Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

A month later.

Wang Man stared anxiously at the red warning sign in the holographic projection.

Although Zero adjusted the allocation of computing power, investing more computing power in mining and smelting as much as possible, it still could not change the fact that the fleet's basic metal resources were insufficient.

Despite slowing down starship factories and mega-construction projects as much as possible, the fleet's basic metal reserves continue to decline toward the lowest warning line.

"drop!"

A crisp notification sound came from the speaker, breaking the silence in the office.

"Academician Wang Man, Starship Factory has sent a message."

"Special Order Manufacturing Progress: The Star Destroyer [Suzaku] has been assembled and is undergoing factory inspection."

"Great!" Upon hearing this news, the depression on Wang Man's face vanished instantly, replaced by a hopeful and relieved smile.

He unplugged the electromagnetic adsorption device, stood up, and paced back and forth in the office a few times.

Then, he reached out and opened a document in the holographic projection, and examined it carefully once again.

After confirming that there were no oversights, he said in a deep voice:

"Zero, contact Professor Lü for me. [Vermilion Bird] is nearing completion, and the fleet can prepare to begin mining!"

"receive!"

After the electronic synthesized sound started, Wang Man excitedly opened the data on the Star Destroyer [Suzaku].

Gazing at the fiery red, dazzling lines, a hint of intoxication appeared in his eyes.

In the face of a severe shortage of basic metal resources, in order not to affect the progress of other projects, the raw materials for the manufacture of the Vermilion Bird mostly came from the recycling of old starships.

However, this did not affect the imposing and arrogant appearance of the Vermilion Bird, nor did it affect the structural strength of the Vermilion Bird itself.

Just like its name suggests, the Star Destroyer [Vermilion Bird] is like a great bird spreading its wings and soaring high, exuding an aura of nobility.

The massive cannon barrels that pierced through most of the ship's hull exuded an aura of destruction and ferocity.

Similar to the Battering Ram, the Star Destroyer Suzaku also has only one main gun.

Moreover, this main gun also occupies most of the space on the ship's hull.

Of course, there are still significant differences between the two – the former's instantaneous output power is far less than the latter's.

In the simplest terms, the Star Destroyer Cannon can be reused, while the Battering Ram is a one-time use weapon.

In addition, the Star Destroyer [Suzaku] is equipped with a large number of defense modules and a high-power warp drive.

According to the design of the academicians of the Academy of Sciences, in peacetime, the main function of [Vermilion Bird] is mining, while in wartime, especially against those civilizations that hold fast to their planets, [Vermilion Bird] will be a highly lethal weapon!

Of course, the fundamental methods used in both are the same: detonating a planet.

"Ding!"

He turned his head and glanced at it.

This information comes from Professor Lü.

The message contained only two words.

"approve."

……

The timeframe for "taking action" against Kepler 452c was set for two weeks later.

On one hand, the star destroyer [Vermilion Bird] still needs to undergo several factory inspections; on the other hand, the fleet needs to allocate some planetary star ships that have completed their upgrades to cooperate with this unprecedented mining project.

All of these require a considerable amount of time to prepare.

Time flies.

Under Zero's control, the newly launched planetary-level [Golden Crow] battleships and [Gluttonous] supply ships slowly departed the fleet and, driven by antimatter engines, arrived near Kepler 452c.

This poor iron planet is unaware of what is about to happen, and it continues to orbit its central star silently, just as it has for billions of years.

Around it, the Golden Crow battleships were poised to launch, waiting only for a command to create a gravity-constructed cage to firmly bind it within!

Wang Man sat quietly in his office chair, looking at the small gray planet outside the porthole.

Swish.

I heard the sound of the office door opening behind me.

"Old Wang."

Hearing that familiar voice, Wang Man smiled faintly: "Old Tang, you're here too."

"Nonsense!" Tang Hairong plopped down in the chair next to Wang Man and said irritably, "How could I let such a spectacular scene pass by?"

As he spoke, he turned his head to look around, then lowered his voice slightly and asked, "Professor Lü... isn't he here?"

Wang Man gazed at the distant gray planet and nodded slightly: "Yes."

"I heard that tachyon communication technology is about to make a breakthrough, and Professor Lü is leading a team on the Earth to work hard to overcome this technology."

"hiss!"

Tang Hairong gasped slightly, his face filled with astonishment as he exclaimed, "So fast?!"

"How much time has it been?!"

"It's not short either." Wang Man shrugged. "At least, for Professor Lü, tachyon communication technology has taken a long time to develop."

Tang Hairong's lips twitched, revealing a bitter smile.

He shook his head and sighed helplessly, "That's true."

"Under normal circumstances, Professor Lü would have produced two research results in this amount of time, but he hasn't even solved one yet."

"This quantum communication technology is really difficult!"

"Oh right, you're wrong about that." Wang Man shrugged and corrected him softly, "The [Vermilion Bird] Star Destroyer was created by Professor Lü."

"So, strictly speaking, he did produce a research result."

Tang Hairong's bitter smile froze instantly.

"this……"

"A god, simply a god..."

Hearing Tang Hairong's repeated exclamations, Wang Man's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile.

Suddenly, the smile on his face froze, and his eyes sharpened.

His gaze was fixed on a point far out the window.

Seeing the faint red glow, he excitedly unfastened the electromagnetic adsorption device on his seat, stood up, and leaned over the starship's porthole.

"Hey! You're blocking my view!"

Tang Hairong's displeased voice came from behind: "Can you please...?"

"They're here!"

Wang Man's voice was filled with excitement and exhilaration: "[Vermilion Bird] is here!"

Tang Hairong's complaints came to an abrupt halt.

A flurry of frantic sounds came from behind.

A few seconds later, Tang Hairong also stood by the porthole, grabbing at a corner of it with his hand and trying to get his head as close to the window as possible, peering at the scene in the distance.

"drop!"

"Academician Wang Man, Academician Tang Hairong."

"The first planetary mining operation is about to begin. Please be careful while watching."

As Zero's synthesized voice sounded behind us, the scene outside the porthole began to gradually change.