Securing the Prison Colony

The colony that the assault landing ship Bison has breached is known as a prison colony, but it is not merely a facility housing criminals.

The upper levels of this multi-tiered colony currently host a coastal defense garrison of the Sacred Lemurian Imperial Fleet, while another level houses traffic control centers, immigration offices, customs agencies, and other facilities serving as a transit point for entry into the former Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth—effectively a combined colony of judicial and administrative institutions.

Regardless, there are cities serving the residents—including personnel and their families—who work at these facilities. However, they are physically separated from the lower-level prison facilities, making direct travel through the colony impossible.

The 3rd Company of the 25th Marine Battalion of the Space Navy, having penetrated into the lower section of the colony, hurried forward toward the control room.

This colony is equipped with a feature that allows only the lower section to be purged in case of riots or uprisings by the inhabitants, as well as a self-destruct mechanism for the lower levels.

Therefore, it was essential to seize the control room first and gain control of the central systems; without doing so, follow-up units could not advance.

Just minutes after breaking in, Company Three had eliminated the Imperial garrison and reached the area just before the control room.

Only about two squads of Imperial soldiers are guarding the control room, but there's no time to waste.

Captain Weltaers positioned a squad member wielding a reinforced steel shield at the front line.

"Breaking into the control room now! First and Second Squads, shield formation assault—forward!"

With the shield bearers leading in tight formation, the First and Second Squads charged ahead.

The control room must be secured without delay.

The command center, harbor control facilities, and communication installations must be secured immediately by the two battalions of marines from the assault landing ships Bison and Buffalo, or the following units won’t be able to advance.

"Corporal Grett, Sergeant Tahlins has been hit—light injury!"

"Get the wounded back! But don’t panic! If we stop now, the casualties will only grow!"

"Understood! Tops, Zalit is moving forward!"

Despite fierce resistance from the imperial soldiers guarding the command center, they couldn't halt the assault once it had begun.

The front-line soldier kicked aside the barricade and charged headfirst into the imperial soldiers, still holding his large shield.

The overwhelming momentum of the third company's sudden attack shattered the imperial soldiers' coordination.

At the same moment the flash-bang and sonic grenade were thrown into the control room, the first and third squads of the first team rushed in and began suppressing fire inside.

"Third squad, now!"

Following them, the third squad stormed in and immediately began securing the area and taking control of the command systems.

[Assault Landing Ship Bison Bridge]

"Reporting from Lieutenant Welters. Control room secured, systems under our command."

Lieutenant Colonel Bosch nodded, sipping coffee from the captain's chair upon receiving the report.

"21 minutes and 58 seconds... Truly impressive, Lieutenant Welters. How are things on the Buffalo side?"

Thirteen minutes behind us, the assault has already begun. The 14th Combat Squadron has entered its designated operational phase. Additionally, the assault landing ship Buffalo avoided detonation but sustained severe damage, rendering it unable to move and now grounded in the dock it penetrated. Lieutenant Henen and the rest of the crew have abandoned the Buffalo and are en route to our ship.

"Very well. Prepare to receive the Buffalo crew. Send a squad from the 2nd Company, currently on dock patrol, to retrieve them."

"Understood."

"Also, instruct the 3rd Company to clear all colony docks and guide the following forces in."

"Understood."

About half an hour after the assault landing ship Bison breached the defenses, four additional assault landing ships arrived, and one battalion of the Space Marine Corps stormed into various locations throughout the colony, immediately beginning operations to rescue the captives and secure full control of the colony.

【Engagement Zone · 9-12 Squadron】

The 9-12 Squadron, aboard the light carrier Aries, tasked with securing orbital dominance around the colony, had completed their mission despite losing five of their twenty aircraft.

The Holy Lemurian Empire fleet in the surrounding space, having suffered a fierce assault from the 9th Fleet, was largely destroyed; the survivors abandoned their mission and retreated, rendering the battle effectively over.

Lieutenant Hardy's Squadron 9-12 is also on perimeter patrol, but should soon receive orders to return.

(Lost five subordinates in his first major battle... How many will he ultimately be able to bring back?)

Even after fighting on the front lines of such intense combat, suffering only five losses out of twenty would be considered minor damage, and Lieutenant Hardy, who led the unit and kept the casualties low, would be highly praised.

But that assessment came from within the military—those who lost their lives and their families might feel entirely differently.

Hardin, as a military officer and squadron commander, would have to carry that burden of feeling.

Hardin places his hand on his pocket, where he keeps his lover's photograph.

Of course, he understands the possibility that he may never return.

Yet even so, he believes he will come back safely—and he has that confidence.

"Believe me, I'll be fine—I'll return safely!" Without such resolve, one cannot serve as a combat pilot in the Space Navy.

Hardin's unit received the order to return after the marines had secured the colony and rescued the prominent figures from the former Dalmara Star Union who had been held captive—marking the complete success of the entire operation.