Episode 62: Crew Members, Present

When construction of the small battleship reached ninety percent, two new individuals appeared in the control room of Dock Four.

"Private First Class Hitokane Iwa. Reporting for duty."

"Private First Class Kiwaka Chosugab. Pleased to meet you!"

Dawson thought, first, that their presence differed from the pre-arrival profile.

Hitokane appeared aged in facial features, but the body below the neck was muscular, resembling a bodybuilder.

Kiwaka was known to be male, yet possessed a delicate, youthful facial appearance. Dawson had not expected such a slender frame or small stature. The build matched Oine’s, but the skeletal structure was distinctly male. No concern over gender deception.

Dawson maintained this observation while returning a formal salute, as protocol required.

"Special Lieutenant Dawson Eida. The battleship under construction is designed to operate with minimal crew. I intend for the two of you to play active roles. I expect results."

After the salute, Dawson relaxed his posture and extended a hand.

Hito Kane responded immediately, gripping Dawson’s hand with the firmness of a hull repair officer.

Kiwaka hesitated, as if the memory of harassment by a female captain still haunted her. She hesitated, then resolved herself and took Dawson’s hand with both of hers.

Dawson felt pity at the intensity of her grip.

"You don't need to be so afraid. My romantic interest lies in women. I have no intention of touching men."

Dawson stated plainly. Kiwaka blinked in surprise, then lowered her eyes, embarrassed.

Her posture resembled that of a timid girl, and seemed remarkably delicate.

The sight of both men and women evoking protective instincts was not lost on Dawson, but he deliberately ignored it. He sensed that Kiwaka herself did not wish to be protected.

When Dawson and Kiwaka released their handshake, Oine suddenly appeared from behind Dawson.

"I am here for Dawson, you know. Even if I am charming, I do not succumb to the allure of the same gender."

Kiwaka’s expression shifted to surprise and confusion at Oine’s words.

Dawson felt unjustly slandered and decided to reprimand Oine.

"Stop speaking that way. There’s nothing between Oine and me."

"Really? You didn’t just call me your partner?"

"Just professionally. I never said I meant it personally."

"Unfair. I demand a gentle head stroke!"

"Yes, yes. Is this enough?"

"Your technique is careless! I demand a reattempt!"

HitoKane looked at them as if watching grandchildren, while Kiwaka could not help but laugh.

At that moment, the atmosphere relaxed. Dawson turned back to HitoKane and Kiwaka.

"Have you both considered it? There is another passenger aboard besides us."

"We know. Only higher-ranking individuals come aboard."

"I've reviewed the documents. I'm somewhat concerned."

"Concerned about what?"

"If they're sending someone of higher rank, it might mean they're targeting a takeover."

Hearing Kiwaka's concern, Dawson exchanged a glance with Oine and smiled.

"A takeover, huh. We could let them try. But, no—better not."

"Yes. Causing unnecessary disruption would only harm us."

Kiwaka looked confused by the two of them, their expressions oddly entertaining.

Dawson gestured an apology, then explained.

"The Captain of a battleship under construction is me. And the Captain is treated as the highest authority aboard, regardless of rank. That means I can refuse orders."

"Let me clarify—when someone higher in rank makes unreasonable demands, I have the authority to detain them for the safety of the vessel."

"In short, no one, not even a rear admiral or major, can act within the ship unless they are quiet. You need not worry."

"If they attempt physical action, the ship's security robots will suppress them. No danger."

Kiwaka seemed relieved by Dawson's explanation.

The conversation had progressed to a point where Dawson and the others were relaxed. The atmosphere was such that the suggestion to dine somewhere together after their initial meeting arose naturally.

The moment was broken by the opening of the control room door at Dock Four.

Three crew members emerged—those from the rear operations center, the subject of their earlier discussion.

"Ah, ah—already gathered, I see. Impressive."

Goud Mujiko Lieutenant Colonel entered, stroking his goatee, his plump belly swaying as he moved.

Behind him, after scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes, came Ifo Niimi Captain, turning to face Dawson and the others.

"Here is the Lieutenant Colonel. Greet him with a salute immediately. First impressions are the most important thing."

Dawson, Hitokane, and Kiwaka salute upon Ifo's instruction. Dawson's salute is precise, as trained. Hitokane's is relaxed, seasoned by long service. Kiwaka's is stiff, at odds with her delicate appearance.

Ifo nods, satisfied with their salute. Goudo returns it with an exaggerated, pompous posture.

Immediately after, a loud voice echoes through the control room.

"Whoa! Is that the new battleship? I heard it was under construction, but damn, it's almost finished!"

The excited voice belongs to Zeei. The man in his thirties, plump and middle-aged, bounces with childlike glee at the sight of the battleship through the control room window.

Goudo exhales, exasperated by the display.

“Gai-kun’s driving skills are solid. If not for his excessive fondness for this battleship, he wouldn’t have been sidelined from mainstream operations.”

“That’s not a habit. It’s a fixation. Go do not involve yourself, Captain.”

“Still, he is my subordinate.”

“Then avoid unnecessary involvement.”

Goudo and Aifo speak sharply, but Gai-kun shows no sign of concern.

Dawson and the others exchange uncertain expressions, puzzled by Goudo’s relationship with Aifo.

Goudo approaches the window, speaking to Aifo, watching the battleship’s construction.

“Hmph. So this is my battleship, then.”

Dawson corrects him quickly.

“Excuse me, but I have decided that I am the captain of that ship.”

Goudo’s face registers surprise at Dawson’s words.

"Is that so?"

"That vessel was constructed from the Rear Operations Office's budget. If so, it follows that the Rear Operations Office should designate the responsible officer."

"Yet, the rank required to command a battleship is officially lieutenant general or higher."

"Though the vessel is named 'battleship,' it is a prototype and its size is only that of an orbit patrol cruiser. If considered not officially a battleship, and given the specialized nature of the assigned mission, it is not unreasonable for an officer of captain rank to serve as captain."

"Your reasoning is sharp. But I have been ordered to assume command of this mission. If I am the responsible officer, does that not make me the captain of the battleship?"

"That is a misunderstanding. There is a base at that location. If designated as the responsible officer, my role would be as base commander, not captain of the battleship."

Goude was silent, turning to Ifo for guidance.

Ifo, however, seemed to agree with Dawson’s argument, leaving the conversation to Goude.

"Indeed, Lord Goude, you were the responsible officer for the supply base. Given your history, it would be more appropriate for you to command the outpost."

"Is that so? Well, I suppose it cannot be helped. I shall entrust the captaincy of the battleship to Dawson."

Goude appeared pleased, retracting his earlier statement and turning his attention solely to the sight of the battleship under construction.

Ifo watched him with a faint smile, then cast a cold glance at Dawson. It said, 'Do not get overconfident.'

Then, Jiea, seemingly unsatisfied with merely observing the construction, began questioning Himeina, the dock's responsible officer.

Dawson exhaled quietly, thinking he would have to serve aboard this ship with these three people.