Chapter 16: Strengthening the Ship with Armaments

Wei stood before his orbital ship under construction, now equipped with a Void Propulsion System and an Advanced Neural Management Module. The ship's hull still appeared incomplete, but every installed component represented a step closer to escaping that wasteland of a planet.

"If I'm going to leave this place, just flying won't be enough," Wei said, gazing at the foggy skies. "I need to be ready for what's out there."

The Phantom floated beside him, its light blinking. "Advanced weapons and defenses are essential. We don't know what we'll encounter, but preparation is the best strategy."

Wei opened the HUD, reviewing the next steps and assessing technologies he had yet to explore.

[PERSONAL MENU]

Current Level: 8

Main Quest: Complete the ship and escape the planet.

Active Side Quests:

Develop advanced weaponry for the ship. Install energy defense systems (Starcraft). Explore a sealed underground base to the east.

Unlocked Games:

Warframe Halo No Man's Sky Subnautica Starcraft Space Engineers Destiny 2 Ocean World Eden Crafters Warhammer 40k (New!)

Locked Games:

Other mysterious titles yet to be revealed

Updated Inventory:

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

The new addition to the HUD was clear: Warhammer 40k was now unlocked. Wei knew this technology would be incredibly useful, but it would also require advanced resources he didn't yet have in abundance.

"Before I dive into Warhammer, I need to arm my ship with weapons and defenses," Wei muttered, accessing the technologies from Starcraft and Warframe.

Developing Advanced Ship Weaponry

Wei started by reviewing the available armaments from Starcraft. He found something suitable for open-space combat and protection against potential threats during his escape.

[Blueprint: Orbital Plasma Cannon (Starcraft)]

Description: A long-range weapon that uses superheated plasma to destroy targets.

Requirements:

Energized Crystals x2 Advanced Circuits x3 Heavy Metal x5

He had most of the materials but needed more heavy metal and advanced circuits. The Phantom suggested exploring a sealed underground base it had detected to the east.

Mission: Recover Resources from the Underground Base

The base's entrance was protected by a weakened force field. Using his Hacking Tool, Wei disabled the shield and cautiously entered. The base was in ruins, with flickering systems and mechanical sounds echoing through the corridors.

Soon, he encountered active defense drones.

[Alert: Enemies Detected]

Heavy Defense Drones (Level 8)

Wei used his Scrap Sniper Rifle to eliminate enemies from a distance, but the drones were resilient. He tossed an Electromagnetic Pulse Grenade, stunning them, and finished the targets with precise shots from his Hand Blaster.

At the base's core, he found a storage unit filled with valuable materials.

[Resources Collected:]

Heavy Metal x6 Advanced Circuits x3 Plasma Core x1

Returning to his base with the materials, Wei crafted the Orbital Plasma Cannon.

[Orbital Plasma Cannon Installed]

Functions:

Superheated plasma bursts with a range of up to 300 km. Automatic target-tracking system.

"The ship is starting to feel like a real weapon," Wei said, admiring the newly installed armament.

Installing Energy Defense Systems

Wei knew that attacking was crucial, but so was defending. He reviewed the Warframe technologies and found the perfect blueprint for his ship:

[Blueprint: Void Energy Shield (Warframe)]

Description: An advanced shield that protects the ship from projectiles and energy attacks.

Requirements:

Energized Crystals x3 Void Core x1 Advanced Energy Structures x2

Once again, he needed Advanced Energy Structures. The Phantom suggested exploring the remains of an alien cruiser spotted to the south.

Mission: Recover Advanced Energy Structures from the Alien Cruiser

The cruiser was enormous, a relic of another era. Alien drones patrolled the area, and parts of the ship were collapsing.

Activating his Light Fragment to enhance his resilience, Wei used his Hacking Tool to access the cruiser's energy core. After an intense fight with the drones, he managed to retrieve the structures.

[Resource Collected: Advanced Energy Structures x2]

Back at his base, Wei crafted and installed the Void Energy Shield.

[Void Energy Shield Installed]

Functions:

Blocks up to 80% of direct attacks for 10 minutes. Automatic recharge during rest. Exploring Warhammer 40k Potential

With the ship armed and shielded, Wei began exploring Warhammer 40k technologies. He knew the destructive potential of this universe was unparalleled. Opening the HUD's Warhammer tab, he found blueprints that could further enhance his ship.

[Blueprint: Nova Lance (Warhammer 40k)]

Description: A devastating weapon that fires a concentrated burst of destructive energy.

Requirements:

Energized Crystals x4 Dimensional-Energy Structures x2 Advanced Fusion Core x1

Wei sighed. "This will be a challenge, but it'll be worth it."

With the ship partially equipped and his base serving as a fortress, Wei knew the end of his journey on this planet was drawing near. But he also understood that the final steps would be the hardest.

"Every piece I add brings me closer to the stars," Wei said, looking at the polluted sky.

The Phantom floated beside him. "The universe is vast, Wei. Make sure you're ready to face it."

Wei smiled. "First, let's finish this ship. Then, the rest of the cosmos can wait."