41: loss

Conventional means of resource accumulation were expanding steadily, but Han Zhe knew it was far from enough. He needed something... unconventional—perhaps higher risk, but with potentially greater rewards.

His gaze fell once more upon the holographic star map, specifically the marker for the 'Megastructure Debris Mountain.' Alpha Squad had explored it once, triggering a self-destruct in the defense mechanism. However, Alpha Squad had only explored a tiny fraction of such a massive mountain of wreckage before their hurried evacuation under attack from energy entities. Could there be other undiscovered things hidden inside? More supply crates? More intact technical equipment? Or even... other ancient creations that had yet to be activated?

The risks were obvious: the structure was even more unstable (having undergone internal explosions and collapses), and there might be other unknown defense mechanisms or hazardous environments (radiation, toxic gas, spatial distortions?). But the potential rewards were equally massive.

Was it worth another probe?

Han Zhe weighed his options. Alpha Squad had just matured, the beta batch was still gestating, and the base was in the middle of a critical push for energy upgrades; resources were already tight... but opportunity often coexists with risk. If they could find more high-tier goods like Cold Fusion batteries or Warp Engine Parts deep within the 'Megastructure Debris Mountain,' or even find intact, repairable equipment or databases, the leap in base technology would be immeasurable.

Moreover, this would be a higher-difficulty combat tempering for Alpha Squad. Flowers in a greenhouse cannot withstand a real storm.

"Alpha Squad," Han Zhe connected to the squad's communication channel, "new mission briefing."

The four units of cmc armor, which were currently leapfrogging under cover in a simulation, immediately halted. A synchronized response echoed in the channel: "Commander, please instruct."

"Target: Return to the 'Megastructure Debris Mountain.' But this time, it won't be the signal source hall area we explored before. I need you to conduct a more comprehensive peripheral survey and a limited deep probe of the debris mountain."

Han Zhe brought up a rough structural scan of the 'Megastructure Debris Mountain' and marked several areas on it.

"Priority areas: First, the relatively flat area at the top of the debris mountain. Scans show there may be remnants of a large structure (possibly a bridge or observation tower), which might preserve more intact navigation or communication equipment. Second, the other side of the debris mountain (opposite the previous entrance), where a structure resembling a large hatch or external loading platform has been found; though crushed and deformed, it might lead to different internal areas. Third, conduct a more detailed Ground-Penetrating Radar scan of the entire debris mountain to map out internal cavities more accurately and search for other possible resource-rich zones or special signal sources."

"Mission objectives: Focus on reconnaissance and assessment, and try to avoid direct conflict. If you encounter unidentifiable dangers or defense mechanisms, prioritize evacuation to preserve yourselves. If you find high-value targets that can be safely acquired, act at your discretion. pioneer-01 will provide remote scanning support and path suggestions. This mission is expected to take a long time; carry extra energy packs and repair kits."

"Understood, Commander." Alpha-01's voice remained steady. "Mission focus: Reconnaissance, assessment, and avoiding high-risk conflicts. Acquire opportunities at our discretion. Estimated preparation time: twenty minutes."

"Approved. Depart in twenty minutes. Keep communications open."

After issuing the orders, Han Zhe still felt a slight unease. But young eagles must eventually leave the nest. Alpha Squad needed more complex missions to grow, and the base needed more resources and information to develop.

He watched Alpha Squad quickly return to the Barracks for final pre-departure checks and equipment resupply. The four young figures, whose faces resembled his own, looked exceptionally resolute against the backdrop of their armor.

Twenty minutes later, the four armors took flight again, trailing pale blue ion wakes as they disappeared toward the debris belt.

Han Zhe returned to the command center and switched the main monitoring screens to the real-time data streams sent back by Alpha Squad and pioneer-01. He then began handling other affairs, though a portion of his attention remained fixed on their progress.

The initial journey went smoothly. The squad expertly avoided the dense debris zones and reached the outskirts of the 'Megastructure Debris Mountain' once more. This time, they did not choose the previous 'canyon' entrance, but instead began surveying the top of the debris mountain as planned.

The top area was indeed relatively flat, covered in a thick layer of cosmic dust and frost. Scans showed large metal structures beneath, but they were heavily damaged and mostly covered by upper layers of wreckage. Alpha Squad spent some time clearing the surface, discovering some twisted metal frames with traces of observation windows, as well as several completely destroyed, ancient-style Server Arrays. No intact, usable equipment was found, but they collected some fragments that might contain Data Storage Units and carefully stowed them away.

Next, they turned to the other side to find the structure suspected to be a large hatch. The process was more difficult, requiring them to traverse a labyrinthine area formed by massive hull fragments jammed together. During the trek, they triggered a small-scale debris slide, but the cmc armor managed to dodge it in time.

Finally, they found their target. It was indeed a massive, elliptical hatch belonging to some giant cargo or engineering ship. The edges of the hatch were twisted and embedded in the mountain, with only a small portion exposed. Forcing it open carried great risk, but scans showed what seemed to be a relatively spacious passage behind the door, leading into unknown regions deep within the mountain.

"Commander, target hatch discovered. The structure is severely deformed; forcing it open may trigger a local collapse. Scans show the passage behind the door extends over a hundred meters, with unknown internal conditions. Shall we attempt to open it?" Alpha-01 requested.

Han Zhe looked at the transmitted scan images and structural stress analysis. The risk was certainly there, but the passage behind the door seemed to be a new, unexplored area.

"Attempt a minimum-force opening. Use cutting tools and start from the weakest point on the edge to minimize vibrations. pioneer-01, closely monitor the stability of the surrounding structure. At any sign of collapse, abandon the task and evacuate immediately."

"Understood."

The squad began their work. Alpha-02 and Alpha-03 took up guard positions, while Alpha-01 and Alpha-04 used Cutting Lasers to carefully scorch the edges of the hatch. Sparks of molten metal particles flew silently in the vacuum. Progress was slow.

Just as the cutting was halfway finished and the hatch showed signs of loosening, pioneer-01's alarm suddenly blared in everyone's channel!

"Abnormal energy readings detected! Source: deep within the passage behind the hatch! Energy type: unknown; intensity rising rapidly! Warning! Structural scans show a large-scale energy accumulation phenomenon inside the passage! Recommendation: stop work immediately and evacuate at full speed!"

"Stop cutting! Everyone back! Prepare to evacuate!" Alpha-01 reacted with lightning speed.

However, it was already too late.

That giant hatch, nearly half-cut, was suddenly blown open from the inside by an indescribable torrent of energy, a mix of ghostly green and dark purple light! The heavy metal door was tossed outward like a scrap of paper, slamming violently into nearby wreckage and triggering a chain reaction of impacts and collapses!

Immediately following, that terrifying torrent of energy surged out of the breach like a bursting dam! It wasn't a simple explosion, but more like a viscous sludge of energy with intense corrosiveness and chaotic gravity. Everywhere it passed, metal was corroded, twisted, and even partially 'melted' into unspeakable forms!

"Evade!" Alpha Squad pushed their thrusters to the maximum, scattering to dodge. But the Energy Sludge covered too wide an area and even extended tentacle-like branches as if it were alive!

Alpha-04 was positioned slightly further back; despite a desperate evasion, the edge of an energy tentacle still brushed against his left leg! The thick Pseudo-Tao Steel Alloy of the cmc armor actually melted and deformed as rapidly as butter before that eerie energy! A piercing alarm blared through the channel!

"04 damaged! Left leg joint failure! Thrusters partially offline!"

"Don't stop! Break away from the flow with everything you've got! Retreat to the designated rendezvous point!" Alpha-01 roared, while simultaneously turning his weapon and firing fiercely at the pursuing energy tentacles! Lasers and metal slugs struck the energy, but the effect was minimal, only slightly slowing the tentacles down.

The squad fought as they retreated, narrowly escaping disaster. With his mobility impaired, Alpha-04 was covered by the other three as they painstakingly fled the reach of the Energy Sludge. When they finally retreated to a relatively safe distance and looked back, they saw the breach in the hatch still continuously spewing that heart-stopping ghostly green and dark purple sludge, as if a valve to some nightmare had been opened. The structure on that side of the debris mountain was undergoing a visible, slow, and horrific deformation under the impact of the sludge.

"Commander... we triggered some... extremely dangerous defense mechanism, or... released something that was sealed away," Alpha-01 reported, his voice carrying a hint of lingering fear for the first time. "04's leg armor is severely damaged and needs emergency repairs. Requesting immediate return."

In the command center, Han Zhe watched the hellish images being transmitted back and the shocking melted traces on Alpha-04's leg armor; his heart tightened.

The second exploration had ended in a near-catastrophic fashion. Not only had they gained nothing, but they had almost lost a precious team member and had apparently released something extremely dangerous and incomprehensible.

"Immediate return approved. Return at full speed. Medical and repair teams are on highest priority," Han Zhe's voice strained to remain steady. "pioneer-01, continue monitoring that energy leak and record all data, but maintain an absolute distance! Also, scan the overall stability of the debris mountain and assess whether this energy eruption will trigger a larger-scale collapse or... other changes."

"Command confirmed," pioneer-01 and Alpha Squad responded simultaneously.

The four armors, one dragging a heavily damaged left leg, began their battered but rapid return journey.

Han Zhe leaned back in his command chair, feeling a wave of exhaustion and coldness wash over him.

This debris belt was far more eerie and dangerous than he had imagined. Ancient beacons, out-of-control energy entities, and now this terrifying Energy Sludge that could easily melt Pseudo-tao steel... Just how many secrets and dangers were buried here?

He looked at the returning Alpha Squad, then at the beta batch steadily gestating within the Hive center.

The army was growing, but the face of the enemy (or the danger) seemed to be becoming even more hideous and difficult to fathom.

Energy upgrades, resource accumulation, technological breakthroughs, army building... these were all important.

But perhaps, above all else, he needed to figure out exactly what kind of place he was standing on.

And just what... was that ghostly green and dark purple sludge that had been accidentally released?