Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 293 The Judge's Visit (Sixth Update)
Inquisitor Kailas Walker's flagship detached from the subspace and adjusted its attitude in the void of the real universe of the Nexus system, heading towards the forging world surrounded by a massive orbital ring and shrouded in industrial haze.

Unlike the world of Hive City, the space lanes here are filled with busy transport ships, armed patrol boats, and huge cargo barges, which shuttle around the planet and its rings like worker bees. The air circulation system is mixed with the unique smell of ionized air, metal dust, and industrial waste.

The judge stood before the observation window, silently gazing at the scene constructed by pure industrial power.

Following navigation signals, the shuttle landed smoothly on a relatively independent take-off and landing platform on the surface of Cast World.

As the hatch opened, a scorching, dry odor, a mixture of molten metal, heavy lubricating grease, and ozone, rushed out, a stark contrast to the rigorously filtered air on the ship.

In the distance, the roar of the giant furnaces sounded like the constant whispers of an earthquake, and towering chimneys spewed endless smoke into the eternally gray sky.

A low-ranking priest, dressed in a dark red robe and of moderate transformation, was already waiting there with a silent squad of friars.

The priest's mechanical voice emitted a monotonous greeting: "In the name of Omnesia, welcome to Neksam, Your Excellency the Judge. Sage Chen Yu is waiting in the seventh analysis room. Please follow me."

Guided by the priest, Inquisitor Kelas and his accompanying Stormbringers squad, along with the Imperial Fist Astartes, who resembled a mobile fortress, traversed the vast and complex internal passageways.

The tunnel's vaulted ceiling was high enough for war machines to pass through, and thick energy pipes and data cables, like vines in a metal jungle, covered the walls and ceiling, emitting a low hum and a hissing sound of energy flowing.

Various types of servants and technical priests moved orderly through the passageway, focused on their respective tasks, casting brief, mechanical glances of curiosity at the foreign team before paying no further attention.

To break the somewhat somber silence, or perhaps for some kind of display, the low-ranking priest leading the way spoke in his flat tone: "The Sage has recently received many important visitors."

Not long ago, Lord Sigismund of the Imperial Fist also visited and met with the Sage.

He added, with a hint of barely perceptible reserve characteristic of the Mechanicus, "Lord Sigismund seems to be an old acquaintance of the Sage."

These words caused Judge Keras's eyes to flicker slightly.

The Imperial Fist warrior following behind him paused almost imperceptibly in his previously statue-like, stable posture, his heavily armored shoulders subtly turning towards the guiding priest.

Although the helmet obscured his expression, the invisible pressure that focused on him in that instant clearly expressed his inner surprise.

Sigismund, a company commander of the Imperial Fist and Primarch Dorn's most trusted second-in-command, is a legendary figure among the Space Marines.

His personal visit to a sage of the Mechanicus, an "old acquaintance," is enough to give anyone familiar with the imperial power structure pause for thought.

"Is that so?" Judge Keras responded calmly, carefully concealing the slight surprise in his voice. "Company Commander Sigismund is the cornerstone of the Empire's loyalty, and his visit is enough to demonstrate the importance of Neksam."

He didn't press for details, but this news undoubtedly added an invisible weight to Chen Yu's reputation as a wise man in his mind.

They finally arrived at a heavy alloy door, etched with intricate Mechanicus symbols. After a series of identity verifications by the junior priest, the door slid open silently, revealing the seventh analysis room behind it.

The interior environment contrasts with the rugged industrial feel of the outside passageway, creating a cool and orderly atmosphere suitable for formal meetings.

The cold metal walls are etched with concise yet logically beautiful binary prayers, and several metal chairs with sharp lines and conforming to the functional aesthetics of Mechanics surround a huge holographic projection table that occupies the center of the room.

The air still carried a faint smell of ozone and coolant, but it was much cleaner than outside, and the temperature remained within a comfortable range.

Chen Yu's massive, dark red body stood silently to one side of the projection table. As the judges entered, his crimson optical lens turned towards them, and he spoke in a steady voice: "Welcome to Neksam, Judge Kelas. May the wisdom of Omnesia guide our conversation."

(Chen Yu's physical changes)

“Thank you for your hospitality, Sage Chen Yu.” Judge Kailas nodded slightly in response, his gaze quickly sweeping across the analysis room before finally settling on Chen Yu.

He was still wearing his functional inquisitor's robes, his face bearing the composure of someone who had weathered many storms, and he did not appear reserved or overly humble despite being in the heart of the Mechanicus.

The Astartes stood slightly back like a silent guardian, his yellow power armor gleaming coldly under the indoor lighting, his eyes scanning the surroundings with professional vigilance.

Without much small talk, Chen Yu got straight to the point.

His mechanical tentacle lightly touched the control panel, and the holographic projection table in the center of the analysis room immediately lit up, clearly constructing a complete three-dimensional model of the "Iron Guard" power armor, with its dark red paint, heavy armor, and prominent gear emblem on the shoulder.

"This is the 'Iron Guard' power armor system, project codename 'Iron Guard'," Chen Yu's voice was calm, as if stating a fait accompli. "The original design intention was to provide the Empire's elite mortal forces with a comprehensive combat platform that combines powerful firepower, excellent protection, high adaptability, and reasonable logistical maintenance costs."

He manipulated the holographic projection, and the model began to disassemble, revealing its internal structure.

"The basic frame uses high-tensile alloy and composite ceramic lamination technology, with key parts reinforced with world-standard cast ceramic steel and plastic steel composite armor. Its protection level is sufficient to withstand direct hits from most light laser weapons, fragments, and explosive projectiles at conventional distances." He pointed to the power backpack, "The energy core is a miniaturized high-output plasma reactor that provides sustained power for the drive system, weapon platform, and integrated 'barrier' type kinetic energy shield."

When charged, the shield can deflect or weaken the energy of the initial heavy attack, buying the pilot time to react.

The projection switches to show the weapon mounting points of the "Iron Guard".

"Modularity is one of the core design concepts. The standard configuration includes an arm-mounted storm grenade launcher or laser gun, and a shoulder-fired missile launcher or heavy laser cannon."

The interface protocol is open, allowing for rapid refitting with special weapons such as thermomelting and plasma weapons, or auxiliary equipment such as reconnaissance, communication, and electronic warfare equipment, depending on mission requirements.

(End of this chapter)