Mob №106 “What kind of utterly unprincipled cargo selection is this……”
The security job at the colony dismantling site ended successfully without incident, and I arrived safely on planet Ytts and immediately dove into bed as soon as I reached home.
I spent two leisurely days after returning, prepared for departure on the third day, and on the morning of the fourth day, I headed to the mercenary guild to take on a job.
Fortunately, I didn’t encounter Miss Dilopaz and managed to reach old man Roans without incident.
“Seems like there weren’t any pirate attacks this time. You must’ve been able to relax, right?”
“Well, about 70% of the time.”
“What happened the other 30%?”
“Had some issues with a junior mercenary. And apparently they registered here too. I’d prefer not to get involved if possible.”
“That’s rough. If you want to avoid staying here as much as possible, I’ve got a good job for you. Your timing’s perfect.”
From my few words, he seemed to understand that something had happened and showed me the job posting.
Job Description: Escort for transport convoy caravan.
Duration: From planet Ytts via planet Galostidal to arrival at capital planet Hein, approximately 96 hours.
12-hour continuous shifts with 12-hour standby breaks in a two-shift system based on Galactic Standard Time.
Work Environment: Free meals provided on accompanying aircraft carrier – spacecraft fuel supplied – docking during standby breaks. No accommodation facilities, so basic lodging will be in each person’s own ship.
Job Requirements: Must be Knight Rank or above.
Mandatory to bring your own spacecraft.
Repair costs for damage to personal spacecraft are your own responsibility.
Compensation: 1.5 million credits – fixed. Hazard pay provided.
Looking at the content, this job had pretty good conditions.
For escort work, it’s normal to work without breaks and coordinate rest time among mercenaries.
Being able to use an aircraft carrier – though it’s probably a converted large cargo ship – and get proper rest was appreciated.
Most importantly, the requirement to be Knight Rank or above was good.
“This means rookies can’t come. Recruitment is 50-70 people. Application deadline is today. Current applications are 65. Pre-departure meeting is tomorrow morning at 6 AM. Departure immediately after. The client is Starden Corporation – Distribution Division. The cargo is apparently quite diverse. Luxury items like cigars, alcohol, and high-grade fruits – Snow Silk woven from thread spun by Snow Moths that inhabit planet Luruk – plant and animal specimens donated to museums – pure silver ingots from planet Negora – gold ingots from an undisclosed source. There are various other items too.”
“What kind of utterly unprincipled cargo selection is this……”
Why would items that would normally be transported separately all be shipped together in one consolidated transport?
“Right now, reconstruction work is ongoing on various planets, right? The noble lords need money for that. Starden Corporation apparently targeted that opportunity and bought up various goods.”
“Their business sense is quite robust……”
“So, what do you think?”
“I’ll take it for now. It’s a job with pretty good conditions.”
Besides, it’s better than being anxious about potentially meeting someone awkward.
After accepting the job, I immediately went to Gonzales’ place to have him investigate whether there was anything behind this job, but all we could confirm was that Starden Corporation was enthusiastically buying goods and selling them in the capital Hein.
Then I returned home once, immediately prepared my things, went shopping, and loaded everything I needed onto my ship.
Furthermore, I completed the ship inspection and checked the fuel, water, and waste tanks.
Tonight I won’t return home but will stay at a capsule hotel near the guild.
This way, I won’t be rushed in the morning and won’t be late for anything other than oversleeping.
I don’t sleep in my ship to avoid consuming fuel, water, and food. You never know what might happen once you’re in space.
And the next morning.
When I went to the hall where the meeting would be held, not only was no one there, but preparations hadn’t even begun.
Maybe arriving at the venue an hour early because I woke up was overdoing it.
About 20 minutes later, several people from the client company, several guild staff members, and some droids arrived and began preparations.
By the time the staff and droids finished arranging the chairs, mercenaries began gathering sporadically, so I sat in a corner chair in the very back.
Five minutes before the meeting started, almost all participating mercenaries were seated.
And for some reason, around me were acquaintances: Lambert-kun and Rossweisse-san, Arthur-kun and Seira-jou, the rough woman Morize, and Dan-san, the “Invincible Tough Guy” – they were all clustered around me.
And sitting a bit away were Fialka-Tiursad-san, also known as “Leopardess,” along with her maid Sherry-san.
Incidentally, Rossweisse-san and Seira-jou aren’t Knight Rank, but they’re positioned as partners to Lambert-kun and Arthur-kun respectively.
Partners can become such even without mercenary qualifications, but they cannot accept jobs or receive bounties.
Sherry-san, being an android, is treated as her owner’s equipment.
By the way, regarding Levin-kun, whom I hadn’t seen since the war with the rebels, I spotted him yesterday at the open terrace of a suspiciously shady cafe in the black market shopping district, having fun chatting about chuunibyou topics with what appeared to be his friends, so it seems all my few acquaintances survived and returned.
Eventually all mercenaries gathered, and when the time came, the explanation by Starden Corporation personnel began.
“Well then, thank you for participating in our company’s job this time. This time, our company – to put it bluntly – has targeted the financial shortfalls of neighboring reconstruction territories, purchasing goods at slightly below fair market value and plans to sell them in the Imperial Capital Hein. We ask you to escort the transport of these goods.”
A man who looked like a typical salaryman began the explanation, and materials were simultaneously distributed to everyone’s devices.
“Based on the ranks and achievements of all participants today, with information provided by guild staff, and with advice from General Jack Baldur Breskin, who is also acquainted with our company’s president and CEO David Starden, we have decided on shifts for you. You will work according to this shift schedule for the duration of the contract. Of course, in emergencies, you may be called to action even during breaks. Working conditions are as stated in the recruitment requirements. Do you have any questions?”
Wait a minute. Did I just hear an unpleasant name?
That’s strange. When Gonzales investigated, not even a speck of that name came up.
The possibility of him lying is low.
Information brokers are in the trust business, so deliberately feeding false information would destroy their credibility.
I had no intention of doubting my friend Gonzales from the start anyway.
Still, I should contact him about this later.
Given my anxiety that I might be targeted by the military due to the Miss Dilopaz incident, I don’t want to accept military-related jobs.
But I can’t say “I quit” at this point, and asking questions would make me stand out.
Could there be military personnel among this group?
Of course, it might be completely unrelated.
But it’s better to be cautious.
“Well then, since there seem to be no particular questions, we’ll conclude this meeting. Departure is in 40 minutes, so please ascend to satellite orbit by then. Thank you very much.”
With the meeting concluded, everyone headed to the docking bay at once.
As usual, I watched the others leave so I could exit last.
I’d really like to just stay seated here…….
☆ ☆ ☆
[Side: Fialka-Tiursad]
When I entered the hall, I spotted him – John Uzoss – sitting in a corner.
I thought about talking to him, but people who seemed to be his friends were gathered around him.
I realized he did have friends, and something like frustration welled up at the surprising number of beautiful acquaintances he had.
Then suddenly from beside me,
“By any chance, do you want to join that group?”
Sherry teasingly spoke to me in a low voice.
“That’s not it, and besides, it wouldn’t be good for a stranger to suddenly join their conversation.”
“Is that so? I think it would be simple if you just talked to Uzoss-san.”
For some reason, Sherry had a pleased expression.
Certainly, talking to him itself would be simple, but I want to do it at my own timing.
And that timing isn’t now, I told myself.
★ ★ ★
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