Ch.151Dragon’s Nest (2)

Officially, Megacorp and Star Union are at war.

Since Star Union began as a rebellion on Megacorp colonies, there’s no way the relationship between the two could be good.

Although armed conflicts have decreased to the level of local provocations in recent years, the two powers fought fiercely until then.

Megacorp attacked Star Union with human wave tactics, deploying enormous numbers of human soldiers and mass-produced Hulk Mutants. Star Union, on the other hand, primarily used terror tactics, attaching nano-machine bombs like Gremlin torpedoes to androids and making them self-destruct.

It might seem backward for humans to fight against machines, but there’s a reason for this.

The core of Star Union is ultimately cyborgs. And to create cyborgs, healthy humans are needed.

Of course, other species could be used as materials for cyborgs, but there were several problems.

Cult bodies were too weak to withstand cyborg procedures. Humanoid species like Volf were too few in number for mass production, and their genetic modification research was less advanced, resulting in much lower success rates for cyborg procedures.

One might ask why they don’t just create clone humans, but that technology had serious flaws. Clone humans had many mentally unstable elements, making them poor material for cyborg conversion.

In the end, no species existed that was as excellent yet cost-effective as healthy “humans” for cyborg conversion. So Star Union developed a strategy of operating with a small number of cyborg commanders and large quantities of drones.

This strategy was effective in the early stages of the war. That is, until Megacorp deployed EMP weapons.

In space, EMP weapons are fatal to both sides, but Star Union, whose forces were mostly machines, inevitably suffered greater damage. Megacorp, on the other hand, could relatively reduce casualties by using Hulk Mutants capable of surviving in space.

It seemed the war would end with the deployment of EMP weapons and Hulk Mutants.

But reality proved otherwise.

The general public might not know, but there was a secret agreement between the leadership of Megacorp and Star Union.

They knew well that if they could coordinate the war, they could gain enormous profits.

Star Union needed to capture many sentient beings to increase their population, while Megacorp knew they could earn massive credits through human trafficking. The leadership on both sides, knowing exactly what each needed, turned the war between them into a business.

Since they couldn’t do this openly, they placed brokers in between.

Space Dog, who lived by plunder and crime, and Cult Empire, which adopted slavery, played the role of middlemen.

Now, hundreds of years after this “business” involving the great powers of space began.

Today too, cargo ships loaded with “human resources” are busily coming and going.

In the JP-99 system located on the outskirts of the Cult Empire.

A cyborg cargo ship that had finished trading with Cult merchants was heading home.

“Have you completed all cargo checks?”

“V100 has completed checks up to container 50. All normal.”

“Whew, container 50.”

Star Union’s cyborg Conzei disconnected the link cable attached to her head.

With over 80% of her body modified into machinery, she could connect to the ship’s computer like now. Although the module assisting her brain lacked the performance for piloting the spacecraft, it was sufficient for managing the cargo loaded on the ship.

And inside the freezing containers of this cargo ship were involuntary consenters who would become cyborgs. Though diverse in species, they would soon become one under the name of Star Union.

“Looks like we won’t meet our quota this time. That’s a problem.”

Conzei scratched the corner of her eye while looking at the data graphs displayed in her eyeball.

Originally, she had planned to fill up to container 70, but failed. This was because the Cult merchants brought far fewer slaves than before.

“They say it’s difficult because internal affairs aren’t good? That’s some Providence bullshit. Since when did they care about such things?”

At this rate, she would fail to meet the quota set by the Population Management Department and receive a heavy penalty. That must be avoided at all costs.

Conzei reconnected the link cable to her head.

“Mac-F. Are there any cartels trading people around here?”

“This is Cult territory. What madman would do business here?”

“Hmm. I guess you’re right.”

“There should be Space Dog in nearby systems. Go there and get some.”

“Tch, alright. We might have to trade, so make sure the drones are well-armed.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

After ending the communication, Conzei checked the data for Space Dog cartels likely to be in nearby systems.

While carefully examining the data, the fleet computer V sent her a notification message.

“Biosignals?”

This area is a path where ships don’t usually travel.

Star Union always emphasizes that citizens become cyborgs through “voluntary choice.” A ship hanging with cyborg candidates should never be spotted.

Of course, for this reason, this ship was equipped with a high-performance detection system specially supported by the Machine Committee. The intention was to acquire information before the other side and avoid them accordingly.

“Can you identify what it is?”

“The exterior is estimated to be a Jama-class escort ship from Jasbil02. Armament level unknown.”

“It’s not Outspacer, is it?”

“Compared with the Starlink database, no match.”

“Phew, that’s a relief. Is it a ship coated with special paint? Upload the exterior and biosignals just in case.”

“Confirmed.”

While V uploaded data about the mystery ship to Star Union’s database, Conzei examined the virtually rendered enemy ship.

“What’s the level of biosignals leaking externally?”

“Estimated over 700 passengers.”

“700?! Crazy. Why are they so packed?”

Hearing this, Conzei suddenly had a different thought.

‘No matter how I look at it, that also seems like a slave ship.’

The cargo ship Conzei operates is about 1.5 times larger than the other, but has fewer people on board. Just 300 cargo, 30 cyborgs, and 70 combat drones.

‘Suspicious.’

It’s not a normal slave ship. Conzei contacted Mac-F again.

“Why do you keep calling? I’m working.”

“Hey. Prepare all the drones.”

“What? Why?”

“I think we might score big.”

If the other side’s armament is at a high level, she plans to retreat without attacking.

If not…

“V. Activate the jamming system and stealth system.”

“Systems activated.”

Seven hundred people would be more than enough to meet her quota.

–

Using consecutive faster-than-light travel was not as easy as one might think. I had taken over a Megacorp spaceship and used FTL travel before, but never continuously for this long.

Maintaining FTL travel for several weeks or more was arduous. I had to maintain concentration during the journey.

‘It’s not that I lack energy.’

For various reasons, I have plenty of time to maintain control. It’s just that maintaining focus during the tedious journey is not easy.

Imagine driving a car for over a month on a night road where a deer might jump out at any moment, without rest or sleep. Even for an AMorph with heightened senses and support from auxiliary organs, it’s difficult.

Inevitably, I had to pause FTL travel at intervals to rest.

And now I’m resting for the first time in a month.

‘Still, I’m halfway there.’

In about another month, I’ll reach the planet where the dragon’s nest is located.

I swallowed stored meat using my corrosion tentacles.

The tentacles, covered with thick and hard carapace, instantly digest the food and supply my body with the necessary energy. As vitality fills my body, fatigue fades and my mood improves slightly.

‘By the way, we’ll need more meat?’

All systems on this ship are completely under my control. So I’m making sure the stored food doesn’t spoil.

‘It’s hard to prevent it from rotting as is.’

There’s not much left. Not only do I have an enormous appetite, but No. 26, who is approaching adulthood, is consuming much more food than before. Adhigh Orr, who sucks blood and bodily fluids, is also not suited to eating long-stored meat.

‘Sky Mother eats a lot too.’

It seems we’ll need to replenish our food supply along the way.

This place, the JP-99 system, doesn’t see much ship traffic from what I know. It’s Cult territory, but I haven’t seen any other ships on our way here.

‘When we move to the next system, there should be more ships… hmm?’

While planning our food supply, something caught my senses.

It’s not No. 26 and Adhigh Orr running around the ship dribbling the spores I created.

This wave I detected came from outside the hull, from space.

I stopped eating and focused all my senses toward where the wave came from.

Like rice grains scattered on black paper, space where starlight is the only light. In that seemingly empty void, there is something.

I can feel special energy flowing in multiple layers, created to hide a ship.

‘A warship?’

It seems they detected me first. That’s why they’ve activated all sorts of functions like stealth and radio jamming.

‘Hostile… or not, it’s ambiguous.’

It doesn’t seem to be a Cult warship. This is Cult territory. If an unauthorized ship were roaming around, they would have fired warning shots immediately.

Instead of attacking, the other side was slowly approaching us.

‘If it’s not a Cult warship, that’s fine by me.’

I don’t care if the other side is Space Dog or an unidentified ship. Either way, it means I can eat them without consequences.

I moved as if unaware of their presence.

The mystery ship approached, not knowing there was a spider web laid before it. After closing the distance, the other side suddenly stopped moving.

They’re probably trying to scan my ship. I also strained my nerves to detect the passengers on their ship.

‘Hmm.’

Hundreds of life forms showing faint movement, and 30 humanoid creatures strongly emitting a metallic smell. Besides them, I sense 70 machines sending strong electrical signals.

‘Ah, I see what it is.’

It’s a Star Union personnel supply ship.

Star Union, a community established by machines like cyborgs, humanoids, androids, and drones. Due to their species characteristics making it difficult to leave offspring, Star Union purchases slaves from other powers to increase their citizen numbers.

‘Most are targets for cyborgization, and a special few are for human experimentation.’

Star Union is a faction that claims the flesh is weak and should be replaced with machinery. Nothing could be more ironic than such a group secretly buying humans to maintain their community.

Therefore, such personnel supply ships operate in utmost secrecy. Trades are conducted secretly with third parties like Cult or Space Dog.

‘In this respect, Megacorp and Star Union are similar.’

In Space Survival, Star Union is classified as a neutral faction, but it’s not without darkness. It’s a place where a different form of disregard for human life and black humor prevails, compared to Megacorp.

At that moment, they began launching carrier-based aircraft.

Except for the fact that the ship’s outer wall is dark purple to match my skin color, and that weapons are hidden rather than exposed, the exterior of this escort ship is completely identical to the standard model.

They must have confirmed through their scan that this ship doesn’t have visible plasma gun batteries or psychic power main guns. They clearly consider me an easy target.

‘So they’re targeting me?’

I can roughly guess why they’re doing this. Either they couldn’t meet their assigned quota, or they’re preparing for when they can’t meet it later.

‘But what to do about this. This ship isn’t operated by Cult.’

Just like their aggressive action, I have no intention of letting prey that walks right in go free.

‘How should I handle this?’

I could use Nightmare Horizon to switch to a new ship as before, but the escort ship I’ve taken over now is too valuable for that. Modified with advice from the face-fish, it’s much faster than regular ships and has lower energy consumption rates for entering FTL travel.

‘Let’s not just think about hijacking, but try to apply what we have.’

Until now, I’ve used Nightmare Horizon in a one-dimensional way. Either waiting for enemy crew members to invade the ship, or adding weapons to the ship to fight creatures like metallic gremlins, and so on.

‘I had no choice before.’

In the state of controlling a spaceship with Nightmare Horizon, I couldn’t use any physical characteristics.

But now, having entered Transcendence Level 2, that’s no longer the case.

“*’Corrosion Tentacles’: Corrodes a spaceship to make it a complex organism controlled by the user’s consciousness. While connected to the spaceship, you can ‘use some physical characteristics.’ The effect is automatically canceled when the user’s stored energy is depleted. Corrosion Tentacles can be used once every 7 days, and only once per spaceship.

*Usable physical characteristics: Regeneration, Mimicry Organs, Spine-Shooting Tail, Enhanced Large Tail, Harvester’s Jaw, Pincers”

‘Now I can use physical characteristics even while controlling a spaceship.’

With the restrictions from Transcendence Level 1 lifted, there have been changes to the effects of Nightmare Horizon.

Originally, physical characteristics couldn’t be used, but that sentence disappeared. Instead, an item for usable physical characteristics was added.

In other words, I can now attach physical organs like pincers or mouths to this ship.

‘I used to envy Outspacers swallowing entire spaceships.’

Now I too can swallow beings inside a spaceship in one bite.

‘Before that, let’s prepare to welcome our guests.’

The carrier-based aircraft circling around are trying to dock with the ship to board.

Such considerate prey, volunteering to be eaten first.

I should welcome them with a happy heart.