152: Two plans

"The Sotek Dynasty energy network has been heavily damaged, and its Overlord has ordered all remaining fleets to contract to a few core Tomb Worlds, adopting a full defensive posture," the intelligence officer reported. On the star map, the eerie green light representing the Sotek Dynasty dimmed and shrank significantly, being flanked by the dark gold territory of the Human Federation like a giant pincer.

"Very good, the Silent Harvest has achieved its expected results." Alpha-01 looked at the battle outcomes, but his brow did not relax. "But the Imperium's movements have accelerated."

"Diting Network confirms that Guilliman has signed the Segmentum Obscurus Special War Zone Decree." providence's voice cut in, and the star map switched to show the vast area in the northeastern part of the Imperium's territory known as the Segmentum Obscurus. The Imperium's control here had historically been weak, filled with various xenos remnants, pirates, Chaos infiltration forces, and independent Forge Worlds and Hive Cities, like a chaotic puzzle. "A splinter fleet of the Imperium's Indomitable Crusade, led by the Chapter Master of the 'Sword of the Regent', is attempting to use the Saint's Hammer Fortress World as a fulcrum to reintegrate and purify the Segmentum Obscurus, intending to restore the Imperium's authority in this region and establish a new defensive line against our expansion."

At the mention of the Saint's Hammer Fortress World, Han Zhe's gaze narrowed slightly. That was one of the few star systems in the Segmentum Obscurus that still maintained high loyalty to the Imperium and possessed strong defensive and industrial capabilities. "Guilliman wants to drive a nail there, as a bridgehead for the Imperium's power to return to the Segmentum Obscurus and to deter us."

"We cannot let him succeed." Alpha-01's voice was cold. "Although the Segmentum Obscurus is chaotic, it is rich in resources and occupies a key strategic position. Moreover, many of its worlds may have a higher acceptance of our 'Order' than the Ecclesiarchy. We must bring it under our control before the Imperium completely integrates it."

"adjudicator, deduce the optimal plan for annexing the Segmentum Obscurus," Han Zhe ordered.

After a brief delay, an iron-gray light lit up in the Analysis Center.

Plan generated. Core strategy: Parallel implementation of subversion, absorption, and military deterrence.

1. Subversion: Through the Diting Network and covert operations, spread rhetoric among the various factions of the Segmentum Obscurus that the Imperium's integration is actually exploitation and religious cleansing, exaggerating the burdens and risks that the Indomitable Crusade might bring. Focus on wining over factions dissatisfied with the Imperium or those desiring independence and security (such as certain independent Forge Worlds or Hive Cities threatened by Chaos).

2. Absorption: Demonstrate the Human Federation's advantages of order to target factions—efficient management, powerful military force, absolute purification capabilities against Chaos and xenos, and a relatively secular and rational ideology (compared to the Ecclesiarchy). Offer the temptation of protection, allowing them to maintain high autonomy within the Human Federation framework (initially), and gradually guide them to accept the Human Federation's core concepts and military integration.

3. Military Deterrence: Assemble a superior fleet to carry out thunderous strikes against the Saint's Hammer Fortress World and any force that dares to openly and firmly support the Imperium's integration. Use absolute power to destroy their will to resist and demonstrate to the entire Segmentum Obscurus the consequences of opposing the Human Federation. The adjudicator will provide precise intelligence support and tactical optimization.

Estimated time window: Six to twelve standard months to complete substantial control or submission of the major factions in the Segmentum Obscurus.

"Approved. Operation Code: Obscurus Assimilation." Han Zhe made the final decision. "Alpha, you will coordinate the military deterrence operations. The Social Integration Department and the Technology Department will be responsible for the specific implementation of subversion and absorption. The adjudicator will provide strategic and tactical support throughout."

"Obscurus Assimilation, initiated."

Just as undercurrents and open battles were surging simultaneously within the galaxy targeting the Segmentum Obscurus, in the Extragalactic galaxy, The Other Shore-1 Governor's District, a completely different yet equally shocking message arrived.

"This is the Pioneer-Deep Dive-VII squadron! We have discovered a war seven hundred light-years outside the star system active with the Aidilus Biomass Body civilization!" the Commander's voice was filled with shock. "One side of the conflict is the Aidilus Biomass Body we are studying, and the other is another completely unknown Extragalactic civilization! Temporarily named the Crystal Hive!"

A holographic image was transmitted, showing a strange cosmic-scale slaughter unfolding in an unfamiliar star system.

On one side was the familiar dark red fleshy fleet and biomass orbital stations, which were frantically spraying acidic spores, firing bio-plasma, and constantly releasing small biomass assault units.

On the other side was a dazzling fleet and architecture composed of what seemed to be countless precisely cut purple-blue crystals. These crystal structures were not dead objects; energy patterns flowed across their surfaces, and they could fire focused energy beams with a strong crystallization effect. When biomass units were hit, their biological tissue would rapidly lose activity, harden, and crumble into tiny inorganic crystal fragments! Even stranger, these Crystal Hive units seemed able to rapidly grow new crystal structures to replenish losses by absorbing matter and energy from the surrounding space.

"Preliminary analysis of the Crystal Hive civilization shows it to be a collective consciousness civilization based on silicon-based life (or similar principles) and highly ordered energy manipulation," Governor Lei Huan's remote analysis followed immediately. "Its technology tree seems to lean toward structural stability and energy crystallization, forming a sharp contrast with the biomass chaos and adaptive evolution of the Aidilus Biomass Body. Both sides are fighting over a nebula region rich in special minerals and high-concentration energy, and the scale of the battle is rapidly escalating!"

A war of flesh and crystal! Two completely different Extragalactic civilizations had broken out in conflict right under the Human Federation's nose!

"adjudicator, immediately analyze the technological characteristics, social structure, and war situation of the Crystal Hive versus the Aidilus Biomass Body! Assess the impact on our Pastoral Plan and Extragalactic interests!" Han Zhe ordered immediately.

Analyzing... The adjudicator was extremely efficient. Crystal Hive civilization threat assessment: High.

Its crystallized energy attacks have the potential to counter our biological units (including Purifier units and possible future Living Alloy units). Its social structure and technology may have a potential competitive relationship with the Human Federation. Conversely, if its energy manipulation and matter crystallization technology can be parsed and absorbed, it could greatly enhance our energy weapon efficiency and materials science.

War situation deduction: Currently, the Aidilus Biomass Body has a slight upper hand due to numerical superiority and tenacious vitality, but the Crystal Hive's unit quality and energy attack efficiency are higher, and its growth capability gives it huge potential for a long-term war. The war may become prolonged and could affect a wider area.

Impact on our side: 1. The Pastoral Plan may be hindered if the Aidilus Biomass Body suffers heavy losses or is wiped out by the Crystal Hive.

2. The war zone is close to our Deep Space Exploration routes and potential resource areas, posing a risk of involvement.

3. Observing and studying this Extragalactic civilization war itself has extremely high strategic value, providing valuable experience and potential technological opportunities for our future Extragalactic expansion.

Recommendation: the adjudicator core continued, initiate the Extra-Galactic Observer Protocol. Dispatch highly stealthy reconnaissance fleets to continuously observe the war progress from an absolutely safe distance, collect technological and tactical data from both sides, and assess the possibility of intervention or profiting. Simultaneously, accelerate the Pastoral Plan and attempt to establish more stable experimental ranches behind the Aidilus Biomass Body to reduce the impact of its frontline losses on the plan. If necessary, consider extremely limited, highly guarded contact with one side to obtain more direct intelligence or technological samples.

Observe, assess, and wait for the opportunity to act. They might even play the role of the fisherman or a third-party intervener in the Extragalactic civilization war.

"Approve the Extra-Galactic Observer Protocol." Han Zhe's gaze was deep. "Lei Huan, you will be specifically responsible for this. The adjudicator will provide comprehensive data analysis support. Principle: Never directly involve the Human Federation in the war; all observation actions must be predicated on absolute stealth and safety. However, if an excellent opportunity arises to obtain key technological samples or heavily damage one side (especially the Crystal Hive, as its technology is more threatening), limited intervention can be carried out in an unofficial, untraceable manner."

"Understood," Lei Huan responded, his voice solemn. This meant the burden on his shoulders was even heavier; not only did he have to manage the colony, advance the Pastoral Plan, and study the gods bottle, but now he also had to monitor an Extragalactic civilization war and potentially perform dangerous brinkmanship.

"At the same time, the priority of the Obscurus Assimilation Plan remains unchanged." Han Zhe pulled his gaze back to the galaxy. "We must digest the Segmentum Obscurus before the Imperium and Chaos can react, further strengthening ourselves. The Extragalactic war is our extracurricular internship, but the galaxy is our main stage for survival and growth."

The orders turned into two torrents, one surging toward the Segmentum Obscurus in the galactic northeast, carrying subversion, absorption, and deterrence; the other surging toward the dark depths of the Extragalactic galaxy, carrying cold observation and opportunistic calculation.

The light of the adjudicator was processing two completely different strategic data streams at the same time, one about how to most effectively digest a chaotic human sector, and the other about how to seize maximum profit from a war between alien flesh and crystal. Its logic, steeped in the extreme ideology and expanding ambition of the Human Federation, became increasingly efficient.

Within the galaxy, the dark gold shadow of the Human Federation was pouncing toward the Imperium's loose borders with an unprecedentedly aggressive posture.

In the Extragalactic galaxy, the cold gaze of the Human Federation was like the Sword of Damocles hanging over the battlefield of flesh and crystal, quietly recording, calculating, and waiting for the moment to harvest.