I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 54

Chapter 54: If You Can’t Stop and Look Back at the Situation, You Won’t Survive. Stop to Win
[space_man][space_man]In war, a 24-hour interval can be both long and short.
[space_man][space_man]For humans, it’s a long time to gain a day, but not for machines. They can’t be completely repaired in 24 hours.
[space_man][space_man]Still, it’s the mechanic men’s hardship and their time to shine to make it in time.
[space_man][space_man]Fortunately, there’s plenty of resources. However, it’s only enough for a few large-scale battles.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I thought you were going to do something, but is that information correct?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo, having returned to the base, gave the usual instructions he was now used to, and received the report not inside the base but in the Captain’s office.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes. It’s been confirmed.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The report was from Ensign Clart.
[space_man][space_man]The content was that Fauden’s fleet had warped again with Babel and, as expected, returned to Earth. And then, as expected, Goetia had indiscriminately manipulated and shut down lifelines.
[space_man][space_man]The report came from Coulson’s fleet, which was heading towards Earth. They were a step behind and somehow managed to reach the Earth sphere, but by then, the惨状 （terrible situation） had already spread. At the same time, Coulson calmly chose not to launch an attack and limited himself to gathering information.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo thinks this was a good decision.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’If they had attacked in anger, they would have been wiped out. He gives off a militant vibe, but Captain Coulson…… I think he’s competent.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gained the position of representative of the Rebel Army.
[space_man][space_man]There are a few other representatives besides him, but we have to wait a few more hours to join up with them.
[space_man][space_man]The plan was to deploy the entire Rebel Army force. Shougo’s reckless plan was to gather them at this base and, if possible, carry out long-distance warping using Trismegistus.
[space_man][space_man]If warping with Trismegistus is impossible…… then we’ll deal with it when the time comes.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Understood. It’s frustrating, but all we can do now is watch the situation…… We can’t just charge in alone and expect to accomplish anything.”
[space_man][space_man]”Yes…… Then……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Ensign Clart must also be feeling frustrated. He suppressed it and left.
[space_man][space_man]I understand his feelings painfully well. Ideally, we shouldn’t be staying here, but there’s no point in rushing in without a plan. We have to make this stagnation meaningful.
[space_man][space_man]Assuming this was the last report for now, Shougo was about to take a breather. Yuri appeared from the back of the Captain’s office.
[space_man][space_man]It was her way of being considerate, judging that it would be better for her not to be seen by the officers if it was work-related.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Good work.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]She brewed black tea with perfect timing. As usual, it was instant.
[space_man][space_man]He had subtly tried to find out if any officers had personal tea leaves, but he couldn’t find any.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……I’d like to drink something brewed with real tea leaves someday, but we can’t do that now.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo received the teacup and drank the black tea to calm himself down. To be honest, he didn’t understand the aroma or the subtle flavors. He even thought that this might be a good opportunity to study it.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Due to the nature of my work, I’m used to waiting. When the time comes, it will be possible.”
[space_man][space_man]”To do that, we must survive and win.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]After saying that naturally, Shougo couldn’t help but smile wryly.
[space_man][space_man]It hasn’t even been a month since he was reincarnated into this world, into this character, and yet there’s been this much commotion. And he found it quite strange that he was adapting to it.
[space_man][space_man]However, it’s not all bad.
[space_man][space_man]Being able to get close to a beautiful woman like this is a happy thing, even if it’s a materialistic way of thinking. But he thought that the only area where he hasn’t grown at all is that he hasn’t been able to utter a single romantic line.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”To be honest, I don’t want to take Yuri, Franny-ojōsama and the others…… Yuuki and Anish and the others, to the battlefield.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]And then these words came out. It seems he’s developed a habit of thinking about things with a focus on battle.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”But now, everyone has clearly decided what they’re going to do, so I can’t say anything about it. You wouldn’t get off even if I told you to, right?”
[space_man][space_man]”That’s as I said before.”
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, I know. It’s a cowardly thing to say, but because you’re close by, I’m determined to survive no matter what, and I think we have to win this fight. Even if it means sacrificing this Mirandora.”
[space_man][space_man]”A suicide attack?”
[space_man][space_man]”No way. I’m not fixated on a single battleship. I’m attached to this ship, but there are things that are more important. I mean, in the worst case, it’s okay to abandon it.”
[space_man][space_man]”That’s…… I’m grateful.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Yuri blushed slightly.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo had no idea where such an element was in his previous words, but seeing her face like that made him feel embarrassed.
[space_man][space_man]Neither of them possessed the composure of an adult. They might be okay with their respective jobs, but when it came to the uncharted territory of love, they were naive.
[space_man][space_man]They couldn’t act on the passion of their youth, and they were also very reserved because they were adults.
[space_man][space_man]However, there was a feeling that they had to act now.
[space_man][space_man]That’s why Shougo took Yuri’s hand. He thinks it was unconscious.
[space_man][space_man]She didn’t resist either.
[space_man][space_man]And then……
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……Uh, should I come back later?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Janet’s bewildered voice was heard.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Whoa!?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo and Yuri turned away from each other as if to say they weren’t doing anything, but they knew it was pointless.
[space_man][space_man]At the same time, Janet also averted her gaze and had an indescribable expression on her face.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……Let me make one excuse. I knocked and rang the chime many times, you know? I recommend locking it from now on.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Her face was also slightly red.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……Well, you’re a man and a woman. It’s common knowledge that you two are in that kind of relationship. So, should I come back later?”
[space_man][space_man]”……Please continue.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Life is full of unexpected things.
[space_man][space_man]This might be what it means to want to disappear into a hole if there was one.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]***
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I want to use anything I can. Even if you call it conceit, I’m the only one who can suppress that black Trismegistus, so I want to make the appropriate preparations.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]In the base lab, Yuuki was unusually making a suggestion to Mark.
[space_man][space_man]Trismegistus’s repairs wouldn’t take that long. To put it simply, it was just a matter of attaching the ejected barrier unit.
[space_man][space_man]However, he was asking for armed reinforcement, not just repairs.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”But, a large-scale modification from now on is impossible. It’s true that dealing with that incomprehensible machine would be tough without you. Or rather, if you don’t do something about it, we’ll die.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Mark, who was being consulted, was also serious when it came to matters related to combat.
[space_man][space_man]This was because the違和感 （unease） he felt on the battlefield was correct, and in fact, Anish’s machine had been controlled and attacked Trismegistus.
[space_man][space_man]At the same time, Mark was convinced that the enemy machines that were making inexplicable maneuvers were in the same state.
[space_man][space_man]He thought the reason they were safe at that time was because they were outside the consciousness of the black Trismegistus in question. He also thought that the reason Anish’s machine was manipulated was because it was near Yuuki.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Even if you can’t modify it, can’t you prepare weapons?”
[space_man][space_man]”Humph, weapons, huh?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Mark looked up at Trismegistus again.
[space_man][space_man]His assessment was that this machine wasn’t one for brawling.
[space_man][space_man]It was showing incomprehensible performance, but in short, that was the purpose of the machine. Judging from the current state of the Earth being reported to related parties, the essence of this Trismegistus machine was not combat, but the functions it wielded.
[space_man][space_man]It just happened to be usable for combat as well. It’s like a construction machine having destructive power.
[space_man][space_man]Even though the current Trismegistus was biased towards defense, it looked like a combat machine in terms of its appearance.
[space_man][space_man]This was because it was too flashy, punching with beam-clad fists.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”How’s that Monkey doing?”
[space_man][space_man]”Thoth also wants to be strengthened. He’s outputting all sorts of data, but it won’t be in time. He’s still all brains and no brawn.”
[space_man][space_man]”Is it the machine’s fault, or is there another factor? Well, that’s for the engineers to think about, but we’re going to be in battle soon, and we don’t have time for modifications.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Mark scratched his head roughly.
[space_man][space_man]There was no time for modifications, but it was certainly necessary to take countermeasures. Either way, our chances of winning were slim if we didn’t stop that black machine.
[space_man][space_man]But we couldn’t provide support. It would only get in the way.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Judging from the data, beams are useless for both sides. And we can’t rely on the tracking ability of missiles either…… That means we’re left with live-ammunition rifles, but…… Hmm?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He looked around. He was looking for something that could be used.
[space_man][space_man]What caught Mark’s eye was an energy tube. It was used to fix the machine, but it was also used to send propellant and other things into the machine, and it was always installed in battleships and bases. At the same time, it was reasonably strong and flexible.
[space_man][space_man]This was because it could withstand the sudden acceleration of a Teurugia for a few seconds. It could be torn off, but it would take time.
[space_man][space_man]A beam could melt it in an instant, but conversely, it had to be able to do so.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Let’s gather up the used energy tubes.”
[space_man][space_man]”Huh?”
[space_man][space_man]”If both sides have the same performance, we need to create some kind of difference. Simply put, we could prepare a performance that surpasses the opponent’s, but we don’t have time for that. Then, we just need to weaken the opponent.”
[space_man][space_man]”Are you going to use a net?”
[space_man][space_man]”You’re quick on the uptake. Mobile weapons are all about mobility. If they can’t move, they instantly become targets. So, we just need to make it that way. After that…… we need to prepare some kind of capacitor and run an electric current through it.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]No matter what, machines are vulnerable to electric current. What we should fear are shorts and sparks.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Anyway, we’ll weaken the opponent. Whether it’s a machine or something else, the laws of physics in this world are absolute. And……”
[space_man][space_man]”And?”
[space_man][space_man]”The opponent avoided your attack, right? In other words, it judged that it would be dangerous if it was hit directly. If you had fired the Rocket Punch with the intention to kill, you might have been able to destroy it, right?”
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, I see……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]That way of thinking was simple.
[space_man][space_man]He should think that he was able to surprise it with the Rocket Punch. At that time, he was only thinking about pulling it off, so it was fine, but if he had attacked at that time…… No, that would have been impossible.
[space_man][space_man]If he had done that, Anish would have been in danger.
[space_man][space_man]But Yuuki didn’t say it out loud. This was because, after that battle, Anish wouldn’t come out of the wrecked Rabi Reivu. In the end, she was dragged out, but he thought she was crying at that time.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……I’ll finish it off next time.”
[space_man][space_man]”Humph. Don’t talk big, okay?”
[space_man][space_man]”I’m a man.”
[space_man][space_man]”Are you mad that you made a girl cry?”
[space_man][space_man]”Is that bad?”
[space_man][space_man]”No, it’s enough. Now, but that’s not enough. To be honest, you can’t do anything about it alone. In that case…… let’s use that.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Mark smiled and looked in a different direction.
[space_man][space_man]It was the back of the lab, a place where the lights didn’t even reach properly, and there were more than ten fighter planes sleeping there. Space fighters. These weapons were still in active service, but their main role was patrol duty rather than combat.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”They say fighter planes are outdated, but don’t underestimate them. Their acceleration and speed are frankly superior to humanoid machines. And more importantly, this one is certainly outdated, but that’s good. You get it, right?”
[space_man][space_man]”Mark, you don’t mean……”
[space_man][space_man]”I’m a former fighter pilot. Data links between space fighters and motherships are minimal. We have to rely on our own radar for things like signal transmission and reception. After that, we just need to get rid of anything that looks dangerous. What are state-of-the-art machines? I’ll show you the value of learning from the past, okay?”