Masterpiece

The batteries used for power supply inside the Power Armor were converted into an Energy Engine, which could store more energy and slowly recover it.

The ability to automatically recover energy wasn't due to physical distortion effects applied to its components, but rather because it absorbed energy from the surrounding environment—such as residual heat from a laser gun's muzzle or lasers fired by enemies.

The original energy coating was removed and replaced with a Capture Field integrated into the Gravity Shield. The Gravity Shield now had two capabilities: generating a field that crushed kinetic weapon bullets and absorbing lasers from energy weapons to transfer that energy into the Energy Engine.

The Power Armor's hand weapons were also redesigned, changing from a multi-barrel laser gun to a Laser Shotgun. It compressed energy into light points before firing, but still retained the rate of fire of the multi-barrel laser gun.

In addition to ranged weapons, there were melee weapons. For now, all these melee weapons were designed as Gravity Hammers. The surface of the Gravity Hammer was covered in a gravity field, requiring only a light swing to cause devastating damage to any target hit.

But these weapons were only for the Power Armor's self-defense.

The real attack weapon was the deformable Shoulder Cannon.

Through deformation, the Shoulder Cannon could function as a mortar, Heavy Cannon, cannon, or rocket launcher. It naturally couldn't use physical ammunition, but the lethal effect after firing was far stronger than physical rounds.

For example, in mortar mode, it fired a light orb that exploded one hundred meters above the target location, with lasers raining down to the ground like raindrops.

But no matter how powerful these weapons were, they weren't efficient enough to achieve Qin Mo's ideal of deploying two Power Armor-wearing soldiers on a battlefield to end a fight.

To further enhance the combat effectiveness of Power Armor wearers, Qin Mo also designed newer types of drones.

These drones came in more varieties and were larger in size.

Energy Drones that linked to the Power Armor to supply its Energy Engine, recharging it before the power ran out or enabling the Power Armor to go all-out for a short period.

Fire Support Drones carrying massive amounts of energy weapons.

Transport Drones capable of moving soldiers to any location.

Based on these new weapons and equipment, Qin Mo developed new tactics.

On an entire battlefield, only three Power Armor-wearing individuals needed to be deployed. These three would ride Transport Drones to the battlefield, and in areas with no friendly forces, they would coordinate with Energy and Fire Support Drones for long-range bombardment, destroying enemy armor and Fortifications before engaging in close combat.

The deployment speed and combat power of a three-man squad were incomparable to conventional armies.

Qin Mo felt pride and joy in his designs and creations—this was the masterpiece he had been painstakingly searching for.

But he forgot one thing.

These weapons and equipment were indeed powerful, but their cost was absurd. Some components couldn't even be manufactured without using the Star God's abilities.

After completing the design in three days, then spending another four days creating the Master Control Intelligence and Logistics Machines, as well as manufacturing three sets of equipment, Qin Mo decided to find a place to test his masterpiece.

That opportunity came quickly.

The 47th Regiment's position guarding the east side of the Fortress provided intelligence, claiming they had been found by another group of surviving allies. These allies' position was 90 kilometers due east, and they were requesting reinforcements.

Qin Mo agreed without hesitation.

The remaining soldiers on the position held out in a large bunker. The position was nearly lost; everywhere except the bunker was controlled by the Rebels.

The Rebels surrounding the bunker occasionally tossed a grenade inside. If there was time, the grenade would be thrown back out; if not, someone would dive onto it.

The few remaining personnel were dwindling as time passed.

After holding on for half an hour, two light orbs suddenly appeared in the dark sky above the under-hive, illuminating the surrounding area like the sun.

When the orbs fell to a hundred meters above the ground, they exploded, and a torrent of beams washed over the area around the bunker like rain.

Then a humming sound rang out as a hovering aircraft stopped above the position, and three figures in Power Armor jumped down.

Qin Mo had come to support.

The other two he brought this time were Grey and a Veteran who had stayed to fight the Rebels and follow Qin Mo.

Grey and the Veteran each carried a Gravity Hammer in both hands. Qin Mo's original Chainsword had also been swapped for a Gravity Hammer, but his Scepter remained unchanged—it had become a symbol.

"The Scepter!"

"It's the one guided by the Emperor!"

The soldiers in the bunker shouted, remembering that the people sent to seek help had said the western position was saved by someone holding a Scepter.

"Call in the Fire Support Drones," Qin Mo said over the comm channel. "Then we'll kill all these Rebels."

Receiving the order, Grey and the Veteran immediately summoned the Fire Support Drones assigned to them.

Two anti-gravity aircraft quickly flew above the battlefield, each as large as a transport. When they stopped and hovered, a massive array of weapons extended from their undersides, firing solid rounds or lasers at the Rebels on the ground.

"Grey, kill as many enemies as you can."

"Grot, go eliminate that Aberrant."

Qin Mo pointed at the Aberrant among the Rebels ahead and gave orders to Grey and the Veteran, Grot.

"For the Emperor!" Grot roared as he charged forward, his speed pushed to the max by the Jump Pack. Every enemy in his path was crushed by gravity until he reached the Aberrant.

The Aberrant howled and counterattacked, but Grot shut off his Gravity Shield and slammed his hammer into the Aberrant's head.

The gravity field on the Gravity Hammer crushed the Aberrant the moment it made contact.

"Ah..." Qin Mo sighed helplessly. He hadn't wanted Grot to just charge in and smash the enemy.

Even with new tactics, the combat style of Power Armor wearers hadn't changed yet...

But Grey had a decent understanding of the Power Armor. When Qin Mo was building it, Grey had brought him meals and listened to the explanations.

Grey, tasked with killing the enemy, summoned an Energy Drone. Once the drone linked with his Power Armor, he raised his right hand to sweep fire at the foes ahead while firing with his Shoulder Cannon.

Before the Shoulder Cannon overheated and had its heat drained by the Energy Engine, it could fire three shots in a burst.

The Shoulder Cannon's firing mode was switched to mortar anti-personnel, with even dispersion.

Three orbs of light were hurled into the sky in the blink of an eye, each orb spaced a hundred meters apart. They scattered upon landing, and the Rebel soldiers below—whether hiding behind cover or standing in the open—had no escape from death. Even the metal ground beneath their feet was pitted and gouged by the laser burns.

Zzzz—the heat generated by the Shoulder Cannon's shots was absorbed by the energy device, allowing a second volley in just two seconds.