Chapter 3 – Hecto-commander Sugiura
Calender 8th month year 955 of Empress Kruger the 27th .
Apus Star System, 16:14
In a certain green Patrol Class ship, a noise of command and report could be heard on the bridge. Despite the fierce battlefield that ship now facing, the crew still calm and report the situation orderly. Sometime a quake would occur but every last crew seem composed and carry out their duty accordingly.
In the Calender Year of 955 of the Empress Inoue Kruger, the 27th Empress of the Hime Imperial, the war began its fierce dance. Many type of ship born to accommodate the expansion of the Hime troops. Patrol class ship is one of them. Being the largest front-line ship, the patrol class ship is the most advance ships of the line in all of inhabited space. They are extremely formidable, capable of launching up to 10 mines at the enemy. They are armed with 6 electromagnetic rail cannons, and 20 ion cannons on the side, as well as 4 ion cannon at the bow of the ship. Extremely thick armored hull and the best shield.
On the higher platform, the high commander, look quiet bored herself. Playing with her command rod, and sometimes she yawn. A fang slightly shown. Like a lazy cat that has nothing to do but sleep, her eyes scan her bridge, looking for entertainment herself. So far the battle at the Apus gate are on their side. Sometimes the explosion would resound as the mines and nuclear fusion shots clashing, but the high commander take no interest. On the right of a lonely big chair decorated with flowers and expensive fabrics were another figure, busily arrange the control order on his command panel. Sometimes he glance toward his superior with annoyed face surreptitiously without her knowledge. If only his superior knew, he would be a victim of cruel murder right now. That thought create a tremor in his heart. He shuddered. Hecto-commander Kurauchi Kazuya has been the commander's subordinate for four years. Yet, in those torturing four years, he still unable to figure out what his command officer thought. It's all very insane to him.
"Under the space merging procedure, second main cannon prepared to launch." Reported the officer of gunnery. "Done"
"30 second before entering the effective range of fire."
"All prepare to launch electronic wave cannon"
"The electronic wave cannon is all set"
The high commander grinning and stands up. She pointed her command rod to the big screen excitedly. "All units, Fire!" As the command rod point a group of dots on the big screen, the grid sent via the spatial sense to all crew.
Countless units of mines and cartridges spread wildly toward the enemy fortress, all enemy fleets running panickly, little by little, dots dissappeared.
"Ahhhhh…this is really so boring" The commander sitting again. "Since it is such a fiasco, why didn't they flee away in the beginning?"
"Maybe they misread the speed of moving, Commander Zhang. So far, most of the enemy drew back without fighting. I'm afraid that it is because when fighting back…"
"Don't talk nonsense that a mere child may know, Kazu-chan. Do you intended to trap me?" the commander said in sing song. All through the years under Commander Zhang, Kurauchi Kazuya has been called by many name. Somes are in very weird language from other worlds, some just "kid", "turtle", "Kazu-chan", "wimp" or "boy". Huh…it's very tiresome. Having to work under this insane commander. It's all right to just called me Hecto-commander or Chief of Staff, but she only use formality when giving out order in battlefield. Out of all the weird nicknames. She seems to enjoy mocking others, maybe making fun of her subordinates.
"Commander!" communication officer of the patrol ship alerting them both. "The president of the Apus Star System request for communication with you."
"What?" The commander eyes narrowing in a slit. "Bring it in"
The screen turn on and a man figure with brown uniform appear on the screen. From his look, he seem in his last age before retirement. White hair evidence on his half bald head. It irk the commander that it feel gross to her.
"Are you the commander of the fleet blockage our star system?"
"Hmmm? No, I am just the kid playing in the park nearby and seduce your boy until he pee in his pant. Any complain?"
The man widen his eyes a mere second shocked by the commander reply, but then immediately snarl at the commander.
"Fine! You…."
"Old man-chan, I have a name given to me by my parent. Let see….If I'm not mistaken that is..hmmmmm…aahhh..yes..yes" the commander closing her eyes in a thinking pose and a smile grace her lips. "ohh..i remember..ha..ha.." She chuckled "People called me Her Highness, Grand Duchess of Zhang Kingdom and High Commander of the Fourth Fleet, Sub-admiral Juliet Nao Zhang. Sometimes they called me Grand Duchess Zhang, or Sub-admiral Zhang, but recently, they just called me Commander. Anyway, *yawn* Nice to meet you..errr…old man to the boy who pee in his pant!"
So she know how important name are. Even thought she always called people name as freely as she want, but then, when it cames to her own, she want people to called her respectly. How ironic. Hecto-commander Kurauchi Kazuya sweatdrop. She sure know how to irritate others.
"Grrrr…"
He's angry- He's angry. My, she look like she's enjoying this.
"You! It's obvious my fleet can't challenge your control of space, but down on the ground we're preparing a resistance to shake the very foundation of your empire….." The commander yawn again and look at her nail. Realizing it became less ungroom she start to filling.
The President continue on "…..If you dare to land here, you'll stand against an army the likes of which you've never imagine. Our soldiers will fight with honor and pride until we drive every last Hime from the surface. And then we'll keep on fighting! We are a nation that can weather any attack you choose to throw at us! As member of the United Mankind, it is our duty to challenge your imperialist advance onto our homeland. And it is duty we will fulfill with strong conviction. By the days end, you will know the power we have!"
Sub-admiral then smile her sweet smile. "Well, I wish you the best" with that the screen turn off. She sigh and closing her eyes. Still with her boring expression.
Her Highness the Grand Duchess of the Zhang Kingdom, Juliet Nao Zhang born into the branch family of Kruger. She is indeed also a Kruger, but because their family inherited the kingdom of Zhang, thus, the family name is Zhang. The Zhang Kingdom was monopolize in trading and business. With the Zhang family as the center of it, all child born into the family has been train to become a succesful trader. They learn the roundabout art of negotiation, agreement even offending others. The sly Zhang is the richess family in whole kingdom. Far more rich than the Empress herself. If they want, the Zhang can ignore the order and leave the Star Forces whenever they like. Juliet Nao being recruited into the Star Force at the age of 28 after succesfully spent her childhood years as traders. As the Kruger stated, she is the Zhang amongst the Zhang. She has been tailored to be sly trader who knows how to gain advantages in every situation, and know how to turn every opportunity to her favour. The only daughter of the Zhang family. The Zhang never gets along with the Imperial Kruger family, but they know their limits and still swear their loyalty toward their roots. As they love their roots, they could never leave the Empire to form their own government. In whole universe, nobody really can understand the Zhang family but their very own arch rival, the Kruger.
"Hecto-commander Kazuya. Did anything important happened while I listening to the president prattle on?"
"We've seized 80% of the enemy's antimatter fuel production in the direct vicinity of the Apus System. The space field of the third Planet of Apus System is totally under our control. The factories that make leadwork near the fixed star Apus are all taken over. And as to our base of fuel and prophellant that is scheduled to be build on fourth Planet Apus, its processing at speed of 0.17 through the progress rate of fuel and prophellant will be delayed, we still have 128 hours to…. "
"In other words, everything is going according to plan."
"Well…yes"
"Chief-of-Staff…." The commander look sympathetically at Kazuya. "The next time I ask if anything has happened and nothing has, just say "no". Concision is the key to efficiency, which is the conerstone of any empire. Don't you think that you have to learn how to put things in a brief way?"
"Sorry, ma'am. I'll be more careful" Kazuya signed. For what reason do I stay here?
"Kazuuuuu-chan, Isn't this boring" The commander whine.
What does the commander want from me now!?
Receiving no responses from her Chief-of-Staff, she then glimpse at her communication officer. "Officer Akane. Please called Tarf for me"
"Yes, ma'am". Said Officer press control unit on her command screen and the big screen show another Officer in Star Force uniform. The rank insignia on her right chest show she's a Hecto-commander.
"Greeting, Sub-Admiral Zhang"
"Commander, how're you doing with the preparation of setting fort."
"Perfect! Commander."
"See, this what I called brief report, Kazu-chan" She never know when to stop taunting her subordinate. "Then, set out second phase right now"
"Yes, ma'am"
While the Line-of-Battle branch setting the fortress along the Apus gate as schedule. And the Operation Obsidian Lord goes smoothly, it makes our High Fleet Commander, the Crown Princess of the Empire, Admiral Alyssa Kruger feel surprised. But…our Captain of the Assault ship Duran, Her Highness, Duchess of Wulfaz, Deca-commander Natsuki Kruger, also Princess Natsuki, now is discussing over some trifle matter with the leaders. Which make me feel kind of uneasy.
"Captain, there's a message from the Hecto-commander."
"Show it!"
"The join operation today is over now. All unit, please go back to Engineering Ship at normal speed."
"Understood!" at the screen could be seen six Deca-commander in the brigade salute promptly.
We are directly under the command of Hecto-commander Sugiura. Who is the commander of assault 1077th brigade of the fourth squadron. Our higher commanders are Natsuki's own cousin, Her Highness, Grand Duchess of Zhang, Sub-Admiral Juliet Nao Zhang and Her Highness, Crown Princess of Empire, the Grand Duchess of Searrs, Admiral Alyssa Searrs. As for the commander of the assault fleet, the high commander is Her Grace, the Knight of Windbloom, Viceroy of Garderobe, Admiral Suzushiro Haruka.
Two months have passed since we arrive at the Apus Gate. The enemy has been defeated without the assault ship getting involve. Its a matter of time the higher fleet commander decide to advance toward other gates.
The commander of the brigade has some relationship with Natsuki. But it's not a good one. Three years ago, Natsuki forced to kill the Hecto-commander's older sister.
"I don't know how will they view us?"
"Are you worried about that?
"No, I am not worried."
"Shizuru, don't lie to me. Your expression just like a child who been caught while hand in the jar"
"Ma-ma..don't say that, Natsuki. Don't you care about it at all?"
"Hmmpp…Didn't I tell you? I was forced to do it." Natsuki pouted.
"Ma-ma..calm down my precious princess. What I want to say is, will the Hecto-commander take a different attitude toward us because of what had happen?"
"Because of that? But.." After natsuki showed a bewildered expression, she then made a conclusion beyond my expectation. "Duh..It's of no use to worry about it." She pouted again.
"You know, we don't have much time spent together like this. But all you can think about is other people."
"Ara, are you sulking?"
"No I don't. I just feeling annoyed. We are in battlefield. So, most of our time is on the bridge. But when we spend rest time leisurely,all you worried about is that hecto-commander."
"Ma..ma..Kannin na my Natsuki." Shizuru peck Natsuki forehead. The princess blushed deeply. "I don't ask you to do that to me. Don't easily invade my personal space" Shizuru knew she doesn't meant what she said.
"Well, Natsuki." Shizuru shift closer to Natsuki, tightening her hug on her waist.
"How long do you think we will be in war this time?"
"Why do you ask?" Natsuki lift her head so she could face Shizuru "For this Operation Obsidian Lord only, the estimated time to destroyed our enemy completely and regain our territory back is about 2 've only have regained back four territories so far. It's been 6 months after we aboard Duran. And we will advance toward the United Mankind base."
"we advancing forward little by little. I see….." Shizuru rest her chin on Natsuki's head.
"And that mean we will cross the Sora and Kiyo star system too"
"Yes…"
"The place where it all started…."
In the mention of the tragedy. They both became silence in reminiscene of the past event, the time they spend with the Volash Cruiser crews and the moment they enjoy in company of Hecto-commander Saeko.
Their moment were interupt by a beeping sound indicating a communication from her communication officer at the bridge. Natsuki get up from her bed and approach her working desk. She then press a button on the A.I computer and a hologram of Wing Flyer Aoi Senoh appear on said area.
"Captain!" the flyer salute.
"Yes." Natsuki respond by saluting back.
"You have incoming private communication from Hecto-commander"
Natsuki glance toward Shizuru. Raising her brow questioning the incoming call. Shizuru just smile back reasuringly.
"Connect it."
"Ye….urmmm…captain."
"What?"
"It…it's.. ehemmm..no…nothing I guess" the flyer averting her eyes as if she trying to hide her discomfort. Her cheek blushing. The line cut and next another figure appear on the hologram. Natsuki salute.
"Greeting Hecto-commander Sugiura."
"Greeting, Deca-commander. I am..hick..shorry to dishturb you during your resh hour."
"It's okay, ma'am. In what honor do I have private communication from Hecto-commander?"
" seeeee…" The figure cough with her hand shielding her mouth. She look like she's been drunk. "Ehhhh…Your Highness, can we shet ashide thze Star Forces….hick!.. formality for a moment here..hick..and talk casually."
"Okay, Your Excellency."
"I call fyou on regarding of my late shister…hick."
Natsuki silence as a cue to Hecto-commander to continue with her explanation.
"I want you to know that…hick..I don'v holdsh you any reshponsible for the death of my sishter..hick... My shister was mer…mercilessly shflaughtered and I am by no means over her losh..hick." Is she grumbling?
"I am sorry about your sister, Your Excellency"
"Pleaseeeee..jush call me Midoooori…hick But to be honesh, my sishter and I had our differences….hick.. We didn't get along well."
"It's a shame, Baroness Midori."
"Riiiiiiiight? The provlem iz what to do wiz herf…hick… territory. As you're well awaresh, Afswad is quiet remote. I never liked it. Even asssss a child. I was relieved when when my sishter accepted fthe barony. I figured I could spend the resh ….hick…of my life happily in capitol…princess…." She IS grumbling. She's drunk.
"I never knew, baroness. But if you would like, our family can arrange your replacement for your territory's management."
"Owwhhhhh…fthats a relieffffsss….you have my thanks, princess. I feel grateful. Ummm…another thing izzz.."
"Yes, baroness?"
"Here I honestly…hick…inform Your Highness, that I don't held any grudge toward you or Her Grace the counteshhh for my shhhister fate."
"I feel relieve, Your Grace. Thank you"
"Well then…hick…looks like I already clear myshelf up. I would like to continue enjoyin my liquor" she honestly drunk.
"And princess..I think there's another matter that I would like to tell you…hick…but I feel so much guilty to shtart. I'm not sure whether I should or shouldn't tell you." Midori grin.
"What is it, Baroness?"
"Well, I do hope that I don't provoke any of the Kruger anger by my word….hick…but I if I'm not telling you right now, I think I'm in blasphemy toward Empire…hick."
"No need to worry, Baroness, I will take your words into consideration."
"Honestly, as a noblessshhhh….hick.. I held my loyalty high toward my Empire. And I do, respect the royal family of the Empire…hick..Therefore, I hope that I don't shtep out of my boundriesh as a fellow noble..hick."
"What are you trying to implying, baroness." Do I have to listen to my commander's prattle?
"You shhee…"
"As a commander of the Star Forces squadron unit…hick.. I want all my shquadron to enjoy their leisure time. And it makes me happy to know that we have survived few battles so far and I wish it will also in future….hick.. I do hope that the Empire know that I always shtrive and given my best in the Star Force. But…" what kind of nonsense these drunkard trying to say anyway?
"But?"
"It seems that your uniform buttons is opened. Hehe…And I can shee clearly Her Grace the Countess in your background in a verrrrrry inciting shtate…weeelll..you can resume whatever arousing activity you've been holding, princesshhh. Your secret is safe with me…ha..ha..hahahaha"
"Shut up!"
Three years ago..
I thought I might lose you..
The thought alone make me shudder with fears
I don't even know what I'm afraid of
Is it fear of being left alone
Fear that I can't accomplish my mission
Fear that I might lose another person
I myself don't understand me….
As the candidate to the throne
I was tailored to have a heart of steels
I am a Kruger
The family that reign half of universe
The family which known for it ruthless
The heartless and cruel Kruger
A Kruger didn't even twitch even in front of the death of their love one
That's why…
I don't understand me…..
Even now,
I still don't understand myself….
Why do I feel comfort in your embrace
Happy when you smile
Angry when you sad
Worried when you not by my side
Shizuru…
It's a very selfish of me
To want you to stay with me
The cold-blooded, ruthless, spiteful me
As you deserve other than this life,
A happy life…..
With me,
As a person who born in darkness,
Will only die into darkness
And you, Shizuru…
You don't have any other choice…
But to be imprisoned and tortured in my dark world
I won't ask for any forgiveness
Nor do I hope for atonement
I just hope you would someday break free from my hell
Before I lose my insanity
And bring you together with me…
