For The Goddess Imperatoress!

Causing part of her nervous system and the neural Interface to become one entwined entity, the doc continued to repeat the same process all over her body for a few hours until he was finished.

"Alright, It's done there shouldn't be any complications,"

The doc muttered wiping the sweat from his forehead while I scanned the holographic glass see through monitors that displayed Hope's vital signs, everything was stable—just as I had expected.

Though this time Hope didn't wake up Immediately which was strange but considering that she would need only a few hours for her body to fix the minor Internal damage done to her It's no surprise that the system decided not to Interfere this time.

"I'll leave youre payment on youre counter"

I said as I lifted Hope's unconscious form from the table and tossed her onto my armored shoulder while sucking In Hope's clothes and gear which didn't go unnoticed by the Doc.

"Bloody hell so that's how you keep pulling out stuff from thin air!"

The doc exclaimed while looking at me as If he wanted to cut me open on the spot so that he could figure out what made me tick.

"Keep It to yourself doc for youre own good"

I left the parting words as I passed the counter and deposited the payment and after that walked out of the shop, my marines falling into step behind us as we made our way back to the dropship.

Once we all came onboard the dropship's chemical thrusters with blue gushing out flames roared to life as we lifted off from the city, the cold, polluted air whipping past as we ascended.

The dropship tilted forward, and the city below quickly shrank from view, replaced by the open wasteland swarming with abominations and horrors.

"Ewryone strap In and hold tight"

The pilot announced, as settled Hope's unconscious form that I wrapped her In a blanket more securely on my lap. 

As we soared over the infested landscape, the dropship's weapons came alive. The twin rotary cannons on either side of the dropship opened up, spitting out a hail of 40mm armor-piercing rounds that tore through the waves of mutated creatures In the air.

Missiles launched from under the wings, each one striking its target with pinpoint accuracy, sending chunks of rotting and scorched flesh down to the ground.

Hope remained motionless in my arms, her breathing even, as the dropship continued to rain destruction on the horde. I glanced down at her, my mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

All that was left was to equip Hope with her own personal power armor except for giving her personal combat lessons there was nothing I could do to Increase her own survival chances In case s*it hits the fan.

It didn't take long before we broke through as we did we continued on our way back to our home.

"We're approaching the FOB,"

The pilot announced, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Good. Bring us in"

I replied, shifting slightly to brace for the landing.

The dropship dipped low, skimming the ground as it approached the fortified perimeter of the FOB.

The cosmic marines on the ground opened fire tearing part the small horde that formed along the way pursuing us relentlessly, covering our approach as the dropship's ramp lowered.

We landed with a jarring thud, and I quickly rose, carrying Hope down the ramp In a princess carry style.

"Welcome back, sir!"

One of the cosmic marines with his helmet removed and a cigarette between his lips at the perimeter greeted me as I passed by, nodding respectfully.

"Keep up the good work,"

I responded, not breaking stride as I headed towards one of the empty field tents.

Inside, I found two already assembled field beds, their frames cold and steel-like with a green fabric In the middle under the stark lighting of the tent.

I gently laid Hope down, adjusting her so she was comfortable before pulling a sleeping bag over her.

Her face was serene, even in unconsciousness, and I allowed myself a moment to simply watch her. 

"To think that I someone who absolutely detested relationships would truly fall for someone one day"

I murmured to myself, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

With Hope settled, I turned and left the tent, following the unmistakable sounds of welding and clanking metal coming from the nearby field tent.

The smell of oil, burnt metal, and sweat, and a scorchingly hot wave of temperature hit me as I pulled back the flap, revealing a chain of cosmic marines working tirelessly to assemble Hope's new power armor.

They were stripped to the waist, their muscular and ripped forms glistening with sweat and soot. The tent was a flurry of activity; sparks flew as welding torches connected plates of nanocomposite alloy, and hammers struck against metal with rhythmic precision.

"Sir"

One of the cosmic marines, his face streaked with grease, nodded to me as I entered.

"Will you be joining us?"

"What do you think?"

I asked while grinding as I replaced my power armor with my combat boots and field pants, grabbing a welding mask and tool from a nearby table. 

"How's it coming along?"

I asked, inspecting the partially assembled power armor.

"Coming together piece by piece,"

One of the marines grunted, his voice slightly muffled by his mask.

"We've got the chest and arms areas mostly done. Just need to finish the legs and the helmet."

"Good,"

I said getting to work. I attached a welding torch to the portable power source strapped to my waist and lowered my mask over my face.

We worked in silence for a while, the only sounds being the hiss of the torch and the clanging of metal.

The power armor was a Frankenstein's monster of a suit, constructed from salvaged parts of scrapped power armor.

Each piece had its own history, its own battle scars, but together, they would serve as Hope's new protection and as an Instrument of war.

One of the marines glanced over at me as he tightened a bolt on the leg armor.

"Mam Hope will be more agile than us but she will come short In the strength department, sir."

"Yeah Its a given after shes a female cosmic marine which Is still lacking a few key surgical augmentations"

I replied my mind a whirlpool of my own distant thoughts.

"But I'll make sure to make out a proper warrior out of her after you didn't call me the demon drill sergeant from hell for no reason"

I added my lips forming Into an evil grin on their own as I focused on welding another plate into place.

"Urghhh sir don't remind me I still have PTSD from then you punished the whole legion"

One of the marines said as his facial muscles twitched with the other marines nodding In agreement.

"Youre lucky the legion commander prevented me from performing decimation that time because I was really pissed"

I added casually causing the men to brake out In cold sweat as they stopped their work and looked at me with eyes filled with horror.

"Youre joking sir, right? right, sir?"

One of the marines asked only to see me shake my head.

"Nope now get back to work you lazy f*cks"

I barked causing the man to resume their work on the spot.

"Yes, sir!"

All of them answered In unison.

The hours passed in a blur of heat, sweat, and hard work. We worked tirelessly, finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last piece of armor plate was fitted onto the mechanical exoskeleton, the suit stood at 220 centimeters tall and imposing in the center of the tent, a gleaming testament to our combined efforts.