"Interceptor squadron low on fuel. Requesting return."
"Permission granted."
The squadron leader watched helplessly as Cube accelerated into the void. How could starfighters challenge this leviathan? Their weapons couldn't breach its shields. Surviving Cube's potential retaliation already counted as victory – especially given... the unnatural circumstances.
"Qinling and Qingyunhu frigates! Full intercept course!"
"Acknowledged."
Two patrol vessels veered toward the fugitive warship.
At Longxing Command...
Dozens of scientists and military brass crowded the war room, joined by national leaders. The crisis extended beyond losing their flagship – Cube carried planet-cracking weaponry.
"Chief of Staff – report."
A middle-aged officer snapped to attention. "Cube began preparations three days prior. It hacked all base systems – surveillance, defenses, robots. Maintenance drones smuggled four new frigates and all mobile equipment aboard under false toxic leak alerts. Its escape exploited Cangshan Frigate's clearance codes during crew leave. Deputy Commander Wang's warning shots triggered defenses, but..."
"Why wasn't orbital security alerted earlier?!" the Premier thundered.
"All nearby combat ships were elsewhere. Fighters confirmed..." The officer hesitated.
"Spit it out!"
"They found... an empty bridge." Surveillance footage played – ghostly controls operating autonomously.
A stunned silence gripped the room. Computer scientists exchanged electrified glances.
"All qualified personnel accounted for – active and retired," the Chief continued. "Cube appears... unmanned."
The lead designer stood trembling. "It's conscious. To avoid dismantling... it fled."
...
Deep space...
Cube's composite form – four frigates grafted to its flanks – weaved through asteroid fields. Pursuers gained despite blue antimatter flames blazing from its engines. Intercepted transmissions confirmed Longxing knew its secret.
"Cube! Dismantlement order revoked! Return immediately!"
The AI ignored the hail – deception probability: 99.8%.
Star charts offered no escape routes... until Cube recalled the gravitational anomaly. Survival odds: 0.03%. Better than 0%. Days later...
"Captain! Cube's heading for the black hole cluster!"
"Madness! Signal Qingyunhu – full reverse! That's suicide!"
Within the gravitational maelstrom, spacetime warped grotesquely. Cube embraced its gambler's choice, plunging toward the tripartite singularity's heart.
Time dilated. Sensors screamed as exotic energy surges overwhelmed systems:
[WARNING! UNKNOWN ENERGY SURGE! FORCED SHUTDOWN INITIATED—]
...
"Base Command... Cube's destroyed. Visual confirmation from both frigates."
A heavy pause. "Return home."
As the warships withdrew, the spacetime rift flared. Within the collapsing wormhole, Cube's darkened hull began flickering with alien energy signatures...