Chapter 151


    [Trantor  Jjescus]


    [Proofreader  Demon Gods Disciple]


    -


    Officially, MegaCorp and StarUnion are in a state of war. The conflict began when StarUnion instigated a rebellion in MegaCorp colonies, leading to a strained rtionship between the two factions. While recent years have seen a decrease in the intensity of armed conflicts to localized skirmishes, the two powers were engaged in fierce battles until then.


    MegaCorp employed a strategy involving massive deployment of human soldiers and Hulk mutants, utilizing overwhelming force to target StarUnion. In contrast, StarUnion predominantly employed terror tactics, such as self-destructing nanomachine bombs attached to androids like Gremlin torpedoes.


    Despite the apparent irony of humans fighting against machines, there was a reason for this. The backbone of StarUnion consisted primarily of cyborgs, and to create them, initially healthy humans were required. While other races could serve as cyborg material, there wereplications. Cults couldnt endure cyborg procedures due to weak bodies, humanoid races like Wolfen were scarce in numbers andcked gic enhancement research, resulting in lower cyborg sess rates.


    One might suggest creating clone humans, but this technology had serious ws. Clones tended to be mentally unstable, making them unsuitable as cyborg material. Consequently, there was no race as suitable as a healthy human to be efficiently and cost-effectively turned into a cyborg. Therefore, StarUnion adopted a strategy involving a small number of cyborgmanders and arge number of drones.


    In the early stages of the war, this strategy proved effective until MegaCorp deployed EMP weapons in space. While EMP weapons were equally devastating to either side in space, the majority of StarUnions forces being mechanical meant they suffered more. MegaCorp, on the other hand, could use space-survivable Hulk mutants to mitigate the damage.


    The introduction of EMP weapons seemed to indicate the end of the war, but surprisingly, that was not the case. Unbeknownst to the general public, there was a secret agreement between the leadership of MegaCorp and StarUnion. They realized that if they could coordinate the war, there would be substantial profits to gain.


    StarUnion needed to capture numerous sentient beings to increase its poption, while MegaCorp recognized the lucrative potential of human trafficking. The leaders knew each others needs well, so they turned the inter-factional war into a business.


    Since they couldnt openly conduct such affairs, they employed intermediaries. Space scavengers thriving on plunder and crime, and cults operating ve trades, acted as middlemen. The business involving the great powers has continued for centuries, and today, cargo ships carrying human resources swiftly move back and forth.


    In the JP-99 system, situated on the outskirts of the Cult Empire, a cyborg freighter, havingpleted its trade with cult merchants, was heading towards its home.


    Have youpleted the cargo check?


    V100 has checked up to container 50. Everything is in order.


    Phew, just 50 containers.


    StarUnions cyborg, Conzay, disconnected the link cable attached to her head. With over 80% of her body modified by machines, she could interface with the shipsputer. While piloting the spaceship was beyond her due to insufficient brain-assist module performance, managing the cargo on board was well within her capabilities.


    Inside the frozen containers of the cargo ship were individuals who had voluntarily agreed to be cyborgs. Although they belonged to diverse races, they would soon be one under the name of StarUnion.


    It seems we may not meet the quota this time. Thats troublesome.


    Conzay scratched her temple while looking at the data graphs disyed in her eyes. Originally, they nned to fill up to container 70, but the cult traders brought fewer ves than expected.


    They im that it is because of internal issues. Nonsense. When did they ever care about such things?


    If things continued like this, they would fail to meet the allocation set by the Poption Management Department, resulting in severe penalties. That was something they had to avoid at all costs.


    Conzay reconnected the link cable to her head.


    MacF, are there any cartels trafficking people nearby?


    Its a cult area. Who the hell would dare to do business here?


    Well, I guess youre right.


    There might be Space Dogs in the nearby system. Try going there and negotiating.


    Fine, Ill do that. Since there might be a deal, make sure the drones are heavily armed.


    [Roger.]


    After ending themunication, Conzay disyed data on the possible Space Dogs cartel in the surrounding systems for verification. While carefully examining the data, the fleetputer V sent her a notification message.


    Biometric signals?


    The area around here is an umon route for spacecraft. Star Union always emphasizes that citizens be cyborgs by voluntary choice. It is strictly forbidden for ships carrying candidates for cyborg conversion to roam around conspicuously.


    However, to ensurepliance, this ship was equipped with a high-performance detection system specially supported by the Mechanical Committee. It meant acquiring information ahead of the opponent and avoiding it automatically.


    Can we identify their identity?


    [Externally, it is presumed to be the escort ship JASBIL-02SAN JAMA-ss. The level of armament is unknown.]


    Could it be an Outscer?


    [ording to the Starlink databaseparison, no match.]


    Phew, thats a relief. Is it a ship coated with special alloys? Just in case, upload the external appearance and biometric signals.


    [Confirmed.]


    While V uploaded data about the mysterious ship to the Star Union database, Conzay examined the virtually reconstructed image of the opponents ship.


    At what level are the biometric signals being leaked?


    [Estimated to have over 700 upants.]


    700?! Madness. What did they cram in there?


    Hearing that, Conzay suddenly had a different thought.


    It really looks like a ve ship over there.


    Although Conzays cargo ship is about 1.5 timesrger than the opponent, the number of upants is surprisingly low. It consists of 500 cargo, 30 cyborgs, and 70bat drones.


    Suspicious.


    Conzay contacted MacF again.


    [Why do you keep interrupting themunication? Im working.]


    Hey, prepare all the drones.


    [What? Why?]


    If things go well, we might salvage something.


    If the opponents armament is at a high level, she ns to retreat without attacking. If not


    V, activate the jamming and stealth systems.


    [Systems activated.]


    With 700 upants, it should be more than enough to fill her quota.


    Consecutive warp navigation wasnt as easy as one might think. Although she had previously used warp navigation to control MegaCorp spacecraft, she had never done it continuously for such an extended period.


    Maintaining concentration for several weeks during warp navigation was challenging.


    Energy is not the issue, but


    Even though I have ample time due to various reasons, maintaining focus during this boring journey is not easy.


    Imagine driving a car without rest for over a month on a road where you dont know when a wild animal might jump out. Even with heightened senses and the support of auxiliary devices like the Amorph, it is a difficult task.


    She had no choice but to stop warp navigation and take breaks at intervals.


    ***


    Im taking a break after a month.


    But Im halfway there.


    In about another month, Ill arrive at the with the Gagons Nest.


    I used the corrosive tentacles to consume the stored meat like rice cakes.


    The thick and tough tentacles covered with a robust carapace instantly digested the prey, supplying the necessary energy to my body. As energy surged through my body, fatigue dissipated, and I felt slightly better.


    Nevertheless, I probably need more meat.''


    All systems of this ship are under myplete control. Therefore, I am currently paying attention to prevent the stored food from spoiling.


    Preventing it from rotting as it is is difficult.


    There isnt much left. Despite boasting an enormous meal capacity, even 26, which is close to maturity, is consuming much more food than before. Adhai, who sucks blood and body fluids, is not suitable for eating meat stored for a long time.


    Mother of the sky also eats a lot.


    It seems that there is a need to replenish the feed in the middle.


    Here, in the JP-99 gxy, where we are, it is known that spaceships do not frequently travel. Although it is the cults territory, I have not seen any other ships whileing this far.


    If we go to the next gxy, there will be many ships Hmm?


    While nning the feed supply, something caught my senses.


    I pretended not to notice the fact that there is an opponent and moved.


    The mysterious ship approached without knowing that it had a spider web in front of it. The opponent, who was narrowing the distance, suddenly stopped moving.


    They are probably trying to scan my ship. I, too, concentrated all my senses to detect the passengers on the other ship.


    Hmm.


    Hundreds of life forms showing faint movements, 30 humanoid organisms emitting a strong metallic smell, and 70 machines sending strong electrical signals are felt.


    Ah, I see.


    Its a Star Union supply line.


    Star Union, amunity of cyborgs, humanoids, androids, drones, and other machines. Due to the difficulty of leaving offspring, the Star Union emphasizes that citizens be cyborgs voluntarily. As a result, Star Union acquires ves from other factions to increase its poption.


    Most are targets for cyborgization, and a few are for human experimentation.


    The Star Union argues that since their physical bodies are weak, they must be reced by machines. Its ironic that such a group secretly brings in humans to maintain themunity.


    Therefore, such supply lines are operated in strict secrecy. Transactions are also carried out ndestinely with third parties such as cults or space pirates.


    In this respect, MegaCorp and Star Union are simr.


    In space survival, the Star Union is ssified as a neutral faction, but that doesnt mean there is no darkness. Its a ce where a different form of devaluation of life and ck humor prevailspared to MegaCorp.


    At that moment, they began to send fighter jets.


    Except for the fact that the outer wall of the ship is a dark purple color matching my exterior, and the weapons are not visible and hidden, the appearance of this escort ship ispletely identical to the conventional model.


    The fact that no sma turrets or psychic power cannons were visible was confirmed through a scan a while ago. It was clear that they considered me an easy opponent.


    Are they targeting me?


    The reason for this is somewhat guessed. Perhaps they didnt meet the assigned quota, or they are preparing for the possibility of not meeting the quotater.


    But what should I do about this? This ship is not a cult-operated one.


    Like their show of force over there, I, too, have no intention of just letting the preye to me.


    How should I handle this time?


    I could switch to a new ship using the Horizon of Nightmare as before, but it would be a waste of the escort ship I currently control. Modified based on the advice of the members of the Inmyeon, it is much faster than a regr ship and has a lower energy consumption rate for warp travel.


    Lets not just think about plundering but try to apply it.


    So far, I have only used the Horizon of Nightmare in a one-dimensional way. Aimed at when enemy crew members invade the ship or fought metallic gremlins by adding weapons to the ship, and so on.


    There was no other choice before.


    In the state of controlling a spaceship with the Horizon of Nightmare, I couldnt use any physical characteristics.


    But now, Im at Transcendence Level 2.


    [Devouring Tentacles: Transform the spaceship into aposite organism controlled by the users consciousness. You can use some physical characteristics while connected to the spaceship. When the energy stored by the user is depleted, the characteristic effect is automatically canceled. Devouring Tentacles can be used once every 7 days and only once per spaceship.]


    [*Avable physical characteristics: Regeneration, Morphing Organs, Spiked Tail Projectile, Reinforced Large Tail, Jaws of Essence Extraction, Pincers]


    Now I can use physical characteristics even while controlling the spaceship.


    With the release of the restriction from Transcendence Level 1, there have been changes in the effect of the Horizon of Nightmare.


    Originally, the use of physical characteristics was not allowed, but that sentence disappeared. Instead, a category called avable physical characteristics has been added.


    In other words, it means that I can attach body organs like pincers or a mouth to this ship.


    I used to envy the Outspacers who could swallow a whole spaceship.


    Now I can swallow the beings inside the spaceship in one bite.


    But before that, should I prepare to wee the guests?


    The fighter jets circling around are trying to board the ship.


    Theyre willing prey who volunteer to be eaten.


    I should wee them with joy.


    [Trantor  Jjescus]


    [Proofreader  Demon Gods Disciple]


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