'Just the Level of Mining Your Ancestors Had'

Hafa Time: February 9, 2027, 12:12.

Location: The Ark, a desolate Space Sector approximately 230,000 light-years from the Solar System.

Four hundred kilometers above the surface base hovered a Star Killer-class Flagship with its Energy Shield fully deployed, along with six Dreadnought Warships radiating blue-green shield light.

Since using orbital artillery to bombard the Flood would trigger indiscriminate counterattacks from the Ark's Templar Defenders, the seven massive warships merely hovered above the surface base.

The view closed in through the Ark's atmosphere, approaching the surface, and finally overlooking the surface base from above.

The surface base sat upon the ground below, consisting of several simple airtight buildings and a patch of grass leveled by the Engineering Team to serve as an airfield.

The base was also enveloped by a shield radiating emerald-green light—the AT Shield—to ensure that no Flood Spores could take advantage of the opportunity to enter. Even the soil beneath the base was protected by the shield.

The simple building at the center of the base.

The equipment and machinery warehouse on the first floor.

The space here was broad and open on all sides, with a large number of mechanical arms installed overhead, each with different functions.

The towering Astartes stood on relatively crude equipment-changing platforms, clad in black skintight combat suits.

Meanwhile, technicians in white coats and face masks operated the mechanical arms, replacing the Astartes' equipment with Terminator Power Armor.

Once the Astartes had finished changing equipment, Prus's Ghost Agents followed, and then came the elites in armor of different colors.

At that moment.

William, who had already changed into his specialized Power Armor, stood together with Ivan, Hiya, Nova, and Megan, who were wearing MS pilot uniforms, waiting for all the troops to finish gearing up.

But William, who was not wearing his helmet,