“Hurry up!”
Commands were shouted at the soldiers who had just awakened from cryosleep by alien non-commissioned officers and officers.
At the head of the line, needles were inserted into the necks of the disoriented soldiers.
The slow injection of a violet drug.
“Ughh…!”
As the undiluted, highly concentrated stimulant surged through their bodies, it forcibly woke their paralyzed bodies and thoughts. Unaccustomed sensations made the soldier shiver violently.
The once-blurry pupils regained color, and the senses came back to life.
“Uh… Chief, what is this…?”
“There’s no time to explain each thing. If you’ve regained your senses, change your clothes and head to your position!”
“Yes, understood!”
The soldiers of the Imperial Fleet dispersed rapidly to their respective positions under the urging of the officers and NCOs.
The first measures were taken for the highest priority spaceship crewmembers, followed by the same procedures applied to the weapon system operators.
The First Interstellar Navigation Fleet slowly awoke from its icy slumber.
“Admiral, the operational capability of the main ships, except for the aircraft carriers, has reached an effective combat level.”
Reports and data appeared on the screens of the command bridge, presenting a simple fact that proved Ligerda’s confidence was not misplaced.
It was the sheer number of ships under the fleet’s command.
The battleships alone, the premier class among spaceships alongside the aircraft carriers, numbered twenty, and the cruisers and escorts were double that amount.
Truly an overwhelming force.
“Hmm, where is the enemy fleet?”
“According to our observations, they are passing through the A4 star system and rapidly approaching us.”
Ligerda tilted her head slightly at Tumhan’s words.
“Do we have any update on the surviving forces of the Third Interstellar Navigation Fleet?”
“It has just been confirmed. Display it on the screen!”
“Yes!”
The screen showing the fleet changed, revealing the data sent directly the day before: the remaining forces of the Third Interstellar Navigation Fleet.
“Three aircraft carriers, seven battleships, fourteen cruisers, and adding the transport vessels and destroyers gives us around a hundred ships, is that correct?”
Ligerda memorized the information with perfect clarity in her mind and turned her head towards Tumhan.
“Is all this confirmed information?”
“Yes, Admiral. We verified this while resupplying the Third Fleet with transport ships. There might be slight discrepancies, but I believe there will be no significant difference.”
“Certainly, the enemy fleet was said to possess two aircraft carriers, five battleships, and twelve cruisers, wasn’t it? Combined with their destroyers and transport ships, that makes about thirty ships?”
“That’s correct, Admiral.”
After reconfirming, Ligerda nodded.
‘The approaching fleet has concentrated most of its effective firepower here. While the lack of escorts and transport ships is a bit unsettling, it’s not a major variable.’
Ligerda stretched her hand into the air.
With the information and reasoning completed, confidence shone in her eyes.
The confidence of certain victory.
“We will immediately reshape our formation. The fleet will form a diamond shape! Concentrate the battleships and cruisers at the front, and deploy the destroyers primarily on the sides and rear, though ensure that escort ships are spread in all directions to enhance defensive capabilities!”
“Admiral, should we place the aircraft carriers, the transport ships, and the orbital command center at the center of the fleet?”
“That will be the best choice. However, the transport ships, being exposed to enemy fire, should be placed behind the orbital command center and the aircraft carriers.”
“Understood, Admiral! Form a diamond strategy for the fleet! Battleships and cruisers will move forward towards the approaching enemy fleet! Destroyers and escorts will cover the sides and the rear!”
Wiiing— Wiiing—
Alarm sounds echoed through the cold vacuum of space.
Kuuuuh—
Blue flames spat from the engines of the massive ships.
The battleships of the First Interstellar Navigation Fleet, with their crude designs resembling enlarged weapons, surged to the forefront of the fleet.
[ Hurry! There’s no time! ]
Next to them, uniquely designed cruisers with more curved lines followed, and the scattered destroyers and escorts spread out into their designated areas.
The carriers and transport ships moved into the open space within the center of the fleet.
The formation solidified, and as every ship’s gun turrets aimed forward, the hidden fangs of the invaders revealed themselves.
…
“Commander, there is movement from the enemy fleet.”
“Of course, they recognized us. It’s not going to be easy.”
Freya spoke with a hint of disappointment.
“Can you tell what they’re doing? If possible, try to detect their forces.”
“I’ll do it!”
A brief silence followed, and the radar operator turned her head towards Freya.
“They seem to be reconfiguring their formation! I’ll project the detected responses of the enemy onto the screen.”
The radar display appeared on the screen.
The movements of the enemy fleet, previously spread out defenselessly in space, became clear.
Large red dots moved forward while smaller dots dispersed in all directions.
Freya’s gaze moved quickly.
She continued to observe the enemy fleet’s movements on the screen, estimating their strength based on the detected size of the ships.
‘Main warships at a minimum of forty… adding everything up gives over a hundred ships in total.’
Literally, a grand fleet.
While these thoughts crossed her mind, the First Interstellar Navigation Fleet quickly solidified their formation.
Confirming the enemy’s deployment, Freya spoke.
“A diamond formation.”
“That seems to be the case.”
“Hm.”
A brief pause.
While the expressions of the soldiers tightened in the presence of an overwhelming enemy force, for some reason, Freya’s lips gradually turned upwards.
‘From the enemy’s strength to their formation, everything aligns with what Edu predicted.’
The pre-battle conversation with Edu resurfaced in Freya’s mind.
“The power of the First Interstellar Navigation Fleet far exceeds ours.”
“By exactly how much?”
“Just battleships alone, twenty; cruisers and escorts, twice that amount. Plus there’s one orbiting command center directing the invasion.”
“Hmm…”
“And their ships aren’t like the ones from the Third Interstellar Navigation Fleet. They’re designed purely for fleet battles, so their specs are better than ours.”
“… Can we really win?”
With each piece of information about the enemy Freya listed, she asked somewhat bewilderedly.
But after hearing her question, Edu simply smiled as he usually did.
“We will win.”
A short but sure answer.
Edu’s subsequent words completely dispelled the unease that had begun to arise in Freya’s heart.
“It would never have started if it was a battle we couldn’t win. I’ll tell you the operation plan now.”
Huff.
Freya exhaled softly.
Was it because of Edu’s smile that the unease rising within her disappeared cleanly, leading her to speak?
“Don’t worry everyone. Everything is going according to our expectations.”
Confidence in Freya’s voice eased the tension on the soldiers’ faces.
“Everyone, keep your wits about you – let’s win and return!”
“Yes!”
“Launch all external missiles! Activate all armaments and maintain maximum output of the frontal barriers! We’re ramming right into them!”
“Yes, Commander Freya. Full-speed forward. Launch all externally mounted missiles and activate all weapons. Front barrier output set at maximum!”
The loud proclamation from the deputy commander.
Freya’s orders were relayed throughout all ships, as missile pods hastily attached to the vessels began spewing fire.
Missiles erupted like blooming flowers in a cross form.
Soon, golden energy walls appeared far away, and Freya’s voice rose strong and clear.
“Fire the main cannons!”
“Fire!”
Large beam cannons and rapid-fire heavy cannons discharged simultaneously from the cruisers.
With the thunderous roar of cannon fire, the long barrels of the battleships spat out high-power beams, raining down towards the First Fleet.
“Sir Admiral, these are their outdated weapons!”
“Intercept them!”
In response to Rigerda’s command, the First Interstellar Navigation Fleet unleashed a torrent of anti-aircraft fire.
Most of the incoming missile barrages were intercepted, and the few that breached through were blocked by barriers before they could reach the fleet.
Meanwhile, the initial bombardment struck the First Interstellar Navigation Fleet.
Boom, Kwaang!
Thick plumes of smoke billowed up.
But all attacks were blocked by the thick barriers surrounding the ships.
“Enemy attack impact! No damage!”
“Glory to the Empire! Fire!”
“Respond!”
Rigerda and Tumhan’s voices rose.
With their orders, all battleships and cruisers of the First Interstellar Navigation Fleet opened fire simultaneously.
Beam attacks and barrages of physical projectiles descended upon Freya’s fleet.
“Fire!”
Freya’s voice rose again, and her fleet responded, continuously hurling fire from their weapons.
Attacks crossing each other.
Barrages fired at each other hit both fleets, causing countless explosions.
Kung, Wuuuung—
Severe impacts penetrating even beyond the barriers.
“Hmm, they really are numerous. Any damage?”
“The barrier output has decreased somewhat, but it’s still more than enough to withstand!”
“Good, let’s keep it up! Fire continuously as soon as preparations are complete!”
Freya’s fiery determination sparked as she grinned savagely.
On the other hand, the captains of the First Interstellar Navigation Fleet’s battleships were slightly tense due to the firepower exceeding expectations.
“Ugh…! These must be ships from the Third Fleet; their firepower is strong in short bursts.”
A measured analysis.
“But their sustained firepower is weaker than ours! Keep bombarding them with nonstop artillery!”
Again, beams crossed in the air, and the sounds of cannons continued without pause.
Unending artillery fire hammering the barriers of both fleets.
However, Freya’s fleet, lacking the firepower due to insufficient strength, was gradually overpowered, and while the First Fleet’s bombardment was loud and imposing, it lacked substance.
Gazing upon this scene, Rigerda showed a slightly worried expression.
“The accuracy of the bombardment is dropping.”
“Perhaps because we didn’t undergo proper cryosleep awakening procedures…”
An understandable narrative.
Even if someone is given coffee right after waking up to clear their head, it’s impossible for them to immediately perform at their best.
Naturally, the combat effectiveness of the fleet that hastily woke up from cryosleep and relied on stimulants was significantly lower than usual.
“Hmm…”
While Rigerda understood Tumhan’s words, she couldn’t help but feel slightly anxious.
“You don’t need to worry too much, Admiral. How can the enemy overturn such an overwhelming power differential?”
“… That’s exactly why I’m uneasy.”
“Eh?”
“… ”
Rigerda lost herself in thought.
‘Though the awakening was rushed and the accuracy of the bombardment has dropped, our side still has the superior power. Why do they attack now?’
Meanwhile, the artillery continued to exchange.
Balls of fire from the explosions scattered everywhere.
The red light emitted from the beam cannons flickered across Rigerda’s face, creating shadows.
‘They must know they can’t win if this becomes a prolonged artillery battle… so why are they doing this?’
While Rigerda was lost in thought.
On the opponent’s side, Freya checked the time and nodded her head.
“Alright, this should be enough. All ships, retreat slowly!”
“All ships, retreat slowly!”
While continuing to bombard the First Interstellar Navigation Fleet, Freya’s fleet began their slow retreat.
“Admiral, the enemy fleet is retreating.”
“Hmm?”
Rigerda focused on the screen.
Indeed, as Tumhan said, the enemy fleet was retreating slowly by ejecting the attitude control thrusters at the front.
‘What now? Why retreat at this point?’
Deeper doubts arose from the continuing incomprehensible actions.
“Alright, launch missiles!”
“Launch missiles!”
The next moment, huge missiles launched from the rear of Freya’s fleet.
“Enemy, launching a large object! It appears to be an enlarged old-style weapon!”
The shout from the radar operator.
The screens of the warships captured the real-time movement of the large object launched by the enemy.
The cylindrical object with its end sharply tapered was a missile, an old weapon considered obsolete in the Empire.
But why was a feeling of foreboding creeping into Rigerda’s heart upon seeing it?
“All ships, cease fire, and prioritize intercepting this old weapon!”
“Sir Admiral…? Now, with the ongoing artillery battle against the enemy fleet—”
“No, this is their plan. Concentrate all fire and strike it down first!”
In response to the orders, the First Interstellar Navigation Fleet’s ships adjusted their bows or their main gun angles.
All aiming converged toward the missile streaking across space, and salvos fired from dozens of warships raced toward it.
Most missed their target and vanished into the void of space, but when one impact finally hit, that moment—
“Ughh!?”
“Eek!”
The sudden burst of light prompted everyone on the command bridge to raise their hands instinctively to shield their eyes.
Then a moment later, the shockwave, which seemed impossible for such a small, old weapon, unleashed an exceptionally massive and wide explosion.
Rigerda had seen this familiar sensation before.
“Nuclear weapon…!”
Was that their plan? To obliterate our fleet in one blow with a nuclear weapon?
‘Certainly, nuclear weapons are powerful. But…’
Her thoughts came to a halt as a smile crept onto Rigerda’s face.
She was confident that she had read through the enemy’s plans.
“Sir Admiral?”
“Their projectiles are armed with nuclear warheads! Prioritize striking them down as soon as they launch to neutralize them! If you manage that, they’ll be nothing more than an empty shell!”
“Understood! All ships, prioritize neutralizing the enemy’s projectiles!”
…
At the same time.
Jason hovered high in the sky with about ten destroyers.
After shuttles emerged and headed towards other destroyers from those with their hatches open, Edu extended his hand toward three floating destroyers.
“Summon humanoid units, Marionettes!”
Inside the vast arsenals filled with large black crates, the marionette army summoned into existence.
“Marionettes, head to the command bridge of the destroyers and steer them! Follow us!”
The marionettes moved in perfect coordination.
The three destroyers rejoined the fleet’s rear, and Edu turned to look at his friends.
“By now, the battle should be fully underway! Everyone, be prepared. Just follow my orders and it’ll be fine!”
His confident voice rang out confidently.
Pointing with his small finger to the sky above, gesturing towards space.
“Then, let’s go and win!”
