Commencing Preparations (2)
AP-5 armor-piercing incendiary rounds production had begun, and the entire Ark sprang into action toward a new goal.
But relying on just a single shell to clash head-on with the Carapace Lord's horde was out of the question.
They needed other ways to bolster the ECHOs' combat power as well.
And the only method available to their Ark was using the Synchronization Device.
"That's why I'm planning another expedition outside. Of course, I'll be going along this time too."
[…If it's training for the Synchronization Device, is it truly necessary for the Commander to step up personally?]
"Unfortunately, we need to stock up on cash too."
To acquire Pomen's exclusive weapon, Queen’s Calamity, they needed another 15,000 cash.
Even if high-tier zombie variants could be handled with armor-piercing incendiaries, they'd still have to fight over a thousand zombies.
To swiftly thin out that monstrous horde, Pomen's wide-area firepower weapon wasn't optional—it was essential.
[…….]
The Central AI, Wanderer—the only other being in the Ark aside from ECHOs—didn't seem pleased that he kept heading out on dangerous expeditions.
Well, I can understand that.
If something happened to him, it would mean the end of the Ark's lifeline.
But this was also something he couldn't back down from.
"Then, the expedition's target should be southeast."
"Southeast?"
In the briefing room where combat-type ECHOs had gathered.
I tilted my head at Arva's words.
Hongwei-7 lay to the north of Ark 69, but I couldn't recall what was southeast.
"If we head southeast from our Ark for about five days, we'll reach Zhenlong City."
"Zhenlong City?"
"Yes. A coastal port city that once housed over three million people—a major metropolis."
It was a city I'd never heard of.
Since it wasn't in my memories, it probably didn't appear in the Echoes of Humanity — ECHO storyline.
Still, a population of three million? That's a huge city—practically at the level of Busan.
"A city that big... there might be an Ark formed by survivors who fled from it, right?"
Arva blinked at my words and pointed to the floor with her finger.
Ah, so this Ark 69 was the one formed by the people of Zhenlong City.
"Ahem, besides our Ark 69. I mean other arks."
"Ah, if you follow the coast southwest from Zhenlong City for about half a month, you'll reach Ark 66."
"Ark 66?"
"Yes. Fourteen years ago, it was destroyed by mechanical monsters invading along the coast."
"……."
Already ruined, then.
Still, worth remembering. Something might remain there.
Anyway, the goal of this expedition was Zhenlong City.
It was probably ruins by now, but we should check out the military bases nearby.
The members for this expedition were myself, Arva, Noah, and the Cerberus squad.
A lean lineup, but optimal considering the goal of strengthening the Cerberus Squad.
Pomen was excluded this time; she'd help Karen with the armor-piercing incendiary production.
"Just in case, pack some completed AP-5 rounds too."
"Understood."
"Especially the Cerberus squad—I want you all to gain tons of experience on this expedition. It'll be a huge help in the fight against the Carapace Lord."
"Y-Yes! We'll do our best—!"
Luna clenched her fists with a tense expression.
Helena silently patted her shoulder.
And so, we headed south along the route plotted by Wanderer.
As we trudged endlessly down the barren road, I started thinking we really needed some form of transport.
"Transport, you say?"
"Yeah. We can't keep walking everywhere."
"A valid point, but......"
Arva's gaze turned to the scattered scrap metal around them.
Wrecked vehicles with only skeletal frames remained, looking beyond salvage.
Still, there must be a way to fix them up somehow, right?
"Fuel's an issue, but... electric or solar could work......"
"Indeed... Securing transport would dramatically expand our operational range and efficiency. I'll consult Karen and scout Hongwei-7 for parts to draft blueprints."
"Mm."
Even an armored vehicle would skyrocket the ECHOs' survival rate.
I'd seen illustrations in Echoes of Humanity — ECHO of ECHOs riding armored cars, and now I really wanted one.
We must have walked about two days towards southeast like that when…
Zombies started appearing one by one, then by afternoon, we were forced to engage in nonstop combat.
Unlike Hongwei-7, which we had already cleared multiple times, this southeast route was new, so zombies were overwhelmingly numerous.
"Possibility of a named class entity being here?!"
"Low. Rather, it appears the population has naturally increased because there is no Ark clearing this vicinity."
"Do zombies multiply like that?"
"Yes, sir. Because there are unique variants like the Corpse Breeder."
"...Ah."
Am I an Idiot?
I'd forgotten about those rare upper-tier monsters already.
"11 o'clock, enemy—! High-speed approach! It’s a Runner—!"
At Luna's shout, Silva's sniper rifle barked, and the most threatening Runner's head exploded precisely.
I took position and suppressed the onslaught with White Tiger, as Helena dove into their midst and raised her shotgun with a click.
KA-BOOM!
Along with the blast of buckshot, the upper body of a zombie was torn to shreds and vanished.
But the real fight was just starting.
"Helena, above—!"
"Tch!"
As Luna yelled, a Brute on a building rooftop hurled a massive concrete chunk at Helena.
Helena leaped aside like a beast, dodging, while Arva melted into the shadows and charged squarely toward the Brute's location.
"I'll hold its aggro!"
I aimed White Tiger's scope at the Brute to draw its attention.
Meanwhile, Luna and Silva blocked outer low-tier zombies lunging at us, Helena's blasts popping heads one by one.
BANG! BANG!
My rounds dug into the Brute's thick shoulder muscle.
Even at range, my drug-enhanced body made hits feel easy.
GRRROOOOAR—!
As it turned to me, roaring in pain, Arva scaled the building to the third floor in seconds.
She slipped through a broken window, then appeared behind the Brute.
"...How dare you target the Commander!!!"
Arva glared at the Brute with an icy voice.
Moments later, dust clouds erupted from the rooftop with the Brute's scream-like howl.
When silence fell, a massive corpse thudded down from above.
⚔ STATUS ⚔
Acquired 150C.
Acquisition History: Brute eliminated (Combat Participation Reward)
I hadn't landed the killing blow, but drawing aggro counted as merit?
A decent amount of Cash came in.
Though just 150. Still...
BANG! BANG!
⚔ STATUS ⚔
Acquired 100C.
Acquired 50C.
If zombies kept swarming like this, 15,000 cash would come quick.
Though ammo would definitely run out first. I swapped magazines swiftly and focused on the ongoing battle.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Even after the Commander and combat squad departed southeast, the Ark buzzed without pause.
AP-5 armor-piercing incendiary production, indoor farm management, water plant checks, scrap sorting, empty sector cleaning, and vigilance against potential intrusions.
There were mountains of tasks. The sisters naturally had to hustle without a moment’s rest.
But they'd never felt more at ease.
"Moi, Rai—!"
"Yes, Sister Madeline."
"Whoa, I'm a sister now?"
"Uh...... you're bigger than us?"
"Haha, anyway, here's today's snack."
"Whoa—! Bread!!!"
A safe haven free of external threats.
Warm beds and tasty meals guaranteed—it was paradise itself.
They even had more alone time now.
Because there was no need to rummage dangerous ruins for survival.
And Rai spent most of hers on her bed.
"Hngh, ngh.... Ah—!"
Her sole, secret new hobby.
Touching her most private place while fantasizing about the Commander and his ECHOs.
[Hngh! Ah! Ah—! Aaaah—! C-Commander!!!]
The Commander gripping Sister Pomen’s hips, thrusting vigorously.
[Ngh... C-Commander...? ]
Skilled hands naturally groping Madeline's body while she was devotedly cleaning the commander's office.
[Slurp! Smooch! Gulp!]
The dominant appearance of him violently pulling the hair of Helena, who was a strong female warrior.
And the ECHOs' expressions under his touch.
Pained yet joyful, pleasured, flustered but unable to refuse, moaning like whore–bitches in heat, all of them.
Recalling them heated Rai's pussy.
"Haa... Ah...!"
Squelch... squelch. Squelch.
Each stroke sent electric pleasure surging up her spine to her scalp.
"Haaahh— C-Commander...."
Soft moans escaped involuntarily.
She knew she shouldn't, but couldn't stop.
Rai moved her fingers boldly, as Moi had shown her.
Sticky wetness and alien sensations overwhelmed her body.
Vision blurred, mind filled with the Commander ravishing other ECHOs.
"Ah, aaah...."
What if the Commander touched her? Held her?
Like Pomen, Madeline, Sister Helena.
His large, firm hands caressing her, then his massive member entering her.
"—! Ngh! Nngh!!!"
Toes and fingers splayed taut, her body arched like a bow.
Intense spasms and crashing climax melted her entirely.
"Commander... Commander...! Ah—! F-Fuck... f-fuck me...! Hn, ngh! Nngh, ah!"
While Rai drowned in solitary ecstasy in her room, someone next door listened and watched.
"...The little one's having fun all alone?"
Pomen's lips curved slyly.
[Pomen, she's not a child. Her production year predates yours.]
"......She looks like a kid. And she calls me sister."
[…….]
"Anyway, why tell me about her little show?"
[No great meaning. Just... the Commander would like it. He loves ECHOs, after all.]
"Hmph."
Pomen smirked meaningfully, grasping Wanderer's intent perfectly.
"You seem pretty smitten with this Commander too?"
[That is correct.]
An unhesitating reply.
Worlds apart from past human commanders.
"Well, I agree."
This Commander was different, for sure.
He treated ECHOs like her—and even the Central AI—as comrades, not machines.
That subtle difference stirred emotions beyond programmed loyalty.
Anyway, Wanderer seemed eager to make this little one the Commander's new plaything.
To bind the Moi-Rai sisters to Ark 69... and ensure the Commander couldn't abandon it.
"Alright, shall we tame her then?"
Pomen's tongue flicked over her ruby lips like the sly vixen she was.