The concrete floor of the apartment's basement trembled slightly. Dust rolled across the surface in small waves.
A soft scraping sound echoed through the space.
Five black metal fingers, pressed together like a blade, suddenly pierced through the floor. Then, like a scalpel cutting through flesh, those metal digits sliced through the cement with surgical precision.
They extended and turned rapidly, carving a perfect square.
In just seconds, a 1.5-meter section of cement floor had been neatly excised.
The cut section lifted smoothly, revealing a deep, dark hole beneath. The edges were impossibly clean, as if machined rather than carved.
The black metal head of Man of Iron UR-025 slowly emerged from the opening, faint blue light glowing in its optical sensors. It used five metal fingers to support the thick cement slab effortlessly while its two-meter frame rose into the basement.
Then it bent slightly and extended its other metal arm down into the hole.
Nolan, his face bright with excitement, grabbed the offered metal palm and pulled himself up. He landed lightly on the basement floor.
Standing and brushing dust from his clothes, Nolan looked up at the tall Man of Iron with obvious admiration. "Ha! It actually worked!"
"A simple calculation. Nothing worth mentioning." The Man of Iron's optical sensors flickered blue as it shook its metal head slightly, tone modest.
Nolan kept smiling. He gave the Man of Iron an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Apparently, things were going well between them.
It had started when Nolan frankly revealed his plasma pistol to the Man of Iron, using it as a gesture of initial trust rather than a threat. The intelligent machine had understood the significance immediately.
That gesture, and Nolan's willingness to free UR-025 from its millennia of wandering, had established strong mutual trust.
The subsequent in-depth communication between two intelligent beings of different species had forged a truly beneficial partnership.
The terms were simple and fair.
Nolan, as the one who freed the Man of Iron from Warhammer's "sea of suffering," would receive all assistance from UR-025. Except combat. The Man of Iron, a dedicated pacifist, refused involvement in violence unless its own safety was endangered.
In return, Nolan would maintain necessary respect for UR-025. He would treat it as a mechanical life with complete personality and agency, not merely a killing machine from the Warhammer universe.
Thus, the "Man of Iron and Boy" partnership had been quickly established with remarkable harmony.
Following Nolan's guidance and the Man of Iron's tireless efforts, they'd entered New York's underground maintenance passages and successfully excavated a tunnel leading directly to Nolan apartment basement.
The Man of Iron lowered its metal head, blue light pulsing in its optical sensors as it addressed Nolan politely. "Nolan, is this where you reside? Do you require larger and more suitable living space?"
Nolan blinked, then shook his head. "This is just a basement. A place to temporarily store things." He paused. "But the living space you mentioned does give me an idea. We need a secret base now. Do you have any suggestions?"
Seeing Nolan's sincere expression and honest eyes, the Man of Iron raised one metal palm and pointed toward the tunnel entrance they'd just emerged from.
When it spoke, the cold mechanical voice carried more emotional nuance than before.
"Based on brief historical analysis of Terra's humans and extensive data from the information network called 'the Internet,' I believe significant time will pass before Terra's humans can fully accept mechanical life forms."
The Man of Iron paused, optical sensors dimming slightly.
"For my safety and your survival, constructing the secret base underground is the optimal choice."
The smile on Nolan's face grew even brighter. He nodded quickly. "You're absolutely right. Humanity's tolerance isn't high, even in this modern age." He spread his hands ruefully. "However, I know nothing about construction engineering. In the end, I'll have to trouble you to handle it."
"Of course. It was my proposal to begin with."
The Man of Iron with flickering blue optical sensors didn't refuse. Through traces left on the Internet and careful observation, it had already gained considerable insight into Nolan's character and intentions.
The two discussed the area, purpose, and general layout of the secret base. Then, with an excited spring in his step, Nolan left the basement.
Once Nolan's footsteps faded completely, the Man of Iron standing alone in the basement turned its metal head slowly.
The blue light in its optical sensors undulated like gentle waves. When it spoke, the mechanical voice was obviously full of excitement and something approaching joy.
"Cunning Terrans. Cunning Nolan..."
A pause, almost reverent.
"Praise be to the Machine God. Praise be to the Omnissiah... and praise be to Nolan!"
The first thing Nolan did after emerging from the basement was contact the apartment's landlord. He intended to purchase the basement outright.
It would soon become one of the entrances to his secret base. No longer a position that could be abandoned on short notice. Simple leasing represented an unacceptable security risk.
Ownership was the only viable option.
The landlord, faced with Nolan's aggressive cash offer, agreed to the transaction at a price of $150,000.
After finalizing the deal, Nolan didn't return to the basement to disturb the Man of Iron. After all, respect and trust were also forms of strength. Better to let UR-025 work without interference.
Instead, Nolan went straight home. He stood in front of the open refrigerator, eating ravenously while occasionally checking the simulator page on his phone.
He monitored the progress of the second salvage attempt.
Due to the incredible harvest from the first salvage, Nolan held great expectations for the second.
Unfortunately, those expectations lasted until late at night. Not until all salvage results were displayed did the full picture become clear.
[Countdown to salvage completion: zero]
[Salvage harvest: fresh canned Ambulls (one case)]
Note: Produced by Blackstone Fortress. Please roast with flamer for at least two hours before consumption. Improper preparation will make your loved ones weep.
[Salvage harvest: unexpired frozen Stegadon milk (one canister)]
Note: Produced on planet Ferros. Long-term consumption increases toxin resistance. Stegadon milk: the Lord Commander said it was good after drinking it.
[Salvage harvest: unexpired protein bars (one dozen)]
Note: Produced in an unknown hive. Possibly orkish manufacture. Nutritious and healthy. Plant protein.
[Salvage harvest: refrigerated 100-year-old Grox leg meat (200kg)]
Note: Produced on unknown planet. Wishing meat eaters... as brutal as Grox?
[Salvage harvest: brand new Krieg Death Korps soldier uniforms (10 sets)]
Note: Washed and pressed multiple times. No blood from Krieg soldiers. Guaranteed by Krieg Quartermaster.
[Salvage harvest: unexpired Laughing Skull brand corpse starch (one barrel)]
Note: Produced by the Corpse Guild. One scoop recommended per week. Green food, definitely made by people. Clean and hygienic.
[Salvage harvest: standard bolter ammunition (120 rounds)]
Note: Produced by Adeptus Mechanicus. Common ammunition for Astartes. Reload. Aim. Charge.
[Salvage harvest: lasgun power cells (10 units)]
Note: Produced on unknown planet. Lifelong partner of Astra Militarum... if they're still alive.
[Salvage harvest: unopened small refractor field generator (one unit)]
Note: Produced by Adeptus Mechanicus. Birthday present for an officer... a birthday that never came.
[Salvage harvest: brand new Armageddon Steel Legion soldier uniforms (10 sets)]
Note: Produced on planet Armageddon. If you need more... please contact Commissar Yarrick immediately.
Nolan stared at the list, his expression cycling through several emotions.
Supplies. Mostly supplies. Food, uniforms, ammunition, equipment. Practical, certainly. Useful, absolutely.
But compared to an ancient Man of Iron from the Dark Age of Technology?
He couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed.
Then his eyes landed on one item again.
Small refractor field generator.