The following day.
The orbital dock, fully constructed and filled with the ashes of the fallen, was on the verge of being teleported to low Earth orbit. The dimensional engine crafted for its operation was prepared for the teleportation process, with various defensive weapons and shields activated, ready to guard against enemy vessels immediately upon completion of the transfer.
Within the underground chambers of the fortress, Qin Mo exerted all his energy to power the teleportation device, directing the main control AI to locate the most suitable teleportation site in low Earth orbit.
Alongside Qin Mo in the subterranean depths was Kreed, who had just forged an agreement with him the previous day.
"Is it true that you Cadrians can see the purple rift just by looking up?"
"Indeed. Not only the purple rift but also terrifying patterns that, if you gaze at them too long, can cause blood to flow from your orifices."
"If I were to look up in Cadrian and see that rift... as someone who despises the dimension so, I would surely go mad."
"Cadrian is not without its own hive cities."
Kreed and Qin Mo exchanged casual banter while observing the teleportation device before them.
It was a sizable, square metallic apparatus, and Kreed found himself perplexed as to how such a contraption could facilitate the transfer of numerous people and items.
Upon his arrival, Kreed had attempted to "learn" about it, yet he could not comprehend its operation; the principles behind its function eluded him entirely, as did the means of its construction.
"All done," Qin Mo announced as he approached a device equipped with a screen. "Have your captain guide the ship into the dock."
"Is that all there is to it?" Kreed asked, astonished, for he had merely perceived Qin Mo as engaging in casual conversation before suddenly concluding the task.
Qin Mo approached the screen and adjusted a few settings, after which a live feed displayed the current status of the orbital dock.
In the low Earth orbit of the Tyrone hive city, a colossal black spherical structure floated against the planet's dark side.
This image had been captured by drones deployed from the dock, which would play a reconnaissance role, monitoring the positions of enemy warships to assist in the dock's relocation or self-defense.
"Steer the ship into the dock," Kreed instructed, fixing his gaze on the screen. "The orbital dock is directly ahead of your merchant vessel; you can see it."
As Kreed finished communicating with the captain, the merchant vessel began its approach towards the orbital dock, seeking the entrance to navigate inside.
The merchant ship was not large; it resembled a snake slithering into the dock.
Qin Mo then switched to an interior view of the dock.
Inside the dock, massive, spire-like structures surrounded the merchant ship, emitting beams of light that highlighted every damaged area as the light enveloped the vessel.
"Fortunately, it's just the exterior that's damaged," Qin Mo remarked.
Kreed watched silently as the towering spire structures released scanning beams that illuminated each area requiring repair on the ship's hull.
Before long, some structures composed of black metal began to materialize on the damaged sections of the hull.
"This isn't some precious alloy, is it? Will it suffice?" Kreed inquired.
"It's an alloy. Each has its advantages and disadvantages compared to precious metals, but it's certainly adequate for repairs," Qin Mo replied.
Kreed continued to observe the repair process; this trip to Tyrone had indeed opened his eyes.
"The ship will be repaired shortly. Prepare to teleport aboard with your comrades and depart," Qin Mo said, focusing on the merchant vessel. "You must do so while the enemy remains unaware of the dock and has not yet dispatched warships to attack."
"Understood," Kreed nodded, retrieving a thick stack of documents from his pocket. "Time is of the essence; I can only draft this plan, but I assure you that if you follow the directives within, leveraging your influence, you will be able to establish a military force of stellar caliber."
Qin Mo immediately accepted the documents and began to peruse them.
Kreed had put considerable effort into this plan, which could easily be titled "A Youthful Guide for the Supreme Warlord on Training Troops." It not only contained training schedules and military regulations but also offered suggestions and strategies for assembling strike teams based on teleportation assault tactics.
"Thank you," Qin Mo said, accepting the documents with gratitude.
Kreed simply smiled and nodded before stepping back to create some space.
Qin Mo initiated the teleportation, and in the next moment, Kreed and his comrades, who were preparing for teleportation elsewhere, found themselves aboard the merchant vessel.
On the screen, Qin Mo observed that the merchant ship had completed its repairs and was slowly navigating toward the dock's exit.
Once it reached a considerable distance from the dock, the metal panels outside the ship's windows gradually lowered, opening a rift leading into the dimension, and then it vanished within.
Qin Mo understood that Kreed and his crew would not necessarily reach Cadrian without incident, as they might encounter new challenges while traversing the dimension.
For the moment, this was not a pressing concern for him.
"I need to formulate a shipbuilding plan," Qin Mo commanded into the air.
"Recording," responded the main control AI, its voice echoing through the underground chamber.
"One cruiser, two frigates."
"Confirmed. The shipbuilding plan is estimated to be completed in five months."
"Begin selecting potential crew members."
"Understood. I will devise a series of tests to identify suitable candidates for the crew."
Though Qin Mo was uncertain how the main control AI would conduct the selection, he was confident in its ability to execute the task effectively, as it was well-acquainted with the specifications of every type of warship and could undoubtedly identify the best-suited individuals to operate them.
"Assign some personnel to manufacture the alloy, and have the logistical machines print the industrial facilities needed for alloy production," Qin Mo ordered again.
"Yes," the main control AI acknowledged.
Once the room fell silent, Qin Mo began to contemplate the current timeline.
Based on the information provided by Kreed, he deduced that it was approximately the year 989 of the forty-first millennium.
Kreed was a figure who had risen from the ranks of the lowest soldiers to ultimately become the Supreme Warlord, achieving such a status within ten years. When the thirteenth black crusade began, he would confront the Chaos Warmaster Abaddon in a fateful showdown.
If he wished to partake in the counteroffensive against Abaddon's thirteenth black crusade and ultimately alter the fate of Cadrian's downfall, he would need to unify the entire Tyrone system and strengthen his forces within that decade.
Launching a minor expedition to consolidate Tyrone and then unifying the entire system was imperative.
However, Qin Mo had no intention of simply waging war blindly; he was strategizing to develop a superweapon based on dimensional technology, which he hoped would yield results once Tyrone Two fell.
At that point, he would decisively eliminate the enemies on Tyrone Three, regardless of their beliefs or actions; they would be extinguished by the weapons of the Star God.