Episode 92: The Watching Commander (Unemployed)
To facilitate rapid transport of supplies and deployment of troops, it was decided to construct a runway at Oil Port.
Initially, I had intended to forgo runway construction at Oil Port due to defense concerns, but the occupation proceeded unexpectedly smoothly. Also, sorties from the Second Fortress took too long. So, we decided to equip it with an airbase function along with defense facilities.
Constructing a runway meant that multi-legged heavy machinery wouldn’t be efficient enough. Therefore, we needed to transport wheeled and tracked vehicles from the Second Fortress.
To expedite the start of operations and enable cargo plane takeoffs and landings, we opted to airdrop various equipment instead of using ships.
Cargo ships would take too long, and the ship currently en route wouldn’t return to the Second Fortress for another three days.
And so, cargo planes fully loaded with supplies and escort fighters took off from the Second Fortress’s runway once again.
“Eventually, I want to replace these with jet engines. Propellers are cool, but they’re not as fast.”
“Yes, Ma’am. If Oil Port and the mining plant operate as planned, we can do so immediately. The deployment speed of jet aircraft is certainly appealing.”
While turboprop engines can allow propeller planes to reach subsonic speeds, jet engines are essential for supersonic flight.
If we can secure a stable supply of oil, we’ll actively replace our aircraft.
Currently, the multi-legged machinery groups that arrived at the oil field are collecting detailed information about the subsurface. Gazing at the gradually expanding explored area, she sighed.
“I want to do something, but there’s nothing for me to do.”
“I am deeply sorry, Commander. This is for the growth of your sisters, so there is nothing to be done about it…”
To Ringo, who bowed her head looking genuinely apologetic, she smiled and patted her head.
“I know. It’s just that I can’t bring myself to do anything completely unrelated in this situation… Hmm…”
She continues to watch over her five sisters from her command room.
Taking this opportunity, she separated her bedroom from her sisters, so she only sees them during meals and breaks. Even then, it’s not for long, so physical contact has decreased significantly.
Well, considering the original purpose of the sisters, that should be the correct way.
And so, while her sisters are working, she’s restless because she can’t do anything.
She could just decide to do something completely different, but her worrying nature prevents her from doing so.
While monitoring Commander (Eve)’s situation, Ringo considers whether any treatment is necessary. It’s not like her appetite has decreased or she can’t sleep at night.
As far as heart rate and brainwave information are concerned, her stress levels aren’t particularly high, so she decided to maintain the status quo for now.
“Commander. Then, let’s think about meals and snack menus for the sisters. They would be happy if you said it was a menu devised by you, Commander.”
And so, during the operation, the dining table at The Tree was filled with meal menus devised by Commander (Eve).
Through this, her repertoire of meal requests increased, and the burden on Ringo’s daily menu planning task decreased… or maybe it didn’t.
“Erica, what’s the unloading status?”
“Reporting in. Stern opening is 80% complete, side opening is 50% complete. Estimated completion time is on schedule!”
“Okay.”
“Utsugi, what’s the construction status of the runway?”
“Reporting in. Excavation is 60% complete, crushed stone production is on schedule. Backfilling will probably start after 17:00 (second shift).”
Currently, Utsugi and Erica are stationed in the Continental Oil Field Development Headquarters (named by Ichigo) command room. The 24 hours of a day (based on this planet’s standard) are divided into three shifts, and a rotation is organized so that someone is always stationed there.
Usually, it’s one person, but Utsugi and Erica are assigned to manage Oil Port as a pair, so they often work together.
“Ground improvement materials have also been deployed. Smooth sailing today, smooth sailing.”
For the runway, they are excavating 2,000 meters, laying crushed stone in soft areas, and filling in ground improvement materials to ensure the strength of the foundation.
With Ringo’s specially made quick-drying coagulant, they are securing rock-solid strength and are trying to prepare a runway with sufficient structural strength and length in just seven days, despite the rush construction.
And the plan is proceeding smoothly.
“Let’s see, in terms of the schedule… construction of the control tower starts tomorrow.”
“Oh. The materials are ready. Good, good, the command AI is doing its job properly.”
Utsugi and Erica’s job is to throw the process chart at the local strategic AI and manage its progress. No matter how much you plan a schedule, the schedule will gradually shift due to minor events.
Of course, a certain amount of margin is secured, but when problems occur, judgment by AIs equipped with brain units like theirs, which are capable of flexible thinking, is necessary.
“I guess today’s event was just the additional reinforcement of that big rock mass.”
The problem that occurred within Utsugi’s area of responsibility was the response to cracks and insufficient strength caused by the cross-section of the structure, which was discovered when the underground rock mass was scanned in detail.
The cause is being analyzed, but it is a defect that could not be detected by prior acoustic and radio wave detection.
It is speculated that the cracks were accidentally overlooked due to the action of ultrasonic waves or electromagnetic waves that are complexly reflected within the rock.
Since they couldn’t build on top of it with insufficient strength, they had to perform additional work of drilling into the rock and pouring in core materials and reinforcing materials.
“There were no events here. Peace is a good thing!”
“Peace is the best.”
While continuing such conversations, they process various information via wireless communication.
They call them “events,” but a large number of problems less than events were occurring.
These include the failure of heavy machinery, geological information that differs from prior information, or deformation of members due to sunlight in the desert area.
Originally, it is standard practice to have the local strategic AI handle these minor matters, but the AI installed at Oil Port uses a brand new brain unit that was newly created for this operation.
It would have been nice to have a brain unit with sufficient experience, but since the Second Fortress is also under construction, they couldn’t pull one from there.
In a little while, the local AI should be able to make these fine adjustments.
However, until then, the sisters need to properly correct the course.
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Surprised by their sudden appearance, many creatures fled from the area.
They rushed in en masse and occupied the place in the blink of an eye. They were terrified of them, who continued to move day and night, and fled as quickly as they could.
Fortunately, they did not chase after those who fled.
However, the impact was certainly spreading around.
It was just after a torrential rainstorm accompanying a storm.
The rainwater itself has disappeared due to the scorching sun and the dry land that cannot retain water, but the sprouting greenery is growing as if not to miss this opportunity, providing shelter and food for many creatures.
Those who were driven out of their territories spread around without having to worry about food, drastically changing the biota.
And then.
As the sun set and the temperature began to drop, monsters began to move in search of food.
The monsters gleefully preyed on their suddenly increased prey.
If there is a lot of food, carnivorous creatures will gather from the surrounding area in search of it. Creatures from further outside flow into the areas that have become vacant due to migration.
The desert’s anomaly was certainly spreading around.