Chapter 428: A Three Year Promise

Chapter 428: A Three Year Promise

The effect of the purifying nanomachines Dr. Shouko made was immediate. The number of pathogenic spores detected in the blocks where they were tested out was drastically reduced. Hartmut gradually extended the range of the purifying nanomachines and used the special medicine concocted by Dr. Shouko to rapidly bring the pandemic to an end.

And so, it’s been about a week since I delivered the containers entrusted to me by Dr. Shouko to Hartmut.

During the past week, I went to see the situation at Airia’s orphanage as the colony began its recovery process, took Dr. Shouko to meet with Hartmut in person to discuss the details regarding the purifying nanomachines, and negotiated compensation in exchange for the manufacturing data of said nanomachines. It was a fairly busy week.

“In any case, the power of nanomachines sure is amazing. Turning the situation around this much with just the effort of one single scientist is seriously impressive.”

I mumbled those words while treating Dr. Shouko to a lap pillow inside the break area. The holo-display installed inside the break area was broadcasting news regarding the pandemic ending soon.

“This particular case simply happened to be related to my own field of expertise.”

Dr. Shouko, who was resting her head on top of my lap, replied in a humble manner, but judging from her side profile, she seemed to be rather proud of her accomplishment. She had a really smug look on her face. I can’t really fault her for making such an expression though, since she did deliver awesome results.

“I still think it’s amazing. I’m honestly impressed. But wouldn’t it be quite terrible if nanomachines were employed as weapons instead?”

“Oh, that. I get asked about this often, and it’s certainly doable. We can actually manufacture some, you know? Those so-called killer nanomachines. However, when it comes to practical applications as a weapon, it’s easier to render them useless compared to biological or chemical weapons, so it’s not worth the trouble in the end.”

“Is that so?”

“Yep. After all, they are basically delicate machines, so they are vulnerable to EMP. There are also energy shields. Also, it takes a certain amount of them to successfully kill a person, so if you want to deal with an entire colony’s population, you’d need to disperse killer nanomachines with a mass equivalent to that of the Krishna. Honestly, I don’t think it’s worth the cost.”

“If that’s the case, then firing a reactive warhead is more cost-effective and less time-consuming.”

“Exactly. Well, I suppose it’s possible to use them in assassinations of lone targets, but I think it will be difficult to employ them as weapons on a large scale.”

“I see.”

In other words, Gray Goo — widespread destruction due to out-of-control nanomachines — won’t happen so easily. It’s a complicated feeling. I’m kinda relieved, but it also felt like one of my dreams had been shattered.

“Mm, I’m starting to get sleepy.”

“I won’t care about you if you end up sleeping on top of my lap and hurt your neck later.”

“I think the firmness is just right though. But yeah, I guess it’s better to sleep on a bed.”

“Got it...... Wait, what’s with those arms?”

“I want you to carry me, Hiro-kun.”

“However, you still find all this unacceptable, right? I can’t risk having you stow away on my ship, so I’ll make a concession.”

The three of them held their breaths and braced themselves to hear my next words.

“If I remember correctly, you’re currently twelve years old right, Linda? In that case, you should work hard in this colony until you come of age when you turn fifteen. It would be best if you’ve acquired skills useful for sailing in space by then, but for now, it’s enough to focus on growing up healthy both physically and mentally. If you still feel like boarding my ship after three years, I’ll go ahead and come for you.”

“R-Really?”

“I don’t make a business out of lying. But keep one thing in mind, okay? The thing about exactly what it means to come aboard my ship of your own free accord. You better be prepared by then, alright? I won’t hold back against anyone who voluntarily comes to me, understood?”

“Huh......!?”

Linda’s face turned beet-red as she backed away while trembling.

“You better become a good woman, hahaha.”

“You ero bastard......”

“Well, don’t take it so seriously. I’ll do my best to create an environment where you are free to do whatever you like. Take advantage of that environment and do your best to become the person you want to be. I won’t hold it against you even if you decide to take a different path in the end. Boarding my ship is only one option. I’ll give it to you straight. You can indeed earn a lot of money by working as a mercenary, but it will also be very dangerous. Even engineers like you have encountered life-threatening situations more than once or twice after working for me right, Tina? Wiska?”

Linda’s face was bright red as she glared at me, so I shrugged my shoulders and turned to the sisters instead.

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“We frequently go up against pirates, and if we lose, we’ll simply die at best.”

“Dying’s a good outcome? What’s the bad one?”

“Either being captured and used as a plaything until you die, or worse, get processed into a soulless ‘product’ and handed over to a pervert who likes that sort of stuff.”

“Ugeeh......”

Linda flinched and drew away. The mafia and gangs within colonies were already pretty perverted and violent, but space pirates were several magnitudes worse. A fun singing severed head connected to a life support system has been completed! They were the kind of guys who’d do stuff like that without batting an eye.

“Well, I don’t plan on getting done in by pirates, but mercenaries constantly live their lives with the risk of coming to such tragic ends. Keep that in mind while doing your best for three years.”

“Un...... I got it.”

I nodded in return to Linda who nodded in a solemn manner. With this, Linda’s matter was finally settled. Now, all that was left was to politely ask Heinz and Sieg to take care of some stuff for me, tell Hartmut to help out as well, and talk to Airia...... It’s a pain, but it’s for Tina’s sake. Just a bit more to go and we’re done.