Nervous First Assignment 1

The journey from Garra to the Orion Stellar Province takes about a week, but opportunities for spatial jumps or high-speed travel are limited, meaning most of the trip must be made through regular navigation.

While this region isn't particularly prone to pirate attacks, they do still occur from time to time.

Especially since there are documented cases of cargo ships carrying valuable goods—like the Orion we're escorting—being attacked, so we can't afford to be careless.

The cargo ship Orion, our current escort target, is not quite 200 meters in length, but it can carry up to 2,000 tons of cargo inside its hull and, in addition, load numerous containers onto its open deck, enabling it to transport a total of 5,000 tons of cargo—making it a medium-sized freighter.

"The Ranglud Company, to which this escort target, Orion, belongs, doesn't have a very good reputation, does it?"

As Mark explained, the Ranglud Company, to which Orion belongs, is a major merchant firm within the merchant fleet, operating four large cargo ships and eight medium-sized ones, yet it is far from having a good reputation.

While the company's scale would allow it to operate independently without joining the Free Merchant Guild, it seems the Ranglud Company has deliberately chosen not to do so.

The Free Merchant Guild primarily sustains itself through membership fees from its members and commission fees when mediating requests, but only merchants and individual entrepreneurs of a certain size or smaller can join.

It is essentially a collective of small and medium-sized traders who cannot compete with the organizational power of large corporations, functioning as a niche industry that takes on jobs large companies choose not to pursue.

There are indeed real cases of companies like the Langrode Merchant Company deliberately joining the Free Merchant Guild—despite not needing to—simply because they benefit from the preferential treatment granted to guild members, exploiting loopholes in the system.

"Of course, there are all sorts of rumors, but they aren’t blatantly breaking any rules. In fact, they use every possible means to serve their own company’s interests. The Layered Merchant Company does the same. In a way, that’s probably what a proper merchant should do."

"Would you like to apprentice under me?"

"No, I haven't reached that level yet. Besides, Serah just joined us—there's no way we could pull off shady deals. Well, we'll just keep working our own way, step by step."

Seyla, focused on the communication system, didn't hear Shinosuke and Mark's casual banter.

In reality, once the journey toward the destination begins, there won't be many opportunities to communicate with the escorted vessel, but since this was their first assignment, being entrusted with communication right away made them seem overly tense.

It would take about a week to reach the Garra Stellar District—maintaining constant tension for that long would inevitably drain both physical and mental stamina.

Unlike Marks, it's impossible for the flesh-and-blood Shinonosuke and Seira to operate Cerberus around the clock for a full week; taking breaks is inevitable.

During the escort mission, Shinonosuke, as captain, never leaves the bridge, but during rest periods he entrusts the ship's navigation to Marks and takes a solid nap on the makeshift bed tucked into a corner of the bridge.

Occasionally, he would rest for about six hours, no longer just a nap but a full night's sleep.

Since Seira doesn't have piloting qualifications, she'll be scheduled to rest in her room after working for a set period.

Shin nosuke has noticed Seira's tension, but he's decided to let her be, respecting her need to gain experience.

The anomaly occurred on the third day.

"Radar contact. Unknown one, bearing 4±0, distance 290 (4 o'clock position, horizontal. Distance 290)."

Marks had detected the suspicious vessel just at the edge of the radar detection range.

Shinonosuke confirmed it on the monitor—there was no doubt it was an odd vessel.

"We're being targeted. Seira, emergency situation. Switch communication to Marks. From here on, we're just observers."

"Yes, sir. You have communication."

After declaring the handover of communications, Seira released her grip from the communication system.

"I have communications. Cerberus to Orion, possible targeting by space pirates. Maintain vigilance. Continue on current course until further instructions."

『Orion, copy that. Please be careful.』

Shinonsuke deactivated the weapon safety locks.

From how easily we were locked onto despite the distance, it's clear they're using us as bait to lure Orion away. A standard, obvious tactic. If that's the case, then we'll maintain our current course. Marks, focus your vigilance ahead—there's likely an ambush waiting for us up ahead."

"Understood."

Ciel watched Shinonsuke and Marks, her tension reaching its peak.

"Um, what about distress signals? Don't you send them out?"

Shin nosuke nods, as Seira asks, trembling.

It's too early. For now, we're only possibly being targeted—not definitively. We'll send out a distress signal once we've assessed the situation more clearly.

I activate the fire-control radar on the suspicious vessel while explaining to Seira.

It's for the purpose of a feint.

"Unknown vessel has departed beyond radar detection range. Continuing with Unknown Two at bearing 12±0, distance 200, positioning to block its course."

"Understood! Deploy Cerberus forward."

Shinonsuke moved Cerberus to the front of Orion.

"Two unknown vessels ahead—no identification signals transmitted. Fire-control radar targeting confirmed on our vessel."

Understood. Transmit distress and combat alert signals. Issue warnings to the enemy vessel.

Markus forcibly establishes laser communication with the two enemy ships ahead.

Circuit Fixed

This is the guard ship Cerberus, affiliated with the Free Merchant Fleet of the Salius Province. We are currently on a escort mission. If you do not respond and continue to obstruct our course, we will take necessary measures to fulfill our escort duties.

Two ships fail to respond even to the first warning.

"Reiterating the warning. Clear your course immediately. Should there be no change in your actions after this warning, we will consider it an intent to engage in combat."

Shin nosuke activated the weapons system, locking the fire-control radar onto the two enemy ships and acquiring a target lock.

"...."

First mission—baptism by escort duty.

Seira was so tense she couldn't utter a word.

"Distance is still significant. Initiate warning fire with main cannons against the enemy vessels."

Seira's heart pounded wildly—she felt as though her heartbeat might burst out of her mouth at any moment.