Interstellar Survival: Invasion

Chapter 95: Project Gaia: Three-Dimensional Milky Way Map

"Bulu's species have been living on this magnetic planet. They possess powerful electromagnetic senses and control abilities. Some of them survived the collision," said Old Du.

"Where did the monster in the outer layer come from?" Zhang Bao'er asked.

"It had appeared after the collision, and it has been controlling the sole path connecting the planet's inner and outer layers," said Old Du.

"The ecology here is very weird. I don't understand why Bulu's species wants to leave the inner layer to the point of being suicidal about it. If this has persisted for many years, how have they been reproducing?" I wondered.

"They have a single mother. The mother resides deep below, constantly producing more of them. It has been many years. Based on my talk with Bulu, I believe it relies on the planet's remaining magnetic force and the corpses of the dead transparent creatures to provide enough energy to continue giving birth to more transparent creatures. However, it doesn't seem like it would be able to last much longer," said Old Du.

"I understand. The energy in the core of the planet is not enough to supply what they need for their survival. Thus, their mother must leave if they want to preserve their species. However, that monster is blocking their path," said Master Crystal.

"I believe they have been wanting to charge through the shadowy layer so that they can finally make use of their brainwave control abilities. The shadowy layer must be the main culprit blocking them from attacking the monster with their brainwave attacks," said Lifu.

"Yes. Bulu hopes that we can help its kin deal with the physical attacks and break through the shadowy layer to return to the outer layer. There, they will be able to unleash large-scale attacks on the monster," said Old Du.

After learning the issue and the origin of the issue we were here to solve, everyone became even more determined and confident.

"The monster up there must be very strong. It probably has an even more powerful brainwave control ability. If Bulu's kin can't attack through the shadow layer with their brainwave control ability, it means that the monster's control ability can't go through the shadow either," said Master Crystal.

"Yes. Its tentacles probably rely on a different sense when attacking," said Old Du.

"From the size of the tentacles, the monster must be massive. To defeat it with brainwave control, we need to get enough of Bulu's kin up there," I said.

I stretched my neck out and had another look at the shadow layer above us. There were over a hundred tentacles, and they were almost perfectly covering the entire path. Each tentacle was lined with sharp barbs, looking like a work of art. At the tip of each tentacle were three curved claws. The tentacles were constantly accurately grabbing the climbing transparent creatures before dragging them into the shadow.

"Canyue, look at the claws when they are grabbing the transparent creatures," said Old Du, who had also been observing the tentacles.

I paid more attention to the process of the tentacles capturing the creatures. I discovered that each time the claws captured a creature, a long barb would grow out of the middle of the three claws. The barb would stab into the captured creature, and the creature would instantly stop struggling, allowing the claws to easily drag it away.

"The tentacles seemed to have injected something into the captured creatures to turn them helpless," I said.

The others also noticed the same thing.

"Our only question is how should we break through this forest of tentacles, protect the creatures as they charge through the shadow layer, and help them attack the monster's mind and put it under control," said Master Crystal.

"Why don't we try bombing the tentacles?" Zhang Bao'er suggested.

"The tentacles can be withdrawn back to the outer layer at any time. If our first strike fails, we might even spook the monster, possibly resulting in the path's closure," said Old Du.

"Lifu, I remember seeing a type of space-manipulating missile on Lidu. The missile was able to restrict the explosion in a limited space when it attacked us. Do you have something similar here?" I asked.

"That missile was from the rail cannon's spatial bombardment, and it's an attack that can only work alongside a juxi beast. There is no juxi beast here, so we can't replicate the feat," said Lifu.

Everyone sank into contemplation, thinking of the best solution for this issue. Meanwhile, the transparent corpses continued dropping from above. Bulu was completely motionless on the ground, as though it had fallen asleep. I removed the shield protecting my head, hoping to communicate with Bulu again. Unfortunately, nothing happened.

"The monster's tentacles are defending in a fixed pattern. Thanks to their pattern, the tentacles can mount an impenetrable defense, not allowing even a single transparent creature through," Old Du observed.

"Can we figure out the pattern?" Zhang Bao'er asked.

"Not at the moment. The tentacles look completely random and chaotic, but they are actually moving in a completely cooperative manner," said Old Du.

Everyone started observing the tentacles.

"I seem to have seen this pattern somewhere before," said Dodo after a few minutes of observation.

"What do you recall? Out with it!" urged Zhang Bao'er.

"In Blue's history, a space observatory called Gaia was launched into space. The observatory had drafted a three-dimensional map of the Milky Way Galaxy based on its observations," said Dodo.

"I'm aware of Gaia. It was a major breakthrough at the time. Blue's very first three-dimensional map of the Milky Way was created thanks to Gaia," said Zhang Bao'er.

"On the map, most of the celestial objects in the Milky Way Galaxy revolved in the same direction, but there were some that moved in the opposite direction or straight through the galaxy itself, resulting in the mix of orbits, creating a disordered looking pattern that actually followed a certain order," said Dodo.

"The anomalies were moving in the opposite direction due to collisions. They fell under the control of the invisible dark matter and started moving in a certain pattern. Alas, we have yet to crack the secret of dark matter," said Old Du.

"That's right, and these tentacles are moving in a pattern similar to what we saw on the three-dimensional map of the Milky Way," said Dodo.

We observed the pattern of the tentacles with the help of our system. Sure enough, we discovered more than 10 tentacles that were moving in a direction opposite the other tentacles.

"If the celestial bodies of the Milky Way had only started moving in the opposite direction after colliding, then are these tentacles also moving in the opposite direction because of an external factor?" I guessed.

"Were their natural movements perhaps affected by the planet's powerful magnetic field?" Old Du speculated.

However, everyone felt that his explanation was too far-fetched, so the discussion came to a halt.

"I believe that this monster had suffered an injury due to the collision that had formed this planet. Because of that, the natural movement of some of its tentacles had been altered. The injured tentacles are in fact moving randomly," said Zhang Bao'er.

Initially, I did not think much of his suggestion. But the more I thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.

"I think Bao'er makes sense," Old Du said.

"If those are injured tentacles, they might even be slower than the others. We can try to tear an opening through them," I said.

I could see Bao'er lifting his head proudly. This fellow had yet again guessed the correct answer by luck. Having come to a decision, Dodo immediately made an accurate calculation of the number of injured tentacles. There were 17 of them in total, with 3 of them operating in the same zone we had identified as the ideal breakthrough point.

I said, "Lifu, Snow, Adelan, and Master Crystal will use the air fission hover technology while Old Du, Bao'er, and I will use our energy thrust technology. We will progressively approach the breakthrough point. Those from the Interstellar League will attack the injured tentacles with our cluster laser guns. Those from Eternal will use their rayguns to strike any tentacle that comes to help. Remember, do not use any explosives. We don't want to blow up the exit."

"What about me and Dodo?" Titan asked.

"After destroying the tentacles, Bao'er and Old Du will immediately establish a defensive perimeter and cover everyone's retreat. When that happens, Titan and Dodo, you two will use your suits' air fission technology to dash through the shadow layer with Lifu's chests," I said.

"Canyue, Old Du and I only have 18 hours' worth of energy left," Zhang Bao'er said.

"Based on the data we have, there is no chance of failing this operation," Dodo said.

"If we do fail our assault, do we have a backup plan? No matter what, we need to destroy that monster," said Old Du.

I looked at Lifu. Lifu gave it some thought before he bent down and opened his chest.

"This is an exceptionally powerful virus bomb manufactured by the empire. We know it as the Pointed Snake. It can make all electrical impulses in life forms go into chaos, overwhelming the internal organs responsible for thought. It will then kill the life form with an explosion," said Lifu.

"Why didn't you mention earlier that you had such a treasure? Can't we just blast it to death? It's not like a virus bomb will cause the exit to collapse," said Zhang Bao'er in excitement.

"This bomb has a wide range, wide enough to cover the entire planet," said Lifu.

Everyone sank into silence.

"This is our ultimate mission. We are to carry this bomb to the planet at all costs. In the event that we can't complete the mission, we are to detonate the Pointed Snake and destroy all life on this planet, as decreed by the emperor," said Lifu.

A sense of sorrow enveloped everyone, but I quickly recovered. I picked up the virus bomb's spare remote controls and handed them to both Titan and Dodo.

"If we fail, don't hesitate. Press the button and have this monster cease to exist. That is what we're destined to do," I said.

Titan nodded firmly. As for Dodo, they were a machine and would definitely carry out the order given to them.

"If the Pointed Snake does not achieve the desired effect, I will detonate two nuclear warheads to destroy this place," I added.

With the plan finalized, everyone started preparing. I turned back to look at Bulu, who was still lying on the ground. An idea came to me, and I walked over and lifted it up. Surprisingly, Bulu did not resist. It felt like some sort of frozen glue in my hands. According to my system, Bulu's body temperature remained at negative 200 degrees. A chill continuously emanated from its body into mine.

"Little fellow, we're going to start attacking the monster. Stick with me. I'll take you up," I said.

The substance in Bulu's transparent feeler started flowing rapidly, as though it had understood my words. I made a brave decision to place it in my backpack. When everyone was ready, I nodded at them. We were going to begin our operation.