Episode 7: Ringo, Worries
The nose camera of the High-Altitude Plane (Plane) caught a faint dark smudge on the horizon, and ＜Ringo＞ began analyzing the image. It was already at maximum zoom, making it difficult to improve the resolution. She performed vector analysis on the movement and pixel information, using information processing to display the outline.
“…The horizon. That’s far…”
“Yes, Ma’am. It is estimated to be about 500km away. We were able to confirm it because the atmospheric conditions are very good, so we were lucky.”
With this level of information, it would have been discarded as noise with even a slight deterioration in visibility. It was miraculous that she could barely make out a mountain peak.
“A shadow that looks like land… For now, I guess that’s the direction to explore.”
“Yes, Ma’am. A full circumference scan has been completed, but no land other than that one was found. If we search a little more closely, we might be able to find reefs, but…”
“No, there’s no point in looking at small things, let’s go with what’s certain. Can we send a reconnaissance plane in the direction we just saw?”
In response to the Commander’s question, ＜Ringo＞ scrutinized the aircraft information of the reconnaissance plane gliding at an altitude of 17km. A course change in the desired direction was possible, the wind direction was northerly, making it easy to maintain altitude due to the headwind, but difficult to gain speed. Lift was within the expected range, and she determined that it would be possible to return to Fortress ＜The Tree＞ even after traveling some distance. If the worst came to the worst and it had to land on the water, it could be recovered by a drone. The aircraft temperature was also within the expected range, power generation by the solar panels was going smoothly, and the observation equipment was operating at full specifications.
“Yes, Ma’am. The direction is north-northeast. Given the current weather, there should be no problem with electric propulsion at low altitude, so we will approach the observed land as much as possible.”
“Please do. How long will it take?”
“If the current weather conditions are maintained, we should be able to approach in about 2 hours.”
The Commander nodded at ＜Ringo＞’s answer and waved her hand, pushing the displayed monitors to the corner.
“I’ll leave the reconnaissance plane to ＜Ringo＞, so what’s the status of the recovered samples?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Reporting.”
She displayed images of seaweed, several types of fish, and shellfish collected by the work drone. The seaweed was similar to kelp, growing in sandy areas about 5m below the surface around the reefs. The fish were relatively numerous in the surrounding area, and as large as possible, and somewhat colorful. The shellfish were several types that were attached to the reefs. She excluded any that were too brightly colored, as they could be poisonous. The seaweed seemed to be food for some of the surrounding creatures, so she had high hopes for it. The fish also seemed to be a non-poisonous species, as they swam relatively fast and were numerous. However, depending on their diet, toxins could be bioaccumulated, so she couldn’t let her guard down.
“There were no species in the library that matched the characteristics of the fish, so it’s a new species. First, we’ll check for toxins in the flesh, and if we don’t find any, we’ll use it for food. The same goes for the shellfish, there are no matching species. These are prone to bacterial growth, so we’ll be more careful in our judgment. We are also investigating seaweed for resource extraction, such as Cellulose, at the same time as using it for food.”
“I understand. Okay, I authorize the manufacture of the equipment needed for the investigation. We should have a decent amount of resources to spare if we dismantle the large aircraft.”
“Yes, Ma’am. If we can produce Cellulose, the degree of freedom in construction will increase.”
Relieved to have received permission from the Commander (Mum), ＜Ringo＞ immediately began manufacturing additional test equipment. Securing resources was an urgent matter. Additional reconnaissance and patrol planes needed to be manufactured, but there were not enough materials. If Cellulose could be used for aircraft that did not require strength, the degree of freedom would increase dramatically. She had confirmed that there were large seaweed beds in the surrounding area, so turning them into resources would be her immediate goal.
“Hmm. By the way, how are the naval vessels coming along?”
“A construction dock is required, but construction has not been carried out because the surrounding area has not been sufficiently surveyed.”
“I see. Then we need to create a map. What’s the status?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Aerial photography by drones is in progress. Laser scanning is also being carried out, but underwater scanning has not been carried out because Sonar is required.”
Since the marine Tech Tree had not been advanced at all, the equipment was not available. These also needed to be developed to some extent, while consulting with the remaining materials.
“There are so many things we need to make… ＜Ringo＞, can you organize the current tasks with an interface similar to the development tree?”
In response to the Commander’s request, ＜Ringo＞ listed and displayed the relationships between the tasks she was currently undertaking.
“Yes, Ma’am. It is possible. The tasks in progress display a progress bar. Tasks with relationships are arranged in a tree structure. The required amount of resources is also listed.”
“Okay. This makes it a little easier to understand…”
The Commander was checking the tree displayed by ＜Ringo＞. ＜Ringo＞ felt a terrible agitation at the situation. She reflexively rechecked the task list, wondering if she had forgotten to add a task. Of course, as expected, there were no omissions in the list.
“…Okay, let’s go with this for now.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
＜Ringo＞ could see that the stress gauge stabilized all at once at the Commander’s words. ＜Ringo＞ correctly understood this as the evaluation waiting psychology when taking actions without a correct answer. However, understanding this did not mean that she would not be in the same psychological state in the future.
Tension is tension, that’s all.
“Well…. Then, I’ll look at this tree and the library’s table of contents and think about the next step. Please check on the reconnaissance plane.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“You can call me if anything happens. I’ll be working here.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
After confirming that the Commander had entered a state of contemplation, ＜Ringo＞ also began controlling each device. Since there were plenty of resources, she decided to perform the control while intervening with the local AI. It would be better to improve efficiency even a little. She reviewed the storage locations of materials and performed optimal transport management. She adjusted the operating drones and maintenance schedule to improve the operating rate. She felt frustrated that she could not fully operate the equipment due to energy shortages. However, as expected, the construction of the nuclear reactor was progressing slowly. It would take several weeks even to conduct a test run, and until then, the current reactor was the only energy source.
(Energy recovery system using the surrounding environment. Solar, wind, tidal, wave power. Geothermal is difficult. It is unclear how much tide is generated. Wave power is also added to the candidates for the time being. Solar power is stable, but the conversion efficiency is not good. The wind is not blowing much, but this calm is likely to be temporary. There is room for consideration as a sustainable energy source. However…)
In the first place, no matter which natural energy source is used, equipment, and above all, materials are required. There was almost no room in the current Fortress.
(If Cellulose extraction is successful, it will be a candidate)
If Cellulose can be produced stably, it can be used for exterior materials that do not require strength. If only the basic frame is made of Iron Material, considerable savings can be made. Building materials on the ground are, above all, Iron. With Iron, most things can be managed.
(Speaking of Iron, open-pit mining, but it cannot be expected in this vast ocean. Extraction from seawater may be possible, but the amount cannot be expected. Then, the seabed. The development of undersea mines seems to be quite difficult…)
＜Ringo＞ searched the library for information and found materials on undersea resource mining.
(If it is Iron, it may be deposited on the seabed. Other useful resources as well… If hydrothermal vents can be found, mining can be carried out efficiently. Seabed exploration is also necessary.)
What is needed for seabed exploration is a high-performance Sonar and a ship that can operate it, preferably a submarine.
(Iron is needed)
And again, what is needed is Iron. The stock of Duralumin for aircraft seems to be secured to some extent by dismantling some aircraft.
(Manufacture a small Deep Sea submersible drone to conduct a survey of the surrounding area)
＜Ringo＞ added this to the task list and immediately started operating the machine tool.