Going Over the Defense Line
The Argonauts were also reorganizing their forces in preparation for the upcoming battle against Metal Iris.
「How goes our preparations?」
「The ratio of air power is about 5,000 to 2,000. However, considering the difference in performance between our machines and theirs, their combat strength can be said to be just about equal to ours. We cannot properly compare the ground troops. The enemies employ a mixed force of tanks, armored combat vehicles, and ground attack aircrafts. Our forces still outnumber them though.」
「Fumu.」
「It’s unfortunate that the enemy has completely seized control of the sea. Our Murders were all basically procured locally, so there was little need to transport them. And the enemy also possesses four space carriers.」
「That can’t be helped. We simply have to compensate for that disadvantage using our aerial forces.」
Vasa displayed a map on the screen and explained the current situation.
「Our main bases are in Fortress Areas Q019, Q221, and R001 that houses a space elevator. We also control many small Defense Domes. If the enemy decides to attack, they will probably aim for either R001 or Q019.」
「The base that’s located deepest within our area of influence is R001 huh? Asia and the space elevator. However, the degree of difficulty in capturing it is also the highest. It all depends on whether or not the enemy thinks it is worth the risk, I suppose.」
「Indeed. If they don’t attack those two bases, they’ll probably go for where we are currently located, Q019. They do have control of the seas after all. The frontline base Q221 doesn’t hold that much strategic significance compared to the bases I mentioned earlier.」
「You’ve already set a trap on R001, haven’t you?」
「I’ve certainly left sufficient combat forces there. Bardo and his Desmodas as well as the Mad Sloth Armored Corps are also there.」
「It looks like you’ve put a lot of thought into your arrangements.」
Desmodas and Mad Sloth were both excellent mercenary forces that have served the Stones for many years.
These Underground Forces sported mercenaries with the best individual skills among those affiliated with the Stones.
Although the Argoforce was composed mainly of specially chosen humans, they still had little actual combat experience.
Hence, the mercenary forces also played an important role.
「R001, with its orbital elevator, is located in an area with easily defensible terrain. Reinforcements from Q221 can be deployed immediately if the situation calls for it.」
Orbital elevator. It was a remnant of the Planetary Reclamation era and served as a connection between Planet Asia and space.
It was a staggering 120,000 km long. The Earth’s circumference only went up to about 40,000 km. This alone can perfectly illustrate just how utterly long the elevator was.
According to one account, Planet Asia’s natural satellite was actually used as the source of raw materials in order to create the three orbital elevators.
The orbital elevators all sported single tracks and could only load cargo.
Planet Asia’s orbital elevators were also vacuum tube-types. Even though they were called tubes, they were still covered with massive outer walls.
Naturally, high-quality A-Carbuncles with powerful outputs were used to reinforce these outer walls.
They were said to be strong enough to withstand a direct hit from a nuclear weapon, and even if Planet Asia were to get split in half, they still wouldn’t break.
They were just that crucial to Planet Asia as a whole.
The defenses provided by Okeanos were also practically flawless, and if the elevator’s upper levels were to be attacked, the assailants would immediately get annihilated by an array of powerful satellite cannons. Intrusions disguised as accidents were also not tolerated in the Fortress Areas housing the orbital elevators. The perpetrators would also be mercilessly eliminated by satellite cannons.
However, Okeanos didn’t forbid direct attacks against the shelters of said Fortress Areas. They were often priority targets in war after all. And Okeanos rarely intervened in wars.
Geographically, Fortress Area R001 was surrounded by mountains from the north to the northeast and a vast ocean to the south. It was a totally different terrain compared to the Fortress Area Metal Iris attacked from the sea in the past.
Due to the enormous nature of an orbital elevator, R001 was a sprawling, gigantic Fortress Area with a total radius of 200 kilometers from land to sea.
「What is the current combat strength of Fortress Area R001?」
「There are 5,000 tanks, 30,000 Silhouettes, and 500 aircraft stationed within it. We have mainly focused our air power on Q221. As soon as the artificial sun disappears, we can immediately deploy the troops from R001 and Q019.」
Alberto was the one who answered Castor’s question.
「However, there’s also a chance that the enemy wouldn’t choose to attack R001 directly and go for Q221 or Q019 instead. Hence, we have to remain vigilant.」
「True. The artificial sun will only last two days at most. They would probably make their move two or three days from now. The enemy is currently in the middle of dealing with the remaining Murders. They will probably not launch an invasion at this time, as that would stretch their forces thin.」
「The lack of sightings of the combat carriers at sea is particularly concerning though.」
「The fact that our radar network is practically dead due to the artificial sun coupled with the enemy’s control of the sea is really troubling us. We can still compensate by using Murders for recon however, so it’s not so bad. In any case, that inconvenience is about to disappear soon.」
Vasa was also concerned about not being able to use their radar network.
Even though all the Murders were linked to their main carrier and they could still obtain information through them, they were currently being exterminated with great momentum.
The number of enemy forces could not have been deployed by Fortress Area P336 alone. They were probably provided reinforcements by Ulysses.
At this moment, an emergency alert rang out.
「What happened?!」
「It’s an emergency situation! Enemy crafts are approaching Fortress Area R001. There are four crafts in total. We’re unable to intercept them!」
「What exactly do they intend to do with just four aircraft!?」
The operator continued the report in a panicked tone.
「They are all large-class space carriers!」
「So, it’s Astraea! Dammit! All four of them have deployed huh? What’s their current course?」
「They are invading from different directions! The Astraea is invading from 2 o’clock, a combat carrier and an amphibious assault ship is invading from 11 o’clock, and another amphibious assault ship is invading from 10 o’clock. They had all suddenly appeared out of nowhere.」
「Such a thing happened? Dammit. What the heck is going on……?」
Alberto couldn’t hide his consternation due to the unexpected invasions.
Because of their gigantic size, the ships should have been detected by reconnaissance aircraft and radars, even if said radars were currently functioning in less-than-ideal capacities.
However, the ships were all launched at high speed from the Silhouette Base using the rail catapult, but there was no way for Alberto and the others to know that currently.
The range and effectiveness of the radars was impeded by the artificial sun, and by the time they had managed to spot the ships, they were already far too close for comfort.
「Even if the artificial sun is still present, Astraea and the space navigation-capable combat ships certainly are able to ignore its effects for the most part. We did consider the possibility, but to for it to truly transpire still feels quite unexpected.」
Vasa muttered in a resigned tone.
「We can’t exactly call it unexpected then. Send orders to Bardo immediately and have him assemble a defense net for R001!」
「Understood!」
Castor quickly gave out orders to the operator, and she promptly relayed them to Fortress Area R001.
「A large number of fighter planes are coming in from behind the enemy ships! They appear to be flying 1,500 meters from the surface.」
「Hmph. Did they force their fighters to fly at a low altitude? They will not suffice as escorts, so what even is the point?」
Castor muttered dismissively.
「We’ve also detected the enemy’s ground troops. They are in the middle of advancing while taking over the small Defense Domes along the way.」
「We’ve already planned to discard the Defense Domes near the front. They will likely form a supply line near the halfway point. Intercept them there.」
「Sir!」
Castor and Vasa gave out orders one after another in order to deal with the changing combat situation.
「The space carriers have breached our defense line.」
「To think they’d choose to leap right over our defense line…… However, there is a limit to their onboard weapons. Even if they’ve all gathered together, they are still only composed of four ships. Nothing that significant. We are fully capable of pushing them back.」
However, the two heard an unexpected report.
「Report from Fortress Area R001. Enemy fleets approaching from the 5 o’clock and 7 o’clock direction! They’re coming by sea!」
「What?! The enemy still has ships in reserve?!」
Alberto yelled in surprise. It truly was an unexpected situation.
The overall topography was different, but the terrain did resemble the areas on Earth where battles took place around Poland and the Atlantic Ocean.
It was akin to a fleet suddenly appearing in the Persian Gulf of the Arabian Sea. It was the opposite end of the continent.
「No, that can’t be it. They would not be able to make such a long detour in such a short timeframe. The enemy fleets are coming by sea, correct?」
「Yes.」
「What do you mean by that, sir?」
Vasa inquired. Castor seemed to have an idea about what was happening.
「They must have been sent by a Ulysses-affiliated transferee company from another continent. This is the blunder of us Stones. We have already placed all three orbital elevators under our influence. If so, then the one that is the easiest to wrestle back from us would be R001.」
「So, that’s how it is! If that’s the case, then the enemy certainly would do all they can to capture it. The Mercenary Association headquarters has already withdrawn from R001. It’s no wonder Ulysses and Metal Iris quickly seized the opportunity.」
「A cornered rat would even bite a cat, so to speak. The forces of humanity…… No, that shouldn’t be it. It seems we’ve cornered the companies too much. Once materials from space get cut off, they wouldn’t be able to conduct any more business after all.」
The strategy wasn’t proposed by Castor himself, but he could only display a bitter smile at the consequences.
The situation needs to be reported immediately. After all, it would be Castor and his men who would be taking up much of the burden.
「The developments are occurring much faster than we expected. The artificial sun is still in the sky. How are we going to respond, Vasa?」
Alberto inquired. The combat situation had indeed headed to a sudden and unexpected turn.
「I admit that they were able to surprise us. However, it’s rather convenient that all their main forces have decided to gather in order to take over Fortress Area R001. They’re the ones who got caught in our trap.」
Vasa declared confidently.
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