Final Battle 2
【FUBUKI: BRIDGE】
"Target acquired, bearing 1-20, on the orbit of Planet Carper."
"Good! Once we've locked on, we can handle anything. Keep them distracted with the main cannon while we close the distance!"
"Out of range. No effect expected."
"Never mind. That's exactly the point—closing in to combat range."
Enemy fire continues, but now that we know their position, dodging long-range shots is no longer difficult.
"Master, consider the possibility of a trap."
"I know."
Shin nosuke closed the distance while firing the main cannon without locking onto a target.
[Shield Ship]
Zany and Tag immediately began their actions upon receiving Fukibuki's battle start signal.
On the bridge of the Pirate Killer stored within the Shield Ship, Zany was preparing for launch.
"Dag, it'd be rude to keep Shinnosuke waiting, so I'm heading out first. I'll rack up some points for you too—just to keep things fair!"
"Got it. No need to save anything for me—go ahead and have your fun."
"Understood. We'll split the earnings three ways, but if we take down that Velvet, even a split will be a huge payday. So I guess I'd better do my part. Let's move!"
The Pirate Killer launched from the shield ship accelerated rapidly, heading straight for the combat zone.
[BLACK ROSE II: Bridge]
On the bridge of the Black Rose II, Velvet continued firing at Fubuki, as if she were merely playing.
"Aha! You really are something. Dodging my attacks and closing in on me like that."
Sister, the enemy's feet are faster—they can close the distance.
Velvet attempts to retreat from Black Rose, creating distance relative to the approaching Fukuki.
It's flattering to be pursued by a capable man, but aren't you being a bit too eager?... It's not time to dance yet.
Velvet pretended to begin a full-scale escape after turning the ship around.
[Fubuki: Bridge]
"Enemy vessel has reversed and is fleeing. Likely attempting to lure us into a trap. Master, remain on high alert."
"I understand. That's exactly why we're going in."
Shinonsuke accelerated Fubuki to maximum speed, pursuing Black Rose II.
Finally, he locked Black Rose II within Fubuki's main cannon's range.
"Enemy vessel acquired."
"Understood! Marks, temporarily take over Fubuki's piloting. You're in charge."
"I've got you."
Shin nosuke peered through the precision targeting scope.
"Showing off my hand like this feels wasteful, but there's no time for hesitation. I'll show you the precision shooting capability of a sniper vessel."
With Black Rose II locked in his scope, Shin nosuke pulled the main cannon's trigger.
The main cannon mounted at the bow discharged a beam.
[Black Rose II: Bridge]
Sister, enemy artillery fire!
As the operator's voice rang out, Velvet narrowly dodged the attack.
"Whoa, that was a bit too close. I didn't think they could pull off precision shooting from that distance. And so fast too. I thought it was a Yukikaze-class derivative, but it's not. I misjudged that ship's capabilities."
Even as he spoke, he calmly accelerated Black Rose II toward the intended sector of space.
"Sis, we've arrived at the designated sector. The bait has been successfully lured in."
"Good. The dance party is ready. Let's have some fun, shall we?"
Velvet smirked confidently.
【Fubuki: Bridge】
Planet Kappa had neither a breathable atmosphere nor a stable one—constantly raging with violent storms, it remained an untouched world.
Fubuki had been lured into the inner side of the asteroid ring orbiting Planet Kappa.
"Contact inside the asteroid ring! Fifteen vessels!"
Fifteen unidentified ships emerged from within the asteroid ring, rapidly approaching.
They were space pirates who had cut their engines and hidden among the asteroids, now revealing themselves.
Velvet's trap.
New enemy ships surround Fubuki, launching attacks one after another, but Shinnosuke keeps Fubuki's speed steady, continuing straight toward Black Rose.
"I expected something this obvious! Marks, handle all weapons except the main cannon and bow rapid-fire cannons—deal with the surrounding enemy ships."
"Understood."
Marks begins suppressing the enemy ships around Fubuki, preventing them from closing in.
There's no need to deliberately sink them.
Fubuki has a significant speed advantage—it can easily shake them off.
【BLACK ROSE II: BRIDGE】
Velvet had planned to use fifteen pirate ships hidden within the asteroid ring to block Fubuki's movement and create distance, but her scheme fell apart instantly.
"Damn it! You're ignoring all the other ships? How annoying. People who won't give up are bound to be disliked."
Still, there was no trace of urgency in Velvet herself.
She had already accounted for Fuuki breaking through the encirclement.
Velvet turned the Black Rose II and locked onto Fuuki dead ahead.
"If you wish to come near me, I'll grant your wish! Can you keep up with my dance?!"
They were already within effective range of each other's main guns.
Velvet pulled the main cannon's trigger.
Fubuki dodged Black Rose II's attack aimed at her, then fired her main cannon toward Black Rose II, who in turn evaded the attack.
The distance between them suddenly closed.
If they got too close and tried to engage with their main cannons—less effective at rapid fire—their attacks would lose potency.
[Fubuki: Bridge]
Shinnosuke began launching attacks with his rapid-fire cannon.
"Markus, engaging in close combat. What's the distance to the other enemy ships?"
We managed to shake them off temporarily, but they'll catch up within ten minutes. There are about three fast ones among them. The safe window is approximately seven minutes.
"Looks like we're a bit short on time. It'll be tough to take down that ship within seven minutes."
Depending on the situation, victory or defeat can be decided in under a minute—either they're sunk, or our flagship is.
Hey, stop it! Don't say something ominous like that!
Marks wasn't fazed by Shinosuke's interruption.
"Report: Pirate Killer is arriving earlier than scheduled. Approximately 15 minutes until arrival."
"…Understood. Good news, but that's still a bit long. Alright, Marks, switch control of the bow Gatling cannon back to us!"
"Understood."
Shinosuke charged forward, laying down a barrage from the Gatling cannon ahead of Fubuki.