81: Styx Siphon

"The initial 'Conceptual Fog' layer of the 'wall of sighs' performed beyond expectations during the Imperial Fleet incident, effectively interfering with their sensors and masking the main construction activities of the 'Ark World'," the Chief Engineer reported at the holographic meeting, with data streams displaying the increasingly magnificent skeleton of the 'Ark World' and the camouflage energy field spreading around its periphery like a nebula. "The first batch of one hundred automated defense platforms for the second-phase 'Zero-Point Resonance Network' has been deployed and is in standby mode. 37% of the node laying for the third-phase 'Ark Shield' has been completed."

Han Zhe listened to the report, but his gaze was somewhat distant. His fingertips unconsciously tapped the armrest of his seat, his thoughts seemingly drifting toward a very distant, even somewhat illusory dimension. The 'strong on the outside but hollow on the inside' performance of the Imperial Fleet had certainly brought a subtle shift in strategic mindset, but it also acted like a needle, pricking a long-buried memory bubble deep within his heart.

That was before his 'transmigration,' in another completely different universe and under a different civilization background, where he had been a fanatical astrophysics and science fiction enthusiast, immersed in countless bizarre theories and concepts. Among them, one concept had been deeply etched into his mind due to its extreme madness and grandeur—the Ethereal Phase Engine.

It wasn't an 'engine' in the strict sense, but a theoretical ultimate device capable of interacting directly with the universe's bottom-most 'Phase Structure' or 'Sea of Information' (different theoretical systems call it differently), thereby drawing near-infinite energy and even potentially achieving faster-than-light travel or cross-dimensional leaps. It was more like a 'Reality Regulator' or an 'Interface to the Cosmic Veins.' In that universe, it was merely a wild fantasy in the writings of science fiction authors or cutting-edge theoretical physicists.

But here, it was the Warhammer 40,000 universe. A dark world where the Warp truly existed, psychic powers were rampant, and the boundary between reality and illusion was blurred. Did the so-called 'Ether,' 'Phase,' and 'Sea of Information'... have some terrible correspondence or even... equivalence with the 'Warp,' 'Psionic Power,' and 'Conceptual Realms' here?

A thought so crazy it made his soul tremble, like lightning splitting the darkness, suddenly illuminated the wasteland of his mind: What if the 'Ethereal Phase Engine' concept from that universe's theory was transplanted into this universe? Using its principles, combined with the unique characteristics of the 'Warp' here, 'Concept Stabilization' technology, Zero-Point Energy, and the 'purification' and 'anchoring' properties of the 'Pure Kindling' represented by the k-73 relic against Chaos... would it be possible to build a device capable of actively and controllably drawing, filtering, and converting Warp energy?

Not guiding it like the Astronomican, nor utilizing it through corruption like Chaos, and certainly not isolating it for passage like the Aeldari Webway. But... siphoning it. Like inserting a specially made 'straw' into a violent ocean of energy to draw out its pure energy essence, while simultaneously stripping, purifying, or harmlessly transforming the Chaos contamination and malicious will contained within through 'Pure Kindling' protocols and 'Concept Stabilization' technology!

This idea was too crazy, too sacrilegious, too... dangerous. The Warp is the domain of Chaos, the home and graveyard of souls, the reflection and tumor of the real universe. Any attempt to 'utilize' the Warp on a large scale was no different from playing with fire and was extremely likely to backfire, potentially even becoming a new breach for Chaos.

But... the 'Human Federation' was already walking the path of sacrilege and heresy. Non-standard applications of STCs, the awakening of ancient AI, the fusion of xenos relics, large-scale cloning, and genetic modification... adding one more forbidden technology like 'siphoning the Warp' didn't seem to make much difference. Especially after confirming that the Empire was not a monolithic block and that they already had a certain ability to contend with marginal forces, a more radical desire for near-infinite energy and possibilities grew in his heart like a poisonous vine.

Energy had always been one of the biggest bottlenecks restricting the development of the 'Human Federation.' While Zero-Point Energy was good, the cost of finding resonance points and maintaining arrays was extremely high. The grand blueprint of the 'Ark World' required astronomical amounts of energy support. If there could be a more powerful, more 'direct' source of energy... Han Zhe took a deep breath, suppressing the surging waves in his heart. He looked at the people in the meeting room, his voice steady but carrying an unquestionable penetration:

"Pause for a moment. I have a... new concept that needs providence to conduct a top-priority theoretical deduction."

Everyone's eyes focused on him.

"The tentative name for the concept: 'Warp Energy Directional Siphon and Purification Array,' codename 'Styx Siphon'," Han Zhe said slowly, each word seemingly carrying immense weight. "Its core theoretical inspiration comes from a very ancient, unverified conceptual model. The goal: under the premise of ensuring absolute controllability and safe isolation, attempt to establish a one-way, controlled 'energy transmission channel' between us and the Warp, utilizing 'Pure Kindling' protocols and 'Concept Stabilization' technology to perform preliminary purification and transformation of the siphoned Warp energy, converting it into stable 'Origin Energy' or other usable forms that we can utilize."

The meeting room fell into a dead silence. The Chief Technologist's mouth hung open, Alpha-01's brow furrowed into a knot, and others showed looks of horror. Siphoning Warp energy?! This was crazier than dealing directly with Chaos! One must know that any direct contact with the Warp was accompanied by the risk of being contaminated, eroded by whispers, or even directly dragged into eternal nightmares by demons!

"Chairman... this... this is too dangerous!" a senior physicist stammered. "The Warp is not an ordinary energy source; it is active and full of malice! Any siphoning behavior could be seen as a provocation or... an invitation!"

"I know the risks," Han Zhe interrupted calmly. "That's why the strictest theoretical deduction and isolation design are needed. What we want is not to open a door, but to create a 'one-way valve' that only allows energy of a specific 'frequency' or 'nature' to pass through, and which has the strongest 'purification filters' and 'conceptual firewalls' built-in. At the same time, this device must be established in the place where our control is strongest and protection is tightest, such as... the very core of the 'Ark World', heavily protected under the 'wall of sighs' and multiple 'Reality Weaving' isolation layers."

He looked at the communication interface of providence: "providence, retrieve all data regarding Warp energy structures, the nature of psionic power, Chaos contamination mechanisms, and the 'conceptual purification' part of the k-73 'Pure Kindling' protocol. Combine this with the original theoretical framework of the 'Ethereal Phase Engine' (I will provide descriptive information from my memory) to conduct a feasibility analysis. Focus the assessment on: the theoretical upper limit of energy siphoning efficiency, the effectiveness boundaries of purification protocols, risk models for loss of control, and most critically—how to prevent the device itself from becoming a 'Trojan Horse' or 'beacon' for Chaos invasion."

[Instruction received. Inputting Ethereal Phase Engine original theoretical framework data... analyzing...] providence's data stream instantly became turbulent, its computing core clearly fully occupied by this unprecedented subject. [Warning: This concept involves extreme application and challenge to the fundamental laws of the universe (current universe). There are numerous records in the database regarding similar attempts (whether by humans, Aeldari, or other races) leading to catastrophic consequences. Success rate... impossible to estimate. But the theoretical logical chain... has the possibility of self-consistency. Especially combined with k-73's 'Pure Kindling' protocol, its 'identification' and 'rejection' characteristics towards Chaos energy could become the key to the purification process.]

"I need more specific deductions, not just possibilities," Han Zhe emphasized. "Proceed in stages. Phase one: theoretical model construction and simulation testing to verify the mathematical self-consistency of the core principles. Phase two: design a small, ultra-isolated laboratory prototype for the lowest power, ultra-short-time verification experiments. The location... will be set deep within the core of 'Forge-I', wrapped in the thickest physical barriers and multiple 'Concept Stabilization' fields. Phase three: based on the experimental results, decide whether and how to continue."

"Chairman, even if the theory is feasible, the experimental process is extremely dangerous!" Alpha-01 said in a deep voice. "In case of a loss of control, even a tiny leak could contaminate the entire core of 'Forge-I' and even trigger unpredictable Warp phenomena!"

"Therefore, the experiment must be accompanied by the highest level of contingency plans," Han Zhe nodded. "Including but not limited to: a self-destruct system for the experimental device (dual guarantee of physical annihilation and conceptual erasure), complete isolation and disposable design for the experimental area, and... once uncontrollable signs of contamination appear, immediate activation of 'purification protocols' for the entire experimental area and even related parts of 'Forge-I' (including possible partial sacrifices). Furthermore, all participating personnel must undergo the strictest mental and genetic screening and be equipped with the latest and strongest 'tranquility' modules."

He looked around at everyone, his gaze firm: "I know this sounds like the behavior of a mad gambler. But think about it, if we succeed, what does it mean? Near-infinite, stable, and clean (relatively speaking) energy! This means the 'Ark World' can be built faster, our fleet can obtain more powerful propulsion and weapons, and our research can break through more bottlenecks! It might even... provide us with a completely new, energy-level means of countering Chaos!"

"Risks and opportunities coexist, and both are immense," Han Zhe summarized. "I order that the 'Styx Siphon' project be classified as a top-priority top-secret project on the same level as the 'Ark World' from now on. providence will be in overall charge, drawing top, most reliable, and most psychologically resilient personnel from various fields to form a team. All research activities must be conducted in an absolutely isolated and absolutely confidential environment. The external project number will be called the 'Deep Core Energy Optimization Experiment'."

The meeting ended in a heavy atmosphere filled with unknown excitement (for some of the scientists). Han Zhe remained alone in the meeting room, looking at the light point on the star map representing the 'Ark World' construction zone, and the deeper red light point next to it that had just been marked as the 'Deep Core Experimental Zone'.

"Ethereal Phase Engine"... a wild fantasy from another universe was about to undergo its first dangerous attempt in this dark and desperate Warhammer universe in the form of the "Styx Siphon."

He seemed to already be able to hear, deep within the Warp, those unspeakable existences emitting greedy and malicious whispers and... mockery? All because of this soon-to-be-born 'little device' attempting to steal energy from their eternal dinner table.

Or perhaps... vigilance?

No one knew. But the Human Federation's steps in exploring the forbidden and challenging the boundaries had been taken once again, stepping into dangerous unknown waters that even Chaos itself might not have anticipated.

Energy is the lifeblood of civilization. And they were about to attempt to steal this scalding blood from the furnace of hell.