Chapter 404: New Dimensional Exploration
After the plasma reactor completed its final calibration and the technical blueprints for the "Material Replication System" were handed over, Ryo shifted his focus to the practical assessment and acceptance of his two apprentices.
He first went to the medical bay assigned to David.
The air was filled with the mixed scent of disinfectant and nutrient base fluid, and various precision medical devices stood quietly on standby in the corners.
Inside the life-support pod, Gloria Martinez lay peacefully. Her once pale face had regained a healthy glow, and her chest rose and fell gently with steady breathing.
David stood beside the life-support pod. Although his brow carried the exhaustion of days of overwork, his overall mental state was noticeably much more relaxed.
Seeing Ryo enter, he immediately stood straight and handed over the dataslate recording the complete treatment process with both hands.
"Lord Magos, the treatment is entirely complete." His voice carried uncontrollable excitement. "My mother's nervous system damage is completely repaired, and her damaged organ functions have returned to normal through inductive gene expression and targeted nano-repair agents. All physiological metrics are within safe thresholds."
Ryo took the dataslate, his optical sensors rapidly reading the detailed data recorded on it.
The treatment records showed that David had adopted a step-by-step treatment protocol: first repairing basic functions through delicate neural synapse remodeling, then utilizing Night City's advanced local cybernetic medical technology to replace the severely damaged spinal bones, and finally supplementing with mild gene induction therapy to activate the human body's own repair mechanisms.
Throughout the entire treatment process, David displayed a professional caliber exceeding that of an ordinary apprentice.
He flexibly combined the Adeptus Mechanicus's systematic biological knowledge with local cybernetic technology, not rigidly adhering to a single theoretical system, but always remaining guided by the treatment results.
Although certain steps appeared overly cautious and even somewhat tedious, this rigorous attitude ensured that the risks of the entire treatment process were controllable, ultimately achieving the expected goals perfectly.
"Treatment records are complete, operational procedures are standard, and the final results meet expectations." Ryo's synthesized voice steadily announced the evaluation results. "Assessment passed. You have proven your proficiency in transforming theoretical knowledge into practical ability."
David took a deep breath, nodding solemnly in acknowledgment: "Gratitude for your guidance, Lord Magos."
Ryo said nothing more, turning and leaving the medical bay.
For him, this treatment was not only a test of David's learning outcomes but also helped this young man unload the heaviest burden from his heart.
From now on, David could devote himself more focusedly to his subsequent studies.
Subsequently, Ryo went to the workshop's testing area.
Lucy was waiting beside a solidly built quadrupedal automaton.
This mechanical construct, about 1.5 meters tall, utilized a reverse-joint design. Its four mechanical legs ensured stability on various terrains.
Both sides of its torso were equipped with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The sensor array at the front flickered with the faint light of standby mode. The overall design revealed a philosophy of supreme practicality.
Seeing Ryo arrive, Lucy immediately initiated the testing sequence.
Accompanied by the smooth operational sound of hydraulic systems, the automaton fluidly transitioned from standby mode to a standing posture. Its four legs moved coordinately across the ground, completing a lap around the test route with coherent and stable movements.
Then, under the commands issued by Lucy through her dataslate, it sequentially completed basic tactical actions such as target locking and weapon system preparation.
"Lord Magos, this quadrupedal automated combat unit references the architectures of Arasaka and Militech security robots in the database, while integrating the core principles of a standard Cybernetica Automata." Lucy reported calmly, "It is entirely electrically driven. The armor uses composite ceramics and alloy materials. The fire control system has been simplified, possessing basic friend-or-foe identification and target-seeking capabilities."
Ryo's sensors carefully scanned every detail of the automaton.
The design indeed drew upon the mature solutions of local corporations, especially in terms of the walking mechanism and sensor layout. However, for the energy core, control system, and weapon modules, it strictly followed the foundational standards of the Adeptus Mechanicus Cybernetica Automata.
Although the entire automaton had no particularly outstanding innovative points, every component met the passing standards, perfectly satisfying the assessment requirement of "being able to operate normally and execute commands."
"Design is reasonable, structure is complete, and operation is stable." Ryo evaluated, "Meets the entry-level standards for a Cybernetica Automata. Assessment passed."
Lucy breathed a soft sigh of relief, the corners of her lips turning up slightly: "Understood, Lord Magos."
For Lucy's current developmental positioning—a future "Datasmith" apprentice—being able to understand and integrate existing technology to manufacture a fully functional, practical automaton had already achieved the expected goal.
This proved she possessed the basic ability to combine theoretical knowledge with practical operation, while also demonstrating an engineering mindset that followed standards and emphasized stability.
The two apprentices each successfully passed this critical practical assessment in their own different ways.
David demonstrated his application abilities and responsible attitude in the biomedical field, while Lucy displayed her foundational practical level in mechanical manufacturing and control systems.
Ryo logged the evaluation results into their personal files, marking that the two apprentices had successfully completed their primary learning stage and could begin to access deeper, more specialized knowledge systems.
—
Concluding his affairs and arrangements in Night City, Ryo found Młynar deep within the workshop.
The blonde noble was standing beside his Knight mech, holding a dataslate and verifying maintenance records.
"The Death World base has recently encountered several attacks." Ryo got straight to the point, his dark-red mechanical body gleaming with a metallic luster under the workshop lights. "Although the threat has been cleared for now, the defensive forces need to be strengthened. I intend to redeploy one mech from the Nearl family's Knight squad back for defense."
Młynar put down the dataslate, his eyes narrowing slightly.
He pondered for a moment, his finger tapping lightly on the dataslate: "Let Zofia lead a team back. She is experienced and excels at defensive combat. We'll allocate four Armiger mechs and the corresponding logistical supplies as well. This will both consolidate the defense and maintain a complete tactical unit."
This proposal was more comprehensive than Ryo's original idea.
He nodded slightly: "Acceptable. Tell Zofia her mission is to assist Marshal Anvil-7 in consolidating the base's defenses, particularly the security of the canyon experimental zone."
"Understood." Młynar immediately turned and began transmitting orders through an encrypted channel.
Not far away, Zofia, who was inspecting her mech, immediately offered a standard Knight's salute in Ryo's direction upon receiving the message, and then began to assemble her team.
At the same time, Ryo issued preparation orders to David and Lucy.
The two young people had just passed their assessments; receiving a new mission at this moment, they immediately began organizing their equipment and data.
David transferred his mother to the best hospital in Night City, specifically asking the Administrator to help look after her. Lucy stowed her newly manufactured Cybernetica Automata into a transport crate.
Maine's squad also completed their assembly in the shortest possible time.
Dorio checked the squad's weapons and equipment, Rebecca excitedly wiped down her heavy firearms, and Pilar took a final inventory of various bizarre electronic devices. They were now accustomed to this kind of sudden cross-dimensional deployment.
In front of the dimensional teleporter in the workshop's core area, Ryo made final confirmations of all parameters.
Zofia and her four Armiger mechs had already lined up in advance, their silver-gray armor gleaming coldly amidst the energy fluctuations.
"Teleportation sequence initiated." Ryo's synthesized voice echoed in the space.
The deep blue dimensional rift opened once again, the desolate landscape of the Death World faintly visible within the twisted light and shadow.
Zofia's Knight mech was the first to step into the rift, followed closely by the four Armiger mechs.
Next was Maine's squad; the members expertly lined up and entered.
David and Lucy exchanged a glance, took a deep breath, and also firmly stepped into the doorway of intertwining light and shadow.
Ryo was the last to pass through the rift. After his massive mechanical body was completely submerged, the dimensional tunnel slowly closed, and the workshop returned to tranquility.
Returning to the Death World base, Ryo immediately set about arranging the follow-up matters.
He had Ignis lead Zofia's squad to familiarize themselves with the base's defensive layout, while simultaneously ordering Maine's squad to begin preparing for a new dimensional exploration mission.