From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 722 "The Engineer"

Two war maids slowly stepped into the isolation pod.

The flashing red warning lights inside the cabin reflected off their metal armor, outlining a silhouette that was both sacred and austere.

Upon their arrival, the technicians stationed there immediately put away their instruments, exchanged glances, and, though their expressions still held curiosity and doubt, they remained silent at the signal of the two maids, quickly tidying up their equipment and leaving the cabin in order.

Buzz—Shua—

The heavy safety gate closed, its dull metallic echo reverberating through the enclosed space, isolating it from all outside noise.

The air in the cabin seemed to freeze instantly, leaving only the two maids and the two bound survivors.

They did not rush to act, but stood upright in front of the survivors, like judges in an ancient temple.

After a moment of silence, they slowly raised their hands, their fingertips trembling slightly, as if they were outlining some kind of transcendent symbol.

The next instant, a blazing, pure golden light burst forth from their palms, like the first rays of dawn breaking through the darkness, quickly filling the entire cabin.

The light was not dazzling, but rather a gentle and pure light that penetrated to the very core of one's being.

The frenzied babbling that filled the isolation chamber gradually subsided. The dark-skinned man, who had been struggling like a wild beast, suddenly stiffened, and then the convulsions in his body slowly stopped, as if the pain and madness were being driven away by the light little by little.

Another obese man, who had been praying incessantly, gradually calmed down under the cleansing of golden spiritual energy. His fanatical expression was soothed, and his breathing became more even.

The light faded, leaving only a faint afterglow shimmering on the cabin walls.

The two survivors had lost consciousness, their heads bowed quietly, their faces no longer contorted or distorted, as if their souls had been purified by some kind of power.

That tranquility stood in stark contrast to the previous madness.

The two war maids looked at each other, their eyes deep and unfathomable.

They didn't speak, but exchanged subtle glances, as if confirming some preconceived conclusion.

Clearly, their trip was not just for "treatment," but also to verify whether pure spiritual energy could dispel the so-called "aftereffects" and the "range of influence" of the divine seal.

Shortly after.

Deep within the Emperor-class warship, a magnificent cabin slowly comes into view.

This place is completely different from the previous cold and technological style. The surrounding walls are covered with dark red and black wood grain decorations, the beams and pillars are carved with dragon and phoenix patterns, and gilded lamps hang from the ceiling, which are shaped like palace lanterns in ancient Chinese palaces.

The table and screen are both inlaid with gold trim in black lacquer, and several ink landscape scrolls are adorned among them. The ink charm flows under the light and shadow, creating a serene and solemn atmosphere.

The ground is not paved with metal, but with antique-style bluestone slabs, which produce a deep, heavy echo when you walk on them.

The entire cabin exudes an atmosphere that blends the classical and the futuristic, both solemn and majestic, yet retaining the grandeur of imperial dominance.

A tall and imposing figure sat quietly on the main seat.

The heavy armor had been removed, replaced by a white and black military uniform with clean lines, as sharp as a blade.

Sui Meng sat upright in the main seat, his face cold and his eyes unfathomable, like an abyss.

The holographic screen that appeared in mid-air kept flashing, showing the latest news, intelligence, and the progress of the reconstruction of Aegis 7.

He didn't utter a word, but his fingertips moved across the light screen, as if every detail was under his control and deduction.

The cabin was silent, save for the low-frequency sounds of the screens switching and the glow of the data flowing, which illuminated the faint contemplation between his brows.

Sui Meng's expression was cold and stern. He would occasionally raise his fingertips and slide them across the holographic screen that was suspended in mid-air, where data and images surged like a tide.

However, he always carried a solemn expression, as if a thousand troops were galloping deep within his mind.

Right now, he is focused on a thorny issue—

How to deal with the Earth Federation in this universe.

Based on the files compiled by the intelligence department, and with the detailed information provided by his father Sui Yang, Sui Meng had a thorough understanding of this so-called "Federal Government".

At first glance, the Earth Federation appears to be a large entity, controlling vast star sectors and possessing a seemingly prosperous industry and a massive fleet.

However, upon closer examination, corruption and filth had permeated almost every joint of this enormous machine.

Compared to the UEG in the Halo universe, the Federation of Earth is more like a terminally ill corpse.

Although the concentration of power in UEG and UNSC has led to conflicts with various colonies and has its ugly side, at least within their systems there is still a certain rational order that is sufficient to support the normal operation of the massive interstellar colony structure.

The Earth Federation in Dead Space is completely different.

The upper echelons of parliament have long been controlled by oligarchs and tycoons, and their decisions are not based on the future of humanity as a whole, but on the enjoyment and wealth accumulation of the privileged class.

In the simulated images provided by those materials, a series of shocking scenes flashed before Sui Meng's eyes:

Miners toil day and night in planetary mining areas, almost completely deprived of safety and welfare, and their death rate is falsified in public reports as "reasonable loss";
Researchers were forced to participate in certain “experimental projects” that were often linked to the lives of colonists. If a project failed, the massacre was covered up with cold, hard numbers.

The parliament is rife with infighting and factions, and anyone who dares to expose the inside story quickly "disappears," and even their family is wiped out without a trace.

The chill between Sui Meng's brows deepened.

Such a regime is essentially no different from the corruption of warp gods; the only difference is that one relies on the corruption of chaos, while the other relies on the greed of human nature.

But what truly disgusted Sui Meng to the core was not just the corruption of the Federation, but the malignant tumor that parasitized it—

Unification Church.

According to information from the intelligence department, the actions of the Unification Church are almost disgusting.

It claims to be "divine revelation," but its methods involve spreading fear and delusion.

What is even more infuriating is its intricate collusion with the power structure of the Earth Federation.

Many politicians even tacitly allow the Unification Church to infiltrate the lower classes, simply because it can reduce "useless" opposition for them.

The Unification Church has used this opportunity to expand continuously, not only manipulating public opinion but also secretly promoting dangerous experiments and plans, many of which are related to the "divine seal".

Thinking of this, Sui Meng's hand suddenly tightened, producing a low metallic clanging sound.

His anger was almost uncontrollable. If he were to let his emotions dictate his actions, he would want to order the Imperial Warriors to completely eradicate the entire Unification Sect from its very foundation and bloodline.

Fortunately, he was not a reckless person.

After a moment, Sui Meng's breathing gradually calmed down, and his eyes regained their composure.

He knew that if he continued to slaughter, it would inevitably cause a strong backlash and panic among the people.

The Unification Church has grown strong not only through lies and conspiracies, but also because of the corruption and ruthlessness of the Federation, which has driven countless ordinary people to lose hope.

They chose to attach themselves to a sect that claimed to "bring salvation" when they lost loved ones and were struggling in poverty and despair.

These grassroots believers are, in essence, victims.

They are not enemies, but innocent civilians. If the empire's iron hooves crush them all, it will only make the empire no different from chaos, ultimately becoming another synonym for tyranny.

He must find a more precise path.

The high-ranking members of the Unification Church, those behind the scenes who truly understand the dangers of the Divine Seal and intentionally promote the "degeneration" of humanity, are the ones who must be completely eliminated.

Ordinary believers, on the other hand, need to be gradually guided and saved.

They need to see order and justice in the empire, to feel true peace and a future, instead of continuing to eke out a living under corruption and deception.

The light and shadow on the holographic screen slowly shifted, revealing an organizational chart of the Earth Federation Council.

The intricate network of relationships connected powerful figures, conglomerates, and the secret channels of the Unification Church.

Sui Meng's gaze gradually sharpened, as if a sharp blade were slicing through the fog.

He has already decided that his next move will not only dismantle the pillars of the federal government, but also sever the roots of the Unification Church.

His fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair, the rhythm steady. Only precise strikes and systematic cleansing could truly restore order to this universe, instead of plunging it into another chaos of blood and fire.

In this ancient Chinese-style cabin, Sui Meng's figure appeared even more solemn against the backdrop of golden and inky black light. The Primarch sat quietly beneath the Imperial banner like a statue of judgment, contemplating how to reshape the future of a universe with iron and fire.

Thump, thump!

At this moment, the two war maids slowly entered the cabin, their imposing and solemn aura like flames swept in by the wind.

Sui Meng gathered his thoughts from the main seat, his expression changing from cold and stern to serious, and his gaze fell on the two of them.

Two maids came to the center of the cabin, knelt on one knee at the same time, placed their hands on their chests, and called out in a low, unison voice:
"Prime Minister."

That call was like a prayer in an ancient ritual.

Sui Meng nodded slightly, his voice deep and powerful:
"how?"

The two then stood up, and one of the maids stepped forward, her figure upright, her eyes still gleaming with the lingering glow of psionic energy.

His tone was calm, yet carried a hint of warning:
"Your Highness, our psychic energy can indeed dispel the mental erosion of the divine mark on ordinary people. Those survivors whose minds were disturbed by the mark have been purified and returned to normal."

One point has also been confirmed—

Humans who have been attacked by zombie variants suffer deeper psychological trauma.

Even if the divine seal itself is sealed, it will still leave behind irreversible disorder, like some kind of physical erosion. This is not just a mental problem, but more like a distortion of the intertwining of energy and matter.

Having said that, the maid's gaze turned cold, as if reminding everyone that this was not a disease that could simply be eliminated by medical technology, but a deeper calamity.

A thoughtful shadow appeared between Sui Meng's brows.

He didn't rush to respond, but remained silent for a moment before nodding slightly, his tone cold and decisive:
"I understand. This matter cannot be taken lightly. You may all leave now."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The maids bowed and then slowly withdrew from the cabin.

With the hum of the hatch closing, the vast cabin fell silent once more, leaving only Sui Meng alone.

At this moment, the entire space seemed even more vast, and the silence seemed to swallow our breath.

Sui Meng turned his gaze back to the holographic screen in front of him, where data flowed like a rushing river, converging into clear images of the situation.

He began to conduct a more sober deduction.

Based on the number of survivors, the residual signals, and the inertial response of the Federation's emergency doctrine, he could almost certainly conclude that Federation ships would arrive near Aegis 7 in a short time.

The other side will not allow a flagship-level engineering behemoth, the Ishimura, to completely lose contact.

Moreover, those high-ranking politicians and tycoons are very likely to see this incident as part of a political game and a conflict of interests.

This means that the Imperial Warrior Legion will inevitably clash head-on with the Earth Federation Army.

Sui Meng tapped the edge of the table with his fingertips, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

The initial clash may not immediately escalate into a full-scale war, but it is destined to be the spark that ignites the Empire's first thunderous roar in the Dead Space universe.

"Earth Federation."

Sui Meng uttered these four words in a low voice, his tone containing both a cold laugh and murderous intent.

In his mind, the Earth Federation was nothing more than an empty shell hijacked by corrupt power and fanatical cults; its existence was a desecration of human civilization.

If the Empire wants to establish itself in this universe, its first battle must make it clear to the other side that true order and power cannot be challenged.

He reached out and pressed a button, and the holographic image switched to the fleet deployment map.

The Imperial Warriors' fleet hovered outside the orbit of Aegis 7, like cold, sharp blades among the stars. The firepower distribution and cover angles of each cruiser were clearly visualized in his mind.

Furthermore, while planning this impending conflict, another thought lingered in his mind.
That is, the father's instructions.

The intelligence that Sui Yang personally handed to him clearly pointed to one name: Isaac Clark.

If you encounter him in a chaotic situation, be sure to observe him closely.

These words still resonate in Sui Meng's memory.

He had pondered the deeper meaning of his father's words countless times.
Why would a father specifically mention an engineer?

The other party wasn't even a military officer or a scientific giant; he was just an ordinary technician.

However, if his father revealed it, it must mean that there was a hidden truth that had not yet been revealed. Although Sui Meng had doubts in his heart, he never doubted his father's judgment.

He leaned back slightly in his seat, staring at the flashing rescue boat icon on the screen.

He then pulled up information about the Kellyon rescue ship, browsing names like "Kandela Daniels" and "Zach Hammond," eventually stopping at the line for "Isaac Clark."

His fingertips paused on the name for a moment, his gaze darkening.

"engineer"

He murmured to himself, his voice carrying a hint of inquiry and confusion.

But soon, a cold expression once again overshadowed all hesitation.

Since his father had made it clear, all he had to do was observe, verify, and then protect or control the situation when necessary.

Inside the cabin, only holographic light and shadow flowed in his eyes, reflecting his iron-cast profile.

Soon, he will face the first test from the Empire and the Earth Federation, and the aftermath of that conflict will surely determine the future landscape of the entire universe.

As for Isaac Clark, that seemingly ordinary engineer, perhaps he was the key to turning things around.

(End of this chapter)