52: Ash Cemetery

"The 'iron curtain' shield generator energy output is stable above the baseline, with deflection efficiency reaching 72% of the design expectation. The 'giant wave' main gun charging system has completed its third stress test, with peak power output showing no attenuation. The 'Thunderstorm' close-in defense array reaction time has been shortened to 0.3 seconds. All-ship airtightness, pipeline pressure, energy circulation... everything is up to standard." keystone's steady reporting voice echoed within the brand-new command center of the dawn, which was covered in a matte gray radar-absorbent coating. Various data streams slid silently across the wraparound main screen, like the steady and powerful pulse of this warship.

After sixty days and nights of forging in fire, the dawn had undergone a complete transformation. It was no longer that bloated, fragile mobile platform that could only passively take hits or flee in panic; it was now a cold, lethal steel blade that had begun to take its edge. Thick "Simulated Taosteel-II" armor covered every vital point, the menacing twin-linked Plasma Macro Cannons on the bow exuded a deep threat, the close-in defense turrets lining the broadsides were like the alert quills of a porcupine, and the reinforced thruster array at the stern signaled the possibility of maneuvers that were no longer clumsy.

Han Zhe—now the captain of the dawn—stood before the command seat, his fingertips unconsciously brushing over the cold alloy armrest. His gaze swept over the green indicators on the screen representing the ship's health, finally landing on the peripheral tactical star map. The blue dot representing the dawn was suspended quietly in a relatively empty stretch of interstellar space, next to the asteroid that had been gnawed down to a mere remnant core by the "Taotie" protocol.

After the terrifying consumption of the "anvil forging" plan, resource points had returned to a relatively safe level—around 150,000—and were slowly rising as the remaining parts of the asteroid and sparse surrounding matter continued to be collected. But this was far from enough. The operation, maintenance, and combat consumption of a warship, as well as future planning (such as the next batch of clones, more advanced weapon research, and even possible fleet expansion), all required massive amounts of resources as a backbone.

More importantly, the encounter that had nearly caused the Ark to fail in its infancy hung over Han Zhe's head like the Sword of Damocles, a constant reminder of the cruelty and danger of this universe. Where did those twisted space predators, a blend of biological and chaotic traits, come from? Why did they attack? Were there more? Passive defense and secluded development could not eliminate this threat. He needed to take the initiative to understand, to respond, and even... to find them before they came knocking again, or to find a power sufficient to make them wary, or even destroy them.

"keystone, integrate all data regarding the encounter, including the monsters' physical characteristics, energy signals, behavior patterns, and any clues we've obtained from the 'scarlet regret' wreckage, dark red fragments, or even earlier probe information that might be related to Chaos or unknown biological threats." Han Zhe's voice rang out in the command center, clear and calm. "Attempt to establish a threat characteristic database and perform a preliminary threat source deduction. We need to know what we might be facing and their possible range of activity."

"Command confirmed. Integrating data... Establishing 'Unknown Biological Threat (Provisional Name: Aberration)' file... Correlating historical anomaly signal analysis... Constructing deduction model..."

Meanwhile, another task was proceeding simultaneously.

"Perform an extreme stress simulation test on the dawn's existing combat systems. Simulation target: Assume an attack by three 'Aberrations' of the same type; evaluate our ship's win rate, damage estimates, and resource consumption under different tactical choices (head-on engagement, mobile maneuvering, ambush, evacuation). Incorporate the reconnaissance and harassment capabilities of the 'hound-ii' reconnaissance platform (now equipped with light weaponry and enhanced sensors) into the tactical considerations." Han Zhe needed to know the weight of his new ship and how to maximize its combat effectiveness.

"Simulation test starting... Loading environmental parameters... Generating 'Aberration' behavior model..."

Massive calculations unfolded within keystone's core and the shipboard computing arrays. Virtual starry skies, hideous monsters, spraying gunfire, and flickering shields... collided fiercely in the digital world.

Just as the dawn was digesting the lessons of the last battle and honing its new fangs, the "Diting" network, in which Han Zhe had placed great hopes, finally transmitted a long-awaited and valuable message.

"Received an encrypted data packet from 'Diting-09' (deployed in the opposite direction of the original debris belt, at a distance of approximately 0.8 light-minutes). The content is an analysis report of continuously monitored deep-space electromagnetic background noise," keystone reported, while projecting an analysis summary onto a corner of the main screen.

The report showed that within a specific and relatively narrow frequency band, "Diting-09" had captured a recurring, extremely weak, but clearly regular signal pulse. The pulse encoding method was ancient and concise, not belonging to the standard formats of the Empire or known major aliens, but after keystone's preliminary decryption, its content had a clear direction:

"...Navigation beacon... coordinates updated... resource-rich zone marked... 'Ashes Graveyard'... periodic scanning... Warning: area unstable... high-value mineral reactions detected... also... energy disturbances..."

A resource-rich zone? High-value minerals? "Ashes Graveyard"? This sounded like a location, an area that might contain abundant resources but was also accompanied by danger (energy disturbances).

"'Ashes Graveyard'... Search the database for any similar names or characteristic records," Han Zhe immediately asked.

"No direct matching records found. However, the naming style is similar to the habits of certain ancient human explorers or lost colonies when naming dangerous sectors. The signal encoding method has some underlying logical connections with the ancient beacons found in the 'Megastructure Debris Mountain,' possibly belonging to the same origin or a similar era of technological level," keystone analyzed.

An ancient regional beacon that might contain resources but also marked danger. This was exactly what he needed! The dawn urgently needed resources, and it also needed actual combat to test and break in its systems. Furthermore, it needed to strike proactively to nip potential threats in the bud, or at least to understand their true nature.

"Can we perform triangulation based on the beacon signal to determine the approximate direction and distance of the 'Ashes Graveyard'?" Han Zhe's heart rate accelerated slightly.

"The direction of the signal source can be roughly determined. However, since the signal is weak and 'Diting-09' is a single-point receiver, precise ranging is impossible. Based on signal attenuation models and background noise intensity, the target area is roughly estimated to be within a range of 1.5 to 3 light-years from the dawn's current position." keystone provided a range that was not precise but sufficient to serve as a reference for action.

1.5 to 3 light-years... With the dawn's current conventional sub-light propulsion capability (0.08C cruise), it would take eighteen to thirty-seven years of travel! This was clearly unrealistic.

"We lack long-distance warp capability." Han Zhe frowned. That life-risking method of emergency jumping could not be replicated, and its distance was limited.

"Analyzing the signal content, 'periodic scanning' might mean that the beacon is not fixed but moving within a smaller area, or its signal is periodically activated. If it is associated with a periodically occurring natural phenomenon (such as a pulsar sweep or gravitational lensing effect) or man-made activity, we might be able to capture a clearer signal at a closer distance, or even find its source," keystone suggested another possibility.

"Continue monitoring that frequency band and expand the coverage density of the 'Diting' network in that direction. At the same time, plan an exploration route along the signal source direction, using a radius that the dawn can accept (within a few months to a year) for active scanning and detection. Goal: Find any clues related to the 'Ashes Graveyard,' such as abnormal gravity sources, energy concentration zones, ancient artificial structures, or... other resource signals." Han Zhe made a decision. It was better to strike out than to wait idly, even if it was just a small step forward.

"Planning exploration route... Combined with resource collection needs, the route will pass through areas where asteroid belts or relatively rich interstellar dust may exist as much as possible..."

The dawn's short-term goal was thus determined: while honing itself, it would begin a cautious exploration voyage toward the direction where resources and danger might exist.

Just then, the simulation test results also came out.

"Tactical simulation complete. Comprehensive assessment: In a situation with sufficient intelligence and a proactive ambush, the dawn's win rate against three 'Aberrations' can reach 68%, with expected light to moderate damage and controllable resource consumption. The win rate in a head-on encounter drops to 41%, with intensified damage. Being ambushed or attacked by a larger number carries extremely high risk. Recommendation: Strengthen reconnaissance and early detection capabilities; develop targeted weaponry (such as large-area Plasma Burst Shells and high-speed armor-piercing torpedoes); further improve hull maneuverability and shield recovery speed."

A win rate of less than 70%, and that was under the most ideal circumstances. This result made Han Zhe even more clear-headed. The dawn was a sword, but it was not yet fast enough, nor sharp enough.

"Status of the 'hound-ii' platform mass production?" he asked.

"The first prototype test is complete, and the production line is ready. Small-batch production can begin. Recommended output: four to six units, to expand the range of reconnaissance and early warning."

"Approve production. At the same time, initiate a targeted weapon pre-research project, codenamed 'Purge.' Focus on research into large-area energy lethality and high-armor-penetration weapons. The conceptual design for a shipboard-scaled version of the 'long nail' sniper rifle can also be put on the agenda."

Orders were issued in an orderly fashion. The dawn was like a warrior who had just completed basic training, beginning more targeted equipment and tactical preparations against potential enemies.

A few days later, the exploration route was planned. It was a winding, non-linear path, like a tentacle groping forward in the dark, trying to find a balance between acquiring resources and searching for the target.

"dawn, all hands to Condition Two readiness. Set the course, depart." Han Zhe gave the order for setting sail.

Amidst a low roar, the dawn's stern thrusters emitted a stable, deep blue wake, pushing the steel warship as it slowly left the asteroid wreckage of its birthplace (or rather, its place of rebirth) and sailed toward the deeper, more unknown sea of stars.

Outside the viewport, starlight flowed. Inside the command center, various data ran smoothly. Soldiers stood watch at their respective stations, and new "hound-ii" platforms were being produced with urgency.

Han Zhe's gaze fell on the newly drawn route on the star map, pointing into the dark depths.

"Ashes Graveyard"... resources... danger... and those twisted predators hidden in the darkness... This time, he would no longer be the prey.

He would hold his sharp sword and take the initiative to walk into the darkness, searching for the nutrients needed for survival, and also to measure... just how deep the malice of this universe truly was.

The voyage had begun.