Chapter 99: Loss of Combat Power
AI Shutdown Mode.
This is a state in which an AI, when some problem occurs, shuts down all information connections at its own discretion.
Not only wireless and wired communications, but even information gathering from various sensors is altered through special filters, isolating itself from received information.
This is to eliminate the risk of security holes being exploited by electromagnetic waves of various wavelengths, or sound waves.
Therefore, in Shutdown Mode, information gathering ability is extremely reduced.
In addition, analysis of friend-or-foe identification signals is also stopped, so attacks prioritize warning shots to prevent friendly fire.
Naturally, all approaches from the outside are ignored.
Releasing Shutdown Mode only occurs when the AI determines that the problem has been resolved.
In the worst case, Shutdown Mode will not be released until it is destroyed.
“If the situation does not improve, abandoning the mining plant is also an option. In Shutdown Mode, a lot of resources are used to analyze the surrounding environment, so combat ability is significantly reduced. That’s why all the AIs decided to withdraw.”
“W-wait, is this a pretty bad situation…?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Combat ability has decreased to 14%. The ratio of our forces to theirs is expected to have worsened from 10 to 3 to 10 to 22.”
“Sounds like a guaranteed loss…”
The force ratio is a numerical value derived from the information collected so far, and does not include unpredictable Magic (Fantasy) threats.
The force ratio may be even worse.
“The Strategic AI deployed at the Oil Port is reporting the possibility of unauthorized access to forward units, especially the Brain Units. A slight discrepancy was confirmed in the Shutdown Mode notification times of each unit. The initial report was from one unit that was allowed to communicate at the front line, but other than that, Shutdown Mode is being executed concentrically with Tefen as the starting point. It is presumed that some kind of approach was made from Tefen.”
“Eh… We’ve been hacked? Is that even possible…?”
“I am sorry. Any further consideration is nothing more than unfounded speculation, just delusion, so I can only answer that it is unknown.”
“…Well, yes. It’s best to only discuss the facts. So, what about Tefen?”
Noticing ＜Ringo＞’s apologetic demeanor, she calmed herself and sat back in her chair.
After all, there’s almost nothing she can do from here. All she can do is watch.
Even if the Oil Port has to be abandoned, they can challenge it next time with a larger force.
Cut losses on oil and focus all efforts on developing the seabed deposits. Switch resin raw materials to chemical synthesis or production by algae.
It’s inefficient, but not impossible. Plans have already been drawn up. It just wasn’t adopted because the cost is very high compared to mining.
“Yes, Ma’am. There is no movement at the moment. The entire group has moved forward slightly, about 7 meters in distance, but Tefen has only taken one step. It has stopped since then.”
“…It’s like it was surprised and leaned forward a little… No, just a thought. Please forget it.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Now then.
The Fuel-Air Explosive launched this time was also a reuse of a warhead that was sleeping inside ＜The Tree＞. When manufacturing the equivalent bomb anew, a thermobaric explosive is used.
This time, well, it’s a stock disposal. Even if it was disassembled, it wouldn’t amount to much resources, so it was being transported to Fortress Two to be used if possible.
“Missile has separated the warhead. The missile body is changing course and is scheduled to fall near the Oil Port. The Fuel-Air Explosive is deploying air brakes and adjusting its entry angle based on image analysis.”
Originally, terminal guidance would be performed using GPS signals, but there are no satellites, so it can’t be helped.
There may be some error in the expected landing point, but well, it’s literally within the margin of error.
“5 seconds to detonation, 3, 2, 1, now. Detonation successful.”
In the telescopic image, the orange flash enveloped Tefen and its entire group the moment the warhead that had plunged from the sky burst open.
The damage radius of the Fuel-Air Explosive used this time is about 200m. It is large enough to completely engulf Tefen itself and its entire group.
“…I wonder if it can inflict damage?”
“Unknown, Ma’am. I think there is a higher possibility that it will be completely defended against.”
The Scorpion’s Defense Membrane had the performance to completely defend against several direct hits from Cannon Shells.
Analysis of the battle with ＜Rain Croin＞ revealed that this Defense Membrane functions almost perfectly while it is in effect, and has the property of dispersing pressure that could potentially damage itself.
The blast pressure of a Fuel-Air Explosive occurs evenly throughout the damage radius, but the effective time itself is not long.
It is unlikely that its killing ability will be maintained until the Defense Membrane loses its effect.
“Still, it will serve as a deterrent. It will serve as an appeal that we have this kind of attack capability.”
Eventually, the smoke and dust generated by the explosion cleared away. What appeared from within was an unscathed Tefen.
And, here and there, were Scorpions that were overturned or piled up.
“No noticeable damage can be confirmed on Tefen. The other Scorpions also do not appear to be dead or injured. After all, it is safe to say that the blast pressure was completely prevented by the Defense Membrane.”
“…Ah, it’s moving.”
The overturned Scorpions were frantically moving their tails and pincers, trying to get back up. Some individuals remained motionless while overturned, but perhaps they were stunned by the impact.
“…Individuals assisting other individuals have been confirmed. After all, it seems that some kind of information sharing is taking place.”
After a while, the entire group began to move. The individuals who seemed to have been stunned were also rolled over by other individuals and seemed to have woken up.
They moved their Legs busily and began to move.
“O-oh? Amazing, they got on Tefen!”
The moving Scorpions began to climb onto Tefen’s torso as it was. Tefen lowered its torso to the ground, perhaps to make it easier to climb.
Eventually, after confirming that all the Scorpions were on board, Tefen slowly rotated its body and began to walk.
“They’re leaving…”
“For the time being, we have avoided a touch-and-go situation. Let’s continue developing the mining plant. The problem is the AI that has entered Shutdown Mode.”
“I wonder if it can be released?”
“Since there is a lack of information, I don’t know. However, if Tefen is the cause, there is a possibility that it will decide to release it due to Tefen’s withdrawal. It appears that Tefen received some kind of damage from our attack and withdrew.”
“I see…”
She sighed and stood up from her chair.
“I’m going to see those kids. Their stress levels are fine, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. We are following up as appropriate, so there is no problem. They are in a state of tension, but it is within acceptable limits.”
◇◇◇◇
A barren land with little food, despite its size.
That was its perception of the place. It was not a worthwhile land to incorporate into its Territory. It was basically left alone.
However, it seemed that a new group had come to that place.
The familiar that was sent out for reconnaissance engaged them in combat. A body larger than theirs, an unidentified attack.
For the time being, they seemed to have the intelligence to threaten it. From their appearance, they were a different force from the group next door.
It would be best if they didn’t enter its Territory.
The knowledge gained from past experience was that leaving it alone would not lead to anything good. For the time being, it had to make a hit and determine whether to coexist or antagonize.
It gathered its familiars and moved. Something small was flying overhead. Perhaps it was a familiar of the new group. This was the first time it had encountered a group other than its own kind.
There were no other groups of the same species in this area, but it vaguely understood that there were different species in other places. Perhaps this new group had come up from the sea.
While it was thinking about such things aimlessly, it faced the familiars of the new group.
For the time being, it tried to send a thought to confirm whether they had any intention of engaging in combat, but at that moment, the other party retreated as if the tide was receding. Surprised by this action, it froze for a while.
It seemed that it had been attacked somehow, but they seemed to be intentionally missing. All the familiars seemed to be able to perform such long-range attacks. However, they did not seem to have any intention of actively attacking.
And then.
The moment it realized that something was falling from above, its vision was dyed bright red.
It seemed that it had been attacked. It was only surprised and had no scratches, but some of the familiars seemed to have lost consciousness. It judged that there had been an attack over a fairly wide area.
It had no intention of actively attacking, but if they were to invade its Territory, it would eliminate them with all its might.
Sensing that intent, it decided to withdraw. As long as they didn’t come to encroach on its territory, that was fine. In fact, perhaps thanks to the arrival of this pack, there had been more food lately.
It returned to its den, thinking that it should increase its patrols of the territory.