The Regular Army Garrison Base, "Fort Vulcan."
Looking entirely out of place, a single civilian ship glided into the dock of the massive military fortress.
It was the Sperm Whale.
Normally, this was the kind of place where a civilian would be turned away without question—or shot down without much room for complaint—but this time was different.
"Entry permitted. Berth at Dock 8. It’s a dock intended for large-scale transport ships... Though for a civilian vessel, yours is certainly massive."
A hint of the operator’s unfiltered surprise leaked through the comms at the end of the transmission from the control tower.
At five hundred meters long, the Sperm Whale was a behemoth. She didn't pale in comparison to the Regular Army ships; in fact, her sheer size was almost intimidating.
Outsiders liked to make their own assumptions, claiming she was based on an assault landing ship or some other specialized craft, but to me, she was just the transport ship I was used to living on.
"Heh, call it a 'VIP pass.' My ID code is still active, after all," Rick said with a proud grin.
Guided by him, we made our way to the Logistics Department located deep within the base's interior.
◇
"...You're telling me civilians brought in military materials?"
The man who greeted us at the Logistics Department counter was an old officer with a face as craggy and unyielding as a rock.
His rank was Colonel. He appeared to be the head of the department.
He glared at me, Mina, and Lucia as if appraising our worth before finally shifting his sharp gaze to Rick.
"Lieutenant Vance. I am pleased to see you survived, but what is the meaning of bringing in outsiders? And such suspicious-looking ones at that?"
"Reporting, Colonel! These people saved my life. Furthermore, they are the distinguished contributors who recovered our army's precious assets!" Rick barked, snapping a crisp salute.
The Colonel’s piercing stare didn't soften in the slightest.
Rick made a brief "oops" expression and slid a box he was carrying across the counter.
"Now, now, don't look at them like that. See, I even brought a souvenir."
"...What is this?"
"A surviving 'Type-S'. Consider it a little gift for you, Colonel, to go along with my survival report."
Rick gave a knowing wink.
The Colonel inspected the contents of the box. He snorted as if exasperated, but his expression relaxed just a fraction.
"...Hmph. You’ve got some nerve using precious rations as a bribe. However, I am not a man who can be bought so cheaply."
Despite his words, his movements as he took the box were careful, even respectful. It seemed some of the hostility had drained out of him.
The Colonel then picked up the data pad I had submitted.
On it was the list of parts from the HC-09 Aegis currently sitting in the Sperm Whale’s cargo hold.
"And this is your business? I imagine it’s nothing more than a pile of scorched scrap. You should have taken it to a junk shop," the Colonel said dismissively, scrolling through the list.
Then, his finger froze.
"...What is this?"
The Colonel’s eyes widened.
Main Engine Core: Rated output maintenance rate 98.2% / Minor internal damage
40cm Anti-Ship Pulse Laser Turret Base: Barrel distortion rate less than 1% / Drive system response speed: Normal
FCS Integrated Calculation Unit: Logic circuit loss rate 2.7%
"Hey, don't toy with me. There is no way parts could be recovered with these specs from a sunken ship. Is this data forged?"
"You’ll understand once you see the actual items," I answered with total confidence.
The Colonel stood up without a word and jerked his chin toward the door. "Follow me."
We moved to the dock, and the formal inspection began.
Under Mina’s direction, drones hoisted the massive engine block into the air.
The Colonel had his maintenance soldiers check every detail, while he personally circled the components with a handheld non-destructive testing device, scanning the structural density and checking for internal cracks.
"...Unbelievable."
Several tens of minutes later, the Colonel returned. His expression had shifted from shock to genuine admiration.
"The cut surfaces... despite being sliced through, the heat distortion has been kept to an absolute minimum. This is surgical. To think even the connection bolts were removed one by one with such care... And the condition of these electronics. There is no data loss from impact whatsoever."
The Colonel turned his gaze toward Mina.
"Young lady, were you the one who did this?"
"Yes. I inferred the internal structure from an external scan and calculated the most efficient lines for extraction. ...I hate wasting materials," she replied simply.
"Splendid. Even in the Regular Army Arsenal, few can boast work this meticulous."
The stubborn old man’s face finally broke into a smile. It seemed we had passed the test.
"Very well. These are no mere scrap. I will authorize their purchase as official 'Recovered Materials.' ...And I’ll make sure the appraisal is generous."
The Colonel tapped away at his terminal.
When I saw the final amount displayed on the screen, I nearly stopped breathing.
12,500,000 Credits
Twelve and a half million.
The digits had increased by a whole place.
Combined with what we had earned back at Hephaestus, our total funds would officially blow past the 20 million credit mark. The halfway point to our 50 million goal was finally in sight.
"...Not a bad trade at all."
"I should think not. But the story doesn't end there."
The Colonel grinned and turned back to us.
"It would be a tragedy to let talent like yours roam the stars unchecked. How about it? Why not join the military?"
A recruitment pitch.
I’d expected it might happen, but he was certainly direct.
"I’ve read Lieutenant Vance’s report. Combat capability that can scatter a pirate fleet with a single ship, scanning skills that can see through a minefield, and this level of maintenance expertise. If you join us, I’ll see that you’re given officer status. I can guarantee you a salary at least double whatever you're making now."
It wasn't a bad offer. Stable status, a high salary, and access to the latest equipment.
But my answer was already a foregone conclusion.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to pass," I replied instantly.
"We fly through space so we can eat delicious food on our own terms. If we were tied down by military discipline, we’d just end up with indigestion."
"...Food, you say?"
"Yeah. Rations aren't terrible, but I’m looking for something more... free. Selfish, high-calorie meals."
I shrugged, and Rick burst out laughing beside me.
"Pfft...! See? I told you, Colonel. These guys aren't the type you can fit into a mold."
"...Hmph. Eccentric fools."
The Colonel shook his head in exasperation, but I didn't sense any ill will in his eyes.
"Fine, I won't force the issue. But if you ever change your minds, the door is open. ...Also, take this as a personal thanks."
The Colonel reached into his jacket, pulled out a bottle, and tossed it to me.
It was an old glass bottle with no label.
"Genuine brewed alcohol. It’s a distributed item for officers, but I’m a teetotaler. I imagine you lot will get more use out of it than I will."
"...Are you sure?"
"Just take it. It’s a reward for a job well done."
I accepted it gratefully.
Twelve and a half million credits, plus a bottle of real booze.
A perfect result.
"Rick, thanks for the help."
"Same to you! Let's meet again somewhere in the stars, Captain!"
We said our goodbyes to Rick and the surprisingly reasonable old man, then left the administrative area.
Our pockets were heavy. As for our stomachs... they were starting to get empty.
"So, what’s the plan? Even with twenty million, we’re still a long way off."
"I propose we gather intel in the dining area and search for the next high-payout request," Lucia suggested.
I nodded at her proposal.
Military food. That, too, was its own unique flavor.
With high expectations, we turned our steps toward the officers' mess.