25: SCV expansion

Successful absorption of the stc fragment brought more than just blueprints and knowledge; it was a sense of metamorphosis from the inside out. Han Zhe could clearly "feel" the system core in his mind becoming more solid and efficient. The faint blue light flowed steadily in the depths of his consciousness, carrying an unprecedented sense of "confidence." The boundaries of the database were greatly expanded, information processing capabilities leaped, and even the rhythmic hum of the refining core seemed to carry a more precise and efficient cadence.

But all of this required resources and energy to be transformed into actual power.

"System, list the specific materials required to synthesize the 'information turbulence crystal,' as well as our current reserves and gaps," Han Zhe ordered quickly, standing before the control console of "ark one"—a metal plate embedded in the bulkhead and connected to the system's projected light screen. The cabin's air circulation system emitted a steady low hum; although it carried the faint scent of freshly welded metal, it was at least stable and breathable. The energy interface indicators of the two laser turrets flickered slightly in the corner, signifying that basic defenses were online.

[Material List:

· High-Purity Energy Crystal Matrix (Base): 5 units required. (Can be refined from Psionic-Physical Hybrid Energy Crystal wreckage; current inventory is sufficient.)

· 'Stardust' Alloy (as a conductive frame): 30 kg required. (Current inventory: 22 kg; gap: 8 kg.)

· Rare element 'Palladium-Rhodium Composite Catalytic Powder': 0.5 kg required. (Current inventory: 0.1 kg; gap: 0.4 kg. Trace amounts of this element were previously detected in the coatings of certain special components at the rich deposit.)

· Stable Psionic Neutralizer (used to balance internal energy conflicts within the crystal and prevent Warp pollution): 100 ml required. (Current inventory: 0; synthesis required. Synthesis requires basic organic compounds and exposure to specific frequencies of psionic radiation (can be simulated via the refining core, but consumes energy).)

The gaps are primarily the rare catalytic powder and the psionic neutralizer.

"pioneer-01, pause platform expansion operations and concentrate on fine-tuned secondary mining of the western rich deposit! Focus on scanning and extracting all components containing special coatings, exotic alloys, or unknown chemical residues! Additionally, use the newly unlocked material analysis protocols to sift through the collected scattered debris to see if any rare elements were missed," Han Zhe immediately adjusted the SCV's tasks.

"Command confirmed. Switching to fine-tuned mining and material screening."

The SCV's massive frame turned toward the west once again. This time, it swapped in more precise detection and separation tools, carefully handling every corner of that wreckage like an archaeologist cleaning artifacts. High-sensitivity sensors swept over every piece of metal, analyzing its molecular composition.

Meanwhile, Han Zhe turned his attention toward another direction that could greatly accelerate the process—more SCVs.

"System, using pioneer-01 as a blueprint and utilizing existing resources, how much resources and time would it take to manufacture two more simplified versions of the SCV?"

[Calculating... Based on the complete manufacturing data of pioneer-01 and the current efficiency improvement of the refining core...]

[Manufacturing one simplified version SCV (pioneer-02 / 03) requires:

· Resource Points: 700 points (cost reduced compared to the first unit as some universal components can be batch-prefabricated).

· Energy: 5 standard units.

· Time: 6 standard hours per unit (can be manufactured in parallel, but will share the refining core's production capacity, affecting the production of other components).]

Two units would be 1,400 points, 10 units of energy, and 12 hours. The resource points were still sufficient (nearly 2,000 points remaining), and the energy was just enough (12 units), but the time... he needed to race against time.

"Build them! Start parallel manufacturing of pioneer-02 and pioneer-03 immediately! Prioritize resource supply!" Han Zhe decided decisively. SCVs were productivity multipliers; the earlier they were put into production, the sooner he would benefit.

[Command confirmed. Initiating dual-line SCV manufacturing sequence. Resource points deducted: 1,400 points. Energy output: 10 units. Estimated completion time: 12 standard hours.]

The light of the refining core grew intense once more as two frames, similar in outline to pioneer-01, began to slowly take shape in the Manufacturing Area. Resource points plummeted to around 600, and system energy also dropped to 2% (approximately 2 standard units), but Han Zhe felt full of anticipation as he watched the mechanical outlines gradually become clear.

In the interval while waiting for the birth of the new SCVs and the collection of rare materials, Han Zhe did not remain idle. He ordered pioneer-01 to continue fine-tuned mining while also using the platform's existing materials to build a more efficient and stable energy collection device—an upgraded version of the sunflower charging station.

In the newly unlocked technology tree, although there were no complete blueprints for energy facilities, the information processing optimization and material knowledge brought by the stc fragment allowed him and the system to design a more efficient solar collection and conversion scheme.

[Design complete: 'sun ray' High-Efficiency Solar Collection Array (Prototype). Utilizes multi-layer heterojunction light-absorbing materials (synthesizable) and an adaptive light-tracking structure; energy conversion efficiency is 280% higher than the sunflower. Construction requirements: 300 resource points, 2 energy units, 4 hours.]

"Build it! Deploy it in the area of the platform with the best lighting, connected in parallel with the sunflower to jointly power the base," Han Zhe approved. Stable energy was the lifeblood of the base and had to be continuously strengthened.

The new solar panels began to be manufactured. They looked deeper in color than the sunflower's panels, with a fine honeycomb structure on the surface that gradually manifested within the faint blue manufacturing light.

Time flew by as multiple tasks progressed in parallel.

Four hours later, the sun ray array was the first to be completed and deployed. Eight deep-blue solar panels with a strange luster, resembling giant petals, slowly adjusted their angles on simple supports to aim precisely at the distant star. Almost the moment they unfolded, the energy monitoring data showed a significant increase in input power.

[sun ray array online. Current energy input: +1.5 standard units/hour (stacked with sunflower). System energy recovery rate increased.]

With more abundant energy, the operation of the refining core and the manufacturing of the SCVs seemed to become smoother.

Two hours later, pioneer-01 sent back good news: "Collection of the rare element 'Palladium-Rhodium Composite Catalytic Powder' is complete, with a total of 0.52 kg, meeting the requirement. Simultaneously, basic organic compound residues suitable for synthesizing the psionic neutralizer have been discovered and isolated."

"Well done!" Han Zhe's spirits lifted. "Immediately send the catalytic powder and organic compounds into the refining core! System, begin synthesizing the psionic neutralizer and other precursor materials for the 'information turbulence crystal'!"

[Materials received. Initiating synthesis protocol... Energy consumption... Estimated synthesis completion time: 3 standard hours.]

The refining core entered a new round of high-load operation. The special chemical synthesis chamber was activated, and the faint blue light was interspersed with slight, strange color shifts.

As the synthesis neared its end, on the other side of the refining core, two silver-gray figures completed their final assembly and system infusion almost simultaneously.

Hum—

A low, familiar startup hum rang out.

Two SCV units, almost identical to pioneer-01, had their head sensors light up with faint blue light one after another. Their mechanical legs slightly adjusted their posture as they stood steadily within the Manufacturing Area.

[pioneer-02 and pioneer-03 manufacturing complete, online. Status: Standby.]

Three SCVs! Productivity had more than tripled in an instant!