An Unbelievable Treatment
Five hours later, the space destroyer [Shunmin] entered the control zone of planet Diamond as scheduled.
“Acting Captain, we’ve entered Diamond’s control zone.”
“Contact the control tower immediately.”
“Understood.”
Kaori operated the radio to contact the space control bureau on planet Diamond.
“This is KSS9999 space destroyer [Shunmin]. Control tower, please respond.”
“This is planet Diamond control. We’ve been informed about your [Shunmin]. We’ll open a flight path immediately, so please follow our instructions.”
“Thank you very much.”
Right after the radio communication, data was sent to [Shunmin].
“Acting Captain, we’ve received the flight path data. We’ll switch to automatic navigation following the control tower’s instructions and the received data.”
In the kingdom, when entering a planet from space, ships are required to dock following the instructions of that planet’s control bureau.
The last time we docked, we had a guide from a space tug boat board our ship and give us instructions to enter the dock. However, for civilian ships, they don’t wait for a guide each time.
As we’re doing now, they receive automatic navigation data from the planetary control bureau via communication, and the ship’s built-in automatic navigation system guides them to the control zone of the spaceport they’re entering.
From there, it depends on each spaceport, but in most cases, they dock following instructions via communication.
We too are currently in automatic navigation to Faren Spaceport using the data sent from the control bureau.
Well, in about thirty minutes we’ll enter Faren Spaceport’s control zone, and from there we’ll just follow their instructions.
“Acting Captain, we’ll enter Faren Spaceport’s control zone in three minutes.”
“Understood. Prepare for final docking procedures.”
“Roger that.”
“This is Faren Spaceport control. Please state your ship name and hull number.”
They should already know our identity from the automatic navigation information that was sent earlier, but this exchange over the radio serves as a confirmation.
Well, this confirmation only becomes crucial in cases where the ship has been hijacked. If the crew is fine and everything is normal, it’s more like a greeting.
Everyone accepts this as a formality.
“This is the space destroyer [Shunmin], hull number KSS9999, belonging to the Capital Space Guard. We request permission to dock at Faren Spaceport as per the royal palace’s request.”
“Space destroyer [Shunmin], we’ve been informed of your visit. Please follow our instructions and enter through Guest Route 3.”
“Understood, proceeding to Guest Route 3.”
Guest route? Isn’t that strange?
Faren Spaceport is a dedicated military spaceport.
Naturally, several entry routes prioritize the military, and warships have more convenient routes set up for immediate entry.
Although the Coast Guard also has its base here, it’s more like they’re borrowing space. They’re only given one roundabout route that doesn’t interfere with military operations.
The rest are similar roundabout routes given to civilian military personnel.
However, there are three routes with higher priority than even the military, which are called guest routes here.
These dedicated routes are for use by royal cruise ships or for visiting foreign dignitaries.
Of course, they get top priority for docking, allowing comfortable entry without any waiting.
That’s why the crew of [Shunmin] was puzzled by the earlier radio communication.
The Coast Guard is here too, so we should be able to use their route. I don’t understand why we’re not.
“Acting Captain, we’re proceeding to the guest route as instructed.”
Meyrica-neesan immediately confirmed.
“Nina, you heard it. Proceed as instructed.”
“Acting Captain, things are getting a bit strange, aren’t they?”
“You think so too, Meyrica-neesan? Well, it’s natural to think that. Even military personnel rarely use the guest routes. I’ve heard they’re mostly used by royal family members. Other than that, maybe foreign diplomatic personnel.”
“It’s true that we have instructions from the royal palace this time, but even so…”
“No matter how much it’s a request from the royal palace, to let us use the same route as the royal family… Surely they won’t let us use the royal parking space too?”
“That’s absolutely impossible. They’ll probably make us park in some empty space. We should be getting parking instructions soon.”
“Yes, we’re receiving a communication now.”
“This is the Royal Management Bureau. I’m on the radio in place of the spaceport staff. As per The Highness’s instructions, please park in the royal exclusive space, spot number 5. After landing, we’ll visit you, so please wait there.”
“Understood. We’ll follow your instructions.”
Kaori, who was at the radio, responded immediately, but things are getting increasingly strange.
“Acting Captain??”
“Nina, you heard it. Follow the instructions and land at spot number 5.”
“Uh, if we follow these instructions, we’ll pass right next to where the military flagship is parked. Is that okay?”
“It should be fine. Those are the instructions we’ve been given.”
“We’ll soon pass by the [Houou], the flagship of the First Space Fleet.”
“Acting Captain! Look, look! That’s the [Houou]! It’s the pride of the kingdom’s space navy. This is the first time I’ve seen it this close. It’s so cool!”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
Kasumi, the battleship enthusiast, is at maximum excitement.
I’ve only seen it once since entering that officer training school.
Well, I did get to tour the inside at that time, which Kasumi would be incredibly envious of if she knew.
At that time, I only thought of it as just a big ship, but I suppose it’s quite impressive for ordinary people.
I’ve heard that even officer candidates from other schools don’t get such opportunities, so in that sense, the students at that school were quite privileged.
“We’ll be landing soon.”
“Hey, Nina. It’s fine to look around, but don’t crash into that ship.”
“Meyrica-neesan, I won’t make such a blunder. Besides, we’re mostly on automatic pilot here, so there’s no way to crash.”
The ship safely landed at the designated royal exclusive spot number 5.
However, we’ve never been to a place like this before, so we have no idea what to do next.
As I’m pondering this, a radio communication comes in.
“Acting Captain. There’s a radio communication from the royal palace staff outside.”
“Connect me immediately.”
“We are Shinome from the Royal Guard Department, Fifth Division. We’d like to speak with the captain.”
“Shinome-dono. Unfortunately, there is no captain on this ship. I’m currently acting as the captain with the highest command authority, so I’ll hear what you have to say.”
“I see, my apologies. After this, the Third Princess will be inspecting this ship, so we’d like to secure Her Highness’s safety beforehand.”
“What would you like us to do?”
“I’m sorry, but I’d like to have my guard personnel inspect the ship’s interior. Can I have your permission?”
Here it comes…
What I feared has happened so soon.
They’re going to see this inappropriately luxurious interior.
I’m honestly anxious about how they’ll react.
Well, the only consolation is that it’s the royal palace people and not the Coast Guard folks. They might be amazed, but at least they won’t get angry right away.
“I understand. We’ll open the main gate now, so please come there. We’ll have someone meet you at the gate.”
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
“You heard it, Meyrica-neesan. Sorry, but could you go down and greet them?”
“I understand, but what should I…”
“Let them do as they wish. Make sure someone is always with them who can guide them anywhere.”
“Understood.”
After my radio communication, a slight shock runs through the ship.
A boarding tube has been connected to the airlock area that serves as the main gate right below the bridge.
If this were a slightly larger ship, we probably wouldn’t feel much of an impact, but well, this ship is just a bit larger than a space cruiser, so it’s natural to feel the shock.
I once heard from Mark that for rich people who own cruisers, feeling this shock is when they first realize they’ve arrived on a planet.
I remember being told during a training voyage in my student days that it feels a bit unsatisfying not to feel this on larger ships.
To begin with, using a tube for boarding is only done in places like this. On other planets, at least in the Third Patrol Fleet, we enter and exit through the rear hatch even at our home port, so we’re not familiar with tubes.
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
I guess there will be more surprises waiting for them. Thanks for the treat.
main surprise gonna be the princess aka future waifu maybe? lol
That’s unusual, how could this old destroyer be larger than a modern cruiser? Maybe the size standards have changed since the old times?