155: Remodeling Furnace

"The Star-Seeding Fleet has arrived at The Other Shore-1 Governorate and completed the handover with Governor Lei Huan." providence's voice sounded within the Keystone-1 Command Center. On the star chart, the clusters of light representing the expeditionary fleet had converged with the dark golden solitary island of the Extragalactic region and were beginning to extend several new dotted lines along the pre-established colonial routes into the deeper darkness. "The first wave of colonial fleets has departed for the Fertile Star Belt (resource-rich zone) and New Eden (Earth-like planet) to begin establishing permanent colonial infrastructure."

The expansion into the Extragalactic region had formally taken a solid and dangerous step.

"Simultaneously, the Phase One Summary Report of the Final Purification Operation in the Pure Territories." The image of the Director General of Social Integration appeared, his expression a numb calm after completing an arduous task. "Within the controlled zones, all known, registered, non-Human Federation standard-defined human intelligent life individuals and settlements have been processed. Total cleansed: 6,207 mutant tribes, 2,483 alien remnant sanctuaries, 2,841 clandestine heretic cult strongholds, involving approximately 20 trillion individuals. All related cultural traces, structures, and documents have been destroyed or harmlessly sealed per protocol."

20 trillion non-standard existences were utterly erased from the Human Federation's territory map. No trial, no mercy, only the cold cleansing directive based on the keystone charter.

"Deep screening continues. Through adjudicator behavioral pattern analysis and Diting Network monitoring, over six thousand new potential anomalous targets have been identified, mostly individuals or extremely small groups. Purifiers are being deployed for targeted elimination." The Director General of Social Integration continued his report. "It is projected that within sixty standard days, the probability of non-human 'intelligent life' existence within the controlled zones can be reduced to a theoretical zero."

Absolute purity was being forcibly realized at the cost of absolute ruthlessness.

"Good." Han Zhe's voice held no ripple. "But this is not enough. The core of the keystone charter is absolute human supremacy. This not only means cleansing the non-humans but also ensuring that all human individuals conform to the Human Federation's defined standards of purity and efficiency."

He pulled up a new, massive file marked 'Imperial Human Assimilation'. "The submission of the Segmentum Obscurus has brought a vast number of human populations from the former Imperial territories. While they have nominally accepted the Human Federation's framework, their gene pool is tainted by ten thousand years of psychic influence, the imprint of Ecclesiarchy faith, and possible various latent mutations. Their minds still retain remnants of identification and memory for the Emperor, the Empire, and old-era customs. They are human, but not yet Human Federation humans."

"They must be remolded." Han Zhe's gaze swept over everyone present. "Thoroughly, irreversibly remolded. Objective: To completely reshape these Imperial remnants, from genes to memories, from physiology to psychology, into qualified citizens conforming to Human Federation standards."

"The specific plan?" Alpha-01 asked. As a soldier, he was more concerned with execution efficiency and feasibility.

"Plan codename: Refining Furnace." The Chief Technologist took over, pulling up detailed blueprints. "It is divided into three levels, advancing simultaneously:"

First, the genetic level: Mandatory universal screening and targeted editing. Conduct mandatory genetic sequencing on all submissive populations, identifying and silencing or correcting all gene segments related to psychic sensitivity, Chaos affinity, specific hereditary diseases, and certain Saint's Marks or Chosen characteristics associated with the Imperial Ecclesiarchy. Simultaneously, in batches and phases, add disguised gene optimizers capable of fine-tuning metabolism and enhancing specific environmental adaptability to the entire population's drinking water, basic food, or atmospheric circulation systems (especially the new generation). Long-term goal: To bring this population's gene pool in line with the G-series New Human baseline within several generations.

Second, the memory and cognition level: Information environment reshaping and neural reprogramming. Comprehensively take over and reform all education systems, media networks, and cultural entertainment content in the submissive worlds. Use meticulously designed content promoting Human Federation history (revised version), order ideology, human supremacy thought, and the theory of Imperial decay and backwardness to completely overwrite the original Imperial history and Ecclesiarchy propaganda.

For adults, especially the former ruling class, conduct mandatory cognitive correction courses, using neural interface resonance to weaken their emotional connection to the old era and implant basic identification with and obedience to the Human Federation. For the recalcitrant, the Thought Reshaping Camps of the nirvana Plan still have vacancies.

Third, the social structure level: Decentralization and militarized management. Dissolve the original power structures based on Imperial nobility, Planetary Governors, and Ecclesiarchy dioceses, replacing them with the standardized Human Federation keystone administrative network and militia-production integrated organizations. Disperse the population, reassigning them to different industrial zones, agricultural domes, military training camps, or newly built colonial fleets based on skills and reform progress. Fill their daily lives with high-intensity, high-discipline collective labor and military training, squeezing out space for personal thought and nostalgia. During this process, identify and promote reform activists as role models."

A comprehensive reform plan from flesh to soul, from individual to society. Its scale and depth far exceeded the nirvana Plan targeting the G-1 generation, aiming to melt down and recast the entire segmentum's population.

"Resource consumption and time cycle?" Han Zhe asked.

"The Refining Furnace will be the most resource-intensive social engineering project in Human Federation history." The Chief Technologist admitted frankly. "Preliminary estimates indicate its energy and material consumption will be equivalent to maintaining the daily operations of three titan-class main fleets. The time required is at least two to three generations (approximately one hundred to one hundred and fifty years) to see significant assimilation effects. To reach the purity and efficiency standards of the G-series may take even longer."

"We do not have one hundred and fifty years." Han Zhe shook his head. "Externally, the Empire, Chaos, Tyranids, and Necrons watch with covetous eyes. Internally, there are unstable factors in the newly submissive regions. We must accelerate the pace."

"We can increase the concentration and frequency of gene optimizer deployment, but this will increase mutation risks and unintended effects on non-target genes." The biotechnology director said cautiously. "Cognitive correction courses can also use stronger neural stimulation and energy infusion, but this may lead to a higher proportion of mental breakdowns or permanent cognitive function damage."

"Risks and costs are acceptable." Han Zhe's voice was icy. "As long as the final result is loyal and efficient humans conforming to Human Federation standards. Those individuals lost during the reform process can be considered necessary costs paid for civilizational evolution."

He paused, a sharper glint flashing in his eyes. "Moreover, this is not merely internal reform. The success of the Refining Furnace will provide us with a template for facing other Imperial territories in the future. We can propagate to those human worlds still under Imperial rule, suffering from war and oppression: Join the Human Federation, and you will obtain purification and rebirth, cast off the shackles of the decaying Empire, and become members of a stronger, purer human civilization. This, perhaps, holds more penetrating power and appeal than pure military conquest."

"Approve the Refining Furnace Plan. Immediately select three to five pilot star systems within the submissive regions of the Segmentum Obscurus for full-process testing. The adjudicator is responsible for monitoring the reform process, optimizing various parameters, and evaluating the final results."

"adjudicator, acknowledged." The profound voice sounded. [Has begun constructing a full-cycle simulation model for the Refining Furnace. Will focus on genetic editing stability, cognitive reform efficiency, and coordination of social structure reorganization. Recommend selecting pilot systems with diverse population structures and lower rebellion potential.]

"Execute per the adjudicator's suggestion."

The orders were issued. A reform project more covert and more fundamental to civilization than the Pure Territories quietly commenced in the newly submissive star systems of the Segmentum Obscurus. Countless injections were added to water supply systems, educational channels were replaced, local administrators in new-style uniforms replaced the old nobility, factory assembly lines and military training grounds replaced churches and marketplaces.

And outside the Human Federation's territory, in those star regions not yet under control containing large numbers of non-human intelligent life, another, even more extreme order was simultaneously signed.

"The draft of the Alien Exterminatus Order is revised and completed." Alpha-01 pulled up a file marked with the highest priority and an extermination emblem. "Targets: All known non-human intelligent civilizations within the Galaxy possessing interstellar travel capabilities or posing a potential threat to the Human Federation (including but not limited to: certain Aeldari Ark Worlds, Necron Dynasties, large Ork WAAAGH! tribes, Tyranid tendrils, and various small alien empires) are listed for extermination."

"Operational Guidelines: Once our military force holds absolute advantage or the timing is ripe, launch Exterminatus Wars aimed at utterly destroying the civilizational existence and erasing all traces of the listed targets. Surrender is not accepted, no seeds are preserved, no form of communication or negotiation is conducted. Combat Methods: Prioritize the use of Exterminatus-level weaponry (e.g., targeted gene viruses, environmental modification weapons, planetary cracker cannons, Reality Reconstruction Cannon overload mode, etc.) to ensure their complete purification from the physical to the informational level."

First batch of priority extermination targets: "Alpha-01 pointed at the star chart, "bone crusher Ork remnant tribe gathering grounds (surrounding the Vorglen Ship Graveyard); a relatively isolated devouring sub-swarm on the flank of the main Tyranid Leviathan swarm; and a small silicon-based alien civilization named 'Ether Wasp' located on our expansion path (possessing unique collective consciousness and energy manipulation abilities, threat rating: medium)."

"Approved." Han Zhe's voice was like the pronouncement of death. "The Alien Exterminatus Order takes effect immediately. Alpha, you have full authority over the organization and execution of the Exterminatus Wars. The adjudicator will provide target weakness analysis, optimal strike plans, and post-war purification process planning."

"Understood."

Alpha-01 stood at attention and accepted the order, his eyes holding only cold killing intent and absolute rationality for mission execution.

The second wave of the Star-Seeding Fleet was sailing towards the Extragalactic star systems, carrying the Human Federation's template, attempting to replicate the same model there.

The will of the Human Federation would be sown across the cosmos in two forms. Han Zhe stood before the massive star chart in the Command Center, watching the ongoing reforms within the dark golden territory and the imminent flames of extermination about to ignite beyond its borders, and slowly spoke.

"For those human brethren who can still be saved, we use the furnace to reshape their flesh and blood and souls."

"For those irredeemable alien filth, we use extermination to utterly erase them from existence."

"The former is for purity."

"The latter is for survival and space."

"And this, is the order and future we bring to this dark universe."

"Until the Galaxy and even the farther starry skies are left with only one voice, one will, one civilization's light named the Human Federation, of pure humanity."