Thanks to selling off the junk they'd hauled back from the space graveyard, they had finally clawed their way out of poverty. Better still, through Ms. Rusty's connections, they'd been introduced to a wholesale food dealer—Grim Reaper's food stores brimmed once again.
Serena spent her days combing the net for updates on the Empire's condition.
"Well, if my family had been slaughtered while I slept... and then some rebel dared to parade around under the name of a new Empire, I'd hardly be at peace either," Naomi murmured. "We have to get her back to her grandparents quickly."
Naomi worked at a chain block hoist, the pulley groaning as she maneuvered a piston onto the cargo bed.
"Whew. At least it's finished. Now I just need to mount it on the engine—but there's no way I can haul this alone. Too heavy. If only the ship's interior had zero gravity when I wanted it. Guess I'll have to wait until we're out in space to install this—and the oxygen generator, too. How does anyone repair a ship without losing their mind?" she muttered.
"Captain," Osaka drawled through the comm, friendly and matter-of-fact. "Haulin' heavy stuff up an' down ain't rare, y'know. Can't be roundin' up folks every single time. Bet there's a fold-up crane stashed somewhere in the dock."
"What?! For real? Why didn't you say that sooner?" Naomi cried.
"Now c'mon," Osaka chuckled, "I can't see squat out there without a camera pointin' my way. You don't tell me what you're doin', I ain't got a clue."
Naomi puffed out her cheeks. "Fair point. Then come help me find that crane."
Tablet in hand, she searched the dock.
"Howdy, Captain—there it is!" Osaka said. "That yellow one right there. Yep, spread the legs, lock the latch on the side, and you're good. Without magic power she'll lift two tons, with magic power? Eight. You're set."
"Wow! Incredible! It's like—like the one machine every household wants... nah, maybe not," Naomi chuckled, playing both fool and straight man. T/N: boke/tsukkomi—Japanese comedy duo banter.
She secured the piston to the crane's hook. Magic Power surged up the gauge as she grasped the lever, the machine lifting with smooth ease.
"Ohhh, this is brilliant. If I'd had this last night, I wouldn't have pulled an all-nighter. What a waste!"
Grumbling aside, the piston was installed, followed by the oxygen generator.
"Osaka, it's done! Look! The repairs are finally complete!" Naomi spun in a circle around the air conditioning room, tablet raised like a victory flag, then ran back to the engine room to show off every detail.
"Ya kiddin'? Captain, ya did great!" Osaka said warmly. "Ain't seen the Grim Reaper this polished in two centuries."
"Heh, heh. Then let's test the main engine!"
She climbed to the bridge, Serena lifting her gaze as Naomi practically glowed.
"My, Naomi, you look delighted. Could it be the repairs are complete?" Serena asked.
"They are! And now for the test run."
Settling into the captain's chair, Naomi sealed the outer hatches and triggered the startup sequence.
"All green across the board. First time I've ever seen no warnings. Main engine, ignition!"
The engine rumbled, a quiet growl that vibrated faintly through the decks. To Naomi it sounded like a heartbeat, steady and alive.
"Perfect stability. Air control, nominal. Stores, full. Weapons restored. Even swapped the broken first main gun for a bigger caliber. Serena—at last, I can take you to Gordia Central."
"Yes. I will be in your care," Serena replied softly.
"Oh—and Captain," Osaka added, "I went ahead and cranked out those torpedoes you asked for. Once we're out in space, stash 'em in the ammo bay, else ya won't be loadin' a tube when crunch time comes."
"Right. Can't leave our trump card useless."
After final checks, Naomi powered the engine down.
"Alright! Tonight we celebrate. Dinner out!"
"Hell yeah!" Osaka whooped.
They disembarked. Naomi turned to gaze back. Once riddled with holes, the hull now gleamed silver, sleek lines reborn. Secondary guns tucked along the flanks, three main guns aligned over bridge and aft. It reminded her of something from Earth—like a Shinkansen, swift and nostalgic.
Dinner was fish, spicy and rich, the best Naomi had tasted in ages. No Japanese food on the menu, but still, it warmed her.
"That was delicious. Been forever since I've had fish."
Beyond the rental docks stretched a bustling town. They'd taken a self-driving taxi to eat their fill.
"Naomi," Serena asked, "what is Japanese food?"
"It's the cooking of my homeland. Hard to find now, unless I make it myself. Someday I'll cook for you—but I need the right seasonings first."
"...Captain," Osaka's voice whispered through Naomi's earpiece, low and serious now. "Watch yourself. You got a tail—one guy, and a cyborg with him. Best snag a taxi quick."
Naomi stiffened, then leaned close to Serena. "We're being followed. One man, one cyborg. Let's get a ride—fast."
"Yes... that would be best, desuwa," Serena said calmly, though her eyes flickered with unease. "But... there are no taxis passing through here. If we keep going, the road will only get quieter. We should turn back toward the bustling street."
"Nope, that won't fly, Captain," Osaka cut in, urgent now. "Grab the princess' hand and run!"
Naomi didn't hesitate. "Serena! Run with me!"
She seized Serena's hand and bolted.
"Hey! Wait up, you—damn it!" a harsh voice rang out behind them. "You're that junk-heap captain... Naomi, right? And the one beside you... is that the prin—"
The shout was cut off as Naomi glanced back. A tall, red-haired man bellowed orders while two others sprinted with him.
"Oi, Rim Zap! Quit standin' there—chase 'em down!"
Naomi's eyes widened. "That's—damn it! He's from that pirate ship! Osaka, when did they pick up our trail?"
"Likely after y'all left the restaurant," Osaka answered in her ear. "Could be they were sittin' inside the whole time. Heard your voice and put it together."
Before Naomi could reply, a new sound thundered into her other ear: heavy, pounding, like a tank charging down the street. She risked a glance back—and her stomach lurched. A giant cyborg, all steel-plated arms and head, over two meters tall and three times her width, barreled after them.
"Ugh! He's catching up!"
Still clutching Serena's hand, Naomi hooked her free hand on a corner wall and yanked them both around the bend. The cyborg's bulk couldn't follow—he shot past with a deafening BOOOM!
The street shook. Something massive crashed behind them, but Naomi didn't look back. She dragged Serena down the alley, heart pounding. Serena's breath rasped hard in her ears; she couldn't keep this up much longer.
The heavy footsteps came again, closer, relentless. Ahead stretched only a straight brick alley—no corner, no escape. A row of shut wooden doors lined the wall.
"Hey! Open up!" Naomi hammered one furiously as they passed.
"Damn racket! Who the hell—"
The door creaked open just as the cyborg thundered past.
CRASH!
Naomi risked a glance—the giant had plowed straight into the open shopfront. White powder billowed in a choking cloud, furious shouts rising from within. Flour, maybe.
"Ha! He ran right into something," Naomi gasped.
They sprinted until a crossroad appeared, a massive dumpster looming at the side. Naomi yanked the lid open.
"Serena—inside! Hurry!"
Too winded to answer, Serena stumbled in beside her. Naomi slammed the lid shut and held her breath.
The alley shook with thud-thud-thud as the cyborg drew near.
"...Boss, lost 'em. Sensors fouled—powder messed me up. Yeah... headin' back."
The footsteps receded, fading into silence.
Serena burst out, gasping. "Phaaah! I thought that was the end of us!"
Naomi cracked the lid, peering out. The alley still hung thick with white haze.
"Osaka, what's the word? Think they're close?"
"Nah. Hard to say for sure, but I don't hear that big guy anymore. Reckon y'all are safe—for now."
Inside the dumpster, Naomi and Serena locked eyes, relief washing over them as they finally exhaled.