Chapter 16:

NOTE 17

The Equipoise


“How many?” asked Karangka.

“five hundred,” replied Kertanegara.

Karangka smiled broadly. They had previously known that the number of automatons that would return to attack them again was one hundred. But after digging and bypassing the factory network again, Bahyu discovered that not only single factory was constructing automatons, but there were five. And each of these factories was ready to produce equal in number of automatons in less than an hour.

“Imagine if you only knew that information five minutes before the time was up. At least we won’t be surprised by those automatons anymore.”

Kertanegara couldn’t help but sighed. “Rangka. There is something I want to ask.”

“What?”

“Your plan. How far do you have thought about it?”

“Honestly, not much.” She looked over the horizon. “But one thing I can assure you. That this is better than letting those automatons run around chasing and gunning us down while we retreat.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

“But what Dianka said was much better.”

Karangka’s initial plan was pretty straightforward. They had two places that needed to be guarded, so they just needed to split class thirteen into two and guard those two places at the same time. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it can be carried out. She also explained why it was better to choose stand their ground waiting for back up to come over retreat and everyone agreed but Dianka.

It wasn’t that Dianka disagreed, she was just saying that there were other factors that they needed to consider. For example, the number of personnel in the two places is quite different, where in their place there are less personnel who are able to participate in the battle, while in the southern point there at least much better number than them. Then there was also the factor of the factory itself. Would it be okay after they managed to stop the upcoming attack? What if the factory was still running and producing another hundred automatons in the next hour while they were still fighting? Then what about the mastermind of all this? There are many other things they need to consider.

After conferring with each other for a dozen minutes, a new plan was finally made. It was more or less the same as Karangka’s plan but with some detail changed.

For the northern point, almost the entire class thirteen would defend the place. However, they would not stay at the base and defend it as usual, but create a new battlefield in front of it. On this new field, Kertanegara and Karangka would take the lead. In the base itself, they placed Cahya as the paramedic and Bahyu as communication relay and decoy operators to make the enemy more focused on attacking the northern point by sending fake distress signal.

For the southern point, they would leave everything to the personnel there. Of course they would come to help if conditions required them.

Then the secret factory and the rearguard.

“Where do you think they are?” asked Karangka.

“Maybe a quarter of the way to the target.”

“Do you think they’ll get spotted?”

“If they’re still in the centre of the reservoir.”

Karangka stood on tiptoe, trying to see the centre of the reservoir. “I don’t see anything or anyone!”

“Then they should be fine.”

“So are we!”

This time it was Kertanegara’s turn to observe the horizon beyond the reservoir. And she noticed the concern on that big young man’s face.

“You don’t need to worry. She will be fine.”

“I know.”

“Then why the long face?”

“I just don’t like it when I know… My friends are fighting without knowing whether they will receive help or not.”

But he could not be melancholy for too long as it was their turn to face the enemy. They could feel it from where they stood, the rumble creates by the horde of automatons moving towards them.

“Are you afraid?” asked Karangka.

He could see the big smile on her face. “I don’t know. But you seem to be enjoying it in times like this.”

“Not really. My hands are shaking because of it.”

“That’s not good. I need you to crash into the centre of enemy formation.”

“No worries. I will definitely do it.”

“And I will support you.”

Karangka nodded. In her hand was no longer the axe she used in the training, rather she was holding a bardiche. She gripped it tightly with both hands.

Before long, a horde of automatons appeared in front of them. They moved like a ball, just rolling on the road. Then it stopped and those at the forefront stretched out their legs from their original ball-like shape, planted those legs on the ground, and observed their surrounding before rolling back and keep marching.

“I’m ready,” said Karangka.

“Engage!” shouted Kertanegara in respond.

Karangka immediately lunged forward towards the horde. With the help of liminal armour, she bolted much faster than usual and wreak havoc, she did. She slashed through their formation as deep as she could and became the centre of attention for the automatons. Her bardiche sliced through them with such ease before they could even launch counterattack, but there were too many of them. In no time, she was surrounded. They planted their feet, pointed the muzzles of their guns at her and tried to shoot.

“Wipe them!” ordered Kertanegara.

Following Kertanegara’s orders, four other students emerged from hiding and attacked. They harassed the horde by attacking their flanks. And as soon as the horde’s attention turned to them, they withdrew from attacking. The other two students covered them with covering fire, picking those who had the chance to shoot their withdrawing friends and shoot them down. Ans as soon as the horde’s attention changed again, Karangka who was still in the centre once again wreaked havoc on them. Again, drawing their attention to her. Rinse and repeat.

So far everything is as he expected. The horde was moving by relying on input provided by those in the secret factory. Granted, their numbers were much larger but thanks to the system where they moved as a unit, they were only able to receive a certain amount of input. And they could be predicted easily. Even the whistling sound that coming from above.

“Rangka! Cover your ears!” shouted Kertanegara.

He stomped his feet while clenching his fist in the air. Instantly the whistling stopped, replaced by a powerful explosion that shook the surroundings. Smoke rose up to couple of metres high in the air. It was a direct hit, but Kertanegara remained calm. Without a moment’s pause, Karangka rushed out from behind the smoke, continuing her task. Once again, everything was in his plan.

But not for long.