XC-F01 Fubuki

The XC-F01 Fubuki, which the officer presented to Shinnosuke, is said to be a newly deployed experimental vessel of the Yukikaze-class in the Akunelia Space Fleet. However, there is a significant issue with Shinnosuke acquiring this Fubuki as an escort vessel.

"Isn't the Yukikaze-class a light cruiser?"

Shinnosuke's concern is entirely valid.

While naval regulations stipulate that private escort vessels must be armed in accordance with destroyers, the Yukikaze-class, being deployed as a state-of-the-art vessel, is actually a light cruiser, not a destroyer.

Even if its armament were scaled down to destroyer-level, its fundamental performance characteristics as a cruiser would still present various issues.

Yet, the officer in front of him displays an expression as if Shinnosuke's concerns had already been anticipated.

"There are no issues whatsoever. The XC-F01 Fukubiki was developed and built as a test vessel for the military's light cruiser class, but the Fukubiki itself only has capabilities slightly exceeding those of a destroyer. It's only from the XC-F02 Hatsukaze onward that the vessels truly possess the capabilities of a light cruiser."

"What does that mean exactly?"

Shinnosuke tilted his head, puzzled by the officer's explanation.

"This is our company's approach to military vessel development. When the military initiates a new ship deployment plan and we enter the competition, we first propose vessels that meet the military's required performance limits precisely."

"Why is that?"

"Armies are extremely demanding organizations. Even if we propose a vessel that fully meets the military's required performance standards and win through the first round of selection, they often request further specification changes during the second or final rounds. If we present a high-performance ship from the start, there's no room left for improvement."

"So, do we deliberately submit a lower-performance vessel?"

"Yes. At first glance, it may seem like a disadvantage, and we did fail during the XD-F00 phase. However, recently the military has come to understand our strategy, making it much easier to avoid elimination in competitions and consistently advance to the upper rounds. Thanks to this, 47 percent of the destroyers and cruisers deployed by the space navy are our products, and we import another 15 percent from allied nations. Considering this, our market share in this vessel class has reached a level unmatched by any other company."

The official speaking with pride.

Upon rechecking the Fubuki's specifications, its engine performance falls somewhere between that of a high-performance destroyer and a light cruiser, making it suitable for either role.

Externally, it resembles the deployed Yukikaze-class, but the Fubuki is about 30 meters shorter, measuring 105 meters in total length.

With armament typical of a destroyer, it would likely qualify as an escort vessel as well.

Even with additional armaments added to the hull, the price remains within reach, under the assumption of a data-sharing contract similar to that of Cerberus.

"Indeed, it's tempting—but I can't make a decision without seeing it in person."

The officer nodded in agreement with Shinosuke's words.

"We anticipated your words, and in fact, the XC-F01 is currently en route from headquarters to this colony. It should arrive at our dock within the next two or three days. Once you've seen it in person and are satisfied, we'd like to discuss equipment details and proceed with the contract."

"That's quite a swift turnaround."

"Indeed, we're certain that someone as skilled as Captain Kasimura—someone who managed to handle that stubborn XD-F00 with such ease—would surely appreciate it."

Having such strong confidence placed in it, Shinnosuke couldn't help but become genuinely interested.

Though he'd wait to make his final decision after seeing it firsthand, Shinnosuke's mind was already made up.

Two days later, upon receiving word that the ship had arrived, Shinnosuke and Marks visited the dock at Sai Kou Ji Industry.

There, anchored at the dock, was the XC-F01 Fubuki.

"This... seeing it in person really is different."

"Yes, it is."

As a prototype experimental vessel, the hull is painted pitch black, displaying only the identification markings of Sai Kou Ji Industry—no development number or other details are indicated.

"This is the XC-F01 Fubuki, which we confidently recommend. While its maneuverability is slightly inferior to that of the XD-F00, it outperforms it in speed. With all its armaments installed, its payload capacity reaches 100 tons—though it can't match the cargo capacity of a freelance merchant vessel, it offers more than sufficient payload for a escort ship, in our opinion."

"Indeed, more than three times that of the Cerberus."

"In addition to the liaison shuttle, it carries one internal fireboat capable of penetrating enemy vessels. Currently, all weapons are disarmed, but there are weapon mounts: three at the front, two at the bottom, and two at the rear. It also has two missile launchers and two space torpedo launchers."

This is more than sufficient armament for an escort ship, and there is no room for complaint regarding its equipment.

Then there's the issue of handling, but since this vessel is still classified as a prototype experimental ship by Psychoj Industries, we can't just go ahead and conduct test voyages.

In lieu of that, we were allowed to freely tour the interior.

Inside, there are three individual cabins, three double-occupancy rooms, and a captain's cabin adjacent to the bridge.

The mess hall is not much different from that of the Cerberus, equipped with an automatic kitchen unit of the same type as the Cerberus.

What truly surprised Shinnosuke wasn't the shower room, but the bathtub.

"Amazing, there's a bathtub here, Marks."

"Yes, indeed."

Marks, in stark contrast to Shinnosuke, responded with little enthusiasm.

"Marks, don't you know the joy of soaking in a bathtub to relieve your fatigue?"

"Yes, I do not. I don't require a bathtub for cleansing my body, nor do I ever get tired, so there's no need to relieve fatigue."

Shin nosuke, amazed by the presence of a bathroom, didn't even listen to Marks's words.

"Master, I understand you're excited, but you're not seriously going to decide based on whether there's a bathroom or not, are you?"

"I'd like to make that choice from a personal standpoint, but that's not feasible. Let's check the bridge first."

Thus, Shin nosuke and Marks decided to confirm the bridge last.

Inside the bridge, at a slightly elevated central position, was the pilot's seat doubled as the captain's chair. To the left of the pilot's seat was the integrated operator station responsible for ship control, and to the right, the navigation and communications operator station. Behind the pilot's seat on the left was the co-pilot's seat, with all seats facing the same direction—the front of the ship.

Shin Nosuke, having received permission from the assigned operator, takes a seat in the pilot's chair.

"This is great. It feels incredibly natural. You can tell right away when a ship and you are a good match."

Placing his hands on the steering wheel and throttle lever, Shin Nosuke speaks with deep appreciation.

"Of course it feels natural. Most ships from Psycoji Industry use the same standardized cockpit design to enable easy model transitions, so this is identical to the Cerberus."

Shin nosuke frowned at Marks's calm remark.

"I know that already. It's just a matter of preference. I just wanted to say it out loud, so don't ruin it with something trivial."

"Is that so..."

"Come on, Marks, don't act so surprised."

"No, I'm genuinely surprised..."

In the end, Shin nosuke immediately decided to buy the XC-F01 Fubuki.