Star Blazers: The Arethusa Incident
Chapter 1 - Troubled Beginnings
June 26th, 2204 – Barrow-in-Furness, England – 1755 hrs
"Things are never going to be the same again without the Time Fault,"
Inside a large observation room, Yuzuru Fujimoto, a Japanese man in his mid-40s, dressed in construction safety overalls, was reading a digital news article on a tablet. It featured the impending closure of Domon Hightech, one of the smaller engineering companies that was associated with the construction of military assets within the Time Fault. With the destruction and closure of Earth's trump card to limitless expansion in industrial and military buildup, multiple contractors and manufacturers had hastily scrambled to pull out their assets from the Time Fault and reorganize to limit the damage to their investments and projects. Although most of their properties and investments had been recovered prior to its destruction, several smaller subsidiaries and companies' whose businesses had been wholly dependent on the unusual time breaking physics of the Time Fault's environment found themselves unable to adapt to a normal working ecosystem and were forced to declare themselves bankrupt in the following months.
"Years from now people will look back and wonder whether the price for Earth's security and prosperity was worth the price of saving those two narrowminded idealists," he continued with a hint of disgust. "Especially since so many people's livelihoods and jobs were affected through that vote."
"At least Domon Hightech are still committed to complete their work before they close down for good," commented Barnes Wallis, a man of British descent in his thirties who had also joined his colleague in reading the article. "It's hard to find good and willing people in this business to support our project."
"Indeed no thanks to Rezabek' and his infuriating influence with those bureaucrats to support his abomination."
Putting his tablet down Fujimoto let out a small frustrated sigh before grabbing a nearby safety construction helmet.
"Still the demise of the Time Fault provides an opportunity for a future where manned space combat is still viable," he added as he walked to the door to get back to his work with Wallis following behind. "We just need to prove that our ship and others like her would be part of it."
As he opened the door and stepped outside, Fujimoto was greeted with the magnificent view: An uncompleted Andromeda-class battleship was proudly resting in its mooring clams in a massive well-lit drydock. It was straddled with massive construction cranes towering over several parts of her mostly completed hull with one lowering a triple 406mm shock cannon turret into one of the ship's forward barbettes. Construction workers, mostly robotic but some human, can be seen in the distance laboring in different sections of the ship as they strived to finish the massive vessel like diligent ants putting the finishing touches of their nest.
A couple of minutes after Fujimoto and Wallis had walked down the flight of stairs from his office to the construction gantry below the port bow of the Andromeda-class ship, a worker came up to greet the two.
"Ah Mr Fujimoto, I see that you're back from your tea break sir!" He greeted loudly as the noise of blow torches and machinery sirens were blaring away in the noisy shipyard.
"Thanks, how's the progress of installing those new rocket anchors?"
"It's going well," replied the worker as he pointed to one of the large aforementioned items which was slowly being reeled up slowly into its launcher.
"We just finished the starboard one twenty minutes ago. The portside one should be loaded into its place before night falls. No defaults or issues reported so far."
"Well done," Fujimoto nodded in approval. "In the meantime, have Kenji's team prioritize installing graviton launcher number 3 starting at 11 pm tonight. I want to have all the forward weapons installed before the end of the month as planned."
"Yes sir," replied the worker supervisor who went off to carry out his orders.
"Looks like things are going well for this week as well," commented Wallis loudly. "At this rate our ship will be completed a month ahead of schedule."
"Well that's the props for doing only moderate modifications to a partially completed standard Andromeda battleship type," Fujimoto replied nonchalantly as he looked up at his creation. "Making simple and cost effective improvements on an already tried and tested weapons platform is a logical step to make use of five incomplete AAA-class hulls."
"Aye, considering the success and pace of our construction we should be able to win the contract from the Cosmo Navy to finish those five incomplete AAA-type hulls into new manned Andromedas," nodded Wallis in agreement. "Maybe even partake in the Next Gen Space Battleship Procurement Program next year if we're lucky."
"Hopefully, if we can convince the top brass of the AAA-class program in a month's time."
"Project Director Fujimoto! Director Fujimoto! We've an emergency situation!"
Fujimoto turned to see a female executive running up to him from behind with a tablet in her hand.
"What is it, Tōyama?"
The young blond half-Japanese lady panted for breath before she could speak.
"I-i-it's the selection process meeting for t-t-the contract!" Tōyama gasped as she tried to speak audibly. "It has… It has"
"It has what?" asked Fujimoto his right eyebrow was raised in concern.
"They've moved it forward to tomorrow afternoon at 1700hrs time!"
"What!?" exclaimed Wallis.
Fujimoto's face took a shade of purple as took the tablet and read it. Blinking in response, he read it again a couple of times. His eyes burned with anger as he clenched the tablet in his hands.
"Unbelievable! How are we supposed to reach the Tokyo Metropolis in time for the proposal presentation of our ship!?"
"Was this a late message that we failed to pick up days ago?" asked Wallis.
"I don't think so!" cried the distraught woman. "The message came in only twenty minutes ago. I don't believe the main AAA program branch personnel back in Japan would have made this careless mistake!"
"It doesn't matter," Fujimoto gritted his teeth. "Get our bags packed, we're leaving immediately!"
June 27th, 2204 – Earth Defense Headquarters Central Command Center, Tokyo Metropolis, Earth - 1740 hrs
"In the past six months since the closure of the Time Fault, a chain of events has taken place which threatens the future of the Andromeda-type family of ships," declared Raymond Rezabek in front of the committee board of the AAA-program inside an auditorium with investors and representatives from the government, various companies and the military watching the presentation he was giving out. He was a moderately wide American man in his mid-40s with a moustache who represented Lockhart Ageha, a massive joint American-Japanese aerospace and military corporation that had strong ties with the Earth Federation government and was currently doing a presentation of his proposal of his project.
"The shift in direction from the government to reorganize the Cosmo Navy from a power projecting armada into a defensive-oriented force; the support for newer and smaller battleship designs from other competitors in North America and Europe; specialized variants of the D-class battleships that are not only said to be just as combat effective as our current lineup of modified Andromedas but also economical; Even in the unmanned category, newer autonomous warships are rolling off the line to supplement our BBB-type Andromedas," he listed the items down as he pointed out news articles presented on a large viewing screen. Some included images of a few new battleship prototype designs under construction under the names Pennsylvania-class and Lion-class. the new D-class carrier variants of the Ibuki and Asahi which were announced to be commanded by Yamato crew veterans Shiro Sanada and Yuki Mori; And finally some declassified pictures of new unmanned warships seen alongside a black Andromeda-class battleship with orange and faded white markings.
"And despite having been proven combat effective in the recent war with Gatlantis, support for further construction of more AAA-class ships have been questioned-"
Up above in the observation lounge, three men were quietly watching Rezabek presenting his creation to his audience. One was a Japanese man in his fifties that wore glasses and was dressed in a crisp blue suit while his other two companions were a Cosmo Navy captain and a very prominent high ranking official in the Earth Federation. However the silence was broken as the doors of the room from behind burst open to reveal a very livid Fujimoto who stormed into the room.
"KOBAYASHI!"
"Somebody doesn't seem to be happy," commented Captain Lawrence Thomson, to his other companion with a sly grin as Hiraga Kobayashi, the director and Vice President of the AAA Program, turned to meet the livid intruder. He was a British man in his late forties with a moustache that had an air of arrogance which matched his autocratic haircut and held a swagger stick in his arm.
"Hello Fujimoto," replied Kobayashi as he kept a neutral expression. "You've supposed to have arrived nearly four hours ago to give your presentation on your project."
"Oh I would have," snapped Fujimoto angrily. "If I wasn't informed that the meeting was moved forward just yesterday!"
"What did you say!?" General Kotetsu Serizawa frowned at Fujimoto before turning to Kobayashi. "I thought both candidates were promptly informed of the change in the timetable a month ago."
"Apparently not," muttered Fujimoto with a scowl. "It's either because someone had forgotten to inform my staff beforehand until yesterday or someone deliberately wanted my proposal to be kicked out of the competition conveniently."
Fujimoto shot daggers at Thomson who simply smirked back at him in reply.
"This is a serious accusation Mr Fujimoto," replied Thomson sarcastically. "But do you have any proof?"
"I don't have any for now," Fujimoto answered flatly. "But I demand that my proposal will still be presented as promised according to the terms set by the competition and an investigation to who is behind this admin muck up!"
"We'll definitely look into it," replied Serizawa firmly. "But that means we'll have to-"
"Denied, on both requests," replied Kobayashi flatly.
"Excuse me?" Fujimoto's glare intensified as he focused on his superior.
"Why Kobayashi?" replied Serizawa in disbelief. "This is a serious matter to look into. If the competition doesn't play by the rules the AAA-program will lose credibility."
"Says the man who played a huge part in breaking the treaty with Iscandar," Kobayashi argued as he gave an unamused glance towards the bigger man before turning to look down out at the window to resume watching Rezebak's presentation. "The truth of the matter is that Fujimoto's prototype won't make the cut for what the Earth Federation wants for the future. And you yourself also played a part in that."
Serizawa grimaced at Kobayashi's words but remained silent.
From down below, Rezebak briefly noticed the commotion in the observation lounge from above. Having a small grin upon realizing what was going on, he resumed his presentation. "Gentlemen, if we are to guarantee production for the Andromeda-class to go on in the next ten years, we've to step up the game to stay relevant in the evolving Cosmo Navy. And we, from Lockheed Ageha, have provided a solution to that problem."
Rezebak flipped through some of the design variations of the AAA-class schematics on the screens before finding the aforementioned variant and brought forth new schematics, photos and data of a ship that was titled Project Arethusa.
"May I present to you the Great Experiment, the Arethusa. Using the design of the Aquarius-type Andromeda as the basis, we've used an incomplete Andromeda-class battleship and constructed it into an advanced multi-role capital ship that suits the requirements of the future Cosmo Navy. In addition to serving as a command center for large autonomous fleets, we have added the most advanced and unprecedented defensive technologies and systems into the Arethusa that not only puts the smaller Asahi-variant of the D-class to shame but also gives the Ginga herself a run for her money."
"I clearly understand what's at stake!" argued Fujimoto. "But the standard Andromeda battleship is just as still useful and has some potential growth left in its design. My ship's construction has moved ahead of schedule and has proven to be a more cost effective and easy refit than whatever little progress of Rezebak's science project has achieved. You can still spare half of the incomplete hulls for the Arethusa Project while it's being refined, while having the remaining ones be built up to the specs that I-"
"That's not true," interrupted Thomson quickly before picking up a cup of tea and stirring it with the teaspoon inside it. "On the contrary, the construction of the Arethusa is making great progress and is on schedule as planned."
Thomson took a sip of his cup and let out a satisfied sigh before continuing.
"Sure we may have hit a few technical bumps, but it's nothing we can't handle. With any luck she will be finished by early September as planned and commissioned just in time to participate in the upcoming joint fleet exercises with Garmillas in the LMC."
Fujimoto was taken back by Thomson's claims but refused to back down.
"You're lying, there's no way you would have gotten that far with all the tech you're stuffing into that Aquarius-type ship," he frowned in doubt. "I know that because I helped build the original Laboratory Aquarius and her late follow up!"
"Suit yourself, but it's the truth," Thomson shrugged as he settled down his teacup. "You may have gotten ahead of your own schedule, but that's because your ship is no more different in terms of design aesthetics, performance or combat capabilities than those numerous BBB bots that we already have. Nobody wants a manned Andromeda ZZZ clone in these uncertain times, no thanks to the Yamato's crew of course."
"So that's it? You're shutting me down?" asked Fujimoto in disbelief, trying to contain his rage. "Unceremoniously?"
"Not exactly," answered Kobayashi. "We're still allowing you to complete construction on the currently unnamed BBB-336. Afterwards she would be commissioned into the fleet as a one-off prototype and a training ship. We even might consider your proposal's specs to be used for the refit of the Aldebaran next year."
"But this is not what I agreed upon!" insisted Fujimoto angrily. "Those private sectors and companies who are working on my ship depend on my project to keep their businesses still running in a post-Time Fault world!"
The room was deafeningly silent as nobody wanted to address that particular issue. In desperation Fuijmoto turned to Serizawa.
"General Serizawa please," he pleaded. "You know how capable a ship like that being manned by humans is able to do."
Serizawa shifted uncomfortably as he tried to figure out how to respond to Fujimoto.
"Well, I guess something can be-"
"Oh yes, go ahead, build more ships with a doomsday weapon which has broken trust with our redeemers from Iscandar," Thomson said sarcastically. "Clearly the message we want to send out to the rest of the universe after we defeated Gatlantis."
"But people's livelihoods are at stake!" argued Fujimoto.
"The jobs of old fashioned war mongers are nothing compared to the reputation we have with our allies! They're expendable for the greater goal of restoring Iscandar and Garmillas' trust and restoring true peace to the universe."
Thomson turned to Serizawa with another knowingly smug look. "After all, isn't that why you backed this project from the start? To make amends for the late and great Admiral Okita's sake after you broke that sacred promise? Or are you going to throw that all away now just to support those obsolete warmongers again?"
Serizawa made a long, pained, remorseful expression, closed his eyes and sighed.
"I'm sorry Mr Fujimoto. You'll not get additional funding or support for more ships of your design."
Fujimoto gave out a reluctant sigh and clenched his fist in frustration and disgust.
"Very well," replied Fujimoto before composing himself for what he was about to say next. "Once the completion of my ship is completed. I will hereby resign myself from the AAA-program and transfer into front-line duty into the Cosmo Navy in the engineering department."
"We don't accept it," replied Kobayashi sternly. "Officially at least. Yuzuru, we still need you. You're too good of an engineer to be wasted on the front lines on a singular ship at a time instead of helping us develop newer ones. Don't let the past plague and warp your perceptions."
"With all due respect, Director Kobayashi," said Fujimoto with a restrained growl. "I will only reconsider if you agree to my requests: Investigate the break in communications between the board of directors of the Andromeda program and my project and resume the competition between Lockhart Ageha's candidate prototype and mine as the rules fairly dictate. If you want to reject my ship, do it properly as the competition dictates!"
"You know I cannot do that," argued Kobayashi. "If we restart the competition now, especially this late, we'll ruin our prestige and relations with the public and our corporate partners. Too much is at stake here to be sacrificed for your petty project! You also ought to know that!"
Fujimoto clenched his teeth in anger as he knew that Kobayashi had a point; A disgusting point, but a point nonetheless. But despite his misgivings of this injustice, nevertheless he knew that he had thoroughly lost.
"I guess it can't be helped," sighed Fujimoto. "In that case, I won't change my stance either sir. You'll receive my resignation letter when my ship is finished. Good day to you gentlemen."
Fujimoto gave a respectful bow to Kobayashi before giving a sharp gaze to the other two men and proceeded to exit through the door.
Kobayashi gave out an exhausted sigh while Serizawa buried his head into his palm after the drama he was forced into and began to walk to the door.
"Serizawa, where are you going?" Thomson casually asked.
"The air in this room is too stuffy," Serizawa replied with a low growl. "I'm going out to get some fresh air."
He paused at the doorway, turning to give Kobayashi a long warning glance. "You and Lockhart Ageha better deliver on the ship I asked you to build."
Kobayashi nodded nonchalantly. "She'll live up to your expectations sir."
Serizawa turned and left the lounge with the doors closing firmly shut.
"Well, who wants some more tea?" asked Thomson who casually raised a teapot next to a few cups.
Kobayashi simply shot the moustache captain with an unamused deadpan glare.
Half an hour after the presentation's conclusion, Rezebak and his team found himself surrounded with investors and representatives from various corporate and military sectors congratulating him on his presentation as they were approved for the contract for further members of the new Arethusa-subtype to be built. Near the reception table, one particular CEO of a major aerospace and engineering company approached Rezebak near the reception table.
"Mr Rezebak, I would like to congratulate you on a job well done on the presentation of the Arethusa," said Kozo Nanbu as he shook Rezebak's hand. As the CEO of Nanbu Heavy Industries, his company was one of the biggest engineering firms of the Earth Federation that was responsible for the construction of countless ships for the Cosmo Navy by partnering with several other aerospace companies to assemble them such as Lockhart Ageha.
"No problem Mr Nanbu," he gave a polite smile. "Great to have you partnering on one of our projects again. Hopefully our new line of Andromedas will finally get your son to be a tad more respectful to our products if he's going to succeed you in taking over your company. Especially since these ones won't have WMGs."
"Of course," Nanbu nervously chuckled. "I apologize for the behavior of my son. He's been quite rebellious and ignorant ever since he returned from the Yamato's first voyage to Iscandar. Nonetheless, this ICARUS system you speak of seems to be quite the promising revolutionary game changer."
"Indeed it will," replied Rezebak. "Once we get Arethusa up into space and show the universe what she and ICARUS can do. The war-mongering fleets of WMG battleships including the hypocritical Yamato would be a distant memory."
"We shall soon see, but don't forget we're also supporting other major conventional shipbuilding projects with our other corporate partners and subsidiaries," Nanbu smiled neutrally, giving Rezebak a warning glance. "It would be unfortunate for us if your ambitious Great Experiment started a chain of events that might badly affect them."
"Oh I'm sure they would be able to adapt to the changing times of innovation and evolution of defensive technology," Rezebak smirked. "Unlike the old-school Vickers which is a no show tonight."
"Vickers, ah yes that small British-based shipbuilding firm we supported for a few projects," replied Nanbu thoughtfully. "Odd for them to be absent considering their reputation to deliver their ships on time with our previous collaborations with them."
"Well I guess they were unable to meet up with the changes of a post-Time Fault world to get their prototype sufficiently done," Rezeback quickly replied with a forced smile. "Or maybe they aren't confident in the capabilities of their own ship. I mean who would want to support a manned variant of the BBB autonomous Andromedas when we already have dozens of unmanned ones that can do the job? Might as well call it the UNCF Anonymous considering they haven't even named it yet."
"That's one way to put it," Nanbu awkwardly chuckled before raising a glass. "A toast to the Arethusa and the bright next chapter of the Andromeda-class."
As Rezebak acknowledged Nanbu's toast with his own wine glass, he noticed Captain Thomson entering the auditorium and proceeded to excuse himself from the Nanbu to approach him discreetly with no one within ear shot.
"How did it go?" he asked as both of them stepped out into a corridor for a stroll.
"Better than expected," replied Thomson, smirking victoriously. "Fujimoto is totally off the board. He just resigned in protest from the AAA program and elected to join the Cosmo Navy as a regular chief engineer."
"Excellent," said Rezebak with an equally smug expression on his face. "It gives me no better pleasure to see an old minded fool like Fujimoto go out of business. Good work in delaying that message."
"It was a bit difficult to arrange that quietly but it did the job," answered Thomson as they stopped by a window that presented a view of Tokyo Bay where the sun had almost fully set and the night lights of the cities began to light up. "I assume that command of the Arethusa for her first voyage will be given to me as promised, right?"
"Yeah yeah, it will be done," replied Rezebak with a casual wave of his hand. "For the record, you're not the only one who is asking to have a seat on our new jewel of our AAA lineup. I've already given my word to the CEO Ageha himself that his son would be posted to the Arethusa once he's graduated from the fighter corps academy."
Just then, Rezebak's communicator began buzzing in his pocket. Picking it up, he frowned in displeasure at the caller's identity and opened it up.
"Yes Nanban?" Rezebak sighed as he listened to the other party talking to him. "Again? What was it this time? Uh huh…"
An all-too familiar and uncomfortable feeling came into Thomson's stomach as he watched Rezebak reacting to a phone call with the other party in question.
"Another problem with the ICARUS' semiconductors? Uh huh… Hmm. Okay, how long will it take to repair it and the affected system? A week? That doesn't sound that bad. Okay just patch things up and I'll check the damage myself. I'll be there at 2030 hours. See you later.."
Closing the communicator with a snap, Rezebak sighed in annoyance.
"Another technical error with ICARUS?" Thomson asked.
"It's just another minor hiccup," answered Rezebak with a confident smile. "But it doesn't matter. With all the resources and technology supplied by our partners now at our disposal. The Arethusa, our great experiment, will go down in history as the ship that will save the manned Andromedas."
Looking back out of the window, Rezebak and Thomson caught a glimpse of the shipyards opposite the bay where a couple of new vessels were being constructed. The biggest one of them was proudly sitting in its berth like a large majestic yacht being illuminated by the beautiful setting orange sun, awaiting the day to show the universe what she can do. The third of the Aquarius-type Andromedas, the UNCF Arethusa.
August 11th, 2204 – Earth Defense Headquarters Central Command Center, Tokyo Metropolis, Earth - 1900 hrs
In the admin section of the Cosmo Navy HQ, Lieutenant Commander Chiyomi, a young female officer with long pale green hair that was tied in two curled twintails was on her last work hour shift in the Cosmo Navy Supply Corps department. She was currently confirming an order with her superior on a phone for a shipment for one of the ships that was currently docked at the Yokohama base.
"Yes Commander, we've already sent the correct ammo type to the Diarmuid," she sighed as she could hear her superior giving her a berating on the other side. "Don't worry I was assured they double checked that they're 356mm ones this time instead of the usual 305mm ones. They'll arrive tonight at 2080 hrs. I'm already forwarding the corrective report to you now. Thank you and I apologize for the error on behalf of my team. Good night Sir!"
As she put down the phone, Grethe let out a sigh and leaned back on her chair. Just then, another phone was buzzing which caught her attention.
"Ugh, come on!" she moaned as she leaned forward to pick it up. "My shift's going to end in about two minutes and another call has to come in? This better ought to be quick."
Picking up the phone, Grethe cleared her throat and answered the phone. "Hello Lt Cmdr Chiyomi of the Navy Supply Corps, how can I help you? Huh? What? Could you repeat that please, your transmission is poor. Excuse me? Poi what?"
Grethe frowned as she tried to understand her caller's words before looking down at the computer screen which displayed the callers' ID.
"Okay… escort frigate… Yūdachi," Grethe narrowed her eyes on the screen. "You're saying you want to restock of- Poi? Excuse me? What exactly is Poi? I beg your pardon? Hello?"
Grethe grumbled as she struggled to hear audible words from the garbled call.
"Let me get this straight, you want to restock twenty four torpedoes, am I correct?" she nodded before typing it down on her computer. "Okay, I'll arrange from the munitions department to resupply your ship once you land back on Earth. Could you send me the details of your ETA please and your-"
Grethe's face expressed a deadpan look; it was clear that the comms officer onboard the escort frigate didn't catch that last bit.
"I said… Could you send me your ETA details and berthing location please?" she calmly repeated while closing her eyes.
Her eyebrows twitched in response to the reply of the frigate's clueless comms officer who clearly didn't hear her again.
"I SAID SEND ME YOUR ETA DETAILS AND BERTHING LOCATION!" She exploded as she yelled into the phone. "AND SHUT IT WITH ALL THOSE POIs!"
At that moment Grethe froze as she realized a couple of her working colleagues noticed her angry outburst. Putting her hands to her lips she hunkered down back in her desk.
Calm yourself Grethe, she mentally said to herself as she took in deep breaths to disperse her anger. As the heirless of the Chiyomi Merchant Alliances corporation, I need to remain composed and elegant at all times.
"So sorry about that," she forcefully chuckled. "Did you get what I last said? Oh good. I'll have one of my colleagues handle your request. Yes, yes don't worry it will be done. Also please kindly fix your faulty comms systems too. Thank you UNCF Yūdachi. Lt Cmdr Chiyomi out."
Putting down the phone with a loud clunk, Grethe let out a deep sigh as she dropped her head forward onto the table.
August 11th 2204 – Yokohama District, Tokyo Metropolis - 2015 hrs
Half an hour later, a miserable Grethe found herself in a high class restaurant with her face still planted onto a dining table. She was now wearing a lovely black dress with thin black vertical lines that went down just above her knees with a white fur bolero on top in exchange of her regular uniform for the occasion.
"Ugh darn, why do I have to go through this mundane torture week after week in this God forsaken admin duty?" she moaned. "I am completely spent…"
"Another bad day in the office huh?" nervously chuckled Lieutenant Commander Theodore Gregson as he patted her shoulder to comfort her. He was a British Cosmo Navy officer in his late 20s who was Grethe's classmate in the Cosmo Navy academy and also her date for the night. He was also in formal clothing with a sharp dark blue suit with an inner white shirt.
"No shit… I had to deal with a weird comms officer from an escort frigate during the last minutes of my shift," she pitifully mumbled as she lifted her head off the table. "The transmission was badly garbled and barely audible and she kept saying 'poi' for some reason in every damn sentence."
"Damn…That must be something. Well to cheer you up, I got something for you."
Theodore pulled out a data table from his bag, causing Grethe's eyes to lit up in excitement.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"Yup," Theodore smiled as Grethe grabbed the data tablet to open its contents. "Just as requested, all the names and info of the command staff of the Arethusa. It wasn't easy finding it."
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Grethe grinned in euphoric satisfaction as she looked through the profiles. "Thank you so much Theo! As thanks, I'll be paying your dinner bill tonight!"
"No problem," Theodore replied warmly. "But I have to ask. Why the special interest in the crew of that particular ship?"
"Would you like to know?" replied Grethe with a smug expression on her face.
"Of course," said Theodore. "Considering I had to pull many strings to get this info."
"Oh it certainly is," Grethe smiled triumphantly. "Because my application to be part of the Arethusa's crew was approved just yesterday!"
"Really?" exclaimed Theodore. "Congratulations! You've finally got your first space going assignment after all this time. And a prestigious one at that too!"
"Thank you," Grethe beamed brightly.
"But why the trouble to get the Arethusa's command staffs' info though?"
"Oh it's just for insurance," she replied before her face fell into an annoyed frown. "I need to get close relations with them quickly before my meddlesome father interferes and denies me yet another ship-borne posting. I have to secure my position aboard their crew before he knows I'm on that ship when she's ready for launch and pull some strings to get me off her."
"I see. Should have known that your father is quite overprotective of you," Theodore awkwardly replied. "Although with the war now over, you should be able to get a posting on a ship without much interference from him this time."
"Even so, I'm not taking any chances with my old man," Grethe flatly replied. "Especially since he used his connections to deny me twelve ship-borne assignments during the war. Although he did want me to be on the Ginga, but I refused."
"Wait, you turned down a posting on the Ginga?" asked Theodore in disbelief. "But why? Captain Todo is a tough but a good CO. I don't see why you would turn down such a good posting like that."
"Well… There was…" Grethe's face flushed up a bit of pink as she fidgeted nervously. "Some conditions I had to follow in accordance with the G-Plan…That I was uncomfortable with…"
"The G-Plan?" Theodore was briefly confused before he soon figured out why she was against being on the Ginga. "Oh that part… Yeah, I can understand why you were opposed to that assignment."
"Of course!" retorted a frustrated Grethe. "I joined the Cosmo Navy to avoid that crap! Not the other way round! Besides, I've…"
Grethe paused and suddenly kept silent.
"You've what exactly?" asked Theodore with a puzzled expression before a teasing smile came to his face. "Ah you already have somebody you like eh? Is it someone I know?"
"N-n-no, you don't! I m-mean I don't," Grethe stammered as her cheeks turned pink and tried to compose herself. "I-it's not like I have somebody that I like. But rather I would pick a boyfriend on my own terms. That's all!"
"Okay, suit yourself Milady," replied Theodore with an amused chuckle as Grethe gave off an annoyed but cute pout. "I'll just have to quietly speculate for myself."
"Excuse me," said a waiter who began distributing a couple of lovely western dishes to their table. "Here's your meals sir."
"Ah thank you," replied Theodore as he picked his knife and fork. "Well, since I am not going to press you on that subject. So why don't we finish our dinner together to celebrate your posting?"
"Y-y-yeah of course," said Grethe as she awkwardly forced a smile on her face before proceeding to pick up her dining utensils. But as Theodore proceeded to eat his food, Grethe couldn't follow suit as a regretful and wishful thought came to her mind as she watched him enjoy his meal.
Damn why did I say that to him?
August 11th 2204 – Yokohama District, Tokyo Metropolis - 2055 hrs
"Ah that was good," Theodore sighed contently as he and Grethe exited out of the revolving doors of the restaurant and into the brightly lit city night street. "Haven't had such a good meal in a while. Thanks for recommending this place. Although it is a tad too expensive for my liking."
"Oh don't worry," replied Grethe with a warm smile. "If you want to come again with me, I could offset the bill for you again."
"I'll consider it," Theodore chuckled. "By the way, are you planning to go home via your chauffeur again?"
"Well I was actually thinking of walking and talking on the subway. Besides, my butler is currently on leave and…" Grethe gazed at her watch and grimaced. "Damn, it's peak rush hour at this time."
"Well in that case, maybe I should call a cab for you then," said Theodore as flipped his phone out of his pocket and began to call for a taxi service. "I'll pay for the service too."
"Erm… T-t-theodore you don't need to do that," Grethe stammered awkwardly. "I can do that my-"
At that moment, a loud commotion of angry shouts and heavy thumps could be heard from across the street. Looking at the opposite side of the road where a typical pub was located, Theodore and Grethe were able to spot what appeared to be a rather ugly bar fight inside with what seemed to be at least eight people involved.
"Ugh, another bar fight," Grethe sighed as she brought up her phone to report the incident to the authorities. "Honestly, can't some people keep themselves from-"
Suddenly, Theodore made a dash to the opposite side of the street leaving Grethe stunned.
"Theodore? Hold on a second wait up!"
Rushing over to join her date, Grethe joined Theodore among the onlookers for a closer look at the bar fight. To her utter disgust, the guilty participants of the fight were Cosmo Navy personnel, specifically pilots as their black and grey uniforms were easily recognizable. All ten of them spotted nasty bruises and cuts as they continued to throw punches, undercuts and even tossing some furniture and tableware at each other. The night bar staff could barely be seen as they were hiding in cover behind the drinks table in fear with one desperately trying to call for help on the phone.
"Oh God," Theodore gasped in horror. "Grethe, Is that who I think it is?"
Grethe peered closer through the window to get a better glimpse of any of the participants. Her eyes widened as she spotted two familiar and famous pilots. One was a young man with light maroon hair with a headband while the other was an older man with long somewhat wavy hair.
"No way!" Grethe's jaw dropped as she recognized two of the pilots. "That's Sho Sawamura from the Yamato! Damn, it's getting really heated up!"
"No, not him!" exclaimed Theodore. "I meant Jonathan!"
"Wait Jonathan?"
Grethe frowned as she looked back at the chaotic fight and took glimpses at everybody inside the bar.
"Oh… I see him now," Grethe flatly commented as an annoyed expression came on her face as she finally spotted a familiar bespectacled officer lying seemingly motionless on a partially overturned table. As one of the top scorers in their class of 2201, Jonathan Lee was a formidable rival when it came to ship to ship combat and was a protegee of their tactical teacher, then-Commodore Washio Nishina, whom she also took a dislike to due to his ruthlessness methods.
It didn't help that he was also one of two classmates during her time in the Cosmo Navy Academy that annoyed her the most, especially when he let out his inner dorkiness and his obsession with history and ships in general often got on her nerves.
"Damn, he's stuck behind that chaotic mayhem!" Theodore grimaced.
"I can see that!" Grethe deadpanned as she turned away from the sight with a huff. "Honestly, that guy just can't help himself getting into trouble. Although he isn't one to be involved in such a barbaric hassle. I wonder why-"
Paying no attention to her, Theodore ran off and buzzed through the doors leaving behind a dumbstruck Grethe.
"Theodore!?"
Once inside, Theodore cleared his throat and yelled at the nine to ten pilots that were fighting among each other.
"Attention men! Stand fast!"
However, his words were drowned out by the loud commotion of the bar and the brawl continued to rage on. Growling with apprehension, Theodore repeated again.
"I said stand fas-"
Theodore couldn't complete his words as a plate wizzed towards his face which caused him to duck. But a second before he could react, an arm reached out and deflected the plate away causing it to smash harmlessly at a pillar. Looking towards the source of the arm in awe, a defiant looking Grethe glared sharply at the brawl with a determined expression.
"Grethe!? What are you-"
"You're not even in uniform you idiot! Just get Jonathan and bring him out of there!" she snapped, clearly displeased about having to be dragged into the melee.
"R-r-right!" stammered Theodore as he tried to navigate through the fierce melee and but failed to avoid a drunken pilot as he swung his arm towards him. Instinctively, he grabbed his opponent's arm, locked it up and threw his opponent over his back and onto the floor.
"Hey you hit Matsukawa!" yelled a pilot with short cropped blond hair as he charged at an alarmed Theodore. "You'll pay for that! Ahhhh!"
Before he could make a lunge at the Brit, a powerful kick to the gut from Grethe's high heels sent him sprawling on the floor forcing him to scream in intense agony.
"Thanks!" gasped Theodore in relief.
"Don't thank me just yet!" Grethe huffed as she raised her fists in a defensive position. "I'll continue to hold them off till you get that idiot out!"
"My my, what do we have here?"
Turning to meet the speaker of the seductive and sly voice, both Grethe and Theodore spotted a rather beautiful female pilot with long dark maroon hair stepping in to challenge them both.
"Ignorant civilians shouldn't get involved with businesses that aren't of their concern," she continued in a sultry voice as she cracked her knuckles. "But since you hurt one of our own…"
The female pilot smiled menacingly like a sinister sorceress about to enchant her prey. "I, Akako Koizumi of the ex-Apollo Norm and Ark Royal air corps, will teach you a painful lesson!"
"Theodore, get Jonathan," said Grethe grimly as she did a defensive pose against her new opponent. "I'll handle her myself!"
Theodore gave a single nod and rushed off just as Grethe charged at the malicious female pilot with her fist stretched forward to punch the smug expression off Koizumi's face. However, her opponent effectively blocked her assault with both of her hands forcing Grethe to switch to her legs to perform a sideswipe kick at Koizumi's legs in an attempt to topple her over. But, the long-haired female pilot did a backflip which narrowly avoided her attack much to Grethe's chagrin. The green haired young woman leapt into the air and attempted to deliver a smacking blow onto Koizumi's head with her right leg. In response, Koizumi grabbed her leg in mid flight and sent Grethe flying and knocked out one of the Yamato pilots with a crash.
Damn, she's good! Grethe groaned in pain as she struggled to get up.
"Hmm, not bad for an ignorant civilian," commented Koizumi as she walked towards Grethe. "Then again a commoner like yourself should know that you're out of your depth."
An eyebrow on Grethe's forehead twitched in agitation. "Did you just call me a commoner!?"
With rage now boiling in her veins, an infuriated Grethe pounced and attacked Koizumi with renewed ferocity.
Meanwhile, after navigating through the hectic battlefield of the bar room brawl, Theodore finally got to the overturned table where his friend and academy classmate was helplessly leaning on the top.
"Hey Jonathan! Are you alright?! Jonathan?" Theodore cried frantically as he shook him.
Still unresponsive, Theodore quickly checked Jonathan's wrist for a pulse and thankfully he felt several strong ones and knew that he was just knocked unconscious upon spotting a very bruised mark on his forehead.
Grabbing a cup of ice water, he splashed on Jonathan's face, causing him to cough violently which startled him.
"B-b-bloody Nora!" Jonathan coughed. "Ugh my face is drenched… Who's the manic who did- Theodore!?"
"Yeah it's me, are you alright?" asked Theodore before ducking as another glass was flung in his direction.
"Never better," Jonathan sarcastically replied loudly as he rubbed his head. "Why are you here?"
"It doesn't matter," yelled Theodore as he helped his companion up to his feet. "Let's get you out of here first! Hopefully Grethe has dealt with that-"
"Ahhhh! My eyes! My lovely eyes!" screamed Koizumi in pain as she frantically rubbed her face and dashed off blindly before tripping over an upturned chair.
Both Thoedore and Jonathan looked towards Grethe. Despite being battered and with her clothes slightly torn, she defiantly glared daggers at her fallen opponent while holding a pepper spray bottle in her right hand.
"Hmph! That ought to teach that arrogant witch!" Grethe grumbled to herself before spraying another rogue pilot that tried to attack her from behind.
"Grethe! I got Jonathan!" Theodore yelled.
"Finally!" Grethe growled. "Let's bail out before-"
At that moment a very loud whistle screeched over the din of the loud commotion of the fight which prompted everyone to look at the source.
Standing in the doorway, looking both very displeased and angry were two senior flight leaders. One of them was a female pilot with short white hair who was wearing a red flight suit and a dary grey jacket, while the other was a stoic man in his late-40s who also was in a flight jacket. Both of which were giving of murderous glares at all the instigators of the brawl.
"Sawamura…" said Akira Yamamato in an icy voice that chilled everyone in the room.
"Kindaichi…" added the booming voice of Captain Gousuke Hibiki.
"Eeek!" gulped one of the bruised pilots.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ALL DOING!?"
"Seriously? You got involved in the fight just because of that?" exclaimed Grethe in disbelief as she glanced back at Jonathan who was sitting in the back seat of a taxi with Theodore alongside as he held an ice pack on his forehead with his right hand.
In the aftermath of the bar fight, the three had received apologies from both the commanders of both the Yamato and Ark Royal air wings in regards to the disgraceful conduct of their pilots. Despite the alarming revelation that the trio were actually Cosmo Navy officers in civilian attire, Jonathan surprisingly insisted on not giving any criminal charges to their subordinates for the offence of hitting a superior officer. However he did ask for one particular compensation.
"They damaged a rare old naval history book," Jonathan grumbled. "I couldn't keep still after they permanently damaged it in the starting phases of the brawl. Those damn flyboys better find me another copy or else I would seriously press actual charges against them!"
Grethe sighed and rolled her eyes. "Of course, press charges for damaging a priceless history book rather than the fact they hit a superior officer. Why am I not surprised?"
"Still it's unusual to find you at a place like that," commented Theodore. "I thought you hated going to noisy bars like that one. What's gotten into you?"
Jonathan grimaced and avoided eye contact with Theo.
"Nothing… Just drowning my sorrows, that's all."
"Drowning your sorrows?" asked Grethe, frowning in confusion. "I thought you hated alcoholic drinks."
"I still do," replied Jonathan quietly. "I had at least five glasses of sparkling grape juice. Honestly if people want to drink off their sorrows, they better do it without damaging their own health in return."
The bespectacled young officer soon took notice of Grethe's deadpan stare at him.
"What?"
"Nothing," mumbled Grethe, turning to avoid him.
"Honestly, why did I have to help that nerdy weirdo again?" the green haired girl commented to herself quietly before facepalming.
"By the way, what brings you to that part of town?" asked Jonathan. "I can't help but notice you were both quite well dressed tonight. Sorry about their current state though. They look kinda expensive."
"It's not that bad, we can patch them up later," replied Theodore reassuringly. "We actually had dinner together at the restaurant opposite the bar where you were."
"Oh really?" said Jonathan, his eyes widened in surprise briefly before narrowing as a small grin came on his face. "Ah, a dinner date. I guess Grethe finally made her move."
"No it wasn't!" denied a flustered Grethe as she swung back to glared sharply at Jonathan. "I-I-I mean, we were just celebrating… My first ship posting! That's all! Nothing else!"
"Your first ship posting? Oh sure, providing if daddy dearest didn't kick you out first as always," Jonathan jested as he chuckled in amusement, causing Grethe to nearly lunge at him from her seat.
"Why you no good-"
"Miss, please for your own safety please stay seated properly!" pleaded the taxi driver.
"Sorry sir!" Grethe apologized as she sat back in her seat while grumbling to herself.
"So which ship has the heiress of CMA finally gotten?" Jonathan asked. "I won't be surprised if it was another elite member of the fleet again considering how many of them you applied for. An Andromeda-class perhaps?"
"Why should I tell you when I know you're probably going to mock me?" Grethe flatly replied.
"True, true," Jonathan chuckled sheepishly. "But still I'm curious to know what it is. Could you give me a hint please?"
"Nope, not going to budge," Grethe put her arms across her chest in refusal.
"Damn, oh well it was worth a try," Jonathan sighed wistfully before turning to Theodore. "So Theo, you're still serving on the Dauntless right?"
"That's correct," replied Theodore. "We've just come back from a long post-refit shakedown cruise a week ago. Testing her new 356mm triple compressed shock cannon turrets near Planet 11."
"Oh, how were they?"
"They performed really well," Theodore grinned. "Definitely packs a bigger punch than the old 305mm ones without an increase of the reload speed. If we had those bigger guns at Saturn and Mars, we would have mopped up more of those Gatlantean battleships at a faster rate."
"Yeah, it could have really been nice if we had those in the first place," Jonathan bitterly smiled at that last statement before glancing out of the taxi's windows which reflected a remorseful look in his eyes. "But of course some things just come too late."
Grethe frowned as she noticed Jonathan's uncharacteristic forlorn tone. Although this isn't the first time she heard Jonathan speaking in a pessimistic tone, it sounded more depressing than usual as if a raw wound had been opened further.
"What about you Jonathan?" asked Theodore. "You've been discharged from the psychiatric hospital three months ago. Did you apply to serve on another ship recently?"
Psychiatric hospital? Grethe brows furrowed in deeper concern. This was definitely not normal. Something definitely happened in the war that messed him up badly for him to act this irrationally. Perhaps, I was being too harsh on him…
"No, why would I?" Jonathan replied bitterly. "After what happened on Mars, I would rather not go back out there. At least not anytime soon. Especially not a D-class battleship."
"Really? There must be some new ship you want to join," said Theodore. "There are few new battleships that are coming out of the pipeline. North America's Pennsylvania-class, the Lion from England, or even the new Arethusa that is about to be commissioned later in a few months' time. There's a lot of hype around her, you know. I'm surprised you haven't applied for her since you're such a big fan of the Andromeda-class."
"Well I would if she was just a regular Aquarius-type battleship," Jonathan replied softly. "But the Arethusa is an exception. Especially with all that junk they added to her."
At that moment, all that sympathy that Grethe felt for him disappeared in an instant. Despite being irked by Jonathan's comment, she chose to remain silent.
"Junk?" said a surprised Theodore. "What do you mean?"
"Oh for starters, the Arethusa no matter how you look at her is basically your usual post-war technological PR stunt done by big military corporations," Jonathan answered with a dissatisfied sigh. "The kind that are designed specifically to tempt the ignorant bureaucrats in the government and military to procure and buy without hesitation or evaluating them wisely in order to keep themselves in business decades to come."
"Okay but what's wrong with that?" asked Theodore. "Obviously they need a project like that to stay afloat in the shipbuilding market."
"True, but It all depends on the execution and purpose of the product they're proposing," Jonathan explained. "If they're building her as a general or even multi-purpose battleship with a specific goal in mind, that would be fine. The problem is that they're trying to make her both a fleet support vessel and an exploration cruiser in a similar role as the Ginga, which she is already quite a complex piece of kit. But the guys at Lockhart Ageha want to trump that by introducing experimental tech and systems that haven't been previously used on any AAA-class ship to make her look appealing to investors and potential buyers. But from what I read at least, half of them haven't been approved for front line service yet. Sure they can take time to refine and test those fancy new equipment and systems, but they've rushed her development and completion because of that new D-class support variant that was launched a few weeks back as it compromises Lockhart Ageha's bid in the fleet procurement program. Thus they want to get her out quickly in order to prove that their prototype works in order to secure the funding to build more AAA-type ships with her specs. Problem with that of course is that her reliability is going to be…"
Jonathan gave a light hearted chuckle.
"Well not up to standards to put it kindly. The crew are probably going to have a hellish time dealing with that kind of monster for weeks or even months to come."
Grethe stiffened in her seat as a frightening chill went up her spine and began fidgeting nervously.
"But then again, that's just my speculation," Jonathan added as he raised his hand briefly. "I might be wrong about it. But at least I'm not in that crew's position to find out. Hahaha! Ah…"
Jonathan gave out a long wistful sigh before glancing out into the night sky through the taxi's window with a longing look. "Still she's a pretty ship, I'll give the Arethusa that. But… She's just not the original Andromeda or her elite sisters. Pardon me for boring you both out with my ship talk again."
"N-n-no, it was quite… Interesting to be honest," Theodore replied nervously before throwing a glance at Grethe who was unusually quiet in response to Jonathan's commentary.
Just then the taxi crawled to a stop next to a regular apartment block in the town that was mostly dimly lit.
"Excuse me Miss and Sirs, which of you three are dropping by here?" asked the driver.
Theodore turned to Jonathan with an expecting look. But to his surprise, his old academy hadn't budged from his seat. Looking at Jonathan closely, Theodore could have almost swore that his face was shivering and pale. As if he was afraid to leave the taxi. And… was he panting for breath?
"Hey Jonathan, you're alright?" asked Theodore who lightly tapped on his shoulder.
At once, the bespectacled officer flinched.
"Huh? Yeah… I'm just fatigued from tonight," Jonathan forced a smile on his face. "I guess I'll take my leave then. Night guys! And thanks for the lift!"
Theodore nodded his head just before Jonathan stepped out of the taxi and into the sidewalk. As the taxi moved off, Theodore could just glimpse Jonathan giving a friendly wave before he faded from view.
"Phew, what a night it has been," Theodore sighed. "From intervening in bar fights with Jonathan in the middle of it. Despite his reasoning, I don't feel comfortable. It isn't his style to go into a fight. What do you think Grethe? Grethe?"
"Eh?" exclaimed Grethe as she snapped out of her thoughts. "I-I-I mean yeah…It's just speculation that she isn't that flawed right?"
"She?" replied Theodore, puzzled at her reply.
"The Arethusa I mean!" She exclaimed before turning to Theodore with desperate eyes. "Jonathan was kidding when he said the ship is doomed to fail right!?"
Theodore looked at her with a deadpan look. "Seriously, you're more concerned about your posting than Jonathan's well being?"
"Of course!" retorted Grethe angrily. "After all, isn't he just simply an idiot armchair professor who thinks he knows better on how things would unfold right!? Why would I care considering his knowledge only got his own ship and crew killed? He got his chance, now it's my turn. And I can't afford to have my first posting be a screw up either! Do you know how humiliating it is that all my peers got combat experience during the war while mine is just sitting on a desk admin job for two bloody years despite sharing the same rank!? I have a ton of catching up to do and I don't want any hindrances in the way!"
"Well if you feel so worried about it why don't you withdraw your application?" asked Theodore.
"I'm considering it, but I need more credible info before I can commit to a decision," Grethe answered as she fretted in her seat. "I can't just revoke my application on the Arethusa's crew as it would look bad on my part to-"
At that moment, Grethe's phone rang up from her sling bag which prompted her to answer it.
"Hello, Lt Cmd Grethe speaking," the green twintail girl gave Theodore an apologetic look.
"Hello Grethe, how's my dear daughter doing?" replied a very familiar voice.
Grethe restrained herself from grumbling back at her father, Renta Chiyomi, the CEO of Chiyomi Merchant Alliances.
"I'm fine father," she forcefully chuckled with a smile. "Was just going back to my home after a nice dinner with one of my old mates from the academy!"
Grethe stole a glance at Theodore who gave her an apologetic look of sympathy.
"Ah I see," replied her father with a good hearted chuckle.
"So what's with the night call?"
He's calling to tell me that I am going to be kicked out of the Arethusa isn't he? Grethe thought to herself as a conflicted frown came to her face. Then again, it may be a blessing in disguise this time-
"Oh I just want to congratulate you for your posting on the Arethusa," he replied.
Grethe froze in her seat.
"I am sorry, come again?" she asked, blinking in disbelief at what her father just said. "You're actually congratulating me for my assignment on the Arethusa?"
"Wait seriously?" added Theodore quietly but with an equal look of surprise on his face.
"Of course, why wouldn't I?" replied Chiyomi just as Grethe put on the loudspeaker for Theodore to also hear the conversation. "After all, I'm proud that my daughter is part of the crew of the most advanced battleship in the Cosmo Navy. A well deserved posting I may add after all these years in the admin department."
Yeah no thanks to you, Grethe silently grumbled to herself.
"I know you're probably despising me for denying all those other transfer requests to those ships," Chiymoi added. "But I did that to ensure your survival. After all, I can't afford to have my precious baby girl killed as well after…. Well…. You know…"
Grethe was silent, it had been years since her father brought up the death of her mother who was one of the countless unfortunate souls that perished in the Garmillan War. It was a loss that affected both her and her father greatly. Despite using that tragic event as motivation to join the Cosmo Navy, her father wasn't so approving of her decision. And since then it drove a wedge between the two with both too focused on their respective duties to interact with one another in a thoughtful manner other than her father's annoying interference with her career.
"A-a-actually dad," said Grethe nervously. "The thing is-"
"I know I know, I was quite against your enlistment in the Cosmo Navy," added her father. "Heck I was actually seriously considering pulling you out completely considering I heard that your recent applications post-war were also denied."
As Grethe heard a chuckle from the other side of the call, a cold chill ran across her spine as she dreaded what else her father was going to tell her.
"But then I was informed of your request to be on the Arethusa and I was like 'You know what, maybe I should give my daughter a chance to actually prove herself in the field for once especially with such a prestigious ship as that,' so I pulled some strings to get you onboard and voila! Your approval to be part of the crew was granted… So you're welcome!"
Grethe was speechless, she didn't know whether to scream in disbelief at how her father played a part in the approval to be part of the Arethusa's crew or whether to feel somewhat grateful he gave her a chance. But the timing for him to do so was just so…
"Hello? Grethe? Are you still there? Hello?"
Grethe didn't respond as she was frozen like a statue. Her mind was completely broken at how to respond back to her father.
"Hey this is the only opportunity I am going to give you so please be grateful!" he continued. "If you're not going to accept this I guess I am going to have to pull you out of the Cosmo Navy altogether."
Grethe immediately flinched, her face became as white as a sheet with her eyes wide as saucer plates.
"After all, you wouldn't make much progress with your career being stuck at a desk job right? Might as well come back and join the family business and put your skills to some good use elsewhere. Am I right?"
Grethe gulped nervously as sweat began to drip on her face.
Wow, now that's seriously and unfortunately messed up, a deadpan Theodore thought to himself as he continued to watch the awkward conversation between Grethe and her father on the phone unfold.
"Y-y-yeah of course," Grethe stammered nervously. "T-t-thanks father…"
"Good girl," replied Chiyomi who thankfully didn't notice her daughter's strained voice. "Well I guess I won't keep you occupied any longer than necessary. So take care and love you! Night!"
With the call ended, Grethe let her hand go limp as it helplessly fell on her lap with the phone still clutched within her grip. The dumbstruck green-haired girl continued staring aimlessly through the taxi's windscreen window with Theodore and even the taxi driver gazing at her with pity for the new ordeal she was placed in.
Damn, they don't pay me enough to witness this drama, the taxi driver thought to himself as he awkwardly continued to drive.
August 11th 2204 – Chiyoda District, Tokyo Metropolis - 1012 hrs
A couple of minutes later, the taxi came to a halt next to what seems to be a well to do condo. Long seconds later, the left front door of the vehicle slowly swung open and Grethe stepped out onto the pavement of the sidewalk. The rear left window winded down to reveal Theodore's face who felt quite sorry for Grethe's dilemma.
"Hey Grethe… Are you… Alright? Really sorry that you had to er… Go through that…"
"Huh? Oh I'm perfectly fine," Grethe chuckled as she flashed back what seemed to be a confident smile. "As if Jonathan's bogus prophesied words of doom or my father's meddling are going to put me down that easily! Besides, I still had a great dinner with you tonight so that counts for something."
"That's true, tonight's dinner was really pleasant," replied Theodore. "Well if you're alright, I guess I'll take my leave since it's quite late. Good night Grethe! Nice catching up with you!"
"Y-y-yeah, you too Theo," Grethe stammered nervously just as the window of the taxi winded back up again. "L-l-ove- I mean good night!"
As the taxi drove off into the night, Grethe's confident facade finally began to crack as she let out a long deep sigh, hung her head low and slowly made her way towards the high class condominium.
A minute or two later upon reaching the level where her apartment was located, a depressed Grethe stumbled out of the lift and eventually reached the door of her home. Unlocking the door, she dragged herself through the doorway, shut the door slowly and leaned on it.
Ah damn it all! She screamed mentally as she buried her head in her hands in frustration. Of all the bad things to happen tonight… This is the worst!
Give his daughter a chance? Ha! Who was he kidding? The only reason her father would let her do this was because he knew something was going to happen. His call practically confirmed Jonathan's speculations.
And she had fallen right into his trap.
Grethe threw her handbag onto the couch and plonked herself right next to hit face first into the plushed seat.
"Waiver! A glass of water please!" she called out through gritted teeth.
Now that it was clear the Arethusa was out of the question, she had to start her preparations again all over from scratch. Maybe she should apply for a transfer at the new naval base at Alpha Centauri in the Aldebaran System. On the surface it didn't seem like a combat role, but there had to be some ships that would-
It was at this moment Grethe realized her butler hadn't responded to her request, and glanced up to meet with the silence of her empty apartment.
Ah. Right. Vacation. Grethe muttered inwardly as her eyes peeked out from her resting place.
For a while, she simply paused there, staring at no place in particular as her eyelids started to grow heavy. A picture frame sat on the coffee table next to her, though she didn't need to look at it to remember its contents.
Her mind wandered. And eventually, it landed on the reflected image of her that was on the tv. It was only then she truly realised the state she was in. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were tattered. If it weren't for the fact she was lying in a luxurious condominium right now, she could have been mistaken for a homeless person!
For a brief moment, a chuckle escaped from her lips. Something in her clicked, or was it a snap?
Slowly, Grethe rose from her slumber, her father's words echoing in her head.
"Might as well come back and join the family business and put your skills to some good use elsewhere. Am I right?"
As if with the crescendo of an orchestra, which she did press play on for her surround sound system, the heiress stood up proudly, sweeping her twintails back with her hands as she regained her grace.
That's true father, I do have the skills to run your company. Grethe chuckled as she walked briskly into her open kitchen, her hands brushing across the white counter as she skipped by. And you're right, I should put them to good use. Afterall, I do have your blood running through my veins.
She opened up one of the upper shelves to reveal a series of wine glasses, before opening the one beside it to reveal a series of vintage wine bottles. Before long, she was pouring a glass of crystalline red liquid for herself.
Yet, you've schemed and schemed. Pulled your strings and tried to bind me with rings-
Grethe was now humming along with the increasingly intense cacophony of strings and brass instruments blearing throughout the house, her free fingers dancing with the shape of the music like a conductor as she returned to the living room with her glass in hand. And as she did, the orchestra suddenly died down to a quiet symphony.
But haven't you forgotten old man? She chuckled as a devious smile engraved itself into her face, seemingly lifting her glass to a non-existent figure in front of her. As the heirless of the Chiyomi Merchant Alliances corporation, I need to remain composed and elegant at all times. You taught me that didn't you?
And as such…
She took a sip of her wine, savoring it and the quiet music for a moment.
"No bug however grand, will let me slip me into your plan," she whispered silently.
However the moment the words left her mouth, Grethe could barely keep a straight face and broke into loud giggles as the orchestra blasted back to its full force. It'd been so long since she had last attempted poetry, her father would never have thought the only time she'd use that childhood skill was to insult him.
Smiling to herself, she put down her glass of wine onto the coffee table. She was probably going to regret this tomorrow morning, but for now…
She swung her fist out in front of her, letting a bit of sweat fly as she brandished the knuckles that had reddened from the bar fight.
Now she'll celebrate the opportunity she had unwittingly been given.
If the Arethusa is going to be a troublesome lady to tame, I guess that just means I'll have the honor of being one of the first to master that vessel! I'll show my father and that troublesome history bookworm that this ain't enough to put me down! Besides…
Grethe smirked to herself.
How bad could a couple technical glitches be?
A/N: Hi everyone. Welcome to my second Star Blazers/SBY fanfic project: Star Blazers: The Arethusa Incident!
For those who are reading my SBY fanfic stories for the first time, this is a relatively 'short' side story to the events in my main SBY fanfic: Star Blazers Audacious while also serving as a kind of a prequel and side story to said main story, whose characters also make cameos in this tale like in this first chapter itself.
Unlike my main fanfic, this story's setting is entirely based in and just outside the Solar System and explores some of the aftermath shockwaves of the post-Gatlantean War, specifically the controversial decision and vote to destroy the Time Fault to save Kodai and Yuki in the finale of Yamato 2202.
Those who have followed Audacious would probably recall that I indeed mentioned the vessel and her 'embarrassing' incident from Chapter 22 and I had announced that a small OVA or short side story was to be expected in early 2021.
Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to start work on it as I was busy in real life and had my hands full with Audacious' Save the Neu Lambea Arc, it wasn't until the recent release of the first four episodes of Yamato 2205 in late 2021 where it reignited my interest in reviving the project, especially since the Hyuga and Asuka-type D-class carrier variants, and my general disappointment that 2205 didn't fully explored the full political, industrial and economical consequences of the Time Fault's dissolution and how others affected by it would react by such a sudden change as that.
In addition of the recent infuriating news of a certain multi-role stealth 'turkey' being procured by Canada yet again despite more reliable and realistic options, it was enough creative energy and motivation to get the story going. I won't reveal the full technical and background details of how I was inspired to write this as they're quite long to write and they're better off to be used in another author notes in the next few chapters. But considering some of the Easter Eggs I hidden in the chapter, I think you're probably going to guess what is the general idea. XD
Either way, I hope you enjoyed this gigantic starting chapter and look forward to the next one!
PS: Oh yeah, for those who didn't understand the joke about the Yūdachi. I guess you haven't played World of Warships back in the good 'old days of 2015 and 2016 or watched Kantai Collection. XD
Yeah I didn't get it either back then until later... What a meme! (nostalgic chuckles) For old veterans at least!