I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 8

Chapter 8: It’s Easy to Say “Original Story Alteration,” But Predicting the Unpredictable is Difficult
[space_man][space_man]Ten hours later.
[space_man][space_man]Regarding Shougo’s proposal, which could be taken as a bombshell announcement, he decided to make a gamble with the crew.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Listen, if what I’m about to say comes true, unfortunately, you’ll have to join me in hell. Of course, I’d prefer it if I was wrong.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He said only that and ordered them to maintain the status quo.
[space_man][space_man]The blue-green surface of their destination, the colony planet Byblos, came into view. It was a planet abundant with forests. Most of the planet was covered in primeval forests, a planet ruled by plants. Therefore, they had to cut down an excessive amount of greenery for humans to inhabit it.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Apparently, when they colonized it a few hundred years ago, they promoted greening due to the trend at the time. As a result, the excessive greening ended up polluting the planet, and water sources and land nutrients nearly depleted.
[space_man][space_man]Humanity brought greenery to the planet over a few hundred years, but this planet would, in turn, accelerate desertification with that greenery in just over a decade.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Perhaps due to this background, Byblos had a considerably low status among the colony planets and held no military or strategic value.
[space_man][space_man]However, the greenery covering the planet acted as a natural camouflage, making it a suitable location for the Rebel Army, which couldn’t establish a large-scale base.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Deploy reconnaissance drones. Activate them with thermal and gravitational wave detection. Switch to inertial navigation. Lieutenant, we’ll be in a non-armed state, but position the Teurugia at the bow to show our intentions. Can you do it? If possible, it can be unmanned.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Even though he was rotten, Jowain seemed to be a military man after all.
[space_man][space_man]From Shougo’s perspective, it was a series of discomforts, but strangely enough, he was able to give instructions as the captain. That being said, he didn’t grasp everything.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]To gain Jowain’s knowledge, he first needed to go through the process of remembering. After that, if he could recall it, he could somehow understand it as his own skill, but if he couldn’t, it would take time.
[space_man][space_man]Miraculously, he hadn’t been forced into any special situations yet, but if this were to turn into a battle, he would need to make quick judgments.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’ll be a dangerous mission, right?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Lieutenant Mark, displayed on the sub-monitor attached to the captain’s seat as Shougo sat down.
[space_man][space_man]He was already wearing a pilot suit and had boarded the Teurugia, the robot 『 in this anime world.
[space_man][space_man]His helmet was adorned with a boar, his personal mark. The same mark was also on the right shoulder of the Teurugia.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The Rabi Reivu, a common combat Teurugia 『 used by both New Balance and the Rebel Army, usually resembled a soldier clad in rounded armor. However, the Rabi Reivu customized for Mark had the appearance of a medieval knight and was equipped with a large lance for charging. This time, though, it would be deployed unarmed.
[space_man][space_man]The reason was simple. It was proof that they had no intention of attacking the protagonists they were about to contact.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『They won’t think we’re serious unless someone’s piloting it. Don’t worry, I can dodge if it’s just me. Well, I’ll die if the ship sinks, though.』
[space_man][space_man]”I pray it doesn’t come to that. If anything happens, I’ll deploy the troops immediately.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]If this were the original story, there wouldn’t be such a lighthearted atmosphere where they could exchange jokes.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo still couldn’t believe this atmosphere. Currently, only a few had chosen to leave the ship. The fact that it wasn’t zero meant that things weren’t all convenient, but either way, they couldn’t leave the ship yet.
[space_man][space_man]They had to dock at the planet Byblos and hide there or something.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]During this exchange, Shougo considered the possibility of them betraying him, meaning returning to New Balance and reporting on him, but he also thought it would probably be difficult.
[space_man][space_man]As he told them, only punishment awaited them if they returned.
[space_man][space_man]Again, this was a threat. A threat initiated by Shougo. Either way, they couldn’t retreat, so he was telling them to stick with him until the end.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Now…… first, we need to send a communication to the planetary autonomous government of Byblos, right?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Colony planets basically formed their own autonomous organizations.
[space_man][space_man]Nominally, they were directly under the Earth government, but with the planets so far apart, they also had aspects of being semi-independent organizations. Therefore, one of New Balance’s original missions was to monitor the colony planets, which could potentially become independent organizations.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Legally, colony planets were Earth’s colonies, and the autonomous representatives of those planets held a status equivalent to various cabinet ministers of the Earth government. However, in reality, things didn’t go so smoothly; it wasn’t a sweet deal.
[space_man][space_man]To put it another way, there were planets that received decent support and those that didn’t, and there was a severe wealth disparity between planets.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Why wasn’t this kind of setting explained in the anime?’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo understood this from Jowain’s memories.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Isn’t this a super important setting……? Moreover, the one who created this wealth disparity is none other than New Balance……’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Jowain’s memories spoke.
[space_man][space_man]This wealth disparity simultaneously fueled conflict between planets. However, it was also true that this blatant move strengthened the hidden ties between the planets.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’It wasn’t discussed in depth in the anime, but the Rebel Army, while being a collection of colony planet governments, did possess a small fleet…… Well, since the location of the Rebel Army’s main base is also unknown, New Balance is probably tightening its grip on the planets.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]In the anime, the protagonists’ goal was supposed to be reaching the Rebel Army’s main base. It seemed to be on some planet, but the anime got canceled before it was revealed.
[space_man][space_man]Moreover, the protagonists’ escape was on an outdated destroyer. In other words, he wondered how they managed to escape from an elite group with something like that.
[space_man][space_man]Though, the reason for that was Jowain’s incompetence.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Well, the tough part is that I have to act incompetent. Of course, not as an enemy. To survive, I first need to join forces with the protagonists…… but how?’
[space_man][space_man]”Captain, opening communication lines.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]While his subordinates were efficiently carrying out their duties, Jowain suddenly remembered something and his face momentarily turned pale.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Wait…… the protagonist was forced to board the Trismegistus because Jowain attacked, right? If that doesn’t happen…… hey, what happens to the protagonist?’
[space_man][space_man]”Connecting communication. Go ahead.”
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, uh!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]His work began before he could even think about what to do.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo regretted his carelessness.
[space_man][space_man]Original story alteration. It was easy to say, but Shougo hadn’t yet experienced its difficulty firsthand.
[space_man][space_man]However, there was nothing he could do once it had begun. He had no choice but to do it.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo took a deep breath and looked at the main monitor.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I am Lieutenant Commander Jowain Date of New Balance. I presume you are the representative of the planet Byblos?”
[space_man][space_man]『–Yes. My name is Adamant, and I serve as the Autonomous Representative. So, what brings you to such a remote location all of a sudden?』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]An elderly man with white hair appeared on the monitor. Shougo knew the man who called himself Adamant.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’If I remember correctly, he was the heroine’s grandfather, her foster father. Ah, yes, various memories are coming back. He’s the person who dies because of the Planet Killer that Jowain drops.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Adamant. In the anime, he was a character equivalent to a mob who only died in the first episode.
[space_man][space_man]He was the heroine’s grandfather and foster father, but that was it. There was also a setting that the heroine’s parents died young, but that setting was never utilized.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Let me be blunt. I’m not good with beating around the bush. The Rebel Army is here, right? I want to talk. I want to borrow your strength to bring New Balance to justice. I understand if you say you can’t trust me. That’s why I’m prepared to send you Colonel Anferu’s operation data. I’ll send that data to you now. However, I have no intention of carrying out that operation. Listen carefully, I’m here to bring New Balance to justice. And I’m sending the operation data to you. I want you to carefully consider the meaning of that. We’ve currently minimized the ship’s power and are on inertial navigation. The Teurugia at the bow is also unarmed. I want you to consider that as our sincerity. In other words, I’m saying we surrender.”
[space_man][space_man]『H, huh? What exactly does that mean?』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Although it was mostly one-sided, Shougo sent the data.
[space_man][space_man]It only took a few seconds. The data capacity was also minimal. He only sent the outline of this operation and the audio recording of the previous conversation with Colonel Anferu.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Now, what will happen?’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The communication was suddenly cut off.
[space_man][space_man]A commotion ran through the ship. Shougo was actually panicking, but he kept silent.
[space_man][space_man]After a while, the communication line opened again. It was Adamant.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『……To the coordinates we will provide. It’s the international airport, so……』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Landing permission was granted.
[space_man][space_man]The answer was still unknown.
[space_man][space_man]But it was a step forward. After all, in the original story, he landed unilaterally and attacked.
[space_man][space_man]After that, he was beaten to a pulp by the Trismegistus, fled into space, and resorted to the pathetic act of dropping the Planet Killer……
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Captain! Detection signal on the reconnaissance drone!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]A subordinate’s shout echoed through the bridge. At the same time, the signals of the deployed drones blared.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ah…… they’ve come…… what should I call this? Corrective force? No, that’s not it. I have no choice but to acknowledge it as Colonel Anferu’s ability.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Displayed on the main monitor was a single ship of the same type as this ship, the Mirandora.
[space_man][space_man]Moreover, twelve Rabi Reivu units were immediately deployed.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Multiple heat sources. Internal ship power waves confirmed at combat levels!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It was finally starting.
[space_man][space_man]No one knew. The true first episode of this world.
[space_man][space_man]What the newly appeared battleship did was exactly what Jowain did in the original story.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”In ten hours, they can send a second unit. As expected of an elite unit. No, should I praise Colonel Anferu’s high threat detection ability?”
[space_man][space_man]『I guess that’s what you’d expect from a former Colonel’s confidant, right?』
[space_man][space_man]”He’s just a coward. Well, should I try communicating with them?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo had his subordinates establish a new communication link.
[space_man][space_man]Of course, it was with the aforementioned ship.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”This is Lieutenant Commander Jowain. We are currently on an operation. Your ship’s escort was not reported?”
[space_man][space_man]『Lieutenant Commander. We’d like to hear your explanation for the previous call.』
[space_man][space_man]”Deploy anti-beam defense explosives, hurry!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As soon as he heard the opponent’s reply, Shougo recognized them as enemies.
[space_man][space_man]And this was the content of the gamble he had explained to the crew beforehand.
[space_man][space_man]If New Balance reinforcements appeared, they were to be considered enemies who had come to eliminate them.
[space_man][space_man]This was the result.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Emergency activation of internal ship power. We’re entering combat! They’ve come to erase us! Assume they also have a Planet Killer! They’re going to fire!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo’s arms trembled as he shouted.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die!’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Yes, that’s what he really wanted to shout.