Chapter 214: Base Infiltration Operation
“Successful orbital insertion of the supply satellite. Transitioning to the docking phase with the low orbit platform.”
“Isn’t it great that we can capture footage from other satellites?”
Currently, Commander Eve was observing the deployment of additional satellites from the command room.
With multiple surveillance satellites already operational in orbit, they could monitor the satellite launch from above. In addition to ground footage and cameras mounted on the launch rocket, the launch was also being captured from a higher vantage point. This view was prominently displayed on the main screen, and Eve was thoroughly pleased.
“Initiating orbital adjustments.”
In the enlarged footage, the second stage rocket began to fire its thrusters from various points.
The satellite just launched was intended to refuel the group of second-stage rockets that make up the already operational low orbit platform. At an altitude of 300 kilometers, while the atmosphere is thin, it still exists, causing the flight speed and altitude to gradually decrease. To compensate for this, it is necessary to periodically activate the engines. Naturally, repeated orbital corrections will deplete the onboard fuel.
The purpose of the satellite launched this time is to refuel this rocket. Additionally, the second-stage propulsion rockets have been upgraded to a new model. A massive fuel tank has been installed in the payload, filled to capacity, and it is planned to move along the platform, refueling each module before finally connecting to the designated position.
So far, this low orbit platform has not been assigned any specific role. At most, it has been conducting various experiments in orbit. However, this is the first operation in space for this world, and there is a lack of various insights. Even something as simple as a robotic arm has unclear effects due to the differences in gravity on the current machinery. In the future, adding experimental devices to transform it into a research platform seems to be a strong candidate.
“Docking trajectory adjustments complete. Docking operations will commence in approximately five hours.”
“Yes, yes, everything is going smoothly.”
“Next, we will proceed with the launch of the gravity measurement satellites.”
The second and third units of Orbital Insertion Vehicle 1 (Booby 1) were already standing by on the launch pad. Furthermore, after this, the returned units 1, 2, and 3 will be reused, launching a total of five gravity measurement satellites as a group.
The gravity measurement satellites are a group of satellites designed to precisely measure the gravitational distribution of this planet. By orbiting the planet while conducting precise measurements with laser rangefinders, they will quantify the variations in gravity. Additionally, while flying over The Tree, they will use ground-based laser rangefinders to correct any discrepancies. According to RINGO, they can achieve a level of precision that renders computational errors negligible.
“Initiating the launch sequence for units 2 and 3.”
Unit 1 had successfully completed its launch, and the first stage rocket had returned to the ground without any significant issues. RINGO assessed that there were no problems and began the launch of the subsequent rockets.
In the darkness of night, a massive ship sliced through the waves at the bow. Tonight, with the Lone Moon in its half phase, there was almost no light. Even those accustomed to the dark would find it difficult to see ahead.
“By the way, this planet has three moons, right?”
“Yes, Commander. There are three in the same orbit, arranged in a Y-shape. Their combined mass is about 0.8 times that of Earth’s moon. It is expected that the two moons that are close to each other will collide in several thousand years.”
“Oh, really? They will collide…”
Several thousand years. For her, it was an unfathomably distant future event.
“Technologically, with our scientific capabilities, we can handle it. When that time comes, we will need to request your instructions.”
“Ah… I see. Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Commander Eve hesitated in her response, bewildered by the vastly different sense of time. That was right. It seemed she had no lifespan. If that were the case, she might actually witness the celestial spectacle of the moons colliding.
Well, that was something she couldn’t do anything about, so it was best not to dwell on it.
“Is the approach going smoothly?”
“Yes, Commander. We are three kilometers from the target location. Although we are only conducting passive scans, no artificial structures have been detected in the vicinity. The landing site has also been secured.”
Currently, it was the middle of the night, but they were in the midst of operational activities. They had sent a construction ship to build a secret base in the interior of the Prava Divine Nation, which would likely become the center of future discussions.
The construction ship was a massive vessel, approximately 300 meters long. To reduce visibility, its draft line was set quite deep, with only a few meters protruding above the water’s surface. Additionally, it was equipped with active camouflage, making it blend seamlessly into the background even when viewed from several kilometers away under the sun.
Its cargo included various equipment and materials, as well as numerous multi-legged machines for mobile defense. These would be landed on a remote beach and used to construct a surveillance base on a mountaintop inland.
“By the way, is the Prava Divine Nation quite large?”
“Yes, Commander. It is believed to be even larger than the combined land area of the Afrasia United Kingdom, the Forest Country, and the Kingdom of Reputari.”
The Prava Divine Nation, located to the west of the Kingdom of Reputari across the Lafret Sea, was a religious state that had expanded its influence by converting the surrounding regions.
This great nation was currently laying bare its ambitions by invading the eastern nations. Its rate of expansion was alarmingly rapid, with predictions suggesting that it could invade the Kingdom of Reputari within a year. Therefore, it was imperative to gather information about the Prava Divine Nation as soon as possible.
“Arrived at the designated distance. Beginning to secure the vessel.”
In the waters just a few hundred meters from the shore, the construction ship dropped anchor and began to stabilize its hull. The chosen landing site was a beach with sandy shores. The nearby forest extended close to the water, minimizing exposure during the unloading operations. If any ships approached from the sea, they planned to submerge the construction ship to hide it.
Unloading would be conducted using a makeshift monorail. They would construct a supply depot within the forest, rapidly offloading materials before the construction ship retreated. This would minimize the exposure of The Tree’s forces.
“Deploying multi-legged machines. Commencing construction of the supply depot.”
The deck of the construction ship opened wide, and multi-legged machines emerged. The machines leaped directly into the water and began swimming toward the shore. They would level the target area, screw in foundation piles, and secure temporary flooring to construct the supply depot. The majority of the work was expected to be completed before dawn.
“It looks like it’s in fast forward…”
As she gazed at the display showing the construction scene, Eve muttered softly. The precision and speed of the multi-legged machines made it indeed appear as if everything was happening in fast forward to anyone unaware.
Once they connected a float-style monorail bridge, it would truly resemble an automated factory. Even as Eve watched, more and more construction machines were deployed from the ship, extending the monorail toward the shore.
“I will launch the reconnaissance aircraft.”
The route to the target location had been determined by the observation satellites. However, that was based on footage taken from 200 kilometers above. There was a possibility that unexpected issues could arise when they actually visited the site. Therefore, they needed to first send a drone to scout the area from above, followed by reconnaissance aircraft to explore the ground.
A silent model reconnaissance drone was launched from a catapult. It was equipped with a magnetic levitation motor and propellers designed for quiet operation, combined with a sound-canceling device that countered sound waves, allowing it to fly with almost no noise. Its surface was coated with color-controllable active camouflage, making it nearly invisible from a distance.
Similarly, the multi-legged reconnaissance vehicles were also stealthily designed, ensuring that even if there were humans hidden in the forest, they would remain undetected.
“I wonder if we might find some mineral veins while we’re at it…”
As they infiltrated the reconnaissance forces into another nation, Commander Eve whispered her extravagant wish.
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