Emergency on the Return Journey

The proceeds from selling rare metals to Layered Corporation were sufficient to cover Cerberus's maintenance costs, resupply, and ammunition replenishment for the foreseeable future.

This means we won't have to skimp on missiles and other consumables for a while.

Though there are still many challenges as a merchant, we now have a clear plan for our immediate activities, so we’ll regroup and head back.

Though we could have arranged some cargo transport work through the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth's Merchant Ship Consortium upon our return, we couldn’t afford to be greedy—so we’re heading back empty-handed.

"Feels like we were played by Layered Commerce, but still, considering it was our first time, the results weren’t bad."

Shinnosuke spoke wistfully, sipping synthetic fruit tea in the pilot’s seat.

"Master, do you like that synthetic fruit tea?"

No, not really...

...

No criticism from Marx himself, not even a single comment.

For now, the route to the first spatial jump point is relatively safe, so they navigate using the autopilot. Shinosuke relaxes while Markes handles surrounding surveillance and overall ship control.

By the way, that Layered Corporation wasn't quite as impressive as its reputation suggested.

After meeting Mr. Layered in person, I've come to suspect that the company's reputation itself might be the result of Mr. Layered's information manipulation.

Is the company deliberately undermining its own reputation?

"Layered Trading Company advertises itself as a mid-sized commodity trader specializing in energy resources, but in reality, it handles a wide variety of goods beyond just energy resources, and its scale of revenue is substantial. Perhaps Layered Trading Company has a deliberate approach to selecting its own clients. They carefully screen customers and conduct transactions efficiently—this seems to be their business philosophy: eliminating waste to the extreme in order to maximize profits. That’s why, during negotiations with Master, they were able to quickly shift direction and finalize the contract, wasn’t it?"

Shin nosuke also came to agree with Marx's analysis.

"Ah, I see. That might be true."

"Well, perhaps that kind of attitude naturally damages their reputation among free merchants, but it suits Layered Trading Company just fine."

"If that's the case, then maybe I've earned some level of approval from Layered after all?"

"Well, perhaps I've earned a certain level of approval as a high-quality customer. But I'm still far from being considered an equal business partner."

"I agree with that. There's no guarantee there'll be a next transaction, but next time, I'll have to be even more careful."

Continuing their journey while reflecting on these thoughts, they arrived at the first jump point.

"Arrived at spatial jump point. Coordinate calculation complete. Coordinates locked."

Understood. Accelerating to jump speed.

Countdown starting: 5, 4, 3, 2,...

Waa...

Jump insertion!

The first spatial jump concluded safely.

Upon completing the jump, the next three days would bring them through a lonely and dangerous region with no nearby planets or colonies.

"Good. Let's proceed with heightened vigilance in the surrounding space."

The Cerberus began cruising at steady speed.

The anomaly occurred on the second day.

Shin nosuke, who had been taking a nap in the co-pilot's seat while Markus handled the Cerberus, woke up to the alarm echoing through the bridge.

"What's going on?"

After opening his eyes, Shin nosuke checked the monitor at the pilot's station and saw a distress signal notification.

"A distress signal has been received from the passenger ship Galaxy Camel! They're under attack by space pirates!"

"Are there any coast guard or space military units nearby?"

"No. If no units are currently patrolling this region, it will take at least two days to reach the signal after receiving it."

"Can we determine the signal's origin?"

"Confirmed. I'll display it on the monitor. It's a distance of 40 minutes at maximum speed from our current position."

The signal's origin appeared far off the usual shipping route.

"Off the usual shipping route. They've been cornered by pirates."

There is a rule requiring ships navigating near a distress signal from a disabled spacecraft to have a duty to assist.

There are two types of this obligation: in cases of general distress such as being disabled or adrift, all ships are required to assist. However, when the distress signal is due to a pirate attack, only armed ships capable of confronting pirates—namely, escort vessels—are obligated to respond.

Since Shinosuke's Cerberus is an escort vessel, it naturally bears this duty. But beyond that, as a sailor, he couldn't possibly abandon someone in distress.

"Proceeding immediately to rescue the Galaxy Camel. I'll handle navigation—I've got control."

"Understood—control."

Shinosuke took over the helm of the Cerberus, gripping the steering wheel, while Marks moved to the central operations station.

Shinosuke pushed the throttle lever forward.

"Unlock weapons systems. Accelerate to maximum combat speed."

"Roger. Transmitting distress signal for rescue operations."

The Cerberus altered its course and increased speed.

Approximately 20 minutes from the target area.

"Approaching target orbital zone. Detected Galaxy Camel and five unidentified vessels with no identification signals."

"Understood. No time to waste—hit them fast."

"Roger."

"Sending warning signals to Galaxy Camel and the unidentified vessels."

Understood. Forcing laser communication connection to Galaxy Camel and the unknown vessels... Please proceed.

Shin nosuke initiates the warning.

This is the escort vessel Cerberus, affiliated with the Salius Stellar Province of the Acnelia Galaxy Federation. We have received a distress signal from Galaxy Camel. Galaxy Camel, report your situation. Vessels of unknown affiliation must immediately transmit identification signals and move away from Galaxy Camel!

The suspicious vessel moved after the warning was issued.

The two beings move away from the Galaxy Camel.

"Two unknown vessels are approaching. They're moving toward us without transmitting identification signals. We'll refer to the approaching unknowns as Enemy Ships A and B, and the others as Enemy Ships C, D, and E. Contact in five minutes."

"Understood. We'll reduce speed to combat readiness and maintain our current course."

Shin nosuke pulled back the throttle lever, preparing for combat maneuvers.

"Enemy Ship A has fired. Out of range—no hits."

The enemy ship's laser cannon passed by the right side of the Cerberus.

"Doesn't even know the range. Fine—enemy ship A has fired, confirming hostile intent. Self-defense and emergency evasion are justified. No further warnings needed. Proceed immediately to combat operations—initiate attacks on the enemy ship."

Shin nosuke donned the glass monitor while activating the Cerberus's weaponry.

Rapid-fire cannons and Gatling guns on both sides of the bow deployed.

"Locked onto enemy ship A with main cannon. Commencing bombardment!"

Shin nosuke pulled the main cannon's firing trigger.

"Main cannon fired... Hit confirmed on enemy ship A. Enemy ship A has been sunk. Enemy ship B is evading."

"Understood. Target enemy ship B with missile launcher."

A red marker indicating locked-on target appeared on the glass monitor, centered on enemy ship B.

Missile launcher single-shot mode. Launch missile one, missile two!

When Shinosuke presses the launch button, two missiles are fired from the missile launcher and lock onto enemy ship B.

"Missile, tracking enemy vessel B... Two hits confirmed. Enemy vessel B destroyed."

Understood. Any movement from the remaining enemy ships?

No movement detected from enemy ships C, D, and E. No communications from Galaxy Camel either.

A worst-case scenario flashed through Shinosuke's mind.

If the Cerberus had arrived but sent no communication, it might already have fallen into the hands of the space pirates.

"We're too late!... No, space pirates don't linger after completing their work. There's still time!"

He kept repeating this to himself as he approached the Galaxy Camel.

"Enemy ships C and D are moving in—cutting between the Galaxy Camel and our flagship, preparing to fire. We can handle them with our energy shield, but remain on high alert. Enemy ship E shows no movement—possible boarding attempt on the Galaxy Camel."

"Damn, that's troublesome. Marks, depending on the situation, we may need to eliminate ships C and D first, then board the Galaxy Camel directly and engage in close combat."

"Understood."

At that moment, a new radar contact appeared.

"New contact on radar! One!"

"Newcomer?"

"Confirming... identification signal and distress beacon transmission confirmed."

A new escort vessel has arrived.

"Understood. Verify the identification signal."

Understood, cross-referencing... a new contact has emerged from the approaching vessel, estimated to be aircraft carriers. Temporarily designate them as Escort Vessel 1 and Escort Vessel 2. Escort Vessel 1 is heading toward Galaxy Camel, while Escort Vessel 2, launched from Escort Vessel 1, is rapidly approaching enemy ships C and D. Enemy ships C and D appear to have disengaged from our course and are attempting to flee... Their trajectory intersects with ours! Evade collision immediately!

Shinnosuke slowed down to avoid a collision.

The escort vessel 2 swiftly passed by the nose of Cerberus as enemy ships C and D, fleeing at high speed, barely missed it.

"Damn it! Those are Falcon-class high-speed missile boats. Don't get reckless."

Shinnosuke muttered with a confident smirk.

Even though he'd said he'd reduce his posting frequency, he was so delighted by the overwhelming praise that he'd gotten carried away and ended up posting daily.

The time it takes me to finish new stories is gradually getting later, but I'm doing my best to keep going.

Even if daily posting reaches its limit and my posting frequency decreases, I'll always make sure to post, so I'd really appreciate your continued support.