The Yashida family, which had regained control from Hydra, once again entered a dormant state, fading from the world's view. However, beneath the surface, countless family "tentacles" also began to gradually, quietly gather the power they had lost in the past. In the sphere of influence of many Japanese chaebols, and in the dark, unseen side of society that ordinary people cannot understand, the expansion of the Yashida family appeared once again.
Yukio, who temporarily became the leader of the family, led the remaining, sobered elders to present a single, ancient katana to Nolan. It was laid on a silk cloth, representing a blood oath.
Nolan, his massive gauntlets looking comical, was playing with the katana, testing its balance. He discussed the matter with David over a private comm-link. They decided to let the Yashida family develop freely, allowing them to restore their past power and strength. Of course, David would pay close attention and guide the process, giving additional, subtle help to the Yashida family when needed.
In addition, according to David's report, Hydra's brainwashing technology was a complete success. The real leader of the Yashida family, Mariko, had completely returned to "normal".
However, the "normal" here referred to a loyal human who believed in the divine Emperor and was willing to sacrifice her life for the future of mankind.
Nolan was very satisfied with this. He also looked forward to the "magic modification" methods that Reditus would use after absorbing this technological knowledge.
Soon after, carrying many data hard disks and equipment samples looted from the Hydra base, the Valkyrie transport plane re-entered the sky. Accompanied by the roar of the vector engine, it embarked on the long return journey.
Due to the small episode before leaving, Bucky, who was forced by Yukio to accept a small, carefully wrapped gift, entered the cabin with a dark red face. He avoided Nolan's smiling cyan wolf eyes by ducking into the cockpit, using the excuse of learning to drive the Valkyrie from David.
Nolan, sitting alone in the cargo bay, took this opportunity to open the simulator, which had been forgotten for a long time. He carefully checked the harvest of the last salvage mission.
[Salvage countdown: zero]
[Salvage harvest: Warscythe (one)]
Note: This weapon originates from the age of the Necrontyr, before the great biotransference. Forged of self-adaptive necrodermis and configured for phase interference, it is capable of slipping past physical armor as if it were smoke. Upon contact, it disrupts the target's vital essence, draining life and destabilizing matter at the molecular level.
It was once borne by Urtup the Undaunted, a Necron Lord who defied the commands of his Star God rather than submit. In Necron memory-crypts, his name endures as a symbol of unbroken will.
Nolan stared at the only valuable item on the salvage page. He subconsciously blinked his cyan wolf eyes.
"Another Necron weapon," he muttered to himself. "Although it is very useful, it is a pity that it cannot be copied and imitated."
Nolan slowly turned off the simulator.
Then, he closed his eyes and went into a resting state. The interior of the cabin, filled with the roaring engine, shook with a slight, constant vibration, but it could not shake the tall, massive figure wearing the Terminator armor.
Deep in the underground base.
Since Nolan had left, the large forge, emitting a terrifying, shimmering high temperature, had never been extinguished.
Countless molded blocks of plasteel and precisely quenched ceramite parts were carried by automatic servo robots to a newly excavated storage room. Their metal feet clattered in organized lines. There were far more than fifty automatic servo robots shuttling around the base. They either transported materials or carried excavated soil and stone residues, working hard without complaint.
High above, a large group of Vulture-type automatic robots suspended in the air patrolled the underground passage, their red optics scanning. They were armed with deadly guns that fired large-caliber solid ammunition.
At this moment, a pounding, distorted guitar riff came faintly from the direction of the base hall.
Accompanied by invisible radio waves, a single Vulture-type automatic robot suddenly broke away from the neat patrol team. Its movements became sharp and precise. It quickly rushed to the base hall.
Not long after, the robot arrived at the hall, which was filled with a chaotic mess of plasteel parts and metal cables.
Amidst the deafening rock music, the servo-skull Reditus flew up and down, bobbing and weaving with the beat. He was controlling his servo-arm, welding sparks flying as he assembled the initial prototype of a modified Aokai Guard.
"Reditus, there are thirty-six hours before our Lord returns, which means you still have thirty-six hours to clean up and restore the environment inside the base."
In an instant, the deafening rock music cut off, plunging the hall into near silence. The automatic robot shook its one-eyed observation lens. A familiar mechanical voice was sent from its speaker to the servo-skull.
Reditus suddenly stopped, freezing in mid-air.
It turned its sight, stared at the Vulture-type automatic robot, and asked in a doubtful, synthesized squeak, "The Primarch is coming back? How come so fast? It's only been a little more than a week?"
"Reditus, don't blame me for not telling you... If my Lord knew that you not only made hundreds of automatic servo robots, but also built the prototype of Legio Cybernetica..."
"Tsk tsk, believe me, you are really dead."
"Damn Abominable heretic robot! I protest! I am making an outstanding contribution to the Primarch's conquest plan!"
Red light flashed in Reditus's eyes. It roared at the automatic robot in exasperation, its voice crackling with static.
"I have made contributions to the Empire! I have shed blood for the Adeptus Mechanicus! I want to see the Primarch! I want to see the Emperor!"
"Reditus. You have time to put on this act for me, so you should clean up your mess as soon as possible. Haven't you expanded more underground space and hidden warehouses? Seal up your toys first, and present them to my Lord when the time is right. Right?"
The mechanical voice from David continued to echo, calm and logical, in the base hall.
The Servo-Skull Reditus slowly spread its two mechanical clamps, a gesture like letting out a helpless, metallic sigh.
"Okay, okay... Thank you for your reminder. You are worthy of being my good friend!"
"A faction of Hydra was completely destroyed, and some important gains were made. My Lord is in a good mood. I just don't want you to ruin my Lord's rare good mood."
The automatic robot controlled by David shook its observation lens and said to Reditus, "Okay, the message has been delivered. You should restore the base as soon as possible."
Reditus drove its anti-gravity engine up and down a few times, as if nodding in agreement.
Ding, ding, ding...
Waiting until the automatic robot suspended in the air returned to its normal, smooth patrol mode and continued flying toward the underground passage, the mechanical voice of Servo-Skull Reditus, crackling with intense, synthesized panic, resounded throughout the underground base.
"All automatic servo robots, stop any work at hand immediately! The Primarch is about to return! Execute the 'Annihilation' plan! Eliminate all evidence of the crime!"
The next moment, a clattering tide of countless automatic servo robots poured out from the underground passages.
A team of more than a hundred robots waved flexible mechanical tentacles, rolling up the plasteel parts and metal debris scattered all over the ground.
Another team of the same number unfolded cheap cloths stained with cleaning solution. They moved in frantic, perfect synchronization, meticulously cleaning any traces left on the metal floor.
At the same time, Reditus flew back and forth around the entire underground base, zipping like a mad insect, carefully checking every inch of the ground and walls.
It also constantly shrieked new orders, directing several other teams of automatic servo robots to carry the many prototypes of its "masterpieces" to deeper underground locations.
"Hurry up! Speed up!"
"Machine God! Time is the capital of survival!"
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