Emperor's Grand Plan.
Inside a grand circular domed hall.
Tech-Priests held censers as they circled a complex machine, chanting binary prayers, sprinkling holy water, and seeking to please the Machine Spirit.
"Is this the Warp Communication Tower?"
The Raven perched on the Emperor's shoulder examined the creation before him.
The Warp Communication Tower used Quantum Induction Array technology that the Emperor had acquired from the Three-Body Universe.
After returning, the Emperor had ordered the technology sent back to Terra.
He had Malcador establish a Warp Communication network for the Imperium.
Now, it was time to see the results.
The structural design of the Quantum Induction Array Communication Tower was exceedingly complex.
Its base resembled a tokamak device, while its main body was a sealed hemisphere.
Complex cables wound around the hemisphere, with pipes and output terminals of varying sizes all aimed at its center.
The main tower above resembled the Little Waist Tower those sandal-wearing fellows had built by the Pearl River.
Smooth black matrix pillars surrounded the main tower.
This device had been escorted from the Solar System by a fully armed Adeptus Custodes force and the Adeptus Mechanicus Army.
"Under normal circumstances, quantum communication towers are built on planets and are colossal structures."
"Because their designs are so complex, excessive precision makes them prone to failure, while later maintenance costs become too high for widespread deployment."
The Mechanicus Sages who had arrived alongside the communication tower introduced it to the Emperor.
"This device was improved through the combined efforts of many sages. It is compact, has excellent communication quality, and can be installed aboard battleships or transport carriers."
"Of course, it also has its shortcomings. It is expensive to build and difficult to maintain."
"The exorbitant cost of producing this small communication tower would be enough to establish a Warp Communication network throughout an entire subsector."
"Furthermore, once this mobile communication tower enters a communication dead zone, it will lose contact with other Warp Communication network towers. The cost of restoring the connection is extremely high."
The universe contained special regions such as areas polluted by various Chaos forces, relics of ultra-ancient civilizations, and ruins from ancient wars.
Regions capable of interfering with the Quantum Induction Array and causing communication tower malfunctions were called communication dead zones, or quantum induction dead zones.
After hearing the Mechanicus Sage's introduction, the Emperor nodded to show that he understood, then gave the order.
"Activate it."
The Mechanicus Sage bowed.
"Your will shall be obeyed, Omnissiah."
He then issued orders to the Tech-Priests through binary electromagnetic waves.
The Tech-Priests' speakers simultaneously rang out in a resounding hymn.
"Praise the Omnissiah, praise the Machine Spirit."
A thunderous bell toll followed.
The activation button was pressed, the energy core came online, and the machine began to hum.
The reaction matrix pillars lit up, and brilliant arcs of electricity crackled through the air.
Ripples appeared in the air as some strange fluctuation spread in every direction.
Beams of light danced in the air as though granted life, swiftly outlining a luminous screen.
A few seconds later, Malcador appeared within the light screen.
"Your Majesty, can you hear me?"
"Your Majesty, can you hear me?"
Malcador's voice was full of excitement.
The Emperor nodded.
"Yes, old friend. I can hear you perfectly."
Malcador said impatiently, "We succeeded, Your Majesty. The Warp Communication network has already been established in several star systems near the Solar System."
"The Imperium's communication efficiency has risen exponentially. Conventional communications no longer need to rely on Astropaths."
Astropaths still could not be completely replaced at this stage.
If they entered a communication dead zone, astropathic communication would be the only means of contacting the Imperium.
"You have done well, Malcador. How is the construction of the Celestial Computer progressing?"
"Progress is going well. It is expected to be completed within five years. Some smaller computers have already become widespread, greatly reducing the costs of various tasks."
The Emperor warned, "These high-computing-power computers must remain human-centered. We must never entrust such immense processing power to emotionless intelligent AI."
"Intensify the inspections. Anyone found crossing the red line is to be executed immediately."
"I understand, Your Majesty." Malcador nodded solemnly. "I will have people investigate in secret and ensure that no one crosses the red line."
"How is the Micro-Universe project progressing?"
Malcador said, "The Mechanicus Sages we assembled are analyzing and studying the technology you provided. They said they will soon produce detailed design blueprints."
The Emperor's expression turned solemn. "Micro-Universe technology is critical. It must be given top priority. Humanity may be able to use this technology to steal the Creator's authority."
Malcador replied, "All resources and policy support will be prioritized for Micro-Universe-related projects. We will not disappoint you, Your Majesty."
The Emperor hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"How is the development of those weapons proceeding?"
Malcador nodded knowingly.
"We have just selected a group of suitable researchers and implanted them with Thought Imprints, ensuring that the weapons research program will not be leaked."
"You have done well," the Emperor said. "These weapons are too powerful. They concern permanently altering the laws of the universe."
"Once word gets out, it will certainly draw the vigilance of the gods and ancient enemies, inviting unnecessary crises."
Malcador said, "These operations are being carried out in utmost secrecy. Every participant must undergo multiple rounds of screening."
"After passing the screening, they will also receive Thought Imprints in their minds to ensure their absolute loyalty."
"Oh, 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 behind, he has already set out to find you."
The Raven tilted his head. Upon hearing Malcador mention Number Twenty, he immediately knew who it was.
The Lord of the Hydra, the Quantum Loyalist, the Twentieth Primarch.
Never try to find Alpharius, because everyone was Alpharius.
"You are Alpharius, he is Alpharius, I am Alpharius, we are all Alpharius."
"Cut off one head, and two more will grow. It will continue without end."
"In the Hydra competition of All Universes, let us wait and see who can claim the name of Hydra."
The Raven shook his head and muttered all sorts of strange words to himself.
The Emperor said to Malcador, "I understand. This is not your fault."
Waldo frowned.
It seemed that screening would need to be strengthened to ensure that Number Twenty did not infiltrate this place.
Back on Terra, Number Twenty had amused himself by infiltrating the Adeptus Custodes.
Most of the time, he succeeded.
Waldo had been forced to initiate the Blood Games and intensify anti-infiltration training.
If, aboard the Emperor's Grand Plan, the enhanced Adeptus Custodes were still infiltrated by him—
In the Raven's words, Waldo would have to consider returning to Terra to guard the pond.
The Emperor and Malcador discussed the Imperium's current situation.
They corrected errors in certain policies and regulations, ensuring that the people's welfare was protected.
Afterward, the two ended the communication.
"With the establishment of the Imperium's Warp Communication network and the deployment of all these technologies, we are no longer the ones who should be worried."
The Emperor felt a sense of relief.
Previously, he had possessed only one solution to humanity's predicament.
That was to restore the Webway left behind by the Ancient Sages.
To complete that plan, he had needed to race against time.
He had to seize the brief window when the Warp Storm subsided.
Time was short, the task was heavy, and it was inevitable that he became irritable and impatient.
Now, they had the Gene Engine, Warp Communication, and many other cutting-edge technological creations.
Even if the Warp Storm that Slaanesh had previously scattered returned in force.
Human civilization would not be shattered as it had been before. At worst, navigation would merely become more difficult.
The Emperor looked beyond the warship, his gaze crossing the glittering river of stars and reaching into the immaterium.
The Chaos Gods sensed his gaze and roared in fury.
Seeing their rage, the Emperor's lips curved slightly upward.
"Now, the advantage is mine. Let us see what desperate struggles you can still make."
PS: Praise the Four Gods, daily heresy
Before you continue