Chapter 270: Modification Begins
Under the impetus of the massive resources of the Forge World, the affairs of the "Iron Guard" project began to operate at high speed and in an orderly manner, like precision gears fully lubricated. Tech-Priest teams "Delta-7" and "Epsilon-3" had fully taken over the prototype data analysis and preliminary mass production planning, while Valerie and Jackie also threw themselves into intense adaptability testing.
Joric did not pour all his energy into the "Iron Guard." In his logic threads, the comprehensive upgrade and modification of Maine's squad held equal priority to the "Iron Guard" project. A loyal and powerful direct action force was the cornerstone for ensuring the execution of his personal plans and dealing with potential threats. Now, in the resource-rich Forge World Nexum, he could finally break free from the constraints he faced in Night City. He would replace the compromised solutions he had been forced to adopt due to material and technical limitations with truly powerful modifications that met Mechanicus standards, one by one.
He summoned Maine first.
A tall, dark red figure stood in the center of the private laboratory. Compared to when he was in the Night City workshop, Joric appeared even more majestic at this moment. Surrounding him were no longer cobbled-together mechanical tentacles, but the standard configuration of a Forge World—more precise and powerful Servo-arms.
"Your initial modifications were limited by the poverty of that world." Joric's synthesized voice rang out steadily, his crimson optical lenses gazing at Maine. "Many designs failed to reach an ideal state. Now that conditions are met, it is time for a comprehensive enhancement upgrade."
Maine stood below, feeling the invisible pressure brought by this true technological sanctum. He nodded steadily. "Understood, Boss. What do you need me to do?"
"First is the replacement of basic structures." As Joric spoke, a Servo-arm beside him had already retrieved components gleaming with a dull metallic luster. "The plasma cannon system on your left arm, as well as the shield generator on your right arm—their mounts and external armor will be entirely recast from Ceramite and Plasteel composite materials. Adamantium will be used for critical energy conduction paths and joint load-bearing structures."
The new arm components were displayed. Their design remained rugged and powerful, but the materials were starkly different. Ceramite endowed them with defense far exceeding previous alloys; Plasteel provided necessary toughness; and energy channels woven from Adamantium filaments maximized reduction of energy loss.
"The power core will also be updated." Joric continued. "The high-output energy battery in your chest cavity will be replaced by a miniaturized Plasma Reactor. It will provide near-infinite, sustained power for all your systems, including weapons and shields, with significantly reduced overload risk."
Maine looked at those top-tier materials gleaming with cold luster, feeling the technological power contained within. Even with his composure, ripples couldn't help but rise in his heart. This was far beyond the technology those Night City corporations could provide.
"As for the weapon system," Joric's mechanical fingers swept through the air, bringing up a new weapon blueprint, "the Artificer Plasma Cannon will be removed."
Maine was slightly stunned, looking at Joric.
"Plasma weapons are powerful, but in this world, their technical signature is too obvious, and they have certain requirements for ammunition." Joric explained, his voice carrying rational analysis rather than a simple command. "I will outfit you with a brand new Volkite Weapon System."
In the holographic projection, a structural diagram of a firearm with a heavier design and archaic, mysterious lines appeared.
"Volkite Charger," Joric introduced, his tone carrying a trace of prudence for ancient technology. "This is an ancient 'thermal' ray weapon dating back to the Age of Strife."
He pointed to the complex ray generation device at the weapon's core.
"It fires not chemical flames, but a focused thermal ray. This ray causes organic matter, including biological entities, to combust violently in an instant, explosively turning flesh to ash and spraying out lethal flames.
"A single direct hit is enough to instantly turn a target into a burning torch, and the effect often spreads to nearby companions."
Joric's synthesized voice lowered slightly, emphasizing its tactical value. "Its attack mode—instant combustion and explosion—makes it harder to trace its energy source in this world, easily mistaken for some special incendiary or energy weapon.
"Its power exceeds most conventional weapons of the same size, suitable for causing panic and clearing clustered targets."
Maine examined the design of the Volkite Charger carefully. It could integrate perfectly with the new Ceramite left arm, and its area-of-effect characteristics perfectly compensated for his previous lack of crowd control capability.
He responded in a deep voice, "Understood, Boss. This fits well."
"The modification process will be deeper than before, involving replacement of major limbs and the changing of the core power source." Joric said finally. "Be prepared."
Maine nodded heavily without any hesitation. Pursuing greater strength to protect the team and deal with more dangerous enemies was his creed.
Following Maine, other members of the squad were summoned in turn to accept their upgrade plans.
Dorio's modification direction was different from everyone else's.
Joric respected her persistent pursuit of pure physical strength, thus avoiding the path of large-scale mechanical cyberization and choosing instead a more profound biochemical enhancement that better fit her origin.
"Your muscle structure and bone density have established an excellent foundation through prior modifications." After conducting a new round of deep scans on Dorio, data streams flashed rapidly across the edge of Joric's optical lenses. "The core of this stage's upgrade lies in breaking the biological limiters inherent to your body.
"I will inject a complex of catalytic enzymes and gene-inducers. They will restructure the ultrastructure of your muscle fibers and significantly increase the transmission speed and precision of nerve signals."
He signaled a nearby mechanical tentacle, which precisely retrieved a canister containing a ghostly green fluid that seemed to possess life. "This preparation is based on principles of ancient gene-alchemy, fused with reverse-engineered results of top-tier physical enhancement data from this world.
"It will guide your muscle tissue to complete a structural metamorphosis at the cellular level.
"Your external form will not expand excessively; instead, due to the extreme increase in density and efficiency, you will appear more compact and lean. However, your strength, explosiveness, and endurance will break through the scope of your past cognition."
He paused slightly, shifting the topic to her weapon upgrade. "Your original Gorilla Arms will be reforged. The internal core will integrate a miniaturized Volkite Energy Generator.
"When your heavy punch hits a target with sufficient kinetic energy, the generator will trigger, instantly releasing a small-scale but extremely lethal Volkite deflagration shock at the point of impact. The attached energy flames will be extremely difficult to extinguish."
Dorio listened silently. As the agent was slowly injected into her veins, she clearly felt a scorching heat, like flowing magma from the earth's core, rushing through her blood to her entire body.
She subconsciously clenched her fist. Her knuckles emitted a dull sound like grinding rocks due to the sharp increase in internal pressure.
This feeling of power surging, filling, and even boiling from the depths of her flesh and blood gave her a sense of control far more primal and real than commanding metal limbs.
(End of Chapter)