Guardian Squadron

Two days of steady navigation, despite being shadowed by a vessel resembling a space pirate scout.

The convoy reached the sector that Shinnosuke had been on alert for.

This region is scattered with asteroid fields, severely restricting navigable space, making it an ideal hideout for space pirates to lie in wait and ambush their prey among the asteroids.

Attacks by space pirates in this region continue without end.

Ahead of the convoy lies an asteroid belt, and to reach the 6325 Star Union, passage through this belt is unavoidable.

It is the greatest obstacle in this sector.

Even the scout ships that had been following us have vanished—undoubtedly a sign of an impending attack.

"Scouts have pulled back as well, so an attack could come at any moment. All escort squadron vessels, prepare to enter combat status immediately."

『『『Understood!』』』

While all ships remained on high alert, Fukubuki's radar detected an unknown vessel hiding within the nearby asteroid belt.

"Radar contact—Unknown 4! Position 2 plus 5 to minus 2, located within the asteroid belt."

As Seira reported, she simultaneously transmitted the data to all ships.

'A884 received. We've also locked onto three vessels located between the 10 and 11 o'clock positions....Wait, they just fired! Attack on the convoy confirmed. Self-defense and emergency evasion authorized.'

Ira's A884, leading the formation, took the hit, but the shield deflected it—no damage sustained by the A884.

Furthermore, this attack confirmed that the vessel in question was either a space pirate or another suspicious craft.

Responding to the ship that had attacked the A884 first, other suspicious vessels also began moving, launching attacks aimed at halting the convoy's advance.

There was no need for restraint anymore.

Shin nosuke and the others could now counterattack without warning.

"From Fubuki, all ships—authorize counterattacks based on individual judgment. However, maintain the convoy's formation and your positions while doing so!"

Under Shinosuke's command, the four escort vessels launched their counterattack.

Ira's A884 was the first to score a hit.

Unrelenting in its fire, it sank two pirate ships attempting to block the convoy's front, clearing a path forward.

Following that, Leg's Javelin unleashed nine small missiles at the three ships spreading out to either side, sinking all of them.

"Whoa! More enemies from behind! 180-degree turn, Tsukikage—stop the foes approaching from the rear!"

Andi turned the Tsukikage to protect the rear guard.

Facing the two ships closing in from behind, he held them at bay while retreating.

"Hey, Andi's actually pulling it off. No surprise—he really is confident in his precise maneuvering skills."

"Master, Andi's piloting techniques were self-taught, based on studying your combat records."

"Typical of hardworking Andi."

Shin nosuke remarks with admiration from the bridge of Fubuki, where he has secured a vantage point to survey the battlefield.

He entrusts helm control to Miriena, navigation and radar control to Seira, communications to Markes, and weapons control to Marks, focusing solely on commanding the escort fleet. However, since everyone aboard is an excellent escort vessel crew member, there's little opportunity for them to shine against space pirates.

While Ira and the others are achieving results in battle, for now Fubuki is not participating in combat—she is solely focused on detecting enemy ships hidden within the asteroid belt and managing battle coordination.

Fubuki's crew are all exceptionally capable, and Shinnosuke can watch them with peace of mind.

Seyla's performance, in particular, is nothing short of remarkable.

While managing navigation control, radar guidance, and communications, Shinnosuke accurately relays target handling instructions to each vessel and navigates them along the course he has selected.

"From Fubuki to all ships: Passing through the gap between asteroids at bearing 1.5... Unknown, shadow of an asteroid at bearing 10±0, distance 95. Javelin, handle it."

『Javelin, understood.』

"Next target, reaction 2, bearing 2+1, distance 105. A884, please handle it."

Understood, leave it to me.

"Continuing to navigate the course... New unknown detected. Blind spot between A884 and Javelin. Marks-san."

"Understood, locking onto target. Launching torpedoes one."

"Frontal threat cleared. We're exiting the asteroid belt. Tsukikage, stay right behind us."

"Tsukikage, understood. No problem."

A highly skilled operator who has gained extensive experience aboard Shinnosuke's ship.

"Exited the asteroid belt. No threats ahead. However, four enemy vessels are pursuing from behind; Tsukikage is handling them."

Upon hearing Seira's report, Shinnosuke gripped the steering wheel.

"Even after all this, you're still not giving up... Fine, fall back, Fubuki. Milena, I've got control."

"Understood. You've got control."

Shinnosuke slowed Fubuki down and retreated to the position guarding the rear, Tsukikage.

"Andy, good work. Leave the rest to me—go ahead now... Keep going straight."

Shinonosuke barely avoided violating the unofficial military regulations, dodging just in time as he scattered space mines toward the rear.

Unaware of the existence of space mines that didn’t require weapon guidance radar or lock-on, the space pirates approached right into the mines’ effective range.

"Three, two, one—now!"

The timed-space mines, set to detonate precisely as Shinnosuke had planned, simultaneously exploded at the perfect moment, sinking the four pursuing ships.

"Such is the price of not knowing when to retreat."

Shinosuke sighed in disbelief, though even after passing the most dangerous obstacle, the route to the 6325 Star Federation still remained perilous.