Final Battle 5

【Fubuki: Bridge】

"…Missed, Marks."

"An unexpected outcome, indeed."

Fubuki, pulled by the gravity of Planet Carpa, descended into the planet's atmosphere, then immediately initiated the sequence to exit the atmosphere, ascending all the way into the ionosphere.

Using Fubuki's radar, he locked onto Black Rose II and halted at the precise altitude where Black Rose II could no longer detect him, then aimed at it from there.

Shinnosuke adjusted the planet's gravity and Fubuki's thrust to balance perfectly, suspending Fubuki motionless in the ionosphere.

Although Shinno was being forced to perform extremely advanced piloting, Marks took over and fired the main cannon, but the shot only grazed the nose of Black Rose II without hitting it.

"Hey, Marks. You were all about 'expectations' and such, but look at this mess. Didn't you say just before you fired, 'My aim is perfect'?"

"Yes, my aim was perfect. However, circumstances arose that overrode that. Moreover, the ship evaded our gunfire before even observing our targeting. It's as if they possess awakening-like abilities."

"Well, I figured as much."

"What shall we do? The enemy hasn't locked onto our flagship yet. Shall we attempt another shot?"

"No, the Zany pirateskiller has arrived in this sector. We'll ascend as well. Let's go!"

Shin nosuke slammed the throttle lever all the way forward.

Fubuki surged upward, breaking free from the planet's gravity.

"Entering the ionosphere shortly. We're being locked onto by the enemy ship."

"Got it. If we can't hit them from afar, we'll blast them at point-blank range!"

Shin nosuke closed in on Black Rose II, targeting it through the glass monitor.

"Warning! Collision course with enemy vessel!"

Shin Nosuke paid no heed to Marks' warning.

Fubuki, having escaped the planet's gravity, continued accelerating toward Black Rose II.

The other enemy ships were being outmaneuvered by Zany's Pirate Killer and couldn't respond to Fubuki's advance.

It was now a one-on-one clash between Fubuki and Black Rose II.

Black Rose II attempted to fire at Fubuki while evading, as the two vessels approached on a direct collision course—but it was too late.

"Main gun—too close!"

Shin nosuke instantly switched from the main gun to the rapid-fire cannons, pulling the trigger while rolling Fubuki.

Black Rose II's barrage grazed Fubuki's port side, and Fubuki's rapid-fire cannons pierced one of Black Rose II's engines.

Having avoided the collision, Fubuki turned to get behind Black Rose II, but Black Rose II had already maneuvered around Fubuki's starboard side.

[Black Rose II: Bridge]

"Damn it, got caught! How's the engine?"

"First engine, heavily damaged. Completely inoperable."

"No way we can get a replacement engine, so this ship is done for. It wasn't ours to begin with, so it doesn't matter—but still, it's frustrating."

"Sis, what should we do? Should we evacuate?"

"That's really annoying....Wait, how about we go full space pirate and take that ship? How much high-speed maneuvering can we do with just the second engine?"

Fifteen minutes is the limit; exceeding this not only affects the engine but other systems as well.

Meanwhile, Fuuki was attempting to circle around behind Black Rose II.

Velvet watched Fuuki's image on the monitor, licking her lips, then maneuvered Black Rose II around to position itself behind Fuuki on her right side.

"Your skills are impressive, but tell me—just how good are you compared to me? Let's make it the second act of the ball, shall we?"

She pushed the remaining engine to maximum output, accelerating Black Rose II sharply toward Fuuki with overwhelming force.

The impact was imminent.

"I'm going in for a boarding maneuver, so make sure you're ready with that thing."

"That thing? It's too unstable and dangerous to operate!"

It's fine. After all, it's just a discarded defective unit. Let it run wild aboard the enemy ship. It'll run out of energy in just 30 minutes, so you can take the ship afterward....That said, I don't want the bridge messed up too badly, so send it in with personal combat equipment. It'll wipe out the entire crew in under ten minutes.

"Aisā"

Velvet charges straight at Fubuki, but Fubuki evades with high-speed maneuvers, dodging the assault twice, then three times, all while returning fire.

"Aha ha ha, impressive! But you shouldn't underestimate a woman's passion. For a man she burns for, she'll chase him to the very bottom of hell. You're not getting away!"

[Pirate Killer: Bridge]

"Shinnosuke, run!"

When Fuuki and Black Rose II began their close combat, Pirate Killer was delayed as Velvet had planned, despite sinking enemy ships one after another.

Zany had already destroyed six pirate ships but couldn't break through the encirclement.

"Shinnosuke! I can't catch up, but Dag will arrive soon. Send me the coordinates—avoid enemy attacks and meet up with Dag!"

'Got it!'

Fubuki attempts to disengage toward the designated point, but Black Rose II skillfully obstructs her.

From Zany's perspective, Velvet's piloting skills are clearly superior.

"Dag! Shinnosuke's in trouble! Hurry up!"

"Understood, but pirates are approaching from my side. I'll make it through somehow."

"Right! I'll catch up no matter what!"

However, both the Pirate Killer and the Shield Ship were still some distance away from Fubuki's combat zone.

[Black Rose II: Bridge]

Fubuki and Black Rose II engage in a fierce combat battle.

Although Black Rose II has endured countless attacks from Fuuki, it has no hesitation in abandoning the ship, unlike Velvet, who has made up their mind.

Fubuki, caught off guard by the velvet that paid no mind to the ship's damage, is gradually being forced into a corner.

"Being led by a woman? That's a bit beneath me... This is the end!"

Seizing the brief opening, he rammed Black Rose II into Fubuki, smashing through the boarding route and forcing a boarding assault.

"Now's our chance! Get it through!"