Chapter 53

After capturing Names Fortress, the recapture operation proceeded smoothly.

It seemed that the enemy had focused on their air force, and there were not many enemies on the ground.

Perhaps they had relied too much on Names Fortress.

However, when we arrived at the energy plant, the recapture operation came to a halt.

The terrorists were holed up in the energy plant.

We couldn't destroy the energy plant, and even a reduced-power beam would damage the facility. A direct hit from a missile would be disastrous.

In this situation, we had no choice but to rely entirely on the ground forces.

All we, the ground support team, could do was to inform the ground forces of enemy movements from the air and prevent enemy air forces from attacking our ground forces.

The friendly air forces, which had been dealing with the enemy air forces, had already eliminated the main enemy force. About 20% were searching for and pursuing the remaining enemy forces, while the remaining 80% were on alert.

Thanks to this, we had a bit of time, and unfortunately, I saw something I didn't want to see.

I found that 'Blue Sparrow.'

From the fact that it wasn't hostile to Arthur and 'The Black Demon,' it seemed to be on our side.

But if it got involved, it would be a nightmare!

Fortunately, it didn't seem to notice us, so it was best to ignore it.

Still, the terrorists were stubborn.

If the old woman's story was true, it wouldn't be surprising if the army of the Nekirelma Kingdom was involved, or even if it was the army itself.

In that case, it would be even more impossible for them to surrender.

If they were pure terrorists, they would be so entrenched in their twisted beliefs that they wouldn't surrender either.

They were probably waiting for reinforcements from the Nekirelma Kingdom, but with the Fifth and Seventh Fleets deployed around the planet, the Nekirelma Kingdom's fleet had been destroyed, so no reinforcements would come.

If we just waited, we would eventually recapture the energy plant, but it was unclear how long it would take.

Those who had to wait were the private soldiers, garrison troops, and us mercenaries.

The militia, being amateurs, would follow the instructions of the military and mercenaries if properly explained.

All we had to do was to be on alert for the terrorists' escape and wait for the ground forces to do their job.

However, there were those who couldn't wait.

"Hey, you guys! What are you doing! I told the air force to be on alert around the perimeter!"

The sudden shout of the nobleman made everyone look around.

The next moment, several beams hit near the plant.

Fortunately, they didn't hit the plant.

"How long are you going to dawdle?!"

"If we finish off the enemy, it will be a great victory, right? It would be a loss not to aim for it!"

"It's war, right? It's no problem if one plant blows up, right?!"

"I want to take a shower and drink sparkling wine as soon as possible!"

The ones who couldn't wait and attacked the plant were the popular kids from the air force.

It seemed they had no sense of following military regulations or understanding the situation.

They ignored the nobleman's shouts and were about to attack the energy plant again in a formation of six.

Another shout came.

"The ground forces have already entered the plant! Are you going to blow them up too?!"

The one shouting was Tony, the nobleman's son.

He seemed genuinely angry, and his tone was fierce.

"It's a noble sacrifice in war!"

"You can become a hero, so it's fine, right?"

"Besides, it's their fault for being slow!"

However, the popular kids ignored the shouts and responded in a light tone.

It seemed they could only see their own convenience and desires.

They were too stupid.

To disobey the overall commander's order to stop was insane.

Perhaps, no, they were definitely the children of nobles.

Moreover, it seemed there were children of nobles higher than the nobleman among them.

The old fortune-teller had said that the nobles of the Nekirelma Kingdom were worse, but there were still fools on our side.

But this was a battlefield.

After hearing their conversation, we, the ground support team, without any discussion, prepared to shoot down those popular kids.

Those who violated orders on the battlefield and killed their comrades for personal gain deserved to be shot down.

The first attack caught them off guard because they were on our side, but there would be no second.

However, the next moment, a flash of light appeared, and the popular kids' ships exploded.

But the damage was limited to a level that allowed them to make an emergency landing.

"Ah!"

"Damn! Is it the enemy? What are the others doing?!"

"No, it's a friendly ship? Why are you attacking us?!"

The one who attacked them called out.

"Are you idiots?"

The attacker was Mari Leheat Ruihen Farina, known as the 'Crimson Goddess.'

With her pigeon-blood red hair, golden eyes, and fair skin, the tall, beautiful woman with a model's figure had a sultry voice.

"You're trying to destroy the energy plant we're trying to recapture, and you're even willing to kill the ground forces. What are you thinking? Just make an emergency landing quietly."

Farina said something very reasonable, but they didn't seem to understand.

"What are you doing! You're just a mercenary! I'm the daughter of the Rusbul Marquis! My father will have you punished immediately!"

The noble girl, who had been next to me, tried to assert her status in an irritated tone.

The others were also shouting at her, but the sound was distorted and hard to hear.

The nobleman, without hiding his anger, shouted at them.

"Hey, you brats, including the daughter of Rusbul! What you were about to do is a serious violation of military regulations. Be prepared for severe punishment!"

It turned out that the popular kids were not mercenaries but garrison troops.

I had thought they were mercenaries because of their flashy ships and clothing.

"What? I'm the daughter of a marquis! Why should I be punished?!"

"You don't seem to understand that what you were about to do was an act of destroying the backbone of the empire's energy. If it was an accident or an irresistible force, it might be different, but if you do it on purpose, you could be executed regardless of your rank. Anyway, land your ships quickly!

If you don't, we'll consider it an intention to attack the energy plant and shoot you down as traitors!"

The popular noble girl and her friends, intimidated by the nobleman's presence, made an emergency landing far from the plant.

About an hour later.

The terrorists, judging that they couldn't do any more, surrendered with one of their comrades captured.

It turned out that the captured one had set up a remote bomb and planned to escape alone, then blow up the plant with his comrades.

So they captured him—the terrorist leader—and surrendered.

Thus, the operation to eliminate the terrorists was somehow completed.

The battle is over.

What will happen next...

Thank you for your comments, opinions, and any corrections.