I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Being Able to Act in a Way That’s Beyond Imagination Isn’t Always a Good Thing
  It was eerie.
  The Trismegistus and Mirandora’s renovations were proceeding smoothly, with only a day or two left in the process.
  Furthermore, some of the Rebel Army’s forces had begun to join up at the fortress base.
  Every time that happened, Shougo had to repeat meetings and adjustments, and it was strange how he was getting used to it, but during that time, there was no attack from New Balance at all.
  On the contrary, their continued silence was even more eerie.
  
  “I often think that it’s because the situation is chaotic that I’ve been able to use my head somehow.”
  
  Shougo blurted out during the meeting.
  
  “The mere fact that the enemy isn’t moving makes me strangely nervous. My head is filled with unpleasant thoughts.”
  “I understand that thought, Captain Jowain.”
  
  Provisionally, Lopes was acting as the representative of the Rebel Army.
  A meeting with the actual representative was scheduled for the near future, but even the Rebel Army was wary of this lack of movement.
  
  “Even though we’ve captured the fortress, it’s just a remote base in the end. We have plenty of resources, but from the perspective of the Earth forces, it’s probably small. But, there’s a matter of face. And, as a result of this incident, there have been people within New Balance who have rebelled against them. There are even those who criticize them by name.”
  
  That was a good move.
  However, it was still eerie that New Balance hadn’t retaliated against it.
  
  “It’s good to have more allies…… but that should provoke the enemy in some way. Yet, they’re doing nothing…… Hmm?”
  
  Shougo recalled his fading memories of the anime.
  Now, in the latter half and final episode of the story, the Rebel Army and New Balance did have a large-scale battle.
  However, that was a battle between the fleet led by Anferu and the Rebel Army, where the Trismegistus showed off its gravity manipulation and escaped a desperate situation.
  But, such a development would probably disappear now. The Trismegistus, which was clearly trying to achieve a different evolution, and the power balance that was different from the original anime.
  It might be a small thing, but it would lead to a big difference.
  At least in the original story, a rebellion of this scale hadn’t happened, and there was no existence of a girl named Franny.
  That’s why it was unpredictable.
  
  “They must be doing something, but it’s unsettling that their purpose is uncertain.”
  
  Janet also seemed to be suspicious.
  
  “It’s reasonable to assume that they’re also reinforcing their forces…… but I wonder if there’s any point in doing that.”
  “They still have the upper hand in terms of military strength…… Are they devising a strategy to completely overturn our information warfare?”
  
  Shougo tried to lighten the tense atmosphere with a joke, but Janet, Lopes, and the other high-ranking officers all frowned as if it was a realistic idea.
  
  “Honestly, Captain Jowain, that’s the most likely scenario. Commander Fauden is a man whose thoughts are completely unreadable beneath that iron mask. And then there’s Dr. Phoenix. Nine times out of ten, those two are connected behind the scenes. Two old geezers with crazy ideas, they’re not planning anything good.”
  
  Lopes’ words carried weight. Perhaps it was because they were the words of a warrior who had fought against New Balance as a rebel for a long time.
  Even so, they still couldn’t say what they would specifically do.
  After all, if there was no action, they would be moving unnecessarily, and that could potentially unravel the unity that was finally being born.
  It was improper, but it would be easier to move if something happened.
  
  “Speaking of which, we’re planning to take independent action as soon as the renovations are complete.”
  
  However, not moving was also a meaningless action.
  Shougo had grown into a more proactive person without even realizing it. That’s why he was able to make such a statement.
  
  “Even though it happened by chance, we’re space pirates. It wouldn’t look good if pirates stayed under the umbrella of the military forever. There were privateers in the past, but that’s different from the general public’s image of pirates.”
  
  Shougo was self-deprecating about that part.
  
  “But it’s not just about looking cool or saving face. The Trismegistus will be a decoy, and thanks to it, we have more striking power than just being a fleet. Besides, the Mirandora’s renovations are also geared towards independent action. We want to move like that and investigate New Balance’s movements from the shadows.”
  
  Of course, he knew that this move was dangerous, but considering public appearances, it was better for pirates to remain pirates.
  A righteous third party. A chivalrous thief. A mysterious informant. The Space Pirates Hermes had to be that, and if possible, they also wanted to obtain evidence of New Balance’s tyranny.
  For that purpose, organized military activities would be a hindrance.
  But at the same time, he couldn’t deny that he wanted to be free from the constraints of being part of an organization and to be in a position that was one step removed from simply being an internal conflict between organizations.
  
  “Well, but you’ll have to meet with our representative. Like pirates, you’ll have to make a backroom deal, right?”
  
  Shougo nodded at Lopes’ words.
  That’s because he thought it was the right thing to do.
  
  “Of course. We wouldn’t want to be disposed of after you take power, would we?”
  
  This was also said jokingly. Lopes seemed to understand that and grinned.
  
  “You’re an interesting man. If I were a little younger, you know?”
  “You’d better not. When I went to his room to pick him up, I was glared at by a scary woman.”
  
  Janet laughed, clearing her throat.
  
  “Hey, that’s not something you should say here.”
  
  It happened that Janet had visited his room during a series of meetings. It was just a business matter, and there was nothing special about it, but Yuri was in the room at the time.
  Then, Yuri looked terribly shocked, and as he headed to the meeting, he felt a piercing gaze on his back.
  When he asked Janet about it later, she said that Yuri had looked like she was about to stab him.
  “Oh? Did you pick up a woman?”
  
  Lopes had the look of a middle-aged woman who liked to gossip.
  
  “What’s wrong with that? I’m a single nobleman at this age. I thought it would be nice to experience a romance or two.”
  
  And Shougo, being Shougo, could give this answer because he was somewhat defiant.
  To be honest, he was also a little bit elated.
  
  “Well, more importantly, when will the said representative arrive?”
  “Let’s see…… It could be as early as tomorrow. They’re busy people too. But don’t expect too much from them, even if they’re rebels. They’re like a gathering of philistines. They just have relatively better ideas, that’s all.”
  “That’s enough. People who are too clean are often more useless. A little bit of dirtiness is more suitable for this kind of movement.”
  
  As the meeting was nearing its end.
  Whether by chance or as if it had been planned, there was movement on the New Balance side.
  It was a broadcast of the Commander’s speech.
  
  『──Fifteen years have passed since New Balance was formed and I assumed the position of Commander. I believe that the fact that rebels are still rampant in space, acting like parasites that only consume resources unnecessarily and stirring up anxiety among the people, is due to our leniency and our own shortcomings.』
  
  From the very beginning, Commander Fauden’s words were powerful.
  
  『At the same time, regarding the temporary freeze on the planetary development project that I always propose, the incompetent politicians who are obsessed with money continue to dream and refuse to look at their feet. The reason I have set up this occasion today is because I want to once again make everyone aware of the current state of the Earth.』
  
  To be honest, Shougo was hoping that the Commander would make some kind of slip-up soon.
  But he thought that the opponent wouldn’t make such a mistake, and even if he did, he wouldn’t care.
  At the same time, it would be informative to learn what this man had to say.
  
  『You are all aware that the taxes you pay to live are increasing year by year, but in the end, those taxes are also used for space development projects. Of course, our military is also supported by your hard-earned money, but even if we spend money like water on planetary development, it will never be returned. Out of these 192 planets, only a dozen or so have succeeded in resource development. It’s not even close. It’s terrible. So, what’s happening to Earth in the meantime? We give the remaining few resources to planets far away, and we get complaints. Resources, money, and people are being taken away. As a result, what has happened to this planet? An increase in the low-income population, a widening gap between rich and poor, and the fact that no protection is provided to the socially vulnerable. The same is true for the increase in taxes. We borrow your strength to counter the expanding planetary development areas and the Rebel Army, but it breaks my heart to think that this is hurting you year after year.』
  
  His raw words were radical, but on the other hand, they also spoke the truth, which made them even worse.
  However, the content wasn’t that different from his previous speeches.
  
  『To be honest, our military is in dire straits. No matter how many soldiers we train and weapons we develop, we cannot manage all the ever-expanding settlements. People are people. They are not tireless, and Earth does not have the resources to waste on such things. That is why I have launched the Noah Project. I will explain the details later, but let me just say that this is a necessary plan for us humans and the Earth to live in peace, and to eliminate the waste of development. In addition, for this plan, I have decided to go to the Al Minar sector. This will be the last time I go into space. And I want to tell you that I will take a step towards returning you to a peaceful life.』
  
  The base was buzzing with his statement.
  
  “This means…… that the enemy’s commander-in-chief is coming out.”
  
  Shougo’s words were what everyone present felt.
  
  “But the Al Minar sector? Why?”
  
  The Noah Project he mentioned might also be something to be wary of. It was unclear whether it was a military operation or not. Above all, it was unsettling that he didn’t reveal the details.
  As the speech continued, a Rebel soldier came into the briefing room and whispered something to Lopes.
  Upon hearing that, Lopes’ face showed surprise, and then she sighed.
  
  “What’s wrong?”
  “Well, the higher-ups on our side are planning a surprise attack. Against something as obvious a trap as this?”
  “So they’re deliberately stepping into a trap?”
  “I hear there’s going to be a fleet review. And the Al Minar sector is their territory. We know the security is tight. That’s why they’re saying they’re going to enter the tiger’s den.”
  “……It sounds like we’re being asked to cooperate.”
  “That’s probably what they’re thinking. But, I have a bad feeling about this.”
  
  He agreed with that.
  
  “I don’t think he’ll do anything reckless…… but that Fauden is going into space? There’s no way that guy, whose thoughts are unreadable, would go into space without thinking.”
  “From what I’ve been hearing, Captain Lopes, you seem to know Fauden well?”
  “Of course I do. It was decades ago, but I was that man’s woman. Well, it was when we were young, and our social statuses were different, so we broke up, and after that, he got married and had children.”