episode_0048

It’s a competition.

As always, I looked through the strength of our unit.

‘It’s not bad.’

Small transport ship.

It’s not like they’re unarmed at all.

It is equipped with 35mm anti-aircraft guns and missiles, so it is fully capable of responding in times of emergency.

‘The problem is that these are consumables.’

I don’t know if it is possible to supply supplies to each colony, but it is difficult to supply military supplies such as bullets or missiles.

A single lead bullet costs more than three days’ worth of food, and it is even more expensive if it is military supplies used on battleships.

‘Anti-aircraft guns and missiles will be used to a minimum, but that doesn’t mean the flagship has no combat power at all.’

Captain Edmund also knew about the problem of ammo consumption, so he readily accepted my suggestion.

“Cloud, are you okay?”

“We will respond in case of emergency.”

I lightly tapped the cable that was sticking out of the chair I was sitting in and the mask it was connected to.

“Fortunately, I think this can be done without any major problems.”

“Really, you…”

“Isn’t everything improvised?”

The OS has already been fixed.

I didn’t tell others about it because of security issues, and I’m just preparing for it, but I don’t really want to use it.

“Me. It’s not like there’s a worker rush.”

“……Heh.”

Really, this is a method to be used only in the worst case scenario.

“But don’t even think about shooting first. If it can be solved with anti-aircraft guns and missiles, it is better to attack with them even if they are used up.”

“Ammunition supply is not available in Artemis Colony.”

“You can decide at that time. Because losing ammo is better than losing a worker.”

“Okay. As the captain wishes.”

No matter how much time I have, the captain of this ship is Edmund.

Even though my current status is ‘civilian’, Edmund is a general with a star.

Fortunately, the captain listens to all my opinions, so it is easy to prepare for emergencies.

“Ah. This is conveyed to AS pilots.”

Captain Edmund took the microphone on board.

“About 30 minutes after 09:30, this ship enters the debris area where pirates are said to appear.”

Beep beep.

The faces of each pilot appeared on the large monitor on the bridge.

“What is the status of each unit member?”

[Good. Green 1. No problem.]

Andy, the leader of Green 1 and Green Camp, appeared as the representative.

Behind them, from Green 2 to Green 4, Special Forces Team A just nodded, looking very nervous.

“…There doesn’t seem to be any problem.”

“Yes. Really fortunately.”

I turned my attention away from Team A and focused on the screen of Team B – although there was only one person there.

“Wolverine 1. What is your condition?”

[Hey, it’s good! There is no problem!]

Lavender, who was given a new call sign by me, answers with a strong voice.

Although his face was hard to see thanks to the helmet’s visor, his eyes were clearly slightly nervous.

Are you afraid of the real thing?

no.

[Hey, is there anything wrong with the screen? Ho, does anything look strange or anything like that?]

“No. Lavender, just the same as usual.”

[Ah, that’s a relief! ha ha ha.]

Because his face is reflected, he is worried that Fenrir might get caught.

‘After all, Fenrir wouldn’t think of exposing himself to such foolishness.’

Although Fenrir is said to have deep-learned Lavender’s personality, he is a super AI.

‘Unless Lavender’s life is in danger, Fenrir does not appear.’

He is a being who knows very well which is more beneficial to himself and Lavender: when he reveals that he chose Lavender or when he hides it.

‘The colony that can safely protect and treat the beast’s contractees must reach at least the 12 constellations, so I’m anxious to reveal it.’

Even a fool who hides his strength has a degree of strength.

You can receive SSS-level treatment wherever you go, so what’s the point in revealing the existence of the ether bus in such a small battleship and a colony on the outskirts?

You don’t make any money, you just get admiration and jealousy.

Rather, the threat of Lavender being killed due to jealousy and envy towards Lavender only arises.

‘If you compare the severity of the bomb, Lavender’s is more serious, so I can’t help but be concerned.’

The place to place the enemy has disappeared.

There are plenty of enemies that will appear in the future.

‘I have to pray that everything goes well.’

It’s up to me to prepare.

Students just need to perform their assigned roles well.

In Fenrir’s case, it would be thoroughly hidden.

‘You hid well. Even if the cockpit gets hit directly, does that mean Lavender will be safe?’

I know I shouldn’t think like this, but even if she gets cockpitted, Fenrir will protect Lavender’s cockpit.

Even if it means abandoning the cockpit, even if it means trapping Lavender in an ether crystal and creating a barrier, Fenrir will protect Lavender.

Other pilots?

…

“Everyone, take care of yourselves.”

Since you are in AS, you have to protect yourself.

“On site, follow instructor Aria’s instructions. Above.”

[Larger.]

[…Cloud instructor.]

In the center of the monitor, Instructor Aria, wearing a white helmet, looks at me with a sullen expression.

[I also have a call sign.]

“…….”

[It will be written in subtitles at the bottom.]

“That.”

Call sign.

If necessary, it can be modified immediately in the field, and in most cases, it is newly applied according to the unit to which it belongs.

[Now that I am in the cockpit, I am no longer an Aria instructor.]

“…Yes, I guess so.”

[Are you being sarcastic?]

“I just think uniformity in call signs is needed. Aren’t you the field commander currently commanding the Green Camp unit?”

[The platoon leader is Green 1, Andy. I don’t think a commander necessarily needs to be Green Zero.]

“…Tsk.”

I know what it is.

That’s pride in his call sign, the so-called ‘Ace Proud’.

It only seems like it’s expressed in English, so you could say it’s just stubbornness –

“Do you really have to call it that?”

[yes.]

“Hmm….”

If it were me, I would change it.

‘You’re still young.’

According to the information on Wiki, it is said that this is a call sign that has been used since undergraduate school.

Of course, the number that follows is ’01’ because there is only one number, but the word that comes before it is something that bothers me in many ways.

“…Okay. Then let’s treat it thoroughly.”

After taking a deep breath.

“‘Bride One’. Greens 1 to 4, Wolverine 01, and Green 5, a temporary formation. Please lead the AS unit.”

[Larger.]

Bride.

‘How is your call sign priest?’

That’s what it says on the wiki.

Aria Milkyway is the bride of the Virgin.

In the annotation, it was written nonsense that since she had never officially dated anyone or been defeated by a man, she would end up marrying the man who beat her.

what.

I understand.

There are already achievements in that call sign, so there is no need to use another call sign.

A call sign was originally a military term, but it has now degenerated into something similar to a nickname.

Just as many professional gamers used nicknames in E-sports, which were popular on Earth two centuries ago, and just as they are used as nicknames in simulation battles today.

A call sign is another name for a pilot.

“…….”

Lavender stares at me.

He doesn’t say anything for fear of getting caught, but the way he twitches the corners of his mouth makes it look like he’s trying to hide a secret that only he knows.

what.

I guess so.

No matter how much one belongs to the Galaxy Unit, the call sign that has become like a ‘permanent retirement number’ has great meaning in many ways.

Space century.

Although there were many people with the same call sign as me before me, no one has used my call sign since I retired.

* * *

Beep beep.

Turn off all microphones.

There is nothing I can do about the black box, but I mute it once more just in case the line goes somewhere else.

“…is it off?”

[huh.]

Fenrir responds by text on the monitor.

[Aren’t you a bride?]

“That’s right. That woman… keeps subtly appealing to the teacher.”

[Is that so?]

“Okay then. Would you feel it too if you were next to me?”

Lavender gritted her teeth and looked at one side of the monitor, Bride 1-Aria.

“Especially after drifting away, they seemed to pay more attention. Before that, I looked at him with a completely cruel attitude.”

[I’m not sure because I haven’t seen him before, but he definitely seems like he has a crush on me.]

“You said, what?”

[Isn’t that just a yearning for a really great pilot? Honestly, if I say that the mask instructor is really ‘that person’…]

Fenrir’s wolf face on the monitor smiles mischievously as if ‘gehehe’.

[Can I get on the instructor just once?]

“…….”

[Ha, just once. huh? I like fighting with talented pilots.]

“Ha, is that so? Then right now…”

[It’s true that you are slightly more talented, but honestly, the instructor’s skills are higher, right?]

“…….”

Lavender furrowed her eyebrows slightly.

“Well, if I somehow find a way later…”

[Oh yea! Hehehe, if you pick up the ‘Last Paladin’, that’s something to brag about to other guys. Especially the Red Moon…heeheehee.]

“Now that I think about it.”

Lavender tilted her head.

“Instructor, who is Chang Se-su?”

[Oh.]

At Lavender’s pure question, Fenrir froze.

[Uh, um, that is.]

“Why? Wasn’t the aircraft ‘Chang-eun’s Unicorn’? Well, since it’s a unicorn…”

[There are certainly a variety of ways to call it, but among us, it’s a bit like calling it like, uhm…]

Fenrir hesitated and slowly opened his mouth.

[We call her a ‘crazy bitch’]

Bibibbik ㅡㅡㅡ!!

[lavender. It’s the enemy.]

“…Yes.”

The moment a red spot appeared on the monitor, Lavender checked the microphone again and opened her mouth.

“Red, confirmed. The numbers are…”

[Quite a lot.]

Aria answered.

[They look to be at least 40, but are they all driving Harkon?]

There are about 40 red dots that show aptitude reactions.

[however….]

Beyond Debry.

[The enemy is invisible.]

There was response on the radar, but no enemies were visible to the naked eye.

“This is….”

[Is it because he is a pirate? Tsk.]

Aria clicked her tongue and tapped her hand on the monitor.

[Cloud instructor. It seems like the judgment on the spot is minimal, but what about the judgment on board?]

[iced coffee. As expected, he is an ace. I can trust him. I have the same opinion.]

[Heh.]

“…….”

Lavender held on tightly to the control stick.

After a while.

Buuu!

Beyond the debris, small ASs about 4 meters tall began to pop out.

AS has a capsule-like shape with very thin limbs.

[Model Slag, Rappel Armor. come.]

A beam rifle began to shoot out from both pincer-like hands.

[Interception, commencement.]