A splendid first job

"Great! Better than expected. We're making a fortune!"

Glen exclaimed with satisfaction as the scheduled work completion time arrived.

Though several asteroids rich in rare metals still remained nearby, Glen insisted, "It's best to know when to quit," a sentiment Shinnosuke agreed with.

In all areas, not just work, there are people who misjudge the moment to step back, saying things like "It's still okay" or "Just a little more," only to end up making irreversible mistakes.

This is especially true for spaceship pilots—misjudging the right moment to retreat can lead to life-or-death consequences.

Glen and the others clearly remembered this lesson, so without being driven by unnecessary greed, they decisively called off the operation at the scheduled completion time and began their evacuation.

"Once the job's done, no lingering around. Get out of here before those scary types show up."

Glen and Shinosuke wrapping up the retrieval of the mining shuttle and preparing for evacuation, their vigilance heightened.

"I thought they'd strike right at this most vulnerable moment..."

"The enemy's detection capabilities are slightly superior to ours, but only by a narrow margin. They may have detected our presence in this region, but they surely haven't realized we've completed our work."

"Then the real threat must come during the time it takes for us to leave this area and escape through the asteroid belt. Looks like it's going to be a long day."

Having completed their evacuation preparations, Glenn and the others set off back, led by the Seeker Eye.

"It's been smooth so far—scary smooth. But the real danger starts from here. Please protect us well."

"Understood. They'll likely target us while we're passing through the asteroid belt. From here on, follow the ship's instructions in case of emergency."

"Got it. I'm counting on you, Shinosuke. The treasure hunt isn't over until we safely return to the colony."

The three ships began moving forward through the asteroid belt, led by the Seeker Eye.

"We'll take the shortest route through the densest part of the asteroid belt on the return journey, evading pursuers. It's a slightly dangerous path, but stay close and follow closely."

Under Merisar's instructions—finally distinguishable after six days—the three ships threaded their way through the asteroids.

After traveling through the asteroid belt for about three hours, the situation changed.

"Radar contact, Unknown Two! Bearing 6 plus 5, distance 125 plus 5 A (six o'clock direction, five degrees above. Distance 125, approaching with five-degree increments of acceleration)!"

Two unidentified vessels closing in from behind, Marks reports.

"Here they come! Big Bear's too slow—we'll be caught eventually. Please, Shinosuke!"

"That's right. I'd rather not have our treasure stolen... or sink with it."

Karen is at the Big Bear's helm, while Glen directs the team from the command station.

Randy, Allen, Mike, and Todd have taken their positions at the Big Bear's anti-aircraft gun mounts.

"Those two ships in the rear are decoys meant to pull away from us. Leave them alone until they get close."

"Understood. We'll maintain strict vigilance against potential threats on our approach path."

Kelberos, moving at the rear, kept a watch on the two ships behind while remaining prepared for sudden developments.

The two ships following from behind maintained a consistent distance.

"If they're deploying two vessels just as decoys, the enemy must have considerable forces. At least five ships or more are likely waiting in ambush. If we don't fall for the decoy, they'll advance to the next stage."

Shin nosuke put on the glass monitor.

"Enemy vessel detected, both port and starboard. Starboard two, port one, no identification signal transmitted."

"Understood! From now on, report only the direction and number of enemies verbally. All other information will be confirmed on monitors. Marks, select the optimal escape route and share it with Seeker Eye."

"Understood."

Shin nosuke activated all weapons systems.

Rapid-fire cannons deployed, and the hell hound revealed its form.

Transmit distress and combat alert signals. Proceed to issue warning to approaching enemy vessel. Force laser communication connection.

Understood. Link secured.

Broadcast to approaching unidentified vessel: This is the护卫 ship Cerberus, affiliated with the Salius Province Free Merchant Fleet. We are currently on escort duty. Should you continue approaching without response, we will take necessary measures to fulfill our escort mission.

Even though the escort vessel is permitted to be armed and engage in combat, certain procedures must be followed.

Rescue operations, issuing an attack warning signal, and warning the target vessel.

Failure to perform these steps generally constitutes a violation of regulations and may result in penalties.

The approaching vessel, ignoring Shinosuke's warning, not only fails to respond but accelerates further toward the ship.

This is a final warning. The approaching vessel must either respond to this ship's warning or immediately turn around. Should there be no change in your actions following this warning, they will be regarded as an intent to engage in combat, and attack and sinking will proceed without further warning.

All necessary procedures have been completed.

If you do not surrender now, force will be used from this point forward.

"Enemy ships A, B, and C—all show no change in behavior."

"From Kerberos to all vessels: this ship will now initiate escort combat."

Shin nosuke locked onto the enemy vessel approaching from the starboard side with the main cannon.

A red marker appeared on the glass monitor.

"Targeting enemy ship A with the main cannon—destroy it in one hit to break their momentum."

Shin nosuke pulled the trigger.

The main cannon fired and struck the enemy vessel.

Even though it was only a destroyer-class main cannon, the pirate ship—armed merely by retrofitting a civilian vessel—could not withstand a direct hit.

The pirate ship, struck directly by a main cannon of Cerberus, exploded and sank.

"Enemy ship A has been destroyed. Remaining ships B and C are slowing down and maneuvering around behind us, approaching from behind alongside enemy ships D and E."

"Understood! They're trying to box us in. From Cerberus, all ships, potential threats may lie ahead. From now on, follow the route marked by Marks."

"Understood!"

Shinnosuke turned the ship 180 degrees, aiming directly at the enemy vessels pursuing them.

He continued to follow the two ahead, retreating while keeping his ship engaged, but fighting while moving backward through the asteroid belt was extremely difficult.

"Enemy vessels have opened fire. We can handle it with our energy shields since they're out of range."

"Understood. This vessel will position itself in front of the enemy's line of fire to protect Big Bear and Seeker Eye."

Even if it's out of range, a stray shot, or accidental, hitting the poorly defended Big Bear or Seeker Eye would be dangerous.

The two Kerberos vessels, equipped with military energy shields, continue fighting while serving as shields for one another.

In the meantime, they destroy an enemy ship that recklessly protruded into the line of fire.

"Enemy ship D destroyed... New enemy ships F and G appearing in our path. Changing escape route plan. From here on, I'll be navigating. Merry-sa, Seeker Eye, fall back behind Big Bear."

"Understood. Seeker Eye is retreating."

Following Marks' instructions, they avoid enemy ships in their path, but this inevitably causes the enemy ships to converge, forcing Cerberus to endure concentrated attacks.

Several hours into the battle, though delayed slightly from the original schedule due to multiple route changes, they were steadily approaching the exit of the asteroid belt.

"Enemy ship B is destroyed and immobilized. New enemy ship H detected with high-power beam cannon. Extreme caution required... Enemy ship H is firing! Seeker Eye is in the line of fire. Evading is impossible. Direct hit incoming!"

"Cerberus, hold on!"

A violent impact strikes Cerberus.

"Damage report. Direct hit on starboard bow. Starboard rapid-fire cannons severely damaged and detached. No abnormalities detected in power systems. Combat capability reduced to 23 percent."

"Damn it! I broke it on my first mission!"

Even as he lamented, Shinnosuke sank two more enemy ships.

"Enemy ships E and G destroyed. One hour remaining until escape from the asteroid belt. New enemy ships I, J, K, and L have appeared ahead. They're blocking our path."

"Damn it! It's a large force! But they won't last much longer. Let's push through!"

"Understood. From Cerberus to all ships: Break through the enemy vessels ahead and exit beyond the asteroid belt. Concentrate forward fire from all guns as a diversion. I'll create the opening."

Hearing Marks' orders, Glen rallied his comrades.

"Alright! We've come this far—no way we're getting beaten now! Seeker Eye, position yourself behind and below the Big Bear!"

"Understood."

"Alright, everyone—prepare yourselves! Charge forward, trusting in Shinosuke and the others!"

The Big Bear and Seeker Eye closed in on each other.

"Primary missile launcher, activate. Target the four ships blocking our forward path—hit them hard from behind. We've come too far to hold back now."

"Understood. We'll time it with the Big Bear's breakthrough—three, two, one, now!"

"Primary launcher, fire all missiles!"

When Shinnosuke pressed the launch button, twelve small missiles were fired from the missile launcher.

Even though they were small, a direct hit would sink a small vessel in one blow, and even military ships with moderate armor would sustain damage.

Twelve high-speed missiles soared past the Seeker Eye and the Big Bear, heading straight for their target.

The pirate ship noticed the incoming missiles and attempted to evade, but it was too late.

One after another, the missiles struck, engulfing the two ships at the center in flames.

"Now! Open fire at all gun positions!"

"Got it. Breaking through! Merry S, stay close!"

"Understood."

Big Bear and Seeker Eye plunged through the gap opened by Cerberus.

"Enemy ships J and L have been destroyed. Ship I has been severely damaged."

"Understood. We're breaking out now."

Big Bear, following Seeker Eye, broke through the encirclement backward and escaped beyond the asteroid belt.

All remaining enemy ships now lay ahead of Kerberos.

"Give it up already!"

Shin nosuke unleashed his full barrage forward.

"Enemy ship F is crippled. Remaining enemy ships are retreating."

After Mark's report, Shin nosuke removed the glass monitor and took a deep breath.

"Did they give up? They seemed fired up at first, but in the end, fear for their lives must have won out."

After confirming the pirates weren't pursuing, Shinnosuke turned the ship around and chased after Glenn and the others who had fled ahead.

Even though the pirates had been repelled, the escort mission wasn't over until they returned to the colony.

First mission, engaged twelve pirate ships—sank six, damaged three, but in return lost one rapid-fire cannon and expended twelve missiles... Quite the debut.