Chapter 66: Antimatter Weapons and Gravity Weapons
The success of beyond-visual-range bombing technology held profound significance.
This meant valuable pilots would no longer be shot down from the air due to exposure to the Ork army. The missiles were launched from the sky thousands of miles away, eliminating the need for a close approach.
This greatly enhanced pilot safety, preventing them from becoming expendable through proximity exposure.
After the three remaining long-range missiles were successfully launched, the bombers returned to the space warship. The five Magos led a vast technical army in conducting extensive modifications to the entire legion's bomber fleet.
...
A month later, the Alpha Legion arrived in space within another star system and located their target planet.
The Veridian system was the core Ork stronghold in this star sector. There were not many Ork armies on other planets within a dozen light-years of the capital world.
Omega studied the data and estimated approximately five million Orks on the planet before him, which eased his concerns considerably.
Once again, hundreds of thousands of spacecraft entered the planet's atmosphere, collecting extensive data to locate Ork strongholds, followed by high-altitude, beyond-visual-range bombing campaigns.
On the reddish-yellow continental surface, the Orks frequently intercepted and destroyed missiles, but the sheer volume of ordnance gradually weakened the millions of greenskins. They were eventually easily eliminated by the Alpha Legion.
In just one month, Omega conquered a planet. Within six months, all six planets within a dozen light-years occupied by the Ork army were captured.
In just over a year, the Alpha Legion conquered an entire secondary sector of the Ork Empire.
They then returned to the Forge World for resupply and repairs, replenishing their ranks with an additional thirteen million new recruits.
A month later, in space above the planet Sophis of the Forge World, Omega examined the missiles stored aboard the warship, one hundred arranged in perfect formation.
Omega recognized the enormous potential of the new tactics that had emerged during the Veredian campaign.
The entire strategy revolved around the principle of "detect and strike," enabling rapid and precise strikes against planetary targets. High efficiency also meant a dramatic increase in data processing demands, but this posed no problem for supercomputers like the Thinker Array.
The primary requirement was rewriting the entire fleet's code and building the war system's information processing capabilities.
Missile launches in particular needed to be highly automated rather than requiring missile operators to carry them one by one. Human physical strength had inherent limits. One hundred missiles required a launch unit capable of precisely controlling each missile's firing sequence and impact trajectory.
Due to the project's immense scope, the Mechanicus technicians modified only the missile production process. Other weapons were not processed on a large scale, which significantly reduced their workload.
After resolving the missile issue, Omega turned his attention to the hydrogen bomb, hoping to improve its radiation dispersal.
On the bridge, Magos Julius regretfully informed him that he had never encountered a hydrogen bomb variant that could directly eliminate radiation effects.
He advised Omega against investing excessive effort in this technology due to its inherent uncertainties.
The hydrogen bomb was a weapon with both advantages and disadvantages. Using it more frequently through orbital bombardment might have proven more effective.
However, over the past few decades, several Magi had collected significant quantities of antimatter and even created an antimatter energy furnace with potent effects. Its energy shield could defend against even a large-yield hydrogen bomb explosion.
But antimatter was extremely difficult to extract and remained very rare and precious. They had only tested its power capacity. Conventional energy sources were still replaced by controlled nuclear fusion for regular operations.
Magos Julius continued, "If the goal is to deal with Ork war machines tens of meters tall, the Titan Legion is the optimal choice. Using antimatter weapons against Orks would be wasteful."
"We can increase Titan production capacity to meet war demands."
"What about gravity weapons?" Omega nodded and then asked, having acquired numerous anti-gravity levitation devices and gravity technology from the Rangdan aliens in the Calesis Sector over the years. They had collected nearly all available gravity technology.
"More than a hundred gravity bombs have been manufactured, which can serve as a trump card to deal with troublesome enemy warships or large surface fortresses on planets. Gravity guns can be issued to Space Marines in small numbers."
"However, larger gravity weapons, such as gravity cannons, are being produced, though their use is not recommended. The Imperium of Man's gravity weapons are extraordinarily rare and represent archeotech from the Dark Age of Technology."
The Magos had researched and understood both antimatter and gravity weapons, but both were extraordinarily expensive and best reserved as the legion's trump card and ultimate weapon.
As for the space jump device, it was far too advanced. They hadn't had sufficient time to study it over several decades thoroughly, let alone construct one.
In this respect, Omega was the most proficient in spatial calculations among all present.
Having acquired both the antimatter reactor and gravity technology, Omega initially considered asking whether it was possible to build a faster-than-light spaceship.
But after reflection, he decided against raising the topic. The unknowns were too substantial. This was not merely one or two orders of magnitude more difficult than reducing the effects of hydrogen bomb radiation.
Omega then shifted his approach, "I have studied the structure and principles of subspace engines. I have calculated that gradually reducing reliance on subspace travel is feasible. Of course, the speed might not match current velocities, but I estimate that navigating within a star sector would present no difficulties."
After his initial surprise, the Magos exclaimed, "This... does Your Excellency actually intend to build a faster-than-light spaceship that can escape subspace travel dependence?"
"It is technically feasible."
"We can attempt it. The immense unknowns of faster-than-light spaceship technology may ultimately be something we cannot avoid."
Omega was somewhat surprised by the resolute and determined bearing of Magos Julius facing this prospect. He had expected the older man to discourage further thoughts on the subject strongly. But hearing this response, Omega realized Julius wanted to fulfill his vision.
Deeply moved by this loyalty, Omega did not allow Magos Julius to act rashly on the idea of researching faster-than-light spaceships.
The planet Moyasco flashed through his mind, where fragments of the Endless God and the powerful artificial intelligence created by the Rangdan resided.
Omega thought carefully and spoke earnestly. "I have an idea. Perhaps we can use the powerful artificial intelligence on planet Moyasco to help us evolve and calculate faster-than-light spaceship designs."
"What!?" Magos Julius exclaimed in shock.
Artificial intelligence was something the Emperor had explicitly forbidden, classified as Abominable Intelligence, a capital crime. If discovered, it could mean annihilation like that of the vanished Primarchs. He was stunned that Lord Omega dared to think this way.
Upon seeing this reaction, Omega waved his hand and said.
"Pretend I said nothing. Stop thinking about faster-than-light spaceship technology. Our current capabilities are insufficient for developing it."
"Why?"
"How can you build a faster-than-light spaceship without a supercomputer? Don't even consider researching and building one in secret. It is impossible to succeed because the difficulty is too great," Omega said with a laugh, but his tone carried a warning beneath the levity.
Magos Julius nodded, realizing that Omega had already prepared all the necessary technological groundwork for building a faster-than-light spaceship. But artificial intelligence remained taboo, a line no one could cross without inviting the Emperor's wrath.
Even Magos Julius would not dare break that taboo. He could only advise Omega to reconsider, since everyone's circumstances were reasonably comfortable.
Omega certainly would not allow faster-than-light spaceship technology to cause him trouble.
Faster-than-light technology was merely a personal interest; he held no grand ambitions of saving all humanity. Perhaps the Emperor was already undertaking that task.
After their confidential conversation, the five Magos and Omega decided to work together to overcome the challenges of developing subspace jump technology.
Omega's spatial theory was extraordinarily profound. The five Magos understood the structure of subspace jump technology, but their grasp of underlying principles was far less thorough than Omega's.
In practical application and manufacturing technology, however, Omega excelled at the highest level.
Inspired by this complementary expertise, the six engaged in a lively discussion about subspace jump technology and manufacturing plans. The Alpha Legion's three thousand warships set sail once again.
Arriving in the space of yet another new star system, Omega's mind surveyed the vast territories of both the Ork Empire and the Human Empire. The Ork Empire bordered the Eastern Star Region and approached the Limit Sector.
The Ork Empire sprawled across an enormous territory throughout the Milky Way galaxy. On the planet Ulanno, its power was unprecedented in scale.
Attempting to fight the entire Ork Empire with only one secondary sector of the Alpha Legion, even with all humanity within the whole sector mobilized as soldiers, Omega wasn't sure they could achieve victory.
Having fought for decades as a transmigrator, he was not a thoughtless warrior.
He would not disregard his legion's casualties and stand at the forefront against overwhelming odds as the Dark Angels had attempted when facing the whole Rangdan civilization back then.
He had learned from Alpharius that there were serious problems within the Dark Angels Legion. Their chapter had paid a terrible price for overextension and insufficient caution.
Therefore, Omega decided to engage half the Ork Empire while dealing with other alien civilizations in the surrounding star systems, simultaneously reclaiming long-lost human worlds. In this way, the Alpha Legion continued fighting the Ork Empire, conquering planets.
This scenario looked impressive strategically while preserving legion strength for whatever lay ahead in the greater war.
[End of Chapter]
Want bonus chapters? You got it.
Goal: 200 – Achieved: 102 = 2 Bonus Chapters
📌 1 Power Stone on the Book Page = 100 on Chapter Pages!
!! VISIT the BOOK PAGE to donate your Power Stone.
__________________
Want to read more than 30+ chapters right now!
patreon.com/cw/Mr_UmU
https://www.patreon.com/Mr_UmU