100th Episode Rear Guard

Sparrow Hawk and the Escort Battlecruiser took up rear guard position, forced to deal with the S.U. Space Force's pursuing unit.

"Dawson. Keep the Escort Battlecruiser on constant comms. From here on, we must tighten focus. It's dangerous otherwise."

"Yes. Connecting with Dika."

At the moment communication was established, Dika shouted, voice near anger.

'Hey, Dawson! What is it? I'm pretty busy right now!'

"I know. We're in the same situation. I considered taking over part of your workload, but if you're capable of making such a boast, I don't need to."

'W-well, sorry! Your help would be incredibly appreciated—please hurry!'

Dawson let out a faint, dry smile at Dika's cheerful tone.

From here on, I'll be giving the instructions. Dika, just carry them out. For an artificial intelligence like you, this should reduce your workload.

Dika's face lights up as if relieved.

'Very grateful. Allocating cognitive resources to respond to environmental changes was a significant burden. If you take over that function, I can improve processing efficiency by approximately thirty percent.'

'No objections, then. Fine. I'll issue the commands.'

Dawson takes a light breath, then delivers the order with clear finality.

Escort Battlecruiser advances at maximum speed to clear the friendly units ahead. Maintain fire coverage with forward turrets and all gun emplacements on nearby asteroids along the course. Rear turrets target incoming SU space vessels. Sparrow Hawk will adjust position accordingly—focus on ship maneuvering.

Understood. Proceeding as the Escort Battlecruiser's control system.

Dicca executes the order. The Escort Battlecruiser initiates barrage and gunfire.

Charged Particle Beam from forward turrets and mass thermal beams (lasers) from gun emplacements shatter asteroids. Rear Charged Particle Beam fires toward enemy vessels.

Sparrow Hawk acted in the same manner. It shattered nearby asteroids while targeting enemy vessels approaching from behind, eliminating them with precise fire.

Why continue destroying the surrounding asteroids?

The reason became clear immediately.

An enemy fighter, concealed within the asteroid field, collided with a fragment ejected from a shattered asteroid. The fragment carried the fighter out of concealment and into the flank of Dawson’s fleet formation. The fighter was struck by the defensive screen established by Sparrow Hawk and the Escort Battlecruisers and detonated shortly thereafter.

“Dicca, the screen is effective. As long as the screen is maintained, enemy fighters cannot approach our fleet.”

“Yes, screen! Increase density to maximum firing rate! Barrel can’t hold? Hold it!”

Dawson assessed Dicca’s command competence as adequate, despite the unreasonable nature of the directive.

If his subordinate was pushing hard, Dawson decided to take a slight risk.

"Hitokane. How are the systems holding up?"

"Perfect. Keeping pace with the slow Escort Battlecruiser, so the generator output has room to spare."

"Then push the systems to maximum. I’ll rely on you to follow."

"Ah. So this is where the real skill shows."

Watching Hitokane’s face light up with pleasure at the work, Dawson turned to Corry.

"Perform stunts while on an extreme trajectory. I’ll handle the rear turret. You control the two front turrets."

"Y-yes, understood. But, if you could tell me in advance what kind of movements we’re making…"

"True enough. Here’s the trajectory."

Corry’s voice held confusion and interest as she watched the trajectory of the Sparrow Hawk, hastily plotted by Dawson.

“H-honestly, such movements?”

“Do it. Or rather, this Sparrow Hawk can do it. So we do it.”

Corry’s expression hardened in resolve at Dawson’s decisive words.

“Then I’ll follow.”

“Count on it. Bera. Status of the leading fleet?”

Dawson’s request came while preparing for the reckless maneuver. Bera continued communications and reported.

“Closing in on the breakthrough point of the advance fleet. We’re pushing forward as fast as possible, destroying any asteroids that get in the way with main cannon fire.”

“Tell them to maintain maximum speed without regard for our pace. Don’t worry if we’re left behind. We’ll handle it.”

“Got it. But really, getting left behind would be a problem, wouldn’t it?”

"Actually, losing all those pirate ships as cargo makes it easier for the Sparrow Hawk and the Escort Battlecruiser to escape. No need to worry."

"Is that right~"

Bela sent a signal to the allied fleet ahead and the pirate ships, her expression relaxed.

Immediately afterward, the lead forces accelerated as if releasing a restraint.

As the Sparrow Hawk and the Escort Battlecruiser fell slightly behind, combat aircraft surged out from the asteroid field, attempting to block the gap between them.

"Change the barrage target from asteroids to fighters. Maintain speed!"

"Enemy fighters are charging in!"

"Expected. Shoot them down with the barrage. Fire the forward turrets too. Gunfire is for harassment only."

Dawson issued orders to Dica while finally preparing for the reckless maneuver.

"Cori. We'll do it at count five."

"Y-yes, ready..."

"Ready. Five, four, three—"

After continuing to two, one, Dawson rotated the Sparrow Hawk's hull sharply to the right, like a clock's hand. Rapidly.

Exposing the side to the approaching enemy fleet from behind was a dangerous move, but it had advantages.

It allowed all three turrets—two forward, one aft—to be aimed directly at the enemy.

"Full broadside. Fire!"

At the command, Dawson and Cori aimed at the enemy ships and fired simultaneously. One shell per turret struck one enemy vessel each. Hits were registered, but the result was one enemy vessel sunk, two damaged lightly.

Sparrow Hawk continued its rotation, its bow now facing directly backward relative to its course, eventually exposing its port side to the enemy fleet behind.

During the rotation, the three turrets on the hull rapidly reoriented, shifting to extend their barrels outward from the port side.

"Second salvo. Fire!"

At the command, a second barrage from three guns. The enemy had not anticipated such a double salvo, and their evasive maneuvers were weak. Three enemy vessels were hit again, all critically damaged at vital points.

After completing the lateral turn and the second salvo, Sparrow Hawk realigned its bow with its original course. Reduced speed from the extreme maneuver caused the Escort Battlecruiser to move slightly ahead. Accelerating to catch up, it then slowed slightly to establish a parallel course.

"Dicca, status of enemy fighters?"

The enemy fighters are moving toward the pirate ship ahead, judging by the density of their defensive screen. I believe they’ve changed their target.

Dawson grunts in response.

“Tch. They’ve noticed the complication. Hold the fighter group near the pirate ship with gun emplacements. Bera. Relay to the pirates to warn them about the fighters. If it comes to that, breaking formation and fleeing is acceptable.”

“Ah~ sure, I’ll pass that along.”

Dawson’s order did not seem strange to Bera. But Kiyaka, who had some tactical awareness, appeared to question it.

“Wouldn’t a pirate ship breaking formation be an ideal target for the fighters?”

“Questions later. This is combat. Speak only while keeping eyes on the radar display.”

Dawson kept his focus on the radar display while issuing orders to the Escort Battlecruiser and adjusting for the enemy ships in the rear, then spoke to clarify the intent behind his earlier statement.

"The enemy fighters aim to immobilize the pirate vessel, using it to delay the Sparrow Hawk and the Escort Battlecruiser. To disrupt that plan, the pirate ship simply needs to remain outside the formation."

"Are you saying we abandon the pirates?"

Kiwaka spoke with a tone of reproach, eyes still fixed on the radar screen as ordered.

Dawson replied with a tone that seemed to ask, what of it?

"I said I’d get you out alive. To break formation and flee is to doubt my words. Why should I waste effort on those who don’t trust me?"

"Then why did you say it was acceptable to leave the formation?"

Those who do not trust the formation will, once inside, attempt to break free on their own. Such individuals are a disruption to the rest.

If you say it is acceptable to leave the formation, would not those individuals simply depart on their own?

Do you forget? Among those pirates was one who tried to flee ahead of the Hama no Onna, only to turn back upon learning the SU fleet’s destroyer was waiting in the asteroid belt. If our fleet is in danger, they will certainly flee without regard for others.

Shortly after Bera sent the transmission, a few pirate vessels broke away from the formation. The trigger was the destruction of SU fleet fighters near the pirate cluster, scattered by Sparrow Hawk’s fire.

There was confusion at the moment—why break away when the threat had been neutralized?

From the pirates’ perspective, however, it appeared as if they had allowed enemy fighters to approach, despite being at the center of the formation—the safest position.

Knowing danger was imminent even in a secure location, it was possible they chose to rely on their own abilities rather than trust Dawson.

Yet that decision was merely impulsive, shaped by circumstance.

Evidence of this was the fact that the pirates who had broken from formation were suddenly attacked by enemy fighters concealed within the asteroid field. They were destroyed instantly and joined the debris drifting through the field.

Even after learning the cause—departure from the formation—several more pirates broke away in fear. Those ships met the same fate. They became debris as well.

The enemy fighters changed their tactics. Instead of targeting ships within the formation, they began focusing on pirate vessels breaking away from it.

The move was effective, but appeared to contradict Dawson’s observation of a deliberate strategy: disable the pirate ships and use them as obstacles for the pursuing Sparrow Hawk and Escort Battlecruiser.

Still, this was unavoidable.

Those enemy fighters belonged to the S.U. Fleet’s new-class vessels. They were officers—individuals whose lives could not be expended recklessly.

Such officers, given the chance to secure an easy victory, would naturally divert from the main objective to claim a convenient prize.

"Taking care of your own life—quite admirable. Thanks to that self-preservation, we can escape unharmed."

Dawson’s words had barely left his lips when Beira followed with a report.

"Enemy contact ahead of our forward units!"

"Received a message—detected what appears to be an encirclement formation. Engagement initiated."

"Good. A little longer and we’ll clear the hazardous zone. Maintain focus."

Dawson’s voice called for attention, though no response came. The enemy pursuit unit closed the distance.

Attempting a pincer maneuver, or fearing the encirclement unit would claim the credit.

Either way, the approach was reckless.

"Corry. Enemy accelerating. Evasive maneuvers are deteriorating. Target acquired."

"Yes. Lock on. Fire!"

The Charged Particle Beam fired from the rear turret of the Escort Battlecruiser struck the enemy destroyer. The bow was sheared off, and the enemy destroyer slowed as if abandoning pursuit.

Dawson fired the Sparrow Hawk’s cannons, passing beams of charged particles into position to slow the enemy fleet’s advance.

Midway through handling the pursuit unit, Kiwaka raised her voice while studying the radar display.

"Friendship AI vessel. After crashing into the enemy encirclement formation, it has reformed its line. It resembles a bridge across a river."

On Kiwaka’s radar screen, the formation had changed from '〇:' to '=〇:'. The '=' portion had pierced the enemy encirclement, carving a narrow passage through the enemy line.

Through the gap, the following pirate ships accelerated at full speed, passing through. Once clear, they no longer concerned themselves with formation. They turned and fled in arbitrary directions.

A good formation for letting the pirate ships escape.

Yet for Dawson, the allied ships with artificial intelligence were worth more than the pirates. He had not issued any command to change formation.

Why, then, had the formation changed? The reason was one that had not been laid out.

"Hey, Ida! What are you thinking, stopping a ship's movement with a hit like that!"

Dawson shouted into the comm. The android-shaped Ida straightened proudly.

"Continuing to create openings in the enemy line allows many allies to escape. A good strategy. I am proud of it."

"Idiot! You're exposing the AI fleet to enemy fire. Damage will occur."

As Dawson pointed out, the artificial intelligence fleet was exposed along its flank due to driving into the enemy's encirclement formation.

It was holding the enemy at bay with gunfire and barrages, but counterattacks were still striking the hull.

'Admittedly, damage has occurred. But it is a necessary cost. Once the pirates are evaded and Captain Dawson and Dika approach, we need only flee at once.'

'Easy to say, sitting back there. Wait here. I'm coming to help immediately.'

Dawson maintained communication with Ida, despite his irritation.

His agitation appeared to stem not from Ida's independent actions, but from impatience to adapt to the unforeseen situation.

Slight increase in danger, but unavoidable. Corry, alter the escort battlecruiser’s course. Proceed this way. No need to concern yourself with destroying the pursuit force.

‘Um—yes, understood. To the side of the artificial intelligence fleet.’

Opening a larger gap in the enemy encirclement will reduce pressure on Ida and the others.

Sparrow Hawk and the escort battlecruiser broke from the rear, split left and right past the pirate ships, and charged into the enemy encircling fleet attacking the artificial intelligence fleet.

Full-power fire!

In response to Dawson’s order, turrets and gun emplacements focused on the encircling fleet.

Struck suddenly from the flank, the encircling fleet faltered. Which target to prioritize—the one they had been attacking, or the new one now appearing?

Dawson maintained full-fire from the Sparrow Hawk, refusing to let the confusion dissipate. He pressed high-frequency attacks without regard for the risk of overheating the turret and gun mounts, so long as he could navigate through the moment.

The encircling fleet, recognizing the Sparrow Hawk’s single-ship status, concentrated their assault on it first.

This situation—stalling the attack on the artificial intelligence fleet—was exactly what Dawson had intended, whether the enemy knew it or not.

"Evasive maneuvers! The Sparrow Hawk is small in hull size, but its armor is battleship-grade. The enemy encircling fleet is composed mainly of destroyers. As long as they don’t close in too closely, neither artillery nor torpedo attacks are a threat!"

While piloting the Sparrow Hawk, Dawson adjusted the course to favor Corry’s gunnery, keeping the trajectory in mind.

The Escort Battlecruiser maintained pressure on the enemy through armor and gunfire.

With the coordinated actions of these two vessels, the offensive pressure from the enemy against the AI fleet diminished.

The increased survivability of the AI fleet appeared to have an effect; the pirate ships broke through the blockade more quickly, until the final vessel escaped the encirclement.

Dawson did not miss that moment.

"Retreat from this sector at maximum speed! Merge with the AI fleet and the Escort Battlecruiser. Form a single unit and break through the encirclement!"

Dawson issued instructions for assembly point and formation via comms while pushing the Sparrow Hawk to maximum velocity.

Shortly thereafter, the AI fleet and Escort Battlecruiser joined. Dawson formed the formation and broke through the blockade.

Intense gunfire exchanged between enemy and friendly forces. The engagement lasted less than a minute, but both sides sustained significant damage.

"Damage report! How much did we take!?"

Dawson asks while breaking through the blockade and continuing to evade.

Reports come in order: HitoKane, Beira, Kiwaka.

"≪Sparrow Hawk≫ sustained only armor scorching. No significant damage."

"Most crew members of the pirate vessel are unharmed. Everyone is moving individually toward TR, except those who strayed from formation."

"Five friendly ships were destroyed after being classified as destroyed. Three more are under tow after being classified as heavily damaged. Light damage is widespread among the AI fleet. The Escort Battlecruiser appears intact except for thermal delamination on the armor."

"Exhausted to the point of collapse."

Ida could have reduced AI fleet losses if she hadn't taken reckless actions.

The pirate vessel sustained significant damage. That was undeniable.

From the standpoint of sheer numbers, Ida’s decision was not incorrect. The AI fleet had lost five ships—damage was already accounted for.

Dawson could not accept it. The issue was only this: his own fleet had suffered casualties—or whether to prioritize preserving AI units or human lives among the pirates.

Dawson did not want his fleet to suffer losses, at least not in his heart. Yet within the calm of his reasoning, he had found a use for the surviving pirates.

“Ah—damn it. The original objective was achieved. There’s nothing left to do.”

Dawson deliberately voiced the thought to mark a conclusion. He turned his fleet toward the TR sector and fled at maximum speed.