Chapter 193: Formation of the Delegation
“But sending a delegation to the Forest Country (Lebresta) is going to be quite a challenge,” Commander Eve remarked, furrowing her brow.
“Yes, Ma’am. The range for microwave transmission from a power supply drone at an altitude of 30 kilometers is approximately 800 kilometers. We can operate freely within that distance from the border,” Ringo, the AI Commander, replied.
“I’d rather not think about marching beyond that… If we could deploy Gigantia, it would eliminate a lot of our concerns,” Eve sighed.
“Deploying Gigantia would be excessive, though. We don’t want to make them a vassal state, so we must observe at least the minimum diplomatic courtesies. If we can manage vertical takeoff and landing, it might be worth considering,” Ringo suggested.
“I agree. Even if we share similar national strengths, I wouldn’t want such a strategic weapon flying overhead. Hmm, it seems we’ll have to accompany ground-based power reactor units instead.”
Eve was deep in thought about the formation of the delegation to Lebresta.
If it were just the Communicator Androids, a large power supply unit wouldn’t be necessary. They could generate the required power on their own. Their food consumption would increase, but it would be manageable.
However, their combat capabilities would significantly diminish. Auxiliary computational devices require substantial power for combat maneuvers, and the Assist Suits also need a power supply. If microwave power transmission were possible, it wouldn’t be a concern, but the horizon is beyond our range.
“We’ll need to accompany a large power supply vehicle equipped with a nuclear fusion reactor. Additionally, a small power supply vehicle for limited operations will be necessary,” Ringo concluded.
“If we can supply fuel within Lebresta, we could use an internal combustion engine for long-term operations,” Eve mused.
However, given that oil technology hasn’t spread across this continent, that wish seemed unrealistic. Therefore, they would need to secure power through some means.
“It would be great if we could supply power directly from space,” Ringo added.
“Unfortunately, there are too many uncertainties, and it would take several years to realize,” Eve replied.
On this irrational (fantasy) planet, undertaking significant actions incurs considerable risks. Engaging in conspicuous activities could attract formidable monsters.
Space development, in particular, carries unknown dangers, and without adequate defensive forces, they cannot proceed. The current conclusion is that they want to execute such operations from several thousand kilometers away from their base, with ample air and naval forces prepared.
“Hmm, I suppose we’ll have to develop a power supply vehicle. If we’re using existing resources, we could utilize the Redstone as fuel,” Ringo suggested.
“That’s true. I’ve calculated it. For small generator applications, we can conclude that the energy density is higher than that of oil fuel. By combining a closed-cycle heat engine (Stirling Engine) with a storage device, we can fit it into a carriage size typical in the Afrasia United Kingdom. However, the output would only be sufficient for about two Multi-legged Tanks (MLT-E),” Ringo explained.
“Is it possible to equip it with a nuclear fusion reactor?” Eve inquired.
“It would be challenging to widen the vehicle, so if we place the equipment front and back, we would need approximately 40 meters in length. It would be a multi-segmented design,” Ringo replied.
While it would be somewhat extravagant as an escort vehicle, it wouldn’t be too outlandish for a deployed force, Eve thought, averting her gaze. No, she decided to convince herself of that.
“Considering the aesthetic aspect, it should be multi-wheeled. For off-road capabilities, a multi-legged design would be better,” Ringo suggested.
“Well, since it’s a long-term operation, we’ll need plenty of supplies. Yes, let’s push for food and other essentials…” Eve concluded, as the formation of the delegation to Lebresta began to take shape.
The delegation would consist of Communicator Androids for external use, accompanied by two bipedal machines for protection. Multi-legged Tanks and a large power supply vehicle would also be included, along with multi-wheeled transport vehicles for supplies.
With these as the core, Ringo began calculating the finer details of the formation.
The delegation, manufactured using the Large General-Purpose Work Machine (Printer) at the Second Fortress (Black Iron), was transported to a lake near the East Gate City on the same day.
Air transport was conducted using a large amphibious flying boat.
Despite the considerable amount of materials, they fully utilized the benefits of microwave power transmission, which does not require fuel loading, allowing a single transport vehicle to carry a substantial load.
For the control of the delegation, an Independent AI was newly manufactured and installed.
The U-Class AI, Rochester, and the E-Class AI, Heath, were assigned.
Both were made with photonics neural network chips. While they were too large to fit into the Communicator Androids, they could be operated from the accompanying nuclear fusion-powered supply vehicle, Little Whale, or the Multi-legged Ground Mother Unit, Planter.
To ensure maximum backup, the base AI, Fragaria Zero, located in East Gate City, would conduct real-time monitoring. The connection would utilize satellites, eliminating the horizon issue present with microwave power transmission.
This time, the Communicator Androids would be models that omitted the Brain Unit for safety measures, as they were being dispatched outside the influence of The Tree. In the event that the escorting forces were decimated and the unit had to be abandoned, it would be necessary to destroy the Brain Unit to the point where data recovery would be impossible. For the AIs produced by The Tree, this would be tantamount to death and should be avoided at all costs.
Since photonics-based designs allow for freezing and immediate backup, the neural network information could be preserved through data transmission or retreating into a black box. If preserved, the possibility of rebooting remains, which is why all units dispatched to the field would fundamentally utilize photonics technology.
Ultimately, the formation of the delegation to the Forest Country (Lebresta) was decided as follows:
Thirteen Communicator Androids, all remote-controlled and managed by Heath.
The Multi-legged Ground Mother Unit, Planter, equipped with the E-Class Tactical AI, Heath. This new model was redesigned to narrow its overall width. Instead of reducing the number of onboard units, they increased the number of medical pods, anticipating its use as a diplomatic card.
Three Multi-legged Tanks for protection, using the MLT-E-04, Hopper. This model was selected for being smaller than the standard type, which also significantly reduces energy consumption during normal movement.
Finally, the nuclear fusion-powered supply vehicle, Little Whale, equipped with the U-Class Tactical AI, Rochester. It would be responsible for the entire unit’s power supply, carrying enough fuel for approximately five months of operation without resupply. While it was equipped with close-range self-defense weapons, it would primarily be a protected entity in times of crisis.
Lastly, there would be two supply transport vehicles, each a self-propelled multi-wheeled transport vehicle about 13 meters long, connected in tandem. They would carry weapons, ammunition, and various fuels, as well as store bipedal escort machines and small power supply vehicles powered by Redstone.
The Communicator Androids would be distributed as follows: two would board the Planter, one would be on each Multi-legged Tank, four would be on the Little Whale, and two would be on each supply transport vehicle. If negotiations on the Lebresta side required them to accompany a carriage or other means of transport, several individuals aboard the Little Whale would handle that. In such cases, they planned to bring along escort machines in some form.
Initially, the Lebresta side expressed reluctance to accept this unit’s deployment, but after witnessing its speed and off-road capabilities, they had no choice but to reluctantly agree.
In fact, the largest vehicle, Little Whale, measured 13 meters in width. Considering that a typical carriage used in the Afrasia United Kingdom is about 2 meters, this was an enormous size. Fortunately, the main roads in Lebresta appeared to have widths of approximately 10 to 15 meters, and it was confirmed that there were no impassable obstacles like cliffs on either side.
Little Whale’s wheels were designed to be somewhat deformable, allowing it to walk like a multi-legged machine by locking the tires, albeit at a reduced speed.
While they might need to consider detours to clear paths in the worst-case scenario, the Lebresta ambassador, having witnessed the power of the Multi-legged Tanks, confidently declared that there would be no issues.
Their silence was likely not just a figment of the imagination.