We arrived at Orbit exactly on schedule.
Projected across the cockpit’s main screen was a dazzling commercial colony, its massive, ring-shaped residential district shimmering against the void.
"Whoa, incredible...! How on earth are they maintaining the curvature of that outer wall? I can't see a single seam in the structural materials!"
"And look at that advertisement! I’ve never seen a hologram with that much output before...! How are they even managing the particle control!?"
Mina was practically glued to the screen, her eyes darting across the vista as if trying to memorize every detail.
To a girl who had grown up in the slums, a sight like this must have been a massive shock. However, her points of admiration were clearly a bit unconventional. Rather than the beauty of the glittering cityscape itself, her interest was laser-focused on the technology that made it all possible.
"Hmm. It looks quite similar to the commercial districts back in the Imperial Capital. It’s almost nostalgic."
"Yeah. The districts near the center of the galaxy all tend to look like this."
In contrast to Mina’s excitement, Emma and I remained perfectly calm.
Emma was well-acquainted with "cities" like the Imperial Capital and Techne Prime, and as for me, this was a sight I had grown weary of during my days playing the game. With colossal holographic advertisements dancing through the air and shuttles weaving through the traffic lanes, it was the very picture of a cyberpunk future, but it wasn't enough to surprise me.
"...Let's get into port."
I nonchalantly initiated the port entry sequence. The Sperm Whale glided smoothly toward our designated commercial dock.
When we stepped out onto the dock, the client's representative was already waiting for us.
This was the broker Kai had introduced me to—Mr. Hal. He was a thin, nervous-looking man who spent his time glancing back and forth between the data pad in his hand and my face.
"So, you’re the transporter Kai mentioned... I don’t recognize that ship model."
"The internals are state-of-the-art. The goods you asked for are right here."
I gestured toward the hatch of the freezer container.
Hal didn't bother checking the cargo immediately. Instead, he flatly read off the market rates displayed on his data pad.
"Azurite Shiners, right. Current market price per kilo is roughly this... but once you factor in the standard yield for transport, the payout looks like this."
The figure he showed me was barely half of what I had expected.
When I narrowed my eyes, Hal snorted, looking like he expected the reaction.
"Dissatisfied? Look, these fish are delicate. Even on short-distance hauls like this one, they die from body cracking at an average rate of forty to fifty percent because of G-forces and vibration. Once you subtract the loss for disposal, this is a fair price."
"...I see. So you’re basing your math on a statistical 'average.'"
"It’s just business. Risk hedging is part of the game."
Hal didn't even look at the container, clearly intending to close the deal based on numbers alone. I let out a sharp sigh and pointed a finger directly at him.
"Save the lecture. Look at the product before you decide what it's worth."
"What?"
"Setting a price before you've even inspected the cargo is the mark of an amateur... Or are you just that insecure about your own eye for quality?"
At my provocation, Hal’s eyebrow twitched. He clicked his tongue irritably and marched over to the container with long, angry strides.
"Fine. But if the yield is below average, I’m charging you double the commission for wasting my time."
"Suit yourself. Open it up."
I released the lock, and cold air came pouring out with a sharp hiss. Hal peered inside—and then he went rigid.
"What in the..."
Inside was a school of Azurite Shiners. Even for a short trip, attempting interstellar transport of such small fish was an ambitious feat. If it hadn't been for the Sperm Whale, keeping such a delicate shipment stable would have been nearly impossible.
Their eyes were crystal clear, and their gills were a vibrant red. Their bodies were supple, showing no signs of rigor mortis yet. It was a level of quality you simply couldn't get by just tossing them into a standard freshness-retention unit.
"It’s like... they were pulled from the water five minutes ago."
"Got any complaints?"
"............No."
Hal shook his head. He looked frustrated that he’d been proven wrong, but his professional shock was clearly the stronger emotion.
"With a bad transporter, the shock of transit causes the meat to crack, and you're lucky if half of them are sellable. But these... every single one is perfect."
He looked up at me, his expression shifting. "You're more than just a transporter. I was a fool to try and use statistics on you."
Hal tapped away at his terminal to process the payment. My handheld terminal vibrated immediately with the notification.
In addition to the base reward of 500,000 credits, he had tacked on a 100,000-credit quality bonus. 600,000 credits total. For a quick trip to a neighboring system, it was an incredible haul.
"Just curious, what happens to these now? Do they go to auction?"
"Yeah. Mostly high-end auctions for the elite, or they'll end up as the main course at a five-star restaurant."
Hal stroked the side of the container almost affectionately.
"A single plate of fillets from these will go for 50,000 credits... That's enough to wipe out the annual income of an average citizen in this sector."
"Fifty thousand..."
I was momentarily stunned. In Japanese yen, that would be five million yen for one plate. In an era where a few credits could buy you a stomach full of Tasty Cube synthetic food, that price was nothing short of insanity.
"Think it's crazy? Maybe. But those people pay for the experience of consuming 'real life.' That sense of superiority is the finest seasoning money can buy."
"...I suppose so."
I nodded, feeling a bit complicated about the whole thing.
"You did good work. If I have another job like this, I’ll be asking for you specifically."
"If the opportunity arises."
I shook hands with Hal and left the dock. My pockets were feeling much heavier now. My head hurt when I thought about how much we’d spent lately, but this was a solid influx of cash.
"Now then..."
I pulled out the shopping list Mina and Emma had forced upon me. Waiting by the dock exit were Lucia, Mina, and Emma.
"Master. Is the transaction complete?"
"Yeah, it couldn't have gone better."
"Akito! Hurry up, let's go! I bet that parts shop over there has some incredible stock!"
"...Mina, please, try to settle down. Akito, I've organized everything we need into a proper list~"
The money I’d just earned was already destined to be spent on our next adventure. I gave the rowdy group a wry smile and started walking.
"Alright, let's go get what we need."