Chapter 434: Chapter 434: "Lockdown" and "Opening" in Universe 02
The Pacific Rim universe, designated as Universe 06, immediately entered full mobilization after receiving news that six companies of the Thousand Sons legion were to be deployed to six different universes.
From a vantage point approximately 20,000 kilometers above the surface of Earth-06, one could clearly observe the dramatic transformation of this once-polluted and hostile homeworld. The planet, devastated by alien invasions and environmental degradation, had now undergone significant restoration.
Though still cloaked in a dense atmosphere, glimpses of blue skies and green landscapes were beginning to dominate Earth-06.
The land was no longer dry and barren as it had been in the past. Vast southern regions were now covered by grasslands and forests, teeming with life once again.
Rivers once corroded by acid rain were now flowing clear, and oceans—previously murky and gray—had taken on a deep, tranquil blue hue, shimmering with hints of vitality.
Among these ecological restoration efforts, Antarctica stood out as a striking success.
The once endless expanse of ice and snow had transformed into a true "oasis."
Freshwater lakes dotted the landscape, lush woodlands stretched to the horizon, and vast grasslands thrived under clear skies.
This miraculous recovery was largely due to the full-scale operation of atmospheric environment processors.
Engineers from the Mechanicus had deployed a host of advanced devices to remove pollutants from the air and water, regulate resources, and repair damaged crustal plates. As a result, Earth-06 had risen from its apocalyptic state, showing signs of vibrant rebirth.
While the ecological restoration was stunning, the eye could not directly perceive the crystalline Pure Flowers, which played a pivotal role in purifying the planet.
These biomechanical constructs, resembling blooming crystal peonies, were another cornerstone in Earth-06's recovery.
In addition to large-scale machinery, countless robots worked tirelessly across the globe to maintain a new ecological cycle.
Earth-06 had transformed from a desolate wasteland into a beacon of hope, a world brimming with life.
At closer range, near the surface, one could observe the region once known as Peru. Its land was now covered by a veritable "steel jungle."
A dense network of industrial facilities and factories sprawled across the landscape, forming a breathtaking tapestry of industry. Even from orbit, one could see these orderly factory complexes standing tall, layered and intricate.
These facilities operated with high efficiency, with mechanical arms and automated systems tirelessly moving along production lines. Bright flashes of activity illuminated the vast industrial network, signifying Earth-06's transformation into a stronghold of the Imperium.
At the heart of this industrial expanse was the Forward Base established in the former city of Lima. This base served not only as a strategic hub but also as a vital transportation nexus.
The Warp Gate connecting Earth-06 to the Main Universe was located in the very center of Lima.
Since Magnus and the Thousand Sons inherited the heavy industry of Universe 06, they had turned this world into one of the Imperium's industrial powerhouses, second only to Mars in the Main Universe. It had almost reached the standard of a Forge World.
The Thousand Sons had fully integrated the local resources with the Imperium's technology, greatly enhancing production efficiency.
The Titan Project, validated in the Godzilla: Monster Planet universe, had also entered its final stages here.
With real combat data in hand, the Forge of 06 rapidly implemented improvements to Titan models and advanced the development of the Knight project.
The Knights, essentially streamlined versions of Titans, were designed to provide more agile battlefield options.
Though less armored and armed than Titans, Knights boasted significantly greater mobility.
Standing approximately 20 meters tall, the Knights were far superior to conventional combat mechs like Cyclops or AMP suits.
Knights could be equipped with missile systems, Gauss cannons, plasma weapons, and a range of small-caliber ship-mounted guns, enabling them to adapt to various combat scenarios.
Both Knights and Titans utilized neural link technology, allowing pilots to control the machines remotely via consciousness transmission rather than physically entering the cockpit.
This ensured that pilots were shielded from environmental hazards and communication disruptions while maintaining precise control over their mechs in the heat of battle.
This also allowed Titans and Knights to be deployed via orbital drops, using disposable heat shields to accompany Astartes and ODST troops in coordinated planetary assaults.
The neural link technology ensured that pilots could operate from a secure location throughout the battle unless they voluntarily severed the link. This significantly reduced pilot casualties and minimized direct losses on the battlefield.
The maturity of the Titan and Knight projects had revolutionized the Imperium's airborne deployment capabilities, providing more flexible options for firepower while preserving personnel.
Despite their high manufacturing costs, Titans and Knights were ultimately lifeless constructs. In the eyes of the Imperium, their value could never compare to the lives of its soldiers.
Currently, the Forge of 06 had received substantial orders from six Astartes legions, including the Ultramarines, Blood Angels, and Dark Angels.
According to plans, the Forge would deliver 90 Titans and 600 Knights to these legions by the end of the year.
The massive demand had pushed Earth-06's production capacity to its peak, achieving unprecedented operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Warp Gate in Lima faced an unprecedented surge in traffic since the unification of Universe 06.
Countless warships, transport vessels, and maglev trains loaded with supplies, weapons, and personnel were passing through the gate, heading to various destinations.
To facilitate the inter-universe transport of massive warships—each over 700 meters in width and height—the Engineering Division had implemented special protocols.
Ships were dismantled into modular components, which were then transported via smaller vessels and trains to forward bases in other universes. Once there, engineering teams and robotic arms would reassemble the ships.
This intricate process not only showcased the Mechanicus' technical prowess but also made the logistical operation a spectacular sight to behold.
Such a large-scale military deployment soon drew the attention of nearby Imperial citizens, who flocked to witness the event.
Though Lima's residents typically lived in underground cities to shield themselves from surface conditions, towering megastructures provided them with safe observation platforms.
From these vantage points, residents could witness the grandeur of the military's inter-universe operations without the need for protective suits or air filters.
For military enthusiasts, this was a rare opportunity to capture breathtaking footage.
Some enthusiasts even donned lightweight air filters and ventured to the outskirts of the restricted zone to photograph the awe-inspiring scenes of the Imperium's forces mobilizing.
The sight of the Imperium's might filled many citizens with pride, a tangible reminder of their empire's strength and unshakable dominance.
However, all videos and images related to the military's activities were temporarily restricted to Universe 06's internal network.
Smart and dumb AI alike were tasked with monitoring all related discussions, ensuring that sensitive information about the deployment did not leak.
This was not merely a matter of censorship; it involved comprehensive behavioral analysis, information tracking, and real-time intervention to manage potential risks.
Discussions, images, or videos concerning military operations were quickly intercepted or partially obscured to prevent critical details from reaching beyond Universe 06.
For now, citizens of Universe 06 could continue enjoying the internet freely, but their access was confined to their own universe, with no external communication permitted.
Even the Imperium's relic bases had temporarily barred any unauthorized personnel from entering or exiting Universe 06.
Once the Thousand Sons completed their deployment and confirmed engagements with Chaos forces, restrictions would gradually be lifted under secure conditions.
At that point, images and videos would be selectively released, providing citizens in other universes with insights into the warfront.
From the beginning of the Imperium's founding and the enactment of the Codex of Humanity, the existence of the Warp and Chaos had never been intentionally concealed from the populace.
Unlike the draconian policies of the Warhammer 40k universe, Samuel's Imperium employed a more "open" form of control.
In Warhammer 40k, knowledge of Chaos inevitably posed a psychological risk. Any information about the Warp, if leaked, could lead countless ordinary people to fall into Chaos's grasp, necessitating extreme measures of censorship and purging.
Under the oppressive and chaotic conditions of that galaxy, ignorance often became a twisted form of bliss.
Samuel's Imperium, however, took a different approach.
The Codex of Humanity, imbued with pure psychic energy, encouraged citizens to revere and remain loyal to the Emperor and the Primarchs. This granted the general population a degree of resistance to Chaos whispers and psychic corruption.
With these layers of protection, ordinary citizens were less susceptible to corruption unless directly targeted by Warp curses or psychic invasions.
Among those with higher psychic potential, Chaos forces might still find vulnerabilities to exploit, though they would require more elaborate methods to manipulate such individuals.
As for the Astartes, implanted with gene-seed derived from Samuel, their immunity to Chaos's "conventional" corruptive methods was significantly enhanced. Their bodies and wills were far more resilient when facing psychic temptation.
Nonetheless, even Astartes were not entirely invulnerable. Physical exposure to Warp-tainted entities or particularly powerful daemons could still compromise their souls and twist their bodies into grotesque slaves.
Thus, the best defense for Astartes was not ignorance but clarity—understanding Chaos's nature and remaining vigilant in both battle and faith.
Among the legions, the Thousand Sons, with their exceptional psychic sensitivity, were the first to comprehend
Chaos's true essence.
Even without the fragmented glimpses of the future Samuel had received, he would have tasked the Thousand Sons with addressing this impending Chaos incursion.
In addition to their psychic prowess and deep understanding of Warp forces, the Thousand Sons had been relatively underutilized in recent years. Many of their companies had remained "idle" for extended periods.
The situation presented an ideal opportunity for large-scale deployment, allowing the Thousand Sons to earn well-deserved battle honors.
Currently, Magnus the Red, the legion's Primarch, had already led his honor guard to cross two Warp Gates, arriving in Universe 02—the Avatar universe.
At the Pandora side of the Warp Gate:
Pandora, a naturally habitable Earth-like planet, had atmospheric environment processors installed, though they initially operated at much lower efficiency than those on Pacific Rim Earth.
Before the Biologis Division completed its comprehensive study of Pandora's native species, the Imperium had refrained from fully activating the processors to maintain the planet's ecological balance.
The goal was to use genetic and nanotechnology to gradually adapt Pandora's native organisms to human habitation while preserving the planet's original biodiversity.
As one of the rarest multi-universe treasures, Pandora's unparalleled ecological diversity made it a prime candidate for careful, adaptive development.
However, with the introduction of Pure Flowers, Pandora's flora, fauna, and microorganisms began proactively adapting to human ecological standards.
In combination with atmospheric processors, these changes would transform Pandora into an even more habitable paradise than Earth within four years.
The restoration of Pacific Rim Earth owed much to the Pure Flowers as well.
At this moment, the Primarch's honor guard train had crossed the Forward Base's Warp Gate, speeding along elevated tracks toward a city rivaling New Alexandria in scale.
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Seated in the train, dressed in formal attire, Magnus furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze fixed on the fleeting natural scenery outside. His expression carried a hint of reflection.
Before long, he sensed the train slowing, eventually coming to a stop.
Rising to his feet, Magnus stepped out onto the platform, accompanied by his Terminator-armored honor guard.
The atmosphere on the platform immediately turned solemn with his arrival.
However, a familiar, boisterous voice suddenly rang out:
"Hahaha! Long time no see, my brother!"
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