New Beginning (3)
The noise in the morning filled the surroundings. People, who hadn't slept long but managed to shift from death-like exhaustion to bearable fatigue, bustled around the first-generation colony, 「Town」, estimating work costs.
I didn't know what had happened overnight, but efforts were being made to make this place livable somehow.
The first-generation colony was designed with both mining and residential areas together. At that time, it was considered more efficient, but after some incidents, there was a shift to build them with some distance in between.
After the incident, tools were secured with safety locks to prevent residents from causing trouble. The mining base's thorough collection of various tools under the guise of asset protection is also related.
The town's mining area consisted of a single deep shaft, which was left sealed for now.
No one knew where it led or how far it stretched. Although the ground here was relatively solid, it was a place that had been left abandoned with a hole for decades. It wouldn't be strange if it suddenly collapsed, so entering without caution would not be a wise decision.
A broker emerged from the building and approached me as I stood idly. Having just washed up, his face looked quite clean. The building, charged with energy, had melted the nearby ice to make purified water for daily use. Judging by his damp face, he had splashed some water on himself.
"Hyun-woo, what are you doing here?"
"Breathing."
"......?"
The broker raised an eyebrow. She looked around and asked, "Where's Woof-woof?"
"She seems very tired. Still asleep. And I told you not to call her Woof-woof."
I thought of Nadia, who was in the room with Carry. Usually, at the sound of me leaving, she would pop awake, but today, she merely twitched an ear, not managing to rise easily.
"Woof-woof is Woof-woof. You understood right away."
"It's different."
The broker chuckled, ignoring whether I sighed or not.
"But it's the first time I've seen you being idle. You were always bustling about."
"I'm not standing still by choice."
To establish this place as a base and bring facilities up to at least a livable standard, a lot required our attention. People began estimating costs early in the morning for this reason, I suppose.
But the progress of work hasn't moved from zero. No, it couldn't. There were no materials to start any foundational work.
"If there was a store at hand, we could purchase something, but it's outdated and nonfunctional, leaving us with no options."
"I see? I noticed the lights were on earlier, though."
"The power's just on. Proper usage requires a data board, someone said."
"Ah, right. The versions differ, so it wouldn't recognize the existing ones."
The broker nodded as if she understood.
The store system was the most independent of all the systems. For this reason, the pipeline transporting goods expanded autonomously, so availability could be extended to maintain store access with minimal effort.
This was achievable by using the energy from the blue crystal buried below. They said they were inspired by reverse icicles.
The store system, directly connected to the warehouse, was said to have such rigorous security that people joked it would remain even if a nuclear explosion occurred.
External store devices could be destroyed if one so wished, but the embedded real store system was too difficult to damage, hence the saying.
Interfering with the store would summon security robots, leading to an attempt to subdue the intruder, and being blacklisted would make store usage near impossible. Hence, attempting to target the store was nearly unheard of.
The problem was whether that was feasible in the current situation. Who could guarantee the warehouses and pipeline systems would remain intact?
My first priority was to obtain a data board. Having that would be a start, at least.
"So, you need to find that data board."
"Yeah, everyone's been discussing it since morning."
At that moment, Eric, amid the crowd, gestured for me to join. Whether he managed some sleep was questionable, as his complexion looked just as unhealthy as yesterday, wearing a grave expression.
People were crowded around Celestia as well, looking just as unsettled as Eric. Their display, indicating only bad news, already started giving me a headache.
"Let's go together. Everyone will gather, anyway."
"Do you, Hyun-woo, not know my name yet?"
"......?"
I looked puzzled at the broker, who suddenly asked a nonsense question. She, uncharacteristically hesitant, continued speaking slowly.
"No, everyone else calls each other by name, but it seems like I'm an exception......"
"Well, isn't that expected?"
"... Expected?"
"You need to tell me your name to be called by it. How can I call you something I don't know? You were the one who didn't want to reveal it."
I wondered what she was going on about. Without her telling me, how was I supposed to know and call her by name? It wasn't only ridiculous but also downright unfair.
"Ah."
The broker's response wasn't what I expected—no, it was very different indeed. I assumed she'd respond shamelessly with something like, "Is that so? Well, remember it from now," but her reaction was to freeze, mouth slightly agape. Her tightly clenched fists and a face blazing with blush were extras.
"Oh, right. I never did tell you, huh... W-Wait, I've just remembered I forgot something...!"
The broker, rummaging through her belt bag, dashed back inside after briefly saying we'd talk later. Her hurried, clumsy escape was a sight to behold.
'What's with her?'
I recalled she wasn't like this before. Maybe recent horrors had shocked the broker too.
Now alone, I moved towards the cluster of people.
"You mean we have to go to the base?"
"We have to, to gather the necessary materials. We have no other option, do we?"
"Then what was the point of coming here? Had I known nothing was here, if I knew we'd have to go to the base anyway!"
"It's odd to mention that now—a, Hyun-woo."
Eric, sighing before continuing his speech, suddenly called my name, and eyes turned towards me. Most present were technologists, considered high-rank workers.
Lower-rank workers, responsible for manual labor, barely existed. The green-lit bracelet symbolic of budding workers described them as ambiguous.
High-rank workers indeed belonged to a higher class. I didn't dispute that. However, if someone asked if they were truly high-class, I couldn't confidently say yes. Across the board, they were right in the middle at best.
Stuck in the middle, they held somewhat ambiguous beliefs. A destiny for those who sat slightly higher than others.
Hence, their inability to understand the situation and focus solely on grievances. Despite this, they couldn't be discarded. Labor was in short supply. Even the hands of a cat would do. They possessed the technical capability, after all, so they were more useful than cats' paws.
Not that they were bad people, just frustrating. It made me miss Ted. If he were here, collaboration would've been smoother.
"I'll go."
"What?"
"You said you needed a data board. The only place to find one is at the mining base, Heaven. But it's become a monster den, so nobody wants to risk going. Random selection would lead to resistance, wasting time and lowering success rates."
There's wisdom in seizing initiative. Following that belief, I resolved to act myself. Staying still never suited me, and time wasn't on our side.
"Are you sure? It's quite dangerous."
"It is what it is."
I'd waited, hoping to find something useful here to feel more secure, but all I witnessed were dusty empty warehouses and people's complaints.
To run the life-support system properly, an abundant energy source was necessary. Experiencing the minimal functionality exposed how favorable and accommodating the residential area had been.
I even started missing the vapor smell I once disliked.
"Are you truly capable of it? There's little we can offer in support. We've got some emergency rations at best."
"I'll go anyway. Riding the orbital vehicle should make it—...huh? ... What is this."
I stopped speaking mid-sentence. I had to. The orbital vehicle, which had saved numerous lives, was dismantled—it was utterly destroyed.
'My beloved ride...!'
It wasn't mine, nor was it a person, but I had grown fond of the vehicle. I had even considered naming it when we returned. However, seeing it disassembled with only the crane intact left me feeling as if someone had slapped the back of my head. I was bewildered.
Who dared tamper with my beloved ride? I couldn't let it slide. My expression, conveying this, prompted someone to speak hastily.
"Don't misunderstand! It's being repaired!"
"...... Repaired?"
"Yes. We tried starting it this morning to change its location, but it wouldn't start. The damages accumulated over time had affected multiple systems."
"...... Meaning I must walk to the base?"
"Which is why I kept asking if you were sure."
"Ah..."
This location wasn't too far from Heaven, admittedly. Eric's concern for monsters possibly showing up summed it up.
But this only applied in a straight line. Navigating a good trail required taking a detour. Naturally, this increased the travel distance considerably, presenting a big challenge.
Regret for not deliberating more came belatedly, yet I had already committed to going. Given the circumstances, no one else would volunteer to take the journey.
As regret settled in, Nadia, riding Carry and still sleepy-eyed, arrived on the scene. Carry's wheels rolled with a thud-thud-thud.
"I'm coming too..."
Her tail fur appeared unkempt as if she had rushed out. Shaking her head vigorously to wake herself, Nadia's eyes became sharper.
"I won't let you go alone. We're partners. What partner lets another go alone?"
Nadia donned a solemn expression.
"Alright. Let's go together."
"... Really?"
Nadia must not have anticipated my swift agreement; she blinked in a daze. I reiterated my stance, clearing her understanding. Nadia's expression brightened instantaneously.
Undertaking everything by myself wasn't the plan. I wasn't an omnipotent being. I was human, susceptible to pain and susceptible to loss of consciousness from blood loss.
Choosing Nadia, who shared a substantial history with me, as a companion was ideal. And someone responsible for handling technical aspects like her was indispensable, complementing my brute disposition.
Having Eric, skilled in combat, accompany us would be beneficial too, but I understood he had others to look after, so I refrained from pressing him. The town required someone to stand guard.
With the decision made for Nadia, Carry, and me to head to the mining base Heaven, people eagerly began stating their needs. They would have done so had I not signaled with a raised hand, interrupting halfway.
"Do you think we're going on a trip? We're taking only the essentials. Just know we'll bring the most necessary items. How do you suppose we can obtain the power cables with this equipment? Those are incredibly heavy. If you had such requests, you should have repaired the orbital vehicle beforehand."
Once activating the store with the data board, most necessities for daily living could be secured. High-quality materials would be pushing it, though.
As Eric coordinated the group, Celestia approached us and handed something over.
"What is this?"
"A heat emitter. Originally part of Eric's and my suit, but it'd be more useful with you two."
"Thank you."
We adhered the heat emitter, which seemed like a thin metal plate, to various parts of our suits. It clicked into place as if it belonged there from the start. It was fortunate that such high-grade components were compatible with our utility suits.
With four stick-shaped emergency rations and two packs of drinkable water, we were ready to depart without further delay. There wasn't anything else to pack—or rather, there wasn't anything available to bring. Resources were lacking.
"We'll be back within three days at most."
If fortunate, we could return by tonight, but one couldn't predict the situation with certainty. It would be unwise to assume the best.
While preparing to leave town and head towards the gates, we encountered Carrot emerging with the broker from the building.
"So, you two are going. As expected."
Displaying his relentless self-discipline, he clicked his tongue and manipulated his bracelet, transmitting some data to me.
"It contains my analysis of the mutants. Check it when you have time. It also has the sequence of events, which should answer some unresolved questions."
"...... What did you use to do?"
"Just an old man who used to boss around youngsters and click things behind the scenes."
The unknown strikes fear into our hearts. To eliminate fear, we must embark on a journey of understanding that unknown. So, record the monsters' traits whenever possible. After stating this, Carrot claimed his message conveyed, vanishing, leaving the space occupied by the broker.
She promptly approached, grabbing my hand and manipulating my bracelet. A faint click sounded, and a mysterious slot opened, where she deposited something resembling a tiny chip.
When I asked with my eyes what she had inserted, the broker chuckled.
"It's a token of my apology. Since I couldn't fulfill my promise to give you a shuttle ride."
"What did you do?"
"A temporary function to alter ranks."
The broker's expression turned serious, wiping away her earlier smile. For a single instance, within the constraints of this icy moon Titan, I could overlay someone else's bracelet authority onto my own, sidestepping the system's notice temporarily.
This temporary authority-stealing was a transient ability. If confronted with a situation demanding high authority, find a bracelet left without its owner. Maintaining her grip on my hand, the broker offered that as advice.
"Due to time and material constraints, this one-use device was my best effort. Should you return safely, I'll make a proper one for you then, and share my name."
Clutching my hand firmly, she declared that with improved upgrades, even accessing certain credits would be possible. Those credits, she suggested, could facilitate store usage.
'Using the credits of the deceased?'
My frown deepened, drawing a concerned upward glance from the broker. Her eyes contained determination and concern.
Surprisingly, I hadn't witnessed the broker's eyes until now, having mostly seen her wearing a perception-obstructing mask. I found her unexpectedly kind.
"What, does this disgust you? Do you dislike the method? But it's reality. Life is inherently that way."
"I understand. You needn't worry about me."
"W-Worry? Who's worrying? I'm scolding you! For fear you'd forget my words..."
"They often say worry and scolding are practically the same."
"Who even says that!"
"I did!"
Nadia raised her hand triumphantly. With an air of confidence, she disconnected my hand from the broker, letting out a mischievous laugh.
Seeing the broker donning an exasperated expression, I was reminded of a fundamental truth: to live is to consume another life. Borrowing authority, especially from those deceased, isn't a concern.
Our situation was dire, not affording us any room for foolish dilemmas. Hence, what remained was only the way forward.
I gazed heavenward. The massive rings of Saturn loomed amidst gray clouds. Despair filled the immediate future, but I kept belief that beyond, hope awaited.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
I like that MC admits that although he is stronger than normal, but he still has human limits and he needs help from other people.
He volunteered to go to Heaven not because he had a hero complex but because there's no other choice. It's for his own survival as well.
【ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌ )】