Among my own six Mechanical Ultra Brothers, the original has the weakest combat power—only the physical fitness of an ordinary Ultra Warrior, a Specium Ray, and some basic skills like the Spacium Cutter.
The only exception is the Mechanical Ace Robot—the one made by Yapool. In terms of initial combat power, it's weaker than the Salome version, but after being enhanced to its ultimate form, the Ace Robot actually excels more in defense. As for beam skills, both versions can use Super Metallium Ray.
"Lord Rhodes, although they look exactly the same, that other Mechanical Ace is a totally different technological product.
The Ace Robot built from Yapool's original blueprints is only slightly faster than an Emperor-class Titan, but its cost, after my analysis, is very cheap.
We can also modify it to increase its speed and enable it to fly in outer space.
As for the other versions, only the original Ultraman and Jack Ultraman are affordable.
They're also relatively easy to mass-produce. The other Ultraseven don't have as good a cost-performance ratio.
In terms of combat power, only the beam is a bit weaker, but the Specium Ray's power is enough to handle all sorts of situations.
We can also tweak their height to 50 meters during production—a trivial technical task," Belisarius Cawl analyzed for Rhodes.
After obtaining the production data and blueprints for the Mechanical Ultra Warriors and King Joe, he immediately began his research.
His final conclusion: producing mechanical versions of the original or Jack Ultraman, combined with the Yapool's Ace Robot, is the best strategic choice.
Although the Specium Ray isn't as powerful as the Metallium Ray, Wide Shot, or Storium Ray, it's cheap to manufacture.
It's still strong enough to destroy any enemies they currently face in one shot.
Rhodes nodded at this. The Mechanical Ultra Brothers are always just imitations—only replicating the basic combat abilities. Their fusion skills and evolved abilities can't be used at all.
So, producing both the original Ultraman and Ace Robot together is the perfect choice.
"I also have an idea, Lord Rhodes. We could transplant these beam weapons into our ships—even replace some macro cannons," Cawl said.
The beam weapon is the Mechanical Ultra Warrior's strongest weapon. Since a robot can fire it, there's no reason it can't be transplanted onto a spaceship. If anything, the output would be even greater.
"That's possible! Cawl, which beam weapon are you planning to install on the battle barges?" Rhodes asked.
"For now, the most suitable is Ace Seven's Emerium Ray, fired using the green timer on its head.
We can fabricate this timer and install it in the ship's gun-mount, firing the Emerium Ray. As for the other beams—
They require forming a cross or L-shape with both hands, which is currently hard to copy, and their power isn't much higher than Emerium Ray. Emerium Ray is sufficient," Cawl said.
Practicality is key, so Ace Seven's Emerium Ray is the best fit.
"Alright, then use the Emerium Ray. My two space carriers don't need it.
The Pedanium Ray isn't weaker than the Emerium Ray. Install the Emerium Ray on the other Imperial battle barges," Rhodes agreed.
"Then, Lord Rhodes, could you ask Lady Salome to stay on Mars a bit longer to help me with some research?" Cawl requested.
"No problem, I'll speak to her. From now on, for mass production, we'll focus on the original and Ace. I'll also have Salome assist you with installing the Emerium Ray emitters on the battle barges," Rhodes replied.
Cawl is extremely busy now and truly needs a technical expert. The other Magos or Archmagos of the Mechanicum can't help much.
The only thing they can do is perform Machine Spirit awakening rituals after the Mechanical Ultra Warriors or King Joe are built.
After confirming the production of the Mechanical Ultra Warriors and the refit proposal for the Imperial battle barges, Rhodes chatted a bit more with Cawl before piloting his ship back to Holy Terra.
…
For the next two days, Rhod spent time with Elena, receiving a large number of Imperial Ecclesiarchy personnel.
"Great Child of God, Lord Rhodes, and Imperial Grand Princess Elena! It is our honor to be received by you both," a high-ranking Ecclesiarch knelt and said.
At this moment, fanaticism was written in the bishop's eyes. They are thorough religious fanatics.
In the Imperium, you can call the Ecclesiarchy parasites or scum, but you must never doubt their faith or loyalty to the Emperor.
After the Emperor awoke, the Ecclesiarchy was the first to declare their loyalty, and their devotion is second only to the Custodes.
Otherwise, they wouldn't cultivate fanatical units like the Sisters of Battle. If the Ecclesiarchy had appeared ten thousand years ago, the Emperor would have wiped them out immediately.
To the Emperor, they're useless and even risk spawning a Chaos God.
But now, the Emperor thinks differently. After ten thousand years of prayers from humanity, the Ecclesiarchy has brought him great benefits.
It has also given the common people a spiritual pillar. If the Emperor were just an ordinary ruler, he wouldn't receive prayers from the people.
But as the God-Emperor on the Golden Throne, he does.
He even feels nostalgic for Lorgar because of this!
To help Rhodes better integrate into the Imperium and eventually accept worship, the Emperor has placed Rhodes very high.
"No need for formalities! The Ecclesiarchy plays a key role in maintaining faith among the people, and this faith prevents Chaos corruption," Rhodes smiled, gesturing for the archbishop to rise.
"Thank you, great scion of the God! Our Ecclesiarchy exists to serve the Emperor!" The archbishop proceeded to flatter Rhodes and Elena, his fanaticism obvious.
Rhodes could only grit his teeth and receive the Ecclesiarchy. Elena, however, felt nothing amiss, being from the Ecclesiarchy herself.
After meeting with the Ecclesiarchy's leadership, they agreed that the Ecclesiarchy would regularly send batches of highly devout Sisters of Battle to receive Astartes-level augmentation.
Some of the enhanced Sisters would stay with Elena's legion; others would be deployed as garrisons across the Imperium.
The first-generation augmentation surgery for Sisters would also be passed to other garrisoned worlds, allowing local Sisters to receive Elena's gene-seed and undergo transformation.
The Sisters' duties are heavy, and their numbers far exceed the Astartes. Bringing them all to Terra for augmentation is unrealistic.
Unlike the new Primaris Astartes, Sisters' augmentation no longer requires a medical pod. Like the original Space Marines, the process can be done within the order.
The Ecclesiarchy also stated that wherever the Sisters go, they are daughters of the Emperor. But after augmentation, they will refer to themselves as Granddaughters of the Emperor and daughters of the Imperial Princess.
After seeing the Ecclesiarchy, Rhodes selected 10,000 of his own gene-progeny and chose a brigade commander to accompany him to the Space Wolves' homeworld, Fenris.
For the entourage, Rhodes chose a newly joined Black Templar Marshal.
The new Black Templar Marshals were all given warband-leader status by Rhodes; each had several hundred Crusaders and new recruits, bringing their numbers to about 1,000.
As for the brigade commander, Rhodes chose Tyberos, former Chapter Master of the Space Sharks. Since this mission required subduing the Wolves with force, strong combat power was a must.
The night before departure, Titus approached Rhodes to express his intentions.