Chapter 40: Technological confrontation between the two sides
In an instant, a 3.5-meter-long probe, resembling a Water Drop, shot towards the passage in the Universe.
At ten percent the speed of light, this distance was covered in just a few breaths.
"Reporting, Commander, the Water Drop has detected the opponent dispatching probes! We speculate the opponent is also a Technology civilization!"
Everyone also put away their playful mood. Facing an opponent who was also a Technology civilization, they dared not underestimate them. As developers, they naturally knew the power of Technology.
This war would likely be the most difficult one. It would depend on whose Technology prowess was higher and whether their domains counteracted each other.
"Have the Water Drop destroy all probes! We must ensure the opponent doesn't understand the situation!"
The Commander quickly issued the order.
"Yes!"
As soon as the order was given, the Water Drop accelerated to a terrifying speed and slammed into these probes.
Under the effect of the strong interaction force, the Water Drop's surface was absolutely smooth and absolutely hard, passing through as easily as a needle piercing tofu.
"Bang!"
A series of 'firecracker' sounds echoed in the Universe.
The Commander grinned. Every time he admired the power of the Water Drop, he became somewhat infatuated. This was Technology!
"Reporting, Commander, all of the opponent's probes have been destroyed! Please give instructions!"
"No rush. The opponent will definitely send out more probes to figure out the situation. Have the Water Drop lie in ambush, and when the opponent dispatches probes again, give them another blow!"
Just as he expected, Zhuo Yuanming and the others quickly dispatched a large number of probes to check the situation.
"Let's enjoy a fireworks show!"
The Water Drop quickly activated. Probe after probe was destroyed upon contact. The Water Drop harvested these probes like the Grim Reaper's scythe.
"Hahaha!"
The Commander laughed heartily, and the others were also overjoyed. This was undoubtedly their Technology suppressing the opponent's Technology. How could this not be exciting?
"Commander, we estimate the opponent might not have figured out the situation yet."
"Hehe... That's inevitable. Our probes can reach ten percent the speed of light. With those probes, they can at most capture shadows."
"This means the opponent will still use other means to figure out the situation. This is also a great opportunity for us to understand the opponent's level of Technology. The enemy is in the open, we are in the dark. The advantage is ours!"
Everyone was extremely excited, and the Commander also nodded with a smile.
Before long, a massive instrument was exposed within the Water Drop's detection range.
"What is this? Just one?"
Everyone looked at the monitoring screen, scratching their heads.
"Could it be they're scared?"
Some speculated. This was also easy to deduce, after all, who told the opponent not to figure out their methods yet? The unknown is what's terrifying!
"If it's just one, Commander, should we deploy the Water Drop?"
"Activate it. We cannot let the opponent's probes gather too much information from our side."
The Commander nodded.
And so, the Water Drop repeated its old trick, rushing towards the instrument at high speed.
After getting within ten meters of the instrument, it vanished before everyone's eyes.
"What happened!"
The Commander's eyes widened. Moreover, with the disappearance of the Water Drop, they also lost their vision, and the screen turned completely white.
"This..."
Everyone scrambled to operate various facilities.
"Bad news, Commander, we've lost control of the Water Drop! We can no longer detect where the Water Drop is!"
One person was greatly alarmed. The others, hearing this, were not much better off.
"What! The Water Drop is gone?!"
The Commander's face was grim: "What exactly happened? Did you figure it out?"
"This... we don't know either..."
Everyone looked bitter, but then immediately said: "It must be the opponent's doing!"
"Nonsense! If it's not the opponent, is it us?! Isn't this war being fought by two sides? I'm telling you to figure out this method!"
The Commander said angrily.
The Water Drop, which had played an important role in other Worlds, was just gone like that. How could he calm down? What terrified him most was the method! The method! The unknown is what's terrifying!
"This... there's too little footage, we can't analyze it..."
Everyone shook their heads.
"Sigh, send out another Water Drop."
The Commander also knew he couldn't blame them. He could only activate another Water Drop. They only had three in total, and now they had lost one, leaving only two.
"But... Commander, if we activate the Water Drop again, it will probably be taken by the opponent again..."
Everyone hesitated somewhat.
"I know, and this is the price for our carelessness. You must remember this! Our past victories were too easy, causing us to look down on other civilizations, thinking we were the strongest.
Now reality has woken us up. There are always people better than you, and Worlds beyond Worlds! Civilization wars cannot be taken lightly. This time we only lost a Water Drop. If we dare to be careless in the future, it's terrifying that the entire civilization could face misfortune!"
The Commander warned.
"Yes! We understand!"
"The second Water Drop has been launched. You must figure out the opponent's method!"
"Whoosh—!"
The Water Drop was quickly launched into the Universe. This time they were much more cautious, not letting the Water Drop approach rashly, but observing from a distance.
Over on Earth Star.
"This must be that thing from just now, right? It looks like a Water Drop, truly beautiful."
Zhuo Yuanming admired the monitoring screen, saying this. Although they had captured one, they hadn't retrieved it yet, so they didn't know what it looked like.
"That should be the thing that attacked our probes. Just now we transmitted electromagnetic signals towards the Water Drop, and they were all 100% reflected. The surface is absolutely smooth!"
Zhuo Yuanming looked at the screen and said calmly: "It seems the opponent is very cautious this time, just watching from afar and not approaching our instrument. Is there a way to capture it from a distance?"
"Currently, our instrument can indeed fold space over a long distance, but the maximum distance is 384,401 kilometers."
"And the target is 400,000 kilometers away from us, exceeding the distance limit. It needs to get a bit closer."
The others gave their answer.
"It's not much difference. Have the instrument pretend to collect information about their World, luring them to attack proactively. Even if they don't attack, we can slowly approach. Once it enters our capture distance, initiate capture!"
Zhuo Yuanming ordered. Anyway, space folding was performed within ten meters of the instrument, so attacking them was equivalent to walking into a trap.
"Yes!"
Soon, the stationary instrument began to continuously approach that World, pretending to emit various electromagnetic signals and collect information on Universe matter.
This ostentatious display was recorded and transmitted back by the Water Drop without missing a beat.
"Bad news, Commander, the opponent wants to approach our World!"
"What should we do, Commander? Should we activate the Water Drop to attack?"
The Commander hesitated. Attacking meant losing a precious Water Drop. If they didn't attack and allowed the opponent to figure out their bottom line, it would be even more dangerous. By then, various targeted methods would catch them off guard!
"Attack! And record all footage. You must figure out the opponent's method!"
The Commander ordered.
"Yes!"
Soon, the stationary Water Drop shot towards Zhuo Yuanming and their instrument.
"Heh, they really couldn't hold back. An overt strategy is what leaves people helpless. Knowing there's danger, yet having to approach and attack!"
Zhuo Yuanming smiled slightly: "No need to activate space folding remotely. We'll keep one hand hidden and give the opponent a surprise later!"