Episode 23: The Next Pirate Base
After evading the伪装 vessel, Dawson navigated through space toward the next pirate base.
While piloting, he considered his actions during the Hamano Onna operation.
"The伪装 vessel appeared in that asteroid field. That means intel leaked from the Heavy Hammer faction. It's more logical to assume the vessel was sent by them."
"An informant within the SU Space Force would make the timing of the伪装 vessel's arrival suspicious."
"In any case, if the Heavy Hammer faction has been destroyed, most of the pirate operations I conducted at Hamano Onna have lost their purpose."
The plan was to demonstrate the method of seizing supply vessels in the Star Arm Nebula (Main Route), so that other pirates would replicate it and cause prolonged economic disruption to SU.
It had gone well up to a point, but when SU naval vessels arrived, pirate forces proved insufficient.
It is a warship, after all. If it were captured by pirates, SU’s reputation would be ruined.
Delaying action on a known vulnerability led to the elimination of a valuable pirate faction, Heavy Hammer. This was clearly my failure.
Dawson expresses regret. Oine’s assessment differs.
It cannot be called a mistake. Dawson’s objective—inflicting damage and disruption on the SU economy—was achieved. Even if the military now declares it has eradicated the pirates, the myth of safety in the Star Arm Nebula has collapsed. In the future, many merchant vessels will seek greater security by hiring mercenaries or joining naval patrols. Hiring mercenaries adds cost to cargo. Choosing naval patrols causes logistical delays and forces ships to expend extra effort. This is more than sufficient results.
Dawson notices the tone—though the statement is factual—carries a note of reassurance.
“I appreciate your concern. But I understand that there are measurable results. I am not questioning that. I am merely exploring whether we might have done better, whether there was more we could have achieved.”
‘Ah, that’s right.’
After a brief pause, Oine resumed speaking with a thoughtful hum.
‘But with the limited forces Dawson currently has, destroying the SU warship is nearly impossible, isn’t it?’
‘Given the armor thickness, the cannon on the <> would have to fire at point-blank range to penetrate…’
‘You’d be hit by gunfire from the turrets before reaching close enough.’
‘Replacing the cannon with a stronger one capable of penetration at long range would solve the problem—but whether we’re allowed to do so is the dilemma.’
‘When we built ships in the Amato Imperial Japan, the cannon currently mounted on the <> was already at the upper limit. A pirate vessel carrying a heavier cannon would have seemed unnatural for a fledgling crew.’
‘Now that we’ve established some credibility, could we replace it with a stronger cannon?’
Special operations are left entirely to the discretion of the involved parties. If Dawson wishes to do it, then he may do so. But there is a problem.
Whether a heavier barrel can be obtained.
The cannon aboard the <> is a standard-issue S.U. space fleet weapon, though originally designed for destroyer-class vessels and now several generations outdated. A larger variant would have to be either a currently fielded model or one used on a larger warship.
Such weapons do not circulate freely.
Did the list of weapons offered by Hamano Onna include any cannon larger than an Orbit Patrol Cruiser?
No, it did not. A black-market dealer might have made arrangements, but the cost required and the quality of the weapon remain unknown.
The fastest and most reliable method, with guaranteed quality, would be to attack and disable an S.U. warship, then seize its turret.
It's counterproductive to acquire the cannon needed to disable it before attempting to destroy it.
While Dawson struggled with the impracticality of the idea, Oine offered a proposal.
"There may be another way to achieve destruction, not through cannon fire."
"What other method?"
"Suicidal assault using space combat fighters. If equipped with anti-ship mines and driven into the target, it could destroy a heavy cruiser-class vessel with a single strike."
"Understood. It would be effective if successful, but penetrating the ship's defense gun emplacements would be difficult."
"Indeed. That is the primary challenge. However, if that obstacle is overcome, a high probability of success can be calculated."
"True. The fighters and mines themselves are readily available. If we can neutralize the SU warship's gun emplacements, destruction becomes feasible."
Light appeared, but neither Dawson nor Oine had found a way to break through the high wall. They moved forward along the route leading to the next pirate base.
Dawson reached the sector containing the next pirate base.
The base was located midway along the Orion arm.
It lay deep within SU-controlled space, yet the pirates had chosen this location as their stronghold.
"Taking over a moon-sized satellite orbiting a large planet and turning it into a fortified base—how do they manage that?"
As Dawson muttered, the pirates had converted a celestial body roughly half the size of the Moon in the Sol system into a base, with artillery emplacements on the surface and living quarters built inward.
The place seemed less like a pirate base and more like a military fortress.
It was likely constructed during the period when SU and TR were clashing fiercely. When SU’s space forces were focused on the war, this base was built in secret.
"No, pirates alone couldn’t have established a base this extensive. There are cannons on that satellite’s surface—more than the Orbit Patrol Cruiser I wanted. Support from somewhere else was absolutely necessary."
"Given the number of gun barrels, the support probably came from a large corporation. One in the defense industry."
"Are corporations really backing pirates who damage their own assets?"
"It’s not impossible. For example, they could arrange for pirates to harass rival companies in return for aid."
"If Oine’s assessment is correct, we’ll have to limit our actions while we’re based here."
If there are sponsor companies supporting the pirates, we can't afford to provoke them.
Dawson brought the privateer vessel *Mandible* closer to the pirate satellite, then donned the mask and transmitted the signal.
"This is the privateer *Mandible*, Captain Dawson. Confirm my letter of marque."
A reply came immediately. The physical monitor displayed an operator. Unlike Hamano Onna, this was a human male.
"Letter of marque confirmed. Welcome to satellite *Chicken Ball*. We welcome you, Dawson of the *Mandible*."
After the standard greeting, the male operator smiled slightly.
"I know who you are. You've been making a show of it under Hamano Onna's jurisdiction, earning quite a bit. So why are you here?"
Dawson paused for a moment, considering how to respond, then spoke.
If you can hear distant matters, you know Hamano Onna has changed her location. Her preferred hunting grounds are farther away now. She thought she’d try shifting her position along the riverbank. If you’re going to interfere, then move to another pirate base.
I don’t see interference. This place has rules. Understand that you can’t act on impulse like you do at Hamano Onna’s place.
What kind of rules?
I’m sending the data now. Observe them if you plan to stay at Chicken Ball. If you don’t intend to follow them, leave elsewhere.
Dawson reviewed the data he received. Five prohibitions were listed.
1. Prohibition of illegal drugs designated by SU within the satellite.
2. Prohibition of unauthorized entry into any control room on the satellite.
3. Prohibition of resistance to orders during emergency conditions.
4. Prohibition of using force to intimidate visiting merchants.
5. Prohibition of attacking ships marked with a specific symbol.
"If you're serious about following these five rules, then I can enter, correct?"
"That is correct. Everything outside these prohibitions is permitted. Do as you wish."
"I don't like being assigned targets, but since I'll be relying on you for now, I'll remain quiet."
"If you wish to cause trouble, you may do so freely aboard the SU warship. If you can drag a target into the effective range of the Chicken Ball's weapons, I'll allow you to destroy it with the satellite cannon."
"I'll consider it. For now, I'd like guidance on where to go."
"Ah, my apologies. Enter through Port Seven, then use the Seven-Twenty-Four relay station. The station has artificial gravity, but no atmosphere—space suits are mandatory. Access to the satellite interior is via a sealed airlock. Be careful."
Dawson moved as instructed and secured the <> at the station.