Departure Preparations

After arranging for rare metals and reporting to the Merchant Fleet Association, Shinosuke and the others returned to the Cerberus.

Upon entering the bridge, Seira was glaring at the monitor from the operator's seat, muttering to herself as she manipulated the terminal, apparently setting the navigation route toward the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth.

Though the universe stretches endlessly vast, it contains numerous hazardous regions such as supergravity zones, limiting the areas where spacecraft can safely navigate.

Navigators must travel through these restricted zones to reach their destinations. The skill of a navigation controller lies in selecting the safest and most efficient route from various possible combinations, planning the journey accordingly, and managing the voyage based on that plan—making their responsibility extremely significant.

Having been entrusted with such critical navigation duties, Seira had obtained the latest route information published by the Space Route Bureau and was meticulously crafting her navigation plan using manual data previously used at the shipbuilding academy, so absorbed in her work that she seemed unaware of Shinosuke and the others returning.

"Given Serah's experience, maybe we should just leave her be."

"That's right. Master, please return to the captain's quarters and rest, so as not to disturb Miss Serah. I'm currently performing my own maintenance in the cargo hold."

Silently stepping away from the bridge without making a sound, Shinosuke and Marks made their way to their respective rooms—Shinosuke to his quarters, the captain's room, and Marks to the cargo hold.

"Still, it's not even evening yet. What on earth should I do to pass the time?"

In the end, though he returned to his room, Shinnosuke had nothing to do and ended up spending the time until bedtime cleaning the ship.

The next morning, after the date had changed, Shinnosuke woke up at his usual time and headed toward the bridge, where Seira and Marks were in the middle of reviewing navigation data.

"Good morning, Shinnosuke-san. Um, I've come up with a navigation plan to reach the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth—could you please check it for me?"

Seira looked up at Shinnosuke with bloodshot eyes, clearly anxious from pulling an all-nighter.

Marks stepped in to help her.

"I've reviewed it as well, and I see no major issues. If Master approves, I'll register it in the traffic control system."

Normally, navigation control would be entirely entrusted to Marks, but Shinnosuke has experience and achievements from his time serving in the space military.

Moreover, navigation control is one of Shinnosuke's strong suits.

Shinnosuke glanced at the navigation plan displayed on the operator's monitor.

(Indeed, I've heard his grades at the maritime academy were particularly impressive—his skill is clearly evident.)

Seyla's navigation plan was, in both good and bad ways, textbook-perfect.

It meticulously avoided all dangers, prioritizing safety over time—so much so that even Shinnosuke would find no flaws in it.

Had it been Marks or Shinnosuke devising the plan, they would have created a more efficient route, eliminating unnecessary detours while still emphasizing safety, potentially cutting the journey by a day, or even two days if everything went smoothly.

"Sounds good. Let's follow this plan and head to the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth."

Seeing Shinosuke's approval, Seira's expression brightened instantly.

"Thank you very much. The navigation control team will do their best too."

"Of course. This time, Serah's control is essential. I'm counting on you."

"Yes."

Hearing Seira's reply, Shinosuke nodded firmly.

"What we need from Serah right now is sleep and rest. I'm ordering her to rest from this moment until tomorrow's departure time."

"Eh? But it's still morning, and she'll be fine after a short break, right? There's still so much to prepare—loading cargo, and so on."

"Markus and I will handle all that. Serah's rest is a captain's order. Go take a shower, clear your head, and get some proper rest!"

"Wha... No, I don't get it. You're saying I should wake up and rest...? Shinnosuke, you're not making sense..."

"No objections allowed! Mark, take Seira back to her room."

Mark, having received Shinnosuke's order, gently guided Seira off the bridge.

"Wait, just a minute. Wake up and rest...?"

"I apologize, but it's the master's command. Please direct any complaints to the master."

"That's why I was telling Shinnosuke... to wake up and rest... or something like that..."

Seyla's figure, escorted out of the bridge by Marks, was watched with barely suppressed laughter by Shinnosuke.

After forcibly getting Seyla to rest, Shinnosuke and Marks prepared for departure.

The rare metal, purchased as cargo, was delivered on time and stowed in the cargo hold.

All energy and other supplies have been replenished.

"Then we just need to follow Serah's plan."

"Yes. It's certainly a textbook example of a safety-first approach, but there are many regions where the autopilot can't be used. Isn't this a rather demanding plan for the ship's master to handle manually?"

"Well, efficient routing is something we'll have to address in the future. For now, there's no need for Cela to consider efficiency. I'm sure Cela understands that herself."

Departure preparations are complete; all that's left is to await tomorrow's departure.