Chapter 91: Next Steps

From the newest vessels of the SU Space Navy, Dawson and the fleet he commands successfully escaped unscathed.

Afterward, remaining in a secure orbital zone, Dawson instructed Oine to investigate the barrier ship.

"Did you find anything?"

"No. I contacted the Chicken Ball, the Hamano Onna, and several corporations, but there is no record of that ship anywhere."

"Not even among the pirates or the corporations. Ten vessels existed. With that number, some information should have leaked somewhere."

"If information had leaked, the corporations would have found it. After all, determining the SU Space Navy’s strength was essential before deciding to break away from SU."

The corporations chose independence after assessing the SU Space Navy’s strength and the pirates’ performance in the Chicken Ball raid.

Without any information available, the Barrier Ship becomes classified as a secret vessel of the SU Space Navy.

To deploy ten such vessels openly implies that the individuals on that battlefield were too vital to risk losing. Even if the pirates obtained intelligence on the Barrier Ship, it would not matter.

The situation at that time supports that possibility.

Dawson’s fleet destroyed the SU Space Navy’s destroyer and Orbit Patrol Cruiser that had advanced first. Then, it brought the Barrier Ship to the forefront and concealed the other vessels behind it as the enemy approached.

From the perspective of the S.U. Navy, the situation would appear as if they had initially acted with overconfidence, underestimating the pirates, then recoiled in shock after an unexpected counterattack, and finally decided to deploy the impenetrable Barrier Ship in front line and conceal the other vessels behind it as the enemy approached.

"If the individual was truly important, the pirates should have been warned in advance. It would have been better to keep them out of direct danger."

"Perhaps the important individual desired recognition. Or perhaps someone else wanted to present a favorable image of that individual."

"In any case, my consideration was wasted. There is nothing to be done about it now."

Dawson assessed the situation and abandoned the initial strategy. He immediately established a new one.

Target the fleet of the SU Space Force currently engaged with the ≪Hamano Onna≫ from the flank. Their battlefield is a defined formation. No one vital to the SU side should be present, so they will not be exposed.

So we are transmitting information to the SU Space Force personnel on their side.

Deliver a speech stating that the immigrants sent to the Amato star arm—no, another star arm—have been almost entirely eliminated.

Dawson paused mid-sentence, then turned toward Bera, seated at the communications station.

The speech will be delivered by Bera, not me. I’m counting on you.

Eh~! Bera’s doing it~?

She’s the appropriate choice. The body used for the fashion show can alter facial features and body shape at will. If she mimics the face of one of the previously dispatched immigrants, the speech should resonate with the SU Space Force personnel.

Understood. Then I’ll pick a female from an immigrant group that arrived not too long ago—someone with a favorable appearance.

Humans age. Account for the passage of time. Age her appropriately.

You’re asking for a lot. But you seem eager. I’ll do it.

Bella accesses her terminal to search immigrant group data.

The project is backed by the SU government and Space Force. Photographs of the groups, taken just before departure from the Orion Arm, are available by date with minimal delay.

Bella studies the images, evaluating potential identities.

Inspired by Bella’s focus, Corry hesitantly raises her hand.

Ah… um… may I… write the speech draft?

I was going to write it myself. If you do, I’ll appreciate it. But I’ll need to review the draft.

"I... of course, I'll show it. I'll use the speech that moved me in the film as a reference."

With that, the next course of action was confirmed. Dawson issued instructions to his allied fleet. The battleship Mozu, which was accompanying them for the first time, required special clarification. Dawson met with its captain, Jinku, via monitor.

Jinku appeared to have no further grievances after receiving the explanation.

"Understood. That enemy ship with the wall-like defense—ideally, I would like to capture and analyze it."

"I agree. That technology capable of erecting such a durable barrier—I would like to send it to Amato Imperial Japan."

"Add it to the plan?"

"No. Just note it as a secondary objective, if possible. Too much ambition rarely leads to favorable outcomes."

That is true. The best outcome would be if your speech caused enemy soldiers to defect and bring the enemy vessel with them.

Unlikely. The personnel entrusted with the stealth vessel. They must be highly valued within the SU Space Force.

After a brief exchange, Dawson ended communication with Jinku.

The fleet was en route to the region where Hamano Onna was located. Bera and Cori had not completed their tasks. Kiwaka monitored the surrounding area via radar. Hitokane continuously checked the engine status. If an emergency arose, Oine would issue a warning.

Dawson had time to spare. He redirected his thoughts to how to seize the SU Space Force's barrier ship.

Dawson's fleet arrived at the sector where the ≪Hamanononna≫ was engaged with the SU Space Force.

The location was the boundary between normal space and an asteroid field.

The SU Space Force occupied the open space. The pirates were positioned within the asteroid field—no, the SU Space Force was positioned there, but the pirates were concealed between the asteroids.

"If the SU Space Force enters the asteroid field, the pirates conduct attacks not only with their ships but also with kinetic strikes using asteroids."

Asteroids can be pushed into position with thrusters to serve as projectiles. Hidden among the rocks, they function as shields against fire. And since they are naturally occurring objects in space, those not equipped with thrusters are effectively free—virtually unlimited in number.

For pirates with limited supplies compared to the military, there was no other weapon as cheap, abundant, and effective in both offense and defense.

"Since they know they’ll just be repelled if they charge in, the SU Space Fleet’s attacks are halfhearted."

"They’re just firing sporadic shells from outside the asteroid belt. That won’t sink a single pirate ship hiding behind asteroids."

"It’s a show of effort. They don’t expect actual results."

Dawson ended his conversation with Oine and turned to Vela. Vela’s appearance had changed completely from normal—she now resembled a middle-aged woman.

She was modeled after the look of a girl who had been part of an immigrant group sent to Amato Arm decades ago, now grown into adulthood.

"How’s your side prepared?"

"Fully ready~. I've got the speech memorized."

The voice was different from usual—calm, mature, distinctly feminine. The tone remained that of the original Vera, creating a stark contrast between appearance and vocal timbre.

"Cori's draft was quite good. Play it right, now?"

"Of course~. Just relax and ride the wave."

Dawson confirmed Vera's preparations were complete. He initiated the fleet under his command.

Target: the flank of the SU Space Force formation.

First, a direct strike to disrupt their formation. Then, broadcast Vera's speech.