Ch.452Secret Base (5)

“AMorph? What’s wrong?”

I snapped out of my daze when I heard Isabelle’s voice.

“Is something the matter?”

“…That Kisaragi Yujin person, is he possibly a ranker?”

They both seemed confused as I stared blankly at the hologram.

I shook my head in denial.

“No. I was just surprised to see a familiar name after so long.”

I was momentarily surprised because I didn’t expect to see it in Egerton’s secret base.

“Kisaragi Yujin. Earth-born Noble Capital and an authority in genetic design. Has experience participating in projects related to Hulk Mutants and artificial organism creation.”

“You know someone like this? How?”

Come to think of it, they don’t know about my past.

‘I guess there’s no need to hide it.’

At this point, the likelihood of the Mutant Screamer sisters becoming hostile and leaving me is extremely low. It should be fine to talk about what I’ve experienced.

I briefly explained what happened. Waking up as a Hatchling on a Megacorp spaceship, meeting No. 26 there, Kisaragi Yujin’s death, and the battle with the Space Dog pack and Siheyon Yujin.

I didn’t mention what happened afterward since it wasn’t relevant to the current situation. There would be plenty of opportunities to talk about it later.

“I expected you’d eaten people, but to think you ate a Noble Capital as a Hatchling…”

Isabelle shook her head in disbelief after hearing my story.

“As expected, I should say. Remarkable adaptability.”

“The tactic of exploiting the weaknesses of androids and AI is quite interesting. I request a detailed explanation.”

“I’ll tell you about that later. Right now, I’d like to check the experiment records, if that’s okay.”

“Understood.”

PS-111 blinked its camera-lensed eyes to express disappointment but didn’t press further.

As it operated the computer, the text-filled hologram was replaced by experimental footage.

“I am Kisaragi Yujin, about to present my ‘Research on Triggering Radical Evolution through Extraction of Genetic Mutation Potential in Marine Organisms.'”

Though the video quality was poor due to noise, I could recognize the woman’s face. A neurotic-looking beauty, Kisaragi Yujin.

‘The background looks familiar?’

As she continued speaking in a businesslike manner, I realized I’d seen this space before.

‘It’s the room I saw when I ate the pet cat.’

Given the quality and content, this video was likely sent from the spaceship where I first woke up. Since she was experimenting with bubble amoebas, it must have been around the time I met No. 26.

“Currently, I am using the primitive marine organism bubble amoeba as a specimen to promote radical evolution…”

The video then displayed numerous graphs and figures that appeared and disappeared in succession. All were results of experiments on bubble amoebas. No. 26 was probably included among them.

“As you can see, only specimen No. 26 showed significant results among all experimental outcomes. Therefore, additional research was conducted solely on this specimen.”

“Does specimen No. 26 refer to the main controller?”

“Probably. The container it was trapped in was labeled No. 26.”

“I wondered why it was called No. 26, so that’s why? Couldn’t they have given it a better name?”

Honestly, back then I didn’t think things would turn out this way. I saved it because I judged it would benefit my survival. I even considered eating it at one point.

As a result, I missed the timing to change what I called it.

‘…It would be awkward to change it now.’

I glanced at No. 26. The subject of our conversation was sleeping, feeling the heat from the storage unit.

The name ‘No. 26’ contains all the experiences we’ve been through. Is that why? Honestly, I don’t want to get rid of it.

‘It’s just my selfishness in the end.’

It’s not something worth mentioning out loud. So I didn’t counter Isabelle’s comment.

“……”

She looked at me briefly before turning her attention back to the hologram.

“As shown, specimen No. 26 has demonstrated ‘remarkable progress,’ but unfortunately, our research team lacks sufficient experimental specimens. More time is needed to produce additional results…”

Meanwhile, the video was nearing its end.

‘That ended rather anticlimactically.’

I expected important information when I heard a familiar name in an unfamiliar place, but this was unexpected.

‘Is it because the research was interrupted when I ate her?’

That could be it. If I hadn’t been there, they might have sent No. 26 here for further research.

Just then, something strange came from Kisaragi Yujin’s mouth.

“However, based on the research results so far, specimen No. 26 aligns with the concept of ‘anomalous superior species PS model’ set by your research team.”

‘Huh?’

“It matches the PS model in terms of unusual reactions to Psyonium, abnormal growth curve, and excellent environmental adaptability. For accurate comparison, I propose joint research with Egerton’s research team…”

The video ended shortly after.

I thought it would end without anything significant, but an unsettling term appeared at the end. I called out to PS-111.

“Search for anomalous superior species or PS model in the records stored here.”

“Already searching.”

“PS? Do you think it’s related to my sister?”

“Probably.”

The term ‘anomalous superior species PS model’ mentioned in the video. It must refer to Penelope, PS-111’s original.

‘This laboratory participated in Screamer development.’

Now I understand why they hid it deep under the sea on a resort planet. Who would imagine a facility creating Screamers from ranker clones in a place like this?

I only came here because several conditions coincidentally aligned. Otherwise, I would never have found it.

‘Anyway, that aside.’

An unexpected term appeared in this video.

‘Anomalous superior species.’

Despite raiding various laboratories and databases, I’ve never seen this term before.

‘It seems to be what researchers in this world call ranker clones.’

What’s surprising is that they also called No. 26 an anomalous superior species, not just rankers.

‘Could it be because of the Sea Demon genes?’

PS-111’s body contains a small amount of Sea Demon genes. That’s why No. 26 calls it a friend.

Kisaragi Yujin might have discovered this fact during her research and misunderstood.

‘Or is there something I don’t know?’

I don’t know the source of its uniqueness either.

At first, I thought it was a bubble amoeba with the potential to grow into a Sea Demon. And it was.

But looking at No. 26 now, it’s very different from ordinary Sea Demons. It’s much smarter and stronger. Above all, it continues to grow beyond the limits of its species.

Just like a player.

“Found it. A total of 32 records discovered.”

As I was thinking about the new term and No. 26, PS-111 spoke up.

The hologram full of letters and numbers disappeared, replaced by dozens of listings.

Seeing this, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

“However, there’s a problem. All these records have been deleted.”

As it said, only the experiment titles and dates remained. Unlike Kisaragi Yujin’s records, these were marked in red, indicating they couldn’t be accessed.

“Is there any way to recover them?”

“The records were deleted by physical means. Recovery is impossible.”

‘Damn.’

Though its tone was flat as usual, I could sense a slight disappointment.

PS-111 was the one who suggested coming here. We came to find the secrets left by Pyrrha Eleven, only to end up like this.

‘No, it’s too early to give up.’

There’s a high probability that clues might be mentioned in the middle of videos, like in Kisaragi Yujin’s recording.

I shared my thoughts with it.

“That possibility certainly can’t be ruled out. I’ll check.”

“It’ll take a lot of time for my sister to check everything alone. I’ll help too.”

Even for PS-111, it would take time to go through all the records. Before helping it with Isabelle, I had something else to do first.

“Where are the samples stored?”

“There’s a freezer at the end of C-line. Given that it’s still operating despite the facility’s closure, I presume it’s where genetic samples are stored.”

“Got it. I’ll handle the samples first, then help you.”

“I appreciate both of your dedication.”

Leaving PS-111 expressing its gratitude, I exited the computer room.

‘This is F-line, so if I go left, I should reach it.’

I moved straight in the opposite direction from where we came. Shortly after entering the corridor marked C, I saw an unsealed door.

Opening it, cool air greeted the outsider.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen this sight.’

Test tubes containing biological body parts and gene sample storage containers filled with coldness. All things I love.

I smiled in front of this feast that would fatten up AMorph.

–

In the middle of space, shrouded in darkness due to the absence of stars.

It’s a space like a gap between star systems. A place where only spacecraft driven by sentient beings occasionally pass through.

But the five beings currently in this empty space were not spacecraft.

“Grrrr. The wait is long.”

A red monster resembling a giant cockroach about 100m in size emitted a wavelength. A black bat-like monster beside it responded.

“Mother has commanded. Wait. We must obey.”

“Kruk! I am strong. No need to wait.”

“We agree.”

When the red monster expressed irritation, a white, semi-transparent monster quietly indicated agreement.

Meanwhile, a blue-yellow jellyfish monster watching the conversation of the three monsters expressed opposition.

“The Empress has spoken. There are many variables. We must protect the ‘Great Queen’s’ safety.”

The four monsters present are all creations of a powerful being called the ‘Empress.’

Though they differ in appearance, abilities, and personality, they share one common trait: high intelligence, autonomy, and immense power.

Their reason for existence is singular: to serve the Empress’s precious companion, the ‘Great Queen.’

However, due to their high intelligence, they sometimes disagree on how to achieve their goal, as they do now.

The red monster, growling at its siblings with different opinions, turned its gaze elsewhere.

Where the red monster’s eyes were directed, there was a unique being.

This being had a much smaller body compared to the four monsters. Its appearance seemed based on a beautiful human woman mixed with features of various creatures.

“Grrrr. Great Queen. What do you think?”

That being with an appearance that blurs the line between human and monster is the Outspacer Great Queen.

“……”

The Great Queen, possessing both immense power and beauty, was looking at a terminal screen with a bored expression.

“Great Queen?”

“Tsk. This drama is boring too.”

She clicked her tongue softly and tossed away the terminal.

“So. What were we talking about?”

“We must obey Mother’s command.”

“We deny.”

“The Empress has spoken. Move cautiously.”

“Grrrr. Ignore cowards’ opinions. Attack now.”

“Alright. I get it, so stop.”

The Great Queen raised her hand to quiet the monsters and pondered while floating in the quiet space.

“How many Gigacrackers are there?”

“Kruk. Unpleasant steel. There were two.”

“Well, I can handle up to three ships alone, so reinforcements don’t matter. Isn’t it fine to proceed?”

As she seemed to side with the red monster, the blue-yellow jellyfish monster hastily emitted a wavelength.

“I respect the Great Queen’s decision. But careful judgment is needed.”

“I’ve thought about it before deciding. With so many places to conquer, how long will we stay here? The sooner we finish, the more helpful it is to him—I mean, the Empress.”

“The uncertainty the Empress worries about remains unresolved.”

“That uncertainty is just a few parasites dying. They’ll all recover in a day anyway.”

“I request reconsideration. The Empress’s will…”

“Ah, so noisy.”

Her patience ran out as the other kept objecting. When the Great Queen’s eyes glowed pitch black, not only the blue-yellow monster but all other entities shrieked and cowered.

“My will is the Empress’s will. Do I need to explain again?”

“Great Queen is Mother’s lover. We will follow.”

“We follow.”

“Grrrr. Great Queen is strong. Obey the strong.”

“I’ll wait one more day, and if she doesn’t say anything, we’ll move. Understood?”

“…We follow the Great Queen.”

After subduing the monsters, she gazed into the dark space.

Beyond the thick curtain of darkness lies the prey the monsters are targeting.

Humans call that star system NEO-3.

“We’ve already done reconnaissance once. Could anything have changed since then?”

She believed without doubt that NEO-3 would become just another conquest among the many territories visited by the legion.