Chapter 105: Another Transaction
Having processed the affairs of Maine's crew, Joric immediately shifted his focus to the next priority.
He required a specific shipment of materials and components, some of which were more readily available, or at least acquired at a lower resource-cost, within this Cyberpunk reality.
He decided to engage Militech in another transaction.
Summoning Moiré, he issued the directive: "Contact the Militech representative. Relay my requisitions."
Joric transmitted a materiel list to Moiré.
"The manifest includes: one 'Centaur' pattern tactical exoskeleton platform, and the following specific alloys and electronic components."
The list detailed various rare metals and composite materials possessing high energy-conductivity, structural integrity, and specific harmonic-resonance properties.
These were critical for upgrading the Dimensional Sextant's energy conduits and resonance chamber.
The 'Centaur' exoskeleton platform was destined to be stripped down and modified, serving as the foundational frame and power core for Dorio's new weapon system.
"In exchange," Joric continued, transmitting a second data-packet to Moiré, "provide them with this alloy formula."
"It is a structural alloy formula offering high tensile strength, low mass, and superior energy-resistance. Its composite performance metrics exceed their current standard-issue materials."
"Its value is sufficient to balance the cost of my requisitions."
The formula Joric provided was, within his knowledge base, a relatively basic metallurgical technique. However, for the materials science of this Cyberpunk world, it represented a leap forward.
If mass-produced, this alloy would significantly enhance Militech's advantage in personal armor, vehicle plating, and aerospace components.
It was a transaction Militech could not refuse.
Moiré silently received all directives and data. Her systems rapidly analyzed the hand-off protocols and potential risk-vectors.
"Understood, Master. I will ensure the transaction is completed."
She offered no queries, turning and departing to execute Joric's command.
With Moiré gone, the manufactorum returned to silence, save for the low hum of operating equipment.
Joric stood before the main console, his massive form casting sharp shadows in the cold light.
He was processing multiple tasks simultaneously: initiating the conceptual design and structural simulation for Dorio's new weapon; monitoring the Dimensional Sextant's self-diagnostic routines; and planning the optimal allocation of the materials he would acquire from the Militech trade.
Regarding Dorio's new gear, Joric's concept had crystallized further.
He planned a deep-modification of the 'Centaur' tactical exoskeleton platform.
The objective was to transform this independent tactical rig into a simplified power-armor suit, custom-fitted to Dorio's physique, designed to maximize the output of her augmented body.
This power armor would retain and reinforce the 'Centaur' platform's original metal skeleton, power transmission systems, and hydraulic enhancement modules. This would provide a superior base for support and strength-amplification.
The external armor plating would be redesigned and re-distributed according to Dorio's combat style. While maintaining joint flexibility, defense would be heavily reinforced around critical zones: the chest, shoulders, and back.
Building on this, Joric would equip the suit with two specialized Power Fists as the primary offensive armament.
These were not simple add-on weapons, but deeply integrated with the armor's power core and transmission systems.
The fists would house integrated high-frequency vibration generators, capable of transmitting intense disruptive energy into the target upon impact, causing catastrophic structural failure. Simultaneously, they would feature instantaneous energy-discharge capacitors, allowing for explosive, forward-directed shockwaves to further enhance the devastating impact of her strikes.
The overall design goal was to forge Dorio into an assault unit combining immense durability with terrifying melee destructive capability. This simplified power armor, evolved from an exoskeleton and paired with bespoke Power Fists, would elevate her combat effectiveness to a new tier.
Simultaneously, Joric had a clear roadmap for the subsequent steps.
In the coming weeks, his operational focus would center on specific tasks.
Primary objective: Complete the transaction with Militech, securing the 'Centaur' platform and the listed alloys and electronic materials.
Parallel to this, he would commence the design and fabrication of Dorio's custom melee weapon. From conceptual simulation to physical testing and delivery, this was estimated to consume several dozen hours.
Concurrently, Phase One of the Dimensional Sextant's optimization would begin. The core of this phase was utilizing the data harvested from Maine's crew to focus on enhancing energy-transmission efficiency and attempting to install an auxiliary stabilization field for biological subjects, to mitigate the physiological load of transit.
During this period, the collection of high-performance local cybernetic samples via Maine's crew and Gloria Martinez would continue, constantly expanding his technical database of this world.
Looking ahead to the coming months, the plan deepened.
Once short-term goals were met, the optimization of the Dimensional Sextant would advance to completion.
This would be followed by multiple rounds of rigorous stability testing. These tests would include unmanned materiel transit and potentially further live-transit missions utilizing Maine's crew. The goal was to ensure reliability and safety were elevated to acceptable new standards.
He would closely monitor any feedback from the Warhammer universe, specifically messages relayed via the servo-skull regarding his Magos Ascension review and the Forge Ship requisition status. This was critical for his future strategic mobility.
Meanwhile, the defensive grid of the desert bastion required further consolidation. Maine's crew's combat readiness had to be maintained at a level sufficient to handle conventional threats, ensuring the stability of this key Cyberpunk-world base during his potential absence.
From a longer-term perspective, upon Joric's eventual personal return to the Warhammer universe, a series of critical operations would unfold sequentially.
Priority one: A thorough investigation of the archeotech ruin where the Sextant was found. Empirical verification was needed to determine if its structure and materials possessed auxiliary effects on trans-dimensional transit. This was a vital link in perfecting the technology.
He would then formally complete the entire Magos Ascension process. Using this new status as leverage, he would apply full pressure to secure a personal Cruiser-class Forge Ship.
This vessel would become his future mobile base and research hub. It would serve as the platform to integrate the resources and technological advantages of both the Warhammer and Cyberpunk universes, thereby unlocking deeper, broader trans-dimensional research and application.
All these matters were interconnected, advancing step by step.
Every transaction, every modification, every experiment was a tangible stride toward the ultimate objective.
Joric did not rush with emotional impatience; he drove progress through logic and efficiency.
He clearly recognized that only by solidifying the foundation and perfecting the technology could he ensure that when the journey back to the Warhammer universe truly began, everything would execute according to his calculations and plans—regardless of whether he faced known challenges or unforeseen variables.
(End of Chapter)