Request from the Union

Miners like Glen typically make their living by mining rare metals and other minerals buried within asteroids and similar celestial bodies.

While their primary clients are small to medium-sized energy companies and jewelry-related businesses, these companies—lacking their own mining vessels—seem to regard skilled miners as indispensable business partners.

Glen's team are somewhat well-known miners, apparently never short of work requests.

Though Shinnosuke reluctantly agreed to his second escort mission after being persuaded (or dragged) by Glen's team, it seems the danger is considerably lower than during his previous job, just as Glen had said.

According to reports, this mining site is the secret location that Glen's team usually works at. While the quality of rare metals here is lower than in their previous site, it's a stable and consistently productive location.

The site lies deep within a labyrinthine asteroid belt filled with impassable regions, and since the asteroids are constantly moving, reaching the destination itself is extremely difficult. It seems Glen and the others couldn't navigate through without the Seeker Eyes of Aliasa and Merisa, and even with those, they sometimes fail to reach the site—about once in every few attempts—and have to turn back.

Because of its remote location, ordinary space pirates simply can't reach it. As long as one pays attention to avoiding ships that might follow during entry into the asteroid belt, the chance of being attacked by pirates is extremely low.

Still, to ensure absolute safety, a trusted and discreet independent merchant is hired for protection every time. This time, the honor fell to Shinosuke.

"This is... even just navigating through this is tough. It makes sense that pirate ships wouldn't come here, and that it's a secret location. Honestly, it's impressive they found a rare metal mining site in a place like this."

"Perhaps they have their own expertise and experience as mining technicians."

Cerberus advances through the asteroid belt, following Seeker Eye and Big Bear.

Even with its poor maneuverability, it's impressive how Big Bear manages to navigate this difficult route, despite Seeker Eye and Cerberus being much more agile.

Though it seems like Karen is at the controls, that's probably due to her knowledge and experience.

"Master, if navigating is difficult, may I take over?"

"No problem. Don't underestimate the piloting skills honed in the military."

"Looks like your military life was quite well-rounded—cleaning to piloting."

"...Markus, you're mocking me, aren't you?"

"Not at all. You've got it all wrong."

While exchanging such banter, the three ships had already passed through the asteroid belt and arrived at the mining site.

"Alright, let's get to work and earn some profit this time! Everyone, pull your weight!"

Under Glen's command, the rare metal mining operation began.

Since the mining operation had begun, Shinnosuke also took up surveillance of the surrounding space, but due to the limited number of navigable areas, the number of locations requiring vigilance was naturally restricted, making the situation clearly less dangerous than during the previous mining operation.

Of course, as Glen had said, the risk of pirate attacks at the site itself was low, but the routes leading to the site were fraught with danger.

Afterward, Glen's mining operations lasted two days before they set off for home. Nothing happened during their return journey, allowing Shinnosuke to rest his body while maintaining a moderate level of alertness until they reached the colony—effectively six days, excluding the three days spent navigating through the asteroid belt.

After wrapping up the request from the Gleen group, Shinnosuke visited the merchant fleet union to report the results.

Shinnosuke had resolved to take a three-day break after finishing this report, but something felt off about Lina’s demeanor as she received it.

She spoke little, and her usual smile seemed unusually reserved.

"…Yes, I've received your report. Thank you for your hard work."

Lina completed the procedure with minimal words.

Shinnosuke felt curious, but decided it was better not to interfere if it didn’t concern him directly.

"Then we’ll take our leave."

"…Wait a moment."

Just as Shinnosuke was about to stand, Lina stopped him.

"I need to ask something of you, Shinnosuke. Would you please listen to what I have to say?"

It seemed the reason for Lina’s troubled expression was somehow connected to Shinnosuke.

He couldn't just walk away without listening, seeing the way Lina looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Is it about a job referral? I'll hear you out, at least."

"It's not exactly that... Please, let me explain in the lounge room."

Guided by Lina, he entered the lounge, where a middle-aged man was already waiting.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Dalchis, head of the Shipping Guild's administrative department. I've already heard about you from Lina Quest."

The man named Dalchis was the head of the administrative department where Lina worked, and since this request from Lina was an official petition through the Guild, he was present at this meeting.

The atmosphere felt anything but ordinary.

Despite sensing this, Shinnosuke sat down on the offered sofa.

"What exactly is this request about?"

Shinnosuke asked directly, facing Dalchis and Lina seated before him.

"Shinnosuke-san, could you possibly hire an apprentice operator for your ship?"

"Huh? An operator... an apprentice, you say?"

"Yes. Actually, there's a student from the maritime school who lost both parents and can no longer afford tuition, forcing them to withdraw. They were an exceptionally talented and dedicated student, and the school did everything they could to help, but despite the circumstances, they couldn't make an exception to the rules, so withdrawal was unavoidable. Still, the school felt it was a shame to lose such promising talent, so they reached out to our union for assistance."

"Isn't there something like a scholarship?"

Lina shook her head in response to Shinosuke's question.

"They did consider scholarships, but I heard that because the student's parents had taken on substantial debt to cover the high tuition fees, they failed the scholarship eligibility review."

"Is that why they ended up as an apprentice crew member?"

"Yes. That student was 18 years old, in their third year at the maritime school, having just completed the core curriculum and about to begin practical training aboard a training vessel, followed by hands-on experience working on an actual cargo ship. Once the basic curriculum is finished, students can become seafarers without graduating from the maritime school, as long as they fulfill the required duty hours and complete the necessary practical work—regardless of whether they continue with formal classes. We were wondering if you might be willing to take on that student, Mr. Shinosuke..."

There are several ways to become a spacecraft crew member.

One is to enlist in the space military or coast guard, like Shinosuke, undergo the required training, and obtain certification for shipboard duty.

Qualifications earned in the military or similar organizations do not expire upon discharge. With a certain amount of military service experience, one can still secure a position as a first-class crew member after leaving the service, and, like Shinosuke, even pursue one's own business.

To obtain civilian qualifications, one can pursue advanced specialized education at maritime universities or merchant marine universities and earn the necessary certification.

Although universities have highly competitive admissions and high tuition fees, graduating from one grants you a second-class seaman's license, and with a degree, job opportunities at major corporations are abundant.

The other option is obtaining the qualification through a maritime school.

Although maritime schools are also expensive, unlike universities they do not offer advanced specialized education.

Nevertheless, they provide the secondary education necessary to become a crew member, and the qualification obtained is that of a fourth-class crew member.

Graduates of maritime schools are most commonly hired as crew members on ships operated by small to medium-sized enterprises or private merchant vessels.

There is also a recreational boat operator's license that can be obtained relatively easily at short-term training facilities, but this license does not permit commercial operations. Although obtaining the license is simple, its cost exceeds that of attending a maritime school or university.

Shinnosuke pondered.

He might consider hiring crew someday, but Shinnosuke had only just become a free trader.

I don't have enough experience or track record, nor the means to hire crew.

And above all, the biggest issue is that Shinnosuke's Cerberus is an armed escort vessel.

"…I understand what you're saying, but I'm afraid it would be difficult to accept you aboard my ship."

Lina pressed her point despite Shinnosuke's hesitation.

"If it's a matter of cost, I understand. Since he'd be an apprentice, low pay would be fine. I'd still need to provide for his food, lodging, and clothing, but this is for the sake of cultivating future personnel. Even the union will contribute some support."

Darcis nodded in agreement with Lina's words.

"No, that's part of it, but the main issue is that my ship is a护卫 ship. It's simply too dangerous."

The same logic applied to Shinosuke—he couldn't expose young, promising talent to unnecessary danger.

I’ve confirmed the risks with him personally, but even so, he still wishes to join Shinosuke’s crew. Of course, we also considered the possibility that Shinosuke might decline, in which case we’d approach another sailor. But since the individual expressed a clear preference, we decided to ask Shinosuke first."

Having heard all this, a single question arose in Shinosuke’s mind.

Wait a moment. What do you mean, you're requesting my ship?

It's utterly unnatural for someone as inexperienced as Shinosuke, a newly minted independent merchant, to desire a ship.

Upon hearing Shinnosuke's question, Lina slowly rose to her feet.

Ask her directly about that matter.

Lina walks toward the door leading to the adjacent room, saying that as she goes.

Could she actually be a woman?

Ignoring Shinnosuke's words, Lina opened the door and invited in a single girl.

"Hello, I mean—thank you so much for helping me back then. I'm Seira Star."

The girl who introduced herself as Seira seemed familiar to Shinnosuke.