153: extra-river colonies

"The first phase of the Segmentum Obscurus Assimilation Plan has yielded significant results." Alpha-01 stood before the updated galactic star map. The dark gold representing the Human Federation was spreading across the mottled map of Segmentum Obscurus in a more delicate and pervasive manner. It was no longer just crude military occupation; instead, a large number of markings in intermingling light and dark gold appeared, representing vassals and cooperative agreement zones. Seven major Forge Worlds, thirteen large Hive City systems, and over forty resource nodes had accepted the Human Federation's structural framework and protection treaties through overt or covert means. "The Imperial Saint's Hammer Fortress World has fallen into isolation. Several purification operations it launched have been defeated, and morale is low."

The screen switched to show the outskirts of the Saint's Hammer World, where a patrol fleet composed of newly-aligned local Segmentum Obscurus fleets and Human Federation torrent-class vessels was vigilantly monitoring the Imperial fortress. The paint jobs on those local ships were not yet fully uniform, but the hulls had already begun to be spray-painted with scaled-down versions of the Human Federation's Red-bottomed Starry Sky Flag and Lightning Emblem.

"The strategy of division and absorption is effective," reported the Director General of Social Integration. "Many factions in Segmentum Obscurus fear the severity of the Imperial Ecclesiarchy and the heavy taxes and conscription that the Indomitable Crusade might bring. The relative autonomy and strong protection we offer are extremely attractive to them. Of course, ideological indoctrination and assimilation are proceeding simultaneously. It is estimated that within two generations, these areas will be fully integrated into the Human Federation."

"Very good."

Han Zhe nodded. "Maintain the pressure and continue the advance. Goal: complete effective control over more than seventy percent of Segmentum Obscurus before the Imperial main force can extricate itself from other fronts."

He changed the subject, his gaze shifting to the darker star map of the Extragalactic systems: "The Extragalactic situation."

"The Extra-Galactic Observer Protocol continues to be executed," Governor Lei Huan's image emerged, with the increasingly busy and alien-styled Command Center of The Other Shore-1 in the background. "The war between the Edilus Biomass Body and the Crystal Hive has entered a stalemate. Both sides have deployed unprecedented forces in the Crystal-Flesh Nebula region, and the scale of the war continues to expand. Observation data shows that the Crystal Hive's lattice-based energy weapons are highly effective against high-level Biomass units (such as Bio-Motherships), but the Biomass Body, with its alarming reproduction and adaptation speeds, is constantly evolving resistant variants and attempting to drown the opponent with biomass swarm tactics."

The holographic display showed that hellish battlefield: dark red biomass torrents and purple-blue crystal storms interweaving and colliding, with the light of explosions, dissolution, and crystallization flashing silently.

"Progress has been made in parsing the social structure of the Crystal Hive," Lei Huan continued. "They seem to be governed by a highly unified core consciousness (possibly a massive main crystal cluster or a distributed computing network), with subordinate units acting like precision parts in absolute obedience. Their technology's exquisite manipulation of energy is impressive, but they seem to lack the flexibility and mutational potential of a biological civilization. We have captured a small amount of Crystal Hive wreckage floating from combat damage, and preliminary analysis is underway."

"Assess the timing and method of intervention," Han Zhe said.

"The adjudicator's simulations suggest that direct intervention at this time carries too high a risk of drawing fire. It is recommended to continue observing and wait for further depletion of both sides' forces, or for a window of opportunity where one side exposes a decisive weakness (such as the exposure of the core consciousness location or a power system collapse). Simultaneously, we can attempt to use highly disguised means (such as masquerading as meteorites or utilizing captured wreckage signals) to deploy information collectors or interference sources at the edge of the battlefield to accelerate their depletion and test our counter-measures."

"Approved. Continue executing the Extra-Galactic Observer Protocol, and strengthen concealment and disguise," Han Zhe instructed. "At the same time, the Pastoral Plan cannot stop. More stable and efficient breeding grounds must be established in Edilus's rear."

"Understood."

"Now," Han Zhe's gaze swept across all the high-ranking officials in the Command Center, "it is time to make a strategic and symbolic decision."

He pulled up the Human Federation's current comprehensive national power report. It was a breathtaking chart representing industrial capacity, fleet size, energy output, population base, and technological reserves, all on a terrifying growth curve.

"The power of the Human Federation has expanded enough to support us in simultaneous multi-front expansion," Han Zhe's voice was steady and powerful. "Conquest and integration within the galaxy take time, and Extragalactic observation and research require patience. But there is one thing we can do now, and must do, and that is to truly and on a large scale brand the existence of the Human Federation into the Extragalactic systems!"

"I order: Initiate the Star Sea Seeding Project!"

"Core of the plan:"

"First, external: Form an expeditionary Pioneer fleet group. Centered around ten titan-class iii (equipped with Living Alloy experimental armor and deflection shields), thirty arbiter-class iii, fifteen Dominator-class II carriers, and over two hundred Skysurvey Class Colonial Ships, Resource Collection Ships, and Engineering Ships, with a large number of torrent-class escort vessels attached. The total scale is equivalent to 1.5 times the Blade fleet at its peak!"

Low gasps sounded in the meeting room. Dispatching such a massive main fleet to the Extragalactic regions was undoubtedly a huge gamble.

"Fleet mission: The first stop will be the The Other Shore-1 Governor's District in the Extragalactic system; subsequently, using this as a base, advance into deeper, more resource-rich, and more habitable unknown systems. Task: Establish at least three large, stable Extragalactic main colonies with complete industrial chains and self-sustaining capabilities, along with dozens of resource outposts and research stations. The Colonial Ships will carry the first batch of 500 million G-5 and G-6 generation citizens, who have been strictly screened and are ideologically firm, for inter-galactic migration!"

Inter-galactic migration! In the truest sense, establishing a new home in an Extragalactic system!

"Second, internal: Simultaneously initiate the Final Purification Operation of the Pure Domain." Han Zhe's voice suddenly turned cold. "Goal: Before the expeditionary Pioneer fleet departs, conduct a final, thorough, and corner-to-corner sweep of all remaining Non-human intelligent life, Xeno ruins, potential Chaos contamination points, and remnants of Heretical human cultures incompatible with the Human Federation's ideology within the current controlled areas (including the newly absorbed Segmentum Obscurus regions)!"

"Rules of engagement: Based on the keystone charter and the principle of absolute human supremacy, all non-human existences, whether or not they constitute a direct threat, are to be regarded as filth requiring removal. All heterogeneous cultural elements that may affect human purity and orderly unity must be uprooted and completely erased. This operation will have the most efficient target identification and action path optimization provided by the adjudicators, and will be executed jointly by the Purifier units and local garrison forces."

"Before the Starry Sea Seeding fleet sets sail, we will have an absolutely pure and absolutely unified Human Federation core region as the civilization's solidest backing. At the same time, the resources and space freed up after clearing those impurities will be used to support the formation of the expeditionary fleet and the construction of subsequent colonies."