Mob No. 79: “My mom knows boss man Dorg, we’ve been acquainted since way back.”
“I’m looking for a combat ship radar. Long range as possible.”
“How far are we talking?”
“At least 20 billion km detection range would be ideal.”
“20 billion huh. That’s like one gen before the latest from 7 years ago. Nowadays it goes to around 28 probably? Want the newest cutting edge?”
“No, something proven around 25 billion if you’ve got it?”
I give the specifics of what I want to the shop owner of this black market [Curie’s Garage – Repair and Recycling], apparently Miss Gracia Curie. She rapidly narrows down conditions, saying:
“I see… How about this? Pholog Corps [PKRE-88] – detection range 26 billion km. Has all the basic functions. Energy efficient with 720 hours continuous use.”
She whips out just what I’m after instantly.
A 50cm x 70cm x 50cm box that doesn’t look anything special externally, but quite heavy.
Well, standard radar size I guess.
“How much?”
“Around this I’d say. It’s discounted already so no further reduction possible sorry.”
The offered 2.3 million credit price isn’t unaffordable but considerable, and since I also asked oyaji for a radar, purchasing immediately gave me pause. So:
“I actually requested one from Dorg Maintenance too, planning to go with whichever’s better. Any chance you could hold it for me?”
Revealing I’m getting one from oyaji as well, I ask if she can hold it.
“Dorg Maintenance, old man Bill Dorg’s place? Then no problem, he just called earlier asking [Got any good radars?] so that was probably for you right? Let me check, your name is?”
“Thank you! It’s John Uzos, so you know oyaji Dorg?”
“My mom knows boss man Dorg, we’ve been acquainted since way back.”
She takes out a multipurpose terminal, contacts oyaji, and learning his call was about finding me a radar, agrees to deliver and bill it to his Dorg Maintenance shop.
It really is a small world…
The next day I have Gonzalez hunt down various interior parts, pay, and have same day delivery for available items.
Leaving it all at oyaji’s felt awkward so I rented a storage unit near his shop for delivery and storage.
Best to alter the interior parts once the ship itself arrives and I can customize things.
With everything possible today finished, I figure I’ll go to a pub, have dinner there for a change.
Heading downtown, I unfortunately encounter a nasty piece of work.
I try to turn tail and flee immediately but he grabs me swiftly.
“Despite my gracious advice before, you still haven’t enlisted huh?”
The unpleasant fellow who caught me, Rior Burnext, speaks irritably.
“No benefit to doing so.”
I reply fully fed up, but of course he doesn’t care.
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“The army… His Majesty faces peril! As a citizen protected until now, shouldn’t you swear loyalty and protect the Emperor?!”
“I can’t serve in the military. As one of your so-called colonial citizens, even if I distinguish myself, nobles and pure imperials will steal the credit. That helps nothing, same as doing nothing.”
Almost the exact same exchange as when I was first solicited.
“Then I’ll arrange assignment to my direct unit. That way…”
“I’m fully confident that would also be useless. Your popularity means even your direct unit would utterly loathe an outsider like me. My use would be a scapegoat when you or your men make mistakes, at best.”
“…”
My points left Burnext speechless.
Seems he could predict his subordinates’ actions even if he didn’t consider it himself, that they would likely scapegoat me.
I further push in on his slip of the tongue.
“Besides, what’s this about the Emperor facing peril?
Many citizens are grateful to the previous and current Emperors and the military remains undefeated against pirates and terrorists. Where exactly lies the peril?”
“You must know some nobles scorn His Majesty right? Rumors say they plot rebellion. So allies are needed even slightly.”
Saying that, his hand goes to the gun at his waist.
He doesn’t draw but the seriousness is clear.
Certainly higher grade than Alodih Ehrenburg at least.
“Sure you aren’t trying to buy my [eyes] here?”
“But you don’t have cybernetic eyes right?”
Though it was suspicious from the start, why is he so fired up over recruiting me specifically?
With so many capable noble-borns available.
As I also move to draw my waist gun, a voice calls out,
“What are you doing?”
Burnext and I reflexively look towards it.
An imperial military uniformed group is there, the bulkier man in front glaring this way.
Seeing him, Burnext snaps to attention saluting.
The man entirely ignores Burnext’s actions and,
“Doesn’t seem peaceful for our esteemed imperial soldiers to be in a wild west duel with a civilian. A woman? Then don’t draw guns, duke it out with your fists!”
says smiling, miming punches.
“Please cease the tasteless jokes.”
A cool beauty beside him chides the man in frustration.
The man then looks to Burnext,
“What’s your name, rank, and unit? I’m Jack Bardow Breskin by the by. Rank, Fleet Admiral. Post, Supreme Commander of the Central Fleet Suppression Force and 1st Fleet Commander.”
He introduces himself.
No wonder Burnext snapped to attention.
The same rank as Lord Kyrect Elendiva, supreme commander against the Caides Pirates before and likewise a Marquis presumably.
“I am Major Rior Burnext! Attached to the Planetary Defense Fleet, Capital Defense Unit, 18th Aerospace Unit Commander!”
Burnext re-salutes and introduces himself.
“The propaganda unit right? The military’s poster boy shouldn’t be having pistol duels over women here right? Settle it with your fists if it’s over a woman, with your fists!”
Admiral Breskin looks at Burnext and I with an Oh-well expression.
But his eyes say he’ll discipline me too depending on circumstances.
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