Repel the enemy's pursuit

With its second engine lost, Cerberus attempts to flee using its remaining two engines.

"Five destroyers—enemy ships B, C, D, F, and H—are approaching from behind. They'll be within range imminently."

Indeed, fleeing this way won't work.

Then now, while the enemy is scattered, is our chance.

Shinonsuke made his decision.

"Use the missile launcher to pin down the five enemy ships astern, while launching a strike with the space torpedoes."

The missile launcher rotated as it locked onto the five destroyers pursuing from behind.

Simultaneously, the torpedo tube covers opened.

"Enemy ships are within range!"

"Understood. Launch missiles 1 through 6 from launcher 2. Then follow up with torpedoes 1 through 3 from launcher 1."

Six missiles were launched from the Cerberus's missile launcher, followed closely by three space torpedoes.

Although the space torpedoes carried by the Cerberus are not as fast as missiles, they compensate with high maneuverability—once evaded, they can reverse course and relentlessly pursue their target, making them a particularly troublesome weapon.

A space torpedo that approaches its target passively, making it hard to detect with radar or other sensors until close range, then switches to active detection and relentlessly tracks its chosen target no matter where it goes.

To avoid being hit, one must either constantly dodge or intercept it—depending on where it strikes, even a battleship can be sunk by a direct hit.

Due to such equipment, it is rare for civilian escort vessels to be equipped with it, and naturally, it is extremely expensive.

"To avoid missiles, the enemy's speed decreases. All missiles were evaded. Space torpedoes—No. 1 hit enemy ship H, No. 2 was shot down by enemy ship F. Next, No. 3 torpedo hit enemy ship F. Enemy ships H and F have been sunk."

Although not a space torpedo, they used expensive missiles as decoys to mislead the enemy and shift their timing, then struck with their main torpedoes.

A simple yet effective tactic, surprisingly, more experienced soldiers are more likely to fall for it.

In a constantly shifting battlefield where split-second decisions can mean life or death, veteran soldiers sometimes unconsciously discard the possibility that the enemy would use such a simple tactic, overlaying their own experience onto the monitor's information and assuming that something so straightforward couldn't possibly be their opponent's strategy.

Perhaps they reasoned that, unlike a well-equipped military force, freelance merchant convoy escorts wouldn't resort to using expensive missiles as decoys.

Conversely, inexperienced soldiers might rely too heavily on monitor information, wasting valuable time identifying missiles or torpedoes, causing them to miss evasive maneuvers, or even be struck by additional attacks in the meantime.

In any case, the enemy's initial assault has been thwarted, but the remaining enemy ships are scattering to prevent us from targeting them, attempting to surround Cerberus.

"True to the Special Forces—quick to recover. Though they're using outdated vessels without missile capabilities, we managed to hold them off by exploiting that disadvantage, but we're nearing our limit.... Execute a 180-degree turn, retreat while preparing for combat."

The Cerberus also has beam cannons mounted at its rear for rearward defense, but one beam cannon is insufficient in firepower.

To engage in a broadside battle with the heavily armed Cerberus, we must rotate the ship to face the enemy formation directly.

Shin nosuke turned the Cerberus around.

"Begin a rearward broadside engagement. Marks, maintain vigilance from behind against both port and starboard flanks."

"Understood."

"Sera, take over combat control from Marks."

"Eh? Me...? No, understood."

For a brief moment, Sera hesitated, but considering the current situation, there was no time for doubt.

If Shin Nosuke entrusted her with this task, it must mean he judged her capable—though not necessarily the best choice.

Then she would give it her all, as entrusted.

Sera switched over to the command monitor.

They are already within range of each other's main guns, but the enemy has not resumed attacks for now.

"Enemy ships are spreading out while closing in on us."

The fact that they've deployed ghost units without any nationality markings suggests their original intent was to eliminate Milena along with Cerberus. But for now, they're proceeding cautiously, aiming to surround and sink us for certain.

Shin nosuke had no intention of playing along with the enemy's schemes.

"Understood. Begin retreating while opening fire."

Though still outside the guaranteed hit range, he aimed the main cannon at the enemy ship closest to them and fired.

"Ah, enemy ship B dodged. Missed the shot."

"It's fine. Within expected parameters."

Shin nosuke continued firing at enemy ship B with the main cannon.

As Shinnosuke continued firing, enemy ship B slowed down and began retaliating with its beam cannon.

That was precisely the moment Shinnosuke had been waiting for.

Dodging the enemy's barrage, he instantly reacquired his main cannon's aim and fired at enemy ship C.

The main cannon struck enemy ship C squarely in the flank.

"Enemy ship C destroyed... wait?"

Before Seira finished her report, Shinosuke slammed the throttle lever forward, pushing Cerberus forward and unleashing rapid-fire cannons at enemy ship B.

Three rapid shots.

But none hit enemy ship B.

"Ah, the rapid-fire cannons—every single one dodged. Uh... enemy ship B is retreating."

"Understood. We'll retreat too."

Shinosuke began moving Cerberus backward once more.

"Enemy ship A is joining up with enemy ship B... and D. Plus, three more ships approaching from behind... ah, we haven't assigned numbers yet... um... sorry, let me reset the enemy ship designations. The enemy cruiser will be enemy ship A, and the rest will be labeled B through F."

"Understood. Use whatever method makes it easier for Cerberus to manage. I'm counting on you!"

"R-right, understood. Ah, enemy ship A is firing—incoming!"

At the same time as Seira's warning, Shinnosuke maneuvered Cerberus into a drift to evade the enemy's attack.

It was a broadside from the cruiser—direct impact would be disastrous.

Amidst this, Millena watched Shinnosuke's every move with her three eyes, not missing a single gesture.

(He's amazing. He's handling this massive ship as if it were his own limbs.)

Without realizing it, she was mimicking Shinosuke's movements by placing her hands on the pilot's control wheel and throttle lever.

Of course, since Milina's co-pilot seat was isolated from the ship's systems, turning the control wheel, pushing the throttle lever, or pressing the missile launch button had no effect whatsoever.

"Enemy ships—six of them—have all begun their attack!"

Understood. Prioritize evasion over counterattack. Sera, report relative distances to each enemy vessel.

Understood. The closest is enemy vessel A, within cruiser range. Enemy vessel A is leading, with the other enemy ships spreading out to both flanks, attempting to surround our vessel.

Understood. Retreat while monitoring enemy vessel A's attack. Launch all remaining missiles from launcher two!

Six missiles remaining in launcher two were fired.

A feint to buy time for retreat.

At that moment, Seira and Marks shouted simultaneously.

"Fire coming! Dodge it!"

"New vessel contact three at six o'clock. One is a high-speed craft!"

Shinnosuke kicked the foot pedal hard.