"So they really did have an underground research lab, just as she said".
"More importantly, I can't believe she breached the door's security in just thirty seconds.
Maybe there's a reason she's so disgustingly in love with herself…".
[Disgusting… that is a most troubling thing to say. I know there is no end to the slander directed at a super-pretty-girl such as myself, but it is rather distressing when you attach words that are so completely unfitting.].
Having entered the underground facility, Arius Squad paused for a moment to recalibrate their plan.
From this point on, they could not expect to find any blind spots in the surveillance cameras, which meant a direct confrontation was inevitable.
However, the security in a military research lab was unlikely to use high-powered weaponry, so the guards inside posed little threat to Arius Squad.
The real problem was the potential for reinforcements to arrive from the outside.
Unless this lab had an emergency escape route, it would mean having to fight their way back through this narrow passage.
against a flood of enemy forces.
"Leader, can't we just break through them?".
"If there are no other options, we will have to. I am merely concerned that it will delay our transition to the next operation".
"It's okay, Saori. Mika will just give us a big hug and tell us we worked hard.
It might even be a good thing".
`[…Wow, Mika-chan really has them wrapped around her finger, doesn't she?.
This is enough that from now on, I should probably put Chi-chan at the forefront… no, then Chi-chan might fall for her. Ugh, how dangerous.
Perhaps it's better to refuse any meetings at all.]`.
Realizing how pointless it was to tell Himari to refrain from mission-irrelevant chatter, Saori closed her eyes for a moment.
"Let's move".
`[Oh my, if you're going to move right away, please head to the nearest access terminal.
I'll start by confirming the layout of the underground facility and, while I'm at it, I'll prioritize blocking all outgoing transmissions.]`.
"…I doubt that's something you can discuss so casually".
`[Who do you all think I am? For me, the single flower blooming in Millennium, the Super Genius Frail Hacker.
it is as simple as breathing. Ahem.]`.
At this point, the entire squad reached a similar conclusion.
That for the sake of their mental health, it was best to keep conversations with Akeboshi Himari to a minimum.
They felt a strange mix of gratitude toward Mika for assigning this person to them.
and a wave of resentment followed.
Ten minutes that felt like an hour passed. The battle against the security automata, a fierce but ultimately one-sided hunt, was still ongoing.
"Operator, is the job still far from over?".
`[The firewall is breached, and I'm connecting to the factory's security system.
If I shut down the guards like this… phew.]`.
As Chihiro let out a sigh of relief, the security automatons that had been relentlessly harassing FOX Squad all went into sleep mode at once.
The squad members' gazes all focused on Kurumi, the one among them with at least some knowledge of electronic warfare.
"Wh-why are you all staring at me? Hacking this specialized is beyond me.
so don't expect any explanations!".
"Hmm, I didn't think we could gain control of the entire factory this easily. It makes me wonder if these state-of-the-art systems are truly a step in the right direction for progress…".
`[That kind of thinking is seriously misguided. No matter which direction technology develops, vulnerabilities are bound to appear, and technology to counter them will develop in kind.
If Kaiser's security had been just one step more advanced, or if I didn't have a hacking tool like
Hearing Chihiro's words, Niko gave an awkward smile and nodded.
Then she stopped, realizing Chihiro couldn't see her anyway.
[I've gained access to the surveillance cameras as well… wait, what's this?].
"…Operator, have you found something important?".
`[It's a cruise missile. But is there any reason to store just one of these separately…?.
I'll look up the related information.]`.
The moment they heard the word "missile," one thing came to the minds of FOX Squad. It was just a year ago, right here in this factory.
Recalling the day they had recovered the thermobaric warhead for Kaiser's ballistic missile, developed here in the 2nd factory.
the members of FOX Squad exchanged glances, a sense of dread dawning on them.
"I had a feeling the security was abnormally tight.
So they were planning something shady again".
"But a cruise missile by itself isn't a violation of the General Student Council's ordinances.
Even with a ramjet engine, it's barely—".
`[Found it. It seems to be a product from their research.
on a scramjet engine-based cruise missile.]`.
"…What? A scramjet engine? Isn't that a field even Millennium hasn't properly figured out yet?".
`[If they really committed to it, the technology itself could probably be realized within a year, but commercialization is another story entirely.
Based on the data, this doesn't look like a finished product.
Hmm… but that aside, regardless of the feasibility of a scramjet engine-based cruise missile, this is a clear violation of the General Student Council's ordinances.]`.
"Is that so. FOX 5 will be pleased".
"…Um, Yukino-chan, you still haven't given up on that?".
Kaiser Industries, which was already on one out after last year's thermobaric warhead incident.
had just moved to two outs.