Planet Master

Tatsumi and Ame saw one of the Silpheed pilots along with his dwarf friend in the distance. Since they had encountered everyone in the attack and it was just Hatten who was not being spoken of.

“Do you have time now?” Tatsumi asked.

Hatten just nodded obediently. His dwarf friend took half a step behind as to let Hatten be the main spokesperson.

“Yes. What’s the matter?” Hatten replied before he asked.

“Well, I just want you to know that you can coordinate with the Assassin Guild and me if you need some help.” Tatsumi said while letting out a grin.

“Why are you…informing me of this?” Hatten was just someone who did not have access to the latest information as well as some classified information so his first thought was that this was related to the future operation.

“As the one who has been deployed to the frontline, you should know that every one of our actions will have consequences in the short and long term. Even the new spacecraft that you piloted is one of them. We need more data so that we can advance further on the progress of our development in all aspects of life.” This time, it was Ame who spoke.

Hatten realized that all aspects included the military and civil aspects. It also meant that the Silpheeds were going to be deployed more often in the future. He felt palpitations and felt as if something gripped his heart.

“Yes. I know. But why? Is there something important that needs verification by deploying the Silpheeds early in the battle?” Hatten asked this because he had realized it earlier.

“It is because we have not been able to record any important data during the exercise. Only through the baptism of the battle that our weaponry could show its worth and weakness, making us adjust it more easily.” Ame explained.

“Furthermore, cooperation between the strong transcendent and the conventional troops is a necessity. Our forces are something to be reckoned with and not even the enemy will match it in the short term.” Tatsumi said with a heavy tone.

“But if we are not integrating every force available to us, winning the Star Battle will prove difficult.”

Hatten was a bit confused. Shouldn’t this already be the case?

“The scale of the battle changed the way we integrated our forces. Micromanagement becomes an important factor when recruiting people who lead others especially in the outer space environment.” Ame knew what was on Hatten’s mind.

“Oh, I see.” Hatten understood that there was a need for the change in the chain of command. The requirement for becoming a leader of even a small team changed too, resulting in the change at almost every level of the command chain.

“Additionally, quick judgment and response become the most important factor in the battle. We believe that you are one of the people who can pull that off.” Ame looked at Hatten with appreciation and that made him realize that his action had been watched.

“But this honor is too big for me. There is no way I can do it.” Hatten was a young man who knew his limitations. He pursed his lips as he wanted to refuse.

Tatsumi stepped forward and patted him on the shoulders.

“You need to at least try. Otherwise, you will be tormented by the thought that you miss something important just because you are too afraid of the challenge.” Tatsumi said, giving encouragement to Hatten.

“Well, still trying to refuse the offer, Mister Hatten?” Tatsumi asked one more time.

Hatten closed his eyes while clenching his hand. He felt the internal struggle inside him. He wanted to make a name for himself so that the people dear to him knew that his decision was not wrong. But on the other hand, the weight of the responsibility of leading others filled him with dread and concern.

“I…I don’t know.” Hatten could only utter those words.

Tatsumi smiled slightly and nodded, giving the young man some room.

“Well, please think about it. Long and by yourself. Perhaps, the answer will be revealed to you that way.” Tatsumi said before he and Ame turned around and left the hangar.

“Thinking by myself…huh.” Hatten murmured. He truly considered it since even the famous figure recommended it.

Then he felt that his right hand was grabbed by someone. When he cleared himself from the daze, he found that the dwarf was dragging him to his lodging.

“Come on, now. You need some time alone. Think about what you truly want to do, then make a firm decision, alright.” The dwarf brought Hatten to his lodging, in front of everyone else and causing him to be embarrassed.

“Thank you for always being with me.” Hatten then placed his hand on the dwarf’s shoulder before entering his lodging which entrance was a solid steel door.

-

Hatten was lying on the bed, facing the ceiling. He could not sleep and forced himself to think about the event that had happened before, from his first sortie to the words that Tatsumi and Ame had said. All of it filled his mind.

He took a deep breath, trying to make sense of everything that had been said and considered.

‘Am I really up to the task?’

‘Am I even worthy to be in charge?’

‘Should I refuse the offer?’

‘But Mister Tatsumi and Miss Ame have met me and considering the situation, that is the only reason they ever went to this place.’

‘Urgh, I don’t know! I don’t know!’

Hatten turned on his bed, and he had so much thought that his forehead had wrinkles on it. But the same thought prevented him from sleeping.

The next sortie was indefinitely decided, since the situation in the Star Battle could change.

Hatten wanted to see for himself the Star Battle and the reason why so many people who were in it mostly decided to retire.

The battle between civilizations was surely one of a great deal, and he understood the reason why. He had seen the corpses of another race dying due to the attack from him and his allies.

The experience was hitting a string in his heart but it did not shake him or anything. It was a matter of survival. One lived, and one died; that was all there was to it.

But he also thought about the people who were different than him. He started to understand that this needed a good mental fortitude and not everyone could be like him, composed in the face of death.

Hatten did not know what to do. At this time, he grabbed an amulet that was given by his father. It was created out of jade and he felt his father’s warmth through it.

‘Remember this, you are free. Do not let anyone restrict you!’

Hatten suddenly had a flash of remembrance, hearing his father’s words. He blinked for a moment, trying to integrate his father’s words into what he knew so far.

“I see. I should use this opportunity to make a name for myself. Use this opportunity to elevate myself, not restrict my will and freedom.” Hatten then changed his position from lying on the bed to sitting on one corner of his bed.

Each pilot had their own room, which was actually a privilege.

He then placed his hand on his forehead as he felt a slight heat from his forehead.

‘This is the result of thinking so much.’ Hatten complained a bit but he also felt thankful for the advice that Tatsumi had given to him.

Thinking things through helped him in deciding his life direction and he decided it based on his own will. Meaning, he had no regret about doing what he did.

“I think I should rise to the occasion.” Hatten said to himself. He thought that by becoming a squadron leader, he would reach a small goal of becoming a leader of some sort.

With that decided, Hatten then grabbed a cup of water before he went back to lying on the bed and this time, his eyes closed easily, free from unnecessary thought.

“Well, looks like he has accepted his role. His future achievement will be big.” Tatsumi, who had scanned the entire spacecraft carrier, realized that Hatten had straightened his mind.

He had to watch over not only the carrier but also the fleet. That was why he was with the captain on the bridge, overseeing the entire operation going smoothly.

“It is a pity that we cannot eradicate the ambush, but this is also within the general plan. So I should be glad that we have only a dozen casualties.” The captain said with relief as he ate his food.

“But we have successfully obtained the important intel from our enemy. Even some of the communication channels they have have already been hijacked by us.” Ame was as usual, on Tatsumi’s side and explained what her Assassin Guild had done.

“This intelligence channel is then sent to the HQ, where they can process and even listen in for more information.”

The captain had an understanding of the situation. The first attack against the enemy had actually been a crushing one along with taking some information they could from the enemy. He nodded at what Ame had said and breathed out in relief.

“This is the first time the spacecraft carrier has participated in battle, so there are things that need to be optimized. I hope you can give us some guidance.” The captain said with an embarrassed tone.

“No need for that. As far as I observed, you all have excellent coordination as well as being prepared for any situation. I believe that with this, there will be better results coming from you and your crew.” Tatsumi shook his head and explained his reason.

“That’s good. It’s a relief that it's the case. But still, we need to be careful not to slip up.” The captain then ordered the crew directly, giving a series of orders that needed to be carried out immediately.

Tatsumi and Ame just stood, listening to what the captain had said. They did not interrupt him due to their respect for him as well as showing the rest of the people that the captain here had dignity and authority.

Of course, they also had their own pride but they only showed it if the occasion needed it. In any other time, they would just be humble.

At the same time, drones were sent to scout things in the enemy territory. They could see the distant orange star bigger than any other star. That was the star of this star system.

“Captain, the preliminary result of our scans is out!” one crew member who was responsible for mapping the space around and some part of the star system shouted excitedly.

“Really? Show them to me.” The captain became composed and said.

“Acknowledged.”

Then the hologram picture of the new region was shown on the bridge. Tatsumi and Ame quickly stared at the location of the Rift as well as some planets that were near the Rift.

There were also red dots on the planets as well as in the space near them. Even the captain realized that the red dots were the enemy location and the enemy’s spaceship. The green dots represented the allies and formed a sphere near the Rift.

“Looks like they have received the intel about us. Our performance made them wary of us greatly.” The captain analyzed the situation and came to that conclusion because the red dots were gathering.

“Well, to be able to crush them on our first encounter makes our prospect promising. But now that the enemy knows about our capability, we need a different approach.” Ame said while focusing her gaze on the red dots as well as the orange star in the distance.

“There is also the issue of the other races under those Rodents.” Tatsumi also added.

He had seen with his own eyes that there were other races under them. He also knew that the Rodents were the apparent leader of the multiracial civilization, just like how humans were the leader of their civilization.

“Ah, right.” The captain nodded with a helpless look.

Ame looked at Tatsumi with slight concern but saw that he did not care at all about the presence of familiar races among the subordinate races.

“What? Are you worried that I will act differently? No need for that. This is Star Battle, no mercy until it is done. That is what I often said, right?” Tatsumi smiled at Ame.

“I just worried about your psyche. You may not feel it much but even a slight effect can affect you in various ways." Ame sighed before she said this.

"Even if they are from the same races as other races beside us, they are still enemies. I don’t even feel burdened by killing them. So what effect would it have on my psyche if I don’t even care in the first place?” Tatsumi nonchalantly said.

That was what he truly felt. He would not hesitate to kill his enemies to protect his loved ones and family. But since he spent some time, that definition enlarged to encompass the races under the Federation’s rule as well as the civilization.

Ame pursed her lips. She actually looked at him carefully, dissecting his every word. Although she could not perceive what he was thinking but she could feel that something was happening to Tatsumi.

But, unexpectedly to Tatsumi, Ame said something that concerned him.

“It’s not that way. I mean, you’ve become more agitated and prone to violence. Ever since you’ve got Dragon Blood in you, do you feel the difference between before and after?”

Tatsumi frowned. He had almost not considered that. It was not that he had become timid but that he had become too fragile for him to resort to violence.

‘Since when…’ Tatsumi thought to himself and then calmed himself.

‘So this is another effect of the Dragon Blood. Violence, agitation, and a certain drive…’

‘You have strong willpower so the effect is actually so minimal that the Dragon Blood is actually doing according to your will.’ Kudungga explained.

‘You mean I willed to be violent!?’ Tatsumi could not accept that.

“Don’t worry. The effect on me is minimal. At least, that’s what I want to believe.” Tatsumi noticed that there was a barrier separating the two from the bridge. Even the captain was oblivious to the discussion taking place here.

“And thank you for being so considerate. I…” Tatsumi wanted to say something else but Ame’s fingers touched his lips.

“Hehe, there is no need for you to do that. As your wife, I have to look after you.” Ame said with a wink.

Suddenly, Tatsumi hugged her tightly. He felt that his heart beat faster but he also had to hold a certain drive within him. Smelling her fragrance calmed him considerably.

Ame’s eyes became watery at the action as she wrapped her hands behind Tatsumi, returning the hug. She could feel that Tatsumi’s heart beat faster, but his face was calm as always as she buried her head in his chest.

“Let me hug you like this.” Tatsumi said. He became afraid when he realized that he had experienced a slight change due to the effect of the Dragon Blood, and only noticed it because of Ame’s reminder.

Therefore, he needed some time to process the entire thing and the timing and place were suitable. A barrier was set up so that only the two of them knew what was going on inside. Thanks to that, Tatsumi could indulge in his usual antics.

“Hmm.”

After a long while, they returned to their position as the barrier was dispelled.

“That’s refreshing.” Tatsumi breathed out a sigh of relief.

“If you need anything else, you can just tell me you know.” Ame said while standing beside him.

The captain coughed a few times, and the two looked at the captain.

“About our next move…what does the HQ say?” the captain asked.

Although the two were the strongest transcendents, the captain also knew that the two were the intermediaries between him and the HQ.

Ame then replied, “Well, we need to strengthen our presence here in the Rift. As for the enemy, let them cook whatever they wanted. Let’s see whether our plan prevails or their plan.”

“It will not be easy to maintain our presence here. There is a need for the supply line to reach us here. As long as that is achieved, maintaining our presence here will be easy talk.” Tatsumi said while looking at the star map, where the supply to the Rift was quite long.

“Don’t worry about it. As long as the supply lines are safe, then it is just a matter of time until we win this battle.” The captain gave his opinion. To him, battling for the supremacy of the Rift was important as it was the entrance to their world and their enemy’s world.

“Let’s do some internal inspection. I am worried that the enemy’s action this time depends solely on our action.” Tatsumi suggested.

Ame, who heard it, also realized the main issue. The enemy was indeed pushed back to their home world, but they only accumulated the number of their spaceships and did nothing else. That in itself warranted suspicion.

“Do you mean that there is something among us who has been infiltrated by the enemy?” the captain asked with a frown.

“Yes.” Both Tatsumi and Ame replied at the same time.

As for why they knew such a thing, naturally it came from the Father God.

“If you two can hear me, then that means you must listen to this. I don’t use the indirect method this time because the matter is important. One of the enemy races can infect the host’s brain and turn them into an enemy.”

This was what Tatsumi and Ame had heard through their Perfect Connection to the Afterlife.