Chapter Summaries

William gathered his officers to plan the extermination of the Arachnid Swarm and learned that more than 633 stellar systems were already known to be within its quarantine zones. Rebecca and Halsey revealed they had developed a virus called Insecticide to eliminate the Swarm, leaving William and his officers to consider their proposed solution.

• William accepted Constantine's offer, then headed to the bridge to discuss the extermination plan with his officers.
• Serena reported that Federation intelligence had identified at least thirty planets containing Arachnid brain bugs and 633 known systems within the Swarm's quarantine zones.
• Rebecca reassured William and revealed that she and Halsey had uploaded a file called Insecticide to the carrier's network.
• Halsey explained that she, Rebecca, and 049 had developed Insecticide using the T-Virus, Blacklight Virus, a brain bug specimen, and Elizabeth Green.
• Rebecca said Insecticide was contagious, had a long incubation period and high mortality rate, and could stop the Arachnids from reproducing.

William and his allies planned a counterattack against the Arachnid Swarm using the Xenomorph Infestation virus, assigning John to deploy it on OM-1. After the others left, William asked Halsey whether she could develop the Q-bomb, and she teased him for doubting her.

• Rebecca explained that the Xenomorph Infestation virus would spread through the Arachnid Swarm, kill the bugs, and persist after they were gone, while Halsey assured everyone it could not infect other life.
• William ordered Halsey and Rebecca to produce the virus and Gene Rysgaard’s colleagues to plan their theaters of operation for the New Federation’s counterattack.
• William assigned John and two hundred Custodes to deploy the virus in the bug nests on OM-1, where Bihankoto was located, with Ivan, Rigo, Tiz, and three companies of Madtooth Sharks assisting.
• William told Serena to publish information about the Parallel Universe and a Mars immigration application link, then took Halsey aside to discuss the Q-bomb.
• William asked Halsey if she was confident she could develop the Q-bomb, and she pinched his waist and teased him for asking.

Halsey told William she could develop a Quantum Bomb prototype within half a year, and William agreed to reward her by having another child with her after the project was complete. They also discussed Rebecca’s request to transfer Li Mu away from Minos Island so he could spend more time with his family.

• Halsey explained that Serena’s research data had inspired her to pursue a Quantum Bomb and that she could build a prototype within half a year under proper laboratory conditions.
• Halsey asked William about rewards for the Quantum Bomb and the bug-killing virus she and Rebecca had developed.
• Halsey passed on Rebecca’s request for William to transfer Li Mu from Minos Island so he could be closer to Rebecca and their son.
• William said he would transfer Li Mu to help establish an Agent training center near Troy Base after they dealt with the bugs and other matters.
• Halsey asked William to have another child with her once she completed the Quantum Bomb, and William agreed.

William and Umbrella prepared a campaign to eradicate the Arachnid Swarm while Serena manipulated public opinion to recruit New Federation immigrants. After the Exterminator virus was produced and the fleets assembled, William launched attacks across Swarm-held planets and led an expedition toward OM-1 to target Bihankoto.

• Umbrella and the New Federation agreed to exterminate the Arachnid Swarm once the Exterminator virus was ready, while Serena publicized the parallel universe and opened immigration applications.
• Serena and the other Artificial Intelligences fabricated online support for immigration, prompting many people to apply, especially members of the 630 million who had placed their faith in William and Umbrella.
• William ordered most New Federation forces to assemble near Planet P, while Constantine arrived there and later secured a preliminary agreement with the Starship Troopers universe's chamber of commerce.
• Over ten days, Umbrella produced enough Exterminator virus and the Artificial Intelligences located Swarm quarantine zones.
• William sent warships and ground forces to distribute the virus across Swarm-controlled planets, while he, John, and other officials headed for OM-1 to try to eliminate Bihankoto.

Ivan and John led Imperial Guards and Shark Company soldiers onto OM-1 to deploy a virus aimed at the Arachnid Swarm’s leadership. The chapter ended with Rico and Tiz firing an Individual Nuclear Bomb into an approaching swarm of bugs.

• Ivan rode a drop pod through OM-1’s atmosphere and reestablished communications with Serena after landing.
• Serena reported a possible bug nest two kilometers north, and John ordered Cortana to arrange pod recovery and prepare the carrier’s flight squadron for extraction.
• John led the assembled troops north across the desert, with Ivan commanding Rico and Tiz alongside Shark Company soldiers.
• An Arachnid Warrior swarm charged the troops, and Ivan ordered Rico and Tiz to prepare their Individual Nuclear Bombs.
• Rico fired the bomb into the swarm, triggering a blinding explosion and a rising mushroom cloud.

John led the Custodians and Frenzied Sharks into the Arachnid hive, where they fought through its defenders and reached the incubation grounds. Cortana released the virus among the insect eggs and adults, and John ordered the team to retreat.

• The troops recovered from the tactical oxygen nuclear bomb’s shockwave, used Pulse Scanning to locate a hive entrance, and followed John inside.
• John, Sparta, Ivan, and their forces battled through the tunnels, while John blocked the scorpions’ plasma attacks and smashed through their guards.
• John and Ivan led the group into the incubation grounds, where they found insect eggs and adult insects tending them.
• John told Cortana to release the virus, and Cortana spread it among the eggs and adult insects.
• John ordered the troops to retreat after the virus containers opened.

John and the others escaped OM-1 as the Bug Exterminator virus spread through the Arachnid Swarm and infected its leader, Bihankoto. William learned that John’s Good Luck had made Bihankoto unable to resist the virus, and he ordered an MS squad and Xia to verify the Bug God’s condition.

• Carmen brought the carrier down to retrieve John, Ivan, and the others, then piloted it into OM-1’s low orbit.
• The infected bugs spread the virus through nearby hives, with the infection expected to reach Bihankoto across the planet.
• Serena brought William coffee and explained that her synthetic body let her experience taste, though caffeine had no effect on her.
• The system reported that John’s Good Luck had helped ensure Bihankoto could not resist the virus and would die within twelve hours.
• William ordered an MS squad and Xia in her White Raven to confirm Bihankoto’s condition.

William reunited with Rico, Tiz, and Carmen aboard the Infinity as Umbrella prepared to return Fleet Zero to Earth orbit. He introduced them to Umbrella’s commanders and sent them with Ivan to tour the ship before its jump.

• Titan’s Dome City remained under lockdown as Umbrella forces withdrew and traders and media gathered for the passage to open.
• Rico, Tiz, and Carmen explored the Infinity’s hangar while Ivan, Xia, and Nova showed them Umbrella technology.
• William introduced Rico and the others to Andre Kapushkin Ostrovsky and Mike O’Donohue and explained their commands and guards.
• Rico, Tiz, and Carmen saluted Andre and Mike, who agreed to look after the newcomers.
• William asked Ivan to familiarize Rico, Tiz, and Carmen with the Infinity, and they left the hangar with him.

William discussed expanding recruitment for immigrants from the Starship Troopers universe and agreed to create more career options, potentially through a job platform. Constantine secured Nova an acceptance to St. Mary's University, and the group departed for their respective posts, with William heading back to Halifax.

• Andre proposed opening military recruitment channels for immigrants, and William expanded the idea to include other careers and a job-recruitment platform.
• Constantine reminded William about his promised payment, and William confirmed that Nova would receive an acceptance letter from St. Mary's University.
• Constantine told Nova she could pursue the life she wanted, and she hugged him tearfully.
• William told Xia and Nova to rest at home before school and said their military ranks would be kept for them.
• Andre took Xia to Halifax, Constantine took Nova to his U.S. estate, and Mike returned to the First Fleet.
• William went to discuss recruitment channels with Serena before leading his family back to Halifax.

William returned to Russell Manor with Halsey, Ivan, Rego, and Tiz, then asked Ivan to find Rego and Floss a place to live before university. Ivan took Rego and Tiz to the garage and showed them a luxury Flying Boat, preparing to take them for a ride.

• William and his family traveled from Troy Base to Russell Manor in a convoy of SUVs.
• William asked Ivan to find Rego and Floss a place to live, and gave Rego money for their daily needs.
• Ivan declined the Ghost Agents' offer to drive them and led Rego and Tiz to the garage.
• Ivan showed Rego and Tiz a black Umbrella Flying Boat and started it after they climbed inside.

Ivan took Rico and Tiz to Umbrella’s apartment building in downtown Halifax and arranged to buy them a suite. He left the apartment purchase under their names, despite Rico’s protests.

• Ivan used a company-built flying craft to take Rico and Tiz from Russell Manor to the Umbrella Apartment Building.
• Ivan asked the receptionist about ready-to-occupy suites for the two new employees, and Tiz chose one on the seventy-seventh floor.
• When the receptionist requested residence permits, Ivan offered his bank card to buy the suite under Tiz and Johnny Rico’s names.
• Rico protested that Ivan was spending his own money, but Ivan told him he could pay it back in the future.

Ivan completed the purchase of a suite for Rui-ge and Tiz, then took them to Umbrella’s shopping mall. Back at Russell Manor, William promised Yelena he would stay home for a few days before learning that Halsey was developing a teleportation system for individual soldiers called Terminator.

• Ivan finished the paperwork and paid $640,000 for the suite, transferring ownership to Rui-ge and Tiz.
• Ivan took Rui-ge and Tiz to the seventy-seventh-floor suite, then brought them to Umbrella’s shopping mall to buy necessities and introduce them to Hafa.
• Yelena asked William to go shopping with her, and William promised to stay home and keep her company for the next few days.
• William visited Halsey in the study and saw her document titled “Terminator.”
• Halsey told William she was working on a teleportation system for individual soldiers, which she called Terminator.

Halsey explained her plans to develop Terminator armor and an Individual Teleportation Device, then prepared to attend Ivan and Yelena’s university opening ceremony with William. On the morning of the ceremony, St. Mary’s University was crowded with students, media, and prominent visitors hoping to see William as his children enrolled.

• Halsey told William that Third-Generation Spartans had excelled in boarding operations and described her plans for Terminator armor.
• Halsey said she would work with researchers at The Hive to develop an Individual Teleportation Device, while William agreed to her plans.
• Halsey and William decided to attend Ivan and Yelena’s opening ceremony, then seized a moment alone after Yelena left home.
• On the morning of the 20th, students, parents, media workers, nobles, and wealthy merchants gathered at St. Mary’s University for the opening ceremony.
• The visitors came in part because William’s eldest son and daughter were enrolling and they hoped to meet the Umbrella founder.

Yelena complained to William that the boys at university failed to meet her standards and that their attention had become annoying. William agreed to take her along the next day when he met Rebecca's family and visited a construction site near Troy Base.

• William watched late-night news about the newly opened transit passage to the Titan colony while relaxing at home.
• Yelena came home upset and told William she was disappointed by the boys she had met at university.
• William warned Yelena to tell him if she ever liked someone, and she said she wanted a heroic man more handsome and capable than him.
• Yelena complained that boys kept asking her out and said they could not meet her tests of strength or martial arts skill.
• William suggested Yelena go shopping with her friends, but she asked him to watch a movie with her instead.
• When William said he had plans to meet Rebecca's family and visit a construction site, Yelena gave him a teary look, and he agreed to bring her along.

William kept his morning exercise routine, then took Yelena to visit Rebecca’s family at Russell Manor. On the drive, he told Yelena how Li Mu became a legendary agent, and she asked to read the file about his anomaly.

• William exercised, watched the morning news, and arranged to visit Rebecca’s family with Yelena.
• Yelena got ready, chose a black 2022 Ford GT, and rode with William toward Russell Manor.
• Yelena asked about Li Mu, and William explained that Li had used the dangerous Black Tyrant Serum to defeat an anomaly capable of destroying Earth.
• Yelena admired Li and asked to see the file on “The Thing,” so William let her message Serena for access.

William and Yelena visited Rebecca and Li Mu’s villa to take them to inspect the Agent training center under construction. Yelena met their son Li Lie and became interested in him, while William explained that Li Lie attended high school in Halifax.

• William drove Yelena to Rebecca and Li Mu’s villa after she read a dossier about Li Mu’s battle against The Thing.
• Li Lie greeted William and met Yelena, who introduced herself before William could explain who she was.
• Rebecca and Li Mu came to the door and prepared to go with William to inspect the Agent training center beside Troy Base.
• Rebecca and Li Mu left with William, while Li Lie stayed home and Rebecca affectionately ruffled his hair before departing.
• Yelena told William she thought Li Lie was handsome and asked where he went to school, and William said Li Lie attended high school in Halifax.

William and Yelena visited Umbrella’s Agent training center, where he appointed Li Mu to lead it. Li Mu proposed recruiting veterans, police officers, and high school graduates, then training them with methods adapted from Minos Island.

• Yelena denied having feelings for Li Lie, while William reflected that Li Mu’s son might not return her interest.
• William and Yelena arrived at the under-construction Agent training center, which was about seventy percent complete and designed to house one hundred thousand people.
• William appointed Li Mu to take charge of the center, with Rebecca encouraging her husband to accept the role.
• Li Mu proposed recruiting UNSC veterans, police officers, and high school graduates, and using Ghost Agent and Astartes training methods to prepare them.
• Rebecca compared Li Mu’s proposal to a specialized university for training agents.

William agreed to establish a publicly presented Umbrella military academy that would secretly train agents, and discussed Li Lie’s future with Li Mu. A later archive entry revealed the academy’s launch and its huge number of applicants.

• William agreed that Serena would arrange for the Agent training center to appear publicly as an Umbrella military academy, with recruitment planned for January.
• Rebecca said the academy should demand exceptional physical fitness and academic performance, and William explained that Umbrella’s Abnormal Crisis media had prepared young people to seek out the company.
• William privately asked Li Mu about Li Lie’s future, and Li Mu said he and Rebecca wanted their son to train as an agent rather than become an Astartes.
• William told Li Mu that Li Lie could become a backbone agent of Umbrella, then drove with Yelena toward Halifax City.
• An archive entry recorded that the academy began online promotion on January 10, 2025, and received nearly 1.5 million applications before its portal closed on March 20.

Umbrella and the UNSC optimized their fleets by adapting Federation transport ships and combining two superluminal engine systems. The chapter leaves the Wormhole Engine still under development, while fleet refits and civilian access to Warp Engine technology move forward.

• Serena's AIs selected thirty thousand applicants for early admission to the Project Military Academy after screening applicants and reviewing medical data.
• Umbrella and UNSC generals chose the Federation's Escort Transport Ship for their fleets and renamed it the Roger Yang-class Transport Frigate.
• Umbrella designed a refit allowing warships to carry both Warp and Warp Engines, and shipyards began upgrading existing ships and building more Roger Yang-class ships.
• Dr. Catherine Russell's team continued researching the Wormhole Engine, which remained years from practical development.
• William Russell directed Umbrella to share Warp Engine blueprints with Terra Enterprise's merchant guild so civilian Colony Ships could travel more efficiently.

Umbrella completed and tested its first Quantum Bomb, proving it could destroy an Earth-like planet, then planned production in orbit around Neptune. The chapter also described the development of Terminator Power Armor, which let Astartes teleport short distances for boarding combat but required an energy shield to protect them from lethal materialization accidents.

• Dr. Catherine Russell’s team calculated and stabilized the energy formula for Quantum Bombs, giving humanity the ability to build them.
• William Russell ordered a Phoenix-class Aircraft Carrier to serve as the bomb factory and sent Fleet Zero with it to Barnard b for the test.
• Dr. Catherine Russell remotely directed the construction of the first Quantum Bomb, named “Kevin’s Doomsday,” which was dropped into Barnard b’s atmosphere and detonated, destroying the planet and Kevin.
• William Russell returned to the Solar System and ordered a dedicated Quantum Bomb production station built in orbit around Neptune, while planning to equip fleet flagships with the weapons for emergencies.
• Dr. Catherine Russell developed the Terminator Power Armor concept, and the Hive’s High-Tech Weapons Research Department completed a prototype that enabled Astartes to teleport up to 0.75 ETM with an AT Energy Shield for protection.