Planet Libya

 

「We’ve entered the vicinity of Planet Libya.」

Astraea’s report came through, and Kou, seated in the command chair, gave a firm nod.

「All ships, be on alert for a possible attack by the Teras.」

There was no guarantee that Teras specialized in space combat, like Vritra, wouldn’t be lurking out there.

「So we’ve finally returned to Libya…」

Libya’s words carried deep emotions. She, the super AI bearing the name of the goddess Libya had spent uncountable years reshaping and maintaining the planet shown in the monitor before her. She had to flee once from it, but now she had returned.

「We need to reclaim your main core as soon as possible.」

「Thank you, Outis. Or should I say Kou?」

「Kou is fine.」

Even now, Kou was still not fully accustomed to acting as Outis. Those around him had noticed that he was now able to issue commands naturally without having to put a facade, but no one pointed it out. It was a show of kindness, a silent consideration.

「If we proceed with our current trajectory, we will enter Planet Libya’s atmosphere at orbital velocity. Calculating the optimal entry angle, adjusting attitude control, and initiating deorbit burn.」

「After that, we’ll have the fleet land on the ocean surface and head toward the ruins of the Fortress Area where Aural and his group are. The only concern is a possible attack by the Teras.」

「At this range, we should be able to detect any significant movement on the planet. The likelihood of an ambush is low, but there’s always the possibility that a Teras like Vritra that has integrated multiple humans and surpassed my processing capabilities could try something.」

「Astraea, you’re overthinking it.」

The experience of having Vritra intercept their quantum communications still lingered in her mind.

「I cannot allow my own limitations to put you at risk. Now, beginning descent process.」

The fleet was currently cruising at standard velocity. They initiated the descent process from an altitude of 120 kilometers above Planet Libya. Deceleration was necessary to bring their speed below 8 kilometers per second.

「We’re not going to get attacked by fish-shaped weapons the moment we land, right…?」

Kou had a childhood memory of a certain side-scrolling shooting game—one that had almost given him trauma.

「Kou! Don’t go raising flags like that, nya!」

Nyanta, ever wary, expressed concern over the all-too-plausible scenario.

「I cannot say it’s impossible. Mythology Weapons are not artificial lifeforms but autonomous armaments. It is conceivable that large Teras might deploy unmanned weapons for surveillance or other missions.」

「In particular, relics from the Interplanetary War era often lie dormant beneath the ocean. This is just speculation, but based on Vritra’s origin, it’s likely that the Mythology Weapons Bahamut and Leviathan were originally space carriers or battleships that sank into the sea. I expect the ocean to be much more dangerous than land.」

「We have prepared for possible attacks during the descent to Planet Libya. All ship pilots, maintain alert status.」

It was obvious that the most advantageous moment for an ambush would be during planetary descent. If this were a conflict between humans, there might be some form of gentleman’s agreement. But their enemies were Mythology Weapons—there was no reason to expect them to fight with honor.

「Initiating descent!」

And at that moment—

A jolt ran through the Astraea. Emergency alarms blared throughout the ship.

「What just happened?! Are we under attack?」

「No. This is… a forced guidance signal from a spaceport on Planet Libya’s surface. We’re caught in a tractor beam.」

「Which spaceport? There’s still a functional facility down there? Any incoming transmissions?」

「None. The other ships don’t appear to be affected. This is—」

Before she could finish, an even stronger impact shook the vessel.

「It’s a second tractor beam, coming from a different direction. The second beam is overriding the first.」

「So the target isn’t the ship, but Libya herself. Quite popular, aren’t you?」

「This is no time for jokes, Kou.」

Libya’s expression turned grim.

「Tractor beams operate on anti-gravity principles. This confirms that someone with access to a Gravity Impulse Generator is involved. More importantly, the second beam’s pull is strong enough to deliver a devastating attack on this vessel if they wanted to.」

「So at the very least, their objective isn’t to shoot us down?」

「Most likely. The guidance beam is calibrated with incredible precision—just enough to control our movement without causing instability. The difference in accuracy compared to the first beam is significant.」

「Understood. The question is whether we accept the invitation. —Matt! Eri-san! Head towards the rendezvous point with Aural’s group first!」

「But without you and Libya the talks won’t progress.」

「That’s true, but… we can’t move now. How we act from now on depends on our ‘host’ attitude.」

「Wait! A launch request? For Unit 5?!」

「What do you mean?」

「A launch request just came from the spaceport. The sender is unknown. This is unacceptable! We cannot authorize a lone atmospheric entry for Unit 5! We’ll negotiate. The fleet will abort descent and remain in orbital standby.」

Astraea swiftly issued orders.

「Voy! Can you deploy Unit 5?」

「I can, but hell no! I’m against this!」

「We have the Harmonia, don’t we? We’ll load Unit 5 onto it and perform an independent descent. That way, Libya and Astraea can still meet up with Aural and his group.」

「…Damn it. Fine. But I’m the one piloting the Harmonia. Got it?」

「I don’t mind.」

「I won’t allow this! We’re still in negotiations—」

「Astraea, prioritize Libya’s safety. I’m the one they want. Aimer, you’re coming with me.」

「Yeah!」

Aimer sprang to her feet, ready for action.

「That’s—」

「I’m not reckless enough to go alone. If Aimer comes along, we should be able to keep contact with Asia. What do you think?」

「Understood. —Wait a moment. We just received an identification signal from the spaceport. This is…」

Astraea fell silent, stunned.

「If this signal is real, I cannot allow you to launch. Kou, this is clearly a trap.」

「What do you mean? Who’s behind it?」

「The source of the tractor beam from the spaceport… They claim to be a Transferee Corporation. BAS Corporation. This is impossible.」

Astraea’s voice was filled with frustration. There was no doubt—it really was BAS Corporation’s identification signal.

Indeed, it made no sense. Kou frowned, deeply suspicious.

AN:

At last, we’ve arrived at Planet Libya. But strange things are happening.
What’s truly going on in Libya, a frontier planet on the edges of the Nemesis War Zone?

Tractor beams—now that’s some real sci-fi! Did I accidentally mix in some weird death flags?