Pirate Countermeasures Meeting

"The data storage devices you took from the pirate ships allowed us to

pinpoint the location of their main base. It's located in this sector. It's in

a spot opposite the Dauntless' location, past this system's parent star.

To be specific, it's in the outer edge of this system's asteroid belt, near

one of the hyper lane nodes leading to an unexplored star system."

Capt. Serena indicated a spot on the star system map displayed on the

holo-screen. I see. It's true that the Dauntless would find their location

difficult to detect because the system's parent star and the asteroid belt

were in the way. The location also made it fairly easy for the pirates to

catch the movements of the exploration ships returning from the

unexplored star system. I wasn't sure if their base was already located

there from the start or if they built it in consideration of the Dauntless'

position. In any case, it was a well-thought-out location.

"Our scouts have already sent us the detailed coordinates of the base

along with information about their equipment. It looks like they are

already preparing to make their escape. Hence, we need to hurry up

and subjugate them before they get away."

Rear Admiral Esreben's face was illuminated by the light of the holoscreen. Mm, he definitely looks the part of a handsome protagonist. I

suppose you can say that he's giving off the charisma of a general.

"I see. We can sortie any time, but what about the rest of the force?"

"The fighter squadron of the Dauntless can sortie at any time as well."

"Fortunately, our Independent Mobile Anti-pirate Fleet is just about

ready for sortie as well. We had to deal with some things after finishing

fleet maintenance and resupplying, but we're just about done with

them. Some of the mercenaries are already out hunting so we won't be

able to assemble the entire combined force, but we'll be fine if the

fighter squadron of the Dauntless participates in the operation."

When Capt. Serena commented about having to deal with some things,

she briefly glanced toward me. I'm sorry, okay? I really didn't do it on

purpose y'know?

"Then it looks like we need to launch as soon as possible and quickly

destroy them. Considering the scale of our combined forces, I think

we're fully capable of pushing all at once and crushing them with force.

But if we want to prevent them from escaping, we'll have to split up.

The Independent Anti-pirate Mobile Fleet will serve as the main force

and will be tasked with attacking them head-on from the outer edge of

the asteroid belt. Then, the mercenary ships and the Dauntless' fighter

squadron will spring an ambush from within the asteroid belt and hunt

them down. The support ships equipped with gravity jammers will

prevent them from retreating and keep them within the vicinity of the

asteroid belt."

After saying so, I operated the holo-screen and placed icons that

visually indicated my plan of attacking the pirate base from two

directions. It might be a bit dangerous to fight inside the asteroid belt if

the Dauntless fighter squadron wasn't trained in such operations, but

carrier-based fighters that were even smaller than small-class starships

were basically designed to handle fighting in such environments and

overwhelm enemies with numbers, so I think it'll be fine. It's a strategy

that makes good use of the advantages of our combined force.

"Just why are you aware of the existence of the GJ...? Come to think of

it, the number of your ships seems to have increased by one huh."

"So, they really provided your fleet with that equipment huh, Captain. It

looks like my guess was right on the money."

I said so and shrugged my shoulders. The use of the gravity jammer was

tailored to specific situations, so I told Elma that they might get

provided to Capt. Serena's fleet. After all, even if its use was limited to a

few specific situations, the star system garrisons and the Independent

Anti-pirate Mobile Fleet will surely find the gravity jammer extremely

handy. If the jammer was deployed just as pirates initiate their attack

on a civilian ship, it would be easier to catch or destroy them.

"We'll use Captain Hiro's plan as a reference. We'll iron out the details

ourselves."

"Aye, aye, sir. We'll get ready to sortie then."

"Please do so. Needless to say..."

"I know. I won't leak anything until the operation starts. I'm aware of

that much, at least. Make sure to keep it to yourselves as well, you two."

"Of course."

"Yes, My Lord."

I turned my gaze toward Elma and Kugi, and they nodded in response.

Well, even if information about the operation leaks out, I don't think it'll

have much effect on the situation. But it was still better to prevent any

leaks, in any case. Let's be careful.

"Oh, right. What happened to that sphere you confiscated, Captain?"

"We're keeping it under tight watch for the time being. We've also

proceeded with interrogating and negotiating with the related party,

but it isn't as urgent as dealing with the pirates. We've already secured

the actual item."

"...I hope a containment breach doesn't happen."

"I'm not sure why you're worried about that, but the item has remained

dormant, and we've placed it within a shielded container. Even a Titanclass combat bot will find it impossible to break out."

"Sounds good. We'll be excusing ourselves then."

I was internally questioning if everything was really fine, but I don't

dare to blurt out my true thoughts. If I blurted it out and it ended up

coming true, Capt. Serena will either faint due to stress or pull out her

sword and try to cut me down.

We obediently left the restricted block and returned to the Lotus. We

don't exactly know when the operation will be announced, so we took

no detours this time.

"We're back."

"Welcome back, Hiro-sama. That was rather quick, wasn't it?"

When we arrived back at the Lotus, we found Mimi and the mechanic

sisters all staring at a tablet terminal inside the hangar. Were they

checking the supplies or something?

"The talks proceeded quickly after all."

We've been dealing with Capt. Serena for quite some time now, and

Rear Admiral Esreben was also a pretty straightforward guy. So the

discussions didn't take long.

"Let's start preparing to sortie. We could receive launch orders any time

now, so if there are still some supplies that will take time to get

delivered, just pay for them first and have them get set aside first."

"That's quite sudden. But we're fine, Boss. We didn't have that many

supplies to replenish so we'll be done soon."

"Are we going to subjugate the pirates?"

"That's how it is. The data storage devices we retrieved proved really

useful."

"I see... What about that sphere?"

"It looks like they've temporarily put it aside. Since they've secured the

item itself, it seems they're proceeding with questioning the involved

party. The level of urgency dropped because they were able to quickly

secure the item."

"That's true. Anyway Boss, what kinda conclusion is Captain Serena

aimin' for anyway?"

"I have an inkling about her objective, but I'm not sure what kind of

arrangements she'll opt for in order to achieve it."

"That's true."

Tina and Wiska tilted their heads to the side. I also did the same.

I still didn't have any idea about what kind of arrangements the Captain

will settle for. The best outcome is the military being able to freely

process and manufacture the shells of those sphere creatures due to

their excellent properties as armor material, but will Capt. Serena's

fleet that primarily hunts down pirates really be capable of achieving

that goal? Her fleet basically specializes in hunting pirates, so I think

they'll be out of their element when surveying and researching an

unexplored star system.

Well, the Restalias was a pretty big ship anyway. It should have enough

space. If they put their mind to it, I think it's plenty possible for them to

set up a temporary research area and housing research staff.

"Captain Serena will probably move on to that matter after the pirates

are dealt with. It's a matter that doesn't have anything to do with us, so

I don't think we'll need to worry about it... I hope."

"You know that's basically impossible, Boss."

"We'll definitely get involved at some point."

"Right."

"I think so as well."

Tina, Elma, Mimi, and Wiska immediately retorted. Only Kugi, who only

met Capt. Serena recently, tilted her head and displayed a puzzled

expression.

I really don't wanna get involved though. I mean, I already experienced

landing on a planet in the middle of being terraformed previously. Now

you're telling me I'd probably have to land on a mysterious (and

possibly dangerous) unexplored plant with unknown (possibly fatal)

surprises lurking about. We'd at least encounter those deadly metal

sphere creatures. I absolutely don't wanna go. Landing on a mysterious

planet housing hostile alien creatures or killer robots was a common

plot of action-horror SF flicks.

"Anyway, let's focus on discussing the countermeasures for the pirates

first. The Black Lotus will most likely get assigned to direct

bombardment duty from the front. The Krishna will probably be part of

the force that will attack from the inner depths of the asteroid belt, and

the Antlion will be part of the force that will prevent the pirates from

escaping. The Antlion will probably get assigned with escorts and

placed together with the anti-pirate fleet ships equipped with gravity

jammers, but you still have to be especially careful, Elma. The chance of

the Black Lotus or Krishna not being able to support you right away if

you get yourself in a pinch is quite high. So make sure you don't overdo

it."

"I know already. You're so overprotective, Hiro."

"Of course. The ship can get destroyed for all I care, but make sure you

don't die. You can start over as much as you want as long as you're alive

after all."

"Yeah, yeah. I understand. Safety first, right? I won't take any

unnecessary risks, so don't worry."

"It's good that you understand. However, the Antlion won't be able to

earn much this time around huh... I guess I'll negotiate for a special

reward or something."

Actually, our original concept can't be performed unless Krishna and

Antlion work in concert. But since the Antlion will be using special

equipment to perform a role that other ships won't be able to, asking

for a little special reward was plenty reasonable.

"That sure was a quick doubletake, Boss. Why the sudden change of

heart?"

"There's no such thing. I just don't want to sell the services of our skills

and equipment for cheap. It's consistent with our usual policy. I also

claimed compensation when they made use of you sister's maintenance

skills during an operation back then, remember?"

"Oh... that's true."

Wiska displayed a faraway look when she remembered that time when

they busied themselves repairing damaged mercenary ships in the

middle of a great battle with crystal lifeforms. We didn't offer the

sister's skills and the facilities of the Lotus for free back then and

properly demanded payment. It's pretty much the same thing for the

Antlion.

"That's how it is, so please prepare for launch guys. Our policy is to

keep ourselves safe as always. Alright?"

"""Aye, aye, sir!"""

Most of the crew members replied together. Kugi being a bit late to

respond was cute.

Preparations huh... I guess I'll check out my new ninja power armor. I

don't think I'll get a chance to use it today, but I have a feeling I'd be

needing it soon. Oh, boy.