162: Seven Star Network

The destruction and brief success of Nullifier-Alpha was like dropping a cold stabilizing stone into the depths of the boiling Eye of Terror.

Although a price was paid, the light of order had truly shone in the heart of that chaos, proving that the Firmament Foundation was no pipe dream.

Data recovery and analysis complete.

The Chief Technologist's voice echoed through the massive data hub of The Other Shore-1. In the holographic display, data from the wreckage of the destroyed Nullifier-Alpha and its final ten minutes of operating parameters were repeatedly dissected and compared.

Core conclusion: A single Nullifier unit lacks sufficient stability in the extreme environment inside the Eye of Terror. Forcing high-power operation easily leads to internal energy circuit overload and Concept Anchoring module collapse. However, the primary reality stabilization field it triggered had a significant inhibitory effect on regional Warp activity, confirming the fundamental correctness of the technical approach.

"adjudicator, the optimization plan?" Han Zhe's remote projection asked.

The plan has been generated.

The adjudicator's voice rang out: "Abandon the single massive structure and adopt a distributed, modular Nullifier network architecture. Each network node will consist of a standardized Nullifier core unit (a scaled-down version with enhanced stability and redundancy), synchronized via faster-than-light quantum links. When multiple nodes are connected in parallel, their reality stabilization fields can form a resonance effect that grows geometrically, providing wider coverage and stronger anti-interference capabilities. Furthermore, the destruction of a single node will not affect the overall functionality of the network."

"It is recommended to first establish a Seven-Pointed Star Network consisting of seven nodes, deployed at the Silent Rift and six surrounding, precisely calculated Warp weak points."

On the star map, the region inside the Eye of Terror that had just undergone a bloody battle was marked with seven flickering dark-gold coordinates. They were arranged in a way that embodied profound mathematical and spatial topological laws, forming the prototype of a network that would envelop a vast area of chaos.

"Construction cycle and resource requirements." Alpha-01 was more concerned with practical feasibility.

"Utilizing established forward bases and some usable components recovered from Nullifier-Alpha, the first batch of seven core units can be constructed and undergo preliminary debugging within ninety standard days."

"The resource requirement is approximately 280% of the original Nullifier-Alpha, but it can be supplied through a combination of Extragalactic resources and materials recovered from the Purified Tau Empire." The adjudicator responded quickly.

"I approve the Seven-Pointed Star Network construction plan," Han Zhe decided. "Alpha, your fleet's mission is now the absolute defense of the network node construction zones. Technical teams and engineering fleets, begin work immediately. adjudicator, monitor the construction process throughout, and optimize node deployment and synchronization protocols."

"Understood!"

With the order issued, the Human Federation's war-engineering complex began to operate efficiently once again.

In the newly cleared Silent Rift and surrounding star systems, the massive engineering fleet, like interstellar worker ants, began large-scale infrastructure projects within the chaotic domain under the layered protection of the elite fleet.

Seven construction platforms were activated simultaneously. Standardized modules took shape rapidly in the void like building blocks, and the dark-gold light of order lit up seven unyielding points against the purple-red background of chaos.

However, although the counterattack of chaos had been temporarily repelled, it would never sit idly by.

In the depths of the Eye of Terror, the will of the Chaos Gods roared, and Chaos Warbands gathered. Harassment and raids of all sizes never ceased. The Human Federation's defense fleet was like being on the edge of the eye of a storm, enduring constant pressure.

"The southeast node construction zone encountered a raid by a Tzeentch Daemon Engine fleet. It was of moderate scale and has been repelled."

"The energy conduits of the northwest node were contaminated by Nurgling infiltration. Purification is complete; the schedule is delayed by six hours."

"Detected the Khorne Greater Daemon 'Bloodletting Scourge' leading a Blood Legion toward the central node. Commander Alpha has personally led the fleet to intercept."

Battle reports flew toward the command headquarters like snowflakes. Every node's construction was accompanied by intense offense and defense. Leveraging technical superiority, the adjudicator's tactical optimizations, and stubborn defense, the Human Federation neutralized the chaos offensives time and again, though at the cost of continuous attrition and casualties.

Ninety standard days later.

"The Seven-Pointed Star Network, all seven nodes—main structure construction complete! Synchronization link test passed!" The voice of the Chief Engineering Commander carried uncontrollable excitement and exhaustion.

On the star map, seven dark-gold light points shone steadily, connected by energy-data links to form a tangible dark-gold geometric grid enveloping a vast area of the chaotic star region. In the area covered by the grid, the originally violent and leaping Warp energy flows became noticeably calmer and slower; the whispers of chaos were suppressed by a low, order-filled hum.

"Initiate preliminary parallel testing! Power setting: 10%!" Han Zhe's command came across the stars.

The seven Nullifier nodes resonated with a low hum simultaneously! Dark-gold light erupted from each node's core, flowing and converging along the network links, eventually forming a faint but incredibly solid dark-gold light membrane across the entire area covered by the network!

Within the light membrane, a miracle (or a nightmare for chaos) occurred:

Spatial Stabilization: The originally distorted and broken physical rules were forcibly smoothed out, jumps became safe, and sensor readings returned to normal.

Energy Purification: The pervasive chaotic psychic energy was rapidly diluted and neutralized, transformed into harmless background radiation or faint order energy.

Entity Suppression: The few remaining demonic entities let out painful wails, their bodies becoming transparent and weak. With less than ten percent of their power remaining, they were quickly and easily purified by patrol fleets.

Rift Contraction: Several small, unstable Warp rifts actually began to slowly close and disappear under the suppression of the order field!

"Network operation stable! order field strength reached expectations! Chaos activity in the covered area has dropped by over 95%! The reality stability index has increased to 87% of normal space!" The Monitor Officer's voice trembled with shock.

It was a success! Although it was only a preliminary test at 10% power, the effects shown by the Seven-Pointed Star Network were nothing short of a miracle! It was like a giant patch radiating the light of order, forcibly sewing up a portion of the Eye of Terror's wounds!

"Gradually increase the power. Monitor the network load and the disturbance to the Eye of Terror as a whole," Han Zhe commanded, suppressing the agitation in his heart.

Power increased to 20%... 30%... 50%!

The light of the order field grew brighter, and its coverage expanded slightly outward. The massive, chaotic Warp entity of the Eye of Terror seemed to feel a sharp pain. The energy turbulence throughout the region became violent, and more chaos forces were drawn from the depths, attempting to assault this island of order.

"High-intensity Warp backflow detected! Focusing of the Chaos Gods' will! A super-large demonic entity is coalescing at the edge of the network!" The alarm sounded again.

"Maintain power! Defense fleet, prepare for impact! adjudicator, activate the network version of the Desecration Protocol, covering the entire order field area!" Alpha-01 was well-prepared.