This assassination operation did not proceed imdiately. After all, gathering military strength also required a certain amount of ti.
Besides, although the androids had already moved the command center down to the ground, the orbital bases were still operational.
Androids with orbital bases were well aware of any movents on the ground. A large-scale mobilization of chanical lifeforms would definitely attract the androids' attention. So this ti, N2 carried out a relatively elaborate plan.
She assembled ground forces and launched suicidal attacks on the androids from several directions, attempting to give the androids the illusion that the chanical lifeforms still chose to fight head-on.
Then, in secret, she gathered all aerial forces that could be gathered, and deployed them in batches around the periphery of the androids' defensive lines, but did not let them participate in battle. They were just disguised as ground units and mixed in with the ground forces.
At a glance, this seed like a fairly reliable deception plan. However, if their opponents were still only androids, then perhaps it could deceive them. After all, androids can be rigid in thinking at tis and prone to misjudgnts, this point was shown many tis in the original storyline.
But now it was different. The androids had a human. Although Aiden did not participate in command, he still read the battle reports. And as soone who had received military training and attended many military-related lectures, during one battle report a few days later, he keenly sensed sothing off...
———
[Inside Hope City's Command Center]
After Aiden finished reading the battle reports from the front lines, he fell into deep thought. He lightly tapped the table with his index finger, his brows furrowed tightly.
The surrounding androids saw their commander with this expression for the first ti during this period. They all quietly watched him.
Inside the vast command center, apart from the occasional beeping from the master control system, only the sound of Aiden tapping the table remained.
No one knew how much ti had passed. The androids gradually beca puzzled, but they did not dare speak.
They all turned their eyes toward White. By now, everyone knew White was the commander's bed companion. While envious, they also understood that only she was fit to speak right now.
Just as White was about to open her mouth, Aiden spoke first. He looked at the three-dinsional holographic terrain projection in front of him and asked, "Did the satellite detect any other unusual movents from the chanical lifeforms?"
"Other than their numbers being greater than ever, there's nothing," White replied.
Then she hesitated a little and added, "But, the battle report from the front lines says that although the chanical lifeforms' numbers increased, our casualties are actually lower than before."
"Well of course..." Aiden let out a long sigh, then looked at White, "Did none of you notice sothing strange?"
White and the other android officers exchanged glances, then nodded. "There is sothing strange, but we can't figure out exactly what's wrong."
The androids had been fighting at a disadvantage for so many years. This was the first ti they were on the upper hand, so it was hard to pinpoint what felt off.
Moreover, what confused them even more was, if their own side suffered fewer losses, shouldn't that be a good thing? Why did it feel off instead? Could it be that losing more androids would make things feel more right?
Of course, they dared not ask such things aloud, even White.
"Go investigate the chanical lifeforms' aerial support frequency over the past few days. Quickly. I think they're planning sothing big." Seeing that White and the others still didn't get it, Aiden stated it outright.
"Yes!" When working, White was always serious in front of Aiden and imdiately stood at attention.
As White left, the other android officers also went back to their respective tasks.
Not long after, White returned, with a report that was exactly what Aiden expected.
"In the past few days, the chanical lifeforms have not provided any aerial support."
After saying that, White quickly added, "Commander, I understand now what you were trying to say earlier. The chanical lifeforms are definitely preparing a major operation. Their aerial units haven't moved at all, yet they've gathered large forces to directly confront us, that's not normal."
If she couldn't understand at this point, then she had no right to be commander anymore. She might as well obediently beco Aiden's personal maid, though that would probably fulfill her wish.
"Then what do you think they're preparing to do?" Aiden asked.
White bowed her head in thought for a while, then suddenly raised her head and said, "Could they be gathering their aerial forces to conduct a decapitation strike? Their target is you?"
"It's possible, but it probably won't be that simple," Aiden nodded slightly. That had been his first thought too, but it still felt too simple.
Now, the Hope City Aiden was in had already been fully fortified. Not only were many YoRHa-type androids stationed here, but a large number of anti-air defenses had also been deployed, specifically to counter chanical lifeform air raids.
And this, possessing intelligence not inferior to humans, was sothing N2 could not possibly overlook. So they must have other goals.
"So, what exactly do they want to do?" Aiden continued tapping the table, his eyes unconsciously scanning the command center.
Suddenly, his gaze stopped at the master control system. mory fragnts of the Bunker's destruction in the ga surfaced in his mind.
'Is it a feint to the east, attack to the west?' Aiden's frown relaxed, he understood.
Since he had already guessed what N2 might do, Aiden naturally had to begin making deploynts.
He imdiately ordered White to send soone to create a copy of the master control system and database. Of course, this did not an transferring the androids' data into it again, but rather, it was a trap deliberately built for N2. So he reminded White that the copied system and database could only receive data, not output any, it must beco a cage.
Although this thing might not be able to trap N2 for long, at the very least it could restrict her for a period and sever her connection to the chanical lifeform network on the planet. As long as that connection was cut, they could destroy her within.
Secondly, Aiden also had White strengthen the defenses of Hope City. Several nearby stationed android legions were reassigned into Hope City.
No matter what, his own safety was still the top priority. Although he understood the enemy's feint tactic was unlikely to harm him, just in case, better to be cautious.
And regarding this, White actually agreed very quickly. As soon as she received the order, she imdiately sent people to reassign troops, and only afterward sent soone to copy the new master control system and database.
The efficiency of androids was far higher than that of chanical lifeforms. Not long after the orders were issued, several android legions entered the city.
Under the leadership of their respective commanders, they settled in layer by layer, with Aiden's residence at the center.
Additionally, they brought in large quantities of heavy firepower, while also reinforcing the city's defensive facilities. The already fortified city now resembled a porcupine bristling with spikes, whoever dared to take a bite would have to bleed first.
At the sa ti, White led people to begin transferring the command center's master control system and database. As a precaution, during this process, the city's signal jamrs were turned to maximum, which affected many old-model androids, forcing them to wear special electromagnetic isolation gear.
And after all of this was done, what remained was to wait for N2 to walk right into the trap.
———
In the blink of an eye, several more days passed.
On a hill near the Pearl Bay server, Adam and Eve were making their final preparations.
Of course, their preparations weren't for combat, but for a al before departure.
The two sat at opposite ends of a long rectangular table seven or eight ters long. The table was full of candles, flowers, and a large amount of food and drink.
Although they were currently at war with androids ruled by humans, they seed to have already beco accustod to imitating human life.
"Little brother, after we eliminate the humans and androids, we can completely replace them. No, not replace. We will be the true humans. By then, when we do these things, it won't be imitation anymore, it'll be enjoying life," Adam put down his knife and fork and raised his wine glass as he said.
"Then… what about her?" Eve asked worriedly, glancing toward the server.
"We… don't need a creator." A cold smile appeared on Adam's lips, and he downed the wine in his glass.
After elegantly wiping his lips with a napkin, Adam continued, "Whether we fail or succeed, after this, we must free ourselves from her control, even if… we have to eliminate her."
Hearing his brother's words, Eve nodded firmly. He had been born from his brother's body, his brother's words were absolute truth.
After that brief exchange, the two fell silent and continued eating. But just then, a deafening roar rang in their ears, and the sky above their heads suddenly went dark.
The two brothers stopped what they were doing and looked up. Above them, countless flying chanical lifeforms hovered over the Pearl Bay server, their sheer number blocking out the sky.
"It's finally… about to begin?" Eve looked up at the sky and murmured.
"We've been preparing this long, it's ti," Adam wiped his mouth again with his napkin, casually tossed it onto the plate, stood up, and said, "Let's go. I can't wait anymore."
"Okay, brother." Eve nodded.
Then, a beam of light enveloped them, and in the next instant, they vanished from the spot. When they reappeared, they were each standing on top of a massive flying chanical lifeform.
At that mont, a voice blending two different tones rang out in the sky, "Full army, attack!"
———
"Commander, the satellite detected a large number of chanical lifeform signals, they are flying toward us."
Inside the command center, White rushed in front of Aiden, speaking nervously.
Though they were fully prepared, she still couldn't rest easy. She added, "Please, Commander, go to the underground base for shelter imdiately."
As she spoke, a shrill alarm echoed across the sky above Hope City. Countless androids ran through the streets, seeking their assigned battle positions.
"Then proceed as planned," Aiden nodded, stood up, and walked toward the exit of the command center.
Outside the command center, A2 was anxiously waiting at the door. When she saw Aiden co out, she imdiately ran up.
"Aiden, everything's ready. Co with us to the underground base now." A2 grabbed Aiden's arm and stuffed him into a vehicle.
"Wait a sec." Aiden held the door and turned to White. "You all be careful, too."
Although it wasn't the first ti she'd felt the commander's concern, White was still deeply moved. She rushed up and hugged Aiden, trying to give him a kiss.
Inside the vehicle were 2B and others, including the twin sisters. All of them were fully equipped and seated. Seeing White hug Aiden, they couldn't help but frown. Then A2, standing outside, let out a heavy cough, reminding them that everyone was watching.
But White didn't care. She insisted on kissing him before letting go.
Once Aiden was seated, the driver, Kaine, imdiately started the engine and drove everyone toward Hope City's underground base.
This underground base had been built long ago but had never been used, after all, it was made for Aiden. But he didn't like hiding underground every day.
Previously, the androids didn't mind, because as long as he didn't leave the city, Aiden was very safe. But now that the chanical lifeforms had launched a massive orbital drop assault, for his safety, the underground base was finally used for the first ti.
The base was built along a continuous stretch of hills. At the entrance, androids stood in formation. All were YoRHa combat models, who would enter the underground base with Aiden, serving as his final line of defense.
"Commander, I am 8B, the android in charge of this defense mission."
As Aiden got out of the vehicle, a YoRHa android dressed as a squad captain stepped forward and saluted.
"8B." Upon hearing her code, Aiden looked her up and down and asked, "I've heard of you. You should have a few close teammates, right?"
"You actually know about … That's truly an honor." 8B looked thrilled and waved behind her. "22B, 64B, co here. The Commander wants to see you."
At once, two fully ard YoRHa B-type androids ran over in quick steps.
Aiden looked them up and down and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
"For the Commander, we fight." 8B saluted at once.
At the sa ti, all androids participating in the defense mission shouted together, "For the Commander, we fight."
No one knew exactly when, but the androids' slogan had changed from "Glory to mankind" to "For the Commander, we fight."
Aiden nodded, and just as he was about to say sothing more, Yakor behind him looked up at the distance, then said to him, "Aiden, let's go in first, they… have arrived."
Aiden also looked up at the sky, then strode into the underground base's gate.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
Reviews
All reviews (0)