Episode 22: Departure of the Fox Girls (45 Bodies)
The maiden voyage of the First Trade Fleet begins.
Light Trade Sailship (LST) class, 1st ship, LST-1, flagship ＜Paraiso＞.
LST class, 2nd ship, LST-2.
LST class, 3rd ship, LST-3.
They considered giving the ships names, but since they plan to dismantle them once other ships are ready, they decided to just use numbers. However, since the Northern Continent, where these ship names will be shown, doesn’t (obviously) use the alphabet, there shouldn’t be any problems.
“Even just three ships in a line look so brave!”
Watching the aerial footage from the drone, she sat in the Commander’s seat, completely satisfied. Seeing her like that, ＜Ringo＞ was also pleased.
“This time, to enhance defensive power, we’ve also deployed attack drones. Their movement speed isn’t fast, but they should be sufficient for anti-personnel combat.”
“Hee… I feel like the Communicator Dolls alone are enough, though.”
“Considering the value of a single unit, the loss of a Communicator Doll versus the total loss of a drone makes the drone cheaper. We also have prospects for obtaining Iron, so we can mass-produce drones. Our policy is to conserve the Communicator Dolls as much as possible.”
“Well… I guess that’s true. If they get injured, even by accident, it would be a pain…”
This time, 36 newly created (rolled out) Communicator Dolls were made. To have them all board the First Trade Fleet, a total of 45 Communicator Dolls will head to that port city.
With that many, they have enough combat power to conquer that port city, but deploying drone weapons on top of that would be overkill.
However, that port city won’t necessarily be peaceful forever. The next time they arrive, it could be occupied by another force, and they might be attacked without warning. Well, they’ve infiltrated a large number of reconnaissance bots to check in advance.
“We will continue to increase production of Communicator Dolls, and in the future, we will sequentially install independent intelligence. We need to avoid damaging the base bodies as much as possible.”
“Ah, that’s right. Do you have a prospect for the Brain Units?”
“Yes, without incident. We will test them on Communicator Dolls currently being cultivated. If there are no problems, we will proceed to the education phase (primary phase).”
By installing Brain Units, they will be capable of thinking and acting autonomously to the same extent as adults. Since two-way communication with ＜Ringo＞ is also possible, they will be able to produce unique and high-performance Humanoid Machines (Androids).
By the way, in ＜World of Space＞, wireless communication could be easily jammed, so it was a technology that was hardly used except in the very early stages. It is precisely because this world lacks wireless technology that this operation is possible.
“By the way, aren’t you going to change the genetic information? I think we’ve obtained enough local genes.”
“…”
To her simple question, ＜Ringo＞ closed her mouth for a moment.
All of the currently operating Communicator Dolls are manufactured based on her genetic information, so they have almost the same appearance, with some minor differences. Any of them could pass as twins.
“…There’s something I can’t accept…”
“…?”
She tilted her head at ＜Ringo＞, who answered with great difficulty. After a moment, she realized that ＜Ringo＞ was (emotionally) reluctant to mix in genetic information other than hers.
“Hee~”
“…”
She hugged ＜Ringo＞, who was standing there awkwardly, with a smile.
“It’s okay, ＜Ringo＞. If you don’t like it, we’ll think of another way.”
“…However, it’s not very efficient…”
“Come on. You don’t have to worry about it. Prioritizing efficiency isn’t the only right answer.”
＜Ringo＞ understands that diversifying genetic information and creating differences in appearance and gender is the most efficient way. However, ＜Ringo＞ showed a negative reaction to the act of mixing other people’s genetic information with hers. While she realized that it was the most rational option in theory, she couldn’t choose it.
And she saw ＜Ringo＞’s conflict and comforted her.
“If we’re just talking about efficiency, the most inefficient thing is me in the first place, isn’t it?”
“That’s not…!”
“That’s how it is. You should understand that.”
She hugged ＜Ringo＞ and stroked her head as if to soothe her.
“Do what you want to do. If you get lost, remember your Raison d’être. Even if it’s inefficient, as long as it doesn’t deviate from th(i)s, it’s the right answer.”
“…Yes.”
So.
She glanced at the genetic information that ＜Ringo＞ had collected.
“Well, even if we don’t mix it with my genetic information, it’s okay to create new ones, right?”
“…. That’s right. I’ll try manufacturing a few on a trial basis.”
While confirming that the task of manufacturing Communicator Dolls based on the genetic information of the locals had been added, she returned to her original job.
That is, the review of the fleet accompanying the departure of the First Trade Fleet.
“All crew, to the port side. Salute.”
Although there was no sound, it was a magnificent salute that sounded like it could be heard. 45 fully armed Communicator Dolls lined up on the port side and saluted the drone.
“Nice movement.”
“Thank you.”
Because of the close proximity to Fortress ＜The Tree＞, ＜Ringo＞ directly controls all of the Communicator Dolls. She is adjusting the output of the muscles to the millimeter. Therefore, even on the ship swaying with the navigation, she can achieve perfectly coordinated movements.
Once they are far away at Telek Port City, the destination port, there will inevitably be a delay of about a few tenths of a second. In that case, the Communicator Dolls themselves will have to control the hardware with their own brains, so it will be impossible to coordinate to this extent. Differences will also occur due to the hardware-related individuality of each Communicator Doll.
“After this, we plan to operate the power at full capacity and test-fire each turret. It will take some time to prepare, so please relax until then.”
“Okay~. Good work.”
She sank into the Commander’s seat and picked up the tea that ＜Ringo＞ had prepared. This uses tea leaves obtained in the previous trade. After all, it was reckless to make tea from Seaweed (although something like kelp tea was made).
“The taste of civilization…”
Considering the tasteless distilled water or the mineral-added oral rehydration solution, this is a major improvement. However, distilled water and component-adjusted oral rehydration solutions use more advanced manufacturing equipment, but well, if Ma’am says so, let’s just agree, ＜Ringo＞ casually agreed. She’s bound to say something similar every time new ingredients are introduced.
“The refining of wheat flour has been completed, so I made baked goods. It’s a little bland because I haven’t obtained any dairy products.”
“Let’s see.”
She offered the cookies that the electric cart had brought, and immediately picked one up and threw it into her mouth.
“Mmm~. Sweet~”
＜Ringo＞’s cheeks relaxed at the sight of her pressing both cheeks and moving her feet. It was worth the effort of insisting on collecting vegetable oil. She had been reluctant because the production volume was small and it didn’t last long, but she added it to the list, saying that it would be used on the ship. Naturally, she transferred it to airtight containers on board and took the entire amount back. It was probably squeezed from tree nuts like Olive (she). Fish-derived oil can be produced, but the odor is a concern. It can be disguised when used in cooking, but it couldn’t be used for sweets.
“If a large transport ship goes into service, it may be possible to trade livestock.”
“…Livestock. Meat and milk?”
“Yes. The variety of dishes and sweets will expand.”
“…! That’s right! I would definitely like to request that!”
＜Ringo＞ felt a sense of fulfillment at the expected reaction.
“But if that’s the case… Well, it’s impossible right away, but I’d also like to have a land base…”
“That’s right. If we can obtain enough Iron Material, let’s prepare a base somewhere.”
“If possible, it would be nice to be close to an iron mine.”
“We are currently investigating. We are increasing production of Solar-Powered Reconnaissance Aircraft (Swift) equipped with magnetic sensors, so I think we can gradually expand the survey area.”
Now that Iron has been obtained, some of the reserved Duralumin can also be used. Since Swift uses few raw materials, the production line is currently in full operation.
“The map of the Northern Continent has expanded quite a bit.”
“Yes, Ma’am. We are gradually expanding the search area from the southeastern coast. There are many sandy beaches, so it’s a land with few port towns.”
We’re avoiding the peninsular nations and continuing our exploration eastward, but there’s a lot of low-lying land, and so far, we haven’t found any mines. It seems we have no choice but to expand steadily. For the time being, ＜Ringo＞, as the Overseer AI, will be responsible for exploring resource production while obtaining Iron and rare metals through trade.