Episode 52: Confirm the Resource Map
Currently, Commander (Eve) and ＜Ringo＞ were confirming the resource situation around the Iron Town.
“Here is the resource map of the area around the Iron Town.”
“Hmm… Is this… quite a lot?”
Displayed was a map showing reactions that seemed to indicate iron ore. It appeared to be distributed over a wide area, centered on the Iron Town.
“Yes, Ma’am. We have investigated in considerable detail, and we have come to understand the situation in this area, mainly within the territory of the Afrasia United Kingdom.”
After confirming that she was listening, ＜Ringo＞ overlaid a geological map and continued the explanation.
“This entire area appears to be covered in lava rock. The thickness is estimated to be several tens of meters.”
“Hee… Lava, huh.”
“Yes, Ma’am. It is believed that the entire Afrasia United Kingdom is located on a massive lava flow. Lava rock does not contain nitrogen, so it is not suitable for plant growth.”
If the entire country was covered in lava rock, it made sense that agriculture had not developed. In the first place, even if you planted something, it wouldn’t grow.
“However, the lava itself can be regarded as a promising ore deposit. In fact, it is presumed that the veins of the Iron Town were formed when faults were exposed due to topographical changes, and the iron veins appeared above ground.”
Certainly, the Iron Town was located at the foot of a small hill, and a tunnel opened in the middle of that hill. It was probably that they were able to discover an iron vein that happened to be exposed above ground.
“So, that means if we dig, various things might come out?”
“Yes, Ma’am. The possibility is very high. However, the surface layer of several tens of meters is covered with lava rock with a low metal content, so we won’t know the details unless we dig quite deep.”
“Test drilling, huh… Well, it can’t be helped.”
“The iron ore obtained from the Iron Town had a low content, but it is probably because we have only been able to mine the surface layer so far. Depending on the location, it may be possible to mine ore of considerably good quality.”
When lava cools, heavy metals accumulate at the bottom, and relatively light metals accumulate at the top. Metal deposits are formed in basin-like terrains where accumulated lava cools slowly.
“Well, that area needs to be investigated. I’m counting on the Albatross airship.”
“Yes, Ma’am. We will continue the investigation, expanding the measurement range.”
However, she pondered whether it was a lava-derived ore deposit. If so, metal deposits such as platinum, titanium, chromium, copper, nickel, and vanadium might also be discovered. It would be welcome to have more usable metal resources. Rare metals directly contribute to improving the performance of each product.
“But with this, it feels like we finally have a prospect for metal resources…”
“Yes, Ma’am. For the time being. The amount of reserves is still unknown, but at least by developing the Iron Town, we can expect to secure iron resources for the time being.”
They had been continuing to import low-grade iron ore from hand-dug mines, and somehow managed to expand the insufficient facilities. They built a large dock, improved the power reactor, and produced various defense and research machines.
“The construction of the port is also in sight. We will proceed with the fortification work while ensuring safety. Once safety is secured, it will be possible to produce large machine tools.”
“The one we confirmed the other day, huh? If we can mass-produce them, development will progress rapidly.”
“Yes, Ma’am. The demonstration experiment of microwave power transmission is also progressing smoothly. The design of the dedicated high-altitude platform has also been completed, so we can expand our range of action at once.”
“Hmm, good! …However, we still haven’t reached the target amount of iron.”
“We have high hopes for the Iron Town. Paving will be completed soon. After that, we will enter the railway construction phase, so the amount of mining and transportation will improve dramatically.”
The remodeling (literally remodeling) of Telek Port Town and Iron Town is also progressing as planned. Once the paving is completed, the next step is the horse-drawn railway. They also considered running railway cars, but it was estimated that the fuel would be insufficient for internal combustion engines such as diesel, and the copper used for electric wires would be insufficient for electric motors.
Copper was included as an impurity in the mined iron ore, but the amount was not enough. It was about time to seriously search for copper veins as well.
“The energy reactor update is also in sight… Either we find a vein on the ground, or we develop a seabed deposit… The atomic conversion reactor is short of energy in the first place.”
“The practical operation of the atomic conversion reactor requires more than 5,000 times the current energy. Probably, a superior reactor such as a reduction reactor will be required, so at present, there are not enough construction materials at all.”
“Hmm… For now, should we go with nuclear fusion…? There are no problems with the stable supply of heavy hydrogen, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. We have a prospect for stable collection from seawater. After that, it is a matter of construction materials, but if the supply of iron ore proceeds as expected, it will be in time for the construction of the port.”
By starting the operation of the Alpha-class destroyer No. 1 and the SR-1 Albatross airship, the consumption of stockpiled oil was increasing at an accelerated rate.
At the current pace, they could operate for about a year, but conversely, after a year, the bottom would be visible. It was necessary to take measures as soon as possible.
Therefore, ＜Ringo＞ was planning to establish an activity base on the continent and construct large-scale facilities.
“Methane hydrate is also an excellent resource, but we don’t have the means to recover it now.”
“Yes, Ma’am. As a result of the trial calculation, we have determined that the construction of a nuclear fusion reactor using heavy hydrogen can be put into practical operation in the shortest period of time. By constructing a microwave power supply system and carrying out large-scale mining operations, we can use our action capacity with maximum efficiency.”
With battery power, long-term action was difficult. Even if they prepared charging equipment, they would need to run electric wires to the equipment. Therefore, the judgment was that it would be better to concentrate investment in resources and operate the microwave power supply system. Once they could acquire a certain amount of resources, they could also invest in marine development.
“If we can mine natural gas or methane hydrate, we can start full-scale space development. We are also developing rocket engines with methane as fuel.”
“That’s right. At worst, I was thinking of betting everything on satellite exploration, but I’m glad that we have a prospect of finding ore deposits on the continent…”
They had been exploring various means, including a plan to build a launch platform in a rush and concentrate investment in satellite development.
However, since there was no information about the surrounding space of this planet, it was a very risky plan.
However, if resources were not found, it would be necessary to explore further afield, and it was thought that even the Swift photovoltaic reconnaissance aircraft would not have a sufficient range of action. It was a stroke of good luck that a mine was found near the Iron Town for the time being.
“Oh, that’s right. Ichigo, once the base fortress in the North Continent is completed, I’m thinking of having you be the commander.”
“Eh, ah, yes!”
Suddenly spoken to, Ichigo trembled.
“For the time being, it will be remote support. Once the dedicated high-altitude platform is up, the communication lag should be greatly reduced.”
“O-Okay! I’ll do my best…!”
Among the five sisters, the second daughter, Ichigo, had the highest desire for independence. With the construction of the fortress as an opportunity, she considered a placement that would further develop her abilities. Akane would be good as a vice commander (backup). Utsugi and Erika were still worrying, and Olive had allocated too much ability value to production activities.
“In about half a year, Akane and Ichigo’s brain units will be able to provide feedback to the backbone. If we can mass-produce standalone androids, the hurdle for expanding bases will be lowered.”
“That’s right. It would be fine to have ＜Ringo＞ look after everything, but there are difficulties with diversity, and it’s too vulnerable to communication path obstacles.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
However, while one android only has one brain unit, the number of units that make up ＜Ringo＞ is 380,000. It was a violent number. With this much ability, diversity could be fabricated as much as possible, but well, even so.
Furthermore, the communication failures she was concerned about were not easily resolved. Currently, they were using a communication network built by Swift, but if something were to happen, it could easily become unusable. Therefore, they wanted to prepare reasonably capable AIs at large-scale bases, so they could operate independently.
“Come to think of it, if we’re adding bases, we’ll need concrete and stuff, huh…”
For the time being, they planned to use quarried stone to make up for the shortfall. However, considering versatility, they still wanted to use concrete. This would also require mineral exploration.
“Yes, Ma’am. We will proceed in sequence.”