I would normally enjoy explaining the design, but remembering the reality made me trail off.
That’s right. It has a huge flaw...
Shuuichi understood what I was feeling, and looked at me sympathetically. “I realize it’s dangerous for the crew, but—”
“Huh? No, it’s not that. I’d never design something with that kind of deficiency. The problem is that the fuselage needs to have such a specific shape that we can’t fit any landing parts to it. In other words, once it takes off, all it can do is fly until out of fuel and then crash. And the X-55 is very, very expensive! Put simply, it’s worth as much as a dozen copies of Kouki’s fully equipped eighth-generation powered suit.”
That’s right... I was so focused on improving performance that the X-55 turned into an incredibly expensive disposable transport jet that’s twelve times more expensive than Kouki’s own suit, using up roughly three percent of Noa’s annual budget. Just the thought of using the aircraft makes my stomach hurt... but if we don’t use it, then it was a total waste to create it in the first place.
“Mass production would bring the cost down somewhat,” I said. “But we didn’t see any purpose for it other than data gathering purposes, so we only made one. You might as well make use of it.”
“Lately I’ve been thinking, could Kouki’s tendency to do so many crazy things be something he learned from you?” Shuuichi said. “I mean, take this aircraft that can’t land once it takes off, for example. It’s basically just a missile.”
Shuuichi can be so annoying at times! It was only meant to be a prototype aircraft! A human can fly in it, so I’m calling it an aircraft. I wish he’d leave me alone now that he’s asked what he needed to. I’ve got work to do.
“Don’t look at me like that...” he said. “I have more to ask you.”
“What is it?” I demanded.
“I want to borrow an Alice-type land battleship. The amphibious battleship Miki would be ideal. Once the remodeling is finished.”
The remodeled Alice-type amphibious battleship Miki weighed approximately 8,000 tons, was 420 meters long, 50 meters wide, and 35 meters high. It was fitted with four tri-axial 26-inch cannons. All 40 of the vertical launch system missile launchers that it had used before the remodel had now been removed, and in their place, there were thirty 20-millimeter railguns.
What’s more, there were three field-reversed fusion reactors aboard to supply the high amount of electrical energy required by the railgun shells and to support management facilities for overall command of Noa’s forces.
To put it simply, not only could this single ship take on the entire English navy, depending on the circumstances, this one ship might have the power to completely overpower the English navy.
Shuuichi thought Kouki’s tendency to do so many crazy things could be something he learned from me. But I suspect it stems from Shuuichi borrowing weapons like this one!
“Are you trying to wipe Antarctica off the map?” I asked incredulously.
“No. That’s not it. I thought of a good way to make use of it while we were talking. That’s why I want to get permission right away.”
“Fine. Take it. Just remember that if you fire the main cannons at New World’s non-combatants, such as their researchers, I’ll divorce you.”
“I’m not that stupid. Though I might threaten to shoot at them. I’m heading back to G-88. Send a messenger for me if you need anything.”
Shuuichi must have been pleased to have the chance to use our latest battleship. I sighed as I watched him leave the room with a grin on his face, and then I turned to Elise.
“Would you like me to make some more tea?” she asked. “And we might want to give Ms. Yamamoto some cake...”
“In that case, please have some cheesecake and strawberry shortcake ready. I’m sure she likes sweet things. Could you also prepare some small snacks for her?”
While Elise was preparing things in the room’s adjoining kitchen, I adjusted my makeup a little.
I really should apologize to Ms. Yamamoto. Other countries will learn about our use of biological weapons in the attack on Antarctica, so she’ll be placed under some pressure from the United Nations. And she was always taking good care of my son. I should find some way to thank her.
“The materials gathered by the intelligence department said she was...”
I opened a desk drawer and picked out a file labeled “Kaori Yamamoto” from the large number of documents inside. I read through the notes on the file.
I see. She likes cars... It seems she most likes high-class cars that are considered classic cars.
It wasn’t an interest that I understood at all, but I remembered something I’d seen in a Quartet Corp catalogue. That company was pleased that I’d purchased so many of their powered suit components, and they’d offered to give me one of their cars as a gift in return.
That’s perfect. I’ll have Ms. Yamamoto select one, and I’ll give it to her.
“Miki, Ms. Yamamoto is here to see you,” Elise said.
“Oh. Okay. Please bring out the appetizers.”
I was startled at Elise’s sudden words, but I composed myself and then moved over to a seat in the meeting area before sitting down.
About two minutes later, Ms. Yamamoto entered the room. Something seemed to be weighing on her mind.
“Long time no see, Principal Yamamoto,” I said. “Is something wrong? You don’t look well.”
“Long time no see,” she said. “I thought the United Nations would have contacted you last night. I’ve been asked to resign from my position as principal of the International Science and Technology Academy.”
But why?! How could they? There must be some reason for this!
“It must be because of my son. Was this because he surfaced near Academy City in a submarine belonging to the Russian navy?”
“Yes. But don’t get me wrong, I realize that Kouki wasn’t at fault. I don’t know the details of the incident, but I heard that his life was in danger and he did what he needed to survive. However, there are those who dislike the idea of me being principal, and they put pressure on the United Nations behind the scenes. It was decided that my managerial abilities are insufficient.”
“That couldn’t be further from the truth!” I said furiously. “It’s thanks to you that my son was able to make good friends, and his experiences working with others at the academy have helped him mature. I must make sure I properly express this to the United Nations in a future report!”