May 31, 0058 Imperial Calendar, just as the Space Gate opened.
While Leon's team infiltrated the 21st Universe, exploration of the 22nd Universe began simultaneously.
Reconnaissance units carrying physical cables first submerged into the calm mercury-like surface.
Soon, preliminary data came back:
The Space Gate exit in the 22nd Universe was also located in a vast desert.
But unlike the dead silence and the gray desolation left after excessive resource extraction on Earth-21, the desert here appeared more "natural."
Sand dunes undulated, and occasionally drought-resistant shrubs and small crawling creatures could be seen. Although the sky was somewhat yellowish due to dust, the overall environmental condition seemed slightly better than the ravaged Earth-21.
...
Subsequently, following standard procedures, Chris Redfield led his well-equipped Investigation Division special ops team, fully armed, across the Space Gate.
Accompanying them were the heavy convoy of the Engineering Division and elites from the Reconnaissance Force.
Every step was repeated as before:
The Engineering Division's maglev truck convoy drove in under the escort of the Reconnaissance Force, beginning operations in the selected safe zone to construct a standardized forward base.
Heavy engineering machinery roared, prefabricated modules were quickly assembled, energy cores activated, and the prototype of a steel fortress rose once again in the desert of another world.
The Reconnaissance Force spread out like ripples, radiating from the base, using all-terrain vehicles and individual vehicles to establish forward observation posts and early warning networks.
They released a large number of reconnaissance drones to conduct high-precision scanning and terrain mapping of the surrounding area.
However, as the reconnaissance range expanded, the returned data began to present a puzzling picture.
Macro images sent back by various high-altitude reconnaissance drones and orbital scouts showed that Earth-22 seemed normal in terms of natural geography.
There were vast deserts, dense primitive forests, boundless grasslands, and azure oceans covering most of the surface.
The ecosystem looked intact, even full of vitality.
But the problem lay in places corresponding to core areas of human civilization in other universes.
When reconnaissance units zoomed in, focusing on locations where cities like New York, Paris, and Moscow should have stood, all that came into view were ruins swallowed by green.
Once towering skyscrapers were reduced to rusted steel skeletons covered by thick vines and moss;
Wide highway networks were torn apart and buried by weeds and shrubs;
Cross-sea bridges broke in the middle and fell into the sea, becoming paradises for coral and fish...
All architectural remains were covered with dense vegetation, as if abandoned for hundreds of years or longer, full of the vicissitudes of time, with absolutely no signs of recent human activity.
However, careful examination of these ruins revealed traces that humanity of the 22nd Universe had once entered a highly developed, even interstellar era.
In former city centers, massive remains of mega-structures could be seen, far exceeding the scale of the late 20th century in the main universe, though now more than half had collapsed.
In Earth's orbit, a large number of long-abandoned, unpowered large space station and satellite wreckage covered with impact craters were scattered, like silent tombstones orbiting this "dead silent" planet.
In some specific areas, relics suspected to be large shipyards, launch silos, or energy facilities could still be identified, only now all rusted and reclaimed by natural forces.
"On Earth... there are actually no humans?"
Looking at this contradictory world full of vitality yet "dead silent" presented on the holographic screen, Chris Redfield, and the four Primarchs watching the real-time feed via remote link—
Lion, Mortarion, Perturabo, and Curze, all showed obvious confusion on their faces.
This situation was a first in their cross-universe integration experiences.
They had seen humans ruled by aliens, humans struggling in apocalyptic wastelands, but an Earth where human civilization seemed to have completely vanished, leaving only brilliant ruins reclaimed by nature, this was the first time.
"This..."
Chris looked at an area completely covered by forest where the outline of a large city could still vaguely be seen, momentarily unsure how to comment.
"A silent tomb?"
Lion's voice came through the comms, carrying a hint of prudence.
"Interesting way to perish."
Mortarion's comment remained concise and cold.
Perturabo focused more on those technological relics: "The structure of those space stations is worth studying. The reason for their demise is a mystery."
"..."
Curze's face hidden in shadows showed no expression, but he seemed more interested in some "order" beyond convention contained within this dead silence.
Although the situation was unexpected, for the battle-hardened Empire, it wasn't something to make a fuss about.
The universe is vast and full of wonders, and the fates of human civilizations vary.
"Proceed according to original steps."
Lion, as temporary Warmaster, issued instructions, "Expand reconnaissance range, conduct deeper geological and biological scans, look for any possible clues about why humans here disappeared, where they went, or what they encountered."
In the following hours, Imperial reconnaissance forces conducted carpet scans of Earth-22.
Result confirmed:
Only wild animals and plants existed on the entire planet's surface. There were no traces of recent human civilization activities, nor were signals of other intelligent civilizations detected.
It was as if at some point in time, the pause button for civilization was pressed here, and then it was quietly erased by time and nature.
Based on this confirmation, the strategy was adjusted accordingly.
"Since no immediate threat is found, nor indigenous civilizations needing avoidance, then..."
Lion's voice rang in the fleet channel, "Dark Angels, Dusk Raiders, Iron Warriors, Night Lords, main fleets of four legions, begin steady advance towards Earth-22 orbit, establish space supremacy and prepare for large-scale ground deployment."
The massive Imperial fleet, like moving metal mountains, began to slowly sail through the Space Gate, entering the void of the 22nd Universe, heading towards the orbit of that azure, silent planet.
"Whatever secrets this universe hides, deploying our absolute military force in place first is always the safest choice." Lion concluded, "This can handle the vast majority of emergencies.
Let us see what story this quiet world wants to tell us."
The Empire's power began to flood into this enigmatic world like a tide, ready to uncover its dust-sealed history.
Two standard Earth days passed in a flash.
Within these short yet efficient 48 hours, the Empire's power projection on Earth-22 had reached an astonishing scale.
The forward base established on the desert far surpassed the one on Earth-21 in magnificence.
It was no longer just a functional military fortress. Its footprint and internal capacity could easily accommodate tens of millions of permanent personnel. Modular silver-gray building clusters spread to the end of the horizon, looking like a steel city rising from the ground.
However, this "city" lacked the life and hustle and bustle a normal city should have.
Walking on the streets were fully armed professional soldiers with uniform steps;
Busy in various functional areas were technicians and engineers in standard uniforms focusing on their respective fields.
Factories, research institutes, barracks, and starports ran non-stop.
Since it was confirmed that no immediate threat existed on Earth-22, the Empire's strategy adjusted accordingly. The primary task was to quickly transfer massive amounts of equipment, personnel, and resources to establish a powerful logistics and command hub for potentially long-term, broader universe exploration and integration operations.
Looking up at the sky, the scene was even more spectacular.
Earth-22's low orbit was now shrouded by the Empire's steel star ring.
Over seven thousand ships of various types—from agile frigates to mountain-like battleships, like loyal guards, silently "hovered" in the pitch-black cosmic background, forming an insurmountable barrier.
Their armor reflected cold light under the sun, constituting an absolute symbol of power and order.
At the core of this massive fleet, the most striking was that behemoth three thousand kilometers long—
The Imperator-class flagship of the Dark Angels Legion.
Its appearance was not a streamlined war machine, but more like a mobile cathedral rich in Gothic style capable of sailing among the stars. Towering spires, armor plates covered in reliefs, and candle-like lights shining from portholes all highlighted its essence of combining faith and power.
At this moment, inside the magnificent bridge of this flagship named Invincible Truth, the atmosphere was solemn and focused.
Temporary Warmaster Lion stood tall and straight like a pine beside the central console.
He wasn't wearing heavy power armor, but a legion service uniform convenient for command, yet the majesty originating from a Primarch still permeated the surroundings.
Surrounding him, three clear holographic images formed a semicircle—
They were Primarch Mortarion of the Dusk Raiders, Primarch Perturabo of the Iron Warriors, and Primarch Curze of the Night Lords.
Their images were solid, as if they were present in person.
Chris Redfield, wearing a black tight-fitting nano combat suit, also stood slightly to the side, representing the perspective of the Investigation Division.
The group was conducting intelligence aggregation and strategic assessment.
"According to data returned by probes..." Lion spoke first, his voice steady, "On major planets and moons within the solar system such as Venus, Mars, and even the Moon, we have found large-scale traces of human construction—abandoned city domes, paralyzed orbital elevator bases, grand shipyard ruins, etc.
But without exception, all these facilities have been abandoned for extremely long periods, their level of desolation identical to Earth."
Perturabo's image chimed in, his voice carrying data-like precision: "Terraforming technology was quite mature. Mars even shows signs of having had an Earth-like biosphere, but it has now degenerated. The entire solar system is like a garden meticulously tended and then completely forgotten by its owner."
"Silence that is disturbing." Mortarion commented concisely.
"Heh."
Curze's image let out a low laugh of unclear meaning, not saying much, but his gaze hidden in shadows seemed more able to feel the undercurrents possibly hidden under this dead silence.
"It seems limiting the exploration range to the solar system is far from enough." Lion concluded, "It is time to dispatch our fleets to gradually explore and integrate surrounding star systems outside the solar system.
We must find where the humans of this universe went, or... confirm the cause of their demise."
All Primarchs agreed with this plan.
This was currently the most reasonable and necessary step.
Chris listened quietly on the side, not participating in this discussion concerning macro strategy.
He knew well that in this scale of galaxy-level exploration, the direct role their Investigation Division special ops team could play was relatively limited. Their stage lay more in specific planetary surface reconnaissance, infiltration behind enemy lines, and special operations.
Soon, a resolution was formed.
Lion issued orders as Warmaster: "Order: Each legion, with company-level fleets as basic units, will be responsible for exploring multiple neighboring star systems respectively.
Reconnaissance Priority: Look for Earth-like planets, energy signals, civilization relics, or any form of intelligent life activity signs.
Our goal is to complete preliminary reconnaissance and power projection over the entire Orion Arm range in the shortest time!"
The order spread instantly throughout the orbital fleet like a prairie fire.
The next moment, a spectacular scene played out over Earth-22's orbit.
Thousands of Imperial ships adjusted their postures one after another, engines spraying dazzling flames.
With the activation of warp engines, space in front of the ships began to distort and tear, opening vortices emitting deep blue light.
These vortices were like entrances to unknown abysses. One ship after another sailed into these blue vortices without hesitation, their massive hulls swallowed by twisted space.
After the last ship entered, these warp entrances quickly shrank and dissipated as if they had never appeared, leaving only the restored calm of space.
The massive Imperial fleet had broken into parts, rushing to every corner of the sea of stars.
After issuing the order, Lion came alone to the massive observation viewport at the edge of the bridge, his deep gaze overlooking the green-covered, seemingly vibrant yet dead silent planet below.
Even with his resolute will, a not-so-good premonition couldn't help but rise in his heart.
Why would a human civilization that once spread its footprints across the solar system and clearly possessed a not-low technological level disappear so thoroughly, so cleanly?
The truth hidden behind this was probably far more palpitating than a tragic war.
Soon, the Empire's efficient mobility was demonstrated again.
Ship detachments that first completed short-range jumps and arrived at star systems closer to the solar system, such as Proxima Centauri and Barnard's Star systems, began to send back preliminary information successively.
Reports showed that most Earth-like planets existing in these systems showed traces of large-scale terraforming. Atmospheric composition was suitable for direct human breathing, and surface temperature and gravity were also easy for human survival.
Before long, the fleet discovered numerous flora and fauna of various forms on more planets, with relatively complete ecosystems.
However, all reports pointed to the same conclusion:
For the time being, no definite signs of the existence of any humans or other intelligent life races had been found.
These planets were like empty houses meticulously prepared but unoccupied.
Subsequently, high-definition images and scan data of those alien creatures also began to be sent back to the bridge of the Invincible Truth. After processing, they were clearly presented on the holographic screens before Lion and the Primarchs.
They had strange forms. Some had similarities to Earth creatures, while others completely exceeded the records of the Imperial biological database.
The existence of these lives proved that this universe was not a dead zone, but that key question remained unanswered—Where is humanity?
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