Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 308 Arrival on Earth (Second Update)
When Scott mentioned the crucial role of bilithium crystals and their instability in certain situations, Chen Yu's synthesized voice timely interjected with a question that went straight to the heart of the matter: "So, are there more stable or more efficient crystal alternatives? Or, can the crystal structure be pre-stabilized by introducing an external energy field to withstand the energy load under a higher warp factor?"

This question made Scott's eyes light up, as if he had found a kindred spirit: "Good heavens, you think so too? I've submitted several reports on improving crystal stability, but they always mention budget and risks..."

He seemed to have opened a floodgate of conversation, and began discussing with Chen Yu some technical details that even Savik, who was following beside him, needed to think about carefully.

A Mechanicus sage from the Warhammer universe and a brilliant engineer from the Federation of Planets are engaged in a cross-dimensional technical exchange in the engine room of this legendary starship.

Scott shared his knowledge generously, both out of pride and because he was guided by Chen Yu's precise and insightful questions; Chen Yu, on the other hand, was like the most greedy sponge, absorbing all the knowledge about warp drives. Every byte of information was laying a solid foundation for him to replicate, improve, and even surpass this technology in the future.

He knew that simply recording and understanding the principles was not enough; he needed something more substantial—perhaps a design blueprint, perhaps a method for synthesizing key materials, or even… a complete warp drive.

But at this moment, this in-depth and unhindered technical exchange is the most wonderful beginning to achieving those goals.

His crimson optical lens gazed at the steadily operating warp core, as if he could already see countless unknown galaxies beckoning to him from within this safe and reliable light-speed bubble.
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The Enterprise sailed smoothly through the vast sea of ​​stars and finally arrived in the solar system. The blue planet that held a special place in Chen Yu's mind—Earth, the capital of the Interstellar Federation—slowly appeared on the main view screen.

In stark contrast to the suffocating metal hives that blanket the entire continent of Holy Terra and the ever-present shadow of war, and to the desolate landscape of Cyberpunk Earth, fragmented by mega-corporations, environmental degradation, and social division, the planet before them presents a harmonious, vibrant, and highly civilized appearance.

The clear outlines of the azure ocean and verdant land, the crystal-clear atmosphere, and the orderly operation of various space stations and spacecraft in orbit all convey an atmosphere of prosperity, peace, and order.

During the voyage, General Kirk had already given a detailed report via a secure line to the Interstellar Federation Council in Paris about the existence of Chen Yu and his team, their claimed identity as interdimensional explorers, and the details of the initial contact.

After intense discussion and risk assessment, the parliament gave clear instructions: it hoped to hold a formal meeting with this "sage" from another dimension to assess his true intentions and, based on that, determine the tone and depth of future exchanges between the two sides.

When Kirk conveyed the invitation from the Federal Parliament to Chen Yu, the sage of exploration reacted rather indifferently.

His massive mechanical body stood in the cabin assigned to them, his crimson optical lenses gazing at the Earth drawing ever closer outside the porthole.

“Bureaucratic procedures,” he stated calmly, his synthesized voice revealing no emotion, “a testing ground for efficiency. I understand it as a necessary evil.”

For him, such political contact was far less efficient than direct communication with technical experts.

However, his reinforced logic clearly calculated that gaining official federal approval was a necessary prerequisite for deeper and more systematic access to its vast technological arsenal.

This "official status" will greatly facilitate his subsequent actions and reduce many unnecessary troubles.

“Sure.” Chen Yu accepted the invitation. “I also hope to have a direct understanding of the Federation’s decision-making body.”

The itinerary was thus finalized.

Accompanied by General Kirk and Dr. Carol, Chen Yu will travel by shuttle to the Star Federation Fleet headquarters in San Francisco, the location of this meeting. Carol's presence provides scientific support, and as the head of the "Genesis Project," she is one of the individuals who has had direct scientific exchanges with Chen Yu.

As for Mann, Valerie, Jack, and the other team members, they were assigned to stay on the Enterprise.

Kirk assigned several reliable officers, such as the warm and friendly Uhura and the knowledgeable Sulu, to "host" them. In reality, this was also to prevent these heavily armed "other-dimensional mercenaries" who knew nothing about the rules of the Federation from causing unnecessary disturbances or security incidents in the unfamiliar environment.

Mann had no objection to this. He knew his role and ordered his team to stay in the designated area and keep a low profile. At the same time, he used this opportunity to learn more about this seemingly peaceful world from these Federation crew members.

The shuttle detached from the Enterprise, smoothly passed through the Earth's atmosphere, and finally landed in front of the iconic, magnificent Federal Fleet headquarters building in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Chen Yu's massive, dark red body stepped out of the shuttle and stood on this land that symbolized the highest military and exploration power center of the Interstellar Federation.

He looked up as the optical lens steadily swept across the massive architectural complex before him, a blend of futuristic technology and classic architectural aesthetics.

The streamlined silver structure coexists harmoniously with the solid concrete base, and the energy pipelines, protected by transparent materials, flow with a faint blue light along the walls, echoing the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance that spans the bay and gleams in the sunlight.

In the air, several elegantly designed hovercars quietly traverse along invisible routes, leaving graceful trails.

The air was filled with a fresh, unpolluted scent, a mixture of the slightly salty ocean and the faint fragrance wafting from the nearby green gardens.

The sunlight shines gently, and the temperature is precisely controlled within the range most comfortable for the human body.

All of this scenery and atmosphere seemed to vaguely correspond to any fragment of his memory about "Earth," yet in every detail it appeared so different, so...ideal.

Here, there is no lingering, pungent smell of incense and engine oil from Sacred Terra, nor the ever-present acrid emissions and over-fermented street food odors of Night City. Instead, there is a meticulously controlled, near-perfect tranquility and vitality.

“Sage, this way please.” Kirk gestured, his expression more formal and serious than when he was on the spaceship.

He knew that the upcoming meeting would determine whether the two vastly different civilizations would move towards peaceful exchange or fall into suspicion and estrangement.

Chen Yu took a few steady steps, following Kirk and Carroll into the Federal Headquarters.

His data processing core has been switched to the highest analysis mode, ready to record every detail of the upcoming meeting, not just the language, but also the micro-expressions and behavioral patterns of these high-ranking federal officials, as well as the security level and technological application level of the entire headquarters.

For him, this was not only a diplomatic meeting, but also a valuable opportunity for intelligence gathering. The real exchange had already begun the moment he stepped into the room.

(End of this chapter)