16: A bountiful harvest

[Warning: Encrypted beacon signal strength is increasing within the confined space! Broadcast range may expand! Immediate handling of the beacon source is recommended!]

Handle it? How? Smash the crate? What if there are still good things inside? Or... jam it?

Han Zhe struggled to his feet and looked at the metal crate that took up nearly half the airlock. The red indicator light on its side continued to flash glaringly, and its hum was like some ominous heartbeat.

"System, scan the crate's internal structure. Locate the beacon's exact position and power source! Is it possible to physically sever or shield it without damaging the crate's primary contents?"

[Scanning... Structure is complex, with multiple layers of shielding and cushioning material inside. Beacon power source: Independent miniature isotope battery (long-lasting, low-power), embedded within the crate's structure. Physical removal would require compromising the crate's integrity; risk is unknown. Attempting targeted electromagnetic shielding... Requires specific materials and structure; currently not feasible.]

An independent, long-lasting battery... That means this thing will keep screaming until the battery dies, which could take years! It's basically a monster-attracting lighthouse!

Han Zhe's eyes hardened. It couldn't stay! At the very least, this beacon couldn't stay!

He drew his alloy wrench and, guided by the system's scan, located a relatively weak spot on the crate's side, near the beacon unit.

Taking a deep breath, he raised the wrench high and smashed it down with all his might!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The deafening clang of metal on metal echoed through the cramped airlock. The crate was exceptionally sturdy, but under his desperate, relentless pounding, that spot began to dent and deform.

Finally, after who knows how many strikes—

Crack!

A fist-sized hole was smashed into the crate! A stronger smell of ozone wafted out. Inside the hole, complex cabling and metal structures were visible, along with a thumbnail-sized black cube module flashing red light and emitting a frantic hum—that was the beacon!

Without a moment's hesitation, Han Zhe thrust the tip of the wrench into the hole and pried hard!

Zzzap—!

A burst of short-circuiting sparks erupted. The red light instantly went out, and the maddening hum ceased abruptly.

The beacon had been physically destroyed.

Han Zhe slumped against the crate, exhausted, panting heavily and dripping with sweat. The immediate crisis was resolved, but the crate was broken. The things inside... With trepidation, he carefully used his tools to pry open and enlarge the damaged metal plate, revealing the interior.

The shock-absorbing foam was already cracked. He reached in and felt around.

The first things he touched were several cold, silver-gray cubes of the same specification as the previous Battery A and B. He pulled them out one by one and counted them in the dim light: three! Added to the two previously consumed, this crate originally contained at least five military-grade high-energy batteries! He'd hit the jackpot!

Next was a book-sized, flat container sealed with high-strength polymer. System scans indicated the contents were... high-purity emergency medical supplies and biological tissue culture medium? Even though he didn't understand much of it, it was definitely top-shelf stuff.

Then came several well-packaged electronic modules with complex interfaces. Judging by the markings, they seemed like spare parts for some kind of precision sensor or fire-control system.

Finally, at the very bottom of the crate, he felt a heavy, long object wrapped in special fiber cloth. Tearing open the cloth revealed its contents—

It was a gun.

Not an ordinary laser pistol or ballistic rifle. It was about a meter long, with a compact structure full of industrial beauty. It was matte black all over, with a thick barrel. Complex energy conduits and heat-dissipating fins ran along its side. The stock integrated a small energy gauge and status display screen. An eagle insignia and a line of small text were etched on the grip: "'Heavy Hitter' Type plasma pistol - Master Sergeant Issue".

A plasma pistol! Heavy firepower among individual energy weapons! Although just a pistol model, its power far exceeded ordinary laser weapons, enough to pose a serious threat to lightly armored targets!

Han Zhe's heart raced again. He carefully picked up the heavy weapon. It felt cool to the touch, with the unique texture of precision machinery. The energy gauge was dark, showing empty. It required dedicated high-energy batteries or a charger. The military batteries found in the crate nearby... the interfaces didn't seem to match perfectly, but the system might be able to modify them.

Besides the weapon, there were also two matching, already-depleted standard energy magazines.

This time, he'd truly struck gold! Not only had he solved the imminent resource problem (three high-energy batteries!), but he'd also obtained precious medical supplies, possibly useful electronic spare parts, and... a real weapon!

After the initial elation came a swift, sober assessment. The crate was damaged, the beacon destroyed, but there was no guarantee the Imperial military didn't have other ways to track this type of special supply crate. He couldn't stay here long. He had to quickly utilize these newly acquired resources to advance the SCV's construction and platform development, and then... leave this area.

He carefully moved all the items into the main cabin, leaving the damaged crate temporarily in the airlock. Of the three high-energy batteries, one was almost fully charged (98%), and the other two had over 70% charge. Combined with the remaining charge from the previous half-used Battery B (19%), his energy reserves were unprecedentedly abundant.

"System, recalculate the SCV manufacturing plan using the newly acquired batteries and supplies. Prioritize manufacturing the energy core and power systems! The 'sunflower' charging station will continue operating to provide auxiliary power to the refining core. Also, analyze this plasma pistol. See if it can be adapted to our energy system or modified."

[Command confirmed. Recalculating...]

[Utilizing the high-purity energy battery (98%) as a base, combined with the refining core's manufacturing capabilities, an attempt can be made to construct an 'SCV Light Version' emergency energy core (output power limited, but sufficient to support basic movement and tool operation). Estimated resource point consumption: 400 points (primarily for special material synthesis and precision machining).]

[plasma pistol analysis: Imperial STC standard design. Uses dedicated high-energy magazines or a compatible high-voltage DC interface for charging. Current magazines are depleted. The system can attempt to modify the charging interface to allow slow charging using the 'sunflower' charging station or the refining core's energy. Modification requires 50 Resource Points and carries a risk of damaging the weapon.]

[Current total Resource Points: 550 points (300 consumed for sunflower manufacturing, 250 remaining, plus the potential value of newly acquired supplies estimated at approximately 300 points).]

Resource Points were available again! Although the SCV's construction would still take time, the emergency energy core, one of the biggest obstacles, seemed to have hope of being solved.

"Initiate SCV emergency energy core manufacturing! Simultaneously, attempt the plasma pistol charging interface modification, prioritizing minimum functionality!" Han Zhe ordered decisively. Having a weapon in hand would boost his sense of security by more than a notch.

[Command confirmed. Initiating dual-track manufacturing: SCV Emergency Energy Core (estimated duration: 8 standard hours). plasma pistol Interface Modification (estimated duration: 2 standard hours). Resource point consumption: 450 points.]

The refining core resumed full-speed operation. Within the deep blue glow, two different outlines were simultaneously taking shape: a more complex cubic structure with energy conduit interfaces, and subtle structural adjustments to the pistol's grip.

Han Zhe used this waiting period to begin processing the several high-energy batteries.

He decided to temporarily keep the battery at 98% charge as a strategic reserve and a potential main power source for the SCV.

As for the two batteries at 70% charge, he gritted his teeth:

"System, convert one 70% charge battery into Resource Points."

[Confirmed. Converting High-Density Energy Battery (70% energy).]

Another precious battery vanished into thin air, becoming a flickering number in the system interface.

[Conversion complete. Resource Points acquired: 1350. Current total Resource Points: 1450.]

Resources were unprecedentedly abundant! Manufacturing the SCV was no longer a distant dream!

Eight hours slowly passed in anticipation. When the refining core issued the completion prompt again, Han Zhe practically jumped up.

The first to complete was the plasma pistol. The modified grip now had an inconspicuous, covered universal charging port at its base.

He connected the pistol to the "sunflower" charging station. The charging indicator slowly lit up, showing it was charging at an extremely slow rate.

Slow, but at least it worked! He caressed the cold gun body lovingly; this was the first truly meaningful weapon he had possessed since crossing over, something that could bring a sense of security.

Next, the SCV's Emergency Power Core was also manufactured.

It was a dark silver metal block about the size of two fists, its surface covered with heat dissipation patterns and ports. It felt heavy in his hand, and he could sense a stable energy pulse inside.

According to the system description, this thing only had 30% of the standard version's output power and couldn't run at full load for long periods.

However, it should be sufficient for driving a Stripped-Down SCV for basic movement and operations.

Everything was ready except for the east wind—a suitable construction platform and the final assembly of the SCV.

"System, combining the components we already have (tires, hydraulic rods, custom connectors, etc.), the Emergency Power Core, and ample Resource Points, what else is needed to manufacture a complete Stripped-Down SCV now? How long will it take?"

[Recalculating... Existing components can meet 70% of the requirements for the main frame, simple mobile chassis (wheeled), and basic tool arm (magnetic grab + cutting welder).

Still need to manufacture: main control unit, sensor suite, joint servo system, and partial outer shell armor.

Using the refining core and current Resource Points, manufacturing the above components is estimated to consume: 600 Resource Points, time required: 10-12 standard hours.

Final assembly and debugging will require an additional 3-5 standard hours.]

In other words, with another 600-point investment and about 15 hours of waiting, he would have his very first SCV!

Han Zhe's heart raced again. He looked out the window; the debris belt slowly rotated under the starlight.

He needed to quickly find a piece of debris large enough, flat enough, and relatively stable to serve as the SCV's birthplace and initial work platform.

"System, increase scanning power. Search the debris belt for targets meeting the following criteria: size at least 10m x 10m, relatively flat surface, stable structure not prone to tumbling, preferably containing abundant metal resources itself."

[Command confirmed. Increasing scanning power... consuming additional energy... scanning...]

This time, the scan lasted longer. Han Zhe waited patiently, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cold barrel of the plasma pistol.

[Scan complete. Potential target found: designation D-4. Distance: approximately 120 meters.

Target description: suspected central section wreckage of a small cargo barge or engineering vessel. Dimensions: approx. 15m x 8m x 4m.

Structure: relatively intact, one end fractured, the other end sealed, surface has a large flat area.

Material: medium-thickness armor steel. Stability: currently in a slow spin state (cycle approx. 30 minutes), but can be made relatively stationary by attaching thrusters or mass adjustment.

Internal scan obstructed, but external metal concentration is high.]

That's the one!

120 meters—not a short distance. But with the SCV, that distance would be nothing.

The current problem was: how to transport the materials and equipment needed to manufacture the SCV to that platform?

Rely on manual EVA to move the refining core and a pile of components? Impossible.

Then... it could only be manufactured on-site. But the refining core couldn't be moved, and power mainly relied on the escape pod and the "sunflower."

A bold plan formed in Han Zhe's mind.

"System, if we transport the 'sunflower' charging station to the D-4 Platform, use it and the refining core for remote connection (via an enhanced data transmission cable, which we can manufacture), and set up a temporary, minimal 'Field Refining/Manufacturing Site' on the D-4 Platform specifically for the SCV's final assembly, is it feasible?"

[Plan assessment... Need to manufacture Ultra-Long-Distance Composite Cable (containing power and data channels), deploy small Relay Nodes, establish a simple support frame on the D-4 Platform to secure the 'sunflower' and components awaiting assembly...

Feasibility: 58%. Main risks: cable may be cut or tangled by debris, remote manufacturing control latency and stability issues, unknown environment of D-4 Platform may harbor dangers.]

58%... Another gamble. But compared to the ant-like EVA Moving (literal: moving house by ants, meaning moving things piecemeal manually), this plan was much more efficient.

"Execute this plan! Begin manufacturing the required ultra-long-distance cable and Relay Nodes immediately!

Simultaneously, use the existing components and resources from 'scavenger no. 1' to first cobble together a most simplified version of a 'carrier' unit capable of transporting the 'sunflower' and some lightweight components to the D-4 Platform!

Even if it can only move a few dozen meters, segmented transport is acceptable!"

Time waits for no one. The life support countdown was less than 30 standard hours. He had to race against time.

[Command confirmed. Initiating multi-line manufacturing/assembly plan:

1. Manufacture Ultra-Long-Distance Composite Cable and Relay Nodes (Resource Points: 200, time required: 4 hours).

2. Assemble 'Carrier No. 1' simple mobile platform (based on 'scavenger no. 1' frame and existing wheels, powered by residual energy from Battery B) (Resource Points: 50, time required: 2 hours).

3. Continue manufacturing remaining SCV components (Resource Points: 600, concurrent with the above).]

With this series of commands issued, the refining core operated at overload, its Dark Blue (dark blue) glow almost illuminating the entire main cabin.

Resource Points rapidly depleted, plummeting from 1450 to 600.

But Han Zhe's eyes were fixed only on that D-4 Platform and the silver figure about to be born upon it.

He picked up the slowly charging plasma pistol, checked the status of the "sunflower" charging station, and began making final preparations for the first "Remote Infrastructure" mission.

In the dark void, the escape pod was like a busy beehive, with faint yet determined lights flickering within.

Invisible plans and manufacturing commands were weaving the scattered debris and cold resources bit by bit into... the first cable leading to survival and the future.

Hope, like the welding sparks about to ignite on the D-4 Platform, was stubbornly brewing amidst absolute dead silence.