Episode 115 — Time Running Short

The first week involved electronic warfare simulations. The second week featured simulated combat against Dawson. The third week consisted of simulated engagements between mercenaries. The training time for the mercenaries passed without incident.

Now, the final week of the one-month training assignment entrusted to Dawson.

What would be done during this time? Actual combat.

"Then, we'll divide the roles."

Dawson issued the directive. He assigned the fleet he was commanding, including Fidere, to escort duties for ships associated with the corporation. He assigned the fleet led by Passer to patrol operations in the contested zone between corporate-controlled space and SU-controlled space.

Fidere, though concealing it from others, was affiliated with the corporation. Escorting corporation vessels was a task that would enhance her standing with the corporation—exactly what she desired.

Passer, a former pirate turned mercenary, felt no aversion to tasks similar to those she had performed during her piracy days.

Neither Fidere nor Passer had objections to Dawson’s decision.

Now, after assigning tasks to the two mercenary fleets, what would Dawson and his team do?

Dawson’s task was to train the mercenaries.

He needed to observe firsthand how Fidere and Passer’s fleets operated.

“Let’s proceed in order.”

Dawson decided to join Fidere’s fleet first. He would assess their performance before moving on to meet Passer’s fleet.

Fidere’s fleet maintained a defensive formation around the corporate convoy, moving through the sector under corporate control.

From a distance, it appeared to be a large fleet—highly visible.

In SU territory, such a conspicuous fleet would be an ideal target for pirates.

“Since the corporate entity now controls this zone, pirates won’t interfere.”

It is easy to forget that pirates operating in SU territory are entities sanctioned by TR with privateering licenses, intended to disrupt SU economy and security.

Thus, attacking targets not affiliated with SU merchant vessels or warships violates the privateering license.

Attacking corporate vessels is therefore impossible for these pirates.

The护卫 of corporate convoys by the Fidera fleet would thus be unnecessary under normal circumstances.

Yet exceptions exist.

Unlicensed pirates, known as muggers, are different. They attack when they perceive an opportunity.

Additionally, SU special mission vessels disguised as such muggers could launch attacks.

The fact that Dawson encountered a warship disguised as a supply vessel makes it easy to imagine that special ships pretending to be pirates also exist.

If a warship disguised as a pirate attacks a corporate vessel, it could spark hostilities between pirates and corporations.

To prevent such a scenario, the Fidere Fleet must properly escort corporate fleets.

"But senior. You're idle."

As Makoto said, that was true.

Corporations travel in large convoys across their assigned sectors, delivering essential supplies and collecting production goods—similar to the large caravans of Earth's era.

Around these convoys, vessels manufactured to resemble SU warships circle like escorts.

"Such an aggressive-looking opponent, I wouldn't attack even if asked."

Even if SU伪装 vessels resembling pirate ships existed, they would surely flee before such overwhelming force.

Let alone actual Mogri pirates.

Given these circumstances, the Fidera fleet's operations were genuinely peaceful, and the crew aboard experienced nothing but idle time.

"Is there anything worth observing in this situation?"

Makoto's reasonable opinion, but Dawson stated firmly.

"Not all fleet operations occur during combat. Escorting convoys, responding to conditions at the destination system, and how crew members spend their free time—all are valid subjects for observation."

"That's true, but—"

Makoto hesitated, his attitude uncertain, as he looked at the bridge of the Fidera fleet's flagship, where Dawson and the others were present.

The bridge of the flagship should have been in operation, yet the helmsman yawned widely, leaving steering to automatic systems. The radar operator propped his cheek on his hand, staring at the screen. The navigator and Captain were engaged in casual conversation.

To Makoto, a graduate of the Amato Stellar Navy Officer Academy, this level of negligence seemed unthinkable.

To Dawson, however, it seemed the pirates had been remarkably diligent in their duties.

"These people are not soldiers. We should be satisfied with minimal competence."

"Is that truly the case?"

"Our assignment was to train the fleet to perform basic maneuvers within one month. We have met the client’s requirements, have we not?"

Hearing Dawson’s explanation, Makoto reminded himself that, yes, this was indeed the case. He ceased to concern himself with the mercenaries’ lack of discipline.

A group that has no further connection after completing education. If they die later from negligence or surprise attack, that is not my concern.

"Yet there is no sign of any disturbance."

"Peace is best. Oine, any changes in the surrounding environment?"

Prompted by the question, Oine accessed information from the nearby orbital region.

"Indeed, it is remarkably peaceful. It appears companies maintain a policy of not allowing unemployed individuals. Whether criminal or not, everyone is forcibly assigned to labor."

Humans tend toward misconduct when idle. Provide meaningful work, and mistakes do not occur.

This principle seems to govern the corporations dominating this region. All civilians are mobilized into total production.

The fact that wages are sufficient for basic needs regardless of occupation suggests a typical capitalist policy.

"In other words, anyone who would become a pirate in the Mogle Sea is captured by corporations before they can even begin piracy, forced to work. So this sector is peaceful."

"In return, civilian freedom is restricted. Free time is defined as anything outside of labor hours."

Dawson anticipated that if free time truly existed, strikes would not occur.

"Anyway, it seems nothing will happen—time will just pass."

As Dawson had foreseen, the Fidera Fleet continued escorting the corporate convoy without combat.

While the Fidera Fleet remained idle, the Passeer Fleet, after Dawson had transferred to it, was busy.

"Ah, damn. No matter how much I do, the work never ends..."

The complaint came from the Captain, seated in the flagship's command chair, aboard the Passeer.

Before him floated a multitude of spatial projection monitors. Each screen displayed a report from a different direction.

Dawson checked them with his eyes alone. Combat logs and patrol results, it seemed.

"Breaking the fleet into small units and scattering them across the sector."

The Passeer fleet's role was to establish and maintain control over corporate-controlled space. To intercept vessels arriving from outside the sector and, if necessary, destroy them.

To fulfill this role, as Dawson had muttered, the fleet was dispersed and deployed to tasks.

Yet corporate control over the sector was recent.

Recent control meant a period of instability—regardless of actual conditions, outsiders might perceive it as such.

Thus, vessels arriving from outside the sector were numerous. The Passeer fleet appeared overwhelmed by the response demands.

Sinking ships that refuse inspection is acceptable. Capturing vessels moving stealthily along the Interstellar Side Route should be handled through interrogation at the appropriate location. Piracy attacks can be halted by resolving misunderstandings with those holding privateer licenses, or eliminated entirely if they are smugglers.

Passer carefully sorted through reports arriving from various directions.

Other crew members aboard the flagship, though not required to consult Passer’s judgment, still handled tasks that had been delegated to them.

Their efficiency served as proof of the effectiveness of the dispersed squad units.

"Seems to be functioning properly."

"Will they collapse from overwork if this continues?"

Passer had only recently begun operational command of the fleet.

Some inefficiencies were inevitable while adapting to the new system.

It is simple to say one must grow accustomed to the workload over time.

But Dawson’s task is to ensure the mercenaries function at a minimal level within the remaining days.

If the current situation is left unaddressed and collapses later, that would be Dawson’s failure as the assigned instructor.

Therefore, Dawson decided to relay a solution to Passer.

"Hey, Passer. The AI ships are on the escort vessels. Have them assist."

Passer paused his work and turned to face Dawson.

"Wait. The AI?"

A visibly reluctant reply prompted Dawson to tilt his head.

"AI is just a slightly intelligent computer. If you don’t use what’s available, you’ll remain busy indefinitely."

"Busy… indefinitely…"

The distaste in Passer’s expression faded slightly.

"How exactly do you use an AI vessel?"

"Simple. Train the AI to memorize your work habits. Once the AI has fully learned your decision criteria, you can delegate the entire task."

Passer paused, considering.

Likely torn between resistance to using AI—long forbidden—and the benefit of reduced workload.

Yet AI utilization was already integrated into fleet operations through AI vessels.

The direction of Passer’s internal balance was clear.

"Then, I’ll just let it learn how I do things, I suppose."

Passer called the AI vessel of the sister ship and instructed the AI aboard to observe Passer’s work methods.

After several hours of observation, Passer assigned tasks to the AI and requested suggestions on how to perform them. If the suggestions were appropriate, Passer allowed them. If not, Passer corrected them before permitting execution.

This process required Passer to increase workload temporarily, as the AI was learning to make judgments.

But as the AI learned more, Passer’s workload gradually decreased.

If this continued, Passer would be able to manage the fleet efficiently and with minimal effort under the AI’s strong guidance, well before Dawson’s assigned training period ended.

“Might as well have worked out.”

The task—transforming a pirate-turned-mercenary into a competent fleet operator—had, after a month’s effort, finally reached a clear conclusion.