Star Children 13

reserved for pinoy

1
p1
box: story so far...
An idea?
nb: You can't even rescue an out-of-control ship!
Volume 1 on sale to rave reviews!!
STAR CHILDREN
Kida Masashi
#13 ASCAN

p2/3

p4
Right now, No. 1 is out of control and we don't know how it's going to move
In that case...

2
p1
Can't we take the propulsion system offline!?

p2
If we kill the system, the ship will just keep going inertially
The rescue squad will be able to rendezvous with it soon and commence rescue operations

p3
...I see
//We were too concerned about being abandoned by the HQ, and kept thinking about bringing the system back up

p4
The chances of restoring the system are 50-50
Being able to take it offline is guaranteed

p5
Alright!!
Shitara, in that case...

3
p1
No... We can't do either
!!

p2
Kasugai-san, what do you mean!?

p3
I've calculated No. 1's predicted orbit following its collision with the debris

p4
At this rate, the course of No. 1 and the GEO station will intersect...

4
p1
The probability of collision is high!!

p2

p3
What do you mean!?
The probability of a collision has to be minimal...

p4
I think that a part of the program responsible for bringing the shuttle back to the station is alive
The No. 1's irregular movements don't deviate from that predetermined vector

p5
What's the probability of a collision!?

5
p1
99.42%

p2
Oh no...
It's almost 100%...

p3
Certainly, there were no jets fired that would modify the orbit significantly...

p4
How about we cut over to inertial flight when the current bearing slips even a little!?

p5
Even if it's a small deviation initially, the further the shuttle continues on that course, the bigger it'll get

6
p1
That's not possible either

p2
The interval between the firings of No. 1's thrusters isn't constant, and the firing duration is short as well

p3
Before we get the results of a calculation whether the modified course results in collision or not
The course will change yet again due to another firing of the thrusters

p4
If the inertial flight takes it on the collision course, rescue will be hopeless

p5
Shitara, I understand our situation
Dangouzaka

p6
If this is the case, the HQ might activate the debris special measures

p7

8
p1
Geez, as soon as you came back so suddenly
I realized that the situation has gotten pretty bad

p2
It's not something to laugh about, Jigami!!

p3
We got an order to fire!!

p4
Wha...!

p5

8
p1
Based on the Debris Special Measures Act, Shuttle No. 1 is to be shot down!!

p2/3/4

p5
Anti-Debris Laser, huh...

9
p1
Dangouzaka, don't tell this to the ASCANs yet...

p2
There's no way I can tell them

p3
Kasugai, what's the HQ saying?

p4
If the system can't be brought online, switch over to inertial flight within the next 10 hours...
...But in that case, a collision is almost certain

p5
It's practically impossible to restore the system in 10 hours
So they intend to make ADL's aim even more accurate by putting the shuttle in inertial flight...

p6
What do we do!?
Do we bet on restoring the system until the last moment before the collision, even if it means ignoring our orders...?

10
p1
Please let us take the system down right now!!

p2

p3
What are you saying, Yuuto!?
Then they'll run into the station for sure!!

p4
But at this rate they'll be shot by the laser!!
!!

11
p1
Wh- What are you talking about, Subaru!!?
That's something...

p2
I just remembered what Kousei told me in the past!!
That main stations are equipped with lasers to intercept meteors or debris!!

p3
"If you can't restore the system, switch to inertial flight", isn't that
To make their aim even easier!?

p4
Is that true!?

p5
...

p6
There are still people in No. 1... Even we are here!!
Are they still going to fire!?

12
p1
They are!!

p2
If there's a collision with the station, the damage will be far greater!
It's obvious for them to keep damage to the minimum by firing

p3
...

p4
Then what about the rescue squad...?
When will they be here!?

p5
The rescue squad will make it to No. 1 after the estimated time of collision
They won't be in time

p6
That's why

13
p1
We have to put No. 1 in inertial flight right now
And carry out the rescue with our No. 2!!

p2

p3
If we rendezvous with No. 2 right now and begin rescue, we don't know if we'll make it in time before the collision
But if we want to to avoid being shot with the laser, we need to finish the rescue even earlier

p4
If we don't...

14
p1
No. 2 will be blasted together with No. 1

p2
We can't get No.2’s ASCANs involved

p3
...True
True, but
//...But

15
p1
Once again... watching without being able to do anything
This time right in front of me...

p2/3/4/5/6

16
p1
Please wait, Instructor Shitara!!
Don't decide without listening to our opinion first

p2
All ASCANs in No. 2
Are in agreement that we should rescue No. 1!!

17
p1
Wha...!
//Y... You can't!!
It's too dangerous!!

p2
We know it's dangerous!!
We want to become astronauts, after all!!

p3
We are the guys who still want to be astronauts even after we saw the Jupitneer accident!!

p4
The ones in No. 1 are all our friends
We can't leave them alone!!

p5
Moreover, we too wanted to go out to rescue No. 1 just before!!
We held back only because we admit that Subaru and Minorikawa's EVA skills are the best

18
p1
But now it's our turn to risk our lives for the rescue mission!!

p2
...Everyone

p3
B- But...

p4
We're going even if you try to stop us
After all, Pilot-san is the one most eager to go

p5

19
p1
...

p2
Dangouzaka, No. 2 is going to do something unreasonable!!
Explain to the ASCANs in No. 1...

p3
Already on it!!

p4
It's too difficult to get the system restored within 10 hours

p5
Besides, we're the ones being rescued
We can't complain

p6

p7
...Huuuh
//This won't get settled with a letter of apology

20
p1
To the crew of No. 2!!

p2/3
In order for everyone to return safely
//Head out to rescue No. 1!!

p4
Roger!!

right: Rescue with lives at stake. The ASCANs have banded to together, but will their feelings bear fruit...?