Episode 78: Breakthrough Through Enemy Lines

The battleship Sparrow Hawk, piloted by Dawson, pierced through the enemy's auxiliary fleet.

"Damage report!"

Dawson's direct request was answered immediately by Oine.

"No damage to our vessel. One vessel from our fleet, the last in line, sustained minor damage, but operational capability remains intact."

"Was hit by enemy counterattack?"

"Yes. It appears the enemy fleet failed to recover from the disruption before we passed through. The escort battlecruisers accompanying Dika are retreating while responding to the counterattack."

Dawson listened to the report, eyebrows drawing together.

"Ten vessels, including the Sparrow Hawk, launched a frontal assault. The enemy formation was disrupted and disorganized. I assumed they would reorganize. Instead, they prioritized counterattack."

The enemy formation is disorganized and unable to coordinate. Though some vessels entrusted to Dica have sustained damage, all ships remain operational and unaffected by the operation.

If the situation is not the worst case, then continue the operation.

Dawson altered the Sparrow Hawk’s trajectory to flank the enemy fleet currently engaging Chicken Ball.

To strike from behind, inflict damage, and drive them toward Chicken Ball’s engagement range.

Instruct the following Orbit Patrol Cruisers to repeat the operation orders once more.

The artificial intelligences aboard the Orbit Patrol Cruisers are on their first deployment. A reminder is appropriate.

Oine finished issuing the directive and exhaled lightly as the enemy fleet’s rear came into maximum televisual range.

The ships deployed north and south of the Chicken Ball still appear unaware they have become pirate vessels, continuing their long-range attacks with small, deliberate motions.

"Perhaps they recognize them as pirate ships but chose not to move, intending to encircle the auxiliary fleet."

Regardless, the Orbit Patrol Cruiser led by Sparrow Hawk proceeds without change.

Accelerate to maximum speed. Focus on acquiring the enemy within effective range.

The enemy also maintained alertness. The fleet of Sparrow Hawk had been detected approaching.

"Enemy fleet's rear. Turning around, aligning turrets toward us."

"Expected. Charge straight into the enemy's center."

Dawson activated the Sparrow Hawk's full armament, firing both forward Main Cannons in unison toward the direction of travel. The shot struck an enemy Orbit Patrol Cruiser directly in its path—caught mid-turn, its flank exposed. The vessel exploded, fragments scattering in all directions.

The Sparrow Hawk surged into the gap created in the enemy formation. Following ships from the allied fleet advanced straight ahead.

"All surrounding units are enemy. Do not aim. Break through with indiscriminate fire!"

Dawson issued the command to the allied vessels while using the propulsion system to rotate the Sparrow Hawk in a half-turn, positioning it for reverse movement.

An allied Orbit Patrol Cruiser passed alongside the reversed Sparrow Hawk. Then the Sparrow Hawk took position at the rear of the allied fleet, moving backward as it pursued the allied ships.

At the radar station, Kiwaka's face turned pale as she saw the Sparrow Hawk surrounded on all sides on the screen.

"Understood. The Sparrow Hawk, with the thickest armor, is at the rear where enemy fire is heaviest. But can it withstand it!?"

"Relax. Once inside the enemy fleet, they'll hesitate to fire for fear of hitting their own ships. Even if they don't, their accuracy drops if they maneuver. If they don't maneuver at all, they're simply prey. Destroy them with fire."

Dawson kept the Sparrow Hawk in reverse motion, returning fire control to Corry. He was piloting via camera feed from the rear of the hull, unable to manage the weapons directly.

Corry reasserted control over the weapons systems. He initiated a barrage from the charged particle beam and thermal beam (laser). Simultaneously, the allied orbit patrol cruisers began firing indiscriminately from their gun turrets and broadside cannons.

"Target the enemy fleet only when necessary. Fire without aiming. Focus solely on breaking free from within their formation!"

Dawson issued the order again to the crew of the Sparrow Hawk and the artificial intelligences aboard the orbit patrol cruisers, enforcing the strategy.

The effort proved effective. The allied orbit patrol cruisers increased speed. The Sparrow Hawk, retreating backward, gradually fell behind.

Being left behind in formation was a hazardous condition by fleet operations standards.

Yet Dawson had wanted this situation to occur.

Now. Focus on the Sparrow Hawk, falling behind enemy fire. Let us fulfill our role at the rear.

That was Dawson’s objective. To absorb enemy fire, reducing damage to the fleet.

Yet the crew of the Sparrow Hawk, forced to bear this risk, were far from calm.

Kiwaka, first experiencing full-scale fleet combat, appeared visibly strained, face pale, eyes wide.

Enemy heat signature detected. Incoming fire.

Dawson offered no reply. Only a nod. His brain had denied processing speech, prioritizing flight control.

Dawson remained silent. He directed the Sparrow Hawk to evade.

The beam of the Charged Particle Beam from the enemy fleet passed through the area around the Sparrow Hawk. The Sparrow Hawk sustained no damage. Yet beyond the path of the beam, a single light flared. One of the S.U. vessels had been destroyed by fire from its own allied ships.

"An, an fratricide has occurred."

Kiwaka reported, voice trembling. Dawson had no time to respond.

The enemy fleet had fired again without hesitation. The barrage was denser than the previous attack.

Dawson instinctively maneuvered the Sparrow Hawk, evading most of the fire. Two shells still struck.

Immediately after, a scream rose from Kiwaka. A report came from Oine.

"Hi, hii!"

"Only the armor is scorched. No other damage to the vessel. Dawson intercepted the impact with the armor."

"Counterattack—down it."

Cori murmured. The Charged Particle Beam on the Sparrow Hawk fired. The beam traced the path of the enemy's earlier attack, striking the target directly. One vessel evaded. The other took a direct hit and suffered catastrophic damage, breaking apart in an explosion.

Third enemy broadside. This time, the Sparrow Hawk achieved full evasion.

Full-power weapon discharge. Full-throttle reverse maneuver.

Two high-stress operations taxing the hull. From Hikane, responsible for engine supervision, a warning arrived.

"Propulsion and generator load increasing. Overextending will cause failure."

"Reports from allied Orbit Patrol Cruisers are similar. But they also report the enemy fleet's end is near."

Report from Bera, who had taken over relay duties for the allied communications.

Dawson focused his attention on the controls, pushing forward once more.

He soon broke through the enemy fleet and emerged into the space between the enemy formation and Chicken Ball.

He felt relief at having escaped the enemy's midst, but Dawson knew the danger would increase now.

"Enemy can no longer risk friendly fire. They will concentrate all firepower at once. Move straight to Chicken Ball's surface."

Dawson's order reached every allied vessel. Each executed evasive maneuvers while advancing toward Chicken Ball. Sparrow Hawk reversed again, realigned its bow toward Chicken Ball, and accelerated forward.

The enemy fleet pursued without hesitation, firing as they followed.

Dawson’s group had been fortunate so far, but that fortune appeared to have run out here.

One allied vessel, unable to evade the dense enemy fire, was swallowed whole. The AI-controlled Orbit Patrol Cruisers faltered, as if shaken by the loss of a comrade, and another vessel detonated.

"Think of yourself, not your comrades! Get inside Chicken Ball—now!"

Dawson’s reprimand restored the allied Cruisers’ coordination. They barely prevented the third vessel from being destroyed.

Before relief could settle, Sparrow Hawk received a transmission. The source was Chicken Ball’s Defense Weapons Command.

"Hey, hey, Captain Dawson. The enemy—enemy’s approaching from both front and rear!"

Dawson exhaled sharply. He minimized Goard’s display and repositioned it to the edge of his visual field.

“What of it? The manual said this would happen, didn’t it?”

“Y-yes, but are you sure this is safe? The enemy numbers exceed the intelligence report. And our fleet has lost several vessels, hasn’t it?”

Dawson’s irritation built with each statement that failed to grasp the situation.

“Just follow the guidebook! It will be fine!”

“O-okay. I’m not sure I can handle this alone. Can I get Ai Fo to assist? Is that acceptable?”

“Anyone will do. While the enemy foolishly pursues, get it done quickly!”

Dawson’s shout cut through the air. Goard flinched and disconnected the comms. Immediately after, defensive weapons on the surface of Chicken Ball activated.

Sparrow Hawk and the allied fleet had entered the effective range of Chicken Ball’s medium-range weapons. The enemy fleet pursuing them had done the same.

Light from weapons fire erupted continuously from the surface of Chicken Ball, passing through the fleet of Sparrow Hawk and piercing the SU vessels.

Only now did the SU vessels seem to realize that the entire fleet had entered Chicken Ball’s kill zone.

They began retreating in panic, but one by one, they were destroyed by the endless barrage from Chicken Ball, vanishing into space debris.

At this rate, the SU vessels on our side could be eliminated.

"Then I should address the Escort Battlecruiser that is engaging the enemy."

Dawson inhaled, noting the situation had reached a temporary lull, and led the allied fleet toward the Escort Battlecruiser to provide support.