Chapter 9 I've Decided Not to Get Involved, Haven't I?
Simulator-based simulated fleet battles are nothing more than an extension of the game. A simulation is still a simulation. Even if it can reproduce the movements of a fleet, the time and attack speeds involved in battle are greatly simplified.
Space is vast, and space battleships have a long attack distance. The space is vast, and the space battleship's attack distance is long, so it would be unreasonable to try to reproduce it in a relatively short period of time.
(After all, there were many people who mistakenly thought they had talent only for this simulation system. I was one of them. But they are not. They are the real thing, even though they are being hailed as young lions. That's why you can't let your guard down.)
Also, instructions to the fleet, orders to attack, and even the launch of shipboard aircraft are transmitted without a time lag, and they don't disobey instructions and don't make mistakes. They are superior to the existing soldiers only in this respect.
In other words, it is purely individual competence that decides the winner of this mock battle. If you make a mistake in judgment, defeat is inevitable. It is a simple game. It is only a game after all. ......
Lillian muttered to no one in particular.
The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the most out of your money is to be careful what you spend it on. The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the best out of your car is to get the best out of your car.
The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the most out of your money is to use it.
And the ship is the Stella.
Just when I had decided not to get involved, this happened.
But I was the one who had disrupted that plan.
So, why don't we try to change course here? How?
(Losing on purpose: ......?)
The opponents are two young hopefuls who are called geniuses. No one would be surprised if they lost. Everyone just thinks it's a foregone conclusion.
Laughing at her own thoughts, Lillian glanced at Stella on the other side of the monitor.
She was staring straight ahead.
(That girl is fighting for my honor.)
The world before was me, the one who took everything away from me. Naturally, she wouldn't know such a thing in this time, but from Lillian's point of view, it is a matter of concern.
But at the same time, I feel as if I should humiliate her.
A girl who stood up for herself. A girl who is a future general. She must be in command of the entire army. Considering that, this mock battle is perfect for her.
Besides, even if she won the match here, it would be a recognition of Stella's talent to those around her. She won against an elite opponent with a makeshift fleet.
That fact would significantly enhance the reputation of Stella as a girl.
(Perhaps. In the previous world, Stella must have had mock battles like this with them. Otherwise, there is no way she would have become friends with Vertoll and the others. The problem is that I intervened, and history changed. But that can't be all bad.)
I will show them Stella's talent.
Then there is only one action to take.
“...... enemy formation is a defensive formation. They are protecting the carrier with shield ships. Moreover, the shield ships are not just deployed. They are thickly centered around important forces such as the carrier, and they are deliberately creating places for attacks to pass through in order to prevent attenuation.”
Looking at the formation of the enemy fleet deploying in front of them, Lillian thinks, as expected.
It is a strange move by Ares, which excels at defense. It is not just about putting a ship with high defensive capability in front of the fleet, but it is also about passing them by. Sometimes he spreads out his fleet and lets them concentrate on evasive maneuvers, and sometimes he gathers them together and catches them in a purely defensive manner.
The ironclad Ares. The truth is that he has the maneuverability not to be attacked and the nerve to catch an attack that is just the opposite.
The way he captures the right moment is nothing short of genius.
Currently, they are in an evenly spaced defensive formation, ready to move at any moment.
Next will come the aircraft from the carrier. Delan's aircraft will be in full control. And they won't be overpowered. They can fire a volley of space torpedoes, a needle-like blow. Dockfights are a last resort.
From the carrier, which is protected by ironclad defenses, we can confirm the launch of countless ship-borne aircraft. Delan's attack force, geniuses at carrier operations, must respond immediately.
What kind of sense of smell is working in the air, and the carrier-based aircraft under Delan's command are accurately targeting our vulnerable points.
Moreover, he can order them to retreat immediately if he thinks the attack is unfavorable.
He is not the type to rush headlong into battle. In a sense, Delan is the young man who has the best grasp of the war situation.
That is Lillian's assessment.
He is the one who knows what is going on,” Lillian said. If you take too much time on the ship, you will be eaten up by the aircraft. It's a perfect lineup, both offensively and defensively.
At first glance, Delan and Ares appear to be like water and oil, but they are extremely well matched.
If you focus on either one of them, that's the pace of the other.
So, how will it play out?
“Advice. I suggest we launch the interceptors and use the missiles to dampen the shields. What will you do?
First of all, I offer a theoretical course of action.
“......, I have an idea. Will you listen to me?”
The Stella, who had been looking intently at the enemy fleet just a moment ago, instantly took on the posture of a small animal, listening to our reaction.
You defeated Deran just now, didn't you? A victor's words are worth hearing.
When I responded, Stella's smile quickly faded and instantly returned to a straight face.
This switch was frightening to Lillian, no matter how she did it.
We'll fall back.”
Stella turned her attention back to the main monitor and said.
Fall back? Intercept?”
'Even if we launch now, we won't make it to the formation in time. Fall back in anti-air defense formation. Speed will match ours. Concentrate on the enemy carrier with long-range gunships. But first, retreat. But don't fall back too far.
It may sound strange to talk about anti-aircraft defense in space, but this is simply the result of a unified vocabulary. Anti-aircraft defense has come to refer to the overall response to enemy ship-borne aircraft and space torpedoes, and it remains the same whether in space or in the atmosphere.
In space, however, it also means omnidirectional vigilance.
“Roger that. Gunships, fire main guns. Interceptor missiles will be ready.
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Destroyers, move into formation. Cruisers, move out.
The formation is reestablished according to Stella's plan.
(Draw fire. If it is mainly gunships with long range, well ...... I wonder if this movement can break the ironclad and maneuverability)
Lillian launches an attack on the enemy carrier at a distance and just out of range with the gunships under her command.
Countless flashes of light draw a line. Naturally, even the long-range heavy particle cannons of the bombardment ship are reduced in power at the distance limit and are easily repelled by the shields.
Even the simulation's display data shows a “no hit” result.
Please prepare cruise missiles. “Please prepare the cruise missiles, but don't launch them yet. For the time being, please aim at the carrier with heavy particle cannons.
[hmmm ......
If it had been my former foolish self who was here, I would have refuted it, or even if I had listened to her, I would have had no idea what Stella was trying to achieve.
But now Lillian can understand what Stella is trying to do, even if only vaguely. She just doesn't have the certainty or confidence.
If she does something wrong, something unnecessary, something terrible will happen. It would be a bit traumatic if I had to experience it firsthand.
That's why I wanted to make sure everything was fine.
I also wondered if I should raise the observation drone. It would make it a little easier to see the enemy fleet's movements.
......!”
Stella looked a little surprised.
Please do.
I replied immediately.
Roger, roger.”
Lillian opens the simulation's menu screen and chooses to launch the drones. In reality, several hundred unmanned drones are launched, but the simulation shows only about fifteen.
The drones are not capable of attacking, but are equipped with a radar for detection, an observation camera, and a few small thrusters for movement. It looks small, but it is actually a 10-meter class drone.
Now, what about the enemy fighters approaching?
“Please drive them away with a barrage of bullets. Use a thicker barrage. Mr. Deran probably won't want to target me.
Because you lost once?
Yes.
It was a quick answer.
He's a very cautious man.
How many times have you fought Deran?
Twice. Twice. That was the second time.
He said, “How can you be sure of that?”
I can. I have. Anti-air defense. The missiles are protected by shields. They probably don't want to cut us off with the first shot, so we'll concentrate on driving them away, without further intercepting and pursuing them.”
The radar detected the reaction of countless enemy fighters. As Stella had predicted, there seemed to be a little too many on the Lillian fleet's side.
“Commence machine-gun fire and missile intercepts. The bombardment ships continue their attack on the carrier. Cruisers will be sent to cover the gunships.
It was a simulation, after all.
Still, fleet battles are exciting.
This is one thing that won't change no matter what ...... happens.