Deep within the ink-black void of space, the construction ship Vulcan was busy erecting a simplified relay base.
The structure lived up to its "simplified" moniker, being fundamentally basic in design. It was a flat disc, its position and movement controlled by force generators. While it contained a modest living facility capable of supporting ten people for about a week, its primary purpose was far more technical. It served as a relay point for magi-machines like the Peeping Telescope, also known as the Peeper, and doubled as a navigational landmark for teleportation.
In terms of defense, the base was well-equipped. It featured a solid barrier and an Aegis to guard against meteorite impacts, along with a magic barrier to repel arcane assaults. The Vulcan had managed to assemble the entire facility in a mere two days.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Being able to teleport the materials really makes all the difference," Jin noted with a satisfied nod back on Hourai Island.
By using a transporter to deliver pre-processed materials from the island directly to the Vulcan, they had managed to slash the construction timeline significantly.
"Indeed, My Lord. With this, we can finally begin a serious investigation of Hale," Laojun replied.
"I’m counting on you, Laojun."
"Certainly. However, while I anticipated some difficulty with the Peeper, I didn't expect it to be this restrictive."
Immediately after the relay base went online, Laojun had attempted to observe the area around Hale. However, a powerful barrier shrouded the planet's suspected coordinates, rendering it invisible to their remote sensors.
"Should we have the Vulcan advance toward Hale then?" Laojun asked. Since this was a scenario they had prepared for, they already had a contingency plan in place.
"Yeah," Jin agreed. The plan was straightforward: position the Vulcan at a safe but closer distance to Hale to serve as a forward base of operations.
"Please wait another six or seven days for the transit."
"Understood. Take it slow."
Jin knew they had to move with extreme caution. "The last thing I want is an interplanetary war sparked by a simple misunderstanding."
＊ ＊ ＊
Meanwhile, back on December 20th, two days prior...
"I intend to dispatch a scouting party," Laojun had proposed to Jin.
"To where?"
"To the position opposite the Vulcan's heading."
Laojun explained his reasoning, speculating that the Haleans might have established their own relay bases in that direction.
"That makes sense. We definitely need to check it out."
"Yes. If there was a fifty-percent chance that the Vulcan would find nothing on its path, then the alternative is almost certainly in the other direction."
"Right. What's the fleet composition?"
"I plan to send six ships: the Castor, Pollux, Prometheus, Endymion, Daedalus, and Cepheus."
Jin thought it over for a moment before giving his approval. "...There might be some danger out there. Go ahead."
"Thank you for the prompt authorization, My Lord."
With those orders, the scouting party had set off.
＊ ＊ ＊
"We’ve found something..."
It was now December 23rd. The fleet was currently positioned at a point that formed an equilateral triangle with Sun Celane and Planet Ars.
"Is it... an asteroid?"
The six ships of the scouting party had detected a massive presence floating in the void.
"We will be able to perform a detailed observation in half a day. I shall report the findings to My Lord shortly before then."
This point in space—an orbital position forming an equilateral triangle with two celestial bodies—exists in a state of stable equilibrium. These are known as Lagrange points, though Jin apparently hadn't been familiar with the term.
"I see... Not 90 degrees, but 60. An equilateral triangle," Laojun mused. Through mathematical analysis, the Hourai Island brain had come to realize that these specific points were ideal locations for relay bases.
"In that case, there may be similar features at the 60 and 120-degree marks along the Vulcan's path as well."
Laojun immediately contacted the Vulcan, instructing them to watch the 120-degree position. Since they had already passed the 60-degree point, he decided they could verify it on their return trip.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Laojun, I’ve seen the report."
Half a day later, the scouting party closed in on the mysterious object.
"My Lord, as previously indicated, we have discovered an asteroid cluster at this location."
"Right. So there really was 'something' there." Jin felt a surge of satisfaction that their decision three days ago had proven correct.
"Please, observe."
Footage from the flagship Castor was projected onto the large magi-screen in the command room. It showed a dense cluster of asteroids.
"This position appears to be orbitally stable, which likely explains why asteroids and space dust have accumulated here."
In Jin's original world, such formations were known as Trojan groups, with the ones in Jupiter's orbit being the most famous.
"Perhaps the Moon, Uni, was even brought from a place like this," Laojun added.
The cluster contained asteroids of all sizes, some of which appeared large enough to be converted into permanent bases.
"Hmm. If a place like this was available, wouldn't it have been better to gather resources from here?" Jin wondered.
"Precisely. If that is the case, it is possible the Haleans aren't even aware this location exists."
It was a possibility they could only speculate on for now.
"Any signs of activity?"
"None, My Lord."
"I see. Keep proceeding with caution. If there isn't a base there, then perhaps in the distant future, Ars will source its resources from this very spot."
"Understood."
＊ ＊ ＊
"Man... it’s just one complication after another," Jin grumbled to himself.
"Father, your tea."
Reiko appeared, carrying a cup of hojicha.
"Ah, thank you, Reiko."
Jin took a sip of the tea, which had been cooled to the perfect temperature, and let out a long sigh. "We're just trying to run reconnaissance on Hale, and we already have all this to deal with."
"You will be fine, Father! I have complete confidence in you."
"I hope you're right." Jin finished the tea with a wry smile.
Just then, Elsa walked in with a tray of her own. "Jin-nii, I brought tea... Oh?"
Seeing the empty cup on the table, Elsa’s expression fell slightly.
"Ah, I'm still pretty thirsty, actually. I was just thinking about having another cup."
"Oh? Good." Elsa’s face brightened as she handed him the tea she had brewed. This time, it was genmaicha.
"Mmm, this is great."
The sky over Hourai Island was a clear, brilliant blue—so serene it was impossible to imagine the incidents currently unfolding in the distant reaches of space.