Hurry to the 6325 Star Union

The Rymirian Galaxy Empire is a totalitarian state in tense relations with the Akeria Galaxy Federation.

Although in tense relations with the Akeria Galaxy Federation, they are not in a state of war; instead, they have maintained a stable balance despite occasional minor skirmishes in border space regions.

"An imperial noble fleeing... that's not my concern. But one such escape could easily spark a war between the Empire and us."

The union leader nodded in agreement to Shinosuke's words.

"Though we don't understand the government's intentions, the Aknelia Galactic Federation government is fully aware of the risks and still chose to accept the refugee. That's why they've requested that the Merchant Ship Union provide escort vessels."

"But why aren't you leaving the 6325 Star Union's ships? It would be much faster than coming from our direction."

"That's due to political reasons. The 6325 Star Union maintains a neutral stance regarding the conflict between Akneria and Limria. While it's true that refugees fleeing Limria are allowed to pass through, the 6325 does not support asylum seekers per se. Instead, it merely facilitates travel from Limria to Akneria through its territory. Naturally, the 6325's merchant fleet has also refused to provide escort vessels."

Shin nosuke realized.

The 6325 Stellar Federation is turning a blind eye, and the Akneria Galactic Federation will accept refugees, but they won't actively participate—understandably so.

After all, deploying Akneria's naval vessels would provoke the Limria Galactic Empire, which they clearly wish to avoid.

And so, the burden naturally falls upon the merchant fleet.

"By the way, this time, I won't accept your refusal. But in return, I'll be taking a cut from your reward."

"Shin nosuke-san. It's going to be a dangerous job, but I'm asking you to do it."

Shin nosuke had no right to refuse.

After all, he had once been a soldier, so he understood the situation.

Knowing what he now knew, it would be impossible to simply say no.

"I understand. I'll head straight for the capital colony of the 6325 Stellar Federation."

"Please take care. I'm counting on you."

Shin nosuke immediately began preparations for departure.

He wanted to avoid combat, but given the other side's circumstances, engagement might be unavoidable regardless of his wishes.

Fortunately, there had been no opportunity for combat on the journey to the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, so his weapons—including missiles—were fully loaded and ready.

Shin nosuke looked at Seira.

Sera, this is a highly dangerous mission that could cost your life. There's no need for you, a novice, to risk yourself. You could return earlier by taking the regular passenger ship...

I'll go with you. Please take me along!

Seira raised her voice, cutting off Shinosuke's words.

A powerful voice unlike anything one could imagine from the usually quiet Seira.

You're serious about going, aren't you?

I think I'm ready. Don't leave me behind.

There's no time for debate.

Beyond this point, Shinosuke, Marks, and Seira are all responsible for themselves, as free merchants should be.

"Alright, Kerberos is launching. Heading at full speed toward the 6325 Stellar Federation!"

Leaving the orbiting station colony of the Damura Star Cluster Kingdom, Kerberos set course for the 6325 Stellar Federation.

Although there is only one space jump point en route to the capital colony of the 6325 Stellar Federation, most of the route allows for faster-than-light travel, making the journey possible in just five days if rushed.

However, Shinosuke and the others aim to shorten this by one day, targeting arrival in four days.

Without considering spatial jumps, the ship travels at speeds 5 to 15 percent faster during super-high-speed navigation compared to regular navigation. While regular navigation poses no issue, super-high-speed overdrive places significant strain on the engine—but the engines of Cerberus can handle it with ease.

Since this mission is special, Marks will be in charge of navigation control.

Celia will handle communications and radar monitoring, but even that is merely assisting Marks.

According to prior intelligence, there is one refugee: Milena Al Ringlund, daughter of the Ringlund Marquess of the Rimlia Galactic Empire, aged 24. Though not a direct descendant of the emperor, she apparently held claim to the imperial succession. Well, succession in that empire is rather complicated, to say the least.

"A blood awakening, was it?"

"That's right. Though she gained a blood awakening, she's from a branch family, so her inheritance rank is ninth. Her inheritance rank is low, but it seems she abandoned it to flee. And there are four companions accompanying her."

Seira had been listening to Shinosuke and Marks' conversation, though there were a few words she didn't understand.

Shinosuke was a former soldier, and Marks, being a doll with high information-processing capabilities, had some knowledge of the Lymria Galactic Empire's inner workings. But Seira, a civilian who had only recently been a student, knew absolutely nothing about the political system of the Lymria Galactic Empire.

"Um, I understand that a noble princess from the Lymria Galactic Empire is fleeing here, but what exactly is 'blood awakening'? What does that mean?"

Shinosuke answered Seira's question.

"Ah, in the Lymria Galactic Empire, one must possess a special ability distinct from ordinary humans to inherit the throne. Originally, this ability was common among the Lymrian people, but over time it gradually faded away, and now it only manifests in a few members of the imperial family. However, very rarely, individuals from collateral branches or even ordinary citizens may experience a resurgence of Lymrian blood. These individuals are called 'awakened ones,' and regardless of their origin, they are granted the right to inherit the throne. That said, since the strongest bloodline typically passes down through the direct imperial line, it's almost unheard of for someone outside that line to ascend to the throne."

The daughter of the noble family seeking asylum this time is likely a awakened one as well, but being from a collateral branch and ranked ninth in line for the throne, she has almost no chance of ascending to the imperial seat.

Still, her desire to flee suggests that court intrigues may be unfolding within the empire.

"For now, we'll just stick to our assigned task and avoid unnecessary inquiries."

Cerberus reached the vicinity of the 6325 Stellar Federation's capital colony, shortening its scheduled arrival time by one day, according to Marks' plan.

Approaching the capital colony, it entered the control airspace.

"6325 Stellar Federation Capital Colony Harbor Control Center. This is the escort vessel Cerberus, belonging to the Akeria Galactic Federation's Salius Stellar District Free Merchant Ship Association. I am approaching your colony on a special mission from the Merchant Association. Requesting permission to dock."

『・・・・・』

There was no response to Shinosuke's transmission.

"Hey? The signal's getting through, right?"

"No signs of communication interference."

"Understood. Harbor Control Center, this is escort vessel Cerberus. Please respond."

After a brief silence, a reply came through.

"...This is the Harbor Control Center. Emergency contact with approaching escort vessel Cerberus... Docking Station A Sector 32... Wait, no? Where exactly? Wait, Sector C?... Cerberus, hold on!"

The harbor control center operator is confused.

The situation unfolding is clearly no ordinary matter.

This is the harbor control center. What's going on over there, Cerberus?

"...This is the Harbor Management Center. Simultaneous terrorist attacks are currently underway at multiple locations across the colony. It's clearly a diversionary tactic aimed at the VIP you were sent to retrieve. The VIP is currently moving through the colony's harbor district but is being pursued by armed militants and cannot reach the scheduled docking station. We will guide the VIP to Docking Station 25 in Sector C. Please proceed there as well, Cerberus. Additionally, the security forces assigned to escort the VIP have already been eliminated. Other units are en route, but they've been delayed en route and won't arrive in time. We apologize, but please hurry."

Upon hearing the harbor control center's instructions, Marks marked the designated docking station on the monitor.

"Understood, confirmed. Docking within 25 minutes."

"Understood. Due to various circumstances, we cannot emit a laser beacon. There are no other vessels in the vicinity, so proceed with docking without awaiting further instructions."

"Kelberos, copy....Marks, the situation is urgent. We may have to resort to hand-to-hand combat. I can't leave the pilot's seat, so I'm entrusting the passenger's escort to you."

"Understood."

Shin nosuke put on the glass monitor and turned the control joystick toward the designated docking station.

After a few minutes, the designated docking station finally came into view.

The bridge monitor also showed the scene of the reinforced glass walkway.

"Damn it! Worst case!"

The monitor displayed five people running along the walkway.

Ahead was a woman in a dress, protected by a man holding a gun.

Behind them came one man and two women dressed as maids, all firing their guns backward while running.

It was clear they were being pursued and engaged in combat.

They wouldn't make it in time like this.

It would take at least ten more minutes to dock at the station.

"Then there's no choice!"

Shin nosuke locked the outer wall at the seam of the docking station's reinforced glass.

"Control Center! We won't make it in time with normal docking. Break through the outer wall of the connecting bridge and force a boarding! Charge the repair costs to either the terrorist causing chaos or the Free Merchant Guild of the Acreria Galactic Federation's Salius Stellar Province!"

"Harbor Control Center acknowledges! Go ahead without hesitation. We'll seal off the connecting bridge compartments, but armed militants have already entered the bridge... Good luck!"

"Kelberos understands! Marks, as you heard, we're forcing our way onto the connecting bridge. Marks, hold off the pursuers and guide them inside the ship!"

"Understood."

"Damn it! Good thing we shortened the arrival time, but the timing couldn't be worse!"

"Is that due to the Master's bad luck again?"

"Quiet! Don't spout nonsense about luck and dolls! If you have time to say such things, get ready for close combat right now!"

"Understood."

Shin nosuke adjusted Kerberos's direction, extending the boarding ramp mounted on the starboard side for forced boarding, while Marks rushed from the bridge to prepare for the assault.

Naturally, only Shin nosuke and Seira remained on the bridge.

"Execute a drift maneuver to force a boarding. Seira, report the distance to the connecting bridge."

"Roger, understood. Distance to the point: 150... 130... 110... 95... 80..."

The Kerberos approached the connecting bridge while performing a controlled drift.