Guardian Combat 2

"Only one hour from Planet Moldavite! We can't shake off the Rimlian Fleet's pursuit!"

Although we've broken through the Sacred Rimlian Empire Fleet blocking our route, we're now under attack from the fleet that has recovered from the Jamming effects of the Yatagarasu.

For now, since we haven't been acquired in their range yet, they're only conducting repeated distracting fire, so the Yatagarasu guarding the rear of the convoy remains unharmed—but that won't last much longer.

"We won't be able to escape like this."

Given the situation, we can't engage in electronic warfare without endangering the convoy itself.

"Enemy fleet will enter our range imminently!"

"Unavoidable. We'll fight back. Jabberwock, fall back to the rear. We'll hold the enemy here, the flagship and the Jabberwock."

『Jabberwock, copy.』

Shin nosuke turned the Yatagarasu to face the enemy fleet head-on.

"Milena, take over navigation control."

"Understood!"

Milena moved from the electronic warfare operator seat to the co-pilot station.

"Match our relative speed with the enemy fleet. You hub control."

"Understood, I'm hub control."

With the helm now in Milena's hands, Shinosuke donned the glass monitor and locked onto one of the pursuing fleet's ships with the main cannon.

"Kashimura, we've acquired the enemy vessel. Please give us instructions."

Captain Leg of the Javelin requested orders.

The Javelin is a missile frigate equipped with a total of 300 missiles, capable of sinking more than ten enemy vessels in a single volley if it goes all out.

However, doing so would inevitably provoke a fierce counterattack from the enemy fleet.

For now, the enemy fleet is pursuing Shinosuke's fleet as an enemy force, but their response remains somewhat passive.

Even if they recognize us as enemies, the正规 fleet might hesitate to attack civilian vessels, despite outnumbering them—there may be an opening to exploit.

"Take down one ship with the main guns. Hit one or two more with the javelins."

『Understood.』

Delivering excessive damage might provoke them into taking us seriously.

We must neither provoke them too seriously nor slow their pursuit too much—just the right balance is needed.

Shinnosuke targets a frigate at the right flank of the enemy fleet.

"Javelin, synchronize our attack—3, 2, 1, now!"

At the exact moment Shinnosuke pulls the trigger and fires the main cannon, dozens of small missiles launch from Javelin.

Although a single missile lacks the power to sink a target, the sheer number of missiles raining down has a strong deterrent effect. Even if one missile isn't powerful enough, hitting a target five or six times in succession can sink a destroyer or cruiser.

As Yatagarasu's main gun sank the frigate, the missiles launched from Javelin sank one enemy corvette and damaged one destroyer.

"The Rimurian fleet's pursuit has slowed. They're regrouping."

Exactly as expected.

As Seira reported, the enemy fleet's speed had decreased.

Their vessels, previously reckless in attacking civilian ships, hesitated before such unexpectedly strong resistance.

Still, they won't be allowed to escape like this.

A sensible commander would regroup while carefully keeping pace with the civilian ships, avoiding falling behind.

"Maintain pressure on the enemy fleet while retreating."

"Understood. We'll adjust our speed to match the Yatagarasu."

The Yatagarasu, along with the Javelin, continued retreating while firing attacks ahead of the enemy fleet, gradually increasing the distance between them.

The Limeria Fleet has resumed its pursuit, but its momentum has weakened....The front of the convoy has entered Mordabait's control zone.

A planetary defense system is deployed around the planet Mordabait, boasting an impenetrable defense.

Numerous satellite gun platforms floating in planetary orbit launched attacks against the approaching threat, forming a planetary defense system. During the previous invasion war, this orbital defense system had prevented Mordabait from ever being conquered, but in the end, the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth was defeated, bringing the war to a close without a single casualty.

Regardless, the Sacred Rimurian Empire attempted to take control of the Moldavite orbital defense system; however, after the war ended, the system's administrator, though detained, complied with the Empire's request to shut down the orbital defense system, but refused to disclose information regarding its secrecy.

Since the system's administrator died before confessing under brutal interrogation—clearly a violation of international law—the Empire had no choice but to begin analyzing the system. While the Empire was delayed in this analysis, the liberation operation by the Akneria Galactic Federation commenced, and the Mordabait was reclaimed.

Subsequently, thanks to the efforts of another system administrator who had escaped confinement and a rescued high-ranking officer from the Damura Star Cluster Kingdom's military, the orbital defense system was restored and has remained operational ever since.

"Support from the orbital defense system has begun. The fleet is entering the defensive perimeter one by one."

Yatagarasu and Javelin, still outside the fleet, have not yet escaped danger, but Seira's voice, reporting the update, carries clear relief.

A brief opening appeared there.

"Seira! At the rear of the convoy, four o'clock direction!"

Mylene shouted, her third eye on her forehead now open.

"Huh? Ah, new radar contact! Number of contacts...?"

"From Phantom to all ships! New contact at four o'clock, thirty!... High-energy signature! Evade the Brachios!"

"Brachios evaded... whoa!"

At the same moment as Ira's warning, a beam fired from afar pierced the cargo ship Brachios at the rear of the convoy.

"Brachios destroyed! Long-range artillery! Hammerhead, secure the right flank at the rear of the convoy!"

"Hammerhead, copy!"

Following Ira's command, the escort vessel Phantom and Hammerhead cut in between the convoy and the new enemy.

"A... ahh... that's not..."

Seyla's hand freezes for an instant.

"Sera! Calm down! The next one's coming! From the Yatagarasu, the next barrage—Roadrunner is targeted!"

Another barrage.

Phantom and Hammerhead managed to swerve the attack slightly by deploying their energy shields at maximum output, but still, the cargo ship Roadrunner was pierced through its auxiliary engine, suffering severe damage.

"That's... impossible... I... I..."

Seira fell into a daze, stunned by what she was seeing.

"Serah! Calm down! It's not your fault. Their position was just barely outside the Yatagarasu's detection range."

As Shinosuke said, the new fleet had appeared just beyond the detection range of both the convoy ships and the Yatagarasu's radar, launching their attack simultaneously.

It wasn't Seira's fault, nor anyone else's—it was simply a matter of ship capabilities, and the enemy had simply surpassed them.

Rather, the initial damage was minimized thanks to Milina's foresight and Ira's quick thinking.

"...But... but..."

"Captain Shinosuke! I'm taking over Serah temporarily. I'll handle the operation!"

Milina rushed toward Seira.

"...Huh...?"

"I'm taking over the operation!"

"R-right, understood. You're taking over the operation."

Seira, regaining her composure under Milina's intensity, stepped aside and handed over command.

Taking over radar control from Seira, Milina manipulated the terminal to uncover the identity of the new enemy.

On the monitor appeared a fleet of warships painted silver, along with a squadron of cruisers uniformly clad in the same color.

"Battleship White Rose... The White Rose Fleet, Elder Sister Ezaria..."