Tachyons of Imaginary Particles and Superbradyons of Positive Real Particles Part 2
「Let’s discuss something more understandable. We’ll accelerate the Astraea using gravity assists. Have you heard of slingshot maneuvers?」
「That, I understand.」
Since metalworking industries frequently discussed space-related topics, Kou was somewhat familiar with planetary exploration. Space was a booming sector for metalworking, much like the auto industry once was. Various planetary probe missions had made headlines on Earth.
「We’ll use a gravity assist from Planet Asia to accelerate into deep space. Once in orbit around Planet Libya, we’ll perform an orbital injection burn to set a descent point toward the planet’s surface.」
「The real issue is what to do if the Mythology Weapons attack us.」
「Exactly. While it’s uncertain whether they will actually attack this ship—considering Libya, their creator, is aboard—we cannot afford to be complacent.」
「By the way, Kinukawa-san mentioned that he was developing additional space combat armor for the Silhouettes—or rather, for the Lanius. Even if combat is forbidden, it’s possible we will need them to work outside or make repairs to the ships.」
「Yes, I’ve already received the blueprints. He offered to let me modify or oversee production if necessary, but as expected of Kinukawa, the design is already near-optimal for current space combat conditions. There’s no need for adjustments.」
「Hearing you give unreserved praise like that… the designs must be impressive, as expected of Kinukawa-san.」
「Those who have mastered their field will always strive to achieve the best possible results with the tools available to them. Kou, you have much to learn from him.」
「Understood.」
「You should be learning from Kinukawa, not from Marujin.」
「Why are you bringing up Marujin?!」
Astraea had a clear desire to keep Kou away from Abel.
「Now that limits on development have been lifted, the fundamentals are more important than ever. This is no time to be building underground Panjandrums. Or do you want to sit through another round of lectures from everyone?」
Apparently, Astraea disapproved of the new weapon Kou was developing. While it could be effective for ambushes, there was absolutely no reason for a spinning-wheel-shaped weapon to tunnel underground.
「I’m sorry. I’ve reflected on it. I just hit a wall with the improvement plans of the Lanius-D.」
Kou was fond of the concept of equipping Silhouette armor onto fighter aircraft, but he hadn’t been able to achieve satisfactory performance.
In the first place, Abel had pioneered the practical application of mounting Silhouettes onto fighters. Kou had unknowingly become too influenced by him, which concerned Astraea.
The whole mess started when Kou, deeply impressed by Marujin’s moving mines, wondered—what if a mine could move through the ground? He shared the idea with Abel, who immediately got excited. Before long, both Abel and Eirene got on board, and they enthusiastically began development. However, while they were working on it, Hyoue—who happened to be nearby—asked Asia: ‘Hey, uh… is it really okay that they’re building some kind of underground Panjan-whatever over here?’. Once Asia got wind of it, she immediately told Astraea.
Hyoue himself had been involved in the development of Meros, which had already caused a major uproar. When he learned that the Panjandrum that triggered the tectonic tsunami in the last battle used an application of Meros’s P-MAX technology, he felt a strong sense of alarm.
Thus, the Drill Panjandrum project was shut down due to Astraea’s intervention.
「At the very least, use that technology to make a tank or a fighter jet.」
「Yes.」
Kou obediently apologized. He had to admit, it didn’t have to be a Panjandrum. He had let the idea get too ridiculous.
「Let’s get back on topic. Ulysses is operating under the assumption that Mythology Weapons pose a significant threat. They have also thoroughly assessed logistical issues. The main force is composed of close-combat units armed with LD Rifles.」
「At this point, we can’t afford to worry about costs. The enemy’s armor composition is unknown, and we have no idea how effective our weapons will be against them.」
「Exactly. Our first step is reconnaissance. Additionally, we are dealing with massive Mythology Weapons comparable in size to space battleships. They aren’t even mechanical lifeforms, so we should recognize them as sentient weapons.」
「Wouldn’t Libya, their creator, be able to do something about them?」
「That is a possibility. There should also be friendly large-scale Mythology Weapons. However…」
「However?」
Kou was surprised—Astraea being hesitant was rare.
「If these weapons are remnants from the Interplanetary War, then we can manage. However, the situation will be far more difficult if they use relics from the Pioneer era as their base.」
「Wait… those still exist?」
Kou was taken aback.
The Pioneer era had been tens of thousands of years ago, dating back to the 25th century, when humans had first transferred into the Nemesis System.
Kou only knew that large-scale battles had occurred during that era and that it marked the first human quantumization.
「Planet Libya has visible remnants of that time. There is a designated most critical sealed zone, known as ‘Etna’, within which the Pioneer Era’s ultimate weapon, Typhon, remains sealed in a deactivated state.」
「I really don’t want to deal with something called an ultimate weapon.」
For Astraea to use the word ultimate, it had to be something far beyond human comprehension.
「Typhon was created by Sophia to annihilate super AIs. However, there is no concern of it being reactivated. The current planetary management AIs are not among its targets, and the super AIs it was meant to destroy no longer exist.」
「Is there a reason why the current AIs are not its target?」
「There is a clear reason. Typhon was created to destroy the super AIs based on Olympian deities—such as Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Hermes—which managed the Nemesis System during the Old Pioneer Era. These were marked for destruction. On the other hand, super AIs modeled after the Titan gods, such as Okeanus and Prometheus, were designated as protected entities.」
「Wait… so the current super AIs are actually its allies?」
「That’s correct. As long as Typhon isn’t provoked, it should pose no threat whatsoever.」
「And what about you, Astraea? Are you safe?」
「There’s no need to worry. I bear the name of the goddess Astraea, who, according to mythology, is the daughter of Astraeus and Eos, making her a Titan deity. Typhon wouldn’t target me. Besides, my original core has been destroyed already. Typhon wouldn’t even acknowledge my existence.」
「That’s a relief.」
Kou let out a breath of relief.
The last thing he wanted was to encounter the strongest weapon ever created by Sophia, and he certainly wasn’t about to let Astraea get caught in its wake.
The super AIs in the Nemesis Battlefront appeared to be even more influenced by Greek mythology than Kou had initially thought. Perhaps the moment they were modeled after the gods, this outcome had become inevitable.
「Well, at least Ulysses is putting in the effort this time.」
「Forming a joint corporate venture to facilitate planetary expansion was a groundbreaking proposal. Naturally, they’re eager to proceed.」
「It’s strange that something like this hadn’t existed before. But I guess there are no Transferees with experience in space and you also need a large enough military force, so it makes sense.」
「Exactly. And there’s also the greater cause—saving Planet Libya.」
「And what about that thing—the proposal from Ulysses? The Panjandrum-like device they suggested? It does align with the plan we’ve been working on.」
「Ah, the decoy operation. Given the time constraints, we can at least fabricate the external structure. With Asia as the main hub, we’ll also enlist the help of Eunomia and Eirene to complete it as quickly as possible.」
「We need to reach Planet Libya as soon as possible. She’s Asia’s sister—we have to help her.」
「Right now, we have a little room to spare. Let’s do this together.」
Astraea was willing to commit her full effort.
That alone was enough to reassure Kou.
AN:
On Tachyons and Superbradyons
This time, I also introduced tachyons and superbradyons.
Since tachyons can only move above the speed of light (with light being their minimum speed), it seems more likely that superbradyons—which have positive mass and energy—would be discovered first.
On MAHEM (Magnetohydrodynamic Explosive Munition) and Its Impact
Planet Asia, where railguns and combustion-based light gas guns were the mainstream weapons, has now been introduced to liquid metal MAHEM rounds—even if only a simplified version.
While MAHEM rounds are somewhat vulnerable to electromagnetic armor (since they can be triggered prematurely, reducing their penetration capability), they prove unexpectedly effective against non-electromagnetic antique-class armor.
Comment (0)