Shirogane Takeru
6:29 AM
Soviet Б-01, Airstrip
'I sorta need to break these three up or we aren't even going anywhere.' While even my heartstrings got tugged a little by this emotional scene straight cut out from a movie, we were still fighting a war.
"—SensorS ArE CaptureD MultiplE InbounD ObjectiveS, MarkerS ArE HostilE BattalioN, CountinG ThirtY CraftS AnD RisinG." Must be the actual reinforcement from a nearby base, we wouldn't want to fight that.
Sumika, those Berkuts aren't coming with us, take care of it.
"You mean like… 'dead' care?" Talk about being extreme.
No… just regular care, set them free.
"Okay! I'll see to it!" That was easy.
"—umm, you three. I'm gonna ask you to continue your lovely-love somewhere else, preferably in that plane, cause we're bouncing the fuck outta here now." I hated breaking up a lover's moment as much as the next guy, although guess what I hated ever more? Getting busted by them UN popo for watching a soap opera.
"Ah, ah yes. Let's go Cryska, we can keep talking in the…" Bridges turned around and saw her, a smooth haired samurai watching the whole segment from start to finish.
"Ohhhh, riiight… Takamura was there in the cargo bay, this entire time… blame Meiya for this one, don't look at me like that."
"—Takeru! Why must the fault for Takamura's presence be placed on me!? I have done nothing to be ashamed for!" Of course, Meiya wouldn't understand the implication behind this.
"…Yui… you're coming along?"
"Er… yeah, I'm following Mitsurugi-sama's order." Man, could this be more awkward? Maybe if I did something to them…
Discomfort was the main substance that made up the air we breathed, even more so than oxygen itself. Bridges' stare on Takamura was perfectly reflected through her eyes, neither party felt easy with attending to the same location as the other. They would trade glimpses in a flash and just as quickly avoid the peek.
"Can we please fucking go?" Was my mic muted? Because none of these assholes moved.
"Yu— 1st Lt. Takamura. It is nice… seeing you here!" To everyone's surprise, Barchenowa took the first step in establishing a new friendship. She outstretched her open palm, meaning to shake hands with Takamura.
"Arr? Ah, yes, yes. It is my honour to meet you again, 2nd Lt. Barchenowa… welcome back…" Takamura darted her gaze panicky in every direction before finding her guts and settling on the pupils of her love rival, or perhaps it was love winner by this time.
Using their new-found resolve, two girls shook hands firmly. A gesture of acquaintance that was built over countless hours of encounter, hopefully this time the female Eishis could find it in their hearts to become good friends. Although this might be a bit easier for one compared to the other.
"Congratulations… it is your victory."
"Eh? What do you mean, First Lieutenant?" Like me, Barchenowa was just as confused by Takamura's words.
"We aren't enemies, our position is more complicated and difficult than that, right?" Still baffled, Bridges and I could only play the role of observers to whatever the girls discussed.
"That… I… I am unsure… even now, but my feelings… they are genuine, I want to believe that."
"Me too… however it can only be fate… that decided the outcome of our competition." Then they smiled. A knowing smile, an insider's smile which was really upsetting because I wanted that juicy rumour too!
"Yui, I'm glad you're coming with us."
"Yeah, I too have many… issues to solve, which cannot be done here." Taking his turn, Bridges too shook Takamura's hand and greeted her.
"Let's go then… we won't want to waste anymore time." Leading Barchenowa by her hands, Bridges was ushered further into the plane with Sestina clenching his suit and Takamura watching his back.
Two flashing lights rotated rhythmically in sync as Bridges set his scrutiny over the land, his old home which he could never return to again. The two deserters forwent their past for each other, a love born from rebellion was leaving its memories.
"—Bridges, you used up like your entire life-savings worth of luck. treasure it greatly, don't forget."
"—I know, I… I know."
And then nothing. The entrance sealed shut, Bridges was with the other three together. There was no bullshit coming to ruin our success, I would never allow such a joke.
"—Pickup 554, go for take-off."
"—Pickup 554, understood, engines spinning up." The four engines of the C-141 Starlifter responded to commands inputted by its pilots, a while later that aircraft was cruising away faster and faster to take to the skies.
"We're packing up too, people! Archangel 6 will guide Arc 8 and 7 can watch out for 4. The rest are on me, we're protecting the plane until it's out of Alaskan airspace."
"—copy!" Everyone was onboard with that idea.
06:33 AM
Yukon Airspace
"—contact front, readings indicate to be the A-01 9th Squadron, Valkyries."
"—Arc 1 got you, welcome back, Kasumi."
"Thank you, Takeru-san."
The smoke trailing from behind their TSFs was no more, about half a minute ago the black cloud disappeared and didn't make any attempt at recurrence. Sumika soon returned to normal and brought back her hyped self, just now I greeted Kasumi as she spoke for the first time.
"—A-01 STF 9th Squadron leader Valkyries 1 to 13th Squadron leader Archangel 1, do you copy?" Good-old Isumi's sweet voice echoed in my ears, it was nice seeing her and the Valkyries as a bunch of blue dots out in the distance.
"—receiving you loud and clear, Valkyries 1. Coming to clean up our mess?"
"Something like that, Shirogane. We're PSDing for XO Kouzuki. So this's all that's left then… your losses?" It looked like Isumi had a wrong idea about our condition.
"Zero, we came with nine crafts, leaving with nine."
"Stop joking about this, we need to bag any casualties as to not give you guys away."
"Oh, oh boy. I'm so giddy thinking about Hayase's reaction already, because it really is just the nine of us." I was sure her feedback would be priceless.
"No… no way! Serious!? Vice-Commander had your team attack Yukon with only a Squadron!?" Her camera froze up for a good dozen seconds, or at least that was what I thought happened; in reality, Isumi was too shocked to change her expression.
"Uh-huh, it was kinda fun. Not gonna lie."
"Urrrm… I refuse to believe you!" What was I dealing with here, a nine year old? Isumi shot me a discouraging look for her statement.
"Okay then, sure. Anything else I can help you with?" Wasn't keeping up with that topic any longer.
"Right, forward me a list of all units on base. If none of your people are lost, then we have to check their register for death." Her set of orders were quite specific.
"Sent. What else?"
"Here's the coordinates with the refuelling planes, same time as what you had on arrival." Fuel was very important for our survival.
"Got it, we done?"
"That's it, we'll clean up your mess and be back to Japan in another day or so."
"Cool, see you then, Isumi."
"You too, Shirogane. Be safe on your return trip."
We waved a little to the Valkyries and they did the same for us, the shut curtains for my team meant an entirely different thing for the A-01 veterans. Their fight was just beginning to heat up, not as a war fought with weapons but a war fought with brilliance, and that was Yuuko-sensei's job.
"—Meiya, you dealt with Takamura's TSF, right?" After crossing shoulders with the Valkyries, there was something else tailing them closely behind.
"—yes, it is as of now disabled."
"Then you wanna explain that Yellow Takemikazuchi to me?"
"Is that…? That machine must belong to Tsukuyomi." Because knowing whose it was solved all the problems I had.
"Ahaa, you're useless."
"Takeru! Do not mindlessly insult me without—"
"—Archangel 1 of A-01 STF to incoming IRG TSF Platoon; self-identification, if you don't mind." To add insult to injury, I ignored Meiya's pouty complaint and went straight to the source for a clear enlightenment.
A Flight of four Type-00s was led by an unusual yellow frame instead of the normal red associated with Tsukuyomi's rank, either a demotion got her after the coup or the empire was really low on red paint, there could only be one correct assumption.
"—is there a need to explain myself to you, Capt. Shirogane?" Salt, always overflowing with salt.
"I mean, pretty please, Mana-Mana-sama?" Still in her rosy suit, the colour of Tsukuyomi's Takemikazuchi seemed to be the only change for Meiya's maid, I had no idea how her machine adjustment was settled, but it didn't matter to me anyway.
"I am here as a massager for the Capital, do not speak to me anymore."
"Wait, wait! I have more question—" And the connection was terminated.
Damn, I really earned Tsukuyomi's loathing again, for some reason. She just couldn't make up her mind whether to like me or want to kill me into little pieces.
"Ahga, what a bitch. Okay, Arc 5, give it to me head-on." The truth could only now be revealed from Meiya's mouth.
"You see, Takeru. Tsukuyomi is here as a representative for the Imperial Royal Household during the upcoming meeting, I believe Aneue addressed her personally."
"Wha— huh? Meeting? What meeting?" Meiya was in procession of some information I had no access to.
"A short summoning of all Project PROMINENCE leaders regarding Alternative IV's acquisition of said project and all assets related to said project." This, I literally never heard before until now.
"Are you actually fucking me? -like, who else knows?" This was on a completely different level than being trolled by sensei.
"Hrrm, if memory serves me correctly: the projector overseer, UN Colonel Hartwick; Ministry of Defence's XFJ leader, Lt. Colonel Iwaya Eiji. As I mentioned before, Tsukuyomi will be representing the Shogunate and Her Highness."
"This many big-shots? Jeez, my god." Albeit I had no knowledge who half of those people were, they all sounded pretty high-ranking.
"I am not yet finished. The Soviet Union's Colonel General along with United Status' Secretary of Defence both will be attending via video transmission. At least that is what little information I am told."
"So in total we got the UN, IRG, IJA, you royalties, Russian military and US DoD all gathering for this one conference? I mean, then what was our base attack for?" I never imagined a day when Meiya was the one feeding me intel.
"If we do disregard the objective of Barchenowa's revival as a possible goal for this operation. I see this as Professor Kouzuki's method of a demonstration of her power; or not, ridding Yukon of its defensive forces must also lower the price of acquisition."
"Yeah… if that's what she's aiming for, then we got played real hard." It was too early to guess at Yuuko-sensei's evil plot for now, I still had this mission to finish.
"And even more, considering the person Professor Kouzuki is; she might just not care. Nonetheless, Takeru, we should complete our own assignment ASAP."
"Agreed, pretend this discussion never happened and don't let the others know. Also remind me to slap Yuuko-sensei with a big, fat stack of money once we're back." She deserved at least this much.
"Huhuhu, of course, Takeru." Meiya agreed easily.
"On that note, have you recent—" Another one of them beeping messages interrupted my sentence, the universe was against me talking at all times; this certainly seemed to be the case.
"—Archangel 1, this is Inia Sestina of Idar 1, do you copy?" To my agitated surprise, a calm and collected Sestina radioed me from the plane. She never sounded this unruffled, which meant there definitely was something wrong.
"—go for me, Idar 1. What's the problem?"
"I'm relaying my feed… this is not good, Capt. Takeru-chan." The time wasn't right for me to mind her strange use of my name.
"I have received." A little slide window popped up showing a live footage of whatever event was transpiring inside the cargo bay of our jet.
"…Yeah, yeah this is bad news." Within the dim corridor of the transportation, Sestina was staring directly at a figure five metres away from her.
"—YUUYA! WHY!? Did I ask for any of this!?" I heard a mournful scream muffled by tears through Sestina's microphone; its shouter was not a voice I recognized.
"—Please! You don't have to do this! Just let Cryska go!" Next, I noticed the unregistered passenger had Barchenowa hostage with a pistol to her temples. The lighting was not suited for making out either's expression, but intense breathing from both parties could be heard.
"IT'S NOT FAIR! All I wanted was just you, Yuuya! If you were so determined to run away, why did you come back?!" Bridges entered the setting to Sestina's right, a handgun pointing at the infiltrator.
"This is not the same! I came back for Cryska! I just wanted her to be safe!"
"So that's all you care about!? Just this Russian!? You don't give a shit about everyone you left behind?! Nothing for me?!"
Working with the terrible angle here, I could only conclude for the abductor to be female at around the same height as Bridges. Her voice was young and a bit heavy with accent, two pigtails swung violently as the confrontation escalated.
"This isn't about you, Yifei! We're just trying to leave!"
"DAMN IT ALL, YUUYA! The mission wasn't supposed to be like this! SHE KILLED MY ENTIRE TEAM!"
Yuuya Bridges
06:35 AM
"Listen to me, Yifei! You're high on 'go pills' or something you took earlier! Just calm down and we can talk this through!"
"I only shot up with morphine! And it was because of HER too!" On the left side of Yifei's waist, there was a bandaged wound due to a fresh injury. She would occasionally rub around the darkened spot, trying to ease the pain.
"Please stop it, Capt. Cui! There's no point in doing this anymore!" Yui attempted to solve the situation as well.
Fortified gloves griped the handle of a M9 tightly, fingers pressed right on the trigger and safety clicked off long ago. Yuuya didn't want to point a firearm at a valuable companion of his, however the situation raised gave him more than a good reason to do so.
He didn't know where Yifei came from; he didn't see how Cryska got taken hostage. Nothing made sense for the ex-2nd Lieutenant, it shouldn't be happening like this. Within the plane hold, Cryska said she wanted to check out what was behind the stacked crates so Yuuya let her; the accident took place afterwards.
"You're blowing this all out of proportion, Yifei! Cryska didn't kill anyone on your team!"
"Please… believe him, Capt. Cui. I only recently woke up fro—"
"You SHUT UP!" Waving her arm down, Yifei slammed the gun-stock down for Cryska's head. If she didn't pull back at the last second, the trigger on Yuuya's pistol might've been pulled.
"Even if the 47 wasn't hers, it was she who caused all this mess! Why did you come back, Yuuya!?" The old grief still clung to Yifei's features; she pressed the barrel hard against Cryska's head, disinclined to take Yuuya's justification as the truth.
"Yifei, I know you to be a reasonable person. I'm telling you right now that nobody is dead, we came in and out with a zero casualty rate for us and the people of Yukon. If you don't trust me then just check the surveillance footage from the Berkut yourself." Judgment and rational, tools Yuuya could use for a safe solution.
"What're you…?" That proclamation soothed Yifei's mood, she blinked a few times to think realistically again.
"—Capt. Shirogane, you seeing this?" Yuuya phoned the Archangel leader over their data-link.
"—through Sestina's suit camera, link me to yours." The demand was said to Yuuya by his earpiece. He knowingly clicked a few buttons on his wrist to forward his feed.
"Okay, patching through."
"Is that the ringleader of your team!?" Excluded from his comms, Yifei became anxious when Yuuya spoke with Shirogane.
"Bridges, I'm getting you Archangel 2's recording now, it's fresh off the files and even I haven't seen it yet. Don't spoil, okay?"
"Not now, Captain. You sure nobody got gutted, right?" The time for jokes had to be postponed; Yuuya had more urgent matters to deal with.
"Yeah, negative on killed hostile pilots. Nobody should be suffering from fatal wounds." Shirogane vowed for the wellbeing of all the soldiers they faced.
"Yifei, can your suit still receive?"
"Y-yeah! I brought my control with me from the J-10!"
"I'm sending you the video feed now. Just watch it for yourself, okay? Please trust me and don't hurt Cryska." Slowly and calmly, Yuuya clicked a few buttons on his suit to transfer the data that should disprove Yifei's claim.
While hesitant, she received his message and begun watching the video, both her hands still tightly around Cryska's wrists and the pistol respectively. Yuuya said nothing for the entire duration of the screening as the Chinese girl focused to study what she viewed.
"A vertical cut down the shoulder joints…that's way different from what I saw! She went for the cockpits! All three fucking times!" Bloodshot eyes met confused and tense pupils; Yuuya again stabilized his handgun and tightened his trigger finger.
"I don't know what you saw, okay!? But it wasn't the truth! Killing people here would defeat our whole purpose! So please! Just let Cryska go! You're hurting her way too much!" Yuuya was justifiably low on patience; losing Cryska here under this set of circumstances will never be permitted in his books.
"Agguaa… it's always someone else, it's always for somebody else when it comes to you, Yuuya. I-I can't understand this, why did you do it? WHY!?" Swinging around her pistol repeatedly had caused a drain on Yifei's stamina, the PLA girl sighed exasperatingly.
"Yifei… stop it, just stop it." So Yuuya also worked with her attitude, his voice cautious but calm.
"Agra, whatever! I'm in no mood for this anymore. Catch, stupid!" Yifei's arm pushed harshly, Cryska went flying away from her hold and into Yuuya's chest.
"Cryska, you okay?" Obviously, Yuuya would be the first to care for her.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. The safety on her gun was still on, she had no intention of shooting me." Hearing that, Yuuya felt a bit guilty for the state his sidearm was in; he was ready to fire if he must.
"I'm tired, Yuuya… I'm really just done with this. Why did you choose her? Even if it can't be me, then why not Takamura over there? She clearly has the hots for you and it's not like you're blind to that, why her, Yuuya?"
He wasn't prepared for this, not under such conditions. Yuuya tried his best until now to hide his decision of the heart from the prying eyes of others. Most of Shirogane's team didn't care too much for his reason and the Captain even less so. However Yifei did care, and she wasn't about beating around the bush.
"Ca-ca-c-c-CAPTAIN! D-d-don't be saying THAT! I-I'm merely ju-just a—!" Yui instantly flustered red to no end, her shy side came out easily to get the better of her.
In face of this dilemma, Yuuya reminded himself how silence says a thousand words.
"Yeah, yeah, keep being embarrassed, Takamura. I don't really care for your view anyway. That whole time you just watched, what a nice friend you are."
"You—!"
"2nd Lt. Barchenowa, what's your opinion on this? We know he sees you as a romantic interest, you're feeling like a winner right now?" Her pistol was now being used as a pointer by Yifei's crazy hand motions, Yuuya stayed quiet to keep the fire away from him now that the real danger had passed.
"I don't really know this too well, Capt. Cui. What I feel towards Yuuya is hard to explain. This feeling is passed onto me from Inia, I can't truly tell whether this belongs to me or not."
"Oh, that's just great. Yuuya, if I ever need you, will you go AWOL for me?" Completely worn out by her endless night of fighting, Yifei became too uncaring about the image she presented to others.
"Err… yeah, I'll do that for you."
"Really? You don't sound like you're willing." She caught on, but not for long.
Yuuya was too far ahead to be uncertain now. He did this, created an entire war for the sake of one woman, that was what he did. And seeing the chaos he had left behind only firmed his resolve, Yuuya wasn't regretful about his actions. He did what he knew was what he had wanted more than anything else.
"Yes, if you ever need my help, Yifei. I'll be there for you. I realize I love Cryska because she is who she is, there's nothing to be done to change that. You're my friend, Yifei. I do value you as such."
So Yifei sighed again, out of words to resort for something so pointless in the first place. She holstered her sidearm and casually swiped back her hair like nothing happened. To this Chinese girl, perhaps nothing of their discussion was really worthy of bewilderment.
"Hear that, Takamura? What do you think?"
"Ehh? Err… humph! I have since long prepared for such an outcome, therefore I cannot say this conclusion is outside expectation." To Yuuya's eyes, Yui was ready to face this ages before his return.
"So that leads to you being the ultimate winner, 2nd Lt. Barchenowa. Congratulations." In semi-mockery, Yifei clapped for her opponent.
"Ah, thank you, Captain." As oblivious as ever, Cryska saluted sincerely.
"Now that's over, I want some stories. Tell me what happened, Yuuya. Absolutely everything."
"Alright, we'll tell you what happened. Just don't be too surprised, okay?"
—
"Really?! You went all that length, just for her!?" By now, Yuuya was used to seeing that reaction when he retells the tale of his venture.
"You see! Yuuya is very dedicated to Cryska! Don't be trying to steal him from now on!" A new voice called out for Yifei's surrender, Inia who didn't speak a word this entire time finally let her thoughts be known.
"I-In-Inia! Don't say such embarrassing things! It's… it's not good! We're only starting out!" Clearly shy about their relationship, Cryska blabbed away more unnecessary gossip.
"Ahaaa… it's hopeles—"
"YUUYA you STUPID IDIOOOOT!" Fast as lighting, the American got slapped comically across the face and flew to the other end of the hold. There was still some fire left in Yifei, it would appear.
"Yuuya! Are you okay?!" That was a hit deserving of Inia's attention which he just took.
"Arruuugga… I'll live."
"Okay then!" Nobody ever said her attention span was long.
Finally, calmed Yifei down from her rampage, the band of pilots from around the world sat in a row on the C-141's branches. Yuuya succeeded in his mission, now they were a ride home away from savouring the hard-fought victory.
"2nd Lt. Barchenowa, I'll only say this once, okay? Sorry… for taking you hostage earlier." This marked the start of a new conversation and relation.
"Ah, it's nothing to worry about, Capt. Cui."
"No, I shoved a gun in your face because I was… and still am jealous. Now that this stupid competition is over, will you see me as a contender?"
He glanced from afar at the four ladies sitting side-by-side, unwinding after everything that taken place. Yifei was slowly standing up, her face shadowed by uncertainty and guilt. Cryska was the first one to appreciate her intention, thus she reached out first, a hand offering friendship. Still timid, Yui also joined in to help her overcome her earlier mistakes.
"—Bridges, you know the Chinese girl?" It appeared Shirogane never left the comms.
"—yeah, but don't worry, she's fine now. We won't have a problem, trust me."
"Arr, I'd rather just shoot her and be done with it but I'll leave her alive for you, Bridges. There're some safety measures we have to take though." Whatever Shirogane wanted as insurance, it wouldn't be any worse than killing Yifei.
"What do you want?"
"Get her to strip first." Yuuya ate his thoughts entirely just then.
"Wait, what!? H-hold on a sec here… WHAT!?"
"She's still a security hazard as long as she's in that suit. Get her out of it right away Bridges, I'm not taking that risk." From Shirogane's voice, Yuuya recognized he wasn't joking around for the laughs.
"Is there any other alternatives?"
"I dunno, man, how does a full metal jacket penetrating her brain sounds? I'm sure I can manage that too." A better solution probably existed somewhere in the universe, this wasn't it.
"You motherfucking dick. Fine, I'll get her to do that."
"There should be some blankets lying around in there, take off everything she's wearing and toss it out. I'll take your words for it when she's done, don't lie to me." Vagueness made up of Yuuya's immediate future, but this young man had to carry out his questionable order.
He was just lucky to see the whole event in process from a minute prior. Yifei's hand griped Cryska's tightly with Yui placing her own on top of theirs. He hoped that everything in the past could just be water under the bridges, with their new future being the primary goal to work for.
"Yuuya, what's wrong?" Yui sensed his uneasiness when Yuuya walked back, his steps missing its normal pace.
"Emm, the guy in charge wants Yifei to change out of her fortified suit."
"Does he? Is there clothes or anything lying around?" Her chilled attitude was making Yuuya sweat nervously.
"T-there should be a bl-blanket here somewhere."
"Ah, this must be it, Captain." Yui delivered a sheet Shirogane had mentioned.
"Xièxiè, princess. By the way, are there some bandages you can find? I should rewrap this wound just in case." A more relaxed Yifei was good; however, a too relaxed Yifei was not.
Yuuya had a good hunch on what was about to transpire, still Yifei moved her hands and body faster than he could react. Her shoulder pads came undone in seconds, swiftly followed by the air-sealed collar around her neck. It was about to happen; he knew, but he also knew he couldn't look away in time.
"Awawa… F-fi-First Li-l-Lieutenant! Th-that's indecent!" Yui complained weakly.
"Ahaaa…! The bleeding stopped, thank god. Ouch, my wound could get infected though." Then her suit dropped completely down to her ankles. Yifei cared not in the slightest how her naked body was observable by everyone surrounding her.
As for her injury, the cut was large, fortunately it wasn't too deep to be considered seriously harmful. Yuuya swore that was all he saw.
"Oh? Yuuuuuya~! What do you think, huuuh? I'm still developing but this looks promising~ right~?" He tried his best, he tried so hard too.
"Yuuya, noooo! Don't look-don't look, don't loooook!" He paid for his hesitation with a brutal slap, this time sent with love by Inia.
Fun, that was a precious thing; an exquisite sentimentality of their time. Yuuya only enjoyed it now, during a time after suffering. He viewed pleasantly, the girls messing around with each other and him. Cryska on the brink of taking her own suit off as Yifei increased her challenge.
"C-Capt. CUI! Stoooop thiiis! Ce-Cease this lewdness at once!"
"Ha-ha-ha-ha! This's exactly why you couldn't win, princess! I'm not ashamed of myself!"
"Kapitan! Please use this blanket! You'll get sick!"
"Yuuuuya~! C'mooon~! You gotta have an opinion!" The matter of fact was that he did have an opinion, although it wasn't for sharing purposes.
"Tch… it isn't not like you've done anything with Yuuya while naked anyway, Cryska still wins, understand that! She's the first one!" Inia, the young rebel stood up to Yifei's nonsense.
"Oh god, please no." There might be a little bit of unnecessary detail added in.
"Yuuya… Yuuya? What're you running away? There's nowhere to go you know? So come back, come back now! You can't run! YOU CAN'T JUST RUN FROM ME!"
This was the joy of life, this was what he fought for.
Shirogane Takeru
International airspace
"—no, no, no! Listen, okay!? So it goes like this: you have a wolf, a chicken and a bag of grain, you're taking them across a river in a small boat, that shitty boat can only carry two things at once so you and another item only. If left alone, wolf will eat chicken and chicken will eat grain."
"—what happens if something gets eaten?" A highly intelligent question from our genius thinker, Mikoto.
"You go into a cardiac arrest and die from shock of having the stuff eaten, sound good?"
"Oh… ooooh, okay." Mikoto nodded eagerly, waiting for me to continue.
"The wolf won't mess with the grain and nobody will go anywhere. Problem here is how to cross the river the fastest and not lose anything, other questions?"
"Can the grain row the boat though?" Another amazing display of IQ came from Ayamine.
"Don't talk to me, anymore questions?" This time there was only pure silence left.
"Okay, think about this and come back later. It took me around two minutes when I heard it first, still surprised that none of you know this riddle but whatever works."
Our casual fly over the ocean was in dire need of some entertainment. Luckily, I was there to provide the best and the most fun possible for our band of exhausted Eishis. Same as when we came, the endless sea had nothing in store for laughs, making mind puzzles a good time-killer.
"Who do you think will get it first, Takeru-chan?" Sumika esp-ed me since she already solved this riddle years back.
Probably Meiya or Class rep, logical problem solving is a bit stronger in them.
"—you remember that time when Kasumi-chan tried this?" Switching to encrypted comms made no alteration to our talk.
"—she had it down in seconds, brainpower be high with that girl."
"Yeah, how long ago was that?" Nostalgia struck me hard on this one.
"I'm thinking about eight years ago, we're really getting old. Actually, how long have we been doing this now, Sumika?"
Time, as a concept really failed on keeping me in touch with reality. Months turned into years and then decades. Seriously thinking about this sort of subjects were only a burden on my brain.
"I can't really remember either, maybe about thirty… forty years for me?" Smiling happily as ever, Sumika replied to me.
"…Damn, it must be really easy to just live and fight until you die, huh? Not worrying about saving the world and all that crap." Like so many lives around me, a redo-button was never there.
"But they don't get second chances, Takeru-chan. Without your interference, everything happens the exact same every time." Which was true, I personally tested to see what happens if I do nothing. In conclusion, world goes boom all day.
"See, it's times like this when I wish I had a kill-counter on you."
"Eh? What would that do?"
"You know, because I kill you every time we bring back the 00 unit… does that make sense, stupid?"
"Heeey! You don't have to be so mean allll the time, Takeru-chan! I also kinda forget the brain-me dies when this me gets working… so that means I'm dead… but not dead…?" Nice, already confused.
"Yeah, it's like a normal thing now. Sorry for killing you, by the way."
"Aye, that's fine. Everybody is just a certain personality that accumulated a unique set of memories over their course of life. So I don't think of myself as dead at all!" There probably was a movie with a plot like that, couldn't remember it at the moment though.
"Good, because I won't feel bad about putting down your dumbass."
"EEEEE!"
"—Takeru! I believe I have concluded to a correct answer—"
"—Capt. Takeru, I think I got it as well." My prediction was right on the money, Meiya and Class rep were only seconds apart on their calls.
"Allllright, let your grand master drop some knowledge down upon you."
—
"—so it's all finally over now, I kinda wish we had more to spend here!"
"—sure you do, we didn't bring back souvenirs. Do you think Bridges and the rest will have better days now?" An unknown amount of time later, Sumika started a new discussion with me.
"Erm… yes! Cryska-chan is alive, after all! You saved them, Takeru-chan! You did a good thing!" Deep in me, maybe I was hoping for those words.
"Yeah… did do that too. I gambled hard on this one, but now that we won, Yuuko-sensei had better deliver the goods. Bridges also better work his ass off from now on, XFJ and all."
"I'm sure they'll do fine!" It wasn't my place to plan out their future, however whatever path they would pick was greatly limited by me.
"Thinking about it though, I should have killed that Chinese girl. She's still a liability." The risk of bringing along Takamura was high enough; I didn't even know that one.
"Takeru-chan, bad! Don't be killing people for no good reason!" How ironic for her to be the one lecturing me on morals.
"You were so planning on putting them down during that Prafka fight, don't think I wasn't there."
"And that's why I hacked their system! It was like killing them but not really killing them!" To be absolutely fair, Sumika showed good moderation as to not actually bleed anyone dry.
"Don't you kill people on a regular basis? Like every other loop you put down dudes during the 12/5. Also, that time when we fought the EU with your Susanoo, you obliterated Britain in two days. Just like 'peeeeeew!' and they dead." It was just constant particle cannon spam, poor Lads had no hope.
"We were at war with them at that time! It wasn't my fault!" Honestly, that one couldn't be counted against her. We all had our own orders, people should learn not to mess with Alternative IV.
"Well, hopefully it doesn't turn into that again. Date for Sado isn't changing and this loop is looking more and more familiar to some other ones where we went full-blown World War III."
"Arr, please don't let that happen." Throwing G-Bombs are each other while the BETA was on our front-door step wasn't humanity's brightest moment.
"Yep, yep. I'll make it work, somehow. Let's get done with this first though, I wanna go home."
"Ahehe, me toooo! I wanna take a long shower and sleep for hours!"
"That reminded me, I haven't slept around in a while. Once we're back I want you to blow me." I was sure being active was good for my body.
"You mean like breathing on…? AAAAWWWAAA! NO! NONONONO!" What an overreaction, I wasn't even asking for a homerun.
"But… you do that all the time though?"
"STILL NO! It's because you always force me into perverted stuff!"
"What? A wise-man once said 'one cannot rape the willing'. Are you disagreeing with me?"
"ABSOULTELY! I'm okay with doing all that lewd things with you but it's still rape!" Just shoot me, like right now.
"Fucking… shut the fuck up, you don't make sense. The minute sensei gets home I'll ask her for some computer aphrodisiac, this way you'll be more truthful with yourself! Muahahaha!"
"Aaahh! aAAAAAH! That's rape! You pervert! DEGENERATE!" What a big word.
"I ain't dealing with you right now. —Arc lead to Ayamine, serve me a third base once we get back." Since Sumika was useless as ever, I went to someone more cooperative instead.
"—waaaa? I thought we're going all the way."
"Oh, yeah. Nevermind, Sumika. You're fired, I see you naked again I'll throw you into a pit of octopuses." Inside joke, inside joke. As in something being inside something else.
I'm so good at this comedy.
"Agggrra… I'CAN'T BELIEVE YOU JOKE ABOUT THAT! TAAAKKKKERRRRUUU-CCHHAAAN!"
Kouzuki Yuuko
December 21, 2001
Alaska, Yukon Base conference room
"Well, I believe this is called a circle-jerk, gentlemen. Can we please just conduct business?"
"Dr. Kouzuki holds a good point, we're quite unproductive with this endless bickering." Even a tiny gathering of world leaders ended up with problems like this, not like anyone expected otherwise.
"How nice of you to agree, Mr. Secretary."
"Of course, I prefer to be fruitful as well."
A huge round table and single sofas straight out of fiction was accessible for Yuuko to sit in as she presented her points to many of the most influential people on the planet. Standing behind her was Suzumiya Haruka, her personal assistant when it came to receiving and sending messages to the outside team.
Looking over the chairs, only a fraction of them happened to be filled. There was 1st Lt. Tsukuyomi Mana, sitting in for the Shogun. Lt. Colonel Iwaya Eiji on behalf of the Imperial Army's Ministry of Defence. And a few other faces she wasn't too interested by.
On video were a few more hot-shots, like America's Secretary of Defence and Russian's Colonel General. Regular folks, all of them.
"But no matter how persuasive you are, Doctor. We cannot so simply agree to—"
"Representing the Japanese Imperial Shogunate, Her Highness gives consent to this transaction. I shall no longer be involved in this conversation, excuse me." Half an hour of pointless debating pushed the IRG First Lieutenant over the edge, Tsukuyomi stated her view flawlessly and left all too quickly.
"Kouzuki Hakase (Professor), all matters belonging to the Imperial Honour Guard are to be dealt with by us, do not have your team obstruct it." Calling Yuuko out in Japanese, Tsukuyomi muttered her words.
"I know, I know. Don't be such a stiff."
"Tsk, I am not complaining about my order, however this is a waste of my time." Still refusing to speak the international language, the First Lieutenant was upset with being called to their meeting as she exited through the door.
"Oh… wow. Disrespected, how do you feel about that, Comrade… bold person?" This was a literal translation of adding insult to injury.
"…It is… Lt. Colonel Budomir… Rogofsky… Dr. Kouzuki…!" The pale Russian man held back his anger to the extremes as to not disgrace himself.
Yuuko wandered to herself as why this person was invited to their meeting in the first place. This assembly was for the conference of a matter completely unrelated to him.
"That's cool, I guess. So you still won't agree to our deal, Comrade Lt. Colonel?"
"NO!… This absurd threat is made to shed a bad light on us! The Alaska Military District of Soviet Army!"
"Uh… hello? If going around making espers isn't bad enough than how about bombing your own base for the Imperial's EML? Or maybe you want the actual communication call to be put on a playback loop?" Faking her resignation, Yuuko raised her hand like that popular poster of watching out for a badass.
"What!? Are you accusing me of such traitorous act!?"
"You heard like… none of what I just said, didn't you? I seriously just told you, like five seconds ago that I have evidence for your involvement during the Ц-04 Frontline Supply Base Incident when the bombers destroyed half of whatever battalion you had there."
"RIDICULOUS! I have neve—"
"Not. Another. Word. Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Someone from the Russian side shut up Lt. Col. Rogofsky for good.
"Colonel General… yes, sir." Transmitting his view through a video camera, Yuuko noted another Russian guy stepping in to stop the constant bitching.
"Alright, that went well. Disregarding whether Lieutenant Colonel here actually did the bad stuff, I'm just asking for a base here. Can we please cooperate? How much you want?"
"Dr. Kouzuki, may I suggest you behave more fitting for your position? You are clearly ridiculing the soldiers of our Motherland." Upset with her, the Col. General warned the Japanese professor.
"Haa… let's be real here, what I want is Yukon Base and all of its related provision. So that's PROMINENCE, which is in the ground; all militarized units, which are also in the ground; the Soviet armed forces, which happens to be pretty much wiped out and the infantry… can't forget the infantry that's almost nonexistent."
"All while realizing Yukon Base just suffered an attack of unknown nature, with the perpetrators destroying most of its armed forces; a team of criminals who you willingly allowed to escape." The General said again. This was during the aftermath of another Yukon attack, Yuuko remembered.
"Hey, I was with Lt. Col. Iwaya in a freaking jet, what you want me to do? Kamikaze them to death?"
"You also had a team for security."
"Yeah, a team of nine! Those people demolished Yukon's… what, over a hundred TSFs with no losses? You honestly wanted me to take them on?" Yuuko made her stand firm enough for the Soviet General to back down.
"Anyway, gentlemen. To get Yukon, I need your permissions. And to dangle a carrot before you all, Alternative IV just set a date for our offense against the 21st Objective, Sadogashima Hive. With help from the Imperial Army and Far East Defence Force, we're looking to capture the Hive using a new super weapon."
Yuuko ended her sentence sweetly, shooting a playful wink at the US Secretary. All was going just according to plan so far, she thought to herself. Alternative was now officially too big to fail.
"I see, it's hard to believe you got it working, Professor. Personally, I'm quite impressed."
"Why, thank you, Mr. Secretary. Couldn't do it without your help." Sharing an insider's smile, only the Soviet soldier was left out of the fun.
"What is this super weapon you're hinting at, Doctor?" So he asked.
"Oh, it's a big gun."
"A very big gun, actually. Very, very big indeed." It was this moment that Yuuko became quite fond of the American DOD leader.
"And you know what? Alternative IV is inviting you Soviets to be part of its first observers; if you agree to giving me Yukon, that is."
"I don't understand, Doctor. Why do you wish to acquire Yukon Base so unbendingly? Is there something here of value to you?"
"Ahh…why do I want Yukon now…? Humm… I just like to whore, how about that?" It was actually not too far from the truth.
"…This is very straining on me mentally… Doctor, I'm not as young and ferocious as someone like you." The Soviet said, taking off his glasses and rubbing his nose bridge.
"I don't know how I can convince you, Col. General. Russian is infected by an endless sea of BETA, years after years innocent lives are lost because of it. I want to help you take back your home, General. I want to help the world take back our home, and I do have the power to do that." To herself, Yuuko believed it to be the full truth of her project.
"Very well! Risk is a part of life, I sincerely hope you do not fail me, Dr. Kouzuki."
"I would never."
"The Soviet Union agrees to this transaction." Finally, another approval was recorded on tape forever.
"Well, I got a game of golf to finish here, Professor. The United States federal government also agrees to this transaction—" Surprisingly fast, way too fast.
"On some conditions which we shall discuss at a more suitable time. Is that alright with you, Brigadier General Preston?"
"Of course, Sir. I do not have an objection." The US Army commander in charge of Yukon answered back.
"Ahaha… never change, you people. Alright, who else do I need permission from?"
"While I'm sure there's not much for me to declare, the Imperial Ministry of Technology also agrees, Professor Kouzuki." Lt. Col. Iwaya didn't really attend the meeting with a choice from the beginning, he more or less tagged along to oversee the reestablishment of XFJ.
"Appreciate it, Lieutenant Colonel."
"As the UN commander of Project PROMINCE, my support is not necessary, is it?" Another Caucasian man across the desk from Yuuko spoke up.
"Oh, yeah. Apologize for that, Col. Hartwick. Don't worry, you'll be paid in full."
"That is… not my concern, but it is good to know, Professor." Sighing calmly, the project leader nodded to Yuuko.
"Still, coming to Yukon Base during an attack was most unfortunate, Professor. Or maybe I should say brave?"
"I'm just happy they let me in, didn't shoot us or anything." On came the poker face, or else she wouldn't be able to control her laughter.
"Indeed, for a mere Squadron to do what the RLF failed a few months back. Whoever the invaders are, we must do everything in our power to hunt them down before another attack happens." Some of the Yukon commanders started talking amongst themselves.
"I currently have my team searching for survivors in the wreckage, the report of no casualties doesn't seem to be a lie." And it had better not be if Shirogane wanted his bonus.
"Thank you for your effort, Professor. This is a new low for Yukon, no offence."
"Vice-Commander Kouzuki, a call on line two from the Valkyries. It's Isumi, ma'am." Suzumiya, who was quiet until now whispered her message into Yuuko's ear.
"Good, I'll have a listen." Yuuko turned on her earpiece and heard a speaker shorty after static.
"—Vice-Commander Kouzuki, we have an update for you."
"—Isumi, go ahead."
"Ma'am, all Eishis who have reported for duty within the last twenty-four hours are secured. Many suffer from minor injuries with a few bone fractures, triage tags up to yellow only." That was the news she anxiously waited for.
"I see, good work on that."
"A question, Professor; was Shirogane's team really the only ones assigned this mission?" Isumi's curiosity peaked its head rarely, scarcely enough for the Vice-Commander to satisfy it.
"Yeah, it is. Only nine units and ten Eishis… I know, they took down an entire base worth of TSFs."
"…That is all, ma'am. We'll be on standby."
"No need, go take your break once things have calmed down." Yuuko gave her Captain the permission to rest.
"Roger that."
"Oh, another thing, gentlemen. There are no major injuries among any of the pilots defending Yukon today." Suddenly cutting their conversation off, Yuuko went in with her newly acknowledged news.
"Is that so? I can't help but admit to the incredible skill of the invaders then. Whatever their objectives were, they achieved it with zero casualties on both sides." That was just too perfect of a setup from the UN Colonel.
"And just a FYI, the intruder team also belongs to me. Alternative IV's A-01 Task Force, they're pretty good. And now I only have to pay for property damage, don't sue me though, this's my base now. " As fashionable as humanly possible, Yuuko made it rain by throwing her documents into the air before heading out the front door.
Not a single fuck was given that night.
—
"Hum! Maj. Sandek, how nice it is to meet you here."
"Please, Dr. Kouzuki, my UN rank is more than enough."
"That won't do, Major. This is about your Total Eclipse Plan, you see. We've lots of things to talk about, and I don't have time to beat around the bushes over here. The point is; I think Alternative IV has got more than what you need for it to succeed."
"…Then follow me, we'll go somewhere more appropriate for this discussion."
Shirogane Takeru
JST, UTC+9, 18:45 PM
Yokohama Base, Hangar
"Who's gonna jerk me off!?" Shouting at the top of my lungs, there wasn't anything else to say.
"I thought I am." Ayamine jumped at the opportunity to get laid like we promised.
"…Do we have any contenders?" The more the merrier.
"Takeru-san, I want in too." There was Kasumi, baiting me with her loli body after a prolonged operation, herself sweaty but not too sweaty. I was absolutely planning on biting, no doubt about that.
"Do you earnestly have no shame, Takeru!? Announcing your night activity like this is uncalled for!" Puffing her cheeks cutely, Meiya pointed at me as she roped down from her Type-00.
"Owwoo, you jealous, Meiya? I'm open to a 4P, how about you?" That was a call for instant blush from Meiya, she flinched from the pure shock of my invitation.
"Wh-whhaat?! Bu-bu-but I-I have other matters t-t-to attend to—"
"Mitsurugi… chances aren't free." Ayamine cut in to add her inducement.
"We welcome you, Meiya-san." So did Kasumi when she grabbed the purple-haired girl by her hands.
"Ahh… Mitsurugi, this's your first time?" Said Class rep sceptically, she was investigating a case she had no business looking at.
"Errm… err… aahh… perhaps?" That totally will cure the curiosity of everyone here.
"Nice, that was smooth… just like your trimmed bush, sweet girl you." I honestly answered for Meiya.
"AHHa— y-y-yooou—!" Speechless was her current state. Meiya straight out crashed her head into my chest, resembling a planking posture and hiding her feature from view.
"Alright, here's what we're gonna do. We're all showering first, then eating, then I'm leaving for the night. Y'all are free to fuck around after that, got it?!"
"Takeru, I don't think I need to remind you but… take responsibility for her, okay?" Class rep sighed in resignation, I was probably long far gone in her eyes.
"How mature of you, mother. Good tips."
"Haa… Tamase, Yoroi, let's just go and leave them alone for now… I need to take a bath, a really long one." Tactical retreat wasn't a bad plan.
"Well, bye-bye, Takeru-san!"
"See you later, Takeru!"
"You people… do make sure you actually rest, alright?" So left the three touched maidens, soon they shall all belong to me. Sooooon.
"We'll use sensei's bedroom since ours are only a single bunk, don't worry, she wouldn't mind." Yes, I was sure. Yuuko-sensei wouldn't mind, because she wouldn't know.
The others were a bit reluctant, but my dominating demeanor wasn't a good front to argue against. Altogether, we left our machines and headed for the barracks. Meiya, Ayamine, Kasumi and I along with Sumika in toll went off separately for a quick shower before changing out of our suits.
—
"Hey, Sumika, where you going?" As the last person to congregate outside my room appeared, she deviated from our set course and instead went in a different direction.
"Huh? I said I'm not doing it now, right?"
"That was for real? You almost never miss out on team plays."
"Taaa-keeee-ruuu-chan! Doooon't call it something like that!" Shying her face with bright red, Sumika yelled like she always does.
"Then you're just gonna do nothing?"
"I have to recalibrate Cryska-chan, or else her cancer could come back." Thinking back to it, that was something Sandek told me to do when we watched Sumika hammering out the Chinese like good buddies.
Speaking of the past, our guests from Yukon should be resting in their rooms by now. Expect for the poor PLA chick who got thrown into a detention cell, she wouldn't be having the best first-impression of Yokohama for anytime in the future. At least I made sure the bed wasn't creeping with cockroaches.
"The Russian? What cha doing to her?" What a weird accent Ayamine used.
"Errr, it's complicated." Finding a good answer for her was proven to be difficult without spilling all the beans.
"Please take care of Cryska, Sumika-san."
"Of course! She's such a good girl! Unlike Takeru-chan, you idiooot!" Affront of the year right here, I needed some serious ice.
"Man, got me. Can confirm, am not a good girl." Sumika wasn't so kind to give me a reaction for my comeback.
"Well, have fun, everyone! I have some stuff to work out! And Takeru-chan! Don't bully them too much, you hear me!?"
"See ya stupid, just leave." It was a well-deserved punch in the face I dodged.
"Good luck on whatever tasks you must accomplish, Sumika."
"We'll gank him together next time, Kagami."
"Please take care of Cryska, Sumika-san."
"Kay-kay! Byyye everyone!" And so my party underwent a minus one.
Hayase Mitsuki
AKDT, UTC-8, 10:32AM
Yukon Base, main UN structure
"Do you guys have a PX here? Also, do they serve morning meals?"
"Sure, yeah. Go down this hall and head for the left." Mitsuki was assisted by a short dark-skinned Eishi who she recovered from the forest a few hours back.
"Thanks for that." She commented before catching up to the rest of her friends.
"So that's exactly what he said; 'if you do wanna die, just don't die!" Munakata was telling a funny tale of sorts when Mitsuki arrived.
"Yeah… he's an asshole, I'll say it." Isumi sounded upset.
"What we talking about here?"
"What Capt. Shirogane said last time during our training, two days before their sortie." Isumi filled her in on the missing segments.
"Urrr, that Shirogane… once we get back, I'm definitely kicking his freaking fat-ass!"
"You really think so? You saw his team's work… they're good, very good." Doubtful, came Isumi's voice.
"Naah, I don't buy it. There's no way it was only his Squadron that took everyone out, we counted at least a hundred fifty dead machines with no bodies and two M.I.A.s. I won't deny he's good, but that's ridiculous." As part of their group of three, Munakata frowned her a look.
"Who else though? If the Professor was sending another team, that would be us. Everyone else at Yokohama is basically filtered trash and we're the only elites left."
"I… I don't care! But somebody definitely helped them! I won't accept a group of newly promoted trainees being this skillful!" A bit riled up, Mitsuki was.
"Haa… doesn't matter now, let's just say the terrorist attack months back weakened the base's defence for them." Finding a middle ground, Isumi made a very logical suggestion.
"On that note, who were the terrorist groups that hit Yukon?" Munakata asked confusedly.
"It was… I think RLF with imbedded Allegiance agents; they screwed up everything for everyone." Unknown to Isumi, those were labels freshly imprinted in Munakata's mind.
"Allegiance…"
"Right, right. Didn't you fight them during that thing we did that time? It was for your million Euro boyfriend, what was his name again?" This golden opportunity to tease at Munakata's weakness wasn't allowed escape by Mitsuki.
"H-he-he isn't that! We only promised to meet each other again!" And the auburn haired girl dug her grave deeper with her fluster much to Mitsuki's pleasure.
"Pff-pffff! Yeah, right! Kazama told me this! He was such a white knight! Kneeling down and kissing your hand! Was he gonna propose next!?"
"Touko told you WHAT!? Agrrra! I've been betrayeeeeed!" She pretended to wail for the misery of Kazama's secret spilling.
"Heheheh, that sure was a fun time, the Type-A dresses were so cozy, almost unbelievable." Isumi recalled their relaxing days as the group reached the PX.
Munakata Misae
Yukon Base, PX
"Hey guys, I just realized that… we ain't got any cash." Hayase's consciousness came a bit late now that all three Valkyries were standing before the vending machine.
"Urm… did anyone bring their MPC credit card?"
"Nada."
"Sorry, don't have mine, Captain." Isumi sighed lightly.
"Humm… fine, I'll pay for your drinks. Need to withdraw some money first though, this thing doesn't accept card. You're with me, Hayase."
"Roooger!" So the two set off for the nearest ATM or whatever could exchange Isumi's fund.
Left alone, Misae had plenty of time to think and that was exactly what she did.
His name was Silvio Orlandi, she still remembered it clearly. An intelligence agent for the EU, he was tasked with spying on Yokohama and Alternative IV about three months ago. On that front, the man did a terrible job, and was only used by the Professor to flush out sleeper agents within their base.
But to Misae, he was someone more important than a tool. The Million Euros Man was someone she couldn't figure out about on her own.
"That wasn't too slow, actually. What do you want? No alcohol." Misae finished her thought in time for Isumi's return.
"I'll take a Popsi, thanks, Captain." Hayase ordered her carbonated soft drink.
"Then a Mountain Drool for me, appreciate it, Capt. Isumi."
"Yeah, yeah. Treat me something else next time." Kindly paying for their drinks, Isumi bent down to fetch the cold beverages from the slot.
"Hayase, you first. Catch." Without looking behind her, Isumi tossed the plastic can over her shoulders, right into Hayase's grip.
"Oooh, got it." Next was Misae, Hayase moved out of the way as Isumi continued to grab the drink.
"A-huh? I… can't reach it, why is it so deep in?" Isumi bent lower on the floor in her attempt to retrieve Misae's soda.
"Got a problem? Let me help." Hayase leaned over to see Isumi's concern more clearly.
As the only one not staring at a vending machine, Misae surveyed the Alaska PX. Around her were many other Eishis from various nations, both uniforms and fortified suits were not short on supply from the many different colours of patches she observed.
However, amongst them only one suit caught her eye. A T-shirt unlike any other, wore by a man she just stored to the back of her mind. A blonde man, messy but stylish haircut. Their relationship, built on top of lies and trickery.
Even so, there existed something candid. Misae thought now be a good time to forget her oldest past and pursue a newer one.
Hayase Mitsuki
"Is this thing for real? There's a fucking hole on the button?! What the FUCK?!"
"Haa… calm down, Hayase. Here, Munakata, your delayed drink is here." Isumi did another overhead throw, but only the crashing sound of plastic bouncing on concrete was heard.
"Huh? Munakata? Munakata? Where're you?" Mitsuki didn't see anyone resembling her teammate when she turned around.
"She's not here? What is this?" Isumi said, her annoyance already started to pile after their long day.
"Munakata!? MUNAKATA!?" She was already gone.
Author's note
I didn't really leave for that long, had more time than I thought. Now that my next step in life is secured, you won't believe how fast I went from 'education is everything' to 'fuck school'.
Err, counting this one, Sadogashima will officially start in five chapters. That's good news, right? The drawback for that is Yukon characters won't be as flushed out as I'd like, but you guys don't really seem interested in them. So I won't bother dragging shit on for too long, I can write them later anyway.
Still, this arc wasn't all bad, right? I kinda like it, had its moments. I learned a lot about writing and stuff, so we're all happy.
By the way, omakes still exist. I have couple of them written, but will only post when fitting the occasion. Some of them are spoilers (nobody cares about a fic spoiler, but still).
Other than that, leave a review and/or favourite and that stuff. It helps me out, don't know how it helps, but it just does. Maybe.
One last thing, if you spot a mistake somewhere, please tell me. Also, this site censors a bunch of words, like how it censored improvised explosive device's abbreviation. Which is just… let's say difficult to understand for me.
BETA done by chad001, what do you call a Communist sniper?
A Marxman
(I feel like I already used his one. If I did, go fuck yourself)