He is a technical lieutenant general and the director of equipment manufacturing for the entire "Iron Warriors" legion. In particular, some of the heavy modifications to the Power Warframe and Explosive Bomb weapons are derived from Steinberga's inspiration and experience.

Stanberga considers himself a true soldier. His military uniform was always meticulous, with crisp trousers and spotless military boots. Despite his age, his hair was almost completely white, but he was not combed in the slightest, with a sense of elegance that was completely different from that of a legionnaire.

The secretary didn't disturb Stein Bega's concentration, gently put down his coffee, turned and walked out of the room. The impact of her heels against the wooden floor made no sound, and her posture and movements were unmistakable. To do this, it takes years of practice and hard work. The secretaries around Steinberga knew very well that whenever the manufacturing director was working, he must not be interrupted from his train of thought.

There are dozens of messages that appear on the screen. There are work reports from other departments below, maintenance requests for important equipment, and invitation emails that are not related to work. Some of them were friends of Steinberga's acquaintances, and they were nothing more than invitations to wedding receptions. There are also strangers who don't know each other at all, and who promise to pay extremely well in the hope that Stan Bega will go somewhere to give a lecture or attend some messy banquet.

A work report with a "comprehensive performance improvement" caught the attention of Steinberga. He casually clicked on the text on the screen, and browsed casually while drinking coffee.

There are many types of power armor. The most basic original form is said to have been designed by the emperor himself. In the case of the Servant Army, for example, they can only get the old model with average performance, while the main Legionnaire is equipped with the enhanced and standard models with excellent performance. Everyone's situation is different, and the "full suitability" of the standard model of the power armor is only for most people. Even within the legions, there were those who preferred to abandon part of the defense in favor of combat armor, which was extremely flexible. There are also those who place more emphasis on defensive effectiveness than on other aspects. Whenever this happens, the manufacturing department presided over by Steinberga has to transform the armor for different situations.

This work report was submitted by the SF332 workshop at 17:28 p.m. yesterday. The director of the workshop was a technical lieutenant colonel with a calm personality. Stan Bega had always admired him. In the report, the lieutenant colonel listed the details of a machine that had just been assembled and tested through guò. The words "overall performance improvement" are not an exaggeration, this dynamic armor was designed by Steinberga, and on the basis of the original, it was specially modified for the keen warrior. It is expected that the overall improvement should be around three percent, and the number of tests proves this.

Looking at Wen Jiàn on the screen, a subtle hint of appreciation flashed in Stein Bega's eyes.

Technological transformation is not something that can be done by one person alone. Steinberga only proposed a direction for revision, as well as technical guidance, and how to implement it had to rely on the following researchers and workshop workers. He had always been very optimistic about the lieutenant colonel, and the other party did not live up to his responsibilities, and the revision work was done very well, even slightly exceeding the expected standards.

"Good and hard-working people should be rewarded. This power armor alone can be counted as combat merits. Well done, really good. ”

Stan Berga smiled and said to himself, a rare compliment. Although the other party could not hear it, Stanberga had decided to give the lieutenant colonel and the staff of his workshop an adequate reward. With a happy mood, he just clicked on the next page of Kaiwen Jiàn, and when his eyes made contact with the second half of the screen, his face suddenly changed, and even his body couldn't help but tremble.

"Why, how can this be?"

Stan Bega stood up from his desk abruptly, but his arm touched the half-drunk coffee next to his computer because of the momentum. The delicate porcelain cup slid off the table and shattered with a "pop", filling the ground with a gray-brown fragrant liquid.

This kind of gaffe rarely occurs in Steinberga. He stared firmly at the counts on the computer screen, his wrinkled eyes, already radiating a sharp gaze, and the indescribable excitement surged through him, almost uncontrollable.

That's a report on defense values. According to Steinberga's design, the surface of the modified power armor can be suspended with biochemical plastic armor with bulletproof and impact-proof effects. This design undoubtedly increases the defense module, but it also brings the problem of inconvenience to the user's joints. In terms of the internal padding material of the armor, a certain amount of agility and stretch must be sacrificed. This is also the part of Steinberga's biggest headache. However, in terms of the overall defense improvement effect of the warframe, this slight loss of flexibility is barely acceptable.

On this test chart, it is clearly marked that the defensive capability of the modified warframe has increased by 5.7 percent, which is almost double the value expected for Steinberga's original design.

What does this mean?

To calm himself down, Stan Bega closed his eyes, tilted his head, and imagined in his mind about all possible scenarios. He searched repeatedly in his mind and memory, searched for every detail of the design drawings, and simulated every link of the production workshop and the test base. In the end, he still didn't find out the crux of the problem. According to this deduction in the brain, the maximum increase in the defense of the power armor obtained is three percent, which belongs to the normal value of his original design.

In other words, the problem is not with yourself.

Stan Bega opened his eyes, found the lieutenant colonel's communication number in charge of Wen Jiàn's report, and quickly connected. Soon, the figure of a lieutenant colonel in the uniform of the main army appeared on the screen.

Stan Bega pointed to the defensive test number on Wen Jiàn and asked sternly, "This is the transformation armor you completed yesterday?" Why is this part of the value abnormal? Has there been any confirmation at the test center? ”

It was the first time the lieutenant colonel had seen such an expression on the face of Technical Lieutenant General Steinberga. He was a little surprised: "I, like you, General, also have doubts about this question. We double-checked all the production processes, and I was in charge of supervising the test center. The tests of the same item were carried out several times before and after, and the number jù did not change. ”

Stan Bega realized his gaffe at this time, slowly sat in the distance, frowned, carefully looked at the number on the screen for a long time, and said slowly: "If it is a design problem, then the comprehensive improvement effect will definitely be displayed." The production of the power armor must be strictly monitored, and the computer system does not have an alarm, which means that there is no problem. If it's a slight increase, it's understandable. It's the first time I've encountered such a difference between the physical finished product and the design standard. ”

The lieutenant colonel on the screen thought for a moment and said, "General, I suddenly remembered something that may help you." ”

Stan Bega raised his eyebrows: "Say! ”

"The YK909 workshop completed the production task of the 33rd batch of power armor the day before yesterday. There were twelve sets of armor in that batch. Under normal circumstances, the finished product test should be completed within 20 hours. However, until we completed the seventh inspection yesterday, the batch of armor in the YK909 workshop still did not pass the inspection. ”

Stan Bega clearly felt his heartbeat intensifying. A possibility suddenly flashed through his mind, but he still asked quietly, "What do you want to sue me?" ”

The lieutenant colonel's expression was a little strange: "I checked the list of armor materials assigned to us, and all the materials came from the eleventh smelting furnace. The alloy steel plate used in the production of the 33rd batch of power armor in the YK909 workshop is the same batch of materials as our modified model. ”

Hearing this, Stanberga's eyebrows moved, and he subconsciously wanted to stand up, but he held back his mood and slowly leaned back in his chair.

He thought for a few seconds, looked up at the ceiling, and said thoughtfully: "You mean, that batch of steel plates is different from the ordinary model, and the crux of the problem is there?" ”

"It's just my guess."

After a moment's hesitation, the lieutenant colonel said: "The reason why the power armor produced in the YK909 workshop failed to pass the guò test is that out of a total of twelve armors in the same batch, two armors have a disordered defense number. One left shoulder armor increased by two percent of the normal defense, and the other waist side armor stretched and strengthened by about that. All of them are standard models without any structural changes. ”

After a moment of silence, Stan Bega gave the order very seriously.

"Check it out and see if it's a problem with that batch of steel. I need a detailed ingredient list of manufacturing materials, as well as the specific origin of each piece of ore. Put aside the work at hand for a while, and do your best to find out the problem. ”

……

The entire General Directorate of Legion Industry was immediately busy. With Steinberga's permission, the lieutenant colonel quickly dispatched men to begin the investigation at every possible link. Due to the source of ore from the smelting furnace, the Legion Supervisor was also alarmed, and with their assistance, Dai Xiaolou's name came into Steinberga's sight. Of course, the key is not in this handsome, almost bevelous Legion Intelligence Chief, but in the batch of Zircon that he is responsible for leading and recently transported from the H C993 space field.

Due to the different nature of their work, there is little intersection between Dai Xiaolou and Stein Bega. However, this does not prevent them from hearing each other's names and respecting each other for their excellent work.

Facing Stan Bega, who is old enough to be his grandfather, Dai Xiaolou still looks slick and has a dissolute smile.

"That's the way it is, Su Hao discovered a zircon mine in that space domain. The grade and purity are good, and it is easy to mine. According to imperial law, he is the rightful occupier of that space. On the premise that one qiē output resources are handed over in proportion, he has the right to decide on these zircons at his own discretion. ”

This statement is logical, and I can't find anything wrong with it. This is very different from what Steinberga imagined. He kept frowning, and his expression showed a little dissatisfaction.

"This zircon must be included in the list of important strategic resources."

Despite his military rank higher than Dai Xiaolou, Stanberga did not think of overpowering people in the slightest, but wanted to convince the other party in terms of material importance and uniqueness: "Its molecular structure is different from that of ordinary zircon, with a special substance that can have a strengthening effect on war steel. You can think of it as a rare metal. I have already sent you the number of related power armor defense tests, and you should be clear when you look at it. ”

Dai Xiaolou gradually put away the smile on his face, and his expression became stern and serious: "You mean that the origin of this zircon must be controlled?" ”

"No, that's not what I'm good at."

Steinberga shook his head and said in a deep voice: "I am only a technical officer, and the scope of my authority is only within the General Directorate of Legion Industry. I'm just telling you what happened before and after. All in all, this zircon was discovered for the first time in the history of the empire. You should know better than anyone what it means to improve the defense of your Power Fighter. If the "Iron Warriors" were the only recipients of this Zircon, we would have a much more say in high-level meetings. Of course, imperial law is the basis for maintaining a qiē, and since you said that the person named Su Hao has the right to dispose of zircon freely, then I will not dispute this aspect. But in any case, this zircon must not flow into the dark world, not even a kilogram, not a milligram. ”

Dai Xiaolou suddenly realized that he might have misunderstood Lieutenant General Stein Bega. The old man did not want to forcibly occupy the zircon vein discovered by Su Hao, but considered the problem from all aspects. He could have taken a tougher stance and taken possession of the zircon veins in the space realm to the Legion, but instead of doing so, he still followed the laws of the Empire.

Dai Xiaolou looked at the screen with respect on his face, and asked seriously: "In this regard, general, do you have anything to do?" ”

"The most important thing, of course, is secrecy."

Stan Bega sat up straight and said sternly, "If I can, I'd better send a combat team to be stationed in the H C993 space domain. It can be seen that you have a good personal relationship with the owner of the space domain named Su Hao, and you are also very dedicated to safeguarding his interests. But there are some things and principles that are often trampled on at will. Of course we will play by the rules of the game, but the nobles will not. That's what worries me the most. ”

Dai Xiaolou had to admit that Stanberga's concerns really couldn't be ignored. He nodded: "I know what to do." In this matter, there will be absolutely no problems. ”

……

Viscount Sazabi returned with his retinue.

Su Hao didn't think that the viscount would regret it, and even make hostile actions. A qiē contract is built on its own strong foundation. Acting and disguise can certainly play a temporary role in confusing the war, even if the war really starts, Su Hao will not be afraid, and he is sure enough to firmly occupy the existing territory.

When he returned to Konoha Town with a container full of zircons through the space passage, Su Hao happened to see the shadow of a military airship in the sky, and the eye-catching red giant fist emblem of "Iron Warrior" on the surface of the airbag.

Dai Xiaolou soon appeared in front of Su Hao. However, compared with usual, this lean, thin, and hanging-up officer is no longer the focus of attention. Including Su Hao, the core of people's attention has become the team of burly legion soldiers behind Dai Xiaolou who are wearing power armor and are fully armed.

"Hey! You're in big trouble right now. ”

Dai Xiaolou belongs to the kind of personality who is afraid that the world will not be chaotic. Seeing that his false words and intimidation had no effect on Su Hao, he became tasteless. He turned sideways and let out the men who were standing behind him.

"Introduction, this is Captain Nelson."

It was a giant man whose height had to be looked up to. Heavy red armor covered the entire body, with only knotted muscles exposed at the neck. His armor was noticeably larger than the others, his forehead was stiff, his head was shaved, and just looking at that face was enough to make one understand the true concept of words like "hideous" and "terrifying".

"This is Pastor Fredo."

An old man over forty years old, full of piety, also covered with power armor. The difference was only in the fact that the armor had a religious pattern in the shape of a star on the surface. He wore a black robe draped over his back, looking very old, with raw edges rolled up. Su Hao noticed that the priest's weapon was not the blaster commonly used by legionnaires, but a special flamethrower gun.

"And this one, Mr. Dimasik, the pharmacist."

The pharmacist was also a middle-aged man. His powertrain has an off-white appearance, with only the edges being the same as Captain Nelson's, which is painted crimson. The weapon configuration is similar to that of a normal Warrior, but with the addition of a barrel container that is lighter than a normal backpack. Di Masik was the friendliest of all the people introduced. He stepped forward with a smile and took the initiative to shake hands with Su Hao.

Behind these unfamiliar faces, Su Hao saw as many as seventeen legionnaires wearing the "Iron Warrior" insignia. The fiery red power armor was eye-catching, the weapons in their hands were clenched at all times, and the chainsaw sword and spare magazine were on either side of their thighs. Due to the fact that it was in a non-combat situation, everyone's helmets were left open. They look very young, with an average age of about twenty years. But every move is vigilant at all times, which fits the definition of a true warrior.

The number of onlookers grew, and the roads on both sides of Team 22's station were blocked, but they still couldn't stop more and more people from pouring in.

Everyone has seen the Imperial Wehrmacht, but few have seen the main legionnaires. Especially in this kind of close contact, it is even more rare. However, these soldiers are not as cold and fierce as the legend says, they just look cold, and they still smile kindly at the children who are brave enough to come closer, and even take out the candy from their backpacks and pass it over.

Under the guidance of Su Hao, Dai Xiaolou and others walked into the mayor's mansion.

Su Hao kept frowning. He had already guessed what the legionnaires were coming for. This is also the scene he is most worried about and the last thing he wants to see.