Old Man Ohno arrived.
He brought a massive fleet hauling supplies. Or rather... was that gargantuan object a colony? Talk about a major traffic hazard for the surrounding ships.
"I brought what you asked for. Used is fine, right?"
"Yeah, good work," my wife replied.
Veronica leaned back with an air of arrogant confidence. Well, she actually was important, so I suppose it was warranted.
We positioned the core section of a semi-dilapidated colony in an open area. I called it a "core section," but there wasn't a single piece of high-tech equipment inside. It had the bare minimum power unit and nothing else. From there, we just had to assemble the parts brought by the other ships.
I left the rest to the drones. Trying to build this by hand would take a century.
Kevin and Nina served as the drone operators, supported by students from the architecture course in the University Division. Wait, shouldn't that be the other way around? Normally, wouldn't the seniors from the University Division be the ones leading the project? But as it turned out, we were deemed more suitable for the job because we had more practical experience from actual combat!
That meant us idle boys ended up pitching in, too. There were some jobs that simply couldn't be done without manual labor.
It seemed the earlier meeting had been a resounding success. Apparently, it had been a test to judge Lily based on the quality of her subordinates.
"What would you have done if they didn't pass?" I asked my wife.
"I would have excluded them from the decision-making process. If they attempted a rebellion, I would have suppressed them. That is all."
Yikes, talk about scary.
"Suppressed them?"
"Lord Groom, you must realize that we have technically invaded this place."
"This was an invasion!?"
"Of course! This was a free city that sat outside the Empire’s rule. Since we annexed it, it counts as an invasion. If they defy us, we must execute them. If they cooperate, we shall grant them the full rights of Imperial citizens. Honestly, Lord Groom, you really should practice your villainous face once in a while!"
Politics was terrifying. In other words, I had to act like a thug toward Lily while playing the saint for the citizens. Veronica claimed that was the most peaceful way to handle it.
Anyway, I was curious about what exactly had determined the "pass" or "fail," so I asked.
"By the way, why did they pass? That secretary lady seemed like a total delinquent."
"The bodyguard is a former sergeant. He came to Lily's aid even though he knew he stood no chance against you. When good subordinates are willing to risk their lives, it is a pass."
"Heh, so you took a liking to that strong-looking old guy."
"For the Lord Groom to praise him as 'strong-looking'... he must be quite the man. If possible, I would like him to train the students."
"Why?"
"Our ships are desperate for non-commissioned officers! I appointed the University Division students as NCOs as an emergency measure, but they lack an overwhelming amount of experience. You would be in trouble too, Lord Groom, if you were required to perform the duties of a Captain."
"Yeah, that’s impossible."
I had no idea what a Captain was actually supposed to do. The paperwork, in particular, was brutal. I was at a level where I barely managed by crying to the Fairy for help. Captains just had far too much on their plates...
Anyway, I understood now that the old guy was no ordinary person.
Construction continued. Most of it was drone-led assembly, with humans stepping in for the final finishing work. But the actual completion could wait until much later. Once we mostly finished the assembly—or more accurately, once we set the assembly program—it was break time. There was no point in rushing.
The only good news was that the Zorks were currently having their resources drained by Prince Thomas’s expedition. The Zorks didn't have the leeway to conduct a blitzkrieg, and attacks on planets with low strategic importance had decreased.
Back in the Imperial Capital, an unprecedented economic boom was in full swing. Supply couldn't keep up with the demand for reconstruction materials. An incredibly massive amount of consumption had occurred, after all. With production in full gear, the unemployment rate was nearly zero.
Money was flowing into our territory, too. Big Brother Sam avoided squandering tax revenue on trivialities; instead, he invested in military reinforcements, expanding production systems, and education. Since pirates had become rampant at just the right time, he stayed busy making arrests. Perhaps because of that success, other territories were even asking to lease our army for a fee. I had a feeling my home planet would be unrecognizable by the time I finally made it back.
As for me... I was currently working alongside the old men from the construction crew. I was doing wiring work.
Specifically, I was working a part-time job.
Since I was an officer, I had no obligation to do manual labor, but I was bored! I was so bored that I decided to pick up some shifts. Unlike Old Man Ohno's colony, there were no entertainment districts here. Or rather, because this was a legitimate slum, students were prohibited from visiting the colony.
A wave of despair swept through the boys who had been plotting a raid on the red-light district.
"Has God truly abandoned us!?"
When I finished my shift and headed to the battleship's cafeteria in my work clothes, the boys were howling in grief.
"I thought that this time for sure, some sexy older sisters would be kind to me!!"
Idiots, I thought, shoveling a massive portion of food into my mouth.
By the way, Edge and the others had also chosen to work to send money back to their families. Since they were assigned to a different area than me—I was one of the few who could handle electrical work—our schedules didn't line up. They were probably on material transport duty. That stuff is pretty grueling...
"Hey Leo, you've gotta tell them to permit colony visits!" one of the boys pleaded, coming over to my table.
"Are you serious? How am I supposed to tell my wife, 'Please lift the ban because these guys want to go to erotic shops'?"
"There he goes with that 'married man' attitude again! Showing off how he's working and being all serious!"
I knew they were just spouting nonsense out of jealousy. Pity, pity.
"Serious my ass. This pays thirty thousand credits a day plus allowances. I'd be stupid not to work."
If I worked for thirty days, I'd clear a million credits with the bonuses. Even twenty days would net me seven hundred thousand. Even if the goal was just play money, it was a no-brainer. I had to recoup the money I’d sunk into all those various certifications!
"Guh... I want a cute wife, too!"
The boys burst into tears right then and there. So annoying.
"You totally ignored my point, didn't you? Besides, girls working the night shift aren't going to become your wives."
In Old Man Ohno's colony, maybe there was a chance. The possibility was infinitely low, but not zero. But there was no way kids would be taken seriously by the women in a pirate territory. They'd be fleeced down to their last credit—or worse.
"Why?! Why does a closet pervert like you reject the idea so much!?"
"Because I'm a married man, that's why."
"Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! So frustrating!! Is this the composure of an adult?!"
Shut up.
Suddenly, a broadcast rang out through the ship.
"Officer Academy students, assemble in thirty minutes! Sergeant Huma will be conducting special training! Those currently working part-time shifts are to prioritize their work schedules! Repeating: Officer Academy students, assemble in thirty minutes..."
Old Man Piggett sounded delighted. I wondered if that Huma guy had been reinstated into the military? ...Piggett probably forced him back into service without letting him say no.
"I'm heading out once I finish eating," I said.
"Ueeey..."
The idiots all made disgusted faces.