A colossal ring-shaped structure floating in space—the Warp Station. Along its ring, tens of kilometers around, stand countless docks and transfer bays. It governs the flow of cargo and people between star systems: one of the largest and most vital space stations in the entire galaxy.
"Approach clearance for Warp Station Dock 18 has been granted. Following the guidance beacon, transitioning to docking sequence."
"Okay, I'll leave it to the autopilot."
Having taken a job at Cardia II's Window—hauling supplies to Resource-Mining Planet β in the Elrad system—we'd made our way to the Warp Station. The pay was 'average,' but volume was the only way to earn.
Traffic Control's transmissions play through the cabin. Scheduling for incoming ships, quarantine notices, cargo-manifest uploads—Lilith handles every necessary procedure, so there's hardly anything for me to do.
With a slight shudder of the hull, the Lemurias slid into the designated dock as though drawn in.
"Docking confirmed. Departure procedures for the Elrad system will require additional document submission and a cargo inspection. The procedures and preparations will take a minimum of three hours."
"Within expectations. ...Any topics worth noting?" "No especially eye-catching news."
I let out a relieved sigh. If nothing's blown up into a fuss by now, then the other day's 'cargo' really was just a body. That 'sound,' too, was surely some kind of mistake. Let's leave it at that.
"All procedures are complete. The warp-route slot to the Elrad system has been reserved as well. Departure will be in four hours."
"Thanks, Lilith. Well then, I'll go kill some time until then."
When I opened the hatch, there was a man pacing about, gazing up at the Lemurias. "(Who's this...) ...Can I help you with something?"
At my voice, he looked up, startled. "Wha—?! You... are you... crew on this ship?"
"Yes, the owner—Celestina Eshtal. Is there something you need?"
"Whoa—my apologies, terribly rude of me. I'm Gilbert Valentine, a freelance journalist. See, I got to thinking what a wonderfully seasoned old ship this is, and, occupational hazard, my curiosity got the better of me. Hahaha."
"Heh heh—she may look retro, but she won't lose to your run-of-the-mill ships, you know."
"Well, well. I've got a real weakness for these hulking ships. The trendy streamlined ones are all much of a muchness—no good."
"Oh, sounds like our tastes might match. Care to join me for a coffee, if you like?"
Now that I look closer, he's rather a good-looking man, isn't he? A bit of a rogue about him. Maybe a dozen years older than me. ...Though I don't even know my own age exactly, so...
If he's a journalist, I might get to hear all sorts of interesting stories—perfect for killing time.
"Sounds great! Then—a drink at the lounge. Let's toast to our meeting, shall we?" "Heh—with coffee, mind you."
With a theatrical flourish, Gilbert escorted me to the lounge. But it was, after all, just a station lounge—no romance to it whatsoever. Even the coffee was the synthetic kind, poured into a paper cup.
"So, I was on my way to the Elrad system chasing a new story, but the liner I was aboard had some kind of mechanical trouble... and here I've been, stranded."
"That's rotten luck. Any word on when it'll be fixed?" "Undecided for now. The next liner comes in the day after tomorrow, so worst case, until then... And while I was twiddling my thumbs, I spotted your snazzy ship coming in to dock. Couldn't help myself, out of sheer curiosity."
"I don't mind. Plenty of folks openly sneer at her, after all. Anyway—got any interesting stories lately? Tell me one, if you would."
"Hmm... nothing much worth telling... oh, do you know this old tale? An explorer brought back a rare plant seed he'd found in some star system. He tried to grow it in his own garden—and whether the soil agreed with it or what, it sprouted at once, shot up, and grew into a tree so enormous it could crush an entire continent. It kept growing even after breaking through the atmosphere... and that world became a planet where no one could live."
"Huh... so there's a planet like that. What's it called?" "Forgot its real name, but they called it 'Dansei'—the Man-Star."
"Heh heh, what a strange name. Why on earth would they call it—" "Because seen from space, the planet looks like the male symbol: ♂."
"Even so—that tree's way too big, isn't it?" "Hahaha—truth be told, I've never seen it with my own eyes, so whether it's real is anyone's guess."
As we chatted about such things, departure time crept up in no time. "(Master, it is thirty minutes until scheduled departure. Please return to the ship soon.)"
"Oh my, is it that time already. I'd better start getting ready to leave." "I see. A shame to part... Say, here's a thought—could you carry me as far as Elrad IV?"
It had been only a short while, but we'd warmed up enough to call each other 'Gil' and 'Seres.' "I am planning to stop by Elrad IV, but—"
"Really?! Please! I'll pay double the liner fare, all right?" "Double, huh... I am a girl, you know, after all..."
"Ah—rest easy about that." So saying, Gilbert drew out a chain necklace from around his neck. Glinting at its end was an engagement ring.
(So he's married. Not that that's exactly reassuring, but...) "How about triple the pay?!" (Triple?! Just for a lift along the way I'm already going!)
Fighting hard to keep the corners of my mouth from creeping up, I put on a show of deliberating. "Hmm... let me just check with my partner."
I stepped a little way off and checked with Lilith. "(Lilith, we'll have one passenger aboard—no problem, right?)" "(Yes, Master. I ran an identity check just in case a moment ago; there are no issues.)" "(Okay! I'll head back now, then.)"
"Gil, looks like we're good. I'll be waiting at the ship, so go grab your luggage." "Thanks! Man, you're a lifesaver!!" With that, Gilbert dashed back toward the liner. (Yep—my wallet's saved too ♡)
"Don't mind if I dooo." "Welcome, Mr. Gilbert Valentine. The procedures required for boarding are complete."
"Oh? Right. Thanks for having me. Uh, Lilith, was it? You can just call me 'Gil.'" "Understood, Gil."
"Now then, Gil, thank you for coming aboard. I've prepared a special seat for you here, so please have a seat. And don't forget your seatbelt."
"Special seat...? This is the co-pilot's chair, isn't it?! Are you sure? Someone like me sitting here?" "We're not a cruise ship, so this is the only seat that'll actually restrain you. The only human crew is me anyway, so it's fine."
"Ah, I see. Then, don't mind if I do." Careful not to touch the control panel, Gilbert settled into the seat.
"Straight to business, Master—I will begin the connection sequence for the general-purpose warp drive. There will be some shaking, so please take care." "Roger! Go right ahead."
A massive apparatus clamped onto the Lemurias's hull from either side. "General-purpose warp drive—compatibility check... ... Clear. Connection complete."
"There we go—right on schedule. Well then, shall we depart?" A transmission came in from Traffic Control: "Safe travels."
The guidance lights came on, and the hull slid into the gate's launch position. The general-purpose warp drive's status lamp switched to green.
"Warp drive initiating. Status, all green. Deploying gravity canceler. Passengers, please maintain the recommended posture."
I sat back deep in the seat, pressing the back of my head against the headrest. Gilbert straightened up the same way. "Gate open. Launch in five, four, three..."
As the hull cleared the gate, a fierce G-acceleration bore down, but the cabin stayed stable. A few minutes later, a gentle reverse-G drew the world back, and on the external monitor spread the stars of the Elrad system.
"Warp complete. Arrived at the Elrad system's Warp Station. Purging the general-purpose warp drive."
So this is a regular warp. You're flung across sandwiched between a big general-purpose warp drive. Because the arrival coordinates are strictly managed by the stations on both ends, you can warp out safely, with no drift.
"From here to Elrad IV is about two or three hours. Gil, I'll treat you to my pride and joy—real coffee. It's on a whole different level from the station's synthetic stuff, you know?" "Now that sounds good. Don't mind if I do."
"Master, one moment, please. We've received a distress signal. It's in a zone slightly off our route to Elrad IV. ... ... It appears to be a freighter. Registered name: Valkyria."
"What—that's terrible! How far?" "At maximum ship speed, we can reach it in twelve minutes. ... ... The distress signal is ongoing, but there is no response."
"Okay! Let's head there right away! Gil, the coffee's on hold." "Sure, no problem! Watch out for space pirates!"
"Acknowledged. Correcting course. Proceeding to the freighter Valkyria while keeping watch on the surrounding space."
Even though there might well be casualties, my heart was pounding strangely.