Land Battleship Subjugation Operation
Barry sent a transmission to all the main members of Metal Iris.
「Just as Kou surmised, the enemy has launched an all-out offensive. They are coming at us from three directions. First, they are coming for the Cimon that has based itself on Fortress Area P336 from 7 o’clock. They are heading for the Astraea from 5 o’clock. And lastly, they are heading for the Ulysses naval fleet from 9 o’clock.」
「This is the Astraea. We’ve sighted two enemy land battleships. We will now engage in a defensive battle.」
Aimer, who was in the Astraea, reported.
「Go ahead. This makes me seem like a pathetic adult, but…… I’ll leave it to you, Admiral Aimer. I, Jenny, and Rick will handle defending this place.」
「In fact, the area you need to defend is bigger. You’re the ones being considerate of me. And I’m very thankful for that.」
It was hard to believe those words came from an 8-year-old girl. Barry displayed a bitter smile. Her commanding abilities were also surprisingly high. Enough to make him think there was some sort of secret to her disposition and talents.
The consideration Aimer was referring to was the fact that Kou, Blue, and the Pleiades squadron were assigned as her main attack forces, Nyanta and Aki were assigned as her operators, and the siblings Marle and Flack were assigned as part of the rear troops.
Aimer’s mental burden was lighter than Barry expected. Moreover, Admiral Aimer’s name was gradually becoming a source of renown for their side. Aimer was indispensable for Astraea.
「Astraea’s forces are relatively fewer in number than ours. That’s a source of worry, but I will send reinforcements from Fortress Area P336 if need be.」
「What about the forest area in the northwest?」
「We’ll leave that area to Fuyuki’s combat engineer unit. We’re counting on you, Fuyuki.」
「Leave it to me.」
Fuyuki appeared on the screen and nodded. In terms of being wary against possible surprise attacks, it was actually one of the most burdensome assignments.
「Reporting regarding the aforementioned land battleship fleet. The firepower of the troops accompanying each ship isn’t that high, but there are a lot of them.」
「Hah. We have more than enough forces on our side. We’ll stop them in their tracks.」
Rick declared confidently.
「I’ll have you handle the sea’s defense, Admiral George.」
「This is the Gracious Queen. Leave the high seas to us.」
「We will support you.」
The naval fleet centered on the Gracious Queen and the Jun’you that deployed from Fortress Area R001, where the orbital elevator was located, responded.
Until recently, the naval forces deployed by the Argoforce were relatively weak. However, they gradually improved in strength as the conflict went on. The other continents have even fallen into their hands already.
「Now then, let’s make sure to protect Asia and Fortress Area P336. After that’s accomplished, it will be time for a counterattack.」
『Lend me your strength, everyone!』
Asia called out to everyone.
A full-scale defensive battle was about to commence.
「Our patrol aircraft has sighted a land battleship.」
「Our tank corps are currently engaging the enemy advanced forces from 8 o’clock.」
Various reports were relayed by the operators one after another.
「The enemy forces are heading straight for us huh? Are they aiming for a saturation attack? I won’t let them have their way.」
Aimer instructed the defense forces centered on the MBTs as well as the high-speed strike unit and the Silhouette unit to perform an interception.
「A formation centered on two battleships huh? The enemy ship’s main guns are super-large caliber cannons. We can withstand them to a certain extent, but……」
Nyanta and Aki were checking the radar readings.
「Aimer, this is bad. Enemy fleet detected from 4 o’clock. It’s another land battleship.」
They immediately reported to Aimer who was serving as Astraea’s captain.
「A three-pronged attack huh? Even so, we have to keep them at bay no matter what. We can’t afford to have Astraea retreat now. If we do that, P336’s defense will be weakened considerably.」
「Aimer! We have our hands full right now. Sorry.」
Rick, the commander of the ground forces, expressed his apology. He and his forces were busy dealing with the enemies heading toward the Cimon.
「It’s alright. I and the forces under my command will deal with them ourselves.」
『Unlike the Cimon, we can’t transform into a Fortress mode. That’s why their main target is probably us.』
Astraea was analyzing the enemy’s tactics.
「We don’t have any more troops out there to intercept the third enemy fleet. We will head out with our Eponas instead.」
「I and my tank unit will go.」
Kou sent a transmission.
He was the one who permitted Aimer to head out to the front lines. Therefore, he was determined to protect her at all costs.
It wasn’t due to trauma. It wasn’t even due to a sense of responsibility. He was fully aware that it was only due to his self-centered ego.
However, he felt that he wanted to prioritize protecting the Astraea, where Aimer, Aki, and Nyanta were stationed, above anything else. As long as he felt this way, Kou believed that he wasn’t qualified to be a commander.
Aimer hesitated for a moment. Kou was currently leading a tank unit. It was composed of 16 MBTs and 16 Silhouettes. The difference in combat strength between it and the enemy land battleship fleet was considerable. It could even be considered reckless.
「……We’ll support you with indirect fire. We still haven’t secured air superiority. I’m sorry.」
Aimer actually wanted to oppose. However, she held herself back. She must believe in Kou.
「There’s no need for you to apologize, Aimer. They are coming at us from both sides and the center. It should be easier for our side if we can hold back at least one enemy wing.」
Although the main ground forces were strong, it would still be difficult for them to deal with a battalion with three land battleships.
It would be enough of an accomplishment if Kou and his unit could at least hold them back.
「High-speed strike unit, form up and head out.」
「Don’t push yourselves too hard. We go by rotation, remember? However, we have to hold this line no matter what.」
「Yes. We will defend this line to the last. It’s still the initial phase of the battle after all.」
「I’ll definitely protect you, Aimer. Along with Aki, Nyanta, and everyone else. –I’m heading out.」
Kou cut the transmission.
The faces of the three girls inside Astraea’s combat command center turned red, and they looked down in embarrassment.
The other Nereid and Therianthrope operators sent envious and teasing gazes at them.
「Sorry, Kou! We still haven’t gotten air superiority.」
「It’s fine, Yasuyuki-san. Fighting on par with that many enemies is more than impressive enough.」
Yoanias and Aellos were engaged in a fierce air battle with enemy aircraft.
「Even so, indirect fire will be troublesome.」
A white cat Familiar aboard a Fighting Bull MBT gritted her teeth.
「They also brought a lot of anti-air vehicles. They might even be Aberration Silhouettes.」
A French bulldog Familiar also expressed his apprehension regarding the enemy force’s defensive strength.
「Kou-san, rushing ahead on your own like this is no good.」
A young Nereid woman from the Lanius squadron quipped while sporting a bitter smile.
「That’s right, Boss. We’ll make sure to follow your lead, so don’t leave us behind!」
A young Nereid male playfully admonished Kou. If Kou really pushed it, they would definitely be left in the dust.
Currently, the Lanius A1s were all in heavy armor mode. Although it was an Assault Silhouette that emphasized speed and mobility, the Lanius A1 gets converted to heavy armor mode when operating alongside tanks.
「I got it.」
The Lanius and tank squadrons speed along the ground while whipping up dust clouds.
A half-tracked armored support vehicle was following behind them. It was a standard troop formation.
「Aimer has also arranged for a high-speed strike unit. But there’s no time for us to wait for them.」
The enemy forces were arranged in what appeared to be a ring formation. The Silhouettes in the outer ring were piloted by expendable Helots.
There were also a lot of Aberration Arms and Armadillos.
「Hah! What can they do with just 16 tanks and 16 Silhouettes?」
The commander aboard the land battleship couldn’t help but blurt out. From the perspective of a chosen Lakedaimon like himself, it was unthinkable for a land battleship to be defeated by such a small force.
「Let’s go.」
After muttering those words under his breath, Kou launched an attack with his Unit 5 Ground Combat Spec.
It placed its railgun on its back and drew its tachi.
「A-An enemy Silhouette is charging straight at us!」
「Is it that Lanius from TAKABA? It’s dashing with its rollers. Is its pilot insane? Hurry and take aim! It’ll trip if it takes a direct hit.」
Unit 5 was rushing ahead with its waist lowered while kicking up dust clouds. It was heading toward the Silhouettes on the outer periphery of the enemy formation while performing slalom evasive maneuvers.
It received several direct hits from railguns and artillery shells.
However, it still kept moving forward resolutely.
「W-What the heck is that thing!?」
「No! It’s not performing a roller dash! Its coming at us using its thrusters while its feet scrapes the ground!」
Unit 5, which was using its back thrusters to accelerate through deflagration, wasn’t dashing on the ground through its rollers.
Instead, it lowered its waist to stabilize its center of gravity as its bare feet scraped the ground at high speed.
As it passed by, Unit 5 split an Armadillo’s torso in half.
「H-Hiii!」
「Just what’s with that weapon!?」
The moment an Argoforce Silhouette raised its arms to aim and fire its weapon, said arms were instantly slashed off.
To the native inhabitants of Planet Asia who haven’t even heard of swords, Unit 5’s weapon strikes them as something particularly brutal and barbaric.
「Take some distance! Focus fire!」
Unit 5 was hurtling across the ground at nearly 400 km/h. While the enemies were having trouble with it, the Lanius and tank units launched their attack.
「J-Just what is that machine–」
To the Helots, Unit 5 was akin to a demon from hell.
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