Chapter 130 Matchstick
All personnel of the Amato Imperial Japan stationed in the Orion Arm came under Dawson's command.
He had expected some to rebel, dismissing him as merely a Special Lieutenant, but no open defiance appeared—perhaps because Major Miko had already secured the necessary arrangements.
Dawson had planned to crush any resistance and demonstrate his authority. The lack of opposition left him slightly disconcerted.
Yet, with no complications, he accepted the situation and moved on to the next phase.
Dawson divided the Amato Imperial Japan personnel into two groups.
One consisted of those already loyal to Dawson and fifty AI-equipped warships.
The other was composed of the remainder, led by Major Miko.
"Oh, you're entrusting me with a fleet?"
"An Amato Imperial Japan majorship isn't something obtained through connections or bribes. Only those with proven capability qualify."
Only those with proven capability qualify for the rank of major, which allows one to serve as the deputy commander of the Emperor's flagship fleet.
When Dawson conveys his assessment, Major Miko responds with a half-smile, joking.
"Technically, Colonel Goudo ranks above me."
"Goudo is occupied as the administrator of Chicken Ball. He excels in base operations, but his performance in defense is average, and in offense, it is below standard. Entrusting a fleet to raid the SU sector would be unwise."
"In that case, I accept the fleet under my command."
The two fleets, now divided, perform the same task the Dawson fleet conducted just yesterday.
That is, attacking habitable planets and moons within the SU sector as pirates and seizing all available supplies in their entirety.
But simply replicating the previous strategy lacked substance. Dawson decided to introduce a minor adjustment.
The fleet under Major Miko would target a lightly defended area within the SU sector, despite its central location in SU space. If the SU Navy fleet could be lured into engagement and destroyed, that would be acceptable. If supplies could also be seized, that would be ideal. Retreating, even if victory seemed unattainable, was also part of the plan.
Dawson's task with his fleet was to target the SU sector, located near the TR-controlled space.
Dawson's fleet easily defeated the SU sector's planetary defense fleet.
The fleet consisted of only three Orbit Patrol Cruisers and ten destroyers.
Dawson's fleet included five ships: the light battleship Sparrow Hawk, the battleship Mozu, the defense battleship Whale Wave, the fast assault ship Tunny Bird, and fifty others.
If the fleet's composition and numbers were as described, Dawson could not have lost.
"Collect supplies quickly. Start with the destroyed fleet."
Thirteen ships had been destroyed. Half were completely disintegrated, or had their generators pierced.
These were still valuable as raw materials. Private Military Company Chicken Ball purchased them at high rates.
After acquiring the materials, the companies rebuilt them into new vessels. They prioritized sales to Private Military Company Coaster, and sold the remainder to other buyers.
Hostility toward the S.U. government is waning following the destruction of the Tenshin Koudan, but organizations and the space fleet preparing for the coming day are viewed as untrustworthy. Self-defense oriented star systems are making inquiries to purchase, turning the production process into a seller's market.
For Dawson's team, the work is simple—attach the Cariesh to a derelict vessel—and the profit comes easily.
No reason not to proceed.
"No adaptive response detected—however, are we not taking supplies from the planet this time?"
Dawson waved a hand in reply to Kiwaka's question.
"We will appear to seize supplies, but not launch a full-scale assault."
"What is the purpose of that?"
The question carried a certain trust in Dawson—no action is taken without reason.
Dawson’s lips relax slightly at Kiwaka’s assessment, despite his usual aversion to superiors.
“A small maneuver. I’ve made prior arrangements. They should arrive any moment.”
“Arrive? Who— Radar detects. Multiple vessels. A fleet is jumping in.”
“Ah, just in time. All ships. Prepare to withdraw.”
Kiwaka raises a startled voice immediately after the report.
“Withdrawing without fighting?!”
“That is the plan.”
“…So the fleet jumping in is Dawson’s setup?”
“That’s right. By the way, it’s a TR fleet—two hundred ships.”
“Why TR?”
Kiwaka asks, eyes narrowed in doubt. Dawson has no time to answer. He must finalize the retreat of his own fleet.
Dawson gestured for Oine to respond instead.
"I will answer for Dawson. The objective of this operation is to expand TR's sphere of influence. A planet attacked by pirates is rescued by a righteous TR fleet. The people living there will likely express gratitude and choose to withdraw from SU control, accepting TR's authority."
"...I understand the plan, but will it really work?"
"We are not attempting to achieve this in a single move. We plan to repeat the same action two or three times."
Repeated pirate attacks are narrowly averted by the TR fleet. TR disseminates this information widely.
People's allegiance gradually shifts toward TR, rather than the SU navy, which offers no rescue.
Eventually, they will want to break away from the SU and come under TR control.
Even if they hesitate to fully defect, whispering that the star’s fall was taken from TR’s side will absolve them of blame—making one or two fallen stars appear easily.
After hearing this explanation, Kiyaka forms another question.
"Expanding TR’s controlled space by a few stars won’t seriously hurt the SU, will it?"
The Orion Arm is vast. Losing a few stars won’t shake the SU’s economic foundation.
But the appearance of a defeat—a star taken by TR—can be manufactured.
"Politics is about face. A loss must be recovered. No one tolerates serving under someone they see as incompetent."
"Are you planning to set something in motion when they attempt that recovery?"
Oine turned her gaze toward Dawson in response to Kiyoka’s question.
Dawson ignored her, continuing the retreat command.
"Seems we’ll have to wait until that moment arrives to find out," she said.
"If they’re going to speak when the time comes, then that’s sufficient."
Kiyoka withdrew without protest, redirecting her attention to the radar display.
The screen showed, as Dawson had predicted, a large number of recognition tags—transponders identifying the fleet as TR—beginning to form into formation.
The fleet’s movement was slow, deliberately sluggish, clearly not exerting full effort.
It appeared the TR fleet was feigning difficulty with formation, waiting for Dawson’s fleet to flee.
If that was the case, Dawson gathered her fleet and fled, trailing behind like a tail.
At a distance well clear of the planet previously attacked, the TR fleet dispatched to assist began its broadcast.
Dawson muttered, with a faint air of irony, "They could use someone better at performance and oratory," as if speaking to himself.