Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high! Chapter 1069 - 728: Traveler (Part 2)

As the klaxon blared, an eerie, verdant mist of 'clouds' pursued relentlessly from behind.

These were no natural formations, but a vast armada of Bug Race flying units engineered for the vacuum of space, accompanied by larger 'Manta Ray Insects' unleashing volleys of corrosive acid projectiles.

It appeared as though they had been lying in wait, poised to spring the ambush upon unsuspecting prey.

"All units, combat readiness level one! First and third platoons, remain aboard and bolster point defense! Second platoon, follow me, and let's clear this flight path!"

Bai E's commands were issued with unwavering decisiveness.

Having selected this particular route, an encounter was deemed inevitable.

Eight mechas from Dawn's Edge sliced through the void, erupting from the Thorny Bird's assault bay and immediately plunging into the fray against the swarming enemy.

Combat in the silent expanse of space is both stark and lethal.

Bai E's Star Emperor mecha surged forward, its Devouring Star Blade blazing with golden-white spiritual Qi. Each devastating swing expertly dismantled the most immediate threats, targeting Manta Ray Insects and the clustered nodes of the swarm.

Rose's mecha weaved like a phantom, her speed and stealth crucial for intercepting smaller insect groups attempting to close in on the Thorny Bird.

Zero's sniper rifle emitted a soft thud in the vacuum as it precisely targeted acid-spewing units positioned at a distance.

The engagement was fierce, yet blessedly brief.

Through the coordinated efforts of the second platoon's mechas and the Thorny Bird's formidable defensive cannons, this initial wave of insectoid attackers was decisively repelled, leaving behind only fleeing remnants swallowed by the deepening darkness.

However, this was merely the prelude to further trials.

The subsequent journey brought forth two more such perilous encounters.

One consisted of Shadow Insects, materializing without warning from a Spiritual Spore Cloud, their chilling stealth capabilities rendering them nearly invisible.

The other involved colossal 'Networms' that attempted to ensnare the Thorny Bird with their organic, sticky webs.

Each instance demanded the prompt deployment of the second platoon's mechas to neutralize the emergent threats.

These recurrent battles placed a significant strain not only on the mechas' energy reserves and ammunition but also severely tested the pilots' mettle and endurance.

"We cannot sustain this pace," Catherine reported over the comms during a fleeting lull after repelling an assault.

"Our energy expenditure is 15% higher than anticipated, and we still haven't detected any clear signal from Traveler. The Bug Race's jamming is intense, rendering conventional scanning methods largely ineffective."

Bai E remained suspended within his mecha's cockpit, his gaze fixed intently on the star-dusted abyss outside the viewport.

His perception of spiritual Qi, as acute as the most sophisticated radar, diligently probed the endless interference and the malevolent background noise.

Suddenly, he registered a faint, pulsating metallic echo, accompanied by a subtle trace of residual energy characteristic of human technology, mostly masked by the Bug Race's pervasive spiritual Qi field.

"Ten o'clock direction, approximately eight hundred kilometers distant, concealed behind that large cluster of metallic debris." Bai E's voice resonated through the communication channel. "Adjust our course, maintain stealth, and proceed at minimal speed."

The Thorny Bird obediently altered its trajectory, cautiously navigating towards the coordinates Bai E had indicated.

As they drew nearer, the scene within the targeted sector gradually came into sharper focus.

The area was a chaotic junkyard of shattered warships, derelict cargo vessels, and even disabled Bug Race craft, creating a macabre graveyard in the void.

And at the heart of this wreckage, a substantial, irregularly shaped metallic structure floated serenely—

This was the Traveler, a mobile deep-space platform designed for repair and resupply operations.

Yet, the vista that greeted them evoked a profound sense of unease.

From their vantage point, the Traveler platform's exterior bore the brutal marks of countless explosions and massive breaches. External armor plates were rent asunder, revealing the charred remnants of its internal framework.

Numerous stations intended for weapon emplacements or sensor arrays were reduced to shattered foundations and scorched circuitry.

Surrounding the platform, a multitude of smaller fragments drifted—undeniably the debris of the platform's defensive turrets, its utility skiffs, and perhaps even its escape pods.

No lights flickered, no energy signatures registered; its silence was absolute, akin to a colossal iron sarcophagus.

"It appears… completely obliterated," Catherine murmured, her voice heavy with disappointment.

"Proceed closer, prepare for docking," Bai E's voice remained remarkably level.

"Intelligence indicated remaining resistance forces on the platform, but it's clear they didn't survive until our arrival. However, its central server might retain residual power, or its data core could be physically isolated. We absolutely require the information contained within."

The Thorny Bird advanced slowly toward the Traveler's primary docking aperture.

The main hatch was severely warped, yet it retained a semblance of functionality.

Through a combination of remote technical manipulation and the external assistance of Bai E's mecha, a gap just wide enough for mecha ingress was forcefully created after a considerable struggle.

Bai E, leading the core contingent of the second platoon, was the first to venture inside.

Darkness enveloped the interior, with only the faint, intermittent red glow of emergency indicator lights piercing through the swirling smoke and ice crystals.

The gravity simulation system seemed to have malfunctioned, forcing everyone to rely on their mecha thrusters to navigate the labyrinthine corridors.

Signs of intense combat scarred the corridor walls—

scorched marks from energy weapon fire, pitted surfaces corroded by acid, and... patches of dried, frozen blood mingled with organic fragments, likely remnants of the Bug Race.

A peculiar aroma, a blend of metal, ozone, blood, and the distinct corrosive scent of the Bug Race, permeated the air.

Their first destination was the platform's control center.

This area, too, bore the ravages of conflict, with most consoles shattered and screens cracked.

However, as Bai E had surmised, the core data server array, protected by multiple layers of armor, had maintained its structural integrity despite the external damage.

"Ash, attempt to establish a connection and download all accessible data. Prioritize information regarding the Aisera Star System, Bug Race activities, and the Traveler's final combat logs and observation records," Bai E instructed the team's technical specialist.

"Understood! Attempting to establish a physical link... Link established! Data download initiated...

Incredible, the information contained here is far more comprehensive than what the Star Alliance provided! It includes detailed geological, atmospheric, and ecological data for every planet and moon in the Aisera Star System, initial Bug Race invasion defense plans and their timelines leading to collapse, and... trajectory prediction models for Bug Race bio-ships within the system!

Additionally, it contains high-precision scan data from the Traveler itself, pinpointing several points of abnormal energy concentration on the Jade Stone Star's continental shelf!" Ash's voice vibrated with excitement.

This data was exceptionally valuable, offering them a clearer and more immediate understanding of the mission environment they were about to enter.

Yet, midway through the data download, an unexpected turn of events occurred!

A piercing alarm suddenly shattered the platform's eerie silence. Simultaneously, external sensors relayed Catherine's urgent warning: "Sir! Detecting a massive influx of Bug Race units converging on the Traveler platform from three distinct directions! This includes the flying insects we've encountered before, as well as newly emerged heavy units known as 'City-breaking Worms,' which appear specialized in attacking static installations! Their objective is clearly this location!"

Almost concurrently, within the platform itself, numerous small, spider-like and centipede-like bug units began to emerge from what appeared to be innocuous ventilation ducts, maintenance access panels, and sections of the walls—

These were the units classified by the Star Alliance as "Scavengers" and "Lurkers"!

These creatures had evidently been lying dormant within the platform since its fall. Now activated by some signal, they launched a frenzied assault on the intruders, their primary aim to destroy the data servers!

"Attacked from both inside and out!" Rose exclaimed fiercely, her high-frequency blade instantly slicing through several "Scavengers" that lunged towards the server.

"First and third squads, establish a defensive line utilizing the Thorny Birds and the platform's external structure to repel the external swarms! Second squad, focus on eliminating the internal Lurkers and ensuring the data download is completed!" Bai E commanded swiftly. His Devouring Star Blade flashed, creating a barrier of light that cleaved through the encroaching bugs.

Combat erupted almost instantaneously both within and outside the Traveler platform!