Episode 82: Desperation

SU Space Force had managed to latch onto the Chicken Ball, but their subsequent movements were poor.

Dawson analyzed the enemy vessels as he destroyed them, thinking about how he would approach the Chicken Ball.

If victory was to be achieved safely, then dismantle the Chicken Ball's defensive weapons through prolonged long-range attacks, then infiltrate from within. If victory was to be achieved quickly, then locate the docking bay, breach the outer barrier with concentrated attacks, and board. If victory was to be achieved through stratagem, then infiltrate by turning one of his subordinates into a pirate.

"Then, Dawson. How would you rate SU Space Force's current tactics in battle?"

Dawson placed a hand to his jaw and considered the question.

Splitting the fleet into two and attacking from both sides—evaluation is divided. Draw the enemy’s attention to one side, then strike from the opposite. Success would force the opponent to respond, but failure would only result in a wasteful dispersal of forces.

Fifty points, overall—good or bad, averaged.

Just that part, yes. If the enemy scout detects the detachment, I would immediately abandon the operation and consolidate the two fleets. The pincer maneuver only works if one side attacks unexpectedly.

Reducing points for that—forty.

There is still an issue. Obsessing over the plan and insisting on the pincer, despite having initiated the assault and orchestrated the setup. Even so, the operation should have been adjusted after the initial engagement.

Are there other deductions?

The most critical flaw is launching a fleet drop onto the Chicken Ball without securing orbit. Currently, the SU space fleet is forced to move along the planet's surface, pinned down by just over thirty of our ships and under fire from Chicken Ball's defensive emplacements. Even ground assault troops cannot easily penetrate the inner defenses led by Ida. If they fail to breach the bulkheads, they become targets for orbital artillery. It is not possible to give a positive evaluation.

So, does that mean a score of zero?

The commander's on-the-spot decisions were adequate—passable, at best. But as I said earlier, I arranged for this outcome. He has fallen perfectly into the trap I set.

Dawson’s assessment was correct. The enemy commander’s judgment was never flawed.

When the pincer maneuver was exposed, the fleet stationed first at Chicken Ball had already begun its attack. To recall the operation and attempt a recovery was an option. To continue the operation once begun was not an error.

When Dawson’s fleet launched its assault, the disparity in force was significant—300 ships of the SU Space Force versus 50 ships under Dawson’s command, 40 if only counting those led by the Escort Battlecruiser. Given such a force imbalance, it was not unreasonable to consider pursuit and destruction.

After the Sparrow Hawk-led fleet achieved a breakthrough and inflicted severe damage on one wing of the SU fleet, the damaged force was no longer viable as a fighting unit. The pincer strategy collapsed. The remaining 300 vessels constituted the effective full strength. Under those conditions, it was reasonable to consider launching an assault on Chicken Ball with the full force still available.

If one intended to assault Chicken Ball with 300 vessels, deploying battleships and heavy cruisers at the front for ship-to-ship boarding operations was not an unreasonable approach. Chicken Ball’s threat stemmed from the large number of defensive weapons stationed on the surface. These weapons were not located within Chicken Ball itself. If a sufficient number of soldiers could penetrate the interior, a military takeover of Chicken Ball became possible.

In fact, the vessel descent had succeeded. SU Space Force soldiers had been delivered to the perimeter of Chicken Ball. It was still predicted that, if a sufficient number of soldiers penetrated the interior, the ensuing engagement would be severe.

Given these facts, the SU Space Force commander had not made a mistaken decision.

Yet it was undeniable that, by consistently choosing the safer option at each moment, the situation had ultimately progressed toward the worst possible outcome.

"Passing the Officer Academy exam by the narrowest margin. In actual combat command, the score would be measured by the lives lost among subordinates."

"Caught in Dawson's cruel trap, was it?"

"I passed the exam at the Officer Academy. I would have been surrounded by traps of this level, and I broke through them. That’s why the evaluation is harsh."

"So the problem is that those who can do it are the ones doing the grading."

As Dawson and Oine exchanged this conversation, new movement appeared among the SU Space Fleet vessels.

Several vessels turned sideways, presenting their broad sides to Dawson’s forces positioned above.

Dawson immediately ordered his forces to fire on the enemy vessels exposing their broadsides, but he also assessed the tactic as bold.

"Attempting to breach the Chicken Ball with close-range artillery fire, then sending troops through the opening. Without considering fleet casualties, it could be the optimal move."

"Are you planning to abandon the ship and launch a close-combat assault with all personnel?"

"That is correct. A decision characteristic of the S.U. Navy, which has such surplus resources that casualties from ships and personnel are negligible. The Officer Academy would reprimand such disregard for material loss, but in actual combat, it would be considered effective."

"Quite the opposite of your earlier assessment."

Dawson pressed forward with his fleet to destroy the enemy fleet.

But the enemy fleet was larger in number. If they continued advancing aggressively, ignoring losses, Dawson's side would not be able to respond effectively.

"Dawson Captain! The enemy is doing something reckless! If they keep opening holes with continuous fire, there's no point in holding the bulkheads!"

At the transmission from Ida, Dawson made the decision to advance the defense operation to the next phase.

Hold the enemy in the corridor and defend. If they secure a point of entry, they should not attempt to blast further openings. Defensive positions are already established at each location. You can manage that, correct?

We’ll handle it! Far enemies will be riddled by the rotary-barrel laser cannon—like a swarm of bees. Close enemies will be cut into matchstick pieces by the laser chain saw!

In narrow corridors, the portable thermal beam projector—laser bazooka—is effective too. Use it to the fullest.

Even as this transmission continues, soldiers from the S.U. Space Fleet descend one after another onto the surface from their vessels, entering the interior through the opened breaches. The fact that the distant ships have ceased movement suggests they are truly abandoning their vessels to engage in close combat.

Preparing for close combat, you intend to seize Chicken Ball with suicidal resolve. If that is the case, we will gladly destroy your vessels.

Dawson issued orders to his fleet. He targeted the SU fleet stationed on the surface of Chicken Ball and disabled it.

As he continued the operation, the radar operator Kiwaka raised a question.

Chicken Ball’s interior is experiencing intense combat. Is it acceptable to proceed with such leisure?

On the contrary, destroying the entire enemy fleet will place us in a favorable position regardless of future developments. There is no reason not to proceed.

Regardless of future developments—what does that mean?

Even if Chicken Ball is lost, that is the intended meaning.

Kiwaka widened her eyes at Dawson’s reply.

Are you planning to hand Chicken Ball over to the enemy!?

"That’s not the point. We must prepare for the worst. If Ida’s efforts fail and Chicken Ball is captured, leaving the enemy fleet intact means we’ll be the ones pursued and forced to flee. To eliminate the worst possible outcome, we must destroy the unmanned enemy fleet in advance."

"Are you seriously considering losing Chicken Ball?!"

Dawson’s cold reply met Kiwaka’s accusation.

"Listen. Our ultimate goal is to make the SU government permanently abandon its invasion of Amato’s arm. Stationing Chicken Ball here was only one step. If we can achieve the goal, losing Chicken Ball is acceptable."

Kiwaka lost her counterargument to Dawson’s logical stance.

There was no point in objecting here.

Dawson would not willingly lose Chicken Ball.

"Regardless, assign internal defense to Ida. Also, pirates who were ineffective in open space can be useful in confined combat. Their handheld weapons are not significantly different in power from those of SU Space Force soldiers."

On the newly displayed spatial projection monitor, a schematic of combat inside Chicken Ball appeared.

Enemy soldiers entering through the large opening were shown as red dots. Androids and Engineer Robots led by Ida were blue. Pirates were yellow.

A cluster of red dots was being halted by a group of blue dots. Yellow dots moved in from the flank, preparing to attack.