Episode 146: Sea Monsters (Artificial)
The deep-sea resource collection platform had begun operations.
“O-oh… The resource, the resource recovery rate, it’s tripled…!”
Commander Eve was ecstatic, watching the production graph climb sharply.
＜Ringo＞ was all smiles as well.
“Yes, Ma’am. Report: Distribution area, reserves, quality, surrounding environment, all are favorable. We should be able to secure enough resources for our action plan for the next few years.”
The massive mining machine, constructed in the deep sea, was scraping away at the seabed.
It sucked up the surrounding seawater and sediment, sorted out only the resources, and discharged the rest.
“So, from what I can see, pollution from the mining is being kept to a minimum… is that right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. The area around the platform is inevitably stirred up, but the spread to the surrounding area is below the set threshold.
If there are no problems after operating it for a while, we should increase the number of these platforms.”
Due to the nature of collecting various minerals deposited on the seabed, simply scraping it away would cause a large amount of organic sediment and earth to spread around.
Normally, major changes do not occur in the deep sea. The existence of planetary-scale deep-sea currents has been confirmed, but they are at the level of several meters per hour.
This is incomparably calmer than the surface currents of several kilometers per hour, or the ebb and flow of the tide.
If the seabed of such a deep sea were stirred up and the surroundings polluted, it is impossible to know what kind of problems would occur. The ecosystem could change drastically, and it might even attract unintended giant creatures, or Threat Creatures (as named by Akane).
Therefore, the resource collection platform moves as slowly as possible, and organic matter and earth other than resources are compressed into pellets before being discharged.
Thanks to this, water turbidity and organic matter scattering are kept to a minimum.
“We had a hard time designing the surface protrusions to suppress seawater agitation.”
“I know. Thanks to that, it looks completely like a monster…”
Also wanting to minimize seawater agitation caused by movement, the shape of the seabed platform was thoroughly calculated during manufacturing.
When a huge mass moves, the surrounding seawater is naturally pushed away. Vortices occur at the rear, and this becomes even more pronounced when manipulating the manipulators.
Therefore, the entire surface of the platform is covered with a seamless structure like cilia. The shape of the main body itself was also designed to make it difficult for trailing vortices to occur, resulting in a very biological appearance.
Moreover, these cilia automatically change shape when they sense water flow.
From the side, it looks like a flat, giant creature slowly moving along the seabed, wriggling the hair or tentacles growing on its surface.
To put it mildly, it was a giant monster.
“Well, I guess it’s okay since there probably aren’t any people who can see this deep sea anyway.”
It doesn’t have any particular attack capabilities, and this seabed platform will probably never see the light of day. In the first place, it is designed for underwater activities, so it won’t move properly on land.
“We are currently investigating the seabed resource distribution in more detail. The platform will collect seabed resources while moving, so the more we increase the number of operating platforms, the more production will increase.”
This seabed platform slowly moves along the seabed, sucking up mineral resources containing iron oxide, manganese, and cobalt that have accumulated.
“In addition, a large amount of rare metals have accumulated around the discovered hydrothermal vents. A dedicated device for collecting these has also started operating. This will be mined by a platform with enhanced corrosion resistance.”
These hydrothermal deposits are created when seawater that has seeped in due to crustal movement is heated and ejected from the seabed with dissolved metals.
Including the underground, there is a possibility of recovering a large amount of rare metal elements around hydrothermal vents, making them very promising deposits.
“Good, good. The seabed is a treasure trove. We’ve also laid out a surveillance network, so I guess we’re safe for the time being.”
“Yes, Ma’am. The deployment of defensive weapons has also been completed. In addition, the resources consumed are expected to be recovered in about two weeks, so we can consider the balance to be positive.”
For the past several years, they have been continuously conducting seabed surveys and partial development. As a result, no traces of Threat Creatures have been found for at least several hundred kilometers around.
The only encounter was with ＜Rain Croin＞.
If nothing happens for at least two weeks, the resources consumed in this series of surveys and development will be recovered.
“Methane hydrate mining is currently in the black, so there are no problems.”
And methane hydrate, which can be recovered in relatively shallow waters, continues to be produced at a level that is sufficiently profitable. At worst, even if the abandonment of the seabed platform is decided early on, it will be within acceptable limits.
“We’re finally saying goodbye to the days of building while being afraid of the remaining resources for reconstruction…”
She, Eve, savored the moment deeply.
Recover resources, and use the recovered resources for production facilities and weapons. Some of it is sent to ＜The Tree＞ and stored as reserve resources.
This is a savings to prevent them from falling into dire straits even if Fortress Two or Telek Port City are lost.
The amount of reserves exceeded a certain level, and production also expanded dramatically due to the operation of the seabed platform. For Commander Eve, this would be fever time.
“The operational data for the aerial platform has been collected, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. The flight tests of the prototype have been completed without any problems. There are no problems with collecting flight data up to an altitude of 15 km.
The results of the mobility tests of various structures have also been reflected in the virtual space (simulator).
The design and virtual testing (simulation) of the main giant aircraft carrier and attack-type aerial platform have also been completed.”
“Hmm,” she nodded.
“I’ve been wondering about this obvious start construction button for a while now…”
“This is the start of a huge project, so please give the order.”
Although Commander Eve has released considerable authority to ＜Ringo＞, due to its nature as an Overseer AI, it basically requires Commander Eve’s permission for all actions.
It seems that it hesitated to start building a full-scale air force without any consultation.
“…Okay. Then, let’s begin. I authorize the strengthening of ＜The Tree＞’s air power.”
She, Eve, took a light breath and then pressed the ＜Start Construction＞ button floating in the air.
“Construction of the aerial carrier (Gigantia) and escort ship (Titan) series will begin. Approximately 104 hours until construction is complete.”
“For the time being, operations will be based at Fortress Two (Black Iron). Once Flattala City is completed, we’ll be able to use it as well.”
“Yes, Ma’am. A 10,000m runway is required for the Gigantia to take off and land. The Flattala City Outskirts Base will be available as a forward supply base.”
After turning this aerial platform into a fighting force, they plan to carry out the conquest of the northern region of the Afrasia United Kingdom.
In reality, it has been determined that the northern conquest is possible even with the current forces.
However, since the opponent is within the Royal Capital area, and what will come out is unknown, they decided to prepare their forces before invading.
By launching a blitzkrieg after preparing their air power, they will minimize damage.
They will not give the enemy time to prepare.
“There are also unconfirmed rumors that they have powerful individual combatants, so we need to be careful.”
“More than anything, it’s romantic.”
Well, the main reason is that Commander Eve is talking about romance.
Asahi was excited, saying, “I wonder if there’s a kingdom’s strongest man, a legendary one-man army!?”, but ＜Ringo＞ hoped not.
If the existence of such a thing is confirmed, they plan to seal it off with long-range attacks.
Asahi is likely to complain, but Commander Eve is tolerant of one-sided games.
“Now that the plans have been decided, let’s expand the Spybot network.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”