We arrived at a colony established right in front of the front-line planet.
Think of it as a colossally oversized space station.
We entered the spaceport under the protection of ships from the local Count’s Knight Order. Apparently, this colony had been thrown together in a rush to serve as a temporary fortress.
I caught myself thinking it would have been more convenient to just bring a planet-class fortress along, but those were the kind of toys only Dukes possessed. When you actually needed one, you never seemed to have one on hand. Besides, the logistical cost of transporting something that massive across long distances was astronomical.
It was one of those cases where the technology existed, but wasn't available when it mattered most—honestly, that was typical.
The interior was still very much a work in progress. The internal stairs were just temporary pipe scaffolding, and even the elevators were industrial lifts intended for construction crews. Not even a single frozen food vending machine was in sight. The only amenity was a water cooler connected directly to the pipes—the kind you’d find in a community center, where you push a button and a jet of water shoots out.
Near the spaceport entrance, forklifts were busy moving crates of ammunition and rations. There were an awful lot of dried shiitake mushrooms...
Count Shinagawa, who was directing the operation, met us at the entrance. He arranged for Wifey, Thomas, and me—along with our guards—to be transported to the command headquarters.
There were several vehicles waiting. Piggett’s group and Thomas’s personal guard were loaded into troop transports, while Wifey, Thomas, and I traveled in a separate car.
Calling it a car was a bit of a stretch; it was a military SUV, minus the turret. It still had that distinct new-car smell. The Count took a different vehicle, an older model. Since his was the standard-issue type, he must have gone out of his way to procure this newer one for us.
That alone told me the Count was a man who paid attention to details. I mean, these seats... there was no way they were standard military equipment. They were high-end luxury. He’d likely reached into his own pocket to have them swapped out specifically for Wifey and Thomas.
Me? Probably not. I was a career soldier, after all. If I’d been on my own, he wouldn't have bothered with luxury upholstery. He probably would have just bolted on more armor instead.
"I’ll be in your care," I said, greeting the driver.
Judging by his rank insignia, he was a Master Sergeant. Normally, he was the kind of guy who would’ve chewed me out until I cried. It was an NCO’s solemn duty to hammer fists and reality into any brat who graduated from the Imperial Officer Academy and started acting like a big-shot squad leader just because he’d reached the rank of Warrant Officer. Under normal circumstances, he was someone I wouldn't have been able to hold my head up high around for the rest of my life.
The Master Sergeant bowed his head. It was time for some small talk.
In a gravelly voice, he gave us a rundown of the base. "This facility serves as the primary supply hub for the reclamation of the surrounding planets."
I see. This was the first time I’d seen a fort actually being put to efficient use. This is how you’re supposed to do it! Are you watching, you Duke Association bastards?!
"We’re equipped with ballistic turrets for defense. Most of our internal ordinance is ballistic as well, though we do have railguns deployed," the Master Sergeant explained.
Beyond that, there wasn't much else to say. It was a military colony, not a vacation spot. It certainly didn't have any tourist attractions. In that regard, the colonies in the pirate territories had been far more interesting.
After winding through several desolate roads still under construction, we reached the headquarters district. We stepped out of the vehicle, and I took Wifey’s hand to escort her. Our personal guards, Piggett’s group, and Thomas’s escort provided a tight perimeter.
Count Shinagawa guided us inside. "My wife and children have been evacuated to Planet Kamishiro. We are deeply indebted to you, Your Excellency Grand Duke Kamishiro."
Count Shinagawa gave me a respectful bow. So, they’d taken refuge on my family’s home planet. Come to think of it, Big Brother Sam had mentioned he was building a hotel for nobles. I vaguely remembered footing half the bill.
The capital for the business was technically mine, yet not really mine at all. Since I had a staggering number of investments, I couldn't keep track of them all. I really wasn't cut out to be a banker.
"I’m sure my brother is pleased to have them," I replied.
That was a lie. Big Brother Sam was a brilliant businessman, but he was making so much money that he was perpetually on the verge of a nervous breakdown from overwork. He’d once gone crying to a city bank, sobbing about how he couldn't take it anymore, only for them to talk him into a life insurance policy.
(He eventually appealed to the Imperial Capital Headquarters of the Agricultural Cooperative to sort things out. In the end, it seemed we were destined to never escape the clutches of the Agricultural Cooperative.)
Anyway, the command headquarters was filled with middle-aged men sitting around a table. Barons, Viscounts, Counts... basically, all the local lords from the sector. Wifey was ushered to the seat of honor with me at her side. Thomas sat on the other side.
A man who identified himself as a Count and a Colonel pulled up the mission data. "I am Ozawa. I serve as the commander of this supply base with the rank of Colonel."
With my rank of Major, I was essentially an Assistant Manager. A Lieutenant Colonel was a Deputy Manager, and a Colonel was roughly equivalent to a Department Manager. Anything higher felt like being a board member at headquarters.
Colonel Ozawa began his briefing, though he was drenched in sweat for some reason. That usually meant bad news.
"Regarding the current war situation... due to the Zork’s relentless assault, they have already seized half of Planet Shinagawa, which lies just beyond this base..." He trailed off, mumbling.
Colonel Ozawa looked like he was bracing for a bolt of lightning to strike him, but Wifey didn't lose her temper. We’d expected as much. Thomas had been nearly wiped out, and I’d stared death in the face more times than I cared to count. We were painfully aware of how terrifying the Zork could be. There was no room for complaints.
"You have done well," she said. "You’ve done remarkably well to hold out this long."
"H-Haha! This Ozawa... even at the cost of my life... wait, what?"
Colonel Ozawa stared at us in shock. The poor man—he’d clearly come prepared to literally disembowel himself.
"You’ve been through a lot, Ozawa," I added. "We understand the terror of the Zork better than anyone. You’ve done an incredible job holding the line until now! Rest easy. We are here, and together, we will seize victory!"
"H-Higg... ah... thank you! Thank you so much!"
Ozawa broke down in tears. He must have been through absolute hell. Even the expeditions led by the ultra-wealthy had been obliterated. He’d truly struggled. In a world without a Jester, it was the kind of situation where you expected to be nothing more than a stepping stone.
"You should get some rest. Come now, everyone. Can we not allow Ozawa some time to recover?"
"Sir!"
The other lords stood and saluted. The atmosphere was so heavy that no one dared to disagree. Ozawa was helped out of the room by his subordinates, leaning on their shoulders. He really was at his breaking point. It was understandable—facing an endless swarm of monsters would exhaust anyone.
"Lord Groom, what do you think? Are there any relay Zork nearby?"
"I can't be sure yet. But I suspect there’s something out there."
Truth be told, we’d discussed this in advance. I was supposed to say "I suspect something" even if I didn't have a clue. Sorry for the deception.
"It would seem so," Wifey noted.
"Is Lord Kamishiro an esper, then?" one of the lords asked.
"Indeed he is. My Lord Groom is the natural enemy of the Zork and the strongest man in the Empire! You can rest as easy as if you were on a great ship! Gwahahaha!"
Wifey let out a boisterous laugh. Even if it was a fabrication, hope was exactly what we needed right now. I really couldn't afford to lose this one.
I’d have to check with Kevin and One-oh-one later to see if they’d actually sensed anything.