The Eve of the Colossus Deployment
Only one day remained until the real-world test of Colossus MK-1, the pinnacle of Nanoi's cutting-edge technology and the prototype decisive weapon prepared to exterminate the cosmic monster. The ongoing radio interference—more precisely, the "radio hijacking" where signals from Dimension 0.1 were overwritten with fabricated content to tamper with information—made the time feel woefully insufficient to counter it effectively. That left us no choice but to refine Section Chief Bishuti's aggressive plan, which boasted the highest success rate despite its radical nature, by pooling our ideas to bolster it as much as possible.
"Haa... I dunno."
After finishing calls with Dr. Sau and the others, we split into two cars and left the bank. The clock already pointed to late evening.
Twenty minutes later. Northern coast of Kikiwai Island.
"All clear. You may proceed."
This was private land purchased by Colossus Robotics. We'd received prior cooperation requests, so we entered without any hassle. To be precise, it wasn't that Colossus Robotics had bought the land directly; they'd acquired the company owning it as a subsidiary to secure ownership. To launch robots and pilots into Dimension 0.1 via a dimensional gate, they needed land clear of civilians and safety buffers. I'd anticipated that public knowledge of the land acquisition would invite interference from hardliners, so I'd arranged for them to obtain it indirectly through the subsidiary.
"They mimic so well without even being told."
Razma's murmur, laced with disdain, made it obvious where I'd picked up such scheming. It was straight from listening to him consult on private banking for clients last time. I'd figured there'd be no real use for it, but who'd have thought it'd come in handy so soon? And wasn't this the first time Razma had spoken to me first? He always treated me and Isaac like we were invisible.
Did that mean I'd finally earned a scrap of respect?
"Don't space out. Follow me now."
"Yessir."
Elama called, so I hurried to grab the gear, sneaking a glance at Razma's featureless head. He completely ignored me. Guess the respect thing was just wishful thinking.
A short while later, we arrived at a private beach nestled beneath sheer cliffs and began setting up the portable dimensional gate linked to Dimension 0.1. Naturally, with the real estate firm controlling access, no one else was around—no shadows of people, just us. Still, to be safe, teller Pluto had spawned a swarm of clones to stand watch.
The ones plotting to obliterate Dimension 0.1 along with the cosmic monster had pulled every dirty trick: spreading videos with fake actors, overlaying them on Nanoi's distress signals to drown out the real pleas for help. Lately, they'd even smeared Dr. Sau as a con artist collecting debts amid her homeworld's crisis. With enemies this thorough, they might well be surveilling us bank staff who'd contacted her. If they caught wind that this beach was the staging ground for the cosmic war spilling from Dimension 0.1, they'd sabotage it at any cost. To smack them from behind as planned, we couldn't let on what we were doing here until lunchtime tomorrow.
"Your training seems lacking. Hold it steady—don't drop it."
"You're the abnormal one, Chief..."
Under Section Chief Bishuti's orders—his superhuman strength matching his minotaur build—I grunted as I hauled parts for the portable dimensional gate.
"All that's left is assembly."
I somehow synced with Bishuti and Razma to speed through the work. The gate's structure was simple enough. First, pitch a tent the size of a whole house, like some massive family camping trip. Not your average tent, though—the fabric blocked wind, rain, UV, and even dimensional fields at an exorbitant price (Elama claimed buying one would take "17 Kim Jians"). Being a prototype, the assembly felt just like those field tents from military training back in the day. Complicated to build, but once up, the rest was easy. Shove the hefty metal door Elama brought in the cash transport van inside, activate it, and done. Inside the field-shielding tent, opening the gate created a passage to another dimension. Branches usually had building shields for that, but outdoors called for portable gear.
These portable gates were standard for bank heists or emergencies—evacuating customers to other dimensions. This time, we were using it off-books for humanitarian aid: opening a path for Colossus into Dimension 0.1. Of course, if the bribe-fed politicians gunning to wipe out 0.1 and the monster in one go found out, or any allies, they'd explode. But we'd already gotten blanket approval from the Kikiwai local government for any use of the gate. They might try revoking our multidimensional branch license out of spite, but the board would handle it. Worst case, as long as the cosmic monster didn't spill over when the gate opened, no harm done, right?
"...You're not entirely useless."
"Me?"
Lost in those thoughts, Bishuti tossed an unexpected line my way. Felt like praise, but it didn't sit right.
"Why the sudden—"
No answer as he turned away, but then it hit me. How long had pitching that field-tent-sized canopy taken?
"......"
Who knew army life would pay off here? Whatever—earning his nod wouldn't boost my performance review anyway. Better forget it.
"Preparations are set for now."
But we couldn't open the gate yet. We needed the vendor who'd requested support: my sharp junior trainee from HQ's IT division, Director Masterhand's camera crew, civil law experts. Plus Bishuti's "old comrades" and the ex-private bankers answering Razma's call. And obviously, the Colossus test unit and its pilot.
"Timing's the key now."
One shot at this. Finish preps, trap the interfering politicians, force their retreat. Everyone converging here was an irreplaceable cog in this plan—a delicate machine where every part had to mesh perfectly for success.
But could we really pull this off? No other options, so we'd do it anyway.
"Kim Jian."
Isaac approached after his call nearby. Tempting to rib him for slacking on calls instead of hauling gear, but his connections were vital this time. Let it slide.
"Is doing something like this really okay...?"
Not about opening the gate—we had Kikiwai approval, so that was fine. The link to Dimension 0.1 carried risks: cosmic monsters in zero-G could pour through. That's why we'd bribed a pest control firm for countermeasures. Still unavoidable danger. We'd prepped thick hazmat suits like from a nuclear plant to protect ourselves, but against the monster's drill-like maw, they'd only buy minutes.
Isaac wasn't worried about that, though.
"If it goes to plan, we can stop the radio jamming, sure..."
"What choice do we have? If not, countless people die. And we lose the principal loaned to Nanoi."
"An extension of bank work, huh."
"Pretty much."
Bishuti's core idea wasn't bad. We'd polished it with input from me and the branch staff, making it airtight. The snag? Casualties among us weren't zero.
Del Monte always said to check if crossing lines was okay, and this blatant law-breaking was definitely out. I'd bent rules a couple times at West Podoks Branch already, so no biggie. Isaac, the upstanding citizen, felt the pinch more. First time's the hardest, though. After that, it gets easier. Like me, he'd slide into Xcul Xemon territory soon enough. Same reptile—should be a breeze. Clean living? Pfft. Being a chaebol heir doesn't make you special. Nah, this was righteous. Ends justify means sometimes. Noble corruption for others' sake. A brief detour into greatness. Let's ascend together, my trainee bro.
"Bankers resolving things with force feels off..."
"They committed crimes first. And we won't go that brutal, so relax."
Bishuti answered for me this time. He'd draped a balaclava over his head, pistol loaded in hand. Real trustworthy sight at this hour.
"If you're carrying that gun... maybe wear the mask properly?"
"Agreed."
Isaac and I chimed in; Bishuti narrowed his eyes at us. No killing intent, but his glare was no joke. Balaclava half-on like that—scared of running into night owls and getting reported? Don't wanna get mistaken for weirdos with him.
"Kikiwai has different laws from Huuriten mainland. Licensed carry's free for anyone. As long as they don't see my face when I pull the trigger."
"......"
That's just carry talk—not shoot talk, you psycho.
Click.
"Rear support ops commence 0715 tomorrow. Good hunting."
The minotaur in urban camo fatigues, his stark white fur hidden, spun on his heel toward the shore. Mercs who'd slipped in via infiltration boat followed.
"I get the gist of where to dig. Time to fetch the juniors."
Razma, briefed quietly by Elama, headed to his car.
"No screw-ups, Kim Jian."
"Screw up and it's on you anyway, boss. No sweat."
"You little shit."
"Stop working me so hard, then."
Slam.
I quipped back at Elama's warning, hopped into the driver's seat with Razma and Isaac aboard, and shut the door quick.
"...Alright, let's go welcome our guests."
Vroom!!
I floored the accelerator. Destination: the airport. Bracing for Oatanocha's hysteria after her night flight fatigue.