Episode 65 Return

Dawson and his crew arrived at the vicinity of Chicken Ball aboard the pocket battleship Sparrow Hawk.

There, Dawson would be surprised.

"Seems to be thriving quite well."

So many pirate vessels swarmed around Chicken Ball that Dawson could not help muttering aloud.

Hearing the remark, Kiwaka turned back toward Dawson.

"Was there this many ships here before Special Lieutenant Dawson departed?"

"Actually, we had been redirecting them to another pirate base. The number of pirates was limited. One could say our operation succeeded in occupying Chicken Ball precisely because the number of pirates had decreased."

"Then something must have drawn them together."

"Ask the artificial intelligences we left behind at Chicken Ball."

Dawson withdrew a mask, half white and half black, and donned it.

Kiwaka stared at the mask, the upper half simple in design, the lower half resembling the mouth of a caterpillar.

Dawson smiled faintly inside the mask, then explained the reason for wearing it.

"Orion Arm common tongue is similar to Amato Imperial Japan's language. We can communicate. But to people here, our speech sounds heavily accented. Communication is difficult. So I installed a translator in the mask. It allows smoother conversation."

"R-right. So we should get similar masks?"

"I won't force it. If you think it's necessary, tell Oine. She'll prepare them."

"Yes. If you give the order, I'll make them immediately."

Kiwaka and Hitokane exchanged glances at Oine's smile.

"Better to attach it, don't you think?"

"Indeed. Necessary, at least, to match the Captain."

"Then I'll go with plain black. No distinguishing features."

"A mask like an old man's Noh mask. Fits one's age."

Kiwaka and Hitokane concluded their conversation. Oine took over the dialogue.

"Black and a Noh mask. Will be ready in about thirty minutes. Please wait."

A spatial projection monitor unfolded before Oine. A repair robot for the Sparrow Hawk received instructions. The robot began crafting the mask immediately, as if idle during the maiden voyage.

While the three spoke, Dawson established communication with Chicken Ball.

"This is Dawson. Respond."

The call was answered without delay.

The monitor before Dawson displayed General Kernel—the artificial intelligence that had taken control of the figurehead of Chicken Ball.

"Hello, Captain Dawson. You're back. Hmm, your vessel has changed. Since it's now a vessel-class, I'll refer to you as Captain Dawson from now on."

Dawson shrugged in response to General Kernel's casual tone.

"You know my identity. You don't need to play this role with me."

"Hah hah. I've been like this for so long now, it's become my personality. It's not an act."

"...If you're not forcing it, then it's fine. Tell me what's changed since I left."

'Of course. Before that, there's a message from Ida and the others. They said to tell Captain Dawson that you've returned. They asked, "Did you bring back proper souvenirs, I hope?"'

'You don't need to worry about souvenirs. I brought exactly what was requested.'

'Good. They were missing Captain Dawson. They said they'd have been quite distressed if you'd forgotten the gifts. Can you imagine the state they'd be in?'

Dawson tilts his head, surprised by the words.

'You mean they were missing me?'

'Nothing unusual about that. To them, Captain Dawson has been a guiding figure since birth. Like a parent. It's natural to feel loneliness after being separated from a parent for a long time.'

I can understand the logic, but I can't believe they see me as a parent. They probably just think of me as an officer or a harsh instructor.

Ha ha ha. Even when one feels they have a good officer or a good teacher, isn't there still a sense of reluctance to part?

Dawson has no personal memory of a good officer or a good teacher, so he can't readily agree. He imagines the teachers from the orphanage and only then begins to grasp the idea.

Well, as long as they welcome my return, it's fine. I want to dock at Chicken Ball. Where should I go?

That vessel is a medium-sized Orbit Patrol Cruiser—hmm. Dawson Captain's faction's Escort Battlecruiser. There is space available. We'll dock in the same port.

That's helpful. Are Ida's Sky Sweepers going to another location?

"Regarding that matter, it would be best to hear it directly from them. I'll just ask that you don't get angry."

With those cryptic words, General Kernel's communication ended.

Dawson, puzzled by the remark, steered the Sparrow Hawk toward the designated port as instructed.

Just as docking approached, Goud entered the bridge.

"Ah. So this modified satellite is the Chicken Ball. Surprising—its name suggests something appetizing, yet its surface is littered with gun turrets like sea urchins or chestnuts!"

Aifo arrived behind the cheerful Goud.

"Sir Goud. Please refrain from acting so childishly at your age."

"What are you talking about? I am to claim the throne at the apex of that modified satellite. A man of spirit should not remain unmoved before the prospect of ruling a fortress!"

Joining the conversation between the two arguing officers, J.E. also appears on the bridge.

"Understandable excitement, Colonel. Of course, ships and vehicles feel alive only when you grip the controls. The idea of steering a base must be tempting."

Dawson lets the three's cheerful exchange pass without focus. He turns his gaze to Oine. Oine shakes her head. No suspicious activity detected during internal ship inspection.

Then, Dawson redirects his attention to Goud.

"Goud, Colonel. Understand this: whether you sit at the peak of that base depends entirely on your negotiation. For now, General Kernel is the administrator of Chicken Ball."

"Wait. If General Kernel is an artificial intelligence, wouldn't it be aligned with Amato Imperial Japan? Then why negotiate?"

A middle-aged man with no known history claiming today, "I am the new administrator," — who would accept that? He’d be laughed out of the harbor, beaten senseless by pirates.

"Wha— beating up in a sack!? D-Don’t say such terrifying things. And how can you say I have no history? I am a rear admiral of the Amato Stellar Navy—"

"Rear admiral of the Amato Stellar Navy means nothing within the Orion Arm. To convince pirates, you need proven achievements in the SU-controlled space."

"Ggh! You’re right… That’s true. Then I can’t be the base commander, can I?"

Dawson’s voice carried faint disbelief as he spoke to the flustered Gouddo.

"Of course, we could keep General Kernel as the public administrator, while you, Rear Admiral Gouddo, manage the operations behind the scenes."

"Ah! That’s it, let’s do that!"

"There is still an issue. A middle-aged man with no known activity would stand out greatly in Chicken Ball. Chicken Ball maintains strict discipline, even among pirate strongholds. Only those working in Chicken Ball’s establishments or engaged in piracy exist within its bounds."

"What? Pirates are supposed to be decadent. There aren’t any of that kind?"

"There are none in Chicken Ball. But Sparrow Hawk has plenty."

"Gurgh. Even as a behind-the-scenes administrator, I’d still have to maintain a public role. This is just double labor with no real benefit."

Gouddo appears troubled, but the port is now just ahead.

Dawson must focus on piloting Sparrow Hawk into dock. He cuts off Gouddo’s conversation.