Chapter 190: Three-Pronged Attack
With the order given, the arsenals of the White Whale and its escort fleet immediately surged into high-speed operation.
The massive components of the "Amaterasu" directed energy cannon were slowly hoisted by engineering cranes and precisely loaded onto the heavy transport AVs that had been waiting for some time.
Several meters long, the "Takemikazuchi" railgun projectiles rose from the deep munitions bays, sliding into loading positions guided by magnetic rails.
The streamlined and complex "Susanoo" gravity field generator emitted a low hum on the test platform as various parameters jumped rapidly on the monitoring screens.
Simultaneously, on the takeoff platforms of the Arasaka coastal base, dense formations of troop transport AVs lifted off one after another.
These aircraft, fully loaded with Arasaka powered armor soldiers in uniform livery, roared toward the perimeter of the Badlands manufactorum like a migrating swarm of steel bees.
In the newly established forward operating base, engineering corps worked at full capacity under the cover of powered armor: bulldozers leveled the rugged ground, composite armor plates were rapidly assembled into bunkers, and communication antennae for the temporary command center rose one after another.
The entire base expanded outward at a speed visible to the naked eye, forming a tight offensive line.
When these heavy weapon systems completed preliminary deployment at the forward positions, the threat they posed became immediately apparent.
The targeting scope of the "Amaterasu" array had already locked onto the energy shield above the Badlands manufactorum. Its high-energy particle stream was sufficient to generate continuous overload effects on the shield's surface.
Test projectiles from the "Takemikazuchi" railgun stirred violent ripples on the shield, displaying astounding penetration potential.
And the test gravity waves released by the "Susanoo" system caused subtle distortions in the overall structure of the shield.
Arasaka's engineers were racing against time to conduct final calibrations.
Once these systems went fully online, they would form a three-dimensional strike network.
"Amaterasu" responsible for continuously draining shield energy, "Takemikazuchi" conducting pinpoint penetration, and "Susanoo" dismantling the shield structure from the physical level.
This triple-strike mode was theoretically sufficient to crush any known defense system within hours.
Inside the Badlands manufactorum, alarms from the sensor network rose and fell.
Joric calmly analyzed the incoming data. The energy readings of these heavy weapons had reached dangerous levels.
Even with the protection of the energy shield, if Arasaka were allowed to smoothly complete the deployment and calibration of all weapons, the entire defense system would face unprecedented pressure.
Although Arasaka's war machine had temporarily stalled due to the appearance of the energy shield, it was now restarting with even higher efficiency.
On the sea, the massive hull of the White Whale was as steady as an iceberg, but the lethal force hidden beneath was slowly revealing its fangs.
Every deployed heavy weapon was like a sword of Damocles hanging over the Badlands manufactorum, ready to fall at any moment.
Inside the workshop deep within the Badlands manufactorum, Joric calmly watched every move of the Arasaka forces through the sensor network scattered around the perimeter.
The debut of the energy shield had indeed achieved the expected effect—forcing the opponent to abandon inefficient saturation bombing and switch to more observation-worthy heavy siege tactics.
When the sensors returned the energy signatures of those heavy equipment, his crimson optical lenses flickered slightly as his processor rapidly completed weapon type identification.
"Log: Hostile tactical adjustment confirmed. Abandoning air superiority strikes, shifting to heavy ground siege mode. Detected high-energy particle weapons, electromagnetic kinetic cannon groups, and suspected gravity manipulation devices." He issued instructions to the Servo-skull hovering beside him. "Activate real-time shield stress monitoring system. Prioritize collection of attack efficiency data from the aforementioned weapon systems.
"Simultaneously, notify Mower. Share hostile heavy weapon deployment coordinates and type analysis with Barghest and Lazarus forces. They are authorized to take appropriate tactical actions based on their own judgment."
The order was executed immediately.
At the perimeter defense line of the Badlands manufactorum, Colonel Hansen and the Lazarus commander received the tactical alert and data packet forwarded by Mower almost simultaneously.
The holographic tactical sandbox clearly marked three major threats: the "Amaterasu" array on the eastern highlands, the "Takemikazuchi" system deployed on the coastline high ground, and the "Susanoo" gravity field generator being assembled in the southern industrial zone.
"Three targets, time is tight." Hansen's single eye swept over the sandbox, making a quick decision. "I suggest we split up. My Barghest main force will handle the 'Amaterasu' array in the east. You Lazarus deal with the 'Takemikazuchi' on the coastline."
A steady response came from beneath the Lazarus commander's faceplate: "Reasonable allocation. But what about the gravity field generator in the south? Based on energy readings, that might be the most threatening weapon."
Just as Hansen was about to speak, the curtain of the command post was yanked open. Maine's massive figure blocked the entrance, his metal body gleaming coldly in the dim light. "Leave the third target to us." His voice seemed to come from deep within his chest, carrying unquestionable weight.
Dorio and Rebecca stood to his left and right behind him, fully armed. The crisp sound of weapons being racked was exceptionally clear in the silence.
Maine took a step forward, the plasma cannon barrel on his left arm glowing faintly with a ghostly blue light. "We know the terrain of the southern industrial zone like the back of our hands." His optical lenses swept over the blinking red dot on the sandbox, his voice turning abruptly cold. "Besides, we... still have an old score to settle with Arasaka."
This sentence froze the air in the command post instantly.
Hansen's single eye narrowed slightly. He clearly remembered the intelligence regarding Maine's squad's actions at Arasaka Tower.
A low grunt of understanding came from beneath the Lazarus commander's faceplate; evidently, he also understood the weight behind those words.
"Good." Hansen made a prompt decision. "Then it's settled. Lazarus takes 'Takemikazuchi,' I'll lead my team to solve 'Amaterasu,' and Maine, you go to the industrial zone." He looked around at everyone present, his tone grave. "Remember, we only have one chance. We must thoroughly destroy these heavy weapons before they complete deployment."
Maine didn't answer, only nodding slightly. As he turned, the plasma cannon barrel traced a cold arc.
Dorio and Rebecca followed closely behind. The three figures quickly disappeared into the night outside the command post.
Orders spread rapidly across the entire front line. On the positions, the Barghest power armor troops who had just completed basic adaptability training began emergency assembly. Hansen personally inspected the power core of every "Vargr" unit.
On the other side, the heavy power armor group of Lazarus emitted a low roar, their livery gleaming with a cold luster under the moonlight.
Meanwhile, Maine's squad had vanished silently into the night.
Dorio led the way, Rebecca checked the ammunition of her heavy boltgun, while Pilar and Kiwi handled electronic countermeasures. Sasha and Falco remained in the rear to provide support.
Three assault forces, three key targets. A coordinated raid operation targeting Arasaka's heavy weapon emplacements unfolded fully under the cover of night.
Arasaka's engineers were still tensely setting up the weapon systems, completely unaware that destruction was quietly approaching.
(End of Chapter)