Chapter 133: Remote Meeting

After selecting his dormitory, Hiroyuki did not settle down to rest. Lacking the captain’s composure—who could sleep soundly through a magnitude four earthquake—he simply headed to the construction site to watch the proceedings.

Meanwhile, Captain Sakomizu returned to his quarters, closed the door, and lightly tapped a metal clasp next to the blue square diamond on his bracelet. Instantly, a bright blue panel was projected into the air.

After a moment, the blue panel shimmered, and an image unfolded from its center. On the other side stood the holographic projection of a Giant of Light. He seemed to be looking elsewhere, only turning his head when he noticed the display had activated.

"Good morning, Sakomizu. Well, it is morning on my end. What about yours?"

"Good morning, Zoffy. It’s about the same here, though it’s nearly noon."

The brief pleasantries concluded, and the two began to discuss business.

"It seems Taro and the others have arrived safely, though a bit later than expected."

"Yes, they were slightly delayed after encountering Geed along the way, so they traveled here together."

"Geed?"

"Yes. He had been separated from his companion—the one named Pega, I believe. As it happened, Hiroyuki ran into Pega, so he brought him to me first. Geed arrived after receiving word, and they reunited."

Captain Zoffy, on the other side of the screen, seemed to contemplate something before asking tentatively, "...And, what do you intend to do?"

"Exactly. I plan to have a chat with him shortly."

Captain Sakomizu instinctively reached for the cup on his left to bring it to his lips, but the lack of weight in his hand reminded him it was empty, leaving him feeling slightly deflated.

Seeing this, Captain Zoffy couldn't help but chuckle. "Very well. Tell me about the situation on your end. You’ve been out of contact for so long; I asked Hiroyuki, but he only provided his perspective."

"Understood."

Captain Sakomizu nodded and paused, as if organizing his thoughts.

"During the time the bracelet was out of my possession, I remained on an island about twenty nautical miles from the mainland. I had brief contact—less than thirty minutes each—with the personnel transporting supplies, Zero, Soya Homare—that’s the partner Fuma chose—as well as Geed, Taro, and Hiroyuki, who just arrived. Other than them, there was only Tregear."

At this point, Captain Sakomizu raised his hand to check his watch.

"My time in contact with Tregear has exceeded 180 hours. By 11:00 PM tonight, it will have been exactly eight days."

Hearing this, Captain Zoffy mused, asking with a hint of uncertainty, "...Is Tregear doing alright?"

"I don't know."

Captain Sakomizu’s gaze drifted guiltily toward the ceiling. "I have been observing him, and so far, he seems fine."

A brief silence filled the space.

"Do you intend to have him join?"

"I haven't formally invited him yet. For now, I’ve only temporarily added him to my project team. As for a formal invitation, that can wait until later... perhaps he will grow bored and leave before then."

"That works as well. However, his departure wouldn't affect your invitation; I have no objections." Zoffy replied, "In fact, I think he would be an excellent candidate."

"...In any case, there is no issue with your proposal from my side. I will speak to the Grand Chief about it shortly. It will just need to pass through a few parliamentary agendas, but I will handle those matters. You may proceed on your end."

Captain Zoffy added, "The Parliament will certainly approve. I cannot find a reason for them to refuse."

"You will convince them."

"Indeed."

Separated by three million light-years, both men smiled.

"By the way, Tregear made a request. See if you can handle it."

After listening to Sakomizu’s description, Zoffy paused. After some thought, he nodded. "That is no problem. If that is the only request, my authorization is sufficient to process it; there is no need to trouble the Grand Chief or the Parliament."

"Then I shall consider it agreed upon. I’ll leave the related matters to you."

"Understood, leave it to me. It can be resolved right now."

As he spoke, Zoffy began inputting data into the light screen beside him; he was not one to put off until tomorrow what could be done today.

"By the way, why did Taro come along?"

"Oh, I gave him some leave," Zoffy replied, multitasking as he continued to manage the screens. "I figured he could escort Hiroyuki back... is there a problem?"

"No problem at all. In fact, he arrived at the perfect time; he is much needed here."

"Haha, he’s supposed to be on vacation."

"My apologies, but it isn't anything too difficult. Perhaps he can consider it a working vacation."

A smile played on Captain Sakomizu’s lips, and Zoffy, on the other side of the screen, could only offer a wry smile in return.

As they chatted, Zoffy recorded details on the side screen. In just over ten minutes, several action items were listed. As the work meeting drew to a close, both men appeared more relaxed.

"Sakomizu, if that plan is launched, you won't be able to return for a very long time."

"That is true."

Captain Sakomizu set down his cup and smiled at the figure on the screen. "That doesn't matter. With things as they are now," he said, gesturing at the distance between himself and the screen, "it feels as if we are sitting face-to-face. There is only this tiny bit of distance between us."

"...You are right."

Zoffy nodded slowly and said softly, "For the sake of Earth... and for the sake of the Land of Light."

He understood. He understood everything.

"Then, please keep me informed of any developments on your end."

"I will. You do the same. If it’s inconvenient, just send me a digital signature."

"I will."

The light screen folded into the center and vanished. Sakomizu immediately checked the energy display on his bracelet. When Hiroyuki had returned it, the three square diamonds were fully charged, but the thirty-minute long-distance communication had consumed 20% of the power.

"...Sending signatures really is more energy-efficient," Captain Sakomizu sighed. He couldn't keep asking people to carry the bracelet "outside" to charge it... After some thought, he immediately sent a signature to Zoffy, requesting that he ask the Science Bureau to find a way to solve the charging issue in this special environment (Earth).

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Captain Sakomizu turned toward the sound and said, "Come in."

The door opened. Standing there was Hiroyuki, looking utterly exhausted, with a look that suggested he felt the world wasn't worth the trouble.

Behind him appeared another person, whom Hiroyuki was half-dragging into the room.

It was a young man with a bright and clear expression, wearing a black turtleneck trench coat. He had brown hair, and his golden eyes were brewing with resentment. He stood in the doorway, nearly blocking the entrance.

Hiroyuki pulled him into the captain’s room, then slipped out, not forgetting to close the door behind him.

"It's all yours, Captain!"

Hiroyuki fled as if escaping. He had to keep Tregear contained; earlier, Taro and Tregear had nearly gotten into a shouting match, reciting the same old lines. Hiroyuki felt like he was watching a television show—no, a feature film. They wouldn't dare fight openly with the captain present, but their heated exchange was on the verge of collapsing, so Hiroyuki had decisively interrupted the spell and dragged his friend's father away.

As for why he hadn't dragged Tregear, it was because Tregear had been dragged away by Hikari.

It was fortunate that both were in human guise; otherwise, how could Hiroyuki have possibly moved the Chief Instructor of the Inter Galactic Defense Force!