158 Imperial Civil War Arc 16: Aftermath 2

side: Crowney Stellar System (Akira)

A naval vessel of the Nahoko-class, specialized in electronic warfare, has just been completed from the factory mothership.

Specifications as follows.

『AK-E001』

Ship Type: Electronic Warfare Specialized Vessel

Hull: Length 200m, Cruiser-class, two arms

Main Propulsion: Type B Thermonuclear Reactor, Type F High-Speed Thrusters

Armament: Main Gun 20cm Particle Beam Dual Turret, 2 units, 4 barrels

Secondary Gun: None

Anti-Space Cannon 10cm Laser Single Mount, 4 units, 4 barrels

Missile Launcher Pod: None

Defense: Beam-Resistant Coating Special Steel Armor Plating

Impact-Beam Shield Type E 1

Stasis Field (Barrier) Type E

Electronic Equipment: Dimensional Radar Type C, Dimensional Communications Unit Type C, Electronic (Quantum-Dimensional) Warfare Equipment Type A, Electronic Warfare Sub-Computer Type A, Anti-Dominance Signal Countermeasure Device

Empty Energy Slot 0

Status Good

Performance-wise, it’s like removing all long-range weaponry from the upgraded Naho-class vessel.

Hence, reactor output is slightly throttled down.

A mass-produced unmanned vessel, but designed with a CIC for potential manned operation.

This is export-spec, aiming for foreign currency acquisition.

We’re going to push it hard with the slogan: “One electronic warfare specialist per fleet, one per fleet.”

After the recent rebellion, where the fortress ship’s brain and self-destruct systems were too easily disabled, we’ve decided to include a black box that becomes inoperable if damaged—just in case.

My frugality backfired—trying to disable and reuse it.

Now, we’re making sure it’s utterly unusable.

I guess the reason I’m worrying like this is some vague unease—like maybe I’m about to start a war with the Empire.

We’re deploying this ship to the Crowney system as a replacement for the Nahoh fleet.

After that, we just wait until the transport ship equipped with the Neahyūm isolation device is finished.

『Akira, Lorenzo (Seventh Prince), report to the secret conference room!』

Suddenly, Kyle (First Prince) calls for a summons. What’s going on?

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ｓｉｄｅ：Neural Space Secret Conference Room (Kyle, Akira, Lorenzo)

Flying through the neural space, breaking through the barrier, arriving at the secret conference room.

This time, Lorenzo (Seventh Prince) arrives alone.

He was officially registered as a member after his previous participation.

Registered members can pass through the barrier, but everyone else gets repelled—can't even peek into the conference room or eavesdrop.

Not even the Emperor. Exceptions only for invited guests escorted by registered members.

“Akira, Lorenzo (Seventh Prince), sorry about this.”

“No, Kyle (First Prince), I was just killing time. No problem.”

“Nor on my end. Commander.”

Lorenzo (Seventh Prince) didn’t mention the absolute mess the fleet reorganization and emergency repairs must’ve been. Not a word.

“Lorenzo (Seventh Prince), sorry to drag you away from your duties, but this concerns you directly—needed you here fast.”

Kyle (First Prince) knew that, so he apologized with genuine regret.

“What’s going on?”

I ask. Kyle (First Prince) frowns, then speaks.

"Cutting to the chase—your campaign was rejected by His Majesty."

"Wait? The assassination mission against Leonardo (Fifth Prince)?"

"Yeah."

Kyle (First Prince) paused, then turned to Lorenzo (Seventh Prince) and continued.

"Lorenzo (Seventh Prince), His Majesty appointed you to lead the operation against Leonardo (Fifth Prince)."

"Wait—what?"

Lorenzo (Seventh Prince) blinked, stunned.

Fair enough. Lorenzo’s (Seventh Prince) fleet was already crippled—barely operational.

A wreck.

"His Majesty said that if Leonardo (Fifth Prince) were declared a rebel, we’d have to eliminate every subordinate caught in the crossfire.

They’re victims of the tyrant Leonardo (Fifth Prince), so the Emperor wants them spared.

So the plan’s not a war—it’s just a family squabble between Lorenzo (Seventh Prince) and Leonardo (Fifth Prince)."

Ah, so the loyal fool who got dragged into this mess probably had a rough time, huh.

Thought he was just another rash, Oda-type personality, but the Emperor seems to be quite the strategist after all.

"But we don’t have enough force. We can’t just go for a one-on-one duel, can we?"

Lorenzo (Seventh Prince)'s point is valid. What’s the Emperor planning, then?

If we wait for Lorenzo’s forces to recover, Leonardo (Fifth Prince) might just slip away.

"Here’s the plan. I’ll assign the fortress ship currently en route to Leonardo’s system to Lorenzo.

Use it to go after Leonardo and deal with him."

"But my system’s Dimensional Jump Gate (Gate) is destroyed. It’s not operational.

My Personal Ship can’t even rendezvous with the fleet."

...Wait a second. I just realized I forgot something crucial.

Right. I had to fix the Dimensional Jump Gate.

Lorenzo, the Seventh Prince—forgive me. The factory flagship is already in the Crownie system. We’ll begin construction immediately.”

"Akira, we might not make it in time like this."

Clumsy. Necessary for the operation, sure—but went a bit overboard with the destruction.

The plan was completely outmaneuvered—breaking the Dimensional Jump Gate was now a pointless act.

Gotta do something about this…

The control block severed from the Dimensional Jump Gate is located within the Dimensional Storage Vault.

If we can get that out, repair should be easy. First, let’s fix the Crowney Gate as soon as possible—

While I fret, Kyle, the First Prince, delivers a simple answer.

No, just have the fortress ship stop by the Crownie system. If Lorenzo—the seventh prince—transfers over, that’ll be fine.

A fleet of one hundred thousand ships. Place it under Lorenzo's command—the Seventh Prince.

A fight that’s only worth it on paper, but Lorenzo—the Seventh Prince—will settle it.”

“No, thank you for the offer. Leonardo—the Fifth Prince—is also a man we have blood debts with.

This opportunity… I’ll make it a funeral duel.”

The secret meeting dissolved under Lorenzo’s unyielding resolve.

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ｓｉｄｅ：アキラ

I was panicking.

Completely forgot I’d just obliterated every Dimensional Jump Gate in Lorenzo’s dominion.

First, slot the control block I’d snipped from the Crowney system’s gate.

Time for the old shipboard arm to shine.

Cut from the Dimensional Storage Vault—fits perfectly, no gaps, no fuss.

Incidentally, you can choose between storing everything touching the storage field—or just the objects already inside the field.

Selecting the latter means the boundary neatly slices them off.

Slip in the control block, and you’ll form a fusion field from outside.

Activating the self-repair function the Dimensional Jump Gate originally had.

“Phew. Should hold things together now.”

Could swap it out for a brand-new Dimensional Jump Gate, sure—but given the build and assembly time, repair’s faster.

“Right. Next.”

I use dimensional warp to fix Lorenzo’s (Seventh Prince) star system’s Dimensional Jump Gate.

Then, finally, head toward the Rasty system—the one with the hub Dimensional Jump Gate.

"Yes. Rasty."

And finally, upon exiting the dimensional jump (warp) at the Rasty system, a small frigate-class ship of the Neahyume awaited us.

"Right. There were still remnants of the Neahyume here."

Leonardo (Fifth Prince)'s fleet had converted their fortress ships into Neahyume forms, stowed Neahyume vessels inside them, and then warped directly into the Crowny system to launch a surprise assault.

That’s why the original frigate-class carriers—designed to carry Neahyume ships—and a few leftover Neahyume vessels had been left behind in the Rasty system.

I deployed an electronic warfare specialist ship from the Dimensional Storage Vault and neutralized the Neahyume presence in seconds.

"Got it, AK-E002."

Could I build a quarantine system capable of containing a frigate-class carrier?

I decided to consult the factory flagship and headed back to the Crowny system.

The next day, a report arrived: Lorenzo (the 7th Prince) had slain Leonardo (the 5th Prince).

Thus, Leonardo’s (the 5th Prince’s) rebellion ended, now known as the Lorenzo (7th Prince) Invasion Incident.

Leonardo’s (the 5th Prince’s) domain was annexed into Lorenzo’s (the 7th Prince’s). The 5th Prince, Leonardo, was declared dead and deposed.

Sorry it’s late.

Starting now, a new chapter is scheduled.

The first episode of the new chapter will be posted on Monday.