36: The deep cave entrance and the moment of choice

The hole discovered by the battle fortress "fortress one" immediately became the focus of the entire base. That deep passage, clearly bearing artificial traces, was like a thorn stuck in everyone's heart.

Sun Zheng ordered the armored detachment to establish a defensive perimeter around the hole, strictly forbidding anyone from approaching. At the same time, he mobilized all reconnaissance means to conduct a comprehensive detection of this unexpected entrance.

Rocket Troopers circled repeatedly above the hole, their high-precision cameras aimed inside; however, the light was swallowed by darkness after penetrating only a few meters, leaving only the smooth metal pipe walls extending downward visible.

The Engineer from "fortress one" attempted to extend a telescopic probe equipped with searchlights and sensors into the hole. After descending about fifty meters, the probe sent back images: the piping began to branch, and the structure became as complex as a maze. The metallic luster of the pipe walls was more pronounced, and faint geometric patterns could occasionally be seen—exactly the same as those in the Under-ice Ruins.

"Commander, we've detected faint energy flow signals conducting along the pipe walls. The signal pattern is partially similar to Scrin energy signatures, but more stable and ancient," the Engineer reported.

That connection again! Scrin energy was imitated from the source of the Under-ice Ruins, and the energy flow within the hole seemed to confirm this.

Most unsettlingly, the sensors captured extremely subtle, rhythmic vibrations deep within the pipes, as if something were moving in the depths, or perhaps the aftershocks of large machinery operating.

"Is it an Ice Abyss Predator's nest? Or is the ruins' own maintenance system in operation?" Sun Zheng's brow furrowed. There was too little information to judge.

The Combat Laboratory couldn't give a definitive conclusion either. The hole was too small to deploy large units. Send in an infantry squad? Exploring an unknown, narrow underground maze was practically suicide.

Sun Zheng faced a difficult choice:

Option One: Conservative Strategy

Completely seal the hole, maintain a perimeter watch, and focus on surface development. The advantage was safety; the disadvantage was the potential loss of an opportunity to delve into the core of the ruins and obtain key technology.

Option Two: Adventurous Exploration

Dispatch small elite reconnaissance units (such as Engineers equipped with advanced sensors or small robots) for preliminary exploration. The advantage was the potential to gain valuable intelligence; the disadvantage was the extremely high risk, which might alert the enemy.

Option Three: Radical Strategy

Attempt to use the Chronosphere to teleport small units directly into relatively open spaces deep within the pipes (if they exist). The advantage was the element of surprise; the disadvantage was that teleportation precision in an underground environment was difficult to guarantee and might trigger spatial disturbances.

Sun Zheng's gaze moved back and forth between the lunar panorama and the 3D scans of the Arctic Under-ice Ruins. The secrets of the Under-ice Ruins concerned ancient civilizations, might relate to the Scrin's true purpose, and even had a thousand-and-one links to the glimmer keystone within him. Evading the problem would solve nothing.

But he absolutely could not gamble with his soldiers' lives.

After long deliberation, a compromised yet bold plan took shape in his mind.

He connected to the Combat Laboratory communications:

"I need a micro-drone capable of stealth, reconnaissance, sampling, and limited self-defense. It must be able to pass through that hole to perform detailed mapping and signal analysis of the pipe's interior."

"Commander, we have the 'wasp' micro-drone technology in reserve, but it needs reinforced modifications for extreme environments and anti-interference capabilities. This will take time," the Chief Researcher replied.

"I'll give you 48 hours. Spare no resources; complete it as a priority," Sun Zheng ordered. He decided to adopt Option Two, but he would use technology to minimize the risk.

"Additionally, research the feasibility of Option Three simultaneously. I need a plan for precise positioning and Chronosphere Teleportation within complex underground spaces as a backup."

"Understood!"

With the orders issued, the base was running at high speed once again. The drone project team began working overtime, and the Chronosphere project team also faced a new challenge.

After arranging these matters, Sun Zheng walked into the homeworld space alone. After absorbing the Arctic energy minerals, the glimmer keystone fragment in the center glowed with an increasingly warm and agile light. He gently held the keystone, concentrating his spirit on the newly discovered hole.

This time, what he felt was no longer a vague resonance, but an extremely faint "pulling sensation" that seemed to come from the abyss. It was as if something deep within the hole was faintly calling out to the keystone.

This feeling made his heart race, and it also made him more certain that a vital secret was hidden behind the hole.

"Whatever you are, I will find the answer."