The Martial Unity

”A large planet with a heavy atmosphere will be difficult, but it won’t be impossible for pathwalkers of our caliber,” Sternon added with a hint of caution. ”I think we should definitely be prepared for basically anything that could happen, though. At the very least, we should be prepared for running out of oxygen in case we aren’t able to leave the planet for whatever reason.”

”There don’t appear to be any bio-signatures based on the spectrographical data,” Misha said with an assured expression. ”Not to mention that a gas giant is very rarely the kind of environment where life thrives. But on the other hand…”

Her cybernetic eyes sharpened a little.

”It is an infected world, which means that it has at least one kind of life form.”

The alien virus, that was.

The question was whether the planet had a manifold or not, but that was not something that they could know ahead of time.

”Our exo-Martial suits will need to be very solid for this environment, but thankfully, we have access to a whole inventory of suits for each environment,” Siliscia couldn’t help but remark. ”I will need to pack up with vegetative packages that can thrive even in the extreme environments of Pinky.”

Ria raised an eyebrow. ”Pinky?”

”It’s a much better name than a series of numbers. Not to mention easier to say.”

”Seconded,” Runark smiled. ”If we’re all in agreement, then Pinky will be our first target.”

None of them objected to that.

With Pinky chosen as their first target, they immediately began planning the operation. Each of them had taken operations to exo-planets before, so they had familiarity and experience with the kinds of protocols and preparations that were necessary.

For a quasi-gas giant specifically, they would need to have more robust exosuits that would permanently cover every section of their body. They would also need to have more robust oxygen-sequestering solutions.

Normally, when there were sustained missions in an environment that was devoid of the necessary atmosphere conditions to sustain human life, protocols required setting up oxygen sequestering systems to ensure that all adventurers had a stable supply of oxygen.

They were also more physically vulnerable because their combat prowess would not translate as cleanly into such an environment as if they were on Gaia. They quickly listed out all the necessary preparations they would need to make, sending the list to the logistical division of EsoQuest Solutions.

Within twenty-four hours, everything was prepared.

Exosuits, oxygen cells, first aid, food supplies, and even high-portability stealth tents that would allow them to get some set within Pinky if they needed to, calibrated to the exact requirements that they would be facing on the planet.

The Stellarch and its crew were informed of the operation, the destination, and the environment that the ship would be parked in for the duration of the operation, entirely in stealth mode the entire time. Captain Sohhn even conducted virtual reality cruise tests in environments matching those of the solar system’s destination.

”It’s time, Dad.”

In the Royal Office, Ria placed a special container on his table, one that was generally used by the Gaian Alliance to store the Samsara Tide poison that was crucial to destroying the virus and opening the manifold.

Rui simply smiled with a hint of wry amusement. ”It’s time, is it?”

”Yes, we’re heading out tomorrow,” she replied with a firm tone. ”We should arrive at our destination in five days, thanks to the high-grade superluminal warp drives that we have.”

They intended to directly travel to their destination from Gaia Planet without making pit stops along the way to refuel. Something that was unthinkable for most frigates in human civilization. The dark energy reactor that the frigate had been fitted with was not for show; it could genuinely generate energy unperturbed for extended periods of time, with the only constraints being long-term gradual wear and tear to the delicate quantum infrastructure needed to harness energy from the expansion of the universe.

By bypassing standard transit systems across human civilization, the Stellarch could enter and depart human civilization entirely undetected, especially with its stealth technology. This would help protect it and them from being identified as part of EsoQuest Solutions.

”Be careful, Ria,” Rui told her with a serious expression. ”You are strong, you have good resources and have made good preparations, you have a good team that you trust, but that alone doesn’t mean nothing can go wrong. Anything can go wrong at any time. Never forget that. Always be prepared for the worst.”

She nodded at the sensible advice, watching as her father picked up the container, before slitting a finger to drop a single drop of his blood within the container.

It instantly transformed from blood into the Tide of Samsara, much to Ria’s surprise. ”Your blood is the poison? But wait, I thought your blood made people immortal? Which is it?”

”Blood is Water,” Rui replied with a wise tone. ”It can become anything, just like anything else in the world. If I want it to be the most potent nectar, it will be so; if I want it to be the most potent poison, then it will be so.”

His words rang true when she felt the extreme danger that was associated with the poison, gulping.

”Good luck,” Rui told her with a calm voice before smiling.

”I look forward to the story of your adventure when you get back.”

”I’ll be sure to tell you all about it,” she replied with gratitude as she picked up the container, studying the poison with a curious expression before directing a final glance at her father.

”Alright then, bye, Dad, thanks for the poison.”

Just like that, she walked out of his office, leaving Rui in silence.

He heaved a deep breath, closing his eyes.

He activated his Realms of power silently while activating the Eye of Prophecy.

The greater the range and scope of the technique, the less useful the technique was. He deployed his senses of the information dimension to try to skirt past the limit, trying to see his daughter’s future.

All he saw were hazy visions with a pink background to them.

A noisy environment.

And blazing determination in the amber eyes of his daughter in the face of death.