Admiral’s Request

“Before you go any further, Sett Vayel is a dead man.”

That was the first thing Setsu chose to say.

Admiral Vetsia took a sip of the packaged tea that had just been delivered to her seat.

“Of course, we’ve heard the information, but officially, that’s the biggest problem we have.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sure I don’t need to explain to you that official announcements don’t represent the truth, but now the debate among us is, what is the point, then?”

Admiral Vetsia speaks with the certainty that Settsu is Settsu.

(I may have acted a little too carelessly.)

For Setsu, who had no title other than Count Duke, he thought that no matter where he was or what he was doing, he would be left alone and could push his way through with an empty pretense.

However, it seemed that this was not the case, given that Admiral Vetsia had actually visited him like this.

For the independent countries caught between the great powers, it seemed that even a dead count duke would have to have some kind of agenda.

I need to be a little more careful in the future.

“Some say they are spies for the Empire, some say they are being used as an excuse to invade. The majority versus the overwhelming minority, though.”

Setsueto nodded in understanding.

“The majority opinion is this. Let’s capture them quickly and hand them over to the Kingdom or the Federation.”
“I see. So, who are you as an overwhelming minority?”

Since Admiral Vetsia is here alone, she is not of the capturing faction.

“We as a nation should not be involved in this matter.”
“I’d be happy to do that for you.”
“I’m sure you are.”

Admiral Vetsia laughed dryly.

“So, by request, do you mean you want me to leave promptly or something?”

As an overwhelming minority, they probably came to Setsu to deal with the root of the problem before the majority pushed them away.

“I wish that were all.”

Admiral Vetsia replied, and he knew that things were even worse than Settsu had imagined.

“A fleet under the control of the majority party is already preparing. Even if we set sail now, a battle will be inevitable.”
“That’s terrible.”

I wonder if the “Glory of Black and Silver” can escape.

They even managed to escape the dragoon. However, the Black Silver Glory is a pirate ship under contract with this country. It didn’t seem like a good idea for them to escape with Settsu on board.

So far, the Black Silver Glory has been a nuisance. I didn’t want it to become the one being pushed around by Set’s convenience any more.

“So, what’s the Admiral’s plan?”
“There is an embassy of the kingdom in our country. Therefore, I would like you to go there with me and apply for asylum.”

I see. It’s not a matter of capturing them and handing them over, it’s a matter of voluntarily.

“Why?”
“If Azuna decides to apply for asylum in the Kingdom, we can maintain our position that we have nothing to do with it. At the very least, it will be impossible for us to capture him and hand him over.”
“If you’re talking about splitting the army in two with an overwhelmingly small number.”

Setsueto mixed it up.

The reason Admiral Vetsia spoke of now was for their own reasons. Frankly, I don’t care.

“As you say. But I’m a Starfleet commander, after all.”
“A few in number, but not in strength.”
“Yes.”
“So, if I voluntarily apply for asylum, what are the chances that things will go badly for me in the Kingdom?”
“I hope you don’t mind. I have taken the liberty of making the necessary preparations. As long as the application is voluntary, the kingdom will accept Azuna-dono.”

Admiral Vetsia must have talked to the ambassador of the kingdom before coming here. But the ambassador must not have been able to confirm the intentions of the home country. We don’t have that many days. Even if the ambassador said yes, it would be up to the home country to decide whether or not to grant asylum.

Then again, it may not be a good condition.

The Kingdom is a nation that was originally a compatriot of the Empire.

The two countries were separated in a dispute over the succession to the throne and are now enemies. It’s unclear which way the former compatriots will work. As far as Settsu knows, there is no precedent for an Imperial nobleman defecting to the Kingdom.

As for Setsu, he wanted to choose the third option, to escape somehow.

Settsu took a sip of his tea and bought himself some time to think.

As Admiral Vetsia, he has no intention of stepping into a situation where his forces are split up. Then, it would not be feasible for him to have his fleet escort us out of the country.

I thought about it, but there seemed to be few options for action.

The fortress was placed in a remote system so that it would not be easily discovered in the aftermath of a warp out. Unless a warp-capable ship was sent to the vicinity, no contact could be made and the fortress could not be moved.

This was Settsu’s own fault for underestimating the situation and carelessly enjoying the tea.

“I understand. Let’s take the Admiral’s offer.”
“Thank you very much. I’ll get right on it, but I’d like to hurry.”

The Admiral stood from his seat.

“Is it really that tight?”
“Of course.”

Admiral Vetsia’s expression was serious. Apparently it’s true.

As Setsuto stood up, Mitsuki stood up as well.

“Mitski, you don’t have to come.”
“Not so fast. I can’t leave your side.”
“After I return to the ship and inform them of this, you are free to go.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t hear that order. I don’t have the freedom to make decisions.”

He spoke decisively.

“Lord Azuna, she will be your escort. You should have an escort.”

Admiral Vetsia interrupted him.

“You sure you want to go to ……?”

Settsu confirmed with Mitsuki. He was not sure how much she would understand, but it implied that he might not be able to return to the fortress.

“My mission is to help you, my lord. Even if it is outside.”

Setsuko’s thoughts seemed to have been conveyed, but Mitsuki’s reply was as hesitant as ever.

“All right, let’s go.”
“Understood”

The three of us started walking to leave the cafe.

Just as we were about to exit, the door of the café opened and men in military uniforms came in. There were ten men in total. They all had blasters on their hips.

Admiral Vetsia stiffened.

Not a good reaction. Mitsuki quickly moved between Setsuko and the men.

“Well, well, well, Admiral Vezia.”

The man in the center of the group of men spoke to Admiral Vetsia. He was a tall, slender man. From the look of him, he seemed to be the commander of the men.

“Look who it is. It’s a dog.”

Admiral Vetsia’s words were a thorn in my side. In other words, they must be the “majority”.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m just loyal to the state.”
“I was just complimenting you on your faithfulness to orders. Don’t worry about it.”

An exchange of sarcasm.

“Will you accompany me, Count Setsueto Vayel, my lord?”
“Here is the crew of the pirate ship Black Silver Glory, Lord Shia Azuna.”
“I see. Then I’ll also check later to see if he’s the count duke who calls himself Shia Azuna.”

Admiral Vetsia and the commander are having a verbal exchange.

“Do you want to cut it open?”

Mitsuki asked in a whisper.

Settsu gave a small shake of her head. There was only one way in and out. He was facing ten armed men. The situation was too bad.

“Unfortunately, we’ve decided to protect Azuna-dono with the First Fleet. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interfere.”

The commander’s expression of composure did not waver at all in response to Admiral Vetsia’s words.

“I’m sorry, Admiral.”
(Oh, this is…)

The majority of them had already made up their minds. Setsuko understood that.

The commander drew his gun from his hip holster.

“I’m going to ask you to come with me, Admiral. The charges are, well, let’s go with treason, shall we?”

The ten people around him also pulled out their guns at once.