Imperial Space Force Creon Star System Supply Depot. Based on the place's name, you'd think it was a relatively peaceful base with lots of supply containers piled up within. However, it was actually a fully functional fortress. That's right. A space fortress.
This supply depot was the only space station within the Creon system and was an integral base responsible for supplying the Imperial Space Force and the private armies of the noble lords deployed in the surrounding star systems. Naturally, in the eyes of the higher-ups of the Vereverem Federation, it was a crucial high-priority target. In order to deal with this, the place was equipped with extremely powerful weapon systems.
Well, it's not like this was the only supply depot in the front lines, and more were scattered around the surrounding star systems, so the target wasn't just the Creon system base.
"How should I put this? It's quite imposing, isn't it?"
Mimi, who was looking out through the window of the vehicle we were currently riding in, gave an honest impression of the place.
As soon as we arrived at the supply depot, we were immediately greeted by Captain Serena, and we were now heading to her ship, the Restalias, inside a vehicle she prepared for us.
"It's a bona-fide military base after all. There are hardly any civilians, right?"
Elma glanced outside the car as well and responded to Mimi's comment.
There were almost no shops and establishments that catered to military personnel coming to port in order to resupply and take a break. There were quite a lot of civilians present aboard the large supply carrier Dauntless that we stayed at when we went to the Edgeworld last time, and there were also many stores and recreational establishments to accommodate them, but... it seemed that there weren't many of that stuff at this supply base.
"This place is close to the front lines after all. If they allowed civilians in, there's a chance of some unwanted 'rats' sneaking inside among them as well."
Captain Serena, who was sitting across from us, shrugged her shoulders as she gave her two cents. It's indeed as she said. If civilians could easily come and go, agents of the Vereverem Federation were likely to take advantage of that in order to infiltrate the base. It would be a big problem if a supply base within the front lines were to be compromised. For example, they might include BC (chemical) weapons or explosives among the supplies.
"So, what's your reason for going out of your way to personally escort us?"
"Let's discuss it once we arrive at the ship. So, your crew members increased in number again, haven't they?"
"Why are you asking that all of a sudden...? It's not that exaggerated. I have no intention of recruiting new crew members left and right."
"But there's a potential crew member scheduled to join us after three years though."
"After three years? What do you mean by that?"
"It's a promise he made to a twelve-year-old girl."
"Whoah..."
Captain Serena sent me a condescending gaze. I'm relatively mild-mannered, but I'll snap at this rate y'know?
"It's just a method of polite refusal because I couldn't possibly allow an underaged kid to join us. Or rather, she's at an impressionable age, so she'll probably find something else she wants to do after three years, right? I was counting on that when I made that promise."
"Even so, you'll still go and pick her up after three years, right?"
"Even if it's just a verbal promise, I always keep my word. It's only natural for me to go and check on how she's doing. Linda did put her body on the line for us after all."
Linda, the twelve-year-old in question, had an abnormally strong resistance to the pathogen that was causing the pandemic in the Reemay Prime colony, and she agreed to submit her body to tests to create a special drug to counter said pandemic. In exchange for presenting them with the drug, we were given a hefty reward by the nobles governing Reemay Prime, and she also ended up having a share of it. She's also a kid with a connection to Tina, so it was only natural for me to check up on her in three years.
"From her reaction, I think she'll actually wait for Hiro-sama to pick her up in three years though."
"Of course not. I won't have much contact with Linda from now on, so she'll probably forget all about me."
After speaking my mind, Mimi, Elma, and even Captain Serena all gave me exasperated looks. Why?
"Okay, I get it. I'm outnumbered three to one here. So, let's just change topics. Captain Serena, before coming here, Mimi managed to procure a lot of alcohol and other luxury goods and stocked them inside the Black Lotus. Can you help us deal with them later?"
"Oh, if only the Lotus is filled with goods, then our fleet will take all of them. Fortunately, we have enough budget."
"That sounds nice, but is that really okay?"
"Out here on the front lines, you can't get as many supplies as you want even if you have the budget. The quota for supplies is fixed. But since those items were procured by you guys personally, they have nothing to do with that fixed quota."
Captain Serena displayed a fiendish smile. Was this really okay, Miss Imperial Officer? Well, it's not like there's anything wrong with using the allocated budget for procuring supplies from us at a fair price, I suppose. It's better than us profiting by selling stuff at unfair prices, or them exploiting us instead.
"Then, can we discuss it with your supply officer later?"
"Please go ahead. I'll make arrangements so that Mimi-sam... err, Mimi-san can get in touch with them through her terminal."
"Okay, Captain Serena. Looking forward to working with you again."
She nearly addressed Mimi as 'Mimi-sama' earlier huh? Captain Serena was aware that Mimi was actually the grandniece of the emperor, so she nearly formally addressed her but changed her way of address halfway.
While we were having this exchange, the vehicle we were riding in finally arrived at the area where the Restalias was anchored, so we got off and proceeded to come aboard the ship. By the way, the members going to the Restalias this time around were me, Mimi, and Elma. Stationing Mei inside the Lotus just in case something happened was the safer option, and the mechanic sisters and Dr. Shouko had no particular reason to accompany us for the visit. As for Kugi, she stayed behind in order to exchange info with me telepathically in case of emergency. That's right. I've also learned basic telepathy techniques from Kugi. However, since I could only interact with Kugi for now, it meant I hadn't mastered telepathy yet.
"..."
We got off the rugged military vehicle and moved to the hatch of the Restalias using a large elevator-like ramp, and Captain Serena was staring at me in a scrutinizing manner the entire time.
"What?"
"I was just checking your appearance. Your outfit is crass as usual, but I commend you for wearing the Gold Star and Silver Sword Wing Assault medal."
"Thanks, I guess."
It definitely didn't sound like a compliment, but I'd consider it as one anyway. We're at a military installation after all. I thought it would serve as a good bluff, so I made sure to wear the medal I received when I dealt with those crystal lifeforms. As long as I was sporting the medals as well as my swords, I probably wouldn't get picked on unless the other party was a reckless idiot.
Most of the Imperial soldiers I knew were serious, straight-laced types, but that's probably not the case for every single one of them. There's nothing wrong with trying to prevent troublesome stuff in advance.
Also, there weren't just soldiers from the Imperial Space Force in this supply base. Members of various private armies sent by nobles were also staying here. These private armies were raised independently by the nobles themselves. Most of them were supposed to be working as part of the star system garrisons that maintained public order within their respective star systems, but there might be some unruly members within their ranks as well. And among these private armies, some were more akin to gangs than an organized professional fighting force, so it's best to be careful.
Oh, right. I better ask Captain Serena about that matter.
"By the way, what's the atmosphere like on the front lines and within this base? I sure hope no weirdos are throwing their weight around."
I was just bringing up the topic casually, but the moment Captain Serena heard my words, her expression instantly clouded over. How scary. It sure gave me the shivers.
"That's exactly what I was going to talk to you about once we're inside the ship."
"I see. In other words, the atmosphere isn't that promising."
"Well, that's not exactly the case... Err, but maybe... Hmm."
Captain Serena minced her words while sporting a conflicted expression. Oh boy. This seemed like a pretty complicated situation. In other words, this matter will be the source of our troubles this time around. I forgot her name, but the female officer who appeared to be Captain Serena's adjutant was displaying a wry smile on her face. I remembered Lieutenant Robbitson quite well, but I wonder what this lady's name was.
"Actually, a nobleman who has a bit of a relationship with us is currently in charge of defending the star system, including this base. To put it bluntly, he's actually set up for failure."
"What do you mean by that...? Do you mean he and his men are supposed to get crushed on the front lines? Similar to a penal unit?"
"Oh, that description sounds quite fitting. That's exactly how it is. The nobleman in question is Earl Ixamal."
"Hee–...? Who the heck is he?"
The moment I asked, Captain Serena burst into laughter. Elma let out a deep sigh, and Mimi and the female officer smiled bitterly. Moreover, the female officer's cheeks were actually twitching.
"You really don't remember him?"
"No. Not at all. The name does sound kinda familiar though...?"
"That means you really don't remember him huh... We fought against biological weapons in the Comatt star system, right? Don't tell me you forgot even that?"
"Oh, you're talking about the time you forced me to land on a planet in the middle of being terraformed even though I didn't want to. I haven't forgotten the grudge from that time."
"Stop dwelling on such insignificant matters. Anyway, the target we were chasing after at the time was a part of House Ixamal, remember?"
It wasn't insignificant, okay? Due to that experience, I even decided to buy my Ninja power armor y'know? Well, I do admit that it isn't that important right now.
"Come to think of it, I remember you laughing like a villain while saying that you're gonna drive some delinquent nobleman into a corner back then."
"I definitely did not laugh in such a vulgar way!"
"Really? My memories of that time ain't that clear."
Fushaa–! I looked away from Captain Serena who was bristling like an angry cat. I believe it went something like that, but I don't remember very well because I simply wasn't interested and didn't think I'd get involved with those guys again in the future.
However, if that's the case, then the noble house that was berated by the emperor due to Captain Serena and my actions back then was now throwing its weight around at this place. Well, that certainly sounded troublesome. And I seriously resented the emperor even more for throwing Captain Serena and me into a place like this.