Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 554 Technological Value

The deepest strategic chamber of the governor's mansion was tightly wrapped in thick soundproofing materials and dense anti-psychic runes, isolating it from all external prying and interference, forming a cold and oppressive cocoon.

The cold air flowed with a faint hissing sound from the circulation system, carrying the chilling scent unique to metal.

A huge star chart table occupied the center of the room, with a deep blue light flowing across its smooth surface, illuminating the faces of the people sitting around it, each one filled with solemnity.

The coordinates representing "Pioneer IV" were marked by an unusually glaring scarlet dot, hanging alone in a corner of the star map, like a drop of fresh blood suddenly dripping onto a dark curtain, exuding an ominous aura.

Chen Xi sat upright in the main seat, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the cold, fine gold tabletop, producing a steady, soft "tap, tap" sound that was particularly clear in the silence, like a metronome for his thoughts.

Hathor stood to his left, his dark gray uniform crisp and clean, his molten gold eyes like searchlights locked onto a target, fixed on the deep shadowy area on the star map that symbolized the unknown and deadly danger, his brows furrowed, almost into a knot.

Ferrus stood like a mountain on the right, his silver-gray metallic face showing no emotion whatsoever, except for his sharp silver eyes, which pulsated with an almost burning thirst for the ultimate technological solution.

The holographic projection of the Sage Oregana floated on the corner of the table, with a silent stream of data flowing around it like a halo.

MaiMai's encrypted communication window was steadily flashing its standby indicator light.

Oregana's synthesized voice broke the suffocating silence: "The final results of the passive analysis are complete."

She quickly and precisely projected the newly discovered resonant field model and its astonishing efficiency data—that striking chart showing ">70% energy recoil reduction"—above the star chart table, right next to the scarlet dot.

"Technical potential assessment conclusion: far exceeding the current cognitive boundaries of the Empire. If reverse engineering and practical application are successful, the core bottleneck of the Psionic Knight project—the deadly psionic backlash—will be completely overcome. Its impact can be extended to all areas involving high-risk psionic operations, including the Star Speaker communication amplifier, the psionic Titan core, and even..." She paused for a rare half-second, seemingly considering her words, "...the stability maintenance of some secondary circuits of the Golden Throne."

Felus's voice was like cold steel rubbing against each other, carrying an undeniable sense of oppression: "The value of the objective is indisputable. Obtaining a physical sample or the core design blueprint is the only option. Any delay would be a huge waste of the Empire's potential power and a desecration of the groundbreaking opportunity bestowed upon us by Om Messiah."

Her silver-gray gaze swept across the star map like a tangible probe, finally fixing firmly on Chen Xi's face.

"Give me the authority and the necessary resources, and I will take this key back."

Hathor immediately retorted, his voice clear and forceful, carrying the pragmatism of a staff officer: "The technological potential is indeed enormous, Firus. But where is the comprehensive risk assessment?"

Her finger pressed heavily on the bizarre, distorted, and counterintuitive projection of "Pioneer-IV" on the star map.

"This spatial configuration, Aurejana has clearly confirmed, violates the known fundamental laws of physics! Near-perfect energy absorption efficiency? Abnormal plasma flow pattern? Unexplained signs of gravitational well manipulation... This is by no means a characteristic of any known technology from the 'Human Federation's' Golden Age! It is more like a dangerous detour leading to an unknown abyss, a borderland we cannot understand. Even... we cannot rule out that it is an elaborately laid bait, a deadly trap."

She turned to Chen Xi, her gaze intense and full of warning. "Judge Warren's eyes have never truly left Rostov. Such a large-scale, targeted operation is tantamount to lighting the most conspicuous signal flare in front of him. Is the dual political and technical risks worth risking everything? Governor, one wrong step and you're doomed."

Chen Xi's gaze swung like a pendulum, shifting back and forth between the burning thirst for technology in Felus's eyes and Hathor's resounding warning. On the star map, the shadowy area representing Inquisitor Warren's sphere of influence seemed to grow even darker and heavier due to the tense atmosphere.

He remained silent for a few seconds, then the rhythmic, soft tapping of his fingertips abruptly stopped.

The only sound in the sealed room was the monotonous, continuous hissing of the circulation system, like a countdown hourglass.

“The technological potential is enormous and cannot be ignored.” Chen Xi’s voice carried the weariness characteristic of a decision-maker, but it also contained an unwavering determination. “However, the risks of the operation must be controlled in the strictest way. Hathor’s concerns are spot on.”

His sharp gaze fell on Felus: "Felus, you will lead the operation. The core objective is clear: bring back verifiable technical samples or core design blueprints. Priority: physical samples are superior to blueprints, and the safety of all personnel is paramount. This is not a brute-force assault, but a theft operation requiring the highest precision."

He then turned to the holographic projection of Olegana: "Oleganna is with the team. She is responsible for the maintenance and support of all technical equipment, the real-time analysis of abnormal energy environments on site, and the initial safe sealing procedures for samples. She ensures that all data records at all contact points are complete and uncontaminated. Your data stream is the eye of our operation."

Finally, his deep gaze returned to Felus's face, his tone suddenly becoming more serious, each word carrying immense weight: "Liz's safety is the highest priority of this operation. She is our ally, a vital asset to the Inquisition, and the embodiment of the 'Void'—she is not a expendable dummy or experimental tool! Her unique force field is our only reliable barrier against potential unknown contamination or energy erosion. Any attempt to use her as an energy conduit or to conduct experimental operations is absolutely prohibited! The dedicated emergency device ensuring her safe evacuation must be complete and reliable, and the final activation authority must be entirely controlled by her. Felus, this is an order. No room for compromise, no excuses."

He stared directly into the Primarch's silver-grey eyes, conveying an undeniable will.

A very subtle ripple flashed deep within Ferrus's eyes, like the turning of a tiny gear inside a precision instrument.

She and Chen Xi looked at each other, as if silently measuring the strength of the will behind the order.

After a few seconds of suffocating silence, she nodded slightly.

"Understood." The voice remained as cold as metal, but the invisible pressure that seemed to crush everything appeared to have lessened slightly.

Chen Xi immediately turned to Mai Mai's flashing communication window: "Mai Mai, immediately execute the upgraded version of 'Operation Confusion.' Deliver the core intelligence—that the target ruins contain a breakthrough stabilizing technology that can completely solve the problem of psionic backlash—precisely to the 'Raven Seven' node in Inquisitor Warren's core intelligence network through a pre-set deep security vulnerability. The intelligence description must emphasize the disruptive value of this technology and its decisive strategic significance for the future of the Empire, and must be described in a sufficiently enticing and irresistible way. Core objective: to firmly lock Warren's attention to the desolate asteroid belt that 'Raven Seven' is pointing to, to make him believe without a doubt that that is our true target, which we are willing to risk everything for, and to effectively misdirect his power."

“Instructions confirmed, Governor.” Mai Mai’s synthesized voice was steady and efficient. “The decoy information chain is ready, and the deployment procedure will be initiated immediately. The target node is expected to react within 35 minutes. Raven VII will seize this opportunity and pursue the phantom with all its might.”

Chen Xi's gaze swept over the solemn faces of each member in the secret room one last time, finally settling on the scarlet coordinate point on the star map table that pulsated like a heart.

"The operation begins. May the wisdom of the Emperor guide your path, and may the power of Om Messiah protect your safe return." His voice was deep and powerful, carrying the unique heaviness of bidding farewell to warriors embarking on an unknown and perilous battlefield.

"Take that key back."

(End of this chapter)