35: Steel Fortress and Icefield Trial

The research and development of the battle fortress was elevated to the highest priority. Massive amounts of resources were continuously funneled into the Combat Laboratory and War Factory, where Engineers worked day and night to analyze blueprints, debug systems, and cast heavy armor.

Sun Zheng spent almost every day on the observation deck of the War Factory, watching this behemoth take shape piece by piece. It was a size larger than even the prism tank, and its reinforced treads were more than capable of handling the complex lunar terrain. Multiple automated weapon stations were distributed around the hull, integrating heavy machine guns and anti-tank missiles. Most prominent were the retractable command tower and the infantry transport bay on the upper part of the vehicle—this meant it was not just a weapon for charging enemy lines, but also a mobile Command Center and fire platform.

Two weeks later, after consuming nearly half of the base's liquid capital, the first battle fortress finally rolled off the production line.

Its dark gray composite armor shimmered with a cold luster under the lunar 'sunlight.' The low roar of the engine carried a reassuring sense of weight. As it slowly began to move, the entire ground vibrated slightly.

"Commander, the battle fortress prototype, codenamed 'fortress one,' awaits your inspection," the project Engineer reported excitedly.

Sun Zheng nodded with satisfaction. Based on its appearance and aura alone, this battle fortress lived up to its name.

"Conduct a combat test immediately. Target: the outskirts of Arctic Area B-7. Clear out scattered Ice Abyss Predators and verify comprehensive performance."

This time, Sun Zheng did not use the precious Chronosphere. He ordered 'fortress one,' escorted by prism tanks and Rocket Troopers, to form a mixed armored detachment and march openly toward the Arctic front via a ground route. He needed to test the reliability of the battle fortress during long-distance marches and in complex environments.

The armored detachment set off majestically along the designated route. The massive frame of the battle fortress left deep ruts in the ice plains. Wherever it went, even the scattered predators lurking in the shadows avoided it, not daring to attack lightly.

A few hours later, the detachment arrived at the outer picket line of Area B-7. From a distance, they could see the massive ice fissure that had swallowed the phantom tanks, lying across the landscape like a silent demon's maw.

"Target spotted! Three o'clock, behind the ice ridge—three Ice Abyss Predators!" an early warning came from the high-altitude Rocket Troopers.

"fortress one, advance and engage! prism tanks, provide flank cover!" Second Lieutenant Falcon One, commanding the detachment, ordered.

"fortress one copies!" the driver responded steadily, maneuvering the steel beast forward with increased speed as the vehicle's automated weapon stations rose and locked onto the targets.

The three predators had clearly spotted the team as well. They let out threatening hisses and leaped from behind the ice ridge, flanking in a fan formation at extreme speed!

"Open fire!"

The battle fortress's multi-weapon system erupted instantly! Heavy machine guns spat out a dense hail of bullets, forming a wall of fire that effectively suppressed the predators' charge. Simultaneously, several anti-tank missiles streaked out trailing white smoke, accurately slamming into the predators' carapaces!

"Boom! Boom!"

Amidst the explosive flames, two predators fell with shattered carapaces, unable to rise. The other one used its agile movements to dodge the missiles, lunging fiercely at the side of the battle fortress and slashing its claws at the treads!

"Clang! Screech—" A piercing grinding sound rang out as deep scratches were left on the side skirts, but the thick armor successfully withstood the attack!

"Want to take a bite out of me? You're far too early for that!" the driver snorted, maneuvering the vehicle to swing its hull violently sideways!

"Bang!" The heavy hull struck the predator like a giant hammer, sending it flying. It smashed heavily against an ice wall, its bones and tendons snapping!

Clean and efficient! Almost completely unscathed!

The entire combat process took less than a minute. The battle fortress had demonstrated powerful firepower, excellent defense, and a degree of melee capability. It was like a mobile fortress, making the Ice Abyss Predators—which previously required careful handling—look utterly fragile.

"Performance evaluation: Excellent!" Falcon One reported. "Firepower coverage is comprehensive, armor defense is outstanding, and it maintains absolute suppression over the Ice Abyss Predators."

Sun Zheng, watching the transmitted footage in the Command Center, felt greatly reassured. The performance of the battle fortress exceeded expectations. With it, the feasibility of establishing a forward base on the Arctic ice plains increased significantly.

However, just as the detachment was preparing to expand the clearing range, the driver of fortress one reported an unexpected discovery:

"Commander, when I knocked that predator away, I found an... artificially excavated entrance behind the ice ridge where it was hiding! It's small and was previously covered by ice, but it's exposed now!"

Sun Zheng immediately enlarged the image. Sure enough, below the ice wall was a circular opening about one meter in diameter. The edges were very regular, and the dark interior led to parts unknown.

A metallic luster, identical to that of the Under-ice Ruins, was faintly visible at the edge of the opening.

This was no natural cave! It was very likely a ventilation duct leading to the Under-ice Ruins? A maintenance tunnel? Or perhaps some kind of observation point?

The battle fortress's first actual combat had not only proven its own value but also accidentally discovered a shortcut that might lead straight into the enemy's heart!

Sun Zheng's gaze instantly sharpened.

"Mark the coordinates of the entrance! The detachment is to maintain high alert. Entry is strictly forbidden without orders!"

"Combat Laboratory, analyze the structure of the entrance and the internal energy signals immediately!"