Shirogane Takeru

December 20, 2001

Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, Ц-04 Frontline Supply Base

Look, dead is dead. I'm no miracle worker. What do you want from me?

"So there's no way we can save her?"

I honestly got nothing. Kasumi was evidently saddened by my assertion.

The only viable method I saw was to go back in time and get involved from the start, but we all knew just how pointless that would be. The truth was that the life of one esper I never met before was not worth the same as my very successful two month.

I jumped off from the 47 and met up with my group on the ground. Nobody was screaming with joy for obvious reasons; still, this mushy mood was not at all welcomed.

"Is our HVT truly deceased, Takeru?" Meiya ran to my side and asked.

"Pretty sure, I opened the lid and ran a basic check, got nothing. We could run a few more but she ain't meeting the basic needs for survival." Hearing that, Meiya back away and silently bowed at Bridges as a show of condolence.

"Bridges, when?"

"…About ten days ago." I replied with a similar nod for his loss.

"Sorry to hear that."

"Just because she's gone… doesn't mean I'm handing over anything." Having overcame the pain of losing a loved one, Bridges' eyes burned with determination and strength.

It was abnormal thing for me to do, really. While unknown to him, I have decided to respect Bridges' will. He was a young man who could have travelled similar path as mine, a man who fought bravely for what mattered, what he wanted to protect.

"You were going to bury her… weren't you?" He answered with a gloomy dip of his chins.

"Enough of this. Tell me, just what do you want!? What does the UN want with us!?" Bridges took a solid step closer as he glared towards me, a mixture of anger and strangely; hope was what reflected of his countenance.

"…United Nations Army, Special Task Force A-01 for Alternative IV. Name's Shirogane Takeru, Captain of the 13th Squadron." It was an unnecessary risky declaration, however further misunderstanding will be too disruptive to my progress.

"—to all units, disembark and gather by me. It's more respectful to speak face to face." Each of the cockpits surrounding us opened with a uniformed hiss. One by one, my crew members descended below and stood to my sides.

"These're my team. 1st Lt. Kagami and Yashiro, 2nd Lt. Mitsurugi, Sakaki, Yoroi, Ayamine and Tamase." In their corresponding order, I pointed out each of my girls for Bridges to see and know.

"…Those names all sound familiar, who're you people?" Bridges' Japanese history needed work, couldn't really blame the guy though.

"We're here to bring you in, 2nd Lt. Yuuya Bridges. You and the Scarlet Twins, even if there's only one left." He was aggravated by my method of speech.

"But! But, we don't want to fight. We wish to conduct an investigation into the Soviet Esper Program and your desertion. The UN will guarantee your and her safety. Come with us, American's cells aren't so comfortable."

I presented him all the pieces I owned on this board. It was apparent how detrimental his current position was if things continued as is, yet he hesitated before my helping hand.

"…What will you do with Inia?" Sestina instinctively reacted when she was called. I could notice an increase of tension in Kasumi's suit when the girl in her arms pulled Kasumi tighter in a hug.

"We won't hurt her, ever." There was not a clue of menace in my proclamation, hopefully Bridges can understand how unacceptable it will be for me to harm Kasumi's family.

"…I see… let's talk somewhere private."

Hanger wreckage

I surveyed around the open space in the hanger. Everyone on my team was here plus Bridges' side and the Major. Her men were still trapped in their TSFs and there wasn't much for her to complain about.

"When Cryska's esper powers started to weaken, the Soviets were planning on cutting her medication and just letting her die. I couldn't let them do such a thing…! Then the DIA struck a deal with me, the Shiranui Phase 3 for their defection." Bridges unconsciously patted Sestina's head as he spoke on, hiding the saddened feeling.

I got some boxes and crates as short-term seats for everyone before we all got around and decided to hear Bridges' side of his story first and state the verdict later.

"So I took… no, more like kidnapped Cryska from the Russian base. The alarm got tripped on our way out, they sent a bunch of personnel after us. It was one great big mess. Inia was in the middle of her esper medication so we couldn't take her along, that day was just a whole lot of mistakes in general." He spoke in a depressed manner, obviously no one was rude enough to cut in.

"We fought against my old Flight first, then some more Russians. Everybody got really pissed off at us… understandable, I guess." A bit further into Bridges' tale, a mocking attitude started to manifest in his words from accepting his loss.

"Eventually Inia was there too, she had her Prafka activated and was co-piloting a Berkut with another esper—"

"—Yuuya! Please… don't talk about that." When hindered by Kasumi's twin, Bridges stopped his explanation.

"Inia, I think we should tell them what happened."

"But why? That won't do anything for us!" Although I didn't like the girl's idea, I'll admit exposing everything to us might not do them any good.

"Still, it could just be beneficial to us all. Capt. Shirogane, you said the UN guarantees her safety, right?"

"You have my word." He eventually came out of his pondering and nodded to me as a show of mutual esteem.

"It's okay, Inia. Trust me."

"If… you think that's the right choice, Yuuya." The esper gave in to her… actually, I wasn't sure on their relationship. If I must guess, Bridges was probably closet to her as a guardian.

"I'll skip to the end, we somehow took them out with the help of the other esper. Yeah, think her name is Martica; the original owner of that pod and the Berkut. I don't wanna say this about someone who saved us, but when we opened up the pod she was in, the girl had all her limbs amputated, which was just… messed up." I seconded that silently, the Soviets always had some weird shit up their sleeves.

"If it wasn't for her breaking up the Prafka with Inia, none of us will be here right now. She even prepared extra meds for Cryska so she could live longer than what the Russians predicted, normally without medication she would die after three to five days, the podded girl really saved her there."

"Also the pod itself. She said something about it being Cryska's coffin, from the sound of it, hers was much bigger than the regular ones. They were supposed to amputate all limbs for the esper to fit, but it wasn't the case with Martica's, even though she too was missing her arms and legs. I'm iffy on the details, however it's safe to say Cryska's twin really watched out for her till the end." Even so, by the end, there was still a shortage of both meds and time for the escapees.

"It was kinda sad, we had to… cut her body out of the Berkut and leave the remains in the snow. I promised Cryska, to one day recover the corpse and bury it next to hers."

I never once during my loops got too familiar with the Soviet Esper programs, just not my cup of vodka; because that was all they drank. Besides, I wasn't too sure on the proper reaction to Bridges' tale, Kasumi never needed to shoot herself up, at least not in front of me or sensei.

"So after we moved all the way out here and away from Yukon, we got picked up by Maj. Latrova. She was kind enough to not report us to Kamchatsky Command and we stayed here for four weeks. Eventually though, Cryska still died when the drugs ran out. We put her body in the pod for preservation just as its previous owner wanted. You know what happened after, I wished to put her to rest but a good date never came." Therefore ended Bridge' summary of past events.

"Capt. Shirogane, you unit… it used to be the Phase 3 01b, right?"

"Yeah, that's right." I was pleasantly surprised by Bridges' knowledge.

"I see… yeah, that's it. Story's over."

"Question, what exactly did Barchenowa die from?" There were still some important details missing.

"The drug she took provided tumour suppressor gene for her body. It was some new-found cancer in her blood… she was also supposed to be returned to her water tanks or something, I'm not really an expert on this." Nor was I on modern medication, especially for the created humans.

"Anymore questions? If you all must know, we don't have any more plans now." The conclusion of Bridges' whole account left an unpleasant taste in everyone's heart. Another tragedy, just like so many others before it occurred in our merciless world.

"Uuu… Uuuuaaa! Th-t-that's sooo saaad!" Mikoto broke our solemn ambience with her child-like crying.

"Uuuh-auu… how could this happen…!" Along with her, Tama also joined in with her tears leaking.

"Inia… I'm sorry." Apologized Kasumi as she reached out her hand.

"Please… stay with me… Trista!" Sestina held Kasumi rigidly, not wanting to let go of her final family member.

"Okay, let's go elsewhere." Kasumi led her sister off to the side, out of sight.

"You're caught up, Captain. What'll you do now?" Bridges elevated his head and met my eyes.

"We're waiting for our transport to bring you back to Yokohama, should be here in another fifteen minutes." Half an hour of wait time was plausibly not the greatest step when we planned.

"Fine. We'll go with you." It must been after stern consideration and inner debate for Bridges to reach this conclusion. For his sake, I hoped it to be a wise one.

"Thank you, Second Lieutenant."

"If that is the case, I'll withdraw from the battlefield with my men." Maj. Latrova spoke for the first time since we sat down.

"Sure, sorry we can't provide transportation for your team."

"No, it is our sound defeat this time, Captain." Leaving those lines behind, Maj. Latrova left the hanger.

"Hey, hey, Takeru-chan." A sudden sweet voice fell on my ears after most of Squadron separated.

There was only the three of us currently in the hanger. Kasumi took her sister somewhere else to catch up on their lost years. The others went back to their machines for further inspection and preparation in case of combat.

"What you want, Sumika?" Only my 00 unit stuck around with me.

"Can I… go look at Cryska-san outside? It won't be long." That request caught two people off guard, Bridges and I both widened our pupils from surprise.

"You're Inia's twin's friend, right?" Bridges asked without looking directly at Sumika.

"Hu? Ah, yes." Sumika's usual cheerfulness was hampered by our saddening mood.

"Then it's fine, it… shouldn't be a problem."

"Thank you." The pink-haired girl bowed and left on her own.

We didn't talk much after that, Bridges and Sestina were both emotionally wounded from the death of their irreplaceable colleague.

As for me, it was almost surreal how I kept finding similarities between him and me, even when in reality such connections didn't exist.

"What are you people going to do now?"

"You mean after we bring you in?"

"Yeah."

It took me quite a while to realize I was sympathizing with Bridges; no doubt he suffered many misfortunes during his life until now, losing loved ones was hard no matter how much one tries to bury such burden. Yet he must strive forward and move on from that pain, for an unwelcoming tomorrow will still greet him by the end of this night.

"You will be trialed based on the result of our investigation. The UN will offer you a suitable position if you are to be discharged."

"How about Inia?"

"We will… use her esper abilities for experimental purposes."

"Not sugar-coating your objective, huh?"

"There's no need for that."

So it made me question my own ability, what gave me the right to erase my mistakes when others were forced to endure theirs? It was blatantly unfair; my girls were alive, and will keep on living until I grasp my happy end.

"What about the Shiranui and Berkut?"

"We're giving those to the XFJ Program since Alternative IV acquired it recently."

"Wait… really!? It got revived?"

"Our bank account took the hit, don't worry."

We were fundamentally different people, after all. My power was mine alone, it was a gift from pure luck and one that I had no cause to reject. So there was no obligation to assist others, my happy end was the only end I sought after.

Kagami Sumika

Su-47E Berkut

"Oh? Haaallo! Were you sleeping just now?"

"Hum? My name is Kagami Sumika! Nice to meet you!"

"Is it uncomfortable in there?"

"I know, right? I had to sleep in a pod as well and it was really terrible! But that thing is probably different from this!"

"Well, we're here to take you guys somewhere safe!"

"It's true, I promise! We really want to help the three of you!"

"Aha! Then my guess is right! Takeru-chan can only see what's on the surface, after all! Hehehe! Baakaa!"

"That's not a lot of time though, you sure it'll be okay?"

"Then alright! I'll tell Takeru-chan when he comes over!"

Ayamine Kei

Field

"You guys wanna fight, huh?"

"Kei-san! Stop it!" Miki tugged hard on Kei's wrist, but the strength from the tense muscles in her arm made Miki's struggle pointless.

"You Jap bitch! This isn't your fucking Japan anymore, asshole!"

Kei's opponents stood just as furiously before her, there were four of them, all their faces strained and ready to react at the smallest movement.

When Takeru first dismissed his team, Kei and the rest went outside to check on their machines as a way of killing time. However, during that trip they ran into some Eishis of the Zhar Battalion who were all bitter over their thorough defeat. And that led to this perhaps inevitable encounter.

"Why are you guys acting like this!? We didn't do anything wrong, did we?" Mikoto pledged for her team's innocence.

"Did nothing wrong!? Are you people stupid or something!? This is our home! This is our country! You just stroll on in here and pretend you own the place?!"

"After we kicked your asses, yeah."

"Ayamine! Stop it!" Chizuru shouted to no avail.

Adding unhealthy oil to the fire, Kei provoked the Russian Eishis further. Two males in front had their veins popping on their foreheads and were taking a dangerous step forward.

"You WHORE! I'm gonna slice your cun—"

"ENOUGH! Do you people wish to continue disgrace the name of Zhar!? The commander already ordered for no man to touch the UN pilots." A surplus voice from behind the Russians called them out for attempted assault.

"Tasha! But these guys—"

"If you have time to fight with the Japanese, you should find a way to get Company C out of their cockpits. It was Commander herself who ripped you guys out of your frames."

"Tsk… suka. Let's go!" The four Zhar Eishis each took their turn and glared at Kei's team before bitterly taking their leave.

"In their place, I'll apologize for the rudeness of our men. Please do not keep this at heart." Once the others left, the remaining Russian pilot stayed behind to give Kei and her friends an apology.

"…It's fine, I overreacted as well." Kei was not so shameless as to divulge no fault of her own.

"I only dissolved this situation due to the commander's order. It would be most helpful if your team can depart from this base as soon as possible." The Russian female didn't show her face to expose her emotions, so Kei naturally assumed for her to be upset likewise.

"You're not the only one… with orders."

Shirogane Takeru

Hanger wreckage

"So the program is saved… thank god…" Bridges appeared relieved by my update.

"You guys made some great TSFs, I'll say that much." I was honest about the quality of their machines.

"Heh, thanks. It took some time… testing them to make sure they work properly."

"Most kills during a single deployment was you, right? Won't be long before we beat that."

"You're welcome to try and top me, not gonna be easy." It was funny to me how wrong that statement was.

"Hahaha! You'll see." Interesting that it was under the strangest circumstances where we shared a moment of peace.

I reached out my fist as a sign of friendship, Bridges displayed clear uncertainty as to the best way of replying to me.

"C'mon, man. You know you can leave me hanging, that's what you Yankees never do." That was apparently a law in America where fist bumps must be answered.

"Tch, you right about that, asshole ." Taking on a happier demeanor, Bridges bounced his fist right on my own.

"Nice, that's better. See you in thirteen, Second Lieutenant."

I got off the box-seat and stretched my joints a little. There were other matters to attend to and I still had the responsibility of safely escorting this pair back home.

"You too, Captain." Bridges didn't spare me a second look the moment I walked away.

Su-47E Berkut

Having fun in there, Sumika?

"Ah, Takeru-chan! Come here, come here!" Sumika called to me vigorously when I reached where the Berkut stood.

What did you do?

"Mou, I didn't do anything wrong, you know? But that doesn't matter, c'mon up quick!" She sure was hyping up whatever she wanted to show me.

I grabbed the rope Sumika sent down and rode it up to the cockpit. She was inside sitting on the pod that contained Barchenowa, something that I didn't think either of them would praise her for, so I stood a bit farther on the lid of the cockpit.

"Urrm… what you want me to see about a dead body?"

"Ahaha! This is where Takeru-chan is a dummy! She isn't— owiiiee!" Sumika got chopped before she could reveal what gave her the right to insult me.

"You're like, really just stupid."

"Moooou! You meanie!" Sumika tried fruitlessly to hit me back only for her arms to be stopped.

"I'm a busy man, tell me what you want in twenty words." I was starting to get bored by Sumika's baloney.

"Heh! I don't need that much! Cryska-san isn't dead! That's all!" The processing units in my head almost got fried by such a statement, I was too dumbfounded to react at the tongue she stuck out at me.

"…Was that twenty words now? Let me count them… one… two…" My mind was still catching up to date on her sentence at snail's pace as Sumika numbered off her phrases on her fingers.

"…Ten… eleven! Ha, That was only eleven words, Takeru-ch—"

"What do you mean Barchenowa isn't dead?! Her body is right here!" I pushed Sumika away to reject her delusion, and sure enough, the older esper's corpse was still kept under the cover of the vessel.

"You're saying a sleeping person is dead, idiot Takeru-chan!"

"You high or something? I checked everything. She had no pulse, no breath, her body is at negative two degrees, okay?" I couldn't remember a single sign of living when I first analyzed Barchenowa, unless she was actually a sleeping beauty, the chick was long gone.

"You only say that because you can't hear her, Takeru-chan. I can hear many whispers coming from Cryska-san."

"Sumika, you might be able to live without a heart but if nothing pumps blood through a normal person's veins, it's all GG." I was totally confused by her words as she was by mine.

"Haaa? What are you even talking about? I'm telling you she's still alive, for now!"

"I can't even… how long does she have then? Huh?" I folded my hand at this point. If there was really somehow a miracle waiting to happen for this Russian, I wouldn't be the one to stump it.

"Ermm… maybe four more hours? I don't really know though, it's just a feeling."

"Sumika… answer me honestly here. Is Barchenowa really still alive?" Her absurdity would normally be too ridiculous for me to accept, yet the look in her eyes held such fortitude I just couldn't ignore.

"Yep!" A chance, Sumika promised me a chance to complete my mission.

"Is there a possibility for us to bring her back fully alive?"

"I think so, maybe."

"Then do you know how to do it?"

"Not really, sorry."

"Alright."

I returned deep into the labyrinth of my mind. I required an answer to this scenario, needed to understand everything and my best course of action. Either Sumika was wrong, and I was just wasting my time; or Sumika was right, then I couldn't just give up this easily.

"One last time, is Barchenowa alive and capable of being saved?" I grabbed her shoulders with as much force needed to show my seriousness as possible. Sumika stared me back, firmer than I ever remembered her acting.

"Yes, Cryska-san still has hope. Please don't give up, let's try and save her."

"Humm… I'll see what I can do."

Field

"—Pickup 2213, negative hostile anti-air presence in your airspace, you're clear for landing on runway two-nine."

"—Pickup 2213, copy. Coming in from northeast, ETA sixty seconds." Finishing off the call with our incoming pilot, a C-130 soared above my head half a minute later.

I scheduled on calling for my team to regroup and sending our targets away aboard the plane that just landed, but as things turned out, an encrypted transmission reached me before I could carry out my plan.

"—HQ to Archangel 1, enter emergency channel 3-2. Vice-Commander Kouzuki is on the line."

"—Archangel 1 to HQ, isn't this mission supposed to be radio-silent?" I raised a very good question.

"Your mission objective has been altered, switch to the emergency channel." Couldn't fight orders.

"Archangel 1 copy, switching now." Without further ado, I hopped onto a safe signal to speak with sensei.

"—Shirogane, you caught your prisoners?" Even before her video feed was fully received, Yuuko-sensei was already talking in a restless manner.

"Yeah, I got Bridges back there. He was tryin—"

"I don't give a shit about him. The twins, Shirogane, where are they?" Sensei surely didn't know patience is a virtue.

"Right… because fuck that guy's ego. I got Sestina, but Barchenowa is a goner." Now that the camera patched through, it was wordless frustrations on Yuuko-sensei's face.

"Ugrrrha, fuck…! Just to be sure, you didn't kill her, did you? Cause I swear to god if you somehow got whatshername dead it won't be over so easily, you hear me!?" My mind was utterly bogged by sensei's uncalled reaction.

"Hey, hey! Calm your tits and explain, Yuuko. I ain't got any idea as to what you're talking about."

"Haa… right, right. Sorry, I'm overreacting here. Listen up, I need the twins, okay? We're breaking the deal with the Agency people, I need the espers more than they do." I sighed and mentally resigned to whatever Yuuko-sensei got cooked up, the light in her eyes told me she was a hundred and ten percent serious about turning on the deal we made.

"I can't bring back the dead, sensei. Unless you got a way, you are not getting jackshit." Telling her what Sumika informed me now may be unwise.

"Tsk… how did she die, Shirogane? Stabbed? Gunned down? Shot through the heart with a harpoon?" I was fairly certain she got the lyrics wrong on that one.

"Bridges said something about not getting her meds from the Russians and not being put in a water tank, not too sure on that front."

"Meds… meds… water tanks…? Ahh, I see… so that's what they were doing… where is her body then?" During that span of time, sensei figured out some secrets and was not sharing it with me like the fake friend she was.

"In the Su-47, got a LCL pod in there for her." Fairly certain oxygenized water could be called that.

"Did you check her temperature? Heart rate? Blood pressure? Anything to make sure she isn't dead?"

"Yep, yep. You're sounding just like Sumika over there—" I inwardly cursed myself for slipping up.

"What? What did she say?" Yuuko-sensei didn't even let me finish my sentence before she posted another question.

"She said the same thing, about Barchenowa not being dead."

"Huh, interesting. Go connect me to her, now." Just like that, my usefulness ran out so simply.

"Alright, sure. I'll fetch her dumbass."

Back to the Berkut, Sumika seemed to be creepily laughing by herself when I arrived. She quickly greeted me and was linked to our comms.

"—A-ok, Shirogane. Got off the line and go back to your girls. I need some time alone with Kagami."

"Eeeeeh? You do, sensei?"

"What the fuck, you do, sensei?" Sumika and I had close enough reactions.

"Yes, now get going. I'll call you back later." Not even a goodbye was heard, Yuuko-sensei gave me the boot without a care as I nonverbally left Sumika with her.

C-130 Hercules

"Allll aboooarrd! Leet's go, you two lazy pickle heads!" Waving them an exaggerated welcome, Bridges and Sestina gave me dead stares in return when I escorted them into the cargo bay of the C-130.

"Going to Yokohama, right?"

"You got it. You two will be there before you know it." While still ambivalent to our real objective, Bridges entered the plane with Sestina and sat down next to each other.

"—Pickup 2213, permission for takeoff." The captain radioed me over my comms next.

"—negative, we'll provide air cover. Wait ten."

"Copy that."

Field

"Oh, Kasumi, busy?"

"No."

"Got something to talk about?"

"No."

"Anything on your mind?"

"No."

It was absolutely possible for me to have a more productive conversation with a piece of bread; not a loaf of bread, only a piece. Has to be sliced though, unshaped bread was worse than Kasumi.

"Errr, then how's your sister?" I changed the topic to something where a more than yes-or-no answer was in demand.

"She's fine. Is there… something you want to talk with me about, Takeru-san?" The silver-lining here was for Kasumi to at least catch on my motive.

"Do you… like your family, Kasumi?" If she ever realized it, this was an indubitably trick question.

"I… don't have any family, Takeru-san. Yashiro Kasumi lives for you alone." Her affectionate declaration of love for me was alluring and saddening all at once.

"And I love you for that, Kasumi. So that means I want to give you something back too. And there's nothing I can think of except your family."

"I don't have any family. I have no use for them." The statement was like a double-edged sword, aiming to stab both Kasumi and me altogether. However, both of our hearts have long since turned to stone, rendering the words ineffective in wounding.

"Tell me this; who is Trista Sestina?" Bringing up Kasumi's old name didn't seemed to bother her at all.

"That's who I used to be, she's dead now."

"What happened to her?"

"She wasn't real, she disappeared because there was no use for her." Truth had never been easy to take in.

"I know that too. To you, family is just extra burden, people you have to get along with."

"Yes. I like Inia, I was happy to meet her again and I'll be very sad if she dies. But she is worthless to me, unhelpful emotions only gets on the way." For Kasumi, the best esper of the Soviet's alternative III. There was nothing Inia Sestina could do that she couldn't.

"Tell me, Kasumi. What feelings have you felt so far that you can proudly say belongs to you alone?"

"I love you. I love Sumika-san. I don't like carrots. I don't like hitting doors. I am happy when everyone's together and there's one more I'm leaving out." It was reasonable to be denied one secret when I knew everything else about my rabbit loli.

"I see, I see. So were you sad when Barchenowa was announced dead?"

"I was."

"How about when you made up with your twin?"

"I was glad to meet her again." Maybe only I noticed the contradiction.

"Why do you think those feelings aren't yours then?"

"Because I first learned it from Sumika-san."

"Then how about your love for me? Wasn't it carried over from Sumika as well?" Kasumi moved her mouth to speak, yet no words came over even after her lips touched and parted several times.

"I… it was. Because Sumika-san loves you, I love you."

"With those second-hand emotions, you think you have the right to love me?" My nonchalant expression altered slightly to void my face of any thoughts, the eyes glaring at Kasumi were dead.

She impulsively flinched from the drain of colour above my features. I was glaring the silver-head down like something below my level, something abnormal.

"Do you… want me to stop… loving you?" Every second I had to be cold toward her was more painful than the next.

"I don't know, Kasumi. What do you think?" To bring about my loved esper's true understanding of emotions, I had to become something that'll force out those forgotten reactions.

"I…I—"

"What will you do… if I told you to stop?" From the bottom of my heart, I believed in Kasumi. She was capable of finding her own answers, capable of remembering her old self.

So she thought and thought, trying her hardest to realize the values of being a person; the values of being alive. It was what separated us from the BETA, the three of us who were closer to those monsters than anyone else.

"I will still love you, Takeru-san. Because that's what is real about me." Like always, Kasumi never disappoints.

"That's right, Kasumi. You catch on quick. It doesn't matter what you starts out as, if there's something you feel passionate about. That joy will belong to you alone."

"Okay." The simplest replies were often the correct one.

"So I'll ask again, Kasumi. Do you like your sister?"

"Yes."

"Do you like your family?"

"Yes."

"If there's a miracle to bring your family back, will you grasp for it?" There could only be one reality for my bunny girl, it was the reality she wished for herself.

"Yes, I will. It will make me and Inia happy if Cryska can return."

As I was firmly set on the next step after bidding farewell to Kasumi, it shoved itself in my face by the form of another call from sensei.

"—told you I'll be back fast, Shirogane. How're things on your end?" The same video feed showed the same Yuuko-sensei back at Japan, an in-depth look could discover her hair was more raunchy than before.

"—SNAFU, just loaded the targets, nothing to report." I gave an honest record on all the things that didn't take place.

"Don't let them leave yet, they're probably good for something later."

"Sure, no worries." There wasn't a reason for me to not play along.

"Okay… alright. I finally got this all figured out, you're still listening to me, right?"

"Of course, of course. What can I pay attention to other than your sweet voice?" Yuuko-sensei laughed sluggishly at my below quality joke.

"I'm really up to something big here. If this works, our project can be even more unstoppable than ever. I truly believe that. So there's a request I need to ask you for, Shirogane. Not as only a soldier but a trusted one, a friend." The unnatural sincerity and gravity led me to comprehend the heavy weight of her desire.

"It's Christmas soon, right? Lay it on me, I like it better when people ask for their presents anyway."

"Okay, here we go. At least promise me you won't spread it if I tell you and it gets rejected."

"I promise, Yuuko-sensei. What I'll hear is mine alone." Taking another deep breath, sensei analyzed her mentality for some time, eventually she faced me again with clear resolve to unleash no doubt a colossal secret.

"I need you and your team to revive Cryska Barchenowa, and the only way to do that is by going back to the Soviet base in Yukon." Funny how everything just fell into place, as easy as snapping one's fingers.

"You have to reapply their esper preservation procedure using a medicine I lent to Kagami and their esper water tanks, I can give you more details later."

"Huh, that it? I don't see what's so bad about going there." Obviously, I knew exactly what sensei asked of me. Still, this sudden change of mood was not good for my wellbeing.

"No, you don't understand. She is a defector and your team is covert. You need to takeover Yukon Base for this to work."

"What'll we do now, Takeru-san?"

"…Sticking to the plan…?"

"Is there any other choice, really?"

"The fighting is over, right? Right?!"

I was bombarded by questions from four members of my team. Tama, Ayamine, Class rep and Mikoto were all resting by their Shiranuis when I approached.

"Yeeeep, we're heading home, girls. Our job is done here." They all let out a sigh of relaxation in their own forms.

"Haaa, finally we can go back." For Class rep of all people to be relieved at our impending return was shocking.

"Do none of you want to be here?" They all avoided my questioning gaze by turning their heads.

"…It's not that… but…" Tama had trouble explaining herself.

"We're not the good guys here, you know?" It was again Class rep who finally presented the group opinion.

"Why say that?"

"Well, some of the Russian Eishis were trying to attack us earlier. Calling us bad stuff before their team leader came and chased them away." Mikoto retold me the event I missed previously.

"The Zhars? They really don't wanna live if they're picking a fight with us."

"Ahh, Takeru-san acting like this is a bad influence. Ahaha…" Tama laughed tiredly at my behaviour.

"Did you beat them up in my place like I told you to, Ayamine?"

"Tried, they got away." What a good girl.

"But… it still just doesn't feel right, you know? Like we don't really belong here." Class rep certainly had a point.

"I see, so this's what you all are worrying over. Ughh, that's just dumb." The girls hid their upset looks as I said that.

"You all are soldiers, idiots! If you're feeling bad about your enemies, then what are you even doing here?"

"Still… aren't we really selfish if we're fighting for our gain?"

"Well, guess you can see that. Then again, for whose sake do you want to fight for?" I did not receive a response suiting the conversation.

"I won't fight for anyone other than you, Takeru! There's nobody else I rather fight for!" To my pleasant surprise, Mikoto showed her conviction in me.

"Good girl, I'll treat you to something nice later."

"Yaay! Takeru's the best!" She shined a bright smile towards me.

"If the rest of you have to think it over, that's alright. I'm rounding everyone up in that room over there, you all can go on ahead first. I'll find the rest and meet up later."

"Roger."

I wandered around the wrecked base, the prior disagreement with my team still vivid in my mind. Their thoughts were understandable; unfounded, but understandable. However, I did know where they got the ideas from.

My team only ever experienced two combat situations in their lives; first during the 12/5 incident and again during the XM3 trials incident. Both times we fought to prevent the loss of lives, not to escalate it.

Nonetheless, for this undertaking we actively sought out combat and were chasing after my goal. To a certain degree, they were fooled into participating in this operation since they were given no details regarding our objective. Only a mission outline.

Despite that, it was no reason for me to feel bad about making them fight here for me. We all had one dream in mind; save this world. So it was up to me, their leader to determine the best method of redeeming our tomorrow.

"Takeru, do you honestly believe in those words you spoke?" And that was exactly what I told Meiya.

I found her alone, by the feet of her Takemikazuchi. Both of her swords pinned to her side and the doll from Yuuhi held in her hand. She was also considering many things, no doubt.

"I do, what I told you is where my belief lays."

"Is that so. You shall know that I do not share the opinion with the rest, Takeru. For I cannot judge your action purely based on your method alone, we have discussed this previously, have we not?" She asked me without looking into my eyes. In fact, we weren't looking at each other at all, I leaned lightly against Meiya's back and she did the same to me.

"Sure did." I answered, recalling back to one of the many conversations we had.

"Then I am awaiting your result, I trust that you will earn what you deserve."

"Of course, Meiya. This world, is mine."

"Huhuhu, I do not doubt that." And there will be no tricks to cloud Meiya's eyes. If saving the world means I must be on top of it, then I shall at least build the stairs myself.

"So, you done here then?" As I said that, my hand reached behind and patted Meiya lightly on her head.

"Yes, my Takemikazuchi is fine-tuned for action on appeal."

"Good job on that. Come with me for now, there's something I have to discuss with everyone."

"Certainly."

Intact room

"Goooood, this's everybody. Get the doors, Class rep." She agreed quickly and closed the pair of double doors in a small shack I found.

"So why have you gathered our team, Takeru? The prisoners are unguarded as of now." To my left, Meiya brought up the first and only topic I had in mind.

"Don't worry about them, this'll take only a minute." The team surveyed each other and went back to patiently waiting for my reveal.

"We just got new orders… no, that's not right, it's a personal demand for me. Not as the team leader this time, I want to ask you girls something as a friend and a partner."

"Let us know what you need, Takeru-chan." That was no more sound following Sumika.

"We will be conducting a special direct action operation on UN 3rd Force's Yukon Base in Alaska."

"…" This moment of shock and awe was totally understandable. Maybe lasting longer than a whole minute was annoying, so I had to remind myself I didn't have the ball in my court this time around.

"Wha—WHAAAT!?" There was not a single person in this room right now that held any composure within themselves, their blank stares which were all focused on me was intriguingly uncomfortable.

"The objective of this operation is the revival of asset Cryska Barchenowa, former Soviet Army Second Lieutenant. We will exploit the Soviet equipment located within the Soviet Army Base Б-01, which is a part of the greater Yukon Base Area."

"B-b-b-but-but why are we attacking them then!? Can't we just go and… I don't know! ASK THEM?!" As always, Class rep reacted first and fastest, inquiring me on the possibility of another option.

"I don't think the Russians will welcome either of us with open arms. She defected and we don't exist on paper, how can they let her go once we're there anyway?" From a logical standpoint, our objective could only be achieved through brute force.

"THEN WHY?! Why are we trying to revive the HVT?!"

"For this one… I actually don't know." My unreal answer brought a piece of mind to no one.

"You see, the Vice-Commander asked me this personally. And now I'm asking the all of you this personally as well. The estimated time left for Barchenowa is around four hours. Going just under Mach 1 will take us about two and a half to three hours. So I seriously need your answers now."

Again, not a word was said as each of the girls directed their gazes downward, maybe asking their shoes for the best choice.

I knew what I requested of them was the pinnacle of absurdity. To attack a military base with a Squadron of TSFs was equal to seeking death by committing mass murder; there was simply no possible way a normal team could ever dream of pulling off such a feat.

"I have reached my conclusion long ago, Takeru." Nonetheless, this team of mine was anything but normal.

"Will you go, Meiya?"

"Allow me to ask this one question. Do you believe what you are attempting is just?" It was indeed only one question she brought up when Meiya stared me straight in the eyes.

"Yes, I trust Kouzuki Yuuko's judgement. If she believes it is necessary to assault Yukon for the recovery of the HVT, then I will follow that. She works for the victory of humanity, I can promise that."

"I see, you have been my leader for months now, Takeru. I do not wish for that to alter anytime soon. Therefore, I shall accompany you along for this journey. After all, a subordinate that cannot answer to their commander's call is of no value."

Years after years, I witnessed the absolute honour Meiya held within herself; time and time again, I was surprised by her unwavering heart. So there was no need for another question, another hesitation, this girl who followed her soul had again decided to become my spear.

"I'll go too, this is also for me."

No matter how lonely someone might get, they'll always have the warmth of their family. However, for Kasumi who was born from experimental cells and created womb, some may say she had no family. They would be wrong, dead wrong.

"Yukon, right? I wonder if there's snow there for me to play!"

As unappreciative as this might make me sound, I couldn't think of a single different reply to emerge out of Sumika's mouth. There was never another option aside from obeying my orders for her. If I ever reach the end of the world, she will always be by my side.

"You three are really the A-team, huh? Us B-team can't even compete." When nobody else stated their decision, Class rep cracked a joke instead.

"C'mon now, don't say that, Class rep. When have I ever failed you? Even if it doesn't look right at the time, I always come through with the best outcome, right? Trust me, please. I need the rest of you now, just like before."

"Takeru… you're… I don't have the right word to describe you…" Looking affectionately my way, Class rep sighed. There was a mutual bond between every one of my team, it was due to me believing in our friendship that I could ask them of this.

"Hehe, that's about right. Guys, I won't force anyone. But if you refuse, then it'll just be the couple of us." I smiled back soothingly for the rest to see.

"Don't fuck with me… I'm definitely going. Then I can shoot the rest of you in the back and bring Takeru to my digs." For her resolve, Ayamine received an entertained laugh from me and me alone.

"Oooh, woow. That'll be a problem, huh? Can you just let her do as she pleases, Chizuru?"

"Alright, alright! We're going to save someone, right? Then I'll go as well!" Class rep elected to join in by using her tsundere specialty.

"Ahahaha, I'm going too! Not like we'll be killing anyone, right?" Mikoto casted her positive vote next.

"Awaaa, don't leave Miki all alone, everyooone! I'm coming too!" Finally, Tama decided to be part of the pack.

"That's my girls! I'm so proud of you all!" With a display of true kindness, I patted the heads of almost everyone around. Those who didn't want a pat were made fun of for their shy nature.

Yuuya Bridges

C-130 Hercules

"Bridges, Sestina. We got update, come out."

When Yuuya heard his name being addressed from outside the cargo bay of the Hercules, an irrefutable angst rose to his throat. Inia who was beside him slept quietly, leaning against his shoulder as if the events that just took place were of no importance.

However, Yuuya knew. The team leader outside wouldn't call for him without a good basis, and that purpose was what he grew worried over.

"Hey, Inia. They want us to go outside."

"Hamm… I'm huuuunngry." Yuuya smiled briefly at the array of cuteness before him.

"Yeah, maybe there's something out there to eat, let's go."

Field

"So what do you want with us?"

Shirogane was the only one who greeted Yuuya and Inia outside the aircraft, he brought along no escorts and by the looks of it, there wasn't anyone on lookout either.

"Hmph." Without saying a word, Shirogane waved his hand as a motion for the two to follow before walking off.

Hanger wreckage

The path he took them on was nothing special, it was their destination that served to surprise Yuuya.

Before him stood two machines, the only TSFs of their kind in existence. The XFJ-01 Shiranui Second Phase 3, 01a and 01b respectively.

01a, Yuuya's version was decorated in a backdrop of black and white with a little blue at specific spots on top. A total of five weapons were present; Two Type-87 Assault Cannons, two Type-74 PB Blade and while invisible, Yuuya knew it had a single Type-85 PB Knife in its left arm sheath.

Beside it stood another frame, a TSF that used to be the 01b. Its coating was something a bit different; the TSF was almost covered from head to toe in black urban combat paint, only tiny fragments had a shade of white to clearly indicate the fusion of plates.

"The Americans call this 'YF-23 Arondight, Custom'. Which sounds like something straight outta an anime and makes me wanna cry; tears of joy, that is." The Captain laughed at his terrible gag by himself for a bit before finally facing the two, a wide grin crossed over his mouth.

"When did you get the Phase 3?" Yuuya asked the first question on his mind.

"Heh, you know about the 12/5 incident?"

"Err… no." There was no memory available for Yuuya to recover.

"Welp, I ain't explaining that. Short story is the CIA made this to use when they go after you, they failed and are now currently on ice. Probably will be reorganized later."

"Wait, wait. So the CIA is out?" There was a certain shock from that update.

"For now, yeah."

"Ahh… that doesn't matter anymore." The smidgen of hope was baseless since its formation in Yuuya's mind.

"Anyway, we busted their ass and I borrowed it, permanently. While tracking this thing's background, we came upon the XFJ Program and how captivating it is, which led us to here."

"So your command is chasing us as well, huh? I'll consider it lucky that your team found us first." Whether Yuuya stated his opinion with sarcasm or not, there was no denying the possibility of a worst outcome for the duo.

"And I think your luck will continue to grow, if you choose to take the risk." Those few words caught Yuuya and Inia's attention like no other.

There was a rapid change of personality just then, it was Shirogane's attitude. Even without any evidence, Yuuya could say with conviction that the man in front of him just turned into someone different. It was like his self was a mask, and switching between two sets was as simple as falling off a log.

"…Just what exactly do you mean, Captain?"

"Yuuya Bridges, what is the one goal you have right now?"

A troublesome question was directed to Yuuya from the uncaring Shirogane of all people. There was definitely a ruse hidden somewhere between the words he spoke to Yuuya, perhaps to bring up his hope just for it to crash all the way down.

"I want to protect Inia at all costs." Nevertheless, Yuuya gave a somewhat honest answer.

"What is the one wish you want to be granted?" This question, on the other hand, was much easier in comparison.

"…" However, he could not bring himself to say it. It was too childish of a dream, too juvenile for someone his age.

"Yuuya… Yuuya wishes for Cryska to be back with us! I'm sure of that!" So in his stead, Inia replied with an answer he could never speak himself.

"Inia…! That's…"

"The dreams of people, they're motivation for us to move on forward. So we choose dreams that can push us onward, that can drive us to greater heights." Then Shirogane began to talk, with seriousness and confidence this time.

"But there is no man without regret in this world. We leave mistakes behind on our path and have no choice other than to continue, forgetting about what we can no longer change. There is a surely bravely in that, I acknowledge it."

"Wait! What are you—!?"

From the way he expressed his thoughts, Yuuya started to sense a concealed implication somewhere between the lines. It was a trap set waiting for him to bite, it was the untouchable fantasy he wasn't allowed to imagine.

"All the same, if a will to change that tragedy is strong enough, who is to say a wonder won't come along?"

"—I've had enough! Just what're you trying to say! TELL ME!" In his flash of pointless anger, Yuuya grabbed the Captain by his collar and roared at him in fury.

Shirogane, in spite of that was indifferent to Yuuya's raise of emotion. The simple Japanese man held his head high and gazed at Yuuya with unchanging eyes. His hands were by his side and there wasn't a hint of resistance that he could have put up.

"I am offering you a chance, Yuuya Bridges. A chance to brin—"

"BULLSHIT! There's no way! If it's possible, I would have tried it a long time ago!"

"That is only arrogance. You have forced yourself to believe what you assumed to be the truth."

"That's cause it IS TRUE! She died in my arms! I HELD HER UNTIL SHE STOPPED BREATHING!"

"I am not trying to contradict the past, however you cannot prove that she is dead."

By now, Yuuya was truly furious. How can the newcomer before him claim to have a way of bringing back the dead?

It was impossible, absolutely impossible. Cryska was gone, Yuuya and Inia both sent her off to the next world or wherever with a false smile pasted over their lips. So how dare somebody that he just met minutes ago claim to be able to grant a dream that Yuuya was forced to abandon?

"FUCK OFF! Why are you even saying this!? Do you fucking think you know about Cryska BETTER THAN ME?!" Yuuya lifted him higher until Shirogane's toes were barely taking the ground. Due to his rage, Yuuya didn't notice how unusually light his captor was.

"By your reaction I can say this clearly, Yuuya Bridges. You are immature."

Those were the trigger words Yuuya never wished to hear. The days when he first arrived at Yukon; the times when he disliked Japanese TSFs intensely. The same taunt Yui said to him during one of their first conversations, it was unpleasant, extremely unpleasant.

"FUCK YOU!" With a fast swing of his right fist, Yuuya aimed a punch towards Shirogane's still face.

At this range, it was impossible for a person to dodge or block a strike going at his speed, so Yuuya didn't bother to think too hard about how much strength he was putting in; because he hit with all his force.

Then there was a sensation of pulled muscle at the same time as wasted energy. He thought how the weight of his punch just suddenly disappeared without connecting to the Captain, it made no sense whatsoever. So by the time he did understand, Yuuya was already staring at the broken ceiling.

"Wow, damn I'm good!" Those were some very humiliating words to follow his defeat.

Still on the ground, Yuuya surveyed his surroundings and only saw the back of Shirogane who didn't even bother to confront his opponent. Now that Yuuya got a chance to clear his head, he quickly went over what happened in about one and a half seconds.

Shirogane was obviously ready for Yuuya's attack, so the moment his fist was about to make contact, it was blocked by the Captain's right hand. Perhaps block wasn't the right word, it was more like swipe; he pushed away Yuuya's fist away with the back of his palm.

As Yuuya's momentum carried him forward, Shirogane lend him a bit of his foot and tripped him further. Then with another knee to his stomach, the Japanese man flipped Yuuya on his front, a whole two-hundred-seventy degrees clockwise from where he started.

"Arggga… fuuuuck!" Currently too tired to continue their brawl, Yuuya picked himself off the floor and dusted off his flight suit.

"Yuuya! Yuuya! Are you okay?!" Like the caring girl she was, Inia rushed to Yuuya's side after the initial shock died down.

"Arha, I'm fine. Stumbled and fell, no problem."

"Indeed, I do not consider that a fight. What you did with Meiya was a fight, this was a mere accident." Shirogane added his own insight which Yuuya didn't feel like disagreeing to.

No matter how Inia tried to comfort him, Yuuya still felt considerably embarrassed for his outburst. Losing his cool was something that should have been buried along with his past, yet the Captain before him found a way to dig that back up; just like what he suggested with Cryska.

"Calm yourself, Bridges. On the most basic sense, you also would wish for this, no?" And that was a fact, Yuuya had his own dream. He subconsciously held onto that dream.

"Alright, explain using words I can understand. How is Cryska not dead?" Thanks to their previous little struggle, Yuuya had calmed his head immensely. That was one of the few parts he improved on after Yukon; points to where points were due.

"…Hum, you got me here. I actually can't prove it." All of a sudden, Shirogane altered to the laid-back personality of his in a blink of an eye.

"What!?" Before another wave of violence could overtake Yuuya, he first allowed Shirogane to speak when he motioned for him to relax.

"Look, I won't be able to explain everything to you. You know the red-haired girl on my team with a giant ribbon and a bunny hairpin?"

"Yeah, what about her?" The distraction was unwelcomed to their discussion, but Yuuya kept his patience and listened on.

"Yeah, she's not even human."

"Haa? What are you even—"

"No, Yuuya, it's true! Sumika isn't human! I can tell!" Before Yuuya doubted Shirogane's sanity, Inia vouched for the legitimacy of his assertion. He was also equally surprised at her for remembering the name of a person they hadn't met for an hour yet.

"This crap here has got a whole lot of classified stamps all over it so I can't speak anymore. But know that she is literally the strongest esper ever, you tell him, Sestina." Inia happily took over for Shirogane when he appointed her to communicate.

"Emm… errr… she is very… deep and… ermmm. Ah! Her colour is very powerful! That's right!" Yuuya didn't point out how unhelpful that was.

"Sumika is capable of mentally linking with TSFs and move around mechanical… wait, I showed you guys this earlier." A confused look was emitted from Shirogane and reflected by Yuuya.

"Yeah, that's why I didn't argue with you. I just didn't think she would be a robot or something like that."

"Really? Shit, my brain is crap these days."

"So what did she say about Cryska?" That was what Yuuya was much more interested in.

"Something about how she is only asleep and still has time to be saved, but that time isn't too long—"

"How much time?! How can we bring her back then?!" Shirogane showed displeasure at being interrupted, however he did not pursue the subject any further.

"About four hours left, and there's a way to bring her back; I don't know the chances, but there is a way."

"What? What is it!?" The slow pace of their conversation was running down on Yuuya's tolerance.

"I need to know if you are ready for it yet. And if I do tell you, I cannot allow to you back away." Once more, the serious mask of Shirogane was equipped back on.

"What do you mean?"

"This is a gamble, a very high-stake one at that. If you want to know the truth, you will have to carry out that truth with us. You will come along for her revival."

"Well, yeah! If you actually have a chance of bringing Cryska back, then I'm certainly going!" Unfortunately, it seemed Shirogane was not satisfied with his reply.

"No. I said this is a gamble, not a journey. There is a price you must pay for the chance, the chance of bringing her back. And if we fail, you are not getting compensation."

"In that case, what are you telling me to wage?"

"I cannot disclose that." Yuuya held back his upset when Shirogane denied him the knowledge of the potential loss.

"You must be ready to lose everything for this, there is no turning back once you hear the mission details and we can't risk having you blow it over us."

"What about Inia?"

"She must also come along." Their attention was focused on the almost noiseless Russian girl. Both Yuuya and Shirogane stared at her, one was waiting for an answer and the other was just doing it to fit in.

"If Yuuya goes, I'm also going." That was the final statement from Cryska's sister.

"Then tell me, Captain. I'm ready."

"Are you sure? Let me tell you again that this isn't a guarantee, might not even be a chance. We are chasing a miracle."

"That's all the more reason for me to join. If Cryska needs a miracle, I'll be the one to provide it. She deserves this much." Finally, Yuuya felt the resolve in his heart no longer tumbling.

Yes, this should be how it was since the beginning. Yuuya forced Cryska to escape from Yukon, to be with him and forfeit her loyalty to her motherland. Whether her blood was really on his hands or not, he cannot deny that his existence led to her eventual death.

So this will be his redemption, for both himself and Cryska. Because Yuuya knew, deep down he always hoped for a miracle, and now there was a chance for him to save her once more. Her tearful departure was saddening, so he will make their reunion all the more joyful.

Before meeting Yuuya, Cryska knew nothing of the world. Therefore, even if Yuuya's decisions had brought along an early death for her, she was glad to have met him. Yet it was different for the Japanese-American, he lost his own source of happiness, but will now venture to retain it once more.

"I know this sounds old but I absolu—"

"It's okay. I'm prepared." The second time Shirogane got cut off, he was surprisingly merry.

"Yukon, we have to go back to where everything starts, and not as visitors this time."

Author's note

Here's your mistake filled chapter again, have fun with terrible grammar as always. Sorry about that, me no speak English, what you say?

Changed Martica's name from Matika. Because the wiki told me so, those guys on there are amazing, always updating constantly. If you're confused about who she is, going there and reading the page is always a good idea, the next chapter will go a bit deeper on the details of how things changed from canon to this. Although most of you don't care anyway.

By the way, I don't own Muv-Luv. If I did, I'll at least be a million dollar richer in development cost.

Quick shoutout to Endless Sorcerer , also a guy who helped me with facts, sorry for crediting you to chapters late. If you guys help with anything related to the story, I'll remember… eventually.

Next chapter will probably be two weeks away as well. I'm telling you, per week basis ain't happening, I got life to live… from time to time.

Throw a quick favourite and follow my way if you haven't already, and to everyone, thanks for reading again.

BETA done by Chad001. I think it is time to inform you of the three unwritten rules of life. They're as follows:

1.

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3.