Chapter 114: Dorio's New Gear
After careful consideration, Joric made his arrangements.
First, information regarding his departure would be strictly controlled.
The fewer people who knew, the lower the risk of leaks and uncontrollable variables. He only needed to inform his primary proxy of the absolute essentials.
He summoned Moiré.
A mechadendrite extended a data-slate to her, listing his core directives for the duration of his absence.
"I am about to commence a critical, sealed experiment," Joric's voice was flat, betraying nothing. "The experimental cycle may last several weeks, perhaps longer.
"During this period, the manufactorum will be fully sealed. No unauthorized personnel are permitted entry or disturbance.
"Your primary directive is to guard the entrance. Maintain maximum alert status. Any attempt at forced entry is to be met with immediate termination, without warning."
"Understood, Master." Moiré responded without hesitation, her systems logging the absolute-priority directive.
"Second, Maine's crew is released to independent operations during this time. They may undertake contracts and gather resources at their discretion, but they are not to provoke major corporations in my name unless attacked first.
"If they encounter a critical crisis beyond their capability, you may, at your discretion, provide limited support, provided the security of the sanctum is not compromised. The specific degree of intervention is left to your tactical judgment."
"Logged. I will monitor their movements," Moiré nodded.
"Finally, maintain surveillance on all Night City factions, especially corporate maneuvers. Log and archive all anomalous activity according to standard procedure. In an emergency, you may attempt contact via the secondary comms-link, but do not expect to interrupt my experiment unless the situation is extreme."
"As you command, Master. Your will shall be executed." Moiré bowed deeply, accepting the mission completely.
Joric was satisfied with Moiré's response. Her loyalty was proven, her competence sufficient for most conventional threats.
Having her guard the sanctum provided an effective deterrent.
Leaving Maine's crew active maintained their presence on the street and their intel flow, while preventing them from getting ideas born of idleness or becoming overly reliant on the sanctum's shelter.
With these matters settled, Joric turned his attention back to the newly completed wargear.
He notified Maine to bring Dorio to the manufactorum to receive her custom weapon.
Shortly after, Dorio arrived, accompanied by Maine.
Joric pointed to a support rack on one side of the workshop. There stood a heavily modified combat rig.
Its foundation was the 'Centaur' tactical exoskeleton platform acquired from Militech, but it was now unrecognizable.
The frame, originally designed only for lower-body assist, had been comprehensively reinforced and expanded into a full-body metal armature.
The structure was robust, with heavy-duty joints clearly designed to withstand immense force output.
A compact, high-output energy core was integrated into the back, powering the system.
Heavy composite armor plating was added to the exterior, covering the torso, shoulders, and key limb sections.
The plating was a dull, dark metal, the finish rough and utilitarian, but the material composition and angling were precisely calculated for optimal deflection.
Most striking were the weapons mounted on the arms.
They were two precision-engineered, massive Power Fists.
The gauntlets themselves were cast from high-strength alloy, the knuckles brutally oversized, housing complex transmission mechanisms and energy conduits within.
Faint energy-traceries were visible on the surface, like dormant veins, hinting at the dangerous power contained inside.
"This system is based on the 'Centaur' exoskeleton, comprehensively reinforced and integrated," Joric began his explanation, his tone like he was describing a precision instrument. "It is now closer to a simplified suit of Power Armor, providing significant strength amplification and foundational protection."
His mechadendrite pointed to the Power Fists. "The primary offensive units are these Power Fists. They are not simple impact weapons. Integrated high-frequency vibration generators transmit destructive energy into the target's internal structure upon impact.
"Simultaneously, they possess instantaneous energy-discharge capability, generating a forward-directed shockwave at the point of contact to further enhance destruction."
He paused slightly, adding the most critical technical detail: "Furthermore, I have affixed a localized Disruption Field to the striking surface of the gauntlets. When the fist impacts a target with sufficient kinetic energy, the field activates, inducing molecular-level fissuring in the contact area."
Joric did not explain the specific origin or principle of this technology further, but it was undoubtedly a creation beyond this world's understanding, born of the Warhammer universe.
"Don the suit. Conduct basic adaptability testing," Joric commanded. "I require performance data in a combat-simulated environment."
Dorio looked at the powerful gear, a fire lighting in her eyes.
With Maine's help, she began to strap into the heavy Power Armor.
As the system booted up and the energy core emitted a low thrum, she clearly felt an unprecedented surge of power flow from the back-unit, flooding her limbs.
Under Joric's direction, Dorio performed basic movement acclimatization and strength tests in the designated area of the manufactorum.
She swung her fists, the air whistling. When she struck the heavy metal test-target, the sound was not a dull thud, but a sharp crack accompanied by a faint energy-whine. The target material shattered instantly, parts of it exhibiting an anomalous crumbling effect, as if eroded by an invisible force.
Even the augmented Dorio needed a moment to adjust to this sudden, near-catastrophic increase in destructive power.
Maine watched, his face showing both relief that his teammate had such a weapon, and an unconcealed gravity.
The technology the Boss casually produced continued to shatter their understanding of "power."
Joric calmly recorded the data: energy output stability, fist impact force, disruption field activation threshold, recoil on the user, system runtime...
All this data would be used for future optimization and could serve as a reference for other melee weapon designs.
After the test, Joric acknowledged the results.
"Design parameters largely met. Pay attention to collecting further usage-feedback in actual operations. Now, return to your bastion. The manufactorum will be undergoing critical upgrades shortly. Do not approach unless summoned."
Maine and Dorio left the manufactorum with the new gear and clear orders.
They knew that when the Boss said "critical upgrades," it usually meant a major move was coming. Their job was to stay ready and use this time to consolidate their new strength.
The manufactorum returned to silence.
Joric walked to the main console of the Dimensional Sextant and began inputting a series of complex coordinate parameters and energy-calibration commands.
He needed to perform precise warm-ups and calculations for this long-range transit back to the Warhammer universe.
His crimson optical lenses locked onto the jumping energy readouts. All external interference and trivial matters had been temporarily excluded.
The next step was to return to the Forge World, formally claim the rank of Magos, and use that foundation to launch the new phase of his plan.
(End of Chapter)