Disclaimers: I'm still not making money from this. Go check in with Age
Edited for some inconsistencies, thank you Dash9.
November 24th, 2001
Yokohama Lab
Marimo Jinguuji
"Professor, I assume there's a good reason for you to call me during field training?"
Yuuko looked up from her computer and pointed towards the couch. "Have a seat first."
"I still need to get back to my squad, Professor."
"I'm sure that little brat is doing just fine." She moved in front of her desk. "You, however, have a choice to make."
Marimo recognized the no-nonsense tone and instantly sat down. "Is something wrong?"
She handed her a slip of paper. "Shirogane handed me this earlier today."
She didn't need to read further than the first few lines before the confusion hit. "This is a department transfer request?"
"Exactly. He wants to transfer you back onto front line duty."
The words took a few moments to sink in before she dropped the paper like it's burning. "Back on duty? But I'm an instructor!"
"If you think he was going to let that stop him, then clearly, you haven't known him enough." Yuuko handed her a package. "You don't have to accept, of course. It's only a request."
"What's your opinion?"
"I think..." She let out a small sigh. "...you should consider his proposal carefully. I think he wouldn't just recruit anyone into his squad."
"I see."
Marimo was conflicted. She had given up a life inside a TSF to atone for her past sins. And now he was giving her a second chance to take back her old life. Did she deserve this?
"Marimo?" A small hand placed itself on top of her head as Yuuko lightly stroked her hair. "He also told me to say this to you: 'Don't let your past stop your future. That is the final mistake anyone can make.'"
November 25th, 2001
Yokohama Base, Simulation Chamber
"Marimo-chan, I have a suggestion." Shirogane walked into the command room, dressed in an officer's outfit.
"First Lieutenant! I was not expecting you."
He frantically waved his hands. "No formality, please."
She held back a chuckle at his flustered response. "You're dressed formally, so I assumed. So, what is it?"
"I want to let them run a few scenarios today." He plopped himself down beside her. "Some real-time situations that might come in useful later."
"I assume you aren't talking about the normal ones we have here?"
"No, I'm thinking of letting them do something more realistic."
"I'm sure they'll be fine with whatever you come up with."
"I think so too." He shifted himself to face her. "I am here to talk about my proposal."
She had seen this coming, but she hadn't expected him to bring it up this soon. "For me to return to a TSF? You are aware I am not a part of any squadron here, right?"
He let out a short chuckle. "Did you think I wouldn't immediately transfer you to this squad? It'd take much more than the UN to stop me."
"Your head is getting a little too big there, Shirogane."
"In all seriousness, I would gladly have you in this squad, and I don't think anyone there would object."
"But why?"
He stood up and looked out into the simulation chamber. "I know why you chose to be an instructor. You were the sole survivor of what was a total massacre on the Eurasia Eastern Front during Operation 9-6."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Survivor's guilt." He turned and locked eyes with her. "You felt unworthy of returning to the field where all your friends died."
He took small steps. "The fear of losing another friend, of going through the same pain and horror." He grabbed the package Yuuko gave her and slowly opened it.
"But I feel... no, I know you deserve another chance. It's too early to give in now." He held up a brand new UN Eishi uniform in front of her.
"We give in, and the BETA win. I want you to have a chance to kill them again."
She felt a hot tear rolled down her cheek as she choked back the urge to run up and hug the boy in front of her. "Shirogane..."
"It's okay. You've done brilliantly as an instructor. Now is the time for you to fight alongside your students. Let us help you."
She took the uniform from his hands. "First Lieutenant Shirogane, it is my greatest honor to be a part of your squad. I hope I can live up to your expectations."
Shirogane Takeru
He breathed a sigh of relief the moment Marimo shut the door. He had practiced the speech countless times in his head, but finally delivering it to her was nerve-wracking.
The decision to make her an official part of the squad was a risky one. Radhabinod could have easily turned him down for such a ridiculous request, Yuuko could have rejected the plan either out of her concern for Marimo or its irrelevance to Alternative IV. Besides, his guess was as good as any whether Marimo would even agree. He would have to thank the stars above for all the pieces to have fallen together so neatly, and just in time for the coup too.
He brushed down his uniform and headed out. There was a coup to stop, and he'd be damned if he let anyone he cares about die now.
~~~Break~~~
"Squad 207B present, Ma'am!"
"At ease. I have an announcement to make." She turned around to face him. "Rather, Shirogane does."
"Everyone, we have a new member in our squad."
A moment of silence passed over the group as the meaning of his words slowly sank in. Once the initial shock wore off, a unanimous "What!" could be heard as they momentarily abandoned all composure and whispered about the identity of yet another newcomer. Takeru sent Marimo a sideways glance with a knowing wink.
He coughed into his hand to regain order. "Alright, everyone settles down."
Meiya raised her hand. "Sergeant Jinguuji, with all respect, what made you consider recruiting so many more soldiers in such a short span?"
"As much as I wish I could take credits for these changes, the mastermind behind this particular decision is Shirogane, not me."
"Shirogane?" She sent a questioning look his way.
"Exactly, all inquiries regarding this transfer is to go through me." He turned around to face Marimo. "Now, I believe we have an introduction to get through."
She straightened her back under the confused look of the squad and held her right fist against her chest. "I'm First Lieutenant Jinguuji Marimo, and I will be joining your squad. Please take good care of me."
He smiled at the scene before him. Marimo standing proudly in front of her squad, head held high and suited in uniform; his friends were looking at each other, some in awe and some with joy. It made the pain and hard work up to this point worth it. For just a moment, everything was right in the world.
"Well, there you have it. Now everybody suit up, we've got some practice to get through." His words jolted everyone back to reality as they all scrambled to their position.
~~~Break~~~
"Your mission is to extract and escort a VIP. There will be scattered enemy resistance, but they are all elite units." He loaded up a simulation of the New Hakone Ruins. "This is an old ruin city off the coast of Sagami Bay. Your VIP is confirmed to be located in the nearby ruins. Make it back to the Old Ebina city, where there will be reinforcements. Is everything clear?"
"Command Post, will we have a full load-out from the start?" Meiya pulled up her equipment interface.
"For this first run, we'll assume you've just gotten to a supply squadron. Oh, and Marimo will be temporarily taking my call sign, 06. Now get out there and make sure no one dies."
Yokohama Base, PX
"Doing the same scenario over and over again is just overkill." Mikoto sprawled across the table.
"You're a slave driver, Shirogane." Class Rep sat down with a tattered look on her face.
Takeru gulped down his cup of synthetic orange juice. "But did you memorize the layout of the entire map?"
"I'm sure all of us will see that scenery in our sleep now."
"Then, you've passed the goal, for today at least."
"What more do you have planned?" Meiya took the seat next to him.
"Obviously, for you to run that with your eyes closed."
"Sometimes I can't tell if you're joking or not."
November 30th, 2001
Yokohama Base, Simulation Chamber
Mitsurugi Meiya
"Alright, simulation complete. You can leave now."
Never before had she been so relieved to be dismissed. She was still raring to go mentally, but her physical body was pushed to its limits for the past four days. She had thought the old training was a bit too easy, but Takeru as an instructor might just be the next most horrifying thing after the BETA.
Stepping outside the cockpit, she was glad not to be alone in her exhaustion. Running the same simulation for 12 hours each day had left even Marimo-san out of breaths, while Kasumi was being held up by Ayamine. Her relief was replaced with apprehension when Takeru walked out of the control room with a thick stack of paper.
"Everyone, this is the note I have." He held out his hand and then threw the paper on a nearby table. "Or the note I would have had if you didn't pull off a perfect run there."
She could see Marimo-san was holding herself back from joining in with the cheering and sighs of relief. Kasumi rushed over to his side, and just as naturally, he swung her onto his shoulder. She smiled at the scene; it was almost happy enough to make her forget about the war raging on outside. For the first time, she dared to hope that Takeru's impossible dream will come true after all, and they will all be there to celebrate with him.
"Meiya, you're okay there?" His voice was right in front of her.
"Yes, I'm quite all right. Just a bit tired, is all." He was standing too close to her face.
"Ah, I thought I pushed you guys a bit too hard."
"It's... it's quite fine, Takeru." She took a few deep breaths. "But is there a reason we had to run that particular scenario?"
He almost looked shocked; she brought up the strange choice of simulation. "It's the end of November already, huh? I guess there's no point hiding it from you."
His face shifted to a grim expression as he looked around the hangar. Satisfied that no one was around, he bent down next to her. "Check your mails tonight, but make sure you're alone when you do."
She would have raised some objections about her personal space if not for the serious tone of the warning. "Is something bad about to happen?"
He turned around, Kasumi fast asleep on his shoulder; the wordless answer hung heavy in the silent air.
Meiya knew their peaceful days were about to be over, and she only wishes they have the strength to pull through.
~~~Break~~~
She locked the door to her room; the very motion left a strange aftertaste in her hand. She has always hated staying in a locked room, but Takeru's warning weighted heavier in her mind than some childish fear. She no longer doubted his story as a time traveler, but she had hoped he was wrong when she picked up a mail sealed with the Shogun mark. In all these years, they'd been separated, Yuuhi had never even acknowledged her existence, through no faults of her own, of course, but the very letter she was holding meant something had gone wrong.
With trembling hands, Meiya slid open the seal, revealing a pristine white sheet of paper inside, exuding the very authority and power it embodied. The handwriting was neat and elegant, and more importantly, indicative of the Shogun.
Mitsurugi Meiya of Squad 207B of the UN Yokohama Base,
My hopes are small that you would remember me, so think of me only as a long lost friend of yours. This letter should have never been written so I will have to keep it brief. There have been many whispers of mutiny and rebellions in the Imperial Ranks, Guards, and Vassal Houses alike. I pray these talks never come to fruition, but the gods may have abandon man to our actions long ago.
I hope this letter has not confused or burdened you further than I already have. I had not planned on sending it, but someone I trust greatly had advised me to entrust you with this information.
May the winds of fortune be ever at your back,
Aneue
Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as she carefully folded up the letter. She was smart enough to piece Takeru's reaction and the warning of the message. She knew she had pledged her service to the country and its people, but now that there's a chance to see Yuuhi again, was it right for her to give up her sister?
So with a purpose, she put on her coat, wiped her tears, and set out to find someone who might have an answer.
November 25th, 2001
XXXXX
Shirogane Takeru
He dug his hands further into his coats to ease the biting cold of a winter night. He cursed the circumstances that forced him to be this secretive about a simple meeting. Still, with the political unrest unfolding, there was no such thing as too much caution.
"First Lieutenant Shirogane." A voice called out from behind him.
He turned to face a familiar green-haired soldier. "First Lieutenant Tsukuyomi. My apologies for requesting you at this hour."
"You insisted it was an urgent matter. Be quick about it."
"Very well. You've heard talks about a rebellion among the Imperial Guards, I presume?"
A pistol was pointed at his chest. "Don't think a simple word of favor from Lady Mitsurugi is enough to save your overstepping. Elaborate now."
He held his hands up. "I am merely stating facts. I hate this Saigiri Naoya as much as the next guy, but rebel talks weren't why I ask for you."
"Then what do you want? Favor from the Shogun? Insider information?" Her finger was on the trigger.
"I merely want the Shogun to perhaps inform her closest attendants to what may transpire in the next few days. Some of them are actually worried about her safety as a person and not just the figurehead, you know."
She raised her brows at the confusing request but was distracted enough for him to lower her gun hand gently. "Just think about it, eh? You're smart; I know you'll figure it out."
Her figure was still visible under the moonlight and soft air of winter as he made his way back to base. "Stay safe, Mana-san," he whispered to the white snow drifting down.
November 30th, 2001
"So you shift your left thumb over like this, and then you twist your wrist slightly to thread it through the gap here." He was teaching Kasumi some Cat's Cradle tricks he picked up over the years.
"Hmmm?" She titled her head at the jumbled mess on her hands. "Like this?"
"Not quite. See, you shouldn't move your index finger at this part." Her hands, he offhandedly noted, was a bit firmer from all the training.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in; it's unlocked." He tried to untangle Kasumi's finger from the mess of strings.
"Takeru, sorry for intruding this late."
"Meiya? It's fine. I'm still up."
She widened her eyes at the scene before her but gathered her composure quickly. "I almost forgot Yashiro-san was still staying with you."
"Yeah, the Professor hasn't decided when to take her back yet. So what brings you here?"
"I got a letter." Her tone took on a serious tone. "A rebellion?"
He pursed his lips. "Unfortunately, yes. If nothing drastic had changed, then on December 5th, a group of insurgents will attack Tokyo and kill many members of the Imperial Diet, and after nightfall will begin a siege on the Imperial Palace."
She opened her mouth, but quickly closed it.
"I'm sorry, Meiya. This was something I couldn't change."
She nodded. "Will my sister be safe?"
"I swear on my life that no harm will come to Yuuhi. I will also try my hardest to keep the casualties down to a minimum, but there are priorities."
Multiple emotions flickered across her face. He remained silent; she needed to address the question herself.
"Do you...do you think it is right for me to meet her again?"
He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Well, do you think it is right for two sisters to meet?"
"But our situation is different. She's the Shogun, and-" His raised finger stopped her rant in its track.
"Shogun, soldiers, diplomats are nothing but the title; they come and go. Family, though, are etched into your blood, and as long as your blood still runs red, she will always be your sister."
She stared back at him, unblinking.
"So I ask you again, is it right for two sisters to meet?"
"I suppose...If I am given a chance, I would like to talk to her again."
He smiled. "If you want it, I'm sure the situation will resolve itself."
She pinched his hand. "You are going to meddle again, aren't you?"
"The laws of time are mine after all, why would I not?"
She turned back as she left the room. "Thank you, Takeru."
Making sure she has left, Takeru pulled out a small notepad and crossed out her name. His pen tapped on Ayamine's. "One down, two more to go."
Kasumi tugged at his arm sleeve, backpack on her bag. "I'm ready."
He patted her on the head. "Alright, let's go."
~~~Break~~~
"Come in."
He pushed the door open to the Ayamine, sitting next to a pile of letters. "Did I interrupt something?"
"No, it's fine." A letter fluttered from her hand to the ground. "In fact, I was expecting you to show up tonight."
He sent her a quizzical look.
"Well, you always seem to mysteriously appear whenever I run into problems, and I have a problem tonight. So 2 and 2 together."
"I'm that predictable, huh?"
"Well, what brought you here tonight?" She threw herself onto the bed. "Looking for companionship? I thought you have little Yashiro there with you."
"What? No! Nothing like that." He had to curse her ability to take away his momentum. "I guess I'm here to solve your problems?"
"You guess?" Her face turned to look up at him. "And what do you think they are?"
"Uh...those letters?"
"Not a bad guess. So, what about those letters?"
He was struggling to find a way not to make her suspicious of his knowledge, or at least not more than she already has. "Well...they...uh."
"Ayamine-san, I have food." Kasumi came to his rescue.
"So, that's what the backpack is for." Within a blink of an eye, two yakisoba bread was already in Ayamine's hands. "Consider the bribe successful, Takeru. You can take a look at those."
"I'm not here for them. You just seemed out of it for these past few days."
"So, you can be perceptive, huh?" She bundled up the stacks and threw them on the table. "I guess you can call them fan mails for me."
"Fan mails?" He couldn't resist raising an eyebrow at the analogy.
"Is it that surprising to know I have admirers?" She grabbed her fourth yakisoba from the bag. "Jealous?"
It was his turn to be flustered. "What? Of course, not...I'm just surprised at how flowery and mysterious this supposed fan is."
"Fine. You win, Takeru-sama." She plucked the letter from his hand. "Not that I don't think you know everything already."
"Sagiri Naoya. Are you familiar with that name?"
"I've only heard of him. Captain of the IJMDF and commander of the 1st Tactical Armor Regiment within the IJA/MDF. Is he the sender of these?" He hated lying to his friends, but he hoped they'd understand someday.
"Not bad. Well, he is also my fiance through my father, so you can think of these as love letters, I suppose."
"Do love letters speak of dying for justice and righting the wrongs of the corrupted?"
She let out a small chuckle. "You're a fast reader. But, yeah, that's the problem. He's a little too idealistic and duty-blinded for his own good..."
It took him a moment to realize she was waiting for his deduction. "So the corrupted is the government, and he will be righting the wrongs. He's planning a coup?"
"10 out of 10 for the great detective of Yokohama. Sure seems to be his intention, unless I'm deciphering cryptic love poems wrong."
"So you're conflicted on whose stance you should take. Your fiance's or your duty as a soldier?"
She moved to stand in front of him. "That was the question a few months ago; I've made my choice on that. Now it's the choice between Sagiri Naoya, a man blinded by his own vigilantism, or Shirogane Takeru, who would put all but his needs on top."
She laid the yakisoba on the table. "And I think you just made the choice a lot easier for me, Takeru-sama."
He stared in bewilderment at her approaching face, but it stopped a few centimeters from his. In between the two of them was the small form of Kasumi, clinging on to his legs, putting a safe distance between them.
"Hmm? Yashiro?" She released him and let out a burst of laughter. "I guess I still need to surpass you, huh?" Half a yakisoba pan was placed in Kasumi's hand. "To the victor goes the spoils."
"Takeru-sama, I'm sorry if you thought I was weird tonight. I mean, I don't usually talk much, or be serious about anything. It's just, everything is going so fast ever since you got here, and-"
"Don't worry about any of that. I don't think you can do anything to make me hate you."
She opened her mouth to say something but then decided on a smirk. "Weirdo."
"Look who's talking."
A/N: Oh, wow, I'm alive. Sorry for the long wait, school's been rough and all that jazz, but I'm alive.
You'll probably see 1 or 2 more chapters during spring break before I sink again until summer.
