Ch.261Encroach (3)

–

Kesha Arma’s First Command Center.

The large cylindrical pillar-shaped command center is literally a fortress within a fortress. It boasts stringent security.

Of course, it has to be that way. The First Command Center is the only passage that can lead to the nuclear reactor of the space fortress. If the reactor is the heart, the First Command Center could well be called the brain.

And there resides Montana Martio, the ruler of the fortress.

Two men were conversing in an office filled with precious treasures and taxidermied rare animals.

“How are the preparations coming along?”

“The guests who will be putting items up for auction arrived at the military port an hour ago. Reception preparations were completed 30 hours ago. There are no issues.”

“We cannot afford to fail this time. You understand that, right?”

“Of course.”

Montana Martio, a man with an overwhelmingly large build that would be difficult to mistake for an ordinary person, put an antique-designed cigar in his mouth.

He offered a cigar to the male Volf he had been conversing with until just now.

The white-furred Baiho beastman’s name was Kadun. Known by the alias “Snow Claw,” he is the underboss of the Martio Cartel.

“Thank you.”

Kadun politely accepted the cigar offered by Montana but did not light it. Montana, as if expecting this, lit his own cigar alone.

“With the credits we earn this time, we’ll deal with the Megacorp. If all goes well, we might be able to purchase a decent planet.”

“Are you thinking of buying a planet?”

“Hmm. The current atmosphere in the Imperial Council is concerning. Military expansion is openly becoming a topic of discussion due to the issue of Outspacer reinvasion.”

“You mean there’s a possibility that Kesha Arma might be mobilized as well.”

Montana didn’t answer Kadun’s words and instead took a drag from his cigar.

Although the Martio Cartel controls Kesha Arma, the true owner of this city is none other than the Cult Empire. If imperial policy changes, they can no longer stay here.

That’s why Montana was thinking of moving the cartel’s base to a new planet on this occasion.

“I’d like to be recognized by Megacorp Noble Capital, but that’s probably too much to ask.”

“The House Garmelda doesn’t want their relationship with us to be revealed.”

“It’s unfortunate, but we’ll have to be content with this for now.”

Afterward, the two discussed fortress operations and business for a long time.

After several hours, Kadun left the office. As he came out, subordinates who had been waiting followed him.

“What happened with the drug addict case?”

“Well, about that… it seems it’s not drugs but an epidemic. Patients showing similar symptoms are rapidly increasing…”

“What?”

The subordinate reporting closed his mouth as Kadun frowned deeply.

While the highest person in the Martio Cartel is the boss, the “most dangerous person” is the underboss standing before them. He never forgives subordinates who make mistakes.

After silently glaring at his subordinate, Kadun spoke.

“The boss is focusing on this business. Not even the slightest error can be tolerated.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Handle it within 12 hours. Mobilize personnel and equipment as needed.”

“Well, about that…”

Despite the promise of full support, the subordinate did not answer. Instead, he just hesitated with an awkward expression.

“What is it?”

“Well, over the past few days, the number of members deserting the organization has increased. Probably afraid of being infected by the drug… gack!”

Once again, the subordinate couldn’t finish his report. That’s because Kadun grabbed his face with his hand. Soon after, there was the sound of bones breaking, and the subordinate’s body went limp.

“Grrrr, and you’re telling me this now?”

Kadun growled, but there was no way the subordinate with his crushed head could answer. After killing the subordinate, he glared at the other pirates.

“Who’s next in rank after this guy?”

“I-I am!”

“Those who deserted without permission, those drug addicts or germs or whatever they are. You take care of all of them. As long as you don’t touch the guests, I don’t care how much blood is spilled. Kill anyone suspicious.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

“You have 12 hours. Handle it within that time.”

Kadun disappeared, leaving behind the headless corpse.

The pirate who was instantly promoted to an executive began urgently issuing orders to his subordinates.

–

In Space Survival, the value of orbital habitats is very high.

With tens of thousands of star systems and many more planets, the reason for owning an orbital habitat is simple.

Because you can install it wherever you want.

It’s a great help to place something like a space fortress in a strategically important star system, or one you want to make important. That’s why among Rankers and large clans, those who don’t own orbital habitats are in the minority.

‘Of course, I’m an exception.’

I’m not someone who installs orbital habitats, but rather an AMorph who infiltrates and destroys them. Countless space fortresses have turned to cosmic dust at my hands.

Kesha Arma is one of them. This fortress is a space structure that exists within the system, like the T&C Special Trade Center. Since it’s not created by players, even if destroyed, it will regenerate after some time.

That means it can be conquered multiple times.

In fact, I’ve destroyed Kesha Arma three times. Each time using a different method.

‘I was a bit worried since it’s different from the game.’

Now that I’m here, it seems like it will be easier to conquer than in the game.

From what I heard from the Martio Cartel members, this fortress is currently operating in an incomplete state.

Due to maintenance cost issues, the pirates only activate life support facilities in necessary areas. Only places that generate revenue like the military port or entertainment districts, or facilities that supply necessities like water purification and food production are active.

Everything else has been abandoned. Only oxygen supply and gravity generation systems are working, while water and electricity have been completely cut off.

‘In the game, there weren’t abandoned areas like this.’

Because there were Cult warriors guarding the fortress everywhere.

I picked up a metal plate that had fallen to the floor.

The plate was engraved with a symbol consisting of a diamond inside a circle, with two triangles inside the diamond. It’s one of the Cult’s religious symbols, mainly used by the Prophet Society.

‘The circle symbolizes the world, the diamond represents eyes, and the triangles represent wisdom and knowledge, right?’

Where I am now is the Prophet Society’s temple. There are many metal religious symbols around.

Sacred objects scattered on the floor and structures beginning to corrode are evidence that no human hand has touched them for a long time.

‘They said no one comes here except for patrol units.’

So it’s an appropriate place to hide.

Just then, my auxiliary organs detected vibrations in the air. Someone was approaching.

‘Here they come.’

With all external lights turned off, a patrol corvette flew in and landed in the plaza near me.

The rear hatch of the corvette opened, and familiar creatures jumped out. A 50cm pink jellyfish and a white dragon with four red wings rushed toward me.

“Big sister!”

“Big adult” “Hello”

No. 26 and Adhigh Orr, who had been in the container since arriving at the fortress.

Although it had only been a few days since I last saw them, they greeted me as if we hadn’t seen each other for weeks. No. 26 climbed on top of my head, and Adhigh gently rubbed his neck against my arm.

[Zzzzzz (Were you okay?)]

“Yes. I studied by myself.”

“I” “was bored” “sick child” “not fun”

“I compiled a humor program incorporating elements that Gallergorn would enjoy. That assessment is unfair.”

Then the mutant screamer PS-111 crawled out.

“Under rational judgment, I request a reconsideration of the evaluation.”

“See” “too” “serious”

Since leaving the dragon’s nest, the one among us whose appearance has changed the most is not me but PS-111.

Only its basic form, which looks like a combination of a spider and a scorpion, remains the same, with changes in many other aspects.

First, it’s grown larger than before. The body length alone is 7m, and including the tail, it reaches 12m. Its eight legs have also grown longer and thicker as the body has grown. Previously, the legs had exposed metal skeletons, muscle tissues, and flesh, but now they’re covered with hard carapaces.

Not just the legs, but other parts also have animal skin and carapaces covering the metal skeleton. Anyone looking would mistake it for a hulk mutant or a genetically modified beast rather than a screamer.

The head still had the form of a pale female face entangled with thick cables. While it looks similar to before, there’s an added function: psychic power adjustment. Thanks to this, it can send out wavelengths in a way similar to how I communicate with monster tentacles.

Another change is the addition of four thin cables under the jaw. It was a newly created part because it was inconvenient to pull out cables from the back every time it linked with a ship’s computer.

‘Overall, should I say it’s becoming more like me.’

“Indeed. You’re thinking of making this place your nest.”

As I was thinking about PS-111, the Sky Mother, who had belatedly disembarked from the patrol corvette, spoke to me.

My original plan was to hide the kids in the container until we attacked the fortress, but the situation has changed. This place is perfect for the kids to hide since pirates rarely visit here.

[Zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzz (It should be fine since it’s an abandoned area)]

“Hiding in a temple. If this were a game, it would have been absolutely impossible.”

She let out a hollow laugh after seeing the symbols of the Empire’s three major power structures scattered on the floor.

‘Everything is difficult the first time.’

After greeting everyone, I called one of the pirates from the patrol corvette. He knelt before me with a happy smile.

“What has changed in the meantime?”

“Six hours ago, the items for the auction arrived, and some have already been transferred to the Third Command Center.”

“Is that so?”

That’s good news. What I’m after are the rare creature genetic essences that are scheduled to be auctioned at Kesha Arma’s large-scale auction.

“Is the product management list also at the Third Command Center?”

“The complete list is kept by the underboss at the Second Command Center.”

“By underboss, do you mean the tiger Volf?”

“Yes. Underboss Kadun.”

I looked at the Sky Mother. She nodded, indicating her agreement.

She needs the heart of a shapeshifting Volf to raise her Incarnate level. This Underboss Kadun seems to be a sacrifice that meets that condition.

‘That’s good.’

If we capture the underboss, we can achieve two goals at once.

‘The preparations are complete anyway.’

The seeds I’ve planted in Kesha Arma are starting to sprout.

‘The herald of chaos is spreading rapidly.’

Pirates infected with the ‘madness bomb’ have already gone to the hospital. Those in charge don’t seem to be dealing with it properly because of the auction, but during that time, the herald of chaos continues to spread like crazy.

Probably in about 3 or 4 days, we’ll see countless maddened crowds rampaging everywhere.

If we attack the life support facilities here, the damage will be even greater. I’ve already controlled one of the managers with a parasite, so we can attack anytime.

‘Of course, that’s something to do after we’ve consumed all the rare creatures.’

“Anything else to report?”

My loyal minion answered my question.

“There’s one more thing. They’re organizing a large-scale search party to eradicate the drug addicts. This place is expected to be included in the search route.”

A large-scale search party.

I’m not particularly worried since I can easily hide using my traits. Or it wouldn’t be bad to capture search party members who find us and insert parasites into them.

‘Wait? Instead of that…’

Suddenly, a good idea came to mind.

“Is it possible to include the underboss in that search party?”

“I’m not sure. Depending on the situation, it might be possible.”

Then all we need to do is create the situation they want.

So that the tiger will come to this abandoned area.