22: Core Dangers and the Arctic Blueprint

The tiberium energy core was carefully placed in the innermost isolation chamber of the Combat Laboratory. Thick lead alloys and energy barriers wrapped it tightly, but even so, the unstable pulsating purple light behind the observation window still made all the researchers feel uneasy.

Sun Zheng stared at this alien object full of destructive energy through the observation window. He could feel the glimmer keystone fragment within him transmitting a faint but clear sense of repulsion toward the core, as if light and darkness were naturally incompatible.

"Has the analysis report come out?" Sun Zheng asked in a deep voice.

The Chief Researcher in charge of the project pulled up dense data charts, his tone heavy: "Commander, the preliminary analysis results are very... troublesome."

"The structure of this energy core is completely beyond our understanding. It maintains an extremely exquisite balance internally; any external energy stimulus, even the weakest detection wave, could break that balance and trigger a chain reaction, leading to a... catastrophic energy eruption."

"According to simulations, the worst-case scenario is equivalent to detonating a megaton-class nuclear bomb."

Sun Zheng's pupils constricted. A megaton-class nuclear bomb exploding on the far side of the moon? Setting aside what would happen to the base, the resulting vibrations and radiation would likely be detected by Earth or even the more distant Scrin, with unimaginable consequences.

"Is there any possibility for safe utilization?" Sun Zheng pressed.

"Theoretically, if we could find a way to extremely slowly and precisely 'extract' surface energy, it might serve as a long-term high-power energy source to power future superweapons or buildings. But with our current technology, the success rate of such a 'safe extraction' is... less than 0.1%."

"Another idea is to try weaponizing the 'detonation' technology to create one-time-use tiberium bombs. But that is also extremely dangerous, and there's no way to control the blast radius."

The risk was extremely high, and the reward unknown. It was like holding a hot potato—impossible to eat, yet impossible to throw away.

Sun Zheng fell into deep thought. The large mineral vein at the North Pole was too tempting; it was the key to the base's rapid expansion. But mining required strong energy support and the ability to withstand extreme environments. This tiberium core seemed like it could solve the energy problem, but the method was too risky.

He needed a safer, more controllable power.

His gaze turned to the nearby project researching the glimmer keystone fragment. Unlike the violent nature of the tiberium core, although the keystone research was slow, it was exceptionally stable and even had a slight refreshing effect on the researchers.

"Is there any progress on the keystone project?"

"Commander, the energy characteristics of the keystone are very special; it seems to lean more toward 'order' and 'stability.' We tried resonating various energy fields with it and found it has a weak absorption and conversion effect on modulated solar energy of specific frequencies."

The researcher pulled up a set of data: "We've designed a preliminary blueprint for a 'light energy resonance array.' If we can build it, we might be able to slowly increase the energy activity of the keystone, and perhaps... even get clearer information feedback from it."

Order versus chaos? Stability versus fury?

Sun Zheng gradually came to a decision. He couldn't bet the future of the base on an unstable core that could explode at any time. The "kindling" left behind by the ancient civilization might be the more reliable reliance.

"Suspend all active experiments on the tiberium energy core and keep it sealed at the highest level. Shift the research focus to the construction and optimization of the light energy resonance array," Sun Zheng ordered.

"Understood, Commander."

Leaving the Combat Laboratory, Sun Zheng returned to the Command Center. He pulled up the detailed scan of the North Pole mineral vein and began formulating a bold plan—the "Northern Lights" Expedition.

The core of the plan was no longer dependent on the dangerous tiberium core but rather a combination of existing technology and ancient legacy:

Energy Solution: Build several small Allied Power Plants as relay stations along the expedition route. Simultaneously, build a large light energy resonance array at the North Pole to both power the mining and attempt to establish a stronger connection with the keystone.

Mining Solution: Design a heavy, fully enclosed, radiation-resistant Mobile Construction Vehicle (research required) that can deploy for on-site refining directly next to the mineral vein, reducing transport risks.

Defense Solution: Deploy prism towers and patriot missiles at the mining base, and send a hybrid escort team composed of prism tanks and Rocket Troopers.

This plan would be incredibly costly and technically challenging, but once successful, the base would obtain nearly infinite resources, and its strength would make a qualitative leap!

Sun Zheng distributed the draft plan to the various laboratories and the engineering department, requesting feasibility studies and detailed refinements.

He walked to the window, gazing at Earth in the distant dark starry sky. He knew this decision would put the base at risk once more. But staying stagnant would only lead to being swallowed by future crises.

He picked up that warm glimmer keystone fragment, feeling the tranquil yet vast power contained within.

"The darkness and extreme cold of the North Pole... perhaps truly need a beam of light to illuminate them."

"Let me see just how far this 'glimmer' from ancient times can light the path ahead."