14: Space SCV Blueprint

Rest, consume (water and a small block of nutrient paste), then hibernate again to recover.

Energy restored to 1.3%. He set his sights on target C-1—that military-standard parts container.

This EVA was even more arduous. His physical stamina wasn't fully recovered, and the spacesuit's condition had worsened; the leak seemed more severe, and the temperature dropped faster. He drifted over to the metal container. The surface bore the Imperial Aquila and a logistics serial number, both now faded and illegible. One corner of the container was torn open, revealing neatly arranged, shock-absorbing foam-wrapped... metal cubes?

Han Zhe carefully pried open the damaged section with his probe rod. The foam cracked, revealing the true contents: rows upon rows of standard, adult-palm-sized, silver-gray cubes. Their surfaces were smooth, devoid of any ports or markings, with only tiny Gothic numerals and energy rating symbols etched on the sides.

High-energy-density standardized power cells! And military-grade at that! Judging by the specifications, they were likely backup power sources for heavy infantry weapons or precision equipment! Though their remaining charge was unknown, even a small fraction would have an energy density far surpassing the escape pod's antiquated batteries!

Jackpot!

Han Zhe's heart pounded wildly. He carefully extracted two batteries, secured them with magnetic locks, and then tried to push the container. Though damaged, its structure remained intact and it was quite heavy. Not daring to be greedy, he made a decisive call: abandon the container. He swiftly returned, taking only the two batteries and a small, salvaged servo motor wreck (picked from debris floating near the container).

Back inside the pod, he didn't even bother taking off his spacesuit before lunging toward the refining core.

"System! Analyze these two batteries! Now!"

[Command confirmed. Scanning...]

[Target: Imperial Standard 'Fortress'-type High-Density Energy Cells (Model: Mark VII-b). Status: Sealed, no leaks. Remaining energy reading: Cell A - 18%, Cell B - 22%.]

[Warning: This battery model employs a special encrypted charge/discharge protocol incompatible with the escape pod's and refining core's existing interfaces. Direct connection may cause device damage or energy dissipation.]

Incompatible? Han Zhe's heart sank. But the system immediately followed up with a prompt:

[Detected high-purity, high-stability energy crystal matrix and high-efficiency energy conversion units within the batteries. Can be converted as high-quality resources. Estimated resource points obtainable per battery conversion: 1500-2000 points (depending on remaining energy).]

Convert? Han Zhe was stunned. Burn these potentially priceless military high-energy cells... as "fuel," turning them into cold, hard resource points in the system?

It felt so wasteful! But... he desperately needed resource points right now to advance the construction of 'scavenger no. 1' and unlock more system functions. Moreover, without compatible interfaces, keeping the batteries would just leave him with two pretty metal bricks.

His internal struggle lasted only a few seconds. In the long term, the batteries' potential value was immense. But for now, survival and establishing initial production capacity were the top priorities.

"Convert... Cell A." He made his decision, keeping one as a possible future reserve or research sample.

[Confirmed. Initiating resource conversion... Target: High-Density Energy Cell (18% energy).]

A blue mist enveloped the silver-gray cube. This time, the conversion process was noticeably different. Defensive, rune-like patterns (Adeptus Mechanicus anti-theft measures) lit up on the battery's surface in resistance, but were swiftly penetrated and dissolved by the system's blue light. Immediately after, a low hum—as if energy was being rapidly drained—emanated from within the battery. Its casing quickly dulled, then flaked away like weathered stone, transforming into a special, shimmering blue-white dust that was completely absorbed by the system.

[Conversion complete. Resource points acquired: 1850 points. Energy level: 1.3% → 2.1% (absorbed some dissipated energy). Current total resource points: 1850 points.]

1850 points! An unprecedented windfall! Han Zhe's spirits soared!

"System! Resources are sufficient! Now, using the existing blueprint fragments and these resources, combined with the materials we already have like tires and hydraulic rods, begin manufacturing the critical components for 'scavenger no. 1' that we cannot directly obtain from the wreckage! First, that Neural Connection Headband, and... the reinforced main frame connectors and bearings! Also, the power transmission cables need to be made from better materials!"

[Command confirmed. Initiating 'scavenger no. 1' dedicated component manufacturing sequence. Consuming resource points for material generation and precision machining...]

The refining core's faint blue light shone steadily, the internal machining sounds becoming dense and rhythmic. The "raw materials" Han Zhe provided—tires, hydraulic rods, etc.—were fed into the input port, combined with specific alloys, composite materials, and precision electronic components (based on the 15% neural connection protocol) generated by the system consuming resource points.

The process lasted several hours. Han Zhe waited anxiously, checking the progress periodically.

[Component manufacturing complete:

· Simplified Neural Connection Control Headband (Wired) x1.

· High-Strength Alloy Structural Connectors and Custom Bearing Set x1 set.

· Low-Loss Composite Energy/Data Transmission Cable (Length: 50 meters standard, spliceable) x1.

· Universal Tool Interface Base (Adaptable to Magnetic Grappling Arm) x1.]

Success! Although the core issues of power and main control remained unsolved (still needed to be scavenged from wreckage or crudely imitated), with these custom components, the chances of successfully cobbling together 'scavenger no. 1' had significantly increased.

Han Zhe couldn't wait to start assembly. But the system issued a new prompt, this time with an unusual "flavor."

[Resource points detected exceeding the 1000-point threshold, and host has successfully utilized the system for preliminary survival construction and tool manufacturing preparation. Hidden condition met.]

[Unlocking higher access permissions... Searching deep database (encrypted sectors)...]

[Discovery: Core Technology Blueprint Fragment Package ('Initial Base' related, status: Highly compressed/encrypted). Attempting decryption... Resource point cost: 1000 points.]

1000 points! Spend over half of the fortune he'd just gotten his hands on? But the terms "Core Technology Blueprint," "Initial Base"... held a fatal allure for Han Zhe.

"Decrypt!" He didn't hesitate for a second.

[Resource points deducted: 1000 points. Decrypting...]

This time, there was no violent energy fluctuation or mental agony. Only a profound "feeling," as if countless torrents of knowledge were being released. In his mind, on the system's light screen, a multitude of previously grayed-out, unclickable icons lit up one after another, as if ignited by sparks! Although many icons remained incomplete and labels were blurry, compared to the previously empty interface, it was a world of difference!

[Decryption complete. Partial core blueprints restored, including but not limited to:]

[- Basic Power Facilities: High-Efficiency Solar Collection Panels, Geothermal Generators, Small Fusion Reactor (Theoretical Blueprint, Extremely Incomplete).]

[- Basic Resource Buildings: Automated Mining Drills, Material Recycling Stations, Primary Synthesis Plants.]

[- Basic Defense Facilities: Auto-Turrets (Laser/Kinetic), Reconnaissance Drone Platforms.]

[- Basic Unit/Vehicle: Space Construction Vehicle (SCV) - Complete Blueprint (Light Version)!]

SCV! A complete SCV blueprint!

Han Zhe's breath hitched! He immediately clicked on the icon.

Detailed schematics, material lists, energy requirements, manufacturing processes, even basic operation manuals... flooded his consciousness like a tide! Although labeled "Light Version," meaning it was likely the most basic, most simplified model with weak armor, only the most fundamental cutting and welding tools, no weapons, and slow speed... this was undeniably a complete, mass-producible, automated mechanical unit specifically designed for space engineering and resource collection!

Compared to the 'scavenger no. 1' he had been racking his brains to cobble together from junk, this was like leaping from the Stone Age directly into the Iron Age!

With an SCV, he could safely and efficiently collect resources from the debris field! He could start building more complex facilities! Even... attempt to repair the escape pod, or, build a truly his own, miniature space outpost!

Euphoria exploded through his nerves. But immediately after, came the cold reality.

Manufacturing one Light Version SCV required: 800 resource points. He now had only 850 points left. It would nearly bankrupt him.

Furthermore, manufacturing an SCV required relatively open space and a stable construction site. The interior of the escape pod was clearly unsuitable. It had to be done externally... for example, finding a large enough, stable enough debris platform, or, undertaking more extensive modifications to the escape pod to add an external construction bay.

Additionally, the SCV needed power. The refining core's current energy output, plus the escape pod's pitiful electricity, probably couldn't even boot up an SCV. The energy problem had to be solved.

The blueprint was hope, a key to the future. But to insert that key into the lock and push open the door required down-to-earth effort, and more resources.

Han Zhe forced himself to calm down. He glanced deep into the storage locker, where one intact, 22%-charged military high-energy Cell B still lay.

"System," his voice slightly hoarse with excitement, "formulate a new plan. Ultimate goal: establish a safe, expandable miniature operations platform within the debris field, and on this platform, produce at least one SCV. Step one: using existing resources (including Cell B), combined with the newly unlocked high-efficiency solar panel blueprint (even if only partially), design and manufacture a temporary, mobile energy replenishment station to provide power for subsequent operations. Simultaneously, continue using components collected for the 'scavenger no. 1' plan and manual EVA to locate and clear a suitable piece of debris as the platform foundation."

[Command confirmed. Generating new plan... Integrating high-efficiency solar panels (simplified design), energy buffer unit (modified interface using Cell B), mobile base... Generated plan: 'sunflower' Mobile Charging Station (Prototype). Manufacturing requires: 300 resource points.]

[Simultaneously, continue assembling 'scavenger no. 1' as an auxiliary tool during the initial platform construction phase. Estimated total resource point consumption: 1100 points. Current resources insufficient.]

Resources... still resources. Han Zhe's gaze turned once more to the viewport, toward that heavy military-standard parts container he had abandoned. How many more batteries were inside? Were there other valuable items?

"Adjust priorities." Han Zhe said decisively, "Suspend further manufacturing investment in 'scavenger no. 1'. Concentrate all resources to prioritize manufacturing the 'sunflower' charging station. Then, I will EVA again. Target: that military-standard parts container! I will retrieve the entire thing, at any cost!"

With the charging station, it might be possible to power more efficient tools (even crude ones). And the potential resources inside that container could be the key to whether he could truly take off.

Another gamble. But this time, on the other side of the bet was the SCV, the true base blueprint, the first stepping stone... to the stars.

He clenched his fist, his eyes burning with an almost insane craving for resources and the future.

The refining core's blue light seemed to grow a bit brighter in response.