Chapter 123: Tenshin Koudan and Heaven Hailou

When Dawson established communication, the scene from the manager's office of Chicken Ball appeared on the spatial projection monitor.

The slightly distant image showed Goed, the manager, his trusted aide Aifo, and Baron Tyro and Major Miko.

Seeing their presence, Dawson understood the purpose of the call.

‘Special Lieutenant Dawson. Actually…’

‘I have no intention of participating in the summons by Tenshin Koudan.’

Dawson interrupted the speech with a statement. Goed widened his eyes in surprise.

‘Why would you—no, I appreciate the speed. But a refusal on the first words is unexpected.’

As Goed grimaced in discomfort, Baron Tyro inserted his voice from the side.

‘He is a Special Lieutenant, after all. You could simply issue an order for compulsory attendance.’

Once the words had entered his ears, Dawson had no choice but to respond.

"Regrettably, our command hierarchies differ. Do not assume that your superior rank permits随意 commands."

"WHAT!?"

"Fact. I am assigned to the rear operations chamber. I am Captain of the Sparrow Hawk. I am the fleet commander with the Sparrow Hawk as flagship. What is your position in return?"

Dawson spoke. Baron Tyro closed his mouth, his expression one of frustration.

"If you cannot speak, then I will. Lieutenant Colonel Tyro is Captain of the heavy cruiser Tempalus. Major Miko is Captain of the heavy cruiser Afecto. Colonel Goud is the Administrator of Chicken Ball. Their assignments are in a department separate from the Rear Operations Room. I would like to know where in these positions and departments lies the authority to issue commands to me."

Dawson spoke with a tone laced with mockery. Tyro's face turned red with anger.

"You! A mere lieutenant, and an orphan at that, how dare you insult a noble!"

"Amato Imperial Japan's national principle is that capable individuals rise to higher positions. Whether orphaned or not, if one's ability exceeds that of a noble, it is logical to occupy a higher position."

"Are you implying that you are the one?"

That was merely a verification. I’m checking whether you, who boast of your noble birth, still possess basic常识.

‘Y-you! How dare you!’

Baron Tyro turned so furious his face flushed as if he had just drunk heavily.

Dawson responded with a cold smirk.

The atmosphere grew tense between the two when Major Miko stepped in.

‘Military personnel serving the same nation should not quarrel among themselves. Control your emotions. Stop this immediately.’

‘But!’

‘Baron Tyro. Comply.’

Two warnings brought Tyro to silence. His expression returned to normal.

Dawson, however, did not need to hear Major Miko’s words.

‘Just so you know, even if you issue orders based on rank, I have the authority to refuse.’

Understood. Since orders originate from a higher-ranking authority within a different chain of command, the recipient has the right to accept or refuse.

"Then you understand. I have already stated my position. I will not cooperate with the Tenshin Koudan."

Dawson maintained his firm refusal. Major Miko looked troubled.

"An ideal opportunity to destroy the spatial jump ring—the Heaven Hailou. Still, is that your choice?"

Whether or not he recognized that this opportunity arose from Dawson’s own actions.

Dawson gave a look of disbelief, then countered Major Miko.

"Perhaps it is ideal. But the S.U. personnel have already stated they will destroy it. No need to intervene. Whether or not Heaven Hailou is destroyed, what comes afterward matters more to the Amato Imperial Japan."

What do you mean?

Heaven Hailou is a device. It can be repaired if broken. It can be rebuilt entirely if necessary. Preventing the operation itself is the only way to stop the SU refugees from arriving at Amato's star arm. That is obvious.

You do not wish to cooperate with the Tenshin Koudan for future negotiations?

The Tenshin Koudan is, as the name suggests, a religious organization. Cooperating with them could lead to misunderstanding—being seen as one of them.

Religious organizations must not interfere in politics. That is a lesson from the Earth era. If even within the SU this principle is accepted, then yes, it is a problem.

Sending the refugees to the Orion star arm is a political decision. If they are seen as religious allies, they cannot even be seated at the negotiation table. That would be meaningless.

Major Miko showed a degree of understanding toward Dawson’s argument.

Yet still, the idea of destroying Heaven Hailou seems to hold appeal.

"Then, without involving the Tenshin Koudan, would you consider joining the destruction of Heaven Hailou through another channel?"

"...I’ll handle it with my own forces. Unfortunately, I have no intention of handing over credit to you."

Dawson rejected the offer with finality. Lieutenant Colonel Miko smiled in return.

"Since you see it so clearly, wouldn’t it be reasonable to offer assistance?"

"You want help from a lieutenant, when you already have a major and a colonel present?"

If only higher-ranking officers were involved, they should also be more capable. That was the unspoken implication in Dawson’s words.

Goudo and Lord Tairou seemed unaware of the underlying meaning, but Lieutenant Colonel Miko understood.

A captain is still just a captain of a single heavy cruiser. That was something the Special Lieutenant Dawson himself mentioned a moment ago.

Even so, a captain should have options.

One of those options was contacting Special Lieutenant Dawson.

If that is the case, then there has been a miscalculation. I can achieve results with my own strength. I took a single pirate vessel to the Orion Arm. I secured a foothold for Chicken Ball.

Why would I need to assist Major Miko and her team, giving up my share of the credit, when I could accomplish this on my own?

Major Miko’s expression grows more strained in response to Dawson’s well-supported argument.

Is there truly no way?

If assistance is requested, a suitable compensation is required.

"Compensation. I don't have much to offer, and I can't think of anything you'd want."

As Major Miko had said, Dawson himself had nothing he desired.

One cannot offer something one does not want as compensation.

In short, Dawson had no intention of making any agreement.

"Too bad. I have duties of my own. You do as you please—make your own achievements."

He spoke dismissively, establishing his position—refusal to cooperate with Major Miko.

Major Miko looked resigned. Baron Tyro’s expression hardened with anger. Goud seemed lost, flustered.

Dawson could have ended the transmission then.

But considering future implications, he decided against deepening the rift. He would offer advice only.

I won’t lend my fleet. But you can rely on the Private Military Company Coaster. It might be possible to divert warships built for mercenaries from the corporation backing Coaster. Goud, the administrator of Chicken Ball, should be able to negotiate with corporations easily.

Dawson’s lifeline came as a surprise. Major Miiko stared in shock. Goud, suddenly brought into the conversation, blinked rapidly.

‘You expect me to negotiate with corporations!?’

‘If you need ships, then do it. If not, then don’t.’

Goud’s face brightened with relief at the idea of avoiding negotiation. But Miiko merely smiled and nodded, ‘Please handle the negotiations,’ and his expression fell.

‘Do you think corporations will assist?’

The other party is a profit-driven corporation. They won’t help for free. You’ll need to offer something in return.

I have limited credit available as administrator.

No need for credit. Anything of value—minerals, personnel, information—will do.

You could offer them employment with Coaster, or leak intelligence on useful mercenaries.

I don’t know. You decide what to offer. It doesn’t concern me.

Goudu gestured to end the advice. His expression darkened. Major Miiko smiled.

Thank you for the suggestion. I’ll consider your words. But assistance is always available.

I won’t help under any circumstances.

Dawson ended the transmission. He leaned back into the captain’s chair, his face set in thought.

Now, as for the Heaven Hailou, it would be best to leave it to the Tenshin Koudan and Major Miko. What should I do then?

After speaking the thought aloud, Dawson fell into contemplation.

His conclusion was to return temporarily to Amato Imperial Japan.

Possibly useful, if I take the physical prototype of the barrier ship’s system with me.

The captured barrier ship remained at the Chicken Ball’s port, and no progress had been made on equipping the Escort Battlecruiser with barrier functionality.

To free the port and enable the Escort Battlecruiser’s update, Dawson decided the best course was to transport both vessels to Amato Imperial Japan.