From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 759 was not just a simple sightseeing trip, but also a belated one.
Once shrouded in the whispers of the divine seal and the nauseating crimson light of the Blood Moon, and nearly destroyed by endless hordes of zombies and mutants, the Dead Space universe has long since been cleansed of its filth and is now radiating unprecedented vitality.

The old wounds were smoothed over by the grand project of the Imperial Engineering Department, and atop the ruins of despair, a new civilization "palace" symbolizing order, rationality, and prosperity was erected.

Within this vast territory, the most eye-catching and reassuring sight is undoubtedly the planet that the Imperial Warriors reclaimed with unparalleled power and unwavering will, and which they have painstakingly rebuilt with a wealth of resources and effort.

Earth numbered "20".

She is no longer a refuge where one must struggle to survive, but a beacon of light for the Empire in this distant sea of ​​stars, a living monument to the revival of civilization.

Looking out from a distant Lagrange point, this familiar blue planet is now "protected" by a nearly transparent energy barrier that emits a soft, constant blue-green glow.

This planetary-level shield system, named "Gaia's Shield" by the locals, is the pinnacle of the Imperial Engineering Department's work, combining the technologies of the Forerunners and the Galactic Empire with its own expertise.

It is not a rigid force field wall, but a dynamic, highly intelligent, multi-layered composite system.

The outermost layer can accurately calculate and deflect even meteorite fragments the size of a fist, preventing them from causing any "disturbance" to orbital facilities or the surface;
The middle layer acts like a giant biological filter, efficiently neutralizing various harmful radiations from deep space and ensuring that the surface environment is in the most suitable state for human habitation.
The innermost layer is an invisible, absolute defensive barrier woven from complex quantum encryption protocols; any object not authenticated by the Empire's highest authority—

Whether it is a physical entity or an energy entity attempting to pass through, it will instantly trigger an alarm and suffer a devastating targeted attack.

Although the Imperial Army has long since either wiped out or driven all known hostile forces within the galaxy that posed a planetary threat to the brink of extinction, the core tenets of the Empire have never wavered in the face of peace—

"The safety of the people is the cornerstone of the empire's survival, and is above all else."

This ever-present protective light is the most direct and reassuring manifestation of this ironclad law, proclaiming the empire's promise and power to all its people day and night.

The view zooms in to near-Earth orbit, revealing a space panorama far more magnificent and bustling than any science fiction concept of the past.

Like a precise clock mechanism following a certain cosmic scale, a vast number of ships of various shapes and sizes are woven together with countless large, medium and small space stations, forming a dynamic network that flows continuously.

These space stations are engineering marvels in themselves.

Some resemble metal honeycombs, with countless small transport ships moving in and out like worker bees, carrying massive amounts of supplies and travelers from all parts of the galaxy and even other universes.
Some are like silent lighthouses, with almost no signs of activity on the outside, but inside they are conducting cutting-edge physics or life science research concerning the future of the universe.
Even more remarkably, some of these are comparable in size to small cities, possessing not only sophisticated life support systems but also unique ecological environments, making them veritable floating miniature kingdoms.

At the boundary between day and night on Earth, several even larger orbital shipyards, like tireless behemoths, operate day and night.

Against the backdrop of a deep starry sky, the massive alloy keel outlines the majestic silhouette of a future warship. Countless engineering robots, like flocks of migrating birds, busily work among the skeletons, while the brilliant sparks from welding, like a continuous celebratory fireworks display, illuminate the cold void.

Every now and then, one can see a brand-new warship, freshly assembled, with gleaming armor and painted with the Imperial Dragon Emblem and its fleet number, slowly detaching from its construction scaffold and officially "entering the sea," joining the already bustling torrent of interstellar shipping below, carefully guided by several service tugboats like an escort fleet.

This is a magnificent epic that perfectly blends supreme power, precise order, vibrant energy, and ultimate prosperity.

In this airspace representing the empire's peak productivity, a three-kilometer-long interstellar cruise ship with extremely smooth lines and a flawless white hull, its cabin marked "Star Wanderer," is adjusting its posture with an elegance and lightness that is completely incongruous with its massive size.

Its design philosophy is completely different from the angular, functional industrial ships and even military vessels around it. It completely abandons intimidation and sharpness, and instead pursues visual beauty and absolute comfort for passengers.

Every curve has been meticulously crafted by the designer, and the smooth hull reflects the light of the stars, making it look less like a means of transportation and more like an artwork that has accidentally entered reality and is wandering in the universe.

It had just completed a short, routine hop from Mars orbit to Earth orbit, and the spacecraft did not even generate excessive heat from the space "jump".

At this moment, it is relying on its own efficient thruster array to spew out a faint blue stream of ions, slowly approaching a giant civilian passenger space station on the sunlit side.

Inside the Star Wanderer at this moment.

Stepping through the airtight hatch feels like instantly traversing two worlds.

The vacuum, coldness, heat, and deathly silence of the external universe were completely replaced by the self-contained "paradise on earth" inside.

The first thing that catches the eye is the central hall, which has a ceiling height of over 150 meters.

The hall's dome wasn't cold metal, but a skylight entirely simulated by high-resolution holographic projection, precisely adjustable to the ship's standard time.

During the day, it is a clear blue sky dotted with wisps of white clouds, while at night it transforms into a deep, dazzling, and vast universe with flowing stars, and can even simulate certain astronomical wonders.

The air is filled with a faint, natural fragrance of plants emanating from the ecological gardens scattered throughout the ship, mixed with a carefully blended aromatherapy that helps to relax the mind and body, instantly making one feel refreshed and relaxed.

The extremely soft background music, designed based on psychological principles, flows like a clear spring, subtly lingering in the space, perfectly masking any slight noise that the spaceship might produce, creating an atmosphere of ultimate tranquility and relaxation.

Inside the hall, passengers from various star systems and cultural backgrounds of the Empire, dressed in comfortable and appropriate casual wear of different styles, all wore relaxed and happy smiles and were immersed in their own enjoyment.

In elegantly decorated themed restaurants, each offering delicacies from the solar system, Centaurus, and even more distant colonies, they savored dishes prepared on the spot by a smart kitchen, comparable to those of a five-star hotel.

In the lounge area, which boasts a huge panoramic window offering unobstructed views of the Earth's magnificent scenery and the deep universe, you can either take a leisurely stroll or lean back on a comfortable sofa and chat quietly with friends.

The entertainment center boasts comprehensive facilities, an immersive virtual reality experience hall, a wave pool simulating ocean waves, and hot springs where visitors can fully relax.

Whether it's the well-trained crew members—humans, elves, and Tirek—who always offer personalized service with genuine smiles, or the servo robots that move with precision and efficiency, ready to meet all kinds of passenger needs, they all ensure a flawless experience for every traveler.

There is no crowding, no noise, and not a trace of the tension left over from an era of resource scarcity. There is only a peaceful luxury and profound tranquility that is truly beneficial to every citizen of the empire, built upon highly developed productive forces, a sound social distribution system, and advanced management techniques.

When the "viewpoint" sweeps across the most prominent position at the entrance of the hall, there is a constantly changing holographic advertising poster that attracts the attention of all passengers.

The poster, presented in the form of dynamic video, vividly showcases highlights from this "Panoramic Tour of the Empire's Core Territory":

The camera zooms in, passing over the Earth in the main universe, looking down as the dawn bathes the glazed tiles of the imperial palace in a glow.

The scene then shifts to Mars in another universe, where beneath a huge, transparent dome lies a lush green city, a stark contrast to the red plains in the distance.

The next second, we delved deeper beneath the ice of Europa, Jupiter's moon, and under the illumination of searchlights, strange alien marine creatures danced gracefully in the deep blue waters.

Finally, the scene shifts to "New Wangjing," a planet tens of thousands of light-years away from the map. This planet, like a giant emerald, is "embedded" in a dazzling purple nebula. Its unique ecological environment and urban landscape, which blends classical Eastern aesthetics with futuristic urban scenery, are breathtaking.
Every frame is exquisite and meticulously crafted, enough to evoke in any intelligent being a deep longing for exploration and beauty.

Below the poster, the core information of the itinerary is clearly marked in a clear and elegant Imperial Standard Chinese font:
"Star Wanderer Exclusive Route: A Panoramic Tour of the Empire's Core Territory"

Duration of the trip: 30 standard Earth days.

Tour Highlights: A single voyage will take you through the most iconic natural wonders and cultural sites across the entire empire’s current territory.

Pricing details: The Supreme Enjoyment Package is available at a surprise price of only 800 cR (all taxes and fees included).

The price includes: standard cabin fare for the entire trip, first entrance tickets to all attractions within the itinerary, daily buffet meals at designated five-star standard restaurants, standard cabin accommodation, basic onboard entertainment, and access to facilities, etc.

800 CR (Imperial Credits)!

This price, after simple conversion, has a purchasing power roughly equivalent to $600 in the early 20th century of the main universe before the establishment of the human empire.

In today's main universe empire, thanks to an almost unlimited energy supply, a highly automated and even intelligent production system, and a comprehensive welfare system designed to ensure the basic dignity and development needs of every citizen, an imperial citizen with a formal job, even in the most basic public service positions such as urban environmental maintenance or community cultural guidance, can easily earn an average annual after-tax income exceeding 200,000 cR. The incomes of skilled workers, researchers, or legion support personnel are even more substantial.

This means that such a luxurious interstellar trip, spanning countless light-years, lasting a full month, and encompassing almost all expenses including transportation, accommodation, dining, entertainment, and sightseeing, is equivalent to only four-thousandths of the annual income for the vast majority of Imperial citizens.

This is a small amount of everyday money that requires little consideration of family budget, no long-term savings plan, and is easily affordable for almost everyone. The difficulty of making this decision is perhaps only equivalent to people in the old days deciding whether to go on a picnic in the suburbs on the weekend.

Of course, the personal spending power of those students who are not yet adults and are still in the stage of comprehensive compulsory education and skills training provided by the empire cannot be compared with that of adults with stable sources of income.

However, the Imperial Department of Education and Social Welfare also planned and provided them with a wide variety of inclusive exploration and entertainment activities, including interstellar summer camps, scientific expeditions, and historical and cultural tours, which were almost free or charged at a nominal fee, to ensure that the new generation could also have the opportunity to broaden their horizons.

This is the most vivid microcosm of the "Golden Age" created by the human empire in the main universe under the guidance of Emperor Sui Yang's grand blueprint and iron will—

It not only possesses legions and fleets capable of sweeping across the stars and striking fear into the hearts of aliens and demons, but also uses them to expand its territory and defend order;
Furthermore, the abundant development achievements it brings are distributed fairly to every citizen of the empire in the smallest details of their daily lives through ingenious and efficient social mechanisms.

Let the right to explore the mysteries of the stars, experience the splendor of exotic cultures, and enjoy the beauty of leisure time be transformed from a luxury exclusive to a very small privileged class into an accessible, everyday, and genuine happiness.

This is not only an abundance of material goods, but also a "sublimation" of civilization.
Inside a standard passenger cabin.

If the public areas of a cruise ship are shared and artistically-filled "temples," then the standard cabins are private "palaces" meticulously crafted for each passenger, combining luxury, comfort, and smart convenience.

What comes into view is not a cramped cabin, but an elegant space of more than seventy square meters with clear functional divisions.

The floor is covered with a soft, resilient, warm-toned sound-absorbing material, and the walls are made of a smart material with adjustable transparency and display content, currently simulating a soothing starry sky.

The area near the oval-shaped viewing window is a relaxation area, furnished with an ergonomic and comfortable sofa and a small coffee table.

Outside the porthole, the slowly rotating azure Earth and the deep starry sky create a timeless, dynamic mural.

The sleeping area and the relaxation area are subtly separated by an elegant frosted glass partition. A spacious double bed occupies the center, and the bedding is clearly made of top-quality materials, making it look extremely tempting.

The separate bathroom features a wet and dry separation design and is equipped with an intelligent thermostatic water circulation shower system, as well as a small whirlpool tub that can accommodate two people.

The minibar is fully stocked with a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, all included in the cruise fare, and you may use them freely.

The cabin lighting system offers multiple modes, from a vibrant “dawn” to a romantic “sunset”, all of which can be switched with a single button.

And this is just a "standard" cabin on this cruise ship.

In today's human empire, the number of interstellar cruise ships like the "Star Wanderer" is so vast that they are like grains of sand in the desert, impossible to count.

Intense market competition has driven civilian interplanetary airlines to rack their brains to improve service quality, especially in the cabins where passengers spend the most time. They strive to make the best of everything, pushing comfort, technology, and space utilization to the extreme, aiming to surpass competitors in every detail in order to attract more passengers.

If this cabin had been placed before the founding of the empire, its features would have made many luxurious suites in five-star hotels pale in comparison.

Inside the cabin, a holographic screen occupying one wall is silently playing a tourism promotional video about Earth 20, alternating between magnificent landscapes and vibrant rebuilt cities.

The current time is clearly displayed in one corner of the screen:

「帝国历：0058年5月25日，标准时 14:32」。

This time marker means that nearly three years have passed since the portal between the autonomous universe and the Dead Space universe was opened, linked, and stabilized.

The empire's influence and construction power have profoundly changed this once ravaged world in the relatively short span of time.

at this time--

"It's not ready yet?"

A mature male voice, tinged with a hint of helplessness yet full of tolerance, rang out in the cabin, breaking the tranquil atmosphere.

"What's the rush, newbie?"

Immediately following was a slightly languid female voice, with a unique magnetism and a hint of playfulness, her tone exuding complete composure.

Follow the sound.

In the dressing area of ​​the sleeping quarters, a woman is sitting in front of a smart dressing mirror.

She had a neat short black haircut, which made her already delicate face even more outstanding.

She was wearing a well-tailored, stylish dark red silk nightgown. The soft, clinging fabric perfectly accentuated her still slender and alluring figure.

The woman seemed to have just finished her basic skincare routine, and was leisurely examining herself in the mirror, her fingers gently combing through the strands of hair on her forehead.

The man who asked the question had already come out of the cloakroom.

He changed into a pair of dark casual trousers and a soft light gray knit sweater, his casual attire unable to conceal his upright posture.

The man walked towards the dressing table and stood behind the woman.

His face was reflected in the mirror—

His signature golden center-parted hairstyle was meticulously styled, but what was most striking was that the man had shaved off the slightly weathered stubble he often wore, revealing a face that, despite the marks of time around his eyes, still possessed distinct features and remained as handsome as ever.

The sharpness and alertness of the past in his blue eyes have been replaced by a rare relaxation and gentleness. He is now looking at the woman in front of him through the mirror with a slight smile.

This man and woman were legendary veterans of the Imperial Investigation Department—

Leon S. Kennedy and Ida Wong.

However, according to the Empire's household registration records, and the simple yet significant gold rings on their ring fingers, Ada's legal surname should now be Kennedy.

Yes, just three years ago, after the space gate opened stably and the order of this universe was initially established, these two "partners" who had been entangled for half their lives and experienced countless life-and-death tests and emotional ups and downs finally officially became husband and wife in the presence of their relatives and friends, becoming legal partners recognized and protected by imperial law.

Ada's lips curled slightly as she looked at Leon through the mirror, her tone still carrying her characteristic, enigmatic teasing:

"It's just a 30-day trip. Do we really need to rush out of the plane fully equipped within five minutes like it's an emergency mission?"
"Relax and enjoy your vacation, Mr. Kennedy."

Leon gently placed his hands on Ada's shoulders, shook his head, and smiled with a hint of self-deprecation and overflowing affection:
“Well, well, you’re right, Ms. Kennedy. It’s just that we’re used to being on time, and it seems we need some time to adjust to this slower pace of life.”

For them, this journey was not merely sightseeing, but a belated honeymoon, an opportunity to bid farewell to the past and truly begin to enjoy the peace and prosperity brought by the empire.
(End of this chapter)