Dangerous-sounding Discussion

"Here you go."

"Oh, thanks."

I and Chris finally got back to shore after spending an enjoyable time

boating. I took the water bottle Elma handed to me and plopped myself

on top of a beach chair. I had to consciously avoid talking about certain

topics while I was conversing with Chris earlier, so it kinda tired me

out.

Chris, who had her fill after hearing about several stories regarding my

mercenary adventures, went over to Mimi with her shark-shaped float

in tow. Mimi was using a dolphin-shaped floater by the way. Are they

gonna have some girl talk while floating on the water or something...?

I guess not. They started to race around using their respective floats.

But they sure look like they're having fun.

"For now, it looks like things are pretty peaceful."

"You worry too much... We exterminated every single pursuer, so they

wouldn't get any new information about us so easily. There's a low

chance of being attacked, at least for now. And even if they manage to

find out our location in the end, they won't be able to mount an attack

on a resort planet that easily."

After saying that, Elma called out to a maidroid and ordered a drink.

She sure is enjoying her luxurious vacation.

"They're the kind of enemy who managed to prepare a skilled and

relatively powerful force within a day after all. I think it can't hurt to be

too careful."

"Well, you do have a point. But we can't really do anything much to

prepare right now you know? Miro's taking care of this planet's

defenses anyway."

"Is it really okay for us to be this complacent...?"

We just arrived at this place yesterday anyway. I also don't think Chris's

uncle would be able to send his people after us again right away as well.

On the other hand, they'd probably launch an attack without any

hesitation if they think they'll be able to finish us off with certainty.

"If you have any concerns, I'll hear you out, you know?"

"There's just something bugging me for a while..."

What I'm really worried about is the possibility of Chris's uncle

throwing all caution to the wind because of his desire to kill Chris. For

example, he may book an island on Sierra III as a guest along with his

men and then come kill us directly. There's also the method of attacking

Sierra with a great number of warships, silencing Miro's defense

network, and launching an all-out orbital bombardment. Whenever I

think about possible worst-case scenarios, I end up coming up with

quite a number of them. It's a bit nerve-wracking.

"Mmm. White clouds, blue sky, bright sunlight, and cold liquor. This is

paradise."

"So you're already drinking this early huh..."

"Isn't it fine? We're on vacation anyway, so let's have as much of a blast

as we can."

Elma was smirking while sipping a glass filled with an alcoholic tropical

drink. She really seems to be making the most out of this. But, well, this

truly was a wonderful beach resort. But I just can't enjoy it as much due

to the tense situation we're currently in.

"You're surprisingly a worrywart, aren't you?"

"Shut it. This much cautiousness is just normal for a merc."

I also ordered a drink from the maidroid. I asked for the light yellow

colored carbonated beverage to be poured in a glass with ice.

"But just how tight is the security in this place anyway? Can we really

count on it?"

"I already told you this before. If they wanted to break through this

planet's security system, they'd have to get the help of an autonomous

AI on par or greater than Miro. But there's no way an autonomous AI

will agree to perpetuate that kind of illegal activity."

"I guess you're right. But there's not just one method to get past the

security here, right? Maybe they'll just forcefully breakthrough or

something?"

"Forcefully huh... First of all, sending in an assassination squad to

directly infiltrate this place isn't the least bit realistic. If guests attempt

to leave the island they're assigned to in order to go to another island,

Miro will immediately apprehend them."

"But there's plenty of methods to do so like diving in the sea or flying

directly through a ship similar to Krishna, right?"

"That's impossible. Miro's terminals are also spread throughout this

world's oceans, so they'll be found at once. A subjugation squad can get

deployed instantly via that mass driver, so there will be no escape.

Aside from the subjugation squad, there's also the method of shooting

them down via strategic shells fired off by the mass driver, as well as

bombardment from the defense platforms deployed in satellite orbit.

Any standard ship will be down in an instant. But it may be possible to

break through if they use a ship like Krishna though."

"That's some crazy defense network…"

The maidroid carrying a glass of the light yellow drink I ordered finally

arrived in the middle of our discussion.

"Thank you. Sorry for the trouble."

"It's fine. This is also part of my duties, so please do not mind me."

The maidroid flashed a serene smile. Did she really smile? Apart from a

scant few times, the maidroids have kept their faces devoid of

expressions for the most part. And now, one actually smiled at me...

But I guess this is good. It's always better to smile than keep an

expressionless face.

"But I think we'll be helpless if we're hit with a saturation attack

though."

"Saturation attack. Do you mean something that would overwhelm the

firing capabilities of this planet's defense platform network? That's just

not realistic, mister."

"It's not like you can only use a ship. Wouldn't it be possible to

overwhelm the platform network's interception capabilities by pouring

out a lot of shells, space debris, and asteroids toward the equatorial

base where Miro's main terminal is located? There's also the option of

destroying the platforms first before raining down an orbital

bombardment too."

"Now that's just unreasonable. Miro's sensor arrays should be able to

pick up the movements of space debris and asteroids straight away no

matter how much they try to hide it. Depending on the scale of the

commotion, there's also a good chance the local imperial garrison will

be alerted and deployed to intercept."

"I see."

It looks like it would be really difficult for the methods I proposed to

disable the defense network of this planet.

"But the defense network isn't completely invincible, right?"

"Of course. If they can really amass a force that can overwhelm the

defense network, they'll be able to do an orbital bombardment. Miro

can still use the surface defense systems to retaliate, but losing the

orbital platforms will be a huge blow."

"If that's the case, then wouldn't they come up with something like

hiring a huge pirate force?"

"That's certainly possible, but if they mess up, they'll have the full force

of the imperial military hot on their tail, so it's a pretty risky move."

"So, the chances are low, but there's still a possibility huh... If it ever

came to that, it might be better to directly launch back into space with

Krishna and hold out until the imperial military comes huh."

"That's right. That would be a good course of action."

After seeing Elma nod, I was finally somewhat relieved. I now had a

good idea of what the possible worst-case scenarios were, as well as

how to deal with them to some extent. My unease has greatly lessened.

"You are talking about some dangerous topics."

The maidroid, who we saw leave earlier, actually returned without Elma

and me noticing. She seems to have heard our conversation partway,

and suddenly called out to us.

I didn't reply to the maidroid's words immediately and took a sip of the

light yellow beverage first. Mm. Nice, strong carbonation, and a crisp

and refreshing flavor. This is unmistakably ginger ale.

"Would it be possible to ask more details about the ones who would

possibly attempt to bypass this planet's security systems? It is actually

this planet's administrator who wishes to know about such

circumstances."

"What do you think, Elma?"

"We can't just reveal it on our own, you know."

"Yeah. We'll have to consult Chris first."

And so, I called out to Mimi and Chris, who were busy racing with their

dolphin and shark floaters. The two of them swam to shore and quickly

came over.

"I won!"

"Uu. I lost..."

It looks like Chris, who arrived on the shore first, was the victor of their

little contest. Mimi looked pretty bummed out. Come to think of it,

these two were pretty close in age, weren't they? Mimi should be the

older one, but Chris was quite mature despite her looks, so in the end,

the two of them seemed to be friends of the same age.

"Is something the matter?"

"It seems Miro wants to ask about the circumstances regarding a threat

of a possible security breach attempt, Chris."

"The circumstances…"

"Yes. There is a possibility of harm being inflicted upon our guests, we

would very much like to hear more details about it to prepare adequate

countermeasures."

Chris, who was still in her school swimsuit, was lost in thought as the

maidroid awaited her response. Mimi seems to be in a bit of a panic

because of the situation, so I had her try a sip of the ginger ale to calm

her down. When she took a sip, her eyes immediately went round in

surprise. Hahaha, how cute.

"How much should I divulge?"

Chris turned to Elma and me with a troubled expression.

"I personally don't have any problems with cooperating with this

planet's authorities, but since it might possibly cause harm to House

Daleinwald's reputation if this matter was to be spread, I'm not in the

position to offer you any suggestions."

"In my case, I believe our imperial AI citizens are trustworthy enough.

And since this is basically a succession conflict within a noble house,

they would be extra prudent don't you think? You can even say they

specialize in things like this."

Chris made a forced smile after hearing Elma's words. So I guess the

reason why a majority of Graccan empire's nobles act a bit better

compared to my image of nobles from Earth really does have something

to do with the autonomous AIs after all huh.

"I am a bit reluctant to divulge matters regarding our house's troubles

without permission from my grandfather though."

"But your grandfather didn't expect his dear granddaughter would

actually be caught up in a succession struggle and even have her life

targeted, right? I bet he'll understand. It's his oversight that partly

allowed this situation to escalate after all."

"I think so too."

"...I guess you both do have a point."

Chris made a resigned sigh and began to talk about her circumstances

to the maidroid. All the AIs on this planet are managed by Miro after all.

I bet Miro's already listening in using its connection to the maidroid.

"I see. We've understood the situation. We will now begin formulating

countermeasures, so please excuse me for a few moments."

After saying so, the maidroid paused and stared vacantly at empty air

for less than ten seconds. It probably didn't even take five seconds,

actually.

"We have acquired data regarding the attack on the passenger cruiser

three months ago as well as all other related information."

"That was freakin fast."

It merely took a few seconds. These super-advanced AI are amazing.

"It wasn't much. In any case, a decision has been made. It is our duty to

ensure the safety of all guests visiting Sierra III. We will uphold this

duty to the best of our abilities. Please rest assured and continue to

enjoy your stay."

"Even if you say that, would you designate us as targets to be eliminated

if we ended up calling over a threat sufficient enough to endanger

Sierra III?"

"No. Such a thing will not happen. No matter what the circumstances

are, our guests are the first priority after all. We shall take

responsibility for your safety until the end of your stay."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. That is our duty."

The maidroid firmly nodded.

"We shall inform you at once if we detect any danger, so please be at

ease."

The maidroid then turned to Chris and lightly bowed to reassure her.

It'd really help us big time if we had Miro's full support... Well, it's not

like we can let our guards down even if that's the case. And it's not like

the AIs can overly meddle into a noble house's succession problem,

given their position in imperial society.

"Okay then. It's getting a bit late, so let's all take a shower and get back

to the lodge. We still have plenty of time to enjoy our vacation, so it's

not good to overly exhaust ourselves on the first day."

"I guess you're right."

Elma agreed with my suggestion right away. She may have been

thinking of resting up as well. She's been drinking plenty of alcohol

since earlier after all.

"Understood. We'll continue playing tomorrow then."

"Yeah. We'll play as much as we can. We also have the option of going to

other spots on the island to play instead of staying on the beach all the

time. Are you fine with that, Chris?"

"Yes."

Since Chris agreed as well, all of us went to the showers, washed the

sand and seawater off our bodies, and walked back to the lodge.

Now then, it would be good if Chris's uncle didn't make any rash moves

for the duration of our stay here. But will things really go that well, I

wonder?