Chapter 228

Creeeak… Thud!

To those who didn’t know what had happened here, it might have seemed ridiculous.

The large-caliber turrets that had been anxiously pointing inward finally reversed, returning to face outward.

This would likely restore some of the fractured mutual trust between the engineers and operators.

“Hey, yeah, turret maintenance is urgent, but they’re restricting external access for now. They’re telling us to focus on repairing the outer walls and flattening the ground—it’s not good for appearances.”

– What the hell… So you too! Bring a droid and help instead of just sitting there spreading notices! –

“Ah~ I kinda wrecked all the spare units, so I’m in the repair bay now~ I’m on standby till the repairs are done~”

Setting aside the anger towards some annoyingly chatty colleagues…

Indeed, everything in Exatech, which boasted of massive systems and processes, was a spectacle of dedicated tools weighing anywhere from dozens to hundreds of kilograms, impractical to operate without skeletal reinforcement implants.

In light of the internal intruder situation now resolved, according to the broadcast notices.

As part of the extensive recovery operations, all non-research section personnel were mobilized including supervisors equipped with protective gear, construction droids, and unmanned robots. Right in the middle of these operations…

Crrack…!

Suddenly, the ground shook violently and scattered shell casings were kicked up slightly.

Hmph. Despite looking like they had calmed down enough to exchange silly jokes, just moments before, they had been in a scarcely precedented extreme situation under poorly-lit facility lighting, with no end in sight to a defensive delay action against bombings.

Since the internet wasn’t working properly, some had even written electronic wills on their cyberware before deleting them, so naturally, the moment a chill sensation arose, everyone tensed up again and immediately stood.

“Ah, dammit. That was a shock.”

“Phew… Seriously, I thought my heart was going to drop out! Besides, I already had an acute heart attack during the operation earlier, and the doctor told me to rest for a while.”

The noise from the hangar doors opening revealed the dreadnought starting up, and with it came the relief of realizing it was just that, allowing them to return to recovery work, sighing in relief.

Looking back, the facility had suffered immense damage to its defenses and most of its available manpower. There had been a notice about deploying the walking anti-tank combat robots for standard defense duties as well.

Had the hackers who caused all that chaos been caught by forces assigned to another facility, as they claimed earlier?

Had the battle continued, they might not know the chances of victory, but for the frontline staff and the non-combatants hiding in their rooms waiting for the mess to be sorted out, the situation could have been fatal. Some were more than relieved that the patrol group had purposely taken the fight far away.

…

….

Yeah, what. For someone in a minor position, unaware of causes and effects or the entire rationale behind the commotion, even if the culprits had been brought here intentionally, it wasn’t like they would have any particular opinion on the matter.

If… they were aware that the responsibility for all the impending additional calamities lay with that very decision.

– …? Multiple forces approaching from the direction of the northern gate. Our reconnaissance team dispatched earlier, NHPD Riot Control, and the patrol squad from the nearby manufacturing plant are all mixed up. Wasn’t a written report on questioning scheduled to be notified afterward? –

The upper body of the massive steel robot rotated.

Designed to individually provide sufficient frontline suppression, the dreadnought was equipped with an independent radio detector, which enabled it to detect visitors even before the base was fully stabilized.

The dreadnought operator’s amplified voice thundered loudly across the compound, but other employees, upon hearing that public servants were coming, felt it wasn’t their concern and continued with their tasks.

If it was an operator error, it was simply protocol to reveal the identity of all upcoming troops for everyone to know.

Hence, the northern gate security forces prepared to greet their visitors instead of immediately bolting the gate.

The chatter of the repairmen atop the outer walls—’Fuck, something’s incredibly ominous,’ ‘Isn’t it strange how aggressively they’re approaching? Are they that busy?’—wasn’t openly broadcast.

Lastly, entering a wartime alert status had completely shut down normal communication networks, which, along with the mass of approaching threats, almost eliminated any slim chance of containing them.

“Hold it right there! You’ve entered Exatech’s private property. Even if you have urgent matters, you must undergo inspection… What the hell, man!! Which recruit are you?! What’s been so urgent that you’ve been racing here without answering since earlier…!?”

BOOM—!

At the gate entrance, a person suddenly flew into the air.

Encumbered by protective gear, the adult easily weighing over a hundred kilograms soared almost to the height of the outer wall.

While everyone stood dumbfounded at the spectacle, enemies poured in through the forcibly opened northern passage in what resembled a final, overwhelming assault.

Even with distinguishable allied ID tags barely visible to the naked eye, the hostile forces were advancing with malicious intent!

– We are initiating combat. Civilian workers should avoid getting… Shit! –

Ddggaaggh!

The shelter broadcast was interrupted by loud firing sounds and explosions tearing through the air.

The speed of the approaching hostile droids was a problem, but with their defensive situation being such a disgrace, the conclusion was made that to survive this assault, there was no choice but to obliterate everything in sight.

Spreading out like insects breaking free from fallen nets, they were mercilessly bombarded with maximum firepower. The external turrets were firing again, and the dreadnought’s rounds, completing a full rotation of its gunports, left lower halves of robots scattered across the ground.

With such a clean sweep, the battle situation would have seemed improved… but reinforcements appeared with ridiculous ease.

This time in the form of construction robots working inside and droids swept up in the waves.

– What the hell is this?? –

Crack! Grind!!

Spewing ruined optic fluids, the dreadnought stomped around trying to shake off a machine clinging to its leg.

With each sweep of its foot, long scratches marred the armor as robots were flung off, only to rush back and cling again. Among the swarm, there were none properly utilizing weapons, but the sheer numbers were beginning to interfere with accurate targeting.

Crash! A forklift carrying construction supplies sped in from afar and rammed into the dreadnought’s lower joint.

It tilted violently, with one knee buckling.

Despite the brief stiffness that followed, the operator tried to regain mobility. However, in a situation packed with infected creatures, the dreadnought that had been immobilized for nearly ten seconds was no longer under the operator’s control.

[An emergency broadcast to all staff. All non-combatants, stop emergency duties immediately and head to the shelters. All defensive personnel, concentrate on eliminating intruders and defending the research building.]

“…Stop them? With what, for fuck’s sake?”

“Well… We can’t just sit idly by, so I guess they’re asking for basic responses. I don’t know if we could get an exoskeleton suit from the repair bay, but returning inside the facility now seems impossible.”

Rumble…

Watching a dreadnought crash into the building at a speed likely due to fuel and voltage overload, the guards stationed at the southern gate muttered.

The sight of red lights and robot silhouettes darting through the dusty haze was truly chilling.

If only HQ backup had been requested by a direct order from the director, but for some reason, Director Electra was silent. Usually known for her prickly and hysterical behavior, and with what amounted to control-freak tendencies, she was expected to react strongly to the compromise of the facility’s operational integrity… Apparently, there was something even more pressing on her mind.

Ultimately, with only infrequent orders coming through the communication channels from Senior Researcher Gibson and Security Chief, those farthest from the second assault maintained full power and decided to close and lock the gate before joining other defense personnel to contain the situation.

But before the barrier could fully descend, a figure approached the burning research site with composed strides.

“Hmph, why do humans always gather around to watch after accidents? And you—no clue what you’re looking for, but if you think there’s something edible, the atmosphere’s really bad right now, so get lost…”

“You are causing harm and illegally detaining a Very Important Person, potentially sparking legal disputes or large-scale corporate conflicts. Therefore, I advise you to cease all hostile actions and surrender to avoid immediate lethal consequences involving bodily injury or death.”

“…What?”

Not immediately engaging but cutting off the carefully crafted, warm-hearted suggestion in a rather peculiar manner, an oddly structured announcement was delivered in a somewhat charismatic tone.

Ambiguous subject, unclear purpose.

The speaker hadn’t even revealed her identity, her voice roughly distorted, hood pulled low, opaque gas mask covering her face, but her slender build was clad in a common tracksuit.

Viewed from any angle, she lacked any semblance of legitimacy.

The woman, officially registered as Neo Haven citizen Masanari Gamma, was standing somewhat awkwardly, waiting for an answer from the Exatech soldiers.

Was she dismissed from her tracker position? Not at all.

Just that maintaining close proximity surveillance 24/7 was the best approach for understanding the protection target and the situation surrounding her.

Especially when the target, Anastasia, led a life away from Enema territory, with the added necessity of remaining undetected not only by her but possibly also by Paradise employees potentially nearby.

This caused quite the headache among the staff.

If they had received cooperation from the Chief Secretary, it would have been more convenient. However, due to someone’s stern warning that any involvement in this case could result in immediate death, Kai was left completely sidelined.

First, to avoid being detected by other executives on frequent visits to Enema headquarters, a private accommodation nearby was purchased under a pseudonym.

With specialized tracker uniforms and gear rendered unusable, suitable identities were assigned and personal gear acquired with supporting funds and mandates.

Ultimately, a completely unprecedented figure—a tracker assigned to a limitless offsite mission with regular reporting requirements but no deadline—was set loose into society.

Thus, the elaborate threat posed earlier could be considered a considerate notification to adjacent Exatech from her standpoint.

Broadly interpreted, ‘I can’t specify details, but you’ve kidnapped an important Enema person. Given this isn’t an official event, a formal request is impractical, but non-cooperation under my purview invites potential retaliation.’

Yet again, Exatech was incredibly unlucky in another series of coincidences.

If Masanari hadn’t encountered a minor dispute with a butler robot while heading out, if Leonar hadn’t navigated winding paths to shake off pursuit too meticulously, Anastasia might have been intercepted and whisked away during her abduction.

Being aware she had wasted time, Masanari was fully prepared to plunge into the heart of the battlefield.

One factor driven by the obsessive compulsion to complete her mission, and the other…

“…To dare harm someone so benevolent as to want to repair even a worthless part like me speaks volumes of your arrogance.”

Massaging her rib area where a past windhole had occurred, she murmured.

Although lacking experience in awkward gestures like expressing gratitude, shadowing and support—both in the open and undercover—were the essence of a tracker’s role, talents ingrained in her very blood.

“Damn it. Looks like there are more lunatics drawn by tough guys. Just shoot her!”

“Hmm, understood. I will fully respect your choice.”

Ssslrr…!

As guns were pointed at her, what emerged from behind was anything but her ragtag outfit’s expectation. It was a Japanese-style tanto blade, razor-sharp, paired with an impressive drum magazine submachine gun loaded with high-penetration rounds.

Though countless rounds and muzzle flashes ripped through the air, none reached Masanari. Unfortunately, the heavy-armed droids specialized in anti-personnel combat had long since been destroyed or co-opted by the facility.

Ultimately, the last registered content in the facility network was: ‘Northern gate completely breached, southern gate compromised by an unusual intruder. Ground structures severely damaged, backup requested.’

And the exact thought of Anastasha, who secretly read the message, is said to have been.

“Ah… The situation seems not as bad as I thought?”