# Mark’s First Battle
The supply ship escort squadron that Mark and his comrades belong to is used for training new officers as well as high-ranking military personnel.
In order to nurture future elites, some officers with purposes other than education and all non-commissioned officers are thoroughly experienced and undeniably elite personnel who board the ships to assist the officers being educated, ensuring there are no mistakes.
Yes, veterans who have worked their way up are assigned to positions directly below those being educated.
Although Nao’s classmates are divided between the First Fleet and Second Fleet, they all are assigned to this squadron at least once to receive training.
Upon graduating from the elite officer training school, they are immediately assigned to this squadron and put in charge of a platoon.
Naturally, the subordinates assigned under them are carefully selected non-commissioned officers from throughout the entire military, who educate them thoroughly and kindly, allowing them to gain experience.
The period of assignment to this squadron varies from person to person.
The assignment here also serves the purpose of letting them experience practical work and measuring their capabilities.
Some people show their talents immediately, so it wouldn’t do to keep such talent idle with unnecessary education.
Also, by custom, those with higher grades upon graduation from officer school are quickly moved to other assignments.
The graduates who rank in the top ten, called the “Imperial Gifted Group,” move on to their respective courses to gain experience after leaving this escort squadron.
Being called the Imperial Gifted Group, they are assigned to their desired courses early on, so their training period here is shorter than that of others.
From the supply ship escort squadron that rushed to respond to Her Highness’s request this time, the Imperial Gifted Group had just left this squadron right before the call for reinforcements came.
Mark and the other elite officer training school graduates who were not part of the Imperial Gifted Group were scheduled to be gradually transferred to their respective assignment destinations based on high evaluations of their qualities and attitudes within the squadron.
Mark, a friend and classmate of Nao’s, was still training here.
Just as the senior officers left the ship right before Her Highness’s request to head to their new assignments, Her Highness’s call for reinforcements came while waiting for the next warrant officers’ assignments, and Mark participated in this colony suppression operation leading his subordinates.
Mark happened to be aboard the space frigate [Chika], which was the first to arrive at the scene, where he held the position of platoon leader for the security forces.
He was caught up in this incident while conducting command training for the security forces.
At Her Highness’s request, they rushed from Nihonium to Her Highness’s location at Rhenium.
The squadron flagship [Karagua] and the second ship [Maidon] plus one other vessel were to escort Her Highness’s cruiser to the scene, while the fourth ship [Chika] was to hurry to assist the space destroyer [Shunmin] at Her Highness’s request.
When [Chika] came within radar range of [Shunmin], [Chika]’s captain asked [Shunmin] for assistance instructions.
Since [Shunmin] had already seen prospects for dealing with two enemy space destroyers, they requested help with the original objective of suppressing the space colony.
Originally, Nao and the others had judged that suppressing a space colony of that scale would be impossible.
Even though it was small, it was a facility where several hundred people could live.
They didn’t think everyone would be combatants, but still, if attacked, anyone would fight back.
So as the Interstellar Criminal Police Organization, they had intended to ask the military for help from the beginning.
The military understood this to some extent from Her Highness’s explanation.
They had rushed one ship because they received word that [Shunmin] had entered combat first, but once they learned this wasn’t necessary, they would move to suppress the space colony.
Naturally, the military wasn’t thinking of suppression with just one ship’s forces either.
However, since combat had already begun near the colony, [Chika]’s captain judged it necessary to establish at least a bridgehead before the colony side could prepare their defenses.
The space frigate [Chika]’s captain gave his subordinates the order to assault without hesitation.
[Chika] had the regulation marine platoon aboard with assault landing craft for boarding actions.
First, he ordered them to use those landing craft to suppress the space colony’s port.
*** *** *** ***
Following the first assault team of veteran marines, orders were also given to the crew members aboard [Chika].
“Warrant Officer Mark. The executive officer is calling for you.”
“Yes, sir.”
Mark immediately went to the executive officer on the bridge.
“Warrant Officer Mark. I want your unit to join the assault team.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll command the operation on site. Besides, we’re assigning the marines to the most dangerous spearhead unit. Once the marines set up barricades, I want you to follow right behind them with me. Our objective is to establish our bridgehead in the colony’s port.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll prepare immediately.”
“As soon as you’re ready, board the landing craft. I’ll head over right away too.”
In the rear hangar, thirty fully armed marines and ten security platoon members under Mark’s command were on standby.
They were lined up behind the marines waiting when the captain arrived with the executive officer.
“Brave soldiers. This will be a dangerous mission, but I have never once doubted that you will properly do your jobs. I believe that everyone will complete their mission and return this time as well.”
After the captain’s words of encouragement, the executive officer continued.
“You heard the captain’s words. We will carry out our mission without losing a single person. Our mission is to establish a bridgehead inside the colony’s port. Three hours will do. At worst, reinforcements will arrive in three hours. We will defend the port until those reinforcements arrive.”
When the executive officer finished speaking, the marine platoon leader loudly called for a salute.
“Captain, we’re heading out. Everyone, salute!”
“I pray for your military fortune.”
When the captain returned the salute, at the executive officer’s command, everyone boarded the landing craft.
Inside the landing craft, Mark was trembling slightly.
And with good reason.
For Mark, he was participating in actual combat earlier than any of Nao’s classmates.
Nao’s first battle was just abnormal, but Mark’s first battle here had also come at an unbelievably early stage under normal circumstances.
In most cases, the first battle for someone who rose from officer candidate would be something simple like just somehow following behind veteran seniors to a combat zone, but this time, contrary to past customs, he was made to participate in an important and dangerous operation.
If he had been raised in a military family, he would have heard various things from the adults around him since childhood and developed something like resolve, but Mark was different.
Moreover, he wasn’t a suicide volunteer like Nao either.
It wouldn’t be strange for him to fear his own death.
Especially when he was in a position where he was entrusted with his subordinates’ lives.
However, there was a calculation behind the executive officer’s decision to use a first-battle officer in such an important operation.
As mentioned before, most of the regular soldiers in this escort squadron were veterans.
In operations like this where hand-to-hand combat was possible, non-commissioned officers near retirement were difficult to use.
Even pre-retirement non-commissioned officers wouldn’t easily fall behind the enemy due to their experience, but if they could choose, it was human nature to want to use elite troops in their prime.
By chance, the non-commissioned officer assisting Mark was an experienced woman in her thirties.
When it came to rough work, the executive officer trusted her most on this ship.
He believed that she, that the platoon she led, would properly assist the new Warrant Officer Mark and make the operation successful.
Yes, one of Mark’s worries was also his subordinates’ lives, but those around him thought this was Mark’s needless anxiety.
Conversely, it was inevitable that there was some sympathy for the non-commissioned officer who was also tasked with Mark’s safety.
In that sense, it could be said that Mark’s first battle was conducted in the most blessed environment possible.
“Executive Officer. Approaching for docking.”
The marine operating the landing craft reported to the executive officer.
Everyone listening to that report heightened their tension.
“Prepare for impact.”
The executive officer gave the obvious but necessary warning.
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[GONG~~~ GOGOGO]
“Docking confirmed.”
“Prepare for assault.”
“Hatch forced open successfully.”
“Marines, assault!”
When the assault landing craft carrying the soldiers the executive officer had brought docked with the colony’s port, they immediately forced open a nearby hatch to secure an entry point.
As soon as they confirmed the hatch was open, they sent in the marines.
A firefight seemed to begin before all the marines had entered, as slight vibrations could be felt.
Due to forcibly prying open the hatch, air was still leaking out even after all the marines had entered.
Light objects like paper were being carried along with that air, obscuring vision and creating somewhat dangerous conditions.
“Watch out for visibility. We’ll assault after carefully watching our surroundings. Warrant Officer Mark. Lead your unit and follow me.”
“Understood, Executive Officer.”
“Warrant Officer, it’s fine. The marines who went in first have taken care of most of it. Stay calm and follow the executive officer.”
The female non-commissioned officer who was Mark’s adjutant called out to Mark.
Mark, having come this far, also steeled himself.
“I’m fine. Let’s go without falling behind.”
“Follow the platoon leader and assault!”
At her command, Mark’s platoon also entered.
The marines were already in combat inside.
Mark’s group, who entered afterward, built barricades one after another according to the predetermined plan.
A back-and-forth battle continued for a while, but suddenly the executive officer called for Mark.
“Warrant Officer Mark. Come here immediately.”
Called by name, Mark immediately headed to the executive officer.
“At this rate we’ll be slowly worn down. Warrant Officer, lead your unit and suppress the port’s control room. You should be able to get there by going up those stairs.”
“That room?”
“Yes, that room visible from here. As you can see, there’s no place to hide on the stairs on the way there. The only way to protect yourself is to run through. We’ll provide cover, but I want you to make your decision understanding that.”
“……”
“Ah, but success of the operation will be difficult at this rate. I’d go if I could. Unfortunately, I don’t have the stamina to run all the way there.”
“Understood. Please let me do it.”
Mark conveyed the executive officer’s order to his subordinates.
Tension ran across everyone’s faces.
But not one of them said anything that sounded dissatisfied, and they immediately showed smiles and answered Mark.
“Platoon Leader. Your expression has changed.”
“Ah, has it?”
“But you look many times cooler now.”
“Don’t tease me. To be honest, I’m still scared. But I became a soldier. There are things I have to protect. Besides, there should be nothing that Nao, my classmate, can do that I can’t. Now then, we can’t keep the executive officer waiting.”
“Everyone, ready? Now run~~!”
Mark’s group all ran toward the stairs at once.
Up to this point there were obstacles, so they wouldn’t be easily attacked, but climbing the stairs from here would be the most dangerous part.
However, with Mark in the lead, everyone formed a group, ran up the stairs, kicked down the door, and rushed into the control room.
There were some pirates inside, but they weren’t suited for rough work.
They were immediately suppressed by Mark’s group, who occupied the control room.
“Executive Officer, we’ve occupied the control room.”
“Well done, Warrant Officer Mark. On my signal, open all the hatches at once.”
The place where they were currently fighting had air temporarily leaking due to forcibly prying open the hatch, but emergency systems immediately activated, and now there was enough air to breathe.
They intended to destroy that environment.
At the executive officer’s signal, they opened all five hatches at once.
This measure quickly settled the battle at this location.
Many of the pirates weren’t equipped with gear suitable for space.
Naturally, not one of Mark’s boarding party lacked such equipment.
When the hatches opened, the pirates all fell into panic at once.
Taking advantage of that opportunity, they systematically eliminated the pirates.
Less than an hour after Mark’s group occupied the control room, the occupation of the port was complete.
Including this control room, they had to defend the port for at most two more hours.
Without time to rest, the advance team used whatever was around to build barricades to defend the secured bridgehead.
For a while after this area was cleared, pirates came sporadically to try to retake this location, but once they realized our defenses were solid, that stopped too.
Two hours after the assault, the main force arrived.
Three space frigates along with Her Highness’s cruiser entered the port, and soldiers poured down using connecting tubes.
A temporary headquarters was established in the control room that Mark had been defending, and the full-scale suppression of the space colony began.
Mark’s job was basically to defend this place, and without joining the colony suppression force, he took turns resting while on guard duty at this location, which marked the end of what could be called Mark’s first battle.
After a while, an announcement of suppression completion was broadcast throughout the space colony.
The occupation of the central control room that controlled the entire space colony was also complete, and they were heading out to hunt down remnants.
After that, Mark was given another important job.
The executive officer assigned him the task of escorting Her Highness, who was waiting in the cruiser, to the central control room.
This was the first time Mark would have direct contact with Her Highness.
Mark’s subordinates also seemed unsuited for this type of work, and while everyone was tense, Her Highness came down from the tube connected to the cruiser, accompanied by security personnel, royal guards, and investigators.
“I am Warrant Officer Mark Casbell of the First Fleet Supply Ship Escort Squadron. I have been assigned the task of guiding Her Highness to the central control room.”
“Thank you for your service, Warrant Officer Mark. Please, I’ll leave it to you.”
Mark, who hadn’t expected to be addressed directly by Her Highness, was completely frozen by these words.
Though tense, Mark’s subordinates, who hadn’t been directly addressed, provided cover, and the situation was managed for the moment.
After that, he couldn’t open his mouth to say a single word as he escorted Her Highness and the others to the central control room as ordered, and his job was finished.
“You did well, Warrant Officer Mark. Now return to the port control room and continue your vigilance.”
Only when he heard these words from the executive officer was Mark finally released from his tension, and at this moment he understood that this assignment had been a reward for Mark’s courageous actions.
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