95: Safari

"The attack efficiency data of 'the arbiter' has been fully analyzed. Core conclusion: against targets that rely on Warp energy or specific 'Chaos concepts' to maintain existence, the 'Reality Reconstruction Cannon' possesses conceptual-level suppression and erasure effects." The Chief Technologist's voice rang out at the post-war analysis meeting. On the holographic screen, slow-motion footage of the 'thirsting fang' having its core region 'erased' was playing; that silent annihilation process was still heart-palpitating. "Although its energy consumption is high and the cooling period is long, its single-shot damage efficiency theoretically far exceeds the main cannons of Imperial Navy battleships of the same class, and may even rival the 'disintegration' effect of some Necrons 'Gauss' weapons, though the underlying principles are completely different."

"The loss assessment for the 'Pioneer' fleet is complete: lost one 'Sentinel-III+ ' frigate, two 'Worker Bee-III' collection ships sustained light damage, and there were one hundred and thirty-seven casualties. Total resources acquired... due to the hurried evacuation, only about forty percent was taken, but what was obtained are all high-purity rare crystals and isotopes, so the value is still immense." Alpha-01 added, "Commander Zhao Qing suggests that while the Chaos raiding fleet has just been defeated and the Empire's attention is still focused on Cadia Gate, we should increase the intensity of 'rapid collection' in adjacent resource zones, adopting a 'hit-and-run' guerrilla model to accumulate small victories into a large one."

The proposal was very practical. However, Han Zhe's gaze bypassed the battle results and loss reports in front of him, casting toward the deeper reaches of the star map—that area where crimson and golden were violently intertwined like a cosmic scar: Cadia Gate.

"The combat capability of the 'titan-class' has been verified. The 'Pioneer' fleet's resource operations can continue, but they must be more secretive and efficient." Han Zhe spoke slowly, his voice sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet meeting room. "However, I believe we should not just be satisfied with passive defense and hidden development, or only engaging in small-scale activities on the fringes where the Empire and Chaos have no time to care."

He stood up, walked to the giant star map, pointed his finger toward the direction of Cadia Gate, and then moved it slowly along the long boundary line between Imperial territory and Chaos infiltration zones.

"The flames of the Black Crusade are reshaping the power landscape of The Galaxy. The main Imperial forces are firmly pinned down at Cadia, and in the rear of its vast territory, countless worlds have empty defenses and long, fragile supply lines. Although the Chaos offensive is fierce, its forces are scattered, and the raiding fleets fight their own battles, lacking unified coordination." A cold and sharp light flickered in Han Zhe's eyes. "This is our opportunity—an opportunity to take the initiative, to expand our influence, acquire key resources and technology, and even... test the limits of our new power in the gaps between the Empire and Chaos."

Take the initiative?! Not defense, not harassment, but... actively intervening on the fringes of the war between the Empire and Chaos?

The atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly became even more solemn. Everyone understood what this meant—pushing the Human Federation from behind the scenes to the forefront, directly clashing with the two major powers of the Milky Way, with risks increasing exponentially.

"Chairman, what is the objective?" Alpha-01 asked in a deep voice, his eyes also flickering with flames—the desire and caution belonging to a soldier.

"Objective one: Technology hunting." Han Zhe's finger highlighted several specific star systems on the star map. "Based on long-term monitoring by the 'truth listener' network and historical data analysis, these star systems are either important Imperial Forge Worlds or research outposts, or areas frequently raided by Chaos warbands that may hide technology warehouses plundered from the Empire or xenos. Dispatch elite special fleets to sneak into these areas to find and acquire key technology samples, data cores, or special materials that we lack or that can complement our existing technology. Especially... information regarding Warp navigation optimization, large ship construction (non-STC routes), and psychic technology (non-Chaos applications)."

"Objective two: Control of strategic resource points." His finger moved to several other star systems that were extremely rich in resources but remote and weakly defended by the Empire. "Using our technical advantages in 'Reality Weaving' and ' Cognitive Fog', we will quietly establish hidden outposts and automated mining networks that can be quickly evacuated, drawing these key resources long-term and efficiently—especially those rare elements and energy crystals crucial for the subsequent construction of the 'titan-class' and the deepening of 'kindling' technology."

"Objective three: Power demonstration and establishment of deterrence." Han Zhe's voice grew heavier. "Select appropriate targets—for example, a lone Chaos warband fleet that has strayed too deep into the Imperial rear, or a weakly defended but potentially threatening Imperial fringe Fortress world—and use the 'titan-class' or other new weapons to completely destroy or heavily damage them with thunderous force. The action must be clean and efficient, leaving no survivors and not exposing our identity (or framing other factions), but ensuring there are 'spectators' who can 'accidentally' witness or discover this destruction afterward. We want to quietly establish the image of a mysterious, powerful, and untouchable third-party force in the shadow zones where both the Empire and Chaos are too busy to look!"

"Objective four: Intelligence network penetration." Finally, his finger swept across those star sectors where fighting was intense and information was chaotic. "Utilize the chaos to try and penetrate our 'ghost' agents or information nodes into the logistics systems, local administrative networks, and even low-level military communication channels of both warring parties (mainly the Empire, due to its relatively fixed organizational structure), to obtain first-hand intelligence on troop deployments, strategic movements, and internal conflicts of both sides, providing information support for our long-term strategy."

A series of objectives outlined a bold, aggressive, and extremely dangerous expansion blueprint. This was no longer just surviving, but actively participating in the chess game, even attempting to place their own pieces on the edge of the board.

"The risk..." a staff officer spoke up subconsciously.

"The risk is immense," Han Zhe admitted frankly. "Exposure risk, combat risk, technology leakage risk, the risk of triggering chain reactions... every single one could bring disaster. But similarly, the opportunities are unprecedented. If we can successfully acquire key technologies, control key resources, and initially establish deterrence, then the Human Federation will no longer be an exiled civilization huddled in a corner, but a force that truly possesses strategic initiative and development potential in the galaxy! This will lay the most solid foundation for us to deal with whatever future Imperial victory or defeat, the rise or fall of Chaos, or other unknown threats."

He looked around at everyone: "Waiting passively might buy a temporary peace, but we will eventually be swallowed by a larger storm. Taking the initiative is indeed a narrow escape, but it might carve out a path to survival, or even... create a future that belongs to us."

Silence. Then came the gradually heavy breathing and the flames ignited in their eyes. Those who could sit here were all elites of the Human Federation; they had experienced exile, struggle, and rise, and the genes of refusing mediocrity and desiring to master their own destiny were already etched into their bones.

"I support it," Alpha-01 was the first to state. "But the action must undergo the most meticulous planning and deduction. The number of 'titan-class' is limited; they must be used where they matter most. The personnel and equipment of the special fleets must be top-tier. Intelligence support and evacuation guarantees must be foolproof."

"The technical team will fully cooperate, providing the latest stealth, penetration, and information warfare equipment." The Chief Technologist also nodded. "Technologies regarding information camouflage and rapid construction in the 'kindling' project can be used to establish temporary outposts."

"providence," Han Zhe looked toward that invisible, cold consciousness, "I need you to formulate an overall framework for the 'active strike' plan, including target priority ranking, risk assessment matrices, resource allocation schemes, and coordination mechanisms between various action units. The plan's code name... 'dark tide surge'."

[Command received. 'dark tide surge' plan framework is being generated. Integrating existing military data, technical reserves, intelligence networks, and real-time galactic situations. Expected to submit the preliminary plan within forty-eight hours.] providence responded.

"Very good." Han Zhe took a deep breath. "In the meantime, each fleet and department should begin targeted training and preparations based on the preliminary ideas. The 'Pioneer' fleet will continue its resource missions, but the mode will shift to a rehearsal for the 'Dark Tide' plan—more secretive, faster, and focusing more on target selection and evacuation efficiency."

"'dark tide surge'..." Alpha-01 pondered the code name, his eyes flashing. "Let the Empire and Chaos bleed each other dry on the front lines, while we quietly expand in the tides of the shadows until... the tide rises over their ankles, and only then will they realize with a start that a new 'ocean' has already formed."

The order was given, and the gears of the Human Federation's massive war-survival machine accelerated their engagement once again. But this time, the direction of rotation pointed toward a wider and more dangerous deep-water zone.

The lights of the "Ark World" remained lit through the night, but part of that light began to shine for the production and training of long-range assault fleets and special penetration units.

The "kindling" project's database was repeatedly searched for technical fragments that could be applied to covert operations, rapid deployment, and camouflage-framing.

The "truth listener" network adjusted its monitoring focus and began to purposefully collect intelligence fragments of the target star sectors.

Even the newly born "custodian-alpha" was included in the plan's considerations—perhaps this "conceptual entity" with an instinctive affinity for and maintenance of "order" and "stability" could play an unexpected role in information defense, anti-Chaos contamination penetration, and even "Concept Stabilization" support in specific environments.

The Human Federation was like a giant whale that had been lurking in the deep sea for a long time, slowly adjusting its posture, contracting its muscles, and accumulating strength, its gaze locked on those prey on the surface exhausted or injured by the storm, as well as... those unattended rich reefs on the edge of the storm.

Although the horn for the active strike had not yet sounded, the string was already taut.

The next time the Human Federation appears in the vision of the galactic powers, it may no longer be just a "heretical remnant" that luckily escaped Imperial pursuit and is hiding in a corner licking its wounds.

Instead, it will be a new Dark Tide emerging from the shadows with fangs bared, beginning to quietly stir the galactic landscape according to its own will.

The edge of the eye of the storm is often the most turbulent, and also where the most opportunities lie.

The Human Federation decided no longer to just be a bystander to this storm that determines the fate of the galaxy.

They were going to step into it, and in the gaps between the thunder and the waves, seize a... future that belongs to them.