Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 296 Mission Evaluation (Nine Updates)
In the days following Inquisitor Kailas Walker's departure, the Nexus Forging World seemed to have returned to its usual rhythm, but within Chen Yu's private research facility, a subtle change had already occurred.

Resources began to be allocated more to the "Iron Guard" project, the designated team of technical priests became busier, and the sounds of equipment debugging coming from deep within the laboratory became much more frequent.

After handling the initial matters of cooperation with the court, Chen Yu took some time to review the complete report on Mann's team's mission in Vista Prima, which had been compiled by Ignis.

This includes combat logs, machine data, and post-mission (processed) mission statements.

He conducted a calm analysis of the data.

Soon after, the entire Mann team, along with Valerie and Jack, were summoned to the main hall of the laboratory.

Chen Yu's massive, dark red body stood in the center, his crimson optical lens sweeping across the crowd below.

The signs of modification on their bodies were more obvious under the cold light of the laboratory, exuding a calm aura after being baptized by war, but at the same time carrying a subtle sense of alienation that was not easily detected, stemming from the interference with their memories.

"I have reviewed your mission report in Vista Prima." Chen Yu's synthesized voice rang out calmly, without much emotional fluctuation. "From a tactical perspective, in the face of a sudden, high-intensity psionic threat, you ultimately and effectively utilized your new equipment and collaborative combat capabilities to eliminate the main targets and preserve yourselves."

The two 'Iron Guard' prototypes also collected crucial combat data. This part is in line with expectations.

He changed the subject, his tone remaining calm, but the content went straight to the heart of the matter: "However, there was obvious hesitation and unnecessary empathy in the judgment and decision-making in the early stages of the incident."

When faced with events tainted by chaos, any hesitation based on ordinary moral principles could lead to irreparable disaster and place oneself and one's companions in extreme danger.

You must remember this. In this universe, and in future dimensional exploration missions, efficiency and survival will often have to take precedence over individual emotions.

Mann nodded calmly, offering no explanation.

He recalled the intense inner struggle he experienced in front of the factory gates; although the specific details had become blurred, the heavy feeling remained.

“Understood, boss. We will learn from this.” He knew that Chen Yu’s assessment was spot on; in this world far more cruel than Night City, some of their past behavioral patterns had to change.

Chen Yu's optical lens flickered slightly, seemingly indicating his approval of Mann's response.

"Overall, you have initially demonstrated your value in cross-dimensional operations, as well as your ability to adapt to new equipment and environments." He announced the next steps, "Therefore, after assisting in the initial testing and data collection of the next phase of the 'Iron Guard' prototype, you will be able to return to your original world."

This news made many people in the team's eyes light up.

Rebecca almost whistled, but when she caught a glimpse of Chen Yu's perfectly steady optical lens, she forced herself to hold back.

Jack's face showed undisguised anticipation, and Pila excitedly rubbed his mechanical fingers together.

Even the usually composed Dorio and the silent Mower showed a flicker of emotion in their eyes.

Valerie appeared relatively calm, but her slightly relaxed shoulders betrayed her mood.

David and Lucy stood a little distance away. Upon hearing the news, curiosity flickered in the young man's eyes, while Lucy remained silent. "Returning is not the end of the mission, but the beginning of the next phase," Chen Yu continued, pulling them back to reality. "You will be there to conduct the preliminary preparations for your first truly proactive dimensional exploration."

The goal is to find and make a preliminary assessment of a stable, unknown dimension that possesses certain resource or technological value.

Detailed mission briefings and target coordinates will be sent to you via the teleporter left in the workshop after your return.

He did not reveal any further details, but the phrase "dimensional exploration" had already stirred up a ripple in everyone's minds.

Returning to the familiar Night City, and then using it as a starting point to actively step into a completely unknown world? This is far more exciting and uncertain than being passively brought into the Warhammer universe.

“Before that,” Chen Yu concluded, “continue to familiarize yourself with your new equipment and maintain combat readiness. Dismissed.”

The group bowed as instructed and left the main laboratory one after another.

The atmosphere noticeably relaxed after the heavy alloy door closed.

Instead of returning to their residential area immediately, they all went to a relatively spacious common room that had been assigned to them.

Although the place still exudes a cold, metallic feel, it has a bit more "human touch" compared to other places.

"Damn! Finally, we can get out of this hellhole!" Jack was the first to slump onto the metal bench, as if his bones had been removed. "Damn, this place is so hardcore it's infuriating. Even the food tastes like chewing plastic, it has no flavor at all."

He smacked his lips, as if he could still recall the strange taste of that synthetic nutritional paste.

Rebecca jumped onto the chair opposite him, swinging her legs restlessly, a nonchalant smile on her face: "Come on, Jack! At least there's something to fight here, that's exciting!"

It's much more satisfying than cleaning up those scum who got Mewtwo too high in Night City!
Those fiery, ghostly things, and that monster that's half human and half broken machine—it's fucking awesome!

Although her memory was hazy, the intense shock of the violence remained.

Pila adjusted his signature goggles, his voice a little strained: "It's exciting... but that Ghost Nest, honestly, gives me the creeps. Didn't you guys feel that?"
The upper level looks respectable, but the lower level... it's practically a huge, rusty prison cell.

He recalled the sights he saw as the elevator descended: the dark, filthy lower levels teeming with empty-eyed living people, which sent chills down his spine.

Mann crossed his thick arms and leaned against the cold wall, his voice low and hoarse with a world-weary quality: "Pira wasn't lying. That place is somewhat similar to Night City... at its core, but it's even more fucking awful."

He glanced at his team members. "They're all just trying to make a living, wallowing in the mud. Night City is chaotic, it's insane. Companies, gangs, and marginalized people like us—at least on the surface, you can choose how you die. But there…"

He paused, exhaling a breath of stale air. "Everything was arranged like a fucking mess, from top to bottom. The rules were so strict they were suffocating. Even wanting to flip the table felt... pointless. Cops, black-clad thugs, and those lowly soldiers... layer upon layer of pressure. An individual? They're nothing but a fart."

(End of this chapter)