I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Operation Desmarch is Underway, Take a Break, Rebel Army
  Space Pirates Hermes.
  Shougo thinks he came up with a good name, but in reality, he has a strong belief that if there’s a machine called Trismegistus, the organization that owns it should be called Hermes because it sounds better.
  For better or worse, it’s a glimpse of his original, slightly nerdy side. But anyway, if you’re going to name an anti-state organization, you might as well go all out.
  In fact, he thinks it’s even more unnatural that the Rebel Army in the original anime doesn’t have a name.
  
  “Now, we’ve finally declared war as the Space Pirates Hermes, but……”
  
  It was three hours after the video was spread.
  The Mirandora had moved out of the sector for the time being and was hiding in a convenient small asteroid debris belt. Though they were called asteroids, they varied in size, and the distance between them was large, making it a complex and not-so-convenient place to hide.
  Still, they could secure the hull and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
  After all, they’re going to have to cut back on a lot of things from now on.
  
  “The immediate problem is the fact that we are currently isolated and without support.”
  
  Shougo looked at the key members gathered in the briefing room and gauged their reactions.
  They had put on a brave face and thrown mud at New Balance, but there was no denying that their actions were driven by personal feelings and momentum.
  Of course, it was also true that this was what they were going to do anyway.
  This was originally supposed to be a joint operation with Lopes’s Rebel Army unit, with the premise of receiving support from the Rebel Army.
  However, it is currently unknown what has become of Lopes’s unit.
  
  “I think Janet’s fleet has occupied Byblos. Considering the state of that destroyer, shouldn’t we assume that Lopes’s unit has been captured?”
  
  Major Kes said that, based on the circumstances, they had no choice but to assume so.
  The reason they are not contacting them is because if they were captured, there is a risk that their location could be traced from the communication logs.
  
  “Hmm…… that’s not good. We don’t have a connection with the Rebel Army. Lopes’s unit was supposed to be our point of contact. Major Kes, what’s the current status of the Mirandora’s supplies?”
  “We have enough food and drinks to last for a month. If we cut back, we can make it last for three months. We have plenty. I’d like to say that fuel is not a problem, but it really depends on the combat situation. To be honest, we’d like to replenish our ammunition as well.”
  “Sigh…… well, that’s to be expected.”
  
  In the end, replenishing supplies was the biggest concern.
  
  “……Should we give Trismegistus the materials and have it make something?”
  
  It would be great if it could come up with some amazing invention and break the deadlock.
  
  “No, I don’t think so.”
  
  But he couldn’t bring himself to rely on something so unpredictable and dangerous.
  He had taken gambles up until this point, but relying entirely on the incomprehensible functions of Trismegistus was like tap-dancing in a minefield.
  As for warping, if they could freely use the long-distance warp that Trismegistus performed, it would be quite reassuring, but it’s questionable whether it would go that smoothly.
  
  “By the way, Yuuki-kun. Is Thoth behaving himself?”
  “Y-yes! I told Anish to contact me if anything happens……”
  
  Yuuki was also participating in the meeting, full of motivation but still nervous. He had been incorporated into the Teurugia squad, in one way or another. Unfortunately, they are short on manpower. Even though they can’t trust Trismegistus, they ultimately have to consider it as a fighting force.
  
  “Hmm…… it doesn’t seem like it’s making anything on its own like the Doctors said, right?”
  
  One of the unsettling factors about Trismegistus and Thoth is the risk that they might create copies of themselves or something that shares their data. Thoth, the puppet machine, said that Trismegistus created it at some point.
  If that’s the case, Trismegistus must have some kind of internal production facility.
  However, it seems that the facilities are not enough to create a complete copy of itself.
  Therefore, for now, they should assume that there’s no need to worry about a second Trismegistus suddenly appearing.
  More than that, they need to be wary of it warping on its own, manipulating gravity with destructive power equivalent to the Planet Killer, and even manipulating machines electronically.
  
  “In the end, we have no choice but to use that machine. If we have time, we’ll have you participate in Teurugia squad training. Even if the machine specs are high, you’re an a*ateur, Yuuki-kun. I feel a bit uneasy about sending a child into battle……”
  
  Shougo thinks it’s a common cliché. Saying this becomes an excuse for sending children to the battlefield.
  Thinking about it calmly, this is a villainous tactic. He has to realize that he’s doing the same thing as Fauden and Anferu, the people he wants to punch.
  But at the same time, they might not be able to get through this situation without doing so.
  
  “I don’t mind. Even though I got dragged into this, I feel like it’ll be even more dangerous if I don’t take care of that incomprehensible machine…… and more than anything, I can’t just leave it alone.”
  “I’m sorry that you have to bear this responsibility as a child……”
  “It’s okay. In the end, if it’s come to this, there’s nothing else I can do. Besides, there are a lot of guys my age who join the military.”
  
  Shougo felt like his feelings were being considered.
  In the original story, Yuuki had no leeway, both emotionally and situationally, and was on the verge of being crushed by fear, anger, and his inherent sense of responsibility. Now, that has been alleviated.
  Shougo doesn’t flatter himself that it’s thanks to him, but if it is, he wants to keep it that way.
  He tells himself that this is what it means to be a responsible a*ult.
  
  “More importantly, Captain, what are we going to do about the main issue of supplies? Should we attack the military or something?”
  
  Mark’s suggestion is a bit reckless, but it’s something they should consider as an option.
  
  “Limited to New Balance, though.”
  “Of course. We’re space pirates! But we don’t attack civilians. Hahaha, it’s tough, isn’t it?”
  “It’s for a righteous cause. We’ll help the weak, you know. Besides, even though it’s not good to rely on it too much, using Trismegistus’ abilities will make surprise attacks easy. Kes, what do you think?”
  “I don’t think it’s a bad idea. The military is probably in a lot of chaos right now. In other words, there’s a possibility that they’re not well-organized.”
  
  Thanks to the pirate broadcast, the internet is in a frenzy.
  Anferu probably canceled his press conference in a hurry and is working on damage control.
  At the same time, it’s sowing discord within the military, and it will take time for them to regain proper coordination. Those who defect, and those who remain loyal. It will probably take a while for them to split into two factions.
  Also, New Balance will probably launch a counter-broadcast. Shougo can predict that the content will be that everything they’re saying is a lie and nonsense.
  
  “Now that Colonel Anferu, the de facto head of the military, is unable to move, this is a golden opportunity. Besides, I’m worried about Lopes’s unit. We can’t just leave them alone. More importantly, Dr. Phoenix, the developer of Trismegistus, is there. If he’s captured……”
  “Is there a possibility that a second Trismegistus could be physically created?”
  “Yes, but it will take time to reach Byblos from the current sector, even using warp. Besides, I’m not sure how much we can trust Trismegistus’ long-distance warp……”
  
  It’s not that they’re at a dead end, but they don’t know how to attack. In their current situation, you could say they have too many options.
  
  “As planned, I guess we have no choice but to head to Planet Belbeck and make contact with the Rebel Army……”
  
  It’s not so much “as planned,” but rather one of the destinations in the original story.
  There should be Rebel forces there who were supposed to rendezvous with Lopes’s unit. Heading in that direction would mean going back towards Byblos from Al Minar, but that’s fine.
  If Lopes’s unit was lucky enough to escape, they would head that way, and even if not, it would be a reinforcement of their forces.
  That is, if the Belbeck side accepts them.
  They have no choice but to rely on Lopes’s reports and communication. They have no choice but to believe that she would have subtly conveyed the message after making contact.
  Of course, there are risks. Approaching the Byblos area means that there’s a possibility of encountering Janet’s fleet, which is probably stationed there.
  
  “Either way, we’re being targeted. The best course of action is to make a move and see what happens from there. Faran, how long will it take to get to Belbeck at maximum speed?”
  “Well……”
  
  In the end, Faran, who couldn’t leave the ship, had already given up.
  
  “If we push the warp drive a bit, we can shorten it by a day. Continuous warping is dangerous, so I don’t recommend it. And judging from the course, it’s not impossible that we’ll run into Janet’s fleet.”
  
  He’s talking about the possibility that Lopes’s unit was captured and information was leaked.
  
  “We have no choice but to go with the attitude that we’d welcome it. Alright, it’s decided. We’ll set course for Belbeck. If possible, we’ll try to cooperate with the local Rebel Army and either rendezvous with or rescue Lopes’s unit. We’ll continue the pirate broadcasts too. There’s meaning in repeating the same thing over and over again, you know.”
  
  Shougo stood up and was about to give the order…… when suddenly……
  He felt dizzy. His body swayed. It wasn’t because of the zero gravity.
  
  “Captain?”
  
  Kes quickly supported him.
  
  “S-sorry……”
  “No, if you think about it, you haven’t had any rest at all…… I think it would be good to take a break. That’s also part of the job.”
  “M-mm……”
  
  Come to think of it, it’s been a series of incidents.
  It’s rare to have this kind of relaxing time when he hasn’t had a chance to rest properly.
  Besides, even if it’s not a large-scale battle, repairing the machines and letting the pilots rest is essential. Space is that stressful.
  
  “I see…… I’m sorry, it seems I’ve been rushing things too much.”
  
  Besides, he’s not the military man Jowain, but the former civilian Shougo.
  This means that he was mentally exhausted without even realizing it.
  When he thinks about it, he remembers that they haven’t even been able to properly rest half the crew.
  
  “Announce to the entire ship. It’s time for a break. We’ll continue to be on alert, but first, we’ll rest……”
  
  They should be allowed to rest a little.
  Humans can’t function without rest.
  And there’s a lot to do. Not just fighting. Trismegistus, training, investigating the state of the world…… humans aren’t tough enough to do all of that at once.
  
  “Take some alcohol from my room. Just a sip, though. Anyone who gets drunk will be assigned cleaning duty in the ship. Got it?”
  
  With that, Shougo left the briefing room first.
  Work was still going on in the ship, but once the rest order was given, it would become quiet.
  Suddenly, Shougo felt a bit hungry and headed to the ship’s cafeteria. They have frozen ready-to-eat meals, and there are also military cooks, so they can get decent meals.
  It’s standard for regular soldiers to eat in this cafeteria.
  If he were a captain, he could have meals delivered to him, but Shougo had completely forgotten about that.
  He casually stopped by the cafeteria. There, he found Anish, Franny, and the maid.
  
  ‘Come to think of it, I haven’t asked for her name.’
  
  It was partly due to the ongoing chaos, but he thought it was rude of him.
  
  ‘And what are these guys doing?’
  
  The three of them were looking after Thoth, but their conversation wasn’t very lively.
  Currently, there were no officers other than the cooks in the cafeteria, and they were busy with preparations. Meal times are strictly defined. If you’re hungry, you’re supposed to eat frozen food……
  
  “What are you guys doing, spacing out?”
  “Huh?”
  
  Anish looked up abruptly.
  
  “Ah, no, well…… I-I was just thinking I’m hungry…… but, you know, how should I put it……”
  “Ah……”
  
  They’re probably being a little reserved.
  
  “I’m sorry, but it’s not time for a meal yet. But, I see…… you guys have been through a lot, and you might not have eaten either…… then……”
  
  Shougo used Jowain’s knowledge to choose some ready-to-eat meals from the refrigerator. Hamburgers, pilaf, and even curry.
  
  “Choose what you like. Don’t eat too much. I’ll have them serve you a meal.”
  
  With that, Shougo took only a hamburger and started thawing it in the microwave.
  
  “Um, about the money……”
  
  In the meantime, it was the maid who stood up and asked the question.
  
  “It’s not necessary. It’s a supplied item. But it’s limited, so I’m saying don’t eat too much. Ah…… come to think of it, I haven’t asked for your name.”
  “Oh, I’m…… my name is Yuri. Yuri Tennes.”
  “Ah, I see. Yuri. Well, please take your time. It might be difficult on a warship, though.”
  
  Anyway, Shougo wanted to put the hamburger in his stomach and go to sleep.
  Still, he should have talked to them.
  
  “No, it’s true that you helped us……”
  “Things are difficult right now, but I think the situation will change once we reach Belbeck. If you can get off the ship, there…… if it’s possible…… well then……”
  
  When the hamburger was thawed, Shougo took it and left.