Artificial Sun

 


It was now close to dawn.

As expected, sporadic battles occurred, but there was no large-scale battle yet.

A patrol aircraft was flying and monitoring the surrounding area from the sky.

Suddenly, the sky above brightened.

The patrol aircraft lost balance and crashed.  The MCS was ejected, and the hatch opened once it landed on the ground. A bird-shaped Familiar flew out from within.

The sky kept shining intermittently.

Another sun was created in the sky.  It wasn’t as bright, but a blue sky can be seen around it.

「Is that an electromagnetic pulse attack? But I haven’t heard of such a large-scale attack……」

Rick muttered.

「Rick, I’ve also confirmed an unusual phenomenon on my end.   It’s probably EMP. Nuclear weapons are prohibited, so I don’t think they’re using those.」

NBC weapons were strictly prohibited.  They were both for protecting the planet and to ensure that no weapons of mass destruction were used to cause widespread annihilation. Otherwise, there would be no point in sending humanity to the Nemesis system.

『It seems that the enemy has deployed the ultra-small artificial sun that produces corona plasma at a point 40,000 kilometers above geosynchronous orbit.  It was used for temperature control in cold regions and as a barrier against cosmic dust during the Planetary Pioneering and Interplanetary War eras.』

Dike clarified the two’s doubts.

「Artificial sun? And it was used during the Pioneering era?」

『The surface temperature of Red Dwarf Nemesis is only about half of the Earth’s Sun. Even though this planet is orbiting closer to it compared to the Earth’s distance from the Sun, the heat Nemesis provides is still lacking.』

「Can such a thing really be used as a weapon?」

『It’s not a weapon. It cannot be used for bombardment. It doesn’t negatively affect the humans living on the surface of Asia, and the MCS and Fortress Area shelters are equipped to deal with it.  It’s originally meant for use in outer space. The Stones must have gained possession of it.』

「In other words, it only exerts an effect on the sky, right?」

『Yes. Aircraft operations would be difficult due to the thousands of degrees of heat it emits and the magnetic storms it causes over a wide area due to flares.』

「It’s a sort of nuclear device, right? Is it really okay for them to use something like that?」

『The prohibition only applies to weapons that employ a nuclear fission reaction.  Of course, using the artificial sun on the surface is also prohibited. However, it employs nuclear fusion instead of fission, so a nuclear chain reaction will not be triggered by it. Fission reactors are difficult to control and fusion reactions are difficult to maintain. If the metallic hydrogen that acts as fuel runs out, the reaction will stop immediately.』

「So, it’s a sustained EMP attack through the use of an artificial sun located in outer space huh.」

「Are they planning on completely preventing aerial battles and engaging us on the ground?」

After hearing Dike’s explanations, Barry and Rick realized the enemy’s intentions.

An EMP attack that can be maintained for a long time was truly troublesome.

『Although the MCS can deal with the effects of the artificial sun when on the ground, it isn’t the case in the sky.  The climbing range would be limited to just a few thousand meters. The high-altitude fighters of both sides will be totally incapacitated.  The effect should last for several days.』

「They used the artificial sun as an unconventional weapon huh.」

「We also have a specialist in unconventional weapons on our side you know. And the enemy can’t use their aircraft either. So, it isn’t all that bad for us either. Let’s just make good use of this situation.」

Rick immediately switched gears and handed out commands.

「Their aerial power is higher than our own though.  They wouldn’t normally use something like that huh.」

「That’s how it is. They used it now in order to better conduct attrition warfare using the Murders. That’s all.」

There weren’t many who would completely abandon aerial units numbering a few thousand just to employ another tactic.

It looks like that man didn’t lie when he said that the Murders were nothing more than the opening act.

「Patrol helicopter squadron, it’s your turn to shine. Launch out. Fighter squadrons, switch to ground attack machines.  You’re gonna get really busy, Thunderclap team.」

Helicopters fly at an altitude of about 3000 meters.  Even though they haven’t been able to produce that many, Kou was still able to prepare a patrol helicopter unit and an attack helicopter unit that were equipped with electromagnetic armor.

Kou had thought that because high-altitude fighters were prevalent on both sides, they would rarely get used. However, in the current situation, they would finally be able to display their capabilities.

「Those sleeping fellows are about to wake up soon.  We’re constantly monitoring the Ate’s movements from the sea.」

「Right. The key would be how we’ll defeat the Ate.  Our ground forces are ready. Once the Ate comes to view, the main battle will start.」

It was Rick’s specialty next.  It was a ground battle.  However, he still hadn’t thought up a viable strategy to snatch the final victory.

They had to deal with the Murder swarm first.

A transmission was sent to Rick. It was from a Familiar assigned to the communication unit.

「Rick-san, the helicopter transport corps have requested permission to use the prototype Wheel of Fortunes made by our Hidden Boss. They say this is the perfect chance to use such weapons.」

「Prototype weapons made by our Hidden Boss huh. Just hearing that is giving me goosebumps, but we have no more time. Fine. Make sure you transmit the battlefield footage.」

「Roger!」

The transmission was cut off.

「Now then, what’s going to come out next, Kou? Is that weapon from the prototype plans of yours that were put into practical use without you knowing? And it’s named after the Wheel of Fortune tarot card. I wonder what kind of weapon it is.」

Although Rick still felt apprehensive, his men did say this was the perfect time to use them.

He didn’t know what they were, but he chose to believe that they would be useful.


「The combat engineer unit has contacted us. The tracks have been laid up to the target point. It’s now possible to build toward the next point.」

It was midnight when Fuyuki received word from Tetsuya.

「That sure was fast…… Good. Once they reach the next point, things will be much easier for us.」

「Understood!」

「It’s midnight now. Shouldn’t you take a rest first?」

「It’s fine. Back in the day, we performed track maintenance in the middle of the night. This is actually making me feel quite nostalgic. Everyone else is probably feeling the same. And besides, we’re working in shifts while piloting Silhouettes. We also have the help of the Familiars. This is such a white company that it’s actually making me feel uneasy instead.」

「How reliable. Your current work will serve as the crucial factor that will protect Fortress Area P336.  I’m counting on you all.」

「That sure fires me up. I’ll relay those words to the guys out on the field as well.」

Fuyuki had actually wanted to do something for those who were working hard, but right now, he wasn’t able to do anything for them.

「If you have anything you want in mind, I’ll hear you out.  Like refreshments and such.」

「It’s fine. Oh. But the guys on the field did say they’d like to hear a broadcast as a joke.」

Fuyuki kept those joking words in mind.

「Fumu. I’ll go and ask for you guys.」

「Seriously?!」

「It’s an idea worth considering. Raising morale is also part of tactics.  Let’s just try and ask.」

「OK. Please go ahead.  We’ll be looking forward to it.」

「Alright.」

Fuyuki had decided to tell Kou about the request first.


When dawn first broke, the humans inside the Cimon and Astraea began to wake up.

After having breakfast, Kou and Blue immediately went to prepare for the battle. However, they were suddenly called to the combat command center.

Kou and Blue were staying inside Astraea.  The other Metal Iris members were in the Cimon.

「What’s the matter?」

「Well, there’s a request addressed to Blue.」

「Me?」

Blue was surprised by the unexpected development.

「Currently, the combat engineers are working really hard to lay tracks in order to build our defense network. They’re working in shifts and almost aren’t getting any sleep.」

「That’s amazing.」

「Yeah. And they have a request. Specifically, it’s for, um, Fairy Blue, was it?」

Jenny giggled mischievously, and Blue, who felt a very unpleasant premonition, suddenly stood up.

「I have to get on the Thunderstorm soon.」

「C’mon, let’s hear the story out first.」

「Kou, you traitor.」

「It’s an order from our Hidden Boss. Just hear it out.」

Robert was also snickering.

「I have a really bad feeling about this.」

「It’s simple, really. They want you to broadcast your radio program while you sortie.  It’s a request from the combat engineers out on the field, but Fuyuki was the one who forwarded the proposal.」

「Damn you, Fuyuki. You better remember this.」

「Fuyuki did a good job. It’s important to raise morale on the battlefield.」

Barry also agreed.

「It’s basically gonna be a live stream, right?」

「Please don’t ask for something so unreasonable. Please. I won’t be able to fly the Thunderstorm like that.」

「Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.」

Unit 5 was loaded onto Blue’s Thunderstorm. So, Kou was able to take control of the aircraft himself.

「Kou!」

「It looks like we have permission from the Hidden Boss as well. We’re counting on you, Blue.」

「Please don’t act like this is already a done deal!」

「I don’t think we can use shortwave radio because of the EMP attack of the artificial sun affecting the ionosphere.」

『I have already resolved that problem. I’ve switched the frequency to long and medium waves. Kou said he wanted to listen as well after all.』

Blue realized there was no escape after hearing Astraea’s words.

「This is a direct order from the Hidden Boss. I want to listen to Blue’s radio broadcast.」

「Quiet, Mr. Guy who Got Tricked by the Front Cover.」

「It seems we have a studio available on Astraea. Lozere is already on standby there, so go and break a leg, okay?」

Blue turned speechless after hearing Jenny’s teasing words.

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