"Superior Officer!"
Access to the base's inner perimeter required identity verification. Upon reviewing Zane's credentials, the personnel realized he wasn't just a lawful citizen of New Eridu—he was also an officer of the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe.
The address of "Superior Officer" was entirely appropriate.
To Zane, however, this came as a surprise.
"They didn't know about this identity?"
He looked at Trigger curiously. After all, his Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe status should have been directly recorded in his New Eridu citizen ID. How could they not know?
But judging from the situation, the people here truly hadn't known at first.
Had they really not investigated him at all?
"Zane, it seems you underestimated their caution. They won't allow even the slightest unexpected variable."
Trigger chuckled as she walked toward the deep-level elevator nearby, continuing her explanation.
"That's why I've always been the one handling handovers with you. Someone did suggest replacing me with a more suitable candidate, since we have a personal connection, but that idea was quickly shut down."
"Those knowledge-hungry types won't complicate matters with unnecessary moves. As long as everything goes smoothly, they're satisfied."
Zane sighed at his words.
"That actually works out well for me. Yeah, that's the smarter choice..."
He nodded slightly. After this exchange, his already favorable impression of those people grew even stronger.
"Let's go."
Soldier 11 spoke as the elevator doors opened, stepping inside first. Though Trigger was the one directly involved in what lay below, she wasn't unfamiliar with this place. She knew her way around.
Trigger led Zane in, and the three of them entered the wide elevator. Under the watchful eyes of several Defense Force guards, the doors closed with a heavy clang, their sturdiness undeniable.
Zane's attention, however, was on his surroundings.
The elevator had three transparent sides—perhaps so those inside could observe the outside, or so those outside could observe within.
With a soft hum, the elevator began its descent. Zane felt the motion beneath his feet, while Soldier 11 and Trigger remained calm and expressionless.
The lighting was dim, but as the elevator continued downward, a sudden beam of light poured in, illuminating the cabin.
The vast underground beneath the Mars District Defense Force headquarters unfolded before their eyes.
Zane's eyes widened slightly, curiosity sparking within him. Back during his fight here, when he dealt with those two survivors, he had sensed something beneath the base.
At the time, though, he hadn't paid it much mind, occupied with other matters. Looking back now, that decision had been wise. If this place had taken him as an enemy, things could have gotten messy.
Technology truly leaves no gaps.
Suddenly, the elevator stopped. After a brief two-second pause, a cold electronic voice rang out:
"Identification successful. Access granted."
The descent resumed. Around them, other elevators moved horizontally and vertically. As Zane's elevator sank lower, obstructions fell away, and the full subterranean panorama came into view.
Steel, machinery, electronic screens, and countless facilities filled the massive underground expanse—so vast it seemed even larger than the surface base.
Zane's gaze landed on several recessed iron frames in the distance. Within them stood mechanical "giants," towering and unmoving, as workers bustled around their colossal forms.
The ground below was crowded with people, each intent on their own tasks. The scene was busy yet orderly, making the elevator carrying Zane and the others seem almost insignificant.
"These things... they're at least thirty meters tall. Just standing still, they're intimidating enough."
Zane spoke softly, his expression calm.
Trigger followed his gaze and replied without hesitation:
"See the one in the center? That's Predator One. It's thirty-five meters tall and has three cockpits—one for mobility control, one for firepower systems, and one for observation and reconnaissance."
"Predator One is modeled after a spider. It's equipped with six dual laser cannons, two flamethrowers, and an external condensation unit. Each of its eight limbs mounts two automatic machine guns—sixteen in total—and their tips have tremendous piercing power."
"In addition, Predator One can dive underwater and achieve short bursts of flight. It has two defensive modes: energy shielding and force fields. Its radar can scan up to one kilometer, though the actual range depends on Hollow conditions."
"Its abdomen carries an electric energy cannon—devastatingly powerful, though extremely energy-intensive, reserved for emergencies. Its tail contains large reserves of liquid high-strength adhesive, while its alloy shell has Level 6 impact resistance."
"Most importantly, though it can be deployed against humans, its true purpose is Hollow operations. Its energy core runs primarily on Ether Substance but can also absorb trace amounts of skeletal energy and Hollow energy as backup."
"In ideal conditions, running out of power is not a concern."
"On top of that, every machine here has consciousness upload capabilities. Even if a pilot dies, their data can survive in another form."
Trigger clearly knew these machines inside and out. After introducing Predator One, she pointed to its right.
"From there to the right: Predator Two, the humanoid mimic; Predator Three, the dragonfly mimic; Predator Four, the unicorn and cheetah mimic; Predator Five, the rhinoceros and turtle mimic..."
"As for the three unfinished units on Predator One's left, that's the 'Angel' series. Thanks to research advances made possible by the Ether Substance you provided, development has just begun. They're still incomplete."
"Oh, and over in the corner—you see that machine being repaired? That's the only one here with real battle experience."
"Just last week, after hunting down over a thousand Ethereal in Hollow Zero, it encountered a high-risk Ethereal in the inner perimeter outside Hollow Zero. Though badly damaged, it forced the enemy to retreat and managed to return safely."
Trigger's eyes gleamed as she turned back to Zane, excitement in her voice.
"Do you know what's most important? All four crew members came back unharmed. Its resistance to corrosion, maneuverability, defense, and combat power have all been proven."