Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 189 Triple Blow (Second Update)
Lai Xuan's lips twitched, as if he wanted to refute, but Gao Shan did not give him the chance and immediately threw out a second reason that could better affect the current situation: "Moreover, the fear of nuclear explosion is ingrained in the genes of the people of Night City."

Once we press that button, the last vestiges of humanity we have left in North America, in Night City, will completely crumble.

Then we will face not only the enemy before us, but the wrath and desperate resistance of the entire city. We are not here to create a radioactive wasteland and become public enemy number one!

"Enough!" Lai Xuan growled, interrupting him, but his aggressive demeanor seemed to be slightly restrained by the term "public enemy." He waved his hand irritably. "So we're just going to let them hide behind that tortoise shell and laugh at us?!"

Shintaro Takayama astutely seized upon this slight shift in resolve and immediately voiced the most practical and potentially unsettling concern for a military commander, his tone heavy: "Moreover, sir, we cannot even guarantee the success of a nuclear strike. The technology they have demonstrated is beyond our comprehension."

If... if their shields can withstand even a nuclear explosion, even if only partially, then we, Arakasaka, will simultaneously bear the infamy of using forbidden weapons and the shame of a complete military failure!

This would be an irreversible disaster. Not to mention, it would inevitably trigger retaliation in military technology, and could even drag us into the abyss of all-out nuclear war! This is absolutely not the situation that Lord Saburo wants to see!

Upon hearing the words "Lord Saburo," Arasaka Yorinobu's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

The intense anger on his face receded slowly like the tide, but it did not dissipate; instead, it settled into something more somber and cold.

He fell silent, his gaze returning to the damned blue shield on the holographic sand table, his fingers unconsciously tracing the metal edge of the table.

The bridge was deathly silent; everyone held their breath, awaiting the final decision of this capricious successor.

A few seconds later, a cold snort filled with suppressed anger and extreme resentment came from Lai Xuan's nose.

He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Shintaro Takayama. His expression was complex and unfathomable, containing both the displeasure of being persuaded and a hint of calm after weighing the pros and cons. Perhaps, even in the deepest, coldest part, there was a trace of regret that the plan had failed.

“…You’re right.” His voice was hoarse, carrying a weariness from forcibly suppressing his anger. “Nuclear weapons…are a last resort, a desperate cry, not the display of power that Arasaka should have.”

He paused, as if each word was spoken with extraordinary difficulty, but this only made him more like a proud man forced to admit reality: "So, Uncle Gaoshan, tell me, besides dying together, what other way can we smash this damned shield?"

Seeing that Lai Xuan was finally persuaded, Shintaro Takayama's tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

He immediately pulled up the equipment list of the White Whale, his voice regaining its professional and steady tone: "Lord Lai Xuan, please rest assured. The White Whale battle group is equipped with a complete heavy assault equipment system and is fully capable of dealing with the current situation."

He smoothly brought up several equipment interfaces, speaking steadily and confidently: "Lord Lai Xuan, we have brought complete heavy assault equipment. Please allow the technical staff to explain the specific performance parameters to you in detail."

The young staff officer standing to the side immediately stepped forward and began to report in a well-trained tone: "'Amaterasu' heavy directed energy cannon array has a range of 15 kilometers and can heat the target area to 8,000 degrees Celsius in 0.3 seconds. It has an excellent dissipation effect on energy shields."

He switched the screen and continued, "'Takemikazuchi' electromagnetic railgun system uses a special depleted uranium projectile core with an initial velocity of Mach 7. A single shot has enough penetration power to penetrate three layers of composite armor."

According to simulation data, repeated hits on the same area can cause cumulative damage to the shield structure. "As for the 'Susanoo' gravity field generator," the staff officer's voice carried a hint of caution, "it's the latest equipment, with an effective radius of fifty meters, capable of generating a pressure field of thirty times the standard gravity in an instant."

However, the system's stability is still under testing, and its range is limited; it is recommended to use it as a decisive measure.

A sharp glint flashed in Arasaka Yorinobu's eyes, but his tone remained restrained: "So, what is the specific deployment plan?"

Shintaro Takayama took over the conversation, unfolding a deployment diagram on the tactical sand table, and skillfully marking several key locations with his finger: "We will adopt a three-dimensional strike tactic."

First, the 'Amaterasu' array will be rapidly deployed at the forward positions, with all preparations expected to be completed within two hours, at which point it will begin continuously burning the shield with energy.

His fingers traced several key points on the shield as he continued, "Meanwhile, the 'Takemikazuchi' system will be positioned at the highest point along the coastline, ready to launch precision kinetic energy strikes at any time."

If the shield shows any fluctuation, the 'Susanoo' system will immediately approach and activate under the escort of power armor troops, creating a gravity anomaly inside the shield. This triple attack is interconnected and is expected to be resolved within four hours.

"How should the order of battle be arranged?" Lai Xuan asked, his eyes fixed on the deployment diagram on the sand table.

Shintaro Takayama responded immediately, his voice resolute: "Phase 1: 0 to 2 hours, complete all equipment deployment and energy connection; Phase 2: 2 to 4 hours, 'Amaterasu' array continues to suppress; Phase 3: From 4 hours onwards, deploy follow-up strike forces based on the shield status. The entire operation is expected to achieve a breakthrough within six hours."

“This timeline is still too conservative,” Lai Xuan said coldly, his long fingers tapping unconsciously on the control panel. “Reducing the deployment time to ninety minutes. I want to see a substantial breakthrough within three hours.”

Gao Shan paused for a moment, his gaze quickly sweeping over the various data on the tactical interface, before nodding affirmatively: "This requires mobilizing all engineering units to work together, but it's achievable. I will immediately adjust the deployment plan to ensure all combat preparations are completed within ninety minutes."

“Execute it.” Lai Xuan’s gaze returned to the distant coastline shrouded in the shield, his voice carrying an undeniable determination. “Let the wrath of the gods utterly crush this obstructive barrier.”

The atmosphere on the bridge shifted abruptly the moment the order was given. Shintaro Takayama immediately turned to the operations staff and clearly issued the instructions: "Immediately activate the 'Dawn' operation plan. Notify the engineering department to deploy all power units A. The logistics department must ensure the priority laying of power lines."

"Yes, sir!" the staff officers responded in unison and immediately sprang into action.

The operations chief switched communications channels: "Attention all engineering teams, deploy immediately according to Alpha Plan. Repeat, Alpha Plan to be executed immediately."

The fire coordination officer simultaneously issued the order: "'Amaterasu' array to be deployed first, target area marked. Power connection required to be completed and ready to launch within 90 minutes."

The entire Arasaka Fleet instantly entered high-speed operation. Transport hatches opened one after another, and engineering units, assisted by power armor, rapidly constructed launch sites. Extensive energy lines were laid at an unprecedented speed, like blood vessels supplying energy to each combat unit. Inside the bridge, communications rang out incessantly, as various departments coordinated this large-scale operational preparation in a tense but orderly manner.

At the command post, Arasaka Yorinobu silently observed everything. A barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flashed in his cold eyes—this meticulously planned offensive operation was about to begin.

(End of this chapter)