Chapter 196

"Hey, Dingo. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"

A chummy voice rang out through the air. A man strolled toward Dingo, who was currently buried under a pile of beauties on a sofa in a high-end club.

"You... Hmph. Was your name Sykes last time? Real convenient, isn't it?"

Dingo waved the women away with a dismissive gesture. The newcomer ignored the smoldering look one of the departing ladies threw him and sat down directly across from Dingo.

"A face for every occasion. It makes 'Work' much easier. Can I get a drink?"

"You can't even get buzzed. Do those internal-tuning Nanomachines of yours really let alcohol slide?"

"It’s a matter of vibes. I can get drunk if I put my mind to it."

"Hmph. Fine... So, what’s the play? Aren't you busy babysitting some brat, Mr. Phantom?"

Dingo poured a glass of high-end Imperial booze. Phantom took it, savoring the rich, mellow aroma produced by the exquisite blending of a legendary old brewery.

"He doesn't need a sitter anymore. He’s growing at a terrifying rate. Truly."

"The kid who was crying over a few dead mooks? Don't make me laugh."

"He's likely a Boosted Man."

Dingo’s cheek twitched. "One of the old man's?"

"No," Phantom replied. "He likely predates Coleman by a long shot. He's not Imperial Military. He might actually be from the Lost Age."

"Whoa, whoa. One of the Old Eden Group? I thought those guys were a myth."

"Just a theory. I heard the word 'Eden' recently... Anyway, what shall we toast to? To the reunion of old friends?"

"Piss off. I only spotted you recently, but you've been stalking me for ages. You’ve poked around in half a dozen different faces lately, haven't you?"

"I believe in separating the professional from the private."

"Bullshit. And I don't remember being your friend."

They both shared a small, cynical chuckle and downed their drinks in one go.

"Mmm, good vintage. The Plum has a decent cocktail list, but their wine and coffee selection is pathetic."

"Tell that to your boss. Now get to the point. I'm not exactly sitting around with nothing to do."

"Hmm... Hey, Dingo. Do you remember a woman named Etta who was back in New Eden?"

"Etta? What about that Boosted Man on your crew?"

"No, not the girl. A woman from our generation. She was always on very 'intimate' terms with the white-coat crowd."

"That was twenty years ago. We were kids. I don't know who—ah, wait. I remember her. That whore... Her treatment was way different from the rest of us. She was the one opening her legs for every officer in the building."

"I’d embrace any woman for the sake of the job or survival. Regardless, I want to know what kind of enhancement procedure that Etta underwent. Any idea?"

"Who knows. I’m certain it wasn't biology; she wasn't in my unit. Wasn't she one of yours?"

"No, she wasn't a Cyborg either. That leaves brain-remodeling... Hmm. I wonder what her specialty was."

"Beats me. There were tons of similar types there. Though, come to think of it, she had a twin sister. Yotta, I think her name was."

"Yotta? I believe our Etta mentioned that name as well..."

"So what’s the deal with the whore?"

"Well, that Etta is currently sitting at the top of the Mercenaries Corp. You’ve heard of them, right?"

"She climbed that high on her own? Or was that your doing?"

"Neither. It was Teiro."

"Hmph. A brat is a brat, but that one's got some nerve."

"Hehe, I’ll take that as a compliment. I should be going. If you remember anything else, give me a shout."

"Yeah, whatever. You send over any new intel the second you get it. And just to be sure—you're positive the head of the Mercenaries is that same woman?"

"Absolutely. Now, what’s the payment for this little tip?"

"Hmph. I’ve got a lead on their hunting grounds. I'll send it over later."

"Well, now... I’m starting to look forward to this. Good info."

Phantom let out a smirk. He stood up with a casual wave. "I’ll see myself out." Then, just as he had arrived, he vanished into the ceiling duct. Dingo watched him go and made a mental note to tell the bastard to use the front door like a normal person next time.

---

Far from the heart of the Galactic Empire, past the Alpha Star System checkpoint and through a series of Stargates, lies the Roma Star System—a massive hub in the Alpha Region Space. Once the territory of the Enzio Alliance and now governed by the RS, a straight shot through this region leads eventually to the Frontier, where the Wyoming Star System and Planet Nuke reside. A journey that used to take ages can now be completed in less than half the time, thanks to the cutting-edge Stargates provided by the Empire.

Days further into the void lies the Zayed Route, a desolate cluster of star systems. It is a web-like trail carved by Drive Particle fluctuations, consisting of systems that were picked clean of resources during the Ancient Galactic Empire’s expansion and left to rot. While a meager trade route exists between the Empire and the EAP here, it isn't for profit; it’s maintained strictly as insurance for whenever the Alpha Star System Route is blocked.

"I wonder who actually owns this place. The EAP?"

Taro, sprawled out upside-down on a lounge sofa, muttered the question to the ceiling. Koume, holding a teacup nearby, picked up the thread.

"An excellent question, Mr. Teiro. While the EAP is technically the closest recognized power, they show zero interest in maintaining it. I suspect it is a neutral zone at best."

"Neutral, huh? Well, that kills Plan A... Wait, does that mean we can just call dibs?"

"If you are capable of maintaining it, then yes."

"Yeah... not gonna happen. Next."

The research fleet, centered on the Battleship Plum, had already spent five full days reaching the Zayed Route. It was hardly a distance they could cover quickly in an emergency.

"If there were a Stargate facing this way, it might be a different story. But even then... I don't see the value."

"I agree, Mr. Teiro. Bigger isn't always better when it comes to territory. Unlike the Alpha Star System, there’s no bottleneck gate here. There’s no tactical necessity to own it."

"Yeah, seems that way. I was hoping for something more like a narrow Corridor."

"Reality is rarely so convenient. By the way, Mr. Teiro, I have a question."

"Shoot, Koume-san. Is there something I haven't fully expressed? Me, the 'hardboilder' whose very back tells a story?"

"Indeed, Mr. Teiro. You have been in that position for quite some time. Is there a reason? While there are creatures on Planet Tazatora in the Kerla Dela Star System whose heads are located at the bottom of their bodies, you are, unfortunately, human. Won't the blood rush to your head?"

Taro remained draped over the sofa, his head nearly touching the carpet. Koume looked down at him with cold, clinical eyes.

"Koume-san, please stop looking at me like I'm organic waste. Though I'm sure that look is a real hit with a certain subset of enthusiasts."

"Request denied, Mr. Teiro. I assume your reasons are entirely devoid of merit. Furthermore, from that angle, it would be impossible to see up the skirts of any female employees unless they were to stand directly on your face."

"Dammit! Someone call the manager! I’m wasting all this effort for nothing! Some 'hardboiled' hero I am!"

"There is no one in charge of this ship but you. However, if you are truly intent on peeking, I suggest the stairs near the Second Bridge. Mr. Alan has been acting remarkably suspicious in that vicinity lately."

"No, Marl shut that down. She had the handrails replaced with solid floor-to-ceiling panels..."

"Ah, but it seems he has discovered a new vantage point."

"Seriously?! Son of a... that bastard's holding out on me! And I thought we were friends!"

"I strongly believe that any friendship that cracks over the monopoly of a single peeking spot deserves to be ground into dust."

"............Yeah, thinking about it calmly, you're right."

"As an AI, I simply cannot comprehend this obsession with a mere scrap of fabric. Personally, I find the contents inside to be much more—oh?"

Koume’s cold gaze shifted from Taro to the empty air in front of her.

"It seems Miss Etta has found something, Mr. Teiro. Please review the scan data on BISHOP."

Koume gestured for him to hurry. Found it already? Taro thought, surprised. He quickly pulled up the interface.

[BISHOP: ACCESSING SCAN DATA... STATUS: UPDATED]

"............Wait, this doesn't look like a ship. What is it? A giant piece of space junk?"

The data indicated a massive structure drifting in the distance. While their main goal was finding ships, Taro didn't dismiss it—if Etta was the one reporting it, there was a reason.

"If Etta went out of her way to flag this, it means there's Electromagnetic Wave or Drive Particle activity, right? Is it an EAP military outpost?"

"Unknown, Mr. Teiro. However, I fail to see any tactical significance in this sector. A military facility seems unlikely."

"True. It's not a major route, and it's way too far from the EAP... Don't tell me it's another WIND factory."

"A distinct possibility. The frequency of WIND appearances in this area is significantly higher than average. We have already engaged in seven battles since our departure."

"The Enigma made those walkovers, though... Alright, let's go check it out. We might be stuck in this neighborhood for a while anyway."

Taro made the call and immediately broadcast the shift to high-alert status throughout the ship. Doors along the corridor flew open instantly as the crew scrambled to their stations.

"Wow, my crew is actually competent. Nice... Alright, let's move. Looks like Marl’s finally awake too."

Taro spotted Marl rubbing the sleep from her eyes. He grabbed her hand, explaining the situation as they hurried toward the Bridge.