Combat Unit Formation and Introduction of the New Mass-production Machine Lanius A1 Part 2
[previous_page]
[next_page]
Translator: SFBaka
Editor: Thor’s Stone
The human race living on Planet Asia resided inside residential areas protected by a sturdy shelter.
Aerial bombardment had no effect on super-advanced shelters designed to defend against space debris and meteors, and direct attacks on shelters were subject to the satellite cannon array managed by Okeanos.
Those were also some of the major reasons why land warfare became the norm.
However, the larger the scale of deployment, the more effective aerial operations became.
The machines of both sides weren’t equipped with high-dimensional projection armor after all.
「Currently, we’ve managed to secure the production license for the Star Soldier from Skunk Technology and are now manufacturing them. We now have 90 aircraft available for Aristides and 200 aircraft for Cimon. Fortress Area P336 will be supplied with 400 aircraft. We’ve tapped into the Silhouette Base and Aegis Company to increase production speed.」
「And even all that ain’t enough yet? Yeah, they probably won’t be huh?」
Barry took a glance at the enemy-controlled Fortress Areas and sighed.
「Production is centered on attack aircraft. In case we manage to secure air superiority, we have 12 Thunderstorms and 100 of its mass-production version, the Thunderclap, for use. The latter has given up using a Silhouette for controls, got miniaturized, and was designed to be pilotable by Familiars.」
「Heavy attack aircraft will just be sitting ducks if the enemy has air superiority after all. Focusing on fighters for mass production is a good call. They are called multi-role fighters because they can also perform ground support operations after all. If it does turn out to be an aerial battle, just where would the enemy come at us from……?」
Kou took out a rough sketch of the continent.
「If the enemy decides to mount a concentrated attack, they’ll either come from Fortress Area Q019, Q221, or the one equipped with an orbital elevator, R001. P336 was considered to be an important base only due to its close proximity to all three bases. They all have robust heavy industry facilities. If they’re going to focus on deploying weapons other than Murders……」
「They wouldn’t have that many people on their end, right? Even if they’re able to hire mercenaries too, I don’t think they’ll be able to gather that many humans in their forces since they’re basically the enemy of humankind.」
Barry shook his head at Robert’s words.
「They’ll have them. –People who’ve had their wills deprived through nanomachines, I mean.」
「But they’ve never sent them out before!」
「That’s just because aircraft were basically useless in combat back then. We’ve never used them ourselves in the past. If they can field useable units, you can bet they wouldn’t hesitate to use those guys as pilots.」
It was a strategy that only a faction that didn’t have Familiars and didn’t consider humans as people would come up with.
Aerial weapons were all but useless before. They would be easily shot down if they were deployed. But now that their weakness has been resolved, the Stone will not hesitate to use the brainwashed humans to pilot those aircraft.
「We’ve also increased our dependence on Familiars on our end. I want to prepare a suitable weapon for them as much as possible.」
They were always doing their utmost to help. Kou didn’t want to hand them disposable weapons.
「We’ve requested an increase in production of Kurt Maschinenbau’s Falke. They’ve just recently changed the production line, so only 80 units have been produced so far. We also shared the forecast about a possible large-scale invasion with the A-Class Development Engineers and told them to make appropriate preparations just in case something happens.」
Kou had finally finished explaining all relevant matters.
「That’s all from me. We have no choice but to use this place and the Silhouette Base to produce as many additional units as we can, but there’s a really good chance things will escalate into total war. However, if they don’t launch a concentrated attack here, they’re probably going to try and take control of the entire area. I need you all to do your best.」
「–I have a suggestion, Kou-kun.」
「Go ahead.」
「I think we should appoint an overall commander this time around. Preferably someone with a great grasp of strategy and tactics.」
「Someone better than both Jenny and Rick huh? Well……」
「There’s someone who matches those criteria right here, Kou. A real sharp and decisive guy.」
Robert grinned and laughed.
「Barry, it’s about time you got serious, man. You should be done with moping and mourning, right?」
「Barry?」
Kou turned his gaze toward Barry, who blew his nose with a troubled expression.
「You see, this guy– He was really hit hard by Randy’s death and blamed himself, thinking it was his strategy that caused Randy to die. That’s why he stopped commanding in the front lines. Even though he usually doesn’t act serious and goofs off a lot, he’s actually one heck of a tactician. After all, his strategy did allow us to take down an Antique Silhouette with just a few outdated Bears.」
「I’m already rusty, man.」
「Think of it as helping Kou and me out, so please.」
「I’ll have to beg you as well, Barry. Dike, change of captain. Appoint me as the captain of Aristides. Barry will serve as the captain of Cimon.」
『Acknowledged.』
「Stop it, Bob. I’d rather handle the charging instead!」
「Once this war is over, you can just go back to your usual routine. Right now, we need the right person for the job. You’ll have to reduce the number of factors you’d feel the need to charge toward yourself.」
Perhaps Barry lost to Robert’s enthusiasm and Jenny’s high expectations.
He sighed and finally accepted his appointment.
「Haah. I understand. Kou, our captain will still be Jenny, and I’ll just serve as the field commander. Will that be fine?」
「Thank you, Barry.」
「Many humans, Familiars, and Therianthropes might die under my command you know?」
「If I serve as the commander instead, we’d probably get wiped out. Besides, believe in you, Barry.」
Kou felt he was told something very similar lately. It was Astraea.
「People would possibly die depending on the orders. Maybe some would even be people you treasure. I won’t tell you not to hold a grudge. But make sure to follow all commands. Can you do that?」
「……Yeah.」
「Alright. Well, I’m already used to being hated, so it’s not really a big deal. Jenny, you’ll serve as the captain of our aerial forces. Bob and Aristides will be stationed in this Fortress Area. Fuyuki, I’ll leave the command of the combat engineering corps to you. The captain of the ground forces will be Rick. I’m counting on you all.」
「Roger, Commander Barry.」
The other members agreed with Barry’s arrangements.
「Kou, you can move as you like. There might be things only you who can interact with Asia can see, or roles only you can play. Blue will act together with you.」
「Understood.」
「Nyanta, you’ll handle the Quattro corps. Aki, you should act as support and relay Kou’s instructions to us as well as information that only Kou would understand to him. Don’t pilot a Silhouette. You will serve as the operator of the Cimon-class.」
「I understand.」
「Roger.」
The biggest reason why Barry agreed to take the job of commander was Kou. Kou just couldn’t bring himself to be cruel to people he deemed important. He wouldn’t be able to look at the soldier casualty rates with a cold and objective eye.
Barry scanned everyone’s faces and declared.
「Even if I’ve taken up the job of commander, what we have to do hasn’t changed. Constantly collect information and continue to augment our forces. Information will be promptly shared among the members present here.」
「See? Ain’t you all fired up now?」
「A guy who’s just come to Asia has already done this much. I have to at least do my part too. Kou, Aki, Blue. When this meeting concludes, gather here again. We have to reconfirm the overall strength of our forces. Dike, please support us.」
『Understood.』
「If we’re gonna do this, we gotta make sure we win.」
Barry muttered in a seemingly unconcerned manner.
But behind those words hid a strong determination.
[previous_page]
[next_page]
Comment (0)