Hunting the Fifteen

"This is a personal request..."

Jin begins, his voice measured.

"I'm asking you to look after Mio."

The one making the request was clearly burdened.

He was aware, even as he spoke, just how unrealistic his wish truly was.

So he only voiced it now.

"Regardless of how the next operation unfolds, Mio and Higuchi will be on the primary evacuation route. Just a little. Please look after them."

In the midst of such hostility, it was uncertain whether two children, without guardians, would survive the escape.

There was no one else to rely on.

"...Is that all?"

Sharon's voice, devoid of emotion, asks after hearing Jin's request.

Her eyes peer into his, as if seeking to see through him.

"Is that all you're asking of me, Jin?"

"Yeah. That's all."

He could ask no more of Sharon.

Jake had said the same thing.

Sharon has her own life to live.

One must not interfere.

"You're lying. I can't believe Jin would forget Mio now."

Yet Sharon cuts in herself.

"After safely escaping, what do you plan for Mio?"

"…I've entrusted her to the lieutenant. She should look after her until adulthood."

Family compensation, assets left by Jin—enough to ensure financial stability until adulthood.

"That's not what I mean. Is there nothing you'd ask of me? Not that I'm boasting, but I think I'm the one she misses most."

"Second place. First is me."

"This isn't the time for jokes."

Jin meant it seriously, yet was rebuked.

"I can't rely on you any further."

Postponing the confession.

Dependence only when convenient.

Even Jin, who would resort to any means, hesitated at this act.

"Nothing can be returned."

After death, Jin could do nothing for her.

He could not repay the cost of stealing nearly two decades from Shirley.

Thus, even if he wished to ask for help, he could not.

Shirley reached out and pulled at Jin’s cheek…

"Yeeh!"

with a sharp tug. The cold touch and the dull ache made Jin’s eyes go wide.

"Disheartening."

Shirley spoke with a displeased expression.

"To think I’m seen as someone who cared for Mio for calculation or reward—this is deeply disheartening."

"…Was it not?"

"I wouldn’t say it was nonexistent, but it wasn’t the sole reason."

Shirley’s eyes burned with anger.

"I looked after Mio because I liked her. Frankly, you were involved only half the time."

Therefore, Shirley continued.

"You could say ‘Mio-chan’ if you wanted to. Jin."

"...You know."

"Yes?"

"Why are you going to be the convenient woman yourself?"

"Because the rival is formidable. If I don’t devalue myself, I won’t stand a chance."

"Try treating yourself with a little more care."

"Only one person is running this clearance sale, so it’s fine."

Jin weakly laughed at such a joke.

Even now, Shirley pushing her appeal.

He wanted to respond.

But still, in this situation, Jin couldn’t bring himself to say the words Shirley wanted.

Instead, words of legacy began to spill from his lips.

"Section leaders, report to the bridge immediately. Repeat, section leaders, report to the bridge immediately."

"Fast work, Captain."

"Decided so quickly."

Respect for the Captain’s decision, made in mere minutes.

They walk back to the bridge side by side.

"Reinforcements!"

The communications officer’s excited voice announced a single piece of good news.

"Second Fleet deployment flagship, Lombardia-class battleship *Lissa*, has arrived above Melce ahead of schedule!"

This report was the first bright news in hours.

A light breaking the deadlock of an impossible choice.

"Deploying our full combat strength to eliminate the Queen-type appearing above Melce. Requesting extraction of your forces as well."

"Wait. Eliminate the Queen-type? Not initiating a delaying engagement? No, your transport capacity should be sufficient to evacuate our entire personnel."

The conversation between captains immediately struck a reef.

Understandable. The *Lissa* captain’s strategy seemed incomprehensible to the *Al* side.

Answer the second question first. Evacuation of personnel is impossible. Enemy Queen-type long-range artillery capability is estimated, but projected along the planetary surface—indirect fire. That alone is extraordinary, but consider the accuracy. If this vessel approaches for evacuation, it becomes a target. Landing craft lifting off from the surface face the same risk. At minimum, a delaying action is necessary.

This was already the conclusion reached by Jin and his team.

And the first point—due to the reasons stated, there is no return route for the deployed unit sent to delay the enemy. Even if we initiate a delaying engagement, sustaining it until the arrival of the Third Fleet reinforcement is unlikely. Therefore, direct targeting of the Queen-type. That presents the highest probability.

If the Queen is destroyed.

All ASID units under its command cease function.

Meaning the entire swarm on this planet would halt.

Indeed, that makes sense.

In that case, safety would be secured.

"But to take down a Queen-type with a single vessel... that's quite something."

『I don't know about the Third Fleet, but』

The opposing fleet captain spoke with clear confidence and a faint trace of mockery.

『For the Second Fleet, a Queen-type isn't an opponent to be engaged in fleet formation.』

"Um..."

『We've established methods to penetrate deep into the swarm and target the Queen-type. It's a higher chance of success than dragging out the battle... what do you think?』

The suggestion was somewhat extreme, yet Jin found the strategy itself unobjectionable.

This is not a total annihilation campaign.

Unlike humanoid units, if Queen-types are engaged directly, it's like a game of chess—each side targeting the opponent's King.

A focused strike isn't a poor move.

After all, they're a cyborg squadron—the strongest unit in the entire fleet.

Individually, Jin may be outmatched, but the average quality across all aspects is superior. Added to that, the synergy with unit performance.

No other unit can match its penetrative capacity.

Even heavy ordnance beyond Raven’s operational range can be managed. Then, firepower sufficient to breach a Queen-type defense should be feasible.

Possibly achievable.

Jin gives a slight nod toward the captain.

Conveyed confidence. Yet this operation—there is a problem...

"What do you mean, provide combat assets from this vessel?"

'You’ve observed it as well, I assume. This Queen is stronger than any previously encountered.'

He mentally rejects that statement.

At least one example exists. Jin knows a monster surpassing this one.

'My unit will be fully occupied with a Queen-type opponent. In the meantime, I’d like you to draw the other clusters toward you.'

Wait— you must know we’re only trainees here!

That’s right. Trainees. Not tourists incapable of anything. We are those who have been drilled in the arts of combat. Or are you suggesting we’re a group incapable of fighting when our lives are on the line?

It’s a reckless argument—but the point stands.

By the same logic, the generation above us has already seen actual combat.

"Trainees capable of gravity-terrain combat…?"

All third-years were excluded based on that criterion.

Regrettable—but all were deemed unfit.

Even among the fourth-years, combat capability is limited.

One squad. Four, at most.

And the second-years. Naturally, all are first-timers this time. Out of the question.

(…Can it be done?)

Jin’s mind settled on three direct protégés.

Even in simulation, gravity-terrain combat has been practiced.

From Jin’s perspective, it’s reckless—but still, it moves better than a fourth-year cadet.

Disrupting a swarm of thousands with eight units.

Strict, to be sure.

But failure means death regardless.

How many Griffons the *Lisa* carries is unknown. Unknown, but the maximum airframe capacity is around two hundred and fifty. It cannot exceed that.

With the Queen’s combat strength unknown, they will likely deploy as many forces as possible toward her.

"We can provide seven trainees and one Instructor."

"……Hmm."

A force smaller than a single squadron.

The Captain of the *Lisa*, upon hearing that number, was expected to hesitate.

"Understood. I’ll send our operational plan shortly. Operation begins in eight hours."

Agreed without delay.

The Captain, who had been ready for resistance, looked momentarily stunned.

"…Sorry. Lieutenant. Can you do it?"

Rather, conditions are far better than just now. I’d been prepared to send one of us on a solo suicide run against a Queen-type.

『Al』 alone could barely manage a time-delay sacrifice. But with this, survival is plausible.

An optimal scenario.

Now, I must inform the trainees.

Especially the seven assigned. Survival is possible now—but the mission remains perilous.