Chapter 146: Sea Monsters (Artificial)
The deep-sea resource collection platform had begun its operations.
“O-oh… The amount of resources being collected has tripled…!”
Commander Eve was ecstatic as she gazed at the sharply rising production graph. Even Ringo couldn’t help but smile at this.
“Yes, Ma’am. The distribution area, reserves, quality, and surrounding environment are all favorable conditions. We should be able to secure enough resources for our action plans over the next few years.”
A massive mining machine, constructed in the depths of the ocean, was scraping the seabed. It sucked in the surrounding seawater and sediment, selectively separating the resources while expelling everything else.
“From what I can see, the pollution from the mining is kept to a minimum… right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. While the area around the platform will be disturbed, the dispersion to the surrounding environment is below the set threshold. If there are no issues after a while, we can consider expanding this platform.”
Due to the nature of recovering various minerals from the seabed, simply scraping it would lead to a large amount of organic sediment and soil being dispersed into the surrounding waters. Normally, significant changes do not occur in the deep sea. While planet-scale deep currents have been confirmed, they move at a mere few meters per hour, a far cry from the surface currents that flow at several kilometers per hour or the ebb and flow of tides.
If the seabed were to be disturbed and polluted, it was uncertain what problems might arise. The ecosystem could change drastically, potentially attracting unintended massive creatures, known as Threat Creatures (as named by Akane).
Thus, the resource collection platform moved as slowly as possible, compacting and expelling organic matter and soil into pellet-like forms. Thanks to this, the turbidity of the water and the scattering of organic material were kept to a minimum.
“We struggled with the design of the surface protrusions to minimize water disturbance,” Eve noted.
“Indeed. As a result, it looks completely like a monster…”
To minimize the water disturbance caused by its movement, the seabed platform was meticulously designed. When a massive structure moves, it naturally displaces the surrounding seawater. This creates eddies at the rear, which become even more pronounced when the manipulators are activated.
To counter this, the entire surface of the platform was covered with structures resembling cilia. The shape of the main body was also designed to minimize the generation of downstream eddies, giving it a distinctly biological appearance. Moreover, these cilia were programmed to automatically change shape in response to water flow.
From a distance, it appeared as a massive, flat creature, slowly moving across the seabed, its surface covered in what looked like hair or tentacles, writhing gently.
To say the least, it resembled a gigantic monster.
“Well, I doubt anyone will get to see such a deep-sea sight, so it’s fine,” Eve remarked.
Since it wasn’t equipped with any offensive capabilities, this seabed platform would likely never see sunlight. After all, it was designed for underwater operations, making it ineffective on land.
“We are currently conducting a more detailed survey of the seabed resource distribution. As the platform moves, it will continue to collect seabed resources, so increasing the number of operational units will directly boost production.”
The seabed platform slowly moved, inhaling mineral resources containing iron oxide, manganese, and cobalt that had accumulated on the ocean floor.
“Additionally, there are large deposits of rare metals around the discovered hydrothermal vents. A specialized device for collecting these has also begun operations. This will be conducted using a platform enhanced for corrosion resistance.”
These hydrothermal deposits are formed when seawater, heated by tectonic activity, is expelled from the seabed in a state where metals are dissolved. There is a high potential for recovering large amounts of rare metal elements around the hydrothermal vents, making them very promising mining sites.
“Wonderful! The seabed is a treasure trove. We’ve also established a monitoring network, so we should be safe for the time being.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Defensive weapons have also been deployed. Furthermore, we expect to recover the consumed resources in about two weeks, so we can consider the balance to be positive.”
For the past few years, they had been continuously surveying and partially developing the seabed. As a result, no traces of Threat Creatures had been found within a radius of several hundred kilometers. The only encounter had been with the Rain Kroin.
As long as nothing happened in the next two weeks, the resources consumed during this series of surveys and developments would be replenished.
“The extraction of methane hydrate is currently yielding a profit, so there are no issues.”
Methane hydrate, which can be recovered in relatively shallow waters, was being produced at a level that was sufficiently profitable. Even if the decision was made to abandon the seabed platform early, it would still be within acceptable limits.
“Finally, we can say goodbye to the days of building while fearing the depletion of our resource reserves…”
Eve reflected on this sentiment deeply.
They would collect resources and redirect them toward production facilities and weapons. Some would be sent to The Tree as stored resources, ensuring they wouldn’t fall into a crisis even if the Second Fortress or Port Town of Terek were to fall.
With the stockpile exceeding a certain amount and the operational seabed platform dramatically increasing production, Commander Eve felt that this was the beginning of a feverish time.
“The aerial platform’s operational data should be accumulating as well, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. The flight tests for the prototype have been completed without issues. We’ve also successfully gathered flight data up to 15 kilometers in altitude. The results of various structural mobility tests have been reflected in the virtual space (simulator). The design and virtual testing (simulation) for the main large aircraft, the attack-type aerial platform, have all been completed.”
“Good,” she nodded.
“I’ve been curious about this conspicuous construction start button since earlier…”
“It’s for the initiation of a massive project, so please give the command.”
Although Commander Eve had granted Ringo considerable authority, as a Control AI, it still required her permission for all actions. It seemed inappropriate to start the construction of aerial combat forces without any prior consultation.
“…Alright. Let’s begin. I authorize the enhancement of aerial combat forces for The Tree.”
After taking a light breath, Eve pressed the floating “Construction Start” button.
“Construction of the Gigantia (aircraft carrier) and Titan (escort ship) series will commence. Estimated completion time is approximately 104 hours.”
“The initial deployment will be at the Second Fortress (Black Iron). Once Flatara City is completed, we can utilize that as well.”
“Yes, Ma’am. The Gigantia requires a runway of 10,000 meters for takeoff and landing. We will be able to use the outskirts of Flatara City as a supply base.”
After operationalizing this aerial platform, they planned to execute the suppression of the northern regions of the Afrasia United Kingdom. In fact, it was judged that the current forces could manage the northern suppression.
However, since the opponent was within the royal capital area, and the unknowns were numerous, they decided to prepare their forces before launching an invasion.
By organizing their aerial combat forces before a lightning strike, they aimed to minimize damage. They would not give the enemy any time to prepare.
“There are also unverified rumors of powerful individual combatants, so we need to exercise caution.”
“Above all, it has a romantic flair,” Eve added.
Well, the motivation for this was largely due to Commander Eve’s penchant for romance.
Asahi exclaimed, “Is there really a legendary one-man army, the strongest man in the kingdom!?” with fervor, but Ringo wished for some mercy on that front.
If such a being were confirmed to exist, they planned to neutralize it with long-range attacks. While Asahi might protest, Commander Eve was lenient when it came to one-sided games.
“With our plans set, let’s expand the Spy Bot Network.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”