Episode 107 At the Private Military Company 'Coaster'

Dawson's spacecraft arrived at an inhabited artificial satellite located in a specific region of space.

A circular, cookie-can-shaped satellite, plain in appearance, large enough to contain an entire city.

This had been the headquarters and employee dormitory of the Private Military Company, built when the corporation supporting ◄Chicken Ball► separated from SU and was handed over to General Kernel.

As Dawson docked at the station, a communication signal arrived immediately.

Dawson confirmed that both he and Makoto were wearing masks, then established the connection.

The communication partner was General Kernel.

'General Kernel, CEO of the Private Military Company. Welcome to the Private Military Company Coaster. We welcome you, space pirate Dawson.'

Among General Kernel's carefully worded remarks, one point caught Dawson's attention.

"Is the company name 'Coaster' chosen with deliberate meaning?"

"Chosen from the appearance of this facility. Does it not fit perfectly?"

"More like a can or a frisbee, wouldn't you say?"

"Such a name would lack wit."

Dawson accepted the reasoning. He descended from the spacecraft with his companions into the Private Military Company Coaster.

Communication remained active. Dawson continued speaking with General Kernel.

"So we're to impose fleet command on these pirate mercenaries?"

"Exactly. Accelerate the process."

"Make them functional in one month? I'll do it if ordered. But do they have the will to do it?"

Only those who are useful. If we secure the immediate commander, we can allocate time afterward.

That is logical. But won’t current demands from the corporations go unmet?

We can provide escort during deep-space transit. They were pirates originally. They understand locations where they might become targets.

You mean we are training the fleet commander now, as an investment in future operations?

The war between SU and TR is nearing conclusion. Corporate leadership is concerned that, after complete cessation, SU might attempt to demonstrate independence by striking back. To alleviate this concern, Coaster must maintain a certain level of combat capability.

We’ve secured observers and personnel to a sufficient degree. So we want to fully utilize them and prepare accordingly.

Dawson entered the location, guided by General Kernel, aware of the issues, as mercenaries fresh from piracy awaited inside.

The space was a room aboard an artificial satellite, marked on the door with the label "Electronic Simulation Room."

A fully equipped electronic strategy board stood at the center of the room, surrounded by simulators for ships and fighter craft.

Training in this room would allow the development of fleet tacticians, captains, and fighter pilots—albeit in a simulated environment.

A substantial array of simulators, yet Dawson’s reaction to the room was not one of fulfillment.

"Looks just like an arcade."

His remark was one that could be reasonably acknowledged.

The central electronic strategy board, massive and unoccupied, displayed a demonstration video of its operation.

The light emitted from the video illuminated the surrounding simulators, where individuals resembling mercenaries gathered, reacting with delight or frustration based on their scores.

The scene resembled a group deeply engaged in a game with high entertainment value more than dedicated training for combat proficiency.

Dawson considered the situation, but had little desire to instruct someone lacking motivation.

Since no one used the strategy board, Dawson decided to test Makoto's skill.

"Make a move, Makoto. Let's settle this on the strategy board. How much of a handicap do you want?"

"Um, then this is the base defense. You'll be the attacking force. And here, there's advance warning of movement—could you please accommodate that?"

"Greedy. You want me to go all out to secure an advantage?"

Base defense makes securing supplies and vessels easier. Attacking forces face the opposite difficulty. With advance warning enabled, the attacking side can no longer surprise the defense with a lightning strike.

In short, Makoto was requesting a completely favorable position.

The request was overly bold. Dawson agreed, however, if that was what Makoto wanted.

"Then let us begin. Just so you know, this strategy board is SU-made. You understand the implication?"

"SU Fleet only has their own vessel data entered. I understand that perfectly."

The electronic strategy game between Dawson and Makoto began.

Dawson began assembling the vessels and supplies required for the offensive. Makoto, detecting the signs, prepared the defensive side accordingly.

The signs were known. Dawson ceased focusing on a rapid assault. He waited until all preparations were complete, ensuring sufficient force to break the enemy's resistance.

Makoto’s side also succeeded in amassing considerable defensive strength. The base defense conditions allowed for efficient concentration of vessels and supplies.

Thus, on the electronic battlefield, a confrontation between two fleets exceeding ten thousand vessels each began.

"Defense preparations are complete."

Makoto spoke with confidence, maintaining a fleet formation focused on a defensive, attrition-based strategy.

Dawson's forces had advanced to the attack position, consuming supply resources over the extended distance, and the resupply line was stretched, requiring significant time for replenishment. In contrast, Makoto's forces were fighting from a fixed base, ensuring continuous supply of adequate resources.

The longer the conflict lasted, the more favorable the situation became for Makoto's side.

A prolonged engagement that drained the opponent's time was a sound tactical choice.

"Then, let us begin the battle."

Dawson, at a disadvantage in a drawn-out fight, sought a swift resolution.

However, the opening phase of the battle involved only distant artillery exchanges between both sides.

Makoto observed Dawson's lack of urgency, questioning the intent behind the delay.

Makoto began deploying reconnaissance vessels throughout the battlefield and surrounding space, gathering intelligence in case a trap had already been set by Dawson.

Thereafter, only the slow consumption of supplies was recorded as change on either side.

Thirty minutes after the start of hostilities—ten days had passed in simulated time.

The exchange of long-range artillery fire continued without interruption.

Makoto’s fleet maintained full supply levels.

Dawson’s fleet, however, suffered from extended supply lines, resulting in insufficient transport of materials. The amount of supplies onboard had fallen below fifty percent.

Neither Makoto nor Dawson could access the other’s supply status through system data.

Yet, based on observed consumption and transport capacity, both sides could estimate the other’s condition.

The situation won’t improve unless we find a solution soon—senior officer’s chances of victory are diminishing too rapidly.

Makoto murmured quietly, continuing to scout Dawson’s fleet with an observation craft, searching for any sign of deceit.

Dawson’s fleet remained motionless. Only long-range artillery exchanges and supply consumption were recorded.

After another twenty minutes—fifteen days since the engagement began in the electronic log—Makoto began to suspect the situation would not change.

The day ended with another exchange of long-range fire.

Just as Makoto relaxed, the fleet of Dawson suddenly moved.

It was a full-scale assault, pushing all available battleships forward in a hard advance.

What an unexpected maneuver!

Makoto reacted quickly.

Makoto’s formation—fleet deployed thinly across a wide battlefield—was effective for exchanging long-range fire, minimizing the chance of hit by random damage.

But Dawson’s hard assault, aiming for a breakthrough at a single point, was like placing a sheet of paper at the tip of a spear. The formation could not withstand such pressure.

“Even you, earlier, were using the same deployment.”

Makoto hurried to respond, eyes on Dawson’s formation.

Only then did he understand how Dawson had shifted from a thin, wide arrangement into a concentrated breakthrough formation.

“All battleships were repositioned behind the line, then accelerated straight ahead. Ships from surrounding areas followed, converging along the path of the moving battleships…”

The thin, membrane-like formation gradually became a narrow, elongated line.

The scene resembled lifting the center of a membrane of tofu skin from boiling water.

Yet while a connected membrane could be gathered easily, managing a fleet of individual ships required immense effort.

Each of the ten thousand vessels must be pre-programmed with exact timing and movement patterns.

Realizing this, Makoto understood he had walked into a trap.

"Fifteen days of electronic coordination. This level of complexity demands ample time."

But at this moment, Dawson’s fleet was already advancing. Makoto had only a brief window to act.

Using every second available, Makoto accelerated the final phase of his fleet’s deployment.

The effort had paid off. With the cost of immense casualties assumed, Makoto successfully formed a defensive line capable of halting Dawson’s fleet.

“If we survive this battle,”

Dawson’s fleet was low on supplies. That meant they were committed to exhausting their entire stockpile in this single engagement, advancing with complex fleet maneuvers and a full-scale frontal assault.

Therefore, no matter the losses, if this battle could be forced into a draw or a stalemate, Dawson’s side would have no choice but to retreat. Makoto would win by default.

The certainty of victory lay in Dawson’s fleet’s vanguard—the battleships battered and torn from concentrated fire—collapsing the moment they breached Makoto’s fleet formation.

“What the—?!”

Makoto’s voice rose in shock.

That would be expected. All of Dawson’s battleships detonated in massive explosions the moment they entered Makoto’s fleet formation, engulfing the surrounding space.

The battleship armor torn away by the blast, and the concentration of vessels attempting to halt the advance, caused significant damage to Makoto’s fleet.

I learned in close-combat training that throwing grenades at clustered enemies is effective... but not like this. Not in fleet combat. Not with such expensive battleships.

Makoto hesitated, stunned, unable to respond.

Dawson directed the remaining vessels to widen the breach created by the exploding battleships.

Makoto recovered from shock and attempted to respond, but the disadvantage caused by the delayed initial countermeasure could not be overcome. The fleet was dismantled thoroughly and suffered defeat.

"Uuu. Senior, that was harsh. I didn't expect such reckless tactics."

"Because I taught Makoto various strategies during school. I tried a fighting style I'd never use under normal circumstances, but it worked out well. I'm grateful."

Knowing that what had seemed promising was merely manipulated on the palm of his hand, Makoto slumped his shoulders.

Dawson approached and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Your vigilance against enemy movements was proper. Without that, I could have won more easily. There's no need to lose heart."

"So, what should I have done to beat you, senior?"

"Winning easily means exploiting supply advantages to force a prolonged engagement. If you want to minimize friendly casualties, use ambushes or diversionary units to attack our supply lines."

"...Even if I follow that advice, I still feel like you'd counter it, senior?"

"I've shown the method. Use your mind to find ways I can't counter."

It was a good moment—senior guiding and encouraging junior.

Yet from an outsider's view, it was unnatural: two masked figures speaking to each other.