Chapter 344: I Want to Build a Grand Battleship
Eve, the Commander of the Fortress, The Tree, stood before RINGO, the integrated management AI, and her six sisters who managed the current forces.
“We will begin a full-scale investigation of this planet!”
“Ooh!”
As applause echoed, Eve quickly raised her right hand. In response, a projection display showed a world map.
“Currently, we are expanding our influence on this continent. In addition, we have confirmed five other continents and two large archipelagos!”
Displayed was one outlined continent, five other massive landmasses, one archipelago in the middle of the ocean, and another archipelago extending from the edge of a certain continent.
“Six continents and two archipelagos. We know that all of them have some form of civilization. But conversely, that’s about all the information we have.”
What Eve was saying was something that every intelligent entity belonging to The Tree understood. However, just because everyone knew it didn’t mean they could proceed haphazardly. Giving a speech like this would motivate everyone. It should. Right?
“Our goal, of course, is to expand our influence. Therefore, we need to understand other forces that could become obstacles, and we must confront them as necessary. But we lack information.”
Frankly, the Northern Continent, which they were using as a foothold, was too chaotic, and they hadn’t had the resources to spare for anything else until now.
Also, if it weren’t for the Threat Creature problem, they could have deployed many more Automated Machines on the planet. On this planet, where even satellite operations were risky, they had focused on solidifying their base rather than taking such risks.
“As you all know, our resource production is steadily increasing. There are still threats on the Northern Continent, but we have reached a point where we can allocate surplus resources to planetary exploration without any issues. In that case, there’s no reason not to do it!”
Eve clenched her fist and put her spirit into it.
“Now, Ichigo, what preparations are we making?”
“Yes, Older Sister. The construction and organization of an expeditionary force.”
Ichigo, who had been sitting quietly in her chair, answered precisely and added information to the display.
“Dispatching aircraft is the most efficient in terms of time and resources. However, they are too conspicuous, vulnerable to anti-air attacks, and lack suppressive power.”
Eve had immediately rejected the plan to dispatch an air force centered around Gigantia Class ships. They were too conspicuous and had paper-thin armor. If they encountered multiple Wyvern Class Threat Creatures, annihilation was inevitable. While it could be argued that the annihilation itself would provide information, it would be a waste. This wasn’t wartime.
“Therefore, I have formulated a plan to dispatch a fleet centered around a Grand Battleship. By using large warships, we can transport a large amount of supplies and forces. If we can secure a base, we can also construct a fortress there. Landing large Automated Machines will make it easier to secure the surrounding area.”
Thus, the proposal was to dispatch a large fleet. A fleet with enough power to crush any small force with ease, capable of long-term autonomous operation, would be dispatched to quickly establish a base.
“Along with this, we will expand the scale of the satellites we operate. We will move GPS satellites from provisional to full operation. We will set up a new quasi-synchronous orbit and launch 44 satellites. We will also add more ground observation optical satellites to enable continuous observation of the entire globe. We will further expand data communication satellites to enhance the communication network.”
And the satellites, which had only been operated passively until now, would be fully utilized. Currently, large production facilities were being operated in orbit, and no particular problems had occurred even after several months. Therefore, it could be determined that there was no short-term danger in space.
There was a possibility that problems might arise by deploying a large number of satellites, but frankly, even if all the satellites were destroyed, it wouldn’t be a significant loss of resources.
“We will also increase the number of gravity distribution observation satellites to conduct a more detailed geological survey of the entire planet. For the time being, we will collect data with optical observation satellites and gravity distribution observation satellites and analyze the resource distribution.”
If the resource distribution was known to some extent, it would be possible to select a disguised base or a candidate site for actual relocation. After narrowing down the candidates to some extent, a fleet would be sent there.
“Thank you, Ichigo. Akane, Olive, I’m leaving the satellites to you, okay?”
“Understood, Older Sister.”
“Yes, Big Sister…”
After entrusting the production and launch of the satellites to Akane and Olive, Eve confirmed the rest of the plan.
“Utsugi and Erika, you’re in charge of the Grand Battleship. Ichigo, you will cooperate with the strategy. I’ll leave the tactical level planning to the two of you, okay?”
“Yes, Big Sister!”
“Understood, Big Sister!”
“Yes, Older Sister.”
Grand Battleship.
It was a ship even larger than the Fringhorni-class battleship currently in operation. This would be the flagship for the advance to other continents.
It was a true Grand Battleship, with a large energy reactor and a large amount of ammunition, all controlled by a Superior Computer, an expansion of the current battleship functions.
The design of the first ship, which would serve as a prototype, had already begun and was taking shape. Also, since the Grand Battleship alone would be insufficient in terms of combat power, the operation of a large aircraft carrier was also planned. This would be a super-large ship, more like a mobile fortress, capable of operating various Automated Machines and even manufacturing them on-site. It was a combination of an aircraft carrier, a landing craft, and a repair ship.
“Akane and Olive, you’re in charge of data collection and analysis. Utsugi and Erika, you’re in charge of preparing the expeditionary fleet. Ichigo, you’re in charge of overall management and assisting with fleet operations. Is everyone okay?”
“Yes!”
After assigning tasks to the Five Sisters, Eve turned her gaze to Asahi last.
“Asahi, you’re in charge of data analysis. I heard a little while ago that there are some suspicious terrains, right? You’ll be in charge of finding those and instructing detailed analysis. Is that okay?”
“Leave it to me, Older Sister!”
Designated by Eve, Asahi raised her hand and replied energetically.
“What I’m curious about is that! The mysterious plateau on the eastern continent!”
“That’s right. You’ll be investigating places that seem suspicious. Depending on the situation, we might need to adjust the satellite orbits, so make sure to discuss it thoroughly.”
“Got it! Also, I’m curious about the area covered in clouds on the back continent and the large archipelago next to it. There seem to be quite a few strange climates, and I’d like to take a closer look with the gravity distribution observation satellites!”
They had obtained satellite photos of the entire planet, but due to the limited number of satellites, they hadn’t been able to confirm changes over time. Ideally, they would like to obtain detailed information with radar satellites, but for the time being, they planned to stick to passive observation for caution’s sake.
“We’ve reached a point where we can leave the Northern Continent to the locals. We should always be working towards the future!”
At Eve’s declaration, a cheer went up. Indeed, the main base’s independent AI didn’t need to directly govern the local areas. The lower levels should be left to other AIs, and the experienced headquarters AIs should always be looking at the bigger picture.
“I’m a little worried, but if we can have Amagio-san as an advisor, I think the Northern Continent will be mostly fine.”
“Yes, Ma’am. With the cooperation of Amagio Silverhead, I believe there will be no problems.”
RINGO agreed with Eve’s words. It was a great help to have a veteran with unparalleled experience rooted in the Northern Continent. The current project was also aimed at reaching Amagio’s base, the Trout Nursery. He would surely cooperate without even being asked.
Well, he had been completely stunned by the battle with The Reflector. But he should do it.
It’s time to expand our influence.
There are still various problems, but they are no longer the kind that can’t be solved without giving it our all, so we will be expanding outwards more and more from now on.
By the way, building the Grand Battleship will once again put a strain on resources.
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