Episode 88: Required Action
Dawson and Oine were investigating the SU Space Fleet engaged in combat with the <>.
An unexpected fact emerged.
"Many of the personnel aboard this fleet are the children of prominent figures."
"The fleet commander is aligned with the mainstream faction of the SU government. The well-known transport vessel loaded with luxury supplies is stationed in the rear echelon."
"Since military vessels would not suffer damage when facing pirate ships, they are participating in the war to gain prestige, and thus have deployed to this side."
"Still, the frontline units consist of personnel deemed of low birth or inferior, labeled as incompetent or ineffective. The vessels assigned to them are clearly outdated. This suggests a deliberate effort to eliminate surplus ships and surplus personnel."
If he assumes the pirates are no threat, Dawson could achieve remarkable results by striking the SU fleet from behind.
Such an action would provoke retaliation from the SU military, enraged by the deaths of key personnel.
Dawson’s mission is to secure a permanent assurance from the SU government that they will not expand toward the Amato arm for the foreseeable future.
If he becomes distracted by immediate gains and imitates the very behavior that would draw the attention of the SU government and its military mainstream, he might lose the opportunity to even establish negotiation terms.
"I’ve already proven through my past pirate operations that I don’t care if expendable personnel—those assigned to remote sectors far from Earth’s solar system—become pirate prey."
Moreover, Dawson’s objective this time is to capture individuals deemed expendable by the SU government and the space fleet—those stationed in remote sectors far from Earth’s solar system—and inform them that they are being targeted for assassination by their own government and fleet. This makes it unnecessary to attack high-ranking SU personnel.
Given this objective, it would be preferable to fight alongside the Sparrow Hawk at the front line rather than threaten the rear of the SU fleet currently attacking the Sparrow Hawk.
But there is a problem.
The fleet, including the Sparrow Hawk and escort battlecruisers, numbers fifty ships. This is sufficient force to inflict serious damage, but it lacks the strength to drive the entire SU fleet out of the region where the Sparrow Hawk operates.
Feeling weak is poorly done. At the very least, those captured must believe they possess the strength to oppose the SU fleet.
The method to move everything in a favorable direction is difficult to find, even when searching.
On the bridge of the Sparrow Hawk, where Dawson and Oine are present, other crew members are also gathered. They listen to the conversation between the two, but their expressions suggest it is difficult to come up with ideas.
Yet this is unavoidable.
Only Dawson has attended the Officer Academy—no one else here has experienced the training ground for military strategy.
After careful consideration, Dawson decides to use a tactic he would rather avoid.
"Oine. Can you relay information to the SU fleet currently fighting the Hamano Onna, through General Kernel and the corporation?"
The corporation in question withdrew from the SU, but still wishes to maintain economic relations. If the information is beneficial to the SU government or the Space Fleet, it would not be inappropriate to offer it as a goodwill gesture for future cooperation.
Then, would you be certain to relay the information about the pirate fleet of Orbit Patrol Cruisers threatening the rear of the unit?
That information would be relayed. The rear unit carries high-value personnel and their associates. A report of an attack on that unit would be invaluable to the SU government and the Space Fleet.
Then, let General Kernel transmit the message to the corporation. Include the general timeframe of our anticipated assault.
Oine follows Dawson’s bold statement without protest. Kiwaka, listening, raises her voice, unable to comprehend the reasoning.
"Why would you deliberately share information that puts us at a disadvantage? Is it to honor that corporation’s memory?"
Dawson does not mind the questions about unclear points.
But he notices, slightly, that rebuttals always come from Kiwaka.
No, he understands that Kiwaka resists authority because she once endured sexual harassment from a female captain.
Why do the others not object?
Dawson looks at the others. Hitokane wears an expression of indifference, claiming such matters are not her duty. Beira scans a clothing catalog, uninterested in the operation. Cori listens carefully, her expression showing clear trust in Dawson.
Dawson shrugs, accepting the logic, and continues explaining.
"Leaking information to the SU Space Force has advantages. First, the Chicken Ball gains favor with corporations. Second, corporations can present a favorable image to both government and Space Force. Third, the Space Force avoids casualties among key figures with prior intelligence. Finally, we avoid the need to escalate into full-scale war with the SU Space Force."
"I understand the corporate angle. I see how attack intelligence reduces enemy fleet damage. But what does avoiding full-scale war mean?"
As I said earlier, the SU Space Force dislikes casualties among key personnel but wants to dispose of unnecessary personnel and vessels. If they obtain intelligence about an attack with specific timing, they would see it as an opportunity to assign their casualty response units and personnel accordingly.
Key personnel are protected, unnecessary assets are eliminated. That is why the SU Space Force would not harbor resentment?
Moreover, it aligns with our objective. Securing personnel and ships the SU Space Force has deemed expendable, then presenting them as opposition forces—this is our goal.
...Is it really that straightforward?
Kiwaka shows doubt, but offers no further objection or alternative. He closes his mouth.
In response, Cory raises her hand.
"If we're going to leak information to corporations, wouldn't it be better to have Go-Do's uncle, not General Kernel, handle it?"
Dawson flinches at Cory’s remark.
“That’s right. General Kernel is the CEO of a Private Military Company. So Go-Do becomes the new ruler of Chicken Ball. If Chicken Ball owes a favor to a corporation, it’s better for Go-Do to deliver it.”
Dawson considers why he did not realize this obvious point. He understands the reason immediately.
“To relay information to Go-Do, we need a draft. Otherwise, if the corporation responds in an odd way, Go-Do might say more than necessary.”
“Maybe we could ask Aifo to help with that.”
“Right. She was originally Go-Do’s assistant. She can work for us.”
Dawson looks at Go-Do and Aifo side by side. He wonders how the corporation will judge them.
“A useless man carried on a shrine, and a woman who controls him from behind—thinking that would make things easier.”
Regardless, the necessary actions were settled.
Dawson was about to resume operations when an unexpected report arrived from Oine.
"An announcement has come from Amato Imperial Japan. They will send reinforcements and a fleet."
Receiving additional forces should be welcome, but Dawson could not respond with straightforward approval.
Initially, Dawson had been sent alone to the rear command room. Now, having achieved results, the noble faction had dispatched Go and others to join him.
Given that precedent, Dawson could not help but suspect the arriving fleet had an ulterior purpose.