The large active antenna spread out under the protective s.h.i.+eld and began to recharge. The metal structure lit up a big part of Kuiper Station like a bonfire. Electricity spiraled up the messy tangle of metal struts. In the main tower of the s.p.a.ce station, a low hum began to sound—there was no air in outer s.p.a.ce, but the s.p.a.ce station vibrated when the antenna was recharging because both structures were physically connected.

All sections on the sides of Kuiper Station that faced the antenna activated the necessary s.h.i.+elding measures. Alloy panels began to close over the observatory. At the same time, a superluminal scan that covered the entire solar system began to operate.

"This thing packs a punch." Hao Ren mumbled as he studied the huge antennae in outer s.p.a.ce, now engaged in its task. "That's quite an efficiency you got here… The planets nearby are already thrown off course."

"That's because they are magnetized instantly," The IDT replied while it kept track of the facilities connection status. "Besides, the antenna is just a run-of-the-mill equipment… c.r.a.pple Research Station's Resonance spire is much more power efficient than this."

Of course, Hao Ren knew how impressive the c.r.a.pple Research Station was, but he had to admit that this low-level tech looked more eye-catching. Primitive technology had a kind of rugged appeal to them. Even if people knew that Dongfang Bubai's Embroidery Needle technique required much higher level skills, they would still prefer the Dragon Sabre…

'Tis a man's romance.

When the scanning field was put up, the resonant frequency of Gungnir's pieces was also amplified to the entire scanning field. The gigantic active antenna began to sweep slowly across the entire solar system to find the fragile link that connected Gungnir and the Nine Realms. Vivian looked at the brilliantly s.h.i.+ning antenna array in outer s.p.a.ce and felt a little worried. "This powerful signal… Will it affect Earth?"

Hao Ren had taken care of that already. "Don't worry. The antenna is powerful, but the harmful radiation coming from it does not travel far. The superluminal scanning field is undetectable by Earth technology, so they won't even notice it."

Vivian felt better knowing this and waited patiently with Hao Ren for the scanning results.

After some time, a low, mechanical sound began to hum in the laboratory. Data on the a.n.a.lysis panel refreshed continuously in cycles. The entire waiting process was monotonous. Out of sheer boredom, Hao Ren accessed the external monitors to watch the s.p.a.cecraft flying in and out of the harbor, counting them like sheep—he noticed that the small s.p.a.ce harbor, although located in the outskirts, still received many visitors. The traffic was constant, consisting of commercial s.p.a.cecraft and even menacing and armored private s.h.i.+ps—most of the latter carried private armies or bodyguards who served important and influential masters. The constant s.p.a.ce traffic was the picture of flouris.h.i.+ng interstellar travel and interaction, but Earth was still far from becoming a partic.i.p.ant to this side of the universe.

Civilian s.p.a.cecraft that arrived in Kuiper Station noticed that huge antenna at work. They were notified to activate their electromagnetic s.h.i.+elds when in good proximity to the station to block the antenna's radiation. One of the private wars.h.i.+ps made their stop at Dock 1, which was very close to the antenna. The captain and his second looked at the ma.s.sive "beacon" curiously. "I've heard of this antenna… Is something happening on their end? Why are they suddenly running the facility?"

The first mate twitched his lips. "What can possibly happen to the system? This is the empire's territory. No one in their right minds will think of stirring up trouble."

A captain from another s.h.i.+p strolled by and caught their conversation. "I heard from local staff members that an inspector has asked to use the main antennae. The inspector is looking for something in the solar system. It's best if you stay away from this."

"Stay away?" The wars.h.i.+p captain was perplexed. "Does the inspector have a temper?"

The other captain immediately tensed up. "It's not just his temper! The inspector is over six feet tall, a cold and ruthless man, the bringer of calamity. Even the other inspectors called him 'Sir Ominous' called his back. I heard that the inspector specializes in executions. He leaves for missions in a single s.h.i.+p and returns with a notice of yet another species' extinction. Sometimes, he skips the notice and just delivers a few charred remains… Argh, I've said enough, it's just plain terrifying! Look it up online if you don't believe me, the keywords are 'Sir Ominous'..."

The two mercenaries were chilled despite their violent occupation. "F*ck!"

They immediately canceled their plan to rest at the station for the next few days and slipped away right after they were done with restocking. The stars.h.i.+p captain who slandered Hao Ren without reserve earlier watched them leave Dock 1 with glee. "Haha, that's my spot…"

One of the s.p.a.ce station's attendants approached the captain. "Mr 883, are you sure it's alright to smear the inspector like that?"

"Don't worry, he's magnanimous."

"But what is he puts in a complaint on you?"

"Don't worry, I'm magnanimous…"

Back in the laboratory, Hao Ren was unaware of all the slandering. He merely sneezed twice, and then heard the IDT whistle. "Hwee—Partner, yours truly have found something!"

Hao Ren jolted out of his tedium. "Is it the Aesirian Garden? Where is it?"

"It almost certainly is the Garden." The IDT spoke rapidly. "It's… on Jupiter. There is an odd spatial signal coming from somewhere near the Great Red Spot. The signal's frequency spectrum contains a part that resonates with Gungnir's frequency."

"Jupiter?" Hao Ren was not expecting that. "How did it get there…"

"It's not exactly impossible. The Nine Realms and the Material Plane have been connected to each other on and off for the past few centuries. It's a wonderful miracle that it is still in the solar system." The IDT shrugged. "Do we leave now?"

Hao Ren nodded. "Inform Nolan. We're moving out in 15 minutes."

The scan was unexpectedly fortuitous. Kuiper's station antenna system was not part of the initial plan, but Hao Ren was still able to track down Yggdrasil's remains with Gungnir's pieces. Jupiter was just a hop and a skip away for Petrachelys.

After overcoming so many challenging and annoying obstacles, Hao Ren felt like his luck was finally about to turn.

Nolan was idly checking her engine system in the docks when she got her orders. She leaped to the task as Hao Ren led Vivian and Y'zaks to the s.h.i.+p. They were in Jupiter's...o...b..t in no time.

The magnificent gas giant was right in front of Petrachelys. The gasp-inducing sight of atmospheric clouds filled up most of the screen that showed the outside world. At the center of the screen was the infamous Great Red Spot.

"I've only ever seen this on TV." Hao Ren stood by the control panel and stared at the violent cyclones that had remained active for the past few centuries. He was surprised by how he had never thought of visiting these remarkable places in the solar system after obtaining his s.h.i.+p. Nevertheless, since he had his share of many breathtaking scenes of the universe in the last two years, the Great Red Spot came as a stunning spectacle that did not excite him more than usual. "Where is the spatial anomaly?"

Nolan's holographic image leaped out of the control panel. "We're closing in. The target is not inside the Great Red Spot, but located about five thousand meters above Jupiter's exosphere. The spatial anomaly seems to be caught in Jupiter's strong gravitational pull, which is why it did not float away into the solar system."

Nolan carefully guided Petrachelys towards the Great Red Spot. Hao Ren watched the terrifying, crimson force of nature gradually expand in his vision. The tiny spot now looked like an endless stretch of cyclones. The s.h.i.+p stopped when it was at the edge of the turbulent atmosphere.

There was nothing around the s.h.i.+p.

"The signal from the spatial anomaly is coming from here. Our sensors are reading them as we speak." The IDT reported. "Gungnir's pieces are resonating with the signal… The entrance to the Aesirian Garden is close by."

Vivian looked at the empty s.p.a.ce around them. "How do open it?"

Nolan replied confidently, "Amplify Gungnir's resonant response. Once we pinpoint the exact location, I will use the s.h.i.+p's signal generator to 'hack' the door open."

Hao Ren cracked his knuckles. "Sounds good. We'll leave you to crack the crib."

Nolan stared at him. "... Boss, you should really just shut up sometimes…"