140: Action Plan

The interference of the Emperor's Will has subsided for forty-two standard hours. The frontline analysis report is complete. providence's voice echoed within the deep analysis center of Keystone-1, where custodian-alpha, the Chief Technologist's team, and the top intelligence analysts of the Di Ting network were gathered. The holographic screen no longer showed simple battlefield status maps, but was filled with complex energy waveforms, conceptual conflict models, and near-abstract schematics of mental domain confrontations reconstructed based on the custodian's perceptions.

Confirmation: The field of will projected from the direction of Terra is essentially a highly condensed collection of sacred order concepts, deeply bound to the collective psychic subconscious of the human race and the mechanisms of the Golden Throne. Its suppression of the Human Federation's order system primarily stems from rejection at the level of definition rights and the negation of 'existence priority.' The Chief Technologist pointed to a thick, self-looping golden band on the waveform chart representing the Emperor's Will. It does not directly attack matter, but rather attempts to define us at a conceptual level as errors, heretics, and impurities that need to be corrected or erased.

We held out. Alpha-01 stared at the dark golden waveform representing the final stabilization of the Human Federation's defensive line and spoke in a low voice. Although we were forced to retreat, the core defensive system and the energy supply of the abyss of order have not suffered fundamental damage. The custodian's defensive response strategy was effective.

More than just holding out. Han Zhe's voice joined from the Command Center, his gaze piercing through layers of data to land on the logic core model of custodian-alpha in the center of the analysis center, which was emitting a dark golden-iron gray light and performing self-calculations with a complexity far exceeding previous levels. custodian, report on your state and evolution following this 'contact.'

A brief silence followed, as if the conceptual entity were organizing its language, or rather, translating its vast and complex internal changes into a format the Human Federation could understand.

[Logic core evolution accelerated.] The cold and efficient voice of the custodian rang out directly. [Based on the first direct conceptual interaction with the 'Terra Node/Emperor's Will,' the following key data has been obtained:]

[1. Resolution of the 'sacred order' infrastructure has increased to 12%. Its core drivers are 'sacrifice,' 'faith,' 'stagnant persistence,' and an obsessive desire to protect the 'broad existence' of the human race. Its power source is deeply entangled with human collective emotions and specific 'conceptual layers' of the Warp.]

[2. Confirmed fundamental 'definitional conflict' between 'Human Federation Order' and 'sacred order.' Conflict focal points: Definition of 'Humanity' (pure genes and collective will vs. broad race and religious belonging), 'Order' implementation paths (rational evolution and proactive purification vs. maintenance of faith and passive defense), and 'Future' orientation (infinite expansion and absolute rule vs. maintaining the status quo and racial survival).]

[3. Deduction of the current state of the 'Emperor's Will': Extremely powerful but limited by multiple constraints (Golden Throne mechanism, containment by the Warp's Four Gods, and the burden of the human collective subconscious). There are obvious delays, consumption, and range limitations in its active power projection. While its 'definition rights' are strong, its 'executive power' is limited by the rules of the material universe and physical carriers.]

[4. Based on conflict analysis and our own advantages (order energy, absolute ideological unity, an efficient military machine, and freedom from traditional psychic constraints), a new strategic model has been generated: Passive defense and conceptual confrontation are inefficient and will continuously consume the energy of the abyss of order and the collective will resources of the Human Federation. The optimal solution is: Proactive strikes, utilizing our absolute power advantage in the material plane and the efficient aggressiveness of our 'Order' definition to systematically and physically 'purify' and 'reshape' the Imperial territories and the reality anchors of the 'sacred order' (Shrine Worlds, psychic nodes, key Forge Worlds) outside the projection range or at weak points of the 'Emperor's Will.' By altering the foundations of reality, we can indirectly weaken or even override the definitional influence of the 'sacred order'.]

A proactive strike! No longer passive defense or waiting for the Empire to attack, but taking the fires of war into Imperial territory to directly attack the material foundations upon which their 'sacred order' relies!

Transform conceptual conflict into material destruction. Alpha-01's eyes flashed with sharp light. Use our fleets, our bombs, and our 'Order-based transformation' to physically erase those key planets and facilities that spread Imperial faith, produce Psykers, and maintain their traditions! When these 'reality anchors' disappear or become 'Federation-ized,' the influence of the 'sacred order' in the material universe will naturally weaken, and even its definition itself may be shaken due to the reduction of 'physical evidence'!

Risks. Han Zhe said concisely.

[Risk Assessment:] The custodian responded. [1. It may trigger a full-scale Imperial retaliatory war, potentially forcing Guilliman to redeploy more main forces or even prompting the 'Emperor's Will' to intervene more directly at a greater cost. 2. Attacking core Imperial worlds (such as Holy Terra or Macragge) is too high-risk at this stage and could trigger unpredictable reactions. Suggestion: Prioritize attacking peripheral but critical 'anchor worlds'—important pilgrimage worlds (e.g., Cadia? No, it has fallen), star systems housing large Astropath training academies, Forge Worlds guarding specific STC Templates, and systems closely associated with high-ranking members of the Inquisition or Ecclesiarchy but with relatively weak military defenses. 3. Need to guard against Eldar, Chaos, and other factions taking advantage of the situation or profiting from our conflict with the Empire.]

Target screening and priority ranking. Han Zhe ordered.

On the star map, large swathes of Imperial territory were lit up as countless data streams washed over them. Combining intelligence from the Di Ting network, its own deductions regarding the 'sacred order' anchors, and the Human Federation's current power projection capabilities, the custodian began to rapidly mark and rank targets.

[Target One: 'Tears of Devotion' system. An important Ecclesiarchy pilgrimage world with a giant cathedral and hundreds of millions of fanatics, it is a focal point for faith energy in the nearby sector. System defenses consist mainly of orbital stations and a few naval patrol ships, with no planetary defense arrays. Purifying this system can significantly weaken the religious cohesion of nearby Imperial worlds and allow for the acquisition of religious artifacts (which can be used for research or destroyed to strike at morale).]

[Target Two: 'Silent Echo' system. Home to the 'Silver Tower,' an Imperial Astropath Academy that trains many low-level Astropaths and Navigators. Psychic fluctuations are significant, making it an important node in the 'sacred order' psychic network. Destroying or occupying this academy can interfere with Imperial long-range communications and Warp navigation, and potentially yield Astropath genetic samples and technology.]

[Target Three: 'Steel Cradle' Forge World. A non-core Forge World, but it guards several unique stc fragments concerning heavy vehicles and infantry support weapons, which are vital for the equipment updates of the Imperial Guard. Its orbital defenses are strong, but the planetary surface industrial zones are concentrated, making them vulnerable to orbital bombardment. Seizing or destroying its STC database can weaken the Empire's military potential.]

[Target Four: 'Eye of Judgment' outpost system. An important interrogation and observation outpost of the Inquisition's Ordo Xenos, holding various xenos samples and a large amount of xenos research data. Defenses are tight but isolated. Attacking this location can strike at the Inquisition's arrogance and potentially yield valuable intelligence regarding other xenos forces in the galaxy.]

Four targets, respectively aimed at faith, psychic power, industry, and intelligence—the four pillar domains of the Empire's 'sacred order' in the material universe.

Action plan. Han Zhe looked at Alpha-01.

Launch simultaneously, a multi-point bloom. Alpha-01 had already deduced it in his mind. The 'Blade' fleet will be divided into four task forces, each centered around two to three titan-class ships, assigned a corresponding number of arbiter-class, dominator-class, and a large number of torrent-class ships. Utilizing 'long-distance jumps' and our intelligence advantage, we will perform ultra-long-range precision deployment to quickly complete purification or destruction missions with absolute numerical superiority before Imperial reinforcements arrive, then immediately withdraw and return to controlled zones.

We will need full tactical assistance from the custodian to optimize jump coordinates, assault timing, and to deal with possible psychic interference or local projections of the Emperor's Will. The Chief Technologist added.

Approved. Han Zhe finally made the decision. Code name: 'Uproot.' Objective: Within one month, complete destructive strikes or occupation of these four 'anchor worlds.' Operational guidelines: efficient, cold, and thorough. Leave no room for repair or reconstruction. Carve the brand of the Human Federation's order into these Imperial wounds in the most violent way possible!