Full Metal Panic!
Chapter One
Focal Point
By Steve Edward
Based on the original story by Shouji Gatou and the original animation series by Fumihiko Shimo, Koichi Chigira, and Shouji Gatou, which these creative geniuses made Kaname Chidori, Sergeant Sousuke Sagara among the many in Full Metal Panic! come to life.
Author's note: TDD-2 does not exist in the current Full Metal Panic! universe, however if the name sounds familiar it is of a real person but who is no longer amongst us in our world. TDD-2 named after famed military historian and author Samuel Eliot Morison (1887-1976) whose military books among others chronicled military history of many nations.
Monday, 0900 Hours Local, TDD-2 Samuel Eliot Morison, Eastern Pacific Ocean
Except for the slight electronic noise coming from the various control stations of the submarine's bridge there was little small talk, which suited Lieutenant Alice Wren currently the Officer of the Deck with Lieutenant Marcy Takenaka as Diving Officer.
It had been two years since the Morison had last sailed the depths of the Pacific Ocean, transferred to the Atlantic for duty with Mithril forces located there; Morison had conducted numerous operations with great success until a mission near Portugal turned disastrous.
The commanding officer of the Morison, Captain Andrew Simms had risked his life to extract his combat team, which had been deployed to destroy a major drug lab. The lab turned out to be nothing more than a baited trap for the Mithril team, setup by a mysterious organization named Venom.
During the extraction operation, Captain Simms' forced to exposed the Morison to hostile enemy fire was gravely wounded; however he maintained his exposed position on the sail personally directing the Morison's return fire until all his combat units were recovered. Barely alive when Morison dived, Lieutenant Wren had found him at the base of the sail holding the auto-lock lever for the access hatch above.
It took the muscle of Sergeant Troy Gallium the ship's Master-At-Arms; to break the captain's near death grip on the handle itself to get him to sickbay and emergency surgery performed by Doctor George Albert.
The Morison returned to its operational base in Newfoundland where repairs and the healing began for ship and crew alike; and now eight months later the Samuel Eliot Morison renewed, stronger, better armed and upgraded cruised at 900 meters as her captain crossed the threshold of the bridge and the electronic yet near human voice of TDD-2's main computer announced his presence.
"Captain on the Bridge."
Captain Andrew Simms made quick observations of the various stations as he passed then taking his command chair, and logging into his own command center focused on Lieutenant Wren.
"Officer of the Deck, status report."
"On ordered course of Two-Eight-Five Degrees True, checking magnetic Two-Eight-Eight, depth Nine-Zero-Zero meters, speed One-Five knots. No current contacts, communications board is clear. Tactical board operational test conducted satisfactorily with Merida Island at 0800 hours per orders; test satisfactory."
"Very well, Lieutenant. Helm, how is she handling in the softer waters of the Pacific?"
Petty Officer Kayla Carter, the submarine's helmsperson and part-time organ player made a minor adjustment then without taking her eyes off the helm.
"Like an angel that she is sir."
The comment bringing forth a few chuckles, a reminder of sorts when the Samuel Eliot Morison had returned to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean for the first time since repairs had been completed; the submarine behaved nothing like an angel during the first shakedown. New control systems, more powerful propulsion system the props now a double counter-rotating system had created unexpected side effects with the elevation control systems.
Thankfully the submarine had no combat equipment onboard as it had unexpectedly corkscrewed during the first sea trials. Captain Simms firmly belted into his command chair, and despite his wounds he was still recovering from had coolly with the unladylike utterances from Petty Officer Carter regained control of Morison and unceremoniously bottomed the boat hard until the command and control system could properly be programmed.
Four sea trials later, the Morison was finally determined ready for sea operations. As for the combat team headed by Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu, she had put the combat team through a series of training scenarios to help keep their edge. It was her leadership that the team lost no one, but she had continued blaming herself on several occasions for the injuries sustained by her captain.
Simms, after watching another successful training scenario completed on the windswept tundra of the base had approached the Sergeant-Major and put to rest of any blame she held. It had boosted the morale considerably when he had climbed the exterior of Ensign Aryl's Arbalest with only one good arm as his left shoulder still confined to a restrictive sling could not be used.
Though his "stunt" worked to improve the morale, Doctor George Albert rolled his eyes and promptly put the still recovering captain on restrictive movement under the rather over watchful eye of the Morison's Master-At-Arms. Commander Drake Ward who had given up trying to "control" Andrew's movements gave a sigh of relief and turned his attention to more important matters.
Commander Drake Ward held the bridge access door open for Ensign Aryl to pass with her serving tray, then following in her footsteps joined Captain Simms; standing just to the rear of the command chair as Ensign Aryl setting the serving tray into a swivel mount next to a console locked it into place.
"Captain, your morning coffee as you prefer it sir."
Accepting the battered mug, Captain Simms nodded his thanks.
Monday, 1300 Hours Local, Merida Island Mithril Western Pacific Combat Support Base
Ignoring the visiting "brass" in the distance, Lieutenant Kaname Chidori brought up the Morison's last position and noting the estimated arrival of the submarine then closing the workstation and rising to leave was halted by the visiting "brass", General Voda.
"Lieutenant is there a reason for you to know the status of TDD-2?"
Beside General Voda, the overall commander of the Mithril Pacific Fleet Captain Teletha Testarossa Chidori's commanding officer briefly twisted her braided hair in thought.
"She is assisting the supply department and due to time constraints with final load out requirements is authorized such access to coordinate final consignments to the Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2."
General Voda looked closely at Captain Testarossa then without further word strolled off with his aide de camp and trailed by Commander Richard Mardukas headed for the exit of the command center.
"I know you are anxious to see them all again Kaname, but General Voda is still sensitive to information about the movements of either Tuatha de Danaan or Samuel Eliot Morison; especially after the Portugal incident. Try to be less conspicuous next time."
Leaving Lieutenant Chidori behind, Captain Testarossa nearly tripped as she hurried after General Voda's party as they waited at the command center exit. Commander Mardukas caught her in mid-stumble, before the captain actually fell. Commander Lewis Strong waiting till the door closed and electronically locked glanced at Kaname.
"It's tough being separated for the length of time from Alice, Ensign Aryl and the rest of them too. But the general has every right to be nervous about the Morison's status after all it was a member of his personal staff that had leaked information about the boat to Venom. I'll keep you posted on where she is so next time just give me a call okay?"
Lieutenant Kaname Chidori saluting quickly turned and left the command center but headed for a different destination than that of General Voda who was on an unannounced inspection tour of Mithril facilities in the Pacific; however Commander Strong strongly suspected that General Voda was on Merida Island to provide a personal explanation to Captain Simms as to his staff's involvement in the failed Portugal mission that had nearly cost Andrew his life. But why had he waited so long and had never traveled to Newfoundland to speak directly with the captain or any of his crew? Lewis perplexed at what was taking place would have to wait just like everyone else for TDD-2 to arrive.
"The morning drill looked good Sagara, break the equipment down and return to storage then take the afternoon off and stay out of sight, we got high level brass here today."
Saluting Sergeant-Major Mao, Sergeant Sousuke Sagara known as Mithril Agent Urzu 7 quickly set about following orders in complete silence and returned the backpack and its associated gear to the issuing quartermaster who never tried to pick up the pack himself but summoned a forklift. Walking off, Sousuke did not hear the quartermaster's comment.
"The last time Urzu 7 brought a pack back, we had to do an inventory on it. It had twice the stuff that it went out with."
The forklift driver about to lift the pallet containing the backpack had second thoughts, and slowly removed his hands from the lift lever and then exiting the machine stooped to examine the neat and too clean backpack.
"I think you better call the munitions guys, while you are at it. Better do the inventory, with them here."
Both men had experience with Sergeant Sagara and neither wanted a repeat of past inventories.
Monday, 1400 Hours Local, TDD-2 Samuel Eliot Morison, Eastern Pacific Ocean
Doctor George Albert moved the magnifying glass slowly and deliberately across the X-Ray that was of Captain Andrew Simms' left shoulder. Each bright object on the X-Ray represented a customized piece of titanium holding bone, skin and muscle to what was left of the captain's original shoulder.
Adding notes to the medical PDA, Albert made one last observation; then snapping off examination light turned to his patient.
"Doctor Titleman, the orthopedic surgeon who did the last handiwork is about the best as they come. One thing I keep stressing Andrew is that there will be no next time if you are hit in that area as bad as you were the last time. Considering how much metal there is in there, you are your own shrapnel generator so remember that."
Andrew, feeling a slight twinge as he put on his dress shirt and buttoning turned to the mirror.
"How many times have you said that very same thing, I have lost count but I will keep that in mind. Your close attention to detail at Plate Number Two was noted, is there something wrong there?"
"Plate Two is the support for your shoulder and it is anchored by two rods that go to the hip. I want to make sure the healing is going along as planned and we follow through with the rehabilitation program; which by the way you are now due at the gymnasium for your session."
Leaving sickbay, Simms headed forward to his cabin passing members of his crew going about on his or her business. Though not required, the crewpersons he passed acknowledged him with snap salutes and he in turn returned them; meeting the eyes of each man or woman.
It was because of them he was still here, the crew had refused to give up on him and he had refused to give up on them.
Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu hand picked by Captain Simms to be the Morison's Combat Team Leader had never envisioned that she would be having a hand in assisting with the rehabilitation of her own commanding officer to recover from his injuries.
Her background before becoming an elite combat specialist had been in the medical field of rehabilitation; drawing on her experience she had been instrumental in bringing Captain Simms to a level of using his shoulder and arm to nearly ninety percent full recovery. However Andrew, was not satisfied, and was pushing himself past that mark hence the continued visits to Doctor Albert.
The access door opened then closed, the footsteps she long ago memorized approached then she turned and bowed briefly in greeting.
Dressed in the appropriate workout attire, Captain Simms returned the greeting then taking his usual position on the table waited for Wu to begin the warm up massage to loosen tight muscle and the scar tissue within his body.
"Let's try for ninety-two percent today Wu."
Wu paused her hands gently feeling the support rods holding Plate Two in position then resumed as she lifted the elbow and watching Andrew's reaction.
"Let's try for ninety-one percent instead."
Continuing to lift the elbow until meeting resistance, Wu with nearly imperceptible movements keep the pressure ongoing when Andrew involuntarily shivered.
"Your goal is ninety-two percent captain and it has been meet with my personal reservations. I will continue for nineteen additional cycles at which time we stop and change positions to massage the area with heat."
"Duly noted sergeant, let's get on with it."
Ensign Aryl had been observing from an alcove, and tried to back quietly away but she backed into someone. Seeing the insignia and khaki uniform, she knew without asking whom it was.
"I suppose you have been doing this quit often enough without getting caught till now."
Chief Engineer Major Azura Roux holding onto the right shoulder of Ensign Aryl to steady her stepped aside and about to follow instead came face to face with the Executive Officer, Commander Drake Ward.
Ward holding a communication tablet looking past Roux did not question her presence or that of Aryl instead taking one last look at the tablet.
"Major, bring both reactors to full power and prepare for high speed maneuvers in thirty minutes."
Stepping past Major Roux, Commander Ward walked towards Captain Simms and waited as Wu completed the last cycle before interrupting.
Sweating profusely from the stress and pain, Simms came upright shakily with Wu's assistance as he accepted the message tablet and scrolling through the content screen, gave pause as he absorbed the new orders.
"Divert to Guam, max speed authorized. Further orders soon. Secretary sends, and not even relayed through Merida Island, our command base. What just does that gal think who she is?"
Accepting the tablet back and sending the message to the memory core of the Morison's mainframe, Commander Ward laid the tablet aside.
"The Secretary-General of Mithril, the boss of all our bosses. I have ordered Major Roux to bring both reactors to full power and prepare for high speed maneuvers."
As he laid back down and turning onto his stomach, each turn painful, Captain Simms angling his head to see his executive officer.
"Yeah she is the boss, but without informing the command base of her orders that raises questions. As soon as we have altered course and are at max speed send one time cipher directly to Sec-Gen; inquiry for the number in her party if possible and the destination she so desires."
Commander Ward making no notes, committed the orders to memory then with a sharp salute did an about face. Wu, returning to the task at hand silently pondered the implications of having the Secretary-General of Mithril onboard; was she coming to see her captain on how well his recovery was progressing or was she here for something else.
Monday, 1600 Hours, Dadi Beach, Island of Guam
With the exception of one other human and a machine the Secretary-General, Natalya Samoan-Rutherford lounging on the beach who at age 40 shouldered tremendous responsibilities was relaxed despite what hung over her. The young man with the nearly white hair in his late teens stood relaxed.
"Your request sent directly to Morison instead of Merida will arouse suspicions even with my own sister, and she will see through any ruse."
"I expect no less, it is her nature."
Alastor, the sole machine that stood silent watch shifted position and what passed for its head rotated towards Leonard.
"Receiving one-time pad code addressed to Secretary-General Samoan-Rutherford, decoding per prior permission."
"He is not one to wait."
"No he is not Leonard, might as well inform him of our pickup point as we should request direct helicopter pickup. If you will have Alastor to do the honors, then we can get to relaxing before our more difficult work begins."
Monday, 1830 Hours Local, TDD-2 Samuel Eliot Morison, Pacific Ocean
Considering the time constraints that he was working under, the ship and crew alike were performing superbly; Captain Simms gave thought to Captain Testarossa finding out just how much faster her improved design could go.
The Morison had remained surfaced, using ECS systems to mask its presence. Relegated to remaining on the bridge, Captain Simms monitored the surface situation visually with the main scope; doing both high and low power sweeps. Lieutenant Marcy Takenaka had taken the watch position on the sail, monitoring the sky both near and far for aircraft. So far it had remained peaceful, as the Morison's SRT were away to escort the Secretary-General and her company back.
"Top Shelf, Big Book One. Two paperbacks and one hardcover safely onboard, ETA 10 minutes."
Lieutenant Alice Wren reviewed the status boards, and then with a nod from Simms turned her attention to the monitor reporting the status of Big Book One.
"This is Top Shelf, roger on traffic maintain current profile, will turn into the wind in 5 minutes. Mark."
With a stopwatch now running the minutes and seconds downward, a digital timer flashed into existence matching the stopwatch second by second. Captain Simms concentrating on the surface stopped his sweep.
"Mark! Bearing, Range and Speed."
In the technical sense, Captain Simms was the senior officer however Lieutenant Wren was the Officer of the Deck. Ensign Aryl, the targeting computer reader had matched the captain's near silent step for step her eyes locked on the readouts.
"Two-Three-Five degrees true, range Seven-Five-Hundred, speed 7 knots!"
"Officer of the Deck, starting plot. Targeting scopes uncaged and spooling."
Captain Simms with Ensign Aryl preparing firing solutions as Lieutenant Takenaka keyed his microphone.
"Visual signal with Big Book One acquired, recommend turning into the wind for recovery."
Captain Simms checking the threat boards himself gave a nod to Wren.
"Helm, come right Three-Zero-Five. Fire Control what will that do to our unexpected visitor?"
Ensign Aryl picked up a slide ruler ran a calculation and verified the results with the updated computer data; in all less than five seconds had passed.
"Will open the contact, now evaluated non-hostile as simple fisherman. CPA has passed and distance increasing. Recommend recovery procedures at your discretion."
Big Book One, a Sikorsky S-92 Model J Super Hawks Heavy Lift and Transport deactivated its onboard ECS as TDD-2 under the orders of Lieutenant Wren settled into the wind for a quick recovery. From the time the aircraft landed to the main launch bay doors closed and pressurized for diving less than 2 minutes had passed.
In the main hanger, Commander Drake Ward waited as the elevator bearing the helicopter settled to a stop and the doors opened to allow the tow tractor to pass trough with its burden.
Deck crewmen moving quickly, secured the aircraft to the deck as the deck itself imperceptivity tilted indicating nearly 490,000 shaft horsepower had kicked in and driving the submarine beneath the surface.
Approaching the aircraft-loading ramp, Drake stopping short and taking in what stood amongst the Morison's Special Response Team and the Secretary-General saluted, watching the machine's reaction to his movements.
"Madam Secretary-General, welcome to the Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2. I am Commander Drake Ward, executive officer."
Aided by Leonard Testarossa as she descended the ramp, Secretary-General Samoan-Rutherford
paused momentarily before stepping off the ramp.
"Permission to come aboard sir."
The Secretary-General following time honored tradition of boarding naval vessel's flashed a brief smile.
"Permission granted, Madam Secretary-General."
"Is Captain Simms preoccupied Commander?"
"Attention on deck! Captain in the hanger!"
Simms despite his lack of long stride covered the distance quickly, his gaze though was focused not on the Secretary-General; but her mechanical consort.
"Carry On!"
Captain Simms barking out the command, his pace slowing slightly. At a near trot, Ensign Aryl paced her captain and she too was studying the machine as it stepped down onto the hanger deck of Morison.
"I see your curiosity is as high as ever Andrew."
"Natalya, you gift for bring surprises is what keeps me on edge. Ensign Aryl see to the Secretary-General and escort her to quarters, we will have a late dinner at 1930 hours."
Ensign Aryl saluting turned and facing Secretary-General Samoan-Rutherford; gesturing towards the hanger exit to the living quarters section.
"Madam Secretary-General, if you please."
"One moment if you please Ensign, Andrew the machine is called Alastor and the young man with me is its creator, Leonard Testarossa. Alastor carries a message for you and you alone. Please accept the memory chip, it will explain everything fully."
As if on cue, Alastor stepped forward and withdrew from a side compartment that had remain concealed until now the memory chip and deftly handed it to Captain Simms. Then moving off slowly it aligned itself with the "parked" M9's then settled itself into rest position and powered down without a sound.
Leonard Testarossa taking in his sister's creation for a moment and then turning to face Commander Ward.
"Should I go with you sir?"
"Of course this way, your luggage will follow."
Simms placed the memory chip into his shirt pocket, and then taking one last look at Alastor and the implications of having it onboard his submarine finally strode off and headed for his cabin.
Monday, 2000 Hours Local, Merida Island Mithril Western Pacific Combat Support Base
Captain Teletha had not missed the sudden change in course and speed of Samuel Eliot Morison as it turned towards Guam, its registered speed in the triple digits for nearly three hours before it slowed to a crawl and apparently launched a helicopter which made a pickup at Guam then set course that would eventually bring it to Merida Island but two days earlier than expected.
General Voda seemed unconcerned about Morison's erratic maneuvers dismissing them as a final shake down by Captain Simms, while offering no explanation or suggesting he had approved the erratic behavior of a vessel under his control.
Lieutenant Commander Andrea Kalinin sat nearby as Captain Teletha Testarossa paced within her office, not one of splendor but stark metallic simplified design.
"The Morison's erratic maneuvers were far more than any type of shake-down, Commander. Captain Simms received orders from elsewhere, that did not come through our normal communication channels."
Kalinin stroked his goatee for a moment, his eyes mere slits the light that did reflect was a dull glint.
"Such communication would only be possible by the Mithril ULTRA System and used only by high authority. Using one-time command pads, any communication would be absolute."
Teletha, twisting and untwisting her hair stopped.
"Samoan-Rutherford."
"Yes Madam Captain, I agree."
VIP Guest Quarters, Merida Island Mithril Western Pacific Combat Support Base
General Voda, glass of sherry in hand looked towards the sea; the darkness broken intermittently by a quarter moon obscured by the occasional broken cloud. Behind him, his aide Lieutenant Daniel Grubs waited to respond to his commander's next order.
"Daniel, I sense worry from you. There is nothing that Captain Simms or anyone among his crew that has any information to tie me directly to Venom and their half-hearted attempted to destroy his vessel and the falsified mission data. Your effectiveness at finding a suitable person of interest who had the unfortunate circumstance to die, is admirable."
"Then why did Captain Simms, divert without orders to Guam?"
"Perhaps, someone from this facility ordered him there?"
"I checked all outgoing communication directives, there were none issued to Morison by general command channel or by other means that I am aware of sir."
General Voda, set the empty glass of sherry upon the sill of the window. Walking out onto the open deck, Voda listened to the crash of the sea against the near shoreline. Lieutenant Grubs followed, but a shadow in the darkness behind the general.
"Discover the whereabouts of Secretary-General Samoan-Rutherford, then report back to me."
Lieutenant Grubs saluted and left the general alone except for the crash of the sea beyond.
Monday, 2030 Hours Local, TDD-2 Samuel Eliot Morison, Pacific Ocean
Secretary-General Samoan-Rutherford touched the cloth napkin to her lips and then folding it near her plate signaling she was done, sipped the coffee letting the Columbian blend send its aroma around her.
"My compliments to the Chef of the Boat, Captain Simms. He would do well in a five-star resort."
"I will ensure she receives your gracious words Madam Secretary."
Leonard Testarossa, seated opposite of Lieutenant Alice Wren too had finished his meal.
"Madam Secretary, I would like to prepare for the briefing, with the captain's permission and yours of course."
Andrew, nodding his approval and glancing at Wren, motioned for her to assist Leonard, both left the wardroom together.
"The memory chip given to you by Alastor, save if for heavy reading tonight Andrew. It will fill in the blanks with the hard data."
Captain Simms rising to his feet assisted the Secretary-General, and outside the wardroom the Ship's Master-At Arms, Sergeant Troy Gallium snapped to attention and escorted the Captain and Secretary-General to the briefing room. Inside several remote cameras were being put through their paces, the briefing would be replayed to other crewmembers now on sleep cycle.
"Attention on Deck!" The order barked by the Master-At-Arms as both Captain Simms and the Secretary-General entered the briefing room.
"At ease, carry on."
Andrew stepped aside for the Secretary-General to make her way to the podium then took a seat nearby.
"I am Secretary-General Natalya Samoan-Rutherford, I head Mithril and the reason I have come to this vessel is to expose a traitor, one that is a member of the command staff of the Mithril Fleet. The traitor responsible for providing falsified intelligence, and continuing to do so even while this vessel, its crew and captain were in engaged with hostile forces."
The only sound was that of the air conditioning, crewmembers present absorbed the information in stunned disbelief as a video image began to play behind Natalya.
"The video you are watching is of the last 45 seconds of the battle between Morison and we now know to be Venom forces. What is crucial in this video is what happens as this vessel having recovered the last member of its SRT, is beginning a crash dive."
Sitting alone, Andrew remembered that last few precious seconds, staggering to the hatch and then the incredible heat as he felling forward. His training had ensured he had grabbed the securing lanyard and bodily slammed against the side of the tower, he reached for and yanked the locking lever for the hatch despite what felt like his body being on fire.
"That is what it looks like being hit with a space-based fusion powered energy weapon."
Captain Simms rising and walking to the podium and exchanging places with Natalya, looked into the audience and finding Ensign Aryl saw she was nearly white with shock.
"Are you okay Ensign Aryl?" Aryl indicated she was.
"So we finally know what actually hit us, the worry that it was a pocket nuke is officially nullified. Ensign Aryl specialty is Fusion Energy systems, so she well aware of just how close I came to getting my goose cooked."
"Major Roux, in your estimation with the addition of the ablative armor to the sail area and conning tower position we could survive another hit if it is so directed to that area."
Major Azura Roux the Chief Engineer of Samuel Eliot Morison looking at the frozen image before her.
"The added protection will give us an edge, but I have to study the heat dissipation from each subsection to see if I may need to increase the water flow. I will have the answer by tomorrow morning."
Andrew, satisfied knew they were all facing something not easy to defend against. The Venom version of a Mithril M9 is one thing, but an illegal space based weapons platform that was an entirely differently matter; and more importantly was that weapon even at full power when it fired?
"If I may Captain?" The Secretary-General approached the podium again.
"Which brings us to the second part of the mission. The weapon's given code name "Focal Point", a weapon I must stress has to be destroyed at all costs. Imagine the destructive power focused onto a populated city. We will also determine who had original control and how it was lost to Venom, so that it will never happen again. That is all I have for now, all of you who feel that this mission would be too dangerous to participate will be allowed to disembark at Merida Island without black marks against your records. Please inform your section leaders in time for morning reports. Thank you all, dismissed."
There was no movement, just silence.
Captain Simms approached the podium.
"The Secretary-General has spoken. Dismissed."
"Attention on Deck!"
Following the Secretary-General, Captain Simms departed the briefing room. He was already thinking ahead, the arrival at Merida will be normal and he doubted no one would leave. Too many had a score to settle. Of course there was Andrea, Richard and Teletha not to mention the SRT of Tuatha de Danaan. No one would win and the traitor or traitors would likely welcome the upheaval, if there were any kind of engagement. Simms needed to make sure the engagement went the way he wanted it to go.
