Chapter 14: Building the Future

Wei looked at the gleaming chassis of the orbital ship he had just built, feeling a mix of satisfaction and frustration. He knew that leaving the planet was the ultimate goal, but the process would be longer and more difficult than it seemed. Building the ship was just the beginning; he still needed a reliable propulsion system, an advanced power generator, and tools to face the challenges of space.

"It's not time to leave yet," said Wei, crossing his arms as the Ghost floated by his side.

"You're right," replied the Ghost, its light flickering softly. "The surface of this planet still hides technologies that could be crucial. Ignoring these resources now would be a mistake."

Wei nodded, opening the HUD to review his next objectives and explore more possibilities.

[PERSONAL MENU]

Current Level: 7

Main Mission: Uncover the Secret of the Trash Planet

Active Side Missions:

Strengthen the base with advanced defense technologies. Explore forgotten technologies from Starcraft and Warframe. Install an energy fabrication module based on Halo.

Unlocked Games:

Warframe Halo No Man's Sky Subnautica Starcraft Space Engineers Destiny 2 Ocean World Eden Crafters

Locked Games:

Warhammer 40k (Level 8 required) Other mysterious games yet to be revealed

Updated Inventory:

Hand Blaster (Level 1) Scrap Sniper (Level 1) Light Fragment (Activated) Energized Crystals x3 Ferritic Alloy x2 Void Core x1

Wei studied the list and decided that the next step would be to consolidate his base. "If I want to build something that truly works, I need a place that's safe and self-sufficient."

Strengthening the Base with Advanced Defense Technologies

Wei opened the Starcraft tab in the HUD, looking for technologies that could improve his base's security. He found a promising schematic:

[Schematic: Automated Plasma Turret (Starcraft)]

Description: A defense unit that uses plasma energy to quickly eliminate threats.

Requirements:

Advanced Circuits x3 Energized Crystals x2 Heavy Metal x4

"This is what I need," said Wei, checking his inventory. He had most of the materials, but he needed more heavy metal.

"I detected an old factory to the west," said the Ghost. "You can find more heavy metal there, but it seems there are still active automated turrets protecting the place."

Mission: Recover Heavy Metal from the Abandoned Factory

Wei mounted his Scrap Space Bike and headed for the factory. Upon arrival, he saw that the place was in ruins, but the automated turrets were still operational, sweeping the area with laser beams.

[Alert: Enemies Detected]

Automated Turrets (Level 6) Defense Droids (Level 7)

Wei used his Scrap Sniper to destroy the turrets from a distance, but the droids were more complicated. He crafted an Electromagnetic Pulse Grenade and threw it at a group of droids, stunning them long enough to eliminate them with accurate shots from his Hand Blaster.

After clearing the area, he found a warehouse filled with valuable scrap.

[Resource Collected: Heavy Metal x5, Simple Circuits x2, Modular Components x2]

Back at the base, Wei used the materials to build the Automated Plasma Turret.

[Automated Plasma Turret Built]

Functions:

Fires plasma bursts at enemies within 50 meters. Can be configured to prioritize specific targets.

The base was now protected by a combination of Space Engineers and Starcraft technologies, making it a true stronghold.

Exploring Halo Technologies

Wei knew that in order to power his ship and future expansions, he would need a reliable energy source. He opened the Halo tab in the HUD and found an interesting schematic.

[Schematic: Portable Fusion Generator (Halo)]

Description: An advanced generator capable of producing enough energy to power a ship or an entire base.

Requirements:

Fusion Core x1 Ferritic Alloy x2 Energized Crystals x1

Wei already had the ferritic alloy and crystals, but the fusion core was a rare component.

"I detected a crashed combat ship to the south," said the Ghost. "It's likely to have a fusion core, but the area is highly irradiated."

Mission: Recover the Fusion Core from the Radiated Ship

Wei equipped his Light Fragment, which provided limited protection against radiation, and set off for the site. The ship was in poor condition, its hull corroded and loose plates emitting a toxic green glow.

He activated his Submersible Construction Tool to dismantle parts of the ship, avoiding the most irradiated areas. After a careful search, he found the core in the heart of the ship, still functional.

[Resource Collected: Fusion Core x1]

Back at the base, he built the Portable Fusion Generator and connected it to the infrastructure.

[Portable Fusion Generator Built]

Functions:

Provides continuous energy for advanced equipment. Supports ongoing manufacturing and defense operations.

Looking Toward the Future

With the base fortified and equipped with an advanced generator, Wei felt that he was finally in control. He sat in his watchtower, gazing at the polluted horizon.

"Each step brings me closer to leaving here," he said.

The Ghost floated beside him. "But there's still much to explore and take advantage of on this planet. The more we learn, the better prepared we'll be for what's to come."

Wei smiled. "You're right. It's not over yet. Let's make the most of everything this planet has to offer."