Break through the encirclement

"Do you understand the composition of the main force?"

"Eighty ships in total. Most are destroyers, with around ten light cruisers and several fast battleships. It's a formation focused on mobility."

Shin nosuke's expression grows grim.

The Nightmare, designed for electronic warfare, becomes a terrifying threat when confronted.

Yet even with its extraordinary capabilities, the Nightmare is not an omnipotent super battleship.

While conducting electronic warfare, various systems—including combat and navigation—are restricted.

During electronic warfare operations, to maximize effectiveness and avoid detection, engine output must be kept below 60 percent. Combat is limited as well, with radar use restricted, and missile launches or gunfire via radar lock are impossible.

To fully unleash its capabilities as a combat vessel, the Nightmare must actually limit its electronic warfare functions.

"Can't just slip away easily..."

Currently, Nightmare is in the midst of generating a phantom fleet through electronic deception, but to escape, it must first deactivate this electronic camouflage.

To disengage, Nightmare must abandon the electronic disguise and use its stealth capabilities to exit the airspace without being detected by the enemy. However, since the enemy has likely already noticed the fake fleet, there's a risk of being locked onto immediately after deactivating the deception.

No matter how advanced its stealth capabilities, it is not infallible—once detected, it is extremely difficult to shake off.

Moreover, Nightmare, which possesses combat capabilities comparable only to a destroyer, cannot stand up to an armada of eighty destroyers, including fast battleships and light cruisers, and escaping from such a包围 is virtually impossible.

"Even if we stay this way, being caught by the enemy is only a matter of time."

Shin nosuke forced a strained smile in response to Marx's words.

It wasn't directed at anyone in particular—just a show of bravado aimed at himself.

"Getting interesting, Marx!"

"Indeed. I'll present a plan to break the deadlock."

Shin nosuke nodded, eyes on the monitor.

"Matches my thinking pretty closely. We really are on the same wavelength, Marx."

How many times have I served as your partner, Master? This is the optimal solution, considering your abilities and this ship's capabilities. Even so, the success rate remains below thirty percent.

No, it's below twenty percent. That's actually higher! Theoretically, ten percent or less would be ideal, but we can't afford to be too picky.

Master, your words are still as incomprehensible as ever. Besides, wasting time on such trivial talk will only lower the success rate further.

This time, Shinosuke genuinely laughed.

"Alright, got it! Proceed immediately. Point the decoy wave toward the left side of this ship, and move this ship toward the right flank end of the decoy fleet while cutting the engines."

"Understood. Point the decoy fleet toward the left side."

Nightmare, who had been near the center of the decoy fleet, quietly began moving while cooling down the engines.

The enemy fleet continued its bombardment, closing in rapidly.

"They've spread their formation to both flanks. Can you determine the enemy fleet's positioning? Where are the fast battleships and light cruisers?"

"Our vessel is currently conducting stealth operations. The enemy's precise configuration is undetectable."

Even if we're pursued, we absolutely must avoid combat with fast battleships possessing strong offensive capabilities or light cruisers with high maneuverability.

"Breaking away—turn left."

Understood. Confirming spatial jump point. Fixing coordinates for jump destination.

Although Nightmare deliberately moved to the right wing of the decoy fleet, the escape route lies in the spatial jump-enabled zone to the port side.

To evade the enemy pursuit, a spatial jump from this zone is essential—but the enemy knows this as well.

That's precisely why the enemy is likely keeping a tight watch on the left flank of the decoy fleet, waiting to intercept Nightmare as it attempts to escape via spatial jump.

"Alright, we're breaking out. I'll shut down all electronic systems and manually jump while maintaining stealth—so give me full support."

"Understood. I'll now deactivate the electronic camouflage."

As soon as the electronic camouflage was deactivated and the fake fleet vanished, each ship in the enemy fleet immediately increased its radar output, beginning to search for the Nightmare.

"Here we go!"

Shinosuke slammed the throttle lever forward, accelerating the Nightmare sharply—but immediately cut the engine, shifting into inertial navigation.

To delay detection by the enemy by just a little longer.

Since the spacecraft must accelerate straight toward a point just before entering a spatial jump, it's easy to target.

Thus, performing a spatial jump during combat is extremely risky.

To outwit the enemy, Shinosuke deliberately altered the Nightmare's position and acceleration method.

"Enemy fleet approaching. Even continuing on inertial navigation, they'll be detected shortly."

Understood! Full throttle—accelerate straight to jump speed!

As the Nightmare accelerated, alarms blared throughout the bridge, and warning lights flashed.

"Engaged by the enemy! We'll execute maximum electronic jamming for exactly three seconds!"

Given we're facing an electronic warfare vessel, the enemy likely anticipates such countermeasures—but it's better than doing nothing.

The electronic jamming has only a minor effect, but it delays the enemy's attack initiation.

Even just one or two seconds makes a crucial difference—precious for Shinosuke and his team, deadly for the enemy.

The delayed timing causes the enemy's gunfire to miss behind Nightmare.

"Reached spatial jump velocity! Let's go all out!"

But even Shinosuke's luck couldn't hold forever.

Approaching jump point, counting... Warning! Two enemy light cruisers are crossing our course!

Cannot evade! Breaking through!

Emergency! Incoming fire—main guns from the heavy cruiser!

Tch!

Having reached jump velocity, we can't make sharp maneuvers.

Shinosuke nudged the steering wheel just a few centimeters.

Direct hit incoming!