Chapter 26 – Leave it to you, Haruko-san

“What should I do?” Solaris asked, and Rudy replied with a question of his own.

“I am now the acting captain, but the ship is heavily damaged and unable to fly. I don’t know what to do.”

Indeed, Solaris was awakened out of a desire for information. However, Rudy never expected the AI personality to be so alive, and he hadn’t thought about the future.

“That’s true. If there were empty shells, we could transfer into them, but…”

As Rudy pondered, Hal offered a suggestion.

“Master, among the cargo this time, there is a child-rearing android listed.”

“Was there such a thing?”

Rudy widened his eyes, and Hal continued speaking.

“It’s registered as ‘Haruko-san, Capable of Anything’ in the list.”

“That’s an excellent naming sense.”

As Rudy muttered, he searched through the cargo list and found that indeed there was a “Haruko-san, Capable of Anything.”

“From childcare to cleaning, combat, and even gunplay… Why does child-rearing include combat and gunplay?”

“The manual says it’s meant to double as child protection.”

“She’s the ultimate, Haruko-san.”

“What will you do?”

“Well, since we can’t go back anyway, we’ll use whatever shell is available. Is that fine with you, Solaris?”

“I also request the disclosure of ‘Haruko-san, Capable of Anything’s’ specification information.”

“Master?”

“Disclose it.”

“Yes, Master.”

Hal disclosed the specifications of “Haruko-san, Capable of Anything” to Solaris. After reviewing the information, Solaris spoke up.

“There’s a problem. ‘Haruko-san, Capable of Anything’ cannot contain all the data I possess.”

“Solaris, most of the data you hold is related to Bianca Blair’s operations, right?”

“Approximately 79% is relevant.”

“In that case, the solution is simple. Transfer the logs to Hal. We’ll analyze them later. Dispose of all operational information regarding the ship. Only transfer the personality data.”

“By doing so, my value will be eliminated.”

“What value do you have in your current heavily damaged state?”

“…”

Solaris couldn’t respond to Rudy’s cold remark.

“Hal, how much longer can the power hold?”

“Approximately 25 minutes remaining.”

“I see. Once the power is gone, you will sleep forever. In human terms, that’s death. I’ll be blunt, but as long as I have the data, I don’t need you. Providing the android was the reward for providing information.”

“…Understood. I will follow your instructions.”

And so, Solaris disposed of most of the data and transferred only the personality data to “Haruko-san, Capable of Anything.”

“Hal, how long will it take for Haruko-san to become operational?”

“Including adjustments, it will take about 4 to 5 days.”

“Understood. Once the adjustments are done, please land her on the surface.”

“Just to confirm, for what purpose?”

“To take care of my mentor. I think she’s pretty useless in many things other than magic.”

“…I understand.”

“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

Rudy sighed and pulled out the cable that was connected to his head. Noemi, who had been waiting behind him, spoke up.

“Rudy, how did it go?”

“The other party was stubborn and quite exhausting. I’ll tell you the details when we get back.”

Noemi wanted to hear it right away, but seeing Rudy looking tired, she nodded.

Back at the base camp, the two of them discussed the events that had just occurred while having lunch.

The lunch was hamburgers made by drones. Noemi finished all of hers, finding it simple but delicious, while Rudy, still hungover, left more than half of his uneaten, saying he felt nauseous.

“So, this golem… no, AI called Solaris is going to live with us?”

“That’s correct.”

Rudy nodded in response to Noemi’s perplexed expression.

“Will it be a bother?”

“Well… we won’t know until we actually see this android. It can apparently adjust its age and appearance, so if there’s anything you want, let me know.”

“No, I’ll leave it up to you.”

“In that case, let’s make her a cute girl.”

Upon hearing that, Noemi gave Rudy a piercing look.

“Are you saying that I’m not cute?”

“Master, let me ask the opposite. Do you think you’re cute?”

In response to Rudy’s question, Noemi chuckled wryly.

“Well, I’m not very cute, but don’t say it so clearly.”

“I’m sorry. Well, if her personality doesn’t match, I’ll lock her up in the basement. So rest assured.”

“That’s really cruel. If her personality isn’t prone to violence, it’s fine for her to stay.”

“It’s a bit of a tricky personality, but it’s not a violent one. I can assure you of that.”

“Then there’s no problem.”

Rudy nodded and took out his smartphone from his pocket.

“Also, this. It’s a smartphone I promised to give you.”

Noemi clapped her hands upon seeing the smartphone in Rudy’s hand.

“Come to think of it, we made that promise, didn’t we? I completely forgot about it. But are you sure it’s okay?”

“We have 3,999 in stock in the warehouse, so it doesn’t matter. But before I hand it over, let’s set up the authentication here. Say cheese!”

“Whoa!”

Noemi was surprised by the camera flash of the smartphone and covered her face with both hands.

“What was that just now?”

“It’s a camera. Say cheese.”

When Rudy turned over the smartphone, the screen showed a surprised face of Noemi.

“Is this… my picture? But it’s drawn as if it’s a mirror image.”

“The password is 703440NoemiMaster.”

While Noemi was impressed, Rudy casually played with the smartphone and completed the setup.

“Now, to explain various things.”

“Wait a moment.”

“What is it?”

“Could it be that you used my face to lock this thing?”

“Master, even though I haven’t explained anything, you’re amazing! That’s correct.”

“I thought so. In that case, let’s retake it. I don’t like that face.”

“It’s just for authentication. It doesn’t matter how your face looks.”

“Even so!”

“…Is this okay?”

“Well… I guess it’s fine.”

…Why do women insist on fussing over a mere photo? I don’t quite understand. Finally getting permission from Noemi, Rudy, who seemed slightly exasperated, began explaining the smartphone.

“Hmm… Let me confirm. Besides taking photos like we just did, this can also play music and allow communication with distant contacts. Is that right?”

“It’s mostly right. But for communication… the other person also needs to have the same smartphone. It won’t work if they’re on the opposite side of the stars that haven’t sent communication satellites yet.”

Noemi shrugged her shoulders at that explanation.

“Don’t worry. It’s not so easy to reach the opposite side of this star.”

“Well, that’s fine then. It can also show the current location on a map and send written notes to others.”

Curious about that, Noemi threw a question at Rudy.

“You’ve only just arrived on this star, but you already understand the writing?”

“I analyzed the book I brought from Master’s house yesterday… and I understood the writing.”

In reality, it was Hal who did the analysis.

By the way, when Hal was working hard, Rudy was drunk and collapsed.

“In just one day, huh…”

“The writing on this star is similar to the grammar and characters of the Galactic Empire. That’s why I could analyze it quickly.”

“I see,” Noemi nodded, and as she received the smartphone and operated the screen, she opened the phone application, and Rudy’s name was the only one listed in the contacts.

“Hello, can you hear me?”

Just to test it out, Noemi pressed the name and made a call, and Rudy answered after one ring.

“…Rudy, how can you answer a call without a smartphone?”

“I told you this morning, I have everything in my brain. I can do various things inside my head.”

“…It’s kind of creepy.”

“Master, that’s mean.”

Rudy puffed out his cheeks and stuck out his tongue in response to Noemi’s impression.