At this particular moment, within the team preparing to deploy for extended exploration operations, everyone except the fully armed Kryptonians had also received significant weapons upgrades.
"I heard this melta rifle is a new weapon developed based on reverse-engineering those heat beams," one marine said enthusiastically, hefting the massive gun in his hands with obvious eagerness to test it in combat.
The Terran Dominion had possessed melta weapons technology for quite some time—heavy melta cannons were standard siege equipment. But this represented the first time they'd successfully miniaturized the technology for use in portable firearms.
Moreover, the destructive power of this new melta rifle wasn't inferior to the larger stationary cannons they'd used previously. It could be said that as long as they avoided being completely surrounded and overwhelmed, they could easily eliminate any alien insect forces they encountered.
"That's right—it was developed by studying the heat beams General Zod and his people shoot from their eyes," another marine confirmed. "And it's not just the melta rifles either. We've derived several new weapon variants from that same basic technology."
In addition to the melta rifles, the exploration teams were also carrying large quantities of melta grenades. Even if they encountered a small-scale insect tide, these explosive devices could rapidly eliminate the threat.
"Speaking of which, General Zod and his people seem to have significantly more advanced equipment than ours," someone observed.
Although there were only a handful of Kryptonians accompanying the exploration team, their equipment had been clearly visible to everyone during preparation.
Compared to the marines' somewhat bulky powered armor suits, the Kryptonians' equipment was obviously more streamlined and proportional. The power contained within their armor wasn't remotely comparable to standard human gear.
While Terran power armor could provide tremendous augmented strength, allowing wearers to easily accomplish many tasks impossible for unaugmented flesh—when compared directly to Kryptonian equipment, human technology seemed almost insignificant.
"I wonder when we'll be able to obtain power armor like that," someone said enviously.
The Kryptonians' armor appeared like the refined product of a truly advanced interstellar civilization, while by comparison the marines looked like children playing with metal toys.
The Kryptonians themselves had no idea what the humans were thinking about their equipment. They simply felt extremely comfortable in their current gear.
The armor they wore was actually just the lowest-tier combat protective suit from Krypton—basic equipment designed for environmental protection during exploration missions.
However, their combat suits had recently been retrofitted with specialized devices that could channel energy crystal power throughout the entire armor system, allowing their bodies to remain constantly immersed in that beneficial radiation.
"With this armor configuration, even while joining these exploration missions, we can continue steadily improving our abilities," one Kryptonian said with genuine surprise and satisfaction.
The sensation of being continuously bathed in energy crystal radiation felt so remarkably good that it was genuinely difficult to stop. After all, nobody would willingly interrupt this feeling of constant strength increase.
Buzz~
Suddenly, a long sustained tone echoed from the base's public address system. Captain Locke's voice rang out across all channels.
"Exploration teams, prepare for immediate departure. Whether we're motivated by our historical hatred toward the Zerg or by our future operational requirements, the alien insect presence on this world must be systematically eliminated."
"For humanity!" the exploration team members shouted in unison, their voices resounding powerfully enough to echo across the landscape.
As if infected by the humans' emotional intensity, several Kryptonians integrated into the exploration team also raised their arms and roared their own battle cries.
They'd been clearly informed by General Zod that while the Zerg might not represent the most difficult enemy to defeat in direct combat, they were absolutely the most threatening existence in terms of long-term danger.
This unique ability to acquire enemy genetic sequences and evolve based on them was the fundamental reason why the Kryptonians wore full combat protective suits at all times. They would never, under any circumstances, leave anything containing Kryptonian genetic material for the Zerg to consume.
After that rousing battle cry, the exploration team began moving outward from the base perimeter. Their mission parameters were actually quite straightforward.
Beyond locating and mapping Zerg concentrations, they also needed to discover additional mineral vein locations.
This planet would serve as the cornerstone for their eventual return to the Koprulu Sector. Perhaps when they finally made contact with the Dominion again, they'd do so from a position of significantly greater strength and capability.
The assembled forces gradually departed, and the base returned to its characteristically busy operational state.
Captain Locke had already formulated comprehensive plans. Although they didn't possess design blueprints for the most advanced weapons and equipment, they could potentially trade for specialized technologies from the Kryptonians.
After all, the Kryptonians placed tremendous value on both psionic research and modular construction methodology—these represented important foundations for their ongoing cooperation.
The Kryptonians, led by General Zod, honestly didn't particularly care about trading away basic technological information. What truly mattered to them was reclaiming the Kryptonian Codex. As for the exchanged technologies themselves—those were relatively insignificant.
After all, the technologies they'd analyzed and made available for trade represented only fundamental baseline knowledge. If Krypton still existed as a functioning civilization, these same technologies would merely be used in citizens' daily civilian lives.
Trading such comparatively cheap technological information with humans represented no real loss for the Kryptonians. At minimum, it would help them construct their own independent spacecraft more rapidly.
Once the transaction with Marcus was completed, they could take that vessel and search for a planet more ideally suited for permanent habitation, then transform it into the new Krypton.
"General, we've successfully obtained the modular construction technology from the humans," Krypton's sole remaining scientist reported. "We can begin integration immediately."
They'd traded portions of their basic technology in exchange for humanity's modular systems. If this technology could be successfully integrated into Kryptonian engineering principles, they'd be able to initiate construction projects far more rapidly in the future.
"Then begin immediately," General Zod commanded. "Progress on restoring Kryptonian technology cannot be delayed. The sooner we complete our transaction obligations, the sooner we can begin rebuilding Krypton properly."
"Understood, General!" the scientist acknowledged.
General Zod concluded his discussion with the scientist, feeling genuinely optimistic. Krypton finally had a clear path forward. They didn't need to conquer or plunder anything through force. As long as the transaction was completed successfully, they'd obtain the Kryptonian Codex and could begin rebuilding their civilization.
This was the closest General Zod had been to achieving a new Krypton since their homeworld's catastrophic destruction.
"In the future, Krypton's reputation will once again spread throughout the universe," Zod said quietly, almost to himself. "We will reclaim our position as the supreme civilization. And this time, Krypton will never be destroyed!"
General Zod held a beautiful vision of their future.
One month later...
The exploration team had arrived at a dramatic valley formation after a month of rapid overland travel.
"Is this the location?" the captain of the First Tactical Team asked quietly, staring at the towering valley walls before them.
He currently served as overall commander of the exploration force. Over these past weeks, they'd discovered various traces and remnants of Zerg presence. All those signs had pointed directly toward this specific location—but something about this place felt fundamentally wrong to his experienced instincts.
"This valley is supposedly the Zerg staging area? It shouldn't be this easy to find," someone muttered skeptically. "And although this valley looks dark and ominous, it's far too quiet inside, isn't it?"
There was definitely something wrong with this valley. Not just the captain—even the regular team members below felt confused and uneasy.
Although the Zerg were controlled and coordinated by the Overmind's psionic network, the Overmind didn't micromanage every single creature personally. As living organisms rather than cold machines, shouldn't there be some ambient noise coming from their own base? The absolute silence was deeply unnatural.
Considering this troubling observation, the captain walked toward one of the Kryptonians accompanying them.
"We need your assistance. Can you determine if something's wrong with this valley?" he requested.
They couldn't identify any obvious problems through normal observation, so they had to ask the Kryptonians for help. After working together for so long, the marines had learned that Kryptonians possessed X-ray vision capabilities.
Right now, they desperately needed that penetrating sight. The situation within this valley was simply too bizarre—stranger than any of the various situations they'd encountered during their journey. Especially since this location was directly connected to Zerg activity, they absolutely had to take proper precautions.
"Alright, I'll investigate," the Kryptonian agreed readily.
He launched himself into the air and flew upward to get an optimal vantage point overlooking the valley. After activating his X-ray vision, everything within the valley became clearly visible to his enhanced perception.
Just as the captain had suspected, beneath the seemingly peaceful valley floor, enormous numbers of hideously dangerous Zerg lay hidden and waiting.
These alien insects were all lurking underground in concealed positions, prepared to erupt from beneath the surface at any moment and eliminate all intruders in a single devastating ambush.
After thoroughly confirming the situation within the valley, the Kryptonian slowly descended. He approached the captain with an extremely serious expression and reported everything he'd observed.
"There's definitely a major problem here," the captain announced to his assembled force. "Everyone, prepare all melta grenades. We're going to blow this entire valley sky-high!"
Faced with such overwhelming Zerg numbers, the team had absolutely no intention of entering the valley on foot. However, saturating the area with melta grenades from a safe distance was definitely possible.
Every member of the exploration team retrieved all the melta grenades from their equipment harnesses. Since this was a substantial valley that needed complete coverage, they'd naturally require large quantities of explosives.
After extracting all available grenades and assembling them into a crude but effective cluster munition, everyone in the exploration team began grinning with sinister anticipation.
Those Zerg had actually intended to spring an ambush on them—but the insects had no idea their trap had already been discovered. These treacherous bugs were about to receive humanity's most cordial hospitality.
"Ready... fire!" the captain commanded.
Following his order, two marines activated their grenade launchers and fired the improvised cluster bomb directly into the valley.
Bang!
The cluster munition's casing exploded in mid-air, and the individual melta grenades—all armed and ready for detonation—scattered like deadly rainfall across the valley floor. They gradually ignited during their descent, covering the entire depression with streams of fire.
Boom boom boom...
The melta grenades detonated the instant they struck ground. Flames intense enough to burn straight through reinforced metal alloys engulfed the entire valley. The solid rocky ground didn't last more than moments before transforming into pools of scorching molten lava.
The Zerg lurking underground were forced to emerge from their concealment, but regardless of their actions, they'd all sustained serious injuries from the initial bombardment.
Some Zerg species possessing heavy armor plating fared slightly better. Although the melta grenades were terrifying weapons, it would take additional time to completely burn through their thickest armor sections.
But those Zerg protected by only thin layers of bone carapace suffered catastrophically. The flames capable of melting metal and stone caused them devastating damage. Many alien insects were instantly reduced to ash within the inferno.
Even those Zerg that technically remained alive weren't faring well at all. Their bodies were covered with severe burns and trauma.
Some insects had most of their bodies burned completely through—they could only move with extreme difficulty while dragging their charred, tattered remains.
Other Zerg had lost not just body mass, but even the limbs that allowed basic locomotion had been melted away entirely. They appeared technically alive, but functionally they were no different from corpses.
"Wait until the flames are fully extinguished, then immediately begin sweeping the valley for survivors!" the captain ordered.
"Understood, sir!"
The destructive power of melta grenades was beyond question. Even the exploration team's own equipment couldn't withstand such overwhelming thermal output. They could only wait for the flames released by the grenades to burn out naturally before safely entering the valley.
Fortunately, although melta grenades possessed tremendous power, without additional accelerant materials, these flames would extinguish themselves in relatively short order.
So everyone in the exploration force waited patiently, watching for the fires within the valley to die down completely.
After what felt like an eternity, the roaring sounds from within the valley and the whistling noise of burning flames finally began weakening noticeably.
The captain remained silent for several moments, carefully assessing the situation. Then he issued his next command.
"Prepare to enter the valley. Pay close attention to your surroundings. Any alien insects capable of surviving melta grenade bombardment are extremely dangerous opponents, so everyone must exercise maximum caution."
Actually, even without the captain's explicit reminder, everyone understood the danger perfectly well.
If there genuinely were living alien insects still active within that valley, they'd represent seriously difficult enemies. After all, the combat capabilities of creatures that could withstand melta grenade attacks could be easily imagined by anyone who wasn't completely stupid.
The exploration team advanced slowly and methodically. The Kryptonians flying aerial patrol overhead were also constantly scanning their surroundings to prevent any potential Zerg ambush attempts.
After entering the valley proper, their movement speed decreased even further. Although the melta grenade flames had been extinguished, the scorched valley floor hadn't cooled significantly yet. In some locations, you could still observe red-hot magma glowing brightly.
Before long, the exploration team came to a complete stop. There was no viable path forward—only flowing rivers of molten rock blocked their advance.
Seeing the ground forces halt, the Kryptonians flying overhead immediately understood what assistance was needed.
While human power armor was impressive technology, it couldn't allow prolonged operation in active lava zones. The Kryptonians needed to cool down this area sufficiently to permit the exploration team's passage.
Whoooosh~
Several Kryptonians exhaled forcefully, and their combined breath transformed into powerful winds sweeping through the valley. This fierce gale drew away the oppressive heat, and the lava that had been glowing cherry-red rapidly cooled and solidified into black crystalline formations.
"Move out!" the captain commanded.
Following his voice, the exploration team resumed their advance. They moved forward slowly and cautiously, maintaining constant vigilance against any Zerg that might have survived the bombardment.
Back at the main base, Captain Locke stood watching the external work crews through observation windows.
"I wonder how the exploration team is performing right now," he mused aloud. "The reports transmitted over these past days have all been normal. There shouldn't be any major problems."
They still had far too few personnel available. If they'd possessed sufficient population, they wouldn't be stretched this thin operationally.
"We desperately need more people," Locke observed. "With just our current numbers, dispatching even a single exploration team represents our maximum capacity—and that's only possible with assistance from Mr. Marcus and General Zod."
"But we're not currently in the Koprulu Sector," a senior transport officer replied pragmatically. "Personnel replenishment isn't remotely easy under these circumstances."
They were stranded in completely unknown regions of space. There were absolutely no traces of other human presence, which meant they had no way to recruit additional personnel.
While they could theoretically reproduce to gradually increase their population, they were humans—not Zerg. They couldn't breed as rapidly as the swarm and quickly generate combat-ready forces.
Human gestation required ten months before birth, then at minimum another dozen years before that child could grow into someone capable of participating in missions. Even if they genuinely pursued that strategy, it couldn't immediately address their critical manpower shortage.
"I understand the limitations," Captain Locke said, shaking his head wearily. "It's just that our personnel shortage is extreme—everyone can see that clearly. After all, there are many critical positions where machines simply cannot replace human judgment and adaptability."
The captain stared out at his undermanned colony, hoping the exploration team would return with good news.