Transformable Unit — Shapeshifter
The strategy briefing for the R001 capture operation had begun.
「Kou, Hyoue-san, Kurt-san. The three of you will handle infiltrating Fortress Area R001’s sealed area.」
Barry started explaining the overall strategy.
「I’ve heard that only a Development Engineer plus one or two more people are able to enter the sealed area.」
「That’s because the shutters close back quite fast.」
When Kou first infiltrated a sealed area, only he and Blue were able to eventually enter.
「The three of them are all Development Engineers. They are also very capable fighters. Well, I suppose you could say humanity practically has no hope of winning if these three get taken down.」
All of those present didn’t event want to think of the consequences resulting in two A-Class Development Engineers and the only EX-Class Development Engineer getting taken out.
However, they also couldn’t think of an enemy force capable enough to thoroughly defeat the the three.
「Fortress Area R001 should be very well-protected. How exactly are we going to break inside it.」
「We will carry out an airborne operation. The Astraea, the Cimon, and the two amphibious assault ships will all invade. They will then airdrop Silhouettes directly on the target.」
「Deploying four ships at the same time is quite the big hand. What are you going to do about the defense of this place?」
「The Wangcheng Industrial Group is going to provide us 10,000 tanks. New Quattro Silhouettes will also be provided as needed. We’ve already added about a thousand units.」
「Wow, those are some amazing numbers.」
10,000 tanks were an extraordinary amount. And even a worker-type Quattro Silhouette was on par with a regular Bear when it comes to combat power. And naturally, combat-type Quattros held even more combat power.
「There’s a large demand for Quattros after all. Therianthropes from all over Asia are gathering in order to get their hands on one.」
「We’re also rushing to increase the production rate of the Lanius A1.」
「Kurt Maschinenbau is also currently in the middle of increasing the Falke’s production rate. The Badb Cathas are also being adopted by ace mercenaries.」
「Veteran mercenaries are also buying replacements for their machines after making enough money in battle. The reinforcements are enough to defend this base.」
Kou was convinced by Barry’s explanation.
「Are the ground troops under Rick already on the move?」
「That’s right. We’re going to conduct an airborne operation and rendezvous with the ground forces to punch straight through their defense line. And we also have the assistance of reliable reinforcements.」
「From Ulysses-affiliated transferee companies, right? I’ve heard that it’s a Japanese company, Gogyou Heavy Industries, and a British company, BAS.」
「Those two companies are famous for having rather sizeable private combat forces centered on naval units. We’re going for a pincer attack. The orbital elevator is just that important of a facility.」
「And we’re going to infiltrate in the middle of the chaos, right?」
「Of course, you can expect that the enemy has prepared traps for such situations, but it’s not like they can blow up the orbital elevator, right?」
「So, there’s a limit to the options they can take huh? Understood.」
「And besides, your escorts are pretty flashy.」
Barry grinned widely. He looked pretty confident.
「It’s an airborne special force centered on the transformable unit, Shapeshifter.」
Shapeshifter. It was the general term that referred to the current generation transformable Silhouettes.
Since the release of related technologies, transformable Silhouette models have seen a rapid growth. The term was taken from the ability to transform oneself to another form that was prevalent in mythology and popular culture on Earth.
After the general term was established, other more specific terms were introduced. The Shapeshifter Silhouettes equipped with metallic hydrogen generation reactors were referred to as SSS, and the ones with metallic hydrogen storage type reactors were called SS.
The S didn’t indicate being better than A or anything to that effect. It was simply used to denote that the machine was special.
「The special force will be composed of the Tachycineta Squadron, Heat Lightning Squadron, all of the Yoania transformable Silhouettes of Pleiades, and the flight-capable Badb Cathas. We are going to conduct this operation while making good use of this transformable airborne special force.」
Kou was greatly surprised by the formation proposed by Barry.
It can truly be said to be a gathering of elites.
「That’s already a pretty strong force in itself.」
「I’d already told you earlier, right? If the three of you get taken down, humanity is practically finished.」
「Shapeshifter Air Service. Or SAS for short. It’s a similar acronym to that of a famous special force unit on Earth.」
「I also thought of that too.」
Barry smiled after hearing Jenny’s remark.
The SAS was one of the most famous special forces groups on Earth. It was quite suited to a special transformable Silhouette unit made up of skilled elites.
「A transformable machine group, huh? That definitely is flashy.」
「The overall performance of transformable Silhouettes is generally average. Even the heavy-type Yoania has thinner armor compared to others of the same type. So, I decided to include Badb Cathas that don’t include a transformation function in their design. And besides, only a composition like this will be able to keep up with you three.」
「Well, I suppose that’s true.」
Kurt wryly smiled. The personal machines of Kou, Hyoue, and him all had powerful thrusters in order to close in on enemies in an instant, and they were also flight-capable in order to make full use of such thrusters.
If they weren’t transformable Silhouettes or high-performance machines of the same type as Kurt and the other’s machines like the Badb Catha, no other Silhouettes would be able to keep up and escort them.
「Capturing the orbital elevator is very important, but rescuing Asia is as well. We’re counting on you, Kou.」
Kou nodded in response. He had a premonition that they were about to undergo a very intense battle.
Aristides and Cimon. The two ships were currently flying side by side.
「Alright, commence the airdrop!」
With Barry’s command, Silhouettes on glider units began to soar down from the ships one after another.
It was a Silhouette-use glider airdrop. Gliders didn’t cost much, so they were used liberally.
They also considered using parachutes, but they ultimately decided on developing a disposable Silhouette-use glider since it would provide greater agency in the air.
The Argoforce ended up panicking.
Opposing the glider troops were a class of humans under the Stones called the Perioikoi who had their wills deprived of them. They manned heavy tanks at the front, supported by Armadillo heavy Silhouettes.
Even though they had been deprived of their wills, they still retained the ability to perceive danger and the ability to communicate. They were akin to absolutely obedient robots.
And they now felt threatened.
They felt threatened by the countless glider troops soaring above.
The troops that had made it to the ground quickly established a horizontal formation. The troops behind them also established a similar formation.
A heavy tank used its railgun to fire at a glider, but it took quick evasive action. The descending glider troops weren’t easy to hit.
A young Lacedaemon man riding the heavy tank Eber-1 shouted on his machine’s comms.
「Arrange your defensive formations! The enemy force is only composed of Silhouettes! They should be weak against the cooperation between our tanks and Silhouettes.」
If he did well in this battle, he would receive more rewards and his position within the Stones society will probably rise.
If he failed, he’d get turned into one of the Perioikoi instead. Hence, he was fighting desperately.
「There’s still some time before they advance on us. We can also expect enough reinforcements. You guys move to the front!」
Heavy tanks in the back and Silhouette infantry in the front.
This was a tactic that was ordered by Vasa. Its goal was to minimize the loss rate of the more valuable machines.
Countless Armadillos were marching across the plain.
This number of basic mass-produced Armadillos should pose enough of a threat against the Metal Iris forces.
「Captain! I have something to report.」
The report was from an Armadillo pilot stationed at the front of the formation.
「What is it?」
「Captain! Tanks are being dropped from the air as well!」
「What?! Did they use parachutes?!」
「They didn’t. They are being dropped as is.」
「What?!」
The Argoforce commander focused on his machine’s main screen.
Footage of tanks plummeting from the sky was certainly displayed on it.
「The airborne tanks have started dropping!」
A report reached Rick.
Rick’s screen also showed the tanks that were dropping from the Cimon-class.
「I’ll leave it to you all, Trooper 2.」
「Yes. We’ll be able to rendezvous with them in thirty minutes.」
A trooper unit composed of a thousand Quattros was currently running through the wilderness.
They were advancing at speeds of over 200 km/h. Even tanks were unable to keep up.
They were truly the very definition of cavalry. They rapidly sprinted on the ground in order to join up with the airborne forces as soon as possible.
A tank force was also moving at full speed. They reached a top speed of about 80 km/h while running on rough terrain.
They were much faster than the tanks on Earth, and they encountered no problems. It’s said that 10% of ground vehicles would break down after traveling for 500 kilometers, but there was no such worry on Planet Asia.
It would probably take them a few hours before they can meet up with the rest of the troops.
In addition, a supply unit and a mobile strike unit were following after them as well. Their numbers were far more than the tank unit.
「When I first heard we would be conducting an airborne operation, I was worried that there wouldn’t be any tanks present on the front line when it starts, but……」
Rick muttered as he watched tanks being continuously dropped from above.
Rick and Yunlan had known each other for a long time. It was only natural for Rick, a tank pilot, and Yunlan, who could be said to be a specialist when it comes to ground-based weapons, had gotten in contact with each other.
「Be sure to observe carefully, Kou. Even if they’re also considered unconventional weapons, the ones Mr. Yunlan designed are more grounded and make a lot more sense. This is important, so you absolutely have to take note.」
With complete trust in his comrades, Rick also marched forward, aiming to join the forces on the front lines as soon as he can.
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