Chapter 22 The Ghost Route Operations Conference

Once the order was given, the entire massive and precise national apparatus began to operate at high speed, centered around the brand-new objective of the "Ghost Route."

The atmosphere was completely different from before.

If the previous two salvage operations had carried an air of excitement and curiosity about exploring the unknown and discovering treasure for the entire project team, this time, everyone's face bore a heavy weight of solemnity.

The coordinates, which had been exposed thirty years ago, hung over everyone's heads like a Sword of Damocles.

Time had become the most precious resource, as well as the greatest enemy.

Lin Yuan had once again become the focus of the entire base, but this time, he was no longer the mascot being put on a pedestal; he was truly regarded as the ace pilot about to set out on a mission.

He was required to participate in every combat meeting.

The conference room next to the connection room had been transformed into a 24-hour brightly lit Command Center.

"According to the information provided by the system, the first keyword for the 'Ghost Route' is 'Relics of an Ancient Civilization's Migration Route.'"

The head of the Intelligence Analysis Department was standing in front of a massive holographic star map, reporting to the core members present.

On the star map, a blurry "river" composed of countless points of light traversed a dark region of space.

"'Migration' implies this is a civilian route, not a military one. Therefore, Academician Wang's assessment is correct: the probability of finding high-value military technology here is low, but the possibility of discovering intact civilian facilities is extremely high."

"The second keyword is 'Jump Failure.'"

The department head's finger traced over the dense clusters of light points on the star map.

"We speculate that the civilization on this route encountered some kind of unified, catastrophic disaster while conducting a large-scale migration, causing their fleet to disintegrate collectively during the jump process, forming the debris belt we see now."

"Could it be a 'Void Devourer'?" Lin Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"It's highly likely," the department head nodded, "but it could also be other reasons. For example, the third keyword: 'Spatial Rift' and 'Energy Storm.'"

He marked several areas emitting dangerous red light on the star map.

"These are natural spatial hazards described by the system. We understand 'Spatial Rift' as unstable micro-wormholes; once approached, one might be sucked into unknown space or torn apart directly by powerful tidal forces. 'Energy Storm' could be an eruption of some kind of high-energy particle stream, sufficient to destroy any ship without protection."

"Although your 'scavenger no. 2' has been upgraded, it hasn't been equipped with any defensive systems. Therefore, during the operation, you must strictly avoid these red zones."

Lin Yuan looked at the complex star map, feeling a bit apprehensive.

This damn place is practically a minefield! There are traps everywhere.

"However, the good news is," the department head changed the subject, a hint of a smile appearing on his face, "your 'scavenger no. 2' has given us an unprecedented advantage."

He pulled up the drone's new feature list.

"'Wide-Area Scan' and 'Danger Warning'—these two functions are practically tailor-made for the 'Ghost Route.' Through 'Wide-Area Scan,' we can pre-map a heat map of a Safe Zone, identifying debris areas with stable energy reactions that are far from spatial hazards. Then, the 'Danger Warning' function can provide us with a valuable early warning window to deal with 'Void Devourer' that may appear at any time."

"Our Intelligence Analysis Department has worked overnight to formulate three preliminary salvage plans for you."

The department head switched the screen, and three flight paths in different colors appeared on the star map.

"Plan A: 'Peripheral Exploration.' We will only operate on the outermost edge of the 'Ghost Route.' The debris density here is the lowest, and the space is the most stable, minimizing the probability of encountering danger. However, the probability of finding high-value items is also the lowest. This is the safest plan."

"Plan B: 'Targeted Assault.' Based on the results of the Wide-Area Scan, we will directly lock onto a target that appears to have the highest value and strongest energy reaction, then plan the shortest route for you to dash straight to the target, grab the item, and run. This plan potentially has the highest return, but also the greatest risk, because high energy reactions will also attract 'Void Devourer.'"

"Plan C: 'Area Sweep.' We will select a relatively safe intermediate area for you to conduct carpet-style scanning and salvage. We will not venture deeper until this area is cleared. This plan takes the longest time, but it can maximize resource utilization and help us build the most comprehensive database."

The three plans each have their pros and cons.

In the conference room, everyone fell into discussion once again.

"I choose A," the Minister of Security said without hesitation. "When entering a new map for the first time, we must prioritize testing the waters. Our understanding of the 'Ghost Route' is still only on paper. We must first get a feel for its temperament."

"I object," an engineer from the Technology Department said. "Plan A is too conservative; we don't have that much time to slowly test the waters. I recommend Plan B—fortune favors the bold! What we need most right now is technology that can be immediately converted into combat effectiveness!"

"Plan B is too much of a gamble! What if that high-energy target is a trap? What if a 'Void Devourer' is lurking right next to it?"

"That's why I say Plan C is the most suitable!"

...

Lin Yuan did not participate in their debate.

He just watched the star map, mentally simulating the scene of himself piloting the drone into that unknown region.

He was a person who liked to keep the initiative in his own hands.

These three plans were all good, and they were all the result of the experts' careful deliberation. But they all shared one common point: they were 'presuppositions.'

However, the situation on the battlefield changes in an instant. No matter how perfect a plan is, it cannot keep up with change.

"I have an idea."

Lin Yuan's speaking caused the noisy conference room to instantly quiet down.

Everyone looked at him. After the previous discussion regarding the upgrade direction, no one dared to underestimate the "intuition" and "big-picture perspective" of this junkyard owner anymore.

"I think these three plans can be combined," Lin Yuan said, pointing at the star map.

"How to combine them?" Chen Weiguo asked.

"We enter first. Following Plan A, we first fly a lap around the outermost Safe Zone to let me adapt to the new environment and test the performance of the 'scavenger no. 2.'"

"Then, I will conduct the first 'Wide-Area Scan.' We will use the results of this scan to verify our speculations about this region. If the scan results are similar to what we expected, then we will execute Plan C—find an area that looks relatively 'lucrative' yet safe, and begin 'sweeping.'"

"During the sweeping process, if we discover a target with extremely high value that cannot be missed—like the 'data core' from last time—we will immediately switch to Plan B and formulate a quick in-and-out assault plan."

Lin Yuan paused and summarized, "Simply put, we enter with Plan A, use Plan C as our standard method of operation, and use Plan B as a contingency measure for special situations. We don't presuppose targets; we let the battlefield itself tell us how to fight."

His words left the experts present stunned.

They had spent a long time thinking, designing all sorts of complex models and contingency plans. Yet, in just a few sentences, Lin Yuan had connected all the plans together and formed a more flexible and operational combat strategy.

This strategy was filled with a certain kind of "pragmatic" wisdom.

Not dogmatic, not reckless, and adaptable.

"Good!" Academician Wang was the first to applaud. "This approach is good! This is the true 'scavenger' mindset! We cannot sit in the Command Center and talk about war on paper; we must trust the judgment of the frontline operator!"

A look of approval also appeared on Chen Weiguo's face.

Lin Yuan's growth was faster than he had imagined. He not only had courage but also brains.

"Let's proceed according to Comrade Lin Yuan's plan!" Chen Weiguo finally made the decision. "All departments, immediately refine the operation details based on this approach! Technical Support Department, do one last stress test on the 'pangu system' and the 'deep-dive neural interface system'! Ensure absolutely nothing goes wrong!"

"Yes!"

After the meeting ended, Lin Yuan was taken by Li Na to his exclusive "connection room."

In the center of the room, the silver-white "cockpit" seat had been modified again. The surrounding robotic arms were more numerous and complex, and a brand-new device, resembling a helmet, had been installed on the headrest of the seat.

"This is the latest 'Neural Signal Buffer Module'," Li Na introduced. "It can filter out over 90% of redundant mental shock. In other words, even if the drone receives a fatal blow like last time, the mental backlash fed back to your brain will at most feel like a pinprick."

Lin Yuan touched the cool helmet, feeling much more at ease.

This thing was his biggest source of confidence for risking his life at the "Ghost Route" this time.

"And this," Li Na handed him a form-fitting, black combat suit. "This is a bio-monitoring suit; it can monitor every subtle change in your body in real-time. By wearing it, the Medical Team can better keep track of your condition."

Lin Yuan took the combat suit; it felt smooth and cool to the touch, full of a sense of technology.

He looked at everything before him, watching the entire national apparatus operating at high speed for him alone, and suddenly, an indescribable sense of heroism surged in his heart.

"Damn it, it's worth it!" he thought to himself. "To have lived my life like this, even if I die tomorrow in that godforsaken 'Cosmic Graveyard,' it's been worth it!"

"Don't worry, Li Na." He turned to smile at Li Na, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "This time, I'll salvage an even bigger treasure for you all!"