The Ark's New Mastermind
"According to Wanderer, I heard you were in charge of the overall design and management of the Ark. Is that correct?"
"That is correct... however, I was given no actual authority, Fleet Commander."
In her dry response, a faint sense of contempt for the incompetent former fleet commander could be felt.
Mm-hmm, I could understand that feeling a hundred times over.
Every time I looked at the wrecked state of the Ark, I felt a throbbing pain in the back of my head.
"Then I'll give you that authority starting now. First, based on your judgment, list the things our Ark needs most and the top priorities for the Ark's safety."
I continued speaking as I took a step closer to her.
Hmm... my gaze naturally drifted toward her cleavage.
The view visible through the deep V-cut of her suit was truly a magnificent sight.
"Ah, before that, please prioritize the repair of the vehicles currently held by the Ark."
"Vehicle repairs, sir?"
"Yes. I need to scavenge the remaining resources from Ark 74."
Lena tilted her head at my words.
However, she soon seemed to grasp the situation and gave a small nod of understanding.
"And Karen is currently handling various tasks like the production of AP-5 Ammunition and the management of the indoor farms. Please check in on those as well."
"Understood. But Fleet Commander, for the two of us to handle all of that..."
"There are mass-produced ECHOs, but they have plenty of their own work to do. For now, I'll provide as much labor support as necessary for both of you."
"Are you saying you intend to manufacture new ECHOs to assist with our duties?"
"Ah, well. If there are no ECHOs, then there’s no choice but to make some. I can't exactly grind you two into dust, can I?"
I said, shrugging nonchalantly.
"Of course, creating Original ECHOs is difficult. However, I think producing two or three squads of mass-produced ECHOs should be possible with the Ark's current resources."
And if it's really not enough, I can just spend some Cash.
At my words, Lena fell silent for a moment, seemingly in thought.
I didn't interrupt her, assuming she was performing complex calculations in her head regarding the Ark's resources, production efficiency, and manpower redistribution.
Eventually, as if she had found the optimal answer, Lena gave a small nod.
"Understood, Fleet Commander. I will do my best to assist in the reconstruction of the Ark."
"Right. I'm counting on you."
Along with my answer, I casually extended my hand toward Lena.
It was a gesture for a handshake, but perhaps she found the action puzzling?
Lena's eyes widened for a moment before she cautiously reached out and grasped my hand.
Ending the brief meeting with Lena, I quietly called for Wanderer as soon as the genius ECHO left the commander's office.
[Did you call for me, Fleet Commander?]
"...The office has become dirty. Could you call Madeline back in?"
[According to my judgment, the commander's office is maintaining a state of cleanliness greater than ever before.]
It was irritating how she talked back despite being a Central AI, but I had to endure it since there was something more important right now.
"It feels dirty in my heart, so I need healing."
[...You are likely the only human who relieves their sexual desires using ECHOs.]
"Yeah, I actually prefer it that way. I'll take that as a compliment. So, can you call Madeline?"
[I refuse.]
And so, Wanderer, the Central AI of Ark 69, committed an act of insubordination by refusing my order until the very end.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Cerberus Squad Tactical Connection Link Chat - Encrypted Channel.
[Luna: Helena—! Silva! Did you see the new ECHO who arrived?]
[Silva: I only saw her face. Her eye color is the same as mine.]
[Luna: Uh, um... Karen called her Senior... she's, she's really scary.]
[Helena: Scary?]
At Luna's message via the Tactical Connection Link, Helena tilted her head and looked at the woman in front of her.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No, just because."
Is a face like that considered scary?
She wasn't sure about other things, but it was definitely a style the Fleet Commander would like.
After all, he loved kneading large breasts like those.
Furthermore, was it called paizuri?
Recently, he had specifically taught them a method of pleasing humans by sandwiching his penis between the line of their cleavage and gently massaging the cock with devotion. It was a fun activity.
[Helena: I'm not sure about that.]
[Silva: Then Luna, am I scary too?]
[Luna: Yes, y-yes? No, Silva isn't scary.]
[Silva: I'm actually a pretty scary ECHO though...]
[Luna: ???]
Helena chuckled inwardly at the innocent reaction of the youngest, Luna, and the eccentricity of Silva, who was seriously teasing her.
But the laughter was short-lived.
She turned her gaze back to the new ECHO before her.
"Therefore, the Cerberus Squad will be in charge of resource collection centered around Hongwei-7, as well as reconnaissance missions to expand the Ark's defensive line."
A clear and intellectual voice reached her ears.
She was Lena Hydros, an Original ECHO who had newly joined the Ark.
She was an ECHO appointed as the General Manager of Ark 69 under the Fleet Commander, and Wanderer had mentioned that she held the primary decision-making power regarding issues related to the entire Ark's systems.
Indeed, even from their short conversation, Helena felt that Lena was fundamentally different from themselves, who were specialized in combat.
"First, I've analyzed the combat data of the Cerberus Squad. The biggest problem is, as expected, that the entire burden of engagement is concentrated on you, the leader, Helena."
"Ah, I know that. But that's how we've fought until now. I smash everything in front, Silva suppresses, and Luna supports. It's simple, right?"
At Helena's confident answer, Lena flicked her finger as if adjusting glasses.
"I didn't intend to disparage your combat style. However, I wanted to tell you in advance that in the process of the squad's future growth, the modification of your body and weapons will be the highest priority above anyone else's. It's a matter of efficiency."
"Hmm... the Commander even gave me an Artifact; is that not enough?"
At Helena's words, Lena quietly shook her head.
A slight sense of wonder flashed through her blue eyes.
Helena, the leader of the Cerberus Squad, one of the Ark's main Original ECHO Squads.
Surprisingly, she was also the owner of an Artifact-grade shotgun known as Hell's Gatekeeper.
Considering how rare and precious an Artifact is, it was an astonishing fact.
What was even more absurd was that the Fleet Commander had personally purchased and given her that ridiculous weapon.
According to Karen, the Fleet Commander possessed a tremendous power to create something from nothing.
What on earth does that even mean…???
She was only able to accept it later after hearing from Wanderer that an Artifact called the Money Compass existed exclusively for the Fleet Commander, but until then, she couldn't help but be suspicious.
Combined with his affectionate behavior toward the ECHOs of Ark 69 and his nonsensical abilities, she had wondered if the Fleet Commander was perhaps something other than human.
"No. I didn't mean it's insufficient. I'm just telling you this now for the sake of the future."
At Lena's words, Helena nodded as if she understood and shifted her body in the chair.
She figured that since they had now familiarized themselves with each other's faces, they could slowly become closer over time.
Then, her gaze landed on a mug sitting on the table.
Warm barley tea with steam gently rising from it.
In Ark 74, it wasn't even easy to drink a single sip of uncontaminated water...
It was tea made from barley harvested from the Ark's indoor farms recently.
Was it called malt tea?
According to Madeline's explanation, it was made by carefully drying and roasting sprouted barley and then brewing it as tea.
She quite liked the savory aroma that spread in her mouth and the subtle grassy taste that lingered on the tip of her tongue.
"It seems you like the barley tea?"
Noticing Helena's gaze, Lena spoke first.
"Well, it's not common for ECHOs like us to enjoy such luxuries, right?"
"Hehe, that's true. But the Fleet Commander of this Ark is a bit—no, very different. Isn't he?"
"Exactly. That's why we in Cerberus are willing to risk our lives and fight at any time for the Fleet Commander."
"...I see."
She had heard that Helena had joined the Ark less than a month ago.
Shrugging, Lena categorized Helena as a Commander Fanatic and returned to the main point.
"There will be an official sortie order for the Cerberus Squad soon."
"What's the mission objective?"
Helena's eyes lit up as if she had been waiting to hear those exact words all along.
She had been feeling stiff and itching to use Hell's Gatekeeper anyway. She clenched and unclenched her fists while waiting for Lena's next words.
"Resource collection. And as a side task, the annihilation of hostile lifeforms that threaten the Ark's safety."
"Right, that's what we do best. Specifically, what should we bring back?"
"For now, any metal resources will do. They are what the Ark needs most. It would be even better if you could find medical kits or parts needed for ECHO repairs. Ah! And there's something we need to test-run and gather data on this time."
"Test-run? You mean..."
As Helena's eyes widened, Lena pointed toward the vehicle maintenance bay visible in the distance.
"Correct."
Stored there was a military truck that had previously been recovered, which had been little more than a hunk of scrap metal.
"Wh-What about the engine? Karen said the engine was completely gone and couldn't be restored immediately."
"Well... I used something a bit expensive."
Thanks to that, she had installed an entire precious Arc Reactor brought from Ark 74.
She had requested a list of unobtainable core parts from the Commander, and surprisingly, the Commander delivered all the parts in less than an hour.
After that, she and Karen spent the entire night working to repair the military truck.
The result of that effort was the TFR-7, officially named Mercury Howl.
It was a large tactical transport truck equipped with the most standardized module packs; while it had no onboard weaponry, it featured Composite Protective Armor capable of repelling the charge of most small monsters.
"Currently, it's a light version, so the transport capacity is only 10 tons. However, if the storage module is replaced, it can transport up to 50 tons."
Finally, Ark 69 had a proper vehicle.
Having finished the briefing, Lena delivered the Commander's final order to Helena.
"Ah, and Helena, you must go to the commander's office with Silva. The Commander said he wants a private interview."
"Wh-What? Really? With Silva?"
"Yes."
At Lena's words, Helena hurriedly jumped up from her seat.
"We're done talking, right? Then I'm heading out first!"
"...???"
Watching Helena dash away as if she had been waiting for the Commander's interview, Lena tilted her head.
Another piece of incomprehensible data was being added to her central nervous system, witnessed through her confused blue eyes.