Episode 11: Joint Operation

Dawson begins piracy operations in collaboration with the pirate ship Gold Rush.

The hull of Gold Rush undergoes minor modifications according to Dawson’s instructions.

The rear cargo hold is compressed and replaced with a higher-output propulsion unit. An energy refill unit is added. The two arms are adjusted for faster operation to facilitate cocoon retrieval. The broken drill body is removed as it obstructs movement. The drill operation unit is retained despite its low resale value.

The resulting Gold Rush resembles a long-legged shrimp, with reduced sensory appendages and a larger tail fin compared to its previous appearance.

The exterior remained dented and damaged, so the Gold Rush requested payment for repairs. Dawson declined, stating clearly, "Not related to the job. No money lent."

Regardless, this was their first operation as a two-ship unit, and the start was not favorable.

By bad luck, SU patrols increased significantly in the Star Arm Nebula (Main Route) starting that day.

This resulted from Dawson's consecutive days of raids, prompting the SU military to increase patrols. It was, in effect, karmic retribution.

Still, Dawson relocated their hunting grounds to three new locations. All were heavily patrolled by SU vessels, making piracy difficult.

That means moving so many ships is proof my actions are inflicting economic damage on SU. If I focused only on the mission, I might consider that a satisfactory result.

We bought equipment from Gold Rush. My account is nearly empty. If we don’t earn, we won’t eat.

That’s true. But to cause greater disruption, I need to mobilize more pirates. To secure cooperation from more pirates, I need greater results.

What should we do then?

I’ll relocate the hunting grounds again. This time, farther out from here.

Dawson contacted Gold Rush and initiated a spatial jump to another region of space.

Moved to a nearby region of space, Dawson immediately scanned the surroundings at maximum magnification. The frequency of SU vessel patrols here matched that of previous locations.

"Good. We can make a profit here."

Dawson relocated to the standby position and waited. Gold Rush also docked nearby and ceased movement.

These two vessels remained stationed beside the Star Arm Nebula, with no asteroids or debris to conceal them. They remained exposed in open space.

They did not display their shapes, nor were they camouflaged. Could they still conceal themselves effectively?

Yet the record of the Grasping Jaw proved they could remain hidden well enough to ambush prey successfully—multiple times.

The ship is visible in the void of space yet still concealed. This would appear contradictory and strange.

Yet anyone familiar with the mechanics of spacecraft would quickly understand there is no great mystery.

Every ship possesses a 'perception range' and a 'cognition range'.

The range detectable by radar or analyzable optically. This defines the ship's 'perception limit'. This limit is extensive. It is beyond belief that one could hide in empty space.

Yet this 'perception limit' is not the issue now. Dawson is operating within the 'cognition limit'.

The cognition limit refers to the boundary at which the ship's computer can identify a detected object in detail.

To illustrate the difference between perception and cognition, consider viewing distant scenery from the ground and observing a mountain far away.

Viewing a mountain from a distance, one can vaguely perceive stones and plants on its surface. This is perception.

From a distance, the scale of the mountain, or the specific types of stones and plants present, cannot be determined. To clarify these details, one must approach closer and observe the shapes and forms of the stones and plants directly. This is cognition.

Returning to the context of space, if something is perceived at a distance but cannot be cognized—its nature remains unknown. In such a case, the spacecraft’s systems withhold judgment and do not alert the crew.

The reason for this decision is that in space, numerous objects can trigger perception without clear identification.

Micrometeor showers like dust, shockwaves from distant stellar explosions, light deflection due to gravitational anomalies, spatial distortions from jump transitions—endless sources of detection. Even in a void that appears empty, countless phenomena can be sensed.

Issuing alerts for every single one would be unmanageable.

Thus, radar systems and optical analyzers were restricted to reporting only objects or events clearly identifiable within a defined threshold. Within that threshold, detection was reliable. Safety was ensured by monitoring only what fell within that range.

The situation, in brief—Dawson and the others have halted their ship at a location where the vessel’s computer determines, “Something’s out there, but unclear what, so no need to report.”

In the case of the *Mandible*, it carries specialized equipment for long-range artillery, allowing it to identify and recognize the type and movement of distant ships.

This difference in detection capability enables the *Mandible* to conduct ambushes, while cargo transport ships perceive sudden fire as originating from an empty space, creating a predictable pattern.

The ambush proves effective. The *Mandible* fires toward the target’s bow and transmits a demand via communication.

Shortly afterward, confirmation arrives from the cargo transport ship: it has accepted the demand. Ten cocoons are released.

Dawson watches the release of the cocoons and transmits a message to Gold Rush.

"Time is now the enemy—five minutes of grace. Two of the Jaw-Claw. You have eight to recover. Move quickly!"

"Understood. Heading toward the prey—jumping now!"

The Jaw-Claw and Gold Rush synchronize, executing a short-range spatial leap.

Immediately after, they appear at the location where ten cocoons drift.

"Oine. Anchor. Get two fast—then assist the other team."

"Roger. Launching anchor—two cocoons secured! Pulling in and locking to the hull!"

After the sound of the anchor cable winding with a whirring hum, the cocoon connects to the hull with a sharp clang.

"How is Gold Rush's operation progressing?"

The cargo hold is full, but we're having trouble fitting it all in. The operation is running behind schedule.

"Damn. Should've trained more—no time for regrets. Oine, do you have a solution?"

"Moving the Jaw One closer to Gold Rush would allow us to hack their ship's systems and operate them remotely. Shall I proceed?"

"Standing still while the cocoon remains exposed isn't acceptable. Oine, do it."

"Yes, sir! Then I'll do it!"

As Jaw One approached Gold Rush, the two robotic arms, previously hesitant, froze for an instant, then moved with extreme precision, pushing the cocoon into the ship's cargo hold.

One, two, three, four, five. Yes, operation complete. Also activating the jump drive now.

Oine was programming Gold Rush. From Gold Rush, a voice like a scream came through the communication channel.

Hey, Captain of the Big Jaw! Why is the ship moving on its own! What's going on!?

Ah. Your work was slow, so I moved it myself. All cocoons have been recovered. Don't worry.

Thank you for the cocoons, but—

The transmission cut off mid-sentence. Gold Rush had jumped.

Then, we'll jump too. Move to the location where Gold Rush jumped, then initiate the jump. The Hamano Onna is heading in a direction completely wrong for that sector.

"Since Gold Rush carries eight cocoons, the destination might be detected by jump sensors depending on what's inside. Jumping to a different direction from the same point should mislead the sensors. That’s a sound approach."

"…I don’t need that kind of explanation. I know how the sensors work."

"Ah, Dawson. When performing a suspicious action, it’s standard procedure to include a line explaining why you’re doing it."

"What standard?"

"Standard in Earth-era space fantasy works."

Dawson shrugged, as if to say, 'Whatever,' then initiated the spatial jump with the *Mandibular*.

One minute after the *Mandibular* vanished, the SU destroyer arrived in the sector via spatial jump. It activated the sensors at once, attempting to locate the pirates' jump destination. The sensors returned only the word 'Error.'