As the command was issued, the armory of the white whale and its escort fleet immediately went into high-speed operation.
The massive "Amaterasu" Directed Energy Cannon components were slowly hoisted by engineering cranes and precisely loaded onto heavy transport airships that had been waiting for a long time.
Several-meter-long "Take-Mikazuchi" Electromagnetic Railgun projectiles rose from the deep ammunition depot, sliding into the loading position guided by magnetic rails.
The sleek and complex "Susanoo" Gravity Field Generator emitted a low hum on the test platform, with various parameters rapidly jumping across the monitoring screens.
At the same time, on the launch platforms of the Arasaka Coastal Base, dense formations of troop transport airships continuously ascended.
These aircraft, fully loaded with Arasaka power-armored soldiers in uniform livery, roared towards the outskirts of the Wasteland Town like a migrating swarm of steel bees.
In the newly established outpost, engineering units worked at full capacity under the cover of power armor: bulldozers leveled the rugged terrain, composite armor plates were quickly assembled into bunkers, and communication antennas for the temporary command center were erected one after another.
The entire base expanded outwards at a visible rate, forming a tight offensive front.
When these heavy weapon systems completed their initial deployment at the front lines, their threat immediately became apparent.
The targeting scopes of the "Amaterasu" array had already locked onto the energy shield above the Wasteland Town, its high-energy particle stream capable of generating a continuous overload effect on the shield's surface.
The test projectiles of the "Take-Mikazuchi" Electromagnetic Railgun stirred up violent ripples on the shield, demonstrating astonishing penetration potential.
And the test gravity waves released by the "Susanoo" system even caused subtle distortions in the overall structure of the shield.
Arasaka's engineers were racing against time to perform the final adjustments.
Once these systems were fully online, they would form a multi-dimensional strike network.
The "Amaterasu" would be responsible for continuously depleting the shield's energy, the "Take-Mikazuchi" for pinpoint penetration, and the "Susanoo" for physically dismantling the shield's structure.
This triple-strike mode was theoretically sufficient to break through any known defense system within hours.
Inside the Wasteland Town, alarms from the sensor network blared one after another.
Osiris calmly analyzed the incoming data; the energy readings of these heavy weapons had already reached dangerous levels.
Even with the protection of the energy shield, if Arasaka successfully completed the deployment and calibration of all its weapons, the entire defense system would still face unprecedented pressure.
Although the Arasaka war machine had been temporarily stalled by the appearance of the energy shield, it was now operating again with even greater efficiency.
On the sea, the massive hull of the white whale remained as steady as an iceberg, but the deadly force hidden beneath it was slowly revealing its fangs.
Each deployed heavy weapon was like a sharp sword hanging over the Wasteland Town, ready to strike at any moment.
— —
Deep within the workshop of the Wasteland Town, Osiris calmly observed every movement of the Arasaka forces through the surrounding sensor network.
The debut of the energy shield had indeed achieved the desired effect—forcing the opponent to abandon inefficient saturation bombing and instead adopt heavy siege tactics that were more worthy of observation.
When the sensors transmitted the energy signatures of those heavy armaments, his crimson optical lenses flickered slightly, and his processor quickly completed weapon type identification.
"Record: Enemy tactical adjustment confirmed. Abandoning air superiority strike, shifting to ground-based heavy siege mode. High-energy particle weapons, electromagnetic kinetic cannon arrays, and suspected gravity manipulation devices identified," he instructed the servo-skull hovering nearby. "Activate real-time shield stress monitoring system, focusing on collecting attack efficacy data for the aforementioned weapon systems.
At the same time, notify Morris to share the enemy heavy weapon deployment coordinates and type analysis with the Wraiths and Lazarus units. They have the authority to adopt appropriate tactics based on their own judgment."
The order was immediately executed.
At the outer defense line of the Wasteland Town, Colonel Hansen and commander Lazarus almost simultaneously received tactical alerts and data packets forwarded by Morris.
The holographic tactical sand table clearly marked three main threats: the "Amaterasu" array located on the eastern highlands, the "Take-Mikazuchi" system deployed at the high point of the coastline, and the "Susanoo" Gravity Field Generator being assembled in the southern factory district.
"Three targets, time is short," Hansen's single eye swept over the sand table, quickly making a decision. "I suggest we split up. My Wraiths main force will take care of the 'Amaterasu' array in the east, and you Lazarus will deal with the 'Take-Mikazuchi' on the coastline."
A steady response came from beneath commander Lazarus' faceplate: "Reasonable allocation. But what about the Gravity Field Generator in the south? From the energy readings, that might be the most threatening weapon."
Hansen was about to speak when the command post's tent flap was suddenly thrown open. Maine's tall figure blocked the doorway, his metallic body gleaming coldly in the dim light. "The third target is ours," his voice came from deep within his chest, carrying an undeniable weight.
Dorio and Rebecca stood on his left and right, already fully armed, the crisp click of weapons being cocked distinct in the silence.
Maine stepped forward, the plasma cannon on his left arm faintly glowing with a faint blue light. "We know the terrain of the southern factory district like the back of our hand." His optical lenses swept over the blinking red dot on the sand table, his voice suddenly turning cold. "And, we and Arasaka... still have an old score to settle."
This sentence instantly solidified the air in the command post.
Hansen's single eye narrowed slightly; he clearly remembered the intelligence about Maine's crew's actions in Arasaka Tower.
A knowing hum came from beneath commander Lazarus' faceplate, clearly understanding the weight behind that statement.
"Good," Hansen decided on the spot. "Then it's settled. Lazarus handles the 'Take-Mikazuchi,' I'll lead the team to deal with the 'Amaterasu,' and you Maine go to the factory district." He looked around at everyone present, his tone grave. "Remember, we only have one chance. We must completely destroy these heavy weapons before they complete their deployment."
Maine did not reply, only nodded slightly. As he turned, the plasma cannon traced a cold arc.
Dorio and Rebecca followed closely, their figures quickly disappearing into the night outside the command post.
The order quickly spread throughout the entire front line. At the position, the Wraiths power armor units, having just completed basic adaptive training, began to assemble urgently. Hansen personally inspected the power core of each of the fangs.
On the other side, the heavy power armor units of Lazarus emitted a low hum, their livery gleaming with a cold luster in the moonlight.
At the same time, Maine's crew had silently disappeared into the night.
Dorio led the way, Rebecca checked the ammunition of her Bolter, while Pilar and Kiwi were responsible for electronic countermeasures. Sasha and Falco remained behind to provide support.
Three assault teams, three critical targets, a coordinated raid operation against Arasaka's heavy weapon positions, unfolded fully under the cover of night.
Arasaka's engineers were still nervously setting up their weapon systems, completely unaware that destruction was quietly approaching.