Chapter 224: Unknown Bystander

In the cold universe, Amber was concentrating on driving the experimental MK1 at high speed towards the area designated by Lilith.

The main propulsion array close to the rear of the cockpit was emitting a stable low-frequency vibration.

In Amber's view, staying in this small cockpit and listening to this familiar noise made him, a "visitor" who did not belong to this world, feel at ease for a moment.

And the additional propulsion unit that was "rubbed" by the maintenance team leader, Eugene and Ornes did not show any abnormality that would stop Amber's heart and lungs.

Looking at the various parameters that remained stable on the multi-function display, Amber glanced at the "throttle" on the left hand side.

Since the Air Force participated in the military transformation of HCP at the beginning, many parts in the cockpit were named after the fighters in the atmosphere and the aerospace fighters.

And at that time, in order to facilitate the pilots to adapt to the operation of HCP more quickly, these control devices were actually almost the same as the "similar" ones on the fighter planes in terms of function.

Amber confirmed that all parameters were normal again, revealing a smile that no one could see.

He took a deep breath and prepared himself, then put his left hand on the throttle and gently pushed forward.

Pushing forward from "high-speed cruise", it came to a gear called "test (warning)".

The two additional propulsion units on the legs of the experimental MK1 had already adjusted their angles to a position parallel to the main propulsion array, and now a more dazzling blue light emerged.

As the blue-white tail was continuously lengthened, the relative speed on the cockpit multi-function display soared like a rocket.

"Huhu. Huhu. Ha. Ha. Hahahaha!"

Amber, who gradually adapted to the strong push on his back, laughed heartily.

No man who loves "big robots" can stay calm at this moment.

As an avid fan, Amber is even more so.

At this moment, the airspace around the body is not so vast, but filled with countless cold and silent observers-this is a dense and intricate asteroid belt.

This asteroid belt, which stretches for several astronomical distances, is a famous "rich mining area" in the game. How can it be so easy to break through?

In this dangerous asteroid belt, Amber also "performed" his extraordinary driving skills and understanding of the performance limit of the experimental MK1 to the universe alone.

This is the confidence he has after being deeply involved in the development process of the aircraft as a demand proposer and "test pilot".

The red paint of the experimental MK1 fuselage reflects a cold metallic luster under the light of the extremely distant stars.

The short-range defense laser arrays on both sides of the main monitor on the head are flashing at a high frequency under the continuous operation of the power recharge system and the guidance of the navigation, detection, and fire control systems taken over by Lilith.

Every flash represents a beam of light accurately cutting through the gravel that may affect the safety of navigation.

These gravels are instantly broken and vaporized under the impact of high-energy lasers, and in an instant they turn from potential safety hazards into a piece of cosmic dust.

Whenever the experimental MK1 flew over a huge asteroid in a nearly ground-level manner, Amber would look through the omnidirectional display.

The surface, covered with potholes and meteorite impact craters, seemed to be only a stone's throw away from the cockpit, and the unique cold breath of deep space asteroids came through the sealed helmet.

Amber calmly adjusted the body's posture and flight trajectory. Every time she passed by these "giants", Lilith, who was quietly observing, broke into a cold sweat.

But she knew that her Master was sailing according to the shortest path given by the navigation system.

When the experimental MK1 flew over the last large asteroid nearby and entered a relatively safe airspace, Lilith, who had been holding back for a long time, couldn't help but say:

"Master, since you brought me out of the laboratory, this is the first time I've seen you so happy."

Lilith's virtual image appeared in the cockpit, still in Amber's favorite "JK skin".

"Although I don't have a wide range of knowledge in psychology and have only read a few thousand books on it during this period, I can still see some problems in you, Master."

"A few thousand books, okay, what problems?"

"I don't know why, but I always feel that you are somewhat out of tune with this universe, like an 'outsider'. But at the same time, you seem to be under a lot of pressure. Although you have been talking to Randall and others about wanting 'young models in the club' and other strange things, in fact, you don't seem to have really relaxed."

Lilith's voice was the kind of seriousness that Amber had never heard before.

At this moment, Amber realized that the 'emotional partition' of this strong artificial intelligence may have completed another iteration.

"Until just now, when you were recklessly shuttling through this asteroid belt, I felt the kind of happiness from the bottom of your heart."

"How happy?"

Amber asked while controlling the body to fly along the virtual track on the screen.

"At least it's happier than when I was being awkward with Ms. Isabel and doing bad things with me in the virtual space."

"."

Looking at Lilith covering her face with her hands in a shy manner, Amber, who was run over by the wheel, was choked.

"Honestly, Lilith, if it weren't for the last sentence you just said, I might have been moved to tears."

"Really? Master~"

"Not true."

Amber's words were of course lies.

He had to admit that Lilith did have some truth in what she said.

To a certain extent, for the time being, only this strong artificial intelligence that "coexists" with him in this world can know his true thoughts.

The brief heart-to-heart between the "master and servant" was finally interrupted by a short beep from the alarm device.

This meant that Amber had flown half the distance and could prepare to detect this area.

The modification of the experimental MK1 was originally intended to achieve the ultimate HCP in long-distance navigation and acceleration performance.

It really came in handy at this moment.

When Lilith told him that she had discovered an abnormal electromagnetic signal, Amber rushed towards this area without even a moment's hesitation.

Because he believed in Lilith's judgment.

After all, she was a strong artificial intelligence, not a human being.

There was no so-called "feeling".

If Lilith detected an abnormal electromagnetic signal, it means that she really discovered this signal through the detection array of the asteroid base.

Although this mysterious signal has disappeared at this time, Amber knows that electromagnetic signals cannot appear out of thin air.

The fact that it can pass the filter of the asteroid base detection array shows that this signal is not a clutter.

So there must be something that transmits signals in this area anyway.

And from the current situation, this unidentified unit is very likely to have the ability to act secretly.

But no matter what, Amber believes that as long as the distance is continuously reduced, this mysterious unit will definitely be discovered.

Because the experimental MK1 is a long-distance assault machine with heavy firepower in the vision of Amber and the maintenance team leader.

To put it bluntly, Amber was developed according to the positioning of "deep assault".

Red paint, deep assault.

Except for the inability to fly kick, what a perfect combination.

Although it is still just a prototype, and it is not even equipped with any weapons that can change the situation of the battle.

But Amber believes that as long as combat data is continuously accumulated to make adjustments, a "phantom machine" suitable for this universe will eventually be developed.

As a long-range assault machine, Amber and others racked their brains to improve the performance of the machine's detection components.

In the end, it was Ornes who "abandoned the dark and joined the light" and took out the technology that was still under experimentation of Mary Bay Industries - a new detection unit with battleship-level detection capability, but can be miniaturized to be equipped on large HCPs.

This is why Amber is confident that she can find this hidden guy now.

In the asteroid belt, the target airspace marked by Lilith.

A two-seat reconnaissance boat with optical camouflage turned on is quietly lurking here.

The 10 200-meter-long nanotubes released from the EWAC (Early Waning And Control) backpack on the rear half of the boat, together with the reconnaissance units at the end of the pipelines, form a temporary reconnaissance array.

In this state, the reconnaissance boat can achieve extremely long-distance and certain accuracy of battlefield intelligence detection and collection in the area directly in front of the axis.

In the cockpit of the reconnaissance boat, the driver in the front seat is looking at the interface of the omnidirectional warning device, and from time to time he looks up and looks around the dark universe - although this visual observation is just a way to comfort himself.

The electronic warfare officer in the back seat of the cockpit is concentrating on the tactical control interface on the screen in front of him.

The battlefield information collected from the EWAC backpack is constantly updating on the screen.

"The sound of the exchange of fire has basically stopped. It seems that the battle has come to an end. Hey, the Timler family and the fleet of that federal company are really weak."

"Does it mean that we can also prepare to withdraw?"

Ignoring the "sharp comment" part of his partner's second half of the sentence, the driver asked back, shook his neck, and then raised his hands and stretched very reluctantly in the narrow cockpit.

"That's about it. I'm going to change the mode and do another round of detection, then we'll retreat."

"Are you sure? Don't let it fail at the last step."

"Don't worry, I've done this operation countless times. Even if you're discovered, it's only a momentary signal, and it will basically be ignored by the radar controller."

Although his partner said something to reassure him, the pilot of the reconnaissance boat still silently put his hand back on the joystick.

"Why do you think the higher-ups suddenly want us to collect information about this battle?"

"Who knows? Or the captain came over to give the order directly, which is indeed quite rare."

"Hmm~"

The electronic warfare officer skillfully operated the screen and the surrounding volume light buttons, and continued:

"Before I set off, I heard from the captain that it seemed that the captain was also directly ordered by the higher-ups, and this order even bypassed the fleet commander."

"Alas, we can't guess what these big shots are thinking, don't think too much, just end the mission and evacuate quickly. I don't know why, but I always feel scared."

"What's wrong, are you feeling weak? Have you been on the ship too much recently and "generating electricity by yourself"?"

"Fuck you," the pilot of the reconnaissance boat laughed and scolded.

He was just about to say something more when he suddenly heard the panicked voice of his partner behind him.

"Isn't it possible? We seem to have been discovered?!"

As soon as these words came out, the driver who was already a little tired suddenly woke up.

He looked at the situational awareness interface on the screen in front of him. His partner in the back seat had already shared the information, and he saw a red dot rushing towards the area at a very high speed.

"What the hell is this speed?" the electronic warfare officer was still sighing,

"Are you sure this thing is for us? HCP?"

"The characteristics of the maneuver look like HCP, but the speed is too outrageous. Anyway, the predicted track is coming in this direction. It is probably that the last round of detection was detected just now."

While speaking, the electronic warfare officer had already begun to recover the detection array deployed on the EWAC backpack.

“I feel bad”

The electronic warfare officer looked up at the nanotube lines being recovered and shook his head.

"We have already asked the maintenance team to report the problem of slow recycling of EWAC backpacks to the manufacturer, but they have never given us a reply! These are these stupid aristocratic capitalists."

The electronic warfare officer cursed to himself, and then opened a new interface on the screen.

"I'm going to activate a backup plan. At least the information from this investigation must be sent back."

The driver in the front seat didn't speak, but the tacit understanding in the past let the electronic warfare officer know that the other party was aware.

He quickly clicked a few times on the screen, and soon a progress bar appeared and began to operate.

"Okay, we are encrypting and packaging it, and it will be sent out in a while."

"I think we may not have a while. We have already entered the attack range. If it is the HCP, it will probably use the diffusion mode of the heavy particle cannon to force us out."

"Even the diffusion mode shouldn't be able to handle this thing under our butts, right?"

"That's right, so I'm going to run away."

At the same time as the pilot's voice came from the front, the electronic warfare officer also felt the scout boat turn a 180° somersault.

A strong pushing sensation suddenly appeared on his back, causing him to be temporarily pressed into the chair and unable to operate.

He looked at the EWAC backpack module with a red light on the schematic diagram representing the various modules of the reconnaissance boat on the screen, and reached out with difficulty to press a physical button.

"boom!"

There was a slight explosion, and before it could be fully recovered, the reconnaissance unit that was towed behind the reconnaissance boat was thrown away.

At the same time, the progress bar on the screen also came to an end.

The electronic warfare officer, who had gradually adapted to the forward G force, pressed the send button without hesitation.

An invisible electronic signal was immediately sent out into the depths of the universe.

The electronic warfare officer, who had already anticipated something in his mind, just wanted to hasten a word with his partner.

A deadly blue charged particle beam tore apart the dark space, and also tore the basically unprotected reconnaissance boat into pieces.

Seeing the fire bursting out of the locking frame, Amber put away the charged particle cannon, her face under the helmet mask expressionless.