Alpharius Is On The Way

Emperor's Grand Plan.

Inside a magnificent domed hall.

Tech-Priests, holding censers, chanted binary prayers around a complex machine, sprinkling holy water to appease the Machine Spirit.

"Is this the Warp Communication Tower?"

The Raven perched on the Emperor's shoulder surveyed the creation before him.

The Warp Communication Tower utilized the Quantum Induction Array technology the Emperor had obtained in the Three-Body Universe.

Upon his return, the Emperor had ordered the technology sent back to Terra.

Tasking Malcador with the construction of the Imperium's Warp communication network.

Now, it was time to see the results.

The structure of the Quantum Induction Array communication tower was incredibly complex.

The base resembled a tokamak device, and the main body was a sealed hemisphere.

Intricate cables coiled around the hemisphere, with conduits and output nodes of varying sizes all pointing towards the center of the sphere.

The main spire above resembled the Small Wild Goose Pagoda built by the "Slipper Men" on the Pearl River.

Surrounding the main spire were smooth, black matrix pillars.

This device had been escorted from the Solar System by a fully armed contingent of Adeptus Custodes and an Adeptus Mechanicus Army.

"Under normal circumstances, Quantum Communication Towers are built on planets and are colossal structures."

"Due to their intricate design, if built too precisely, they are prone to malfunction, and the high cost of maintenance makes them unsuitable for widespread adoption."

The Adeptus Mechanicus Sage who had accompanied the communication tower introduced it to the Emperor.

"This device has been improved through the efforts of many Sages. It is compact, offers excellent communication quality, and can be loaded onto battleships or transport motherships."

"Of course, it has its drawbacks: it is expensive to build and difficult to maintain."

"The exorbitant cost of manufacturing this small communication tower could allow the Imperium to deploy a Warp communication network across an entire sub-sector."

"Furthermore, once this mobile communication tower enters a communication dead zone, it will lose connection with other Warp communication network towers, and the cost to re-establish the connection is extremely high."

The universe contained various areas such as Chaos power contamination zones, ancient civilization ruins, and ancient war-torn areas.

These areas, which could interfere with the Quantum Induction Array and cause the communication tower to malfunction, were known as communication dead zones, also referred to as quantum induction blind spots.

After hearing the Adeptus Mechanicus Sage's explanation, the Emperor nodded, indicating his understanding, and then issued an order.

"Activate it."

The Adeptus Mechanicus Sage bowed.

"As you command, Omnissiah."

He then transmitted the command to the Tech-Priests via binary electromagnetic waves.

The Tech-Priests' speakers simultaneously emitted a resonant song.

"Praise the Omnissiah, praise the Machine Spirit."

The sonorous chime of bells also rang out.

The activation button was pressed, the power core initiated, and the machine hummed to life.

The reaction matrix columns glowed, and bright arcs crackled through the air.

The air shimmered with ripples, and a strange fluctuation spread out in all directions.

Beams of light danced in the air, as if imbued with life, rapidly outlining a screen of light.

A few seconds later, Malcador appeared on the screen.

"Your Majesty, can you hear me?"

"Your Majesty, can you hear me?"

Malcador's voice was filled with excitement.

The Emperor nodded.

"Yes, old friend, I hear you loud and clear."

Malcador said eagerly, "We've succeeded, Your Majesty. The Warp communication network has been established in several star systems near the Sun."

"The Imperium's communication efficiency has increased exponentially; conventional communication no longer relies on Astropaths."

Astropaths were still indispensable at this stage.

If one entered a communication dead zone, Astropathic communication was the only means to contact the Imperium.

"You have done well, Malcador. How is the construction of the Celestial Computer progressing?"

"Progress is excellent, and it is expected to be completed within five years. Several smaller computers have already been widely deployed, significantly reducing the cost of various tasks."

The Emperor warned, "These high-computation computers must prioritize humans; under no circumstances should vast computational power be handed over to emotionless AI."

"Increase scrutiny. Anyone found crossing the line will be executed immediately."

"I understand, Your Majesty," Malcador nodded solemnly. "I will have people investigate discreetly to ensure no one crosses the red line."

"What is the progress on the Micro-Universe project?"

Malcador replied, "The organized Adeptus Mechanicus Sages are analyzing and learning the technology you provided. They say they will deliver detailed blueprints soon."

The Emperor's expression was solemn as he said, "Micro-Universe technology is crucial. It must be prioritized. Humanity may be able to seize the authority of the Creator with this technology."

Malcador answered, "Projects related to the Micro-Universe will receive preferential resources and policies. We will not disappoint your expectations, Your Majesty."

The Emperor hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"How is the development of those weapons coming along?"

Malcador nodded in understanding.

"We have just screened a batch of suitable researchers and implanted them with Thought Imprints to ensure the weapon research plan is not leaked."

"You have done well," the Emperor said. "These weapons are too powerful; they involve permanently altering the rules of the universe."

"Once word leaks out, it will surely provoke fear from the Gods and ancient enemies, thus inviting some unnecessary crises."

Malcador stated, "This work is being conducted in utmost secrecy. Every participant must undergo multiple screenings."

"After passing the screening, Thought Imprints will be placed in their minds to ensure their absolute loyalty."

"By the way, Your Majesty, there is one more matter for which I must beg your forgiveness. Number Twenty left Terra at some point."

"According to the letter he left, he has already embarked on the path to find you."

Raven tilted his head. Hearing Malcador mention Number Twenty, he immediately knew who it was.

Lord of the Hydra, Quantum Loyalist, the Twentieth Primarch.

Never try to find Alpharius, for everyone is Alpharius.

"You are Alpharius, he is also Alpharius, I am also Alpharius, we are all Alpharius."

"If one head is severed, two will grow in its place, ceaselessly."

"Let us await the Hydra vs. Hydra competition across the Heavens and the Galaxy to see who wins the name of the Hydra."

Raven shook his head, muttering strange words to himself.

The Emperor said to Malcador, "I know. This is not your fault."

Waldo frowned.

It seems we need to strengthen screening to ensure Number Twenty doesn't infiltrate.

When on Terra, Number Twenty used to infiltrate the Adeptus Custodes for amusement.

Most of the time, he succeeded.

Waldo was forced to initiate the Blood Game, strengthening anti-infiltration training.

If, aboard the Emperor's Grand Plan, the strengthened Adeptus Custodes were still infiltrated by him, According to Raven, Waldo would have to consider returning to Terra to guard the fish pond.

The Emperor and Malcador had a discussion regarding the current state of the Imperium.

They corrected some errors in policies and regulations, ensuring the welfare of the populace was protected.

Afterward, the two concluded their communication.

"With the completion of the Imperium's Warp Communication Network and the investment in various technologies, we are no longer the ones who need to be anxious."

The Emperor felt a sense of relief.

Previously, he had only one solution to humanity's predicament.

That was to repair the Webway left by the Ancient Sages.

To complete this plan, he had to race against time.

Seizing the brief window of opportunity when the Warp storms subsided.

With time pressing and the task heavy, it was inevitable for one to become irritable and impatient.

Now, with the Gene Engine, Warp Communication, and many other advanced technological creations, Even if the Warp storms, previously scattered by Slaanesh, were to return, Human civilization would not be as fragmented as before. At most, navigation would be slightly more difficult.

The Emperor looked out of the warship, his gaze passing over the brilliant Galaxy, projecting into the immaterial realm.

The Chaos Gods could feel his gaze and let out roars.

Witnessing their fury, the Emperor's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Now, the advantage is mine. Let's see what final struggles you can muster."

PS: Praise the Four Gods, daily heresy.