Side Note: Chicken Ball Campaign

Major General Ergo Chantrenko was shouting in the bridge of the flagship battleship Bandiera, the central vessel in the Chicken Ball campaign.

"Idiot! To be detected by pirates and still allow communication! This is negligence!"

The echoing shout made the bridge crew flinch, yet they continued advancing through the fleet assembly procedure. They knew that stopping to respond would only bring further reprimand.

Watching the crew work with quiet diligence, Ergo exhaled in dissatisfaction and settled heavily into the captain's chair. He crossed his arms and stared intently at the monitor. His mind replayed events from just days prior.

Ergo had been summoned by his superior and traveled to a luxurious office within the SU Space Force headquarters.

"Major General Ergo Chantrenko. I have arrived as summoned."

Before the fifty-year-old Ergo, standing at attention, sat a man in his thirties behind a desk. A young officer by military standards, yet the rank insignia on his collar indicated a full general.

"Ah, Major General Ergo. Apologies for the summons."

The general gestured with a relaxed motion, inviting Ergo closer.

Ergo moved without hesitation, stepping to a position equidistant from the desk, then halted. His expression remained neutral, but inside, his mind burned with resentment.

(A boy who rose on connections. Daring to summon me like this, just because of rank.)

Despite the discomfort, Ergo stood motionless, awaiting instructions.

The commander seated at the desk sips from a beverage resembling tea, then begins speaking to Ergo with a smile.

"Major, rejoice. The chance to achieve battle results has arrived."

"Battle results?"

"Yes. You've often said, haven't you? That you remain a major because opportunities to earn battlefield merit never come. That if such an opportunity arises, you could become a marshal."

Ergo does not flinch at the commander's words. He has long thought the same.

"I acknowledge that. But what of it?"

The commander twists his mouth at Ergo's steady demeanor.

"No hidden meaning. We simply decided at the highest officer council that if you so desire such an opportunity, we will provide it."

The commander flicks a finger. A spatial projection monitor appears before Ergo.

The monitor displayed a command order addressed to Ergo.

"Major Ergo. You will capture one pirate stronghold. The location is written in this order. Confirm it."

As Ergo read through the command, the document specified the stronghold was an asteroid converted into a fortress. It also stated the pirates referred to it as "Chicken Ball."

The force assigned for the operation consisted of one division—five hundred vessels.

A substantial number of ships to destroy a single stronghold, but Ergo anticipated the actual composition.

"Five hundred old vessels, nearing decommissioning?"

"Discontent? Among those five hundred, a few are battleships and heavy cruisers."

"Considering the target is a fortified asteroid, I consider this force insufficient."

"Haha, what are you saying? Even a fortified satellite is operated by pirates. Saying five hundred ships are insufficient—sounds like a coward’s excuse."

Dawson’s smug smile made Ergo nearly lose control. The pride of a subordinate officer could not tolerate being called a coward by a younger superior.

"I request the statement be retracted."

"Retraction is acceptable. But the number of ships will not increase beyond five hundred."

"I am not asking for the newest models. There should be more obsolete vessels scheduled for decommissioning!"

"Those ships are deployed in the war against the TR rebels. They are slated for disposal there. I have not heard of any surplus beyond these five hundred."

Ergo realized no matter how he argued, the number of ships would not increase. He changed tactics and lodged a new protest.

"First, how did you determine the location of the pirate base? No, the source is undoubtedly that company—'the one'!"

"Exactly as the rear admiral predicted. Information from that company, the one that taught us how to avoid pirate attacks."

"Information from an organization deeply entangled with pirates—what traps might be hidden within it?"

"Exactly because such traps exist, we entrust five hundred vessels to this operation. If you lack confidence in completing the task, say so. Assign it to someone else."

Ergo realized, as the admiral's tone grew colder, that further protest was futile.

(Damn it, damn it! That conniving brat. Acting superior just because of rank!)

Despite the bitter feeling in his gut, Ergo understood this was a chance to achieve results.

A fleet of five hundred military vessels striking the pirate base.

Written in plain terms, the task seemed feasible.

The problem was that those five hundred vessels were obsolete ships nearing decommissioning. Furthermore, the soldiers assigned to such vessels were inept—men the military would discard without hesitation.

Ergo believed he could capture the pirate base. Yet he also considered it unacceptable to fail due to defective ships and incompetent allies.

(This operation requires careful planning.)

Ergo composed a strategy feasible even with incompetent allies, while maintaining a rigid salute toward the commanding officer before him.

"Order acknowledged. I will lead five hundred vessels to destroy the pirate base."

"Very well. I expect results, Major Ergo."

The officer watched Ergo's departing back with a composed smile as he exited the room.

What followed was unknown to Ergo.

Alone in the chamber, the officer spoke aloud to himself.

He is an incompetent, unable to recognize himself as disposable—exactly the kind of incompetent promoted by age alone.

The commander smiled coldly, then emptied the last of his drink.

Recalling the commander’s calm expression from that moment, Ergo’s mind grew more agitated.

(He had known he would be saddled with incompetents—but not to this extent!)

Ergo’s irritation was not solely due to the discovery of the pirate fleet gathering at sea.

Two hundred allied ships fought desperately at this moment, pinning down the pirates’ forces and diverting their attention.

According to the intelligence provided by the corporation, the pirates’ strength was known. Based on that assessment, those two hundred ships should have been sufficient to secure the pirate base. Even if they could not fully secure it, they could still establish control over vessels on the satellite’s surface. That was Ergo’s calculation.

The three hundred vessels currently assembling were the second phase of the operation, intended only if the initial assault of two hundred ships failed.

Yet the two hundred allied vessels engaged with the pirate base immediately sent a pitiful encrypted transmission: 'Unable to breach enemy defenses.'

Ergo could not help but feel contempt.

(If they had followed the torpedo saturation attack with a swift destroyer assault, securing the surface of the pirate base should have been straightforward. To claim they could not do it...)

Ergo could not conceal his frustration at his flawless plan being compromised by the incompetence of his allies.

Yet even in frustration, a measure of composure remained.

The second phase currently being initiated is under Ergo's direct command.

He was certain that, under his command, the operation would succeed regardless of his allies' incompetence.

"Status of assembly?"

"Y-yes. Ninety percent complete. Only formation adjustment remains."

"Not a parade-line formation. What about this?"

"Adjusting position while moving toward the pirate base—now is acceptable."

"Then launch the fleet immediately. As previously agreed, encircle the base from front and rear."

"Are you certain this is wise?"

"There is no alternative! The pirates have already transmitted a warning to their base! Delaying here grants them time to respond! Speed is paramount now!"

The officer reporting fleet status lowered his head, defeated by Ergo's declaration.

Within a minute, the fleet began advancing, flames erupting from their propulsion units in succession.

Seeing the 300 ships move, Ergo finally calmed. The situation unfolded as he had envisioned. Satisfaction settled in.

That satisfaction shattered immediately.

"Report! Vessel signatures ahead! Likely pirate craft! Number: forty!"

"Damn. Delayed formation, now the pirates have responded!"

Ergo voiced frustration aloud, yet hearing the enemy count at forty, a measure of calm returned.

"We have three hundred. Concentrate fire. Annihilate them."

"Understood. Closing to range—enemy vessels firing! Charged Particle Beam incoming!"

Three hundred enemy vessels fired in sequence. Beams of light streaked forward, passing close to the Orbit Patrol Cruiser Erago was aboard.

The bridge crew reacted to the surprise attack with confusion.

Erago attempted to regain control with a loud command.

"Stay calm! Intelligence indicates no enemy vessels larger than an Orbit Patrol Cruiser! This is a feint! A bluff!"

"B-but!"

"If you are afraid, return fire! We have Battleships and Heavy Cruisers! Our guns have longer range! We hold the advantage!"

Erago ordered, "Counterattack! Counterattack now!" The Orbit Patrol Cruiser fired its Main Cannon first. Then nearby allied vessels followed. Then the entire fleet opened fire.

The sudden counterattack caught the pirate fleet off guard. New movements appeared among the enemy vessels.

Enemy fleet is beginning to retreat.

Look! The enemy is frightened by our firepower! Pursue! Continue firing while advancing!

Dawson barked the order, spittle flying from the corner of his mouth. The allied fleet shifted into pursuit formation.

It was a sound tactical approach—chasing a fleeing enemy—but the difference in training became apparent here.

The coordinated movement of the three hundred vessels began to falter. Was it the lure of the enemy ahead, or simply the instinct to pursue? Destroyers and Orbit Patrol Cruisers accelerated past slower allied ships.

Heavy cruisers and battleships increased speed to maximum, falling behind the faster vessels.

Pursue! Capture them! Claim the victory!

Dawson’s shout drew nearly all attention in the S Fleet toward the fleeing pirate vessels ahead.

Almost within effective firing range of the allied vessels—just moments away.

The Orbit Patrol Cruiser leading the ≪BANDIERA≫ suddenly exploded in fire.

“What happened! Overdrive failure? Generator detonation?”

Ergo questioned, citing a possible accident common to older, obsolete ships. The radar operator hastily manipulated the instruments.

"N-no! Enemy fire!"

"Enemy? You mean the pirate vessels directly ahead were hit by their own gunfire by chance!?"

"Not that! Enemy diversionary force! Position—slant above!"

Hearing the report, Ergo looked up at the ceiling. In response to the motion, a spatial projection monitor activated, displaying the scene above the ≪BANDIERA≫.

Above, several vessel silhouettes appeared, their shapes rushing in with overwhelming speed.

"An ambush from above!?!"

Ergo spoke the words, realizing he had been outmaneuvered.

The forty ships previously displayed had drawn the attention and focus of the SU vessels, while a separate force had circled the planet from the north and launched a surprise attack.

"Turn the turrets to the deck—no, direct fire from the gun emplacements! Stop the new pirate vessels!"

Ergo's order was executed, but the approaching pirate ships ignored the laser barrage.

"The lead enemy vessel! Its armor appears to be battleship-grade! Shots are bouncing off!"

"Stop that nonsense! Enemy ships are small, and moving at that speed! They must be Orbit Patrol Cruisers!"

"Perhaps they've reinforced their armor—proximity detonation!"

The enemy ships' fire grazed the side armor of the Bandiera. An alert sounded throughout the vessel.

"Armor detachment confirmed! The enemy ships' Main Cannons are definitely battleship-class!"

"Small, fast, battleship-class... that's impossible..."

Ergo stared, unable to believe, but snapped back to focus. He could not afford to lose composure.

"Maintain evasive maneuvers. Keep wide spacing between ships! Survive the incoming pirate fire!"

Ergo's order was immediately executed. A large gap opened between the friendly vessels.

Distance would force the enemy ships to spend time acquiring a target.

Yet, while this reduced friendly casualties, the increased spacing also caused the gun emplacements' coordinated fire curtain to become sparse.

The thick curtain of fire weakened. Other pirate vessels, hidden behind the lead silhouette, began to emerge and rotate their turrets.

"Enemy ships confirmed! Ten vessels! All ten opening fire!"

"Friendlies damaged! Two destroyed! One minor breach! Damage spreading!"

"Front-line forty enemy vessels approaching! Firing confirmed!"

Ergo frowned as reports came in one after another, then issued a new command.

"Enemies from above will pass soon. Few in number. Ignore them. Concentrate fire on the pirate fleet approaching from the front!"

The friendly ships obeyed Ergo's order. Yet confusion remained.

Each ship fled the incoming attack from above, accelerating to maximum speed and charging toward the forty pirate vessels ahead.

The formation resembled a flock of sheep fleeing a wolf, converging on a single point of escape.