Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 272 Practical Test (Nine Updates)
When the entire Mann team completed their upgrades and regrouped in Chen Yu's laboratory testing area, the atmosphere of the entire team had undergone a dramatic change.

Although Chen Yu adhered to the principle of "preserving human form as much as possible" and did not transform them into completely inhuman forms like the Guardians of the Church, the fact that over 70% of them were cybernetically enhanced, and that they commonly used ceramic and plastic steel shells, gave each of them a strong mechanical church style.

Their dark metallic hue, sturdy and practical armor plates, faintly visible binary prayer etchings, and the deep hum of their internal plasma reactors all set them apart from the neon-lit, fashion-conscious cyborgs of Night City.

They are more like a war gang from another land, ruthless, efficient, and born for war.

Mann stood at the front of the group, his new ceramic left arm heavy and sturdy, the integrated incendiary muzzle radiating a dangerous aura.

He tentatively mobilized the energy, and the outer armor plate of his left arm slid open, revealing the complex jet mechanism below, and a warm air mixed with the smell of chemical fuel spread out.

He could feel the stable and powerful output of the plasma reactor in his chest cavity, far superior to the energy batteries he had previously used.

Rebecca excitedly moved her new body, feeling the long-lost sensation of needing to tilt her head slightly to meet Pila's gaze.

The plasma bombardment behind her was heavy and reliable; even in standby mode, the air around the muzzle could be seen to distort slightly due to the high temperature.

She tried a few tactical maneuvers, and the new coordination and power of her limbs made her extremely satisfied.

Dorothy's appearance changed the least, but when she bent down slightly and punched the high-strength alloy plate used for testing, the loud noise and the subsequent explosive effect clearly demonstrated the terrifying power contained within her.

Her fist was left with a charred, molten dent.

Pila swung his long, more agile and powerful arms, feeling a great sense of security with the fuel tanks on his back full of promethium.

Falco pushed up his sunglasses. In his perception, the world seemed to move a little slower, and every detail was crystal clear.

Mower stood quietly to the side. Her transformation was already the most profound, and after this optimization, her aura became even more restrained and dangerous, like a sharp blade hidden in its sheath.

"How are you feeling?" Mann asked in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over his teammates.

"Never been this good!" Rebecca answered first, forcefully swinging her fist, creating a whooshing sound. "That height, that strength, that cannon! It's awesome!"

Dorio nodded, and said succinctly, "I'm stronger now."

Pila chuckled, "Now we can burn it to our hearts' content!"

Falco calmly replied, "The handling has improved a lot, and I'm more confident in dealing with complex situations."

Looking at his revitalized team, Mann felt a surge of confidence.

This team's strength far surpasses that of any top mercenary group in Night City. They are no longer merely street fighters, but true war machines.

Chen Yu appeared on the high platform in the testing area, his scarlet optical lens looking down at the team that had completed its transformation.

"The upgrade is complete." His synthesized voice echoed in the empty testing ground. "Your current equipment and bodies have initially met the standards for dealing with risks from multiple dimensions. But this is just the beginning. Familiarize yourself with your new powers and refine your new tactics."

The 'Iron Guard' project requires test data, and the Death World base also needs regular patrols and cleanup. You will be assigned corresponding tasks in the future.”

His words were not full of encouragement, but rather emphasized efficiency and practicality.

Mann, on behalf of the entire team, nodded solemnly to Chen Yu: "Understood, boss. We will master the new equipment as soon as possible and be ready at any time." Chen Yu nodded slightly, said no more, and turned to leave the testing area.
-
Just as Mann's team was getting acquainted with their newly revamped steel bodies, the first two official test prototypes of Project Iron Guard were also assembled in the designated foundry.

The two machines stood side by side, their dark red paint, thick and angular armor, and the conspicuous gears and binary runes on their shoulders, symbolizing Chen Yu's faction, giving them an imposing presence even when stationary.

They are significantly different in appearance from the experimental models Valerie previously drove, and are closer to the standard form in the blueprints that Chen Yu provided to the Great Sage Vox.

However, beneath this unified exterior lie two completely different control cores.

One machine was prepared for Valerie, continuing and optimizing the deep neural interface she was used to, aiming to pursue the ultimate human-machine integration and reaction speed.

The other one is configured for Jack Wells, which uses a hybrid mode of traditional multi-functional cockpit and physical control stick combined with auxiliary sensor suit, focusing more on the intuitiveness of operation and adaptability to drivers who have not undergone deep neural modifications.

Chen Yu did not allow these two cutting-edge pieces of equipment to remain merely on the testing ground.

He quickly issued new orders: Mann's team, along with Valerie and Jack, would escort the two "Iron Guard" prototypes to a nearby hive world called "Vesta Prima" to carry out a combat data collection mission.

The mission briefing was delivered directly by Ignis.

Before the cross-section of Vesta Prima, projected onto the holographic star map and resembling a giant metal honeycomb, she coldly stated her objective.

"According to limited intelligence from the local Ministry of Justice and the State Religion, a heretical religious group has sprung up in an abandoned industrial area in the lower part of the Nest City... The Sage believes that it is a win-win situation to cleanse this filth and, in the process, collect 'Iron Guard' combat data in both driving modes."

“Valerie,” Ignis added, turning her gaze to her, “your task is to evaluate the extreme performance and data feedback of neural connectivity systems in complex combat environments.”

Jack Wells, your task is to verify the reliability, ease of use, and tactical adaptability of the standard driving mode.

Mann and the others listened quietly.

Chaos cult – this is a completely new concept for them.

In Night City, enemies are nothing more than corporate militia, gangsters, or cyberpsychotics, and their motives are mostly clear: profit, territory, or pure madness.

However, this phenomenon, which involves the worship of other-dimensional evil gods and may be accompanied by supernatural forces, is beyond their scope of experience.

A mix of trepidation and excitement permeated the group.

The trepidation stems from an instinctive wariness of an unknown enemy, while the excitement comes from a strong urge to test new strengths and a desire to step into a wider battlefield.

“Remember,” Chen Yu’s voice came through the communication link, his synthesized voice echoing in the briefing room, “you will be facing more than just armed thugs. The corruption of chaos is unpredictable and ever-changing, potentially involving the distortion of mental influences and physical laws.”

Maintain absolute resolve and leverage the advantages your new equipment grants you—overwhelming firepower, superior protection, and high kill efficiency.

Valerie, your mission is to ensure the complete collection of data from the 'Iron Guard' prototype under complex conditions. Mann, command is in your hands. Ensure the mission is completed and everyone is brought back safely.

"Understood, Boss (Sage)." Everyone responded in unison.

(End of this chapter)