Chapter 26: Deploying Troops
In the current stage, where they lacked the ability to produce firearms, cold weapons were the only type of weapon that could rapidly increase their combat strength and be manufactured in a short period.
’I have to rely on cold weapons to protect the 10 key bases, the main base, and the railway lines. I’ll use them to buy time until I can develop firearms!’
’Against so many of these strange birds, only firearms offered any chance of victory!’
At Li Qingsong’s command, all steel produced by the steel mill with the high hardness and toughness ideal for making cold weapons was immediately requisitioned. It was then urgently transported to the metal fabrication plant.
Thousands of Clones, who had been performing other tasks, broke into a run. With solemn expressions, they rushed into the metal foundry and went directly to their workstations.
Production began at once.
The vast array of metalworking equipment roared to life. Amid the ear-piercing screeches of cutting and grinding, the very first long saber was produced in just one hour.
The saber was approximately 70 centimeters long and 6 centimeters wide. It had a slight curve and a sharp edge, making it ideal for cleaving.
The appearance of the first saber was like the flip of a switch. The production line began to pour out one saber after another in a steady stream.
An hour later, 200 sabers were complete.
Small transport trucks pulled up, whisking the sabers away to the front line at top speed.
Two hundred Clones tossed aside their steel pipes and immediately armed themselves with the sabers.
Li Qingsong felt a slight sense of relief.
’At least they have proper weapons now.’
’But this small number is clearly not enough.’
’No matter. More factories are already producing other types of weapons.’
In a factory that had been urgently repurposed to produce shields, hundreds of Clones stood before the equipment, operating it without a moment’s rest.
One moment, steel was heated to the perfect temperature; the next, it was hammered into shape by forging equipment; the moment after, it was already on to the next stage of processing.
In that moment, the hundreds of Clones seemed to move as one. Under their control, the production line itself appeared to gain a life of its own, operating with incredible fluidity.
And so, shields were produced in a continuous stream. Likewise, in just one hour, 200 shields were completed and shipped directly to the front.
Other factories were producing long spears, daggers, knee and elbow guards, gauntlets, and body armor, all operating at full capacity.
At this point, there was clearly not enough time to produce Space Suits with adequate protection. That being the case, they could only manufacture external armor pieces and make do for the time being.
In that instant, the hundreds of factories in the main base were all linked. Over ten thousand Clones, moving as extensions of his own body, threw themselves into their work under Li Qingsong’s complete control. Their coordination was seamless, and their efficiency peaked.
In just two days, a total of 4,000 sets of combat gear—enough to equip all the combat personnel in the main base—were delivered to the front and donned by every combat Clone.
Further production continued without any pause.
’Just producing 4,000 sets isn’t enough. I need to produce 10,000, 20,000 sets, to arm the Clones in the other bases as well.’
’Even that won’t be enough. I need to produce 100,000, even 150,000 sets, so that all reserve Clones will have gear ready the moment they’re activated.’
’And I also have to account for equipment wear and replacements.’
’In that case, I’ll produce 200,000 sets!’
Hundreds of massive factories roared day and night. Tens of thousands of Clones bustled between their workstations and the communal dormitories. Steel mills, power plants, chemical plants, agricultural bases...
Every single factory comprising the main base had been fully mobilized by Li Qingsong, each one joining the war preparations.
After the equipment for the main base’s combat personnel was ready, trains roared to life, beginning to transport gear to the 10 core mining bases.
In addition to cold weapons, there was also a small amount of explosives.
They were originally meant for industrial construction, but there was no time to be particular. They had to be repurposed for the coming fight.
Under these circumstances, in just four days, 8,000 Clones had been armed.
It was at this moment that the Clones, who had been sent out as scouts to monitor the nearby flocks of strange birds, finally returned with bad news.
The flocks of strange birds were moving slowly, foraging as they advanced. And as fate would have it, they were heading directly toward his base cluster.
’Or perhaps they were attracted by the large amount of complex organic matter concentrated here at the bases?’
Li Qingsong didn’t know for sure. ’But it doesn’t matter. They were going to come eventually, anyway.’
The total number of strange birds in these flocks was estimated to be over 70,000. Furthermore, they were approaching from all directions. It was projected that in a short while, all 11 of his key bases, including the main base, would face the birds’ assault.
Copper Mine Base No. 1, located on the cluster’s outermost perimeter, was especially vulnerable. A flock of the strange birds was projected to arrive there in just five hours!
"Five hours? That’s enough!"
Armed with this latest intelligence, Li Qingsong once again began deploying his forces.
At that moment, Copper Mine Base No. 1 had only 500 fully armed Clones. Facing over 10,000 strange birds approaching from that direction, this was clearly insufficient.
The main base had plenty of Clones, but only 5,000 complete sets of gear.
Li Qingsong immediately dispatched 3,000 Clones. They boarded a train with food, oxygen, water, and other supplies, heading straight for Copper Mine Base No. 1.
Meanwhile, with the initial emergency production run complete, Li Qingsong finally had some breathing room. He took half of the remaining armed Clones at the main base—1,000 in total—and had them begin sparring drills on the desolate, silent surface of Ceres.
This wasn’t a true fight to the death, of course, only a drill. The Clones were programmed to stop immediately if they truly endangered their opponent’s life.
Through these 500 sparring pairs, Li Qingsong tested a wide variety of tactics and defensive maneuvers: the attackers’ cleaves, slashes, and thrusts; the defenders’ parries and shield blocks; and the fluid transitions between every action.
A massive amount of combat data was rapidly generated and collated in Li Qingsong’s mind. Then, through his control, this knowledge was instantly transmitted to every single Clone.
Simultaneously, Li Qingsong mobilized the other 1,000 Clones, divided them into two teams of 500, and initiated group combat drills.
He used this opportunity to experiment with various group tactics as well, such as having one team specialize in defense while the other focused solely on offense.