“We will now begin deploying Local Infiltration Communicator Dolls.”
The production of Communicator Dolls based on local Flattala City residents’ genetic material had been increased for the purpose of governing Flattala City. With stable control operations achieved, the first lot of 22 units was to be deployed to Flattala City.
The transport would serve as a test for the newly developed Assault Pods, which would be dropped from an altitude of 10km into the wilderness near the city.
“Assault Pods, commencing deployment.”
The Assault Pods were ejected one after another from the rear hatch of the SR-1 (Albatross).
After stabilizing their posture using aerodynamic controls, the dropped pods ignited their upper thrusters, increasing their speed.
“All pods, control signals normal. Assault posture stable.”
At approximately 100m above the target, the lower thrusters were ignited, performing forced deceleration via reverse thrust. The Assault Pods were not particularly useful on their own.
However, their exteriors were robustly armored with a ceramic-metal multi-layered material, and the internal space could accommodate a generous supply of goods.
After a certain amount of deceleration, the pods embedded their lower landing units directly into the ground. Shock-absorbing gas, receiving the impact and inertia at a single point, liquefied due to the pressure, and the high-temperature gas was released from the unit through a control valve.
The re-gasified gas spread around as smoke, momentarily obscuring the view.
Landing legs deployed from the pods that had pierced the ground, and piles secured the pods in place. Simultaneously, the pod’s armor shifted, and the filled shock-absorbing liquid material flowed out.
Pushing aside the raised front armor, a Communicator Doll clad in an enhanced exoskeleton appeared from within.
“Internal shock remained within the expected range. All 22 units were successfully deployed and landed. Pod fixation status is also normal. Test results are favorable.”
“So, rapid unit deployment has become possible. Yeah, troops charging in at that speed is kind of a nightmare…”
She smiled wryly as she watched the footage.
At least within the Afrasia United Kingdom, they were undoubtedly unmatched.
This time, it was a small deployment of only 22 units as a preliminary mass-production run, but the mass-produced units with the same functionality currently in production were ultimately planned to be operated in 15 units of 24 each.
In other words, 360 Communicator Dolls clad in enhanced exoskeletons could be deployed instantly and over a wide area.
A city the size of Flattala could probably be subdued in about an hour.
“We can also deploy infinite-track tanks for urban combat. We can now manufacture rocket motors for acceleration and deceleration during descent, so we are currently increasing production. We can also equip existing Multi-legged Tanks, so the initial goal of enhancing the airborne unit has been tentatively achieved.”
“Rocket motors can now be manufactured directly at Fortress Two as well. Can we consider the production facilities to be fully equipped?”
“Yes, Ma’am. The first production line we envisioned is operating normally. After this, we will gradually expand the production lines and increase the local production ratio. We expect to secure sufficient manufacturing capacity in about three months.”
“We’ve finally made it this far,” she sighed deeply and sank into her chair.
Approximately two years had passed since she was thrown into this world. Resources were still tight, but she had managed to create a stable manufacturing base.
“…Now, if only we could find an oil field, that would be the best…”
If they could secure petroleum, the quality of various products would certainly improve.
But things don’t always go so smoothly.
From petroleum, they could produce not only various fuels but also materials such as resin products, nylon, and plastics. If they could secure a plentiful supply of these, production capacity would increase dramatically.
“Yes, Ma’am. I propose a method of creating a surrounding map by operating a Supersonic High-Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft on a limited basis. The probability of an object flying at Mach 3 or higher being shot down is thought to be low, but because there are many unknown factors, the risk of being shot down remains.”
“I see. This is the one we’re researching now. A ramjet engine reconnaissance aircraft. Engine design complete, airframe structure design complete. Research on heat-resistant materials is underway. Heat-resistant materials?”
“Yes, Ma’am. In the high-speed range, the airframe becomes hot due to adiabatic compression. If adequate heat countermeasures are not taken with appropriate materials and their placement, at best, it will disintegrate in the air, and at worst, it will explode and scatter. Also, naturally, air resistance is high, so unless the airframe has an appropriate shape, each part is in danger of fracturing due to pressure differences.”
Fortunately, the aircraft operated by ＜The Tree＞ did not require visibility. As long as the camera lens was exposed, pressure differences due to material differences and mechanical calculations could be minimized.
In addition, by using a large general-purpose machine tool (printer), most of the airframe could be molded in one piece. Because internal equipment, including wiring, could be controlled at the molecular level, it was possible to achieve almost exactly the calculated dynamic characteristics.
Combined with ＜The Core＞’s computing power, they could manufacture ultra-high-performance aircraft with absolutely no waste.
“Hmm, impressive as always. However, although mass production, or rather, copying, is possible, it takes time to manufacture with a general-purpose machine tool (printer). It’s practically a one-off machine.”
“Yes, Ma’am. If maintenance hatches are installed, they will become structural weaknesses, so if it breaks down, it will be dismantled (recycled) as is. It is not suitable for long-term use. To make it a mass-produced model, the maintainability, manufacturing difficulty, and manufacturing line must be redesigned.”
“…Ah. That’s true. Movable parts wear out, and electronic devices deteriorate.”
“We will provide some redundancy, but with this aircraft, its lifespan will be at most about 10 flights. Normally, we would not operate such an aircraft, but it is only because we have a surplus of energy and time due to the lack of resources that we can do this.”
In fact, ＜Ringo＞ strictly controlled the resource acquisition rate and production capacity, calculating to use resources without any waste.
If a production line cannot be operated due to a lack of resources, it will not be created from the beginning. The energy furnace was not something that could be easily expanded, so a large-capacity one was prepared from the beginning, and electricity was basically in surplus.
“We will operate three of these aircraft to update the surrounding resource map all at once. If we’re going to do it, we’ll do it blitzkrieg-style. If we take too long, they may come up with some countermeasures, and we can make excuses for a short period of time.”
“That’s right. I’ll leave the operation to you. I hope we can find an iron ore deposit or an oil field with this…”
“If we can’t find it from the sky, we’ll have to start boring at random.”
“That sounds daunting…”
Fortunately, resources other than petroleum were somehow starting to be supplied. If they couldn’t find an oil field, they would have to steer toward space development.
They would use artificial satellites to collect terrain data and look for places where petroleum might be buried.
However, that would change the overall resource balance, and all projects would begin to be delayed.
“I wish there was a place where oil was gushing out…”
While spouting such wishes, she sank into her chair.
Meanwhile, the Communicator Dolls that had descended, under the control of the Local Strategic AI, joined up with the Multi-legged Tanks that had been dropped in advance and began moving toward Flattala City.
Here, personnel would be rotated, and ＜Ringo＞’s favorite Ma’am genetic-based Communicator Doll would be recovered.
Since it was based on the genes of a local, its features should be more familiar.
However, the fact that it still looked like a young girl and had features closer to a familiar race might make it more likely to be underestimated.
“Shouldn’t we avoid unnecessary trouble?”
“Yes, Ma’am. If we crush them with force, unnecessary trouble will eventually disappear.”
What a muscular answer. No, ＜Ringo＞ didn’t just answer that way without thinking.
“This is one attempt at a method of communication with the locals. The situation of being underestimated itself becomes a valuable source of information. We will divide the subsequent responses into several patterns and accumulate basic data.”
“…Hmm.”
Commander (Eve) tilted her head. What she was saying wasn’t wrong, but it felt like something was missing.
“If you’re talking about patterns, shouldn’t you divide them into various ages, genders, and builds?”
“We won’t do that.”
“…Oh, okay.”
Well, in the end, this was also ＜Ringo＞’s selfishness.