novelraw Chapter 249
Chapter 249
Chapter 249
The fortress-type Lufate Gainun slowly turned its massive body toward the fleet. From afar, its movements seemed extremely sluggish, but in reality, they were not. It was easy to imagine the immense damage that would occur if they dawdled.
However, the smaller Lufate Gainuns scattered across the battlefield were a hindrance to any response. With that size, a bit of damage wouldn't stop them. Unlike with Tuna, shifting one part wouldn't be enough this time.
"Well then, we don't have much time to hesitate."
'What shall we do, Captain?'
"That's the question."
Just like the time to hesitate, the options available were also limited.
After all, the opponent was far too large. If there were a clear weak point like with the space eel, they might have had a way to respond, but this was their first encounter with a fortress-type Lufate Gainun.
It would be accurate to say Queen Bee lacked firepower, but in this case, calling it a lack of firepower was a bit problematic.
"There's no ship with enough firepower to match that size, though."
'Well, that's true.'
Even the Federation's strongest, Di-Kigaia Zarmos, required multiple ships, and without stopping its movement, defeating it was difficult.
'Is it hard to stop it with a barrier?'
"Queen Bee would probably be fine even if it got eaten. But I'm not confident a barrier could completely hold it off."
After all, Kait didn't know the limits of his own barrier. If he spread it wide and thin, how much could it actually block? He believed wrapping it around Queen Bee would be no problem, but if others relied on it and it failed, the damage would be incalculable.
"Maybe we shouldn't think in terms of blocking. If we can just stop its movement temporarily somehow."
'And before it charges at us? That's quite reckless of you.'
"Yeah, well, it can't be helped. Terapolapaneshio is surrounding it and preparing. If we can just stop it until that's done, that's all they ask."
'So the time from now until it starts moving isn't enough?'
"That's right."
If it charged in as is, many ships and Federation citizens would likely be harmed. They had backups of their lives, so it should be fine, but the command core had an obvious reason not to base their strategy on that.
Probably, if they couldn't stop it at the start, the fleet would be annihilated. And the enemy would flee. Terapolapaneshio didn't intend to recklessly defeat the fortress-type by involving Federation citizens or their corpses. Perhaps it was even a vow not to do such things.
In short, if the initial strike to stop the enemy's movement failed, they would decide on immediate evacuation for everyone. Any damage incurred at that point would be considered unavoidable. Something like that.
"Life sure is cheap."
'It can't be helped. That's just how the Federation is.'
Even so, life is life. Better not to lose it if possible.
Aware of the discrepancy in his own thinking, Kait consulted Emotion.
"Got any good ideas?"
'Normally, that would be the Captain's job, wouldn't it?'
Strangely cheerful, Emotion calmly presented an idea.
'There is something, isn't there? Something Lufate Gainun absolutely can't ignore.'
***
Why hadn't he thought of that? Kait acknowledged his thinking had been more rigid than usual and instantly defeated a nearby flying Lufate Gainun.
He immediately began processing it using the Worker Bees. The design was Emotion's. Using Lufate Gainun and the Worker Bees, they molded a massive sphere.
'Kait, Third-Rank Citizen Enec Lagif? What exactly are you doing?'
"Using Emotion's idea to try and stop that thing's movement."
'There's a way to do that!?'
"It's a long shot, really. Don't mind our situation—just go ahead and attack. Don't worry about us."
'U-Understood.'
He was prepared to be hit by friendly fire from behind.
The attack wasn't really to stop the fortress-type, but to eliminate the smaller nuisances around it. If it worked well, they might be able to sufficiently halt the fortress-type's movement. If Terapolapaneshio finished preparations during that time, the Federation would win.
"Emotion. When should we raise the output?"
'Once we get a bit closer. If we do it from here, it'll charge at us head-on.'
"Yeah, figures."
Kait smoothly moved Queen Bee forward. As long as they didn't initiate an attack, Lufate Gainun still didn't strike. It was strange, even if it was instinct-driven.
The fortress-type was poised to charge at any moment. Whether its gaze was fixed on them or not was unclear. Because of that, Kait slightly shifted Queen Bee diagonally upward. If Lufate Gainun noticed, it would raise its gaze, making it easier to tell.
'Looks like it's about to move. It's concentrating energy in its rear.'
"Got it. We'll go too!"
'Please do.'
The Worker Bees embedded in the sphere Queen Bee carried were empowered.
The sphere shuddered with a buzz and emitted a distinct green glow.
'We've got a reaction!'
The fortress-type's reaction was dramatic. Its previously sluggish movements vanished as it sharply turned its gaze toward them.
Not at Queen Bee, but at the sphere Queen Bee carried. If it had crawled out from inside a space eel, it would definitely be familiar with it.
An organ of the space eel, valued more than itself or its offspring by the Lufate Gainun species.
"You don't coordinate between individuals. That's why you didn't know that the 'transfer organ' stored inside the space eel was destroyed."
In other words, it wouldn't be strange if one of the individuals inside had mistakenly thought it carried it out.
The fortress-type dispersed the energy from its rear. As it extended its functional limb toward them, Queen Bee accelerated. As Queen Bee circled behind it, the fortress-type tried to turn in place to follow. It seemed to be in a hurry, but its movements still appeared sluggish.
"Your downfall was your obsession with roles and disregard for information sharing."
Letting go of the sphere mimicking the transfer organ, Kait made a swift retreat.
The extended limb gently grasped the sphere, careful not to break it. That tiny organ, compared to its massive body. Without even confirming its authenticity, it opened its mouth wide to swallow it. Perhaps it felt safe just by bringing it inside.
And that movement created a fatal opening.
'Fire!'
Beams of light shot out from countless ships.
The smaller individuals flying around were swallowed by the light and vanished. The light reached the fortress-type as well, but perhaps due to its massive size, it didn't seem to do any serious damage.
Even after all the light had faded, the fortress-type remained nearly unscathed in place.
"So even with all that firepower, defeating it is impossible, huh?"
'Its defense is incredible. However—'
The next move had already been made.
Di-Kigaia Zarmos was now surrounding the fortress-type. Lines of light connected each ship, forming a wall. It was clear preparations were complete.
'Everyone, splendid work. This was the greatest achievement possible.'
Light gradually filled the enclosed space.
The fortress-type must have realized it too and began to move, trying to escape the space.
As its functional limb touched the wall of light, it vanished as if being shaved away.
Realizing it couldn't escape by charging, the fortress-type appeared to ponder. Or perhaps it was focusing its consciousness on the 'transfer organ' it had taken in.
"Too bad. That thing's a fake."
There was no way Kait's words could be heard.
What final movement did the fortress-type make? The space filled with light turned white, and nothing could be seen.