[Base Dungeon]
The heavy alloy door hissed shut, sealing off all external noise.
The superconducting alloy cage emitted a cold, silver-blue shimmer, which, interlaced with the high-frequency hum of the Star Power Purifier, wove an atmosphere of inexplicable oppression.
Inside the cell, the purifier's pale blue pulses rose and fell with tidal regularity, repeatedly washing over the quantum interface chips embedded in the dark Star Envoy's neck and wrists. The surface of the chips occasionally flickered with faint red light, as if resisting the erosion of the pulses.
Caroline crouched outside the cage, holding a portable analyzer fitted with three Star Power probes. Dense circuit diagrams and star-force fluctuation curves danced across the screen as she analyzed the data.
"The core circuitry of the chip hides the quantum encoding of the Iron Dome family."
Caroline tapped the analyzer screen, pulling up a fluorescent green spiral circuit pattern. Etched into the edges of the lines was the minute insignia of the "Iron Dome" clan.
Seeing this, Caroline spoke: "This 'Star Core Neural Bridge' design is a forbidden technology that the Iron Dome family monopolized ten years ago. It can directly penetrate a biological star core to interface with nerve endings."
"Back then, it was strictly banned by the Federal Council after it caused the mental collapse of dozens of test subjects. I didn't expect them to be secretly iterating and upgrading this technology."
Jing Liuli sat before a multi-functional monitoring terminal nearby, her pale purple hair draping over the edge of the screen.
In the cell not far from her, three neural patches were stuck to the temples of the captured dark Star Envoy. These three patches followed specific lines, connecting all the way back to the multi-functional monitoring terminal in the center of the control room.
Looking at the information on the terminal, Jing Liuli voiced her judgment.
"My dream probe was forcibly intercepted by the 'neural modules' built into their bodies. I can only capture fragmented scraps of control commands."
"By tracing the source of those commands, I found the signal origin points to a decommissioned mechanical intelligence factory on the edge of the Federation."
"That place used to be a secret stronghold where the Iron Dome family developed their first-generation Star Power mechs. It was shut down by the Federation ten years ago."
Hearing Jing Liuli's words, combined with the clues previously provided by Tendo and Caroline, the dimensional audience on Site 13 quickly pieced the story together.
'Iron Dome family confirmed! It really is their doing.'
'Still secretly iterating on banned tech—these rust-buckets are truly insane.'
'Old stronghold reboot? Is it a deliberate lure or a pre-set ambush?'
Amidst the scrolling bullet comments, the metal door nearby slowly slid open.
Tendo walked into the dungeon. The azure star-force swirling around him flowed like a silken veil, seeping into the superconducting interface of the cage and resonating with the pulses of the purifier.
In the next second, charred marks instantly appeared on the surface circuitry of the chips inside the dark Star Envoy's body, emitting a faint "sizzling" sound.
Ignoring the captive's reaction, Tendo focused his gaze on the chip on the envoy's wrist. Suddenly, his aura grew sharper, and the air seemed to freeze.
The Iron Dome family. After three years, they had surfaced before his eyes once again.
"The signal encryption method of the chip is identical to the one used by the individual who invaded the base back then. It's the 'Star Track Scrambled Code' unique to the Iron Dome family."
Tendo raised his hand. Azure star-force condensed into a needle-point, precisely piercing through the alloy gaps to reach the core module of the chip in the dark Star Envoy's brain.
"They have optimized the star-force links based on the first-generation technology, enhancing control stability and stealth."
"Sending the dark Star Envoys this time was clearly intended to use them to collect data and further refine this technology."
"If I'm not mistaken, the Iron Dome family's so-called 'Mechanical Legion Project' is likely nearing completion."
Caroline's pupils constricted upon hearing this. She quickly pulled up old files on the Iron Dome family on her analyzer. Before long, experimental reports and mechanical design blueprints from ten years ago appeared on the screen.
"No wonder these chips can precisely lock down neural information. They've optimized the mechanical core nodes within the brain, directly blocking the Star Envoy's consciousness transmission to achieve remote control."
"If they truly mass-produce these chips and take control of dark Star Envoys or ordinary Star Envoys in bulk to form a mechanical legion, the entire order of the New Federation will be overturned. The consequences would be catastrophic."
Just as Caroline finished speaking, Yun Meng pushed open the door and entered. Without wasting words, the Star Power terminal in Yun Meng's hand immediately projected a 3D map of the perimeter defense upgrades. Red marks indicated trap points, while blue lines represented star-force links.
"The perimeter defenses are now fully interconnected. Additionally, I've installed exclusive 'fusing modules' for Iron Dome mechs in all the Star Power traps."
"These modules can precisely identify the Star Power frequency of their mechanical armor and gear. Once triggered, they instantly release high-frequency currents to melt the core circuits."
"Furthermore, Little Jin detected a faint mechanical reconnaissance signal three kilometers west of the base. The signal fluctuation frequency perfectly matches the Iron Dome family's scout mechs. They were likely sent to investigate the outcome of the dark Star Envoys' mission."
Tendo raised his hand and pressed the off button on the purifier. The high-frequency hum stopped abruptly. Azure star-force traveled along the chip's patterns, extracting the core data in its entirety and projecting it onto the holographic screen in the center of the dungeon.
"It's not just a simple probe. They are confirming if the dark Star Envoys were wiped out while testing our defensive response speed."
"They intentionally left such obvious signal traces because they want to lure us into an active strike, taking the opportunity to launch a sneak attack on the undefended base."
Tendo tapped the holographic screen, bringing up a 3D map of the abandoned mechanical factory, with markers indicating the old laboratory locations and ventilation ducts.
"But this is also our chance to find their core laboratory and destroy the mass-production equipment for the chips. We can't miss it."
Caroline immediately stood up, her fingers moving rapidly over the monitoring terminal as a trajectory map of the scout signals appeared.
"I can cloak the base's signal source with quantum data and interfere with their signal transmissions. I'll forge a false impression that the dark Star Envoys completed their mission and are currently withdrawing. That should delay their sneak attack by at least three hours."
"Meanwhile, the brainwave decoder has cracked some of the chip commands. It can reverse-track the approximate location of the control terminal. It's near the core area of the abandoned factory."
"I have also developed a targeted chip-interference serum."
Caroline took a bottle of violet-glowing serum from her alloy medicine kit. The bottle was equipped with a superconducting nozzle and a star-force sensor.
"This serum is a mixture of Void Grass extract and Star Power Purifying Liquid. It can temporarily paralyze the signal receiving module of the quantum interface chip. Even if we encounter the Iron Dome controllers, it will buy us at least ten minutes of reaction time."
"Additionally, I've formulated a mechanical corrosion agent. It can dissolve the alloy shell of ordinary mechs and destroy their internal circuitry within thirty seconds."
Tendo took the serum, slowly injecting azure star-force into the bottle to create a resonance between the serum's star-force fluctuations and the quantum interface chips. The superconducting nozzle on the bottle lit up.
"Caroline, stay at the base. Continue cracking the remaining data on the chips, focusing on checking for hidden commands. Monitor the Iron Dome family's signal dynamics throughout the process. If you spot a raid force, notify Sister Yun immediately."
"Sister Yun, you take Little Jin and guard the perimeter high ground. Link all the traps. You must stop the incoming mechanical raid units."
"Liuli, you come with me to the abandoned factory. We'll find their chip control center and completely destroy the mass-production equipment and core data."
"Understood."
Everyone responded in unison, quickly moving to their respective posts to prepare for action.
Little Jin leapt out from a corner of the dungeon, following Yun Meng toward the perimeter high ground. His flame star-power linked with the superconducting traps along the way, leaving faint scorch marks with every step as he waited for the enemy.
Half an hour later, Tendo and Jing Liuli had changed into counterfeit dark Star Envoy attire. Their black robes were embroidered with dark patterns, and they kept their swirling star-force suppressed to a minimum, perfectly simulating the turbulent star-force characteristics of a dark Star Envoy.
The two boarded a small stealth Star Power aircraft. The hull was equipped with high-level signal-jamming devices capable of evading the Iron Dome family's aerial quantum reconnaissance network. The aircraft sped toward the abandoned factory on the edge of the Federation, using interstellar dust and debris from derelict satellites as perfect cover.
Several hours later, their aircraft landed amidst the ruins on the factory's outskirts.
The area was littered with mechanical remains. Rusted alloy skeletons were twisted and tangled, draped with broken Star Power lines that creaked whenever the wind blew. Faint traces of quantum star-force radiation lingered on the ground, making the skin tingle slightly.
Jing Liuli took out a high-precision Star Power detector given to her by Caroline to scout the environment. Soon, dense red signal nodes appeared on the detector screen, forming a clear defensive layout map.
"Tendo, the core laboratory is on the third underground level of the factory. It's sealed by heavy alloy doors and guarded by at least twenty mass-produced mechanical guards. Each is equipped with a simplified quantum interface chip; their response time is thirty percent faster than ordinary mechs."
Tendo raised his hand to condense azure star-force into a slender, sharp blade of light. With a slight shift of his body, the blade precisely severed the perimeter surveillance lines and sensors. Small sparks erupted from the breaks in the wiring.
"I will pin down the mechanical guards and draw their attention. You take the opportunity to slip into the laboratory through the ventilation ducts. Use the corrosion agent to destroy the chip production equipment while extracting the core data onto the terminal."
"Remember, if you encounter a core member of the Iron Dome family, do not linger. Activate the emergency signal; I will support you and we will evacuate immediately."
Just as he finished speaking, a sharp, piercing alarm rang out from inside the factory. Red warning lights instantly flooded the entire area, and dozens of mechanical guards slowly emerged from behind the wreckage. Their alloy bodies glinted with cold metallic light, and the Star Power sensors in their eyes glowed red, locking onto the positions of Tendo and Jing Liuli.
In the next second, the arms of the mechanical guards transformed into sharp alloy blades, lunging fiercely toward the pair. Clearly, their signal-cloaking device had been seen through by the Iron Dome family's advanced reconnaissance system. This place was an ambush.
Tendo quickly tossed the interference serum and corrosion agent to Jing Liuli. His azure star-force surged instantly, and an invisible vector force field expanded outward.
Then, his figure blurred, moving like an afterimage among the mechanical guards. Wherever his light blade passed, the alloy bodies of the guards were sliced clean through. Their internal core circuits exploded under the impact of the azure star-force, sending fragments flying.
"Go!"
Tendo looked back at Jing Liuli and spoke calmly, his vector force field instantly pinning all the mechanical guards in place, rendered immobile.
Wasting no time, Jing Liuli turned and sprinted toward the interior of the factory. The Spirit Fox leapt nimbly upon her shoulder, exhaling active factors that turned into glimmers of light, precisely hitting the sensors along the path and instantly disabling their detection functions.
Tendo, meanwhile, moved through the frozen mechanical guards with his vector light blade. Every swing was accompanied by the piercing sound of shattering alloy. Azure star-force clashed violently with the turbulent energy of the mechs, erupting in blinding sparks that flickered through the dim factory.
Just then, a cold, bone-chilling laugh echoed from the top floor of the factory. A figure wearing silver high-grade mechanical armor slowly materialized. The surface of the armor was covered in the Iron Dome family's exclusive patterns and Star Power circuits. The red light in the eyes locked onto Tendo like a venomous snake.
"Tendo Simei... After eight years, I finally have the chance to find you all again."
Faced with these words, Tendo's expression remained indifferent. He knew very well that what these rust-buckets wanted from the start was the "Stone of Miracles" that might be in his or the Professor's hands. Everything they did was for this purpose.
What Tendo knew, the high-grade Iron Dome mechanical Star Envoy opposite him also knew.
He looked down at Tendo from not far away, his tone flat: "I am called Tie Jin. I hope you remember that name."
In the next second, Tie Jin waved his hand, and dozens of high-grade mechs slowly descended from the top platform. These mechs were larger than the mass-produced models, their arms fitted with Star Power cannons and their bodies covered in thickened alloy plating.
At the same time, Tie Jin's right arm instantly transformed into a powerful Star Power cannon. A blinding red light condensed at the muzzle as he aimed at Tendo. Such a weapon, which originally should only have been mounted on a Star Power ship, was now installed upon Tie Jin by the Iron Dome family. From this, it was evident that the family's mechanical modification technology had seen a significant upgrade over the last few years.
Faced with a Star Power cannon capable of blowing apart a small mountain, Tendo did not care much. After all, an attack that cannot hit is merely a decoration, no matter how powerful it is.
Boom!
With Tendo's body as the center, an invisible vector force field expanded outward like a tsunami. Every high-grade mech that neared Tendo instantly experienced various abnormalities. Some high-grade mechs froze in place, twitching as sparks jumped across their frames. Others suddenly attacked those around them, turning on their own side.
"A Domain...?"
Seeing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Tie Jin's modified mechanical pupils.
"...But you, Tendo Simei, are not the only one with a Domain."
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