Chapter 612: Planetary Exploration
"Whoa... this place... is so pretty," Shinji couldn't help but whisper. The scene before his eyes was far more breathtaking than any virtual landscape he had ever seen.
"Hmph, it's moderately interesting, I suppose," Asuka tried her best to maintain an indifferent tone, but the slight curve at the corners of her lips gave away her true feelings. She reached out to catch a drifting, bioluminescent seed, watching it rest on her palm for a moment before lightly floating away again.
Rei Ayanami remained silent, merely tilting her head slightly to watch the glowing vines flowing down like waterfalls between the canopy.
"Stay sharp, don't let the scenery fool you," Maine reminded them in a deep voice. "In an unfamiliar environment, beauty often walks hand in hand with danger. Dorio, set up a perimeter guard line. Rebecca, don't wander off too far."
"Got it, Boss!" Rebecca answered verbally, though her eyes still couldn't resist darting toward the most dazzling patches of flora.
Ryo (the second avatar) did not interfere with Maine's command, maintaining his focus on the sensor telemetry.
That ubiquitous bio-electric background noise—acting like the respiration and heartbeat of the entire planet—existed in a stable, massive state. He attempted to adjust the scanning frequencies to decipher more details of this collective consciousness field, discovering that its structure was extraordinarily intricate, as if every single living organism served as a node within this colossal network.
"The bio-neural network connection density far exceeds expectations," he reported synchronously to Maine and Ryo's main body via an encrypted channel. "Preliminary assessment indicates this network not only transmits information, but may also be involved in energy and material cycles. Recommending priority search for key network nodes to conduct research."
Just then, Falco, who was out scouting, transmitted a signal: "Roughly five hundred meters to the northeast, signs of water and denser biological activity detected. Also detecting... some form of unnatural structure? Signal is faint."
An unnatural structure? Everyone immediately went on alert.
"Specific characteristics?" Ryo (the second avatar) asked.
"Unable to identify precisely. The structure is completely overgrown with dense vegetation, and energy readings are extremely low—it appears abandoned. The dimensions... are not small, resembling the wreckage of a large vehicle or building," Falco reported.
Traces of human activity? Or left behind by some other intelligent species?
"Target priority updated," Ryo (the second avatar) immediately commanded. "Proceed to Falco's marked location to investigate. Maintain formation and stay on high alert."
The Wreckage in the Rainforest
The exploration team mobilized immediately.
Maine and Dorio cleared the path in front, Rebecca and Pilar covered the flanks, while Falco held the center to provide reconnaissance support. Ryo (the second avatar) situated himself in the middle of the formation, ready to respond to any sudden contingencies. The three EVA pilots were arranged in the relatively safe mid-rear section of the column, following the advance.
Trekking through the bioluminescent rainforest was a singular experience.
The soil beneath their feet was soft and moist, and the surrounding flora pulsed gently as if endowed with life. Occasional dangling neural bundles brushed against the explorers' protective suits, sending a faint, static-like tingling sensation that seemed like an attempt to establish a connection, only to be blocked by the suit barriers.
Asuka found it all fascinating, occasionally reaching out toward the glowing flowers or vines, only to be stopped by a sharp look from Dorio. Shinji moved cautiously, as if afraid to disturb the serenity of the land. Rei Ayanami continuously observed the interconnected neural bundles, seemingly pondering their operational mechanics.
Along the route, they encountered several species of indigenous fauna. A herd of six-legged, mountain-dwelling creatures casually grazed on luminescent moss, casting curious but non-hostile glances at the team. A brightly colored predator attempted to approach, but was turned back by a low growl and the intimidating presence radiated by Maine. These creatures all appeared capable of communicating to a degree via those neural bundles, displaying coordinated behavioral patterns.
About twenty minutes later, the team reached the location marked by Falco.
It was a gently flowing stream, its waters gleaming with a dreamlike radiance under the reflection of bioluminescent plants. On the opposite bank, beneath an unusually dense layer of vines and massive leaves, a huge, twisted metallic structure was vaguely visible.
It appeared to be the wreckage of an aircraft that had crashed long ago. Its design belonged neither to the Imperium nor to any faction known to them. The hull was severely rusted and crawling with glowing vegetation, nearly merging into the forest itself.
"Scan confirmed: no life signs, no active power sources," Falco reported.
Ryo (the second avatar) gazed at the wreckage. This confirmed that prior to their arrival, another force had indeed set foot here.
Friend or foe? Why did it crash? This discovery cast a subtle shadow of uncertainty over an otherwise peaceful expedition.
Field Research
The exploration team set up a temporary camp along the stream. The members of Maine's squad skillfully deployed basic defensive fortifications and motion sensors to secure the campsite perimeter.
The crashed aircraft wreckage sat on the opposite bank like a silent warning, reminding them that this planet was far from entirely harmless.
Ryo (the second avatar) stood at the edge of the camp, facing the direction of the wreckage to perform a deeper scan. The sensors on his Terminator armor penetrated the thick vegetation, outlining the general contours of the craft—roughly thirty meters in length, featuring a streamlined design, though numerous fractures and scorch marks indicated it had suffered a violent impact or explosion. Its technological level appeared to lie somewhere between the Human Federation and the Imperium, though its exact origin could not be determined. No valuable equipment or data storage units were detected inside the wreckage, as if it had been stripped by time or previous scavengers.
Meanwhile, Maine's squad and the EVA pilots began preliminary research of the surrounding area.
Under authorization from Ryo (the second avatar), Pilar and Falco attempted non-destructive sampling and analysis of a smaller plant emitting a blue glow. Using precision laser cutters, they extracted a tiny tissue sample and placed it into a portable bio-analyzer.
"Cellular structure displays extreme specialization, containing an unknown photosynthetic pigment and superconducting bio-crystals," Pilar noted, looking at the telemetry as his mechanical oculars flashed with scientific interest. "These neural bundles... look, they aren't just external connectors; their interiors are laced with similar crystal fibers, forming a micro-bio-circuit."
On the other side, Rebecca and Dorio were cautiously approaching a small herd of elegant, deer-like creatures drinking by the stream. These creatures possessed fan-like neural tendrils behind their necks, currently connected to one another as if engaged in quiet conversation.
When Rebecca attempted to step closer, one of the larger deer raised its head. Its deep, obsidian-like eyes met hers, and the neural tendrils behind its neck glowed softly.
Rebecca felt a very faint, telepathy-like surge of emotion—not concrete language, but a vague impression carrying alertness and curiosity.