27: Automated data collection station

The hum of the Global Shield Field's steady operation echoed softly over the D-4 Platform like the most soothing background music. That sense of near-absolute concealment allowed Han Zhe's nerves, which had been tense for who knows how long, to finally relax slightly. He stood at the observation port of "ark one" (a thickened transparent observation window), looking at the starlight slightly distorted by the invisible force field outside, as well as the work platform gradually becoming orderly under the organized labor of the three SCVs, a sense of control unlike anything he'd felt before welled up in his heart.

But this sense of control was not an illusory desire for power; it was based on cold reality and clear plans for the next steps.

Resources remained the keystone. Although the three "Pioneers" were incredibly efficient, they ultimately required manual operation, their range of activity was limited, and their primary targets for collection were scattered debris. To support larger construction plans, unlock more advanced blueprints (like the fusion reactor he couldn't stop thinking about), and even establish a true force, he had to achieve the automation and scaling of resource collection.

"System, bring up the blueprints we currently have unlocked related to automated resource collection." Han Zhe returned to the console and pulled up the light screen.

[Searching... Currently available related blueprints:]

[1. Automated Mineral Collection Station (Space Version): Must be anchored to asteroids or large debris rich in metals/minerals. Achieves continuous output through an integrated process of drilling, crushing, sorting, and preliminary refining. Construction requirements: 800 resource points, 10 units of energy. Requires a companion 'engineering dock' (unlocked) for deployment and maintenance.]

[2. Matter Reclamation Station (Universal Type): Can process various metal/composite material waste, decomposing and reducing it into basic resource units. Efficiency is higher than the direct conversion of complex waste by the refining core, but energy consumption is higher. Construction requirements: 500 resource points, 5 units of energy.]

[3. Space Resource Scanning Array (Wide Area): Expands the effective scanning radius and accurately marks resource-rich points to provide guidance for SCVs or collection stations. Construction requirements: 300 resource points, 3 units of energy.]

The engineering dock was a major obstacle. The Matter Reclamation Station was efficient but high in energy consumption and required a steady, large input of "trash." The scanning array was useful and could greatly improve the collection efficiency of the SCVs, but it didn't solve the fundamental problem of "automation."

Han Zhe's gaze fell upon the "Automated Mineral Collection Station." This thing was the real "goose that lays golden eggs," as long as he could find a piece of resource-rich debris or an asteroid to anchor it to. But the engineering dock... "System, analyze the unlocking conditions for the 'engineering dock' and the possibility of a simplified construction. Is it possible for us to use existing technology and resources to cobble together a simplified engineering platform with basic deployment and maintenance functions? Even if it can only support the initial operation of a single collection station."

[Analyzing... Standard blueprints for the 'engineering dock' have high requirements, involving large space structure construction, precision docking systems, multi-functional maintenance arms, etc. Based on the current number of SCVs, the manufacturing capabilities of the refining core, and the newly acquired STC Materials Science knowledge, the feasibility of designing a simplified 'Mobile Deployment and Maintenance Platform (MDMP)' is: 65%.]

[MDMP (Simplified Version) Functions: Provides a stable anchoring point (for small to medium debris), basic energy and data transmission interfaces, and a set of simple mechanical arms for the initial installation and basic maintenance of the collection station (complex repairs still require SCVs). Cannot support multiple collection stations or large facilities.]

[Construction requirements: 600 resource points, 6 units of energy. Time required: 6 standard hours.]

A 65% success rate was worth the gamble! He could still afford the 600 resource points (he had 700 left after building the shield field, and it had risen back to 1,200 under the continuous collection of the SCVs). He also had enough energy (the 'sun ray' array and sporadic collection kept the system energy around 5 standard units, and it was still recovering).

"Design the MDMP plan and simultaneously begin pre-fabricating the components for the 'Automated Mineral Collection Station'! We need to find a suitable 'mining spot' as soon as possible!" Han Zhe decided. Efficiency was life; he had to free the SCVs from the heavy labor of repetitive collection and put them into more critical construction and exploration tasks.

[Command confirmed. Initiating design and construction of 'Mobile Deployment and Maintenance Platform (MDMP-1)' and pre-fabrication of 'Automated Mineral Collection Station (Prototype)' components. Resource points deducted: 1,400 total (MDMP: 600, Collection Station pre-fabrication: 800). Energy outputting.]

Resource points instantly dropped to -200 (overdrafted), but Han Zhe wasn't worried at all; the SCVs were continuously creating value. The refining core entered a high-efficiency operating state again, starting to produce the frames, thrusters, simple mechanical arms, and anchoring systems required for the MDMP, while another production line began manufacturing the core components of the collection station, such as drills, crushers, and sorting modules.

After the construction commands were issued, Han Zhe turned his gaze outside the platform. The interior of the shield field was safe, but the resources were outside. He needed to find a "good mine" for the soon-to-be-born collection station.

"pioneer-01, pause your current work. Take the highest precision scanning module and conduct a detailed survey of the debris belt within a radius of... five kilometers around the platform. Prioritize looking for: targets with relatively stable structures, high metal/mineral enrichment, moderate volume (preferably between fifty and one hundred meters in diameter), and ease of anchoring for the MDMP. Once candidate targets are found, perform preliminary composition analysis and structural safety assessments."

"Command confirmed. Switching to prospecting mode." The light from pioneer-01's head sensors adjusted, switching from the scanning mode used for daily work to a high-precision prospecting mode. It stepped forward, activated the small attitude thrusters on its back, and slowly flew away from the platform, beginning to weave through and investigate the slowly rotating groups of debris like a cautious metal spider.

Construction work on the platform was mainly handled by pioneer-02 and Pioneer-03. They continued to handle the transport and preliminary assembly of the MDMP and collection station components while maintaining basic resource collection to ensure "rations" for the refining core.

Time passed in efficient collaborative work. Four hours later, the main frame of MDMP-1 had been built, looking like a flat metal cross with multiple interfaces and a thick, short mechanical arm, lying quietly in the assembly area reserved on the platform. More than half of the collection station's components had also been pre-fabricated.