Full Metal Panic!
Chapter One
Seeker
By Steve Edward
Based on the original story by Shouji Gatou and the original animation series by Fumihiko Shimo, Koichi Chigira and Shouji Gatou, which these creative geniuses made Kaname Chidori, Sergeant Souska Sagara among the many in Full Metal Panic! come to life.
Author's note: TDD-2 does not exist in the current Full Metal Panic Universe. However if the name sounds familiar it is of a real person but who is no longer amongst us in this world. The Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2 is named after famed military historian and author Samuel Eliot Morison (1887-1976) whose military books among others chronicled military history of many nations.
Story time line: The author has set the story line taking place in the 2030's.
Preface: A Russian Artic Test Facility spells trouble for the crews of the Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1 and Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2, when Captain Testarossa has to get involved to stop an out-of-control Lambda Driver. The surprise delivery of a new Arbalest which requires a pilot of considerable skill adds another mystery when the officer, who accompanies the machine, soon becomes the new Chief Engineer of the Samuel Eliot Morison, and the discovery of a crystal utilizing extraordinary abilities to communicate is recovered much like the first crystal that was recovered by Mithril when the organization was still in its infancy, raises concerns because of what happened the last time as Captain Testarossa and Captain Simms soon find out as the Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2 new Chief Engineer is not really who she seems.
And now Full Metal Panic! Seeker
Sunday, 0200 hours, Artic Test Facility Franz Joseph Land, Artic Circle
They had been close many times in generating prolonged output from the Lambda Driver, but from equipment failures to wildly fluctuating outputs that had destroyed the power transfer systems, the scientific team rebuilt, replaced and redesigned the systems to a point where they felt they could control what amounted to was the power of a sun.
Outside the test facility it was a mere minus 28 degrees centigrade and with the wind chill factor it was minus 64 centigrade. Unless one was very well prepared for going outside the test facility, death would be nearly instantaneous.
The leading scientist gave an associate the nod to go ahead with the test and he sat back to monitor the numerous instruments.
Sunday, 1600 hours, Mithril Apartment Complex, Tokyo, Japan
Commander Drake Ward watched his son Ray as he tried to figure out a way to out maneuver his opponent who had turned back to the grill and was flipping the steaks. The opponent was his commanding officer, Captain Andrew Simms who looked around briefly then said "Drake you did say medium-well?"
Ray Ward seemingly at a loss spoke "Uncle Andy, I give up." Drake cocked his head slightly then said "Yes, medium-well. How about the game?" as Andrew moved the steaks to the warming plate, he said to Ray "Look at the black knight and my white bishops."
Ray Ward carefully turned the board, and then said "Nuts. I surrender," as he tipped his king. Drake, brows furrowed looked at the board then said "Nice double team."
Charlotte Ward bringing the salad from the kitchen in the Common Room, with Ensign Aryl passed the chess match then paused turning to look at the board as well spoke "How do you propose getting out of that in the first place Andrew?"
Ensign Aryl reached and turning the chess board around shuffled several pieces then said "Backing into a corner, leaving no option to retreat will be the undoing of the defender."
Ray Ward looking from the chess board to Ensign Aryl and back again spoke "It never fails. I get caught in a squeeze play." Andrew reached over and tipped his king.
Commander Lewis Strong replayed the satellite video once again in slow motion. No matter that the simple fact of what they were witnessing was the beginnings of an out of control reaction but that it was a Lambda Driver made it much more of a concern.
Captain Teletha Testarossa spoke "With what we know from utilizing the Lambda Driver in Arbalest, it takes more than just having a computer system to control the power, it takes a human to focus and channel the power that has been unleashed."
Lieutenant Kaname Chidori replied "Like Souska? When he focuses the output to generate a shield?" Teletha nodded then spoke "His mental visualizations of what he wants and how it would appear if solid and how strong it should be is converted at a higher level taking into account his perception of danger to himself and that of others."
Teletha spoke "Commander Kalinin? What efforts are being made to shut the driver down? Has any attempt been made to do so?" Lieutenant Commander Kalinin replied "Currently there has been no official acknowledgement of the situation, however remote shut down attempts have been made without success. It is believed Russian scientists not actually present at the test site will make an attempt to reach the facility to conduct a shut down if feasible."
Kaname replied "If feasible?" "Yes Lieutenant. It will be dependant on the human factor. They will have to have someone integrate with their control system that has some semblance recognizing mentally the control systems that regulate among other things power levels to being able to initiate an immediate shutdown."
Kaname spoke "You mean someone is hooked up to that driver like Souska is to Arbalest?" Teletha replied "In some sense yes, but likely not of their own free will, and as such who ever is controlling the driver system has easily by-passed the computer control systems which means anyone wanting to make such an attempt such down the system will have to face a considerable number of problems which includes getting through the security systems of the test installation."
The near silent chirp of the telephone announcing an incoming call interrupted the briefing. Commander Strong answered the call then silently passed the hand set to Captain Testarossa who acknowledged her presence on the line "Testarossa."
"Situation understood," as Teletha making notes returned the handset to Commander Strong spoke "Mithril has been officially requested to intervene. Recall the crew of the Tuatha de Danaan and prepare for departure at 2000 hours. Lieutenant Kaname Chidori you will sail with us. Lieutenant Commander Kalinin, notify Urzu 2, Urzu 6 and 7 that their services will be needed. That will be all."
Commander Strong spoke "Madam Captain? Shall I place the Samuel Eliot Morison to active stand-by status at this time?" Teletha getting up from her chair replied "Please do Commander. Have Captain Simms informed that he should be on Melida Island with his crew no later that 0800 hours tomorrow."
Sunday, 1900 hours, Mithril Apartment Complex, Tokyo, Japan
Captain Simms passed his suite case to Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu who with Sergeants Graham Jaunay and Olina Pederson was loading the personal effects. Lieutenant Alice Wren and Ensign Aryl exiting the apartment building were stopped by Charlotte Ward who gave each a small package then said "For the road so to speak. Be careful the both of you."
Andrew joined his executive officer Commander Drake Ward at the lead van then said "Mother instinct?" Drake taking in the hugs his wife was giving to each teen spoke "I guess it's because she never had a daughter, so she treats them as such especially Aryl."
Aryl, a "Whispered" originally from Africa had been rescued by Mithril over a year earlier. Her rescue had set off a chain of events that resulted in the rescue of a missionary who had carried Aryl to safety and whose life was being used as a bargaining chip. The end result was Aryl being cared for by Mithril an organization dedicated to protecting the "Whispered" and safe guarding technology. It had been Drake's and Andrew's first mission with the Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2, the sister ship to the Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1.
Charlotte Ward following after the two "Whispered" joined her husband and said "Well they have their snacks, so here is yours," as she hugged her husband and then stepping back waited for Wren and Aryl to board the van. Andrew pulled the door shut then looking back at Sergeant Major Wu who gave the signal that she too was ready spoke "Hopefully it will not be much of anything Charlotte. Usually the recall means we just have to be on the island when the Tuatha de Danaan is away with Captain Testarossa."
Charlotte Ward replied "Well for the record, try to stay out of trouble and take good care of Aryl and Wren, which by the way; when are you going to give Aryl a proper name? Calling her Ensign all the time, is just not proper for a young woman."
Drake glanced at Andrew who had heard the same request one too many times then said "Charlotte, when Aryl is good and ready she will decide on a proper name for herself and I am sure Andrew will support her decision." Charlotte stepping back placed her hands on her hips then said "Well be sure not to keep me in the dark about that. Take care all of you."
Sunday, 2100 hours, Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1
Sergeant Souska Sagara easily descended from Arbalest, having spent the last hour running systems checks on the Arms Slave. It was for all practical purposes the only known operational Arms Slave in existence equipped with the Lambda Driver Power System, at least to Sagara. The only other one had been called Venom and it and Arbalest had battled it out nearly two years ago. Venom and its pilot named Gauron were destroyed after Gauron had attempted to destroy the Tuatha de Danaan. Gauron who had set his Lambda Driver to overload, had been attached to the catapult system of the Tuatha de Danaan which was used by Kaname Chidori then a civilian to eject the terrorist and his Arms Slave to his death moments before it detonated.
Accessing the control panel, Sergeant Sagara gave the command to close the pilot module just as Lieutenant Kaname Chidori called out to him from across the hanger, "Souska! Stop playing with your toy. Did you not hear that Tessa wanted you and me in the briefing room!" as Souska turned around to face Kaname she was wielding her "fan", waving it menacingly in front him. Souska said "I regret Madam Chidori that I did not hear the announcement."
Kaname take a small step back as if the swing the "slapper" as he called it towards him. Without thinking of the consequences, Souska blocked her arm and then the other arm as Chidori tried to switch hands. "Souska, you are going to pay for that! Spinning abruptly, Kaname sent the hapless sergeant over her head and onto the deck, much to the bemusement of those on the hanger deck. Now virtually eye to eye Souska spoke to Kaname "Ouch that stings Miss Chidori!" as Kaname replied back "What did you just call me sergeant?" Sagara picking himself up off the deck replied "My apologies, it should have been lieutenant, Madam Lieutenant."
Captain Teletha Testarossa adjusted the waveform display then said "In a side by side comparison the power readings a virtually identical, however the one glaring difference is what I call the control wave. The Arbalest's waveform is on the right; the Artic Lambda Driver is on the left. Sergeant Sagara's control wave is very precise, stable. The reading of the Artic Lambda Driver is erratic, fluctuations rampant."
Kaname spoke softly as if in a trance "Fear, pain, and confusion. Inability to fully see, touch, smell or feel," then Kaname's voice faded to silence. Sergeant Sagara said "I briefly experienced the same phenomenon when I activated Arbalest the first time." Teletha tapping a key then speaking "Sergeant Sagara, you were of course coached by Lieutenant Chidori then a civilian at the time; and Kaname if you will gave the direction to focus your emotional state to control the output of the Lambda Driver."
"Then what we are seeing is a person without guidance facing sensor overload, and they are creating barriers to protect themselves," said Lieutenant Chidori.
Lieutenant Commander Andrei Kalinin replied "That is correct lieutenant and in this instance they have erected a barrier preventing direct access to the facility and this barrier has extended beyond the facility severing all communication. What is going on within is now unknown; but we can presume that whoever was linked to the control system did not go voluntarily and now out of fear with no guidance they are in a self-preservation state."
Captain Testarossa spoke "Our mission is to gain entry and shut down the driver. It is critical that we do so within the next six days otherwise as the scale of power that is being released is proportional to increased disruption of the earth's magnetic field and the generation of heat. Under normal circumstances as we have been informed there is a series of heat exchangers that radiate the generated heat residue to the atmosphere. However because those heat exchangers are now within the generated barrier field, if an uncontrolled release of heat takes place there is considerable probability of a sudden ice melt that would result in a rise of most oceans by as much as ten meters or more. Then the magnetic field itself because of the disruption will shift causing wide spread failure throughout the worlds electrical grids and of course there would be the associated changes of the earth's atmosphere. The probability of sudden weather changes also exists."
Lieutenant Chidori spoke "What do me and Souska have to do with this mission?" Lieutenant Commander Kalinin replied "You and Sergeant Sagara will be tasked with penetrating the barrier that now surrounds the facility by utilizing Arbalest. We can presume that whoever was placed within the control chamber of the driver is under the influence of drugs, the very same which we believe they had attempted to use against you nearly two years ago." "You mean they have a "Whispered"?" said Kaname. "We can presume so," said Tessa who cleared the monitor then said "I will work closely with you in merging techniques. The skills that you will learn will allow you to merge with an unprepared "Whispered" much as I did with you two years ago. You goal will be to remove the subject then which will allow Sergeant Sagara to take control of the driver and do a controlled shut down." Kaname sat back in her chair then said "How long will it take us to get there?"
Lieutenant Commander Kalinin spoke "At current speed, three days to the closest launch point. However the changes taking place within the Artic Circle itself will present a navigational challenge as much of the ice shelf is already breaking away causing significant disruptions. We will upon arrival to the closest launch point deploy by air Arbalest, and two M9's. Urzu 2 Sergeant Major Mao will be in charge with Urzu 6 providing support till you and Urzu 7 can penetrate the barrier. The early launch will give you three days to get into the facility, if however access proves to be impossible then we will have to seek another way into the facility."
Monday, 0700 hours, Melida Island Mithril Western Pacific Combat Support Base
If it was not its twin, the Arms Slave in the kneeling position was darn close as far as Captain Simms was concerned. The sound of the electric wheel chair approaching made him turn away and greet Commander Lewis Strong as he came to a stop at what passed as the right knee joint. "Commander Strong? Lewis, I thought there was only one of these things?" Commander Strong leaned back taking in the Arms Slave then said "Delivered early this morning, not even activated for the pilot. Captain Simms meet Arbalest II." Then turning the chair, Commander Strong slowly wheeled his chair about the Arms Slave followed by Captain Simms. Lewis spoke "We have been in the process of finding a pilot. Captain Testarossa recorded a message for you; I'll play it back in Briefing. You may not like what you will hear."
"Circumstances require that a second Arbalest be fielded. You will have until 1600 hours today to allow time for familiarization of its operating systems then it will be deployed onboard the Samuel Eliot Morison. Upon arrival at designated launch point, your Arbalest Unit will deploy with combat support from Urzu 10, 11, and 12 which will link up with Urzu 2, 6 and 7. We will be waiting for your arrival to the east of the base, Testarossa out."
The screen flickered briefly, then displayed the crest of the Tuatha de Danaan, as Captain Simms sitting with Commander Strong pushed his chair back, "So in sense the need to have two Arbalests creating an entry point to the facility can not be circumvented."
Commander Strong spoke, "Mithril ran the numbers repeatedly. Do you want to tell her? Or should I?" Andrew Simms replied "I'll do it. She is part of my crew. Have Urzu 10, 11, and 12 muster at the training hanger ASAP, then general notification for the crew of the Samuel Eliot Morison. We will sortie as ordered."
Monday, 0800 hours, Melida Island Arms Slave Combat Training Center
Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu stood at parade rest with her combat team. Wu, call sign Urzu 10 was team leader. Sergeant Graham Jaunay call sign Urzu 11 and Sergeant Olina Pedersen call sign Urzu 12 made up the remainder. Before them were Captain Andrew Simms and Commander Drake Ward, respectfully the commanding officer and executive officer of the Samuel Eliot Morison.
It had not been expected that Captain Simms would conduct a surprise muster that included the M9 Arms Slaves that she and her team operated. The light hearted banter from yesterday was gone; his terse commands had replaced that. "Sergeant Major Wu, what is the normal prescribed period of time required for training a pilot of an Arms Slave?"
Wu coming to attention spoke, "Sir! Normal training requirements is eight weeks simulator, followed by eight weeks of controlled field operational drills in various Arms Slave training units followed by eight weeks of joint training with operational front line units before deployment or placement with a front line combat unit, Sir!"
Commander Ward observing the slight nod from Captain Simms spoke into a portable radio "Ok, Crew Chief. Open the doors," as Captain Simms ordered Wu and the combat team to at-ease.
Sergeant Olina Pederson the closest to the hanger turned to watch the doors open and her green eyes focused up not only the Arms Slave that was within the hanger, but the combat dressed pilot, whose diminutive height was nearly obscured by the shadow that was cast as she stood next to the right knee joint. Sergeant Major Wu's eyes too flicked back and forth but between Captain Simms, Commander Ward and the pilot then to the machine. Wu then said "I can assume you are very serious sir?"
Captain Simms stepped forward and because of the height difference between he and Wu he had to look up said "Yes, I am dead serious. You have seven hours before we load Arbalest II onto the Morison to accomplish what I am ordering you to do. I am entrusting Ensign Aryl into your capable hands."
Ensign Aryl stepped from the shadow and into the sunlight then said "Sergeant Major Wu, Ensign Aryl reporting as ordered."
Guan-yin nearly speechless returned the salute then grabbed Captain Simms by the collar and said "With all due respect Sir! I can not! She is but a child!" Andrew frowned, and then replied as he removed Wu's hands from his collar "I don't have a choice. Show her how to operate the control systems of the Arbalest." Commander Ward stepped in between Wu and Simms then said "Sergeant Major, Ensign Aryl is the only one we have found that can link with the Arbalest's Lambda Driver. She along with your combat team will be joining Urzu 2, 6 and 7 along with Lieutenant Kaname Chidori to gain entry into a test facility which has a run-a-away Lambda Driver. A full briefing will be given after we sail this afternoon. Carry out the orders."
Sergeant Graham Jaunay spoke "Sergeant Major! Let's give the lucky blighter a chance; might prove interesting to see her in action." Wu stepped back then said "Very well then, lets see if she can even get into it without using a step ladder!" as Wu turned around to look for Ensign Aryl the young girl was gone, but not very far as Ensign Aryl spoke from atop Arbalest II opening the cockpit "You mean like this, Sergeant Major?" Wu craning her neck back finding Aryl perched at the edge of the cockpit replied "Yes Ensign. Exactly like that. Stay there, I will be up in a moment."
Captain Simms had turned and was walking away as Commander Ward spoke to Sergeant Major Wu "Like it or not, Guan-yin it must be done. Oh yeah, don't you ever do what you did to Andrew again, he will not tolerate it a second time; that will be all dismissed."
Monday, 0930 hours approximate, Artic Test Facility Franz Joseph Land, Artic Circle
The shimmering barrier had stabilized and was surrounding the test facility at a full two kilometers from the original building that house the Lambda Driver. The scientist turned to the military commander, a Russian General then said "The last attack failed to even penetrate. How many more are you willing to sacrifice?"
The general observing the distant burning wreckage of the last aircraft replied "That will be the last attempt. Your comrades by keeping this project to themselves have succeeded in causing our government to seek help. You are hereby directed to return to Moscow to answer more direct questioning. My job is now of containment. Now leave."
The general returned his attention back to the distant barrier; though beautiful in one sense it was deadly in another. It seemed alive and even when attacked from four different sides; it had shrugged off the largest of the conventional warheads that he had available to him, and each time the barrier had seemed to reach out and touch the attacking aircraft with impunity and sudden death, and there was nothing he or anyone else could do about it.
Monday, 1100 hours, Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1
"So they attempted again?" asked Captain Testarossa as she returned the video screen to normal display. Lieutenant Commander Andrei Kalinin replied "Yes Madam Captain, Russian forces using the largest conventional warheads available attempted to breach the barrier. The entire strike force consisting of 12 aircraft and 24 men and women were lost."
"So one hand of their government failed to reveal the existence of the project which in turn brought forth another attempting to stop the run-a-way, and 24 people died." Lieutenant Chidori turning away, her fists clenched tightly in anger looking at Tessa as she did so.
Teletha spoke, "Lieutenant Chidori, the sad facts is that governments will conduct projects that some within those governments consider worthwhile both in the economic sense and military sense. However, such cases of research can be troubling because many have little or no understanding of what they are dealing with or are acting on false or misconstrued research; and regrettably when something goes wrong it leaves those in the dark to try to fix the mistakes made by others."
Sergeant Major Wu was puzzled but wary. Aryl had successfully initiated Arbalest II with no difficulty and on her first try not only maneuvered it successfully without falling down as many beginning pilots before her, but had upon her orders navigated to the Arms Slave Combat Training Area where for the past two hours Aryl had begun testing the limits of the Arbalest against her own M9 and those of Urzu 11 and 12.
Now Wu was having a problem in locating Aryl. ECS use was negative so where was Aryl and the Arbalest? The groaning of stressed wood caught her attention and as Wu turned her M9, the bottom section of a tree complete with roots slammed into the mid-section of her M9 driving it backwards and down with Wu blurting out loud in shock "A freaking tree?"
Aryl spoke "Yes a tree. What were you expecting Sergeant Major?" Wu furious with underestimating Aryl lashed out, but the M9's hand only slashed empty air. Sergeant Olina Pederson charging from the left of Wu, raising her 37 MM canon to fire found the roots of the uprooted tree shoved into her weapon. The paint bullet discharging splattered sending paint onto her and Wu below; now both women were furious. Sergeant Graham Jaunay charging from the rear and lining up a shot went into a deliberate skid across the ground. Sighting the rear of Arbalest II perfectly within his sights he fired, sending a 37 MM paint round towards Aryl. Aryl sensing the attack activated the Lambda Driver, and then leaped skyward; using a still surprised Sergeant Pederson as leverage whose M9 was driven into the ground to its knee joints, leaving the hurtling 37 MM paint round to impact on her head sensors.
Seemingly twisting in mid-air, it was the first time Aryl would draw and fire the 50 MM hand canon, the single shot directed at Sergeant Jaunay own M9. Graham two word response came to Wu's ears "Oh frag!" then she felt Graham's M9 as it too toppled to the ground.
"Shut the exercise down Range Master," said Captain Andrew Simms. Starting the jeep, Andrew shifted into gear and then descended into the training area. Sergeant Olina Pederson unable to extract her M9 released the pilot hatch then climbing out looked below finding Wu's M9 beneath turned to climb towards the left side when Aryl spoke "Do you need a lift Sergeant?" Olina seeing the outstretched arm and hand of Arbalest II waved then said "Ok Aryl, down to the ground please."
Graham sliding from his cockpit to the ground walked the length of Wu's M9 till he arrived at the now open cockpit where Wu still in her pilot seat looked skyward. Graham spoke "Guan-yin? That timid looking little girl just kicked our butts!" Wu cocked her eyes towards Graham and said "That is an understatement. Now please help me out of here."
Bringing the jeep to a stop, Captain Simms exited the vehicle and walked towards what anyone would call a train wreck then stopping next to the kneeling Arbalest he said "Ensign Aryl, please come out of there."
Monday, 1400 hours, Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2
Chief Engineer Major Azura Roux entered the main briefing room and closing the door behind her, found a seat next to Doctor George Albert. Albert rose briefly to greet the replacement engineer, "Major Roux, one hopes to find you well this day?" Azura smiling as she took her seat replied "I am doing well doctor as are my engines."
Captain Andrew Simms spoke "I am calling the briefing to order. A quick introduction is in order; please welcome onboard our new chief engineer Major Azura Roux, late of Mithril Europe. We can do a more formal welcome later this evening, now onto other matters."
Andrew tapped the keyboard bringing up a still image of the artic test facility then said "Captain Testarossa is about 18 hours ahead of us and it was after she sailed that additional information concerning this facility located in the Artic Circle came to light. Major Roux if you would continue for us."
Azura took the place of Captain Simms and inserting a data chip into the consol then spoke "Mithril has been dealing with governments who have been experimenting with the Lambda Driver System. In this instance, Mithril aware of the facility had been monitoring it from afar until the incident on Sunday morning when an uncontrolled reaction took place. While in Europe, I had been part of a Mithril operations team dedicated to locating laboratories involved in Lambda Driver research and that of the "Whispered". Very recently Mithril Europe had shut down such an operation, but unfortunately we missed one."
"A driver research center or a "Whispered" center?" asked Lieutenant Taz Norton. Major Roux replied "A "Whispered" center unfortunately, Lieutenant Norton and they had removed one subject from the facility before our raid took place, but we still freed two from their chambers of horrors."
Doctor George Albert spoke "I reviewed the medical records of the two that you rescued Major, the attempt to remove or ease the mental barriers with the cocktail of drugs left both with short term memory loss." Major Roux tapping a key spoke "Yes that is true Doctor Albert, but the cocktail of drugs used also affected the emotional balances. Things that we use in our everyday lives, love, hate, fear, compassion etc., were disrupted. It is these emotions that play a part in controlling the Lambda Driver."
"The distorted control wave is a that of one who is a self-preservation state," said Ensign Aryl as Major Roux having changed to another display turned around seeking the voice of who had spoken. "So it is you little one." Andrew, uneasy with the sudden interest by Major Roux in Ensign Aryl said "Major?" Aryl replied "She taught me Andrew."
"We will discuss the past later with the good captain little one, but now for the part that you and Sergeant Sagara must do," as Azura focusing her attention back to the display screen spoke "The barrier created by the Lambda Driver at the artic test site, can be penetrated with the combined outputs of the two Lambda Drivers on Arbalest and Arbalest II but we have a narrow window to do so. Both Aryl and Sagara will create a barrier shield of their own which will encompass the combined combat teams of the Tuatha de Danaan and the Samuel Eliot Morison. As a group they will enter the barrier when in harmony then proceed to the central building complex housing the Lambda Driver and the "Whispered" that is obviously in a shield control center much like that of the chapels on the Tuatha de Danaan and the Samuel Eliot Morison."
Commander Ward spoke "Well that is all well and good, but you said we have a narrow window and of course sending them in an air-deployment will help but 17 hours or more is pushing it. Why not just send them by heavy transport?" Major Roux replied "The magnetic fields are being severely affected. The last attempt by the Russians proved that. Insertion by air-to-ground will be the only option, and I am going to make sure that those 17 hours are going to be made up by the Samuel Eliot Morison. The first team will be on the ground for no more than 6 hours before Arbalest II and Wu's team lands." Captain Simms spoke "I consider that viable. Chief, get below and do your thing with the engines, let's make up some time. The briefing is adjourned."
Monday, 1800 hours, Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1
If Kaname comprehended the complex schematic she had drawn she did not say anything directly but she pointed out the key components, "Central junction and distribution pathway. Much smaller on the Arbalest of course, but the test site obviously wanted power and lot's of it. Notice the focal points, they are equa-distant there is no variance. To control the flow of power is a magnetic dampening field which in turn is controlled by the operator of the Lambda Driver. The feed back is much like that of emotional responses. The feed back works in reverse of course and the greater the threat felt by the operator the control field is reduced increasing power exponentially."
Captain Testarossa replied "Then we can assume that placement of the test facility was no accident. The scientists wanted to use the increased magnetic fields to increase total power output, not realizing that these stray magnetic fields would affect the operator?"
Lieutenant Chidori pausing if in reflection spoke "In part yes. The magnetic field of earth is not fully stable, constantly in a state of flux. If the operator is exposed to such feed back, unless they can filter the extraneous impulses they will assume that are under constant threat." Lieutenant Commander Kalinin spoke "Much like the impulse feedback of the TAROS system, Madam Captain. Sensorial input from the Tuatha de Danaan own sensor systems are heavily filtered and have safety interlocks. One becomes the Tuatha de Danaan as Tuatha de Danaan in essence becomes the operator." "Only there are no filtering systems or safety interlocks now in existence at the test site," said Teletha as she focused her attention back to Kaname and merging with Kaname "Thank you, Kaname. That will be all for now."
Kaname blinked then looked down at what she had drawn then said "And I have carried that for all this time?" Teletha replied "That and much more, Kaname."
Monday, 2300 hours, Melida Island Mithril Western Pacific Combat Support Base
The image of the Van Allen belt brought to a heightened state by the out of control Lambda Driver was both beautiful to the eye and frightening to look at. It gave representation to the earths magnetic fields, following the invisible magnetic fields that surrounded the earth. The aurora borealis and its sibling, the aurora australis normally not visible below 60 degrees North or South latitude had extended well beyond to near 40 degrees latitude North and South. A joint NTA and NTM, Notices to Airmen and Mariners had been issued signifying deteriorating conditions in the latitudes north of 50 degrees. Navigational systems were being affected and with electronic systems becoming inoperative or giving false information; the likelihood of encountering difficulties would be assured.
Commander Strong turned his attention back to the world status board, where various trouble spots were highlighted around the globe. It was no surprise to see the artic circle in red. The position markers of both the Tuatha de Danaan and Samuel Eliot Morison were updated constantly and the projected courses and then the speeds of both submarines were displayed along with other pertinent information. Lewis unsure of what he was seeing highlighted both submarines to view a side by side comparison then issued a low whistle while speaking out loud to himself "I wonder if Tessa even knows Andrew is coming that fast? They said Roux was good, but damn that is incredible."
Major Azura Roux within the main control room of the engineering plant of the Samuel Eliot Morison was standing with her palms flat on the control consol, and anyone seeing her at the moment would assume she was contemplating something.
Roux, reached for a control dial and imperceptibly turning it returned to her previous stance, musing silently as she did so "Much better. Jean-Paul would be proud…"
Petty Officer Kayla Carter heard the beep and swallowed after looking at the speed indicator, then said to no one in particular "At this speed, air bags and seatbelts won't make any difference." Lieutenant Marcy Takenaka replied "I certainly agree helmsman, just be on your toes if the auto-pilot goes out." Another beep, likely another adjustment by Roux, as Carter glanced at the readout which displayed 103.5 knots through the water.
Tuesday, 0400 hours, Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1
Surfaced and running at 20 knots, the Tuatha de Danaan prepared for the launch of the strike team. Commander Richard Mardukas within the sail of the submarine peered intently into the surreal seascape before him then said "Madam Captain, the area is clear visually; however one can see the effects of the Lambda Driver."
The lightning that danced above the submarine was of course several thousand kilometers in distance, but still adding to the aurora borealis's array of colors it would have been impressive had he just been sight seeing.
The magnetic compass was spinning wildly, seeming to punctuate the effects of the lightning as it danced about the near atmosphere, high above the earth. Commander Mardukas hearing the launch alarm turned his attention back to the flight deck as the strike team took their launch positions.
"Urzu 2 and 6 in position, ready for launch," said Sergeant Major Melissa Mao. On the catapult next to her, Sergeant Kurz Weber spoke "Nice flying weather we have today."
Mao replied "Can it, Urzu 6. Just watch your instruments; I doubt our ECS will work too, so stay sharp!"
Lieutenant Kaname Chidori in the jump seat of Sagara's Arbalest spoke "Where is the parachute and life preserver?" as the Arbalest was moved into position. Sagara replied "I will show them to you later, now brace for take off Lieutenant Chidori." Kaname's reply was cutoff as Arbalest was catapulted skyward.