Chapter 30. New Beginning (1)
【Current energy storage system activated. Backup power is being supplied to the facility.】
Celestia stood before the authentication panel upon seeing the message indicating that the emergency system had been activated.
The first generation colony, 「Town」.
Although the facility itself was quite outdated, given it was built decades ago, expecting more than this in the current situation would have been a luxury—no, it would have been a thoughtless act.
This was the only place where one could escape the harsh external environment and where there were no monsters.
While Celestia could have remained still without anyone questioning her actions, she acted personally to pass the facility's security authentication. Though not entirely owned by Myosotis, the facility incorporated Myosotis's technology, granting Celestia the necessary authority.
We stood a step behind, waiting for her to activate the facility.
"Ah."
Celestia placed her hand on the panel to authenticate but paused, then unexpectedly turned to me with an offer. She asked if I wanted to try placing my hand on it.
"Would you like to try?"
"Authenticate?"
"Yes."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"... Isn't that something only Myosotis or affiliated persons can do? I'm just...."
I trailed off, raising my bracelet—a gray one denoting a low-level laborer. Unlike Celestia's bracelet, mine was quite plain.
Even though a broker had set it up this way, it was a secret known only to a select few. To others, I appeared to be just a common low-level laborer.
Yet, she did not relent. Although it was a suggestion, she showed no sign of backing down until I moved.
"It's not about the bracelet reacting; it's something specific—no, never mind. Just give it a try. I'm curious about something personal."
"Alright, then."
It was not a difficult task, just putting my hand on the panel. Hesitating over such a simple task seemed odd, so I reached for the panel before Celestia.
The first thing I felt was the unique chill of the icy satellite. I squinted my eyes at the cold seeping through my gloves, albeit only for a moment, before the message on the panel changed.
【Authenticating...】
【Authenticating...】
Was it due to age? The loading time was quite lengthy. Though I knew it would fail, the people watching made me inexplicably nervous.
【Authentication failed. No authorization exists.】
"It didn't work."
I gave an awkward smile that seemed to say, "See?"
Celestia stared at me fixedly. Her gaze, with those blue eyes akin to the sky, felt so persistent it was burdensome.
"I'm going to wear my face out. I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"
"... No, it's nothing like that. It's okay. I just wanted to confirm something."
Though Celestia didn't explain what she wanted to confirm, she placed her hand on the panel immediately after. The message indicating a successful authentication appeared instantly, unlike when I tried.
The energy started at the gate and spread throughout the facility, accompanied by a slight tremor that felt like awakening from sleep. The surroundings, which we had barely illuminated with flashlights, gradually began to brighten.
As energy was supplied to the colony, the lights were turning on sequentially.
"Wow...."
I had thought it was just old, but the moment the lights came on, the base created a decent atmosphere.
"It might be a good idea to step back for a moment. We're about to activate the expansion module."
"Expansion module?"
"Yes, it's to create a bridge to the other side."
"The fact that it still works...."
"Data-wise, there's no major issue. Though it might creak since it hasn't been maintained."
The expansion module. Generally, facilities in the form of a base, like the residential area, do not remain their initial size. They continue to expand to accommodate a larger number of people and to secure space for additional facilities.
The medium-sized mining base, Heaven, originally started small. Due to a series of expansion projects, it became medium-sized.
We didn't wait inside the colony. Because the ceiling was lined with human-sized icicles, a single mistake could cause significant injuries.
Before activating the module, we first synchronized our bracelets with the base. This was to control the panel remotely. It was a necessary process to utilize various facilities, including communication and to record life signals.
Soon, under Celestia's control, the colony began to shake. The rumbling sound and the shaking floor could easily be mistaken for an earthquake.
Knowing that it was not an earthquake, but rather vibrations caused by metallic plates, part of the expansion module installed on the floor moving, we didn't panic or look around frantically.
Creak- creak... Just as the unpleasant sound of metal scraping was briefly heard, the ice formed on the base shattered and filled the adjacent area with its sound.
"It's intense."
"Yeah, we could have gotten hurt if we were inside."
Nadia agreed with me, sticking close. She seemed to think the hard work was over as she grinned at me, subtly wagging her tail away from Celestia.
"Though it's working, the energy isn't being delivered adequately, so completing the task might take some time."
"Oh, then I'll let the broker—or the others—know."
There probably weren't many who knew that woman was a broker. Although she might have revealed it while in the freight car, it wasn't certain, so I changed my words mid-sentence.
I glanced at Nadia with eyes asking if the broker had revealed her identity, but she merely tilted her head with innocent eyes as if knowing nothing.
Realizing she probably hadn't understood, I just operated my bracelet to call the broker. Thanks to the base connection, the communication range was slightly extended.
"The colony's activation is complete. We're making a temporary bridge with the expansion module, so please wait a bit longer."
- You succeeded. Are you hurt?
"What? Are you caring for me?"
- What kind of reaction is that?
"Thanks for worrying. I'm not hurt."
I hurriedly continued, noticing the broker squinting her eyes sharply, causing me to flinch.
"Anyway, bring the orbital vehicle now. But can you drive it? The terrain is pretty rough and changing, so automatic driving might be challenging."
- Don't worry. Roxy can drive it.
"... Him? Tsk... I don't think that's a good idea. What if he finds it boring to drive normally and shows up with one wheel lifted?"
- What?
Though I said it seriously, the broker laughed as if I had made a joke. She concluded the conversation with a promise to see me soon, chuckling.
"...."
"...."
Nadia and I looked at each other and shrugged simultaneously. We thought we'd done enough.
The expansion module had already covered the crevasse. The work was nearly complete while we were communicating. As the darkness gradually faded, it felt reassuring.
The floor where we stood was now made of metal plates, not ice. The metal plates, consisting of multiple layers, unfolded, emitting a hollow sound with each step.
As Nadia watched the orbital vehicle moving slowly, its front lights beaming brightly, she spoke, addressing Roxy and the broker at the driver's seat.
"Hyun-woo, I just thought of something. Shouldn't we be getting our money back?"
"What? What are you talking about?"
Though she laughed it off, deciding my words had some merit, Nadia was watching the broker, who was monitoring Roxy, with a slightly delayed reaction.
"Yeah, because we couldn't board the shuttle. She should refund us!"
"Well, um...."
From a theoretical standpoint, Nadia was right. We didn't board the Earth-bound shuttle, nor did we receive the identity for use on Earth. The money didn't justify itself.
5,500,000 Credits. When including Nadia's ticket, it approached 6,000,000 Credits. It was a hefty sum that would take over three years to save again.
However, speaking to the broker about it directly presented significant challenges. Life doesn't operate that easily.
"No, there's no need for that. Regarding the credits—no, the broker is trustworthy."
Even without our saying it, she would already be aware. In her way, she would compensate us. She was that kind of person.
When I asked Nadia to trust me and wait regarding those matters, she pouted. I patted her shoulder to keep her from pouting further.
Grrr—
The sound of ice being shaved along the tracks filled the air. The orbital vehicle was just crossing the bridge. Now disembarking from the freight car, people gazed at the illuminated colony with intense relief.
Among them was the broker.
"Hyun-woo, have you gone inside?"
"Just to the entrance. I'm sure there are no monsters, but don't expect too much. Though the lights make it seem okay, the inside will be completely wrecked."
"As long as I can escape this cold, that would suffice. A bed, a decent meal, clean water, and, ah... the most important, a shower facility."
Though she said she'd be satisfied with just escaping the cold, her desires grew towards the end. It was amusing. Watching her with those thoughts, the broker cleared her throat awkwardly. Seeing her ears redden slightly, she might've felt embarrassed too.
"Well. Why not. Wishing isn't a bad thing. What I just mentioned were just wishful thoughts. I'm not that naive, you know? It's just, it would be nice to have~ kind of thing."
"Do you realize your excuses make you sound more suspicious?"
"...."
The broker shut her mouth tight. While she fell into silence, Celestia and Eric were directing people into the colony.
With the orbital vehicle at the forefront, they crossed with high anticipation but froze with their expressions unchanged. The reason was straightforward. The sight didn't meet, it fell far short of their expectations.
Partial formations of shattered icicles were everywhere, with buildings reduced to mere frames. Moreover, the unstable and flickering lights due to insufficient energy supply created a desolate ambiance.
It was evidence of being neglected for decades. It wouldn't be surprising if ghosts appeared rather than monsters.
Parting through the speechless crowd, Celestia addressed them.
"Everyone seems quite disappointed. This is pretty good, considering the circumstances. This colony, 「Town」, was never even close to being complete."
"While that's true...."
"We don't know when rescue will arrive. It'll take considerable time to repair this place."
"... Not knowing when we'll be rescued. Didn't you say they're coming immediately?"
"The communication must be restored to request rescue."
With only minimal equipment brought down, there wasn't much to do other than rest. We wouldn't be tending to the colony or anything until we'd recovered from injuries, according to Celestia.
"So for now, just rest. We'll discuss more details afterward. Oh, make sure to sync your bracelets with the base before going to sleep. We'll need to be ready in case of any incidents."
With her stance suggesting no room for objections, people grumbled briefly before resigning with sighs, following obediently. They must also have judged there were no alternatives.
Beyond this, their conditions were wretched. Their ability to persevere was due to the tension holding them together. Once it dissipated, they might collapse as if fainting, much like Nadia and I did when we finally reached the residential area.
"I wonder if it's alright to sleep like this."
"It might be our last comfortable night."
Eric responded to my mutterings, following it up with:
"We confirmed the spread of monsters. Although the nearby mining base might delay their arrival here, we can't be sure given we don't understand their characteristics yet. They might be knocking on the base's doors as early as tomorrow."
"That is true, but...."
Awareness breeds anxiety. Despite knowing haste is waste, the inability to calm arises from the desperate yearning to escape this icy nightmare.
"Go up to the second floor. Until we find a way to supply energy steadily, we'll focus the remaining energy there."
While it only supported a minimal life-support system, we could take off our suffocating masks. Though we could use different floors or rooms, they felt barely different from the outside and risked freezing. It was advisable to remain on the second floor.
Entering the building that was, relatively speaking, closest to completion, we took off the respiratory protection gear we had been wearing. The chilling air swiftly cooled our heated skin. Inside this building, the air purification system worked appropriately.
"I guess fresh water is out of the question."
Well aware it wasn't in usable condition, the broker persisted in checking if water came out of the plumbing fixtures. Despite her efforts, not a drop of water emerged, leaving her turning away in frustration.
Given time, the heat generated from the building might melt enough ice to use, but it wasn't yet possible. There was no store to purchase goods. Even if there were, its functionality would be questionable.
I considered calling the broker for an unfinished conversation before sleep but decided against it. She didn't seem to be in a good mood. She also appeared quite exhausted.
Resigned, I entered any vacant room and sat in a place that seemed slightly less cold. As I hadn't explicitly told Nadia otherwise, she trailed me closely and settled beside me. Naturally, Carry boldly took a place as well.
Lacking the energy to tell them to find another room, I stayed put and slowly blinked my eyes. Regardless of the discomfort, my consciousness swiftly submerged into the depths of sleep.
Fortunately, nothing happened that night.
***
In a dimly lit room where the light flickered unpredictably, a woman sat by a terribly dust-covered window, staring blankly into the sky.
The woman with eyes that held the blue sky was Celestia.
"Celestia, wasn't it him you were looking for?"
"... No. That man wasn't him."
The man in the conversation between Eric and Celestia referred to none other than Hyun-woo.
Celestia Myosotis had descended onto this ice satellite, with nothing but a blue crystal deposit, driven by the purpose of finding her lost family.
Since that nightmare of a day, unlike her other family members whom she could never see again, she believed her brother was still alive. Indeed, she had acquired information affirming he was alive.
Celestia's involvement with the pureblood supremacist movement was entirely of her will. They had approached her, claiming knowledge of her brother's whereabouts.
Yet, Celestia did not consider herself a supremacist. She participated solely out of necessity, nothing more. It was only a means to an end—to find her kin, nothing more, nothing less.
"Any updates from them?"
"Of course, they've been contacting nonstop, asking if you've betrayed them."
"Hmph. They betrayed me first. They didn't inform me of these actions. What are the government's movements?"
"The last communication indicated they haven't moved yet. No, it should be that they can't move. It appears the supremacists have sealed off the satellite. Entirely."
Eric manipulated his bracelet's hologram to display this information to Celestia. With nothing positive in the news, she sighed deeply.
"Infiltrating even the government. I've known they're fanatics... Eric, will installing communication modules breach their blockade?"
"We have to try. If that fails, we'll have to find and destroy whatever is jamming the communication."
"... This is making my head hurt."
"It could be due to the influence of raw blue crystal. Until you get used to it, headaches and feverish symptoms may persist. Please rest. I'll have a final look around."
By now, the support from Earth's government and Myosotis should have arrived. Their delay implied the issue was beyond merely a supremacist terror act.
There were many more forces at play than she imagined, intertwining complexly. On an ice satellite, barely larger than the moon.
"... I will find you. I came here for that purpose and have lived thus far because of it."
Celestia vowed while gazing at the hazy sky. Within her blue eyes, the massive Saturn lay encapsulated.
A vast ringed planet that exuded a gloomy atmosphere, contrary to her hope.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
The story is progressing steadily.
【ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌ )】