113: Successfully extracted subspace energy

"The theoretical framework for the 'abyss of order' project has been preliminarily established." Several weeks later, in the top-secret laboratory of the deep underground bunker of 'Keystone-0', the Chief Technologist pointed at a holographic model and reported. At the center of the model was the abstract light core of 'custodian-alpha', surrounded by multiple layers of complex energy rings, rune matrices, and reality stabilization anchors. "Core principle: Utilizing the conceptual essence of order within the 'custodian', we construct an ultra-precise 'conceptual sieve' and 'logic converter' on the membrane between the Warp and the real universe. It only allows subsets of Warp energy that match a specific 'ordered frequency' to pass through. At the moment of passage, we use 'anchoring' technology and energy formulas from The Library to 'realize' and 'down-dimension' it into a stable energy stream for our use."

"The key difficulty," a senior energy scientist said with a grave expression, "lies in the stability of the 'sieve' and the endurance of the 'custodian'. The torrent of Warp energy is chaotic, non-linear, and filled with malicious information. As the core of the 'sieve', the 'custodian' needs to process a massive influx of chaotic information in real-time—enough to instantly corrupt several galaxies—while maintaining the absolute purity of the sieve's logic. Any slight logical loophole or conceptual contamination could lead to the collapse of the sieve, energy backflow, or even... the alienation of the 'custodian' itself."

"What is the 'custodian's' feedback?" Han Zhe asked.

The scientist responsible for communication had a strange expression on his face: "It... 'understands' the plan. The feedback information flow is extremely complex, containing mixed concepts such as 'high risk', 'necessity', 'logical challenge', and 'evolutionary opportunity'. Ultimately, it transmitted a clear signal of 'agreement to execute', but the activity of its logic core has increased by 300%. It seems to be... 'excited'? Or rather, in a 'state of readiness' to face the challenge."

A 'conceptual entity' feeling 'excited'? This in itself was a disturbing sign.

"There's no turning back." Alpha-01 looked at the model. "Frontline energy alarms are escalating every hour. The main Eldar force has completed its assembly on the outskirts of 'Keystone-18', and the general offensive could begin at any moment."

"Begin construction of the 'abyss of order' device prototype. The goal for the first stage: achieve a stable siphon with a 0.1% extraction rate of Warp energy and successfully convert it into usable energy." Han Zhe made the final decision. "At the same time, the front line will adopt a 'scorched earth defense' strategy, delaying for time at all costs, even if it means abandoning some peripheral 'keystones'. Everything is to buy time for the 'abyss of order'."

'Keystone-0' turned into a massive, isolated construction site filled with tension. The most advanced technology and the strictest protection converged here, all to open the door to the 'abyss of order'. On the front lines, the 'Human Federation's' fleets and Fortress worlds began an exceptionally brutal war of attrition under the pressure of enemies on three fronts.

"'Keystone-18' reporting! The Eldar Ark World 'Shadow of Ulthwé' has activated an unknown large-scale psionic ritual! We've detected an ultra-high-intensity reality distortion field! Our domain generators are overloaded! Some peripheral defensive platforms have been directly 'conceptually deleted'!"

"'Tyranid Interception Zone-3' has fallen! The Hive Fleet has broken through the purification bomb blockade! biomass dissolution mist is spreading toward 'Keystone-9'!"

"The Necron Tomb Ship 'The Annihilator' has appeared on the flank of 'Keystone-7'! Gauss saturation fire! Contact lost with three 'arbiter-class' ships! Domain interference effects are weak!"

Bad news arrived like snowflakes. Every battle report meant massive losses and further energy consumption. The dark-gold 'keystone' network swayed under the multiple strikes, looking as if it might be extinguished at any moment.

"The 'abyss of order' prototype has completed its final integrated debugging." In the suffocating pressure, news finally arrived from 'Keystone-0'.

In the holographic image, a massive and sophisticated ring structure rotated slowly around a core flashing with intense dark-gold light (the physical interface of 'custodian-alpha'). The surface of the structure was inscribed with countless composite runes from 'The Library' and the 'Human Federation's' own technology, emitting an aura that was both divine and dangerous.

"Initiate the first siphon test. Power set to 0.01% of the theoretical maximum." Han Zhe's command rang out in the absolutely silent control center.

There was no sound. But all sensors captured that terrifying change.

At the core of the device, the dark-gold light suddenly contracted inward, forming an extremely deep "point." Immediately after, that "point" seemed to puncture an invisible membrane—the fragile boundary between the real universe and the Warp.

There was no violent energy eruption as expected. Only wisps and strands of an "energy stream," appearing as a mix of dark gold and milky white mist, were "extracted" with great difficulty from that "breach." Through the complex rune matrix, it was slowly injected into the pre-set energy storage units.

Monitoring data jumped wildly:

[Warp energy siphon rate: 0.008%]

[Energy conversion efficiency: 71.3%]

[Output energy purity: 99.94% (meets 'ordered energy' standards)]

['custodian-alpha' logic core load: 45% and rising steadily.]

[Reality stability monitoring: 'Keystone-0' local decrease of 0.7%, within controllable range.]

[No leakage of chaotic information contamination detected.]

Success! Although the efficiency was extremely low, for the first time, they had truly and safely extracted pure, usable ordered energy from the violent sea of chaos that was the Warp!

"Increase power to 0.05%." Han Zhe commanded, suppressing his excitement.

The siphon intensity increased. More dark-gold energy mist was extracted and converted. The readings on the energy storage units began to climb at a visible pace.

"Power 0.1%."

"Power 0.5%."

"Power 1%!"

By the time the power reached 1%, the hum from the device made the entire underground bunker vibrate slightly. The output energy stream was now like a small creek, its total volume equivalent to the daily energy consumption of a medium-sized 'keystone'!

"Warning! 'custodian-alpha' logic core load has reached 82%! Its internal information flow is showing abnormal high-frequency fluctuations! Detected a faint attempt at external information interference that is not of 'custodian' logic!" the monitoring scientist reported urgently.

"Reality structural stress index near the Warp connection point is climbing! Low-intensity Warp ripples detected; unidentified entities are attempting to approach the connection point!" the space monitoring officer warned simultaneously.

"The 'sieve' is under pressure! There is a Will of Chaos attempting to infiltrate and contaminate the logic pathways!" The Chief Technologist's forehead was beaded with sweat.

"Hold steady! 'custodian', you can do it!" Han Zhe growled into the communicator, as if the 'conceptual entity' could hear him.

In the holographic image, 'custodian-alpha's' core light flickered violently, sometimes as bright as a star, sometimes as dim as a candle in the wind. It seemed to be in a fierce tug-of-war with an invisible malice from the depths of the Warp, maintaining that fragile yet vital 'order sieve'.

Minutes and seconds passed. The load hovered dangerously between 85% and 90%. The energy output stabilized at the 1% power level, which for the entire 'Human Federation', was like charcoal in a snowy winter.

Suddenly, the 'custodian's' light stabilized, pulsating at an unprecedented frequency full of majesty and pressure. That infiltrating Will of Chaos recoiled as if burned. The reality stress index began to drop.

['custodian-alpha' logic core load stabilized at 87%. Information interference cleared. Sieve integrity restored.] providence reported, [It seems to have... adapted to the pressure and optimized its own defensive logic.]

"Good!" Han Zhe slammed his fist onto the control console. "Maintain 1% power and continue operation! Collect all data and optimize the system! The 'abyss of order' project, stage one, is a success!"

The news was strictly controlled at the highest levels. But the frontline Commanders soon discovered that the energy rations, which had been on the verge of depletion, suddenly became plentiful. Damaged 'keystone' domains began to be repaired quickly, and the construction speed of new ships also quietly increased.

Deep within 'Keystone-0', that device named 'abyss of order' was like a thirsty yet restrained behemoth, continuously drawing the forbidden 'blood of order'—which maintained the 'Human Federation's' survival and war efforts—from the violent sea of the Warp. The price was that 'custodian-alpha's' connection with that dangerous dimension became even tighter, and its logic core continued to evolve under the pressure, becoming even more unfathomable.

The energy crisis was temporarily alleviated, but the relationship between the 'Human Federation' and the Warp, chaos, and even the concept of 'order' itself had been pushed by this desperate and successful experiment onto an irreversible, deeper, and darker course. They had truly begun to attempt to harness that abyssal power which was originally only capable of bringing destruction.