Chapter 152: During Withdrawal

Dawson advanced along the path toward Chicken Ball, watching a news broadcast.

"Announced that the military had liberated the residential artificial satellite Big Cock, previously occupied by pirates."

The news footage showed the black cylindrical artificial satellite, once densely populated with pirate facilities, now vacant.

Next, footage showed Elder Ron and the commander of SU Space Force shaking hands.

'For years, those pirates had ruled this satellite as their own, transforming it into a pleasure district. We had no power to resist—'

Hearing Elder Ron's speech, Dawson smirked. The shift in character was remarkable, considering the man had once been the pirate leader himself.

Yet Dawson had anticipated the military would deploy such propaganda.

The military sacrificed a large number of capital ships, yet failed to capture most of the pirates. To fill that gap, the satellite rescue operation served as a suitable narrative.

Were you fighting with this result in mind?

A tenfold disparity in strength. The military could inflict heavy damage on the fleet, but the pirates had virtually no chance of victory. If I did not fulfill my promise to Lord Ron, I would have broken my word. The promise to leave the pleasure district of Big Cock untouched.

The military publicly announced the satellite's rescue. That meant the protection of Big Cock became necessary.

The military will protect it. Now I can claim I kept my promise to Lord Ron.

Dawson appeared satisfied. Kiwaka glanced sideways at him.

You fought the military knowing you would lose, Captain Dawson. Why did you do that?

Dawson answered, chin resting on his hand, as if to question the notion that a losing battle should be avoided.

"The purpose of that engagement was to impress upon viewers of the combat footage that the pirates lost not due to skill, but because their numbers were inferior to those of the fleet. On that point, the objective was achieved."

"Are you saying Orion Arm civilians now doubt the fleet's strength because you severed the tails of numerous ships and allowed many pirates to escape?"

"A strategist would see the fleet's deployment as an exemplary demonstration of military doctrine. It deserves praise, not criticism. But to someone without such knowledge, the fleet's performance in that single engagement must have appeared cowardly."

From the beginning of the conflict, the fleet had misunderstood Dawson's intent.

At the opening, Dawson delivered a speech to the fleet.

The fleet likely interpreted Dawson’s provocation as an attempt to provoke anger and disrupt judgment. They chose not to respond, refusing communication to avoid engagement.

Dawson’s true objective, however, was to broadcast the fleet’s silence across the Orion Arm. He anticipated the fleet would not reply. He wanted to deliver an image of the fleet appearing weak—refusing even to respond to words from mere pirates.

This remained true after the fighting began.

The pirates advanced, concealed behind the link node, exposing themselves to enemy fire.

The fleet, meanwhile, engaged only from a distance, lowering formation only when the pirates approached.

The difference in tactics was correct in strategic terms for both sides.

To an untrained observer, the pirates advancing through the attack appeared courageous, while the space forces retreating and fighting back seemed cowardly.

This remained true in the final phase of the engagement.

The pirates had pressed into chaotic combat, fighting boldly. The space forces, however, had sacrificed a few allies to ensure the safety of the majority.

Continuing to witness such tactics would lead the public to disappointment: *Even though the space forces held ten times the strength, they could only manage such pitiful fighting.*

"Ultimately, the purpose of this battle was to undermine trust in the space forces. Victory or defeat was not a consideration."

Dawson explained. Kiyoka frowned. Her expression suggested suspicion—she seemed to believe he was merely making excuses for defeat.

Cori, who had been listening quietly from the side, nodded in agreement and spoke.

“How come only pirates? Why not use other AI ships? It was a mystery. But if losing forces was the premise, it makes sense.”

“Fundamentally, I am a soldier of Amato Imperial Japan, and the Orion Arm pirates are not connected to me. No matter how many pirates die, from the perspective of Amato Imperial Japan’s military strength in the Orion Arm, they are not counted as losses.”

In fact, Dawson’s original AI fleet, entrusted to Major Miko, suffered no losses at all.

Using pirates as expendable assets allowed Dawson to measure the true strength of the space force—this was entirely advantageous.

The pirates suffered heavy losses. The influence of pirate bases other than Chicken Ball diminished. If Chicken Ball could now defeat the space force on its own, it could dominate the pirate forces. There existed a force capable of making that possible.

The remaining AI fleet was one such option. Additional production could be requested from the corporations supporting Chicken Ball. As a final measure, Amato Imperial Japan’s warships could be summoned.

The force could be gathered in full. The space force’s tactics were now clear.

When the strength of enemy and ally was fully measured, this battle could no longer be lost.

Dawson’s confidence grew. Oine offered a wry smile.

"Top of the pirate forces? You dislike trouble, Dawson. You’re planning to push that position onto Colonel Goud, aren’t you?"

"Of course. In fact, Colonel Goud seems to be well-liked by the pirates. Being at the top of the pirate forces might be an unexpected fit."

Goud would have been furious if present, shouting, "How dare you decide this without me!" But Goud was not present. That was unavoidable.

Thus, in the future shaped by Dawson's calculations—unbeknownst to Goud himself—Goud was appointed head of the pirate forces.