281: Sample dissection and "honeycomb" signal

The "Hidden Dragon," carrying the "spoils of war" and the joy of victory, silently glided into the embrace of the "starlight gauze curtain." The recovery team, which had been waiting for a long time, immediately stepped forward, using special isolation boxes flickering with purifying Star Patterns to carefully transfer the three dark gold "Worker Bees" still weakly struggling in the silver net and the inactive "wreckage" into the analysis isolation room at the bottom of the base with the highest protection Rank.

The inner shell of this analysis room was crafted from a single piece of "star pattern gold" mixed with other anti-corrosion Materials, while the exterior was shrouded in several layers of pure starlight force fields directly powered by the key, ensuring that even if the contents inside were to suddenly explode or release some unknown virus (at the energy or material level), they would absolutely not escape.

Senior Brother Li, Senior Brother Zhang, and several technical fanatics in the base who were most knowledgeable about "Flowing Silver" and Star Patterns had already donned their protective gear (though it was mainly for psychological comfort) and were waiting outside the analysis room, their eyes practically overflowing with a thirst for knowledge. Their posture didn't look like they were about to study a dangerous alien creation, but rather like they were about to dissect some rare treasure.

"Everyone stay calm! Follow the plan!" Wen Youyi personally took command. "Study the 'wreckage' first; its structure is damaged and it poses the least threat, but it may still retain the basic information transmission and reception structure."

The "Worker Bee wreckage" that had been "stunned" by high-frequency shockwaves was the first to be sent to the analysis table. Various non-contact scanning beams, like gentle hands, began a comprehensive "physical examination" of it.

"External structure: Polyhedral crystal form, the main Materials being an unknown, high-density, high-energy-conductive dark gold alloy, with complex energy channels and miniature rune structures embedded inside... somewhat similar to our Star Patterns, but more... 'rigid' and 'exclusive', filled with a cold sense of order." Senior Brother Li stared at the data stream and spoke quickly.

"Energy core: Located at the geometric center, it is damaged; the residual energy appears inert, with properties similar to the 'Shadow Devourer', but more 'pure' and 'orderly', leaning more towards 'metallic' and 'imprisonment' characteristics rather than 'devouring' and 'chaos'." Senior Brother Zhang added.

"Built-in micro energy receiving and transmitting unit discovered!" a technician shouted excitedly. "The structure is extremely exquisite! Although most of it is damaged, the remaining parts show that it can receive command signals on specific frequency bands and also send simple status reports and alarms!"

"Quick! Attempt to reverse-engineer its communication protocol! Even just fragments would be good!" Wen Youyi immediately ordered.

The technical team immediately dove into the intense decryption work. They placed the "wreckage" in a field simulating various energy frequencies, cautiously attempting to "activate" its residual communication unit while using the power of the key for protection and guidance to prevent it from suddenly self-destructing or releasing malicious code.

The process was extremely tedious and required patience. It was like using a rusty key to try and open a complex combination lock, without applying too much force that might snap the key.

Meanwhile, research on the other three live "Worker Bees" was also proceeding cautiously. They were separately isolated in three transparent binding fields filled with gentle, purifying starlight. The silver net had been removed, but the powerful starlight suppression left them only able to quiver slightly like fish out of water, the dark gold luster on their surfaces continuing to dim.

"Live energy activity monitoring shows that they contain a simple 'mission logic core' within them. Currently, they aren't receiving any external instructions and are in a 'standby' or 'lost' state, but they exhibit an instinctive resistance to strong stimuli such as pure starlight suppression." Mu Wanqing was responsible for monitoring their "physiological" state.

"Try stimulating them with energy signals of different frequencies and intensities, observe their reactions, and establish a stimulus-response model," Wen Youyi instructed. "Be careful not to trigger any potential self-destruct programs."

Wang Wu and Mo Chen were responsible for organizing all the relevant data collected by the "Thousand Eyes" network during and after the "Fishing Operation," especially the changes in communication signals between the "Swarm."

Time passed bit by bit in the intense yet orderly research.

Finally, after hundreds of cautious probes into the wreckage's communication unit, the technical team made their first major Breakthrough!

"We've captured an extremely weak, cyclically transmitted 'heartbeat signal'!" Senior Brother Li's voice even changed pitch with excitement. "It's not from this wreckage itself, but a... signal residue from afar that it once received!"

"Can you parse the content?" Wen Youyi asked immediately.

"It's very blurry, but after amplification and filtering assisted by the key, we can roughly decipher several repeating 'basic instruction set' fragments," Senior Brother Zhang pointed to the intermittent runes and energy fluctuation graphs shown on the light screen. "For instance... 'Patrol - Standard Route', 'Anomaly Discovered - Report Coordinates and Characteristics', 'Encountered Resistance - Call for Support', 'Lost Contact - Marked as Loss'... and, a constantly repeating strong signal source direction that seems like an 'Identification Code' or 'Ownership Mark'!"

This "strong signal source direction" was roughly located, pointing precisely into the depths of the "Anvil" region! Furthermore, through analysis of the signal strength and attenuation patterns, it could be roughly estimated that the distance of this signal source highly coincided with the position where they had previously speculated the "Bee Queen" might be hiding!

"This is very likely the 'Command Lighthouse' signal continuously emitted by the 'Bee Queen' or 'Control Hub' to maintain the Swarm's basic operations and identification!" Wang Wu said excitedly. "Just like a hive's pheromones, it tells the Worker Bees where 'home' is and who they should listen to!"

"More than that," Mo Chen pulled up the latest data from the "Thousand Eyes" network. "About one hour after the 'Fishing Operation' ended, the frequency of Swarm patrol activities on the outskirts of the 'Anvil' region significantly increased! Moreover, several patrol teams have begun focusing their search on the navigation route where we 'fished' and retreated, with their search patterns becoming more detailed! They have clearly received a 'loss report', raised their alert level, and are attempting to track us!"

This indicated that the Swarm System did indeed possess the capability for loss assessment and response escalation! Although they had intercepted the "Worker Bee's" on-site alarm, the prolonged loss of contact itself was an abnormal signal that triggered the Bee Queen's response mechanism.

"We don't have much time," Wen Youyi said, his brow furrowed. "The Bee Queen may have already realized that 'outsiders' are targeting its Worker Bees and possess the ability to capture them. It might strengthen its defenses or even take the initiative to attack."

He looked at the three suppressed live "Worker Bees" in the analysis room, and a bolder idea gradually took shape.

"Could we... use the captured 'Command Lighthouse' signal characteristics and the 'identification codes' of these live Worker Bees to attempt... a reverse intrusion or a disguised deception?"

Everyone was stunned.

"You mean... pretend to be one of them? Sneak in?" Senior Brother Li's eyes widened.

"Not necessarily sneak in," Wen Youyi explained. "But we can try sending false instructions or status reports to interfere with their judgment. For example, we could simulate a 'patrol team' sending an 'all clear' report to make the Bee Queen misjudge the situation in certain areas; or, simulate an 'encountered strong enemy, requesting support' signal to lure a portion of the Swarm away to another location..."

"Furthermore," his gaze grew sharp, "if we can accurately pinpoint the Bee Queen's location, perhaps we can find an opportunity to give it a long-range, targeted 'starlight Purification Strike'! Even if we can't kill it, we can severely damage its command capabilities and throw the Swarm into chaos!"

This idea was extremely risky, but also full of temptation. If they succeeded, they would transform from passive defenders and limited counter-attackers into hunters capable of proactive disruption and strategic strikes!

"Technically challenging, but... not entirely impossible." Senior Brother Zhang pushed up his glasses, falling into rapid calculations. "We need to more accurately parse the Swarm's complete communication protocol and master their 'language.' We need to be able to perfectly simulate their energy characteristics and 'identification codes.' We also need a sufficiently powerful and stable signal transmission source to ensure our 'fake news' can cover a wide enough range, penetrate the interference of the Anvil region, and be received by the Bee Queen..."

"The key and the main star core, combined with the Hidden Dragon's upgraded communication array, might be able to do it." Senior Brother Li also began rubbing his hands in excitement. "But it will require a lot of testing and simulation; there can't be a single mistake, otherwise we'll be alerting the enemy and might even expose the location of our signal source."

"Then start immediately!" Wen Youyi made a prompt decision. "Prioritize deciphering the communication protocol and simulating energy characteristics. The repair and adaptability modification of the Hidden Dragon must also proceed simultaneously to prepare for possible 'signal deception' or 'long-range strike' missions."

He looked at those cold, dark gold creations in the analysis room, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

The purpose of fishing has never been just for the fish.

It is more about understanding the habits of the school, finding the position of the lead fish, and then... delivering a fatal blow, or at least, making these waters quiet for a while.

(End of Chapter)