Chapter 94: Night Assault in the Desert
“Vibration sensors have detected something. No anomalies on the infrared sensors. RINGO, request assistance.”
“Accepted. Akane, I assume this is an emergency.”
“Proposal accepted. The drilling plant and oil port are to be placed on first-class combat readiness. Direct support to the Second Fortress.”
As night fell and the temperature dropped sharply, the complex sensors installed in the area detected an anomaly. Akane, stationed in the command room, immediately sought aid from RINGO. Although she hadn’t visually confirmed the presence of any creature, she suspected the approach of some kind of monster. In the event of combat, the availability of assistance from RINGO would significantly impact their situation.
RINGO responded promptly to the call for help. It greatly valued Akane’s judgment. While the sensor data alone couldn’t provide a complete picture, prior intelligence suggested the possibility of a monster’s approach. Furthermore, recognizing that the situation was beyond its control, RINGO made the decision to request aid from a higher-level AI without hesitation.
When irregularities are delegated to a higher-level AI, it inevitably disrupts the primary processing tasks of that AI. Therefore, a bias is created to handle matters independently whenever possible. As a result, if a node has a low learning progress, it often delays contacting the higher-level AI even during critical events. This leads to judgment errors stemming from inexperience. In practical terms, when inexperienced nodes are deployed within the AI network, resources are allocated by the higher-level AI to prevent or address mistakes arising from such inexperience. As the number of inexperienced AIs increases, more resources are consumed for monitoring, leading to a decline in overall network performance. Conversely, if there are many experienced AIs capable of making appropriate judgments, the need for monitoring diminishes, thus enhancing performance.
Akane responded appropriately to the irregular situation. RINGO was making a final assessment of whether Akane could operate independently as an AI. The day when Akane would fully separate from RINGO was drawing near.
“RINGO will transmit awakening signals to Utsugi, Erika, and Olive. Ichigo will be awakened in one hour to avoid overload. Akane, move forces to the designated point. Utsugi and Erika will be in charge of local command, but if they cannot make it in time, you will handle it.”
“Understood.”
While it could have been communicated simply, the timing was perfect as Commander Eve rushed into the command room in a state of emergency, prompting verbal instructions.
“RINGO, what’s the situation?”
“Suspicious vibrations have been detected by the sensors at the outer perimeter of the drilling plant. We are dispatching a patrol aircraft, but it is likely that a Threat Creature is approaching.”
“Already?!”
It was 8 PM, still before Commander Eve’s bedtime. RINGO steeled itself, hoping to resolve the situation before her scheduled rest. Although Commander Ma’am appeared drowsy, it was not ideal for her health.
From above, the dark shapes were confirmed through night vision equipment. Indeed, they were of the same species as the scorpions discovered a few days prior.
The surrounding ground temperature matched their body temperature, rendering them undetectable by infrared sensors. However, slight fluctuations were noted, which would allow for future identification based on that standard.
This time, the faint vibrations generated during their movement had been detected. Had they been any weaker, they might have been dismissed as mere noise. The sensors, finely tuned for detecting Worms, had done their job well.
“Deploy one Multi-legged Tank. Other units are also en route. Transitioning to immediate response mode.”
“They’re approaching without hesitation. Do they have a specific purpose…?”
The scorpion moved directly toward the drilling plant. There shouldn’t be anything around to attract it, so its unwavering behavior was a point of concern.
“I’ll move the Multi-legged Tank into its path and initiate a show of force.”
While they could have launched a direct attack, the Multi-legged Tank was ordered to perform a display of intimidation to gauge the creature’s reaction. Its legs extended high, lifting the front, and its forearms swung up. From the front, it would appear as if a wall had risen to block the scorpion’s path.
However, the scorpion charged forward, undeterred, maintaining its speed.
“Speed unchanged. Eight seconds until contact.”
“Ugh.”
“Commencing support fire.”
At that moment, another Multi-legged Tank that had rushed in from a different location fired its main cannon. With a velocity of 1,000 m/s, an armor-piercing shell was launched from the upper turret. After 0.3 seconds, the shell pierced the scorpion’s body.
“Hit!”
In the darkness of the night, devoid of light, the impact was clearly visible. A ripple of light spread from the point of contact where the projectile struck.
“This one has a Defense Membrane too!!”
The tactical AI mounted on the front Multi-legged Tank observed the phenomenon in real-time. The possibility had been anticipated. Immediately after confirming the activation of the Defense Membrane, commands were input without delay. The Gatling gun of the lower turret, already aimed, unleashed a torrent of bullets as per the command signal.
The Defense Membrane didn’t last even a second. The scorpion’s body, pressed down by the side armor-piercing shell, was bombarded from above by a barrage of bullets. The membrane deflected the first few shots but then vanished. Full Metal Jacket rounds struck the scorpion’s carapace, scraping its surface but failing to penetrate, causing the projectiles to slide off the rounded shell.
However, the objective had been achieved.
A metal projectile launched from another Multi-legged Tank struck at approximately 2,000 m/s. Upon colliding with the carapace, the projectile underwent plastic deformation, transmitting shockwaves that shattered the carapace tissue, allowing the projectile to burrow inside.
The scorpion’s abdomen exploded.
Immediately after, two more scorpions leaped out from the sand. It was a surprise attack, executed with perfect coordination. Yet, the tactical AI remained calm. Thanks to the vibration sensors, it had already accounted for the approaching numbers.
As the leaping scorpions thrust their pincers forward, the Multi-legged Tank countered by slamming down its working arm. The front working arm of the Multi-legged Tank was designed to withstand direct strikes, making it quite robust. Utilizing gravity, the striking protrusion was brought down onto the scorpion’s head.
The Defense Membrane flared with light but vanished almost instantly. The momentum of the leaping scorpions was halted, and the additional two scorpions were pinned to the ground. Perhaps confused, they flailed their legs violently while trying to clamp down on the working arm with their pincers. From above, the high-held tail with its venomous stinger plunged down.
The Multi-legged Tank’s composite armor was easily penetrated by the stinger. Venom was ejected from the tip of the needle. Originally, this toxin was likely a lethal attack meant to subdue prey. However, the target was a frontline weapon designed to withstand direct hits from tank shells. The structure was not so fragile as to be compromised by a small amount of liquid seeping in through a puncture.
Aiming the upper turret at the right-side scorpion’s body, it fired immediately. The shell, accelerated to 2,000 m/s within the turret, pierced through the scorpion’s abdomen from above. The other scorpion met the same fate, as a railgun shot obliterated its body.
A moment of silence.
To ensure there were no further anomalies, the Multi-legged Tank remained in its position, silent.
Exactly one minute later, confirming that nothing had moved, the Multi-legged Tank slowly returned to its original stance.
“Local Multi-legged Tank has ceased combat operations. Transitioning to patrol mode. Damage is minor. Some sensors have lost response, likely due to corrosion from the venom.”
Hearing RINGO’s report, Akane let out a deep sigh and sank into her chair.
“For now, we managed to get through it. I didn’t expect that Defense Membrane, but can we handle it?”
“Yes, Ma’am. We have gathered information, so there are no issues. It seems we can also acquire valuable samples.”
Thus, the night assault in the desert was successfully weathered.