第８０７堀：おもちゃばこ (Part1)
Chapter 807: The Toy Box
Side: Narjia
" " "Whoaaaaaa!!" " "
We were currently letting out a roar of joy from the very depths of our souls.
And with good reason.
Before our very eyes stood...
"That is the Nimitz-class... no, wait, that’s not right. It’s the Luna-class aircraft carrier, hull number one, the *Luna*."
" " "Whoaaaaaa!!" " "
Yes, before us lay the first mass-produced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier from Earth, baring its massive frame to the vast ocean!
I don’t quite remember the details, but apparently, the country of Sea-something-or-other needed a ship, so they had it brought over. With the contents included!
This part is important. *Contents included!*
The contents of an aircraft carrier are, of course, fighter jets!
The carrier itself is the greatest, most supreme vessel ever forged by the concentrated technology of Earth!
Man, I was hoping to see the escort fleet and the like for carrier operations, but I suppose that was asking for too much.
Still, I’ve heard that in the current era on Earth, aircraft carriers don't see much action anymore.
Well, ICBMs exist, after all. They can strike an enemy’s vital points in a single blow, so it seems there’s rarely a need to fight for air superiority using carriers.
"Still, it’s an incredible size. A massive hull, 330 meters in length..."
"Amazing. To think this colossal lump of iron is actually floating on the sea... it’s amazing."
"And to think it’s packed with so much inside. Truly incredible."
Zargis-san, Comet-san, and Agil-san were all staring at the carrier with sparkling eyes.
That’s only natural. They, too, are engineers like me.
There’s no way they could be shown something like this and not be utterly captivated and excited.
"However, it is a pity. Does this mean the systems utilizing satellites are unusable?"
"What are you talking about? Satellite communication is basically only necessary for interacting with extremely distant parties; it doesn't mean all electronic equipment like radar won't function."
"Well, that’s true. If you rely entirely on satellites, you could neutralize the carrier just by destroying them. I doubt it was built with such a vulnerability."
"No, I understand that, but I would still love to see it in a fully operational state using satellites."
I understand Zargis-san’s sentiment.
I understand it painfully well.
"Haha, I know how you feel, Zargis-kun. Well, for now, please be content with what is operational. And eventually, we shall launch satellites from this world as well and have it running at full capacity."
"Yes!! Indeed!! One day, we shall challenge the vastness of space itself!!"
While we were caught up in that excitement, the small boat we were riding in was recovered by the carrier.
Some idiot like Covil might have blathered, "Why not just fly over?" but of course, we wouldn't do something like that.
There are things you can only see by experiencing how people normally use these things.
Ever since that girl got married, her head has been filled with nothing but pink-colored daydreams; it’s hopeless.
"Now, we are finally at the hangar."
As Taizo-san said that, we couldn't hold back any longer. We stood up, leaning forward in our eagerness to see the hangar as soon as possible, and there...
" " "Whoaaaaaa!!" " "
A paradise unfolded before us.
Because there, lined up in a row, were various types of fighter jets.
If you can’t call this paradise, what can you call it?!
And it is the nature of an engineer to want to examine them up close!
Before I knew it, my body was drifting forward...
"Ah, excuse me. It’s dangerous to approach the fighter jets without permission..."
"Hiss!! Shut your mouth!!"
"Eek!?"
Huh!? I accidentally hissed at them.
That won't do. I’m known for being a gentle older sister, after all.
"Wait, aren't you Research Chief Narjia!? Oh crap. I have to get these cleared away quickly!!"
"Hold it right there!! Did you just say 'clear away'!? This is my property!! Hand it all over!! Let me see it!!"
They get cocky just because I was being nice to them. You goblins!!
This isn't something for the likes of you to touch!!
"Look, I’m telling you, it’s strictly forbidden!? We’re in the middle of checking these!"
"We will check them for you!! Right?"
"Of course!!"
"Yeah. We’ll take a look, so you can go do other work."
"Normally I would stop you, but I cannot suppress my own curiosity either."
As expected of my comrades.
It seems they cannot stop the engineer's soul bubbling up from the depths of their hearts.
Come now, everyone, let’s examine this F-22!!
"Wait, I said no!? This is a serious violation of orders, you know! Taizo-san!! Don't just stand there laughing, stop them!!"
"Oops, my apologies. Narjia-san and everyone, could you please refrain from touching this Raptor?"
"Why not!! Don't you want to examine it, Taizo-san!! It’s going to be used!! It’s going to be taken somewhere else!? Isn't that unthinkable!? Do you have any idea how much one of these costs!?"
"Now, now. There are other Raptors. This one is being deployed because Yuki-kun insisted it was urgent."
"Oh, is that so? Then it can't be helped. Let’s look at the others!! Come on, hurry!!"
I don't intend to dismantle the planes that Yuki-san has secured, of course.
Well, if this were the only one, I would definitely claim it as my own.
Since I wasn't able to get the broken *Dojigiri* sword before, I had decided that next time, I would not compromise.
"Now, now, the fighter jets can wait for later."
"Why!? Taizo-san, the latest cutting-edge fighter jets are lined up right in front of us!! There’s the F-14, the F-15, and even the C-2 and SH-60!! Are you an idiot!?"
"Hmm, hmm. They’ve lost their sanity before a mountain of treasure."
"I am perfectly sane!! Show me my fighter jets, quickly!!"
That’s right. I am perfectly sane!!
If they keep me waiting in this state of anticipation any longer, even Taizo-san won't be spared my wrath!
"Then, just one last thing."
"What is it!? You don't need to be coy, just tell me simply and clearly!!"
"The ship’s CIC—or rather, since it’s an aircraft carrier, the CDC. Wouldn't you like to go there first?"
" " "..." " "
We were left speechless by his words.
CIC, CDC—the Combat Direction Center.
The place that could be called the heart of the ship.
" " "We’re going!!" " "
You should have said that sooner.
I got a little too impatient.
"I thought so. Then, this way."
So told, we suppressed our lingering excitement and, while regretting leaving the treasures of the hangar behind...
"Chief. Do we need this part?"
"Huh? No, that’s a spare. More importantly, the number 5..."
"Right. I’ll just put this on the floor for now..."
" " "You idiot, don't put screws on the floor!!" " "
"Whoa!? What was that!?"
I gave that sleepy maintenance goblin a thorough lecture and told him to manage my fighter jets properly.
Honestly, a single screw could cause a plane to malfunction and break apart in mid-air; their training is clearly lacking!!
Keeping the hangar organized is fundamental!!
And so, despite such troubles, we arrived at the CDC, the Combat Direction Center...