The cruiser "Eternal Quest" hovered silently in its synchronous orbit in Necromonda, like a sharp blade hidden in the shadows.
Inside the bridge, only the low hum of the cogitator array and the rhythmic flashing of indicator lights broke the silence.
Sekhmet stood in front of the control panel, her mechanical eye fixed on the flowing data stream.
Suddenly, a prioritized data stream that had been encrypted multiple times was received and quickly decoded.
Osiris' instructions and detailed action plan were presented to her, including the precise coordinates of the Ronker Town defense node, the action schedule, and the deployment requirements for each unit.
"Order received from Exploration Magos Osiris." Sekhmet's synthesized voice rang out on the bridge, steady and efficient, "All combat units, enter Level 1 combat readiness status."
The instructions were issued swiftly.
The cogitator began executing precise trajectory adjustments, the warship's thrusters emitted low pulses, and the massive hull began to move slowly and precisely, entering the optimal attack position.
A buzzing sound of energy gathering emanated from the weapon deck.
The light lance array on the bow began to charge, and the capacitor bank flashed with a dangerous light; inside the cannon's barrel, the ammunition loading mechanism was pushing the huge shell into the firing position.
The weapons officer constantly checked the status of each system through the data panel to ensure that a devastating strike could be launched the instant the command was given.
Meanwhile, inside the assault boat carrying the missionary soldiers and intelligent machine gunners, the red lights turned to standby yellow.
The frigates inspected their weapons; the electric rifles and transuranic matchlock guns had all been checked, and ammunition had been distributed to each soldier.
The optical sensors of the intelligent mechs flashed red, their combat protocols activated, and they remained silently mounted on the launch pad, awaiting the airdrop order.
On the tactical holographic platform, the model of Ronker Town was magnified, several peripheral defense nodes were highlighted, and several red dotted lines extended from the track to the ground, representing possible airdrop routes and fire coverage areas.
Other markers were set up in specific areas of the wasteland as interception points for potential escapees.
"Target locked," the weapons control priest reported. "All planned strike coordinates have been entered."
"The Guardian Commando is ready." The Guardian Commando's voice came through the communicator.
"Intelligent control unit is on standby," the machine gunner confirmed.
Sekhmet connected her servo skull to the main console, linking it to her own mind to monitor the status of every system and ensure that every step was accurate.
Time passed in silence, the warships like cheetahs poised to pounce, all their power concentrated in the impending explosion.
Her crimson optical lens stared at the marked town on the tactical hologram, awaiting the final signal from the ground.
Under the cover of night, Ronker Town maintained its usual order on the surface.
The guards patrolling the streets followed their predetermined routes, and a few residents who returned home late hurried back to their residences. Only the constant background noise of the ventilation system and the distant hum of machinery continued.
However, beneath this seemingly calm surface, undercurrents are surging.
Several kilometers outside the town, in a secluded depression surrounded by wind-eroded rock pillars, Osiris' transport boat was quietly moored, its hull covered with camouflage netting that blended seamlessly into the environment.
The hatch slid open silently, and a squad of undead mechs stepped out with precise strides; their shells were painted to perfectly mimic the texture and color of the surrounding rocks.
Following pre-set instructions, these light mechs quickly dispersed to their designated attack positions and took advantage of the terrain to conceal themselves.
Their optical sensors simultaneously lock onto the distant outline of Ronker Town, while their power systems remain in standby mode with minimal power consumption, like hunters lurking in the shadows.
Meanwhile, in another, more secluded canyon, heavy firepower units composed of Deathbringers and Fortress Star Soldiers had also been deployed.
Although these heavy machine gunners were not in the first wave of attack, they constituted an important tactical reserve.
Once the operation begins, this hidden force will become a key asset in changing the course of the battle.
Inside the town, Osiris, at his temporary residence, completed the final equipment check.
Osiris stood quietly in the shadows of his temporary residence, the high-density plasma reactor inside his body operating steadily, emitting a low hum.
He could feel the energy flowing smoothly through the veins beneath the armor, and every hidden weapon interface was ready to be activated with a single thought.
He conducted final communication verification with the transport ship and the machine troops lurking in various locations via encrypted neural links.
Data streams rapidly exchanged in his mind, confirming that each unit was precisely in position and that the system response time fully met operational requirements.
His sensor array continuously scans the surrounding environment, keenly capturing every energy fluctuation and change in communication signals, and alerting to any anomalies that could compromise the stealth of the operation.
Meanwhile, in Elias' cramped room filled with technical documents, the young man was engaged in intense preparations.
He repeatedly examined the hand-drawn simplified route map, his fingers trembling involuntarily as he hovered his fingers over each key node in the air.
His lips moved silently as he repeatedly recited the steps and timelines, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Fear clung to his heart like cold vines, each beat bringing a suffocating sense of oppression.
He could clearly hear his own rapid breathing, his palms were cold and clammy, and he could barely hold onto the crucial roadmap.
However, when the image of Osiris' promised healing appeared in her mind, and when she thought about the possibility of getting rid of this radiation-corroded body and gaining a new life in the Cult of Mechanics, an almost desperate determination rose from the bottom of her heart.
These two completely different emotions clashed fiercely within him, causing his body to stiffen at times and tremble slightly at others.
He unconsciously touched the miniature jammer hidden inside the lining of his protective suit; the cold touch brought a strange sense of comfort.
This small device is not only crucial to the success or failure of the mission, but also carries all his hopes.
He repeatedly checked the miniature jammer hidden inside the lining of his protective suit to make sure it was within easy reach.
The core members of the Van Sauer family were completely unaware of this.
The leader might be reviewing technical reports in his office, the guard commander might be conducting a routine shift change, and the maintenance workers might still be maintaining the equipment and pipes according to the schedule.
The town's daily rhythm remained unbroken, and no one noticed that the countdown to destruction had quietly reached its end.
A calm before the storm hung in the air, and only the most perceptive could detect the tension lurking beneath the surface.