"."
Listening to Arroi's inquiry, Dorn chose not to answer with words but simply nodded slightly, as if everything were understood without speech.
His eyes remained fixed on the tunnel outside, yet his thoughts drifted to the deputy officer beside him.
Dorn could sense that Arroi was beginning to understand him better—even to the point where words were unnecessary. With just a few subtle gestures or glances that even she hadn't noticed before, she could discern his innermost thoughts.
This level of tacit understanding was far more "terrifying" than telepathy, for it stemmed from deep emotion and long-term observation rather than any supernatural force. Naturally, he felt a subtle reassurance from it.
He knew that once an elf finds their "other half," they devote almost all their energy and thoughts to that person. As his deputy, Arroi was nearly inseparable from him. Whether handling official business or strategizing, she was always at his side. No doubt, she had used their time together to observe every little detail of his behavior, committing every nuance to memory.
Dorn's gaze drifted to the profile of Arroi. Her expression was calm and focused, her long golden hair glowing softly under the train car's lights—as if a ray of moonlight were caressing her shoulder. Her eyes, deep and clear, seemed capable of piercing through any façade to reach the essence of things.
He couldn't help but recall the first time they met and the adventures they had shared. Back then, Arroi had been somewhat "green" and "naive," even producing jewelry worth a fortune in local Terrella currency when paying the bill. Now, she had become his most trusted deputy, arguably his closest "partner."
Reflecting on the countless battles and missions they had endured together—each time, Arroi provided indispensable support with her intelligence and composure—Dorn never imagined he would develop such a profound level of understanding and trust with an elf. Yet it was precisely this bond that lent him an intangible strength in the face of innumerable challenges.
Sensing Dorn's gaze, Arroi slightly turned her head, meeting his eyes. A faint smile crossed her face, as if to say, "I know what you're thinking." Dorn did not avert his eyes; instead, he nodded in quiet acknowledgment, as if responding to her silent message.
Inside the train car, the lights flickered softly while the maglev's speed gradually decelerated, signaling their impending arrival at the station.
Dorn withdrew his gaze and resumed his cold, dignified demeanor. The upcoming mission might be filled with uncertainties and challenges, yet he felt no apprehension. For no matter the hardship, he knew Arroi would stand by his side, facing everything together.
Before long, the train slowed to a stop. Outside, the dark tunnel gave way to a spacious platform. A gentle announcement came over the PA system, and the doors slid open silently.
Dorn was the first to step off the car, his stride steady and purposeful, the clack of his metal-encased boots resonating on the platform. Under the platform lights, his tall figure loomed, the emblem of the Empire's Fist gleaming proudly on his shoulder plate.
He paused briefly, then turned back to Arroi and reminded her,
"Let's go."
Arroi nodded gracefully, moving with an elegance that complemented her serene and focused expression. Together, their silhouettes stretched long across the platform's light, appearing as two inseparable shadows, stepping toward an uncertain future.
Before long, the pair—accompanied by several Templar knights—returned to the bridge, where order reigned. Operators busied themselves adjusting various parameters, and holographic screens flickered with streams of complex data. Dorn's eyes swept over the bridge before settling on the viewports. Outside, the scenery had shifted from the Empire's palace in the main universe to the vast blackness of deep space.
Whoosh—whoosh!
Elsewhere, a variety of ships that had traversed the spatial gate to Jeda's low orbit were now emerging into jump space, headed straight for the Rebel Alliance base, Yaven IV.
As Dorn and Arroi stood side by side at the observation window, a blinding flash erupted from the bow of the Eternal Crusader, as if tearing through the very fabric of space. A massive, vortex-like passage unfurled before the ship, bridging jump space and the tangible universe. The vortex's edges shimmered with an eerie blue energy, with countless tiny "lightning bolts" dancing within, emitting a mysterious and dangerous beauty.
As the Eternal Crusader sped into the vortex, the view outside blurred momentarily, as if veiled by a thin curtain, only to snap back into sharp focus. The blue luminescence spilled through the viewport, bathing every face in its glow—like being immersed in the depths of an ocean. Beams of light darted through the darkness like winding rivers.
"Father."
At that moment, a crew member of the Empire's Fist stepped forward and reported with respectful calm, "Forty minutes until we reach Yaven IV."
"Understood," Dorn replied succinctly, his tone conveying that everything was well under control. The crew member quickly withdrew, returning to his duties.
Meanwhile, in the living quarters of the Eternal Crusader, Petro was leading over a hundred Spartan warriors through the bright, spacious corridors. Although these young super soldiers were all under eighteen, their expressions were serious and focused—a testament to the rigors of military life they'd long since grown accustomed to.
Petro first led the Spartans to the sleeping quarters. The design was simple and functional—four per room. Though not spacious, it was sufficient for these young warriors. As he assigned bunks, Petro provided a brief overview of the facilities in the living area. His voice was calm and patient as he guided the new recruits—despite knowing that these Spartans possessed combat prowess far beyond that of ordinary soldiers.
After assigning the bunks, Petro led the Spartans to the dining hall, armory, and air-drop bay. In the dining hall, neatly arranged tables and self-service counters intrigued the Spartans—it was their first time aboard an Imperial-class battleship. In the armory, advanced weapons and equipment lined the shelves, their cold metallic gleam accentuated by the display of their specialized armor and gear. In the air-drop bay, massive doors and neatly arranged cargo pods offered a tangible demonstration of the area's purpose.
As Petro walked, he explained the functions and rules of each area in detail. His clear voice echoed through the corridor, and the Spartans listened intently, occasionally nodding with a mix of focus and curiosity. Although they had long been subjected to rigorous training and combat, the scale and facilities of the Eternal Crusader still managed to leave them in awe.
In just over twenty minutes, the Spartans became thoroughly familiar with the area. Standing at the entrance to the sleeping quarters, Petro surveyed the group and said,
"You may now move about freely, but remain alert. Once the Eternal Crusader exits jump space, head to the armory for equipment, and await further orders."
In unison, the Spartans replied, "Yes, sir!"
Their response was as resonant as thunder, echoing throughout the sleeping quarters.
Petro nodded and then turned to leave, allowing the Spartans to disperse and explore. They gathered in small clusters, murmuring about their impressions of the Eternal Crusader or discussing the mission ahead. Meanwhile, John and a few comrades headed for the dining hall, ready to "grab a bite."
For these young Spartan warriors, the dining hall was not only a place to refuel but also a rare moment of relaxation. They needed to consume a tremendous amount of calories daily to maintain peak physical performance. Even during non-combat times, their metabolic rates far exceeded those of ordinary humans, making eating both a pleasure and a necessary "fuel-up."
Inside the dining hall, soft lighting illuminated the neatly arranged tables, and the air was rich with the aroma of food. The self-service area offered a variety of high-calorie, high-protein options—from roasted meats to nutrient-packed energy bars. John picked up a tray, scanning the assortment of dishes before selecting several portions of grilled steak, fried eggs, and three large bowls of preserved meat porridge. His comrades chose their favorites as well, and soon they were seated together at a long table. Despite their rapid eating, they maintained the discipline and order instilled in them by years of training.
In fact, these Spartans could go for at least fourteen days without food or water—without hindering their combat performance—thanks to their enhanced physiques. With their specialized armor, this endurance could be extended even further. But as it wasn't an emergency, their hunger was more than enough justification for the meal.
The dining hall exuded a relaxed and quiet atmosphere, punctuated only by the soft clinking of utensils and the occasional murmur of conversation.
The fundamental difference between Spartans and ordinary support troops wasn't just the specialized serum enhancements they received—it was the series of complex, transformative surgeries they underwent. Each Spartan's "birth" was a contest between science and courage, with their bodies the final product of that battle.
Before the age of fourteen, every Spartan received a weekly injection of a "diluted" agent improved with Inquis' serum—a process designed to gradually enhance their physical capabilities and lay the groundwork for future surgical modifications. But the real trial began after they turned fourteen.
At that time, they would undergo a series of transformative surgeries, divided into five major procedures:
Ceramic-Carbon Bone Reinforcement: This procedure involved implanting advanced materials into the skeletal structure, integrating special compounds to render the bones nearly unbreakable.
Muscle Fortification Through Injections: Quite straightforward, this step involved injecting a protein complex into the muscle tissue to boost muscle density and reduce recovery time for lactase breakdown.
Thyroid Catalyst Implantation: In this surgery, a platinum sphere containing a human growth hormone catalyst is implanted into the thyroid to accelerate the growth of bone and muscle tissue.
Reconstruction of the Suboccipital Capillary Return Path: Completing this procedure enhances blood flow to the retinal rods and cones, significantly improving visual acuity even in darkness.
Replacement of Neural Dendrites with Superconductive Fibers: This final procedure converts the mode of neural signal transmission from biological electrical conduction to an anti-interference electrical conduction, greatly enhancing reaction speed and indirectly boosting memory.
Crucially, according to estimates by the UNSC Naval Intelligence (ONI), the success rate for these five procedures is under 50%. Subjects not only face the inherent risks of the surgeries but also the potential for severe side effects afterward—such as explosive bone growth leading to irreparable compound fractures, heart swelling, retinal detachment with permanent blindness, and even death.
However, with the full support of Atlas Bio and the assistance of some pioneering technologies, Halsey and her research team have managed to minimize these surgical risks. Using the most advanced medical equipment and biotechnology during the procedures, they ensured every step was executed with precision. Although some Spartans still suffered from side effects post-surgery, the mortality rate has now dropped to 0%.
This achievement not only marks another pinnacle in human biotechnology but also paves the way for the birth of Spartan warriors. One could say that support troops enhanced with Inquis' serum stand no chance in a head-to-head confrontation with Spartans.
Of course, the cost of creating a Spartan—especially those in the first phase led by John—was astronomical, even exceeding that of an Astartes soldier. The first phase inevitably required vast resources, money, and manpower. Now, based on nearly a decade of experience with the first phase, Halsey's team is poised to substantially shorten the duration and resource requirements of the modifications once the Empire approves the second phase. They even plan to "compress" the eligible age to between 10 and 13 years old. With further optimization using combat data from the first phase, the third phase could ultimately achieve full-scale mass production.
At that point, Spartans will gradually replace the support troops injected with Inquis' serum, becoming the auxiliary force to support the Astartes.
Forty minutes passed in what seemed like the blink of an eye. The Eternal Crusader successfully exited jump space and entered the gravitational sphere of Yaven IV.
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American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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