LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 42: Artemis - 42
Aqua's POV - Abyssal resident building, Tokyo
Lying down on the outdoor bed felt like heaven after a long day riding my submarine bike. The cold afternoon breeze wafted over me as I stretched out, the fog spread through out the area blocking most of the sun out, Amy and Helena nestled comfortably on either side. I rolled over lazily.
Earlier, I had sent Yunru to her room. There was no need for a T-Doll to accompany or guard her. Honestly, I doubted she even wanted to escape. But if she did, it wouldn't matter—I had the entire city of Tokyo under my sensors.
The armored bike variant that had appeared during the simulator fight with Helena a few days had finally been approved. To be fair, there was a newer version, but Rupture couldn't use it. That design swapped wheels for thrusters, effectively turning it into a hover bike. Sure, hover bikes were fun—and even flyable—but Kansen couldn't operate them efficiently due to their weight and even if they want to wasting resources on negating weight on desert terrain not gonna be helpful.
Then there was Proselyte. Air supremacy had always been a hallmark of Epsilon's tactics, practically baked into the game's design. Developers had made it a defining feature for the final Allied missions against Epsilon in the last act. Now, being on the receiving end without a Paradox Engine or a fleet of air units of my own? That was a completely different experience.
also Proselyte.. air supremacy is by default most of Player's playstyle in that game anyway so Dev implement them as default for last missions of Allies vs Epsilon during last act.. so it feel kinda weird being on the receiving end when I don't have Paradox engine or mass air of my own.
At least most of my creations were well-equipped to handle aerial threats. Nearly every structure that might see frontline action—bunkers, Fog's Spires, sensor towers—was outfitted with point-defense (PD) turrets. Only non-combat buildings, like dormitories or reactors, lacked them. I had made sure that anything likely to come under attack could defend itself.
But the Iron Curtain was an entirely different problem.
I pulled up the blueprint for the Iron Curtain device, letting the holographic image rotate in front of me.
My usual approach to dealing with Iron Curtained units was defense in depth—deploying non-crushable, expendable units to act as walls and waste time until the effect wore off. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it worked.
Still, the science behind the device fascinated me. The mechanism that granted invincibility bore striking similarities to nanoswarms, though the methods were entirely different. Where nanoswarms replicated and adapted, the Iron Curtain achieved its effect through reinforced molecular bonding.
As far as my understanding of physics went, that wasn't how molecular bonds were supposed to work as I think a bit more. I felt a gentle hand rub my forehead, and I muttered a soft, "Thanks," without looking up.
The concept was something. By stabilizing molecular bonds for a set duration, the Iron Curtain effectively enhanced material durability. Energy coursed through the molecules, creating a shield-like effect that negated damage.
"Is it different from Wavefront Armor?" I murmured to myself. "Absolutely."
Where Wavefront Armor surrounded an object with an external energy shield, the Iron Curtain worked at the molecular level. It was genius, really. The same amount of energy lasted significantly longer in the Iron Curtain compared to Wavefront Armor. I made a mental note to add this to my 'will upgrade' list.
"So, in theory, a sufficiently powerful attack could break through the Iron Curtain…" I muttered again, my mind racing.
Not that it mattered much for Rupture. She didn't have access to a Super Graviton Laser which are known to break Fleet of Fog wave front armor. Even if she did, I wasn't sure if cruiser-grade variants would be strong enough to break through the Iron Curtain, especially if its energy efficiency was comparable to Wavefront Armor operating in an active state.
As I shook my head, I decided to run a test—whether the Iron Curtain could stack with Wavefront Armor. Turns out, they were two entirely different mechanisms with no overlapping properties, meaning they could indeed stack.
The implications of that were... interesting.
Moving on, I turned my attention to the inner workings of how the Iron Curtain projected its effect at a range. Looking at the device, I couldn't see any conventional targeting mechanisms. How does it even aim?
Ah, of course—microwave signals. It uses Ionosphere layer to reflect the Iron Curtain effect onto an Units. Clever.
I giggled to myself as I worked on extracting the core methodology of the Iron Curtain. After some tinkering, I managed to condense the effect into a smaller, portable box. It had everything necessary to replicate the Iron Curtain's abilities, needing only an input and output line to function.
"Having fun?" Helena's voice broke my concentration.
I looked up to see her standing over me, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. Amy was still gently patting my head, a soothing rhythm that helped me focus.
"Yep, we've got our own Iron Curtain now," I replied with a grin.
Of course, I couldn't stop there. The Iron Curtain required an energy discharge to function, which could easily be generated from a reactor. I theorized that tying four reactors together with an overcharging node and a battery pack would do the trick. The battery pack would stabilize the system during overcharging.
Speaking of battery packs, I remembered the omni-battery packs I had developed for the Graviton Laser Gun, based on lasgun tech which I replicated just from theory. Surprisingly, they synergized well with the Iron Curtain effect. Sure, the overcharging risked causing explosions, but I could easily set the energy cap to prevent that.
Satisfied with the design, I moved on to testing. The omni-battery packs I now used as ammo for T-Doll Graviton Laser Guns could theoretically store the Iron Curtain effect inside.
I needed proof.
I loaded one of the battery packs into a simulated Graviton Assault Rifle inside the simulator. Target: an Iron Curtained Rhino Tank.
Firing… The laser volley hit, but instead of bouncing off, it merely scratched the hull. The damage output wasn't high enough to justify the effort.
"Let's try a sniper rifle," I muttered to myself, swapping out the weapon in the simulation.
The sniper rifle fired, piercing through the Rhino's hull. It didn't go clean through to the other side, but it was progress.
Now for a precision test. I set the aim for the Rhino's engine.
Firing… Boom!
The tank's internals were obliterated, the engine exploding in a spectacular display. But the outer shell of the Rhino was still intact, standing there like normal with just hole that Sniper rifle laser went through. Even with nothing left inside, it stubbornly held its shape.
"Well, at least I've got an anti-Iron Curtain solution now," I said with a satisfied smirk, leaning back as the simulation ended.
Still, I was pretty sure this wasn't the intended effect. Combining the Iron Curtain with Graviton Laser technology had resulted in the laser gaining molecular bonding properties. Essentially, it created a piercing effect that could disrupt the same type of molecular reinforcement. It was strange—but somehow, it worked.
Shifting my focus, I thought about Artemis. She was perfect as she was, but being the only orbital satellite available meant she'd have to handle the bulk of the workload until I could establish an orbital shipyard.
I opened her blueprint and analyzed the upgrades I had in mind. Adding four additional reactors to the spire at its rear seemed like the simplest solution. From there, I could integrate an Iron Curtain overcharge node into the spire, shifting some wiring to accommodate the modifications. After a bit of work, I was done.
The next task was linking the overcharging Iron Curtain node to Avalon's laser. That part was straightforward, as it only required using a larger battery pack than the infantry-grade Graviton Lasers.
Now for the last modification: adding four laser turrets, positioned on each axis of Artemis's spinning ring. These turrets would fire beams imbued with the Iron Curtain effect, delivering instant immunity to whatever they struck. Compared to the slow delivery via microwaves, this method would pack more energy per second and work much faster.
I decided to call this addition the Support Ray. It was exactly what the name implied—a ray designed to support units by granting them temporary invincibility. I'd even managed to optimize the recharge time, cutting it down from 6 hours and 30 minutes to essentially zero. Of course, the immunity effect would only last up to five minutes after the ray stopped focusing on the target instead of normal 40 minutes immunity, but that was more than enough time for most engagements.
Creating the Support Ray was surprisingly simple. I removed the energy source from a Graviton Laser and replaced it with the Iron Curtain effect, allowing it to project a black-red hue laser that acted as an energy input through focus lenses. This energy beam would envelop and protect mechanical units until they were fully covered.
The beauty of being a Wargirl was that all of my units were mechanical.
Other then that I create another 4 reactors and iron curtain boxes but this time for Artemis herself.
This would make Artemis fully immune to almost all forms of damage. Why "almost"? Because I was still missing a Chrono Shield. It wasn't perfect yet, but it was a solid start.
Once Artemis was upgraded, I'd need to handle the research projects that had just finished—biometric locks and time bubbles. Both sounded promising, but they'd have to wait a little longer.
With a deep breath, I hit the 'Update' button and leaned back.
[Artemis Orbital Sensors & Assault Platform - Loci / Kansen - Wargirl / Abyssal]
Cost: $150,000 x 10 (wargirl)
Speed: 3 / 256 (in orbit)
Hitpoints: 5000 + 5000 (Wave Front Armor) & fixed 20000/s (Iron curtain)
Armor Class: Heavy / Wave Front Armor / Iron curtained
Prerequisite: Wargirl's Wisdom Cube factory + Wargirl's Railgun launcher - Experimental
Purpose: Orbital Sensors & Assault platform
Weapons: Orion Sensors Arrays / 1x 'Avalon' Anti-Molecules Graviton Cannon / 4x Support ray / 6x Graviton PD turrets / 12x Nanoswarm deployers
Range: 256 / 45 (from orbit) & (infinite in space) / 45 (from orbit) & (infinite in space) / 4 & (infinite in space) / 4
Additional Information: Building and Repair structures, Vehicles and T-doll. Cannot be hijacked. Immune to abduction, omni-crush, mind control, and confusion rays. Driver cannot be killed. Automatically repairs itself. Can Gain Experience.]
SUPPORT WEAPON: Invulnerability
Cost: - Recharge Time: - Requires Power: Yes Affects Players: Team
All mechanical units and buildings affected by the Support Ray will become invulnerable for five minutes. The timer resets if the Support Ray continues to focus on the mechanical units.
"Okay, that's… expensive," I muttered, sighing softly as I reviewed the finalized costs. "Still, Pearl Base has more then 500,000 in storage—more than enough to cover the upgrades from the original price of 1 million with all those digging project."
At this point, Artemis should probably be considered a wonder weapon. With her capabilities, she was leagues above anything else currently in play still not the best that appear in the time line but still close enough. Satisfied, I connected to Artemis directly.
("Hello, Artemis.") I greeted her through the comms.
("Ah, Aqua-chan! I'm currently en route to Pearl Base. I should arrive in just a few minutes.") Artemis's voice came through, calm and composed.
("Relax. I just wanted to inform you that you'll need to upgrade yourself before heading into space. Also, I've got a task for you once you're in orbit.") I reply.
("A hunt already?") she asked, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity.
("Yes. Rupture is fighting against Proselyte as we speak.") I replied with a giggle.
Artemis didn't carry the title of "Goddess of the Hunt" —not in this world, at least. Her kit on the other hand fit her like a gloves and I was eager to see the chaos she could do on the battlefield from orbit.
anyway 20 more minutes till Chinese language patch is done as I put 2 research boxes on it.
so might as well play with time dilation first.
Artemis's POV – Pearl Base
I touched down on the island where the Orbital Railgun Launcher was stationed, I heard the faint sea breeze carrying over from the nearby coast. Hestia stood at the landing platform, waiting for me.
Her name tugged at a faint memory, something—or someone—I thought I knew. Shaking it off, I greeted her with a nod. "Hello."
"You remind me of someone," she said, tilting her head slightly. "Well, no matter. Prepare for launch."
"Aqua-chan said I need to be upgraded before heading into orbit," I replied, watching her closely.
("That's correct,") Aqua's voice chimed through the comms. ("And don't forget, Artemis—you've got a hunt waiting for you after launch.")
Hestia nodded in acknowledgment before stepping closer. "Alright, let's get you retrofitted. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes," she said, beginning her work.
The process was… strange. Feeling my hull being adjusted, my systems reconfigured—it wasn't painful, but it was unsettling. "Be glad it's not a full-scale retrofit," Hestia said casually. "This is a minor upgrade in comparison."
I took a moment to assess myself internally. My flight capabilities were still relatively limited. Unlike the Raptors or Hammerheads, my humanoid body wasn't designed for rapid atmospheric travel. I could fly, but only slowly, and only under ideal conditions. I built for space orbit not in atmosphere.
The crew onboard me was as prepared as they could be. Out of thirty, I only knew two personally. It was something I'd have to address once we reached orbit. I'd have time to build those connections—after the hunt.
"There, done," Hestia announced, stepping back and wiping her hands. "Check your systems. I'm pretty sure your support models can assist with personal modifications if needed."
I reviewed the updates to my hull, noting the addition of a new ability: Invulnerability. My eyes widened slightly. "What…?" I muttered.
Hestia smirked. "Would you look at that? We finally got the 'invincible cheat' Aqua-chan's always going on about. Now all we need is some Chrono tech and a time machine."
I couldn't help but chuckle softly, nodding as the voice inside my hull came alive. "All systems operational, Captain," Yuki said, she a Support models, one of the crews I known reported.
"Thanks, Yuki," I muttered, stepping toward the railgun.
"So, this launcher is like the one at the main base, right?" I asked, gesturing to the massive structure.
"Yep. The difference is this time, you're going into space. Oh, and don't forget to absorb the shell as resources after launch," Hestia replied, her tone practical as we begin walking.
T-Dolls patrolled the area diligently, though I doubted the need for such heavy security. Static defenses were more than sufficient for a site like this.
As I reached the loading chamber, the railgun's systems began constructing the shell around me.
"Whew we gonna see space soon enough" I mutter
"You got this captain!" Yuki said as I nod and calm myself I don't know how to explain this feeling.. like I one step closer to what I want while also not knowing what that is.
"Whew, we're finally heading to space," I muttered to myself, the anticipation building.
"You've got this, Captain!" Yuki chirped encouragingly.
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. There was a strange mix of emotions coursing through me—excitement and an odd sense of purpose. I felt like I was one step closer to achieving something that resonate with my being, though I couldn't yet define what it was.
"T-minus 5 seconds to launch," the automated voice announced, pulling me from my thoughts.
"4… 3… 2… 1…"
"Launch!"
The word barely registered before I felt the massive force of acceleration. My body was expelled at incredible speed, hurtling toward the stars.
Hestia's POV
I stayed inside the command room of the railgun launcher. The setup pooled external sensor data to provide a 360-degree view of the area around the launcher inside the command room.
As Artemis was fired from the railgun, encased in a protective shell, I watched her ascend through the sky. Her trail pierced the clouds, a streak of light racing upwards toward the sky.
Artemis… The name tugged at something in my memory. I didn't know why, so I searched for its origin from the existing database. Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, later associated with the moon. That connection seemed fitting—her mission now was to claim her place among the stars.
Curiosity piqued, I searched for the meaning behind my own name: Hestia. The goddess of the hearth, home, and fire. It felt appropriate—I was an MCV, tasked with building homes and bases wherever needed. The fire part, though? That one didn't quite resonate. Maybe it was metaphorical.
My gaze returned to the display. Artemis had long since vanished into the clouds, her railgun trail fading in the distance. I was pretty sure she was already working to establish her space station. It was fascinating to think about as I turn back to upgrading Pearl base logistic again as it not yet finished.
Artemis's POV - Earth Orbit
The protective shell separated from me as I directed my nanoswarms to break it down, recycling it into usable resources. I calculated my orbital trajectory: Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), meaning I'd complete two laps around Earth per day. Just a slight adjustment to the thrusters upward to match the predicted orbit... and done.
"Whew, the easy part's done," I muttered to myself inside the ship. There wasn't enough atmosphere out here for sound to travel.
"Station ready for deployment, Captain!" came a more upbeat voice. It was Stellar, one of the five combat models onboard.
"Thanks, Stellar!" I replied. I summoned my full hull configuration, projecting myself onto the command desk inside the spire of a newly deployed space station.
From here, I had an unobstructed, 360-degree view of my surroundings through the external sensors. The moon loomed above the horizon, its bright white surface shining with all its glory. It was a breathtaking sight, even for someone like me.
anyway the bright white surface upward in the horizon as I smile to myself..
"Alright then, time for the hunt," I said to myself, smirking slightly as I keyed in a connection to Rupture. It took me a moment to recall, but the name and the person it referred to soon came back to me.
Yuki and Stellar entered the command desk just as I established the link. "Hello," I greeted them casually.
"Captain," they responded in unison, saluting me.
("Send me your coordinate") I said as the data transfer over.. China, Tibet region.
I shook my head with a smile. "No need for formalities right now. Get to the gunner seats. I'll handle the main weapon." My tone left no room for argument, and they moved quickly to comply.
My comm channel connected to Rupture. ("Send me your coordinates,") I instructed. A moment later, the data transfer was complete: Tibet, near some large Lake.
(Author's note: it 'Namucuo' lake).
The region was as expected—sandy and arid, with patches of terrain broken by occasional water deposits. I zoomed my sensor suite in on the battlefield.
Pinned down near the large lake, Rupture's forces were under heavy assault. My scanners picked up approximately a hundred small airborne units. Recognizing the familiar design, I identified them as Rocketeers—standard Allied aerial infantry. No doubt Epsilon had already gained control over most of them with their mind-control tech.
"Yuki, the support rays are all yours," I instructed as the Avalon laser turret activated from its socket, swiveling to align with the battlefield.
"Stellar, scan for their base," I added. "Prioritize finding Iron Curtain devices."
As Stellar got to work, I aimed the Avalon turret at one of the five approaching tank columns of various designs, shielded by the ominous red glow of Iron Curtain technology. These columns were charging toward Rupture's location.
"Charging... and fire!" I declared as the red hue of the laser gathered at the barrel. The black-and-red beam surged forward, cutting through the void and striking the planet's surface.