The spaceship was hurtling through space at 400 kilometers per second.

Nothing was noticeable except for the stars, and only the occasional space dust particles crushed and shattered against the indestructible shield <> that had been deployed.

Six days have passed since the craft left the planet Arus.

"The ship is sailing smoothly. We should be slowing down shortly.

<, Golem Cosmos 501, sent a regular message to the old man on Horai Island.

<, Golem, made a routine call to the Captain of the , Cosmos 501. Continue with your mission.

"<> Roger that."

Retrograde acceleration is applied and <> is decelerating at 3G.

The first target point is on the orbit of Ars, a quarter, or 90 degrees, ahead of Ars.

The intermediate point is on the other side of the sun Celan, which is one-half, or 180 degrees, ahead of Ars.

"If the speed drops to 50 kilometers per second, the shield stops. Switch to normal barrier."

"Roger that."

According to the contact we received after our departure, there is a strong possibility that the Hale side has a relay base as well.

Whether it is on this side of the orbit or on the other side, i.e., 270 degrees ahead, is unknown.

If there is a relay base, the probability of meeting is 1 in 2.

aimed for the planned position while mobilizing all of his detection magi-machines.

"There is an object in front of us at a horizontal angle of 10 degrees and a vertical angle of 15 degrees.

This report came from the department in charge of detection when the speed had slowed to 5 kilometers per second.

"Okay, change course. Let's approach it carefully."

"Yes, sir."

decides to approach the object with inertial navigation at a speed of 5 km per second.

At this speed, it can stop or break away at the maximum acceleration of 30 Gs if the need arises.

"Distance, 100,000 meters."

The distance is now sufficiently far to be observed by optics.

<

At the same time, the image was also sent to the old man on Horai Island.

"This is an interesting shape.

The object was hemispherical. The detailed dimensions cannot be measured yet, but it must be approximately between 5 and 20 kilometers in diameter.

It is a rather large structure.

Distance, 50,000 meters.

When we got close to this distance, we were able to observe details.

Perhaps because we are approaching without using the power system as much as possible, no reaction is observed.

"<> activated.

From this distance, even a small telescope can observe the object without blurring.

<

* * * *

On the morning of December 20.

A report was received from on Horai Island. Jin receives the results in the command center.

"I see, there it is after all.

<

"But it is hemispherical. Is it man-made?　Or was it a modified asteroid?"

And as they watched, the distance closed in and <> activated his <>.

"Yeah, I think we're good at this distance."

<>.

"But this is ......."

It looks like a half sphere, with a cut flat surface facing the sun.

There were some buildings and other facilities scattered on the surface. The design was familiar.

It looks like a mobile base.

<

The old man agreed with Jin's idea.

The images coming from the screen got closer and closer until they finally reached the surface.

The hemisphere is also made of metal and does not seem to be made of an asteroid.

The image switches to the interior of the facility on the flat surface.

"It's from the sky."

It looks like a warehouse or something.

And then the video continues.

"Oh, so we are finally inside the hemisphere.

There were numerous small rooms. There are no doors attached, so the interior can be seen clearly.

"Magi crystals, iron ore, copper ore ......?"

<>

"But not as much as I thought. ...... after sending it out to Hale?"

And then the image goes on to show yet another compartment.

"Is it stopped ......?"

.

"Are these lights ethereal luminaries (AL)?"

"Anyway, let's be careful and investigate thoroughly."

For another hour, the interior of the hemisphere was thoroughly examined by <>.

"Hmmm......... I'm still pretty sure it's stopped. The question is whether or not there is a possibility of restarting it."

The old man added to Jin's words.

he said.

<

Jin gave up early and decided to leave it to the old man.

It is several times or even dozens of times faster to leave it to him than to check it himself.

Another 30 minutes passed.

.

The old man reports. At the same time, the image was projected on the magic screen in the control room.

"Is this the ...... hole?"

"Is it debris from the long period planet ......<>?"

<

The hole projected on the magic screen is estimated to be about 10 meters in diameter. There are some fragments of meteorite around it.

"But would that be enough to shut down this huge base?"

Jin knows that important facilities and equipment should not be concentrated in one place to avoid the risk of failure.

Jin and the old man decided to wait for more information.