Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1644 530: Eerie (Part 4)
Previously on Shadows of the Deep Space...
Rhein and his team maintained absolute faith in Su Ming.
"Understood!"
Su Ming answered with a faint smile.
At that exact moment, the operational display flickered with a series of incoming alerts.
Li Menghan swiftly updated Su Ming.
"Master Su Ming, the Sea Tide Fortress is requesting a direct communication link!"
"Put them through."
Su Ming settled into the command chair and gave the order.
"Understood!"
Li Menghan moved with practiced efficiency to establish the channel.
Within seconds, the holographic projections of Qian Lin, Sigurd, and the others manifested in the room.
"Everyone, the recovery efforts and site clearance are finished. It is time for us to depart," Qian Lin announced to the assembled group.
"We should not linger. Let's make our exit immediately!" Sigurd insisted without hesitation.
"Hold on!"
Su Ming intervened, his voice cutting through the chatter.
Looking toward him, Qian Lin and his colleagues asked with clear apprehension.
"General Su Ming, is there a complication?"
"I have personal business requiring my presence in the Mist Star Sea. Travel home without me," Su Ming informed them.
Stunned, they rose from their command seats, desperate to change his mind.
"Master Su Ming, that is impossible!"
"Do not set foot in the Mist Star Sea! The danger is simply too great."
...
"Su Ming, stop this madness. What could you possibly intend to do inside the Mist Star Sea?" Sigurd pleaded with palpable anxiety.
"I am going to track down General Ames," Su Ming stated with cool composure.
"Master Su Ming, we know your capabilities are exceptional, but please, listen to reason. The Mist Star Sea is unlike any other forbidden zone; it is lethal! Legend says a primordial monster exhales the white mist, a substance that acts as if it possesses a predatory sentience. Furthermore, technology fails upon entry. Whether it was the Federation, Dark Star, Saint Qiao, Apocalypse, or various scavengers, any vessel that ventured inward vanished forever. Even the Mechanical Clan cannot navigate it. We only manage to mine the fringes by placing fog lamps and crawling forward inch by inch!" Qian Lin urged.
"I appreciate your concern, but my methods are my own. Do not try to sway me; my resolution is fixed," Su Ming exhaled, his expression softening but remaining firm.
A heavy silence fell over the group.
Sigurd let out a weary sigh.
"Since your decision is made, we will cease our protests. Is there anything we can provide to assist?"
"I require a shipment of fog lamps," Su Ming requested with a small smile.
"Consider it done. I will have them dispatched to your location instantly," Qian Lin promised.
"My thanks to you all. We shall meet again in the Federation territories!" Su Ming signaled the end of the broadcast and severed the connection.
All eyes in the room turned to him, anticipating his next command.
"Onite!"
"I am here, Master!" Onite chirped energetically.
"What is the status of our onboard provisions?"
"Master, you have nothing to fear regarding our supplies. The Sunshine carries enough resources for us to drift through the cosmos for a decade without running low," Onite reassured him.
"Very well. Once the fog lamps arrive, we depart immediately," Su Ming declared decisively.
"Yes, sir!" Rhein and the others echoed.
...
Shortly after, the shipment of fog lamps arrived. The crew began mounting them onto the exterior of the Sunshine, securing the rest in the cargo holds.
Back in the central command bridge, Li Menghan greeted the seated Su Ming.
"Master Su Ming, we are fully prepared!"
"Excellent," Su Ming acknowledged with a subtle nod.
The screen flared to life again, showing Qian Lin and the others watching him with solemnity.
"General Su Ming, are you truly committed to entering the Mist Star Sea?"
"I am."
"Then we wish you fortune in your travels!"
"And I wish you a safe voyage home. Farewell," Su Ming replied.
After exchanging a final military salute, they disconnected.
Li Menghan and the subordinates waited for his final order, their focus sharp.
Scanning the expanse ahead with a grim gaze, Su Ming commanded: "Direction: The Mist Star Sea. Initiate full thrusters!"
"Acknowledged!" they responded in unison.
Out in the void, the Sunshine pivoted away from the primary fleet, veering off into the abyss toward the swirling haze.
It was not long before the ship was consumed by the blinding white mist.
Immediately, the ship’s radar systems suffered a crippling collapse. Detection ranges plummeted, and optical sensors were rendered largely useless, limited only to what the fog lamps could illuminate. A waterfall of red warning icons flooded the consoles.
"Warning: Long-range scanning functionality offline!"
"Warning: Star navigation systems compromised!"
...
Li Menghan looked toward Su Ming, clearly distressed. "Master, how are we to maintain our heading under these conditions?"
"This is far worse than the environment in the Dark Forest," Rhein added, clearly unsettled.
"Do not lose heart. We have Little Grey with us. Initialize the external viewports!" Su Ming directed.
"Understood!" Li Menghan obeyed, and the main viewscreen transitioned to display the featureless white void.
Extending a tiny paw, Little Grey pointed toward the 3 o’clock position, emitting a sharp, rhythmic chirp.
"Chirp chirp!"
Following its lead, the crew adjusted the trajectory of the ship as they drove deeper into the heart of the Mist Star Sea.
...
Ten hours drifted by as Su Ming reviewed the archives regarding this treacherous region.
Without warning, the deck gave a violent lurch.
A crimson alert light began to pulse.
"Warning: K9 armor plating has sustained impact!"
...
Seeing the data, Li Menghan scrambled to inform Su Ming.
"Master Su Ming, we have been struck by an unidentified entity!"
"Raise the energy shielding to maximum," Su Ming replied calmly.