After the death of the cult leader Kyle, the genestealers, having lost their unified authority, chose to withdraw from the processing area. Although they still numbered in the thousands and had several Purebloods commanding them, they were clearly unwilling to engage in brutal urban warfare with the players in this area.
Even with a supreme commander, there was no light of victory to be seen. Now, in a situation where no one could command anyone else and they were fighting individually, there was only one outcome: total annihilation. So, after a brief discussion, the genestealers chose to withdraw.
The players did not pursue. After all, they could distinguish between earning more exp for completing a mission and earning more for killing enemies. After confirming that there was no large-scale resistance in the area, Robert contacted the Tech-Priest via walkie-talkie.
"This is the Helldivers Company, can you hear me?"
A sizzling sound of electrical current came from the other end of the walkie-talkie, followed by a synthetic voice with a metallic echo: "This is the Trinity Foundry Workshop. Please speak."
"We have cleared the genestealer cult entrenched in the Trinity Foundry Workshop. We are currently advancing towards your location and can already see the black spires you mentioned. Are there no other threats on the way?" Robert asked.
The other end of the walkie-talkie was silent for a moment, seemingly conducting some data analysis or confirmation. A moment later, the synthetic voice sounded again, with a hint of undetectable relief: "No, you can come straight over."
The players accelerated their advance, and soon, a massive and ancient industrial marvel came into view. The Trinity Foundry Workshop, rather than a workshop, was a steel mountain composed of countless black spires, huge chimneys, and intricate, intertwined pipes.
The air was filled with the smell of engine oil, metal, and an indescribable sulfurous odor. Giant mechanical arms slowly waved in the air, steam gushed out, emitting a deafening roar.
When the players arrived at the giant gate made of heavy steel, it slowly opened with a heavy grinding sound. A group of figures in red robes emerged from it; they were the Adeptus Mechanicus' defenders—the Skitarii.
These Skitarii warriors were covered in signs of mechanical modification. Their limbs had been replaced with bionic prosthetics, red lights flickered in their eyes, and respirators covered their faces, revealing only a few cold metal tubes. Although their weapons were immaculately clean, their armor showed signs of multiple repairs, with rivets and welds visible everywhere.
Leading the way was the Tech-Priest. He was taller than the Skitarii and wore more ornate red robes. Countless data cables extended from his spine, connecting to various monitoring devices on his back. His head was almost entirely replaced by machinery, leaving only some pale skin. One eye was replaced by a large optical eyepiece, while the other glowed with an unnatural red light. His voice had multiple echoes, like a machine whispering.
As Reddito's gaze swept over the Helldivers, a few doubts arose in his mind. Although this Astra Militarum company also appeared weathered, and some of their armor and weapons were damaged, Reddito could tell at a glance that their equipment was quite new, as if it had just come off the production line, forming a stark contrast with the patched-up gear of the Skitarii.
Reddito did not immediately express these doubts but instead saluted Robert, who stood at the forefront.
"I am the Tech-Priest of the Trinity Foundry Workshop. You may call me Reddito Omnissiah." The Tech-Priest's voice was deep and mechanical.
"Greetings, Lord Reddito," Robert nodded in response, "I am Robert, Company Commander of the Perditia Astra Militarum's Thirteenth Company, the Helldivers."
"We need to conduct genetic testing on you to confirm that you have not been infected by xenos. Is that acceptable?" Reddito said directly.
Robert gestured: "Please proceed."
So, the defenders behind Reddito moved in unison. Their movements were precise and swift, like mechanical arms on an assembly line, as they began to draw blood from the players. The players did not resist, all curiously watching these defenders.
"Ugh, these defenders look a bit sanity-draining," a player muttered softly, looking at the Skitarii in front of him, whose half-face was covered by a metal plate, leaving only one mechanical eye.
"I'm different, I feel a strange sense of beauty," another player was attracted by the perfectly precise mechanical joints and the flickering red lights.
"The one over here seems to have a bit of high inherent radiation; I can feel a burning sensation…" a player rubbed his arm after having his blood drawn, complaining in a low voice.
"What if we mechanically modify some organs and limbs? Would that increase our upper limit strength?" Someone began to ponder deeper questions.
"Hiss, good question! If it increases the upper limit strength, then after our modifications, each time we resurrect, it probably won't be a purely flesh-and-blood body, but will retain the mechanical modifications."
"So, mechanical ascension is the version's answer?! Flesh is weak!" The players immediately launched into a heated discussion.
The collected blood was quickly analyzed by Reddito, and everything was normal. After confirming no signs of xenos infection, the Tech-Priest's gaze fell on the Helldivers Company's only armored vehicle parked not far away—the brand-new chimera Wyvern Suppressor.
"May I examine that Wyvern?" Reddito asked, his voice filled with barely suppressed curiosity and eagerness.
Robert readily agreed: "No problem!" After all, the maintenance, upkeep, and ammunition production would all depend on this Tech-Priest later, so he couldn't prevent him from looking.
Having received permission, Reddito almost impatiently approached the chimera. He extended his hand with metallic knuckles, carefully stroking its smooth hull as if touching a sacred relic.
He opened the door, meticulously examining the intricate internal structure; he opened the engine cover, carefully inspecting every component of the engine; he even disregarded protocol and lay on the ground to look at the chassis, then climbed onto the vehicle body to examine the quad-barreled mortar on the roof. Every one of his movements was filled with focus and professionalism, like a craftsman obsessed with his art.
After inspecting it, Reddito's doubts could no longer be suppressed. He straightened up, his red optical eyepieces turning towards Robert: "Where did you get this Wyvern?"
"Huh?" Robert didn't expect to be asked this question.
"All of her components are brand new," Reddito's voice trembled slightly, a sign of extreme shock, "not even one is more than a year old… No, a month!"
Reddito repeated: "Where did you get this Wyvern?"
Robert was momentarily at a loss. Although he knew the game's NPCs were highly intelligent, was being this intelligent a bit unreasonable?
The key was that he couldn't think of a reason to fob off this Tech-Priest! When it came to machinery and industry, the other party was definitely a million times more professional than him.
After a moment's hesitation, Robert decided to offer an ambiguous answer: "She appeared suddenly on the battlefield. Perhaps it's a reward for our loyalty to humanity."
Reddito was even more incredulous. Because he found that his instruments actually showed that the other party was telling the truth!
In other words, the truth was that a brand-new factory-fresh chimera Wyvern Suppressor suddenly appeared on the battlefield, complete with ammunition!
Omnissiah above, could it be that you, venerable one, have manifested your divine power?
For a moment, Reddito felt as if this entire Astra Militarum company was radiating golden light.