Final Mission

"Space jump concluding shortly. Returning to normal space."

"Understood. Begin deceleration immediately upon return to normal space."

Shin nosuke places his hand on the throttle lever, preparing for deceleration after the space jump.

"Returned to normal space."

"Good, begin decelerating—"

"Three contacts detected in the primary zone. Likely the designated escort vessel. Very close proximity."

Markus reports calmly.

Shinnosuke hastily gripped the steering wheel, preparing for an emergency evasive maneuver.

"What?! You said the chance was less than 0.0000001 percent, didn't you?!"

"No, it's 0.000001— one more zero. And that was the probability of coordinate overlap. The chance of collision is 0.0001 percent....Confirmed, we've avoided the collision course. Continue decelerating without altering course."

Shin nosuke kept the helm fixed while abruptly decelerating the Nightmare.

"Even so, isn't the chance of a collision in such a vast space fairly high?"

"True, but this sector has very limited navigable space..."

As they spoke, the Nightmare safely completed its deceleration, narrowly passing just in front of the three liaison vessels.

"Phew... that was close."

"Because they forced an irregular jump, the coordinates after the jump were pulled toward their ships' reactions. Still, managing to get this close—truly, the master's luck is unmatched."

Shin nosuke frowned at Marks' words.

"Stop talking as if it's my fault... Honestly, if you think about it, Marks is always with me, so isn't it actually your luck that's pulling us in?"

"Nonsense. I am a doll. A machine doll has no connection to luck, flags, or superstitious nonsense—those are illogical concepts."

"Of all times, don't act like a machine now!"

"More pressing matters—there's a communication from the command ship Inazuma of the联络 squadron, and a protest message from the frigate Tristar."

"Tristar... How nostalgic..."

"Indeed, that was the ship you served on when you were in the space fleet, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, I was the third captain of the Tristar. I wonder who's in command now?"

Syuno-ske reminisces, but Marks pays no mind and immediately connects the communication.

"It's me! Lieutenant Kasumura!"

The monitor displayed Captain Inazuma, Lieutenant Cassim Kradle, and Lieutenant Claire Arnes of the Tristar.

For some reason, Claire's image was larger on the screen.

"Kradle... Lieutenant and Arnes Lieutenant. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Syunosuke speaks in formal military speech, as if returning to his days in the army—though he's actually back in service.

"It's been a while, hasn't it? Lieutenant Kasimura. You're in quite a state, but are you alright?"

Kasimura, serious and composed, contrasts sharply with Claire, whose anger is immediately evident at first glance.

"Lieutenant! What were you thinking, pulling off an irregular jump like that? It's dangerous! We're on a small frigate—there's no way we'd survive being caught in the spacetime waves generated during a jump!"

Claire protests, maintaining her rank from when she was discharged, but she's not wrong—she's probably doing it on purpose.

"It wasn't avoidable. We had to make an emergency jump during combat."

"Even so! Route safety checks are fundamental!"

It feels a bit unreasonable, but then again, it's very much like Claire, former communications and navigation operator.

Claire may indeed be angry, but she's not seriously protesting.

She likely just wants to vent a little, fully aware that her complaint is unreasonable.

Knowing this, her superior, Cassim, doesn't reprimand her in particular.

"Well, Lieutenant Arnes probably has quite a few things to say to the captain, so I'd like to transfer to your ship with the lieutenant, using this as an opportunity to relay the message. Permission to do so, please?"

Kasim, who had complained over comms and now seemed to be demanding complaints in person.

And yet, the actual purpose—delivering the operation orders—was being dismissed as an afterthought.

Still, since he had to receive the operation orders, there was no way to refuse.

Immediately, Inazuma and Trystar docked with Nightmare, and the two boarded aboard.

"Operation order delivery has arrived."

The two, led by Marks, saluted Shinnosuke upon reaching the bridge. Claire handed Shinnosuke the standalone terminal containing the operation details, while Cassim handed him the passkey to activate the terminal.

Claire wore a disgruntled expression, but she seemed unwilling to complain further.

Shinnosuke inserted the passkey into the terminal and reviewed the recorded operation details.

"We haven't been informed of the operation details, but isn't this mission dependent on Nightmare being in peak condition? If the mission is compromised, I'll report it to Command, you know?"

Although Nightmare's main dome was damaged, it was obvious to everyone that its capabilities had diminished.

Yet, upon reviewing the details, Shinnosuke nodded.

"No problem. Due to damage to the main dome, the ship's electronic warfare capabilities have decreased by approximately sixty percent, but we'll manage somehow. The ship will follow the operation as instructed. For precaution, please report the ship's damage and the reduction in capabilities to command headquarters."

Claire interjected after hearing Shinnosuke's words.

"Captain! No, Lieutenant Colonel! Even though you're returning from reserve status, you're someone who once left the military. Just because it's an order doesn't mean you have to be used at the army's discretion. Besides, this operation is so highly classified. It's bound to be unreasonable, isn't it?"

The mission assigned was indeed extremely dangerous—exactly as Claire had said, bordering on reckless.

But I’ve already known and prepared for this since I decided to return to military service. There are certainly many issues, but I believe I can manage this mission somehow.

"Understood. I accept this mission."

Hearing this from Shinosuke, Claire and the others had nothing more to say.

"Then we wish you all the best of luck."

The two who had delivered the order saluted Shinosuke and left the bridge, but just before doing so, Claire stopped, turned back, and looked at Shinosuke.

"Forgive me for saying this, but Major Kasimura is either an exceptionally skilled officer, an extremely confident man... or a complete fool."

Hearing this, Shinosuke shrugged.

"None of those are quite right. Well, actually, none are entirely accurate—but perhaps each applies to him about twenty percent of the time."

Claire tilted her head.

"Even combining all three only adds up to sixty percent."

"The remaining forty percent depends on my experience—and fluctuates based on the circumstances at the time."

Hearing Shinosuke's reply, Cassim and Claire couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Their former commander, who had left the military to become a free merchant, and then returned to military life, hadn't changed at all from how he was back then.

They were glad to see that.

I apologize for the recent slowdown in posting frequency and for the significant delay in responding to your feedback.

That said, I’m steadily making progress and will definitely get back to each of your comments.

I’d truly appreciate it if you could continue to support me with patience and care over the long term.