Chapter 64: The Attack of the Giant Worm

"Deploying electromagnetic catapult."

With Ringo’s words, the top hatch of the multi-legged terrestrial mothership on the display opened. Smoothly, a rod-like electromagnetic catapult rose. Approximately 10 meters in length, it stood vertically as a wide-area surveillance drone locked into its launch position.

"Launching wide-area surveillance drone."

With a sharp electromagnetic pulse, the drone accelerated instantly, shooting out of the mothership. As it reached an altitude of about 50 meters, four propellers deployed, and the drone began its search operation.

"Successfully linked with the drone. Displaying tactical map."

Data from the drone was processed by the mothership’s onboard computer to generate a detailed analysis of the surroundings: electromagnetic mapping, temporal analysis, and sonic detection. The target was located 30 meters behind the delegation, directly beneath the road.

"Marking target. Estimated: subterranean worm. Movement speed is decreasing. Detected vibrations are rapidly diminishing. These vibrations are imperceptible to standard human sensory organs. It’s moving underground with almost no detectable digging noise."

"Impressive that we noticed it at all," Eve remarked.

"Yes, Commander Ma’am. We maintained subterranean vibration monitoring via the multi-legged tanks. Although we primarily anticipated detecting approaching footsteps, we didn’t account for worms, which delayed our response. My apologies," Ringo explained.

Ringo’s apology wasn’t necessary. This was an encounter with an unknown creature. The assumption had been that anything moving underground would either move slowly or generate loud noises. The worm’s characteristics defied expectations.

In reality, detecting the worm through such faint vibrations was a stroke of luck.

"Since we weren’t caught off guard, it’s fine. The question is, what do we do next?" Eve said, strategically shifting the focus to reassure Ringo and reinforce confidence.

"Yes, Commander Ma’am. The worm is maintaining its depth and continuing to move. It’s likely to launch a surprise attack from below."

"Waiting for the prey to stop moving before swallowing it whole from beneath? How ruthless."

The worm’s position was now identified, removing the threat of a sudden ambush.

"We currently lack information on how the worm detects its targets—whether through sound, vibration, or something else. However, if we remain stationary, it will have the advantage. Staying here is not a viable option," Ringo noted.

"Should we move? The multi-legged vehicles can handle acceleration, but the carriages can’t speed up quickly," Eve pointed out.

"If necessary, the multi-legged tanks can push the carriages. However, I can’t guarantee the safety of the passengers or cargo."

"Let’s have the mothership secure the carriages. The delegates should disembark and move on foot. They can walk, can’t they?"

"Yes, Commander Ma’am. Proceeding with that plan."

The humanoid mechanical communicators relayed the strategy. The carriages were secured by the mothership’s mechanical arms, with some cargo left behind as a necessary sacrifice. Fortunately, critical items had been stored in the mothership’s cargo hold from the start.

The delegation, consisting of ten people, dismounted. Two horses pulling the carriages and six unmounted individuals moved into position, ready for immediate action. The four mounted guards stayed alert atop their horses.

Although none of the guards had prior experience battling worms, they had heard tales of horses and riders being swallowed whole by sudden attacks from underground.

For now, the worm’s location was clear. It was moving silently but steadily toward the delegation, passing directly beneath the idling MLT-E-012 multi-legged tank, heading straight for the group.

"It seems to be tracking their position. It’s moving directly toward them," Ringo observed.

One humanoid mechanical communicator was deployed as a decoy, but the worm showed no interest in it. Its speed and direction remained unchanged, confirming its focus on the delegation.

"Should we disperse the group?" Eve suggested.

The delegation members were visibly uneasy as the worm approached. Though instructed to stay still, the group’s collective fear was evident in their hesitant steps backward.

"Moving may provoke the worm further. However, staying still isn’t feasible. We’ll evacuate them together for now," Ringo decided.

The delegation began to move, joined by the humanoid mechanical communicator, taking care to avoid making unnecessary noise.

"Movement speed and direction are changing. The worm is clearly tracking the group," Ringo reported.

"Let’s split them into two groups. Have the mounted guards move in one direction and the rest in the other," Eve suggested.

The group was divided: the four mounted guards began moving in one direction while the remaining six individuals and two horses moved in the opposite direction. From the worm’s perspective, the prey had split into two groups.

"The worm has stopped moving. It seems to have detected the split. Let’s have the guards keep moving," Ringo instructed.

The mounted guards continued to move while the others stayed put, ready to run if necessary.

Soon, the worm resumed its movement.

"It’s heading toward the guards. Should we warn them?" Ringo asked.

"Let it follow them," Eve decided.

Ringo relayed instructions through a humanoid mechanical communicator, telling the guards to retreat slowly. If they fled too quickly, the worm might redirect its focus toward the stationary group.

"The worm is increasing its speed. It’s clearly targeting them."

As the guards began to trot, the worm accelerated as well, moving closer to the surface. A humanoid mechanical communicator followed alongside the worm, issuing further instructions to the guards.

"If they flee too directly, they’ll get too far. Have them circle around the multi-legged tank," Eve directed.

"The vibrations are increasing. The digging noise is now audible," Ringo reported.

The low grinding sound became discernible even to those on the ground, accompanied by faint tremors underfoot. The six remaining delegates instinctively huddled closer together.

The mounted guards, now galloping at nearly 50 km/h, found the worm closing the distance at an alarming rate. The ground behind them began to bulge as the worm approached the surface.

"The worm is nearly upon them. It will reach them in ten seconds," Ringo warned.

The worm surged closer, its momentum displacing the earth as its massive form broke through.

A multi-legged tank had already aligned its railgun. The onboard tactical AI recognized this as the perfect opportunity: the worm’s head was exposed, and there was no risk of friendly fire.

The capacitors released their stored energy into the railgun’s barrel, and the projectile, accelerated to 5,000 m/s, erupted from the cannon, trailing plasma as it soared toward the monstrous target.