novelraw Chapter 191
Chapter 191
Chapter 191
Doctor Saito and the others, clad in slightly better protective suits than Viper, were examining the composition of the steel plates and the atmospheric conditions beyond them.
The reason they didn't open it suddenly was because they believed it was proper protocol.
Aguaries, now a ruined planet. At the very least, its surface was undeniably dead. Kait, who could expose himself even in outer space, could probably stroll around this planet without protection, but for ordinary organisms, that was impossible.
Harmful cosmic rays and toxic atmosphere that even Federation citizens who had undergone body modification needed protective suits for. If any lifeforms had barely survived underground for billions of years, the influx of such elements could easily wipe them out.
"No lifeforms adapted to this planet's surface have ever been observed. Well, logically, there shouldn't be any living things deeper inside either."
"So, what's beyond this point?"
"The atmospheric composition isn't much different. No matter how solid these steel plates are, in the end, they don't completely block out air."
Of course, a billion-year gap was significant.
Once, the species known as Aguaries, realizing planetary ruin was inevitable, devised a large-scale migration plan. But borrowing the words of Sixth-Rank Citizen Ab Rag from Fulgadongacopy and Rauperia, not all intelligent beings of Aguaries were included.
At the time, there must have been Aguaries who couldn't board the migration ships. They met their end on this dying planet. Mourning their inability to leave, resenting their fate, envying the brethren who departed.
"I hope there's some relic of such people down here."
"What are the chances?"
"Close to zero. It's probably all weathered away."
"Not a very romantic story."
"True," Doctor Saito said with a wry smile. Without proper maintenance, even Federation machines couldn't last a billion years. Unlike the Federation, which had solved resource issues, Aguaries as a civilization couldn't overcome lifespan or resource problems. Even if the intelligent beings of Aguaries had died out and only machines remained operational, over the course of a billion years, the resources would've been depleted. In the end, only shutdowns and weathering would remain.
The reason Doctor Saito and the others were being cautious was because this underground area, less affected by external air, might still contain some of those shut-down machines. It was that possibility they were considering.
While talking with Doctor Saito, the staff began setting up tent-like structures around them. Once they confirmed it was securely sealed, they activated the device.
"Dome deployment complete. Beginning atmospheric synchronization with the underground."
"Synchronization complete. Moving the steel plates."
"Got it. The mechanism's dead. Here we go."
Several staff members used the functions of their protective suits to attach themselves to the steel plates. Placing their hands on the edges, the plates began to shift with a heavy sound.
Viper widened his eyes, his Earthling common sense still intact somewhere in his mind. That several people could lift such thick steel plates, ones even heavy machinery couldn't move, with their bare hands.
"Federation tech really is amazing."
"Yeah. Are they secured?"
"Seems like this gap should be enough. Connect it to the dome."
"Understood."
A cord-like object extended from the dome's ceiling and attached to the steel plates. Even after the staff who had lifted the plates let go, the plates didn't fall back.
"Let's go in," Doctor Saito said coolly, prompting the others. He seemed more experienced than Viper had assumed.
***
Viper was assigned to take the lead. He could use psychic power to some extent and prided himself on having sharper instincts than anyone else here. Not to mention his firepower.
He walked slowly, staying alert. Light emitted from the shoulder of his protective suit, granting him some visibility.
"...Well, obviously, it's dusty."
"Yeah. But surprisingly, a lot of the original structure remains. I'm getting a little hopeful."
Just as Doctor Saito said, the rate of weathering underground was clearly slower. The ground and ceiling still retained the appearance of artificial structures.
As expected of a civilization that had developed technology capable of expanding beyond its star system. Though fragile enough to crumble upon touch, the mere fact that the shapes remained was astonishing.
Taking notes as he moved forward slowly. If the walls and floor were fragile, the ceiling would be the same. A small shock could cause a cave-in.
"That's odd."
"What is it, Doctor?"
"Hmm. These readings... they're too new."
"You're right."
Doctor Saito had been taking measurements with his equipment as he walked, but something must have caught his attention—he stopped in his tracks. The other staff peeked at the readings and murmured in agreement.
Viper advanced slightly ahead of them. Then, he felt a strange tingling sensation. He disabled the mimicry on his right hand and readied his Psionic Launcher.
"...A door?"
In the darkness ahead, something that looked like a door came into view. Strange. The corridor and door ahead were clearly not weathered.
He stepped back cautiously. Raising his left hand, he signaled Doctor Saito and the others to stop.
Lowering his voice, he issued a warning.
"This facility is still active."
"Seems so. The walls and floor are reinforced. Probably repaired recently."
"Repaired? Then that means the machinery is still functioning?"
"I don't think it's Aguaries' machinery. It's too new. The facility looks like it's five or ten years old."
Doctor Saito had been examining the composition of the walls and floor. Suddenly, he turned around and began operating his equipment more frequently than before.
He stopped walking and moving his hands once he had returned to a point where the entrance was barely visible.
"Here. This is the boundary where it becomes new. ...Or rather, maybe the partial weathering means—"
"Doctor. The composition of the weathered parts also differs from that of Aguaries' ships."
"I knew it."
Scratching his head, Doctor Saito let out a sigh. Seeing him suddenly lose interest, Viper tilted his head in confusion.
Apparently, the results had dashed Doctor Saito and the research team's hopes. They hadn't even seen what lay deeper, yet their certainty suggested strong conviction.
"Doctor Saito, what is this place?"
"Viper. It's a disappointing revelation."
Putting the equipment back into his bag, Doctor Saito slowly shook his head.
"This isn't a remnant of Aguaries' civilization. Well, maybe it was originally, but—"
"You mean it was renovated by someone else?"
"Almost certainly. The composition of these walls and floors is completely different from Aguaries' ship technology."
Doctor Saito's shoe sank into the wall as he gave it a light kick.
As he pulled it out, a puff of dust scattered.
"I found it in the database. It closely resembles the architectural style of an intelligent race that isn't the Federation. Its origin is clear. It has no direct connection to Aguaries."
Why would such an architectural style remain on a ruined planet like this?
Few would think to leave behind a facility after a planet's demise. All potential candidates had something shady about them.
"Most likely, it was a pirate base. Whether it was abandoned or they were wiped out, we don't know. But no one ever came back. There's probably a residential area and another entrance further ahead."
Now he understood why Doctor Saito and the others had lost their enthusiasm. If it was a pirate base, it held no academic value. Their purpose had completely vanished.
"One of the pirate groups wiped out about ten years ago, maybe?"
"Hard to say. It's possible they left maintenance to machines. If that's the case, and the machines broke down ten years ago, then the pirates likely left long before that."
Listening to this, Viper couldn't suppress the growing interest inside him. After all, he'd just experienced a strange intuition.
"Doctor Saito. There might not be any academic discovery here, but—"
"Hmm?"
"I've got this little psychic hunch. I think there's something beyond this point."
With a smirk, Viper grinned.
If the doctors were done with their part, then from here on, it was the troublemaker's turn.
"How about we take a peek further in?"