This is the bonus chapter for reaching 700 Powerstones.
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"So it wasn't using its full strength just now?" Wolf Lord Bloodhowl sat in the audience, stroking his chin.
"However, neither was I," he made sure to add.
"Heh, I almost believed you," Dark Angel Kherahil didn't spare the Space Wolf.
While they continued bickering, Zeke pulled out some iron ingots and began repairing the Iron Golem.
Although the wounds on the Iron Golem healed, it still looked listless and seemed to need some time to recover fully.
Zeke comforted the still-shaken recruit, shoving a large bucket of Milk into his hands.
This item was currently a bestseller on Cadia, serving as compensation for him.
At Kell's signal, the dizzy recruit was led away.
While in the auditorium, the Cadian officers in their seats continued to argue endlessly, each sticking to their own opinions.
"I think this thing works pretty well." Bloodhowl's voice drowned out the noise. He kept fondling the Golden Apple in his hand, like an old man in a park rolling Baoding balls. (TL/N: Baoding balls are small, spherical weights, typically used in pairs, that are rotated in one hand to improve manual dexterity, strengthen hand and forearm muscles, promote relaxation, and relieve stress)
Several times he raised it to his mouth, wanting to take a bite, but stopped himself forcefully.
Space Marine intuition told him that eating this thing now would be a waste.
"Agreed," Dark Angel Kherahil surprisingly expressed affirmation.
"Not just for mortal troops; Space Marines could also attempt to utilize them as targets to draw fire."
"Quiet." Creed raised the megaphone.
"Since everyone intends to discuss this in depth, the meeting is adjourned for now to give everyone ample time for consideration."
With that, Creed stood up and walked toward the side door behind the podium, shooting Zeke a look to have Kell follow him.
Assistant Kell understood and quickly led Zeke with him.
The three of them passed through the internal corridor and arrived at an office at the end.
Closing the door shut out the faint noise from the auditorium.
Creed let out a long breath, his shoulders slumping slightly.
He turned around and gave Zeke a helpless smile.
"I apologize for the spectacle. This war council was truly a failure."
"I intended to gather all the elite forces still available on Cadia at Tyrok Bastion to construct the strongest line of defense."
He shook his head. "I didn't expect them to have their own agendas. It nearly turned into a farce."
"But it wasn't all bad. At least the initial objective was achieved."
Zeke didn't respond to Creed immediately; he had an idea in his head.
Zeke's original plan was to deploy Iron Golems directly to various defensive nodes of the bastion to help resist Abaddon's attacks.
The Iron Golem's extraordinary performance in protecting the recruit just now gave him a flash of inspiration, leading to a bolder idea.
"Castellan Creed," Zeke spoke up, "could you select a specific group of soldiers? The number doesn't need to be large."
"Hmm?" Creed turned around, gesturing for him to continue.
"I have a plan. Lets match each Iron Golem with a specific Cadian soldier. Let them live together, train together, and face battle together."
Zeke took a step forward. "Just like what happened earlier. That recruit subconsciously relied on the Iron Golem, and the Iron Golem did its utmost to protect him."
"If this bond can be actively cultivated, the combination of one Iron Golem plus one soldier will achieve an effect far greater than the sum of its parts!"
Zeke voiced his imaginative idea.
Creed and Kell were stunned after hearing it.
Soon, a light burst into Creed's eyes.
"Deeply binding with a specific soldier to cultivate affection..." Creed muttered to himself.
"This is similar to how some elite veterans in our army activate machine spirits."
His speech quickened:
"Some veterans wipe their lasguns with high-quality oil before every battle and whisper prayers to their weapons."
"These weapons, infused with emotion, often unleash unexpected power at the most critical moments."
The more Creed thought about it, the more he felt Zeke's idea was simply a stroke of genius.
It not only solved the Iron Golem's loyalty issue to a certain extent but also greatly enhanced its combat effectiveness.
"Kell," Creed ordered, "bring the files of soldiers from the recent training camps."
Kell acknowledged the order and left the room. Before long, he returned carrying a thick stack of paper files.
"Considering the Iron Golem's reaction just now, I believe younger soldiers might find it easier to establish a deep bond with them."
Kell analyzed as he placed the files on the table. "Young soldiers tend to be emotionally rich and highly malleable."
Creed nodded, signaling Zeke to start browsing.
Zeke picked up the file and opened it.
The photo showed a lad who looked only sixteen or seventeen, with bright eyes and the fearless spirit of a newborn calf.
The data indicated he came from a border farm, and his marksmanship was outstanding among his peers.
The second and third files mostly featured similar young faces.
When Zeke flipped to a file past the middle of the stack, his fingers paused.
The photo in the file was of a girl.
She looked thinner and smaller than the boys before her, with a gloomy expression and tightly pursed lips.
Most striking were her eyes; she didn't look directly at the camera but looked downward, revealing a deep wariness.
Zeke's gaze moved to the text below:
Name: Rumi
Age: 15
Background: Rumi Sterling. Both parents were killed in action during a Chaos purging operation when she was 12.
Subsequently, the ward was taken in by the Unified Cadian Orphan Custody Institution.
Behavioral Observation Record: After transferring to the custody institution, the ward exhibited social avoidance and rarely initiated communication with others. There have been reports of minor bullying incidents. Institution instructors have increased attention and intervention, but such incidents are difficult to completely eliminate.
Psychological Evaluation: Observation reveals that when alone, the ward often engages in unconscious doodling behavior. The drawings are mostly of tall, humanoid shadows. Preliminary judgment suggests this behavior may reflect a strong subconscious desire to be protected.
Comprehensive Potential Assessment: The student shows talent far above average in shooting training, with good memory and comprehension in theoretical courses. However, due to severe psychological issues, she is not recommended for consideration.
Zeke finished reading the file.
Creed walked over, his gaze falling on the photo and assessment.
"There are many children like her on Cadia. Parents die in battle, and they become war orphans, raised uniformly by the institution."
"She is a very suitable candidate," Zeke said, his voice tinged with complex emotion.
"Isn't that a bit too cruel?" Kell was a straightforward man; his evaluation of the Iron Golem was that of a stern, reliable partner.
If such a creation barged into this girl's life...
Kell speculated that she would likely cling to the Iron Golem like a lifeline, relying on it with her whole heart.
They would establish a very deep connection.
Kell spoke up, "The Iron Golem is a war machine. It will be thrown onto the battlefield. This hard-won warmth will be torn apart sooner or later."
"To give hope to someone in despair, only to take it away with one's own hands—I cannot in good conscience agree to such an act."
Zeke didn't refute immediately.
Looking at the photo, a trace of regret did indeed flit through his heart.
"Mr. Kell," Zeke raised his head.
"I understand your concerns. But is there another possibility? Perhaps the arrival of the Iron Golem might not be a bad thing for her."
"Do we refuse to start because we are afraid of losing?" Zeke's tone became firm. "Moreover, we cannot decide for her. The key lies in whether this is her own choice."
"Agreed," Creed nodded. "If this girl understands all the risks and possibilities and still voluntarily participates, then it is fair."
"Children of Cadia have the right to choose their own path, even if it is a path full of thorns."
Kell thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Then this plan needs a name." Creed brought the topic back on track, looking at Zeke. "Do you have any ideas?"
"I'm the best at naming things," Zeke blurted out.
"Let's call it the Drive Iron Golem Plan. Simple, direct, and clear at a glance."
The expressions on Creed's and Kell's faces froze simultaneously. The air in the office went quiet for two seconds.
"Is that okay?" Zeke asked tentatively, seeing their weird expressions. "Lets shorten it a bit... How about the Iron Drive Plan?"
Creed rubbed his glabella, while Kell coughed dryly and suggested tactfully:
"How about we try flipping those words around?"
"Let's call it Project Titanfall."
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