Several days later, Shield-7's outline no longer bore its initial "fragmented" tragic appearance.
The planet that once drifted like wreckage in the void had now gradually recovered stable form under comprehensive intervention by Imperial engineering vessels.
Vast fissures had been "filled," collapsed strata realigned through gravitational calibration, and those unfathomably deep cracks sealed as prohibited zones to prevent further collapse.
Massive robots, nano-repair swarms, and engineering bays equipped with automatic smelting furnaces and 3D printing machinery deployed by the engineering department operated day and night like mechanical behemoths slowly "suturing" this suffering planet's wounds.
Below Shield-7's orbit, the space gate region had undergone complete transformation.
The originally chaotic, desolate void was now replaced by a massive forward base.
Rows of docking ports and floating fortresses hung in high atmosphere like a steel ring city surrounding the space gate, flickering with cold, solemn lighting.
Defensive fire platforms, energy shield projection towers, and railgun arrays interlocked, ensuring any unknown vessels attempting approach would become cosmic dust within seconds.
Engineering department work didn't stop at structural repair.
They began rebuilding Shield-7's ecological environment—
Originally a lengthy and arduous task, yet vastly accelerated under the Empire's efficient machinery.
Artificial water circulation networks gradually spread, atmospheric generation devices installed in stable crustal areas, filtering, synthesizing, and releasing breathable air.
The Inquisition cooperated with engineering departments, implanting several "Pure Flowers" across the planet's surface.
These creations containing high concentrations of pure psychic energy emitted perpetual radiation waves capable of neutralizing residual contamination and accelerating environmental purification.
Their white, translucent petals trembled gently in ash-like winds like sacred flames adorning the barren earth.
With steady progress, Shield-7 was no longer merely a ruined planet ravaged by Markers, but gradually shaped into future colonial embryos.
If plans proceeded smoothly, this would soon become a new Imperial outpost supporting hundreds of millions of population and countless industrial complexes.
Meanwhile, massive fleets "stacked" in near-earth orbit truly conveyed the Imperial Martial Legion's hardline stance.
Over three thousand vessels of various classes filled the void, hull projections like countless giant swords arranged in alternating formation, resembling star-sea barriers forged from obsidian.
Cruisers, assault ships, attack barges, and massive battleships all "hovered," bow crests and legion insignia gleaming in the void.
Each thruster's exhaust carved straight trajectories through the dark star sea like ignited torches.
These vessels' numbers comprised nearly half the Imperial Martial Legion's main fleet strength.
As a newly established legion, their scale expansion fell far short of historically established legions.
Compared to Word Bearers or Ultramarines, Imperial Martial remained in construction and consolidation phases with insufficient personnel and fleets.
However, they spared no effort concentrating such massive force here, demonstrating crystal-clear intent—
They would completely "claim" the Dead Space universe as their own.
This universe was no longer merely exploration targets but would become sources for legion recruitment, construction, and logistical supply.
They would transform this place into soil nourishing themselves, as solid foundation for establishing themselves in the Empire's multiversal campaigns.
At this grim fleet formation's center, one flagship's presence towered like high firmament, overwhelming all sight.
Its ship name was simple and solemn, bearing only four small seal characters—
"Human Majesty Forever Solid."
This flagship stretched forty kilometers long, truly a miracle of steel and human will.
Its hull appearance resembled Emperor-class vessels, massive enough to eclipse stars, bow and stern extending blade-like sharp lines as if cleaving the void.
Its main structure was symmetrical and rigorous like a palace spanning the cosmos.
At both wings, those blade-shaped giant wingspan representing Forerunner technology slowly opened, emanating cold radiance, making it appear more like a judgment colossus bearing divine weapons.
The hull surface was embedded with countless reliefs and sacred emblems, lights adorning between like a planetary city suspended in dark space.
Each deck level could accommodate tens of thousands of warriors and mechanical units, while internal armories, command halls, and prayer chambers displayed Imperial magnificent aesthetics.
From afar, it resembled both a drifting temple and a cosmic-spanning giant blade, proclaiming Imperial Martial's unshakeable resolve.
When Human Majesty Forever Solid slowly passed through the space gate, Shield-7's entire orbit seemed to tremble.
The massive ship shadow projected onto the planet's surface like sacred, heavy shadow, completely bringing this desolate world under its wings.
All witnessing this scene felt nearly suffocating oppression.
That wasn't merely hull scale and power, but the will it represented—the Empire and legion's iron will would take deep root in this universe with no room for wavering.
Shield-7 no longer belonged to the past; its future belonged to the Empire, to Imperial Martial.
Human Majesty Forever Solid's bridge was equally magnificent and solemn.
This was both the vessel's center and a hall symbolizing legion will.
High-suspended domes cast in dark black alloy embedded with star-like light points seemed to solidify night sky indoors.
Bridge walls were covered with ritual arrays of psychic crystals and inscribed characters, those flickering patterns constantly shifting with energy rhythms, pulsing in synchrony with the hull like heartbeats.
Within this intense technological atmosphere, ancient Chinese style was also deeply carved.
Giant columns stood, their bodies wrapped with golden dragon reliefs—dragon heads raised high, dragon scales gleaming jade-like under cold light.
Flooring was dark alloy surfaced with flowing gold paint depicting complex landscape textures as if rivers and mountains lay underfoot.
Each control station was covered with vermillion wood panels embedded with delicate patterns, emanating ancient, solemn atmosphere.
In these contrasts, technology and tradition were no longer divided extremes but seamlessly blended, forming unique Imperial aesthetics—
Cold steel and enduring civilization stood side by side, solemn and unshakeable.
At the bridge center, massive viewports occupied entire walls, through transparent nano-alloy materials revealing Shield system stars and planets.
Stellar radiance poured in, dyeing this magnificent space with murderous golden brilliance.
Sui Meng stood there, frame straight as iron.
The Primarch wore specialized armor forged for him, surface inscribed with Imperial Martial crests, cold luster reflecting his resolute contours.
His helmet wasn't worn but hung at his waist, revealing those focused, calm eyes.
At this moment, he gazed at distant stars as if through that blazing fire he could see more distant futures.
Throughout recent days, Earth Federation and Concordance Extraction Corporation hadn't abandoned Shield-7 surveillance.
Every few days, survey ships, transports, even privately contracted mining vessels ventured to the Ishimura wreckage area.
They either attempted data recovery or sought profits in darkness.
However, without exception, they were all firmly intercepted by Imperial Martial fleets.
Forcibly intruding vessels were either dragged to detention bays or directly electronically paralyzed without escaping any signals.
Even captured survivors had everything they knew strictly sealed.
Therefore, Earth Federation remained completely ignorant of Shield-7 and Ishimura's true situation.
Presumably Earth Federation publicly claimed investigations continued while internally trapped in advance-retreat stalemate.
Concordance Extraction Corporation attempted covering truth while federal government worried heavily—neither daring large-scale fleet deployment nor allowing rumors to spread.
But Sui Meng knew such situations couldn't last long.
All power institutions had limited patience; someday Earth Federation would be forced into large-scale action, and the Empire's existence would inevitably be exposed.
Precisely therefore, Sui Meng didn't intend being led by circumstances.
His heart had already decided—
Rather than awaiting passive exposure, better to strike proactively.
Only with thunderous momentum, directly taking Earth and the Solar System, completely bringing them under Imperial control, could truly seize initiative.
Moreover, that so-called "original" Marker was housed on Earth.
Thinking this, Sui Meng's expression grew increasingly cold.
Markers—this term appeared almost everywhere in the Dead Space universe, yet those truly knowing their essence were few.
According to intelligence from father and intelligence departments, Marker numbers were nearly impossible to accurately count.
They were scattered across countless planets like seeds sown by some ancient civilization.
This point itself revealed terrible facts, as only worlds with potential for birthing intelligent civilization would be chosen by Markers.
In other words, their existence wasn't coincidental but purposeful deployment.
Markers weren't merely static relics but essentially catalysts.
They attracted, manipulated, even enslaved intelligent life, transforming faith, suffering, and flesh into some higher-level "materials."
When sufficient organisms sacrificed themselves under Marker calling, when flesh and soul quantities accumulated to certain thresholds, Markers would trigger irreversible cataclysm—
Flesh would no longer be flesh but completely transform into "Blood Moons."
Those were giant organic celestial bodies condensed from countless living flesh—both offerings and tools.
Blood Moon appearance meant entire planetary civilization's end, all intelligent life becoming part of it, eternally imprisoned and consumed.
This scene was complete desecration in Sui Meng's eyes.
It wasn't merely cruel but denied human existence itself; if Markers spread unchecked, Earth would inevitably fall to the same fate.
Therefore, sealing and controlling Markers wasn't merely power needs but survival necessity.
Sui Meng knew only the Empire could bring those dangerous relics under control with absolute order and strength, otherwise the entire universe would become Blood Moon graveyards.
"..."
He slowly exhaled, gaze returning to Shield-7.
Currently, that formerly ruined planet was being reborn under Imperial control.
Engineering departments repaired ecology day and night, legion fleets surrounded protectively like clothing it in heavy steel armor.
This embodied Imperial power.
Action shouldn't delay further; whether Earth Federation reactions or potential Marker threats forced him to step forward earlier.
Thunderous conquest would be the best solution.
He raised his head, staring at that boundless star sea, quietly murmuring:
"It's time to let them know the true Human Empire."
His gaze swept every bridge arrangement, finally settling on stellar radiance beyond viewports as if setting strategic tone through silent contemplation.
"Relay my orders." Sui Meng's voice was deep yet resonant as iron and thunder, instantly tightening bridge atmosphere:
"First through Fourteenth Companies, organize fleets, accompany flagship directly to this universe's Solar System."
Communications sergeants quickly stepped forward, fingertips rapidly striking light screens, blue runes and screens instantly illuminating.
Next moment, sergeants responded in standard resounding tones: "Father! Orders transmitted to all companies, executing."
Sui Meng didn't pause, continuing orders: "Fifteenth through Twenty-fifth Companies, according to predetermined plans, proceed to respective assigned colonial systems, must unify everything with lightning speed, ensuring enemies cannot organize effective resistance."
"Yes!"
Communications sergeants responded again, voices carrying irrepressible fervor and killing intent.
At this moment, bridge lighting reflected off every officer's armor, reflecting cold radiance like rows of swords awaiting unsheathing.
Next, Sui Meng's gaze fell on helmsmen, tone brooking no argument:
"Open transmission gate, target—lock this universe's Earth."
Helmsmen immediately adjusted instruments, steady operation on control consoles, tones resonant:
"Orders received! Transmission arrays activating!"
Rumbling suddenly erupted as Human Majesty Forever Solid's port and starboard bulkheads slowly opened, releasing twelve diamond-shaped metal columns exceeding one kilometer length.
These metal columns resembled ancient god scepters, floating in void, emanating deep blue radiance in sequence.
Then they rapidly arranged before the bow, precisely constructing magnificent matrices maintaining equal distances.
As energy circulation intensified, blue arc flashes suddenly appeared in void.
In moments, hexagonal light screens slowly unfolded, spanning over two hundred kilometers diameter like opening massive heaven gates to unknown depths in cosmic depths.
Light screen surfaces surged with fluid-like brilliance, mysterious yet solemn.
"Transmission gate stable." Helmsmen calmly reported.
"Depart!"
Sui Meng waved his hand as Human Majesty Forever Solid like a steel behemoth first entered that blue radiance.
Though the hull was immense, it dissolved like shadow instantly within light screens.
Following closely, thousands of warships in tight formation successively passed through transmission gates, bows vanishing behind light screens one by one.
Each vessel entering transmission gates made ordinary auxiliary troops hold their breath watching until light screen ripples restored stability before quietly breathing.
That was magnificent, shocking scenes as if entire fleets were crossing cosmic barriers, advancing into new territories with unstoppable momentum.
Until the last warship entered light screens, twelve diamond-shaped metal columns suddenly extinguished radiance, slowly transforming into countless fine light points, then dissipating in void.
Magnificent light screens also "collapsed," cosmos returning to darkness and silence as if nothing had occurred.
Remaining half the fleet turned toward respective courses, jump drives igniting together.
Countless blue vortexes extended in void as these vessels shot toward target colonies like swords.
Thus, Sui Meng's strategic vision unfolded.
Imperial Martial fleets spread like magnificent heaven-earth nets toward this universe's most critical nodes—both conquest and "reckoning."
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