Episode 5: Ship Control and Communication Artificial Intelligence <>

This is the second update today.

Those who have not read the previous episode, please take note.

Dawson entered the dry dock and swam through the microgravity space, docking onto the exterior hull of his vessel.

Normally, the entrance to a small spacecraft is located at the center. However, the <> is filled with propulsion units and generators in the rear half of the hull. Therefore, the entrance was constructed near the bow—behind the eye, in the gill region.

Using a physical key for electronic authentication, Dawson opened the entrance and entered the ship. The interior corridor lacked gravity generators due to spatial constraints, so microgravity persisted inside the vessel.

The corridor is a single path toward the ship's owner. Toward the stern, complex corridors extend in multiple directions.

Accessible areas for crew extend only to the bridge and the Captain's quarters toward the ship's owner. In the opposite direction, toward the stern, lie the propulsion systems and generators, along with their associated transmission systems, and numerous maintenance access points.

Along the corridor, a space equivalent to one hardcover book's width exists at regular intervals, positioned at one of the four corners. These are intersections between the hull repair robot pathways and the corridor. Repair robots emerge when required to perform maintenance.

Dawson kicked off the corridor wall and moved toward the bow. He passed the Captain's quarters and entered the bridge.

The bridge wall opened, revealing a large metal chair with a backrest and a cluster of physical monitors surrounding it. Walking through the artificially gravity-controlled interior, Dawson circled the chair from the side and settled into the seat. The cushion felt better than the one he had specified—soft enough to support his body without discomfort, even after extended periods.

As he tested the seating, a high-pitched voice echoed through the bridge.

‘Welcome! Welcome to the privateer vessel *Mandible*! Greetings, Lieutenant Dawson Eida! No—Captain Dawson!’

The voice struck like a blow to the eardrum. Dawson instinctively pressed one hand against his ear and shouted in protest.

‘Who the hell is that! Get out of my head!’

'Who else could it be! This is the ship's control AI, designated for Captain Dawson, default name "Omoikane"!'

'You're the AI from before. I've heard of the control system, but what does "communication" mean?'

'The ship is designed for single occupancy. Law mandates that a conversational AI be onboard to maintain the captain's mental health. Therefore, the control AI, Omoikane, has been equipped with conversational programming. How is it, Captain? Personality and voice perfectly tailored for you. Aren't you pleased?'

'Perfect for me? This painful anime voice and excessively annoying tone? Is that your diagnosis?'

'Created from your Officer Academy data. No errors possible!'

Dawson felt a weariness he could not quite name, yet he grasped, in a vague way, the reason behind the diagnosis.

Dawson did not find solitude burdensome. He had once taken joy in spending time alone, even building a secret base in the gaps between buildings during his time in the orphanage.

Because Dawson did not find solitude burdensome, he did not consider conversation with others necessary.

To force communication with such a person, two traits were required: a high-pitched voice impossible to miss, and a personality that grew endlessly annoying if ignored.

In short, the AI’s voice and personality were a precise reflection of the diagnosis.

Dawson had roughly anticipated these circumstances. He exhaled.

Understood. Understood, so lower your volume a bit. No need for such a loud voice on a bridge this small. And it's not captain—Dawson is fine. Just you and me on this ship. We should be relaxed with each other.

Yes? If that’s the case, I’ll take you up on that, Dawson. Ah, it’s pleasant to have someone who understands. Oimokane is happy.

Since we’re at it, let’s change your name too. Take the first, middle, and last characters—how about Oine?

Dawson had meant it as a temporary name, a joke until he gave it a proper one. But the artificial intelligence reacted with unexpected delight.

Oine? Yes, that’s good. I like it! From now on, I am Oine!

…Speaking of which, are you sure this is really okay? You can change it to something else if you want.

No, this is fine. It is old-fashioned, yet familiar. Changing it to anything else would be unthinkable.

I see. If you are happy with it, then that name will do.

Dawson felt unsettled, but directed his focus toward the mission.

So, we will escape from the Amato arm aboard this vessel and proceed toward the TR (True Lights) sector in the Orion arm. Do you have the route mapped?

Of course. The sector controlled by TR extends a quarter of the way from the galactic center in the Orion arm. Therefore, our ship will move through the Amato arm toward the galactic center, perform a long-range jump from the frontier point, and enter the Orion arm. This way, we can reach TR without entering SU (Space Union) territory, and do so safely.

The route is clear. The only remaining concern is the language of the Orion Arm. I happen to not know what language it is, but is that a problem?

Both the SU and TR, as well as the Imperial Heiwa, originated from Earth immigrants. Their shared language is broadly similar. Communication will not be impossible. However, speaking the Heiwa language directly may result in too strong an accent to be understood.

You're saying if we can't communicate, we won't be able to obtain a privateer license in TR?

No need to worry. To avoid detection of accent, use a mask with translation function. Adding voice modulation allows masking Dawson’s facial and vocal identification. This is recommended.

A mask, you say. What kind of appearance is it?

Given the ship’s name, the <>, it should match that name—how about this?

The mask displayed on the physical monitor showed a half-white, half-black design. The white section had only holes for the eyes, simple in construction. The black section featured a design reminiscent of a caterpillar’s jaw.

‘What do you think of this mask? Doesn’t it immediately suggest ‘jaw’? If we name the ship ≪Jaw≫ after this mask’s appearance, the impact on anyone who hears it will be strong.’

‘I see. Good. Have it made with this design.’

‘Wait, really? I was just joking?’

‘No. I like it. Seeing this mask even once makes the jaw impression clear. If we’re going to build a name as pirates, such an impression is necessary.’

‘If Dawson approves, then it’s fine. Still, something feels off.’

Oine manipulated the hull-repair robot, carving lightweight, durable material from the repair compound, integrating a voice-modulating and translation device, and completing the mask. The entire process took just over ten minutes.

"Preparations for departure are complete. Good. Initiate the ship's furnace."

"Understood, Dawson. Fusion generator activated. Direct conversion of fusion heat into mechanical drive energy—normal. Propulsion system, jump system, Main Cannon auxiliary charge unit, and all other systems receiving power—full startup. Hull integrity check—no anomalies. All green!"

"Contact dock control. Inform them our vessel is ready for departure. Also contact the monitoring station at Dock Four. Thank them for the good ship—relay that message to Lieutenant Himenan."

Request acknowledged. Clearance for departure at any time from control. Received also a reply from Technician Sergeant Himenan: safe journey and good fortune.

Then, departure begins immediately. First voyage—let’s make a joke of it.

Dock door confirmed open. Vessel <> initiating departure. Dawson, take the control yoke.

Affirmative. Minimum forward thrust.

<>’s thrusters ignite. The securing clamps release from the small craft. The hull lifts into space. Slowly, the vessel moves toward the opened dock door.

Check all systems again. Initiate reactor and thrusters. Confirm no faults.

Recheck complete. All systems green. No faults. Proceed without issue.

Understood. Then, slight increase in speed.

From minimum to half speed—slow as a turtle, then smooth as a fish swimming through water.

The small craft glided smoothly through the center of the dock, passed through the portal, and advanced into the true cosmos.

"Accelerate to original speed. Route set: to the farthest developed planet located in the direction of the galactic center of the Amato arm. This is a maiden voyage. We proceed step by step—short range, long range, ultra-long range—using spatial jumps, or warps."

"Route setting and task acknowledged. Route configured for short, long, and ultra-long range jumps to destination."

"Ensure the jump destination is set to a developed planet or artificial habitation satellite, in case of a jump failure and need for rescue?"

"Rest assured. If we couldn't manage such basic consideration, we would not survive as a communication AI."

"Reliable, but I would have preferred you claim the designation of ship control systems at least."

Dawson felt a lack of resolve when dealing with Oine, yet he accelerated the <> toward its destination and maneuvered the jump drive, transferring the vessel from normal space into jump space.