by Yoo Seong
Four days again the grey planet collapsed and she waited for Ark. Of course, she had to think about her subordinates. But if she was by herself then her heart wouldn’t be able to abandon Ark.
So she wanted to help Ark this time. She had focused on covering the Silver Star when it was attacked by the enemy. But the result was a total failure. Ark had disappeared in front of her.
Irina felt like her pulse had stopped. But she shook her head forcefully and calmed her heart.
‘No, the ship’s signal has disappeared but there is no evidence that Ark-nim is killed. Ark-nim might still be alive. I can’t admit it before seeing it with my own eyes!’
“Hajin, the Silver Star’s location…..”
Irina raised her head and shouted.
–Ensign Irina.
Hawk floated on the screen.
–Ark’s ship signal is gone. Do you understand?
“…..Yes.”
Hawk frowned at Irina’s answer. And he shook his head before starting to talk again.
-Then Ensign-nim, please join the main forces. As you know, the military situation is becoming increasingly disadvantageous. Including Ark, there have been 5 ally ships that have sunk. We’ve lost a third of our power. It was the same for the Rama and Aschulat. Yet the 3 fleets haven’t managed to deal a special blow to the carrier. The Hornets were unexpected but now we need to regroup. The Rama and Aschulat probably have the same idea. I’m going to reorganize the fleet and propose a combined action to them.
“Combined action?”
–That is the best for now. So please hurry and join us.
“But Ark-nim…..”
–Ark, why do you talk about him so much?
Hawk hesitated as he looked at Irina before speaking.
-I can guess what you’re going to say. I know that Ensign-nim has a special consideration towards Ark. But this is a battlefield. Moreover, our allies are currently being put in a corner. If one individual acts separately then the whole team will be placed in danger. Do you understand what I’m saying?
“I ….understand.”
Irina bit her lip and replied. She looked at the area where the Silver Star disappeared before saying in a spiritless voice.
“Hajin, join up with the main forces.”
————————————————————————–
“That stupid bastard!”
While Irina was moving towards the main fleet. A person 100 kilometres away was cursing. It was a Rama warrior wearing red armour, the Red Slaughterer.
The Rama fleet’s visit to the grey planet was a result of their own investigating. Just like the Galactic Federation and the Aschulat, the Rama fleet was also looking for information about antimatter.
However the Red Slaughterer had another purpose. It was to kill Ark. The situation was complicated due to the carrier’s appearance but the Red Slaughterer had every intention of seeing it through to the end.
“But now you’re dead!”
The Red Slaughterer muttered with annoyance. But the Red Slaughterer wasn’t in a position to do anything. Right now the Rama fleet he commanded, the Aschulat and the Galactic Federation were suffering considerable damage form the Hornets and the carrier. In this situation he couldn’t go look for Ark.
“Dammit! Is that the only way after all?”
The Red Slaughterer murmured as he looked at the carrier. Keiko turned around and reported.
“Captain-nim, a communication is coming from the public channel. It is the leader of the Galactic Federation fleet, Hawk.”
————————————————————————–
Wiiiing!
There was a flying sound in the darkness. And it spun around for a while.
“…..Gone?”
A low voice spoke in the darkness.
“Yes, the acoustic amplifier couldn’t find anything for dozens of kilometres so it moved away.”
“Phew, somehow we managed to fool them.”
A heavy sigh flowed out. Then the eyes looked around.
“I really thought we would die this time.”
“Me too. Damn, my heart is still shaking. Isn’t this similar to a heart disease?”
“At any rate, they passed by so we can relax.”
“See I told you. You are someone embedded with unlucky genes.”
“It is scary that those words don’t sound like a joke anymore.”
The eyes were making a lot of noise. They were Melina, Kaya, Slayer and the crew of the Silver Star. And the person with the unlucky genes….
“Anyway we’re alive. What are you complaining about?”
Ark snapped at his team mates. But Ark’s heart was still thumping quickly from the last few minutes.
A few minutes ago, the Silver Star’s engine had been completely smashed by the Hornet’s self-destruct. And the carrier’s light ray aimed towards the ship. At the time Ark really thought it was the end.
However Ark didn’t give up. It was impossible for him to give up. He suddenly fell onto Muratio Star and returned after four days. Ark wasn’t idle in the meantime and gained many skills and experience. But 90% of the reason for not wanting to die was due to the Silver Star. He had reclaimed the Silver Star.
Yet it was going to explode not 1 hour after he reclaimed it? He couldn’t accept such an empty ending.
‘I barely slept for the last four days so I can’t die here! No! I won’t die!’
Then Ark saw the wreckage of the spaceship that the Hornet had been hiding in.
Ark was able to avoid the carrier’s bombardment due to that wreckage. Just before the light ray had hit him, Ark launched the anchor and pulled the wreckage in front of the Silver Star to act as a shield. It was a movement that was more instinctual than base on his judgement.
Pepeng! Chwajijijijijik!
The light ray was stopped thanks to that. The shockwave pushed the ship back several kilometres but they were able to receive no damage from the bombardment. However, he still couldn’t breathe a sigh of relief. A 3rd Hornet flying towards them had witnessed the scene.
‘The Silver Star lost an engine. The main gun and turrets are good but it is useless if the ship can’t move. In this state we can’t even deal with 1 Hornet.’
So Ark decided to try a gamble. He shut off the Silver Star’s power. This was why Irina, Hawk and the Red Slaughterer thought he was dead. If the ship’s power was turned off then the identification signal to distinguish between enemy and friends as well as communication and energy reactions were shut off. The energy reaction was gone so everyone thought the Silver Star had sunk.
This was what Ark had aimed for. The Hornet thought the same as Irina, Hawk and the Red Slaughterer. It was a gamble that saved Ark’s life. Once the power supply was turned off, the Hornet who caught up to the Silver Star wandered around the area for a while before going back.
An engine had been destroyed. A few minutes would mean the different between life or death. And it was 100% due to Ark that they could survive.
Yet Slayer kept on talking about his unlucky genes. No, Ark also started to become suspicious that he had the unlucky genes. The Silver Star and team members were able to survive thanks to Ark’s concentration. But these circumstances weren’t excellent.
‘Our lives were saved for the moment but…..’
“What are we going to do?”
Rapid looked at Ark and asked.
……That was the problem.
-Ship-related information:
According to the classification of the ship’s damage….
If the damage is low and there is only a functional problem then it can self-recover depending on the level of the ship.
The rapture of the hull means that the function is seriously compromised and it needs to be repaired directly.
If the part is completely destroyed then it is best to go to
the nearest repair shop. An engineer in the crew with expertise in repair can fix it but spare parts are required>
There were different types of damage. And the current Silver Star had dozens of areas damaged. But as described in the information window, the damage could be recovered. If the crew repaired it then it could be restored or over time it would return to its original state.
The problem was the damage received by the Hornet’s self-destruction.
Destruction! That part was impossible to restore. Furthermore, the engine destroyed could be called the life of the spaceship! They pretended to be dead to avoid the Hornet’s attack but being devoid of the engine in outer space was just like death.
“Perhaps a spare engine in the warehouse…..”
Rapid sighed as he confirmed Ark’s expression.
“…..I knew it.”
“Damn, what the? That look? Do you think spare parts are easy? They cost money! Furthermore, an engine is worth thousands of gold. I don’t have the money for something unnecessary like a spare engine!”
“What did you say just now?”
“You heard what I said!”
Ark and Rapid snapped at each other. Then Kaya interjected before Ark and Rapid could launch at each other.
“Hey, you! Why are you talking about something unrelated Rapid? Rapid what is wrong with you? Does it make sense to argue about something like a spare tire? And a captain should be prepared for such a situation with a spare engine! Does it make sense not to buy one because it is expensive?”
“Kaya unni, your words are a bit intense.”
At this time Melina stood up and showed partiality towards Ark.
“You’re making it sound like everything is Ark’s mistake. It isn’t Ark’s fault that the engine broke. Rather, it was thanks to Ark that the hornet didn’t kill us after the light ray attack. Yes there is no spare engine. Poverty isn’t a sin.”
“I agree.”
Rapid nodded. He looked towards Ark and smiled.
“Poverty is not a sin. Ark, don’t get me wrong. I understand now.”
What? Why did Ark feel something unpleasant deep in his chest?
But Ark didn’t question it closely. He didn’t want to get into an argument with Kaya or Rapid.
In fact, the person most frustrated right now was Ark. Like Melina said, they weren’t destroyed by the Hornet despite losing the engine was due to Ark. But it was only a temporary measure.
They were camouflaged for now but there was no guarantee how long it would fool the enemy. And if the battle continued like this then there was a 9 in 10 chance that the carrier would win.
He couldn’t be relieved even if the 3 fleets excelled. There was a huge enemy so they were cooperate now but there was no telling what would happen when the carrier disappeared. And if the Silver Star sunk then the crew would die!
There would be no point in the members escaping alive from Muratio Star. But Ark couldn’t die. Not only would Ark lost his skills and experience, he would also lost his property the Silver Star.
‘I have to find another way……’
Ark racked his brain.
“Hrmm! Any person would know a way.”
Slayer who was staring out the window muttered. Ark raised his head and exclaimed at the unexpected words.
“You know a way?”
“Yes, I know. I know a way.”
Slayer folded his arm and replied with a conceited expression. He was angry at Slayer but right now he would grasp at anything. Slayer was stupid but sometimes even stupid people could have genius thoughts.
And…..
“I was thinking alone while you guys were quarrelling futilely. How can I escape this crisis and rescue my colleagues?”
“Stop talking nonsense and tell us!”
“This brat, be patient. Okay. I’ll explain it. Now, look there. What do you see? Yes, dozens of ships fighting against the carrier. Already the wreckage of 10 ships are floating around. Some are shattered to pieces but others are in a decent state. If we look then we can find one with a perfect engine.”
Ark smiled and nodded.
“Aha! So you’re saying we should search the wreckage for an engine for the Silver Star.”
“Huhuhu! How about it? Isn’t it clever?”
“Yes, very clever. So? How are we going to get there if we find a perfect engine?”
“…….”
Slayer closed his mouth. He scratched his head and asked.
“I mean…..how will we get there?”
“Do you want to die?”
Ark said.
“I knew it was stupid…..”
Kaya and Sadain sighed. It was stupid to have hope for even a little bit.
Taking an engine from a sunken spaceship and mount it onto the Silver Star. Ark had thought of that as soon as the engine was destroyed. However their engine was destroyed so they couldn’t even move 1 metre.
That was the reason why Ark and Rapid were worried. Then Rapid sighed before speaking.
“There is only one way left.”
“One way left? What?”
Ark turned and asked. All of a sudden Rapid pulled out his gun and placed the muzzle against Ark’s forehead.
“W-w-what are you doing?”
“I’m helping.”
“Help? What? Commit suicide? Is this a joke? I still haven’t given up!”
“So I’m helping you. I’ve been observing you in the meantime and I’ve realized something. You’re not a smart person. There isn’t a large difference between you and Slayer. So why do you keep surpassing me? According to my judgement, it is due to the difference in timing. You managed to quickly think of something just before the light ray hit us. So you’re smart in a crisis and are just about to die.”
“Dammit! How is that going to help? It is a threat!”
“You think this is a threat?”
Cheolkeok.
Rapid smiled and prepared to pull back the trigger.
“You will feel better with a hole in your head.”
“Who would feel better? I will die! A hole in my head will kill me you fool!”
What type of nonsense was he talking? They were in a crisis and Rapid wanted to drive a bullet into his head? Was that guy crazy? However Ark’s head was thinking furiously. Something had popped into his head.
“Yes! That! The air holes! Air!”
“10 seconds. Explain it to me.”
“You don’t know? It’s air, air. The air on board the Silver Star. He’s going to use the air as a propellant. This is space. There is no gravity and air resistance so air could be used to move. It is possible to move even without an engine!”
“…..Your life is saved.”
Rapid put down his gun. His expression seemed like he really would’ve shot Ark. It really was daring considering Rapid was his employee. But now wasn’t the time to admire his bravery (?). They solved the problem of how to move but an issue still remained.
“Now we have to find an engine.”
They couldn’t blindly search through the wreckage. The driving force obtained from the air injection was difficult to control. It wouldn’t be enough to search through the wreckage one by one. Even if they got close, it was impossible to check the status of the engine with their eyes alone.
“We need to use the optical scanners.”
“Doesn’t that mean we have to start the power?”
“The air on board isn’t unlimited. We also have no choice but to turn on the power if we want to use the air as a propellant. Fortunately the 3 fleets and the Hornets are concentrating on fighting around the carrier. If we use the lowest possible power to utilize the optical scanner and air generator then we will go unnoticed.”
“Is that a risk we have to take?”
“We have no choice.”
Ark glanced towards Tori. And Tori swallowed his saliva before touching the switch to the Silver Star’s power supply. There was a small vibration as the machine turned on. The emergency r
ed lights turned on. Ark stared out the window with a tense look.
The spaceships and carrier were congregated hundreds of kilometres away. The power was working but he couldn’t see any special reaction from the Hornets flying around. The first checkpoint had been passed.
“Optical scanners.”
Ark started to carefully take action. The doors at the bottom of the Silver Star opened and 15 sphere dropped into outer space.
“I know we’re in a rush but we shouldn’t hurry. If they move too fast then there is a risk that the Hornets will notice. Move slowly and with the minimal amount of power.”
“I know.”
Hegel replied as he operated the dashboard. He directed the optical scanners towards the wreckage floating around. The information from the optical scanners started appearing on the monitor.
-Optical Scanner Results
3- No engine in the rubble.
4- Engine in the rubble has been 80% destroyed.
8- Engine in the rubble has different specifications to the Silver Star…..
‘Damn, is my idea not going to work?’
There was a tight knot in Ark’s stomach. Right now the optical scanners were inspecting the wrecked of ships sunk by the Hornets. It would be hard to find a working engine in the wreckage. Furthermore, not every engine would be suitable to be mounted.
The engine depended on the type of spaceship, the engine output and other factors. Well, the engine could be reconstructed to fit the Silver Star but he didn’t have the equipment or time. He needed to find an engine that could be mounted on the Silver Star immediately.
‘Approximately 1….just 1 will be okay!’
After a while.
-NO. 13- An engine has been discovered in the wreckage.
Condition is good. More than 80% is working.
It was the message he hoped for!
“Hyung-nim, I’ve found it!” Scanner no. 13!”
“Where?”
“78 kilometres away in the 2 o’clock direction!”
“Okay. Tori, move in that direction!”
The situation developed rapidly.
Chiik! Chiik! Chiiiik!
A gas like water vapour emerged from the external jets and the Silver Star turned slowly. The moment Hegel aligned the Silver Star in the right direction, a huge amount of gas came gushing out. It was the air from inside the Silver Star! Once air was blown from the read, the Silver Star immediately flew forward. And it reached the wreckage that the NO. 13 scanner had found.