Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [350]

As expected, things unfolded just as Seele had predicted. Not long after Chelyevva’s frigate departed, scattered groups of L-Drakes began infiltrating the defensive line that the First Fleet had meticulously constructed.

These bizarre creatures harbored an overwhelming hostility toward them. Even without provocation, they could instinctively discern that the warships before them were of an entirely different species—and that alone was reason enough for them to attack with relentless ferocity.

Seele had no concept of turtling up in defense or backing down for the sake of peace. The moment she issued the order to “attack any creature that enters the firing range,” the rest of the fleet executed it without hesitation.

The vanguard frigates, already standing by at full combat readiness, surged forward in unison. Their superior maneuverability shone in this moment, allowing them to swiftly engage. Almost the instant the first round of long-range artillery fire concluded, the frigates closed in on the L-Drakes, unleashing a relentless barrage of armored torpedoes and quantum missiles.

Chen Lin’s frigate was unique. It was outfitted with a triple-layered Interceptor Core, each layer housing an additional G-type slot as well as a P-type slot—normally exclusive to sentry-class cores. As a result, his frigate was not only equipped with kinetic and energy weapons but also point-defense systems and torpedo launchers.

The first wave of fire consisted of armored torpedoes, specialized munitions designed for space combat. These torpedoes were encased in vacuum armor, with disposable point-defense disruption charges attached to their exterior.

The moment they were launched, their internal radars activated, scanning for incoming point-defense fire. If a threat was detected, the torpedo would immediately break apart into smaller decoys, creating interference to shield the primary warhead.

This enhancement stemmed from a failed experiment conducted by Serval. Initially, she had attempted to develop a quarter-hive shield system for missiles, aiming to help them withstand premature detonation by active defense systems. However, the design significantly reduced the torpedoes’ accuracy and flight speed, rendering it impractical.

After work that day, Serval had dinner with Natasha, who was still in Belobog. Even at the table, Serval remained preoccupied with her failed project, prompting Natasha to inquire about it.

Upon learning the details, Natasha shared a simple medical analogy: Torpedoes are like viruses, and active defense systems are like immune cells. If direct protection can’t get the torpedo close enough to its target, why not take a page from viruses? Overwhelm the system with sheer numbers and stealthy infiltration instead.

That insight led to the development of the fleet’s current specialized armored torpedoes. These torpedoes didn’t just rely on dense interference fire to reduce the hit rate of enemy point-defense systems; they also created sudden bursts of disruptive projectiles, forcing enemy defenses into overload and increasing the torpedoes’ chances of striking their targets.

After extensive testing, an optimal combat configuration was established—one that paired armored torpedoes with quantum missiles. Since quantum missiles were significantly faster than armored torpedoes, they could be launched second yet still reach their target first, absorbing the initial wave of intercepting fire.

Quantum missiles were the latest deep-space ordnance developed by the Jarilo-VI research sector. They featured exceptionally powerful warheads capable of harnessing vacuum zero-point energy for long-range guidance. Additionally, upon detonation, they generated a potent magnetic field, creating a localized blinding effect.

Meanwhile, the armored torpedoes disrupted enemy combat patterns with their fragmentation and interference capabilities, catching opponents off guard.

As for which class of warships was best suited to deploy this weapon configuration?

The answer was obvious: agile, nimble, and cost-effective frigates!

At present, frigates still required a crew of about a hundred personnel for operation. However, the Imperial Research Institute was actively working on improving their autonomous AI combat systems, with the goal of transforming frigates into fully unmanned warships in the future.

If the unmanned frigate project proved successful and production costs could be reduced further, these vessels might one day function as a new class of precision-guided missiles themselves…

In any case, with the fleet now operating under a coordinated battle strategy and leveraging its past experience against the large-scale mutated L-Drakes, the current skirmish was unfolding much more smoothly.

The L-Drakes had no unified command structure. If they did, then in the previous encounter, the two opposing fleets wouldn’t have gotten off with just the loss of a few frigates and destroyers.

While high-quality enemies could dominate the battlefield when their numbers reached a critical mass, this time, the L-Drakes weren’t attacking in swarms. At most, two or three stragglers managed to break through to the First Fleet’s front lines, attempting to force their way through sheer brute strength.

But against the coordinated firepower of multiple warship classes, no skirmish lasted more than an hour—it was an absolute massacre!

Gradually, the fleet’s sensor limits showed no more hostile contacts. The faint spatial disturbances detected earlier were now shifting away, moving in directions that bypassed the fleet’s defensive perimeter…

“Something’s not right. Why do these creatures all look like they have no will to fight…?”

After transmitting the battle report back to Belobog, Seele leaned back in her chair, legs crossed, her face filled with confusion.

The situation had deviated far too much from her expectations. When the L-Drakes attempted to breach the fleet’s defensive line and realized the fleet refused to yield, their first instinct wasn’t to fight—it was to flee. Many of the L-Drakes that were killed had been struck down by particle spears while trying to escape.

Even more baffling was that the L-Drakes arriving later didn’t even attempt to aid their struggling kin. Instead of reinforcing the fight, they simply turned and ran.

This string of skirmishes had Seele utterly perplexed. She almost began to doubt whether these were even the same dragons they had previously encountered. The difference in behavior was simply too drastic…

Before Chen Lin’s communication came through, Seele felt something was definitely off. She turned to her adjutant and asked, “Any updates from Chelyevva’s frigate?”

The adjutant hesitated for a moment before replying, “They’ve successfully identified a safe and viable route. Chelyevva’s frigate is executing the return order and is expected to rejoin the fleet in approximately four system hours.”

Seeing Seele’s puzzled expression, the adjutant continued, “Commander, should we take this opportunity to wipe out all enemy forces in the area?”

Seele nodded and scratched her head. “That’s what I was thinking too. On the way here, I was worried this would turn into a brutal battle, but who could’ve predicted these dragons would behave like this…? Do you remember the last one we let go? It didn’t attack us at all—it attacked its own kind instead! Tch…”

Damn it, need to start using my brain more.

The adjutant lowered her head slightly, a trace of concern flickering across her face.

“Maybe… we’re misjudging their factions? What if they’re not part of a unified group?”

Her voice dropped as she murmured, “Just a short while ago, they were cooperating to fight against us, and now they’ve turned on each other… Could it be that a division has emerged within their species? Like how we humans experience internal conflicts?”

“I don’t know. This isn’t a decision I can make. We’ll have to wait for Lin—uh, the Governor to decide.”

Seele’s mouth twitched. She was starting to think her adjutant had a bit too much imagination. Maybe next time, it’d be better if she didn’t think so hard.

Before long, Chen Lin’s communication reconnected.

Seele wasted no time in detailing everything that had transpired, placing particular emphasis on the L-Drake that had attacked its own kind but left their fleet untouched. Then, she waited for Chen Lin’s assessment.

A moment later, his calm voice came through.

“Disregard the L-Drakes in this star system for now. We’ll discuss a full-scale sweep once our front and rear routes are fully secured. For now, your only objective is to clear a safe passage for navigation. Leave the pulsar system as soon as possible—this environment is highly unfavorable for our fleet.”

He didn’t stop there. Without any delay, he provided data detailing the negative effects of the pulsar system on their fleet—data that even the scientific vessels within Seele’s formation had yet to fully compile.

Shield effectiveness: 100% nullified.
Sublight speed: Reduced by 50%.

In other words, the fleet’s shields couldn’t function at all, and their travel speed had to be reduced below 50% to minimize risks.

No one could understand how the Governor, stationed far away in Belobog, had obtained this information faster than the scientific vessels in the field. He wasn’t even on the front lines…

But regardless of the mystery, his data was quickly verified by the scientific vessels and the frigates that had engaged in close-range combat. As soon as the fleet reduced its sublight speed to half, ship handling improved noticeably.

Upon learning that the First Fleet was safe, the Second Fleet prepared to proceed according to the original marching plan. At the same time, Fia ordered the fleet to shut down their jump drives and synchronize movement schedules.

The L-Drakes’ behavior remained bizarre. Apart from a few individuals that still launched unprovoked attacks, the majority actively avoided confrontation upon detecting an approaching fleet. The frigates that had ventured ahead to scout proved invaluable—the sensor maps they brought back saved the fleet considerable time and prevented them from colliding head-on with a large L-Drake cluster.

After enduring a few more one-sided slaughters, the First Fleet finally reached its designated coordinates. In unison, the fleet activated their engines, slipping into the hyperspace lane’s flow—swiftly distancing themselves from this troublesome region…

---

Belobog.
Outskirts.

Bang!

A heavy metal manhole cover was suddenly flung into the air, tracing a perfect arc before clattering onto the ground.

A figure emerged from the depths of the sewer, stepping into the dimming evening light. She wore a striking red dress adorned with intricate, ornate embellishments. A brown belt cinched her waist, and with each steady step she took, the hem of her dress swayed gently.

Her face was as delicate and serene as the moon, her fair skin exuding an almost otherworldly purity. Paired with her bright, intelligent eyes and the fox mask resting atop her head, her very presence was enough to captivate anyone, stirring hearts with an inexplicable allure.

The embroidery on her dress was exquisitely detailed, every vibrant tassel swaying as if proudly showcasing its uniqueness to the world. If she were walking down a bustling street, there was no doubt she would attract countless gazes.

"Should be safe now, right?" she muttered, pouting slightly as she glanced over her shoulder every few steps, wary of any lurking psionic enforcers suddenly jumping out to arrest her.

Fortunately, she had been fast enough, covering her tracks well. If those enforcers thought they could catch her, they were dreaming.

She tapped the air a few times, her fingers weaving through invisible data streams. A sequence of etheric codes unraveled and reassembled before her, forming a brand-new communication terminal that materialized in her palm.

The evening sun was still scorching, its heat lingering stubbornly. She found a large tree, settled under its shade, and activated the communicator.

"You're here?"

The moment the call connected, the voice on the other end carried a barely concealed laugh. The petite girl in the red dress remained expressionless, her tone laced with exhaustion.

"I'm here. Just managed to shake off those damn psionic enforcers. They're even more persistent than parasites… Are you coming to me, or should I find you?"

A light chuckle drifted through the communicator. "I'll come to you. I’m not far, but I’ll need a little time to slip past the enforcers’ blockade. My identity wouldn’t hold up to a proper check, but it won’t take long."

"Got it…" The girl slumped against the tree, her voice dull and lifeless. "Kafka, do you think I’ll ever get my limited-edition cartridges back? This loss is too much… I’m actually starting to regret it."

Kafka laughed softly. Wind rustled in the background.

"Is that really what matters here? Aren’t you more concerned about that 'Masked Fool' running around with your face, dumping all their dirty laundry onto you? Now that would be amusing."

"Tch… Like I don’t already have enough dirt on me."

"Oh?"

"Fine." The girl fell silent for a few seconds before admitting, "I’ll be honest—I’m lost right now. I don’t even know what to do next. I’m panicking."

"Then… Silver Wolf, do you want my help?"

Hearing that, Silver Wolf rolled her eyes.

"No shit. Why else would Elio send you? He must’ve seen this whole mess coming and decided to send you to clean it up."

Kafka seemed to get busy on her end. A few minutes later, the call abruptly cut off.

Silver Wolf stared up at Belobog’s vast blue sky, feeling like a complete wreck.

Who would’ve thought? She, who had always been the one pulling pranks and toying with others, had now been played herself. Not only had someone stolen her face, but they had also taken her most prized collection of game cartridges.

Just a few weeks ago, during a call with Kafka, she had jokingly compared this situation to being nerfed in a game.

But now?

Now, it just felt like she had been utterly griefed.

Ever since she received Elio’s mission, her luck had nosedived. The moment she set foot in Belobog, she had been relentlessly hunted by psionic enforcers. At this rate, her wanted posters would be plastered all over the city and flooding the network in no time.

Honestly, if she had to be wanted, she’d rather it be by the Corporation than by Jarilo-VI.

Lost in thought, exhaustion finally caught up with her. Before she realized it, Silver Wolf drifted off to sleep.

As night fell, the world around her grew quiet.

She stirred slightly when something tickled her face. Still half-asleep, she reached up absentmindedly—

And grabbed onto something soft and fluffy.

"AAAAHHHH!!"

Silver Wolf, who harbored a deep-seated fear of insects, shrieked and jumped to her feet.

In that instant, under the moonlit forest, her gaze met another’s.

---

T/N: SO IT WAS SPARKLE BESIDE CHEN LIN??

This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗? by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!