314: The mess left after the coma and the "temporary acting captain"

Wen Youyi was woken up by a strong smell of medicinal herbs.

He opened his eyes and found himself lying on a hospital bed in the medical area, with several tubes connected to strange instruments inserted into his body. Mu Wanqing was standing with her back to him, busy in front of a small Pill Furnace; the medicinal mist drifting from the furnace carried a refreshing fragrance that cleared the mind.

"How long... have I been lying here?" Wen Youyi asked with a hoarse voice.

Mu Wanqing turned her head. Seeing that he was awake, she visibly breathed a sigh of relief: "Three days and seven hours. If you hadn't woken up, I would have considered using the 'Golden Needle Meridian' secret method—though I wasn't entirely sure if it would be useful for the human structure of a non-cultivation civilization."

Wen Youyi tried to sit up, only to find his whole body aching as if he had been trampled by a herd of giant elephants. The extreme maneuvers of hope at the edge of the black hole's gravity had generated terrifying G-force, and even his reinforced body had nearly fallen apart.

"What about the others?"

"Better off than you." Mu Wanqing said while handing over a bowl of black medicinal soup. "Zhao Iron Pillar woke up after being unconscious for a day and is now leading people to check the ship for damage. Senior Brother Li, Senior Brother Zhang, and the others are about the same. Only Aila... she didn't fall unconscious."

Wen Youyi took the medicine bowl and frowned as soon as he smelled it: "Aila didn't fall unconscious? Is her physical fitness that good?"

"It's not about physical fitness," Mu Wanqing's expression was strange, "It's because a second before she lost consciousness, she used a certain mental secret method of the Sky Patrol to force herself to stay awake. Then, she injected herself with three high-intensity stimulants and managed to complete the preliminary damage assessment and emergency handling of hope before she collapsed."

Wen Youyi: "...She went that hard?"

"Harder than you." Mu Wanqing rolled her eyes at him. "After you passed out, the whole ship was in chaos. Aila was the only one who could still think; if she didn't step up, who would?"

Wen Youyi gave a bitter smile and downed the medicine that made his Soul feel like it was leaving his body: "So what's the situation now? Is hope okay? Where are we?"

Mu Wanqing was just about to answer when the door to the medical area was suddenly kicked open.

Zhao Iron Pillar rushed in, and as soon as he saw Wen Youyi awake, his eyes widened like copper bells: "Boss! You're finally awake! Something big happened!"

"Take it slow, what big thing?" Wen Youyi's heart tightened.

Zhao Iron Pillar caught his breath: "Aila, that alien girl, organized an 'Incident Log' of what happened while you were unconscious and asked the ship spirit of hope to pass it to you. Then she... completely collapsed and hasn't woken up yet! Senior Sister Mu said this is the aftereffect of overdrawing her strength to force herself to stay awake; she needs to sleep for at least two more days!"

Wen Youyi immediately asked Mu Wanqing to pull up the record.

The holographic screen unfolded in front of him, and Aila's calm but slightly weak voice sounded—this was recorded before she fell unconscious:

[Captain Wen Youyi, if you are hearing this recording, it means I have entered deep sleep for self-repair. The following is a brief report on the past three days:]

[First, regarding the status of hope. We successfully crossed the three most dangerous barriers of the Shattered Star Belt, but the cost was not small. The structural damage to the ship needs at least fifteen days to be fully repaired; during this time, high-intensity maneuvers or combat are not recommended. Engine overload has shortened the lifespan of core components by 20%, so a major overhaul is recommended after reaching a safe area. The most serious issue is the shield System—two extreme operations consumed too much energy, and the shield generator is now in a 'fatigue state'; it needs at least ten days to recover to full power.]

[Second, regarding our current position. According to the star map, we have arrived at the northwest edge of the Shattered Star Belt. It is a seven-day standard voyage from the main blockade line of the Star Devourers, which is relatively safe. However, this is also an area where the Wanderers Alliance is active. I have detected at least three waves of unknown signals scanning our surroundings. Although they have not shown hostility for now, we need to be vigilant.]

[Third, and the most troublesome point—we picked up a 'trouble'. While crossing the black hole's gravitational zone, the gravity stabilization System of hope captured an abnormal 'space drifter'. It was stuck in a gap in the gravitational field at the time. If we hadn't 'brought' it out, it might have already been swallowed by the black hole.]

The screen switched to show the appearance of the "space drifter".

It was a... egg?

To be precise, it was an oval-shaped object about three meters in diameter, with its surface covered in complex dark golden patterns. It looked like it was made of metal, but it also had a biological texture. The surface patterns pulsed slightly like blood vessels, emitting a faint but stable energy fluctuation.

[We picked it up, and it is currently stored in Isolation Chamber No. 7. After preliminary scanning, this is not a natural product, but a man-made (or created by some kind of intelligent life) object. Its energy characteristics... have similarities with the Star Devourers, but are completely different. More importantly, since yesterday, it has emitted a regular pulse signal every six hours, as if it were... calling out to something.]

Aila's recording paused here, and then her tone became grave:

[I suggest not attempting to open or destroy it until the situation is clear. But if it continues to send signals, it may attract unnecessary attention. How to handle this is for you to decide after you wake up.]

[Finally, regarding the Star Devourers pursuers. According to the long-range reconnaissance of the 'Hidden Dragon', that ace hunting fleet has been hovering outside the blockade line for two days after we crossed the Shattered Star Belt. They seem unable to determine our specific location, but one thing is certain—they have not given up. According to their search efficiency, they will find the area where we are in at most five more days.]

[So, we don't have much time left. I suggest setting off immediately after the repair work is 70% complete and continuing towards the 'Return to Ruins' direction. I have already prepared three alternative plans for specific route planning, which are saved in the ship's database for your reference.]

[That is all. Good luck, Captain. When I wake up, I hope to see a complete hope and a group of lively crew members.]

The recording ended.

Wen Youyi sat on the hospital bed, silent for a few seconds.

Then he lifted the quilt, preparing to get out of bed.

"What are you doing?" Mu Wanqing hurriedly pressed him down, "You need to rest now! Aila went to the extent of overdrawing herself to pull you back from the gates of hell, and you don't cherish yourself like this?"

"I want to rest too," Wen Youyi gave a bitter smile, "But I'm the only one left on the ship who can make decisions. In three days, the backlog of problems must have piled up like a mountain."

Zhao Iron Pillar nodded vigorously on the side: "Boss, you don't know! After you passed out, the ship was a mess! Senior Brother Li and Senior Brother Zhang almost fought over maintenance resources; Wang Wu said he wanted to organize a 'patrol team' to guard against the Wanderers Alliance, but no one listened to him; not to mention that egg! When it sent a signal yesterday, the whole isolation chamber was glowing! It scared the people on duty to death!"

Wen Youyi rubbed his temples: "Take me to the bridge. Also, notify all department heads to come to the meeting room in one hour—everyone who can come, come; if you can't, send a representative."

Mu Wanqing still wanted to dissuade him, but seeing Wen Youyi's eyes, she finally sighed: "At least take this 'Essence Replenishing Pill'. It can temporarily restore 70% of your power, but the effect only lasts for six hours. After six hours, you will be weaker than you are now."

Wen Youyi took the Medicinal Pill that exuded a warm luster and swallowed it in one gulp. A warm current immediately rose from his Dantian and quickly flowed through his limbs and bones, and the fatigue subsided by more than half.

"Thanks." He put on his clothes and walked towards the bridge with the support of Zhao Iron Pillar.

On the way, he briefly browsed the reports accumulated over these three days through the neural network—good heavens, there were more than three hundred of them! From small matters like "coolant pipe rupture and leakage in Engine Room Zone B" to life-threatening matters like "detected energy remnants of suspected high-level Star Devourers reconnaissance units", everything was there.

Even more absurd was a report applying to open a "Spiritual Plant experimental field" in the ecological dome, with the reason being "to improve the crew's food and boost morale"...

Wen Youyi couldn't laugh or cry. Sure enough, without unified command, the whole System would start to go off track.

Half an hour later, the main meeting room was full of people.

Senior Brother Li, Senior Brother Zhang, Wang Wu, Xiao Wu, and several backbone members of the technical departments all came. Except for Aila, who was still unconscious, and those who needed to remain at their posts, everyone who could come was there.

Everyone's expression was very tired, but seeing Wen Youyi appear, their eyes lit up—the backbone had returned.

"I have a general understanding of the situation." Wen Youyi went straight to the point, "Let's solve them one by one. First, talk about the maintenance progress."

Senior Brother Li stood up: "The engine System damage is 40% repaired. We didn't dare to touch the core components; we need Aila to guide us after she wakes up. But at least it can ensure normal navigation, just don't play with your life like before."

Senior Brother Zhang continued to report: "The weapon System is intact, but the energy supply is unstable. The two newly installed 'Gravity Distortion Cannons' consume too much energy. The current energy allocation plan can only guarantee one of them firing; if two are fired at the same time, the whole ship will lose power for three seconds."

Wang Wu was responsible for vigilance and reconnaissance: "The 'Hidden Dragon' has completed maintenance and can be dispatched at any time. In addition, I followed the plan left by Aila before she fell unconscious and set up a passive detection array within a thirty-mile range outside the ship. As long as someone approaches us, we will definitely be able to discover them."

Xiao Wu reported on the situation of the neural network: "The ship spirit seems... a bit depressed after Aila fell unconscious. It says it misses the voice of Young Miss Aila."

Wen Youyi: "..." Even the artificial intelligence is starting to have emotions?

"Okay, maintenance and vigilance will continue according to the current progress." Wen Youyi nodded, "Now let's talk about the second problem—that egg."

He pulled up the surveillance footage of Isolation Chamber No. 7. The dark golden oval object was floating quietly in the center of the isolation field, its surface patterns slowly brightening and dimming like breathing.

"Since yesterday, its signal transmission frequency has accelerated." Senior Brother Li pointed to the data, "Now it sends a signal every four hours, and the intensity is slowly increasing. The most troublesome thing is... its signal frequency overlaps with a communication frequency band commonly used by the Star Devourers."

Wen Youyi frowned: "You mean it might be trying to contact the Star Devourers?"

"Not necessarily." Senior Brother Zhang pushed his glasses, "It might also be that the Star Devourers are looking for it. But either way, it's not a good thing."

The meeting room fell into silence.

If this egg really belongs to the Star Devourers, then they picked up a time bomb. But if it isn't... then what is it? Why does it have energy characteristics similar to the Star Devourers?

"Is it possible," Wang Wu suddenly spoke, "that this was made by the Star Devourers, but it's not a weapon, but... some kind of container? Or rather, a means of transportation?"

Wen Youyi's heart stirred: "You mean, there might be something inside?"

"It's possible." Senior Brother Zhang analyzed, "From the energy readings, there is a complex energy structure inside, and there is a faint life reaction—although it is very weak, it does exist."

Zhao Iron Pillar slapped his thigh: "Could it be that the Star Devourers stole some civilization's treasure and were preparing to transport it back for research, but had an accident halfway, and the thing got stuck near the black hole? Then we picked it up?"

This brain hole is big, but it is really possible.

Wen Youyi thought for a moment and made a decision: "Strengthen the monitoring of that egg, but do not take the initiative to contact it. If it continues to send signals, try to interfere—use the 'Signal Fog' program designed by Aila to disguise the signal it sends as natural fluctuations."

"What if the interference fails?"

"Then be prepared to throw it away." Wen Youyi said calmly, "We cannot sail with something that might expose our position."

Everyone nodded.

"The last question, the Star Devourers pursuers." Wen Youyi pulled up the route planning plan left by Aila, "Aila gave three plans, you have all seen them, right?"

The three plans have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Plan A: The shortest path, but it will pass through an area where the Star Devourers frequently patrol, with extremely high risk.

Plan B: The most hidden path, but it requires a big detour, and the time will increase by fifteen days.

Plan C: A compromise route, with medium risk and an increase of seven days.

"I suggest taking Plan C." Senior Brother Li took the lead in expressing his position, "Our ship needs time to repair, so taking Plan A is too risky. Plan B is too slow. If the Star Devourers expand their search range, we might be surrounded."

Senior Brother Zhang and Wang Wu also agreed.

Wen Youyi, however, stroked his chin, looking at a point on the star map—that was an area that had to be passed on Route C, marked as "Stardust Graveyard".

"What kind of place is this 'Stardust Graveyard'..."

Aila's database has a record: [Stardust Graveyard, a vast area composed of countless broken stars and civilization wreckage. Legend has it that a tragic interstellar war took place here, resulting in the destruction of all life planets in the entire Star Domain. Now there is nothing left there but dust, wreckage, and... some 'ghosts' who don't want to leave. Danger level: High.]

Wen Youyi narrowed his eyes.

Ghosts? Wreckage? Stardust?

A thought flashed through his mind.

"What if we... don't take any of the predetermined routes?" He said slowly.

Everyone was stunned.

"Not take the predetermined route? Then where to?"

Wen Youyi pointed to the "Stardust Graveyard" on the star map: "We go here."

"Go to the graveyard?!" Zhao Iron Pillar's voice changed, "Boss, are you crazy? That's a place where even the Wanderers Alliance dare not set foot easily!"

"Precisely because no one dares to go, the Star Devourers won't think we will go there." Wen Youyi explained, "And look—"

He pulled up more detailed data: "Although the Stardust Graveyard is dangerous, the internal environment is extremely complex, with a large amount of energy turbulence and spatial cracks. If we can find a safe path to pass through, we can bypass the rear of the Star Devourers' search circle and completely shake them off."

Senior Brother Zhang frowned: "But we don't have a detailed star map of that place, and Aila's database only has information about the periphery. Rashly entering is no different from seeking death."

"So we won't be rash." Wen Youyi smiled, "We have a 'tour guide'."

He looked at Wang Wu: "Contact Captain Raymond. Ask him if he knows any guides who are familiar with the Stardust Graveyard—preferably a desperado who has mixed in it."

Wang Wu's eyes lit up: "You want to... hire a local to lead the way?"

"Yes." Wen Youyi nodded, "People from the Wanderers Alliance have been active in this Star Domain for years, and there are always a few who are not afraid of death who have been in. As long as we can find a reliable guide, we will bet on this."

After the meeting, Wen Youyi stood alone in front of the bridge porthole, looking at the deep starry sky outside.

The six-hour effect of the medicine has begun to subside, and the fatigue has returned. But he cannot rest—Aila held on for so long before falling unconscious; he must at least hold on until she wakes up.

"Captain." The ship spirit's consciousness suddenly came, with a hint of hesitation.

"What's wrong?"

[That egg... just sent a signal again. But this time... the content of the signal seems to have changed.]

Wen Youyi's heart tightened: "What has it become?"

[A repeated message. Translated, it is... 'Requesting connection... Civilization Legacy protocol initiated... Awaiting response...']

Civilization Legacy protocol?

Wen Youyi turned around abruptly, looking at the direction of Isolation Chamber No. 7.

This egg... seems not as simple as they thought.

(End of this chapter)