Inside the workshop, Osiris' metal body remained motionless, data from external sensors rapidly flowing through his processing core.
A damage assessment report was generated in real-time: 17% of the shield system's nodes required cooling or replacement due to overload, and overall energy reserves had decreased by fourteen percentage points.
The defense was successful, but the wear and tear on the shield system itself was also very evident.
"Calculate specific losses. Activate backup energy, maintain basic shield levels." Osiris issued the command calmly, his tone completely even, as if he had just fended off nothing more than a slightly stronger electromagnetic storm.
For him, having experienced destructive weapons in the Warhammer Universe capable of tearing planets apart, the tactical nuclear warheads of this world were indeed only of "limited" power.
However, pure passive defense never aligned with the Adeptus Mechanicus' creed, nor was it the appropriate style of action for an Exploration Archmagos.
Tolerating a nuclear strike was already him testing how much attack his energy shield could withstand in this world.
He turned and stepped forward, his metal feet making rhythmic thudding sounds on the workshop floor as he walked towards the deepest area.
There, the dimensional teleporter, which he had repeatedly improved and expanded, stood majestically, with faint blue energy flowing through its complex mechanical structures.
As the command was issued, the massive instrument began to emit a low hum.
Precise metal components slid and combined as if imbued with life, and the central energy focuser lit up with dazzling light.
As energy was focused, the dimensional teleporter gathered immense power, and amidst the flashing blue glow, a dimensional rift, larger than any Osiris had attempted before, opened.
"Sekhmet," his voice echoed through the space, "lead fifty Heavy Guardsmen of the Guard Corps and come to my side."
At the same time, another order was sent through the dimensional rift to the frigate docked in orbit around the Death World: "Have the frigate return to the Forge World, and deliver a message to the Astoria Family; I require their services."
The hum of the teleporter gradually intensified, and energy fluctuations reverberated within the workshop. The air was filled with the scent of ozone and ionized metal, signaling that a trans-dimensional summoning was underway.
Osiris' crimson optical lenses watched the gradually forming spatial rift intently, awaiting the arrival of his Skitarii Corps commander and her Heavy Guardsmen.
— —
In the depths of the wasteland workshop, the dazzling white light and spatial disturbance from the dimensional teleporter gradually subsided.
Sekhmet's tall form, encased in dark red composite armor, was the first to fully manifest, followed by the fifty Heavy Guardsmen of the Guard Corps behind her, completing their trans-dimensional material transfer.
These warriors generally stood over two meters thirty tall, with physiques even more massive and imposing than Sekhmet's.
They were entirely covered in thick, dark grey heavy armor with visible rivets, and their joints featured large, robust hydraulic structures.
Each Heavy Guardsman wielded an arc spear nearly three meters long, its tip crackling with unstable, pale blue arcs; their left arms were equipped with massive inversion magnetic shields, with complex energy cores embedded in the center of the shields and ancient binary prayers etched along the edges.
They quickly assembled behind Sekhmet, their movements precise and synchronized, forming a dense phalanx in the open space of the workshop with astonishing speed and coordination.
Throughout the entire process, there was not a single wasted movement, as if all fifty shared a single combat protocol, demonstrating an absolute discipline that surpassed any mortal army.
Sekhmet stood at the front of the phalanx, facing Osiris, who was motionless before the main console.
She planted her arc spear by her side, and her metal heels clicked together, producing a crisp sound. All the Heavy Guardsmen simultaneously struck the ground with their spears, their actions perfectly synchronized.
"Lord Archmagos," Sekhmet's synthesized female voice echoed through the workshop, "Sekhmet and the First Platoon of the Guard Corps Heavy Guardsmen, await your command."
Osiris' crimson optical lenses scanned this iron legion.
"Target: all hostile units around the workshop." His voice was calm and unwavering as he transmitted the relevant information to Sekhmet: "Execute purification protocol, completely eliminate all hostile targets."
"As you command."
Sekhmet turned and swung her spear forward.
The entire phalanx, like a precise war machine, began to move out of the workshop.
They marched with unified steps, the heavy thud of their metal boots echoing on the ground, advancing along the internal passages of the Wasteland Town towards its boundary.
It was only when they stepped beyond the Wasteland Town's boundary, officially setting foot on the scorched earth seared by the nuclear blast, that Arasaka's frontline observation posts first detected their presence.
Almost simultaneously, the Wraiths units and Lazarus Mercenaries resting behind the defensive line also noticed this unfamiliar army that had suddenly appeared.
(The Guard Corps, which is originally Titan Guards, modified with Skitarii Corps + Titan Guard upgrades.)
"What is that?" a Wraiths soldier peered out of a trench, his voice filled with incredulous shock.
Colonel Hansen's single eye was fixed on his tactical scope, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the observation device.
He had never seen a unit like this before—such heavy armor, weapons that looked both advanced and archaic, and a formation that was disciplined yet gave off the impression of ancient phalanx infantry, appearing so bizarre and incongruous.
On the other side of the position, the commander of the Lazarus Squad couldn't help but exclaim: "Are these the Lord Archmagos' troops? They're not actually planning to poke Arasaka's power armor to death with spears, are they? How do they manage to be both primitive and sci-fi?"
The allies' comments had no effect on Sekhmet; she simply confirmed the identification of allied and enemy forces, then issued the command to prepare for engagement.
All Heavy Guardsmen simultaneously raised their left arms' inversion magnetic shields to a precise angle, and the "Jianfu-type" resonant field generators on their backs emitted a low hum.
Weak individual shields instantly connected and stacked, forming a visible, pale golden unified shield around the perimeter of the phalanx.
Energy patterns flowed across the shield's surface, emanating a more solid and contained energy fluctuation than the Wasteland Town's large shield.
"In the name of the Omnissiah!" Sekhmet's voice, transmitted through her faceplate, echoed across the battlefield, "Those who profane our Lord shall be purified to dust!"
She pointed her arc spear forward, and the arc at the spear's tip suddenly became incandescent, crackling dangerously.
"Guard Corps, advance!"
The iron phalanx began to push forward, the pale golden shield moving in sync with their advance.
Arasaka's frontline tanks hastily swiveled their turrets, and the surviving "oni power armor" raised their weapons.
Shells and bullets rained down on this iron legion, but all attacks were in vain.
High-explosive shells fired by tanks struck the pale golden unified shield, only causing a distinct ripple before being completely deflected or absorbed.
Armor-piercing rounds hammered against the shield, having no effect except for sparking tiny energy flares.
Occasionally, missiles hit, and the explosion briefly engulfed the phalanx, but when the smoke cleared, the pale golden shield remained stable, and the phalanx's advance showed no delay.
On the Wraiths' position, the soldiers watched in stunned silence.
Colonel Hansen slowly lowered his observation device, his single eye glinting with complex emotions.
He had never imagined that war could be waged in such a manner.
The Lazarus Mercenaries' reactions were even more direct.
A power armor pilot whispered over the comms channel: "Is that shield resonance? Combining all the shields together? No wonder they're using a phalanx… This is truly amazing!"
Just as the Arasaka forces were futilely expending ammunition, the Guard Corps' counterattack began.
It was no longer a traditional engagement, but a one-sided purification.