Chapter 154: Secret Swarm
Compared with the complete defense system in the New Federation, the Sherman Empire cannot be said to be inferior in this regard, but it can only be said to be in a mess.
This made Yang Ming's team, who were used to stealing things from the New Federation, feel somewhat uncomfortable at the moment.
"Aren't they afraid that the enemy will suddenly attack?"
Lu muttered quietly:
“There are no gravitational detection devices in the stable gravitational zone outside the star, and in the airspace near the administrative star, half of the networked detectors have aged to the point of being unusable.
“The patrol boats we encountered just now didn’t even have their radars turned on at full power, and through the portholes we could see a few male crew members drinking and dancing.
“It’s incredible!”
Yang Ming simply asked back: "Do you think anyone dares to fight Sherman head-on?"
Lu was speechless.
At this moment, two new "proper" chairs were added to the bridge of the Feinan.
Yang Ming was in charge of the driving area, 026 was in charge of the fire control area, and Hera temporarily sat behind the operating panel of the ship-borne detector, watching with a smile as Yang Ming and Lu complained to each other.
This is how I got here.
The chattering virtual assistant and the optimistic and cheerful but cautious maintenance worker in front of Yang Ming made Hera feel no sense of alienation.
After three galactic days of sailing and more than a dozen circuitous jumps, the Feinan has successfully entered the star system where Zubin is located.
"Begin planning the exploration route."
At Yang Ming's call, Lu immediately opened the three-dimensional star map, adjusted the ratio between stars and star distances, and condensed the details of the current star system as much as possible in the projection with a diameter of two meters.
Yang Ming circled two planets.
"They are numbered according to their distance from the stars. The closest planet is target number one. It is greatly affected by the star and the detection instruments are prone to deviations.
"The farthest planet, Planet 7, is the second target, and it's more secretive.
"Planet No. 6 is a gas giant with a very harsh environment. We have prepared two special drones, which were deployed when we passed by before, but it will take at least ten days to complete the monitoring. There is a high probability that there will be no insect eggs there. The first- and second-order insects cannot survive in the storm of a gas giant.
"Except for the planet Zubin, the other three planets are listed as the third target and will be explored in order of priority."
026 raised his right hand.
"speak."
026 wondered, "Boss, why don't we explore Zubin Planet?"
Yang Ming smiled and said, "There is a strict defense network around the administrative planet. Although Zubin Star is desolate, the near-planetary defense system is still very comprehensive."
"We need to consider the considerations of the New Federation when doing this kind of thing," Lu added, "They are unlikely to take such a huge risk. Once this place is discovered, the entire plan will be exposed."
Hera raised her hand in a serious manner and said, "I think that the more this is the case, the more carefully we should explore Zubin Planet."
Yang Ming asked: "Reason?"
"The step of placing the eggs was carried out by a small number of elite CIA agents."
Hera whispered:
"The CIA is best at all-round infiltration. If they are only transporting female insects without carrying eggs, a container will not be too noticeable.
"Going against logic and surprising people is also the CIA's style of operation.
"They might create a dark environment. And although Zubin still has the basic defense system, it has lost much of its activity and has large uninhabited areas."
"To test Zubin, we have to get too close to their defense system," Lu thought carefully, "and then we will take a greater risk. I suggest that we carefully test other planets first."
Yang Ming clapped his hands and motioned the three older sisters to look at him.
He said seriously:
"When I'm close to the Zerg, I should be able to sense them. In this case, we should take multiple approaches.
"Lü is responsible for driving and guarding, 026 is responsible for assisting Hera, Hera is responsible for operating various detection instruments, and I will drive an invisible boat to perform rapid maneuvers on the surface of the planet to see if I can catch a dead mouse by chance.
“We obtained this intelligence by deciphering a file that was not completely deleted by the New Federal CIA, and the result may not be correct.
"This time, just treat it as a vacation. The total duration is only 20 galactic days. If there is no harvest, leave immediately."
"yes!"
Lu and 026 agreed in unison.
Hera nodded slightly to Yang Ming, put on her glasses, and began to adjust the parameters of various detection instruments.
Feinan left the back of the asteroid, faced Zubin across the star, and headed straight for target No. 1.
In the bridge, three women were busy with their respective tasks.
026 ran around in a maintenance worker's loose work clothes. In addition to assisting with work, he also constantly brought tea, snacks and warmth to Hera.
Lu sat in the captain's seat in a very formal manner, controlling the Feinan to complete various difficult flights and avoid areas where airspace detectors might exist.
Half a day later, Yang Ming drove a small ship, speeding back and forth on the surface of target planet No. 1.
Hera continued to adjust the nine biological detectors of various types installed on the Feinan, carefully watching the data feedback, and occasionally trying to empty her mind and sense with her body.
After working continuously for more than ten hours, Yang Ming returned to Feinan.
Target No. 1 was confirmed to be normal.
There was no feedback from the instrument, and Yang Ming and Hera did not feel anything unusual.
The Feinan began to move towards the second target planet. The three carbon-based life forms on the ship took the time to rest, while the law worked around the clock without blind spots...non-stop.
Twelve days in a row.
The Feinan circled around in the star system, and Yang Ming drove the small ship for an unknown number of thousands of miles.
No trace of bugs.
Yang Ming searched not only the planet itself but also the satellites carefully.
The detection drone inside the gas planet sent back relatively comprehensive data, and also found no traces of the Zerg.
Lu felt that perhaps the coordinates were analyzed incorrectly, or the information itself was misleading.
Tired Hera didn't care to maintain her ladylike image. She half-lying in the chair, wrapped in the blanket sent by 026, her dark circles were already very obvious.
She said slowly:
"Another possibility is that our current detection methods are ineffective.
"The Zerg are a very amazing collective life form. Their civilization level is actually higher than the technological civilization of the human race in the galaxy. They themselves are the most sophisticated instruments.
“According to past data, when the Zerg is relatively vulnerable in the early stages, they will evolve a variety of methods to save their lives.
"It has been proven that there are connections between the Zerg swarms. Dozens of low-level Zerg swarms have been wiped out in the past two years, and the remaining Zerg swarms are likely to have evolved accordingly."
"Well," Yang Ming said with a smile, "These bugs are very smart. Maybe their shells have already turned into rock by now."
026 whispered, "Then do we still need to explore Zubin Planet?"
Yang Ming crossed his arms and thought for a while.
"Let's go investigate," Yang Ming said, "Since we are here now."
Lu smiled and said, "I knew the boss would make such a decision. We have already planned the route map. We can first hack some defense satellites and then send small stealth ships into the planet's atmosphere. Because we can't orbit the planet recklessly, we must rely on small stealth ships to get close to the surface and use another detection method."
Yang Ming shrugged: "I will continue to do the hard labor. If you are discovered, just turn on the particle transporter to pull me back."
"You can't go," Hera said suddenly.
Yang Ming blinked.
Hera would not let her personal feelings affect her work, and she must have her reasons for saying that.
Hera sat up and stared at Yang Ming: "Didn't you say that when you come into close contact with the Zerg, it will trigger a Zerg riot."
"Yes, they will most likely be afraid of me."
"There are tens of millions of people on this administrative planet."
Hera said:
"If there is an insect swarm here, and the number 014 represents the batch of insect swarms that were planned to be sown early, and after the stimulation of the past two years, there may already be a high-level queen.
"If they riot, it will lead to disaster. The Zerg will slaughter life forms that are not their own species. This is their characteristic.
"There is no powerful imperial fleet nearby, so it is impossible to stop the damage in time after the disaster."
Lu said, "I suggest abandoning this operation. In this case, even if we find that there are Zerg underground on Zubin Star, the boss cannot directly land and kill the Zerg, and our purpose of coming here cannot be achieved."
Hera frowned and looked at Lu: "Why give up? If there are really bugs here, we can also notify the Empire and save tens of millions of human lives."
Lu said: "My personal emotional inclination is naturally to save lives, but this has nothing to do with the boss's core interests. We still have to take great risks. We can find a way to let the Empire dig up the surface of this planet and search and verify it bit by bit."
026 tried to interrupt: "Um..."
Hera said slowly: "We have the most sophisticated instruments to test. If we don't try it, the cost of the previous half month will be completely wasted."
Lu said, "Risk assessment is part of my job. After all, Zubin is the administrative planet of the Sherman Empire. The unpredictable risks there are too great."
"Perhaps we can try outside," Hera said, "We can't just come back empty-handed."
Lu: "What's the point of trying the periphery? If we want to detect hidden Zerg, we must conduct detection near the surface, and the boss can't rashly get close to the atmosphere."
"You two," Yang Ming said with a smile, "Can you please look at the crew member number 3 who has raised her hand? She has been raising it for quite some time."
Lu and Hera turned their heads at the same time and looked at 026.
The eyes of the mechanical thinking body and the biologist were a little sharp, as if asking 026 who he chose to support.
"I can go to the surface for exploration on behalf of my boss," 026 said weakly, "I have been on the ship for two years. After meeting the requirements, I was bound to this particle transporter. I can be transported back directly. I will not cause any reaction from the Zerg. I am also familiar with the ship's operation."
Lu and Hera nodded at the same time, both thinking it was a good idea.
Yang Ming looked at 026 with some hesitation...
Is this little girl really reliable?
…
What makes Yang Ming feel gratified is that after more than two years of training, 026 is now able to work independently.
On the back of Zubin, above an uninhabited city, the Feinan was hovering in stealth. The small stealth ship piloted by 026 had already used the cover of the uninhabited city to stick to the surface and conduct a slow scan.
The two detectors on the stealth ship were running at full power, continuously transmitting data back to the underground.
On the projection screen, you can still see 026's somewhat nervous little round face.
She was wearing a loose blue maintenance suit and a pair of white gloves, looking like a young master operating machinery on a construction site.
Hera concentrated on analyzing the various data sent back by the stealth ship;
The law is closely monitoring the planet's defense capabilities and the gravitational changes in the outer airspace.
They were ready to abandon the small stealth ship at any time and pull 026 back to escape together.
The sound of 026 humming was heard from the communication channel. She seemed to be using this method to give herself courage.
Yang Ming had a rare moment of leisure. He stood by the porthole and gazed at this 'old' administrative planet that was filled with dark clouds.
The Sherman Empire has existed for tens of thousands of galactic years, and these administrative stars have experienced glory and decline more than once, leaving behind a profound historical accumulation.
In the surface images transmitted back by the stealth boat, Yang Ming saw a city that had long been dead.
Only the ruins of the towering building remained. It had stood there for who knows how long. Except for the main structure, the rest had been weathered, like a lonely flagpole.
The relatively low buildings are covered with all kinds of plants, making this place look like a strange jungle.
The ground was littered with broken glass, various synthetic fiber fabrics were floating everywhere, and occasionally some animal carcasses could be seen.
Why do people abandon this place?
Is it because of the dark clouds in the sky and the acid rain that falls from time to time, that the harmful substances floating in the air remain high all year round?
No, these are not the main reasons, technology can help people adapt to the environment here.
There may be only one reason why this place is gradually abandoned: the continued economic decline and the young people being attracted to planets with more opportunities.
Yang Ming turned his head and glanced, and found that Hera's brows were tightly furrowed and her lips were slightly pursed.
"What's wrong?" Yang Ming walked over slowly, his hands behind his back, "Is there anything wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm suddenly feeling a little irritated," Hera whispered, "The data is normal, no signs of life were found in the mantle layer, do you feel anything?"
Yang Ming shrugged.
Hera took off her glasses, rubbed her sleepy eyelids, and continued to stare at the display.
Sudden.
"Boss," 026's voice suddenly sounded, "Do you want to take a look at this?"
Yang Ming looked in the direction of the voice and saw Lu immediately opening the video call.
"Which one?"
"this!"
026 pointed the camera out the window, and saw a relatively intact wall filled with figures wearing silver-gray exoskeleton armor and black tactical helmets.
White ghost.
This should have been painted in the last two years, so the degree of weathering is not high.
Yang Ming shook his head and smiled: "There may be human activities here, be careful."
"Yes!" 026 quickly turned the camera towards himself, "I'll continue to concentrate on my work!"
"Something's not right," Lu's projection appeared beside Yang Ming.
"What's wrong?"
"Energy," Lu said softly, "This city is clearly uninhabited, but some of its underground circuits are still functioning normally, and energy transmission still exists in a small area."
Yang Ming called up a bird's-eye view of the city below.
Lu quickly marked several coordinate points and circled the area where the energy feedback was abnormal.
Yang Ming's brain seemed to be struck by electricity, and he immediately thought of something.
"Lil, the bugs feed on radiation."
"Yes, boss."
"It's not just natural stars that can provide stable radiation. Stars also get their energy from hydrogen nuclear fusion," Yang Ming frowned and said, "Invade the database of this administrative planet and check if they have a large-scale nuclear industry here."
Lu was silent for more than ten seconds.
A sense of uneasiness gradually grew in Yang Ming's heart.
Soon, Lu spoke again: "This planet used to have many production bases for fusion nuclear fuel cells for ships, but they were abandoned hundreds of years ago due to technological innovation. It stands to reason that there is no way that the fuel has remained for so long, unless the New Federation has artificially activated some of the deactivated reactors... And Boss, our detection instruments are mainly aimed at the deep crust of the earth."
"Hera, change the detection target to the outer layer of the earth's crust! Ritsu, mark the locations of these abandoned factories, find these energy sources, and guide 026 to investigate!"
"Okay boss."
"clear."
The bridge of the Feinan fell silent.
The small ship driven by 026 began to move towards the location marked by Lu.
Ten minutes later.
Hera's calm voice sounded first:
"There is a bioenergetic reaction in the area between 3,000 and 12,000 meters underground. It's very weak. I'm adjusting the parameters... If it were a regular detection instrument, it wouldn't be able to capture these anomalies at all."
"boss!"
026 said quickly: "There are irregular cracks in some places on the ground buildings here, and it seems that they have collapsed downwards, but the feedback from the topographic mapper shows that there are no gaps underground... There seems to be something wrong, boss. I found a traffic hub sign for an underground mine, but the mapper reported... There is no cavity underneath..."
No cavity?
Yang Ming decisively ordered: "Leave there and return to the Feinan."
"Yes, boss."
Hera's expression changed slightly.
She looked up at Yang Ming, her lips trembling slightly, and turned the screen in front of her half a circle to face Yang Ming.
Dense green dots appeared on the screen.
If the earth is "skin", then these green dots form the capillaries under the skin.
The numbers in the upper left corner of the screen kept jumping. At this moment, they had reached seven digits and were still soaring rapidly.
"Obviously, in order to avoid detection, they retreated from the mantle layer to the surface, disguised as rocky matter," Hera whispered, "This planet is doomed."
