DE: Chapter 1 Part 1 – One-man Army

Year 2398 AD. A renowned scientist announced at an academic conference that the resource materials of planet Earth were becoming lesser day by day. Developed countries paid attention to the high credibility of this announcement.

Year 2400 AD. Each developed country enacted a restriction bill on using natural resources. However, due to strong opposition from developing countries, frequent trade friction with developed countries occured.

Year 2411 AD. Simultaneous terrorist attacks occurred all around the world against developed countries. The number of people dead and missing combined reached 45 million. This led to the start of a global campaign by developed countries to defeat terrorists.

Year 2420 AD. Developing countries continued to support terrorists, and the fight against them turned into a quagmire stage.

Year 2425 A.D. The MW,【Mobile Walker】was developed for the first time in Japan. The existence of the advanced technology was well-received for transporting containers and civil engineering work.

Year 2430 A.D. Developed countries announced a temporary suspension on the terrorist campaign. This caused the power balance between the developing countries to begin to shift.

In the same year. Developed countries secretly launched a new organization. The name of the organization was called the【United Earth Federation of Unified Forces】(UEFUF).

Year 2440 A.D. The United Earth Federation of Unified Forces drew up a plan for space expansion. With the approval from representatives of developed countries, implementation of the plan commenced.

Year 2470 A.D. Terrorist activities using MW begin in developing countries. This led to intensified conflict between developing countries.

Year 2503 A.D. Developed countries developed the latest technology and a cutting-edge tank【M505A9 Bullbound】.Within a few years, advanced mass production of it began.

Year 2504 A.D. Developed countries once again declared their intention to suppress terrorists. At that time, the existence of the United Earth Federation of Unified Forces was made public and it began to be deployed in combat against the terrorists. With its two-pronged attack from land and space, it swiftly suppressed the terrorists.

Year 2505 AD. Mankind obtained a【Unified Earth Government】centered on developed countries.

Year 2550 AD. Mankind had finally made a leap from Mother Earth and advanced into the infinite expanse of space. In conjunction with the expansion, space immigration was actively promoted in order to solve the population problem once and for all.

Year 2562 AD. Travelling through Warp was established. Active efforts to advance into space begin.

Year 2564 AD. With the Unified Earth Government at the core, the United Earth Federation of Unified Forces began to increase its military strength in preparation for advancement into space.

Year 2672 AD. AW or【Armored Walker】A for Armored and W for Walker, a new weapon to replace the MW, was developed and produced. However, with the arrival of the AW, it ended up replacing the main battle tank before it could take the place of the MW.

Year 2720 AD. As mankind advanced into space, they came into contact with different species, and began engaging in diplomacy and trade.

Year 2725 AD. A group of planets far from Earth declared independence from the Unified Earth Government, and established a new empire, called the 【Guardia Empire】.However, the Unified Earth Government refused to acknowledge this declaration and sent forces to suppress the movement.

Year 2740 AD. The war between the United Earth Federation of Unified Forces and the Guardia Imperial Army reached a stalemate. In the meantime, another group of planets declared withdrawal from the Unified Earth Government, and established the【Galactic Free Republic】. As a result, the military power of the United Earth Federation of Unified Forces diminished immensely.

Year 2800 AD. A new species hostile to all life forms, commonly known as【OLEM】, was discovered. Its origin was unknown.

Year 2922 AD.

Mankind continued to advance into the vast universe while engaging in various wars against other species.

Mankind’s fight for control continued.

While they preach for peace.

Year 2925 AD. Planet Bennet.

Planet Bennett was designated as an economically neutral planet by the United Earth Government and the Guardia Empire. As a result, many companies moved manpower there to mine its resources. However, this inevitably led to various new conflicts.

The economic war between companies intensified. Planet Bennett has now become a hot battlefield. However, it’s not just planet Bennett, most places that the government couldn’t reach hold a similar scenario.

Nowadays, most companies have their own private soldiers, and in addition, they hire mercenaries to maintain their battle power. Therefore, once a fight breaks out, both sides will ultimately suffer some damage. That’s why, companies mining for resources or creating production try to defend their resources at all costs.

An alarm rang at a resource mining facility owned by the Union company. The combatants and mercenaries hurriedly got into their own mechanics and prepared for battle. Not long after, the fight commenced.

“The enemy force has only one humanoid mobile weapon, the AW. Its affiliation is unknown, but it’s a very high-tech machine. It shook off all of our interceptor missiles. All combat units, prepare to destroy the enemy AW.”

A notice from the HQ was sent to all combat units. The combat helicopter Chomper was about to take off. However, just at the moment, a blue light flashed passed directly above the Chomper, exploding a nearby fuel tank. Caught in the blast, the Chomper lost balance and exploded into tiny pieces as it embraced the ground.

The Union Company’s humanoid mobile weapon AW, commonly known as the Armored Walker,【ZM-05 Madoc】 moved to the front line and immediately spotted the enemy aircraft.

The aircraft that was spotted had a silhouette with many sharp angles, which shows the characteristics of a high-power mobile machine. It was armed with what appears to be a beam cannon on its right hand and a diamond-shaped shield on its left arm. Its color was the same blue and white two-toned color as the beam. Another notable feature was the rather unusual emblem.

“That emblem… no way. This is bad. That’s an Elf Aircraft! Damn it! What is the reason we didn’t notice before? It’s obvious!”

Although afraid, they began attacking with their own heavy weapons and missiles. However, their attacks were easily dodged and destroyed in one hit by the blue beam of tremendous power.

“That’s the power of that beam at that distance! Are you kidding me! How can such a high-power weapon be carried on a humanoid machine? What kind of generator is it equipped with?”

“It can even fly in the sky? That’s crazy. Maybe we don’t know but all the latest models in the market can fly?”

“No, no, that thing is best at transforming shapes. The Elf’s technology is simply ridiculous. They’re all crazy bastards.”

“Well, then should we just run away now? If we keep going like this, we’ll all be dead!”

“Goddamn! Fork 3 is down!”

“Each unit, fight back. There’s only one enemy aircraft. We are at an advantage with a huge number and can win by attacking continuously.”

Then the attack continued with the AWs manned by Union’s private soldiers and hired mercenaries. The AWs’ 45mm assault rifles and anti-AW missiles fired from their missile pods approached the enemy aircraft. However, the enemy aircraft evaded them with graceful maneuvers.

“It’s a futile effort. Not only with the aircraft, but even our skills are so different. Resisting is really pointless. But I won’t go easy on you. I can’t disappoint my opponent.”

The Elf pilot operated its own aircraft with smooth accuracy and destroyed the Union’s private soldiers and mercenaries’ weapons one after another. The battlefield was already dominated by the Elf’s aircraft.

The Union’s private soldiers and mercenaries, who unknowingly have become enemies with the one-man army Elf, were probably half crying and begging for forgiveness now.

I could tell because I was also feeling the same way.

Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself yet.

My name is Shu Kisaragi. I’m a mercenary belonging to the mercenary company, Smile Dog. I’m at Sergeant rank. I’ve been on the battlefield for quite some time and managed to survive this far.

The reason for my smooth survival might be because I was extremely lucky. But the prime reason is that I have a gift. Incidentally, I’m currently hiding in the shadows in the AW 【ZC-04 Zargan】provided by the Smile Dog.

Another reason, which doesn’t really have much to do with the battlefield, is that I’m someone who has reincarnated.

Needless to say, there’s no doubt that such a feat was completely useless in this era of high technology while facing these advanced weapons.

 
Footnotes:

1. MW = Mobile Walker, humanoid mobile heavy equipment machine.

Originally developed for construction sites and civil engineering work. However, after being modified for combat, they boast performance that exceeds that of tanks in urban warfare. They can also be modified into specialized models, with some even exceeding the performance of AWs.

Basically, most are used as escorts for ships or as autonomous forces on frontier planets.

However, cockpit specifications are generally made only for humanoid races.

2. M505A9 Bullbound

This masterpiece tank was officially developed by the United Earth Federation of Unified Forces in 2505 and is still being mass-produced by various companies.

The United Earth Federation of Unified Forces poured the most cutting-edge technology of the time into this tank, with the aim of suppressing the terrorists and destroying their will to fight.

The firepower was greatly increased from the previous single 120mm smoothbore cannon to a twin 155mm smoothbore cannon. The tracks were divided into four to improve maneuverability, acceleration, and movement. The engine was also changed to a 2000 horsepowered one.

The operator was reduced to two, but this was made possible by the automation of various systems. Thanks to the automation, even new recruits could perform well with this mega tank.

The armor was also made to withstand a direct hit from a 120mm smoothbore cannon. This ultimate superpower tank was completed without regard for cost.

However, with the emergence of the AW in 2672, it lost its role as the main land-based weapon. After the modification in production and upgrades of weapons, the production of this has continued since then to this day.

The latest version is the A9, which is less than a year old, has reached almost the peak of perfection as a super tank.

Length: 12.5m

Weight: 55t

Engine: XB-2000

Armament: 8.5mm machine gun, 12.5mm machine gun, 2 x 155mm smoothbore guns, smoke screen, chaff, etc.

3. AW = Armored Walker, Humanoid General-Purpose Mobile Weapon

Developed based on the MW design for purely combat use. Better maneuverability than a tank. Faster reaction times, movement, and mobility than the MW. Excellent versatility that can handle a variety of battle situations.

For these reasons, each company is constantly developing and reproducing AWs.

This too only has a cockpit specifically for humanoid races.

4. OLEM: An acronym for Opponent Existence in a Life form in a Metagalaxy, and is commonly known as OLEM.

5. ZM-05 Madoc

This machine was developed to compete with the civilian AW ZC-04 Zargan.

It was developed and manufactured as a machine one rank above the ZC-04 Zargan on which it was based. Since it was based on the design of the completed Zargan, development was completed without much effort. It also has the same weapons with additional equipment. However, it feels like a rehash of the Zargan and is a little more expensive. So its popularity is a bit less than the Zargan.

The electronic equipment and internal mechanisms are superior to the Zargan, and the armor is thicker, making it more bullet-resistant. Also, since it is based on the Zargan, there is no doubt that it can perform higher than the Zargan.

This machine is also used by various companies, mercenaries, and terrorists, regardless of whether they are civilians or soldiers.

Height: 12.7m

Weight: 55t

Armor material: Special multi-ceramic composite alloy

Power source: Plasma generator

Weapon: Chest-mounted 12.5mm anti-personnel machine gun, 45mm submachine gun, 45mm assault rifle, 55mm rifle, 250mm cannon, etc.

6. ZC-04 Zargan

This is a civilian AW, based on the United Earth Federation of Unified Forces’ main machine, the ZX-07 Astrea.

Although it has been downgraded to civilian use, it can show a good performance once modified for combat. It is easy to use and has the same operability as the ZX-07 Astrea. It can be used both in the air and on the ground. Since its basic design was based on the Astrea, it has high expandability.

As it is advertised as a civilian AW, it is cheaper to obtain than a combat AW. This led to it being popular among companies, mercenaries, and terrorists alike.

The Zargan’s performance varies depending on the affiliation and location, but if it is supplied with high-quality equipment, it can possess hidden specs that boosts performance approaching that of an Astrea.

Height: 12.5m

Weight: 47t

Armor material: Special multi-ceramic composite alloy

Power source: Plasma generator

Weapon: 12.5mm anti-personnel machine gun, 45mm submachine gun, 45mm assault rifle, 55mm rifle, 250mm cannon, etc.