Mob No. 88: “Therefore, we will annihilate you, the cause of this.”
The sudden skirmish had come to an end, and all friendly forces temporarily retreated to the colony to rest.
However, it wasn’t exactly a leisurely break. Once resupplied, everyone returned to their ships to stand by.
It was only natural to remain vigilant, as enemy reinforcements or ambushes could appear at any moment.
The rebel forces had likely retreated to the orbit of Planet Gatohaga and were taking a similar breather.
I used this time to study the star map I had bought from Gonzalez, activating the newly installed radar to compare the map with the actual terrain.
According to the map, the space around Planet Gatohaga was dotted with fortress colonies, likely due to its proximity to the border. It even detailed the locations of abandoned colonies awaiting dismantling and the remains of large spacecraft.
As I marveled at the map’s precision, I noticed an anomaly in an area marked as empty.
Upon closer inspection, there was a satellite-like mobile fortress about 1.8 billion kilometers from Planet Gatohaga, unmarked on the map.
Since it wasn’t on Gonzalez’s map either, it was likely a secret government or military project. Given that the 7th Fleet had been patrolling the area up until the recent conflict, it was probably a military asset.
I doubted Major General Earlyhenge would overlook such a thing, so I decided not to worry about it. Still, I set up an alert in case something happened in that direction.
Six hours after the rest period began, the order to advance and resume combat was issued.
The rebel forces had already left Planet Gatohaga’s orbit and were preparing to intercept us.
The two armies faced each other again, slowly closing the distance.
At that moment, a communication from the Empress’s flagship was broadcast to all friendly ships.
“Officers and soldiers, you’ve done well in the recent skirmish. Our casualties were minimal, which is fortunate. But the real battle is just beginning. I pray for your valor. Thankfully, General Breskin, the Supreme Commander, has granted me the honor of issuing the first command. Issuing this command means I will bear the undeniable fact of having taken action against my own people. However, we cannot let those who have committed atrocities against the innocent go unpunished!”
The Empress’s expression was both stern and beautiful.
As the distance between us and the rebel forces closed to combat range, the Empress gave the order:
“All forces, prepare to fire. Target the enemy forces ahead. …Fire!”
A rain of beams poured down on the rebel forces.
Of course, they were prepared, deploying barriers, evading, and counterattacking as they closed the distance.
From here on, it was clear that the battlefield would become familiar to me.
I moved with my allies near the rear, gradually lowering my ship’s nose to descend below the enemy formation. Once our forces obscured their view, I increased speed to leave the combat zone.
Even if I were to do something like that, the radar would immediately give away my position. However, when you’re focused on combat, your field of vision inevitably narrows. Especially the area below your own craft tends to be overlooked. I plan to exploit this weakness with a tactic I’m about to execute.
Originally, this is a method used in planetary aerial combat, and it’s quite unconventional. But I’ve adapted it for space combat in my own way.
The tactic involves moving towards the underside of the enemy formation, maintaining some distance, and then launching an attack from below.
While attacking, I spiral upwards, aiming to cover as much area as possible.
This tactic targets the underbelly of the enemies above, so I’ve named it the [“Anti-Aircraft Surprise Attack”] after planetary anti-aircraft weapons.
If the surprise attack is successful, I immediately leave the combat zone, create some distance, then turn around to finish off the targets.
This tactic has an advantage when used in group battles.
A successful surprise attack can provoke some enemies to chase after me in anger. This momentarily exposes them to my allies, increasing their chances of being shot down.
While this tactic can’t be used repeatedly on the same unit, it’s effective for disrupting enemy formations.
However, this [“Anti-Aircraft Surprise Attack”] might be recognized by those who know of it, but to most, it just looks like I’m fleeing, which can lead to accusations of cowardice and even friendly fire.
Therefore, the key to not getting caught is to execute it just before or during a chaotic battle.
Fortunately, this time I wasn’t reprimanded by my allies.
Luckily, I managed to get below the enemy formation, spiraled upwards, shot down three crafts, and the enraged enemies were then taken out by my allies.
It was a great start with significant results, but the battle has only just begun.
To survive, no matter how pitiful or cowardly it may seem, I must use every trick in the book.
After all, no matter what they say, it’s game over if you die.
☆ ☆ ☆
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Side: Fialka-Tiursad
About three hours had passed since the rebels opened fire.
I had somehow survived.
Being summoned as part of the Empress’s guard was an honor, but there was one thing that bothered me:
Why did the soldiers keep hitting on us, even during standby?
It started before the first battle and continued relentlessly, with the same disrespectful advances directed at me and the other female mercenaries.
They would boast about their status, explain how much of an honor it would be to become their woman,
and then demand that we guard them in battle—clearly intending to use us as meat shields.
“Surviving this would be a bonus,” I thought sarcastically.
Just as I was getting fed up, a beam shot from the enemy side.
By sheer coincidence, it was heading straight for the Empress’s flagship.
“This is bad!” Everyone thought it, but no one reacted in time.
However, in the next moment, “Feather Helmet” deployed a barrier and intercepted the attack.
Thinking calmly, the Empress’s ship should have had its barrier up the moment the beam was fired.
Still, “Feather Helmet” had reacted faster than anyone else and moved into position to act as a shield. Their skill was nothing short of divine.
With the enemy attacking, it was time to retaliate.
However, some of our forces remained idle. As the Empress’s guards, not everyone could advance, but these individuals showed no sense of urgency.
They were combat pilots from the 2nd Fleet—the same ones who had been hitting on the female mercenaries.
While the mercenaries under the 1st Fleet’s command began fighting,
the 2nd Fleet pilots continued their advances, undeterred by the battle. I cut off their communications with a curt,
“We’re in combat,”
and asked Sherry to relay only necessary messages to me.
“Understood. Be careful,” Sherry replied.
From then on, I could focus on the battle without distractions.
Sherry later reported the issue to the 2nd Fleet, but when they didn’t stop, she escalated it to the 1st Fleet, which finally put an end to it.
Did some in the 2nd Fleet think this war was just an exercise?
If so, I hoped they’d learn otherwise soon.
☆ ☆ ☆
Side: Third-Person Perspective
The rebel forces—or, as they called themselves, the Revolutionary Army—were in high spirits as they approached the capital planet, Hein. A speech was being delivered by Reviltos Barlenton, the representative of their detachment.
“Gentlemen! As the rightful and historic nobles of the Galactic Empire, we must deliver divine punishment to the current Empress, who has disrespected the nobility and favored the resource class! We will reclaim the throne for its rightful heirs—the true nobility!”
Reviltos Barlenton was clearly elated.
Despite his modest and unremarkable territory, this revolution promised him a promotion and central lands if it succeeded.
More importantly, he was absolutely certain of its success.
“And above all, we have a powerful ally!”
As he spoke, a hologram was projected.
The figure was Altischult-Bingil O’Vorls, the Duke and uncle of the previous Emperpr, as well as the great-uncle of the current one.
“Gentlemen, thank you for gathering. I understand that you are dissatisfied with the current Empress, my niece’s daughter, Amelia Flannodore O’Vorls, and are concerned about the state of the Empire. I welcome you.”
The Duke’s words roused the nobles, including Barrenton, to cheers.
He continued:
“Imperial and colonial citizens are meant to work diligently, respect their betters, and gladly offer their wealth as tribute. Yet, this is no longer the case. I believe this is solely due to the Empress’s repeated failures. And I have no hesitation in eliminating the cause—and what it has wrought.”
As the Duke raised his hand, six central fleet suppression units—numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10—appeared behind the revolutionary fleet.
The nobles erupted in cheers.
With the Duke’s support and such a formidable force, the revolution was surely a success.
However, the Duke’s next words froze their jubilation in an instant.
“Therefore, we will annihilate you, the cause of this.”
At that moment, danger alarms blared across every ship in the revolutionary fleet.
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