170: Chapter 170 First Encounter: An Invisible Clash
As the echoes of the "Full Speed Ahead Four" command still reverberated through the bridge, the "soaring heavens'" "zhurong engine" erupted with a low roar that shook the ship's structure. The ghostly blue tail flame, like a sharp spear piercing the galaxy, propelled the massive ten-thousand-ton vessel into the cold void marked as "Interception Zone Alpha" with a violent posture far exceeding conventional cruising speeds.
Inside the bridge, the sense of time was highly compressed. Every second was stretched thin, filled with massive data refreshes and Nuwa's calm, almost cruel situational reports.
"Distance to target 'the piercer': 50,000 kilometers. Relative speed 3,200 kilometers per second, continuing to converge."
"Target signal characteristics are stable; no large-scale energy accumulation or weapon preheating signs detected."
"Our ship's combined force field shield power: increased to 45%, coverage of critical areas of the hull completed."
"'Thunder Department' main cannon charging: 45%... 50%... charging rate affected by acceleration maneuvers, expected deviation of 1.7%, compensated."
Long Zhantian leaned forward slightly, like a tiger ready to pounce, his gaze locked onto the increasingly clear point of light representing "the piercer" through the main screen. It was no longer an abstract red cursor on the star map, but under the magnification of high-precision optical sensors, it revealed its true, hideous silhouette—a creation far more slender than the "soaring heavens," with a structure full of irregular angles and a dark surface that seemed covered in flowing shadows. Its method of advancement was not continuous jet propulsion, but a strange, silent, and steady approach, as if space itself were "collapsing" behind it to push it forward. There was no sound, yet it was more heart-stopping than the roar of any engine.
"40,000 kilometers... 35,000 kilometers... entering high-threat distance." Nuwa's broadcast frequency quietly accelerated.
According to the "hou yi-modified" scheme, this distance was the preset zone for first contact and probing. As expected—
"An abnormally high-energy electromagnetic pulse burst detected from the direction of 'the piercer'! The frequency spans an extremely wide range, with peak intensity exceeding expectations by 37%!" The electronic warfare officer's voice suddenly rose. "The pulse carries strong information disturbance characteristics, suspected to be offensive data viruses or logic bombs! Attempting to infiltrate our ship's external sensors and secondary communication networks!"
The invisible confrontation had already begun with a bang before the two sides made physical contact! "the piercer" struck first with electronic suppression and information warfare, attempting to paralyze the "soaring heavens'" "eyes," "ears," and "neural network" before the ship's cannons could even fire!
Almost simultaneously with the electronic warfare officer's warning, several auxiliary screens in the bridge flickered, showing brief static and distortion, and several non-critical external sensor readings began to show disorder.
"Nuwa! Activate the 'Mozi' Quantum Network Active Defense Protocol! Isolate external interference and purify the data stream!" Long Zhantian ordered sharply. He did not panic; this was exactly one of the attack methods anticipated in the contingency plan.
"'Mozi' protocol activated. Quantum encryption channels switched to combat frequency hopping mode. Detected seven unknown advanced infiltration algorithms attempting to break through our secondary firewall... analyzing algorithm characteristics... matches 'system' threat database 'reaper-probe' attack pattern derivative, threat level: Medium." Nuwa's response was lightning fast. Several inconspicuous nodes on the hull's surface lit up with a faint glow, and an invisible information barrier based on quantum entanglement was instantly strengthened.
The flickering screens quickly stabilized, and the disordered readings were corrected or marked as "contaminated data, isolated." The "data viruses" attempting to infiltrate, after hitting the quantum encryption and the dynamic logic maze constructed by Nuwa, were like mud entering the sea—either instantly strangled or trapped in an infinite loop of virtual traps, unable to cause any substantial impact on the core systems.
"'Mozi' network defense successful. Enemy information attacks effectively blocked, no intrusion into core systems. Reverse-tracking pulse source, analyzing its attack pattern and energy composition... detected periodic frequency probes within the pulse, suspected to be scanning our ship's energy shield and internal system resonance frequencies." Nuwa quickly reported the results and provided a deeper analysis.
Frequency probes! Long Zhantian's heart skipped a beat, instantly recalling the "resonance collapse" hypothesis mentioned by Lin Mo. "the piercer" was also trying to find the "resonance weakness" of the "soaring heavens"!
"Record all frequency probe data and synchronize it for 'system' analysis! Nuwa, activate the 'Spectrum Camouflage' protocol, randomly modulate our ship's external energy radiation characteristics and shield resonance frequency. We must not let it figure out the pattern!" Long Zhantian reacted extremely quickly.
"'Spectrum Camouflage' activated. Shield frequency entering chaotic modulation state, external energy radiation characteristics being obfuscated." Nuwa immediately executed the command.
In the first round of invisible electronic and information offense and defense, the "soaring heavens" successfully neutralized the threat by relying on the cutting-edge advantages of the "Mozi" quantum network and Nuwa's rapid response, even beginning to collect data on the opponent's attack patterns. But everyone knew this was just the appetizer.
"Distance 28,000 kilometers. Local energy on the surface of 'the piercer' detected to be rising sharply! Suspected weapon port activation!" The sensor officer's voice was tight.
On the main screen, several irregular protrusions on the dark surface of "the piercer" suddenly lit up with an ominous, dark red glow, like clotted blood, and energy readings soared!
"Here it comes! All hands, increase shield power to 70%! 'Thunder Department' main cannon charging accelerated, target locked! Prepare to meet the first round of physical attacks!" Long Zhantian's voice rang out like a war drum.