Chapter 706: The Net Begins to Close
Just as Farseer Irian transmitted the confirmation signal that the spatial anchor was secured on the Predator homeworld, and the framework for the tripartite temporary alliance on Pandora was initially established, Ryo determined that the time was ripe. Through internal comms, he directly contacted Elandir, who was assisting with coordination at the Eldar outpost in Valley 3.
"Elandir," Ryo's synthesized voice was flat and waveless, "All prerequisites have now been met. The precise coordinates of the Predator homeworld and the spatial anchor have been deployed. The local situation on Pandora has also entered a controllable orbit. The plan has reached its critical point."
He paused briefly to let the information settle, then issued a clear command: "You need to return to Craftworld Ulthwe immediately and inform High Farseer Eldrad and the Council. Everything is ready."
The command was concise, clear, and without any redundancy. Elandir instantly grasped the full weight it carried.
"Understood," Elandir responded, a trace of solemnity in her ethereal voice. "I will return to Ulthwe at once to deliver your message."
She didn't ask further questions, nor did she linger. After a brief response, she cut the communication and turned toward the corridor leading to the dimensional teleportation zone.
Ryo's command signaled that the long-planned grand operation was about to enter its final execution phase. She needed to bring this news back to Ulthwe with maximum speed so the Eldar forces could be positioned in time.
The moment she stepped into that universe eternally haunted by the whispers of the Warp, the familiar, soul-deep oppression enveloped her once more.
Compared to the clean starry sky of Pandora, the contrast at this moment was exceptionally sharp.
She had no time for sentimentality. She immediately activated the Eldar Webway beacon and opened the hidden path back to Craftworld Ulthwe.
The journey through the Webway was brief and efficient.
When Elandir once again stood in the solemn and majestic wraithbone hall of the Ulthwe Seer Council, High Farseer Eldrad Ulthran and several core council members were already seated.
They had clearly been awaiting her return.
"Elandir," Eldrad's voice resonated directly in her consciousness. Beneath the calm tone lay an unspoken, profound anticipation, "Your aura returns carrying the dust of another universe. So, have you brought back the answer we seek?"
"Yes, High Farseer, members of the Council." Elandir bowed deeply, her posture elegant and solemn. She didn't speak much; instead, she gently pushed a pure and condensed bundle of information toward the center of the council hall, like presenting a meticulously woven psychic sash.
Encapsulated within this data bundle was the proof from that clean universe, as well as the core conclusions of all the preliminary preparations completed by Ryo's side: coordinates, anchors, parameters, situational assessments. Everything was ready.
"All the stars have aligned into their predetermined orbits." Elandir's voice, resonating with psychic energy, sounded ethereal and penetrating. "The ley lines of the target world have been clearly mapped, and the anchor of destiny has been deeply embedded into its reality structure."
"Honored Ryo has made preparations to receive it on the other shore. Now, we need only fulfill our ancient oath and play the symphony capable of moving the stars."
Inside the council hall, the psychic halos of the Seers rippled like a silent, deep pool, soundlessly exchanging insights and deliberations.
The concrete data and feasible path were laid out before them. The dawn of the other shore they had sought throughout ten thousand years of drifting was real for the first time.
Eldrad slowly stood up. His gaze, having weathered endless ages, seemed to pierce the veil of reality, landing on that marked coordinate devoid of haze.
"Perhaps, after an eternity of exile, fate has finally guided us to a harbor where we can lay down our burdens." His voice carried the weight of accumulated time, yet harbored unprecedented resolve. "For the future of the Aeldari, Ulthwe shall pour forth all the brilliance it can muster in this moment. Effective immediately, initiate the esoteric rites and mobilize the fleet."
His gaze turned to Elandir and the military autarch standing solemnly to the side, his commands clear and majestic: "I shall personally lead two cruisers. One will head straight for the target star system to execute the core rite; the other will remain stationed on the edge of Pandora to establish the link and assist with calibration."
"Elandir, you shall continue to serve as the bridge between us and Honored Ryo."
He finally looked at Elandir, issuing the last and most important dispatch: "Now, please return to Honored Ryo's side immediately and inform him of our decision and itinerary. Ask him to prepare the trans-dimensional gateway for us on the other shore."
"By your will, High Farseer." Elandir bowed again, determination and hope swirling in her eyes.
Without a moment's delay, she turned and stepped back into the Webway portal leading to the Death World base.
Upon returning to the Death World base, Elandir immediately relayed Ulthwe's decision to Ryo.
Ryo was not surprised. Deep within the base, relying on the stellar energy of that desolate star system, he had already begun preparatory work for the construction of a massive dimensional teleportation gateway.
This was not a simple teleportation of an individual or a squad, but one meant to accommodate the passage of behemoths on the scale of Eldar cruisers. The required energy and spatial stability far exceeded anything done before.
In the main control center of the Death World base, a massive holographic star map displayed the progress of stellar energy siphoning from the local system.
Several newly constructed, massive energy-focusing arrays unfolded on the perimeter of the base like giant metallic flowers. Their mirrors precisely converged the stellar radiation into the superconducting energy storage rings located underground at the base's core. The energy reserves were climbing at a visible rate.
"Energy reserves have reached forty percent. Estimated to hit critical activation threshold in seventy-two standard hours," Techmarine Cassius reported the progress, his mechanical bionic eye flashing in sync with the data stream. "Gateway anchors are set. Receiving end coordinates are locked onto the designated clean space sector on the edge of the Pandora system, as well as the corresponding coordinates on the edge of the Predator homeworld's system. Two-way verification protocols are loaded."
Ryo nodded. He turned to Elandir: "Inform Ulthwe that the gateway will be ready in seventy-two hours. Ensure they navigate their cruisers into our designated spatial coordinates at the scheduled time."
"During the crossing, they must maintain their hull energy fields in a low-power, stable state throughout the entire process. Any violent energy fluctuations could disrupt the gateway's structure."
"Understood," Elandir replied. She immediately used the psychic communication device to send the detailed schedule, coordinate parameters, and safety protocols back to Ulthwe.
Over the next three days, the Death World base operated like a precision war machine, making final preparations for that unprecedented trans-dimensional projection.
Energy reserves steadily climbed to ninety-eight percent. All focusing arrays entered standby mode. The gateway stabilization field generators completed their final calibration.