Episode 97: Chaos Operation

The SU Space Force's rear fleet shot down the SU Space Force personnel who had escaped from the pirate raiders aboard an Orbit Patrol Cruiser.

The shocking scene appeared to have shattered the morale of the military personnel who had surrendered to the pirates.

"Almost all of them have abandoned the SU Space Force, according to Oine's report."

Dawson's lips curled into a faint smile.

"If footage of the Orbit Patrol Cruiser being destroyed by artillery fire is broadcast, how much shock would ripple through the SU-controlled space regions."

"Shall we broadcast it?"

"Yes, do it."

Oine immediately compiled the relevant footage and audio, then disseminated it across the SU-controlled space network.

The footage reached the eyes of civilians watching the conflict between pirates and the space fleet, spreading instantly. All who viewed it did so with shock.

Shortly after, SU government or space fleet personnel began acting, initiating the removal of the video from the network.

As the old adage about the internet states—deletion only increases spread—each attempt to erase it prompted more well-intentioned distributors to release the footage.

What had initially drawn only those interested in war now became the network's top topic through successive waves of dissemination.

By this point, neither the SU government nor the space fleet could intervene.

The footage of the SU space fleet sinking its own allied vessels was now combined with Muraga Hunthar’s earlier speech and began to be analyzed.

‘An Orbit Patrol Cruiser carried commoners, didn’t it?’

‘They learned something they weren’t supposed to know about the migrant fleet.’

‘Just like hunting—upper-class personnel enjoying firing舰炮 at commoners.’

Speculation flew. Speculation built into urban legend. Urban legend spread as if it were truth.

Less than an hour had passed since the situation reached this point.

Dawson could only stare, dumbfounded by the speed of change.

‘Does the SU populace really have time to fabricate rumors?’

‘More like using it as a substitute for resolving current dissatisfaction.’

‘They’re condemning SU government and space fleet misconduct as an escape from unpleasant reality. Isn’t that just idle time?’

Dawson turned his gaze away from the chaos in the SU-controlled space sector and fixed his awareness on the fleet stationed beyond the asteroid belt.

“This hour has seen no movement. We can assume they’re being compressed by network feeds.”

“The power struggle in SU resembles a series of knockdowns. The leak of footage that could destabilize SU’s foundation. They’re discussing who bears responsibility.”

“They’re taking advantage of the pirates not emerging from the asteroid belt. Quite complacent.”

“Are you going to come out of the asteroid belt and fight?”

“We might catch them off guard—but let’s hold back. Their inaction could be a trap.”

From the Orbit Patrol Cruiser outside the Sparrow Hawk, Ida interjected with a voice of surprise at Dawson’s passive stance.

"Taking advantage of the enemy's confusion is Captain Dawson's specialty. Why are you not doing it?"

"Taking advantage of confusion is merely a tactic to minimize our casualties in battle. Let me make this clear— I do not enjoy fighting. If I can avoid it, I prefer not to fight at all."

Ida and every crew member aboard the Sparrow Hawk fell silent at Dawson's words.

A brief pause. A quiet stillness settled.

Then, Ida, gathering her resolve, spoke again.

"Captain Dawson, as far as I know, your life has been one continuous conflict?"

"Even at the Officer Academy, you seemed to provoke fights with instructors, seniors, and peers alike."

Oine's gunfire struck Dawson's position. His expression twisted in displeasure.

I fought because it was necessary. To earn money as a pirate, I had to attack merchant ships and warships. I caused trouble at the Officer Academy because leaving fools who acted superior without skill to roam freely threatened my position as an orphan.

So, in Dawson’s own view, he’d prefer not to fight if possible?

Of course. If the SU government would just declare their withdrawal from Amato Imperial Japan, the mission would be easier. But that’s impossible. So he adapts, changing methods, to achieve the mission.

Ida and Oine both showed clear signs they did not believe Dawson’s words.

Dawson decided that if he wasn’t understood, that was fine. He changed the subject.

Regardless, we must decide how to handle the fight against the S.U. Fleet. They have deployed a large number of advanced vessels. The battle will be severe.

Is there no alternative but to fight alongside the pirates?

That is true. But if I were the enemy commander, I would choose not to enter the asteroid belt. Instead, I would continuously fire broadsides from outside the belt, destroying asteroids until a corridor to Hamano Onna is cleared.

The distance is significant. The asteroids will obstruct the attack. I do not believe such a strategy could sink Hamano Onna.

For the SU Navy, a prolonged engagement would not matter. They have surplus supplies. The greater concern is the loss of barrier ships. Barrier ships cannot fully utilize their performance within the asteroid field. Losing such advanced vessels needlessly is unacceptable.

Maintain minimal barrier ship losses. Use continuous artillery fire to destroy asteroids and create a clear corridor to Hamano Onna. Once that corridor is established, advance with barrier ships leading. The SU Navy would then easily defeat the pirates. That is the strategy.

That is merely what I would do if I were in command.

The SU Navy resumed the attack two hours after Oine broadcast the footage online.

Dawson’s prediction would later be proven half correct.