Chapter 98: Communication
“Is everyone alright…?”
The Commander (Eve) was worried about the five sisters due to the shocking events that had just unfolded.
“There’s no problem. For this operation, we did not build our tactics based on predictions of the enemy. While we have considered some countermeasures in advance, we have also established ample buffers to ensure we can respond immediately if those measures fail. The basic tactic is to react to the enemy’s actions. We have not trained them to be flustered by unexpected situations.”
“I-I see. That’s reassuring…”
In fact, when the Scorpion was thrown, several Multi-legged Tanks had already been targeting the airborne creature. To be precise, all the Multi-legged Tanks had been assigned targeting priorities and were continuously adjusting their aim as long as they could detect it. They were in a state ready to fire at a moment’s notice.
“The Scorpion… has landed, it seems.”
The Scorpion, which had been soaring through the air, lacked any ability to fly and was pulled down by gravity, crashing to the ground. However, thanks to the effects of the Defense Membrane, it showed no signs of damage, quickly righting itself and swaying gently as it waited in place.
It was likely waiting for Tefen’s arrival.
RINGO observed the situation. The five sisters and the local strategic AI were fully occupied with their responses, leaving no resources to spare for unnecessary processing. This had been understood from the start, and RINGO had decided to handle such analyses. In the future, it would be necessary to prepare AIs with sufficient computational power for the Second Fortress and the Oil Port, but for now, RINGO managed everything.
Tefen and its swarm, along with the combat machines deployed by The Tree, were now just 2 kilometers away. On the map, they were practically within arm’s reach. However, in reality, a distance of 2 kilometers was still considerable. For instance, could a Communicator Android observe the details of a Multi-legged Tank from that distance? Given the limitations of visual acuity, it would be difficult.
Yet, Tefen was enormous. This was not only due to its massive body but also because its eyes were proportionately large. And while the Scorpion was much smaller, at 7 meters in length, its eyes were still of a significant size. This simply resulted in better visual acuity.
Well, there was the question of whether it even possessed a properly functioning neural network for processing visual information, but it would be foolish to optimistically assume it did not. Therefore, it was better to analyze the situation under the assumption that it could see clearly.
Tefen moved slowly, its massive form walking steadily. It skillfully maneuvered its eight legs, maintaining a constant speed. Its head remained steady, always at a consistent height, ignoring the unevenness of the ground.
(There is a high possibility it has detected us.)
That was the conclusion RINGO reached.
From the dissection of the Scorpion brought into The Tree, it had been determined that its neural network was significantly developed. Whether this development was necessary to support its massive body or indicative of intelligence was still unknown. However, compared to the biological data of Scorpions stored in The Tree’s library, it was hard to believe it had merely grown larger.
In other words, Tefen was likely observing The Tree just as RINGO was observing them.
Earlier, when the Scorpion had been thrown, the Multi-legged Tanks that had been targeting it raised their cannons as per their assigned roles and continued to aim. The airborne Scorpion quickly adjusted its posture, flying with its head pointed upward. For most of its time in the air, it had been unable to physically see the ground.
Yet, despite this, the individual now on the ground was facing the Multi-legged Tanks. It was still aware of the tanks that had locked onto it.
(It is sharing information with Tefen in some manner.)
With this perspective, RINGO observed the entire swarm of Tefen again. It traced back the timeline and analyzed the movement paths of all individuals.
(Some individuals frequently changed their course and appeared to be weaving towards the Multi-legged Tanks. They might be trying to unsettle the tanks or perhaps observing what actions the tanks were taking.)
At the very least, they were not simply moving aimlessly toward a predetermined target. However, not all individuals were taking action; some were moving in a straight line.
RINGO continued to observe, while Tefen kept walking. The Multi-legged Tanks remained fixed on their targets, and the reconnaissance aircraft slowly circled above.
Then, as the distance closed to 1 kilometer, Tefen and its swarm gradually came to a halt.
“They’ve stopped!”
Commander (Eve) exclaimed in surprise. The monsters they had fought until now had all been aggressive. The Rain Croin had launched a preemptive strike but had immediately closed in on them. The Worm had attacked without hesitation, and the Hyena they had fought afterward had also come at them aggressively. The first three Scorpions had charged straight in, so Tefen’s sudden halt was unexpected.
“There are no significant movements observed.”
Both forces were now locked in a tense standoff. Occasionally, some of the Scorpions under Tefen would sway their bodies, but overall, neither side advanced an inch.
This standoff continued for several minutes.
Had a human (Eve) been in command, they might have grown impatient and taken some action. However, the local strategic AI was in charge, and the decision-making was carried out by the five Androids. They felt no pain in simply waiting.
It was Tefen’s side that broke the stalemate first.
One individual, having landed far ahead as a result of its aerial maneuvering, began to slowly advance. This act crossed the defensive line set by The Tree.
“We will perform a warning shot.”
This was one of the more moderate options among the strategies prepared. The Multi-legged Tank fired its railgun from the upper turret. The projectile, traveling at 800 km/h, struck the ground right in front of the Scorpion. The full metal jacket round exploded upon impact, sending sand flying all over the Scorpion.
“…”
The Scorpion, seemingly startled, abruptly halted its movements, shook off the sand that clung to its body, lowered its raised tail, spread its pincers horizontally, and resumed walking.
Originally, an attack was supposed to commence at this point. However, RINGO intervened and ordered a halt to the attack. The likelihood that the entire swarm led by Tefen possessed intelligence had increased, so the goal shifted to retreating them, even if communication was impossible. With this change in premise, RINGO issued new instructions to the five sisters. Direct intervention was minimized, aiming to support the sisters in taking command.
With the operational objectives updated, the local strategic AI quickly began to act.
The Multi-legged Tank that had just fired the warning shot moved forward. It performed as if it had no intention of aggressive action. Both the upper and lower turrets were pointed in different directions, and the working arms were spread wide like the Scorpion’s. This should convey a lack of combat intent.
There was also the possibility that they had entirely different intentions, but there was no point in pondering that.
Both sides continued to advance, eventually stopping about 5 meters apart, maintaining their standoff.
Suddenly, the Multi-legged Tank jumped back.
“The local AI has entered self-shutdown mode. Emergency situation!”
“W-What!?”
All friendly markers on the map turned gray (offline). The relay footage cut out, and the view switched to the zoomed-in footage from the reconnaissance aircraft stationed in the rear. The footage showed a massive cloud of dust swirling around Tefen.
“The Multi-legged Tanks are firing their railguns. All shots are warning shots. All units are in retreat. The aerial reconnaissance and bombers have also begun their withdrawal. The strategic AI at the Oil Port has requested support. A large missile carrying fuel vapor bombs has been launched from the Second Fortress. The situation is unclear. Analyzing received data.”
“There’s no damage reported, right!?”
“From the latest received data and video analysis, no damage has been confirmed. Based on the observed behavior patterns, it is presumed they are retreating to the second defensive line. Estimated time until complete withdrawal is 12 minutes. An attack with fuel vapor bombs will occur in 5 minutes.”