Ch.444Battlefield (2)

–

｢Inspection complete. No issues.｣

“Next will be an internal inspection. We request your cooperation.”

“Another inspection? Hey, can’t you just go easy on this one?”

The NEO-3 star system has three checkpoints for security purposes. To enter the star system, one must pass through space fortresses that serve as gateways.

Neo First Gateway City is one of these entrances to the star system.

This massive structure, capable of accommodating and supplying large fleets, was bustling with numerous visitors today as well.

“We have orders from above to use force if there’s non-compliance. Please cooperate.”

“What? Which Capital are you from?”

“If you have any complaints, please formally protest to House Egerton.”

“Y-you bastard…!”

The word “Egerton” that came from the inspecting soldier’s mouth—those who knew what it meant quickly became docile.

“Hey, it’s time to change shifts.”

Only after completing inspections of dozens of ships did their long-awaited break time arrive. The exhausted soldiers gathered in a corner and lit electronic cigarettes.

“Damn, they just keep coming in endlessly.”

“It’s all because of those crazy monster bastards. I heard quite a few places have gone to shit.”

Their star system was successfully keeping the Outspacers at bay, but others weren’t so fortunate. Talk of devastated star systems was buzzing not only in the media but also within the base.

“Come to think of it, didn’t you guys say you’re from the frontier? What about your families?”

“My family moved to Triton last year.”

“Triton? That Triton in the solar system?”

“Yeah.”

“Why are you slaving away here if you’ve got that much credit?”

“Pfft, what credits? I barely got in with a loan. One wrong move and I’m straight to indentured servitude.”

“Tsk, rich bastard with his full-belly problems. What about you, Rodman?”

The soldier named Rodman tilted his head at his colleagues’ question.

“Huh? Oh, I can’t quite remember.”

“Are you crazy? You can’t even remember where your wife lives?”

“Maybe it’s because I haven’t been sleeping well lately? Strangely, I can’t recall.”

“What sleep? It’s because you’re popping pills.”

“Well, I understand how he feels. I send money every week but only get a call once every six months. I can’t even remember what my kids look like anymore.”

“One guy’s a junkie who forgets his wife, another sent his kids to Triton and doesn’t know their faces. What a sight.”

“I told you I’m not on drugs.”

Despite it being their break time, the soldiers were sharing depressing stories.

Neo First Gateway City had never been directly attacked. However, the same couldn’t be said for their comrades. A significant number of soldiers had been dispatched to fight against Outspacers and lost their lives.

Every time news of an attack came in, more empty spaces appeared where their comrades once stood. Soon enough, they too would be called up. This anxiety was making everyone mentally exhausted.

“Damn monsters. How much longer…”

“Hey, you there.”

Just then, someone approached them from a distance.

“Stop smoking and help us out.”

“Come on, our break isn’t even over yet.”

“Higher-ups said you can go home after handling this one.”

“Really?”

The soldiers’ faces brightened at the good news.

“Alright. What’s left?”

“That rescue ship that just came in? Just inspect that and send it off.”

“Rescue ship? You mean that one?”

“You want us to inspect that huge thing?”

“Don’t worry. Everything’s been cleared from above, so just do a quick check and finish up.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

The soldiers put away their cigarettes and walked toward the rescue ship their colleague had mentioned.

A man in a sailor’s uniform greeted them in front of the ship.

“Hello. I’m Joel.”

The man introduced himself as Joel with a smile.

Despite his smile, Joel’s complexion was very poor. His eyes lacked vitality, like those of drug addicts. If not for his sailor’s uniform, he could have been mistaken for a sick patient.

“Ah, ahem. Nice to meet you. We’re the inspection team for Section 5. We need your cooperation for the internal inspection.”

“Yes. I’ll help guide you.”

Of course, they couldn’t postpone their duties just because someone looked unwell.

The soldiers in charge of the inspection followed Joel’s guidance into the rescue ship.

Unlike the spotless exterior, the interior was messier than expected. Not dirty, but there were signs of patching on the walls, ceiling, and doors.

“These look like explosion marks. Why are there such traces?”

“And why are there so few people?”

“There was a mutiny during our return journey. That’s why the crew number has decreased.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean?”

“Among the people we rescued, some were infected with Outspacer parasites. The parasites spread, and the crew went berserk, resulting in this.”

Now the soldiers understood why there were signs of destruction inside the ship and why Joel was in such a state.

Being attacked in a confined space, not knowing who the enemy was—it would be difficult to handle properly even for experienced veterans.

It was actually more impressive that he had survived in such a condition.

“Fortunately, our rescue ship belongs to the Silver Lion Knights. Many crew members, including the captain, have been active in the order for a long time. The same goes for me.”

“Ah, you were a member of the Silver Lion Knights?”

This was why they had been told to inspect quickly and let them pass.

Not just Neo First Gateway City, but the entire star system is under the management of the Silver Lion Knights. The inspection team’s superior is also a member of the order. They must have been in contact several times before the rescue ship arrived.

“Ahem, I think this much inspection will do. You’re cleared to depart whenever you wish.”

“Thank you.”

“Then, good work.”

Now that they understood the situation, there was no need to continue the inspection any further. The inspection team soldiers wrapped up their check and left the ship.

“Work’s done. Anyone want to go for a drink?”

“You crazy bastard. You were drinking heavily yesterday too.”

“There’s nothing else to do in the dorms anyway.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“I’m tired, so I’ll head back first.”

“Take it easy on the drugs.”

“I told you I’m not, you bastard.”

Rodman, whose condition was fluctuating, chose not to join.

After parting with his colleagues and about to head to his quarters, he felt a gaze and turned around.

In the distance, he could see the rescue ship they had inspected. It remained stationary, perhaps preparing to depart after resupplying.

This was a common sight in this sector, but Rodman felt something strange. It was as if someone inside the ship was watching him.

“…Nah, that’s impossible.”

Perhaps he was being sensitive due to lack of proper sleep lately. Dismissing the strange feeling, he headed back to his quarters.

After taking the subway to the residential complex used by soldiers, Rodman walked straight to his home.

A messy house that looked like it had been neglected for quite some time. As soon as he entered the familiar space, he collapsed onto the bed in the middle of the garbage.

“I should clean up…”

But due to the unnaturally overwhelming drowsiness, he couldn’t move a finger. With that quiet mutter, his consciousness drifted into sleep.

–

How much time had passed since then?

When Rodman opened his eyes, he saw a building in front of him.

The entrance, which should have been locked at this late hour, was slightly open as if expecting a guest. He pushed the door and entered without hesitation.

He didn’t know what this building was. He had never been here during his time working in the city. He couldn’t even remember how he got here.

Yet, the reason he wasn’t particularly surprised was simple.

Everything he saw was just a dream.

At some point, Rodman had started having this strange dream. The content was always the same: going to the basement of an unfamiliar building and meeting someone to talk. That was it.

His consciousness headed underground as usual. Going down, he saw others.

Humans in military uniforms, Cult immigrants working in the commercial district, workers in charge of city maintenance—people from different fields were gathered. Rodman stood among these people he had never seen before.

The lips of those standing opposite him moved incessantly. Since he couldn’t hear any sound, he didn’t know what they were saying. He might have been saying something too, but there was no way for him to know.

Anyway, all he did was watch the silent conversations of these strangers. If he stayed like this, he would naturally wake up in his quarters’ bed in the morning.

But not today.

The gazes of the people who had been moving their lips suddenly turned to Rodman. Or more precisely, behind him.

“Interesting.”

Just then, an unfamiliar man’s voice was heard from behind.

Before he could be surprised, his body reacted violently. Cold sweat poured down his entire body, and his hair stood on end. Despite it being a dream, he could feel his heart pounding fiercely.

This emotion he was feeling was undoubtedly fear. And it was the same for others.

The people who had been standing still scattered all at once, as if by agreement. Belatedly, Rodman’s legs also moved to get away from the man.

“This is quite different from the parasites I know. Is it because of the Perk?”

As he was walking up the stairs on the opposite side, his legs froze. It wasn’t just him; everyone in the basement was the same. They were fixed in place, in the posture they had been fleeing, as if time had stopped.

In that state, the bodies of those who had stopped began to float in the air.

Rodman and those who had gone up the stairs earlier were pulled back into the basement by an invisible force.

In the process, he could directly see the owner of the voice.

It was a man wearing a captain’s uniform. With his face obscured by shadows, he was holding a pink balloon in one hand.

“I heard about it from Isabelle, but…”

The man approached Rodman. Under the flickering light, his face looked ordinary—a middle-aged man with a tired appearance and dry skin.

“Still, I’d better check with my own eyes.”

As soon as those words ended, the man’s mouth began to open grotesquely. From within the abnormally torn mouth, “something” with snow-white scales slowly protruded out.

Seeing this, Rodman thought.

This is a dream.

Even as the sound of screams pouring from his mouth pierced his ears, even as the foul smell of urine soaking his pants spread everywhere, he was convinced.

That all of this—what he was seeing and feeling—was just a dream. It just felt a bit more realistic than usual. Soon, he would open his eyes in his comfortable bed.

That hope ended the moment “something” grabbed his face.