Chapter 13: Watering The Seed of Doubt

November 2nd. 07:33 PM.

(PX.)

[Meiya]

After the afternoon's event, Shirogane returned to the lower floors and we haven't seen him since. He didn't return to his room and didn't come to have dinner, according to Kyouzuka-san.

While we were taken aback by his sudden proposition to join him in his mission, those machines were definitely marvelous. I can't stop feeling jealous of him, he's skilled, knowledgeable, and has whatever it is that's necessary to aid the Vice Commander in her developments. How could I ever compare? Even after what I learned yesterday…

"I still think you're being too paranoid, today you treated him horribly! He was just trying to show us some new ways to train. Imagine what we could learn with those things!" Yoroi complained to Sakaki about today's training.

We had to talk things through with everyone during lunch today, to tell them to let us test Shirogane. We couldn't tell them what we found out, but they still agreed to be more tactful with him and let us control the situation.

Of course, all that went out of the window when he proposed us to keep training with him. And even after that, those machines… The WMTS, such an advanced machine, to be able to make those images move. I have not seen anything like it, it was truly more 'awesome' than the MMTS, and that was already quite impressive.

Yet, I cannot see how we could embark in such an endeavor with the UN, considering how much the Empire is struggling to make ends meet. I doubt we have the resources or the tech to start that kind of project. And, if we did, I doubt it would be handed to the UN for testing. Why did he lie about them being Japanese inventions?

"I really think we should apologize. Takeru didn't deserve that."

"Then Yoroi, why did you not join him in his training?" She cannot hold my gaze, she starts fiddling with her hair.

I'm envious of you, you can be so honest with yourself. I also wanted to see what one could gain through those machines, but if they come from America… And if he approves of their use…

"…I think we should all work together to pass the CCSE. Antagonizing him like this will only make things worse." Yoroi said as she returned her attention to her dinner.

"That's assuming he is going to help us." The venom pouring from Sakaki's voice was apparent. Tamase rested her spoon and, after a noticeable moment of stillness, spoke up.

"I… I think we need to have a talk with him. He may not be able to tell us everything about where he comes from, but if we make it clear that we want to trust him, I'm sure he'll open up a bit." I wish I could be as positive as you, I suppose that is yet another difference between my upbringing and theirs.

"He'll just dodge the question." Ayamine, who had remained silent until now, squinted her eyes as she spoke up.

"Ayamine-san, please. We need to try. Mitsurugi-san, what do you think we should do?"

"I… do not have an answer yet." Not when I still don't know as much as I would like to know about this.

"Why not?" Ayamine was sending a dubious look at me with one finger on her cheek.

"Because there's something I'd like to confirm."

"What is there to confirm? Mitsurugi, if you don't want to tell them then I-" I meet Sakaki's gaze, she swallows her words.

"Sakaki, I would like to ask you to give me more time. You all already know that I cannot simply ask for information whenever I please. I would like to make my decision based on hard data, not on an emotional outlook." That's easier said than done, however. Shirogane, who are you really? I want to know, I want to trust you. But you are a too grand mystery, I cannot let my guard down around you.

"Fine. I'll say nothing for now." She taps her glasses, sighing. "Then let's change the topic, it's already November. The CCSE is around the corner but I would like us to discuss possible ways we can deal with it. Now that we have gotten such a hellish training, and that we have confirmed that Shirogane has ties to America since he's involved in the development of those simulators, we can expect a lot more obstacles than last time."

"Sakaki, I told you to not make such a rash judgment. Please, leave the matter to me." This time, however, her gaze doesn't waver. She moves her hair out of her face as she shrugs.

"Oh, really? Then what should we do? We need to start thinking on a way to neutralize him, in the case that he turns against us. Those machines, his skill and knowledge of guns, how he defended the use of English over our own language. He's clearly influenced by the American Way. Moreover, if he became our enemy, I fear that even with all of us fighting together we would come short in trying to stop him." I nod in agreement, leaving my gaze on my plate.

Remembering this morning practice sent a chill down my spine. Now I'm sure of it, he is using the Mugen Kidou. However, where and how did he learn of it? Is he a traitor? Perhaps, a fellow in disguise? Is that why Tsukuyomi approached him before? However, if he was trained in our style… Why was he in America?

"So Chizuru-san, what are you suggesting we do? Harm him?" Yoroi did not like where the conversation was going.

"I don't know what to do about him. That's why I'm asking you all. I also want him on our side, but he may abandon us when we need him the most." She raises both hands in a defeatist way as she sighs.

"Can't we just abandon him first?"

"Ayamine-san, please don't say that!" Tamase sent a glare at Ayamine, she is very sensitive when it comes to our constant infighting.

"Then what do we do?" She returns the gaze and Tamase falls silent, holding her hands close to her chest.

"He is stronger, faster, smarter and has more endurance than all of us. It won't be an easy fight." Sakaki was serious about the idea, it seems. I know why, but even so, I would like to confirm our findings before we have this conversation.

"Um… I don't think he'll betray us." Tamase said as she poked at her food.

"Tamase, you're too naive." She shook her head, again tapping her glasses. "If he's from the American Army, he won't hesitate to leave us behind if we become a burden to him. I cannot trust someone like that!" She raised her voice, sounding somewhat agitated.

"Sakaki, stop. There's no reason to treat Tamase with such harshness."

"Mitsurugi, stand down. I am the Squad Leader, it's my responsibility to keep order in our team. If she is doubting we have to address this, now." I can't argue with that, I know she is right. But Sakaki, your way of doing things is just…

"I don't see a bad person in Shirogane-san, I think he's trying his best to fit in, despite how we're treating him." Tamase was doing her best to hold Sakaki's accusing glare. "I am kind of jealous of his skill, and I would like to know where he learned all he knows but, to go as far as treating him like a traitor? That's too much."

"Then, you're on his side?" Sakaki changed her tone to a small, slow whisper. In doing so, she sounded far more threatening than before. She adjust her glasses, leaning forward to meet Tamase's gaze, who cannot hold it and flees away from her eyes.

"No… S-Since when are there sides in this? Aren't we all part of the same squad?" Her hands began to shake.

"Sakaki, that's enough. We shouldn't be-" Without even registering me, she continues to talk.

"Tamase, think about this please. If he is indeed a Cadet, why is he so skilled? Why is he the tester for those machines? Why does he address the XO so casually? I find it preposterous to think other Cadets are trained like we are being as of now." All of that is true. Shirogane does not seem to be a Cadet, no matter how you look at him.

"…You're right. Sorry." She hangs her head, not wishing to further the discussion.

"Don't apologize, Tamase. It's not like I don't understand your or Mitsurugi's concerns. But… I can't let you down again. It's my fault that we failed the last CCSE, so I can't let anything get in our way this time." She returns to her usual position, hanging her head. So it's still bothering you.

"Chizuru-san, don't say that. There's no need to go reopening those wounds." Yoroi gave her a pat in the shoulder.

"She's right, though." Ayamine, must you?

"Ayamine-san, please don't-"

"No, Tamase. Let's hear her out." Tapping her glasses yet again, she narrowed her gaze as she looked at Ayamine. "Do you have anything else to say to me?" I wish I could stop them, but they won't hear my words. It's always like this, these two are too prideful.

"You didn't listen to me. We should have not used the toolkit on the bridge, and now you're doing the same. You speak over us, using your position as the leader to give your opinion more weight. You're no soldier, you're a politician." Her scowl and hateful tone resurfaced once again. I send a gaze to Yoroi, and she slowly moves to the edge of the table.

If they start fighting again, we will have to call for the Instructor. Even if she is already fed up with us and this will only result in another hour of lectures about teamwork. Sigh… I wish I could do more than give advice and logical arguments. Why can't I convince them to stop fighting with my words?

"Oho, and why don't you try to actually take part in our conversation, instead of throwing one liners all the time? And I am your leader, my orders are absolute. If you don't obey your orders, you'll bring chaos to your team."

"That's not true. Orders in the field are not absolute, there's never one surefire way to say which decision is the best. That's why command is split into many small teams, and why it's recommended to soldiers to give immediate reports if they see any change in the situation. Taking two seconds to consider a suggestion can make the difference between victory and defeat."

"Now you sound like Shirogane when he questions some of our lectures, are you on his side? Also, taking time to consider what? Those at the top have more intel than whatever a soldier could see. If you want such freedom, you have to scale the ranks."

"Superiors who don't take advice from their comrades are trash. Your rank doesn't make you better than your subordinates. Also, there's the chance to have an inept or corrupt commander. What would you do if you're given orders that go against the Empire while you fight under the UN's flag? You'll accept them because they're orders? Such loyalty to our nation." Sakaki lost her poker face, now being clearly gritting her teeth.

"You two, stop this. We should be-"

"Mitsurugi, stand down. My loyalty is with the Empire, Ayamine. I can't say the same about the daughter of a pair of traitorous pigs who joined hands with the Americans, and now is defending someone that seems to be an American soldier through and through. Must run in the blood." Ayamine's face twists into a look of pure rage. Yoroi gets up to go look for the Instructor, I need to calm them down at the least.

"Stop this! We shouldn't be fighting among ourselves in this way. Both of you have to calm down, this is what caused us to fail last time." But it's as if they didn't hear me.

"Wanna go outside, princess?"

"Fine by me, traitor."

By the Holy Emperor, not again. They leave the PX towards the track field, without losing eye contact as they got up. Why did Ayamine pick a fight with her? Was she defending Shirogane? Then why was she so harsh with him during this afternoon? Or perhaps… she was annoyed Sakaki spoke so harshly to Tamase? I can only sigh and shake my head, send a hand to my forehead.

"Mitsurugi-san, is this really for the best?" Tamase was quivering as we watched them leave the PX.

"Leave them be, Tamase. They will never listen to us."

"Um… So about Shirogane-san, do you have… an idea on what to do if he does abandon us?"

"…No. I have no idea what to think of him at the moment, to be honest." I want to trust him, truly I do. I don't see a bad person in him. But my success comes first. I cannot fail this CCSE or it's back to prison for me. And if he turns out to be a traitor…

"Do you suspect him too?"

"I have my doubts. He did seem honest when I approached him yesterday, but…" He lost two friends, he wasn't lying. But then, why was he sent here? And from where? Did… Sister sent you to me? Is that why your records are locked?

"But what? Did he say something harmful?" Her brows arched, her voice stirred imitating the sounds of shattering glass.

"No, nothing of the sort. I just wish to confirm something about him with my sources, that's all."

"Alright, if you say so. Sorry, for making a scene with the leader. It's my fault they're fighting again." She hangs her head as affliction shows itself in her face with the brightness of an eclipse. You worry too much about everyone, Tamase.

"Please don't apologize, it's not your fault. You of all people should know how stubborn rivals can be." She laughs weakly.

"Yes, that's true. Oh, Yoroi-san! What happened with the Instructor?" Yoroi scratched her head while sighing, one eye closed.

"She's calling us for another personal lecture in her room, she's currently going to the track field to stop those two. She seems really angry this time, more than usual." And to make matters worse, Shirogane won't be there with us to somehow put her in a good mood like he always does.

Sigh… I guess I'll have to go talk with Tsukuyomi tomorrow. As we go to the Instructor's room, I detach myself from what's in front of me, choosing instead to relieve my battle with him today. It was hard to keep my eyes to myself today during our trainings. My blade has never felt this kind of… pull from someone else. Trading blows with him, a heat wave surged from me, I couldn't control myself as we danced together. For the first time in months, I forgot about the dark cloud that ingrained itself in the back of my head, about this cold drill on my chest.

I just thought about you, my eyes focused on those two magnets that glared at me, my hands looking forward to that shiver that came when I parried your swings. I didn't want our duel to end, it was too… pleasurable, as shameful as it is to admit. I enjoyed every second of it like nothing in my life, I never thought that sparring seriously against another Mugen Kidou user could fill me with so much sunshine. It was like peering into a window, to remember my lessons with Tsukuyomi, those so distant peaceful days with Grandfather.

Even when I did an effort I was throughly bested again, and that has only made me more curious about you. Shirogane… Who are you? An American? Or, perhaps, are you truly a fellow of mine?

November 10th. Near 6 PM.

(Yuuko's Office.)

[Takeru]

"…and that's the whole mission. I do not need to remind you that I expect you to be on your best behavior and obey all my orders."

"Yes, Sensei. I know." I roll my eyes, making her sigh. "So, what will my callsing be?"

"You'll be given the codename Viking, and outside of my orders you'll have to follow Isumi's too."

"Roger. I'm deploying in a Kagerou, right?"

"Yes, you'll recognize it immediately. It's a midnight blue one, with all the new parts we made and the polished XM3 prototype installed. I also made some quick adjustments to its joints like you asked me, that should give you a bit more dexterity but be careful with how many weapons you use, that stunt of carrying more than full load on the Gekishin won't work this time."

"But can't I play a Gun Sweeper role? I mean with four weapons I could-"

"Shirogane, you had five weapons back then. And if you had an additional pylon in your back, I'm sure you would have used it too. Stick to using four weapons, along the Retractable PR Daggers. Was I clear?" I can't really object here. She is right, I can't screw up against the BETA.

"Yes, Sensei. I'll hold back on my stunts. Will I be deployed alongside the Valkyries?"

"Yes, but I modified your comms to distort your voice and block image feedback. Last thing we need is a rumor about a Cadet that's already on the same skill level of the members of the Special Task Force without even taking the piloting test."

"Yeah, makes sense. Then, what are you going to do with the BETA we capture?" She closes her eyes, and starts moving one hand in the air.

"Live testing, to see if we can make Laser weapons a reality, to find a virus or something that kills them, to know more about them in general. Did you know that the Destroyer's shells can regenerate? If we could copy that, our TSF's could repair themselves. That's especially important for the small and hard to produce parts that go in the joints and radars."

"Alright. Since I'm giving you the theories already I think I can give you some more accurate intel. I'll tell you what I know about the BETA, first I'll give you a hint and then you'll tell me if you want to hear all of it. Is that alright?" She gives me a nod, entwines her fingers, and slowly moves forward in her desk.

"Go ahead. Tell me, Shirogane."

"Do you want to know why viruses can't kill the BETA?"

"Yes."

"Because they're not alive."

"Huh?! Not alive? Explain."

"They're technically biological weapons, they do not 'think' or 'feel' anything. I don't know if they have a heart, but they definitely seem to not feel pain going by my experience when I infiltrated a hive."

That was nuts, those bastards kept charging at us even when we blew up their limbs. They are truly monsters in the full meaning of the word.

"They're not like ants or bees. They feel no fear, they have no emotions whatsoever. They are made from carbon based materials like most life in this planet, but you could say they're somehow 'programmed' to act in determined patterns, that's why they don't adapt to our tactics on the go and most of the time they just use the same basic approach. However, since they're not 'alive' and have no self-preserving instinct, even if they are infected by something they probably would ignore it as they keep doing what they're supposed to do regardless of the state of their bodies. So unless we make a virus or something that kills them in a short while or cripples them so that they can't move, chances are they're going to keep rushing at us."

"Is this true? They're not… Wait, but if they're not alive, how can we communicate with them? Does the 00 Unit work against them? Is this why the fatal mistake happens?"

"No, but it's the reason to something important regarding their behavior. Should I tell-" Sensei's burning eyes stop me mid-sentence.

"Everything. Spill it, I don't care about the ripple effects anymore. I need this intel to counter them."

"Alright. Since they don't see themselves as 'life' they think that any other carbon based entity is just like them, therefore they're not alive. The BETA will never recognize us as a self-aware, intelligent, living race."

"…Never? How can you be so sure?"

"Because we did manage to communicate with them, for a brief moment. They don't think themselves superior to us, they see us as resources to be recycled just like any other dismembered BETA corpse. We're nothing but building materials to them." Sensei closes her eyes for a few seconds, rubbing her forehead in silence..

"That's… I see. So using the 00 Unit to pilot the XG and scan their hives should be enough, right? Since we can't even get on the same terms as them."

"I don't know about that. Our talks got interrupted, but it seemed to not be aggressive towards us. Only when we attacked it with the XG it started to defend itself." Sensei eyes sparkle as she leans forward.

"Are you talking about a BETA? What class was it?"

"A Reactor Class."

"Huh? A Reactor Class? What does that mean?"

"That the Reactors are not machines, Sensei. They're BETA, and they are the 'antennas' that send the orders to all the other BETAs. And one of them was… uuh… Kinda self-aware? It was intelligent that's for sure, I could talk with it for a while." I honestly don't know how to describe the Superior well, since we only talked for… What? A minute?

"So the Reactors not only record information… But they're also a type of BETA, like a commander. And one BETA out there is smart enough to hold a conversation with a foreign entity, huh." Her eyes stare off into space as she massages her chin and leans back in her chair.

"Want me to tell you how the conversation went from what I remember?"

"Hmm? Oh yes, please do."

I tell her all I recalled from my encounter with it, save the fact that it was on Kashgar and what happened to Meiya. If she knew that rushing Kashgar is a way to prevent the BETA from outsmarting us she might try to send us as quick as possible, I need everyone to get better before that.

"There's also like… billions of them across the universe, I don't remember the exact number it said. And the more a hive grows the stronger the Reactor may become, so the more time we take to exterminate them…"

"The stronger they will get. Billions of BETA… Even if Alt. V was enacted there's no guarantee that humanity would be safe from the BETA in the planet that was chosen. Fighting now seems to be the only way for us to get any chance of retaking our peace for sure. With how little people will go in the shuttles, if the planet is attacked they'll be done for. And after the Earth gets bombarded with all those G-Bombs…"

"Exactly, that's another reason to not let Alt. V happen. That's why we need to get as many resources as we can, starting with an improved XM3." However, Sensei stopped talking all of a sudden. She's holding her chin looking at nowhere, deep in thought. Did she figure something out from what I told her?

"Hmm… Then I might have to…"

"Sensei? What it is?"

"Shirogane, I have something to show you." She takes some papers from the pile and hands them to me. What's this? A diagram? Let's…

…! This thing!

"I received a 'proposal' to take care of a certain project that was abandoned after an incident. I don't think this is a coincidence, so-"

The blue Takemikazuchi appears in my mind, firing at the BETA inside a hive. That's… When did this happen? This is… the… JFK Hive? Where was it again?

…It's cold.

"Shirogane? Are you listening?"

"Sensei, there's… Sigh… There's no hive near American soil here, right?" She makes a puzzled face.

"Huh? Of course not. Wait, did you remember something?"

"I… remember a blue Takemikazuchi shooting the EML-Railgun in a hive. The hive was… near America, I think?"

"A blue Takemikazuchi? When was this? After or before Sadogashima? How did the operation go? Who took part in it?" Her tone was tense as she spoke the questions quite rapidly.

"I can't remember well. I think it should be after Sadogashima, during my first loop. Along America and the Japanese troops there were… French ones, I think. Sorry, it's all just a blur." Sensei relaxes as she breaths a sigh of relief.

"For a second I thought Kamchatka was going to fall to the BETA before we got our shot at Sadogashima. So you already know of the railgun, how does it perform?"

"I think… it does great, from the bits I can recall." Ugh, my head hurts a bit. Stupid railgun, making me remember these things.

"Hmm… So do you think we should accept the deal?"

"What deal?" She sighs as she narrows her eyes.

"So you weren't listening. I got a proposal from the Ministry of Defense, they said they are willing to let the UN finish the development of the railgun. It makes sense since that thing could only be completed after I handed them our advanced weapon's data and an essay on how to apply G-Elements to weapon design. Thankfully they managed to retrieve the black box of the thing from Russia, but now that the XFJ Project fell down they had no more backup funds to finish the testing and development."

"XFJ Project?"

"I told you about it before, right? The deal to make the Shiranui Second with America. The railgun was also included into that, under the Project Prominence's portfolio." Okay, stop. Too many new words in a short while, I demand an explanation.

"Sensei, what's that about?"

"Prominence? A plan to make a countermeasure against the BETA without making use of any materials obtained from them. Thanks to our current relations with America and the accident in Alaska the joint project is in shambles now. I think only the Eurofightas Project is still ongoing on that fortress, the rest of Prominence was halted after America dropped most of its support, I think."

"…Sensei, you do know you're just dropping a lot of unknown info on me right now, do you?" Why does she look surprised?

"Wait, really? Didn't I tell you about this already?"

"No, you only briefly explained the overall political situation of the Empire. Is this something I should know?" She readjust her position on her chair, and after collecting her thoughts for a second she responds.

"Yes, it is. So… In summary, Prominence was a plan to make 100% Earthling weapons. Its HQ was assigned to Yukon Base in Alaska, but last September there was a terrorist attack there. They managed to activate some bombs America had set underground and ended up blowing up half of it."

…Huh?

Half of Alaska… was blown up? …You have to be kidding me.

"…So you're telling me that half of Alaska was nuked out of existence by some terrorists?"

"Yes, the units stationed at Yukon Base were charged with stopping the terrorists, and many of them ended up getting caught in the blast. This happened on the 21st of September. After this, the Soviets lost a lot of power and got in a huge argument with the UN after the vast majority of their bases in Alaska got wiped out, which is why they're holed up in Kamchatka now. The rest of the forces managed to not lose too many people, but many politicians started to question Prominence's viability compared to the use of G-Bombs or the Alternative Projects."

"But it was a terrorist attack, how could they have let that happen? And so close to America too." I just can't believe they could get ambushed like that. I mean, if that happens to America, what's left for the rest of the world?

"There were many sleeper agents within the forces at Yukon Base. The only way to stop the bombs was to go to the underground command center nearby them after the terrorist broke Yukon's control room, then they took many TSFs from the base and made a defense line around it to prevent anyone from disrupting their plan. This allowed some BETA to reach the detonation point of the bombs before anyone could get to the command center, and that triggered the activation of the Red Shift. Since the activating program was fully automated in case of a BETA invasion they couldn't stop it, and more or less half of Alaska disappeared that day." This is… Did this happen last time and I didn't knew?

"But… What could they gain from that?!"

"Matters not. They're against us, so that's that. Europe is the only power who still continues supporting Prominence. The Empire would too, if they hadn't picked another fight with America." Again this. All these grudges and doubts are going to end up being the Empire's doom.

"And why should I know about this?"

"Didn't you read your report? I wrote that you were a Cadet from Yukon Base, your squad got wiped out during this incident and the UN reassigned you here, on the grounds that you had potential and I requested you to be my personal assistant. I did that because most of the files on that base and the ones nearby got destroyed and the vast majority of the young squads were killed during the incident, along with their Instructors. It was easy to put some false data in the report, since it's still being updated with all the unknown casualties that have yet to be accounted for. I did have to use a favor on someone important, but it was worth it." She went to such lengths to cover me? Thinking back, I never knew what she wrote on my file in my previous loops.

"Huh… I somehow forgot to check that, with how tired I've been after training and the testing of the OS. So the railgun has been offered to you?"

"Yes, and while it is tempting, there is one little problem that comes with it." For her to be bothered by it and be willing to tell me about it, what the hell is this problem?

"That you'll owe a favor to the Shogunate?"

"Well, yes." She closes her eyes, fuming a bit. "But that's not what I'm talking about here. See this, do you recognize this person?" She hands me a profile, a woman with long black hair and violet eyes. Yui Takamura, a member of the Fudai.

"No, I don't know her. What's the deal with her?"

"She's in charge of the project. If I accept to take care of the development of the railgun she'll have to come along to oversee it. Having another pair of Imperial eyes on the base doesn't bother me, what irks me is the timing. This woman was in Yukon Base during the incident, and I put in your report that you were from there. So…"

"The Shogunate is sending her to watch me?" Sensei gives a nod.

"It's too soon to be a coincidence, Yoroi was quite suspicious of you after all. I wouldn't doubt that he informed the Shogun about you, and then she sent this Takamura to both get the railgun done and to gather intel on you, since you're supposed to be a member of the Guard. The timing is too suspicious to be anything else. I don't think she actually knows about all the people that were in the base during the accident, but I think she would be suspicious of a Japanese soldier that she didn't knew about at the time, since Imperial soldiers tend to try to get close to other fellow Japanese people when they're doing missions abroad, even if only for surveillance purposes. Had she heard about a Japanese Cadet being there, I'm sure she would have at least gone to watch this person train."

"So they didn't have any intention of cooperating with us, huh? All that talk Yoroi-san did about his duty to Japan and how he didn't knew a thing about me was just an excuse to get the intel without getting into a fight. You think they're trying to silence me despite knowing I'm your guardian?" Sensei nods, this time with a furious look on her face.

"I would call him to ask for an explanation, but that would be too obvious. If the Shogunate is willing to go so far I don't think I can keep relying on their support for long. So, how do you feel? Is the railgun worth the risk of having a spy in the base? I mean, if they're sending her after you despite all the security I put on your profile, I don't think it'll take much time for them to send someone after me." She's right. This is a clear sign of aggression towards us. I'm basically Sensei's guard dog now, according to the cover, so if they want me gone they might want her either gone or under their control. I can't let them harm her.

But if the thing is as powerful as I remember it, then it would be worth the risk. But I never had to deal with someone tailing me. Tsukuyomi-san wasn't exactly ordered to deal with me during my last loops, that's why she didn't harm me. She was being considerate of Meiya's position. But if this Takamura is sent specifically to take care of me… I probably can't harm her without ruining the UN's relations with the Empire since she's a noble. If I can't fight her then… No wait, what if she teams up with Tsukuyomi-san? If whatever made Maya-san not attack me that day is proven wrong by this Takamura, then both Tsukuyomi cousins might come after me.

Damn it, but this… If we had the railgun at Sadogashima… No pain, no gain.

"Yes, let's do it." Sensei rests her chin on her palm, raising a brow.

"You sure? This might be getting us into more problems than we can take care of, you know? And I'd like you to stay alive, if you don't mind."

"But if we can get one railgun I assure you that the invasion of Sadogashima will go really smoothly. You also probably will get in trouble if you refused, so I would like to not give you more things to worry about." She ruffles her hair while giving me a look with squinted eyes.

"I should be the one worried here, they're coming after you. If they moved so quickly I don't think this Takamura will be subtle about her true intentions. It's not like I can do much with this fanatic type of people, they won't listen to reason or threats."

"Point taken. Then we will have to tie her hands. If she is assigned as a UN officer she will have her hands tied, any action she takes will be on the Empire after all. Wouldn't that work as kind of a limiter? Pretty sure the Empire can't lose the UN's support, as much as they might hate it." I want to believe their hatred is not strong enough to either blind them or make them do something more stupid than the coup.

"Hmm, that's true. In any case, the railgun is a very powerful weapon so if you're sure you can deal with her, I'll do my part to restrict her movements as much as possible."

"Alright. Oh, and we should also take this in consideration when we reveal the XM3, I think a certain faction should have it harder to get their hands on it." I mean, this isn't the world I remember.

Her Highness might be a completely different person here, so, as much as it pains me to be branded as the enemy of Japan, if the Empire gets in the way I'll have to take care of them too. Sensei gives me a devilish smile.

"Ahaha, you say some nice things from time to time. You're absolutely right, now that we know the Shogun's position towards us there's no reason to give them anything else easily. I'll keep gathering data on the Blood squad, but that's all they'll get for now. I'll arrange things to have the railgun be put under the Alt. IV's Research Team. That should keep them at bay from trying to steal it once we finish it."

"Do you have more data on this Takamura? Just in case I have to fight with her."

"Yeah, I'll whip up a report on her. Now then, let's return to the Niigata Operation. Here's the detailed plan, read it before going to bed. Rest as much as you can, I want you before midnight at the hangar, I'll send Yashiro to wake you up. Now, let me tell you in detail what I modified in your TSF."

November 11th. 08:15 AM.

(PX.)

[Meiya]

"So nobody has seen him since yesterday's afternoon?" We all give a nod. Sakaki looked troubled, and we all fell silent as we finished our breakfast.

These last few days after the day we went to the lower floors Shirogane kept training with all he had, but after some days his attitude changed. He was now more distant towards me, Sakaki and Ayamine. I could keep up with him but his attacks kept throwing me off balance. We are evenly matched in Iaido, but I cannot beat him when he switches to Kendo. He also stopped giving me advice after our bouts.

The same could be said for all the rest. Ayamine was the only one he had trouble with in CQC, but during firearms practice he stopped missing the bullseye. The lectures were the same, since he was already perfect in them. He finally stopped playing around, but now he shows no hint of a smile when we spar, he even stopped making jokes and doesn't try to participate in our conversations at the PX much.

He's still friendly towards Yoroi and Tamase, and they did try to get him into our talk at dinner, but he excused himself saying he had to take care of a special mission. Sakaki says he's minding his distance because he's an American, but going by how she looks at him I think she does feel some measure of guilt. Yoroi was right, we were unnecessarily harsh on him and now he feels left out.

The contrast between his old and current self is too large, me and Sakaki have tried to engage him in conversation yesterday at dinner, but he said to be busy and went his way. It's as if he were scared of saying something wrong and therefore decided to shut himself in to not clash with us anymore.

And to make matters worse…

That night at the library we found out his records were blocked, however shortly after his public profile was reuploaded. Shirogane does come from an American base, even if it was under the UN. Apparently there was some error in the older data from when he lived here. However, his UN profile is still under the heaviest lock. That made us doubt him much, and maybe that was what caused him to feel like an outsider. Sakaki is still doubting him, but I… How should I react to this?

When I asked Tsukuyomi to investigate him…

"Meiya-sama, you should not involve yourself in such matters." She answered bluntly to my petition.

"Eh? Tsukuyomi, this is a matter regarding my security. I wish to know more about him, please. Would you look into him? Anything is fine, I merely-"

"Meiya-sama, I cannot comply." Her eyes were now stern as well as her tone.

"You cannot? Even if I order you to do it under the name of the Mitsurugi House?"

"Please, do not ask the impossible out of me. You should focus solely on your own endeavors." She closes her eyes and does a small bow.

"Tsukuyomi, what is the meaning of this? Why can you not investigate him? Who is him?" Does that mean that you cannot involve yourself because it would cause problems for the Empire? You refuse because it would blow his cover as a fellow in service of the UN?

"That is none of your business. I cannot involve myself with him, he is not a danger to you so there's no reason for you to worry about him." So… Is he… with us then?

"…How can you be this certain? Who is Takeru Shirogane? Please, tell me."

"…I'll say it only once more. I cannot involve myself with him, and neither should you. That's all I'm willing to say." What? Not involve myself with him? A slight dizziness strikes me, the puzzle shifting in me, leaving not a drop of assurance in me. I want answers, clear ones.

"Is he an enemy spy, then? An American soldier sent to-" Tsukuyomi's cold eyes bathed me with a frozen downpour, halting any movement I was doing. She was still composed, but it's clear to me that I angered her.

"Meiya-sama, do not speak any more of this. Do not involve yourself with him more than necessary, unless he approaches you himself. And to quell your doubts, I would never let anyone dangerous get close to you. It pains me to hear you say such words, for you to have so little faith in me."

"No, that's not it. I'm very thankful for all you always do for me, Tsukuyomi. It's just that… He's such a mystery, I want to know more about him. I… My mission is… "

"Curiosity is not a sin, but you should be careful with it. Do not seek answers you do not want to hear, haven't I taught you that since you were little?"

"Yes, but… "

"Meiya-sama, you have to focus on your training. Only through it you'll be able to fulfill the role you've been given. Do not worry about anything else for now, if there is ever a problem I will deal with it. Please, trust in me." She bows deeply to me. Tsukuyomi, don't… I don't want you treating me in this formal way too.

"I do trust you with my life. If you say I shouldn't worry then I won't. Thanks for your efforts, Tsukuyomi. Forgive me for troubling you."

"There is no need for you to apologize or to thank me. I'm merely doing my work as your retainer."

Since then I've tried to keep my curiosity at bay, but with how much he's excelling in the daily trainings I can't help it. I find myself staring at him before I realize it.

I want… to train with him more. He knows the Mugen Kidou. I still don't know whether he is an exile or one of us, but, if I am to be her guardian, I have to be the strongest I can be. So, sparring with him is the best method I currently have, and you tell me to not get close to him?

Are your movements bound by something, Tsukuyomi? What wouldn't I give to be able to talk with him like before. I am thankful that he's being serious against me, but I miss his remarks and little pieces of advice now. I truly… shouldn't have been so harsh with him, he did make a point to voice his worry about our attitude towards him, and I let my prejudices blind me. But… But on the off chance that he is on the Americans' side… Ugh, what should I do… I know I can't let this be, and yet…

"So guys, what are you all doing today?" Yoroi broke the silence, trying to engage us in conversation.

"I will go train my swordplay." I answer first, there is nothing else I could do if we can't find Shirogane to have a talk with him.

"I'll go to the library to review some material from class." Sakaki said, as she finished her breakfast.

"Oh, could I join in? I have a lot of trouble keeping up." Right, Yoroi was behind us in the lectures.

"I guess… I'll go to the firing range. Ayamine-san, what about you?"

"Hmm… I'll rest today." She said as she finished her last yakisoba sandwich.

Then, as we all got up from our seats…

VROOOOOM! VROOOOOM!

"What is happening?!" Tamase was so startled by the sudden outburst of the alarm that she almost fell down from her seat.

"An emergency summons?!" Sakaki and me looked around, and we realized this was no drill.

The rest of the people in the PX started running out, the sound of many footsteps in the hallways could be heard along the sirens

"Sakaki, we have to go to our classroom!"

"Yes, you're right Mitsurugi. Squad! Make haste!"

We all left along the stream of people, navigating towards our destination while dodging rushing operators and MPs. We managed to arrive there rather fast, the Instructor was already there. Shirogane was not. We salute her once all made it inside, forming in a line in front of her.

"Squad, do you know where is Shirogane?"

"No, Ma'am. We haven't seen him today." Sakaki answered.

"I see. Then you'll have to inform him when you find him, assuming he isn't on his way here. Alright, I'll begin to explain the current situation."

At 6:20 this morning a Brigade-size herd from Sadogashima started moving south, eventually making landfall at 6:48 AM near the old national highway. And since 7:10 they have been engaged by the MDF forces, along with some reinforcements from the Royal Guard. However, by their movements, it was decided that the target of the BETA was our base, and we would move to DEFCON 2 until all the BETA have been eradicated.

"This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. Go to your rooms and gear up for any eventual battle. If the base moves to DEFCON 1 you all will have to grab a machinegun and fight as well. You all are to remain in standby in the track field. Dismissed!"

"Yes, Ma'am!"

We all went back to the barracks, got into full gear, and made it to the track field. However…

"Shirogane-san is not here yet?" Tamase said nervously as she looked at the clock on the outside of the base. Over half an hour had passed since the alarm rang out.

"Where could he be now of all times?!" Sakaki was clearly nervous about this, holding her elbows tightly as her arms where pressed against her body. We went to check his room, but he didn't answer when we knocked.

"Should we go look for him one more time?" Yoroi's hands tightly embracing each other, she asked us as her eyelids cascaded downwards. I am anxious too, where could you be?

"Squad, are you all… Shirogane is still missing?"

"Instructor! Is… Is the base on…" Sakaki stuttered at the end and couldn't finish her sentence.

"No, we're still on DEFCON 2. I came to see whether you had found Shirogane. Mitsurugi, go and check his room again. Yoroi, go back to the classroom. The rest stay here, I'll try to contact the XO to see if he's performing a special mission now."

"Salute!" We salute her as she leaves, and me and Yoroi go to fulfill our orders.

Of all the times to be gone! Now's when we need you by our side, Shirogane. American or not, having you fighting with us would be a huge relief. For you to simply vanish like that…

I reach the barracks after sprinting from the track field non-stop, and pause a second to catch my breath. Alright, here we are.

"Shirogane! Are you there?! Answer me!" I knock strongly. He couldn't have slept through the alarm, right?

But if he's been doing some mission until late, he might be exhausted. I have to confirm whether he's here or not. I resume my knocking.

"Shirogane! If you're there answer!" Mmgh, where could he be?! Wait, why don't I just enter his room? Is the door locked? No, it isn't. "Shirogane, I'm going to enter. If you're in there, please answer." Nothing. Sigh, guess I am left with no other choice.

I slowly open the door and am met with darkness. Upon flicking the switch on I see that the room is empty and soundless. So he isn't here? Where could he be then? I should go back to tell the Instructor about… Huh?

As I was about to leave, a strange object caught my attention. What… is that thing on his desk?

A small metal box was on top of the wood. It looks… beautiful. The metal is more bright than any I've seen, and it has some sort of pattern on its surface.

"Whatever could this be? It's so beautiful." I grab it and inspect it closely, it's truly nice. The feel on my hands is very smooth, I've never seen such a polished steel case.

Wait, what am I doing? I should be notifying the Instructor that… that he isn't here. Right now, he is not here. So… I can… do whatever I want in his room. I can search it, top to bottom, as much as I want. I can get the answers I want, starting from this box.

Who are you? Are you my ally? Why are you so skilled? Where did you learn the Mugen Kidou? Give me all the answers I want, let me confirm whether I can trust you. I open the box and I see a badge and an ID card.

"Is this… a militar badge? 'Champion'? What is this thing?" Did he get awarded for something? Maybe for helping with that terrorist attack? And what about this ID Card? GR Card? GR…

Whatever could it mean… I have to make the most of this chance and search his room throughly, but I don't have much time before everyone else starts to wonder where I am. Let's put this back on the desk and be fast about this, I may be able to…

No, what am I doing?! This is against regulations, this is violation of personal property! I'm doing what Tsukuyomi told me not to do!

But then, what is this ID Card? It's also made of a different material than ours, it's more bright, it also says Champion and has Shirogane's name. It also has a most odd black line on its back. Another mystery to the Shirogane list.

I'll come back later, and if he isn't here by then I'll… Being a bit curious is not bad, I'm not stealing anything and I'm not harming him. I want some answers, that's all. It's… for the good of the squad, and the CCSE. Yes, I have to make sure I can trust him. That's why I'm spying… No, why I'm intruding…

"Mmgh, fine! I'm doing something wrong and I don't care! I want answers!" I desire to know who you are, and nothing will stand in my way. Ugh, why am I so obsessed with you, Shirogane? Tis a most shameful display indeed, yet I cannot restrain myself.

I leave the room quickly. Sigh… Me, someone who is always so insistent about sticking to the rules and the morally right thing to do, is now willing to go against the regulations and my own morality to satisfy my curiosity.

No, this is a serious matter. I have to confirm who he is, only then I'll be able to untie this knot on my chest. Only then I'll be able to trust him again. Yes, I'm doing the right thing here.

I don't know where you are right now, but please don't come back Shirogane. Let me see whose side you're on. Let me satisfy my curiosity.