Chapter 170

Scheduled Wake-up 21

The voyage is smooth. Everything is proceeding according to plan.

The destination is still far, far away, but given how the time feels, it will likely pass in the blink of an eye. The Leader seems to have something on his mind; he’s been checking the ship’s interior constantly.

Scheduled Wake-up 22

The voyage is smooth. We had an accident where an oxygen tank was damaged midway through, but it seems it was restored without any major issues.

As usual, the Captain seems to be awake and busily tending to things. Perhaps he was scrubbing rust off the Beam cannons? Lord knows they haven't seen a single use yet.

Scheduled Wake-up 23

The voyage is smooth. Nothing special to report. I thank God that the fleet remains safe.

Scheduled Wake-up 24

The voyage is smooth. Well, at least the hardware is.

An emergency assembly was called just before we entered cryosleep, and everyone currently awake gathered at the Bridge. Apparently, a faction on one of the Food Production Ships tried to start a rebellion. They said it was because of mounting anxiety over a voyage where the destination is invisible. It’s truly absurd—there is nothing to fear. We are being watched over by God. We are walking the path She has laid out for us.

Scheduled Wake-up 25

The voyage is smooth.

To my surprise, there was a massive shift in our organization while I slept. I haven't been given the details, but it seems the rebellion was far larger than anyone assumed.

The Captain intends to temporarily suspend democratic operations until the chaos subsides, restructuring things so the top brass has total control. As someone who lived in a liberal world, I have mixed feelings about it, but perhaps it’s unavoidable. It seems I’ve been assigned the rank of Sixth Class.

Scheduled Wake-up 26

The voyage has been slightly delayed. We were unable to perform a jump at the scheduled time.

The cause was the ongoing chaos from the reorganization. Things are still messy, but it looks like the dust is finally settling. My rank of Sixth Class has been changed to the title of Major. I suppose that's because the Leader is a former military man.

“………………”

A heavy silence hung in the air of the ancient Museum. The four of them sat on the floor, facing one another, staring down at the ground without so much as a twitch.

“...I still don't know for sure, but...” Marl started, her voice laced with a strange sort of dread. “Wait. Does this mean... are we looking at the actual moment of the Founding of the Galactic Empire?”

She wasn't asking anyone in particular; it was more like she was talking in her sleep. Alan let out a heavy gulp.

“I don't know. I don't know, but as a hypothesis, it’s certainly plausible... Provided, of course, that this fleet reached this location and expanded using that same organizational structure.”

Alan wiped the sweat from his forehead. He peered at the plate in Taro’s hand, glaring at the characters as if he could force himself to read them.

“Mr. Teiro,” Koume said, raising her hand. “The log seems to use the count of Scheduled Wake-ups from cryosleep as a substitute for dates. Is there no specific date or timestamp mentioned?”

Taro simply shook his head and reached for another plate with a slightly higher count. “Let’s just check the next one.”

Scheduled Wake-up 77

The voyage is smooth.

During the journey, we passed a planet that was clearly capable of supporting human life. The leadership got into a massive argument over whether to stop, but in the end, they decided to ignore it. It makes sense. That planet was not included in God's Schedule.

Scheduled Wake-up 78

The voyage is smooth. However, the density of Drive Particles has been dropping, which leaves me feeling anxious about what’s ahead.

Apparently, the Cooling Facility on the A4 ship was sabotaged, so I was woken up earlier than planned. This kind of trouble has been happening a lot lately—rebel elements at work. Several people were detained, and the ringleader was reportedly ‘disposed of.’

Scheduled Wake-up 79

For the first time since departing Eden, we have suffered a significant delay.

A Supernova explosion occurred nearby, and the surrounding Drive Particles—which were already sparse—were completely blown away. Even though we knew it was a lost cause, we spent hours fiddling with the Overdrive Device, but obviously, it didn't solve a thing.

We are currently moving via Normal Cruise. Does even God make mistakes?

“That’s impossible!” Alan shouted.

Taro jumped at the sudden noise, but it seemed he was the only one surprised. Everyone else was too busy wearing grim expressions to care about Alan’s outburst.

“Is that really what it says? Are you sure?”

“Y-yeah. I’m pretty sure I didn't misread it.”

“...What does this mean? They already had them back then? Is that even possible?” Alan grabbed his temples, muttering to himself as if his brain was about to overheat.

While Taro watched him with a skeptical look, Koume turned her head toward him.

“Mr. Teiro, up until the present day, the Galactic Empire has not discovered a single method of FTL travel other than jumps utilizing Drive Particles. Since the text mentions an Overdrive Device, we can assume it is a device identical to the ones we use today.”

“I see. Which means... uh, what does that mean?”

“It means, Mr. Teiro, that they likely possessed a Drive Particle Detection Element. As you know, the creation of such an element is impossible for the current Galactic Empire.”

“Right. Everything we have now is just a replica of the originals. I mean, if they had them back then, it’s not like it’s... wait, no, that is weird. It’s not like the past was more technologically advanced than the present.”

Taro understood Koume’s point and looked up at the replicas lining the Museum. Even without being an expert like Marl, he could tell the ship hulls and equipment were built with primitive, immature technology.

“Drive Particles are a matter of natural science, right? So it's not like they could just be 'lost technology'... Hey, look, I’m gonna keep reading, but is this okay? We aren't, like, learning stuff we’re supposed to be executed for knowing, are we?”

Taro let out a dry laugh and tapped the plate in his hand. He wasn't really expecting an answer, and he didn't get one.

Scheduled Wake-up 80

Normal Cruise continues. However, the density of Drive Particles is gradually increasing. We should reach a jump-capable region soon.

Scheduled Wake-up 81

My colleague Koji Tanaka has passed away. It wasn't an accident or anything; it was just his time. We were classmates, friends, and good rivals. We were roughly the same age when the voyage began, but because of the difference in our wake-up schedules, it ended like this. It is incredibly regrettable.

Scheduled Wake-up 82

Finally, the Drive Particles have reached a density sufficient for a jump. The Leader is eager to make up for lost time, but the delay has been substantial. We may need to resupply at a nearby planet. This is another unplanned action that will likely cause further delays.

Taro exhaled a long breath and looked up.

“...Decades? Or was it centuries? Just how long were they traveling? This is insane,” Marl said, shaking her head with a look of mounting frustration. Taro couldn't have agreed more.

“I can't imagine they’d put a guy on the ship who was already one foot in the grave. That means he was at least young enough to work when they launched... Wait, I kind of skimmed past it before, but where the hell were these people trying to go?”

“Where? Well, here, obviously,” Marl snapped. “They reached this place, didn't they?”

“No, no, I get that, Marl-tan. What I mean is, they said they found a habitable planet on the way, right? Why would they just ignore it?”

Marl let out a sharp gasp as the realization hit her.

“You’re right. That makes no sense. If you’re looking for a colony, you’d just stop there... wait, what was it? God’s plan?”

“Hang on... It’s ‘God’s Schedule.’ Close enough to a plan, but the wording is specifically 'Schedule.' Not a program or a plan.”

“Right, that. What the hell is it? And when they say ‘God,’ they mean that God, right? The Big Boss in the Sky... Taro, does your hometown make space-exploration plans based on horoscopes or religion?”

“No way. I mean, people might pray for things to go well, but nobody lets it touch the actual logistics... Though, this is all stuff from the far future, so I guess I can't say for sure.”

“Well, I guess so... Ugh, isn't there anything else? Keep going.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m on it.”

Scheduled Wake-up 244

The schedule is significantly delayed. However, our heading is correct, and we have finished resupplying on an asteroid. Will God be angry about our tardiness?

Scheduled Wake-up 245

The voyage is smooth. Nothing special to report.

I can't remember the last time we had such a peaceful wake-up period. The new Leader seems to be doing a fine job. I have high hopes for the rest of the journey.

Scheduled Wake-up 246

The voyage is smooth. It’s wonderful. The Drive Particle density here is high, making navigation a breeze.

My son brought home his fourth spouse. We held a family celebration for the first time in ages, but I was shocked to see how much he’s grown while I was under. At this rate, he’ll catch up to me in age soon. I’m going to talk to the Leader about shortening the intervals between my wake-ups.

Scheduled Wake-up 447

Something incredible has happened. We received an Oracle.

Acting on God’s instructions, we have begun improvements on several engines and the Overdrive Device. I assume this is to make up for our delays. It seems we must arrive at the destination on schedule, though the reason remains unknown. Then again, can a human truly fathom the thoughts of God?

Those born after the voyage began finally seem to believe in God’s existence because of this event. The priests had been struggling to spread the teachings, but this will make their lives much easier. A joyous day.

Scheduled Wake-up 448

We have reached what is likely the most vital and dangerous sector of this voyage. We stand at a crossroads: will we arrive in a new world, or are we committing a grand act of suicide? The Drive Particles in this sector are behaving erratically; the Space Reservation won't stabilize. And yet, in these conditions, we must perform an ultra Long-distance Jump.

We offer our prayers to God and await our destiny.

Scheduled Wake-up 449

Success! We have arrived in the promised land!

The destination is right before our eyes, and the cold-sleepers are being revived one after another. There is no longer any need for long slumber. I am overwhelmed with emotion.

The only tragedy is the ships we lost during the previous jump. Roughly one-third of the fleet has vanished. The grief is beyond words. I pray from the bottom of my soul that we may meet again one day. My son and his family were among them.

New Era: Year 1, Month 1, Day 1

To mark the momentous day of our arrival, the calendar has been reset. There is no more fitting way to conclude this log.

God granted us the knowledge of BISHOP and the Override, and bestowed upon us the blueprints for our engines and the Overdrive Device. That is an absolute fact that no one can deny. However, it is also true that the success of this arduous voyage was only possible through the tireless efforts of our pioneer group.

May God and humanity be eternal.

Taro finished reading and slowly looked up from the plate.

For a long time, no one said a word.

None of them knew what to say.