Episode 48 Necessary / Unnecessary

The escort battlecruiser training concluded. Dawson, accompanied by the artificial intelligences, decided to resume piracy operations against the SU Space Force.

However, the SU Space Force was not merely reacting. It had implemented a precise countermeasure.

"Never thought I’d see a shipboard flag in space."

As Dawson muttered, a large flag was displayed on the SU Space Force's supply vessel. From a distance, the pattern clearly visible on the expansive banner was the familiar inviolate mark.

"Since it isn’t painted directly on the hull, it must be intended to be retrieved and folded once the vessel leaves this sector."

‘Displaying the surrender symbol from the TR battlefield on a pirate vessel affects morale. Choosing to use a flag rather than painting it directly on the hull is a sound decision.’

It’s a good method to complete the transport without casualties, but I can’t help wondering if it’s truly acceptable.

Dawson voiced the criticism without thinking.

“The permission to display that mark should come from a company supporting Chicken Ball. That means the SU Space Force has incurred a significant debt to that company.”

“Thinking about what demands might be made in return for that debt… it’s unsettling.”

“Forming connections with the military for corporate profit is logical. But using that as a prelude to collecting data on military vessels before achieving independence from SU—this is a critical flaw.”

“Perhaps the fleet was acquired precisely to erase the shadowy connection with pirates.”

While fighting TR, there should be no SU fleet avoiding pirates. The possibility is low. But once the war ends, it could happen.

The essence of a corporation is profit pursuit. If aligning with SU military brings profit, there would be no hesitation in severing ties with pirates.

Yet severing ties with pirates means abandoning the dream of independence from SU.

"Interesting to see which path they choose. But right now, the issue is how we handle our pirate operations."

"Shall we move to another sector? All ships in this sector are marked as non-target."

"Moving too far away poses its own problems. Ida and the others' operational data is being sent to Chicken Ball via a hidden device on the Sky Sweeper, isn't it?"

"That is correct. So Dawson is concerned that the device might cause problems once we leave the sector, is that right?"

"Artificial intelligence is forbidden within the Orion Arm. If there's a risk of detection once we're out of range, it's safer to destroy it the moment we leave."

"Then why not just destroy the device now?"

"Wait until we decide to move sectors. For now, I want to keep operating from Chicken Ball. If things go well, Chicken Ball could become an outpost of the Amato Stellar Navy."

Oine voiced doubt at Dawson's sudden shift in thinking.

"An outpost of the Amato Stellar Navy, Chicken Ball?"

"That's the future I'm imagining. If my plan works, it's not impossible."

I don’t fully understand, but sending that idea to the rear operations room should be acceptable, right?

Note it as a possibility. Once preparations are complete, I’ll contact them separately.

Then I’ll send it during the next scheduled report.

Do that—so, for now, we stay outside the sector and conduct piracy operations. We’ll need to reassess our targets.

Dawson considers his options. He recalls the scene of the SU Stellar Navy transport ship he saw earlier.

More precisely, the image of the flag bearing the attack-prohibited mark, displayed only on the transport ship.

If my assumption is correct—

Dawson accesses the vessel data he purchased from Chicken Ball and begins searching for a new target.

A unit without transports. Ideally, one that includes a heavy cruiser.

Dawson searched, searched again, and finally found one piece of information.

The moment the next target was decided.

Dawson initiated jump transit toward the location where the target would arrive—his vessel, the <>, accompanied by three Sky Sweepers and an Escort Battlecruiser.

The target this time was a dangerous opponent. Dawson chose to address the artificial intelligences.

"Listen. This target is a fleet of one Heavy Cruiser and three Orbit Patrol Cruisers. Intelligence indicates these are newly constructed ships, added to the SU-TR conflict. We will destroy this fleet and capture it."

Ida responded immediately to Dawson’s declaration.

"Engaging a fleet of Heavy Cruiser and Orbit Patrol Cruisers!? This is reckless, sir!"

"Did you hear that? The enemy is a newly constructed vessel. That means their crew is inexperienced in ship handling. Their main guns are powerful, so they cannot be underestimated—but they are not invincible."

"Still, sir! This time there are new recruits among the pirates, first-time participants! We can say the same about our own crew's inexperience!"

"Idiot. Precisely because there are new recruits—Escort Battlecruisers—our fleet, including the Heavy Cruisers, can be taken down more safely."

The reaction of surprise came from Dicca, the representative of the new artificial intelligences themselves.

"Y-you're saying you're relying on us!? Really!?"

"Of course. Among us, only the Escort Battlecruiser armor can deflect fire from a Heavy Cruiser, under specific conditions. What else are we supposed to rely on?"

"We've only just finished training—and this is our first mission!"

He was selected because he surpassed his training—this operation is considered manageable.

Bera and Corry’s protests faded into resignation.

‘Captain Dawson does not listen once he has made up his mind~’

‘I, I suppose if he’s finished training, it should be fine…’

With the two peers now reluctantly agreeing, Ida’s opposition weakened.

‘Hmph… The odds of success are high. Then, I accept.’

‘In that case, we’ll proceed. You’re up, Dika.’

‘Huu… I’ll do my best…’

Dika’s response lacked confidence, yet when the moment to fight arrived, the doubt vanished.

‘First strike from ambush—hit confirmed. Two Orbit Patrol Cruisers disabled, combined with Dawson’s fire. Enemy heavy cruiser firing—Charged Particle Beam. Tilt the ship—absorb with armor thickness.’

The battle commenced after confirming no attack prohibition mark on the enemy vessel. Dika, slightly flustered but adapting to the situation, issued commands to the onboard artificial intelligences.

‘Hit confirmed. Minor damage. Continue movement and counterattack! Use the Charged Particle Beam—fire repeatedly!’

Three turrets on the Escort Battlecruiser discharged Charged Particle Beams in sequence. Thruster emissions intensified. The hull initiated evasive maneuvers.

The enthusiastic performance of the rookie AI prompted the senior Aidas.

‘Remaining enemy: one Battleship, two Orbit Patrol Cruisers. Dawson Captain and the rookie are each engaging one. We will eliminate these three.’

‘Then, let’s go!’

‘I— even a Battleship can’t withstand torpedoes…’

Three Sky Sweepers launch forward, plunging toward the enemy ships. Using their agility, they weave through the enemy barrage with high-speed maneuvers and continuous evasions.

"Dicca. Support Ida and the other three. Open gaps between the enemy ships—fire upon them."

"Yes! Everyone, hear that—fire! Fire!"

The Battleship and the Escort Battlecruiser fire their Charged Particle Beams simultaneously, forcing the enemy ships into evasive maneuvers and positioning them precisely as intended.

Yet the enemy ships are military assets. They are not helpless against Dawson’s team.

"Damn. They sensed our guns are weakening. The heavy cruiser has moved forward."

The enemy Orbit Patrol Cruiser is approaching the limit of what Dawson’s Charged Particle Beam armor can withstand, attempting to negate the range attenuation of its own high-output Charged Particle Beam and pierce the Escort Battlecruiser with raw power.

Additionally, two enemy Orbit Patrol Cruisers are reducing the Charged Particle Beam convergence rate, firing in a dispersed pattern to suppress Dawson’s actions. Indeed, the light of the dispersed Charged Particle Beam repeatedly passes through the bow of the *Mandible*.

Dawson maneuvers the *Mandible* into the shadow of the Escort Battlecruiser and issues instructions to Dika.

“The Escort Battlecruiser’s armor will not even be scratched by the dispersed Charged Particle Beam from that distance. Dive into the beam’s light!”

“H-huh? Into the gunfire? Seriously!?”

“Just do it—now!”

"Y-you said it! I'm doing it! Accelerate, accelerate!"

Forced by Dika's voice, the Escort Battlecruiser—wavering in fear before the incoming fire—increased speed.

Immediately after, the enemy Orbit Patrol Cruiser's fire struck the Escort Battlecruiser.

The area around the *Mandibular* near the Escort Battlecruiser's shadow turned white with charged particle light. The scene lasted only a moment. Then it returned to normal.

The Escort Battlecruiser took a direct hit. But as Dawson had said, it suffered only a slight heating of the armor, which turned faintly red.

Meanwhile, the enemy fleet's coordination faltered the instant their encirclement failed.

"Training in coordination was insufficient."

Dawson brought the *Mandibular* slightly out from behind the Escort Fleet and fired at the approaching heavy cruiser.

The *Mandibular* is an Orbit Patrol Cruiser-class Charged Particle Beam, but its beam is deflected by the heavy cruiser's armor. Maximum focusing efficiency has been achieved. No greater power is possible.

The Escort Battlecruiser concentrates its fire on the heavy cruiser as well, but its turret is also Orbit Patrol Cruiser-class. It cannot inflict serious damage.

Yet this is sufficient.

"Dekka! Maintain fire, and lay down a barrage from the gun mounts! Slow the heavy cruiser's movement, even slightly!"

"Barrage! Full power!"

The Escort Battlecruiser's gun mounts roar to life, unleashing a storm of thermal cannons—lasers.

The projectiles strike the heavy cruiser and its surroundings, but attenuation over distance prevents penetration. The armor remains intact.

The barrage, however, restricts the heavy cruiser's visibility. Both optical and radar sight are impaired.

As if reading the narrow field of view, one Sky Sweeper arrived. Cory’s craft.

‘Distracted by the flashy side… forgetting the other.’

Cory murmured over comms, launching two torpedoes from the Sky Sweeper.

The enemy heavy cruiser finally noticed the approach, but reacted too late. Gun emplacements fired to intercept the torpedoes, but both struck the rear hull.

The massive torpedo explosion destroyed the rear half of the heavy cruiser—the propulsion system completely blown away. The shockwave damaged the electrical systems. The cruiser abruptly ceased firing.

Cory did not relax. He fired the Charged Particle Beam at close range, melting the bridge. The heavy cruiser’s command personnel were eliminated.

The destruction of the strongest heavy cruiser within the enemy fleet caused visible disruption. Morale dropped. The remaining Orbit Patrol Cruisers lost coordination in their movements.

Both were hit once in the flank by torpedoes. Their fusion generators were destroyed. Combat capability was lost.

"This is decisive. Now, send the standard communication."

Dawson transmitted a message to the defeated fleet. No further pursuit would follow if they evacuated via escape pods.

Hearing the declaration, personnel from the SU Space Force began evacuating the ships through escape pods. They understood that remaining aboard vessels with no combat capability offered no chance against Dawson’s forces.

As escape pods were launched in succession, Dawson and his team deployed the 'Carry-Sch' from the Escort Battlecruiser, securing it around the destroyed ships.

The Escort Battlecruiser moved each ship in sequence, jumping them one by one after the escape pods were launched.

"Good. Now we have the heavy cruiser’s turret. The Escort Battlecruiser can be refitted."

Dawson watched, smiling faintly, as the partially destroyed heavy cruiser jumped through the Carry-Sch.