Countermeasures Operation: Signal Jamming Weapon

Two survivors dragged from a capsized combat vehicle.

Six immediate-response unit members whose mobility was destroyed in combat.

Four scouts isolated after their retreat route was severed during reconnaissance.

One high-ranking officer requesting rescue from a closed luxury hotel window, exact circumstances unknown.

Numbers grow like a snowball rolling downhill. Agent Io clicks their tongue.

(Side quest storm. Went off course too far.)

"They can be considered useful combat assets at present."

(Just as long as the lieutenant doesn't die while I'm playing hero.)

.Agent Io's concern is valid, but Anneliese Memorial Park is currently predicted to be relatively safe.

(As long as that line still holds true after the next few hours.)

At the edge of Io’s field of vision, Goblet smiles faintly—what kind of intent lies behind that grin.

Before long, Hartie’s comms crackle to life again.

—This is Blackbird. Hartie Goodman, respond.

—This is Hartie… what’s the urgency? Who’s this?

—Apologies for the abrupt contact. We’re currently engaged in a coordinated operation to destroy enemy ordnance.

Ah, here we go again.

Io signals the mixed unit, including Salmatia, with a stop gesture.

—Cease movement. Salmatia units, assume defensive posture. Johan, stay with me.

Follow protocol. Move out.

Soldiers launch instantly. The high-pitched whine of jump units activating.

Current position: one of the main streets crossing Oxanun. Salmatia disperses immediately, taking cover or securing elevated positions, assuming alert stance.

The mobility provided by jump units is indeed staggering. It would be ideal if they were widely deployed across general units.

— Special unit causing communication disruption. However, Weedran resistance is too intense to approach.

— We are currently on an escort mission for a high-value target. I cannot provide support.

— If the communications network fails to restore, the forces deployed in Oxanun West will be crushed.

Or should we link short-range, high-intensity communication posts and run a relay like a chain message?

— You're there, the army's top assassin. No more holding back.

— He’s severely injured right now. Don’t say reckless things.

Io speaks to Goblet. When in doubt, consulting the navigation AI is natural.

— (What do you think?)

— Immediate restoration of Oxanun Defense Force functionality is urgent.

— (What’s your move, Lieutenant?)

The status of Crewk McGabban remains unknown, but the data collected suggests a significant force has gathered at Anne Marie Memorial Park.

Crewk McGabban’s performance has improved beyond comparison to two months ago. She will seize victory—and Blue Goblet is… I believe.

(Huh? “I believe”? Where’s your usual calculation?)

You asked me “what do you think,” Agent Io.

Hahah—

Io couldn’t help laughing. Hartie watched the expression on her face and grimaced.

(Victory, seizing it. Emotional today, Goblet.)

You seem to enjoy it.

(Ah, yes. I do. Fine, I’ll complete this subtask.)

Io waved at Hartie. Narrowed her eyes. Shrugged her shoulders.

Cutting into the comms.

Blackbird, seems like you’re mistaking people for delivery pizza or something.

You must be Sergeant Io. Surprising—considering the severity of your injuries. The situation is as I just explained.

Send the detailed data. If you can communicate, you're close by.

Hurry up. We're being pursued by both the Weedran and the infected horde.

Thank you.

Communication terminated. Hartie already seemed resigned.

Now that we're at it—just to confirm one last time. Your abdominal wound is stable?

I'm an augmented soldier, Hartie.

The Salmatia commander descends from the alert point using a jump unit.

Issue detected? Or a new assignment?

Support mission for friendly forces. We're the ones designated.

Popularity’s a burden, DF.

DF? Diamond Frame, then.

Data packet received. You're close by. Sharing now.

Hartie manipulates the terminal, pretending at a quick briefing.

We’ve advanced this far killing lizards and infected alike. Too smoothly, everyone’s forgotten—this unit’s a patchwork of grievously wounded, stragglers, and a supply-starved relief force.

Neither I nor Sergeant Io hold command. So, for clarity, let’s confirm this.

The commander of Salmatia clicks his jaw. As if to say it’s too late now.

Forces are gathering at Anneliese Memorial Park.

Anyone unwilling to cooperate with that bastard Blackbird, head that way and call for reinforcements.

But if you lot truly enjoy suffering, follow along. I don’t care.

The soldiers strike their fists to their chests.

YES.

Fine then, masochists.

——

The scout team’s drone conducts surveillance in the combat zone.

Io receives the feed as the drone races through scorched rubble fields of Oxanun.

Sarmatia selects the forward team and initiates a flanking maneuver.

Destination: rooftop of the abandoned factory. Tall surrounding structures delay enemy weapon detection.

A barricade has been erected along the street facing the factory entrance. When the team secures it, one rapid-response unit member says, half-joking.

—Sergeant Io, better keep your guard up when working with Sarmatia.

—If the pincer fails, friendly fire can occur. But if they catch you, you’ll be shredded by their firepower.

—Cut the crap, Kamai. I don’t have idiots in my unit.

—Joke. I’m counting on you, cavalry.

The feed from the scout team shows a sharp, angular structure with a cyan body.

The structure stands out sharply from its surroundings—classic Weedran aerodynamics, sleek and angular.

Eight meters tall, less than a meter in diameter. On the roof, powerful lizards had deployed, manning defensive positions.

—Scout Team here, Maxen. Blackbird unit confirmed.

"Status?"

"Not good. The target has a powerful Defender deployed. Assault team lacks sufficient firepower.

Even Salmatia's armaments might not be enough."

"……Prepare. Salmatia's advance team will draw enemy attention with maximum fire.

Two-stage assault. Timing for breach is ours to dictate."

—Sergeant Io, counting on you.

"Regret won't be an option."

Io's unit moves into the factory grounds. Gunfire and artillery echo through the air.

—Blackbird failed to secure the interior. Facing heavy resistance.

The rooftop isn't holding concentrated forces.

(No thanks—I’m not getting caught in that.)

Two members of the scout team return.

Anchoring units fired into the wall. Enemy hasn’t detected us, but fireflies are swarming the perimeter. Drone down.

Forcing entry onto the rooftop is too risky.

We’ll cover you. Swatting flies is our specialty.

Sergeant Io checks the sky. Flying pancakes buzz annoyingly.

Hartie yells at Blackbird.

Blackbird, this is Hartie! Target point confirmed!

We’re reading it too. Initiate attack immediately.

...Right, yeah, Sergeant Io. Since when did we become his subordinates?

He’s annoying, but he’s on our side. Let’s get to work.

Attack commence!

A barrage of shouted orders flew from Commander Salmatia.

—Attack order confirmed! Break them open, you bastards! Kill the lizard or die yourself!

—Victory or death!

Four members of Salmatia’s strike unit, entrenched in the mid-levels of a building adjacent to the factory, initiated the assault.

Machine gun fire and micro-missiles rained down. A crimson streak surged forward. Laser weapon?

On the rooftop, viewed from below, the tip of the target and the blue glow of the Defender shielding it were visible.

—This is Scout Team, Maxen. Effective hits on the lizards.

But no damage to the target.

—Where are you?

—Opposite side of Salmatia’s building. …Firefly is engaging targeting now!

Io’s team sprinted forward, guided by the two members of the Scout Team.

The anchor units they deployed resembled compact spool reels, roughly palm-sized. In essence, powerful winches capable of scaling up to twenty meters in a single pull.

Ideal for heights beyond the reach of jump units. Io performed a systems check, then secured the anchor unit to his arm.

Beside him, Hartie and the rapid-response team members completed their preparations in parallel.

Commander Salmatia spoke.

—Lizards, quivering in fear. Firefly’s mine. Any time you’re ready.

—Io Two-Hundred, entering.

—Hartie entering. Maintain strict friendly identification.

The anchor unit emitted a high-pitched whine. His arm was violently yanked. His body lifted off the ground.

Salmatia switched its primary attack vector to micro-missiles. Eliminating fireflies to support Io’s infiltration.

Countless small explosions detonate. Shrapnel and scrap metal scatter. Io kicks off the factory wall, enveloped in debris.

Not bad! Feels like playing on a gymnastics course!

Sergeant Io, just get moving already!

A stray firefly locks onto Io. A laser pointer projects from its mounted machine gun.

But that unit is instantly downed. Long-range sniper fire.

Maxen?!

Scout team is already in support mode! Go, Diamond!

Io resumes ascent. His arm pulled taut, nearly dislocated. Body swinging like a pendulum. Each swing, he kicks off the wall. The rooftop approaches in seconds.

Agent Io, high-energy reaction detected on the upper level.

Prepare for detonation.

An explosion detonates within the factory. Just a few meters above Io’s position, on the upper level.

Flames erupted from the row of windows, hurling debris at Ioh and the others.

The rapid-response trooper climbing beside Io had his anchor severed. Io lunged instinctively, grabbing hold of his armored carrier.

Guh!

Standard gear for rapid response units weighs around twenty-three kilograms. A man with massive muscles, body weight exceeding eighty kilograms, wears it all. Honestly, it's heavy.

Guh—Sergeant, I’m counting on you!

Leave it to me—

The anchor unit's retraction speed visibly dropped. Still, Io forced every ounce of strength into resuming the ascent.

Hartie surged ahead of Sergeant Io, climbing upward. At the rooftop level, Hartie kicked off the wall sharply, shifting position, and extended a hand toward Io.

Just a little more! Hold on!

Io gripped the rapid-response trooper and together they pulled upward.

Reel function halted. Rolling onto the rooftop, the unit released. The three collapsed to their knees, gasping, then shifted focus to perimeter alert.

That was close. Sergeant Io, I owe you one.

I’ll collect later. — Advance!

Sergeant Io and Hartie, along with six rapid-response troopers, all reached the rooftop without a single casualty via the anchor unit.

SalmaTia and the Scout Team’s supporting fire continues. On the rooftop, shattered outdoor units and torn containers litter the ground. Sections have collapsed, exposing the lower levels.

— This is SalmaTia Heavy Cavalry. We’re running low on gas.

Initiate the envelopment assault team.

— This is Hartie. You’ve done enough. Where’s the Blackbird unit?

— Taking temporary cover below. Request attack coordination when you’re ready.

Peering at the target from behind a container. The surrounding area hosts a deployment of lizard heavy units. Multiple defensive lines, built by Defenders, stretch across the field.

Though visibly damaged by SalmaTia’s assault, none of the individuals have lost combat resolve.

Receiving relentless suppression fire, Io jerks his head back in reflex.

Sergeant Io, you planning to defend that tasteless tower until they’re all dead?

Any energy grenades?

Such luxury items aren’t issued.

Boomer’d be useful right now. Io snorts.

‘Assault team, my private stash. Keep it quiet up top.’

Immediately after SalmaTia’s transmission, something was projected directly in front of the enemy Defender cluster.

Conical in shape, it impaled the rooftop and ruptured its base, releasing a smoke screen.

‘Nanomachine warhead. Creates a smokescreen while disrupting enemy comms.

Sync your terminal’s protection cap frequency to 66.2. If we lose comms, we’re fools.’

Following the advice, Io adjusts the terminal. Whether nanomachine frequency or not, the advantage is clear.

Blue Goblet swims through the vision.

Synchronize with the nanomachine smoke. Snake Eye, maximum effect.

Right. Io takes one deep breath. Sharpens focus.

Initiate high-combat support. Snake Eye, activate.

Enemy intimidation fire confirmed. Can provide a relatively safe route.

Blue light streaks across, drawing a line on the rooftop.

Goblet’s designated route: slip through containers, vault over outdoor unit wreckage, pass through the rooftop corner.

Salvatoria bypass assault team, in position.

Blackbird here, attack resumption ready.

Scout team cannot peer through the nanomachine smoke. No further support possible.

Io performs a quick self-check, then speaks quietly.

Mixed-unit personnel, begin attack. Hartie, come with me.

Don’t misidentify friendly signals.

Their footsteps were silent. Io parted the nanomachine smoke.

—

Even more advantageous than darkness. The enemy’s heat sensors and other systems were suppressed by the nanomachine smoke.

Too late when the lizard detected Io’s impossibly quiet presence. One individual fell to a knife, another to a bullet, dispatched at random, without pause.

The assault was highly effective, highly efficient. The once-impregnable Weedran defense line disintegrated in less than three minutes.

‘We will disable the Defender guarding the destruction target.’

A flash of lightning. The blue barrier dissipated. By then, the smoke was clearing, and Salmatia had been waiting for that moment.

‘Defender confirmed destroyed. All personnel, disengage from target.’

Soldiers scattering like rolling debris. Immediately after, four armor-piercing rounds impale the Weedran tower.

The tower bends at the base, snapped, torn apart, collapsing into fragments. The soldiers cheer.

—We did it, Sergeant Io!

—Hartie, glad you’re here.

Hartie and Io clasp fists. He grins, scraping dried blood from his cheek with a fingertip.

—Evacuation prep. Anne-Marie Memorial Park.

Ignoring the immediate movement of the squad, Io establishes comms.

Target: Crewk McGibbon.

—…thirty-five…two…squad, Crewk……

—Lieutenant, can you hear me?

—Linking…! Pax! …ugh! Aah! Can you hear me?! Sergeant Io! Is that you?!

—That’s me, Lieutenant.

—Communication blackout partially lifted! You did this, didn’t you?!

—Affirmative. A pleasant surprise, wasn’t it?

A loud cheer erupts from the other side of the link.

—You truly… take me by surprise. Always deliver exactly what we need.

—Lieutenant, I’m honored to be of service, but the situation remains dire.

—I’m en route. Anneliese Memorial Park, correct? What’s the status?

—We’re not sitting idle. We’ve gathered isolated units in the vicinity and are rebuilding the defensive perimeter.

—...Impressive you managed that.

—I’m an enhanced soldier. Your commanding officer. I’ll show you. This is nothing.

Hartie whistles.

—Not bad, your commander.

—Isn’t she?

Io smiles, unbothered.

—Sergeant Io, as you said, the situation is dire. But I’ll turn it around.

We do not give up until the end. That’s what we learned from the retreat here, from Carver Ve.

—Help me.

Io swaps Raven’s magazine and begins walking.

—The answer is YES.