The forward base, designated "One-Two," was significantly larger than the bases established in the Terminator and Gears of War universes. Centered around the space gate, a six-meter-tall hardlight barrier extended in a two-kilometer radius, emitting a faint buzzing hum. Every thirty meters, silver metal columns, resembling matrix towers, supported this "laser fence." Any local creatures attempting to breach the base would be sliced into pieces by these hardlight beams, no matter how tough their skin or bones.
Though the space gate shielded up to three kilometers, the hardlight fence provided an added psychological sense of security for the employees and soldiers working and living here.
Inside the perimeter, orderly rows of barracks, factories, warehouses, command buildings, and a bioscience center surrounded the core space gate, enclosed by large facilities. On the north side, several massive doors, each measuring 100 by 100 meters, opened to an underground structure, designed to receive large components transported from relic bases or other universes.
The most prominent structures were the fusion power plant, which provided energy for the entire base, and another structure resembling a power plant, the planetary atmosphere modification device. While the fusion power plant was self-explanatory, the atmosphere modification device was an Atlas-developed technology that combined UNSC and Forerunner tech. However, modifying an entire planet's atmosphere to human habitability required at least ten of these devices distributed across the planet, operating for several years or even decades.
With Samuel Young's Will of Humanity ability, the modification process could be drastically shortened. However, Samuel was currently researching how to stabilize the Pure Flower so it could persist long-term without his presence.
At the moment, engineers continued construction. Various robot models maneuvered within the "metallic" forest, cutting and processing trees with hardlight beams to supply materials for expanding the base. Though called a "forward base," this facility was actually a prototype of a permanent fortress city. The forward base on Pandora, in Zero-Two, could already accommodate millions of people. But for now, Earth in "One-Two" was still in the exploration phase, so the construction mainly aimed to provide comfortable and secure housing for the deployed employees and combat personnel.
Simultaneously, in the underground structure beneath the giant gates, engineers had completed final adjustments for four Titan mechs and four Paris-class frigates.
---
Underground within One-Two Forward Base
"Recon units, please report to Hangars 01, 02, and 03 and prepare for vehicle boarding immediately."
"Attention all personnel: Operation 'Titan' will commence in sixteen minutes. Please proceed to your designated stations in advance."
The cold voice of a female announcer echoed throughout the vast underground facility, a space resembling a transit hub with large elevators, similar to the one in the relic base but somewhat smaller.
At the center, the four Titan mechs stood facing each other, two to the north and two to the south. Surrounding the Titans were walkways and robotic arms, and the platforms they stood on were equipped with rails that could transport them through the massive gates above and up to the surface.
Each Titan, equipped with a ship-grade fusion reactor, magnetic levitation engines, energy shields, and the latest Atlas technology, bore a striking resemblance to the Crimson Typhoon Jaeger from Pacific Rim. With multiple arms, primarily red with black accents, the Titans' hands could transform into high-speed rotating blades. However, Atlas's Titans were significantly taller at 117.36 meters and featured additional heavy weaponry: plasma cannons on the shoulders, a handheld 1200mm Gauss cannon on a mechanical arm, and a two-handed giant sword.
Nearby, four Paris-class frigates were attached to massive mechanical arms. Their engines glowed a vibrant blue, indicating the crew was already aboard and in position. The only remaining step was waiting for the countdown on the holographic screen above to reach "00:00."
The recon unit mentioned in the announcement consisted of investigators, AECS, a vanguard, and three Astartes squads from the Sons of the Scar. The three squads, totaling over three hundred personnel, were to board transports in Hangars 01, 02, and 03 to head toward signal-jamming areas where suspected human activity had been detected.
According to Intelligence, the signal jamming might be caused by an artificial nanometal structure.
The Sons of the Scar Astartes, all seasoned and fully enhanced, had taken part in the Halo universe's Unification War. Their outstanding performance earned them the assignment to support the recon unit. Additionally, the team leaders were adept at wielding psychic powers derived from their gene-father's father, Samuel Young, thus shielding their souls from the Warp's gaze.
By now, with the announcements repeated, the recon teams had boarded their vehicles, and the blue glow from the frigates' engines intensified. The countdown on the holographic screen ticked from "15:23" down to "09:17."
Only the Titan pilots remained, synchronizing their neural interfaces to reach a 99% sync rate with their Titans.
---
Meanwhile, in the Bioscience Center
"Colonel Quan, three pilots have completed neural sync and consciousness transfer… Calibrating… Sync rate testing in progress."
A white-coated technician, holding a hardlight tablet, monitored the data while updating the officer beside him. In front of them stood four single-pilot capsules resembling the containment units used for Tyrant pilots or Avatar operators in Universe Zero-Two.
Three capsules were already sealed, with other technicians ensuring the pilots' stability inside, ready to respond to any emergency. The officer beside the technician, named Colonel Quan, gazed out the observation window at the towering Titans.
Colonel Quan, with short black hair and refined features, wore a pilot suit similar to the Vanguard's advanced nano-suit. She was Lin Quan, originally from the Pacific Rim universe and a former member of the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps (PPDC). Years ago, she brokered a partnership between Atlas and the PPDC to dismantle the corrupt United Government.
Now, Lin Quan served as one of Magnus's trusted officers, overseeing the Titan units and acting as a senior officer for Magnus's direct forces.
"Average sync rate at 99.36%," the technician reported as the pilots finished syncing. Turning to Colonel Quan, he added, "Colonel Quan, only you remain…"
"I'm ready, Dr. Wang," she replied, cutting him off and stepping into the last capsule, donning her helmet.
Dr. Wang Jie, grandson of Wang Zhaofeng, activated his hardlight screen, coordinating with technicians to complete Lin Quan's interface setup.
The capsule door sealed, and darkness surrounded Lin Quan.
Bzzz—!
As a sharp hum filled the capsule, a blue light illuminated it, and she felt her "soul" detach, following a web of blue lines to a new vessel.
When she opened her "eyes," she saw the underground hangar, the towering Titans, the Paris-class frigates, and other vehicles, but her body had transformed from 1.7 meters to nearly 120 meters tall. Her consciousness now resided in the Titan's "brain."
After acquiring the PPDC's Sixth-Gen Jaeger technology, Atlas had made sweeping improvements. The most critical change was replacing manual piloting with consciousness transfer. Direct mental control offered far greater precision and safety.
Dr. Wang's research team had integrated cloning, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology to develop a mechanical brain, spine, muscle fibers, and neural networks. This allowed pilots to control Titans as easily as their original bodies, without the risk of mental strain or burnout. Even if a Titan sustained fatal damage, the pilot's consciousness could safely return to their original body.
Given the Titan's extensive upgrades, a single unit could potentially defeat all Jaegers in Pacific Rim and any Kaiju class created by the Precursors.
However, each Titan's construction cost equaled four Frigate-class vessels, making them impractical for mass production. Thus, Dr. Wang's team, under Magnus and Lin Quan's guidance, was also working on a miniaturized Titan project.
---
After adjusting to her new form, Lin Quan was fully stable. Her HUD displayed radar, status indicators, and ammunition levels.
"Colonel Quan," Dr. Wang's voice came through the comm channel. "Your sync rate is at 99.67%, and your Titan is operating smoothly."
Acknowledging, Lin Quan instinctively nodded the Titan's head and responded through the neural link, "Understood. Once we reach the surface and begin the mission, we'll rely on you for detailed data collection."
"Affirmative, Colonel."
Lin Quan focused on the countdown. As it ticked from "04:36" to "00:10," her attention sharpened.
The moment it reached "00:00"—
"All units, move out!" she commanded over the comms.
Shhhh—Shhhh—!
Above, the massive gates opened, revealing the misty, gray sky.
Clank—Clank—!
The Titans' platforms rapidly ascended, sparking as they clashed with the rail tracks.
Boom. Boom—!
As the platforms lifted the Titans to the surface, the mechanical arms released the four Paris-class frigates, their engines at full power as they roared out of the gates. The optical camouflage shielding the base retracted, allowing the frigates to ascend freely into orbit.
Meanwhile, transports carrying the recon units emerged from the underground, escorted by Phantom and Longsword fighters, speeding toward three designated zones.
Lin Quan's team prepared for their objective.
"Set the maglev engines to maximum. Head for the nearest active volcano to eliminate the first local titan."
"Yes, Colonel."
At her command, and
with the other pilots confirming, subtle distortions appeared around the Titans' shoulders, ankles, calves, and forearms.
Then—
With a powerful hum, the four Titans lifted off, hovering northward toward the active volcano in low-altitude flight.
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