Published at 23rd of November 2020 11:50:07 AM
Chapter 1273: 1273
Last month, the research institute at the colony and Celestial City lab determined the appropriate frequency through collaboration .
The modified seismic wave excitation device would continuously transmit seismic waves of twelve different frequencies to create a “blank domain” with a range of ten kilometers underground . In this blank domain, Devil Worms would be unable to determine their direction and unable to distinguish the surrounding and surface conditions, while also experiencing strong discomfort .
The experts in the lab named the invention Ultrasonic Fence .
Twelve seismic wave excitation devices were deployed around the colony to form an ultrasonic fence . Now, with the colony as the center, the ten kilometers radius became a restricted zone for Devil Worms .
Thanks to this, the stagnant work around the colony finally restarted .
Under the command of Captain Hong Zewei, the engineering team repaired the riddled hydroponic plantations and pastures damaged by Devil Worms . At the same time, based on the plan of the Space Command Center, the first automatic steel plant was built on Mars .
There was no need to build mines to mine iron ore on Mars .
There were iron ores all over the place on Mars .
It was an incredibly true statement .
It was not difficult to smell the distinct scent unique to rust when one scooped up a cup of sand .
With the raw materials just beneath it, the newly built factory would only require sand to be dumped into the boiler to produce batches of steel products . The waste slag was mostly silica, which could be further processed into glass or concrete building material .
Part of the steel produced was used for constructing the colony, while the other part was made into rebar and stainless steel plates to reinforce the surface of the colony .
Yes, steel on Mars was cheap enough to be used as floor tiles .
The engineering team responsible for the construction first drilled steel reinforcements into the ground, then they poured cement to create a concrete foundation before a layer of high-strength stainless steel alloy was placed . With the reinforcement measures in place, even if a drill grew on the Devil Worms’ head, they would be not be able to penetrate through the ground below the colony .
Although the ultrasonic fence did exist, the thought of countless Devil Worm tunnels below their feet still made people feel comfortable . Even as an extra protection mechanism, the alloy flooring was absolutely necessary .
In addition, concrete’s ability to insulate sound would effectively block out the ultrasonic waves under the ground and reduce the impact on the colonists’ health .
Other than iron ore, the geology team Wang Qiang discovered a carbon mine with a considerable amount of reserve in a crater located ten kilometers away from the colony . This natural carbon mine seemed rare on Earth due to the oxidizing environment but appeared to be very common on Mars .
Relying on the graphite produced by this carbon mine, the colony was self-sustainable and thus did not need to depend on imports from Celestial City .
Both the steel plant and the graphene plant were built, and now only two tasks remained from the headquarters . One was to establish a base station near the equator for the construction of a space elevator, while the other was Project 071 .
Celestial Marines established an operational base above Mine 071 . The construction team reinforced the base with concrete and steel . The base was equipped with machine guns, communication base stations, accommodation camps, and garages .
In addition, the engineering team’s drilling rig also drilled a tunnel around Mine 071 that allowed armored vehicles to move underground . The tunnel was also reinforced to prevent Devil Worm from damaging the structure .
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The tunnel down five-kilometer deep was a test of the construction technology of the engineering team . However, the team already experienced many similar challenges . After more than a month of hard work, the rig finally reached the edge of the ruins of the Gaia civilization .
Their next step was to continue to drill down around the ruins to create a spiral passage . After the team determined the level of the Gaia civilization database, it would then dig into the remains .
“This is Team A, we have arrived at the edge of the unknown area . ”
Zhang Hai followed behind the rig and reported the situation to the headquarters as he examined the map on the holographic screen inside the helmet .
“Move forward . ”
“Roger . ” Zhang Hai switched to the team channel, raised his rifle, and aimed at tunnel in front of him . “All combat units, high-density life signal detected in front, we are about to enter the danger zone . Protect the rig, open safety, firing permitted, move . ”
The rig continued to advance forward and the engineering vehicle behind it pushed screws into the tunnel while also poured quick-drying concrete to strengthen the tunnel . Marines followed closely and aimed with their Gauss rifles and cautiously moved forward .
If Devil Worms were to appear from one direction, then it must be in front of the rig .
When the drill bit broke through a rocky surface, the rock in front of them collapsed and revealed a large space . The rig stopped and the soldiers on both sides immediately approached the empty area, but there was no trace of Devil Worms in the hollow formation .
Zhang Hai walked to the nearby wall and opened the tactical flashlight to check along the wall . He found the red rock and the fungi clusters that grew on the surface .
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It was no doubt that the oxygen supply layer .
Zhang Hai signaled the soldiers behind him, then carefully retreated into the reinforced tunnel . Just then, a solider accidentally discovered a strange egg .
The dark green egg was around half-person tall . Under the flashlight, a layer of colorful spots was visible under its oily film . It seemed to be contracting and swelling to an unknown rhythm .
Perhaps it was irritated by the light of the flashlight, its swelling speed seemed to increase .
“What is this?” With his rifle aimed at the egg, the soldier pressed it on his helmet, took a few photos and sent it to the team channel . “Captain, we found something odd here . ”
“A Devil Worm egg?” Looking at the image on the holographic screen, Zhang Hai frowned slightly and walked up . “No… Let the rig stop . ”
The drill rig stopped drilling forward .
Soon, Zhang Hai reconnected with the headquarters .
As soon as the communication was connected, the headquarters asked .
“What happened? Why did the rig stop?”
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“Report, this is Team A . We drilled through a hollow formation, where we found a lot of fungi, and a strange egg… probably an egg . ” Looking at the agitated follicle, Zhang Hai sent those photos to TS Expedition .
“This is the headquarters . We have received the information and are sending researchers to the target area for sampling . Please wait there . ”
“Roger . ” After the communication ended, Zhang Hai signaled to the soldiers to the sides of the rig .
Before the researchers arrived, they would establish a simple line of defense here .
“What do you think this is?”Koenig whispered in the channel as he nervously aimed at the egg .
“I don’t know . Maybe it’s a mutated Devil Worm? Or maybe it’s a new species that we have never seen before? To be honest… since we already saw Devil Worms before, even if God himself stood in front of me, I would not be surprised . ”
Zhang Hai listened to the conversation of his teammates as he looked at the egg .
The egg seemed to be an exposed heart, pulsating based on a special rhythm .
For some strange reason, the more he stared at that egg, the more he felt a strong sense of uneasiness…
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