Chapter 340: Artificial Earthquake
The warhead, diving from high altitudes at incredible speed, reached the designated depth. The high-performance explosives it carried detonated with a timed delay.
“Confirmed the generation of seismic waves as planned. Beginning analysis.”
“The analysis AI has been adjusted, Iris!”
The shockwaves generated by the eight massive bombs spread outwards, amplifying their vibrations as they traveled.
Sensors deployed in various locations meticulously recorded this information, but the sheer volume of data could not be transmitted instantly. The data, cleansed by the simple analyzers within each sensor, was aggregated as preliminary reports.
“Receiving primary analysis data.”
“It seems there are no unusual strata. The seismic waves are being transmitted effectively!”
“No faults detected within sensor range. The geology is stable.”
As they analyzed the complex vibrations and reflected waves, Asahi and Iris appeared to be exchanging opinions based on the continuously updated information.
“…RINGO. Any anomalies?”
“None, Ma’am.”
RINGO was overseeing the overall monitoring, and at least it seemed there were no massive Threat Creatures moving about, disturbing the environment.
“The data transfer speed is not satisfactory.”
“Due to the suppression of wireless communication, it can’t be helped. We need to establish either wireless communication using electromagnetic waves with a higher frequency and convergence rate than microwaves, or find alternative means.”
“Alternatives, huh… Quantum communication? But I wonder if it’s feasible to fit that into the front-line automated machines.”
Currently, communication methods other than highly directional ones were strictly limited due to the threat of biological entities. This restriction led to a bottleneck in information gathering from the numerous sensors spread across vast areas, such as the front lines. If they could deploy drones for communication in the sky, they could maintain secrecy while enabling high-capacity transmissions, but that was difficult in the Demon Forest.
While visible light and other highly directional electromagnetic waves would be ideal, their tendency to be easily obstructed by obstacles posed a significant problem.
By the way, quantum communication utilizing quantum teleportation is a technology that allows information transmission faster than the speed of light, but it requires pairs of entangled particles on both ends. Each communication consumes a pair particle, necessitating a continuous supply of communication particles. Furthermore, the observation devices for these particles tend to be large, making them unsuitable for small automated machines.
Quantum communication itself is highly secretive since it does not require a physical connection between the two parties.
Of course, advancing the technology tree could allow for the miniaturization of communication devices.
“There’s nothing currently manufacturable. While inter-base communication is possible, it offers no merit compared to wired communication.”
Quantum communication is a technology used for exchanges between bases separated by light-years. It is clearly over-spec for ground operations.
Meanwhile, while they were discussing such trivial matters, the analysis of the underground situation was steadily progressing.
“Older Sister, we’re starting to understand the underground situation. A large object, presumed to be The Reflector, has been detected at a depth of about 400 meters.”
“It seems there’s an object with differing reflectivity! Since it exists along the underground path of The Reflector, unless a decoy has been created, it should be the real thing!”
By analyzing the seismic waves and their reflections, along with the arrival times of vibrations between sensors, they could roughly estimate the underground distribution.
The three-dimensional underground map displayed on the projection display was updated with information about the strata and bedrock. A cylindrical shadow extending about 400 meters underground revealed a black object resting at its tip.
The analysis indicated that The Reflector had burrowed underground and reached that depth.
“This stick-like shadow is likely a result of The Reflector’s excavation, which has transformed the surrounding material into sand or clay. It’s believed that some of the seismic waves were absorbed, allowing it to be detected as a shadow.”
“It must have crushed the bedrock with magic or something! It probably sank here under its own weight, like something sinking in water!”
“Sinking like water, huh…”
And at the end of such a passage, there existed an object with a different reflectivity compared to the surrounding bedrock.
Due to the vibrations caused by the bomb explosions, the precision was poor, and they could not detect the detailed shape. However, the size of that object was determined to be almost identical to The Reflector.
“Well, knowing its position is good news… I wonder if that means it’s not moving?”
“Yes, Older Sister. The estimated The Reflector is maintaining silence.”
“I’ve reviewed the data prior to the artificial earthquake, and there were no strange sounds or vibrations detected! It’s hard to believe it’s dead; perhaps it’s just lying low to heal its wounds or something like that!”
For now, it seemed that the worst-case scenario of The Reflector advancing underground had not come to pass.
However, if it was indeed trying to heal, what actions it would take afterward remained uncertain.
It might very well start moving through the ground once it was healed.
“If it moves through 400 meters underground, even Gladiolus would have a tough time dealing with it, right?”
“The underground defense mechanisms are designed for small monsters or, at most, giant Worms. They lack the capability to fend off such a powerful Threat Creature.”
“If it starts moving at a dangerous speed, retreat is the only option! Don’t worry, I’m prepared; I can extract all the magic stones and barrier generation structures within four hours!”
“Oh… that’s reassuring, or rather, how should I put it…”
While it was good that they were well-prepared, the fact that retreat was the plan… well, it was understandable, but still concerning.
With a subtle expression, Eve patted Iris and Asahi on the head. She needed to reward them for their diligent efforts.
“But 400 meters underground, huh? It’s certainly going to be difficult to launch a direct attack!”
“Existing weapons can’t reach that depth. Even ground-penetrating projectiles have a limit of 200 meters. If we used bombs capable of blowing away that much earth, the dust released into the atmosphere could exceed permissible levels.”
The most powerful bomb they had on hand was likely a hydrogen bomb utilizing nuclear fusion. However, even if it exploded at the surface, it would only create a crater a few dozen meters deep.
They could also use ballistic missiles to launch high-speed warheads from space, but the kinetic energy required to reach a depth of 400 meters would be enormous. It was easy to imagine the catastrophic damage that would occur if such an energy-laden warhead impacted the surface.
In the worst-case scenario, starlight could be obscured for weeks or even months by the dust that would be kicked up.
Using a nuclear core in a ground-penetrating projectile would yield similar results. The likelihood that the heat from the nuclear core would affect The Reflector was low, and the dust blown into the atmosphere would still be a concern.
The more severe the environmental damage, the more likely it was to attract other Threat Creatures, a unique problem of this planet.
Of course, Eve possessed the judgment necessary to decide on using such measures in the worst-case scenario. However, at least for now, it was not that time.
“…Waiting, huh…”
“Older Sister, I think it’s understandable! There’s a chance that provoking it could make it dive even deeper underground!”
They had no effective means of attack. For the time being, Iris would likely be in for a stressful time.
Eve resolved in her heart to take good care of her.