We progressed into the asteroid field slowly as we dug our way through while the ships shields pushed the asteroids out of the way. We had left about an hour ago from the station and are currently going through the 3 layers inside the asteroid field. From the information we got from Mr. Cane it seems there are 7 layers which, from scans, show that they have different materials, much rarer materials then what is found in the first layers we mined from. And like any dungeon from a fantasy game the place was full of enemies. Every five minutes we are attacked from all sides by the rock creatures. We were able to ward them off because we of the turrets and improved engines and weapons to the fighters and Gunship.

After entering the third layer we had the unexpected surprise to be assaulted by monsters about twice the size of the first ones. It was also much more difficult to kill because the body was also much harder and unless the lasers were aimed at thinner limbs it didn’t cause enough damage. We brought the body in for examinations and it resulted in discovering that these larger creatures had a denser amount of minerals in them. Another discovery was that they had very tiny cores; it was the size of a small low caliber pistol bullet used in the past. We identified it as a core because Gunner recognized it, it was a pure iron core as pure as it gets just like any A rank asteroid. After closer analyses we also discovered these monsters originated from D and C class rocks which explained some of the reason why they were stronger.

At this point we also began smelting the bodies because there were a lot of materials we could get from them. With three empty Dingy we stored most of the processed iron in them.

Progress was really slow even with us going at the fastest safe speed we could and the monsters only slowed us even more in our advance. We were told by Marcus that if there was no asteroid field we could get to the planet’s surface at our full speed in around 12 hours but with the layers in front of us it would take at least 2 days if nothing goes wrong. Even knowing that the monsters were getting stronger the crew didn’t get discouraged on the contrary they got motivated. It also helped that we had some good cooks like Jin and some NPC that could cook up some good food that kept the moral up.

After 5 more attacks we finally broke through the third layer into the space between the third and fourth were you could find an A rank asteroids, this area is always void of monsters. We took the chance to check our fighters and the gunship just to be safe. With three Dingy, we only had room to land 9 fighters so the other 13 fighters would fly around and every hour 4 of the stealth model would switch and the smaller raider model also switched. (Default ships 1/5 the size of dingy)

After switching the fighters for freshly fueled ones we entered into the fourth layer. It took around 4 minutes before the first attack commenced more than half the attackers were C rank rock monsters.

(I will name them after the ship lands)

This attack was the first one we struggled and I was immensely grateful that we waited so long to get ready and make the turrets. With 6 turrets occupied as well as 13 fighters attack plus a few extra men on the outside hull of the ship to provide further support it was like an endless attack with what we think was at least 60 rock creatures. It was obvious that this area was impossible to mine in as the monsters would destroy anything is to poorly guarded. Even though we say that after we collect the bodies and extract the cores inside them, which I might add has started to make quite a nice pile; we process the ores out and trash the rocks remains that were left. The next two attacks followed the same pattern and with around the same number of enemies.

On the fourth attack though there was a difference. All the monsters were C rank and we spotted a new type. It was shape strangely like a fish and had one of the small rock creatures riding it. What was strange was that this thing was flying around the battle field without bumping into any rocks to push it along. Soon more appeared and the fighters were forced to give chase and we even had to release the remaining 9 fighters to help fight because the number rose to over 100 with around 20 of these flyers.

Adam: this is getting really hectic

Wilson: those flying ones, they are interesting, I wonder how they propel themselves. Maybe they are the reason that the rock creatures can get up into space.

Noah: Mr. Kinter please stop analyzing them while we fight it’s hard enough having to give out orders during this stressful moments like this while someone is non-caring whether we live or die.

Wilson: sorry captain, I will leave for the hanger to examine the flyers once they are brought in.

He leaves and we resume the annoying chase as more and more of the large rock creatures propel themselves at the shield chipping away at the shields defense.

Noah: Adam can reroute more power to the shields?

Adam: where would we get the power?!

Noah: if we stop the ship we can take more power from the engines and increase output to the shields.

Adam: let’s try it.

Ernest: please don’t try anything stupid Noah, we need to survive to get to the planet and not die up in space.

Noah: yes I know Ernest there is no need to worry.

I pull the ship to a halt while the control room crew was working away at the controls, soon I could see the shields outside the ship get brighter as more power was sent to them and the durability rose and replenished the shield.

With the increase in power we were able to stop their advance in and repair some of the damage caused to them as well as begin repelling. Soon the fighters were able to hit a few of the flyers. At his point we still hadn’t ordered the gun ship to go in yet. As the situation started to tilt in our favor we kept it that way and left the gunship for really difficult situations so we wouldn’t waste unneeded power.

After a long 30 minutes that felt like hours we finally killed the last rock creature and harvested the bodies. The most intact flyer body was separated and given to the scientists to study. What they discovered was that the bodies were just as densely packed in metal as the large human shaped ones but these were a different metal. Using the core we discovered that it was a mix of Iron, Cesogen and trace amounts of nickel. The iron and nickel made the core similar to a planets core and the Cesogen caused an effect in the core which gave the metal in the body magnetic property’s which seemed to be controllable as well to be either repel or attract which it probably used for pull itself near it and slingshot itself to fly through space. It was really interesting so I had that 20 core processed to see the proportion inside them. It came out as 4/10 Iron, 1/10 Nickel, 5/10 Cesogen. Learning the proper mixture the scientists were eccentric about it and began researching uses for the magnet mixture as well how to utilize it to repel and attract.

After the attack we had to do some repairs as some fighters took a bit of damage though not that much it was better to be safe than sorry. With 9 ships in being repaired we called my dad it the gunship and told him to be ready for the next attack and that him and his crew on board would join in to cover the lack of fighters for such a large force.

Soon enough a new wave came after we traveled about 5 km into the fourth layer. This layer seemed bigger than the others which were around 10 km, as of now we had already passed that mark so we can only assume it was getting bigger.

The addition of the Gunship caused a totally effect on the fight. Before it was hard but this time with the extra turrets on the craft which was moving to different spots and chasing the flyers we finished with less damage and at a quicker speed. Had we had torpedoes or missiles we might have done this even quicker.

We allowed the gunship to continue fighting and only refueled it after we exited the fourth layer sending out 2 Dingys to make room for it to land. Repair droids that Gunner had the crew make quickly came out with worker droids carrying large armor plating replaced damaged pieces which were taken and recycled into sheets ready to be processed over again into something else.

We stayed in the clearing after the fourth layer and called the pilot’s in. those that couldn’t fit the ships in the hanger landed on top of the ship which was currently stationary and got out there and walked inside using the magnet boots. We let everyone eat and then set up shifts to watch the ship while most of the crew got some sleep. It wasn’t that tedious since we had lots of people though those that had to stay up and watch didn’t like it but they would be given leave of work to sleep it out.

After a peaceful 10 hours to allow everyone to rest up. We prepared to head into the fifth layer of the asteroid field.

I was currently in the hanger helping prepare the ships that came and left every few minutes as they were refueled and some refitted to repair damage. Ernest and Adam were repairing side boosters of the Gunship which was currently docked. As we finished up the gunship lifts off and the Dingy return and lands but stays on standby if need.

I walk up over to were Adam and Ernest just as Basil also arrives.

Noah: hey guy’s things sure have gotten busy.

Basil: HA busy is an understatement anyway its getting really exciting fighting those rock creatures.

Ernest: speaking of those devils what are we going to call them, we can’t keep calling them rock creatures.

Noah: I haven’t really had time to think of it with all the preparation we have been doing during the month.

Basil: what about Ore Men, I also thought of Golems but that is to fantasy I think though it fits since they are made of rock.

Noah: *sigh* I guess golems are fine but do we use it for all types like that flying thing?

Adam: why not consider them all a race and then sub species. Like human, giant and shark.

Ernest: it’s simple enough if there are any survivors that named it anything better then we will use that.

The crew members near us hearing the naming also seemed to agree on the name which seemed appropriate.

After finishing up all the repairs I head back to the control room with Adam and Ernest heads to the engine room.

Noah: well let’s get on with it level 5 here we come.

I sit down and start the main engine and do the check if all systems are properly running before setting off.

In the fifth level we had all our force out and ready in all fighters, Dingy and the gunship all loaded and ready to fire. The first attack came after 10 km in the field. It was made up of 100+ giant golems and 25 riders. I ordered the fighters to chase the riders first while the Dingy and gunship were ordered to assist the carrier ward off the giants that were attacking the shield. A long hour long war in space happened with quite a bit of damage to our side. 6 fighters and 2 Dingy took some heavy damage to the point here they need to return to the carrier for serious repairs. The fighters were given quick repairs but 2 of them had engine damage and it kept them out of the battle but not the fighters themselves who ran out onto the hull of the ship with rifles and began firing away. The other ships took much less damage but the raiders were getting to be a pain.

After the intense fight we dragged the most damaged ships in first and began heavy repairs and kicked all mechanics and techs into high gear. Repairs took a whopping 2 hours even with 25 repair bots that were built for preparation for this and all the mechanics led by Gunner who was the best among the crew.

We were all on high alert during the repairs all the while we were constantly repairing damage to the ships. The most damaged ships had an engine or damaged and had to be pushed into the carrier. The least damaged ship was the gunship which only took a few hits to the side but that just dented the plate.

When we had most of the fighters repaired we set off again leaving the remaining ships to repair in the hanger.

We met the second attack 10km away and it was around 3 km way from the safety zone this attack was even more intense because they were more coordinated and they were working together now. The raiders would exit first and begin circling the carrier and when giants popped out they would grab the tail of the flyers. After building up speed they would send the hulking golems to smash into the shields this kind of attack did devastating damage to the shields to the point we had to reinforce the shields with more power. Lucky this attack had a major fault which was that the golems flew head first into the shields which left them vulnerable to attacks which also caused more since their weak point was the head. This attack we came out with less damage because many of the giants died out as the head was smashed to bits.

As we entered the safe zone we began repairs and had the crew do shifts to rest both fights had drained them a lot because of the duration. If only this asteroid field didn’t encase the whole planet we would have just gone over it.

With this brake we are taking now it will make two days we have been out in space. If there weren’t any Golems in the way we would have been landing already. I’m glad the players ran away, if I had to rely on them I would have died already in the fourth layer.

After a 10 hour brake we set off again as we enter we are already on extra high alert with the Dingys and Gunship and every one of my fighters flying around the carrier. As we push our way through the tension in the control room was extremely thick. The recent destructive attack has raised the tension to unprecedented levels throughout the whole crew. As we reach the 25 km mark into the sixth layer I see 2 B rank asteroids shutter.

Noah: SHIT!! B RANKS NOW!!!! Adam sounds the alarm for combat we are getting high level creatures.

As I say that the alarm sound through the coms and the interior of the ship and from the monitor I could see everyone get up and get to work. The carrier was pulled to a stop and the shields were reinforced with extra power to withstand the monstrous B ranks.

As we watch the smaller ships scurry around getting ready but my eyes were on the B rank asteroid that was shaking and cracking like an egg about to hatch. As soon as the longest crack connected with a few others chunks of rock broke off as more. Suddenly both explored in a torrent of dust and rocks. As the dust spread we finally saw what they looked like. The word titan works just perfectly for them. At 10 meters tall 7 wide they were monstrous sized human shaped titans. They looked towards the ship and reached out to grab some rocks then chucked it at our ship. The response was instant all the ships blasted the rocks to smithereens and began the attack on the titans. Several ships fly towards the head including the Gunship which rained down blasts over and over. The titans flailed their arms trying to catch the little flies attacking them but were to slow thanks to their size. Though one of them did get lucky and hit the wing of a fighter sending it spinning out of control for a few seconds and destroying the wing. The pilot quickly maneuvered away from them and back to the carrier. The mechanics instantly got to work rebuilding the arm.

At this point I really was wishing we had invested some time into making missiles and torpedoes to attack to the gunship but we don’t have the tech for large projectiles like that. Though gunner, being the gun nut he was, didn't disappointing us, he had his own personal rocket launcher which he was currently abusing while shooting for the Golems head. Really that man, if it involves weapons he will take the project by himself if he had to. Though unfortunately the ammo quickly ran out but he kept one for later to use as a model. Though the damage was done, the various shots all over opened weak points which were constantly shot at and made large cracks appear on the titans.

The fight lasted a bit over an hour before gunner bombarded them then another half hour to kill them. As they slumped down everyone let out a cheer to commemorate the victory. By far this was the most intense creature yet and I feared for our lives if something had taken A class.

Your crew has defeated the twin mini-bosses in the Kelha II asteroid field

Some people began crying as they tried to image the boss creature.

After the win we had the science team go examine it while the Dingys got repaired and began mining (butchering) the bodies. One of the titans had lots of iron while the other was a mix of iron and Perrius. They also had large cores were the heart was about the size of a soccer ball these were extracted and moved into the safety of my cargo hold. After 2 hours of mining there was nothing left of the bodies and the damaged ships were all repaired though there were a few that had more extensive damage and were being rebuilt.

After we reached the safety of the safe zone between the sixth and seventh layer I stopped the ship and called my original crew, gunner and Mr. Kinter.

Noah: alright guys I’ve called up all because of the message we got after killing the titans.

Gunner: I saw that to…mini bosses I can’t believe something like that

Noah: exactly that is way I called you here, we need missiles or rockets or some other form of attack besides lasers. They are too weak if gunner didn’t have his rocket launcher we might have taken heavy damage and dead crew members.

Ernest: what do you propose then?

Noah: gunner you saved one missile to use as a model right.

He nods

Noah: good, have that scanned until we make a blue print after that use that and develop large scale missiles or you can make more smaller missiles and build rocket launchers to be sent out from the carrier your choice but we need those to continue. Mr. Kinter I want you and the manufacturing team to work together to get this done as quick as possible.

Wilson: consider it done.

I then look at the others

Noah: you guys basil Felix and Earl continue guard duty the others gather as many mechanics and techs as possible and help out leave enough to man the control room and a few in the hanger.

They all salute and leave. I just sit there thinking through the stress of this situation.

Noah: ”I wonder how long it will take to develop a new ship missile or make small scale ones”

You have started a research project within your crew target research, Missile development

Time estimated 3 days (72:00:00)

I just stare at the window that appeared then sigh a deeply

Noah: ”three days, it probably is that little bit of time because we are going to use a working missile as a model, I’m sure it would take much longer if we made it from scratch”

For the next three days we had as many crew members work on the missiles. Unfortunately we couldn’t make ship missiles but rockets were possible we were able to increase the power of the rocket Gunner saved to about twice its power. When we finished we started producing launchers and rockets. 10 launchers were made with 120+ rockets.

When we finally got them finished about a week had passed luckily nothing attacked in this area so we were undisturbed while we got ready.

It was now the moment of truth. Back inside the control room we set off with all ships ready for action. The seventh layer was 100 km long and we passed it without any attacks. As we exit out into open space that separated the planet from the asteroids we saw a single A class asteroid floating in front of us.

Noah: all men prepare for combat I repeat prepare for combat.

As if on cue the lights all over the ships start to flash and the ships spread out. At the same moment the asteroid started shacking like the B ranks. Cracks appeared all over it like an egg cracking. The ships were waiting around the carrier and inside the soldiers that would fire the launchers were getting ready with the missiles lined up in racks behind them and an assistant ready to arm the weapon for the shooter.

As the asteroid continued shaking, cracks spread but only at the top was it braking into tiny shards as it distorted from the Golems impacts trying to get out. With a final hit the creature appeared. Springing out of the rock and twisting its long body was a giant worm like creature. It opened its mouth showing the multitude of razor sharp fangs that it had to shred the ships apart.

You have encountered the boss class Golem Rock Worm

Mission: Worm Extermination

You have discovered one of the causes that have been blocking advancements into the planet Kelha II.

Difficulty B

Objective: kill the Rock Worm

Failure: your crew is killed

Reward: permanent access to the planet Kelha II and the Golems will retreat back onto the planet.

Noah: this is good at least we only need to kill one of these. “Men ATTACK this creature is the only one and once we kill it we will be able to have these Golems retreat they won’t plague the asteroid fields anymore.

As I order all the fighters spring forward at full speed they split into four directions, two taking the flank while the other two took either blow or above it.

(all this is in prospective of the carrier)

At reacted by swinging its body at the group going to the right but it didn’t hit since they spread out. They commence the attack the same goes for the carrier’s turrets. I also kept the carrier out of range of the worm for obvious reasons. I then turn on the coms to the hanger.

Noah: rocket launchers, aim for the inside of the head but also aim for the rock where the body is anchored it is holding its body there so we need to get rid of it.

A few seconds later 10 rockets flew out five flew up towards the head while another five went low and arched towards the rock. As if knowing our intention the worm got in the way of the lower rockets and blocked it with its body. Normally you would curse it but the power of these rockets are at least three times that of the lasers and with five rockets hitting near each other the stacked damaged a large area on the body, this was followed up with the other five rockets as they also hit the body, targeting systems you gotta love em.

Noah: the thing is protecting the rock, pilots aim for the rocks while rocket launchers distract the worm.

And just like that we started dominating the boss. It was defiantly a good thing to make the rockets the lasers barely even hurt it but the rockets cause tremendous damage. Luckily the thing recognized what would do more damaged so we kept him occupied while the fighters chipped away at the 1 meter of rock.

We kept the firing of the rockets down to a minimum to maximize their use normally only 1 every 2 minutes. As such after 2 hours the crust of the asteroid finally broke still with a little over 60 rockets left. What appeared under was a new shell but thankfully because of the lost in mass the large body loses its balance a lot if it thrashes around to roughly and leaves many openings.

Just as I was going to order an all-out attack the main body began to crumble.

Noah: All ships retreat that boss is up to something.

The ships complied and when they returned the fighters began to land and refuel and some were given repairs. As we watched the body keeps crumbling until it finally falls to pieces and makes a large cloud of dust that is going in all directions. As the cloud cleared we saw the creature. About half the size of the original and a red color which signaled iron ore in its body.

Noah: that looks much more dangerous.

Adam: how so?

Noah: the body is slimmer for the size it has so it’s probably much faster now and there will probably be less chance to damage it. We also don’t know if it’s stuck at that size like the larger version.

Adam: your orders then.

Noah: Gunner ready 10 rockets shoot the asteroid it’s on from different sides I want to see how fast that thing is now.

Gunner: sure thing captain. BOYS GET READY!!!

After a few seconds 10 rockets were shot aimed towards different side but all were arching to hit the asteroid.

The Worm noticed all the shots and wrapped its body around its foothold which caused its body heavy damage as the all the rockets hit it all over its body causing a series of cracks to appear even on its iron ore body.

Ernest: I’m so glad we made those rockets they work like a charm, should we blast the thing with all we have.

Noah: I don’t know something seems off, it’s defending the rock with its body I wonder if there is something special about it.

Adam: want me to quick scan?

Noah: those are weak and barely give details unless you do a large number of them, if you want then you can do so but drones would work better. It a shame that thing is protecting it.

Wilson: has it occurred to anyone that the asteroids could hold eggs of the Golems.

Ernest: it would explain the protective nature of the boss.

I turn the coms again in the hanger as well as for the ships.

Noah: all ships prepare for the second round; all ships should advance after the rocket launcher attack. Gunner fire half of the remaining rockets to all directions at the rock the worm will take all the hits so use that tactic after that it’s back to 1 rocket every 2 minutes.

Wilson: not a bad strategy using its own protective nature against it.

Noah: ya if it ignores the rockets it will destroy the rocks if it defends it will hurt itself one way or another it will eventually lose.

The preparations took about 10 minutes as the ships were refueling the boss didn’t have the range to reach us and since no asteroids were around for any possible chance that it was like the flyers it couldn’t reach us without leaving the asteroid.

As soon as the final ship left the hanger the 10 launcher sent out the first volley followed by the second and third. As the last five were shot the fighters and gunship sped in. It saw the rockets heading its way and like the first time it defended all the shots. I can easily say that the damage was really great its entire back was braking under the damage and it was moving really slowly because much of its body was breaking apart. It didn’t help that the ships were bombarding its exposed inner with laser. Seems the inside really is a weak point just like you would see in many sci-fi movies that involved worms.

The second round didn’t last long as the body soon began collapsing as the joints holding the body finally broke into pieces. As the final piece broke off the large worm finally died. We waited for confirmation of the end of the quest but it didn’t come so I ordered the ships to return quick since something was wrong.

In the hanger I could see a commotion as the fighters landed and the pilots got out.

Noah: maybe its what’s inside that asteroid that is keeping us from completing the quest. Adam send orders to the Dingys pilots to approach and release all the drones we have to scan the interior of that asteroid.

He does just that and soon they leave towards the asteroid and about half way they stop and release the drones that fly over and begin quickly scanning. The image of the scan appeared on all the ships in my fleet. It took second to scan the surface and then they began on the interior up to around 50% it was normal after that we saw many rocks inside as well as the remaining body of the worm and its core.

Wilson: so there are eggs in there its best destroy them.

Noah: agreed. Gunner, fire all remaining rockets at the asteroids the thing holds eggs from the boss.

Without replying the remaining shots were fired and soon the asteroids was bombarded with rockets and broke apart releasing the eggs and the remains of the worm’s body. The fighters went over and blasted the eggs into pieces then the Dingys began mining all the rocks in the surrounding to extract the core from the worm

Mission: Worm Extermination complete

You have killed the creature that has kept the expansion to the planet’s surface as well as its offspring.

Reward: permanent access to the surface of planet Kelha II, Golems will retreat from the asteroid field without the protection of the boss.

The whole crew was celebrating including us in the control room for the success. i guess in this game B rank quest cause planet wide effects I still wonder if A rank has a solar system effect or sector effect anyway we will find out after we succeed.

After mining the body of the worm we did a full repair of all the ships and finally started the 12 hour decent to the location of the landing.

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