83: Rebuilding Beliefs and Deep Space Exploration

The departure of the elderly Watcher left behind a truth enough to subvert all perception and an invisible mountain weighing on everyone's heart. Inside the bridge, the air was so heavy it seemed about to solidify. Colonel Falcon and all the crew members looked at Sun Zheng, waiting for his reaction. From a war with the Scrin, the situation had suddenly escalated to a confrontation with a cosmic-level horrific existence; this transition was too violent, enough to make anyone feel despair.

Sun Zheng remained silent for a long time, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the glimmer keystone on his chest. The warmth from the keystone seemed to be his only connection to that vanished ancient civilization. He recalled the resonance of the Lunar Ruin, the tragic heroism of the ancient ship in the Asteroid Belt, and the heavy responsibility spanning eons in the elderly Watcher's words.

Fear? Of course there was fear. Facing an unknown existence capable of corroding civilizations and distorting reality, who could not be afraid?

But what after fear? To sit and wait for death, or to rise and fight?

He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the tense and bewildered faces. He saw comrades who had followed him all the way from the Moon to Mars, and compatriots whose current situation was earned through countless sacrifices. Behind them was the recovering Earth, the Mars Base reborn from the ashes, and countless pairs of expectant eyes.

They had no way back.

"Everyone," Sun Zheng's voice broke the silence, not loud, but exceptionally clear and firm, carrying an unquestionable power, "The truth we have just learned is indeed appalling. The enemy we face is far more powerful and eerie than we imagined."

He paused, letting everyone digest the weight of these words.

"But!" His voice suddenly rose, his gaze sharp as a knife, "This hasn't changed the most basic fact—we are still fighting! Fighting for survival, for everything we hold dear!"

"Before, we thought the enemy was the Scrin, the alien invaders. Now, we know the Scrin are merely tools of corruption, and the real enemy is the 'void whisper' behind them. The enemy's form has changed, but the nature of the war hasn't! This is still a war concerning the survival of our civilization! Even a war between order and chaos in this universe!"

"The Watcher gave us a warning, but also a direction! Although the order cage is damaged, it hasn't completely collapsed! The other six Beacons still exist! The Guardians' 'Seed Vault' must also be waiting somewhere for a successor!"

"This is no longer despair, but hope! It is the hope of seeing our true enemy clearly and finding the right path!"

Sun Zheng's words were like a stimulant injected into everyone's heart. Bewilderment and fear began to be replaced by a more powerful emotion—responsibility, and a stirred fighting spirit.

"Commander, what should we do?" Colonel Falcon's eyes became firm again, asking on behalf of everyone.

Sun Zheng walked to the star map, his eyes burning bright.

"Adjust our strategy. Our ultimate goal shifts from 'defeating the Scrin' to 'delaying the arrival of the void whisper and seeking an ultimate solution'."

"The current phase of the mission is divided into three steps:"

"Step one: Consolidate the Solar System's defenses. The Mars 'Hope Fortress' must be repaired and upgraded as soon as possible, and the contact and integration with Earth must be accelerated! We must build the inner Solar System into a solid rear base."

"Step two: Take the initiative to search for Beacons and the Seed Vault. The 'wind chaser' will continue to search for the order beacon in the Oort Cloud and attempt to establish a stable connection. Meanwhile, dispatch a new reconnaissance fleet centered on the Solar System to explore star sectors where other order beacons might exist."

"Step three: Crack the secret of the keystone. The glimmer keystone within me is a key legacy of the Guardian Civilization. We must study it more deeply and master its power; it may be the key to finding the Seed Vault or even establishing contact with the remaining Guardian forces!"

The orders were clear and precise, pointing out a new course for the bewildered fleet.

"Falcon, you are responsible for coordinating the repairs of Mars' defenses and the matters regarding contact with Earth."

"Yes!"

"Communications officer, send a message to the 'wind chaser' informing them of the new discovery. order them to establish a stable connection with the Oort Cloud order beacon as soon as possible, at any cost!"

"Understood!"

"Combat Laboratory, concentrate all resources to prioritize the study of the glimmer keystone's energy characteristics and information storage structure!"

"Yes, Commander!"

The entire 'hope' and Mars Base began to operate at high speed once again. Although the goal had become grander and more difficult, with a clear direction, everyone's heart settled, filled with a breaking the cauldron determination.

Sun Zheng returned to his lounge alone and sank his consciousness into homeworld space once more. The space seemed to have become broader and brighter due to the keystone's activity. He caressed the keystone at the center, feeling the power of order flowing within it.

"Guardians... your enemy is now my enemy as well," Sun Zheng whispered to himself. "Tell me, how do I find the seed of hope?"