Chapter 233
Chapter 233
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 233
Chapter Title: Screamer Traces
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Shadows blanketed the countless branches. The clouds that had scattered earlier had returned, blocking out the sunlight.
In the cool gray light, we followed the Screamer's tracks.
The sporadic footprints grew more numerous. Beyond just the prints on the ground, sharp alloy claws had gouged deep marks into the scattered trees and rocks embedded in the soil.
'This isn't just one or two.'
Screamers had eight legs, so they naturally left plenty of footprints. Even accounting for that, though, there were far too many. At least dozens of individuals, no doubt.
"How many Screamer units were deployed for the mission?"
I mimicked a voice using the stored genetic data and questioned PS-111.
"300 units at the start of the mission."
"300? That's quite a few."
I was a bit surprised by its response.
Considering that the Star Union treated standard Screamers almost like living drones, deploying 300 wasn't all that unusual. In the game, during massive ground battles, thousands of Screamers would sometimes swarm in.
That said, those were under player command. The Star Union's regular forces rarely deployed Screamers alone without support.
Screamers possessed formidable combat power, but they suffered from poor strategic thinking and flexibility. They couldn't handle unexpected situations properly.
'Normally, you'd need something to cover those weaknesses...'
Mutant Screamers addressed the old model's flaws by splitting into standard models and commander-grade models. Just looking at PS-111 showed how the commander models boasted superior strategic judgment.
During the fight with Odd Grad, it had quickly recognized my signal and led the cruiser in. A standard Screamer never could have made that call.
'Still, the good news is their numbers must have thinned out by now.'
With dangerous creatures teeming across the planet, the odds of all 300 surviving intact were slim. PS-111 itself had been half-destroyed by an Ice Horror's attack, after all.
"How many are left? 200? 250?"
"I assess that the total hasn't decreased significantly from 300."
"Why's that?"
Mutant Screamers were strong, but not enough to shrug off apex creatures like Ice Horrors or Glacial Fins unscathed.
PS-111, scanning traces with its protruding sensory organs from its eyes, replied.
"According to data stored in my neural core, the former main controller 'Pyra Eleven's' battleship is equipped with Mutant Screamer production facilities."
"What?"
"With genetic data, ample energy sources, and organic materials for raw stock, S-model Screamer production is possible."
Screamers were seen as consumables in lore, so ships rarely provided direct support. The most they did was orbital fire support from waiting vessels after deployment.
But Mutant Screamers offered greater strategic utility than the old models, so it seemed they'd prepared dedicated support ships.
"Given the scale of a Screamer production line, it'd need at least a Zax Alpha-class battleship to house the facilities. Even then, they'd have stripped out everything but essential maintenance and filled it with production gear."
"Current data corruption prevents a precise answer, so that's a reasonable inference."
XAX01-class battleships were named after the Star Union's capital planet—the so-called Zax Alphas were the largest and most heavily armed in their fleet.
Of course, converted to a Screamer carrier, it would differ greatly from the original. They'd gutted all internal systems for Screamer facilities, leaving only the bare minimum to keep the ship running.
"Do you remember where it landed?"
"Apologies. Data loss prevents confirmation."
A Zax Alpha-class was just shy of 1km long. No traces of anything that massive had been spotted nearby.
Moreover, Gallerons wouldn't miss a ship that size entering the atmosphere. The lack of reports meant it had top-tier stealth capabilities.
That realization struck me as odd.
"You said your goal was to capture me, right?"
"If referring to the special objective A set by former main controller 'Pyra Eleven,' then yes."
"300 self-repairing Screamers, plus the ability to produce more. Why haven't they come after me yet?"
Looking back, they'd had multiple chances to strike. When I first arrived on the planet, after weakening from the fight with Jason, during Odd Grad's ambush, and so on.
Yet they'd never systematically gathered to attack. It made deploying commander models to fix their weaknesses pointless. Every Screamer I'd encountered so far had been a straggler.
There was only one explanation. Something had happened to Pyra Eleven.
It fell silent at my question before answering.
"I don't know about that either."
"You don't?"
"Memory data was damaged during system reboot. However..."
It mechanically tilted its head, like a human pressing their temples to force a recollection.
"In my last memory, Pyra Eleven was severely damaged due to some incident and entered hibernation."
"Hibernation? Did Gallerons attack it?"
"No. Pyra Eleven... error, apologies. It was damaged while attempting actions necessary for objective completion and failed."
Putting its words together, Pyra Eleven had clearly been out of commission for a while.
'Come to think of it, the one I met hunting Winterwalkers said something similar.'
It had mentioned a command delay state. The ones I'd met after killing Jason in the forest said the same.
That meant their leader, Pyra Eleven, had been incapacitated until fairly recently.
"These tracks are proof it's active again."
"Reasonable inference."
Not much useful intel on where combat might erupt. We knew we were chasing a horde, but little else.
'PS-111 said it could control lower-grade units, right?'
When we first met, it explained physical circuit contact could seize control of basic models. Commander-grades would be ideal, but Pyra Eleven had upgraded security, making it impossible.
'Need to capture a few Screamers alive.'
That way, I could extract the ship's location, their plans, and more.
We continued tracking long after our talk ended.
At first, just footprints everywhere. But soon, other signs appeared. Around the tracks lay the shredded remains of creatures.
"Replenishing energy."
"Looks like it."
PS-111, implanted with Blood River's function, could ingest meat through its mouth and absorb bioenergy besides. Unusual for a Screamer—standards used absorption tubes on small prey.
'The blood's long clotted.'
The dry, cool environment slowed decay on the corpse chunks. It let me infer their hunting methods, somewhat.
'They've got modified units, just like PS-111 upgrading via genes.'
Some enemy Screamers had adapted to the environment.
'...Like ranged attack means, for instance.'
I pulled a large bullet the size of my finger from a blood pool. Shaped like a Stormgun's depleted uranium round, but deadlier.
"Know what this is?"
"Similar design to APDT depleted uranium rounds, but internal structure confirms flechette modification."
"Right. Packed with Black Silver shards."
Shaking the mangled bullet revealed bits of Black Silver alloy. Not much, but lethal to certain species.
And on this planet, only one creature took meaningful damage from Black Silver flechettes.
'Gallerons!'
I knew their target now.
"Know where Odd Grad's nest is?"
"Yes. This way."
"No time—ride on my head and guide me."
In a rush, I dropped the corpses from my back and hoisted PS-111 atop my head. Then called 26 and Adhai.
[Zuzuzu zuzu zuzuzuzu (No time—get on top of me)]
｢Not bringing food?｣
[Zuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzu (We'll grab it on the way back)]
Sensing my grim mood, 26 climbed aboard without further questions, shrinking to cling to my chest arms.
I hugged it tight and called to Adhai.
[Zuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzu (We're flying. Get ready)]
｢Where｣ ｢to?｣
[Zuzuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu (To Odd Grad's nest)]
I unfurled my folded wing-arms. The massive membranes spread, launching my body skyward. Branches shattered in my wake as Adhai followed.
｢Nest｣ ｢dangerous?｣
[Zuzuzu (Probably)]
"Straight this direction."
Adhai tensed at the nest warning. I flew full speed in the direction PS-111 indicated.
During flight, I used auxiliary organs to monitor below, wary of Screamer fire from the forest. Our shadows passed, but no reaction below.
'...This is bad.'
Hundreds of Screamers should be swarming somewhere in that forest, yet it was eerily quiet. Whatever their scheme, it wasn't good.
Nearly half a day of tense flight later, the cliffs housing PS-111's mentioned "dragon" nest came into view.
No Screamers or other creatures stirred around the cliffs.
'Wait, nothing at all?'
By now, Adhai's proxy Nel German should have returned. Approaching the nest, at least a Galleron or two should show.
｢Big｣ ｢Brother｣ ｢something's｣ ｢wrong｣ ｢no｣ ｢guards｣
Adhai sent puzzled thought waves, feeling the same unease.
Gallerons always posted nest sentries against sky predators like Skywhales. Green or White Gallerons took turns guarding.
No sentries meant something was seriously wrong.
As I moved to warn Adhai, my auxiliary organs caught motion below the forest.
The once-silent woods erupted in synchronized movement, like an ant horde surging.
Realizing what it meant, I urgently pulsed to Adhai.
[Zuuuuuuz zuzuzu zuzuzu (Adhai! Use your power!)]
｢!｣
The instant I pulsed, a torrent of shells poured from the forest.
Black as thunderclouds above, a rain of death hurtled to claim Adhai's life. I shielded 26 with combat arms, maneuvering beneath Adhai.
Black Silver flechettes blanketed my view, pummeling my body. As a non-psychic, anti-psychic rounds barely fazed me.
And low-penetration flechettes couldn't pierce my carapace and scales.
'But not them.'
Their barrage did nothing to me, but Adhai and 26 were different. Psychic-dependent 26 would be combat-ineffective if hit.
Adhai could use absolute defense 'Red Armor,' but only shielded its head and forelimbs so far—not enough against this onslaught.
[Zuzu zuzuzu (Everyone okay?)]
｢I'm fine.｣
｢Thanks｣ ｢to｣ ｢Big｣ ｢Brother｣
Thankfully, my shielding spared 26 and Adhai.
"I took a few hits, but minor injuries."
PS-111, atop my head as a prime target, was the exception.
"I'll get you good food later."
"Acknowledged."
Short reload over, ground fire resumed. Unable to down me, they madly targeted Adhai and 26 to finish them.
'Not good to fight here.'
[Zuuuuuuz zuzuzu zu zuzuzuzu zuzuzu (Adhai, stick tight to me and follow)]
I flew toward the nest under fire, Adhai hugging my back.
I landed amid their positions. Trees swayed ominously as I touched down.
The Screamer horde was chasing us.