At least two distinct types of Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) have been seen coming from the antithesis. These are the broad, flat jamming of all communication on all spectrum, and a more focused and targeted image and detector spoofing.
It’s unclear how the spoofing works, whether they are able to interpret and rebroadcast signals or if they are using some kind of remote electronic action. Investigations into some instances where a spoofing occurred have found faint traces of antithesis-related material deep in the electronics. These ‘spores,’ for want of a better word, seem to react to signals from the antithesis, often a Model Twelve or higher, to reprogram the device to show something other than the antithesis.
Distance does affect the targeted spoofing, but we have seen examples at ranges that seem improbable for getting the ‘spores’ to the device. For example, electronics fresh off the factory floor and new to the region have been spoofed at multiple-kilometer distances. Yet no instance of spoofing has been found in satellite images.
As disturbing as the spoofing is, broad and area denial of communications in general can be a greater threat. Disruption of the ability for electronics to access off-site support and prevention of even basic communication like audio phone calls can cause as much or more damage as finding a surprise strike at your doorstep.
In order to block any FHSS-type signal, all of the bands used by that device must be blocked. Otherwise, it will just work around the noise. That is what the protocols are designed to do. The power needed to broadcast scrambling signals on that large a spread simultaneously and to focus that effect on a specific area is astounding.
Further research into both of these methods is vital to finding ways to circumvent the neutralization of our technological advantages.
--An analysis of antithese Electro-Magnetic Interference, National Institute of Standards and Technology white paper, 2055
***
“Something wrong, Captain?” I asked quietly. “You’ve been staring at the valley for a long time.”
“CILS update showed the force in the valley down there. We should be able to see it. But I can’t find any signs of it. The vegetation is high, but not enough to hide anything in the tens.”
I peered down into the valley, a distance of 5 or more kilometers. Stretching the focus in my new eyes, I caught a slight sense of motion near one of the roads. I scanned away and returned, and the tiny dots had moved.
“They’re there,” I said. “See the red house with the metal roof? Down to the right of it is the intersection. They are starting to cross it.” I described a spot a couple kilometers west of us. “It looks like we’re ahead of them.”
He lifted his field glasses again, a wide rectangular block with tiny holes on each end. “I see the house and the intersection, but there’s no antithesis; nothing’s moving.”
“Are those digital?” I asked.
“Yes. Standard issue thirty-power magnification with automatic removal of the wind disturbance and image stabilization.”
--Maybe if you wanted to repair the screen. Otherwise you’d just end up focusing on the diodes of the screen.
--Basic ones would be 1 point. For another point, I can bolt on some image stabilization and zoom capabilities.
A pair of binoculars dropped into my hand. These had the classic look with two barrels combining into a single central housing. With the extra magnification I could see the wavy distortion from the breeze blowing. I ignored the distraction while I watched the back of a bear-sized M-5 push through the brush. Behind it, a much larger model stepped over the same bush like it wasn’t there.
From the size and the large double bulbous body, I identified the Model Twelve. Its second abdomen pulsed with glowing light in bright greens and yellows.
“Twelve,” I said. “And its EMI is active.”
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“That explains it. The bastards are jamming my glasses. That will be your highest priority if we have to fight them. We can handle the smaller models and even the M-6s, but those big boys are out of our league.”
I continued to scan the valley. “Would you rather I do the M-12 first? Or the M-14? I see at least one of those too.”
“Both. The Fourteen, if you can get it before it unloads. Otherwise the Twelve first. Intel said there’s only a couple of them.”
In the back of my mind, a couple of facts trickled out of the behavior trainer. “With the M-12’s running their ECM, it will slow them down. They use up a lot of energy to project it, especially this far, and they’ll have to stop and eat more often.”
“We’re not here to stop them unless they go into the gap. And we’re almost there, so that isn’t going to be a problem. Can those big white drones you’ve been launching go out there?”
--The Albatross has enough range to fly back to Portland on its own. It is designed for long-range patrols.
“Yes. Yours can’t?”
“I think they could do it, except for the range limiters. Some territorial BS with the Air Force. Can you keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t turn?”
I checked with Tara. [“I can’t see them; they are jamming me too. However, they do leave tracks and debris behind. Their trail shouldn’t be hard to follow. That should be as good as seeing them straight.”]
I passed this on to the captain, and he grimaced in response. “It’s the best we can do. We’ll muddle along.”
At this point one of the decurions reported that everyone was ready to head out, and we started the last push to the gap.
Some geologic process had lifted the ridge around the Chehalis River, leaving two deep cuts as it ran first north into a valley, then east along the southern edge, then south again through the same ridge. The nearer, and narrower, of the two passes was our destination, south of the abandoned town of Doty. The cut, which narrowed to 140 meters at the narrowest, held the river, two roads, and a former railway turned walking path. As a choke point, it was ideal. Our mission was to make sure the antithesis did not find it until the main army could get in place.
The captain had us set up north of the valley entrance where the trees stopped and the open fields began. Within minutes, firing positions were drawn out, and trenching tools sent the rich soil flying. I consulted with the captain about how he wanted the defenses and soon added ninety points to the mix.
I was warned not to use anything too permanent since the defensive line would move once the rest of the army arrived. But razor wire was cheap in bulk and effective on the smaller models. To this I added a cheap bot that used a monofilament line to clear brush from lines of fire and a dozen Kentrosaur barricades, the longer but less flexible brother of the Stegosaur. Finally, a few dozen triggered triplines added some spice to the field, and we were ready.
Soon the main troop settled into a watchful silence while one squad and the brushbot started clearing firing positions that the main army would need when they arrived. About thirty minutes after settling in, Carlson suddenly sat up and turned to stare behind us.
I soon heard the engines of heavy trucks revving down to a stop, followed by a dozen flatbed semis loaded with construction machinery in army colors. The tractors spewed out a bundle of troopers, one of whom came up to Carlson. Curious, I drifted back to hear the conversation.
“The commander didn’t see any reason to hold us back, so here we are. The main force won’t be here for four or five hours, though a few will straggle in ahead of that.” The newcomer had a centurion’s insignia beside the combat engineer’s corp patch, which meant she was not in the direct chain of command. Her nameplate said Morris. “I have to say you did pick us a good spot and have a good defense already started. Are the hillsides cleared?”
“I’ve had a patrol pass through recently.” He glanced to the side middle distance for a second. “And the drone sweeps show it clear too. Do you want a fire team escort while you survey?”
“No, our surveys won’t go out that far, and we’ve our personals.” With that, she moved off, calling her people to action.
[“I’m starting to lose drones. They come back after a bit, but I'm afraid of losing one permanently. It’s time to buy the communications bot,”] Tara said in the conference.
[“I’m not sure about that,”] Ginny said. [“The ones dropping are in the middle of the valley.”] She had been monitoring most of the CILS chats along with helping Tara monitor the video feeds for signs of antithesis. [“And I’m worried that the Albatross that’s looking for their trail hasn’t found any traces in quite a while.”]
[“You think it’s the Anti’s doing this?”] I subvocalized.
[“I don’t know, but the company’s drone-ops chat just blew up with reports of dropped connections too. Would the signal drops we talked about also affect them?”] Ginny asked.
[“No, it wouldn’t,”] Corie said. [“Range drops happen due to the terrain, the distance between transmitters, and atmospheric conditions. Since the company’s drones are all under local control, those don’t apply.”]
[“Buy the command drone. We’ll need it for charging anyway, and the higher signal strength might burn through the jamming, right?”]
[“It certainly won’t hurt it. Purchase coming in now.”]
I’d already bought the Class I General Drones catalog when I bought the brush bot; all we needed was the master drone itself. That didn’t stop me from wincing when I saw my points drop almost to where I’d started the day.
"Purchased: Emerson & Yant Roving Inductance Engine (E.Y.R.I.E.), Mk IV, Drone Master with AI
Cost: 600 Remaining points: 1,275”
The new drone looked like a large bulldog without a head. Kaitlyn had described it as a brain-devouring alien in a popular tabletop game so restricted by copyright controls that it can’t even be named anymore.
I looked at its four short, stubby legs and had to ask. [“Corie? Will this thing be able to keep up with me?”]
[“It’s flexible enough to handle most terrain, but might struggle once in a while. Fortunately, it has a convenient carrying handle.”]
[“Please let out a couple of Chibats. I’ll need them to help fill in while the Dragonflies charge. That will also let them sync up with the controller at the same time. The Albatross can sync on the wing.”] Tara started cycling the Dragonflies through the process of connecting them to the EYRIE.