Episode 25 SU Ship - Patrol Squad

Dawson returned to the Orbit Patrol Cruiser *Mandible*, and began discussing with Oine how to proceed with operations based at *Chicken Ball*.

"If credit is awarded simply for destroying ships, it would be better to focus our efforts on SU vessels. That aligns with my assigned mission."

"However, upgrading the *Mandible*—adding larger cannons—is not feasible. In that case, the largest vessel we can engage is a destroyer."

"That is the issue. Should we focus on destroyers and smaller, or aim for orbit patrol cruisers? If we want to quickly increase disruption to the SU, targeting orbit patrol cruisers would be more effective."

"Yet, with the *Mandible*'s current equipment, inflicting damage on an orbit patrol cruiser is difficult."

"Therefore, we must consider upgrading our equipment or purchasing new systems."

Oine sighed at Dawson’s focus on the Orbit Patrol Cruiser.

‘Destroying a destroyer or lower would still count as sufficient achievement. There are very few officers in the Amato Imperial Japan who have destroyed a destroyer.’

‘That’s because combat in the Amato Imperial Japan has mostly involved asteroids capable of destroying inhabited planets, or pirates and criminals. Real accomplishments only started after the SU ships began attacking.’

‘Exactly. If Dawson destroys a destroyer, he’ll be recalled for recognition. Even the youngest lieutenant rank isn’t impossible.’

‘I have no interest in rank beyond a pay increase. Besides, there’s another reason I’m targeting the Orbit Patrol Cruiser.’

‘Another reason?’

If we can disable even one Orbit Patrol Cruiser, we can upgrade the Chicken Ball using its equipment. If we can transplant the cannons, we can hunt Orbit Patrol Cruisers more efficiently, and fight larger ships as well.

"Seize equipment from a destroyed vessel and use it to strengthen your own ship. That is the very essence of piracy."

But reality is harder to achieve than it is to say.

"I looked over equipment that seemed available through Chicken Ball, but there isn't much of value. The only thing capable of damaging an Orbit Patrol Cruiser is a space torpedo."

"The explosive yield is sufficient, but the speed is too slow. To compensate for that sluggishness, the stealth system required to avoid detection by warship radar increases the cost dramatically."

Money is not the issue, but the effective range of the deception system is inadequate. If detection becomes more likely the closer we get, then having it is pointless.

Installing only the torpedo warhead into a high-speed fighter would still yield better results.

A kamikaze assault. But the question remains whether it can survive until impact.

The warship's defensive fire is dense. One aircraft alone would be easily destroyed.

The carrying capacity of the <> is limited. Two fighters can be externally mounted at most.

Even two aircraft attacking the Orbit Patrol Cruiser would not be effective.

This is a difficult problem.

Dawson rubbed his temples and decided to abandon the plan to attack the Orbit Patrol Cruiser for now.

Target those who can be defeated until a path to defeating the main objective is found.

Target the Sky Sweeper and the destroyer. The Heavy Jaw can destroy both. No need for complicated predictions.

Both are often equipped with torpedoes. There is also the possibility of acquiring torpedoes without purchasing the warheads, if fortune favors us.

Then, purchase information on the Star Arm Nebula (Main Route) and the Interstellar Side Route (Sub Route) in this sector. Unlike Hamano Onna, Chicken Ball provides official data at fair credit rates without relying on informants.

Even here, the differences in base characteristics are evident.

Entrusting the account to Oine, Dawson purchased all the information deemed necessary.

Using that data, Dawson and Oine began selecting opponents suitable for engagement.

Dawson and Oine targeted a unit consisting of one destroyer and two Sky Sweepers.

The unit patrolled within a star system, maintaining order across the system.

Both the destroyer and the Sky Sweepers were formidable opponents for the Sea Drifters.

The destroyer, though minimal in size, was a warship—equipped with multiple gun turrets and anti-ship mounts.

The Sea Drifters were not dissimilar to pirate vessels, despite their name. Yet their military torpedoes and propulsion systems were exceptional. Whether large or small, no vessel could easily escape them.

This combination of two vessel types enabled a dangerous coordination.

Destroyers limited the pirates' movements with gunfire. Sky Sweepers blocked their escape with speed. When the opportunity arose, destroyers fired cannons and Sky Sweepers launched torpedoes immediately.

A coordinated pair, like hunter and hound, designed to eliminate the targeted enemy.

There was a reason Dawson and Oine had chosen this squad.

First, a vessel that could be destroyed by the *Mandible*. Second, no more than three ships.

Meeting those criteria, the squad of one destroyer and two Sky Sweepers was the easiest target.

"If we don't destroy a Sky Sweeper in the first two shots, we retreat. We're almost within range."

Dawson stood on the bridge of the *Mandible*, carefully aiming through the targeting system.

Charged Particle Beam convergence rate at maximum. Within effective range, a hit guarantees destruction of a Sky Sweeper.

As the SU vessel squadron entered range, Dawson tightened the control stick trigger and fired the Charged Particle Beam at long range.

"Reacquire. Continuous fire!"

Before the barrel cooled, another volley was launched.

The first shot pierced the hull of one Sky Sweeper, struck the torpedo it carried, and triggered a massive explosion.

The second shot targeted the other Sky Sweeper. Though the beam's trajectory warped slightly from the nearby explosion, it struck with precision, shearing off a large section of armor.

"Initiate barrel cooling and energy refill. Do you think the second one is still operational?"

A tenth of the hull has been lost. That qualifies as critical damage.

Even if it remains functional, such damage prevents high-speed combat. Focusing on destroyer operations presents no issue.

While Dawson and Oine analyze, the enemy destroyer initiates a counterattack.

The turret has rotated, aiming to lock onto the position of the *Mandible*—evidently pinpointed by two prior strikes.

Staying in place would make them an easy target. Dawson orders the *Mandible* into rapid acceleration. Maximum port-side thrust.

Now, let's show this rotating turret the advantage of fixed artillery.

Dawson speaks with controlled intensity, guiding the ship via the control stick.

Shots fire from the destroyer’s gun emplacements. Every thermal beam—laser—passes behind the *Mandible*, which moves at high speed.

Dawson’s face twists into a feral grin as he observes the enemy’s predictive fire failing.

“Clumsy fool! Look—your aim has slipped right onto me!”

The maneuvering stick redirects the Mandible’s lateral thrusters, shifting the ship into a sideways skid along its intended course.

The posture resembles a navigation error, yet the Charged Particle Beam mounted on the ship’s underside is precisely aligned with the enemy destroyer. The energy charge is complete.

The destroyer’s turret, rotating for a rapid turn, fails to track the Mandible’s high-speed evasion. The gun emplacement hastily deploys a barrage, but the aim is too scattered to have any effect beyond a minor distraction.

The Charged Particle Beam from the Mandible strikes, the white rod of charged particles extending straight from the barrel slicing along the destroyer’s starboard side.

Dawson glances at the impact point and clicks his tongue.

"Chit. Aimed too far off course."

He adjusts the control stick, maneuvering the Mandible to evade. Immediately afterward, a heat beam from the destroyer’s gun emplacement passes behind.

'Enemy targeting has improved. Prolonged engagement is not advisable.'

"I know. Finish it next shot."

Dawson swings the Mandible by relying solely on thrust output, continuously avoiding the destroyer’s targeting lock.

'Enemy vessel firing. Not on collision course. Gun targeting is beginning to drift. Attack opportunity is imminent.'

Understood. What is the charge status of our weapon?

Already at one hundred percent. However, the barrel is hot. Ten seconds required to reach recommended operating temperature.

Is the cooling efficiency reduced due to continuous use load?

Dawson decided to evade for ten seconds, and after that, to focus on identifying the attack opportunity.

Evading for ten seconds.

Then, observing the destroyer fire again toward the day after tomorrow, Dawson decided to attack now.

Now!

The Fang turned in a quarter-circle, locking onto the destroyer with precise aim. The Charged Particle Beam fired without deviation from the target.

The beam pierced the destroyer’s hull. Immediately afterward, a blinding blue-white light and a flash of lightning enveloped the destroyer, then vanished.

The generator took a direct hit. The energy surge inside that destroyer must have incinerated the crew.

"Being burned by an energy surge won't leave anything usable."

"Unfortunately, we should abandon hope of salvage."

"All that remains is the Sky Sweeper still intact."

Dawson checked the monitor. The hull had lost one-tenth of its mass, yet it still attempted resistance. Carefully rotating the damaged frame to prevent collapse, it oriented the bow toward the Big Jaw. Likely aiming for a torpedo strike.

Dawson maneuvered the Big Jaw away from the torpedo trajectory while closing in on the surviving Sky Sweeper.

"Oine. Can you hack it?"

I'll try—hmm, impressive, it's military-grade. Difficulty level isn't even comparable to a cargo hauler.

If it looks hopeless, I'll sink it.

Wait a moment. Almost there—yes, got it! Life support shut down. Artificial gravity cut. All bulkheads fully opened. Air will rush out forcefully through the openings. Now, how many people will remain inside as the airflow sweeps through the ship?

As Oine said, military personnel in the SU vessel are being expelled one after another through the hole the Big Jaw's cannon blast created. Only a few wear space suits. Most are in non-pressurized uniforms.

Drowning in space. An unpleasant way to die.

That's a clear demonstration of how vital space suits are. Though even with suits, no vessel will survive. If no rescue comes, total annihilation is inevitable.

Either drown first or suffocate when the air runs out. Suicide via self-defense equipment is an option, too.

In any case, the destruction of three S.U. vessels has been achieved.

Dawson fires the anchor from the <> and secures it to the remaining hull of the Sky Sweeper. He then begins towing it, using the thrust output of the propulsion unit.

This is a brute-force maneuver made possible by the combination of a medium-speed vessel's propulsion unit and a heavy cruiser's sub-generator—both with surplus output.

It's possible the Sky Sweeper may split open at the damaged seam due to jump shock. If that happens, there's nothing to be done but accept it.

As long as the forward section remains intact, the torpedoes should still be usable.

Dawson activates the jump device while dragging the Sky Sweeper behind the <>.

After jumping to the sector where the Chicken Ball was located, inspection revealed the Sky Sweeper had a larger missing section, yet the structure remained intact overall.