Chapter 578: Report of the Steel Hound Legion
The joint coordinated training, which lasted for several weeks, finally came to an end.
As the afterglow of the setting sun draped a layer of dark golden luster over the desert of the Death World, the three EVA-Titans marched with steady steps, following the Titan formation of the Steel Hound Legion back to the assembly area.
The heavy sounds of metallic feet stepping on the gravel ground intertwined with the low roar of the Titan engines, forming a unique rhythm on the wasteland.
Unlike the atmosphere of probing and curiosity at the beginning of the training, the ranks were now permeated with a tacit understanding and respect born from practical combat integration.
The spacing during the formation's march was maintained much more precisely, and the positional coordination between units appeared more natural and fluid.
The members of the Steel Hound Legion—from the crew members standing in the Titan command cabins to the Tech-Priests maintaining equipment on the ground—all coincidentally fixed their gazes upon those three distinctly colored alien god-machines.
Through observation windows and monitoring screens, their eyes followed those elegant and powerful silhouettes.
Their gazes no longer held their initial doubt or simple amazement, but had settled into a complex emotion mixing awe and admiration.
Some senior Princeps whispered their evaluations of specific tactical maneuvers over the internal communication channels, while weapons officers discussed how to adjust the timing of their fire support.
The astonishing performance displayed by these war machines during the training, as well as the exquisite skills shown by their pilots, had already won the acknowledgment of this elite Imperial force.
Even the usually most conservative Tech-Priests were rapidly recording the observed fluctuation patterns of energy readings on their data slates.
Inside the temporary command center erected at the edge of the training zone, Princeps Olaf personally presented a thick data slate to Ryo (second avatar).
The casing of the data slate was cold metal, etched with the sigil of the Steel Hound Legion, indicating the extraordinary nature of this report.
Inside the command center, several cogitator terminals were still processing the final training data, and servo-skulls circled slowly in the air, emitting faint hums.
"Lord Astartes," Olaf's voice penetrated the interference of ambient noise, still maintaining a solemn tone, "after this period of close coordination, we have completed this preliminary assessment report. It records our observations and analysis of the EVA-Titans' combat capabilities, as well as our initial judgment of their potential value on future battlefields."
He paused slightly, seeming to weigh his words, then continued: "I must speak frankly; in the early stages of training, we felt quite bewildered regarding how to effectively coordinate with units possessing such outstanding mobility. The traditional Titan tactical system revealed certain limitations when facing this entirely new combat paradigm."
"But through repeated drills and tactical deductions, we are convinced that the EVA-Titans are by no means challengers to our existing system, but rather an extremely precious supplement. They can fill critical gaps in our tactical framework and become true force multipliers."
Ryo (second avatar) took the data slate, the fingers of his Terminator power armor making a faint sound as they contacted the metal casing.
He could feel the weight of this report—not just its physical thickness, but the significance it represented.
On the display screen of the data slate, summaries of key data were already scrolling, including reaction time statistics, coordination efficiency metrics, and tactical feasibility assessments.
This was formal recognition from a Titan Legion of the Imperium, and it was the achievement of a crucial step in his plan.
Princeps Olaf continued to state the core contents of the report with a steady and certain tone: "First, we confirm that the EVA-Titans' unparalleled ultra-high-speed mobility makes them the most ideal units for executing high-speed reconnaissance and deep penetration strike missions. They are fully capable of penetrating fire blockade zones that conventional reconnaissance units would find insurmountable before our main forces engage the enemy. They can acquire critical intelligence and deliver devastating, lightning-fast strikes against vulnerable links such as enemy rear supply lines, communication nodes, or un-deployed artillery positions."
He paused briefly to let the attendees digest this information, then delved deeper: "Building upon this, we can further develop highly subversive 'flanking assault' and 'decapitation' tactics. On the frontal battlefield, our Legion's Titans will form an insurmountable steel frontline, drawing in and firmly pinning down the enemy's main forces. Meanwhile, the EVA-Titans can rely on their speed advantage to execute wide-ranging flanking maneuvers, launching lethal strikes from directions the enemy cannot anticipate. Their targets will be aimed directly at the enemy's command centers, key psykers, or core units like warlords, with the hope of collapsing the enemy's command structure and will to fight in the early stages of a campaign."
"In defensive operations," Olaf shifted the topic, "the EVA-Titans can similarly play an irreplaceable role. Their outstanding mobility means they can rapidly reinforce critical nodes across our Legion's defensive lines, effectively making up for the inherent flaws of traditional Titan forces' relatively slow turning and redeployment. They can quickly plug gaps in the defensive line caused by enemy assaults, and keenly seize combat opportunities to instantly transform a steadfast defense into a fierce counterattack."
"Finally, and most crucially," his tone became even heavier, "we assess that the EVA-Titans will be the optimal choice for executing 'special target hunting' missions. Whether it is alien behemoths, Chaos Daemon Engines, or heavy armor units of the Traitor Legions—these high-value, high-threat targets that usually require an immense toll to resolve can be handed over to the EVA-Titans for surgical elimination. They combine the traits of super-mobility, sturdy defense, and devastating offense; they are the exact nemesis of such troublesome opponents."
"We firmly believe," Olaf finally concluded, his voice carrying a fanatical yet steadfast conviction, "that the integration of the EVA-Titans and the Imperial Titans is by no means a simple addition of strength, but a qualitative leap that will inevitably pioneer a completely new paradigm in ground warfare. Therefore, the Steel Hound Legion formally and strongly recommends normalizing and deepening this type of fruitful joint training, and to commence drafting corresponding joint tactical doctrines as soon as possible. At the same time, we will submit the detailed records, data analyses of this training, and our highest rating conclusion regarding the tactical value of the EVA-Titans to the High Command of the Collegia Titanica at the fastest possible speed."
This was exactly the result Ryo had been waiting for.
He replied calmly: "I thank Princeps Olaf and the Steel Hound Legion for the objective assessment and valuable opinions. We agree to continue deepening our cooperation and explore the optimal coordinated combat models. Regarding the report to the Collegia Titanica, we have no objections."
After the conversation ended, Ryo (second avatar) immediately synchronized the complete training report, the Steel Hound Legion's assessment conclusions, and his own analysis to the main body.
The data stream transmitted through an encrypted psionic channel, completing the exchange in almost an instant.
Upon receiving the information, the main body quickly provided feedback: "The results meet expectations. The positive evaluation from the Steel Hound Legion is a critical step. The Collegia Titanica is not a monolith; this combat-oriented assessment report from a frontline legion will vastly increase our bargaining chips during negotiations with the Collegia Titanica. For the next step, we can open up some non-core EVA-Titan technical parameters to the Steel Hound Legion as appropriate, in exchange for their more active support within the Collegia Titanica. Meanwhile, strengthen the psychological counseling and loyalty cultivation of the three pilots; they are the crucial bond maintaining our ties with this force."
"Understood," the second avatar responded.
The information displayed on the data slate was further archived into a more secure storage unit, while multiple backups were simultaneously generated.
He knew that the phase of demonstrating strength had been successfully completed; what followed would be more complex exchanges of interests and political maneuvering.
Some preliminary technology sharing lists had already begun scrolling on the auxiliary display screen, outlining the scope of non-core parameters that could potentially be provided.
But with the revealed trump card of the EVA-Titans and the initially won-over ally that was the Steel Hound Legion, their influence within the Martian Mechanicum—especially within the vital faction of the Collegia Titanica—would inevitably experience a steady rise.
Greater resource allocation authority and research permissions were becoming well within reach.