Forced Boarding

Shin nosuke's group waits at the entrance to the boarding passage, preparing for forced boarding as they prepare to breach the Angel V.

"Shin nosuke, are you ready? Once the Pirate Killer immobilizes the target's legs, we'll initiate forced boarding."

"Understood. Our preparations are complete."

Incidentally, the attack by Zany's Pirate Killer to immobilize the target's legs, followed by forced boarding and infiltration into the ship, is strictly conducted under the guise of a rescue operation.

Angel V's behavior—deviating from its normal route, ignoring communications and various signals from a vessel broadcasting a distress call, and neither stopping nor altering course—is clearly suspicious. However, since it is not definitively confirmed that the ship or its crew has been attacked by space pirates, Shinnosuke and the others assume that some kind of anomaly has occurred, rendering the vessel unable to navigate. Acting in accordance with the established protocol for rescuing vessels in distress, they proceed with their operation following this rule.

In the event that the vessel being rescued has been seized by space pirates or similar threats, the escort ship's duty is to swiftly secure the ship and suppress the incident to ensure the safety of all crew and passengers.

To prepare for such unforeseen circumstances, Shinosuke and the others are fully armed, with Marks leading the way, equipped with a large shield and a blaster assault rifle.

Milena, sword drawn, stays behind Marks, then Shinosuke follows, wielding a blaster submachine gun and overseeing the entire operation from the rear.

Maderia brings up the rear, holding combat knives in both hands.

Shinosuke and Milena wear helmets with built-in glass monitors and lightweight armor protecting their chests, while Maderia remains in her usual apron dress, her rabbit-ear sensors still attached.

Markus in his military jacket and work pants, Shinosuke and Milena in their uniforms with light armor—Maderia's presence and sense of being out of place stood out dramatically in comparison.

Moreover, she concealed numerous weapons of various types within the sleeves and skirt of her apron dress, their menace truly unmatched.

Assault preparations are complete.

"Hey! Stop the ship or I'll blow out your engine! I don't know what's going on with you all, but I'm here to rescue you—follow my orders!"

Zany's Pirate Killer fired rapid-fire cannons at the Angel V's engine, destroying the main engine.

The Angel V suddenly decelerated.

Ash brought Fubuki close to the Angel V's starboard side and dropped an anchor to secure it in place.

Shin nosuke, I'm going to secure the boarding passage—watch out!

Understood!

A boarding passage extended from the port side of Fubuki, breaching the hull of Angel V and securing an entry point into the interior.

Shinnosuke and the others began their assault on Angel V, with Marks leading the way.

As soon as the access passage door opened, they were met with intense gunfire from the Angel V side.

Shin nosuke and the others hide behind Marks, who deflects the gunfire with his large shield.

"Captain Shin nosuke Kashimura of the Salius Stellar District Free Merchant Ship Association's escort vessel Fukibuki! We have docked with your ship for rescue operations. Cease fire and report your situation! Warning one!"

Marks, amplifying his voice to maximum volume in place of Shin nosuke, calls out, but the gunfire shows no sign of stopping.

Second warning! We are here for rescue operations. If you do not cease your attacks, we will use force in accordance with the law and regulations!

As Marx repeated his actions, Shinosuke pulled a grenade from the pouch attached to Marx's waist and signaled to Madelia, who was waiting behind.

Madeira nods without expression.

Final warning! Cease your attack, or force will be used!

In clear and direct terms, a final warning was issued.

Shinonsuke pulled the grenade's pin and activated the fuse, tossing the grenade directly in front of Marks at the same moment he tapped Marks on the back.

Marks caught the grenade that was thrown straight at him and immediately hurled it toward the Angel V passage.

Thanks to Marks's precise throw, the grenade bounced off the passage's side wall and rolled to a perfect position just behind the shooter—too quick to kick away, yet too far to pick up and throw back.

...BANG!!

In an instant, a blinding flash and explosive roar filled the air.

A non-lethal sonic flash grenade.

Taking advantage of the brief moment when the gunfire ceased, Madelia leapt over Marks's head, using Shinnosuke's shoulder as a stepping stone, and landed inside the Angel V's ship.

"What the—gwaah!"

Swoosh!...Thud!

"...Damn...fast!"

Crash...Swoosh-swish...Swoosh!

"Gyah—"

A dull thud, as if something was struck, followed by intense gunfire.

But that too stopped almost immediately.

"Master, four targets subdued. Clearing complete."

Sinnozuke and the others stepped inside the ship, prompted by Madeira.

Three men lay unconscious on the corridor floor. One man, conscious but face-down, was pinned beneath Madeira's knee, his face twisted in agony as the back of a knife pressed into his mouth.

All of them had their tendons on legs or arms severed.

He didn’t seem intent on killing them, but he certainly wasn’t showing mercy either.

"Milena, please."

"Understood."

Milena took the hemostatic gel from Shinosuke and began administering emergency first aid to the men wounded by Madelia.

Looking at the subdued men, they were all wearing identical uniforms.

They didn’t look like space pirates, but rather crew members of Angel V.

Scanning the surroundings, a throwing knife was embedded in the surveillance camera mounted on the corridor’s ceiling, sparking violently.

The men had likely been taken down by Madelia.

Shin nosuke looked down at the man pinned by Madelia.

"Time’s short, so I’ll get straight to the point. Why were you sailing through this sector with refugees? If you have a legitimate reason, explain it."

"...."

Maderia removes the knife from the man's mouth, but the man remains silent, refusing to look away from Shinnosuke.

"With that attitude alone, it's clear the Angel V isn't just a distressed vessel—it's involved in some kind of crime. I'll ask once more: what is your purpose?"

"......"

The man stubbornly refuses to answer.

"Shinosuke-sama, this is finished. It's your turn now."

Milena, having finished treating the other three, knelt beside the man pinned down by Madelia.

Examining the man's wound, the tendons of his right ankle had been severed, yet the cut was so precise that blood loss was minimal, and the injury was not urgent—indeed, it seemed it could be left untreated without serious consequences.

Of course, improper treatment would likely result in lasting impairment of walking ability, but there was no need for immediate action.

"If you're going to treat him, it's hard to do so with this kind of defiant attitude... I'd lose the will to treat him on purpose."

Milena, understanding Shinnosuke's cold gaze and hidden intent, began to play along with the conversation.

"Even so, if we don't act soon, it'll be too late."

"Well, judging by this blood loss, he might last about ten more minutes. Isn't the sensation in his legs already starting to fade? (Lying.)"

The man finally looked at Shinnosuke, his expression flickering with unease.

"If we don't hurry, he might not make it. Even if we manage to save him, he'll have to lose his leg (big lie)."

"Still, it'd be better to use that precious medicine on someone else and ask for their help (a little truth)."

"You're saying such an unjust thing! No matter what I say, you never listen. I really hate that side of you, Shinnosuke-sama (huge lie)."

Markus, forced to witness this farce between Shinnosuke and Milena.

(What exactly am I being shown here...?)

Markus is stunned, but the man who doesn't realize it's a farce has already broken down.

"...I understand. I'll tell you, just help me. Our goal is a transaction... human trafficking."

Regarding the manga adaptation, thanks to the efforts of all concerned parties, progress is proceeding smoothly.

I will report again if there are any further developments.