Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 387 Warp Engine, Start-up (Third Update)
Before the main tactical screen on the magnificent bridge of the "Eternal Expedition," Roger Dorn stood motionless, his mountain-like body unmoved.

His face, usually as resolute as a rock sculpture, was now shrouded in a clearly discernible solemnity.

On the screen, the process of material reconstruction in the Mars orbit test site had just ended, but the shock from the complete overhaul of technological understanding pierced through the void and caused a continuous tremor in the Primarch's mind.

He remained silent, his brain, far exceeding that of ordinary people, processing the visual information he received with extremely high efficiency.

It was not any known manufacturing technique, not assembly, not welding, and not conventional construction based on existing physical laws.

That was a process that directly transformed energy into ordered matter, a process beyond the comprehension of the current Imperial technology tree.

At this moment, Dorn truly realized on a deeper level the significance of this sage of exploration named Chen Yu.

He realized that his previous assessment of the sage might still be superficial.

Genesis Factor, Warp Drive, and the material reconstruction capabilities being demonstrated at this moment.

Dorn calmly listed the technological achievements that Chen Yu had demonstrated so far.

Each technology possesses the potential to transform the empire's current state, enough to ignite fierce competition among various power groups.

Chen Yu, however, adopted a gradual approach, showcasing these technological achievements step by step and presenting them as key variables influencing the power structure within the Empire and the Mechanicus.

“If Robert were here to handle this…” This judgment naturally came to Dorn’s mind, carrying a conclusion based on an objective assessment of the complex political situation.

He clearly recognized that his brother, Robert Guilliman, was better at handling these kinds of matters that required political coordination.

Guilliman was able to develop a more comprehensive plan that would ensure the effective promotion of the technology while balancing the interests of all parties and avoiding unnecessary internal conflicts.

Dorn was well aware of his limitations in this area.

A related thought then arises: perhaps a more decisive approach should have been taken to prevent Guilliman from participating in that military operation.

In terms of functional division of labor, Guilliman's management skills are more suited to staying in Holy Terra to handle the Empire's heavy internal affairs and coordinate with officials in various departments as necessary.

The task of commanding operations at the front should have been undertaken by other entities that were better suited for military command.

This line of thought naturally led Dorn to think of Guilliman's current state—being placed in a static field, with his vital signs maintained by technological means.

The life-creating and environmental-modifying capabilities exhibited by the Genesis Factor raise a new possibility: could this technology be applied to treat the trauma suffered by Guilliman?
Once this hypothesis about the direction of technological application was formed, it occupied a specific place in Dorn's mind.

Even he, known for his rationality and perseverance, believed that this direction was worth exploring in depth.

If Chen Yu's technology can indeed solve the medical problems Guilliman faces...

Roger Dorn took a deep breath; the air inside the bridge, filtered through a recirculation process, carried a distinctive metallic scent.

He stared intently at the spaceship on the screen, whose engine installation was complete and which was awaiting test instructions.

Chen Yu may bring not only technical means to solve the current predicament, but also the possibility of solving larger problems.

This realization gave him higher expectations for the upcoming tests and their subsequent development.
-
Roger Dorn forcefully suppressed his turbulent thoughts, as if putting a jumble of documents into a drawer.

"This is not the time to be distracted," he told himself, refocusing his gaze on the test ship awaiting orders on the main tactical screen. This technological verification, concerning the future of the Empire, allowed no room for negligence.

He issued a command to the Mars orbit test site via an encrypted communication link, his voice steady and clear: "Test begin."

The order was executed swiftly. Inside the test ship, several rigorously selected technical priests, personally appointed by Chen Yu, began activating the warp drive that had just been "printed" according to the predetermined procedure.

The geometric patterns inside the engine core lit up one by one, and a deep hum could be faintly heard through the ship's structure even in a vacuum.

The objective of this test was clear and cautious: to activate the warp drive, travel to the Proxima Centauri system, which is about 4.3 light-years away from our solar system, confirm the location, and then immediately return.

This distance is far enough to prove the effectiveness of faster-than-light travel, while being relatively close enough to facilitate monitoring and rapid verification of results, making it an ideal choice that balances risk and demonstration effect.

Countless "eyes" throughout the solar system are focused on this place.

The observation fleet in Mars orbit, the surveillance platforms hidden in the shadows of the planet, and even the probes secretly set up by certain factions in the Terra Highlord Council are all frantically collecting every bit of data.

Just as the test entered its final countdown, several Forging Arks belonging to the Forging Worlds of Gloria, Lucius, and others couldn't wait any longer and set off ahead of time, heading towards the Proxima Centauri system.

They will wait at the edge of the target galaxy, like referees guarding the finish line, ready to witness firsthand and record the moment the test ship arrives with their own sensors to ensure the authenticity and immutability of the results.

The Star Speaker Sanctuary between the two star systems has also received the highest priority instructions. The psionic spire has been adjusted to its optimal state. Once the test ship successfully arrives at Proxima Centauri and sends back a confirmation signal, the psionic fluctuations carrying the information of success will instantly cross the vastness of reality and reach Holy Terra.

This attention comes not only from the real universe.

The intense attention this test garnered in the real universe generated emotional fluctuations that, like subtle ripples, pierced through the veil between reality and illusion.

Amidst the surging waves of the warp, the eternally burning starlight, sustained by the Emperor's powerful will, seemed to sense something with its cold and majestic light.

The flames, symbolizing human hope, burned exceptionally fiercely at this moment, their pulse of light becoming more pronounced, as if carrying some profound expectation.

This cold sun, which guides human navigation, seems to be casting its supreme attention on the small patch of airspace around Mars.

At the stern of the test ship, the light from the warp drive suddenly stabilized, and a force field that slightly distorted space itself enveloped the entire ship.

The next moment, the test ship turned into a streak of light and disappeared.

There was no blinding tail flame, no space-tearing explosion, only a slight, quickly subsiding ripple in the space where the engine had been.

The real-time data stream transmitted back to the "Eternal Expedition" and all observation points shows that the test ship has left its current coordinates.

Warp drive successfully started.

Now, all that's left is to wait.

Waiting for an echo from four light-years away, waiting for the confirmation signal that will determine the future course of the empire.

Every second that passed seemed to stretch out, weighing heavily on the hearts of everyone who was concerned about this matter.

(End of this chapter)