Episode 46: Science VS Fantasy
A total of 13 cannons could target Rain Croin. They fired almost simultaneously, barraging Rain Croin with shells.
“Impact confirmed.”
Controlling the firing interval to achieve simultaneous impact of all 13 shells was a remarkable feat. The shells, arriving at shallow angles, pierced Rain Croin’s massive body beneath the water’s surface.
Amidst the spray that soared tens of meters into the air, Rain Croin’s colossal form was also thrown aloft.
“Damage, unable to confirm.”
Footage from the moment of impact showed armor-piercing rounds striking simultaneously at different locations. However, just like the first round, a membrane of light and ripples appeared, completely blocking all the shells. Furthermore, some shells struck at too shallow an angle, glancing off the surface and veering off in random directions.
“…”
Commander (Eve) watched the footage in silence. ＜Ringo＞ continued its analysis, but no solution was found. It was necessary to consider something from a different perspective than ＜Ringo＞.
“…I don’t want to think it can defend infinitely, but I wonder if that membrane will disappear if we keep shooting.”
That was a possibility. If it had the strength to defend against anti-ship shells infinitely, there would be no way to win, so it was a somewhat hopeful observation.
“Shells with more penetrating power than armor-piercing rounds… Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) or High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT). But since the opponent’s armor isn’t metal, the penetration effect might be limited…”
“Commander (Ma’am), the shell velocity at impact will be faster than the current armor-piercing rounds. It’s worth trying. However, the range is only about 3km, so it won’t be possible immediately.”
“I see. Also, anti-ship missiles. The entry speed is Mach 3. But we can’t hit it while it’s underwater.”
In the footage, Rain Croin writhed and opened its massive maw. Water spray rose in front of its mouth.
“It’s roaring. Is this… a threat?”
“Is it angry?”
At that moment, the third volley struck. They must have calculated the impact points well. Rain Croin’s massive body leaped up, flipped over, and landed on its back.
“No significant changes due to the impact location. No matter where it’s hit, a defensive membrane of light and ripples appears.”
“Defensive membrane… huh…”
Rain Croin spun around and submerged rapidly. The fourth volley was blocked by the vast amount of seawater, rendering it almost ineffective. And then, its massive form accelerated sharply.
“Rain Croin, beginning movement. It’s approaching us.”
“Crap, it noticed.”
After being shot at so many times, it seemed to know where the attack was coming from. It began swimming towards ＜The Tree＞ while submerged.
“Rain Croin, accelerating. 10, 15, 20, 25 km/h. Estimated to reach the absolute defense perimeter in 5 minutes.”
“This is bad. The Alpha-class?”
“Three ships have completed deployment.”
“Torpedoes?”
“Only one ship is equipped.”
“Fire them.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
It wasn’t exactly expected, but the torpedoes loaded were high-speed torpedoes utilizing supercavitation. The maximum speed exceeded 800 km/h, but there probably wasn’t enough time to accelerate to that speed. Still, it was the only weapon capable of countering an underwater enemy.
“Launch.”
Three high-speed torpedoes were launched in quick succession from the torpedo tubes aimed at the surface, spewing rocket flames. The torpedoes plunged into the water and sped towards Rain Croin.
“Rain Croin, reaching 50 km/h. Depth 50m, 3km remaining to the absolute defense perimeter.”
“…Please work.”
The torpedoes reached 300 km/h, and were still accelerating. It wasn’t the maximum speed, but it was fast enough.
“5 seconds until impact, 3, 2, 1, now.”
The first torpedo struck Rain Croin directly. The shaped charge in the warhead ejected a metal jet first, and immediately after, the conventional warhead detonated. The second and third torpedoes were timed to explode directly beneath Rain Croin, creating bubble pulses that violently shook its massive body.
“Oh…”
A massive pillar of water rose, and Rain Croin’s body leaped out of the water.
“Impact.”
Furthermore, armor-piercing shells rained down on Rain Croin’s body as it appeared on the surface. It was the 150mm smoothbore cannons controlled by ＜Ringo＞. A total of 21 shells fired from the fortress cannons and the Alpha-class ships struck with only a slight time difference.
“Damage, confirmed.”
“Oh!”
Footage analysis. No damage from the torpedoes could be confirmed, but the defensive membrane rippling from the successive impacts of the shells disappeared on the 10th hit. The 11th shell scraped off its scales. The 12th and 13th shells struck at bad angles, glancing off the surface of the scales. Subsequent shells also scraped or slid off, failing to deliver effective blows, but it was certain that the mysterious defensive membrane had been breached.
“Judging continuous attacks to be effective.”
“Full firepower!”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
The 21 150mm smoothbore cannons began firing at a rate of 45 rounds per minute. Over 15 armor-piercing shells per second concentrated on Rain Croin’s massive body. And the scene was being observed in detail with telescopic lenses.
“Multiple direct hits. However, the strength of the body tissue is high, and no fatal damage has been inflicted. Also, the defensive membrane seems to regenerate every few seconds.”
Rain Croin was being pummeled. It was practically an aerial combo, but the armor-piercing shells couldn’t penetrate its skin. Rain Croin recoiled and twisted its body. The rounded shape of its body was also causing the shells to slide off, which was a problem.
“It’s tough…!”
“Switching the Alpha-class shells to APDS.”
Judging that it was getting nowhere, they stopped firing to switch the Alpha-class’s loaded shells from armor-piercing to APDS.
Taking advantage of the momentary decrease in firing density, Rain Croin dove into the sea.
“Ah, crap.”
Instead of simply escaping, Rain Croin dove and began swimming towards the Alpha-class 15th ship (Oscar).
“Oscar, increase speed.”
The gas turbine engine roared, generating massive power. Devouring the supplied electricity, the in-motor screw churned the seawater.
“O-oh…”
It was a close call. Rain Croin grazed the stern of the Oscar, which accelerated with such force that its bow nearly leaped out of the water, and burst out of the sea with its mouth wide open. Taking advantage of this, the fortress cannons pounded it, stripping away the defensive membrane, and at the same time, an APDS shell was fired from the Oscar’s stern gun at point-blank range.
The shell fired from the muzzle split into four in mid-air. The sabot used for acceleration inside the turret detached, and the sufficiently accelerated spear-shaped projectile pierced Rain Croin’s body surface. The entry speed was 2,000 m/s. It seemed that it had no resistance to an object colliding with it at this speed.
“Projectile has penetrated Rain Croin’s body surface.”
“Yes!”
“The second shell was deflected by the defensive membrane.”
“Why!”
After the battle began and hundreds of shells had struck directly, one finally delivered an effective blow. It was unknown how far the shell had penetrated, but a hole had been opened in its body surface, and blood was flowing out. However, its defensive power had not been lost. It was necessary to strip away the defensive membrane and then strike with an APDS at close range.
“We can aim for another one, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Measurements complete. No problem.”
However, the strategy that required precise timing became just another task when handled by ＜Ringo＞. The firing interval was immediately adjusted, and the Alpha-class fired an APDS shell immediately after the fortress cannons neutralized the defensive membrane.
Eight APDS shells were fired into Rain Croin’s body with impeccable accuracy and mercilessness.
Compared to its massive body, they were small holes, like being stabbed with needles. However, there weren’t many creatures that could remain calm after being stabbed with nine needles all over their body.
It was unknown whether Rain Croin had suffered damage to vital organs, but it seemed to have panicked from the pain. It began to thrash wildly without any aim.
Proportional to the movement of its massive body, huge waves were generated.
The courses of the three surrounding Alpha-class ships were disrupted, and some of the shells from the fortress were blocked by the waves.
“The encirclement is breaking. We can’t contain it.”
It could escape. If it broke through the encirclement by the Alpha-class ships here, it could escape. We had to take down this monster here.
“…! ＜Ringo＞, charge!”
“Yes, Ma’am.”