Build Gundams Ch 21

It took over a fortnight to transfer all the recovered materials from the abandoned space transfer station, along with the various hidden caches previously utilized by Tarou Sayama.

An attempt to utilize the recovered positioning device for counter-positioning tracking proved unsuccessful. The opposing party executed a direct intrusion into the device's systems, effectively rendering it inoperable. The positioning device became scrap.

Three modified transport vessels contained the surrendered pirate personnel. The vessels provided basic necessities such as sustenance and potable water. The vessels' destinations were pre-programmed.

Each of the three transport vessels was programmed to travel to different national territories. Upon reaching their designated locations, the transport vessels would automatically transmit signals to alert the relevant authorities. These signals would request the respective nation's military forces to take custody of the vessels and their occupants. The subsequent disposition of these pirates would be determined by the legal and judicial systems of the receiving nations.

...

Inside Ryuuichi's office, three Colonels stood with evident anxiety before his desk. Ryuuichi, without uttering a word, was absorbed in the review of documentation, seemingly oblivious to the presence of the three officers.

The ambient temperature within the office was maintained at a cool 24 degrees Celsius. Despite this, the three Colonels were perspiring noticeably, their hands exhibiting a slight tremor.

Upon completing his review of the documents, Ryuuichi did not immediately acknowledge the three Colonels. He rotated his neck and leaned back in his executive chair, closing his eyes momentarily.

The three Colonels remained silent and motionless, their apprehension palpable. They attentively observed their superior's demeanor, attempting to discern his intentions.

"Are you aware of the nature of your recent actions?" Ryuuichi inquired, his eyes still closed and his posture unchanged.

"Yes, sir," the three Colonels replied in unison, their voices exhibiting a tremor.

Ryuuichi produced a bank card and placed it on the desk in front of them. "Take it."

The three Colonels hesitated, their hands trembling as they refrained from reaching for the card.

"If I instruct you to take it, you will do so. Or do you question the validity of my directives?" Ryuuichi said.

"No, sir," the Colonel positioned in the center responded, as he nervously took the bank card from the desk.

"There will be no further warnings. You are aware of the potential ramifications. You are dismissed." Ryuuichi stated.

"Yes, sir," the three Colonels replied in unison.

The three Colonels executed a salute and departed the office. Once outside, each discreetly wiped the perspiration from their foreheads and exhaled audibly. They recognized that their superior had elected to address the matter with leniency.

"I had not anticipated such profound methods," one of the Colonels remarked.

"It appears our activities were under constant observation," another added.

The three Colonels exchanged apprehensive glances. They adopted a more subdued posture and quickly returned to their respective work areas.

The Colonels' unease stemmed from their previous assignment to recover the hidden assets of Tarou Sayama.

The magnitude of the recovered assets proved to be a temptation that the three Colonels could not resist. They colluded to divert a portion of the treasure for their personal enrichment. They even extended their scheme to include trusted subordinates.

Upon initiating their plan, the three Colonels returned to their respective offices. There, they discovered encrypted message files on their computer systems. Upon accessing the files, they found video and audio recordings that documented their clandestine discussions regarding the embezzlement, along with visual records of their actions.

The Colonels were disconcerted. The message files also contained specific instructions regarding the time and location of their meeting with Ryuuichi.

They realized that Ryuuichi maintained a network of informants within the Antares Mercenary Group. They were unable to determine the identities or scope of this network.

Evasion was not a viable option. Any attempt to flee would be futile. Ryuuichi's network would immediately detect and report such an action. They did not know the size or reach of Ryuuichi's network.

Moreover, their trusted subordinates had already been compromised. The subordinates had been presented with a binary choice: face disciplinary action, or provide intelligence regarding their superiors. Those who chose the latter would not only be exonerated, but would also receive a monetary reward of 100,000 Credits.

The three Colonels were, in effect, escorted back to base. The circumstances remained discreet. Other personnel believed that they had merely returned upon completing their assigned task.

The anonymous bank card that Ryuuichi provided contained a balance of 3 million Credits.

Ryuuichi's actions resembled those of a historical emperor, offering both punishment and reward.

The three Colonels understood the implied message: their transgressions had been detected and documented. This instance was a warning.

Ryuuichi could have imposed severe penalties or publicly disclosed their offenses.

Ryuuichi's decision was motivated by a desire to prevent a decline in morale. The Antares Mercenary Group required cohesion and unity.

Furthermore, the organization required qualified personnel. The three Colonels possessed valuable administrative and operational skills. Given the current demand for experienced officers, Ryuuichi chose to extend leniency.

An important consideration was Ryuuichi's stated policy of limited intervention in the Antares Mercenary Group's operations. As long as Commander-in-Chief Kenji Takeshi refrained from abusing his authority for personal gain and causing financial harm to the organization, Ryuuichi would refrain from direct involvement.

Addressing the matter through Commander-in-Chief Kenji Takeshi could imply a lack of confidence in his leadership. It could also reveal the extent of Ryuuichi's intelligence network within the organization, potentially fostering distrust. Ryuuichi opted to resolve the matter discreetly.

Ryuuichi's actions reflected his desire to fulfill his role as a responsible leader. In the years since establishing his company, he had consulted resources such as "Effective Leadership Strategies" and "Management Techniques for Corporate Executives."

He had also studied historical dramas depicting the actions of emperors, seeking insights into effective governance.

The admonishment he delivered to the three Colonels was inspired by the leadership methods observed in those historical dramas.

Several days later, Severine reported on the company's progress. She noted that the attitude of Iron Ridge Country towards the organization had shifted in recent days.

Initially, when the Antares Mercenary Group expressed its intention to conduct operations against the Sea Wolf Pirates, the Iron Ridge Country authorities had offered only limited assistance. The notion of a mercenary organization undertaking such a task, which offered limited financial reward, was considered unusual.

The Iron Ridge Country authorities provided a general location for the Sea Wolf Pirates.

The Antares Mercenary Group acquired additional intelligence from other sources and launched its operation against the Sea Wolf Pirates.

The results of this operation were far-reaching. The Sea Wolf Pirates, a long-established and formidable force, were decisively defeated.

Initially, many nations expressed disbelief. However, Iron Ridge Country and two other nations received signals from transport vessels requesting assistance in taking custody of the surrendered pirates.

The Iron Ridge Country authorities expressed surprise. The Antares Mercenary Group had eliminated the Sea Wolf Pirates.

The attitude of the Iron Ridge Country authorities towards the Antares Mercenary Group changed.