Editing City Series:Volume6c Chapter2 (section)

===Part 4===

When the patrol plane sent out an emergency assistance request, the closest aerial squadron was Heiliger’s squadron on its way to the North Sea.

The aerial squadron had flown north from Cologne and was currently above the mountains near Belgium. The patrol plane had lost the enemy reading, so they searched for the enemy and found a small aerial squadron.

Most of the air force was unavailable after being sent to the Cologne region, so Heiliger’s task was to track the enemy until an interception fleet could arrive from Cologne.

His light cruiser and four accompanying ships flew through the night winds.

The light cruiser took the lead and Heiliger held binoculars on the bridge which had windows in all four directions.

The enemy picked up by the radar was still not visible with the naked eye.

“The enemy force has split up!” shouted the navigator. “What appears to be the main division is changing course. They intend to escape into Belgium.”

Heiliger did not even nod.

“Tell our forces in Belgium to handle this. We will pursue the ship that has entered our country. Adjust course and accelerate. Maintain full speed and pursue. Capture them before the interception fleet arrives.”

“That will delay our original mission of supporting the northern coast.”

“I am aware of that. But the ship guarding that squadron has broken away and entered the country on its own. Which of those do you think is truly important to the enemy?”

“But, Lieutenant General,” whispered his young first officer. “Are you sure this is a good idea? Our arrival in the north will be delayed.”

“We are the only ones who can pursue them here. We received a request for assistance and we are answering it. …The air force staff officers would not be pleased if we continued north and joined the forces there.”

“Eh?”

“I am sure you heard a great many rumors about me when you were assigned to my unit,” said Heiliger with a hint of a smile.

“Yes…and I thought they were true at first. But you always turn out to be correct in the end. I don’t know the details, but I think the higher ups should give you more credit. If they gave you sufficient forces, you could-”

“You are still young, so I doubt you know anything about my past. If you did, you would understand why I am treated this way and you would understand what happened the other day.”

“You mean with the Gard-class four days ago? I only received the report to be taken north.”

“What did you think of that ship? That massive warship that does not belong to any fleet and only I am allowed inside. …You have vaguely come to understand that you and the people of Cologne are protected by something much larger than our military, haven’t you?” He smiled bitterly. “Yet saying so out loud would mean denying the current form of Germany.”

Just then, someone gave a shout.

“Found them!”

The navigator raised his right hand while looking outside with semi-stationary binoculars. He quickly formed some numbers with his fingers.

“Distance: approximately 5 miles. Low altitude. A single transport ship has flown into a mountain valley and…it is slowing down.”

Heiliger stepped forward with binoculars in one hand and asked a question of the gun commander.

“Can we fire on them?”

“Hitting a single moving ship at this distance would be difficult.”

“Then fire. Let them know we are here. If a transport ship is flying at low velocity and altitude, it is preparing to drop something off. Fire a Pseudo-Drach Kanone along their course and match our altitude to theirs.”

“A light cruiser shouldn’t be flying at low altitude in the mountains at night. Especially not at high velocity.”

“We are the air force’s outcasts. Besides, we were even more foolhardy during the previous war. Are you going to let the enemy’s plan succeed through our excess caution?”

The gun commander smiled as he responded.

“The short end of the stick again, huh?”

“What makes you say that?”

“Our orders were to pursue, not to attack. We are only supposed to drive them out so they can be intercepted by someone else. That means no credit goes to us. Not that that’s new.”

“If it isn’t new, then just do it like we always do. You can, can’t you?”

Heiliger was not actually asking.

After a moment, firm responses came from all across the bridge.

Every single one was a simple “yes, sir”.

He nodded in satisfaction.

Then the light of a Pseudo-Drach Kanone pierced the dark night out ahead of them.