Emergency Docking

Fubuki and Tsukikage broke through the frontline where both sides' artillery was exchanging fire and reached the domain of the Commonwealth fleet.

Yet, despite their arrival, the area remained a battlefield, still within range of the Empire fleet's attacks.

"Fubuki, bearing 2, threat level 4, impact in 12 seconds. Next, bearing 8, threat... level 5, impact in 14 seconds... Tsukikage, bearing... 3, threat level 2..."

So far, they had advanced while avoiding stray bullets thanks to Milena's guidance, but when he realized it, Milena's condition seemed off.

Shin nosuke glanced back at the co-pilot seat to his left.

"Milena!"

Milena had opened her third eye on her forehead, but she was drenched in sweat and had a blank expression.

She had opened her third eye many times before, but he had never seen her in such a state.

"...Sorry... I'm fine... Continuing... Fuu... Bearing 9..."

She shouldn't be fine—her tone wasn't like her usual Milena.

It was clear she was pushing herself too hard.

"Milena! I don't understand what's happening, but stop using your powers! Don't push yourself further!"

"I'm fine..."

"Don't force yourself, Milena."

"Threat level 2..."

"Stop it—command from the captain! If you can't obey, get off the bridge and wait in your room!"

"...!"

Milena flinches at Shinosuke's sharp words.

"I'll be fine, both me and Andy. Please, don't push yourself—just rest. You can even rest in your room instead of standby if you'd like. Serah, please stay with her."

"Yes, yes."

Milena shakes her head, declining Serah's attempt to stand.

"I'm fine. Shinosuke-sama, I'll stay here and follow your orders..."

Upon closer inspection, Milena's eye on her forehead was already closed, her complexion extremely pale.

She had clearly pushed herself too hard, yet showed no intention of leaving the bridge.

"Understood. Rest there without overexerting yourself....I'm sorry, I made you push so hard."

"It was my own choice."

Fubuki and Tsukikage had already reached the rear of the duchy's fleet.

Wesley Central Colony was just ahead.

Numerous ships resembling escort vessels of free merchants were deployed in the space near the central colony.

Given the imminent threat to the colony, it seemed the free merchant escorts had been mobilized to defend it.

"This is a pretty serious situation."

Although the Damura Star Alliance fleet was formidable, it was outnumbered by the Rimlia Galactic Empire fleet.

The fact that even escort ships have been mobilized is proof of the critical situation.

"Shin nosuke, we've received the docking location data from the colony. As instructed, the beacon can't be activated, so please proceed directly to emergency docking. The airlock will be opened just before docking."

"Understood. Andy, this is manual emergency docking—don't mess up and crash the ship."

"I'm fine. I may be timid, but I'm confident in my precision maneuvering."

"Being cautious is a virtue for a destroyer crewman—what keeps us alive....Alright, let's do this!"

"Understood. Leave it to me."

Shin nosuke aligned the bow of the Fubuki toward the designated point.

He didn't reduce speed yet.

He'd dive into the dock while maintaining maximum speed—just barely.

This is where a sailor's skill truly shows.

"Maintain erratic maneuvers until the very last moment, then align with the axis."

A spacecraft entering a spaceport becomes completely vulnerable, and if a missile were to crash into the docking bay, it would be a disaster.

To minimize that risk, colony-based navigation beacons cannot transmit, the docking bay's seal doors cannot be opened until the very last moment, and incoming ships must perform unpredictable maneuvers right up until docking to prevent being targeted.

Fubuki and Tsukikage weave their way between the deployed escort vessels.

"The seal doors of the designated dock are beginning to open."

"Got it, confirmed. We're diving in together, Andy."

"Roger."

Fubuki and Tsukikage align side by side as they approach the open dock.

Not even a beacon, let alone guidance lights—minimal at best.

Shinnosuke and Andy position the ships along the docking entry axis.

"Approaching the dock—300 meters, Shinnosuke, you're going too fast."

"Maintain speed until the very last moment."

Before they can say more, the dock is right in front of them.

"Shinnosuke-san!"

"Master Shinnosuke!"

Shinnosuke immediately pulled back the throttle lever and simultaneously activated the reverse thrusters, sharply decelerating the Fubuki.

Tsukikage also slowed down abruptly at the same time.

"Good, we're docking!"

Fubuki and Tsukikage simultaneously entered the dock and settled onto their designated cradles.

As soon as both ships were secured, the airtight doors closed instantly.

For now, at least, they could breathe a sigh of relief.

From the Wesley Central Colony Harbor Control Room: Escort ship Fukuki and Tsukikage, welcome to Wesley Central Colony, despite the current situation.

This is Captain Kasimura of the Fukuki, an escort vessel belonging to the Acnelia Galactic Federation's Salius Province Free Merchant Ship Association. We'll be staying only briefly, but we appreciate your hospitality. If you could, please begin the cargo unloading procedures at once.

Understood. The cargo handlers are already on site, so work will begin immediately after the paperwork is completed.

Shinnosuke shut off the Fukuki's engine and stepped off with Seira and Millina.

Andy and the others descended from Tsukikage.

"Good work, Andy. That was an excellent maneuver."

Andy smiled and gave a salute in response to Shinnosuke's words.

"No, I was barely holding on. I still have a long way to go."

Shinnosuke smiled back at Andy and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"That's not true. You don't need to overthink it, but you're definitely a capable escort ship pilot....Huh? Wait, Andy, why are you soaked through?"

For some reason, Andy's uniform and hair were drenched in water.

"Yes, I cooled my head off!"

"Huh?!"

Markus passed by without a care, right in front of Shinosuke, who tilted his head in confusion.