Chapter 133: 129 Mechanical Island and Titelium Storage Tanks

Shan Zhong returned to base with a look of utter despair: “I’m exhausted—finally cleared all those robots, it’s over at last.”

Qi Ming chuckled: “You’re celebrating too soon.”

That night, the Victory Team received a report: Gobnyu were once again wandering the streets of Tokyo.

Nami Nishijo: “How is this possible? Where are these things coming from?!”

Emi was nearly frantic: “Do they respawn on a timer?! Is there some spawn cage dumping monsters?!”

This time she joined the cleanup squad, shooting down one robot with each shot.

The Defense Force also deployed many personnel to sweep the Gobnyu, even challenging the Victory Team to a public contest to see who could destroy more robots.

“Classic Showa spirit,” Qi Ming said, declining the proposal on behalf of the Victory Team.

On the third day, the Gobnyu appeared again…

Thus, the Victory Team fought Gobnyu for several consecutive days.

During this time, Qi Ming’s Star Gift reached ten points, filling to capacity.

But he stubbornly held off from Star Gathering.

The Mechanical Island and its Gobnyu horde, which took two episodes to resolve in the original plot, were no ordinary foes—he dared not gamble.

“If I ‘gather’ again and get something like Gazo, we’re done for.”

“If I use up all my Star Gift points, I can’t transform into Gaia or Seven. Leaving those free transformation monsters on standby won’t help against the Mechanical Island—they’re useless.”

On the morning of the fourth day, Dr. Yaobi strode into the command room with a triumphant smile.

“Team Member Qi Ming, the ‘Max Power’ system you’ve been waiting for is complete!”

Qi Ming: “I’m not surprised.”

Shan Zhong: “Max Power system? What’s that?”

Dr. Yaobi explained: “A spacecraft propulsion system that generates immense energy by colliding protons and antiprotons.”

“Our secretly developed battleship, the Atlides, normally cruises at three Mach.”

“With the Max Power system, it can reach forty-two Mach—its output is at least fourteen times greater than a standard propulsion system!”

“In emergencies, the Max Power system can also boost the output of laser weapons, increasing their destructive power.”

Nami Nishijo: “Can it be used as a weapon?!”

Dr. Yaobi cleared his throat: “Better to treat it as propulsion.”

In this hawkish TPC, if the staff hadn’t been subtly hinted that the Max Power system could be weaponized, funding might never have been approved.

So Dr. Yaobi had no choice but to be flexible.

“Team Member Nami Nishijo, you’re our ace pilot—please test the Max Power system,” Dr. Yaobi said, citing Tamotsu Morita’s recommendation.

Nami Nishijo saluted; she was eager to enhance TPC’s armed strength.

Only with overwhelming power could she defeat powerful enemies—and finally seek revenge.

Before departure, Qi Ming warned: “Deputy Commander, once you activate the Max Power system, don’t be startled by anything you see in space.”

“Huh?” Nami Nishijo froze.

…………………………

Thus, Nami Nishijo piloted the Bai Xue, the test vessel, into outer space.

“Max Power system—activate!”

Nami Nishijo pushed the control stick; the Bai Xue shuddered violently and shot forward at extreme speed.

“Such immense power—it’s uncontrollable!” Even though Nami Nishijo’s physique far surpassed normal humans, she still struggled to control this force.

Tamotsu Morita worried about his team member: “Stop the test immediately!”

“Don’t halt the test mid-run,” said Counselor Kento, entering the room.

His expression was grim: “Regardless of anything, the Max Power system is essential for the Victory Team.”

He placed great hope in humanity’s self-developed Max Power system. Though some experts deemed it unusable at this stage, he overruled all objections and pushed for immediate deployment.

The enemy’s assaults were growing more terrifying and intense—humanity could no longer afford cautious, step-by-step progress. We must possess overwhelming power to protect Earth!

Qi Ming smiled: “Rome wasn’t built in a day. Gaining even a little experience now is progress. Why rush?”

Hearing him speak, Counselor Kento calmed down and agreed to pause the test for now.

Nami Nishijo’s voice came over the comms: “I’ve shut down the Max Power system. The vessel shows no anomalies—all data recorded. Returning to base… wait, what is that?!”

Tamotsu Morita: “What is it?!”

Nami Nishijo, unusually startled: “There’s an island—an island floating in space!”

Emi: “An island? But the radar showed nothing.”

Shan Zhong: “Deputy Commander, are you sure you’re awake? You know islands can’t float in space!”

Kishida: “Deputy Commander must be exhausted. Just return to base.”

Tamotsu Morita turned to Dr. Yaobi: “Could this new system affect humans? Like causing hallucinations?”

Dr. Yaobi glanced at Qi Ming: “Theoretically, no effect—provided the pilot can withstand the immense reaction forces… Qi Ming would have no problem.”

Compared to the original series’ line, “How could we possibly know at this stage?”, Dr. Yaobi had already gone far out of his way to soothe everyone’s nerves—out of respect for Qi Ming.

But Tamotsu Morita remained unsatisfied and was about to press further when Qi Ming suddenly spoke:

“Deputy Commander didn’t imagine it. That island is real.”

“The Gobnyu that appear at night were dispatched from it. It will launch an attack soon.”

Kishida: “That explains it!”

With Qi Ming’s current standing, no one dared ask, “How do you know?”—they simply accepted it.

Counselor Kento: “So it’s another space invader. Prepare for defense!”

After the meeting, Counselor Kento informed Qi Ming that the recovered Gobnyu were currently stored in a warehouse far from the base.

Since no useful research had been done, they would soon be shipped to TPC branches in other countries for sealed storage.

Qi Ming nodded, but he felt the larger Gobnyu would still appear—just not emerge by punching a hole through the ocean base from within.

Back in the command room, he instructed Team Member Emi: “Stay alert to every slightest disturbance. Report any anomalies to me immediately.”

Emi agreed—and the very next day, she discovered something noteworthy.

“The liquidified Titelium storage tanks were completely drained overnight?”

(End of Chapter)