Episode 61: The Mini Battleship Still Under Construction

After purchasing souvenirs for Ida and Oine, Dawson and Oine had nothing left to do but pass the time.

The Mini Battleship was still under construction, and personnel selection for boarding had not yet been finalized. Dawson had no assigned duties.

He had nothing to do but occupy himself.

He read e-books in the hotel room aboard the space station 'Wagoyama,' exercised at the hotel gym, toured the home planet of the Amato Imperial Japan, and conducted live-fire drills, mini battleship maneuvering practice, and fleet simulations at military facilities.

Oine followed Dawson around, always smiling and clearly amused.

A month passed since Dawson and Oine had returned to the home planet of the Amato Imperial Japan.

According to schedule, the miniature battleship should have been completed within this month. Dawson and Oine arrived at Dock Four of the Wago Yamu.

"Apologies. Construction is only eighty percent complete."

Himenā's words caused Dawson to lower his shoulders.

"I was told to expect delays of one month. Still, why is construction behind schedule?"

"That is... well..."

Himenā hesitated, then spoke with difficulty.

"In truth, the blueprints contain flaws. The artificial intelligences managing the dock apparently could not accept these, so they made adjustments as needed during construction."

"New designs often lack refinement. But is it acceptable for them to make changes without authorization?"

"It is not ideal. However, the battleship's performance affects the lives of its crew. The artificial intelligences refuse to proceed with 'shortcuts' as specified in the blueprints."

Is it negligence to leave fixable components uncorrected?

The artificial intelligences take pride in their work. Also, it was always understood that completing the work in one month was difficult. The lack of a clearly defined deadline contributed to the current situation.

I understand the circumstances...

Dawson felt a sense of dread at the thought that he would have to pass the time with further distractions. He reconsidered. That thought was unacceptable.

No. They are trying to build a good battleship. Gratitude is owed for their effort. But make sure to produce an accurate final set of battleship blueprints after each correction. If the new design differs too greatly from the original, repair becomes impossible later. That would be counterproductive.

That concern is addressed. The blueprints are updated with every modification.

Himena has taken responsibility. Dawson ceased worrying.

Eighty percent completion in one month implies the remaining twenty percent will require approximately eight days of work.

Dawson considered how to occupy the spare time, then suddenly recalled.

"Has the selection of personnel for the battleship been finalized?"

Himena summoned a spatial projection monitor and displayed an image.

"Two personnel from the rear command center have been decided. These are the individuals."

Two images appeared on the screen: a bus photo and a headshot.

One was a man named Hitokane Iwa. Advanced age, white hair, deeply lined face—close to retirement. Rank: Sergeant. Career history included continuous service in hull repair duties across multiple vessels. Recognized for long-term performance, promoted to Sergeant. Transferred to the rear command center due to approaching retirement.

The other name is Kiyoka Chosugab. Age eighteen. Male, with gender designation listed, yet appears only as a girl with a bob cut. New recruit from the juvenile academy, rank private first class. Service record shows assignment to radar operations on a single destroyer, transferred to the rear command center within a year. Reason for transfer: temporarily relocated to the rear command center after experiencing sexual harassment from the female captain of the destroyer.

"Repair officer and radar operator? Quite a promising pair. Are these two the final selection?"

"These two are confirmed. Both have accepted assignment to the Orion Arm."

"A veteran nearing retirement and a promising young recruit?"

"Confirmed. Sergeant Hikane lost his wife and wished to remain in active service, as he could not rely on his son and daughter-in-law for care upon retirement. Assignment to the Orion Arm is a special duty. His retirement is deferred as long as he remains on active duty."

"What about Kiwaka, First Class?"

"Mr. Kiwaka, a strikingly handsome young man, was frequently targeted by both male and female peers since childhood. His destroyer's Captain, captivated by his appearance, attempted misconduct using his authority. This was prevented in advance by the destroyer's onboard artificial intelligence, which reported the incident."

"How does that connect to his assignment to the Orion Arm?"

"Private Kyowaka wished to be assigned to a unit where artificial intelligence was heavily utilized, and specifically requested not to be under an officer who targeted his own body. He said he would accept any posting if that were possible. The Orion Arm's Chicken Ball employs numerous artificial intelligences, and Special Lieutenant Dawson has no interest in a handsome physique, does he?"

"I have no intention of interfering with someone who does not find me appealing. Not even if they were the most beautiful woman the universe had ever seen."

"Indeed. After all, I've personally crafted Oine's body to be a perfect young girl, and yet you've shown no interest in her sexually."

Himenan's words made Dawson glance sharply at her.

"Wait. Is Oine's body being so strikingly beautiful due to your personal preference—or is it part of an experiment to test whether I'm sexually irresponsible?"

You’ve correctly identified it. The purpose is twofold: to create the most beautiful and strongest body according to my specifications, and to assess whether Kiwaka Private First Class can work comfortably under Special Lieutenant Dawson’s command.

Knowing the circumstances, Dawson hesitated to protest, but stopped himself.

Regardless of the situation, he had come to understand through living together in the hotel room that Oine genuinely preferred her own body.

“Never mind. Can I meet these two individuals?”

“It is not possible for now. HitoKane Sergeant is currently on leave, traveling to a distant star system to inform his son and daughter-in-law, who reside there. As for Kiwaka Private First Class, the military tribunal regarding the harassment charge against Captain is nearing conclusion. Until then, witness protection is in effect.”

“In that case, there’s nothing to be done. What about the other three, who are said to be coming from another department?”

“If you’re satisfied with rumors, then information is available.”

Himenaa manipulated the monitor, displaying the face photos of three individuals.

"Rank order: Lieutenant Colonel Goudo Mujiko, Major Aifo Niyumi, Lieutenant Ghei Ikezu."

Lieutenant Colonel Goudo Mujiko was a well-built middle-aged man with a mustache and a beard at the chin. He came from a high noble family, but held a low inheritance claim. His career path had progressed from command of a supply vessel to leadership of a garrison fleet responsible for maintaining peace, before assuming command of a logistics satellite.

Major Aifo Niyumi was a woman in her thirties, distinguished by sharp eyes. Her career trajectory matched Lieutenant Colonel Goudo Mujiko's exactly, indicating she served as his subordinate.

Lieutenant Gai was a man in his late twenties with a gentle, raccoon-like face. He served as a helmsman on destroyers and Orbit Patrol Cruisers, and distinguished himself during combat with the SU Fleet advancing toward Amato Arm. His performance at the helm earned significant recognition, leading to his promotion from Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant. Subsequently, he became a helmsman aboard a supply vessel stationed at the material accumulation satellite under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Goudo. Eventually, he was assigned as the helmsman of Goudo’s flagship.

"Judging by this record, all three seem like personnel sidelined from the main career path."

"According to intelligence gathered by the rear operations room, despite their noble birth and career background that both aristocratic and military factions could recommend, they are individuals whose absence would not noticeably affect operations."

Sending them to the Orion Arm causes no real harm to any faction. Yet their accomplishments at Chicken Ball can be claimed as the faction’s own. A low risk, high return strategy, in essence.

Colonel Goudo has declined the transfer to the Orion Arm, but that will not be permitted. Chicken Ball is a fortress satellite. According to Amato Navy regulations, the commander must hold a general officer rank.

Placing Colonel Goudo as the commander of the captured pirate base?

The rear operations room does not see it that way. But the noble and military factions do. As base commander, he would naturally become Special Lieutenant Dawson’s superior.

An elegant plan. But I do not believe it will succeed.

Because the Special Lieutenant refuses to comply?

In my case, I could always leave the Chicken Ball and turn pirate if needed. But I doubt pirates would recognize someone who just appeared as a base commander. Not even the artificial intelligences maintaining the Chicken Ball would accept that.

"Three colonels, like Goard, wouldn’t be able to do anything even if they went to the Chicken Ball?"

"Start by blending in as subordinates of the administrator. That might make them accept us. Whether the colonel would allow such behavior, I don’t know."

Dawson continued studying the three faces in the photo.

Himenah had called them rumors. But people so disposable were rare. He felt certain this would be finalized. He was certain.