if it was moments away from being completely crushed!
"Ah! Primarch! Mercy! I swear I am loyal!"
"It must be the Emperor's divine will that revived me to serve you!"
"For the Emperor! For the Omnissiah!"
As Reditus howled in near panic,
Zaire's cold expression slowly relaxed into a grin, revealing sharp fangs.
Narrowing his eyes, he lowered his plasma pistol.
David also loosened his grip and released the servo-skull.
Zaire calmly observed the skull, now hovering unsteadily as if recovering from a great shock.
Sniffing the air, he smiled,
"You see? If you had just sworn loyalty earlier, we could've avoided all this. As for your attack, I'll let it slide… since we both serve the Emperor's currency."
"Thank you! Thank you, my Primarch! Your heart is as vast as a star and as deep as a black hole!"
Reditus' optics flashed as its mechanical voice trembled with relief.
At that moment, David stepped forward, bowing slightly toward Zaire.
"My lord, it is merely a servo-skull. Hardly worth your time. Perhaps I should dismantle its system to eliminate any risks…"
"A scheming, smooth-talking Man of iron!"
"Primarch! You mustn't listen to this xenos heretic's lies! I swear, no one can replace a Tech-Priest of the Mechanicus!"
"And my mind holds countless blueprints of powerful machines! If you give me time, I can reconstruct them all!"
Watching the skull's frantic movements,
Zaire licked his fangs and spoke softly:
"There's an ancient Terminator power armor outside. I need it completely dismantled. If you prove your worth, I'll reconsider your future."
"Primarch! Understood! I understand everything! I can do it all!"
With a low hum from its anti-gravity thrusters,
Reditus instantly turned and darted toward the exit.
As the gleaming back of the skull disappeared,
Zaire and David exchanged knowing glances.
Clap!
Their palms met in a firm high-five.
"Good teamwork, David."
"Praise the Omnissiah, my lord. We are always in sync."