From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 696 "The target is the edge of the forest thirty kilometers to the north"

The soldiers of the Glory Legion were already lined up in the assembly area, ready to go.

Fully armed, their orderly ranks appeared exceptionally solemn under the white light of the portal.

The power armor of the Glory Legion also uses the core structure of titanium tank armor, but in terms of appearance design, it retains a strong classical imagery.

Their overall design is not like that of the Astartes, but rather closer to that of ancient Roman heavy infantry.

The armor's breastplate and shoulder armor are broad and thick, with strong lines, and are decorated with metal rivets and relief-like patterns, giving people a sense of composure, majesty and power.

In the sunlight and the white glow reflected from the portal, the metallic folds on the armor gleamed with a cold luster.

A few officers wore helmets adorned with distinctive mane decorations, their crimson or black tassels resembling battle flags, signifying their status and rank within the ranks.

Furthermore, every soldier of the Glory Legion is equipped with a bolter, but the caliber is smaller than that used by Astartes, "only" .50 cal.

Although its firepower is not up to the standard of the Astartes, it still possesses absolute destructive power against ordinary enemies.

Melee weapons are mainly chainsaw swords and power swords, which are also lighter and more compact than those used by Astartes, making it easier for werewolves, vampires and hybrid warriors to use their talents.

The roaring sound of gears turning and the faint sparks of energy emanating from the power swords added an extra layer of grimness to the atmosphere between the ranks.

Overall, the Glory Legion is like a "lower-spec" version of Astartes.
Perhaps not as miraculous as the real Astartes, these subhuman warriors were indeed an indispensable pillar of the Empire before the Astartes were "mass-produced".

The werewolves' robust physique, the vampires' keen senses, and the hybrids' diverse talents have all contributed to their numerous glorious chapters in the long history of war.

However, as the number of Astartes reached millions, or even tens of millions, these former powerhouses gradually faded from mainstream war history and were relegated to a relatively "secondary" stage.

However, at this moment, as they stood solemnly before the portal, they still exuded an aura of authority that could not be underestimated.

At this time;
"Boom, boom."

A series of heavy, rhythmic footsteps suddenly echoed across the alloy floor.

The sound was deep and resonant like drumbeats, yet it carried the faint echo of magnetic boots locking onto the ground, as if reminding those around that a true giant was approaching.

As the crowd parted automatically, a tall and solemn figure slowly appeared.

It was the weeping company commander, Malakin Forros.

The titanium armor he wore was different from the classic and heavy armor of the Glory Legion; its lines were more slender and had a certain almost divine sense of sculpting.

The metallic wings that stretched out from behind resembled a cast holy emblem, flashing with a sharp, cold light with each slight unfolding.

Although it did not actually fan out, its mere closing and stillness evoked images of unreachable heights and raging flames.

His appearance was a direct inheritance of the Primarch Saint Gilles's demeanor, with an undeniable handsomeness and solemnity, and sculpted features.

In addition to his height of over two and a half meters and his imposing aura, a single glance from him was enough to make the surrounding Glory Legion warriors instinctively hold their breath.

Malakin Forros stopped in front of the group, then raised his hand to salute Lei Ruoya with a knightly and solemn gesture.

His voice was deep yet composed: "Commander Vitellius, it is an honor for me and the Weeping Company to fight alongside the Legion of Glory."

As soon as these words were spoken, many people subconsciously looked at Lei Ruoya, as if waiting for her reaction.

However, Lei Ruoya was not swayed in the slightest by the other party's outstanding appearance and demeanor.

No matter how stunningly beautiful the comrade-in-arms who was wailing before her was, her expression remained calm and composed.

Lei Ruoya simply nodded slightly, her voice calm yet firm enough to silence the entire room: "The reputation of the Lamenters is known throughout the Empire. To be able to fight alongside them is an honor for the Glory Legion as well."

The conversation between the two was devoid of superfluous words or excessive emotional embellishment.

That calmness, on the contrary, revealed a deep respect and a cool, tacit understanding.

Under the pale light of the portal, the figures of the Glory Legion and the Lamenters Company intertwined.

Different armor styles and different combat traditions, yet they have come together here because of a common mission.

Soon, the holographic screen floating above the assembly area slowly lit up, and then displayed a series of real-time images transmitted back by the reconnaissance troops.

Behind the silvery-white light screen, a lush and verdant world unfolded.

Tall trees stand in clusters, their branches intertwined, swaying gently in the wind.

The ground was covered with thick green grass, occasionally dotted with flowers whose petals were brightly colored, as if shimmering faintly in the sunlight.

The camera pans to reveal a lake in the distance, its surface as clear as a mirror, shimmering and reflecting the outlines of the blue sky and white clouds.

Environmental monitoring data also scrolls across the corner of the screen—

The atmospheric composition closely matches the Imperial standard Earth, with oxygen and nitrogen content both within ideal ranges.

The intensity of gravity is almost identical to that of Earth in the main universe.

Even more detailed data on the comparison of microorganisms, plants and animals' genes shows that the ecosystem on that side highly overlaps with that of Earth.

The fluttering wings of insects, the silhouettes of small animals in the forest, and even the schools of fish leaping from the lake—all these signs pointed to one fact: the nineteenth spatial gate led to an Earth numbered "19".

After a brief silence, a large number of researchers and officers spoke in hushed tones. What they were facing was not a cold, desolate, and lifeless planet, but an ecosystem almost identical to, or even another, human home planet.

Further confirmation revealed that the reconnaissance unit had not detected any unusual energy sources or hostile targets.

Safety confirmed.

Immediately afterwards, the convoy on the ground began to move.

More than two thousand reconnaissance soldiers, clad in powered suits, stood in formation around maglev heavy trucks and construction-type hunters, maintaining a tight defensive posture.

With a command from the commander, the entire team slowly approached the space gate that resembled a mercury mirror, the deep engine sound of the magnetic levitation heavy truck echoing in the air.

The massive, constructive hunters moved steadily forward, their shells covered in heavy armor, their backs carrying folded mechanical arms and engineering modules, resembling mobile fortresses.

The convoy and soldiers lined up in several rows and stepped one by one into the shimmering, silvery-white interface before the radiant portal.

As one heavy truck after another disappeared through the portal, new commands sounded in the assembly area.

"Lamenters Company, Legion of Glory, prepare to cross!"

The heavy sound of footsteps echoed afterward.

The armor of the Weeping Ones shone like the sun under the radiance, while the classic titanium armor of the Glory Legion appeared more composed and dignified.

The two troops marched in orderly formation, two steel torrents of different styles gradually merging into the same surging river.

Lei Ruoya stood at the front of the group. Her gaze, through the screen inside her helmet, was fixed on the enormous gate ahead, which resembled a liquid mirror.

The 6km x 6km expanse seemed almost boundless, like a mirror of the sky hanging upside down over the earth.

She took a deep breath; the air in her chest felt slightly heavy, yet it brought a silent sense of solemnity.

As she lifted her foot and stepped onto the mirror that shimmered with silver light, a complex feeling welled up inside her. After all, she and the Glory Legion had not carried out inter-universe combat missions for a long time.

The white light was not simply cold, but carried a gentle quality that seemed to purify the soul.

The next moment, her entire body was suddenly engulfed by a dazzling white light.

The light did not cause intense burning pain; instead, it was like an invisible cleansing, enveloping both body and spirit in a pure embrace.

She felt as if she were briefly floating in an ocean of light, where all sounds, weight, and the sense of time disappeared, leaving only tranquility and holiness.

This feeling lasted only a few breaths, yet it felt as long as eternity.

Suddenly, the white light faded.

Lei Ruoya's vision returned to clear.

The air was damp and fresh, carrying the fragrance of earth and grass.

The ground beneath her feet was soft and solid, and she was surrounded by a vibrant forest.

The towering trees rustled in the wind, casting dappled sunlight through their branches and leaves. In the distance, the lake could be faintly seen shimmering in the sunlight. A gentle breeze blew, and the water rippled softly, accompanied by birdsong, creating a scene as vivid as a painting.

Her senses quickly adjusted.

The power armor's helmet screen displays various data.

Gravity and atmospheric conditions are in line with standards, oxygen concentration is sufficient, and biological activity signals are present all around.

She stood quietly, her gaze sweeping across the forest.

The warriors of the Glory Legion had also arrived one after another. Their heavy footsteps caused the grass to sink slightly, and their bolt guns and chainsaws gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

The armor of the weeping warriors was as dazzling as flames, complementing the classical and imposing armor of the Glory Legion.

The two detachments stood in formation on the forest clearing, like a steel formation spanning the world.

Lei Ruoya took a deep breath, composed herself, and slowly uttered a sentence.

"This is Earth 19."

Then, with a quick glance, Lei Ruoya had already discerned the current situation.

As the legion commander, she understood that her primary responsibility was not to be captivated by the natural scenery before her, but to ensure that the order of the empire could quickly take root in this unknown land.

Through the armor's built-in communication channel, she issued clear instructions: "Glory Legion, immediately coordinate with the reconnaissance forces and the Weeping Ones, and work with the engineering department to carry out the construction of the front-line base, defensive deployment, and logistical support. The initial structure must be completed in the shortest possible time."

As the order was relayed, the warriors of the Glory Legion moved in perfect unison, quickly dispersing around the convoy to form a natural defensive arc.

Each suit of power armor has a sculpted, solid silhouette, combining the imposing presence of classical Roman heavy infantry with the power of modern technology.

The centurion mane decorations on some officers' helmets swayed in the wind, resembling burning flames.

Immediately afterwards, the doors of some of the heavy trucks opened.

Countless Hextech robots poured out of the cabin.

They are shorter than humans, but agile and nimble, with blue energy patterns shimmering on the joints of their limbs and torso.

Each Hextech machine carries various building materials and equipment, moving almost without pause, as if driven by a massive calculation program.

A series of metallic clanging sounds immediately followed from the ground.

The various Terminators systematically laid out the prefabricated alloy panels, energy pipes, and defense nodes brought by the convoy.

Within minutes, simple energy poles and optical barrier bases were erected, forming an invisible protective umbrella and gradually outlining the prototype of the front-line base.

Construct-type hunters, on the other hand, take a more ambitious approach to construction.

These massive engineering war machines, with their folding mechanical arms unfolding on their backs, stood like behemoths in the forest clearing.

The deep rumble of the energy furnace accompanied the turning of gears, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

They first set up three temporary 3D printing factories, each of which was quickly assembled from modular components, resembling a metal skeleton being lifted from the ground in a short time.

Immediately, the production line began to operate, and the printing nozzles released layers of liquid metal and composite materials, which gradually solidified into defensive barriers, foundation frames, and power nodes.

Efficiency was pushed to its limit at this moment.

In less than half an hour, the originally empty forest clearing had been gradually transformed into a forward base that was beginning to take shape.

An energy barrier surrounds the perimeter, automated turrets are initially installed, and communication nodes stand tall, emitting a blue glow.

As Lei Ruoya witnessed all of this, she secretly affirmed that the Empire's industrial system was still as efficient as ever, a true "infrastructure maniac."

At this moment, the Weeping Company Commander, Forros, wearing armor with metal wings, slowly walked to Lei Ruoya's side.

His voice was steady and magnetic: "Commander, the initial construction has begun, but I think you already have a plan for the next step in mind."

Lei Ruoya withdrew her gaze, her tone remaining calm: "That's right, the base construction can be continued by the engineering department and logistics forces, while we must grasp the surrounding situation and break through my plan to lead a few subordinates deep into the forest to confirm the situation with the reconnaissance troops."

Forros nodded slightly, then added, "Our Weeping Company, though strong in combat, is not known for infiltration and stealth like the Raven Guard or the Midnight Lords."

In contrast, your Glorious Legion's operational model is better suited to operating in parallel with reconnaissance units. Once the orbital drones are launched, we will obtain more comprehensive data, while my company will need to wait for the ships to cross the space gate before we can launch larger-scale tactical operations.

The division of labor was already clear from their conversation.

Lei Ruoya calmly replied, "Very well, then it shall be settled in this way. We shall each perform our duties. The Emperor's decree is for initial unification, and no negligence shall be tolerated."

Forros nodded solemnly, their eyes met briefly, and then they each turned and returned to their respective command positions.

Soon, Lei Ruoya gathered six elite subordinates.

They were all veterans of the Legion of Honor, some of whom were elites from the Roman Empire. Their power armor was engraved with patterns and marks symbolizing honor.

At the edge of the forest, a gentle breeze rustled, and Lei Ruoya's cloak billowed slowly over her power armor.

She ordered the soldiers behind her: "The target is the edge of the forest 30 kilometers to the north. The reconnaissance drones have reported back that there is a medium-sized town in that area. We must confirm its situation as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)