Chapter 430: Mission Rewards
After the dizziness of the dimensional teleportation faded, Maine's squad, along with their precious trophies, found themselves back in the familiar teleportation zone of the Death World base, filled with the scent of machine oil and ozone.
The base's lighting system emitted a steady cold glow, forming a sharp contrast to the gunsmoke and chaos of the Edge of Tomorrow battlefield.
The heavy footsteps of the two Iron Guards echoed within the metal corridor. Pilar and Lucy carefully controlled the loading equipment—one was a specialized unit imprisoning the Alpha, and the other was the dimensional container with its now-dull surface, sealing the far more important Omega inside.
Ryo's massive dark-red mechanical body was already waiting at the entrance of the core laboratory.
His crimson optical lenses immediately locked onto the two containment units being transported. Miniature mechanical arms extended from his shoulders, acting as if they were alive, precisely and swiftly taking the two sample units and placing them on the analysis platform inside the laboratory, which was already prepared and covered with various sensors and energy containment fields.
"Samples received," Ryo's synthesized voice rang out. Although it remained steady, anyone familiar with him could identify the near-fervent focus and satisfaction contained within the subtle shift in his tone.
His optical lenses scanned the deep blue individual still in a state of anesthesia within the Alpha unit at close range, then turned to the dimensional container sealing the Omega. The anomalous spacetime fluctuations contained within it, even when isolated, were enough to cause a strong resonance in his logic core.
He turned to the members of Maine's squad standing at attention, his satisfied voice echoing clearly throughout the laboratory: "The mission has been completed beyond expectations. Not only did you successfully capture the key target, the Alpha, but you also successfully contained the core target, the Omega."
"Your operational efficiency and adaptability in the alien dimension have fully proven your combat prowess and execution capabilities. The samples obtained this time possess incalculable research value."
This was high praise from Ryo, rare and direct.
Rebecca grinned, patting the plasma cannon beside her: "At least all those trips weren't for nothing."
Dorio nodded steadily, relaxing her tensed shoulders and neck.
Pilar excitedly nudged Lucy, whispering: "See? I told you the Lord Magos would be satisfied!"
Falco calmly recorded the mission completion status.
Valerie and Jackie began to step out of the Iron Guard cockpits to conduct preliminary post-battle checks.
Cage and Rita did not follow. They remained in their own world, which had finally seen the dawn.
Maine took a step forward, responding on behalf of all members: "We followed your will, Lord Magos. The mission is complete."
Ryo's mechanical body turned slightly toward the main console, and countless data streams began to flash rapidly across the edges of his optical lenses: "Based on the exceptional results of this mission, all participating members will receive corresponding resource quotas and an increase in technical access permissions."
"Now, you may go and rest."
His attention was clearly already mostly devoted to the preliminary analysis of the two precious samples, but he added one last sentence at the end: "Your achievements have been recorded into the archives."
The squad members looked at each other. Although exhausted, a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction after completing the mission permeated the air.
They had successfully crossed dimensions, dealt with a bizarre time loop, defeated a powerful enemy, and brought back precious samples that the Lord Magos required—samples that might change certain perceptions.
For the members of Maine's squad, this was another perfectly executed mission, and Ryo's recognition was the highest affirmation of their efforts.
As Ryo immersed himself in his research, Maine signaled for the members to dismiss and rest.
At the Death World base, Ryo's voice rang out in the solemn hall, announcing the rewards for Maine's squad for their dimensional exploration mission.
"Based on your outstanding performance in this dimensional exploration mission, the following rewards are hereby granted." Beside Ryo's massive mechanical body, a servo-arm held up a data slate with a shimmering list of supplies.
"First, based on the perceived value of currency in your world of origin, each member of the squad is granted one ton of high-purity gold."
Although in Ryo's Forge World system, gold was primarily viewed as an industrial raw material with excellent performance, he clearly understood what this wealth meant in the Night City familiar to Maine's squad, and even the entire cyberpunk world—it was an astronomical sum capable of changing destinies.
"Second, the technical apprentice Alex is authorized to conduct comprehensive modifications and customized upgrades to your existing equipment according to each of your specific needs."
"Simultaneously, the Forge Temple will grant you access to specific armory permissions, providing you with new equipment that meets our standards."
"Third," Ryo's optical lenses turned toward David and Lucy, "David Martinez, Lucy, you have passed the practical assessment. As of today, you are officially members of the dimensional exploration squad."
He looked at Lucy: "Lucy, in view of your potential in mechanical control and cyber-control technology, you are granted the authority to command a Vorax-class Battle-Automata."
The data for this automata was transmitted to Lucy's personal terminal: The Vorax-class was a hunter unit created on Mars during the pre-Imperial era, specialized in search-and-destroy missions to exterminate out-of-control machinery, clear mutant pests, and reduce surplus populations.
Such combat automation units were famous for their particularly predatory and ferocious control core imprints—so many beast-like instincts slept within their mechanical bodies that a large number of forced override instructions had to be hard-coded into their programs to prevent these tireless killing machines from degenerating into savage traitors no different from their prey.
These predatory robots were equipped with pairs of rotor cannons and hooked power blades.
They were shaped like stalking insect-like machinery, rich in detail, from the trailing ammunition belts to the piston structures on their lethal limbs, and could present multiple combat stances. Each Vorax was also equipped with a powerful lightning gun on its upper carapace.
Next, Ryo turned to David: "David Martinez, you are granted a set of standard Genetors' analysis equipment, and you are permitted to access foundational biotechnological theories related to it."
Finally, he faced everyone: "You have all obtained access to the knowledge base at the corresponding level, and you may learn new skills and theories."
The rewards had been announced. Although the squad members remained disciplined, a sense of excitement was inevitably reflected in their eyes.
Rebecca was already discussing in a low voice with Pilar about what new gadgets to add to her plasma cannon; Dorio was thinking about how to further strengthen her gauntlets.
Maine responded solemnly on behalf of the squad: "We thank the Lord Magos for his gifts. We will surely make good use of these resources and prepare for future exploration missions."
Subsequently, the squad entered a post-battle rest period.
The members each performed equipment maintenance and physical adjustments, and began planning how to use the rewards they had obtained to improve themselves.
Lucy looked forward to receiving her powerful Vorax-class automata with its hidden predatory instincts, while David immersed himself in the new realm of knowledge brought by the sophisticated genetic analysis equipment.
The resources and knowledge of the Forge World had opened a crack in the door for them, and they were ready to explore the vast world behind it.
(End of Chapter)