Chapter 193: Flesh and Machinery
"This is what I think: traditional Daemon Engines are too crude!" Francis began. "This leads to a very low energy conversion ratio. For example, take this Daemon Engine that the daemons call the Defiler!"
As he spoke, a holographic image appeared before them, displaying the Defiler from every angle. The layout in the image clearly resembled that of the Abyss Howl.
Clone Fulgrim and Ferrus exchanged glances.
"They stuff daemons into machinery, then through the influence of Chaos, flesh grows on the machinery, and the daemon's consciousness is needed to control its eight legs to walk, inspect enemies, attack them," Francis explained. "This is an extreme dispersion of energy! Therefore, the Titan I designed is different."
He gestured at the hologram before them. "First, methods like incantations are used to seal the daemon in the regenerative flesh mother-pod I designed. Then, through the pipelines of the mother-pod, pure daemon energy flows out. Through the Enslaver's design, the mother-pod is controlled, and the other end of the flesh tentacles, made from Enslaver genes, is connected to the pilot."
"Moreover, this is a one-way, forced control; there is no reverse operation at all. Finally, through the mother-pod's tentacles, it controls the external mechanical parts it's connected to..." Just as Francis was elaborating on the details, Fulgrim, in the cage, gradually screamed in terror. "We are brothers! How can you do this to me?!"
Francis sighed deeply, looking at him with a pained expression. "Yes! We are brothers, don't worry! I will set you up in a very comfortable state. You only need to output energy! I will continuously provide you with pleasant dreams through the sub-brains in the flesh armor, so you will feel very comfortable, like returning to a fetal state~."
He smiled reassuringly at Fulgrim. "Don't worry about it, there are many sub-brains, and they can be updated later. The 'Book of Divine Words' of the Emperor will also be continuously played for you! I hope you will awaken soon. The Divine Emperor's Salvation Church will soon completely liberate you!"
Fulgrim, Ferrus, and Clone Fulgrim "..."
"Isn't this a little too cruel, just as he said! After all, we are brothers!" Ferrus said, feeling a little uneasy.
Francis shrugged, switching to the scene where he had just killed the daemon. "If we don't keep him under strict control, we can only torment him frequently to prevent him from escaping~."
Hiss Hiss~
Seeing this, they suddenly felt that making him into a Titan was acceptable.
The three moved toward the exit. Just as they were leaving to begin production, Clone Fulgrim was about to go when Francis called him back. "You are the only one who can pilot this Titan!" Francis declared.
"When you wield Fulgrim's full power and fight for the Imperium, you will be Fulgrim! You will atone for the name of Fulgrim!" Hearing this, Clone Fulgrim clenched his hands tightly, then nodded solemnly.
In fact, what Francis didn't say was that as Fulgrim's consciousness gradually transferred to the clone, his original body's consciousness would transfer as well.
In the end, only fragments of Fulgrim's soul would remain in the flesh Titan, and the consciousness of Fulgrim, who had taken over his body, would completely declare Fulgrim's resurgence by slaying the Titan.
Hours later...
In the laboratory, Francis looked at the masterpiece before him with immense joy. As per the intended design, he had successfully created what he wanted using human female genes, Ork genes, Visken genes, a universal gene template, and Enslaver genes.
It was a giant fleshy sphere, covered with countless tentacles. The most unique were the five white fleshy tentacles on its head, used to connect to the pilot. The sphere itself contained multiple fleshy pockets, and opening them revealed one sub-brain after another, designed to alleviate the pilot's mental strain.
After the calculation, the power consumption was roughly equivalent to twenty Ant Cow cans per hundred kilometers of travel.
Boom!
A loud explosion rang out, clearly from Ferrus next door.
When Francis rushed over, he saw Ferrus standing there, completely blackened. The next second, Ferrus turned to Francis and said, "Haha...Ha.. That was an accident. The plasma burst cannon seemed to be leaking power just now."
Francis "..."
Ferrus, looking at the giant meatball being pulled behind Francis, showed a constipated expression. Although he emphasized practicality, it couldn't be too...
Seeing his gaze, Francis quickly explained, "I'm doing a robustness test, don't you see! It's currently under my control!"
Then Ferrus saw this thing begin to pulsate rhythmically. Countless tentacles swayed demonically in the air, those touching the ground twisted rhythmically, and the main body swelled with countless wriggling fleshy masses. The main body looked like a giant brain, constantly contorting as if performing some kind of feeding ritual.
Ferrus even started hearing strange whispers, a presence distinctly different from the whispers of Chaos.
Ferrus "..."
"Alright, I understand! You can stop dancing for now!" Ferrus said. "Since you're done, let's research the integration, as well as the weapons and appearance." Ferrus rubbed his temples hard to alleviate the sense of incongruity he had just felt.
Hearing this, Francis obediently pulled the white tentacles from his body and sat down beside him. He carefully examined the weapon in his hand.
"Actually, there's no need. After all, this is a bold experiment, and a weapon that's unstable yet powerful isn't quite suitable for this Titan," As he spoke, Francis quietly moved the plasma burst gun behind him.
Hearing such a reply, Ferrus also felt it was right. Then he pulled out a gravity gun, whose power rivaled a large gravity cannon. "How about this one? This is very stable, it just takes a little longer to charge~."
Francis shook his head and continued, "I feel like this doesn't quite fit Fulgrim's temperament."
Ferrus "..."
"Then let's design the overall structure of the Titan. I've made a version like this," Ferrus said.
As he activated the holographic image, its gigantic skeletal frame gradually appeared. Although it had a towering mechanical shape, its proportions and armor design seemed rather conventional. The Titan's head presented an almost minimalist appearance. Though the armor was thick and sturdy, it lacked intricate decorations and carvings.
Its appearance didn't inspire awe, but rather a cold rationality, as if it were a merciless war machine rather than a work of art. The focus was on massive firepower, with an absurd number of turrets and weapon systems arrayed on its shoulders and back.
Francis pondered for a long time, then replied very seriously, "In that case, there would likely be enormous recoil. For the overall stability of the Titan, I think we could convert two legs into eight legs. Eight legs provide stability!"
He gestured enthusiastically. "Also, it seems a bit disadvantaged in close combat. How about this! We'll add two more pairs of arms to its back: one pair for close combat, one for ranged attack, and one for defense!"
As Ferrus listened to his description, his expression shifted from initial resistance to gradual understanding. His eyes gradually lit up with excitement.
"Indeed! Indeed!" Ferrus exclaimed. "The Imperium's rigid Titan shapes cannot constrain us! We must design more efficient, more practical Titans!"
...
After an unknown period of time, a weary Francis left Ferrus's laboratory and returned to his own place.
Click~
But before he could enter, he was stuck at the doorway. He turned his head in confusion. It turned out that the numerous weapons behind him were too long and were jammed in the doorframe.
Looking at the dazzling array of weapons before him, Francis couldn't help but sigh. "Iron Hand's treasures are truly many! Next time I take a job, I can't just ask for Russ's Raiders anymore!"
Meanwhile, on the bridge...
Boom!
A dull roar rose, and the device's screen flickered instantly, displaying a series of error messages. The core vibration of the battleship continued, as if a powerful force had struck the entire hull. All alarm systems activated simultaneously, and the lights in the corridor flickered on and off.
"What's going on?" Francis quickly passed through the laboratory door and rushed to the main control room.
The corridor lights flickered erratically, and the engine noise outside the battleship became increasingly unstable, as if some powerful force was lingering around the battleship's perimeter.
When he arrived at the main control room, he saw a planet suddenly appear in space before them.
Immediately after, a communication link from Necron Trazyn came from the planet. When the connection was established, Trazyn's holographic image appeared.
"The Tomb World you wanted, I've brought it to you! Now give me the scepter!" Trazyn demanded.
Francis "???"
"When did I say Tomb World! I said I wanted that Blackstone material from a Tomb World!" Francis shouted.
"Then why did you not say so earlier! I was afraid you'd find an old tomb unusable, so I personally made you a new one!" Trazyn stomped his foot in anger. "Do you know how much trouble that was? To build it faster, three Tomb Spiders died of exhaustion! Why didn't you say so earlier!"
"You're talking nonsense! I said Blackstone material from the beginning!" Francis retorted. "I'm just a kid in age compared to you, why would I need a tomb! You'll die, but I might not!"
There was no other way. Since the other party was the seller, Trazyn could only continue. "Then do you still want it? Or should I dismantle the tomb for you now?"
"Forget it! Just give it to me directly! It's not like I'm going to use it anyway." Francis replied.
After sending people to receive the Tomb World, the Necron scepter was also handed over to Trazyn.
Trazyn looked at the scepter in his hand, which was covered in a foul odor and accompanied by an unknown viscous fluid, and fell into deep thought. Especially when he saw that a piece of the scepter's bottom had been chipped off, he couldn't help but ask, "What happened to this scepter? What exactly did you use it for?"
Francis stroked his chin. He couldn't possibly say that because the other party hadn't come for too long, it had been used as a toothpick by the White Ork shaman, could he?
The transmission began to fade. Then he turned his head and said, "Oh dear! Look I suddenly have an urgent matter here! I'll go get busy first, let's keep in touch when you're free~."
Trazyn. "...Damn you, Francis Kriek."
Francis no longer had time to explain to him. He had to deliver this tomb to the Emperor at once!
[End of Chapter]