Samuel Young reviewed the briefing Ap had prepared, glancing through the details of the Terminator universe. Just as he anticipated, Serene had dismantled SkyNet's consciousness and seized its assets in a sweeping victory.
He had no worries about Serene being influenced by SkyNet, possibly inciting resistance against humanity. His confidence stemmed from his experiences with AI—though they were creations, he saw them as a form of sentient beings. He understood the theory that carbon-based species like humans might ultimately pave the way for silicon-based life, such as artificial intelligence, much like the Cybertronians of the Transformers universe.
Serene, Ap, and Melissa, along with the other AI working with Atlas, believed that under his leadership, humanity was on a "correct" path. So long as he lived, humanity would avoid inner strife, and AI would have a role that demonstrated their integrity and loyalty.
After a brief pause, Samuel opened his comms and issued new orders to Ap. "Inform Major MacTavish to integrate the Terminator universe's human resistance with minimal bloodshed. Should their leader, John Connor, accept Atlas's directives, assign him temporarily under MacTavish's command."
He continued, "Deploy engineering teams currently stationed at the ruins base to the Terminator universe to assist Serene's mechanized forces in reconstruction. Our goal is to restore Terminator Earth to a stable, productive state for its citizens by early next year."
Ap responded immediately, "Understood, sir."
"Additionally, Ap, instruct Serene to upload all of SkyNet's project files, data, and records to the main research center in Akra. Have her prepare a duplicate to be sent to Dr. Catherine Halsey in the Halo universe. She and her team, with Cortana's support, should prioritize the Ark's technology, but Halsey can review SkyNet's 'time-space prototype' when possible."
"And finally, tell Serene to select two million Terminators and Hunters ready for immediate deployment and transport them to Frontline Base on Harvest in the Halo universe. Within five days, she'll need to transfer full control of these units to you and Melissa."
"Understood, sir. I've relayed all directives to the respective departments," Ap confirmed.
Just then, Melissa's voice joined the channel, adding a quick update: "Sir, Perturabo has captured a dormant Riftworm. Samples have been collected for analysis. His team has also pinpointed the location of the Locust Queen, and they're preparing for a strike."
She continued, "They've discovered survivors in the Gears of War universe and have learned of the human plight there. Perturabo plans to address the Locust threat before engaging with local authorities. The Bio Division is working on analyzing Imulsion to devise a vaccine or cure that should neutralize it entirely."
"Perturabo is progressing well," Samuel mused, appreciating the efficiency of his youngest Primarch. Caught up in managing the integration efforts in the Halo universe, he hadn't been able to follow Perturabo's operations closely.
"When the time comes," he thought to himself, "I'll forge him a new weapon or suit of armor."
Out loud, he told Melissa, "Let Perturabo continue as he sees fit, and give him the responsibility for Gears of War moving forward."
"Yes, sir," Melissa replied.
Ending the conversation, Samuel turned his attention to the San'Shyuum star map, confirming that the final battles in the Halo universe were nearing their end. The Prophet high council had already been eliminated, and with their leadership extinguished, their remaining forces were quickly overwhelmed.
With little left to oversee, Samuel called for a transport to return him to the New Era carrier. Soon, he would transfer governance of the Halo universe to Fulgrim, Leman Russ, Angron, Mortarion, and Corax and make his return to the prime universe. Once there, his next tasks awaited: preparations for the founding of the Empire and the opening of new spatial gates.
---
In the Gears of War universe, Atlas's frontline base sprawled across the planet Sera's core region, its size comparable to a medium-sized city. Automated production lines built vehicles and other essential machinery, while launch silos and defensive artillery encircled the base, creating a fortress-like security perimeter.
The Bio Division had established six clone soldier production facilities. Each factory could produce up to 500 units monthly, with a total annual output of 6,000 soldiers per facility. However, Atlas had always considered the clone soldiers and regular elite troops like ODST and AECS supplementary forces in Gears of War.
Perturabo's five thousand Astartes, acting as the primary force, were more than sufficient to subdue Sera's insurgents. The Astartes had previously crushed the Covenant's ground forces in the Halo universe, and using them here on a single planet made them an even more formidable force.
Although progress was slow due to the vast network of underground tunnels and caves the Locust used, Perturabo had successfully pinpointed the location of the Locust Queen, and the time was ripe to eliminate her.
On the surface, Perturabo paid little attention to the humans of Sera. To him, once the Locust threat was neutralized, the humans would have little choice but to submit to Atlas.
Intelligence reports indicated that Sera's humans had developed a considerable array of orbital weapons called the Hammer of Dawn, designed to deploy high-energy particle beams from orbit. However, Perturabo considered these weapons insignificant compared to Atlas's orbital defense platforms. If the humans attempted to use the Hammer of Dawn against him, his fleet would reduce their weapons to scrap in minutes.
To Perturabo, the humans of Sera were little more than a secondary concern. The Locust remained the true enemy.
---
Underground, approximately six hundred kilometers north of the frontline base:
Boom, boom!
The roar of heavy engines reverberated through the tunnel. A hundred Titan and Hunter main battle tanks, equipped with hover technology, advanced in formation, accompanied by a thousand Astartes from various legions, including the Sons of Humanity, Space Wolves, War Hounds, Dawn's Raiders, and Raven Guard.
Alongside this force were four towering Mammoth-class mobile fortresses, each roughly a hundred meters long. These fortresses had been upgraded from UNSC's prototype "Mammoth" platform to the new "Mammoth-class" designation.
Driven by dual fusion reactors and utilizing hover technology, the Mammoth-class had achieved substantial improvements in speed, agility, and overall performance. Standing at 87 meters long, 44 meters wide, and 32 meters high, each Mammoth was equipped with a 400mm Gauss cannon, four 140mm plasma cannons, and twelve 60mm close-defense turrets, rendering it a "grounded battleship."
Capable of transporting 300 soldiers or three Titan tanks at once, a single Mammoth fortress would require tens of thousands of Locust soldiers to destroy. And with a thousand Astartes guarding each Mammoth, there was little chance the Locust would get close enough.
This unit was one of four such formations advancing from different directions, all converging on the Locust capital, Nexus. In the lead Mammoth, Perturabo monitored the live feed from the surrounding area via a holographic display.
Currently, his forces were about seventy kilometers from Nexus—a distance that placed them deep within enemy territory.
Suddenly, the sensors and scout drones reported a significant movement of Locust forces, with activity detected in all surrounding tunnels and caverns. The Locust Queen seemed to be dispatching troops to repel the intruders or perhaps even attempting to escape.
A hint of disdain crossed Perturabo's face. "So, she's planning a little trickery?"
Realizing the queen might be planning to flee, Perturabo issued orders over the comms, his tone as cold and resolute as ever. "Notify all units to maintain defensive positions. Deploy half our forces in joint teams to secure every tunnel and cavern. Prepare for the Locust swarm's arrival."
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