07—Kindred Wishes
The quiet ambiance of the sea made her eyelids heavy.
Growing weary, she jumped off from the elevated turret and started walking.
But before she could venture further, the figure ran in front of her and spread its arms.
Her heart raced. She stopped and stared at its face devoid of features.
The standstill, however, didn't last a minute as the apparition stepped closer and grabbed her hand.
Warm.
A wave of wistfulness crashed down on her.
She became less tense and allowed herself to be taken around the ship by this mysterious figure.
The ship's architecture and design intrigued her.
It reminded her of one outdated destroyer that the Navy had set up as a museum in the mainland.
But on top of satisfying her brimming curiosity, something was amiss.
From the boiler and engine rooms to the bridge, not a single soul could be seen.
They checked every cabin and compartment. Nothing.
Throughout her search, she also found out that every object inside was fixed and immovable.
For instance, she tried picking up a mug from a countertop, but it didn't budge at all. Same for drawers and cabinets.
All electronic equipment wasn't operational as well. Perhaps they were already too old to be used? No matter how she looked at them though, they looked real and functioning.
It was almost as if time within the ship was suspended for eternity.
And yet, the ship was still moving. This fact alone fascinated her.
As to where it was headed, she had no clue. There was no land in sight so far, so she had to wait and see for now.
A journey without a destination? That couldn't be.
There had to be some clue she overlooked somewhere.
The thought tickled her desire to explore the ship once more.
"You sure you okay?"
Kiso glanced over her shoulder as she asked this. Inazuma only replied with a curt nod.
Well, she wasn't sure herself. The ringing had subsided and she could walk on her own at the very least, but there was this certain feeling of dread that she couldn't shake off her mind.
It took a good amount of willpower to silence the voices she had been hearing earlier.
"If you don't return to his side now, I will kill you."
And there was no way she would listen to a selfish demand like that.
She had made her decision and she was going to see it through until the end.
"Did they already dispatch reinforcements to the training outpost near the port area?" Inazuma asked as she fiddled on the terminal given to her by Kiso.
The light cruiser shook her head. "All of the remaining girls were sent to defend the southern coastline," she replied. "We have the marines set up perimeter around the field generators, but it's only a stopgap at best until we can get some of the fleets to help us here."
"I hope Hatsuyuki and the rest will be okay."
Aster had informed them that the bulk of the invading abyssal forces from the north moved into the Navy's storage facilities, razing everything they come across.
Their initial assault had paved the way for the rest of the Abyssals to make their landing on the northeast port of the island. As a result, the depots and other logistic facilities there were quickly overrun. Minako had dispatched a combined fleet led by Maya and Haruna to the port's western sector in an attempt to minimize the damages. Chaos broke out, but they had managed to hold off the landing force from advancing further inland. Still, it didn't stop the Abyssals from launching planes to widen the destruction across the base.
Aerial contacts wouldn't pose much threat if most their anti-air batteries weren't reduced to pieces so early in the battle. The enemy's ruthless and precise bombardments on the island's strategic locations greatly crippled their counteroffensive capabilities, and add up the fact that the troops stationed there were struck before they could mobilize against the incoming threats.
Probably the only reason why the main compound was mostly unscathed was the fact that the inner defensive systems of the Mintaka Hill Ridge were still intact. And if the abyssal planes were to strike in droves, they would be overwhelmed even before the enemy's southern forces could make their landing on the island.
As for the ongoing battle in the south, things were looking grim for them:
The Abyssals had managed to break through the Navy's defensive line, inching closer to the island's shores. It was reported that high-ranking abyssal ships were leading the fleet's front line, and their unforeseen appearance caught everyone off guard. They utilized their preemptive advantage to the fullest—Orion's satellite island, Rigel, was completely cut off as it was subjected to concentrated fire, dramatically reducing the Navy's firepower against the invading forces.
Inazuma and Kiso exited the command sector and into the open field dotted with APCs, gunships, and other miscellaneous vehicles. A wide, hollow structure sat in the middle of the field where the island's multifield system was being generated. Other than the anti-air turrets and missile launchers surrounding the place, it didn't look fortified enough to withstand direct enemy fire.
She tried to calm herself by looking at the sky, but the occasional flybys and bombardments kept reminding her of the inevitable. Enemy shells slamming the azure translucent domes shook the ground with every hit. Heavier salvos, especially from abyssal battleships, weakened the multifield so that the following shells could pierce through them. One sweeping glance in front of them and she could already make out the damaged buildings, vehicles, and batteries from the attacks.
A few marines approached them and saluted. Kiso returned the gesture as she scanned the area with her eyes. "Lieutenant Ichiro, how ready are we?"
"Can't say," the man replied. "We're still beefing up the blockade. We also have two armored squads prepped up, but this'll be their first against Abyssals."
"Hmph, we shall see if those suits are worth the investment."
He glanced at Inazuma. "Is she…?"
Kiso waved a hand. "Yes. Have any objections or what?"
Inazuma felt some hostility as the marine lieutenant glanced at her again. He looked down at his forearm terminal. "Anyway, we've received report that an abyssal unit went through the Alnilam Passage. Won't be long before they start knocking on the gates."
"How about the eastern pass?"
"All clear. They must've figured out that going through the ridge's tunnel is the fastest way to get here."
"And where's Teruzuki?"
"Passage checkpoint." The marine grimaced. "I know we're shorthanded, but are they seriously expecting us to defend the generators with just the three of you girls?"
"Well, time to see the fruits of your training then." Kiso smirked. "We're counting on you."
He shook his head as he ran towards an APC. The side door opened, gesturing the other marines to enter. Kiso climbed to the top of the vehicle and Inazuma quickly followed. As their preparations were done, they made their way to the checkpoint.
Squadrons of abyssal planes started to swoop in from the ridge's western edge, but they were met with heavy fire from the anti-air turrets in the area. Still, the planes persisted through—some of them even crashing into the turrets when struck by the barrage. It seemed that they were willing to trade hefty losses so that they could take out the island's defenses faster.
Gunfire only grew louder as the APC approached the bustling intersection where the checkpoint was located. Ahead of them were Teruzuki and her turret familiars, adding their own stream of shells towards the cloudy sky. They hopped off the vehicle as the APC stopped in front of a guardhouse.
Kiso ran to Teruzuki's side, handing out a card case. "Thanks for waiting!"
"T-This is just what we needed!" The destroyer took the card case and bowed down. "Thank you very much!"
"We need you in tiptop shape, but you don't have to hold back either—shoot everything that isn't ours!"
"U-Um, we'll do our best!" She signalled her familiar turrets to hold their fire. She held up four cards, vanishing one by one as her frame radiated a faint white glow. Her eyes landed on Inazuma. "Oh… u-um, hello! I'm glad to see that you're okay now."
Inazuma blinked. "E-Erm… have we met before?"
"I was on guard duty in your room the other ni—" A violent burst of energy from above shook the earth as the fields were breached once again. "Hyaa!"
The shelling that followed caused everyone to scramble to the nearest structure or vehicle they could use as shelter. The vicinity was consumed in a blinding light as the projectiles struck the field. One shell detonated near the intersection, sending dirt and shrapnel all over the place. Inazuma peeked from behind a jeep and saw a gaping crater not far from them.
She could hear the sigh of relief from the marines on her left. "I-Is it over?" Teruzuki asked, hugging her familiar turrets.
"Looks like it," a female marine replied, pointing at the sky. "The field's back on again."
As they were about to assess the damage and casualties from the blasts, enemy shells whistled from the north. "They're firing from the other side!" another marine shouted.
The shells detonated moments after hitting peak altitude, raining down countless fragments to the blockade below.
"Please get down!" Inazuma stepped in front of the marines and activated her shield. The saffron mag-ion field expanded just in time, saving them from the incendiary shrapnel. However, the others didn't fare well as she could hear the cries for help around them.
"Damnit, they're trying to clear out the blockade!" Kiso said, gesturing the others to the APC. "We have to fall back!"
"B-But what about the others?" Inazuma asked.
"Don't worry about us," the female marine said, running past her. "Go!"
They climbed back on the APC as another wave crashed into the area. A marine wearing an augmentation suit deployed a bluish mag-ion field behind the blockade, which was enough to cover most of the intersection. Still, a lot of the searing fragments managed to penetrate the shield and Inazuma could only shut her eyes from the carnage.
"We're getting slaughtered here!" Kiso shouted. "Why are you taking so long shooting those bastards down anyway?"
"Miss Kiso, they need a bit more time," Aster replied. "They're having trouble with the enemies trying to flank them on both sides."
She fell next to a trembling Teruzuki as the APC accelerated away from the chaos. Suddenly, one of Teruzuki's familiar flicked a bullet to the destroyer's face. "Ouch… w-what is it, Hati?"
The familiar started shooting at the sky. Inazuma followed the bullets trajectory with her eyes and noticed a black dot circling at the edge of the island's shoreline. "There!"
Teruzuki gasped. "A spotter! W-We have to take it out!"
Kiso slammed the vehicle's hatch. "Get us to the clearing!" She looked back to Teruzuki. "Can you shoot it down from here?"
"I-It's within effective range, but actually hitting it is—"
Inazuma was suddenly overcome with a heavy, suffocating sensation.
Her eyes widened as the scenery before them was engulfed by a gray shroud, slowly spreading towards them. The grassy fields and lush trees began to wilt as they fade into the abyss's ethereal influence. A resounding bang could be heard from within the ridge's tunnel. Another crash followed and the gate's entirety shook, forming a huge dent in its center.
She looked over at Kiso. "Is that—"
"They're here," the cruiser said. "Get ready, you two."
A final explosive force smashed into the gate. The massive structure finally succumbed and collapsed outwards, rooting it out from its foundations.
Two Ru-class battleships stepped out of the smoke and unleashed salvos on the blockade. The marines' artillery quickly responded in kind—the resounding cannon booms drowned out the distant noises as shells arced towards the passage's entrance. Surviving marines from the intersection opened fire at the growing inferno, but the remaining turrets on the ridge turned against them. With the enemy's combined firepower, they pushed out the forces occupying the blockade.
Ichiro climbed out of the hatch. "Got any plans?" he asked.
"Clever," Kiso said. "They're using the tunnel as cover from aerial attacks and artillery. Charging at them head-on would be suicide. Their shield is incredibly dense."
"Don't think we have anything that could punch through that field," the gunner said.
Ichiro nodded. "Just a minute ago, one of our guys radioed that a prototype anti-abyssal rifle managed to pierce its surface, but the round disintegrated just as quick."
"They're still experimenting on those? Making some progress at least."
"Coordinate with the rest and tell 'em to keep shooting," Kiso said. "We'll have to keep them occupied and prevent them from getting a clear shot at the field generators."
Ichiro's eyes narrowed. "Cross your fingers that we'll get reinforcements from the south."
"Help will come—we just have to hold them off."
"You almost sound too sure about that."
"Not like they left us with other options here." Kiso grinned as she stood up, her turrets extending out of her core structure. "Alright, give us a good spot."
The marines' barrage went on as the abyssal ships turned their attention to the distant weapon systems at the compound's outskirts. After the last artillery strike, the enemy fleet's Airfield Princess seized the opportunity to deploy her planes. Abyssal bombers took out the remaining armored vehicles at the intersection, working their way towards the headquarters' compound.
"A princess?!" Teruzuki uttered. "W-What should we do—"
Another bullet smacked her forehead. "Oof," the turret gunner said, wincing. "That gotta hurt."
"N-Now you too, Skoll? I… I just need more time to prepare myself and—"
It was Kiso's turn to slap her forehead. "Teruzuki, focus!"
"Y-Yes, ma'am!" Teruzuki kneeled and looked up to the swarm, her anti-air turrets at the ready. Her familiars did the same, raising their barrels upwards. "A-Alright, let's do this!"
The whole vehicle shuddered as Teruzuki and her familiars let loose a volley of shells at a high angle. The rounds then exploded into shrapnel, catching most of the planes about to pass over them. The rest were shot down by ground turrets and SAM launchers from the compound's defenses.
"Hell yeah!" Kiso shouted. "That's what I'm talking about!"
The abyssal princess launched a new set of planes, with one squadron heading towards them. "S-Switching to standard, full-auto!" Teruzuki's gun turrets hissed and clattered as her mag-ions flared up once more. Two of her main turrets transformed into four pairs of anti-air autocannons. "F-Fire!"
Once again, she scattered another wave incendiary rounds skyward while Inazuma and the APC's gunner picked off the others that might try to outflank them.
Surprisingly, this strategy seemed to be working well—the planes were being diverted from their course, taking some heat off from the compound proper. It was also giving the marines a much needed time to reorganize and prepare their own counterattack.
"Miss Inazuma," Aster said. "Miss Haruna has informed me that it might take a little longer for them to reach the other end of the passage."
"Tell 'em to hurry up! We don't have all day!" Kiso homed in on her targets with her batteries. "Firing broadside!"
The APC teetered to the right again, but the cruiser immediately stomped on the vehicle before it completely loses balance. Nevertheless, her aim was impeccable, nailing the enemies by the entrance. The abyssal ships seemed to have noticed them as they were now training their guns at their current course.
"Step on it!" the gunner shouted. Soon enough, shells started falling around them. Inazuma held on the handrail as the APC made a sharp turn.
"Huwaa! M-Miss Kiso, what should we do?!" Teruzuki asked.
Kiso returned fire with her own salvo. "Keep at it!" she shouted. "Take your finger off the trigger and we're done for!"
Inazuma braced herself as the exchange of gunfire took a turn for the worse.
One shell landed too close and they were knocked away by its tremendous blast. Her persisting headache only grew worse as she hit and tumbled across the rocky ground.
She let out a sigh after seeing the overturned APC ahead of her. The side door opened as the passengers crawled out of the battered vehicle, but relief was quickly replaced with despair as four abyssal planes made a steep descent towards them. She struggled to stand up and aimed her guns upwards, but she knew that she wouldn't make it in time. "N-No!"
Out of nowhere, a purplish streak crashed into the abyssal bombers, consuming them in a screen of crackling flames. Fighter planes burst out of the smoke and intercepted the other approaching hostile planes, showering them with lead. The explosions were followed by the cheers of the marines.
"Someone's broadcasting an open channel," Aster said. "Linking it now to your terminal."
"Still tryin' to play hero, eh? But whatever—let us in on the fun!"
The moment Inazuma recognized the voice, a chain of explosions devoured the ridge's passage. Kiso's invigorating laughter was heard over the comms. "Ha! About time they showed up!"
Inazuma's eyes widened as she looked at her left. "Th-They're our reinforcements?"
"Yuu sounded too confident even when Minako told him about the siege—I just knew he had something up his sleeve. Those girls will be puttin' in a lot of work here."
"Stop," Chikuma said. "You're getting your hopes up on the wrong idea. We're here for him."
Urakaze's voice followed. "Whaddja think, Inazuma?" she said. "It all worked out in the end for you, huh? Let's make this count!"
"Y-Yes!" Inazuma replied. "Thank you!"
Their celebration was cut short with the booming of enemy guns. Shells started falling across the field.
"Uwaa!" Teruzuki shouted, grabbing her familiars with each arm. She started running in circles. "I think we just made them angry!"
"That means they're getting pressured!" Kiso pointed at a downhill pathway. "Get cover for now!"
They ran around a slope, hiding their position from the enemy fleet's vantage point. Cannon fire could still be heard from the ridge. "Alright, with aircraft carriers backing us up, we now have a fighting chance against them. We just need—"
"Hold yer mouth for a sec," Ryuujou said. "Inazuma, I wanna make sure he's safe. Teruzuki told us that something bad happened to him."
"Y-Yeah, he got shot," Inazuma replied. Kiso looked at her as if she did something horrible.
"He got what?!"
Inazuma shook her head. "B-But he's getting treated right now, so—"
"We need to get to him. Right now."
"Stick with the plan!" Kiso shouted. "I thought you guys have something that will reinforce the fields!"
"Stay outta this! We ain't takin' orders from you!"
"You don't get it, do you? We need everyone here if we want to have a chance against—"
"Stop your whinin' and just get yer ass to work! We're doin' this our way!"
"Just the three of us is enough," Chikuma said. "We're opening another channel so that we could communicate with the rest."
"Just three, huh?" Kiso rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand. "F-Fine. Can you link up the units for us, Aster?"
"Affirmative," Aster replied.
"I've radioed someone to pick us up," Ichiro said. "We should be ready to join the other units on the fro—"
"There's a jeep headed here," a marine called out from the far left. "Don't think we'd fit all in."
"Whoever that is, I didn't call that one."
Inazuma looked at the speeding vehicle. "That's Tanikaze," Ryuujou said. "She's gonna pick ya up."
Some of the marines dived to safety as the armored jeep skidded to a stop, creating a dusty trail in its wake. A fleet girl poked her head out of the driver's window. "All aboard!" she saluted. "Tanikaze's Express Service, ready to roll!"
The back row door swung open. "Inazuma, hurry!" Urakaze shouted.
Inazuma ran towards the jeep, only glance back at Kiso and the other marines. Kiso gave her a nod and she returned the gesture. As soon as she climbed inside, the engine roared as the jeep accelerated away. Chuckling, Urakaze reached out to her side to close and lock the door.
"Oops, sorry 'bout that!" Tanikaze said. "We need to get there on schedule!"
Her body froze as she saw the passenger at the front. Urakaze placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it. "Relax, relax. She's on our side."
"B-But she's—"
The girl clad in a frilly black dress turned from her seat. Her scarlet eyes had a curious glint in them as she stared at Inazuma. "Say hello, Marvie," Tanikaze said. "She's the commander's secretary, so be nice to her!"
Inazuma glanced at Urakaze. "S-So, she's Marvie?" she whispered. Urakaze only smiled in response.
With an unchanging expression, the Isolated Island Demon extended her hand. Inazuma gulped as she took the hand and gently shook it. C-Cold…
The vehicle suddenly swerved, flinging Inazuma and Urakaze to the right. "Sorry!" Teruzuki said, laughing.
Urakaze picked up her hat on the floor. "Jeez, stop that!"
"C-Can you even see the road from your seat?" Inazuma asked.
"Nope!" Teruzuki replied. "But I have my homing radar on!"
"H-Homing radar?"
"It doesn't matter if I can't see! My instincts will be my eyes!"
Careless driving and incessant bombardments aside, they managed to reach the structure housing the generator without any accidents. They stopped by the fences and left the jeep, but Inazuma felt that their lucky streak ended the second she saw some enemy shells whistling towards them.
"T-Take cover!" Inazuma shouted, pouring her mag-ions into her shield.
"No need for that!" Tanikaze pointed at the sky. "Show 'em, Marvie!"
The abyssal girl raised her hand and a purplish dome covered the entire structure. The projectiles detonated upon reaching the field, saving them from the blasts and shrapnel. Inazuma had her mouth open in awe. W-Well, she is an installation-type abyssal ship...
Remaining cautious, the marines in the perimeter aimed their weapons at the abyssal ship. Tanikaze shrugged and crossed her arms. "You guys either pick our side or piss Marvie off!"
"W-What should we do?" Inazuma asked.
Urakaze summoned her armaments. "If we can't reason with them, then we have no choice but to—"
"H-Hold on!" one marine officer shouted. "Commodore Minako transmitted a message just now—these girls are on our side… even that abyssal ship with them!"
"What are you saying?!" another marine said. "That abyssal chick could turn the situation worse than it is now!"
"And yet she saved us and the generators from that last shelling."
"She's still an Abyssal! For all we know, this could be their plan to—"
"Enough! Resume current operations!" Confusion befell around them, but the officer seemed to have made his decision. Inazuma gulped as he looked towards them. "I know it would be pointless to ask this now, but is it true that you're here to help us?"
"Y-Yes!" she replied, saluting.
The officer paused for a moment before nodding. "I've heard the details from Minako. Do what you must—we have no intention of giving up this island to those creatures."
Urakaze smiled. "Th-That sure is convenient."
"Good for us, eh Marvie?" Tanikaze said, slapping the abyssal girl's back.
Marvie, seemingly unaware of her surroundings, had her attention on the engagement of fighter planes in the distance. She raised her hand once more and mag-ions radiated out of her whole frame. A black mass appeared behind her, forming an airstrip. Urakaze stepped in front of her, waving her hands up. "I-I think you shouldn't send planes out for now."
She cocked her head to the side and lowered her arm. Tanikaze took her other arm and dragged her closer to the stairs leading down to the structure's lower platforms. "Leave Marvie to me, so you guys go ahead!"
Urakaze nodded. "Lead the way, Inazuma!"
"R-Right!"
Shortly after the destroyer pair made a break for the compound's northern gate, a familiar stifling sensation from earlier returned, preventing Inazuma from taking another step.
A crimson mag-ion beam erupted from the center of the structure. For a moment, it seemed that the multifield layers were breached yet again, but the resulting energy ripples from the piercing light engulfed them in a pale red hue. The outermost field no longer flickered when struck by enemy shells. She was amazed and relieved, but she felt somewhat conflicted.
"What's wrong?" Urakaze called out.
"I-Is this really okay?"
"I'd put my faith on Marvie more than those soldiers. Not that we got other choices right now."
Her voice was clear and convincing, but there was a hint of bitterness in her words. Inazuma put it aside for now and focused her attention back to the task at hand. Even with an extra field deployed in the area, the headquarters still suffered damages from the Abyssals' offensive.
As they reached the gate, a few marines ran towards them. Inazuma tensed up. "U-Um, you have to let her in! She's—"
One of them shook her head. "Thank goodness you girls went back—perfect timing since we're about to contact Kiso about it."
"Eh? Wh-What's wrong?"
"Some of the Abyssals infiltrated the compound. We're trying to contain the damages, but what can we do against those monsters anyway?"
Inazuma looked at Urakaze, who seemed to be deep in thought. "E-Even here?"
"We have no numbers on how many got in, but we've confirmed that at least one of them is a princess—"
An explosion broke out from the nearest office block. Urakaze grimaced. "Th-This is bad. We gotta get to him quick."
"Miss Urakaze," Inazuma said, "can you help us?"
"Y-You don't need to make that face… !" She shook her head. "O-Okay, you got me! I'll give you a hand!"
"W-We already sent a squad to hold them off," the marine said. "You two can still catch up!"
The pair rushed inside the building and followed the sounds of gunfire and explosions from the upper floors, but upon reaching the fourth floor, everything seemed to have died down. The concentration of mag-ions in the place made it hard for them to track the intruders. They left the stairwell and made their approach without a sound.
The stench of flesh and blood greeted them the second they reached the hazy atrium. Glass shards and other rubble covered the entire hall. Urakaze took point once more, keeping a low profile. "Tanikaze told me about this strange transmission that Marvie was pickin' up a little earlier. It's gotta be them."
"A transmission from the Abyssals, huh?"
"This place's a mess. You're absolutely sure he's not in this building?"
"Y-Yes, they're in Miss Minako's office right now. This block is connected to the main building, so we'll be able to get there quick."
Among the bodies that littered the floor, they saw one marine propped up against a pillar. Urakaze kneeled down and checked his vitals. "He's still alive. Barely."
Inazuma sighed and placed a hand over her ear. "Aster?"
"Consider it done, Miss Inazuma," the fairy replied. "Can you hold on for a moment? I'll need to re-establish the channels from the north."
"It's okay. Thank you very much."
As they were about to check for other survivors, they heard a muffled voice further down the hall:
"H-Help, someone! C-Can someone... please..."
"M-Miss Urakaze, I'll bring her here. Can you please tend to his wounds for a moment?"
Urakaze nodded. "Careful, Inazuma. They could be hidin' somewhere close."
"A-Anyone? I… I'm scared…! Those monsters might return and... !"
With her shield ready, she inched closer to the source of the pained voice. When she turned around a corner, a hand grabbed her by the neck and slammed her to the wall.
Once, twice.
And finally, a heavy jab into her stomach forced the wind out of her.
She then heard a soft chuckle.
"I knew you'd fall for that."
Still reeling from the attack, Inazuma forced herself to reopen her eyes. When their gazes met, her heart started pounding quickly at the familiar face smiling at her. "You fleet girls are already disgusting enough, but that goody two-shoes attitude of yours? I hate it the most."
Her purple eyes were seething with anger and contempt. Inazuma couldn't look away—staring at them made her body unresponsive. The awful ringing in her ears returned as jolts of pain ran through her head. Urakaze could hear calling out for her before a nearby blast shook the building.
"I told you to meet us at the western gate of the compound, but you're actually a smug girl, aren't you?"
"M-Maricelle... !"
"But before I kill you, tell me where he's being kept in this place."
"I… I won't!"
Another solid punch to her face sent her in a daze. The abyssal girl's grip tightened. "I guess it's true. You really are stubborn."
Out of desperation, Inazuma fired a shell dart on her assailant's waist. Maricelle only laughed. "Was that supposed to hurt?"
"If you don't let me go… I'll have to…"
As soon as she pulled the trigger, the abyssal girl began to convulse, tottering backwards. Inazuma kicked her to the wall before bolting down the corridor. "Miss Urakaze!" she called out. "A-Are you okay?!"
She spun around just in time to see Maricelle aiming her hand cannon towards her. "You're so dead!"
Luck was on her side this time, avoiding a speeding shell as she found an office room that she could lunge into. Maricelle followed, but Inazuma already had her guns trained at the doorway. She launched a full-powered salvo, hitting her target dead on. Before she could make her next move, a fist tore through the smoke. Inazuma barely dodged the attack as she leaned to left and immediately countered with her shoulder mount.
The assaulting shadow was faster as it disappeared into the mass of smoke. Inazuma used the same cover to her advantage as well, dodging another blow. She latched her anchor to a steel shelf beside her before sliding under a table. An explosion suddenly shook the room and a good chunk of the ceiling collapsed.
As the smoke began to clear, she saw Maricelle walking towards her. "Cornered, aren't we?" the abyssal girl said, flinging the table between them with a single hand.
Inazuma backpedaled until her back touched the wall. The moment Maricelle lowered her guard, she activated her winch and launched herself forward with a kick. The abyssal ship let out a cry as she was rammed from both ways.
"Y-You little—!"
Anticipating a counterattack, Inazuma intercepted a swift hook with her shield, but she lost her balance and fell to the floor. She followed up with a low sweep, but her foot phased through the abyssal girl's legs. Maricelle grinned at her shocked expression.
"Yeah, I get that a lot." She aimed her gun at Inazuma's head. "Now die!"
A bright fiery flash. Then, a deafening boom.
Once again, her shield's field function saved her from the point-blank explosion, but it wasn't strong enough to protect her completely. Without any strength to lift her arms, she could only scream as excruciating pain overwhelmed her being—most of her agony coming from her left eye sliced by shrapnel. The pain was so much that she didn't even realize the blast sent her to the room below them.
While her opponent was just a destroyer like her, Maricelle was on a completely different level. There was no way she could win against a princess-class abyssal ship.
"Oh, come on. Out of tricks already?" Inazuma's broken cries were silenced by merciless fists. "On second thought, I think I'll enjoy this after all!"
"Enough. Playtime's over, Mari."
Inazuma could feel another presence in the room and forced herself to open her other eye.
A Ne-class cruiser was standing before her. Arms crossed, she had Maricelle restrained using her tail-like appendage.
Maricelle struggled. "Put me down—I'm not done with her! And give me back my hat!"
"I'll return it only after you help our adorable little destroyer here."
"W-Why would I do that?!"
"Because I will tell him that you've been a spoiled brat as of late and needs to be punished accordingly."
"Y-You won't!"
The abyssal cruiser's eye narrowed, wearing the destroyer's hat. "I mean it, Maricelle. If you had killed her a minute earlier, believe when I say that even your regeneration factor won't save you after I'm done dealing with you."
"Kgh! Fine! Just put me down!"
"Don't try anything funny now."
Inazuma let out a weak whimper as the abyssal destroyer went to her side. She shut her eye and assumed the worst when she felt a hand over her throbbing eye. Her body started burning up as Maricelle's mag-ions entered her system.
Oddly enough, the pain in her injured eye began to subside despite the feverish sensation. She opened her good eye again to see Maricelle sneering at her before looking back at the cruiser. "You owe me a dozen chocolate bars for this, Nerine!"
"Well, we could procure the vending machine downstairs as soon as we finish our business here. But for now…" Nerine crouched beside Inazuma. "We meet again, little one."
Lightheaded and tired, the destroyer tried to sort everything out in her head. After all, she wouldn't want to say anything that would make the situation worse. "Wh-What happened to Miss Urakaze?"
"I didn't kill her," the abyssal cruiser replied. "Just to make things perfectly clear, I don't want to be held responsible to the damages Maricelle caused here."
"Shut up, Nerine!"
Inazuma blinked. "W-What do you want from us? Why are you doing this?"
"We came here for him."
"H-Huh?"
The cruiser tilted her head slightly. "Well, you should probably know by now that his network is quite extensive."
"Y-You were the ones who saved me before, right?"
Maricelle glared down at her. "That's right. We saved your ass twice and you have the nerve to ignore my orders? Who do you think you are, you arrogant—"
"Quite a troublesome child." Nerine carried Inazuma on her back. "Can you tell us where they're hiding him? Do you think he's still in this building?"
"I'll tell you." Inazuma paused, glancing at her defunct terminal. "B-But can you promise me one thing? Please don't kill anyone while you're here."
"Oh, is that all?"
"A-And um, please bring Miss Urakaze with us too."
"Wow." Maricelle approached Inazuma and poked her forehead. "Are you asking for another beating already?"
"Mari, fetch the other destroyer and we'll be on our way."
She growled. "Now you owe me two dozens, you hear?! And gimme back my hat!"
Inazuma gasped as she happened to open both eyes. Her vision in her injured eye was blurry, but she could now see nonetheless. Even her damage control fairies were equally shocked at her fast recovery. Just a little more and she would have the strength to walk on her own again. But for now, she had to play along.
They went to the central building without delay, and getting to the commodore's office was easier than she thought it would be. It probably helped that most of the people there were already evacuated to the underground levels. Maricelle and Nerine quickly neutralized the few armored marines guarding the passageway and the rest was pretty much in the bag.
As they reached the office, Inazuma scanned her card pass on the room's access panel and the sliding door opened. Maricelle hurried inside, tossed Urakaze to the floor, and headed straight to the sofa where the commander was resting.
But before she could get to the commander's side, Shiranui grabbed her wrist. "Stop."
With one quick twisting motion, Maricelle restrained the pink-haired destroyer from behind. Shiranui procured a small knife from under her vest and plunged it into Maricelle's thigh. She followed up with a high kick, but abyssal destroyer blocked the blow and grabbed her ankle. Maricelle landed two jabs in her stomach and slammed her to the floor.
Shiranui rolled to the side and pulled out her handgun from her leg holster. She fired twice, hitting the princess' arm and shoulder. Surprisingly, the rounds penetrated her skin, but it didn't stop abyssal destroyer from advancing. Maricelle brought her foot up, but it was slow enough for Shiranui to intercept the kick.
However, her hands merely phased through the leg, leaving her open for a vicious counterattack. Shiranui let out a pained cry as she parried the blow with her other arm. Shifting her stance, she threw a heavy punch of her own. The fist connected to the other destroyer's face, drawing blood from her mouth.
Both of their armaments materialized as they broke off to gain some distance. Inazuma felt the need to interfere, but at the same time, she couldn't find the strength to do so.
Maricelle turned her head back, grinning. "Is that all?" Her right leg below the metal band began to flicker as she pulled out the knife. "But I wonder if you can keep this up with your arm broken and all."
Shiranui grinned as well. "Let your fists do the talking. That was just a warm up."
"Big words coming from someone who fell from the same trick twice."
Unperturbed to developments unfolding before her, Minako was merely sipping iced tea at her desk. "It would be self-defeating if you came here just to fight again. He's in a stable condition now, so don't worry about him too much."
Maricelle glared at her. "I can see that! If it had been any worse, I'll exterminate every last of you cretins in this island!"
"She's right, Mari," Nerine said. "Taking it out on everyone won't satisfy your craving for sweets."
"Grr… this is why I wouldn't mind going solo instead of dragging you along!"
"So, what brings you here?" the commodore asked, stirring her tea with a straw.
"It doesn't concern you," the cruiser replied. "We shall tell him when he comes around."
"Fair enough." Minako motioned at the long table. "Take a seat in the meantime. I don't want you girls rampaging in here or there would be unfortunate implications that you're better off not experiencing."
"Oh?" Smirking, the abyssal princess walked towards the officer's desk and stabbed it with Shiranui's knife. "What can you do, exactly?"
She returned a similar smile. "Hmm, plenty of things come to mind that you're better off not knowing. After all, I'm quite confident at making things work in my favor." Maricelle pitched the teapot through the window, but Minako remained unfazed, setting her cup down. "Throwing a hissy fit won't convince anyone, you know?"
"Y-You condescending bitch! I'll kill you!"
Before she could lunge at the officer, Nerine grabbed her from behind. "Oh dear, it's getting into your head badly."
Shiranui had a rather disinterested look on her face. "What's happening now?"
"She just needs her daily intake of sugar."
"Chocolates then." Minako looked at Shiranui. "Do we have any in the cupboard?"
Without a word, the pink-haired destroyer checked the cupboard's compartments. When she was done, she placed a few bars on the table. Nerine reached out for one and wagged it in front of Maricelle's face. "Give. Me. That!"
The abyssal princess broke free from her captor. Grabbing all the other goodies, she settled on a recliner next to the sofa and took a bite on a chocolate bar for a taste test. Shortly after that, she shoved all of the bars in her mouth without removing their respective wrappers and started chewing away.
She gulped everything down with a satisfied look on her face, but her mood reverted as she became conscious of everyone again. "Y-You guys are creepy, but whatever! Caramel chocolate really is a brilliant flavor—I can't get enough of it!"
Her deep, echoing voice disappeared. She seemed like a different person now!
"Stress eating?" Minako asked.
Nerine pulled a chair from the long table. "You could say that," she replied, sitting down. "I wonder when he'll wake up."
"Well, just about nowish. You girls were pretty loud."
Inazuma suddenly turned her head, causing her neck to ache slightly. "C-Commander?!"
"Yuu?!" Maricelle put down her chocolate bars and rushed to his side. "Are you okay? Where does it hurt? Do you want me to—"
He grabbed her face, shoving her away. "Shut up. Too noisy." He looked at Nerine. "And didn't I tell you to wait? You didn't have to come here."
"We have to make sure you're still alive," the abyssal cruiser replied. "Please consider the circumstances on our end as well."
"I'll hear more of what you have to say later." He paused, lying on his left side. "Can you give me a boost, Mari?"
"R-Right away!"
The abyssal princess placed a hand on his exposed shoulder and concentrated. A warm, light shade of lilac enveloped her body. Inazuma watched as the radiating mag-ions were transmitted into his body.
The commander's breathing quickened, clutching his chest. He suddenly shuddered and lurched facing them. "Bear with it, Yuu," Maricelle said, keeping him from falling off the sofa. "Just a little more..."
Nerine stood up from her seat. "No, that's enough. He's at his limit."
"Jeez... I know, I know."
Inazuma began to panic as he tried to sit up. "C-Commander?! Don't—"
Pain was still evident on his face as he managed to lean on the sofa's back. Maricelle scowled at her. "What, you think I'd fail?"
"N-No... it's just that..."
The commander caught his breath, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "You don't have to get that flustered. I... just need a little more rest." He closed his eyes. "How are we holding up, Minako?"
"We're doing well, thanks to those girls. Reinforcements from neighboring installations are on their way as well, but there's something else you need to know." The commodore glanced at Aster and Freya. "Are you two done patching up the feed?"
"Yes," Freya replied, "it took us a while to clear up the noise though."
"Fire it up then."
A video feed from an observation tower appeared on the wall monitor, but only for a few seconds before screen blackened. Out of nowhere, Ram and Luna materialized and fell on the table. "A-Are you alright?" Inazuma asked.
Ram rolled over on her back. "I-I'm so pooped. I'm taking a break!"
"It costs so much energy just to render the feed in real time," Luna said. "I-I'm sorry."
"It can't be helped," Aster said. "It's not a direct channel after all. Plus, with the high amounts of volatile mag-ions affecting the area, we're pressed to use this option until they could restore the networks back online."
"Interference of some kind?" the commander said. "More importantly, why are they here?"
Inazuma raised an eyebrow. "They?"
Minako propped an elbow on the desk, resting her cheek in her hand. "Yes, those Irregulars you've fought before appeared again. The situation in the south has turned into a free-for-all."
"I-Is everything going to be okay?"
"It works out in our favor since their scuffle among themselves is buying us time until reinforcements get here." She stared at her tablet. "The timing of their appearance, however…"
The commander looked like he was lost in thought for a moment. "We'll have to find that out later."
Inazuma was more worried about how laid-back the two officers were about the raid. She wanted to go back and help everyone in the field, but she couldn't leave the commander alone either. The other two abyssal ships seemed to have gotten comfortable, not making a sound from their seats. Other than the distant sounds of artillery and occasional calls Minako had to make or answer, the room was unnervingly still.
"What's the matter, Inazuma? Do you not have faith in your comrades?"
Minako easily saw through her and she could only bow her head down in response. To ease her worries, the commodore activated the wall monitor again so that everyone could see how the ongoing operations in the island were doing at the moment.
On the screen, the map of the island was displayed along with various icons and color overlays scattered across different areas, constantly changing in a given interval. Minako motioned her over and gave her a dark blue pen. Upon recognizing the device, Inazuma pointed its sensor on the island's northern shoreline. A window appeared, displaying the active squads and fleets currently in that sector.
She was relieved that her friends were all accounted for. They had suffered damages, but their task of driving the Abyssals back to the sea was going as planned. Ryuujou's group and the marines followed through, forcing the enemy fleet occupying the ridge tunnel to retreat. Listening through the radio chatter and open channels, she was on the edge of her seat cheering them on with Ram and Luna.
It was also somewhat nostalgic that she got to experience a software application similar to the one they were using during her days in the mainland. That one was smaller in scope and made for practicality, but this particular version was improved in every aspect. She already forgot the specifics, but data control centers of that level were exclusively issued for higher-ranking military officials.
For a Navy commodore to have authorization to use such tool for her personal use seemed too good to be true. I know that we can trust her, but...
"Oh, is there something on your mind? Have you come up with any strategies that we could use?"
Minako was looking straight at her, smiling. She quickly shook her head. I… I'll hold it off for later.
It wasn't long until aerial reinforcements turned the tide of battle to their favor. The cornered enemies from the north put up resistance for a while, but they broke off and retreated when allied fleets entered their visual range. On the other hand, the hectic engagement in the south lasted until nightfall. The sheer tenacity of the hostile forces required the Navy to reorganize its forces to drive them out of the island's waters for good.
Later that night, an assembly was called to discuss the Navy's security and restoration initiative for the next few days. Or at least, that was the agenda for the first thirty minutes of the meeting. The commander was pushed into the spotlight as several Council members affiliated to the Novus Terra party insisted that he was the one who orchestrated the abyssal raid.
And for this matter, they were quick to present an audio recording containing the exchange between Southern Demon and the commander back in the interrogation room. This evidence was supported by a data transmission that they had intercepted from the commander's portable terminal, which contained sensitive information on the island's design and several security protocols. They also had encrypted channels that they were able to detect since their arrival in the island a few days ago. While their existence weren't necessarily pointing fingers at him, they still could be used against him for the sole fact that the encryption technique of the channels were typically employed by the Abyssals themselves.
The commander, however, seemed to be occupied with something else as the reports went on. Perhaps he was just apathetic to the people badmouthing him? He didn't defend himself from all the accusations thrown at him as if he was never there. And when he was asked by the Council to defend his case, he only returned a cold glare to his detractors. Some officials reminded everyone that they were getting sidetracked, but the others couldn't move on in an attempt to corner him here and now.
In the midst of the brewing storm, Commodore Minako tapped her microphone. "Hold on." Some of the Council members' faces twisted in disgust. "It looks like some of you are in a hurry to convict him, and yet it's disappointing that everything you have on him is purely circumstantial."
The red-haired officer who was relaying the report earlier shot up from his seat. "Wh-What did you say?"
"I can't deny that he did leak those confidential data to the enemy on purpose. That much is clear from the recording you've shown us."
"So you're admitting to the Council that he—"
She held a palm up. "Oh, like I said, let's not get carried away." She took a deep breath. "But for the benefit of everyone, allow me to get to the point: him sending those data wasn't an act of betrayal."
He sat back down in his seat and leaned towards his microphone on the table. "Hmph, do you even comprehend the words coming out of your mouth right now?"
"Of course. Who do you think you're talking to?" She smiled. "You're so fixated on pinning the blame on him that you're not seeing the bigger picture here. If the Abyssals were looking to destroy this island in the first place, then why did they bother sending their troops inland during the raid?"
"Enough of your nonsense! What are you trying to imply?"
Minako shook her head. "They could've just launched an island-wide bombardment to wipe us out—even our most advance field generators barely even protected us from heavy, concentrated shelling earlier."
The murmurs inside the hall broke out, but the commodore wasn't done just yet.
"We might have better odds of defeating the fleets they throw at us, but everything else would be pointless if the island had already been turned into a floating wasteland." She turned slightly, glancing at the commander. "It was for that reason that he deliberately leaked the security data to give them a little nudge to our favor."
"Hold on," a bespectacled Council member sitting along Minako's table said. "Are you saying he did it so that he could save Orion from complete annihilation? Not the other way around?"
The short-haired female officer next to him, also a member of the Council, spoke. "How does that make any sense? Thanks to him, the enemy was able to launch strategic attacks with pinpoint accuracy across the island!"
"That's exactly what he was hoping for all along," Minako replied.
"Wh-What?"
"Him leaking the security data was more than just a bargaining chip. It was a psychological ploy to railroad the enemy's strategy into something less unpredictable."
"And in doing so," the bespectacled officer said, "he was able to direct the enemy's offensive towards our key assets within the island while minimizing collateral damage to civilians. Not only he was aware of the Abyssals' plan to attack us, he was also able to manipulate their actions using the data leak. Did I get that right, Commodore Minako?"
"I-Isn't that too convenient?" the short-haired woman asked.
Minako paused for a moment, glancing at the commander. "If Yuu had collaborated with the raiding Abyssals, it wouldn't make any sense for him to risk the lives of his allies during the enemy offensive. He would've used the ensuing chaos to escape the island, but he willingly chose to stay and help us. Can any of you still say that what this man did is a traitorous ploy to destroy Port Orion?"
"And judging from your previous statement, I suppose there's an underlying reason why the Abyssals staged the raid to begin with?"
"The Abyssals initiated a siege because they're looking for something on this island." As she gestured at the stage technician sitting beside the platform, the stage monitor displayed a detailed map of Orion. The northeast and southern areas of the island were highlighted in red. "Isn't it a fascinating coincidence that the Abyssals launched a direct assault on the two main ports of the island?"
"If what your saying is true... then the reason why we were able to push them back recently is..."
Minako nodded. "They already found what they were looking for. We don't know about the particulars regarding that matter, but I'm confident that we'll be able to figure it out as soon as our damage assessment teams send their comprehensive reports from the field."
"Is that it?" the red-haired officer said. "Enough of your baseless assumptions! You don't even know that you're being lied to!"
She put on an exasperated face. "Oh, but perhaps you don't mind sharing the basis of your allegations? If it's something that even our resident insider doesn't know, I'm certain that everyone here would like to hear your findings."
"Th-That's—"
Another officer across them spoke this time. "Regardless, he still compromised the island's security!" He pointed at Nerine, sitting behind the commander. "The fact that we have an abyssal ship in attendance right now is beyond ridiculous!"
Nerine crossed her leg. Her slightest movements caused the fleet girls around her to ready their weapons. "My my, do all of you really hate us that much?"
"You better shut your mouth!" a marine officer shouted. "Have you forgotten how you indiscriminately massacred my men earlier?!"
The cruiser rolled her eye. "You should blame my immature partner for that."
Minako looked up as they felt a short tremor. "I'll remove Marvie from the multifield generators myself if you're that adamant on expelling them. Just know that in exchange, your party will be responsible to any damages and casualties that may happen afterwards."
"To go this far just to defend them is just—"
"No." She smiled again. "You're letting your ego and blind hate get in the way of your judgment. It's not that hard to understand."
Another shouting match broke out. It seemed worse than what she had witnessed back at Auspice, and Inazuma hoped that Urakaze and Ryuujou wouldn't join them as well, seeing how frustrated they were. It took a few minutes for the tension to simmer down and get things back on track. Under the strict guidance of Admiral Asai, the assembly proceeded as scheduled but focusing more on rehabilitation efforts for affected villages. Thankfully, the rest of the discussions went well despite the lingering air of unrest in the hall.
Inazuma could only wonder why proper military officers don't get conduct-related infractions and punishments for occasions like this. Even Commodore Minako herself seemed to be enjoying herself in these heated debates!
After the meeting was dismissed, the commander immediately stood up and headed towards the exit. Nearby marines and fleet girls sprung into action as they blocked the entrance. The double doors opened and an officer cut through the line of fleet girls.
An inexplicable spell of fury seemed to have taken over the commander's mind as he suddenly launched himself to the new arrivals. His fist was aimed at the Navy officer, but a fleet girl, the battleship Mutsu, intercepted it with ease. The commander remained indignant despite the disparity in strength, but Mutsu simply released his hand and pushed him away.
Commodore Niro looked at him, grinning. "You just can't let it go, can you?"
Suddenly, Ryuujou moved in towards the commodore. Mutsu pushed Niro aside as she took the carrier's punch, which sent her skidding back to the hallway.
"I was tryin' my best back there while they threw insults at us like we're unwanted thrash 'ere." Everyone around the carrier flinched as her mag-ions exploded out of her frame, enveloping her in a purple hue. The lights in the hall began to flicker. "Tch, I'll grind y'all to dust if that's what you want!"
Urakaze brought out her weapons, prompting the others to aim their guns at them. "You two, stand down," Minako said as she approached the crowd. "Niro, if you're here just to cause ruckus, then I'll have to ask you to leave the hall."
Niro fixed his cap and continued walking. "You should learn how to put leashes on your dogs, Minako. It's getting out of hand."
Ryuujou was about to move again before Minako grabbed her arm. "Just ignore him." She turned to look at the commander. "Admiral Asai wants to have a word with you."
"What for?"
"You'll know later." She then looked at Inazuma. "You girls can go back to the office for now."
"Are you sure about that?" Nerine gestured at the fleet girls around them. "I might have to kill them if they made the first move on us."
"Well, you don't have to take it personally if they did. They're just doing their jobs."
The cruiser squinted. "I'll take that as a yes."
They were escorted by heavily-armed fleet girls back to Minako's office and waited there. Much of the tension passed as they stepped into the room and Inazuma was just glad they could rest easy for now. Kiso arrived moments later to fetch Urakaze, and the two of them immediately returned to the multifield structure. Apparently, the other girls wanted to see the commander, so they thought of taking turns to get into the compound with the cruiser's help.
Left with nothing to do, Inazuma spent her time chatting with her friends spending the night in the north. As she talked, she would steal glances from the others every now and then:
Maricelle seemed to be content savoring her chocolates in the recliner while Nerine took an interest on the bookshelf's offerings. Ryuujou was sitting on the sofa, her hood covering half of her face as she slept. Shiranui was organizing some files at the long table as she kept a watchful eye on the two abyssal ships doing their own thing.
Inazuma lost track of time and didn't realize that nearly an hour passed when the two officers finally returned. Minako headed to her desk and opened her laptop. "Yuu, I'm still waiting for an answer."
The commander just stood a few steps from the door. She looked straight into the Navy officer's eyes. "What is there to answer?"
"We won't be able to help you if you can't even speak up for yourself. The Council isn't a one-sided party—you know that."
The commander grimaced. "I'm tired." It wasn't a comeback of any sort. His voice was flat, devoid of emotions. "I just wanted to get this done quickly, Minako. I might not have much time left."
"Wh-What do you mean by that?" Inazuma asked. "Y-You can tell us what's bothering you, Commander."
"Stay out of this."
The destroyer flinched as his words pierced through her chest like a steel bolt.
"I know I'm not one to talk," Minako said, "but you can only shoulder so much before those burdens you insist on carrying alone crush you completely. You don't live in a vacuum—don't disregard your allies like that."
"You don't have to remind me that."
"And yet, I have to hammer it down your head constantly." Minako removed her cap and untied her ponytail. "Be honest with me: are you afraid?"
"I've been through hell and back to get where I stand. What kind of question is that?"
"Then why are you still running away? I thought you're capable enough of facing the consequences of your actions in full."
He was taken aback, directing a pained gaze to the floor. "I…"
"Was that actually selective then? It'd be very hypocritical of you if that were the case."
Maricelle stood up and began walking towards the commodore. "I dare you to talk to him like that again."
"Mari, it's fine." He shook his head. "I'll… take a walk for a bit."
"I'll go with you!" the abyssal destroyer said, facing him.
"No, stay here. Our presence in the assembly already caused so much trouble as it is. I won't take long anyway."
"I can't guarantee your safety if you leave me here."
"Place your concerns on them instead."
"W-Well, if you say so."
He turned around and promptly left the room. A few seconds later, Minako signaled Shiranui to follow him. As the door closed for the second time, she sighed and rubbed her temples. "Still giving me headaches, even to this day."
Inazuma had never seen the commander looked so conflicted before.
She knew that feeling so well. Trying to contain the swirling mass of emotions inside each passing day, threatening to engulf both mind and body—she hated it so much.
Heavy silence transpired as Minako directed her gaze at Inazuma. "I must confirm something though as it has been bothering me for quite some time now."
"E-Erm... sure. What is it?"
"Have you seen him taking some medicine every so often?"
She blinked. "Medicine?"
"He had a special prescription given to him—a part of his routine maintenance, so to speak."
Fusou's voice was heard through Inazuma's terminal. "A prescription?"
"I-Is the commander sick?" Fumizuki asked.
"H-Hey, shut it!" Maya said. "Why did you turn the transmitter on?"
Inazuma closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I don't think I have. As his secretary, we're always together around the clock, but..."
Minako furrowed her eyebrows. "I can only hope he didn't stop taking them."
She gulped and breathed out her anxiety. "U-Um... there's this other thing that I'm worried about too."
"And that is?"
"I saw him one time where he looked like he was in a lot of pain. A-And now that I think about it, there were also times where he would lock himself up inside the office for a couple of hours." She paused, grimacing. "It isn't a chronic disease, is it?"
"Those symptoms are showing up again, no doubt about it." Minako bit her lip. "What is he thinking?"
"S-Symptoms? So you knew all along?"
Minako smiled. "Have you forgotten? We've been together before, so I should know that much."
"Akatsuki and I had happened to check his medical records when we were trying to find clues about him, but we didn't see anything on them that would warrant a prescription." Inazuma shook her head. "What is it for? Is it related to how his body can somehow assimilate mag-ions?"
"Then if you truly yearn for answers, why not ask him yourself? I'll need Shiranui back here soon."
Inazuma looked down. "B-But—"
"Just give it a shot. We're doing this for his sake anyway."
"C-Can I really do it?"
As soon as Kiso returned with Tanikaze, it was Inazuma's turn to be escorted to the western outskirts of the compound. There, they found an isolated structure within the trees. Inazuma learned that the place was a memorial for those who died in the line of duty. Well, to be more specific, a mausoleum.
Power in the sector had yet to be restored, but the fair share of destruction that the area received was just impossible to overlook. Further into the mausoleum's garden, she found a few fleet girls waiting by the entrance, including Shiranui herself. They seemed to have followed the commander all the way here as well.
Inazuma swallowed all her anxiety in one big gulp and took a step inside the building's lobby. She reached down her skirt pocket and brought out a card. A small searchlight appeared on her arm, illuminating the doorway to the main chamber.
Her eyes darted left and right as she scoped the place a bit. It was quite a surprise that the interior of the building was bigger than she had imagined.
As she moved into the main chamber, she saw a beam of light further in the hall. "C-Commander?" she called out as the beam disappeared. Her echoing voice made her uneasy as she walked through the center aisle. "Is that you?"
She breathed out a sigh of relief when he finally responded: "Why did you follow me?"
"I just want to talk! Please hear me out!"
There was a short pause before the light came back on, pointing at the ceiling. She followed it until she found him crouching on a pile of debris. She directed her light upwards and saw that a huge chunk of the wall next to the commander was gone. It probably collapsed during the raid earlier, along with a few trees near a shell's impact zone.
Inazuma turned her searchlight off as she walked to his side. She watched him light a small candle. "Do you know someone here?"
As if an answer to her question, his hand hovered in front of a compartment three rows from the bottom. He placed the candle inside a glass-like holder on the ledge. She took this chance to lean closer so that she could read the compartment's plaque. "Captain Hinami… Nagasaki."
"I never thought I would get to visit this place again."
"Why? Has it been that long since your last visit here?"
He stood up, not taking his eye off the candle's flickering flame. "I have to find her friends too before going back."
"Oh, then I'll help—"
A shadow stepped between them, striking the commander with a fist. He fell down on the rubble, but the taller man drove his foot on his chest. "I thought I wouldn't be able to get another chance after you left us like you've never been here. I guess you could call it fate, huh?"
"L-Lieutenant Ichiro?!"
Ichiro brandished a knife and brought a knee in the commander's stomach. "It's about time you get what's coming to you!"
"J-Just so you know," the commander said, "I don't have any intention of dying here tonight."
"You're so full of shit, huh? I'll do everyone a favor and kill you right now!"
He brought his knife down, but the commander caught his wrist. With just a single hand, the commander kept the blade just above his chest. "Tch, you must be delusional to think that I'm going to give up my life so easily."
Ichiro didn't let up, pushing down the blade using his free hand. The knife still didn't budge an inch. "Wh-What?"
"Just give it up, Ichiro. Stop wasting my time."
"Shut up!" A solid punch rammed the commander's face. Ichiro yanked his hand out and opted to use his fist with the knife still in his grasp. The commander didn't fight back this time as he took one blow after another. "Still think you're a bigshot, you cocky bastard?"
Inazuma gritted her teeth—she couldn't take it anymore. She tackled the marine lieutenant to the side, but he quickly recovered and readied his knife again. She hopped back to avoid a swipe, but he quickly followed through and slammed her into the rubble.
She tried to get back up, but she found herself pinned on the mound of debris. As she attempted to push herself up once more, pain suddenly exploded throughout her midriff. She lifted her head, and it was only then she noticed a steel shaft sticking out of her waist. "Nrgh…! T-This is—"
"I-Inazuma?"
The commander was only looking straight at her, unaware of the man approaching his side. Even in partial darkness, she could make out the astonished look on his face. He received another punch and sent him sprawling to the floor. Ichiro inched closer with his knife at the ready, but the commander quickly turned around and shoved him away with a kick.
He swung his right fist at the still recovering Ichiro back to the floor. He pulled his arm from behind and lifted him to his knees. Then, he reached out to the knife using his foot and plunged the blade into the lieutenant's thigh.
As if it wasn't enough, he began yanking the knife out. Ichiro could barely contain his voice as his body squirmed in pain.
His eyes—she had seen those so many times before in combat. Her heart started to race. "C-Commander, stop it!"
Ichiro managed to let out a chuckle. "G-Go ahead. This… this is no different from what you did to my sister and the others, right?"
"P-Please! Commander, get a hold of yourself!"
"Do it! P-Prove to them that you're nothing more than a two-faced murde—"
"No!"
He smacked Ichiro across the face for the last time. The lieutenant's body went limp, collapsing with a thud. The commander shook his head. "H-Happy now?"
"W-Were you actually going to…"
His shoulders heaved up and down as he slowly stood up once more and tottered to her side. He inspected her injury with his flashlight. "H-How should we do this?"
Inazuma noticed up close that the cut on his forehead was bleeding profusely. "C-Commander, are you okay?"
"Just… a little woozy." He sighed deeply, wiping the blood off with his sleeve. "Bring out your crew for now."
She tried to block out the pain as she summoned half of her damage control personnel. The fairies examined her wound and discussed between themselves for a moment. Afterwards, one fairy walked towards the commander.
"Nah! She'll survive—she had it worse the other time anyway!"
He didn't look convinced, glancing at Inazuma. "I should really stop getting surprised at how indifferent these fairies can be."
"Hey, that's just how it is. And it's always half your fault she keeps getting busted like this, so better hold your tongue there, buddy."
"Are you picking a fight or what?"
"Do you want her to get fixed or what?"
"U-Um guys," Inazuma uttered, "just pull me out if you have to. My vision's… starting to dim…"
The commander didn't even need to call for help as the other fleet girls went to check on them, presumably after hearing the commotion from outside. Inazuma and the two officers were brought to the hospital for treatment, but she was transferred to an isolated room where she could rest until morning. She was relieved when the commander, all patched up, returned to her side not long afterwards. He waited as the fairy nurse proceeded with her checkup, but much of that time was spent in stifling silence.
When the fairy nurse finally left the room, Inazuma turned her head to look at him. "C-Commander, what was that about earlier? You knew each other, right?"
He cast a downward gaze, shifting in his seat. "Y-Yeah, we were members in a splinter group that Minako organized back then."
"Then why does he hate you?"
"I got his older sister killed in an operation three years ago." He paused. "No... not just her. Her whole squad was killed because of my selfishness."
"C-Could it be... Chambered Liberty?"
"So, Minako spilled the beans, huh? It'll make things easier on my part then."
"She didn't tell us everything about the operation. That's why... if possible... I want to hear the rest of the story from you."
His firm expression mellowed out, but Inazuma could see uncertainty and discomfort in his eyes.
"I requested to join that particular op for the purpose of obtaining firsthand information and evidences pertaining to the enemy base's operations. You already know me enough that I don't trust the Navy's accounts on very sensitive intels, so I had to do my own investigation. And for that matter, I was assigned to Hinami's squad.
"The op itself was successful, but all went wrong when I released the captured abyssal ships from their holdings. Among them were unstable Irregulars who went berserk and started attacking everything they laid their eyes on. I was considered a quasi VIP at the time, that's why Hinami and the rest made it a priority to keep me alive, whatever it takes.
"They bought me time to haul as much data as I can find in the facility. In the end, Hinami and I were the only ones who survived. Another assault squad suffered more casualties just to get us out of there."
"H-Huh? But Hinami—"
"Yes, she did make it, but the wound she received from an Irregular made it impossible for us to contain the infection. She died a few days later due to a virulent kind of mutation we had never seen before. It was her brother who had to put an end to her misery."
Inazuma frowned. "Is that why you always keep yourself at arm's length from everybody?"
His eyebrows crossed. "Quite a bold assumption you got there."
"A-Ah..." She shut her eyes, quietly chastising herself. "U-Um, I understand how he feels, but isn't it unfair that you get all the blame for it?"
"Hmph, that means you don't understand him at all. But I don't mind him keeping a grudge—he can hate me all he wants."
"And you're okay with that?"
"I don't plan on apologizing for it. It was my mistake and I'm going to own it up my way. At least, that's what I've been telling myself since that incident."
"I can't even imagine what I would do if I were in that kind of situation. A burden like that is too much for a single person to bear."
He forced a smile. "You worry too much. I'm doing just fi—"
"Stop lying." Inazuma balled her hands. "There's nothing wrong in admitting that you are struggling really hard right now. We can see that and we're always ready to hear you out, but why do you keep pushing us away?"
He put on a stern face. "My hands are already stained, Inazuma. I don't want you girls in the Peacekeepers to be associated with us."
"If it's about that operation, I—"
"Again, enough with your half-baked assumptions about me. I wasn't referring to that."
"No more excuses, Commander! Then what about Miss Ryuujou's group?!"
"They're the exception—the unwanted rejects." He shook his head. "You, Akatsuki, and the others... you don't have to get involved in our affairs. Don't throw your future away like that. At the very least, not for someone like me."
"I... I don't get it! H-How are they different from us?"
"You're already living a good life. I keep telling Minako to bring you back to Auspice, but you guys are just hardheaded to a fault. Why are you so hell-bent on helping me anyway?"
Inazuma sighed, organizing her thoughts. His stubbornness was getting the best of her, but she had to keep at it. "You know, when I was still going through my management course, I kept thinking of a worthwhile goal that would inspire me to work even harder."
He raised an eyebrow. "How's that related to what we're talking about now?"
"J-Just me hear me out, okay?" Inazuma took another deep breath. "I did my best to come up with something, but my head isn't exactly very cooperative with topics like that.
"The day before my certifications were released, a friend of mine asked me to come by her uncle's coffee shop. She was living in the city where I took my last few modules, so we had made it a habit to hang out together when we both have free time in between our studies. She was a lot like you, by the way—stubborn and can be harsh with her words at times."
"You're one to talk."
She averted her eyes from his disapproving stare. "A-Anyway, she told me that she had made up her mind about going to a culinary school after graduating from high school."
"So, she likes cooking?"
"Well, she did a lot of cooking when she was younger, but she lost interest along the way. It took her uncle years to renew her love for cooking and I think it payed off." She looked up to the ceiling. "When she said that even someone like her can make people smile, I was really inspired and—"
"You didn't make that story up, did you?"
"W-Why would I do that?" Inazuma started sniffling. "I'm trying to pour my heart out to you, and that's how you're going to respond?"
"M-My bad." He glanced away, rubbing the patch on his cheek. "You don't have to make that face—it's unfair."
"U-Um... about my goal..." She did a last second attempt to muster up all her remaining courage. "I want to become a secretary who can support her fleet in every aspect. Even now, I'm still figuring out how to do that, but I'm trying my hardest."
He began to chuckle. "That's very… Inazuma, I guess?"
She buried her flushed face in her hands. "W-What's that supposed to mean?"
"Don't take the wrong idea—having a goal like that is a good thing." He didn't respond for a moment, sighing. "I'm aware that the answer's already right in front of me, but I keep assuring myself that there has to be another way out of this miserable hole I fell into."
Inazuma slowly turned her head towards him. "C-Commander?"
"I always think it's the easy way out at the expense of bringing more pain to the people around me." His expression soured. "Everything you heard from Minako was true. I'm just scared—scared of giving everyone around me a chance. Scared of the implications without putting in work."
"You have to believe in us too."
"Telling me that won't convince me." Inazuma's spirit began to waver as she made a dejected face, only to perk up as he spoke again. "But… I'll try. That's the least I can do for all the trouble I caused you guys."
"R-Really?"
"And I still have a promise to keep, remember?"
"Promise? What promise?" It was his turn to make a disappointed look, causing Inazuma to panic. "N-No, I mean, it's just that a lot of things happened recently, so… um…"
Eyes brimming with newfound purpose, he looked at her as a smile tugged his lips. "We'll save Akatsuki and the others. It's only a matter of time, so I can only ask you to wait a little longer."
"Of course! Please count on us as well!"