69: Imperial Fleet

Time flew by amidst the forging of steel and the nurturing of life, its passage measured by the accelerating beats of life within the countless incubation tanks of Forge-I. The Glimmer of the Echo Valley nebula bore witness to the frantic metamorphosis of a nascent civilization.

The implementation of the "prairie fire" protocol was like a silent storm sweeping through the entire Human Federation control zone. Eighteen months was but an instant for the starry sky, but for the depths of Forge-I, it was a thrilling, compressed journey of hundreds of millions of lives from embryo to "adulthood." The first batch of 500 million "prairie fire Protocol Population" emerged from the cultivation centers scattered across Forge-I like a tide at the planned time nodes.

They experienced no childhood and had no families in the traditional sense. When they opened their eyes, their bodies were already in a youthful state, their brains infused with the Common Tongue, mathematics, basic physics, identification with the Human Federation and its core concepts, and preliminary vocational skills (miners, farmers, assemblers, data entry clerks, basic medical staff, etc.) assigned according to preset inclinations. They were numbered, given uniform uniforms and basic rations, and then, after brief adaptive adjustments and psychological counseling (handled by the rapidly expanding Social Integration Department), they were quickly transported to various positions in dire need of manpower.

On the surface of the planet Glimmer, there were originally only a few isolated domed buildings. Within just a few months, massive engineering machinery and surging crowds painted new colors onto the grayish-white permafrost like a brush. More domes rose from the ground, connected by sealed pipes, forming the initial scale of a city cluster—"New Hope City." The light of hydroponic farms shone day and night, producing crops that grew rapidly on synthetic nutrient substrates; the assembly lines of simple factories began to operate, processing local ores and semi-finished products brought from Forge-I into building materials, tools, and daily necessities. Patrol lights on the orbital defense platforms flickered, and several newly commissioned Sentinel-II light frigates (slightly larger and more powerful than the prototype) were conducting formation training nearby.

The first phase of the keystone space station had long been in use, and the second phase of expansion was underway. It had become the temporary administrative center and scientific brain of the Human Federation, coordinating the flow of resources, information, and population across all nodes.

However, 500 million people were just the beginning. The second and third batches of the "prairie fire" protocol followed in quick succession. For each batch, providence would fine-tune the gene optimization formula, neural infusion content, and social division of labor based on feedback data from the previous stage, attempting to find a better balance between "efficient mass production" and "individual stability/development potential." The pressure on the Social Integration Department grew daily; they had to handle a large number of psychological adaptation issues, identity confusion, and bewilderment about the future (especially regarding natural birth and the concept of family) brought about by accelerated growth and rote education among the "prairie fire Population."

Resource consumption reached staggering levels. Almost all of Forge-I's industrial capacity was carved up by population cultivation, infrastructure, and fleet construction. High-purity crystals from the Crystal Dust moon, rare metals mined from the Nether Abyss ice world, water and minerals obtained locally from Glimmer... everything was devoured and transformed within this massive civilization furnace.

But it was precisely this near-manic investment of population and resources that brought about a visible expansion of power.

In the thirty-sixth month, on the eve of achieving the total goal of the "prairie fire" protocol, the total population of the Human Federation (including early clones and all "prairie fire Population") surpassed 1.48 billion, nearing the 1.5 billion mark. Although the vast majority were still workers and farmers engaged in basic production, a sufficient population base made specialized division of labor and elite screening possible.

The expansion of military power was the most direct manifestation of this specialization.

"The dawn, the dawn, and the newly built Morning Star and Daybreak—four dawn-class improved capital ships—have completed final armament integration and crew assignment," Alpha-01 (now promoted to Chief of General Staff of the Human Federation Defense Force) reported to Han Zhe before a holographic tactical map, his voice resonant and powerful. "With these four ships as the core, combined with twelve Sentinel-II light frigates, eight Worker Bee-II support ships (with enhanced resource collection and battlefield repair capabilities), and four newly built shadow-class electronic warfare/reconnaissance ships, we have the hardware foundation to form three standard fleets."

On the hologram, three fleet icons of different colors lit up like three sharp swords pointing in different directions on the star map.

"According to the resolution of the Steering Committee and the Chairman's approval, the First, Second, and Third Fleets of the Human Federation Defense Force Space Fleet are now formally established!" Alpha-01 announced.

"The First Fleet, codenamed 'Iron Wall.' Flagship: dawn. Core mission: Guard the core areas of Forge-I, Echo Valley, and the keystone space station. Serving as the strategic reserve and capital defense force."

"The Second Fleet, codenamed 'Pioneer.' Flagship: Morning Star. Core mission: Conduct expansionary patrols, resource point surveying, and establish forward early-warning outposts on the outskirts of the Glimmer system and adjacent unexplored sectors."

"The Third Fleet, codenamed 'Blade.' Flagship: Daybreak. Core mission: A highly combat-ready mobile force responsible for responding to sudden threats, executing high-intensity strike missions, and providing rapid support to the First and Second Fleets."

The three fleets had clear responsibilities and supported each other like the points of a triangle.

"The fleet Commander appointments are as follows:

Commander of the First Fleet: Promoted from the former executive officer of the dawn (an experienced veteran of the Gamma Squad).

Commander of the Second Fleet: The first captain of the Morning Star (former leader of Beta Squad, who performed outstandingly during the construction of the Glimmer defense system).

Commander of the Third Fleet," Alpha-01 paused and looked at Han Zhe, "Chairman, providence has nominated itself for auxiliary command, with actual operations handled by the captain of the flagship Daybreak (a former member of Alpha Squad, Alpha-07). The reason is that the Third Fleet's missions are the most complex and carry the highest risk, requiring the highest level of tactical calculation and situational forecasting support."

An AI auxiliary commanding a capital fleet? This was another unprecedented move. But considering providence's performance in previous battles and the Third Fleet's role as a "spearhead," it seemed like a reasonable choice.

"Approved," Han Zhe nodded. "But simultaneously, set up an independent secondary command system and authority override protocols on the Daybreak, separate from providence, to ensure ultimate human control."

"Understood," Alpha-01 recorded. "Basic crew for each fleet have been selected from the 'prairie fire Population' and have completed basic space combat training. Officers and key positions are held or mentored by veterans. It is estimated that two more months are needed to complete final coordinated drills before they achieve initial combat capability."

Just after the ceremony for the establishment of the three fleets (a simple but solemn fleet-wide broadcast) had ended, the keystone system received an emergency report from the furthest reconnaissance unit.

"The 'Ghost-Deep Diver' (deployed in the direction of the former Chaos splinter fleet's retreat, at extreme range) has transmitted back an encrypted signal fragment. The signal is extremely weak and fragmented. Decrypted core information: '...Detected large-scale Warp navigation traces... non-Chaos signatures... suspected... Imperial Navy formation... direction... pointing toward the general vicinity of this sector... quantity... unknown... but scale is significant...'"

The Imperial Navy? A large-scale formation? Pointing toward this sector?

The atmosphere, which had just been uplifted by the fleet's establishment, instantly froze. The main battlefield of the Black Crusade was still burning; why would the Imperium divert a "significant" fleet to this relatively remote sector? Were they following the clues from that previous small-scale conflict? Or... did they have another purpose?

"providence, analyze the possibilities," Han Zhe said in a low voice.

[Based on existing intelligence: Possibility one, under the pressure of the Black Crusade, the Imperium is still attempting to clear 'unknown forces' in its rear to ensure route security or search for specific resources/technology. Possibility two, a certain department of the Imperium (such as the Inquisition or an Adeptus Mechanicus exploratory fleet) is passing through this area for other reasons (such as tracking xenos or searching for STCs). Possibility three, the intelligence is incorrect or it is an enemy ruse.] providence analyzed. [Regardless of which, the risk of direct contact with the Imperial Navy is extremely high. Recommendation: Immediately raise the combat readiness level across the entire territory; the three fleets should enter preset defensive positions. Simultaneously, activate the 'Wall of Silence' plan to maximize the concealment of activity traces for Forge-I and major settlements.]

"Agreed. Entire territory enter Level 1 combat readiness! The 'Iron Wall' fleet move forward to the preset interception positions on the outskirts of Echo Valley; the 'Pioneer' fleet contract to the Glimmer system to strengthen defenses; the 'Blade' fleet remain on standby near Forge-I as a mobile force, ready to support or execute high-risk reconnaissance/interception missions," Han Zhe ordered quickly. "Social Integration Department, activate emergency contingency plans and prepare to evacuate non-combat personnel from Glimmer to underground shelters or Forge-I if necessary."

The three newly formed fleets, still carrying the greenness of the training grounds, were instantly pushed to the edge of true war. This was not Chaos, but the Imperium of Man—a behemoth to which they nominally still belonged, but from which they had long since diverged onto a different path, and which could never accept their "heretical" technology and social structure.

The small ship of the Human Federation, which had just set its sails and was carrying 1.5 billion "unnatural" people and forbidden technology, had not yet truly sailed into deep space before it collided head-on with the first massive wave capable of smashing it to pieces.

To fight, to flee, or... to find a third way?

Han Zhe's gaze swept across the three newly formed fleet icons on the star map, then passed over the points representing Forge-I, Glimmer, and the keystone, finally landing on the data stream scrolling on the adjacent screen regarding the psychological adaptation and social production efficiency of the "prairie fire Population."

They had a population, they had a fleet, and they had a "home" that was starting to take shape.

Now, the first major crisis to test whether they were qualified to survive in the galaxy had arrived.

"All fleets, move into positions according to the predetermined plan," Han Zhe's voice spread to all ships through the encrypted channel. "Remember, we are not fighting to be enemies of the Imperium; we are fighting for the survival of the Human Federation and for the future of our 1.5 billion compatriots behind us. Stay alert and await orders."

Steel ship silhouettes moved quietly between the edge of the nebula and the star system, the Glimmer of their engines like the eyes of predators opening in the dark night. The three Blades of the Human Federation had not yet tasted blood, but they already felt the approaching, deadly chill from their own kind.

The road of expansion was never a smooth one. And the first true "War of Foundation" might be about to erupt unexpectedly.