37: Bee swarms into the cave and the terror of the maze

Forty-eight hours passed in the blink of an eye.

The Combat Laboratory lived up to expectations, successfully modifying three "wasp" micro-reconnaissance drones. These basketball-sized drones were equipped with silent rotors and low-temperature plasma thrusters. Their shells were covered in wave-absorbing material, providing excellent optical camouflage and electromagnetic stealth capabilities. They carried high-sensitivity sensors, micro-drilling sampling arms, and were even equipped with a non-lethal electromagnetic pulse (EMP) bomb.

Operation Codename: "Deep Diver".

The objective was to infiltrate the sub-ice pipelines, map the internal structure, detect energy flows, collect environmental samples, and identify the source of the deep vibrations as much as possible.

The Command Center was set up at Forward Base Alpha, with Sun Zheng commanding remotely from the lunar main base via an encrypted data link.

Under the cover of night, the three "wasp" drones flew silently to the cave entrance. After hovering for a moment to confirm it was safe, they turned off most of their external lights and slipped quietly into the bottomless metal pipes like three ghosts.

The large screen in the Command Center split into three sections, each displaying first-person perspective footage and sensor data transmitted back by the drones.

The interior of the pipe was exceptionally smooth, and the dark silver metal walls felt icy to the touch. After the drones descended several dozen meters, external light vanished completely, leaving only the beams of their searchlights to carve lonely paths through the endless darkness.

"Temperature: -189°C. Radiation levels normal. Energy flow signal stable, intensity weak," the operator reported the data.

The drones continued their descent. Just as previously detected, branches began to appear in the pipes, crisscrossing like a giant underground ant nest.

"Mark all intersections. Unit 1 will continue down the main channel. Units 2 and 3 will explore the first branches on the left and right sides respectively," Sun Zheng ordered.

The three drones split up. The main channel continued downward toward deeper regions, while the branch channels mostly extended horizontally. Some ended at rusted metal gates, while others connected to empty chambers scattered with the weathered remains of equipment.

It was like an underground base that had been abandoned for countless years.

"Collect a sample of the pipe wall metal," Sun Zheng commanded.

Unit 1 extended its micro-drilling arm and made a light scratch on the pipe wall. Surprisingly, the seemingly smooth metal wall actually rippled imperceptibly the moment the drill bit touched it, as if it were alive! The drill only managed to scrape off a small amount of powder.

"Analyze the sample's composition!"

"The composition is complex... it contains unknown metallic elements and... organic matter? This pipe wall seems to be some kind of Living Metal?" The analyst's voice carried a tone of disbelief.

Living Metal? Sun Zheng's heart skipped a beat. The technology of this ancient civilization was simply beyond imagination!

Just then, Unit 2, which was exploring the right branch, suddenly transmitted an abnormal signal!

"Commander! Life reactions detected at the end of the passage ahead of Unit 2! Multiple! The signal characteristics are highly consistent with the Ice Abyss Predators!"

On the screen, five or six Ice Abyss Predators were clearly seen crouching in the circular chamber at the end of the passage! They seemed to be in a state of hibernation, their carapaces rising and falling slightly with their breathing.

"Unit 2, retreat immediately and maintain silence!" Sun Zheng's heart tightened. As expected, there was a nest!

However, as Unit 2 was quietly backing away, its optical camouflage system suffered energy field interference due to its proximity to the predators, causing a tiny fluctuation!

It was this very fluctuation that alerted the nearest predator! It jerked its head up, its compound eyes instantly lighting up with an eerie blue glow, locking onto the drone's position!

"We've been spotted! Unit 2, full speed retreat!" Sun Zheng shouted.

Unit 2's engines went to full power as it raced backward! But the predator was faster! It let out a low growl and lunged forward, its sharp claws reaching straight for the drone!

"Activate the EMP bomb! Disrupt it!" Sun Zheng made a split-second decision.

The bomb bay beneath Unit 2 opened, and a small EMP bomb shot out, detonating right in front of the predator!

"Voom—!" An invisible electromagnetic storm swept through! The predator that was hit froze mid-motion, letting out a pained hiss as the light in its compound eyes dimmed!

The electromagnetic attack had worked again!

Taking this opportunity, Unit 2 successfully escaped the chamber and fled frantically back the way it came. The other predators in the chamber were also alerted, waking up one by one and letting out angry roars as they gave chase!

"Units 1 and 3, abort current missions and evacuate the pipes immediately!" Sun Zheng ordered at once. The exploration plan was forced to a halt.

Units 1 and 3 quickly gained altitude and flew toward the cave entrance.

But just as Unit 2 was about to burst out of the pipe entrance, another anomaly occurred! The vibration from deep within the pipes suddenly intensified! Immediately after, a powerful airflow with a strong suction surged up from below!

"Warning! Encountering strong airflow! Navigation system disrupted!" the pilot of Unit 2 cried out.

The powerful airflow engulfed Unit 2, causing it to fall out of control! Despite its best efforts to struggle, it was sucked into a deeper and darker branch. The signal weakened rapidly and finally vanished at the edge of the detection range!

"Unit 2 has lost contact!" the operator reported heavily.

Sun Zheng slammed his fist onto the control console. A precious drone had been lost! But fortunately, Units 1 and 3 successfully made it out of the cave and returned to the safe zone.

The operation was forced to terminate. The price was the loss of a drone, but the gains were significant: the existence of a predator nest inside the pipes was confirmed, the effectiveness of electromagnetic weapons was verified, and the "Living Metal" properties of the pipe walls and the potential source of airflow deep within were discovered.

A corner of the veil covering the sub-ice labyrinth had been lifted, but the dangers in its depths were also far beyond imagination.

Sun Zheng looked at the chaotic images transmitted back by Unit 2 before it fell into the darkness, his gaze solemn.

That force that sucked the drone away... what exactly was it?