From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 746 An Empire That Never Backs Down in the Face of Threats

"."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Halsey's eyes. She did not immediately deny Sui Meng's idea, but instead fell into a brief moment of thought.

"Using the extreme spacetime warping effect generated during the ring belt startup as a propulsion medium is theoretically not impossible."

She quickly constructed a physical model in her mind: "The key lies in the directional guidance of energy and the maintenance of channel stability, to prevent the fleet from being torn apart by dimensional turbulence during the crossing, or being thrown to the wrong point in time."

As she spoke, she immediately turned to Cortana: "Cortana, access the core physics engine database of the large device 01."

I retrieved the 'Carson-Ryemann Gravitational Flux Constraint Equation', the 'Nonlinear Spacetime Metric Perturbation Model', and the hypothetical framework I submitted last time regarding 'Dark Matter Vacuum Level Transitions'.

We need to establish a temporary 'ultra-long-range spacetime bridge' model to calculate the minimum energy threshold and the method required to achieve target positioning accuracy within a thousand light-years of the Andromeda Galaxy, while ensuring the fleet's safe passage.

"Instruction received. Begin model building and allocate all computing resources."

Cortana's prosthetic eyes glowed with subtle data streams, and her core processor was running at full speed, processing the complex formulas proposed by Halsey that involved high-dimensional physics and cutting-edge theories.

Massive amounts of data collide and are calculated intensely on an invisible level.

A moment later, Cortana raised her head, and her calculation results were presented to everyone in the form of a holographic projection—

It was a steep curve showing the relationship between energy demand and distance.

"Model calculation complete."

Conclusion: Feasibility exists.

However, the energy required to construct and maintain a temporary hyperspace bridge to a distance of 254 million light-years and ensure the safe passage of the fleet is enormous.

Based on the model's reverse calculation, the large device 01 needs to absorb, convert, and ignite the equivalent of twelve G-type main-sequence stars, or sun-like stars, in its next operating cycle, and then release the total nuclear fusion energy over its complete life cycle.

In short, it would require 'devouring' twelve Sun-like stars, converting their matter entirely into the ignition energy needed to start the fire.

Halsey looked at Sui Meng, his tone becoming serious:

"This means we need to destroy twelve stable star systems."

According to the probability model of life distribution in the universe, the probability that a solar-like star system could have a habitable zone and even give rise to primitive life or intelligent civilization is not insignificant.

Even if these galaxies currently lack intelligent life, destroying the stars themselves would completely disrupt the gravitational balance and ecological potential of the region, with immeasurable long-term impacts.

Sui Meng listened quietly, his face expressionless beneath his power armor helmet, but his sharp eyes remained unwavering.

After a few seconds of silence, he spoke, his voice steady and carrying a cold decisiveness that transcended individual emotions, befitting a "ruler" and a guardian:

"Doctor, I understand the cost."

However, weighing the pros and cons, sacrificing the potential future possibilities of twelve star systems to explore and fundamentally eliminate a threat that has been proven to systematically harvest and exterminate intelligent civilizations—namely, the Seals and their creators—is a responsible act for all existing and future intelligent races in this universe.

This is not merely for the benefit of the human empire, but also for the continuation of biodiversity throughout the universe, preventing more 'Tragedies of Tavolantis' from repeating themselves.

He paused, then his tone became even more resolute: "The Human Empire aims to unify the multiverse and establish order and peace."

This responsibility means not only protecting the people within the territory, but also making difficult but necessary choices when necessary for the survival of a wider range of people.

This is the heavy responsibility of the empire.

Just then, the war maid with the most acute psychic senses suddenly frowned slightly. She took half a step forward and whispered a report to Sui Meng, her voice ethereal and wary:

"Your Highness, I sensed an atypical and peculiar fluctuation about 1.7 kilometers away, deeper within the ruins."

It is extremely faint, but in essence, it is very ancient, and carries a sense of emptiness that belongs neither to life nor to death.

It's unlike any energy we've ever encountered before.

"."

Sui Meng's gaze sharpened, and he immediately concentrated his powerful spiritual energy perception, extending it like an invisible radar in the direction the war maiden pointed.

Sure enough, he also caught that faint, almost imperceptible, yet seemingly integrated-with-the-rock-itself, abnormal fluctuation that carried an indescribable "activity."

"I sense it."

Sui Meng spoke in a deep voice and made arrangements instantly.

He turned to the Vanguard Guard and the War Maidens, his command clear and decisive: "All Vanguards and War Maidens, you shall remain here and form a circular defensive formation."

Your highest priority is to ensure the absolute safety of Dr. Halsey and Cortana at all costs.

He knew that when faced with unknown threats, especially dangers that might involve psionic powers or higher levels of existence, it was best for him, the Primarch, to personally investigate.

His nature dictates that he possesses the ability to cope with the vast majority of extreme situations.

Halsey, while a crucial pillar of science, was still essentially a "mortal" and had to be placed under the strictest protection.

This combination of thirty Vanguard Honor Guards and four War Maidens is powerful enough to contend with, and even delay, most known powerful enemies, including threats at the level of Lesser Primarchs, for a short period of time.

They might not be able to defeat an opponent like the Primarch, but they certainly have the ability to buy precious seconds—

In that brief moment, a Vanguard was enough to activate a short-range teleportation beacon and forcibly remove Halsey and Cortana from danger.

On the battlefields of the multiverse, being able to successfully retreat from an opponent at the Primarch level is itself proof of strength and value, and by no means a disgrace.

If the enemy is a warp demon or other psionic entity, the four war maidens, who specialize in this, are sufficient to handle it for a period of time.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The war maidens responded in hushed tones, while the silent vanguard immediately shifted formation, protecting Halsey and Cortana in the center. The low hum of activated power weapons and the faint glow of psionic energy appeared, signaling that they had entered a state of maximum alert.

With the arrangements made, Sui Meng no longer hesitated.

He gripped the powered spear tightly, and his imposing five-and-a-half-meter-tall body began to move. With steady and firm steps, he walked alone towards the unknown source of the "anomaly" deep within the ruins.

His figure quickly disappeared into the even deeper darkness ahead, with only the sounds of his power armor operating and the occasional sharp crack of his spear tip scraping against the stone ground echoing in the deathly silent ruins.
Thump, thump!

Deeper into the ruins, Sui Meng walked alone, his heavy footsteps echoing in the empty passage.

As he ventured deeper, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop further, and the air was filled with an even stronger scent of age and dust.

The unusual fluctuations in his psychic perception appeared and disappeared intermittently, like eyes peering into the darkness, guiding him in the right direction.

The passageway gradually narrowed, and the style of the carvings on the walls changed.

The early brilliance and confidence were replaced by more symbolic and cautionary patterns—distorted shapes, broken stars, and a multitude of symbols representing “isolation” and “freezing.”

Clearly, this passage describes the decline of the Tavoranti civilization from its peak to its final, doomed state.

After walking about a kilometer, he arrived at the entrance to a huge circular cave.

The cave interior emitted a soft, but unnatural, ethereal blue light.

The unusual fluctuation was most clearly emanating from this spot.

Sui Meng stopped at the entrance, his sharp eyes scanning the inside of the cave.

This place resembles a giant natural geode, but the walls are inlaid with something other than natural crystals. It is a strange substance that he has never seen before, similar to black basalt, yet faintly flowing with a ghostly blue energy.

These materials form a complex network of geometric patterns that runs throughout the cave walls and dome, with the energy of the network ultimately flowing to the center of the cave.

There, suspended, is an irregularly shaped polyhedron about three meters high.

It is entirely black, with a smooth, mirror-like surface, yet it seems to absorb all light. Only its interior faintly emits a deep blue glow, flickering with a slow, unpredictable rhythm, like the heart of a sleeping giant.

That hollow, ancient, neither-life-nor-death abnormal fluctuation emanated from this black polyhedron.

Sui Meng could sense that this object's energy characteristics were completely different from those of the divine seal.

The energy of the divine seal is full of inducing, aggressive, and life-distorting qualities, and this object...
It is more like a cold, pure "information carrier" or some kind of "recording device".

Instead of approaching rashly, he used the power armor's communicator to describe what he saw to Halsey, who was staying behind, via an encrypted channel.

Upon receiving the real-time images and data transmitted by Sui Meng, Halsey immediately perked up.

"Cortana, analyze the energy spectrum and material composition of this object."

Cortana worked quickly: "Energy spectrum analysis. No match for any known energy patterns."

The composition of the substance cannot be fully determined at present, and it contains a large number of unknown element isotopes and non-baryonic matter.

Its structure is extremely stable, and the internal energy flow exhibits a highly ordered quantum hierarchical mode.

Preliminary assessment suggests that this is not a weapon or energy device, but more likely an advanced 'information storage core'.

"Information storage?" Halsey mused. "Did the Tavolantis seal some kind of information here in their final moments?"

“There is a very high probability.” Cortana did not deny it. “Its energy fluctuation pattern is similar to that of known quantum memory, or crystal databases, and it seems to be waiting for a specific ‘key’ or condition to be activated and read.”

Just then, the suspended black polyhedron suddenly changed!
Its surface glow suddenly brightened and accelerated, and the energy patterns throughout the cave lit up, emitting a deep hum.

An invisible pressure spread out, not aggressive, but carrying a sense of scrutiny and expectation.

Sui Meng immediately gripped his spear, and a psionic shield appeared around him, ready to deal with any possible attack.

However, the attack did not occur.

Instead, a soft beam of light emanated from the polyhedron, projecting a dynamic holographic star map in front of Sui Meng—

These are the coordinates of the Andromeda Galaxy that the Tavorantis located.

Immediately afterwards, a large number of rapidly scrolling, complex Tavoranti scripts and numerous formulas began to appear next to the star chart.

"It's trying to communicate with us," Halsey's excited voice came through the communicator. "Cortana, record and decipher it with all your might!"

Cortana's computing power was pushed to its limit, and her prosthetic body even became slightly hot.

"The information flow is enormous, containing far more scientific and technological data than museum records, including some related to intergalactic communication theories."

Suddenly, the information flow was interrupted.

The light on the surface of the black polyhedron quickly dimmed, returning to its previous calm, as if nothing had ever happened.

"What happened?" Sui Meng asked in a deep voice.

Cortana quickly reported: "The information transmission suddenly stopped, and the reason is unknown."

The recorded information is being analyzed. Preliminary assessment indicates that what was just transmitted was part of the foundational research on interstellar travel theories from the Tavolantis civilization, along with an extremely brief, repetitive warning message.

"What's the warning about?" Sui Meng pressed.

Cortana paused, seemingly to confirm the accuracy of the deciphering, then her voice rang out solemnly as she began to read the warning message:
"Warning: Predators are not the creators."

Beyond the cradle lies the hunting ground.

Silence is survival.

The cave was deathly silent.

“The predators are not the creators,” Halsey repeated in a low voice. “They deny the divinity of the creators of the divine seal, defining them as… predators? Does ‘cradle’ refer to the Milky Way? ‘Beyond the cradle, all is hunting ground.’”
Is the Andromeda Galaxy a hunting ground?

And is 'silence is survival' a warning to those who follow not to initiate contact or respond?

This final message, preserved in some extreme way by the Tavorantis civilization, continues to serve as a reminder to other civilizations.

Behind the divine seal is clearly not an advanced civilization that is happy to share energy, but an unknown "predator" that regards the entire galaxy as its hunting ground.

The Tavorantis, on the verge of extinction, exhausted their last strength not for revenge, but to issue this bloody warning to those who would follow.

Sui Meng stared intently at the black polyhedron that had returned to silence, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

The image of the Tavolantis became even more "majestic" in his mind. Their sacrifice was not only to stop a blood moon, but also to convey the truth that concerned the survival of countless civilizations.

He remained silent for a long time, then issued new orders to Halsey and the entire fleet via communicator:
"Mission objective updated."

With the highest priority, ensure the absolute security of this 'information core' and transfer it intact to the isolation laboratory of the Renwei Yonggu.

At the same time, the civilization of Tavolantis was marked as 'martyrs' and posthumously granted the honorary title of an imperial ally.

Their sacrifice and warning will never be forgotten.

As for the plan to travel to the Andromeda Galaxy...

Sui Meng paused for a moment, then continued, "It will not be cancelled for the time being, but the strategic objective will be changed from 'proactive exploration and contact' to 'armed reconnaissance and threat assessment'."

We need to know who the master of the hunting grounds truly is; the empire never backs down in the face of threats.
"

(End of this chapter)