38: Harvest Expansion

About an hour later, they arrived at the periphery of the target area. From the shared feed, Han Zhe saw a literal "mountain"—a massive, irregular dark outline formed by the haphazard stacking and crushing of countless starship keels, armor plates, turrets, and engine fragments, casting a grim silhouette against the backdrop of the starry sky. Small pieces of debris occasionally peeled off and drifted away from its surface due to weak gravity or internal stress.

"Arrived at target periphery. Visual confirmation of Megastructure Debris Mountain. Structure is highly unstable; continuous micrometeorite impacts and localized debris flows observed," Alpha-01 reported. "Requesting to proceed with the planned protocol to find a relatively stable entry point."

"Approved. Stay vigilant and watch the radiation readings," Han Zhe replied.

The squad began moving slowly along the base of the debris mountain, their sensors carefully scanning the surface for cracks, passages, or relatively flat landing points. Radiation readings were indeed rising, but they remained within the protection range of the cmc armor.

Another half hour passed before they found a relatively wide "canyon" entrance, seemingly formed by a large ship crashing into the mountain. The interior was dark and deep, flanked by leaning metal cliffs dozens of meters high that looked ready to collapse.

"Potential entry point discovered. The internal passage extends about two hundred meters before branching. Radiation level: moderate, acceptable. Structural scan shows the first half of the passage is relatively stable," Alpha-02 reported the scan results.

"Enter. Maintain formation, Alpha-01 lead, 04 cover the rear. 'pioneer-01', maintain continuous scans of the structure ahead and warn of any collapse risks," Han Zhe ordered.

The four sets of armor switched on their headlamps, piercing the darkness with brilliant beams of light. They flew into the "canyon" one by one, their heavy footsteps echoing through the enclosed metal passage. Around them were twisted pipes, shattered decks, and eerie ice crystals formed from frozen liquids—possibly coolant or blood. The atmosphere was oppressive and dangerous.

They advanced slowly but steadily. Following pioneer-01's guidance, they chose the direction with the stronger signal at the fork. Radiation levels continued to climb, and the armor shells began to emit faint crackling sounds from high-energy particle impacts.

After penetrating about five hundred meters, the passage became narrower and more complex, occasionally requiring them to cut through or push aside obstacles blocking the way. The signal strength increased significantly.

"Approaching the signal source area. About fifty meters ahead, scans show a relatively open 'hall'. The signal source is located in the center-right of the hall. Hall structure... unstable. Multiple energy leaks and high-concentration radiation sources detected. Suggesting a cautious approach," Alpha-03 reported. His voice remained steady, but Han Zhe could detect a hint of tension.

"Received. Establish an observation point at the entrance. Perform remote scans and image capture first to assess specific threats within the hall."

The squad stopped at the end of the passage, hiding behind a corner. Alpha-01 carefully extended the armor's observation lens, transmitting the image of the hall's interior.

The image showed a massive, hemispherical chamber, likely the command center or power core of some capital ship. Now, however, it was a total wreck. Part of the dome had collapsed, revealing the deeper debris structure outside. The floor was littered with melted instruments and explosion scars. In the center of the hall stood a tilted, dust-covered console base, and the signal source came from a semi-exposed cylindrical device beneath it, flickering with an unstable, eerie green light. The device's surface bore complex, non-Imperial runes; parts of it were damaged, and the leaking energy had formed several floating, dangerous green orbs of light—the high-radiation sources. Electrical arcs from ruptured energy pipes crackled throughout the hall.

Then, in a corner of the hall, Han Zhe's pupils suddenly contracted—there were things piled there. Not debris, but... perfectly sealed metal crates! They were covered in thick dust, but the shape of the crates and the faint markings were somewhat similar to the military-standard component boxes where the STC fragments had been found previously! Beside them lay several twisted remains wearing ancient-style power armor, the armor rusted and broken, almost fused with the surrounding metal.

Treasure! And... the ancient dead.

"Target signal source device discovered, along with... suspected supply storage crates and ancient remains," Alpha-01's voice came through. "The energy environment in the hall is extremely hostile; long-term stay is not recommended. Suggestion: rapid entry, prioritize acquiring supply crate samples, followed by an attempt to read surface data from the signal source device (if possible), then immediate extraction."

"Agreed. Execute rapid breach-acquisition-extraction protocol. Prioritize personnel safety. If you encounter unmanageable danger, abort the mission and retreat immediately." Han Zhe approved the plan, his heart in his throat.

"Understood."

The four suits of armor shot out from the passage like arrows from a bow, lunging toward the supply crate area in the corner of the hall! Their movements were swift and precise, not slowed in the slightest by the harsh environment.

Alpha-01 and 02 headed straight for the two largest metal crates, using the armor's magnetic locks and cutting tools to attempt to open them or take them whole. Alpha-03 stood guard, simultaneously sweeping the signal source device and the surrounding environment with a multi-spectral scanner to record data. Alpha-04 covered the rear, gun aimed at the hall entrance and those wandering green energy orbs.

However, just as Alpha-01's cutting tool touched the lock of a metal crate—

A sudden change occurred!

Beneath that tilted console base, the light from the eerie green signal source device suddenly became blinding! A sharp screech, sounding like metal grinding and energy overloading, exploded in the comms channel! Simultaneously, all the free-floating green energy orbs in the hall seemed to receive a summons, suddenly accelerating and swarming toward the intruding Alpha Squad like sentient ghosts!

"Hostile reaction! Energy entity attack!" Alpha-03 warned urgently.

"Abandon the crates! Defensive formation! Fire at will!" Alpha-01 ordered decisively.

The four suits of armor instantly formed a back-to-back circle. Auxiliary weapon slots on their shoulders opened, small automated turrets popped up, and together with the 'Needle Rain' rifles in their hands, they poured hot lasers and metal projectiles into the green energy orbs lunging from all directions!

When hit, some energy orbs were annihilated instantly, while others exploded into a cloud of corrosive green mist that hissed as it ate away at the armor surfaces. More energy orbs continued to pour out from the gaps in the debris, seemingly endless.

"The signal source device is the control core! It's summoning or activating these defensive energies!" Alpha-02 shouted while firing. "We must destroy or jam it!"

"03, 04, provide suppressive fire! 01, with me, try to destroy the signal source!" Alpha-01 made the decision.

Alpha-03 and 04 pushed their firepower to the limit, trying to suppress the swarming energy orbs. Alpha-01 and 02 lunged forward, charging toward the console base in the center of the hall.

The green energy orbs blocked them frantically, like piranhas scenting blood. Laser beams interlaced in the darkness, and flashes of explosions lit up continuously. One suit of armor (Alpha-02) had its left arm shield hit repeatedly, triggering an overload alarm.

But they finally reached the base. Alpha-01 raised his 'Needle Rain' rifle, the muzzle almost touching the eerie green cylindrical device, and pulled the trigger!

The 'Needle Rain' rifle's enhanced laser beams, mixed with rail-accelerated metal particles, slammed hard into the device's surface!

The piercing screech reached its peak! The green light flickered wildly, cracks appeared on the device's surface, and the leaking energy formed a violent turbulence! The surrounding energy orbs instantly lost control; some dissipated, some collided and annihilated each other, and others darted around like headless flies.

"Now! Grab the crates and move!" Alpha-01 roared.

Alpha-02, along with the returning 03 and 04, quickly grabbed two smaller, relatively intact metal crates (the largest one had been deformed by the cutting and energy impact). They secured them to their armor backs with magnetic locks. The four of them didn't linger, turning and sprinting at full speed toward the passage they came from!

Behind them, the eerie green signal source device exploded completely with a dull rupture. The remaining energy formed a violent shockwave, laced with metal fragments and corrosive energy, sweeping through the entire hall!

Alpha Squad burst into the passage, pushing their thrusters to the maximum and racing outward without looking back. The shockwave chased them relentlessly, surging and rebounding within the narrow passage, shaking loose even more debris.

When they finally burst out of the "canyon" entrance and back into the relatively open debris belt, a series of dull, chain-reaction-like thuds of collapsing structures echoed from within the Megastructure Debris Mountain.

"Clear of the danger zone. Safe," Alpha-01 reported, panting. The armor's exterior was covered in scratches and blackened scorch marks from energy burns.

Han Zhe let out a long sigh of relief in the command center, only then realizing his palms were drenched in cold sweat. "Well done, Alpha Squad. Return to base immediately. Medical and maintenance are standing by."

"Yes, Commander."

The four scarred suits of armor began their return journey, walking with weary but victorious steps (even if they had only secured two crates).

Upon returning to base, the Alpha Squad members underwent full physical examinations and armor repairs. Aside from minor radiation exposure (within safe limits) and some armor damage, no one was seriously injured. Their first combat mission, though harrowing, was a success and had brought back spoils of war.

The two metal crates were sent to the isolation analysis room. After careful handling, the boxes were opened.

The first crate: Inside were twenty neatly stacked, standard-sized energy crystals emitting a soft blue light. System scans showed these were highly efficient, stable "Cold Fusion" batteries with an energy density far exceeding the Empire's current high-energy batteries, and with almost zero decay! Their technical value was immense.

The second crate: Inside was a set of perfectly sealed precision equipment components with complex interfaces and inscriptions. Preliminary system analysis suggested these were... key components for a "Warp Engine Stabilizer" or a "Navigator Auxiliary Computing Unit"! Although they were just components, the technical principles they contained regarding safe Warp travel were a godsend for Han Zhe's potential future "relocation" plans!

As for the scan data on the ancient remains and the signal source device, analysis pointed toward a long-lost branch of human civilization or an extremely reclusive Adeptus Mechanicus exploratory fleet. Their technological path was markedly different from the current Imperial mainstream—more... ancient and efficient, lacking much of the religious redundancy.

The harvest far exceeded expectations!

This successful reconnaissance and resource acquisition not only validated Alpha Squad's initial combat capability but also brought in much-needed high-end energy and potential key navigation technology. Risk had brought a rich reward.

Looking at the analysis reports and then at the Alpha Squad members in the maintenance area, who were undergoing maintenance while reviewing mission details, Han Zhe's gaze finally landed on the surveillance screen. It showed the now-expanded "Hive" center of the cradle of life, flickering with more operational indicator lights.

Twenty incubation tanks were ready, and new nutrient solution was being synthesized.

It was time for this "army," which had just passed its first test, to begin growing.

"keystone," Han Zhe spoke, his voice steady and firm, "once the 'Hive' center is ready, initiate the second round of clone cultivation. This time, cultivate twenty units. Fine-tune the genetic templates based on Alpha Squad to increase physiological diversity (height, body type, etc.), but keep the core optimizations and loyalty protocols unchanged. Simultaneously, begin optimizing the military skill data packets based on Alpha Squad's first mission data, adding more environmental adaptation and emergency handling content."

"Command confirmed. Second round of clone cultivation sequence initiated. Code name: Beta Batch. Cultivation quantity: 20. Optimization parameters loading... Estimated maturity date: 80 standard days from now."

More resources were invested, more energy channeled. Inside the white "Hive" center, new lives were being gestated.

Alpha Squad had proven their value and brought back precious resources and information. And now, more "Alphas" were on the way.

Han Zhe walked to the observation window of the command center, looking out at the debris belt gradually being lit by starlight. The initial lonely boat had become a Fortress. The initial lone man now had four warriors, and would soon have twenty more.

In his hands, he was truly beginning to hold the prototype of a force.

And this vast, dark sea of stars, full of danger and opportunity, seemed to be quietly shifting its indifferent trajectory because of his small but incredibly tenacious flame.

Expansion was no longer a dream; it was a cold, precise plan in execution.