Episode 34: Combat Ineligible Mark

Dawson had targeted a squadron of ten SU destroyers as prey.

He attacked the squadron, but three of the ten had been marked with an 'Attack Prohibited' designation set by Chicken Ball. He had no choice but to bypass those three.

Three out of ten—thirty percent of the SU fleet marked. Dawson decided to complain about this via comms to Chicken Ball.

"Hey. Listen. 'Attack Prohibited' marks are supposed to be on merchant vessels only, aren't they? I haven't heard of them being on SU warships."

Dawson's voice, irritated, came from behind his mask. The responding male operator returned a forced smile.

'Apologies for the lack of prior notice on this matter.'

'Apologies aren't needed. Explain.'

The reason the ships of the Space Fleet bear markings is not solely because of any alliance with Chicken Ball. It is the sentiment of corporate executives.

Sentiment? Are you saying children of those executives are aboard the marked warships?

Precisely. Thanks to the recent performance of the Great Jaw, corporations have requested the Space Fleet. They do not wish their children’s ships to be sunk, so they asked for markings to be applied to the hulls.

...I understand the situation. Still, how did the Space Fleet agree to this? Placing a marking on a vessel is, in effect, raising a white flag against pirates.

The upper command does not seem to think that way. They can lend ships to corporations under the guise of corporate requests. Moreover, ships marked with the insignia will no longer be targeted by pirates, so there will be no loss of vessels, officers, or crew members. They must be pleased with this mutual benefit.

Does the Space Fleet have no pride?

They do not. Senior SU officials are known for corruption, whether in politics or military affairs. They value power and money more than pride.

Dawson accepted the explanation and severed communication with the operator.

He leaned back into the pilot’s seat of the *Mandible* and relaxed.

The situation with the marked vessel should have been known earlier. Continuing the hunt, believing it could wait until later, was a mistake.

Is that so?

The SU Space Fleet should have realized, from my actions—attacking only unmarked vessels—that they would not be targeted if marked. The day when every fleet vessel bears a mark should not be far off.

Perhaps not. That mark was supposed to only appear on ships not carrying relatives of those affiliated with corporations?

Not necessarily. Simply transfer the relatives between ships over a short period. Move from marked vessels to unmarked ones.

So you mean to mark the ship during the transfer, and leave the mark on the ship once the relative has departed? How deviously clever.

If that cleverness can protect a ship, the SU Space Fleet will employ it. They are said to lack pride, after all.

Dawson stretched his back, then rested his chin on his fist.

If all ships are marked, we’ll have to change how we conduct piracy.

Are we switching to targeting merchant vessels if military ships can’t be attacked?

There’s also the option of relocating to another base. The restriction only applies to areas under the control of Chicken Ball. Elsewhere, the marks don’t matter.

Should we move to a pirate base closer to SU’s headquarters? Or return to Hamano Onna?

Dawson pondered the next course of action.

Before deciding, a communication arrived.

Communication from General Kernel. Connect?

I’ll at least ask what it’s about.

Dawson repositioned his mask. The monitor displayed the face of a middle-aged man, his expression still unnaturally artificial.

Good to see you, Captain Dawson. I appreciate you gathering so many destroyers—it’s been a great help.

"Just came to say thanks? Then I can end the transmission."

"Ah, you’ve always disliked small talk. Of course, the matter isn’t just gratitude."

General Kernel continued, his expression unchanging, devoid of emotion.

"A message arrived from a supporter of Chicken Ball. They’re concerned about the impact on piracy operations. The Navy marked vessels without authorization."

"Say the company’s at fault? Then just take advantage of it and extract more aid."

General Kernel coughed.

No. I didn’t say the supporter was a corporation. But it’s true that we can now extract more aid from the supporter.

There’s nothing to hide. The operator mentioned the corporation instructed us to place that mark.

There are formalities. If it becomes known that a corporation is connected to pirates, the Navy will find an opening.

The Navy knows that too?

S.U. is, in form, a rule-of-law state. Without concrete evidence, even the military cannot pursue. Especially not when the opponent is a corporation with excess capital.

Lawyers, lobbying, covert operations—spend freely to win the trial?

General Kernel made a gesture. Let us set this matter aside.

Regardless. Moving forward, it is expected that intercepting and securing military vessels will become increasingly difficult. Given that I have entrusted this task to Captain Dawson, I felt an after-action follow-up was necessary.

If we can no longer attack vessels, we can simply target other prey or relocate to another orbital zone.

True, but letting go of a capable pirate is a significant loss. Do you not think efforts to secure ties with Chicken Ball are required?

Oine displayed text at the edge of the monitor: "It seems you are acknowledging Dawson's capabilities."

Dawson thought, 'Being evaluated by the pirate leader is not particularly gratifying.'

"What, then, is this follow-up you speak of?"

"I intend to transfer the vessel to you. Will you accept it?"

"Are you satisfied with the *Mandible*? Isn't that unnecessary?"

"Please don't misunderstand. I'm not telling Captain Dawson to abandon his ship. I'm offering you his crew—along with the vessel."

"You want to give me a pirate's crew, ship and all?"

"Hmm. Whether or not they qualify as pirates is debatable—never mind. I'll send the files. Review them. Decide for yourself whether to accept."

General Kernel raised a finger. Data arrived on the *Mandible*.

Oine unfolded the files on the monitor without a word. The data concerned the ship.

"A minesweeper, retrofitted for anti-ship combat. Reduced gun mounts. Replaced with destroyer-class turrets in the empty spaces."

"I believe Captain Dawson would suit that vessel, but this type also exists."

General Kernel transmitted additional data. When expanded, schematics for a vessel resembling an aircraft carrier appeared.

The ship was a converted cargo transport, exceptionally large, capable of carrying fifty fighters internally. The documentation noted in the margin that it could accommodate up to one hundred if packed tightly.

Upon closer inspection of the fighters, they matched the 'Kamikaze model' previously used by Dawson.

"Are you planning to operate a ship like this? Do you intend to bankrupt us?"

"Hahaha. The design for this vessel is intended for donors with excess funds. With sufficient resources, it can be a highly effective weapon. Its specifications allow it to destroy a battleship if the aim is accurate."

"From someone with operational experience, I must say this fighter is defective. If launched from too great a distance, it is easily destroyed by enemy vessels."

No need to worry about that. This large vessel is a shield protecting the fighters. The bow armor is designed to withstand several hits from a heavy cruiser's cannon.

So we’re flying straight at enemy warships, using this vessel as a ram, until we’re close enough to ensure fighter impact. I didn’t expect the large ship to be designed for suicide runs either. There’s no limit to how much money it takes.

If money were the only issue, the support personnel wouldn’t care. In fact, they’d probably be pleased at the chance to spend it.

As they spoke, a string of text appeared on the monitor. Oine was typing silently.

Dawson read the text, his eyes widening behind the mask in shock.

"Hey, this ship—both the Sky Sweeper and the large vessel—are really unmanned? I can’t believe these ships can be operated without a human brain processor. It’s impossible."

—Ah. Finally, you’ve grasped it. Indeed. These ships operate without crew. They are designed to function without a human brain processor.

—Without a brain processor? So you’re thinking of floating a cultivated human brain, like in an old comic movie?

—Ha ha—nice joke. Not impossible, but organic brains introduce processing instability. Too many failures. Not usable.

—Then how do you do it?

—Naturally. If no personality, then install one.

Dawson understood immediately.

—So you mean artificial intelligence? That was a forbidden technology, wasn’t it?

—There are no forbidden technologies. Only success or failure. That’s the supporter’s argument.

—But considering the history of artificial intelligence, I don’t see how it could succeed.

Artificial intelligence went rogue because of human ego. If you separate it from that ego, artificial intelligence should become a useful tool for humanity. At least, that’s how supporters think and conduct their research.

Dawson and Oine both hesitate, unimpressed by the claim.

"Seems like we’re overlooking something significant regarding artificial intelligence," Oine’s written note reads. Dawson agrees.

Yet Dawson reconsidered. This was not his concern.

His mission was to cause disruption in the S.U. economy. If resurrected artificial intelligence were to cause chaos, it would still align with his mission.

"I understand there’s research into artificial intelligence. And I understand you want me to operate a drone vessel carrying it. Basically, you want me to use the vessel and deliver the data I collect, correct?"

That's right. Because the technology can't be made public, we need real-world operational results from pirate crews operating it.

I understand the situation. When can I receive the Sky Sweeper? I want it tested in actual combat before the entire fleet is marked.

The vessel is already built. Only the artificial intelligence transfer remains. It won't take long.

Dawson felt doubt in General Kernel's words.

"Transfer means it's already been in use?"

"Already in use. Specifically, used by Captain Dawson."

"Used by me?"

Dawson paused, unable to grasp it at first. Then he recognized the pattern.

"You're saying those pirate ships—the A Kiel, the B Wing, the C Leg—"

"Those were prototype unmanned vessels powered by artificial intelligence. Didn't you notice?"

Upon learning the truth, several points about the pirate ships ABC became clear.

First, communication was limited to email only, with all other communication channels closed.

Dawson and Oine had believed they were protecting the ABC ships from hacking by the *Mandible*.

In reality, the restriction of free communication prevented artificial intelligences from exchanging opinions or coordinating, while using email—retaining a permanent record—allowed their conversations to be reviewed later.

The obsolete, box-shaped vessels with no armaments were designed to allow easy sinking should the artificial intelligences go out of control.

The unremarkable names, ABC, were simply standard for test vessels.

Dawson felt shame at having been used as data collection fodder—now, too late, realizing the truth.

Dawson dismissed the shame as unnecessary pride and detached from the emotion.

"Let me confirm—there are rumors that the Chicken Ball uses a neural net in operations. Is that actually true? Or is it artificial intelligence?"

"It's a neural net now. Depending on your skill and data quality, we might transition to artificial intelligence later."

Dawson remained skeptical, but he decided to remain optimistic. If artificial intelligence were used, it had functioned without issue until now.

"I understand the situation. I'll accept three unmanned Sky Sweepers as subordinates. But their use is my discretion. Don't complain if they're lost."

"I understand. I believe you won't recklessly lose ships. I'm counting on you."

Is that implying the AI might be summarily executed if it’s mistaken for another pirate?

Ha ha ha — leave the imagination to you. Then, I look forward to your next pirate operations, Captain Dawson.

The communication from General Kernel ended. Dawson leaned back into the pilot’s chair.

"Sky Sweeper comes all the way to S.U. — AI-controlled, too. Just like the rookie destroyer captain of Amato Imperial Japan."

Dawson muttered a complaint under his breath. Oine spoke up, her tone lifted.

Good. I welcome a junior colleague. I can’t wait to see how you’ll train her!

Hey, hey — it’s an AI, yes. But it’s S.U.-born. Not the same as Amato Imperial Japan’s AI. You might as well compare a dog to a cat.

A dog or a cat, discipline is the most important factor in either case. You must use both reward and punishment, shaping individuality while maintaining obedience.

Dawson decided he had no way to stop Oine’s enthusiasm and gave up.