[This simulation has concluded, taking ninety days.]
[The following are the reward that can be retained after this simulation.]
[I. Burner-Pattern One-Handed Flamer (Standard)]
[Note: "This is one of the most beloved flamers among the Battle Sisters of the Order of the Bloody Rose."]
[Note: "Of course, compared to the Ardent-Pattern Holy Promethium Flamer, which possesses far greater promethium capacity and spray force, the Burner-pattern one-handed flamer is merely a dessert-level alternative for the Battle Sisters."]
["Woman, you're playing with fire," a dark-skinned battle-brother from the Salamanders Legion stared at the Battle Sisters before him with considerable surprise, unable to suppress a wicked smile.]
[Tag: "Heart breaker?"]
[II. Sororitas Drop Pod (Standard)]
[Note: "This is a standard airdrop landing pod belonging to an elite Battle Sister squad. Each airdrop landing pod can carry five fully armed Battle Sisters."]
[Note: "These types of Drop Pod are typically deployed to respond to operational requirements from the Inquisition."]
["Big sister, have you ever heard of tin cans falling from the sky?" A bewildered hive child stared at the white-haired Battle Sister before him and muttered softly.]
[III. Inquisitor's Mortal Human-Compatible Power Armor (Precision Engineering)]
[Note: "This is mortal human-compatible, force feedback power armor belonging to Inquisitor 'Steelhead.' Thanks to meticulous modifications by the tech-sergeants of the corrupted warband 'Seekers of Truth or Scourged,' its quality approaches finely crafted power armor standards."]
[Note: "Compared to the neural connection method used by ordinary Astartes with their black carapace, the reaction speed of force feedback power armor is significantly slower. However, for a mortal, it represents an extremely precious life-saving item."]
[Note: "The Inquisitor Steelhead, born on Monday, prayed to the Emperor on Tuesday, joined the ranks of the loyal on Wednesday, judged heretics on Thursday, his lover died in battle on Friday, fought bravely against the enemy on Saturday, and passed into the earth on Sunday."]
[Note: "It is said that the Order of the Bloody Rose Battle Sisters always carries a wise-headed Ogryn with a sorrowful expression, who tells all newly enlisted Battle Sisters the complete life story of an Inquisitor named Steelhead."]
[The simulation time has exceeded 24 hours. Simulator loss is not exempted.]
[Cooldown time: 900 hours (10 to 1).]
[Current available cooldown time: 9,133 hours]
[Do you want to consume cooldown time?]
[No cooldown time consumed; the simulator enters natural cooldown (cooldown can be skipped at any time)]
A wisp of incense smoke drifted past Nolan's nose, the scent earthy and grounding. The thin trail curled upward in lazy spirals before dispersing.
His slightly closed eyes snapped open abruptly. He stared at the simulator screen hovering before him, the interface glowing with soft light in the private lounge's dimness.
Nolan's gaze swept across the first two reward options with barely a pause, then focused all his attention on the third choice. His eyes narrowed with interest.
"Ah, the human-compatible power armor I've been wanting has finally arrived." A slight smile touched his lips. "It's a pity it came a little late. The Terminator armor's defensive capabilities far exceed ordinary power armor. But this is fine. At least I have a backup option now."
He paused, considering the tactical applications.
"Besides, the speed and reduced weight of standard power armor make it more suitable for small to medium-sized combat missions where mobility matters more than pure protection."
Nolan's eyes remained fixed on the mortal human-compatible power armor displayed on the simulator interface. The specifications scrolled past, showing dimensions and capabilities.
The next moment, he made his choice without hesitation, selecting the third option.
THUD.
A heavy collision sound reverberated through the lounge as metal struck metal floor.
A force feedback power armor unit measuring 2.5 meters tall materialized fully, extracted successfully from the simulation. It landed with tremendous weight on the slightly reflective metal floor, the impact sending vibrations through the deck plating.
Nolan slowly rose from his metal bed, his movements deliberate. He stepped forward, approaching the armor with genuine appreciation visible on his features.
He examined the power armor standing before him, smile widening slightly. The craftsmanship was immediately evident, even to his untrained eye.
He raised one hand, extending a sharp fingertip. He tapped gently against the ceramite shell, which had been painted completely blue. The armor rang with a clear, pure tone that spoke of quality materials.
"The blue coating follows Tzeentch's color scheme as well." Nolan's expression turned thoughtful, almost amused. "Speaking of which, when will I encounter the Ultramarines, whose successor chapters are as numerous as cattle and all painted in variations of blue?"
Lost in contemplation, he circled the power armor slowly. His eyes tracked across every detail, admiring the construction from multiple angles. The integrated servo-motors, the articulation points, the power pack mounting, all of it spoke to careful engineering.
After several minutes of inspection, he stepped outside the lounge and summoned four automatic servo robots with a gesture.
The machines rolled forward obediently, optical sensors focusing on him.
He issued clear instructions: lift the power armor carefully and transport it to the foundry workshop. The robots immediately moved to comply, mechanical tentacles extending to grip the armor at secure points.
Based on Nolan's understanding of Inquisitors and their equipment, their human-compatible power armor was typically manufactured individually according to each user's specific physique and measurements.
Therefore, if he wanted to actually use this armor, he would need the dimensions modified by Tech-Priest Raditus to fit his own enhanced but still fundamentally human frame.
At the same time, perhaps a complete force feedback control system could be adapted and applied to his Terminator armor as well, improving its responsiveness.
Nolan returned to the bustling foundry workshop, the familiar heat and noise washing over him as he entered.
On the chaotic casting platform, surrounded by tools and half-disassembled components, the power fist lay exposed. Its metal shell had been carefully removed, revealing the intricate mechanisms within. The artifact rested quietly before Man of Iron David and Raditus.
It had been temporarily secured in place with restraining clamps.
Occasionally, the ancient machine spirit, clearly angered by Raditus's invasive examination methods, could only raise its middle finger in a rude gesture of contempt. The metal digit extended with a soft whir, held the position for several seconds, then retracted.
The moment Nolan entered the workshop, Raditus suspended in mid-air was first to react.
The servo skull immediately abandoned the power fist, driving its anti-gravity engine forward at maximum speed. It bobbed and weaved through the air, approaching rapidly.
"Your Excellency Primarch! Have you come again to inspect our research progress?" Raditus's mechanical voice carried notes of eagerness mixed with defensiveness. "Although that damned machine spirit refuses to cooperate properly, our research continues to advance regardless."
The skull's eye-lenses swiveled, scanning the room.
"Oh? Is this a new item you obtained through miraculous means?"
Raditus, its gaze darting around with characteristic lack of focus, spotted the power armor being carefully transported by four automatic servo robots almost instantly.
It abandoned Nolan entirely, speeding past him to circle the blue power armor multiple times. The anti-gravity engine hummed as it examined the armor from every conceivable angle.
"Aha! Eighty percent of the cast components approach fine craftsmanship quality standards. The Primarch's miracle proves quite excellent."
Nolan's smile remained gentle, genuine amusement coloring his features.
He addressed Raditus directly, his tone carrying clear expectations.
"This is human-compatible power armor with force feedback control systems. Please modify the dimensions to fit my frame, and you can handle the remaining adjustments as you see fit." He paused deliberately. "However, this power armor is designed primarily for speed in movement and combat responsiveness. I hope you, as a skilled tech-priest, can contribute some innovative improvements."
"Haha, esteemed Primarch, this represents no significant challenge whatsoever!"
Raditus, propelled by its anti-gravity engine, bounced back and forth in mid-air several times. Excitement radiated from its mechanical frame, every movement conveying enthusiasm.
It rotated its slightly yellowed skull, optical sensors fixing on Man of Iron David with sudden intensity. The red light in its eye-sockets flared brighter.
"My dear David, you can remove yourself from this workspace along with that damned machine spirit! I no longer wish to research the power fist! I want to modify power armor for the Primarch! Get out! Don't interrupt my brilliant creative processes!"
The order to vacate emerged with characteristic bluntness, completely lacking any diplomatic phrasing.
Upon hearing Raditus's rude dismissal, David shook its metal head with what might have been exasperation in a human. It casually reached down, picking up the power fist whose metal shell had already begun self-assembling and reinstalling through the machine spirit's independent action.
David's eye sockets gleamed with steady blue light as it stared directly at the servo skull. Its voice emerged soft but carrying unmistakable warning.
"You utterly impolite Raditus, don't come seeking my assistance with any difficulties you encounter in the near future. Understood?"
"Hmph! Do you think I fear you? Your Excellency Primarch! Look at how it threatens me..."
"Alright! Stop this foolishness immediately! Focus on actual work!"
Nolan's voice cut through the brewing argument with firm authority, though his tone carried underlying amusement at their constant bickering.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Writing takes time, coffee, and a lot of love.If you'd like to support my work, join me at [email protected]/GoldenGaruda
You'll get early access to over 50 chapters, selection on new series, and the satisfaction of knowing your support directly fuels more stories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~