153: Going deep alone

(This section will be about 6-8 chapters long. It's not a change in style; it's to tie up previous plot threads and converge the timeline.)

...After returning to Tianjin Seat V89.05, Xi Hai immediately plunged into his heavy administrative duties.

Believe me, no one would want to read about that tedious and boring process.

So,

let's shift our attention to White Shark, who has already departed for his archaeological expedition.

His archaeological journey seems to have encountered a slight difficulty—

"What do you mean Balaena Sector V66 only has 78 passable star systems?"

Looking at the already traversed navigation map, White Shark ran his hands through his hair, muttering to himself as if questioning life itself.

He had been stuck in Cetus V66.66 for two whole days.

During these two days, he had circled the Void Channel here several times, visiting every node.

But after counting twice, there were still only 78 nodes.

This meant that the star marker for Cetus V66.79, which was stored in the nanobots' database, had been destroyed for some reason.

"Knock, knock, knock!!"

Suddenly, the office door was knocked open, and a certain pink hair swaggered in.

She unceremoniously sat on another office chair nearby, skillfully took off her shoes, and propped up her still slightly warm feet.

Then, looking at White Shark, who had his hands clasped over his head, she said with a hint of teasing:

"Hey, you stinky Salted Fish, still troubled about not finding the place?"

White Shark lowered his hands, rubbed his temples, and said, his head aching:

"Yeah, if it really doesn't work out, we'll have to rely on those two experimental engines."

"The other fleet will stay in Cetus V66.66. We'll take the two FG300s equipped with experimental Void Bubble Engines and warp directly there."

Baili Ying's propped-up toes wiggled. She looked up at White Shark, feigning surprise, and asked:

"Uh... are you serious?"

"Two ships? And reconnaissance frigates at that?"

White Shark nodded and said:

"I'm serious."

"Two reconnaissance FG300s (modified version) can handle most situations."

"Although they are frigates, their firepower can rival light destroyers. Coupled with Warp Engines and Void Bubble Engines—"

"—at least self-preservation is completely fine. What's more, we're controlling Clones, so there's no life-threatening danger, isn't there?"

After listening, Baili Ying looked at White Shark with a somewhat pitying gaze and said:

"Actually, Salted Fish, I feel... your way of thinking could change a little."

"We're not smugglers and mercenaries anymore. We have backing; we can ask for help."

"If it really comes down to it, can't we apply for more of those Void Bubble Engines?"

White Shark shook his head and replied:

"It's not realistic. The production capacity for Void Bubble Engines needs to be prioritized for the Legion."

"What's more, we haven't achieved anything yet, so asking for help now wouldn't be very appropriate."

"Besides—"

As he spoke, White Shark's expression gradually grew serious—

"According to subsequent scans, those nanobots aren't truly nano-scale units. Those nano-level active units are collectives formed by a large number of even more microscopic small individuals."

"And they are newly produced."

"Do you know what that means?"

"A hidden star system, with a factory capable of producing such nanomachines."

"How many people do you think we'd need to take this place by force?"

"Anyway, we're going for infiltration and reconnaissance. If we find something concrete, we'll report it."

"At that time, many more people can be brought in."

"Besides, we're controlling Clones. At worst, we die once and then bring in the main force to flatten the place."

Baili Ying listened,

It seemed... there was nothing wrong with that?

So she put down her propped feet, nudged White Shark's thigh, and said:

"Alright, as long as you have your own considerations."

"Oh, and one more thing—"

"Aren't we operating under the name of the Sacred Stars Group Trade Team recently?"

"In the two days we've been here, five factions have placed orders for our Warships."

"Currently, a total of 120 FG300s and 80 AC721s have been sold. Also, the Galaxy Defense Force here has some interest in the KCCP2.0—"

"They're going to meet with Gunt about this later."

"Report it and have the Group quickly dispatch the export versions of the ships."

White Shark nodded and said:

"Understood."

Then, he looked earnestly at Baili Ying and said:

"Are you coming along, or staying behind?"

Baili Ying casually tossed her hair, saying without hesitation:

"Huh? Are you questioning me? I'm definitely going!"

White Shark nodded.

"OK."

...Five hours later, in front of the Void Channel node in Cetus V66.66.

As the largest Void Channel hub in this star sector, the Warships coming and going here were truly endless.

Among the myriad of large and small Warships, two inconspicuous silver-gray small ships were mixed in—

These were the two FG300s equipped with special engines.

Watching the bizarre and colorful entrance ahead draw nearer... White Shark couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation in his heart—

A factory from the second era?

Or something else?

...On the other side, almost simultaneously,

a stealthy fleet quietly landed in Cetus V66.66.