Chapter 405: Iron Guard Project
Death World base, core command nexus.
Ryo's massive dark-red mechanical body stood quietly before the main control console, his crimson optical lenses sweeping over the real-time status data streams of the base's various sectors.
The aftershocks of the dimensional teleportation had completely subsided within the isolation chamber, and the base's energy readings returned to baseline levels.
"Ignis," Ryo's synthesized voice rang out in the silent nexus.
Ignis, standing by, immediately took a step forward, completing the data interface connection with the main console. "Lord Magos."
"Lead Knight Zofia and her squad to familiarize themselves with the base's defensive layout, particularly the sensor network and firing point configurations in the canyon experimental zone. Their clearances have been entered into the secondary sequence of the base's defense system."
"Directive confirmed," Ignis responded, immediately turning to Zofia who was on standby nearby.
Zofia, clad in a pilot suit, nodded slightly to her. The two quickly exchanged the base's structural map and defense node information via data streams.
Ryo's gaze turned to Maine's squad, gathered and on standby on the other side. "Maine."
The tall mercenary captain took a step forward, and Dorio, Rebecca, Pilar, Falco, and the others behind him stood at attention accordingly.
They still carried the clamorous aura of Night City on them, but their eyes had already switched to mission status.
"The new dimensional exploration mission has entered the preparation phase," Ryo's synthesized voice was steady and waveless. "Your upcoming work is divided into three parts."
He brought up a holographic projection of a material manifest.
"One, comprehensively inspect and maintain existing exploration equipment. This includes the life-support systems of environmental hazard suits, the energy reserves of weapon modules, general-purpose reconnaissance drones, and their control terminals. All equipment must reach standard operational parameters."
"Two, adaptive training. The base's training ground has simulated high-gravity and low-gravity environmental parameters. All members must complete basic physical adaptation and tactical movement calibration."
"Three, standby. Await the preliminary reconnaissance data transmitted back from the target dimension, and conduct targeted equipment adjustments based on it."
Maine nodded steadily. "Understood. Equipment inspection can start today, and adaptive training will initiate tomorrow."
He looked at his squad members behind him. Dorio had already begun checking the hydraulic systems of her power fists, while Rebecca was checking the energy readings of her heavy weapons.
"Pilar," Ryo called him out by name. "You are responsible for inspecting and optimizing the stability of the squad members' neural interfaces and data links. Ensure that communication and sensory enhancement systems will not be subjected to unpredictable interference in an unknown dimensional environment."
"Leave it to me, Magos." Pilar waved his signature silver cybernetic arm, brimming with confidence.
Ryo transmitted an encrypted data packet to Maine. "This is the predictive model for the basic environmental parameters of the target dimension for this mission, as well as an analysis of potential energy interference patterns. Use it as a reference for training."
"Received." Maine confirmed the reception, the data stream flickering in the corner of his tactical visor.
Having arranged the preparation work for the exploration squad, Ryo transferred temporary clearance for the command nexus to Ignis: "Maintain the base's routine operations. In case of anomalies, handle them according to the contingency plans, or report directly to me via the encrypted link."
"As you command, Lord Magos."
Ryo's massive body turned towards the corridor leading to the hangar.
He needed to return to the Forge World of Nexum to personally inspect the actual progress of the "Iron Guard" project.
Data reports could be disguised, but the actual mechs rolling off the production line, the neural connection synchronization rates fed back by the pilots, and even the activity levels of the Machine Spirits all required his personal perception and evaluation.
On the Death World base's landing pad, a small shuttle's engines activated, emitting a low hum.
Ryo's massive mechanical body stepped into the cabin. The shuttle subsequently lifted off, pierced through the atmosphere, and headed towards low orbit.
In orbit, the cruiser Eternal Seeker of Knowledge hovered silently.
The shuttle sailed smoothly into its ventral hangar, where servo-locks secured it. Ryo left the shuttle and arrived directly at the bridge via an internal corridor.
"Set course: Forge World of Nexum," he issued the command to the ship's cogitators.
"Course locked. Warp voyage estimated to take five standard days."
The warp engine at the rear of the Eternal Seeker of Knowledge activated, and the hull was enveloped by a spatial bubble, subsequently vanishing from its current coordinates.
During the voyage, Ryo accessed all the "Iron Guard" project data transmitted from the Forge World of Nexum.
He focused on three sections: the mech operational logs and pilot physiological damage reports for the standard operation version; the combat test records and system stability data for the neural connection version; and the actual assembly progress on the production line and quality control reports.
He compared the project data with the periodic summaries submitted by Archmagos Vox, flagging seventeen performance parameters that required on-site verification and three production nodes where reporting delays might exist.
Five days later, the Eternal Seeker of Knowledge precisely dropped out of its warp state, appearing at the outskirts of the Nexum system. It quickly obtained clearance and sailed into the main starport to dock.
After disembarking, Ryo declined the reception procedures arranged by the starport officials, nor did he proceed to the Forge Temple for ceremonial meetings. Instead, he directly boarded an internal transport vehicle and headed to the main production and assembly line of the "Iron Guard" project.
Stepping into the noisy and massive assembly hall, the sounds of metal clashing and energy tools humming were endless.
On the assembly line, over a dozen "Iron Guard" mechs were in various stages of assembly.
The project supervisor, Forge Magos Marcus Thorne, quickly appeared. He wore a standard red robe and his degree of modification was moderate, retaining a few human facial features.
He stepped forward quickly and offered Ryo a concise sign of the cog.
"Magos Ryo, apologies for not greeting you from afar. Your arrival boosts the efficiency here." Although they were both Magi, Marcus still displayed respect towards Ryo.
Ryo nodded slightly in return: "Magos Thorne. Retrieve all combat test records from the past three months for the standard operation version, as well as the corresponding physiological monitoring logs of the pilots."
His synthesized voice cut straight to the chase.
The data stream was rapidly connected to Ryo's processing core.
He analyzed it rapidly: the mech's output power had increased by about 12%, and the weapon system performance had been enhanced, at the cost of the reactor's operational load and energy radiation levels exceeding the initial design's safety thresholds.
The pilots' physiological data showed that long-term operation would accumulate radiation damage and increase the risk of tissue necrosis.
"We weighed the performance against the costs," Marcus explained from the side, his tone cautious but firm. "Under current warzone demands, survival often takes priority over long-term health.
"These modifications have indeed deviated from the safety redundancies you initially set, but they have not touched the core architecture."
Ryo accessed the data for the neural connection version.
Although the various specialized configurations sacrificed versatility, tactical adaptability was significantly enhanced.
He walked up to a mech, his mechadendrites connecting to a maintenance interface to read the underlying operational logs.
The Machine Spirit was active and stable, integrating well with the reinforced mech body.
Ryo silently evaluated all the information.
The project team's modifications were indeed more radical and harsher on the pilots.
But in this cruel universe, this trade-off—exchanging a portion of health and lifespan for stronger survival and lethality—had proven to be effective.
The current models could be viewed as a natural evolution of the original design under harsh reality.
He retracted his mechadendrite.
"Maintain the existing mass-production design and production rhythm," Ryo's directive was clear and unequivocal.
Marcus Thorne nodded slightly.
"Following your judgment. The production line will continue to operate according to the existing standards." He maintained a respectful posture, but his eyes revealed the understanding of a fellow technological decision-maker.
Ryo left the assembly hall.
The Iron Guard project had indeed deviated from his initial concept of "safer equipment," but it had become a qualified weapon more aligned with the battlefield needs of the Warhammer universe.