Stop the target ship—1

"Using a combat vessel, you say. As you know, yes, I can pilot a combat vessel, but that's only because I have the license! That's all!"

Shin nosuke could operate a combat vessel, but Rinna surely knew that he only had the certification—his piloting skills were nowhere near those of a military combat vessel pilot.

In addition, the union possesses only one outdated SRF-102 combat vessel.

Even though it's for colony defense, it's certainly incapable of performing orbital patrol duties.

In that case, it would be more practical to assign heavily armed units like the Yatagarasu or Fubuki to guard duty.

Defense duties at the colony will be handled by the colony's驻留 space military defense unit, along with the sailors who are willing to scramble. The combat vessel squad of the defense unit will also take charge of maintaining dominance in the surrounding space. The commander has requested that Shinnosuke and some of the sailors be prepared for potential anti-ship combat scenarios.

According to Rina, in the worst-case scenario—should the target vessel manage to evade detection by the space fleet or coastal patrol—they might need to be sunk before reaching the colony, which is why preparations are being made for every possible situation.

Naturally, the space fleet's defense forces are also taking similar precautions, and the Free Merchant Fleet is following suit.

"We'll equip the combat vessels with two anti-ship missiles each. For now, we have no choice but to ask you, Shinnosuke....I can't exactly force you, but will you take this on?"

If he said he couldn't be forced, the situation and the atmosphere made refusal impossible, and Shinnosuke himself had no intention of refusing.

"I understand. I'll take it on!"

"Thank you very much."

"Markus, you'll return to the dock and depart aboard the Yatagarasu. The formation will be: Fubuki with Ash and the others in their standard configuration. Yatagarasu will have Andy as captain, with Elen and Madelia also aboard. Precise navigation may be required. Madelia, I'll be relying on your control operator."

"Understood."

After parting with Markus, Shinnosuke headed toward the combat craft hangar, guided by the attendant summoned by Rina.

Once Shinno-suke had changed into his pilot suit and equipped himself with all necessary gear, the familiar craft he hadn't seen since the previous exercise was already set up and waiting for him in the hangar.

Looking at the SRF-102, armed with two anti-ship missiles nearly as long as the craft itself, mounted on the weapon rack, he understood—there was no way it could possibly perform orbital combat. Its appearance was more like that of an attack vessel than a fighter.

Climbing into the cockpit, he checked the instruments while connecting various cables for communications and life support with the help of a technician.

Though he had flown it only during Andy's training, this time was a real mission, even if it was just for precaution.

Shin nosuke transformed his nervousness into focus and completed the pre-launch checklist.

"Launch control, SRF-102 is ready for launch!"

Once the maintenance crew had cleared away from the aircraft, the canopy was closed.

"Launch Control, roger. We'll now move the aircraft to the launch position."

The aircraft, secured to the trolley, was moved outside the hangar.

"From this point forward, this aircraft will be designated as Stingray. Cockpit, final check. All green."

"Roger, Stingray. Final check. All green."

The launch platform's signal light turned green, releasing the clamps, and as the aircraft gently pushed away from the platform, the throttle was advanced to accelerate it into space.

"This is Operations Control. We confirm the launch of SRF-102, call sign Stingray, belonging to the Free Merchant Fleet. Stingray, proceed to your designated point and assume alert duty."

"Stingray copies."

Shinoseki turned the nose of his unit toward the point displayed on the monitor.

As he headed toward the designated point, Shinoseki performed a light familiarization maneuver.

Although the aircraft's balance was slightly off due to carrying two large anti-ship missiles, resulting in slightly reduced responsiveness and maneuverability, speed and straight-line stability remained unaffected.

The mission itself—intercepting a target ship in case of emergency—seems unaffected by this.

After completing familiarization maneuvers and scanning the surrounding airspace, I see escort ships launching one after another, one of which is rapidly approaching the Stingray.

"Hey, Shinosuke!"

"Is that you, Zany?"

That's Zany's Pirate Killer.

The Pirate Killer, now alongside the Stingray,

'Looks like fast ships like us are assigned anti-ship defense duties. Charging in with anti-ship missiles—yeah, that's a real lottery ticket for both of us.'

This time, the escort vessels of the Free Merchant Fleet have two roles.

In the event that an enemy vessel manages to break through, these escort vessels will serve as the final defensive line, engaging the threat to protect the colony—most of the escort ships are assigned to this defensive mission.

The second role involves rapidly closing in on any breakthrough enemy vessel and engaging it directly. High-speed craft such as Shinosuke's SRF-102 and Zany's Pirate Killer are designated for this offensive task.

"That may be true, but either way, if the space forces or coast guard can hold them back, we won't even need to get involved."

"...Sinosuke, haven't the girls told you not to say things like that?"

"..."

"...I've said it countless times! Sinosuke-san, you always go and say something unnecessary—such a hopeless case!"

The voice cutting in through the comms was Seira.

Yatagarasu had caught up to provide backup for Sinosuke.

Just over two hours until the target ship reaches the colony.

That's when the space force and coast guard were scheduled to make contact.