Assault on the Deep Space Observatory
-[How have you been? Now that you're no longer staying at the Nest, this is the only way I can send my regards.]
My relationship with Hermann had settled into that of a broker and a mercenary. If he wanted to hold onto a skilled pilot like me, it wasn't strange at all.
-[Well, even if I say I'm worried about you, it'd just be a nuisance. It wouldn't mean much anyway. As a ranked pilot, I trust you can handle anything on your own.]
As I read Hermann's message, a thought crossed my mind.
I need to somehow get rid of whatever tampering was done to the Nexus.
Before, there had been at least the excuse of safety, but things were different now. When I'd received the auxiliary devices from the AAE, my damaged nervous system and broken parts had been somewhat compensated.
Still, this frail body of mine.
In fact, I was reading Hermann's message right now through my eyes. The right one was beyond repair, making me effectively one-eyed, but the vision in my remaining eye was actually better than before.
-[I'll end the pleasantries here. Rabe, I have a commission for you.]
Hermann finally got to the point. My scattered thoughts snapped back to the monitor.
-[The series of events that happened after you came to the Nest... you know, the unidentified machines from the Watchdog to the Ground Zero Reinforcement Lab. I've done some investigating related to that.]
The attached image below showed those machines embedded in the lab. For investigation purposes, armor plates and various parts had been removed, exposing internal wiring and cables. Figures who looked more like mechanics than researchers swarmed around the massive hulks.
-[The damage was severe, so I couldn't get exact details. But even from a glance, I realized these weren't any type of technology existing in this world. These machines are at least decades ahead.]
Hermann was reiterating facts I'd already suspected.
-[Of course, it's not entirely alien technology. We'll catch up someday. It's just that the complexity and precision inside are beyond our current capabilities. Not in the realm of fantasy, though.]
SF territory rather than fantasy. That's what he meant. But Hermann went further.
-[Do you remember your very first mission? The one where we discovered the Hive. In the basement of Olivia Bio Group's research complex.]
I remembered it well. A massive cylindrical structure like a honeycomb came to mind.
-[These unidentified weapons that seem like an extension of that, despite the huge gap... and the story you told me after taking a corporate commission once. And the ECM devices in the Ground Zero Reinforcement Lab.]
Hermann spoke in an ominous tone.
-[It's a clear hint that there's some massive shadow operating behind the scenes, beyond corporations and nations—something we haven't grasped yet. This world harbors enormous secrets.]
Secrets beyond what meets the eye. It had a bit of a conspiracy theory vibe. In the next part, Hermann finally revealed the commission details.
-[That's why we've decided to start by observing the skies. An exploration toward that 'above' that's been lost from history at some point. Doesn't that sound awfully suspicious? Especially with what you told me.]
He was referring to the time I'd glimpsed a phantasmagoric massive structure beyond the parted clouds.
-[And also...]
Hermann added,
-[From what I can see, you seem quite interested in 'above' yourself. This might be persuasive enough to move you even without calling it a commission—purely out of your own curiosity. So think positively about it. I'll be waiting.]
I checked the compensation. After seeing that massive sum just before, this one felt relatively modest.
But compared to average rates, it's top-tier...
They must have budgeted quite a bit for it.
And honestly, money isn't that important to me.
For a second, I tilted my head. Is this right? A mercenary not chasing money—it feels off from common sense.
Well, I've never been that into money anyway.
That's just prejudice. I scrolled through Hermann's entire message from bottom to top one last time, then sent a reply accepting the job.
After that, to make use of my remaining funds, I logged into the Hermes Network parts purchasing site.
I can buy a ton with this.
This time, I could sweep everything without calculating.
Standard next, but if possible...
Yeah.
Gabriel's machine stuck in my memory. The way it moved so nimbly, tracing sharp trajectories like it was flying.
This frail build bothers me a bit.
And long-range gave it a mosquito-like impression for some reason. But lightweight was cool anyway.
Lightweight it is, then...
As I started searching for lightweight frames, my gaze suddenly drifted from the monitor to the outside via the camera.
Parts were piled up like mountains in the hangar area. Overflowing beyond that, some were scattered right in the middle of the hangar bay.
"......"
I pulled back my hand from the buy button.
Before buying more parts, it seemed smarter to set up a proper hangar first.
Skip, next.
Linne's voice made me open my eyes. Already done?
There aren't many peaceful, sparsely populated spots nearby...?
"It might be excessive greed."
Is it?
"But for safety's sake, sometimes you need a bit of excessive greed."
Suddenly sounding like a teacher.
This was a problem. From what I'd heard of all the hangars matching my criteria so far, none really appealed. Did that mean I'd have to leave the parts on the street?
Just pick any that fits and use it?
I groaned for a while, then let out a sigh. It wasn't urgent right now, so I'd take some time to think. At least I hadn't impulse-bought parts yet.
-[Thank you for accepting the commission, Rabe. Here's the mission briefing.]
In the meantime, a reply came from Hermann. I watched the video to clear my head and switch gears.
-[This mission's target is the Venice Deep Space Observatory. A relic from the past era, located 12km northwest of Box Complex.]
The data screen showed photos of the Deep Space Observatory. Mostly old news footage. "The world's brightest ears," "humanity's infinite curiosity," and so on.
But suddenly, the news clips vanished, replaced by noisy, recent reconnaissance photos. Probably fresh intel.
-[Abandoned facilities like this often get occupied by vagrants with nowhere else to go. After the resource wars, this observatory had been ignored for so long—it's no surprise those wanting to hide in the shadows would settle there.]
But that wasn't the whole story. Hermann brought up more recon data.
-[As expected, people were already there. But if it were just a criminal gang or homeless drifters, I wouldn't have commissioned you. Strangely... a mysterious organization with considerable military power has taken root around the observatory.]
Hermann said he'd gathered intel from all angles—spy drones via cutouts, weapon types from troop observations, even rumors from Box Complex locals.
-[It was bizarre. No matter how much I investigated, I couldn't identify them. If they were corporate, logos or products would show; for rogue governments or crime syndicates, they couldn't hide their low-grade gear.]
But according to Hermann, their troop quality rivaled major corporations, the equipment belonged to some unseen faction, and there were no special signals or logos identifying them.
-[It's odd. A relic facility lost to history— one we desperately need—is occupied by an unidentified force with serious armaments. So, go there and clean them out.]
The rough enemy force estimate from recon scrolled into view: numerous exo-frames, a dozen or so fighters and helicopters, even some tanks.
Like a corporate key facility's defense unit.
Definitely not small-time criminals. Looking at the weapons and vehicles, they differed from standard corporate gear.
The photos are blurry... this is...
Some kind of identification jamming filter? The buildings and backgrounds were clear, but the troops alone were obscured—odd.
-[Good luck, Rabe. Clear the path ahead, and we'll follow to sweep up. Looking forward to the op date.]
Hermann's video ended there. As soon as it finished, I began prepping for the mission.
"Rabe, found a new listing. Rhine River basin..."
This is the same one you showed before.
"No, it's different. Look closely at the additional conditions..."
Linne started advertising with corporate sales zeal, almost like product placement.
PPL? No way.
"No, Rabe. Just hear me out..."
Listening to Linne desperately trying to sell me on the hangar PPL, I checked over the Nexus.