The robot analyzed.
"But the underlying reason... data shows that it has experienced several weak fluctuations in activity over the past hundreds of millions of years, the most recent being approximately 12,000 years ago, which coincides with periods of great floods and celestial fires recorded by various ancient civilizations."
"It seems... there's some sort of cyclical or external stimulus affecting it."
"External stimulation?" Mark frowned.
"The direction is unknown, but among the extremely faint fragments of C'Thun's remaining spirit, we have captured some fragments of... calling signals pointing to the deep space, full of greed and hunger."
"The target direction...is the core region of the Milky Way."
The robot played a distorted, noisy, yet eerie audio signal.
Everyone was silent.
The Nolan and Vitrum Empires are already troublesome enough, and now there's a mythical monster that feeds on planets and sleeps underground in its own land. Could there be an even older, more terrifying cosmic existence behind this?
The Earth is literally sitting on a bomb that could explode at any moment and is connected to a cosmic-scale explosives depot!
"What about the Sky Shield?"
Mark changed the subject, saying that the urgent matter needed to be resolved.
"It's operating stably. After the Angrum Vanguard Fleet was defeated, its main fleet halted its advance at the outer reaches of the solar system, apparently reassessing its combat capabilities and awaiting instructions."
"We have gained precious breathing space," the robot replied.
"respite?"
Rudy scoffed.
"The knife above my head has been temporarily put away for sharpening, but the bomb under my feet has not been completely defused yet!"
He pointed to the remains of C'Thun and the huge sinkhole on the holographic screen.
"Is this thing...really dead?"
The robot pulled up a scan of the pit.
"C'Thun's core crystal has been confirmed to be shattered, and his primary consciousness has been annihilated, but the remaining biomass and energy are still highly active and contaminating."
"Its roots penetrate deep into the Earth's core and are entangled with the Earth's energy grid. Forcibly removing the remaining roots could lead to unpredictable geological disasters."
"At this moment... we can only consider it as entering a deep state of suspended animation, requiring long-term monitoring and energy suppression."
"That is, we need to send someone to watch it, in case it wakes up hungry again one day?"
Samson concluded.
"Yes," the robot confirmed.
"Furthermore, based on the information left by C'Thun and ancient texts, Earth... may not be the only planet infested by the Great Old Ones."
"Deep within the Milky Way, or even in other galaxies, there may be more of our kind...older and more powerful ones."
Mark stood up slowly.
His figure appeared particularly tall and heavy in the dim light of the analysis room.
His golden-red pupils swept across the tired and worried faces of every team member.
"The situation is clear now."
Mark's voice was low and firm, with unquestionable determination.
"The Earth's crisis has never ended. It has simply taken on an older, more bizarre form and lurked."
"Now, the Angrum fleet is watching covetously from outside, the threat from Vitrum is far from over, and the shadow of the Old Ones is like the sword of Damocles..."
"We need to divide our forces."
"Samson."
Mark looked at the burly man who was covered in wounds but still had fighting spirit.
"You will stay and lead the ground defense forces, cooperating with the GDA's team of top scientists to monitor and suppress the remains of C'Thun, and establish a permanent blockade and research base."
"Your power is the most solid shield to suppress the underground unrest. At the same time, you will train new members and rebuild the Guardian Alliance. Earth needs a strong local force."
"At the same time... we need to study the properties of C'Thun's residue and find a way to completely remove it or render it harmless. The Earth needs healing."
"Clone, assist Samson. Your mobility and special abilities will be indispensable in ground surveillance and defense."
"Rudy." Mark looked at the explosion expert.
"Come with me."
"I?!"
Rudy was stunned for a moment, then became excited.
"The Universe?! Blow up bigger fireworks?!"
"Your art can exert even greater destructive power on the galactic battlefield."
Mark nodded and then looked at the robot.
"Robot, your body can't withstand the long-term space environment, but your consciousness and computing power are the brains of the Ark. You will operate with the ship and be responsible for strategic analysis, ship control, and...decrypting the encrypted data we brought back from Outpost-7."
"We need to know what the external stimulus is that C'Thun calls upon."
"Logic passes. My consciousness core will be transferred to the Ark's main control system."
The robot had no objection.
"What about me?" Atomic Eve couldn't help but ask.
Mark looked at her with a barely perceptible softness and trust in his eyes.
"Your speed, accuracy, and spatial perception make you an indispensable sharp knife in space combat. You're also traveling with the ship, and we need the fastest knife."
Clear division of labor.
The ground is guarded by black rhinos, who monitor the remains of the Old Ones and protect their homes.
The universe is led by Mark himself, Rudy, Atomic Eve and the robot consciousness, driving the Ark and taking the initiative to attack!
"commander."
The robot suddenly spoke, calling up a newly decrypted message fragment from Angrum's fleeing fleet to the main force.
"The Angrum Exterminator flagship has received the final combat data sent back by the Vanguard Fleet. Their assessment of your combat capability... has been updated."
"The fleet commander has issued new instructions to temporarily avoid the front line and gather more forces. At the same time... try to contact other forces in the galaxy that are interested in Vitrum or Earth."
"Including... some documented antiquities collectors and space mercenary organizations. They seem... to want to muddy the waters even further."
A cold light flashed in Mark's eyes.
Angrum has learned his lesson and no longer fights head-on. Instead, he wants to kill someone with a borrowed knife, which may even attract forces interested in the Old Ones!
The secrets of the earth are being peeped at by more and more cosmic beings!
"I understand." Mark's voice was cold.
"They want to take advantage of the situation? Then we'll boil the water...completely!"
He turned and walked towards the passage leading to the dock, his steps steady and firm.
"Rest for 12 hours, replenish supplies, and repair the 'Ark'. In 12 hours..."
Mark stopped at the entrance of the passage, his golden-red pupils looking at the deep cosmic star map, which marked the position of the Angrum fleet, the direction of the Vitrum mother planet, and the mysterious signal source pointing to the core of the galaxy.
"...The Ark sets sail, our destination: the depths of the starry sea, bringing the flames of war to the enemy's homeland! Draw the gaze of those who covet it... away from Earth!"