119: Getting a handle on the situation

"Sorry about this sudden request, but could I borrow a room for a bit? I need to send some data to headquarters and also prepare for our upcoming meeting."

"……"

After entering the Seiryō Corporation's outpost, we carefully avoided the camera view while showing our ID and documents to the male clerk.

My identification proving I am a bio-android born at Seiryō Corporation, a former employee of Seiryō Corporation, and currently maintaining ties with Seiryō-affiliated companies as a freelance writer.

Vilijanira's identification proving she holds a viscountess title in the Vanilla Cosmos Empire, is affiliated with the Empire's intelligence division, and is bound to me by contract.

A screen displaying the request for a rental room equipped with sufficient counterintelligence measures and a place to cook.

Now, how did the other party respond?

I'll send in my protest about this place not being meant for such services later. But since you're a fellow colleague, I'll make an exception this time. Please go to Room Five—it has the best facilities.

Thank you

You made it through safely.

Instead of the usual electronic key, I was handed a physical one.

Ah, I see. This certainly seems more reliable than a poorly made lock.

With that settled, we headed to the designated room.

"Alright, I'll send the data over now. The report's been piling up for ages..."

"Thank you. Sata."

Upon entering the room, I immediately checked its counter-surveillance status.

After confirming that the room could not be monitored through conventional espionage methods, I sent the report to Seiryō Corporation.

"Phew, that was tiring."

"You've worked hard. Please, come this way."

"Ahh, it feels great to wash off the grime."

Meanwhile, Joharis, having sneaked in from some pipe somewhere, cleaned himself through the filter prepared by Memokshi, then returned to his usual机体.

Yeah, now we've successfully reunited without anyone knowing Joharis had been separated.

"Good work, Joharis. How about the information?"

"I managed to get it, more or less."

"Is that so? What about the notes?"

"There were some complications, but we did obtain it."

"Satā."

"The verification will take a bit longer. Still, we've uncovered a few things during the process, so I'll report them step by step."

"Noted."

Let's move on with the discussion.

"Let's go through them one by one. Satu, Memo, Johariss, were there any suspicious individuals around this building?"

"More than suspicious—there were several people who clearly looked like they were keeping watch. But they didn't seem like criminals."

"Memo agrees. Though it seems they're unaware of each other's presence."

"We spotted them on our way back. Their movements seemed divided—some acting as guards, others as watchers."

"I see. Just confirming that alone makes it clear that renting this room was the right choice. On the 'Sexy Azuma' ship, it's too heavily guarded for anyone to approach."

It seems there are people watching over us—or guarding us, rather—though not necessarily part of our group.

While they all appear to belong to the Imperial Army's intelligence division, beyond that, their affiliations seem to differ.

In other words, there are likely individuals guarding Vilijanira from criminal organizations, others keeping a close eye on them in case they do something suspicious, some with stronger vigilance, others weaker—perhaps even some who are unwittingly being used as eyes for the criminal organization themselves.

"It feels like the intelligence unit of the Nilianipotts system is even more chaotic than I expected."

"Yeah, you're right. Who's an enemy and who's a friend... no, maybe everyone's actually an ally, but the excessive competition... exploiting that for efficiency... Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. We should probably just listen to what Johalis and the others have to say first."

Only one or two seem to be peering into the room's interior, but judging by the equipment here, it's unlikely anyone's actually spying on us.

If they're using mods, I'll know it.

"Then, Joharis. How was the situation at 'Eniwear Two'?"

"Since our standard is the Flaretanbo system, it's hard to compare, but... it felt tense, you know? Not quite dragging their feet, but definitely trying to outmaneuver each other, or at least trying to maximize their own gains—there was that kind of atmosphere."

"I see."

First, Joharis's report.

It seems the intelligence unit usually stationed at the Niliani Potts system's 'Eniweatsu' is quite proactive in achieving results.

That in itself isn't necessarily bad... but the fact that they're trying to outmaneuver one another is a bit concerning.

"Memoqui. How did the machine intelligences fare?"

Compared to the networks of other star systems, it felt like there were many spaces defined as personal territory—areas you couldn't enter. In human terms, this would mean secretive behavior or strong individualism. Still, given that the Narianipots system is primarily competitive, such traits aren't entirely surprising.

Hmm hmm

Continuing with Meikoshi's report.

It seems the mechanical intelligences in the Narianipots system are notably more independent compared to those in other star systems.

Then again, that's to be expected.

Competition requires an opponent—there's no need to explain everything from one to ten to your opponent, and in some cases, you can't even teach them a single thing.

Still, there are unsettling aspects.

"Sat. Please report within the scope you're able to."

The luminescence phenomenon of specific molecules caused by Sw can be neutralized if the conditions are met. Still, the governing body of the Nerialni Potz system surely already knows this. There were traces of at least a dozen subtle modifications to Sw within the past hundred years. Probably, they deliberately adjust Sw slightly at irregular intervals to prevent the neutralization from working effectively.

Understood.

That concludes my report.

Although I'll skip the detailed principles for now, even ordinary individuals like me could have neutralized the luminescence phenomenon itself.

Moreover, there were clear, almost deliberate traces of active modifications evident in the Sw of the Nelianipotts system.

If that's the case, there's likely an ongoing game of cat and mouse between some unknown party exploiting this neutralization and the governing authority that doesn't want it used.

This much is nearly certain.

"……"

After hearing our report, Viridianiela paused for a moment, reviewed several documents, and then spoke.

"It seems we must conclude that the intelligence unit of the Nriani Potts system—no, indeed, the entire governing body of the Nriani Potts system—is being targeted by sabotage."

Then, Viridianiela announced that, at present, the Nriani Potts system was under attack by some unseen force.

12/08 Correction of typo