33: Weapon research and upgrades

The shadow cast by the data fragments from the unknown probe clung silently to the newly ignited fire of hope like cold space dust. A potential threat three to five light-years away hung over Han Zhe's head like a sword that could fall at any moment, making him realize completely that hiding and playing defense was never a long-term solution, especially in this crisis-ridden Warhammer universe.

A sense of security? That was a luxury for the strong. For a "sprout" like him, only continuous evolution and constant arming could secure a breath of life in the dark forest, or even... a chance to turn the tables on the enemy.

The "Sentinel" MK I units patrolled the platform with precise steps, their red dots blinking, providing basic sentry power. But they were too weak. Han Zhe needed more powerful ground units capable of handling more complex and dangerous environments, even possessing certain breakthrough and counterattack capabilities.

His gaze turned once again to the icons related to "Infantry" in the system's technology tree, which were glowing faintly due to the unlocking of the "Basic Barracks." The "Sentinel" was just the starting point; above it, several more complex silhouettes were looming. One of them appeared humanoid but was far more burly and heavy than the "Sentinel," with a blurry label next to it: [basic reinforced infantry platform].

"System, explain the 'basic reinforced infantry platform' blueprint in detail. What is its essential difference from the 'Sentinel'? Do we currently have the technical capacity and resources to build or... unlock it?" Han Zhe asked, his heart rate accelerating slightly. Enhanced infantry—it sounded exactly like the "Power Armored Soldiers" from the sci-fi stories in his memory.

[The 'basic reinforced infantry platform' is the fundamental manned combat unit within the system's standard battle order. The fundamental difference from the 'Sentinel' series of fully autonomous robots is that the platform itself is a vehicle/exoskeleton. It must be piloted/worn by a basic-trained organic lifeform (usually referring to humans or compatible organisms), combining the pilot's physical strength and reflexes with the platform's armor, firepower, and auxiliary systems to form a more flexible and adaptable combat unit.]

[Current Blueprint Status: Severely incomplete (approx. 15%). Includes basic power frame structural diagrams, simple life-support system principles, and a standard armor frame concept codenamed 'CMC' (Combat Maneuver Suit). Missing: detailed power core design, weapon integration interface standards, advanced servo control systems, neural link protocols, and... the critical composite armor material formula (specifically the smelting and composite processes for an ultra-high-strength alloy known as 'tao steel').]

[Requirements to Unlock/Complete Blueprint: A large number of relevant technology fragments (must be searched for in wreckage or parsed from STC-like data), high resource investment for reverse engineering and testing, and cracking the synthesis method for 'tao steel' alloy or finding alternative materials.]

Manned Power Armor! cmc armor! tao steel!

These terms flashed through Han Zhe's mind like lightning! This was the familiar, sci-fi level individual combat power he knew! Although the blueprint was severely incomplete, the direction and concept were clear!

tao steel... he remembered that name. In the Warhammer lore, tao steel was a high-performance alloy widely used by the Imperium, known for its outstanding strength, toughness, and energy resistance. It was a vital component of Space Marine power armor, tank plating, and even starship hulls! If he could master its synthesis method... "System, can our existing database and material analysis capabilities attempt to reverse-engineer the potential components and processes of 'tao steel'? Or is it possible to find relevant materials science information from the stc fragment (omni-shield fragment) we've already acquired?" Han Zhe asked urgently. Materials were the foundation of industry, especially strategic-grade materials like this.

[Analyzing... The stc fragment (omni-shield fragment) primarily focuses on information manipulation and energy field technology. The materials science knowledge involved leans toward energy conduction, psychic suppression, and information turbulence characteristics, which has low correlation with the high-strength physical protection direction of tao steel.]

[Attempting reverse-engineering based on the Imperium General Materials Database (incomplete) and existing alloy knowledge... As a widely used composite alloy, the basic components of 'tao steel' (iron, chromium, nickel, titanium, vanadium, carbon, etc.) can be inferred. However, the critical 'catalytic sintering process,' 'micro-lattice directional alignment technology,' and 'possible trace amounts of psychic-active substances (or similar substitutes)' are the missing cores. Direct synthesis success rate: below 0.1%.]

[Suggestion: Locate physical samples for analysis. tao steel products are widely used within the Imperium's territory. As a battlefield relic, this wreckage belt holds the possibility of finding tao steel fragments or components containing tao steel.]

Find physical samples! This was much more realistic than inferring out of thin air!

"Pioneer squad! Adjust mission priorities!" Han Zhe immediately ordered through the command network. "While ensuring the operation of the collection stations and basic base construction, shift the exploration focus to finding wreckage containing special alloys! Especially wreckage fragments that look exceptionally sturdy, heavy, or bear the markings of elite Imperium units (such as Space Marines or Stormtroopers)! Use the highest precision material analysis scans! Immediately report and attempt to sample any discovery of suspected high-grade alloys!"

"Instruction confirmed." The responses from the three SCVs came simultaneously, their sensor modes immediately switching to deep material composition analysis.

After issuing the orders, Han Zhe did not just wait. Materials were key, but other parts of the blueprint were equally important. Power cores, weapon systems, control systems... these all needed to be completed step by step.

"System, initiate active completion research on the 'basic reinforced infantry platform' blueprint. Concentrate computing power to prioritize inferring the feasible structure and energy requirements of its power frame. Simultaneously, evaluate the possibility of scaling up and strengthening the 'Sentinel' MK I's weapon system (Laser Rifle) to adapt to this platform. Additionally, analyze our unlocked Gauss Weaponry technology fragments (if any)." Han Zhe remembered that the system's initial database seemed to have some incomplete information regarding railgun/Gauss Weaponry, which was another form of powerful individual firepower.

[Blueprint completion research for 'basic reinforced infantry platform' initiated. Current direction: Power frame basic mechanical model construction.]

[Weapon adaptation analysis: The 'Sentinel' standard Laser Rifle's output power is too low; it must be strengthened by at least 300%-500% to pose an effective threat to medium-sized targets or larger. Scaling up the design is feasible, but energy consumption will increase dramatically, requiring a more powerful power core for support.]

[Retrieving Gauss Weaponry technology fragments... Found relevant entries: 'Portable Railgun Acceleration Principle (Incomplete),' 'Miniaturized Application of Superconducting Coils (Partial),' 'Depleted Uranium/Tungsten Alloy Needle Round Design (Concept).' Completeness is extremely low, making it impossible to directly form a usable blueprint, but it can serve as a R&D foundation for future 'gauss rifles' or similar weapons.]

gauss rifle! A weapon that fires metal needles and is known for its terrifying muzzle velocity and armor-piercing capabilities! Although they were just fragments now, the direction was clear! If he could combine the gauss rifle with cmc armor... that would be a "Marine" in the true sense! A ground assault force with powerful protection, superior mobility, and terrifying firepower!

This prospect made Han Zhe's blood boil. But logic told him that the road had to be walked one step at a time.

Over the next few days, the base operated in an efficient yet tense rhythm.

The "Pioneer" squad worked like diligent worker ants, searching carefully through the wreckage belt. They sifted through ancient battlefield junk, scanning every piece of metal that looked different. During this time, they found several sites suspected of containing rare elements or special coatings, but preliminary analysis showed none were tao steel.

The automated collection stations steadily produced basic resources, which the refining core converted into resource points to support various research and construction costs. The number of "Sentinels" in the Barracks increased to eight, their patrol range expanded further, and the precious fusion reactor and "Global Shield Field generator" were listed as priority guard targets.

Han Zhe spent most of his time at the command center's analysis console, gnawing through those incomplete blueprint fragments with the system, performing massive amounts of simulation calculations and conceptual designs. The structure of the power frame gradually became clear, energy requirements were quantified, the strengthening plan for laser weapons had a preliminary model, and even several key difficulties of Gauss Weaponry (such as instantaneous discharge control of superconducting coils, projectile manufacturing, and feeding) were marked for resolution.

Resource points maintained a dynamic balance between steady consumption and replenishment, slowly growing to nearly eight thousand points. System energy remained high due to the abundant supply from the fusion reactor.

Just as Han Zhe was almost beginning to doubt if tao steel samples actually existed in this wreckage belt, pioneer-02 sent an emergency report.

"Discovered high-density, high-strength alloy wreckage. Coordinates: Southeast of the platform, distance approx. 800 meters, depth: embedded inside a large warship keel wreckage. Scans show the physical properties of this alloy far exceed conventional stardust alloys; energy resistance test feedback is abnormal; microstructure analysis shows a 32% match with the 'tao steel' characteristic description in the database. The exterior of the wreckage shows severe melting and impact marks, but some internal areas are relatively well-preserved, showing suspected localized structures of power armor (shoulder pads, partial chest plate fragments). Requesting further instructions."

tao steel! And suspected fragments of power armor!

Han Zhe's spirits soared! "Proceed immediately! Work carefully, extract all components containing the alloy as completely as possible, especially those that look like armor! Pay attention to the stability of the surrounding structures!"

pioneer-02 and pioneer-03, which had been ordered to provide support, immediately began operations. They used cutting lasers to carefully clear the heavy hull structures covering the target, as if performing an archaeological excavation. The process was slow and cautious, aiming both to avoid damaging the potentially brittle tao steel samples and to prevent triggering a chain collapse.

After several hours of effort, several pieces of metal wreckage of varying sizes, appearing in a dull dark grayish-blue with a unique matte texture and fine energy tempering patterns, were carefully transported back to the platform by the SCVs. The largest piece could vaguely be seen as part of a curved shoulder pad, incredibly thick, with torn edges. Another smaller piece looked like a connector for a chest plate, where one could even see the residue of a blurry Imperial Aquila emblem, scorched almost beyond recognition by high temperatures.

Han Zhe personally inspected these samples. They were cold and heavy to the touch, with an incredibly dense texture. Testing with a low-power laser left only extremely minute scorch marks on the surface. System scans reported that their hardness and toughness indices far exceeded any alloy the base could currently produce.

[Sample analysis confirmed: Identified as 'tao steel' composite alloy (Imperium standard, model to be determined). Composition is complex, with multiple rare elements and unknown catalytic/strengthening phases detected. The internal lattice structure is highly ordered, with excellent energy absorption/dispersion characteristics. Obtaining physical samples significantly increases the success rate of reverse engineering. Current estimated synthesis success rate increased to: 15%-20%.]

15%-20%! Although still not high, it was a world of difference compared to the previous 0.1%!

"Immediately begin deep composition analysis and process reverse engineering on the tao steel samples! Concentrate all analysis capabilities of the refining core! Spare no resources!" Han Zhe ordered. The materials bottleneck finally saw the dawn of a breakthrough!

[Deep analysis initiated. Consuming resource points for micro-probing, elemental spectrum analysis, crystal structure scanning, energy field interference testing... Estimated time: 6 standard hours.]

While waiting for the analysis results, Han Zhe had the SCVs continue expanding the search in the area where the tao steel samples were found, hoping to find more fragments, or even... complete components or weapon wreckage.