The energy crisis of the X10 Engineering Ships had just been resolved, and Elara stood in the command center, gazing at the holographic projection as the resource counters slowly climbed. The storage compartments of the space assembly plant were filled to capacity with metals, crystals, and deuterium. X8 and X10 Engineering Ships bustled through the asteroid belt, their drone mining systems humming faintly in the distance. Surrounding the base, FG3000 Multirole Frigates and AC721 Carrier Destroyers patrolled tirelessly, while stingray-class drones hovered like ghosts. The engines of the Conelight-class missile cruisers glowed blue, propelling them through the void. This massive space assembly plant, hidden deep within the asteroid belt, had become a formidable fortress for the Nova Alliance. But Elara's vision stretched far beyond this. She knew that accumulating resources was only the first step—rising to prominence in the galaxy required mastering advanced technology, and everything began with materials.
She turned to Kiera. "Gather the technical team. Build a research pod next to the command center. I want to study the essence of these materials." A few days later, the research pod was completed. Though small, it was packed with cutting-edge equipment. Holographic projectors displayed streams of flickering data, analytical instruments hummed steadily, and test benches were laden with samples brought back from the asteroid belt. In the center of the room, Elara held a piece of high-purity crystal up to the light, examining its refraction. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "These are not just resources," she said to the lead technician. "They are the keys to our future. Let's begin—I want to know their composition, principles, and applications." The technical team sprang into action, and Elara personally participated in every step. She placed a crystal into the analyzer, and the screen immediately displayed its structure.
"High-purity crystal," the technician reported, "is primarily composed of silicon-based compounds and rare elements like ytterbium and neodymium. Its lattice is highly ordered, doped with trace metal ions." Elara nodded, studying the magnified lattice image on the screen. "And the principle?" she asked. "It forms in the low-temperature, high-pressure environment of the asteroid belt," the technician explained. "The lattice can efficiently store and conduct energy. When stimulated by electric fields or light, electrons jump levels, releasing a stable energy flow." Elara tapped her fingers lightly on the desk, calculating. "Applications?" she pressed. "Energy cores are the primary use," the technician replied, "like those in the X10s' energy compartments. They can also be used in energy weapons, enhancing the power of laser cannons like the SG-1500. Communication devices could benefit too, improving signal transmission in sensor arrays." She turned the crystal in the light, murmuring, "If we amplify its conductivity, perhaps it could power a Lagrange Gate."
Next, she turned to a sample of stellar metal. The surface of the metal was mottled, covered by a faint layer of oxidation. The analyzer showed it was primarily composed of iron and nickel, mixed with high-melting-point metals like titanium and molybdenum, forming a dense alloy. "This metal comes from ancient meteorites," the technician said. "Forged by cosmic radiation, it has extreme hardness and strong corrosion resistance. Its molecular structure is tightly packed, able to withstand high temperatures and pressures." Elara tapped the metal, producing a crisp sound.
"The applications are obvious," she said. "Ship armor—like that of the FG3000s and AC721s. It can also be used in base structures, such as mechanical arms and outer shells. What about weapon components?" "Barrels," the technician replied. "For example, the SG-2275C—enhancing durability and heat dissipation." She nodded. "Strong yet lightweight. If combined with crystal reinforcement, we could build lighter warships."
Finally, her gaze fell on a container of deuterium. A pale blue gas flowed slowly through transparent pipelines, emitting a faint glow. The analyzer showed it was an isotope of hydrogen, containing one proton, one neutron, and one electron. "The principle behind deuterium?" she asked. "Nuclear fusion fuel," the technician replied. "Two deuterium atoms fuse to form helium, releasing tremendous energy. Its energy density far exceeds traditional fuels—it's the core of interstellar travel." "Applications?" Elara pressed. "Ship engines—like those of the X10s and Conelight-class cruisers," the technician answered. "Also, the base's reactors. For weapons, it can be used to develop fusion bombs, increasing missile power." Elara stared at the deuterium. "This is our lifeline. But extraction efficiency isn't sufficient yet—we need to improve the X10s' collection systems."
Research wasn't without challenges. Crystals, though capable of conducting energy, were prone to collapsing under overload. Stellar metals were hard but difficult to process, requiring higher-temperature smelting. Deuterium extraction consumed vast amounts of energy, and storage requirements were stringent. Elara and her team conducted repeated experiments, adjusting parameters and even operating analyzers herself to simulate extreme conditions. Late one night, the research pod was brightly lit. She stared at a set of data on the holographic projection when a sudden flash of inspiration struck her. "Crystals and deuterium can be combined," she said. "Use the crystal lattice to stabilize the fusion reaction, reducing energy loss." The technician looked at her in astonishment. "Captain, this could revolutionize energy systems!" After days of effort, they developed a crystal-deuterium composite energy module. Crystals were embedded in deuterium reaction chambers, using the lattice to regulate fusion speed, resulting in more stable and efficient energy output. Elara ordered its implementation in the X10 Engineering Ships. Test results showed a 20% increase in mining efficiency, with no issues in the energy system.
The research breakthrough breathed new life into the base. Equipped with the new modules, the X10 Engineering Ships returned to the asteroid belt, harvesting vast quantities of metals, crystals, and deuterium. The production lines of the space assembly plant manufactured stronger ship components. The AC721's cannons were upgraded with crystal-enhanced versions, and the Conelight-class missiles were fitted with deuterium warheads, doubling their destructive power. Morale among the crew in the residential areas soared, and the lights of the base shone brightly amidst the asteroids, like a rising star. Elara stood in the command center, gazing at the holographic projections of resource reserves and new ship blueprints. She knew this was just the beginning. In the future, she planned to develop more advanced alloys and even explore unknown substances within the Lagrange Network.
"Continue the research," she commanded firmly. "Our journey has only just begun."