Chapter 2

The current situation is the best scenario he had long awaited.

Right now, it is a moment that can be described as the culmination of his pent-up feelings.

However, the situation unfolds in a completely different way from what he had hoped for.

His subordinates completely ignore his orders.

They simply disregarded his commands.

Then, his second-in-command, Lieutenant Merica, spoke up.

"Like hell we'll go for that."

Huh?

I'm a second lieutenant.

I'm her superior.

What's with that one-liner?

Even if I am a wimp, isn't that a bit much for an organization?

Is that even acceptable??

As Naoh was about to retort, Lieutenant Merica immediately issued another order.

"Maria, it's your turn."

"Yes, Lieutenant Merica."

The one called was Maria, a sergeant who leads a squad under Lieutenant Merica.

However, no matter how you look at it, she and all the members of her squad are women who don't seem suited for rough work, and there are only about 15 of them, far fewer than the pirates.

Naoh's best moment, the moment he dreamed of sacrificing himself to protect his subordinates, seems to be slipping away.

Reality doesn't seem to be going according to his ideals.

Moreover, it's heading in the worst possible direction.

All Naoh can see is a future where they are easily dealt with by the pirates without a fight, and then suffer the kind of harm only women can, being raped and killed by the pirates.

"Y-You can't allow that."

Just as he tried to cancel Lieutenant Merica's order, he felt a strong impact to the back of his head.

*Thud!*

Huh??

"Captain, you're in the way."

Sergeant Kate, Merica's second-in-command, pushed him from behind, grabbed him by the collar, and dragged him to the back of Maria and the others.

Huh? Huh?

I'm the captain, right? I'm an officer, fresh out of school, but I'm still your captain.

What's with this treatment?

Isn't this a bit harsh?

And what's with the "in the way" comment?

To a captain, no less.

Naoh wanted to protest strongly, but with his collar grabbed and being dragged, he couldn't even make a sound.

Ignoring Naoh's concerns, the pirates seemed to be looking forward to the chaos to come, licking their lips and grinning lewdly.

Maria and the others stood in front of Naoh, pointing something at the pirates.

"Go ahead, Maria."

"Yes, Lieutenant Merica.

Everyone ready?

Then, take aim, fire!"

At the same time as Maria's cute voice, all the objects in their hands fired simultaneously.

A deafening roar... though in the vacuum of space, no sound could be heard, it looked as if a deafening roar had erupted, and at the same time, the pirates rushing towards them began to fall.

Maria and the others continued to fire their weapons, taking down the pirates one after another.

The only ones fighting are the 15 members of Maria's squad.

The other squad is just watching, or rather, cheering them on.

As the pirates are taken down one by one, the cheering grows louder.

They jump around and clap their hands, getting more and more excited.

When half of the pirates are down, they finally realize their disadvantage and start to flee, but Maria and the others continue to take them down mercilessly from behind.

When the last pirate is taken down, the excitement of Merica's squad reaches its peak.

Except for Kate, who is the only one not caught up in the excitement.

Kate, who has been holding Naoh by the collar to keep him from interfering with Maria and the others, can't jump or clap her hands.

Still, she seems to be getting excited as the pirates are taken down one by one.

Finally, unable to hold back, she unconsciously tightens her grip on his neck.

Huh?

Wait a minute!

Putting force into the hands that are holding my neck while I'm in a power suit is not good.

Huh?

Stop it, if you keep tightening your grip, it's dangerous.

I, I, I can't breathe.

I, I'm going to die, stop, it's bad, I can't take it anymore!

Stop it~~

Look, I'm falling, I'm falling, stop it.

No matter how much I scream in my head, Kate doesn't notice at all.

Look, I'm falling.

Indeed, I had hoped to die in the line of duty, but I never thought I would be killed by my subordinates.

Is this considered dying in the line of duty?

And, isn't this a bit much?

I don't want to think that I was so disliked by my subordinates, but really?

However, it seems to be true that one's life flashes before their eyes at the moment of death.

But, to recall this moment of all things.

Indeed, there were hardly any good moments in my life, but to recall this scene is really too much.

The memory is of a time when I wanted to die, which only confirms that my life has been devoid of happiness.

Naoh lamented his bad luck until the very moment he fell.