Episode 87: Negotiation or Invasion
Two aircraft flew over the Forest Country (Lebresta). Their altitude was approximately 25km.
Their speed exceeded 3,600km/h, or Mach 3.
“Flight status is stable. After aerial photography around the target river, we will reverse course and conduct precision surveying using ranging lasers.”
“Roger that. Akane, Ichigo, I’m counting on you.”
“Roger.”
“Understood.”
The LRF-1 (Vulture) is controlled by a structure consisting of a strategic AI and tactical AIs that control each function.
Due to the speed, real-time control from the Fortress is difficult. Controlling a highly unstable aircraft means that even a response delay of less than 0.1 seconds could be fatal.
Therefore, a dedicated tactical AI in charge of navigation is used to control the aircraft.
However, completely stand-alone operation would narrow the options, so it is necessary to give instructions as appropriate.
This time, ＜Ringo＞ entrusted all of these instructions to Akane and Ichigo, judging that they could handle command adequately for a single operation.
“Vulture 1, aerial photography of area G8 completed. Passing point. Commencing course change.”
“Report: Examination of the target area is complete. No noteworthy terrain features confirmed.”
“Course change complete. Receiving area F7 imagery.”
Although the two aircraft are flying in formation this time, Vulture 1 is assigned to information gathering, and Vulture 2 is assigned to escort duty.
The Supersonic High-Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft LRF-1 (Vulture) is equipped with high-performance sensors and a fixed laser Cannon, but due to power consumption issues, the sensors and laser Cannon cannot be activated simultaneously.
Microwave power transmission would be ideal, but there is the problem that power cannot be supplied when the aircraft is hidden below the horizon, so an internal power source was unavoidable.
This was a problem caused by the excessive cruising speed.
By the way, when observing from a ground height of 1.7m, a Vulture flying at an altitude of 25km disappears below the horizon at a distance of approximately 740km.
At a cruising speed of 3,600km/h, it would disappear from view after only 12 minutes of straight flight.
Even if a microwave power transmission Drone was kept on standby at an altitude of 20km, the maximum possible power transmission distance would only be 1,400km, which is insufficient considering the Vulture’s operating radius.
Considering the purpose of reconnaissance, it is impossible to prepare power transmission Drones or ground facilities in advance, so it cannot be helped.
“Aerial photography of area B3 completed. Passing point. Commencing course change.”
Due to its flight speed, the Vulture also has a very large turning radius. Considering the load on the aircraft, the turning radius reaches 200km.
Therefore, it is virtually impossible to reconnoiter the same location multiple times, but it is ideal for covering a vast area in a short amount of time.
This time, the reconnaissance target area spans 600km north-south and 800km east-west. It is necessary to thoroughly explore this vast area by combining straight flight and circular orbits.
“It’s taking a pretty complex trajectory.”
“Yes, Ma’am. If the straight flight is too long, there is a possibility of a predicted attack. However, straight flight is essential for precision measurement, so we have adopted a randomized trajectory to minimize the time spent in straight flight and perform as many turning orbits as possible.”
“I see… Well, if it’s taking pictures as planned, there’s no problem.”
While circling around the displayed map with a swirling trajectory, the Vulture reliably filled in the blanks.
The flight duration is about 2 hours in terms of fuel, but the flight path was set so that the target area could be completely surveyed within that time.
While monitoring the survey status, about 40 minutes passed.
“Ma’am. We have detected a reaction that appears to be oil.”
“What! Where, where!”
Receiving the long-awaited report, she stood up and leaned forward.
“Visual display is not possible at night, but here is the processed image.”
What was displayed was an image of the desert, probably corrected to be as close as possible to a visible light representation. Several black, distorted lakes could be seen in the center of the brown desert image. At first glance, they looked like ponds that had appeared in the wilderness.
“Wow… Is this all oil?”
“Yes, Ma’am. According to spectral analysis, the probability of it being oil is over 90%. We can confirm that oil is gushing out over such a large area, so we can expect quite a lot.”
This oil field is located in a desert area, and there are no settlements in the surrounding area.
In terms of national territory, it probably belongs to the Forest Country (Lebresta), but there do not seem to be any stationed troops.
Even if ＜The Tree＞ were to effectively control it, no one would complain.
Thinking that far, Commander (Eve) muttered.
“I want it…”
“Yes, Ma’am. It doesn’t seem to be used effectively, so let’s take it all at once.”
＜Ringo＞ immediately answered her murmur. As soon as the oil was found, ＜Ringo＞ had already run several simulations.
Accurate location information was added to the calculation model, and the calculation results were displayed immediately.
“You’re well-prepared.”
“Yes, Ma’am. With ＜The Core＞’s computing power, it can produce results for this level of simulation in seconds.
＜The Tree＞’s existing forces will seize the coast near the oil field. A Fortress will be built by a Work Vessel.
At the same time, paratroopers will invade inland and occupy the southern part of the oil field.
If possible, we will build mining facilities as is and lay pipelines.
The coast will be used as a base for defense forces, defending each facility. While expanding the Fortress, we will transport supplies and develop the oil field.
The pipeline laying should be completed within a month.
The total length of the pipeline is about 100km, so if we reduce the diameter and suppress the resources used for the first time, we can cover it with the existing resources.”
“Hmm. If we have enough resources, I want to get started right away. What are the other concerns?”
“The expansion of Fortress Two will be temporarily suspended, but the Lode development is progressing smoothly, so we can recover quickly.
If we can obtain oil smoothly, we will be able to manufacture resins, which will ultimately improve the expansion speed.
In addition, what we should be wary of is whether we can counter any powerful Monsters or external forces with our reserve forces if we enter a state of combat.”
She wanted the oil.
Now that she had found it, she wanted to dispatch troops as soon as possible, but if she acted too hastily, there was a risk of losing everything.
“However, we are conducting reconnaissance quite conspicuously this time. It will be difficult to see visually at night, but we have not been able to suppress the sound. There is a high possibility that our reconnaissance activities have been exposed.”
“I see. That’s also a concern… Invade with a blitzkrieg without giving the opponent time to react. That’s also the right answer. Spend time preparing for unknown dangers, or prevent the opponent from having time to react…”
That was a difficult problem.
What she was planning now was, by any conservative estimate, an invasion of a sovereign nation. She was excited about finding the oil field, but on closer inspection, it was an act of war that could not be defended in any way.
“Hmm… However, there’s no point in telling them about the usefulness of oil… It would be nice if they were cooperative with the mining, but it would be boring to be taken advantage of…”
“Ma’am. If we are going to take a peaceful approach, we can make an offer through a Delegation. However, as Ma’am is concerned, we will almost certainly be taken advantage of. We have not shown our military strength to the other party, and if it becomes a negotiation between countries, it could take years.”
“That’s right. Underground resources are literally buried treasure. It’s only natural to sell them as high as possible. Even if there was a global cartel, we are the only ones in this area who need oil. In that case, negotiations will naturally be difficult.”
“In order to obtain it quickly, armed invasion is unavoidable. At the current rate, our oil reserves will last for about a year. Even if we carry out other technological developments, we will not be able to achieve more than securing the oil field.”
“I know. We have been developing technology such as algae that produce Jet Fuel, but the efficiency is not good… In the first place, oil is not only fuel, but also a raw material resource. It is also important that we can use resins as much as we want, and the other separable elements are also attractive.”
Commander (Eve) had come to a very important crossroads.