Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  “You talk as if you would be able to win.”

  “Ah! Yes, that is also a problem. You are the coolest guy. You’re not like Valencia. You’re not someone who would run in blindly even if you dislike the person. You would clearly win if we decided to fight. And I also don’t want the investigation team to collapse. So I decided to remove the chance for revenge and just want to join the investigation team.”

  “Aren’t you talking really informally to me?”

  “Then you don’t understand my words?”

  “That isn’t it.”

  Hawk narrowed his eyes and replied. He stared at Ark for a while before talking again.

  “But what will you do if I don’t allow you to join the investigation team again?”

  “Then something difficult would happen. I will show the GPS and witness. Of course, the evidence if slightly lacking. But the team members aren’t stupid. Furthermore, some of the units that came back alive are those that attacked other units based on the GPS information you gave them. They’ve already caught on to a certain extent. If I tell them this information then their doubts will turn into certainty. How easy will it be to lead the team members then? How about it? Doesn’t it seem quite difficult?”

  “It is difficult.”

  Hawk nodded.

  “But I’ve already expelled 9 units from the team. You survived the raid but you were late. Will the other units admit to you joining the team?”

  “That’s a problem for you to worry about. You can easily take care of such difficulties.”

  Ark grinned and replied.

  “W-what are you bastards doing? Are you joking?”

  Esut shouted as he looked between Ark and Hawk.

  “I don’t know what you’re plotting but I am Esut! Dammit, this is the first time I’ve been ignored like this! Anyway, you have to die here!”

  Esut took out a grenade again. It was a belt with 10 grenades handing from it! But Hawk just sheathed his pair of swords.

  “My battleship is at port 51. Take Esut there.”

  And he muttered as he jumped up onto the roof.

  “The details will come after that.”

  —————————-

  “Ark-nim? Ark-nim!”

  Mario shook Ark. Ark woke up from his memory and answered.

  “Ah, yes. I’m sorry. I was thinking for a while……”

  “As expected, Ark-nim is also worrying about it.”

  “Huh?”

  “Don’t worry about it!”

  Mario grabbed Ark’s hand.

  “The largest reason Hawk gave for expelling the units was that they didn’t have their spaceships anymore. But Ark-nim didn’t lost your ship. Your situation is different from the others. So don’t worry too much. The members of the military faction will band together to stop Hawk from expelling Ark-nim.”

  “Ah, yes…..”

  Ark replied with an awkward smile.

  “Attention!”

  Soldiers suddenly shouted from the opposite side. The soldiers split to the left and right as Hawk walked in the centre. He stood on a podium and gave a speech while looking at the team members.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting. The time was more delayed then I expected so I’ll explain the next mission. Harley, spread the map.”

  “Yes, Leader-nim.”

  Harley pulled out a sphere.

  It was set down on the ground and a light emerged. Then a member of the political faction came forward.

  “Before that happens, I would like an explanation.”

  “What is it?”

  “Ark who is among the members. Right now there are 11 units here. 9 of them were expelled after the first mission. I was surprised when you first stated it and thought it was an over-reaction but I was convinced by your words. But now is it fair to accept a member who was expelled from the team? I would like to hear Captain-nim’s explanation. Is Ark really returning to the team?”

  “If he returns?”

  “I won’t accept it. In the worst case…..”

  “Wait a minute! I’ll explain! Ark-nim clearly didn’t return to Turan on time. But he didn’t lose his ship unlike the other members. That…..”

  Mario tried to come to Ark’s defense. Hawk shouted with a displeased expression.

  “Shut up. Useless person!”

  Mario retreated. However Hawk was staring at the member of the political faction.

  “Like you said, Ark is an expelled member of the team. He was thrown away. But he continued his mission when left alone and found a few clues that led him to Marseti. And he captured our target Esut.”

  “E-Esut?”

  “Yes, Esut who you stupidly missed.”

  Hawk narrowed his eyes at the political faction member.

  He was the man who approached Esut in the tavern and was caught in a shootout with the Belkin clan. His name….it was annoying to remember so let’s just call him Member A for the moment. Anyway, Hawk continued in a sharp voice.

  “The process isn’t important. The important thing is the result. And results means the person has skill. That was why I expelled those nine units. It doesn’t matter if they lost their lives or their spaceship. I expelled them because they didn’t have the ability to protect their ship. Now, I ask you. I gave each of you a location to wait in order to capture Esut. But you deviated from my plan and approached Esut. It was good up to here. Like I said, the priority is getting results. However you missed Esut who was right in front of you. Esut was captured by Ark who was alone. Doesn’t that mean he has more skill than you?”

  “T-that….”

  The political faction member’s face turned red with shame. This was the reason Hawk handed Esut to Ark and left the alley. Ark had the USB with the GPS device and Rapid so Hawk was forced to accept Ark’s offer. However, it was natural that the political faction wouldn’t admit his return.

  He used Esut as justification to allow Ark’s return.

  ‘He really is scary.’

  Ark thought as he gazed at Hawk. He heard from Irina about Hawk’s plan to capture Esut at a tavern and the location he placed each member. Hawk who was the leader was placed at the furthest point from the tavern. The other members though Hawk did this to concede to the members but…..

  ‘He is the guy who made the faction fight each other to seize control of the team. He wouldn’t just concede to the members. Hawk knew. Esut isn’t someone that will be easily caught. He knew that Esut would escape from the tavern. And Hawk would capture Esut when he ran.’

  Ark knew it as well. He should capture Esut as justification to join the team. That’s why he went to Hawk’s location.

  The result was a bingo.

  Hawk was right where Esut stashed his ride. Hawk had monopolized the information he got in advance and planned to capture Esut. However he was forced to pass on the achievement to Ark.

  -Dark Omen (Pioneer Quest) information has been updated.

  has been completed.

  While the 2nd investigation team was investigating the planets containing rare minerals, they came across information that Esut from the Wolf Clan is likely supplying Organization X with the mineral. Esut was tracked to Maseti and a plan organized to capture him. You managed to catch Esut and prove your skills.

 

  He confirmed this information before coming to the port.

  If he had to explain, the members who revived after the first mission received 300~500 achievements. Hawk investigated 3 planets so he received 1,500 achievements.

  Yet Ark had gained 1,800 in one go! The even more exciting thing was that this achievement originally should’ve belonged to Hawk.

  Hawk was forced to give up his achievement to give Ark a plausible reason to re-join the team. Of course it was impossible for him to feel good.

  –It’s starting now Ark! I’ll make you regret this!

  Ark could clearly read the messag
e in Hawk’s eyes. So Ark used the power of his eyes to return his own message.

  –Yes! It is starting now Hawk! I’ll make you regret taking me back.

  A message also flashed in Irina’s eyes who was looking at Ark.

  –I’ve met you again in Galaxian. We’re together!

  Mario who was standing near also had a message.

  The port was flooded with such message.

  Anyway! Ark once again joined hands with the enemy.

  Space 8

  Dark Star

  “Sheesh!”

  He was dissatisfied.

  Ark and Irina were now in a relationship. And this was his first mission with Irina since then! He didn’t want to hold hands while running through fields catching monsters but he imagined having a face to face conversation with her during the tedious voyage.

  There was a communication function attached to his ship. But now he was accompanying the units. No, to be exact it was a problem because he was accompanying Hawk.

  The expelled Ark was able to join up with the team on the planet Maseti due to the information Irina gave him. However Hawk was unaware of who gave him the information and if he learnt it was Irina then her position would become more difficult.

  Therefore Ark and Irina decided to act like they didn’t know each other and there was no communication between them.

  ‘Well, this is a secret shared between 2 people but…..’

  He couldn’t enjoy the situation when watching other units communicate. Thus he was in a gloomy mood. Then the door at the back of the bridge opened and Rapid entered.

  “Have they connected? The other guys?”

  “Not yet. After picking up Melina, Park, Berad and Cupa on Turan, the team drank until late on Maseti and haven’t recovered yet. The cabin is really no joke.”

  “Rapid hyung-nim, did you just wake up?”

  Hegel lifted his hand and greeted Rapid. Hegel was the one who welcomed it the most when Rapid joined Dark Eden. That’s because he gained quite an appreciation for Rapid during his stay on S-20.

  Rapid was also kind to Hegel.

  “Ah, yes. You must be having trouble under the vicious president.”

  “Hey, who is a vicious president?”

  “Then? Is a guy who sits behind his staff in the morning with a bitter expression a good president?”

  “A good employee shouldn’t just grunt when greeting the president in the morning.”

  “I have no intention of being a good employee.”

  “Is this something you should tell the president?”

  “It is possible. Anyway, the only reason to look good for the president is to collect a bonus. Besides, the employees will be the ones suffering after the mission starts. I heard that Hawk treats his staff quite well so should I move there instead? Hey! Hegel, how about it? Do you want to go together?”

  “Huh? No, I…..”

  “This bastard! Why are you trying to lure my staff to another job?’

  “My words about leaving were just a joke…..”

  Rapid rubbed Hegel’s smooth head. And he approached the seat next to Ark and asked.

  “What relationship do you have with Hawk?”

  “Relationship? What relationship?”

  “What did you do to Hawk?”

  “Why are you asking what I did? Didn’t you see? I didn’t do anything. I didn’t know him before entering the investigation team.”

  “Then isn’t it weird?”

  Rapid frowned and continued talking.

  “Didn’t I tell you? Hawk met with us on Tatuine and offered to tell Valencia your location. If you’ve never met Hawk before then why did he use such a method to contain you?”

  “I’m also curious. Why does he dislike me?”

  “It isn’t a problem that we can overlook. Hawk passing on information to Marquis Jyubel is dangerous. Hawk took a risk trying to take care of you. That behaviour can’t be explained by Hawk simply disliking you. Obviously there is another reason. If you don’t understand then you might receive some damage. That guy’s presence is disruptive in itself.”

  “His existence itself is disruptive? What type of bacteria is he? Whose side are you on?”

  “Right now I’m on your side.”

  Rapid laughed and replied.

  “So I’m saying. There is no guarantee what will happen in the future. No, you threatened Hawk with the hidden GPS in the USB so there is no turning back. Hawk won’t find it necessary to hide his thoughts anymore. And right now your status is at a disadvantage. Then shouldn’t you at least know the reason why Hawk opposes you? If you know the cause then you can also find a solution.”

  ‘That makes sense but…..’

  Ark was also tortured about this. No, Ark had been wondering about this since hearing that Hawk passed on his location to Valencia. However he couldn’t come up with anything.

  ‘I’ve clearly never met him in Galaxian. Then was it New World?’

  He had such thoughts. But there was no way to verify that. Ark in his current state wasn’t the same Ark from New World. He had thoughts like Rapid but couldn’t think of anything.

  ‘Who on earth are you?’

  “Hyung-nim, we will be exited warp space soon!”

  While Ark was thinking, Tori who was flying the Silver Star with Milan shouted.

  At the same time, the swirling light outside the window formed a vortex. Ark lifted his head at the vibration when they exited.

  “This seems to be the right place.”

  “Yes, here…..”

  Ark nodded at Rapid’s words.

  —————————-

  “Here.”

  The Death Knight’s port.

  Hawk pointed to a spot on the galaxy map. Confusion spread on the faces of the unit members.

  “There?”

  “There is nothing at that place?”

  It was no wonder that the unit members were ‘?’.

  Hawk learnt from the captured transportation ship captain Esut where the rare minerals were being transported to. Esut unloaded the rare minerals in one place. The place was probably related to the Organization X that they were looking for.

  That was the place Hawk was pointing to. However there was nothing there on the galaxy map.

  “Did he just give you any coordinates?”

  “That is impossible.”

  Hawk answered without thinking about it.

  “My interrogation isn’t that insignificant. He isn’t able to lie to a pioneer like me.”

  This situation…..

  He didn’t want to imagine it.

  “And I’m convinced this is the place.”

  “Are you sure? There isn’t anything here?”

  “This is what convinced me even more. As you know, the 3 powers don’t have any information about Organization X. Their reach in the galaxy is huge so it isn’t easy for an organization with antimatter to hide. I guessed this before receiving the mission. Those guys are hiding in an invisible place.”

  “Invisible place? There are places like that in the space frontier?”

  Hawk smiled at the question from one of the unit members.

  “How many planets do you think this galaxy has? So far pioneers have only visited 10% of all the planets in this galaxy. No, the planetary existences that have been confirmed by the astronomers only reached 60%. That means there are 40% of planets that are still unknown. There are a number of reasons. The observation through telescopes makes it difficult to confirm planets overlapped with others or concealed by nebula gas. Such planets are called invisible or unknown planets.”

  “But this place isn’t that far from a developed Hive. Can there be an unconfirmed planet in such a place?”

  “And……”

  Hawk ignored the words and continued talking.

  “There is a 0% chance that it is an unidentified planet. It is more likely to be an artificially hidden planet.”

  “A-artificial? You mean someone deliberatel
y hid the planet?”

  “If the conditions are met then it isn’t that hard. This world is like that.”

  Not a ship but an entire planet had been hidden. He couldn’t easily imagine it but it wasn’t impossible.

  Science was relative. If observation techniques were developed then techniques to hide from observation could also be created. The 3 powers have developed scientific civilization over thousands of years but they were still using swords and firearms in battle.

  Science and technology reaching a similar standard could also be called a weapon. And Galaxian was a game. Imagination could freely occur in such a world.

  “How do you know there is an unidentified planet there?”

  “It is simple. We go look for ourselves.”

  Hawk replied with a grin.

 

  + Sub Quest: Capture the Key Witness → Unidentified Planet

  The investigation team has captured Esut, the captain of the transport ship Marsyosia who is suspected to be associated with Organization X. And after some questioning, Esut provided the coordinates of a specific place. However, a planet can’t be found at the coordinates Esut provided. Captain Hawk has decided to move directly to the coordinates to investigate. No one knows what will be at the coordinates. Therefore the danger is unknown.

  Difficulty: ???

  The information window that popped up! The next destination of the team was set. And…..

  —————————-

  “……Is that the unidentified planet?”

  Ark looked out the window at the huge planet below him.

  They had left Maseti and warped to the coordinates provided. However there was obviously a planet in front of the Silver Star. It was a planet slightly smaller than a moon. It was an unidentified planet like Hawk said.

  Kwajijiji! Kwajijiji!

  Then sparks blew from around the Silver Star. The sparks turned into 13 giant vortexes.

  In the next moment, there was a ringing sound and 13 ships emerged. A variety of ships gathered around a huge, black battleship. They were Hawk’s battleship the Death Knight, Irina’s spaceship and those of the other team units.

  “The official investigation team channel is connected.”

  A large face floated on a screen at Hegel’s words.

  –We’ve come to the right place.