Episode 98: Re-entry

The SU Fleet reorganizes formation outside the asteroid field.

Carefully, they conduct maneuvers while maintaining suppressive fire within the asteroid field. The pirates monitoring the situation are too preoccupied with evasion to interfere.

"Looks like an unconventional spindle formation is taking shape."

Under Dawson's observation, the SU Fleet's formation stabilizes.

The shape resembles a funnel—no, the base of a spinning top.

At the axis point, the barrier ship is positioned. Behind it, the battleship squadron. Centered on these, the fleet spreads outward in an umbrella-like arrangement.

"With this formation, the SU Fleet's intent becomes clear."

"The spindle formation specializes in concentrating attacks at a single point, or breaking through at one location."

"Yeah. With that firepower, they're planning to drill through the asteroid belt from the outside."

Dawson answered Oine. Immediately after, the SU Fleet began to move.

Advancing gradually, the fleet fired upon the asteroid belt.

The sheer scale—still exceeding a thousand ships—meant the coordinated barrage was overwhelming.

Asteroids aligned along the fleet's axis shattered under the impact pressure, then vaporized from thermal energy, transforming into sublimated gas plumes. Other asteroids attempted to fill the void, but as soon as they entered the affected zone, they too vaporized.

As the fleet advanced, the cleared space expanded.

If this continued, sooner or later, the drilling would reach the location where the was stationed.

Dawson assessed the firepower as significantly worse than anticipated.

"Oine. Connect me to the android of Hama no Onna."

Immediately after the command, the connection was established with Lorelei, the android of Hama no Onna.

"May I assist you, Captain Dawson?"

"A warning. Continuing this engagement will result in certain defeat. We should retreat, as we did previously, to another location."

Lorelei shook her head in response to the strategic withdrawal proposal.

"That is not possible. The fate of this Hama no Onna is set to end here."

"Who decided?"

"There is no specific entity. The conclusion was reached collectively, based on circumstances and conditions."

Dawson realized further attempts to suggest retreat were pointless.

I understand your position. But pirates won’t commit suicide with the *Hamanononna*. They’ll flee one by one once the situation becomes hopeless. Is that acceptable?

There is no alternative. Pirates act freely. All actions are their own responsibility. We have no intention of forcing anything.

Then it’s acceptable if we retreat now?

It is acceptable. Captain Dawson, act according to your own judgment.

Dawson, at a loss for words to the Lorelei, signaled Oine to end the transmission.

The spatial display monitor vanished. Dawson stared at the empty space where it had been, his mask removed.

We have achieved our original objective. Withdraw with the fleet.

Dawson spoke with finality. He assumed command of the fleet and set the retreat course.

Enemy formation is a wedge. This formation concentrates firepower at a single point forward, but at the cost of reduced lateral defense. The flanks of the enemy formation are therefore secure. Positioning ourselves along the enemy flank and advancing into the asteroid field in the direction of retreat will allow for a relatively safe withdrawal.

Kiwaka interjected, speaking as Dawson had decided on the retreat.

"Are we abandoning the Hamaono Onna and the other pirates?"

"...Yes. We are retreating. The mission objectives have been met. There is no obligation to engage in a death struggle with a large fleet to protect pirates we are not close to."

"Then you must have a strategy to defeat the SU Fleet, if you are the Captain Dawson."

Kiwaka’s words were accurate.

Dawson had a strategy to fight the SU Fleet on equal terms, provided the conditions were met.

But under current circumstances, meeting those conditions was difficult.

"There is a plan. But it is impossible."

"Why is that?"

"The pirates must fight instead of fleeing. All the old SU Fleet ships and crews contained within the Hamano Onna must cooperate. We cannot achieve this condition."

"You haven’t even proposed it yet!"

"There is no need. Kiwaka, you are the radar observer. Can you track the pirate ships’ movements accurately?"

Kiwaka looked at the radar display, responding to Dawson’s remark.

On the screen, the advancing SU Fleet fleet appeared as a dense cluster of points. Scattered points representing pirate ships were drifting away from the battlefield.

The pirates who match my level of alertness have already begun to flee. I set that as a condition—those who fight will win.

But even so, the old SU ships that surrendered to the Heavy Hammer...

Think logically. They surrendered after being told to, 'If you don't want to die for the SU Fleet, surrender.' Do you really think they'd say yes to, 'Fight the SU Fleet's main force with your life on the line'?

Dawson's words were sound. Kiwaka could not respond. He bit his lip.

Having silenced the objection, Dawson turned to retreat—when a new transmission arrived.

After Dawson donned his mask, the screen showed an unexpected figure.

"Long time no see. Captain of the Heavy Hammer. Still alive?"

A familiar square-jawed face, once a pirate companion, broke into a grin.

Gahahaha. Back then, I managed to escape from the fake warship. But most of my crew didn’t make it.

You’re not sending reinforcements because of our communication, are you, you rat-faced one?

Thanks to that fool’s reckless assault with most of my crew, I survived with just a few.

So. What’s the reason for this call?

Gahahaha. Still the same as ever.

The captain of the Heavy Hammer shifted abruptly from amusement to a serious expression.

I need a favor from you.

You want me to take the Heavy Hammer and the rest of my crew to a safe region?

No. Not that. I want you to escort a group of retired SU space fleet vessels—old models that surrendered—to TR’s space domain.

Dawson frowns beneath his mask.

"Why would you care about them?"

"Ha. If I’d known the old vessel I’d lived on for years was prepared to sink, I’d have joined its final voyage. But these surrendered ones want to live. Then I can’t be their guide."

Dawson reads the expression and tone of the Heavy Hammer’s captain. The man had sought death, burdened by guilt over his fallen comrades. Then the SU fleet’s massive force appeared—an ideal death god—and sealed his fate.

The request to accompany a known face on such a journey, Dawson finds himself willing to accept.

"I’ll take the task. But my time is limited."

Dawson shifts the evacuation destination to TR’s domain and begins plotting a new course.

The captain of Heavy Hammer shows a grateful expression toward Dawson’s resolve.

"Appreciated. The ones surrendering are soldiers. If we set a time limit, we should be able to depart from Hamano Onna."

"Then I’ll wait five minutes. After that, I’ll begin escape without further discussion. Anyone who lags behind will be left behind."

"Allow me to offer a warning. Then, I’ll leave it to you."

The communication with the captain of Heavy Hammer ends. Dawson exhales deeply.

"Truly. I’ve made a troublesome arrangement—wait, what now."

Dawson, hesitating, connects the communication again upon the renewed request.

The screen displays a familiar face once more.

"Is it the Gold Rush this time..."

As Dawson mutters, the figure on screen is the captain of the pirate vessel Gold Rush.

The difference in purpose between the captain of the Heavy Hammer and this one was clear from his tearful expression.

"Dawson-sama! Please help me! I don't want to die here!"

The pleading of a grown man crying openly caused Dawson and every crew member aboard the Sparrow Hawk to recoil in discomfort.

Even among pirates, the contrast with the captain of the Heavy Hammer was so extreme that Dawson’s shock passed through disbelief into complete detachment.

"Ah. We’re pulling back. If you follow after us, we won’t stop you."

"Really? Good, good—then I’ll travel with you! Now I can survive and escape!"

Dawson recalled the moment the captain of the Gold Rush had first approached him with an offer to work together—clever, calculating, without flaw.