Emergency signal received

With Millyna's uniform successfully completed and their mission in the Galah Star Region finished, Shinnosuke and the others began their return journey to the Sirius Star Region.

Since it would be inefficient to return empty-handed, they inquired at the Galah Star Region's merchant fleet association about potential work. They were offered a job transporting industrial machinery to the Sirius Star Region, so they loaded approximately 20 tons of cargo for their return trip.

The pay was low, but it was far better than just returning empty-handed.

So, with the job accepted, they were on their way back, and it was Milena who was at the helm of the Cerberus, navigating toward the Sirius Stellar Province.

Under space navigation regulations, the captain may allow unqualified personnel to operate the vessel during departure or arrival, and in regions outside planetary or colony-controlled airspace, which is why Milena is currently training as a navigation apprentice.

While professional maritime licenses are typically obtained through naval academies, military service, or coast guard training, there is also a path for individuals like Milena—those who hold private vessel qualifications—to earn a professional license. This involves completing a specified period of navigation training under the supervision of a licensed instructor, passing the certification exam, and fulfilling additional required service hours.

As for hands-on training, that's another matter, but the pass rate for the certification exam is extremely low—difficult as it is, Milena is determined to earn her license through this method.

"Even though it's such a large vessel, the controls are incredibly sensitive. Nothing like a recreational cruiser at all."

Milena, with a serious expression, carefully maneuvers the Kerberos from the co-pilot's station connected to the flight controls.

Shinnosuke monitors the movements of the steering yoke and throttle lever linked to Milena's controls from the pilot's seat.

"Kerberos was built as a military vessel. The majority of the hull is occupied by propulsion systems like engines and armaments, and the number and capabilities of the attitude control thrusters are completely different from those of civilian ships."

Still, there are no issues apparent with Milena's piloting at the moment.

It's been over four hours now since she's been manually piloting, yet Milena's handling remains remarkably steady—unlike her usual self, she's managing everything with calm precision despite the tension.

Since this is her first time manually piloting, I decided to switch to autopilot and transition to system-managed navigation. At that moment, Seyla, who had been on alert duty in the surrounding space, suddenly spoke up.

"Distress signal received. Bearing four... signal extremely weak."

Tension spread across the bridge.

Shin nosuke immediately switched to the monitor, but the signal had already cut off.

"Four o'clock direction... Seyla, the signal you received wasn't a distress call, but an emergency distress signal, correct? Can you determine the origin ship?"

"Yes, it was definitely an emergency distress signal. However, the response was extremely weak and cut off shortly after, so we can't identify anything further."

"Perhaps it's off course and too far away..."

A distress signal is transmitted when a vessel is unable to navigate due to some kind of trouble, unlike a distress call made by ships under attack by space pirates, which requests immediate assistance.

While a distress call obligates designated escort vessels with certain armaments to provide aid, a distress signal imposes an obligation to assist on all vessels that receive it.

Of course, the Cerberus, having received the distress signal, is duty-bound to take all possible measures to rescue the distressed vessel. But beyond the obligation stipulated by regulations, there is only one choice a sailor should make.

" This vessel will immediately proceed to search for and rescue the distressed ship. Sera, send out the signal to begin rescue operations."

"Understood."

"Markus, use the received signal data to pinpoint the location. Also, since we'll need to go off course, I'll need you to gather information about the surrounding space and keep watch."

"Understood."

"Millena, take over piloting. Come to my side."

"Understood! You're in control!"

"I'm in control. Right turn, maximum forward speed!"

Shin nosuke accelerated the Cerberus toward the direction from which the distress signal had been transmitted.

After several hours of pushing the Cerberus at maximum speed, we hurried toward the distressed vessel, guided only by an extremely faint distress signal, yet still unable to pinpoint its location.

It might not be a matter of distance, but rather that the signal transmission capability has significantly diminished.

Marks continued analyzing the distress signal, as per his analysis.

"If that's the case, the ship might have suffered critical damage. Let's hurry!"

Not only Marks and Celia, but even Millena was staring intently at the monitor, unwilling to miss the slightest reaction.

"Signal detected—bearing 11 o'clock!"

Celia had picked up the distress signal.

Immediately, Marks pinpointed its location.

"Bearing 11 o'clock, horizontal position. Distance 4,200. It's within the asteroid belt. I've marked the location of the distressed vessel."

Understood! Heading to the point immediately. There's a possibility it's a trap set by space pirates. Millina, keep an eye on the surrounding area. Seira, try establishing communication with the distressed vessel.

By this point, it's impossible to lose track of it.

Shin nosuke begins preparing for the rescue mission.

"Markus, we don't know the condition of the distressed ship, but we might need to board and transfer. Prepare accordingly."

"Understood."

Mark rose from his seat and headed out of the bridge toward the warehouse where firearms and other equipment were stored.

We're sending communications to the distressed vessel, but there's no response.

Seyla reports, and one unpleasant outcome after another flashes through Shinnosuke's mind upon hearing it.

Is the situation so dire that a reply is impossible, or has it already become too late...

Cerberus entered the asteroid belt toward the target point.

The asteroid belt isn't densely packed, but it's vast enough that even Cerberus faces danger if venturing too deep.

"Approaching the target point shortly."

Minutes after entering the asteroid belt.

Fortunately, the target point lay in a shallow region of the belt.

"Sir Shinnosuke, there's a distinct signal coming from a notably large asteroid ahead on the port side!"

Shinnosuke displayed the indicated asteroid on the monitor and zoomed in.

The asteroid looks to be about five or six kilometers in diameter.

"Got it! There's a spacecraft stranded beneath the asteroid!"

Ceyla exclaimed.

"Understood, confirmed. It's a medium-sized passenger vessel. Immediately check its registry."

"Yes, checking registry... Passenger ship Emerald III, Sacred Nation of Seigul. Wait... This vessel... It disappeared 76 years ago while en route from the Sacred Nation of Seigul to the Salius Stellar Province of the Akneria Galactic Federation."