Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. - Chapter 378

Chapter 378: Spiker extraction.
A faint fog of stirred sediment curled around the pod like smoke. The darkness, shadows and fog reminded Sunshine of the time in the apocalypse when the world was plunged into darkness.

It seemed like such a simple time because they could walk around without worry of being killed. But it was a dangerous time, the worst in her opinion. Mutant and mutated beasts would spring upon unsuspecting humans, tearing them to pieces.

The mist always found them, and when they could not see where it was coming from, they were blindsided. Turning on the lights could attract beasts or marauders. Something was always lurking in the darkness.

Even talking became a weapon that could be used against them. The world had been very silent in those dark months.

They had lived in fear every day.

Sunshine patted her chest, breathing in and out rapidly. “There is nothing to fear…nothing to fear.” She whispered to herself.

[Heart rate is increasing rapidly. Would the host like suggestions on how to quell her anxiety.]

“I am okay.” Sunshine replied. She got some candy from her space and threw it into her mouth. As she ground them to nothing with her teeth, she did breathing exercises, counting from one to three in her mind.

Soon, she was pretty much back to normal, heart rate wise. She was calmer but she could not wait to leave the Levias sea.

“System how do I find this Spiker and get out of here?” Sunshine asked, eyes scanning the area.

[Spikers are camouflaged and remain hidden unless threatened. They are mostly found hiding in rocks or in-between giant stones.]

“Help me find one.” Sunshine requested. “A young one, not the adult sized ones. I am not trying to be lost at sea forever.”

[Scanning for Spiker presence.]

Thirty minutes passed and there was no response. And the cameras continued to show shadows, meaning that she was not alone.

“Not to sound impatient but system, what’s the hold up?”

[Spikers can make themselves invisible to the naked eyes and cameras. They emit a low frequency pulse that scrambles sonar, radar and other detection equipment.

They also blend perfectly into their surroundings, which makes their detection harder. Some have evolved to mimic the appearance of other sea creatures to avoid capture.

Their predatory intelligence is actually superior to your human species.]

Sunshine scanned the murky darkness. Nothing. “System, are you saying that a fish is more intelligent than me?”

[An adult Spiker detected. Fifteen meters northwest. It appears to be restless.]

Restless? Sunshine frowned. Creatures down here did not get restless unless they sensed danger. Thankfully, the pod was invisible, and the system could retrieve her within a second if she was in danger.

While she wanted a young Spiker, an adult one would also fulfill her needs. With her mind made up, she decided to take that one.

She turned the pod and drifted towards the signal indicated by the system. At first, she saw nothing but sand. But then, a mound twitched_ painfully, weakly_ and the creature’s outline surfaced like a ghost rising from the floor.

And there it was_ a giant Spiker.

It’s fin’s half buried; its spiked tail coiled protectively beneath it. Its bioluminescent veins flickered erratically…..like a bulb dying.

Sunshine leaned in closer. “System, why does it look like it is dying?” She did not want to get in the middle of an unknown battle.

The answer came quickly.

[It shows signs of being attacked, there is another more dominant Spiker in the area.]

Her breath stilled.

The dying Spiker wiggled about, fin waving in the air like a flag. Sunshine saw a deep gash running along the fin. It was jagged and fresh. Not caused by rocks or scrapping. Something with teeth had struck it. Hard.

Sediment still drifted from the edges of the wound.

The Spiker looked scared, bleeding, exhausted from defending itself.

“Oh, that poor thing….” Sunshine whispered.

The creature twitched violently as if sensing another presence. Its fin flared in a defensive gesture despite its obvious agony. It was trying to stay alive.

Sunshine did not have much time. If it became wary of an unseen predator_ real or imagined_ it would lash out or flee. She could not afford either.

“Alright, big guy,” she murmured as she inserted a PT3 tranquilizer launcher into the pod portal. “Let me help you.”

She fired.

The dart swam through the water, embedded near the shoulder plate of the injured Spiker. For a moment it thrashed and struggled. It reacted on pure instinct_ stirring clouds of sand until the pod shook with turbulence. Then slowly… painfully…. its movements softened. Its muscles relaxed.

Sunshine let out shaky breath.

But before she could even reposition the pod storage, there was movement.

A small shape darted from under the Spiker_ then froze. Another Spiker. Younger.

“Is that the baby?” She whispered. “Am I rescuing another mother and son or daughter?” It reminded her of White’s situation.

Before she could process it, the younger one took a bite out of the Spiker she had tranquilized. Sunshine’s mouth fell open.

[Host, strength among Spikers is not dependent on size. Also, Spikers have both male and female organisms. I do not need to go into details of how they reproduce.]

“I understand clearly.” Sunshine shook her head to dispel the images in her head. Spikers were both mommy and daddy.

She loaded tranquilizer and took a clean shot at the younger one. A third appeared, also younger, it rushed in as if it had found prey and come over to express dominance. Before it could rip into the older Spiker, she shot it as well.

“System can I take them all? Maybe leave them in the space pond?”

A long heavy silence.

[The previous storage solutions arranged are not suitable for Spikers this age. They don’t have enough marrow. And the wounded adults may not survive extraction due to the extent of blood loss.]

The system paused. [There is another solution, I did not bother bringing it up because it is very expensive.]

She closed her eyes in frustration and grief. Her poor money!

“I am open minded.” She said, hesitantly.

Minutes passed, then an aquarium appeared, the pod’s mechanical arms extended with smooth, insect like precision. Sunshine giggled because it reminded her of mandibles, each joint clicking as they lowered three unconscious spikers into the reinforced aquarium dome.

The structure was not huge_ just a compact portable habitat. But inside it was vibrant with green algae- light and a mild current drifting in slow circles. It had rocks, little fish, sand and shadows.

The spikers would thrive there. The water was warm, oxygen rich and flowers were swimming on top. They produced pollen that could calm the creatures.

The narrow metal grooves built into the sides were perfectly shaped for the creatures to rest their spiked backs_ perfect for the hidden syringe system.

It was a couple of thin robotic needles that could slide out, draw the bone marrow quickly, and retract without hurting the creature.

It was perfect.

Sunshine waved and sent the aquarium into her space after the spikers were settled in. She still felt the pinch over how much she had spent. Four hundred fifty thousand gold coins!!

“Oh….” She groaned in pain. “I am broke again.”