Chapter 64: The Assault of the Giant Worm
“Deploy the Electromagnetic Catapult!”
With Ringo’s command, the upper hatch of the Multi-legged Ground Mother Unit opened on the display. A sleek, rod-like electromagnetic catapult rose smoothly, reaching a length of about 10 meters. As it stood upright, the Wide-area Surveillance Drone was secured in its launch position.
“Wide-area Surveillance Drone, launching now.”
With a resonating electromagnetic pulse, the drone was instantly accelerated and ejected from the Ground Mother Unit. Upon reaching an altitude of approximately 50 meters, it deployed its four propellers and began its reconnaissance.
“Tactical Link with the drone established. Displaying analysis map.”
Receiving data from the drone, the Ground Mother Unit’s computer began to analyze the surrounding information: electromagnetic wave map, time analysis, and sound wave detection. Approximately 30 meters behind the delegation, directly beneath the roadway.
“Mark. Estimated target: Worm. Its movement speed is decreasing. The detected vibrations are rapidly dissipating. At this rate, normal human sensory organs would hardly notice it. It is moving underground, but there is barely any sound of excavation.”
“You noticed it quite well.”
“Yes, Ma’am. We have been continuously detecting underground vibrations with each Multi-legged Tank. I was considering the possibility of approaching footsteps, but since the worm was outside our search parameters, we were slow to notice. My apologies.”
Though Ringo expressed regret, the creature was an unknown monster. Given its characteristic of moving underground, it was expected to either move much slower or create a significant noise, leading to an unexpected encounter. In fact, the rapid detection of the worm from the slightest vibrations was a stroke of luck.
“Since we weren’t caught off guard, there’s no problem. More importantly, what should we do next?”
While following Ringo’s lead, she displayed a posture of reliance, engaging in a sophisticated information warfare tactic to uplift the mood. Such delicate consideration helped stabilize the psyche of the super-intelligent entity.
“Yes, Ma’am. The depth remains unchanged, and it is still moving. It is likely to launch a surprise attack from directly below.”
“Once the prey stops moving, it will likely swallow us whole from below… That’s quite ruthless.”
Nevertheless, they had grasped the enemy’s position. A surprise attack was unlikely now.
“At this point, the mechanism by which the worm detects positions remains unclear. Is it through sound, vibrations, or something else? However, if we stay as we are, we will be at a severe disadvantage as it approaches from directly below.”
“…Should we move? The Multi-legged Tanks can accelerate, but the carriage cannot…”
“The carriage can be pushed by the Multi-legged Tanks if necessary. However, I cannot guarantee the safety of the people or cargo inside.”
“Hmm… For now, let’s have the Ground Mother Unit secure the carriage. The delegation can move to some extent, right? It might be better to disembark from the carriage and proceed on foot.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I will proceed accordingly.”
Thus, the Communicator Android proposed a strategy. The carriage was secured by the Ground Mother Unit’s mechanical arms, and they would have to forgo some of the internal cargo. Fortunately, the important items had been stored in the Ground Mother Unit’s cargo space from the start.
Of the ten members of the delegation, two horses remained with the carriage, while the six who were not mounted stood ready in light gear. The four guards continued to remain vigilant on horseback. Although none had experience fighting a worm, they had heard tales of it—stories of worms suddenly bursting forth from the ground and devouring both horse and rider.
Fortunately, they now knew where the worm was. It was quietly but surely moving underground towards them. The two Multi-legged Tanks (MLT-E-01) continued idling, ready to move at a moment’s notice, as the worm approached directly beneath them, heading straight for the delegation.
“It seems they are detecting our position. They are heading straight for us.”
I had lowered one Communicator Android to act as a decoy, but it appeared the worm had no interest in it. The worm’s speed and direction remained unchanged. Thus, while indicating the worm’s position, I also moved the Communicator Android.
“…Perhaps we should spread out…”
The members of the delegation were understandably hesitant in the face of the approaching worm. Although I had instructed them not to move, their legs instinctively retreated with each step the worm took closer.
“It might be better to wait a bit longer to avoid unnecessary stimulation… But that seems difficult. Yes, let’s evacuate. First, everyone should move.”
I instructed the delegation to relocate. One Communicator Android joined them, moving slowly to minimize noise.
“Movement speed and direction have changed. It is clearly detecting the group and moving towards us.”
“Is it… better to split into two groups?”
Next, I had the four guard horses and the foot group separate, moving slowly in opposite directions. From the worm’s perspective, the prey was now divided.
“…The worm has stopped moving. It seems it can detect the separation. Let’s have the guards move.”
The four guard horses continued to move while the remaining six members and the two horses stayed put, ready to run at a moment’s notice.
Eventually…
“The worm has started moving again. It is heading towards the guards. Should we issue a warning?”
“Let them escape.”
Ringo detected the anomaly and immediately commanded the Communicator Android to relay the message to the four guards to retreat slowly. It would be problematic if the worm turned its attention towards the six members of the delegation.
“The worm has increased its speed. It is targeting them.”
As the horses began to gallop, the worm also accelerated, drawing closer and appearing to rise slightly nearer to the surface. I directed the Communicator Android to follow alongside the fleeing guards, instructing them to avoid a straight escape route to prevent excessive distance from the main group. They moved in a circular pattern around the Multi-legged Tank.
“Vibration sounds are increasing. The sound of excavation is becoming audible.”
“…This sound? How terrifying. Are those people really escaping while hearing that?”
A grinding, rumbling sound echoed, resonating with a deep bass that even the humans on the surface could hear. The slight vibrations felt through their feet indicated that the six members of the delegation had become aware of it, instinctively huddling closer together.
The four guards were now pushing their horses to the limit, likely reaching speeds of 50 km/h. Even so, the worm was gaining speed, closing in on them.
“It is nearing the surface. It will catch up within ten seconds.”
The ground behind the galloping horses began to swell. The worm, having increased its speed and drawn closer to the surface, was pushing the earth aside. The distance between them was visibly shrinking.
From the perspective of the accompanying Communicator Android and the aerial view from the drone, Commander Eve swallowed hard. Just watching was nerve-wracking; one could only imagine the state of mind of those fleeing.
“The worm is emitting unusual sounds. Its speed is decreasing… This is dangerous.”
“—Scatter!!”
Ringo detected the anomaly. In an instant, she commanded the Communicator Android to shout at maximum volume. Although there was a slight time lag, the warning just barely made it in time.
The four guards, seasoned warriors, reacted immediately to the voice. They maneuvered their horses, splitting into two groups, each moving to the left and right.
And then, almost simultaneously…
The ground erupted, and the massive body of the worm emerged.
Kicking up clouds of dust, its reddish-brown head stretched out at an angle. A row of uneven black fangs lined the tip, with a gaping maw at the center. Inside its mouth, a multitude of sharp, bristle-like appendages swirled, sucking in the earth and rocks it had disturbed.
Its diameter was likely over three meters.
In comparison to a human, it was far too colossal.
“Uoooooohhh!!”
Just in the nick of time, the guards avoided the charge with their beloved steeds, letting out a roar that could be heard even from afar. It was only natural; a monstrous creature of that size was charging at them from behind. One could only commend their composure in not panicking.
The worm, propelled by its momentum, arched through the air. Debris scattered as it collided with the guards and the Communicator Android, but that was a minor issue. If even a glancing blow from that massive creature struck them, they would be torn to shreds.
And the artificial intelligence of The Tree would not let this opportunity slip by.
Though its body had not fully emerged from the ground, its head, the most agile part, was now airborne. The targeting was already complete, and the four guards, along with the Communicator Android, were outside the danger zone.
The tactical AI mounted on the Multi-legged Tank determined it was the perfect opportunity.
With the cannon loaded, a massive electric current surged into the railgun. Accelerated by Lorentz force, the projectile shot forth, trailing a plasma tail, launching from the barrel at an initial speed of 5,000 m/s.