301: Dawn sets sail and the "Hive" is furious

Inside the bridge of the hope, the silver light slowly receded like a tide, replaced by the soft, orderly indicator lights of the various consoles and the violently turbulent starry sky outside the main observation window.

The awakening of the ship spirit did not bring chaos; instead, it imbued the entire starship's operations with an unprecedented sense of coordination and agility.

Wen Youyi sat steadily in the captain's chair. He could clearly feel the 'breathing' and 'heartbeat' of the massive ship beneath him—the low, powerful pulsation of the star core engine, the rhythmic flow of the neural network, and the steady, firm conscious fluctuations of the newly born ship spirit.

'star core engine, start! Output power at 30%, preheat the entire ship's energy network!' Wen Youyi ordered calmly.

[Engine started. Energy network responding normally. Power increasing steadily.] The consciousness of the hope's ship spirit responded directly, its voice (an impression of consciousness) carrying a newborn's clarity and precision.

Following the command, a deeper, yet exceptionally steady rumble came from deep within the hull.

A faint vibration traveled through the bridge floor; it was the surging Star Power beginning to inject itself into every 'vessel' and 'nerve' of the hope.

Outside the observation window, several massive thruster arrays on both sides of the bow and the stern began to glow with a deep blue energy.

'ecological dome, circulation System at full power!'

[Circulation started. Air composition being optimized. Life support System ready.]

'Full ship sensor network, scan at maximum range! Focus monitoring on the Anvil area!'

[Sensor network fully engaged. Violent energy fluctuations in the target area, modeling and analysis in progress... Warning: High-intensity, disordered energy eruption detected, source depth: Anvil underground core.]

'Weapon arrays, charge and stand by! Defensive energy field, prepare to deploy!'

[Weapon Systems charging. Defensive energy field generator preheated.]

'Navigation System, lock onto the preset evacuation route! Target: 'Guixu' coordinates!'

[Route locked. 'Guixu' coordinates confirmed. Ready to depart at any time.]

A series of instructions were executed smoothly and efficiently.

Every crew member on duty—whether it was Senior Brother Li in the engine room, Senior Brother Zhang in the weapons control center, Wang Wu at the intelligence analysis console, or Mu Wanqing at the medical logistics node—could feel the hope's responsive speed and the ship spirit's gentle yet firm support through the direct neural network link or their consoles.

This was not a cold steel creation, but a living home and comrade-in-arms that had just been born and shared a telepathic connection with them!

'Status of the final base evacuation!' Wen Youyi inquired.

'All non-essential personnel, key supplies, technical data, as well as the 'little bean sprout' and 'heart module' have all been transferred to the designated safe areas on the ship!' Zhao Iron Pillar's voice came through the communication channel; he was responsible for the final base cleanup and personnel boarding.

'The remaining 'starlight gauze curtain' core node has been set to a delayed self-destruct mode and will detonate after we leave, leaving no clues behind! The main structure of the base... we have no choice but to abandon it.'

By the end, Zhao Iron Pillar's voice sounded a bit strained.

After all, it was the first star-filled home that he and the others had built brick by brick.

'Iron Pillar, bring everyone back to the bridge immediately. The base has completed its mission; now, the hope is our new home,' Wen Youyi said in a deep voice.

'Understood!'

Just then, the hope's ship spirit's alarm sounded again, this time more urgently: [High-threat energy reaction in the 'Anvil' area is rising sharply! 'Hive' energy readings have broken historical peaks! A large number of 'Swarm' units are breaking away from their original defensive formations and moving toward us at high speed! Estimated time of contact: fifteen minutes!]

The starry sky outside the observation window had changed color.

In the direction of the 'Anvil,' the area that was originally just a writhing expanse of dark golden light points was now like boiling magma!

Blinding dark golden light shot into the sky from the 'Hive' itself and several ground fissures.

Countless 'Worker Bee,' 'Soldier Drones,' and 'Scout Bee' units, like hornets whose nest had been stirred, converged into golden torrents, rushing toward the 'Spark' base (and the departing 'hope') as if to blot out the sky!

Deeper within, that heart-stopping, massive pulsation from underground, like the snoring of a waking giant beast, grew louder and louder, causing the space in the entire wreckage area to tremble slightly!

The 'Hive' was completely enraged! Or perhaps, it had sensed that the hope, a massive ship carrying the strong aura of the 'Star People,' was about to escape, triggering its core 'elimination' directive!

It would stop at nothing to strangle the threat in the cradle!

'Just in time!' A cold light flashed in Wen Youyi's eyes. ''Hidden Dragon,' execute the plan!'

The 'Hidden Dragon' had long been standing by in the launch channel on the flank of the hope.

Upon receiving the order, its silver hull slid out silently, instantly activating maximum stealth and speed.

Like an arrow released from a bow, it avoided the main force of the Swarm and maneuvered toward the flank of the Anvil area.

Its mission was to execute a 'decapitation/interference' raid while the Swarm's attention was drawn to the hope.

'hope,' increase engine power to 60%! Prepare to depart the dock! Defensive energy field, deploy at maximum intensity!' Wen Youyi continued to order.

'Weapon arrays, lock onto the densest area of the frontal Swarm, prepare for a 'wide-area interference ripple' volley! We don't seek to kill, only to create chaos and delay their charge speed!'

[Engine power increased. Defensive field deployed. Weapon arrays locked. Interference mode ready.]

The massive armor plates on the top of the dock slowly slid open to both sides, revealing the deep and endless starry sky above.

The massive hull of the hope began to rise slowly, and the deep blue glow of the thrusters grew brighter.

Meanwhile, the golden 'Swarm' torrent rushing from the front was already closing in!

They had no formation, only a pure, cold will to kill and destroy, converging into a suffocating metal frenzy!

'Fire!'

Hum—!!!

Across the hull of the hope, dozens of special launch ports lit up with silver light simultaneously.

Invisible 'interference ripples,' capable of causing violent turbulence in energy structures, spread out like waves and crashed head-on into the Swarm torrent!

The hundreds of 'Worker Bee' and 'Soldier Drones' at the forefront were like insects crashing into thick glue; their speed dropped sharply, their flight paths became chaotic, and the dark golden light on their bodies flickered wildly.

They even collided and squeezed against each other, creating a chaotic 'quagmire' at the vanguard of the Swarm torrent!

Although more of the 'Swarm' bypassed the chaotic zone from the sides and rear and continued to rush forward, their momentum had been significantly delayed!

'Now is the time! Engine power 80%! Depart the dock! Course: preset evacuation route!' Wen Youyi seized the opportunity.

The hope's thrusters erupted with even more brilliant blue flames, and the massive hull accelerated upward, completely breaking free from the shackles of the dock, like a silver giant whale breaking free from its chains, charging headlong into the starry sky!

Behind it was the frenzy of the Swarm burning with dark golden fury, and in the distance, the core of the 'Anvil,' which was gradually revealing its ferocious outline amidst the earth-shaking tremors.

The ark had set sail.

But the road through the sea of stars to 'Guixu' was destined to be paved with the flames of war and courage!

(End of Chapter)