Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

half a month later.

Inside the [Gluttonous] supply transport ship in the synchronous orbit of the ice giant.

To maintain the strength of their muscles and bones, Hope and Hansent are training in a simulated gravity chamber, as usual.

"Hope, when do you think we should start the second mission?"

Hansent made conversation while training.

Hope rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Hey bro, when we were inside Ice Giant, you couldn't wait to get out. Now that we're out, you're talking about the next mission every day."

"If I remember correctly, this is the 47th time you've asked me this question."

"Tell me, what exactly is your mentality?"

Hansent chuckled and put down the dumbbells, scratching his head awkwardly as he said, "It's mainly because this mission has been weighing on my mind, and it's been really bothering me."

"……call!"

Hope put down the exercise equipment in her hand and exhaled a long breath.

"You'll have to ask the Academy of Sciences about that."

"Didn't Professor Lü already say that?"

"Only after we successfully decipher the language system of those amino-like giant fish can we begin the next mission."

"Do you want to be treated like a football?"

Upon hearing this, Hansent shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, no, don't joke around."

"I never want to see that giant fish again."

"A few nights ago, every time I slept, I dreamed that a giant fish crawled out of my bed and rammed into me. The scene..." Hansent shuddered. "It still gives me the creeps."

"Who knows, Professor Lü might send you to find a giant fish in an ocean of liquid ammonia the next second?"

As he spoke, Hope raised an eyebrow at his teammates with a mischievous grin: "Then you can enjoy the giant fish's 'affection' to your heart'."

"You!" Hansent's lips twitched violently.

Just as he was about to give his friend a good "greeting," a holographic projection unfolded in front of him, interrupting the words he was about to say.

"Communication request received from Dawn Star, connecting..."

A monotone electronic voice rang in their ears.

That was the voice of the shipborne artificial intelligence system.

Hansent and Hope exchanged a glance.

"Look what you've done!" Hansent glared at his teammate and mouthed to Hope.

As for Hope, he shrugged helplessly and picked up a towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

The video call was connected.

"Hope, Hansent, good afternoon."

A gentle voice came from the speaker.

"Good afternoon, Professor." Hope greeted the man in the picture as soon as he saw him.

"How are you feeling?" Lu Yongchang chuckled and asked again, "You haven't been slacking off lately, have you?"

Hope and Hansent naturally nodded in agreement.

"Professor, has the giant fish's language system been successfully deciphered?" Hope asked after a moment's hesitation.

In the video, Lü Yongchang nodded and then shook his head.

"You could say we've cracked it, but we're still a little short." Lü Yongchang gestured with his hand. "We're just a tiny bit more away."

Hope had a bad feeling.

He swallowed subconsciously: "What...what's missing?"

Upon hearing Hope's question, Lü Yongchang's face immediately lit up with a satisfied smile.

Clearly, he was waiting for the two of them to ask that question.

"Based on our analysis and deductions, we have successfully completed over 90% of the language deciphering work."

"but!"

"As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Without conducting experiments, we don't know if there are any problems with our translation."

"so……"

"Next, you'll need to go to Ice Giant Star again."

"The Poseidon II exploration vessel has been completed, and it's equipped with an ultrasonic generator," Lu Yongchang said with a smile. "You guys need to go and test its effectiveness."

"If the results meet expectations..."

"We can come back now?" Hansent asked repeatedly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

What he received, of course, was Lü Yongchang's strange look.

"Are you kidding me?"

Lu Yongchang looked at Hansent with a strange expression: "If this thing is useful, then of course you should continue the exploration mission that wasn't finished last time!"

"The Poseidon II-class exploration vessel costs a considerable amount to start up each time, so we should make the most of it, right?"

Hansent swallowed hard and nodded silently.

"Professor, you're right."

"We were too naive."

"Alright, I won't waste any more time." Lü Yongchang clapped his hands. "You're all aware of the research results we've achieved over this period."

"The armor on the giant fish is most likely derived from some kind of mineral from the depths of the ocean, which is liquid ammonia. Your goal is to follow the giant fish and find this mineral."

"There are already nine Poseidon II-class exploration vessels on the production line. If nothing unexpected happens, you will have more companions in the future."

Upon hearing this, Hope and Hansent's eyes lit up slightly.

The two turned to look at each other and saw the surprise in each other's eyes.

……

three days later.

A starship with an appearance extremely similar to the Poseidon exploration ship slowly entered the port of the Taotie supply depot.

Hope and Hansent, who had been notified early on, were now fully prepared.

Under Zero's control, the hatch of the Poseidon II slowly opened.

Hope, who was waiting nearby, was the first to enter the cockpit.

"Whoa!"

Hope instinctively exclaimed, "This second-generation product is truly different!"

"The cockpit is more spacious than before!"

Hansent followed Hope into the cockpit.

Unlike Hope, who focused on different things.

He immediately noticed the playing cards, chessboard, and a small holographic game console placed next to the driver's seat.

He nodded in satisfaction, his eyes beaming with joy: "The professor really listened to my advice!"

"Without some entertainment, I don't know how I would get through the long dives."

Hope did not reply.

He quickly stepped forward and discreetly placed the game console next to his seat.

"Hey! You..." Hansent's expression changed slightly upon realizing this, and he immediately prepared to demand justice.

"Alright." Hope plopped down in the driver's seat and expertly fastened her seatbelt. "We should get going."

Hansent: "..."

Feeling the slight vibration of the Hall thruster activating beneath his feet, Hansent swallowed the words he was about to say and quickly went to his seat.

next moment.

The port gates of the supply reserve ship, which had been tightly closed, have reopened.

The silver-white spherical starship slowly sailed away from the port, heading straight for the massive, azure ice giant.