Chapter 179: Technological Pathways
Joric's metal finger tapped lightly on the console, retrieving the Power Armor data from the Warhammer universe stored deep within his core database.
Detailed schematics of Space Marine Power Armor immediately appeared in the holographic projection. Even in static display, its massive and precise structure exuded an aura of awe.
"Look at this, old friend," his synthesized voice carried a tone bordering on nostalgia. "This system is essentially a precise instrument worn on the body, an extension and enhancement of the user's biological form."
Although the Power Armor in the image was equally heavy and massive, its design philosophy was fundamentally different.
It was more like a second skin covering the enhanced flesh, every component perfectly fitting the wearer's physiological characteristics.
"Its core lies in the concept of 'wearing'," Joric continued to explain, his optical lenses following the highlighted key components in the image. "It focuses on seamless integration with the biological organism, pursuing the ultimate in protection, life support, and strength amplification."
He paused slightly, giving the Servo-skull enough time to record this information.
"Every suit of such Power Armor is a master-crafted relic, containing profound technological heritage." Joric raised his hand to touch the curved surface of his own chest plate, the metal fingertips making a faint clinking sound against the armor. "Just like this Dragon Scale pattern I wear, it follows this fundamental principle, though with targeted adjustments in specific configuration."
"In summary," Joric turned to the Servo-skull, "the Imperium's technological path is to enhance the individual, integrate protection, and view Power Armor as a sacred extension. While this sample before us," he pointed to the Commando-VI on the analysis platform, "walks a completely different path! Manufacturing a vehicle, amplifying the individual, treating Power Armor as a large-scale vehicle."
The Servo-skull emitted a rhythmic hum, its eye beams scanning steadily across the holographic projection. "Data recording complete. Warhammer path relies on wearer's superhuman physique and spiritual resonance with armor. Current sample path relies on pilot's operational skill and neural tolerance."
"Basically correct." Joric nodded slightly. "But let's look at a more extreme example! Pull up the Thallax Cohort files, old friend."
(Cybernetica cohorts of various models from the 30k era.)
When the new holographic projection unfolded, it presented a disturbing structure.
The form of the Thallax hovered between biological and mechanical. The exposed interfaces and traces of forced fusion on the cutaway diagram gave the entire design a cruel aura.
"This is the Thallax," Joric's voice carried a note of prudence. "It is neither wearable armor nor a pilotable vehicle."
The image highlighted key nodes forcibly connecting organic tissue to the mechanical platform.
"This is a path of fusion and replacement," he continued to explain. "Massively replacing native organic tissue with machinery, using the preserved brain and part of the nervous system as the core control unit, directly embedding it into the combat chassis."
Joric's metal fingers tapped gently on the console, showing he was deep in thought. "This approach sacrifices almost all human traits, comfort, and reversibility, in exchange for the possibility of approaching or even partially surpassing the combat power of Space Marine Power Armor at a relatively lower cost."
He paused slightly, finally summarizing: "This is a highly efficient solution, but controversial on both aesthetic and humanitarian levels—though the Imperium cares little for design aesthetics and even less for humanity."
Joric's crimson optical lenses stared at the Commando-VI, logical threads within his processor gradually converging into a clear path.
"The technology of this world has indeed walked its own path in terms of direct neural interfacing and cybernetics." His synthesized voice carried a unique rhythm of thought. "They are not unaware of the possibility of fusion.
"Old friend, retrieve the Arasaka files we found in Mikoshi, specifically regarding that project codenamed 'DaiOni'."
The Servo-skull emitted a stable hum, its eye beams projecting relevant data streams. "File retrieval complete. Arasaka Corporation attempted to develop highly integrated full-body prosthetics, target size set below 2.5 meters."
"Correct," Joric nodded slightly. "But the final product turned into a behemoth over three meters tall. This was essentially attempting to walk a path similar to a light Thallax, unfortunately, they failed to break through the core bottlenecks of volume and energy."
He turned to the Servo-skull, metal fingers tapping a rhythm on the console. "Now we can outline three clear technological pathways, old friend.
"The first is the Warhammer universe route: viewing Power Armor as sacred wearable equipment, emphasizing biological integration, pursuing master-crafted heavy armor.
"Its advantages lie in ultimate protective capability, symbiosis with the strong, and unparalleled reliability.
"However, the cost is also obvious: prohibitively expensive, almost impossible to mass-produce, and reliant on specific genetic aptitude and firm faith."
The Servo-skull emitted a monotonous confirmation tone: "Pathway One recording complete."
"The second is the route represented by the sample before us." Joric pointed to the Power Armor on the analysis table. "Viewing Power Armor as a pilotable vehicle, relying on direct neural operation, following the path of instrumentalized heavy equipment.
"Its advantage lies in lower basic requirements for pilots, allowing for rapid training and facilitating large-scale production and deployment.
"But the disadvantages are equally prominent: relatively weak protection, heavy reliance on external energy and maintenance systems, and immense neural load on the pilot."
"Pathway Two recording complete." The Servo-skull responded mechanically.
"As for the third route..." Joric pulled up the Thallax file, the fusion interfaces of biology and machinery in the hologram appearing particularly glaring. "It is this taboo heavy armor of forced organic-inorganic chimera.
"Its advantage lies in relatively high cost-effectiveness, capable of generating formidable combat power, and controllability of loyalty can be ensured through modification means.
"But the price paid is thorough inhumane modification, accompanied by extremely high technical risks and the possibility of losing control. Even within the Mechanicus, many factions express taboo regarding this."
"Pathway Three recording complete." The Servo-skull emitted a monotonous confirmation tone, its eye beams continuing a steady scanning rhythm.
A slight electronic sound came from beneath Joric's metal faceplate, as if chuckling.
"Old friend, you see," his voice carried the unique rhythm of thought, "every path has aspects worth borrowing."
His crimson optical lenses refocused on the Commando-VI, carefully examining its external structure.
"Adopting the Thallax technological route directly is inappropriate, old friend." His synthesized voice was steady and objective. "Leaving aside that I personally do not appreciate that style of modification, from the perspective of technical regulations alone, I have not obtained a full technical usage license issued by the relevant Forge World."
(End of Chapter)