Chapter 299: Preparations Before Dimensional Exploration
After handling the affairs at the Death World base and confirming the Cybernetica Automata squad had successfully integrated into the defense system, Ryo did not linger any longer.
He activated the dimensional teleporter, locking the coordinates precisely onto the abandoned town laboratory on the outskirts of Night City.
The familiar ghostly blue light once again filled the entire cavern. The peeling sensation of spatial distortion hit them briefly before fading away in an instant.
When everyone's senses restabilized, they were already standing inside the tall and sturdy teleportation hall of the abandoned town laboratory.
The air no longer smelled of the heavy machine oil and ozone of the Forge World, but rather carried the scent of metal and disinfectant from the laboratory's internal circulation and filtration system, along with the faint smell of dust drifting in from the abandoned town outside.
Compared to the suffocating oppression of the Underhive, the environment here could almost be called "clean."
The sudden change in environment caused everyone to pause for a moment. Jackie looked around, a relaxed expression of returning to familiar turf appearing on his face. He rubbed his neck and muttered in a low voice, "Finally back on our own turf..."
"Stay sharp, everyone," Maine said in a deep voice. He rubbed the prominent scar on his chin, his gaze sweeping over his team members. "The Boss didn't bring us back for a vacation. Business first."
Valerie also immediately got into the zone. She looked at Ryo, her tone respectful and capable: "Lord Magos, how do we deploy next?"
Ryo turned to look at them, his gaze sweeping over the group, taking in their subtle relaxation upon returning to familiar ground.
"Ignis will assist you with the preparations," Ryo's voice rang out steadily within the laboratory. "List all necessary equipment and supplies. Weapons, ammunition, protective gear, survival provisions, medical supplies, reconnaissance tools... considering the unknown environment, your preparations must be comprehensive. Better to have too much than too little."
He paused slightly, emphasizing, "The focus is on versatility and reliability. We cannot predict the specific rules and threats of the target dimension, so you must consider all possible scenarios you might encounter to the best of your ability."
"Understood, Boss," Maine responded on behalf of the team, his tone steady. "We will sort out the list as soon as possible."
"You have seventy-two standard hours," Ryo issued his final order. "Handle necessary personal affairs and complete all procurement and preparation. Seventy-two hours from now, assemble here for the final mission briefing and equipment check."
"Yes, Lord Magos (Boss)." The group responded in unison, then quickly dispersed, throwing themselves into the tense preparation work.
The brief sense of relaxation brought by returning to a relatively familiar environment was immediately replaced by the urgency of impending entry into a completely unknown realm.
Over the next seventy-two hours, the abandoned town laboratory and its surrounding areas presented a scene of highly efficient operation.
Maine's squad members, Valerie, and Jackie each performed their respective duties, conducting comprehensive material preparations for their first active dimensional exploration.
Maine and Dorio were responsible for coordinating and procuring heavy equipment and survival support materials.
Relying on their rich mercenary experience, they used reliable channels to order high-power environmental lighting systems, multi-functional engineering robotic arms, high-strength towing and climbing rigging, and mobility assistance devices for complex terrain.
Considering the possibility of encountering extreme environments or needing to establish a temporary base, they also prepared industrial-grade breaching tools, cutting equipment, and structural reinforcement materials.
Rebecca and Pilar focused on environmental detection and data collection.
Their procurement list included various models of drones, emphasizing their terrain scanning, environmental sampling, and long-endurance reconnaissance capabilities.
In addition, various motion sensors, atmospheric and water quality composition analyzers, radiation and anomalous energy detection devices, and signal interception and preliminary analysis units were also listed one by one.
Rebecca insisted on bringing her secondhand industrial cutting laser, reasoning, "Who cares if it's a stone door or an alien tree in front of us; if we can burn through it, we can walk through it."
Pilar, utilizing his upgraded nervous system and dexterous cybernetic hands, conducted a thorough inspection and parameter optimization of all electronic equipment, ensuring they remained stable in unknown environments.
Falco inventoried and restocked a large amount of basic survival supplies: high-energy compressed rations, water purification equipment and filters, comprehensive first-aid medical kits, protective suits adaptable to extreme temperatures, emergency thermal gear, illuminating signal flares, and various rope tools.
Jackie was active in his commercial network, preparing those "non-standard" items that might exert miraculous effects at critical moments.
Not only did he acquire professional tools used for geological exploration and ruin investigation, but he also utilized funds to hoard a batch of items he believed might possess "trade value" or act as a "foot in the door" in different civilizational backgrounds.
This included a small amount of high-purity synthetic gems, several exquisitely crafted mechanical timepieces from the old era, well-packaged high-quality food, and a few crates of premium tobacco and alcohol.
His reasoning was practical: "It's never wrong to prepare more. What if the 'hard currency' over there doesn't look like eurodollars?"
Valerie, as a former corporate agent, demonstrated systematic planning and integration capabilities.
She was responsible for compiling and reviewing everyone's procurement lists, eliminating redundancies, plugging potential loopholes, and paying special attention to redundant backups for critical equipment (especially communication and relay devices).
She also prepared a powerful, portable data analysis terminal and data connection cables compatible with multiple interfaces.
The workshop's warehouse and designated areas were soon occupied by categorized materials.
Ignis coordinated several Service Servitors, efficiently carrying out the warehousing, tagging, performance spot-checking, and preliminary packaging of materials, ensuring all equipment and supplies could be quickly and accurately deployed when the order was given.
Just as everyone was busy, Margaret Nearl found Ryo in the main control room.
"Lord Magos," Margaret began with standard etiquette, her voice clear. "Knight of the Nearl family, Margaret Nearl, requests to participate in this dimensional exploration mission."
Ryo's massive mechanical body turned towards her, his crimson optical lenses gazing at her calmly.
Margaret continued to state her reasons, her tone carrying the sense of responsibility unique to a Knight: "Knight Armigers possess powerful firepower and protection, and can serve as a solid fulcrum for the exploration team in unknown environments.
"If there are threats ahead that are difficult to overcome, we will be the strongest bastion to tear through enemy lines and cover the retreat.
"To let companions brave danger alone while Knights sit safely in the rear goes against our creed."
Ryo's voice rang out steadily. He didn't directly deny her wish but stated objective limitations: "Your will to fight and sense of responsibility have been recorded, Knight Margaret Nearl.
"However, the core mission of the first wave of exploration is reconnaissance and information gathering; the key lies in concealment, mobility, and adaptability."
He paused slightly, bringing up a size comparison chart between a Knight Armiger, standard Power Armor, and the human body: "The massive size and significant energy signature of a Knight Armiger in a completely unknown environment would easily make it a focal point, which is detrimental to covert operations.
"Secondly, whether the environmental carrying capacity and spatial structure of the target dimension can accommodate Knight Armiger operations is still unknown, presenting a huge risk.
"Therefore, having the first round of exploration executed by Maine's squad, Valerie, and the others is the most optimal solution for efficiency under current conditions."
Margaret listened carefully. She understood that Ryo's analysis was based on pure rationality and mission requirements, not a disregard for the Knights' value.
She nodded slightly to indicate her understanding, but the fighting spirit in her eyes was not extinguished: "I understand, Lord Magos. Then, please allow our Nearl squad to stand by on this side of the teleportation point as a rapid response force.
"The moment a call for reinforcements comes from the front, or if the environment is confirmed to allow Armiger deployment, we will cross over immediately to provide decisive support."
"Acceptable," Ryo accepted the proposal. "You and the Cybernetica Automata squad will jointly constitute the base's final defense and emergency response force. Maintain standby status."
"As you command, Lord Magos." Margaret placed her right hand over her chest, bowed solemnly, and turned to leave. Although she couldn't be a member of the first wave of exploration, serving in a critical support role was equally in line with a Knight's duties.
(End of Chapter)