Chapter 13 – Reunited
Inez worked in her lab with her usual efficiency but had to exert an extra effort to appear normal. She had waited for any sign that the Nadesico had received her distress signal and would come to the rescue. However, so far there had been no indication of such. When Kusakabe's image came up on the hologram she struggled not to lose composure and give in to the fear that she had been caught and that all hope was lost. Instead he brought news which was both relieving and worrying.
"Ms. Fressange. It seems your friends have detected us. They have turned around and are intent on engaging us. They will arrive in ten minutes. Please come to the bridge immediately," he stated smiling at the end.
Well, now the ball was rolling. Inez nodded to one of her assistants and he returned her nod. They would now set into motion what they had so painstakingly sought to accomplish for almost a year. Two guards entered and Inez was immediately escorted to the bridge. On the way she met Chairman Akatsuki who was headed in the same direction. They were taken to Kusakabe's waiting room where they were told to remain until he needed them.
"So it seems our captain has once again let her silly ideals cloud her judgment. She is directly on a course to assault this massive ship," Akatsuki told her.
"I never knew you could switch sides so expediently Mr. Chairman. In fact, it doesn't surprise me the way you played the UEF for so long," Inez spat back.
"Inez, if you think this war is about good and evil like some stupid anime you are sorely mistaken. This war is about winners and losers and I will make sure that I will not be the loser. Besides, don't you realize I could keep Earth from getting a raw deal if I manipulate Kusakabe well enough?"
"You idiot, he could be listening?!" Inez said looking around the room in a paranoid fashion.
"Ah, Inez I have worn a counter surveillance device in this amulet around my neck for years. I have already compromised any sort of snooping he could hope to do on us," he said with a grin. Seemingly on cue, a guard entered and beckoned them to the bridge.
"Mr. Chairman and Ms. Fressange. So glad you could make it. Now I have to ask you a few questions. First, I need you to explain very carefully the vulnerabilities of each of these three ships and second I need you to explain the rationale and tactics of Captain Misumaru. Of course you will be helpful," he said. Both Inez and Akatsuki remained nervously silent looking at each other as if there was nothing to say.
"Very well then. Execute Inez's colleagues and throw Mr. Akatsuki out of the airlock. I would rather fight alone than deal with such impudence," Akatsuki commanded waving his hand. Two guards approached to grab them and realizing that the Admiral was not kidding, Akatsuki broke down first.
"Captain Misumaru is idealistic and she will probably attack in a fashion that will cause the least loss of life. Expect her to target weapons, shields, and power systems in order to paralyze the Leviathan but not completely destroy it. Jun probably has similar motivations but Erina will more likely attack without remorse. That is all I know," Akatsuki finished.
"Excellent. Anything to add Ms. Fressange or do you have to watch your colleagues scream for mercy before you loosen your lips?"
"The Nadesico…," Inez started feeling sick to her stomach at the situation. "The Nadesico is most vulnerable to the boson jump cannon attacks. That is what I remember," she said. A tear falling down her cheek as she sealed the fate of her friends.
"Now Ms. Fressange don't cry. You should know that you are ultimately serving the cause of justice here. The quicker this war ends with our victory, the better for humanity as a whole," Kusakabe stated with absolutely no sarcasm in his voice.
Inez lunged at him but was held back by the guards. Kusakabe and Akatsuki were momentarily shocked by her sudden display of emotion. "Take her out of here. I don't need any more distractions! Power up the jump cannon and prepare to meet our guests!"
The bridge crew complied and made hasty preparations for the coming battle.
Yurika directed everything on the bridge in the most calm and rational manner possible. Most people who knew her usual demeanor would have been shocked at such a no-nonsense and directed behavior. Only Akito knew it actually meant she was nervous as hell. Most people when they become nervous lose composure. But since Yurika naturally didn't have much composure, in tense situations she did the opposite. She held her marbles together instead of losing them.
Since the Aestevalis units were not going to be risked on this mission, Akito had decided to remain on the bridge to give her any comfort and moral support she needed. So it was only natural for him to put his arm around her and ask if everything was all right.
"Thank you Akito but I don't have time for this. I have to check the preparations again," Yurika told him as she looked at his concerned face.
"Just give me one minute Yurika, please. Ruri, could you come with us outside real quick?" Ruri nodded as she handed the rest of the preparations over to Omoikane and followed the couple outside.
"Yurika, I've seen you in a hundred battles but I have never seen you this unnerved. What's wrong?" he asked.
"Akito, I keep having doubts about this. I keep trying to tell myself that this is the appropriate decision and Jun concurs but I grow more and more anxious about the choice the closer we get. We'll soon be in a battle that has a million ways to go wrong."
"Yurika, everything in life has a million ways to go wrong and this is no exception. You always plan and execute brilliantly though when the time comes," Akito replied trying to comfort her as much as possible. Next it was Ruri's turn to speak up.
"Captain, if the rest of the crew thought this was a foolish or suicidal goal we would have raised such concerns. Remember how I removed you from duty back when this all began? If I thought this situation you was just as rash, wouldn't I have done it again? I trust you as much as Akito does. You just need to trust yourself now or we will surely lose," Ruri said with no other emotion apparent than her conviction. Yurika smiled and hugged the little girl who returned her embrace. "You aren't mad at me removing you earlier captain?" Ruri asked unsure of the genuine nature of the embrace.
"You did the right thing a friend should do Ruri. I thank you for that," Yurika assured her. Yurika then stood up and took Akito's face in her hands and kissed him. They seemed to remain there embraced for an eternity only to be awakened by a tug at her shoulder.
"Captain, we really have to go now. You've been kissing for five minutes," Ruri said. Yurika blushed and ran back onto the bridge where the Jovian ship was just appearing on the long range view screen.
As Inez was escorted down the hall she realized her plan was working so far. Kusakabe had activated the jump cannon, she had been removed from the bridge, and hopefully her colleagues had already injected themselves with the organic jump serum she had developed. As they led her back to her lab she now contemplated the second stage of her escape. The Nadesico had to get in range and they had to get to the jump cannon.
Back in her lab she innocuously asked everyone if they were ready. She received nods in all corners. That meant everything that they had planned had been prepared. The Jovians would soon find out that their jump cannon would have a few issues in firing. Seconds later the ship rocked and everyone in the lab braced themselves to try to keep their balance.
"So it has begun," Inez murmured to herself.
"Admiral Kusakabe, we have been hit by simultaneous gravity blasts. There is moderate damage to the first and second engines and our distortion fields stand at 97%," the chief tactical officer informed him.
"So it sees your hunch was accurate Akatsuki. They aren't trying to kill us. Too bad we don't feel the same way about them. Bring gravity blasts on the three ships. Full power!" Kusakabe ordered.
The Nadesico was hit hard and everyone braced themselves for the impact, some better than others. Megumi was nearly thrown from her chair and Ruri struggled to instruct Omoikane where to direct power to the ship.
"Captain, our shields are down to 85%. We need to get in range quickly before they power up a new volley," Ruri appealed.
"I agree. Move us in range. Jun, you have a faster recharge system on the gravity blast system for the Excalibur, please cover us!" Yurika communicated. Jun sent her a text acknowledgement over the communications since he was too busy handling other things. The door opened behind and her Suzuki came onto the bridge.
"Captain Misumaru. We must launch the Aestevalis units. We can possibly tie up some of their fire and take out their minor weapons systems," she demanded.
"It's too dangerous, Suzuki. We need you all to stay here for future combat not throw your lives away recklessly!" Yurika replied though she kept her eye on the ongoing battle. The ship was rocked by another strong blast and this time Megumi was thrown from her seat. Minato rushed to help her.
"I'm fine, just a bit bruised," Megumi said. "Captain, where is Inez? We're nearly in range and we've heard nothing."
"Just a little more time, Megumi," Yurika reassured her. "You better hurry up before we're all lost Inez," she thought to herself though.
"Admiral Kusakabe, the Nadesico is in jump cannon range!" the tactical officer informed him.
"Excellent. Lock onto their engineering section and drop a nice low yield nuke in. That should get their attention," he said grinning.
"We are firing on three, two, one…Admiral the jump cannon's field has collapsed we are developing a malfunction!"
"Dammit to hell! Get those technicians down there," Admiral Kusakabe demanded.
The tactical officer complied. A moment later, however, he had another gripe.
"Admiral, it seems all of the technicians came down with an illness earlier today. They say it was some kind of bad food poisoning!"
"WHAT!? You fools what is going on here? We expect to conquer the solar system and we can't even cook right?! Can anyone fix the damn things?" The admiral was clearly losing his cool very quickly. Everyone looked around clueless.
"May I suggest an alternative," Akatsuki stepped forward. "Inez Fressange is an expert in jump technology and I am sure she could possibly figure out how to rectify the problem. You can always threaten her as well."
Kusakabe nodded. "Agreed. Tell Inez to fix the cannon now!"
Inez received the message soon thereafter. She couldn't believe how well everything was falling together. She replied that she would do her best but needed her technicians to help. Kusakabe relented and allowed them all to go to the jump cannon hangar.
In recent engagements, many Jovian ships had lost their jump cannon before they could use it effectively due to the fact that is was always placed outside of the ship. This was in order to allow high yield munitions that could not be stored inside the ship to be used with the cannon. It also blocked Hawking radiation and other nastiness that these cannons sometimes produced.
However, with technical refinements, the newest line of Jovian jump cannons were able to be placed inside the ship in a shielded hangar which made them less vulnerable to the initial attacks. Inez and her crew entered the hangar with all the gear they needed to make the jump cannon operational once again. They quickly got to work and within minutes the cannon reinitiated the wormhole.
"Cannon reinitialized, sir," a Jovian operator reported.
"Excellent, lock on the Nadesico's main reactor room," the admiral ordered them. The operator complied and soon the image of the reactor and its scrambling technicians appeared in the wormhole.
"NOW!" Inez yelled. One of her technicians quickly typed in a command to the jump cannon. The image of the Nadesico convulsed and shook as a surge of energy emitted from the wormhole. A stream of high energy particles were emitted paralyzing everyone in the room. Everyone except Inez and her technicians whom the serum protected.
Inez realized that they had no time to lose. "Quickly, everyone jump into the wormhole to safety now!"
"What about you Inez?" one of her female colleagues asked her.
"I'll go through last. I'm going to overload the cannon so it will be destroyed right after I jump through. Now go! Hurry!" Inez began typing furiously at the computer. She first sealed the doors into the hangar and then began programming the cannon for self-destruction.
One after the other they jumped into the cannon only to reappear on the Nadesico to the shock and surprise of it's engineering staff.
"Please don't shoot us. We're trying to escape the Jovians not attack you. Please take us to the bridge immediately," one said.
The last person had jumped through and Inez worked as if she was possessed. Finally, everything had been set to jettison the cannon into space so it could safely explode once she was through. She was about to hit the initiate button when she heard the sound of the cock of a pistol being pulled back.
"Excuse me, but where do you think you are going?" It was one of the operators standing one meter behind her with a loaded pistol and a face full of resolve.
"Why the hell are you not paralyzed on the ground like the others?" she asked in shock and fright.
"Luckily for me I was all suited up and working with some fuel rods when you tried your little stunt. Now it looks like I'll get a citation for battle and a promotion," he said. "Step away from the console and place your hands on your head."
"This hangar is locked. You can't get out of here without me and this cannon is about to collapse and explode. The only escape is to get onto the Nadesico," she told him.
"Yeah, well I guess I have to take my chances don't I?" Inez saw the seriousness in his eyes and began to step away from the console. "Now lie on the ground," he commanded. Seeing no other option, she complied. He picked up a communicator. "Bridge, this is the jump cannon hangar. Fressange tried to pull a stunt and escape to the Nadesico. All of her crew made it except herself and the rest of the personnel here are out of commission. She has sealed all entrances and exits. Please advise."
"You fools! How could you let this happen!?" Kusakabe roared. "However, you stopped her which is the important part. I commend you on that. We are shutting the jump cannon down from here. A security crew will come assist you shortly. Kusakabe out."
The jump cannon lost power and was deactivated. Inez felt like crying. Her only chance of escape was thwarted by some dimwit who happened to be in the right place at the right time. At least her colleagues escaped though. They would not have to go through the hell she was sure they would mete out to her for this scheme.
"Captain, engineering reports that several UEF citizens have jumped into the reactor room from the Jovian ship!" Ruri stated.
"Really! Is Inez with them?" Yurika asked.
"Negative captain." Yurika looked up at the viewscreen in dismay. Why didn't Inez hurry up?
"Continue firing, we need to buy her a few more seconds!" Yurika commanded. All three ships fired their gravity blast cannons as one targeted volley at the Jovian ship.
The Leviathan rocked furiously knocking Inez's captor from his footing. Seeing her chance Inez jumped up and kicked the pistol from his hand. He grabbed her ankle in rage but she still was able to dive and retrieve the weapon. Turning it on him she now ordered his surrender. Seeing his was beaten he released her and gave up.
Inez jumped up and went to the control console. All power had been cut by bridge. Damn them! She wracked her mind for options. Behind her came a screech and a bright light. She turned around to see flame and sparks jumping from the upper corner to the hangar door. They were cutting their way through. Inez realized time was running out. She pulled out a communicator from the equipment she had brought and began broadcasting to the Nadesico.
"Captain, we are receiving a communication from Inez!" Megumi cried. Yurika waited breathlessly for the content. "It says: Don't wait for me. I have been caught. Withdraw now to your destination. Thank you so much for trying my friends. Inez."
Tears began to well up in Yurika's eyes as she digested the contents of the message. She wanted so hard for it to not be true but she knew if Inez could not see a way to get out, there was little else they could do. "Minato, withdraw us immediately and instruct the Cosmos and Excalibur to follow suit. How are our shields?"
"50%," Ruri said.
"Yes, we must withdraw," she said not stopping the tears now streaming down her cheeks. Akito held her hand and she squeezed it tight as they pulled away under full retreat from the massive Jovian vessel. In the drama of the past few moments, however, no one had noticed Suzuki Miaka quietly slipping off the bridge.
"Captain, this is Uribitake!" the mechanic's panicked face came upon the view screen. "Captain, Suzuki-san has taken her Aestevalis unit is launching without permission!"
Yurika instantly brought Suzuki up on the screen. "Suzuki! I commanded no Aestevalis units to launch! Return to the bridge immediately!"
"Captain Misumaru I will return shortly. I believe it would be very detrimental to our mission if we did not have the expertise of Ms. Fressange," Suzuki replied.
"What can you do by yourself in one Aestevalis unit!? In any case what do you have to lecture me about our mission objectives for?!" Yurika cried.
"I will return shortly. Wish me luck. I'll be seeing you Akito," she said and gave him a wink before the screen went blank. Everyone turned around and looked at Akito who was shaking his head in denial as Yurika's jaw dropped at her brash action.
"Really you guys, it's just the way she is…" he began to explain.
Suzuki flew like a bat out of hell weaving between gunfire and grasshoppers like a dragonfly over a pond. The irony of the large size of the Leviathan was that it was excellent for taking out large targets such as battleships but was totally inadequate in dealing with smaller targets that its designers didn't consider true threats.
"Admiral, we have one enemy Aestivalis unit. It seems to be intent on a suicide mission headed directly for us!" the tactical officer yelled.
"Send out some manned Gekigangar types then you fools!" the admiral yelled. The units were soon launched only to meet a rapid and ignominious demise at the hand of Suzuki's skill.
"What the hell!? Are pilots worth crap these days!" Kusakabe yelled. "Fire a gravity blast now!"
"Sir, she is too close. The cannons cannot target her at this range," the tactical officer responded.
Suzuki scanned the Jovian ship for anomalous particles associated with boson jumping. Once she found a section of the ship where those particles were most concentrated she dove in at maximum speed.
"This is so stupid," she thought. She should've not bothered with all this and just boson jumped into the ship to get Inez. But, her ability to jump so accurately and at will would have raised questions since her current alias said she was born on Earth. Questions she did not want to answer…not yet. As much as her life was at risk now, more would be at risk if her true identity was revealed. She would just have to rely on her skill and knowledge now. Now more than ever.
Inez looked nervously at the door as the security team made progress. They were three-fourths of the way through and were now on the last side of the door. She contemplated holding the operator hostage but knew that they would shoot him as soon as they would shoot her. So she just sat down and waited for the inevitable.
Inch by inch the torch made its way to the last corner. Finally the door was completely cut on all sides and the flame died away. Inez sighed. It was almost a metaphor for her life. A bright flicker of light and finally darkness. She was rarely sentimental but this seemed as good a time as any. Suddenly she heard gunshots and shouts of alarm. There was a huge thud as if someone had been thrown against the wall. Then there was silence. The door began to lean inwards and finally fell forward hitting the hangar floor with a loud thud. Inez looked up expecting to see harsh men with guns and was totally surprised by what she saw.
The security team lay motionless on the floor. The only person standing was someone in a space suit holding an attack rifle. The person walked in and Inez raised her hands as much in confusion as in surrender. The woman slung the rifle over her shoulder and removed her helmet to reveal a young woman with black hair and green eyes.
"You have nothing to fear Fressange-san. My name is Suzuki Miaka and I am here from the Nadesico to rescue you," she said bowing. Inez, completely confused on who this young woman from the Nadesico was and how she had fought her way into the ship, was nevertheless greatly relieved.
"So what is your escape plan?" Inez asked.
"We will jump back into the Nadesico through the jump cannon," she replied. Inez's face fell immediately at this suggestion.
"The cannon is deactivated from the bridge. That is why I could not escape earlier. It looks like we will die here together," Inez lamented.
"Oh really? Do you think my planning was that shallow? Contact the bridge." Suzuki commanded. Inez, curious at this line of reasoning, complied. Kusakabe's menacing face soon came up on the screen.
"It seems you UEF fools never run out of tricks doesn't it? It seems that Chairman Akatsuki knows you well Ms. Suzuki. Do not think you can escape us so easily though," he said.
"Listen fools. I have latched my Aestevalis to one of the reactors on this ship. I can remotely detonate its explosives and power supply. Reactivate the jump cannon now and let us through or risk me setting of a chain reaction that will reduce this ship to scrap," she shouted.
Kusakabe winced. His hologram disappeared and moments later the jump cannon again became operational. However, the Nadesico was now out of range. Inez pulled out her communicator again. "Nadesico, we need you to get back in range immediately! Nadesico!" Inez shouted.
"Captain, the jump cannon is active again," Ruri said.
"Captain, Inez is hailing us. She says they need us back in range," Megumi followed her. Yurika nearly gave the order but then hesitated. If they went back in could they get out alive? But Inez and Suzuki needed them there now.
"Megumi, alert the Cosmos and the Excalibur that we need to move back into range," she commanded. It wasn't long before she got her response.
"I refuse to support such foolishness! We were nearly killed the last time. If you go back in you will not have the Cosmos's support!" Erina said resolutely.
"Yurika, I don't see how we can win in another battle but if you go I will follow," Jun responded.
"Then you two fools go and get yourselves killed for nothing! I place a value on my life and crew thank you very much," Erina responded not bothering to hide her contempt.
"You will support Yurika or I'll shoot you down here and now!" Jun cried.
"Shoot me then! Either way we are all dead!"
"Silence! The Nadesico is going in. Alone if necessary. If you want to support us fine. If not, I will understand. This is my decision and I will bear full responsibility for it. I just cannot leave Inez when we have a chance to save her! Please, crew of the Nadesico, I beg of you to believe in me! We have never left each other behind and I refuse to start!" Yurika declared nearly yelling. "Akito, you believe in me right?" she asked turning to where he sat. But Akito gave her no reply. Akito was gone. "Akito! Where…." she started.
"AESTEVALIS LAUNCH!!" A cry came over the communicator. In a moment of shock and horror the realization came to her. Akito was going on a suicide mission to retrieve Inez.
"AKITO! NOO!!! You can't make it through this please!" Yurika implored him over the communicator.
"Yurika, the Jovian ship cannot handle small targets well. That's why Suzuki got through. I just need a few minutes. Yurika, I promise I'll come back," he said as he sped towards the ship weaving and dodging projectiles and grasshoppers as he struggled to get within range. Yurika stared at the screen as pale as a ghost. "Akito…" she whispered.
Meanwhile Inez and Suzuki were crouched behind the control console taking cover. Kusakabe had sent another security team down to stop them and the room filled with the staccato sound of gunfire and ricocheting bullets. Luckily, Inez had created a blocking program to prevent the bridge from shutting the jump cannon down again. Both she and Suzuki intermittently turned around to fire their pistol and rifle respectively at the advancing guard.
"Suzuki you fool, why didn't you jump? You and Inez could be out of here now!" Suzuki argued with herself. But if they found out, what would happen then? What would become of her? What would become of them? No, she could still escape. She must fight on.
It seemed hopeless until the cannon console beeped indicating a target was in range. Since it was automatically on target lock mode it locked on the nearest target and displayed it. In the wormhole they saw the cockpit of an Aestevalis with an intense and enraged Akito as its pilot.
"Here's our chance!" Inez yelled.
"Run for it, I'll cover you!" Suzuki yelled back as she loaded another clip. She pulled a grenade from her vest and threw it at their assailants. The guards scattered as they rushed to escape the bright and deafening explosion. Inez jumped up and ran flinging herself into the jump cannon portal.
"Alright, it's your turn now girl," Suzuki thought. Damn it! Why was she so obstinate about jumping?! Suzuki flung another grenade at the guards who were busy trying to regroup and in the flash and explosion she jumped up and ran towards the wormhole. Time seemed to move in slow motion as every step seemed to take an hour. Bullets smashed and reflected from the walls and floor around her but still she ran.
She made it to the edge and prepared to jump. Her right foot left the ground and as she started her leap she felt an exhilarating feeling of success and freedom. This feeling quickly turned to terror as she felt a jolt in her left calf which was followed by searing pain. This was followed by two other pains in her back and right shoulder. She never completed her jump and crumpled to floor felled by the lucky bullets from a Jovian submachine gun.
She immediately regretted her decision not to jump. Why had she been so foolish? Was any secret worth dying for? She had to jump now but now the pain was too great to allow her to focus her thoughts clearly. Through the smoke behind her she saw a figure emerge clad in attack gear. The guards where advancing. Barely conscious she swung her rifle around steadying the butt of it against the side of the jump cannon portal. Her only indication that she had succeeded in pulling the trigger was the guard's scream and sudden crumpling to the ground. The other approaching guards instantly took cover from her volley.
Suzuki knew she only had one hope left if any at all. With her last reserve of strength she dragged herself to the edge of the jump cannon and sat up. She seemed so calm and peaceful as she watched the guards take aim at her one by one. She pushed herself from the edge and fell back first into the portal barely avoiding the hail of bullets that followed.
"Where the hell is she!" Akito yelled as he became less and less adept at dodging the fire and automated attackers from the Jovian ship. In a sudden flash Suzuki Miaka appeared the back of the vehicle next to Inez who had previously jumped. Akito looked back at her and turned pale. She was bleeding everywhere. Inez instantly switched roles from physicist to doctor and began to try to tend to Suzuki with the Aesti's med pack.
"Akito, she's hit bad. We must get back to the Nadesico immediately!" Inez yelled.
"I know but I can't shake this fire!" he yelled.
"Well jump dammit! Can't you pull it off during times of stress?" Inez screamed.
Akito realized she was telling the truth. He was not quite good at it and he wasn't sure how he would do without Yurika but he had to try. He closed his eyes and began to focus. Think the Nadesico. Think Yurika. Think…
Akito's thoughts ended as a lucky shot from one of the Leviathan's turrets smashed into the side of the Aesti. He was thrown against the control panel and knocked unconscious. The Aesti began to weave and fly erratically as it lost all input from its controller. Inez put her hands to her mouth as if to suppress a scream she was sure would come.
"Akito..Oh No Akito!!!" she stammered.
Suzuki Miaka watched it all through the haze of a dream. So we are going to die she thought. Because of my stupidity, I'm going to die. And Inez. And Akito. God, Akito deserved it least of all. He was a good person. He didn't deserve to die any more than his parents did.
Then it came to Suzuki. Her secret was not worth all this. She had hidden herself for thirty years successfully and it had been worth it. But it wouldn't be worth this. She had caused sorrow in the past both in what she had done and what she had failed to do. Akito's parents hadn't had to die. She could have saved them. But her secret stopped her every time. Not this time. This time, even if it was the last time, even if this jump killed her she would do the right thing. She marshaled all the strength in her weak body and brought her mind in all its despair and agony to focus on one thing. The Nadesico, Akito's friends, even his lover Yurika.
She felt a small tingling under the pain and then a bright white light as their particles converted to the jump bosons and then felt a thud. They were back on the Nadesico. She reached and hit the button to open the Aesti's canopy. Inez looked at her in shock and amazement.
"Suzuki…how did you do this?" she started. Suzuki just stared at her and smiled. The last memories she had were of a panicked Seiya and the other mechanics hoisting her out of the vehicle. Then her senses dulled and she was swallowed by a serenity that seemed a relief compared to the pain of reality.
"You bastards how could you let them escape so easily! There will not be any promotions on this ship, indeed there will be only retribution!" Kusakabe screamed foaming at the mouth. Akatsuki winced at the admiral's tirade. He thought that he could get pissed but he began to realize that he may be dealing with someone more ruthless than himself.
"Follow and destroy them leaving only the Nadesico to be captured. NOW!!" Kusakabe ordered.
"Yes sir! We should easily…sir we have a problem!" the helmsman yelled.
"This whole damn day is one problem after another! What this time!?" Kusakabe ranted.
"Sir, the jump cannon is overloading. I fear it's going to collapse and detonate!" Kusakabe sat perplexed from a moment until the epiphany hit him.
"INEZ!!! Damn you all you UEF bastards! Jettison the cannon now! Hurry!" The helmsman complied but seconds later the ship was rocked by a massive explosion. The lights momentarily blinked out and then all power was restored once again. "Damage report!"
"We have lost 25% of our reactor capabilities and about 40% of our external guns. Also nearly half of our grasshoppers were vaporized by the shock wave," the helmsman said in shock. Everyone was tense. But Kusakabe said nothing. He just got up and went to his ready room. He had to or otherwise he was going to kill somebody.
"Oh God Akito!" Yurika cried as she hugged him, tears streaming down her face.
"Geez, Yurika it's only a minor concussion. I'll be out by morning," Akito said trying to reassure her.
"Don't you ever do that again!" she said punching him. The rest of the crew looked on in stupor at the scene.
"Oww! Are you trying to heal me or hurt me more?" he cried. "In any case the one I'm worried about is Suzuki," he said his head turning to her bed. Inez worked furiously as she struggled to save her. She had already gone into cardiac arrest once and was teetering over the void. Yurika looked up at her and realized Akito was right.
"Is she going to be OK?" Hikaru asked sitting up in her bed and observing the scene.
"What do you care after what she did?" Ryoko muttered.
"Ryoko, please let's let all of this lie. We did for Shiratori when we found he was good didn't we? After all…she helped me," Hikaru finished.
"What?! Are you mad?" Ryoko turned around and asked.
"I was in a coma for a while Ryoko, but I barely remember being awake for a moment and seeing Suzuki attend to me. Soon thereafter I was better. I don't know how but she helped me," Hikaru finished.
"Well she needs all the help she can get now," Inez commented. "And she has a lot of answering to do, not the least of which is how she boson jumped. Did you see the files your father and Jun sent over Yurika?" Yurika nodded.
"What files?" Akito asked. Yurika turned to him.
"Suzuki Miaka may have a good heart, but she is not what she seems Akito. I should have listened to my father. Typical of me…" Yurika told him.
Akito turned and looked at Suzuki's quiet frame. Whatever she was she had saved his life twice now. Whatever she was she was his friend. Or was she?
A/N: That's all for now kiddies. I really tried hard to make a Christmas deadline but sometimes life is all about stress and surprises so now I'm looking at after New Years or just maybe before then. I know a lot of Nadesico trivia buffs are going to wonder why I brought in boson jumping now. I saw Nadesico a while back but from what I remember jumping wasn't a casual thing until everyone got their brains messed with in the movie (which this storyline completely ignores). Therefore I assume no jumping on a dime. In any case this story would have been one-half a page long if everyone could jump where they wanted to. So suspend your disbelief and cut me some slack. Until next time.
Inez worked in her lab with her usual efficiency but had to exert an extra effort to appear normal. She had waited for any sign that the Nadesico had received her distress signal and would come to the rescue. However, so far there had been no indication of such. When Kusakabe's image came up on the hologram she struggled not to lose composure and give in to the fear that she had been caught and that all hope was lost. Instead he brought news which was both relieving and worrying.
"Ms. Fressange. It seems your friends have detected us. They have turned around and are intent on engaging us. They will arrive in ten minutes. Please come to the bridge immediately," he stated smiling at the end.
Well, now the ball was rolling. Inez nodded to one of her assistants and he returned her nod. They would now set into motion what they had so painstakingly sought to accomplish for almost a year. Two guards entered and Inez was immediately escorted to the bridge. On the way she met Chairman Akatsuki who was headed in the same direction. They were taken to Kusakabe's waiting room where they were told to remain until he needed them.
"So it seems our captain has once again let her silly ideals cloud her judgment. She is directly on a course to assault this massive ship," Akatsuki told her.
"I never knew you could switch sides so expediently Mr. Chairman. In fact, it doesn't surprise me the way you played the UEF for so long," Inez spat back.
"Inez, if you think this war is about good and evil like some stupid anime you are sorely mistaken. This war is about winners and losers and I will make sure that I will not be the loser. Besides, don't you realize I could keep Earth from getting a raw deal if I manipulate Kusakabe well enough?"
"You idiot, he could be listening?!" Inez said looking around the room in a paranoid fashion.
"Ah, Inez I have worn a counter surveillance device in this amulet around my neck for years. I have already compromised any sort of snooping he could hope to do on us," he said with a grin. Seemingly on cue, a guard entered and beckoned them to the bridge.
"Mr. Chairman and Ms. Fressange. So glad you could make it. Now I have to ask you a few questions. First, I need you to explain very carefully the vulnerabilities of each of these three ships and second I need you to explain the rationale and tactics of Captain Misumaru. Of course you will be helpful," he said. Both Inez and Akatsuki remained nervously silent looking at each other as if there was nothing to say.
"Very well then. Execute Inez's colleagues and throw Mr. Akatsuki out of the airlock. I would rather fight alone than deal with such impudence," Akatsuki commanded waving his hand. Two guards approached to grab them and realizing that the Admiral was not kidding, Akatsuki broke down first.
"Captain Misumaru is idealistic and she will probably attack in a fashion that will cause the least loss of life. Expect her to target weapons, shields, and power systems in order to paralyze the Leviathan but not completely destroy it. Jun probably has similar motivations but Erina will more likely attack without remorse. That is all I know," Akatsuki finished.
"Excellent. Anything to add Ms. Fressange or do you have to watch your colleagues scream for mercy before you loosen your lips?"
"The Nadesico…," Inez started feeling sick to her stomach at the situation. "The Nadesico is most vulnerable to the boson jump cannon attacks. That is what I remember," she said. A tear falling down her cheek as she sealed the fate of her friends.
"Now Ms. Fressange don't cry. You should know that you are ultimately serving the cause of justice here. The quicker this war ends with our victory, the better for humanity as a whole," Kusakabe stated with absolutely no sarcasm in his voice.
Inez lunged at him but was held back by the guards. Kusakabe and Akatsuki were momentarily shocked by her sudden display of emotion. "Take her out of here. I don't need any more distractions! Power up the jump cannon and prepare to meet our guests!"
The bridge crew complied and made hasty preparations for the coming battle.
Yurika directed everything on the bridge in the most calm and rational manner possible. Most people who knew her usual demeanor would have been shocked at such a no-nonsense and directed behavior. Only Akito knew it actually meant she was nervous as hell. Most people when they become nervous lose composure. But since Yurika naturally didn't have much composure, in tense situations she did the opposite. She held her marbles together instead of losing them.
Since the Aestevalis units were not going to be risked on this mission, Akito had decided to remain on the bridge to give her any comfort and moral support she needed. So it was only natural for him to put his arm around her and ask if everything was all right.
"Thank you Akito but I don't have time for this. I have to check the preparations again," Yurika told him as she looked at his concerned face.
"Just give me one minute Yurika, please. Ruri, could you come with us outside real quick?" Ruri nodded as she handed the rest of the preparations over to Omoikane and followed the couple outside.
"Yurika, I've seen you in a hundred battles but I have never seen you this unnerved. What's wrong?" he asked.
"Akito, I keep having doubts about this. I keep trying to tell myself that this is the appropriate decision and Jun concurs but I grow more and more anxious about the choice the closer we get. We'll soon be in a battle that has a million ways to go wrong."
"Yurika, everything in life has a million ways to go wrong and this is no exception. You always plan and execute brilliantly though when the time comes," Akito replied trying to comfort her as much as possible. Next it was Ruri's turn to speak up.
"Captain, if the rest of the crew thought this was a foolish or suicidal goal we would have raised such concerns. Remember how I removed you from duty back when this all began? If I thought this situation you was just as rash, wouldn't I have done it again? I trust you as much as Akito does. You just need to trust yourself now or we will surely lose," Ruri said with no other emotion apparent than her conviction. Yurika smiled and hugged the little girl who returned her embrace. "You aren't mad at me removing you earlier captain?" Ruri asked unsure of the genuine nature of the embrace.
"You did the right thing a friend should do Ruri. I thank you for that," Yurika assured her. Yurika then stood up and took Akito's face in her hands and kissed him. They seemed to remain there embraced for an eternity only to be awakened by a tug at her shoulder.
"Captain, we really have to go now. You've been kissing for five minutes," Ruri said. Yurika blushed and ran back onto the bridge where the Jovian ship was just appearing on the long range view screen.
As Inez was escorted down the hall she realized her plan was working so far. Kusakabe had activated the jump cannon, she had been removed from the bridge, and hopefully her colleagues had already injected themselves with the organic jump serum she had developed. As they led her back to her lab she now contemplated the second stage of her escape. The Nadesico had to get in range and they had to get to the jump cannon.
Back in her lab she innocuously asked everyone if they were ready. She received nods in all corners. That meant everything that they had planned had been prepared. The Jovians would soon find out that their jump cannon would have a few issues in firing. Seconds later the ship rocked and everyone in the lab braced themselves to try to keep their balance.
"So it has begun," Inez murmured to herself.
"Admiral Kusakabe, we have been hit by simultaneous gravity blasts. There is moderate damage to the first and second engines and our distortion fields stand at 97%," the chief tactical officer informed him.
"So it sees your hunch was accurate Akatsuki. They aren't trying to kill us. Too bad we don't feel the same way about them. Bring gravity blasts on the three ships. Full power!" Kusakabe ordered.
The Nadesico was hit hard and everyone braced themselves for the impact, some better than others. Megumi was nearly thrown from her chair and Ruri struggled to instruct Omoikane where to direct power to the ship.
"Captain, our shields are down to 85%. We need to get in range quickly before they power up a new volley," Ruri appealed.
"I agree. Move us in range. Jun, you have a faster recharge system on the gravity blast system for the Excalibur, please cover us!" Yurika communicated. Jun sent her a text acknowledgement over the communications since he was too busy handling other things. The door opened behind and her Suzuki came onto the bridge.
"Captain Misumaru. We must launch the Aestevalis units. We can possibly tie up some of their fire and take out their minor weapons systems," she demanded.
"It's too dangerous, Suzuki. We need you all to stay here for future combat not throw your lives away recklessly!" Yurika replied though she kept her eye on the ongoing battle. The ship was rocked by another strong blast and this time Megumi was thrown from her seat. Minato rushed to help her.
"I'm fine, just a bit bruised," Megumi said. "Captain, where is Inez? We're nearly in range and we've heard nothing."
"Just a little more time, Megumi," Yurika reassured her. "You better hurry up before we're all lost Inez," she thought to herself though.
"Admiral Kusakabe, the Nadesico is in jump cannon range!" the tactical officer informed him.
"Excellent. Lock onto their engineering section and drop a nice low yield nuke in. That should get their attention," he said grinning.
"We are firing on three, two, one…Admiral the jump cannon's field has collapsed we are developing a malfunction!"
"Dammit to hell! Get those technicians down there," Admiral Kusakabe demanded.
The tactical officer complied. A moment later, however, he had another gripe.
"Admiral, it seems all of the technicians came down with an illness earlier today. They say it was some kind of bad food poisoning!"
"WHAT!? You fools what is going on here? We expect to conquer the solar system and we can't even cook right?! Can anyone fix the damn things?" The admiral was clearly losing his cool very quickly. Everyone looked around clueless.
"May I suggest an alternative," Akatsuki stepped forward. "Inez Fressange is an expert in jump technology and I am sure she could possibly figure out how to rectify the problem. You can always threaten her as well."
Kusakabe nodded. "Agreed. Tell Inez to fix the cannon now!"
Inez received the message soon thereafter. She couldn't believe how well everything was falling together. She replied that she would do her best but needed her technicians to help. Kusakabe relented and allowed them all to go to the jump cannon hangar.
In recent engagements, many Jovian ships had lost their jump cannon before they could use it effectively due to the fact that is was always placed outside of the ship. This was in order to allow high yield munitions that could not be stored inside the ship to be used with the cannon. It also blocked Hawking radiation and other nastiness that these cannons sometimes produced.
However, with technical refinements, the newest line of Jovian jump cannons were able to be placed inside the ship in a shielded hangar which made them less vulnerable to the initial attacks. Inez and her crew entered the hangar with all the gear they needed to make the jump cannon operational once again. They quickly got to work and within minutes the cannon reinitiated the wormhole.
"Cannon reinitialized, sir," a Jovian operator reported.
"Excellent, lock on the Nadesico's main reactor room," the admiral ordered them. The operator complied and soon the image of the reactor and its scrambling technicians appeared in the wormhole.
"NOW!" Inez yelled. One of her technicians quickly typed in a command to the jump cannon. The image of the Nadesico convulsed and shook as a surge of energy emitted from the wormhole. A stream of high energy particles were emitted paralyzing everyone in the room. Everyone except Inez and her technicians whom the serum protected.
Inez realized that they had no time to lose. "Quickly, everyone jump into the wormhole to safety now!"
"What about you Inez?" one of her female colleagues asked her.
"I'll go through last. I'm going to overload the cannon so it will be destroyed right after I jump through. Now go! Hurry!" Inez began typing furiously at the computer. She first sealed the doors into the hangar and then began programming the cannon for self-destruction.
One after the other they jumped into the cannon only to reappear on the Nadesico to the shock and surprise of it's engineering staff.
"Please don't shoot us. We're trying to escape the Jovians not attack you. Please take us to the bridge immediately," one said.
The last person had jumped through and Inez worked as if she was possessed. Finally, everything had been set to jettison the cannon into space so it could safely explode once she was through. She was about to hit the initiate button when she heard the sound of the cock of a pistol being pulled back.
"Excuse me, but where do you think you are going?" It was one of the operators standing one meter behind her with a loaded pistol and a face full of resolve.
"Why the hell are you not paralyzed on the ground like the others?" she asked in shock and fright.
"Luckily for me I was all suited up and working with some fuel rods when you tried your little stunt. Now it looks like I'll get a citation for battle and a promotion," he said. "Step away from the console and place your hands on your head."
"This hangar is locked. You can't get out of here without me and this cannon is about to collapse and explode. The only escape is to get onto the Nadesico," she told him.
"Yeah, well I guess I have to take my chances don't I?" Inez saw the seriousness in his eyes and began to step away from the console. "Now lie on the ground," he commanded. Seeing no other option, she complied. He picked up a communicator. "Bridge, this is the jump cannon hangar. Fressange tried to pull a stunt and escape to the Nadesico. All of her crew made it except herself and the rest of the personnel here are out of commission. She has sealed all entrances and exits. Please advise."
"You fools! How could you let this happen!?" Kusakabe roared. "However, you stopped her which is the important part. I commend you on that. We are shutting the jump cannon down from here. A security crew will come assist you shortly. Kusakabe out."
The jump cannon lost power and was deactivated. Inez felt like crying. Her only chance of escape was thwarted by some dimwit who happened to be in the right place at the right time. At least her colleagues escaped though. They would not have to go through the hell she was sure they would mete out to her for this scheme.
"Captain, engineering reports that several UEF citizens have jumped into the reactor room from the Jovian ship!" Ruri stated.
"Really! Is Inez with them?" Yurika asked.
"Negative captain." Yurika looked up at the viewscreen in dismay. Why didn't Inez hurry up?
"Continue firing, we need to buy her a few more seconds!" Yurika commanded. All three ships fired their gravity blast cannons as one targeted volley at the Jovian ship.
The Leviathan rocked furiously knocking Inez's captor from his footing. Seeing her chance Inez jumped up and kicked the pistol from his hand. He grabbed her ankle in rage but she still was able to dive and retrieve the weapon. Turning it on him she now ordered his surrender. Seeing his was beaten he released her and gave up.
Inez jumped up and went to the control console. All power had been cut by bridge. Damn them! She wracked her mind for options. Behind her came a screech and a bright light. She turned around to see flame and sparks jumping from the upper corner to the hangar door. They were cutting their way through. Inez realized time was running out. She pulled out a communicator from the equipment she had brought and began broadcasting to the Nadesico.
"Captain, we are receiving a communication from Inez!" Megumi cried. Yurika waited breathlessly for the content. "It says: Don't wait for me. I have been caught. Withdraw now to your destination. Thank you so much for trying my friends. Inez."
Tears began to well up in Yurika's eyes as she digested the contents of the message. She wanted so hard for it to not be true but she knew if Inez could not see a way to get out, there was little else they could do. "Minato, withdraw us immediately and instruct the Cosmos and Excalibur to follow suit. How are our shields?"
"50%," Ruri said.
"Yes, we must withdraw," she said not stopping the tears now streaming down her cheeks. Akito held her hand and she squeezed it tight as they pulled away under full retreat from the massive Jovian vessel. In the drama of the past few moments, however, no one had noticed Suzuki Miaka quietly slipping off the bridge.
"Captain, this is Uribitake!" the mechanic's panicked face came upon the view screen. "Captain, Suzuki-san has taken her Aestevalis unit is launching without permission!"
Yurika instantly brought Suzuki up on the screen. "Suzuki! I commanded no Aestevalis units to launch! Return to the bridge immediately!"
"Captain Misumaru I will return shortly. I believe it would be very detrimental to our mission if we did not have the expertise of Ms. Fressange," Suzuki replied.
"What can you do by yourself in one Aestevalis unit!? In any case what do you have to lecture me about our mission objectives for?!" Yurika cried.
"I will return shortly. Wish me luck. I'll be seeing you Akito," she said and gave him a wink before the screen went blank. Everyone turned around and looked at Akito who was shaking his head in denial as Yurika's jaw dropped at her brash action.
"Really you guys, it's just the way she is…" he began to explain.
Suzuki flew like a bat out of hell weaving between gunfire and grasshoppers like a dragonfly over a pond. The irony of the large size of the Leviathan was that it was excellent for taking out large targets such as battleships but was totally inadequate in dealing with smaller targets that its designers didn't consider true threats.
"Admiral, we have one enemy Aestivalis unit. It seems to be intent on a suicide mission headed directly for us!" the tactical officer yelled.
"Send out some manned Gekigangar types then you fools!" the admiral yelled. The units were soon launched only to meet a rapid and ignominious demise at the hand of Suzuki's skill.
"What the hell!? Are pilots worth crap these days!" Kusakabe yelled. "Fire a gravity blast now!"
"Sir, she is too close. The cannons cannot target her at this range," the tactical officer responded.
Suzuki scanned the Jovian ship for anomalous particles associated with boson jumping. Once she found a section of the ship where those particles were most concentrated she dove in at maximum speed.
"This is so stupid," she thought. She should've not bothered with all this and just boson jumped into the ship to get Inez. But, her ability to jump so accurately and at will would have raised questions since her current alias said she was born on Earth. Questions she did not want to answer…not yet. As much as her life was at risk now, more would be at risk if her true identity was revealed. She would just have to rely on her skill and knowledge now. Now more than ever.
Inez looked nervously at the door as the security team made progress. They were three-fourths of the way through and were now on the last side of the door. She contemplated holding the operator hostage but knew that they would shoot him as soon as they would shoot her. So she just sat down and waited for the inevitable.
Inch by inch the torch made its way to the last corner. Finally the door was completely cut on all sides and the flame died away. Inez sighed. It was almost a metaphor for her life. A bright flicker of light and finally darkness. She was rarely sentimental but this seemed as good a time as any. Suddenly she heard gunshots and shouts of alarm. There was a huge thud as if someone had been thrown against the wall. Then there was silence. The door began to lean inwards and finally fell forward hitting the hangar floor with a loud thud. Inez looked up expecting to see harsh men with guns and was totally surprised by what she saw.
The security team lay motionless on the floor. The only person standing was someone in a space suit holding an attack rifle. The person walked in and Inez raised her hands as much in confusion as in surrender. The woman slung the rifle over her shoulder and removed her helmet to reveal a young woman with black hair and green eyes.
"You have nothing to fear Fressange-san. My name is Suzuki Miaka and I am here from the Nadesico to rescue you," she said bowing. Inez, completely confused on who this young woman from the Nadesico was and how she had fought her way into the ship, was nevertheless greatly relieved.
"So what is your escape plan?" Inez asked.
"We will jump back into the Nadesico through the jump cannon," she replied. Inez's face fell immediately at this suggestion.
"The cannon is deactivated from the bridge. That is why I could not escape earlier. It looks like we will die here together," Inez lamented.
"Oh really? Do you think my planning was that shallow? Contact the bridge." Suzuki commanded. Inez, curious at this line of reasoning, complied. Kusakabe's menacing face soon came up on the screen.
"It seems you UEF fools never run out of tricks doesn't it? It seems that Chairman Akatsuki knows you well Ms. Suzuki. Do not think you can escape us so easily though," he said.
"Listen fools. I have latched my Aestevalis to one of the reactors on this ship. I can remotely detonate its explosives and power supply. Reactivate the jump cannon now and let us through or risk me setting of a chain reaction that will reduce this ship to scrap," she shouted.
Kusakabe winced. His hologram disappeared and moments later the jump cannon again became operational. However, the Nadesico was now out of range. Inez pulled out her communicator again. "Nadesico, we need you to get back in range immediately! Nadesico!" Inez shouted.
"Captain, the jump cannon is active again," Ruri said.
"Captain, Inez is hailing us. She says they need us back in range," Megumi followed her. Yurika nearly gave the order but then hesitated. If they went back in could they get out alive? But Inez and Suzuki needed them there now.
"Megumi, alert the Cosmos and the Excalibur that we need to move back into range," she commanded. It wasn't long before she got her response.
"I refuse to support such foolishness! We were nearly killed the last time. If you go back in you will not have the Cosmos's support!" Erina said resolutely.
"Yurika, I don't see how we can win in another battle but if you go I will follow," Jun responded.
"Then you two fools go and get yourselves killed for nothing! I place a value on my life and crew thank you very much," Erina responded not bothering to hide her contempt.
"You will support Yurika or I'll shoot you down here and now!" Jun cried.
"Shoot me then! Either way we are all dead!"
"Silence! The Nadesico is going in. Alone if necessary. If you want to support us fine. If not, I will understand. This is my decision and I will bear full responsibility for it. I just cannot leave Inez when we have a chance to save her! Please, crew of the Nadesico, I beg of you to believe in me! We have never left each other behind and I refuse to start!" Yurika declared nearly yelling. "Akito, you believe in me right?" she asked turning to where he sat. But Akito gave her no reply. Akito was gone. "Akito! Where…." she started.
"AESTEVALIS LAUNCH!!" A cry came over the communicator. In a moment of shock and horror the realization came to her. Akito was going on a suicide mission to retrieve Inez.
"AKITO! NOO!!! You can't make it through this please!" Yurika implored him over the communicator.
"Yurika, the Jovian ship cannot handle small targets well. That's why Suzuki got through. I just need a few minutes. Yurika, I promise I'll come back," he said as he sped towards the ship weaving and dodging projectiles and grasshoppers as he struggled to get within range. Yurika stared at the screen as pale as a ghost. "Akito…" she whispered.
Meanwhile Inez and Suzuki were crouched behind the control console taking cover. Kusakabe had sent another security team down to stop them and the room filled with the staccato sound of gunfire and ricocheting bullets. Luckily, Inez had created a blocking program to prevent the bridge from shutting the jump cannon down again. Both she and Suzuki intermittently turned around to fire their pistol and rifle respectively at the advancing guard.
"Suzuki you fool, why didn't you jump? You and Inez could be out of here now!" Suzuki argued with herself. But if they found out, what would happen then? What would become of her? What would become of them? No, she could still escape. She must fight on.
It seemed hopeless until the cannon console beeped indicating a target was in range. Since it was automatically on target lock mode it locked on the nearest target and displayed it. In the wormhole they saw the cockpit of an Aestevalis with an intense and enraged Akito as its pilot.
"Here's our chance!" Inez yelled.
"Run for it, I'll cover you!" Suzuki yelled back as she loaded another clip. She pulled a grenade from her vest and threw it at their assailants. The guards scattered as they rushed to escape the bright and deafening explosion. Inez jumped up and ran flinging herself into the jump cannon portal.
"Alright, it's your turn now girl," Suzuki thought. Damn it! Why was she so obstinate about jumping?! Suzuki flung another grenade at the guards who were busy trying to regroup and in the flash and explosion she jumped up and ran towards the wormhole. Time seemed to move in slow motion as every step seemed to take an hour. Bullets smashed and reflected from the walls and floor around her but still she ran.
She made it to the edge and prepared to jump. Her right foot left the ground and as she started her leap she felt an exhilarating feeling of success and freedom. This feeling quickly turned to terror as she felt a jolt in her left calf which was followed by searing pain. This was followed by two other pains in her back and right shoulder. She never completed her jump and crumpled to floor felled by the lucky bullets from a Jovian submachine gun.
She immediately regretted her decision not to jump. Why had she been so foolish? Was any secret worth dying for? She had to jump now but now the pain was too great to allow her to focus her thoughts clearly. Through the smoke behind her she saw a figure emerge clad in attack gear. The guards where advancing. Barely conscious she swung her rifle around steadying the butt of it against the side of the jump cannon portal. Her only indication that she had succeeded in pulling the trigger was the guard's scream and sudden crumpling to the ground. The other approaching guards instantly took cover from her volley.
Suzuki knew she only had one hope left if any at all. With her last reserve of strength she dragged herself to the edge of the jump cannon and sat up. She seemed so calm and peaceful as she watched the guards take aim at her one by one. She pushed herself from the edge and fell back first into the portal barely avoiding the hail of bullets that followed.
"Where the hell is she!" Akito yelled as he became less and less adept at dodging the fire and automated attackers from the Jovian ship. In a sudden flash Suzuki Miaka appeared the back of the vehicle next to Inez who had previously jumped. Akito looked back at her and turned pale. She was bleeding everywhere. Inez instantly switched roles from physicist to doctor and began to try to tend to Suzuki with the Aesti's med pack.
"Akito, she's hit bad. We must get back to the Nadesico immediately!" Inez yelled.
"I know but I can't shake this fire!" he yelled.
"Well jump dammit! Can't you pull it off during times of stress?" Inez screamed.
Akito realized she was telling the truth. He was not quite good at it and he wasn't sure how he would do without Yurika but he had to try. He closed his eyes and began to focus. Think the Nadesico. Think Yurika. Think…
Akito's thoughts ended as a lucky shot from one of the Leviathan's turrets smashed into the side of the Aesti. He was thrown against the control panel and knocked unconscious. The Aesti began to weave and fly erratically as it lost all input from its controller. Inez put her hands to her mouth as if to suppress a scream she was sure would come.
"Akito..Oh No Akito!!!" she stammered.
Suzuki Miaka watched it all through the haze of a dream. So we are going to die she thought. Because of my stupidity, I'm going to die. And Inez. And Akito. God, Akito deserved it least of all. He was a good person. He didn't deserve to die any more than his parents did.
Then it came to Suzuki. Her secret was not worth all this. She had hidden herself for thirty years successfully and it had been worth it. But it wouldn't be worth this. She had caused sorrow in the past both in what she had done and what she had failed to do. Akito's parents hadn't had to die. She could have saved them. But her secret stopped her every time. Not this time. This time, even if it was the last time, even if this jump killed her she would do the right thing. She marshaled all the strength in her weak body and brought her mind in all its despair and agony to focus on one thing. The Nadesico, Akito's friends, even his lover Yurika.
She felt a small tingling under the pain and then a bright white light as their particles converted to the jump bosons and then felt a thud. They were back on the Nadesico. She reached and hit the button to open the Aesti's canopy. Inez looked at her in shock and amazement.
"Suzuki…how did you do this?" she started. Suzuki just stared at her and smiled. The last memories she had were of a panicked Seiya and the other mechanics hoisting her out of the vehicle. Then her senses dulled and she was swallowed by a serenity that seemed a relief compared to the pain of reality.
"You bastards how could you let them escape so easily! There will not be any promotions on this ship, indeed there will be only retribution!" Kusakabe screamed foaming at the mouth. Akatsuki winced at the admiral's tirade. He thought that he could get pissed but he began to realize that he may be dealing with someone more ruthless than himself.
"Follow and destroy them leaving only the Nadesico to be captured. NOW!!" Kusakabe ordered.
"Yes sir! We should easily…sir we have a problem!" the helmsman yelled.
"This whole damn day is one problem after another! What this time!?" Kusakabe ranted.
"Sir, the jump cannon is overloading. I fear it's going to collapse and detonate!" Kusakabe sat perplexed from a moment until the epiphany hit him.
"INEZ!!! Damn you all you UEF bastards! Jettison the cannon now! Hurry!" The helmsman complied but seconds later the ship was rocked by a massive explosion. The lights momentarily blinked out and then all power was restored once again. "Damage report!"
"We have lost 25% of our reactor capabilities and about 40% of our external guns. Also nearly half of our grasshoppers were vaporized by the shock wave," the helmsman said in shock. Everyone was tense. But Kusakabe said nothing. He just got up and went to his ready room. He had to or otherwise he was going to kill somebody.
"Oh God Akito!" Yurika cried as she hugged him, tears streaming down her face.
"Geez, Yurika it's only a minor concussion. I'll be out by morning," Akito said trying to reassure her.
"Don't you ever do that again!" she said punching him. The rest of the crew looked on in stupor at the scene.
"Oww! Are you trying to heal me or hurt me more?" he cried. "In any case the one I'm worried about is Suzuki," he said his head turning to her bed. Inez worked furiously as she struggled to save her. She had already gone into cardiac arrest once and was teetering over the void. Yurika looked up at her and realized Akito was right.
"Is she going to be OK?" Hikaru asked sitting up in her bed and observing the scene.
"What do you care after what she did?" Ryoko muttered.
"Ryoko, please let's let all of this lie. We did for Shiratori when we found he was good didn't we? After all…she helped me," Hikaru finished.
"What?! Are you mad?" Ryoko turned around and asked.
"I was in a coma for a while Ryoko, but I barely remember being awake for a moment and seeing Suzuki attend to me. Soon thereafter I was better. I don't know how but she helped me," Hikaru finished.
"Well she needs all the help she can get now," Inez commented. "And she has a lot of answering to do, not the least of which is how she boson jumped. Did you see the files your father and Jun sent over Yurika?" Yurika nodded.
"What files?" Akito asked. Yurika turned to him.
"Suzuki Miaka may have a good heart, but she is not what she seems Akito. I should have listened to my father. Typical of me…" Yurika told him.
Akito turned and looked at Suzuki's quiet frame. Whatever she was she had saved his life twice now. Whatever she was she was his friend. Or was she?
A/N: That's all for now kiddies. I really tried hard to make a Christmas deadline but sometimes life is all about stress and surprises so now I'm looking at after New Years or just maybe before then. I know a lot of Nadesico trivia buffs are going to wonder why I brought in boson jumping now. I saw Nadesico a while back but from what I remember jumping wasn't a casual thing until everyone got their brains messed with in the movie (which this storyline completely ignores). Therefore I assume no jumping on a dime. In any case this story would have been one-half a page long if everyone could jump where they wanted to. So suspend your disbelief and cut me some slack. Until next time.
