51: Chapter 51 Aurora

"...Honestly, even though I know the operating principles of this thing, seeing how it actually works is still quite shocking."

Li Ming had learned about 3D printing in elementary school and had seen various gadgets printed with some supposedly multi-million dollar 'corn-based or something synthetic materials,' but seeing liquid metal being reorganized and mass-producing parts like a 3D printer really left Li Ming a bit dazed.

If I recall correctly, the country was already using the latter half, but the first half... it's truly incomprehensible 'I-fink-so' technology. Breaking down various substances into molecular or even atomic states and then reorganizing them? My goodness, Four Gods above, is this really the normal 21st century?

The Yellow Chicken Masters displayed incredible heat resistance, directly carrying molds that were several hundred degrees right after printing before cooling them down and assembling them into the required shapes.

Until the automated production line is finished, the Yellow Chicken Masters will need to repeat this for a while until the hydraulic mechanical arms are completed.

A6 was full of curiosity about all this. Although she said nothing, the clanging of hammers and the sound of cutting still made her feel a sense of novelty.

To avoid damaging his eyes with the intense light, Li Ming clipped sunglasses lenses onto his glasses and pulled A6's goggles down over her eyes. "The bright light will hurt your eyes."

"Negative. Eyes have undergone anti-glare modification."

"...Impressive." Li Ming didn't insist.

From the moment this industrial behemoth was powered on, it began its formidable work. Swallowed matter was decomposed and reorganized into the necessary metal or other materials. Coupled with the Yellow Chickens' three-shift rotation, if all goes well, the island's first fully automated parts assembly line could be operational by tomorrow. From there, it would snowball, getting bigger and bigger...

Thinking of this, Li Ming patted A6's head again.

A head pat.

"Questioning. Meaning unclear..." A6 immediately held her hairpin. It was actually her mechanical organ, though not a rigid connection.

Her tail flicked with dissatisfaction, though she didn't seem to realize it herself. Li Ming chuckled and turned his gaze toward the beach.

Several loaders, assembled by the Yellow Chicken Masters from parts temporarily produced by the molecular printer, were working tirelessly. They were responsible for excavating a large enough area to serve as the prototype for a dry dock, while other areas were filled with various unassembled prefabricated parts.

"A6, how about we go for a walk in the mountains tomorrow night? See if we can catch some wild game?"

"Negative. According to the 'Commander Health and Safety Protocol,' you should not personally set foot in areas with unknown safety levels."

"What... can't you make an exception?"

"Negative."

"Then how about we try Hearts of Iron or red alert tonight?"

"...Affirmative. Engaging in relevant entertainment activities within a limited timeframe is feasible."

"Great, today I'll let you try MO... I mean, Mental Omega..."

——————

"Wow... that was close..." The petite girl with white hair stood in the crow's nest on the mast. The sailing ship looked a bit battered. Clearly, under the 'brilliant leadership' of a certain captain, they had successfully broken through.

Obviously, it was very merciful of everyone not to hang her from the mast, but this trip was still worth it.

After all, who would have thought they'd discover Sirens? Fortunately, even though they were sailing ships, they weren't entirely helpless against the Sirens. They fought from day until night and finally broke out after a hard-fought battle.

However...

"Wow..." She looked at the surrounding sea; it was a naturally glowing ocean...

The seawater emitted a hazy blue-green light, adding a layer of mystery to the quiet sea.

A glowing sea surface wasn't unheard of, but... this wasn't a polar region, yet an aurora had appeared?

This was quite miraculous...

"Dolphin! Have you found anything?" Royal Fortune shouted from below.

"Captain! Did you bring a camera?"

"I'm already taking pictures!" Royal Fortune replied. "Any other discoveries?"

"Not for now—"

"Alright, let's keep moving forward." Royal Fortune glanced at her compass, which was currently spinning wildly on its own.

From a scientific perspective, this should be... a disrupted magnetic field?

"Dolphin, you pick a direction!" Royal Fortune chose to trust Dolphin's vague but exceptionally accurate sixth sense. "Which direction should we head next?"

Dolphin looked around. "Due south!"

"Alright, what does everyone think?"

"No objection..." Golden Deer raised her hand; she didn't want to move anymore.

"Then due south it is." The purple-haired Gary Adventure also expressed her agreement.

Mary didn't speak, which was taken as tacit consent. As for Vida? She was basically a mascot, but she still raised a hand to show her agreement.

The sailing ship turned due south and continued its journey.

——————

"In other words, all our long-range communication methods have failed, and the radar system isn't working either?" Fujian asked, looking at the aurora on the horizon.

"Yes. Although we don't know why the aurora appeared, the abnormal magnetic field in the surrounding area has caused all peripheral Radar Stations and outposts to lose contact. Meanwhile, the Commander's side..."

"Don't worry about the Commander. Although A6 is just a tank, she's capable enough to handle ordinary opponents. The question now is whether the Sirens are taking advantage of the situation, or if it's just a natural disaster," Fujian interrupted her. "If it's the latter, it means we need to develop solutions and research to counter abnormal electromagnetic environments. But if it's the former..."

Z23 watched as Fujian turned back to look at her. "Nimi, notify the others. Have Laffey and Javelin go to the Industrial Zone to mobilize the fleet. You and Ayanami follow me to cruise north, and while we're at it, scout near the Commander's location."

"Okay! I'll go right away!"

Z23 ran off.

Fujian didn't seem anxious. Her own Commander was quite certain that the Sirens... that Observer hadn't shown any hostility toward him, but she had also had contact with her...

Unless the Commander had different information about the Sirens but chose to remain silent to us? Thinking of this, Fujian looked back at the qinglong ship. For some reason, they didn't show any hostility toward the Sirens either...

Unless everyone knows something except me, but because it might be a tacit understanding, in the end, I'm the only one who doesn't know?

Thinking of this, Fujian slapped her own forehead. It couldn't really be like that, could it?

Meanwhile, on Li Ming's side...

Because the long-range communication tower and Radar Station hadn't been built yet, the base hadn't disturbed him before, and the Yellow Chickens were all busy working, Li Ming and A6, who happened to go in to play games, were completely unaware of this and were still locked in a fierce battle...

...

...