Interception

M-02 model, a universal-type doll manufactured by Cosart Corporation

Individual name: Madelia — capable of supporting daily life, medical care, ship operations, combat, and more, earning it the designation of "universal-type," though in reality it is a high-performance, comprehensive support-type doll.

Compared to another doll, Marks, Madelia surpasses it in nearly every capability.

Even in combat ability, while she falls far short of Marks, a military-grade doll, in power, Madelia possesses speed that vastly surpasses Marks, making her equally capable in close combat.

Although Madelia is this way, when Shinnosuke acquired her, Cosart Corporation had specifically updated her to specialize as a ship operation operator, significantly enhancing her information processing capabilities.

Maderia sits quietly at the Yamatakarasu's central operator station, neither operating the control panel nor opening her eyes, which remain hidden beneath her bangs.

Since connecting the cable drawn from the operator station's panel to the sensor unit on her temple allows direct control of the Yamatakarasu's system, there is no need for panel operation or gathering information visually.

"Stinger, heading 11.2, -0.5. Maintain current speed."

"Understood!"

"Pirate Killer, heading 0, ±0. Speed +10."

"Got it!"

The only exception was verbal commands.

That was solely the receivers' issue—verbal communication proved smoother.

"Stinger, you're drifting too far from Pirate Killer, making precise control difficult. Increase your speed by +20."

"Roger, got it!"

Andi, the temporary fleet commander, was piloting the Yatagarasu, while Milena was directing the Yatagarasu in Andi's place.

Though the division of roles was somewhat complicated, there was a reason for it.

First, Milena does not yet hold captain's credentials, so Andi is inevitably the Yatagarasu's captain. However, although Madelia is currently navigating for Shinosuke and the others, there's a possibility that Milena's abilities may be needed in case of unforeseen circumstances. Since Milena, having opened her third eye, is focusing on her own abilities, Andi is handling the ship's operations.

"Madelia, what exactly did Master Shinnosuke mean by 'place'?"

"As my master said. It means positioning the ship's anti-ship missiles, mounted on the SRF-102, directly into the target's path."

Not 'firing at' the target, but 'placing' them.

She understood the meaning of the word, but Milena couldn't grasp Shinnosuke's true intention.

[SRF-102 · Shinnosuke]

Shinnosuke guiding SRF-102 according to Madelia's navigation.

The aircraft's radar still hasn't locked onto the target, but they should be engaging soon.

『Stinger from Yatagarasu. Target will enter your radar range in 365 seconds. However, please refrain from using active radar. Rely solely on our guidance—don't depend on your radar.』

"Understood. Madelia, leave it to me."

Shin nosuke disengaged the safety mechanisms of the two anti-ship missiles he was equipped with and activated their fuses.

According to Madelia's report, the target vessel appeared unarmed, yet it possessed an extraordinary speed and exceptional evasive capabilities against attacks.

It was clearly a specialized assault ship designed solely for crashing into targets loaded with explosives.

As a result, even guided weapons like anti-ship missiles and gunfire relying on radar lock can be dodged.

While saturation attacks from multiple ships might be able to sink it, it would be dangerous to lure it all the way to the interception fleet’s waiting zone without knowing its true identity.

Instead of aiming to directly hit the target with the anti-ship missile, Shinnosuke's plan was to precisely place the missile on the target's path, causing the target ship to collide with the missile already positioned along its route.

This strategy would only be possible thanks to Madelia's precision guidance.

If the target is a cruiser or something with heavier armor, the two anti-ship missiles carried by the SRF-102 might not be enough to sink it, but even a single hit could slow it down enough to allow follow-up forces—Pirates Killer, Yatagarasu, and other defense units—to finish it off.

The more options available for completing the mission, the better, which is why Shinnosuke stands out.

SRF-102's radar has finally locked onto the target.

The original combat vessel's radar range is narrow to begin with, and since they're approaching each other at high speed, the distance is closing rapidly.

This is a one-time chance.

"Initiating precise guidance for missile purge. Maintain current course, plus 0.5. Reverse thrusters at 40 percent, count down: nine, eight, seven, six, five, four..."

"Three, two, one, engine reverse!"

"Reverse delayed by 0.7 seconds. Adjusting purge timing. First missile, purge sequence 11, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7..."

"Three, two, one—purge!"

SRF-102 releases one anti-ship missile.

Prepping Missile Purge 2. Maintain current course, reverse engines at thirty percent.

Understood!

Purge in eight, seven, six, five, four...

"Two, one purge!"

The second missile then separated.

The target is now within reach.

Master Shinosuke, run away!

The target and course are crossing! Master, take evasive action!

As Milena and Madeira shouted, Shinnosuke slammed the throttle forward and fired the side thrusters.

Immediately afterward, the target approaching rapidly from the front narrowly passes by SRF-102.

What is that ship?!

Shin nosuke barely dodged, spotting a ship with a bulky bow and four engines occupying the rear half of its hull.

Not a cruiser, but a heavy cruiser class, its bow armor looked quite thick.

In the next instant, the target was struck by the second missile it had jettisoned, exploding in midair.

"How's that?!"

Shin nosuke flipped the craft around and launched into pursuit.

As Shin nosuke had anticipated, the target collided with the anti-ship missile, yet showed no sign of slowing down.

"Guess one hit wasn't enough!"

It then collided with the first missile it had jettisoned earlier.

Even with two anti-ship missiles striking it, the target hadn't been sunk—but its speed had clearly dropped.

Shin nosuke disengaged the aircraft's machine gun lock.

"Good, I can catch up! Keep pursuing... wait a minute?"

Successfully damaged the target, but Shin Nosuke's SRF-102 had reached its limit.

With a warning sound, output rapidly dropped.

Energy depletion.

"Damn it, this is Stingray. We've successfully slowed the target, but we're out of energy and unable to maneuver."

『This is Pirate Killer! Leave the rest to me.』

Pirate Killer, having caught up, fired four anti-ship missiles.

Four anti-ship missiles struck as the target's speed and maneuverability had already been reduced by damage.

The target barely dodged the first missile—exactly as Zany had intended.

The remaining three, launched with just a slight timing offset, hit one after another, triggering an explosion of the explosives stored aboard. The target was obliterated in a massive blast and sank in a thunderous collapse.