Chapter 25: Those Who Fulfill Their Roles
The reconnaissance squad had already begun withdrawing from the space sector.
When the observation drone showed anomalies, it was crystal clear that enemies were present with near certainty. There was no reason to linger in such a location. To begin with, they had a formation of five craft, with one being unarmed. No matter how maneuverable the fighters were, limited firepower rendered that advantage meaningless. Besides, they still didn't know the enemy's composition.
"Mr. Delan. Please tell Mr. Albero to fire all the space torpedoes we have equipped at the sector where the third drone is located. I'd like to create impacts across as wide an area as possible, so please set them for timed detonation. The distance should be just slightly beyond the third drone - if we hit something, that's just a bonus."
"Ah, understood."
Stella had proposed a preemptive strike before withdrawal.
When this was relayed through Delan, Albero agreed to the attack but argued that firing now wouldn't inflict meaningful damage on the enemy.
"I'll fire the torpedoes. That's fine, but wouldn't it be better to confirm the enemy's position before firing?"
"No, Albero. We're not expecting damage from these torpedoes. That's right, Stella?"
Meanwhile, Delan had already grasped Stella's strategy.
"What do you mean, Delan? Don't tell me you're planning to smoke out the enemy numbers with the torpedo explosions?"
"While that's not entirely wrong, that's not it. The fact that they're jamming shows they fear our drones. Staying still is meaningless once they're observed. That's why jamming was their only option."
Observation drones were slow. Fragile. And despite being drones, they were large and much easier to detect than meteors while continuing observations with various active sensors.
"Listen, Albero. The enemy panicked. If these were unmanned craft, they could have just charged in recklessly like last time. Actually, that would have been bad for us. But this time is different. The enemy is flustered. As fighter pilots, you understand - panicked movements may look chaotic, but they reveal ingrained habits. They're manned vessels."
"So we've inadvertently caught the enemy by surprise?"
"Exactly."
While this exchange continued, Albero's team had already completed preparations to launch the torpedoes.
That wasn't all. The reconnaissance squad received tactical data and communications from Tiberius.
"This is Lillian from Tiberius. Navigation Officer Mirei has calculated the enemy's predicted positions. Please make use of this data."
"That's helpful. Alright, listen up everyone! Confirm the Navigation Officer's prediction data. Also check our position relative to Drone Three. We'll fire our torpedoes to this point just beyond the drone!"
The position Albero indicated was in front of Mirei's predicted location but behind the observation drone. This would create a wall of torpedo explosions. Of course, explosions in space dissipate instantly, but as the commanders stated, they weren't expecting damage from this attack.
Though the reason wasn't clear, they had to execute the orders given. At the very least, this strategy was devised by people smarter than themselves, and they couldn't offer better alternatives.
The four fighters discharged all their missiles and turned around with the radome craft, setting course for their mothership Tiberius.
"All units, ignite high boost."
At Delan's command, each craft engaged their high boost system for maximum acceleration. While not quite warp speed, it was equipment meant for covering long distances, with the drawbacks being inability to change direction, unusability in debris-dense sectors, and a mere five-second activation limit.
Though boasting incredible speeds of Mach 51 through super-acceleration, safety systems prevented further acceleration even in space for the sake of craft integrity.
"Now we'll see how the enemy takes the bait."
If the enemy numbered over a dozen ships, there would be no way to fight.
Delan muttered while watching the scenery created by the super-acceleration, hoping that wasn't the case.
"No, I think we'll be fine."
During the brief five seconds of super-acceleration rendezvous.
In that short time, Stella answered.
"I think there aren't many enemies."
"That's quite specific."
The acceleration was about to end.
"Because I..."
As their speed gradually decreased.
Stella spoke while observing the signal indicating the third observation drone's destruction, and reviewing the observation data it left in its final moments.
"I've seen that enemy before. Long ago, when I was little..."
The enemy numbered three vessels. Two were destroyer-types like those that attacked recently.
And the remaining one. The reaction suggested it was large, though not as large as Tiberius.
While there was no confirmed information, the remaining vessel appeared to be cruiser-class based on estimates.
They were formidable opponents with high maneuverability.
***
Warning alarms echoed throughout Tiberius. While most students probably never wanted to hear these sounds again, once they rang, there was no stopping the coming battle.
The students had to fight while suppressing their fear, nausea, urge to urinate, and all manner of negative emotions.
They understood that if they didn't, they would have no tomorrow.
The same was true on the bridge. Many began their second battle against trembling hands.
Vertol was no exception, unconsciously gripping the armrest of the captain's chair.
Only Lillian remained calm.
While not entirely devoid of fear, she wondered if her view of life and death had become warped. Combat situations made her heart race, made her feel alive. Yet she wasn't enough of a war fanatic to constantly seek battle.
(Things are going well, so I'm getting carried away. Let's leave it at that.)
Lillian laughed inwardly while self-deprecatingly acknowledging her bad habit.
Meanwhile, Tiberius received observation data from the reconnaissance squad. It displayed the approximate number and types of enemy vessels, relative distances, continued long-range observation from remaining functional observation drones, and confirmation that all reconnaissance squad units were safe and heading to the rendezvous point after completing high boost.
While sharing this information with the second and third bridges, Lillian turned to the captain's chair.
"Captain, reconnaissance squad report. I recommend we accelerate Tiberius as well to rendezvous. Additionally, I propose coordinating strategy with CIC. Your thoughts?"
Receiving the report, Vertol nodded.
"Let's hear it. Communications Officer Debonair, open a channel to CIC."
"Yes sir."
Ares, who managed CIC, appeared in a corner of the main monitor.
"This is Ares. What is it?"
"Ares, listen to my proposal."
Lillian continued speaking before waiting for a response.
"I want to temporarily hand main gun control over to you."
"Hey now!"
Though Cowen reacted, Lillian ignored him and continued.
"Did you confirm the enemy information?"
"Three vessels. A fast formation."
"But they formed a fleet. Ares, you're renowned for defense and mobility. Wouldn't you know what kind of defensive actions they'll take, what attacks they'll dislike?"
Perhaps taking it as a light provocation, Ares on screen showed a slightly annoyed expression, if only by a few millimeters.
"Real combat differs from simulations... but I'll show you what I can do."
"I'm counting on you. Keep communications open with Delan. As a combination, you two should know what to do, right?"
"Is that sarcasm from someone who defeated us?"
"It's an expression of expectation. If you can't handle it, either I or the captain will take command."
"Unnecessary. I somewhat understand what you're thinking. Cowen, can you hear me?"
Next, Ares looked toward Cowen.
"I'll leave the finishing blow to you."
Saying this, Ares maintained online status and began commanding main gun control.
"Request from reconnaissance squad leader Delan. Requesting torpedo squad launch."
Upon confirming Debonair's receipt of Delan's report, Vertol immediately issued orders.
"Launch all carrier craft. But hold position until strict orders are given. Do not attack. Timing is crucial for this operation."
The moment these orders were issued, tension aboard Tiberius reached its peak.
The remaining eleven carrier craft launched simultaneously from Tiberius. They split into formations of five and six craft, deploying left and right to their designated positions to wait.
Tiberius continued forward. In effect, this meant leaving the carrier craft formations behind.
(But this is fine. The carrier craft will use two seconds of high boost to wait at range. We'll recover the reconnaissance squad, exchange some fire, then withdraw... Now, how will you move, Horse Head Nebula Fleet?)
From the enemy's perspective, Tiberius's movements must appear incomprehensible.
Like actions lacking consistency, seemingly improvised.
"Long-range radar contact! Reconnaissance squad detected!"
"Begin recovery preparations. Once complete, inform Ares to commence attack."
"Understood. Relaying to CIC - commence attack upon reconnaissance squad recovery."
"Enemy predicted course calculations complete. Four patterns, displaying on sub-screen."
The bustle on the bridge wasn't necessarily bad movement.
Perhaps this was due to their previous combat experience. However, some never improve even after several real engagements. One of the previous world's Imperial Army's causes of defeat.
But now, no such fatal flaws could be found on this bridge.
(Everyone's so capable. And I wasted all of that in the past. What a harbinger of doom I was. This time, I hope things turn out differently.)