Toward the Postwar System part 2
「The era of weapons development for the Asia War is over.」
「Does that mean weapons development is going to slow down now? What are going to do from now on?」
During the Asia War, weapons were developed based on immediate needs and anticipated future scenarios.
「You don’t know?」
Kelly interjected with a sly grin.
「Now’s when weapons development begins.」
Everyone present let out bitter smiles or sighs at his statement. Human history had proven this pattern time and again.
「Huh?」
「Think about it, in the past, weapons were developed to overcome immediate challenges. In the Nemesis theather, the opening up of technology greatly expanded the arsenal of weapons we could build. Even if you look back at Earth’s history, most of the weapons that played critical roles in wars were researched long before the wars started. Elements developed during wartime were often groundbreaking but rarely made it into practical use before the war ended. There’s a cycle to this.」
Kurt concluded, his tone carrying a mix of understanding and resignation.
「The twin reactors and the new material production methods hardly had any impact on existing weapons, right?」
「That’s true…」
The technologies acquired after liberating the R001 Fortress Area and Asia—like the new power packs and materials—had seen minimal application so far.
「The enemy is likely in the same position. They’ve been experimenting with Aberration Arms and Aberration Silhouettes, trying to figure out what works best. True weapon deployment will only start from here.」
「Both sides will now use their accumulated technology to build new models, counterbalancing each other. There is also the issue of developing countermeasures against mass destruction weapons like carrier bombs and the use of mass weaponry from space. For a while, it’ll be a standoff. Under normal circumstances, it’d lead to a Cold War.」
Kurt’s insights into Aberration Silhouettes and Kelly’s historical perspective painted a grim picture.
「Under normal circumstances?」
「Here’s the thing, the ultimate authority over the technological releases on this planet belongs to Asia—and by extension, you. That giant laser of yours? Yeah, that scared the hell out of me.」
「Th-that was…」
「Your decision was the right one. Imagine if you’d released everything without limits. We’d just be repeating the Interplanetary War, and even the purpose behind Sophia’s reset would be meaningless. That’s my apprentice for you!」
「He’s our apprentice too.」
Kelly exclaimed with pride, and Yunlan protested quietly. The processes and concepts Kou employed had been learned from all of them.
「Can’t argue with that.」
「Asia mentioned it as well, this latest technological release is the last major one. Even Asia, the one who holds the highest level of authority can’t release any more technology.」
「It’s true that what we can do now has expanded significantly. We’re experimenting, but there are just so many parts to work with.」
Kinukawa, who specialized in aviation, said with a pleased expression.
「Same story as Earth. We’ll build new weapons, the surplus will end in the hands of third countries, and watch the cycle repeat.」
「…Now that I think about it, that was the first thing I was taught. When technological releases accelerate, weapons development follows, and surplus weapons end up fueling new conflicts.」
He remembered learning this from Master when he first met Astraea.
「The war made it even clearer. We need to enhance our defensive capabilities and prepare to face the entire Argonautae led by the Stones. But more than anything, we’re short on manpower.」
「Exactly, the other continents don’t even have the forces to counter the Murders. They lack even basic tanks to oppose them.」
Barry agreed with Kelly’s point. While Murders were considered outdated among their forces, they were still a significant threat elsewhere. Other continents were barely equipped to defend themselves.
「Even if this region enjoys temporary peace, wars are still raging on the other two continents. Humanity is losing ground. Some mercenary organizations are holding their ground, but the main Mercenary Association headquarters has gone missing. They’re asking us for help. Thankfully, Okeanos is managing things in their absence, so the Mercenary Association as a whole still functions.」
Barry sighed heavily. While their immediate region might enjoy a fleeting local peace, it was nothing more than an isolated calm amidst a storm enveloping the rest of the world.
「We’d like to help, but…」
Kou trailed off, fully understanding the situation. Metal Iris and Ulysses simply didn’t have the capacity to manage the issues of other continents on top of their own.
「We’re corporations, if someone’s got the money, we’ll sell our products. Currently, there are five major factions at play.」
「Five? That many?」
「Let me explain, first, there’s the Stones and the Argonautae. That one’s obvious. The Argoforce was the part of their army commanded by Castor, and they were mainly based here in the Scheelite Continent.」
Barry said, pulling up a map of planet Asia to provide a clearer picture.
「Yeah.」
Kou knew them well, they were the formidable opponent they’d fought against. Even that powerful force was just a regional army. Seeing the reinforcements and massive fleet that arrived during the war made it clear that the Stones’ overall military and industrial strength was immense.
「Next, there are mercenary organizations affiliated with the Argonautae. A lot of them were composed of criminals, often on the Familias’ watchlist. But now, many are joining the Argonautae simply because of money. Since they seem to operate through the Mercenary Association, if Ulysses’ corporations supply weapons to the Association, our weapons could end up in their hands, and by extension the Argonautae’s hands.」
「It’s not like we can just refuse to sell to mercenaries.」
「We won’t sell the new models, at most, they’ll get older Silhouettes, like the metal hydrogen storage types. We’ll be careful about that. To put it bluntly, this is an opportunity to clear out old stock. At least we can afford to be selective about our customers. On the flip side, they’ll probably be able to buy Argoforce’s silhouettes.」
「I see. That alone is reassuring.」
「The third faction is us—the Ulysses-affiliated companies and the Metal Iris regular forces. We’ll have to decide carefully when and where to dispatch units, depending on the situation.」
「We’re neither a nation nor a charity. For now, we’re not planning large-scale operations. However, if the other two continents fall completely under enemy control, our position will become precarious. Eventually, they’d bring the fight to this region.」
Jenny was clearly against aggressive deployment.
「The fourth faction is mercenary groups on our side—those aligned with Ulysses and Metal Iris, it would be ideal to establish a system where they can participate without going through the Mercenary Association. The Association isn’t exactly trustworthy.」
Kou nodded in agreement. The Mercenary Association’s strict neutrality made it unreliable in this context, as it could easily support both sides for the right price.
「And the fifth and final faction, is the Mercenary Association headquarters itself. Despite its missing central leadership, the organization still functions. They’ve long been a key player in managing the planet’s balance, mediating personnel and underground forces to whoever pays the most. Their influence remains significant.」
「We might end up negotiating with them. Even though they handed over control of the Fortress Areas to us, there’s always a chance they’ll demand it back.」
「And if that happens, it’ll be war.」
The classic case of exploiting others’ exhaustion to claim everything for oneself. They might be waiting for the right moment to swoop in and take it all.
If it came to that, Kou was prepared to resist with everything he had.
「This is going to be a complicated matter.」
「Not really, we’re in an era where the concept of nations is weak. Five major mercenary groups and the reallocation of corporate assets—those are the core elements of the postwar system on planet Asia.」
「That’s an over-optimistic view, Barry.」
「Don’t be a spoilsport Asia.」
Barry replied with a grimace. He clearly preferred to keep things simple.
「My guess is that the real postwar framework—what you’d call regime change—is still ahead of us. We’ll likely see one or two more major upheavals. The world can no longer rely on the Mercenary Association to manage itself.」
「Why do you say that?」
「In the past, it was the Keres—or rather, the Murders—against the mercenaries. But now it’s different. This is a battle between human organizations. That changes everything.」
「True.」
A new organization—the Argonautae—was unlike anything before. It was a military force of brainwashed and controlled individuals, commanded by demigods—the Hemitheos—that worked as the point of lance for the Stones.
「There are also movements to establish states on the two other continents. It seems they want to protect their Fortress Areas and Defense Domes themselves. The world before and after the Asia War is completely different. The age of turmoil may just be beginning.」
「So You understand Barry.」
「I was hoping you’d tell me I’m wrong, Asia.」
Asia felt reassured by Barry’s understanding, while Barry himself felt increasingly despairing after having his grim outlook confirmed.
「I think I’ll stay out of the spotlight for a while.」
「That’s for the best, you are the ace pilot who took down the Corvus ridden by the Hemitheos that commanded the Argoforce. You’re probably a bounty target now, along with Marujin.」
「Huh? Why Marujin?」
「Because the one who came up with a way to half-destroy Megareus in a single strike would obviously be seen as a threat. Even if they think you were the mastermind, Marujin’s involvement would make her a target too.」
「Great, guess I’ll be holing up at Silhouette Base for a while.」
Kou longed to retreat with Astraea and take things slow.
「That’s great! You now have time for study sessions with us, Kou-kun.」
「And for training.」
Yunlan and Hyoue eargely dashed Kou’s expectations for a slow life.
「Indeed. Go and learn everything you can at the Academy.」
Rick said with a sly smile, making it clear the decision had already been made.
「Study again?!」
Kou’s lament was met with laughter from the group.
Comment (0)