"Yes. They mentioned that the Void Ark was the universe's cleaner, specializing in erasing the traces of civilizations that had 'failed to evolve.'" Ram tried hard to recall what had happened.
"But I didn't understand what they meant, so I attacked."
The information unsettled Lin Ye. If the Void Ark truly saw itself as the universe's cleaner, then the logic behind its actions was far more complex than simple destruction.
Meanwhile, Sageta and Asteria arrived at the edge of the abandoned Void base cluster.
This region had once been a secret research facility of the Void Empire, but it had been deserted for many years. Countless bases floated through the dark expanse of space like enormous tombs.
"Scorpios's signal is coming from Base 47." Sageta checked the detector data. "But the Energy Fluctuation is highly unstable."
Their reconnaissance ship silently approached the target base. It was a massive spherical structure covered in thick armor plating. Most of it had lost power, with only the core section still running a faint life-support system.
After entering the base, they advanced along the dim corridors. Emergency lights flickered now and then, casting eerie shadows across the walls.
"This place feels unsettling." Asteria frowned. "The Libra Mark senses an extremely imbalanced state."
They found Scorpios in the deepest part of the base.
The Scorpio Guardian sat before a huge observation window, silently watching the deep space beyond. His figure was nearly impossible to make out in the darkness, and the Scorpio Mark emitted only the faintest purple glow.
"Scorpios?" Sageta called cautiously.
He slowly turned his head, revealing a haggard, hollow face. His once-sharp eyes were now filled with despair.
"Sageta. Asteria." His voice was calm in a way that was deeply unsettling. "You shouldn't have come here."
"We came to take you back,"