✦ ✦ ✦
“We split nanotech and biotech research into a different room from other research. They’ll both need clean rooms, but preventing leaks will be especially important while researching nanotech and biotech.”
“Leaks? I think I just heard something scary, but I’m going to pretend I didn’t. I won’t ask you to restrict yourselves to research that benefits us, but be reasonable, okay?”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I will do my best.”
Dr. Shouko and Wiska had answered with bright but untrustworthy smiles. Nevertheless, I wasn’t investing in these facilities because I expected certain results, so it was better that I just not continue with the topic.
“We’ll discuss the future prospects thoroughly later…” I said. “I see the medical bay will get a lot bigger too.”
“Yes, Master,” Mei confirmed. “Since a doctor with specialized skills is joining us, I took the opportunity to expand the facilities.”
“No matter what happens to any of you, as long as you come back alive, I guarantee I’ll restore you to health,” Dr. Shouko vowed. “Of course, it’ll naturally be preferable if my skills never become necessary in that way.”
“That’s reassuring to hear.” Given the technology available in this universe, Dr. Shouko could probably live up to that promise. She actually might not be exaggerating her capabilities. “So are these upgrades within our budget?”
“Yes,” Mei replied. “Barely, but yes.”
“Seriously…?”
I’d told them that they could spend up to thirty million Ener. Given that we were a major customer willing to splurge to that degree, it was no wonder that this dealer had pulled out all the stops. Offering us the best tea and refreshments they could was only natural. I still had no idea whether these improvements would be relatively expensive or cheap, since the prices of things in this universe were so different. I vaguely recall that a single electron microscope cost seven or eight figures in yen back home. Wait—was it nine figures? I really don’t remember anymore.
Hopefully hiring the security company wouldn’t cost too much. Either way, I doubt they’ll set us back more than ten million Ener. Not that I have any idea what the going rate is.
“Well, as long as they’re within our budget, I guess they’re fine. We could shoot for the moon, after all.”
“Yeah… Actually, if our budget was unlimited, we could aim a bit higher than what we’re settling for.”
“Spare me. Even for mercenaries, this is quite an expenditure.”
“Now that I’ve gotten a proper look at the actual cost, I’m getting cold feet…” Wiska said, her smile fading.
Good. It’s best that you acknowledge the reality of your own actions. A portion of the money we’d spend today had resulted from the blood, sweat, and tears Wiska and Tina put into their work, though, so they didn’t need to feel bad about it. Also, Mr. Terada, that sudden panic was extremely obvious. Don’t worry; we don’t to plan to renege on this deal.
✦ ✦ ✦
We left the upgrade paperwork and docking arrangements to Mr. Terada, heading back to the hotel. The plan was to arrange for a security company’s protection, then take it easy for the rest of the day.
“Once we’ve arranged a security detail, we can go shopping and exploring,” I said.
“Good idea!” said Mimi. “We were here once before, but there are still lots of spots we’ve yet to visit that I think would be worth looking at.”
“I definitely want to take Tina and the others there too.”
“There?” asked Wiska.
“It’s a fun place.”
“I don’t think I trust that look on your face, hon…”
Rude. I just wanted to broaden your horizons by taking you on a field trip to the cultured meat plant…
“Ah—I remember. You mean that spot, right? The cultured meat factory? Not interested.”
“Tch! I already told you about it?” What a mistake. Come to think of it, I do vaguely recall mentioning our experience visiting Arein Tertius’s cultured meat plant. I’ve told Tina and the others quite a bit about our adventures prior to meeting them. It made for good pillow talk.
“Cultured meat plant?” Kugi asked, interested.
Oh, yeah—I haven’t told Kugi that story yet. “It’s a factory that makes meat.”
“A factory that makes meat?! I can’t wait!” she exclaimed in excited anticipation.
“I’ve been there once already, though, so I guess I’ll pass on revisiting it.”
“I see…” Kugi replied. She was clearly deflated; her ears and tails drooped.
Hey, that’s not fair… Though I doubt she’s doing that on purpose. “Well, maybe if the opportunity presents itself. …No, let’s make time for a visit.”
When Kugi had recognized that I was about to make a noncommittal promise, she’d seemed even more disappointed, so in the end I’d firmly agreed to go with her.
Tina was smirking in amusement beside me, so I grabbed her arm. “Of course, Tina and Wiska will come with us too. They have yet to experience the factory in person, after all.”
“Huh? Wait—”
“Me too?!”
I’d roped Wiska in as collateral damage, ignoring her astonished expression. If I’m going to suffer, everyone’s going to suffer with me! Having that pair experience the factory was my goal in the first place.
“I’ll pass,” said Dr. Shouko. “I probably know more about that process than you do, Hiro.”
“Makes sense.”
I wasn’t sure whether Inagawa Technologies had connections to those meat factories or not, but Dr. Shouko had probably researched how those facilities functioned thoroughly during the investigation and analysis of the white monsters that had shown up last time we were here. It stood to reason that she knew more about the topic than I did.
“Let’s get back to our rooms for now,” I suggested.
“Yeah, let’s do that,” Elma responded lackadaisically, clearly done with this topic. I could only pray that Kugi would forget that the conversation had happened.