12: Faster-than-Light Travel

Today's update is five chapters.

This is the third chapter.

"The vessel 'Tsumebakei' has successfully entered hyperspace. We will now proceed to the Glogrobeta system via faster-than-light travel. The journey through hyperspace will take approximately 24 hours. We will arrive at the Glogrobeta system's guiding colony at the Empire's standard time..."

"Oooooooh..."

The scene reflected in the window shifts.

It was not the usual sight of countless stars softly glowing in the dark cosmos during regular travel.

Nor was it the view of everything appearing as lines during subluminal travel.

This was the sight from within hyperspace—the realm created specifically for faster-than-light travel—a world entirely enveloped in golden light, with a thin, rainbow-colored membrane spreading out like a boundary, violently shimmering and pulsing.

Nothing like some silver-gray sludge-filled world mired in stagnation.

"Your excitement is incredible."

"I've never actually seen it properly before, so of course I'm thrilled."

"You're acting just like a child."

"Haha, I was born as a cyborg just seven years ago. Compared to ordinary humans, I'm still just a child. If I use that as an excuse, there's no problem at all. Besides, isn't it exactly this kind of thing that's supposed to spark excitement?"

"Wow, you got me there. Well then, I guess I have no choice."

"Yes, there's nothing else to do about it."

I recalled the knowledge I had within me about faster-than-light travel and hyperspace, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation.

First, I don't need to worry about the detailed principles since I'm no expert.

In the original world, it was well known that travel at speeds far exceeding that of light was possible.

The iridescent membrane shimmering on the golden surface is the boundary between hyperspace and the outside world, as utilized by the *Tsukebakei*. Anyone who touches it is reduced to dust without distinction, so caution is required.

Of course, if you don't deliberately collide with it, there's no way you'd ever hit it.

Other than that...

"By the way, have the crew members ever encountered space monsters?"

"If we'd met, you wouldn't be here now. For someone like me, a regular crew member, there'd be no choice but death if we ever encountered one—experts aside."

"That's... true enough."

Something capable of interfering during faster-than-light travel.

One example is a space monster.

In simple terms, it's a creature that operates in space and can travel between star systems independently—most are ferocious and dangerous.

Depending on the individual, if one is discovered, the imperial military and specialists are mobilized to eliminate it.

Still, since such creatures rarely appear along the routine trade routes commonly used by vessels like the *Tsumebakei*, it's considered normal to assume such an event won't happen.

"Yeah, I've encountered space pirates before. They were weak enough to be shot down with the beam cannons mounted on the *Tsumebakei*."

"Hmm, hmm."

The other type are space pirates—criminals who own spacecraft and survive by stealing supplies from other ships.

Occasionally, some of these ships are equipped with mods that allow interference with hyperspace, enabling them to intercept and attack vessels traveling at faster-than-light speeds.

Still, such mods aren't widely used, so pirate attacks during faster-than-light travel are rare.

If you're concerned about pirates, you're more likely to encounter them near regions like asteroid belts, where military or law enforcement patrols can't reach in time.

Incidentally, once a pirate is confirmed as such, retaliation is permitted regardless of whether they're killed or not.

As a result, there are certainly sailors with combat experience against sky pirates, and some even specialize in hunting them like bounty hunters.

"Ugh... I'm sleepy, so I'm going to sleep. Please don't overdo it, reporter-san."

"Yes, thank you for your company."

Other threats... here and now, there's no need to worry about them.

As for cosmic monsters and space pirates, they're rare enough that you don't really need to go out of your way to plan for encountering them.

"Hmm? Ah, another reckless fool showing up. Can't learn from experience, can they? Honestly..."

By the way, just as a side note, attempting faster-than-light travel without a guide beacon is pretty much half a suicide mission.

First, attempting faster-than-light travel without a guide beacon makes it uncertain where in the universe you'll end up.

At best, you might exit outside the galaxy where the Vanilla Cosmic Empire exists; at worst, you could crash straight into the territory of space pirates or cosmic monsters.

Worse still, you might crash directly into a star or black hole and die instantly. In the worst-case scenario, you could plow into a planet or colony, resulting in a catastrophic disaster with tens of thousands dead or missing.

To prevent such disasters, most spacecraft are designed to require guide beacons for faster-than-light travel, and in most star systems, mods are installed that prevent faster-than-light transitions outside specific designated areas.

Yet despite these conditions, accidents still occur—often involving those seeking new frontiers, fools who can't even obtain adult certification, or space pirates unable to use guide beacons altogether.

According to an article received last night, an F-114 system-related faster-than-light navigation incident involving space pirates has reportedly occurred.

Details remain unclear, but it seems two pirate ships collided head-on, resulting in a massive explosion.

As for the article, otherwise... the company that manufactures serial products, Sdeniban Kura, has announced bankruptcy.

Incidentally, Sdeniban Kura has been surrounded by various suspicions.

There are, well, other matters as well.

"Well, until breakfast time, what should I do... ah, I suppose I could just polish up the article."

I moved from the game room to my guest room and spent the time until breakfast working.