Raid Operation
The Akeria Galactic Federation Space Fleet, having invaded the Holy Rimria Empire, immediately launched an attack on a particular colony.
This colony had previously served as a prison colony operated by the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, housing criminals. Under the rule of the Holy Rimria Empire, it now held political dissidents such as former politicians and bureaucrats from the old Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth.
When rescuing political prisoners held captive in this colony and reclaiming territory from the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, swiftly establish a new order and lay the foundation for the rebirth of the Commonwealth.
[9th Fleet, Light Aircraft Carrier Aries]
On board the light aircraft carrier Aries, belonging to the 9th Fleet, fighter aircraft were launching one after another.
The Aries carried forty SZF-25 atmospheric combat shuttles, forty of them from the 9-11 and 9-12 Combat Squadrons.
In fleet combat, their role is to launch first, eliminate enemy fighters, secure control of space, and clear the way for subsequent combat assault craft and the fleet itself.
Lieutenant Harding, the squadron commander of the 9-12 Squadron, is a 28-year-old young officer who graduated from the academy.
While conducting final checks in the cockpit of the SZF-25 connected to the catapult, Harding waits for the launch order.
This is his first major battle as squadron commander, yet despite the tension, he feels oddly calm—almost surprisingly so.
Even though he's calm, Harding is performing his usual pre-launch checks just like in training, though he's removed the photo of his girlfriend that usually sticks to the cockpit panel.
(I'm planning to propose when I get back... but I could never tell that to my subordinates.)
The perfect timing to propose to my long-time girlfriend—just as I was about to do it—came right before this mission launch.
If I said something like that, I'd violate Article 1, Section 1, Subsection 1 or Article 11 of the unofficial regulations of the Acneria Galactic Federation Space Force, and my subordinates would surely give me a thorough scolding.
In fact, I'd just barely managed to stop a subordinate who was about to have a child from saying, "What should we name the baby..."
"121 Craft, Lieutenant Hardyin, from Control Room. Confirm launch readiness, Call Sign Raze?"
The voice of a young female officer, the launch operator.
She was probably the girlfriend of Lieutenant Crett, third unit, first squad, second platoon.
(Feels like every trope is right here...)
Thinking that, I gently touched the photo of my lover tucked in my pocket.
"Raze, this is Raze—launch readiness confirmed!"
Understood. Catapult launch ready, course clear. Good luck. All green, 3-2-1-Go!
Hardin's SZF-25 rocketed into space with a sudden burst of acceleration from the catapult.
"From Raze to Squad 9-12. Form Arrow formation under your respective flight leaders. Entering combat zone!"
Incidentally, carrying a photo of one's lover in one's pocket during sortie violates Article 1, Section 2, Subsection 1 of the unofficial military regulation.
[Task Force M19, Assault Landing Ship Bison]
The M19 Task Force's assault landing ship Bison carries one infantry battalion of the Marines.
Under cover of fighter support, they will break through enemy lines, assault the target colony, and swiftly extract the political prisoners.
On the Bison, Marine troops waited in armored suits, armed with heavy weapons, ready to storm the colony.
"Alright, you bastards—ready? Once we breach the colony, my squad will secure the control room and seize the central system. The success of the entire operation hinges on us! Don’t screw this up!"
"Roger!"
Captain Welters was the commander of the 3rd Company, 25th Marine Combat Battalion, of the Space Marine Corps.
Welters' company was a specialized skills unit, with multiple members possessing expertise comparable to mechanics and systems engineers, in addition to their elite close-combat capabilities. They were playing a central role in this operation.
"Listen up—our company has the goddess of battle on our side. There's no way we're going to lose!"
Welters pointed to the emblem etched onto his armored chestplate.
The emblem of the Third Company, designed in the style of a war maiden.
"That's right! Our company is the strongest!"
"Let's get this battle over with quickly and head back home to eat my mother's meat pie!"
"Wait, is your hometown Torchigi?"
"What are you talking about! My hometown's no backwater like that! It's Ibarakki!"
"Isn't Ibarakki pretty much the same thing?"
"It's Ibaraki, not Ibaragi! Don't get it wrong!"
The team members laughed loudly just before the assault.
The newly assigned rookie, intimidated by their behavior, timidly spoke up.
"Um... it's like you've been saying things you're not supposed to all along..."
Hearing the rookie's words, the senior team members laughed even harder.
Don't you dare talk about something small when you're a fearless Marine. Everyone knows what they're saying! We'll smash that boring superstition right along with the enemy!
The Bison carrying Marines pushes forward through intense artillery fire.
On such a bridge of the Bison, Lieutenant Commander Bosch sat in the captain's chair, sipping tea elegantly.
"Captain, we have five minutes until colony arrival. Enemy fire will soon concentrate on our ship and the supporting Buffalos."
Even after the fighter squadron secured orbital dominance and followed up with attacks from assault craft and the 9th Fleet, the enemy forces remained intact.
Ideally, the 9th Fleet should have weakened enemy defenses further before advancing, but there was no time to wait.
"There's no need to worry about attacks. Maintain your current course."
Bosch glared at the colony displayed on the monitor, sipping his tea.
They were nearing the target colony.