Chapter 8

Let me explain a bit more about the Coast Guard here.

The current combat strength of the Coast Guard, as mentioned earlier, consists entirely of hand-me-downs from the military, comprising three mobile fleets and three patrol squadrons. The most prestigious department within the Coast Guard is the flagship of the mobile fleet. Among these, the most honored is the First Mobile Fleet, which, along with the other two mobile fleets, has achieved the most success in current anti-piracy operations.

Incidentally, the composition of the mobile fleets is as follows:

The First Mobile Fleet is the only one that has a space cruiser, which serves as the flagship of the entire capital space defense force, and is structured as follows:

First Mobile Fleet

- Flagship: Space Cruiser

- Escort: Space Aegis Ship 1

- Space Frigates 2

Second and Third Mobile Fleets

- Flagship: Space Aegis Ship

- Escort: Space Frigates 2

Their main job is to combat pirates.

The patrol squadrons, including Naoh's assignment, consist of two space frigates and are primarily responsible for patrolling the space sector. Naoh was assigned to the department that conducts inspections of suspicious vessels discovered during these patrols.

The space frigate 'Akeshi,' on which Naoh will serve, is, as mentioned earlier, a ship that gathers the so-called unwanted elements. This ship carries an internal fireboat belonging to one inspection squad.

The composition of the other First and Second Patrol Squadrons is the same. However, in terms of personnel, the fewer the numbers, the lower the evaluation. As you can imagine, the ships that are not flagships in the Third Patrol Squadron are the dumping ground within the Coast Guard organization.

Naoh's assignment was decided to be in the least influential department within the organization for such adult reasons.

On the day after the graduation ceremony, Naoh was called to a certain conference room in the headquarters of the space military in the capital, a day later than his peers.

It was a summons for a measure that the space military did not want to be known publicly. Here, Naoh was called alone to avoid leaks to outsiders, and he received his orders from the personnel officer at headquarters.

"Orders.

Naoh Bruce.

By order of this day, you are assigned to the Capital Space Defense Force."

"I humbly accept."

Sigh, as expected, with those grades, the front lines are out of the question.

But if that's the case, what happens to the dream I've been envisioning?

Naoh was quite disappointed as he received his orders. His disappointment was so obvious that the personnel officer, who felt guilty, tried to console him.

"Don't be discouraged, Naoh.

Even though it's an assignment, your rank will be one grade higher.

You'll be a second lieutenant and will be sent to the front lines before any of your peers.

We'll call you back as soon as you gain enough experience there.

The current military doesn't have the luxury to keep talented officers like you idle."

While being patted on the shoulder, Naoh, upon hearing the word 'front lines,' began to have some hope for his future workplace.

"Thank you.

I apologize for worrying you, but I'm fine now.

I'll report there immediately."

"Ah, good luck."

With that, Naoh left the space military headquarters. The headquarters of the Capital Space Defense Force, which is also in the capital, is less than 500 meters away from the space military headquarters.

This is located in a joint building with the headquarters of the Capital Police Force, which maintains the security of the capital planet Diamond. Incidentally, in terms of popularity and status among the citizens of the Kingdom of Diamond, the top rank is held by career bureaucrats, followed by elite officers of the space military, then the Capital Police, the police headquarters on the main planets of each star system, and finally, the Capital Space Defense Force.

In terms of popularity among the general public, the ranks below the military elite are almost the same, but due to the dishonor of being assigned to the military's dumping ground, the status is the lowest.

Naoh, holding the documents he had just received, walked down the neatly maintained streets of the central government district toward the headquarters of the Capital Space Defense Force.

While walking, Naoh's mind was filled with frustration. Although he had been told he would be sent to the field earlier than his peers, he still didn't know where he would be assigned. It was possible that he might end up doing paperwork at this headquarters, the farthest place from the front lines. He definitely wanted to avoid that, but Naoh understood that such whims were not allowed for a fresh graduate.

At the reception of the Coast Guard headquarters, Naoh explained the purpose of his visit to a beautiful receptionist and waited for instructions.

The receptionist, after making a phone call, politely informed him of his destination.

"Second Lieutenant Bruce, we have been expecting you.

Your contact person is waiting for you in Conference Room C on the 11th floor. Please proceed there.

Enter through the gate, and you will find the elevator at the back. The conference room is directly opposite when you exit the elevator."

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss..."

"My name is Sasha, Second Lieutenant Bruce."

"Thank you, Sasha."

Following the instructions from the receptionist, Sasha, I took the elevator to the 11th floor and headed to Conference Room C. I knocked on the door, and when I received a response, I entered.

"I am Naoh Bruce, and I am assigned here as of today. My rank is a warrant officer."

Ah, by the way, the receptionist Sasha called me a second lieutenant earlier, but since I haven't received my orders yet, I think this greeting is appropriate.

I wonder where I will be assigned.

By this time, Naoh's assignment had already been decided after much trouble due to the administrative department's efforts and the upper management's policy of avoiding trouble. The person in charge, relieved that this matter was finally over, said:

"The assignment of Naoh Bruce, a warrant officer of the space military, to the Capital Space Defense Force is approved, and he is hereby promoted to second lieutenant within the Capital Space Defense Force.

Furthermore, as of this moment, Naoh Bruce, second lieutenant of the Capital Space Defense Force, is assigned to the Third Patrol Squadron and the space frigate 'Akeshi,' and is appointed as the leader of the 2nd Inspection Squad on 'Akeshi.'"

The person in charge then handed me the orders, which I received with respect and saluted.

The door to the conference room opened, and a female clerk brought in a large bag on a cart.

"Second Lieutenant.

I will now hand over your equipment.

This includes your uniform, portable weapons, and identification.

Please sign the receipt after confirming everything."

The items the female clerk brought in seemed to be my complete set of equipment. Of course, the uniforms of the space military and the Capital Space Defense Force are different. I was currently wearing the second formal uniform of a warrant officer provided by the school. However, since I would be serving in the Capital Space Defense Force from now on, a complete set of uniforms and other items had already been prepared along with my orders. I confirmed everything and signed the document the clerk held, completing the procedures. It was explained to me in detail that the administrative department had already taken care of the detailed procedures such as salary, so there was no need to worry about anything other than the equipment.

"Since you have received your uniform, please change into it in the locker room on the 8th floor and board the regular shuttle to Luchalaria in two hours.

The home port of the Third Patrol Squadron is on the planet Luchalaria.

When you arrive, report to the office.

Follow the instructions from there.

That's all from us.

Do you have any questions?"

"No, I don't."

"Then, go ahead.

We wish you success in your future endeavors.

That's all."

I'm not sure what just happened, but it seems my job here is done. All I need to do is change into my uniform and board the shuttle. I followed the instructions, took the elevator to the 8th floor, and changed into my uniform in the locker room. I was surprised that the size fit perfectly, but I remembered that my body measurements were on file, so they must have prepared everything once my assignment was decided.

Most importantly, I'm relieved that I'm not assigned to the administrative department. However, being appointed as a squad leader right away is quite an honor. The inspection squad is the one that specializes in inspections. If that's the case, maybe I'll be dealing with pirates... Hmm, this might fulfill my hopes sooner than I thought.