Battle with the Enemy Destroyer
“Well, the Kingdom has produced 30 ships, but this doesn’t include the ones exported. It could be like that captured space frigate earlier, which was seized after being exported.”
“No need to overthink it.”
“I get what you’re saying, Kasumi. But the Kingdom likely isn’t monitoring the exported ships. Either way, once reinforcements arrive, we’ll catch them, and we’ll find out the ship’s name. That should clear things up. So don’t stress about it for now.”
“Yes, that is, if we don’t blow them to bits like in the first battle.”
“Exactly. You heard that, Kate?”
“Huh? What was that?”
Kate’s clueless reaction made everyone on the bridge chuckle softly.
It seems like incidents often occur when everyone is a bit too relaxed like this.
Suddenly, we received an emergency transmission from one of our carrier-based planes.
It had been spotted and was under attack by enemy aircraft.
Karin-senpai quickly asked for permission to counterattack.
Prioritizing the lives of my crew,
I immediately gave the go-ahead and started planning with my sister Meyrica for our next steps.
I had completely overlooked something.
If it’s difficult for us to spot enemy aircraft, the same applies to them.
If they happened to spot us by chance, our current advantage would be lost.
Luckily for us, the enemy aircraft were clearly old models,
likely the type initially deployed on Bulldog-class space destroyers.
In contrast, our aircraft were the latest of the latest.
They hadn’t even been officially adopted yet, though for some reason,
their adoption had been delayed. But in terms of performance, the difference was night and day.
Shortly after, we received a report that three enemy aircraft had been shot down.
But there was no time to relax.
Naturally, the enemy destroyer that had lost its aircraft was now aware of our presence.
Soon after, Kasumi reported in.
“We’ve picked up enemy radar waves. We’ve been spotted.”
At this stage, we could still escape, but reinforcements were expected to arrive soon.
Letting the enemy destroyer get away wasn’t an option this time.
As Kasumi had said earlier, we had to investigate the history of the enemy’s space destroyer.
Incidentally, the [Shunmin], before its modifications, was named [Hound Dog], a ship that had been recorded as lost 13 years ago during a battle. We assumed it had been captured by the enemy after being immobilized during combat with the enemy nation.
“We’re about to engage the enemy destroyer. Communications officer, send a radio message to Her Highness. Inform her of our current position and urge her to expedite the reinforcements.”
“Captain, I’m ordering the aircraft to engage the enemy destroyer.”
“Captain, let us assist as well.”
Ice, the commander of the mobile unit, spoke up.
Facing two destroyers was a tall order, even for us. W
hile there are ways to completely destroy them, we would still have to consider the damage we might take in the process.
Though the plan was risky, I shared an idea with Ice.
We would use the speed of the [Shunmin] to separate the two enemy ships, then use our aircraft to assault the one further away.
The enemy crew likely numbered around 130.
Since they were in the middle of combat, the number of people who could respond to a boarding attack would be limited.
At least half of the crew would be occupied with operating and fighting the ship, so Ice and his team would face no more than 60 people in battle.
I asked him if they were willing to attempt a boarding operation.
“Captain, let us do it!”
“Understood. Your target is the power unit. Secure the engine room and shut down their power as soon as possible.”
“Got it. The mobile unit is preparing for action. The assault boat will follow the carrier crew’s lead.”
“Second Lieutenant Karin, you’re in charge of the assault boat.”
“Understood. Commander Ice, I’ll immediately instruct the mobile unit to board the assault boat.”
“First officer, prepare for combat. Once the assault boat is launched, we’ll pull back. Make a flashy exit.”
“Captain, I’ve received word from Captain Ford. They’ll arrive in six hours.”
“Six hours, huh? Well, it’s better than the worst-case scenario. Either way, we have no choice but to proceed with the plan. Once we’re ready for battle, we’ll begin the engagement.”
…
“Battle readiness confirmed in fourteen minutes.”
“The assault boat has launched.”
“First officer, it’s up to you now. Make it flashy.”
“[Shunmin], launching. Speed: 12 units. Skimming 0.2 points ahead of the enemy destroyer, passing to the right. Repositioning to face the enemy and initiating the attack.”
“Roger that.”
“First officer, fire the pulsar cannon as we pass the enemy.”
“What? Even against a destroyer, that won’t be very effective…”
“But it’ll definitely piss them off.”
“Weapons officer, you heard him. Fire the right pulsar cannon.”
“Understood.”
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It took some time before the real battle began.
The distance between us and the enemy was significant. From the moment we gave the order to fire the pulsar cannon, an hour had passed since the initial command.
Reinforcements were still five hours away.
If things continued at this pace, the battle would be over by the time reinforcements arrived.
We could have the military launch a full assault on the enemy’s small space colony, which they were likely using as a base.
“We’ve detected enemy destroyer fire. The estimated course doesn’t hit us.”
“Good. Stay on course.”
“We’re about to enter pulsar cannon range.”
“As soon as we’re in range, fire at your discretion.”
Kate gave calm and clear orders.
She had grown so much since the first battle.
If everything went smoothly, the enemy would fall right into our trap.
“Our aircraft are preparing to attack the destroyer on the left.”
“Begin the attack, focusing on the main guns.”
Karin-senpai was expertly handling the aircraft.
Our goal wasn’t to sink the enemy ships this time.
Normally, using space torpedoes against a destroyer would be overkill, but Karin-senpai deliberately ordered the aircraft to fire their torpedoes,
just skimming past the enemy ship, keeping their movements in check.
In that precise moment, the assault boat approached the rear hatch, and we received word that the boarding operation had succeeded.
Now, we could only hope for the success of the mobile unit.
Meanwhile, we turned the [Shunmin] to face the enemy ship and fired the main guns.
A few volleys successfully neutralized their main guns.
The enemy tried to flee, but we held them in check with our guns and issued a surrender demand.
We soon received a response.
“Stop! You idiots! Do you even realize we’re part of the Sicilian Family? Don’t think you’ll get away with attacking us!”
“Sorry, but we’re government employees. We don’t bow to threats. It’s just part of the job.”
“The military or the police, huh? Either way, the Sicilian Family has powerful allies. Don’t think you’ll get away with this!”
Great, now things were getting complicated.
The military reinforcements wouldn’t attack us, but we should stay on guard just in case.
Ignoring their threats, we repeated our demand for surrender.
It seemed they had given up and would follow our instructions.
Apparently, they had high hopes for their powerful allies, but we’d see if those allies would actually come to their rescue.
The first officer swiftly handled the situation.
Kasumi confirmed that the enemy ship was indeed from the Kingdom, so we requested the fleet command authority code from them.
This code would allow the fleet commander to remotely control any ship in their fleet.
The pirates, unaware that such a system existed, had trouble finding the necessary code, but Kasumi carefully explained, and they finally retrieved it from the emergency box by the captain’s seat and sent it over.
With the command code in hand, Kasumi used the [Shunmin]’s systems to take remote control of the enemy space destroyer.
The first thing she did was seize command of the ship,
locking them out and securing complete control. Then, she asked for my next orders.
“Turn off their artificial gravity. We’ll leave life support running, but without gravity, it’ll be harder for them to move around.”
“Understood.”
As soon as Kasumi cut the gravity, the enemy began cursing us over the radio.
It was annoying, so I considered cutting the communication, but I decided to threaten them instead.
“Shut up, or I’ll cut off your air next.”
My threat worked immediately, and they fell silent.
Kaori, who had been handling communications, reported in.
“Captain, the military reinforcements are approaching.”
Two hours earlier than expected.
“Did they say anything?”
“No, they’re awaiting instructions from us.”
“Request that they assault the enemy base. There’s no way we can handle something that big.”
“They’ve acknowledged the request.”
“Captain.”
This time, it was Karin-senpai.
“What is it?”
“We’ve received a message from Captain Ice. They’ve secured the engine room and are initiating an emergency shutdown. Awaiting further instructions.”
“Let’s go support them now that we’re done here. First officer, issue a surrender demand to the other ship.”
“Captain.”
Things were getting busy.
The battle was practically over, but for some reason, everything was becoming more hectic as it ended.
“A message from Her Highness. Expected arrival in three hours. Currently rushing there under escort of three warships. One warship has been sent ahead, and they’re asking you to take command of it.”
The radio message from Her Highness was out of order because the reinforcements arrived earlier than Her Highness’s instructions, but it seems the matter of command has been settled with the military.
However, what does it mean for a mere lieutenant to command officers who are at least colonels?
It’s impossible, isn’t it?
Well, I suppose in this situation, I’ll be treated as Her Highness’s proxy, but my stomach can’t handle it.
Honestly, I’m glad we don’t have to face the enemy together.
Let’s leave all their strongholds to the military.
Her Highness will arrive in three hours… wait, Her Highness is coming here???
Isn’t that strange?
It’s unthinkable for Her Highness to come to such a dangerous place.
“Captain.”
Executive Officer Meyrica’s call brought me back to reality.
Let’s focus on the job at hand.
“They’ve accepted our surrender terms.”
“Bring Shunmin alongside and take Maria to the engine room. We need to restart the emergency-stopped engine.”
“Huh? Is it safe to start it?”
“Kasumi, that ship is under our control now, right?”
“Yes, the process was completed earlier.”
“Then it’s the same. They clearly outnumber us. We have no choice but to turn the entire ship into a detention center without thinking too much. We’ll wait for the military or Her Highness to decide what to do next.”
“Understood. Once the engine is operational, I’ll have the tactical team withdraw and cut the gravity.”
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Wondering if the ship that went ahead might try something but never know