“What happened?”
“Yes, Ma’am. It appears to be some kind of long-range attack without the use of projectiles.
Abnormal vibrations and heating phenomena have been detected throughout the aircraft. It was likely an attack using powerful Sound Waves.”
One of the fighter planes attached to the approaching, tentatively named Dragon was lost.
The remaining three planes were diagonally behind it, so they were apparently not targeted.
“It is unclear whether there is a clear intention to attack, but we have determined that it could pose a threat to the ＜Paraiso＞ forces.
The Local Strategic AI has updated its assessment of the target Threat Creature.
Threat Level Assessment: A.
There is a possibility of serious damage occurring to the ＜The Tree＞ affiliated unit groups.”
The Strategic AI installed in the Gigantia changed its action policy from a passive defense posture to an active elimination posture.
However, the opponent is a Giant Creature moving at high speed in the air.
The Gigantia, which is not good at aerial maneuvers, took a breakaway trajectory, and the 1st Escort Ship (Titan) and 2nd Escort Ship (Oceanus) changed course to intercept, while the 3rd Escort Ship (Coeus) continued to escort the Gigantia.
“Titan and Oceanus have begun to turn. They will intercept head-on. The altitude difference is expected to be within 1,000m. All armaments are ready for attack.”
“Hmm. It’s a pain that we can’t use the Laser Cannon in this weather.”
“A Maser Cannon can be used, although it will be somewhat attenuated.”
A Maser is a microwave with aligned phases. The principle is the same as a laser, with the major difference being that it uses microwaves instead of light.
The disadvantage is that the Maser oscillation device becomes large, so the Cannon itself inevitably becomes large.
For this reason, Maser Cannons are currently only used as fixed armaments at bases, or installed on the Gigantia and Titan series.
“If the line of sight is clear, we can carry out a preemptive strike with the Maser Cannon.
However, the attenuation rate is very high due to the large amount of floating matter in the atmosphere. It will only be possible to attack after approaching within 50km.”
“It’s still 200km away. For now, let’s call this thing a ‘Wyvern’. It doesn’t have four Legs.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Registering the species name as ‘Wyvern’.
The Wyvern seems to be continuing to ascend and heading towards the paths of Titan and Oceanus.”
A Wyvern is a type of Dragon, referring to one in which the forearms are Wings.
She knew it well—because she was at an age where she was curious about such things!
“Estimated time to intercept?”
“Approximately 3 minutes to the 100km range. Approximately 5 minutes to the 50km range.
Coincidentally, Reconnaissance Satellite Unit 1 will pass overhead at this time. Reconnaissance Satellite Unit 3 will pass in 13 minutes.
Detailed intercept information can be collected.
It’s a shame that the atmospheric conditions aren’t very good.”
The weather today is partly cloudy, and the distance is covered in a pale yellow smog, making it almost impossible to observe.
It is thought that fine dust stirred up by the wind is滞留ing.
The density varies depending on the location, and there was almost no impact within several tens of kilometers around Afrasia, Royal Capital and North End City, so there was no hindrance to the occupation operation at all.
“I never expected such a big shot to come to us from the other side.”
“Onee-sama, I don’t think it just came here without any context! I think we did something to provoke that Wyvern!”
Eve nodded at Asahi’s suggestion, thinking it was certainly true.
It would be too thoughtless to think that the Wyvern just happened to attack today.
In the first place, it is clearly flying towards Titan and Oceanus.
It is reasonable to assume that it detected our presence by some means and flew over.
“But with this atmospheric condition, we can’t see it. Even if it heard a sound, we didn’t cause any explosions.”
“Sound Waves that travel through the atmosphere are attenuated. The engine noise of the Gigantia Squad is quite loud, but even so, it is unlikely to travel more than 50km.”
“It was detected more than 300km away! It is possible that it came from even further away!”
Is there a technology that can detect the presence of the Gigantia Squad from such a distance?
Well, of course it is technically possible.
Since no civilization that actively uses Electromagnetic Waves has been confirmed, the Gigantia, the Titan, and even all the aircraft currently operated by ＜The Tree＞ do not take stealth into consideration.
No, if ＜Ringo＞ designed it with all her might, it would be possible to operate a unit with perfect stealth. However, doing so would make them invisible to us as well, significantly reducing the freedom of operation.
And rather than adding half-baked stealth, it is better to exclude it from the design concept in the first place, so as not to incur unnecessary costs.
“The most likely possibility is the Radar Waves emitted by the Gigantia Squad. Basically, since it is an Active Radar, we are very conspicuous in terms of radio waves.”
“We can also consider Magic (Fantasy) detection methods! Well, it’s useless for us to think about that!”
While they were talking, the distance between the Wyvern and the Titan and Oceanus fell below 100km.
In just a few minutes, they will be within the effective range of various weapons.
“Titan and Oceanus are changing course. They are separating to the left and right.”
The two Giants change their trajectory. There is no need for the two of them to rush straight in together. It is easier to attack from both sides since there is only one opponent.
“The Wyvern is also changing course. It’s heading towards Titan!”
And the Wyvern’s behavior clearly changed. It is definitely targeting Titan.
“Proposal from Titan Strategic AI: Temporary suspension of Radar Waves.”
“Okay. We’ll have to turn it back on before the attack starts anyway. Stop Oceanus too.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Titan and Oceanus have stopped transmitting!”
The two ships stop transmitting Active Radar.
This means that the two ships, which were very conspicuous in terms of radio waves, have gone silent.
Furthermore, based on the judgment of the Strategic AI, the transmission of Active Radar from the Gigantia, Coeus, and other aircraft was stopped.
This is because reflected waves are generated when Radar Waves from other parties are being transmitted. With Passive Radar, a certain amount of detection is possible if there are reflected waves. This eliminates that possibility.
“Confirmed the suspension of Radar Waves across all bands.”
“Now, I wonder if there will be a reaction…”
If that Wyvern is acting using Active Radar as a landmark, then there should be some kind of reaction to this.
However, this situation is a dangerous response for the ＜The Tree＞ forces as well. For aircraft, not being able to use Radar is the same as being blindfolded.
The only saving grace is that a Reconnaissance Satellite is passing overhead.
“Report from the fighter plane observing from the rear: Slight change in the Wyvern’s flight path.”
“Is it getting impatient!?”
“Asahi, calm down.”
Then, about a minute passed, bit by bit.
“Passive Radar detection. Direction matches the Wyvern.”
“Onee-sama, the fighter plane has received the Wyvern’s Radar Waves!!”
And the Wyvern starts to move.
“Detected pulsed microwaves. The frequency is not constant. It seems to be fluctuating randomly between 5GHz and 15GHz.”
“Eh, does that Wyvern have Active Radar?”
The Commander (Eve) looked up at the monitor with a blank expression at the unexpected situation.
“Onee-sama, amazing, amazing! Active Radar on a living creature! That means this child can see Radar Waves with its bare body! It doesn’t make any sense!!”
And Asahi is also very excited. This Wyvern, which she thought was a Magic (Fantasy) creature, suddenly started emitting radio waves.
“Is there a possibility that it is some kind of aircraft?”
“Yes, Ma’am. It is expected to be low. However, the possibility of an aircraft being boarded or operated by a creature without strategic capabilities can be considered.
The act of charging towards Radar Waves, and the action of hurriedly starting to transmit Radar Waves because there are no landmarks.
It seems too clumsy.”
“That’s right. It’s not civilized.”
And then.
“Release the Radar usage suspension. Permission for aggressive attack.”
“Yes, Ma’am!!”