Warhammer 40: Starting as a Rogue Trader

Chapter 242 The Internet and the Soul Forge
Beside the Starforge inside the Spear of Adun.

The energy extracted from the solar fragments is continuously melting the spirit bones captured inside the Koror Ark.

Even those massive ghostly structures slowly melted under the heat emanating from the small star within the Spear of Adun.

The Spear of Adun possesses the relevant production technology for the Purifiers, and by using the melted spirit bones, combined with the Protoss's reconstruction and manufacturing technology, Karax has successfully created some Purifier prototypes called Vigilant.

However, the Protoss are not yet able to create their own spirit bones, but fortunately, there are enough spirit bones accumulated in the Krol Ark to meet their current needs.

Kaul was also studying these mechanical objects. Both Kaul and Kairax gained a lot from their conversation.

Upon hearing Karax's explanation of how these Purifiers operated, Kaul's first thought was that the life essence of these machines was similar to the artificial intelligence that the Empire most vehemently opposed.

Uploading data—isn't this just like creating a weak AI clone of myself?

The Purifiers are essentially strong AI.

What Kaul found most unbelievable was that the Protoss actually accepted the existence of these Purifiers.

"Aren't you worried that these beings called Purifiers will rebel against you, their creators?"

Although Caul did not abhor intelligence like other priests of other religious orders, he was well aware of its dangers and was very cautious about his secret research into artificial intelligence.

"There have indeed been Purifier rebellions in the history of the Protoss, but during the time of Archbishop Artanis, we lived in harmony with these Purifiers."

"Harmonious coexistence? But they are ultimately machines, weapons of war created to imitate you. There is a fundamental difference between you."

"Machines. Aren't we ourselves machines made up of flesh and blood? If we simply treat the Purifiers as tools and consumables, how can they not rebel? Just like you, Caul, how much flesh and blood is left in your body?"
Or perhaps you no longer consider yourself human?

Each purifier who accepts the data upload becomes a completely new individual and can no longer be considered a provider of data and memories.

“In the Empire, it’s hard to find someone with your ideas. I think we’ll have a lot in common.”

Looking at the Purifier before him, Kaul was already captivated by it. He did not want to create such a special artificial intelligence unit like the Protoss.

Although many people suspect that he is conducting forbidden technology research, and he is indeed doing so, he cannot openly reveal it. However, the Protoss's other technology, the Light Purifiers, which can self-destruct in battle and reassemble to join the fight, will give his intelligent army a qualitative leap in combat power.

Gao Yi, standing to the side, looked at the Purifier but didn't simply think about its combat power.

Although the Purifiers are artificially created, they seem to have an obsession with restoring the normal Protoss characteristics.

The Purifiers cannot possess the Kara, but they have created a Purifier network similar to the Kara.

This is a purely technological product; Purifiers made from non-spiritual bone materials cannot use psionic energy.

And this artificial Kara is equivalent to the purifier's internet.

Gao Yi's idea is to use this technology to build an internet for humanity as well.

The priests of the Holy Mechanic Order, whose minds had also been modified, were the best test subjects.

Abandoning inefficient thinkers and wet tools, we integrate knowledge and resources in a more efficient way.

After the priests' experiments were successful, the technology was then adopted and implemented in the current regular administrative departments and government systems of the empire.

Once the Holy Machine Order becomes widespread, the Pure Mark can be produced on a large scale, and humanity will no longer need to worry about the corruption of Chaos, thus connecting the entire empire's economic and data systems together.

The limitations on the development and management of the empire have always been the efficiency of information transmission and the instability of subspace travel.

The existence of quantum communication and jump engines can make up for this problem.

Inefficient administrative methods mean that a single decimal point error by the Ministry of the Interior could lead to the destruction of a planet or even a galaxy.

While this internet system will certainly not be immune to errors, it will be far more accurate and efficient than the current one. The lag in information and the existence of subspace make humanity, this galactic empire, seem to remain in a feudal era.

They levy taxes in kind on the planets belonging to the empire in the most primitive way.

Although many star sectors have their own currencies, and some are even called Throne Coins, the value of Throne Coins varies from sector to sector, and even a single warship may have its own independent economic system.

Once you leave a star system or another star system, people won't recognize your currency at all. The most common way of trading is still bartering technology, people, and resources. It can be said that the entire empire's economic system is extremely distorted.

If the internet succeeds, it could also enhance governments' ability to monitor and influence various planets, and even prevent tragedies caused by conventional in-kind tithes.

However, the prerequisite is that the central government is strong enough and has sufficient credibility.

Gao Yi believes that this problem will be gradually resolved in the future.

The Protoss, with its Kara, lacked understanding of the internet, so Gao Yi invited Kaul to join the project. Gao Yi also planned to use the expansion as a pilot project to verify its feasibility.

Bringing his thoughts back, Gao Yi headed straight for the Star Furnace, knowing that there were more important things to do now.

"Caul, Carax, help record the data!"

As Gao Yi wielded the power of the machine, pure subspace energy permeated the entire cabin. Caul's detectors kept sounding alarms, and all the mechanical creations around seemed to be operating at superpower. At this moment, the star furnace also underwent a different change.

The original fixed structure of the star furnace is being changed.

Gao Yi stood directly in front of the Star Furnace, his mechanical divine power transforming into tentacles that spread out from his body and pierced into the Star Furnace.

And the power seized from Vashtor is also transforming the Star Furnace.

Kairax and Caul did not disturb Gao Yi, but silently recorded all the data in front of them.

Both worlds have the existence of "gods," but opportunities to directly experience the power of gods are rare.

Both of them considered themselves scientists and were eager to realize the power of the gods through scientific means. Even though it was difficult, it could not stop their desire to try.

The purified energy from the subspace was continuously injected into the Star Furnace, and the flames inside the Star Furnace became increasingly dazzling.

And the Star Furnace seemed to come alive at this moment.

Gao Yi opened his eyes. Creating his own soul forge was not an easy task, and Gao Yi was not yet very skilled at mastering and controlling this power.

But the result was good. Looking at the connection between himself and the star furnace in front of him, he knew that he had succeeded.

Seeing that Gao Yi had temporarily finished his work, Kaul and Kairax came to Gao Yi's side.

"Lord Gao Yi, can you really guarantee that this technology will not be corrupted by chaos? After all, it is a power from the warp."

"I can't help but ask with concern," Kaul asked.

“No problem. After all, this comes from my power. No one knows it better than me. I’ll have the priests apply the mark of purity to it later. Even if chaos tries to invade, I will be able to sense it.”

After speaking, Gao Yi looked at Kairax.

"Prepare the materials. Compress the spirit bone as much as possible to increase its strength, according to my requirements. As for the appearance, just make it look like this! Caul transmits the model's appearance to Kairax."

After Karax received the data, he saw what appeared to be a human male.

Almost identical to Feralus Manus, the Primarch of the Steel Hand.

(End of this chapter)