Break through the enemy encirclement — 1

"Identify the unknowns ahead and behind as enemy vessels."

"Understood. Unlocking weapons systems. Activating main cannon, rapid-fire cannons, Gatling guns, and all other armaments."

Shinosuke puts on the glass monitor.

"There's still distance, but let's quickly send a warning. Laser communication..."

"Enemy vessel fired! Out of range — no hit."

Immediately after Marks' warning, a beam cannon's light pierced through the starboard side of the Kerberos.

"Confirmed preemptive attack by enemy vessel without prior notice. Warning to the enemy vessel is no longer necessary. Our vessel immediately transitions to self-defense operations. Transmitting distress and declaration of hostilities."

"Understood!"

"The enemy's aim is likely to pin us down and surround us with five ships. Our vessel will avoid the encirclement and advance as close as possible toward the enemy's left flank."

Shin nosuke turned the steering wheel further to the right, heading directly toward the far end of the enemy's left wing, which was attempting to close in from the front.

"Enemy ship spotted. Transmitting video feed!"

Ceyla displayed the footage from the super-telephoto camera on the monitor.

Upon seeing it, Shin nosuke grimaced in frustration.

"Damn! That's not a military vessel from the Rimuria Imperial Space Fleet!"

On the monitor appeared the sleek, streamlined forms of cruisers and destroyers unique to the Rimuria Imperial Space Fleet.

"Aqua Arrow-class cruiser one, Fire Dagger-class destroyer seven."

Marks displayed the enemy ship's data.

Both were standard warships used by the Rimuria Imperial Space Fleet, having been retired from frontline service due to obsolescence.

They displayed no national markings as defined by international law, nor did they transmit any identification signals.

"Since when has the Empire started scrapping military vessels? Even though they're outdated, facing one cruiser and seven destroyers is far too uneven a match."

"There's a possibility they're supplying weapons to space pirates and keeping them under control like pets, but I don't think they'd actually hand over warships. Those are probably ghost units—phantom squadrons."

"Ghost units? Special Forces... This just keeps getting worse."

Shin nosuke said this while remaining perfectly composed.

"Quite impressive, I must say."

Seeing his calm demeanor, Miriena smiled.

Staring at Shin Nosuke with a dazed, entranced look.

"Enemy cruiser is entering our range in moments!"

"Understood. Rank enemy ships by threat level. From now on, refer to them as Enemy Ship A through H."

Shin Nosuke, listening to Marks' status report, narrowed his eyes at the monitor while manipulating his terminal to pinpoint the targets.

"Target A, commence cruiser bombardment! Evade!"

Understood. Closing in while evading.

Shin nosuke enters continuous evasive maneuvers, maintaining the Cerberus's speed.

This is the result of the Cerberus's high mobility and Shin nosuke's expert piloting skills.

Target B through E have entered the enemy destroyer's firing range. Enemy firepower is increasing!... Our ship has also acquired the enemy vessels within range.

"Understood... Their main attack is beam weaponry. They don't seem to have missiles equipped."

"If we used military-standard missiles, it would expose the Imperial Fleet's involvement."

"Then there might be a chance after all."

The Cerberus veered to dodge the barrage, pressing forward toward the enemy formation's left flank.

Meanwhile, Shinosuke kept tracking the enemy ships without locking on, carefully timing his move.

"All eight enemy vessels ahead are within range!"

Now!

Shinosuke activated the lever on the control stick to lock onto all eight enemy ships simultaneously, then selected his weapon using the selector.

"Launch all missiles from launcher one!"

When Shinosuke pressed the launch button, twelve small missiles shot out from the missile launcher, streaking toward the enemy ships.

Although small missiles typically can't sink a pure cruiser or destroyer with just one hit, even a cruiser would be in serious trouble if hit by two or three.

Twelve such small missiles now descended upon the eight enemy ships.

Each enemy vessel entered evasive maneuvers, creating a brief opening.

"Good! Hard left turn! Break through the enemy formation's right flank!"

Seizing the moment just before the missiles struck, Shinnosuke swerved the Cerberus sharply to the left, plunging into the right wing of the disoriented enemy fleet.

One unlucky destroyer, driven forward by incoming missiles, flew straight into the front of the Cerberus, directly in front of its main guns.

No aiming required.

Shinnosuke pulled the trigger without hesitation.

The destroyer, hit directly at close range by the main gun, exploded into fragments.

"Enemy ship G destroyed. Enemy ship E, struck by missile, severely damaged."

In addition to the enemy vessel sunk by the main gun, another enemy ship that had narrowly avoided a missile strike was forced into a state of immobility.

Using a surprise attack, two ships were silenced, and taking advantage of the opening, we successfully broke through the enemy's encirclement.

"Even if we sink two more, four remain. And if the three from behind catch up, the situation will only worsen. Avoid further combat and disengage now!"

Cerberus fled toward the Ancleria Galactic Federation.

"Enemy ships six, regrouping and preparing to pursue. We haven't yet escaped their firing range."

"Understood. Marks, report every movement of the enemy ships behind us. Pay close attention to any unusual maneuvers by the cruisers."

"Understood."

"Sera, take charge of scanning the surrounding space. There may be more enemies lurking. Report even the slightest anomaly."

"Ah, yes. Understood."

The Cerberus is faster than the enemy ships.

The Cerberus began pulling away from the enemy vessel.

Just a little further and they'd exit international space.

But beyond that lay an exclusive economic zone.

"Can we really get away...? Well, probably not."

Shin nosuke smirked confidently.