Chapter 577: New Tactics
Almost in the very next second after the red Unit-01 displayed its terrifying charge capabilities, the ice-blue Unit-03 also sprang into action.
Its movement method was completely different. It did not produce a deafening sonic boom, but its trajectory was even more eerie.
Faint psionic fluctuations rippled across the machine's surface, as if blurring instantly, and in the next moment it appeared dozens of meters away, performing short-distance, high-frequency teleportation-like displacements, unpredictable like a phantom.
This was Rei Ayanami's ultra-high-speed directional shift, achieved by combining micro-manipulations of the A.T. Field with the machine's inherent energy conduction properties.
Meanwhile, the purple Unit-02 demonstrated its outstanding defense and stability.
It did not perform an exaggerated dash, but quickly moved to a simulated complex rocky area.
When the shockwaves and debris kicked up by the red Unit-01's high-speed maneuvers swept over, an invisible field seemed to appear around the purple Unit-02's body, deflecting and absorbing the vast majority of the impacts and shrapnel. It stood steadfast, providing a stable sanctuary for any potential allied forces.
The three EVA-Titans, using three completely different yet complementary methods, thoroughly displayed their mobility, defense, and tactical versatility to the Steel Hound Legion, far surpassing the Imperium's conventional understanding.
Princeps Olaf opened his mouth wide, speechless for a long time.
His previous fanaticism was based on his yearning for the Titan god-machines, but now, that fanaticism had turned into tangible shock and... a trace of bewilderment.
With such mobility and explosive power, how were the Titans and Knights of their Steel Hound Legion supposed to coordinate with them?
Traditional escort formations and crossfire networks seemed clunky and sluggish in the face of such high-speed engagements and disengagements.
The Knights of the Household Guard felt even more at a loss.
Their duty was to escort the Titans and clear any approaching threats.
But if the threat approached from the flanks or even the rear at supersonic speeds, how were they supposed to react?
The communication channel was dead silent, save for the occasional calm tactical exchanges from within the EVA squad.
At the base command center, Ryo (second avatar) looked at the footage and data transmitted back by the sensors, as well as the near-frozen reaction from the Steel Hound Legion, and knew the purpose of the demonstration had been achieved.
This was exactly the effect he wanted—not simply "powerful," but "subversively" powerful.
Only by demonstrating performance sufficient to overturn existing tactical systems could he truly garner the serious attention of the Collegia Titanica's highest echelons.
"Demonstration complete." Asuka's voice sounded again, carrying a hint of relaxation after finishing a performance. The red Unit-01 had returned to its starting position like a phantom, as if its sprint that shattered physical limits had never happened.
Princeps Olaf took a deep breath, trying hard to calm the stormy waves in his heart, and responded in as steady a tone as possible: "...Received. Thank you... for your side's spectacular demonstration."
He paused and added, "We... need a little time to reassess and adjust the subsequent joint training plans."
He had to admit that the Steel Hound Legion needed time to digest this shock that far exceeded their expectations.
During the brief break, the atmosphere in the Steel Hound Legion's temporary command center was heavy.
The Tech-Priests were busy analyzing the massive data streams they had just recorded, trying to understand the principles behind the EVA-Titans' common-sense-defying maneuverability.
Princeps Olaf, meanwhile, was in emergency consultations with several veteran Princeps and Household Guard captains.
"This kind of mobility... completely shatters our existing tactical framework," a Warhound-class Titan Princeps said with a heavy tone. "Our fire control targeting systems are optimized for dealing with equally cumbersome targets. Facing units capable of instantly breaking the sound barrier and performing ultra-high-speed maneuvers, both locking on and predictive shooting become extremely difficult."
A Household Guard captain chimed in, "It's even more so for our Knight mechs. The premise of an escort mission is being able to keep up with the rhythm of the escorted target. Right now... we can't even catch their exhaust dust, how can we talk about escorting them?"
Olaf rubbed his temples; how could he not know this? "But Magos Ryo's agreement to participate in this training has an obvious intent. It is not to humiliate us, but to demonstrate value and seek deeper cooperation. We must find a way to coordinate with them, or at the very least, understand their tactical value and integrate it into our strategic considerations."
The dilemma they faced was very real.
Imperial Titans, as mobile fortresses and ultimate ground firepower platforms, built their combat doctrines upon relatively stable frontlines and highly layered firepower distribution.
The "assassin-like" ultra-high mobility and explosive power displayed by the EVA-Titans was a missing link that practically didn't exist in current Titan tactical manuals.
After the break, the training resumed.
Princeps Olaf attempted to propose some new collaborative concepts. For instance, having the EVA-Titans use their high mobility for frontline reconnaissance, rapid flanking harassment, or "decapitation" strikes against high-value enemy targets, while the Titan Legion acted as a stable firepower fulcrum and a core to draw enemy fire.
However, in actual execution, the difficulties were still overwhelming.
When the EVA-Titans wove back and forth across the battlefield at extremely high speeds, the Titans' fire support often became restrained out of fear of friendly fire.
Communication coordination also encountered issues. The EVA-Titans' maneuver rhythm was too fast; the transmission speed of traditional tactical commands sometimes couldn't keep up with the changing battlefield conditions.
In one simulated confrontation, the red Unit-01 instantly "destroyed" the rear weak point of a Warhound Titan acting as the imaginary enemy with a classic sonic strike. The entire process took less than five seconds.
Meanwhile, the other Titan and Knight squad acting as friendly forces hadn't even had time to adjust their guns.
On the training ground, the EVA-Titans were like three lethal sharks cruising through a sea of sand, while the Steel Hound Legion's Titans and Knights were like lumbering but heavily armed giant whales. Although both sides were drilling on the same field, it was as if they existed in two different dimensions of space and time.
Frustration spread within the Steel Hound Legion.
But they were, after all, experienced Imperial elites. After the initial shock and discomfort, a new understanding gradually began to take shape.
"Perhaps... we shouldn't insist on making them adapt to us," Princeps Olaf proposed a different perspective during yet another tactical discussion. "What we should consider is how to integrate this unprecedented mobility and assault capability into our larger tactical system."
He pulled up the training records and pointed at the red Unit-01's successful "decapitation" instance: "Look here. What if we treat the EVA-Titans as independent special strike units with extremely high autonomy, rather than traditional Titans that require tight escort? We leave them responsible for tearing open enemy lines at critical moments, paralyzing command nodes, or hunting high-threat targets. Meanwhile, our Titan Legion focuses on frontal suppression warfare, drawing in and destroying the enemy's main forces. Would this be feasible?"
This idea enlightened everyone.
Yes, rather than forcefully cramming the EVA-Titans into existing, unsuitable tactical boxes, it was better to tailor-make new tactical roles for them.
They weren't battleships meant to line up and fire broadsides, but super cruisers that came and went like the wind, or even lethal torpedo boats.
Subsequent training began to revolve around this new train of thought.
The Steel Hound Legion no longer attempted to "coordinate" with the EVA-Titans' high mobility. Instead, they shifted to practicing how to create opportunities for their assaults, how to exploit the chaos they caused to expand battle results, and how to provide solid follow-up support after they completed their lethal strikes.
Although building synergy still required time, with the right direction, the effects were entirely different.
The terrifying performance of the EVA-Titans gradually transformed from a headache-inducing "trouble" into an exhilarating "sharp weapon."
In the base command center, Ryo (second avatar) observed the shift in the training progress and gave a slight nod.
The Steel Hound Legion's ability to quickly adjust their mindset was a very good thing.
This meant they had truly recognized the core value of the EVA-Titans: not as substitutes for Titans, but as a powerful supplement and force multiplier to the existing Titan Legion system.
This was precisely the effect he had wanted to achieve.