Chapter 22
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Lost Cruiser (2)
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This was my first anomaly exploration mission involving a Chiltoom ship.
Maybe that's why there were so many inexperienced aspects to it.
Ammo was always insufficient, so every bullet felt precious.
Well, once combat actually started, I'd go nuts firing like a madman.
But afterward, sanity always returned.
'This time, I've got to pack plenty.'
The Chiltoom general had generously supplied the ammunition.
With this much, it might last a few years.
Packing for 30 days seemed about right.
"Alright, everyone, move the ammo."
I directed the Eggies to transport the ammunition.
The Eggies were useful in combat too,
but their real value shone in logistics and administrative roles.
'That should do it for ammo.'
Next up was food.
I started grabbing leftover combat rations one by one.
Tickets could replenish food instantly,
but packing extras was for emergencies.
'What if I lose the tickets somehow?'
I had to prepare for every possibility.
Anything could happen on an exploration.
'Finally, the sleeping bag.'
The most crucial item: the sleeping bag.
While overnighting on the Chiltoom ship, what I'd missed most was the feel of a warm bed.
Sleeping on the cold Xeno ship floor had been pure torment.
Those who haven't tried it wouldn't understand.
So this time, I packed a sleeping bag.
There hadn't been one originally on the ship.
I'd improvised it from spare bed mattresses and blankets aboard.
I owed another debt of gratitude to the nickname 'Space Engineer' for that.
Thanks to his uploaded data, the Eggies had been able to make it.
'Looks like preparations are complete.'
Glancing at the time, arrival was imminent.
I headed to the bridge.
– Whoosh!
Space reemerges before us.
Nickname warnings noted that jumping straight to the provided coordinates could be risky.
I heeded their advice, warping to a spot slightly offset from Ragna's coordinates.
"Setigma Star System. Centered around the main-sequence star Setigma, it consists of 17 planets. The eighth planet, Lota, is home to the 3-tier civilization known as the Waka tribe."
I scanned the surroundings while listening to Orca's briefing.
'No obvious threats in sight so far.'
Still, caution was essential.
If even a guy like Ragna got taken out,
whatever did it was likely beyond my ship's capabilities.
"Let's hug the planet's orbital path and move in its shadow."
Orca fired up the engines immediately.
The planet's shadow enveloped the ship.
We peeked out only our stern, hiding behind it.
In that position, we activated the radar.
"Anything on scan?"
"Negative. Nothing yet."
We monitored the radar for a while, surveying the area.
Nothing unusual popped up.
If anything, it was the opposite.
The sector was eerily quiet.
"Feels safe enough to proceed openly now."
"Same thought here."
No need to stay hidden longer.
We emerged from behind the planet and resumed course.
Arrived at the coordinates left by Ragna.
Approached cautiously just in case, but there's absolutely nothing here.
No traces that could serve as clues. What now?
Nothing at all? That massive battleship just vanished?
Maybe an emergency teleport?
— Behedia Federation
Nah, low chance. Ragna's last post mentioned engine failure.
— SF Worldview Fanboy
I remember he said the shield was gone too. Activating jump drive without shields is suicide.
In my opinion, it probably crash-landed on Lota. How about asking the locals there?
Good idea.
Why does this guy only use polite language with the magistrate?
Ataraxia's suggestion seemed reasonable at first glance.
I immediately turned the ship toward the planet.
As the ship drew nearer to the Xeno planet, the Anomaly Status Board activated.
It was minuscule, but simply approaching Xenos was accumulating anomaly stacks.
'Unlike before, I might need to manage stacks carefully?'
As long as I didn't go overboard, it should be fine, right?
Better avoid clashes with Xenos unless necessary.
"Entering Lota Planet orbit."
The planet in question: Lota.
I parked the ship in orbit.
Then, I began loading necessary gear onto the shuttle.
Entering the planet's interior via the main ship would be easier,
but there was no parking lot, so shuttle it was.
"Alright, I'm off!"
"I'll be waiting."
I gave Orca a quick goodbye and boarded the shuttle.
The shuttle promptly lifted off from the mothership.
It pierced the atmosphere.
Successfully landed on the alien world.
I grabbed my gun and disembarked.
The Eggies followed suit.
Before proper exploration, I secured supplies.
Ammo, food, and sleeping bag.
With everything packed, we set off.
Then Orca commed in.
"Captain, Lota's sulfuric acid atmosphere is hazardous to humans. Do not remove your combat suit under any circumstances."
"Sulfuric acid atmosphere? People live on a hellhole like this?"
"Technically, Earth's oxygen-rich air is chemically hazardous too."
A sulfuric acid-laden atmosphere.
Just hearing it made my skin crawl.
"Got it. Combat suit stays on. Comms are working fine. Time to start real exploration?"
I pulled up the map from Orca.
2km to the city center.
I marched off with the Eggies.
"What a bizarre planet."
The alien landscape was breathtaking, my first ever.
It resembled Yellowstone National Park.
Bright yellow rocks and crimson soil blanketed the area.
Near water edges, emerald trees formed forests.
I gawked like a tourist.
After a long hike, sunset approached.
Then a new vista unfolded.
Skyscrapers in the distance.
Towering megastructures piercing the sky.
A dense forest of civilization, hovercraft zipping between.
It evoked cyberpunk vibes.
"Whoa! Xenos! This is awesome!"
Gazing at it, I suddenly understood the Exiles' fascination.
Excited like a kid, I dashed toward the city streets.
No deeper thoughts yet.
To them, I probably looked like a tourist.
That's how lightly I took it.
Closing in on the Xenos, I waved to catch their eyes.
"Hey, everyone~! Nice to meet you!!! Got a quick question!!!"
But I didn't know.
How I'd appear to them.
A massive alien gun in one hand.
Wearing combat gear from Chiltoom, one of the galaxy's top races.
Robot soldiers hauling gear behind.
And charging straight at them.
"Aliens!!!"
"Chil, it's Chiltoom!!!"
"R-Run!!! Invaders!!!"
In their eyes, I was the epitome of an alien invader.
As I approached, the people—no, Xenos—scattered in panic.
Some even leaped from hovercraft to flee.
Only then did I realize my mistake.
(Rough selfie pic)
Just went to ask a few questions, but they scream and bolt the second they see me.
Am I that scary-looking?
I thought I was kinda cute...
Kinda hurts my feelings...
You look fucking terrifying, you psycho;;;
Newbie does look pretty menacing~
Go back to your Earth in that getup, and you'd get the same reaction.
50 million dead on Earth. Decapitated Infection Lord on arrival. Wearing Chiltoom combat suit. Uh oh, better run?
— Auto-Nickname 1582
I've said 142591 times it wasn't me, it was Hitler and Tojo Hideki. Wanna die for real?
First, show no intent to fight and attempt dialogue.
Unlike the useless drivel from other gallery users,
Ataraxia alone left something practical.
Guess I'll have to! Thanks for the advice!
I stepped into the street and called out to the Xenos.
"Hey, everyone! Could you look this way for a sec?"
"Gaaahhh!!! Help!!!"
"Alien invader!!!"
"Police!!! No, call the army!!! Hurry!!!"
But the Xenos were still gripped by terror, out of their minds.
What to do?
My voice wasn't registering at all.
No choice—I had to grab their attention forcibly.
– Bang! Bang! BANG!
Gunshots rang out three times.
The area fell silent, all eyes on me.
I stepped forward calmly and addressed them.
"Folks, cooperate nicely, and no one gets hurt. I just have a few questions. Could I speak to whoever's in charge here?"
I figured that was polite enough.
Right up until they rolled in tanks and fighters.