ID-0 (アイディー・ゼロ Aidī Zero)

Distant future.

Thanks to a certain mineral, humanity was able to advance to regions of space beyond the Solar System.

Its name was Orichalt.

Possessing a capability of spatiotemporal movement via a specific space,

Orichalt became the foundation of a socially important network of communication and goods distribution.

However, as it has not yet been fully understood, theories warning against its use were published.

Regardless, as it has already ended up deeply interwoven

into humanity's development, getting rid of it was already impossible.

Locking procedure complete.

Stabilization of regolith, all green.

Installing the base pipe into mesh 5687.

Rotational orbit within Yarkovsky effect influence predictions.

Maintaining values suitable for excavation work.

Safety standards for excavation under microgravity fulfilled.

Well then, commence trial digging.

Maintaining current drill pipe rotation.

Magnetic solid, all green.

Surrounding environment change within standards.

Internal porosity approximately 40%.

Within expected range.

Professor.

Would be nice if we finally hit a vein now, wouldn't it?

In terms of budget, this is our last dig.

Let's put our hope in Maya's geological predictions.

If it's that way, wouldn't it have been more reasonable to pick Delta 9 as the site?

Delta 9 is enveloped in a level 4 Miguel Storm right now.

I can't put you in such danger, right?

But according to the observation data...

There is something on the sensors.

Orange alert.

Drill pipe, emergency stop.

Did we hit bedrock?

Yes.

Let's head out there in I-machines and verify the platform's condition.

Affirmative.

Maya.

Huh? Am I going as well?

Obviously.

It might be your first dig, but you're still a member of this team.

But I'm specializing in geological surveys, work on the site is a bit...

You have a second-level MT license, right?

It's just 200 hours of training and simulation.

What's your average synchronization ratio?

It's just 86.

But that's exceptional!

Buuuut...

Don't worry, Maya.

It's just an I-machine.

You'll revive even if you die.

MT system booting up.

After your thought data is backed up, you will be transferred to the I-machine.

Back-up complete.

Transferring.

Eh, uh, this...

How is the synchronisation?

Well, on numbers...

I think it's okay?

Set your sensory data to the height of 18 meters, optimal settings.

After that, just get used to it.

Let's go, Maya.

Y-yes.

Maya, hurry up.

Um, to be honest, I am really scared right now.

You alright with the scholarship being revoked?

I'm going! I'm going!

ID number confirmed.

Mikuri Maya.

Looks like we found our target.

Hey hey, are we up against amateurs like those?

It doesn't matter.

We're just doing our respective jobs.

Lifting the drill pipe up until the safety limits.

As I thought, metal deposits.

Was it an agglomeration of mineral and metal asteroids then?

Maya-kun, why couldn't you predict this?

I thought we would be digging at Delta 9,

so I didn't have time for a geophysical exploration of Omega 3.

I'm sorry.

Hmm...

There's no other way to continue drilling other than breaking apart the metal with a localized directional blasting.

Maya, back me up.

Roger.

Synchronising vision data with the sensors on the bottom hole assembly.

Maya, where's the point we can break with minimal influence?

Going off the current excavation data, it should be here.

Well done.

It aligns with my predictions too.

Let's perform directional blasting there then.

Well, did it break apart?

Drill pipe resuming excavation, confirmed.

Maya, collect the metal and perform a chemical analysis of it.

Okay.

Red alert!

Bottom hole assembly pressure rising!

Did we hit the Orichalt vein directly?

Professor!

Maya!

Mind reload.

We lost the I-machines, huh.

Well, there's nothing we could've done.

We got right into a Miguel Storm, after all.

Let's evacuate the ship out of here,

or it will get sucked into a Miguel Storm as well.

Huh?

Can we?

It looks like Maya's consciousness data is still in the I-machine.

Romanov.

According to the space law, ensuring the safety of a ship is the number one priority.

I see.

Professor, please don't leave me out here.

Of course.

You have a good head on your shoulders, after all.

Professor!

Romanov!

Where are you?

Save me please!

Somebody save me!

Right arm!

My right arm!

This is bad!

Someone, someone!

IT HURTS!

Cut off the pain sense in your right arm!

The pain data in your right arm.

Thank you very much.

No need to.

Besides, I have to apologize here.

He's so rough.

I'm sorry, but you are?

Excavators.

Oh, an excavation company then.

Hey Pops, the student's alright here.

How's it on your end?

FA-Loser just confirmed the academy sub running away.

So they abandoned their excavation site.

Which means we can do as we please with it.

Let's go get it!

All of the Orichalt over there!

Grayman, what's the storm level?

Level 3.

It's a place where the academy was digging, I've got great expectations for it!

Excuse me, what are you going to do?

Help ourselves to that Orichalt ore instead of you.

Rick, we're within range.

Gotcha.

Give us a great cut, Id!

Just breaking in like that?

This is crazy!

It's fine.

We're using the hole you made.

Ore located.

Returning with a Miguel Jump.

Alright.

Ready when you are.

Whoaaaa...

A Miguel Jump in a place like this...

Huh?

Is that all of the treasure?

Hey, hey, is the academy's eye that bad?

I'm sorry, but we were supposed to dig that piece of Orichalt ore.

Could you please return it?

The academy abandoned the site and ran away.

But if I don't bring results I'm going to be unable to get scholarship!

And if I can't go to the academy...

You know, you should really be running away.

Eh?

The Storm Burst is coming.

Mikuri Maya.

Your genetic signal data has been assigned the number B3224.

You are admitted to the Federation Academy's Cosmological Geology department.

Thank you very much.

And uh, what about support?

This course provides not just learning environment,

you will be provided with lodging and support at this academy as well.

That's very helpful.

I suppose this system is necessary for you,

having lost your parents at such a young age.

But do you even like cosmological geology?

Well, in the first place it's because of living and independence...

And the fact you get financial support.

Well, I have to live on something after all...

So as long as you're alive, you're alright with being swept along with whatever happens?

Well, how should I say it...

I mean, I ended up going to space anyway...

Well, the arrangements have been made already.

H-huh?

Oh, you're awake?

You saved me?

Thank you very much!

Don't worry about it.

People have to help each other out.

By the way, where is this?

Our headquarters, little lady.

Headquarters?

Yes.

Our company's pride - Stulti, a ship specialised for excavation work.

It might look shabby, but it's great inside.

There's even a living area for I-machines inside.

For I-machines, huh...

Wait, I'm still in an I-machine!