14: Ancient Echoes and Homeland Anomalies

"Just... the first wave?"

The analysis results from the Combat Laboratory were like a bucket of ice water poured from head to toe, washing away all the joy from the recent victory. The wreckage of the devourer tank at the cave entrance was still smoking, and an even greater threat might already be on its way.

"Can you calculate when the next wave will arrive?" Sun Zheng forced himself to calm down, his throat feeling a bit dry.

"The energy signals are too chaotic to calculate accurately. However, based on the spatial fluctuation decay model, it could be as soon as 24 to 48 hours." The analyst's reply made his heart sink.

Less than two days!

Sun Zheng's mind raced. With his current forces, he had lost a grizzly tank, and the ammunition for the prism tanks and all infantry was nearly exhausted; they urgently needed rest and resupply. Even if he spammed production now, he couldn't assemble a team capable of countering a stronger enemy in such a short time. The prism towers were powerful, but unfortunately, they were immobile.

Going head-to-head definitely wouldn't work; he had to find another way.

His gaze fell back onto the map at the marker labeled "Ancient Ruins-01." Mysterious ruins that had existed for millions of years... such an ancient civilization must have left something behind, right? Even if it was just an old defense system, or... technology that could interfere with Scrin spatial warp?

This might be the only hope; it was worth a gamble.

"All units return to base immediately for emergency repairs and resupply. Engineering vehicles prioritize repairing prism tanks and replenishing ammunition." After Sun Zheng issued the orders, he immediately began planning the next step.

"Commander, are we abandoning the cave entrance position?" A001 asked.

"No, not only are we not abandoning it, we're reinforcing it!" Sun Zheng's eyes were resolute. "Plant remote-controlled bombs near the entrance and install vibration sensors. Prepare a 'generous gift' for any potential 'guests.' Then the main force will withdraw to the base."

He couldn't waste his precious mobile forces on a death-defying defense of a single cave entrance. At the same time, he needed a brand-new elite squad to explore those ancient ruins.

On the way back to the base, Sun Zheng monitored the repair progress while screening personnel. The Spy needed rest, and the Chrono Legionnaire consumed too much energy and was easily interfered with by the Scrin. This exploration required adaptability and survivability.

He looked at the Barracks' production list, and a unit he had previously deemed too expensive caught his eye—

[Military Dog] - Cost: $200

[Function: Efficient anti-infantry unit, sensitive sense of smell and hearing, can detect stealth units.]

Military Dogs? Using dogs on the moon? It sounded a bit ridiculous. But what Sun Zheng valued was their "keen sense of smell and hearing" and "detection" abilities. In the unknown ancient ruins, these biological instincts might be more useful than precision instruments. The $200 price tag was also acceptable.

He immediately produced two Military Dogs.

Next, he added four American Soldiers and trained an Engineer ($1000), hoping he could crack any systems or access controls that might exist in the ruins.

A few hours later, the expedition force returned to the base with tired but determined steps. The "Ruins Exploration Squad" assembled by Sun Zheng was already in place: five American Soldiers led by A001, two Military Dogs wearing oxygen collars and thermal suits, an Engineer, plus two Rocket Troopers to provide aerial support and lighting.

With no time for rest, the squad immediately set out for "Ancient Ruins-01." Time waited for no one.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the ruins, the squad spread out in a defensive formation. The two Military Dogs appeared restless, whimpering softly toward the ruins as if they had detected something unusual.

"Commander, the Military Dogs are reacting abnormally, indicating there's an active energy reaction or... other signs of life in the ruins," A001 reported.

Sun Zheng's heart tightened. "Maintain distance. Engineer, try to remotely scan the building structure and find an entrance."

After scanning with his equipment, the Engineer discovered a massive hollow structure beneath the domed building. The main entrance was blocked by giant stones, but there was an inconspicuous crack on the side of a small adjacent dome.

"Commander, I've found an entrance, but it requires explosives or heavy machinery to open."

Just as Sun Zheng was about to have the Rocket Troopers blast the crack open with missiles, one of the Military Dogs suddenly broke free from the soldiers and lunged forward, barking wildly at the crack!

Just as the soldiers tried to pull the dog back, something unexpected happened!

A soft white light suddenly emanated from the crack! The light enveloped the Military Dog; its barking stopped abruptly, and its movements froze.

Immediately following that, a cold, emotionless voice rang directly in Sun Zheng's mind, using a language he had never heard before but somehow understood:

[Detected... suitable life form... carrying weak 'keystone' resonance...]

[Sequence verification... unauthorized access...]

[Purge protocol... activation fail... error... insufficient energy...]

[Warning... system entering final hibernation... Legacy Protocol... forced activation...]

The white light suddenly contracted, disappearing into the crack along with the Military Dog!

"What happened?!" Sun Zheng and the soldiers outside were all stunned!

A few seconds later, the crack glowed faintly again, and the Military Dog stumbled out. It looked fine, but its eyes actually shimmered with a very faint metallic luster similar to the material of the ruins!

At the same time, Sun Zheng felt an unprecedentedly violent fluctuation coming from the homeworld space within him! It was as if it had established a powerful resonance with something deep inside the ruins!