Almost three years. It has been two years, eleven months, and twelve days since I rescued Furina from the slavers. The Eternitus Empire is growing at a rapid pace, claiming multiple star systems, including the integration of Nostramo.
Sadly, purging the planet of its darker elements was necessary. The sheer density of criminals, slavers, and cultists meant that nearly a quarter of the population had to be eliminated.
Using terraforming technology, we have begun to reshape the entire world. By slightly shifting the moon's orbit, we ended the perpetual solar eclipse, while atmospheric scrubbers worked to clear the thick pollution that had blanketed the globe for eons.
Nostramo, a world once defined by eternal night, has experienced the sun for the first time. While it takes time for the population to adjust, they have welcomed the change. Integrating them became significantly easier once the darkness was lifted, especially when we show them that we truly want to help and give them a better future.
We have even recruited some of the locals into a specialized Scout unit focused on skirmishes and infiltration. Their unique mutations from generations in the dark allow them to hide and see in the shadows with uncanny precision.
Initially, we provided them with special goggles until we finished developing a more permanent solution, allowing them to evolve and gain control over their ocular sensitivity. It is essentially like adding a toggle between "Dark" and "Light" mode for their eyes.
Beyond planetary management, we are also constructing multiple megastructures derived from my Stellaris technology tree.
The first is a modified Mega Shipyard. This massive facility produces vessels at a tremendous speed, drawing energy and matter directly from a nearby star. With Petra's assistance, I modified the design to incorporate technologies from the Dark Age of Technology, the Necrons, the T'au, and Stellaris. We can modify those ships into anything we need in every situation.
We now have the capacity to produce 1,000 ships every 42 hours. While we don't necessarily need a fleet of that size yet, the capability is there should we ever require it.
Another megastructure is the Star Citadel, a massive starbase designed to protect my home star system. It houses five enormous hangars capable of accommodating Colossus-class ships, including the Star Explorer.
Equipped with heavy weaponry and formidable shielding, the Star Citadel is built to withstand overwhelming odds. Automated Ion Cannons float in the surrounding space, hidden by cloaking systems to ambush attackers, while additional defense platforms are scattered throughout the system. Each defense platform is equipped with one Gamma Laser turret and two Stormfire Macrocannons.
Aside from defense, the Citadel serves as a premier training ground. I developed a series of 20 data chips containing comprehensive warfare modules. The recruit will place those chips one by one and absorb the knowledge within each chip. This is the method I created to change the Hypnotherapy used by Astartes. It requires them to have an additional implant in their brain, but that implant is easy to handle and place, so it will not reduce their performance but instead increase it. After absorbing the data, soldiers undergo rigorous testing to ensure their bodies can execute the knowledge instinctively.
The Citadel also features a Hydroponic Bay capable of feeding a million inhabitants indefinitely. We are already considering further expansions to this self-sustaining system because I know my empire will grow, and that means more soldiers to feed.
Ultimately, our priority remains ensuring that everyone under our banner is well-provided for.
Petra leads the empire's construction efforts. She oversees the infrastructure needed to defend against invaders and has even begun building wonders of her own design, including a grand palace for me on Helum. She needs to flatten three mountains to make that palace.
After studying the STC data I provided to Ana, Petra has been eager to construct everything within it while adapting the designs to her own vision. She truly deserves the title of Architect.
Kassandra leads our intelligence and infiltration divisions. She is often the first to enter a world, determining whether they are willing to join us or if she needs to open a "back door" for a more forceful intervention.
Though I was hesitant to give her the role, she insisted on leading the information extraction team. They specialize in retrieving data by any means necessary. I remember the way she looked at me when she made her choice.
"Someone needs to stay in the shadows, Dear Brother. Let me be the one to do this. Do not worry; I shall not fall into darkness as long as I have you beside me."
I gave her a lot of hugs that day. Well, the others as well, because I can see them jealous of Kassandra receiving my affection.
Aurelia has flourished as the empire's primary Orator and Diplomat. She travels to new worlds, promising a better future, and convinces them to join us without a fight. Between her status as a Primarch and her connection to me, her charisma is off the charts; few can find the will to refuse her.
She is the reason twelve star systems and over seventy planets now fall under our rule. Half of the star systems are the result of her excellent diplomatic performance. However, her diplomatic skills do not mean she cannot fight. Aurelia once led an army against a force that attempted a fake surrender; even without her full equipment, her kill count exceeded two thousand that day.
Furina has grown into a powerful Paladin. Her empathic abilities allow her to connect deeply with her troops, while her ability to absorb the pain of others keeps them fighting even in the most desperate circumstances.
This makes her the ideal commander for our crusades against hostile xenos. Given our location, many alien races viewed us as an easy target because we were a newly space-faring civilization.
They were mistaken. Furina proved that we are not a prize to be won. We have already claimed half of their territories, transforming those worlds into thriving bastions for humanity, and we are pushing deeper.
That is where my work begins. While Petra builds the defensive and supporting infrastructure, I focus on life support and sustainability. I even designed an original megastructure: the Yggdrasil Orchard Complex. After studying a gas giant in our home system, I created an artificial habitat that thrives in the upper atmosphere, producing nutrient-dense plants at an incredible rate.
I have completed three of these complexes. If processed efficiently, they could theoretically feed trillions of people. For now, they are more than enough to sustain the twelve systems of the Eternitus Empire, but I will expand it soon, as there are five more Gas Giants in the star system under the Eternitus Empire.
Additionally, I must ensure the population has adequate housing. I find the brutal design of traditional Hive Cities abhorrent, so I created a new housing model, an engineering feat that balances efficient residences with carefully maintained, idyllic landscapes.
A single planet can support millions of these complexes, even with all the factories and industrial complexes covering half of the planet. Each can house 12,000 people for an ideal lifestyle, or up to 22,000 on more densely populated worlds.
It isn't a total solution to overpopulation yet, but it's a step in the right direction. I am currently working on more complex structures designed to accommodate larger populations without sacrificing space or quality of life.
I suspect there is space-folding technology within the STC that could allow for interiors far larger than their exterior footprints. I need to look through the system to find one.
The search for my remaining sisters remains a challenge. Being on the opposite side of the galaxy makes scanning difficult. Despite our warp-sensitive probes and technology, we have yet to locate the worlds where they might be. I start to feel that those parasites also make the planet invisible, not only to warp-based, but also orthodox technology.
"Theo."
I am snapped from my thoughts as Ana enters the office. Behind her are my sisters, now standing over two meters tall. I look at them with curiosity.
"What is it, Ana? Did something happen?"
Ana shakes her head and says.
Ana shakes her head. "Nothing bad, Theo. However, we have received word that a connection has been established through the Gateway."
I perk at her words and grin at her.
I perk up at her words and grin. "That's right, Theo. Your sons have finally reached us."
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