DE: Chapter 1 Part 9 – Bonus Time

In the same battle zone, the Elf fleet and the space pirate fleet were engaged in a fierce exchange of artillery fire. Most of the pirate ships were civilian aircrafts, making them more fragile than warships. Just a few hits from the cruiser’s beams were enough to easily break their shields.

However, the ships’ shields would regenerate over time. As a result, the pirate ships with depleted shields would retreat behind their allies or use the AW units as shields. Even so, within less than enough time for the battle to have truly begun, five of the ships had already sunk.

【All ships, concentrate your artillery fire on the enemy cruiser at the front. Destroying even one ship means money.】

【The cruiser’s shields are solid. We have already lost five ships.】

【I don’t care. We’re lucky to get the bigger share. Come on now, hurry up and make some money!】

【If you care so much then you go ahead. Don’t keep barking, you mudfish.】

【What the hell?! What⁉︎ A direct hit?! Fall back! Give me some cover! I won’t back down!】

The battle situation was unfavorable for the space pirates from the beginning. The Elf fleet and mercenary forces continued defeating the space pirates one after another. The Elf fleet advanced more, cornering the space pirates. But something happened suddenly.

“Captain, multiple warp signals were detected from behind. If we continue like this, we’ll be surrounded.”

“Redirect the AW units assigned to defense to the rear. Ronin, Eugenia, and Yuirin will deal with the enemy in front. The rest will handle the rear.”

“We have 30 seconds until contact. Hurry up and assign all units.”

Even knowing they were about to be caught in a pincer attack, Colonel Cecilia remained calm. After all, the quality of our overall strength was different to begin with. Therefore, there was no reason to fear.

After hearing about the pincer attack from the communication, I thought it was about time. Then, the enemy fleet appeared from the rear of the Elven fleet, accompanied by a warp signal. However, their fighting power again caused the problem.

There were ten ships in total: two cruisers, eight destroyers, and a battleship. Furthermore, all of the enemy fleet’s identification marks were those of the Sectorial’s.

【We’ve taken over the rear. Let us purify those who would become our, the Sectorial’s, enemies. Began Firing!】

【Humanity is the supreme existence. The Elves are the source of all calamity and must be purified.】

【This is the chance to avenge our homeworld, Damraka. If only you pests weren’t here, Damraka would have……】

The Elven fleet was caught in a pincer attack. Despite the technological gap, the Sectorial fleet had the advantage in numbers. Even though they were mostly outdated, the ten warships were still a formidable force. However, it was also true that the Elven technology was head and shoulders above the others. Therefore, the Sectorial fleet remained cautious and did not let their guard down.

Meanwhile, the space pirate fleet was surrounding the three cruisers. With the firepower of the Elf fleet reduced to less than half, they judged that there was now some leeway to recover their shields. In other words, they believed they had gained the upper hand.

【Alright. Launch all our fighters into their midst. Ignore the enemy AW units. Once their flagship is gone, they’ll be nothing more than target practice.】

【We’re going in too. It’s just three cruisers. Let’s beat them to a pulp, literally!】

The space pirate fleet and their aircraft carriers advanced, closing in on the three cruisers. Naturally, the AW units and the mercenary forces of the Elves’ side moved to intercept, but they were unfortunately outnumbered.

“Well then, let’s get started. Let’s start by hunting down the enemy flagship. They’ll have to wait for the next chance to show off their strength.”

I used the debris as a springboard to charge the Zargan straight into the pirate fleet. I also removed the limiter and made it advance faster than usual. The instruments immediately reached the red zone. At the same time, a tremendous G-force surrounded my body.

“The Red Ace said it was okay. As long as it doesn’t hit, there’s no problem!”

I focused my aim on the enemy cruiser’s bridge. The enemy still hasn’t noticed me, so no interception missiles were sent my way.

“Crawl and beg for mercy! And pray to God! That will be the last thing you can do!!!”

The cruiser was displayed on the monitor. It was already within range of the anti-ship beam cannon. However, to ensure the shield was pierced properly, I got even closer.

【What?! An enemy is directly above our ship!】

【What are the anti-aircraft surveillance doing? Hurry and intercept!】

【No good. We won’t make it in time!】

In a desperate attempt, the anti-aircraft guns were fired, along with evasive maneuvers. But it was all too late. The beam fired from the anti-ship beam cannon penetrated the shield and directly struck the bridge. All the space pirates on the bridge evaporated and disappeared. Then, the beam was fired into the VLS missile launch tubes. The missiles inside exploded, causing a massive explosion.

I landed directly on the cruiser, then accelerated towards the next pirate ship at full speed using the wave of the explosion. In short, it’s the same strategy as Red Ace.

“I’ll take the bonus!!”

Well, what I wanted to say was rather vulgar. But if I continued to say things like that, I would probably be looked down on as a vulgar person.

“He’s more of a vulgar person than an ordinary civilian.”

“That seems to be the case.”

At this time, Colonel Cecilia and the First Officer of the battleship Albireo were having this kind of exchange.

I made the Zargan accelerate even further. With that momentum, I fired a beam at the flank of the pirate ship. The anti-ship beam cannon has high penetration and power. On the other hand, it is not suitable for use against mobile weapons. Therefore, they have no choice but to keep moving forward.

The beam struck the space pirate ship. For a moment, it was blocked by the shield, but in the blink of an eye, it penetrated through. The beam tore apart the interior of the pirate ship to shreds. Then, perhaps due to a direct hit on the ammunition or engine, the space pirate ship exploded violently from the middle.

【The flagship Barbaroi and the Kakaloi both sank in a massive explosion. The enemy is a single Zargan.】

【What are they doing? How can they sink a valuable cruiser so easily?】

【Hey! Who’s going to take command next! The enemy is approaching this way!?】

【Tamuroy was destroyed. What are the AW squad doing, playing around?! Hurry up and take down that Zargan already!】

【That’s impossible. Most of the AW and aircraft carriers are heading towards the enemy cruisers. We have no choice but to deal with them】

【Then call them back! Right now!】

The space pirates frantically tried to respond to us. However, the Elf fleet and the AW units were not so lenient that they would miss such an opportunity. In the first place, the space pirates were the one that approached and attacked us. With that in mind, Captain Christina thought it would be best to eliminate them along with their comrades.

“Leader Fang to all units. The space pirates ahead are no problem for me alone. Everyone else, focus on the rear.”

『However, milady, that would mean you would be fighting alone.』

“There’s no problem. With a ship of this size, just me and the【Delta Saber】will be more than enough.”

With that, she charged straight into the space pirate fleet, leaving her subordinate behind. Originally, the Delta Saber was easier to maneuver in solo combat. No, to be more precise, it couldn’t perform at its full potential unless it was operating solo.

In other words, it was not an exaggeration to say that the Delta Saber was packed with the cutting-edge and most advanced technology of the Elves.

The armament was simple, consisting only of a beam rifle and a beam saber. Additionally, chaff and decoys were installed as spares inside the unit. It also boasts mobility surpassing that of lightweight or transformable machines. Its sloped armor provides high defensive power against hits. Even after continuously defeating the space pirate AW squadron, it still has the endurance to keep fighting. And then there’s Captain Christina, who was able to fully unleash the Delta Saber’s capabilities.

Truly, a one-man army was right there.

“First, I’ll deal with you all. There’s no way you can go any further from here. How foolish of you to overestimate yourselves.”

Saying that, she approached the three remaining space pirate ships. Of course, the pirates, not wanting to die, used all of their available weapons to intercept. Beams and missiles closed in on the Delta Saber. Just before a missile could hit, an energy shield expanded around the Delta Saber. As a result, the Delta Saber charged at the pirate ships, completely unharmed.

【They’re coming, they’re coming, they’re coming! Hurry up and intercept them!】

【Why are we easily begging mercy to just one AW? Anti-aircraft guns! Prepare to intercept!】

【They blocked my missile just now! What’s going on! Does it have an invisible shield or something?】

【You’re mistaken. There’s no way that’s possible. If that were true, it would be the revolution of AW.】

And just as Captain Christina was about to bring the enemy ship within range, the pirate ship’s anti-aircraft guns suddenly pointed upwards.

However, in the next moment, a beam struck the pirate ship from directly above. The first shot was blocked by the shield, but the second shot pierced through it. The pirate ship then exploded from within.

【Above? Damn it! He’s the one who destroyed Barbaroi! 】

【What do we do? What do we do!? I don’t want to die. I’m getting out of here. Turn the ship around! We need to retreat from this place!】

【You’re trying to run away? Don’t mess with me! 】

【Shut up! If you want to die, then you’re the only one who’s going to die! Why are you dragging us?!】

That communication was the last of the pirate ship, before the engine room exploded and quickly turned into space debris. There was someone who spoke out to them.

『Not a single one of you is getting away. Even if you escape, you’ll just do the same thing, right? In that case, it’s better to deal with you here, for the sake of the world and the entire universe.』

Still maintaining high speed, the Zargan continued to sink pirate ships one after another. When Captain Christina confirmed the identification, it read ‘Trigger-5.’

“That mercenary is shooting down ships with a robot that has been mass-produced in a hurry?”

Captain Christina couldn’t believe it. A standard mass-produced machine would typically engage in regular combat. But Trigger-5’s fighting style was producing results comparable to those of her own Delta Saber.

“Could it be that he has a Gift?”

Although it was a question, she was certain. A mere ordinary person couldn’t fight like that. The courage to charge into enemy forces and the skill to return alive, that could only be a Gift that guaranteed success.

Captain Christina followed Trigger-5 on the monitor as he shot down enemy ships. Then, she saw it change course and rapidly approach her.

Captain Christina braced herself slightly. However, Trigger-5 continued to close the distance as if ignoring her, coming in closer and closer.

And then their eyes met. No, to be more precise, it was just a brief moment when the monocular sensor of the Zargan and the twin eyes of the Delta Saber met. But Captain Christina felt as if their eyes had definitely met.

Trigger-5 ignored her and headed toward the battleship Albireo. Looking at the pirates, she saw that their cruisers, comrades, and themselves had almost all been shot down by the mercenary.

“Trigger-5… Sergeant Shu Kisaragi.”

Now that they were allies, they could be useful. But they were mercenaries after all. If she were to give them too much freedom, they could become enemies tomorrow.

Captain Christina checked her machine’s remaining energy. It hadn’t decreased much, so she should be able to continue the battle. Therefore, she decided to leave the remaining pirate ships to the cruisers and head towards the enemy fleet in the rear.

Footnotes:

GXT-001 Delta Saber

This unit was developed as an experimental machine for the Elvenfield Army.

Based on the GX-806 Spear Saber, the Delta Saber underwent various enhancements.

The plasma generator was further upgraded for higher output, the joints were reinforced, and additional boosters were installed, resulting in a design that surpassed the original model.

With the increased output of the plasma generator, it also enabled the deployment of an energy shield. As a result, it gained a significant advantage against photochemical weapons.

Furthermore, the machine was designed to synchronize with the Gift of its pilot, Captain Christina Vladfield amplified its abilities, granting the unit a shield strong enough to resist physical attacks.

In terms of weaponry, the unit is quite simple, equipped only with a beam rifle and a beam saber.

However, despite the increased output of the generator, there remain some doubts regarding the deployment of the energy shield. The machine is also designed to withstand more amplification than initially anticipated. Therefore, it is highly likely that the true purpose of this machine is not just to enhance its performance but also serves another, unknown objective.

Currently, due to Captain Christina Vladfield being the only one capable of effectively using the amplification and possessing the necessary skill, the Delta Saber has effectively become her personal machine.

Height: 14.8m

Weight: 62t

Armor Material: Special Multi-Ceramic Composite Alloy EXP Type

Power Source: High-output Military Plasma Generator (Modified) + ???

Armament: Beam Rifle, Beam Saber, etc.