Chapter 141: Command of the Pirates
The pirates had decided to unite against the SU Space Fleet, following the declaration of annihilation and Goard’s call to arms.
Yet the pirates had originally operated as individuals, with each group maintaining its own independent base.
Thus, during the conflict with the SU Space Fleet, a dispute arose over who would assume command.
Goard was the one who reported this, his face weary from the communication.
‘Honestly, the struggle for command was intense. I was genuinely worried we’d end up fighting among ourselves before even facing the Space Fleet.’
A faint pallor crossed Goard’s face as he recalled the scene.
Dawson almost offered words of comfort, but stopped himself at the last moment.
‘So, who ended up with command?’
As the representative of Chicken Ball, Dawson Special Lieutenant tried to seize control by citing his combat record against the SU Navy, but that only served to unite the other outpost commanders.
When Goud took command, the on-site responsibility inevitably fell to Dawson.
Dawson had fought the SU Navy multiple times before, suffered some losses, and had once retreated without engaging, but he had never suffered a decisive defeat.
No other pirate possessed such a record, even among the rare.
Yet, from the perspective of the other pirates, this battle against the Navy would determine the power balance among pirate fleets for the foreseeable future.
If Goudo takes command and Dawson becomes the on-site officer, all credit would consolidate under ≪Chicken Ball≫ affiliates. Should that occur, future pirates would inevitably align their structure around ≪Chicken Ball≫.
The other pirates disliked that future.
"≪Chicken Ball≫’s commander is Goudo, a colonel who has held office for just over a year, succeeding General Kernel, who served for many years. Entrusting total authority over pirates to someone so recently appointed—others controlling major bases would not tolerate that."
"Similar sentiments were expressed quietly during debate. That authority should remain with those who have served longer."
"Length of service does not guarantee competence. This misconception appears unchanged across both Orion Arm and Amato Arm."
In the end, control of the conflict with the SU Space Navy was taken from Goud and the pirate faction known as Chicken Ball.
Dawson remained calm, despite losing the struggle for dominance. Goud, in contrast, showed exhaustion, yet relief seeped through his expression.
"I'm relieved it went as planned. I watched the meeting in secret. I was nervous when Lieutenant Goud seemed to be putting in so much effort—he might have taken control after all."
"Hahahaha. No need for concern. I am not skilled at negotiations. Even if I had tried my hardest, I could never match those who have led pirates for years. In fact, I would not have deceived the other side without giving it my full effort."
Yes. Dawson and Goud did not intend to take control of the current conflict from the start.
The reason was that the current role of Chicken Ball was not merely another pirate base, but specifically the sole forward outpost maintained by the Amato Imperial Japan Stellar Navy within the Orion Arm.
It was more advantageous to relinquish control to another party, allowing that party’s base to become the central location of the conflict with the SU Stellar Military, thereby reducing the risk of losing this single forward outpost.
"What then is the base controlled by the one who assumes command?"
"Designated as Big Cock. It is a discarded, sealed cylinder-type habitable artificial satellite located in a region closer to Earth than Chicken Ball."
Oine projected the data for the pirate base Big Cock onto a spatial display monitor in front of Dawson.
A cylindrical artificial satellite with black outer walls designed to absorb stellar radiation. Two large, silver spherical modules, appearing to have been added later, are attached to the satellite.
"A black, large rod and two spheres. I see. That’s quite the 'large object' appearance."
"Exactly as the name suggests. A remarkably vulgar base. The cylindrical section is entirely a pleasure district. The spherical sections appear to house facilities necessary for piracy."
"Some pirates are said to be thoroughly addicted to the pleasure district. The moment the pirate base declared that any pirate participating in the war against the S.U. Space Force would be granted free access to the pleasure district, the struggle for control was settled."
Throughout history, commerce in sexual services has followed warfare.
Following that tradition, a base strong in such commerce holding dominance is not inherently unfavorable.
For another of Dawson’s plans, this base was exceptionally suitable.
"After a successful conflict with the S.U. Space Navy, establishing a pirate state here would appear more authentic."
"The sovereignty of pirates, ruling as masters of a pleasure district—quite the comic-book scenario."
"Being typical means it is easier for people to accept. That is not unfavorable."
"…Creating a lawless nation with pirates as its rulers in the Orion Arm—was that a joke, or were you serious?"
Goudo asked. Dawson looked as though he had been asked something absurd.
"Because it is necessary. Having only one Amato Imperial Japan outpost in the form of Chicken Ball is too unreliable for operations in the Orion Arm."
"Even if establishing another base, ruling a nation with lawless pirates—"
A place overrun by lawless and suspicious individuals is precisely where Amato Imperial Japan's operatives can move freely. And the corporations supporting Chicken Ball are also interested in this lawless state.
They expressed enthusiasm about developing technologies prohibited by law in this lawless nation. That point is understood. Understood, but still unable to accept that lawless individuals can establish a nation.
Goud is a person of good intent. Unconsciously, he believes that a nation exists for the benefit of all people, shaped by his upbringing in Amato Imperial Japan.
From this benevolent value system, it is intolerable that lawless individuals should rule and oppress others for their own gain.
Yet, for Dawson, who harbors defiance and cunning within, the state of other nations or other star systems is not something worth concern.
If a pirate state emerges, Orion Arm will contain three major powers—SU and TR, plus the new entity. The presence of three nations will maintain tension while stabilizing the region.
As the Earth Era proverb states: the strategy of dividing the realm into three. When one nation seeks dominance, the other two unite to suppress it. Yet those two remain adversaries at heart and will never truly cooperate.
Should the three nations enter a state of mutual obstruction, SU will lose the capacity to deploy its spatial jump rings to the Amato Arm.
Only because Orion Arm was dominated by SU alone could SU previously afford to abandon surplus ships and personnel to the Amato Arm.
With TR and a pirate state now existing as dual threats, surplus ships and personnel will be more effectively used to counter enemies.
Even if it is a spatial jump ring, it will inevitably be used for warfare, capable of transporting a large force instantly into enemy territory.
If such a future arrives, Dawson's mission can be considered fulfilled.
"Regardless, we must begin the conflict with the SU Space Force centered around the Big Cock."
Dawson mutters, eyes fixed on prey. Oine looks at him with reassurance. Goud's face grows paler at the anticipation of war.