The "camera" cut to low orbit above Planet B, swaddled in a dense, acidic atmosphere.
By now, more than ten hours had passed since the grand portal—spanning some 2.54 million light-years and linking the Milky Way and Andromeda—was opened.
The 6th Company fleet hovered outside this hell-world like a loyal metallic "swarm," tight and orderly.
With the Renwei Yonggu at the center, the Diwuzu 6th Company formed a solid screen of watch and support.
And the smaller engineering fleet attached to the Imperial Engineering Department, which had come along with the armada, now stepped into the spotlight.
These rugged, purpose-built engineering vessels—like tireless "worker ants"—pressed on under the planet's raging acid storms and extreme heat and pressure, laboring doggedly.
Massive, thick-armored heavy transports codenamed Giant Rhinoceros-class used powerful tractor beams to lift from the surface the strange metal components dug from the underground ruins, the remains of energy cores, and all manner of silicon-civilization artifacts whose uses could not be immediately identified. They ferried them carefully to the factory-like industrial ships in orbit, or straight into the Renwei Yonggu's cavernous holds—large enough to swallow mountains and islands.
Though the 6th Company was not a dedicated engineering formation and lacked the Engineering Department's specialized super-ships, the force at their disposal was artfully converted into highly efficient engineering support.
Several Diwuzu cruisers and destroyers formed specific arrays, their bow main guns trained not on enemies but on the planet below. In coordinated alignment, they fired low-power, wide-area disintegration fields.
These fields were not for destruction, but to act precisely on the crust. Like invisible giant hands, paired with pinpoint blasting, they "ripped" and "peeled" vast slabs of heavy overburden and congealed lava that smothered the ruins, exposing deeper structures beneath. It greatly eased the Engineering teams' follow-on excavation and recovery.
Near Planet B's orbit, a spectacular tableau showed Imperial power blending destruction and creation into one.
At that moment, the atmosphere on the Renwei Yonggu's grand, austere bridge stood in stark contrast to the fervor outside: heavier and more focused.
Dozens of hard-light screens floated around the central console, each casting a soft white glow. Data torrents poured like waterfalls across them: dizzying mathematical formulae; constantly updating three-dimensional molecular schematics; energy-spectrum analyses; and a range of hypothetical models for silicon-based lifeforms.
Halsey stood at the center, brows knit tight, her eyes cutting swiftly between the displays—at times falling into thought, at others issuing rapid orders.
Cortana, at her side, helped chew through the flood—running hyperspeed simulations. Her optical sensors—her twin eyes—pulsed a cool blue in time with the streams.
Wu Ji, on the other flank, handled integration of the fleet's macro-environment feeds and the matrix's energy fluctuations—grounding Halsey's theoretical models in observed reality.
"…a self-consistent energy loop, and an almost perfect quantum-layer information density. This completely upends our traditional definitions of 'life' and 'consciousness'…"
Halsey pointed at a set of complex formulae describing the matrix's energy circuitry, awe and confusion mingling in her tone.
"Doctor, material analysis of the recovered samples shows non-natural energy channels with logic-gate properties embedded within the base silicon lattice. That strongly supports the possibility they function as a kind of 'living circuit' or 'thought substrate.'"
Cortana added as she brought up a high-resolution structural diagram.
"But the manner of their 'consciousness'—and their motive for creating the Markers, which clearly skew toward biomass manipulation and psychic contamination—remains a glaring contradiction."
Wu Ji, cool as ever, raised the question. She projected a comparison of the Marker's energy signature against the matrix's. There were similarities, but the cores felt fundamentally different.
The three—each a peak in her field—debated fiercely across the frontier between silicon and carbon life, dipping into quantum consciousness, silicon morphologies, and the ultra-ancient technologies of lost civilizations.
Sui Meng and his adjutant—encased in his custom Terminator plate—stood silently at a short remove.
Even as a Primarch, with rare intelligence and strategic sight, he chose to listen and watch when confronted by so specialized a frontier. Let the experts do expert work.
His eyes flicked sometimes over the blinding formulae and figures—but more often fixed on the cores of the debate—
the essence of this silicon civilization, and how to fully understand—and neutralize—the threat it posed.
Just then the adjutant turned slightly and reported in a low voice that came heavier through the helm:
"Father, the Engineering Department reports that with Planet B's surface environment steadily worsening—acid concentration rising, and geologic activity intensifying—they will still need at least two hours to complete recovery of all currently flagged high-value targets."
Sui Meng's gaze remained on the flashing screens. A small nod showed he'd heard. Then:
"Other fronts?"
The adjutant pulled up another briefing at once and rattled off:
"The Legion's main strength continues following your approved 'unification plan' to the letter. Of the Earth Federation's seventeen principal colony worlds still extant, eleven have declared unconditional submission. Resistance on the remaining six is being swiftly dismantled.
"At the same time, the 16th and 17th Companies have begun sweeps in star-sectors once held by rebels hostile to the Earth Federation and fractured into warlordism. Progress is smooth—no effective opposition of note.
"Restoration of order and handover of administrative control in all occupied zones are proceeding with the aid of advance elements from the Ministry of the Interior.
"In sum, everything is in hand—and orderly."
"Good."
Sui Meng answered shortly—approval for the Legion's efficiency coloring the word.
The Empire's engine rumbled along its set tracks. It did not halt for an archaeological find in some far galaxy.
His attention returned to the bridge's heated discussion—one that would shape strategic direction in this universe to come.
As Planet B's recovery neared its end, a new "chapter" was about to open in the deep study of the silicon consciousness holed up in the matrix.
Before long, Halsey ended the vigorous exchange with Cortana and Wu Ji and turned to Sui Meng, who had been watching.
Fatigue touched her features, but more than that—focused excitement born of the scientist's craft.
"Child," she began, voice hoarse from long, hard thinking, "our current preliminary analysis shows the metal matrix's structure is very special. It is not only a tremendous energy source, but more likely a supermassive bio–mechanical–consciousness hybrid interface.
"Once Engineering completes disassembly of core structures and we safely transport it into the Renwei Yonggu, we can attempt to establish a more stable, deeper communication channel.
"At that point, we might bypass its 'clumsy' defense mechanisms and actually engage the silicon-civilization minds hidden within…
'talk.'"
She paused to add a key update from the rear:
"Also, shortly after you tore free of that mental prison, and once we began large-scale transfer of matrix components, the fleet guarding the Saint Shield 7 system reported an abnormal number of blood moon entities appearing in that sector.
"They look to have emergency-pitched home from deep space, making a straight rush at Saint Shield 7—especially at the surface gate the Emperor opened and maintains to connect different universes."
A keen glint lit Halsey's eyes. "But the Diwuzu fleet on station reacted fast—and hit hard. The hasty attackers posed no real threat and were intercepted and destroyed.
"Even so, the act itself is highly symbolic.
"It almost shouts at us that our actions have struck the very heart—the most vital interest—of this silicon civilization.
"Otherwise, they would not have risked sending blood moons back under the shadow of Grand Device 01's 'one-click sweep' to try to break our move.
"That is, indirectly at least, powerful proof of a direct, critical link among this metal matrix, the blood moons—and the making of the Markers."
Sui Meng listened quietly, a thoughtful light in his golden eyes.
"'Talk,'" he repeated, then put the core question: "Doctor, in what form, exactly?
"If the enemy stays holed up in its data fortress, how do we speak to it?
"Do we, as I did before, force our way in on the level of awareness?"
He shook his head faintly—caution plain: "Inside the matrix, they are absolute masters. They write the rules.
"Even I would be taking a severe, unpredictable risk by fully committing my mind. That would be laying myself on their block."
He had barely finished when Wu Ji and Cortana spoke at once.
"Lord Primarch," Wu Ji said—her projection flickering faintly—steady as ever, "as intelligences founded on silicon logic and datastreams, we could attempt to enter in data form as your proxies for initial contact. We are better adapted to such an environment."
Cortana added, "Yes, Doctor. From an information perspective, that's the lower-risk option. We can also erect firewalls and isolation protocols…"
"No." Sui Meng cut them off without a heartbeat's delay—tone iron, protective, allowing no debate:
"I will not have you take that risk. A civilization that can craft something as uncanny as the Marker may wield data-layer attacks far beyond our imagining. You are Imperial assets of the highest value. We will not cast you into the unknown so lightly."
Halsey glanced from Sui Meng to the two volunteering AIs. A look of understanding—and a trace of "foxlike" amusement—touched her face.
"Enough—no need to argue. If they won't come out, we needn't go to their 'home field.'"
She flicked her hand—tone light, but carrying weight. "We can change the approach—say, make some 'noise' they can't ignore."
Halsey stepped to a screen with the matrix's complex energy map and tapped several key nodes:
"We can try a targeted info-bomb—or a logic virus. Not to destroy it—we won't wreck a priceless specimen—but to disrupt core processes, force home the cost of silence and resistance.
"We can make one point clear: their weapon for reaping civilizations—the blood moon—is a joke in our presence.
"Grand Device makes their biggest threat meaningless."
Her voice turned confident—and hard: "So—those who should fear, who should seek dialogue to avoid annihilation—are they, not us. We have the methods—and the patience—to 'play' as long as needed."
Thud, thud!
Just as the bridge settled on that preliminary posture for contact, Sui Meng's adjutant strode up—mag-boots ringing heavy on the deck.
Facing Sui Meng, he punched a fist to his chest in salute, then reported, voice low:
"Father, we just received a direct order from Imperial High Command over a top-priority quantum-encrypted channel. Source confirmed—His Majesty the Emperor."
The bridge fell silent at once—even Halsey paused and turned.
"The edict," the adjutant went on: "Upon completion of recovery of the target 'metal matrix,' your force is to transfer it entire—together with all related research data and samples—immediately to Saint Shield 7.
"His Majesty emphasizes the need to ensure relative integrity and the 'aliveness' of the matrix's structure."
Brief words—immense import.
Not only was the Emperor tracking events closely—he had issued a direct order to shift the stage of this "dialogue"—or "engagement"—to Saint Shield 7—
the key node that links two universes, and which had just beaten back a blood moon counterstrike.
Sui Meng's gaze deepened.
He nodded slightly. Understood.
His father's will was not to be gainsaid. Moving the matrix to Saint Shield 7 likely served a deeper strategic purpose.
He looked to Halsey and the two AIs. The plan would shift now to reflect this sudden edict.
"Notify Engineering—pick up the pace. New objective: ensure integrity of the matrix's main structure and prepare for intergalactic transfer to Saint Shield 7."
Sui Meng's voice rolled through the bridge—bearing the absolute resolve to carry out the Emperor's will.
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