Vol 2. Chapter 20: Birth of the Multi-Legged Airborne Unit
At an altitude of 10,000 meters, an airship equipped with six propellers flew steadily. Flanked by two escort crafts, it slowly opened its rear hatch.
When the hatch fully opened, a small parachute was ejected. Attached to the parachute was a 5-meter-long cylinder, which was promptly released into the air. The cylinder, caught by gravity, began its descent.
A second airship followed suit, deploying an identical cylinder.
Once the cylinders were far enough from the aircraft, explosive bolts triggered, jettisoning the outer shells. Inside were bunker-buster bombs, which began their freefall. Stabilizing fins extended as they spun gently, adjusting their trajectory.
Ten seconds into the drop, after their descent paths were confirmed, the rear rocket motors ignited. The rockets burned for approximately 10 seconds, accelerating the bombs to the velocity required for penetration.
The two bunker-buster bombs struck their designated targets with pinpoint accuracy. Their high-strength warheads, designed for penetrating hardened targets, smashed through layers of rock to reach their intended depth.
And then—they exploded.
The massive blast pressure, calculated precisely, blew apart the underground target and forced it to the surface.
The Worm’s Perspective
It lay curled up deep underground, much of its sensory organs destroyed.
The prey it had detected earlier had escaped, evading it in an inexplicable manner. Worse still, its own body had been partially torn away in an attack it couldn’t comprehend.
Driven by instinct, it had retreated into its burrow, keeping perfectly still.