On an Ice Satellite(14)
We discovered an orbital vehicle and immediately began clearing the piled-up snow. On the surface, the snow seemed packed enough to have turned into solid ice, which was concerning. Fortunately, it had not been long since the snow had fallen, so it easily broke apart as I brushed it away.
"... It's a bit old."
This was the broker's impression as she looked at the fully revealed orbital vehicle, unveiled through our collective effort.
"There's no need to sugarcoat it. We know it's more than just a little old. How good could something used in the mining base really be? It's a place where anything that moves is used."
It seemed even more like junk since the last time I had seen it, probably because the dust stuck on the surface had been swept away along with the snow.
Even though I doubted whether it would work properly, this orbital vehicle had saved our lives before. I had no reason to doubt it would do the same this time. I was certain of that part.
"Well, at least the cockpit has a working heater... yes, the heater works."
"And the cargo hold?"
"It doesn't work in there. It doesn't look like it would anyway."
"... That's true. Then Hyun-woo and I should take the cockpit-"
"No need to worry about the cold."
Nadia interrupted the broker's words. She argued that the cargo hold would be even better for insulation and mentioned she had a solution.
"I checked out the security robots' upper body while riding with Carry. There's a heating device in there. The core part is still intact, so we can generate enough heat if we get it working."
"So, Woof-woof, are you suggesting I ride in the cargo hold then?"
"Yes, Hyun-woo and I will take the cockpit. Besides, the cargo hold is more spacious! You'll like it."
I couldn't disagree with her saying it's spacious, but I couldn't agree that the broker would like it. So what if it's spacious? The cargo hold isn't designed for humans to ride in. She wasn't going to like it.
"..."
The broker looked a bit dumbfounded. Always wearing her disruption mask, today was the first time I'd seen her face without it. I was surprised that she could show a variety of expressions–I always thought she would have a cold demeanor.
While the broker interacted with the beaming Nadia, I opened up the cargo hold to let people rest sooner. The gathered crowd quickly started entering the cargo hold as if they'd been waiting for it.
There was interest in the cockpit with its working heater, but the state of the cockpit quickly discouraged those interested.
A worn-out worker suit plastered over the broken windows, rusty doors, narrow seats, and gruesome dried bloodstains left from the fierce battles Hyun-woo, and I had barely escaped. It all vividly captured the dire situation we faced back then.
These people had just fought off monsters themselves and were now sick of seeing bloodstains. So, they opted for the cargo hold, which was marginally better sans dust.
"Let's get in as well. Stop bickering, and I don't have to be in the cockpit necessarily. You two can take the seats instead."
The vehicle's system could drive it without any difficulty. Even though we had lost connection with the base, the Titan map data was independently loaded into the system.
"..."
"..."
The broker and Nadia exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. Inside the cargo hold, everyone sat in a circle as if they had been instructed to do so.
"Take a seat. We have things to discuss."
It seemed Eric had organized it. I calmed the broker, who seemed ready to protest, and then sat down with Nadia. Doors could be operated from inside the cargo hold, so we closed them to stop the cold wind from coming in.
The sound of grinding filled the air as the thick doors gradually shut, the wind seeping in finally coming to a halt.
"So, what's there to discuss?"
"We need to decide where to go. If anyone has an opinion, please share it without hesitation."
Eric's rumbling voice had a peculiar force, compelling those around him to silence.
Despite Eric asking for opinions, no one answered. A tense and uncomfortable silence filled the air, as if no one knew what to do.
I whispered to the broker while cautiously observing the mood.
"Do you know of any secret bunkers? I saw in a movie once; they have places like that."
"Ugh...!"
The broker straightened up, startled by the vibration in her ear. She glared daggers at me, sighed, and then shook her head.
"No, I mean, there are some, but the pureblood supremacists would have already taken them over. Even if the information is locked, anyone with the right clearance can access it. A minimum supervisor level is required, but that's hardly an obstacle for them."
The broker's gaze shifted to Celestia's bracelet, which emitted a red light symbolizing blood. It was a bracelet only worn by those occupying a position equivalent to nobility, a status that didn't truly exist.
You couldn't just acquire one with wealth alone, and trying to fake it haphazardly could lead to a hellish experience in more ways than one.
"What about heading for the base?" a nameless survivor cautiously suggested.
'By base, they probably mean the mining base, Heaven.'
With the residential area overrun with grotesque monsters and all but hopeless, moving to the secured mining base seemed logical. Assuming it was in a better state than the residential area, it was a reasonable suggestion.
"That's not possible."
"Why? Is there anywhere as safe as that?"
"Nadia and I came from the base to the residential area using this orbital vehicle."
"What does that have to... oh."
The man finally understood my words and looked at me with a look of disbelief. Though I didn't elaborate further, he seemed to realize the catastrophe was not exclusive to the residential area, but had enveloped all of Titan.
"The base has fallen? That can't be... There were so many robots there! The military base must be destroyed too..."
"Doesn't that mean there's nowhere else to go? Isn't it all over...?"
"Still no communication... Just noise like it's jammed. We're isolated here. Completely trapped!"
Each murmur echoed around the space, contributing to the already heavy atmosphere.
In this suffocating scenario where despair even overwhelmed the air, only Roxy appeared unfazed. He sprawled out on the floor, staring up at the ceiling as though none of this concerned him. Apparently, the cold floor didn't bother him either.
'Military base...'
Honestly, it wasn't a bad idea as the next destination. It should have plenty of weapons to combat the monsters, and the base itself would be heavily fortified.
Though it was likely also infested with monsters, securing proper weapons would make the risk worthwhile. Tools are consumable; obtaining extras was essential.
Yet heading to the military base was impossible at the moment. The major issue was the orbital vehicle couldn't reach there.
'Although the broker and the lady have the authority, which isn't an obstacle.'
Everything else was problematic—the distance, the terrain. Confirming through the display the broker shared via short-range communication, the military base was situated in inaccessible terrain only reachable by shuttle.
Conversations died down before long as nobody knew the answer, leaving a newfound silence.
Once opinions began to flow, there were plenty. Arguments ranged from waiting for rescuers, questioning food supplies, and wondering if they could send someone to procure supplies from a store.
All discussions eventually ended in resigned sighs. However, the problem was that while the proposals weren't necessarily wrong, they weren't feasible.
Though Titan was known as a failed satellite, it is rich in blue crystal deposits and under Earth's government surveillance. In theory, pureblood supremacists shouldn't have places to carry out bombings here.
But contrary to such thoughts, Titan was already devastated. The relentless pureblood supremacists severed all connections to the residential area, leaving Heaven in a similar state.
Something was disrupting communications. The broker's shuttle orbiting above lost signal during reentry into the atmosphere. As murmured earlier, we're trapped on Titan. More accurately, Titan itself was quarantined by the pureblood supremacists.
No one knew what the answer was. Silence returned and wrapped around everyone, the atmosphere interrupted only by Nadia's tiny sneeze. She snuffled her nose while lightly tapping Carry.
When it opened the transport box, she placed the upper body of the security robot in the center of the cargo hold and began tinkering with tools from her belt bag.
While I knew what Nadia was doing, others who didn't understand just stared at her. It was only brief, for their expressions soon switched to surprise as warmth began emanating from the center.
The icy atmosphere lifted slightly when Celestia, who had remained silent until then, began to speak.
"There is an unfinished colony."
"Another colony? Another residential area?"
"Yes, one you're familiar with. It's the starting point of past riots that engulfed Titan; a versatile base that, despite being the first built on this ice satellite, was never completed."
"... But I've heard it's completely collapsed, though."
The broker voiced disbelief. I knew at least that much: there was initially civil unrest when SSTC halted terraforming, leading people to revolt.
It was no secret; everyone was aware of this. But this tale of it collapsing was new to me.
Could it be that the residential area where we stayed wasn't the completed version of the discussed colony after all? I had always assumed it was a continuation after the insurrection was quelled.
It didn't seem that only I was in the dark; others were also filled with uncertainty as they remained silent.
"As is generally known, the facilities were thought to have been destroyed due to excessive suppression."
"I heard differently. The facilities collapsed due to explosives planted by the organizers, not because of the suppression."
"That narrative minimizes the image damage. Information can be manipulated, just like how it's said the colony didn't actually collapse. Oh, it doesn't mean you're wrong. It's just a matter of perspective."
"..."
The broker fell silent. She seemed to take quite a hit to her pride. As a broker, she almost always had the information advantage, so this occurrence seemed to scratch at her.
With all eyes on her, Celestia met each person's gaze before continuing.
"I understand it might be hard to believe someone wearing a pureblood supremacist symbol like me. I'm not asking you to trust me. But I swear on my family, I am not your enemy."
She spoke of cooperation as essential for survival. As if to back her claim, a security code pattern hovered midair when Celestia manipulated her bracelet.
The pattern resembled a flower and had quite an impact; the broker took a sharp breath.
"Myosotis. With a name like that, the information ought to be trustworthy, right?"
The assurance implied confidence in the receiver's understanding, though it was unfamiliar to me. Yet it had a tinge of familiarity, one I couldn't place. Failing to grasp the memory, I turned to the broker for an explanation.
"Is it some big deal?"
"... Do we have to talk about this now? And wait, how do you not know Myosotis with all your Earthly interests?"
The broker seemed taken aback, casting me a look as if I were ignorant. Nadia seemed just as lost, but why was I the only one getting that look?
I felt a bit aggrieved.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------= 【(⩌_⩌ )】
We still don't know the broker's name...
Myosotis(미오소티스/Forget Me Not) - Historically, Myosotis symbolize remembrance (not much of a surprise there)―not only associated with love, but for those we've lost. They also symbolize protection and luck, and it's believed that they have the power to protect humans against witches.