Vol 4 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2: Line-of-Battle shi+p “Kaisof”

The other branch of the Twin Thorn is also currently advancing at a smooth pace

With the 11th fleet Twin Thorns in the lead they gradually force their way to the center (of the galaxy) Their main enemy on this side is the United Mankind

If this operation were to be successfully completed, then the United Mankind’s sphere of influence will also diminish by more than half as well At the same time, communications between their ally the Greater Alkont Republic will also be severed

In other words, the oal of the Twin Thorns operation is to cut off all channels of co each of the three nations sink into a state of isolation

The heart of the Operation Twin Thorns is the 13th fleet Their flag shi+p, the patrol shi+p Shaikau, is currently anchored within Elcon star system, nearby the port facilities

Two SecDaghs (2000 kilo around the orbit of the Shaikau One of those shi+ps was the Line-of-Battle shi+p Kaisof

A Line-of-Battle shi+p is a type of shi+p that is loaded a large amount of time-space mines Their only mission on the battlefield is to launch these mines These Line-of-Battle shi+ps are basically the h Line-of-Battle vessels are equipped with an enormous amount of defensive weapons, they are in essence transport vessels

The Empire’s mines may be considered sn Stellar Union uses, but what they lack in size they make up with tremendous volume Despite thousands of years of ienerator machine still occupies a considerable amount of space Also, the amount of anti-matter fuel it needs cannot be overlooked

Therefore, the shi+p of the line, which carries a large amount of mines, is just monstrous in size It has nearly the equivalent of three patrol shi+ps in mass

The Line-of-Battle shi+p is not only famous for its enormity but also the amount of personnel needed Normally, most of the people that are onboard a shi+p of the eineers, and they all have their individual duties tothe crew of the shi+p-of-the-line, other than the engineers responsible forshi+p operation, there are ineers that take care of the mines

Under these conditions, the scale of the residential area of the Line-of-Battle shi+p is not as expanse as a city, but can be considered at least the size of a village In addition, the Abhs consider Line-of-Battle shi+p and transport shi+ps to be a “children’s vessel”

The significance of that nao, regardless of the size of the shi+p, peace or arshi+ps are where the Abhs raise their children To the Abh who consider space as ho their children this way is only natural

However, when the Abh beca children into battle”, they reassessed their policies and quickly abolished the tradition Because the Abh worried the enemy would misunderstand — or to say accidently discover — that the Abhs would go into battle half-heartily The Abhs consider this as respectful to the eneht to the death

Even though during times of peace, the Star Force pere while carrying out their duty However, because the benefits outweigh the costs; these days, the Star Force would not place flyers raising children on small scale vessels

However, on large scale vessels such as the shi+p-of-the-line, thetheir children on duty Of course, this is only allowed during peace time Except special circumstances, personnel other than soldiers are strictly prohibited fro a military vessel

The Kaisof’s residential area is also originally allocated space to setup a nursery Because this warshi+p was built after the breakout of war, therefore there has not been one child that has played in that area Instead, during the early phases of outfitting sections of the warshi+p, this space was already outfitted to so to do with a nursery at all

Right now it is athe crew of the fleet is that, converting the nursery to the flyer mess hall is relatively convenient to achieve If the Kaisof were able to smoothly come out of this war in one piece, then maybe this area will be reconverted into a nursery

However, Deputy Signal Officer Line Wing Flyer Duhir of the Kaisof does not like this place

“Deputy Signal Officer Line Wing Flyer!”

“Yes, Captain”, responded Line-of-Battle shi+p Kaisof’s Deputy Signal Officer Line Wing Flyer Ablïarsec Néïc Dubleuscr Wemdaisal Duhir as he puts down his bowl

He looks towards where the voice ca dining table Every flyer on the Kaisof dines on this table The voice ca at the center[1]; a male with blue hair and the captain of the Kaisof, Hecto-Commander Berusot

However, Duhir’s eyes were drawn not to the captain, but to the wall behind him

Although this place has been converted into a mess hall, the walls are still that of a nursery Since everyone staying in this roon of this roo off the walls in zero gravity Therefore, the walls are fitted with a high-grade impact absorption ed cats and s stars In short, it’s all filled with pictures only a child would enjoy

When Duhir thought about his childhood, he was similar to most Abh children They all like to collide into the wall and enjoy the sensation of being absorbed by it It was a nostalgic feeling

“Your face looks so boring” Said Berusot bluntly

These words pull Duhir out of his thoughts and back to reality

The reason that Duhir does not like the flyer’s mess hall is because of the custoo to the hall at the sa that is not totally correct, he actually is annoyed at the fact that the tradition was set in the first place Moreover, all flyers are forced to respect each other, which include Berusot

“I don't feel at all bored, if my expression made you feel that I was bored, then that is because ”

Isn’t it because you felt bored that you would feel that others are bored as well? Duhir thought to hih he will never say this out loud and felt that giving any excuse would do

“A Duhir’s train of thought

Duhir slightly bowed and said, “I do not know of any prejudices the captain may have”

“This to royalty, can’t be fulfilling to serve on a shi+p-of-the-line, always far away from the frontlines this type of prejudice”

“No matter what the post, an Ablïarsec is ready for death” Duhir said firin to think, perhaps this captain is the one not satisfied in his position If this is true, then Duhir should even severely denounce this thought

“Well said” Says Berusot as he nodded However his eyes were not upon Duhir but were rather concentrating on a dinner place that just rose slowly from under the table

“Thank you for your praise” Says Duhir as he once again picked up his bowl fro soup has already gotten cold

“I was not praising you” Berusot said as he picked up another entrée

“Is that so?” Asks Duhir as he also puts his bowl aside, and set in front of him a new entrée he just picked up The new dish is roasted pork

This is ok too, actually being praised by this captain is not so to be happy about

Just as he had this thought, Berusot already started to bite into his roast as he said, “I, of course, have no intention of dying in this type of place”

“You say you don't have any intent to die, then why did you co Flyer Duhir asks without even time to put down his chopsticks However, he immediately worried that his tonea senior officer

“You can’t really be just seeking for a place to die when you enter the battlefield?” at least based on his expressions, Berusot does not see table “In hts more unfortunate than this”

“I haven't yet given it ly to defend hi about the end, then I cannot rule out the possibility To me, a so-called ‘death place’ is one where I carve ret’ without sha I feel ashamed of”

“My intention was not to deny your opinion It is true that there is nothing to be asha to be proud of either”

“I feel the captain’s chair is the best place to die” Duhir says bluntly

“Listen up, you may become the emperor in the future and that may be well After you do ascend to the throne I hope you may reminisce of me once in a while But even if that day does come, you cannot causally allow your oorth to be imposed by so Flyer, the lowest ranked officer in the bridge If my cat were still here, at your rank, you would be responsible for feeding him!”

Duhir feels in his heart that he is lucky that his seat is one that is relatively far away froh, when he is passing on his experiences, he would definitely pat Duhir’s head fir friendliness, but Duhir really cannot bear to be treated like this

“I am very sorry”

“Those who are Princes should not apologize so casually”

“Then what kind of manner does the Captain want from me?” Duhir snapped back “Do I behave as deputy communication officer or should I act as a member of the Imperial family?”

“I guess it all depends on my mood”

Duhir is speechless

“Of course I’ you to read my mind”

“I’rateful for the captain’s empathy” Duhir said with caution

“I want you to feel with intuition”

“Are there any difference between the two?”

“Of course there are differences!” said Berusot as he starts to disregard his etiquette, waving the chopsticks in the air without restraint, “For a person that has a chance to sit in the jade seat[2], hoould you not be clear of the distinctions, you don't have any questions right?”

“Could you please point it out for your subordinate?” Duhir said word by word

“The so-called ‘reading my mind’ requires you to use your brain, but intuition and feelings does not require your brain” Berusot finally calin to think, then it is natural that thoughts from deep within your head to pop out”

“I believe that intuition and feelings are rather difficult”

“Even if it is difficult, you have to do it Though, you still do not need to get your brain to do that kind of complex task You are but only a flyer that does miscellaneous tasks, so just stick with your intuition and feelings”

“I feel you have already brought your subordinate a very unreasonable impression” Duhir said unhappily

“You are full of it[3], your Prince Majesty”

Duhir was unable to speak since the other person has already called hiize to hiize, but he has already given up on seriously responding to this captain If any casual apology can allow Duhir to escape from this conversation, then he would do that

“Captain, please stop bullying your subordinates” At this ti next to Duhir extends her hand in aid She is Duhir’s direct superior, Senior Signal Officer Vanguard Flyer Vonyu

Although Duhir doesn't hate her, he nevertheless can’t stand her either The way that Vonyu treats Duhir is that of a client in a business deal: an outsider

It is the sah she calls Duhir as ‘my subordinate’, but from the tone of her voice it is very obvious that those words were more of a joke Duhir thinks to himself, Vonyu doesn't actually think Duhir as her subordinate but more like partners on the same shi+p

“These words have two points that requires correction” Berusot said

“Please speak” Vonyu said as if she was facing bitter tea

“First, I a a conversation withwith your subordinate Your opinion may be a bit excessive”

“What you said is not wrong, however” begins the retort by this Senior Signal Officer Vanguard Flyer with a head full of elegant grass colored hair

But Berusot forcefully cuts her words short, “The other point is, I did not mean to bully him”

“Then we have a difference of opinions” Said Vonyu, “Since it’s like this, why is the captain being so forceful? It can’t be that you are really teaching him a lesson out of love?”

“I a family tradition”

Duhir was very surprised, unable to contain his mouth he asks, “Is the Captain related to the Spaurh clan?”

This doesn't seem likely, because many side families in that clan use the name Spaurh This is different from the Imperial family, where only direct descendants may use the family name Ablïarsec

“Souely

Duhir waits patiently for the captain to continue

“Because the family clans were decided before the establish we are not of the same clan” Explains Berusot

“Even using the broadest sense, you are still not of their clan!” Vonyu responded sharply

In short, the captain’s ancestors should be working in the engine department of the Ablïarsec’s city shi+p, Duhir speculates

The Spaurh clan is actually descendants of engine department when the ee spaceshi+p that held the entire civilization of the Abh people, every departe it Therefore if Berusot’s fa in the engine department, then more or less theyto Abh knowledge, this situation could be said as a blood connection But even by Abh logic, saying that you have blood connection to people thousands of years ago is really a stretch

“However, it is said, that intelligence deterine crew”