“Did something appear?”
“Yes, Ma’am. The anti-air radar on the Second Ship (Oceanus) detected it.”
Gigantia and Titan series units are circling in the sky above North End City, which we are trying to capture.
Oceanus, flying on the northernmost side of that formation, detected an approaching Unknown object.
‘Onee-sama, what could this be! A Dragon, perhaps!’
“That’s not a laughing matter.”
The distance to the object is over 300km. Its speed is over 600km/h. At this rate, we’ll make contact in 30 minutes at the latest.
“Optical observation from Oceanus is impossible due to the high concentration of atmospheric particles. A reconnaissance satellite will pass overhead in 10 minutes.”
‘Onee-sama, I’ll establish a tactical data link with the Local Strategic AI!’
“Permission granted. Don’t forget the firewall.”
‘Yes, Ma’am!!’
Asahi, stationed at the Telek Port City base from ＜The Tree＞, is physically closer. The real-time link range is just barely within reach.
‘Data received! I’m sending it for radar information analysis! ＜Ringo＞, sending it to you!’
“Radar information received. Preliminary analysis results are as follows:
Total length: 80m to 120m. Radio wave reflectivity is not very high.
It is thought to be either a stealth structure or a radio wave absorbing material.
Horizontal speed: approximately 480km/h. Accelerating.
Altitude: 1,400m. Climbing.
Combining the distance traveled and the rate of ascent, the speed exceeds 600km/h.”
＜Ringo＞ uses the computational resources of ＜The Core＞ to rapidly analyze the data received via Asahi.
“Secondary analysis results are as follows:
Total length: 116m. Speed exceeds 690km/h and is still accelerating.
The direction of travel is predicted to be the Gigantia Squad’s circling airspace.
At this rate of acceleration, it will break through the警戒 line in 15 minutes.”
‘Reconnaissance Satellite No. 3, altitude change initiated! Reconnaissance Satellite No. 1, on route!’
The reconnaissance satellites in the sky are normally operated at high altitudes to minimize the effects of atmospheric friction. However, when precise images are desired, the altitude is changed to move to a lower orbit.
However, it is not possible to immediately lower the altitude by tens of kilometers. Doing so would put a strain on the satellite, and the fuel would run out quickly.
“Ma’am. I will send one unit of escort fighters to approach the target.”
“Okay.”
Therefore, we decided to move the escort fighters, which had been scrambled, closer to Oceanus until they were within optical observation range.
The four aircraft formed a unit, maintaining a distance that allowed them to cover each other while conducting reconnaissance.
“They can approach to visual range in about 5 minutes.”
The Unknown object is displayed on the radar screen. The distance to the formation centered on Gigantia is currently 330km.
The Gigantia and Titan series units are currently circling in a radius of about 30km.
Of these, the Second Ship (Oceanus) is flying on the outermost edge, about 2km from the central Gigantia.
The altitude is currently 8,000m. It immediately began to ascend after detecting the Unknown object.
This is because the greater the difference in altitude, the more advantageous it is when facing an enemy aircraft.
“Preparing to activate auxiliary engines. I hope this doesn’t turn into a real battle right away…”
“The auxiliary engines have only been tested, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Since they are disposable, we have only tested them twice. The specified test items have been cleared, but there is no record of combat maneuvers.
The load on each part of the aircraft during use has only been confirmed in simulations.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is a live performance.”
“Well, they can probably at least escape. Let’s decide after seeing the reconnaissance results.”
Even as we were discussing future plans, a speck of light, separated from the Gigantia Squad’s direct escort, was rapidly approaching the Unknown object.
The sky today is thinly clouded and generally hazy. It’s more like poor visibility weather.
On a clear day, it would be possible to capture it with a camera even from a distance of 100km or more.
We can only be thankful that it’s not raining.
“Reconnaissance unit, distance to Unknown object is less than 5km. They should be able to take pictures soon.”
‘Well, well, will a demon or a snake appear!! I’m looking forward to it!!’
“Asahi, can’t you be a little more tense?”
Commander (Onee-sama) snaps at Asahi, but in terms of tension, Commander (Eve) is just as bad. She should be a little more tense.
“Captured it.”
＜Ringo＞ reports and displays the analyzed image on the screen.
The same image should have been sent to Asahi as well.
“Umm…?”
However, only a black smudge is displayed in the center of the screen.
This is the result of integrating the information from the four visible light sensors and performing image processing, so it would be impossible to find it with the naked eye.
“Overlaying analysis results.”
＜Ringo＞ further processes the image.
It overlaid a wireframe representation of the Unknown object.
“…No way, but…”
‘O-O-Onee-sama!!’
The Unknown object analyzed by ＜Ringo＞. Although it is a rough wireframe display.
It was, without a doubt–
『”Dragon!!”』
◇◇◇◇
At almost the same time that Asahi was exploding with joy at the Telek Port City base.
The four fighters faced the approaching Unknown object and got on a passing trajectory.
The distance between them was approximately 3km.
The four aircraft will separate up, down, left, and right, and pass through about 1km around the Unknown object while dispersing.
The four aircraft change their trajectories and take a passing stance while adjusting their distances.
The plan is for each aircraft to approach one after another at intervals of a few seconds, rather than simultaneously. This is a measure to avoid a situation in which all aircraft approach at the same time and are shot down all at once.
The relative speed is over 1,700km/h.
It is unlikely that there is any danger in passing each other at a distance of 1km.
However, after passing each other, they will make a U-turn and approach from behind. Since the relative speed will be almost zero, the risk will be higher.
The distance between them is consumed in an instant, and the four aircraft pass the Unknown object one after another.
With a distance of 1km, the cameras made by ＜The Tree＞ firmly captured the figure of the giant.
The head, which looks like a slightly elongated lizard, has two magnificent horns and various horns of different sizes surrounding them. Supporting that large head is a long, thick neck. Huge wings are spread from the shoulders instead of arms, and the torso is slightly thick, but strong hind legs and a long tail continue, probably to support the body.
And its entire body is covered with silver scales, which occasionally reflect sunlight and sparkle.
From an aerodynamic point of view, it would be impossible for this giant to fly at such a ridiculous speed as over 800km/h.
Moreover, its wings were simply spread out and did not seem to be accelerating at all.
How does this provisional name “Dragon” obtain its power?
In the first place, why, and from where, is it flying towards Gigantia?
The four aircraft that passed each other made a U-turn and chased after it from behind. They are flying with afterburners to make up for the speed they temporarily lost.
Of the four aircraft, one overtook the Dragon from the right and moved forward.
Since it has not shown any noticeable reaction so far, it moved to a position within its field of vision, hoping for some kind of action.
The remaining three aircraft are positioned slightly behind, separated to the left, right, and above.
Then, after about a dozen seconds passed.
The Dragon roared.
There is no sound. According to the sensors, it is an ultrasound that exceeds the audible range.
High-pressure ultrasound struck the fighter flying in front.
The entire aircraft was exposed to ultra-vibration, and the moving parts played a discordant sound. In particular, the impact on the turbine section of the high-speed rotating jet engine was enormous.
Abnormal vibrations occurred in the rotating shaft, and the bearings heated up due to increased friction. Components that could no longer withstand the pressure due to tissue degeneration exploded, and the damaged turbine scattered fragments due to its own rotational speed.
The aircraft, which had lost control, blew backward in a spiral state.