Operation ‘Mozu Drop’ part 3
Near the P336 Fortress Area, Rick was deploying his tank units. The ultimate objective of the Mercenary Association Headquarters seemed to be an assault landing on the P336 Fortress Area using their space fleet. However, battleships alone could not secure the control tower; urban suppression by Silhouettes was essential.
To counter the Underground Forces under the Mercenary Association Headquarters’ direct control, which were presumed to possess a significant number of airborne-capable Silhouettes, ground-based forces stood ready.
「Won’t we deploy along the coastline?」
Asked a cat-shaped Familia.
「They’ll come from the sky—assuming they manage to get here. Their main attack will likely be indirect bombardment.」
「The fighter squadron is also on standby. Could it really be that the Big Boss intends to settle this before they get close?」
「That would be the ideal scenario, though I doubt it’ll go that smoothly. Especially since he hates the idea of us dying.」
It was a sentiment that made Rick chuckle, but it also fueled their resolve. It was precisely because Kou was like that that they were willing to put their lives on the line.
「Take a good look. The defense systems are prepared to act on their own. There’s nothing more terrifying than that.」
In preparation for the anticipated confrontation with incoming battleships and space carriers, massive anti-ship missiles were being produced at full capacity in the Fortress Areas and Defense Domes in the vicinity.
Occasionally, the sight of signposts suddenly making sweeping motions was enough to terrify those aware of the fact that such machines had once cleaved through the Argoforce Silhouettes.
「Without a doubt…」
For the mercenaries under the direct command of Mercenary Association Headquarters, the P336 Fortress Area posed a unique challenge. Everything there—whether a shutter in a building or the lid of a maintenance hole—was an enemy.
「Outis has issued orders to stay as far from the coastline as possible. He may have some strategy in mind for naval combat.」
「There could be traps set along the coastline. Track-laying work on the elevated lines is still ongoing.」
「The engineer units are probably pushing themselves the hardest. The main battlefield may be the sea and sky, but we’re effectively the final defensive line. Don’t let your guard down. Anyone who tries to take this place from us is the enemy.」
「Yes, sir!」
Many Familias disliked combat against humans. Yet, a stronger trust had developed between Kou, Metal Iris, and the Familias. They fought for those they had chosen to stand alongside, even against overwhelming odds.
「The enemy’s main force consists of Silhouettes—not fighter jets. Doesn’t the Mercenary Association Headquarters understand what that means?」
Rick muttered, switching his tank into anti-air mode and readying for combat.
Deeper within the P336 Fortress Area, the trooper unit led by Palm stood in formation. They were the last line of defense, prepared to hold the fortress at all costs.
「This battle is our Okehazama. For our lord, I would gladly lay down my life!」
Trooper Unit 1 had always been fervent supporters of Kou, with many of its members being outright zealots. Their nickname, Fanatic 1, was well-earned.
「Lord Outis… No Therianthrope will ever forget this great debt of gratitude!」
Palm’s speech was taking on a theatrical, period-drama tone. To him, Kou was no longer just his leader but a true lord to whom he had sworn fealty. In his mind, they were samurai, and this fortress was their domain to defend.
「The defense of the land is in our hands! Everyone, not a single enemy shall pass!」
「Yes, sir!」
Fully armed and brimming with fighting spirit, the Trooper Corps prepared themselves for the assault. Most of them had equipped sniper weaponry to counter any aerial descent.
「We have allies on the sea and in the sky now. Let us trust in them, Palm!」
Said a fox-eared girl beside him.
Palm nodded solemnly.
「Indeed. They have been granted the honor of fighting alongside Lord Outis. But we, we have been entrusted with the sacred duty of defending this final fortress! A charge given to us directly by Lord Outis himself! Do not falter!」
「Yes, sir!」
In truth, Palm and his unit, frustrated by their lack of action, had petitioned to be sent to the frontlines—even if only as fighter pilots. However, Kou had rejected their request and instead assigned them the crucial task of defending the P336 Fortress Area. It was a decision based on proper allocation of resources and talent. For the Therianthropes, the P336 fortress, where the Quattro Silhouettes were being produced, had become something akin to a sacred ground.
Their fervor for this mission had reached such heights that even the Familias felt slightly intimidated by their zeal.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
「It’s almost time.」
Kou murmured.
「Our worries were unnecessary.」
Asia remarked with a chuckle.
「All of Metal Iris and Ulysses’ core members have already transferred to our side. Beyond that, we’ve also received a significant number of participation requests from other continents. I doubt they’ll make it in time for this operation, but I’ve accepted them just in case.」
「Thank you. Just knowing there are like-minded people out there, even far away, is reassuring.」
「Of course!」
Even if they couldn’t participate in this battle, their desire to side with Trireme was genuine. That sentiment alone was something to be deeply grateful for.
「We’ll be joining the Aubade Force soon. Once we’re there, we’ll reorganize the formation with this ship as the flagship.」
As the ship made contact with the water, they were met with an enthusiastic reception from the Aubade Force. Many Silhouettes had gathered on the deck, eagerly awaiting the Astraea’s arrival.
「It’s really true— the Astraea is the flagship now.」
「Yeah. Imagine being the flagship of the Corporate Alliance Fleet.」
「Well, we’re technically here as representatives of the Silhouette Base. We’ve got the official designation and everything.」
The fleet included many Silhouettes and fighters built by the Silhouette Base, some were produced by Aegis Corporation too.
「Robin-san, can you hear me?」
「Loud and clear. Welcome, Outis.」
「Thank you. Now that everyone’s here, I’d like to ask a favor.」
「A favor? What kind?」
「I’d like for us to honor Jack’s memory. Since this gathering is rare, I’d like to hold a moment of silence for one minute. I’d prefer for you, as his successor, to give the signal instead of me.」
「…Thank you for suggesting this. However, I’ll frame it as coming from you. And now, let us begin praying for Jack’s soul. Thank you for this gesture.」
This fleet, in a way, had been entrusted to Kou by Jack. Kou deeply felt the need to do something in his honor.
Robin, too, as the leader of General Arms, had been yearning for a way to properly mourn Jack. He hadn’t expected Outis to be the one to bring it up, but it was a welcome gesture. Following Outis’s suggestion, Robin ordered the Silhouettes to fire ceremonial salutes, and the fleet observed a solemn minute of silence to honor Jack’s memory.
「Thank you, Outis.」
「The feeling is mutual. I believe Jack protected this planet to the very end.」
「Indeed. We’ve inherited his will.」
Kou nodded in agreement as Robin ended the communication and quietly wiped his eyes. The unexpected ceremony strengthened Robin’s gratitude for having Outis as their leader.
With the moment complete, Kou returned to his seat, exhaling a brief sigh of relief. At that moment, Aimer approached him with news.
「Kou, two companies have requested to join. It seems that for corporate participation in the Aubade Force, they need approval from both you and me.」
「What? Why is that?」
「It’s likely because the Aubade Force was formed as a direct subordinate organization to you and Aimer. They’ve been waiting for your decision to proceed.」
「Sounds like some kind of fan club.」
「They are a little scary.」
「The term ‘Fan club’ is surprisingly accurate. Eirene likely organized this group with a similar kind of motivation.」
「Eirene, huh.」
Her decisiveness and ability to act were impressive, but she was the kind of person he struggled to deal with.
「Additionally, we’ve received participation requests from Skunk Technologies and Misumaru Heavy Industries.」
「Is it fine to approve them? If so, let’s give them the green light.」
「Understood. Skunk Technologies will coordinate with General Arms, while Misumaru Heavy Industries will work alongside Gogyou Heavy Industries.」
These partnerships seemed natural, as both companies had their respective allies. Coordinating their efforts would make things more efficient. Skunk Technologies primarily served as a research institution, and Misumaru Heavy Industries, with its medium-scale production capacity, could manage operations like the deployment of Ulysses’ forces without issue.
「Alright, that works for me.」
He couldn’t help but feel out of place in the command seat. He realized how much he had grown accustomed to piloting Unit 5’s MCS.
「How’s it feel? Missing the MCS yet?」
Barry’s teasing voice came through on the comms.
「Honestly, yeah.」
Barry chuckled knowingly. It was true—being on the frontlines in the heat of battle felt far more natural and liberating.
「Well then, you’re officially the Big Boss now. There’s no escaping it!」
Barry said with a teasing grin.
「Don’t you mean you won’t let me escape?」
「That’s exactly it. Standing in the spotlight is part of the deal. Your decision to step up has boosted morale across the board.」
「This is something I started. I’ll see it through to the end until we settle things with the Mercenary Association.」
「Now you’re talking. This time, you’re not just a pilot—you’re the commander too.」
「Yeah. The plan is to take out their core forces in an instant. After that, it’ll shift to a fleet battle. That’s when my role ends.」
「In an instant?!」
Barry repeated, skeptical. The idea of instantly neutralizing such a massive fleet seemed implausible.
「There are plenty of ways to do it. A straightforward option is to concentrate the full firepower of P336, R001, and the Silhouette Base. They’re mercenaries, after all, and likely aren’t accustomed to large-scale battles. Their primary strategy has always been stockpiling relic weapons as a deterrent.」
「So the frontline experience of those under the Mercenary Association Headquarters mostly comes from fighting Murders, right?」
「Exactly. I don’t know how many fighters they’ve got, but I doubt we’ll even see an air superiority battle. Their main focus will likely be using space battleships and cruisers to bombard our ground forces before attempting to seize control. But we won’t let them land.」
「True. They seem like the type to just charge in with battleships and rely on Silhouettes for suppression.」
「They don’t have the guts to go after the orbital elevator humanity just reclaimed. We’ll drive them back to the ocean before they get the chance.」
「Got it. That’s the plan, then.」
Kou’s assessment was spot-on. Normally, a fleet would include defensive carrier strike groups accompanying each ship. However, the Mercenary Association Headquarters relied entirely on their overwhelming firepower, forming a fleet composed solely of space vessels. The weaponry they carried was predictable—powerful, but limited in strategic flexibility.
「I’ll unleash the maximum firepower I can muster—a strike so earth-shattering it’ll shake the heavens and the earth,」
Barry’s smile froze, his expression quickly shifting to one of dread. Was Kou really planning to obliterate an entire space fleet? Was this some kind of dark joke? Barry knew that Kou wasn’t the type to make such jokes, but he found himself praying that this time, maybe he was.
「Shaking the heavens and the earth, huh? What’s your plan? Using electron-activated explosives? Or raining down Panjandrums on them?」
Kou had already pulled off something similarly catastrophic in the past, using the Wheel of Fortune Mark II, a Panjandrum laden with electron-activated explosives. The scale of destruction had been nothing short of earth-shattering.
「Yeah, it’s a bit of a masterpiece, thanks to Abel-san and Eirene’s help.」
「Why do I have a bad feeling about this?! Are you sure it’s safe?!」
Barry exclaimed, his voice rising in panic.
If something designed by those two and Kou was considered a ‘masterpiece’, it could only mean one thing—something absolutely terrifying. Barry was now certain that whatever it was, it was better left unspoken.
「You’ll see soon enough. A flashy strike is the best way to shatter their will to fight, don’t you think?」
Though Kou smirked mischievously, his eyes were devoid of humor. To Barry, he seemed like a completely different person—an unsettling sight from someone who normally exuded calm confidence.
AN:
Today’s chapter left at least one person reeling from shock after Kou’s words, so here’s a little bonus dialogue that didn’t quite make it into the main text:
Prometheus: 「Silhouettes can’t have finishing moves?! It looks like we’ll need to update Fennel right away!」
Astraea: 「Let’s let that one go, Prometheus.」
Prometheus: 「What do you mean?! Silhouettes can do throw techniques! They can totally have finishing moves too! Look, like F—ber—t or something!」
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