Escort Mission 4

Shinosuke aimed at the cruiser and pulled the trigger.

The main cannon of Cerberus fired, piercing through the cruiser.

The enemy group, having lost a heavy cruiser, a cruiser, and a destroyer in the first strike, slowed down but began to counterattack.

"Distance has increased. Retreat while keeping an eye on the cruiser. Allow the convoy to disengage without concern for us."

The three ships below Cerberus gradually slowed while maintaining harassment attacks, further widening the gap between the enemy group and the refugee convoy.

"Shin nosuke, the convoy will enter spatial jump shortly."

"Understood. Our three ships will hold off the enemy here for thirty minutes. Serah, mark the jump departure point for the convoy."

Understood....Once the convoy reaches the spatial jump point, proceed with immediate departure. My ship and the following three will hold back the enemy here.

『Understood.』

The three ships secured their positions and intensified their attacks.

Maintaining a consistent distance, they engaged in a sustained broadside exchange using each vessel's main cannons.

"The convoy has entered the spatial jump and has departed the area."

"Understood. Continue holding back the enemy here."

Understood.

A battle between the two vessels, Cerberus and A884, and a group of fifteen enemy ships, including a cruiser.

With sufficient distance between them and energy shields to counter attacks, neither side can land a decisive blow, resulting in a prolonged stalemate—exactly as Shinnosuke intended. The enemy forces, aware of this, are now resorting to sheer numbers and brute force to close the gap.

"Fifteen minutes have passed."

Upon hearing Seira's report, Shinnosuke launched two space torpedoes toward the enemy formation.

Though not as fast as missiles, these are Kelberos' prized weapons, evading interception with unpredictable maneuvers while relentlessly pursuing their target.

The enemy group, tightly packed, formed a barrage in an attempt to intercept the space torpedoes.

"Now! Now's our chance!"

"Attack from the right flank of the densely packed enemy group—Pirate Killer!"

"Got it. Leave it to me!"

Pirate Killer, positioned on the enemy's right flank, began its assault.

Having plunged into the tightly packed formation to intercept the space torpedoes, the enemy group was unable to retaliate effectively, fearing fratricide.

Even as the Pirate Killer plunged through the enemy formation, firing rapid-fire cannons, Zany wasn't focused on sinking enemy ships. Instead, he swiftly cut through the group, inflicting minor damage on several vessels.

Meanwhile, one of the undetected space torpedoes struck an enemy destroyer, sinking it in a massive explosion.

"Retreat with the Pirates Killer, then perform a spatial jump to follow the fleet. Once you've rejoined the fleet, quickly complete refueling."

"Understood. I'll pull ahead."

The Pirates Killer accelerated and departed the combat zone.

"We'll begin retreating now."

"Understood. A884, maintain formation with this ship as we retreat."

"Got it."

Cerberus and A884 began a slow retreat without easing their attacks.

"Good fight, but we sank fewer than expected."

Given that Ira had managed to sink four enemy ships with only three vessels against a group of fifteen, including heavy cruisers, and suffered no casualties, her comment was quite the luxury.

The fleet that had jumped through space first was advancing toward the Akneria Galactic Federation through the crowded international space, moving in close formation.

Following closely, Zany's Pirate Killer emerged from a spatial jump, joined the fleet, and was taken in by Dag's shield ship to begin refueling.

No vessels were visible within detection range, making for a quiet voyage.

Yet, a group monitoring the fleet from beyond the detection range was watching them from afar.

"Sis, it's the convoy we've been waiting for. Few escorts, and now's our chance."

"Not yet. Our target isn't a refugee fleet. We have to follow the sponsor's orders precisely. And tell the others not to interfere. Anyone who doesn't obey my command will be shot from behind. Don't make me waste a bullet on you."

At the center of the six-ship formation is Velvet's Black Rose, the space pirate.

With a stealthy vigil, she waited, having acquired one reconnaissance vessel used by the Akneria Space Fleet and four pirate ships under her command, ready to strike when prey appeared.

Kelberos and A884 continued retreating while maintaining combat, approaching the spatial jump point.

"Thirty minutes elapsed. Approaching the spatial jump point."

"Understood. We'll disengage following A884."

Understood. From Cerberus, A884 is disengaging from the combat zone. Please enter the spatial jump point first.

'Got it. I'll go ahead.'

A884 turned around and accelerated toward the spatial jump point.

"Good. Now our ship will disengage. Milina, return Cerberus control to us."

"Understood. You Hub Control."

"Me Hub Control."

Shinoseki launched all his small missiles toward the enemy group while simultaneously turning Cerberus and accelerating sharply.

"Approaching the spatial jump point. 5... 4... 3... 2..."

"Good. Now—"

"Jump initiated!"

Cerberus plunged into the jump point.