169: Chapter 169 Attack! Target: Near Earth Orbit
The finalization of the "plan-Modified" scheme was like a bucket of ice water mixed with iron sand poured over the hearts of every crew member on the "soaring heavens," instantly cooling the slight agitation bred by the global live broadcast and the initial victory of repelling the scout. It left behind a colder, more pragmatic fighting spirit. Survival first, data above all—these eight words were branded into everyone's marrow.
Inside the bridge, there was no longer any superfluous noise. There were only the low, muffled confirmation voices of officers at their stations, the steady and deep hum of instruments, and Nuwa's calm, emotionless electronic voice, refreshing tactical information by the millisecond:
"zhurong engine status: All green, output power stable at 85%, ready for emergency acceleration at any time."
"Joint Force Field Shield System: Standby at minimum power, energy circuits clear, 1.8 seconds required to reach 70% power."
"Thunder Department main battery array: Pre-charging 30% complete, energy conduit cooling system operating at full capacity."
"Ship-wide sensor fusion network: Switched to combat mode, detection radius expanded to two million kilometers, key scanning sectors locked."
"Data streaming return link: Triple-encrypted quantum channels with the system matrix, Guanghan Palace base, and Earth's GDC core node established; bandwidth usage at 17%, ample redundancy."
"Seed Protocol pre-loaded, core data buffer isolation and encryption complete, trigger thresholds set."
Every report was concise and precise, outlining the final and most meticulous "warm-up" state of a warship before engaging in a life-and-death struggle. Every component was pushed to the brink, yet held firmly within the safety framework by powerful control systems and rigorous training.
Long Zhantian sat in the captain's seat, his safety belt automatically clicking into place, linking him tightly to this steel behemoth. His gaze, like the most precise radar, swept over the integrated situational map on the main screen again and again. The blue triangular light representing the "soaring heavens" moved steadily along a course slightly adjusted by Nuwa's precise calculations toward the void marked as "Interception Zone Alpha." There, the red cursor representing the piercer approached at a constant speed, the distance numerical value on the corner of the screen decreasing relentlessly.
Time: Fifty-six minutes.
"Maintain course. Maintain speed," Long Zhantian issued the most basic commands, his voice so steady it showed no ripple of emotion. Before a true storm arrives, there is often an oppressive calm. He needed the crew to maintain this state of high focus without being overly tense.
"Bright Dawn base, request for access via highest-encryption channel," the communications officer suddenly reported.
"Patch it through," Long Zhantian's eyes shifted slightly.
Lin Mo's holographic image appeared on a small screen to the side of the tactical console. The background was still that laboratory filled with data streams, but his gaze was sharper than ever, as if it could pierce through distant space to look directly at the battlefield.
"Captain Long, the 'plan-Modified' scheme has been reviewed and approved in principle," Lin Mo said, getting straight to the point. "The system just completed an over-limit simulation based on the CR-7 wreckage data, and we have a very preliminary hypothesis regarding the Ripper's attack pattern."
Long Zhantian's spirits lifted: "Please, go on."
"That 'Matter Dissociation' effect might not be directly modifying physical constants—the energy and technological level required for that are unimaginable. It is more likely an extremely efficient 'Resonance Disintegration' technology that we have yet to master," Lin Mo spoke rapidly. "It locks onto specific molecular or atomic binding energy frequencies of the target material and injects extremely precise reverse resonance energy to 'pry open' the material structure from within. The alloy composition of CR-7 was relatively simple, making the attack highly efficient. However, our 'soaring heavens' has a much more complex material composition, especially with the new composite armor and force field shields. Their binding energy frequencies are more complex and variable, and they might even have anti-interference coatings. This might be our glimmer of hope."
A glimmer of hope! Long Zhantian instantly caught the key: "In other words, our shields and armor might be able to disrupt or dilute that attack?"
"It's only a possibility, and the effect is unknown. The system's simulation success rate is only 34%," Lin Mo stated frankly. "But this is currently the only data-based optimistic speculation. Nuwa must, at all costs during the engagement, attempt to capture and analyze any possible energy attack frequency signatures of the piercer—especially that 'Dark Red Particle Stream' if it has one—and compare it with the Ripper's 'Void Beam.' Even if we can only gain a few tenths of a second of buffer time, it is crucial."
"Understood. Frequency analysis will be one of the highest priorities for data collection." Long Zhantian noted this critical task.
"Additionally," Lin Mo paused, his tone becoming even more solemn, "the system detected an abnormal peak in the Ripper's scanning activity in Jupiter's orbit ten minutes ago, which has since leveled off. We cannot determine if it has completed some kind of assessment or locked onto its next target. You must be mentally and technically prepared for it to appear at any time. All resources from Bright Dawn and Guanghan Palace, including the newly produced zhurong engine prototype, are on standby and can provide limited long-range support or interference if necessary."
"Understood. Thank you for the support from the rear," Long Zhantian responded solemnly. The "long-range support" Lin Mo from North Heaven Gate spoke of would surely come at a massive cost with unknown effects, but it was in itself an unwavering commitment of support.
"I wish you..." Lin Mo looked at Long Zhantian, and at the young faces standing ready in the bridge background, his thousands of words condensing into one simple sentence: "...bring the data back."
Communication ended.
Long Zhantian took a deep breath, digesting the limited but vital information Lin Mo had brought. Resonance Disintegration... complex material resistance... behind these terms was a glimmer of light that scientists had scraped out of despair. Now, it was time for these warriors to use steel and flesh to verify if this glimmer could truly light a path to survival.
Time: Forty-eight minutes.
"Attention all decks," Long Zhantian opened the broadcast again, his voice echoing clearly in every corner through the quantum network. "This is Captain Long Zhantian. We are about to enter the final engagement course. The enemy is powerful, and their methods of attack exceed our understanding. But our scientists have already found a possible way for us to respond. Our mission is to verify it, to expand upon it, to see the enemy clearly with our own eyes, to record the enemy with our sensors, and to use our battle to pave the way to victory for those behind us—even if that path requires us to measure the first inch with our lives."
"This is not a charge in pursuit of glory; this is a sacrifice to scout the way for civilization. I demand that you: trust your training, trust your comrades, trust Nuwa, and even more, trust the wisdom and power gathered from the countless people behind us. Stay calm and strictly execute every step of the 'plan-Modified' scheme. Data is our ammunition; survival is our position."
"I will emphasize one last time: when Nuwa issues the withdrawal command, no one is to hesitate! Leave the hatred and anger to the data analysis room, and bring the living warship and the precious data back home!"
"For Earth, for civilization."
"soaring heavens, Full Ahead Four!"
"Full Ahead Four!" Hundreds of voices roared back in response from the bridge, the engine room, the weapons control room, and every battle station, merging into an invisible, resolute torrent.
On the main screen, the blue light of the "soaring heavens" suddenly accelerated! The faint blue plasma flames erupting from the rear zhurong engine instantly became thicker and more dazzling, as if lighting a defiant beacon against the black curtain of space! The massive hull tore through the silent void, carrying an indomitable momentum as it charged without looking back toward the starscape destined to be ignited by the fires of war!
Target: Interception Zone Alpha.
Target: the piercer.
Target: To cast the first blood-stained, yet incredibly precious, pathfinding stone for human civilization within the Dark Forest!
Strike!