From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 735: Directly responsible for command and operation, ensuring the collection of all combat data.

Sui Meng's seemingly casual yet extremely weighty "application content" echoed in the bridge.

As soon as she finished speaking, even the holographic image of the warrior, which should have been absolutely rational, froze for a moment. A fleeting look of surprise appeared between her delicate brows, almost in a human-like manner.

As a strategic-level intelligent AI that has undergone several iterations and upgrades, her emotional simulation module is already highly developed. Her mentality, logic, and critical thinking ability far surpass those of ordinary people. However, under the constraint of the core underlying logic, absolute rationality always dominates.

The meaning represented by the term "large array of devices" clearly touches upon her assessment criteria for resource allocation and strategic deterrence.

The adjutant, dressed in Terminator armor, reacted even more directly.

The adjutant's head, concealed by a heavy helmet, turned towards Sui Meng. Although his face was hidden, the light shining through his visors seemed to flicker, and his deep voice carried a hint of barely perceptible doubt:

"Father, considering the current state of the universe and the assessment of existing military deployments and administrative takeover progress, it is expected that conventional methods can achieve full-domain stabilization within a standard time unit."

Logically speaking, there's really no need to use such a large device. Isn't this going too far...?

The adjutant's questioning was not cowardice, but rather an instinctive judgment of resource efficiency by an excellent commander.

The Imperial Warrior Legion had already taken control of the overall situation. In his view, using the power of true "strategic" weapons was not the optimal solution for a war that had already been won.

Sui Meng's gaze remained fixed on the star map, as if it could penetrate the ship's hull and look directly at the starry sky that had just experienced the baptism of war.

He did not get angry at the adjutant's questioning, and calmly explained:

“Your judgment is based on the standard integration process and is not wrong, but this application is not based on considerations of military occupation.”

The Primarch paused slightly before continuing, "According to Dr. Halsey, a non-classified public technical briefing recently uploaded to the internal network indicates that the first phase of the 'Large Device' project has been completed, and the four prototypes have passed basic verification and are ready for deployment."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the images of the adjutant and the martial lady, a deep look in his eyes:
"Faced with potential hostile forces and unknown entities that create divine seals, the universe, which has not yet been fully revealed, is the perfect testing ground to examine the combat effectiveness and deterrent potential of the 'large device'."

This not only allows us to test its operating parameters in complex cosmic environments, but also provides an opportunity to assess its effectiveness in detecting and disturbing deep space, dimensional rifts, or anomalous psionic entities.

His final words carried a strategic intent: "Perhaps, we can also use this to lure out those unknown forces hiding behind the scenes who create and spread this filth called the Divine Seal."

Rather than waiting for them to lurk and cause trouble again, we should proactively create an impact and deterrent that they cannot ignore.

Upon hearing this, the doubts hidden beneath the adjutant's helmet vanished instantly, replaced by a sense of understanding.

The adjutant bowed and said, "Understood, Father. It was my oversight that prevented me from fully understanding this strategic intent."

Combining the testing of new equipment with deeper strategic deterrence, and even luring out the enemy, is indeed a better strategy.

Wu Ji's image also returned to absolute calm and efficiency: "The application logic has been updated, with the addition of strategic testing and the purpose of enticing potential hostile forces."

The request message has been repackaged, with an increased encryption level, and is being uploaded to the main universe via the highest priority channel, directly reaching the Emperor's exclusive receiving terminal.

The data stream flashed rapidly in her eyes, then disappeared.

－－－－－－－

The scene shifts, transcending spatial and dimensional barriers, to the main universe, the core of power and faith of the human empire—

Deep within the Earth Palace complex, in a solemn and magnificent meditation hall.

The towering dome seemed to reach the sky, and the surrounding walls were filled with subtle halos of energy. The air was filled with an indescribable special field that was a mixture of immense psionic energy and cutting-edge technology.

In the center of the hall, on the ancient-looking yet majestic and powerful golden throne, Emperor Sui Yang of humanity sat.

His eyes were closed, but his consciousness was like an invisible network, connecting countless nodes across the empire's territory.

In front of him, dozens of hard light holographic screens of varying sizes and transparency floated silently, switching and scrolling massive amounts of information at a speed beyond human comprehension.

A significant portion of these reports came from the latest battle reports and data analyses from the Dead Space universe, as well as the preliminary integration report uploaded by Sui Meng.

The emperor's will acts like the most sophisticated "filter," rapidly extracting crucial information.

Regarding Sui Meng's ruthless and merciless elimination of the high-ranking members of the Unification Sect, and his indiscriminate killing of the stubborn and unyielding, a barely perceptible hint of approval flashed in the depths of Sui Yang's unchanging eyes, which seemed to contain the birth and death of stars.

In his ideology, religions like the Unification Church, which use illusory "sublimation" to bewitch people and use the flesh and souls of hundreds of millions of compatriots as sacrificial bargaining chips, are themselves an extreme desecration and "cancer" of order, life, and collective human rationality.

This filthy and harmful organization can only purify society and serve as a warning to future generations by being completely eradicated from its physical and ideological levels.

Sui Meng's decisiveness and ruthlessness in this matter were exactly what he wanted.

His mind raced through the follow-up reports—

How did the Imperial Warrior Legion efficiently take over Earth and the solar system? How did they reorganize the remaining forces of the EDF? How did they forcibly reform the basic cultists? And how did they "radiate" the Empire's influence to the peripheral colonies?

The series of actions were executed flawlessly, demonstrating the experience and efficiency that a young army has quickly honed in actual combat.

Despite some initial setbacks due to the sudden appearance of the Blood Moon Swarm, Sui Meng remained calm and even transformed into a "godly statue" to turn the tide of the battle, ultimately stabilizing the overall situation.

'Well done.'

A barely audible whisper rang in the emperor's mind, carrying a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction.

His youngest son, at this stage, is growing at an astonishing pace through the baptism of blood and fire. His leadership, decisiveness, and ability to execute imperial ideals are all in line with expectations.

This intercosmic expedition not only successfully expanded the territory but also greatly trained the Imperial Warrior Legion, achieving multiple benefits in one fell swoop.

However, when his thoughts reached the end of the report, to the additional request personally made by Sui Meng and encrypted and uploaded by Wu Ji, Sui Yang's brows, which seemed to encompass the entire universe, furrowed almost imperceptibly.

'Large device...'

The word echoed in the emperor's mind.

He was naturally aware of Halsey's project progress and understood the potential power contained within those four prototypes—powerful enough to shake the laws of physics. Deploying them into a conquered, not yet fully stable universe for practical testing certainly had value from the perspectives of technological verification and strategic deterrence. Sui Meng's idea of ​​"luring the snake out of its hole" also possessed a certain degree of strategic foresight.

but……

Using "large equipment" is no small matter.

Its energy consumption, potential impact on local spacetime structure, unpredictable chain reactions it may trigger, and even the signals it sends to other potentially advanced civilizations in the multiverse remain to be seen…

All of these require extremely careful consideration.

This is not merely a military issue, but a highly sensitive decision concerning the empire's long-term strategy and security.

Sui Yang's mind calmed down, like a bottomless abyss.

He needs a more comprehensive assessment of the future value and potential risks of the Dead Space universe, as well as the opportunities and challenges that activating the "big device" may bring.

His son's application stirred up a ripple of deep thought within him.

After all, "Big Device" is a code name circulating among the Empire's high command, signifying ultimate deterrence and purification power. Its prototype comes from the ancient civilization in the Halo universe, long since lost to the annals of history, created by the Forerunners, and is called "Halo," a ring-shaped superweapon.

This device, capable of releasing specific energy waves and selectively eliminating all complex neural life forms, possesses a level of technology and a "philosophy of destruction" that would make it a terrifying entity standing at the very top of the pyramid, even in the vast and countless parallel universes.

The reason why the Human Empire has been able to maintain an absolute technological advantage in most known parallel universe conquests and crush many alien civilizations and heretical forces under its steel torrents is at least half due to the top team of the Imperial Research Department led by Katherine Halsey.

This brilliant, even obsessive, scientific giant has led her carefully selected elite scholars and engineers in a dedicated research effort that has taken root in the Halo universe for over a decade.

Like the most patient archaeologists and the most astute decoders, they tirelessly reverse engineer and decipher the principles of the vast technological legacy left by their predecessors.

These years of hard work have not been in vain.

Halsey's team's results are revolutionary.

Many of the cutting-edge technologies that the empire is now proud of bear the imprint of their forerunners at their core.

The unpredictable short-range teleportation devices on the Terminator power armor have given Astartes veterans a new level of mobility on the battlefield.

The ultra-long-distance instantaneous teleportation technology used by flagships like the Renwei Yonggu, and even some new-type main warships, which enables interstellar travel, is also deeply rooted in the understanding of the pioneer phase technology in terms of its spatial folding and stability maintenance.

These technologies became the cornerstone of the empire's power projection and strategic mobility.

However, among all the research results, the most outstanding and also the most controversial is undoubtedly Halsey's team's successful replication of the "Halo," or "Big Device" weapon.

This is not just a simple imitation, but a re-creation and adaptive improvement after thoroughly understanding its operating mechanism, energy transmission, target recognition and range control and other complex systems.

With the personal approval of Emperor Sui Yang and the strong support of the Engineering and Research Departments, which spared no expense, the Human Empire officially launched its own version of the "Great Device" construction project several years ago.

To date, under absolute secrecy and tight security, the Human Empire has successfully constructed four massive man-made ring structures, each with a diameter of eight thousand kilometers.

Large devices 01 to 04.

They are not merely “simple” weapon platforms, but mobile fortresses and super laboratories integrating the Empire’s latest technology and the essence of the Forerunner’s legacy.

At this moment, these four magnificent creations, gleaming with a cold metallic luster and "docked" in the dark space at the edge of the Kuiper Belt in the solar system of the Halo universe, are one of the most heavy and dangerous trump cards in the Empire's hands.

Emperor Sui Yang's spiritual energy flowed around the Golden Throne as he weighed the pros and cons of using this trump card.

The son, Sui Meng, had valid reasons for his application.

Testing effectiveness, deterring potential enemies, and even luring the mastermind behind the creation of the divine seal.

While risks certainly exist, the fundamental purpose of creating the "Big Device" is precisely to reduce casualties among the Empire's own people with absolute power at critical moments, accelerate the process of unifying the rebellious world, and exert the ultimate deterrent against all aliens and heretics with ulterior motives.
Leaving it unused would be a waste of resources.

After a moment of contemplation, the emperor made his decision.

He approved Sui Meng's request.

Immediately, Sui Yang mobilized his spiritual energy, and a barely perceptible fluctuation occurred in the space in front of him. A holographic communication screen emitting a soft white light was instantly constructed and connected to a core research facility in the distant Halo universe.

The light and shadow on the screen coalesced, quickly revealing the face of Dr. Katherine Halsey.

? !
Seemingly surprised that the Emperor would initiate direct communication, Halsey on the screen was visibly taken aback, a hint of astonishment flashing in his bright eyes.

But this loss of composure lasted only a moment before she quickly regained her usual smile, which carried a hint of languor and confidence. However, behind that smile lay intense focus and an absolute expectation of orders.

"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

Her voice came through the communication device, clear and steady, with the rational tone unique to scientific researchers.

Upon closer inspection, Halsey's face has indeed not changed much compared to more than ten years ago; time seems to have left no obvious marks on her face.

However, a more mature temperament emanating from within, along with an indescribable, near-perfect "charm," has replaced the former naivety and sharpness.

Clearly, this scientific genius, who was also highly accomplished in the field of biology, had conducted numerous unknown "optimization experiments" and "youth maintenance" on herself after mastering the empire's top biotechnology.

Sui Yang skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point.

The emperor's majesty seemed to be transmitted through the screen as he said, "Dr. Halsey, prepare the large device 01."

You and your core team are authorized to immediately deploy to the newly opened, linked universe to assist the Imperial Warrior Legion in completing its final unification mission.

He paused, then added in an unquestionable tone: "In this operation, you and your team will be directly responsible for the command and operation of the large device 01. You must collect all combat data."

At the same time, a Spartan company will be deployed to act as your team's dedicated security force throughout the entire process, ensuring the absolute safety of the large-scale equipment and the research team.

(End of this chapter)