Part-time work is still work.

"Shin nosuke, you were able to pilot a combat shuttle, right?"

Responding to Rinna's question, Shinnosuke nods.

Yes, sort of... It was included in the naval navigation curriculum for the space fleet.

Rina nods with a faint smile playing on her lips, responding to Shinosuke's answer.

Not the usual sales smile—this one was a grin full of hidden intentions.

"In fact, there's an outdated combat shuttle among the cooperative's vessels. Originally intended for self-defense during colony attacks or specialized missions, it's currently unused due to the lack of a pilot. How about using this combat shuttle as a simulated enemy in escort vessel training?"

"Escort vessel training? What's that?"

"In fact, the recent incident of abandoning a mission has become a major issue within the union. As part of measures to prevent recurrence, we've decided to conduct simulated exercises targeting new sailors with little experience who have expressed interest in training. Would you be willing to take on the role of the simulated enemy—the pirate vessel—in these exercises?"

After all, even among escort vessel crew members, there's a wide range of skill levels.

From those with extensive combat experience to those meeting the standards for military, coast guard, and destroyer crew roles, there is a wide range of experience levels—even among destroyer crew members with little combat experience.

Considering that a novice destroyer crew member might end up in a situation similar to the previous mission abandonment incident, live-fire training might have some value.

Yet Shinosuke looks grim.

I'm not at a level where I can just hop in a combat vessel and handle it smoothly. Besides, even if I were to pilot it, wouldn't having a combat vessel as the opposing force make the difficulty too high?

Shin nosuke's evaluation in the space military curriculum is a C+, which is above average, but still below the minimum standard of B+ required to become a combat vessel pilot, meaning he lacks the skill necessary to fully utilize a combat vessel's capabilities. However, even if Shin nosuke were to pilot one, facing a high-speed, highly maneuverable combat vessel would make the challenge excessively difficult, even as training.

Moreover, the ships used by pirates are mostly converted civilian vessels such as cruisers or cargo ships, and although some are fast boats, they are far inferior in speed and maneuverability to combat vessels.

Yet, despite Shin nosuke's words, Lina chuckles while slightly shaking her head.

"Since the sailors requesting training prefer a higher difficulty level, it's fine. Plus, not only Shin nosuke, but Zany and Dag have also agreed to serve as opponents, so we're all set."

Lina spoke while presenting the reward amount.

It's certainly just pocket change, but as a part-time job, it's not a bad sum. If you're looking for something to do with your free time, helping with the training might be worthwhile.

Understood. I'll take it on. What's the training schedule?

We have scheduled two training sessions, starting next Monday and lasting for one week. We'll be using the military training airspace. The participants will include new sailors assigned to escort vessels, as well as Aila, who will serve as the simulated escort target. Incidentally, since this is the first time our union has attempted something like this, I'll be joining Aila on her ship along with about two other people to measure the effectiveness of the exercise. If you'd like, feel free to invite Marks or Seira as well. Though, unfortunately, we can't offer any payment for the work.

Even if he'd check with Marks and Seira later, Shinnosuke himself was interested and saw it as valuable training for himself.

"Understood. I'll take it on."

"Thank you."

Having accepted Rina's request, Shinnosuke listened to the detailed explanation of the training schedule and then returned to his dock.

An internship is still work—far more meaningful than idling around with nothing to do.

Back at the dock, Shinnosuke told Marks and Seira about the training.

"I'll pass on that. I'm overseeing the repair and adjustment of Cerberus."

Marks' response was exactly as expected.

"I'd really like to observe. Um, please take me along."

I'd assumed Seira would say the same.

In the end, only Shinnosuke and Seira ended up participating in the escort vessel training.

"But how long has it been since I last piloted a combat vessel? I think... it was the last regular training session, so two years, no, three years ago... I hope I can still handle it properly."

I'd like to do some familiarization training, but apparently the combat vessels are currently undergoing maintenance for the training, so we won't be able to operate them until the actual training day.

"Wait, Shinno-suke, you can pilot combat vessels too?"

"Yeah, sort of. I never had pilot aptitude, so I only flew training simulators once every few years... Ah!"

Just then, Shinno-suke realized something important.

He had forgotten to ask about the type of combat vessel.

The cockpits of combat vessels used by the Aclenia Galactic Federation Space Force employ a standardized system, with the positions of control sticks, throttle levers, foot pedals, and instrument layouts essentially identical across all models.

This standardization facilitates smooth transitions between different aircraft types, but even with identical control systems, the performance characteristics of each model can vary dramatically.

There's a world of difference between older models, training aircraft, and cutting-edge fighters—ranging from engine output to speed, maneuverability, and weapon-carrying capacity.

"I was careless. I should've confirmed with Linah right away!"

"You're still the same as always, Master—missing the important details."

"Stop laughing, Marks."

"I'm not laughing. In fact, I can't laugh—on every level..."

While shaking his head in exasperation at Marks, Shinosuke contacted Rena to confirm the model of the combat vessel he would be riding in next week—the one whose fate he would entrust to her.