During the ride back to headquarters, Ai calmly explained something that made both GUTS members do a double-take.
"This Detective Boys badge I'm wearing has a built-in transmitter and radio communicator," she said matter-of-factly, pointing to the small red device pinned to her shirt. "I can use it to make calls, and more importantly, I can track Conan's location through the matching badge he wears."
She unpinned the badge and held it up for them to see. "Since Conan is still wearing his, your team should be able to use mine to triangulate his position."
Shinjo, who was driving, nearly swerved in surprise. A transmitter and radio communicator, built into something the size of a child's toy badge? The miniaturization and concealment were incredible. What kind of children carried equipment like that?
"I see," Daigo said, taking the badge from Ai with careful hands. He wasn't entirely sure how the tracking would work, but he had complete confidence in Horii's technical abilities.
Soon, they arrived at TPC headquarters. Ai gazed up at the imposing structure with obvious curiosity, her sharp eyes taking in every detail of the advanced architecture visible from the entrance. Even without seeing the interior systems, it was clear the facility represented technology far beyond what most people had access to.
After passing through several security checkpoints, they reached the GUTS command center.
"Captain, we've brought Ai back safely," Daigo reported.
"Good work." Captain Iruma nodded, then studied the young girl carefully. There was something unusual about Ai's composure that caught her attention. A normal six or seven-year-old who had just witnessed alien abductions should be crying, clinging to the adults, or at the very least showing signs of trauma. Instead, Ai stood calmly, systematically examining every piece of equipment in the room with analytical eyes.
"Ai," Captain Iruma said gently, crouching down to the girl's eye level, "can you tell us exactly what happened tonight?"
"Of course."
Ai's account was methodical and precise, starting from their decision to investigate the missing persons case and ending with her escape into the forest. She provided clear descriptions of the Crow Man's appearance, his technology, and the manner in which Conan and Shigeru had been captured.
"So the weapon fires some kind of beam that causes people to shrink and then draws them inside?" Horii asked, already mentally working through the physics involved.
"That's correct," Ai confirmed. "The effect appeared instantaneous, and the victims seemed to lose consciousness during the process."
The GUTS team members exchanged serious looks. To combat the Crow People effectively, they would need to understand and counter this shrinking technology.
"Horii," Vice-Captain Kojiro said, "developing countermeasures is our top priority."
"Leave it to me!" Horii replied confidently, already eager to get to his lab. "I won't let some alien technology stump me!"
"Wait, Horii," Daigo called out, producing the Detective Boys badge. "Ai mentioned that Conan has an identical badge with the same communication capabilities. Can you use this one to track his location?"
"Absolutely!" Horii took the device, his eyes lighting up as he examined the surprisingly sophisticated miniature electronics. "This is actually quite impressive craftsmanship. Give me a few minutes to—"
Beep beep beep!
Suddenly, the badge's small LED indicator began flashing rapidly.
Every person in the command center focused their attention on the device.
"It's Conan!" Ai said immediately. "He must be trying to contact me through our communication system."
Daigo quickly handed the badge back to Ai, who adjusted a tiny dial on its side to tune to the proper frequency.
Meanwhile, in the Crow People's holding facility...
Conan slowly regained consciousness to find himself strapped to what felt like an examination table inside some kind of transparent containment cell. The surface beneath him was cold and metallic, and thick restraints held his arms and legs firmly in place.
"Shigeru," he whispered, turning his head to see the boy on a similar table just a few feet away. "Are you awake?"
Shigeru groaned and opened his eyes, blinking in confusion at their sterile, prison-like surroundings. Through the clear walls of their cell, he could see dozens of other similar containers, each holding unconscious human captives of various ages.
"Where are we?" Shigeru asked, his voice tight with fear as he watched the tall, crow-headed figures moving through the facility beyond their cell.
"Some kind of alien ship or base," Conan replied quietly. "Listen, Shigeru—I have a communicator that can reach Ai and the GUTS team. We need to gather as much information as possible while we have the chance."
"What do you mean?"
"We're going to make some noise, get one of these creatures to come over here, and then I'm going to ask them some questions," Conan explained. "I have a... particular talent for getting villains to explain their plans."
Shigeru looked at him skeptically, but nodded. "What do we do?"
"Start shouting. Make them think we're panicking."
The two boys began calling out loudly, rattling their restraints and generally causing as much commotion as possible. Within minutes, one of the Crow People approached their cell, its mechanical footsteps echoing in the sterile chamber.
"So it's you two brats," the creature said, its voice carrying an unnaturally harsh quality through what was presumably a translation device. "I remember you—the ones who tried to interfere with my work."
"Who are you?" Conan demanded, slipping into what Ai had long since dubbed his "detective mode." "What do you want with all these people?"
The Crow Man tilted its head with predatory amusement. Perhaps it was the confidence that came with technological superiority, or maybe it was simple arrogance, but the alien seemed almost eager to explain.
"We are scouts from the P43 Nebula," it said proudly. "Our home world once had creatures very similar to your species—we used them as slaves for countless generations. But recently, they began dying out faster than they could reproduce."
The creature gestured toward the other containment cells with obvious satisfaction. "Fortunately, we discovered Earth and found that humans are essentially identical to our former slave species, but with much stronger reproductive capabilities. When we bring samples back and report our findings, our people will launch a massive harvesting operation. Your entire planet will become a breeding ground for our new slave population!"
"And as the discoverers of this world," the Crow Man continued, "my partner and I will be celebrated as heroes throughout the P43 Nebula!"
Conan felt his blood run cold, but forced himself to keep the alien talking. "So you're planning to enslave the entire human race?"
"Eventually, yes. Though we must be cautious—your world has that giant of light, Ultraman Tiga. We've witnessed his power, so we cannot move openly yet." The creature's tone became more thoughtful. "Our current strategy is to gather enough human samples to convince our military commanders that Earth is worth the risk of a full invasion."
"You're insane!" Shigeru shouted. "Humanity will never become your slaves!"
"Hahaha! That's not your decision to make, child," the Crow Man laughed mockingly. "Though I admit, you two are among the more intelligent specimens we've captured. If you cooperate with us, I might be generous enough to make you overseers of the other slaves."
"Never!" Conan spat. "We'd rather die than help you!"
"Such spirit! You'll make excellent examples when we break your will on P43." The alien seemed genuinely amused by their defiance. "We have very effective methods for dealing with stubborn slaves."
With that ominous promise, the Crow Man turned to leave.
"Wait! Please!"
A desperate voice called out from another cell—an adult man who had apparently been listening to the entire conversation. "I'll cooperate! I'll be your slave! I'll do whatever you want—just treat me well!"
The Crow Man paused and looked at the pleading man with obvious contempt.
"You? You want to serve us?" The alien's laugh was harsh and mocking. "You're weak, pathetic, and cowardly. What possible use would we have for something like you?"
The creature walked away without another glance, leaving the man to pound frantically against his cell walls.
"No! Come back! I'm useful! I'm better than these kids!" the man screamed, his voice cracking with hysteria. "Why would you choose children over me?!"
His desperate ranting continued long after the Crow Man had disappeared from view.
Back in the GUTS command center, every word of the conversation had been transmitted clearly through Conan's badge. The room fell silent as the implications sank in.
"An entire planet planning to use Earth as a slave breeding ground," Captain Iruma said grimly. "And they're being cautious specifically because they fear Ultraman Tiga's power."
"At least we know they can be intimidated," Kojiro observed. "The question is whether we can locate and stop them before they complete their intelligence gathering."
"Horii," Captain Iruma turned to their technical specialist, "how quickly can you get a lock on that signal?"
"I'm already working on it!" Horii replied, his fingers flying over his console. "The badge's transmission is surprisingly strong—give me just a few more minutes!"