A New Odyssey

[""To the stars and beyond!" Kirin Lord Iwasawa calls all hands on deck for a great megaproject!"]

The largest newspaper agency in Japan, The Naka Harbor Digest, ran with that headline a day after it became public knowledge that Hiroshi has returned to Naka castle to lead the development, construction and launch of another never-before-seen megaproject.

Hiroshi, to the eyes of many people inside not only Kiko or the Southern Triad but all across Japan, has hailed him as a great leader, diplomat and conqueror. However, greater than those titles was his merit as an inventor that brought innovation not only in the industry and military but also on civilian infrastructure such as transportation and communication.

It was because of his obsession with creating trains only weeks after he was crowned as the daimyo of Kiko that the moment his subordination agreement with the Kusanagi clan was expired, even Kyouko understood that she cannot take over Kiko anymore when even if her army outnumbered Kiko's forces greatly, they can maneuver better as well as supply their forces faster and more efficiently. However, the same went for its civilian application where both passengers and goods can now travel faster and further than before.

The same went with public electricity, piped water, extensive sewage and treatment facilities, wide and smooth roads, competent and responsive police forces and emergency services and far more things that brought a better life for anyone living under him or those who took after his policies and projects.

Thus, when news broke out that he was calling for everyone's help for another great megaproject, this time, not for the sake of fighting in a war but instead, avoiding it, almost everyone that took the safety and comfort of their new lives awaited what it could be that he was planning to make.

It didn't take long before the news agencies would be given a chance to hear it from the man himself in a press conference that he called for.

"…To put it simply, we will put another thing circling around our planet just like how the moon is. And this thing will ensure that Japan will not suffer from invaders anymore, may they be foreign or domestic."

"Your Highness! A question, if you may please?"

"Sure, fire away."

"A-ah… You say that you're going to make a "thing" that will circle around the world like another moon. Can you please elaborate how making another moon would help avoid having our country avoid being invaded?"

"…The exact same reason how your cameras are capturing everything that is happening here right now. This thing will gather images and other relevant information about these points of interest and because it will be high up more than anything that man can or may ever make, it will be untouched so long as we desire for it to be."

"I-If you don't mind us asking, your highness… does this thing have a name?"

Much of what Hiroshi has invented received a special name from him that is different from the name that is used to describe it. Just like how a child can give a name to their favorite toy, this habit of Hiroshi became something that people took interest in.

For example, the ships that he designed for the Kiko navy all carry special names that in a way can sound feminine, which eventually evolved into these ships having shipgirl mascots that became a series of novel and manga in Kiko recently. 

There was also one special invention from him that the Shimura Railways operates. A special luxury rail line developed by Hiroshi which has a mascot of a bunny wearing a conductor's uniform. He named this line as the "Interstellar Railway".

(T/N: Yes, this is a Honkai Star Rail reference. Author Rai and Editor KEY loves Pompom very much. Beeeg Bnuyy Pompom-sama.)

Unfortunately, this time, it wasn't the case anymore.

"I'm afraid that it has none other than its official name of "satellite". While I understand why you expected to this to be alike the other things I made, I have no name in mind to give for this one."

"I-Is that so…?"

"…Does anyone else have any questions?"

Later that night, Hiroshi met with the other people who had the know-how or at least an idea about what it takes to make a satellite as well as the rocket that would take it into an orbit in the outer space.

The obvious ones such as the Otherworlders are gathered around the table, namely Amanogawa Sora, Furutani Garou and Azusagawa Maya who studied under the Advanced Career Education System, the brutal 4-year-long education curriculum that was made to rush gifted students into specialized workplaces the moment they reach 16 years old. These three, at least educationally speaking, has the most knowledge to give regarding this megaproject.

"I was under chemical engineering and because of that, I dabbled on material science as well. You can depend on me about what we'll use as materials and fuel for this thing."

"I know you already know this, but I was under the general engineering field back in the old world. I can handle the trial and error for the design with you, so just call me if you need a hand."

"Well, officially speaking I was under the medical field, but that doesn't mean that I know squat about machines and stuff. Everything you quickly and efficiently made down here, I did somehow make up there in my homeland too. Since you'll be handling the rocket, I guess I can take on the work on the satellite itself then and you should just check it every once in a while." 

The three cut up the work they have to maximize their efficiency, with Garou and Mana handling the trial and error of creating the rocket that will launch the satellite and Sora taking on the work of creating the satellite itself. Meanwhile, Hiroshi agreed about being the supervisor of both halves of the project, making sure that things are happening smoothly and up to standards.

However, there was one Otherworlder who would be crucial about this entire project. Someone who not is not only vaguely familiar with space travel but for the past decade or so has lived amongst the stars themselves.

"By the way, Rin-chan. Is your AI-kun okay now?"

"J-just a few minutes more. Transferring all of him from the high-tech space pod to a rudimentary computer panel is quite slow."

At the corner of the meeting room, an enormous metal box filled to the brim with the most advanced computer hardware of the old world was connected by a copper wire to a computer panel that's about an inch thick and twelve inches wide. 

*Pyiii…*

"Ah! It's starting up!"

Moments later, the panel lit up and displayed a pixelated picture of a tall white bird with a red plume feather on its head and carrying a bundled-up cloth on its beak.

"A crane? That's an interesting image to take on."

{"Correction. It's a stork. Rin's father, who is my creator, always kept a picture of a stork near his worktable when he was constructing my space pod. I believe that he somehow wanted me to think of myself as the stork that carries children to their parents."}

"Ah… I guess that makes sense." Garou responded after hearing the AI's reply.

"With you and Rin-dono here, I guess making this thing will be far easier."

{"It indeed will be. My calculations say so too… Although I have to admit, with the level of technology that I am seeing in this place, as well as the fact that I am limited to a computer panel that isn't even interactive with touch controls, I believe you'd be hard-pressed with doing this with automated systems."}

"What makes you think so, AI-kun?"

"Right. The history of the past world shows that we are more than capable of putting a satellite in space without on-site human input."

Asked with that question by Sora and Hiroshi respectively, an unexpected, exasperated sigh came from the panel before it gave out a sharp verbal jab to the two.

{"Haah… Hearing that spiel from the so-called "brightest minds" in this new world disappoints me to no end."}

"A-AI-kun! Don't be rude!"

{"What are you talking about, Rin-chan? I was just stating the truth."}

"B-But still---!"

After a while of arguing, Rin ended up giving up on demanding the AI to apologize after it objectively stated that it was just doing what it was designed to do.

"I don't know if you're adamant about not apologizing because you're hardwired to be a total objectivist… or you really are capable of so much that our limited knowledge about all of this actually frustrates you."

{"The latter, without a doubt."}

"…I see."

After Sora said that, he stood up and approached Rin who became intimidated with his action.

"S-Shogun-sama?"

"Can you hand him over? Don't worry, I just want to talk to him."

"Y-You promise that you won't break him?"

"Yes. I just want to make him walk all his talk."

After Sora was handed the computer panel that contained the AI, he placed it on the table and rested its back on a pile of books so it can lean and face everyone else.

{"Now, now… what are you planning, mister Shogun?"}

"You said that we can't place a satellite using automated means… explain it in detail and how we can overcome that challenge."

The AI kept silent for a moment before giving out a cold answer.

{"Even with imitations of my integrated circuits and the advanced materials that you can readily create, breaking into space will be difficult without active human input."}

"Be more specific. Stop doubting our comprehension. We may be slower on the uptake than you are, but given a proper explanation, we can get your point."

{"…You better be sure of your words, mister Shogun."}

Suddenly, a small hatch opened at the metal box at the corner of the room where the panel is still attached to and in it came out a small projector that pointed the image it was displaying to a wall covered with charts and notes.

{"Pardon me for asking this, but please clear that wall off."}

The request of the robot was heard by the soldiers who readily approached the wall, but they stopped after realizing that the charts and noted pinned on the wall were made by Hiroshi.

"…What are you waiting for? Go on and clear it. We can just put it back on together later."

"Y-Yes, my lord."

After a while, the wall was cleared, and the presentation made by the AI began to be displayed properly. However, in order to limit those who can understand the content of the presentation, the AI switched to using English for its language.

{"As all of you Otherworlders may already know, the past world where all of us once belonged are now destroyed and what little remains of it are now buried and held together in the now sealed up abyss that you call as "Yomi"."}

"Ah… that brings back memories."

"Right, I would've preferred to forget our close calls with that place."

Sora and Maya spoke out openly about it while Hiroshi remained silent but visibly disturbed about what he remembers about it.

{"When I was launched into space alongside Rin-chan, I became amongst the ones that not only bore witness to the destruction of the world… but also of those who saw it through and made sure that in its rebirth, it will not take the same path that it took before."}

On the projected image, a short recording was taken of the old world, the Earth that these Otherworlders once belonged to, where even from so far away, the desolation brought by decades of war, calamities and the battles that decided its final end was very visible.

"Seeing it from all the way up there now…"

"I thought you died over there before this thing happened, Sora-san?"

"I did. It was way before, but I already predicted that it would somehow look like this… who could've thought that it would look worse…"

The Otherworlders watched the half-minute long recording where planet Earth was on its last legs and spurts of light came from all across the world's surface, showing the few remaining battles between the factions that warred on those last days. After that, the imagery became filled with flashing of lights that was explained by the AI.

{"After escaping the majority of the earth's electromagnetic field, we entered a wormhole that sent us outside the solar system and innumerable years from where we came from. I was only able to redirect our orientation by tracking down a certain string of radio waves that sounded human."}

After a short pause, the AI continued with its explanation.

{"The reason why I said that breaking into outer space would be impossible without on-board human control is for the exact same reason why you have a problem with your radio communications beyond several hundreds of kilometers between the sender or relay tower and the receiver."}

"The radio waves that seemed human… I see, so that's the reason why…"

"Right, I guess being the one with a real engineering brain between the two of us would've been made you more curious about it than I was when I tried to pull it off way back then."

The Otherworlders save for Hiroshi and Sora looked confused about the entire thing which made the AI to give out an exasperated sigh and speak out.

{"I guess we can consider this as a half-and-half, mister Shogun. After all, it was only you and Iwasawa-dono who got why this entire thing is a problem for us."}

"Yeah, yeah. Go on and take the victory lap if you really want to."

"E-Excuse me, Sora-san… But what is that all about?"

The confused Endou made Sora chuckle a bit before telling the others about the problem that they have.

"I was puzzled about it too when I made my first radio set… but apparently, it wasn't only us Otherworlders that remains as the proof that this new world of ours are made from the old one."

"And that means… what exactly?"

Sora used his finger to point to the top, aiming to convey the idea of outer space.

"As proven by the very fact that this spaceship AI and Rin-chan is very well with us right now despite belonging to the old world, without the intervention of rebirth, summoning or "Straying", it points to the fact that even if our old world was destroyed and renewed, there were things beyond the reach of that destruction that still remains up there and hindering us from going to space."

At that moment, Maya stood up and gave a question to both Hiroshi and Sora.

"Are you saying that there are still satellites up there… satellites that came from our old world and time?"

"Not man-made satellites orbiting the world, but instead, the natural one above our heads all this time."

Just as Hiroshi said that, the AI activated an analog radio on its main body and from there, music from the old world, although filled with so much static, was still legible enough to be recognized by the Otherworlders.

"I can't believe it… so even after all of this time…"

Just as things became clear to some of them, the still puzzled Endou raised his hand with a question.

"Hold on, what are you guys talking about?"

"I'm not surprised that you don't know about it. After all, you got summoned here years before it was launched. Let me fill you in then. Ten years after the outbreak of the MB1 and MB2 viruses, several countries launched unmanned space missions to the moon, filled with their data and knowledge where a beacon that would shoot it out into deep space was also placed in hopes that another civilization can detect and track it down."

"It was an act of desperation. As many of you may know, that pandemic almost culled mankind from the face of the earth."

"…"

Hearing all of that, made Endou silent. For some reason, both Sora and Garou was also silenced for a moment.

"Those machines operated with the pinnacle of modern cybernetics, self-sustaining nanomachines. Since we still have this problem, it would seem like those robots really held onto their prime directive all this time."

{"Hmph! If we're talking about holding onto the prime directive, I have done more than those carbon-fiber gnats whose only job is to send out radio transmissions. I took care and raised Rin-chan all this time, you know."}

"H-Hey, no need to be so competitive…"

After the AI complained about the nanomachines on the moon being praised more, it was scolded by Rin before Endou raised a question for the others.

"If our problem is just a bunch of robots on the moon bombarding us with radio transmissions, why don't we just set up a series of instructions on an on-board computer and have the mission as unmanned? I mean, those robots and this AI that took care of Mizuki-chan just proves that we just have to set up those instructions ahead and leave the machine to do it by itself."

"Wrong again, Endou. If we can't control it from down here, that means that even if we successfully put our satellite into orbit, it would be useless."

It took a moment for Endou to realize that he did have the wrong idea about it.

"The nanomachines used to direct their beacons to the vast deep space as the instructions given to them says that in the case of the impending end of the human race and earth, that is where intelligent life can be hopefully found… However, the world was renewed, and all life was given a second chance."

"Which is why the beacons are directed to earth and they're constantly bombarding us with corrupted data and radio transmissions. At this rate, forget about just going to low earth orbit and setting the satellite there, we have to go to land on the moon and somehow deactivate those nanomachines."

Hearing the proposition of needing to land on the moon, the Otherworlders all looked bothered with how complex the entire thing has bloated into. However, the Rin's AI mused about a solution that it can offer up.

{"Don't worry about needing to land there. I've been listening to their transmissions for so long that I gathered enough data about how they work. I can create a "termination order" that you can broadcast from the moon's orbit, removing the need to set foot and sending it from up close."}

"That does simplify things…"

"That's such a huge relief then."

After Hiroshi and Sora said those words, Maya looked at the two and asked the most important question for the mission.

"Since we really have no choice but to make this a manned mission and to the moon of all places, I guess it should be made clear now rather than later… Who will ride the rocket as its crew and head for the moon?"

At that moment, two people stood up excluding Maya who was already standing.

"Even if it's not much, I studied in a flight school and was able to pass the license exam for pilots. I can do this, trust me."

Furutani Garou spoke about his related knowledge and experience, wanting to convince the others that he should be let into the crew.

"I have my vast expertise and experience on my side. I may be too old both in soul and body for this, but I am never too old to do what has to be done."

Sora spoke up too and looked at Garou who was just as surprised with his volunteering for the mission.

"Look here, both of you have no know-how about rockets and how things work in outer space. I took the engineering program of the ACES curriculum and by far, are the most knowledgeable about it. If anyone is going to be in there, it would be me."

Maya spoke out and stated her argument about being the most eligible to be in the mission's crew. However, there was someone in the room that was more qualified than her.

"You're not the lone engineering student here under the ACES program, Maya-chan. If anything, I went under the more specialized strand than you did."

"C-Chi-chan…"

"…I am also an ACES student under the engineering program. I specialized in mechanical and electrical engineering, and before I died and was reincarnated, I was halfway in the rocket engineering major. I-"

However, before she can state her argument about joining the crew, the one who had the de facto "last say" about the entire project put a stop in the volunteering call.

"None of you are going there. This isn't something that you should do."

"H-Hiro…"

"…"

Both Chiyo and Sora can't help but be bothered with his statement.

"This isn't something for you to decide by yourself, Hiro-kun. This is something that doesn't concern just us in Japan but now, the whole world. If we are to break through this thing, we have to face it together."

"We can face it together while we're building the rocket and the satellite. As for the task of bringing it up there, I will do everything in my power to stop any of you from riding it."

"In your power? Don't you think you're overstepping your bounds, Kirin Lord? Aren't you supposed to be---"

"Garou... Enough."

"But Sora! This guy is-!"

"I said enough already…"

Before he can say anything drastic, Sora stopped his friend and faced Hiroshi.

"When we parted ways back then, I asked you that question, didn't I?"

"…"

"Tell me, Hiroshi…Is this your answer after all?"

Even when he pressed Hiroshi for an answer, he remained silent and unmoved. With that, Sora let out a disappointed sigh and mumbled something under his breath.

"A dead man trying to find a way to remain alive… and a living man trying to find a way to die… this isn't the first time that I became a part of this farce."

"…And what do you mean by that, Shogun Sora?"

After hearing his words, Hiroshi broke his silence and asked Sora about what he meant by that.

"Exactly what it sounds like… Even when split apart, you two really rubbed off each other with that annoying selfless nature of yours."

"Are you saying that as a compliment?"

"Compliment? Heh… Hardly. Take it as an insult, just like how "he" took it way back then when I warned "him" that there is nothing but loss in the selfless path that he wants to pursue for the sake of his so-called "greater good"."

With that, Sora stood up and was followed by both Garou and Endou.

"Nevertheless, I will not stop you and your lunacy… The Amanogawa Shogunate pledges its full support on the space mission. You have my permission to proceed."

After Sora left the room, others followed suit as they silently stood up and left the meeting room. In the end, it was only Hiroshi, Maya, Chiyo, Rin and her AI that was left there alongside a very puzzled group of soldiers who has listened to an entire conversation and argument that was spoken in a completely foreign language for the past hour.

"H-Hiro-kun. I still insist to join the crew of the space mission and-"

"Chiyo…"

As Chiyo tried to argue that she still wants to join the crew, Maya tapped her on the shoulder and moved her head side to side to tell her "no".

"M-Maya-san and Chiyo-san. Can you help me with something?"

"R-Rin? Why are you asking-"

Maya turned to the young lady, puzzled why she wanted their help and realized with her expression that it was something else that she wanted to do.

"I get it… Chiyo and everyone, come with me and let's help lady Mizuki."

"B-But Maya-chan-"

"Just come with us, would you? Hey, you guys. Come with us too."

"B-But lady Azusagawa, we are Kiko sol-"

"Go on and help them…"

"S-Sir?"

"…That's an order. Go on and help them. I will be fine here."

After everyone left the room, the robotic voice of the AI came from the computer panel and spoke to him with its usual tone.

{"A dead man trying to find a way to live and a living man trying to find a way to die… even an AI like me knows that that means."}

"Mind your own business."

{"Exactly. I am minding my business and your mental stability is integral to it. After all, except for the Shogun, you're the only one sharp enough to get what I meant back then."}

"…"

{"I don't know what you went through in your past life… nor will I pretend to know what you were feeling when you were reincarnated here. But I would argue that you're not helping anyone, not even your own self, by bottling up everything in that heart of yours."}

"Says the AI who doesn't have it in the first place."

{"Back to you, human pretending that he doesn't have one."}

"Tch-!"

Hiroshi clicked his tongue after hearing the AI's rebuttal.

{"You're not as tough as you pretend to be, Kirin Lord. You keep telling yourself that you deserve to die for the sins that you carry, but you won't let others to carry that burden with you."}

"It's mine to carry alone. I don't need anyone to carry it for me."

{"Is that really the truth, or is that what you convinced yourself to believe in so that you can take it all upon yourself so others can pity you?"}

"I never asked anyone to pity me!"

{"No one pities you, Kirin Lord."}

Just as it said those words, it projected a video that Hiroshi has long relegated in the back of his memories.

["Move forward and protect Kiko with your lives! Or else, those behind us will be the ones to pay!"]

["""YOOOOOOOOOO!!!"""]

It was the day when even without him appearing in flesh, the forces of Kiko moved to fight a war under his behest. The day when Kiko invaded the Mizuki islands that was held by pirates back then.

{"They believe in you and will follow you… That is something that I have witnessed by myself. So please, Kirin Lord…"}

Slowly, the shell around his heart crumbled and the emotions he has bottled up began to break.

{"…believe in those who believe you too."}