Mass-Produced ECHOs
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Bzzt, bzzzzzt…. System booting.
Deep within a subterranean cavern of a ruined city.
In the pitch-black darkness where not a single ray of light could penetrate, dozens of red ocular glares flickered eerily.
The core of the Leviathan-class unit following the Named-grade Astral known as the Harvester was slowly awakening.
Kaabooooom—! Thump!
Following that, a steel monster 600 meters long, filling the subterranean cavern, hauled itself up.
Its form differed from that of a typical battleship.
Beneath a massive hull clad in thick armor, more than ten enormous legs were crushing down into the underground bedrock.
It was an overwhelming figure, reminiscent of a giant spider forged from steel, or a colossus from myth.
Then, smoke began to billow from dozens of chimneys rising from its back, and reconnaissance drones on the deck began to take off and land like a swarm of bees, transporting data from the surface.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Analysis: Re-confirming situation in Hongwei-7.
Status: Alert Level Red
The Leviathan was cautious.
Its primary objective was to capture the Anomaly, a high-energy reaction detected in Hongwei-7.
However, the Troller-class Mobile Aircraft Carrier sent as the vanguard had been miserably shot down, and even the signal of the Astral with a name, Aurum, a capable lieutenant, had been cut off.
This was evidence that a powerful predator capable of turning a Troller-class into scrap metal was coiled within Hongwei-7.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Analysis: Named-grade Hachishakusama. Strong.
Because of this, the Leviathan was biding its time.
Moving rashly could result in damage to itself.
However, a variable occurred.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Detection: Large-scale surface vibration. Multiple heat signatures approaching.
Identification: Heavy Armored Mechanized Unit belonging to Ark 86.
The Leviathan's sensors captured Lin Ao's unit racing fiercely across the surface.
The procession of over twenty armored vehicles was a scale equivalent to nearly half of Ark 86's main force.
Normally, they would be annoying tin cans hidden deep inside the thick walls of the Ark, making them difficult to extract, but it was a different story when they crawled out of their nest on their own like this.
Furthermore, their movement path was unusual.
They were clearly heading toward Hongwei-7.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Calculation: Running simulation…
> Scenario A: If left alone, human forces may destroy or seize the Anomaly first. -> Harvest failure.
> Scenario B: If the Anomaly in Hongwei Sector 7 engages in combat with human forces → Risk of loot damage.
The Leviathan's Core flashed grotesquely.
The conclusion reached by its mechanical brain was clear.
Those annoying humans could not be allowed to approach Hongwei Sector 7.
Above all, more energy was needed to deal with the predator of Hongwei Sector 7.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Judgment: Preemptive strike for fuel.
Target: Predation of all members of Ark 86's mechanized unit.
If so, it had to snatch and devour them midway before they reached Hongwei-7.
Then, after boosting its output with that energy, it would descend upon Hongwei-7.
The Leviathan concluded that this was the most efficient hunt.
Krrr, krrrr-ik—!
With a massive mechanical sound, the Leviathan's joints extended.
As the steel spider's legs kicked off the ground, the ceiling of the underground cave began to collapse.
Then, the gears of the plant inside the Leviathan's belly began to rotate violently, like the teeth of a starving beast.
KIEEEEEEEK—!!
With a piercing mechanical scream, the Leviathan drove a massive drill toward the surface.
As the ground split and the earth screamed, the silent predator began to reveal itself above ground.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"What's the schedule for today?"
"Dismantling the wreckage of the Troller-class carrier and reinforcing the second barrier. Also, as planned, two V-60 units are scheduled to be deployed to the northern mining zone."
"Ah..."
I nodded while looking at the hologram map in Arva's report.
The northern mining zone, where currently only the SCOUT-106 reconnaissance model was stationed, was practically an unclaimed wasteland.
The problem was that the mineral resources mined there were essential for producing the frames of mass-produced ECHOs.
Therefore, a reliable defensive force had to be deployed as soon as possible.
Still, I can't pull the entire V-60 squad….
For now, they had to dispatch two units first as a preliminary measure.
I decided that securing the base was the best course of action.
Considering the advantage of the defensive terrain and the V-60's close-quarters combat capability, deploying just two units should be enough to easily handle the stray normal zombies infesting the area.
Since the Cerberus squad is patrolling daily anyway, this should be sufficient for now.
"Who will lead them?"
"I intend to go, but…."
"Ah, no. I'll go."
At my words, Arva, who had been waiting beside me, tilted her head in surprise.
"The Commander himself? There's no need to go that far…"
"Hmm. It's not dangerous anyway, and I figured I'd boost the morale of the girls struggling in the north."
I made an excuse with a solemn expression, but in truth, I had other motives.
The looks and bodies of the V-60 girls deployed yesterday kept flickering in my mind.
Since they're the type to do anything I say, I planned to use the absolute power(?) of a commander to touch them openly.
"Still, we don't know when enemies might attack, Commander. Wouldn't it be dangerous?"
"It'll be fine. The Cerberus squad will be joining anyway. There's nothing dangerous nearby, right?"
"……If that's the case. Understood, Commander."
Under the pretext of introducing the temporary mining zone, I even brought Sherpa along.
Is it because she's grown accustomed to life in Hongwei-7?
Compass saw us off without any particular suspicion.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Kaaaboom—!
With a heavy engine roar, the Mercury Howl came to a stop at the temporary base of the northern mine.
Perhaps they had performed some roadwork while securing the base, as the path was much cleaner than before.
Thus, I headed toward the administration building inside the base along with the two V-60s descending from the cargo hold and Sherpa, who followed behind me while reading the room.
"Uh, uh-oh?! Sa-Salute—!"
As I opened the door, one C-008 unit sitting on a cot spotted us and jumped up in shock.
She then quickly snapped into position and gave a disciplined salute.
"At ease. You can relax."
"Ye, yes!"
I waved my hand and slowly scanned her.
A voluminous blonde, her hair tied tightly into a neat ponytail, and bangs slightly disheveled and damp with sweat, likely from work.
And the intense blue eyes visible between them.
Wow... mass-produced ECHOs are actually quite something, aren't they?
Alpha, V-60, and the utility ECHO, C-008.
Is this what a tough Western female mechanic feels like?
With a rugged yet provocative visual that looked like she had jumped straight out of a thumbnail from a hardcore Western porn site, she had an appearance that would likely have a niche fanbase.
"The report says two units are deployed… are you alone?"
"Yes, that is correct! Right now, it is my shift break, so Sandy is currently performing mining operations alone."
"Sandy?"
"Ah... that is…. It's a nickname we use among ourselves. Sometimes SCOUT-106 gets confused when called by identification numbers."
"Oh…."
So mass-produced ECHOs give each other names… I never knew that.
And the fact that mass-produced units have this side to them was quite interesting.
"Then what is your name?"
"D-Dusty."
Sandy and Dusty.
Rugged and cute-sounding names, fitting for those working in a mine.
The pronunciations were similar, giving them a sisterly feel.
"Those are good names."
"Th-Thank you!"
As Dusty bowed her head shyly at my words, a bead of sweat rolled down her collarbone and slid between her cleavage.
…They're huge.
I unconsciously gulped.
It was a voluptuous body that couldn't be hidden by rough work clothes—no, it was actually emphasized by them.
I subtly shifted my gaze to look around.
"Where is SCOUT-106?"
"On patrol. Uh… it will take at least two hours for her to return."
Two hours….
The corners of my mouth curled up instinctively. I was the only man inside this narrow and secluded administration building.
And there were four ECHOs who would readily die if I demanded that of them.
There couldn't be more perfect timing.
I glanced back.
The two V-60s were looking around, perhaps checking the quarters they would stay in, and Sherpa was looking at me with a puzzled expression.
"Get some rest."
"Ye, Yes!"
At my words, Dusty awkwardly sat back down on the cot.
A completely defenseless posture.
Like a beast that had found its prey, I closed the distance to Dusty's face without hesitation.
Then, I slid my hand deep inside her olive-colored drab T-shirt.
"Co-Commander…?! Hng?!"
Dusty's eyes widened in shock, but as my finger flicked her sensitive nipple, her body began to tremble as if she had been electrocuted.
"They’re soft."
"Th-Th-thank you."
Blatant, obvious sexual harassment.
But Dusty did not push me away. No, she couldn't.
The fact that I, the commander of the Ark and the only human commander, was touching her skin directly.
It was because the pleasure and loyalty stemming from that absolute hierarchy were dominating her.
Moreover, like an ECHO, while her face turned red as a beet, Dusty twisted her waist or pressed her chest slightly against me in sync with my touch.
"Co-Commander… sir—! Hng!"
After I kneaded and touched her a few times, she was now leaning her upper body against my arm.
Perhaps she was aroused, as the sensation of her nipples hardening in my palm was vivid.
As I kneaded Dusty's large breasts and looked back, I saw the V-60 girls frozen like plaster statues, their mouths agape.
"Do you two have separate codenames you call each other by?"
At my question, the two frozen V-60s looked at each other and spoke hesitantly.
"Uh… w-we are just mass-produced models…. We only call each other by identification numbers."
"Really? Numbers are too stiff to call."
While gripping and shaking Dusty's breast in one hand, I pointed with my chin toward the V-60 on the left.
"You're Vivi, from the V."
Then I shifted my gaze to the one next to her.
"You're Sisi, from the sixty. How about it? Easy to remember, right?"
"Ah—!"
"Th-thank you, Commander. I have a name now."
"Good. Sisi—!"
Though the names were given in just three seconds, the two units had looks of deep emotion at the fact that they now had names.
"Do you have a pen?"
At my words, Sisi looked around and found a black marker, handing it to me.
So, I drew a short V-shaped heart on Sisi's cheek.
"We'll use this to tell you apart for now."
Then, I pulled my hand out of her breast and shoved it into Dusty's mouth.
"Lick it, Dusty."
No sooner had I spoken than Dusty began to greedily lick and suck my finger.
While enjoying Dusty's tongue work, I beckoned Vivi and Sisi with my finger, pointing toward my crotch.
"——!"
Then, the two ECHOs set down their equipment and approached as if possessed.
Following that, Vivi, who carefully knelt, reached toward my waist with trembling hands.
Click!
With a metallic sound, the zipper began to go down.
Was the sound of Dusty sucking my finger stimulating them?
As if not wanting to lose, Vivi and Sisi began to actively pull down my underwear.
As my heavy member popped out, their gazes became nailed to my cock.
Feeling the hot breath on both sides, I licked my lips.
"Suck it."
As soon as my permission was given, the two ECHOs, as if by agreement, opened their mouths wide and buried their heads toward my crotch, competing with each other.
"Mmm."
This was paradise.