Chapter 579: Invitation of the Steel Hound
After the initial joint training achieved significant results, the coordinated drills between the Death World base and the Steel Hound Legion entered a deeper and more regularized phase.
On the training grounds, the red Unit-01, purple Unit-02, and blue Unit-03 were no longer merely displaying their jaw-dropping individual performances. Instead, they began truly attempting to weave an effective tactical network with the Warhound-class Titans and Household Guard Knights of the Steel Hound Legion.
New tactical concepts were continuously proposed, verified, modified, and verified again.
Princeps Olaf and his tactical officers began to consciously adjust the Steel Hound Legion's inherent traditional combat methods, turning to explore a more flexible and dynamic coordination model.
They no longer tried to forcefully integrate the EVA-Titans into the established Titan tactical framework; instead, they redesigned the coordination process around their unique characteristics.
During training, they repeatedly practiced how to utilize the EVA-Titans' ultra-high mobility to execute battlefield interdiction missions, creating chaos on the enemy's flanks.
How to accurately tear open an assault window for the EVA-Titans under the cover of the Titans' heavy firepower volleys.
And how, after the EVA-Titans completed high-speed penetrations and paralyzed key enemy nodes, the Titan and Knight units could rapidly advance to consolidate the battle results and systematically mop up remaining resistance.
This process was not entirely smooth sailing.
Many details, such as communication coordination between different systems, firepower distribution in complex environments, and friend-or-foe identification during high-speed maneuvers, required repeated breaking-in.
The three pilots also faced new challenges: they needed to understand and adapt to the unique combat rhythm of the Imperial forces, the clearly hierarchical chain of command, and certain specific tactical signals and protocols.
Shinji Ikari was learning to trust these massive metallic allies, overcoming his inner fear of friendly fire.
Asuka was attempting to integrate her personal valor into team collaboration, learning to sacrifice local advantages for the overall tactics at critical moments.
And Rei Ayanami executed every order with her usual precision, while also passively assimilating the subtle influences of the Titan Legion's combat style.
Ryo (second avatar) closely monitored all of this.
The continuous stream of training data indicated that the coordination efficiency of this mixed squad was steadily improving, and the casualty exchange ratio in simulated confrontations continued to optimize.
But his calm, logical core clearly recognized that no matter how realistic the simulated training was, there always existed a chasm difficult to completely bridge between it and a real battlefield.
The lack of life-and-death pressure in decision-making, preset battlefield environments, and confrontations without actual casualties could never fully replicate the ruthlessness and chaos of war.
He had been considering whether it was necessary to arrange a low-intensity practical combat test within a controllable scope for this nascent force—which fused otherworldly technology and Imperial armaments. This would aim to expose potential issues under real artillery fire and forge a tougher, highly efficient combat synergy.
Just as he was weighing this, an encrypted, high-priority communication request from the Steel Hound Legion's headquarters—located on the Forge World of Nexum—was patched into the base's command center.
The person initiating the communication was not Princeps Olaf, but a higher-ranking senior executive of the Steel Hound Legion named Valkyria Stoke.
Her holographic image displayed a woman with a stern expression and sharp eyes, wearing an exquisite commander's uniform adorned with the Steel Hound emblem.
"Greetings, Magos Ryo." Executive Stoke's opening was direct and efficient. "I am communicating with you on behalf of the High Command of the Steel Hound Legion. We have conducted an in-depth evaluation of the joint training report transmitted back by Princeps Olaf regarding the 'EVA-Titans' and their pilots under your possession."
She paused slightly, seemingly observing Ryo's reaction, but Ryo (second avatar) simply listened in silence.
"The conclusions in the report are impressive, even deserving to be called... subversive." Executive Stoke continued, "However, training ground data ultimately has its limitations. Nexum, including the Legion's interior and the upper echelons of the Forge World, all wish to witness the actual efficacy of these war machines with our own eyes in a real combat environment. We believe that only the flames of war can temper a true blade, and only then can it be verified whether it is worth the Imperium investing more attention and resources."
She pulled up a star map, pointing to a blinking speck of light.
"We are currently facing a suitable opportunity. The Agri-World of 'Verdant III,' located on the edge of the Segmentum Tempestus, is suffering an invasion from a decently sized Ork tribe. The local Planetary Defense Forces and a small number of Astra Militarum troops are struggling to resist, but the situation has not completely spiraled out of control. The Steel Hound Legion has decided to dispatch a detachment, including the unit commanded by Princeps Olaf, to provide support. We hope that the EVA-Titan combat squad can tag along and participate in this purge operation."
This was a direct invitation for action, and it also provided an impeccable stage to showcase the EVA-Titans' practical combat value.
Ryo (second avatar) did not immediately respond to Executive Stoke.
He raised a hand to signal a pause, temporarily muting the communication, and immediately established a high-speed consciousness link with his main body far away on Mars.
"The Steel Hound Legion headquarters has sent a formal invitation. The target is the world of Verdant III, to execute an Ork species purge mission." He transmitted the core information to his main body.
The main body's feedback was as calm and efficient as expected: "A logical progression. The Steel Hound Legion needs actual battle results to support the evaluation report they will submit to the Collegia Titanica, and the higher-ups of the Nexum Forge World also require intuitive proof of combat power that transcends data. This operation is a critical node to verify the EVA-Titans' efficacy in a real battlefield environment and to further elevate our voice in this project. Although the Ork threat is sizeable and barbaric, their tactical patterns are relatively linear, easy to predict and control, making them a suitable target for an initial combat test. Approved for participation, but the bottom line for negotiation is: we must ensure that we possess independent command and deployment authority over the EVA units and their pilots, and under no circumstances can they be incorporated into the regular attrition sequence of the Imperial forces."
"Directive clear." The second avatar severed the connection with the main body. He knew very well that this trip was not only the ultimate test of the EVA-Titans' performance but also a crucial trial for the unconventional cooperative model he had established with the Steel Hound Legion.
He resumed communication with Executive Stoke, facing her holographic image and saying, "Your Excellency Executive, I have thoroughly reviewed your Legion's invitation. In principle, I agree to dispatch the EVA-Titan combat squad to participate in the purge operation on Verdant III."
The optical sensors beneath Executive Stoke's metallic faceplate flickered slightly, revealing a trace of having achieved her goal.
"However," Ryo's tone smoothly shifted, "before final confirmation, I must consult the personal intentions of my pilots. It needs to be made clear that they are not members within the Imperial military hierarchy, but individuals cooperating with me based on a specific contract. Their voluntary participation is one of the important prerequisite conditions for this operation to be executed."