Chapter 592: End of the War
With the main hostilities on the Kaelber Continent subsiding, the Steel Hound Legion and the EVA tactical squad began to transfer to their designated rear staging area.
Heavy transport vehicles and engineering units began entering the battlefield, recovering damaged equipment, collecting the wounded, and conducting preliminary battlefield cleanup.
The three EVA-Titans followed the Titan formation of the Steel Hound Legion, taking heavy steps as they walked across a battlefield littered with wreckage and scorched earth.
Unlike the taut, arrow-on-the-bowstring tension when they arrived, their march at this moment carried a post-victory solemnity and exhaustion.
Upon arriving at the temporarily established fortified landing pad, the three EVA-Titans, guided by Tech-Priests and servitors, entered the designated maintenance area.
Thick energy pipelines and maintenance gantries quickly connected with the mechs, beginning preliminary post-battle inspections and energy replenishment.
Shinji Ikari, Asuka, and Rei Ayanami detached from their Entry Plugs one by one.
The prolonged, high-intensity neural connection and immersion in LCL fluid left all three showing obvious signs of fatigue.
Shinji's face was somewhat pale, and his footsteps were unsteady, requiring him to hold onto the bulkhead to stand firm.
Although Asuka's eyes remained bright, there was a lingering weariness between her brows as she stretched her somewhat stiff neck.
Rei Ayanami followed quietly behind, her expression as placid as ever, though her movements were slightly more sluggish than usual.
Ryo (the second avatar) was already waiting outside the maintenance area.
He was still wearing that Tartaros pattern Terminator armor. The crimson optical lenses of his helmet swept over the three, quickly evaluating their physiological states.
"Preliminary medical data shows that the vital signs of all three of you are stable, your fatigue levels are within expected parameters, and there is no severe physiological damage." His voice of approval rang out steadily. "Well done. The success of this decapitation strike directly led to the total collapse of the Ork legion. Its strategic value is significant."
His gaze deliberately lingered on Asuka for a moment: "Pilot Asuka, the timing and placement of the final strike on the fortress were handled perfectly."
Hearing this, Asuka puffed out her chest, unable to hide the smugness on her face, but she still let out a hmph: "Of course! A mission of this level is a piece of cake!"
Shinji, however, whispered: "Everyone... worked really hard. Rei and Asuka's cover... was also very important."
Rei Ayanami merely nodded slightly without speaking.
Ryo didn't offer any further evaluation, instead saying: "Go to the rest area for deep recovery first. The detailed mission report and data review will be conducted after you have recovered your condition."
He motioned for the standby medical servitors to step forward and guide the three to the fully equipped rest cabins specially prepared for them.
After settling the pilots, Ryo turned his attention to the preliminary damage assessment report for the EVA-Titans.
The Tech-Priests had completed the external scans and basic system checks on the three mechs.
"Red Unit-01: Minor scrapes and scorching on the outer armor, primarily concentrated on the front and legs. Due to overload operation, the Volcano Cannon system requires replacement of some energy conduits and cooling units. Overall structural integrity is 98.7%, excellent."
"Purple Unit-02: The A.T. Field generator load approached critical levels at one point, requiring deep calibration and cooling. The outer armor has multiple dents and scorch marks left by solid-slug impacts and explosions, with minor deformation on the left shoulder armor. The Void Shield generator is operating stably. Overall structural integrity is 97.1%, good."
"Blue Unit-03: Outer armor intact. Energy weapon systems operating normally, with slight wear. Sensor arrays and fire control systems require standard maintenance. Overall structural integrity is 99.2%, outstanding."
The report results met Ryo's expectations.
In such a high-intensity real combat scenario, the three EVA-Titans demonstrated extremely high reliability and powerful survivability.
Especially the dual protection system (A.T. Field and Void Shield), which displayed astonishing efficacy when defending against the Ork Gargant's main cannon bombardment and dense volleys of firepower.
"Conduct maintenance and repairs according to the highest standards. Replace all worn components immediately," Ryo issued orders to the Tech-Priest in charge.
"By your will, Lord Astartes." The Tech-Priest bowed and accepted the order, immediately directing the servitors and servo-skulls to begin more detailed overhaul work.
Just then, Princeps Olaf's familiar and booming voice came from behind.
"Lord Astartes!"
Ryo turned around and saw Princeps Olaf striding over.
He had already taken off his Titan pilot suit and changed into a relatively light commander's uniform. His face carried uncontrollable excitement and a trace of relief.
"Princeps Olaf." Ryo nodded slightly in greeting.
"Unbelievable! Simply unbelievable!" Olaf walked up to Ryo, waving his arms excitedly, his gaze occasionally darting toward the three EVA-Titans undergoing maintenance. "I knew they were strong, the training data was astonishing enough! But real combat... real combat is the true testing stone!"
"Did you see that? That kind of mobility! That kind of firepower! And that damned defensive power! My 'Iron Fang' would shudder after taking a single shot from that Gargant, yet that purple guy was actually able to endure it head-on for so long!"
His tone was filled with undisguised admiration. "And that final blow! The red guy charged over and melted that iron turtle shell with a single shot! Clean and efficient! This is a true decapitation strike! It's a completely different concept from our Titans slowly hammering away with heavy firepower!"
Ryo listened quietly to Olaf's excited narration, his optical lenses flickering slightly, recording his reactions.
Olaf took a deep breath, trying hard to calm his emotions, but his eyes were still burning with fervor. "Lord Astartes, in the name of the highest commander of the Steel Hound Legion in this operation, I once again extend my highest respects and gratitude to you and your EVA tactical squad!"
"Your participation not only greatly reduced the potential losses of our Legion, but also pushed this campaign—which might have devolved into a protracted war of attrition—to a decisive victory in a short period!"
He paused, his tone becoming more formal: "I have already ordered the general staff to draft a detailed report of this joint operation with the highest priority."
"In the report, I will unreservedly emphasize the decisive role played by the EVA-Titans in this campaign, especially their precise decapitation strike capabilities in high-risk environments, their unparalleled battlefield mobility, and their outstanding survivability."
"This report, along with the complete battlefield recording data, will be submitted at the fastest speed to the Legion Headquarters and... the Supreme Command of the Collegia Titanica."
This was exactly the result Ryo wanted.
He responded calmly, "Thank you for the objective evaluation, Princeps Olaf. The value of the EVA-Titans can only be fully realized within an appropriate tactical system. This successful coordination with the Steel Hound Legion proves this point. We look forward to deeper cooperation in the future."
"Of course! Without a doubt!" Olaf immediately assured him. "The doors of the Steel Hound Legion will always be open to you and your God-Machines!"
"I believe that the Legion's high command, and even the Lords of the Collegia Titanica, will definitely generate immense interest in the EVA-Titans upon seeing this report. This will be a new starting point for our cooperation!"
After chatting a bit more about the subsequent battlefield cleanup and troop rest arrangements, Princeps Olaf took his leave, still seemingly having more to say. He needed to immediately go and supervise the drafting of the report.
Ryo (the second avatar) stood in place, watching Olaf's retreating back. He then, through the encrypted consciousness link, synchronized the preliminary results of this operation, Princeps Olaf's reactions, and the damage assessment of the EVA-Titans to his main body far away on Mars.
The data stream transmitted silently. A moment later, the feedback from the main body arrived.
"Combat results meet optimal expectations. The real combat data is highly valuable, fully verifying the adaptability of the EVA-Titans in complex battlefield environments and the feasibility of their coordination with the existing forces of the Imperium."
"The positive evaluation from the Steel Hound Legion is a crucial political asset."
"Immediately begin comprehensive data analysis; optimize mech performance and tactical protocols."
"Simultaneously, prepare to respond to the attention and inquiries from the Collegia Titanica and even the higher echelons of the Adeptus Mechanicus."
"Next step: consider a limited display of more technical details in exchange for firmer alliances and resource allocation."
"I understand," the second avatar responded.
He severed the consciousness link and cast his gaze once again toward the three giant gods undergoing maintenance.
Crimson, violet, ice-blue—they stood silent under the lights of the maintenance gantries, as if accumulating power, preparing to face the next unknown challenge.
The Verdant III campaign was coming to an end, but the ripples caused by it had only just begun to spread.