146: bottle of god

"Prometheus Action Group has completed the final integration test of the conceptual isolation capture device, codenamed gods bottle." Governor Lei Huan's report came from The Other Shore-1, his voice as tight as a bowstring. In the holographic projection, an intimidatingly massive structure was displayed: the core was a polyhedral heart forged from a composite of void crystal and stasis dust, pulsing with dark gold and silver-gray light. Around it were multiple layers of energy rings, inverse-phase rune arrays, and binding chains made of what seemed like living metal. "The abyss of order long-range power link is stable, and the pre-activation test for the Time-Stasis Field Generator is normal. All combat units have completed final calibration and are awaiting the order to strike."

Meanwhile, deep within the Oblivion Corridor nebula, the surveillance data from the Pioneer Deep Dive III sub-fleet flowed like a torrent into the logic core of custodian-alpha. That dark red energy vortex had nearly doubled in size over the past week, and the struggles of the blurry form at its center had become increasingly violent and purposeful. It had begun to actively prey on passing asteroids, nebular gases, and even occasional, faint Warp energy ripples. The conceptual fluctuations of "hunger" and "desire for existence" it emitted were already strong enough to cause a soul-stirring sensation for Psionic-Sensitives (if any) several light-years away.

"Updating the conceptual evolution model for the divine entity temporarily named: Taotie Prototype." providence (integrating custodian's analysis) reported, [Its core 'definition' is rapidly solidifying: a composite concept based on 'absolute deprivation' and 'infinite devouring.' It desires to absorb, assimilate, and transform all 'existence' to fill its own void and incompleteness. Current energy level estimate: equivalent to the total output of a medium-sized star, and still growing exponentially. Full formation time window: revised to seven to fifteen standard days.]

"Prometheus Operation, start the countdown." Han Zhe finally ordered at the Keystone-1 Command Center. "Complete the capture before the Taotie Prototype fully solidifies. Lei Huan, I'm transferring operational command to you, with the custodian assisting. Alpha, ensure the stability of the Galactic Front; no force must be allowed to interfere with this operation."

"Understood!" The two responses rang out almost simultaneously.

Extragalactic galaxy, the edge of the Oblivion Corridor nebula.

The Prometheus task force, composed of three specially reinforced Infiltrator-IV stealth command ships, twelve fortress-class mobile platforms (carrying gods bottle components and heavy firepower), and a large number of Swarm-IV suicide jamming drones, arrived quietly at their designated positions like ghosts merging into the darkness.

"'custodian' long-range tactical link established. Commencing the first phase of the 'Decoy' protocol." Lei Huan stood in the Command Center of the flagship 'Abyss Diver,' his eyes fixed on the increasingly ominous dark red vortex on the main screen.

Several disguised Decoy Ships equipped with high-energy signal transmitters were released. They simulated the faint detection signals and energy signatures previously emitted by the Deep Dive III sub-fleet, drifting slowly toward the edge of the Taotie Prototype's sensory range like scented bait.

Almost the instant the "decoy" appeared, the dark red vortex suddenly stalled. Then, a more frantic and greedy "attention" swept over like a physical tentacle! The blurry form in the center of the vortex seemed to "turn its head" toward the decoy. Subsequently, the entire vortex began to accelerate its rotation, pulling surrounding nebular matter with it as it slowly "moved" toward the bait!

"Target is hooked! Reaction meets expectations! Its 'devouring' instinct has overridden its caution toward the unknown," the technical officer whispered.

"Maintain distance, retreat slowly, and guide it into the preset trap zone," Lei Huan ordered calmly. The Decoy Ships began to retreat along a predetermined route toward a relatively empty area of the nebula where the Prometheus task force had already laid an inescapable net. The Taotie Prototype followed closely as expected, its movement speed increasing as the desire for "food" made it slightly impatient.

"'gods bottle' all components, move to final deployment positions! Time-Stasis Field Generator, preheat!" Lei Huan's command was instantly transmitted to every combat unit through the custodian-optimized network.

The twelve fortress-class platforms deployed at the designated coordinates like silent giants. On their massive hulls, complex mechanical structures began to operate, precisely assembling and calibrating the core and binding components of the gods bottle. A Conceptual Isolation Field, invisible to the naked eye but appearing as a dark gold grid on sensors, began to unfurl slowly using these platforms as anchors, like a massive, invisible beast cage.

"Target has entered the periphery of the trap zone! Three thousand kilometers from the designated capture point!" the navigator reported.

"Activate High-Energy Bait! Maximum power!" Lei Huan ordered.

The high-purity energy crystals pre-installed inside the Decoy Ships were instantly overloaded and detonated! The simulated, intense energy eruption, like a "delicacy," acted as a beacon in the darkness, fiercely stimulating the Taotie Prototype's senses based on "deprivation" and "devouring"!

"Roar—!!!"

A silent roar, not transmitted through any medium but echoing directly in the minds of all combat personnel—a mix of endless hunger and ecstasy—shook the entire star sector! The Taotie Prototype completely abandoned its last shred of "hesitation." Its dark red energy vortex suddenly expanded and accelerated, charging toward the center of the energy eruption like a pouncing beast!

"Now!"

"'Time-Stasis Field'—Activate!!"

The Time-Stasis Field Generators deployed at key points in the trap zone reached maximum power simultaneously! The specialized stasis dust was excited by the energy field, turning into a silver-gray mist that seemed to freeze time itself, instantly enveloping the entire core of the trap area!

The Taotie Prototype's fierce forward momentum was like crashing into an invisible, extremely viscous colloid. The rotation speed of its energy vortex slowed visibly to the naked eye, and the struggling movements of the blurry form in the center became like slow motion. The flow of nebular matter, the radiation of energy, and even the propagation of light all exhibited a bizarre lag within this area. This was not a complete stop of time, but a drastic slowing of all physical and energy processes within the region.