The second jump ended with Xiao Ran personally experiencing it from the bridge of the Yamato. The journey had been smooth, though the jump itself was somewhat blinding, and they arrived at their second destination—the designated target twenty light-years beyond the Solar System.
The Yamato and the Burning Legion entered the Jump Channel almost simultaneously and emerged from it at nearly the same time. After the jump, Xiao Ran keenly noticed that something seemed off with Captain Okita. Before Xiao Ran could ask, however, Captain Okita gave him an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry. Perhaps I'm feeling unwell because we're so far from home. I'd like to rest first. Colonel Xiao Ran, you and your subordinates may move freely aboard the Yamato, as long as you do not enter any restricted areas."
Xiao Ran raised a hand slightly. "Please, go ahead."
Watching Juzo Okita's retreating figure, Saki stepped beside Xiao Ran and softly said, "Captain Okita's health seems to be...?"
"A serious illness. The kind that needs treatment as soon as possible. But for him to have held on until now, it must be sheer determination." Xiao Ran reached up and stroked Saki's long hair, smiling at her. "But since he hasn't brought it up himself, there's no need for outsiders like us to discuss it."
"Mm."
Yamato, Captain's Room.
Not long after returning to his room, Captain Okita had barely taken a few breaths when a woman's voice sounded outside the door. Rubbing his aching chest, Captain Okita took a deep breath and deliberately put on an appearance as though nothing were wrong.
"Chief Intelligence Officer Niimi, requesting permission to enter."
Captain Okita opened the door to the Captain's Room, allowing Kaoru Niimi, dressed in a tight blue uniform and wearing glasses over her black hair, to enter. Looking at