I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Even if you are enthusiastic about starting a big gamble, if you don’t succeed, the end will come
[space_man][space_man]This is a big gamble. Moreover, I’ve never gambled in my life. In the midst of an impromptu ad-lib festival, a single wrong choice could lead to instant death.
[space_man][space_man]Still, I have no choice but to brace myself. If I could, I wouldn’t want to have the resolve to brace myself for something like this.
[space_man][space_man]To live or to die? Such a momentous choice at the young age of twenty-nine, though my body has been turned into someone nearing fifty. Anyway, it’s far too momentous.
[space_man][space_man]While agonizing over such things, Shougo, as Jowain, left the captain’s room and stepped into the ship’s corridor. At the same time, the ship was enveloped in zero gravity. It’s called the second-degree combat readiness. With this, about 70% of the ship’s energy is allocated to combat instead of living quarters.
[space_man][space_man]Walking in a zero-gravity corridor is normally impossible, but New Balance’s military boots are equipped with magnets, allowing them to stick to and be secured on the steel passageways.
[space_man][space_man]This area is quite analog, and depending on the ship, some even use Velcro.
[space_man][space_man]Apart from that, spaceships in this world are also standardly equipped with a function that automatically transports you to your destination by grabbing onto handrails.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’This is quite romantic, isn’t it?’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo decided to take advantage of the moving handrails and headed for the bridge.
[space_man][space_man]On the way, he passed by several crew members who weren’t bridge personnel. Perhaps because they had heard the previous broadcast, they had perplexed expressions on their faces, but they saluted Shougo.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo also returned the salute, relying on Jowain’s memories.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Um, Captain?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Suddenly, one officer called out to Shougo.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What is it?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Acting like Jowain as much as possible, Shougo stopped the handrail and secured his feet to the passageway. Turning around, he saw the officer from before looking at him with a tense expression.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That previous transmission……”
[space_man][space_man]”I apologize for the inconvenience to all of you. But I swear to protect your honor as much as possible.”
[space_man][space_man]”Eh, ah, yes……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]They were dumbfounded.
[space_man][space_man]This is probably the same as Lieutenant Mark. It’s because they assume that a man like Jowain would never do such a noble thing. In fact, the real him probably wouldn’t.
[space_man][space_man]That’s why it’s a gap.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’ll also allow you to leave the ship. But please wait a little longer, okay?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo said only that and left, reactivating the handrail.
[space_man][space_man]He felt the gazes of the two officers on his back as they saw him off, standing alone.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Like I can take responsibility for that.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He thought such things.
[space_man][space_man]
✼✼✼
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When Shougo reached the bridge, the first thing he felt was a sense of awe.
[space_man][space_man]On the other side, blocked by special reinforced glass, was a vast darkness. And at the same time, countless tiny lights. It was a processed view adjusted to be visible, but it was still a sight that any human would dream of seeing once in their life.
[space_man][space_man]Yes, it was space.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’What novel was it? I’m about to say the same thing as that.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]A novel he had glimpsed at when he was young. Or was it a manga? Or an anime?
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’This is…… the vast universe that stretches on infinitely……’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It was said to be a cliché phrase. But he understood why one would want to say it.
[space_man][space_man]The humans in this anime might have become a familiar sight. Originally, Jowain would have been one of them too.
[space_man][space_man]But Shougo was now seeing space. It was only natural since he was on a spaceship, but even so, this was a valuable experience.
[space_man][space_man]Just for this moment, Shougo could be grateful that he had been reincarnated into this incompetent character.
[space_man][space_man]Space. He had never imagined he would be able to experience it in this way.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]But Shougo immediately came back to his senses with a start. It was because the countless gazes of those gathered on the bridge were piercing him.
[space_man][space_man]The bridge of this battleship was surprisingly spacious. Perhaps due to the shape of the ship, it could easily accommodate forty people. With various instruments and seats, the actual spaciousness wasn’t fully felt, but it was probably about the size of a classroom at school.
[space_man][space_man]The officers gathered there. Lieutenant Mark was also among them.
[space_man][space_man]Their gazes pierced through Shougo.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hm, they’ve gathered.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He felt intimidated. He wasn’t used to being the center of attention for such a large group of people.
[space_man][space_man]If Jowain’s memories were correct, this many people weren’t usually needed on the bridge. Many of them originally had other posts. Some of them shouldn’t even be here at a time when the second-degree combat readiness had been issued, but he was the one who had gathered them.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo cleared his throat as if to compose himself.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Let’s get straight to the point…… The previous broadcast was neither a threatening lie nor a bad joke. It’s true that this ship is equipped with Planet Killers. Three of them, in fact. My assigned mission is to launch them at our destination, the colony planet. Colonel Anferu-dono ordered me to launch them at the planet where many civilians live. To destroy the captured new model.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo spoke in one breath, rapidly.
[space_man][space_man]At his words, many of the officers widened their eyes and showed obvious agitation. Only Mark remained silent, as if trying to gauge him.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”After that, Colonel Anferu-dono said he would only save me and let you all die an honorable death in battle. As you all know, Colonel Anferu-dono doesn’t lie. That’s the problem, but you all understand the danger this implies, right?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When he said that, he finally got a reaction.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You can’t be serious!”
[space_man][space_man]”Wasn’t it supposed to be a terrorist subjugation?!”
[space_man][space_man]”Launching Planet Killers at a planet is inhumane! Even if it’s an order……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]This was an expected response. No matter how much New Balance was a military organization with an elitist ideology, there were still those who could distinguish between right and wrong.
[space_man][space_man]But at the same time, there were also those who couldn’t.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……It can’t be helped if it’s for the sake of maintaining order.”
[space_man][space_man]”Indeed. We at New Balance have always done so. It’s nothing new.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]There were also those who agreed.
[space_man][space_man]However.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I see. So you guys have no complaints about being killed once your duty is done?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It was Lieutenant Mark who spoke, as if to suppress them.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, that’s……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Those who agreed were at a loss for words. Naturally. Even if they could accept the actions, they didn’t want to be killed.
[space_man][space_man]Seeing that, Shougo almost sighed. Either way, he was making threats. In the end, he was saying, “Obey me if you don’t want to die.”
[space_man][space_man]It was too late to worry about that now. After all, no matter what he did, he would be eliminated, so he had no choice but to struggle.
[space_man][space_man]He felt bad for them, but right now, he could only push his own agenda.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Now…… As Lieutenant Mark said, you all will be eliminated. After learning the truth. But I won’t allow that. Besides, even if I survive, I’ll just become Colonel Anferu-dono’s slave, and I’ll never know when I’ll be disposed of. In the first place, I can’t condone the massacre of civilians.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The moment he said those words, a stir ran through the room, reflecting the lack of trust in Jowain’s character.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo almost let out a wry smile. Still, he endured and continued speaking.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Therefore, I declare! I’m leaving New Balance! No, I’m going to return New Balance to its original form! I will defeat Anferu, who is using the military for his personal gain, and the Supreme Commander, who condones it! That is the only way for you all to survive!”