48: leave

'The wreckage of the 'scarlet regret' is drifting towards the dark red fragment... the probability of eventual contact is extremely high. The consequences of contact are unpredictable; it may trigger energy annihilation, spatial collapse, or... worse, fusion and mutation.' 'keystone' synced the surveillance feed and simulation data from the distance to the main holographic screen. The pale, desecrated hull of the warship, like a ghost ship pulled by invisible threads, was slowly sinking into the surging, unstable dark red energy veins on the fragment's surface. The contact point was already erupting with an unsettling, bizarre interplay of light and shadow, a mixture of melting metal and the hiss of energy.

'We can't wait any longer.' Han Zhe's voice was resolute, his gaze shifting from the ominous, chaotic battlefield in the distance back to the base itself. 'No matter what happens over there, this place is no longer safe. Passively waiting for fate's dice to fall is the most foolish choice.'

He called up the holographic schematic of the base. After the frenzied expansion of the 'Sword Forging' operation, the current D-4 Platform was now unrecognizable. The main body was reinforced with layers of thick 'Simulated Taosteel' armor, with multiple functional modules extending from its edges: the massive 'Hive-II' center resembled a giant white egg, the Barracks and equipment production areas were like brawny arms, and the refining core and 'Blaze' reactor were like a beating heart and an energy furnace. Yet, it was still just a patchwork piece of steel land, anchored to wreckage. An immobile target.

'Initiate the 'ark' Mobilization Transformation Plan, Phase Two, codename: 'Launch'. Priority: Highest. Objective: To grant the base basic, controllable conventional space mobility in the shortest possible time. We are not pursuing speed or range. The primary goal is—to be able to move, to leave this area.' Han Zhe's fingers moved rapidly across the hologram, marking key transformation points.

'Based on preliminary research results, the core tasks for the 'Launch' phase are:'

'One, Propulsion System: Install six large-scale Plasma Vector Thruster Arrays at the platform's stern and key stress points on both sides. Powered directly by the 'Blaze' reactor, using high-density Metallic Hydrogen Slurry (a byproduct of the 'Taotie-II' protocol) purified by the refining core from 'junk' as reaction mass. Reserves must be sufficient for at least one sustained medium-thrust acceleration lasting thirty standard hours.'

'Two, Structural Reinforcement and Center of Gravity Adjustment: Conduct a second comprehensive reinforcement of the platform's overall framework, focusing on the thruster installation areas and the keel expected to bear the thrust. Use 'Simulated Taosteel' for integral casting-style reinforcement of critical nodes. Recalculate and adjust the platform's mass distribution to ensure attitude stability during propulsion.'

'Three, Navigation and Control System: Establish an independent 'Flight Control Center', integrating upgraded inertial navigation, stellar positioning, gravitational anomaly detection, and basic obstacle avoidance systems. The 'Wide-Area Intelligent Shield Array' must allocate partial computing power to simulate the energy radiation signatures possibly generated during propulsion, disguising them as common energy turbulence or minor celestial activity within the debris field.'

'Four, Internal Stabilization: Equip the 'Hive-II' center, refining core, and other precision facilities with high-performance inertial dampeners and Shock Absorption Systems, ensuring internal environmental stability during acceleration and maneuvers, without affecting sensitive processes like clone cultivation.'

'Estimated Resource Requirement: Approximately eighty to one hundred thousand points (fluctuating based on material reserves and engineering complexity). Energy Requirement: Peak energy consumption during the transformation and subsequent propulsion is extremely high, requiring full-power support from the 'Blaze' reactor and activation of all reserve energy. Time Requirement: With current engineering capacity (three SCVs, with partial assistance from soldiers), full commitment is expected to take 40-50 standard days.'

Eighty to one hundred thousand resource points! That would consume nearly half of the wealth accumulated during the 'Sword Forging' operation. Forty to fifty days! During this period, base defense and some production would inevitably be affected.

But it was worth it. Mobility was a qualitative change for survival. Staying here was like guarding the mouth of a volcano about to erupt.

'Approve the 'Launch' plan. Begin resource allocation and engineering planning immediately.' Han Zhe did not hesitate. ''keystone', prioritize the 'Taotie-II' protocol's collection towards high-density metals and materials usable for synthesizing Metallic Hydrogen Slurry. Pause all cmc armor production lines, ensuring full support for the manufacture of thruster arrays, structural reinforcements, and dampeners. Alpha and Beta Squads, except for essential sentry personnel, are all to be assigned to engineering assistance, following SCV command.'

'Command confirmed. 'Launch' plan initiated. Resource redistribution in progress... Engineering blueprints being refined... Manufacturing sequence adjusting...'

The massive base once again entered a state of busyness, different from the 'Sword Forging' period—this time, more grand and orderly. The goal was not to arm itself, but to grant itself the ability to 'walk'.

The refining core adjusted its material processing flow, beginning to synthesize large quantities of high-density Metallic Hydrogen Slurry and inject it into specially designed giant storage tanks. Production lines halted cmc armor assembly, switching instead to casting enormous plasma thruster nozzles, heavy structural connectors, and complex, precise Inertial Damper bases.

The three SCVs, like tireless titans, wielded cutting and welding arms at the platform's stern, dismantling part of the original external structure to expose the sturdy keel, then began hoisting and welding the thruster bases, each as large as a small building. Soldiers from Alpha and Beta Squads, clad in cmc armor or simple engineering exoskeletons, were responsible for moving smaller prefabricated components, laying thick energy conduits, and performing fine calibration tasks manageable by human effort.

Inside the 'Hive-II' center, the cultivation of the gamma batch entered its final sprint, with life sign monitoring becoming more frequent. The forty new lives of the delta batch grew rapidly within the optimized nutrient solution. The entire 'Hive's energy supply and internal stabilization systems were designated the highest protection priority, ensuring they remained unaffected by external construction vibrations.

Time passed amidst the clash of steel, the hum of energy, and the sound of orderly commands.

Day Twenty. The first three main thruster arrays were installed and underwent preliminary ignition tests. At low power, the pale blue plasma streams from the nozzles traced tails hundreds of meters long in the void, causing an extremely slight, almost imperceptible displacement of the platform. The test was successful, but it also revealed excessive stress at some structural connection points, requiring additional reinforcement.

Day Twenty-Five. The twenty clones of the gamma batch, after fifty-eight days of accelerated cultivation, reached maturity standards. This time, Han Zhe did not go to the Awakening Hall. Through the surveillance feed, he watched the twenty young, resolute faces rise from the nutrient solution. After receiving basic protocol indoctrination and physiological checks, they were led by waiting Alpha veterans into the Barracks, beginning cmc armor adaptation and basic training. They were designated Gamma Squad, expanding the base's standing military force to forty-seven personnel.

Day Thirty. All six thruster arrays were installed and debugged. The platform's stern now looked as if it had grown six giant, faintly glowing blue metal 'wings'. The structural reinforcement project was mostly complete, increasing the platform's weight by approximately 15%, but its overall strength had multiplied several times. Inertial dampeners were deployed in critical areas.

Day Thirty-Five. The 'Flight Control Center' was completed, achieving data linkage with the Command Center. Complex navigation and attitude control algorithms were loaded. Simulation tests showed the platform could achieve a base acceleration of 0.02G, with a maximum sustainable speed of 0.08C (sublight). Maneuvering and attitude adjustment capabilities, though cumbersome, were sufficient for routine evasion.

Day Forty-Two. Just as the 'Launch' plan entered its final assembly and debugging stage, the 'Truth Listener' network detected an anomalous energy spike from the contact area between the 'scarlet regret' wreckage and the dark red fragment!

The feed came back: the two ominous creations, upon contact, did not produce the expected massive explosion. Instead, they began a slow, bizarre... 'fusion'! The dark red energy veins, like living blood vessels, coiled around the pale warship's wreckage. The ship's metal began to soften, twist, and be stained with the same dark red hue. Some blasphemous runes spontaneously manifested and swirled across the fusion surface. An even deeper, more chaotic pressure, a mixture of chaotic warp energy and the aura of unknown technology, transmitted through space itself, reaching them even across the vast distance.

'Warning: Detection of high-risk energy entity formation. Nature: Fusion of Chaos corruption and unknown technological construct. Energy level continuously rising. Threat assessment: Immeasurable. Its energy radiation is beginning to produce a persistent erosion and mutation effect on the surrounding space.' 'keystone's' alarm tone was unprecedentedly grave.

Something more terrifying than the 'scarlet regret' was being born! And its area of influence was expanding!

'All engineering, enter final sprint! All systems must complete final checks within seventy-two hours! The 'Launch' plan is moved up!' Han Zhe's heart felt like it was about to leap from his chest. The danger had arrived faster than he anticipated!

'Command confirmed. Initiating final system integration debugging. Thrusters pre-charging...'

The entire base felt like a clockwork mechanism wound to its highest setting. All personnel became aware of the imminent crisis. SCVs and soldiers worked at a nearly exhaustive pace on final installations, fastenings, and circuit checks. Energy conduits hummed with pre-overload strain; the 'Blaze' reactor's output curve approached the red line.

Day Forty-Five. Early morning.

'All systems integration debugging complete. Structural stress tests passed. Energy reserves: Metallic Hydrogen Slurry reserves meet minimum requirements. Navigation system ready. Shield field camouflage module loaded.' 'keystone' reported.

Han Zhe stood before the main console of the new 'Flight Control Center'. The view here was more expansive, with a panoramic observation window and complex control interfaces before him. Behind him, Alpha-01, temporarily appointed as security captain, stood solemnly with several elite soldiers.

Outside the window lay the familiar debris field and, in the distance, that slowly 'writhing' fusion zone emitting ominous dark red and chaotic warp light. The space there had begun to show a visible, sickly distortion of color.

'Commander, the Flight Control Center is ready, awaiting your command.' 'keystone's' voice sounded within the cabin.

Han Zhe took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the power indicator lights on the console, finally settling on the red button beneath the heavy transparent cover labeled 'Main Thrusters Engage'.

His finger pressed down steadily.

HMMMMMMMM——————!!!

A deep tremor, as if from the planet's deepest core, instantly reverberated throughout the entire platform! The nozzles of the six massive thruster arrays, from their faint blue pre-ignition state, suddenly erupted with blindingly white plasma torrents! The violent thrust acted upon the platform; even with the inertial dampeners' buffering, everyone felt a powerful force pushing them into their seats or against the floor!

The platform—this colossal steel behemoth pieced together from countless wreckage, silent in the void for who knows how long—began to move, slowly but with unwavering determination!

At first, the movement was almost imperceptible, but soon, under sustained and stable thrust, speed began to increase. The starscape and debris field outside the observation window began to visibly slide backward.

They were leaving! Leaving this region filled with death, secrets, and a greater terror in the making!

'Course set: Disengage from the current debris field, maneuver towards relatively 'clean' interstellar space. Speed: 0.03G acceleration, gradually increasing to 0.05G cruise. Shield field at full power, disguising energy signature as minor celestial jet stream.' 'keystone' smoothly executed the preset program.

The platform (perhaps now it could be called a 'mobile base' or the 'Ark') moved like an awakened steel leviathan, spewing an energy wake, beginning its clumsy yet determined swim into deep space. Behind it, the debris field and the horrifyingly mutating fusion entity within gradually shrank and blurred.

Han Zhe glanced back in that direction. That place buried the despair of the 'Tenacious', concealed the secret of the stc fragment, witnessed the bloodshed and growth of Alpha Squad, and was about to give birth to an unimaginable monster.

But he had taken away something more important: a base with initial scale, a loyal army, an evolving technological system, and... the hope to survive and venture into the wider starry sea.

Inside the 'Hive-II' center, the recruits of Gamma Squad were undergoing training, and the indicator lights for the delta batch blinked steadily. Life continued to be nurtured within the moving steel cradle.

'Report, Commander. We have exited the primary gravitational influence range of the original debris field. Course is stable. Preliminary scans up to one hundred thousand kilometers ahead show no large obstacles or anomalous energy sources.' The voice of Alpha-01 came through.

'Maintain course, continue monitoring the surrounding environment. Keep the 'Truth Listener' network on alert, expand scan range. Switch the 'Taotie-II' protocol to low-power mode, collecting sparse materials along the way.' Han Zhe issued new orders.

The base was alive. It was no longer a fixed target; it had feet, though still very cumbersome.

The road ahead remained unknown; deep space remained dark.

But at least this time, part of the steering wheel of fate was held in his own hands.

The moving steel cradle, carrying the embers of civilization and the seeds of war, sailed into a deeper, more dangerous starry sea.