Total mobilization against demons was something Bell never imagined he'd face. Yet, there he stood, poring over the report. It mandated that every demon join the training regiment, also known as the summoning system, for compulsory defense training. Bell was uneasy about this, especially given the Southern Coalition's disregard for distinguishing between civilians and military personnel. It had become a necessary evil. The elves weren’t required to participate, but many volunteered, driven by the devastation their villages had suffered at the claws of the three young dragons.
The report detailed physiological examinations conducted to assess the potential impact on individuals. This was crucial because the effects of entering the magical circles were unpredictable, with testimonies from people like Tomas varying widely. Nevertheless, most found the experience awe-inspiring and unforgettable. The psychiatrists reported no significant physiological concerns among the recruits.
The military restructuring was a tactical decision. The 1st Federal Reserve Division (FRD) now formed the core of the reserve forces, primarily composed of newly conscripted citizens. Veteran members of the 1st FRD were redeployed to specialized units, such as the 1st Armor Division and the 1st Strategic Response Division (SRD). They all received advanced tier-3 training, similar to the elite 120th Air-Assault Division. SPEAR also welcomed several new faces among its ranks.
Looking out of the windows, the consequences of that decision were evident. Camouflage clothing and openly carried firearms became commonplace, with most, if not all citizens, bearing an unloaded H&K 416 or a pistol. It served as a stark reminder of the dire situation. Nowadays, regardless of your occupation, if humans came knocking, they would kill you and your children without hesitation. The dragon attack had proven that, and it seemed they were eager to increase the casualty count, whether civilians or not.
A new category of civilians emerged in the system known as reservists. They received only half of the EPs (Energy Points) that the system granted to civilians and required no military maintenance. However, for Bell, the military training they underwent was more valuable than gold. It was better to have them prepared for a potential conflict with the south. He accessed the population interface menu and oversaw the upgrade he had purchased for his people. He invested in improvements to their education and healthcare access, letting the system handle the rest.
[Population Management Interface] [EP: 344,740,000]
[Population Census]
* Civilians: 1,000
* Reservist: 1,500
* Military Personnel: 700
[Revenue]
* Population Maintenance Allocation Budget: 13,500 EP/Civilian/Month [Triple Value: 125,000,000 EP]
* Current Revenue: 13,500,000 + 10,125,000 EP/Month
* Expense: 12,500,000 EP/Month + 12,500,000 EP/Month + 1,575,000 EP Military Expense
* Total: - 2,950,000 EP/Month
[Social Program]
* Educational Level: High — 5,000 EP/Civilian [Upgrade: 5,000,000 EP]
* Healthcare Access: Intermediate Level — 5,000 EP/Civilian [Upgrade: 2,500,000 EP]
At least, he could finally enjoy a bit of rest, except for one undeniable fact: every single member of the command staff was clamoring for improved air defense, a point with which Bell wholeheartedly concurred. While the current radar system sufficed, the same couldn't be said for the missiles in their arsenal. Amelia and Harris fervently advocated for the use of a modified AN/SEQ-3V(1) Laser Weapon System in case such an attack happened again. What made it even more appealing was that it was an upgraded version, boasting an impressive 150 kilowatts of laser power, compared to the previous 35 kilowatt model. This improved version also offered the flexibility to double the power output, a boon for dealing with adverse weather conditions, in addition to enhanced optics, all made possible by the breakthrough achieved at The Facility.
Each village received this weapon for defensive purposes, should the Southern Coalition ever dare to unleash such an attack again. Thankfully, the tests yielded a 100% interception rate. However, that wasn't the end of their preparations. Bell had also decided to establish an air force on the base following the dragon attack, realizing their prior underestimation of the threat. Although the air force personnel had been summoned, they were still embroiled in heated debates over the choice of jets.
Bell had allocated a substantial 100,000,000 EPs for the creation of this air force. The infrastructure was already in place, including the runway and hangar, but the matter of selecting the right jets remained unresolved, resulting in an ongoing debate. Now, Bell was faced with the daunting task of making a decision after receiving a plethora of brochures and information sheets from his command staff, all while being pressured to reach a conclusion as per their demands, which were:
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
* An air-superiority fighter to deal with the advanced air threats
* A multirole strike fighter to deal with something that a helicopter couldn’t deal with
* An optional cheap strike aircraft
Bell exited his office dressed in his field uniform and proceeded to open the door leading to the hallway. Descending the stairs, he made his way to a parked JLTV and drove it towards the newly constructed hangar, situated on the east side of the base. This expansion had been completed just five days ago, thanks to the system's accelerated construction capabilities. The presence of the ATC tower, hangars, runway, and facilities was a sight Bell had never imagined he would witness in his lifetime, yet here he was. The briefing was scheduled to take place in Hangar #3.
As Bell navigated the spacious vehicle along the main base's four-lane road, it eventually led him to the taxiway and, ultimately, to the hangar. Inside, he found four prominent individuals, each holding their own strong opinions: Harris, Lukas, Amelia, and Lisa. Bell parked the JLTV in one of the corners and approached them.
"So, we're considering the F-22, F-35, and A-10, right?" Amelia interjected before Bell could even speak.
"Take no heed of her; the F-22 would deplete your resources. A squadron of F-15EX and A-10 would be a more prudent choice," Harris chimed in.
"I'm inclined to stick with the tried-and-true combination of Rafale and Tucano," Lukas nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.
"Why not find common ground between their ideas?" Lisa proposed, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Bell found himself in the midst of passionate advisors, each fervently advocating for their preferred aircraft. He understood the weight of the decision at hand; it would have a profound impact on their defense capabilities and budget.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Bell addressed the group. "All of your arguments have their merits, but we need to strike a balance. The F-15EX offers versatility and proven reliability, in line with Harris's perspective. It's a more cost-effective option than the F-22, yet it remains formidable in both air-superiority and strike roles."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "I also see the value in Lukas's recommendation of the Rafale. However, I believe we should avoid the complexity of managing two different aircraft types and embrace the compromise the F-15EX provides. Regarding the A-10, while its reputation in close air support is unparalleled, it's an overkill for our current threat, which doesn't involve armored vehicles. If we encounter a situation requiring more firepower, the F-15EX can handle it. The Tucano is a more cost-effective and practical choice for our needs."
“Up to you boss, really,” Harris said.
“Hey, you’re the commander,” Amelia just went with whatever she got. “Anything that flies is better than anything that doesn’t.”
“Make the purchase, Bell.”
“Here we go,” Bell added.
[Items & Logistics Department Interface] [Search:______ ] [Open Sell Menu] [EP: 344,740,000]
* 5 x [F-15EX] = 105,000,000 EP
* 5 x [A-29] = 10,000,000 EP
[Total: 115,000,000 EP] [Purchase?]
With a decisive click, Bell initiated the purchase, and outside, ten expansive magical circles materialized on the ground. From within these mystical circles, the aircraft emerged onto the ground. Bell couldn't help but be astounded by their sheer size. The Empire had never developed aircraft of this magnitude; the largest had been bombers. Yet, these were designated as fighter aircraft designed for air superiority. Typically, fighter aircraft were known for their small and agile nature, unlike the substantial presence of the F-15EX.
The arrival of the F-15EX and A-29 aircraft through these magical portals marked a momentous occasion for Bell. He stood there in awe, taking in the size and intricacy of these cutting-edge war machines. Coming from an era rooted in the early 1900s, Bell was accustomed to the relatively rudimentary aircraft of his time—small, nimble biplanes that bore no resemblance to these technological marvels.
In particular, the F-15EX presented a stark contrast to the aircraft he had known. Its imposing, streamlined structure and advanced technology served as a testament to the advancements in aviation and warfare technology. Even the A-29, though smaller, represented a significant leap in capability and efficiency when compared to the aircraft of his era.
Bell circled the F-15EX. Even though he read the brocures, he was still fascinated by its twin engines, advanced radar systems, and the array of weapons it could carry. He could see how this aircraft could dominate the skies, a far cry from the dogfights of his own time, where pilots relied more on sight and maneuverability than on advanced electronics and weaponry. Even though dragon was superior to bi-planes in all ways, he had no doubt this thing would be different than that.
Despite the initial shock and awe, Bell knew that these aircraft were crucial for the defense of his people. The Southern Coalition's aggression had forced his hand, necessitating a response that included integrating such advanced technology into his arsenal. Each hangar was given a comissary terminal, allowing personnel to buy new parts and weapons quickly and efficiently based on the required mission loadout.
As the pilots and ground crew began to swarm around the newly arrived aircraft, preparing them for service, Bell felt a mix of excitement and responsibility. These machines represented a significant investment and a powerful new capability in the defense of his base.
Suddenly, Amelia handed Bell a helmet, “You’re gonna be flying today, sir.”