98: Two-pronged approach

The focus of the battle was undoubtedly the duel between the behemoths: "the arbiter" and the Imperial "nemesis-class" battleship.

The "Reality Reconstruction Cannon" once again emitted that silent "conceptual ripple." However, this time, the target was not Chaos's relatively "fragile" psychic structures. The Imperial "nemesis-class" battleship's void shields and armor were a complex mixture based on strict physical laws and Ecclesiarchy blessings; its resistance to "conceptual" attacks was unexpectedly high! The "Reality Reconstruction" pulse hit its bow void shields, and although it again caused local "conceptual disintegration," tearing a gap in the shields and causing weird "crystallization" and "softening" of the hull armor, it was far from achieving the "core erasure" effect seen on the chaos cruiser! Moreover, the Imperial ship's damage control systems were extremely efficient, with damaged areas quickly isolated and backup systems coming online.

"The 'Reality Reconstruction Cannon's' effect is weakened against highly ordered targets dominated by physical rules!" the technical officer reported urgently.

"Continue the attack! Concentrate fire on its exposed armor weaknesses! 'arbiter-class' formation, provide fire support and suppress its broadside!" Alpha-01 remained unfazed.

Meanwhile, the "Dark Angels" Assault Cruiser had already approached. The "iron faith's" bow assault torpedo bays opened, and several massive torpedoes with Boarding Claws roared out, heading straight for "the arbiter's" hull! Furthermore, dozens of "Stormraven" gunships and "Land Raider" drop pods swarmed out from the Strike Cruiser, coordinating with the Astra Militarum's airborne troops to surge toward the orbital defense platforms being constructed by the "Human Federation" like a metal storm!

"Point-defense systems at full power! Release 'swarm-ii' drones! Marines, 'Defender-IV' armored squads, prepare for internal boarding actions!" Battle alarms rang throughout the interior of "the arbiter."

A multi-layered, three-dimensional, and brutal slaughter unfolded across the cold starry sky of the "Wasteland Corridor." Energy beams interlaced like a net, missile trails streaked through the darkness, and the fires of explosions rose one after another. The roar of Astartes Bolters and the hum of Power Swords echoed through the massive corridors of "the arbiter"; the "Human Federation's" "Defender" armored soldiers relied on exquisite coordination, advanced weaponry, and the mental resistance provided by the "Soul Cleansing" modules to engage in a cruel floor-by-floor struggle with the superhuman soldiers.

Astra Militarum troops engaged in fierce firefights with the Automated Turrets and light Guard Robots deployed by the "Human Federation" on the defense platforms, blood and machine oil splashing onto the newly formed metal decks.

The battle lasted for several hours, with both sides paying a heavy price. On the Imperial side, the "nemesis-class" battleship was severely damaged and lost most of its combat capability; two "moon-class" cruisers were destroyed; a large number of frigates and airborne troops were lost. The Astartes' "iron faith" suffered heavy damage, and its boarding parties encountered stubborn resistance inside "the arbiter," failing to seize key areas.

The "Human Federation" side also suffered significant losses: one "arbiter-class" was severely damaged by the "nemesis-class" main gun and then seized by Astartes boarding parties, eventually self-destructing; three "shadow-iv" ships were destroyed; a large number of drones and defense platforms were ruined; "the arbiter's" hull was damaged in multiple places, and internal fighting caused many casualties. Most seriously, an Astra Militarum unit successfully seized a "Cognitive Fog" generator node that hadn't been fully activated; although the node was eventually detonated, some of its technical characteristics might have been acquired by the Empire!

"The 'iron faith' and the remaining Imperial Fleet are beginning to disengage and retreat toward the Warp node!" the reconnaissance unit reported. "They've taken some of the wounded and... wreckage of our destroyed ships and some technical samples!"

The Empire chose to retreat temporarily, perhaps assessing that the cost of continued assault was too high, or perhaps eager to bring back intelligence about this "unknown and powerful heretical force." But their retreat was not a rout; they even took spoils of war with them.

The "Blade" task force was scarred and battered, barely holding the core area of the "Wasteland Corridor," but the first brick of the "iron frontier" plan was already stained with the blood of both themselves and their enemies, and it was now exposed to the gaze of the Empire's highest levels.

"The 'iron frontier' plan... has encountered a major setback." Alpha-01's voice carried a hint of fatigue but remained firm. "We engaged in a large-scale direct confrontation with the main Imperial forces (including Astartes); although we were not defeated, our strength has been exposed, and there is a risk of technical leakage."

Han Zhe witnessed the entire brutal encounter from the "Ark World" command center. No joy or anger could be seen on his face, only a deep solemnity.

"We underestimated the reaction speed and strike intensity of the Empire toward abnormal activities within its territory during a state of war," he said slowly. "We also underestimated the resistance and learning capabilities of the Imperial Navy and Astartes against non-Chaos, non-traditional technological attack methods. The 'Reality Reconstruction Cannon' is not invincible."

"What's the next step?" the Chief Technologist asked worriedly. "The Empire will inevitably list us as one of their highest threats. Next time they come, it might be more than one Chapter, or even the main Inquisition fleet or the Adeptus Custodes..."

"The plan remains unchanged," Han Zhe's answer was unexpectedly decisive. "The 'iron frontier' plan continues."

Everyone was stunned.

"But we've already been exposed; the Empire will surely strengthen its defenses or even take the initiative to purge us..."

"It's precisely because they will strengthen defenses and take the initiative to purge us that we cannot stop!" Han Zhe's gaze was as sharp as a Blade. "What did this battle prove? It proved that we have the capability to contend with the Empire's mixed main fleet (including Astartes) on a frontal battlefield, and even make them retreat voluntarily after paying a price! This in itself is a declaration of power!"

"The Empire knows about us now; they know we're not to be trifled with. They will be vigilant and mobilize troops, but this takes time, especially while the war at the Cadia Gate is at a stalemate," Han Zhe analyzed. "We must use this 'time window' to seize more territory at a faster pace and with more violent offensives before they can gather greater forces and formulate targeted tactics! Present them with a fait accompli! Make them realize that the cost of purging us might far exceed what they can bear, especially when the pressure on the frontal battlefield is immense!"

"We must turn this unexpected encounter into the best advertisement and deterrent for the 'iron frontier' plan!" Han Zhe's voice was resolute. "Let the Empire know that a new, powerful force that doesn't play by the rules has appeared here. They can choose to go to full-scale war with us, which would mean opening a disastrous 'second front' while simultaneously fighting Chaos. Or... they can choose to temporarily tolerate, observe, or even... in specific circumstances, engage in limited 'contact' or 'trading'."

"We must use continuous, successful occupation actions to force the Empire to make a choice. And what we must do is ensure that every occupation action, like this one, makes them feel 'pain' but not enough to make them determined to extinguish us at any cost."

This was an even more thrilling tightrope walk. While provoking the Imperial beast, they also had to control the damage to prevent it from going completely berserk.

"Adjust the subsequent goals of the 'iron frontier'. Select more remote but resource-rich sectors. Act more swiftly, and transition immediately to deep defense and camouflage after succeeding. At the same time..." A cold light flashed in Han Zhe's eyes, "Activate the backup plan for 'dark tide surge': try to release 'vague signals' to specific Imperial departments (such as certain relatively pragmatic naval generals or Frontier Governors facing immense pressure) through secret channels—that we are not Chaos, have no intention of subverting the Empire, and our goal is merely 'living space' and 'fighting Chaos' (partially true). Let's see if we can... open an extremely narrow 'dialogue gap' full of suspicion and testing outside of the war."

A two-pronged approach: continuous military pressure to expand territory, and political attempts at extremely cautious, unofficial contact and testing.

The "Human Federation's" ark, after its first large-scale direct collision with the galactic hegemon, did not choose to retreat or hide. Instead, it decided to use the sparks from the collision as a torch to light the way forward, continuing its thorn-filled path of expansion with a more aggressive and cunning posture.

The iron frontier, after being stained with blood—will it forge an even colder edge, or... shattered cracks?