October 14, 3458.
Hourai Island was a hive of activity.
In less than a day, the fragments would finally reach Ars.
"Well then, I'm off," Jin announced from the Hourai Island command room.
Though he said he was "going," his physical body would remain; he was instead operating his Doppel, Jin D, to virtually board the Adriana.
"Mm. I’ll support you from here," Elsa said. She remained at her post in the command room, determined to do everything in her power to help.
Elsewhere, the Sky squad—the Air Force—was performing final checks on three hundred Raptors, two hundred Skylarks, and ten Falcons, all equipped with small-bore transporter cannons. Meanwhile, the Land squad—the Army—stood by, ready for emergency deployment via transporter to any nation should the situation deteriorate.
At sea, the battleships Hotaka, Myoukou, and Asama had moved into position to intercept any fragments falling toward the ocean.
Reiko boarded Jin’s personal craft, Pegasus 1, while Edgar took command of Konron 3. They were tasked with defending the skies over Kaina Village and Hourai Island, respectively.
When Jin D opened his eyes on the central bridge of the Adriana, he found himself surrounded by the void of space.
The ship’s role in providing auxiliary propulsion to steer the extra-large-class fragment was finished.
"My Lord, at this moment, the extra-large-class fragment is on a course to pass approximately 130,000 kilometers from Ars."
"I see. That should be manageable."
The distance had initially been projected at a mere 30,000 kilometers. The current margin was the result of tireless effort—using the Adriana to nudge the mass and deploying additional large force generators.
Even so, to account for any unforeseen variables, the Adriana was prepared to deploy the newly developed Aegis shield to protect Ars from the fragment's influence.
Currently, the Adriana was cruising alongside the extra-large-class fragment at a speed of 290 kilometers per second. They were roughly 13 million kilometers from Ars; at this rate, they would reach their closest approach in about twelve hours.
"The large-class fragments are all accounted for, right?" Jin asked, performing a final check.
"Yes, My Lord. There is no longer any concern regarding the large-class fragments. Every one of them is heading straight for the star Celane. The large force generators have been deactivated and will be recovered once they pass the orbit of Ars."
"And the Cosmos units dispatched to them?"
"All units are safe."
"Good, everything is on track. What about the medium-class fragments?"
"Those have also been gathered into a single cluster. We will sort through them later and salvage any usable resources."
"Right. It would be a waste not to use all that material."
Hourai Island had consumed a staggering amount of resources during this crisis—equivalent to roughly a century's worth of typical consumption.
"Well, it hasn’t exactly vanished into nothing, but still..." Jin muttered. "Are the small-class fragments under control too?"
"Yes. Their status is the same as the medium-class."
"Good. Then the only remaining issue is the micro-class."
"Indeed."
At this point, Jin decided to test a method he had been contemplating for some time.
"Order one... no, five of the reconnaissance spaceships to direct powerful searchlights toward the incoming fragments. Make sure the light includes the ultraviolet spectrum."
"I see. That will make the particle clouds easier to detect."
Jin’s reasoning was that certain substances might fluoresce under ultraviolet light, making the debris clouds easier to identify. Since all reconnaissance spaceships were equipped with searchlight functions, the order was executed immediately.
"Oh, there it is. It looks like a spreading cloud over there."
A vast cloud of micro-particles began to glow as it caught the intense beams.
"Teleport those toward Celane as well."
The "space dust"—ranging from a few microns to a few millimeters in diameter—was of no practical use. Once teleported within the orbit of the first planet, the gravity of the star Celane would inevitably pull it in.
"Understood. Issuing instructions now."
One by one, the micro-class fragments were cleared away.
"Still, with numbers like that, we’re bound to miss a few. Don’t lower your guard."
"Understood."
The Adriana glided through the obsidian dark. Five hundred kilometers away, the extra-large-class fragment loomed like a silent mountain.
Because their speeds were synchronized, the fragment appeared motionless, but in reality, they were hurtling through the void at over 290 kilometers per second. By the time they crossed the orbit of Ars, they would likely exceed 300 kilometers per second.
"Eight hours to go."
Jin temporarily disconnected from Jin D and returned his consciousness to the Hourai Island command room.
"Welcome back, Jin-nii. Everything is quiet on this end."
"Yeah. Things are looking good out there too."
Jin decided to take a moment to eat and catch a short nap while he could. After washing up and eating, he sat down on the sofa bed that Reiko and Elsa had prepared for him.
"I’m going to sleep for a bit. Wake me up in two hours."
Elsa sat down on the edge of the bed beside him.
"...I-If you like, you can use... this."
Blushing, Elsa tapped her lap.
"Eh..."
Jin hesitated for a second, but then reconsidered. He lay down and rested his head on her thighs.
"I'll... let you stay like this for two hours."
"Ah... thanks, Elsa."
Feeling the soft, supple pressure against the back of his head, Jin closed his eyes. He had worried that the proximity might keep him awake, but to his surprise, he drifted off almost immediately.
Watching his sleeping face, Elsa smiled softly.
Two quiet hours passed.
"Jin-nii, wake up."
Elsa lightly poked Jin’s cheek.
"Nngh... Ah, is it time?"
A naturally quick waker, Jin opened his eyes and slowly sat up.
"Thanks, Elsa. I must have been heavy."
Elsa simply shook her head in silence.
"Well then. It’s finally time."
"Father, please take this."
Reiko handed the waking Jin a glass of Persica juice. It was perfectly chilled and refreshing.
"Delicious. Thanks, Reiko."
"You are very welcome. I shall now board Pegasus 1."
"Yeah. I’m counting on you."
"Yes, leave everything to me."
The mission, representing the full might of Hourai Island, was about to begin.