The Crisis of the Passenger Ship, Shinosuke's Decision

Having barely escaped the capital planet's orbital station colony of the Damura Star Cluster Kingdom, the Cerberus hastens homeward toward the Acnelia Galaxy Federation.

According to intelligence from the Damura Star Cluster Kingdom's Harbor Bureau, the Rimlia Galaxy Empire has been attempting invasions on multiple fronts with several fleets, and the Kingdom appears to be under significant pressure.

Fleet forces of the Duchy Army are deployed near the capital planet for defense.

"Things are getting quite dire."

Shinosuke chose a route that carefully avoided the defense fleet.

The Rimuria Galactic Empire and the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth have always had a significant gap in national strength and military capabilities. Even so, the Empire isn't pushing forward more aggressively because the forces they can commit to an invasion are limited. Regardless of their motives or reasons, this invasion blatantly disregards international law. There's even a possibility that the 6325 Stellar Alliance or the Acneria Galactic Federation could intervene, so we must prepare for that eventuality as well.

As Mark's analysis predicted, the Rimuria Galactic Empire has committed substantial forces to the invasion of the Damura Constellation Commonwealth, yet it still lacks sufficient strength to conquer the entire Commonwealth.

Likely, the Empire's objective is a swift, decisive strike to capture the Commonwealth's capital planet and seize control of its political center.

Regardless, the duchy certainly isn't planning to surrender easily, so it's only a matter of time before the surrounding space is engulfed in battle. As a civilian vessel from another nation, the Cerberus must evacuate as quickly as possible.

"Let's get out of the Duchy of Damura's territory as soon as possible."

Shin nosuke pushed the throttle lever forward, accelerating the Cerberus.

The next day, the Cerberus was still navigating within the territory of the Duchy of Damura.

"Andy's Beetle has already returned to Acneria, right?"

"Yes, according to the navigation plan, after completing the convoy escort, they've finished resupplying and are now setting out toward Acneria. They should have passed through the republic's territory by now and entered international space. Although the cargo ships of the Ranglode Company are headed to different destinations, some of them are likely still at the republic's station colony."

"There's nothing we can do about it. There's just nothing we can do."

As Shinosuke and Marks were discussing this, Seira, who had been keeping watch around the area, suddenly spoke up.

"Rescue signal received. The passenger ship Blue Whale, registered under the Akneria fleet, is being pursued by armed vessels!"

Tension spread throughout the bridge.

"Are space pirates appearing while the chaos is still ongoing?"

"We don't know. But distress signals are being repeatedly transmitted."

"Where is it?"

"About three hours' distance from our current position."

The situation is unclear, but we can't simply ignore it.

Shin nosuke's escort vessel certification is recognized by the Akneria Galactic Federation, the 6325 Stellar Federation, and the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth—but in addition to that, he's also entrusted with the duties of an escort vessel.

The vessel is obligated to take necessary measures to rescue a civilian ship emitting a distress signal.

Moreover, this obligation is even greater if the ship emitting the distress signal is under the Acnelia registry.

"This ship is en route to rescue the Blue Whale. Marks, contact the Blue Whale and have them guide us in..."

"The optimal rendezvous point has already been calculated. If we guide the Blue Whale, we can meet in one hour and fifty minutes."

Seyla cuts in, interrupting Shinosuke.

She seemed to have foreseen it—remarkable growth for an operator.

"Good, leave it to Sera. Guide the Blue Whale to the target point. The main ship will rush there too!"

Sinosuke steers toward the point Seyla designated, hastening toward the rendezvous.

One hour and thirty minutes later, Cerberus had captured the Blue Whale and the three suspicious vessels pursuing it.

"Confirmed: Blue Whale. Unknowns... are they lying? Claiming to be the Rimlia Galactic Empire Fleet?"

Three armed vessels were tracking the Blue Whale.

Each was transmitting identification signals from the Rimlia Galactic Empire Fleet.

This wasn't a space pirate attack—the Blue Whale was being pursued by a Rimlia Galactic Empire warship.

"Verifying identification signals. One cruiser and two destroyers from the Empire fleet."

Shin nosuke gritted his teeth upon hearing Marks' report.

"Cruisers and destroyers? We're hopelessly outmatched by Cerberus. Why is the Empire fleet chasing a civilian vessel from another nation in the first place?"

Shin nosuke's question was perfectly reasonable.

The Rimuria Galactic Empire's invasion of the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth already constitutes a violation of international law. Furthermore, it is a serious breach of interstellar navigation law for Imperial warships to conduct inspections or inflict harm on civilian vessels within the Commonwealth's territory.

If the Empire's warships are attacking the civilian ship Blue Whale, then Shinnosuke's act of rescuing the Blue Whale using his own strength would be a legitimate act of duty.

However, facing an imperial regular fleet's cruiser and destroyer with just one Kerberos is far too risky.

"What should we do? Shall we intervene?"

Before Shinnosuke could answer Mark's question, Milena spoke up.

"Shinnosuke-sama, please, help that ship. Though I am a refugee, as a former imperial noble, I cannot ignore the imperial military's brutal actions like this!"

She didn't even need to say it—

Shin nosuke's decision was firm.

"Immediately implement measures to rescue the Blue Whale. Sera, transmit distress and combat alert signals. Then proceed with the warning."

"Understood. Establishing forced connection—ready at any time."

Shin nosuke donned the glass monitor, unlocked it, activated all armaments, and initiated the warning.

"Attention to Rimurian Galactic Empire vessel. This is the escort ship Cerberus, affiliated with the Akeria Galactic Federation's Salius Stellar District Free Merchant Ship Association. You are unlawfully pursuing a civilian vessel within the territory of the Damura Constellation Commonwealth, which violates interstellar aerospace regulations. Immediately cease your unlawful actions and disengage from the civilian vessel you are tracking."

No change in the behavior of the Rimurian vessel was observed after the first warning was issued.

"Warning. The Rimurian vessel must immediately cease its unlawful actions. If you do not comply, our ship will take necessary measures in accordance with law and regulations!"

The second warning concluded.

From this point onward, any use of force by Cerberus would be in full compliance with international space law, and no blame would be attached—even if an imperial vessel were destroyed.

Shin nosuke locked the rapid-fire cannon's targeting on the cruiser's engine.

"Communication from the Rymria Fleet. Connecting to speaker."

"We are acting in accordance with the laws and military regulations of the Rymria Galactic Empire. If you interfere with our actions, your vessel will be considered an enemy and destroyed immediately!"

The cruiser's main cannon was aimed at the Cerberus.

"Enemy vessel showing signs of firing!"

"Understood! Evade while returning fire!"

As Shinosuke twisted the steering wheel, the three Rimuria ships opened fire.

Shinosuke dodged the enemy's barrage and pulled the trigger.

"There's no turning back now!"