Planet Master

Although the latest information showed that the Fixed Planetary Fortress was in a state akin to hibernation, but the civilization needed to make sure that the sphere could be properly used by them as an item or as a weapon.

This time, the Hinon Federation wanted to undertake a significant endeavor.

They wanted to fully equip the Fortress with their own weapon. Since most of the weapon platforms on it were either destroyed or did not function properly, they needed to refurbish it with the civilization’s style.

Furthermore, they also had to send scientists and engineers to initiate the process.

And they did exactly that.

-

“Look at this. The energy core in this Fortress is as active as a power plant.” Charlene commented after seeing the readings on her wristwatch.

“There are some engineers already swarming the energy core. I believe that it will change the way we utilize our energy source.” Tatsumi said through the communicator.

The scientists and the engineers were escorted by the Transcendents since they needed protection from whatever potential danger the energy core posed.

Because the understanding of the energy core was still in its elementary stage, this arrangement was necessary.

After landing on the Fixed Planetary Fortress through the spaceships, they began the operation to make the Fortress theirs.

“Miss Charlene, there is a matter we need to discuss.” An engineer suddenly came to the two in a hurry.

Seeing this, Charlene took over.

“Alright. What is it?” Charlene asked while moving toward the engineer.

“The energy core keeps rising in the output. We worry that it is not a good sign.” The engineer said.

Tatsumi then quickly went to the location where the energy core was located. Charlene and the engineer quickly followed suit.

The energy core was a large core at the center of the Fixed Planetary Fortress. It produced the entire energy for the Fortress’s facility.

Tatsumi frowned when he got closer to the energy core. It was because he could perceive the damage to the energy core had almost reached a critical level.

‘The worst it could do is explode along with the Fortress and us.’ Tatsumi thought as he assessed the damage done.

He then used his transcendent energy to form a thread and let out from his protective suit and connected to the energy core.

He believed that the energy inside the energy core could be used in many ways. When his energy thread connected to the periphery energy from the energy core, Tatsumi could finally see the entire energy core filled with damage.

Worse, some of them were severe enough to spread to the other area. Therefore, Tatsumi used his energy to mend the damage done to the deepest part of the energy core.

Some engineers realized that the damage to the energy core was suddenly mended at a faster rate.

When Charlene saw what was going on, she also did the same thing as Tatsumi and helped him in repairing the energy core.

Its internal structure was delicate but it was the most important one since it regulated the energy output. With the engineers and the Transcendents repairing it, there was no problem whatsoever.

The energy surge slowly returned to a safe amount which made everyone let out a sigh of relief. But they still needed to repair it fully to make sure that the energy core would fully function and the scientists would be able to reverse-engineer it for civilian and military use.

Using the transcendent energy to repair the energy core was actually something hard to pull off. Although it looked easy on the surface but it needed to be treated like putting a thread through a small hole in a needle or like suturing.

Tatsumi and the others pulled it off because they left the repair to Tatsumi which had a deeper understanding of the transcendent energy properties and its capability to repair.

“Thank you for cooperating. Without you all, this would not have happened.” Tatsumi thanked the transcendents present through the communicator.

“No need for that. We simply saw that you alone would not be enough.”

“You are the best transcendent the civilization has so of course we have to assist.”

Even Charlene helped in the process so Tatsumi was truly grateful. Perhaps she had realized the issue earlier and that was why she helped him so eagerly.

“We need more resources to repair this thing.” The engineer said.

“I’ll contact the spaceship that docked in the area. You will be responsible for connecting all the cables to every important facility.” One of the people said while preparing the communication channel and requested additional resources.

Tatsumi then walked around since the rest of the repair needed the expertise of the engineers and not about energy itself.

During that time, he could see the scientists and the engineers working together to repair and even put on some weaponry in the weapon platform.

Although it was just a rudimentary work and not as grand as the Fortress used to have, at least a basic defensive structure was created.

When that happened, the defense then launched some attacks against the incoming celestial object and even changed the direction of a small asteroid.

Seeing the weapon platforms operated was actually quite beautiful in its own way.

But Tatsumi went on in his duty to safeguard everyone here.

Charlene had to attend to matters regarding the energy core repairs as well as refurbishing the facility in the Fixed Planetary Fortress.

“This amount of energy can light up the entire civilization for a full year. But here, most of the energy is spent on the life support system which is currently under repair. Unfortunately, most of the residences for the people here are damaged and need extensive care and maintenance.” One engineers which was a dwarf said.

“Furthermore, we also need to pay attention to the weaponry platforms since they also consume energy. They are our biggest reliance for a safe place in outer space.” A Lizardfolk engineer said.

“How about the artificial atmosphere?” Charlene asked the most important question.

“Well, they are connected to the life support system. Meaning, if we can repair the life support system, the artificial atmosphere will form on its own and we don’t even need this protective suit anymore. But it will take some time.” The dwarf engineer replied seriously.

It really took some time, as they were in shifts, changing people as they need the air to breathe, and they did it in the spaceships.

It took a week to repair the energy core fully but to make sure the life support system fully repaired, they need almost a month to do it.

Fortunately, a partially recovered life support system was enough for the artificial atmosphere to form slowly but steadily.

When the repair of the life support system was completed, the artificial atmosphere was perfectly formed and they could even breath normally on the Fixed Planetary Fortress.

When that happened, one by one the people finally got off from their protective suits and breath the air in that place for the first time and smelled something strange.

“What’s this smell?” one of them covered their nose while complaining.

“The stagnant life support system finally worked out well and anything that stuff the air will come out.” Charlene said as she still wore her protective suit.

She knew that it needed some time for the air to be at the comfortable level that everyone knew of. That was why she did not put off the protective suit immediately and waited.

Tatsumi naturally followed after her since he knew she acted with a clear reason.

‘Should I think of this as fortunate or not?’ Tatsumi thought.

‘About this Planetary Fortress…’ Chi You commented and Tatsumi caught what he had said.

So he listened.

‘…it came from beyond the star system, right? What if it came to ours because it is designed to do so and not a coincidence?’

Tatsumi gave it some thought but he dismissed it for a moment. It was because that meant some entity was targeting them from the start and he did not know anything about them.

‘No way, right?’ Tatsumi replied in his mind.

‘We don’t know for sure but to be given a broken Planetary Fortress right off the bat when we barely reached other planets? Too much convenience.’ Kudungga added.

‘Why do you think like this?’ Tatsumi asked for more clarity.

‘Once or twice is coincidence. But to prepare so much convenience things one after another as if on a prepared stage, is what makes this scary. I believe that the fortune of our race cannot do this. Let me say that there are entities that have been watching us. What would they do?

‘There are three main actions. One is to not care, indifference by discovering our civilization. Second is to invade us upon discovering us, like in my time. Third is to assist us by sending something that can be used by us.’ Kudungga replied.

‘Meaning, there is a reason for this and that is not just a random encounter, is that what you are trying to say?’ Tatsumi asked in his mind.

‘Yes. That is why we all need to be cautious. But I still believe that we should use it since it is truly convenient.’ Goto interjected.

‘The risk is worth it anyway. The Star Battle this time will be different than the previous ones we had so far. This Fixed Planetary Fortress will be the strongest base we have against the enemy.’ Chi You commented with conviction.

Tatsumi could only accept that as a fact. After all, this was beyond his control so he might as well took advantage of it to the fullest.

Then his eyes met Charlene’s. Seeing that Tatsumi was in deep thought, Charlene knew that he was discussing something with the others in the Afterlife and did not interrupt him until a result came out.

But she could guess what they were discussing since it was quite obvious.

‘I wonder what they thought about this Planetary Fortress. Should I say that the appearance of this thing is truly convenient?’ Charlene thought but there was a voice deep inside her that this was more like someone intentionally sent to them.

‘If it is true, then we are under watch by some entity. Sadly, we have no choice but to accept this for now since we truly need it.’ Charlene sighed at the thought.

“It’s fine. For now, we need to make this thing function well.” Charlene said.

“Yeah. That is the best for now. But when will the artificial gravity work?” Tatsumi nodded before asking.

Along with the Fixed Planetary Fortress was actually an artificial gravity field. Actually, the device was strengthening the gravity that already existed on the Fortress.

“Soon. It should be done…now.” Charlene knew the exact condition of the engineers who tried to repair it, and as expected, the feet of the people there firmly touched the ground.

“Whoa, the artificial gravity finally worked.”

“Be careful not to forget that now gravity exists here.” One of the people reminded.

A small commotion happened and for a few minutes, they were acting as if they were in the gravitation field for the first time.

“As expected of you. You even know the situation of the engineers quite well.” Tatsumi walked to Charlene and stood beside her.

As of that moment, the Fixed Planetary Fortress was fully repaired and functional.

-

“Is this necessary? Sending them one of the best items at that stage to them?”

In the deepest part of the space outside the Universe Field, two entities were watching the civilization that was led by the human race.

The figure, whose appearance was that of a woman with a white gown and blue eyes, asked. Eva was wondering why her counterpart sent that facility to the civilization created by the human race.

“Because the future is becoming more uncertain. I assumed that we should not interrupt their growth and let nature take its course but then an omen came and changed things for the worse.” Adam had to explain why he had interfered in the matter of the human race’s growth.

“Do you mean the Hollows will reach where they are?” Eva looked at Adam’s eyes directly when she asked this question.

“That is the designation that we used. In the term of the Universe Council and the Planet Masters, they are called Outer Beings. Whatever the case, their arrival this time is a bit unexpected due to them developing a way to obscure the surveillance of the Universe Council and appearing in the Safe Region.” Adam said without even a hesitation.

“My combat assessment module concludes that the current human race is still weaker than the incoming threat.” Adam said while sighing.

He also did not want to interfere with the growth of the human race, along with the other races that followed them, but the threat this time required some sort of intervention. But at the same time, the interference should not be too biased toward the human race lest something worse could come and exterminate the current powerhouse of the Planet Master System.

“Did you use the Timeline Sighting Protocol?” Eva’s voice rose an octave.

Despite the two of them being what their masters called automaton, they were installed with various functions as the first generation automaton.

“You already know the answer. What we need to do is to safeguard the budding human race. Perhaps, they will be able to reach beyond what the Planet Master System can give.”

“They will surely succeed. That, I am sure of.” Eva then turned her gaze toward the Universe Field where the Cerulean Planet was located in the far distant place.

-

Dian felt uneasy but composed himself when he realized that the Planetary Fortress was something that could be sent from some entities to him.

“Calm down. Even if that is true, we have no choice but to use it since it will greatly help us.” Frie advised.

“I know that. It is just meant that we are under watch by some sort of a strong entity. That worries me. Because this thing is not something that Venerable Tritis sent, I became nervous.” Dian honestly said.

“Well, don’t be so down. Believe that we can face any challenge that comes our way.” Mazdari said while looking at the others, seeking their support.

“We are getting stronger too. I am not saying not to worry but don’t worry about something beyond your control. It is just an unnecessary waste of energy.” Leif said.

Hearing what Leif said calmed Dian down greatly. Truly, Leif was one of the entities that understood him since he was by his side from almost the start.

“We might as well do a check-up on the recent situation in the entire civilization. Starting with you.” Dian pointed toward Ghylea first.

As far as he knew, the development of the Undead Secret Realm was great and its size was increasing along with the planet’s diameter. But this time, Dian wanted to know the latest information regarding the Undead Race.

“Reporting to Master, there is one concern that causes all the undead to feel slighted. They longed for the breakthrough to the next major realm but were unable to do it for now. Although the undead element became richer in the Undead Secret Realm, but they are still unable to break through and need a method to do it.” Ghyleea reported what he had seen so far.

“Don’t worry about that, actually, the Star Child has already formed a way for the undead and the one with the Necromancer’s Trait to be able to break through.” Dian comforted Ghylea.

He knew that the time for the Undead Race and the transcendents with the Necromancer’s Trait to rise would come sooner than later.

“How about you, Smirth?” Dian asked.

“The expansion to the other planets is going well. The civilization is even starting to introduce other living beings to the new planet’s environment and prospering there.” Smirth said.

Even his race became part of the ones who expanded the civilization’s spread to the entire star system.

“Good. That’s what I like to know. But are there any obstacles in doing this?” Dian asked the most important question.

The expansion of the civilization to the entire star system was paramount since the civilization had to gather more resources for the next Star Battle. All they knew was that the next Star Battle would be done on another scale altogether.

“Only on the technological aspect. We are still trying to face the limitation with some temporary solution but another great discovery is needed.” Smirth replied with a helpless sigh.

All the others who heard that understood the difficulty of discovering a new technology path.

“Alright. That is good enough for now.” Dian stopped what he was doing since the report was probably some small details that could be solved by the respective individuals.

“So are we back to talking about the Planetary Fortress?” Chikara talked.

“Yes. Currently, it is orbiting the Cerulean Planet. Its size is no different than the Red Moon so from the ground, it would look like two moons on the sky. But you all know that thing is a weapon. A weapon meant for engaging with the other civilization.” Dian said with a serious tone.

“After restoring it through the capable engineers and scientists, what should we do with it?” Arowana asked.

“We will keep it on the Cerulean Planet’s orbit for now. It can be used as an offensive and defensive weapon so its value is priceless to us.” Dian replied in a firm tone.

Dian knew that this was an opportunity given by whoever was watching but he would use it fully to his advantage.

Whatever the case, he needed more assurance so the Fixed Planetary Fortress’s appearance was definitely a boon for him and the civilization under him.