A Core Ship From The Start Chapter 858

Chapter 858: Chapter 601: Trap (Request for monthly tickets at month-end, meow) Chapter 858: Chapter 601: Trap (Request for monthly tickets at month-end, meow) “Attacked?”

Receiving the report, the Great President was somewhat surprised.

“Has the entire advance team been wiped out?”

“Yes.”

“…………”
The universe was not safe, nor were alien planets. To be honest, the Great President had mentally prepared himself for the possibility of the advance team being attacked, but their complete annihilation was unexpected. After all, he had not anticipated that the world could be so dangerous. What then, could have attacked them?

“………Prepare the second batch of advance teams, and dispatch a squadron of fighters to escort them.”

Of course, the Great President could not give up just because one advance team had been annihilated. He decided to deploy more manpower and try again.

“Should we seek assistance from the Tribunal?”

“Hmm………”
Hearing his subordinate's question, the Great President turned to look at the distant Tribunal Fleet, pondering for a moment.

“No, it's not yet time to seek help.”

After all, this was the fleet's duty; involving the Tribunal in this matter was not praiseworthy. Moreover, the Great President also wanted to showcase the fleet's capabilities, since they could not be seen as incapable without the Tribunal's support.

Duanmu Huai thought the same.

The Tribunal was not the fleet's nanny. Considering their universe colonization project would spread human civilization across the cosmos, Duanmu Huai had decided to join them. However, this did not mean the Tribunal would respond to every trouble the fleet encountered; after all, they were not paid by the fleet nor were they its mercenaries.

“So, we do not need to take action?”

“Certainly. If the fleet has not said anything, we will just stay here and watch for the time being.”

Facing Lumiaire's inquiry, Duanmu Huai shrugged.

“Besides, colonizing the universe is inherently very dangerous. We could help them temporarily, but surely not for a lifetime. And planets with life forms are even more dangerous, because no one knows what kind of demons and monsters might lurk inside.”

When players colonize planets, they do not prefer uncivilized wild planets. Perhaps for newcomers, such planets are advantageous. But experienced players feel a sense of unease upon seeing such planets.

This planet's ecosystem is so favorable, yet it hasn't produced a civilization?

Was it destroyed by something?

Or does this planet have some trickery?

So, generally speaking, if it were up to experienced players, they would rather choose some barren planets, then set up climate manipulators to alter the planetary climate. Although these planets are desolate, they at least pose lesser risks, and they can be modified however one wishes…
Of course, planets with civilizations are also good, as having a civilization means there is potential for communication. Whether players pose as deities or resort to intimidation, at least they could learn about the planet through these local natives and not be completely in the dark. However, for planets without civilizations, one has to wonder — perhaps those who knew its secrets are all dead.

Thus, upon seeing the thriving “Heavenly Planet,” Duanmu Huai began to suspect whether the fleet had really just had good fortune to stumble upon it or if there was something amiss.

Of course, as a Judge, Duanmu Huai tended towards the latter.

“Is it really that dangerous?”

After listening to Duanmu Huai's analysis, everyone was quite surprised, as the Tribunal's main duty was to protect humans, not to venture outward. So, for these young women, this information was quite novel.

“Indeed, some planets are even camouflaged, harboring life within. They emit peculiar signals to attract other civilizations' vessels close by, and once they land, the planet devours them. It's similar to deep-sea anglerfish using their luminescence to attract small prey.”

“A monster the size of a planet… just thinking about it is terrifying.”

Mary involuntarily hugged herself, shivering.

“What about this planet then?”

Lumiaire curiously asked.

“The possibility of it having problems is very high. You should prepare for battle. Of course, I hope the Great President is not foolish enough to do something idiotic.”

The most dangerous aspects of colonial planets are not the local creatures, but viruses and bacteria. Duanmu Huai had once experienced, in a game, a colonial fleet's exploration team land on a planet and suddenly someone was attacked and fell down. Then, the commander stated, “I will never abandon anyone,” and desperately brought back the fallen comrade. Although quarantine was demanded, the other side shouted, “Do you expect me to watch my buddies die?” and forcibly opened the sealed hatch to return to the colonial ship.

Well, no need to say much more. The reason the team member had fallen was that he had been attacked by a local plant, which transformed his body to emit spores with every breath, spreading them through the air. Soon, a large portion of the people on the colonial ship were infected, turning into mindless, plant-like creatures with green skin.

The main instigator, till the end, believed “I did nothing wrong, I just didn't want to abandon my companions!” and demanded the players to help solve the problem.

Then, Duanmu Huai directly controlled a warship and destroyed the entire colonial ship along with the planet and the fool.

Hmm, problem solved.

I hope there won't be any idiots like that in the colonial fleet.

At this moment, the second wave of the advance team set off again. Unlike before, this time they were escorted by a VF fighter squadron, and most on board were military personnel. The advance team passed through the atmosphere, once again arriving above that green forest. Soon, they found the previous expedition team's camp.

“This is Explorer, we've located the forward base, moving closer… Wait, what is this?”

As they got closer, everyone was startled to see that the originally normal forward base had now become bizarrely and unnaturally distorted–the exterior of the metallic walls was entwined with flesh and blood vessel-like substances, looking eerily grotesque and disgusting.

“Life signals detected in the base!”

“What? Are there still people alive?”

Hearing the report, the captain immediately issued an order.

“Land immediately, Skull Squad, secure the perimeter!!”

Quickly, the escorting VF fighters transformed into mechas and landed, grasping weapons and vigilantly scanning the surroundings. Under the protection of the mechas, the transport slowly descended, and then the hatch opened, the captain jumped out with a gun in hand…

“Pfft.”

“Hmm?”

The strange sensation upon landing made the captain look down, only then realizing that beneath his feet was not grass or soil, but a very viscous, flesh-like, bizarre substance fused together. It covered the ground, completely clashing with the verdant world.

What is this?

“Be careful, something is not right.”

The ground blanketed with flesh, and a base that appeared mutated, further heightened the captain's unease. He admonished everyone, then gripped his weapon again and led the others towards the base.

“Click——!”

Just as the squad neared the base, the giant doors suddenly opened, and then, several figures staggered out–they were none other than the advance team members who had previously camped here.

However, their appearance had completely changed now!

“Roar——woo——–!”

They were swollen and limping, resembling zombies, their bodies twisted and grotesque, emitting eerie, horrific screams.

“Wait, wait, what's happening?”

Seeing this scene, everyone was stunned; they raised their weapons, frantically looking at their mutated comrades, unsure of what to do. Although they had been informed that the planet was dangerous, they hadn't expected to encounter a situation like this! What's going on? How could our people have turned into this? Could there be some terrifying monsters hidden on this planet?

“Woo………!!”

The mutants didn't stop; instead, they tilted their heads, mouths emitting beast-like roars, and slowly approached the group.

“Stop, stop right there! Or we'll have to shoot!”

The squad leader swallowed hard, staring intensely at the mutants ahead, shouting furiously, but his words had no effect. Instead, the mutants extended their arms and sped towards them!

“Fire!”

At that moment, the squad leader no longer hesitated and quickly gave the command. Soon, gunfire erupted. Bullets flew out, striking the mutants.

But unexpectedly, the moment the bullets hit, the squad leader saw the mutants suddenly swell up. Seeing this, he was startled and instinctively felt something was wrong. However, it was already too late. The mutants had reached them, and then…
“Boom———-!!!”

A violent explosion sounded, and the world instantly turned pitch black.

“Pfft———-!”

After who knows how long, the squad leader opened his eyes; his brain was buzzing, he couldn't hear anything. He could only see in the sky, a group of bizarre shadows battling with the VF fighters. Although the VF fighters quickly killed most of the shadows, the remaining shadows suddenly merged together as if fusing, and struck out at a VF fighter. The next moment, the squad leader saw that VF fighter suddenly burst into sparks, falling to the ground in a plume of dense smoke.

What in the world is this……
The squad leader looked up, wanting to see the condition of others. Just then, suddenly, a terrifying creature appeared in his field of vision, then it opened its gaping maw.

This was the last thing he saw.

Chapter end

Report