Episode 99: Loss of Combat Power
AI Autistic Mode.
This is a state where an AI, upon encountering a problem, shuts down all information connections on its own accord.
Not only wireless and wired communications, but even information gathering from various sensors is altered through special filters, isolating itself from the received information.
This is to eliminate the risk of security holes being exploited through electromagnetic waves of various wavelengths, or sound waves.
As a result, information gathering ability is drastically reduced in autistic mode.
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 autistic mode only occurs when the AI judges that the problem has been resolved.
In the worst case, autistic mode will not be released until it is destroyed.
“If the situation does not improve, abandoning the mining plant will be an option. In autistic mode, a lot of resources are dedicated to analyzing the surrounding environment, so combat ability is significantly reduced. That’s why all the AIs decided to retreat.”
“W-wait, is this a pretty bad situation…?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Combat ability has decreased to 14%. The ratio of our forces to the enemy’s is expected to have worsened from 10 to 3, to 10 to 22.”
“We’re guaranteed to lose…”
The force ratio is a numerical value derived from the information collected so far, and does not include unpredictable magical (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 frontline machines, especially the Brain Units. Slight discrepancies were observed in the autistic mode notification times of each unit. The initial report came from one unit that was allowed to communicate on the front lines, but the others entered autistic mode concentrically from 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 apologize. Any further consideration is nothing more than unfounded speculation, just wishful thinking, so I can only answer that it is unknown.”
“…Well, you’re right. It’s best to only discuss the facts. So, what about Tefen?”
Noticing the apologetic demeanor of ＜Ringo＞, she suppressed her own agitation and sat back down in her chair.
After all, there’s not much she can do from here. All she can do is watch.
Even if they have to abandon the Oil Port, they can challenge it again with a larger force next time.
Cut their losses on oil and devote all their efforts to developing the seabed mineral deposits. Switch to chemical synthesis or algae production for resin raw materials.
It’s inefficient, but not impossible. Plans have already been drawn up. They just hadn’t adopted them because the costs were too high compared to mining.
“Yes, Ma’am. There is no movement at the moment. The entire group has moved forward slightly, about 7 meters, but Tefen has only taken one step. It has stopped since then.”
“…It’s acting like it was surprised and leaned forward a little… No, that’s just my impression. Please forget it.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Now then.
The fuel-air explosive bomb launched this time was also a reuse of a warhead that had been sleeping inside ＜The Tree＞. When manufacturing equivalent bombs from scratch, thermobaric explosives are used.
This one was, well, a disposal of inventory. It wouldn’t have yielded much resources even if disassembled, so it was transported to the Second Fortress with the intention of using it if possible.
“Missile, warhead separated. The missile body will change course and fall around the Oil Port. The fuel-air explosive bomb is deploying air brakes, adjusting its entry angle based on image analysis.”
Originally, terminal guidance would be performed using GPS signals, but since there are no satellites, it can’t be helped.
There may be some error in the planned landing point, but well, it’s literally within the margin of error.
“Detonation in 5 seconds, 3, 2, 1, now. Detonation successful.”
In the telescopic image, the orange flash enveloped Tefen and its entire group immediately after the warhead that had plunged from the sky exploded.
The damage radius of the fuel-air explosive bomb used this time is about 200m. It’s large enough to completely envelop Tefen itself and its entire group.
“…I wonder if we can inflict any damage?”
“Unknown, Ma’am. It is more likely that it will be defended against.”
The scorpion’s defensive membrane had the ability to completely defend against the direct hit of several shells.
Analysis of the battle with ＜Rain Croin＞ revealed that this defensive membrane functions almost perfectly while it is active, and has the property of dispersing pressure that could potentially damage itself.
The blast pressure of a fuel-air explosive bomb 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 defensive membrane loses its effect.
“Still, it will serve as a deterrent. It will be an appeal that we have this kind of attack capability.”
Eventually, the smoke and dust generated by the explosion cleared. What appeared from within was an unharmed Tefen.
And, scorpions that were overturned or piled up in places.
“No significant damage can be confirmed on Tefen. The other scorpions also do not appear to be dead or injured. It is safe to assume that the blast pressure was completely blocked by the defensive 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 they may have been stunned by the impact.
“…Individuals assisting other individuals have been confirmed. It seems that they are sharing some kind of information after all.”
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’re riding Tefen!”
The moving scorpions began to climb onto Tefen’s body as they were. Tefen lowered its body to the ground, perhaps to make it easier to climb.
Eventually, after confirming that all the scorpions had boarded, Tefen slowly rotated its body and began to walk.
“They’re leaving…”
“For now, we have avoided a touch-and-go situation. Let’s continue the development of the mining plant. The problem is the AI that has entered autistic mode.”
“Can it be released?”
“Due to lack of information, I cannot say. However, if Tefen is the cause, it may 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 worth incorporating into its territory, a land with little flavor. Basically, it was left alone.
However, it seemed that a new group had come to that place.
The familiars sent for reconnaissance engaged them in combat. Larger bodies than theirs, unidentified attacks.
For the time being, they seemed to have the intelligence to intimidate them. From their appearance, they were a different force from the neighboring group.
It would be best if they didn’t enter its territory.
The knowledge gained from past experience was that leaving things alone would not lead to anything good. For now, it had to make a strike and determine whether to coexist or be hostile.
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 groups other than its own kind 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 opponent retreated as if the tide was receding. Surprised by this action, it froze for a moment.
It seemed that they had been attacked, but they had intentionally missed. All the familiars seemed to be capable of 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 the attack had been quite widespread.
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 try to encroach on its territory, that was fine. In fact, perhaps thanks to the arrival of this pack, prey had become more abundant recently.
It returned to its nest, thinking that it should increase its patrols of the territory.