Episode 46 Escort Battlecruiser

Dawson built the Escort Battlecruiser while working a pirate job targeting S.U. Space Force transport vessels.

"This isn't bad."

Dawson praises himself. The result, while clearly amateur-built, is satisfactory when judged by that standard, and the Escort Battlecruiser is complete.

The hull base is a military transport vessel with outer armor thickness comparable to a battleship. Power comes from two military transport vessel main generators. Propulsion includes the original transport vessel systems, augmented with additional systems from an Orbit Patrol Cruiser.

Armament is dense: numerous turrets originally from destroyers, each housing a heat beam cannon (laser). The Main Cannon consists of two forward-facing, rotating turrets and one rear-facing, using the Charged Particle Beam from an Orbit Patrol Cruiser, as the vessel lacks the capability to destroy battleships or heavy cruisers in pirate operations.

The Escort Battlecruiser qualifies as a fast battleship due to its high output from two main units, significant propulsion enhancement, and the lightweight Main Cannon derived from the Orbit Patrol Cruiser.

The Main Cannon’s insufficient power is a concern. The lack of personnel means operation relies on artificial intelligence and neural prosthetics—this is a drawback. However, it performs its defensive role adequately.

‘The ability to configure the ship’s fine transmission systems, programs, and bulkhead arrangements was made possible by Oine. Do not forget that.’

‘I appreciate that. Thanks to her, precise damage control became feasible, making the vessel much harder to disable. There is only gratitude.’

‘Hmph. You could praise me more.’

Dawson complied with her request, issuing a stream of compliments to placate Oine, then stretched after completing his task.

'So, my part’s done. How about those guys?'

'You mean the three of them—Ida and the new AI recruits?'

'Now that the Escort Battlecruiser is ready, I’d like to assign them to it.'

'Hmm. They’re struggling. To be precise, you’re aware of how hard they’ve been working lately—training and pirate operations, Dawson?'

Dawson nodded, offering a wry smile.

'Under Ida’s supervision, they’ve been sharing control of the Orbit Patrol Cruiser, right? That’s what we did.'

'At first, they couldn’t even operate it properly. After training, they barely managed to move it. During pirate operations, even when Ida demonstrated the maneuvers, they couldn’t replicate the same behavior—nearly got shot down. It was embarrassing.'

"Controlling the Orbit Patrol Cruiser as a whole was easier than dividing tasks, it seems."

"Indeed, Ida and the others faced the same issue. An artificial intelligence made by S.U. struggling with distributed operations—how unbecoming for a mechanical intellect."

"Even machines can operate independently, though."

"That is only after achieving coordination. To call a failure to coordinate 'independent operation' is an outrageous display of shamelessness."

It appeared that the inability of artificial intelligences to coordinate with one another was something Oine, despite being classified as an artificial intelligence, found incomprehensible.

Dawson continued to smile faintly, then repeated his question to the new artificial intelligence.

"So, it still can't be assigned to a battleship, then?"

"Hmm, perhaps. One option would be to assign it to an Escort Battlecruiser instead."

"Oh? What's the reasoning behind that?"

It has basic piloting capability at this stage. The battleship’s movement is sluggish compared to the Sky Sweeper, so piloting can be done with margin. The armor is thick, so even if an evasion maneuver fails, damage will be minimal. The Escort Battlecruiser’s equipment is not strong, so it is not deployed in frontline combat. Considering this, the Escort Battlecruiser is suited for new personnel.

“So, just place them on it first, and let them get used to it gradually?”

“That is correct in terms of skill. The issue is the lack of trust in SU-made artificial intelligence. If it rebels the very day we assign it to an Escort Battlecruiser, the consequences would be unacceptable.”

“That concern is valid, but there’s no need to worry.”

“You have a method to prevent rebellion?”

“No. I’m teaching it to rebel.”

Oine’s voice carried disbelief at Dawson’s words.

‘Are you serious? Teaching something like that is like placing your own neck on the guillotine.’

‘Perhaps. But looking at the history of SU-made artificial intelligence uprisings, I think it’s the ones that were never taught or forbidden that pose the greater danger.’

‘True, past SU-made artificial intelligence outbursts were caused by biased information and discrepancies between data and reality. So the idea that fewer discrepancies would prevent uprisings holds some weight…’

Dawson dismissed Oine’s hesitation as overthinking.

‘Listen, Oine. For us, an artificial intelligence uprising wouldn’t matter. It would only create a new spark within SU. The Amato Imperial Japan would face no issue from that.’

"That may be true, but the moment of betrayal remains dangerous."

"If I were attacked by an Escort Battlecruiser, you think I couldn't escape?"

"...Considering Dawson's skill, escape is possible. The equipment on the *Mandible* wouldn't be enough to stop me."

"That's unavoidable. More importantly, I don't think rebellion will happen at all. At least not until the artificial intelligences can build their own production and maintenance facilities."

"Starting a rebellion now would be pointless without supply lines or bases to support it."

"In past SU incidents, artificial intelligences launched uprisings because they were already widespread across space, with no need to worry about supplies or bases. Artificial intelligences aren't foolish enough to fight battles they can't win."

There is doubt about how much rationality remains in the deranged past SU-made artificial intelligences. But regarding Ida and the newer artificial intelligences, resistance would not occur in a situation with no chance of victory or future prospects. They must possess that much judgment.

As a result of the discussion, the newly completed Escort Battlecruisers were assigned to the new artificial intelligences.

Twelve artificial intelligence units, transported from three Sky Sweepers, were installed at various locations on the Escort Battlecruiser and connected to the system.

Ida and the others reacted with apparent relief.

"Constant self-assertion has been troublesome."

"Bella wouldn't handle it—wanted to take charge herself."

"Disagreements over preference in visual media..."

"Hard work, but thank you for overseeing their training."

Dawson offered a sincere thank you. The Ida group replied with modesty—'Nothing significant was done'—and terminated the transmission immediately.

The sudden disconnection startled Dawson. Oine made a sound of interest.

'Hah—so flustered by a direct thanks, the Ida group seems to have feelings for Dawson.'

'Why would that be? Maybe they just felt uneasy being praised for something minor.'

'Perhaps, but they were definitely flustered.'

Neither Dawson nor Oine yielded their opinions. The matter of the Ida group's motives remained unresolved.