I think the skitarius power is not related to the psychic awakening, as it is stated that it had been used in previous millenia. The link with the psychic awakening events simply seems to be that the Mechanicus decides to use it again to stop the corruption of a forge world where corrupt covens have arisen, likely due to the increase in psychic activity. As for the source of the skitarius power, the last part that seems to affect technology makes me think it might be something similar to the scrap code used by the dark mechanicum in the Heresy to take over Mars, but I guess the Mechanicus managed to contain or modify to weaponise it under their control. Actually, the fact that the skitarius cannot communicate and scanning leads to dead servitors might be a failsafe measure by the magos that created it to prevent uncontrolled dissemination of the scrap code. As for the material degradation, I guess it's just archeo-superradiation or some mcguffin tech that might not be further explained. I would not actually expect this skitarius to become a playable model, as its power seems difficult to balance without making it much less powerful than what the story tries to convey, which would be a bit underwhelming in my opinion. Plus, it seems it is the only skitarius of its kind available at the moment (even if its ID number points to more of its kind being created).
I think the skitarius power is not related to the psychic awakening, as it is stated that it had been used in previous millenia. The link with the psychic awakening events simply seems to be that the Mechanicus decides to use it again to stop the corruption of a forge world where corrupt covens have arisen, likely due to the increase in psychic activity. As for the source of the skitarius power, the last part that seems to affect technology makes me think it might be something similar to the scrap code used by the dark mechanicum in the Heresy to take over Mars, but I guess the Mechanicus managed to contain or modify to weaponise it under their control. Actually, the fact that the skitarius cannot communicate and scanning leads to dead servitors might be a failsafe measure by the magos that created it to prevent uncontrolled dissemination of the scrap code. As for the material degradation, I guess it's just archeo-superradiation or some mcguffin tech that might not be further explained. I would not actually expect this skitarius to become a playable model, as its power seems difficult to balance without making it much less powerful than what the story tries to convey, which would be a bit underwhelming in my opinion. Plus, it seems it is the only skitarius of its kind available at the moment (even if its ID number points to more of its kind being created).
Edit: I want to think this would be a pretty accurate representation of that skitarius 😄
https://youtu.be/WUhOnX8qt3I