novelaction Chapter 1395 An unexpected surprise
Chapter 1395 An unexpected surprise
As far as the eye can see, there is a vast, boundless white ice field that stretches all the way to the leaden-gray sea of ice floes below the gray horizon.
This sea area is where Xiao Dingshan's massive robot army first landed.
Xiao Ce piloted his makeshift mecha, hovering on the cliff edge of the icy sea, with jagged ice shelves and surging dark waters below.
He said in a deep voice, "Lingxu, scan this sea area, focusing on detecting large underwater metal objects, energy reactions, and... the covert signal characteristics that Xiao Dingshan's fleet may use. Cover the maximum possible deployment radius when they land."
"Command confirmed. Deep-sea wide-area scanning array initiated... Strong environmental interference, ice layer, low temperature, scanning depth increasing... Data filtering in progress..."
Lingxu's calm voice echoed in Xiao Ce's mind, accompanied by a large number of probe beams that silently shot into the dark and cold depths of the sea.
Time passed second by second, with only the howling of the cold wind and the roar of waves crashing against the ice cliffs.
Xiao Yuanwang and the other team members' mechs stood silently in the wind and snow, vigilantly watching their surroundings.
Suddenly, Lingxu's feedback came: "Scan complete. Target locked. Sixteen large underwater targets detected in the 300-500 meter depth range."
Target characteristics: high-density alloy structure, non-standard hydrodynamic shape, residual heat signal from a highly efficient submersible propulsion system, and weak but traceable energy core reaction.
Compare with the database...
It has been confirmed that the submarine was a 'Deep Abyss Drake' class strategic transport submarine used by Xiao Dingshan's landing force.
The target is in a silent, dormant state, with no obvious external damage. Internally... residual weapon energy signals, high-purity energy block storage units, and... signals indicating a large number of robot repair parts storage areas were detected.
A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Ce's eyes: "Can it be controlled? Try taking over its core control system."
I couldn't help but feel a little excited.
"The target uses a unique quantum encryption protocol and a biological neural key!"
"This is likely linked to Xiao Dingshan; the firewall is extremely high-level. An attempt is underway to bypass it..."
Invoking the backup logic backdoor...
Simulating the biosignal characteristics of Xiaodingshan...
Encountering a secondary firewall...
Forcing a breakthrough...
Warning: The target system's self-destruct protocol countdown has been implicitly triggered...
The countdown has stopped! ......
Agreement coverage complete! ......
Core control system access...
"Acquisition successful! Repeat, control acquired!"
Although Lingxu's report remained calm, the information it contained gave Xiao Ce a jolt of energy.
This spiritual power once again exceeded his expectations.
Xiao Ce was in high spirits; good news really was coming one after another...
"Alright! Command all submarines to break silence, activate backup power, and surface to the designated positions in the preset coordinate sequence!"
Xiao Ce gave the order decisively.
"Command being sent... Command received... Submarine power core activated... Thrusters activated... Initiating surfacing procedure..."
The calm sea began to boil!
Huge clusters of bubbles surged to the surface and burst.
Immediately afterwards, sixteen enormous creatures, like steel behemoths awakening from the abyss, tore through the thin ice covering them, slowly emerging from the water with overwhelming waves and deafening roars!
The icy seawater cascaded down their angular, dark hulls, covered with special sound-absorbing tiles and painted with deep-sea paint, reflecting the cold, hard luster of the metal in the dim light of the day.
Each "Abyss Dragon" was like a small, mobile steel fortress. Its enormous size far exceeded Xiao Ce's previous estimates, and its imposing design instantly made all the mecha warriors on the cliff, including Night Cat, gasp in shock!
"Oh My God......"
The night owl's voice, filled with disbelief and shock, came through the communication channel:
"This...this is what they use for transporting troops? The size...it's simply..."
They had seen the submarines Xiao Ce had previously traveled in, and the submarines he had used before had already surprised them somewhat...
The submarine before us now is clearly even more surprising...
Not to mention them, even Xiao Ce was surprised.
Xiao Ce was also deeply shocked by the scene before him!
Despite the predictions made through Lingxu's scanning data, witnessing these sixteen steel whale-like submarines simultaneously emerge from the icy sea was still visually stunning.
This is not merely a means of transportation; the technological level it embodies represents astonishing war potential.
However, an even bigger surprise was yet to come for Xiao Ce.
Under Lingxu's complete control, the submarine's hatches opened one by one.
Xiao Ce immediately dispatched a mecha team to conduct a preliminary survey and safety confirmation inside.
Soon, a detailed report arrived:
"Your Highness! Safe! Most of the interior is intact!"
"A large number of residual weapons have been discovered! These include unopened high-energy particle rifles, miniature missile launcher modules, and even several small shipborne electromagnetic guns!"
"The energy storage compartment is almost full! It's full of high-purity military-grade energy blocks, and the quantity... is incalculable! Enough to support our main fleet in high-intensity combat for a long time!"
"And... good heavens! Your Highness, there are whole cabins full of robot repair spare parts!"
"From precision joints and energy transmission circuits to armor replacement plates, and even spare materials suspected to be 'creation alloy'! The models... many are compatible with our Longyuan and existing mass-produced mechs! It's simply..."
The voice of the team member in charge of the reconnaissance trembled with excitement over the communication channel.
Xiao Ce stood on the edge of the cliff, gazing at the sixteen steel behemoths that appeared on the sea below as if by divine intervention!
As he listened to the astonishing report, even with his composure, he couldn't help but let a huge, heartfelt smile creep onto his lips. The fatigue from days of fierce fighting seemed to be somewhat dispelled by this tremendous gain.
"Good! Good! Good!" Xiao Ce exclaimed three times, his eyes gleaming!
"It's like finding a needle in a haystack! Xiao Dingshan has come all this way to deliver a huge package to us! Weapons, energy, and even the treasures to repair the mechs... everything is here!"
Night Owl asked Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, do these things need to be moved?"
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Ce asked Ling Xu, "Ling Xu, do you have full control over these submarines now?"
Lingxu gave a very affirmative answer shortly afterward.
"Control confirmed."
"All core protocols have been covered, eliminating any potential self-destruct risks and backdoors. System privileges are 100% ours, with no residual enemy instructions. Submarine status: Hibernating and ready to respond to commands at any time."
You will receive Lingxu's absolute guarantee!
Xiao Ce breathed a sigh of relief, but looking at the vast icy sea below and the direction where the main force was gathering and resting in the distance, his brows furrowed again. These submarines were enormous, like mountains; if they were to get what was inside…!
Transporting goods from this far northern sea back to the Xiao Kingdom, thousands of miles away, required traversing the vast and complex terrain of the entire Slavic Empire!
High mountains, frozen soil, rivers... and who knows if there were any troublemakers among those people...
This requires the deployment of a large engineering mech fleet, heavy transport vehicles, and elite escort forces.
The Allied forces had just suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Don River Fortress. Every manpower and every combat-ready mech was extremely precious and could not be wasted on such a long-distance transport.
These things are going to the Heavenly Mystery Institute in the Xiao Kingdom anyway...
A thought flashed through Xiao Ce's mind, and he immediately asked Ling Xu!
"Is it possible to control them remotely? I mean, let them sail back on their own, without us having to physically tow or escort them?"
Lingxu responded almost instantly: "Confirmed feasible. The 'Abyssal Submerged Dragon' class design has complete fully automatic navigation functions! Moreover, it can connect to the signal on the Star Network Hub and preset precise routes. Simply input the target coordinates to start the autonomous cruise mode. Its energy reserves are sufficient, and its range is enough to cover the global sea area."
"I can also maintain complete control over these submarines through the Star Network Hub..."
Xiao Ce was overjoyed upon hearing Ling Xu's words...
"Good! Great!"
Xiao Ce smiled broadly; this was like a pillow delivered to someone who was sleepy!
He immediately issued the order: "Lingxu, set the course for me: all submarines, set sail immediately! Destination! Xiao Kingdom's East China Sea Port! Upon arrival, the port garrison will receive you according to the pre-arranged agreement!"
He turned to Night Owl and the surrounding mech squad and explained, "We don't need to bother moving them. These big guys..."
After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Night Cat looked at Xiao Ce with a face full of surprise.
"You don't need us to move them? You don't want these things anymore?"
Xiao Ce smiled, waved his hand, then pointed to the submarines and said, "They will swim back to Xiao Kingdom on their own."
"Once they arrive at the port, we'll have people wait there! We'll unload everything inside—the remaining weapons, the full cargo of energy blocks, and all those precious robot repair parts—and transport them to the Tianji Academy in Xiao Kingdom."
Don't forget, those old scholars and madmen at the Tianji Academy have long coveted Xiao Dingshan's robotics technology. The wreckage they had before was enough to keep them busy, but now with this 'fresh blood' and a constant supply of parts, they're going crazy with joy!
This is the key to unlocking the secrets of bio-alloys and advanced robotics!
Upon hearing this, Night Owl and the others' eyes also lit up with surprise.
This saves a lot of trouble and allows the local scientific research forces of Xiao Kingdom to obtain these strategic resources as quickly as possible.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Night Owl sincerely praised, "This method saves time and effort, and the Heavenly Secrets Academy will surely be greatly enhanced!"
After listening to Ye Mao's words, Xiao Ce smiled helplessly, thinking to himself that this wasn't exactly his brilliant idea.
It's just that night owls are good at it...
Xiao Ce said no more and issued the final command to Ling Xu in his mind!
"Execute! Take control of all submarines and set sail immediately for Xiao Kingdom's East China Sea Port!"
"Command received. Activate automatic navigation protocol... Energy core activated... Thruster preheating... Course locked: Xiao Kingdom East Sea Port. Command sent... All targets confirmed received... Begin ascent procedure..."
The calm, icy sea suddenly boiled!
Huge clusters of bubbles surged densely to the surface of the sea like boiling water, bursting open with a dull roar.
Immediately afterwards, sixteen steel bodies, like sleeping ancient behemoths, fiercely tore through the thin ice covering them, pushed aside tons of seawater, and slowly emerged before everyone's eyes with overwhelming waves and deafening splashes!
The icy, bone-chilling seawater cascaded down their angular, dark hulls, covered with special sound-absorbing tiles and deep-sea paint, reflecting a cold, hard metallic luster under the gray skylight.
Its enormous size far exceeded Xiao Ce's previous imagination, and it was filled with an unparalleled sense of oppression.
As the deep roar of the engines gradually increased, these steel behemoths slowly turned around, formed a neat line, and sailed towards the distant southern sea.
The rolling waves left long trails behind them, which soon disappeared into the snow-covered horizon.
Standing atop the ice cliff, Xiao Ce watched the massive, unmanned fleet disappear into the south, his heart filled with exhilaration.
This not only avoided a huge waste of manpower and resources, but also allowed the rich "legacy" left by Xiao Dingshan to be delivered directly, safely, and secretly into the core area of the Xiao Kingdom.
Once the Tianji Academy has absorbed these resources and technologies, Xiao Kingdom's scientific and military strength will surely experience a leap forward.
However, as he developed and utilized the Spirit Void over this period, he felt both joy and a lingering sense of unease...
Because his dependence on Lingxu is becoming increasingly heavy.
He now knows that the Star Network Hub was placed there by someone, and the Creation Base was also moved there by someone.
In other words, ultimately, both he and Xiao Dingshan were pawns...
If the Spirit Void is lost...
The more Xiao Ce thought about it, the more depressed he became, so he simply shook his head.
He shouldn't make unnecessary assumptions...
Seeing that the submarines had disappeared and were sailing further and further away, Xiao Ce ordered the team to leave immediately.
They moved quickly across the icy plain.
Their mechs were very fast, and they arrived at the capital of the Slavic Empire late that night.
Han Da's advance troops have already arrived, and they are mainly cleaning up and clearing the battlefield.
After Xiao Ce arrived, he rested for a while.
For the next two days, they searched along the way. On the third day...
Eva is here.
When Eva arrived, she still looked somewhat haggard.
When she heard the news, she initially thought she must have misheard.