Chapter 214: Im Sorry, But No (1/2)

“W-Well, it’s not like there’s a need to follow after them when they enter the atmosphere, right?”

“I sure hope so.”

“A-Ahaha…… I’ve already marked their atmospheric entry coordinates.”

Of course, we didn’t manage to catch up to them before they initiated atmospheric entry. By the time we reached Comatt IV that was currently being terraformed, the suppression ship had already begun to descend, and although we did manage to destroy their propulsion system, they just crashed straight onto Comatt IV instead. I was ordered not to destroy them, so I couldn’t do anything further than that.

Even so, Krishna was still a small-class ship completely capable of long-distance interstellar navigation. The performance of its various sensors is more than adequate and that makes it really easy to accurately observe the entry trajectory of the suppression ship from above Comatt IV’s low orbit region.

And so, that makes us capable of marking the exact entry trajectory and landing point of the suppression ship and put pressure on its passengers safely from above Comatt IV’s low orbit region.

“I’m aware that the environment of a planet that’s under the terraforming process can be very dangerous, but what other reasons do you have to stay put in this region.”

“Even if they might possibly change to another ship capable of interstellar navigation, we’ll be able to react fast and intercept them the moment they fly out to space again if we stay here.”

No matter what model of starship they change to, in order to break away from a planet’s gravity and leave its atmosphere, they all basically need to fly straight up. Since that would make them incapable of making evasive maneuvers, they would be very vulnerable to attacks. In that situation, it would be relatively to destroy the enemy’s propulsion system even if they’re riding a speedy small-class starship.

“It’s really difficult to go up into space if a planet’s orbit is under guard. The one who gains control of space first controls the flow of battle. That’s why the military forces of any interstellar nation – the empire included – focus so much on developing their space fleets.”

No matter how powerful a soldier, tank, ship, or aerial weapon is, as long as they’re grounded, they would be extremely vulnerable to orbital bombing from space. Basically, the current rules of combat in this world emphasize holding control over outer space.

“If that’s the case, why did that suppression ship decide to escape to Comatt IV regardless?”

“They might have a trump card of sorts hidden on Comatt IV – maybe a way for them to escape or to buy time.”

“Buy time?”

“If they don’t have a trump card with them, then maybe they’re counting on help from reinforcements instead. Or maybe they’re banking on something like us withdrawing and are waiting for that chance. I think they have another agenda apart from hiding away on the planet, but I still have no idea what it might be.”

Actually, there’s another possibility, but I think the chances are low.

“Anyway, we’ll wait for the military to arrive here first. Once they’re here, we’ll let them take over and head back to the colony to take care of our loot.”

“You’re getting desperate huh.”

“Ahaha…… W-Well, there’s no reason for Krishna to land on the planet too, so I think it’ll be alright, Elma-san.”

Stop it, you two. If you keep saying things like that, we might really end up being forced to land. I ain’t having any part of that. I ain’t, okay!?

Approximately an hour later, I found myself inside an imperial dropship.

“Please let me go back.”

“I’m sorry, but no.”

Lt. Col. Serena was seated opposite me. She wasn’t in her usual crisp military uniform this time. Instead, she was wearing lightweight combat armor. There were also imperial marines wearing heavy combat armor and specialized jumpsuits suitable to be paired with power armor. The only saving grace in this situation was the presence of a good number of women in the squad, so it wasn’t like I was caught in the middle of a group of burly guys. This reduced my annoyance a bit.

By the way, I wasn’t wearing my usual mercenary get-up either. Instead, I was wearing lightweight combat armor geared for melee engagements coupled with the chameleon thermal cloak I bought at the Brad Prime colony before.

By slotting an energy pack in, this cloak will be able to keep you nice and comfy even in ultra-harsh environments with temperatures ranging from -50 degrees Celsius to +50. It also has a hood that lets you cope with typhoons and sandstorms and a chameleon camo function that lets you blend into your surroundings like a literal chameleon.

Aside from those, it’s also equipped with a high-tech canteen that can automatically collect moisture in the air to store up to 2 liters of drinkable water in a day, a specialized gas mask that defends you from not only harmful gases but also unknown bacteria, viruses, biochemical weapons and the like, among other survival equipment. I also equipped myself with my pair of noble-issued swords, my personal laser gun, and a laser rifle. In other words, I was fully armed for combat.

“The one we’re chasing after, Geritz Ixthermal, is a master swordsman who strengthened his body using state-of-the-art cybernetics and biotechnology. Right now, the only people able to handle him in this system is you and me.”

“But can’t you just surround him and barbeque him with lasers or something……?”

Only those Drawn Sword idiots would be crazy enough to insist on fighting with swords. Can’t you just use more modern equipment and weaponry, please?

“We already tried to do that back in the base and we incurred a lot of casualties as a result. In the first place, we need to ensure we capture him alive.”

“Why?”

“Geritz is actually the younger brother of Earl Ixthermal and it’s rumored that he basically handles all shady matters for the earl as his right-hand man. He hasn’t been arrested and questioned until now because his guard is perfect and he hasn’t left any traces of wrongdoings for the authorities to latch on to. We can’t let the guy slip away this time. If we manage to capture and interrogate him, we’ll be able to finally crush Earl Ixthermal for good. That’s why we absolutely must capture him.”

“I still don’t get this situation, but I do get that you want to take down that Earl Ixthermal fellow no matter what.”

“It’s enough that you understand that much. Well, let’s just say Earl Ixthermal is one of those corrupt nobles you keep hearing rumors about.”

A corrupt noble huh? I can kinda picture it already since his right-hand man is actually hanging out with scum like pirates. I have no intention of getting involved in noble issues so I better not ask anymore.

But didn’t they say the nobles are kept in line by the AI so they can’t do anything too over the line? Well, I can’t exactly ask Lt. Col. Serena about it openly here anyway. Whether it’s Elma or Chris, the nobles I’m familiar with always act reserved and a bit uncomfortable whenever we come to the topic of the independent AIs. Maybe they’re all under a tacit understanding, or maybe it’s actually an open secret. Or perhaps they’re under special circumstances that nobody talks about openly instead.

“Rather, I’m a specialist in starship combat y’know. You’re actually counting on me to fight it out with the guy on the ground?”

“Hahaha, didn’t you show us all such wonderful swordsmanship during the tournament? I’m sure you’ll be fine. Or rather, apart from me, there are no other people suitable for the job apart from you, so just give it up. Your employer has also given permission for you to take part in the operation. Well, I don’t think they will be able to refuse an official request from the imperial military in the first place though.”

“That’s playing dirty. You’re abusing authority.”

“Calling it dirty is a bit rude, don’t you think? I merely exercised my privileges in a legitimate manner.”

Lt. Col. Serena shrugged her shoulders and gave me a taunting grin. Gununu.

“30 seconds to atmospheric entry!”

“All personnel, prepare for descent! Make sure not to bite your tongues!”