Chapter 617: Preparing for Contact
The Trailblazer pulled to a stop on a high ridge overlooking RDA's primary base—Hell's Gate—concealing itself within dense bioluminescent vegetation under the cover of its optical camouflage.
Inside the vehicle, the main console displayed high-definition telemetry relayed by the stealth drone.
It was a massive industrial compound.
Towering electromagnetic defense perimeter walls encircled dense clusters of buildings: command centers, barracks, hangars, refining plants, and towering slag heaps. Giant excavation rigs, like crouching iron behemoths, continuously devoured the earth. Valkyrie shuttles took off and landed frequently, ferrying personnel and logistics. AMP suits equipped with rotary cannons and missile pods patrolled the base perimeter, their cold warning lights flashing systematically.
"Base defenses are tight," Falco analyzed the telemetry data. "Standard air-and-ground patrol patterns. The perimeter walls feature motion sensors and automated defense turrets. Primary power is drawn from a fusion reactor cluster; energy readings are rock-steady."
Pilar chimed in, "Intercepted and decrypted their local comms. Confirmed faction identity: Resources Development Administration (RDA), a profit-driven corporate conglomerate. Primary local operations revolve around harvesting Unobtanium ore. Internal communications indicate ongoing tensions with the native Na'vi, involving multiple armed skirmishes."
Ryo (the second avatar) stood quietly before the control console, his gaze sweeping calmly across the real-time feeds.
When the camera zoomed in on an AMP suit patrolling the perimeter of Hell's Gate, his eyes lingered for a moment. This hydraulic-driven humanoid war machine appeared quite crude in his estimation. The hydraulic lines at the joints were exposed, power transmission efficiency was low, and the armor plating was thin. By Imperial standards, such a design would barely qualify as military-grade gear.
However, the technological foundation and industrial infrastructure it represented were precisely what was needed for this phase of cooperation. These mechs proved that this human faction possessed baseline mechanical manufacturing capabilities and a stable power grid, capable of sustaining a medium-scale colonial outpost. More importantly, they had already established a functional pipeline for mining and refining room-temperature superconducting ore.
His brain rapidly processed the parameters, comparing the AMP suit's performance against Imperial war vehicles while weighing the risks and gains of partnering with the RDA.
"Analyze their mining efficiency and ore purity," he commanded.
Pilar pulled up another set of data: "Based on transport frequency and refinery throughput, daily ore extraction averages fifty to eighty tons. Penetrative scans of an open-pit vein indicate an average Unobtanium grade of 3.5%. Given their relatively crude extraction and refining techniques, actual yield is likely lower."
A 3.5% grade.
Ryo's logic core instantly cross-referenced this with known rare materials in the Warhammer universe. Room-temperature superconductors were extraordinarily precious even there, typically reserved for top-tier plasma weaponry, Space Marine armor power cores, and specialized anti-gravity systems. While 3.5% was not astronomically high, the vast reserves and ease of surface mining (compared to Imperial deposits often buried deep in extreme death worlds or xenos hives) gave it immense strategic value.
"Partnering with the RDA allows us to acquire large quantities of ore samples and geological data in the shortest possible time, utilizing their existing infrastructure for preliminary research," Maine analyzed objectively. "The downside is that we must share a slice of the profit, and we risk getting dragged into their conflict with the Na'vi."
"The Na'vi..." Rebecca interjected. "They look pretty tough, but can they really fight these iron buckets with just bone sticks and bows?" She pointed to an AMP suit on screen.
"Never underestimate an enemy with home-field advantage," Dorio reminded her. "According to the intelligence retrieved by Rei, they possess large flying mounts (Ikran) and can draw support from the entire planet's biological network. Asymmetric warfare is often far trickier than open engagements."
Ryo (the second avatar) remained neutral on the point. The Na'vi threat level would need re-evaluation, but it did not alter his baseline decision to make contact with the RDA. In Imperial strategic thinking, xenos resistance was an expected operational cost, not an impassable obstacle.
Just then, his main body transmitted further detailed directives through their mind-link, explicitly specifying requirements regarding Amrita.
Information indicated that this glandular secretion extracted from the brains of Tulkun could near-flawlessly halt human cellular aging. Its efficacy far surpassed existing Imperial rejuvenat treatments, displaying no obvious side effects or Warp corruption markers. In certain respects, its value even eclipsed that of Unobtanium.
The directive was clear: Acquire Amrita samples, extraction protocols, and relevant biological telemetry. If feasible, capture a living Tulkun for research.
This requirement solidified the necessity of dealing with the RDA. According to his main body's memories, the RDA's whaling fleet was the primary (and ruthless) harvester of Amrita. Cooperating with them was the most direct path to accessing and studying the Tulkun.
"Draft a first-contact protocol," Ryo (the second avatar) issued the final command. "Objective: Establish contact with the local RDA command structure. Demonstrate our value and present a cooperative proposal. Primary focus: technology exchange and resource acquisition. Avoid disclosing our cross-dimensional origins; mask our presence as a vanguard team from an independent research entity."
"Which technologies do we display?" Pilar asked.
"Controlled demonstrations," Ryo answered. "For example, our drone's stealth and reconnaissance capabilities, or select material analysis tech. Sufficient to pique their interest, but not enough to trigger extreme paranoia or greed."
He turned to Maine: "You will lead the negotiations; your experience is best suited for this. I will provide support from behind the scenes. The EVA pilots will not participate in the contact process unless strictly necessary."
"Understood," Maine nodded, immediately conferring with Falco and Pilar to refine their approach and talking points.
Watching them discuss, Asuka found her attention drawn to another feed on screen—a drone shot capturing a party of Na'vi riding Ikran, soaring freely through the distant Hallelujah Mountains. The scene exuded raw, wild grace, standing in stark contrast to the scarred land below. A mild irritation lingered in her heart, but it was just that—an annoyance. She knew her place; strategic decisions were not hers to make.
Shinji, meanwhile, felt a subtle weight settling over him. He intuitively sensed that a simple expedition was sliding into a complex web far beyond his understanding or control. He glanced at Rei Ayanami sitting quietly beside him. She seemed indifferent to the impending contact, occasionally gazing toward the deep forest through the window, as if listening to those "whispers" that only she could hear.
Inside the Trailblazer, the outreach plan targeting the RDA was rapidly taking final shape.