Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 290 Memory Erasure (Third Update)
"So, can this 'Seanwistan' prosthetic body be promoted?" Judge Kelas pressed, his tone revealing a hint of impatience.
What I mean is, if I wanted to assemble a 'Iron Guard' squad entirely operated by pilots, what would be the cost?
What the courts need is replicable effectiveness, not isolated cases.

Chen Yu's answer remained pragmatic: "Technically, it is feasible. The implantation surgery for this model of S.A.S.S.S.S.S.S.S. has certain complexities and risks, requiring the recipient to have good physical compatibility."

But in essence, it falls under the category of deep prosthetic modification.

I can arrange for such surgery to be performed provided that Your Honor can provide suitable, willing recruits and bear the corresponding costs of the modification resources.

Of course, subsequent neural connectivity driving training is equally important.

“Reforming resources is not a problem,” Judge Kelas responded decisively. Factions within the court often wield considerable authority over budget and resource allocation, especially in strengthening their own military capabilities.

"In terms of manpower, I have enough loyal Stormtrooper volunteers who are eager to become stronger. As long as the technology is reliable and the results are conclusive, I believe that not only I personally, but also the Inquisition of my sector, and even my mentor, will be very interested in the 'Ironguard' once they learn about its potential and will be willing to invest resources in its procurement and deployment." His words revealed his optimism about the technology's prospects and his confidence in recommending it to his superiors.

“Very good.” A barely perceptible hint of satisfaction seemed to emanate from Chen Yu’s synthesized voice. “Then, we have reached a preliminary cooperation agreement. Specific details, including the number of prototypes to be delivered, the data exchange agreement, and the specific pricing and procedures for the modification services, can be discussed in person at my laboratory in Neksam when it is convenient for you.”

“I will handle the follow-up purification and reporting of Vesta Prima as soon as possible,” Judge Kelas confirmed. “I expect to travel to Neksam to visit you within three standard days.”

As the communication was about to end, Chen Yu seemed to remember something and added, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable reminder: "Also, Inquisitor, regarding the memories of this encounter with chaotic contamination and some performance details of the 'Iron Guard'... my current crew is quite comfortable using them, and I don't want to replace them for the time being. You know what to do."

Judge Keras immediately understood Chen Yu's implication.

He replied in a deep voice, “Understood, Your Excellency. The contaminating nature of chaotic knowledge must be isolated. For valuable and loyal non-Tribunal personnel, we have a standard memory-masking procedure designed to safely remove specific dangerous memory fragments, rather than performing physical purification.”

I will personally oversee the process to ensure it is safe and effective, and that it will not negatively impact their ability to serve you afterwards.

He made a clear promise, which dispelled Chen Yu's concerns.

"Very good, I look forward to your visit." After saying that, Chen Yu abruptly ended the communication.

In the preprocessing area, the silence that followed the communication shutdown returned, but the atmosphere was different now.

Judge Keras turned to Mann, his face still bearing the sternness characteristic of a judge, but the sharpness in his eyes softened slightly: "Your sage has agreed to cooperate. Now, we need to handle the follow-up matters."

His gaze swept over the team members. "What we just saw and heard here, especially that chaotic symbol and the blasphemous imagery associated with it, is itself a form of spiritual pollution."

For your own safety and to prevent the unintentional spread of taboo knowledge, a review of your memories is necessary.

This is standard procedure and will not cause you permanent harm; it simply removes specific hazardous information.

The members of Mann's squad exchanged glances.

They instinctively felt repulsed and uneasy about "memory erasure," but they had also witnessed firsthand the eerie power of the Chaos Wizard and the horror of the Vampire, and knew that the Inquisitor's words were true.

More importantly, this was an agreement reached between Sage Chen Yu and the judges, a condition under which they were spared from the brink of "purification".

Mann took a deep breath, and as the captain, he was the first to state his position: "We'll cooperate."

He knew that in this universe, certain rules had to be followed, especially when it came to the survival of the lowest strata. Under the arrangement of the Storm Loyalists' technicians directly under the Inquisitor, Mann, Valerie, Jack, Rebecca, Dorio, Pira, Falco, and Mowell underwent a sophisticated neural scan and memory intervention procedure in turn.

The process was not painful; it was more like a deep hypnosis. With specific frequencies and chemical agents, their detailed memories of the eight-pointed star symbol, the specific appearance of the Chaos Wizard and the blasphemous ritual, and the vampire's descent were carefully located, blurred, and ultimately sealed or covered up.

They would only remember suppressing a factory riot instigated by heretics, working with the Inquisition to eliminate a dangerous psychic leader, and the Iron Guard conducting a successful field test, but the specific details about the Chaos Contamination became fragmented, as if shrouded in a thick fog, no longer possessing a clear concept or understanding of the contamination.

After completing the memory processing, Judge Kelas did not linger.

He left some stormtroopers and planetary defense forces to handle the final cleanup and disinfection of the factory area, while he himself, along with his core guards and the Imperial Fist Astartes, left first to prepare for their journey to Nexus.

The Mann squad, exhausted, slightly disoriented from the interference with their memories, and with two Iron Guard prototypes bearing numerous scratches and charred marks from the fierce battle, boarded the transport ship returning to the upper starport.

The transport ship broke free of Vesta Prima's gravitational pull and headed toward Neksam.

Inside the cabin, most of the team members remained silent, resting or checking their equipment.

Although the memories had been processed, the tension of the battle and the shock of witnessing supernatural power had not completely dissipated.

Jack leaned against the bulkhead, looking at Valerie across from him with her eyes closed, and couldn't help but whisper to Mann beside him, "Mann, honestly... how did V manage that last move?"
I think I remember a little bit, but then again, it's not very clear... I just felt a 'whoosh' and the monster was cut in two.

He scratched his head, looking somewhat confused.

Mann rubbed the scar on his chin. His memory was somewhat hazy, but the scene of Valerie driving the Iron Guard and bursting forth instantly was like a strong impression, imprinted deep in his consciousness, even though the details were no longer clear.

He said in a deep voice, "Don't ask any more questions. Just remember that we completed the mission and tested the equipment, that's enough. The rest... is not something we need to delve into."

Valerie opened her eyes, her face still somewhat pale, the strain from the intense use of S.A.R. Stein and the neural connections had not yet fully subsided.

She heard Jack and Mann's conversation but didn't join in. She just frowned slightly, trying to recall the last moments of the battle, but only felt a slight headache and blurry flashbacks.

She shook her head, no longer forcing herself to recall, and turned her attention to the self-test data of the prosthetic system in her body.

Rebecca fiddled with her plasma bombardment cannon, muttering, "Whatever, at least I blew that bastard away! It's a bit of a shame I didn't get a chance to use this big thing to blast those flaming things."

Her memories are mostly of the scenes of bombarding the altar with plasma cannons and fighting with bandits.

Dorio quietly wiped the dried blood from her gauntlets, while Pira and Falco checked the damage to their equipment. Moir remained seated in the corner, like a shadow, as if nothing had happened to her.

They knew that this mission was just the beginning.

They are gradually adapting to its cruel rules and, with the new power they have gained from Chen Yu, are striving to find their place and a way to survive within it.

(End of this chapter)