Aptitude

Let's see. We had such a relaxed and elegant morning, but what was our

actual situation right now, you ask? Well, we were still staying within

the home of the empire's premier shipyards, the Windas system.

However, the overhaul and upgrading of the Black Lotus has already

been completed, so we checked out from the hotel and returned to

living inside the Lotus. The dwarven sisters, Tina and Whisker, have

also completed the required procedures and formally resigned from

Space Dwerg. They officially became members of our mechanic squad.

Well, there were just the two of them, so I wasn't quite sure if they

qualified as a squad though. Elma's Antlion had rolled out from the

production line and promptly delivered to us.

"Elma-san is going to pilot the Antlion?"

"Yeah. It seems she really wants to pilot her own ship."

After spending time with Mei, I returned to the break space of the Black

Lotus and found Mimi and Kugi sitting side by side while checking out

their tablet terminals. A short while ago, Kugi was a complete amateur

when it comes to operating a portable data terminal, but she showed

great adaptability and was now capable of operating portable data

terminals and tablet terminals without a hitch.

"Are you doing alright with the operator training, Kugi?"

"Yes, My Lord. It's quite difficult though. However, I plan to train well

and gradually accumulate experience."

"Mm. Don't overdo it–"

I suddenly had an idea. It was necessary for her to study being an

operator, so I'll have her continue that. But how about I also test her

suitability as a pilot and sub-pilot as well.

"Studying is important, but why don't we go out for a bit first?"

"Go out?"

Mimi tilted her head. It was quite a sudden suggestion, so it was natural

for her to have some doubts. Kugi just quietly looked at my face with a

calm expression. In any case, she'd probably agree with whatever I

suggest anyway.

"We'll head to the Mercenary Guild. Let's go there so you guys can

experience the starship simulator."

"This place seems to have a bit of a frantic atmosphere."

"Hm? Maybe it's related to the matter of heading to the Edge World."

"I wonder. Will other mercenaries apart from us be taking up the escort

mission too?"

"There's a good chance some will. After all, it's the Edge World. The

military would want as much strength as possible."

The Edge World. It was the outer edge of the empire's borders and was

a term that literally refers to the most remote areas recently

incorporated under the empire's rule.

That place was home to pirates, the mercenaries who hunt them down,

criminal elements very similar to pirates who went underground there,

so-called [adventurers] who come there with the hopes of

uncovering ruins and artifacts of alien civilizations by exploring

unknown planets and hitting it big in one shot, as well as scammers

who'd sell off even the most worthless junk they could find by branding

them as genuine artifacts. Depending on luck, one might even

encounter space monsters or agents from hostile nations doing shady

stuff. It was a chaotic theme park filled with those sorts of attractions.

Due to the emperor, or perhaps the military higher-ups, worrying about

the state of the Edge World, Col. Serena was assigned to take a look at it,

and mercenaries like us were requested to accompany her. Since it was

such a place, you'd like as much strength you can muster in order to

take it on. So, it's no wonder that the Mercenary Guild that didn't have

enough staff as a result of the convening of mercenary forces through

the efforts of Col. Serena, seemed so bustling… Well, that was just what

I inwardly speculated as we headed for the receptionist.

"Welcome. Are you here to accept a request? You are, aren't you? Say no

more. Please leave it to us. We will prepare the best request suitable for

you. Now then, please show me your ID."

I took out my data terminal and handed it to the receptionist who

talked nonstop like a machinegun. Was appearance actually included in

the employment requirements of the Mercenary Guild? All the

receptionists we've met so far were all beautiful.

"Here's my ID, but I just came here to borrow the simulator. By the way,

I've already accepted a designated request, so I can't accept any more

requests for now."

"Tsk."

T-This lady just clicked her tongue without even hiding it…! She sure

has a nice personality. I like her. I'm not gonna lay my hand on her

though.

"You're very rude."

"Now, now."

Kugi squinted and displayed her displeasure. I see. So people being

rude to me was an 'out' for her huh. Mimi smiling bitterly while trying

to pacify Kugi was kinda a fresh sight. Kugi seemed older than her, but

Mimi, who had worked as a mercenary ship operator for a good while

now, may have a more flexible mentality. Un, she's really grown a lot,

hasn't she?

"You've been approved to use the simulator room. Please."

The lady pointed to the simulator room as if shooing us away. She

seemed to have completely lost interest in us. She seemed to be a pretty

gutsy receptionist too because she didn't even flinch when she saw my

mercenary rank. Maybe she even had the potential to become a pretty

good mercenary herself.

"Hiro-sama?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Shall we?"

I pulled the hand of the still fuming Kugi and headed to the simulator

room with her and Mimi. For now, let's retest Mimi's pilot aptitude and

confirm Kugi's aptitude as well.

Mimi had already tried a simulator out before… but I can't exactly say

her results were good, even as flattery.

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!?]

And the result was the same today as well. The virtual Zabuton Mimi

was piloting lost control and haphazardly shot its laser cannons while

spinning irregularly. Mm. She was fine when piloting the ship normally,

but as soon as she tries to perform combat maneuvers, it turns out like

this.

Kugi's maneuvering was quite stable. Since it was her first time trying

out the simulator today, her operations were naturally a bit awkward,

but reaching such a level of control during her first time piloting was

already quite an achievement. Even though it hasn't even been an hour

since she first touched the simulator, she controlled the ship without

any excess or lacking movements and destroyed the stationary targets

with her ship's laser cannons. She also did well against moving targets

too. Judging from her results, she might be able to become quite a

decent pilot with some training.

Hmm. Perhaps it's better to have Mimi stop her sub-pilot training and

have her focus solely on being a ship operator while training Kugi to be

a sub-pilot instead. Of course, Mimi might still be able to become a

decent pilot with more training, but performing that bad can also be

said to be a talent in a sense… Nah, probably not. I guess I just have to

accept reality.

"Okay, Mimi. Let go of the flight stick for a bit and leave stopping the

ship to flight assist mode. You can go ahead and proceed to the next

step Kugi."

While coaching the two during simulator training, I was inwardly

mulling over how to break the news to Mimi. Mimi seems to have been

looking forward to her transition as a sub-pilot after all. Well, since it's

obvious that she didn't have talent in that direction, that would be a nogo. Even if she was just a newcomer, it looks like we'd have to rely on

Kugi instead. Telling that to Mimi straight certainly wouldn't be good.

She might even get angry. Well, it was Mimi, so she probably would

follow my arrangements, but her relationship with Kugi might get

awkward again.

Mm. Maybe it's better to consult Elma about a matter like this. Yeah,

let's do that.