It's a 'United Mankind' Frontier star system. Immediately close by is the border of the 'Hania Federation '.
Therefore, it was once a major trade star system. The articles, which had been carried, were accumulated here at the collection and distribution center, and delivered to the 'Hania Federation' and the 'Greater Alkont Republic'.
In order to handle the enormous freight, the 'United Mankind' constructed an artificial planet.
The amount of goods that flowed into the artificial planet, and which cannot be process kept flowing out. It was the center of the main current of goods.
When Operation Twin Thorns began, the flow of supplies was reversed.
However, the traffic of supplies decreased sharply because the 'Greater Alkont Republic' had to support the troops.
The artificial planet, which was a symbol of prosperity of the Mairal star system, was exposing its paled and miserable form.
This was done so that it could not be used by the enemy, but this was a needless act.
Without any artificial planet, the Mairal star system had played its mother-in-law role nicely for the Star Force (Laburéc) military base.
Since its inception, the Mairal star system had never received such a large quantity of interstellar ships.
"What a view, as expected, the 'Gate' (Sord) is crowded." battleship of the line (Alaicec) 'Kaisof' Captain (Salerl) Bersot said admired.
The 'Kaisof' belongs to the Strike Half-Fleet (Yadobyr Votout) 〈Guderusu〉. It had been waiting for three days before finally allowed to enter the Mairal Sord.
"Thus, do you know now what is going on here?"
"It's the first time the 13th Fleet (Byr Lobina) had gathered here." Vonyu began.
Knowing that the Fleet had gathered, and exposed a defenseless side, he felt uneasy.
"Well, it does mean we are not worried." Vonyu said to soothe him.
"Let me do worry." Captain (Salerl) became sulky, and added. "Being attacked without understanding the reason is too unpleasant to accept."
"Well, please worry about appearance as much as you desire. Then, it seems the name of the Fleet will change."
"A change?" Bersot asked surprised. "What name is it?"
"I don't know yet."
"As for me, I am pleased with the name Twin Thorns (Bolpel)."
"Therefore, please enjoy it as Twin Thorns (Bolpel) for a few days before it's too late."
"What?"
"Who knows?" Vonyu turned her head.
"Anyway, a name change also changes the mission itself."
"Perhaps."
"Do you know about the new mission?"
Vonyu worked on (a pad), and silently showed the Captain the display.
Bersot, immediately, shot a meaningful look at Duhir.
"Hey, it's time for some insights." Bersot said. "What was the Commander in Chief (Glaharerl) talking about, Your Highness the Prince (Feia Larsol)?"
"I cannot say yet." Duhir replied. "I cannot break the military discipline."
"I thought so." he shrugged/hung melancholic. "It is probably not just the military discipline, isn't it?
It is useless to guess this and that in front of a human being(person) who knows the correct answer.
Furthermore, unless he will tell us, we won't know whether or not it is right."
"It pains me in my ~heart/mind." Duhir ~blurbed out carelessly. "I truly mean it."
"I know, I know, Line Wing Officer (Fektodai) Abriel. How about it, want to go in circles talking to ourselves?"
Duhir answered earnestly. "I don't have a go in circles talking habit."
"This is bad for your mental health. At least, how about leaving scribbles about the new Fleet name?"
"I also don't have a scribble habit. Besides, I don't really know anything about the Fleet name."
"But, as a member of the Imperial family (Ruejhe), you must be used to this kind of matters." said Vonyu.
"You get used to what matter?"
"The matter of keeping a secret."
"Something like that, a army officer (Bosnal) has to know about. In any kind of situation, is there someone who would chatter about military units?"
Vonyu shot a suspicious gaze at her superior officer.
"What's with this look?"
"By the way, Captain (Salerl)." Vonyu changed the topic. "We have been given 72 hours of leave."
"Such an important matter should have been told first. Where is it?"
"Everywhere nothing else but mobile city (Laknebh Hoka)." Vonyu said with disgust.
"Boring."
"What were you expecting coming over here? This is a battlefield, you know."
Observing that Vonyu really began to make reservation, Duhir thought, mixing public and private matters. He did not like such behavior.
"I got it. The place is called 'Swallow Inn'."[1] Vonyu threw a memory sheet (Jesh).
Bersot received it. "I don't like the name."
"(Fine) then, please do it (the reservation) yourself (then)." said Vonyu in an offended manner. "but it's a minute's walk to the casino."
"Well done, I will bear with the name. By the way, when does the leave/break start?" Bersot asked.
"For us there's a prince (Lars)."
"Are you taking a hostage?" Kozuvu hung(/shrugged) his shoulders.
"I don't think it's a very good idea, Captain (Salerl)."
"I don't think so either. I want no part of a trip to hell. As a leader, I look up to him."
Duhir was shocked.
Of course, if he thought calmly, something like that was impossible.
The name of the mobile city was called 'Dau Sureuk'.
Unlike the Captain (Salerl), Duhir did not make a reservation at an inn, and wandered aimlessly through the city.
As Bersot predicted, the city was overcrowded with army officer (Bosnal).
When he passed through the bright brand-new street, he appeared in an ancient/antique/very old area.
Here he found a coffee shop named 'Cat's cradle'[2] and entered.
As he was on leave, the luxury will do him good.
But, he did not recognize a single person, he knew, in the customers around him.
However, there wasn't a single army officer who attempted to do a vulgar act such as call out to him.
He didn't know what he should talk about.
The coffee came.
"Well, for now, you will accompany me for a while."
"Yes." Duhir replied obediently.
"You are so unfriendly."
"Because I am an Abriel."
"Indeed."
Duhir also drunk his peach juice.
"Line Wing Officer (Fektodai)." Vonyu finally started a conversation.
But, no matter what, I would like to begin anew, something other than as flight officer (Lodair). I don't have (enough) self-confidence to be able to adapt immediately."
"I see."
"So you see, Line Wing Officer (Fektodai), there's no need to force yourself to blend in."
"Do I appear to overdo it?"
"I don't see it." Vonyu rested her cheeks on her hands.
"Contempt for what?" Duhir looked puzzled.
"Now you belong to this small society/community. The atmosphere on the warship 'Kaisof' is pretty good."
Therefore, disliking being in the society/community of the warship 'Kaisof' isn't a wrong manner/behavior. But you wouldn't be only contempt."
Duhir stared straight into Vonyu's withering brown pupils/eyes, he answered. "I will try."
"This is not a goal." she said in a harsh tone. "It’s an order from a senior officer."
Duhir got more and more confused. If it was, as she said, for the actions on outside behavior then many things are possible.
"I will try. That is all I can tell you."
"The Abriel who cannot lie, is it? That's the answer."
"Yes."
"Have you been hating it?"
"No, never." answered Duhir.
"Ah. I'm relieved."
"May I ask a question, please?"
"Please, go ahead."
"Front Flyer (Lekle), do you have any contempt towards the ship at all?"
"You have been thinking, if there is respect or contempt towards the Empire (Frybar), haven’t you?"
"No. That is, I don't need to think about it."
"For me the warship and the Empire (Frybar) are the same. However, my true home is the 'Telkes', but that warship does not exist anymore.
In other words, to disdain the atmosphere of a warship, it is the same to me, as disdaining the Empire."
"I understand."
"After all, making an effort is all you can say?" Vonyu asked, looking as if she was looking at a mischievous child.
"Yes." Duhir nodded.
"I thought so."
Suddenly, a voice came out of the loudspeakers.
This a temporary message. Please listen now. This message is for the army officer (Bosnal) from the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Fleets from the Twin Thorns Fleets."
Duhir listened carefully. Including Vonyu, the other customers stopped talking, and strained their ears.
"Only now, the name for the operation which we are going to begin has been decided." the woman's voice echoed.
In accordance to Empire (Frybar) procedure/custom, our Fleet will subsequently be renamed to Snow Crystal Fleet(Byr Gyknel).
The 13th Twin Thorns Fleetheadquarters will become the headquarters. The contents of the mission, and order of (combat/)battle will be announced later.
"Snow Crystal Fleet(Byr Gyknel) or......" Vonyu shook her head. "The Captain (Salerl) is not going to like it."
Translator's Note Jump up↑ 〈燕亭〉=>〈Swallow Inn〉燕 = swallow; also means: a young lover of an older woman Jump up↑ 〈綾取り〉=>〈Cat's cradle〉"Ayatori"; strange name for a café