NOVEL WEB vol. 4 chapter 12 - Eve Acquires the Appraisal Skill!
“Commander Ma’am. A cutter is approaching.”
“Oh. They finally moved.”
Roughly two hours had passed since the Paraiso fleet dropped anchor in the harbor. From the main quay a hand-rowed cutter, presumably carrying dignitaries, had put out. In the feed Ringo was displaying, even the crew profiles were now overlaid as supplemental data.
“…So this is the rumored cheat skill: appraisal.”
“Yes-affirmative, Commander Ma’am. Conceptually, it is equivalent.”
Trading such banter, Commander Eve and Ringo watched the scene.
The flagship Panas’s Strategic AI, seeing the other side react within predicted bounds, executed the optimal pre-simulated response. The approach lane deliberately left open—just left of Panas’s bow. The cutter’s oarsmen pulled with palpable trepidation, glancing up at the Hedgehog-Class Destroyers to either side as they closed. Standing in the cutter’s stern was a Navy lieutenant commander weighted with several medals. As a negotiator, his station could be judged sufficient.
“Android Communicators commencing movement. Six units are shifting along the deck under arms. Set Drei as the fleet leader. Given the accumulated experience points, the role is appropriate.”
“Right. We’ve had her moving since the early phases.”
Android Communicators, armed with assault rifles and wearing long coats to break up their silhouettes, rushed to the rail in unified ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) motion and, one after another, dropped to a one-knee firing posture. They were not actually on alert; it was performance for the counterpart.
Incidentally, though the other crew had not noticed, the Close-In Defense Weapons mounted on both Hedgehog-Class ships had already completed target lay. The instant hostile action was taken, those men would be reduced to mince.
“Halt!”
Following the Android Communicators, Drei called out—in fluent Lepuitari.
“Stop!”
The lieutenant commander in the cutter shouted, and the oarsmen simultaneously dug their blades to the surface to brake hard. Such an extreme maneuver would be rare; one could say they were well drilled. Confirming the cutter had stopped, the lieutenant commander spoke standing.
“I am Lieutenant Commander Revider Klinkika, External Affairs, Lepuitari Royal Navy. State your affiliation and your name! For what purpose have you entered this port!”
His voice carried beautifully. Perhaps some means of amplification; analysis of such fine technology lagged, and the use of unknown devices was likely. Still, with mere amplification at issue, the Panas Strategic AI felt no need for particular caution and moved the android Drei.
“We are Paraiso. I am Drei=Ringo of Paraiso, fleet leader. Our purpose is negotiation with your country.”
Not trade—negotiation. That was Paraiso’s demand.
Even so, the other side had likely anticipated as much. There were no freighters or merchantmen—only warships. It was obvious they had no intent to do business.
“Understood! Our nation likewise bears no intent to harm your fleet! We pledge to set a table for talks!”
Drei nodded to that reply.
“Stand down.”
At the word, the six Android Communicators broke posture and stepped back. Lieutenant Commander Revider Klinkika let out the slightest sigh of relief. Firearms were, of course, employed in the Lepuitari Kingdom, and although not yet for individual carry, machine guns were beginning to be fielded. He seemed to possess that knowledge, and fully grasped what it meant to have guns leveled at him.
That their guns were far more refined than Lepuitari’s, higher-performance, and capable of sustained fire.
And that his side lacked the technology to develop them—whereas this Paraiso had mass-produced them.
“First, we desire to establish contact. At two hours past dawn tomorrow, come alongside here. We will guide you onto the deck of our flagship.”
“No objection! How many may board?”
Drei swept a quick gaze and nodded.
“Seven maximum, escorts included. We will also seat seven. Is that acceptable?”
“Much obliged! Then at two hours after sunrise tomorrow we shall attend! We can also furnish water and provisions—how say you?”
“Unnecessary. Then we shall meet again tomorrow.”
Water and food—normally a boon to sailors. With a single word, Drei cut it off and turned on her heel. Two of the Android Communicators followed; the remaining four stayed on station for security.
“……”
The naval lieutenant commander stood there speechless for a moment, then at length exhaled and ordered the turn.
◇◇◇◇
Lieutenant Commander Revider Klinkika, External Affairs, Lepuitari Royal Navy. He recalled the foreign sailors with whom he had just exchanged words.
Because he’d been at the prow of that colossal warship, he’d had to look far upward at them. The sun was already slanting and visibility was not good. Even so, the impression he took was of remarkable smallness.
And having heard the voice firsthand, his suspicion grew.
The words themselves were crisp, and there was no issue in their content. No—given that nothing was truly negotiated, that in itself was an issue, but there was no incongruity in the speech.
Only—the voice.
Clear as if from a boy before his change, or a girl.
A bearing full of dignity.
Facing the great power of the Lepuitari Kingdom without yielding an inch.
A clear manner of speaking, demands that followed a line.
And a voice utterly unsuited to all that—beautiful, top-tier, a superior voice.
“Be that as it may.”
The arrangements for a meeting were set.
Whether he himself would attend would depend on higher judgment, but it could be said some result had been achieved. There had been various words and deeds that piqued his interest, but judging those fell to another department.
His job was to achieve a measure of mutual understanding while taking care not to yield any careless statements. Not present this time, but for example—could he refuse provocation coolly and rebut calmly; could he continue the conversation rationally and logically—that was what mattered.
(That said, not only the ship itself but their sailors’ movement was considerable.)
That was a soldier’s impression.
Those movements would rival, if not surpass, the Lepuitari Kingdom’s elite. Running speed, deployment to stations, the way they shouldered their guns. The posture of holding those weapons without the slightest sway was superb.
Naturally, as the fleet leader’s guard, elites would be attached. Even so, it strained belief that, after a long voyage, personnel seemingly specialized for combat were present in strength.
And the nerve—to refuse water and provisions.
After months at sea, fresh water, greens, and meat should be alluring. Yet they dismissed it without a heartbeat of hesitation, without the least reluctance.
Ordinarily, upon making port, that would be the first thing to buy—yet they declared it unnecessary.
(Perhaps they fear poison.)
If they regarded them as an enemy, then certainly they might refuse.
(Even so, with a flotilla of nine, there should be crew who resent it…)
All the same, life at sea was harsh. Surely there were hands who longed for fresh water. If such desires were suppressed perfectly, the fleet leader’s command ability must be considerable.
Surely the experienced upper echelons of the Lepuitari Navy, the kingdom’s pride, would not misjudge.
What he had felt in facing them, he had to convey accurately. Small observations often bore great weight.
Thus Lieutenant Commander Revider Klinkika reported everything that had occurred and everything he had sensed. On that basis, External Affairs would work through the night to shape their negotiating position.
That said, there was far too little information at present.
Substantive talks would likely be on another day.
The opponent’s demands could not be predicted at all. If it were military pressure, there were better ways to go about it; if trade, it was strange not to bring even a single merchantman.
In the end, it seemed they had no choice but to meet matters as they came.