Chapter 7

While making a super-long-distance jump from the Amato arm to the Orion arm, Dawson used his spare time to receive a lecture on the TR from Oine.

"Before I talk about TR, let's start with the history of the SU."

The SU, with Earth, the birthplace of humanity, as its sovereign, had ruled over the stars colonized by humans.

All the wealth from the colonial planets was sent to Earth and the Earth sphere, and the colonial planets were so exploited that they lacked the resources to develop technology, living a life similar to that before the space age. This structure was akin to the slaves of manors in ancient times.

However, this situation only lasted as long as the colonized planets were limited to those near the solar system.

As colonization progressed to places far enough that even with jump technology, long travel times were required, the influence of the solar system's authority diminished with the distance.

The magistrates responsible for policing the colonial planets, often incompetent and sent to the farthest reaches from Earth, lacked motivation, and they could falsify the taxes paid by the residents of the colonial planets without being caught, learn the latest technology without interference, and voice their grievances without repercussions.

Thus, the residents of the colonial planets, who had gained a semblance of freedom, secretly grew stronger. United in their resolve to turn this provisional freedom into true freedom and win rights from Earth.

After a long period of dormancy, they secretly gathered their forces and achieved independence in the galactic center direction of the Orion arm.

"Thus, the True Rights, which advocates for a genuine human rights state, was formed."

"They are a country created by rebels from the solar system. It's surprising they weren't crushed in their early days."

"While I'm simplifying it, the period of dormancy lasted over a century. During that century, the SU experienced internal power struggles, and its political institutions were corrupt. They were so focused on securing power and interests that they ignored rebels in distant parts of the arm."

"Due to the chaos in the SU, TR overcame its early independence phase and entered a growth trajectory. They stole and imitated SU technology to develop, expanded their military with the acquired technology, and expanded their territory with the increased military power."

"However, the numerical and material differences were still significant."

"To bridge this gap in military strength, the policy of issuing privateering licenses, limited to SU ships, was devised."

"Instead of using regular warships, they relied on civilian ships. The fact that this system continues suggests it was useful."

"Indeed. The effectiveness was so great that it even caused defections."

"What kind of defections?"

"When privateers wreak havoc, the operation of merchant ships stops, causing problems for the colonial planets. To these planets, they offer to stop the pirate activities in exchange for switching allegiance to TR. Even if they initially reject it out of fear of the SU, prolonged economic blockades eventually force them to accept the change."

"The longer the SU's response is delayed, the higher the defection rate."

"Anyway, through these measures, TR came to dominate a quarter of the Orion arm."

However, with a quarter of the territory taken, the SU also stepped up its efforts, unable to afford further reductions in the wealth obtained from the colonial planets.

"The SU is mobilizing its military to maintain its territory. On the other hand, TR has shifted its policy to defending its territory and building strength, leaving the harassment of the SU to the privateers."

"My task is to mimic this, using a TR privateering license to wreak havoc in the SU's territory."

"The rear operations room seems to expect Dawson to lead the pirates and deal a significant blow to the SU."

"Pirates, who are known for their roughness, won't easily follow a young man like me. I need to build a track record first; otherwise, they won't even listen to me."

Dawson felt that while acting as a pirate was easy, working with pirates to destroy the SU's economy would be difficult.

"Since it's easier to act than to think, I'll get the license and start as a pirate, then think about the details later."

"Are you more optimistic than I thought, Dawson?"

"What do you mean? People become happy when they try to make themselves happy. So, it's better to be optimistic than pessimistic."

"Is that how it works?"

"That's how it works."

After the lecture, Dawson and Oine passed the time with casual conversation.

After jumping into TR's territory, they made another short jump to the nearest artificial habitat satellite.

"In TR's territory, you can get a privateering license at any inhabited place. I wonder if it's a good idea to issue licenses so freely."

"Since the targets of privateering are limited to the SU, it might be thought that issuing licenses won't worsen TR's security."

"I have serious doubts that pirates will only target SU merchant ships."

Since it was a short jump, they quickly returned to normal space. On Dawson's physical monitor, there was an artificial habitat satellite, resembling five donuts stacked and stuck together, floating alone in space.

"Is the satellite placed in an empty space?"

By the standards of the Amato Empire, such artificial satellites are built for the purpose of mining asteroids or collecting planetary gases.

Therefore, the sight of it placed in an empty space felt strange.

However, Oine, who had obtained information from the Orion arm through data salvaged from SU ships, knew the situation.

"In the Orion arm, not all ships can make super-long-distance jumps, so such rest stops are necessary."

"Like a service area on a highway."

Thinking of it that way, Dawson found it more understandable. Service areas can also be placed in areas surrounded by forests.

In any case, Dawson approached the artificial satellite with his ship. Once he entered the range for short-range communication, he initiated contact.

"This is the 'Mandible.' Grant us permission to dock."

When Dawson sent the communication, a response came back.

"Hey there, country bumpkin! Speak properly without your accent. I can't understand you, okay?"

Dawson, looking as if he wanted to say who was the slower one, remembered Oine's prior warning that while the language of the Amato Empire was understood in the Orion arm, it would sound accented.

He also remembered the black and white mask for language adjustment.

Dawson put on the mask, activated the translation function, and sent the communication again.

"This is the 'Mandible.' Grant us permission to dock."

"Ah, you can speak properly. What's your purpose for docking?"

Relieved that he was understood, Dawson continued.

"I've come to get a privateering license. I heard that the procedures would be quicker at a less populated satellite like this."

It was a made-up reason, but the communication partner started laughing, suggesting that others came for the same purpose.

"Hahaha, you too, huh? Well, since there's no waiting time, the work will be done faster. But, are you sure about this?"

"Sure about what?"

"From what I've heard, the treatment of pirates is determined by where they get their privateering license. The most prestigious are the densely populated planets with long waiting times, and the least prestigious are the sparsely populated satellites like this one."

It was the first time Dawson had heard this.

However, he felt it would be meaningless to waste time moving and waiting in line.

"Whether you get the license from a prestigious place or not doesn't affect your success. It's all about your skills."

"Hahaha, that's true. Since you've made such a bold statement, I hope you become a big-name pirate whose name will be known even on this desolate satellite."

"I intend to. Remember the name 'Mandible.'"

"Got it, 'Mandible.' Okay, you're cleared to dock at berth 7. Come on in."

Following the glowing beacon extending from the satellite, Dawson maneuvered the ship and securely docked at the designated position.

With this, the long maiden voyage of the 'Mandible,' which had traveled from the Amato arm to the TR-controlled territory of the Orion arm, came to an end.