Daemon of Crawling tentacles: I think Gonzo team can't beat the Hakuno-Drake team. Drake have a A rank in the "riding" skill, and she's a A rank tactician in sea warfare. And what about Hakuno? She's some sort of genius in predicting attack patterns. Their team is coordinated by mental link, which gives them the advantage in terms of speed of execution. Finally, the Surcouf outperforms the I-401, in terms of firepower.
Akasha Bloodriver: Yes, Indeed. But do not neglect the role of Hakuno. She compensates for the only real flaw in Drake's tactical mind. Rider hates any form of planning. She's a pure instinctual fighter (logic for a chaotic evil bad character).
Saberfang Orcalodon: Thank.
Ultima-Owner: Hakuno's tactic teacher is called Archer... the guy who has a sword fighting style called suicidal.
PieKnight: Thank.
Sawtooth44: yes, me also.
FoolsandTools: Some answers to yours questions are in this chapter. For the lack of descriptions in character creation, it's difficult to make goods description of manga's characters. They have impossible hairstyles, strange fashion sense. Long descriptions are... long and not very clear. I prefer short ones. They keep the text as simple as possible.
Author notes: I'm not very good in English. This Fanfic is my first work in this language. Some mistakes, in particular grammatical ones are to be expected... yes, numerous ones... don't hesitate to point them. Errare humanum est. Perseverare est diabolicum (Error is human. Perseverance is evil).
Basically, chapter five will reveal the consequences of the battle of chapter four. Multiples shock waves that will shatter the canonical development of the Aoki Hagane no arpeggio story.
Shockwaves
In Europe, the night still reigned. However, in the middle of the Pacific, the morning was well advanced. Drifting on a sea of oil was the great battle cruiser Kongo, surrounded by clouds of Albatross and seagulls. On the rail of the railing surrounding the command tower, the Mental Model Kongo sat between two pairs of binoculars normally used by the - non-existent- lookouts of the cruiser. She was playing with a seabird on her arm.
It's hard to imagine a more beautiful woman...
Dressed in a long black dress, highly split, she had crossed legs sheathed with dark tights and shoes with pumps.
It's hard to imagine a coldest woman...
With her pale scarlet eyes, her snow-colored skin, and her hair of an almost white blond, beside her an ice cube would have seemed as hot as the sun of July.
A shadow of a smile appeared over her blues lips mouth.
- She's finally here!
As the seagull flew away, the surface of the ocean burst to reveal the superstructures of a powerful battleship. The water flowed, regurgitated by the cannons, while the hull emerged in turn.
The most gigantic battleship ever built...
- A pretentious entrance, as always... Yamato. I don't like diving under the sea. Because, I only can use torpedoes and superheavy cannon.
Kongo turned her gaze to a silhouette that stood at the top of the Battleship's command turret.
Yamato looked like the perfect model of the Japanese woman, her long hair cut in fringe revealed a delicate face. She was fully clad in a doll-like dress.
- I like meditating in the tranquility of the sea, Kongo.
- And what do you want of me, o supreme flagship of the Fog?
Yamato crossed hands on her belly.
- What do you think of Hakuno Kishinami?
- That? Do you really think she is some sort of space invader?
- Like us?
Yamato's slightly mocking tone did not leave Kongo unresponsive, her eyes folded, but she did not answer. The Mental Model that ran the Fog fleet continued to speak.
- I think Kishinami want a body, like us.
- Bodies are useless for war machines.
Yamato turned to the infinite ocean.
- The Great War with the humans should be called a complete victory but...
Kongo interrupted her superior:
- "Only because we have an unstoppable halleberd and an impenetrable shield" that's what you always said.
- That's right; we were completely inferior to the humans in these "tactics". We were victorious only because we overwhelm them. If the humans have the same weapons and armors as us, we would be defeated. Humans make progress.
Kongo look at her skin were strange glyphs had just appeared.
- I know very well... but no submarine would achieve anything like this Kishinami's tactic. Mentals Model feels time like humans. We can reflect on the past and predict future. We can think of tactics. But no Mental Model has ever sink six ships in a single combat! Much-less a new-born one.
Yamato approved.
- She's not like us. Kishinami is more like the humans; probably she has the very sames restrictions imposed on them. Because humans cannot calculate all the parameters of the events that occur around them, they have to imagine. These very restrictions allow them to reach new heights. The goal of the Mental Models is to emulate imagination. Kishinami have imagination from the start, she doesn't have to find out.
- And she's our foe!
- Really? Is that so?
Yamato's answer seemed ironic that something else. As kongo frowned, she insisted.
- We attacked firts. Maybe we're her enemy. Maybe not... what matters is whether she gets in the way of ours plans or not.
The fortified harbor of Yokosuka (Japan, Kanagawa Prefecture) consisted of four underground bunkers, buried under tons of concrete. Each contained twenty warships... all that remained of the Japanese fleet. Each of them was on a platform that could lift them to the surface.
Among the ships made of men's hands was a submarine with an archaic silhouette, scarred by many battles. I-401 had been a member of the Fleet of the Fog, but now she was the main military vessel of the Blue Steel fleet.
Upon arrival, Chihaya Gunzo compared the underground port to a safe containing the dreams and hopes of the Japanese. This has never been truer than with that rebel submarine at the dock. Until then, he had been the only ship to win battles against the Fog.
Gunzo had left the port to meet with Secretary of State Kamikage and discuss a new mission with him. Meanwhile, most of his crew was waiting be seated on crates, watching Iori Watanuki, the chief engineer, guide repair and maintenance crews around the shape of the I-401.
Suddenly, Iona - the submarine Mental Model - got tense.
As she was sitting on the lap of Shizuka Hazumi, the sonar director, she leaned on the silver-haired teenager.
- What's going on, Iona?
- I have just received a series of messages...
- Who are we addressing?
Iona shook her head with her usual nonchalance.
- No, these are Fog quantum communications.
A man, wearing a black T-shirt with a skull and ski goggles, stepped in after a sigh.
- Are you picking up Fog communications?
Kyohei Kashihara was the gunner of the I-401 and after Gunzo the crew member most concerned about everything that revolved around tactics. It was understandable that he was irritated that Iona only informs them, now, of her ability to intercept enemies' signals.
However, Iona shook her head again.
- I'm only picking up messages sent to all Fog ships.
- You mean Yamato forgot to cross you off her payroll?
A third time, Iona shook her head.
- I do not know.
The discussion was interrupted by Shizuka, the young woman with glasses and long black hair was still leaning on Iona. She seemed more curious about the message than about its origin.
- And what are the Mental Models talking about?
- The MN Surcoufsunk six ships from the Fog.
Her announcement, in a monocorded tone, first met a shocking silence. Then... with a moment of delay... everyone started shouting at the same time: Shizuka, Kyohei, Iori and even Hibiki Maruri the naval officer who kept them company.
-... Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!
Chihaya Gunzo was speaking with Secretary of State Kamikage and Vice-admiral Uragami in a large office on a building overlooking Sagami Bay, on top of Soleil Hill.
As the politician stood at his work table, back to the ocean, the sailors surrounded a small glass table on which were spread photos, diagrams related to the "Vibration Head", a novelty designed in Japan... the first human-made weapon capable of destroying a Fog warship. Unfortunately, the economic collapse of the Levant Sun archipelago had only made it possible to create five prototypes. Four had been lost during the tests or while trying to send them to the U.S.A. Kamikage tried to convince Gunzo to take over the convoy of the last unit to San Diego, on the West Coast of America.
A light flashed on the secretary of state's phone, he picked up. Then he answered:
- All right, let them in.
Uragami has risen up.
- What is going on?
- A member of the Gunzo-san crew asked to speak to him urgently.
Kamikage made a chin sign towards the door that opened to let Kyohei Kashihara and Hibiki Maruri, his escort, enter. Completely neglecting the politician and the admiral, Kyohei faced Gunzo.
- Captain, do you remember the MN Surcouf?
Chihaya Gunzo frowned, surprised by the introduction.
- The ship that rebelled against the Fog?
- Yes, she has just fought a squadron of the "French" Atlantic fleet. She has sunk them all...two La Melpomène-class torpedoes and two Vaulequin-class destroyers, the MN Colbert, a Suffren-class light cruiser, and the heavy cruiser MN Algérie.
Faced with the look of amazement displayed by those who had just heard the news, Kyohei had a puzzled smile.
- If you are so shaken that a submarine of 3,300 metric tons can send more than 16,000 tons of warships in combat from the bottom, the rest will send you directly to the hospital.
- What follows, Admiral Uragami said.
- Well, Surcouf is not a rebel, she's been hacked.
- By who or what?
- The Moon Cell.
The unknown term provoked a surprising silence, Gunzo, Uragami and Kamikage exchanged glances. Hibiki Maruri intervened in turn:
- Admiral, Iona intercepted a conversation between Mental Models. They were discussing what they had learned. There was contact before the confrontation between Richelieu, the Fog's French flagship, and... Hakuno Kishinami, the hacker. Kishinami-san is a Mental Model but not from the Fog. She is an I.A. created by the Moon cell, an alien entity unknown to the Fog, who took possession of the submarine.
Admiral Uragami passed a hand among his short hair, dotted with grey threads.
- That sounds crazy.
- More than the return of Pacific's war ships, controlled by teenagers and made up of nano-machines?
Gunzo's words unintentionally made uragami smile.
- Put it this way...
Secretary of State Kamikage had attended the discussion with his chin resting on his folded hands, without speaking. He intervened:
- We need to know more. If we could confirm the existence of this ... Moon Cell and get in touch with this entity, maybe we can finally turn the situation in our favor. First, we need to know its objectives. Why did Kishinami-san come to Earth? If she's an enemy of the Fog, that doesn't necessarily make her our ally.
Kyohei Kashihara spoke again:
- Iona should have no difficulty in reaching Surcouf.
- Yes, approved Gunzo.
Kamikage nodded his head.
- So do, but just make Kishinami-san talk to learn more. No promises in the air... I will contact the Prime Minister of the decentralized government in Tokyo. The convoy mission is on standby until further notice. I take full responsibility.
The night still reigned in the Iroise Sea as the MN Surcouf emerged in bubbling foam. Appearing at the top of the kiosk still dripping with seawater, Hakuno looked around her, holding with one hand her long brown hair which the wind was blowing.
The searchlights of the submarine cut out slices of light in the dark, but even without them one could not fail to see the orange explosions that continued to ravage the Algérie's wreck. The cruiser was in the grip of a fire that lit up the ocean for miles around. Around him, and the debris floating at the Colbert's location, the waves stirred a silver dust made of nanomachines. It was this substance that Hakuno was interested in. Stocks of the Surcouf were depleted due to modifications to the vessel by the Moon Cell, the replacement of torpedoes and missiles fired during combat, and repairs to the damage received.
Rider, are you ready? She asked through the mental bond.
It's all right, girlie!
The exuberant Servant would use one of his skills. It was Golden Rule (B Rank). A common ability of many Servants and that refers to the measurement of one's wealth. But, in the case of Francis Drake, it's more a talent to plunder the valuables of her defeated enemies. The skill that we were entitled to expect from a famous pirate.
On this battlefield, what could be more precious than nanomachines?
As the Surcouf crossed among the wrecks, it captured silver dust. Unfortunately, this one was unemployable for the rebel submarine? Although unable to think, nanomachines were programmed to have a certain "identity". Two Mental Models could exchange materials by simple approval, but it was impossible to integrate "hostile" nanomachines.
At least for an ordinary Mental Model...
Hakuno Kishinami, always wearing the standard brown girl uniform of the Tsukumihara academy, walked up to the block of silver material that Rider had collected by gathering the nanomachines.
She stretched her right arm, palm in the direction of the block, supporting it with her left hand:
- Code Cast : Hack !
Codes Cast are simples' digitals spells used by wizard in cyberspace. A compilation of program code activated by the use of magic. Normaly, it's impossible for a wizard to utilize them in the physical universe but... Kishinami had discovered that the Regalia made her spiritron-hacker based magic usable outside the SERAPH.
Yellow flashes surrounded the block with silver metal. Its resistance temporarily canceled, the block could not withstand integration. It melted and disappeared into the hull, merging with the MN Surcouf.
Master, Rider's mental voice pulled Hakuno from her concentration. She tilted her head sideways, passing a hand through her hair.
Rider ?
Two Mental Model are at eleven o'clock, I think they are survivors of the battle, kiddo.
All right, Rider, let's see them.
Algérie ran to the surface of the waves by pulling Colbert, still groggy, by the hand... in fact, she galloped on platforms that appeared a few inches above the waves, but the impression was the same.
Her purpose? Move as quickly as possible from the site of the shipwreck of its squadron, enough to escape the Surcouf.
Obviously, it could only work if the submersible had not already detected them. Otherwise, Algérie hoped that her pretty smile and her negotiating skills could save them.
Hearing the noise of the machines of the Surcouf raising crescendo behind her, the young woman with the kissed skin turned around...
Well... for discretion it was a failure. There was good news; however, the submarine was not shooting at them. Algeria stopped; it was the most logical thing. She could never get away fast enough and fight would be suicidal. All she has to do was talk. The imposing submarine cruiser overtook them, turned, before returning to them while gradually decreasing its speed. Her engines stopped, leaving the ship adrift.
Algérie has focused on a skinny teenager girl standing on the submarine kiosk. She was dressed in the brown schoolgirl uniform, consisting of a skirt and jacket, with a blue ribbon closing the collar. She must have been sixteen years old. Despise her long wavy brown hair and cute eyes, she showed nothing... like a forgotten background character.
Wringing her hands nervously, Hakuno leaned towards the two Mental Models:
- ... Good Night?
The clumsy entry into the subject had at least the result of pulling Colbert out of his catalepsy.
- Good Night? ! It's not! It's the worst night of all my life! My cruiser was sunk...
With tears in her eyes, Colbert sniffed like a growled child. With her dress reduced to a rag, and her hair in disorder, she looked perfectly pathetic. Algérie, who still held her hand, gave her a worried look, not knowing how to cheer her up.
As for Hakuno, she looked away, uncomfortable...
- ... Sorry ?
- Um... what ? We're the ones who attacked you
Algérie scratched his head, continuing his explanation:
- We are warships, we attack the enemy, the enemy attacks us... and we can end up sunk. It's the risks of our existence.
Hakuno tilted her head. This led to some stranges reactions. Colbert began to cough violently, while her superior masked her eyes with one hand and turned around with a slight blush.
- So... so... cuuuuuuuuuuuuuute !
- I beg your pardon ?
Algérie try to put on a brave face.
- It's nothing. Why are you here, Hakuno Kishinami?
- I was just wondering if I could help you.
- Serious?
Hakuno simply nodded.
- We attacked to capture you on orders from Richelieu, the flagship of the French's Fog fleet in the Atlantic. You resist, you sink us and... then you come to us and ask if you can help?
- Um... yes?
Hakuno's innocent response caused a strange mix of emotions in Algérie, unaware of channeling Rin Tohsaka. Firstly, she wanted to scream and rip her hair out for being beaten by such a dumb girl. At the same time, Algérie was fighting a furious desire to hold Hakuno on to her heart and proclaim to the world that anyone who attacked this gentle teen would have to deal with her.
Algérie massaged her forehead suddenly very tired.
- Can you offered us a ride back to Brittany's shore?
- Yes.
In the central post of the Surcouf, Francis Drake rested her feet kicked on the firing console, while picking her nails with a dagger with a handle of gold, inlaid with rubies.
As she saw Hakuno enter, followed by the other two Mental Models, she raised an eyebrow.
- Yo Girlie, you have found two other kids who fed the sharks, and listening only to your good heart you made them board. You are too kind, soooo boring fucking nice girl!
- Rider!
Hakuno Kishinami had only answered with one word, but his inconvenience was clearly perceptible. Drake jumped up, which made her bosom move... Boinnnnnnnnnnng (Hakuno unconsciously made the noises in her head when seeing the chest swaying before her eyes).
- What? You're asking me to greet them with a smile. And why not offer them tea with a little finger in the air: "And you will take a little jam, darling?" We are pirates! We sink the ships and plunder them. We break the necks of bottles of rum to drink from the neck and sing bawdy songs!
Realizing something, Drake's gaze lit up with hope.
- At least tell me that you plan to release them for ransom!
Hakuno answered with a borrowed smile... Rider then breathed the sigh of the one whom - modern Atlas- carries the weight of the world on her shoulders.
- Master, I have been dead for centuries, and yet I have the impression that you are going to make me old before I am old.
Drake turned to the two Mental Models, very uncomfortable.
- And you, stand clear of entanglements. Otherwise you will regret it!
