56: After the Terrorist Incident, Part 2

"It appears the ampule-type disposable mod was used to modify the rocket cone. Although specific details remain undisclosed due to concerns over information leaks, it seems they directly implanted the mod—analyzed by Lady Satā—into growing plants, accelerating their growth rapidly, and then weaponized them."

"……"

My words left both Me-mokushi and Virijianira silent, lost in thought.

I was struck by the horrifying truth that this mod possessed extraordinary capabilities—so simple to use even a novice could handle it, disposable, and capable of activation within an extremely short time from deployment—and by the even more alarming question of where such technology could possibly have come from.

Virijianira, perhaps, was concerned that such a terrifying device might already be mass-produced and secretly in use somewhere.

The person who obtained this ampule was one of the officially recognized and high-ranking members among those captured from the 'Imperial People's Liberation Front.' They claim to have acquired it from an individual specializing in weapons procurement for the 'Black Root.'

I see. Then...

"But the individual who claimed to be from the 'Black Root' is already dead. They're believed to have died about an hour before the terrorist attack, their brain reduced to a mushy state. Naturally, any information terminals were destroyed as well."

"What kind of killing method is that..."

The person who supplied such a mod to the terrorist is already dead.

Given the unusual manner of death, the mastermind behind the seaweed humanoid is almost certainly involved.

"Still, since his face was preserved, the investigation could proceed. As a result, it appears highly likely that this man was the perpetrator of the spree killings at the Guide Colony, having sold shield-piercing mods and drugs. Moreover, there's strong indication he was deeply involved in both physical and information-based theft and smuggling throughout the Grogrobeta system—making it very probable he played a major role in this entire incident."

"So, what you're saying is that this brain-mousse man was funneling technology and resources created by various companies to some algae humanoid?"

"Indeed, that seems highly likely."

"Then his abilities must have been exceptional. And if someone that capable was left unchecked, it's no wonder they took such meticulous precautions—eliminating him before he could trigger a terrorist act capable of destroying the entire star system."

At least one troublesome individual is certainly dead now.

But, as Viridiana said, it's certainly thorough.

Even before the terrorist attack, the seaweed humanoid had seemed destined to end up that way, and regardless of whether the attack succeeded or failed, one couldn't help but feel the hidden hand's determination to prevent anyone from reaching him.

"As for the main incident of the Rocket Cone terrorist attempt, that's about it. Now, regarding the facility that Miss Vee and her team have secured..."

Well, the story isn't over yet.

"First, regarding the mod manufacturing device stored at that facility—it appears to have been stolen about a year ago by the Giga洛克 Space Pirates, based on the lot number and other markings."

"Hmm, I see."

"Furthermore, the device's logs confirm that the ampoules of the biological modification mods used in the terrorist attack were produced there. However, the manufacturing process was done manually, with many unusual procedures, making replication or mass production extremely difficult," it was said.

"That's... fortunate, I suppose. Something like that can't be used for defense or attack anyway."

Since it was acquired through the sky pirate, there's no point in searching further for the mod fabrication device.

If it's the 'Black Root,' it's only natural they'd have ties with the Giga洛克 sky pirate group before their dispersal.

It's fortunate it can't be mass-produced.

Having more of those things would be troublesome.

"Those who used the facility have been almost entirely identified through traces left behind. They appear to have been a researcher involved in mod development at Tricityam Factory, a company within the Grogrobeta system, about a year ago."

"Working there... so they're no longer employed there, then? What about that aspect?"

"Not that they quit—apparently they were fired. The reason given was that they were judged ethically insufficient in handling mods. However, shortly after being fired, they were involved in an accident and went missing, so they're generally considered dead."

"Then this place might also be connected to that man earlier. If needed, he'd likely fake a death accident like that."

The reason why Tricityam Factory was targeted as the first victim during the terrorist attack might stem from something like this.

That aside, no surprise from an intelligence unit.

Even among the dead, they can pinpoint someone without issue.

"Moreover, regarding this individual, not only was there an issue with the reason for dismissal, but there were also problems in terms of skill and attitude—severely lacking in both areas."

"... Uh, what's that, seriously? That's pretty scary. You can't possibly expect someone like that to make a mod of that quality. Even if their ethics are off, you can still manage somehow—but someone fundamentally lacking in both skill and attitude? There's no way they could create something superior to top-tier."

"Yes. Reports from specialists in mod production within the Intelligence Unit have echoed the same findings. Therefore, there's speculation that the mastermind behind this incident—some entity responsible for creating the seaweed humanoid—may have been guiding or indoctrinating them."

"Uh... what exactly are Sata and Memo saying here?"

Vilijanira tilts her head, puzzled by my words and Memoqsi's.

I should probably explain this briefly.

Uh... well, making mods is a pretty delicate process. The more advanced the mod, the more precise the force needed—something that can't even be replicated by machines, at least as far as I know.

I agree with Satou-sama's note. Furthermore, I'd add that this newly created mod goes beyond even the most advanced technology currently available. Even with detailed instructions, only top-tier technicians or researchers could possibly replicate it. It's simply beyond the reach of someone dismissed from a company for poor technical skill or attitude.

"And yet, it was actually created in reality... I see, that's certainly a problem. And precisely because of that, the person who manufactured it was eliminated at the same time as the terrorist attack."

"That's probably what happened..."

"I believe that's exactly what occurred."

Someone capable of creating something that shouldn't be possible.

If that's true... then, in the worst-case scenario, even amateurs could be made to do the same, and mass-produced somewhere down the line—could that really happen?

And if that were scattered throughout the empire... that wouldn't be funny at all.

"The mastermind behind the killings of the two key figures in this case... well, that one remains entirely unknown. But regardless of whether it's remote-controlled or time-delayed, the ability to generate alien-like monsters is threat enough. It seems the intelligence division has already issued alerts and search orders to all active units."

"Anything else you've figured out?"

There's nothing else. The body left no trace whatsoever, and the footage only captures the existence and transformation of the alien monster imitator. Additionally, considering the danger posed by the opponent, both the mastermind and the alien monster imitator are instructed to prioritize information gathering, and only proceed with elimination or capture when upper command grants explicit approval, which is expected to be granted with ample time and margin for safety.

"I see. I think your judgment is appropriate. I believe toppling or capturing that entity would be impossible for ordinary humans without meticulous preparation."

Nothing is known about the mastermind.

Still, that's to be expected.

Given that it's never come up in conversation before, it's safe to assume that both allies who were useful and opponents alike have been thoroughly eliminated—just as they should be.

In that case, it's possible some of the individuals who vanished during our intelligence operations might be suspected of being behind this.

And considering the opponent in question, their combat strength is at least equivalent to that of a humanoid-sized space monster.

Even without exaggeration, their actual combat power could easily surpass that in great numbers—perhaps even reach stellar scale, depending on the situation.

Yeah, we can't even begin discussing this until we gather more information.

"That concludes it. This is the information currently held by the intelligence unit and has even been disclosed to the notes."

"I see. So we'll have to keep investigating patiently, and likely for quite some time."

"It seems that will be the case."

It was a sobering realization—how precarious the empire's peace truly is, balanced on the edge of a thin ice sheet.

As long as peace remains, there's still time to respond, but this is certainly something that can't be shared with the general public.