12: hope

Han Zhe let out a long, silent sigh of relief, only then realizing that the back of his uniform was soaked with cold sweat, sticking to the icy cabin wall.

[Target moving away. Trajectory analysis: its behavioral pattern leans more toward resource reconnaissance or environmental mapping, rather than targeted surveillance or attack.] the system reported.

"Record the characteristics and coordinates of this target. We might encounter it again in the future." Han Zhe said with lingering fear. "Also, system, prioritize energy recovery! We need to gain self-defense capability as soon as possible, even the most basic!"

[Understood. Energy recovery priority has been elevated. According to the survival plan, the next critical step: obtain safe drinking water. Recommendation: after energy recovers above 1.5% and the host's physical strength has somewhat recovered, execute one ultra-short-duration, high-precision EVA, target locked on the previously marked ice-crystal conglomerate. Utilize the optimal collection path and tool usage angles pre-analyzed by the refining core to maximize efficiency and minimize time outside the cabin.]

Water... Han Zhe licked his increasingly chapped lips. The burning sensation in his throat had reached an unbearable level. His body's need for water overwhelmed his fear of the unknown probe and his dread of another EVA.

"Calculate the minimum recovery time I need, as well as the minimum energy and resource requirements to execute this collection mission," he asked hoarsely.

[Calculating... Based on the current energy recovery rate (0.04%/hour) and the host's physiological indicators, recommendation: enter hibernation recovery for 12 standard hours. By then, energy level is projected to reach 1.2%, and the host's condition can support one EVA of no more than 8 minutes at maximum effort. Resources required: none (use existing tools). Success probability estimate: 68% (primary risks: spacesuit malfunction, hypothermia, target ice crystals dispersing unexpectedly during collection).]

68%... better than half. And without water, he wouldn't even last long enough for that 68% chance.

"Execute the recovery plan. 12 hours of hibernation. System, maintain minimal monitoring. If there is any anomaly (including that metal olive returning, or a new threat approaching), wake me immediately."

[Command confirmed. Activating host deep recovery assistance mode. Energy concentrated on life support and nervous system stabilization. Entering hibernation countdown: 3... 2... 1...]

A gentle, drowsy warmth enveloped Han Zhe's consciousness, pulling him into a dreamless, profound darkness. This was the first truly, relatively "safe" sleep he had experienced since crossing over.

---

Twelve hours passed under the system's precise timing.

Han Zhe was pulled back to reality from his slumber by a gentle but firm awakening stimulus. Opening his eyes, the cabin remained dim, but the mental fatigue and headache had lessened considerably. Although his body was still weak, and the thirst burned like fire in his throat, he at least had the strength to move.

[Hibernation ended. host's basic physiological indicators have recovered to the actionable threshold. Energy level: 1.23%. Life support system countdown: 59 standard hours. External environment scan: stable, no anomalous targets detected. Target ice-crystal conglomerate location updated, distance: 28 meters, relative velocity: negligible.]

"Prepare for EVA. System, import the optimal collection path, tool usage angles, and estimated ice crystal density map into my visual assistance." Han Zhe took a deep breath and began the laborious process of putting on that cold, leaky, battery-depleted spacesuit. This time, it felt even more cumbersome and uncomfortable, like wearing an iron coffin.

[Path import complete. Note: target conglomerate has a loose structure. Recommend using the small collection net (unused) from the toolkit, paired with the wrench for overall prying to avoid ice crystal splatter from striking. Total estimated actions: 23. Sequence optimized.]

Pale blue dotted arrows and action prompts overlaid Han Zhe's field of view, pointing toward that inconspicuous, grayish-white conglomerate slowly tumbling in the debris field.

Entering the airlock again, depressurization, opening the hatch.

The icy void and weightlessness assaulted him once more. This time, Han Zhe didn't hesitate. Following the system's guidance, he drifted toward the target in the most energy-efficient and propellant-conserving manner. The 28-meter distance, with the optimized path and actions, took less than a minute.

The ice-crystal conglomerate was now close, about the size of a suitcase, with a rough surface mixed with metal fragments and dust. Han Zhe stabilized himself, carefully unfolded the collection net (a simple tool with a telescopic pole and a fine metal mesh), aligned the net opening with the conglomerate from the system-marked optimal angle, and then gently pried the conglomerate's base with the wrench.

"Crack..." A faint vibration transmitted. The conglomerate loosened as a whole. He carefully adjusted the net opening, slowly "scooping" the entire conglomerate into it! The process went smoother than expected, with only a small amount of fragmented ice drifting from the edges.

Successful capture! He immediately tightened the net opening, attached the bulging collection net to the magnetic lock on his waist (it barely held), turned around, and activated the thrusters to return.

The return journey was still tense. The temperature inside the spacesuit dropped faster, and numbness in his limbs intensified. The oxygen reserve warning sounded again, earlier than before. He practically used willpower alone to drive his stiff arms and legs, grabbing onto the escape pod's hull to pull himself back into the airlock.

Closing the outer hatch, he didn't even wait for the pressure to fully repressurize before collapsing in the airlock chamber, his vision darkening in waves. This feeling of exhaustion was even worse than last time.

[EVA completed. Duration: 7 minutes 48 seconds. host vital signs: critical. Initiating emergency recovery protocol... Energy output...]

The familiar, faint warmth once again protected his heart. Gasping, Han Zhe waited until the pressure was mostly restored before struggling to crawl back into the main cabin and remove the spacesuit. His fingers were nearly frostbitten, his lips purple.

But he paid no mind to that, immediately looking at the collection net. Inside was a heavy lump of ice-crystal mixture.

"System... immediately... refine... extract water..." he practically squeezed out the words.

[Command confirmed. Transferring target material into the refining core via the input port.]

Han Zhe laboriously poured the ice-crystal mixture from the collection net into the bowl-sized input slot on the side of the refining core. The mixture slid inside, accompanied by faint mechanical sounds.

[Material analysis confirmed: water ice content approximately 32%, impurities primarily silicate dust, metal oxides. Initiating low-temperature melt-separation - filtration - condensation process. Estimated duration: 25 minutes. Energy consumption: 0.8%.]

The energy level would drop from 1.23% to 0.43%... but it was worth it! Han Zhe stared intently at the refining core. This time, the faint blue glow on its surface reignited (at minimum brightness), and faint hissing sounds of liquid flow and condenser operation came from within.

Twenty-five minutes felt like twenty-five centuries. Han Zhe sat leaning against the core, able to feel the cabin temperature drop slightly due to the condenser's operation, but this chill only made his anticipation more keen.

Finally—

Ding.

A soft chime. On the lower front of the refining core, an inconspicuous recess popped open, containing a standard Imperial military-issue canteen (metal casing, well-sealed). This was a container the refining core had formed on its own based on the material composition and available molds (likely from database fragments).

Han Zhe's trembling hand picked up the canteen. It felt heavy and cold. He unscrewed the cap—

Clear, colorless, odorless water met his eyes.

He carefully took a small sip.

Cold. Sweet. (Perhaps just an illusion from extreme thirst.) The liquid slid down his throat, soothing every inch of his burning mucous membranes, bringing a tremor of near-bliss.

He didn't gulp it down, restraining himself to drinking only about a hundred milliliters. The thirst instantly eased significantly, and his spirits lifted. He carefully resealed the canteen, holding it in his arms, feeling the weighty, life-giving substance.

[Water extraction completed. Acquired purified water: approximately 1.2 liters. Energy level: 0.41%. refining core entering energy-saving standby.]

[Survival plan step one: achieved.]

Water was secured. Though not much, rationing it could sustain him for many days.

More importantly was confidence. The refining core had proven its value. He possessed the ability to transform space debris into survival resources.

He carefully stored the canteen and looked out the window. The debris field remained, the starry sky unchanged. That mysterious metal olive had not reappeared.

But with water, and with this small, ugly refining core, this dark void no longer seemed so absolutely despairing.

He slowly lay down, still exhausted, but a faint yet resolute light had rekindled in his eyes.

Next step... repair the life support system. Or, try making something else.

The road ahead was still long. But at least, he now had the strength to walk it, and... the tools.