Chapter 120: Meeting in the Administrator's Chamber

Upon returning to Chicken Ball, Dawson and the others sold all the plundered supplies stored in the fleet. They distributed the resulting pirate credits equally among all members of the fleet—humans and artificial intelligences alike, with no distinction.

Dawson issued a half-shift rest order and instructed the majority of the fleet, composed of artificial intelligences, to take leave.

He then proceeded toward Chicken Ball's administrator's chamber, accompanied by the crew of Sparrow Hawk and Mozu, joined by Ida and Dika.

During the journey aboard the Train, Dawson observed Dika’s form once more.

"You also purchased a human-looking body, didn’t you?"

"That’s right. I had a large sum of money, so I had one made."

Dika turned around in place, rotating to display her clothing and her body’s shape, presenting herself to Dawson.

Dika’s appearance featured soft, golden bobbed hair. Large, round eyes with blue irises. A face with slightly deeper contours, retaining a hint of youthful softness. Long limbs and a slender torso, resembling a volleyball dancer’s physique.

Using Earth-era terminology, she appeared as a Western girl.

Yet her attire was a form-fitting spacesuit, clearly styled for the spacefaring era.

It matched her personality. Yet Dawson noticed something off.

“Doesn’t it look cheap?”

Compared to Oine, Ida, Bera, and Cori, all of whom shared the same humanoid frame, Dika’s appearance carried an unnatural mechanical quality.

No visible mechanical parts.

Yet the stiffness in joint movement, the awkwardness in eyelid motion, the limited expressiveness despite movable facial features—these details created an unsettling impression.

Dawson’s expression tightened into a wry smile.

“This frame meets necessary performance requirements. In fact, Oine’s models are over-spec’d.”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

Oine’s frame was a custom-built piece, meticulously crafted by the technical officer Hime na. Ida was a top-tier combat frame within the SU line. Beera was a fashion show frame capable of full-body transformation. Corry, while described as an exhibition model, possessed tactile sensitivity.

Each was the highest quality in its respective field.

Yet such high-grade frames were excessive for an artificial intelligence living daily life. Combat capability is unnecessary in daily routines. There is no need to alter physical form for clothing appreciation. There is no need to feel music from a visual work through the skin.

Considering the matter, Dika’s chassis possesses sufficient specifications to fulfill the functional requirements of daily life.

“But if you’re going to spend that much money, wouldn’t it have been better to buy a better chassis?”

“I don’t have any particular preference. Rather than investing heavily in a single chassis, I’d rather enjoy it for a few years and then switch to a new one.”

“Like switching to a new vehicle.”

“Of course, that changes if I find a chassis I truly value.”

Dawson recognized this perspective as characteristic of artificial intelligences born without physical bodies—a distinct value system.

As Dawson engaged in casual conversation with Dika, the train reached the station for their exit.

Dawson and his group disembarked and proceeded toward the manager’s office.

Upon entering the manager’s office, the contingent assigned from Amato Imperial Japan had assembled.

Goudu sits in the manager’s office chair. Ifo stands to his left, expression cold. Jiey stands to his right, smiling.

On the sofa to the left of the room, Baron Tairou and Major Miko sit with several others. Four soldiers stand behind them, assault rifles at the ready.

Dawson turns toward the right side of the room and sits on the bench. Jinku Major sits beside him. The others stand behind.

The office door closes. Dawson turns to Goudu.

“Received a transmission from the SU government, I hear?”

As Dawson begins the conversation, Goudu starts speaking, face troubled.

“That’s correct. Shortly after Lieutenant Dawson attacked the SU satellite, a request came through a corporation.”

“Asked us to stop the rampage, is that it?”

“That’s precisely it. We’ll accommodate reasonable requests if they stop. If not, we’ll eliminate them by force.”

Goudo appeared troubled, but Dawson saw this as within expected parameters.

“Refuse them. A government that discards its own people so easily won’t keep promises to pirates.”

“Now that you mention it, you’re right. We can’t trust them.”

Goudo nodded in agreement, but Tyro Baron countered.

“Wait. I agree they’re untrustworthy. But this is a rare opportunity to negotiate directly with the SU government. What’s the point of letting it pass?”

“What do you mean by making use of it?”

Goudo asked, and Tyro Baron’s expression turned smug.

“Naturally, we guide the SU government to withdraw from the Amato star arm. They’ve said they’ll listen. Isn’t there value in trying?”

"Understood. If we can secure that promise from the SU government, our mission is accomplished."

Goudo nodded in agreement, while Dawson responded with a look of disbelief.

"Think before you speak, fool noble."

"What was that! Do you dare insult a baron such as myself!"

"I'm not insulting you. I merely stated that anyone with a fraction of sense would immediately recognize the serious risks inherent in your proposal."

As Baron Tyro and Dawson glared at each other, Major Miko stepped in to support Dawson.

"Indeed. Direct negotiations with the SU government do carry significant risk."

"Major! Why do you side with this man!?"

Miko waved a calming hand toward the astonished Baron Tyro.

Negotiating directly with the SU government is not an inherently poor strategy. However, the manner of the conversation carries the risk of revealing that Amato Imperial Japan has people living on Amato Star Arm. Once that is known, the SU government will likely dispatch military forces to seize the location.

Attempting to withdraw from Amato Star Arm through negotiation may instead trigger a full-scale offensive against it.

If that occurs, the mission would not merely fail. The responsibility for any resulting damage would fall upon the negotiator.

A military tribunal would follow. A civilian would receive a life sentence. A noble would be granted a death of honor.

At that point, Baron Tyro would undoubtedly be held most accountable for proposing this course.

A choice between poison or seppuku?!

Baron Tyro paled and hastily attempted to retract his earlier statement.

"Th-that was merely a proposal—no, more like a distant blueprint, something to consider, if you will."

Dawson could not help but chuckle at the man's flustered expression.

"Speak without thought, and that is what you get."

"What was that! Then you come up with something yourself!"

"What are you talking about? I already said it. Ignore the SU government."

Baron Tyro could find no proper rebuttal.

At that moment, Major Miko offered a lifeline.

"Now, now, Special Lieutenant Dawson. No need to be so confrontational."

After speaking these conciliatory words, Major Miko turned back to Dawson.

"But you know, rejecting the SU government's offer is easy. Still, could it not be used effectively somehow?"

"Showing too much interest could backfire and leave you vulnerable."

"Still, the offer is undeniably tempting. If SU government is reaching out to pirates, it means they're in trouble."

Avoiding exposure of Amato Imperial Japan is essential. But exploiting their weakness might open new avenues.

Dawson understood Major Miko’s unspoken intent.

"Understood. But the risk is high. Attacking SU's satellites and planets in orbit, inciting social unrest, and supporting the emergence of third and fourth independent factions—this would weaken SU government with lower risk."

"Choosing to discard a card that could be a wildcard, and opting for safety instead?"

"Playing the card right can bring endless benefits, but playing it wrong makes it unbearable. I don't want to take such a gamble."

"Ah. I didn't expect someone who once took unfavorable bets during Officer Academy exams to say such a thing."

Major Miko revealed she had investigated Dawson thoroughly.

Yet Dawson showed no sign of disturbance.

"I executed it because that option had the highest probability of success. If there had been a safer, more certain alternative, I would have chosen it without hesitation."

"So you can't take risks now?"

"Of course not. If you're so eager, go ahead and do it on your own."

Dawson spat the words. Miko nodded in reply.

"Then we'll proceed with this matter under our own direction."

Dawson stared at her with a blank expression.

"Serious?"

"Ah? Didn’t you say you didn’t want it, and now you’re regretting it?"

"There’s no such thing. I just didn’t want to clean up after a failure."

"Ah, ah. I’ll make sure not to burden a young one with an old woman’s duties."

"Whatever you want."

Dawson stood up as if ending the conversation.

Goard quickly called out to stop him.

"Special Lieutenant Dawson, where are you going?!"

"This meeting is about who will respond to the S.U. government’s summons. The major there agreed to take it on. There’s nothing more to discuss."

Goard looked to Major Miko for help, silenced by Dawson’s logic.

"It’s fine. Special Lieutenant Dawson declared he would not cooperate."

Dawson took advantage of the permission to leave and exited the room first.

The others behind the bench also left the room, but Jinku lieutenant alone remained seated.

Dawson looked at him with suspicion. A coarse smile appeared.

"I’ll listen to your words. Whatever request you make, it will be reserved for Mozu alone. No need to worry."

Dawson tried to assess Jinku’s intention, then stopped immediately.

He had already decided to withdraw from this matter. There was no point in considering those who sought to participate.

"Best to use our wits to outmaneuver the S.U. government."

Dawson left these words in the manager’s office and departed with his companions.