132: Planetary Purification

"All actions must implement the spirit of 'Absolute Human Supremacy'! All 'non-human' existences encountered, regardless of their form, intent, or whether they constitute a direct threat, are to be regarded as 'filth' requiring purification! All occupied star sectors must undergo thorough 'environmental transformation' and 'ordering' to make them fully suitable for the survival and development of 'Pure Humans'!"

"We will use this iron torrent, far exceeding anything before, to plow through all obstacles in our path! We shall plant the flag of the 'Human Federation' across all the stars within our sight!"

"Let the galaxy tremble! Let all 'non-humans' be turned into the dust of history under the iron torrent of humanity!"

"For the 'Human Federation'! Purify! Conquer!"

The orders transformed into a storm of destruction sweeping through the sea of stars.

The Human Federation fleet, unprecedented in scale, resembled a swarm of metallic locusts pouring out from their nest, lunging toward their respective targets in a multi-pronged advance that crushed everything in its path.

In the Eastern Sector, the Eldar pirates' once-elusive 'Vampire' raiders were like moths hitting a spiderweb, instantly torn apart by dense cannon fire before the gapless reconnaissance-firepower network composed of dozens of torrent-class fleet groups. Alien civilization shelters hidden deep within gaseous planetary rings or asteroid belts were forcibly 'scraped' out of hiding by the titan-class iii's 'Wide-Area Conceptual Disintegration Field,' then reduced to cosmic dust under the saturated bombardment of torrent-class vessels. After weeks of intense shelling, the background radiation of the entire sector seemed to permanently take on a faint, dark-golden afterglow representing 'purification.'

On the northern border, facing 'Withered Worlds' deeply contaminated by Chaos energy, with distorted landscapes and even low-level demons, the Human Federation fleet adopted the most extreme purification methods. Large 'Environmental Transformation Ships' sowed specialized 'Order Catalysts' and 'Anti-Chaos Nanite Swarms' onto the planetary surfaces, working with orbital Purification Dome generators to forcibly reverse planetary environmental parameters and neutralize Chaos contamination. For worlds too heavily contaminated to be transformed, Planetary Disintegration Cannons were deployed to destroy them completely and reclaim their core materials. A Great Wall of Iron, composed of burning 'Purified Worlds' and cold 'Fortress Planets,' began to slowly rise at the edge of the Chaos territories.

In the vast and chaotic star sectors of the west and south, massive numbers of torrent-class fleet groups played the role of scavengers. With absolute numerical superiority, they steamrolled all resistance encountered. Ork spore breeding grounds? Saturated bombardment followed by ground troops for flame purification. Alien pirate dens? Direct orbital bombardment to wash the land, leaving no survivors. Unknown ancient ruins or dangerous natural phenomena? Utilize what can be used; what cannot be used is sealed or annihilated using Reality Stability Anchors. One safe navigation route after another was forcibly opened, resource-rich areas were marked and occupied, and countless outposts and automated mining facilities sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain.

The 'Abyssal Blade' special forces acted like poisonous stingers hidden beneath the torrent, executing the most secretive and lethal missions. They raided several hidden nodes suspected to be Eldar 'Prophecy Stones' or 'Spirit Circuits,' destroying them and capturing fragments of psychic technology; they located and blew up several small Necron 'Tomb Outposts' that had just begun to awaken, delaying possible Necron infiltration; they even tracked and ambushed a lone Men of Iron observation ship that seemed to be conducting a 'post-war assessment.' After a brutal electronic war and conceptual confrontation, they successfully damaged it and forced it to flee, leaving behind precious fragment data regarding the Men of Iron's underlying logic.

Expansion, purification, conquest. It proceeded in a tyrannical and efficient manner that drew the attention of the entire galaxy.

At the end of the third month of the 'Absolute Purification' strategy.

"Summary of progress in all directions," Alpha-01 reported to Han Zhe. On the holographic star map, vast areas were dyed in the dark gold representing 'Purified' or 'Controlled,' the scale of expansion being staggering. "The Eastern Sector has been basically cleared; it's estimated that resource extraction can increase overall industrial capacity by 15%. The northern 'Purification Defense Line' has initially taken shape, with Chaos infiltration incidents dropping by 90%. The area of new controlled zones in the west and south reaches 4.3 million cubic light-years, with over two thousand high-value resource systems discovered and occupied, and over seven hundred new forward bases and outposts established. The 'Abyssal Blade' operations have achieved all intended tactical objectives."

"Fleet scale?" Han Zhe asked.

"Continuing to expand." A sharp light flashed in Alpha-01's eyes. "Eight more newly built titan-class iii ships have entered service, and monthly production of the torrent-class is stable at over 1,200 vessels. The current total fleet scale has exceeded... 800% of what it was before the Battle of Qingtian."

Eight hundred percent! Eight times the scale before that tragic Great War!

On the star map, the dark-golden light points representing the Human Federation fleet were so dense they seemed like an ocean of light, surging within their controlled zones. Their sheer numbers were enough to form a powerful deterrent against any potential invaders just by maintaining daily patrols and garrisons.

"Enemy reactions?" Han Zhe finally asked.

"The Imperium has increased border patrols in relevant sectors but has not crossed the line; instead, several Imperial merchant fleets have attempted to use the newly opened 'Safe Routes' (after paying high 'Transit and Protection Fees'). Chaos forces gathered some strength outside the northern defense line, but several tentative attacks were easily repelled by our forces, and there have been no further major movements. The Eldar, Necrons, Men of Iron... none have had a direct reaction. The Tyranid 'Scout Tendrils,' after encountering our vanguard fleet, seem to have changed their infiltration direction, turning toward other weaker defensive areas."

Silence. A silence carrying heavy pressure and faint fear came from the Human Federation's enemies. Perhaps they were still busy with their own wars, perhaps they were observing in secret, or perhaps they were accumulating strength. But it was undeniable that the 'Human Variant,' which once needed the madness of mutual destruction to force back strong enemies, had in a short time swelled into a... non-ignorable galactic-level power with a despair-inducing fleet scale, controlling vast territories, and purifying everything in the most cold-blooded and ruthless manner.

Han Zhe walked to the observation window again, looking out at the boundless forest of steel and the shadows of shuttling ships belonging to the Human Federation. A massive shadow fell across his face, making his expression look deep and inscrutable.

"It's still not enough," he whispered to himself, his voice audible only to him. "This is just the beginning... When the Imperium settles Chaos, when the Eldar complete their prophecy, when the Necrons end their civil war, when the Men of Iron finish their assessment... when they turn their gaze here once more..."

His gaze suddenly became incredibly sharp, as if piercing through all the prosperity and power before him to see the grander and more cruel future chess game hidden deeper in the starry sky.

"What we want them to see is not just a faction, but a fully formed, unshakable Imperium of Man."

The dark gold on the star map seemed to sense this silent vow, its light becoming more restrained and also heavier. That was not just the light of warships; it was the cold, heavy presence of a civilization tempered in blood and fire, slowly and irreversibly pressing down upon this ancient galaxy.