novelraw Chapter 248
Chapter 248
Chapter 248
The corpse of the space eel was being used like a cradle for the newborn Lufate Gainun. The temperature was even carefully regulated. No one knew how long it had been maintained, but it was likely possible only because the host, the space eel, was overwhelmingly massive.
Before devouring the space eel entirely, they had established a system to gather food. That was why they had grown so large.
"The state of the mind after death... huh."
'Is something the matter, Captain?'
"It's nothing. Now, shall we begin?"
The massive ovipositor, however, seemed far too small compared to the imposing figure of the fortress-type Lufate Gainun visible on the surface. This was the only place directly connected to the space eel, and yet it was strange.
Kait had Queen Bee equipped with four Psionic Launchers and focused his mind to channel power.
A strong rejection—but there was no need to destroy a wide area. All they had to do was sever the connection between the space eel and Lufate Gainun.
"Fire."
Four blades of light engulfed the ovipositor. Tilting Queen Bee's hull slowly, they carefully severed the cursed connection.
A tremor echoed from above, like something crying out in pain.
***
On the artificial celestial body Menesius, which served as the fleet's core, the mechanical intelligences stationed there as staff were monitoring the battlefield. They did not miss the moment the space eel separated from the fortress-type Lufate Gainun.
They immediately transmitted a message to one of the Terapolapaneshio standing by nearby. Since they shared a collective consciousness, contacting just one was sufficient.
"The physical connection between the fortress-type and the space eel has been severed. Destroy the space eel immediately."
'Kait, the Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), is likely still inside. Have you issued a retreat order?'
"Yes. I gave it just a moment ago, so he should be emerging soon... Look."
'Indeed. We have confirmed it as well. Then, following the directive, we will begin the complete destruction of the space eel corpse that was connected to Lufate Gainun.'
Queen Bee, with Kait aboard, revealed its distinctive form. It had emerged from the disconnected section, and no Lufate Gainun units were pursuing it. It seemed he had thoroughly cleaned up inside.
Feeling reassured by the undamaged Queen Bee, about half of the Di-Kigaia Zarmos units carrying Terapolapaneshio teleported to the vicinity of the space eel below.
'As expected of Kait, Third-Rank Citizen. Impeccable execution.'
'Thank you. Will this space eel be disposed of here?'
'Yes. Thanks to you, we've mostly confirmed the internal state. While it may have academic value, considering the cost of bringing it back and the risks afterward, we've decided it should be disposed of on-site.'
'I see... Yes, that makes sense.'
A call between Terapolapaneshio and Kait was broadcast. There was no time to investigate the cause. Terapolapaneshio had started the call with Kait without cutting off the communication with this side. They generally didn't care about such minor details. If needed, the celestial body side could just cut the line, and even if it were intercepted, they didn't think the conversation would be problematic.
Shortly after Queen Bee made a short-range teleportation, the Di-Kigaia Zarmos surrounding the space eel began forming a force field.
"Really, what kind of perception do they have when generating that thing?"
Councilor Kaamolb, the commander-in-chief, was also a member of the Psychic Power Research Society. Every time the members of the Society witnessed the full power of Terapolapaneshio, they would utter such words.
***
Receiving the immediate evacuation order, Kait flew out of the space eel through the newly created opening. After responding to Terapolapaneshio's praise, he immediately teleported Queen Bee toward the fleet.
Afterward, they would thin out the remaining Lufate Gainun as needed, and the remaining Di-Kigaia Zarmos would crush the fortress-type in one go. In that sense, the time for Kait and Queen Bee to stand out had passed.
"Now, let's just scatter the approaching Lufate Gainun as needed."
'Understood. What about providing cover for Tortoise?'
"Nothing in particular. As long as it's not isolated, there's no need for us to go."
'A wise decision, I believe.'
Honestly, Kait felt bad about standing out too much. He was well aware of his fame. If he acted too prominently, it would only create unnecessary tension for Viper and the others.
If danger seemed to be approaching, he would help. When Emotion agreed with Kait's decision, a dazzling light burst from below. Judging by the direction, it came from the lower front—around the space eel.
"That's a strong light. Is that from the Terapolapaneshio team?"
'Yes. They're disassembling the space eel. The total energy output is incredible.'
As they watched, the fortress-type, which had only screamed without moving until now, suddenly started to act in a panic. It extended its functional limbs toward the bottom, but unfortunately, the response was too slow.
Within the light, the silhouette of the space eel disappeared. Kait was captivated by Terapolapaneshio's intense destruction, which conveyed a strong will not to let Lufate Gainun use even a speck of dust.
"I wonder if what's been disassembled will someday become something else."
'Probably. It might fall onto some planet due to gravity or gather into a new celestial body—those possibilities can't be ruled out.'
Perhaps what Tuna meant by 'becoming the one and only' was becoming a star.
Watching the traces of the space eel vanish with the light, Kait somehow felt that way.
***
The behavior of the fortress-type Lufate Gainun changed drastically right after the space eel's corpse completely vanished.
Though it continued to eject small Lufate Gainun from within, it began moving its massive body as if writhing.
Naturally, some units were crushed in the process. Without concern for soldier losses, it leaned forward toward the fleet. Its enormous mouth opened wide.
Of course, the command center Menesius maintained constant information sharing with Uvols. Councilor Kaamolb, suppressing his anxiety, asked Uvols about the purpose behind the fortress-type's behavioral change.
"Scholars, what do you think its objective is?"
'...Most likely, predation.'
After some murmuring, that was the answer that came back.
The direction it leaned toward was the Federation fleet. And predation. The ominous feeling only grew stronger, but they had to hear the rest. He urged them to continue.
"By predation, you mean us?"
'Yes. Lufate Gainun's main diet is space eels, followed by planets and small asteroids. Now that it has lost the space eel, which served as both preserved food and a nursery for larvae, its goal has likely shifted to survival and securing a new habitat.'
"So in other words, it wants to consume Federation ships and artificial celestial bodies for nourishment."
'Exactly. Since there's no sign it's ordering nearby units to retreat or flee, it may even be considering cannibalism.'
"As long as it survives, it can produce more of the same... I see. That's impressively thorough."
Since the start of ecological research, they had repeatedly felt the same way about the Lufate Gainun species.
Betting on the survival of its species, Lufate Gainun had now decided to sacrifice its greatest force.
It seemed the war had entered its final phase.
Councilor Kaamolb first confirmed with Terapolapaneshio, the greatest force present.
"Terapolapaneshio. Is it possible for you to annihilate that thing with your power?"
'It's not impossible, but we'd rather stop its movement. With our Federation allies in motion, there's a risk of collateral damage.'
"Immediate evacuation is difficult. There are still that many soldier-types, after all."
However, the fortress-type Lufate Gainun likely didn't care about the soldiers.
Perhaps they should have dealt with the fortress-type before the space eel corpse.
'Don't overthink it. It wouldn't be strange if the fortress-type had left some kind of trap inside the space eel. And even if the judgment was wrong, now's not the time for regrets, is it?'
"You're right. Now then..."
Naturally, Councilor Kaamolb was an exceptionally capable Federation citizen. After steadying his breathing, he issued the final orders to the surrounding fleet.
"Everyone, the fortress-type seems to be planning to devour us and set off in search of its next habitat. Let us teach it the terror of our Federation's intelligent lifeforms. From here on, we will stop the advancing fortress-type! All hands, begin the assault! Don't allow it to act freely any longer!"