CH 43

Not long after Plum entered the cave, Dondon gestured at us that we could enter. I had Blueflash wait outside as we followed Dondon into the cave one by one. We entered a narrow tunnel, and after dropping perpendicularly for about 300 meters, we reached a horizontal tunnel. We followed the tunnel, and after several turns, we reached an imposing red door. There, Plum was waiting.

The door had a peculiar design. It was as though the door was made of rock, giving it a tough and durable appearance. It also gave off the feeling that it was filled with energy. At the top and sides of the door, red diamonds were embedded into a sort of frame. They shone brightly, illuminating the entire cave.

"Dondon, open the door as I taught you," said Plum.

Dondon nodded in understanding and pressed his two tiny paws against a protruding platform to the right of the door. A holographic interface identical to the interface of the ship's projector appeared before the door. Once it appeared, Dodo stepped all over the keyboard-like interface. Then, the door slowly opened with a crack.

"Dondon is way too impressive. Canyue, there's no monster hidden behind this door, right?" Zhang Bao'er asked.

My heart skipped a beat as I took out my gun and assumed a defensive posture. After the code was verified, the red door parted. A thick layer of dust fell from the cracks of the door, and when it settled, we saw an empty circle surrounded by diamonds. At the very middle of the circle was an immense spaceship over a hundred thousand years old.

The ship looked completely different than the one that had crashed into the black mountain. It had a T-shape, supported by six legs of different sizes at the bottom. The legs made the ship look like it could also walk on land when required. At the same time, the legs could be withdrawn back into the ship when it took flight.

"This is an amphibious spaceship capable of walking and flying. But can it still fly?" Dodo asked.

"This is the spaceship Nommo had taken great care to preserve. It should function well," said Plum.

While speaking, Plum floated toward the bottom of the ship. We could clearly see a circular door.

As Plum aligned his face against the door, the ship whose system had been dormant for over a hundred thousand years turned on. A series of red rays appeared from the door and scanned Plum. After the scan, numerous lights lit up around the ship's hull. The door slowly opened, and a stair extended out. The ship had been activated.

Plum was the first to enter. We hurriedly followed after him. The ship was separated into three levels. The undermost level housed the cargo bay and the engine room. There, we found food and countless diamonds that had been stored over a hundred thousand years ago. The middle level was the living area and meeting rooms while the topmost level housed the cockpit and combat control room. The layout of the ship was simple to understand.

Plum brought everyone to the cockpit. Once there, he placed his blue paws on the operation panel and started moving around. In a few minutes, the entire cockpit lit up. The flight system had been fully activated.

The dormancy of over a hundred thousand years did not seem to have affected the ship's functions. From its activation, it seemed to be completely normal. Both Plum and Dondon worked together to perform a full diagnosis of the ship and conversed with each other non-stop.

"This ship is too beautiful. It is much better than our Mimas," said Old Du.

"Yes, a giant spaceship like this is required for long-distance flight. It also needs to be equipped with combat abilities. But I don't know if it can recharge the energy of our suits," I said.

"Before leaving, we need to retrieve our Kangaroo from the world's second layer. We still have our nuclear warheads and other supplies in it," said Zhang Xingxing.

"Yes, that is part of my plan. We might still need it at the Orion Constellation," said Dodo.

After activating the ship, Plum turned to face us. He looked at Dodo and said, "Are you a machine with artificial intelligence?"

"Yes, I am a type of intelligent automaton," said Dodo.

"Excellent. Come take a look at the core data of the ship's system. Try to access it and send it to everyone. This ship requires two pilots. The combat control room also needs a number of corresponding personnel," said Plum.

Dodo walked up to the control panel and tried its adaptation system on the ship.

"They will need some time on this," said Plum. "We don't have much time. I already inserted the coordinates near the Orion Constellation. The wormhole production and leap system have also all been prepared. You can set off any time."

"Why not go straight to the Orion Constellation itself?" I asked.

"I don't know. This is the most optimal destination as indicated by the system. Also, in the system, Bright Planet has an even higher priority than the Horsehead Nebula itself. Nommo himself had set up these priorities. There must be a reason for that. I suggest you go to Bright Planet first to understand why," suggested Plum.

"How long will the ship's energy core last?" asked Old Du.

"This ship utilizes Sirius B's nuclear fusion materials, which provides enough energy for interstellar travel and combat. The energy in the system has 1,000 levels, and the ship will need to be replenished once the level drops below 100," said Plum.

"Where should we replenish our energy? Should we return to Sirius?" Zhang Bao'er asked.

"No. Nuclear fusion works the same everywhere. So long as you're at a place with fusible atomic nuclei, you can replenish your energy. Your artificial intelligence will be in charge of doing all the calculations. I've inserted all the data into the system to fill up his knowledge base," said Plum. 

"Honored Plum, do you know which planet Warrior Adoka came from?" I asked.

Plum looked at me and said, "He is a member of the Wargod race. They dwell on a green planet in the outer orbit of the Hamal System of the Aries Constellation. I've never met them before. I had only learned of their existence after Nommo had found them during one of his travels."

"Yes. On Blue, Aries also refers to the Greek god of war, more commonly known as Ares. He is one of the 12 gods of Olympus and is the son of Zeus and Hera. Ruling over war, he is a handsome, violent, and warlike god. He is bold and tenacious, the symbol of power and authority, a god of war that loves war and slaughter," said Dodo.

"There's actually such a valiant race living there. The ancient humans are truly impressive for their myths to actually be so prophetic," praised Zhang Bao'er.

"How do you know that the myths and legends aren't left behind by Nommo in the first place?" asked Old Du.

Zhang Bao'er found that argument agreeable, so he stuck his tongue out and stopped talking.

"Canyue, why did you ask that?" asked Zhang Xingxing.

"I have a feeling that this race might be our friend in the future, so I'm trying to learn more about them in advance," I said.

While we were talking, Dodo walked over.

"I have obtained the ship's basic data. This is too perfect of a ship. Its name is Fearless," said Dodo.

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"Fearless. What a great name," said Zhang Bao'er.

"Yes, and its mechanics and weapon systems are ridiculously advanced. After linking my database with the ship, we can now recharge our suits with this ship," said Dodo.

"Excellent. If so, we can bravely continue on with our plan," said Zhang Xingxing in excitement.

"Let’s do it. Dondon and I will be in charge of piloting the ship. As for the ship's weaponry, I'll teach you how to operate them. Unfortunately, there is no knowledge-download equipment here," said Dodo.

"With flight and energy solved, we can replenish our food at the Brightling tribe. I reckon we can't use the supplies here anymore. I already told Titan about it," said Plum.

We looked at him with gratitude. Someone who had been slumbering for over a hundred thousand years just to pass on a message and an inheritance to the future was still so attentive. We couldn't help but be touched.

"Everyone, I have completed my mission. I hope you can complete your mission of protecting the universe's peace. I hope Nommo made the right choice," said Plum.

I checked the time and saw that Plum only had three hours left. He was about to depart from this world.

"Titan, can you send me to the cave left by Nommo? I want to pass on peacefully there," said Plum.

A sense of sorrow engulfed everyone upon hearing his words. Nobody knew how to react in this situation. Nobody knew what they could do to help. I felt completely helpless.

"I still have a request," Plum suddenly said. "If you find information regarding Crystal, please let Dondon know. Give him a chance to obtain the Storm race's full history."

"Don't worry. We will definitely do that," promised Zhang Xingxing.

"I hope that you, instead of Dondon, can personally complete this history," I said.

Everyone looked at me. Zhang Bao'er said, "Canyue, what idea do you have?"

"Honored Plum, we are incapable of extending your life span, but can you return to the stasis pod until we find a way to extend your life?" I asked.

"The stasis pod can still work, but the energy balls needed to revive someone from stasis are no longer powered. We need to recharge the crystal balls at Terror Island if we want to repeat another revival," said Dodo.

"But the charging station has been destroyed," said Old Du.

"Yes, but that's not an issue. The two-headed monster is no longer there. We can harness the energy on the island at any time. Our priority should be to look for a way to extend life span," I said calmly.

"In that case, everyone agrees to first have Honored Plum return to stasis before looking for a way to resurrect him?" Zhang Xingxing asked.

"Yes," I answered firmly.

"Then it's agreed," said Zhang Xingxing.

Plum listened to us and nodded in agreement. It was obvious he longed for life as well. Only those who respected life would respect the living beings of the universe.

"Dodo and Dondon, pilot the ship with the stasis pod to his cave to ensure the ship's safety," Zhang Xingxing commanded.

The team started carrying out our new plan. Dondon and Dodo activated our brand new ship. Above us, a massive hole opened in the cavern. The ship then left with Titan and Amethyst. After more than ten minutes, the two ships returned one after another.