Chapter 354: Unexpected Reunion

"We've seen it from afar lots of times, but now we're finally gonna have the chance to set foot inside that beauty."

"I wonder if they'll let us see the engine room?"

It was now about one hour after my discussion with Col. Serena. I, Kugi, Tina, and Wiska made our way to the Restalias, the flagship of the Independent Mobile Anti-pirate Fleet. I and Kugi were wearing our usual get-ups, but Tina and Wiska came fully equipped.

They brought all their engineer equipment with them such as their work jumpsuits, various tools, data tablet terminals, and the like. They weren't fully equipped for combat. They didn't specialize in combat in the first place.

"Sorry for making you go along with this, Kugi."

"It's fine, My Lord. I am very honored to be of use to you."

Kugi's ears stood up as she snorted proudly. Her three fluffy tails also swung back and forth energetically. She really was such a good girl.

Before long, we finally arrived at the docking bay where the Restalias was moored. I flashed my I.D. in front of a small security terminal and passed through the security gate with the girls. Of course, this was a high security area, so if we wandered around without permission, we'd probably get arrested. You'd get shot at with a laser rifle if you resisted, and even if you managed to somehow handle the sentries, burly oniisans and oneesans clad in military power armor and heavy-caliber weapons would quickly come running in as reinforcements.

Of course, the worst-case scenario would be being targeted by the naval artillery of the Restalias and the other moored military starships. I would never attempt to sneak into this place even if you paid me tons of Enel to do so.

"Hello, Captain Hiro. We've troubled you again this time."

"Hey there, Lieutenant Robbitson. Thanks for being our guide today."

Lt. Robbitson, Col. Serena's aide, was waiting for us at the gangway of the Restalias.

"We'll be in your care today."

"We look forward to working with you all."

Tina and Wiska offered polite greetings, and Kugi gracefully bowed her head.

After exchanging greetings, Lt. Robbitson quickly invited us inside the Restalias.

"This is my first time going to the cargo hold."

"Because the bridge, officer dining hall, and meeting space are all located in the central block, you didn't have the chance to come to the hold until now. The lower block is mainly where the crew's living quarters and the supply hangar are located."

"I certainly didn't have any business there in the past."

I've been able to get along well with some of the crew members serving inside the Restalias. It was mostly when I went here with Mimi and Elma back then in order to teach them effective methods to hunt down pirates. However, we haven't gotten so close that they'd be comfortable inviting me inside their private rooms in the living quarters.

But that's understandable. One's personal space is kind of like a sanctuary. Inside a starship or structures such as space colonies, personal spaces can basically be regarded as luxury goods. It seemed that inviting others inside them wasn't common, even among close friends. To be honest, I don't really get it.

I did equip my ships with pretty large break spaces, training rooms, and decently sized private rooms, so it seemed that I was deemed a generous captain who gave super high treatment to his crew members.

"It's just ahead. I hope nothing explodes today."

"Whoah! Now just hold on a moment. I seem to have heard some pretty ominous words just now?"

The moment I tried to protest, Lt. Robittson already opened the airlock leading to the research area, and the sound of an explosion along with pressure immediately rushed out.

"Buoooh!?"

"Uou!?"

"Oh boy."

"Kyah!?"

Lt. Robbitson and I staggered under the pressure caused by the explosion, but Tina and Wiska acted quickly as if they've already anticipated it and moved to the left and right of the airlock. Kugi hadn't reacted, but Wiska pulled her away, so she was able to avoid the pressure for the most part.

"Again huh......"

"My ears feel weird...... Ugh."

Neither I nor Lt. Robbitson were injured, but my ears felt really weird. Was it because they were exposed to a sudden change in pressure within a closed environment? Though I was probably fine because of the damage control system included in the life support system of the Restalias.

"Is it always like this?"

"Unfortunately."

Lt. Robbitson, who was struck directly by the pressure that rushed out of the research area, lightly brushed his uniform and sighed. It's probably that, huh? The scientists and researchers working here were most likely pretty eccentric.

Speaking of eccentric scientists, I was reminded of the beautiful glasses-wearing Dr. Shouko...... I wonder how that person is doing right now? She does have the tendency to become airheaded at times, so I was a bit worried that she got herself into some sort of trouble.

"You said the estimate of the shield strength was already good. Just look at what happened. If Lieutenant Robbitson or Colonel Serena found out, wouldn't it be bad?"

"I admit that my estimate was off. But no one was injured and no equipment was broken. Also, we did manage to get some nice data so it's fine."

Two people were arguing inside the lab that was in a messy and tragic state. Scratched and dented robotic spheres equipped with mechanical arms were floating all around them, rushing about to clean up the mess. They were probably robotic lab assistants.

"What do you think, Lieutenant Robbitson?"

"Please explain what happened here. I am trying my best to remain calm right now."

I felt like I saw the aura of a fierce bear coming out of the back of Lt. Robbitson as he confronted the female researcher. It looked like she'll get knocked out with a single blow the moment she says something stupid...... But then, I noticed that the female researcher was staring at me.

She was wearing a full-face mask, so I couldn't recognize her.

She was quite tall - probably as tall as I was - and the ample bulges particular to women were pushing up the chest part of her full-body protective suit. That's how I knew she was a woman.

"I didn't think I'd get to meet you here. It's been a while huh. But why do you have different women following you this time around?"

The female researcher walked up to me and stared at my face. What? She's wearing a mask, so I wasn't sure, but it felt like she was glaring at me.

"Huh...... Wait, don't tell me... Is that you, Doc Shouko?"

Her voice was just too similar to the voice of the one in my memories.

"That's right. To think you wouldn't recognize me in one glance. How heartless...... Oh, wait. I'm wearing a mask huh."

She then removed her full-face mask. It was undoubtedly Doctor Shouko who we met in the Alein system under the mask. Her dark brown long hair, slightly unfashionable glasses, and sleepy-looking eyes were all just as I remembered.

"It's been a while, Hiro-kun. I've heard all about your escapades."

"It really has been a while...... But why are you here?"

I don't understand. Why was someone like her working for the military as a researcher? When we last met in the Alein system, she was still working for Inagawa Technology as a medical doctor.

I do remember her mentioning that she was more of a researcher, but I didn't think she'd come aboard the Restalias and participate in the research of those mysterious spheres. No matter how I think about it, I couldn't imagine what led to her being here.

"Well, things happened. Um, in short, it's a promotion. I was then assigned to work with the military, and due to some stroke of fate, I ended up joining the expedition into the Edge World...... But enough about me for now. Why don't you answer my question first?"

"Oh, okay. Mimi and Elma stayed in the ship. These three came here to serve as technical consultants. I simply came with them due to my duty as their captain."

"Hmm, I see......"

Perhaps she was satisfied with my explanation. Doc Shouko's gaze turned toward the mechanic sisters and Kugi, then turned back toward me.

"It looks like you're the same as usual huh."

"I'm not sure what you mean by that, but yeah, I suppose I'm the same as always. Oww."

Doc Shouko grinned teasingly and slapped my rear. Please don't do that. Doc Shouko touching my behind just reminded me of an unpleasant memory I'd rather consign to oblivion.

"......It looks like introductions aren't necessary."

Lt. Robbitson muttered as he watched the interaction between me and Doc Shouko with interest.

"Hiro-kun and I do know each other after all. Allow me to go ahead and introduce myself to these ladies though. I'm Shouko. I'm a scientist working for Inagawa Technology and I got to know Hiro-kun back when he visited the Alein system. Nice to meet you guys."

After introducing herself, Dr. Shouko displayed an elusive smile.