Driven by the vast resources of the Forge World, the various affairs of the 'iron guard' project began to operate at high speed and in an orderly manner, like precision gears fully lubricated.
Tech-Priest teams 'Delta-7' and 'Epsilon-3' have fully taken over the data analysis and preliminary mass production planning for the prototype, while Valerie and Jackie have also plunged into intense adaptive testing.
Osiris did not dedicate all his energy to the 'iron guard'. In his logical threads, the comprehensive upgrade and modification of Maine's crew held an equally important priority as the 'iron guard' project.
A loyal and powerful direct action force was the cornerstone for ensuring the execution of his personal plans and addressing potential threats.
Now, in the resource-rich Neksum Forge World, he could finally break free from the constraints he faced in Night City and replace the compromised solutions, which he had to make due to material and technical limitations, with truly powerful modifications that met Adeptus Mechanicus standards.
He first summoned Maine.
The tall, dark-red figure stood in the center of the private laboratory. Compared to his time in the Night City Workshop, Osiris now appeared more imposing, surrounded not by cobbled-together mechanical tentacles, but by the more precise and powerful servo-mechanical arms that were standard equipment on the Forge World.
"Your initial modifications were limited by the barrenness of that world," Osiris' synthesized voice rang out steadily, his crimson optical lenses fixed on Maine. "Many designs failed to reach their ideal state. Now, the conditions are met, and it is time for a comprehensive reinforcement upgrade."
Maine stood below, feeling the invisible pressure emanating from this true technological sanctuary. He nodded steadily: "Understood, Boss. What do you need me to do?"
"First, the replacement of the basic structure," Osiris said, as a servo-mechanical arm beside him retrieved components shimmering with a dull metallic luster.
"The base and external armor of your left arm's plasma cannon system and your right arm's shield generator will all be recast from ceramic steel and plasti-steel composite materials. Adamantium will be used for critical energy transmission pathways and joint load-bearing structures."
The new arm components were displayed; their design was still robust and powerful, but the materials were entirely different.
The ceramic steel gave them defensive capabilities far exceeding previous alloys, the plasti-steel provided necessary toughness, and the energy channels woven with adamantium filaments minimized energy loss.
"The energy core will also be updated," Osiris continued. "The high-output energy cell in your chest cavity will be replaced by a miniaturized plasma reactor. It will provide nearly infinite sustained power for all your systems, including weapons and shields, significantly reducing the risk of overload."
Maine looked at the top-tier materials, gleaming with a cold luster, and felt the technological power contained within them. Even with his composure, his heart couldn't help but stir. This was far beyond the technology any corporations in Night City could offer.
"As for the weapon system," Osiris' mechanical finger traced through the air, bringing up new weapon blueprints, "the finely crafted plasma cannon will be removed."
Maine paused slightly, looking at Osiris.
"Plasma weapons are immensely powerful, but in this world, their technical characteristics are too obvious, and they have certain ammunition requirements," Osiris explained, his voice carrying rational analysis rather than mere command. "I will equip you with an entirely new melta weapon system."
In the holographic projection, a gun structure diagram, more massive in form and with ancient, mysterious lines, appeared.
"A melta gun," Osiris introduced, with a hint of caution for ancient technology in his tone, "This is an ancient 'thermal' ray weapon that can be traced back to the Age of Strife."
He pointed to the complex ray-generating device at the weapon's core.
"It does not fire chemical flames, but a concentrated thermal ray. This ray can cause organic matter, including living beings, to instantly combust violently, explosively turning flesh into ash and spewing deadly flames.
A single direct hit is enough to instantly turn a target into a burning torch, and its effect usually spreads to nearby companions."
Osiris' synthesized voice lowered slightly, emphasizing its tactical value: "Its attack pattern—instantaneous combustion and explosion—makes it harder to trace its energy source in this world, and it can easily be mistaken for some kind of special incendiary or energy weapon.
Its power exceeds most conventional weapons of similar size, making it suitable for creating panic and clearing clustered targets."
Maine carefully examined the melta gun's design. It could be perfectly integrated with his new ceramic steel left arm, and its area-of-effect attack characteristic precisely compensated for his previous lack of area-denial capability.
He responded in a deep voice: "Understood, Boss. This is very suitable."
"The modification process will be more in-depth than before, involving the replacement of major limbs and the overhaul of the core energy source," Osiris finally said. "Be prepared."
Maine nodded heavily, without any hesitation. The pursuit of greater strength to protect his team and confront more dangerous enemies was his creed.
________
Immediately following Maine, the other members of the crew were also summoned in turn to receive their upgrade plans.
Dorio's modification direction was different from everyone else's.
Osiris respected her persistent pursuit of pure physical strength, thus avoiding large-scale mechanical cybernetic paths and instead opting for deeper biochemical enhancements that were more aligned with her essence.
"Your muscle structure and bone density have established an excellent foundation through preliminary modifications," Osiris said after performing a new round of deep scans on Dorio, data streams rapidly flowing across the edges of his optical lenses: "The core of this stage of upgrade lies in breaking your body's inherent biological limiters.
I will inject a composite set of catalytic enzymes and gene inducers that will reorganize the ultrastructure of your muscle fibers and significantly enhance the speed and precision of neural signal transmission."
He gestured to a mechanical tentacle nearby, which precisely retrieved a container holding a seemingly living, eerie green liquid: "This formulation is based on ancient principles of gene alchemy, integrating the results of reverse engineering top-tier physical enhancement data from this world.
It will guide your muscle tissue through a structural metamorphosis at the cellular level.
The external form will not excessively swell; instead, it will appear more refined and powerful due to the extreme increase in density and efficiency, but your strength, explosiveness, and endurance will break through your previous cognitive boundaries."
He paused briefly, shifting the topic to her weapon upgrade: "Your existing shock gauntlets will be reforged. A miniaturized melta energy generator will be integrated into their internal core.
When your heavy punch strikes a target with sufficient kinetic energy, the generator will be triggered, instantly releasing a small but extremely lethal melta impact at the point of contact, and the adhering energy flames will be extremely difficult to extinguish."
Dorio listened in silence. As the liquid slowly injected into her veins, she clearly felt a burning sensation, like molten magma flowing from the earth's core, surging through her entire body with her blood.
She instinctively clenched her fists, her knuckles emitting a dull sound like grinding rock due to the dramatic increase in internal pressure.
This sensation of power emerging from the depths of her flesh, filling and even boiling, gave her a sense of control far more primal and real than wielding metal limbs.
When it was Rebecca's turn, the usually lively girl showed a rare hint of nervousness and anticipation.
"Boss! You mentioned it before… about… my body size…" She looked up, her eyes fixed expectantly on Osiris' tall mechanical body.
Osiris' optical lenses looked down at her, his synthetic voice still steady: "Regarding your request, I have evaluated it. Utilizing Biotechnica to promote secondary physical development is technically feasible.
However, the process is not painless and requires the removal of all your existing cyberware. After your body grows to the predetermined form, you will undergo a new, more powerful cybernetic modification that fits your new body shape."
"No problem! I can endure it!" Rebecca immediately promised, her face full of determination, "I'm sick of looking like a midget! I want to grow taller, stronger! Like Big Sister Dorio!"
"Your new body data will be optimized based on your genetic potential, not a complete imitation of others," Osiris corrected, "After the modification is complete, your basic strength, reaction speed, and bone density will all increase synchronously. As for weapons…"
He brought up a new weapon blueprint: "Heavy bolters have immense recoil. As your body size and strength increase, I will equip you with a handheld Plasma Blaster."
The weapon that appeared in the projection was even more formidable than Rebecca's previous bolter.
The thick barrel and complex energy coils all highlighted its terrifying destructive power.
"The Plasma Blaster, with a single charged shot, offers area-of-effect damage, making it highly effective against heavily armored units and fortifications. Its power far surpasses that of a bolter, but its firing rate is slower, and it requires time to charge and dissipate heat, demanding extreme strength and stability from the user. The new you will be the suitable candidate to wield it."
Rebecca stared at the Plasma Blaster, her eyes wide, so excited she almost jumped: "Nova! This is it! I'll blast them all! Thank you, Boss!"
Pilar and Falco's modifications also proceeded simultaneously.
Pilar's nervous system received further reinforcement, enhancing his multi-threaded processing capability, allowing him to simultaneously control more technical equipment.
His back-mounted flamethrower was upgraded to a standard Promethium Flamethrower, with significantly improved fuel efficiency and range. The flames it ejected were hotter and more adhesive.
The flexibility and terminal strength of his long arms were also enhanced, and more precise tool interfaces were integrated, enabling him to play a greater role in the technical and repair fields.
Falco's "Vehicle Operator" assistance system was deeply integrated into his nervous system, taking his reaction speed and environmental perception to the next level.
Osiris did not equip him with offensive weapons but further enhanced his survivability by implanting lightweight ceramite armor plates at key nodes of his torso and limbs, and improved his circulatory system to cope with higher intensity G-forces.
Morris, as the earliest member to complete the Adeptus Mechanicus standard modifications, her current upgrade was more about optimization and fine-tuning. Her Sandevistan System's energy utilization efficiency was further improved, the resonant frequency of her Sonic Blade was adjusted to be even more lethal, and the precision and range of her sensory scanning system were also expanded.
—
The modifications proceeded methodically in Osiris' private laboratory.
Unlike in Night City, where he had to be hands-on, even manually processing components, here, Osiris was more like the chief engineer and supervisor of the project.
He was responsible for formulating core plans, controlling critical steps, and performing final quality checks. The vast amount of specific work was carried out by the laboratory's automated servo robotic arms, precision processing units, and several technical Servitors responsible for executing standardized procedures.
Maine lay on the cold operating table, experiencing a modification process completely different from the last time.
The robotic arms operated with greater precision and efficiency, and the tools and materials used all exuded a standardized, cold sheen. His old left arm was completely removed, and a new arm skeleton, composed of ceramic steel and plastasteel, was precisely docked to his shoulder joint.
Adamantium energy conduits, like living metallic filaments, were manipulated by the robotic arms to make micron-level connections with his nerve bundles and major blood vessels.
Subsequently, a small plasma reactor was implanted into his reinforced chest compartment, replacing the original energy battery.
When the reactor started, a deep, stable hum replaced the subtle electrical hum of the previous battery, and a larger, more stable energy flow instantly filled his limbs and body.
Finally, the destructive Burner was integrated into his new left arm, the gun body perfectly fused with the arm armor, and the fuel tank cleverly embedded in the back of his arm.
The moment the neural connection calibration was complete, Maine could clearly "perceive" every status of the weapon system, as if it were an inherent part of his own body.
Rebecca's modification, on the other hand, was carried out in stages.
First, all her old cyberware was carefully removed.
Then, Osiris injected her with a special growth hormone and gene-inducing agent.
Over the next few days, Rebecca was placed in a special life-support pod. Her body underwent rapid and painful secondary growth under the influence of the drugs.
Bones were elongated, muscle fibers tore and reassembled. This pain, as if her entire body was being dismantled and reassembled, far exceeded simple cyberware implantation. Even with powerful anesthetics and sedatives, Rebecca could still feel the excruciating soreness and tearing sensation during her conscious intervals.
But she gritted her teeth and endured it, her desire for a new body and new weapons supporting her will.
When the growth phase ended and Rebecca emerged from the support pod, her height had increased by nearly thirty centimeters. Her body was no longer small like a little girl's but had become agile and well-proportioned, full of explosive power.
Subsequently, she underwent a new round of cybernetic modifications.
Her bones were injected with reinforcing materials, her muscle system was implanted with biomechanical coordinators, and her nervous system was upgraded synchronously.
Finally, the Plasma Blaster, which required two hands to wield, was mounted on her heavy weapon hardpoint, perfectly matching her new body and strength.
Dorio's biochemical enhancements were mainly carried out through regular injections and exposure to specific frequency energy fields, a process that was relatively gentle but continuous.
She could feel her strength growing daily, the wind pressure generated by her punches becoming increasingly sharp, and the metal targets used for testing first deformed from blunt impact under her heavy punches, which were imbued with a burn effect, then were covered and melted by sticky flames.
Pilar and Falco's modifications were also successfully completed.
Pilar excitedly tested his upgraded flamethrower, watching the incandescent Promethium flames sweep across the testing ground like a long serpent.
Falco, in the simulated cockpit, easily handled extremely complex road conditions and gravity changes that were previously almost impossible to manage.