Chapter 136: Situation Progression
The effects of Dawson's actions with the pirate fleet were becoming evident across multiple sectors.
First, the space region between the SU and TR sectors—the outer rim of the SU sector—was being taken over by TR forces one after another.
From the perspective of the entire Orion arm, the territory seized by TR was negligible in size.
Yet it was steadily reducing the SU sector's domain and expanding TR's influence.
Additionally, a secondary effect occurred.
This occupation was a joint operation between the pirates and TR, but the local SU residents had no way of knowing this.
Thus, TR was perceived as a just ally, protecting them from the pirates.
Meanwhile, positive sentiment accumulated toward TR, while negative sentiment toward SU intensified, as SU provided no protection—only taxation.
As a result, frontier planetary and satellite populations began secretly contacting TR. They began staging attacks by using their own pirate vessels, fabricating incidents of piracy, and then staging TR’s rescue operation. In return for being rescued, they joined TR’s sphere of influence through orchestrated performances.
This process allowed TR’s influence to expand naturally, even without Major Miko’s direct involvement.
Pirate activity increased in frequency.
The catalyst was Dawson’s pirate group, which had seized large quantities of supplies from inhabited planets, sold them for substantial credit, and accumulated significant profits.
The pirates, having amassed wealth, discussed their methods of plundering in the sheltered position, and other pirates began emulating their tactics.
The pirates' strategy was very simple.
Gather a large number of pirate vessels, use them to lure S.U. Space Fleet vessels, and engage in delaying combat.
Once the Space Fleet was lured, small elite units launched surprise attacks on planets and satellites with weak defenses, seized as much supplies as possible, and retreated quickly.
The seized supplies were converted into credits at the pirate base and evenly distributed among all participating pirate ships.
Initially, the profits were no greater than those from attacking merchant convoys.
But as they reinvested the earned credits into upgrading their ships or purchasing destroyers and Orbit Patrol Cruisers, their combat capability improved.
As a result, the number of ships and their offensive power grew to a level comparable to Dawson’s pirate fleet.
With that number and combat capability, even with subpar command, they could match the SU Space Fleet in combat.
Matching the SU Space Fleet meant they could trigger reinforcements from the SU Space Fleet. As more SU Space Fleet vessels gathered, the system’s defenses weakened accordingly, increasing the number of targets available to the pirates.
Thus, other individuals besides Dawson began raiding the SU’s space domain extensively.
The SU Space Fleet was not entirely incompetent.
In response to the pirates and TR’s unchecked dominance, the SU implemented various countermeasures.
Noting that attacks targeted inhabited planets and moons, they prioritized reinforcing defense fleets by diverting forces from other locations.
Since supply depots were being targeted, ground defense forces were expanded. New recruits and combat-use cybernetic robots were deployed.
These actions produced measurable results. Raiders were repelled. Supply depots were barely held until reinforcements arrived.
Yet the SU-controlled space domain was vast. Naval vessel numbers and personnel were finite.
Priority had to be assigned to planets and moons that must be protected. No alternative existed.
Key locations in the Star Arm Nebula (Main Route), densely populated areas, industrial centers, and regions under powerful protection.
Military strength was concentrated there. Vessels and personnel were withdrawn from less critical locations.
Through these measures, only the stars the SU government and navy considered vital escaped the threat of raiders.
Yet conversely, star systems from which forces had been withdrawn became easy targets for raiders.
Stars that had lost supplies to raiders sent appeals for aid to the SU government and navy. When those appeals went unanswered, resentment grew.
Due to these circumstances, public sentiment within SU space had split into two.
Residents who lived under protection from the government and navy, obedient and compliant.
Residents who distrusted the government and navy, defiant and rebellious.
Observing this situation in the Orion Arm, Dawson spoke quietly from the Sparrow Hawk's captain's chair.
"This moment is the limit."
Oine responded with a question.
"What do you mean by 'limit'?"
"The limit of patience held by the SU government and navy."
"What happens when that patience reaches its limit?"
"The SU government has made it clear from the start. They will eliminate pirates. When patience reaches its limit, that moment comes sooner."
Dawson’s words proved prophetic. A report arrived from Beala.
"Dawson-sama. The SU government is holding a press conference~"
Beala manipulated a spatial projection monitor. A government press briefing, broadcast across the entire SU space, appeared on screen.
"—Our government feels deep concern over pirates who roam space as if it were their own."
An elderly man, well-built and well-dressed, spoke with deliberate weight.
"Pirates' actions have caused anxiety among all residents. We have judged this matter requires immediate action."
The man paused, then gestured. At that moment, spatial projection monitors unfolded around him, displaying images of some kind of document.
The documents appear to list which starfleet vessel will participate in the next operation.
The government ordered the space fleet to conduct a campaign against pirates. It commanded the formation of a large-scale fleet as well, to eliminate pirate presence from space. The number of vessels in this fleet is two hundred thousand. We promise to swiftly annihilate the pirates using this massive force!
Dawson raises one eyebrow at the unexpected scale of the force.
An impressive number. Likely includes hastily constructed vessels and older models nearing decommissioning, but even so, two hundred thousand is extraordinary.
Dawson, even he, felt nothing but recklessness in facing an enemy force of only a few thousand pirates gathered together.
The situation was exactly as Dawson had intended.
"Twenty million was surprising, but the sheer number made them sluggish. That will actually work in our favor for future operations."
Dawson smirks as his plan unfolds smoothly. The other Sparrow Hawk crew members exchange shrugs.
"Facing twenty million vessels in combat would mean total annihilation in an instant."
Oine says this, and Kiwaka clutches his head. Hitokane laughs dryly.
"I know the general outline of the operation, but can it really be executed?"
"Hah hah. Even at my age, there's still something entertaining."
Bera and Corry remain unaffected, as usual.
"Twenty million units mobilized—must've put real effort into the publicity photos. The concept models are well-dressed and well-designed. Useful reference."
"U-uh, they're planning a mobilization ceremony too. Maybe good footage will be broadcast."
As each reaction unfolded, the sense of an approaching confrontation between the space fleet and the pirates grew stronger.