Chapter 486: Diagnosis
Inside the dedicated compartment of the Eternal Seeker, the comprehensive diagnostic of the STC system lasted for exactly seventy-three standard hours.
As the final analysis report appeared on the main control screen, a heavy atmosphere enveloped all the Tech-Priests present.
Ryo's mechanical body stood silently before the control console, cold data streams flowing through his optical lenses.
The diagnostic results clearly showed: this precious STC system had suffered permanent functional damage.
Over forty percent of the functional modules within the system's core processing unit had completely failed. These modules involved not only manufacturing functions but also critical sub-systems such as material optimization, design computation, and energy management.
"The database corruption level has reached sixty-two point three percent," the lead Tech-Priest's voice carried an irrepressible sorrow. "We have lost almost the entire advanced knowledge base regarding material science and energy technology. The remaining data is also largely fragmented and incomplete."
Even more despairing was the diagnostic result of the system's core Machine Spirit.
This intelligent core, which once drove the operation of the entire system, had permanently ceased functioning.
All awakening protocols had failed. The Machine Spirit did not respond to any external stimuli, as if it had fallen into a slumber from which it would never wake.
A Priceless Relic in Ruins
"With our current technological capabilities, fully repairing this system is impossible," another Tech-Priest concluded heavily. "Even if we transported the system back to Mars and mobilized the absolute highest-tier resources of the entire Adeptus Mechanicus, we could at best halt the further deterioration of the system's state and restore less than ten percent of its complete functionality."
This news plunged all the Tech-Priests into deep indignation.
A young Priest could not help but smash the data-slate in his hands, sending shards flying across the metal floor.
"House Van Saar! Those ignorant barbarians!" he roared in anger. "They are utterly unworthy of possessing such a holy relic! To think they allowed such a precious treasury of knowledge to degrade to this state!"
Another senior Priest proposed with even greater fury: "Every single member of House Van Saar should be turned into penitent servitors! Let them serve this holy relic they ruined forever, paying for their sins with eternal hard labor!"
A chorus of approving binary curses echoed throughout the compartment.
The Tech-Priests found it hard to accept this cruel reality—they had found a legendary, complete STC system, only to watch helplessly as it remained in this crippled state.
However, standing in stark contrast to the others was Ryo's calmness.
His massive mechanical body turned toward the enraged Priests, his synthesized voice sounding steady: "Anger cannot repair a holy relic."
The Secret of Restoration
His calmness did not stem from an indifference to the loss, but because he held a secret unknown to anyone else.
During an archaeological excavation in the era of the Great Crusade, he had accidentally discovered a set of extremely precious restorative STCs.
This STC consisted of four independent units. Each unit was a one-time consumable, but its effects far exceeded the current understanding of the Imperium.
The operating principle of this restorative STC involved manipulation at the temporal and conceptual levels.
It did not restore an item's function through conventional physical repair; rather, it directly reset the item from a "damaged" state to a "perfect" state.
This technology had completely surpassed the scientific comprehension of the current Imperium of Man, even touching upon certain fundamental laws of the universe.
Ryo had once seen encrypted files regarding the restorative STC in the internal records of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
The files recorded the astonishing effects of this holy relic: from the simplest tools to the most complex engines of war, or even an entire starship, as long as the corresponding restorative unit was used, it could be restored to a perfect state.
Even more unbelievably, this restoration was not limited to physical damage; even data loss and system malfunctions could be repaired simultaneously.
"Lord Magos," the lead Tech-Priest, noticing his unusual calmness, asked in confusion, "You do not seem surprised by this result?"
Ryo closed the encrypted file, turning his optical lenses toward the questioning Priest.
"The loss is indeed heartbreaking," his synthesized voice remained steady. "But this is not the end."
He did not directly reveal the existence of the restorative STC.
If news of a holy relic of this caliber leaked, it would not only trigger a mad scramble within the Adeptus Mechanicus but could even draw the covetous gaze of the Inquisition and other factions.
Until absolute safety could be guaranteed, this secret had to be strictly guarded.
Immediate Directives
"Continue maintaining the existing functions," Ryo issued new directives. "Focus on repairing the material synthesis and basic manufacturing modules. Even with only partial functionality, this system still possesses irreplaceable value."
Though the Tech-Priests were still immersed in their indignation, they complied with the order and began their work.
They readjusted the energy distribution to prioritize the system modules that were still operational.
The data recovery team began attempting to restore the database blocks that were not completely destroyed. Although progress was slow, they managed to halt the further deterioration of the entire system.
Meanwhile, Ryo began preparing for the restoration plan.
He planned to select a system maintenance cycle, arranging a period for independent operation after the Tech-Priests completed their routine inspections.
This would ensure the restoration process remained undisturbed while also complying with standard operating procedures.
In the next few standard days, the Tech-Priests continued to pour all their efforts into maintaining the existing functions of the STC system.
Through relentless effort, they successfully stabilized the operation of three material synthesis cauldrons, allowing the system to continuously produce seventeen types of specialized alloy materials.
The performance parameters of these alloys were visibly superior to the vast majority of materials currently available in the Imperium.
The database restoration team also achieved phased results.
They successfully salvaged partial design blueprints for energy weapons. Although the data integrity ranged only from forty to sixty percent, the engineering and technological principles contained within still held immense research value.
In the past, these incomplete materials alone would have been enough to qualify an ordinary Artisan for promotion.
During this time, Ryo carefully studied the relevant data and records regarding the restorative STC.
Each unit of this ancient relic could only be used once. The set of four he possessed meant he could perform four major restorations.
Although the value of a single unit was enough to trade for an idyllic planet, Ryo believed using it to repair a complete STC system was entirely worth it.
To ensure the best restoration effect, Ryo meticulously planned the operational procedures.
He needed to first place the system into standby mode, adjust the energy supply to a specific frequency, and then activate the restorative unit at a designated location.
When the Tech-Priests confirmed the system's status had reached its current optimal level, Ryo deemed the time was ripe.
(End of Chapter)