I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship, so I Became a Space Mercenary - Chapter 428.1
A Promise Three Years Later
The effect of the purification nanomachines prepared by Dr. Shoko was extraordinary. Hartmut was rapidly bringing the pandemic under control by gradually expanding the area where the purification nanomachines were sprayed and by using the special medicine prepared by Dr. Shoko.
It had been about a week since I delivered the container that Dr. Shoko had given me to Hartmut.
Meanwhile, we had been busy in our own way, visiting Aylia’s orphanage, taking Dr. Shoko to see Hartmut about the purification nanomachines, and negotiating a reward for the design data of the purification nanomachines.
“But still, the power of nanomachines is astonishing. I didn’t know that a single scientist could make such a difference.” (Hiro)
I muttered to myself while having a lap pillow on Dr. Shoko’s legs in the break room. The holo-display in the break room was showing the news that the pandemic was coming to an end.
“It’s just that this case happened to be a situation related to my area of expertise, that’s all.” (Shoko)
Dr. Shoko, with my head in her lap, said this with humility, but her expression was quite proud. It was a smug look. I didn’t think much of it, though, since she did actually achieve enough to feel proud of herself.
“I find it amazing, really. I was honestly impressed. But wouldn’t nanomachine technology be a big problem if it was used as a weapon?” (Hiro)
“Oh, I don’t think so. I get asked that a lot, but it’s certainly possible. It can be made, you know? So-called killer nanomachines. However, when it comes to using them as weapons, they are easier to disable than biological or chemical weapons, and they are not worth the cost in many ways.” (Shoko)
“Is that so?” (Hiro)
“That’s right. They are precision instruments, so they are vulnerable to EMP pulses. And of course, they are also vulnerable to shields. And it takes a certain amount of nanomachines to kill a person, so if you’re talking about killing a whole colony with nanomachines, you’d have to efficiently spray a mass of nanomachines equivalent to the weight of a Krishna class ship. Frankly, I don’t think the cost is justified.” (Shoko)
“I see, it would be less time-consuming and less expensive to just launch a single reactive warhead instead.” (Hiro)
“That’s what I was saying. Well, it could be used for assassinations on an individual level, but it would be difficult to use it as a warfare weapon.” (Shoko)
“I see.” (Hiro)
So, in other words, it wasn’t going to be an easy “Gray Goo Machine” that causes mass destruction. I felt both relieved and a bit like my dreams had been ruined.”
“Hmm, I’m starting to feel a little sleepy.” (Hiro)
“I swear, you could get a neck ache sleeping on my lap as a pillow, you know.” (Shoko)
“I think it’s just the right amount of firmness. But yeah, I do prefer going to sleep in a proper bed.” (Hiro)
“…” (Shoko)
“Aiyo (Got it)… and, what’s with those hands?” (Hiro)
“I want Hiro-kun to carry me along.” (Shoko)
After saying so, Dr. Shoko smiled. Was that okay? Very well, I shall carry her then. All right. You were surprisingly pampered, weren’t you, doctor?
???
I’ve taken care of most of what I needed to do at Reemay Prime Colony, but there was one thing I left undone.
“Well… you know why I called you three here today, don’t you?” (Hiro)
The three girls sitting side by side at a table in the corner of the cafeteria – only one of them was not part of our crew – each gave me a sour look at my words.
“Well, you basically smuggled Linda into our ship, albeit temporarily, and for your own reasons, so I will be the one responsible for deciding what to do with this situation. Linda was the catalyst in the creation of an effective antidote to the pandemic in this colony, and we’re getting a sizable reward from Hartmut for her help. Part of that reward will, of course, be allocated to Linda as well.” (Hiro)
With that said, I cut off my sentence and looked at the girls – Tina, Wiska, and Linda. Hmmm… All three of them seemed to be in a sorry state of shock. I felt like I was doing something wrong.
“Frankly, I don’t want to take Linda with me. We have enough manpower at the moment. Besides, there are other people here that she can depend on. Don’t you agree?” (Hiro)
“Well…yeah, that’s true.” (Tina)
Aylia was at the orphanage where Linda was originally from, Heinz and Zeke were there, and Hartmut would be willing to help if Aylia requested assistance. The amount of money I, or rather we, would be giving Linda was not only enough to buy her free movement rights, and it was more than enough for her to pay for her studies so that she could do what she wanted to do. In all honesty, it was too much money for someone like Linda to possess.
I did not want to let a girl, who was still too young, carry a big sum of money, so I would leave the money under the management of Heinz and the others.
Heinz should be able to deal with it. Well, if he did try using Linda’s money for personal gain, he knew what would happen, you know? Well, since he was going to be forced to go through the trouble of managing it, I had to compensate him in some way.
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Also check out my other novels: A Demon Lord’s Tale: Dungeons, Monster Girls, and Heartwarming Bliss, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear, and Reincarnated into a Game As the Hero’s Friend