Nightmare

"Three minutes and twenty-five seconds since the operation began. At this point, according to schedule, Nightmare should be penetrating the enemy fleet's starboard side and beginning jamming."

Arrenval nodded in response to the副官's report, still unable to detect the enemy fleet's movements or even Nightmare's position, having kept their electronic systems disabled to avoid the jamming effects from Nightmare.

"Captain Kasimura is always punctual and strict about time management, so things should be proceeding exactly on schedule."

Though unseen, Nightmare should be crossing between the enemy fleet's vanguard and rear guard, engaging in electronic warfare.

Five minutes remain until electronic equipment restrictions are lifted.

By then, the distance between both fleets should have closed to within the main gun range of battleships, meaning that if Nightmare's jamming fails, it will be the Acnelia fleet that comes under one-sided attack from the enemy fleet.

"Does the absence of enemy attacks at this point mean the operation is going smoothly?"

Even the usually calm副官 now looks visibly anxious—understandably so.

We're completely blind, unable to predict when the attack will come.

Not just the副官, but every officer and crew member in the fleet must be feeling the same anxiety.

"If the Nightmare's jamming fails, the entire operation will collapse. But don't worry. At first sight, no one can counter that ship's electronic warfare, and Lieutenant Kasimura is a man who completes every mission entrusted to him."

The electronic warfare system installed on the Nightmare is a newly developed system, still未经 trial testing, and has been deployed in actual combat. Additionally, the Akneria vessels are not equipped with any defensive systems.

Unlike conventional electronic jamming systems, this one emits powerful interference waves that can actually destroy electronic equipment itself, affecting even Akneria's spacecraft indiscriminately at present.

To avoid this, Nightmare must shut down all electronic devices while executing jamming.

[Imperial Flagship Firebird]

"Rush the system recovery! If we don't act now, we'll be completely wiped out!"

"The system equipment itself has been destroyed. We don't need system recovery—we need repairs or replacements of the equipment!"

The operator screamed in response to the lieutenant general's order.

"Whatever it takes, do it. Restart the systems that have been repaired. If internal communications are down, send messengers to each department!"

At the order of the lieutenant general, the soldiers rise to their feet, preparing for repairs and messenger duties.

(If only the other ships could properly assess their current situation and act calmly...)

It would be pointless if only the flagship were restored.

All ships in the fleet must act in the same way. But the Third Fleet is a veteran elite unit—those details should be fine.

"A ship of unknown affiliation is passing ahead of our vessel."

A single black ship appears on the bridge monitor connected directly to the external cameras.

The monitor is so clear that the vessel's silhouette can be discerned almost as if seen with the naked eye—indicating an extremely close proximity.

"Can we intercept?"

"It's impossible! We can't lock radar on that ship. We won't make it in time to relay orders to the gun emplacements."

In that moment, the unidentified vessel passed directly in front of the nose of the Firebird.

[NIGHTMARE]

On the Nightmare's bridge, Shinnosuke was handling navigation while Marks managed all command operations, including electronic warfare.

"Operations are proceeding smoothly. Two minutes remain until the jamming signal reaches the entire enemy fleet."

Shinnosuke nodded in response to Marks' report.

"What about our fleet's movement?"

"They've already entered the effective range of their main cannons, but are continuing their advance. All actions are proceeding as planned."

Understood. Continue the operation as planned.

The Nightmare's speed is too high for the jamming to be fully effective.

Shinonsuke adjusts the speed while advancing the Nightmare.

"Crossing through the enemy fleet's central section. Confirming jamming effectiveness... As planned, the enemy fleet's electronic equipment appears to have been successfully disrupted."

"Markus, terminate the jamming."

"Understood. Emission of interference signals has been stopped."

"Good, reverse course!"

Shin nosuke turned the Nightmare around and charged back into the enemy fleet.

[Astraeus]

"The Nightmare's operation time has expired. No movement from the enemy fleet. All ships of the 2nd and 9th Fleets, and M19 Fleet, will now reboot their electronic systems as scheduled."

As reported by the副官, each ship of the 2nd, 9th, and M19 Fleets began their assigned actions.

"Good. Battleships that have engaged the enemy's rear fleet may initiate attacks on any target of their choice, based on individual judgment. After three minutes of artillery fire, launch aircraft to secure air superiority. Simultaneously, the M19 Fleet will advance and protect the enemy's front fleet. Also, when boarding enemy vessels, take care to prevent unexpected counterattacks and various accidents."

Under Arlenval's command, the Akneria Fleet launched an attack against the Rimria Fleet.

【Imperial Flagship Firebird】

"The enemy fleet has begun their attack!"

"Prioritize restoring combat equipment! Hurry, or we'll be annihilated without even being able to counterattack!"

One by one, the Rimria Fleet falls victim to the Akneria Fleet's assaults.

The situation unfolds overwhelmingly one-sided.

"Fall back! Fall back while using manual targeting if you have to... If you can't aim, just aim to intimidate. For God's sake, counterattack!"

We can't let ourselves be wiped out like this.

Just as we were trying to regroup and stabilize the situation—

"Commander! Look at that!"

The副官's urgent voice.

His finger pointed to a dark vessel displayed on the monitor.

That black ship—the flagship of Nightmare—was aiming its main cannon at Firebird.

"…It's too late."

A whisper of resignation.

Those were the final words of the commander of the Sacred Lemurian Imperial Space Fleet's 3rd Fleet.