novelsite Chapter 261 Large Number of Enemy Units; Mass Production of Troops, Pre-Battle Arrangements
Chapter 261 Large Number of Enemy Units; Mass Production of Troops, Pre-Battle Arrangements
The assault ship then returned to the fleet, leaving only eight fighter jets to navigate through the rain, exploring the safety of the road ahead.
Ten minutes later, all the fighter jets that had gone out to scout returned to base. Four of them returned to the hangar from the bottom of the flagship and changed to ground attack weapons.
The fleet then set sail, silently flying forward hidden in the clouds.
Eighteen minutes later, the fleet appeared at the designated position. The four fighter jets equipped with ground attack payloads ejected from the flagship, preparing to descend and fly out of the rain clouds to reconnoiter the ground situation.
However, this time the situation far exceeded Lorraine and the others' expectations.
The four fighter jets had just left the rain clouds when they were met with intense anti-aircraft fire.
Countless silicon-based entities straightened up, raised their weapons, and launched an attack on the sky.
Thanks to their excellent aerodynamics and ample power, the four fighter jets easily evaded the air defenses and quickly climbed back into the rain clouds.
Looking down at the dense silicon-based life forms, Platinum quickly decided to abandon the plan to land the transport ship between the two rings.
"Commander, I'll go check on the situation."
After Bai Jin finished speaking, he activated the stealth function of the assault ship, allowing Xu Ling to pilot the assault ship to slowly descend and escape the rain clouds.
By reducing the power of the micro anti-gravity unit, Xu Ling controlled the assault ship to slowly descend, successfully lowering it to a height of 1500 meters without attracting the attention of the silicon-based biological cluster.
Immediately afterwards, an optical array appeared from below the assault ship, observing the movements of the silicon-based biological cluster below.
Only after safety is confirmed will the sensor array begin operating at minimum power.
When the electromagnetic waves were transmitted from the assault ship, the optical array instantly detected the abnormal movement of the silicon-based biological cluster below.
Seeing the silicon-based life forms below beginning to look up at the sky, Platinum quickly shut down the sensor array that had just started working and continued to observe the situation below using the optical array.
Just as Platinum was getting a headache from the slow progress of his investigation, a familiar electromagnetic wave came from behind, interrupting his thoughts.
Watching the silicon-based bio-group advancing toward the Stonehenge system, Platinum resisted the urge to fire and intercept them, instead launching a communications drone.
After the propeller-driven drone landed on the flagship, the communication information stored inside was transmitted to Lorraine via fiber optic cable.
After a moment's thought, looking down at the battle group mainly composed of medium-sized silicon-based individuals, Lorraine abandoned the idea of transporting 12 super-heavy tanks to the Stonehenge system to provide it with firepower.
After all, such a sudden advancement in technology could very well lead to the fall of the Stonehenge system.
However, Lorraine did not stop the airborne troops from taking action, since the robots they carried could also use gunpowder-powered weapons in combat.
Without further ado, the three near-ground transport ships began to turn and fly toward the fleet. However, on their return journey, they also needed to choose a suitable location to store the 12 super-heavy tanks and their accompanying troops that were on board.
The five tactical transport planes leaped onto the rain clouds and flew towards the Stonehenge base not far away, accompanied by a communications drone.
The aircraft, flying at full speed, successfully arrived at the Stonehenge base before the silicon-based biological swarm could invade. With their Lorraine-derived identities, the aircraft passed the air defense system's verification and landed abruptly on the open ground outside the base.
The communication drone accurately landed next to the base's communication antenna and successfully connected to the base's communication network using the robotic arm hidden in its belly.
After reading the message transmitted by the drone, the old knight hurriedly left the command room.
"Ain, take this reserve team to the defensive line and get ready."
"Yes, Commander!"
Ain clenched his right fist on his chest, bowed slightly, and then led the reserve team left the scene near the transport plane group, jogging all the way to the defensive line he was responsible for.
When the old knight took out his white badge with black flowers and passed the verification by the onboard AI, the tail doors of the five tactical transport planes opened simultaneously, and five standard 12-person crews appeared in front of the old knight.
"The first airborne unit of Project Fireseed has assembled. Please give your instructions."
Among them, the leading robot is clearly different from the other guardian robots.
"In the line of fire, Calder Cromwell welcomes you all."
The information carried by the communication drone has already revealed the identity and organization of this unit.
"Airborne Teams 1 through 4 will go to the southeast, northwest, and four defense zones respectively to provide support, while Airborne Team 5 will remain in the center of the base as a reserve force."
"Yes."
The commanders of the four squads responded and led their respective squads to their assigned defensive lines.
"Lieutenant, come with me."
Subsequently, the special-type guardian robot that served as the commander followed the old knight to the command room underground in the base.
"Lieutenant, what's the situation outside?"
The old knight asked somewhat anxiously.
The guardian robot did not answer immediately, but instead activated the projection system in its eyes, displaying an incomplete but accurate battlefield situation map.
The old knight first looked at the nearest circle of enemies, and then at the main enemy force 150 kilometers away.
Even with his unwavering will, he was at a loss for words.
"Sir Cromwell, the commander is still deploying troops to provide support. The first batch of light infantry units, totaling 56 sorties, is expected to arrive at the base within 14 hours."
"In order to avoid attracting the attention of the enemy's main force, the heavy armored units that arrive later will be parked at a concealed location 162 kilometers away and await orders."
Upon hearing the data reported by the lieutenant, Cromwell remained silent for a moment before looking at the tall, black robot in front of him.
"I see."
The lieutenant saluted, then turned and left the driver's cab, standing in the rain with the fifth squad, waiting for the arrival of reinforcements.
While Platinum was on a reconnaissance mission, Lorraine stayed in the cockpit and began planning troop deployments for this situation.
"The way support troops are transported needs to be improved. Transport planes cannot force a landing while enduring heavy anti-aircraft fire."
While muttering to himself, Lorraine designed new airdrop equipment for the troops.
The good news is that only airdrop equipment needs to be designed for infantry and lightly armored units, without having to consider too many other issues.
Considering the needs of subsequent operations, Lorraine ultimately designed a reusable recoil backpack.
The main power source of this recoil backpack is two plasma thrusters, while the starting power source is a high-performance metallic hydrogen battery, and the working fluid is also metallic hydrogen.
The backpack has different settings, and when used at the highest setting, it can support troops to conduct parachute-less airdrops at an altitude of 15,000 meters.
Even the lowest setting is sufficient to allow a fully armed Guardian III combat robot to land safely from an altitude of 2,500 meters.
After handing the equipment over to Cleveland and setting it to full production, Lorraine began to consider how to rescue the heavily fortified outpost.
Based on the information collected so far, it is preliminarily estimated that the total number of silicon-based organisms in the region has reached 10.
There are as many as 100 small war behemoths among them, and countless large silicon-based creatures.
In this situation, Lorraine's existing airships are completely unable to determine the course of such a war, and the difficulty in producing super-heavy tanks also means that they cannot achieve a sufficient numerical advantage in a short period of time.
However, Lorraine quickly came up with a solution.
"Since the overall numbers are insufficient, I can create numerical superiority in multiple local areas and quickly and efficiently kill enemy units in those areas."
"After completing the encirclement in a localized area, the enemy can be quickly transferred via near-ground transport ships to strike enemy units in other areas."
Thinking of this, Lorraine's face fell again.
Although 12 secondary nanocores and 60 secondary nanocores have been produced so far, it is still not possible to assemble a sufficient number of near-ground transport ships while producing super-heavy tanks.
"Commander, leave it to me. Work that requires a lot of calculations to get results is my forte."
Upon hearing Cleveland's voice, Lorraine looked up in realization, a slightly embarrassed smile appearing on her face.
"Sorry, I forgot."
Lorraine quickly shared her ideas with Cleveland, and then provided specific details.
"Existing tactical transport aircraft and helicopter fleets can be used. If the range is insufficient, field airfields can be built on the front line."
Cleveland stood quietly beside Lorraine, listening to her thoughts, his eyes flashing with data.
A moment later, Cleveland gave Lorraine's answer based on the available data.
"Commander, calculation complete, results as follows."
As she spoke, she tossed two data sheets in front of Lorraine.
"According to the information relayed by Ms. Platinum, the probability of the enemy launching a general offensive within 24 hours is 0.19%."
"The enemy's actions have been calculated using models, suggesting that they are continuously eroding the base's morale and depleting its reserves."
Conclusion: We currently have ample preparation time.
Lorraine carefully examined the chart, which was filled with numerous time points, then waved for Cleveland to continue his report.
「根据现有的生产力以及物资储备情况来看，我方在20小时内可以建成5艘运输舰、20架战术运输机以及20辆常规超重型坦克、8辆猎手型超重型坦克和8辆攻城型超重型坦克。」
"And the number of mid-level commanders who have completed the ascent of your previous Hongfeng Island base is sufficient to support the needs of this battle."
Lorraine nodded silently, then asked Platinum about the purpose of the fleet.
"Commander, I suggest that the two escort ships remain at the rear, while the flagship, after being equipped with optical stealth devices, can stand by 500 kilometers away from the Stonehenge base as a reserve force."
Lorraine roughly simulated the course of the battle in his mind, and then came up with a new idea.
"According to your current battle plan, all units are entering the battle at the same time and withdrawing at the same time. The battlefield is too scattered and there will be gaps in the battle."
Lorraine's eyes gleamed with excitement as she voiced her wildly imaginative idea.
"What if we set up two small, semi-permanent fortresses between the enemy's two rings and keep harassing them?"
"Apart from the foundation issue, which is difficult to solve, everything else can be transported to the site by near-ground transport ships. With the help of small nano-cores, the construction of a base should be completed quickly."
Upon hearing Lorraine's idea, Cleveland was initially taken aback, but then began to calculate the feasibility of the plan.
During the calculation process, he also discovered potential flaws in the first approach.
When there are no friendly units on the battlefield, the enemy's main force is very likely to abandon supporting nearby units and instead focus all its efforts on attacking the Stonehenge base.
However, Lorraine's proposed plan could still lead to the enemy's main force heading straight for Stonehenge, but the probability of this has decreased from more than 30% to 15.7%.
Moreover, this probability will gradually decrease as the size of these two semi-permanent fortresses increases, but when their size exceeds a certain limit, the probability of damage to the Stonehenge base and these two fortresses will increase sharply.
Looking at the new data provided by Cleveland, Lorraine scratched his head and muttered to himself.
"It doesn't have to be that extreme. They're just two temporary fortresses; there's no need to go to such lengths."
Through the sound recording system next to Lorraine, Fan clearly heard what Lorraine was muttering to himself.
She paused for a moment, then recalculated the appropriate size for the fortress.
Time passed slowly as they waited. The transport fleet had returned to Jask Port with the information, and several industrial bases had begun operating, continuously producing the supplies needed by Lorraine.
After Platinum and Xu Ling completed their reconnaissance mission aboard the assault ship and rejoined the flagship, Lorraine handed Platinum the plan that Cleveland had devised.
Platinum took the data panel and carefully examined the information on it.
After some analysis, Platinum nodded. Since there was no battle plan of his own in it, he looked up at Cleveland.
When he asked the question, Lorraine smiled awkwardly, and Cleveland then began to explain.
"Our mechs and weapons have undergone significant upgrades, and there is currently insufficient data to perform effective calculations."
Lorraine picked up where Cleveland left off, adding to the conversation.
"However, I suggest you act freely, but maintain real-time contact with Cleveland to facilitate adjustments to your battle plans."
In fact, not only Platinum's mech, but also the mechs of the six mechanical dogs have undergone significant enhancements. Lorraine is unsure just how powerful they can be in combat now.
But at the very least, its combat capability will not be lower than that of a mixed squad of super-heavy tanks.
Upon hearing this, Platinum carefully considered the terrifying stats of the seven mechs, then nodded and accepted the arrangement.
Next, the flagship returned to port, while the assault ship rendezvoused with the super-heavy tank squadron to continue monitoring the movements of the enemy's main force.
Meanwhile, the situation at Stonehenge changed dramatically after four new teams joined the force.
These robots have enough energy to sustain them in 10 hours of high-intensity combat, so they can always be there when replacements are most needed, taking over from exhausted or even seriously injured soldiers to continue fighting.
When the second wave of reinforcements arrived, all 60 robots from the first wave had already been deployed to the battlefield. One robot was completely destroyed, and three were severely damaged and unable to continue fighting.