8.7: Into Deep

Perhaps they don’t want anyone else to get their hands on it, as they try obtain one for themselves.

Or there are Aether Cores already in their possession.

|AETHER CORE

ONYCHINUS (ZONE N109|

That’s why they’re selling a high-grade Protocore at the auction. It will go to rhe highest bidder.

Laws don’t exist in the N109 Zone, but knowing the right people can come in handy. If your reputation is good enough, even the ones who want to mess with you will think twice.

|PROTOCORE AUCTION|

MC: “I’ve confirmed the location of the Aether Core, and I have a fake identity that can keep me alive.”

MC: “Now I need to figure out how to get into the N109 Zone.”

Why not come up with the master plan? Become the best bait for Onychinus.

Maybe a small opening is all it’ll take to get them to expose themselves.

|TO BE THE “BAIT” THAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE AND THE MOST UNDEFENDED|

Resolved, I pick up my phone and dial Rafayel’s number.

Rafayel: Hello

MC: Are you free right now?

Rafayel: Why?

MC: Meet me at The Nest. Show me how to fish

Rafayel: Huh?

——————————

MC: (Weren’t we supposed to meet up at eleven? Where’s Rafayel...?)

MC: (It’s Hunting Day... There are more people here then last night. Hopefully, everything will go according to plan.)

Protocore Trader: “Ultra-dangerous Protocores! Nothing illegal, and lots more in stock. Are you interested, Miss?”

Protocore Trader. “Haven’t seen you before. I’ll give you a discount. One Narcissus, and you’ve got yourself a deal.”

MC: “Where did you get them? Why don’t we start with—“

Rafayel: “Don’tcha think it’s a little weird to do business with newcomers?”

MC: “If I’m the newcomer, then you must be the veteran?”

Rafayel: “You’re today’s shining star. The little secrets I carry aren’t worth the trouble.”

Rafayel: “Got your “bait” ready?”

MC: “Yeah. I’ll play their game and let myself be taken into the N109 Zone.”

Rafayel: “Which means we need to cast the line. Should be easy enough. Here.”

MC: “What’s this?”

Rafayel: “Write your bargaining chip on it.”

*Write

——————————

Rafayel: “Waiter.”

MC: “Who’s he going to tell?”

Rafayel: “Doesn’t matter. If they’re interested, they’re in.”

MC: “Now we wait for the fish to bite. How long?”

Rafayel: “Not long. The Nest lives up to its name, you know. It’s an underground intelligence network that’s known to match supply and demand.”

Rafayel: “Even normal info would’ve passed through three layers by now.”

MC: “And what’s this?”

Rafayel: “It’s part of the process. Drink it, and you officially have a deal.”

MC: “It’s black...”

Rafayel: “Think about it first. A black glass means you’ll pay a high price.”

Rafayel: “If it doesn’t go smoothly, you’ll be the payment instead.”

MC: “...”

MC: “Being the payment is still better than staying in the same place and doing nothing.”

*Take and drink it

Rafayel: “Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stop you.”

Rafayel: “I hope you find the answer you seek.”

8.8: Trap

MC: “So far, everything looks normal...”

|WANTED: 100,000,000|

MC: “Lumiere...”

MC: “I guess it’s to be expected. With so many people after him, they’re willing to wait in a line that stretches from the equator to the South Pole.”

Guest: “Move aside! It’s about to start!”

MC: “Hey! You...”

MC: (Wait, it’s probably better if I stay low-key.)

MC: (More people are here.)

MC: (They’re surprisingly calm.)

MC: “?!”

Radio: There’s a price to pay when a wish is granted. Will you be the hunter or the hunted tonight?

MC: (It’s starting...)

Radio: Hunting Day will now commence.

MC: “It’s that eye again!”

MC: (Is it here for me? No, something’s off... I should hide for now...)

MC: “!!!”

Guest A: “There she is...”

Guest B: “Thiss is the prey...”

MC: “It’s coming...”

MC: (It worked...!)

Man in Black: “C-003 neurotoxin. If you’re smart you won’t move.”

——————————

???: “The more enticing the bait, the more dangerous things can get. Most are clueless to it.”

Rafayel: “Now’s not the time to celebrate. The big fish we want hasn’t fallen for it yet. Did you bring the stuff I requested?”

???: “You’re fine with handing over a fresh catch just like that?”

Rafayel: “Do you really think they can handle the prey I caught?”

——————————

Traceback II will reach the edge of the Deepspace Tunnel’s umbra within one day.

Our journey through the Deepspace Tunnel begins.

Destination is in the Orion Arm of the Milky Way—

Once the home of humanity: Earth.

Activating Course Correction Engine.

The final countdown has been initiated...

——————————

When α-P0159’s light shines through the Deepspace Tunnel, illuminating Linkon Tower’s pinnacle...

The closest we’re been to it in last 4.6 billion years

——————————

This galaxy’s name is derived from the Greek word “philo.”

It is the most exquisite gem in Deepspace.

Philos.

Humanity remains shackled to time.

Fortunately, there are other lives in this boundless starry sea.

Tonight’s weather: clear sky with winds around 7 miles/hr.

Everything is serene inside the Deepspace Tunnel.

Good night, Linkon City.

——————————

Philo: The celestial body α-P0159 was discovered via the Deepspace Tunnel. It’s speculated to be the core of a star. While this core no longer reacts to energy, research suggests that traces of life may very well exist within its galaxy.

Using the most vibrant colors of Deepspace, the galaxy where α-P0159 resides responded to humanity’s lifelong vision of the universe. Thus. It was named Philo, a word meaning “love”.