24: System Blueprint Supplement

Meanwhile, Han Zhe didn't stop other construction. With a wave of his hand: "Continue building the ark one life support core! Finish the air circulation and water recycling systems! At the same time, start construction of the Laser Turret (Basic). Build two first, and deploy them on the preset bases at the front and back of the compartment! Step up the production of drones, bring all three online!"

Resource points continued to flow like water, but with an abundant source, Han Zhe spent them without hesitation. System energy stabilized above 10%, supporting multiple simultaneous construction tasks.

Four hours later.

The "Silent Veil (Prototype)" was the first to be completed. It was a cylindrical device about two meters in diameter and one and a half meters high, its surface covered with complex energy conduits and heat sinks. At its center was a slowly rotating, Glimmering core, connected to the stc storage box hidden on the platform below through a specialized interface (via pre-laid concealed energy/data conduits). Three adjustable-angle antennas with crystalline lenses protruded from the top of the device.

["Silent Veil (Prototype)" online. Starting self-check... Connecting to stc fragment shield field... Field resonance successfully established. Basic functions activated: Passive Shield Field Enhancement Mode started. Active Interference/Obfuscation Module on standby.]

Almost the moment the device started, Han Zhe felt a very subtle "difference" in his surroundings. It wasn't a change in sound or light, but a "blurring" of perception, as if the space he was in had been separated from the external universe by a thicker layer of frosted glass. The system interface showed that the local information leakage index centered on the D-4 Platform had dropped by 65%.

"Good!" Han Zhe's spirits rose. The first step, hiding himself, was mostly complete!

Shortly after, the basic life support system of ark one was also declared complete. Although crude—air circulation relied on filtration and oxygen production from water electrolysis (low efficiency), water recovery relied on condensation and simple purification, and temperature and humidity control were even more rudimentary—at the very least, it possessed basic airtightness and the conditions to sustain a single person's short-term survival. Han Zhe could finally take off that damned, leaking spacesuit once and for all and breathe air that, while smelling of metal and ozone, was at least steadily supplied.

Two rugged laser turrets also stood at the front and back of the compartment, their barrels glinting coldly under the starlight. They were jointly powered by the "sunflower" charging station and emergency battery packs. Although they had a short range, limited power, and relied on replenishment for ammunition (energy), at least he was no longer defenseless.

Three "Swarm" Scout Drones also came off the production line one after another. They were palm-sized disc structures equipped with basic cameras, infrared sensors, and simple scanners. They weren't fast and had limited range, but they were sufficient to continuously monitor the debris belt within hundreds of meters around the platform, greatly expanding Han Zhe's perception range.

After doing all this, nearly 2,000 resource points remained, and system energy was maintained at 12%.

It was time.

Han Zhe stood by the Silent Veil device, his gaze fixed on the heavily hidden stc storage box. Now, he had a certain level of defense and concealment, relatively sufficient energy and resources, and the foundation for a preliminary analysis of unknown technology (his data analysis capabilities had improved after the system energy increase).

"System, prepare to open the stc storage box. Activate the highest level of local physical and information shielding, centered on the Silent Veil, and strengthen the shield field to maximum power to isolate any possible information leakage. Simultaneously, prepare the system database's highest-level authorization docking protocol. Once the box is opened, immediately attempt to read, analyze, and safely store any flowing STC data!"

[Warning: Final confirmation. Risk level for opening the stc storage box: Extremely High. Even with the Silent Veil's reinforced shielding, the possibility of triggering unknown internal defense mechanisms or causing instantaneous data destruction cannot be completely ruled out. Proceed?]

Han Zhe fell silent for a few seconds, his fingers brushing the plasma pistol at his waist, which was now 45% charged and usable after modification. The cold touch made him more determined.

"Proceed. Execute the opening procedure."

[Instruction final confirmation. Starting comprehensive shielding protocol... Silent Veil power increased to maximum... Local space-time information anchoring reinforced... Preparing physical opening tools...]

pioneer-01 moved aside the camouflage structure covering the storage box. The SCV switched to a specialized mechanical arm manufactured specifically for this opening, equipped with various decryption probes and physical lock-breaking tools. Han Zhe retreated inside the ark one hatch, watching tensely through the monitor screen.

A faint blue light lit up from the Silent Veil device, forming a visible, slightly fluctuating translucent dome that completely enveloped the storage box and the SCV's operating area. Inside the dome, light seemed to distort slightly, and sound appeared to be cut off.

The SCV's mechanical arm moved like the most nimble fingers, operating several tools simultaneously. Probes inserted into the electronic lock's interface, rapidly attempting possible key combinations; physical pry bars searched for stress weaknesses in the mechanical locks; micro-cutting lasers prepared for a destructive opening as a last resort... Minutes and seconds ticked by. Sweat slid down Han Zhe's forehead.

Suddenly, the Adeptus Mechanicus runes on the surface of the storage box lit up and extinguished one after another, like breathing! A series of rapid "clicks," as if gears were engaging and then snapping, came from inside the box!

"It's opening!" Han Zhe clenched his fists.

The next second—

There was no explosion, no blinding light, and no alarm.

The lid let out a dull sigh, as if it had been sealed for a thousand years, and slowly and smoothly slid to one side. The scene inside was revealed.

There was no imagined golden radiance or complex structure. Inside the box was a precision mount composed of multiple layers of high-efficiency cushioning material. In the center of the mount lay... a stone tablet.

Yes, a stone tablet. It was about the size of a laptop, two fingers thick, made of a material that was neither metal nor stone. it presented a deep, dark silver color, with an extremely smooth surface devoid of any interfaces, buttons, or patterns. It looked unremarkable, even somewhat crude.

But the moment the lid opened, the system in Han Zhe's mind suddenly issued an unprecedented notification tone, carrying a strong resonance!

[Highest priority technological creation contact detected!]

[Target Identification: Standard Template Construct (STC) - Core Data Storage Unit ('Global Information Manipulation/Shielding' Specialty Module - Main Fragment). Status: Encapsulated Dormancy, Data Integrity: 87% (Edge Wear).]

[System core protocol triggered! Starting forced absorption and blueprint completion program! Energy Consumed: 10 standard units!]

[Warning: Absorption process is irreversible and will permanently alter the physical structure of this stc fragment!]

Before Han Zhe could react, a majestic torrent of energy, far exceeding any previous instance, surged from the system core. Following the connection lines, it penetrated the Silent Veil's light shield like living tentacles and suddenly coiled around that dark silver stone tablet!

The stone tablet instantly lit up! It wasn't a dazzling light, but a profound, shadowy glow that seemed capable of absorbing all light. Countless flowing, dizzyingly complex geometric symbols and energy patterns emerged on its surface! These symbols collided, intertwined, and fused frantically with the faint blue data stream surging from the system!

The entire platform trembled slightly! The Silent Veil's light shield fluctuated violently, emitting an overburdened hum. The SCV was forced to retreat several steps.

Han Zhe felt a surge of intense dizziness, as if a massive amount of cold, orderly information was being forcibly poured into his consciousness, only to be quickly taken over, categorized, and stored by the system. He saw blurred images: massive devices covered in energy rings deploying invisible barriers in the void; precision algorithms flowing like waterfalls, calculating the ripples of space-time; schematics for directional filtering and refraction of Warp whispers... The process lasted about three minutes.

When the last bit of dark light faded from the stone tablet, that majestic system energy also receded like a tide. The stone tablet remained a stone tablet, but those strange patterns on its surface had completely vanished, leaving it looking like an ordinary metal plate, only its color seemed slightly dimmer.

[Absorption complete!]

[System database updated!]

[Unlocked New Tech Tree Branch: 'Global Information Manipulation/Shielding' (Beginner).]

[Obtained Complete Blueprint: 'Basic Omni-field Shield Generator (Simplified Version)'!]

[Obtained Fragmented Blueprints: 'Directional Information Interference/Refraction Array', 'Warp Background Noise Amplifier', 'Concept-level Information Encryption Protocol (Theory)'...]

[System core energy conversion efficiency improved! Energy extraction protocol optimized! Information processing bandwidth greatly expanded!]

[Warning: The stc fragment absorption process released minor information ripples. Although significantly weakened by the Silent Veil, there remains a small possibility of capture by extremely high-sensitivity equipment.]

It worked!

Han Zhe panted heavily, steadying himself against the compartment wall. Although he felt a bit exhausted, his heart was filled with unspeakable excitement and shock. He "saw" it—that vast sea of new knowledge, that tech tree representing another dimension of power!

He immediately pulled up the system interface. In the previously dark tech tree area, a brand-new, Glimmering branch was lit up. Several icons hung beneath it; though most were still dark or fragmented, the most central one—"Basic Omni-field Shield Generator (Simplified Version)"—was strikingly bright!

He clicked on the blueprint.

['Basic Omni-field Shield Generator (Simplified Version)']

[Function: Generates a stable, controllable spherical shield field that effectively interferes with or weakens specific information transmission inside and outside the field (including but not limited to electromagnetic waves, particle streams, low-intensity Warp ripples, and conventional psionic scans).]

[Range: Adjustable. Maximum Radius: 100 meters (Stable State). Minimum Radius: 10 meters (High Intensity).]

[Energy Consumption: Medium (Continuous Operation).]

[Construction Requirements: Resource Points: 2500. Special Materials: 'information turbulence crystal' (can be synthesized via the refining core, requires high-purity energy and specific rare elements; currently synthesizable). Energy Requirement: 15 standard units. Construction Time: 8 standard hours.]

2,500 points! Far more expensive than the Silent Veil prototype, but its functions were also much more powerful! This was a true "invisibility cloak" that could be actively controlled!

Han Zhe's gaze swept over his remaining nearly 2,000 resources and his 12% system energy (approximately 12 standard units). He was a bit short, but... that west side rich ore point might still have residual value to be exploited, and he still had time to let the SCV continue harvesting.

More importantly, he had a direction—a unique technological capital that would allow him to truly establish a foothold!

"System, immediately begin synthesizing the prerequisite materials for the 'information turbulence crystal'! 'pioneer-01', continue mining the west side rich ore point and search for all possible sections containing rare elements! Meanwhile, do not stop conventional harvesting in other areas of the platform! Our goal is to gather the resources and build the 'Basic Global Shield Field Generator' in the shortest time possible!"

"Command confirmed."

"Command confirmed."

With the new orders issued, the entire base began operating at high speed once again. The refining core started attempting to synthesize the special crystal materials required by the blueprint, and the SCV returned to the west side ore point for deep excavation.

Han Zhe stood at the entrance of ark one, looking out at the busy scene and the profound starry sky beyond. The plasma pistol in his hand felt heavy, and the Data Storage Unit (from the unknown probe) at his waist also sat quietly, awaiting analysis.

The STC box had been opened, and the treasure was in hand. Although greater risks might follow, he was no longer that ant with only an escape pod and a wrench.

He had the prototype of a base, engineering machinery, defensive weapons, scouting eyes, and now, he was about to possess true "invisibility."

In the deep space, a faint information ripple, weakened and interfered with by layers of shielding, might be spreading. But before it could truly draw in hunters, Han Zhe would turn himself and this newly born steel lair into something that was also rock-solid on the informational level—a black hole that could actively swallow prying eyes.