Starting as a Mechanical Hunter

Chapter 904: Chapter 10: Civilian Salvage Equipment

Concentrated Burned Rock (Level 2 Energy Ore): A product of the mutation between high-temperature energy beams and minerals, concentrated burned rock is a close relative of ordinary burned rock, but with 15% higher mineral content than the latter.

[You have obtained an item for a mission, please submit it promptly]

I am a Big Muscle Dominator controlling the mechanical octopus claws, holding this burning large ore in hand. Even through the mecha pod, the high temperature from the ore can be felt. Finally, after carefully placing it into the custom-made vehicle, a sigh of relief was breathed.

Soon, Big Muscle Dominator collected three other special ores: ’Mortal Crystal Stone’, ’Water Soul Sand’, and ’Silicon-Based Black Rock’. Among these, Mortal Crystal Stone’s hardness compares to special alloy, Water Soul Sand, in the manufacturing of energy vehicles, increases energy adaptability by 10%, while ’Silicon-Based Black Rock’ is an edible ore from which large molecular silicon attribute compounds can be extracted, serving as one of the standard food sources for silicon-based life.

By the way, Silicon-Based Black Rock is also used as a material for manufacturing exploration robots.

The mining process was uneventful, without encountering any cosmic monster, and was smoothly sent back to the industrial ship.

The deck of the industrial ship was already piled high with energy ores, and five large swimming pool-sized energy ore furnaces had been constructed, burning with intense flames.

”Oh, you collected ’Silicon-Based Black Rock’?” The balding NPC, a surprised doctor, asked.

”Uh, does it have any use?” I am a Big Muscle Dominator asked curiously.

The doctor shook his head, didn’t reply, simply added 200 extra points to him.

Most energy ores, after processing in the energy incinerator, have their energy extracted, synthesized, and compressed into energy boards. While not an advanced technology, anyone engaged in industrial fabrication has a set. These synthesized energy boards are then transported through various industrial modules to the spark storage, where mechanical arms embedded them on the surface of the spark storage. Shortly, energy quotients ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 radiance lighted up.

Among the hundreds of spark storages, all were extinguished sparks, but started glowing slightly with the infusion of energy.

”Silicon-Based Black Rock?” Du Zhaodi, dressed in white factory attire, quickly noticed this special type of ore and paused.

”Are there silicon-based lifeforms in the asteroid belt?”

”Probably not.”

Dr. Rong, the expert in robot production, shook his bald head and said: ”Based on the analysis from the ship’s AI, the probability that this place was once an interstellar battlefield is 32.1%. It could be a civilization fleet encircling interstellar pirates, or an encounter between two civilization fleets, or even a civil war among interstellar pirates. In any case, a sizeable interstellar war developed here, leaving behind vehicles, robots, and shipwreck debris. These machines gradually disintegrated, transforming over time into various metal ores and energy ores.”

”As for this Silicon-Based Black Rock, probably it’s a product of interaction between robot fragments and cosmic radiation.”

”Is that so,” Du Zhaodi said surprised, feeling like a province girl tumbling into a city for the first time.

Dr. Rong touched his nose, somewhat sheepishly, ”I actually can’t be sure, this information is from the planet host database concerning this aspect, and I don’t know if it’s true or false.”

But very soon, he became excited.

”However, these Silicon-Based Black Rocks are the best body material for mechanical life. If we can collect them in large quantities, we could produce bodies for spark mechanisms. My preliminary estimate is that as long as there are enough materials, within six months, we can revive 1,000 spark lives.”

Du Zhaodi nodded, as a female leader of three industrial templates, she knew better than anyone about robot production efficiency. Seemingly thinking of something, she added:

”But our main reason for staying here is to clear the navigation channel. Once we produce enough robots, we must immediately proceed with the channel clearing.”

”Understood!” Dr. Rong nodded, looked around, and said: ”Where is Mr. G? I thought he’d be helpful for reviving spark lives, since it’s such a significant matter.”

”He said he went out for a month of sightseeing,” Du Zhaodi said calmly.

...

Currently, Gao is scavenging on the outer area of zone 1.

In the eyes of others, the meteorite sea almost had no difference; however, in the eyes of Gao Gong, it was entirely different. Energy frequencies, space fluctuations, mechanical information residues, even the subtle changes in physical rules, they all reflected his biological computer.

This is also why only those reaching tier 2 can be called interstellar warriors, not only because of combat powers but also due to various sensing capabilities in outer space. Such senses are crucial for survival in outer space. Important information, if missed, could turn lethal in this interstellar junkyard.

In a previous life, Gao knew several large and small interstellar junkyards existed in this meteorite belt. When the Mechanical Split resisted Cyber Tide unsuccessfully, Noah’s Ark hastily set out. Due to lack of energy, it once stopped here briefly, relying on ’scrap picking’ to provide sufficient materials and energy for the ’Noah’s Ark.’

But finally, that ’Noah’s Ark’ did not take me on board because very coincidentally, or rather unfortunately, it crashed into interstellar pirates. This spaceship fled directly, while I and another female player Dida were out there picking scraps.

Thus, both successfully got captured by interstellar pirates, and after showcasing our excellent neural programming skills, became temporary employees of interstellar pirates.

Yes, tier six virtual experienced driver sold clips across the cosmos previously was an interstellar pirate for a time, and now, this somewhat constitutes as a piece of black history.

This is also why Gao knows the pirate underground communications in this star zone because he managed the operation of the pirate ship’s communication platform.

Later, after he and Dida quietly completed consciousness upload, they managed to flee in a smuggling space station, marking the end of this gaming experience.

...

In Gao’s memories, besides being an interstellar junkyard, this area harbors several private space stations, serving as fencing points for interstellar pirates. However, specific coordinates were never disclosed by pirate leaders, and Gao only came to try his luck.

Unfortunately, luck was not on his side.

However, during his return, Gao unexpectedly had a gain.

”This thing — civilian salvage device?”

Currently in Gao’s hand was a mechanical version of a large ’spotlight.’ There was no bulb in the lamp cover, instead, a complex laser emission probe was designed to emit ’traction beams.’ It’s termed civilian because its range is only 3000 m, significantly weaker than a spaceship’s typical 10 km traction beam.

More likely than not, this device was intended for archaeology.

...

Civilian Salvage Device: This is a special scanner, through which it can inspect shipwrecks for objects worthy of salvage.

Energy consumption for activation: 100 points

Volume: 3.5 m^3

Scavenging success rate: 2%

Technology Level: Level 2 Civilization

Optimal Range: 3000 m

Operational time: 180 s

Energy Plugin: None

Failure Rate: 74.5%

This is a level two inferior-grade salvage device, sourced from a depression in a meteorite. Although Gao didn’t see any bodies, probably they had been reduced to cosmic ash and annihilation.

In such battlefield relics, besides salvagers and star thieves, interstellar archaeologists are prevalent. Composed of different civilizations and races, these individuals are deeply interested in anything relating to ancient civilizations. If the equipment truly belonged to archaeologists, it signifies this interstellar battlefield is aged perhaps by billions of years.

However, for Gao, this intelligence holds little use. Such ’archaeological information’ collection is only of interest to civilization influences because they can deduce ancient civilization levels and technological directions from such data. As for Gao now, not having a stable base leaves the thought of developing a civilization far behind.

At least returning empty-handed isn’t the outcome.

...

In the vacuum, Gao moved at high speed because there was no air, even sound bursts were absent, similar to some spaceship cruises, visible only as a flash line, should it collide with a meteorite ahead, the body would shatter directly.

Though Gao can achieve this, spaceships definitely cannot.

One reason is that Gao’s physically hardened body far exceeds the toughness of spaceships, where the same damage could potentially cause explosive failure.

Secondly, even the most basic spaceships are equipped for light-speed travel, a speed Gao couldn’t achieve currently. At light-speed, alterations not only in physical objects but also in star domain conditions could potentially cause spaceship accidents. Such accidents generally end in total annihilation, even Gao’s current bodily condition cannot survive a light-speed accident, lacking any probability of salvation.

Thus, clearing the navigation channel remains the primary task in cosmic cruising.