Counter-Strike
Metal Iris held a teleconference between its higher-ups.
Barry, Kou, and all of the A-Class Development Engineers of Ulysses were participating.
Jenny, Rick, and Robert also attended. However, they would not actively participate in the meeting.
Hyou and Kurt were participating from the Pericles.
And Yunlan came all the way to the Aristides. Fortress Area B812 where his company was based was closest to the area the Aristides landed on when it returned to the surface, so he decided to pay it a visit.
「Once again, thank you all for attending.」
Kou gave the opening remarks as the representative Development Engineer of Metal Iris.
This was the first time he’d met Kinukawa Eiji from Misumaru Heavy Industries, but he seemed to be a nice man in his impression, and strangely, Kou found it easy to get along with him.
Each Development Engineer nodded in response.
Barry then took over.
「We, Metal Iris, have succeeded in destroying all of the giant Murders. We’ve currently moved on to mopping up the remaining smaller Murders. We’re also preparing to finally engage the Argonauts main forces.」
「You really did well in defeating even the Eris. It was very impressive.」
Yunlan didn’t hold back his praise. No other transferee company would have been able to take down even a single Eris after all.
「Thank you. Fortunately, our Big Boss prepared a lot of hidden cards for us.」
Everyone except Kou laughed.
Kou believed it was all due to Asia’s power, but it was a fact that he was the one who ultimately made things happen.
Due to the influence of the panjandrums he made, he was now being called the Big Boss.
「I believe this is our first time meeting as Ulysses. It truly is a fitting name.」
A-Class Development Engineers have gathered for talks in the past, but this will be the first time they have gathered as members of a proper organization.
「Haha. It’s nice, ain’t it?」
「We also got to know of a fact that even Kelly and I who came to Asia 30 years ago were unaware of. To think we Development Engineers were called Odysseus by the Super AIs. The Latin word for Odysseus was where the name Ulysses originated from. Given that fact, the name truly is fitting.」
Kelly and Kurt looked back on the days when they were first brought to Planet Asia.
More than 30 years have passed since Kelly, Kurt, and the captured Jack arrived on Asia.
「I wonder why they call us Odysseus though? It’s quite intriguing.」
「I asked Asia about it. It’s supposed to allude to how the Odysseus character in myth was a wise man who had left his home and ultimately went on a journey to return back. It’s also supposed to allude to us as crafty fellows who are good at scheming.」
「I see. So, it alludes to how we came to this planet from Earth. And weapon designers can be considered knowledgeable people I guess, though not in a good light. And I suppose the homeland we are supposed to return to was Planet Asia.」
Kou answered Kinukawa’s question. He also told the other Development Engineers that he was also called an Outis.
It seemed they were all convinced by Kou’s explanations. Weapon designers were certainly knowledgeable people, but that could be taken in a bad way as well.
「Right. I also think this planet can be considered the home of us Bricoleurs. In any case, I hope you can listen to Barry’s proposal, everyone.」
「Mm. I have a proposal here and I hope you can all give your opinions on it.」
Taking over the conversation from Kou, Barry began relating his plans.
「As I’m sure you are all aware, Fortress Area R001 located in the Sphene continent is currently under attack. By the way, is your place fine, Eiji-san?」
「Mm. Even though we’re located on the same continent, our place is on the outer edge. Thank you for your concern.」
「Then we can proceed with peace of mind. Now that the initial Murder invasion is entering its end stage, it can be surmised that our battle with the Argonauts main forces is about to begin soon. Minimizing the damage suffered by our forces would be a good idea. However, I propose capturing and gaining control of Fortress Area R001 ourselves.」
「You’re aiming for the space elevator!」
Kurt reacted sharply.
「Yes. Fortress Area R001 indeed houses a space elevator. So, I would like to capture it and place it under Ulysses control. Of course, I’m fully aware that this operation would result in our forces suffering more casualties.」
Barry stopped there and scanned everyone else’s reactions.
「It’s practically a counter-strike against the Stones! I’m all for it! Right now, all the space elevators are under their control sphere. The Mercenary Association showed no indication of even attempting to protect them, let alone taking them back.」
「That’s true. I approve as well. Though there’s no change in the fact that Metal Iris will have to shoulder most of the burden.」
Kelly and Yunlan agreed to the proposal.
「In terms of football, it’s akin to a fast counterattack that aims straight for the goal. I also agree.」
「We’re not in a position to say anything because we haven’t actually sent our own troops to battle.」
Kurt also agreed, and Hyoue who was currently unable to prepare his own troops nodded apologetically.
「Of course, I agree as well. The Mercenary Association’s act of abandoning the space elevator that can be said to be humanity’s lifeline is absolutely inexcusable.」
Kinukawa also agreed. Without access to the space elevator, they would be cut off from raw materials that can only be procured in space. This went for MCS as well. He wanted to avoid that if possible.
If Ulysses manages to gain control of the space elevator, it would be much safer than just leaving it in the hands of the Mercenary Association.
『Um, a part of me is actually sealed in Fortress Area R001. I would be happy if you can rescue it. I know it’s going to be dangerous, but……』
Asia timidly inserted herself into the conversation.
The expressions of all the Development Engineers softened. Now, they had one more reason to agree to the plan.
「It’s decided then! We’ll be counting on you, Kou!」
「Understood. Please leave it to me.」
The fact that Kou was the only one who could free Asia from her bonds remained unchanged. This fact had already spread among the A-Class Development Engineers.
If a part of Asia was indeed sealed in Fortress Area R001, then they must work even harder to capture it.
「Since both a space elevator and a part of Asia are there, that place should be heavily defended.」
「That place does have the largest enemy concentration. Mm. It’s only natural, I suppose. That’s why there’s merit in capturing it.」
「I’d like to hear your predictions regarding how the battle will go, Commander Barry.」
Kelly and Yunlan were conversing with each other, but they suddenly turned toward Barry.
「Regarding the capture of Fortress Area R001, correct? It will certainly be very difficult for us to capture it, but I believe defending it after capturing it would be even harder. After all, we will end up having to defend two Fortress Areas. The battlefield growing in scale would also affect logistics.」
「That’s true. Are you saying we ultimately wouldn’t be able to defend them?」
「No. We can expect some large-scale battles, but the important ones would occur on localized battlefields. So, it won’t be a battle for the control of Fortress Areas but Defense Domes instead. If we can connect the supply lines well, we’d be able to hold on.」
「Local warfare huh…… We would have to devise tactics specialized for such battles then.」
Kunikawa muttered, and Yunlan agreed.
「Commander Barry, I have a suggestion. I’d like for you to make use of our new prototypes. I’m sure they would prove useful. Other companies have also declared their intent to join Ulysses on Sphene. I believe we can count on them providing reinforcements in the operation to capture the space elevator, Commander Barry.」
Unexpectedly, there were actually additional reinforcements. The one who brought them up was Kinukawa.
「They’re very welcome. Which companies in particular?」
With the exception of John Arms which had already fallen and the companies of the A-Class Development Engineers that have already joined Ulysses, there was only a limited number of companies that can be considered major ones.
「The Japanese company Gogyou Heavy Industries and the British business conglomerate BAS. They pledge to send in reinforcements with all their might. I believe Admiral Aimer’s broadcast really lit a fire in them.」
The two companies mentioned by Kinukawa can be said to be the largest among the transferee companies not founded by A-Class Engineers. They managed to secure large Fortress Areas that were very suitable for heavy industries early on and developed steadily.
「I know this might sound odd coming from me, but the people in those companies are quite crazy.」
「I think they wouldn’t want to hear that from you as well, Kelly.」
Yunlan retorted to Kelly’s mutters with a bemused grin.
The two companies were particularly famous. Gogyou Heavy Industries had a lot of famous B-Class Development Engineers working for it, and they were mainly people that were originally in charge of Japan’s defense industry.
Kou had heard that Gogyou Heavy Industries was actually centered on a huge munitions complex that specializes in five types of land, sea, and air Silhouette equipment. Their logo combined the Onmyodo five elements pentagram and sakura blossoms and can be said to be a truly Japanese company.
BAS stood for Britannia Arms Systems. It was a large transferee company conglomerate centered on the British company Britannia Aviation that later merged with Armstrong Whitehorse Company and Vincent company.
Each company had its own area of expertise and they were particularly strong in the development of naval weaponry.
However, they also had a very strong tendency to create eccentric weapons, leading to the surprising strength of their company’s exclusive mercenary forces. They also functioned as a large-scale mercenary dispatch company.
「That’s great. Prototype weapons have always played a part in battles since ancient times. Anything other than Kou’s Wheel of Fortune is most welcome. Please do show him how its done, everyone.」
「Why are you mentioning that at this point, Barry?!」
Even though they were aware that Barry was simply joking, the A-Class Development Engineers all laughed at Kou’s expense.
「I think they’re interesting! Those rolling bombs are surprisingly cool!」
「No comment. I promised Rick after all. Be prepared for a lecture once this meeting is over, Kou.」
Kelly unabashedly praised Kou while Yunlan, who must have heard a lot of Rick’s complaints, addressed Kou with a smile.
「Let’s leave the ground to Yunlan, and I and Kelly will take care of the sky. The Edge Swifts are pretty interesting.」
「Hyoue and I specialize in Silhouettes and close-quarters combat. So, we’d like you all to support Kou in developing the other weapon systems.」
「Right. That’s how it is folks.」
Kou was perplexed by how eager his fellow Development Engineers were.
He certainly felt honored, but he also felt quite pressured.
「However, there’s a high chance that the enemy will introduce new weapons as well. They did say the Ates were nothing but an opening act after all.」
「We can’t afford to lose either. Let’s consider further wartime developments.」
「We can now expect reinforcements from B-Class Development Engineers as well as new weapons. There’s no need to be pessimistic.」
Barry nodded at Yunlan and Kinukawa’s words.
「Since we can expect additional reinforcements, I’ll explain the battle plans devised with our current strength in mind so we can make further adjustments.」
Barry’s briefing regarding the operation to capture Fortress Area R001 and the space elevator now began in earnest.
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