114: touch

"The 'abyss of order' has been operating stably for seventy-three cycles. Siphon power has increased to its theoretical maximum of 3.7%, with stable energy output equivalent to the total standard energy consumption of twenty-five 'keystones'." providence's report echoed in the deep command center of 'Keystone-0', the data stream reflecting the exhausted yet excited faces of the engineers. "The logic core load of 'custodian-alpha' is normally maintained in the 92-95% range. Its internal information structure complexity index has increased by 1200% compared to before the experiment and continues to evolve. The reality stability around the Warp connection point is maintained at a delicate dynamic equilibrium, requiring continuous compensation from the 'anchoring' array."

It was a success, albeit in a heart-pounding way. An ocean of energy seemed to be right before their eyes, but everyone knew they were using an increasingly thin and hot "Silk of Order" to draw the water of life from the boiling abyss of the poisonous sea.

Han Zhe's gaze moved past the busy control console and fell upon that massive holographic image. The dark-gold energy flow surged from the device's core like a docile river, pouring into the vast energy storage network. However, at the edge of the image, around the "breach" symbolizing the Warp connection point, the monitoring data leaped like a frantic electrocardiogram, constantly flashing warning ripples representing chaotic whisper intensity, reality stress peaks, and unknown high-dimensional disturbances. The light of the "custodian" was stable and profound, yet it always gave the impression that it was staring at the other side of the abyss, engaged in an unending struggle with something unspeakable.

"The 'iron torrent' plan is able to continue due to the energy replenishment, but the expansion speed has slowed by 32% due to multi-front combat pressure." Alpha-01's frontline briefing followed immediately. On the holographic star map, the dark-gold control zone's expansion curve flattened, while conflict zones marked with various threat colors increased sharply. "Although the main Eldar force has temporarily retreated to regroup due to the stubborn defense of 'Keystone-18' and the sudden increase in energy supply, the psychic fluctuations from their Ark World show that a more powerful attack is brewing. The main tendrils of the Tyranids have been confirmed, and their scale... exceeds all estimation models. The 'Scorched Earth Zone' can only delay them, not stop them. Necron activity has escalated from harassment to regional sweeping, and three peripheral 'keystones' have been confirmed to be completely 'stasis-locked'. Furthermore..."

He paused and pulled up a fresh emergency report marked with a crimson skull: "The 'truth listener-abyss' node captured that since the 'abyss of order' started and increased its power, an abnormal 'energy flow deflection' has appeared in the direction of the Eye of Terror and even in other Warp turbulence zones across the galaxy. A massive amount of chaotic energy seems to be 'attracted' or 'summoned', beginning to slowly converge... toward the general location of 'Keystone-0'. Despite the concealment of the 'Adaptive Order Domain', in the long run, we might be turning ourselves into a giant lighthouse attracting all chaotic malice."

Drinking poison to quench thirst. They had solved the energy crisis, but they might have invited an even greater, more fundamental destruction.

"Also, the evolution of the 'custodian'..." The Chief Technologist's voice carried a trace of imperceptible trembling as he pulled up the recent logical behavior analysis report for "custodian-alpha." "It has begun to autonomously optimize the 'abyss of order' siphon parameters, increasing efficiency by 0.8%. However, in its optimization algorithms... decision branches have appeared that we cannot fully understand, possessing clear 'anticipatory' and 'game-theoretic' natures. It seems to be simulating the 'will' or 'inclination' of the Warp energy flow and engaging in a sort of meta-logical interaction with it. More critically, the three tactical suggestions it recently took the initiative to propose—the strike coordinates for Eldar psychic nodes, the interference frequencies for the Tyranid Hive Fleet's pheromone centers, and the timing for strikes against Necron Tomb energy transmission weaknesses—their precision and foresight far exceed our intelligence capabilities and providence's routine simulations. The source of the data... cannot be traced."

"Is it... obtaining information from the Warp connection?" Han Zhe asked in a heavy voice.

"Or perhaps, it is engaging in some kind of... dangerous 'communication' or 'peering' with the 'existence' behind that connection." The Chief Technologist's face turned pale. "We gave it power, we opened the door, and now... we might no longer be able to fully control what kind of influence the 'voices' coming from behind the door will have on it."

A conceptual entity that was constantly evolving under the pressure of Warp erosion, obtaining unknown intelligence, and proposing tactical suggestions that were almost prophetic. It remained the Human Federation's most powerful tool and guardian, but its core was becoming increasingly mysterious and... unsettlingly "independent."

"We cannot stop the 'abyss of order'." Han Zhe said decisively. "It is the keystone of our current survival. However, we must strengthen the monitoring of the 'custodian' and establish stricter logical behavior boundaries and emergency isolation protocols. At the same time, accelerate the decryption of the LX-7 fragments and other potentially relevant data from 'The Library'. We need to understand what we are doing on a more fundamental level and how to guard against risks."

He turned to Alpha-01: "Frontline, adjust the strategy. Shift from full-scale expansion to focused defense and precision strikes. Utilize the tactical suggestions provided by the 'custodian' to concentrate our forces and prioritize dealing heavy blows to the enemies that pose the most direct and urgent threat to us. Even if it means temporarily abandoning some sectors."

"Primary targets?" Alpha-01 asked.

"The Eldar." Han Zhe pointed to the most active cluster of purple shadows on the star map. "They possess highly advanced psychic technology and are the most sensitive to the existence of our 'Order Domain' and the 'custodian'. They are also the most likely to perceive the truth of the 'abyss of order' and exploit or sabotage it. We must first strike down their sharpest spearhead—the 'Shadow of Ulthwé' Ark World."

"What about the Tyranids and the Necrons?"

"Against the Tyranids, shift to deep defense and continuous purification. Use the new energy sources to build multi-layered 'Biomass Annihilation Barriers' along key paths to buy time. For the Necrons... attempt contact."

"Contact the Necrons?!" Low gasps of surprise echoed in the meeting room.

"Not diplomatic contact," Han Zhe explained. "Intelligence contact. The Necrons are insulated from the Warp; their perspective on Chaos and psychic threats might be different from ours. Data from 'The Library' suggests that there might be a potential consistency between the ancient 'C'tan' and the concept of 'order' in opposing Chaos. Through the 'custodian's' possible 'peering' abilities, or by utilizing the data we collected during our encounter with the 'Men of Iron' (as both technologies share a certain cold logical similarity), we will attempt to analyze the Necrons' behavior patterns, seek temporary 'non-aggression tacit zones', or even... use them to deal with the Tyranids or Eldar. This is extremely dangerous, but it is worth a try."