I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Contradictions, Madness, and On-the-Spot Decisions are What Make Original Story Alterations
[space_man][space_man]Attacking because life is precious. Diving into the enemy’s bosom because life is precious. Defeating the enemy because life is precious. These are contradictory actions, but at the same time, they are the most appropriate methods for eradicating the cause.
[space_man][space_man]It is a truth that if you can destroy what attacks you, there will be peace.
[space_man][space_man]The important thing is whether to focus on annihilation or to limit it to the scope of self-defense, but in Shougo’s case, it’s neither. It’s half-assed.
[space_man][space_man]From the perspective of others, it can only be seen as abnormal.
[space_man][space_man]However, Shougo’s own reasoning was that since they were attacking, it was only natural to hit back.
[space_man][space_man]That atmosphere circulated well within the Mirandora.
[space_man][space_man]After all, they were all abandoned people. People who were about to be used up and discarded. They were being subjected to such unreasonable demands and even about to be disposed of. They were being branded with disgrace, and without a chance to overturn it, they were about to be buried in the darkness of history.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It was Shougo who said no to that. And his purpose was easy to understand.
[space_man][space_man]To complain to the guy who imposed this unreasonable situation on them. It’s a pure desire, something that those at the bottom of the organization would definitely want to accomplish at least once.
[space_man][space_man]The feeling of wanting to knock down the arrogant noses of unpleasant superiors is something you want to achieve somehow.
[space_man][space_man]Furthermore, if the justification of condemning the runaway leadership is added to that, for better or worse, momentum will build.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”This will be a lightning operation. We don’t have the luxury of asking for instructions here and there.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It was an undeniable pace.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It may be an unacceptable fact for the Earth Federation’s warships, but Anferu who privatizes the military and carries out oppression and massacres, and Fauden who condones it. And by the way, Dr. Phoenix, who probably created this situation. I can’t forgive these three.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]However, Shougo doesn’t know the causal relationship between these three. Who, for what reason, and how are they working together?
[space_man][space_man]Even if he can speculate, there’s no way to know for sure without actually checking.
[space_man][space_man]But from a partial perspective, the cause of this situation was Dr. Phoenix, and if he might be nearby, they should capture him.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『Capturing the base is something we absolutely want to do. However, we don’t have a mobile weapon unit.』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Originally, they were anti-New Balance. They have been relatively cooperative regarding the battle with the Earth Federation. There is also an attitude of not saying anything about Janet’s fleet.
[space_man][space_man]It seems they have grasped the situation. They don’t seem to be convinced, though.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『Those fifteen things from the Earth Federation have been shot down, haven’t they?』
[space_man][space_man]『……Those weren’t originally my unit.』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Perhaps Janet recognized the need to accept this, as she was cooperative for the time being. Of course, the danger of them taking the opportunity to attack is not zero. The same goes for the Rebel Army side.
[space_man][space_man]However, everyone understands that it would be a completely meaningless action here.
[space_man][space_man]If they start shooting each other here, they’ll both go down.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『……Even if you say you’re going to attack the base, what exactly are you planning to do? I think you understand that there’s no point in just barging in while armed, right?』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Janet’s question is reasonable.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Your identification signal is still active, right?”
[space_man][space_man]『Huh?』
[space_man][space_man]”You haven’t been sunk yet. And even if you’re going to be disposed of, it won’t be immediately. Then we can do this. We will successfully destroy the enemy fleet and return.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It’s a common tactic for a surprise attack.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『That’s……! Certainly…… it’s possible. But……』
[space_man][space_man]”Even if we say we’re attacking, we’re not going to kill the people at the base. I’ll say it again, but we must not mistake our enemy. They need to fight the real enemy. Of course, we might have to take them prisoner temporarily. I’d like to ask for the Rebel Army’s sincere cooperation in that regard.”
[space_man][space_man]『I understand that. We don’t want to start a war of annihilation.』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The captain of the Rebel Army shouted, spitting.
[space_man][space_man]Hearing that, Shougo muttered to himself, “I wonder about that.”
[space_man][space_man]The Rebel Army is not a righteous organization either. They probably have a few tricks up their sleeves. It’s not impossible that there are people who simply couldn’t make a living on Earth or were being chased by the military who have been accepted.
[space_man][space_man]But that wasn’t something to think about now.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”We will seize the base and use it as a Rebel Army base. Making it fall will be a gift to the Rebel Army, and it will show the Mirandora’s seriousness, right?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]There is some self-preservation involved, but that’s the bare minimum necessary.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”But before we carry out the operation, there’s one thing I need you to strictly observe. Of course, Janet’s fleet will go first. You guys will go back to the base first. Sorry, but this is also insurance. We don’t want to be shot from behind. If you guys release Lopes and the others or take over the base, we’ll move too.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]They can’t refuse that.
[space_man][space_man]Of these three factions, the Mirandora team has the most leeway.
[space_man][space_man]They have some damage, but their mobile weapons are safe, and above all, they have the Planet Killer. And the existence of the wild card, Trismegistus.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『There’s no way I can refuse that here.』
[space_man][space_man]”Don’t take it the wrong way. Either way, if you guys don’t make it back to the base safely, the whole operation won’t work. And we’ll move on your signal. Even if…… you go back to the base and betray us, we’re ready to escape immediately.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Ideally, they would like to go full speed ahead right now, but that’s tough.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”To add to that, I also want some assurance that you’ll cooperate. Let’s see, I want you to contact the base here. Mission accomplished safely, returning now.”
[space_man][space_man]『Ugh, ugh…… That’s shameful. For us……』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It seems there’s resistance. That’s understandable, but……
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I see. That’s a problem, but……”
[space_man][space_man]『……Tch! Are you going to sink us?』
[space_man][space_man]”Don’t be so defensive. If you can’t do it, I was thinking of preparing a fake signal for you.”
[space_man][space_man]『I’ll take responsibility. I’ll do it. I do want to question our commander……! And I have a lot of questions about the ridiculous unit deployments and orders, the exposé videos you guys released, and Commander Fauden’s Ojōsan. But promise me. Even if you attack the base, please minimize casualties. If there’s a massacre, I’ll launch a suicide attack on your ship.』
[space_man][space_man]”I promise.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He has no intention of doing that. Shougo nodded.
[space_man][space_man]For a while, Janet was silent, as if trying to gauge Shougo’s true intentions.
[space_man][space_man]After a few seconds, she let out a deep sigh and operated the console.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『……This is Major Janet. We have completed the destruction of the enemy fleet. We will now return to base. However, there are many casualties in the combat unit. One of them has left the front lines. It seems to have fallen into a state of mental derangement. We will recover it, but if possible, I would like you to be aware of it as well. Over and out.』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]After finishing the transmission, Janet hung her head and pressed her temples.
[space_man][space_man]Because she has become an accomplice. There’s no turning back now.
[space_man][space_man]At the same time, Shougo and the others had to brace themselves for the fact that they were about to embark on a major battle.
[space_man][space_man]
✼✼✼
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The fleet formation was as Shougo had proposed, with Janet’s fleet taking the lead.
[space_man][space_man]The fleet’s speed is normal. This is to avoid being noticed by the base. The Rebel Army and the Mirandora are lined up a little further away. Since none of the ships are equipped with stealth functions, they will have to dash at maximum speed from a certain point, but that’s still a long way off.
[space_man][space_man]Janet’s fleet’s IFF signal will serve as camouflage in a sense.
[space_man][space_man]It will take at least half a day to reach the base in question. Originally, they should have stopped by Belbeck, but since it was attacked, it’s likely that it’s not fully functional. In that case, they should attack Janet’s base to resupply.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s a pirate-like approach in a way.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo nodded at Kes’s words as he watched the situation.
[space_man][space_man]It’s a cunning method. After all, the conversation they just had is all recorded. Even if they try to betray them, this data is Janet’s Achilles’ heel.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m surprised myself. Did she hate me?”
[space_man][space_man]”Well, I wouldn’t like it if it were done to me.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He agreed with that.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”More importantly, how are Lieutenant Mark and the others?”
[space_man][space_man]”They’re resupplying and taking a nap. They’ve been at it non-stop.”
[space_man][space_man]”Make sure they get food and water first.”
[space_man][space_man]”Yes. Captain, you should get some rest too.”
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, call me if anything happens.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The current situation is by no means safe, but that doesn’t mean they can stay tense all the time. In the end, they have no choice but to force themselves to rest. It’s not impossible that Janet’s fleet will suddenly turn around and attack.
[space_man][space_man]But 24 hours of sleep deprivation will weaken the organization’s ability to function. I read somewhere that they should get at least four hours of rest if they can.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’I guess the reason I’m able to do this is because Jowain is a soldier, even if he’s rotten.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]If this were his original body, he thinks he wouldn’t be able to keep up in the first place.
[space_man][space_man]When he returned to the captain’s cabin, he sensed someone’s presence. Yuri and Franny were there. Yuri’s complexion isn’t very good, perhaps because of the lingering effects of the battle.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, welcome back.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Being greeted like that makes him feel embarrassed.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”U-um. However, the battle is not over yet…… Right now, it’s a temporary rest. I’d like to give you a long break if I could…… Franny-ojōsan, you must be tired too. Are you not scared?”
[space_man][space_man]”To be honest, I am scared, but it’s better than when I was in the shuttle. But you’re going on the offensive now, right?”
[space_man][space_man]”That’s right. But this is also an action for peace, so……”
[space_man][space_man]”I understand…… It’s tough, isn’t it, a revolution?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Franny-ojōsan said, glancing at Yuri and then at Shougo.
[space_man][space_man]Her eyes held a hint of curiosity.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”By the way, when did you two become close?”
[space_man][space_man]”Ojō-sama……!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Yuri stood up involuntarily.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Because it’s a rumor, you know?”
[space_man][space_man]”You heard it from Mark, didn’t you?”
[space_man][space_man]”Yes.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Franny-ojōsan nodded with a smile.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”No, I’m happy. To think that Yuri, who’s always nagging and whose lover seems to be her work, has this side to her……”
[space_man][space_man]”Please stop, Ojō-sama. I’m not like that……”
[space_man][space_man]”It’s alright, isn’t it? It’s my first love, my first love at first sight.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Franny-ojōsan replied frankly. Of course, she’s talking about Yuuki.
[space_man][space_man]Girls like this are strong.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You’re awfully straightforward about it, aren’t you?”
[space_man][space_man]”Yes, it’s not embarrassing to fall in love, is it? It’s my first time.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Well, she seems happy, and that’s what matters.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo thinks it’s good that there’s a youthful romance between boys and girls.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Then, I’ll do my best to make that love enjoyable. So, I’ll excuse myself.”
[space_man][space_man]”Yuri’s black tea is delicious. It seems they only have instant here.”
[space_man][space_man]”I’ve made a promise to have her make it for me. But that can wait until we have more time to spare.”
[space_man][space_man]”Then it’s fine. Well then, I’ll excuse myself. Yuri, you mustn’t cause him any trouble either.”
[space_man][space_man]”Ojō-sama!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo thinks it’s a bit noisy, but this calmness is important even on the battlefield.
[space_man][space_man]After all, he thinks what they’re about to do is the craziest thing ever.