Chapter 178: Commando Power Armor
The core area of the Badlands manufactorum was shrouded in a low hum. Time here was sliced into precise millisecond units. Cold halos of light flowed across the control interfaces, outlining Joric's silent, metallic frame with increasing sharpness.
His crimson optical lenses steadily tracked the holographic projection suspended in the air, which displayed the latest real-time dynamics from the manufactorum's perimeter.
A team equipped significantly better than local armed forces was establishing fortifications—this was the "Barghest" unit commanded by Kurt Hansen, a former independent combat unit recently re-enlisted by the NUSA.
Deployed here as the vanguard under the cooperation framework, they were responsible for constructing the outer defensive line.
Just as Joric was assessing the efficiency of the defensive deployment, the manufactorum's airlock slid open silently.
Mower's figure appeared at the entrance. Behind her followed four heavy transport bots, working together to move a sealed crate emblazoned with the Militech logo.
"Master, the sample has arrived," Mower's voice was calm and ripple-free. "The Militech representative is waiting outside, accompanied by a Lazarus mercenary power armor squad."
Joric's metal head turned slightly, his crimson optical lenses focusing on the sealed crate, which was approximately four meters long and three meters wide. "Let them in."
As the airlock fully opened, a middle-aged man in a standard Militech suit stepped in, followed by five Lazarus mercenaries fully clad in armor, moving in unison.
The power armor of these mercenaries was clearly superior to the models used by the Barghest troops outside, with faint blue energy streams visible at the armor joints.
"Mr. Sage," the Militech representative bowed slightly. "In accordance with the agreement, we have brought a sample of the latest Commando-VI model, along with a Lazarus squad responsible for training.
"Colonel Hansen's troops are currently conducting the handover with our technicians."
Through the open manufactorum gates, the Lazarus squad could be seen conducting the handover with the Barghest advance team on the training ground.
Two Lazarus mercenaries were demonstrating the basic operation procedures of the power armor to the Barghest soldiers, their movements precise and efficient.
"We look forward to your professional assessment," the representative continued, signaling the transport bots to place the crate steadily onto the analysis platform.
Joric's crimson lenses swept over the Lazarus mercenaries present, noting the unique NUSA insignia on the shoulders of their power armor. "Open it."
Mower stepped forward to operate the unlocking mechanism. With the low hum of hydraulics, the crate's protective panels slowly unfolded, revealing the grey-black power armor secured inside.
Meanwhile, outside, the Lazarus squad had already begun guiding the Barghest soldiers through the power armor startup sequence. The roar of engines igniting echoed across the training ground.
Mower operated the control panel on the side of the casing.
With the deep hiss of hydraulic devices, the casing panels fully retracted, revealing the steel giant firmly fixed to the buffer frame.
A humanoid power armor, nearly three meters tall and entirely grey-black, was presented before them.
Its armor surface had a matte finish, reflecting almost no light under the manufactorum's illumination.
Thick bionic joints and heavy composite armor plates constituted an appearance of extreme power. Standard weapon hardpoints on both arms were exposed, revealing the essence of its modular design.
"Sample status nominal. No anomalies detected during transport," Mower added, directing the transport bots to fully unload the crate.
Joric's processor had already begun retrieving relevant data.
This "Commando-VI" power armor was the main equipment of Militech's ground forces. Its design philosophy clearly leaned towards pragmatism—emphasizing firepower and protection, while compromising on mobility and energy efficiency.
"You may return to your post," Joric's voice echoed in the manufactorum.
Mower nodded slightly and retreated quietly. The Militech representative and the Lazarus mercenaries also tactfully withdrew, and the airlock sealed once more.
Now, only Joric and this steel giant remained in the manufactorum.
His optical lenses scanned every detail of the power armor meticulously, from the shock absorption system in the feet to the sensor array in the head.
The technological level represented by this machine was about to undergo a review that transcended this era.
"Log: Sample 'Commando-VI' received. Preliminary external scan complete. Structural integrity assessment 87.4%. Three non-critical transport abrasions detected." Joric's voice sounded in the workshop, carrying the specific focus of a researcher, and even a hint of interest.
A Servo-skull hovering in mid-air responded immediately. Projecting a pale blue scanning beam from its eye socket, it flew slowly around the power armor, emitting a continuous, monotonous buzzing sound.
"Scan confirms external armor is titanium-ceramic composite. Joint drive system is a high-torque hydraulic and electromagnetic hybrid. Power core is a high-density fission battery. Current output stable. Efficiency is 42% lower than Mars Standard Type-IV reactor." Its voice was flat and devoid of fluctuation, as if retrieving words from a fixed library.
"Efficiency issues were expected." Joric's crimson lenses carefully swept over the interface on the back of the power armor. A very light, almost sigh-like stream of air came from beneath his metal faceplate. "However, the design philosophy of this thing is quite interesting. Look at this interface layout...
"Focus on its operation mode. Access the internal system. Pull up the operation manual and neural connection protocols."
His metal fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the console, revealing a desire for exploration when facing novel technology.
"Command received. Attempting to crack encryption protocols." The Servo-skull's eye beam flickered with an unchanging rhythm. "Protocols cracked. Data extracted. Operation manual and neural connection protocols download complete."
It paused, then continued reporting in a monotone voice. "Operation mode confirmed. Pilot is located in the chest cavity sealed cockpit. Through a full-body sensor suit and direct neural link system, movement intent is converted into mechanical action.
"Feedback system simulates tactile and force sensations, enhancing control immersion."
Joric's metal fingers tapped briskly on the console, bringing up a detailed holographic model of the power armor. He observed the process of the internal structure being constructed layer by layer with great interest.
"A typical 'Exoskeleton Amplifier' approach, or rather, it has taken the path of a 'Humanoid Vehicle.' Encasing the human entirely inside, using an external frame and power system to amplify the flesh's capabilities—a clever design, albeit a bit crude and direct. This is indeed different in design philosophy from the Imperium's mainstream approach of viewing power armor as wearable armor."
There was obvious research enthusiasm in his voice, as if appreciating an exotic artifact filled with ingenuity. His crimson optical lenses scanned back and forth over the grey-black power armor, evaluating a collectible worth playing with carefully.
(End of Chapter)