Urban Domination by Paratrooper Units via Airborne Assault
Three approaching aerial carriers loomed ahead. Their forms matched those previously identified. Two advanced carriers led the way, with one following behind. Countless escort aircraft and small transport ships accompanied them.
The defensive network of the P336 Fortress Area unleashed all its firepower. The anti-ship railguns, positioned in the mountainous regions, fired relentlessly. Air-to-air missiles and ballistic missiles were intercepted by electromagnetic barriers and anti-air defenses. Targeting the rapidly moving aerial carriers with anti-ship ballistic missiles, was difficult due to the need to launch them into ballistic trajectories.
The anti-aircraft barrage from the Astraea took interception actions. The Cimon, which was farther away, launched massive high-speed glide bombs to support the artillery. Large, high-performance missiles, equipped with Whis reactors, aimed directly at the aerial carriers, delivered devastating blows.
「One more hit, and we can take down the first one.」
Barry, who was on the pilot house of the Cimon, located at a considerable distance from the P336 Fortress Area, muttered unable to hide his anxiety. The leading aerial carrier began to spew fire.
「The enemy aerial carrier has started deploying armed units!」
「What! It’s still far from the base, isn’t it?」
「The enemy units are Arachne models. There are also hover-type Aberration Silhouettes.」
「They still had so many Arachne models!」
The Arachne models, equipped with metallic hydrogen generation reactors, should have been extraordinarily costly to produce. The information acquired by the sensors showed that their numbers exceeded two hundred units.
Even a single unit possessed power equal to or surpassing that of the Eponas.
The hover-type Aberration Silhouettes were of the same kind as those previously captured. Their performance was inferior compared to the Arachne, but their numbers were a threat in itself, nearly a thousand units were confirmed.
「Units are descending from the aerial carrier in the second row as well. New models are being dropped with parachutes!」
「The combat vehicles won’t be able to move in the half-ruined urban district of the Fortress Area. They’re planning to do an airborne assault and engage on urban warfare.」
The new Silhouettes of the Argoforce parachuted down one after another. Their sheer number created an overwhelming spectacle.
「We’ve employed similar tactics before, but this is on a different scale. Reorganize the remaining forces in the P336 Fortress Area. … No, we don’t have enough troops. Move them into the lower levels of the Fortress Area.」
「The smoke makes it impossible!」
「Order them to enter once they are able to, there is still time. The enemy won’t be able to break through immediately either.」
「The leading aerial carrier attempted to disengage but it has lost its ability to keep flying. It seems to be making an emergency landing. The second aerial carrier is also currently trying to disengage. The third one is accelerating further!」
「So the third one was the main target. Damn it! Switch attack targets to the third aerial carrier! Is the air force of the P336 Fortress Area wiped out?」
「Thanks to Big Boss’s orders they were able to retreat to the underground hangars in the bunker, but the runways are unusable and are under repair.」
「Understood. Thank you. The flames haven’t died down yet, have they?」
「No. The interior of the P336 Fortress Area is still filled with jets of flames, making any deployment difficult.」
「If the enemy is using Silhouette units in urban combat now, it means they are using the elite commando units that they have preserved until now, it seems.」
Until now, the enemy Silhouettes had primarily been piloted by the periokoi, the humans under the Stones that were allowed resident class, and the helots, the slave class. This time, however, they seemed to have mobilized the selected humans under the Stones, the upper class, the Lakedaimon.
「How many paratrooper units are there?」
「Approximately two thousand units.」
「That’s quite the number. The third carrier probably has a similar load.」
Then came the most urgent report.
「Commander Barry!」
「What is it?」
The operator’s voice was unusually high-pitched.
「It’s an emergency! Asia and Admiral Aimer have merged!」
「…What?」
Barry couldn’t comprehend what he was hearing.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Asia and Aimer, who had just merged together, boarded Unit 5 and used the data link to assess the situation.
「Current status: Of the three aerial carriers, one has been destroyed, and the second one has retreated. However, their deployed units remain active. The enemy forces consist of approximately 200 Arachne units, 500 new model Aberration Silhouettes, and 2,000 paratrooper units.」
「That’s a staggering number.」
「This might also be a decoy. The last carrier at the rear is accelerating, it’s now passing over the P336 Fortress Area. It has started deploying airdrop-capable dragoon tanks and Silhouettes while circling at low speed.」
「An urban domination operation, huh? And they’re even deploying dragoon tanks.」
「About a thousand enemy transformable Silhouettes, model Arular, and its improved models seem to be escorting the final aerial carrier. The units deployed around the P336 Fortress Area are entirely new models. We’ve also confirmed the presence of a Raven unit.」
「The elite Argoforce unit, huh? So they have gotten serious…」
The Ravens’ performance matched that of the enhanced Lanius C models. In fact, you could say that the Lanius C had slightly worse performance in some situations, mainly due to the difference in maneuverability. If you considered overall performance, including acceleration and flight capabilities, the Lanius C had an edge over them.
「To all defense units of P336 Fortress Area. This is Asia’s Aimer. As the priestess of Asia, I am now descending… no, I have merged with Asia. I will take command of the defense units.」
Aimer’s message reached all P336 Fortress Area. She corrected herself because Asia was not a goddess but an AI. While many inhabitants of the planet regarded Asia as a goddess, Asia herself didn’t like to be seen as a god.
A stir arose in various locations.
「We are currently reorganizing our forces using the underground facilities. Combat activities on the damaged surface level are significantly restricted. Off-road capability is crucial. Many terrains are becoming difficult for wheeled armored vehicles to navigate. Switch to artillery support vehicles. I will directly relay data communications.」
Asia’s Aimer gave orders through the rear terminal of Unit 5. In the urban areas reduced to rubble, vehicles with off-road capabilities, especially the ones that were able to overcome trenches and climb steep inclines were the only ones that could move. Combat vehicles that used tracks clearly had the advantage in such conditions.
「…Maybe we can use the half-tracks? Luckily, the heated support from many members of the supply unit made us stock half-track armored vehicles. We will form tank and half-track units. In urban combat, Silhouettes will be necessary.」
She checked the number of combat Silhouettes.
「The Silhouette units including the ones belonging to Metal Iris, Ulysses, and the mercenary units, total over three thousand. Quattro Workers will also be deployed equipped with additional armament, so we have enough numbers. Standard Silhouette Workers will focus on supply operations.」
Even with additional armament, the combat capabilities of Worker Silhouettes were limited. It was evident that they wouldn’t be able to maintain the line against the enemy’s elite units.
「I will now send individual instructions to each unit. Let’s do our best to defend the Fortress Area, everyone.」
Aimer addressed the defense forces and then cut off the open channel. She provided detailed instructions while monitoring the status of each unit. An urgent text communication arrived, prompting her to check it.
「The Silhouette Base’s underground factory is communicating through Astraea’s terminal. They are requesting approval to use part of the underground railway network. The request came in as a text since we were in the middle of addressing everyone.」
「I’ll allow it. We can’t use the A-Carbuncle-powered trains either way, right?」
「Yeah. They will probably send rail-road vehicles. I’ve also confirmed the temporary dispatch of reserve forces and registered Familiars. They’ll send the data on the weaponry later.」
「We’ve managed until now thanks to unexpected reinforcements, but we can’t expect anything more. This is probably the maximum force we have.」
「I’ve also secretly prepared something. About a thousand Boon fighters.」
「What?」
「Those can be mass-produced on the civilian’s production line, it is not necessary to use the weapon’s production line. I plan to deploy them once the smoke clears. They don’t need long runways either thanks to their propellers!」
「As expected of a unit made of wood and water. Thank you, Asia.」
The aircraft fighter, Boon, designed by the now missing Abel, was made of resin nanocellulose and Aqua Material, a substance made almost entirely of water. It was equipped with propellers and electromagnetic armor making them suited to defense. Asia secretly mass-produced them for an emergency.
「Aimer-chan, something incredible is happening! Ah! Maybe I should call you Asia’s Aimer now?」
「I was surprised! What’s going on?」
Jenny and Barry simultaneously requested communication.
「A lot happened. Right now, I am both Aimer and Asia, so you can call me whatever you want.」
「What did happen…?」
「I understand now! Your feelings for Kou-kun made you merge into one.」
「How did you figure that out? But yes, that’s exactly it, Jenny.」
「This is not the time to be joking around!」
「Didn’t you have a better moment to merge together?」
Hearing Kou and Barry grumble, Jenny and Asia’s Aimer burst into laughter.
「We are currently assembling all the transformable Silhouettes we can find. We will send the Takishineta unit, the Pleiades unit, and the Type-2 flying boats filled with as many units as possible. Try to hold until they arrive.」
「Type 0’s from the R001 Fortress Area are also on their way. It was fortunate that we switched the industrial zone to mass-producing Type 0s before this. There are three hundred Type 0s alone. I’m counting on you, Kou.」
「Understood. Thanks, both of you.」
As Aki predicted, Kou, who had fallen in love with the Type 0s, had requested Gogyou Heavy Industries to allow Misumaru Heavy Industries to produce them under license. All newly built Type 0’s were supplied inexpensively for veteran pilots.
After ending the communication with Jenny and Barry, Kou spoke to Aimer, who was in the rear seat.
「Aimer, how are the defense preparations?」
「The instructions for the reorganization of the rapid response units are complete. We must protect this place at any cost.」
Aimer who had finished reorganizing the defense reported to Kou.
「Yes, we will surely defend it.」
At that moment, another communication came through.
「This is Müller from Kurt Corporation. Big Boss, Asia’s Aimer, the Badb Catha unit is ready to deploy.」
「Müller-san! Didn’t you evacuate?」
Kou exclaimed in surprise. He had issued evacuation orders to all Development Engineers.
「Kou-san, if we retreat now, it will be the third time we had to retreat. We would be driven from our homes for the third time. We won’t endure that another time. This isn’t someone else’s fight. This is our fight.」
「You’re right, Müller. This is also our fight. Kou-kun, hold on a bit longer. We are also heading to the P336 Fortress Area.」
「Kurt-san!」
Then, an unexpected person connected to the communication line.
「I know all too well the pain of being driven from the place you call home. Let me help you, you two! You understand too, right, Unit 5?」
Hyoe appeared on the screen, his face was filled with sorrow, likely due to recalling the events from five years ago.
「The elite unit from TAKABA will join the battle. Yes, those were truly hard times. We can’t let Kurt-san and his team experience that a third time.」
「We, who know the day the first TAKABA fell, also want to protect this place.」
Kawakage and Yuzuki joined in. They, too, had been there five years ago.
The TAKABA unit had not evacuated either.
「Thank you!」
「Don’t mention it. As Müller said, this is our fight too. Let’s see how many we can take down.」
「Chairman, please don’t sound so excited about it.」
「Sorry about that.」
Kou smiled at Hyoue’s and Yuzuki’s banter.
「Hyoe-san, Kurt-san, I have a request. I need you to…」
Kou began to explain the method to open the deepest control room without extracting the A-Carbuncle, a method only usable by an A-class Development Engineer. Originally, the P336 Fortress Area was under enemy control, it wouldn’t be strange for the enemy to know its underground structure.
「Got it, Kou. You stay in the deepest part and defend it. You’re close, right? Hold the line there. We can’t even imagine how the enemy might infiltrate it.」
「No, Hyoe-san, you should…」
「You need to protect Asia. Besides, she’s right there behind you. Don’t forget you have many things to protect at your back.」
Protecting Asia and protecting the deepest layer of the Fortress Area was the same thing. Kou realized this after being reminded. Many depended on him. Defending the deepest layer was the top priority only he could handle now.
「We trust you, Kou-kun. But in the unlikely event you fail, Hyoe and I will reclaim the authority over the control room. Do you feel a bit more at ease now?」
Kurt said with a smile.
「Oh! As expected of Kurt-san. Well said!」
「Understood. I’ll leave the surface to you and the TAKABA unit!」
「Got it! Let’s go, Kawakage, Chiba.」
「Yes!」
The moment the smoke ceased would signal the start of the battle. The largest urban battle on planet Asia was about to begin.
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