Episode 79: Utsugi and Erika

Utsugi the Tree is busy. Erika the Tree is also busy.

“Alright, time for some pioneering!”
“All hands, full speed ahead!”

Using the remote control device prepared by ＜Ringo＞, they operate a large multi-legged reconnaissance vehicle.
Their destination is the Five-Lake Region.
South of Flattala City lies the largest of the five lakes, Lake Fratala.
It’s about 10 square kilometers in size, making it a reasonably large lake.
Of course, it’s a freshwater lake.

The large multi-legged reconnaissance vehicle, as its name suggests, is a multi-legged vehicle specialized for reconnaissance. Its maximum speed is 80 km/h. It skillfully moves its six legs, accelerating in an instant.
Unlike a multi-legged tank, it doesn’t have a turret, so its overall height is quite low. It moves across the rocky terrain in a posture that almost hugs the ground.

“To the destination…”
“800 meters to go!”

This Five-Lake Region, despite being called a “region of connected lakes,” doesn’t actually have each lake connected by waterways. It seems that the water source is spring water, and each independent lake has a completely different ecosystem.
Lake Fratala is the largest in size, but the citizens of Flattala said that it only contains small fish and isn’t suitable for fishing. They haven’t been able to try it, as they lack experience in aquaculture, but raising large freshwater fish could be a good Protein Source.

“But, if we can catch a lot of small fish, we might be able to use them as fertilizer.”
“If we can catch a whole bunch, we could dry them and use them as preserved food, maybe?”

Alternatively, if there were forests around this lake, fishing might have flourished. Or, if Flattala City’s food situation hadn’t been good from the start, they might have had the option of fishing.
However, in reality, there was a shortage of wood, making it difficult to build boats.
Also, the fact that they were able to obtain sufficient food through trade is another reason why Lake Fratala wasn’t developed.

However, the current situation doesn’t allow for that anymore.
At worst, they could import food from ＜The Tree＞, which would somehow solve the problem.
But the problem is that they no longer have anything left to offer in return.

“Uncompensated support isn’t good for the future, is it!”
“It doesn’t foster independence, or something like that!”

＜Ringo＞ intends to conduct an experiment in occupied governance in Flattala City. Commander (Eve) and the Five Sisters are aware of this. Therefore, they intend to try any measures that come to mind for the time being.

As part of that, Utsugi and Erika are currently operating reconnaissance vehicles themselves to investigate the lake. ＜Ringo＞ could do it, but this is for educational purposes.
This kind of fieldwork will be a good experience for the two Doll Machines (Androids).

“We’re there!”
“Arrived~”

The remote control device is a spherical cockpit surrounded by all-around monitors. Utsugi and Erika sit side by side in it, operating the vehicle via wireless connection.
Utsugi is mainly in charge of motion control, and Erika is in charge of controlling the sensors.
The processing power itself is increased by connecting to ＜The Core＞, and although it doesn’t reach ＜Ringo＞’s level, it can exhibit performance equivalent to about 500 Brain Units.
After that, the Brain Unit of the person who serves as the starting point for calculations will gain experience, allowing them to process information without excess or deficiency.

“Lake~”
“This is all freshwater. Amazing~”

“I don’t understand why it’s freshwater even though it’s called a sea.”
“But this is a sea!”

When they heard “Lake Fratala,” the two initially wondered why there was a sea inland.
They got excited, thinking that there might be rock Salt nearby, but Akane revealed the knowledge that “a huge lake is sometimes called a sea,” and they understood that Lake Fratala was a freshwater lake.
However, understanding and realization are different things. This is both a good and bad point of the Brain Unit, which differs from ordinary AI.

By the way, ＜Ringo＞ knew from the beginning that it was a freshwater lake through Electromagnetic Waves analysis, but didn’t say anything. In that sense, it was information that could be easily found by searching for Lake Fratala in ＜The Tree＞’s database, so this is due to their lack of experience.

“As far as the eye can see…”
“Water and rocks!”

Displayed on the all-around monitor is a composite of the scenery that would be visible from the center of the large multi-legged reconnaissance vehicle. The reconnaissance vehicle itself is represented by a wireframe.
Originally, it would be sufficient to connect directly via wireless for the video data, but it is being used in conjunction for the growth of the optic nerve area.
While mainly using visual information, they are referencing the video data sent for blind spots.

“Umm, because there aren’t many plants…”
“I wonder if there aren’t many fish either.”

While having such a discussion, the two move the multi-legged reconnaissance vehicle into the lake. The bottom seems to be covered in accumulated sand, but it’s not as fine as mud.
The water itself is very clear, so it should be easy to secure visibility underwater.

All of ＜The Tree＞’s Multi-legged Machines are all-terrain compatible and can operate without problems underwater.
Almost no microwaves reach underwater, but if they surface periodically to recharge the battery, they can secure enough time for exploration.

“Erika, do you know? There’s a huge guardian living at the bottom of lakes like this.”
“Ooh! Then, if we defeat it, a cave with hidden treasure will appear!”

“Projectile weapons won’t work underwater because of the high resistance! We brought Torpedoes, so we’ll be fine even if the guardian appears!”
“I studied properly too! I even got the Torpedo Master title!”

＜Ringo＞ understood that the simulator they had been using all day yesterday was for this.
For some reason, Erika had been glued to the submarine operation simulator, so ＜Ringo＞ wondered what was going on, but it turned out to be Torpedo firing training.
Even though ＜Ringo＞’s computational ability is excellent, it couldn’t have imagined that they were training to slam Torpedoes into a guardian during a lake exploration.

This feeling of being betrayed by expectations isn’t bad, ＜Ringo＞ thought.

However, unfortunately, the guardian didn’t appear from the bottom of the lake.
In the first place, the lake bottom is shallow overall. There’s not enough depth for a giant monster to hide and live.
Instead, they found a large number of small fish. They weren’t fry, but adult fish that were about 4 cm in size at most. They seemed to be breeding in schools everywhere.

The ecosystem is generally monotonous because it’s an isolated lake without any rivers flowing into it. Several types of aquatic plants are growing luxuriantly, along with plankton, small shrimp, shellfish, and small fish.
The fish are all of the same species or closely related species. A detailed investigation will require bringing back samples and conducting genetic research.

“Is this the deepest part…”
“42 meters from the surface to the lake bottom. Mud and sand are deposited. Spring water is confirmed to be gushing out from the bottom. The water temperature is 8°C. The average water temperature of the entire lake is 21°C… It’s very cold outside.”

The spring water seems to be quite cold, and the water temperature of the entire lake is lower than the outside air. Even if the sun shines on it, the water temperature doesn’t rise, so it might be a good environment for organisms to breed.

“There are only small fish.”
“They’re not very filling.”

By the way, the members of ＜The Tree＞ usually only see relatively large types of fish that are served at the dining table. Therefore, the sight of small fish forming schools seems fresh to them.

“Fish~ Fish~”
“Speaking of fish~”
“Sashimi~”
“Sautéed~”
“…War!”
“…War!”

Ma’am likes fried fish, ＜Ringo＞ thought.

That aside.

It seems that a considerable amount of small fish can be secured from this lake.
However, Flattala City’s technological capabilities don’t allow them to prepare tools for fishing. They need a net made of fine-meshed and durable thread, but they don’t have any thread.
Also, securing wood to build a boat in the first place is a struggle. There’s a possibility that forests will grow around the lake in another 50 years, but that would be too late.

“Can we catch them if we have a boat and a net?”
“Hmm, should we have them make the nets? Should we provide the wood and thread?”

Even small fish, if a stable amount can be secured, will drastically improve Flattala City’s food situation.
Also, if they can start trading with the Forest Country (Lebresta), it will also have meaning as a logistics base.
It will take time to stabilize, but for the time being, they plan to operate the city by trading directly with ＜The Tree＞ and gradually passing jobs on to the local residents.