A massive shadow fell over the Sperm Whale’s main bridge.
An ultra-massive ring structure stretched across the void, filling our entire field of vision.
It was the Rugora Gateway—the first major junction leading into the heart of the Empire.
“...Master. We have entered the Rugora Gateway approach control zone. There are currently over three thousand vessels idling in the standby orbit.”
Following Lucia’s report, I looked out the window. A dizzying procession had formed, ranging from heavily armored military transports to glittering luxury liners belonging to the nobility and civilian ships packed with freight.
“Three thousand ships, huh... This is going to be a long haul.”
“Yes. Under normal circumstances, it would take several hours for a newly registered ship to pass through quarantine and identity verification at this checkpoint. Since this is our vessel's first time passing through, it is predicted that we will be subject to a rigorous inspection.”
As I crossed my arms and stared at the hologram, Emulgand looked up from the terminal she was operating beside me.
“Akito-san, please don't worry. Lucia-san, please transmit the ‘Researcher Accompanying Certificate’ issued by Professor Stein along with the hull identification number. For the signature code... use the Professor’s private key.”
“Understood. Transmission complete.”
The change happened the moment the message was sent.
The cold, red warning on the monitor reading “Unregistered ship, move to standby orbit” was instantly overwritten by a brilliant gold signifying “Top Priority Approval.”
‘—This is the Rugora Gateway Management Bureau. We have confirmed the Sperm Whale’s hull identification number and the signature of the accompanying official. First-time transit record approved. All protocols are waived as a direct mission of the Imperial Capital Special Science Advisor. Proceed to the A-01 Lane. All vessels on the flight path, yield the way to said ship immediately.’
The Management Bureau’s announcement sounded frantic, as if they had completely abandoned their usual dignity. I turned to look at Emulgand.
“...Hey, Emma. The wait time for first-time passage just hit zero seconds.”
“Akito-san, I’m a direct attendant and deputy under the Professor, so my clearance is much higher than your average scientist’s, you see-u.”
I stared at Emma again as she gave me a soft, goofy smile.
I had always thought of her as someone a bit airheaded who just lived to enjoy a good meal.
But she was someone who could silence the Management Bureau in an instant with the right data—someone entrusted with the Professor’s private key. She, too, was a chosen human, permitted to stand at the side of a titan of the Sage Council at the very peak of the galaxy.
As we headed toward the gate, Lucia calmly operated her terminal, displaying the ‘Payment Completed’ log.
While the Professor’s authority had saved us time, the transit fee for a heavy transport like the Sperm Whale remained unchanged. The amount displayed, including the priority lane surcharge, was nearly a million credits. The profits we had made trading at the Freeport were being shaved away at a staggering rate, but I watched the numbers drop in silence.
If I could buy time—and shorten the distance to the ‘real thing’—with money, it was a bargain.
“After the jump, the estimated travel time to the star system containing the Ocean Planet Azurite Prime is approximately eighteen hours.”
“Eighteen hours... That’s plenty of time to get ready. Lucia, gather as much info on Azurite Prime as you can before we arrive.”
“Understood, Master.”
“...Alright. Mina, before we reach the ocean planet, I’m going to sharpen my knives. Next up is finally the sea. It’s bound to be a treasure trove of incredible ingredients that’ll put even that tuna to shame.”
“I’m looking forward to the new flavors you'll make, Akito!”
Leaving the swarm of thousands of stagnant ships in its wake, the Sperm Whale glided onto the golden flight path.