291: Hide and Seek and the Rebirth of the Dragon Bone

"Hidden Dragon" like a cunning silver fox, carrying several specially made "decoy beacons" in its mouth, slipped silently out of the "starlight gauze curtain".

This time, the beacons were even more "realistic". They not only simulated the energy signature of the "Starfire" base but also deliberately added some "construction noise" (simulated energy fluctuations) and "signs of personnel activity" (chaotic life energy signals), effectively creating the illusion of a "small outpost" in the midst of bustling construction.

Far from the base, in a direction that formed a triangle with the "Anvil" and the "starlight gauze curtain", it found a relatively open area of debris, carefully placed the beacons deep within a naturally formed metal cavern, and then activated them.

After finishing all this, it immediately erased its tracks, activated maximum stealth, and like a silver bead dissolving into ink, quietly returned.

A few days later, the "Thousand Eyes" network indeed detected that the "high-speed Scout Bees" dispatched by the "Hive" had significantly increased their search efforts in the area where the beacons were located, and even a few "Elite Bee" squads were moving in that direction.

"The fish has taken the bait!" Wang Wu stared at the monitoring screen. "They think they've found our 'branch base' over there and are ramping up their reconnaissance!"

"Good! Keep monitoring and see how much force they commit." Wen Youyi breathed a slight sigh of relief. "I hope this 'luring the tiger away from the mountain' tactic can buy us some more time."

Back at the base, the game of hide-and-seek entered a more detailed phase. All external activities were strictly conducted according to "night mode".

The so-called "night" was not a true night (how could there be day and night in the Starry Sky Debris?), but rather the periods monitored by the base when the surrounding energy background was most chaotic and various radiation and fluctuations were strongest.

In such an environment, both energy leaks and flight trajectories were easier to conceal.

Zhao Iron Pillar's mining team became "Starry Sky Moles", specifically choosing to emerge when energy turbulence was high.

Piloting transport ships that had undergone special soundproofing and stealth treatment, and under the secret vigilance of "Hidden Dragon", they would sneak like thieves to the newly discovered mining site, load up as quickly as possible, and immediately return.

The entire process was under radio silence, and even the "little bean sprouts" were instructed to be "quiet" and not to flash around everywhere.

Construction in the shipyard had entered a "closed-off rush" state. A huge energy shield was raised, isolating most energy and light leakage between the inside and outside.

Inside, it was a three-shift rotation, bustling with activity.

Zhao Iron Pillar even came up with a slogan: "For 'hope', keep working hard! The sooner we get to the sky, the sooner we'll piss off those iron lumps!"

The technical team led by Senior Brother Li and Senior Brother Zhang was not idle either.

While analyzing data to optimize harassment plans, they quickly applied the technical inspiration gained from "Dust Mite Operation" and "Bee Language Maze" to the design of "hope".

For example, drawing on the miniaturization and camouflage technology of "Dust Mites", they designed specialized "stealth Scout Bee Swarms" for "hope"—composed of a large number of micro "Flowing Silver" units, they usually attached to the hull surface as additional armor or sensors, and could be released during wartime for wide-range reconnaissance, harassment, or even suicide attacks.

Another example was the anti-interference and encryption ideas reverse-engineered from the "Swarm" communication protocols, which were used to strengthen the neural network communication security of "hope", preventing potential future electronic warfare or information intrusion.

The most surprising Breakthrough came from the research into the vulnerability of "Hive" energy nodes.

Senior Brother Zhang discovered that when the "Bee Queen" repaired damaged energy conduits, it would invoke a special "metal healing energy".

Under the irradiation of "starlight" pulses at specific frequencies, this energy would become extremely unstable, potentially even triggering a chain collapse.

"If we can master the characteristic frequency of this 'healing energy' and design a targeted 'destabilizing warhead'," Senior Brother Li's eyes lit up, "next time we won't have to sneak around scattering 'Dust Mites'. We can equip 'Hidden Dragon' or the future 'hope' with 'Hive-specific armor-piercing shells', and hit the mark every time!"

Of course, this "superweapon" was still in the theoretical stage and required more sample research and testing.

But undoubtedly, every confrontation with the "Hive" was driving the rapid iteration and upgrading of "Starfire" technology in reverse.

Time flew by in this tense, busy, yet hopeful atmosphere.

One month later, the construction of the keel for "hope" finally completed the crucial keel-laying stage!

The last main keel, a hundred zhang long, was slowly lifted by a huge robotic engineering arm.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, it docked seamlessly with the bow section.

When the final connection runes were engraved and the silver-white light of energy welding lit up, the entire shipyard erupted in deafening cheers!

The silver keel, hundreds of zhang long, with beautiful streamlines and a sense of power, appeared before everyone like a sleeping metal dragon!

It was no longer a scattered skeleton, but a complete, sturdy whole, full of the foundations of life's rhythm!

Standing beneath the keel, humans seemed so small, but everyone's heart was filled with indescribable pride and excitement.

This was the future ark they had built brick by brick, with their own hands!

"The first step is done!" Zhao Iron Pillar was flushed with excitement, slapping the cold keel hard, producing a dull, loud sound.

"Next, it's time to install its 'flesh' and 'heart'!"

The completion of the keel meant that the foundation of the main structure of "hope" had been laid.

Next would be a series of more complex and delicate engineering tasks, such as laying the "Flowing Silver" neural network, installing the "star core engine", building the ecological dome, and adding armor and weapons.

But regardless, the most difficult and time-consuming skeletal part was complete.

The rest, although still a massive undertaking, would have vastly different efficiency and confidence now that there was a keel to rely on.

That night, the base held a simple celebration again.

There was no big feast this time (there were no conditions for it), but everyone gathered together, sharing the "focus-enhancing pastries" specially made by Mu Wanqing and sweet "energy drinks".

Yet, the joy and sense of achievement were even richer than the last celebration.

Wen Youyi stood at the high point of the shipyard, looking down at the magnificent silver keel in the brightly lit area below, then looked up at the deep starry sky outside the "starlight gauze curtain", which hid both danger and calls.

The keel is complete, and the journey home is in sight.

But the shadow of the "Hive" still lingered, and the call of the "Return to Ruins" carried urgency.

He knew that the real challenge might have just begun.

When the behemoth "hope" truly woke up, baring its fangs and claws, that would be the beginning of their head-on collision with the malice in this starry sky.

But so what?

They had struggled out of the Ranch quagmire, lit a spark in the Starry Sky Debris, and even dared to scheme against the wreckage of the "Reapers'" war machines.

What else could stop this group of people who carried the spark of fire and forged the ark with their own hands from sailing towards the sea of stars?

A firm curve appeared at the corner of Wen Youyi's mouth.

The keel is set, and the sea of stars is within reach.

(End of Chapter)