38: The missing bees and the unexpected signal

The unexpected loss during the "Deep Diver" operation cast a shadow over the base's morale. The wasp Unit 02, trapped deep within the under-ice labyrinth, was not only a piece of valuable equipment but its presence could also expose the base's reconnaissance intentions or even lead the Ice Abyss Predators back to them.

Sun Zheng immediately ordered the defense level of Forward Base Alpha to be raised to the maximum. All units entered a state of combat readiness, the entrance area was strictly sealed, and additional prism tanks and battle fortresses were dispatched to patrol the vicinity.

Simultaneously, he ordered the Combat Laboratory to put all its effort into analyzing the final data transmitted by Unit 02 before it lost contact, attempting to find the source of that powerful air current.

The analysis results were baffling. The energy signature of the air current was very peculiar; it didn't resemble natural convection or mechanical ventilation. Instead, it was more like the aftershocks generated by some sort of large-scale energy transfer or spatial disturbance.

"Commander, this air current might not be an active attack. It's more like a side effect of a large piece of equipment starting up or shutting down," the Chief Researcher hypothesized. "Just like how we generate local air current disturbances when we activate the Chronosphere."

This hypothesis made Sun Zheng's heart skip a beat. Could there be a device similar to Chronosphere Teleportation deep within the Under-ice Ruins? Or perhaps another giant energy core was in operation?

Regardless, the complexity and danger level of the under-ice world had been redefined once again.

Just as Sun Zheng was hesitating about his next move, an unexpected communication request patched into the Command Center's main channel. The source of the signal wasn't from within the base, nor from lunar orbit, but from deep space!

[Encrypted communication request from an unknown source received. Signal encoding method has a 7.3% similarity with legacy data from the 'deep space gate' project.]

"deep space gate?!" Sun Zheng stood up abruptly. How could a project that disappeared decades ago suddenly send a signal?

"Attempt to establish a secure connection! Trace the signal source!"

After complex decryption and signal amplification by the communications officer, a voice filled with heavy interference—sounding as if it had crossed an endless void—rang out in the Command Center:

"...Calling... Moon Base... this is the 'deep space gate' remnant ship 'voyager'..."

The voice was weak and exhausted, set against a background of continuous alarms and the sound of twisting metal.

"We encountered a scrin capital ship... at the edge of the Kuiper Belt... heavy losses..."

"The key fragment... cannot fall into their hands..."

"Our coordinates are exposed... crash-landing in the shadow region of Olympus Mons on Mars..."

"Requesting backup... repeat... requesting any human assistance..."

At this point, the signal was drowned out by a powerful electromagnetic storm and completely cut off.

The Command Center fell into a dead silence. Everyone was stunned by this sudden distress signal from deep space.

Sun Zheng's mind raced. This was too much information!

There were survivors of the "deep space gate" project? They were on a ship called the "voyager"? They encountered a scrin capital ship? At the edge of the Kuiper Belt? They mentioned "key fragment"? And they crash-landed on Mars?!

Most importantly, the distress signal they sent was received by the Moon Base!

This meant there might still be humans existing beyond Earth! It meant the Scrin threat had already closed in on the inner Solar System! It meant the battle for the "key" had spread from the Moon to the entire Solar System!

Furthermore, Mars! That was the next target of the human space age, and now it might become an interstellar battlefield!

Sun Zheng felt unprecedented pressure, but also an inexplicable sense of mission. He was currently the only human power that had received the distress signal and possessed a certain degree of interstellar operational capability.

To save them, or not?

A rescue meant leaving the relatively safe Moon Base and going on an expedition tens of millions of kilometers away to Mars, facing an unknown environment and a potentially present scrin capital ship. The risk was enormous, and the success rate was slim.

If he didn't save them? The survivors on the "voyager" might be completely wiped out, the "key fragment" might fall into Scrin hands, and humanity would lose precious intelligence and hope.

Sun Zheng's gaze swept across every tense face in the Command Center, then looked out the window at that blue planet. Their compatriots on Earth knew nothing of this.

He took a deep breath and connected to the all-army communication channel, his voice steady and firm:

"Attention all personnel, this is Sun Zheng."

"We have just received a distress signal from survivors of the 'deep space gate' project. They are on a ship named 'voyager' and have crash-landed on Mars, facing a Scrin threat."

"I know an expedition to Mars means immense risk. Our base has only just found its footing."

"But we cannot stand by and watch them die. This is not just about the lives of our compatriots; it's about the future of human civilization. The Scrin threat is real, and they are already at our doorstep!"

"I have decided to respond to the distress signal and form an Expeditionary Fleet to head for Mars!"

"This is not an impulse; it is a responsibility and an opportunity. There may be resources, technology, and allies on Mars that we desperately need!"

"The base is entering Level 1 combat readiness! All departments are to put full effort into preparing for the Mars expedition!"

"Our journey is the sea of stars. And right now, the sea of stars needs us!"

As the order was issued, the entire base felt as if a heavy bomb had been dropped; after a brief moment of shock, an unprecedented surge of energy and determination erupted! A crisis is also an opportunity! The Moon Base was officially stepping onto the interstellar stage!

Sun Zheng watched the base come to life and clenched his fist. The secrets under the ice would have to be set aside for now; a more urgent and grander mission was calling.

Mars, here we come!