54. Advance Force

After the destruction of the Primary Core, in order to increase rapid response capability, the previous patrols conducted by the Blaze’s reconnaissance units at the outer edges of the Sol System were discontinued. Instead, multiple lightning squadrons were dispatched from Agirakana to take over the outer Sol System patrols.

Five days had passed since Maria had returned to the Embassy with him. The Great Alze Empire’s fleet still had not appeared in the Sol System.

“Back when I had the old sense of scale, 300 light-years felt like a considerable distance. Now, it’s just five and a half days’ travel. Quite close, really. That small fleet that jumped from the DT01 system—what exactly is its size?”

Four small vessels comparable to Agirakana destroyers, plus twelve additional smaller craft. Two medium-sized ships resembling transports. No vessels exceeding the size of our destroyers appear to be stationed at DT01, so those are likely the core warships of the Great Alze Empire.

A single torpedo squadron currently on patrol should suffice to dismantle a fleet of that scale—especially one lacking proper hull integrity—but launching an immediate, unprovoked assault on an entity that hasn’t yet demonstrated hostile intent… well, that’s a bit of a moral pickle.

Peaceful contact would be ideal, of course. But if the Great Alze Empire is anything like their name suggests—puffed-up self-importance wrapped in a grandiose title—then diplomacy might require a delicate touch.

Still, it depends on their objective. From Ain’s perspective, what do you suppose their goal might be?

"Considering they went to the trouble of traveling three hundred light-years, I’d say they’re not after resources—more likely seeking Earth-like planets. To add, at Earth’s current civilization level, there’s no way they could stand up to a small fleet from the Great Alze Empire without our intervention."

"We’ll have to wait and see how they move before deciding how to respond. Maria, what’s your take?"

"My guess is their ultimate goal is the colonization of Earth. But they’re probably aiming to build a hyperlane gate near Jupiter—where resources are easiest to access, and closest to the inner planets, just like us."

"I see. So that’s where our interests clash."

"Ain, does the Great Alze Empire have construction ships as advanced as our own work vessels?"

"A work vessel from Agirakana wouldn't take long to construct a small hyperlane gate, but the Great Alze Empire—technologically behind, as they are—would require a fair amount of time. Moreover, the small fleet expected this time won't include any work vessels."

"So we're to expect them to bring a work vessel separately, then?"

"Probably not coming alone. At the very least, a few escort vessels will accompany them."

"True enough. Though now that I think about it, should we have sent our own survey vessel over there instead?"

"No, the current survey drones are gathering sufficient data. Once we've dispatched one drone to each remaining star system comprising the Great Alze Empire, we'll have all we need."

"No need to pull the currently active survey vessel away and reposition it."

Maria, instruct Agirakana’s survey division to dispatch probes to each star system within the Great Alze Empire. Also—regarding the jump drive—while proximity to the sun seems problematic, is jumping from the outer planetary belt to another outer planetary belt feasible?

"No, it’s not the sun per se, but maintaining a distance of about five AU from existing celestial bodies ensures safety on both the jump side and the planetary side. As long as we don’t jump out near planets within five AU, there should be no issue."

"So if the Great Alze Empire’s fleet suddenly appears at Agirakana’s opposite outer rim, we can immediately dispatch our forces via jump drive, correct?"

"Fully feasible. Especially since the fleet expected to appear this time is likely to be small—sufficiently dealt with by a single torpedo squadron."

"Actually, I’d prefer not to destroy it."

“Then shall we deploy the First Fleet? All vessels are currently moored within Agirakana territory—deployment would take only an hour. Our reconnaissance drones’ stealth is effective against them, and once we locate their fleet, we can surround them in stealth mode and capture the entire force in one go.”

“What’s the current composition of the First Fleet?”

“The First Fleet includes three strike squadrons, four regular carriers, fifty supply carriers, nine torpedo squadrons, and four strike squadrons.”

“We’re not aiming to sink it, and deploying carriers would be excessive—leave the carriers out. Strike and torpedo squadrons will suffice. Still, it’s quite overkill, but it’ll serve as training. Since capture is likely, instruct the ground forces to increase personnel aboard the fleet.”

“Understood.”

Flagship Metresie, central command room of the Grand Alze Empire’s G013 System Advance Force, commanded by Admiral Marco.

『This vessel will return to normal space in five minutes.』

The automated voice echoed through the cabin. This was the second return to normal space, this time including training. Rumors claimed that failure would result in eternal drifting through hyperspace, or complete dissolution into nothingness—but no one truly knew. Still, everyone aboard, including myself, secretly wished to die without noticing, if death came at all. Navigation through hyperspace had now exceeded one hundred days; contact with sister ships was impossible, so the fleet’s status remained entirely unknown. Though dispatched at the Emperor’s explicit request, one might wonder if sending a frontline unit like ours had been necessary even after completing the survey mission. The sudden disappearance of the survey vessel, in particular, stirred an unpleasant premonition.

『Return to normal space: thirty seconds remaining. Twenty-eight, twenty-seven… three, two, one, zero. Transition successful.』

The automated voice announced what was already obvious—successful transition.

All external sensors aboard the vessel exhaled back to life, and the central command chamber erupted into noise.

『Fleet-wide, successfully returned to normal space.』

The first phase had been cleared. Next, contact with the indigenous intelligent life of the target third planet, while surveying the system.

Analysis of the radio signals streaming from the third planet—begun immediately upon re-entry into normal space—was proceeding smoothly. A surrender proposal in the local language would soon be ready. Apparently, the indigenous intelligent life of the third planet referred to their planet as Earth, and to themselves as Earthlings. It had also been confirmed that their physical form bore an astonishing resemblance to that of the Alzereans.

“Admiral, we’ve detected an inner-planet-type world at six astronomical units from the fleet. Not listed in the survey data provided by the Exploration Ministry’s survey vessel.”

A sense of dread deepened. The fleet lacked a survey vessel, so precise analysis was out of the question—but it might be wise to conduct a quick assessment of this celestial body with our available instruments.

"Optical observation suggests the target planet's surface is covered in an unknown metal."

"Admiral, the target planet's orbit nearly overlaps with that of the gas giant, Planet Seven—exactly the one we were told about!"

Reports poured in, one after another. Two planets of different masses sharing the same orbit? Could such a thing even exist? What, exactly, was this planet? Was it even a planet at all?

To avoid confusion, we’ve converted Alzé’s units to Earth-standard measurements.