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.
“Since it didn’t seem particularly dangerous, I offered it as teaching material.”
“Hmm.”
The fact that she hadn’t been informed bothered her slightly, 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, well, I wanted Onee-sama to come along, and everyone…”
Fidgeting, glancing around.
Watching Ichigo like that, she nodded emphatically, as if she had found what she was looking for, and stood up. Could anyone, seeing such an adorable sight, express a will other than agreement? No, they couldn’t!!
“That sounds like so much fun, Ichigo! ＜Ringo＞, prepare!”
“Yes, Ma’am. Alpha-Class Destroyer Number 8, Hotel, is ready.”
“Hotel, you say? That’s quite luxurious.”
“Preparations for an overnight stay are also complete. 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 eventually be made to do the same thing and get all flustered, but that was fine as long as Commander (Mum) was happy. Of course, ＜Ringo＞ would participate too.
“After arriving at the site, I will send in the work drones in advance. We’ve done a simple scan with drones from the sky, but we haven’t been able to investigate everything.”
“I see. It would be a problem if there were any survivors who attacked us…”
“Yes, Ma’am. Also, quarantine is necessary, so it will take some time.”
Since transferring 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 several times stronger than that of humans in ＜Ringo＞’s knowledge. There had been concerns about getting infected with unknown bacteria or viruses in a place like this without a large hospital (medical center), but she was free from illness. And the sisters cultivated based on her genes were the same.
“Decomposed corpses have a very high risk of infection, so please do not approach them under any circumstances.”
“…So, there probably are some?”
“Yes, Ma’am. It’s a Wrecked Ship. 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 turned into skeletons, 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 had genetically strong immune systems, it would be very dangerous to be exposed to a bacterial load that exceeded their processing capacity.
“Should we wear Protective Suits?”
“If possible… Yes, well, we’ll need that kind of training anyway, so let’s prepare them. It may be a little difficult to move, but they also have joint assist functions. I can also provide support as needed. I will prepare so that everyone is equipped.”
Predicting that she would want to do the exploration with her own hands, ＜Ringo＞ had been wondering how to get her on the Wrecked Ship. If she was going to wear a Protective Suit, the options would expand considerably. This way, Commander (Mum) and the five sisters wouldn’t be disappointed. She immediately poured the design drawings into the general-purpose printer and started manufacturing the Protective Suits. It would probably be ready in about an hour.
“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve ridden on an Alpha-Class…”
“Yes, Ma’am. In the first place, it’s the first time you’ve left ＜The Tree＞, isn’t it?”
“…Is that so?”
Since transferring 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 planking that ＜Ringo＞ had made. The reason was that the rocky reef area made it too dangerous to swim otherwise.
“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. Guarded by the accompanying Alpha-Class Destroyers, Number 9 India and Number 10 Juliet, they headed for the Wrecked Ship.
“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 a correction, 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 Wrecked Ship.
“Onee-sama. When can we enter that ship?”
“Hmm? Well, probably in about an hour. Shall we launch a small boat (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 useful…”
Akane was too excited and didn’t seem to hear Commander (Onee-sama)’s comment. Snorting roughly, she stared intently at the Wrecked Ship. Commander (Eve) smiled wryly, patted Akane’s head, and started walking.
Right now, drones operated by ＜Ringo＞ are conducting an internal investigation of the Wrecked Ship. Apparently, it was a military vessel, and watertight compartments were firmly constructed. They were 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 Doll who was 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 holding 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 really unique,” she muttered, approaching the window. Looking down, she could see Utsugi, Erika, and Akane making a racket at the bow. These three were surprisingly active and followed their own pace. She thought Akane was a literary girl, but here she was.
On the other hand, Ichigo was trying to fulfill her responsibilities properly. She had told her that she could leave it to ＜Ringo＞, but she seemed determined to properly steer the ship as a pilot. How earnest.
And Olive was inspecting the equipment. This was probably a hobby rather than earnestness. She seemed quite interested in the joint assist mechanism. She was probably doing various things with the Communicator Doll operated by ＜Ringo＞ as her companion.
“Ichigo. Let’s prepare to board in a little while. Could you transfer the steering to ＜Ringo＞ soon?”
“Yes, Commander (Onee-sama). ＜Ringo＞, I transfer (have) the control (You) of the steering.”
“I (have) control (all) of all (function). Hotel is now under ＜Ringo＞’s remote control. All functions normal (all green).”
Ichigo sighed in relief. 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, and decided to head to the deck. She would deal with ＜Ringo＞ later. It’s okay, she’ll give her a proper hug.
“Okay, let’s gather everyone and go to the hold. Put on the Protective Suits and transfer to the cutter. ＜Ringo＞ will give the instructions, so listen carefully.”
“Yes, Onee-sama!”