Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 539 Maria's Advice
Under Felus Manus’s almost ruthless efficiency, the first Psionic Knight’s core conduction framework was built at an astonishing speed.

At this moment, the smooth and mysterious internal skeletal structure, composed of milky-white spiritual bones, is suspended in the center of the test field surrounded by an isolation force field, emitting a gentle yet resilient energy pulse, like the nerve network of a sleeping behemoth.

Preliminary structural stability tests are about to begin, and the air is filled with a faint ozone smell due to the preheating of the high-energy equipment.

Thanks to the recommendation of Sage Aurejana and her demonstrated diligence and learning ability, Maria Nearl was granted permission to observe some non-core testing procedures from outside the heavy adamantite isolation window through multi-layered protective observation windows.

She pressed her face almost against the cold glass, her pale golden eyes fixed on the data stream of energy ripples and structural deformation generated when the simulated shockwave physical and psionic energy bombarded the spirit bone frame on the test platform.

She gripped the data tablet tightly, her fingertips turning slightly white from focus, as she rapidly jotted down key observations and her thoughts on the practical combat issues of the Knight Mech.

During a break in the testing, Sage Aurejana showed Ferrus and Caul a holographic projection of the preliminary mechanical structure design and personally explained, "Please allow me to present the structural design outline of the new knight."

She highlighted the redundant design of the joint transmission mechanism and energy conduction path, as well as the structural reinforcement of the shoulder and chest armor to accommodate the new psionic shield generator.

When Aurejana explained the psionic-hydraulic hybrid buffer system of the leg joints and mentioned that its design limit load was based on 20% more than the standard knight mech data, Maria's heart skipped a beat.

A horrific image flashed through her mind ten years ago during the insect swarm, showing the family knights collapsing with broken joints as they endured an impact far exceeding expectations.

She took a deep breath, summoned the courage befitting a knight of the Light, and, in the pause between the sage's words, respectfully raised her hand in accordance with family etiquette.

Aurejana turned her gaze gently to her, her voice soft and inquiring: "Maria Nearl, do you have any suggestions?"

Maria stood ramrod straight, her cheeks flushed slightly with nervousness, but her voice was clear and carried the solemnity unique to nobles: "Yes, Your Excellency the Wise One."

She also gave a slight bow in the direction of Ferrus and Caul.

“Regarding the hybrid cushioning system for the leg joints…excuse my bluntness,” she pointed to the intricate joint structure model in the holographic projection, “the Sage just mentioned that its design limit load is twenty percent above the standard knight's benchmark. This is certainly a rigorous calculation. However…”

Her tone revealed deep concern: "During a raid on the Orc war chief commanded by my aunt Zofia Nearl, I witnessed a Castellan-type knight mech, while dodging a heavy enemy attack, experience a peak impact force on a single leg that, according to the post-battle recorder, exceeded its theoretical limit by nearly 35 percent! As a result... the main load-bearing axle of the knee joint snapped, and the mech nearly overturned!"

Her gaze earnestly fell upon the projection: "The enemy chieftain that the new knight will face will be far more terrifying than usual, and the blows he will suffer will be far more intense. Therefore, I humbly request the wise one to consider: could a thicker layer of fine gold lining be added to the key joint parts, such as the main load-bearing shaft and the buffer piston sleeve?"

Or… add a small emergency energy damper? Even though this might slightly increase the weight and complicate the structure, in such extreme emergencies, it could be the dividing line between keeping the mech operational and complete paralysis!

Aurejana seemed thoughtful as she retrieved the data: "The battle records of the Nearl family... the abnormal overload of the Castellan type under extreme evasion... there are indeed relevant files. Maria's concerns have real battlefield basis." Her gaze turned to Felus and Caul.

Kaul's mechanical tentacles ceased their unconscious tapping, and his multiple repeating eyes focused on the joint model, emitting a low, thoughtful hum: "...Standard increased by twenty percent... Orc war chief... Non-standard impact... Data point valid. Extreme conditions need to be reassessed."

Ferrus Manus leaned slightly forward, his mountain-like frame bearing the weight of his weight. His silver-grey eyes swept sharply over the joint model and the stream of battle data Maria had mentioned. He remained silent, offering only a barely perceptible nod to signal for them to continue.

Maria was slightly encouraged by the response, and turned her gaze to the shoulder armor area, still maintaining a respectful posture: "Furthermore, I humbly request that you allow me to speak further. Regarding the energy conduction path and heat dissipation layout of the shoulder armor area... the main heat dissipation vent in the design is located at the upper rear of the shoulder armor. However... in actual combat, especially in close combat or charging through arrows, the upper rear of the shoulder armor is actually the easiest place for stray bullets and shrapnel to hit!"

If the vents were unfortunately destroyed and blocked, causing the shield generator to overheat and burn out, the consequences would be unimaginable! I wonder... could the main vent be moved to the inside or lower part of the shoulder armor? The probability of damage there should be greatly reduced. Or... could a backup cooling channel be added?

She looked at the sages with anticipation.

Aurejana immediately pulled up the shoulder armor structure diagram and analyzed it herself: "The heat dissipation array layout is indeed primarily based on thermodynamic efficiency. Moving it to the inside or bottom is expected to result in an efficiency loss of about 12% to 15%, and increase the complexity of the internal structure. The parallel auxiliary channel solution is feasible, but it requires additional space..."

She quickly calculated: "The efficiency loss is still within an acceptable range. The value of improving survivability is particularly significant. I think Maria's optimization direction hits the nail on the head."

Kaul gave a buzz of approval: "Survival redundancy is higher than efficiency redundancy. The solution is feasible. Record the optimization points."

Ferrus glanced at the revised heat dissipation scheme diagram, remaining silent, but his silence was tantamount to acquiescence.

Maria's heart pounded faster, her palms slightly sweaty. She pointed to the point where the energy mains connecting the chest armor to the legs converged below: "Finally... I humbly request your forgiveness for my overstepping. This point, where the energy mains converge below the chest armor, doesn't seem to have any special external reinforcement? According to our knight mechs' maintenance records over the years, this is a 'vital point' deliberately targeted by the enemy with heavy firepower such as rocket launchers and armor-piercing rounds! Once this point is damaged, the entire machine's energy transmission will immediately become disordered, extremely dangerous! I wonder... could a composite add-on armor plate that can be easily and quickly replaced be installed here? This might make the mech's movements slightly slower, but in a life-or-death situation, survival is of paramount importance!"

After Maria finished speaking, her cheeks flushed with excitement, yet she maintained her knightly demeanor, nervously and expectantly awaiting a response. Her advice contained no profound theories; every word was the culmination of lessons learned from the bloody battles fought by the Nearl family and the fruits of her own seven years of practical experience.

Aurejana quickly accessed the Nearl family's detailed maintenance database and battle damage reports, clearly projecting the data stream: "Maria's observation is extremely accurate. This area is indeed a high-risk zone on the battlefield, with a significantly higher damage rate than other non-core areas. Adding replaceable additional armor is a mature and effective solution."

Kaul's mechanical tentacles clicked rapidly on the virtual interface, simulating the mobility parameters after the weight increase: "...Weight increase is controllable...Battlefield survivability improved...Logical correct. Conforms to the 'Iron Toughness' principle. Adopted." A hint of approval was faintly revealed in his deep voice.

After a brief silence, Allegana smiled approvingly: "Valuable advice based on rich practical experience, Maria Nearl. Your insight is impressive."

Kaur gave a deep, affirmative roar: "...A pragmatic optimization solution. Logically consistent. Value confirmed." This was almost the highest recognition of her observation skills and the value of her advice.

For the first time, Ferrus Manus's gaze clearly shifted from the flowing data and landed on Maria. His steely, hard face remained expressionless, but a faint, fleeting hint of approval seemed to flicker deep within his silver-gray pupils.

He remained silent. However, when Olegana later presented him with the detailed structural design drawings for fine-tuning and optimization, Maria's suggestions for reinforcing the lining of key joint areas, optimizing the layout of the shoulder armor heat dissipation array, and marking the additional armor plates at the intersection of the chest and abdomen energy trunks were all clearly and precisely adopted and integrated into the design.

This silent act carries more weight than any praise.

Maria's tense shoulders finally relaxed, and a warm current mixed with pride, relief, and a heavy sense of responsibility welled up in her heart. She knew that her courageous, whispered advice had indeed infused this future war behemoth with a genuine resilience born from the smoke of the front lines and the blood of knights.

She quietly clenched her fist, her pale golden eyes shining brightly.

(End of this chapter)