novelraw Chapter 250
Chapter 250
Chapter 250
The fortress-type Lufate Gainun was disassembled without a trace.
While the power Terapolapaneshio displayed to produce that much output without effort was awe-inspiring, the situation didn't allow much time to bask in the aftermath.
'Don't let a single one escape! If any of them grow up, who knows what they might do!'
Countless entities that had launched from the fortress-type for interception were still scattered across the region of space. Perhaps because the top, the fortress-type, no longer existed, each entity now seemed to act on its own.
Some attacked the Federation fleet recklessly, some tried to use their comrades as shields to escape. Others stood frozen in place, no longer moving.
The Federation ships were also defeating them based on individual judgment, but the sheer number of entities that had emerged from the fortress-type was overwhelming. To chase down the fleeing ones, several ships began to accelerate.
'What will you do, Captain?'
"Let's just take out the ones nearby at random. There probably isn't any threat left that could endanger the fleet here."
Looking over, Terapolapaneshio's Di-Kigaia Zarmos had already begun to move. Most likely, it intended to encircle and suppress the fleeing entities. With their power, they should be able to annihilate the rest in an instant, but it seemed their thinking aligned with Kait's.
"Everyone stationed in the fleet is probably aiming for a citizenship promotion or bonus from this achievement. No need to stand out more than necessary."
'I see. Understood.'
That said, leaving immediately would look like abandoning duty. The space jellyfish, who had worked more than Kait, remained and continued working. It was decided that doing some work while allowing others to accumulate achievements was the optimal strategy.
'Captain, you're not interested in improving your citizenship, right?'
"I already think it's more than I deserve. If possible, I'd rather drop to a lower rank."
Specifically, maybe the seventh or eighth rank. A position with no real responsibility, allowing him to freely travel the region of space—that would be ideal for Kait.
However, Emotion didn't agree with those words.
'That would be a problem.'
"Oh? Why's that?"
'Because it would look bad for me to be assisting someone with lower citizenship than me.'
Mechanical intelligences are granted higher citizenship than biological intelligences upon joining the Federation. Unlike Kait, Emotion starting as a Sixth-Rank Citizen (Ab Rag) wasn't actually special treatment.
While being granted the high rank of Sixth from the start, the conditions for citizenship promotion are far stricter than for biological intelligences. In the Federation, nearly all mechanical intelligences engage in labor, but nearly all also end their service as Sixth-Rank Citizens.
Even so, Emotion, who had earned Fifth-Rank Citizen (Alto Romia) status in a relatively short time, had clearly achieved something extraordinary by the Federation's standards for mechanical intelligences.
That being the case, on ships crewed by both mechanical and biological intelligences, it wasn't unusual for the biological captain to have lower citizenship. Emotion's statement didn't reflect the Federation's mainstream values.
"So that's your personal quirk, huh, Emotion?"
'Yes. In that sense, Captain, you're the ideal superior officer for me.'
"I see."
The idea for this 'transfer organ imitation' was Emotion's. Kait planned to list it as the top achievement in the report. If accepted, Emotion might be promoted to Fourth-Rank Citizen (Darda Elra).
When her citizenship caught up to Kait's—perhaps that would be the day their paths diverged.
***
The operation's conclusion was announced about a week later in Earth time.
Thanks to the swift encirclement by the space jellyfish, all entities of Lufate Gainun expelled from the fortress-type were undoubtedly annihilated.
They say there was even a ship stationed at the rear just to confirm that, so it's fair to say the Federation truly aimed for perfection this time.
"Man, I'm exhausted. That was a crazy number."
"You okay, boss?"
"Yeah. I just had to shoot. I even got some decent rest. No need for you to worry, Girl."
Liz and Viper, both staff of the Tortoise, shared a tired smile. Positioned at the fleet's center, the Tortoise's role was to shoot down stragglers missed by the front line, so they hadn't seen that many battles.
Viper's Psionic Launcher had firepower comparable to a medium-class fighter's armament. As a small ship, the Tortoise was valued for its maneuverability and main weapon's power, flying all over the center line.
"You must've racked up a good haul, huh?"
"No doubt about it. We flew all over the place, after all. This'll help with another Tortoise upgrade."
Watching the visibly tired but happy Liz, Viper sank into the built-in sofa. Just as he was about to drift off from the soft cushion, he caught Liz muttering in confusion.
"What's wrong, Girl?"
"Something's weird. The battle record count we're tracking doesn't match what's registered in the core system."
"Huh?"
"Your weapon's special, so I'm sure our count is accurate. But it's weird."
He sat up and narrowed his eyes.
In other words, some ship was falsifying battle records.
"If you want to complain to the core guys, I'll do it."
"Hmm... yeah, maybe."
He figured he'd be more intimidating than the cute-faced Liz, so he offered. But Liz still seemed hesitant.
"Girl?"
"Well, if it were fewer records, I'd ask you. But the core has more of our records than we actually scored."
"Huh?"
He stood and walked over to the monitor Liz was staring at. Federation-standard numbers scrolled across the screen. Viper's head began to ache.
Did Liz always deal with screens like this? He genuinely respected her for it.
"See? This is our Tortoise, and this here is the record registered in the core."
"And our record?"
"This one."
Sure enough, the core-registered battle record was higher.
They exchanged glances. It was easy to just say it was wrong.
"So someone gave us their battle record?"
"That's what it looks like. Want to check?"
"Yeah. We'll be in trouble if someone complains later."
Viper scratched his head and let out a small sigh. Looks like true rest would have to wait a bit longer.
***
While casually shooting down approaching Lufate Gainun, Kait and Emotion began drafting the report to submit to the Federation Congress.
From how to identify Lufate Gainun dormant on small asteroids, to methods for locating fortress-types, and even safe entry techniques into the corpses of space eels they used.
Just when they thought they'd wrapped it up, Emotion pointed something out.
'Captain. Please delete this section.'
"Why, Emotion? This is your achievement, isn't it? If we submit it, I think your citizenship will be promoted to the next level."
'...I don't particularly want to be promoted any further.'
"Huh?"
That was unexpected. Kait had thought Emotion was the ambitious type.
'Watching you, Captain, it seems higher ranks come with more responsibilities. I'm not exactly suited for desk work in the Central Star Cluster either.'
"Yeah, I'd rather avoid that too."
'Besides, I don't think anyone else could assist the Captain besides me.'
"Ugh."
Kait was aware he was somewhat reckless. Being told that left him speechless.
"Got it. I'll keep counting on you, Emotion."
'Can't be helped, I suppose. Kyurukyurukyuru.'
Her usual catchphrase, but this time it had a hint of joy to it.
Whether she had a complaint or something to hide, Kait didn't press. As long as Emotion was content with her current situation, that was enough for him.