Episode 73: Tactics Prediction

Dawson and the others prepare while awaiting the arrival of the SU Space Fleet.

During this time, Ida boards the Orbit Patrol Cruiser and conducts combat training for the newly developed SU-made artificial intelligences aboard the Cruiser and smaller vessels.

The Sparrow Hawk crew verifies predictions for the SU Space Fleet's attack location and considers where they would target the Chicken Ball if they were commanding the SU Space Fleet.

Such role distribution is established.

Dawson glances at the holographic monitor deployed in the Captain's seat, observing real-time footage of the artificial intelligences in training sent by Ida, while displaying a schematic of the Chicken Ball on a separate monitor.

"The Chicken Ball's armament is concentrated along the equator, where meteor showers occur most frequently."

The schematic of the Chicken Ball on the monitor shows a gradient: the equatorial region is red, fading to lighter red toward the north or south pole.

The variation in red intensity indicates the concentration of armament.

"Deploying forces opposite the equator—whether waiting in ambush or pursuing—will inevitably result in significant damage."

On the monitor, the schematic animates as the Chicken Ball extends needles from its body, striking multiple triangular models. Each impact causes the triangles to dissolve from the edges, like sugar cubes in tea.

"To minimize casualties, the S.U. Space Force must position forces in either the northern or southern hemisphere."

The triangles shift position, now aligned diagonally above or below the Chicken Ball.

The spheres fire needles. Needles launched from the upper half travel toward the diagonal triangle above. Needles from the lower half travel toward the diagonal triangle below.

The triangles begin to dissolve from the edges. The dissolution slows when facing directly opposite.

"As you see, the satellite's spherical surface prevents aiming downward from the upper half, and upward from the lower half. This effect intensifies near the Chicken Ball."

Dawson's explanation concluded. Kiyaka and Cori raised their hands simultaneously.

They exchanged glances. A brief exchange of gestures began, each attempting to yield. In the end, Kiyaka was granted the floor.

"Then, Captain Dawson, you believe the SU Space Force will position its forces in either the northern or southern hemisphere?"

“Not quite. I don’t know where the SU Space Force will position its forces either. But if they deploy opposite the equator, we can expect to destroy them with the Chicken Ball’s defensive systems. If they position themselves in the northern or southern hemisphere, we’ll need to deploy our own vessels for defense. That was the explanation I wanted to give.”

“Ah… sorry. I misunderstood…”

Kiyaka’s question ended. Dawson turned his face toward Cori.

“Something you want to ask?”

“Y-yes. How would you do it, Dawson-sama?”

Dawson looked again at the monitor’s sphere.

“If we approach it properly, we’ll position in the northern hemisphere, away from the southern hemisphere’s weapons. We’ll pursue the Chicken Ball while attacking. Over time, slowly, we’ll erode their combat strength.”

“B-but if the battle lasts long, the damage… will be greater, won’t it?”

"SU Space Force has excess personnel and vessels, so we can just send replacements for the losses."

"Then... what about an unconventional approach?"

Dawson smiled, the expression of a child who had just thought of a prank, in response to Corry's follow-up question.

"Divide the forces between the northern and southern hemispheres. Position them to block the Chicken Ball's orbital path. Then, once the Chicken Ball completes its orbit, deploy fleets to its north and south poles. Traverse the satellite's surface, systematically destroying every defensive weapon that comes into view."

On the monitor, an animation played: a triangle entered the center of a chestnut's spines, severing them from their base, leaving the chestnut bald.

"Could SU Space Force do something like that?"

Dawson tilted his head, considering the question.

I tend to want to resolve conflicts quickly. I know that results in less damage and fewer resource losses. So I’m inclined to take high-efficiency methods, even if they carry some risk.

Is satellite descent dangerous?

It is dangerous and difficult. Part of the fleet descends while firing anti-ground ordnance. Once the initial drop succeeds, those ships disable surrounding defense systems before the rest descend. Quick coordination is required. So is the nerve and skill to succeed with the initial drop.

Does the SU Space Force lack that?

If the SU Space Force were serious about capturing Chicken Ball, they would deploy forces capable of such actions. If they intended to eliminate surplus personnel and vessels while destroying a pirate base, they would not hesitate to deploy a fleet capable of such a maneuver.

As Dawson spoke his assessment, a sudden report came from Oine.

"Information from the corporation. Details on SU Space Force vessels heading toward Chicken Ball."

Dawson reviewed the data Oine relayed.

All vessels were obsolete models. Crew records were available, but all personnel were either newly trained recruits from military academies or veterans with disciplinary records.

Clearly, these were vessels and personnel marked for disposal.

"With this information, we now understand SU Space Force intends to capture Chicken Ball while simultaneously clearing surplus vessels and personnel."

Dawson erased from the monitor the plan involving vessels descending from the North and South Poles. He had ruled out this method.

As he completed the task, Oine voiced a question.

"Why would the corporation hand over this information? Why leak the location of Chicken Ball to the SU Space Force?"

"The answer is simple. The corporation wants to weigh Chicken Ball against the SU Space Force on the scale of war. They want to see which is superior."

"Meaning?"

"If Chicken Ball wins, the corporation will break away from SU. If the SU Space Force wins, the corporation will align with the SU government. That’s the thinking."

To determine this with certainty, both Chicken Ball and the SU Space Force must perform at full capacity.

That is why the corporation deliberately released information, eliminating the disadvantage of both sides being underinformed.

Oine frowned at Dawson’s assessment.

"Call it cunning, or call it greed—overreaching in pursuit of the best outcome from both sides."

Perhaps the corporations are waiting for a request for aid from Chicken Ball or the SU Space Fleet. A request during wartime creates a significant debt.

So, with that large debt, the corporations can secure an advantage from Chicken Ball or the SU Space Fleet after the war.

Either way, the corporations likely calculated that they could secure benefits regardless of whether Chicken Ball or the SU Space Fleet wins.

Dawson smiled faintly while reading the SU Space Fleet vessel data provided by the corporations.

Two hundred vessels. All cruisers or smaller.

They’re following the adage that three times the force is needed to assault a fortress—so that’s what they’ve done.

Fifty Orbit Patrol Cruisers and smaller vessels are stationed at Chicken Ball. Including the pirate ships that remain, the force ratio between the two sides appears to be one to three.

Only vessels, though. The defensive capacity of Chicken Ball itself is not factored in.

The strength of Chicken Ball is measured by how much the numerical advantage of vessels can be overcome. The vessels approaching now from the SU Space Force might not be entirely without purpose—possibly serving as test subjects for that measurement.

Dawson considered the available information, formulating a strategy for the engagement between Chicken Ball and the SU Space Force.

He also considered that the conflict with the SU Space Force would not conclude in a single engagement, determining the course of action that would maximize advantage for his own side.