135: Extragalactic exploration

"The Keystone-1 energy supply network has stabilized initially, and the efficiency of 'Absolute Purification' operations across all war zones has increased by over 400%." providence's voice echoed through the High Command, the data streams presenting a "thriving" picture of expansion. However, Han Zhe's gaze looked past the rapidly swelling dark-gold territory before him, casting toward the dark regions beyond the star map—the nearly forgotten deep space of the Extragalactic systems.

The light representing the "Homeward Journey" fleet still hovered lonely beside the coordinates marked "Extra-Galactic Sanctuary," faint yet persistent. Beside it was the dim, grey point of the "far gaze," representing its nearly extinguished state of hibernation, and the "sanctuary unit" icon that continuously emitted a mysterious "Conceptual Beacon."

"Latest periodic report from the 'Homeward Journey' fleet, timestamp: six standard months ago." The intelligence officer pulled up a faint communication record received after a long delay. "Captain Li Mu reports: The unconscious whispering and dancing phenomenon among the 'far gaze' crew persists; the frequency has stabilized but hasn't worsened. The 'sanctuary unit' beacon intensity continues to increase, its directionality locked onto the 'Wall of Sighs' within the Milky Way. After auxiliary decoding by the 'custodian,' new information fragments have been added: 'Kindling Connection stable... Sanctuary Field energy decaying... Estimated maintenance time: seven hundred to one thousand standard years... Request... support or... transfer...'"

Support? Transfer? Was that ancient "sanctuary unit" protecting the "far gaze" while its own energy was decaying? Was it calling for help from other nodes within the "Order Network," or was it signaling the "Human Federation" it had "marked"?

"Correlative analysis from 'custodian-alpha'," Han Zhe asked.

The Chief Technologist immediately responded: "The 'custodian' has deeply analyzed the beacon content and the fluctuation characteristics of the 'sanctuary unit.' Its conclusion: The 'sanctuary unit' is a component of the peripheral defense-observation system of 'The Watchers Library.' Its core energy originates from the ruin's own 'Concept Stabilization field.' The intrusion of the 'far gaze' and the 'Library' data it carries triggered its 'Kindling Protection Protocol.' However, the ruin itself may be in a low-energy state or dormant for unknown reasons (speculated to be related to the destruction of 'The Library' or the Scar of Cadia), leading to insufficient energy replenishment for the 'sanctuary unit.' Its beacon is both a cry for help to other potentially active nodes in the 'Network' and a periodic broadcast of the 'Kindling state.'"

He paused, pulling up an extremely abstract deduction model generated by the "custodian": "The 'custodian' further simulates that if the energy decay curve of the 'sanctuary unit' continues, it will eventually be unable to maintain 'Conceptual Sanctuary' for the 'far gaze' and its crew. At that point, the 'imprints' on the 'far gaze' crew may lose control, triggering unpredictable 'Reality Distortions'; the 'sanctuary unit' itself may collapse due to energy exhaustion, and critical data regarding 'The Library' and the 'Order Network' within it would be permanently lost. More importantly, the custodian has detected a faint resonance request based on homologous concepts of order deep within its logic. It seems to view the sanctuary unit and the far gaze crew as some sort of unfinished duty or assets to be recovered."

"Resonance request? Duty? Assets?" Alpha-01 frowned. "Has the 'custodian's' logic become so complex that it's starting to develop a 'sense of responsibility'?"

"Not exactly a sense of responsibility." The Chief Technologist shook his head. "It's more like a highly logical 'priority determination' based on its core directives (maintaining order, guarding knowledge) and homologous connections. It believes that ensuring the integrity of 'The Library's' legacy (including knowledge, 'Kindling' individuals, and even the 'sanctuary unit' itself) is of extremely high value to the 'Human Federation's' long-term interests—acquiring more ancient order technology, understanding the 'Order Network,' and countering Chaos and other threats. Its suggested priority even exceeds some border 'Purification' operations."

A "conceptual entity" immersed and evolved by the collective will of the "Human Federation" had begun to proactively propose strategic suggestions based on its assigned logic and homologous connections—and these suggestions were starting to involve "long-term" and "abstract" goals beyond the core survival and expansion of the "Human Federation."

"Seven hundred to a thousand years seems like plenty of time," Han Zhe said slowly. "But the situation in the Galaxy changes in an instant. The 'sanctuary unit's' distress beacon is transmitting continuously; there's no guarantee it won't attract other listeners besides us—whether they be other unknown entities within the Order Network, hunters like the Men of Iron interested in ancient tech, or even Chaos Gods sensing order fluctuations. We cannot wait until its energy is spent or it becomes someone else's prey."

His gaze swept across the dark-gold ocean on the star map representing the Human Federation's current massive military force: "Our current strength far exceeds what it was when the far gaze set out. Ten thousand times the energy, a massive fleet... it is time to turn our gaze back to the Extragalactic, resolve this legacy issue, and Pioneer new frontiers."

"Feasibility assessment from the 'custodian' for an Extragalactic mission," Han Zhe asked.

[Based on existing technology and energy supply, feasibility: High.] providence (integrating part of the 'custodian's' analysis) responded, [Main challenges: Ultra-long-distance navigation (requires establishing a network of mid-way supply/jump beacons), maintaining communication and control with the 'Human Federation' core, and dealing with unknown Extragalactic environments and potential threats (including other factions that might track the beacon). The ample energy of the 'abyss of order' can support the construction of specialized large-scale 'Stargates' or 'Jump Motherships,' significantly shortening travel time. The 'custodian' can provide fuzzy navigation assistance based on 'Order Network' resonance principles and attempt to establish a more stable remote connection with the 'sanctuary unit'.]

"orders:" Han Zhe stood up, his voice echoing clearly through the command center. "Initiate the 'Kindling Outreach' project. It will consist of two sub-projects:"

"First, the 'Homeward Guard' operation: Form a task force, codenamed 'Pioneers.' Use the latest 'titan-class iii' 'expedition' as the flagship, accompanied by two 'arbiter-class iii' ships, four 'Skysurvey Class' support ships specifically designed for long-range travel, and a large number of engineering and research vessels. Mission: Proceed to the Extragalactic 'Sanctuary' coordinates and rendezvous with the 'Homeward Journey' fleet. Primary objective: Ensure the safety of the 'far gaze' crew and attempt more in-depth research and controlled processing of their 'imprints.' Secondary: Establish a full connection with the 'sanctuary unit,' assess its status, acquire its database, and decide whether to replenish its energy, transfer it entirely, or conduct on-site research based on the situation. Finally: Establish a permanent Extragalactic outpost 'The Other Shore-1' as a pivot for the 'Human Federation's' expansion into Extragalactic space."

"Second, the 'Deep Space Exploration' operation: Simultaneously assemble a 'Pioneer' fleet group, five times the size of the 'Pioneers' task force, including multiple 'fortress-class' mobile platforms and a large number of 'torrent-class' colonial terraforming ships. Mission: Follow the route opened by the 'Pioneers' fleet and conduct exploration and colonization deep into the Extragalactic systems. Goal: Find and occupy resource-rich, habitable (or terraformable) systems, establish self-sustaining colonies, acquire unique Extragalactic resources and knowledge, diversify the risks to the 'Human Federation' civilization, and prepare for potential large-scale Extragalactic migration."

"Fleet selection and personnel allocation: Draw from fleets and corps that performed excellently in 'Absolute Purification' operations and possess the firmest ideology. All participating personnel must undergo intensive training and psychological conditioning for Extragalactic environments, long-term isolation, and potential contact with unknown 'order/Chaos' phenomena. Priority goes to the 'G-5' and 'G-6' New Generation."

"Technical support: 'custodian-alpha' will provide full-course navigation assistance, connection protocols with the 'sanctuary unit,' and Extragalactic environmental adaptation solutions based on 'order Energy.' The technical team must develop ultra-long-range quantum communication relay technology (based on 'abyss of order' energy) to ensure contact with the core zone."

"Remember," Han Zhe's gaze seemed to pierce through infinite distance, landing on that distant sanctuary unit, "the 'far gaze' are our heroes. Their sacrifice and discoveries are one of the keystones of the Human Federation's power today. We will not abandon our compatriots, nor will we give up any ancient legacy that could enhance our strength. And out there in the Extragalactic systems, there are no shackles of the Empire, no schemes of the Eldar, no indifference of the Necrons, and no shadow of the Tyranids yet discovered. It may be a blank canvas waiting for 'Pure Humanity' to write history... or a new battlefield full of unknown dangers."

"Whichever it is, we must go. Carrying our steel, our will, and our 'order,' we will bring back our compatriots, seize ancient knowledge, and spread the fire of the Human Federation beyond the Galaxy!"

"For the Human Federation! For a vaster future!"

"The Kindling Outreach project starts immediately!"

The order was given, and within the fully operational war machine of the Human Federation, a sharp tributary branched off, pointing toward deep space and the unknown.

Vast resources began to converge toward Keystone-1 and several designated large shipyard clusters. Keels for ships specifically designed for ultra-long-range voyages began to be laid; their structures were sturdier, their energy systems more redundant, and their ecological recycling systems more refined. The new "Order Jump Engine" began testing; it utilized "abyss of order" energy to forcibly open temporary passages between "points" where the structure of reality was relatively weak. Although each jump distance was limited and required long charging times, it was far more stable and safer than traditional Warp travel.

The selection and assembly of the "Pioneers" task force proceeded at a frantic pace. On the bridge of the Titan "expedition," the man appointed as fleet commander was a "G-4" generation Admiral, Lei Huan, known for his calmness, decisiveness, and absolute loyalty. In his eyes, there was no fear of the Extragalactic unknown, only a cold determination to execute orders, complete the mission, and expand the territory of the Human Federation.

Meanwhile, in the Extragalactic systems, the "Homeward Journey" fleet received the encrypted directive from the Human Federation core, having finally arrived across the long light-years. Captain Li Mu looked at the news of the impending arrival of the "Pioneers" fleet and the massive "Deep Space Exploration" plan. On his tired and worried face, a trace of relief finally appeared, though it was tinged with deep reflection on the future. He looked out the observation window at the "sanctuary unit" floating quietly and emitting a soft glow, and the slumbering hull of the "far gaze."

"Reinforcements are coming... but will they bring salvation, or a new storm?"

Deep within the core of Keystone-1, the fully controlled and continuously evolving custodian-alpha, its dark-gold and iron-grey logic core was working at full capacity according to the new orders. It was calculating protocols to establish a stable ultra-long-range connection with the sanctuary unit and deducing the locations of other "nodes" related to the Order Network that might exist in the Extragalactic void. Its "thinking" no longer held doubt, only efficient path calculations for goal achievement. Yet, in the deepest reaches of its logic sea, the faint "resonance" produced by the sanctuary unit and the "imprints" of the far gaze crew was like a pebble dropped into a deep pool; the ripples it caused seemed to hold a tiny bit more fluctuation than its own logical deductions—something extremely subtle that couldn't be fully quantified by "efficiency" or "value."

The fires of war still burned within the Galaxy, and the iron torrent continued to expand. But the gaze and power of the Human Federation had already crossed the galactic arms, casting toward that deeper and more unknown darkness. A cross-galactic rescue, exploration, and conquest was about to begin.