Episode 75: First Battle
Two hundred SU Space Fleet vessels, positioned in satellite orbit, inched closer to the Chicken Ball.
Their formation was a cube array, destroyers in front, orbit patrol cruisers behind.
Dawson tilted his head as he observed the formation.
Typically, heavily armored vessels were placed at the front to approach the enemy line, using their armor to withstand attacks while advancing to combat range, then deploying faster vessels to disrupt the battlefield.
This formation of the SU Space Fleet before him deviated from the conventional tactics of the Amato Imperial Japan Star Navy.
"Old saying goes, star systems differ, so do conventions. Still, I cannot understand the purpose of this formation."
Dawson found no logic in placing destroyers—weak in firepower and effective only at short range—at the forefront of the formation.
Especially when targeting the fortressified moon base known as Chicken Ball, there was no necessity to deploy destroyers in the vanguard.
Further, Dawson disliked the positioning of the SU Space Fleet.
"Placing ourselves directly above the equatorial line—where Chicken Ball receives the heaviest bombardment—what are they thinking?"
As Dawson failed to discern the enemy fleet's intent, the distance between the SU Space Fleet and Chicken Ball decreased until it reached combat range.
Combat range, but that meant within the range of Chicken Ball's long-range artillery turrets—outside the effective range of the SU Space Fleet's destroyers and orbit patrol cruisers.
Dawson attempted to request fire support from Chicken Ball, but before he could, Chicken Ball initiated long-range bombardment.
Heh. Goudo’s reputation was that he followed procedure—looks like he’s living up to it.
While Dawson murmured his approval, long-range artillery fire continued from the surface of Chicken Ball.
Dozens of long-range turrets fired simultaneously, but only two or three flashes of destruction emerged from the SU Space Force formation.
The attack seemed ineffective, but this was how fleet combat worked in deep space.
Chicken Ball’s defensive weapons are designed not to target enemies directly, but to push them back with barrages.
Long-range artillery is ineffective at this stage. As distance closes, the medium and short-range turrets can create dense barrages. At that point, enemy fleets can be eliminated in rapid succession through sustained fire.
Dawson was considering this when Kiwaka, the radar operator, shouted a report.
"Launch detected from enemy fleet. Likely space torpedoes. Quantity: three hundred."
"Understood. Saturation torpedo attack. That explains why they positioned destroyers at the front of their formation."
Placing the fleet along the equatorial line makes sense if the intention was to strike Chicken Ball as a whole with torpedo barrages.
Yet Dawson had already excluded the option of saturation torpedo attacks from his considerations. There was a solid reason for this.
He knew that launching such an attack would only result in interception by Chicken Ball.
Oine analyzed battlefield data and reported.
"Chicken Ball has initiated fire against the approaching torpedoes. Torpedoes have reached mid-range engagement zone. Defensive fire from Chicken Ball is increasing in density."
Torpedoes penetrating long-range artillery fire were intercepted by mid-range turrets. Even if mid-range turrets missed, short-range turrets were available.
Thus, the swarm of three hundred torpedoes was intercepted before reaching Chicken Ball—reduced to cosmic debris.
Saturation torpedo attack failed. The enemy fleet began new maneuvers.
Enemy fleet is relocating toward the northern hemisphere. Observation from Sparrow Hawk, positioned in the southern hemisphere, becomes difficult.
Enemy has altered course northward. This is not my lucky day.
Dawson relayed through Chicken Ball, establishing communication with the allied fleet stationed above the North Pole—Escort Battlecruiser and AI-equipped fleet.
"Dicca. Enemy fleet is approaching. Engage without hesitation once within range."
"Yes, Dawson. Escort Battlecruiser will move forward."
Immediately after the communication with Dicca ended, a new spatial projection monitor opened before Dawson’s eyes.
It displayed the battlefield as observed by Oine—the icon for the Escort Battlecruiser moving forward, as Dicca had stated, ahead of the AI-equipped fleet.
The Escort Battlecruiser positions itself at the front of the allied fleet, then rotates its hull to face the enemy fleet sideways. This maneuver aligns all forward and rear turrets toward the enemy.
"Likely trying to use the Escort Battlecruiser’s armor thickness to shield the allied fleet from enemy fire, just a bit."
"Protection range from a single ship’s armor is limited, but that’s typical of Dicca’s overprotective style."
Ignoring Dawson and Oine’s assessment, the barrage from ≪Chicken Ball≫ intensifies. The enemy fleet has closed to within range of the medium-range turrets.
The Escort Battlecruiser led by Dicca and the allied fleet open fire. Combined with the barrage from ≪Chicken Ball≫, they create a pseudo-crossfire pattern.
The enemy fleet does not remain passive. A destroyer positioned at the front of their formation suddenly breaks formation and begins moving quickly toward ≪Chicken Ball≫.
The destroyer’s speed suggests it intends to dock with Chicken Ball’s surface.
The Orbit Patrol Cruiser of the SU Space Force is providing covering fire to support the destroyer’s assault.
Explosions erupt on the surface of Chicken Ball and across the fleet led by Dikka, exposed to enemy fire. Several ships and defensive systems are lost.
First friendly casualties since the battle began.
Unaffected, Dikka’s fleet and Chicken Ball continue their barrage, striving to eliminate the enemy destroyer.
Yet the enemy destroyers eventually breach the short-range gun turret range of Chicken Ball.
They are seconds from reaching the surface of Chicken Ball.
The short-range gun turrets of Chicken Ball activate under the strain of the situation, opening fire.
The spectacle of the barrage is like the entire surface of Chicken Ball erupting in a rain of explosive shrapnel.
Enemy destroyers, moments from reaching the surface, are sheared apart by the deluge of fire, all destroyed and engulfed in flames.
"Knew it from the data, but it's incredibly flashy and violent."
Oine's remark draws a hand to Dawson's cheek.
"The turrets use cheap weapons, like those aboard pirate vessels—easy to stock in quantity. Lower power, but compensated by sheer numbers."
"Defensive system typical of a pirate base, but with this many units, the strain on the system must be considerable."
"Power to all areas outside the main section of Chicken Ball has been cut. Otherwise, even multiple generators couldn't keep up with energy consumption."
"Even multiple fortress-class generators crying out in distress—this is, in a way, a luxurious weapon."
While Dawson and Oine exchanged remarks, destroyers within the attack range were being shot down one after another by artillery fire from Chicken Ball's surface, the Dika fleet, and the hidden pirates.
A few destroyers escaped. With the destroyer assault a failure, the SU Space Force decided to disengage and withdraw their fleet from Chicken Ball.
Thus, the first engagement ended in favor of Chicken Ball.
Dawson felt no surprise at the outcome, but a slight concern remained.
This engagement revealed the enemy fleet the range and power of Chicken Ball’s defense systems. They sacrificed many destroyers. What strategy will they employ next?
Dawson did not consider the enemy commander incompetent.
They attempted saturation attacks using torpedoes from destroyers. They also tried direct assaults on the fortress using destroyer charges.
Both failed. Yet the tactics demonstrated a clear understanding of fleet deployment, not reckless maneuvering.
If they possess the mind to devise such tactics, they should understand that their forces cannot capture Chicken Ball…
Would the enemy commander accept failure in executing orders?
Or perhaps someone like Dawson during his time at the Officer Academy—someone who does not abandon searching for a solution even when faced with an impossible task.
What kind of person they are will become clear in the next combat engagement.