Crossing the World
LIV - Earth (Karen)

"So, what do you need in exchange and how much peruche metal will you offer us?"

Tyraell who could have guessed the intent behind my actions showed peruche to him instantly opening up the topic of negotiation.

Well ... Tyraell's question actually also made it easier for me to express my wishes. So, her actions fall into the category of help for me.

As I already knew even when I first came to earth, the civilization here had a much more advanced science in the field of outer space. They have many spacecraft, artificial satellites, super-large telescopes capable of seeing to distances of thousands of light-years, and even mining solar radiation in the path of Mercury's revolution.

Earth has also sent four satellite units that store data about the earth and the coordinates of the earth itself with the aim to search for extraterrestrials. However, even to this day not a single satellite has received an answer. Well, maybe life is super rare.

I remember the Fermi Paradox .. ah, again my mind was diverted to other things.

Let's express my true desire.

"Because metal peruche isn't even on the periodic table of elements, it should have a very high value, shouldn't it?"

In response to my question, Tyraell nodded his head without saying anything. He might allow me to continue with my words. So, I continued my words without bothering to wait for him to speak.

"I want something worth." I gulped for a moment before continuing the conversation. "For example, like the design of a spaceship and something similar like that."

The atmosphere between us became silent in an instant as soon as I finished my words. As a result of the silence between us, I could even hear a faint constant sound from the air-venting machine that supplied oxygen here.

I know handing over the draft spaceship must be a tough one. Plus, the country is fairly new in realizing the journey through the sky. So, it was understandable that he was speechless. Therefore, let's give it a little leeway.

"The old design doesn't matter either. It should be a lot easier for you to ask for permission to share data on ancient plans."

I know that even if he is appointed as a negotiating representative, a matter of this magnitude still needs the approval of the government. There will be no immediate answer in this discussion. If I'm lucky, maybe they can agree in the next few days. There is no other way but to wait

"Ah, I'm not silent because I'm constrained by permission. Moreover, the design of the space shuttle is not as secretive as that. We can give it. However, there was another matter that made me think a little."

Oh? Very good news came out of his mouth. I don't know the reason why there isn't a single detailed design of the spaceship even though he said something like this isn't a secret, but if he can get it, then there's nothing more I need to think about.

"Then, what's the problem?" I asked him half curious.

"If I give it to you, will you stop taking water from the earth?"

Ah ... It looks like he knows what we're planning. If we had a spaceship, mining energy using peruche would not be difficult.

As I expected of him. Just by looking at the peruche and the fact that I asked him to share the draft of the spaceship, he could instantly guess that my goal was to mine.

Well, indeed if pulled red thread, it will look a relationship between water and our project. However, water needs cannot be replaced. We still need water in addition to converting energy.

So, the answer to that question is ...

"No. I still need water. My world is so dry that there are no puddles as far as the eye can see."

Tyraell slightly tilted his head, he was probably confused and did the pose subconsciously.

"Are there no Omega?"

"Huh?"

An omega? What does he mean? Is he talking about Greek letters?

"I mean, a turtle? Something like a sweaty animal."

What else is this?! Is he compiling a riddle?! Or does the language pack not apply the language accurately? I don't understand at all.

Tyraell probably saw my confused face so he was trying to shift the topic.

"Ah, forget what I said. I mean, why not use a spaceship to mine water?"

Hm ... mining water from another planet using a plane can indeed be done. However ...

In response to my statement, Tyraell returned with a mysterious smile. Once again he clapped his hand once, then opened his mouth and spoke.

"Not from another planet, but rather mining water in outer space. There must be a lot of water vapor and chunks of ice that can even flood your planet in the sky there."

Ah, water in the sky. I haven't thought much about it all this time. Come to think of it, many articles are talking about clouds as large as the Solar System and puddles that could even submerge the Planet Jupiter. Surprisingly, I never thought of mining it. Our science in space is very little. Perhaps this is why neither myself nor AI realized the potential of mining water in the sky.

Long distance is not a problem. As long as the trip is done in space, the fuel used will not be too much. Of course this does not apply if we mine it on another planet. I mean, defying gravity always requires a lot of fuel.

Yes, we can build super-sized aircraft to mine water and fill long-dry oceans.

"Well ..that's not a bad idea. However, we still have to mine water here at least until the idea can be realized."

"It's good to hear it." Somehow Tyraell's kind words gave me some goosebumps. "Then, regarding peruche payments that we have not discussed until now ... "

Ah .. I deserve to feel bad. It was time to talk about payment. Well, since there is no problem with its natural resources, I guess giving it a large amount is also fine.

"Five hundred tons. I'll give it five hundred tons as payment."

When I said it, Tyraell looked like he was a bit troubled. He gulped, then spoke in a slightly trembling voice.

"No, no. However, I am a messenger, not a robber. Let's just drop the amount to five tons."

Whyyy?! Why did you reduce the number by a hundred times?!

Well ... Since I wasn't harmed, it's better that I agree to it before he changes his mind.

"All right, five tons! I'll give you five tons of peruche in exchange for a draft spaceship."

We shook hands after reaching a mutual agreement. Not to forget, a written agreement was also made and signed by both of us.

After finishing the first half, we headed for the second half. This time about the obligations that each of us must fulfill. The obligations on my part are not so heavy that there is no need for me to think too long to agree to it.

First, I am obliged to maintain the server and organize the events within it, operate and maintain the necessary control equipment to dive into the server, provide guards in each region of the device, and, and regulate the amount of income and expenditure from the income we earn.

Of course I gave it to Aura.

Meanwhile, the obligations of Palapa Inc itself include providing locations and buildings, regulating the necessary power supply, advertising the game to the public, guaranteeing confidentiality regarding my ownership of all of this, and take responsibility for any losses resulting from system errors.

"The company already provides the necessary building and is in the process of creating an attractive advertisement."

Oh, they work very fast. Their growth sped up incredibly fast not without reason. I believe their ability to take every opportunity at the right time is one of the keys that have allowed them to dominate the world market in just a few years.

"However, before we can formalize it, I personally volunteered to ensure the safety of all existing devices."

Well, it's not strange if they're careful. I mean, hundreds of thousands or even millions of people will dive into the server. If the security is not properly secured, there will be a lot of casualties and I myself do not know how much loss Palapa Inc would have to bear had the worst case scenario come true.

Based on that, I led them to the room that Aura had just assembled all of a sudden. He keeps the exact same control device as what we're going to install out there. In addition to these devices, in the next room, Aura also prepared the latest devices commonly used in Shelters.

Due to the sudden assembly time and limited space, Aura can only provide one device. So, I advised Tyraell to have one of his guards dive into the server. However, Tyraell rejected him and instead told the two of them to stand guard outside.

Well, I don't mind at all. So, let's start as soon as possible so that not much time is wasted.

The available devices are not much different from the full body tracking VR console commonly found on earth. It's just, the hands, the legs, the thighs, the chest, the, and the head is protected by super strong nonpermanent magnetic plates that allow the user to hover about half a meter in the air when logged into the server. All of the equipment was located inside a ball-shaped magnet cage with a diameter of about four meters.

After finishing pairing all the devices onto Tyraell's body and just waiting for Aura to activate it, I spoke, "wait until the scene you see changes. I'm gonna go into the server through the next room and we're gonna meet there."

He nodded his head which was now protected by an anti-radiation helmet.

I walked into the next room, lay down inside the capsule, then closed my eyes as the capsule closed. Then, I gave the order to Aura to send both of our consciousness towards the virtual world developed by the AI.