Chapter 402: Returning to Night City
Ryo pulled up the detailed structural map and energy distribution map of the base and surrounding areas, highlighting the canyon region.
"The direct defense of the base's core area is under my control. The Skitarii are responsible for perimeter vigilance and bastion operations. And you, the Titans of the Iron Dogs, will be the sword hanging over the heads of the invaders, the power that determines the direction of the battle. In non-emergency situations, maintain silent standby to reduce unnecessary energy signal exposure."
His tone was steady, carrying a well-considered authority, clearly delineating permissions and responsibilities.
Anvil-7 and Wharton Miller both expressed their acceptance of this.
The highest directive they received was to assist and protect Magos Ryo, ensuring this world was not lost, not to challenge his authority.
"The specific construction of defensive fortifications and the laying of the sensor network will be completed collaboratively by my technical acolytes and Marshal Anvil's engineering units," Ryo finally summarized. "Princeps Miller, have your Tech-Priests familiarize themselves with the terrain and gravitational parameters here as soon as possible, and optimize the Titans' walking and firing algorithms. I need you to be able to exert one hundred percent of your efficacy at all times."
"As you command, Lord Magos." Marshal Anvil-7 was the first to respond, data streams already beginning to plan fortification blueprints within his internal processors.
Wharton Miller once again placed his hand over his chest in a salute, his posture humble yet firm: "Your will shall be faithfully executed, Lord Magos. The war engines of the Iron Dogs are ready; we will surely protect the peace of this land, just as we protect the sacred fires of the Forge World. May the Omnissiah's gaze bless this place."
The brief meeting concluded, and the two commanders took their leave with vigorous efficiency to deploy their troops.
Ryo remained alone in the tactical room, the light of the holographic star map reflecting on his dark red armor.
A powerful force composed of a Skitarii macro-clade and a Titan battle group permanently stationed here elevated the Death World's defense level to new heights.
He calmly evaluated the current situation; such a military presence was sufficient to deal with conventional-scale xenos invasions or Chaos warband attacks.
He had a clear judgment regarding the series of attacks that had occurred previously.
Whether it was the precise orbital drop of the Greenskins, the sudden raid by the Chaos fleet, or the interference of the Martian fleet, there was clearly some coordinating force behind them.
Ryo was very clear about the nature and scale of this force; it was a far greater opponent than he could confront head-on right now.
However, he did not feel anxious about this.
Various signs indicated that the Emperor's will had already focused on this place.
The timely arrival of Sigismund and the Black Templars, as well as the Emperor's attention to the warp engine, were all clear signals.
Under the gaze of the Master of Mankind, those factions hiding behind the scenes would inevitably have their reservations.
Based on this judgment, Ryo focused his attention on practically feasible defensive measures.
As long as he maintained sufficient military deterrence to ensure the base could withstand conventional attacks, those deeper threats were not a concern for the time being.
The most important thing right now was to fully utilize this relatively safe period.
He pulled up the detailed records of the previous battle and began analyzing the data of the area erased by that black sphere, while also studying the spatial parameter fluctuations before and after the appearance of the Martian fleet.
These empirical data were of great value to his technological research.
The consolidation of the defense system had won him precious research time.
He planned to put his main energy into the in-depth research of the Genesis particles, while further perfecting the base's orbital early warning system to ensure that similar surprise attacks would not easily succeed.
The Death World temporarily restored its tranquility, but Ryo was well aware that this tranquility needed to be maintained through continuous preparation and vigilance.
—
After the defense system of the Death World was preliminarily stabilized and the coordinated deployment with the Skitarii and Titan Legion was completed, Ryo briefly left the Warhammer universe and returned to Night City via the dimensional teleporter.
Accompanying him were his two apprentices—David Martinez and Lucy.
Setting foot once again in the familiar air of Night City—mixed with exhaust fumes, rain, and the smell of neon tubes—after a whole year, David and Lucy felt entirely different.
The city clamor that once made them feel suffocated or numb now appeared even more chaotic, inefficient, and... grating to their senses, which had been nurtured by the logic and order of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
But they had no time to sigh with emotion; Ryo's directives were clear and precise.
In the core area of the laboratory, isolated from the outside noise, Ryo's massive body turned to the two apprentices, his crimson optical lenses sweeping over them in turn.
"If knowledge cannot be transformed into the ability to solve practical problems, it is merely useless redundant data." His synthesized voice rang out steadily, commencing the core agenda of this return. "You have completed the theoretical learning of the foundational stage. Now, it is time for practical verification."
He first looked at David.
"David Martinez, your task remains unchanged, and it is also your original intention for seeking knowledge. Utilize your mastered knowledge of biology, neurology, and genetics, combined with the existing equipment in the laboratory, to independently complete the comprehensive treatment of your mother, Ms. Gloria Martinez. The process must be strictly recorded, and the results must meet the predetermined metrics of biological system functional stability and nervous system damage repair. This is the most direct assessment of your learning results over the past year."
David took a deep breath, his eyes firm without the slightest flinching. "Yes, Lord Magos. I will do it."
He had waited for this moment for too long. Now, what he held in his hands was not an ethereal hope, but tangible knowledge and tools.
Ryo's gaze then fell upon Lucy.
"Lucy, your task is related to the environment here." He gestured toward those crude automated defense turrets and patrol drones in standby mode within the workshop. "Based on the mechanical principles, basic logic circuits, and control system knowledge you have already learned, independently design and manufacture a Cybernetica Automata that meets the standards of the Adeptus Mechanicus."
He paused slightly, offering extremely lenient conditions: "There are no restrictions on the model, function, or weapon configuration. You can choose to imitate the existing base models of the 'Kastelan' or 'Combat Servo-Skull', or you can conduct limited independent design.
"There are only two core requirements: First, it must be manufacturable; Second, the finished product must be able to pass the basic startup sequence, respond to simple commands, and meet the minimum standard of a Cybernetica Automata—'possessing autonomous mobility and target recognition capabilities'."
This task might only be an entry-level exercise for an official Tech-Priest of the Adeptus Mechanicus, but for Lucy, who had only studied for a year, it was still no small challenge.
It tested not only the mastery of theoretical knowledge but also the full-process practical capability from design, material selection, and parts machining to assembly and calibration.
A gleam of focus flashed in Lucy's eyes, and she bowed slightly: "I understand, Lord Magos. I will do my best to complete it."
Ryo said no more.
For his apprentices, he provided knowledge and opportunities, but they had to walk the path themselves.
Success would prove they possessed the qualifications to continue advancing on their respective paths; failure would require no further words.
He turned around, temporarily opening access to certain areas of the workshop to the two of them, and provided a basic material requisition quota.
Subsequently, he ceased to interfere, turning his attention to reviewing the progress of the plasma reactor and replicator projects in Night City, as well as the data interfacing with the administrators.
(End of Chapter)