"I do have an idea. But first, let's get our bearings straight."
I nodded at Lemon's words, then launched into an explanation of White Star itself.
"To start: this satellite base is called White Star—you all know that. Its creators were the Aerogaters, aliens we've never encountered in our world. But apparently, they built up a force on par with the Inspectors."
The briefing room buzzed the moment I mentioned a power rivaling the Inspectors. Everyone here hailed from the same world as me—Earth, once occupied by those very Inspectors. No wonder they were rattled at the thought of another alien empire on that level. (To be precise, White Star wasn't run by Aerogaters directly, but by brainwashed Earthlings under their control.)
"The Aerogaters invaded Earth with one goal: turn humans into weapons. White Star was built to house those captured humans as combat assets. In other words…"
"It's fully self-sufficient for everyday life?" Lemon finished.
"Exactly. From what I know, it packs a multipurpose farm called 'Kibuts' for food production, mobile weapon factories, and a treasure trove of Aerogater tech."
As I spoke, the tech team's faces lit up with curiosity once more. Tech from aliens who'd once dominated our world? Irresistible to scientists, engineers, and mechanics alike.
"And this might interest you, Lemon: the Aerogaters were creating hybrid humans and artificial beings called Balshams. Could be a goldmine for W-series research."
"Hmm… now that piques my interest."
Lemon had listened coolly until now, but her eyes sparkled at the mention of the Ws. She had a deep attachment to the project, after all.
"…That's the extent of what I know about White Star from my sources. There's probably more, but we'll uncover it through hands-on investigation."
That wrapped up my canon-knowledge rundown.
"As for that escape plan: we could use Trinity Gain with Aguyios onboard to punch out of this rift. Or pull Ryukeios from storage—either works."
The room stirred again. A tech jackpot from Inspector-rival aliens, plus a way out of the rift? Disaster turned to fortune. But no fairy tale came without thorns.
"Sorry to rain on the parade, but once we escape this rift, kiss White Star goodbye."
"Why!?"
A man blurted it out reflexively; the others' faces screamed the same frustration.
"Think about it. Say we return to our world—or theirs. Can we hide something colony-sized? I doubt it. If we're spotted in ours, the Federation will seize it on some pretext—we're rebels, remember? Theirs? Forget it. White Star's branded Aerogater tech, and with hardliner Kenneth calling the shots in the current Fed forces, we'd be blasted on sight."
The techs nodded reluctantly.
"So here are my three proposals: One, forget White Star and bail via System XN ASAP. Two, poke around a bit, then escape with System XN. Three, claim it as Shadow Mirror's new home base."
Each had trade-offs, but safety-wise, option three edged out. (Though we'd need to verify White Star's long-term viability in the rift first.) The team murmured, debating. From what I overheard, nearly everyone leaned toward two or three—no one itching for an immediate exit.
"From the chatter, sounds like no one's voting for 'leave now.' That right?"
I scanned the room; nods all around, as if it were obvious.
"Then it's settled: we're here long-term for now. Let's survey White Star's interior. Results might sway some opinions."
More nods. We'd investigate first, decide later. (With System XN, we could even pop out temporarily, then return—Trinity Gain in tow, meaning I'd tag along for storage duty.)
"Everyone's beat today anyway. Survey starts tomorrow?" Lemon suggested.
She was right. The adrenaline crash hit hard: battling Hiryu Kai and Kurogane outside Dolm, killing Vindel, slaying the Einst boss, rift survival, White Star refuge. One hell of a day.
"Yeah. We'll adjourn. Tomorrow, gather here if you're in. Lemon, handle the mass-pro Ws?"
"Leave it to me."
And with that, we broke for the day.
Two weeks into the White Star survey, progress was smooth—thanks to mass-pro Ws and the tech team. But at ~40km diameter, colony-scale, total coverage in a fortnight was impossible.
Key areas: central control hub (likely Judeca's old haunt), power sectors, multipurpose farms, mobile weapon plants, living quarters, research labs.
Control: Judeca personally ran it in canon. Without him, full mastery's out—especially whole-base teleportation, which relied on his oversight. But energy fields, maintenance, and basics work fine. (Judeca probably handled combat functions.) Tech team to the rescue on details.
Power: Pure EOT. A limited Zfild Crystal variant—self-repairing perpetual motion, maintenance-free. Hands off.
Kibuts farms: Tech unknown, but synthesizes endless food—tasty, Earth-like. Possible elemental transmutation (tech team theory). Also farm/ranch viable, currently barren.
Weapon plants: Trashed by Hiryu Kai/Hagane's raid. Needs repairs, EOT-heavy so time sink. Silver lining: three intact Megilot lines. Recon drones packing PT-level punch, unmanned—perfect for our skeleton crew. Set master controls during production, and they're labor-ready.
Living quarters: Full urban setup—stress-free for captives. Keeps our team sane. We're under 150, bunked in one; multiples exist.
Research labs: Tech team's paradise. EOT wonderland. (Hoping no bizarre Aerogater-Shadow Mirror hybrids emerge.)
Hybrid human chambers: Lemon's now. She's thrilled—W research acceleration, better mass-pros incoming. No W Numbers planned, though. Lamia and Wodan left their mark.
"Phew. Two weeks' worth, huh."
I tossed Lemon's report on the desk with a sigh. The team had uncovered a ton already. (White Star's ~40km includes multilayered barriers/armor; livable core ~25-30km. 10km defenses? Shocking, yet fitting.)
Rough survey done; tomorrow's briefing to plot next steps.
"Before the report, one thing to settle."
Twenty-three of us: Lemon's techs, Echidna, me. I cut off a tech mid-start.
"What is it?"
"Ryukeios placement."
Murmurs rippled.
"Aguyios runs sans Helios now, thanks to Lemon's tweaks. Ryukeios? Straight from storage—stock other-world specs. Base or exodus, we'll need supply runs. White Star's self-sufficient, but EOT-packed and half-unknown. Backup options save lives."
"True," Lemon agreed. "But where? Near hangars, for mobile ops?"
"W-what about near research!?"
A tech piped up, then wilted under Lemon's stare.
"I get the curiosity, but everyone'd hoard it nearby. Hangars it is."
"Yes, ma'am…"
Lemon's decree: new hangar-adjacent site. Post-Vindel, I'd slid into commander-by-default. But this? Reminder: Lemon holds Shadow Mirror's real power.
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