027 Idol Arc 3: A Fleet of One

Sorry I’m late.

I was aiming to post before two o’clock.

I passed the second round of the idol audition.

Probably some kind of mistake, so I sent a resignation email.

I applied for fleet communications, not idol work.

Right now I’m at home on Earth, so I’m checking up on audition info via Earth’s net.

Can’t connect directly from the station to Earth’s net.

Apparently they keep it closed off—safety over convenience, since it’d be a mess if classified data leaked too easily.

So I’m researching from home, but the recruitment for the idol fleet was pretty big.

Seems President Kamizawa came up with the idea: become an SFO pro-gamer, use an avatar, and suddenly idols are singing and dancing in space.

Looks like the plan is to host a recital using simulation footage and ramp up promotional activities.

These days, it's called the Idol Warring States era—idol groups are everywhere.

To stand out, you use whatever tools you’ve got, no holds barred.

Getting on a TV key channel? Only top-tier agency idols or some national-level group gets that shot.

If you’re desperate, the best you can hope for is a web show or a local idol appearing on a regional station.

SFO’s basically a global on-demand broadcast network.

If game replays can be repurposed into idol promo videos, that’s a win.

President Kamizawa was apparently an SFO pro-gamer originally—no surprise she came up with this angle.

Tried to turn the agency’s existing three-idol group into pro-gamers, and planned to pick two more from experienced pro-gamers to boost the team.

(See? Definitely a girl group.)

Communications duty meant being the sound tech for their entertainment act.

Why the hell was that resume mixed in with idol auditions?

Good thing I rejected it right away.

Today I’m heading over to the executive branch to talk to Minna.

Main question: can a single-ship fleet actually function? Can we operate RIO unmanned?

I’d rather not fight multiple ships with a lightly armed Personal Ship, but if we can use unmanned vessels, it’s not impossible.

If we can just hold our own a little better, maybe we’ll get picked up by another fleet.

Even if we lose, it’s all simulated—no real damage, not even if we’re blown to bits.

Even if I lose, I still want to take part.

I used my wristband to teleport to the station's administrative district.

Moved to the administrative tower and had Minna called to the front desk.

Might as well rent a conversation booth while I'm at it.

Minna arrived.

"Ah, Akira-san? What is it, nya?"

As usual, Minna asked.

"I need to talk about something. I already reserved a conversation booth—can we go there?"

"Secret talk, nya? Fine, nya."

Minna gave a knowing look and headed toward the booth.

She glanced around cautiously before sitting down.

No need to go that far, but it’s cute, so whatever.

I slid in beside her and put on a serious face.

"Actually..."

"(gulp) Actually, what, nya?"

"It's about the fleet...?"

"The fleet? What about it, nya?"

"Can you really call yourself a fleet with just one ship?"

"Meow? That's it?"

"No, it's not just that..."

"Figures. What is it, meow?"

Play it cool for a sec.

"Can you operate a ship without a crew?"

"What the heck is that ordinary question—!"

"Sorry, I was just messing with you."

Guess I went too far.

Mina gave me a half-annoyed, half-explanatory look.

"A fleet can be formed with just one ship.

But in individual duels, you might get forced into a one-vs-many fight depending on your opponent. Can't complain, though.

In simulation tournaments, you can make up the number of ships using NPC vessels.

Those NPC ships are unmanned. Their brains control them, so they have avatars too."

If a ship has a brain controlling it and an avatar, then RIO’s the same, right?

I ask Minna, hoping I can use Rio.

"Could I maybe use Rio as that NPC ship?"

Minna tries to recall, searching her memory.

"Rio was originally a guild NPC ship. I just called it a rental ship because I was lending it out.

But since it's grown into a full-fledged vessel, it's not really an NPC ship anymore."

That’s good to hear.

You can form a fleet with just one ship.

In individual duels, you’re forced into one-on-many matchups depending on your opponent.

In simulation tournaments, you can use NPC ships to fill in numbers.

Rio can be used as an NPC ship.

Using a Rio that I can personally grow as an NPC ship? That’d be a real ambush tactic.

"Though... that only works within the simulation space (or so I’m told). In real combat, Rio still needs a pilot."

"Nah, good to know it actually works in the simulation tournament. Thanks, man."

(Alright, now I can field a fleet even if I’m solo.)

Standardized the label from "Free Duel" to "Individual Duel."