After ten rounds—
Thud!
With the heavy, dull sound of a body hitting the ground, it seemed that John's luck had finally run out. Despite giving everything he had, he could no longer withstand Sigismund's relentless assault and was completely overwhelmed.
Yet even in defeat, John's performance exceeded everyone's expectations. His persistence and resilience not only forced Sigismund to expend extra effort but also proved to all that the Spartans were far from "all show and no go." Surviving one-on-one without being instantly knocked out was a testament to their potential.
The onlookers' eyes shone with a mix of evaluation and respect, silently acknowledging John's display of grit and ability—even as he fell unconscious from the intense impact. Quickly, a group of Empire's Fist soldiers clad in titanium power armor lifted him up and carried him out of the training area, sending him to the med bay for a thorough check-up.
Sigismund kept his gaze fixed on the training area's entrance until John's figure completely disappeared, then slowly turned his attention back to the remaining Spartan warriors. A small smile played on his lips as he said,
"Congratulations, you've all passed the test. I will honor my promise to use you as the vanguard for the Tatooine assault. Of course, if any of you wish to challenge me further, I'm always game."
"Let's go!"
"Count me in!"
Immediately after Sigismund's words, several Spartan warriors leaped onto the metal platform without hesitation. It was clear that unless Sigismund fell or all of them were rendered unconscious, the Spartans would never stop challenging him.
"Wow—these kids really know how to fight!" one Empire's Fist soldier remarked.
"Honestly, I'm starting to wish Father (Dorn) would keep them in our legion, ha ha!"
Observing the scene, the Empire's Fist soldiers around them chimed in with their own opinions. Although their tone was teasing, their words were full of admiration and high expectations for the Spartans. They recognized that exceptional physical prowess, reflexes, and strength were fundamental qualities of a super soldier. Yet the Empire's Fist valued even more the inner qualities—the unyielding will in the face of adversity and the determination to hold on even when all seems lost.
Thus, despite being very young and lacking real battle experience, these Spartans had earned, for now, the grudging respect of their seniors. Whether they could eventually become true "warriors" would have to be proven in campaigns fought against overwhelming odds. After all, a true warrior requires not only a strong body but also a resilient soul.
Not long after, in the med bay, medical Terminators and robotic arms swiftly dismantled the Thor's Hammer power armor. The removed armor modules and nano-suits were then passed on to other Terminators and sent to the armory for repair and maintenance.
Fred, Jerome, and the others—having been carried here—now lay on medical beds as medics, some outfitted with prosthetic limbs, conducted detailed examinations. The medics confirmed that their injuries were minor—a mild concussion at most. Soon, Fred and Jerome regained consciousness.
Their injuries further demonstrated that Sigismund's control over his strikes was nothing short of masterful. He managed to deliver blows that temporarily stunned the Spartans without causing severe damage to their Thor's Hammer armor—a precision that not only showcased his exceptional skill but also forced everyone present to reassess the true strength of the Astartes.
It became clear to the Spartans that they had been overly confident and brash. They had believed that with their Thor's Hammer power armor and enhanced physiques they could easily contend with the Astartes—but Sigismund had taught them a harsh lesson. With his clean, decisive performance, the Empire's Fist commander shattered their illusions.
Sigismund's display of overwhelming power drove home an important truth to John and his comrades: no matter how mighty one believes themselves to be, one must never underestimate one's opponent or overestimate one's own abilities.
Just then, John—having regained consciousness before his Thor's Hammer armor was even dismantled—slowly raised his hand to signal the medics and the surrounding medical Terminators.
"No need to fuss; I'll head to the armory on my own."
The medics nodded lightly and resumed their tasks, accustomed as they were to these scenes. John scanned the other beds in the med bay, confirmed that Fred, Jerome, and the others were all stable, and then got up and left the med bay.
Following the instructions on his helmet display, John made his way to the train station, preparing to travel alone to the armory.
Before long, John boarded the ship's onboard train and sat near the door. Although he tried to keep a low profile, the surrounding staff and some support troopers in training uniforms couldn't help but cast curious, scrutinizing glances his way.
After all, the Spartan program had not yet been officially publicized, and their extraordinary height and unique armor naturally drew attention.
Gazing out the window at the metallic tunnel whizzing by, John seemed lost in thought.
"How do you feel?"
Just as John's mind began to wander, a clear, gentle female voice came through his helmet comm, filled with concern.
Shifting his gaze slightly upward, John noticed a figure on the left side of his helmet screen—a woman with blue skin and a neat, short haircut. Her appearance was strikingly similar to that of Catherine Halsey, but this woman was none other than Cortana—the advanced intelligent AI created by Halsey using her cloned brain technology.
Cortana, still considered one of the Human Empire's top-tier smart AIs, had been an invaluable asset to both the Research and Biology Departments ever since Dr. Halsey first developed her. Her existence not only accelerated the Human Empire's breakthrough in deciphering Pioneer technology but also played an irreplaceable role in many critical fields.
Her computational and logical abilities had far surpassed those of ordinary AIs, making her a core driving force behind Human Empire technological advancement.
At the same time, Cortana had accompanied the Spartans throughout their training—from their early years to their transformation into super soldiers.
Her presence not only provided them with robust technical support but, in many ways, also became a psychological pillar.
Cortana was responsible for teaching them subjects such as human history, mathematics, and physics, and she would administer "pop quizzes" to ensure that the Spartans maintained peak performance in both knowledge and physical ability.
During downtime, she even played the role of a counselor, patiently listening to their concerns and soothing any psychological trauma incurred during training and experiments—bringing warmth and comfort to the Spartans.
The reason Cortana appeared before John was thanks to a data-copy chip installed within his helmet, enabling Cortana to communicate and interact with him at any time.
After all, this mission was the first time the entire Spartan unit had left the "Zero Eight" universe of Halo, making Cortana's guidance and assistance indispensable.
She not only provided tactical advice but also instructed the logistics crew on how to maintain and repair the Thor's Hammer power armor, ensuring that every Spartan could enter battle in optimal condition.
So, the Cortana John saw was merely a copy—or "avatar"—of the real Cortana. The original Cortana remained aboard the Ark in the Halo universe, continuing to assist Dr. Halsey and her research team in deciphering Pioneer technology.
Although this data copy wasn't "complete," it contained all of Cortana's memories, personality, and traits, along with logical and computational abilities far superior to those of a basic AI—enough to support the Spartans in every aspect.
When the mission ended and the Spartans returned to the Halo universe, the data copy would be re-integrated with the original, sharing everything that had transpired.
This seamless data synchronization ensures that Cortana—and all smart AI models—always maintain a comprehensive overview, providing the most precise strategic advice for the future of the Human Empire.
"Not bad,"
John finally replied, his voice tinged with unmistakable weariness, "but we still have a lot to learn."
Cortana smiled gently and said approvingly, "Failure is not the end—what's truly frightening is losing the courage to move forward. You've already proven your potential; now all you need to do is keep pushing."
Her clear, gentle voice was like warm sunlight, dispersing some of the "clouds" in John's mind.
Then Cortana's voice chimed in again through John's helmet comm, explaining further:
"In fact, the reason Commander Sigismund invited you to this combat test was my suggestion. Firstly, to help you integrate into this unit more quickly, and secondly, so you can realize your own shortcomings early—understanding that none of you are invincible."
Her tone grew serious as she reminded John that the true enemy of the Empire was far stronger than they imagined.
But then her tone softened with genuine care, "Alright then, use the time while we're in jump space to rest up, recharge your energy, and get ready for the upcoming assault."
"Mm-hmm,"
John replied softly before falling silent once again. His gaze drifted from Cortana to the sealed window outside.
In truth, he had long suspected that Sigismund's sudden "combat challenge" was Cortana's idea. Yet, rather than feeling surprised or resentful, he felt an even deeper understanding of her well-intended plan.
Not long after, John arrived at the armory.
After removing his Thor's Hammer armor and shedding his nano-combat suit, he changed into the Empire's Fist training uniform and, carrying the data-copy chip of Cortana, made his way to the living quarters.
Sigismund had already issued new orders, matching exactly what Cortana had mentioned—allowing the Spartans free time for movement and adequate rest.
Following Cortana's instructions, John returned to his bunk to tidy up before heading to the mess hall for a bit of relaxation.
In the inky depths of space, a barren, desert-covered planet orbited a binary star system.
Its environment was harsh and desolate—a forgotten wasteland.
Yet, this unassuming planet was the target of the impending assault led by Sigismund and his forces: Tatooine.
In Tatooine's low orbit, three massive Star Destroyers and over thirty various other ships stood at the ready.
But these vessels were not only meant to fend off external foes—they also served to keep the local populace in check, ensuring that order on Tatooine remained unbroken.
Even though the Galactic Empire's territory spanned the entire galaxy, the speed of information dissemination was not significantly delayed.
By now, nearly every Imperial officer and general was aware that Scarif had erupted into a massive battle—a battle that ended in a crushing defeat for the Empire.
Even core figures like Governor Wilhef Takin had fallen in battle.
This unprecedented, calamitous defeat had exploded like a bombshell across the Galactic Empire's domains.
Numerous gang-like factions began to stir, seizing the opportunity to expand their own influence, while organizations determined to overthrow the Galactic Empire manufactured even greater chaos to undermine Imperial rule.
The entire Galactic Empire resembled a teetering tower, ready to collapse at any moment.
Against this backdrop, Tatooine, thanks to its unique geographic position, was beginning to emerge as a key stronghold for the Galactic Empire on its frontier.
At this moment, as a Star Destroyer detected unusual gravitational fluctuations and attempted to turn in for closer investigation—
Whoosh—whoosh!
On Tatooine's low orbit, a multitude of vortices emitting an eerie blue glow suddenly appeared. At the same time, a formation led by a Valor-class super-heavy cruiser re-entered real space from jump space.
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Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
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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