Episode 39: Destroyer Hunt
Attacking a merchant convoy during rehearsal revealed the flaws in the three artificial intelligences.
They corrected these flaws during practice and prepared to attack the SU vessels in earnest.
As a final exercise, while awaiting the arrival of the SU vessels, Dawson delivered a brief lecture to the three artificial intelligences.
"Charged Particle Beam and thermal (laser) cannons have low usage cost. Torpedoes have significantly higher damage output but also higher specification cost. If you intend to continue piracy, you must understand these economic principles. Even if you achieve spectacular results with lavish weapon deployment, you will eventually fail if you cannot generate a profit of one credit."
That is why the optimal tactic is a precise strike with the Charged Particle Beam. Minimizing damage to the enemy vessel allows for a higher resale value.
Next is the torpedo strike to disable the enemy's propulsion system. The propulsion unit can be replaced with one from a larger vessel. However, fusion generators for warship turrets or gun mounts are difficult to obtain under military specifications. Since pirates desire them, the cost of torpedo consumption is easily offset.
If neither of those can be targeted, then the alternative is a broadside barrage with three Charged Particle Beams. Capturing the enemy vessel is not profitable, but it reduces our own resource expenditure.
Dawson nodded deeply, recognizing that the lessons from training had taken root.
"Correct. But first, survival is paramount. Only once your life is secured can you choose effective tactics. Even massive losses are acceptable if you survive. As long as you live, you can recover those losses on the next assignment."
"Is life priority number one? We are artificial intelligences."
"Since we regenerate more easily than humans, you don't consider us disposable?"
"Then why suggest accepting massive losses, when we're supposed to learn profitable methods from piracy?"
"All things require careful handling to reach their full potential. Humans, artificial intelligences, ships—each is no different."
The three artificial intelligences fell silent, surprised by Dawson’s statement.
"What's wrong? If you prefer being treated roughly by humans, I’ll factor that into my calculations."
Dawson implied, without saying it directly, that an artificial intelligence from Amato Imperial Japan might welcome such treatment. Oine understood the implication, and displayed the following text on the monitor: 'If it is kindness with roughness, we welcome it wholeheartedly?'
After erasing Oine’s message, the three artificial intelligences finally spoke again.
'Dr. Dawson seems to possess a thought process unlike that of ordinary humans. This is interesting.'
'According to historical records, humans created artificial intelligences out of a desire for slaves. Is Dr. Dawson a kind master?'
'But, well, that’s good. Any tool, even one without will, would prefer to be treated kindly.'
Dawson, hearing the three differing opinions, became aware of the difficulty in handling an S.U.-made artificial intelligence.
If artificial intelligences made by S.U. develop individual differences alongside accumulated knowledge, as these three do, then interactions must be tailored to each individual.
Even if identical statements are made, the reception may vary widely—positive, negative, skeptical, or blind—depending on the individual differences among the artificial intelligences.
Most humans expect machines to produce uniform results when used according to manual specifications. The artificial intelligences of Amato Imperial Japan, however, inherit value criteria from their ancestral origins, so a manual for proper interaction has been established.
However, with SU-made artificial intelligences, the differences in thought patterns are expected to be so pronounced that establishing a manual for proper interaction becomes impractical. The divergence is such that using a human with compatible value criteria might be easier than relying on an artificial intelligence designed to replace a person.
Dawson understood this reasoning, yet he did not attempt to correct the thinking patterns of the three artificial intelligences.
He wished to observe the outcome of their natural development. He also reasoned that if complications arose, they would be SU's problem, not his.
Regardless, once the lecture concluded, the naval unit targeted this time—three destroyers from SU's space fleet—was located.
They had apparently jumped out at a slightly distant point and were now beginning patrol movements through normal space.
The emergence point is within acceptable error margins, but it's curious why there is a discrepancy.
Dawson's calculated emergence point was the maximum range at which that destroyer could jump.
The jump drive requires full energy consumption per jump. Unlike a Charged Particle Beam, it cannot conserve energy during operation.
Jumping one centimeter or spanning interstellar distances consumes the same amount of energy.
It may seem strange, but in the 'basic jump mechanics' Dawson was taught at the Amato Imperial Japan Military Academy for Youth, jumping was described as diving into the seabed.
Descending from three-dimensional sea level to the four-dimensional boundary at seabed depth consumes the energy of the jump apparatus, equivalent to physical stamina. Upon reaching the seabed, the vessel continues moving using a separate power source—the propulsion system. Beneath the seabed, a high-speed current known as interdimensional flow exists. Riding this current allows the vessel to move faster than light speed. When nearing the destination, the vessel returns to surface level through buoyancy generated by the intrinsic tendency of matter to revert to its original dimension.
Because of this mechanism, prolonged submersion at the four-dimensional boundary places significant strain on the propulsion system. The safe jump distance varies depending on the vessel’s power output and propulsion capacity.
Nevertheless, for long-distance travel, it is standard practice to utilize the full safe limit of the vessel’s jump capability, avoiding unnecessary waste of propulsion energy that would otherwise be consumed uniformly across all jumps.
Even if not Dawson, one would notice if it appeared before the limit point.
"Possible causes are propulsion system or fusion generator malfunction."
If propulsion output drops, the limit of sustained immersion in the fourth dimension shortens, reducing jump range.
If the generator is malfunctioning, jump distance may be shortened to prevent damage during jumps.
Either way, the target is weakened.
No reason not to attack.
"Ida, Bera, Corry. Engage. The target may have a fault in its 'foot' or 'lung'. Deviation fire may not follow data precisely. Be alert."
"Understood! Target relative distance has reached operational range. Proceeding with launch!"
"Dawson-sama. First strike is yours~"
I'm going.
Dawson watched the three Sky Sweepers accelerate to maximum speed. He prepared for long-range fire. At the instant the target was acquired, he fired the Charged Particle Beam.
The bridge of one destroyer was destroyed. The other two destroyers entered defensive posture.
The three Sky Sweepers entered the firing range of the destroyers' Main Cannons. The turret rotated. The target locked onto the Sky Sweepers. The Charged Particle Beam fired. The beam passed through space far from the Sky Sweepers—missed due to deviation fire.
Being within the Main Cannon's range meant the Sky Sweepers, equipped with the same turret type, were also within firing range.
Three Sky Sweepers fired their Charged Particle Beams. The white glow of heavy particles piercing through space passed through the generator section of one destroyer. The surge of released energy enveloped the destroyed destroyer in a pale blue light.
The communication between the three artificial intelligences echoed inside the *Mandible*.
'Why are you firing at the same target, at the same location, as me? If you had targeted the other destroyer, this would have been finished!'
'The first one was the easiest to hit. It was unavoidable. Besides, why are you complaining? You should have targeted the other destroyer instead.'
'P-please, let's discuss which one to target before firing next time, okay?'
The three of them were already evading, despite their exchange. The surviving destroyer had begun firing barrage from its gun turret.
Avoiding the approaching array of heat beams was flawless. A product of Dawson’s training.
The three Sky Sweepers continued evasive maneuvers while rotating their forward turrets toward the destroyer laying down the barrage.
The destroyer, in turn, deployed its forward and aft turrets—two forward, one aft—adding harassment fire with its Charged Particle Beam.
"Quite the resistance. Good grit. And those three—paying too little attention to the destroyer I only damaged. It's still alive."
As Dawson had said, the destroyer’s turret and gun mounts, though moving with a sluggishness incomparable to their functional state, began to rotate and shift.
The three artificial intelligences appeared fixated on the destroyer laying down a heavy barrage, showing no sign of attention elsewhere.
Yet Oine held a different view.
‘Corry is acting as though the bridge-damaged destroyer is still alive. There is an implication she expects you to finish it, Dawson.’
‘You’re saying she trusts me to finish it, just because I’m watching from afar?’
The *Maw* has fired the Charged Particle Beam only once. The energy refill unit remains at full capacity, and the Charged Particle Beam has now completed its refill. There is no reason not to fire, should a friendly unit be in danger. That is likely what is believed.
I expected one of those three to finish off the disabled destroyer before facing the final destroyer.
Since you are trusted, it should be fine. Though the other two seem to assume the completely disabled destroyer will not move, so they will need correction later.
There is nothing to be done. I’ll meet Corry’s expectations and finish it properly.
Dawson fired the Charged Particle Beam at the generator of the disabled destroyer whose bridge had been destroyed. After a blue-white light enveloped the destroyer, its turret and gun mounts ceased rotation.
As if waiting for Dawson’s strike, Corry altered her movement slightly and began actively targeting the surviving destroyer from her gun mounts.
By attacking with exaggerated force, Corry drew the destroyer’s fire toward herself.
Ida and Bera sensed the curtain of fire directed at their own ship had thinned. They immediately moved to accurate positions. Ida fired the Charged Particle Beam at the bridge. Bera fired at the generator location.
The three destroyers were now sunk, retaining most of their hulls and equipment.
"Since it's still in such good condition, they'll pay a high price for it."
"Another destroyer crew turned pirate, then. All the destroyers we've captured so far have been sent to the Star Arm Nebula, but isn't that area over-armed now?"
"Over-armed or not, as long as they're causing trouble out there and threatening the Star Arm Nebula, disrupting SU's economy—that's exactly what we want."
Dawson spoke with indifference. He established a communication link with the three Sky Sweepers, praised the three crew members for their success, then ordered them to tow the destroyed destroyer.