Aristides-class Second Ship Pericles
The Murders that were advancing along the coast started to move deeper inland.
That was because they were wary of receiving naval bombardment from the Metal Iris ships.
In fact, anti-ship ballistic missiles were being fired one after another by the Metal Iris submarines.
The surrounding Mantis and Rhinoceros Beetle types were conducting air defense using their railguns.
Accompanying the Ate were five Enyo and two Philotes. It was akin to a carrier strike group but operated on land.
The other Murders surrounding them were all equipped with high-dimensional projection armor that was powered by A-Spinel reactors, which was quite troublesome.
That large force has turned around and started heading toward the Cimon and Astraea.
「So, it’s impossible to score direct hits with anti-ship ballistic missiles huh.」
Aimer muttered.
「Move the Astraea onto the sea.」
Astraea was currently configured to maximize its carrier capabilities. Hence, its firepower was now lacking.
Aimer had instructed it to retreat and move further into the sea.
Astraea was not suitable for direct combat due to its shape and size.
Although its combat capability was comparable to the Cimon, Astraea’s form was just too non-standard.
It was also still affected by the damage it suffered during the other day’s battle. The repairs it underwent weren’t exactly complete.
「Understood. The Cimon will stay on the shore and support the front lines.」
The Cimon was making use of its capability as a mobile base in order to support the landing operation units.
「Commander! We detected something moving within the Murder-controlled area in the sea. An enemy machine is approaching us from the sea at high speed. It’s…… It’s an Ate!」
「What?! So, they actually prepared four of them. Do they have any more they’re still hiding?」
Currently, most of their forces have already been deployed in order to defend against the Murder troops attacking from the front.
There was nothing more troublesome than an Ate coming in from the sea. It will allow the Ate to use its charged particle cannons almost infinitely.
Moreover, their aircraft have been grounded due to the artificial sun.
「Submersible unit Deep One, prepare for interception. Please take care of the ones coming from the sea.」
Aimer did not panic and issued a command.
However, the opponent was essentially a moving fortress that was much tougher than a Fortress Area’s shelter.
Even with anti-ship ballistic missiles, it would be difficult to land an effective hit on an Ate that can freely put up its plasma barrier.
「They’re aiming for Astraea again huh.」
『It’s alright, Commander Barry. Our allies are already moving in to intercept the enemy.』
Astraea reassured the groaning Barry.
「Allies? We still have more?!」
『Yes. The preparations have been completed. The one who prepared this friendly force is actually you, Commander Barry.』
It was Dike who addressed Barry this time.
「Me? What do you mean by that?」
『I will now display the ship’s silhouette.』
An amphibious assault ship that looked exactly like Aristides rose to the surface of the sea.
「Why is the Aristides here? It should be in Fortress Area P336?」
「I’m actually here y’know.」
Robert sent a transmission to the confused Barry.
「Then, what is up with that Aristides?!」
『It’s our second Aristides-class ship, the Pericles.』
「There was a second one?!」
Barry had gotten dizzy from all the friendly forces that have been popping up one after another.
The Aristides was a very excellent amphibious assault ship. It can actually rival a battleship in performance. As expected of a warship that Asia specifically selected.
One could claim to be a high-ranking Underground Force just by having one such ship.
『Carriers and amphibious assault ships always operate in twos you know.』
「Well, that’s true, but……」
Carriers and amphibious assault ships tend to conduct missions on rotation, so it was basic to build two ships.
If there wasn’t enough budget, they’d build one ship first and proceed to plan for making a ship of a similar class later.
Even so, Barry didn’t imagine that they were able to prepare two of such high-performance ships during the Interplanetary War era.
Moreover, the ones assigned to the second ship were allies.
「Oi, Kou!」
Barry stopped thinking and decided to ask the man who could be said to be their owner.
「……I also don’t have any idea about what’s going on.」
「Again!?」
「I got that ship from Asia as well and sealed it up.」
「Why?!」
The dreadful one was Astraea, or probably Asia.
It was a valuable military asset. If they had a second amphibious assault ship, then they would have even more strategic options at their disposal.
「Commander! There’s a transmission from the Pericles!」
「Connect them right away!」
The one who got displayed on the monitor was a dreadfully beautiful young man.
Barry had rarely spoken with him, but they were on familiar terms.
「Hey there, Commander Barry. We are from the Transferee Company Coalition『Ulysses』. From here on out, we will participate in this battle with our flagship, the Pericles.」
「Matt!」
Kou couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
It was Matty, a beautiful young man wearing a black frilly Gothic dress. His nickname was Matt.
「I’m here too!」
Fu Jialing was also sitting next to Matt. She was clad in a crisp military uniform.
「Commander Barry, it’s good to finally meet you. I’m Harald Muller of Kurt Maschinenbau. Our company will also participate in this war. With this, we’ll be able to return the favor.」
A middle-aged man smiled. Now, Kurt Maschinenbau can finally return the favor to Metal Iris for helping their employees and assisting the company in its recovery.
Of course, it was true that they were manufacturing weapons for Metal Iris. However, they were all bought and paid for. In other words, it was simply business. That didn’t count as returning the favor.
『It was you who urged Ulysses to participate in the war, Commander Barry. It was all thanks to you. I haven’t really done anything worthy of note.』
Astraea calmly declared and smiled.
「Uh……」
Barry was speechless. After all, it was true that he was the one who encouraged Ulysses to participate in the war.
「Kou, can you hear me? This ship was entrusted to me by Arges-san and a really beautiful young lady who said she was your good friend. There’s no problem, right?」
「I know them both well. Of course, there’s no problem.」
The friend was probably Astraea. Kou imagined Astraea introducing herself as his good friend and smiled.
「Soon, Hyoue-san and Yunlan-san will come to support us as well. We’re a community with a shared fate. Please remember that you aren’t fighting alone.」
「I understand. Thank you, Matt.」
Kou actually knew that Astraea had gotten in touch with Matty as the representative of Arges.
But he didn’t think it was to prepare for a day like this. Kou was once again impressed by Astraea’s meticulousness. He was really glad she wasn’t an enemy.
『Kou, your good friend entrusted them with the Pericles. I think there is no problem.』
Astraea contacted Kou.
「No problem. No problem at all…… But please don’t spring surprises that are bad for the heart on me anymore.」
『I ask for your understanding. I never expected Ulysses and Pericles to complete their preparations this quickly. Commander Barry and the people from the transferee companies really are excellent.』
「Yeah. They really didn’t abandon us.」
Following Kurose and Kelly’s timely help, Pericles rushed to their aid as well.
Kou’s heart was filled with warmth due to the appearance of such reliable friends.
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