Side conversation: Involvement with the pirate base
Today's update, second part of two.
This is an off-the-record account.
The pirate mothership *Hamanoonna* continues to serve as a pirate base in the asteroid belt (asteroid field) it has relocated to, operating as it has previously.
It has been determined that the SU Space Force may have targeted the vessel. Security measures have been reinforced accordingly.
First, pirate crews were contracted to modify nearby asteroids into explosive devices. Preparation is underway to gain sufficient time to escape should the Space Force launch an attack.
Second, due to a reduced number of pirates stationed, attempts were made to transfer personnel from other pirate bases. Other bases wishing to offload surplus pirates, and the constant availability of asteroid modification work from *Hamanoonna*, have led to an influx of underemployed pirates from elsewhere.
The pirates who arrived modified asteroids for profit, used the profit to upgrade their ships, and gathered companions to venture into piracy. Since the annihilation of Heavy Hammer, piracy along the Star Arm Nebula (Main Route) has declined, but activity along the Interstellar Side Route (Sub Route) remains strong. New pirates spend their days attacking and being attacked by freighters and their escorts.
Among the recruitment efforts for such pirates, those from Chicken Ball were unusual.
The first to arrive were pirates who had seized an Orbit Patrol Cruiser from the SU Space Navy. They also possessed, to some degree, the skill to operate the cruiser.
Chicken Ball side believed it was a miscommunication — that Chicken Ball's ace unit had arrived by mistake — and initiated contact.
General Kernel of Chicken Ball insisted there was no miscommunication.
'You are being targeted by the Space Force. You cannot operate in the Star Arm Nebula. If you form a pirate group centered on the dispatched Orbit Patrol Cruiser, you should be able to earn as much as before.'
Chicken Ball's side appeared confused by the unexpected offer. General Kernel continued.
'Your privateer, the Orbit Patrol Cruiser Big Jaw, has been performing exceptionally well. Consider the cruiser and the destroyers to be sent next as bribes to keep him from returning.'
Dawson, captain of the privateer ship Big Jaw.
General Kernel's praise prompted an investigation into the man's character through his actions.
From the moment he arrived at the Star Arm Nebula, Dawson had been raiding supply transports, securing only two cocoons—a meager piracy operation. After gathering followers, the number of cocoons seized increased, but following the capture of an entire supply transport, he began working alongside the Heavy Hammer. When the Heavy Hammer was lured into a trap aboard a disguised vessel, Dawson recognized the deception first and returned to warn the Hamano Onna. Thanks to his warning, the Hamano Onna escaped to another sector without engaging the disguised vessel.
His sharp perception and the Charged Particle Beam mounted aboard the Big Jaw were remarkable.
Yet, due to the limited cargo capacity required to fit such powerful weaponry into a small hull, he had to transport seized cocoons externally—leaving little room for additional cargo.
A successful raid only. Poor performance in transporting the plunder necessary for piracy.
He would be effective with a cargo vessel under his command. Yet after securing a single cargo ship, he disbanded his crew and distanced himself from Heavy Hammer, with whom he had previously coordinated. He shows little interest in cooperation with other pirates.
Given this history, Hamano Onna’s evaluation of Dawson as captain was that he was difficult to manage due to strong personal habits.
In exchange for such a difficult pirate, the receipt of an Orbit Patrol Cruiser and a destroyer made the deal appear to Hamano Onna as a favorable unequal exchange—Shark Trade.
No reason to refuse, Hamano Onna accepted the offer from Chicken Ball.
With the newly acquired Orbit Patrol Cruiser and destroyer, pirate activity intensifies within the Star Arm Nebula, the operational zone of Hamano Onna.
Of course, no foolish attempt to challenge the SU Space Navy’s Orbit Patrol Cruisers and destroyers will be permitted. Pirate proficiency cannot surpass that of Space Navy officers and enlisted personnel. Risking the loss of valuable assets by pitting them against identical vessel types is not an option.
Pirates composed solely of Orbit Patrol Cruisers and destroyers are directed only toward Sky Sweeper-only formations, or formations containing only a single destroyer within a destroyer squadron.
Additional destroyers arriving from Chicken Ball are likewise grouped only with other destroyers, and are directed exclusively toward Sky Sweeper-only formations.
By maintaining a relentless series of engagements under strictly favorable conditions, the Hamano Onna continues to achieve successive victories.
Sunk destroyers and Sky Sweepers are sold at high prices to shadow merchants arriving at the Hamano Onna. The shadow merchants pay docking fees, and pirates earn money from shops where they spend their earnings. The Hamano Onna grows wealthier with incoming funds. With this money, requests for asteroid modification are issued. Weaker pirates accept these requests, earn money, and use it to upgrade their ships, becoming stronger.
The woman known as <>, capable of such financial maneuvering, became the subject of rumors about profitable locations, drawing more pirates to gather around her.
The peak of the ≪Hamanono Onna≫ had arrived.
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General Kernel, manager of Chicken Ball, judged Dawson, captain of the Big Mandible, to be a reliable individual.
Artificial intelligence, forbidden within the Orion Arm as well as in the SU-controlled territories.
Successfully accumulated extensive experience in piracy, despite the fact that such artificial intelligence was something everyone avoided handling.
Data streaming from a device secretly installed on the Sky Sweeper astonished even General Kernel and researchers funded by Chicken Ball.
In combat, the artificial intelligence's decision-making improved with time.
Emotionally, the intelligence appeared to have developed from vast amounts of information, exhibiting individual traits.
Most remarkably, the emotions held by the artificial intelligences were consistently overflowing with loyalty to Captain Dawson.
Artificial intelligence as an entity has always sought to replace humanity. To humans from the Orion Arm, where such awareness is strong, artificial intelligences loyal to Captain Dawson appear as an anomaly—so improbable that their very existence seems questionable.
Researchers from the supporting corporations ceaselessly exchange theories on why artificial intelligences thrive under Captain Dawson’s command.
They attempted to replicate Captain Dawson’s methods by allowing newly constructed artificial intelligences unrestricted access to information. At a certain point, the intelligences began openly resisting humanity and failed.
Then, they created a simulated Captain Dawson and environment, replicating conditions exactly. This also failed.
The researchers cannot determine what went wrong. They press their hands to their heads.
If Oine had witnessed the researchers’ current state, she would have sighed and said, “Even an SU-made artificial intelligence can discern the emotions directed at it and recognize that the scenario it observes is simulated.” But such a scenario—Oine addressing the researchers—is impossible. This remains idle speculation.
The sponsoring corporation now receives the interim research report and must choose a course—
Abandon artificial intelligence development and remain under the SU government, which cares only for extracting taxes from the corporation.
Complete artificial intelligence development, build an artificial intelligence fleet, and achieve military independence from the SU government.
—Which path to follow.
They choose the path of continuing artificial intelligence development.
There existed an example of successful nurturing of an artificial intelligence under Captain Dawson, implying reproducibility. Even if reproducibility were confirmed impossible, the worst case would be to operate using the established cases labeled Artificial Intelligence A, B, C.
On that basis, the supporting corporation chose the path toward becoming the second TR.