Episode 116: Graduation Examination — Prelude

The one-month training period for the mercenaries under Dawson’s command concludes tomorrow.

To assess the mercenaries’ progress, Dawson has decided to conduct a simulation battle between his fleet and the mercenaries’ fleet.

"Let’s see how much their skills have improved since the first time."

As Dawson speaks with apparent amusement, Oine and Makoto whisper to each other.

"Dawson’s fleet numbers only two-thirds of the mercenaries’ fleet. It’s a perfectly balanced handicap."

"If they win like this, the mercenaries’ confidence will be completely shattered."

The two express concern, but Dawson shows no sign of concern.

Dawson believed he had done everything possible in the past month to educate them. If the mercenaries failed to improve, that was their own limitation.

The mercenaries, on the other hand, were determined to defeat Dawson. They carried resentment from being pushed beyond limits under the guise of training.

Yet Fidere and Passer, the ones responsible for coordination, could not match the enthusiasm of the others.

Fidere had been instructed by the corporate side to avoid developing ill will toward Dawson. Passer, having received useful advice during training, felt obligated.

Still, both were in charge of the mercenaries. To dampen the rising morale with their own opinion would be foolish.

Passer was the first to speak.

"Listen up, you lot! The enemy is that despised black-and-white masked bastard! We’ll vent all the anger we’ve built up over the past month on him!"

"That’s right! Let’s unleash all the resentment we’ve been holding back!"

"Damn him—he’s got two good pilots guarding him. Makes you jealous, doesn’t it?"

The mercenaries roared in approval, swept up by Passer’s rallying cry.

Fidere, meanwhile, let Passer handle the crowd. She quietly prepared tactics against Dawson’s fleet.

Dawson’s fleet had fewer ships than the mercenary fleet. Strategically, a direct engagement would guarantee victory.

As long as they avoided reckless maneuvers or overconfidence, the mercenary fleet had no chance of losing.

"Deception will come from their side. We’ll handle it calmly."

Deception was, in essence, gambling.

A successful outcome grants advantage, but failure leads to a worse position than before.

Gambling, fundamentally, favors the party placing the bet.

Therefore, if the mercenary fleet fights conventionally and without deviation, victory is certain.

"Then we must strictly adhere to the plan."

Reaching this conclusion, Fidere structured a precise operation.

At the designated time, the simulated battle between the Dawson fleet and the mercenary fleet began.

The two fleets, positioned at a distance, closed the gap simultaneously with the start signal.

Both fleets advanced at nearly identical speeds, slowly and steadily reducing the distance.

Just before entering the effective range of each other's weapons, the mercenary fleet initiated movement. All ships fired their Charged Particle Beam.

"Fire at full power! Maintain distance and retreat gradually!"

Dawson transmitted orders through encrypted communication to every vessel in the mercenary fleet.

The mercenary fleet responded to the command and executed the fleet maneuver accordingly.

One month prior, each mercenary had focused solely on improving their individual skills. Now, they executed a coordinated fleet movement.

Observing this, Dawson nodded slightly, satisfied.

"Since we have numerical superiority, we can maintain advantage over time. A rational approach."

Dawson acknowledged the tactic, recognizing it as Fidere’s design.

The strategy—firing at maximum range and retreating before closing to combat—aligned with Fidere’s doctrine of defensive fleet operations.

If the Pacer were leading the tactic, they would likely engage at combat range, exchange fire, and then decide whether to continue the engagement or disengage based on the outcome.

Dawson had two options here.

Continue the exchange of fire, or devise a counter to the numerical disadvantage.

Dawson chose to continue the fire exchange.

The simulation was still in its early phase. The mercenaries had not made a mistake, nor had they revealed any clear weakness. Attempting to break the deadlock would suit Dawson’s disposition, but he judged it to deviate from the purpose of the simulation.

“This time, letting the mercenaries have the advantage is also part of the simulation.”

Dawson relaxed his posture and continued the simulation.

Meanwhile, the mercenaries sensed unease.

“That white-and-black mask is actually engaging in a proper exchange of fire…”

Fidera read Dawson's disposition.

According to that assessment, Dawson would not prolong a disadvantageous state. If he knew from the start that he was outnumbered, he would deploy unorthodox tactics early.

Yet in this simulation, he was engaging the mercenary fleet in direct fire exchange.

That behavior unsettled Fidera. It was unnatural.

"Monitor with strict vigilance. Report any suspicious movement—immediately, without exception."

Fidera issued strict orders to the other mercenaries while maintaining close observation of Dawson’s fleet movements.

In contrast to Fidera’s cautious attention, Passer broadcast confident commands to other ships via comms.

"Fire, fire! Even beyond effective range, a lucky hit might still sink them. Fire, keep firing!"

The words were less an order than a rallying cry.

The mercenaries preferred the orders from the passer. The mercenary fleet adjusted its formation accordingly.

Positions were arranged to avoid overlapping fire lanes between allied ships, maximizing the number of broadsides directed at Dawson's fleet.

Dawson's fleet returned fire while gradually increasing speed. Without entering effective range, the numerical disadvantage could not be overcome. This required a calculated risk. The enemy ships had to be sunk.

"Ordinary commanders would think this way. I might as well follow suit."

In this simulation, Dawson had assigned himself the role of a standard fleet commander.

He made conventional tactical decisions. He executed standard attacks. He conducted standard defenses and withdrawals.

In effect, he played the role of an average commander.

That said, the average Dawson referred to meant the average of capable commanders.

Dawson avoids every common mistake of an incompetent commander—underestimating the opponent, complacency, or overconfidence—through deliberate focus.

Makoto directed interested eyes toward the conventional fleet operations.

"Senpai can actually handle conventional operations surprisingly well."

"Unexpected? Unexpected. In Officer Academy classroom instruction, I was top of the class. Following textbook tactics is to be expected."

"But senior officer. We don't often employ conventional tactics, do we?"

If I’m given command of a fleet superior in numbers and equipment, I’ll fight a proper battle. But if I’m to turn the tide from a disadvantageous position, I have no choice but to strike at the enemy’s weakness.

Dawson frowned, unwilling. Makoto tilted their head.

"Currently, that disadvantage?"

"My current role is that of a proper commander. Someone who resorts to unconventional tactics from the opening phase just because they're at a disadvantage isn't proper."

"Senior. Isn't it a bit inconsistent to claim you're not proper?"

"I fully acknowledge that this isn't textbook procedure."

Dawson waved off Makoto's casual remark and refocused on the simulation.

The fleets were nearing effective range. There was no room for distraction.

"Good. Maintain evasion maneuvers and continue fire. Calculate deflection fire toward enemy vessels based on data gathered so far—fire accordingly."

Dawson's order was precise. The AI-controlled ship executed it accurately.

One of the mercenary fleet's vessels suffered critical damage from a Charged Particle Beam strike upon entering combat range and disengaged from the battlefield.

A shock and confusion spread through the mercenary fleet at the sudden loss.

But it was quickly calmed by Passer.

"Unfortunate outcomes are inevitable in combat. That ship simply had bad luck. Look—enemy fire has struck dozens of times, yet only one vessel has suffered critical damage."

He stated only observable facts. Yet the undeniable sight restored rational thought among the mercenaries.

"That's right. Only one ship down. We still hold numerical advantage."

"Our effective range is the same. Counterattack and bring down enemy vessels too."

The mercenaries encouraged one another, continuing their fire.

The ability to continue combat with minimal disruption allowed Dawson's fleet to inflict damage.

"Damage report."

Oine responds to Dawson's calm words.

"Two destroyers have sustained critical damage. One has been deemed non-combatant and has disengaged from the battlefield."

"What is the status of the other vessel remaining?"

"Most of the port-side armor has been stripped away. A direct hit to that section will likely result in catastrophic failure."

"I see. In that case, reposition the vessel to the rear of the formation. Transfer all possible combat supplies to other ships, then disengage from the battlefield."

"Understood. But this reduces our already limited number of vessels by two."

The fortunate aspect is that the damaged vessel is a destroyer. Its limited attack options beyond torpedo strikes mean the reduction in long-range artillery effectiveness is negligible.

Makoto suppresses a smirk at Dawson’s assessment.

“That judgment is quite fitting for a competent commander, senior.”

“And if it were my judgment, what would it be?”

“Precisely. After transferring the crew of the damaged destroyer to other vessels, we would load it with a large amount of explosives and ram it into the enemy fleet. If it reaches the enemy formation, excellent. Even if it fails midway, the resulting large explosion would serve as a distraction. While the distraction remains effective, we could quietly prepare ambush units or reserve detachments for use when needed.”

Makoto’s expression, as if to say, ‘Well, what do you think of this analysis?’

Dawson found no fault to point out, and raised a white flag.

“That’s right. I’d do the same. Engaging head-on with artillery only leads to a future where we lose, outnumbered as we are.”

To break that future open, a shift in strategy becomes necessary.

But for a proper commander, that moment has not yet come.

Only after further damage to allied ships, and a clear assessment that the disparity in force can no longer be overcome.

“Honestly. I’m not cut out to be an instructor.”

It was a heavy burden for Dawson, knowing a solution existed, yet being forced to hold back, adjusting to the opponent’s capabilities.

Like seeing a delicious meal in front of him, yet having to walk away.

Dawson suppressed that feeling, as best he could, and continued the simulation.