Special photo: starting from Ultraman Tiga

TPC Integrated Base.

Commander's room.

"This image was taken by the Neptune reconnaissance satellite Nexter," Chief of Staff Miyata explained, pulling up the footage from the reconnaissance satellite.

"Could this forest be on Neptune?" Mai Midorikawa asked.

“Of course not. We can deduce its distance and current location from the radio waves transmitted back from Next.” Miyata said, and the image on the command center’s large screen changed accordingly, locking onto an asteroid near Neptune.

"Isn't this Melanie, the asteroid discovered last month?" Koda exclaimed in surprise as he saw the asteroid next to Neptune on the screen.

“That’s right.” Miyata glanced back at Koda and nodded. “A month ago, Nexter discovered Melanie, which was entering the solar system, outside of Neptune’s orbit and sent the images back.”

"Could this be an image taken from above the planet Melanie?" Yumimura Ryo exclaimed in surprise.

"How is that possible? How could a constantly moving asteroid have such a natural environment?" Nakajima simply didn't believe it; it completely defied common scientific sense.

“Nakajima’s idea is correct, so I think it’s most likely a trap.” Shen Yun nodded in agreement.

"A trap?" The members of Super GUTS looked at Shen Yun with puzzled expressions.

“Well, you should know about mosquito-attracting lamps, right? They use mosquitoes’ phototaxis to efficiently kill them.” Shen Yun gave a simple analogy, and then said, “The function of this asteroid is probably similar to that of a mosquito-attracting lamp, attracting aliens who have lost their home planet or need to migrate for other reasons, and then efficiently killing them.”

"This...this is too much!" Yumimura Ryo exclaimed.

"After discussion, our senior management believes it is necessary to go up and investigate. Although the possibility of it being a trap is extremely high, we at TPC cannot miss the opportunity even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance that it is true," Chief of Staff Miyata added.

“I understand. Now it’s our turn to move in,” Hibi nodded and said.

"Everyone, please be extremely careful. After landing on this asteroid, focus on exploration. Ideally, collect some plants or potentially surviving organisms from the asteroid. Of course, this is assuming the ecosystem on this asteroid is real," Chief of Staff Miyata instructed.

"understand!"

"We can deploy the mechanical Golza; if we encounter any monsters, it will ensure your safety," Shen Yun added.

"Yes!"

The members of Super Victory Team saluted in unison, then turned and left the command room.

Soon, the base's dome was opened, and the Mech Golza and the Victory Eagle, propelled by Neomagus Power, flew towards Melanie, the planet that would enter the solar system.

In less than half an hour, Koda, piloting the mechanical Golza, made contact with the command center.

"Captain, we have landed safely on Melanie."

"Alright, let's begin the investigation. Be sure to concentrate," Hibi said.

"Yes!" Koda nodded, without closing the communication, and asked, "Nakajima, what's the composition of the atmosphere like?"

“No harmful components were detected. The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere and gravity are exactly the same as on Earth,” Nakajima replied.

"It's incredible that an asteroid only a third the size of the moon has the same oxygen concentration and gravity as Earth," Hibi couldn't help but exclaim.

“Such a natural environment could not possibly be created in the universe. There is only one possibility for such an environment to exist: it is man-made, or even just an optical image, with no life at all. That is why I say this asteroid is a trap,” Shen Yun said calmly.

On this planet Melani, the only one worthy of his attention is Hanaijiro.

Hanejiro is arguably the cutest creature in the Ultraman universe, bar none.

When he was a child, he really wanted a Hanaijiro as a pet.

"Optical imaging? Is that even possible? With such a large area, wouldn't it be detected?" Chief of Staff Miyata exclaimed in astonishment.

"It is technically feasible."

While the group was discussing, the members of the Super GUTS team on Planet Melanie also began to act under Koda's command.

"At this stage, our impression of this place is that it's a paradise-like planet, and it doesn't seem to pose any danger," Koda reported.

"I understand. Please continue the investigation," Shen Yun replied.

"Yes, we will continue the investigation..." Before Koda could finish speaking, the communication was suddenly cut off.

"Why was the communication interrupted?" Hibi asked hurriedly when he saw the large screen turn black and white.

"Someone is sending out jamming signals," Mai Midorikawa said, turning to look at Hibi.

"Where is the launch site?" Hibi asked.

"Based on our assessment, it's inside the planet Melanie," Mai Midorikawa said.

"So it really was a trap?" Hibi asked.

Melanie Star.

At that moment, Nakajima and Asuka followed an unknown flying creature into a cave.

"Nakajima, this way," Asuka said, turning back to look at Nakajima behind her.

"Hyper, Asuka, the director said this asteroid is a trap. There might be danger in there," Nakajima said.

"It's alright, let's go!" Asuka urged.

"What if that little creature flies in, grows huge, and is waiting for us with its mouth wide open?"

"Hey, let's hurry up!"

The further you go into the cave, the dimmer the light becomes, and the more eerie and terrifying it appears.

"Asuka, let's get out of here. Don't go any further... Ouch!" Nakajima, shrinking his neck, looked around at the eerie surroundings and couldn't help but urge him.

However, before he could finish speaking, he tripped over the loose stones under his feet, fell to the ground, and cried out in pain.

"Nakajima!" Asuka quickly bent down and helped him up.

“I told you not to go in,” Nakajima complained.

"Stop talking, get up now."

"My feet, I can't move my feet."

"It can move."

Asuka helped Nakajima along as they continued deeper into the cave.

Soon, the two arrived at an open area, where a stone pillar immediately caught Nakajima's attention.

“This cave isn’t natural; it’s man-made. Look at these,” Nakajima said, stroking the stone pillars.

"Intelligent life exists on this planet."

The two exchanged a glance and continued walking deeper into the cave.

They hadn't gone far when they saw the skeleton of an unknown creature lying on the ground.

"These don't look like human bones," Nakajima said, examining the remains.

"Do you think it might be someone from this planet?" Asuka guessed.

"Wow~" Suddenly, a cute creature with yellow fur and a face somewhat resembling a kitten appeared beside the remains, startling the two of them. (End of Chapter)