Chapter 710: The Harvest Begins
Twenty-four hours later, the test commenced precisely on time.
In Pandora's orbit, all construction activities around the hundred-meter-diameter wraithbone-alloy composite "resonant guidance unit" had been suspended.
Human engineering ships and Eldar constructs retreated to a safe distance.
The unit itself was connected via independent energy circuits to the reinforced power supply network temporarily laid out by the Trailblazer mobile base.
On the surface of the Predator homeworld, in the center of the massive ritual site on the desolate plateau, a corresponding miniature psychic focusing array was activated, serving as the transmitting anchor for this test.
Inside the Trailblazer's command center, Ryo, Techmarine Cassius, Elandir, along with the orbital construction supervisor and the high-ranking Eldar cruiser technician connected via holographic feed, were all in position.
Multiple screens displayed the status of the Pandora test unit, the Predator homeworld ritual site, energy reserve readings, and the brand new dimensional gateway control interface integrating the resonant guidance protocol.
"Energy supply stable. The test unit's resonant field has preheated to operational status," the orbital supervisor reported.
"The psychic output of the focusing array at the Predator homeworld ritual site is stable. Coordinates locked," the Eldar technician confirmed.
"Dimensional gateway main control program is ready. Resonant guidance protocol loaded. Target coordinates inputted," Cassius stated deeply.
Ryo watched the countdown on the main screen reach zero.
"Initiate test. Open the gateway."
The order was given. The operators executed the command.
Inside the test unit in Pandora's orbit, complex wraithbone patterns and energy conduits lit up simultaneously.
The space in the center of the unit did not tear violently like a traditional dimensional teleportation; instead, it first manifested a stable, water-like rippling.
Immediately following, a speck of eerie blue light appeared in the center of the ripples, expanding rapidly to form a circular plane with crisp edges and swirling light and shadows within.
At almost the exact same millisecond, above the corresponding focusing array in the center of the ritual site on the Predator homeworld's surface, an identical eerie blue circular plane materialized out of thin air.
Gateway established successfully. The process took a mere 0.3 seconds, and the energy peak reading was only thirty-eight percent of the preset value.
The two circular planes were like two mirrors placed facing each other, clearly reflecting the scene on the other side: the figures of the human Tech-Priests inside the Pandora orbital test unit, and the sky of the desolate plateau on the Predator homeworld along with the faintly visible Eldar ritual pillars in the distance.
"Gateway stability readings are excellent. Spatial distortion is below the threshold. Energy consumption is maintained within the designed expected range," a Tech-Priest rapidly read off a series of data.
"Maintain the gateway. Conduct basic matter transit test," Ryo ordered.
A small hovering servitor drone was slowly pushed into the eerie blue plane from the Pandora test unit side. It passed through without any obstruction, and in the next second, it emerged from the plane on the Predator homeworld side, hovering above the ritual site. The drone's self-diagnostic signals were immediately transmitted back; all systems were nominal, unaffected by the spatial transit.
The thirty-second test duration was up.
"Close the gateway," Ryo commanded.
The operators executed the shutdown sequence. The eerie blue planes between the two universes rapidly shrank from the edges toward the center and vanished like an erased drawing, leaving behind no spatial disturbance aftershocks. The energy supply steadily receded.
"Gateway closure complete. All systems nominal. Test unit is cooling down," the orbital supervisor reported.
"Matter transit entity intact. No anomalies detected," Irian confirmed via comms from the Predator homeworld.
A wave of restrained, relieved sighs echoed through the command center. Although it was a miniature test, its success signified the absolute correctness of their technological approach. The integration of the Eldar portal framework technology with human dimensional teleportation technology had achieved a decisive breakthrough. The most critical issue of energy consumption had been effectively resolved.
"The test results exceed expectations," High Farseer Eldrad's conscious fluctuations arrived, carrying a rare trace of praise. "The resonant guidance effect is remarkable, and coordinate synchronization accuracy is perfect. Technological integration successful. We may proceed to the next step."
Ryo nodded. "Then, we enter the final preparation phase. Please complete the final psychic infusion of the esoteric rite and the full-system linkage test on your end, ensuring that upon receiving the final command, it can be activated and reach maximum output power within the stipulated time."
"As it should be," the High Farseer responded. "Our ritual site will complete all preparatory work within forty-eight standard hours and enter a standby state. At that time, we will only require you to provide the final energy flow guidance and dimensional traction commands."
"The construction of the main portal framework in Pandora's orbit will be accelerated. Before the final operation, we will complete at least three evenly spaced main resonant rings to ensure the stability and redundancy of the receiving end," Ryo laid out the deployment. "Simultaneously, our side will begin dispatching additional deployment ships for gravitational equilibrium arrays to the predetermined receiving zone in the Death World star system, and complete the final fine-tuning of the receiving zone coordinates."
"Excellent. Then, let us each complete our final preparations. And await... the moment of harvest." The High Farseer's conscious fluctuations slowly faded.
The successful test signaled that the plan had entered its final and most critical countdown.
The pace of construction in Pandora's orbit visibly accelerated. More resources were allocated, with personnel rotating in three shifts to ensure the portal framework's construction continued day and night without pause. Three primary, colossal resonant rings, each reaching thirty kilometers in diameter, were prioritized; they would form the core support structure of the future stable gateway.
At the Death World base, aside from the energy required to maintain basic operations, the vast majority of stellar energy siphoning arrays were readjusted, beginning to accumulate power for the imminent opening of a dimensional gateway of unprecedented scale. Simultaneously, a fleet composed of large engineering ships and escort vessels sailed toward the predetermined receiving zone, beginning to deploy denser, higher-powered gravitational equilibrium and spatial stabilization devices, much like meticulously preparing a venue to welcome a giant guest.
At the ritual site on the surface of the Predator homeworld, the psychic radiance grew brighter by the day. All wraithbone pillars and crystal arrays had entered a low-power resonant state, like a slumbering behemoth slowly adjusting its breathing, waiting only for a single command to fully awaken.
On the surface of planet Pandora, however, both the Na'vi and the RDA remained completely oblivious to everything transpiring in orbit. The temporary alliance maintained its superficial cooperation, jointly dealing with those "Predator attacks" played by the Eldar warriors, the frequency and intensity of which were precisely controlled. Through Maine's squad, Rei Ayanami, and others, Ryo continued to subtly balance the tripartite relationship, ensuring that the local situation on Pandora maintained sufficient "pressure" and "dependency" right when he needed it.
Everything was steadily advancing according to the most efficient and calculated plan.
All gears were in place, all data had been flawlessly verified, and all forces were ready.
Awaiting only Ryo to issue that final command, a systematic "harvest" spanning two universes and targeting an alien civilization and its homeworld would officially launch.
The preparations were thus completely finalized.