163

Ep. 163

–

The data carried on the drone consisted of data analyzed and organized by Star Union's ship computer and recordings of shots from inside the ship.

However, some of the stored data was lost, possibly due to being hit by fine particles of the rock cloud.

Although it was incomplete and difficult data that had even been encrypted, that did not pose much of an obstacle to Sihyeon and Laila.

Laila is a promising member of the Si-hyeon family who played the role of Eugene's shadow and learned espionage skills. She received special training and even wore a high-tech suit.

Since both of them were extraordinary people, they were able to read the data without difficulty.

"The soldiers aboard the X2 class destroyer were destroyed by four types of unidentified creatures. "How can this happen?"

"This is information recorded by Star Union's ship computer, so it is unlikely to have been distorted."

"Well, it's still in the video, so it must be true."

Star Union's AI performance is far superior to Megacorp's. There is no significant difference between the two in terms of ship operation such as route calculation or energy output calculation, but Star Union's AI is superior in its ability to analyze based on given information.

What's more, is Sihyeon Eugene's flagship also using Star Union's AI?

Lila also knew that fact, but she only brought it up because it was such an unbelievable reality.

Now the two were directly viewing the video records stored on the drone.

Cyborgs and androids were unable to respond at all to the attack of four types of monsters and died helplessly.

"Is that D-type creature a bubble amoeba? "There is a big difference in size, but they look similar."

"I don't know. "I've never heard of a bubble amoeba wielding such strong psychic power."

"Maybe it's a test subject created by Egerton or Zao. "They said they were very interested in bubble amoeba research."

A memory suddenly came to Sihyeon's mind after hearing Lila's passing words.

'Bubble Amoeba Psychic Power Experiment…'

The first thing that came to mind after Sihyeon woke up in the clone production facility was the memory right before she died. She was planning to eliminate Yujin Kisaragi, the granddaughter of Yujin Akira.

Yujin Kisaragi is a person who has shown outstanding achievements in research on psionium and Hulk mutants. Because he was important to Akira Eugene, who rose to power through the Hulk mutant business, he was someone who had to be eliminated at all costs.

Sihyeon Eugene planned to eliminate Kisaragi and pretend that it was the result of a conspiracy by other families.

As she planned, Yujin Kisaragi died. The rest is just her own manipulation of Kisaragi's death.

It was from that point that things took a decisive turn.

The monster aboard the spaceship where Kisaragi died interrupted her.

She discovered that the monster was a being much higher than Shadow, the pinnacle of genetic manipulation technology.

So she tried to capture it alive, but the monster was much stronger than she expected. She fought fiercely against the monster and ultimately lost due to unexpected variables.

'Bubble amoeba on the research vessel.'

Because she was a helpless being, she was ignored, but that helpless being interrupted her at a critical moment.

By using psychic powers like you just saw in the video.

'Kisaragi's last research topic was the psychic power potential from bubble amoeba.'

Since he collected information to kill her, Si-hyeon also remembered what she studied.

'What is the probability that there is a bubble amoeba that uses psychic power on the spaceship?'

With Laila watching the video, Sihyeon checked the information on the drone again.

Among the four species of organisms, information on type A and B organisms was the poorest. It was not recorded in the video whether either of them had the ability to conceal themselves.

Among them, the being that Sihyeon was interested in was a type A creature. She looked at the Type A information left by the computer.

To briefly summarize what is written, it has exceptional physical prowess and is capable of creating acidic fluids that can melt ships. It also appears to have very high intelligence and prefers surprise attacks.

As Sihyeon read that article, he remembered the monster that killed him. A monster that carries around a bubble amoeba, bleeds acidic blood, and is highly intelligent.

If you think about it that way, it had many similarities to the A-type creature that destroyed the Star Union soldiers.

Although she seems to have grown a lot since she first encountered him.

'monster! 'It was alive after all!'

In the T&C Special Trade Center, she felt his energy. Because I was transporting a bomb at the time, I couldn't face him directly.

The city then collapsed, but she was sure the monster had not died.

Since he is a highly intelligent person, he must have somehow escaped the city and is hiding somewhere in the universe.

In fact, it was a judgment with some basis.

Sihyeon, who saved Laila's medical ship that was drifting in space after the city collapsed, heard details about the monster from her.

Everything from what happened in the city to Lila's ambition to develop a new Hulk mutant by studying him.

Sihyeon glanced at Lila.

'There's no need to talk about it right now.'

The reason why Laila, a noble capital, followed Sihyeon's words was because of revenge and ambition.

Taking revenge on the monster that destroyed him, he uses the corpse of that monster to become the head of T&C.

Thanks to these two goals, she was able to stay alive even while half-corpse.

'…You might be similar to me in that respect.'

After thinking about this for a moment, Sihyeon checked the date the data was recorded. The recording date was exactly 10 days ago.

Since quite a bit of time has passed, it is difficult to find the ship that launched this drone.

'For now, I will study this information first.'

You never know when you might encounter him again. Before then, we need to obtain sufficient information about him.

'If only I could get that weapon…!'

The ancient artifact they are now heading to find. If you get your hands on it, you will be able to hunt even the smartest monster.

A flame quietly bloomed in Sihyeon's eyes.

–

"Ship number 98 has been discovered!"

Sanadaev, Acting Fleet Commander of the Nemean Fleet, was extremely nervous and shouted in a loud voice.

He, who usually wore shabby clothes and piloted the flagship, was now wearing a black military uniform. A red badge was attached to his chest.

This emblem, which depicts a fist in the center and 12 stars surrounding it, is the symbol of the Star Union.

"Exploration complete! Check the captain's survival inside!"

The reason he wears a military uniform and insignia that he did not wear even when going into battle is because of the two beings watching him.

"question. Sanadaev. "Do other cyborgs exist?"

"Wow! In addition, 9 people have been confirmed alive!"

The person who questioned him was Nemea Five, an ultra-high-performance android who was one of only 12 members of Star Union's top committee and Sanadaev's direct superior.

Although Nemea Five is a difficult boss for Sanadaev, it is not the androids who really make him nervous.

"Report from Nemea Five. Chairman, Mr. Chairman. Do you want to begin the operation?"

"Start."

Zubaka, chairman of the Mechanical Committee and Grand Leader of the Star Union, is watching Sanadaev from the capital city of Sachs-01.

Just hearing the voice of Star Union's mythical being and highest dignity made Sanadaev faint.

"Confirm order! Docking work begins! "Combat units are on standby for entry!"

"Command. Get ready. "Other ships."

"Arrow Fleet Deputy!" Confirm ship orders! Aiming completed! ｣

｢Representative of the Red Tail Fleet! Confirm ship orders! Aiming complete!"

He gave the command, barely holding back his tears. The captains of other ships seemed to be feeling the same way as Sanadaev, and responded by scolding their communicators.

Currently, they are carrying out a search mission targeting ship 98, which they lost contact with 10 days ago.

Ship number 98, which was supposed to repair its super-light engine after arriving in the AD-100 system, began acting unexpectedly after communication was cut off. It was even observed that a transluminal speed voyage to another star system was made in succession using a superluminal engine that was reported to be broken.

Originally, it was a matter that would end with Nemea Five Sun, commander-in-chief of the Nemea Fleet, but this time it was different.

Because Grand Commander Zubaka began to take interest in Ship No. 98, as many as three elite fleets followed Ship No. 98.

And after 10 days, they discovered ship number 98 in a star system located in a neutral zone. Ship number 98 was floating in the middle of a star system where numerous trade ships came and went.

Ship number 98, known to have been infected by a biological ship, had the same appearance as the existing X2-class destroyer, only the color was different. Anyone could see that the ship was stained pitch black, similar to the outer space surrounding it, and it looked like it was in a state of severe pollution.

"Docked complete! Let's rush in!"

"Command. "Permission is given."

Next to ship number 98 was the flagship with Sanadaev on board. For failing to properly manage the ships under his command, Sanadaev's ship was personally tasked with searching the interior of No. 98.

Except for him, the rest of the fleet is aiming at ship number 98 while keeping the distance widened. If anything strange happens, their guns will open fire immediately.

"All signals are detected in the situation room. Vital signs are good. There are no special changes."

"Please search thoroughly." "I don't know what will come out."

"Great algebra… I understand! dismissal!"

Filming records of the androids and walkers aboard No. 98 were transmitted in real time to each ship and the commander. Sanadaev also checked the movements of his subordinates through a cable connected to his neck.

Inside the ship, gas containing toxic chemicals spread like fog. As the subordinates adjusted the cameras, pulsating biological tissue was seen all over the ship.

Zubaka muttered after seeing that.

｢…Nemea Five. Make sure to save everything."

"Nemea Five responded. Saving. Don't worry. "Mr Chairman."

The subordinates on the scene, unable to hear what the two were saying, quickly searched the ship. Soon they arrived at the situation room.

"That thing?!"

Sanadaev was horrified when he saw the scene inside the situation room filmed by his subordinate.

The ship's situation room, with its rigid and clunky design, was not there. In its place was a disgusting living pipe, spewing out a toxic mist of spores that looked like blood vessels, infinitely swollen and then bursting.

It was more of a nest than a situation room. A nest of horrible, disgusting creatures.

In the nest of the unclean being, there was the captain of the 98th ship they were looking for, Kayns Q, and eight cyborgs. They were hanging from the walls and ceiling, tightly bound by tentacles.

"Captain Cains Q and eight crew members! Everyone has been found! "No casualties so far!"

"Command. "Check."

A walker approached to remove the Keynes Q from the wall. However, as Walker approached, Keynes Q began to struggle.

"Uh huh? Why is this suddenly happening…?"

"What's going on?"

"Captain number 98's heart rate is rising."

Even though his face was wrapped in tentacles, he somehow opened his mouth and shouted loudly.

"Everyone get out of here right now! "In this boat… wow!"

While he was talking, he vomited a lot of blood and lowered his head. At the same time, Keynes Q's vital signs that Sanadaev was watching also turned black.

"Captain number 98 is dead!"

"Dead? Why all of a sudden…wait. "No way?"

Jubaka shouted urgently, as if something occurred to him upon seeing Keynes Q's death.

"Everyone retreat! Get away from number 98…"

Before Zubaka finished speaking, a huge light erupted from the engine room of ship number 98.

Sanadaev could never know that it was a bomb planted in the engine room.

–

'Hmm?'

"Big baby, what's wrong?"

When I suddenly moved my head, number 26 above me asked me.

[Zuzuzuz Zuzuzu Zuzuzuzu (It's nothing. Don't worry)]

｢Yes.｣

[Zuzuzuz Zuzuzuzu (Isn't it uncomfortable because it's narrow?)]

｢No! It's so nice because the big baby, middle baby, and little baby are all together!"

[Zuzuzuzu (Thank God)]

As No. 26 said, Aadhai and Heavenly Mother were close to my huge body.

'It's definitely narrow.'

It was an inevitable choice to escape Star Union's pursuit.

Three days ago today, I abandoned Star Union's ship number 98 and switched to a new ship.

The reason was that after eroding the ship, while searching the computer records, they discovered that Captain Cainsq had launched a rescue drone.

'That guy's doing useless things has made work a hassle.'

To avoid Star Union's pursuit, you had to change ships as soon as the 'Nightmare Horizon' cooldown expired.

It was not easy to save a ship in the middle of this vast space, so we had no choice but to change the plan. By going to a star system where many trade ships travel and looking for a new ship.

'Thanks to this, it took longer than originally planned.'

In fact, I wanted to kill Keynes Q because I wasted a week, but I barely held back. Instead, I thought of a punishment suitable for Keynes Q, wondering how I could get a reputation for punishing him well.

A booby trap operation using parasites.

I ordered the cyborgs to build bombs and planted sensors on their bodies. When their hearts stop, the bomb will automatically explode.

Afterwards, on the day the ship was abandoned, all nine cyborgs were tied up in the situation room and a bomb was installed in the engine room.

'If you find me in Star Union…'

The parasitized cyborgs will shout to escape at all costs. However, that action is against my will. The strengthened parasite will punish them right away.

'And what if the cyborg dies? Then boom.'

Thanks to the infection-enhancing type, the parasites can survive for about 5 to 6 days without me replacing them. There is no problem with replacing the parasite itself, but I added symbiotic spores in case they starved to death.

Only after completing all the tasks was I able to leave No. 98 with peace of mind.

And only today, three days later, did I feel the parasites forming again in my body. The fact that 9 parasites died at the same time means that a bomb exploded.

I guess my plan was successful.

'I found it later than I thought. If I had known this would happen, I would have found a better boat and boarded it.'

The ship I am currently eroding is a cargo ship purchased in a neutral star system that is not occupied by any force.

This is the boat that Heaven's Mother, who transformed into Wolff, went out and bought. Funds were raised by selling the drones and androids on board the ship.

You could easily catch a wandering ship and erode it, but the reason not to do so is simple.

'They think of me as a bio-ship. 'You wouldn't even think that I would buy a boat and move around.'

It doesn't matter if a player intervenes in my pursuit. In fact, if you're a player, you won't be able to find me anymore.

'Because you will know me as Aimov.'

Aimorphs are a race in which dialogue and negotiation are impossible. They would never dream that I carry three friends with me.

'It went well according to plan, but I feel a little sad about my stomach.'

At the time, we didn't know when the chase team would arrive, so we quickly found a boat. Because of this, the boat we boarded was so small that it barely exceeded 60m.

'My body size is well over 25m, but if it's 60m…'

Moreover, since I needed food to eat while moving, I filled the cyborg's combat rations with energy drinks obtained from a neutral star system.

There was very little space left, so the four of us had no choice but to stick close together like we did now.

'Is it fortunate that No. 26 was able to shrink his body?'

The guy whose body size had shrunk to about 50cm was dozing on top of my head.

｢Big Adult｣｢Me｣｢Hunger｣

[Zuzuz Zuzuz (Wait a moment)]

Adhai, the Gallagon navigator of this ship, was curled up on my tail. I created an erosion tentacle, grabbed a handful of energy drinks, and handed them to the guy.

"Thank you,"

the guy said briefly, then stuck his tentacle into the energy drink and sucked it down. Unlike calorie bars or cyborg combat rations, the energy drink tasted like apple cider and was quite edible.

"I had to get a bigger boat."

Lastly, Mother of Heaven. She returned to her Wolf form and was close to my side. She kept tossing and turning as if the claws and spines on my carapace were uncomfortable.

'I need some help.'

I changed the structure of the boat slightly to create a space where she could lie down comfortably.

[Zuzu (What do you think?)]

｢Thank you, but doesn't this make you uncomfortable?｣

[Zu zuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzu (I'm assimilated with my stomach, so I don't feel that much discomfort)] ｢I'm a bit jealous of that

. .｣

[Zuzuzuzzu zuzu zuzuzu (It may be uncomfortable, but just bear with it for a month and a half)]

She sighed softly at my words. With that, our conversation ended.

I was about to focus on faster-than-light sailing again when she spoke quietly.

"Thank you for your concern."

[Zu (yes)]

After expressing her gratitude, she immediately closed her eyes, probably because she felt embarrassed. After a while, even breathing was heard from her.

I left my sleeping mother in the sky and continued my journey at faster than light speed.