163: Chapter 163 First Test of Skill: Track Debris Cleanup Drill
The soaring heavens cruised at 0.2 times the speed of light, tracing a nearly imperceptible trail through the silent sea of stars. Inside the bridge, aside from the low hum of instruments and occasional brief reports, there was only a sense of taut readiness.
There were still four hours of travel left before reaching the designated interception position.
Long Zhantian did not let the crew remain immersed in this high-pressure waiting. After the pre-battle mobilization ended, he issued an order: "'Nuwa', scan the flight path ahead and the surrounding one million kilometers of airspace. Focus on marking all orbital debris or anomalous objects that could pose a potential threat to the ship. At the same time, assess the interception efficiency of our secondary battery system and close-in defense network against small, high-speed targets. I need a real-time dynamic report."
"Command confirmed, scanning." Nuwa's calm electronic synthesized voice sounded. On the main screen, a massive three-dimensional model of a spherical scanning area centered on the soaring heavens quickly constructed itself. Countless tiny points of light began to emerge; most were known asteroids or dust belts already marked on the star charts, but some new, fast-moving tiny targets were highlighted.
"Weaving Net space situational awareness network synchronous data access initiated," the Vice Captain reported. "Zero point three astronomical units ahead, in the transition zone between Low Earth Orbit and the asteroid belt, there is a high-density debris cloud that hasn't been fully mapped, designated NDC-779. It mainly consists of wreckage from a major communication satellite collision sixty years ago, along with secondary fragments from subsequent collisions. Average sizes range from centimeters to meters, with large velocity variations and random distribution, posing a continuous threat to passing spacecraft. The GDC once planned to clean it up, but the priority was not high."
Long Zhantian's gaze locked onto that area marked in pale red, which looked like an interstellar sandstorm. The debris cloud was located right on the flank of the soaring heavens' flight path, about five hundred thousand kilometers away. If they detoured, it would waste fifteen precious minutes and potentially deviate from the optimal interception route.
"Nuwa, evaluate the theoretical time and energy consumption for our current secondary batteries and close-in defense systems to clear the primary threat fragments (larger than ten centimeters) in the NDC-779 area," Long Zhantian asked.
"Calculating... Based on the current distribution model of the debris cloud and our ship's secondary battery range, rate of fire, and energy reserves, theoretical complete clearance will take approximately 6 minutes and 47 seconds, consuming 0.3% of the zhurong engine output power, which is within acceptable limits. Recommend using 'Bee Swarm' mode for area-saturated precision sniping." Nuwa quickly provided the answer and marked the suggested attack path and fire coverage area on the 3D model.
"Theoretical hit rate?"
"Based on our ship's sensor precision and fire control system response speed, for non-maneuvering targets over ten centimeters, the predicted hit rate is 99.97%."
"Very good." A sharp light flashed in Long Zhantian's eyes. This wasn't just clearing the flight path; it was an excellent pre-combat warm-up and system test. Sharpening the blade on these defenseless fragments was better than having the first shot be against the unknown 'piercer'.
"All hands, attention," he opened the broadcast again. "This is the Captain. Our ship is about to conduct the final live-fire system test before combat. Target: NDC-779 debris cloud ahead. Combat mode: 'Bee Swarm' precision clearance. All stations, operate according to Grade 1 combat readiness standards, but there is no need to activate main weapons or shields. This time, we're going to give the Solar System a 'spring cleaning'."
With the order given, the atmosphere in the bridge changed abruptly from tense waiting to focused action. Even though it was just cleaning up trash, everyone treated it as a true combat rehearsal.
"Course adjustment initiated, cutting into the optimal attack line."
"zhurong engine output stable, attitude control system ready."
"All secondary battery arrays charging, close-in electromagnetic gun system online."
"Nuwa taking over fire control, attack parameters programmed."
The elegant hull of the soaring heavens traced a slight arc in the starry sky, adjusting its attitude to point its broadside toward the distant debris cloud. On the sides and belly of the hull, dozens of originally closed weapon bay covers slid open silently, revealing the densely packed muzzles of the secondary batteries inside—while these weapons were far less powerful than the Thunder Department main guns, their high rate of fire, precision, and low energy consumption made them ideal for dealing with small targets and barrages.
"Entering optimal range. 'Bee Swarm' mode, activate," Long Zhantian ordered in a low voice.
"'Bee Swarm' mode activated. Area scanning locked, threat targets prioritized... First wave, fire."
The moment Nuwa's voice fell, dozens of ghostly blue flame-flowers seemed to bloom instantly on the broadside of the soaring heavens! It wasn't an explosion, but the propellant flare produced when the secondary batteries fired specialized high-explosive or kinetic rounds at high speed (retaining a small amount of propellant in a vacuum to adjust trajectories). Dozens of faint streaks of light shot out at different angles and speeds; they weren't covering blindly, but each shot was aimed at the future position of a specific fragment calculated by Nuwa in an instant.
A fraction of a second later, a series of tiny flashes, like festive fireworks, began to light up in the distant debris cloud—silent, yet so dense it was dazzling. That was the energy release from the projectiles accurately hitting their targets, either completely pulverizing them or pushing them out of the safe orbit.
On the main screen, the points of light representing the debris were extinguished in large swaths at an alarming speed. The 3D model updated the cleanup progress in real-time, as a clear and safe flight path was rapidly being carved out.
"Nuwa reporting: First wave clearance rate 98.3%. Three targets failed to be hit directly due to extreme irregular rotation causing trajectory prediction deviations. They have been marked; second wave follow-up fire initiated."
"Second wave, fire."
Another dozens of light streaks followed. This time, those three stubborn points of light were also annihilated.
"Detected that some meter-scale fragments disintegrated into a large number of centimeter-scale fragments after the first hit. Threat level decreased but quantity increased. Activating close-in electromagnetic gun arrays for 'Metal Storm' sweep."
On the surface of the soaring heavens' hull, even more and smaller muzzles extended, spitting out deadly barrages at a frequency hard for the naked eye to catch. Like a giant space broom, they swept away the stragglers and the newly formed small fragments.
The entire cleanup process was seamless and precise, like a choreographed dance. Nuwa acted as the brain, coordinating the whole situation and allocating targets; the soaring heavens acted as the body, responding flexibly and unleashing full firepower; Long Zhantian and the crew acted as supervisors and final decision-makers, monitoring the entire process and ready to intervene at any time.
Five minutes and twelve seconds later.
"'Bee Swarm' mode deactivated. NDC-779 debris cloud core area, clearance rate for threat targets larger than ten centimeters: 100%. Flight path safety confirmed," Nuwa reported the final result calmly.
Inside the bridge, many officers secretly breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing a bit of excitement and pride. Such efficient and precise cleanup operations fully demonstrated the soaring heavens' powerful situational awareness, fire control calculation, and multi-target engagement capabilities. This wasn't just a cleanup; it was a perfect test of the coordinated combat capabilities of the warship and its crew.
Long Zhantian did not show too much pride, only nodding slightly. "Record the data. Analyze the energy consumption curve, weapon system response delay, and Nuwa's target allocation algorithm efficiency from this operation, and compare them with the simulation data. All discrepancies must be optimized before we reach the position."
"Yes!" the operations staff officer immediately began to work.
Long Zhantian looked at the main screen. The area of the debris cloud that was originally pale red had returned to the deep blue representing safety. The soaring heavens continued forward unhurriedly along the clean flight path it had just opened.
He leaned back in the captain's chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest. This small display of prowess proved that the 'fingers' of the soaring heavens were flexible enough and its 'eyes' sharp enough. But the real test would be the upcoming 'piercer'—one that would resist, learn, and 'greet' them in an even more ferocious manner.
The edge has been tested; next, it's time to see blood.
"Distance to the interception position: three hours and forty-eight minutes," the Vice Captain reported.
"Maintain speed and continue monitoring the 'piercer's' movements. All hands, Grade 2 readiness rest, take turns for meals. In two hours, I want everyone in their best state to welcome our guest," Long Zhantian ordered, closing his eyes and beginning to mentally rehearse every detail of the plan for the last time.