The news of the decision to join the war rippled through the Nexum base like a stone cast into still water, but it was quickly overtaken by the base's efficient and goal-oriented machinery.
Osiris officially replied to Executor Stalker of the Iron Hounds, confirming the participation of the EVA Titan combat squad. The other party was clearly satisfied with the outcome; a faint, nearly imperceptible sense of relief could be detected over the communication channel.
Detailed mission briefings, topographic data for Verdan III, and preliminary analysis reports on the invading Ork warband's tactical characteristics were swiftly transmitted. This information was immediately distributed to the three pilots with orders to absorb and master it as quickly as possible.
The intelligence explicitly stated that no super-heavy units—such as Great Gargants or Stompas—had been observed in this Ork invasion. For the EVA Titans, which stood over eighty meters tall, this was undoubtedly good news. It meant that in conventional ground engagements, they had little to fear from threats of an equivalent size and could focus their attention on other tactical layers.
In the days that followed, the atmosphere at the base became noticeably more tense and focused. This tension did not stem from fear of an unknown enemy, but from the weight given to the mission itself. Inside the hangar, Tech-Priests and servitors performed final pre-departure inspections and maintenance on the three EVA Titans. Energy conduits were meticulously recalibrated, heavy armor seams underwent non-destructive testing, and various weapon systems—from melee power claws to long-range energy cannons—underwent final live-fire calibration to ensure stable power output.
Bathed in the dense lights of the maintenance gantries, the massive frames of the Crimson, Violet, and Ice Blue units gleamed with a cold, majestic luster, looking like blades about to be drawn.
Shinji Ikari, Asuka, and Rei Ayanami threw themselves into high-intensity pre-war study and specialized simulation training. They needed to understand the basic behavioral patterns of Orks—the near-frenzied mass charges driven by a crude "WAAAGH!" energy field, their crude but high-volume ballistic weapons and explosives, and the role of the Ork Nobz as local combat anchors.
Simulation training introduced large waves of these attacks—not to stress the pilots, but to familiarize them with this chaotic battlefield environment. They practiced how to most efficiently clear these "mobs" and how to quickly identify and suppress Ork leaders to collapse their momentum.
Knowing the potential threat level was lower than expected, the three pilots approached their training with slightly different mindsets. Shinji, upon learning that his primary opponents were not insurmountable giants, seemed to relax his strained nerves, allowing him to focus better on the tactics themselves. He forced himself to memorize every point, repeatedly practicing defensive stances and emergency evasion maneuvers for Unit-02 in the simulator; he did not want anyone to suffer because of his mistakes.
Asuka was more eager for the fray. She focused her training on maximizing the high mobility of Unit-01 for rapid sweeps and precision strikes. She ran repeated drills with the tactical systems, searching for the most suitable infiltration and extraction routes for dealing with potential Ork heavy units or striking key nodes.
Rei remained calm as always, executing every command with precision and analyzing the patterns in Ork behavior. In the simulations, her Unit-03 acted as precision fire and energy support, ensuring every strike was efficient and lethal.
Osiris coordinated all preparations and maintained close communication with the Iron Hounds to synchronize departure schedules and rendezvous details. Simultaneously, he reported progress to his main body via the consciousness link.
"They chose to fight," the second avatar stated.
"A choice based on emotional connection and self-valuation, consistent with the individual psychological models," the main body's response was characteristically rational. "Ensuring their survival in actual combat is key to maintaining the value of this project and securing subsequent resources. I have authorized a batch of master-crafted spare parts to accompany you. Additionally, a small support team of Tech-Priests and medical units will travel with you under your direct command."
"Understood."
The day of departure arrived quickly. On the vast, desolate landing pad of Nexum, a specially modified heavy transport ship belonging to the Adeptus Mechanicus stood ready. Its massive hull was like a moving mountain of metal, its internal cargo holds reinforced and expanded enough to accommodate three EVA Titans. Inside the hold, the Crimson, Violet, and Ice Blue units were locked firmly in place by gargantuan holding frames. Thick energy cables and structural supports bound them to the ship—three ancient deities briefly shackled, about to step into the mortal realm, silently accumulating power in the dim light.
Shinji, Asuka, and Rei had already entered the transport's living quarters. Through the thick portholes, they looked out at the grey, barren, and lifeless world. A slight vibration from the metal deck signaled the ship's activation. This departure was vastly different from their brief excursion to Corona VII; they were heading toward a known, real battlefield. Though intelligence suggested the threat level was manageable, the nature of war remained unchanged.
Osiris confirmed the loading of the technical team, medical units, and spare supplies for the last time before boarding the transport with steady steps. He still wore his Hades-type Terminator power armor. In this universe of unknowns and dangers, this armor was not just his most reliable protection, but also a prominent symbol of his identity and standing.
"All units confirmed in position. Requesting takeoff clearance," the captain's calm voice echoed through the internal comms.
"Takeoff approved," Osiris replied concisely.
With the command given, the heavy transport's engines emitted a deep, powerful roar that shook the entire landing pad like a beast's growl. Under the combined force of anti-gravity fields and thrusters, the massive ship lifted smoothly from the ground, trailing bright blue ion wakes as it began its slow ascent.
The oppressive surface of Nexum shrank in the windows, its details blurring until it was replaced by the planet's murky atmosphere and the endless black space beyond. After correcting its orientation, the ship steered toward the frontline rendezvous coordinates marked on the star map. Engine power increased further as it began its long-distance acceleration toward the warp jump point.
In the living quarters, Shinji watched the sparse starlight streaking past the window. His hands were clasped tightly together as if to steady the turmoil within. Asuka pulled up her personal data slate again, her fingers sliding quickly across the screen as she reviewed offline data on Ork tactics, her gaze sharp and focused. Rei sat quietly in a fixed seat, eyes partially closed, seemingly resting or making some internal adjustment, isolated from the noise of the preparations.
Osiris stood at the front of the compartment, his silhouette made upright and towering by the power armor. He looked at the three young figures. What they were about to face was not the ultimate cruelty of this universe, but it was a true and undeniable piece of it. Their choice had led them onto a path entirely different from their quiet lives of the past—a path destined to be filled with smoke and unknown challenges.
The transport ship sailed steadily through the void, heading firmly toward Verdan III where the fires of war were about to spread, and toward the scheduled rendezvous with the main force of the Iron Hounds.