Chapter 205: Weapon Configurations
Meanwhile, Arasaka's command channel quickly regained order after a brief moment of chaos, but the atmosphere was completely different.
"Is the analysis complete?" The frontline commander's voice suppressed his agitation. "Confirm it's an unknown weapon model! This could be a harvest more valuable than shield technology!"
The technical analyst's voice was equally urgent but professional: "Preliminary assessment indicates molecular-level decomposition effects. This weapon technology far exceeds any individual equipment we currently possess. Commander, I recommend changing the operational objective. Prioritize capturing the test unit or at least acquiring fragments of its weapon!"
A flash of greed passed through the commander's eyes, and he immediately issued new orders: "Order 'Hunter Team B' to move out immediately! Coordinate with the remaining two 'Onimusha' units. Tangle with the target at all costs.
"Note: try to keep the unit intact, especially the right arm weapon system!"
However, just as Arasaka was maneuvering its forces, Valerie inside the test zone received new instructions.
"Test mission complete. Data collection has reached expected thresholds." The auxiliary AI's voice sounded steadily. "Recommendation: Evacuate to safe zone immediately."
Valerie glanced at the tactical interface. Two dots representing the surviving "Onimusha" units were reorganizing in the distance, while four new high-speed signals were flanking from the side.
"Trying to run? Not that easy!" The pilot of one "Onimusha" roared in the public channel, obviously having received a death order.
The two remaining Arasaka power armors pounced from the left and right, attempting to block her retreat with crossfire.
"Retreat route planning complete. Recommendation: Eliminate pursuit threats," the AI proposed calmly.
Valerie took a deep breath and pulled the control stick back slightly. The red power armor turned and retreated, seemingly clumsily.
But just as the two "Onimusha" units thought they had succeeded and sprinted forward with full force, the AI's prompt sounded again: "Emergency brake, turn right 37 degrees, right arm strike window: 0.8 seconds."
Valerie executed without hesitation.
The massive body of the red power armor suddenly braked and turned. Its right fist, carrying that lethal disintegration field, met the "Onimusha" charging from the right with precision.
The pilot of that unit had no time to react and could only watch helplessly as the iron fist sank into his cockpit area.
Another teeth-aching shattering sound, and the upper body of the second "Onimusha" turned into a cloud of metal dust.
"Left target entering optimal range," the AI prompted immediately.
Valerie didn't even look back. The auxiliary weapon pod on her left arm opened instantly, and a series of special armor-piercing rounds screamed out, precisely penetrating the leg joint of the last "Onimusha."
The unbalanced machine crashed to the ground, sliding for a distance and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Threats cleared. Continuing evacuation."
The entire process flowed like water. From turning around to eliminating two threats took only a few seconds.
When the newly committed "Hunter Team B" arrived, they saw only the retreating back of the red power armor and two piles of wreckage on the ground still sparking with electricity—one of which was a pile of bizarre dust.
"Damn it! Let it get away!" The leader of Team B slammed his fist on the console but dared not pursue further.
The opponent had retreated into the cover of the enemy defense line, and that terrifying right fist left them with lingering fear.
On the Barghest position, Colonel Hansen couldn't help whistling: "Clean and efficient! That pilot has potential."
Lazarus's "Butcher," meanwhile, nodded slightly in his cockpit: "Accurate judgment, decisive execution. That auxiliary system is outstanding."
Valerie piloted the red power armor steadily back to her own lines. When the hatch opened, her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.
Although the battle was brief, the mental and physical consumption was immense.
"How was it?" Joric's voice came through the encrypted channel, still calm and ripple-free.
"This weapon... is terrifying," Valerie answered truthfully, looking down at her mechanical right hand. "But truly powerful."
"Data collection was successful," Joric said. "Go back and rest well. Starting tomorrow, you will learn how to use a more diverse range of weapon systems."
Valerie took a deep breath and climbed out of the power armor.
When she stood on the ground again, she felt her steps were a bit light.
She looked back at the dark red steel giant, knowing that from today on, the direction of her life had completely changed.
After Valerie left, Joric's crimson optical lenses turned to the dark red power armor standing quietly in the center of the workshop.
Data cables extended from the console like living things, connecting precisely to the interface on the back of the armor.
"Retrieve full test data. Focus analysis on pilot operation and auxiliary system coordination efficiency," he instructed the Servo-skull hovering nearby.
Massive streams of data scrolled rapidly across the screen.
Joric quietly scrutinized every frame, every operation command, and system feedback.
A moment later, he spoke slowly: "Pilot's basic qualities are passable, combat awareness is acceptable. But under pressure, there is a noticeable delay in coordination with the auxiliary system."
His voice carried a tone of prudent evaluation. "She relies too much on her own judgment and fails to fully trust the tactical suggestions provided by the AI. In three evasive maneuvers, operational hesitation caused an additional 7% consumption of shield energy twice. Melee kill efficiency also did not reach theoretical optimal values."
The Servo-skull emitted a rhythmic hum, projecting several key data nodes that corroborated his judgment.
"Combat efficacy, below optimal theoretical value." Joric finally concluded. "Human-machine coordination requires more training."
His attention shifted to the weapon systems.
The combat data of the Power Fist satisfied him, but its extremely short range and specific damage mechanism limited tactical flexibility.
"A single weapon cannot cope with a complex battlefield." He pulled up the 3D structural diagram of the power armor, tapping lightly on several key areas with his metal fingers. "Need to establish standardized weapon configuration plans."
He quickly conceived two preliminary directions.
The first plan was relatively balanced: add a small-caliber laser cannon on the shoulder to provide reliable medium-to-long-range suppression fire; simultaneously equip a physical shield to enhance frontal defense; for the melee weapon, select the chainsword which had already been battle-tested.
This configuration offered both offense and defense with broad adaptability.
The second plan focused more on enhancing firepower output while retaining key melee deterrence: remove the relatively secondary left forearm and replace it with a fixed heavy weapon module.
There were two options here as well—a plasma incinerator, with immense power sufficient to instantly evaporate most heavy armor targets; or a storm bolter, which, although slightly less powerful per shot, had a high rate of fire, high reliability, and simpler, cheaper logistical maintenance.
The core idea of this configuration was to use the left arm's heavy weapon to provide powerful medium-to-long-range suppression and obstacle-clearing capabilities, while the fully retained right arm and its Power Fist ensured a means of delivering one-hit kills in close quarters or sudden engagements.
This allowed the power armor to play the role of a mobile turret while also dealing unbearable lethal blows to enemies breaching the inner circle.
Joric's processor rapidly simulated the performance of both configurations in different battlefield environments.
"The second plan might fit the current pilot's... personality traits better." He murmured to himself, his crimson lenses flickering slightly. "But cost and logistical pressure need careful weighing."
He didn't make a decision immediately.
The design and prototyping of these weapon modules would take time, and the breaking-in period between Valerie and the power armor was far from over.
"Record these two plans," Joric said to the Servo-skull. "Send the technical parameters of the heavy weapon modules to the Death World base and arrange for the apprentices to produce them."
He pulled up the weapon interface data and continued instructing: "Simultaneously, send these standardized interface protocols to Militech. Ask them to provide several local weapon solutions based on this framework."
The Servo-skull emitted a confirming hum and immediately began executing the dual instructions.
Joric watched the data transmission progress. Letting the technological philosophies of two worlds converge at this node might bring some unexpected gains.
The power of Warhammer universe weapons was beyond doubt, but the technology of this world might provide different perspectives in certain specific fields.
"Let's see what plans they can come up with." He muttered, then turned to walk toward the main console. The production of weapon modules would take time. In the meantime, he had more data to analyze.
(End of Chapter)