The Factory Sightseeing Tour – Meat Chapter

"T-That's not true! I-It's nothing like that!"

"Elma-san, it's not good to act all violent in order to hide your

embarrassment you know."

"That's right. That's exactly right."

"U-Uuuuuuuu!"

Mimi squinted her eyes at the flustered Elma, who was holding her

reddened ears and had steam blowing on top of her head.

"So what exactly happened? Rather, an elf and human being able to make

babies is kinda neat. What about the differences in species and gene make

up?"

Elves and humans do resemble each other to a point, so I guess it's actually

not so surprising that they are able to procreate. But even if there are

similarities, both species have evolved independently on completely

different planets, so they are basically alien to one another. If you think of it

like that, our current situation is quite baffling, to say the least.

"We elves… Well… If we end up accepting a partner mentally… we would

be able to… with that person… b-b-bay… g-get p-pregnant and give birth

to... uuu!"

After speaking that far, Elma pressed her face against the surface of the

table in the dining room while still hiding her ears. I see. I kinda understand

now. Space elves are that sort huh. The kind who relies on instinct. Or

maybe I should say they're a people similar to those who leave their kids in

the company of other races apart from themselves. What the heck is with

these elves?

Don't tell me there are also orcs, goblins, or tentacle monsters in the home

planet of the space elves? Is it a sort of survival strategy that was developed

from the need to leave progeny even when attacked by those other

dangerous races? And a pure elf will be born through atavism along the way

that will ensure the survival of the species…? So the main survival strategy

for space elves is through hybridization and genetic contamination of other

races? If that's really the case, these space elves are seriously amazing – in

various meanings.

"I sort of understand it now. Space elves sure are amazing."

"I-Im extremely concerned about the part about us you claim to have

understood..."

"Anyway, I've now confirmed that Elma really [luv, luv, luvs♡] me very

much."

"Gu- gah... uu—–!"

Elma snarled at me with a bright red face and trembling arms. What the

heck is that? A fire engine imitation?

"Hiro-sama, making fun of her like that is also bad."

"Kay. I'm really sorry. Sorry, Elma."

I honestly apologized after Mimi scolded me as well. Mimi's the youngest

out of the three of us, but when she squints her eyes like that and scolds us,

neither I nor Elma are able to go against her.

"I-It's fine. I also went too far by raising my hand against you earlier."

"But you know, I'm actually quite happy. To think that Elma feels for me

this much. I also really like you, Elma. You're reliable, you act really cute

sometimes, and it feels comfortable just hanging out with you. It's like

we're on the same wavelength or something..."

"R-R-Really?"

"Yeah. Honest."

"H-Hmph... W-Well, uh… I guess I also feel the same, maybe?"

Elma declared so with both hands joined in front of her chest as her fingers

danced around each other in a fluster. She averted her gaze from mine with

a bright red face. How cute.

"Okay then. Now that both of you have made up, get along from now on,

alright?"

"Un, let's get along."

"T-That's right... un."

Elma and I nodded in agreement with a smiling Mimi.

"Now then, since you've already made up, let's talk about today's plans.

First, we'll visit Sierra Corporation's artificial meat factory."

"Oh, artificial meat. I'm really curious about how exactly they're made."

Artificial meat. It's meat, but it's white and not red. The texture is closer to

beef or pork. It doesn't feel like avian meat at all. It also doesn't feel like

fish. It's meat from a completely unknown animal. But, as I said earlier, it's

white meat, not red. Its surface will become nice and brown if you get an

auto-cooker to process it, making it resemble a regular steak. But when you

cut it with a knife, the cross-section would still be white.

It's that kind of mysterious meat, but it has a strong umami flavor, with

plenty of fat. It's very delicious. I'm thinking it's a completely artificially

synthesized based on its name – artificial meat. But I can't even begin to

imagine the actual production process.

"I've also never been to an artificial meat plant before."

"It's exciting, isn't it? And the next stop after that is a hydroponic farm and

the attached food processing plant."

"Hydroponic farm, huh. I wonder what kind of things they are raising?"

"Isn't it algae for use in food cartridges?"

"I'm looking forward to seeing that as well... But since we're going out

of our way to make a sightseeing tour, doesn't it feel like just walking

around those places would be pretty dull?"

"Now that you mention it, that may be the case."

"We're scheduled to have our lunch in the food processing plant. It seems

the food we can eat are all freshly made."

"Well, okay. Just as long as it's not 'that stuff'."

"It's okay. It's not 'that stuff'. I made sure to check."

Mimi responded with her eyes looking empty.

What we meant by 'that stuff' was the contents used in food cartridges. It

seems that incomprehensible nutrient shake was considered as a kind of

local delicacy(?) in this colony. The taste is... kinda like slightly salty,

room-temperature mousse or something…? It's an eclectic mix of grassy

and fishy odors. Needless to say, it wasn't very tasty. It did fill you up

though.

"That's great. Shall we get going?"

"Yes, well… it may be best if we start preparing now, considering the travel

time."

"Okay then. Everybody get ready. Let's meet up here at the dining room

once we're done."

And roughly an hour afterward, we finally made it to our first destination.

"Well, what can I say? Riding that transport train wasn't half bad."

"The sudden brakes and accelerations take a bit of getting used to though."

"It's nothing compared to a starship's acceleration and deceleration. It

seems that some people get vehicle sickness from it though."

We rode a transport train that made use of the underground freight delivery

system to ferry people around the colony. The fare was very cheap and we

were able to get to our destination very quickly, but the train car was narrow

and relatively cramped.

The train car felt more like a cargo container that had seats forcibly

installed within, and even if every passenger squeezed themselves together,

the most it could fit was six people. There were only three of us, but it still

felt somewhat cramped. If there were six people, it would definitely be like

a can packed full with sardines.

I wasn't able to see any scenery outside at all, but it was still a relatively

enjoyable attraction for me.

"So this is the artificial meat processing factory... huh?"

"Hm? What's wrong?"

Elma, whose state seemed a bit weird, stared fixedly at something in front

of her. It was the signboard of the factory.

"Sierra Corporation Cultured Meat Production Facility...?"

Is there anything off about it?

"Uh, I suddenly remembered I have some business to attend to. Please go

ahead and enjoy the tour without me, you two."

"Now just hold up a moment, lady."

I turned around and tightly grasped Elma's shoulders. Why did she have

such a reaction just after seeing the signboard? I don't see anything

suspicious about it though.

"Cultured meat? So it isn't artificial meat?"

Mimi tilted her head. Cultured meat? Hey, it really is written as cultured

meat. So it's different from artificial meat?

"Elma?"

"I really don't want to go inside, you two."

"But I've already made reservations for the three of us? It's going to start

soon too."

"Fumu? Oh well. I'll drag her along."

"Nonononononono..."

I dragged the panicking Elma inside the factory premises. After getting past

the front gate, we headed for the reception lobby and were welcomed by an

unhealthy-looking man with a really lean build.

When he saw the three of us... a wide smile bloomed on his wan-looking

face. Scary.

"Welcome, everyone. You're the tour group led by Hiro-sama, are you

not?"

"Ah, yes."

"We thank you for choosing our humble facility for a sightseeing tour. Oh

heavens... It's really been such a long time since the last ones came for a

tour. The staff is really fired up."

"I-Is that so?"

His mouth was all smiles but his eyes were scary. I don't feel any malice

from him, but… How should I say this? Yeah, it feels like he's really

enjoying himself. His eyes were giving off a bright gleam as if he was a

hunter aiming for hapless prey... No, that's not right either. It was

something akin to a child getting a hold of a new toy to play with... Is it

just my imagination?

"Now then folks, the route is that way. Please follow the navigation and

advance ahead!"

The man pointed towards an automated door that opened up before us. Hm,

there's supposed to be nothing too surprising about it. It's only an

automated door. But why the heck is it built so sturdily? It's like a safe of

something.

"Let's go, Hiro-sama!"

Mimi looked quite excited. Did she fail to notice the man's suspicious

behavior? She pulled my hand and seemed like she would run through the

passageway ahead of us at any moment.

"I-I would like to refrain from going after all..."

"Keep dreaming... I won't let you escape by yourself..."

"Wai-!? You're really gonna force me!? Stop dragging me!"

I pulled Elma's arm while Mimi pulled on my own, and the three of us

entered the opened door. It seemed dangerous for some reason, so I can't let

Mimi go by herself. And I definitely won't let Elma escape either. Fufufu…

When we go down, we'll go down together...!

After we entered the passageway beyond the door, the said door locked

itself shut.

[We will now proceed to sterilize you in order to maintain the hygiene

standards of the facility. Once the process is completed, please advance to

the next room.]

An electronic voice echoed out instructions, and white smoke flowed into

the room. This should be part of the sterilization process.

[Sterilization has been completed. Please proceed to the next room.]

Another door opened up ahead of us. It led to a smaller room. It didn't have

any windows, and apparently didn't have any other doors leading out of it

either.

"What's that room?"

"Un? I can't see any other doors inside."

I acted cautiously while Mimi tilted her head in puzzlement. Elma sighed

while displaying a resigned expression.

"You're so gonna regret this..."

Right when Elma declared so after we entered the small room, the door

leading to it also closed and locked all three of us in. The room then started

to shake.

"Is this room moving?"

The moment I muttered my question, a voice echoed out from above us.

[Thank you for participating in the tour of Sierra Corporation's cultured

meat production plant today. The room you're in is actually a gondola that

will carry you as we go on with the tour.]

"So this room is actually a form of transport."

"It doesn't even have any chairs inside though.

I suddenly had the urge to check the laser gun strapped to my waist. I just

can't calm down for some reason.

[The cultured meat produced by our facility has been loved by customers

for three hundred years already. It is vastly different in quality and taste

from your ordinary artificial meat, and the customer repeat rate is a

whopping 93%! In this tour, you will be able to see the entire production

process: from the initial culturing phase, growth phase, processing phase,

all the way to the final shipping phase. Please enjoy the tour, everyone.]

"Is artificial meat and cultured meat different?"

"It seems so?"

Mimi tilted her head again. Elma curled herself up in a corner of the room,

closed her eyes and completely severed all visual information. Eh? What

the heck? I have a really bad feeling about this.

[First, please take a look at the initial culturing phase.]

The walls of the room became transparent. The outside scenery really

looked like a proper factory. Transparent containers are shuffled along a

conveyor belt, and several types of liquid are injected inside them by

machines. The containers which have been injected with the fluids appear

to be collected into one place and then stored in some devices which looked

similar to incubators.

"I wonder what's in those boxes?"

"I have no idea."

Mimi, who was still tilting her head curiously, pointed at one incubator-like

device with a container in it, but I also didn't have any idea about what

exactly was going on.

As the room slash gondola moved on ahead, we would probably get to see

the contents of the containers which have been incubated for some time

already.

"Hieee...!"

"T-Tha-!? What the heck is that...?"

We finally got to see exactly what was inside those containers. It looked

similar to an earthworm. It's practically a long string of wriggling meat. It

got so long that it coiled itself several times around the incubator housing it.

"I now have an idea what my bad feeling earlier was all about."

"Y-You're not saying the cultured meat is actually..."

The gondola finally left the area with the incubators as Mimi and I looked

on behind us.

"That's why I said you'd regret it."

Elma's words echoed inside the silent gondola.

* * *

"Thank you for coming, dear guests. Thank you very much for coming. We

hope for your continued support of our high-quality cultured meat

products."

The three of us left the cultured meat producing plant as the male staff from

before sent us off with a sticky-looking smile.

"Ulp..."

"I p-probably won't be able to even look at meat for a while..."

"That's why I said I didn't wanna go...!"

What else did we see inside the facility? I don't wanna remember!

Something like a pool filled with flesh-colored tentacles, or a mass of

wriggling flesh that grew large enough to rival a train being cut up into

processed cultured meat... Urgh. I hardly even remember the tour guide's

explanations, but it seems those gigantic flesh worms are treated normally

as livestock, just like cows or pigs.

They were genetically modified in order to be more suitable as a source of

meat products, and the end result is that kind of eldritch abomination. They

grow extremely quickly, have high nutritional value, and produce highquality meat. They have no form of actual intelligence and seem to be

creatures that feed and grow only by instinct.

"I really don't get the purpose of touring such a facility..."

"It certainly doesn't help one's appetite..."

"That's why I didn't want to go through with it, you two... The next

one's a hydroponic farm, right…? I sure hope it's a proper facility this

time..."

We prepared ourselves mentally and headed for the location of our next tour

with heavy steps.

Just please let the next place be decent.