BXBX NOVEL Chapter 57: | 057 | Northern Plateau Reconnaissance
He looked at the screen and saw numerous giant beasts roaming in the rock crevice of the northern plateau. They were everywhere like ants.
The fact that all of these were carnivorous was troublesome. How the local ecosystem could support their population was an aching question.
However, it might not take long before the supporting ecosystem collapses in on itself.
"You see this?" One of the aviation personnel expressed his shock.
Their ground forces would probably be annihilated if met with the full assault of the populous magibeasts. It was fortunate that they wouldn\'t start the operation with the ground forces first and foremost.
"It will take a lot of ordnance to handle them." The aviation officer commented while observing the gathering of magibeasts through the monitor screen.
The echoes of the clapping propellers resounded as the static of the radio resounded in the interiors of the transport helicopter before being replaced by a voice.
*This is Scalpel 1, targets detected in the northernmost part of the plateau. Possibly two-four-three in number.*
Reports from the aviation officer of Scalpel 1 escaped the confines of the radio device. The officer of Scalpel 2 raised an eyebrow and decided to follow suit.
He reported the numbers of the gathering magibeasts they were following.
"Scalpel 2, reporting… Spotted targets numbered around three-two-eight. Maintaining 2 clicks distance and observing."
*Copy, Scalpel 2. Overwatch has been ordered to maintain recon status. Do not engage with targets and find their nests.* Succeeding to the aviation officer\'s report was the response of reconnaissance task force leader, Scalpel 1.
"Roger that, Scalpel 1. Attending directives!" The aviation officer replied and closed the radio communicator afterward.
Before he could think about his recent conversation, one of the aviation personnel called out to him.
"Sir, their activities are changing." An aviation personnel said, turning the aviation officer\'s attention to the monitor screen.
In the monitor screen, the calm gathering of magibeasts started erratically moving. They began screeching and roaring in madness.
*SCREEEECHHH!!!!* *ROOOOARRRRR!!!* *SCREECCH!!!*
The aviation officer squinted his eyes trying to understand what was happening before them. The deafening noises of the magibeasts became louder and louder until one of them cried out in pain.
He raised an eyebrow as he noticed one of the giant creatures munching into the head of their kind. And then out of nowhere, the magibeasts started attacking one another.
"What the-"
Obviously, the aviation officer was dumbfounded. The terrifying scene of the magibeasts attacking and eating each other unfolded before him.
It was straight-up a picture of hell.
"Damn, these monsters are mad. Why are they eating their kind?" An aviation personnel questioned trying to make sense of the unveiling scenery of hellish savagery.
The aviation officer couldn\'t find an answer and maintained his silence. The feed before them was already preemptively recorded for data gathering. It was their job to gather intelligence, nothing more and nothing less.
They don\'t find answers. The intelligence officers in the Port of Dawn will handle the \'seeking for answers job\' for them.
Though… The aviation officer opened the radio as this was something that needed to be reported to the reconnaissance leader.
"This is Scalpel 2, strange activities have erupted within the ranks of the gathering magibeasts. They are eating and attacking one another."
*Scalpel 3, reporting… Massive groups of magibeasts are heading towards the northernmost part of the plateau. Most seemed to be extremely bloodied.*
*Scalpel 4, reporting from the west. Observed group of magibeasts charging northeastward. The weakened ones amongst them are being killed and eaten.*
*Intelligence received! This is Scalpel 1, an unknown cave entrance has been discovered. Hundreds of magibeasts are plunging into the entrance. Some corpses have been dragged and lowered into the suspected cave system*
*Sending received data to the Overwatch! Maintain current directives until further orders.*
From the looks of it, every magibeast surrounding the northern plateau was becoming mad. This brought the aviation officer a bad feeling.
After all, it was too unnatural and seemed to be an undertaken activity. It made him wonder whether or not the magibeasts really lacked intellectual capabilities.
\'But it doesn\'t matter whether they are smart or not. Only one can have this island as their home and it would be us.\' The aviation officer coldly thought to himself.
He turned his gaze to the monitor screen and watched as the magibeasts tore themselves apart and savored the flesh of their kind without a tinge of mercy.
"Monsters…"
He muttered under his breath.
Meanwhile, on the northern coast of Crescere was the November Fleet of Operation Hammer of Dawn. It consisted of two warships, the UNS Light Bringer and UNS Zarya.
Inside the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer was Captain Lux, the commanding officer of the destroyer.
The data sent by the reconnaissance task force had recently arrived and was swiftly sent through the data link. The intelligence data that was discovered made them tense.
"Hmm… Their current numbers amount to 1,179. That\'s the number we discovered." Captain Lux remarked and squinted his eyes while tapping the metallic table.
"However, that isn\'t including the possible cave system hidden inside the northern plateau. It is highly probable that the cave system contains the nest of the northern magibeasts. But it\'s quite troublesome."
"The cave system is unknown to us. We can\'t make a move against it unless we receive a substantial topography." They were stuck in a problematic circumstance.
"Shall we send in the marines, Captain Lux?" One of the intelligence officers suggested. He earned the rejection of the captain as Lux shook his head to deny the suggestion.
Sending marines into the underground cave system would be suicide for the soldiers and a waste of resources. There was no need for detailed topography of the cave system.
A simple idea of what was inside should be enough for the operation.
With this in mind, Captain Lux turned his gaze toward the communication operators inside the Combat Information Center.
His mouth opened as he ordered them to transmit a message to the Port of Dawn.
"Open transmission to the command center. We require their assistance." Hearing his words, the communication operators nodded and swiftly opened the communication line between the UNS Light Bringer and the Port of Dawn.
"Ask them if a ground penetrating radar that could be armed into a helicopter is available." Captain Lux wanted the ground penetrating radar to gain a simple topography of the underground cave systems.
With these, no lives would be lost for the sake of gaining intelligence.
The communication operators efficiently sent the captain\'s message. Fortunately, it didn\'t take more than ten seconds for a response to come from the command center.
When the message was received, the communication operators hastily nodded and immediately reported to the captain of the UNS Light Bringer.
"Sir, ground penetrating radars are available in the Port of Dawn."
From the piece of good news, Captain Lux\'s eyes lit up and smirked.
"Good, tell them that our reconnaissance task force will need to be equipped with these radar systems."