Chapter 198: The Flood and the Warp "Clear Ahead, Prepare for Jump"

Samuel didn't immediately respond after hearing Alexia's proposal.

He had granted the Bio Department a lot of autonomy, so certain experiments didn't require explicit approval. Samuel also knew that Alexia was using cloning technology and her own genetic information to continually push the potential of the Veronica virus.

Seeing Samuel's silence, Alexia continued: 

"I carefully studied the AI data provided by that smart AI and found that if we scan and replicate a living brain's neural network, we could enhance an AI's computational ability."

"So, I'm planning to use the existing research data, along with a clone of myself—a clone with a complete copy of my consciousness and memories—to create an even more advanced AI for the company."

Samuel hadn't mentioned Dr. Halsey's creation of Cortana to his sons, nor did he need to, since at this point, Halsey hadn't officially initiated the Spartan-II program, let alone created Cortana in 2549. 

He didn't expect Alexia to independently come to the same conclusion regarding using a living brain for scanning, just like Halsey had.

So, Samuel replied: 

"Approved, but ensure the AI you create is stable. I don't want a situation where, while dealing with external threats, we also have to guard against an AI uprising."

"I understand." Alexia smiled as she explained: 

"The rapid expansion of humanity in Universe 08 is closely tied to AI support. It's not that I doubt Ap's loyalty, but the company must have contingency measures in place against any potential AI rebellion.

"That's why I'm eager to develop a more advanced AI to gather data and experience, ultimately finding a solution."

As she spoke, Alexia and Samuel left the incubation chamber and passed through the bio-sensor doors, entering the observation room.

Hearing her explanation, Samuel had no further objections: 

"Proceed as you see fit. I'll notify the Science Department to fully cooperate with the Bio Department.

"Also, since the company's focus for the next several years will be on Universe 08, your department should carefully reassess and relocate critical facilities from the Arkaim district to the frontline base."

"Understood." Alexia pulled up the control console and said: 

"I have no issues here. I'll observe the two children for a bit longer and then start drafting a proposal for the AI."

"Hmm." 

Samuel responded with a brief acknowledgment and then left the observation room, giving Alexia space for her work.

As he stepped outside, Leman, who had been waiting alone, quickly followed him as they walked toward the sky bridge connecting the Bio Research Center to the command building.

While walking, without the company of his two closest brothers and with no one else around, Leman adopted a rare serious expression and quietly asked: 

"Father, between the Flood you mentioned and the Warp, which is the greater threat?"

Hearing this, Samuel, who had just passed through the security doors with his son and was walking through the sky bridge flanked by observation windows, paused for a moment before answering: 

"Given the current situation, the Flood poses a greater threat. A single mistake could turn the entire galaxy into their breeding ground."

The father and son crossed the bridge and entered the command building, boarding an enlarged elevator to the top-floor office area.

"As for the Warp..." Samuel furrowed his brow slightly as they exited the elevator. 

Once they reached his personal office, Samuel looked out through the north-facing floor-to-ceiling windows at the base construction in progress before continuing: 

"Since Universe 07's Terra has already been affected by Warp corruption, it's highly likely that there are traces of the Warp on various planets in Universe 08 as well."

"The Warp... and the Flood..."

Leman muttered to himself, then sat down on the sofa, deep in thought.

Without Fulgrim and Angron around, Leman rarely felt the need to act tough. The young primarch was someone who often thought deeply about "details," such as his playful teasing of Sanguinius earlier, meant to break the tension and foster closer bonds between his brothers.

As for his father's physical "discipline," Leman viewed it as a kind of performance—a way to cement his image as the restless, impulsive, and impatient child.

After a brief silence, Leman looked up at Samuel, who was seated behind his desk, and expressed his concern: 

"Father, what if the demons of the Warp discover the Flood..."

Although Leman didn't finish his sentence, Samuel understood his son's meaning and replied: 

"The Flood is unlikely to be corrupted by Chaos. In fact, they would likely be hostile to the Warp's demons and Chaos Gods. So, there's no need to worry too much about that.

"For now, just focus on preparing yourself. Wait for the Investigation Department to retrieve the coordinates for Shield World 0459 from Arcadia, understood?"

"Yes, Father."

"Good."

Sensing that his son's emotions had stabilized, Samuel turned his attention back to the holographic screen on his desk, reviewing the state of affairs in both the prime universe and other universes.

He also brought up an inbox with portraits of Horus and Leon, as if deliberating something.

After a brief moment of thought, Samuel touched Horus' portrait, edited, and sent a private message titled "Integration of Universe Two (Avatar)."

Pandora was, after all, Atlas' "backyard," and with a militarized industrial base established around the portal, complete with production lines and shipyards, it had all the necessary infrastructure for integration efforts.

Moments earlier, Samuel had been debating which of his sons to assign to oversee this work.

After some consideration, he decided to entrust Horus with the task.

As for Leon, who managed Universe Three (Doom), though he was also relatively free at the moment, Samuel preferred that Leon focus on the recruitment details for the first batch of Astartes candidates.

February 28th.

The six orbital space stations around Harvest were basking in sunlight.

At this moment, a civilian transport ship approximately 300 meters long departed from the station labeled "4," moving slowly toward the deep expanse of space.

In the ship's bridge, seven specially trained Atlas crew members were diligently piloting the vessel.

The helmsman at the front, having confirmed they had reached the designated position, announced: 

"Coordinates confirmed for Arcadia. 

Clear ahead. 

All indicators are green. Preparing for slipspace jump."

"Fifteen, 

Fourteen..."

As the helmsman counted down, the entire crew could see through the viewport as a glowing blue, misty vortex slowly materialized at the front of the ship.

"... 

Three, 

Two, 

One!"

As the helmsman completed the countdown, they and the transport ship entered the blue-tinged slipspace, disappearing from the physical universe.

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