Interception Impossible
The Argonaut commanders watched as the Ate was completely destroyed after getting hit by a third shot from the railway gun.
「The analysis is complete. They are using an ultra-high-powered railgun. They are most likely using an A-Carbuncle solely to reinforce and provide power to that rail system. Its caliber is 150 cm and its length is 900 cm. It should be using tungsten railgun rounds. The round’s initial velocity is around Mach 38 and slows down to Mach 25 on impact.」
Vasa shared his analysis with Castor.
「This concept is similar to Alberto’s rejected large-caliber cannon proposal, isn’t it?」
「It’s just as you say. I didn’t quite think of making something that large in caliber though.」
Alberto had actually submitted a proposal to create a railway gun as well. However, it was rejected by the Areopagus council.
That’s because A-Carbuncles were precious resources. They didn’t think it was reasonable to use one solely for a railway weapon.
「Can we intercept the rounds it fires?」
「We can’t. Our current interception systems will not be able to keep up with a projectile flying at speeds exceeding Mach 20. Furthermore, the rounds they are using are made of solid tungsten alloy 150 centimeters in diameter. They aren’t ballistic missiles or rockets we can induce to explode.」
「So, they are exclusively using solid railgun rounds huh. It’s simple but powerful.」
If the rounds carried explosive charges inside, then it would be possible for them to get intercepted. However, the enemy only focused on solid armor-piercing rounds.
A large railgun round 150 cm wide can’t be melted quickly by irradiating it with lasers. Once that railgun round lands, it’s truly checkmate.
「Fumu? Say, Alberto. Shouldn’t you be happy? After all, this proves that your idea actually was correct.」
「I won’t deny that I somewhat am.」
The enemy Development Engineer accomplished what he couldn’t do and destroyed an Ate. There was certainly an overwhelming feeling of resentment and jealousy, but at the same time, Alberto felt vindicated because the enemy proved his ideas weren’t wrong.
「Now that the Ate has been destroyed, there is no point to having the surviving troops continue to cross the mountain range. Also, isn’t that thing a train? It can only serve as a defensive weapon on the mountains. Have the remaining Murders retreat at once and merge with the central troops. However, do not forget to have them recover the A-Carbuncle from the destroyed Ate.」
「Understood.」
Vasa had no objections to Castor’s orders. There was no need to engage a weapon that had limited use.
He ordered the Arulars to recover the A-Carbuncle from the destroyed Ate. That railway gun should have strong armor and anti-air lasers powered by an A-Carbuncle. If they took it on, they would be the only one to suffer losses.
「Just as we expected, they were able to destroy an Ate. However, how about the remaining ones? I wonder how they would deal with those.」
Castor let out an amused laugh. It was already anticipated by Vasa.
Even a defeat like this would serve as valuable data.
「Now then, that railway gun won’t be of any use anymore. It’s a weapon that needs sufficient elevation to be effective after all. They would probably send an elite force for the one coming from the sea. As for the one coming from the plains in the center…… I can only think of them ramming it with their amphibious assault ship.」
「It would be great if we could crush the enemy’s amphibious assault ship when they attempt to do so. If even one of those Ate gets the Fortress Area within firing range, this battle will end, wouldn’t it?」
「Indeed. That’s why they should have some more cards to play. We didn’t get any data about Astraea’s existence before we started this war. That’s why it’s difficult to predict just what kind of weapons will come out next.」
「We do have trump cards of our own. Let us force them to reveal as many of their cards as possible before deploying the main Argonaut troops. This is just a way to dispose of our old Murder stocks after all.」
「Yes.」
The two didn’t really think a large number of Murders would be enough to dispose of their enemy. Alberto thought the same.
The enemy’s rear units were using weapons such as tanks to great effect after all. Alberto didn’t wish for them to fall to the likes of Murders.
「The enemy troops are withdrawing!」
Cheers went up. Even though it was just one Ate, they had still managed to take it down without taking any damage before it managed to get near.
「Don’t let your guard down. The reason they are withdrawing is probably to join up with another force. The enemy has already given up on deep battle tactics.」
Barry calmly analyzed the battle situation.
「Exactly. They are probably going to join up with the central force huh. They are going to concentrate their numbers and then push forward all at once in order to break through our defense lines.」
The true test for the ground troops has yet to begin.
The units deployed to their respective positions one after another under Rick’s orders.
The Murder troops of the Stones were quick to reorganize themselves.
After all, they’ve only lost a single Giant Murder. Their numbers were still overwhelming. They made up a large army of tens of thousands.
In fact, the speed of their advance hasn’t slowed down at all.
「Now, it’s a question of how much we can reduce the enemy Murder’s numbers using combined arms.」
Rick muttered. Ground warfare results in far more casualties compared to aerial warfare.
He stared at the first and second wave of Murders that were steadily advancing.
The battle with the Murder’s advanced troops had begun.
Currently, mixed units of Silhouettes and tanks were roughly divided into three locations and were placed in the direction the invading enemy forces were advancing in order to reach Fortress Area P336.
Depending on the battle’s development, they can execute a crane wing formation. And whenever possible, they will encircle part of the enemy troops.
「Star Soldier squadron, launch!」
The Star Soldier squadron had launched.
They were the best among the Metal Iris multi-role fighters in terms of stability in low-altitude flight.
They flew 300 meters above the ground and began to launch air-to-ground attacks. They targeted Ant Commanders or Mantis types that were equipped with railguns.
「Thunderclap unit, commence attack!」
Subsequently, the Thunderclap unit also launched its attack.
They destroyed the Ant Workers by strafing them with machine guns and took down Mantis types and Ant Commanders with wire-guided air-to-ground missiles.
Even though they did suffer direct hits, the small-caliber lasers weren’t able to penetrate their electromagnetic armor.
Thunderclap. It was a twin-engine heavy attack aircraft that was basically a downsized Thunderstorm with its Silhouette carrying capability removed.
It also utilizes thick electromagnetic armor. Its main role was close air support, and its armor was thick because it was susceptible to anti-aircraft fire.
Emphasis was placed on low-speed stability in its design, and it can achieve a maximum speed of about 1100 km/h.
Its main armament was a 60 mm autocannon like the Thunderstorm. In addition to that, it can also be equipped with various missile types such as air-to-ground and anti-ship. Anti-aircraft missiles can also be equipped depending on the situation.
The Thunderclaps that were flying at altitudes of 100 to 70 meters launched attacks on the enemies on the ground.
If the Star Soldiers didn’t crush the enemies with anti-aircraft weapons in advance, they would have no choice but to turn back immediately. However, such weak laser barrages from the Ant Workers were akin to mosquito bites to them.
They not only unleased air-to-ground missiles but autocannon fire as well. A storm of bullets as big as metal bats rained down on the Murders. The theoretical range was 1,500 meters, but due to the characteristics of the autocannon, a Thunderclap needs to close in more in order to ensure effective hits.
「Ground troops, prepare for bombardment!」
According to Rick’s command, wheeled and half-tracked armored combat vehicles equipped with multi-rocket launchers and howitzers started to launch attacks.
Howitzer rounds landed one after another and continuously reduced the number of Ant Workers.
However, the damage caused by the blasts had little effect on Murders equipped with high-dimensional projection armor.
「We are now going to outflank them and wipe out the Murders! We need to reduce their numbers as much as possible before that giant weapon and its forces arrive!」
Rick had decided to move his troops in earnest.
The next step was conducting the mobile defense tactic with the tanks.
It was a defense tactic conducted by tanks and Silhouettes. It will make good use of the tank’s mobility.
However, even though their individual strength was low, there were still a lot of enemies.
That’s where the mobile strike corps will come into play. It was a unit comprised of Dragoon tanks, mobile combat vehicles, and half-tracked armored vehicles.
A defense operation conducted by the tank corps began to be carried out.
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