episode_0082

Although human values have decreased in the Universal Century as the population has rapidly increased and technology has developed, this does not mean that universal human values themselves have disappeared.

In that sense, I did not sympathize with the 2,000 people trapped in the brain mattress, but I thought they needed at least humane treatment.

No matter what life they lived in the past, I feel a little sorry for them.

Actually, I’m not pitiful.

The bigger reason for me is that my mentality and that of the people of our colony are not shaken by such pity.

However, there has never been a so-called ‘public goro exam’ like this.

‘You did it right.’

The internet is abuzz.

People flocking to Starlight Colony Square also talk about space pirates whenever they gather in groups.

“You’re the one to kill?”

“I committed a sin so bad that I could die. I’ll kill you right away.”

“But if you kill him, we have to get rid of the body.”

“If we create space trash by carelessly discarding people in space, will space be polluted?”

“Then wouldn’t it be enough to split it into molecules?”

“……..”

Although such stories are being passed around the network and other forums, the people of Starlight Colony are basically people who are leisurely and do not try to cross human lines.

I hope they don’t kill him if possible.

It’s not the same as killing someone, but if you have the option of not killing them, it would be better to choose that option.

Although such public opinion is widespread-

“Still, Chairman, it’s too much. Even if you’re a space pirate or a criminal, you can’t believe they’re blatantly trashing you on SNS.”

First of all, it is a well-established theory that everyone is appalled by social character murders.

“You didn’t hack SNS, right? I just posted the list in a spreadsheet on Starlight Colony’s official account. Name, age, face, etc.”

“So, didn’t you go over to SNS and immediately criticize Goroshi? Ugh. Even my family was being terrorized?”

“It’s not like we could be subject to a terrorist attack. If it was a child you gave away, you wouldn’t know it. If it was a family that had a space pirate as the head and was making a living off of other people’s money.”

“Ugh. I heard that the Chairman doesn’t really look like a person when you look at him like this.”

“…….”

Those passing noises coming from the square are bound to be sensitive to those who know them.

“I mean, sometimes I wonder if the Chairman is a super AI in human form?”

“A. If it was a super AI, I would have sold this colony a long time ago. For what value are you holding on to a colony that looks like a stock on the verge of delisting?”

“But you were hiding it from Genesis.”

“What are you doing while breathing with the etheric oxygen that the Creation Tree spews out as it twists its body?”

“But there are two more creation trees, right?”

Although it is sensitive, everyone dismisses it as a joke and only mentions it in passing.

“Ha, is our colony really safe?”

This is what everyone is really worried about.

“Wouldn’t it be better for us to leave here? Space pirates are just the beginning, we don’t know how many more wars will occur in the future.”

Starlight Colony is not safe.

Not only space pirates, but also numerous foreign enemies from the universe will target Starlight Colony.

“Honestly, will you be able to properly repay your debt?”

“I don’t know. If Space Pirates sells out, that’s… ugh, it’s annoying to calculate. It’s like 5 trillion anyway.”

“But wouldn’t we be able to provide it somehow? If you think of it as a colony construction cost, it’s not like you can’t pay it back.”

“What if you pay it back in about 100 years? What if the taxes we have to pay increase to repay that money? No, in the first place, does it even make sense that peace is maintained here enough for taxes to be paid consistently?”

That is correct.

Even if a war were to occur on Earth, the entire continent would be immediately in danger, but if an asteroid-like colony in outer space is bombed even once, it reaches the point where the sector has to be completely abandoned.

“How long do you think the red moon will protect us?”

“…I don’t know. Even if you file an information disclosure complaint, the likelihood of receiving a proper response is low.”

“Well. What would be the point in provoking the red moon for no reason? If we touch it carelessly and get hurt and leave, we will be the only ones becoming idiots.”

People are so mentally driven that they even say harsh words.

Of course, since it is a part that is connected to one’s life, one has no choice but to react sensitively.

“Eight, damn it. You should have a drink.”

“Hey. You don’t even know about that alcohol? Hehe.”

In fact, if there is a most serious problem.

“How do you know if it is real alcohol or just a lump of information made of ether?”

“Ah, do you want me to keep giving you the red pill? Huh?”

People began to feel that living in Starlight Colony itself was an illusion, that they were living in a ‘mattress’.

“The red pill? It’s true. What if the soil, water, air, and even sunlight of this colony where we were born were all natural objects copied into ether? What if we are actually brains in the ether, no different from the space pirates trapped in the brain mattress over there?”

“Don’t tell scary stories. If I say something like that, someone from the colony over there will come and arrest me? Hehe.”

And although that fear is a joke, it is slowly spreading among people.

“Mr. Ha. Should I try applying to move to another colony? Changgu was still alive.”

“And then you appear on the news? Mr. K, who publicly applied for immigration when the colony was in crisis.”

“No, until a few months ago, all immigration applications were accepted with a free pass, right? Until the Red Moon blocked the area, colonies had freedom of movement. But now you’re doing this?”

“Immigration is free. But it’s up to the Chairman to reveal his face and be stuffed on social media.”

“Portrait rights must be violated!”

“The other party is the chairman who is handling three creation figures?”

“…….”

When a person who was originally kind and like a bully suddenly shows up with overwhelming force, everything changes.

“Hey. But if you’re going to die, it’s better to just die here.”

“What?”

“Think about it. When we migrate, the colony asks us to give out information, does anyone know? If we get harassed like that, we’ll be mobilized as soldiers, right? What happens then?”

“…Brain Mattress?”

“Do you have a family member who would buy it for you for 30 million credits?”

“……Mr. Ha. Done.”

The colony is currently still in shock and fear.

“Would I pay 30 million credits and buy one of the half-baked space pirates?”

“Ugh. Will you make me your husband?”

“Why. Can’t I just put a necklace and chalk on it?”

“…….”

A feast of shock and horror at the price of human beings, which are cheaper(?) than expected.

* * *

Starlight Academy, faculty meeting room.

“It’s subtle.”

Although he holds the position of captain, he usually stays at Starlight Academy, to be more precise, Starlight Academy has become the colony’s defense headquarters. Captain Edmund, who was in his position, lowered the panel up and down as if he was going through a catalog.

“I think I’m more worried because it’s all subtly the amount you can actually buy.”

“You can buy people with 30 million credits, Captain.”

“That’s why I’m seriously thinking about it. To put it bluntly, for some people, being able to buy their life partner with 30 million credits can be a huge advantage.”

“With that money, wouldn’t it be better to just buy a home Android? Even with that function.”

“Well, wouldn’t it cost around 50 to 100 million to get the automatic cleaning function or something similar to the actual feel?”

“……How do I know that? I’ve never bought it before.”

A space century where humans became cheaper than household androids.

“Don’t worry. Sufficient verification is carried out during the purchasing process.”

“Verification?”

“You can only do this if you are family, and if you don’t have family, you can only do it with people you have been in contact with for at least 10 years, etc. There are some minimum conditions. Isn’t it human trafficking to simply buy and sell human beings without permission?”

Captain Edmund continued to look up and down the list of space pirates trapped in the catalog-brain mattress as if it was no big deal.

“That can’t happen. This is an issue that will immediately have a negative emotional impact on you, Lavender, and Aria.”

“It doesn’t matter to me, but it will definitely cause a lot of problems for those two.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Sold after a thorough verification process… hmmm. Since the prisoners will be liberated, there is no need to worry too seriously.”

Although this is a situation that requires serious concern.

“And with so many end users in the universe, how can you not sell it?”

“…….”

“You can buy the space pirate who killed my father for 30 million. Wouldn’t this be a pretty good deal?”

Currently, it is not just their families who are in demand to purchase the bodies of space pirates trapped in brain mattresses.

In fact, there are people who are more actively expressing their intention to purchase than their family members.

These are mainly people who have been harmed by space pirates, especially those whose family members or loved ones have been killed.

“I’m skipping meals right now. Among the demand group, there are those who haven’t killed people or anything, but are still capable of turning them into people.”

Captain Edmund continued to look through the list with a serious face, like a gem appraiser selecting rough stones.

“We make only the best ones to use as space marines to protect the colony.”

“…Space Marine?”

“For the colony.”

“…There is a big problem.”

Even though manpower has been added, the rest is the problem.

“AS can be found if you dig somewhere?”

“…….”

AS made of ether can only be properly handled by the owner of the Creation Tree.

“To find the right aircraft….”

“We have to make a deal.”

Captain Edmund put the catalog aside.

“Not all 12 constellation colonies have the same meaning.”

“As expected.”

“They are people who make contact difficult. They said they would buy a space pirate and would trade in spot money instead of credit. Really.”

The captain transmitted a piece of data to the panel toward me.

“Three days later. Unidentified space pirates will appear. We defeated it in a very dramatic battle and then…”

“All of you are being captured.”

“Okay. And that’s all…”

“Unmanned aerial vehicle.”

In the panel.

“The gas is…wait a minute.”

The backroom deal from one colony seemed very sweet.

“This is Rafale, right?”

“…….”

“Captain?”

“Rafaldo is AS!”

That sweetness was like a poisoned apple.

“No, no matter what, it’s Rafale!!”

Rafale.

A variable fighter dedicated to space warfare.

People also call them ‘malicious inventory’.