Ch.448Secret Base (1)

NOX-02, also known as Nox.

This planet holds the most important yet useless resource in the NEO-3 system.

That resource is water. Nox is an ocean planet with its surface covered in water. It’s a place that supplies water resources needed by the system’s inhabitants.

According to the settings discovered by Megacorp players, space exploration was limited in the past due to technological deficiencies. During exploration, the presence of water, like in NEO-3, was a priority.

However, at the present time, various methods to supply water resources have emerged, including terraforming facilities. So according to the setting, water’s value has decreased significantly compared to the past.

Moreover, Space Survival is a game. Many elements necessary for survival have been simplified. The same goes for water consumption. That’s why Nox wasn’t a particularly attractive planet.

‘But what if this isn’t a game but reality?’

Then the story changes.

Humans who haven’t undergone genetic modification require a lot of water to survive. If they only drink enough water to survive like in the game, problems will definitely arise.

And no matter how advanced the technology, creating water from scratch consumes considerable resources. Having a water source within the system can save these costs.

Considering these points, Nox’s value in this world is likely higher than I knew.

‘But that doesn’t mean it’s an environment suitable for a research facility.’

Nox has all its ground submerged in water, so there’s nothing that could be called land. The water depth is also deep, averaging tens of kilometers. In the game, there were only floating resort facilities and facilities that draw water from the planet for external transport.

Of course, it’s not impossible to install a research facility. You could build an underwater base in the deep sea, similar to building a space fortress. It’s just that with many other good locations available, there’s no need to spend expensive money doing such a thing.

‘Unless it’s to hide from others’ eyes.’

Why they placed a research base on Nox and what’s inside it is something I’ll have to find out from now on.

Lying prone in the hangar, I moved the auxiliary organ under my chin to turn on the communicator.

“How did the thing we talked about go?”

“Following AMorph’s instructions, we quickly received permission to enter the planet.”

“Honestly, I didn’t think it would work out this well. Anyway, you’re an expert at deceiving others.”

PS-111 answered in his usual monotone. Isabelle, who was with him on the bridge, also left a comment that was either contempt or admiration.

‘I thought as much.’

Two days after leaving the destroyed space city, we’ve now arrived near Nox.

Since the rescue ship carrying us has received permission from House Egerton, there’s no particular problem moving around within the system.

However, just because we have transit permission doesn’t mean we can enter a secret base without restrictions. To enter Nox, we’d have to undergo much more stringent inspections.

Naturally, I hate such troublesome things. So I chose an easier path, a method I’m good at.

That is, deceiving someone higher up than those guarding Nox.

This ship is a rescue vessel only in appearance; its actual mission is somewhat different. The goal is to secure survivors infected with Outspacer parasites.

And the person who issued this mission is none other than Jacob, the ruler of NEO-3. He’s also the one who ordered Blair, the ship’s captain, to bring the infected to NEO-3.

‘It was also his doing that allowed us to easily pass through the gateway city’s quarantine.’

According to the records left by the captain, Jacob seemed to have orchestrated this for profit. His intention is to research the new parasite in the infected’s heads to create a new weapon.

Therefore, what matters to Jacob is the Outspacer parasite. If he’s a typical Prime Capital character, he wouldn’t care what happens to his subordinates who received the orders. He’d only hope that the infected, who will bring him profit, safely reach his hands.

Additionally, he lost a space city two days ago. He’ll be trying to recover that loss somehow, so it shouldn’t be difficult to deceive him.

So, in place of the already dead Blair, I had Joel send a communication to Jacob.

He said that the captain died during the escape from the gateway city, that he succeeded the captaincy, and that he wanted to stop by Nox for ship repairs and supplies.

As you can see, the result was as expected. Jacob gave us permission to enter the planet without suspicion.

“Then I’ll prepare for planetary entry.”

“Please do.”

Right after ending the communication, I felt a slight vibration from the walls inside the hangar. The ship is accelerating to approach Nox.

“Big one, this is moving.”

Detecting the vibration, No. 26 emitted a wave filled with question. He put the Cult psychic terminal he was playing with back into his body and approached me.

“Where are we going?”

[We’re going to an ocean planet full of water.]

“Ocean?”

Hearing the word “ocean,” he flashed his body.

“I know oceans well! Comfortable, cozy, easy to move in, and full of nice friends. There are also bad friends who bully nice friends, but I can scold them!”

[Yes]

No. 26 enthusiastically waved his pink tentacles as he explained. He seems quite excited, probably because it’s a topic he’s familiar with.

“Ocean” “Not good”

In contrast, Adhigh showed an indifferent reaction.

“Water” “Unnecessarily” “Much” “No” “Land” “During” “Flight” “Resting” “Impossible”

“No. That’s not true. Floating is comfortable.”

“Water” “Landing” “Sink” “Don’t like”

“I’ll teach little one. Just need to learn.”

Adhigh, who was grooming his wings nearby, lightly shook his head as if the mere thought was unpleasant.

‘That makes sense.’

Gallergorn’s habitat is extreme places like volcanic planets or ice planets. An environment full of liquid water is unfamiliar.

At least Adhigh has experienced the sea while traveling with us, but even then, it wasn’t particularly a good experience.

‘Was that when we went to the Cult’s sacred place?’

At that time, due to unavoidable circumstances, I was separated from No. 26 and Adhigh. Then, he crossed the sea while severely injured. No wonder he dislikes it.

“There’s lots of delicious food in the ocean. Both babies and adults like it.”

“Food?”

“Yes. Breaking and eating hard food is delicious, and eating small, swarming food all at once is delicious too!”

“Food” “Hunting” “Like”

Adhigh, who had been showing reluctance, showed interest when the topic of unfamiliar prey came up.

“Strong” “Prey” “Hunt” “For big one”

[Me?]

“Gift”

Adhigh said that while lightly brushing my carapace with the tip of his tail.

He originally likes hunting. It seems he’s looking forward to fighting new prey.

“I’ll give a gift to big one too!”

No. 26 sent an energetic wave and jumped onto my head.

“I’ll give you the most delicious food.”

[Thank you]

“Yes!”

“I” “Biggest” “Prey” “Gift” “Big prey” “Tastes” “Good”

[Adhigh, thank you too]

“Little one doesn’t like the ocean, so it’s okay.”

“Small one” “Teaching” “Promised”

“Little one is smart, so he’ll do well on his own.”

“Actually” “Study” “Unnecessary” “I” “Got stronger” “Alone” “Hunting” “Possible”

[Huh?]

“Food runs away well. No matter how strong you are, you can’t find them.”

“I” “Speed” “Fast” “Can’t” “Escape”

“Even if you’re fast, it’s useless if they hide. Food hides very well.”

“Deny” “I” “Search” “Hunt” “All” “Good at”

[Wait a moment?]

The flow of the conversation is somewhat strange. Although no particular emotions are felt from their thought waves and wavelengths, the content is subtly aggressive.

‘Is it because they’re bored?’

That could be it. Since meeting me until coming here, they’ve been confined in this cramped ship. They haven’t been able to hunt properly, let alone eat properly.

Neither Sea Demon nor Red Gallergorn would have problems even if they starved for months, but the stress from hunger is unavoidable.

‘We’ll have to find something to eat when we go down.’

That should improve their mood.

[We’ll be going down soon. Please be patient a little longer even if you’re bored]

“Okay.”

“Understood”

I stroked the two who were showing sharp reactions, and they immediately calmed down as if nothing had happened.

“By the way, is it okay to enter water with that body?”

At that moment, Isabelle’s voice was heard from outside.

“Even if the body is fine, the wings seem too thin.”

“It’s fine. Thanks to continuous improvements, the durability of the wings is 71% of the outer armor. Activities in the deep sea are also not a problem.”

“That’s good then.”

The Screamer sisters entered the hangar, having a friendly conversation.

“AMorph. The ship will arrive at the designated destination in 10 minutes.”

PS-111 left the bridge and switched the ship’s status to automatic navigation mode. Until we reach the water facility on Nox, the crew under my control will assist the ship’s computer in operation.

In the meantime, we plan to disappear from this ship.

“How long until atmospheric entry?”

“7 minutes left.”

Exactly 7 minutes later, as he said, the ship entered Nox’s atmosphere.

The hangar door opened, and hot, humid air invaded the ship.

A beautiful landscape of white clouds and blue sea came into view. There was no brown or green land to be seen.

[Let’s go]

Towards that place, more deserving of the nickname “bluer than Earth,” I jumped out with everyone.

–

Beep

“Hm?”

A man who was about to grab a snack from a bag paused at the unfamiliar sound. He roughly dusted off the crumbs on his hands and operated a terminal connected to the computer.

“A meteorite?”

The submarine the man was aboard detected an unidentified shock wave that occurred on the water’s surface.

While the man was checking the detection system, his colleague approached with coffee.

“What’s wrong?”

“A slight shock wave just occurred at these coordinates. Was there any mention of meteorites falling today?”

“Could it be lightning?”

“Tsk, no. The wave pattern is completely different.”

The two looked at the computer screen together. No movement was detected at the point where the shock wave occurred.

“I guess we need to go check it out directly.”

“Tsk, I suppose so?”

The surveillance submarine they’re aboard belongs to a deep-sea base located deep in the ocean. Their mission is to report to the base when someone enters the planet, whether they’re human or not.

“Let’s go then.”

The surveillance submarine quickly moved to the coordinates.

After about ten minutes, they reached the location where the anomaly occurred.

“Anything showing up?”

“Nothing at all. Life form reactions, micro energy waves, vibrations, temperature, I’ve checked everything, but nothing’s coming up.”

The submarine they’re in is equipped with high-performance detection equipment. Despite running the equipment multiple times, nothing was caught.

“This is strange. Why is this point showing as a blank?”

“A blank?”

“Look. This area is completely erased.”

“Hmm, you’re right.”

“This won’t do. We need to see this with our own eyes.”

“Alright.”

The man’s colleague operated the control device to launch an exploration flare.

A small sun appeared outside the reinforced glass protected by a shield. In the deep sea, a flare emitting tremendous light slowly moved downward.

As the darkness was lifted by the light, the part that appeared as a blank on the detection system came into their view.

“Is that it?”

“Looks like a small hill.”

A small hill was protruding from the bottom of the deep sea, made of solid ice.

About 20m in height? Perhaps there’s a hole where hot water comes out nearby, as the entire hill was covered by something like black steam.

“There’s nothing particularly strange, maybe it’s a device error.”

“When was the last time we had maintenance?”

“It is time for an inspection. Let’s head back.”

Despite circling around the hill several times, they couldn’t find anything unusual. The submarine turned around to return to the base.

That’s why they didn’t see it.

The hill, hidden by black steam, moved very quietly.