44. Status Report

Agirakana continues its hyperspace voyage.

One month after the destruction of Zeno’s primary star—on the day following the one when I had fished with Maria and hosted a banquet with the catch.

I am currently receiving a status report from Agirakana’s senior officers—the same ones I drank with yesterday at my Private Residence—in the strategy conference room, regarding the completion of the 'Operation against Zeno’s Primary Star.'

The report began with Major Floris from Logistics, detailing the repair status of damaged vessels and the replenishment of lost ships.

Of the damaged vessels in this operation—'Operation: Destroy Zeno’s Primary Star'—nine heavy cruisers sustained severe damage, one of which was the prototype heavy cruiser Inspire. The remaining eight heavy cruisers, excluding the Inspire, suffered only minor hull breaches and were repaired promptly due to the availability of spare hull components.

As for the Inspire, the extent of the damage suggests that without her, the ship would have been lost to sinking entirely. Notably, she was the only damaged vessel to suffer no casualties. The S5-class double-hull design, therefore, appears to have been a success. Repairing the Inspire, however, will take longer—the outer hull, constituting the second hull layer, sustained severe damage, and there is a shortage of spare S5-class hull components. Repairs are currently scheduled for completion two months from now.

Next, replenishment of the lost vessels: of the fourteen light cruisers lost, two have been replenished; of the two heavy cruisers lost, one has been replenished. The remaining light cruisers and one heavy cruiser are expected to be completed two months from now, once hull components become available.

However, while the ships will be ready, due to Aerospace Fleet policy prioritizing personnel replenishment for damaged vessels, only six of the replenished light cruisers can be fully staffed. Full personnel staffing across all vessels is estimated to take fifteen months. Once replenishment of the lost vessels is complete, preparations for the remaining Zeno will begin, and construction will commence on new carriers, mine-layers, and supply motherships.

That concludes the Aerospace Fleet update.

Next, land forces: aside from the crew of the sunken and damaged combat vessels, no other personnel have been exhausted—no particular issues arise. With the completion of three infantry battalions, two new H3-class assault landing ships have been commissioned, and one is currently under construction.

There are no significant concerns regarding primary resources within Agirakana, but due to the substantial consumption of secondary resources—specifically antimatter—during this operation, antimatter production is being prioritized. The amount consumed fell within expected parameters, so no expansion of antimatter generation plants is necessary. Even if a single engagement were to consume antimatter at the same rate as during this campaign, current stockpiles would suffice for three such engagements.

Next, Major General Amanda of the Aerospace Fleet presents her report, primarily concerning the replenishment of lost personnel.

"Currently, as Major Floris has explained, we anticipate a fifteen-month period for specialized education and training of replacement personnel. This estimate includes the training duration for bio-noids reaching adulthood within the next twelve months. Given that Agirakana’s surrounding space is hyperspace—rendering actual ship maneuvering impossible—training is predominantly conducted via simulator. Consequently, after jump-out, intensive real-space maneuvering drills will be required, even for veterans.

Pilots assigned to the newly constructed assault landing ships of the ground forces have already completed their training within Agirakana and are fully ready for deployment at any time."

As for the replacement vessel for the light cruiser LC-0001-Hourinca, which was sunk in the previous operation, we plan to assign the light cruiser LC-0002, flagship of the Second Torpedo Squadron. The captain and crew of LC-0002 likewise hope to receive a name from Your Excellency, just as Hourinca did. The First Torpedo Squadron, which Hourinca formerly commanded, has been disbanded. Its destroyers will be reassigned to the newly formed torpedo squadron as core vessels. The former Second Squadron will be promoted to the First Squadron, with subsequent promotions following in order.

Well. Trouble. Now we must think of a name for LC-0002. Perhaps Hourinca 2, as a tribute—but what to do, really?

"Furthermore, in light of the fact that the Inspire—the vessel boasting the strongest defense among the Aerospace Fleet’s combat ships—was severely damaged in this engagement, we are planning the construction of an S6-class hull combat vessel to serve as your Excellency’s flagship and fleet command flagship."

"Does 'S6-class' mean this will be the first battleship in naming convention?"

"Yes. The lead ship of the S6-class battleship will be BC-0001. We would also like to request your Excellency to assign a name to this individual vessel."

Oh, that too.

"Your Excellency, the S6-class hull plant is currently under construction, so the completion of BC-0001 will be some time off. Additionally, personnel reassignment—including for the flagship’s command staff—will need to be coordinated. Therefore, the new battleship’s commissioning will not occur sooner than fifteen months after the crew complement of the other vessels has been fully established."

Additional clarification came from Major General Floris of the Logistics Corps. Given that no major operation is imminent, this matter should present no issue.

And then, Major General Eris of the Ground Combat Force.

"Except for the reinforced battalion assigned to the assault landing ship Blazer, which remains stationed on Earth, all three battalions are fully equipped and ready for combat deployment. Two battalions are currently undergoing training, with completion expected in six months and twelve months, respectively. Unlike the Aerospace Force, the Ground Combat Force can train across various terrains and conditions within the Agirakana outer layers, ensuring no degradation in combat readiness and smooth integration of new recruits. Over the past decade, simulated urban suppression exercises—combined with virtual reality, based on Earth’s major cities—have been concluded. After returning from the Sol system, deployment would require only three days."

No, no—please, don’t go anywhere at all.

Finally, as always, Major Dora of the Survey Division. The exterior of Agirakana, while traversing hyperspace, lies in an observationally inaccessible region—so inaccessible, in fact, that from our vantage within the four-dimensional spacetime continuum, it might as well be nothing at all. Consequently, the Survey Division aboard Agirakana, lacking any observable targets, dedicates itself almost entirely to research and development, enhancing experimental and analytical infrastructure in pursuit of new technologies.

That said, perhaps renaming the Survey Division to Survey and Research Development Division would make its purpose clearer. Still, considering how, in my previous company, departments with excessively long names or incomprehensible alphanumeric titles always seemed more ceremonial than functional, I suppose keeping it simply as the Survey Division might be for the best.

[Supplementary Explanation]

S-Class Hull

Spherical. Primarily used for combat vessels.

S1 Diameter: 360 meters — Large Destroyer, no vessels assigned

S2 Diameter: 720 meters — Light Cruiser

S3 Diameter: 1,080 meters — Survey Vessel

S4 Diameter: 1,440 meters — Heavy Cruiser

S5 Diameter: 1,800 meters — Special-Class Heavy Cruiser

S6 Diameter: 2,160 meters — Battleship