The Mech Touch - Chapter 6984
Chapter 6984: The Protector of Karnak
The Farseer projected three different images of three different phase lords.
Different sources took these snapshots.
The images depicting a jureg greater phase lord and a nunser greater phase lord were relatively clear and detailed.
The one showing a slimy zzamayel phase lord was not in high definition, so the image looked a bit fuzzy and lacking in detail.
“These are the three greater phase lords that we are 95 percent confident are present at Screed Tanner VI-F.” The collie began to explain. “We have enough intelligence in our hands to identify them and understand their position in alien society.”
She gestured towards the jureg greater phase lord.
“This is the Protector of Karnak. He is a typical fanatical worshiper of phase whales and occupies an honored place in the Red Cabal’s hierarchy. He is in charge of the alien garrison at the conquered and occupied moon. His large fleet has placed a space station in orbit that can service and receive the cargo of half a dozen starships at a time. Since this orbital facility alone cannot store all of the plunder brought back by the raiding fleets, the garrison fleet has also built a large base on the surface of the moon that stores the bulk of the stolen goods.”
Another projection came to life that showed Screed Tanner VI-F and the facilities she mentioned.
Both the space station and the base looked fairly big. The tech did not appear to be too sophisticated or high-end, but the alien soldiers that manned them all appeared to be well-trained and well-equipped.
The architecture was built to accommodate a wide variety of species, so the hallways were wide and the ceilings were tall.
The warehouses and depots already stored a large amount of containers. What stood out to Ves was that they were not entirely uniform. There were several types of containers that conformed to different dimensions, material requirements, shapes and markings.
It was clear that every major race stuck to their own standards.
This showed that the major alien races likely were not too keen on promoting trade between their civilizations. It was only due to the Red War that forced them all to work more closely together, hence a phenomenon like this occurred where containers of different formats were put alongside each other.
Ves got distracted from his thoughts about the trade relations between the native aliens by the Farseer’s next remark.
“There are three possible locations where the Protector of Karnak has stored some, though likely not all of his data storage devices.” She said. “We estimate that there is a 42.5 percent chance that you can find them in Karnak Base on the surface, named after the phase lord in question.”
“Reasons?”
“The Protector of Karnak spends much of his time on the surface. He must also be close at hand to protect the bulk of the valuable trade goods and deter other visiting aliens from attempting any thefts.”
That made a lot of sense.
“What about the space station?”
“Tiller Station is where the Protector of Karnak moves in order to greet other arriving phase lords. The crew of the raiding fleets and their accompanying phase lords are ordinarily not allowed to land on the surface of the moon. We estimate that there is a 26.4 percent chance that you may find what you seek in this orbital facility.”
“I see. What else?”
A projection of a modern alien battleship appeared. Ves could see more obvious elements of human technology and design principles in her appearance.
He could easily tell that she was definitely more powerful than the original Tortuous Scream!
“This is the flagship of his fleet and his seat of power.” The Farseer explained. “He does not appear to spend any significant time aboard this vessel, but that does not reduce her significance. Many of his attendants have left the ship in order to attend to their god, but it is probable that they have left numerous belongings behind. We estimate that there is a 31.1 percent chance that you may find what you seek on this vessel.”
Ves narrowed his eyes. What the Farseer presented to him was not simple.
“I suppose the other two phase lords have stashed their belongings on their own flagships, correct?”
“Yes.” She replied.
Andrea projected two more alien battleships, both of which looked completely different.
One of them was a more conventional looking vertical homeship that clearly belonged to the nunsers.
The other was a biological vessel that looked so fleshy and disturbing that Ves did not want to stare at it for too long.
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Ves let out a noise of disgust. “There is no way in hell that I am letting my infiltration device board that organic monstrosity. Besides, this vessel is filled with unfamiliar biotech that I can’t figure out. I can’t do anything useful on this ship.”
“Very well.” Andrea Vos said as she removed the last projection. “That leaves you with four possible locations to conduct your missions. Each of them are located fairly far apart from each other. If you are not able to arrange for rapid transport for your infiltration device, then you can only conduct your operations at one of them for the duration of the upcoming battle.”
This left Ves with four choices. No. That was not quite right.
“I noticed that your estimation does not include the nunser flagship.”
“That is because the fleet led by the nunser greater phase lord known as the Fifth Lord of Bis’qet is transient, Ves. He has only arrived fairly recently and is not expected to linger for long. We cannot provide you with reliable estimations on whether you will be able to fulfill your goals, so you should use your own judgment.”
“Well, I am mostly keen on obtaining valuable information, so I think it is best to try and steal that from the Protector of Karnak as opposed to the Lord of Biscuit.”
“Bis’qet, not Biscuit.” The Farseer corrected Ves. “Have you made your choice?”
“Why do you care?” Ves asked back.
“We care because it is our mission to protect and serve you. You may have fallen out of power in your own clan, but that holds no bearing for us. We, along with the rest of the Bluejay Fleet, are following the Premier Fleet solely because it is our duty to accompany you. However, aside from offering our protection, it is also within our power to offer you additional assistance so long as it is within our power. You may have overlooked that, so I am visiting you on their behalf to remind you that you can call upon our services at any time.”
He had indeed overlooked this important fact. Ves felt a little sheepish for feeling that he had immediately turned into a homeless orphan as soon as it became clear that he needed to give up his leadership position in the Larkinson Clan.
While his organization had definitely grown far beyond its original roots, Ves reminded himself that the clan originally managed to get on everyone’s map because of him, and not the other way around.
If the Larkinsons completely abandoned Ves, then he could still fall back to the Bluejay Fleet and rely on the forces of the Red Three to keep him safe in this dangerous dwarf galaxy.
Ves felt more and more bemused as he thought about it. He worked hard to raise a clan so that he could become independent and sovereign, but in the end the mechers, fleeters and now the collies may eventually prove to be his most dependable comrades.
Of course, he may be exaggerating a little. Just because he was no longer the leader did not mean the Larkinsons no longer wanted him around. They still looked up to him and he could still look forward to transitioning into a highly respected and honored elder position.
This actually suited him better as a mech designer. He could no longer be bothered to perform tedious leadership duties. It was best to throw those responsibilities to an actual leader such as Casella.
“What is your advice on which location I should choose?” He asked.
“I have already given you our analysis.” The Farseer said. “We do not presume to tell you more in order to avoid tainting your decision with our own biases. I have my own thoughts on the matter. The information that I have shared with you is condensed from thousands of pages of data that is difficult to verify. I hope you understand why we are reluctant to share more.”
Ves let out a tired breath. “Well, I am rather accustomed to this treatment. Ylvaine is also frustratingly vague in his prophecies. Since this is the case, then I won’t ask for further information. If I have to make a choice based on what I currently know, then I will choose to attack Karnak Base.”
The Farseer looked mildly surprised. It appeared that the Moloch Squadron did not expect him to make his decision so quickly and decisively.
“Could you explain your reasoning behind your choice?”
“Sure. First, this base has a simpler layout than the orbital space station and the Red Cabal flagship, so it will be easier for me to navigate. Second, Karnak Base is also filled with valuable loot, so even if I cannot secure my primary objective, I have the highest chance of retrieving other valuables from this site. Third, this is the place where the Protector of Karnak spends most of his time, so I believe that many of his mortal attendants will be present here as well. Perhaps I can capture or steal what they know. Fourth, once the battle commences, the fighting will largely center around what happens in orbit. The base on the surface will likely be neglected for most of the battle, which gives my infiltration device more room to play.”
The formation master listened to Ves and approved of his reasoning. “If this is what you have decided, then the Moloch Squadron shall provide you with limited support. Due to the uncertainties involved, I am not certain how we can be of assistance, so I cannot divulge any specifics. This is our first formal operation against a hostile party since the establishment of the Moloch Squadron. Many of our cultivators lack experience and power, so do not expect us to produce any miracles… in the foreseeable time.”
Perhaps the Moloch Squadron may be able to shift the battlefield much more noticeably in a few years, but that was too far away.
Ves understood quite well that weak cultivators could only perform parlor tricks at most. He did not expect much from the cultivators of the Moloch Squadron.
“I don’t need help in killing enemies or evacuating my assets. What I need is help in figuring out where I can retrieve valuable information.”
“Understood. The Protector of Karnak is a jureg greater phase lord. As he originally belongs to an aquatic species, he and his attendants may have stored their valuables inside an artificial lake.”
“Good tip.”
They soon ended their discussion now that the Farseer had conveyed her message.
Time was ticking down. It would not take much longer for the First Sword Mark III to launch from the Vulcan’s Glory. Ves needed to make sure that he could maintain a reliable connection to Ferrum.
The two eventually rose from their seats.
The Farseer passed on a final warning.
“We have already conveyed to the Saint Commander that the native aliens that are based at Screed Tanner VI-F are better adapted to fighting against human forces than what you have encountered in the past. Saint Piercer arms have become more common among greater phase lords. They have also made other adaptations in order to improve their performance against our ace pilots. Our forces may be confronted by their new innovations. The Red Cabal has been more receptive to the technological assistance provided by the Cosmopolitan Movement.”
“Ugh. Those human traitors are still at it, I see.”
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