The Pride of the Empire

The time goes back a bit.

Count Vaile was in command of the fleet in the cockpit of the Dragoon Dire Vaid.

It is the command of a large army.

The Count had gathered his own ships and about five hundred dragoons behind the battle fleet to form a headquarters squadron, and was watching the entire battle situation from within it.

It was surprising that the Federation fleet that came this way was 30,000.

I wonder if that’s how much of a threat the Federals considered that fortress to be.

(But I’d hate for you to think that 30,000 can do anything for us.)

The Imperial Fleet majestically advanced its battle fleet and entered into a firefight with the Federation fleet.

The Imperial forces were outnumbered by the battle line ships and their skill level was not much different. The 10,000 that came from the independent countries were dragging their feet a bit, but not enough to overturn the war situation.

The Federation forces were fighting to endure the attacks of the Imperial Fleet. They are defending themselves by gradually retreating to distance themselves from the Imperial Fleet.

There was no sign of any special maneuvering by the Federals.

“What’s the status of the fortress side of the battle?”

The Count asked his chief of staff.

“The fortress’ firepower is tremendous. The Federation fleet is melting like ice.”

The Count called up a map of the battle situation on the fortress side on the monitor at hand.

In fact, the number of Federation ships was dwindling at a frightening rate. The Federation battle lines are beginning to retreat, but quite a few of them will be sunk before they get out of range of the fortress.

“The Fleet Admiral estimated 10,000, but I’m afraid he was completely wrong.”
“Yes.”
“But it is strange that the Federation fleet in front of us is so quiet in this situation. It’s a scene that requires a comeback, isn’t it?”

Or are they planning to withdraw all their forces at this point?

With a sense of discomfort, the Count observed the entire battlefield.

The Federation fleet that was attacking the fortress side is pulling back. They are out of range of the warships, out of range of the fortress, and still accelerating.

(This speed, this direction, no way?)

One possibility crossed the Count’s mind.

Possible options when you look at where the Federation fleet can warp to, the speed, the direction, everything put together.

If the Federation fleet on the fortress side were to leave and warp to warp range, it would be possible to encircle the Imperial fleet in the hinterland.

If it ends up being a possibility, fine. In reality, they may just be running for their lives in a total collapse. But what if this is a Federation fleet operation?

The first thing that bothers me is that the frigates in the melee are still in the melee. It’s not like they’re covering their fleeing allies.

As long as we are engaged in a melee at that location, neither the fortress nor the frigates and pirates over there can warp.

“Contact all ships. Reorganize formation into a spindle shape. We’ll attempt to break through the center of the enemy fleet in front of us.”

The Count decided to use a strong hand.

It would be nice if the possibility that just occurred to me ended up being just a possibility. It will end up being just a matter of moving a little too quickly to break through the center.

But what if this is as far as the Feds have painted it?

We have to break through the center while we still can. Once we are surrounded, it will be too late.

Proceed with the breakthrough in the center while you still can, and turn around after the breakthrough. This is how you will fight the enemy fleet that has joined you.

“Very well, sir. How’s the breakthrough coming along?”
“As soon as it’s ready. Hurry.”
“Yes.”

The Count’s orders were relayed to the fleet. The warships began to change formation as they continued to fire their guns.

“Dragoons and frigates, charge immediately. Dragoons, run ahead of them.”

The Imperial Fleet’s dragoons and frigates began to move toward the center of the Federation battle fleet.

The frigates of the Federation fleet began to maneuver to stop them, and the battle cruisers began to concentrate their fire on the dragoon.

“Surprise!”

In the midst of all the hostility, 2,000 dragoons raced through the air.

With an agility that no ship but the Dragoon could match, they evaded enemy bullets, shielded against them, and rushed in. They had already left their own frigates behind.

Even the Federation’s frigates were unable to block their way in the face of the Dragoon’s mobility.

They were excited to see the firepower of the fortress.

The bombardment power of the fortress was nothing short of terrifying. However, they were proud to say that the fastest and largest impact force in the universe was theirs.

A forceful assault, much appreciated. That’s what I want.

What’s the point of a fortress? The Dragoon is also a legacy of a former civilization.

We must remind them of the folly of concentrating their forces on fortresses without us.

The Dragoon Corps attacked the line of Federation battle ships.

They close in on the warships, pounding them with artillery from an unavoidable distance, blasting them to pieces and then breaking away.

In a matter of seconds, 100 warships were sunk.

As subsequent dragoons moved in, the damage quickly increased to another 200 or 300 ships.

Deep.

Forward.

A Federation frigate caught up behind the dragoon, and a melee dogfight began to unfold.

More Imperial frigates rushed in behind them.

A wedge of dragoons and frigates was driven into the Federation fleet.

“All ships, assault.”

The warships that had finished changing formation began to move forward. It was to push through the wedge driven by the dragoon from behind.

“Admiral, signs of warp out behind us!”
“Don’t worry, just keep going!”

It was just as I had feared.

In this situation, the only way was to get through before the hinterland attacked us.

“Headquarters squadron is also advancing. There is no other way for us to live but to break through here.”

The Count connected to the Dire Void’s control system.