Gore Baseman's lineage traced back to the very first Prime Minister of the Golden Lion Empire, known as the Iron-Blooded Baseman. Legends told of Prime Minister Baseman's ruthless campaigns alongside the founding Emperor, Ryan the Great, as they conquered rival empires. Those who defied Emperor Ryan's orders, be they commoners or nobles, faced Prime Minister Baseman's stern retribution. Gore, in many respects, bore a striking resemblance to his forebear. He shared the same single-minded determination to fulfill his missions, heedless of the human cost. Consequently, Gore inspired fear among his adversaries and even his peers. Yet, it was precisely this unrelenting resolve that catapulted him to the rank of Rear Admiral in his early thirties, empowering him to independently command a cruiser fleet.
Based on reliable intelligence from the department, Gore meticulously devised an operation aimed at the annihilation of the notorious Red Beard pirate gang. To this end, he had not hesitated to alter the interstellar flight route from Mu 5 to Yu 2, redirecting it toward the star field where the Intelligence Department suspected the Red Beard Pirates' secret base. Gore's fleet had been stationed in the star field for nearly three days, closely monitoring the situation.
Today, when Red Beard's flagship embarked on a fateful voyage, the intelligence satellites previously deployed by Gore had already pinpointed their quarry. As the satellite relayed the information, Gore promptly ordered the interstellar flight to alter its course again, deliberately luring it toward Red Beard. His fleet lay in ambush, awaiting the opportune moment.
Red Beard kept Gore in suspense for only a brief span, as he witnessed the pirate flagship, unaccompanied by frigates, heading straight for the interstellar flight. This unexpected development took Gore by surprise.
"Orders!" Gore commanded, his face etched with determination. "Cross Star destroyers No. 1 and 2 will flank the target, maintaining utmost stealth. All carrier-based fighters prepare for combat, and the fleet is to assume Condition 2 combat alert." Gore's orders resounded throughout the cruiser fleet, prompting a wailing siren as the crew readied themselves for the impending battle.
After a minute, the two destroyers reached their designated positions, with all combat units poised for action. Gore intently scrutinized the command room screens as the pirate flagship issued a warning shot to halt the interstellar flight's progress. When the Starliner continued its journey unheeding, the pirates launched a torpedo, striking the power module and forcing the spacecraft to slow down. Smoke billowed from the Starliner's aft, with passengers attempting hasty escapes through ejection ports. Chaos reigned. Gore withheld his attack, biding his time for the perfect moment.
The pirate ship closed in on the interstellar flight. The surveillance feed revealed the pirates boarding the Starliner via a hanging ladder, intermittently firing at those attempting escape through the ejection windows. More hanging ladders successfully bridged the pirate ship to the interstellar flight. It was evident that the pirates were engaged in wanton destruction, looting, and violence.
"Deploy the fighter group and initiate the Marine Corps! Remember, this time, we aim to capture the pirates alive!" Gore finally issued the attack order.
Squadrons of carrier-based assault craft soared through space, launching torpedoes and missiles at the Red Beard flagship. The pirate ship's protective shield fractured, emitting smoke from multiple points. As the pirates retaliated, Gore's fleet contended with evasive maneuvers to avoid the incoming shells. Yet, the gap between the Imperial fleet and the pirate ship continued to narrow. Occasionally, weapons from battleships and cruisers found their mark on the pirate vessel.
"Report, an unidentified spacecraft has emerged ahead of the enemy vessel," Gore's adjutant informed him.
"Unidentified spacecraft? It couldn't be Red Beard's reinforcements, could it?" Gore's gut churned with unease. "Order immediate confirmation of the unidentified spacecraft's identity." He queried his adjutant, "Are our spy and jamming satellites, scattered throughout this star field, still operational?"
"Yes, sir, all of our satellites are fully operational," the adjutant assured him.
"Report, our scans indicate the unknown spacecraft is not of military origin," the surveillance department relayed the latest information.
Relieved by this news, Gore gave orders to maintain their current course and to swiftly charge the main guns on each vessel. The designated targets were the pirate ship ahead and the mysterious unknown spacecraft.
At the same time, the Wolfe family teetered on the brink of despair. The initial joy had given way to a sense of impending doom.
"What should we do?" Laura implored her husband.
"Control center, can we change our course immediately to evade the pirate ship ahead?" Wolfe asked the central computer, his voice strained.
"Even if we alter our route now, considering the speed of the other vessel, it will overtake us within a maximum delay of two minutes. There are 12 minutes and 28 seconds left before the two ships converge," the central computer replied in an unfeeling tone, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope within the family.
Wolfe, gazing at his frail wife and young children, reached a decision. "Bob, take your wife and the kids to the rear rescue cabin. When you're ready, I'll detach the rescue capsule and the garbage cabin from the spacecraft simultaneously. I'll veer the spacecraft off course in an attempt to divert the pirates' attention."
"No! I want to stay with you." Laura voiced her dissent immediately. "Furthermore, the rescue capsule can't accommodate both adults and the children."
"Madam, please go to the rescue capsule with the young master and young lady. I'll remain with Mr. Wolfe and lead the pirates away," Bob chimed in.
"No, Bob. I will stay with Wolfe. Please ensure the safety of the children," Laura countered, her eyes steadfast and tender as she looked at her husband for his decision.
Meeting her gaze, Wolfe took a deep breath. "Bob, do as the lady says. Hurry, time is running out."
With a confirming response, Bob guided the children to the rescue capsule and prepared for departure. Laura's grip remained firm on her husband's hand.
"Master, I've entered the rescue capsule with the young master and young lady," Bob's voice echoed through the intercom.
"I understand, Bob. Please take good care of the children," Wolfe replied. He then issued an order to the control center's computer, "Jettison the rescue capsule and the garbage cabin simultaneously. Alter the spacecraft's course in the opposite direction to the rescue capsule."
"The rescue capsule and the garbage cabin have been successfully jettisoned, and the course has been modified. According to the new calculations, there are 5 minutes and 11 seconds left until the encounter with the two ships," the control center computer confirmed.
Wolfe and Laura, watching through the dark window, witnessed the gradual departure of the garbage tank and rescue capsule from the "Eagle." Wolfe affirmed, "They will be safe."
Laura concurred, "Yes, they will survive."
"Three Imperial warships have appeared behind the Red Beard pirate ship, and they are requesting that we identify ourselves," the control center computer relayed new information.
"Quickly, inform them that this is the 'Flying Eagle,' owned by Imperial Baron Wolf Eagle. We've encountered pirates and
require their assistance!" Wolfe exclaimed, hope rekindling. "We're going to be saved!"