Boom—!
The instant the first mechanically altered weapon on the ground opened fire, everyone in the underground base felt a tremendous impact coming from above at an angle!
Watching the mechanical tide on the surface through an entire wall of virtual projection, watching the combat mechanism that relied on the Mechanical Well's terrifying productivity to create ever-stronger individuals regardless of losses—even using the cores of wreckage—
Schmidt recognized at a glance whose handiwork this uniquely distinctive ability was, and spoke calmly in a low voice.
"Still as crude and lacking in order as ever."
Then, seeing the weapon that had first 'stood out' from the Mechanical Tides blast open a downward-slanting passage, he saw through its intention to invade the interior.
Opening a light screen to prevent outside observation, he activated the announcement broadcast for the entire base.
"The 42nd Disaster Drill is now underway. All personnel, proceed to the shelter areas according to established protocol."
The moment his voice fell, the lights throughout the base dimmed another level, and the gravity handrails in every passage lit up red!
After hearing their mentor's still calm and concise words, all the researchers inside the base immediately understood. They stopped what they were doing, intending to resume later.
Just as they had during the previous forty-one drills, they took the nearest handrails and streamed in from all directions toward a single location.
Then, every experiment was forcibly halted, all sorts of facilities and equipment lowered into the ground, and the entire base entered alert mode!
Klim ran into the corridor and watched evacuation notices light up across every public projection screen. He raised a hand and flexed his wrist.
He thought of the mechanical models in his room that had accompanied him through who knew how many nights.
In the end, unable