Space Pirate Shinnosuke 1

Following Zany, Shinnosuke also begins preparations for launch.

Entering the cockpit of the combat vessel, he connects cables from his pilot suit and helmet to the systems while turning on the main switch.

Checking the status of the craft while watching the activated monitor.

"Various monitors, confirmed. Weapon control system, confirmed. Engine start... Engine, confirmed. All thrusters, confirmed... From Shinosuke to Pirate Killer, to Shield Ship, henceforth this unit will be known as Stingray."

"Pirate Killer, got it!"

"Shield Ship, confirmed."

"Communications, confirmed. Check complete. Stingray to Shield Ship, launch preparations are go! Please take care of us."

When Shinosuke requested launch, the combat pod, secured by clamps, was extended out from beneath the shield ship's hull.

"Stingray from Shield Ship. Cutting the clamps now."

"Understood. Please take care of us."

...Clank!

With a light jolt, Shinosuke's combat pod detached.

Launching from a mothership without a catapult like an aircraft carrier or battleship is done this way—by releasing it into space.

"Separation confirmed. No abnormalities detected on the craft. Alright, let's go!"

As Shinosuke pushed the throttle lever forward, the SRF-102 instantly accelerated, breaking away from the Shield Ship.

The sudden, intense acceleration—unlike anything the Cerberus could muster—pressed Shinosuke hard into the cockpit seat.

First, I'll perform some familiarization maneuvers to check the craft's maneuverability before attacking the target.

Shinosuke endures the intense G-forces—unlike anything experienced on a regular ship—reacquainting himself with the combat craft's handling.

"Ugh... It's been a while, but it's still tough."

Yet despite the strain, Shinosuke feels his spirit rise at the completely different, nimble responsiveness of the Cerberus.

The SRF-102 is armed with only two laser cannons and two small missiles.

Though its armament is meager compared to the Cerberus, it more than makes up for it with its incredible speed and maneuverability.

For a space pirate, this is an extravagant level of equipment.

"This is starting to get exciting."

Shinosuke chuckled inside his helmet, a space pirate at last.

Andy's Beetle and the escorted A884 were navigating through the scheduled training zone.

"About three hours until we reach the target point. I have no idea what's going to happen. Ellen, keep your eyes on the radar."

"I know....Ah! Radar contact. Unknown one, bearing 7 plus 30, distance 240 (7 o'clock direction, 30 degrees upward). Rapid approach!...Wait, it's moving too fast!"

"Wasn't expecting it so suddenly! A high-speed boat? Ellen, warn A884. Get A884 out of there first!"

"Understood. Beetle to A884. An unidentified vessel is approaching from the left rear. Maintain your current speed and heading."

"Got it. Stay sharp."

While Ellen was issuing the warning, Andy positioned the Beetle between the approaching suspicious vessel and A884.

"Warning the suspicious vessel... whoa, they fired at us! Wait, that's not a patrol boat—it's a combat vessel! That's cheating, even by their standards!"

The combat vessel passed right in front of the Beetle, firing its laser machine guns.

"There's no time for words! We've already been hit first—our warning is unnecessary. Take immediate countermeasures!"

"Understood. Unlock full armament. Engage with anti-aircraft guns. Don't let A884 get any closer."

The Beetle's anti-aircraft guns began firing, laying down a curtain of fire around A884 as they pursued the Stinger.

Since this training limits weapon output to the minimum for training or intimidation, a direct hit would cause no damage, but the fact that the guns are actually firing creates a strong sense of tension.

The Stinger, piloted by Shinosuke, was the first to attack Andy and the others.

The combat vessel's speed and maneuverability allowed him to attack the A884 right from the start, but he deliberately missed—otherwise, it wouldn't be a proper training exercise.

"The barrage is thin... I suppose that's unavoidable given the escort ship's equipment."

Shinosuke reversed course, circling around to position himself behind the two vessels, securing a tailing position from behind.

On the A884's bridge, Ira watched the attack unfold, a smile playing on her face.

Ira's radar on the A884-class frigate had locked onto Shinosuke's combat vessel before Andy's Beetle's, nearly prompting her to fire in response to the initial attack before hastily holding back.

"Close call, close call—I was about to fire on instinct. But sending a combat vessel for escort training? That's too harsh. There aren't any space pirates out there using something like that, are there?"

Since Shinnosuke's escort vessel was under repair... and the combat craft also needed to be operated occasionally. There hadn't been any operational use lately, just routine maintenance costs. So the union chief thought this would be a good opportunity, and asked Shinnosuke to handle it.

"Well, it's not a combat vessel, but there are pirate ships that use high-speed craft, so this difficulty level should be just right....Still, the barrage is pretty thin. If the enemy has a skilled pilot on a fast boat, they'll easily get through."

"That's exactly why it's training—these experiences will benefit them."

While Ira and Lina spoke casually, Seira watched Shinno's combat vessel with envious eyes.

Shin nosuke, you're incredible. Piloting that combat vessel with such effortless precision...

Seyla mutters involuntarily, but in reality, piloting the combat vessel isn't particularly difficult.

Long-range navigation isn't performed (in fact, it's impossible), and piloting the combat craft to move near targets from the mother ship, confined to the base's vicinity, turns out to be surprisingly simple—almost like an arcade game.

In terms of handling, the Cerberus is far more difficult.

Simply looking at the steering wheel, you grip the levers on either side of the wheel to steer, but these levers themselves are independently movable, requiring control of both the wheel itself and the left and right levers. The foot pedals are also complex, involving not only pressing down but also lifting up with the toes. In contrast, combat vessels that are controlled solely by a control stick, throttle lever, and foot pedals are far simpler to operate.

The reason fighting craft are considered more difficult to pilot, despite their simpler controls, is that pilots must make split-second decisions while enduring intense G-forces, and a mistake in actual combat leads to immediate death.

Therefore, pilots of fighting craft must possess superhuman physical abilities, mental strength, and reflexes.

To Seira, Shinnosuke appeared to be maneuvering the combat vessel with effortless grace. In reality, however, he was performing only basic evasive maneuvers typical of a rookie space military pilot. If he were to engage in a dogfight against an actual space military pilot, he would be shot down within five minutes.

Shinnosuke himself was well aware of this, so he adjusted his movements to match Andy’s skill level, staying within a range that didn’t push his own limits.

Seyla, so deeply respectful of Shinosuke that she had unconsciously elevated him above others in her evaluation, was on the verge of forgetting her original purpose of observation, until she was brought back to her senses by Ira's words.

"However, the initial reaction wasn't bad, but I made a wrong judgment. If we continue like this, the first scenario seems likely to fail."

Upon hearing those words, Ciel confirmed her current situation.

Beetle engaged the space pirates attacking from the left rear, having already sent the escort target, A884, ahead. As a result, the current formation of the ships was as follows: the space pirates pursuing from behind, Beetle fighting them, and A884 leading the way in front.

"Ahh, this is...?"

"Notice it now?"

Ira called out to Seira, who had murmured in surprise.

"Yes... um, if we keep going like this, it'll be dangerous, right?"

"That's right. It's a common tactic used by space pirates—almost like their doctrine."

In the next instant, new readings appeared ahead of and to the starboard side of A884.

"Ah... I knew it..."

"There they are. A diversionary ambush by their auxiliary force."

Blocking the front was Dag's shield ship.

And approaching rapidly from starboard was Zany's Pirate Killer.

...Peeeee! Pyyui! Pyyui!

A loud alarm blared through A884's bridge.

"We're done for... "

Ira shrugged her shoulders.

Even Beetle's radar, which had been blocking the pursuit behind A884, detected a new signal.

"New radar contact! Ahead and to the right of the escort target!"

Andy flinched upon hearing Elen's report.

"Damn it, an ambush! We fell for a simple trap! Can we still make it in time?!"

Beetle accelerated frantically, trying to catch up with A884.

But it was already too late, and a momentary opening had appeared.

Beep! Piuu... Biiii!

Following the warning sound, an alarm indicating they had been hit.

They had been attacked from behind, taking advantage of the lapse in vigilance caused by focusing on A884.

"Ahh... we've been hit and sunk. The escorted target has also taken heavy damage and is no longer operational. Escort mission failed... scenario terminated."

Eren's report.

The first scenario of the escort training ended in failure for Andy and his team.

In no time at all, their performance was closing in on the overall rating of my masterpiece—though I should say it somewhat embarrassingly, it is technically my most representative work—"Freedom of Career Choice: The Man Who Chose to Become a Necromancer."

This is all thanks to your evaluations and support.

Thank you very much.

Up until now, this story has been built through a series of individual episodes, but soon the plot will take a significant turn.

Stay tuned.