New Power Armor

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and a vast base complex, stretching to the horizon, appeared on Mustafa's surface.

Dense Tesla Coils and High-Energy Prism Towers were scattered throughout every corner of the base. These constantly rotating, towering structures were responsible for refracting and transporting energy. However, when needed, concentrated beams of light energy could also obliterate any entity daring to covet it.

On the metal-covered ground, busy automatons followed predetermined routes, transporting various materials and equipment to their designated positions under the control of the AI.

The once death world had now become a habitable world with gentle breezes and a warm, comfortable climate.

Under the regulation of the Artificial Intelligence, this world was designed to be a suitable environment for Humanity.

Temperature, humidity, air composition, radiation levels, and even gravity were all under control.

The dark clouds that had once filled the sky had dispersed. Under the monitoring of the Weather Control Device, the sky was sparsely clouded, allowing the sunlight from the Macragge Star to shine unimpeded upon the Planet's surface.

Magnetic Field Generators, activated at the planet's poles, created an invisible barrier in Mustafa's atmosphere, shielding it from dangerous cosmic rays and solar winds.

Thousands of giant mining vehicles had already delved deep into the planet's mantle, directly extracting precious molten minerals. These were then sent via Beacon Transmission to the Ore Refining Center, where they were continuously smelted into the required base materials.

Furthermore, a large number of mining ships were being constructed in the Vehicle Factory. These ships, no longer than five hundred meters, were also equipped with Disintegration Fields and Disintegration Beams. They plunged into the asteroid belt at the planet's edge, using Disintegration Beams to shatter solid asteroids and meteoroids.

In terms of efficiency, acquiring resources directly from the asteroid belt was far superior to excavating them from deep within the planet.

"Regarding the new power armor, I've already calculated a preliminary model based on the Mk4 Limit Type. It will be larger overall, appearing slightly smaller than the Ironclad Power Armor."

Loci presented the holographic projection for Hill, Nikanna, and the others to examine.

"This looks quite different from the Mk4, doesn't it? You've reinforced the armor thickness in areas like the neck, elbow, and knee joints? And this helmet seems different too."

Hill immediately began to critique it. Unlike other Adeptus Astartes, he didn't possess a somber or serious demeanor; his thought process was very jumpy.

Loci nodded. Based on his experiences on Kaos, the vast majority of Adeptus Astartes were killed by being hit in their weak spots. These weak spots on the power armor weren't due to the designers' unwillingness to eliminate them, but rather a necessary compromise to balance flexibility and functionality.

"No, I haven't increased the armor thickness. On the contrary, I've significantly reduced it. What you're seeing is merely the exterior."

The holographic projection cut open the new power armor to reveal a large amount of internal space. This design, which reduced rather than increased, immediately perplexed Willand of the Iron Hands.

The Iron Father questioned, "Then how will the power armor's protective capabilities be ensured? Such thin armor, unless the ceramite material is abandoned, cannot be deployed on the battlefield."

Willand's suspicion was apt. Indeed, Loci had abandoned the outdated material of ceramite, opting for another, more formidable metal.

Adamantium.

That's right, the super-material used to construct the keel armor of warships and the core framework within power armor.

Adamantium was one of the most widely used and hardest materials in the Human Empire. Only materials like the Ornate Gold used by the Imperial Custodes, and other extremely rare and exceptionally expensive special materials, could surpass it.

This material was nearly perfect in terms of strength, hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Once Adamantium was cast, it was almost impossible to deform it again; even temperatures as high as the Sol could not melt it.

However, its drawbacks were also obvious. Setting aside its exorbitant cost, Adamantium's density was astonishing, making it exceptionally heavy and requiring more powerful machinery to operate.

Secondly, because Adamantium was too hard, its manufacturing and processing were extremely difficult. The Forge Worlds of the Adeptus Mechanicus typically placed Adamantium ores in environments comparable to the interior of a star for melting, and then cast them into molds within an extremely short period.

Therefore, common Adamantium was usually used in situations with lower processing complexity, such as warship keels and power armor frameworks.

When the Iron Father learned that Loci intended to replace ceramite with Adamantium, the elder Space Marine's expression shifted to one of understanding.

Of course, someone had conceived of this possibility: power armor made of Adamantium would be virtually indestructible by cutting, making the survival capability of the Adeptus Astartes inside incredibly high.

There was even a possibility of one warrior in one suit single-handedly clearing out an enemy squad.

Conventional weapons wouldn't even be able to penetrate its defenses. Power swords, chainswords, plasma, and even melta weapons couldn't destroy Adamantium. Such an Adeptus Astartes, possessing an seemingly unbreakable golden body, would be a nightmare for all enemies.

Loci naturally noticed the Iron Father's distrust. He curved his lips and said casually, "Processing Adamantium isn't difficult for me. My Matter Reconstruction Device can perform plasticity treatment on the raw materials produced by the Ore Refining Center and then, under the control of the AI, reshape them at the atomic level."

"In appearance, the Adamantium armor can be produced like hard light printing. It only takes a few hours to complete a suit of armor."

A sound of swallowing saliva seemed to echo in the room. Loci turned his head in confusion, unable to discern who had secretly swallowed.

What was there to be so surprised about?

"Then how will you solve the power supply problem? The weight of a suit of Adamantium power armor must be at least two to three times that of ceramite. Our power backpacks can't supply that much energy." Willand's emotions ran high, his metal hands almost reaching out to Loci.

"Iron Father, remain calm." Nikanna stepped in to intervene.

"Power? Is that even a problem?"

The power source for an Adeptus Astartes' power armor came from the power backpack on their back. This miniature cold fusion backpack could supply power to the power armor for extended periods, driving the internal Electro-Muscle Bundles to respond.

"Cold fusion is a decent energy source, but it's not enough. I've integrated Antimatter Furnaces into various positions of the power armor, dispersing them. This eliminates the need for the bulky power backpack."

Within the ample space of the Adamantium armor, a portion was allocated to Antimatter Furnaces. The Empire wasn't unfamiliar with this energy source; it only existed in some exceptionally rare, even irreplaceable, Relic Weapons.

The Empire's Equipment, despite appearing extremely crude and barbaric at times, contained no less advanced technology.

"As for the Electro-Muscle Bundles, I will replace them with extremely fine Adamantium Polymers. Their tensile strength can handle the energy output of the Antimatter Furnaces. And with this new power source, the Adeptus Astartes will have strength that crushes current warriors."

The new power armor Loci envisioned surpassed the original models in almost every aspect.

The nearly indestructible defense of Adamantium and power output three to four times greater than the old armor would forge a new type of warrior, surpassing the traditional Adeptus Astartes.

Willand and the others exchanged glances. They realized that this new type of armor, currently existing only on blueprints, wasn't as distant as they had imagined.

Although they didn't know if mass production was possible, a certain number of experimental models should be achievable.

"In addition to these standard features, the new power armor will also be equipped with comprehensive cushioning components, heat-insulating components, and more powerful scanning and communication equipment. Of course, I've also included the Deflection Field equipped on the Ironclad Terminator, and an Energy Shield will protect the user from energy weapon damage."

Adamantium armor was difficult to destroy, but it didn't mean it wouldn't suffer from shock and high-temperature damage. The power armor might be fine, but the warrior inside could be destroyed by the aftermath of combat.

Nikanna and the others were practically numb. Loci had considered almost all common battlefield situations. Even a recruit wearing the Adamantium armor could practically survive on an Apocalypse-class Battlefield.

Not to mention the battle-hardened veterans with extraordinary martial prowess; when equipped with Adamantium armor, they would be the most lethal warriors.

"I'm sure we can prioritize equipping this, my lord, right?"

Hill shook his head, then lightly tapped Nikanna's power armor with his finger. "That's right, your power armor is indeed trash."

"In addition to that, I've also designed a more advanced power armor: it's comparable to the Ironclad Terminator armor used by Adeptus Astartes warriors. Only the strongest warriors will be able to use it, and besides dealing with infantry, it will also counter all ground vehicles, and even Titan Machines."

Were there even more explosive equipment to come? The Iron Hands felt their nerves, repeatedly shocked, going numb. What armor could surpass Adamantium power armor?

Beside the original Adamantium armor, an even larger suit of armor revealed its true form.

It referenced the appearance of the Ironclad power armor, but its height reached four meters. It lacked sharp contours, instead possessing a smooth, flowing, minimalist texture, completely different from the style of Human Empire equipment.

"Unlike the Adamantium armor, the technological level of this power armor is several tiers higher. I've used Strong Interaction Material, where every atom is firmly locked in its corresponding position. Except for joints and other areas that use deformable materials, most of the armor will be made of this truly indestructible material."

"This Strong Interaction Material power armor isn't heavy, so I've equipped it with an anti-gravity engine and a jetpack for atmospheric use. Adeptus Astartes warriors can use it to completely leave the surface, an effect that a jump jetpack cannot achieve."

"The weapons it carries will also possess more terrifying destructive power, which can be determined by specific circumstances."

After Loci's lengthy explanation, everyone exchanged glances, suddenly feeling that their own power armor was no longer appealing.

They also understood a bit why Loci always looked at them as if they were carrying trash. Compared to such technological creations, their power armor was indeed no different from children's toys.

Loci led these Space Marines to the laboratory in the Vehicle Factory. From now on, these creations that currently only existed in blueprints would truly descend into this world.

The Ore Refining Center delivered a batch of finished Adamantium materials, which were cast into gold brick shapes for easy storage and transportation. These precious materials, far stronger than gold, were about to be sent into the Matter Reconstruction Device for reprocessing.

Under the illumination of the instrument's beams, blocks of Adamantium melted into liquid and flowed through pipes into the casting equipment.

The AI controlled the parameters of the Hard Light Printer, moving the Adamantium to the designated positions according to the input data.

Before everyone's eyes, starting from the power armor's Magnetic Boots, a layer of gleaming Adamantium began to take shape. The printing speed was not fast; after about an hour, only the portion up to the knees of the power armor had been formed.

Even though its basic form was not yet complete, the progress achieved so far was still exhilarating.

This was an Adamantium armor, an armor that was practically invincible on the battlefield.

The loyalists equipped with it would easily drown the traitors in their own blood.

Thanks to reader wangvvv for the reward, and thanks to everyone for your votes and continued support.