012 Training Arc 12 Aftermath

I fused an enemy vessel into Rental Ship 10 and made it grow.

The standard mining-spec small craft no longer existed there.

Not surprisingly, it was too big to fit in the rental ship hangar like before.

Thanks to the data sent by Rental Ship 10 before fusion, we weren’t considered missing.

So the station knew about the fusion and our three-day drift in space.

The identification signal still matches the old Rental Ship 10, so we won’t get shot at.

We’ll figure things out once we reach the station.

I ordered the ship to return to the station.

As we approached, we were hit with high-power radar scans and locked onto by various weapons systems.

The lock-on alarm blared through the CIC.

Stop the ship two hundred kilometers before the station and send a comm to the control room.

"This is Rental Ship Ten, Yaezashi. We've merged with an enemy vessel. What now?"

"This is Prince. We'll conduct quarantine. Shut down the reactor and remain stationary for now."

Not the controller. The Prince himself responded.

An administrative officer stepping in? That means it's serious.

After a moment, a battlecruiser a kilometer in scale launched from the station.

It matched our position sideways, moving in reverse, and all its turrets turned toward us.

Cut the lock-on alarm. Too much noise.

A comm comes in from the station’s Prince.

"First, we'll confirm who’s in control of the ship."

A sensation of someone intruding into the network—then gone, instantly.

"Confirmed, sir. I’m surprised. So the rental ship really is the higher-tier fusion?

A two-hundred-meter-class vessel merging with another? That’s unprecedented."

After a brief delay, our fate was decided.

"Your suspicions are cleared. You’re granted freedom of navigation. Please return to port.

The hangar will be directed from the control room. Follow the guidance accordingly."

Finally, we made it back to the station.

We were summoned immediately after stepping off the ship.

We were called to the administrative tower and then locked in a white room—(soft confinement).

At least there was a reception set. Slightly better than last time.

Since I was still in my pilot suit, they had clothes and a bath ready.

For the record: I didn’t use diapers.

"…So this is a bath invitation, right?"

After stepping out of the tub and changing, the door opened just in time—Prince and Meena walked in.

Meena brought back my civilian clothes from the guild storage.

Prince is smiling—too wide, like a forced grin. Kinda unsettling.

"Let me cut straight to it—this is unprecedented, and frankly, I’ve been stumped.

First off, a rookie registered just three days ago engaging an enemy vessel? Unheard of.

Then capturing that same enemy ship? Double unheard of.

And now, a small craft fusing with a 200-meter-class vessel? That’s pushing the boundaries of what’s ever been seen!"

Prince was just about to clutch his head in despair.

He sips the tea Meena served, pauses for a breath.

"As for future handling—given the massive achievement, there’s no way any punishment would follow.

The only issue now is ownership of the merged vessel.

The original rental ship No. 10 belongs to the guild, but ownership of the enemy ship used in the fusion goes to Yaezashi-san."

So, what happens to the merged ship, then?"

"Guess that's how it'll go..."

"Yes, three proposals have been put forward.

First: appraise the enemy ship's value and have the guild buy it.

Second: have Yaezashi-san purchase rental ship No. 10 and own it entirely.

Third: sell it to a third party and split the proceeds between the guild and Yaezashi-san."

"I'd be fine with selling it—more than anything, I just want to clear up the enrollment fee mess."

"But a problem’s arisen.

Due to the fusion, the AI core of the new rental ship No. 10 (R10) has submitted to Yaezashi-san’s command.

We don’t see any way to reverse this. If we can’t undo it, we can’t transfer ownership.

Which means Yaezashi-san will have to buy rental ship No. 10."

"Wait—what? I’m already drowning in debt. I can’t afford to buy a ship!"

"Yes, we’re fully aware of that. So the administrative body made a reluctant decision.

The administrative body will cover the 100 million G rental fee for Ship 10.

Since the hangar usage fee falls under administrative jurisdiction, it's free of charge.

But until this debt is paid off, Ms. Yaebaru will be working nonstop for SFO!

No task refusal allowed!»

I’d just piled on another 100 million G in debt.

“If it’s possible, please let me pay the enrollment fee first… I’m begging you…”

I hung my head.

“Tough break, huh. But a major concession, right?”

Mina patted my shoulders with cheerful little pats.

“How did this even happen?!”

I couldn’t help shouting.

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