Episode 33: Corporation

The Sky Sweeper and the pirate vessel ABC systematically destroyed destroyers centered around a main target, towing the destroyed ships to Chicken Ball each day.

"How many destroyers have we delivered now?"

"Exactly ten, this time. And thirteen Sky Sweepers."

"Unexpectedly few destroyers, but many Sky Sweepers."

"The reason is that there were few destroyer squads of three that could be easily attacked. On the other hand, there were many squads consisting of one destroyer and two Sky Sweepers that were destroyed."

"The composition of squads is one issue. Recently, SU Space Navy squads immediately retreat upon detecting long-range fire. The rarity of eliminating all three ships in a squad has become a key reason why delivery numbers have not increased."

Fleeing from pirates undermines military prestige. The corporations operating in the Chicken Ball sector are furious.

Oine projects the footage onto the physical monitor. It is a recorded press conference from the leader of the corporate coalition dominating this region, held the day before.

An elderly man in expensive clothing speaks, his wrinkled face furrowed.

We are deeply concerned. The recent increase in pirate activity has visibly worsened security not only along the Interstellar Side Route but also in the Star Arm Nebula. The Space Force claims to be intensifying efforts to eliminate pirates. But we know this is a clear lie. Numerous warships have been destroyed by pirates. Those ships are repaired by the pirates themselves and then used as new offensive assets.

The old man continued speaking, exposing what the S.U. Navy would prefer to keep hidden.

‘Now that the Navy’s strength is no longer trustworthy, we have had to devise our own means of protecting our assets. We have begun offering payments to pirates in advance, pleading with them not to attack our vessels. To beg criminals is a burden so great it feels like tearing one’s intestines. Yet there was no other path, if we are to protect our assets—and in turn, the livelihoods of all people within the sector.’

The voice, raw with anguish, was designed to provoke sympathy. Even Dawson, who understood the speech was performance, found himself almost moved to genuine concern.

Then, abruptly, the old man’s demeanor shifted.

From sorrow, to fury.

We are forced to spend unnecessary funds and lower our heads despite having no reason to do so—this is entirely due to the negligence of the Space Fleet and the incompetence of politicians! If the deterioration of security in space continues for much longer, we hereby declare our intent to file a lawsuit against the government for damages! We do not seek the complete eradication of pirates! We simply wish for security to be restored to the point where all vessels can travel safely through the Star Arm Nebula—something that was once taken for granted! We only ask for this! We urge the Space Fleet and the government to respond as soon as possible!

The old man stepped back from the podium, his voice raw and breath ragged. A middle-aged woman, likely the head of public relations, ascended the platform in his place.

The recording ended here.

"Would be nice to say this has finally reached its peak—accusing corporate leadership of denouncing the government and the military."

"This is a performance for the general public. They aren’t seriously challenging the space fleet, the government, or the pirates."

"Pre-arrange the speech content with the space fleet and the government. Provide financial support to the pirates and request they refrain from attacking ships belonging to affiliated corporations. Whether the space fleet eliminates the pirates or they continue their raids, the corporations suffer no loss."

"They’ve been connected to the pirates all along. The *Mandible* was told this when it arrived at *Chicken Ball*—specific ships marked with certain insignia are off-limits."

"Previously, they operated in secret. Now, during this press conference, they openly align with the pirates. Perhaps the corporations’ real aim is to lead this arrangement after all."

Why do you think that?

Corporations would prefer not having a government above them. They must believe they shouldn’t have to pay taxes to an entity that contributes little in return.

So you’re saying they’re aiming for a second TR, so they won’t have to pay government taxes.

As they engaged in speculative conversation, a message arrived.

It was an email. It instructed where to deliver the prize Dawson had towed.

That part was routine. But this time, a second paragraph followed—something new.

Repeat notice: Do not attack ships marked with the symbol.

Good of them to clarify. Still, when dealing with pirates, it’s probably appropriate to repeat such rules every time a situation arises.

Afterward, Dawson sold the catch he had brought to Chicken Ball and distributed the proceeds equally to the pirate vessel ABC. He then took a short rest.

Dawson bought food at a chain restaurant known for its S.U. dominance, located in the food court section of Chicken Ball.

A pound burger: thick synthetic meat patty between large buns, layered with cultivated vegetables and a strong, chemically synthesized mustard-ketchup. Shustring potatoes made from particle-generated starch. Cola filled with artificial sweeteners, dyes, and carbonation.

Dawson reached for the set—classic junk food. He unwrapped the burger and took a bite.

Salty tang and sharp acidity in the sauce. Crisp, fresh crunch of vegetables. Meaty texture with a faint dryness and aromatic char on the patty. The bun remained nearly intact—less than one-tenth worn away despite Dawson stuffing his mouth full. A volume that overwhelmed.

Potatoes fried crisp on the outside, soft and moist within. The cola, intensely sweet and sharply carbonated, burned the back of the throat with each sip.

A clear, direct flavor assault.

Amato Imperial Japan had hamburgers too, but they were generally balanced for harmonious taste.

This burger—aggressive in flavor, overwhelming in volume—was a rare shock.

"This explains why it’s popular in the S.U. sector."

Dawson ate with rapid bites, then suddenly turned his gaze to the surroundings.

There was no suspicious individual present.

If anything, the absence of pirates felt unusual.

"Are they on deployment?"

Dawson recalled the ship movement data he had purchased from Chicken Ball, but could not recall any particularly attractive target that would have drawn pirates away.

It was possible the pirates simply happened to be absent from this location.

Dawson thought this as he finished his burger set, then turned toward the exclusive bar located at the back of the sector.

"Are you checking whether the pirate numbers have decreased?"

"Yeah. Any idea?"

The bartender tilted his head in response to Dawson’s question, which doubled as an order.

"Perhaps I’ve heard rumors about certain pirates switching to SU warships they’ve captured—several at once. That could explain the shift."

"Switching to warships doesn’t reduce their numbers."

"Most of those warships appear to have been dispatched to another sector."

"……That sector—the one where the pirate vessel, the Orbit Patrol Cruiser, headed, and where the pirate mothership, Chicken Ball, is located?"

"Yes, that one. Apparently, the pirates in that sector have diminished in number. They requested reinforcement."

"I see. I’m familiar with that region."

When Heavy Hammer attacked, Chicken Ball relocated to a different asteroid belt. The many pirate ships abandoned from the docking ring were largely destroyed by the decoy fleet that jumped in.

Filling the gap left by the reduced pirate numbers with additional pirates from Chicken Ball was, indeed, logical.

"But sending not only pirates, but also Orbit Patrol Cruisers and destroyers as reinforcements—can Chicken Ball really afford that?"

I think it’s fine. Fundamentally, most operations here are managed through the neural network.

Through the neural network, you say?

You saw it yourself. There’s a robot deployed in the beverage service section to detect intoxicated individuals. That’s also under neural network control.

Dawson thought he’d heard this before.

Was that only true for this location?

No. It applies to Chicken Ball as a whole. It’s hard to believe, but they say that with General Kernel present, one can activate all of Chicken Ball’s armaments.

So there’s no real need for personnel to maintain Chicken Ball? That’s why they can dispatch pirates freely to other sectors?

Chicken Ball is a fortress. It has gun turrets and firing positions. Orbit Patrol Cruisers and destroyers might not be necessary either.

Dawson was about to accept it as fact when a sudden thought struck him.

"Earlier, they said the Consortium pleaded with pirates not to attack ships. Could it be possible that, in this sector, the prey has been depleted, and so the pirates have been moved elsewhere?"

"Hard to say. The number of ships marked with that symbol will certainly increase. But to claim there is no prey at all is a stretch."

Dawson shrugged, dismissing the idea as mere speculation. He finished his new cocktail and left the bar.

He would learn soon enough that this was not unfounded concern.

Through the targeting scope of a long-range artillery system, he confirmed the presence of the 'Do Not Attack' mark on a ship belonging to the S.U. Navy.