111: Steel Torrent

"'iron torrent' plan, initiated."

The command transformed into an all-consuming steel storm. Countless shipyards roared, spitting flames across the “Ark World” and the various “keystone” worlds, as keels grew like a forest. In the gene factories, the nascent “G-2 Generation” rapidly “matured” within nutrient fluids and information streams. In the labor camps and incubation centers, the gears of fate for the G-1 Population turned even more mercilessly. On the front lines, a flood of dark gold fleets began surging in all directions.

Countering Imperial Remnants:

In the northeast sector of the “keystone” worlds, “the arbiter” led the newly launched “titan-class” vessels “the purifier” and *Jinghua Hao* to engage the Ultramarines' “Otmar” detachment. The bravery and discipline of the Imperial warriors were commendable, but under the suppression of the “Adaptive Order Domain,” their psychic support and the effectiveness of some sacred weaponry were severely reduced. Saturated bombardment from the “Reality Reconstruction Cannon” and the “Conceptual Disintegration-Material Resonance Compound Cannon” tore through the tenacious formations of the Imperial Fleet. After a fierce battle, the Imperial Fleet was forced to retreat, leaving behind numerous burning wrecks and captives who had been caught by the “Domain” and were either being forcibly “purified” by Soul Cleansing Pods or prepared for the “Recycling” process.

Pre-empting the Tyranids:

Facing the distant yet imminent Tyranid shadow, the “Human Federation” did not wait. Several task forces carrying “Biomass Purification Bombs” (based on “The Library’s” biodegradation technology and potent radioactive materials) were dispatched to peripheral star systems along the predicted path for “Scorched Earth Pre-Purification.” Vast star regions were converted into forbidden zones for life, attempting to weaken or even alter the swarm's direction of advance ahead of time. Simultaneously, the biological research department operated at full capacity, analyzing limited Tyranid samples (obtained from fringe reconnaissance conflicts) to search for potential weaknesses in their pheromone command system or gene chain.

Maneuvering against the Necrons:

Engagement with the Necrons was the most bizarre and dangerous. Necron fleets were elusive, and Gauss Weaponry ignored conventional shields. The order interference from the “anchoring” domain had limited effect on them but seemed capable of disrupting some of their Spatio-Temporal Phase Technology. The “Human Federation” adopted wolf pack tactics, deploying large numbers of high-speed light fleets equipped with “Phase Disruptors” and “Tomb Energy Siphon Devices” (based on research into captured Necron fragments). These fleets continuously harassed the edges of the Necron Awakening Worlds, destroying their energy collection arrays and delaying their complete awakening process. Direct confrontation was strictly avoided; upon encountering the Necron main force, they immediately used pre-arranged jump beacons to retreat.

Fierce Fighting against the Orks:

The Orks' Waaagh! energy was wild and unpredictable, but their crude technology often proved full of holes against the “Human Federation's” precise firepower. Targeting the Ork trait of “bigger equals stronger,” the “Human Federation” concentrated its “titan-class” firepower and set an ambush in a complex nebula environment, successfully destroying the modified asteroid flagship along with the Warboss aboard. As expected, the headless Ork fleet descended into chaotic infighting, allowing the “Human Federation” fleet to seize the opportunity to harvest, splitting and annihilating this massive Ork force. This battle yielded a large amount of Ork “technology” wreckage, whose savage creativity left the technical department both disdainful and wary.

Hunting the Eldar:

Fighting the Eldar was like dancing on a spiderweb. Relying on superior maneuverability and psychic camouflage, the Eldar fleet repeatedly launched deadly surprise attacks, inflicting considerable losses on “Human Federation” patrols and resource convoys. However, the “Human Federation” quickly adjusted tactics, utilizing the sensitivity of the *Diting* network and the “custodian” units to psychic fluctuations. They deployed numerous invisible “Conceptual Turbulence” nodes and spatial sensors along critical routes, constructing a vast warning and interference network. Simultaneously, they formed specialized “Hunter Squadrons,” piloted by G-2 Generation elites and equipped with potent anti-psychic devices and high-speed tracking weapons. By trading blows, they forced the Eldar to abandon costly guerrilla warfare and begin massing their main forces, seeking an opportunity for a decisive battle.

Expansion proceeded through blood and fire. Every day, new “keystone” worlds lit up with dark gold light at critical nodes in the occupied territory; every day, new ships joined the iron torrent; and every day, countless lives perished amid the roar of naval guns and the cold command of “Recycling.”

"'iron torrent' plan, Year One Summary," providence reported during the strategy meeting. “Expansion of controlled territory: 372%. New ‘keystone’ Fortress Worlds constructed: 22. Total fleet size increase: 280%. Active ‘titan-class’ battleships: 14. Major losses: Ship losses account for approximately 15% of total tonnage. Personnel losses (including G-1 Consumption Troops): approximately 870,000. Qualified soldier replenishment from the New Generation (G-2 and early G-3): approximately 650,000.”

“Threat status update for all fronts: Pressure from Imperial Remnants has eased, but there are signs that multiple Space Marine Chapters and Inquisition forces are gathering in this region. The path of the Tyranid vanguard tendrils has shown observable deflection due to the ‘Scorched Earth Pre-Purification’ operation, but the size of the main force remains unknown. The Necron awakening process has been effectively delayed, but their retaliatory strikes against our harassment operations are increasing. One newly constructed ‘keystone’ world was severely damaged by a Necron main force surprise attack. The Ork threat is temporarily neutralized, but residual Ork spore dispersal may trigger a new Waaagh!. The Eldar Main Force has gathered outside our ‘Keystone-7,’ presumably preparing to launch a large-scale offensive.”

Expansion brought strength, but also attracted more focused and intense hostility. The flames of war did not subside; instead, they intensified, about to reach a climax simultaneously on multiple fronts.

“The logical core complexity of the ‘custodian-alpha’ has increased by 500% following the network expansion,” the Chief Technologist reported a critical change. “It can now simultaneously coordinate the Domain Linkage of up to fifteen ‘keystone’ worlds, optimizing energy distribution during defense and offense. Furthermore... it has begun actively proposing tactical optimization suggestions. Its computational model includes enemy behavior pattern data that we have not yet mastered, likely sourced from shared information obtained through the ‘Order Network.’ Concurrently, its control interface compatibility with newly produced ships has reached 100%, and it can even provide microscopic tactical assistance to front-line fleets via the Domain Network.”

“It is becoming the true brain of our war machine...” Alpha-01 mused. “What about the risks?”

“The risks remain. We still don't fully understand its ultimate goal or its binding relationship with the ‘Network.’ But so far, all its actions comply with the core directive of ‘maintaining the Human Federation's survival and expansion,’ and it even exhibits a degree of... ‘proactiveness’ and ‘aggressiveness’.”

Han Zhe looked at the dark gold territory on the star map, which was already quite substantial, and the threats lurking around it. They were like a colossal steel beast, feeding frantically and growing rapidly while surrounded by a pack of wolves.

“Continue the ‘iron torrent’ plan. The focus of the second phase is: consolidating existing ‘keystone’ connections and constructing a defense-in-depth system. Concentrate superior forces to first crush the Eldar Main Force, which poses the most direct threat to us. Simultaneously, dispatch ‘Biological Purification Fleets’ toward the potential main attack direction of the Tyranids to establish multi-layered interception zones. Against the Necrons, switch to defensive harassment, avoiding excessive provocation. Against the Imperium, maintain high-pressure deterrence, and attempt to use covert channels to disseminate information about the Tyranid and Necron threats, diverting their attention.”

“Furthermore,” Han Zhe’s gaze sharpened, “initiate the ‘Kindling Disperser’ plan. Construct a batch of small, high-mobility Colony Ships equipped with basic ‘Domain Generators’ and automated production modules. When a ‘keystone’ world faces the risk of irreversible loss, these Colony Ships will carry the core database, gene bank, and a portion of the elite personnel, fleeing toward the deeper parts of the galaxy or even the Extragalactic region, ensuring the flame of the ‘Human Federation’ civilization is not extinguished.”

This was the final fallback, a contingency plan woven from the deepest despair and hope.

“We are challenging the order of the entire galaxy... or rather, the chaos,” Alpha-01 said slowly, looking at the increasingly intense combat markers on the star map.

“No,” Han Zhe corrected, his voice carrying a cold certainty. “We are forcibly defining our own order within this chaos. Whether the enemy is god or ghost, bug or metal, ancient or savage... those who stand in our way will all turn into dust beneath the ‘keystone’ or fuel within the ‘torrent’.”