The Weak Point of a Space Battleship
–Argonauts–
Castor’s Argoforce was once again forced to make a decision.
「They managed to endure our attack once more, huh? They are better than expected. Metal Iris.」
However, Castor seemed strangely at ease.
He was, after all, an immortal existence. For the Stones, having a biological body was simply a form of entertainment.
「We did not anticipate the participation of Astraea in the war as well as the formation of Ulysses.」
「They have Astraea, that surviving Super AI in charge of weapons development, helping them as well as Asia unlocking technology for them. In addition, the Development Engineers even formed Ulysses. The synergy between those three variables is quite outstanding.」
Vasa and Alberto expressed their impressions.
For them, the enemy force ended up possessing more combat power and potential than they first expected.
「No matter. We did manage to steal their technology through Old Jack. We’ve also managed to acquire technology through Libya. We will be able to conduct more tests for our new weapons in the next few months. That’s why we need them to do their best to hold on just a little bit longer.」
For Castor, the war with Metal Iris was nothing more than an opportunity to test the new weapons that they intended to replace the Murders with.
「The Megareus cannot move from here for a while. It has a fatal weakness after all. In the meantime, I want our troops to continue keeping the forces from P336 and R001 at bay.」
「Oh? That’s unexpected. I don’t think even the combined forces of the Astraea and Cimon would be able to contend with the Megareus though.」
「After all, the Megareus is but a single ship. It is a space battleship with a total length of more than 2 kilometers. If we let it take too much concentrated fire, it might get shot down. And in the worst case, the enemy might attempt something like ramming us directly with their amphibious assault spaceships.」
The power of Megareus was considerable.
However, Castor was endeavoring to make calm judgments without getting blinded by the space battleship’s strength.
「Well, that’s……」
「In order to minimize that risk, we have crushed several Defense Domes and retrieved their A-Cabuncles. We will manufacture aircraft carriers using those Carbuncles.」
It would be difficult to apply the concept of an escort fleet to a space battleship.
Castor’s goal was to operate aircraft carriers as expendable weapons and to make them serve as diversions and obstructions since they could not hope to keep up with the Megareus itself.
「Nonetheless, with the presence of the Megareus alone, the range of activity of their starships had been limited to a certain extent. So, there is no particular need to move from our current location, is there?」
「Indeed. If they attempted to fly close, they would get shot down by concentrated fire.」
「Conversely, the enemy’s main target will also be this ship.」
「We are using it as a front-line base after all. For now, we will replenish our military strength and deploy each unit with the Megareus as the focal point.」
Vasa nodded at Castor’s words.
「The Aberration Arms also proved to be quite useful. In situations where enemy forces outnumber them, they would be dealt with eventually. However, we can turn things around once we’ve prepared enough of them to overwhelm the enemy troops.」
「It is thanks to the efforts of both of you that our combat strength on the ground is quite reliable.」
Vasa placed the highest emphasis on mass production, and Alberto prioritized high firepower.
Although their respective design philosophies couldn’t be more different, their ideas highly synergized with the other and led to exceptional results.
「I’m thinking of making a custom machine for our elite troops.」
「What about the Corvus? I do like that machine.」
「It’s a bit lacking in mobility. I plan to assign the Raven and Corvus to our combat special forces. But I’m thinking of making a machine for our main assault troops as well.」
「I’m looking forward to it then, Vasa.」
「Please leave it to me.」
Castor, who places his trust in his subordinates and assigns them duties that make full use of their respective abilities, was quite a respectable commanding officer. He displayed a flexible way of thinking that you wouldn’t expect from a Stone.
「I will help design and improve the Aberration Arms then.」
「I leave that to you, Alberto. We must conduct research on a tank that can freely walk just like our land cruisers.」
Instead of mocking his nickname as the Bombardment Lord, Vasa thought that Castor’s way of lighting a fire in Alberto was quite masterful.
For Alberto whose work had never been properly recognized before, Castor’s trust in him had instilled him with unparalleled motivation.
「Vasa, continue endeavoring to push the front line. We cannot afford to let up the pressure on the enemy.」
「Understood.」
「Alberto, speed up the Aberration Arms production. Make as many varieties as possible.」
「It’s to figure out which among them is the most effective, correct? Leave it to me.」
「That’s correct. Just as the dinosaurs perished, allowing for the rise of mammals, the theropod-type Aberration Arms may not be the optimal form. It is also possible that more conventional weapons would prove to be ideal in the end.」
Castor also applied his calm and collected approach to the weapons they were creating.
He fully intended to immediately discontinue the production of useless and non-cost-effective weapons.
「Compared to wheels and treads, legs have comparatively more parts and their balance tends to be more unstable after all. It’s one of their main weaknesses.」
「Exactly. Ultimately, we may end up going with conventional designs, quadrupeds, and insect-types. Hence, make sure to keep collecting detailed data.」
「Yes!」
「Summon Libya.」
Castor ordered his subordinate at the combat command center of the Megareus after Vasa and Alberto left.
「Castor-sama…… That Libya is……」
「I see. Its surface personality has been lost.」
Castor sighed.
The surface personality of the Super AI Libya was currently missing. It was close to turning insane when equated to a human’s condition.
They had assumed that Libya’s surface personality had been evacuated somewhere, but even with all their current power and resources, the Stones had no clue as to where it would have gone.
「The final plan Libya proposed before it went rampant was to launch an attack in the guise of sending supplies, correct?」
「Yes. It had launched an attack on Asia using the pretense of sending over supplies from space. It’s hoped that the attack would reveal the location of Astraea’s main base and inflict considerable damage to it at the same time.」
「So, we cannot find Astraea’s main base unless we land a direct hit on it. It is most likely the so-called Silhouette Base.」
Castor also wanted to acquire the Silhouette Base.
It was a secret base located in a mountain range that was personally inspected by personnel sent by the Mercenary Association.
It’s said that it housed a huge residential area and production facilities on par with large Fortress Areas.
「What about the Stones personnel stationed on Planet Libya?」
「It seems they have evacuated. What happened to those who were left behind is still unknown.」
「And the humans they were managing?」
「All of them are unaccounted for. Based on the data, they had most likely all died.」
「To think it would turn into a planet overrun by Murders.」
Some sort of internal war seemed to have occurred on Planet Libya.
It’s said that the Murders had resorted to destroying one another.
The main cause was said to be the sauropod group of Murders being developed.
「No matter. Libya was originally an experimental planet that was used to test the ecosystem management program. Even if there are still humans running loose there, they would eventually die off anyway.」
Castor inquired once more.
「When will that attack land?」
「From the looks of it, most likely tomorrow sir.」
「An attack in the guise of sending supplies huh? It is quite a nasty and underhanded method. I really do not want to confront an AI that has turned rampant.」
Castor crossed his arms and pondered.
Libya’s attack. Just what was its actual goal–?
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