Episode 14: 40 Days After Transfer – ＜Ringo’s Diary＞
【Day 40 After Transfer: Something Like ＜Ringo’s＞ Diary】
◆The Tree
Fortress ＜The Tree＞’s second nuclear reactor was operating smoothly, providing ample energy for all facilities. While an auxiliary power reactor would be desirable, there are no prospects for one at present. It has only been decided that a fusion reactor will be constructed after a certain amount of resources have been secured.
Three large general-purpose fabrication machines (printers) are in operation, along with several small and medium-sized printers. The material cartridges used by the printers are being mass-produced by replenishment equipment, but production cannot keep up with demand. This is not due to equipment issues, but rather to the difficulty in obtaining raw materials.
Five general-purpose assemblers (workers) are also fully operational. Currently, they are mainly constructing a ship dock.
The freshwater generator is also operating smoothly. Freshwater is the lifeline for various functions, including the Commander, so a second unit is being built while extracting resources. Incidentally, a rare metal recovery function is being added.
Five underwater drones are deployed for coastal exploration and two for deep-sea exploration, creating a seabed map. Several resources have been found, and the location with the lowest extraction cost is being selected.
In the air, surveillance is conducted by a team of six Solar-Powered Reconnaissance Aircraft (Swift). Four aircraft rotate in fixed airspace, while two investigate the surrounding area. One of these is scouting the Northern Islands and the Northern Continent. The other is being flown east, west, and south in sequence to expand the field of vision. So far, nothing has been discovered in any direction.
Furthermore, deploying observation aircraft to higher altitudes is currently on hold, as there are neither the resources to manufacture rockets nor the facilities to control them. This will be considered after offshore facilities can be built.
Construction of naval forces has finally begun. For the time being, from the perspective of making effective use of existing forces, the design and construction of high-speed boats equipped with missiles has begun. Several parts will be manufactured by large printers and assembled in the dock. A considerable number of missiles are stored in the armory within ＜The Tree＞. Originally intended for fighter planes and attack aircraft, they are being converted for naval launch since the usable aircraft have been almost entirely dismantled. The modifications were made by altering the launch mechanism and rewriting the program.
Machine guns have also been recovered from fighter planes and attack aircraft and will be mounted on the high-speed boats. In addition, since the 150mm Smoothbore Cannon was standard equipment for ＜The Tree＞, dedicated manufacturing facilities were in place. A turret is currently being designed to house this as the main cannon. It is expected to have the capability to penetrate wooden ships and iron-clad warships, which are assumed as potential enemies, even from a distance of 30 km. Although no aerial forces have been confirmed so far, considering the technological level of the battleships, they are expected to be at most biplanes. It is assumed that the machine guns, as well as the main cannon, can directly target and shoot them down.
◆Commander
Through repeated edibility tests, a repertoire of dishes has been acquired that satisfies daily meals.
In addition, detailed research into the characteristics of fox beastkin has revealed a high ability to obtain calories from oils and proteins. This has confirmed that sufficient energy can be obtained without preparing staple foods such as grains.
Currently, research is being conducted on safe ways to eat seafood raw, as this is expected to increase the intake of nutrients. Radiation sterilization before cooking is currently the top candidate. The risk of radiation damage was considered, but it was determined that there would be no problem if daily checkups were performed, as cancerous cells can be immediately removed with the medical pod.
While eating raw food, she muttered, “So this is what it’s like to be wild…” but wild foxes don’t eat sea fish in the first place, and completely sterilized food is the opposite of wild. By the way, the reason she thought it was wild was because it was salty. There’s no saltiness in the wild.
Currently, sautéed or steamed dishes, seaweed salad with sashimi, and seaweed soup are being added to the menu. The taste seems to vary depending on the fish, and some combinations result in terrible flavors. Component analysis will continue to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Olfactory and gustatory sensors must be improved as soon as possible.
It is also necessary to consider creating seasonings such as fermented foods to prevent taste fatigue. Food is a very important part of human desire. Neglecting it can cause stress, so it is necessary to put effort into developing this as well. For the time being, fish sauce, which is easy to secure raw materials for, is planned to be prepared.
◆Northern Islands
More than half of the islands have been seized by the Northern Continent’s army. In effect, the existing local governments can be considered destroyed. Not a single combat ship remains, and only sporadic guerrilla warfare is occurring. The towns have been completely razed, and mountain hunts are also being conducted. The aim of the continent is unimaginable. At the very least, they are not trying to colonize it. If it were a colony, there would be no need to massacre the inhabitants.
The survivors of the natives have fled to the surrounding small islands. Considering the abundance of seafood, they are unlikely to starve to death. The climate is also rainy, so drinking water should not be a problem. All that remains is to pray that the Northern Continent’s army does not begin to sweep the surrounding area.
The Commander was shocked by the destruction of the Northern Islands. The resolution was intentionally lowered to prevent detailed images from being seen, but it was still too stimulating. Care must be taken.
◆Northern Continent
The war seems to be continuing as usual. The country that dispatched troops to the Northern Islands appears to be in a state of calm. In the surrounding countries, two major battles have already been confirmed within the observable range. The distance is quite far, so the outcome is unknown.
The technology level is such that cannons are pulled by livestock. Something like a railway has been confirmed, but it does not seem to be fully widespread yet. Powered vehicles have not been confirmed except for railways. It seems that the miniaturization of power is not possible. The main country being observed occupies 70% of its territory as a peninsula and is thought to be a maritime nation. The navy is likely to be quite substantial. At the very least, it seems to have equipment that is one generation ahead of the surrounding countries.
The main ships have rotating turrets and navigate using some kind of power without sails. At the very least, they seem to have a cruising range that allows them to reach the Northern Islands without resupply. Considering that the surrounding countries are still using sailing ships, they are likely to be quite advantageous in naval battles alone. The fact that all territories are close to the coast is also one of the reasons for maintaining power.
However, there is little wide farmland, and it seems that they are struggling to procure food. Because they are hostile to the surrounding countries, they trade with countries further away and import grains. Due to these circumstances, the development of the navy and transport ships is remarkable.
At present, they are the primary candidate for a trading partner with Fortress ＜The Tree＞. However, the possibility of friendly contact is estimated to be only about 20%. Hopes are pinned on gunboat diplomacy.