Episode 29 — One Paragraph

After modification, component checks, test runs, and adjustments, the newly rebuilt Orbit Patrol Cruiser was complete.

The difference from before was the enlarged gun cover on the hull's lower section, giving it a drooping appearance. Internally, the increased hull mass reduced top speed by a few percent. Combat effectiveness improved—though a slight delay was required between rapid-fire shots—the ship could now disable an Orbit Patrol Cruiser with direct fire.

Dawson was satisfied with the extent of the enhancements.

"This makes achieving results easier."

"However, further enhancement is impossible. If you seek performance beyond what this vessel can deliver, you will inevitably need outside assistance."

"That was already considered. That is why I worked alongside the Hamano Onna and the Gold Rush and Heavy Hammer crews."

"So those two pirate groups were merely a trial run?"

One kind of pirate is capable of nothing but serving under others. Another kind has established their own way of fighting. To make use of them, both types are necessary.

There are other kinds of people among pirates. For instance, pirates who seek to rise by exploiting others.

Such individuals are harmful even as allies. I do not wish to cooperate with them, so I have no interest in dealing with them.

Dawson spoke with finality. Oine adopted a teacher’s tone.

Listen, Dawson. Among people, those who seek to drag others down, or those who aim to gain advantage by using others—these are the majority. If you intend to advance as an officer in the future, you must learn how to manipulate those in the majority.

So you’re saying only a minority are useful. It’s rare to find such people among allies or subordinates. But still…

I understand your temperament, Dawson. You wouldn’t want to treat those who hinder others as equals. But it is the role of those in command to make use of what is otherwise unusable. Officers are meant to stand above others and guide them.

Understood. I promise not to dismiss anyone as useless by default. If I examine each individual’s traits, I may find a use for them.

That’s right. That’s the attitude, Dawson.

Hearing Oine’s satisfied tone, Dawson recalled something.

"Hey. Artificial intelligence liked defective individuals, didn’t it? Then it might have knowledge on how to make such people functional. If so, I’d like to know. Teach me."

"There are methods, but I wouldn’t recommend them to you, Dawson."

"Give me one example. I’ll decide for myself whether it’s usable."

"Then I'll put it simply. You suggest changes to their methods of interference while praising or soothing them."

"Guiding awareness toward the desired outcome?"

"Yes. But this method fails with human interaction. Human emotions are driven by common sense and ethics. Praise or comfort that isn't genuine introduces deception. Those who enjoy interfering tend to be cautious individuals. They detect lies in others with high sensitivity because they themselves are often deceptive."

"Yet an artificial intelligence could conceal its true intent—no, rather, an AI that favors flawed individuals can genuinely praise or soothe them because it genuinely likes their flaws."

"An evaluation based on the idea that the more flawed, the more endearing. A scar is a beauty mark."

Dawson thought it was an oddly convenient arrangement, but returned to the conversation.

"Those who work as pirates are fundamentally untrustworthy. It follows that in such an environment, disruptive elements would naturally outnumber ordinary ones. I must gather such pirates and cause as much disruption as possible to S.U.'s economy."

As Dawson stated his resolve, Oine hesitated slightly.

"That is correct, but considering the importance of the mission assigned to you, I believe the current results are already sufficient."

"……Are you saying the results were that good?"

"I wondered as much, but you seemed unaware."

Oine spoke with a tone of mild disappointment, yet with a hint of satisfaction at glimpsing Dawson's shortcomings.

Dawson caused significant economic disruption across a section of the Star Arm Nebula (Main Route), and numerous associated star systems and planets. He disbanded a fleet originally scheduled to advance toward Amato Star Arm, citing the need for reinforcements to restore deteriorating security. This can be considered a notable achievement, reducing damage to Amato Imperial Japan.

"...I didn't know the deployment to Amato Star Arm had been canceled."

Dawson was occupied with piracy operations. He monitored only the operational status of ships in the SU Navy. It was expected he would not even glance at news articles deemed unimportant.

Oine's tone suggested she was shrugging her shoulders, even if only in voice.

Dawson felt a flicker of irritation. But something else concerned him more.

"Important news? That the fleet scheduled to advance into the Amato Stellar Arm has disbanded?"

"From SU's perspective, the Amato Stellar Arm is an unknown arm. The only confirmed fact is the presence of hostile extraterrestrials. To the general public, the decision to advance or not is seen as a matter for government officials."

"Extraterrestrials? That refers to the Amato Imperial Japan people, right?"

"Amato Imperial Japan consists of immigrants who, long ago, reached a different stellar arm through long-range transfer. Since then, communication has been severed due to the limits of their transmission technology. It is natural that SU personnel are unaware of their existence. From a position of ignorance, Dawson and his group appear as 'unknown extraterrestrials.'"

"So what is it then? Does SU perceive the situation as a righteous force liberating a stellar arm dominated by evil extraterrestrials?"

"General public perception is as you stated. Above government official level, it is simply about securing new privileges."

"...If that is the case, there was no need to target the Amato Stellar Arm. A shift to the opposing arm would have avoided the issue."

"Perhaps poor luck. Or perhaps SU's technology made expansion into the Amato Stellar Arm more feasible. No further information is available yet."

Regardless, Dawson sees only a troublesome situation.

"SU seems unconcerned. TR, a rebel organization, remains active. Yet SU is extending influence into an unknown stellar arm. Normally, one would secure the local base first."

"That is because you are human from Amato Imperial Japan, a unified stellar arm nation, and thus think that way."

"SU is not like that?"

"From the fact that 'Union' is written within SU, it is clear the state is a collective body—a gathering of individuals with diverse positions. Differences in opinion are natural. Indeed, a unified consensus is not even expected. Thus, the emergence of resistance forces like TR is not seen as abnormal. It is simply recognized as one of many existing differences."

"Listening to this, it sounds like a remarkably relaxed perspective."

"Indeed, it is. If TR were a very small force, and lacked military capability, SU government would likely have tacitly accepted it as mere civic activity. That is the prediction."

"A resistance force considered civic activity, huh."

Dawson found it impossible to believe, and could not accept, the idea of allowing a criminal organization capable of destabilizing the nation to operate freely.

Yet, he recognized this information could be useful.

"Then SU harbors seeds of rebellion everywhere."

That is correct. A powerful corporation influencing the SU government is one of the seeds of rebellion. And the support base behind this Chicken Ball is likely of the same kind.

It persists in the heart of SU-controlled territory without being destroyed by the SU Space Force because a force that makes the government hesitant to act stands behind it. That seems the more natural explanation.

The "General Kernel," the administrator—such a ridiculous title as Colonel General might be mocking the military's existence.

To those who find the military unamusing, Chicken Ball and pirates are merely one element in opposition to the military.

Dawson considered the information provided. He decided on a course of action for its use.

Oine. When transmitting the scheduled report to Amato Imperial Japan, include a note about multiple emerging rebellions within SU. Specifically add that certain influential corporations within SU are resistant to SU's control.

I understand, but what is the intent and purpose behind this report?

This is my assessment. I believe my actions as a pirate serve not only to destabilize SU’s economy but also to force SU into identifying methods of large-scale collapse. If I follow this logic, the presence of numerous rebellion seeds becomes a highly valuable piece of information.

Hmm. I doubt the personnel in the rear operations room are considering this level of strategy.

If I am overreaching, then so be it. But this information might serve some purpose. The data volume required for transmission is negligible. Sending it carries no risk.

That is true. I will include it as unverified supplementary data during the next scheduled transmission.

The conversation paused. Dawson and Oine realized their discussion had veered significantly off course.

"We were talking about how to use pirates, weren't we?"

"That is correct. How to direct the pirates toward our objectives."

Dawson and Oine set aside the matter of SU for now. They focused on refining their approach to controlling the pirates.