Chapter 247 (1/2)
The out of control propulsion system was increasing its output by the moment. The situation became more and more unpredictable with the way things were going. Due to an initial design flaw, the propulsion unit had several smaller stabiliser engines around it. As the engines were controlled by the propulsion unit’s AI, the moment the system went out of control, so did the stabiliser engines.
This resulted in the whole island quaking under the enormous and unstable propulsion. Even though the artificial gravitational system strained itself to regulate the force of gravity, to lessen the impact caused by the quakes, many areas still did not escape unscathed. A few old structures had collapsed altogether whereas some places had sinkholes and cracks. The island was under such pressure, which exceeded its designed capacity that the island was slowly breaking apart. It was fortuitious that the hoop was very resilient and somehow managed to hold the island together, if barely.
The rolling had returned the gravitational field in the area. Hao Ren was back to “normal”, but things were still jittery and shakey. It took a lot of effort trying to stay upright. As the sky spinned above them, they awaited news from the team that went forward to destroy the propulsion unit.
A squadron from the nearby spaceport, armed with missiles had since departed and if things went according to schedule, they were probably already in the inferno zone. Yet, no news came. Hao Ren looked up towards the other side of the island and he could see a faint light of dawn from the far end. It was however, getting brighter and brighter at a very fast pace. This was indeed the first, most drastic break of dawn in the Dawnbreak Island. If their efforts failed, this would be the last break of dawn the island would see.
After a while, the corvette squadron brought news, but it was not good news: The thrusters were in full blast at this point, and they could not even get close. Even the missiles exploded prematurely from the blistering heat. They were now requesting for an even bigger battleship, but time was running out.
Hao Ren cracked his head, wondering what could be done to help. He spoke to the MDT telephatically, “Doesn’t the Petrachelys have a macrocannon or something? Can we take a shot—”
“That will blow the whole island up. I think we should also install some other weapons of smaller calibres next time,” the MDT answered as it strained to supply power to the dome. “This thing sure has a way of going haywire… almost half of my energy has been taken up by the propulsion system!”
At that moment, Y’zaks suddenly stood up and asked with his booming voice, “We just need to take that propulsion system out, right?”
“Yes…” One of the elf raised an eyebrow at the giant. “But, we have no way of getting close to it.”
“I can probably make it there. Make an exit for me.” Y’zaks pointed towards the wall. “Tell me, how does the propulsion thing look like?”
The elf turned pale immediately. “That’s suicide! It’s the void out there! We don’t even have spacesuits that you can use!”
Y’zaks simply shrugged. “Not a problem. I can live in space. Besides, the wider space gives me extra berth.”
Hao Ren stared at the daredevil with his jaw dropped. Lily could not just sit still too, and she bounced towards Hao Ren. “Can we do anything to help? Let’s go wreck some—”
The MDT had to yell at the top of its voice. “No! It’s a no go for you. You have not been enhanced for deep space enviroment. Even if you can survive in deep space for a period of time, don’t count on yourself being of any help. Hao Ren on the other hand, can go. That hunk of muscle can be put to good use afterall, with him not being affected by deep space.”
Hao Ren pointed at himself in shock. “Me? Going into deep space?”
“Your bio-enhancement included deep space travel in it. Inspectors do need to be able to work in space after all. This is a basic ability. Your body has some nanobots that will automatically regulate your dermal and respiratory system, giving you enough energy, heat and air pressure. Your Steel Membrane Shield can filter cosmic rays and some space organisms too. But, don’t stay out there too long, humans are not meant to be space creatures.”
“Since when did I have this ability? Was it during the last bio-enhancement? Why didn’t anyone tell me about it?”