103: Real-space stabilization solution

"The 'Under the Dome' team has completed the preliminary model deduction." providence's voice echoed in the highly classified conference room. In the holographic image constructed by its data stream, The Galaxy was like a complex network covered by countless thin lines (representing the pulse of the reality structure) and points of light (representing 'order nodes'). At this moment, the center of the network (the Cadia region) was a piercing crimson and shattered, with cracks spreading along the pulses in all directions. Several points of light, including the signal sources of 'custodian-alpha', 'The Library', and the 'Wall of Sighs', were flashing with unstable light, seemingly resisting or responding to this collapse. "According to the model, the 'reality structure decay wave' triggered by the Cadian Scar is spreading at sub-light speed. It is estimated to affect the Human Federation's current controlled areas and most of the newly occupied areas within the next thirty to fifty standard years. By then, the Warp energy penetration rate in the region will increase by an average of 300%-800%, the stability of physical laws will decrease, and the probability of Chaos manifestations will increase significantly."

The image clearly and coldly displayed the impending catastrophe—the territory they had worked so hard to seize would soon no longer be a safe Fortress, but a breeding ground for rampant Warp pollution.

"The genetic adjustments of the 'nirvana' plan can only ensure individual stability in lightly polluted environments. Faced with a reality structure decay of this scale, without wide-area protective measures, all occupied areas will be lost, the population will mutate or go insane, and industry will be paralyzed." The Chief Technologist's expression was grim.

"Our existing 'Concept Stabilization' shields can only cover ships or fixed large-scale facilities like 'Ark Worlds'. Their energy consumption is enormous, and they cannot be extended to planets, let alone an entire star sector level," the Chief Engineer added.

They needed a new 'artifact' capable of stabilizing reality on a large scale and resisting Warp penetration. A... 'Reality Stabilizer'.

"In the data of 'The Watchers Library', are there any relevant technical blueprints?" Han Zhe asked in a deep voice.

"There is a relevant theoretical framework, but it is extremely profound." The Chief Technologist called up a data fragment. "The Library calls it the 'Macro-Reality Anchoring Matrix' or the 'Order Field Generator'. Its principle is not simply to 'shield' the Warp, but rather to forcibly 'define' and 'reinforce' the reality structure parameters within a specific area through a precise energy-information field. This significantly raises the 'penetration threshold' for Warp influence while actively 'repelling' conceptual Chaos pollution. But this requires... an 'order core' powerful enough to locally counter the 'background pressure' of the Warp, as well as an extremely complex and energy-intensive field generator network covering the entire target area."

"An 'order core' powerful enough to counter the background pressure of the Warp..." Han Zhe's gaze involuntarily drifted toward the screen next to him, where the dodecahedron—'custodian-alpha'—floated quietly in the isolation chamber, emitting a faint dark golden light.

This 'conceptual entity', catalyzed by them and born from the echoes of the 'Pure Kindling' and the Warp's 'conceptual pillar', was essentially the embodiment of the concepts of 'order' and 'stability'! Wasn't it the most ideal candidate for an 'order core'? Moreover, it had already demonstrated the ability to remotely and faintly stabilize reality!

"Using 'custodian-alpha' as the... 'heart' of a 'Reality Stabilizer'?" The Biotechnology Supervisor gasped. "This is too dangerous! Our understanding of it is still far from sufficient. Forcing its connection to such a massive system—if it goes out of control..."

"But do we have any other choice?" Alpha-01 retorted, his voice cold and hard. "Wait for the Warp to completely corrode the territory we've newly conquered? Or give up everything and go into exile again to the more distant, unaffected void? The 'custodian' was created by us; it is based on our technology and is logically of the same origin as the Human Federation. Instead of letting it be observed as an independent, unpredictable 'conceptual baby', why not try to 'instrumentalize' it for our use?"

Instrumentalizing a 'conceptual entity'? This was even more sacrilegious and insane than the 'nirvana' plan. But the Human Federation had already been racing down the path of sacrilege and madness for a long time.

"providence, based on the theories from 'The Library' and existing data on 'custodian-alpha', deduce the feasibility, risks, and a preliminary plan for a 'Regional Reality Stabilization Field' generation system using the 'custodian' as the energy-information core." Han Zhe ordered, his eyes flashing with the light of a desperate gamble. "We need it, and as soon as possible. Start with a small-scale testing ground at the star system level."

[Command received. Deduction initiated. Warning: This proposal involves the direct functional application of a 'conceptual entity'. Its 'self-awareness' (if it exists) or 'existence logic' may produce unpredictable resistance or mutation. A loss of system control could result in the local reality structure being forcibly overwritten or distorted by the custodian's logic, leading to consequences even more bizarre and irreversible than Warp pollution.] providence issued the routine warning, but the data stream had already begun to run at high speed.

While the 'Reality Stabilizer' project (code-named 'anchoring') was in the midst of intensive theoretical breakthroughs, pressure on the front lines increased sharply.

"The 'Iron Warriors' and 'Death Guard' coalition has launched another fierce attack on the 'Hermes' star cluster! This time, they are accompanied by large Daemon Engines and suspected Chaos sorcery support. Our front line is under immense pressure!" Alpha-01's report from the front arrived. "At the same time, the 'Pioneer' fleet has encountered harassment from several different Chaos warbands in the resource zones. The enemy seems to be coordinating, intending to cut off our supply lines!"

"The 'Ghost' fleet reports: signs of extensive 'Word Bearers' warband missionary activity have appeared among the remnants of the Imperial forces. They are spreading extreme Chaos beliefs among the defeated soldiers and refugees, creating new chaos and sources of manpower!"

The power of Chaos, emboldened by the victory at Cadia, was infiltrating and expanding throughout the galaxy with unprecedented speed and diversity. The Human Federation's newly occupied and yet-to-be-solidified territories were the most succulent prey.

"The 'anchoring' project cannot wait." Han Zhe looked at the star map where the front lines were reporting emergencies everywhere. "Before we complete the theoretical design and the adaptive modification of the 'custodian', we need a transitional, rapidly deployable wide-area anti-Warp measure—at least to stem the rapid deterioration of Warp pollution in the occupied areas!"

"In 'The Library' data, there is a secondary technology called the 'Conceptual Turbulence Net'." The Chief Technologist quickly searched. "It works by deploying a large number of distributed nodes that emit specific 'information turbulence'. This creates a continuous, harmless but extremely complex 'conceptual background noise' within the area, interfering with and diluting the Warp whispers and weak Chaos energy that seep in, slowing down the pollution process. Although it cannot fundamentally reinforce reality like 'anchoring', it can buy us time, and its technical threshold and energy consumption are relatively low, allowing for rapid production and deployment."

"Immediately initiate the 'Conceptual Turbulence Net' project, code-named 'Silent Veil'." Han Zhe made the decision. "Prioritize deployment in densely populated and industrial occupied areas like 'Bountiful Granary' and 'Hermes-3'. The 'worker bee' swarms will put all effort into producing the turbulence nodes."

"Furthermore..." Han Zhe's gaze became deep once again. "Since Chaos can use faith and sorcery to bewitch people's minds, we can also use our 'tools' for... reverse operations."

He looked toward the Minister of Social Integration: "Can the memory-importing module of the 'nirvana' plan be further strengthened? On top of basic cognition, can we add stronger psychological early-warning mechanisms and conditioned-reflex rejection training specifically against Chaos pollution? Perhaps... even try to introduce a weakened, harmless 'Pure Kindling' protocol frequency as a 'background psychological suggestion' to subtly enhance an individual's resistance to the mental influence of Chaos?"

"Theoretically... it's feasible." The Minister of Social Integration nodded after some thought. "But this will further weaken individual independent thinking and emotional diversity, making the 'new citizens' even more... 'instrumentalized'."

"Survival is the priority." Han Zhe's answer was cold and direct. "What we need are 'parts' that can work stably in a Warp-polluted environment, not 'free souls' full of uncertainty. At least, until we win this war."

The 'Silent Veil' project was launched. Countless disc-shaped turbulence nodes were scattered like dandelion seeds into the orbits and onto the surfaces of the newly occupied areas, beginning to emit that invisible "white noise" that countered the whispers of the Warp.

The adjustment protocols of the 'nirvana' plan were further "optimized." When the new "citizens" stepped out of the adjustment chambers, their eyes held more than just calm; they now possessed a near-instinctive vigilance and aversion toward specific psychic frequencies.

The Human Federation's controlled areas were being wrapped in layer after layer of "filters" woven from technology and cold rationality, attempting to maintain a relatively "clean" and "orderly" island amidst the Warp's tide.

And at the core of these layers of filters, the theoretical design of the 'anchoring' project was slowly taking shape under providence's overloaded calculations. On the holographic blueprint, a complex system centered on 'custodian-alpha'—composed of multiple energy rings, an information conduction matrix, and a massive array of ground and orbital generators—gradually became clear. It would attempt to extract the essence of the 'custodian's' 'order concept' and transform it into an active 'reality stabilization field' that could cover an entire star system.

"Results of the preliminary adaptive 'communication' test with the 'custodian'." The scientist in charge of interaction reported, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "We attempted to 'explain' the concept and purpose of the 'anchoring' system to it. It gave no clear 'agreement' or 'rejection' feedback, but the activity of its internal information flow increased significantly, and its dark golden light became more solid. At the same time... it transmitted to us a set of new, more complex 'Multiple Reality Veins' imagery fragments. The direction of some of these veins shows a surprising 'pre-matching' with parts of the energy pathway design of the 'anchoring' system."

It was as if this 'conceptual entity' had already "known" or "foreseen" the existence of the 'anchoring' system, or was even... "waiting" for or "guiding" its establishment.

"The 'sanctuary unit' protects the 'far gaze'... the 'custodian' responds to the 'anchoring' needs... 'The Library' broadcasts knowledge..." Alpha-01 whispered to himself. "These ancient 'order nodes', their behavioral patterns... seem to be more than just 'reactive'. It's more like they are... consciously searching for and assisting 'qualified' successors or 'tools' to fight Chaos and repair reality? And we, the Human Federation, because of our technological path, have unintentionally become one of the objects they have 'selected' or 'recognized'?"

This hypothesis was even more chilling than providence's deduction regarding the "Cosmic Immune Response." If they were truly being "marked" and "guided" by some ancient, inhuman "orderly will," then was their so-called "independent development" and "autonomous destiny" merely a predetermined step in a much larger game from the very beginning?

Han Zhe remained silent, looking at the stable dark golden light of 'custodian-alpha' on the screen and the increasingly complete, cold, and magnificent blueprint of the 'anchoring' system beside it.

Regardless of the truth, the arrow was already on the string.

The 'anchoring' system had to be established.

The 'Silent Veil' had to be deployed.

The 'nirvana' plan had to be deepened.

The Human Federation's territory had to become a reality island that Chaos would find difficult to erode.

Even if the keystone of this island was the 'conceptual deity' they catalyzed; even if the walls of this island were reshaped from the genes and memories of their own kind; even if the existence of this island itself might be serving some ancient and grand 'order blueprint' that they could not understand.

Survival was the only indisputable creed.