I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Everyone Should Understand that Seeking Difficult Peace Negotiations Is Far More Noble Than Carrying Out Easy Slaughter
[space_man][space_man]When the enemy ships finally started firing, I felt like all my internal organs were about to burst out.
[space_man][space_man]Even though I’ve already experienced beam exchanges since coming to this body, this was different.
[space_man][space_man]It was because the number of beams was simply too overwhelming.
[space_man][space_man]After all, it was a beam barrage from four battleships. Even if we deployed anti-beam smoke, it would be instantly dispersed by the sheer intensity of the attack.
[space_man][space_man]However, at the same time, the enemy fleet was lined up in a tight horizontal formation. My knowledge told me this was called a maximum firepower formation.
[space_man][space_man]The weakness of this formation was its lack of maneuverability.
[space_man][space_man]Naturally, the Mirandora was a state-of-the-art vessel, and moreover, it was classified as a cruiser. It was more agile than a battleship.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Calculate the relative distance to the enemy fleet. We’re going to dive under them at the very last moment.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]In this case, “under” referred to the belly of Janet’s fleet.
[space_man][space_man]Even the underside of spaceships could be equipped with firepower, but they were still operated by humans, and humans have a sense of up and down. The direction of one’s head is up, and the feet are down.
[space_man][space_man]Humans tend to be less attentive to what’s below them, and even when they are, their focus is more divided than when facing directly ahead.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What’s the status of the Teurugia squad?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The cooperation of the mobile unit was essential to perfectly execute this maneuver, and the Trismegistus, which was supposed to be the core of that unit, was somehow engaged in a fistfight.
[space_man][space_man]Squadron Leader Mark was doing a good job of commanding, but the enemy was also bold in their movements and had a slight advantage in numbers.
[space_man][space_man]Furthermore……
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Anish is dragging us down. It can’t be helped, but……’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]No matter how much experience she had as a security force pilot, Anish was still an amateur. Even though she was somehow managing to fight and survive, it was difficult for even a professional to fight while covering for her.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Anish’s unit is getting in the way. Can we send her to support the Trismegistus and reorganize the squad formation?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]If she continued to be indecisive and got shot down, it would be troublesome.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo gave a daring order, thinking it was the best course of action.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”But Captain, the numbers……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Kes unintentionally interrupted, but Shougo pressed on.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’ll be difficult for her to babysit and fight effectively. Besides, someone has to go support the Trismegistus. How long are we going to let them keep fistfighting?”
[space_man][space_man]”Yes, you are certainly right. However……”
[space_man][space_man]”The key to the enemy unit is that blue machine. Because it’s acting so recklessly, its motivation, or rather its aura, is affecting the entire squad.”
[space_man][space_man]”Motivation, sir?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Perhaps because Shougo’s words sounded too much like an unrealistic pep talk, Kes had a dubious expression on his face.
[space_man][space_man]However, Shougo didn’t mind.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Fighting spirit, guts, tension. It might be intangible, but it’s surprisingly significant. We’re being drawn into the enemy’s pace right now. We’re being overwhelmed by their morale.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The atmosphere on the battlefield should never be underestimated.
[space_man][space_man]It tangibly influences the outcome of a battle.
[space_man][space_man]No matter how skilled someone is, they can’t achieve results without motivation.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Besides, there’s no point in coming this far if we don’t help the Rebel fleet quickly.”
[space_man][space_man]”That’s true. Understood. Inform Anish’s unit to immediately proceed to support the Trismegistus. Lieutenant Mark and the rest of the combat unit, reorganize your formation and don’t neglect your machine gun support. Just because our numbers have decreased slightly doesn’t mean your job is over.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]With Kes’s repetition, the order was relayed to the entire unit.
[space_man][space_man]It was impressive how quickly and efficiently they sprang into action.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”We won’t actually fire it, but we’ll use the Planet Killer as a threat. If they’re told they’ll be shot from directly below, they should back down. Time it carefully. If you mess up, we’ll be exposed and vulnerable to enemy beams.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Emerging from the anti-beam smoke was a daunting maneuver.
[space_man][space_man]In any case, the Mirandora couldn’t move carelessly until the enemy’s mobile weapons were dealt with.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m counting on you, protagonist. At least in a situation like this, let me rely on you.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Saying that, Shougo looked at the Trismegistus, which was still engaged in a fistfight.
[space_man][space_man]The white machine displayed on the monitor was fighting in a manner that was far from graceful or elegant.
[space_man][space_man]It was a fighting style unimaginable in the original work, but I thought it was interesting in its own way.
[space_man][space_man]To think that the unhinged young man, Yuuki, was capable of such a thing.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”As expected of someone who has two girls waiting for him. It’s not a lie that he has guts.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]***
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Even though the sounds of metal clashing and crumpling echoed through the cockpit, Yuuki felt no fear. It was partly because the neurotransmitters in his brain, like adrenaline, were surging, putting him in a slightly excited state.
[space_man][space_man]More than that, he was completely focused on the task at hand.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s right, punch! The central system of a Teurugia is in its belly, but the pilot who controls it is in the head! So……!”
[space_man][space_man]『 Cease! Brat! Are you playing around?! 』
[space_man][space_man]”Shut up!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Percy’s shouts were nothing more than noise to him now.
[space_man][space_man]Silencing him was also one of Yuuki’s objectives.
[space_man][space_man]Perhaps because of the continuous punches, the fist-shaped manipulator on the Trismegistus’s right arm was mangled and its opening and closing functions were no longer working. Even so, it could still be used as a metal blunt weapon, and to be honest, since the Trismegistus didn’t use weapons, the arms were unnecessary. They were only good for punching.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’d rather have a construction magic hand if it’s going to be like this!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The Trismegistus relied almost entirely on built-in weapons and some unknown system for its armament. If he were to make effective use of the arms, such a bold modification might actually be a good idea, Yuuki felt.
[space_man][space_man]He didn’t know if Trismegistus = Thoth would agree, though.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『 Don’t touch! Get away! 』
[space_man][space_man]”Whoa!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]That thought created an opening.
[space_man][space_man]Percy activated the shields equipped on both shoulders of his machine. They moved flexibly, rotating the built-in boosters and directing them towards the Trismegistus.
[space_man][space_man]At the same time, he applied full thrust. The flames and heat from the afterburners scorched the Trismegistus’s surface armor, creating slight black marks on the white machine.
[space_man][space_man]Furthermore, the Trismegistus was forcibly peeled away from Percy’s machine by the impact.
[space_man][space_man]Simultaneously, Percy skillfully landed a kick on the Trismegistus’s abdomen.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Gah!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Even the high-performance shock absorbers couldn’t completely mitigate the instantaneous impact. The AI couldn’t make an immediate judgment against something completely unpredictable.
[space_man][space_man]However, separately from that, a new impact was transmitted to the Trismegistus’s back.
[space_man][space_man]The impact of being blown away vanished.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What the?!”
[space_man][space_man]『 What the what?! 』
[space_man][space_man]”Anish?!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It was an unexpected voice.
[space_man][space_man]It was Anish’s Rabi Reivu that caught the Trismegistus.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Why?”
[space_man][space_man]『 The Captain told me to go help you! And when I got here, you were melting or something! 』
[space_man][space_man]”I just got burned by the boosters. It’s only on the surface, so it’s no problem. Thoth, right?”
[space_man][space_man]”Melted melted!”
[space_man][space_man]”It’s alright.”
[space_man][space_man]『 I’m pretty sure it’s not, but whatever. More importantly, that guy, that high-strung one. Is he really that Captain? 』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Both of them somehow managed to regain control of their machines’ posture.
[space_man][space_man]Percy’s machine, which had moved a considerable distance away, was also somehow stabilizing its posture, albeit with jerky movements. Its head was severely dented, and perhaps due to the excessive acceleration, small sparks were scattering from the shield boosters on its shoulders as they were overloaded.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『 Ugh, uhh! The machine won’t move properly? Why, why?! 』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Percy was checking the damage status displayed in the cockpit, but it wasn’t reliable.
[space_man][space_man]The most significant damage was…… to the neck.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『 System error?! Impossible! 』
[space_man][space_man]”Even a Teurugia is like a collection of information terminals. If the transmission devices can’t process information, it’s going to throw an error. The key to information transmission from the head to the body is in the neck.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]At the moment of being kicked away and separated, Yuuki grabbed the neck of Percy’s machine and ripped out the power pipe.
[space_man][space_man]This was supposed to cause errors in several internal systems.
[space_man][space_man]He hadn’t been maintaining machines for nothing.
[space_man][space_man]The basic structure was the same for both new and old models.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Machines are better when they’re simple.”
[space_man][space_man]『 Is it okay to say that in front of Thoth? 』
[space_man][space_man]”Isn’t that the truth? High performance doesn’t mean multi-functional. But for now, I’m grateful for that multi-functionality…… Thoth, you can get in now, right?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The current situation was overwhelmingly in their favor.
[space_man][space_man]This meant that Thoth would have some breathing room.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『 Jesus! I won’t let you! 』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Perhaps sensing Yuuki’s intention, Percy chose to withdraw at this point.
[space_man][space_man]He was also a technical officer. Once he understood the cause of the machine’s malfunction, he knew how disadvantageous it would be.
[space_man][space_man]Following his survival instincts, Percy accelerated his machine. Simple movements weren’t a problem, but it seemed he couldn’t make fine adjustments.
[space_man][space_man]Firing all the boosters at full power, Percy fled like a startled rabbit. However, his machine exhibited erratic movements like a deflated balloon, and it ended up crashing right through the middle of his own unit.
[space_man][space_man]The consequences were obvious.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]***
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The enemy formation has collapsed! Now’s our chance!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo had also noticed it, and Mark didn’t miss the opportunity.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『 The enemy has crumbled, attack! 』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Ignoring Percy’s machine, which was displaying nonsensical movements and only getting in the way as it retreated into the distance, the enemy Teurugia squad, bewildered by it, was in disarray.
[space_man][space_man]If they were to receive a swift counterattack at that moment, it would be difficult for even skilled pilots to evade.
[space_man][space_man]An enemy machine, its cockpit pierced by a lance thrust from Mark’s Rabi Reivu, was then rammed into another machine, which was subsequently shot down by a rifle.
[space_man][space_man]That wasn’t all. Stationary machines were easy targets for machine guns. They probably never imagined that four out of fifteen enemy machines would be shot down by machine guns.
[space_man][space_man]”Now’s the time, Mirandora, accelerate! We’re going directly under the enemy fleet!”
[space_man][space_man]”Aye, sir!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]In an instant, the Mirandora’s main engine roared and accelerated. While keeping the enemy in check with all available beams and missiles, the Mirandora tilted its hull to head directly under the enemy fleet. This exposed its vulnerable side to the enemy, but the enemy Teurugia squad, whose coordination had fallen apart, was too distracted by the Mirandora’s movements and was simply shot down in the meantime.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hurry, hurry! It’s over if the enemy tilts! All hands, brace yourselves!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Rapid ship maneuvering. Tilting, straightening. It put a considerable strain on the ship, but there was no time to worry about it. The Mirandora’s massive hull, as if sliding in, first passed under the Rebel fleet, and then……
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Enemy fleet, directly above.”
[space_man][space_man]”Don’t sink them, we’ll get caught in the blast. Machine gun fire! Destroy their turrets! After that, slowly retreat and threaten them.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Even machine guns could penetrate battleship turrets at close range. The term “honeycomb” was truly fitting. The Mirandora’s machine gun fire drastically reduced the anti-air defense capabilities of the underside of Janet’s fleet.
[space_man][space_man]Furthermore, what was even more unfavorable for them was that the Rebel fleet was showing signs of turning around.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Now then, shall we have peace negotiations? Or will you continue to run…… If possible, I don’t want to kill you. It would be best if we could bring you over to our side……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The battle had shifted from a fight to the death to a discussion.