The Pathfinder came to a halt on a high ridge overlooking the primary RDA base—Hell's Gate. It utilized the dense, bioluminescent vegetation and its own optical camouflage to remain hidden.
Inside the vehicle, the main screens displayed high-definition footage transmitted back from the drone's close-range reconnaissance.
It was a massive complex.
Towering electromagnetic perimeter walls surrounded a dense cluster of structures: command centers, barracks, hangars, refinery plants, and mountains of slag. Gargantuan excavation equipment, resembling crouching steel beasts, continuously devoured the earth. Valkyrie shuttles took off and landed frequently, ferrying personnel and supplies. AMP suits, equipped with rotary cannons and missiles, patrolled the base perimeter, their cold warning lights flashing.
"The base is heavily defended," Falco said, analyzing the data. "Standard land and air patrols; the walls are fitted with sensors and automated weapon stations. Primary power comes from fusion reactors; energy readings are stable."
Pilar added, "Their communication signals have been intercepted and decrypted. Confirmed: this faction is the Resources Development Administration (RDA), a profit-driven corporate conglomerate. Their primary activity here is the mining of 'Unobtanium.' Internal comms indicate persistent tension and multiple armed conflicts with the local natives, the 'Na'vi.'"
Osiris (Chen Yu's second avatar) stood silently before the console, his gaze calmly sweeping over the real-time reconnaissance footage on the main screen. When the camera focused on the AMP suits patrolling the outskirts of Hell's Gate, he paused for a moment, the images of those steel constructs reflected in his dark eyes.
In his assessment, these hydraulic-driven humanoid war machines appeared quite primitive. 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 hardly even qualify as formal military equipment.
However, the technological path and industrial foundation they represented were exactly what was needed for cooperation at this stage. These mechs proved that this human faction possessed basic mechanical manufacturing capabilities and an energy supply system capable of maintaining a medium-sized colonial outpost. More importantly, they had already established a pipeline for the extraction and processing of superconducting ore.
His brain rapidly processed this information, comparing the performance parameters of the AMP suits with various Imperial war vehicles in his memory while assessing the potential benefits and risks of collaborating with the RDA.
"Analyze their mining efficiency and ore purity," he ordered.
Pilar pulled up another set of data. "Based on their transport frequency and refinery scale, the average daily ore extraction is approximately fifty to eighty tons. Preliminary analysis of an open-pit vein using penetrating scans shows an average grade of about 3.5% superconducting components. Considering their relatively primitive extraction and refining techniques, the actual utilization rate might be lower."
3.5% grade.
Osiris's logic core quickly compared this with several rare materials known to the Imperium. Even in the Warhammer universe, room-temperature superconductors were extremely precious, typically reserved for the highest-grade plasma weaponry, power armor cores, and specific precision anti-gravity equipment. While this grade wasn't exceptionally high, the sheer volume of the reserves and the ease of extraction—relative to Imperial deposits often found in extreme environments or deep within xenos hives—gave it immense developmental value.
"Collaborating with the RDA would allow us to obtain a large number of ore samples and geological data in the shortest possible time, utilizing their existing facilities for preliminary research," Maine analyzed objectively. "The downside is that we would need to share a portion of the benefits and might get dragged into their conflict with the Na'vi."
"The Na'vi—" Rebecca interjected. "They look pretty tough, but can they really take on these tin cans with just bone sticks and bows?" She pointed at an AMP suit on the screen.
"Do not underestimate an opponent with the home-field advantage," Dorio reminded her. "According to the information Rei gathered, they possess large flying mounts (Ikran) and can receive support from the planet's entire biological network. Asymmetric warfare is often more troublesome than a direct confrontation."
Osiris remained noncommittal. The threat level of the Na'vi needed to be re-evaluated, but it did not change his fundamental decision to cooperate with the RDA. Within the Imperial mindset, xenos resistance was an expected cost, not an insurmountable obstacle.
At that moment, the main body sent more detailed instructions via the consciousness link, including a specific requirement for "Amrita."
The information indicated that this glandular secretion, extracted from the brains of Tulkun, could almost perfectly suspend the aging process of human cells. Its effects far surpassed any life-extension technology currently available to the Imperium, and it seemed to lack obvious side effects or signs of Warp contamination. Its value, on some levels, even exceeded that of the superconducting ore.
The directive was clear: They must acquire samples of Amrita, the extraction technology, and relevant biological data. If possible, they were to capture a live Tulkun for research.
This command further reinforced the necessity of cooperating with the RDA. According to the main body's memories, the RDA's whaling fleet was the primary (and brutal) harvester of Amrita. Partnering with them was the most efficient way to access and study the Tulkun.
"Formulate a contact plan," Osiris finally ordered. "Objective: Establish a connection with the local RDA commander. Demonstrate our value and propose cooperation. The focus should be on technological exchange and resource acquisition. Avoid revealing core information regarding our origin from another dimension; we can pose as the vanguard of an independent scientific research faction."
"Which technologies should we demonstrate?" Pilar asked.
"Limited demonstration," Osiris replied. "For example, our drone's stealth and reconnaissance capabilities, or some of our material analysis techniques. Enough to pique their interest, but not enough to make them perceive us as an excessive threat or a target for plunder."
He turned to Maine. "You will lead the contact. Your extensive negotiation experience is more suitable. I will provide support from the background. The EVA pilots are not to participate in the contact process unless absolutely necessary."
"Understood," Maine nodded, beginning to refine the contact strategy and rhetoric with Falco and Pilar.
Asuka listened to their discussion, but her attention was drawn to another image on the screen—a scene caught by chance by a drone: a group of Na'vi riding Ikran, soaring freely among the distant Hallelujah Mountains.
The image was filled with power and a wild beauty, forming a stark contrast with the scorched forest floor she had seen earlier. The slight discomfort in her heart remained, but it was just that—discomfort. She knew her place; the power to decide was not in her hands.
Shinji, meanwhile, felt an invisible pressure. He sensed that a simple exploration was sliding toward a complex situation he could neither understand nor control. He glanced at Rei Ayanami, who sat quietly beside him. She seemed to feel nothing about the impending contact, only occasionally looking toward the depths of the forest outside the window, as if listening to "whispers" that only she could hear.
Inside the Pathfinder, the plan to contact the RDA was rapidly taking shape.