Losing the Edge
Kalinin re-read the paper in front of him. He was shaken to the core by it's contents and the implications for the future of Mithril. The report was from Sgt Sagara, forwarded by Sergeant Major Mao, on his opinions of how the advanced technology, "Black Technology".has given them a false sense of security in their operations. He said the use of AS was not at risk, per se, but with the new man-sized AS from Amalgam, they would need to train for future operations against them.
Sousuke had taken apart past operations and shown how they had blindly entered and departed enemy territory depending on their "ECS" capability to mask them from the enemy. He said that, if they had operated that way without "ECS", any capable force would have picked them off with ease. He showed how it was not advanced technology that was put on the Patriot missile that picked off their helicopter. The missile had been refitted with an ultraviolet sensor to work with it's infrared sensor. "ECS" generates ultraviolet light, thats why birds are sensitive to it, so an ultraviolet sensor would pickup the user's equipment. Other old-fashion techniques on the public database includes Sferic Detection, Acoustic Detection and Aerial Wake Detection. Even the fact that helicopter blades generate a static charge that glows at night is a giveaway. Kalinin had verified that those methods were on the Web and was shocked at how simple they were. "ECS" generates ozone and a static field around it. Sferics are atmospheric static charges, lightning, and detectors have been used for years to detect thunderstorms. Theoretically, anything under "ECS", would be picked up by a simple triangulation from those commercial detectors. Acoustic Detection simply ranged from a person hearing an AS moving, they are heavy, to advance sound detection systems. Wake Detection had been used back in Bosnia to pick up an American Stealth Fighter and enable rebels to shoot it down.
Sousuke remarked that, basically, Mithril has been lucky to survive because everyone had been in awe of it's advanced equipment and thought advanced means were needed to counter it. He recommended that Combat Operations be made aware of these weaknesses and determine how best to counter it or the next battle could be a slaughter. As if that wasn't bad enough, Sousuke then mention some new things he had found out while working out with AL and the Lambda Driver. Since Kaname knew about the capabilities of AL and was "Whispered", Sousuke felt comfortable talking with her about it. He mentioned in the report how she had gone into a trance and explained the Lambda Driver to him and it's strengths and weaknesses. He had tried out having AL generate the field when he wasn't in the AS. While he was outside, he thought about the field protecting AL and the field appeared as expected. While he was still outside, he thought about shielding another AS and looked at the nearest M9. The field disappeared from AL and was in front of the M9. A last test, he picked up an empty box and threw it away, into the air, he was able to put the field around it and hold it in air, then with a thought, he crushed it. He said that it appeared to be a strength and he originally thought it was. What if someone outside the field took control while he was inside AL? It might take two or more with Lambda experience but it could possibly be done. The new man-sized AS from Amalgam could be fitted with Lambda drivers and a remote observer could operate the field for it. Amalgam already has experience with the Lambda field and may already have found out these things. Sousuke fervently wished they haven't because Mithril won't stand a chance.
Lt Commander Kalinin wearily stood and started for the Command Deck to let the Captain know about the coming end for Mithril and possibly the world.
Bummer of an ending