I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship, so I Became a Space Mercenary

Chapter 199

Translator: SFBaka

Editor: Thor’s Stone

After accepting Earl Dareinwald’s request, we immediately started to make our preparations . By preparations, I mean things like making additional purchases of food stockpiles for emergencies (food cartridges), medical solution for the med-pod, energy packs for the laser rifles, laser guns, and other equipment, performing some check-up and maintenance on said weapons and equipment, as well as bringing in and installing our newly purchased combat bots and maintenance/parts swap system…… Anyway, we had a lot to do .

“So you’re telling me the damn media people suddenly decided to ask if they could pay us a visit during a super busy time like this?”

“We’re really sorry, Boss . ”

Tina bowed in apology to me who was currently watching over the colony transport system and the cargo-bots rushing to and fro inside the Lotus’ cargo hold to bring in the supplies, but I shook my head in response .

“No, it’s not like it’s you and Whisker’s fault anyway . I’m not blaming you guys . I guess it’s about time to get all the troublesome stuff out of the way anyway, so let’s get this deal over and done with . ”

But troublesome stuff was still troublesome . I’m okay with starship combat, but I’m not that good with fighting in person…… Or at least, that was supposed to be the case . Presently, I’ve become a swordsman who is able to go toe to toe with Je*i knights and S*th lords .

Uh, maybe not . They aren’t just good at sword fighting after all . They also use mysterious powers to achieve abilities like foresight and so on…… They can also use those powers to telekinetically throw stuff around and release electric attacks . Yeah . I’d probably get thoroughly beaten up . Yep .

“There’s a need to arrange for a meeting first before anything else . What are their plans regarding that?”

“Um, they handed us their contact info . ”

“I see . So they want us to contact them from our end huh . ”

We didn’t hand them our contact info, so I guess this is to be expected . I have some prejudice regarding the media after all . Well, it’s not like everything’s gonna be bad even with that crappy first impression I got from them anyway .

I took out my portable terminal, received the contact info from Whisker’s tablet, and called them up immediately .

『Yes, this is Wamdo speaking . 』

The one who replied on the other end was a man with a deep-sounding voice .

“This is Captain Hiro . I received word from Tina and Whisker from Space Dwerg so I got in touch . I heard you wanted to conduct an interview inside my ship, so I called to ask about the particulars . ”

After a brief pause, I heard a loud crash, rattling, rustling, and other clamorous noises accompanied by some swearing . Since my terminal was on speaker mode, Tina and Whisker heard the noises as well and their eyes widened in surprise .

『E-Excuse me! Thank you very much for contacting us! We have really been looking forward to hearing from you, sir!』

I suddenly imagined the figure of a man bowing profusely like a click beetle on the other end . He seems pretty different from the ones who wanted to conduct an ambush interview and forcefully boarded Black Lotus back then .

He seems to have moved to a quieter spot (At least I couldn’t hear any other noises apart from his voice on the other side . ) and started briefing me about the interview details in a calmer manner .

In short, they were planning to conduct a joint interview with Space Dwerg and other media outfits . Each company would bring their own filming equipment and would conduct the joint interview with everyone asking questions in turns .

“I see . Well, I guess it’s better to leave the interview methods to pros like you, but we have just a bit of a problem . ”

『What is it, sir?』

“We were actually contracted by a certain noble house– Uh, I guess it’s alright to tell you which house it is . We recently accepted a request from House Dareinwald and we’re slated to depart soon . ”

『Ah–……』

Wamdo choked up on the other end of the line . When it comes to interviewing mercenaries who are in an active contract with nobles, the media companies are required to discuss things with said nobles as well . Of course, getting the interview approved ain’t my problem . It’s up to them to see things through instead .

Anyway, it’s not like I’ll dump everything on them . I’ll at least serve as a point of contact between the media folks and House Dareinwald, but it’s up to the media companies to negotiate the terms . It’s not like we absolutely need to take the interviews anyway . We certainly had a deal with Space Dwerg when we purchased Black Lotus, but it’s not like we’re obligated to take the interviews .

After all, the contract also states that we can refuse interviews if they would end up interfering with our work . In other words, our client has every right to decline the interviews if they want to .

“I’m personally fine with getting interviewed . But whether or not our client will allow it is a different story . You’ll be the ones to discuss it with them, of course . ”

『C-Can you pull some strings for us somehow, sir……?』

“I’ll act as the go-between at least . Of course, I can’t just reveal the particulars of the client’s request . I believe you guys have plenty of capable personnel, so just do your best, okay . I’ll ask the client if you guys can make an appointment with them after this . ”

『Uu…… Please do . 』

“Yeah . I’ll be sure to put in a good word or two . ”

I cut the call with Mr . Wamdo, who sounded like he was about to suffer from acute stomach pain from all the stress, and immediately contacted Chris .

『Yes, this is Christina speaking . What’s the matter, Hiro-sama?』

“Sorry for calling you all of a sudden, but something came up–”

I’m not sure about what transpired in the discussion between Mr . Wamdo and Earl Dareinwald, but it seems they managed to get permission to conduct the interview in the end .

“It did seem they ended up making several arrangements though . ”

“Yeah . It looks like they won’t just interview you all, Boss . They’ll also interview Christina-sama as well . ”

“Chris-chan too?”

Mimi, who was feasting on her usual breakfast meal – a yellowish flavorful rice porridge of some sort – tilted her head curiously in the middle of bringing her spoon to her mouth .

“Maybe it’s a move to build up Chris’s fame and authority by letting the media cover how the next family head, Chris, would take command of the planetary resettlement . They’ll be able to project the image of a young but efficient and effective leader, and by making good use of Hiro who’s a Gold Star awardee and a Platinum ranker, Chris will become more renowned in aristocratic society . ”

“I see–”

After hearing Elma’s conjecture, Mimi seemed convinced . I also nodded in agreement inwardly . I have no idea just how that old man who seemed super-blunt and straight-laced struck a deal with Mr . Wamdo and the other media people, but he sure made certain to secure benefits for himself– or rather, for Chris . I guess he really is a tried and true noble after all .

“How’s the progress of procuring supplies? In any case, we’ve already finished installing the new combat bots . ”

“We’ll finish sending in all the supplies by the end of the day too . We’ve also managed to sell the crystal lifeform materials for a good price . ”

“That’s good to hear . Keep an eye on products we can bring with us to the Comatt system too . ”

“Understood . ”

Mimi nodded and smiled sweetly . It’s better for Mimi to gain practical trading experience this way and after she gets enough, I’d be able to safely leave the management of a trading ship to her in the future . Uh, but if I did that, I won’t be able to stay with her all the time anymore . That’s no good . Yep . Let’s think of some other method then .

“You’re making some really weird faces, Boss . ”

“You’re thinking about something strange again, right?”

“How rude . I was just mulling over some plans for the future, okay . ”

After retorting, I thrust my fork into a piece of my morning steak special (synthetic) and brought it to my mouth . Umu, Tetsujin V really is the best . It’s hard to think something this tasty was actually synthesized from algae, krill-like creatures, spices, and flavorings .

“Anyway, let’s stop thinking about the future for now and focus on the present . We’re gonna spend the day working inside the ship today as well, so I hope no accident happens . Here’s to spending a safe and fulfilling day . ”

We can’t be neglectful okay! We have to be really thorough . Well, the logistics work in this dimension basically just consists of giving instructions to the labor machines and leave most of the work to them . Occasionally though, some underequipped stations and planets in early stages of development make use of power armor for heavy labor . Some even use old-fashioned forklifts to load and unload stuff .

“That’s right, Boss . We have to be careful to avoid any accidents . ”

“Man, that sounds really convincing coming from you Tina . I mean, you once fired off a dwarf cannonball at me after all . ”

“I totally agree, big brother . ”

The one who was used as the dwarf cannonball in question, Whisker, wholeheartedly agreed with me .

“Mou…… You both are still holding a grudge about that after all this time, Boss, Whisker? I’m properly reflecting on it okay . ”

“Reaaally……?”

“Really! Don’t you see these genuinely repentant eyes, Whee?”

I decided to continue eating the rest of my breakfast in earnest as I watched the dwarven sisters poke fun at each other with a smile on my face . We’ve been experiencing really quiet and peaceful days recently, so I hope this continues on for longer .

I suddenly thought that these peaceful days might just simply be a prelude to something big . Y’know, like the calm before a storm or something . But nah, I’m sure it’s just my imagination . Hahaha .