Sky-cracking Rider

Adam: "Atlantis" city management center access granted.

The highest authority originally resided in the "Wall of Sighs" operation command center, but now the authority has been released and taken over by "Adam," who was freed anew—perhaps they believed "Adam" was more adept at handling offline environments than the advanced derivative subunit "Cybertrom."

The atmospheric pressure of this unfamiliar planet is about 5% higher than that of Blue Star, but the oxygen content in the air is only 11%. The predominant component is nitrogen, reaching 69%, followed by helium, which is even higher than oxygen at 12%. Neon ranks fourth, comprising about 5%, with nitrogen oxides at 1%, indicating not only acidic surface geology but also a high likelihood of acid rain if precipitation occurs. The carbon dioxide level is less than 0.01%, suggesting that most carbon content is locked in the geology, explaining the harsh environment where plant life struggles to survive.

Without specialized breathing apparatus, exposure to this air would damage the respiratory organs.

No matter how harsh the environment, the presence of oxygen in the atmosphere means life can still tenaciously survive and reproduce.

Artificial Intelligence AI "Adam" quickly discovered life forms during its nearby exploration.

The seawater that transferred over filled many troughs and caves. The changes were too abrupt for some creatures residing there, and many perished, their bodies floating to the surface in great numbers.

This place seems to be a haven for arthropods. Regardless of the species, they all sport numerous claws, likely an adaptation for navigating complex terrains, indicating that their primary habitat is underground.

The most common creature spotted was about one foot long, with a stubby, scaly body covered in ten pairs of spiny jointed legs, and had a tail ending in a sharp sting, accounting for nearly a third of its body length.

Tentative testing indicated the majority of these creatures are highly poisonous, or rather, their bodily fluids and secretions could provoke lethal reactions in human immune systems.

Humans unexpectedly transferred here find themselves in a perilous situation surrounded by poisonous entities, but fortunately, the sea's dispersal cleansed the area within several kilometers, making it temporarily safe.

No matter the circumstances, the first priority is to stabilize the living environment.

Although "Atlantis," floating on the sea, is an important stronghold of the Lin Family and lacks human residents, it retains some agricultural facilities, such as multi-storied planting and breeding farms. These partially resolve the issue of self-sustaining resources, and with stockpiled supplies, optimistically speaking, ten generations won't need to worry about hunger, even considering maximal population growth estimates.

In actuality, within the "Wall of Sighs" operation forces, the majority are male, with eligible and childbearing females only making up a tenth, making a population boom within two or three generations unlikely under any circumstances.

"Rookie, the command center is preparing for a high-level meeting, and you must attend too."

The leader of the fifty-person staff group informed Chen Fei of an imminent meeting.

"Understood, when?"

Chen Fei was still handling various complex tasks.

The beginning is always tough; now it's like the early stages on Emerald Star, where even Adam alone can't handle numerous contingencies.

"In half an hour!"

"Understood!"

Chen Fei continued to multitask, verbally responding with management instructions.

No one else could lend a hand.

The introduction of twenty thousand Combat Mechs into the city was akin to tossing a handful of stones into a pond—creating minor ripples that soon dissipated.

Ruined structures need clearing; certain facilities require repair or even reconstruction.

Before discovering a way to return to Blue Star, this city will serve as the habitat for the "Wall of Sighs" operation forces.

Besides cleaning the city, Chen Fei urgently needed to build defensive lines to prevent indigenous creatures' invasions; these toxic creatures would infiltrate relentlessly, posing a significant threat.

The Combat Mechs immediately took over all the planting and breeding farms. As humanoid machines, they essentially are multipurpose Mechanical Beings, functioning as agricultural Mechs with tools or Combat Mechs with weapons. As long as programs and databases keep up, farming and breeding aren't issues.

If not monitored immediately, these limited renewable resources would soon deplete, even after management; ecological cyclic concerns, such as fertilizers, feed, and agricultural medicines, still need attention.

Half an hour later, the heavily occupied Chen Fei finally scheduled his tasks temporarily and found time to attend the high-level meeting held by the "Wall of Sighs" operation command center.

The meeting wasn't exclusive to him; all captains participated.

"Rookie, what you've done has been incredibly helpful!"

Chief Commander Huang Xiulun opened by expressing gratitude for Chen Fei's prior actions.

Chen Fei regretfully replied, "No need for thanks. What I've done was not only for everyone but also for myself. The previous battle resulted in substantial losses—agricultural losses of a quarter, and livestock only a third left, most dying from fright; poultry nearly wiped out."

After the "Wall of Sighs" action began, the attackers spared no mercy. The livestock in the breeding farms suffered, the smaller they were the more likely they died. When the Mechanical Beings arrived for intervention, the poultry farm was almost a field of corpses, with countless dead chickens and ducks. Perhaps due to their boldness, only over ten geese died, most still clamorously aimed attacks at intruding Mechanical Beings.

"Now we're all in the same boat; we'd like to hear your insights as an 'expert' first."

Chief Commander Huang Xiulun presided over the meeting, spotlighting Chen Fei from the start. Everyone had witnessed the contributions of twenty thousand Mechs in the "Atlantis" city.

While everyone was at a loss and in chaos, someone like Chen Fei who took proactive actions deserved attention.

No one was foolish to mention imprisoning Chen Xiao'er, as if it never occurred.

"Firstly, what about the Lin family's condition? Have you captured them all?"

To many's surprise, Chen Fei's first question was this.

"I can answer that. We only captured Lin Zixian, the son of Maxia Lai and the Lord of the Sky, a typical wastrel with little value. The rest of the Lin Family disappeared. You were right; 'Atlantis' indeed was a trap, for which I once again apologize to you!"

Huang Xiulun candidly admitted the command center's misjudgment and bore all responsibility as the Chief Commander.

While he spoke, a video conference inserted an interrogation scene, showing a young man with messy golden hair angrily ranting about something inaudible, his expressions and gestures not resembling a decent person at all.

Dragon's Nine Sons; it's not unexpected for a large family to have a couple of worthless children, especially one deemed a sacrificial pawn.

An interrogator extended a short rod, its tip sparking blue arcs, and gently poked the raging Lin Zixian, causing him to convulse and collapse instantly.

The interrogator sternly questioned further. Lin Zixian played dead, only to be jolted again with the electrified rod, twitching comically for a second time.

The briefing footage soon ended; it was a mutual acting with nothing unexpected.

The "Wall of Sighs" action forces comprised personnel and equipment dispatched by military units from various sovereignties. Engaged in a struggle for civilization's survival, they cast aside any concerns for human rights and freedoms; resorting to ruthless measures was standard practice.