"An object has been detected in orbit."
That report arrived on January 6th. It came from the Skylark squad, which had been specially modified for deep-space operations.
"It is a sphere, approximately 500 meters in diameter, currently circling in a satellite orbit."
At only 500 meters across, it was an object easily missed amidst the sheer scale of space if one didn't know exactly where to look. Without the deployment of the Skylark squad, it likely would have remained undiscovered.
"Judging by the flow of free ether, the internal systems are active."
An analysis with the Ether Analyzer showed the object was gathering and consuming the surrounding free ether. The rate of consumption clearly suggested the presence of either a large-scale Magi Machine or a high density of smaller ones within the structure.
"A weak barrier has been detected around it—likely a detection-type barrier. Its diameter is ten kilometers."
It didn't appear to be a physical shield meant to block matter; rather, it seemed designed to detect the approach of intruders or potential threats. It was possible that a more powerful barrier would be deployed upon detection.
"There is a possibility that the use of the Peeping Telescope, the Peeper, may be detected by some means. We await further instructions."
"Hmm, that’s a tricky one," Jin muttered, deep in thought.
He was currently in the command room beneath the Hourai Island laboratory.
"The primary concern is the possibility that they might notice us using the Peeper, isn't it?" Laojun asked.
"Exactly."
Yet Jin also felt that if they did nothing, they would never make any progress. "I wonder... could we induce them to reach out to us first?" he mused. He wondered if they could guide the other side into becoming interested enough to initiate contact.
"In that case, the key would be how to signal that we have no hostile intent," Laojun noted.
"Hmm, I see."
Jin tried to think of a way to let the Haleans know they were friendly.
"Since they are so individualistic, they might not necessarily view members of their own kind as allies by default," Laojun reminded him.
"That's true too."
Jin shifted his perspective. If they wouldn't see them as friends, was there at least a way to get them to ask who they were?
"Assuming they already know of the Vulcan and the Skylark squad, it's actually quite strange that they haven't shown any reaction at all."
"You're right about that."
Jin had been tempted to think this was another dead facility, but he reminded himself that there were active Magi Machines inside.
"Do they simply not react unless we take a proactive approach?"
"Indeed. If we consider the premise of their individualism, we cannot rule out the possibility that they are simply ignoring us under the principle of 'none of my business.'"
"I see..." Jin was impressed; that was classic Laojun logic. If it were Jin, he would be far too curious to just ignore something like that. "So, a conspicuous action that piques their interest while proving we aren't enemies, huh?"
It seemed like an impossible riddle. Jin cradled his head in his hands.
"My Lord, why not ask Testa through Marikka?"
At the very least, Testa was the entity that should know the most about the Haleans. Step one was learning more about the opponent.
"That might be the best way to go..." Jin agreed.
"So, that’s the situation. Testa, what do you make of it?"
That afternoon, Marikka, Sion, Jin, and Reiko were on Onogoro Island, questioning the Supervising Brain, Testa.
<Oh? So Jin-dono has reached the Masters' planet?>
"I have, but..."
Jin explained everything they had discovered thus far.
<I see. So the Masters no longer remain on the home planet.>
Testa did not seem particularly discouraged by the news. This was likely because he had a clear, living "Master" in Marikka. It was exactly as Laojun had predicted: as long as a golem or system had a Master to serve, it would remain stable and functional.
"We found a spherical facility in satellite orbit and wanted to try contacting them to talk, but we haven't gotten any reaction at all."
<That is to be expected.>
Testa began to describe the temperament of his former Masters.
<To a Master, the 'Self' comes first. Everything that is not the 'Self' is categorized as the 'Other.'>
"Yeah, I can understand that."
<The 'Other' is then further divided into three categories: Ally, Enemy, and Irrelevant.>
It’s like a scale of friend, foe, and apathy, Jin thought.
<If there is no reaction, it is likely because they have deemed you irrelevant.>
Testa explained that strangers were categorized as irrelevant by default. They would only be reclassified based on subsequent information—and if they were deemed an enemy at that point, they would likely be attacked.
"Then what should we do to be considered an ally?"
Testa cut him off.
<Wait. Do not rush to a conclusion. In truth, within the 'Irrelevant' category, there is a sub-group: 'Piques interest.'>
"That’s a bit convoluted."
<It would be best to aim for the status of an 'irrelevant entity that piques interest.'>
"That really is complicated... Do you have anything specific in mind?"
<There is no choice but to demonstrate something that would catch a Master's eye.>
"And what would that be, specifically?"
<I cannot say for certain without knowing that particular Master's specific values, but there is a high probability they belong to the reclusive faction of the remaining faction.>
Jin offered a silent prayer in his heart for the Return to Nature faction, suspecting they had quietly faded away on the surface of Hale.
<The reclusive faction is the group least interested in the outside world. A half-hearted appeal will mean nothing to them.>
Jin was starting to feel a bit restless at the roundabout explanation.
<It must be something that is not dangerous, yet piques their curiosity. I can say no more than that.>
What kind of advice is that? Jin wondered. Still, it was slightly more to go on than they’d had before. He decided to test an idea.
"For example, what if we emitted a dazzling light in space?"
<Something of that level would likely fail to catch their interest.>
"Then how about staging a mock battle?"
His thought was that instead of attacking the spherical facility, they could draw its attention by having a skirmish nearby. They could use their own ships to perform an elaborate combat exercise.
<Hmm. That might actually work.>
"I thought so."
Just as Jin was about to commit to this plan, Marikka spoke up.
"Um, what would happen if we just tried to visit normally?"
Jin realized he had completely overlooked the most obvious question. However, Testa’s response was curt.
<They would likely ignore you. If you were to force your way in, you would immediately be identified as a hostile entity.>
"I see... This is difficult."
Ultimately, Jin began to plan out the mock battle, convinced it was the fastest way to draw out a reaction.