Aberrant Weapons
Three half-track Noi vehicles were running along the coast.
A dog-type, cat-type, and raccoon-type Familiar were out on patrol.
Suddenly, their radars picked something up.
「Where is it coming from?」
The cat-type Familiar asked to confirm. The dog-type Familiar quickly responded.
「This signature…… It’s coming from the sea?」
「But we have complete control of the surrounding sea area.」
「Is it an amphibious vehicle or a Silhouette?」
A warhead was fired from the turret attached to the enemy machine’s body.
It seemed that the half-tracked vehicle which had taken evasive action in advance was somehow able to avoid the attack. However–
「Uwaaah!」
It was already too late when the racoon-type Familiar let out a scream.
A strange shadowy figure leapt from the sea and bit the half-track vehicle with what seemed to be a mouth.
「H-Help m……!」
Before the Familiar could finish his words, his armored vehicle already exploded.
The figure was a strange-looking weapon.
The thing that resembled a mouth was actually a crusher. It had actually pulverized a half-track armored vehicle equipped with high-dimensional projection armor in one fell swoop.
Even though it was mostly flat, it was huge and was equipped with legs.
After launching a successful ambush, it immediately went back to the water.
Similar weapons appeared one after another in the distance.
「Murders!」
「Crocodiles! I’ve never heard of there being a reptilian Murder! They’re still far away. Let’s hurry and get out of here.」
The part that looked like a large mouth opened up.
And a huge gun turret appeared from within.
「T-This is bad. Evasive action!」
The Murder fired its cannon.
They’ve taken evasive action. Even railgun rounds wouldn’t be able to hit their targets instantly.
But suddenly, a Noi burst into flames.
「I already avoided it, but the shell actually followed after me!」
The cat-type Familiar screamed.
One of her vehicle’s tracks was severely damaged.
「Are you alright? Hurry and retreat!」
「G-Got it!」
The cat-type Familiar began to move. She made use of her vehicle’s remaining front track to move.
The half-tracked vehicle’s design proved useful in this situation.
Their MCS completed an analysis of the enemy machines. However, they found that the enemies were displayed as unidentified MCS.
「What?! They’re not Murders?! Those things are equipped with MCS. So those should be Silhouettes or tanks instead!」
The dog-type Familiar let out a yell that resembled a shriek. After all, a weapon like what they were facing shouldn’t exist.
「There’s no way those are tanks! They have legs!」
The weapons were moving using what seemed to be four short legs. They bore no resemblance to a Quattro Silhouette.
The weapons that landed along the coast were strangely shaped four-legged “tanks”.
「W-We have to tell everyone about them. We have to make it back alive!」
The two retreated with all they had.
The oddly-shaped tanks began to furiously chase after the fleeing half-tracked armored vehicles.
「What is it this time?!」
An emergency transmission was sent to all Metal Iris forces.
It was regarding the appearance of strange-looking weapons.
「Multi-legged tanks or Silhouettes have appeared along the coast near Fortress Area P336.」
「Hold on a moment. Dike, please tell me. Aren’t Silhouettes supposed to be mostly humanoid?」
『I am not able to handle the analysis. I will connect to Asia and Astraea.』
Asia and Astraea appeared on the main screen.
「Multi-legged tanks have actually appeared. But I believe the MCS isn’t compatible with such a design though.」
『I affirm that notion. Even during the Interplanetary War era, there were no such weapons.』
Astraea, who was the terminal for the integrated weapons development AI, responded immediately.
「They were apparently shaped like crocodiles. That means they aren’t Murders either…… There are no reptilian Murders, right?」
『There are none. Asia, do you know what’s going on?』
『I’m currently performing an analysis. Please lend me your strength, Astraea. I’m trying to reach Prometheus, but he’s just too far away.』
『Is it that much of an emergency?!』
There was no way Barry, who was just a regular human, would be able to deal with a situation that even the Super AIs were unable to analyze.
「Dammit. Fortress Area R001– So you couldn’t even consider that battle a skirmish!」
The enemy’s actual strength was a mystery.
「This is no good. I can’t afford to lose my cool here. Please, Asia. Tell me immediately once you’ve figured out anything.」
『Of course.』
Barry was trying his best to stay calm while Asia herself was filled with tension.
「This is Fuyuki from Fortress Area P336. We’re currently engaging with the enemy forces on the coast. We suffered heavy damage, but we successfully managed to secure one enemy machine for analysis. There is no response from the MCS’s pilot.」
『Good job, Fuyuki. You absolutely must not open up that MCS!』
「Understood. We’ll bring it to the control center.」
At this time, the Asia who was by Kou’s side became dizzy and nearly fell over.
「Asia?!」
Kou panicked and quickly supported her.
This was supposed to be impossible. After all, on top of being an AI, she was also a projection.
「……Kuh. I’m sorry. Just now, I have discovered something that greatly burdened my processing abilities. Would it be fine if I gave the troops an order, Kou? Astraea, for now, you are strictly prohibited from connecting with me.」
『What do you mean by that?!』
「Just what is going on?」
「I don’t have time to explain…… Every minute is crucial. This is so frustrating.」
Asia displayed a bitter expression. It seemed that the situation was truly out of the ordinary.
「Alright. Go ahead!」
Asia had disappeared.
Asia’s image appeared on the monitor. Aside from Kou, Barry and Jenny received the transmission as well. She also appeared in front of all the Ulysses head Development Engineers.
『Analysis of the unidentified enemy weapon has been completed. It shall be designated the name Aberration Arms based on the data obtained from the analysis. I implore all Metal Iris troops and Development Engineers. Please thoroughly eliminate said weapons.』
Everyone’s attention focused on Asia who was on their screens.
『The enemy has created the most detestable of weapons. It seems they have fused the Fennel OS installed on MCS with Murder AIs. They have utilized humans as mere parts and managed to partially get over the restrictions imposed on the MCS. That is the so-called Aberration Arms.』
Everyone who heard her words turned speechless.
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