Five units of the Shinobi Squad, numbered Shinobi 1 through 5, were deployed.
Jin D and Elsa D monitored the mission through a magi-screen synchronized with Shinobi 1’s vision.
"To the Shinobi Squad: In the worst-case scenario, I can recall you with the transporter, but I expect you to prioritize your own safety and avoid danger....Commencing deployment."
The transporters built into the Shinobi Squad units could send or recall targets based on markers. Their primary advantage was the ability to teleport themselves; however, they were limited by the fact that they could not teleport to a location lacking a marker. For this reason, they were being sent in via the ship's onboard transporter.
Without so much as a countdown, the five members of the Shinobi Squad were moved from the Adriana to the lunar subsurface.
"Hmm, it seems to still be operational."
The mass of free ether that had served as their beacon was, as Jin suspected, a magi-machine.
"Looks like an ether converter," Jin judged based on the visual feed alone. "I suspect that's the heart of the underground facility."
＊ ＊ ＊
Upon teleporting, the Shinobi Squad first confirmed there were no signs of life, then scanned their surroundings. Though the area was dim, lights that appeared to be magi-lamps were still lit.
Furthermore, they reported the presence of an atmosphere.
(Oxygen and nitrogen, a small amount of carbon dioxide, and noble gases. It appears to be breathable air. Gravity is approximately 1G.)
Shinobi 5, having utilized its full analytical suite to provide the report, transmitted the visual feed to Jin and the others.
Though they showed their age, giant metallic cylinders stood in rows. These were the magi-machines Jin had identified as ether converters. In this chamber containing twenty units, dust was piled thick, and there were no signs that any living soul had visited for a very long time.
(Engage force generators.)
(Acknowledged.)
To avoid leaving footprints in the dust, the five units hovered off the ground and moved toward the ceiling.
(We're moving out. Follow me.)
With Shinobi 5 in the lead, the five members of the Shinobi Squad began their silent infiltration.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Oh, they're moving along the ceiling."
The visual feed began to shift. Because it was a bird's-eye view, the layout of the interior was easy to grasp.
"The fact that dust has accumulated to that degree means no one has set foot here," Jin D deduced as he watched the screen.
Eventually, they reached a dead end blocked by a door.
"Hmm. If that's the power room, it makes sense for it to be partitioned off."
The problem was how to get past it. With the facility so devoid of life, the opening and closing of a door would be far too conspicuous, even if they were using their Invisible stealth.
＊ ＊ ＊
At that moment, Laojun spoke up.
"My Lord, I recommend a detailed investigation with the ether radar, centered on the area where the Shinobi Squad is currently located."
"Hmm? Why is that?" Jin asked, lifting the control interface from his head.
"Yes. This is a suggestion from Taihaku, so please listen to him directly."
"All right."
Laojun patched through Taihaku’s audio.
«My Lord, excuse me for interrupting while you are busy. In my personal opinion, if we use the ether radar, we should be able to determine exactly how many humans or golems are currently within this lunar facility.»
"Oh, that's a good point!"
If they used the radar, they should be able to detect the presence of anything inside, including moving targets. Jin thanked him, put the control device back on, and relayed the instructions to Taisei.
"Understood. I will begin immediately."
The Adriana shifted its position slightly to achieve an optimal scanning angle. Ten minutes later, a considerably more detailed survey had been completed.
The conclusion was nothing short of shocking.
"As of now, there are no moving objects detected within the facility."
"What...?"
Jin had expected the numbers to be low, but he hadn't anticipated this.
"However, there is a possibility that the inhabitants are simply asleep."
"Hmm, I suppose... but still..."
Jin felt that possibility was slim. Even the golems seemed to be stationary.
"All right, Shinobi Squad. Open the door and proceed."
In the end, they wouldn't learn anything unless they moved forward. Following Jin D's orders, the Shinobi Squad struggled through the laborious process of forcing the door open and began moving down the corridor.
"I didn't think the door would be that difficult to move..."
It had taken all five of them five minutes of combined effort.
"It likely would have responded normally to someone of human size," Laojun remarked while observing the feed.
Fortunately, there were no further doors for a while, allowing the five units to make steady progress.
(This area appears to be a warehouse.)
They opened an unlocked door and peeked inside, finding what looked like completely desiccated grains and the remnants of what had once been preserved rations. In another storehouse, they found food supplies that appeared to be synthetic products.
"I'll want samples eventually," Jin noted.
Deciding it wasn't the time for that yet, the Shinobi Squad pressed on until they encountered another door.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Is this one serving as an airlock?" Jin D wondered aloud.
Based on the visual feed, the door was far sturdier than the warehouse doors, and its opening mechanism was significantly more complex. Given that this was a facility in space, it was only natural for it to be divided into airtight sections.
This door took three minutes to bypass. Beyond it was a staircase leading to the level above. At the top was another door; they managed to open this one in two minutes, clearly growing accustomed to the task.
"Oh, is this a residential area?"
The atmosphere shifted immediately. The lighting was brighter, reaching the level of a normal indoor room. Unlike the bleak industrial feel of the lower levels, this area felt somewhat more inviting. And yet...
"There’s dust here, too..."
That meant it had been a long time since anyone had lived here. Given that the ether radar hadn't picked up any movement, it was perhaps to be expected.
"...It’s so melancholy," Elsa D murmured as she watched the footage.
Jin agreed. It carried the same heavy sadness as a vacant home or an abandoned ruin.
"Are there really no people left?"
If that were the case, Jin wondered what could have happened. There was air here. There was food. And yet, the place was empty.
Tens of thousands of people were supposed to have emigrated here from the former Leonard Kingdom. To find it in this state...
Seeking the answer to that mystery, the Shinobi Squad continued deeper into the facility.