Sortie Preparations

After accepting Earl Dareinwald's request, we immediately started to make

our preparations. By preparations, I mean things like making additional

purchases of food stockpiles for emergencies (food cartridges), medical

solution for the med-pod, energy packs for the laser rifles, laser guns, and

other equipment, performing some check-up and maintenance on said

weapons and equipment, as well as bringing in and installing our newly

purchased combat bots and maintenance/parts swap system… Anyway, we

had a lot to do.

"So you're telling me the damn media people suddenly decided to ask if

they could pay us a visit during a super busy time like this?"

"We're really sorry, Boss."

Tina bowed in apology to me who was currently watching over the colony

transport system and the cargo-bots rushing to and fro inside the Lotus'

cargo hold to bring in the supplies, but I shook my head in response.

"No, it's not like it's you and Whisker's fault anyway. I'm not blaming you

guys. I guess it's about time to get all the troublesome stuff out of the way

anyway, so let's get this deal over and done with."

But troublesome stuff was still troublesome. I'm okay with starship combat,

but I'm not that good with fighting in person… Or at least, that was

supposed to be the case. Presently, I've become a swordsman who is able to

go toe to toe with Je*i knights and S*th lords.

Uh, maybe not. They aren't just good at sword fighting after all. They also

use mysterious powers to achieve abilities like foresight and so on… They

can also use those powers to telekinetically throw stuff around and release

electric attacks. Yeah. I'd probably get thoroughly beaten up. Yep.

"There's a need to arrange for a meeting first before anything else. What are

their plans regarding that?"

"Um, they handed us their contact info."

"I see. So they want us to contact them from our end huh."

We didn't hand them our contact info, so I guess this is to be expected. I

have some prejudice regarding the media after all. Well, it's not like

everything's gonna be bad even with that crappy first impression I got from

them anyway.

I took out my portable terminal, received the contact info from Whisker's

tablet, and called them up immediately.

[Yes, this is Wamdo speaking.]

The one who replied on the other end was a man with a deep-sounding

voice.

"This is Captain Hiro. I received word from Tina and Whisker from Space

Dwerg so I got in touch. I heard you wanted to conduct an interview inside

my ship, so I called to ask about the particulars."

After a brief pause, I heard a loud crash, rattling, rustling, and other

clamorous noises accompanied by some swearing. Since my terminal was

on speaker mode, Tina and Whisker heard the noises as well and their eyes

widened in surprise.

[E-Excuse me! Thank you very much for contacting us! We have really

been looking forward to hearing from you, sir!]

I suddenly imagined the figure of a man bowing profusely like a click

beetle on the other end. He seems pretty different from the ones who

wanted to conduct an ambush interview and forcefully boarded Black Lotus

back then.

He seems to have moved to a quieter spot (At least I couldn't hear any other

noises apart from his voice on the other side.) and started briefing me about

the interview details in a calmer manner.

In short, they were planning to conduct a joint interview with Space Dwerg

and other media outfits. Each company would bring their own filming

equipment and would conduct the joint interview with everyone asking

questions in turns.

"I see. Well, I guess it's better to leave the interview methods to pros like

you, but we have just a bit of a problem."

[What is it, sir?]

"We were actually contracted by a certain noble house– Uh, I guess it's

alright to tell you which house it is. We recently accepted a request from

House Dareinwald and we're slated to depart soon."

[Ah–…]

Wamdo choked up on the other end of the line. When it comes to

interviewing mercenaries who are in an active contract with nobles, the

media companies are required to discuss things with said nobles as well. Of

course, getting the interview approved ain't my problem. It's up to them to

see things through instead.

Anyway, it's not like I'll dump everything on them. I'll at least serve as a

point of contact between the media folks and House Dareinwald, but it's up

to the media companies to negotiate the terms. It's not like we absolutely

need to take the interviews anyway. We certainly had a deal with Space

Dwerg when we purchased Black Lotus, but it's not like we're obligated to

take the interviews.

After all, the contract also states that we can refuse interviews if they would

end up interfering with our work. In other words, our client has every right

to decline the interviews if they want to.

"I'm personally fine with getting interviewed. But whether or not our client

will allow it is a different story. You'll be the ones to discuss it with them,

of course."

[C-Can you pull some strings for us somehow, sir…?]

"I'll act as the go-between at least. Of course, I can't just reveal the

particulars of the client's request. I believe you guys have plenty of capable

personnel, so just do your best, okay. I'll ask the client if you guys can

make an appointment with them after this."

[Uu… Please do.]

"Yeah. I'll be sure to put in a good word or two."

I cut the call with Mr. Wamdo, who sounded like he was about to suffer

from acute stomach pain from all the stress, and immediately contacted

Chris.

[Yes, this is Christina speaking. What's the matter, Hiro-sama?]

"Sorry for calling you all of a sudden, but something came up–"

I'm not sure about what transpired in the discussion between Mr. Wamdo

and Earl Dareinwald, but it seems they managed to get permission to

conduct the interview in the end.

"It did seem they ended up making several arrangements though."

"Yeah. It looks like they won't just interview you all, Boss. They'll also

interview Christina-sama as well."

"Chris-chan too?"

Mimi, who was feasting on her usual breakfast meal – a yellowish flavorful

rice porridge of some sort – tilted her head curiously in the middle of

bringing her spoon to her mouth.

"Maybe it's a move to build up Chris's fame and authority by letting the

media cover how the next family head, Chris, would take command of the

planetary resettlement. They'll be able to project the image of a young but

efficient and effective leader, and by making good use of Hiro who's a Gold

Star awardee and a Platinum ranker, Chris will become more renowned in

aristocratic society."

"I see–"

After hearing Elma's conjecture, Mimi seemed convinced. I also nodded in

agreement inwardly. I have no idea just how that old man who seemed

super-blunt and straight-laced struck a deal with Mr. Wamdo and the other

media people, but he sure made certain to secure benefits for himself– or

rather, for Chris. I guess he really is a tried and true noble after all.

"How's the progress of procuring supplies? In any case, we've already

finished installing the new combat bots."

"We'll finish sending in all the supplies by the end of the day too. We've

also managed to sell the crystal lifeform materials for a good price."

"That's good to hear. Keep an eye on products we can bring with us to the

Comatt system too."

"Understood."

Mimi nodded and smiled sweetly. It's better for Mimi to gain practical

trading experience this way and after she gets enough, I'd be able to safely

leave the management of a trading ship to her in the future. Uh, but if I did

that, I won't be able to stay with her all the time anymore. That's no good.

Yep. Let's think of some other method then.

"You're making some really weird faces, Boss."

"You're thinking about something strange again, right?"

"How rude. I was just mulling over some plans for the future, okay."

After retorting, I thrust my fork into a piece of my morning steak special

(synthetic) and brought it to my mouth. Umu, Tetsujin V really is the best.

It's hard to think something this tasty was actually synthesized from algae,

krill-like creatures, spices, and flavorings.

"Anyway, let's stop thinking about the future for now and focus on the

present. We're gonna spend the day working inside the ship today as well,

so I hope no accident happens. Here's to spending a safe and fulfilling day."

We can't be neglectful okay! We have to be really thorough. Well, the

logistics work in this dimension basically just consists of giving instructions

to the labor machines and leave most of the work to them. Occasionally

though, some underequipped stations and planets in early stages of

development make use of power armor for heavy labor. Some even use oldfashioned forklifts to load and unload stuff.

"That's right, Boss. We have to be careful to avoid any accidents."

"Man, that sounds really convincing coming from you Tina. I mean, you

once fired off a dwarf cannonball at me after all."

"I totally agree, big brother."

The one who was used as the dwarf cannonball in question, Whisker,

wholeheartedly agreed with me.

"Mou… You both are still holding a grudge about that after all this time,

Boss, Whisker? I'm properly reflecting on it okay."

"Reaaally…?"

"Really! Don't you see these genuinely repentant eyes, Whee?"

I decided to continue eating the rest of my breakfast in earnest as I watched

the dwarven sisters poke fun at each other with a smile on my face. We've

been experiencing really quiet and peaceful days recently, so I hope this

continues on for longer.

I suddenly thought that these peaceful days might just simply be a prelude

to something big. Y'know, like the calm before a storm or something. But

nah, I'm sure it's just my imagination. Hahaha.