From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 727 The "Sacred Relic" That Turned the Tide

Once Sui Meng's images ended, Earth in "Dead Space" entered a near-complete "silence".

Holographic screens, space communication, small floating displays, and projection booths on street corners—

All information channels seemed to be simultaneously muted by an invisible hand, and people hesitantly raised their heads, as if to face a new kind of judgment.

Astronomers briefly put down their telescopes, economists halted their curve calculations, and the interpretations of the military and civilians became chaotic. Fear spread like fog, quickly permeating the daily lives of all social classes.

In federal command centers around the world, cold light screens reflected the tired, tense faces of the generals.

The chiefs of staff of the EDF (Earth Defense Force) were engaged in a heated debate in a closed meeting room.
Should an immediate strike be launched?
Should we claim to accept the other party's conditions in exchange for time?

Statistical data shows that the size and energy distribution of the opposing fleet are far beyond what the Federation's existing combat capabilities can match.

If war breaks out rashly, the Earth Defense Force will face incalculable casualties, and key infrastructure will also be at risk of being destroyed.

However, if they surrender, the legitimacy of the federal government and the value of all military and intelligence agencies will be instantly destroyed.

"We cannot simply show weakness."

An elderly admiral said in a firm voice, "First, stabilize the key orbital front, cautiously probe the enemy's intentions, and at the same time prepare for war with all our might to gain strategic depth in outer space."
Or, to put it another way, first use war to open up the situation, then use the spoils of war to gain more benefits, and only then will it be the perfect opportunity to consider whether to surrender.

His words were like a cooling agent injected into the slight anxiety in the room.

Meanwhile, the Unification Church's high-level meetings have fallen into another, darker calculation.

The sect leaders gathered under the enormous dome of light, whispering among themselves.

Sui Meng's appearance was both a boon and a threat to them. Grassroots believers were already celebrating "God's arrival" in the streets, which was tantamount to recruiting a large number of believers for them.

However, if the Empire decides to take direct control of Earth, the doctrines, organization, and power of the Unification Church will be reshaped, divided, or even completely replaced.

As a result, the top management quickly formulated two strategies.

On the one hand, they openly raised the banner of "welcoming the gods" to consolidate public support; on the other hand, they secretly contacted their cronies in the Federation, attempting to create chaos, delay the Federation's united front, and gain bargaining chips for themselves.

In cities, the market is the first to react.

The Earth's financial network experienced a brief period of panic after Sui Meng's appearance, with flash crashes in stocks and bonds, violent fluctuations in currency exchange rates, and hoarding of energy and food reserves. All of these made ordinary citizens feel more vulnerable than ever before.

The credit system came under pressure in a short period of time, and federal financial regulators were forced to announce emergency liquidity support and restrict large-scale "cross-border" transfers to prevent capital flight.

At the mall entrance, the queues gradually turned from fear to anger, and the seeds of protest and riots were quietly sprouting in several major cities.

At a higher level of competition, intelligence and counterintelligence networks launched covert and deadly operations.

Federal intelligence agencies did not underestimate their adversary.

They knew that the Imperial Warriors were not simply a colonial army; the technology and organizational capabilities behind those giant ships signified a completely new power restructuring.

Thus, a special task force was quietly formed.

Special forces fleets, cyber saboteurs, and several psychological warfare experts are tasked with probing the Empire's true intentions, identifying vulnerabilities for countermeasures, and, if necessary, launching strategic counterattacks.

At the same time, the Imperial Guards also did not passively wait.

Sui Meng was in command from his flagship in near-Earth orbit, and he knew he had to exert pressure both politically and militarily.

It is necessary to demonstrate sufficient deterrence to force the federal leadership to comply, while also winning public support in the name of civilization and order.

His fleet did not launch a blind assault, but instead implemented a three-step strategy:
The first step is lockdown and control.

The Imperial Infantry Fleet, through highly coordinated orbital deployment, cut off numerous supply routes and established mechanized checkpoints near major satellite orbits, where any unauthorized voyages were either dissuaded or directly intercepted.

This move is not an immediate militarization, but rather a demonstration to the Earth of Dead Space, under the guise of control and order, that "takeover is not a barbaric invasion, but an orderly integration."

The second step is psychological warfare and propaganda.

Sui Meng used the internet to send a unified message to the solar system. The empire brought not destruction and war, but rescue and hope.

In the video, he described in a calm, efficient, and even slightly warm tone the medical, ecological restoration, food and energy support that the empire could provide in the short term, and emphasized that the empire's unification would eliminate the earth's long-standing corruption and inequality.

The information was precisely targeted to low-income communities, conflict-prone areas, and areas where the Unity Church had a strong influence, quickly winning the favor and anticipation of those groups.

The third step is to set an example.

The Imperial Army did not conceal its technological advantages. They demonstrated the ecological restoration project of Aegis 7 in near-Earth orbit, and then sent medical and engineering teams to establish a supply point near lunar orbit under the guise of "rescue". They also deployed a batch of infrastructure equipment and medical resources to Earth.

Through this series of "first acts of kindness," the Imperial Army attempted to establish moral legitimacy, paving the way for deeper integration in the future.

But the Earth Federation was not "convinced" by these measures.
To be precise, even though the Earth Federation knew that its own military strength was no match for the Imperial Warrior Legion, the higher-ups still considered starting a war in order to maximize their own interests and gain more political bargaining chips.

Several federal rapid reaction forces were redeployed to low Earth orbit, their readiness levels were raised, and nuclear warheads were transferred to launch platforms.

From the Federation's perspective, if the Imperial Army continues to arbitrarily "invade" the Earth's surface and the Moon, nuclear deterrence will be considered the last line of defense.

Meanwhile, among the general public, the tug-of-war between resistance and cooperation is intensifying.

Spontaneous militias emerged in the city, some advocating for the Federation and the Unity Church, others embracing the Empire's "New Order."

Social media is flooded with videos and "eyewitness testimonies" that are difficult to distinguish as true or false.

Some claimed to have seen Imperial Army robots distributing food among the crowds, while others spread rumors about the Empire secretly executing rebels.

Amidst this information war, the Unification Church leadership was even more apprehensive. Many members struggling financially regarded Sui Meng's appearance as a miracle, while the moderate faction within the church began urging members to remain calm and await more detailed intelligence.

The most dangerous pawns are often those "gray forces" that belong neither to the government nor are controlled by any organization.

Smuggling gangs, mercenary networks, and private armies formed through collusion between government and business.

They began to reorganize at an alarming rate, attempting to profit from the chaos.

Hedge funds are betting in the shadows, arms smugglers are signing protection agreements with local powers, and the city's black market is bustling with activity.

Sui Meng did not overlook these factors. The special agents and elites under the legion would concentrate their attacks on these strongholds that might hinder the unification, while at the same time, through secret agreements, they would incorporate or dismantle some local armed forces to achieve stability over the greatest extent possible at the lowest cost.

In this situation where things were changing almost every minute and every second, Sui Meng focused on steady progress. He also signed several temporary agreements, authorizing the Imperial Engineering Department and the Biological Department to directly enter the infrastructure nodes designated by Earth in "Dead Space" for maintenance and repair, with all actions carried out under the guise of "humanitarian aid."

At the same time, he also ordered the fleet to remain on high alert, and that the Imperial Army would respond with overwhelming force should the EDF or the Unification Church launch an uncontrolled offensive.

Under Athena's careful guidance, Sui Meng understood very well that true unification was not just about military coercion, but also about making those being unified see the benefits and feel order, efficiency, and security.

Within the federal government, the divide between conservatives and hardliners is widening.

Some generals are increasingly convinced that limited military conflict can be used to gain leverage at the negotiating table.

Some people, on the other hand, tend to secretly contact the Imperial Guards, seeking a compromise between face and practical interests.

Diplomatic channels were opened and closed repeatedly, espionage activities were rapidly evolving, and disputes between the International Court of Justice and the United Nations Parliament filled the forums.

The Earth Federation, or more specifically, the uncertainty brought about by the internal divisions within humanity, as depicted in Dead Space.
A fragmented Earth is harder to restore than an external unification.

Twenty-four hours after the portal opened;

Sui Meng stood quietly on the bridge of the Renwei Yonggu, with the Earth's sapphire-like outline in the distance.

He knew that the real "test" had only just begun; it was not only a military conquest, but also a reconstruction of culture, institutions, beliefs, and soul.

The Empire aims to integrate the Dead Space universe, not only by mastering the physical form of the Seals, but also by covering old wounds with new systems, replacing chaos with order, and suppressing fear with hope.

If the Earth Federation continues to wait and see, then Sui Meng will divide his fleet into three major groups: military, engineering, and propaganda, each to connect with key nodes on Earth.

He ordered the creation of a detailed "takeover blueprint," outlining everything from energy and communications to food supplies and temporary structures for justice and local governance, all to be laid out by the Imperial Guards.

At the same time, Sui Meng also authorized the special task force to use "physical persuasion" against key enterprises such as the Unification Church, high-ranking military officers, and Harmony Mining Company, just like his father had done, in order to minimize open conflict and reduce the possibility of a full-scale war.

On Earth, as night and day alternate, hundreds of billions of people are still peering into the unknown future.

Some people knelt in worship, some gripped weapons tightly, some distributed leaflets, and some were busy transferring assets in the shadows.

They didn't know Sui Meng's true trump card, nor could they predict how long it would take for the Imperial Warrior Legion, deployed in near-Earth orbit, to change their fate.

But one thing is clear: this moment in human history, as depicted in *Dead Space*, will be recorded—

It is not on the border of a certain territory, but in the reshaping of the mind and order, like a stone sculpture, forever imprinted.
Soon after, over the Yucatan Peninsula, the setting sun slowly sank below the horizon, and the sky was covered by blood-red clouds, as if drawing back the curtain for the impending downpour.

The restricted area on the surface is surrounded by a dense array of defensive facilities, with railguns and automated fire towers arranged in an orderly fashion, watching over the desolate jungle and coastline all around.

The air was filled with the salty sea breeze, mixed with the dry scent of wild grass and limestone. Occasionally, the low calls of night birds added to the eerie and tense atmosphere of the area.

Inside the outer outpost, two EDF sentries were talking quietly.

What do you think the higher-ups will decide?

The younger soldier, holding an assault rifle, spoke with barely concealed unease.

"What else can we do? Either we grit our teeth and fight, or we kneel down."

The other man sneered and spat out his chewed gum. "But with a fleet of that size, if we really fought, we wouldn't even be able to touch a fraction of their strength."

Their voices were low, yet they still revealed the soldiers' helplessness and confusion. Little did they know that danger was closing in like a shadow.

Sudden--

call out--!
A beam of light ripped through the darkness, and the top of the watchtower exploded instantly, scattering fire and metal fragments everywhere. The sentries had no time to shout before being engulfed by the shockwave.

What followed was a barrage of explosions and gunfire, as if the entire night sky had been set ablaze at once.

The Unification Church's private armed forces, like ghosts emerging from the shadows, suddenly launched their long-planned attack.

Heavy armored vehicles roared out of the dense forest, their bodies painted with the dark red and black symbols of the Unification Church, like bloodstains on an ancient altar. High-powered plasma rifles and portable missiles rained down like a storm, precisely striking EDF firing positions.

What chilled the defending forces even more was the sudden betrayal they witnessed.

"What are you doing?!"

Just as an EDF sergeant was about to gather his men, one of his longtime subordinates raised his gun, and a cold bullet pierced the night wind, instantly knocking him down.

Chaos spread like wildfire.

The once-neat defensive line collapsed instantly, and some EDF soldiers fell to the ground in disbelief. Their "comrades" were actually spies planted by the Unification Church.

With perfect coordination between inside and outside attacks, the area outside the penalty zone quickly fell into complete disarray.

The explosion shook the ground, and the firelight dyed the night sky like hell. The elite forces of the Unification Church did not charge blindly, but were instead a well-trained religious legion. The vanguard used armored vehicles and energy shields to clear the way and cover the assault team behind them.

The mid-level squad skillfully cut off EDF's communication nodes and blocked roads, ensuring that the defenders could not launch an effective counterattack.

As for the infiltrated cult agents, they precisely created panic amidst the chaos, killed the commander, destroyed the ammunition depot, and completely dismantled the defense system.

Screams, shouts, and gunshots intertwined to create a bloody symphony, the pervasive smell of burning and explosives almost suffocating.

Despite their valiant resistance, the EDF soldiers, caught off guard by the attack, gradually lost ground amidst the chaotic firepower and betrayal.

"Guard the entrance! We absolutely cannot let them get close to the underground base!"

A captain roared, his armor bearing numerous charred marks, yet his eyes remained resolute.

He led the remaining troops to hold out in front of the defensive wall at the underground entrance, but soon, the dense energy firepower blasted the defense line into a million holes.

The armed followers of the Unification Church appeared particularly fanatical in the firelight. Their faces were covered by helmets, but the shouts that burst from their throats revealed unparalleled piety and madness.

They chanted Unification Church scriptures, regarding this bloody battle as a continuation of divine will.

Ultimately, the surface restricted area's defenses completely collapsed, and the remaining EDF defenders were forced to retreat to the underground passages, attempting to buy time with the heavy alloy doors and narrow tunnels.

On the ground, the Unification Church's armored forces had already assembled in front of the underground entrance, and heavy armor-piercing devices were being installed.

The sound of metal scraping and the low hum of the energy cutter were like the prelude to death.

In the firelight, the believers' eyes burned with fervor, as if they could already see the primordial divine seal buried deep underground—the target of their raid and the "sacred relic" they believed could turn the tide.
(End of this chapter)