Almost simultaneously as the alarm sounded, a mist of eerie green "clouds" chased from behind.

These were not real clouds, but countless Bug Race flying units adapted to space environments, along with a few larger "Manta Ray Insects" spraying corrosive acid projectiles.

It was as if they had been lurking here, waiting for the prey to enter the ambush circle.

"All units, combat readiness level one! First and third groups, stay on the ship and reinforce point defense! Second group, follow me, clear the flight path!"

Bai E's order was given without a hint of hesitation.

Having chosen this route, encounters were inevitable.

Eight Dawn's Edge mechas launched from the assault hatch of the Thorny Bird, instantly engaging with the swarm.

Combat in the vacuum is silent yet deadly.

Bai E's Star Emperor mecha charged ahead, Devouring Star Blade illuminating with golden-white spiritual energy, each strike precisely eliminating the most threatening Manta Ray Insects or locust-gathered nodes.

Rose's mecha moved like a phantom, using speed and stealth to clear small groups of insects attempting to approach the Thorny Bird.

Zero's sniper rifle roared quietly in the vacuum, picking off distance-based acid-spewing units.

The battle was intense but short-lived.

With the combined effort of the second group's mechas and the Thorny Bird's defensive firepower, this wave of insects was successfully repelled, leaving scraps fleeing into further darkness.

Yet this was merely the beginning.

The following journey saw two more similar disturbances.

One was Shadow Insects, emerging suddenly from a Spiritual Spore Cloud, possessing stealth traits; the other was large "Networms," attempting to ensnare the Thorny Bird with organic nets.

Each time, the second group's mechas were promptly deployed to resolve the crisis.

Frequent battles not only drained the mecha's energy and ammunition but also tested the pilots' nerves and endurance.

"We can't continue like this." During a brief respite after repelling an attack, Catherine reported over the communication channel.

"Our energy consumption is 15% faster than expected, and we still haven't found a clear signal from Traveler. The Bug Race's interference is strong, and conventional scanning is quite ineffective."

Bai E floated inside the mecha cockpit, his gaze penetrating the windows towards the deep starlit sky.

His spiritual energy perception was as sharp as the finest radar, arduously searching amid endless interference and malicious background.

Suddenly, he detected a faint, rhythmic metallic echo, along with a trace of residual energy specific to human creations nearly concealed by the Bug Race's spiritual energy field.

"Ten o'clock direction, approximately eight hundred kilometers away, behind that larger cluster of metal wreckage." Bai E's voice echoed through the channel, "Adjust course, stay hidden, approach at low speed."

The Thorny Bird cautiously moved closer towards Bai E's indicated direction.

As the distance closed, the sight of that area gradually became clear.

The target area was filled with wreckage from warships, cargo ships, and even Bug Race units, resembling a space graveyard.

And at the center of these remains, a relatively intact, irregularly shaped large metal structure floated silently—

This was the Traveler, a mobile deep-space repair and supply platform.

However, the scene before them cast a heavy shadow over their hearts.

From a distance, the surface of the Traveler platform was covered with scorched explosion marks and large tears, with many external armor plates twisted and fallen off, exposing the charred internal structure.

Several positions originally meant for turrets or sensor arrays were left with broken bases and burnt circuits.

Around the platform, more smaller fragments floated—these were clearly the remains of the platform's defensive turrets, small work boats, and possibly even escape pods.

No lights, no energy reactions, so silent it was like an iron coffin.

"It looks... completely destroyed." Catherine said softly, her tone heavy.

"Move closer, prepare to dock." Bai E's voice remained calm.

"Intelligence mentioned there's still resistance force on the platform, but it clearly didn't hold out until our arrival. However, its core server might still have residual energy, or the data storage might be physically isolated. We need the information within."

The Thorny Bird slowly approached the largest docking hatch of the Traveler.

The hatch was severely deformed but could barely function.

With remote technical control and Bai E's mech's external assistance, a gap barely wide enough for mechas was forcibly opened after a struggle.

Bai E led the core members of the second group inside first.

The interior was dark, with only the faint red glow of emergency indicator lights flickering amid smoke and ice crystals.

The gravity simulation system appeared to have failed, leaving everyone dependent on mecha thrusters to navigate complex corridors.

The corridor walls bore marks of intense combat—

Scorch marks from energy weapons, pits corroded by acid, and... dried, frozen blood stains along with organic fragments suspected to be Bug Race remnants.

The air was filled with a strange mix of metal, ozone, blood, and a unique Bug Race corrosive odor.

They first arrived at the platform's control center.

This place was similarly ravaged, with most consoles destroyed and screens cracked.

But as Bai E anticipated, the core data server array, shielded by layers of armor, retained its main structure despite external damage.

"Ash, attempt to connect, download all accessible data, especially relating to the Aisera Star System, Bug Race activities, and the Traveler's final combat logs and observation records."

Bai E ordered the team's tech personnel.

"Understood! Attempting to establish physical link... Link successful! Data downloading...

Oh my, the information here is much more comprehensive than what Star Alliance provided! It includes detailed geological, atmospheric, and ecological data for every planet and satellite in the Aisera Star System, initial Bug Race invasion defense deployments and fall timelines, and... trajectory prediction models of Bug Race bio-ships within the system!

Also included is high-precision scan data from Traveler itself regarding several abnormal energy concentration points on the Jade Stone Star continental shelf!"

"Ash's" voice carried excitement.

These data were immensely valuable, offering them a clearer, more timely understanding of the mission environment they were about to execute.

However, midway through the data download, sudden mutation occurred!

A piercing alarm blared inside the eerily silent platform, simultaneously, external sensors relayed Catherine's urgent warning: "Sir! Detected a large number of Bug Race units converging on the Traveler platform from three directions! Including previously encountered flying insects, and newly emerged heavy 'City-breaking Worms,' seemingly specialized in attacking fixed installations! Their target is evidently here!"

Almost at the same time, within the platform, from seemingly harmless ventilation ducts, maintenance access covers, and some wall layers, numerous small bug-like units resembling spiders and centipedes suddenly emerged—

Those classified by the Star Alliance as "Scavengers" and "Lurkers!"

These bugs had clearly been lurking inside since the platform's fall, now activated by some signal, launching frenzied attacks on intruders and attempting to destroy the data servers!

"Attacked from inside and out!" Rose shouted fiercely, her high-frequency blade instantly shredding a few "Scavengers" lunging towards the server.

"First and third groups, establish a defensive line reliant on the Thorny Bird and the platform's external structure, fend off external swarms! Second group, clear internal Lurkers, ensure data download completes!"

Bai E swiftly ordered, Devouring Star Blade transformed into a screen of light, clearing a swath of incoming bugs.

Combat ignited almost simultaneously inside and outside the Traveler platform!