Chapter 218: The Secutarii Advance
Inside the workshop, Joric's metal body remained motionless as data from external sensors flowed rapidly through his processing core.
Damage assessment reports were generated in real-time: 17% of the shield system's nodes required cooling or replacement due to overload, and overall energy reserves had dropped by fourteen percentage points.
The defense was successful, but the wear and tear on the shield system itself was also very apparent.
"Calculate specific losses. Activate backup power to maintain baseline shield levels," Joric commanded calmly, his tone devoid of fluctuation, as if what he had just withstood was merely a slightly strong electromagnetic storm.
To someone who had experienced destructive weapons capable of tearing planets apart in the Warhammer universe, the power of a tactical nuke in this world was indeed only "limited."
However, purely passive defense never aligned with the creed of the Adeptus Mechanicus, nor was it the style of an Explorator Magos.
Tolerating one nuclear strike was already his way of testing how much punishment energy shields could withstand in this world.
He turned and strode toward the deepest area of the workshop, his metal feet making rhythmic tapping sounds on the floor.
There, the Dimension Teleporter, which he had improved and expanded multiple times, stood tall. Pale blue energy glow flowed between its complex mechanical structures.
With the command issued, the massive instrument began to emit a low roar.
Precise metal components began to slide and assemble as if endowed with life, and the central energy focuser lit up with blinding light.
As energy focused, the Dimension Teleporter gathered massive power. Amidst the flashing blue glow, a dimension rift larger than any of Joric's previous attempts unfolded.
"Ignis," his voice echoed in the space, "lead fifty Secutarii Hoplites and come to my side."
Simultaneously, another command was sent through the dimension rift to the frigate docked in orbit around the Death World: "Order the frigate to return to the Forge World. Take a message to House Rinco: I require their services."
The hum of the teleporter gradually increased, and energy fluctuations oscillated within the workshop. The air was filled with the scent of ozone and ionized metal, heralding a summoning across dimensions.
Joric's crimson optical lenses watched the forming spatial rift intently, awaiting the arrival of his Skitarii commander and her heavy guard.
Deep within the Badlands manufactorum, the blinding white light and spatial disturbances of the Dimension Teleporter gradually subsided.
Ignis's tall figure, encased in dark red composite armor, was the first to fully manifest. behind her, fifty Secutarii Hoplites also completed their cross-dimensional material transfer.
These warriors were generally over 2.3 meters tall, their builds even more burly and majestic than Ignis.
They were covered from head to toe in heavy dark gray armor bearing riveting marks, with thick, sturdy hydraulic structures at the joints.
Each Hoplite held an Arc Lance nearly three meters long, with ghostly blue unstable arcs dancing at the tip. Their left arms were equipped with massive Mag-Inverter Shields, with complex energy cores embedded in the center and ancient binary prayers etched along the edges.
They assembled rapidly behind Ignis. Their movements were uniform, forming a dense phalanx in the clearing within the workshop with breathtaking speed and tacit understanding.
There was no superfluous movement throughout the process, as if fifty people shared a single combat protocol, displaying an absolute discipline that transcended mortal armies.
Ignis stood at the front of the phalanx, facing Joric, who stood quietly before the main console.
She grounded her Arc Lance at her side and clicked her metal heels together, making a crisp impact sound. All Hoplites grounded their lances simultaneously, movements perfectly synchronized.
"Lord Sage," Ignis's synthesized female voice echoed in the workshop. "Ignis and the First Squad of the Secutarii Hoplites await your command."
Joric's crimson optical lenses swept over this legion of steel.
"Target: All hostile units surrounding the manufactorum." His voice was calm and ripple-free as he transmitted relevant information to Ignis. "Execute Purification Protocols. Eliminate all hostile targets thoroughly."
"Your will be done."
Ignis turned and waved her lance forward.
Like a precision war machine, the entire phalanx began to move out of the workshop.
They marched with unified steps, metal boots striking the ground with heavy thuds, advancing along the internal passages of the Badlands town toward the boundary.
When they stepped out of the town's boundary and officially set foot on the scorched earth burned by the nuclear explosion, Arasaka's forward observation post discovered their existence for the first time.
Almost simultaneously, the Barghest troops and Lazarus mercenaries resting behind the defense line also noticed this strange army that had suddenly appeared.
(Note: The "Secutarii" here are essentially Titan Guard units, modified from Skitarii and Titan Guard kits.)
"What is that?" A Barghest soldier poked his head out of the trench, his voice filled with incredulous shock.
Colonel Hansen's single eye stared tightly at his tactical eyepiece, his fingers unconsciously gripping the observation equipment.
He had never seen such a force. Such heavy armor, weapons that looked both advanced and retro, and that formation which felt like phalanx infantry from the cold weapon era yet was filled with discipline—it all looked so bizarre and incongruous.
On the other side of the position, the commander of the Lazarus squad couldn't help but utter his own exclamation: "Are those the Sage's troops? Do they intend to poke Arasaka's power armor to death with lances? How do they manage to be both primitive and sci-fi at the same time?"
The comments of the allies had no effect on Ignis. She simply confirmed the IFF signatures of friendly and hostile forces, then issued the command to prepare for engagement.
The Mag-Inverter Shields on the left arms of all Hoplites raised simultaneously to a precise angle. The Kyropatris Field Generators on their backs emitted a low resonance.
Weak individual shields instantly connected and superimposed, forming a visible pale gold joint shield on the periphery of the phalanx.
Energy patterns flowed across the shield's surface, emitting energy fluctuations that were more solid and restrained than the large-scale shield of the Badlands town.
"In the name of the Omnissiah!" Ignis's voice projected through her faceplate, echoing across the battlefield. "Those who blaspheme my Lord shall be purified to dust!"
Her Arc Lance pointed forward. The arc at the tip suddenly became blazing bright, emitting dangerous crackling sounds.
"Secutarii, ADVANCE!"
The steel phalanx began to push forward, the pale gold shield advancing synchronously with their movement.
Arasaka's frontline tanks hastily turned their turrets, and the surviving "Onimusha" power armors raised their weapons.
Shells and bullets rained down on this steel legion, but all attacks were futile.
High-explosive rounds fired by tanks hit the pale gold joint shield, only stirring up distinct ripples before being completely deflected or absorbed.
Armor-piercing belts struck the shield with no effect other than splashing fine energy sparks.
Occasionally, a missile hit, and the firelight of the explosion momentarily engulfed the phalanx. But when the smoke cleared, the pale gold shield remained stable, and the pace of the phalanx did not falter in the slightest.
On the Barghest position, soldiers watched this scene dumbfounded.
Colonel Hansen slowly lowered his observation equipment, complicated light flashing in his single eye.
He had never imagined war could be conducted in such a form.
The reaction of the Lazarus mercenaries was more direct.
A power armor pilot whispered over the comms channel: "Is that shield resonance? Stitched all their shields together? No wonder they use a phalanx... this is truly astonishing!"
Just as the Arasaka troops poured ammunition in vain, the Secutarii's counterattack began.
It was no longer an engagement in the traditional sense, but a unilateral purification.
(End of Chapter)