Episode 157: Penetration
“Titan hit!”
“Titan, initiating damage control!”
“Gunuunu.”
The Wyvern’s Breath Attack detonated several of her launched missiles at close range, blowing away the vertical launch system and surrounding exterior.
Fortunately, the sweeping Breath itself didn’t cause significant damage.
The direct missile hits caused the warheads and fuel to explode from the heat.
“Scattered fuel igniting.”
“Fire suppression systems activated! Missiles in launch tubes, forced purge!”
Missiles loaded in adjacent vertical launch systems are ejected while locked. It’s a measure to prevent sympathetic detonation from the fire. Furthermore, carbon nanotube wires strung throughout the ship adjust their tension, reinforcing the structure around the breaches.
“Fire extinguished. Damage dispersion mechanism operating normally.”
“Wire tension within acceptable limits. Emergency repair units are responding!”
Of course, the Wyvern isn’t left unchecked during this time. The still-undamaged Oceanus continues to fire at full power, and the Titan continues to scatter Cannon Shells from the turrets that weren’t affected.
“I doubt it’ll fall from just a few missiles, but…”
Commander (Eve) is well aware of the Titan-series’ robustness and damage control capabilities.
Carbon nanotube wires are strung throughout the ship for structural reinforcement, along with a function to disperse localized damage by adjusting wire tension.
Carbon nanotubes have the weakness of being vulnerable to heat, but the ship is already full of combustible materials.
Fire suppression systems are sufficiently deployed.
Additionally, a rapid repair system is in place, utilizing tracks and rails that allow movement throughout the ship, along with deployed work machines. Replacing the exterior is impossible, but reinforcing damaged structures is feasible.
Even with some damage, structural collapse and mid-air disintegration can be prevented.
“Titan’s attack power at current trajectory reduced by 36%. Changing trajectory to secure firing lines.”
“…Ugh, this is nerve-wracking…”
The relentless barrage of Cannon fire continues, occasionally interspersed with incoming missiles.
The Wyvern is thrown about in the air by the onslaught.
However, its basic flight speed hasn’t decreased, and it’s barely taken any damage.
It’s a very troublesome opponent.
Moreover, considering the power of that mysterious Breath, a direct hit could endanger even a Titan-class.
“The previous Breath Attack had the power to vaporize the Titan’s heat-resistant structure. If the same area is continuously irradiated for more than 0.3 seconds, it will penetrate the exterior.”
The Titan-class’s exterior is coated with heat-resistant paint to withstand Fire. Apparently, the Breath Attack is vaporizing that coating. Underneath the coating is a thin aluminum alloy plate with no heat resistance. Once the coating is gone, it can be easily penetrated.
“Because it’s a flying type, its defense against long-range attacks might be high, Onee-sama.
If it can fly at that speed and also handle long-range attacks, it’s practically invincible.”
“…Environmental adaptation, perhaps? Still, you’re right. That ＜Rain Croin＞ was incredibly tough, but this Wyvern was damaged by the missiles earlier.”
“＜Rain Croin＞ was extremely sturdy from its outer shell to its internal organs, but based on the missile’s power, we estimate that this one doesn’t have that level of strength.”
She nodded at ＜Ringo＞’s report. It has a troublesome Defense Membrane, but underneath it’s only as hard as we can handle.
If that’s the case, once we strip away the Defense Membrane, it’s ours.
“Fighter Group B has reached the prescribed distance. All aircraft, fire AAMs (Air-to-Air Missiles).”
“At this distance, the terminal velocity will reach Mach 6! They plan to nullify the Defense Membrane with continuous missile impacts, then bombard it with the Multi-Stage Electromagnetic Cannon (Coil Cannon)!”
Asahi (she) still seems to be having fun.
She’s watching in real-time via tactical data link. The sense of realism is incomparable to being inside ＜The Tree＞ beyond the display.
While our Commander (Onee-sama) is tense and her heart is pounding, she’s carefree.
In the video, missiles strike the Wyvern one after another.
Armor-Piercing Shells scattered by the Titan and Oceanus rained down on the trajectory predicted from its previous evasive maneuvers.
“Defense Membrane dissipation confirmed. Oceanus has fired the Multi-Stage Electromagnetic Cannon (Coil Cannon).”
A beam of light pierced the Wyvern.
“Penetration confirmed.”
The Cannon Shell, incandescent from aerodynamic heating, left a trail in the sky.
“Was the power too high…!”
The Wyvern writhed in pain.
Ideally, the most damage would be dealt by firing with just enough power to barely penetrate the body. However, lowering the initial velocity any further would drastically reduce the hit rate.
That wouldn’t be the case if we got closer, but the Local Strategic AI was against getting any closer.
“The Defense Membrane is regenerating in about 1 second. Compared to the records of ＜Rain Croin＞, both its durability and recovery power seem to be superior.
Penetration wound confirmed.
Near the base of the right leg, no damage to internal organs. It seems the shot aimed at the torso missed.”
“We fired that many Cannon Shells and missiles, and only one effective hit…”
The fighter groups unleashed another volley of missiles.
The missiles, detached from the hardpoints, accelerated while spewing flames.
“Titan, emergency repairs to the Multi-Stage Electromagnetic Cannon (Coil Cannon) are complete. Targeting complete.”
The Titan’s main Cannon, which had been disabled by the Breath Attack, was restored. It aimed at the Wyvern, ready to fire a Cannon Shell. Together with the Oceanus, it aimed for the moment the Defense Membrane disappeared.
“Missile wave 2, 5 seconds to impact, 4, Wyvern changing trajectory, beginning descent.”
The Wyvern, seemingly aware of the approaching missiles, finally took a descending trajectory. It had been relentlessly pursuing the Titan until now, but it finally seemed to have given up.
It twisted its body greatly and roared.
“Assumed Sound Wave attack. Missile loss, 8.”
A loud Sound Wave assaulted the missiles pursuing the Wyvern.
Due to simple physical impact, the leading three missiles detonated prematurely. Showered with scattered fragments, another five missiles were damaged and flew off in random directions.
Then, the remaining 40 missiles assaulted the Wyvern as is.
Silver scales danced in the sky.
“Impact confirmed. Right shoulder penetration. Left abdomen penetration.”
The silver Dragon lost its balance. Perhaps due to damage to important muscles, the power in its right wing-arm seemed to have weakened.
The Wyvern’s scream echoed through the airspace.
“D-Did we get it?”
“Onee-sama!?”
Her younger sister (Asahi), understanding, immediately interjected at her unintentional remark.
The Wyvern, having regenerated its Defense Membrane, continued to descend, using the impact of the incoming Cannon Shells to increase its acceleration.
“Wyvern’s flight speed has exceeded 1,200 km/h.”
The speed, which was already over 1,000 km/h, was further accelerated by the descent. Unable to keep up with the rapidly changing speed, the barrage was swallowed by the empty sky.
And the Wyvern didn’t miss that opening.
For the third time, Breath was unleashed.
This time, it wasn’t a super long-range attack, nor a desperate one, but a solid attack.
The Breath passed from bottom to top at near-light speed.
Commander (Eve)’s scream echoed through the Command Room.
“Titan, hit!”
The slammed-down air plasma penetrated the exterior in 0.3 seconds. It burned through the internal structure and exited on the opposite side.
The slightly deviated Breath’s trajectory further widened the breach.
Vast radiant heat scattered fatal damage to the surrounding structures.
Explosions erupted from both the back and belly of the Titan.