Operation Crush Angel V 1

The refugees confined aboard the cargo ship Angel V, belonging to the Free Merchant Fleet of the Iruku Stellar Province, are exclusively escapees from the former Damara Stellar Federation.

Not officials or the wealthy elite, but ordinary citizens only.

Originally, the Akeria Galactic Federation government had not imposed specific restrictions on accepting refugees from the former Damara Stellar Consortium. Nevertheless, priorities were naturally established.

First priority was citizens of the Akeria Galactic Federation who had been left behind in the former Damara Stellar Consortium, followed by nationals from countries whose requests for ship deployment had come too late.

When evacuating foreign nationals requested by others via the Akneria vessel, the requesting country is responsible for the costs, which poses no humanitarian or legal issues under international law, and the Rimulia Galactic Empire also acknowledges this arrangement.

As for the final group—nationals from the former Damara Stellar Consortium wishing to depart—it cannot be accepted unconditionally.

Of course, we cannot accept individuals who are wanted for crimes, nor those specifically prohibited from leaving by the Rimulia Galactic Empire.

Moreover, without financial support to cover the cost of evacuation, travel expenses will be borne entirely by the individuals themselves.

Of course, this is merely the official stance; in reality, it was a matter that could be handled flexibly based on humanitarian judgment and discretion by the Foreign Ministry officials on the ground and the captains of the dispatched vessels. For publicly dispatched transport ships or large-scale corporate vessels, some leeway was possible.

However, privately operated merchant ships cannot afford to carry passengers who cannot pay their travel expenses.

Amidst this, the ordinary citizens who boarded Angel V were those seeking to escape from the former Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth. However, it was not a foreign affairs official who arranged their passage aboard Angel V, but rather an underground broker colluding with Angel V itself.

Though they had evaded foreign affairs officials by boarding Angel V through an underground broker, paying exorbitant fees by pooling their assets—or even deceiving lenders to take on debt in order to escape their home country—they remained in a limbo state within the Acalnia Galactic Federation. Until they completed the necessary procedures there, they had no official record of departure and were, in effect, neither fully recognized nor officially existent.

People who didn't officially exist, left with nothing after throwing away all their assets, and now feared for their lives if they returned home—scared, shadowed individuals.

They were victims, caught in such dire circumstances and deceived by others.

"Taking advantage of someone's weakness—truly despicable behavior! Lord Shinnosuke, quickly apprehend those villains and turn them over to the authorities!"

While treating the crew member who had confessed, Milena listened to his account and grew furious.

"Well then, that's settled. Now that we've confirmed this ship's involvement in serious crimes, let's change our strategy. Ash, from now on, our mission shifts to suppressing crime and rescuing victims, under the duties and authority of freelance merchant convoy escorts. Handle all arrangements and documentation accordingly."

"Understood. I'll notify the Pirate Killer as well."

Shinnosuke instructed Fubuki to send both a distress signal and a combat signal to Ash, then ordered Marks and Madelia to toss the captured crew members into the communication passage and lock the door.

"Then, I'll proceed to seize control of the ship itself from here onward."

Shinnosuke began moving toward the bridge at the front of the vessel, but Marks stopped him.

"Master, seven new enemies are approaching from behind the bulkhead door."

Maderia also seemed to have detected them, her ear-like sensors atop her head turned toward the bulkhead, one hand holding a combat knife, the other a blaster, on high alert.

Immediately, data streamed from Marks and Maderia to the glass monitor.

Multiple readings were detected beyond the bulkhead—presumably sealed during the connection of the corridor—and they appeared ready to burst through at any moment.

"Then, let's take care of that first. Marks, step forward..."

"Please wait, Shinosuke-sama. With just me and Madelia, we can handle this number easily. Please leave this to us and proceed ahead!"

Milina casually makes a statement blatantly violating the unofficial Akneria Space Force Regulation Article 1, Section 2, yet her air of absolute confidence seems to carry an ominous portent.

"But it's dangerous. We should face this together."

Shin nosuke tries to stop her, but Milena shakes her head.

"I'm skilled at close combat, just like Madelia. If we get tangled up in a chaotic melee, it'll be hard to provide covering fire. There's no need to worry about danger—please, Shin nosuke, you and the others take care of the bridge. That would be more efficient."

Before she could even finish speaking, Milena and Madelia dashed toward the rear bulkhead door.

Though criminals armed with weapons, they weren't likely to have undergone advanced training—so they recklessly flung open the bulkhead door, only to be ambushed by the two as they rushed inside.

"Damn it!"

*Swish, swish!*

They had at least raised their guns in caution, but Milena and Madelia were faster.

Before they could fire even two shots, they were overwhelmed and dragged into close combat.

Madelia's attack left no mercy.

With a combat knife, she severed the tendons in their limbs, then shot through their shoulders at point-blank range with a blaster, instantly neutralizing the two who had been leading the charge.

Meanwhile, Milena, though slightly delayed from Maderia, lunged into the chest of the man holding the blaster rifle, slicing the weapon in two with her vibrating saber at super speed, then spun the blade to smash through the man's temple, instantly knocking him unconscious.

The two of them incapacitated three opponents in just a brief moment.

"Amazing... three people in just two or three seconds."

"Actually, it was 2.6 seconds. In addition, Miss Milena precisely avoided the energy pack of the blaster rifle, cutting it cleanly to prevent detonation. In close combat, even the Master couldn't match her."

"Ah, seeing Milena's swordsmanship for the first time—it's truly frightening."

"Master, please try not to anger Milena. I'd rather not get caught in the middle of your two love quarrels."

"I'll be careful..."

Shin nosuke and Marks, impressed by the fierce rivalry between the two women but slightly uneasy.

"Come now, Master Shin nosuke. Leave this to us two and go ahead. We'll catch up with you right away once we've cleaned this place up!"

The fact that they were blatantly violating informal military regulations meant nothing to them.

Hearing Milena's words, Shin nosuke and Marks exchanged glances.

"Leave it to the two of them and move on?"

"You're right. Having the master here won't help at all. Let's head to the bridge ahead of time. Given the situation, we'll likely be caught by the two of them before we secure the bridge. In fact, there's a 48.7 percent chance they'll overtake us and seize the bridge first..."

"Let's hurry, Marks!"

"Yes, let's hurry, Master."

Shin Nosuke and Marks dashed forward.