Adamantium Power Armor

"Continue the tests. I need to know the limits of adamantium power armor. Arrange a testing ground," Guilliman continued.

The Lord of Macragge's eyes gleamed. This era-defining armor had arrived at exactly the right time.

Since the upcoming tests would be even more dangerous, Guilliman forcibly ordered Auguston to leave the power armor. That reckless fellow had actually wanted to wear the adamantium armor and withstand frontal attacks from Knight walkers and heavy tanks.

Confidence was a good thing, but when it turned into arrogance, it was undoubtedly foolish.

Lox had an automaton take the place of a human subject. Its body was covered in highly sensitive sensors capable of simulating an Astartes's physical condition.

When the tests concluded, even Guilliman was stunned by the simple yet brutal results.

Adamantium power armor could withstand the thermal lance and adamantium Reaper chainsword of the smallest Knight walker, the Broadsword Armiger. It could also emerge completely unscathed against the Gunstock Armiger's rapid-fire autocannon, which fired hundreds of powerful armor-piercing rounds per minute.

However, an undamaged suit of power armor did not mean the warrior inside would emerge without a scratch. According to the data feedback, attacks from Knight walkers and heavy tanks could exceed the armor's buffering limits, and the resulting shockwaves could injure an Astartes.

The main guns of super-heavy tanks in particular could completely overload those buffering limits and pulverize the Astartes within.

Even so, that was already astonishing. A super-heavy tank's main gun could threaten even a Titan engine; it had never been a weapon meant for infantry. Moreover, given the sluggishness of super-heavy tanks, it would be difficult for them to hit an Astartes without a prearranged ambush.

As for attacks on the Titan scale, data simulations showed that adamantium power armor would be completely penetrated. But sending Astartes to fight Titan engines was the sort of absurd order that not even the most insane commander would issue.

After witnessing the might of adamantium power armor, Lady Euten had the strongest reaction.

She warmly took Lox's hand and said in the tone of a mother making a request, "Please make sure the Invictus Guard are equipped with adamantium power armor. This is a work of genius, Mr. Lox. Please accept my respect and praise."

What Lady Euten valued was not the armor's performance, but its exceptional protective capabilities.

Even concentrated bolt fire could not breach its defenses. That meant Guilliman's safety would rise by several levels.

She knew her son's temperament well. Guilliman appeared as calm as a cogitator, but when circumstances forced his hand, he would not hesitate to enter battle personally.

A deep anger lay hidden within Roboute's bones. Yet most of the time, the fine upbringing he had received later in life suppressed that instinct.

At such times, the Invictus Guard clad head to toe in adamantium armor would become the primarch's most reliable shield. They would accompany him into the thick of battle and bring him back safely.

"Of course, my lady. This equipment was meant to be issued to the primarch's guard as a priority. If he is willing, I also have a specially customized suit of power armor here. It is made from strong nuclear force material, and its defensive power surpasses even adamantium armor."

Before Guilliman stood a suit of blue-and-gold Tactical Dreadnought Armor. Its breastplate bore a metal relief of the Imperial Aquila's wings, while the XIII Legion's Ultramarines symbol was stamped upon both shoulder guards. Its various marks of honor had been recreated in exact proportion from Guilliman's own power armor.

The iron halo behind the armor could deflect volleys of gunfire, allowing the primarch to pass safely through an army of thousands.

"This was customized especially for you. There is only one," Lox said with a smile.

Guilliman extended his enormous hand and gently stroked the power armor. It was so smooth, and it possessed a peculiar temperature unlike that of steel.

Using force-field technology contained within the STC, Lox had eliminated the electromagnetic force between the material's particles, compressing them tightly together. Its surface was absolutely smooth and possessed indestructible properties, while the particles' halted vibrations had brought its temperature to absolute zero.

Guilliman's hand had not actually touched the armor's true surface. An outer force field still separated it from contact.

"This armor can accommodate your weapons: the Hand of Dominion and the Gladius Incandor. It can also be fitted with new Lightning Claws and power fists."

Faced with this suit of armor, even the primarch could not help quickening his breathing.

"Thank you."

Guilliman did not stand on ceremony. Right before the Invictus Guard, he removed his own armor.

It was a suit of Terminator armor painstakingly crafted by the Adeptus Mechanicus, and its value might even exceed that of a star. Yet at this moment, it had been defeated by a more formidable competitor.

"After you return, remember to have some Mechanicus priests perform the rituals of sacred incense and holy oil. It only has a basic intelligence system installed. I would like to see how a Machine Spirit is born."

Although Lox believed a Machine Spirit was merely a rudimentary intelligence, he wanted to see how the Adeptus Mechanicus could make a soulless suit of armor develop one. To him, that might be knowledge beyond his existing framework.

There was no knowledge that remained eternally correct, only knowledge that advanced with the times.

Next, Lox took Guilliman to inspect the factory workshops producing equipment for ordinary humans. Those standard-pattern carapace armors could operate through force feedback, and when fitted with miniature power packs, they gained enhanced strength—virtually a downgraded version of an Astartes's power armor.

They came with basic medical functions that could release hormones and drugs for stimulation and hemostasis. Their communication modules could also extend battlefield communications down to the individual soldier level, undoubtedly a major improvement to the army's command capabilities.

These mortal armors did not consume many resources. Compared with Astartes power armor, Lox's current production capacity could produce one hundred thousand suits per day.

"I will adopt your suggestion. Macragge, Armatura, Konor, and other important worlds will update the equipment of their auxiliary forces. Thank you for your contribution."

Guilliman made the decision on the spot. Transport ships from Macragge would immediately carry the equipment already produced to several key defensive worlds.

The Astartes and mortal auxiliary forces there would receive upgraded equipment.

"If my flagship were not currently being repaired by the Mechanicus, I would certainly bring it here. I want to cover every inch of its armor in adamantium. The pressure on our navy is simply too great."

Though the innovation of power armor and the modernization of the mortal auxiliary forces made Guilliman happy for a while, the truly troublesome matter remained unresolved: replenishing the warships of the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar.

Guilliman urgently needed new warships to join his fleet. After the Battle of Calth, the Ultramarines had lost nearly more than half their vessels, and against the combined forces of the Word Bearers and World Eaters, their disadvantage in naval warfare would only continue to grow.

"I would like to know whether you have a way to build warships with sufficient combat power. I know this request is excessive, but with a great enemy before us, I must seize every bit of strength available."

I received notice today that the book could go premium. Thank you all for your support. No more words—back to writing.