23: Silent Curtain

Pressure, like an invisible boulder, weighed heavily on Han Zhe's heart. The final pulse of the unknown probe was like a burning fuse thrown into a dark forest; no one knew what it would attract or when it would ignite. The secret of the stc fragment was like an alluring poison—it could bring a leap forward, or it could lead to destruction.

He had to arm himself to the teeth before the storm finished brewing—at least... arm himself enough to bite back, or hide himself deep enough.

The priority of pioneer-01's operations was adjusted once again. The beams of welding arcs leaped across the metal skeleton of ark one like a torrential rain. The sealing seams of the hull sections were checked and reinforced repeatedly, and the pre-set laser turret bases and power interfaces were welded into shape at maximum speed. Internally, the frameworks for the most basic air circulation pipes and water recovery units were prioritized; though crude, they at least outlined a small closed loop capable of sustaining life.

The consumption of resource points flowed like water. Life support module components, pre-fabricated parts for laser turrets, the manufacturing of reconnaissance drones... every item was rapidly devouring the materials collected by the SCV from the debris belt and the resources converted by the refining core. The points slid from 320, quickly falling below 200.

Energy levels also fluctuated due to the intensified construction activity, hovering around 3% throughout. Although the sunflower charging station and small energy sources discovered by the SCV provided constant replenishment, the consumption was equally massive.

Han Zhe was like a meticulous yet anxious butler, constantly adjusting resource allocation on the system interface and urging progress. He spent most of his time at a temporary monitoring station set up next to the sunflower (which was actually just a flat metal plate with a simple projected light screen from the system), staring at various data, his face appearing pale under the ghostly blue glow.

[Warning: Resource points are about to drop below the safety line (150 points). It is recommended to pause or delay non-critical construction to prioritize SCV collection efficiency and refining core operation.]

The system's prompt was cold and objective.

"We can't stop!" Han Zhe gritted his teeth. "The life support system framework must be completed today! At least one drone must be able to launch for reconnaissance! The laser turret bases and power interfaces must be in place!"

He glanced at the stc storage box hidden safely in the distance. That thing was like a silent treasure, but also like a ticking time bomb. Opening it might yield the key technology to break the deadlock, but it could also detonate everything in an instant.

"System, reassess: If we pour all remaining resources into it now, combined with the SCV's high-intensity collection over the next eight hours, can we immediately start reverse engineering or a trial activation of the omni-shield fragment technology after ark one's life support system is operational? Even if it's just a local, temporary enhancement of our existing cloaking field?"

[Calculating... Based on current resource acquisition rates and stc fragment shielding field analysis data... Feasibility: Extremely low (below 10%). Lack of deep understanding of STC encryption and energy structures makes forced reverse engineering highly risky, potentially leading to the complete destruction of the fragment or uncontrollable energy leakage. Recommendation: Follow the original plan, prioritize establishing basic survival and defense, accumulate more resources and energy, and wait until higher-level system data analysis capabilities are unlocked before attempting.]

Reason told Han Zhe that the system was right. But the sense of urgency in his heart was about to explode. Time—what he lacked most was time!

Just then, pioneer-01 sent an unexpected report. The tone remained steady, but the content made Han Zhe's spirits lift.

"pioneer-01 reporting: While clearing an area on the west side of the platform that has been covered by large debris for a long time, a high-density energy reaction and a large concentration of high-purity metals were discovered. The target is suspected to be part of the power room or a heavy weapon platform of a large ship, relatively well-preserved and not fully exposed to space. Preliminary scans show that its core area may contain energy crystal arrays that have not completely failed, as well as a large amount of rare alloys. Estimated resource value: Extremely high. However, the structure is unstable, and collection operations pose a risk of local collapse or energy leakage."

High-density energy? Large amounts of rare alloys? Relatively well-preserved?

Han Zhe stood up abruptly! "Perform a detailed scan immediately! Evaluate the best and safest mining plan! Spare no resources—prioritize manufacturing necessary support structures and safety protection equipment! We are taking it!"

This was truly a godsend! If it was as the SCV said, then this piece of wreckage likely contained the massive resources he urgently needed to change the situation instantly!

[Command confirmed. Initiating deep ground-penetrating radar scan and structural stress analysis of the 'West Side Rich Deposit'...]

New scanning data poured into the system like spring water. The images showed a twisted metal structure about the size of a small house, partially embedded between the main platform and another larger piece of debris. The outer armor was thick, and the internal structure was complex. In the center was indeed a crystal array that was dim but still emitted detectable energy pulses, surrounded by piles of alloy ingots with a special metallic luster and unopened standard parts boxes—it looked like an emergency spare parts depot or a weapon power supply node from inside a ship!

Preliminary estimates suggested that just the visible alloys and parts could convert into over 2,000 resource points! Not to mention that crystal array that might still hold some energy!

"Heaven is helping me!" Han Zhe clenched his fists, a burning light erupting in his eyes. "pioneer-01, suspend all other secondary operations! Concentrate all efforts on mining the West Side Rich Deposit! System, coordinate with the SCV to design the safest mining and reinforcement plan—use resources as needed! We need what's inside, as fast as possible!"

[Highest Priority: West Side Rich Deposit Mining. Plan generated: Step 1, use high-strength alloy support rods to stabilize the peripheral structure; Step 2, directionally cut the external armor to create a safe passage; Step 3, prioritize extracting high-value, easy-to-carry standard parts boxes and scattered alloy ingots; Step 4, finally handle the core energy crystal array (requires special protection and extraction tools). Estimated total time: 6-8 standard hours. Resource consumption (for manufacturing supports, cutting tools, and protection): approximately 180 points.]

"Approved! Execute immediately!"

The rhythm of the entire base changed abruptly. The SCV turned around and walked with heavy steps toward the west side of the platform. The refining core ran at full capacity, beginning to produce the various specialized tools and support structures required in the plan. Resource points began a new round of rapid consumption, but this time, Han Zhe didn't feel the slightest bit of pain; he could already see a future where his points exploded.

The mining operation proceeded tensely but orderly. The SCV acted like the finest miner and surgeon, guided by the system with centimeter-level precision, driving thick alloy support rods into fragile joints to stabilize the precarious peripheral structure. Then, the high-power cutting laser went to work, burning a neat entrance into the thick armor.

The first standard parts box was carefully removed by the magnetic claw, containing neatly stacked, cold-gleaming precision servo motors and sensor modules. Then came the second, the third... they contained various models of energy conduits, high-temperature resistant ceramic parts, and even several sets of perfectly sealed individual armor plates (lightweight models).

Scattered high-purity alloy ingots were also collected one by one. Under the refining core's scan, these metals showed amazing purity and special properties; every piece was highly valuable.

As piece after piece of "treasure" was transported out and piled in the temporarily designated "High-Value Material Zone," the resource point estimate on the system interface began to jump wildly.

[Obtained Standard Parts Box x5, estimated resource points: +750]

[Obtained High-Purity 'Stardust' Alloy Ingot x12, estimated resource points: +480]

[Obtained Precision-Machined Ceramic Composite Part x8, estimated resource points: +320]

...When all the peripheral high-value items were cleared, revealing the innermost dark gold crystal array—roughly the size of a refrigerator and surrounded by multiple protective structures—the resource point estimate had already broken the 2,500 mark! And it was still increasing as more scattered parts were tallied.

The real highlight arrived—the energy crystal array.

It was composed of dozens of dark gold hexagonal prism crystals of varying lengths and the thickness of an arm, arranged in a complex geometric structure. Most of the crystals were dim and covered in cracks, but about one-third of them still flowed with a faint but steady golden light, emitting heart-pounding energy fluctuations.

[Detected 'High-Intensity Psionic-Physical Hybrid Energy Crystal Array (Severely Damaged)'. Residual energy level: Medium. Energy nature: Unstable, containing unpurified Warp impurities and Adeptus Mechanicus blessing/binding runes. Direct contact or crude extraction poses a risk of explosion or Warp energy contamination. Recommendation: Use system-specialized inert energy buffer extraction tools and immediately send to the refining core for safety processing and energy extraction after removal.]

"Manufacture the extraction tools! Now!" Han Zhe's breathing was rapid. This thing might be the key to breaking through the energy bottleneck!

The specialized extraction tool was quickly manufactured—a metal frame with multiple flexible mechanical arms and a potent energy suppression field. Operating this frame like a bomb disposal expert, the SCV carefully separated, fixed, and slowly moved the still-energized crystals one by one from their damaged base.

The process was extremely slow; the movement of every single crystal was accompanied by slight energy fluctuations and tense risk warnings from the system. By the time the last glowing crystal was safely placed into the specialized shielded transport box, Han Zhe's back was soaked with sweat.

[Energy crystal array extraction complete. Obtained 'Active Psionic-Physical Hybrid Energy Crystal (Damaged)' x11 units. Ready for conversion in the refining core.]

"Convert them all! Immediately!" Han Zhe didn't hesitate. What he needed now were the most direct resources and energy!

The eleven light crystals containing unstable high energy were sent into the refining core's input port one by one. This time, the conversion process was markedly different. The refining core's light became exceptionally bright, even tinged with a hint of pale gold, and a low roar came from within, as if energy was being forcibly tamed. The conversion time was also longer than any previous instance.

When the last bit of golden light was swallowed by the ghostly blue, the system prompt sounded:

[Conversion complete. Obtained resource points: 2,200. Obtained pure high-grade energy units: 15 standard units (automatically injected into the system energy pool).]

Total resource points: Over 4,700!

System energy level: Soared from 3.1% to 18.1%!

Overnight wealth! A true upgrade from rags to riches!

Han Zhe looked at the unprecedented numbers on the interface, almost unable to believe his eyes. The immense surprise made him temporarily forget all his anxiety. With these resources and energy, there was so much he could do!

"System! Evaluate immediately: with the current resources and energy, how much would it cost and how long would it take to build a 'Signal Jammer/Interferometer (Prototype)' capable of strengthening and controlling the stc fragment's shielding field?"

[Calculating... Based on STC shielding field scan data and currently available resources and energy... Designing a simplified 'Field Focusing and Amplification Device'...]

[Requirements: Resource points: 1,500. Energy: 8 standard units. Time: 4-6 standard hours (can be quickly integrated using the existing ark one framework). Function: Can actively activate and slightly enhance the stc fragment's passive shielding field, increasing its interference capability against specific frequency bands (such as the unknown pulse band just encountered) by 300%-500%, and can perform limited directional interference (low intensity, small range). Additionally, the device comes with a basic encrypted signal generation function to attempt to cover or confuse residual pulse signal characteristics (success rate depends on the opponent's detection technology).]

1,500 points! It could actively strengthen the shield and even attempt to interfere with and cover the previous leak pulse!

"Build it! Start manufacturing immediately! Integrate it into ark one as a priority core defense facility!" Han Zhe made the decision without hesitation. Money (resources) had to be spent where it mattered most!

[Command confirmed. Starting construction of 'Silent Veil (Prototype)' Signal Jammer/Interferometer. Resource points deducted: 1,500. Energy output: 8 units. Construction sequence initiated...]

The refining core ran at full power once again, but this time, there was an unprecedented "confidence" in its light. Large amounts of high-purity alloys and precision parts were consumed, and at the core position reserved in the center of the ark one hull section, a complex device with multiple energy focusing rings and transmitting antennas began to rapidly take shape.