78: Beyond the Horizon

"The detailed analysis report for the 'First Tyranid Contact Campaign' has been archived. The tactical model updates led by providence are complete, and analysis of Tyranid carapace samples and bio-energy residues is underway," the Chief Technologist reported in front of the holographic conference table. His image was transmitted from the keystone space station (which had been rebuilt and significantly expanded within a large 'Spatial Fold'). "Based on Tyranid energy resistance data, the resonance frequency modulation algorithm for the 'Zero-Point Fluctuation Cannon' has been optimized. Damage efficiency against large biological targets is expected to increase by 18%."

Han Zhe nodded slightly, but his gaze did not linger on the report before him. His vision pierced through the virtual viewport of the conference room, as if looking toward a deeper, more unknown distance. The spiral arms of the Milky Way resembled burning rivers on the star map, while the Human Federation's controlled area was but an insignificant speck of dust on the edge. Inward lay the Shura Field where The Empire, Chaos, and Tyranids intertwined; to stay put and defend would eventually lead to a slow demise due to resource bottlenecks and gene pool shrinkage.

So, what about outward?

Beyond the Milky Way, in that suffocatingly vast intergalactic void, that absolute wasteland known as the 'Great Void' where even starlight seemed a luxury... did danger hide there as well, or... unknown opportunities?

"providence," Han Zhe spoke slowly, his voice exceptionally clear in the silent conference room, "based on our existing technologies (Zero-Point Energy, Reality Weaving, Stable Curvature Bubble), as well as the theories regarding ultra-long-distance navigation and extreme environment survival obtained from the knowledge prism and k-73 relic, simulate the feasibility, required technical thresholds, and... potential strategic value of a fleet for long-term, deep-space exploration outside the galaxy."

Exploring outside the galaxy?! The attendees, whether military generals or tech executives, all showed looks of astonishment. That was practically a suicide mission! The matter density in intergalactic space was despairingly low, navigation distances were measured in millions of light-years, and any malfunction or resource shortage meant eternal loss. Even during the Golden Age at the height of The Empire, there were rare records of large-scale exploration outside the Milky Way.

providence remained silent for several seconds, data streams flashing at high speed. [Simulation complete.]

[Feasibility: Theoretically exists. Technical Cores: 1. Ultra-large, self-sustaining Zero-Point Energy arrays (requires further miniaturization and increased efficiency). 2. Long-term sustainable 'Ultra-Stable Curvature Bubbles' based on 'Reality Weaving' (used to maintain the internal ship environment and perform faster-than-light cruising in near-void space). 3. Highly closed-loop ecological cycling and resource recovery systems (efficiency must reach above 99.999%). 4. AI navigation and decision-making cores with high autonomy and adaptability (this unit can undertake this, but requires 'deep-space adaptability' logic reconstruction).]

[Required Technical Thresholds: Extremely high. Current technical reserves have a completion rate of approximately 47%. Key bottlenecks lie in the long-term maintenance energy consumption of Ultra-Stable Curvature Bubbles and the stability of Zero-Point Energy resonance arrays in extreme environments.]

[Potential Strategic Value: 1. Searching for resource-rich zones or habitable worlds outside the galaxy that have not been discovered by any faction (probability is extremely low but non-zero). 2. Establishing absolutely secret 'backup' bases or refuges, completely escaping the sight of all threats within the galaxy. 3. Conducting pure scientific research to explore the ultimate laws and boundaries of the universe. 4. (High Risk) Attempting to contact completely unknown intelligent civilizations or entities that may exist outside the galaxy.]

"Estimated success rate?" Han Zhe followed up.

[At the current rate of technological development, it is estimated that thirty to fifty standard years will be required for key technological breakthroughs and prototype testing. The success rate of the first exploration mission (referring to the fleet successfully reaching designated extra-galactic coordinates and establishing preliminary contact/bases)... is below 5%. Consequences of failure: Fleet loss of contact, total loss, or triggering unpredictable cosmic phenomena (such as disturbing more macroscopic spatial structures).]

Five percent. A number so slim it was almost non-existent. But a glint flashed in Han Zhe's eyes. For the Human Federation, which had escaped the Emperor's Exterminatus Order and struggled to survive in the Forgotten Frontier, a one percent hope was worth betting everything on, let alone five percent.

"Approve the initiation of the 'Deep Space Exploration' project, codenamed 'beyond the horizon'," Han Zhe's voice was resolute. "Form a specialized research team with providence in overall charge, drawing top experts from various fields to concentrate resources on overcoming key technical bottlenecks. Goal: Within thirty years, complete the design and construction of the 'Horizon Fleet' prototype ship. This project is of the highest priority, secrecy level: Top Secret."

With the order issued, the precise survival machine of the Human Federation adjusted the engagement of some of its gears once again. A massive amount of resources and the best minds began to tilt toward the 'beyond the horizon' project. Meanwhile, the infiltration into the Pioneer Front within the galaxy did not stop; instead, it became more cautious yet more active due to the resource gains and technical verification brought by the Tyranid encounters.

Time passed in the unique sense of time in the Forgotten Frontier, slightly warped by Zero-Point Energy fields. Fifteen years went by in a flash.

In these fifteen years, the Human Federation made key progress on two fronts.

Inward: The Pioneer Front had quietly advanced several hundred light-years, establishing dozens of hidden outposts and resource points. Through 'friction' with scattered Tyranid tendrils, small Necron patrol squads (encountered and driven off), and automated defense systems of certain lost civilizations, the Human Federation obtained a wealth of combat data and rare resources (including special crystals vital for Zero-Point Energy arrays and Reality Weaving). The fleet size grew steadily to fifteen hundred ships through combat losses and new additions, and more new-type vessels integrating lessons from the 'Tyranid Campaign' began to enter service, such as the Purifier-class support ships specialized for biomass purification and the shade-ii type reconnaissance ships with enhanced detection and anti-detection capabilities.

Outward: The 'beyond the horizon' project achieved breakthrough progress. The stable output problem of ultra-miniature Zero-Point Energy cores was solved; the 'Ultra-Stable Curvature Bubble' generator prototype based on multi-layered Reality Weaving nesting theory passed simulation tests; and the efficiency of the closed-loop ecological system was raised to 99.997%. The main structure of the first Horizon-class deep-space exploration ship—the far gaze—had already begun its keel-laying in the deepest, Reality Weaving-reinforced top-secret dock of Forge-I. It had a unique design, featuring an elegant streamlined shape without excessive external weapons, covered entirely in an 'absolute blackbody' coating capable of absorbing almost all radiation and energy signatures. Its internal space far exceeded its external volume, like a miniature, self-sufficient world.

Just as the far gaze entered the outfitting stage, a reconnaissance outpost at the furthest end of the Pioneer Front sent back intelligence that caused a massive stir.

"Outpost 'Pioneer-12' reports: At the edge of the reconnaissance sector, a large-scale ancient battlefield ruin has been discovered! The scale far exceeds any previous discovery! Preliminary scans show ship wreckage mixed from at least four different technological styles, including suspected Golden Age humans, Aeldari (ancient style), Necrons, and... another completely unknown alien race's wreckage that leans toward biomechanical fusion. An extremely powerful Warp energy seal that has not yet fully dissipated was detected at the center of the battlefield, along with high concentrations and high purity of various rare elements and energy crystal enrichments! Preliminary assessment: its total resource value... may exceed fifty times all the proven resource reserves in our current controlled area!"

Fifty times! And in a highly enriched, easy-to-mine form! This was practically a windfall from the heavens!

But the second half of the report was even more alarming: "...Active defense system remnants and unstable spatial distortions were detected inside the ruins. Simultaneously, recent activity traces were found on the periphery of the ruins—not ours, not Tyranid, nor known Imperial or Chaos styles. Traces indicate that some faction (or entity) is attempting to crack or enter the core area of the ruins. Identity... unknown."

A massive 'treasure vault' full of riches but also extremely dangerous, and there might be other 'treasure hunters' present!

"Immediately dispatch 'Ghost' special reconnaissance units to conduct a comprehensive and most covert infiltration of the ruins to identify the unknown faction's identity, intentions, and strength. Meanwhile, the main Pioneer fleet is to maneuver secretly toward the ruins and establish a peripheral blockade and monitoring network," Han Zhe ordered immediately, his eyes flashing. "Remember, our primary goal is not to seize the ruins, but to gather intelligence and ensure the ruins do not fall into the hands of a faction that could pose a direct threat to us. But if the opportunity is right... we must acquire as much of the resources in the ruins as possible."

"Will the progress of the 'beyond the horizon' project be affected?" the Chief Technologist asked.

"No. The construction of the far gaze will proceed as planned. However, certain special materials or energy crystals in the ruins may be of great help for the final perfection of the Ultra-Stable Curvature Bubble or the deep-space ecological system. The reconnaissance team should pay special attention to collecting information on such samples," Han Zhe instructed.

In the following months, a silent shadow war unfolded in the dark void around the ancient ruins known as the 'Graveyard of Ten Thousand Races'. The Human Federation's shade scouts and the unknown faction's hidden units nearly crossed paths several times, resulting in small-scale, swift, and lethal electronic warfare and intelligence-gathering skirmishes. The opponent's technology was equally sophisticated and their style eerie; they seemed equally adept at concealment and infiltration, and their purpose appeared to be a specific item or information within the ruins rather than total occupation.

Ultimately, at no small cost, the 'Ghost' units successfully infiltrated the edge of the ruins' core area and brought back critical intelligence: the unknown faction was very likely a long-lost alien race specialized in psychic and stealth technology called the 'Haak' (based on certain symbols in the ruins matching the opponent's equipment features). Their goal seemed to be a 'Psychic Relic' under the Warp energy seal at the center of the ruins. Simultaneously, the reconnaissance team confirmed the reality of the resource enrichment in the ruins and marked several relatively safe areas rich in special crystals vital to the Human Federation's technology.

The appearance of the Haak aliens meant this 'buffer zone' was more complex than imagined. But the temptation of the ruins' resources was simply too great.

"Pioneer fleet, formulate a 'Resource Recovery' plan," Han Zhe made his decision. "Taking advantage of the Haak aliens' focus on cracking the core seal, we will use a fast, precise 'surgical' approach to break into the marked resource-rich zones, conduct high-efficiency collection, and then immediately withdraw. Avoid large-scale conflict with the Haak or the ruins' defense systems. Operation codename: 'Silent Harvest'."

The plan was executed almost perfectly. Utilizing sophisticated stealth technology and providence's precise calculations, the Human Federation fleet cut into the periphery of the ruins like Ghosts. Engineering ships (the new 'Harvester' class, designed specifically for rapid collection) under the cover of elite fleet units mined and loaded massive amounts of rare crystals, superconducting materials, and some relatively well-preserved ancient alloys at an astonishing speed. The entire process was fast and quiet, triggering only slight reactions from local defense systems and not alerting the Haak aliens entangled with the seal deep within.

When the Pioneer fleet, laden with resources of inestimable value, quietly withdrew, the Haak aliens still seemed to have made no breakthrough progress.

Resources—massive, high-quality resources that directly propelled the Human Federation's technology and industrial upgrades—were injected into the body of the Human Federation like life-giving rain. Zero-Point Energy arrays could be built larger and more efficiently; Reality Weaving technology took a qualitative leap because of the acquisition of key spatial stability crystals; ship construction speed increased significantly due to the abundance of materials; even the gene optimization of hive-ii and the cultivation of 'Rebirth' protocols were improved due to the acquisition of new organic catalysts and bio-active substances.

With the strong support of resources, the expansion of the fleet entered a new fast track. Newly built shipyards (some directly converted from relatively intact giant wreckage towed back from the Graveyard of Ten Thousand Races) lit up like stars in various 'folds' and hidden asteroid belts within the controlled area. Ships were launched one after another:

· Kunpeng-II class heavy carriers: Larger in volume, carrying more Falcon-II fighters and swarm-ii drones with stronger performance, and integrating preliminary Reality Weaving front-line deployment capabilities.

· ark-III class super battleships: Equipped with ultra-large caliber 'Zero-Point Singularity Cannons' (simulating miniature black hole effects with devastating impact on heavy targets) and multiple 'Concept Stabilization-Disintegration' composite shields, they were mobile fortresses of destruction.

· shadow-iii class versatile cruisers: Highly modular, capable of rapidly changing configurations for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, fire support, or assault missions.

· More models of frigates, destroyers, support ships, special-purpose ships... By the twenty-fifth year of the 'beyond the horizon' project, as the far gaze deep-space exploration ship neared completion, the size of the Human Federation Defense Force space fleet had quietly swelled to two thousand three hundred ships! Moreover, its technical level, ship quality, and tactical diversity were long since incomparable to the early days of exile.

A steel force grown on the edge of the galaxy, possessing a unique technology tree, massive numbers, and rich combat experience, had taken shape. It remained hidden in the shadows, but the sharpness of its fangs and the strength of its body were enough to make any entity that underestimated it pay a heavy price.

Han Zhe stood on the broad and simple bridge of the nearly completed far gaze, looking at the busy scene in the shipyard outside the viewport and the outlines of newly built ships faintly visible in the distant starry sky. In his hand, he toyed with a strange crystal brought back from the Graveyard of Ten Thousand Races, its interior seeming to flow with rivers of stars.

Inward, the tendrils were deep and resources continuous. Outward, the gate to deep space was about to open.

The ill-fated ark of the Human Federation, after devouring enough nutrients, began to extend its exploratory feelers toward two completely different abysses simultaneously.

Future storms, whether from within the galaxy or outside the system, seemed unavoidable.

But they were ready.