As they gradually approached the satellite wreckage, Zhou Tianming and Natarle both entered work mode.
The playful intimacy between them ceased, yet this in no way affected their bond.
Neither was the type to lose themselves in emotions—their professional dedication only deepened their mutual respect.
Natarle remained on the Bridge, monitoring their surroundings while drafting contingency plans on her display. Meanwhile, Zhou Tianming meditated in his quarters.
His consciousness sank into the inner space—
Over the years as leader of the Junk Guild, he'd transformed the Junk Guild into a thriving entity through unified East Asian management.
His formidable reputation and strength naturally earned widespread Trust.
Though he hadn't fully learned to trust others, certain familiar faces had gradually lit up his [Trust] indicator.
His Mental Power Limit had reached 341, with Flower Pistils now numbering five clusters.
Preparing for the satellite wreckage expedition, he adjusted his Seed configuration.
Given the satellite's complexity, [Sense] was prioritized.
Anticipating scenarios where he'd need to physically enter structures without the Vermilion Bird, he added [Overdrive] for rapid crisis response. For the final cluster, he chose [Analyze] over [Concentration].
While [Concentration] combined with Seed's base effects could double dynamic vision and neural reflexes, his need to decrypt servers for potential Psycommu Alloy formulas made [Analyze] more valuable.
Calculating mentally: three Mental Commands—[Overdrive] at 10 points/sec, [Analyze] at 1 point/sec, and [Sense] at 20 points/sec—totaled 31 points per second.
7 seconds standard, 9 seconds at maximum strain. Too brief.
Removing [Overdrive] extended it to 11-13 seconds.
Ultimately, he discarded [Overdrive]. If absolutely needed, he could expend his Mental Power Limit directly—10 points was negligible. The Seed encapsulated his Mental Commands.
Exiting his consciousness space, he slept deeply to restore optimal mental condition.
In Cosmic Space, any lapse could mean a fate worse than death—as a certain perfect organism could attest.
The Black Tortoise halted 500 units from the wreckage. Lower bow doors opened, extending twin magnetic Ejection Rails. "Safe travels. I'll keep the Black Tortoise mobile to avoid tracking," Natarle said.
Inside the Vermilion Bird's panoramic cockpit, Zhou Tianming—clad in black spaceflight gear—nodded at her image on the viewscreen. "Don't worry. I'll be careful."
Leaning back in the seat, his hands gripped the control sticks on both sides as two rectangular Sense devices extended from the headrest to flank his temples.
A faint white glow lit up within the device grooves, and the patterns on his helmet illuminated in response.
"Zhou Tianming, Vermilion Bird launching!"
The countdown 3-2-1 flashed, arcs of electricity crackled along the launch rail, and the red-orange avian form of the Vermilion Bird was catapulted outward in an instant.
Entering Cosmic Space, the Vermilion Bird's short wings unfolded from its sides as it accelerated forward.
The Feather Plumes mounted on the Black Tortoise's wings shot out in pursuit.
Ten Feather Plumes caught up to the Vermilion Bird and attached themselves to its wings.
With the Feather Plumes in position, the great wings spread wide.
Like a crimson meteor streaking through Cosmic Space, the Vermilion Bird accelerated to triple speed toward the Satellite wreckage.
"Did I forget to design horns for it?"
(For reference only)
Over 10,000 units away from the Black Tortoise, the Eurasian fleet had already begun their search from the Mars approach, moving in the opposite direction. On the Bridge—
Radar operator: "Captain, detecting a massive object ahead, size equivalent to a Satellite. Likely our target."
The middle-aged captain casually placed his half-drunk bagged coffee in midair before manipulating the screen before him.
"That must be it. Never expected an actual Satellite to be here. Any records on it?"
"No matching Satellite models in the database. Might find something online, but—"
"Doesn't matter. We're not here to investigate." The captain waved a hand. "Advance toward the Satellite. Have the MA squad ready—Zhou Tianming will definitely enter it. Once he leaves the Black Tortoise, that's our chance!"
"Understood!"
The crew sprang into action.
Just then, not far ahead of the Agamemnon-class Battleship, a golden light abruptly flared in the pitch-black Cosmic Space.
Like a rising sun, it began as a tiny point before rapidly expanding into a gaping void.
This inexplicable phenomenon left everyone across the entire fleet stunned.
The captains reacted swiftly, bellowing: "Battle stations! Level one alert!"
From within the "gate," an unidentified creature resembling a whale emerged.
Its translucent skin revealed an internal golden skeletal structure, neatly arranged to support its body, with a radiant golden sphere glowing at its abdomen.
Two wing-like protrusions on its back bore skeletal branches from which swaying tendrils extended, undulating with its movements. As it fully exited the golden gate, the light faded, plunging Cosmic Space back into darkness.
"Impossible!" The captain shot to his feet upon recognizing the creature's form. "Evidence 01!"
The whale undulated forward—seemingly slow, yet in the blink of an eye, it appeared before a Nelson-class Battleship.
Its size was modest, roughly matching the Nelson-class.
Sweat beaded on the brows of the Nelson's crew, their faces twisted in terror as the captain frantically typed emails bombarding the flagship Agamemnon's inbox. The Agamemnon's captain was equally overwhelmed, frozen in indecision.
Then the whale moved. Its head split vertically, jaws widening as its body suddenly expanded two to threefold. Its translucent skin draped over the Nelson like gauze.
Within moments, it had swallowed the battleship whole—the vessel still visible through its transparent flesh.
"Open fire!"
Captain Agamemnon roared, his orders swiftly relayed to the remaining warships as they opened fire.
Inside the whale's belly, the Nelson specifically targeted the golden sphere not far ahead, unleashing its weapons.
Missiles and beams surged forward.
They struck the whale's skin, its transparent surface rippling like water as the projectiles vanished without a sound. Inside, the Nelson's attacks were similarly absorbed by the golden sphere, its glow growing even brighter.
Aboard the Agamemnon, the captain slammed his fist onto the armrest of his seat, gritting his teeth as he growled, "Retreat! Get out of here as fast as possible! Keep transmitting the message back to Earth—no interruptions! It must get through! Send a signal to the Black Tortoise—tell them to leave now!"
"But..."
"This is an alien attack! No longer just human infighting!"
"Understood! But the Nelson..."
"Go!"
The other spaceships received the command, their thrusters maxed out as they swiftly changed course, while the communications officers continuously broadcasted the message outward.
The whale, however, seemed satiated, remaining motionless in place. Inside its belly, the golden sphere flickered, and suddenly, circular voids appeared across the hull of the still-firing Nelson.
One bite, two bites, three bites.
It was as though an invisible creature was gnawing at the warship, and in moments, the Nelson had vanished without a trace.
"Record everything!"
Captain Agamemnon shouted, cold sweat pouring down his face. "What kind of attack is this? Spatial?"
Clenching his teeth, he muttered, "No, we can't return to Earth—we'll lead it there. Our weapons are useless, and if this is some kind of spatial attack, we're completely powerless!"
"All ships, change course! Head for deep space!"
The crew hesitated, some unable to hold back their tears, but their hands never stopped working.
The Agamemnon, the Nelson, the Drake—every last warship turned and sped toward the void of space.
"Attack! Draw its attention! Send all the data we've gathered to the Black Tortoise—Zhou Tianming must deliver this message!" "Yes, sir!"
The assault began, raining down on the whale like a storm, yet it had no effect.
Missiles didn't explode, beams didn't penetrate, but the golden sphere inside the whale seemed to grow even brighter.
"Is it consuming our attacks? Then let's feed it until it bursts! Don't stop!"
The barrage continued for an unknown length of time until, as if finally irritated, the wing-like tendrils on the whale's back began to glow.
A golden aperture appeared before it, and with a flick of its tail, the creature slipped inside.
Moments later, the aperture shrank and vanished.
Cosmic space returned to silence and darkness.