Episode 16: New Pirates — Heavy Hammer

Dawson had joined forces with a pirate faction led by the privateer Heavy Hammer. This Heavy Hammer was the same group that had contacted Dawson from Hamano Onna's port.

'Organized around Heavy Hammer, this pirate group consists of approximately ten medium-sized vessels or larger. They are known as the militant faction. Their operational area spans the entire Interstellar Side Route. They target merchant convoys traveling in groups, destroy their ships with overwhelming firepower from their pirate vessels, then seize cargo. They are the quintessential space pirates.'

Dawson shrugged in response to Oine's explanation.

'Just now, I'm moving through space alongside those pirates. A description like this is unnecessary.'

‘Didn’t you hear the explanation? The Heavy Hammer faction operates with vessels larger than medium-class. Approaching the Small Jaw with a small craft—it’s suspicious, isn’t it?’

‘That point aside. If we’re talking about striking merchant ships, the Small Jaw has done it before. Nothing strange about joining up with allies.’

‘Mm. Also, why is Dawson under the Heavy Hammer’s command? The income from recent pirate raids puts Dawson above them. You could’ve just said you’re beneath me.’

Hearing Oine’s discontent, Dawson finally understood.

‘You don’t like me being used by pirates.’

‘Exactly. Navigation skills, firing accuracy, even experience in piracy—Dawson is better. So why is it like this?’

Dawson could not help but smile at Oine’s muttered complaints.

“I don’t mind serving under someone else, Oine. I’m not the type to object to following orders.”

“…Wait, are you serious? You know what happened at the Officer Academy. You bit into classmates, seniors, even instructors. And yet you’re saying this?”

“Because Amato Imperial Japan’s national policy favors the strongest. If you follow that policy, a brainless person shouldn’t hold a superior position.”

“But this sector belongs to the S.U. (Space Union). Doesn’t that mean a brainless person can be in charge?”

“At least the people in Heavy Hammer aren’t brainless. They’ve been granted access to Hamano Onna’s port. They’ve gathered a large fleet of pirate ships and survived through piracy. Just that alone makes me think it’s acceptable to work beneath them for now.”

‘...That’s right. If they were truly incompetent, they’d have been destroyed by mercenaries or SU vessels by now. Just like cosmic debris.’

Oine finally seemed to understand, and stopped voicing dissatisfaction.

Dawson felt relief that his mood had improved. A communication came in from Heavy Hammer. The white-black mask remained in place, so he connected immediately.

‘This is Heavy Hammer. What is it?’

Dawson spoke in a curt tone. The pirate captain’s square-shaped face appeared on the physical monitor, breaking into a grin.

‘Gahahaha! That’s the spirit of a young one. Keep that attitude, work properly, and I’ll have no complaints!’

Dawson grimaced inside the mask. The volume was far too high.

“You didn’t offer to help with the task just to praise my courage. State your purpose.”

“Ah, my apologies. We’re nearing the hunting ground. I just wanted to check if you’re ready.”

“Ready. I can fire on command, right now.”

“Then no need for concern. This is our first time working together. We’ll succeed. We’ll celebrate with Hama-no-Onna.”

The captain of the Heavy Hammer said that, then ended the transmission.

Oine spoke, her tone puzzled.

“Seems like he was concerned about us. A pirate with such a frightening face, yet… unexpected.”

“More attentive than an Officer Academy field instructor. Not a pirate at all. More like a teacher from a juvenile school.”

They exchanged remarks when another communication arrived. This time not from the Heavy Hammer, but from its sister vessel.

‘Heh. Just 'cause Oyabin’s mild-mannered doesn’t mean I’ll let you slack off without a fight.’

The rat-faced sister vessel’s captain spoke only what he wanted, then terminated the transmission.

Oine offered her assessment of this transmission as well.

‘A typical line, consistent with the appearance. A bit more flair would have been welcome.’

‘Isn’t this a good example of how the Heavy Hammer’s captain is respected by those beneath him?’

As they spoke, they arrived at the hunting ground.

A short distance ahead, the silhouette of a merchant convoy approaching the hunting ground was visible.

The merchant convoy was detected by the long-range sniper targeting system aboard the Heavy Hammer, likely without the convoy's awareness of the Heavy Hammer's presence.

Dawson immediately established communication with the Heavy Hammer's captain.

"Confirmed a group resembling the target convoy. I will relay the precise distance and general arrangement of the cargo."

"Ah, good. You're proving useful already. We're tuned for medium to close-range combat and cargo acquisition. We've been lacking long-range observation. Accurate data is appreciated."

"This is just a trial, as discussed. I'm glad you found it useful."

"Useful indeed. There are five medium transports at the center, surrounded by ten mercenary vessels. Three of the mercenaries appear heavily armed."

The captain of the Heavy Hammer showed bitterness in their voice at the presence of heavily armed mercenaries.

Dawson, aware it was none of his concern, confirmed the matter anyway, with the intent of offering assistance.

"According to the original plan, the Mandible was to intercept the lead merchant vessel. Has the plan changed?"

"Ah, yeah... Mandible, can you take out those well-armed mercenaries first?"

"Three vessels at once is impossible. Two in quick succession, then one after a delay—possible, if the mercenaries aboard aren't exceptionally skilled or using abilities beyond standard limits."

"Guhahaha! People with abilities are only in comic books. So, two of those mercenaries, you take care of them."

"Understood. The Mandible's weapon is a charged particle cannon. How intense should the burn be?"

Burn it through to the core. Can't have you ruining your stomach with undercooked meat.

"Medium rare. Understood."

Dawson complied without hesitation, following the order to eliminate the sniper mercenary vessel with certainty.

"Immediately after the two consecutive cannon discharges, intercept the merchant convoy via short-range transit."

"Leave the details to me. I'll show them why I was granted port access."

"Target acquired! All ships ready for assault!"

"Good. Do it, Mandible."

"Understood—firing."

With communications still active, Dawson fired the Charged Particle Beam aboard the Mandible at maximum convergence rate, then fired again immediately afterward.

The targeting feed for long-range fire showed one mercenary vessel dissolving from charged particle impact without evasive action. The second, caught in confusion from the first attack, struggled to evade but was struck directly and melted.

"Both targets were Werdan-grade. Alive after that, they'd be more than zombies—something closer to vampires."

"Good work. Channel open at full. Let's go, you bastards! Show the pirates of Heavy Hammer Clan what true warriors look like—compared to these foolish mercenaries and cargo haulers!"

"AAAAAAAAAH!"

The pirates led by Heavy Hammer Clan jumped short distances in succession. As soon as they appeared near the merchant convoy, they opened fire with high-caliber weapons, inflicting damage on both the convoy and its escort mercenaries.

Dawson watched their movements through the targeting display. Oine listened to the communications broadcast across the full open channel.

"Mercenaries are being pounded until their formation dissolves. The convoy is being targeted specifically at the bridge, generator, and propulsion units. So that's why they're called professionals."

『The pirates are cheering after each consecutive destruction of mercenaries, but the convoy is in chaos. The convoy commander attempted a surrender, but they ignored it and kept attacking.』

"Calling this the Interstellar Side Route doesn't matter. If we show mercy and let them live, they might send a distress signal to an SU vessel in secret. Accepting surrender is impossible if we are to ensure safety."

Dawson and the others observe the convoy. The merchant fleet accelerates, attempting to flee.

The Heavy Hammer appeared via jump-out slightly behind the convoy, so the fleet attempts to accelerate in its original direction.

That direction leads directly to the location of the Heavy Jaw.

"Like a hound driving prey toward an ambush—except we only have a single Heavy Cannon. Too many targets and we cannot manage."

"Absolutely useless hounds. If you're going to drive prey toward an ambush, you should at least injure the prey's legs to reduce the hunter's burden."

"I understand the intent. They're testing the hunter's skill—daring to prove their own worth."

Dawson stepped forward, intent on demonstrating that worth. He adjusted the aim.

The heat from the twin shots had dissipated. The thermal fusion generator supplied energy steadily. The Charged Particle Beam was ready to fire.

Dawson fixed the target on the lead vessel of the fleeing convoy. He adjusted the beam's convergence. With certainty, he fired.

The Charged Particle Beam, fired at low convergence, extended from the weapon's muzzle as a glowing cone that flared outward. It struck the lead merchant vessel.

The merchant vessel, hit by the beam, shuddered violently as its hull melted from the charged particles. It shook as if gripped and shaken by a giant's hand. A power conduit ruptured, likely from the impact. The light from the propulsion unit faded. Safety systems activated, engaging automatic braking.

The sudden stop of the lead vessel forced the following ships to reduce speed.

Slowing their escape, the mercenaries offered the pirates a perfect opportunity to attack from behind.

There is no way to survive now. The only future option is to be consumed as prey.