Mob No. 80: “A defense-focused general-purpose combat ship? That’s quite challenging. We haven’t dealt with those much lately.”
After returning to the ocean city Ocean Palace, I immediately went to the repair shop.
I thought they might know of or have a ship that meets my requirements.
“A defense-focused general-purpose combat ship? That’s quite challenging. We haven’t dealt with those much lately.”
“These days, it’s all about speed and firepower, you know.”
The repair shop’s boss and his apprentice-like assistant started pondering over my request.
“What kind of ship were you using before?”
“It was a [Slitz] from Iofus Corporation.”
Although I had made considerable modifications and parts replacements, the base was a fairly old general-purpose combat ship.
“Ah, that’s the one that completely stopped production quite a while ago.”
“Even the repair parts and engines have been completely phased out recently, right?”
“That’s right… Do you have anything similar?”
“I think there was something close to it in last month’s catalog…”
“Really?”
The boss brought over a large terminal notebook PC displaying a catalog with holographic 3D images of various combat ships and their performance specifications.
“The one that meets your conditions is… probably the [Nortegereim] from Iofus Corporation.”
“Looks like the successor to the [Slitz]. Wait, there are only seven types of defense-focused ships, including this one?”
“General-purpose ships are now focused on speed and firepower. These tough and heavy ones remain mainly for some escort purposes.”
The catalog had over 50 to 200 types each for fully balanced, firepower-focused, speed-focused, and special gimmick types, but there were very few of the defense-focused general-purpose ships I wanted.
To be honest, having seven types is better than nothing.
Among them, the [Nortegereim] from Iofus Corporation is the successor to the [Slitz] I used as a base. Its appearance is almost unchanged, but it has a slightly larger interior and overall improved performance compared to the [Slitz].
The price seems manageable with just the compensation money I received.
But there’s an important issue.
“You don’t… have it here, right?”
“Unless the city starts functioning officially, we won’t. It’s just an academic research base now. You might find it in the imperial capital Hein or on a government-designated planet. Otherwise, you’d have to order it directly from the manufacturer.”
That shouldn’t be a problem then. The planet Ytts, where I’m based, is a government-designated planet.
After thanking the boss and his apprentice and leaving the shop, I remembered I hadn’t reported about the recent incident. I immediately called Uncle Roans.
[Hello?]
“Ah, hello. It’s Uzoss.”
[Hey. What’s up? Did you make a mistake or something?]
“Actually…”
I told him everything that had happened.
[I see… That was quite an ordeal. But from what I hear, if they’re not holding you responsible, that’s fine. You’re not actually responsible anyway. Make sure you get that compensation money.]
It’s very reassuring and helpful when he says that, but at the same time, I can’t help but imagine something unpleasant.
“I just hope that unreasonable reward-snatching pink-haired person doesn’t show up again…”
[Is there someone like that around?]
“There’s someone who might become like that…”
I’m reminded of that female student who warned me.
[Well… you know. Your job will be over soon, so the best thing to do is to leave as soon as it’s done. Oh, I’ve got work to do here. Take care then.]
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With that, Uncle Roans hung up.
Well, if worst comes to worst, I’ll consult with the professor…
That evening, I went to pick up the professor and the others again, and that was the end of the day’s work.
By the way, at the time of the incident, there were about 7 days left in the contract period.
Then came 4 days of solo survival. When I returned to Ocean Palace, I immediately fell into a deep sleep.
Including today, when I resumed work, there are only 2 days left, meaning the contract expires tomorrow.
I was going to ask the professor if we could extend it by about 4 days to make up for the time I wasn’t working, but since their regular pilot has returned, this will undoubtedly be the end of my role.
Incidentally, the regular pilot is quite handsome and was the professor’s senior in college.
That female student, instead of snapping at him, looks at him with sparkling eyes.
I know it’s not the regular pilot’s fault, but please forgive me for feeling a bit resentful.
And the next day.
After the final job was done, Professor Tez once again apologized and thanked me for getting caught up in the incident. Then I received the compensation money from the professor, the university, and the doctor’s son – thankfully, a considerable amount (9 million credits) – as digital money data.
By the way, I plan to receive the actual job payment and insurance money at the guild.
I wanted to leave this planet immediately, but there are no direct flights from here to planet Ytts, so I need to make several transfers. However, there are no more flights today, so my departure is set for tomorrow morning.
Since it was the last day, I was invited to a drinking party, but of course, I declined.
I wouldn’t be able to join in the conversation, and more than anything, I’m terrified of that female student.
But I’m grateful that she didn’t call or show up at the hotel demanding I return the compensation money. Really.
The next morning, after seeing off the professor and the others heading to the excavation site, I took the orbital elevator to the spaceport. Without incident, I was able to return to planet Ytts by noon the following day.
The first thing to do upon returning to my home base is to buy groceries.
I had emptied the refrigerator thinking I’d only be gone for a month, so there’s no food.
After finishing shopping and returning to my room, I clean up, take a bath, and have dinner while watching anime.
After spending a relaxed evening like that, the next day I went to the mercenary guild.
The guild seemed as noisy as ever, and I didn’t feel like there was any special event going on.
It seems Ms. Gerhilde hasn’t shown up, which made me breathe a sigh of relief.
As I headed to Uncle Roans’ place as usual,
“Hey. That was tough, wasn’t it?”
He called out to me cheerfully.
“It was tough because of the job you introduced, you know?”
“Don’t say that. How could I have predicted something like that would happen?”
“Well, that’s true…”
I’m complaining, but I’m not really serious about it.
Unexpected situations can occur in any job, and when they do, it’s the responsibility of the person who accepted the request.
Uncle Roans understands this too, so without worrying about it too much, he started talking about work.
“First, here’s your regular payment, and then the compensation money.”
“It’s quite a sum, isn’t it?”
The regular payment for one month is 500,000. Including the compensation, the total comes to 12 million credits.
Coincidentally, it’s almost the same amount as the job that led me to take this one.
So I can’t help but look around, but of course, there’s no sign of the pink-haired person.
So I received the payment and insurance money as digital money data with peace of mind.
With the financial aspect sorted out, there’s still one concern remaining.
“The problem now is getting a replacement ship. I found a good one in the catalog, but I’m not sure if the dealerships carry it…”
While Ytts is a government-designated planet, it’s uncertain whether manufacturers stock unpopular items.
“Well, that’s a matter of luck… Why don’t you take a break and look around leisurely?”
He seems to feel sorry for me after what happened this time.
But I don’t want to rest too much and get lazy, so I’m planning to just buy the books and anime data cards I lost this time.
If there was a doujinshi convention coming up, I’d take a long break though.
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