An invisible enemy

At the same time as Milena and Seira's warning, Shinnosuke rolled the Fukuki sideways.

Although no alert came from the ship's defense system, a beam fired from directly below the Fukuki grazed it.

"From directly below! Have we identified the firing point?"

"No, we can't pinpoint the enemy ship's position based only on the reaction at the moment of the attack."

"I don't know either."

Even with Fukuki's radar and every other detection system, we can't locate the enemy ship.

"Damn it! Could it be stealth technology?!"

"Enemy gunfire incoming! From seven o'clock below!"

Shin nosuke dodged the second barrage by sliding the ship sideways.

"Though having a stealth vessel complicates things... there's no choice. Our ship has been subjected to an unprovoked first strike from an unidentified enemy vessel, which constitutes legitimate self-defense. Transmitting combat signal and unlocking the fire control system. Initiating defensive combat."

Shin nosuke rolled the Fubuki sideways while twisting the hull to point the bow downward.

The enemy vessel would already have moved from its second bombardment position, but based on standard tactics and combining Shinnosuke's experience and intuition, he estimated its current location.

He aimed the main gun into the space where he believed the enemy vessel to be—without a proper sight.

"Now, Shinnosuke-sama!"

Milierna's foresight and Shinnosuke's aim aligned perfectly.

Shinnosuke pulled the main gun's trigger.

The beam fired from the enemy vessel crossed paths with the main beam from Fubuki.

Immediately afterward, the enemy vessel's beam grazed Fubuki's port side, and a flash erupted in the space ahead where Fubuki had just fired its main gun.

That was the flash of the enemy vessel exploding after taking a direct hit from Fubuki's artillery.

"Fubuki's artillery strike was successful. Enemy vessel's response detected... The enemy vessel has exploded and sunk."

Shinnosuke nodded grimly at Seira's report.

"Understood... Damn it, this is going to be a mess."

Seira and Milena tilted their heads at Shinnosuke's muttered remark, but since he immediately resumed tracking Angel V, neither of them questioned him further.

Fubuki, caught off guard by the unexpected attack and momentarily delayed, hadn't lost contact with Angel V, managing to maintain a slight distance while still keeping it locked on.

"Angel V's movements show no change. No response despite repeated calls from our ship."

"Understood. Closing the distance to Angel V."

When Shinnosuke accelerated Fubuki, Sera shouted.

"New radar contact! Bearing 8 plus 1, distance 320 plus 12A. It's fast!"

"Understood. Is the navigation identification signal being transmitted?"

"Yes, identification signal and distress beacon confirmed... Ah, it's Zany's Pirate Killer. Connecting communications."

Seira routed the Pirate Killer's transmission through the speaker.

"Sorry, Shinnosuke. Took a wrong turn and got here late. Looks like you're tangled up with something strange over there—getting yourself into trouble, huh?"

"Zany, were you monitoring our ship's combat status?"

"Relax, I've got it all recorded perfectly. But right now, the Angel V takes priority. We should deal with that before things get any more complicated."

"Understood. I'll approach the Angel V and signal it to stop using visual contact. Pirate Killer, please provide cover and maintain surrounding vigilance."

"Got it!"

Shin nosuke maneuvered Fubuki to approach the Angel V, positioning her on the starboard side while maintaining a safe distance.

Fubuki transmitted a light signal indicating she was engaged in rescue operations and issued a stop order toward Angel V.

"No response to the light signal. Proceeding with signal gunfire."

Shin nosuke aimed the gatling gun toward the space ahead of Angel V's course.

This was not an attack.

Both the light signal and the signal gunfire were lawful stop orders under international law.

"Alert Angel V. Sera, open full-band communication."

Understood. Proceed.

This is the escort vessel Fubuki, belonging to the Salius Stellar Province Free Merchant Fleet of the Acnelia Galactic Federation. I am currently tracking your vessel, Angel V, which is navigating alongside our port side. We have received a distress report from the passenger vessel Space Duck, and are acting in accordance with the duties of an escort vessel as defined by international space navigation law. Your current course—deviating from the standard route while carrying refugees—is dangerous and suspicious. Comply immediately with our instructions and cease movement. We will now commence signal fire. Repeat: cease movement immediately.

After completing the predetermined warning, Shinosuke pulled the trigger.

Three bursts of fire, each lasting about two seconds.

A signal shot for stopping, as defined by international law.

"Angel V, not complying with the warning. Attempting to accelerate and flee."

Understood. Initiating final warning. All crew, prepare for forced boarding as scheduled....Warning from escort vessel Fubuki to Angel V: Your actions are deemed a deliberate evasion of lawful orders issued by this vessel. Repeated warning: Stop immediately and comply with our instructions. Failure to comply will force this vessel to resort to necessary measures to forcibly stop your vessel. This is the final warning. Stop immediately!

Responding to Shinosuke's warning, Zannie's Pirate Killer also issued a stop order through communication, illumination, and signal fire.

"This is the escort vessel Pirate Killer, affiliated with the Sirius Stellar District Free Merchant Fleet. Our stop order is a legitimate action conducted in accordance with law and regulations. Now, comply immediately and stop your vessel! Otherwise, we'll stop you by force!"

However, Zannie's warning was considerably rougher than Shinosuke's.

"Either you ignore us completely, or we have no choice. We're proceeding with forced boarding and will ram into Angel V. Zannie, secure Angel V's legs. We'll carry out the forced entry."

"Got it, leave it to me!"

Marks, Madelia, and Milina are already prepared to ram into Angel V.

Shinosuke stepped away from the controls of Fubuki, handing them over to Ash.

"Leave the rest to us."

Understood. I can treat any injuries you have, but no matter how much I try, I can't bring a corpse back to life, so be careful.

Shin nosuke shrugged his shoulders, stepping out of the bridge and preparing for a forced boarding alongside Marks, as if not hearing Ash's joke.