Author Notes:
Argh! You have no idea how much braincells I lost writing GSS Chapter 60 lol, and now, I have my brain all mushy and melty. I need more recaf, sigh...
And then there's a bit of an unfortunate news as well. I pay my respect to Sergeant JarOfOz, one of my oldest supporter who have been paying the Tithe for more than 30 months! He's a veteran, alright, and one with a spotless record at that. Now that he's retiring, I wish the Sergeant nothing but the best, and I hope that he will continue to enjoy the stories to their fullest still! A grand salute to the Sergeant, everyone!
As always, however, don't forget to check out the Monthly Recruitment Drive! Most important of all, don't forget to have fun!
Peace!
https://www.patre=on.com/Heartbreak117
https://ko-fi.com/heartbreak117/goal?g=0
Income goal 770/880 USD (UmU)
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[Emperor of Man: Fascinating, and it's quite surprising to see ancient Sanskrit being used. Jatismar is a term to describe the recollection of former existence, a past life, in other words.]
I see, it's indeed fascinating, Emperor.
[Jatismar Ticket:
Allow the User to remember/reacquire one benefit from the User's previous lives.
The benefit can be a skill, a perk, or a piece of equipment.
The benefit is not limited to just the User's possessions in previous lifetimes. The User can acquire a benefit from subjects with whom they have a good karmic relationship.
Warning! Certain consequences are to be expected when the User utilizes the Ticket!]
Consequences aren't guaranteed to be negative, just like benefits aren't always positive. The Jatismar Ticket is essentially just another Gacha slip with an additional step.
[Emperor of Man: It basically is, yes, but at least you finally know that you have a great many past lives, not just the ones that you're familiar with.]
Whether this is an absolute win or not is still debatable, however.
[Emperor of Man: Then just to be safe, why not use the Jatismar Ticket when you're off learning under your potential new Martial Arts Master?]
You know what, that's a great idea. At the very least, there can be a safety net of sorts, although I would hate to trouble my new Master with the fallout that may or may not happen.
[Emperor of Man: Fingers crossed then.]
Heh, you're a Divine figure, Emperor. Bless me with some good luck, then.
[Emperor of Man: It will be quite redundant, considering your already impressive fortune, but why not?]
... I can't quite put my finger on it, but I do feel luckier somehow, if I can infer this cozy feeling in my chest correctly. Thanks, my Emperor.
[Emperor of Man: You're welcome. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to head to the Bar and get myself a drink and some popcorn.]
What, you're done with your work or something?
[Emperor of Man: Not even close, but more like it will be quite unfortunate to miss this martial journey of yours.]
Face it, you want to see me getting my ass handed to me.
[Emperor of Man: Wouldn't you if we switched places?]
Touche.
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"Any question?" Chapter Master Tu'rok asks calmly, anticipating quite a few to be voiced.
He doesn't quite expect that it will be me to raise my hand first, though. "Corporal Ein, speak your query."
"It's said that our formation on foot is this: the Astartes and Cadian 8th will take point, with the Scions and Sisters of Battle securing our flanks and rear. It's a formation that will ensure an evenly distributed protection and firepower scheme. However, the 8th have the Droidekas, which are suitable as a mobile bastion of firepower thanks to their energy shielding and accurate weapons. They can be of great use in the urban assault that we're about to undertake. Is it possible to bring a few Droidekas with us, milord?"
Tu'rok nods at the question that echoed the sentiments of a few other people. The decorated Chapter Master then explains.
"We understand that the Droidekas are built with assaulting a hostile position in mind. And it is indeed correct that they can be very useful in a CQC environment. However, with the armored assault formation taking with it a large portion of the JTF's on-the-ground firepower, the Droidekas are needed more to secure our established footholds on the frontline. The Imperial Robots won't be coming with us, but they will be used by our current frontline units to defend our chokepoints or assault the enemy's."
"I understand, milord. Thank you, milord." I say, saluting before letting the others have their turn.
While it's a bit of a shame that I won't be fighting alongside the co-creations Belisarius Cawl and I, it's not a big deal. In fact, the Droidekas being trusted and utilized properly by the JTF as proper frontline units is a great thing. It's something that even the Emperor will find Herself nodding in agreement. The more decorated the Droidekas are, the more easily they're accepted and adopted as great warfighting tools for the Imperial Guards. Of course, a single decree from the Emperor can force things through, but we humans of the 40th millennium will have more confidence in cold, hard proof.
As the questions are asked and answered, the time to deploy gradually approaches. When Colonel Mustahim checks his timepiece, the assembled troops know immediately to pick up their battle gear and be ready to embark. After a brief yet powerful command from the Colonel, the combined force split into smaller groups to board our respective vehicles. 3rd Platoon, as per usual, heads for the loading ramps of our assigned Chimera IFVs, Frogger 4-1 and Frogger 4-2. Midway there, however, we're intercepted by a familiar group of Astartes.
"Froggers!" Bellows the voice of Veyra, the explosive expert of the Salamanders' Kharak Squad.
Our Platoon turns to the direction of the Astartes' jovial greeting, seeing the rest of his Squad has stepped closer to us for a cordial exchange as well. Their Sergeant, Tu'rok, comes to exchange a manly fist bump with our Johnson. "It's been a while since we fought together, huh? You all may be understrength as a unit currently, but I trust you all to watch our back all the same, Cadians."
"More than duty and honor, that's what friends are for." Johnson smirks as we all exchange our share of nods and banter.
Tu'rok then turns an appreciative look toward me, seeing my Black Steel in all of its glory. "A shield, and finely crafted one at that. I must admit, while I know that you have one, Corporal Ein, I never get the chance to see for myself how you utilize it."
"Given where we're heading, Tu'rok," I smile, holding my fist to give a couple of knocks on my handcrafted Carapace Shield. "I reckon you will have a front row seat to see what this baby has in store. We are the pointmen in this operation, after all."
Being an Astartes with a veritable collection of war gear, and a Salamander one at that, Tu'rok can identify that Black Steel is not just a simple protective shield. So, the Astartes nods, with an eager expression beneath his helmet. "I await the moments of righteous anticipation then!"
And with that, 3rd Platoon parts way with Kharak Squad and boards the waiting Chimeras and a Razorback equipped with Twin-linked Assault Cannons, respectively. Tactically speaking, I, the one with the shield, will board the Chimera last. This arrangement ensures that, the moment shit hits the fan, I will be going out there first, acting as a mobile cover with the shield for the rest of the disembarking troop. Weiss, as my battle buddy, is accordingly second to last to set foot inside the Chimera.
Being the last one in, I board the Chimera with a hand, punching the ramp button. As the whirring of motors can be heard and the ramp is being raised, I turn around to look at the columns of Chimeras and Rhinos behind ours. More specifically, I look at the Rhinos that belong to the Order of Our Martyred Lady, searching and seeing the familiar armor of my dearest Canoness Superior. As if sensing my gaze, Mama turns in my direction. Although we can't see each other's faces through our helmets, we share the same action of placing our hands above our hearts. And to me, this action has a more significant meaning, as, with what I am about to do, it will be a while before I can see my Mama again.
[Confirm using Jatismar Ticket?
Yes/No.]
[Confirming selection... Time in the current universe will be stopped. Starting the search for Master.]
When the ramp closed fully, the world lost its color, literally, as everything, even myself, stopped moving. It's a weird feeling as I can still think but can't even move a muscle, probably a failsafe of sorts or whatever reason the System has in store.
Before I can think of anything else, however, I feel my vision being pulled backward, as if I am sitting on a chair just to kick back against the PC screen I have been viewing my entire life through it. As my vision slowly fades to black, the last thing that I hear is the System's announcement.
[A suitable Master has been found... The Master expresses interest, but is hesitating about accepting you as her disciple... Conducting negotiation protocol...]
[...]
[...]
[Negotiation complete... The Master is ready to instruct you for the time to come. Learn well, and good luck, User!]
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Through the ups and downs, the misty mountain view of Mount Taixuan stays pristine and divine. The tranquility here is breathtaking, healing, and most deservingly cherished by those with a righteous moral compass. Yet, this very peacefulness is about to be broken for the first time in a long time, and by an event that can only be described as otherworldly to boot.
But perhaps it's yet another Tuesday for the Honkai.
"Fu Hua, are you sure this is the right call?"
"Yeah, yeah, Hua! Like, I am excited about this day somehow being filled with anime tropes all of a sudden, but I have to second Fuxi's concern here."
"Ehm... I don't know much about what's going on, but... I trust that Jingwei will be able to take care of whoever's about to come?"
"... Right, it's not like we can stop her from coming over now that Hua's accepted the offer, huh? But, if it's true..."
"Just the visions the System gave us about the consequences of Project EMBER were enough to stop us from going down a rabbit hole, but the potential benefits we can get our hands on... Nuwa, this can be our chance at prevailing over the Honkai."
"Yare yare, daze.. Hua, Xuanyuan, whatever comes next, you must do your best and teach the new disciple properly, got it?"
"Un, you can count on Jingwei and me, Lady Nuwa, Lady Fuxi!"
"... It all depends on her talent, though. Not everyone can adapt to the SWARA like I am, but I will try my best."
"From what we have seen so far from the visions, Ein is anything but normal, so we don't have to worry about her rejecting the SWARA, still has to find a better name for it, mind you. And if the System is correct, then Ein should be able to nullify the negative effects the SWARA has on you, Hua. Cheer up, you will not be a blockhead like Kevin anymore."
"I hope so..."