The unmanned fleet controlled by Li Wenyuan has returned to the solar system, but a large number of scientific research ships and engineering ships under his command have already set off and headed for the star system in all directions.

After confirming that the situation around him was very calm, he began the long-prepared expansion plan.

The first is to bring selected systems under his control, which requires him to build a structure within the system that is sufficient to assert sovereignty.

That's the stellar base.

This kind of large-scale space station integrating monitoring, defense, and supply is the best choice.

If necessary, Li Wenyuan can also arm it to the teeth and turn it into a space fortress.

Or build a shipyard and a spaceport on it to increase the productivity of his fleet.

The star map of Keruibo only told Li Wenyuan about the interstellar situation around him, and he still needed to explore what was inside the galaxy himself.

And one of the research ships encountered an unexpected situation in a star system.

“…… A special signal detected on a gas giant? Li Wenyuan was slightly stunned when he got the news, and then cut the picture to the scientific research ship.

At this time, the scientific research ship floating on the gas giant was looking at a looming building in the tumbling atmosphere.

[Missing atmospheric mining station detected]

[Reconnecting with it...... Connection failed, the control center of the mining station could not be detected]

[Please manually restart its control center]

"The Lost Atmospheric Mining Station?" Through the broadcast, Li Wenyuan instantly realized that this was one of the traces left by human beings.

This galaxy is not far from the solar system, and if humans were once an interstellar civilization, it is not an accident that they have expanded here.

"I see, which means that there may be many similar 'lost buildings' in the galaxy, waiting for me to restart?"

Thinking of this, Li Wenyuan remembered a star map he had found when he was excavating ruins on the earth.

The chart may have been recorded very early, but the coordinates of many galaxies on it were highlighted, as if to indicate something in those places.

"Is it possible that this kind of 'disconnected building' is being referred to?" Li Wenyuan thought about it, and simply directly compared the coordinates of the star map to see if this was one of the galaxies that was highlighted.

And this look, he really found some fame.

“…… It's really a galaxy that's been labeled, so what's here? Is it really just such a 'lost atmospheric mining station'? ”

Li Wenyuan was a little unconvinced.

The atmospheric mining station may seem to be of a certain size, but it is still a "small structure" in the universe, and its actual size is about the size of a city.

With the "dimensional machine" on the earth, he is actually not very interested in this kind of small building with low production capacity.

If it weren't for the fact that this was highlighted on the star map, he would probably have skipped the planet directly.

“…… Let's see, mosquito legs are also legs, not to mention what if there really is something good? ”

With that in mind, he slowly approached the atmosphere of the gas giant.

…………

In a conference room, two figures were talking. They are the chief scientists and engineers here, and they are among the most high-ranking people in the city.

"What happened to the last time the atmospheric shield was damaged?"

"It's been checked, but we don't have the right materials to repair it, and it's only a matter of time before it breaks again."

“…… Did the people sent to the satellites bring any good news? ”

"Yes, they found some rare resources, but with our old equipment, the amount they could bring back was very limited."

“……”

At first they were discussing something worrisome, but soon one of them remembered something and comforted:

"Don't worry about these things today...... It's a rare anniversary, maybe we should celebrate it with the people. ”

“…… You're right, after so many years, it's not bad to take a look at the sky once in a while. ”

The two of them walked out of the conference room while laughing.

Leaving the gates, you will see a city full of festive atmosphere. Countless people compete to laugh and play in the streets, and from time to time, fireworks explode into the air and scatter into the sky and float down.

A flying machine passed over their heads, with a long streamer on its tail, and the words on it could be read by those with good eyesight: Commemorating the 600th anniversary of the successful Great Escape.

The two looked at each other and smiled, and walked forward side by side.

And the orange-red atmosphere on the horizon and the huge planet looming in the clouds, they all turned a blind eye, as if they were used to it.

"Speaking of which, it seems like it's been a long time since we've been so relaxed."

"yes...... It took several generations of work to keep this 'mining station' stable, and only now has we managed to make it a habitable place......"

“…… So do you think the former owner will come back? ”

The assumption of one of them caused both sides to fall silent for a while, and after a long time, the other said with a pretended lightheartedness:

"It's been abandoned for so long, and it's been one of the forgotten places for a long time...... It's a rare celebration, so don't talk about such a heavy topic, it's time to go, otherwise you won't be able to catch up with the mayor's speech. ”

"Yes, yes, let's take it easy, let's go......"

As they strolled through the streets filled with celebratory crowds, they didn't know that an existential crisis was approaching......

At this time, Li Wenyuan, who controlled the scientific research spacecraft, fell into a state of frowning.

For no other reason, he detected a vital signal at the atmospheric mining station, which was considered "abandoned".

He immediately stopped the approach of the scientific spacecraft and released a swarm of scientific drones, which he used to approach the atmospheric mining station.

"What's really so special about this? Is it a human being who is still alive? Are you an alien for other sightseeing? Or is it some kind of life that was born inside the atmosphere of an autologous star? ”

A variety of thoughts flashed through his mind for a moment, but what exactly it was, he still had to wait for the results of the drone's observations.

The drone swarm approached the gas giant and quickly drowned in the dense atmosphere.

Wind speeds of up to 100 meters per second are so high that even the most powerful hurricanes on the surface can't reach that speed.

At the same time, various thunderstorms followed, and although the drone will not be damaged under the protection of the shield, it is still difficult to move forward.

It wasn't until they flew over a huge storm circle that they captured a bizarre picture.

Compared to the fury of the outside world, the center of this great storm was extremely soothing.

There are no devastating winds or intermittent thunderstorms. The clouds crept and turned into what they liked, enjoying the tranquility rather than being torn apart by the storm.

And in this peaceful sky, a city is quietly suspended above the clouds.

It looks like a funnel in general, with a semicircular disc at the top, and a huge atmospheric shield covering the ground, which is where the city is located.

The bottom layer of the ground is encased in a layer of metal armor, which gradually converges into an inverted cone, and extends downwards into the depths of the clouds, making it impossible to imagine how long it is.

In this way, it floats here with an unknown power, and it has become a place where life in the city lives and works in peace.

The drone continues to approach the suspended city, gradually transmitting a more detailed picture to the spaceship.