Episode 38: Let’s Explore the Ghost Ship
“…Ghost ship?”
“Yes, Akane said so. Ringo told us that a battered, unmanned ship is drifting. So, we all watched the video.”
“Ringo?”
She turned around, and Ringo nodded.
“It didn’t seem particularly dangerous, so I provided it as teaching material.”
“Hmm.”
The fact that I hadn’t been informed bothered me a little, but it was probably teaching material that included reporting to Commander (Eve). Well, judging from Ichigo’s attitude, it was more of a “story” than a report.
“So, we thought it would be a good opportunity to board it. Um, I wanted to go too, and, um, Onee-sama, everyone together…”
Fidgeting, glancing around.
Seeing Ichigo like this, she nodded emphatically, as if she had found what she was looking for, and stood up. Who could express anything other than agreement when faced with such an adorable sight? No one!
“That sounds like so much fun, Ichigo! Ringo, prepare!”
“Yes, Ma’am. I have prepared the Alpha-class Destroyer, Vessel 8, Hotel.”
“Hotel, you say. How extravagant.”
“Preparations for an overnight stay have also been made. Leave it to me.”
It didn’t matter, but she had never stayed in a hotel, or even traveled for that matter, but if she knew it as knowledge, she could handle anything. While casually bantering with Ringo, she started walking towards the outer dock. Ichigo followed happily, so she took her hand.
By the way, Ringo thought that if she held someone’s hand, everyone would end up doing the same thing and making a fuss, but that was fine as long as Commander (Ma’am) was happy. Of course, Ringo would participate too.
“After arriving at the site, I will send in the work drones in advance. I have done a simple scan with drones from the sky, but not everything has been investigated.”
“I see. It would be troublesome if there were any survivors who attacked us…”
“Yes, Ma’am. Also, quarantine is necessary, so it will take some time.”
Since being transferred to this world, Ringo has been continuously investigating her body. So far, no particular problems have been found. The immune system is functioning normally, and it seemed to be several times stronger than that of humans in Ringo’s knowledge. There was a concern that she might be infected with unknown bacteria or viruses in a place like this without a large medical center… but she was free from illness. And the sisters who were cultivated based on her genes were the same.
“The risk of infection from decaying corpses is very high, so please do not approach them under any circumstances.”
“…So, there probably are some?”
“Yes, Ma’am. It’s a shipwreck. I could see them on the deck, and probably inside the ship as well. I don’t know how long it has been drifting, but it hasn’t been skeletonized, so it’s probably only been a few months at most. I believe pathogens are breeding.”
Human-derived bacteria are, of course, more likely to infect other humans. Even if they have genetically robust immune systems, it is very dangerous to be exposed to a bacterial load that exceeds their processing capacity.
“Should we wear protective suits?”
“If possible… Yes, well, we’ll need training for that anyway, so let’s prepare them. They may be a little difficult to move in, but they also have joint assist functions. I can also provide support as needed. I will prepare them so that everyone is equipped.”
If it was going to be an exploration, she would definitely want to do it herself. Anticipating that, Ringo had been wondering how to get her on the shipwreck. If she was going to wear a protective suit, the options would expand dramatically. This way, Commander (Ma’am) and the five sisters wouldn’t be disappointed. She immediately fed the blueprints into the universal milling machine (printer) and started manufacturing the protective suits. It would take about an hour to prepare them.
“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve ridden on an Alpha-class…”
“Yes, Ma’am. In the first place, this is the first time you’ve left The Tree.”
“…Is that so?”
Since being transferred to this world, she had been holed up in The Tree. At most, she had gone to the beach. Even then, it was only on the planked equipment that Ringo had made. The reason was that it was too dangerous to swim at the rocky reef area without it.
“First outing, huh?”
“Onee-sama, is this our first outing too?”
“That’s right. Let’s all go together.”
“Yes!”
And so, the sisters boarded the ship, making a fuss, and set sail. Protected by the accompanying Alpha-class Destroyers, Vessel 9 India, and Vessel 10 Juliet, they headed towards the shipwreck.
“Blue sea!”
“White clouds!”
Utsugi and Erika stood like Nio guardians at the bow, shouting alternately.
“Big ship!”
“Ghost ship!”
“I don’t think it’s a ghost ship.”
Commander (Eve) muttered, but no one was listening.
After departing from The Tree and spending one night on the ship, they were now approaching right next to the shipwreck.
“Onee-sama. When can we enter that ship?”
“Hmm? Well, probably in about an hour. Shall we launch a cutter and board it? …I didn’t think Akane would be so eager…”
“I studied up on ghost ships in books. I’m fully prepared.”
“I don’t think studying up on ghost ships will be very helpful…”
Akane was too excited and didn’t hear Commander (Onee-sama)’s comment. Snorting excitedly, she stared intently at the shipwreck. Commander (Eve) smiled wryly, patted Akane’s head, and started walking.
Right now, the drone operated by Ringo is conducting an internal investigation of the shipwreck. Apparently, it’s a military vessel, and watertight compartments are well-made. They are carefully moving through the ship so as not to destroy it as much as possible. So far, no survivors have been confirmed.
Ignoring the Communicator unfastening the cutter on the side of the ship, she entered the ship. She walked down a narrow corridor and climbed a steep staircase. She passed through a hatch, climbed another ladder-like staircase, and arrived at the bridge. There, she found Ringo sitting in the navigator’s seat and Ichigo earnestly gripping the helm in the pilot’s seat. Olive was nowhere to be seen.
“Ringo, where’s Olive?”
“Yes, Ma’am. She is checking the protective suits in the hold.”
“Oh, how admirable.”
“They’re all so unique,” she muttered, and approached the window. Looking down, she could see Utsugi, Erika, and Akane making a fuss at the bow. These three were surprisingly active and followed their own pace. She thought Akane was a literary girl, but she was like this.
On the other hand, Ichigo was trying to fulfill her responsibilities. She had told her that she could leave it to Ringo, but she seemed determined to steer the ship properly as a pilot. How conscientious.
And Olive was inspecting the equipment. This was probably a hobby rather than conscientiousness. She seemed very interested in the joint assist mechanism. Probably, she was doing various things with the Communicator operated by Ringo as her companion.
“Ichigo. Let’s prepare to board soon. Can you transfer the steering to Ringo now?”
“Yes, Commander (Onee-sama). Ringo, I (You) transfer (have) control (control.).”
“I (I) have (have) seized (control) all (control) functions. Hotel is now under Ringo’s remote control. All functions normal (All green).”
Ichigo sighed. The eldest sister (Eve) approached her and gently stroked her head.
“Ichigo, good job. You did well until the end.”
“Yes…! Ehehe…”
She patted Ichigo’s head generously, ignored Ringo, who was making a greedy face for the time being, and decided to head to the deck. She would deal with Ringo later. It’s okay, I’ll hug you properly.
“Okay, let’s gather everyone and go to the hold. Put on your protective suits and transfer to the cutter. Ringo will give the instructions, so listen carefully.”
“Yes, Onee-sama!”