Episode 42: War Begins, Routine Continues

While Dawson enjoyed his extended leave, time in space continued forward.

Evidence of this was the SU government's declaration of a large-scale campaign against pirates, dispatching a major fleet to the operational zone of the ≪Hamano Onna≫. In response, TR declared that the large SU fleet was intended for invasion, and sent its own major fleet in reply.

Thus, SU and TR, previously in a ceasefire, returned to a state of war.

Watching the news of the war's resumption, Dawson spoke with Oine.

"Commentators claim TR's statement is a pretext. Deploying a full-scale fleet to eliminate pirates is excessive force. It was obvious they planned to advance into TR's territory once the pirates were defeated."

"SU has a reason for wanting to strike TR now."

"Intimidation of the corporations backing Chicken Ball. That company appears to be considering independence."

"Proving that independence from SU leads to nothing but disaster by attacking TR with military force."

News continued amid the conversation. The fleets of SU and TR were expected to engage near the operational zone of Hamano Onna.

"TR issues the privateering licenses for the pirates. The pirates will cooperate with TR and attack the SU fleet together."

"Against a large fleet, pirate ships contribute little. The Orbit Patrol Cruiser and destroyers sent to Hamano Onna will be insufficient in number—like throwing pebbles at a burning stone."

"Everything has a use. Doesn't matter if they aren't used as frontline combat units."

"Are you saying they’ll be used for rear attacks and cutting supply lines?"

"Even threatening inhabited satellites or planets forces the SU Space Fleet to respond. The more forces they divert to respond, the greater TR’s advantage becomes."

"War is about numbers, after all. If we can draw just one vessel away from the front line, we secure relative superiority."

"Still, war. I wish prey would show up on our side..."

Dawson brought up the Hamano Onna and its operational zone on the monitor, extending the star map to include the Chicken Ball operational zone.

"Oine. Can you determine where the SU Space Fleet is moving?"

"Wait a moment—no. That information isn’t available through Chicken Ball, and no such data has arrived."

Then we can only estimate the route. Do we have information on SU Space Fleet bases, production facilities, and supply depots from the data we’ve gathered so far?

Yes, if you mean the data recovered from SU vessels captured and destroyed by Amato Imperial Japan.

From the data Oine displayed, Dawson filtered only information related to the operational zones of Hamano Onna and Chicken Ball. He plotted the locations of SU Space Fleet facilities from this filtered data as luminous points on the star map.

That should do it—expected, but there are more bases near the TR-controlled zone. These bases lack production facilities. Separate factories are located at a distance, supplying the front lines via transport routes.

If TR seizes a base with a production facility, it would strengthen their forces. The SU government dislikes that possibility, so they built production facilities far from the border.

Being distant means supplies must be transported. That creates an opening for attack.

So pirates collaborating with TR target those transport routes.

Dawson shrugs at Oine’s words.

Don’t speak as if it’s someone else’s problem. I’m planning to attack those transport units too.

So you’re moving to HAMANO ONNA now?

No. I’m only targeting transport units passing through the Chicken Ball operational zone. I’m hoping they lack the usual mark.

What if they have the mark?

"In that case, there's nothing to be done. Either return to leave, or attack the mercenary vessel."

"Is fighting the mercenaries part of the training for those children?"

"Yes. Those three artificial intelligences can't keep idle forever."

Dawson searched for locations where SU Fleet transport units were likely to pass, identifying assault points.

Having narrowed down several options, he sent a communication to Ida, Bera, and Corry, announcing the end of their leave.

Dawson and the three artificial intelligences waited in ambush at the assault site. The war between SU and TR finally resumed.

In an unobstructed space sector, SU and TR fleets faced each other. Gradually, they closed the distance. At the moment both sides reached firing range, they simultaneously opened fire with capital ship cannons.

The exchange of Charged Particle Beam fire occurred. Unfortunate vessels on both sides exploded and disintegrated.

The attack continued as both sides executed different fleet maneuvers. SU forces adopted a defensive formation with thick armor, anticipating a prolonged engagement. TR forces adopted a more aggressive formation, aiming to reduce enemy strength whenever possible.

So far, only Charged Particle Beams had been used for long-range bombardment. No physical projectiles, torpedoes, or fighters had appeared. The range had not yet permitted their use.

"SU side is skilled. They are maneuvering to minimize force losses, aiming for a long-term conflict. They expect resupply from the vast expanse of space, attempting to win through attrition."

"But TR side has momentum. The number of destroyed vessels visible in the news footage shows TR is ahead."

"Even if they claim superiority, the difference is only a few dozen ships. At this scale, with fleets exceeding ten thousand vessels, such a margin can vanish in an instant."

After exchanging fire for about an hour, both sides slightly increase distance. Time for resupply of depleted materials, crew rest, and repair of damaged vessels.

"If TR pushes forward now, they could expand the damage—no, that won't work. SU's undamaged ships are already positioned at the front line, holding position."

"TR has realized they cannot launch a surprise attack. They have begun full rest and resupply across all vessels. Perhaps they are deliberately exposing a weakness to lure the SU fleet forward and strike."

"That is possible. But SU may have assessed TR's intent as a prolonged engagement, and thus decided on full fleet resupply during the pause."

If Dawson’s prediction is correct, that’s quite bold.

Such an action carries high risk. It’s not exactly sound strategy. At the Officer Academy, it would be classified as a poor move.

But you’re evaluating it positively, aren’t you?

Leaving behind ships to maintain vigilance inevitably leaves some vessels and crews exhausted. Those fatigued ships can become liabilities in later stages of combat. Fatigue increases the likelihood of mistakes. On the battlefield, a single mistake can result in defeat. Full fleet rest eliminates that risk. That’s why I consider it a good move.

So it is a good move, then?

The effect is certain. But I lack the courage to actually carry it out. The risk is too high.

You’re impossible! Are you for it or against it!?

Dawson observed the exchange with Oine when the targeted SU military transport convoy emerged from jump. The appearance matched Dawson’s prediction exactly.

Dawson confirmed the convoy bore no attack designation. He adjusted aim, selecting a target for destruction.

The convoy consisted of three military-grade heavy freighters and five escort destroyers.

If facing civilian vessels, the destroyers would have been targeted first, eliminated, then the freighters attacked.

That approach assumed civilian ships lacked armament.

Military freighters, however, possessed hull armor comparable to warships and mounted multiple directed-energy cannons capable of repelling approaching vessels. They were fully capable combat vessels.

The heavy armor and defensive fire made it a more formidable opponent than a destroyer.

"Target first, or later..."

Dawson considered, deciding to delay the transport vessel.

The reason would become clear when Dawson pierced one destroyer with the Charged Particle Beam aboard the *Mandible*.

The destroyer, struck directly by the beam's white light, exploded with enough force to burn through the armor of nearby supply ships. The Charged Particle Beam had hit the destroyer's stored space torpedoes, triggering the detonation.

The sudden explosion among the escort vessels caused significant disruption within the transport convoy.

Dawson’s second salvo struck another destroyer, triggering a massive explosion. Three transport vessels began accelerating at maximum speed. The large hulls could not increase velocity immediately.

The transports, desperate to retreat, and the escort destroyers, recovering from surprise to reengage, developed a mismatch in intent. The mismatch distorted the formation and disrupted coordination between ships.

At that moment, Ida, Bera, and Corry launched a jump-approach assault. The transport fleet had focused attention on the salvoing Heavy Jaws. The Sky Sweepers, approaching from the opposite side, caught them unprepared.

‘Shout, it is!’

‘Yes, behave nicely now~’

‘Aim, fire.’

Three AI-controlled units targeted one heavy transport vessel each.

The transport vessels attempted to repel the attack by firing beam cannons from their gun emplacements, but the timing was too late. They were already within the kill zone of the Sky Sweepers.

Two torpedoes were launched from each Sky Sweeper. The torpedoes headed toward the locations where the transport vessels' propulsion units and generators were situated.

In the brief time before impact, concentrating fire on the gun emplacements might have allowed destruction of one vessel.

But damage to either the propulsion unit or the generator would be fatal to the ship.

Any attempt to destroy one vessel would result in fatal damage to the ship, regardless of whether the propulsion unit or generator was hit. All three transport vessels attempted to intercept both incoming torpedoes with their rail guns, resulting in both torpedoes striking their targets.

"Big game is finished. Now it's time to clear out the small prey."

"I'll handle the supporting fire. We'll be temporarily outnumbered two to three, so be careful."

"Fine. Master Dawson has already destroyed another vessel. It's two to two now."

Dawson smiled faintly at Cori's voice over the comm.

"Seems you understand what I'm doing. That's reassuring."

Dawson used the *Mandible* to conduct long-range artillery fire, destroying another destroyer. No need for a large explosion. He disabled the vessel by penetrating the generator.

The subsequent combat ended without incident. Three partially destroyed large transport vessels and three destroyers became the day's harvest.

"But the transport vessels' propulsion systems are damaged. They cannot be moved."

Dawson faced a decision.

With the Mandible and three Sky Sweepers, one large transport vessel or three destroyers could be returned to Chicken Ball.

There was no time to deliberate endlessly. Delaying too long risked the arrival of SU Space Fleet reinforcements.

"Leave the transport vessels. I am curious about what cargo they carried."

Dawson decides to retrieve the transport vessel with the least damage among the three. The other two are detonated using torpedoes from the destroyed destroyer, destroying them completely along with their cargo in the resulting explosion.

Afterward, the Heavy Jaw and three Sky Sweepers dock with the transport vessel. Thrusters and jump drives are engaged at full capacity. The vessel is hauled toward Chicken Ball with difficulty. Stealth measures are maintained to avoid detection by the SU Space Fleet.