Navigate through the dangerous route
"Position two, there's an extension in the asteroid belt. Adjust heading to position eleven."
"Understood."
The fleet advanced through the hazardous route under Seira's navigation.
The surrounding asteroid belt slightly differed from the previously collected data, but remained within Seira's predicted parameters.
Seira's navigation was flawless, allowing the fleet to progress smoothly while avoiding the asteroid belt—until an anomaly occurred on the second day.
"Radar contact! Unknown target is following us, hiding within the asteroid belt on the starboard side. Number: seven, no identification signal detected."
Tension mounted upon Seira's report.
Shin nosuke nodded after checking the radar.
"Understood. Transmit all signals and issue a warning to the unknown."
Understood. Transmitting distress and combat start signals. Issuing warning to the unknown. Warning incoming unidentified vessel. This is the escort vessel Yatagarasu, affiliated with the Akeria Galactic Federation, Salius Stellar District Free Merchant Ship Association...
While Seira was transmitting the warning, Shin nosuke issued orders for formation changes.
"Yatagarasu to all ships: Fukubuki, fall back and take position at the center-right of the convoy."
"Fukubuki, understood!"
"Tsukikage, fall back and take position at the rear-right of the convoy, maintain vigilance."
"Tsukikage, understood."
"Villet's convoy will now switch to a two-column formation and proceed along the预定 route as planned."
"This is Elephant A3, understood. Please proceed."
Even as the formation was being adjusted, Seira's warning continued.
"...Warning: Vessel(s) following our formation, unidentified affiliation, immediately transmit identification signals and declare your origin and navigational intent! Failure to respond will be considered unlawful activity, and necessary measures will be taken in accordance with law and regulations. This is the final warning."
At the moment Seira issued her final warning, the three escort vessels activated their fire control systems and entered combat readiness.
"No response from Unknown. Confirmed weapon targeting by Unknown. Classified as overt hostile action. Henceforth, Unknown will be designated as Enemy Ship A through G."
Deciding the attack was by space pirates, immediate countermeasures are taken.
"First, disable their eyes and ears. Marks, prepare electronic warfare!"
"Understood."
"From the Yatagarasu, all ships, begin ECM operations from now on! Communication and radar will be unavailable during jamming, so maintain formation based on this ship's movements!"
"Enemy ships are approaching. They'll be within range shortly."
"Understood. Marks, execute ECM at 30 percent output! Be careful—exceeding 30 percent could damage the equipment on Villet's fleet as well."
Understood. ECM output at thirty percent, executing!
Jamming is initiated centered on Yatagarasu.
All ships except Yatagarasu and those equipped with counter-electronic warfare devices—Fubuki and Tsukikage—lose functionality of their communication systems and radar.
Enemy vessels appear to have lost coordination due to jamming interference. Enemy ship D and E have entered deep into the asteroid belt and show no signs of withdrawing. Maintaining distance to observe. Enemy ships C and F have initiated attacks, but their aim is unsteady and they are missing....Oh! Enemy ship C has collided with an asteroid and exploded!
The effect of the jamming was immediate.
Understood. Enemy attack confirmed! From this point onward, commence self-defense combat. All ships, refrain from using missiles—bear this in mind. Other actions are to be decided individually based on judgment.
"...Zazza-tsu-ki-zak-ge, understood."
"...Fubu...ryo...zak...understood."
Tsukikage and Fubuki are equipped with radio jamming countermeasures, but since they're basic devices, communications remain disrupted.
Still, weapons other than autonomous homing missiles should be usable.
"Yatagarasu will engage in combat!... Command vessel, targeting enemy ship A!"
Milena activated her forehead eye and quickly aimed the rapid-fire cannon at the target.
Though radar targeting was available, she deliberately chose to use her awakened ability and manually aimed instead.
"... Rapid-fire cannon, three-round burst!"
Milena pulled the trigger three times in a steady, rhythmic sequence.
All three rapid-fire cannon shots hit their target, sinking enemy vessel A.
"Enemy vessel A destroyed. Continuing with Fubuki's attack—enemy vessel F severely damaged, unable to maneuver."
Now only four vessels remain, but the battle has become one-sided, hardly a contest at all.
Moreover, due to jamming, enemy ships can no longer communicate with one another, preventing them from coordinating a retreat. They continue attacking blindly, without strategy.
Seems incapable of making a rational judgment.
"Enemy ships D and E have begun attacking from within the asteroid belt—completely missing their targets... Ah, weak distress signal?... No, wait, I've intercepted a warning signal."
Seyla sensed something unusual.
The signal resembled an international distress call, but with a subtle difference.
In fact, it wasn't even a signal from a spacecraft.
"An alien jellyfish?"
"Matching... This is not a distress signal. Unusual movements detected on multiple asteroids... No mistake—this is an alien jellyfish!"
It seemed the space jellyfish had gathered in the asteroid belt, drawn by the battle.
This situation is dangerous.
"Markus, shut down the ECM immediately!"
"Understood. ECM has been shut down."
"From Yatagarasu, all ships cease combat! Dangerous space creatures are gathering around us. All combat operations are prohibited."
『Moonshadow acknowledges!』
『Snowflake acknowledges. Ceasing combat.』
Shin nosuke checks the radar and selects an escape route.
A gap in the asteroid belt ahead and to the left.
"Millina, take over navigation! I have control."
"Understood. You have control."
Shinnosuke turned the steering wheel while accelerating the Yatagarasu.
"Exfiltrating from this sector. Heading 10—follow the flagship!"
The fleet fled in a panic.