I was truly livid.
Our first priority was protecting the children.
We moved them to a transport ship headed for the university hospital in the Imperial Capital.
I left the medical treatment to Kevin and the medic team, who worked on them during the transit.
It seemed they hadn't been given much food. Their nutritional status was abysmal.
None of them were old enough to have integrated nanomachines yet, so we had to rely on IV drips.
I haven't mastered every facet of being a medic, admittedly. The ESP I inherited from the Elder, which Tatiana and I both use, is primarily focused on recovery.
We prioritized the most critical cases. Tatiana and I used our ESP on the children with life-threatening injuries, while Kevin handled those who could be managed with conventional medicine.
The burden of using ESP was simply too great to do otherwise.
One child was unconscious with ruptured internal organs, likely from a brutal assault. I took care of that one.
Another child had crushed bones—it looked like they’d been run over by a vehicle. Tatiana handled that case. She can borrow my power and amplify the effect beyond what I can do alone.
However, using our powers like that is incredibly draining.
Even though I’m accustomed to ESP now, it doesn't immediately result in brain death, but it’s still dangerous. My blood pressure spikes and my heart rhythm falters. Every time I use it, I'm put on a mandatory half-day 'Doctor Stop.'
"Phew... I’m exhausted..."
Even as a Jester, I’m an Attack Power Specialization Type. This was my limit.
I collapsed onto a sofa in the waiting room of Wifey’s transport ship. She was fuming, and my own heart was still thumping wildly in my chest.
Tatiana, being an ESP Specialization Type, could treat several people at once, but even she looked worn out afterward.
"Big Bro, I brought a sports drink for you."
"Thanks, Kevin."
We’d managed to keep everyone alive, but it was still a precarious situation.
Kevin, though exhausted himself, continued to provide desperate care. We were slated to reach the university hospital in thirty minutes.
Once there, we’d use a small VTOL to transfer them to the helipad. I left that to the professional pilots and medics. Even with the same licenses, their technical skill far outstripped mine.
Kevin would stay at the hospital to assist. He might be a rookie with a fresh doctor's license, but his battlefield experience was immense. He was a veteran who had worked as a military nurse in the thick of combat; he just happened to have gained a doctor’s license recently. He wouldn't be a hindrance to the hospital staff.
In fact, the Administrative Director practically beamed when he saw him. "Ah, the famous Dr. Kevin!"
He’s apparently quite a celebrity in Chronos after his rescue efforts during the Locust Terrorist Attack.
When the notification came in that the transfer was complete, we all let out a collective sigh of relief.
My nerves were frayed. There are some lines you just don't cross, and hurting children is one of them.
As I sat there, the Pirate Guild contacted me. I held a meeting with them in my office.
Their High-ranking Executives were all huddled together, looking like guilty dogs.
"I told you, didn't I? If you want to take toll fees and provide escorts, form a proper mercenary company. Prostitution has existed since the dawn of time, so I'm not naive enough to think I can eradicate it. If you manage your assets properly and keep things clean, I told you I'd let you operate as a legitimate business. But I also told you that if you laid a hand on a child, I’d kill you."
Acting as mercenary escorts is legal. Cargo delivery services are essential in high-risk sectors.
Even with prostitution, if they took responsibility for public health and kept their books transparent, it could be managed. I’d told them to transition to the light.
But I had been crystal clear: No children. Don't recruit them. Don't exploit them. Don't hurt them.
"Children are the state's concern. Don't you dare go messing with the state’s territory, you bastards. If you do, it’s war!"
I made sure to use language they would understand. Right now, I felt so disgusted I wanted to use their heads for batting practice.
I kicked my office desk.
With a thunderous crash, the desk splintered into pieces.
Wow, what a piece of junk. Actually, I’d specifically swapped in a cheap steel desk just so I could kick it for dramatic effect. The real one would’ve hurt my foot.
"Who did this?!" I roared.
"W-we are deeply sorry... It appears to be a splinter group we expelled because they refused to give up human trafficking..."
"Is that so? Then you won't mind if I send in the army, right? I'll scour your entire organization from top to bottom while I'm at it!"
(Translation: I'm going to 'accidentally' blow up the Pirate Guild's facilities in the confusion, tee-hee!)
It was a bluff. They’re already involved in legitimate businesses. But you can't let people like this think you're soft.
It was a matter of sheer will. I’d push them until they broke.
It didn't matter if my logic was sound. I hurled my words at them with murderous intent.
"What's it going to be?! Well?! You want a war?!"
The executives all flinched.
"W-we’ll handle it ourselves!"
Good. If they’d tried to claim it wasn't their problem because they’d expelled the group, I would’ve crushed them then and there. The incident was already being reported by every major news outlet. A criminal organization that loses the public's favor can't survive.
"Fine. Bring them in alive. Better yet, give me the coordinates. Chronos is going to handle this personally."
I wasn't going to give them a chance to silence any witnesses.
"As far as we know, they were operating out of this sector."
"Understood! We're deploying. Get ready immediately!"
I decided to take a massive force, including the fresh recruits. The veterans of the former Chronos Army could stay behind. This was the perfect training exercise for the new guys and the Officer Cadets.
"S-so... what about us?" one of the executives squeaked.
"Stay out of the way. Don't you dare interfere."
I let my bloodlust wash over them and cracked my knuckles.
It was time to hunt.
"Alright, everyone! It’s time for a special edition of ‘Combat Experience for the People of Chronos’!"
Despite my attempt at a joke, I accidentally crushed the pen in my hand.
"Oops. Someone get me a new one."
The other high-ranking officials remained silent. My aura was heavy, but they already knew where we were Charging. It was all over the news.
I didn't care if the perpetrators tried to run. I’d hunt them to the edge of the galaxy.
This time, we were the hand of absolute justice.
The soldiers were practically vibrating with anticipation.
"Now then, everyone. Let’s do our best to save Chronos."
As I spoke, Claire added a final command.
"There is a possibility of children being held at the enemy base. Hostage safety is the absolute priority."
Her eyes were sharp. This was essentially a 'bonus stage' for the Chronos Army.
Then, Wifey turned to her own fleet and gave her orders.
"This operation is support for the Chronos Army. I have received confirmation from the Archduke that it is acceptable if the culprits are 'accidentally' killed. Do as you please."
The soldiers broke into wide, predatory grins.
The guild executives watched them and let out a long, defeated sigh.
"Is there a problem?"
"No... we surrender."
I thought so. It was a perfect setup for a joint operation.