Chapter 7:
Psionic Abilities Unleashed
“MASTER HIRO, COLONEL SERENA just sent a message asking you to come to the Lestarius.”
“Huh? Why?”
We had arrived in the Riche System and were now set up in the orbit of Riche III, our destination. Why in the world does she want to see me? What could she possibly need right now?
“She’d like you to help her adjust to her new power armor. She received the product she ordered, but apparently, she hasn’t had a chance to try it out yet.”
“I see. Wait… She’s planning to go to the surface herself again, isn’t she?”
“She is an Imperial noble.”
“She’s the commanding officer of this fleet. When will she get over this bad habit of hers?”
“It’s tradition,” Elma replied with a shrug.
I understood that it wouldn’t matter in space combat, since staying behind other ships wouldn’t necessarily save you from taking a hit. However, a leader fighting on the front lines in physical combat was both dangerous and impractical. But if it’s tradition…there’s not much I can say about it.
“Guess I should bring my own power armor, then. Elma, come with me. I doubt anything will happen, but if I do get hurt, I’m counting on you to carry me back.”
“Fiiine. The Antlion probably won’t be called on to provide close air support, so I’ve got nothing better to do.”
The Antlion’s main weapon was a high-powered laser-beam emitter, while its secondary weapons were seeker missiles. That meant it wasn’t suited to providing close air support on this mission; directed-energy weapons didn’t really work against those spheres. The Krishna’s flak cannons would probably be more effective. Actually, the directed-energy weapons that ships use are way stronger than the ones used by infantry and soldiers in power armor, so they might actually work… Well, either way, flak cannons will probably work better. Elma and I boarded the Krishna and headed toward the Lestarius.
There, Serena requested with a bright smile, “Please come with me for the terrestrial landing.”
With an equally bright smile, I responded, “Sorry. We’re heading out.”
“Wait, wait, wait! Don’t just leave like that!”
Serena latched onto me with all her strength, preventing me from departing. Damn it! Let go of me! Frigging nobles and their enhanced bodies! Why’re you so strong?!
“There’s no way I’m going with you! You’ll definitely get into some crazy bang-bang, clash-clash sword fight with those metal spiders or their boss! Last time I went with you to a planet in the middle of terraforming, it was an absolutely miserable experience!”
✦ ✦ ✦
✦ ✦ ✦
“It’s because that might happen that I need you there! A few soldiers of noble descent will come with us, but you’re the only one I’ve trusted before to watch my back! And we’re the only ones who have prepared custom power armor!”
“Absolutely not! Let! Go! Of! Me!” I planned to just watch the proceedings from a VIP seat in the Krishna! What kind of idiot would willingly leap into the jaws of death?!
“I’ll pay! I’ll pay you! Your mission is to protect the fleet commander, and you’ll receive a bonus upon completion!”
“…How much?”
“Um…about fifty thousand Ener?”
“My life’s not that cheap! Offer at least ten times that, and I’ll think about it!”
“Aren’t you being greedy?! I already hired you at the market rate for a platinum-rank mercenary!”
“Space battles and close air support are part of my contract, but physical combat in power armor with death machines isn’t! Go reread our contract a million times!”
Sighing, Elma interrupted my quarrel with Colonel Serena. “Okay, stop. That’s enough of that. You’re both adults; don’t get riled up squabbling like children.”
“Mgh…”
“Geh…”
It was true that I’d gotten a little heated. Getting heated was totally normal, though! Who wouldn’t? Before I could open my mouth to defend myself, Elma stopped me with a raised hand.
“Your concerns are appropriate, Hiro. Putting aside whether you’re good at physical fighting or not, you don’t like combat that puts your body itself at risk. That’s a high-risk task that isn’t part of the contract you signed.”
I crossed my arms and nodded deeply, since Elma had correctly identified why I was upset. Wearing power armor makes combat much safer than fighting without it, but it’s still no more than flimsy paper compared to the Krishna’s cockpit, which is protected by three layers of shields and heavy specialized plating. The proposed situation would be extremely dangerous. If I made a single mistake, I might say goodbye to a limb—or my head—for all eternity.
“But, Hiro…if Colonel Serena died because you refused to help her, could you really live with your conscience? Wouldn’t you regret it?”
“Hey… That’s cheating.”
Still, I couldn’t refute her point. If I abandoned Serena here, and things went as Elma said, the decision would probably haunt me for the rest of my life. But as long as Elma and Mimi continued to be there for me, I’d be able to move forwa… Augh! Damn it!
“Fine, I get it. I lose,” I said, sighing as I looked at the ceiling in frustration. It’s no use. I was no longer capable of abandoning Colonel Serena. I had feared this day would come; that was why I treated her coldly and did my best to distance myself from her. I heaved another heartfelt sigh at how pathetic I was. I just lacked resolve.
“Colonel Serena, you really are crossing the line this time,” Elma added sternly. “You take advantage of Hiro far too much. If you use money or his moral code to endanger his life again in the future, we won’t just sit by idly. You know what I’m getting at, right?”
“Mgh… Yes.” Colonel Serena faltered before Elma, who looked more serious than I’d ever seen her.
By “we,” she must mean the crew. But it’s probably better if I don’t think too much about what she’s alluding to…for mental health reasons.
“Well, this isn’t entirely unexpected. Hiro is weak when it comes to pretty women,” Elma added, glaring at me.
I had no option but to apologize. “Sorry.”