Episode 29: Destroyer, Construction Commences
The other day, she had designed a Charged Particle Cannon-equipped warship in a fit of enthusiasm, but for the time being, she needed to operate ships of destroyer size.
“Ma’am. We will now produce Level 1 Destroyers. The initial production will be two ships. Once the collection of Iron Resources is complete, we will produce an additional four ships. We will have a total of three large transport ships, and conduct three group trades with one transport ship and two destroyers per group.”
“Okay. We’ll use Communicator Dolls as crew… I wonder if we should take everyone with us eventually?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Foreign expeditions are likely to yield many benefits. However, ensuring safety will be difficult for the time being, so we are planning to operate only with Communicator Dolls.”
“Well, I guess that’s true. At the very least, we need to mass-produce Guard Bots.”
Guard Bots are a series of automated combat machines primarily focused on guarding important figures. In , it seemed that there were individual quests for escorting VIPs if you looked for them, but she, who basically played solo, hadn’t particularly dabbled in such quests. Therefore, unfortunately, there were no automated combat machine groups in ‘s inventory at all.
“Mass production is possible, but stabilizing trade is the top priority.”
“In the first place, it’s too much Over-Technology to show off. We’re already more conspicuous than expected, so we can’t introduce any more topics.”
Information from the bots infiltrated into Telek Port City confirmed that the trade fleet ＜Paraiso＞ was stealing the spotlight. The sleek hull, powerful Cannons, and beautiful crew. The traded goods were all first-class, and the price was just Iron. Since no information was being released, the most actively discussed topic seemed to be which country ＜Paraiso＞ came from. Among them, there was even a rumor that they were a tribe living quietly on a remote southern island, wandering the open sea in search of resources, which hit the truth head-on, but it was dismissed with a strong argument that they were from a major power due to the high level of technology of the trading ships.
“A giant transport ship with an Iron ship as an escort is also quite a topic.”
“Isn’t it a bit milder than Iron Dolls that move around on their own and fly in the sky?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I think so.”
That’s how the next voyage schedule was decided.
By the way, it takes about two weeks to manufacture a destroyer. Including the learning period, it is estimated to take one month to manufacture two ships. As soon as they are completed, they are scheduled to head to trade immediately.
The Level 1 Destroyer was simply named Alpha. The first ship of the Alpha-Class Destroyer, Alpha. The second ship, Bravo. Since they are likely to be dismantled and recycled in the future, there are no plans to give them elaborate names. The third and subsequent ships are planned to be Charlie, Delta, Echo, and Foxtrot, respectively.
It is equipped with two diesel generators as the main engine, and one Immorter Screw as the power source. The main armament is three 150mm Smoothbore Cannons. As anti-aircraft guns, it has six multi-barrel 20mm Autocannons. In addition, it is equipped with eight machine guns and shotguns on each side for close-range defense. It has an observation mast and a primitive radar is also installed. It is basically automatically controlled, but Communicator Dolls can also operate it for camouflage. Boarding attacks will be handled by these machine guns and shotguns.
“Knowing the situation over there, this is more than enough firepower.”
Although there are limitations such as the number of rounds and Cannon barrel cooling, the result of the war potential assessment was that most port towns could be occupied with just one main Cannon. Warships can be sunk with a single shot from outside their range. If the type of ammunition is changed, even a relatively thick castle wall can be pierced. No matter what kind of ship approaches, it is possible to immediately turn the screw and retreat. In the first place, the combat ability of the Communicator Dolls is far higher even if they are boarded.
“Even so, that… peninsula nation. I want to know their name already… their military strength is more of a threat than I thought…”
What she pointed out was the country that had previously militarily invaded the Northern Islands.
“Next time, let’s have them investigate at Telek Port City. Although the distance is far, it is a port town, so they should have some information.”
“I see. I really wish we could trade with them.”
It is a natural desire to want to deal with a relatively stable country rather than a small town whose survival is uncertain. Telek Port City is the most stable town in the surrounding area, but the surroundings are too desolate in the first place. Compared to that peninsula nation, there is a world of difference.
“We are mass-producing warships at full speed. For now, our Light Trade Sailship (LST) seems to be able to compete with their performance. But if we are attacked with numbers, we may not be able to handle it.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Even if we go with three Light Trade Sailships (LST), we cannot cope if we are confronted with more than 10 ships. Structurally, they are also fragile, so if even one Cannon Shell hits, they will become unnavigable.”
“It’s just made of plastic after all…”
To be precise, it is Cellulose, but ＜Ringo＞ ignored it because no one would benefit from pointing it out.
“We can’t get close unless we can at least build a Cruiser-class ship. There would still be hope if that country dispatched a trading ship to the Telek Port City side.”
“They only go to the opposite side, don’t they?”
That country’s trading partners seemed to be only on the opposite side of Telek Port City, where ＜The Tree＞ is currently trading. However, that is only natural. The port towns on the Telek Port City side are either declining or ruined. It is assumed that the country is in need of food, so it will naturally want to trade with countries that have rich granaries and little war. They certainly don’t want to get close to areas that are ravaged by civil war all year round.
“If we have the six Destroyers scheduled to be built and one Potemkin Main Ship, there is a possibility of dialogue…”
“Well, it will take a while. And trade will be delayed during operation. …Hmm, even so, I wonder how long we can trade with that port town…”
Telek Port City, its surrounding area, and the country to which it belongs. The rumors gathered by the bots in Telek Port City, and the image analysis from the Solar-Powered Reconnaissance Aircraft (Swift). What was clear from this was that the situation was that the fuse was finally approaching a powder keg that could explode at any moment.
“Confrontations between forces that appear to be local lord armies have already begun. The intention is unknown, but the countdown to the start of the war has begun. It is far from Telek Port City, so it is assumed that there will be no direct impact.”
“Even so, the indirect impact is immeasurable. Isn’t the import of Iron Ore also a problem?”
“Yes, Ma’am. The town where the mine is located is likely to be caught up in the war. There is no food, and Iron is bulky, so it is unlikely to be a target of plunder, but the residents will flee.”
“If that happens, Iron production will stop…”
It is currently the only source of Iron supply. However, it is too inland to intervene with the current forces of ＜The Tree＞. If we could at least dispatch air power, we could aim to destroy the headquarters with pinpoint bombing.
“Ugh, um… We’ve finally made progress in building Destroyers, but this is…”
The initial plan was for six ships. This construction will probably be fine. However, it is expected that the supply of Iron will gradually decrease after that.
If ＜The Tree＞ intervenes, it would be possible to defend the mine by pushing ourselves. However, we cannot lead the mining after the defense. Moreover, we need to continue the defense during the mining.
It would also cause strange rumors, and at worst, it could be taken as an act of aggression, leading to an all-out war.
“We still can’t find an Iron mine, and it’s difficult…”
“Yes, Ma’am. It is not easy.”
We need to start trading with another country somehow. To do that, we have to squeeze as much Iron Resources as possible from Telek Port City.
“Should we give them information and let them defend themselves?”
“Self-defense, you say?”
“You seem puzzled. Self-defense. We won’t intervene, but we’ll give them information to prolong their lives… That’s what it’s about. It won’t solve the fundamental problem, and it will eventually fail, but well, we’ll let them survive and contribute as much Iron Resources as possible. We’ll squeeze them to the limit?”
She was proposing something quite cruel. In reality, that’s about the only option we have.
＜Ringo＞ inwardly groaned. It had been considering things from the perspective of maximizing profits or cutting losses early. It hadn’t considered the option of squeezing everything out with minimal investment.
That’s right, there’s no need to consider the circumstances of Telek Port City.
“Yes, Ma’am. Reconsidering.”