A thirty-million-credit reward and priority rights to any ingredients found on-site.
I’d accepted the mission under those extraordinary conditions, but I immediately put a hold on things with the Commander.
"……Look, it's great that I'm taking the job, Commander. But there’s one problem."
"What is it? If you're looking for an advance on the reward, we can talk."
"No, it’s not about the money. It’s an equipment issue."
I tapped the holster at my hip.
"The only weapon I have is this one gun. It’s powerful, but it’s far too large for exploring narrow ship corridors or the cramped confines of a plant. It’s overkill—I’d likely blow the whole facility apart along with whatever I’m looking for."
The Astro Breaker was a specialized gimmick weapon designed for anti-armor combat. If I fired it in an enclosed space, I’d either puncture the hull and invite the vacuum of space inside, or we’d just get vaporized by the backblast.
"Besides, the Sperm Whale's stock of physical rounds is looking pretty thin. I bought some anti-drone Buckshot Rounds, but I’m lacking... well, 'medium-to-large physical rounds' capable of punching through tougher targets."
"……In other words, you’re afraid to head into a danger zone empty-handed, so you want me to hand over some military gear?"
Commander Victor Hound gave a dry, knowing smile.
I appreciated how quick he was on the uptake.
"I’m missing a lot of what I'd need for a ground operation. I’m not asking for the Regular Army's latest tech. If you could just spare some 'surplus' rifles gathering dust in the corner of a warehouse or some personal shields, our success rate would skyrocket."
When I rubbed my thumb and index finger together in the universal gesture for "help me out," the Commander let out an exasperated sigh and began tapping on his terminal.
"……Fine. This mission is off the books. Officially, we have no knowledge of whatever happens out there. In exchange, I'll frame this as a transfer of 'supplies scheduled for disposal' to serve as self-defense equipment."
"I appreciate your wise judgment, Commander."
"Don't get too excited. I can only give you a small amount of ship-grade physical rounds. Inventory management is strict; I can only write off what I can feasibly disguise as consumption during training exercises."
"That’s more than enough. Having something is a world of difference from having nothing."
◇
A few hours later.
New "toys" were being loaded into the Sperm Whale’s cargo room.
"Huh, so this is a military rifle... It’s rugged, but it looks like it’ll be easy to maintain."
Mina held the matte-black M-22 Vulture assault rifle, peering through the sights.
It was an older model, but its reliability was legendary. It had decent stopping power and was capable of full-auto fire—the perfect companion for exploration.
On top of that, I’d secured enough belt-mounted Personal Shield Generators for the whole crew. With these, our survival rate while on foot would increase exponentially.
"These are top-shelf, too. Two hundred 120mm Armor-piercing Rounds and three hundred Spread Rounds. ……With this much, we can hold our own for a while."
I ran my hand over the medium-caliber physical rounds settled in the ammunition depot.
The Physical Round Turrets, which made up sixty percent of the Sperm Whale's armament, would finally be more than just decorations.
The sheer physical violence of a shell slamming into a shieldless hull and devouring the armor—it offered a sense of reliability that energy weapons simply couldn't match.
"Equipment check complete. All systems are green."
"Good. We’re ready to go."
We thanked the Commander one last time (and, as a parting gift, gave the old man at the mess hall the recipe for my seasoning liquid) before departing Fort Vulcan.
◇
After several jumps via Hyperdrive, we reached the target sector.
Stretched out beneath us was a beautiful planet, a swirling blend of vibrant greens and deep blues.
Experimental Agricultural Plant: Eden's Garden Sector 4.
"……It’s beautiful. From out here, it looks like a literal paradise," Mina whispered, staring out the window.
The sensor readings, however, told a much less peaceful story.
"Warning. Numerous pieces of space debris detected in planetary orbit. ……They appear to be organic."
"Organic?"
"Affirmative. Massive vines and spores have penetrated the atmosphere and extended into orbit."
Lucia brought up a magnified image on the monitor.
There, piercing through the facility structures on the surface and reaching toward the void like gargantuan tentacles, were massive stalks of vegetation.
The entire facility was being swallowed by a sea of green.
"……It’s gone completely wild. Left abandoned, the plants became feral and grew out of control."
"Can we even get inside? It looks like the airlocks are buried."
"We’ll just have to force our way in. Let’s go—the ingredients are waiting for us."
As I locked the Sperm Whale into its descent trajectory, I ordered the full deployment of our Concealed Armaments.
Usually, the standard procedure is to retract all weapons during atmospheric re-entry to avoid heat and drag issues. But even if the enemy was just a plant, it was a monster capable of reaching into space. I wanted our fangs bared so we could strike back the moment anything came flying at us.
With every gun port online and shields cranked to maximum output, we made a forced landing into the heart of the green demon realm.
Dozuuuuuuun……!
The landing gear bit into the earth, and the ship’s massive hull settled.
We had landed in an open area near the plant's central hub—a space that had once served as a landing port. Now, weeds as tall as a man grew thick from the cracks in the crumbling concrete.
"We’ve arrived. External pressure is normal. Oxygen concentration is…… a little high. Must be the plants."
When I cycled the airlock, the stifling scent of greenery and damp, heavy air came rushing in.
It was a far cry from Hephaestus, which smelled of nothing but grease and soot.
However, a jungle isn't always a peaceful place.
"All right, weapons ready. Mina, stay behind me. Lucia, you’ve got the rear."
"Understood."
"Got it. ……Wait, did you hear that? That rustling sound?"
Mina looked around, her expression anxious.
From deep within the thickets, I felt a presence—something watching us.
I leveled my newly acquired rifle, stepping out onto the soil without lowering my guard.
"Is this our welcoming party, or a delivery? ……Either way, you’re going on the menu."
The former paradise had clearly transformed into a crucible of survival.
That was just fine by me.
After all, we’d come here to stand at the top of the food chain.
The ingredients have made a direct entry! Though whether they’re still edible is anyone’s guess.