Chapter 23: The End of the Storm, The Start of the Tempest
November 20th. Fourth Day of the CCSE.
(A boat near the shore. Around 10 PM.)
[Mion]
How pretty is the sky tonight. It is truly saddening to think the moon is completely overrun by BETA, despite such pristine, beautiful brightness coming to us now. As I finish typing the command, the computer starts preparing the encryption. Leaving my empty glass on the table near the laptop, I descend from the boat and throw myself on the sand, continuing to stare at the night sky.
Sigh… I simply am at an absolute lack of words to describe my feelings after the events of the fight. What would I have done had I killed him? What excuse would I… No, forget about that. How could I have lived with it?
Takeru is alive. We were never given answers about his whereabouts, we didn't even knew he was sent to participate in Lucifer. It was only natural we would assume he was dead, after we were forbidden of speaking his name.
Yet, he's somewhere on this island watching over Meiya-sama. Why were we not informed of this?! Did they think we were going to maintain our composure when meeting up with him, after not seeing each other for two years?
He has improved much, that's for sure. I could tell he was exhausted yet he kept up with me in that crazed state for quite some time. I rub my nose, it still hurts. He must have been truly adusted at me, I almost blew his cover in front of Meiya-sama, I treated him like I would a traitor, I harmed his back severely. And yet, he chose to restrain me instead of knocking me out or worse. Despite everything that has happened, despite all this time… You're still kind to a fault deep down, hehehe.
"What could you be smiling about, my dear cousin?" Shion speaks to me as she placed her face above mine, twirling her hair. With a small grin and rising one eyebrow, she stares at me from above.
"Nothing. I was just remembering our encounter with Takeru, that's all."
"Oh, yes. You do like it when he gets on top of you. Must have missed that a lot these two years." Her grin gets wider, letting me see her teeth.
"Shion! That's not it at all! W-We were never like that!" Summoning a little strength I raise from the ground. Shion just laughs at me as she sits down.
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry! Couldn't resist. But it is odd, you know." Her grin disappears as she hugs her knees.
"What is?"
"Takeru. Why were we not notified of his presence?"
"To avoid a leak, of course."
"Are you absolutely certain that person is truly Takeru?" Meeting my gaze, she falls silent. She slowly narrows her eyes and caresses her hair before continuing. "We have been trained to recognize a cyborg when we see one. We were forbidden from speaking about him, all his information got deleted again. Are you sure that it was truly him?"
"Shion, there was no mask. And cyborgs are not so advanced to be able to perform like a human without being controlled. Even if one could be trained in the Mugen Kidou, the words he said… Only Takeru could have known them. That, and no robot could replicate a person's mannerisms perfectly. His tone, his eyes, his annoyed face. That was him, no doubts."
"However, if that is true then… Why did Yuuhi-sama kept that intel from us when she assigned us this mission?! It's one thing to be sent to keep tabs on the UN and watch over Meiya-sama, but it's a completely different matter if he is here as well. What was the need to send us if he was with her?" She raises one finger at me before relaxing again.
She does bring up a good point. When Her Highness was notified of the new training regime that was implemented at the start of October, she asked of us to start investigating the reasoning behind the sudden change. We found out that the UN was planning to send a squad as a hazard during the CCSE, along other details about the new regime through Mana-nee. Then, Yuuhi-sama used her influence to propose us as members of said chaser squad, under the guise of cooperation.
Of course, the real reason was to watch over Meiya-sama in case these chasers tried anything suspicious. Thankfully, the UN accepted the proposal without much resistance and we were allowed to be here. Thanks to this arrangement we could also test how much Meiya-sama has improved during the time she has been in the UN. But to think Takeru would be here watching over her as well. However, in light of what transpired behind our backs…
"Look at what happened today, Shion. Do you think it was truly pointless for us to be here? They got scattered by those dastards, they even tried to hurt Meiya-sama. He alone was not enough, and yet… I know it is futile to fret over it now, however our leniency could have costed us much." Never did we ponder the idea that they could dare to harm Meiya-sama with deadly intent.
The plan was for some soldiers to appear during their travel to the first evac point, two or three at a time, to force them to not take the shortest route. Then, after they triggered the gun batteries and were preparing to leave, we would appear from the jungle and confront them. A frontal duel is the only way we can properly test their resolve, after all. Will they run away? Or, will they face us? Meiya-sama's training is still not finished, she still needs to face Master as we did before being admitted into the Royal Guard. If she ever hopes to join us and take her rightful place by the Shogun's side, she had to cleave through us.
We were supposed to be your last test in this CCSE, but the soldiers truly fooled us by acting so unassuming during the briefing that Sergeant gave us. And if Takeru hadn't been here, they might have severely… No, they certainly could have killed Meiya-sama. This offense will not be overlooked, we'll have a long talk with that Sergeant when we get back to the command post. In that light, Takeru's actions are perfectly justified. He protected Meiya-sama from those traitors, by any means necessary. However, if he hadn't been here we would have stained our honor by letting harm befall her person. We should have gone to keep watch on her as soon as we reached the island, we were too foolish to trust in that Sergeant's words. Something is wrong here, all that's left to confirm is whether this was an accident or if someone staged this.
Shion brushes her hair and, after drinking some water from her canteen, continues the conversation.
"I understand that well enough. But when we got the notice at the end of October that we would be loaned to the UN for this mission, that's when we should have been informed of Takeru's position. I can't believe Yuuhi-sama kept us in the dark like that! Are we so unreliable? Do we seem like the type that would slip up vital intel so easily? She knows how much he-"
"That's enough. We'll get our explanation when we report this to Her Highness. And I guarantee you, he really is him. Though, I cannot fathom why she sent both Takeru and Meiya-sama to the UN."
I understand having him watching over her, but if she wanted to train Meiya-sama, shouldn't she have been trained by him in the Capital? Considering her mission, she is being trained to eventually be the Kagemusha of the Shogun, so she and him will have to work in the same squad, so to say.
"That's the worst of it!" She frowns, her tone rising in annoyance as fast as leaves after a gale. "We were supposed to be his partners, yet they separate us, don't tell us a thing about him for two years, and send him to be Meiya-sama's retainer? Since when was he with her and why didn't Yuuhi-sama sent us alongside him? Why is Mana-nee's squad in that base then? If we can't trust the UN, to the point we need so many bodyguards to keep her safe, why did she sent Meiya-sama there in the first place?!" Shion hits the sand with her feet, after dropping her canteen she holds her elbows in each palm and throws herself onto the sand. Letting the moonlight shower her face, her wrinkles relax slowly as she finally breathes a long sigh.
"You know of it already, we're in no position to demand anything." She groans, frowning. "Japan is in life support right now, it's getting worse by the day. We both saw how much damage the BETA did during the Niigata Invasion, despite the support the UN sent. Meiya-sama is there as a hostage, even if officially she's a trainee loaned to the UN." She closes her eyes as she purses her lips, still groaning in rejection.
While the last invasion was repelled, we are being attacked by one or two Regiment-sized herds each week. Their landing points are all scattered, so we have no idea where they could go next. We had to sortie quite some times, it truly is surprising that we're still managing to keep them at bay. That's thanks to the UN's support, as much as we may have disagreements with their ways from time to time, they're the only ones actually helping us now.
COSEAN cannot send much support to us, the TUF and the rest of Asia gave their backs to us, the Soviets isolated themselves, and America only fights when it's convenient for them. Australia and Canada might support us on the media, but I have yet to see a single Australian or Canadian pilot on the frontlines here under their own colors instead of being sent as UN fodder. Yet, we can't ignore all that the UN does against our interests and independence. They tried to keep Meiya-sama as a hostage during the last CCSE, today they acted against her life, they keep asking to move the 2nd Defense Line even more. And that's despite the importance of the Empire, of Yokohama Base, in the board that is the war.
I believe that Yuuhi-sama wants to know who is her ally in the UN, since the tensions with those who would rather have the Americans take the reins within the UN seem to be at an all-time high, from what little we can infer. That was one of the reasons why she agreed to have Meiya-sama join the UN as a political gesture.
If Meiya-sama returns after serving in the UN, she will have ample knowledge of their methods and will have forged connections with many pilots and personnel. It's a shame that she has to do this to prove her loyalty, to clean a stain she never had. Only if she returns to serve after being in the UN, those old crooks will accept her.
Taboos be damned, Meiya-sama is more loyal than any of you! Nobody, except Takeru and the Grand Chamberlain, is more devoted than her to Yuuhi-sama. I'm convinced she will find out whether there are worthy people in the UN or if they have all become nothing more than a bunch of leeches.
Though if it's the latter, I suppose Takeru is going to bloody his sword again. Or not, he did seem more calm today than how he used to be. Shion's groaning snaps me out of my inner monologue as she continued to speak, frown getting bigger and with her nose full of wrinkles.
"I know that. I know we're here as a safety measure, to see whether we can trust them or not, and to report anything we see or hear. But I think that what happened was more than what we expected, they actually tried to harm Meiya-sama. That right there is enough of an offense to break relations with-" I look at her and she stops flailing her arms in the air. Biting her lip, she punches the sand.
"We both know it, Shion. Nothing will happen, because Meiya-sama is not officially recognized as who she really is. The Mitsurugi Family is of Tozama rank after all, until Meiya-sama has proven her value she will not be recognized as a samurai and will be treated as another civilian. To file a claim against the UN for this would be like admitting that Meiya-sama is not who she says she is. That's why we are here, to be Yuuhi-sama's eyes and ears. Also, due to his position, Takeru probably has no contact with Her Highness either so we need to report his status to her as well." She nods at my words, but keeps punching the sands with her eyes half open.
"This is the worst. I didn't even get to talk with him, how are we going to report his status if we can't approach him?"
"We can leave the details to Mana-nee, we just need to report those two passed the CCSE and how Takeru performed his duties in protecting Meiya-sama."
"Do you think that's his mission?" She stops punching the ground and looks at me. "I mean, shouldn't he remain by Yuuhi-sama's side at all times?"
"Meiya-sama is truly important for Her Highness, I don't doubt she would take any measures to ensure she is safe at all times. Takeru did refer to her by her name so I suppose they're on good terms." Shion pouts, not satisfied with my answer, and throws herself onto the sand again.
"Still… You sure that was him? No doubts?"
"If you want to know so badly, go and hug him before he takes the helicopter." I tease her back, but…
"Oh! You're right! I just have to confirm it myself!" Shion raised fists to the sky, convincing herself with a deep tone.
"Shion, are you serious?"
"Hmm? Yeah, we do have to make sure you didn't get caught up in the moment. And I have a duty to confirm whether it's him or not. Since you already screwed up." She raises one eyebrow and flashes me an evil grin. Ugh, I hate you.
"Well, the ambush was not my idea at the least." I smile back at her, bringing one finger to my chin.
"What, are you saying it was my fault we lost?" I raise a hand to pacify her, we do not need to start arguing again now.
"Come on, after we heard from that soldier that there was someone going by the name of Takeru Shirogane I didn't knew what to do either, but setting such a large ambush only for it to fail was nothing short of a crude astonishment. To think we weren't able to trap or separate him from those two…" My shoulders drop as I sigh. Shion does the same.
"Yeah, that was a surprise. It was like we were really fighting against Takeru, he would never abandon a comrade. Though he did mature a bit, his old self would have started shooting instead of dropping the rifle."
"That's true, it was time he matured." We share a small laugh as we both look at the sky. "He did seem… calmer than before, you know. He did try to restrain me instead of knocking me out."
"Well… Maybe now that he's had a respite from the war he left those… views behind him?" She asks, almost as if edging me to agree. I sigh, hugging my knees.
"I do not know. He left being truly cold as he used to do before, so I have no idea how he took our presence."
"…Do you think he's upset?"
"Was that even in question? Even if he was calmer, he said nothing to me even when we were alone and away. Sigh…" She sighs as well, and we both throw ourselves to the sands once more. "Also… he did use those odd eccentric words when we were talking."
"…Really?" She grimaces, I nod.
"I know our plan was perhaps too much, yet he didn't ease up even after I repeatedly apologized. I think he's truly mad at us." She looks down, biting her lips and falling completely silent. I look up, sighing.
We had planned the ambush to capture him at all costs, even if it meant to let Meiya-sama get away from us. We had to ascertain who this Shirogane was, was the name just a coincidence? Was he impersonating Takeru? Yet his voice and face, his body and eyes, everything was the same. If we couldn't capture him… We couldn't risk the UN coming after us with a claim of abuse against a defenseless opponent, since there could be microphones hidden anywhere on the island, so we had decided to use our duel idea to have an unfortunate accident happen. We couldn't let someone like that live, the damage a foreigner passing as Takeru could do is gigantic. I had no doubts Yuuhi-sama would break down if she saw him, who knows what did he want to make her do?
But that was all needless worry, it was no faker. It was him, the one and only Takeru. Though, pondering our fight, I can't help but to think his swordplay was… How to say it? A little bit different than how I remember. Less aggressive but more faster, he also used his fists and feet more. But in any case, where were you all this time?
Also, I can't believe I snapped like that. When he kept saying he was Takeru I could feel my blood boil, he acted truly similarly to how he was so I thought the spy was mocking us. I completely lost it during our fight.
I look up, drawing circles on the sand, arching my brows. I mean, he could have said something about it when he saw me like that. Why didn't he stop me? What would I have done if I had hurt him? How am I going to face Yuuhi-sama now? I bet Shion will say that I went berserk on Takeru, I can already hear her snickering. Yet… You didn't harm me, not even when I was clawing at your throat. But… Those words you said at the end… Was that an act, in case there were mics near?
"Shion, why do you think he's been away these two years?"
"Who said he was away?" Huh? What is… Does she know something?! "Don't look at me like that, I'm just saying that we were never told anything. He could have been coming and going around without nobody noticing him. Do you truly think he would stay away from Yuuhi-sama for two years?"
"Point taken. Maybe they were being careful, since the political landscape changed after Lucifer?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. We'll get our answers when we give our report."
"Yeah, you're right."
A sound from the PC reaches my ears, going back to the boat I see that the encryption has been done. The data is ready… Should we send the report now or wait until tomorrow? Thanks to our comms we know the soldiers have been taken out by the other members of the squad so there should be no worries about Meiya-sama's safety.
"Mion, is the data ready?"
"Yeah, just got done a few seconds ago. Should we report what we know now?" Shion flashes me a wide evil grin as she gets close to the computer.
"Of course we do! I want my answers about Takeru, and we should report the behavior of the soldiers as soon as possible. So, if the data is ready let's prepare the private channel."
"Sigh… One day won't make such a difference, and we still need to have a talk with that Sergeant again. But if you wish to do so, this will be on you."
"Yeah, lay the blame on me. I'm still not convinced he is Takeru so Yuuhi-sama better be ready to give me an explanation!" She sits near the PC and starts up the video call program.
"You do know she may just say it's confidential intel, right?" She freezes in place. Slowly, her head turns to me as she stares at me with hawkish eyes.
"…Mion, I swear, if she says that I'll cut that ponytail of yours with my teeth." I raise one eyebrow and smile at her lightless eyes.
"So scary. Don't forget to speak formally, though. Yuuhi-sama might not want to reveal any intel unless we are on her private room back in the palace, so don't get your hopes up. That's all I'm saying." I wave at her to calm her down, she must be a mess trying to sort out her feelings in this matter. Not that I'm any different.
"Whatever. I'll start the preparations, can you bring a lantern?"
"Sure, sure."
Same Day. 09:14 PM.
(Yokohama Base. Briefing Room N°4.)
[Yui]
"Here are all the reports regarding the development, Ma'am." I hand the folders to Professor Kouzuki, she makes a noise to acknowledge them as she starts reading.
I arrived here just an hour ago, I already finished signing the preliminary papers and got a small tour around the base. It's just been ten minutes since this talk started but I'm feeling most anxious. Not only she has a striking gaze, firm enough to crack a rock with just a blink, but she also has a very frightening way of speaking. Not that I was trying to deceive her, but I suppose she is still suspicious of me since I'm a member of the fudai.
"A truly amazing piece of weaponry, he was right it was worth it." Huh? He?
"Excuse me Vice Commander, who are you referring to?"
"I was merely talking to myself. I'd like it if you only replied when addressed, 1st Lt. Takamura." I nod at her while gulping.
A true alpha woman, it is no wonder to me why no one wants to make her upset. I honestly do not mind the demotion, I do not desire to have others thinking I have privileges for being a noble.
She has been truly cold towards me during my introduction and cut to the chase in no time when this talk started. I now understand why you disliked me so much Yuuya, it is hard to have a conversation when one side is doing an iceberg impression. However, going by her squinted eyes and how much time she spends reading each page, I believe she took a serious interest on the railgun. That's a good start, even if I am not allowed access to the floor it will be built to oversee that until I gain her approval.
"This data is more impressing than I thought it would be, to be perfectly honest. However, some parts will be hard to procure. Even some of the replacement and second options are very expensive materials, it will cost at least double of what I thought originally."
"Huh? Is that so? I… When we were at Yukon the engineers did mention that it used valuable materials, but I never expected them to be so expensive. The budget I proposed is already quite high, after all."
"Yes, but you have to look at it from a different point of view." With half closed eyes, looking at nowhere in particular, she spoke as if she were bored. "Materials and parts that are made in America will be cheaper in America. Here we have to import them, and, since we can't import large quantities of them, their price in our market is much higher since the demand is high, and ordering them through the UN comes with the added cost of the logistics required for the delivery. Of course, we cannot use third grade materials on such a project. Its maintenance will be quite the problem too, according to the data here. You only used it twice, but it was estimated it would take weeks to get it in working condition again, due to how worn down the barrel was thanks to the heat it generates when firing." She hits the papers laid on the table with two fingers, resting her chin in the palm of her other hand.
This is bad, I can't deny that the railgun does take quite some time to be ready for use after a mission, even if we only used it twice. Add how much funds are needed to build it… If I can't get them past the planning stage all my efforts will be for nothing.
"It's true, I won't deny that. However, if you compare how much it costs to repair, resupply, and recalibrate a fleet of TSF after an encounter with a Regiment of BETA, without mentioning the damage they do to other facilities, I think you'll see that the railgun is a much cheaper alternative. And one that does not involve any risk whatsoever, we can destroy the BETA as soon as they appear on the shore before they do anything. Our encounter with them proved that as much, a railgun can eliminate around three thousand BETA with a single shot and a full backpack. How much more money will one have to spend to fix the damage those same BETA would cause us after the battle? And that's without considering the irreplaceable value the lives of our pilots have, any life lost in the fight carries a much heavier weight than a bag full of gold ingots." I spoke slowly, pointing to the pages that had the relevant information and comparisons I prepared for this. I know the railgun is not perfect, I know it goes against our honor code to fight in this way. But Yuuya proved to the world how useful it can be, and it's up to me to bring it back to life.
"All of your points are valid, so long as it doesn't fail. Here says that a third barrage was supposed to be fired, but it overheated. If that is the case, the railgun will require quite some time in R&D before we can actually use it, and if it explodes we will have to face the costs of the fight with the BETA as well as those of the destroyed railgun." She ruffles her hair as she leans back on her chair, again staring right into my eyes.
"It was only its first test, now that we have that data we can make a more efficient cooling mechanism for it. While it will need time to reach its full potential, I believe it will bring more plusses than negatives. The presence of the railgun could give the Empire the breath of relief it so desperately needs, a single of this could take care of any of the Regiment or lower herds that assault our shores weekly. That will eventually pay for itself, letting us conserve resources and prepare our surface pilots without a need for an unfortunate accident to take their lives." I relax my face as I look into her eyes. Violet, just like mine, but as she narrows them I feel a cold shiver down my back.
"Again, that's only if it works. So 1st Lt. Takamura, did you plan anything in case we had to cut our budget? Or were you expecting to have the same resources as you did in Yukon?" I did not intend to upset her. She entwines her fingers as her gaze drills into me, sizing me up as she waits for my answer.
"I do have some adjustments if such a case presented itself, they're on the twenty ninth page of the report. Basically, we lower the amount of bullets it can fire and make the sub-arm more similar to one of the add-on pylons we already had. Of course, this would lower its performance quite a bit but it would be preferable to not having the railgun at all." I brush my hair off my face as I watch with bated breath as she reads through the report.
"Most interesting. Say, do you mind if I… modify the project a bit?"
"Modify? What would you be liking to do?" She grins widely and something stirs in her eyes.
"I would like to make it bigger."
"What? B-But… You just said it would be impractical due to its cost, making it bigger would only-"
"That's only if you look at our current configuration. Given its current form, the railgun makes any TSF that uses it into nothing more than a turret, due to the weight and the backpack one must carry with it. It's also a BETA magnet, due to its black box and computing systems. However, let's say that those problems are solved if we can make this thing bigger."
"Excuse me, but I do not understand how. That would only make the TSF using it even more slower, also, wouldn't that have a much bigger cost than what I proposed as well?"
"Yes, but this would be worth it. So, here's my deal. I want to make a small and big version of it. The small will be tested on a TSF like it's meant to, the other will be tested by my Research Team. Is that alright for you?"
"If those are your terms, I'll agree to them. I thank you for this chance Vice Commander, I swear I'll do my best to bring you the results you desire!" I bow at her, but going by her frown it only made her more uncomfortable.
"No need for formalities. You will be assigned under my command in the Research Team, I want a daily report at 7 PM. Tomorrow I'll introduce you to the engineers and the floor where you'll spend most of your time."
"Yes, Ma'am. I do have a request to make, if it's alright with you." Her bored gaze became firm as she focused on me. Lightly brushing her bangs to a side, she straightened her posture and gestured me to speak.
"What is it you want?"
"I would like you to consider my permanent transfer to this base, as we discussed before."
"Why? After the railgun is finished, do you have any other business here? Out with it, don't be shy!" Her childish tone startled me, however after looking at her narrowed eyes I could tell she's merely testing me.
"Well, if you deem the railgun worthwhile I would like to request you to consider taking the XFJ Project under you. I know resources are scarce, but the railgun and the Shiranui Second complement each other quite well. While the railgun can take care of many enemies from long range, the Second is a great machine when it comes to mid and close range. I believe it would be a great addition to our military force."
"I know of it already. While I admit the Second is an amazing machine, we do not have anything to pick up their development and would need to make an engine according to its specs. That's without mentioning the fact that the Type-94-1C is an exclusive unit of the Shogunate. I believe that we're better off upgrading all our 2nd Gen TSFs, instead of spend our funds trying to build from scratch a completely new TSF." She briskly disregarded my proposal as she looked into me again with those fierce eyes. It almost feels as if I were once again clashing against Mother when she opposed me joining the training program to become a surface pilot, cold and unwavering as a a horde of BETA.
Closing my eyes, I inhale slowly as I ponder my next words. Again facing her gaze, that oh so piercing gaze, I rub my ankles together as I speak up.
"I understand that it would put a truly large dent in your budget, and that it also would be a large time eater. But its performance cannot be compared to that of any 2nd Gen TSF, even if they are upgraded. I know that the relations between the UN and the Empire are more tense than they ever were before now, but if you provided them with such a powerful 3rd Gen machine the waters would surely return to how they were at the start of the year. While its initial cost will be quite high, once we manage to iron out its specs it should become a very easy to mass produce TSF. If you would be wishing to see them, I have the reports with me." She raises a hand, signaling me to give her the report, which I do without delay.
"Let's see here… Hmm…" She again slowly reads the papers.
I can't believe how nervous I am. My palms are all covered by a faint sweat and I can't keep my feet quiet. I move my eyes from her to the walls, but I can't calm down. No matter how many deep breaths I take, my heart is beating quite strongly near my neck. Peace, I still have time to convince her.
"1st Lt. Takamura, compared to a Takemikazuchi, how does the Second fare?"
"To a Type-00? It depends on the model. The Second is still not as powerful as the Type-00C since it has a better engine on both its jump units and inner structure, however the Second could have a comparable performance for a much lower cost. However, the types A, F and R are without a doubt superior to it in every way. Of course, in the end it's up to the pilot to bring the full potential of the machine to life, but going by the cold numbers the Second could achieve a similar performance to the Type-00C in general. The Takemikazuchi will always be better in close range and long lasting missions, but for a more generalist approach, improved maneuverability, and for its lower cost of fabrication and maintenance, the Second is the superior choice in my opinion." With how easy it would be to produce and upgrade we could replace all of our old TSF while not forcing the Guard to develop another machine out of pride, like when the Shiranui was deployed.
"I see, makes perfect sense. Question, did you bring your Type-00 with you to the base?"
"Huh? Yes, I did. But I do not have authorization to allow you to tinker with it or to borrow its components." She brings a hand to her forehead as she sighs audibly, then she ruffles her hair again.
"I wasn't going to ask you that. You said we couldn't make 2nd Gen TSFs as strong as the Second, and that your Type-00F is better than it. Could you do me a favor and perform a test run for me?" She asks me as she curves her lips, handing me a paper. A dark blue TSF's data, what is… This has got to be a joke.
"Vice Commander, if you forgive my rudeness, there is no way a Kagerou could achieve these numbers."
"Are you calling me a liar, by any chance?"
"N-No, Ma'am. But these statistics, these results… Can you tell me more of this?" She looks to the wall, hiding her mouth with her entwined hands.
"Only if you agree to do this test for me. What do you say? Your Type-00F against this Kagerou. I'll give you a hint, it's based on the Active Eagle design of Prominence. I believe you are familiar with it."
"Yes, one member of my past squad used one actually. Its performance was nowhere near this good, however." Is this the result of the accord with the Shogun to make new TSF tech? First we rake in funds with these new little upgrades, and once we fill our box we start the development of our big guns? So there was no need for me to worry, she is just being careful and timing her projects.
"So, what do you say?"
"I accept your orders, Ma'am. I'll gladly spar against this TSF if that is your wish."
"Obedient one, aren't you? Alright, I'll arrange the test for a few days in the future. Here are some more papers on it, so that you know what to expect. Even if this is a test, I'd like you to take it seriously. …Not like you have a chance against him anyways." Her tone got lower at the end and I couldn't hear her well, but going by her wide smile she is expecting me to deliver good results to her. And that I will.
"Understood, Ma'am."
"Now then. Your room is on the third hallway of the right side in the barracks. Just to avoid any misunderstanding, I'd like you to not involve yourself with the Cadets that are still being trained here."
"Huh? Um… Alright, however could I… Ahem, could you allow me to watch over Cadet Mitsurugi, if it's possible?"
"Mitsurugi? Oh, are you here as another bodyguard?"
"Sort of. This isn't an official arrangement so I would watch over her until she's done with her service in the UN or until I receive further orders regarding her safety, so if you allow me to keep tabs on her activities and can send me along her squad when she is deployed to a mission I would be truly thankful. And she will too." I hand her a small paper, with the symbol of the Koubuin House in a strong shade of purple. She frowns at the sight of it, tightening her grip on the paper. "I know that imposing more things onto you is quite rude, since we are only asking without giving. But I'm allowed to move out in my Takemikazuchi, I'm sure I will be useful to you. Please, think of me as another soldier under your command."
"That was the plan, however let me ask you one question. I want a serious, honest answer. Is that the only reason you wish to be near Mitsurugi's squad?" Again she narrows her eyes, entwines her hands and stares into me.
"Yes, that's all there is to this." I can't say I didn't expect her to doubt me.
"Really? Then… Do you not know of someone called Shirogane?" Huh? I didn't expect her to mention him at all.
"Err… Yes, I do."
"Oh?" She opens her eyes wide as she smiles. Why is she so surprised? "So you know of Shirogane, can you tell me what you know of him?"
"Um… He's a cadet in Mitsurugi's squad, he was stationed at Yukon during the Incident, I think he was transferred here by your orders, and he's something like your protegee, I believe?"
"Yes, all that is true. But why do you know of him?" Her eyes light up as she leans forward. Her piercing gaze fills my view, I didn't have any reason to lie but anyone would be left struggling under such a strong glare.
"I was told his records were very good, so if he were commissioned I… I'll be honest, I would like him to be the test pilot of the Second."
"Huh? The test pilot?"
"Yes, I was told his efforts were marvelous. So, if he also produces similar results in his training course as a surface pilot I wanted to ask you to make him into the test pilot of the Second, if he also agreed of course." There is no point in lying, honesty is the best policy. If I want them to accept me as their ally I must reveal my hand to them first, I do want to meet him if I could.
"Hmm… That… Well, it's not impossible. But is that all there is to it?"
"Yes, that's all. I would like to speak with him, to see what kind of person he is, but that can wait until you allow me to do so."
"So you hold no grudges towards him for being a Japanese that was trained abroad?" So that's what she wanted to ask. I know that my old reputation is still haunting me, but still…
"I am no longer who I used to be. I realized that holding onto such grudges and prejudices is nothing more than a waste of time. I no longer have animosity towards foreigners in me, I will judge people for how they are and not by their birth place. He is my comrade first and foremost." I speak firmly, staring right at her eyes. Crossing my arms, I await her answer. She gives me back a small smile.
"Alright. Then I'll see what I can do. However, please refrain from approaching him for the time being, he is my protegee and he has a… very short temper for people of the Royal Guard."
"Eh? Why?"
"Let's just say that… He had a few bad experiences with them. By the way, I've heard you were the Leader of your squad back in Yukon and that you fought quite bravely to protect the base and city from the BETA. Aside from the test I proposed you before, would you be willing to assist me in some tests and mock battles?"
"Of course, it will be a pleasure to serve you. If there's anything you need of me, do not hesitate to ask and I will do my best to deliver."
I truly want to be here, if I can help you finish these new parts and use them to revive the Second that will bring a swift end to the tension between the Empire and the UN. If I can watch over Mitsurugi while getting closer to Shirogane, I'd be killing two BETAs with one slash. I'll do any and all the tests and battles you order me to, and I'll help as much as I can during the development of the railgun. I'm prepared to sleep only four hours a day to finally bring the XFJ Project back to life.
"Good answer. Now, let's go over some details of your enlistment here. You'll have S2 level of clearance, and aside from the railgun documents you won't have access to any other documents above your rank."
"Understood."
"Let's move back to the railgun, there are some questions I want to ask regarding its cooling system and the backpack."
November 21st. Fifth Day of the CCSE.
(Evacuation Point. 09:48 PM.)
[Marimo]
Almost 2200 hours, huh? They're still not here, what happened to them? All the members of the Wasp Squad are already here so they should have no more problems to reach this place. Are they so hurt that they can't get past the traps? After all that happened, that would be an awful ending to this CCSE.
Captain Nanase admitted that he was bribed after I put him on the phone with Yuuko, I don't know the details but Yuuko confirmed that she will start pulling some strings to find out who did it and why, even if she probably already has an inkling. The three of them got really beaten up, honestly I expected as much from Ayamine, but Tamase's and Yoroi's performance that night surprised me.
Their figures as they ate after coming back filled me with happiness. Their small, creaking voices could barely hold back the tears once the realization came to them. Tamase started crying in the middle of lunch, Yoroi bit her tongue twice trying to not cry, and Ayamine didn't say anything but the fact that she was openly smiling is proof enough that she was overjoyed.
Yet, not everything is good news. Those two Royal Guards that came back today are seriously giving me the creeps. Their eyes are completely void of light, they kept asking about the soldiers' actions and about Shirogane. They've come every hour to check whether he arrived. I could understand if they were asking about Mitsurugi, but Shirogane? What did you do this time to upset the Guards?
I can tell they have no good intentions, I've seen those eyes before. The eyes of a murderer, cold, wide open, void of life and mercy. Do they think Shirogane is involved with Nanase? No matter what I said to them, they would give me this big, wide grin showing me their teeth, and then they would go away laughing quietly. That laughter sent chills down my spine, I've met plenty of Royal Guards that had quite a few screws loose, or rather missing altogether.
Sigh… In any case, they did went above my expectations, all of them. Maybe… For once, I can have a squad that doesn't die after their first two missions.
When I was assigned as the Instructor of the 207th Cadet Training School in Hakuryo Base, I thought it was weird. People coming from all over the country to join our program, soon I learned of the real purpose of the Base. To prepare Cadets to serve as part of our elite force, the A-01 Special Task Force, that would become the backbone for a top secret project. Little did I know that Yuuko was behind it, that she had asked for me to be the Instructor. Back then I couldn't see straight, I kept running away from my pain. The pain of losing my crush after he confessed to me he was in love with someone else, the pain of losing all my comrades time and again no matter what tactics I employed. I was not strong enough, I was still clinging to the idea of nobility, of a war where we could all survive, I was so naive. I kept charging ahead, only to return alone.
When did I snap? When did I become Marimo 'Reaper' Jinguuji? I no longer remember.
What I do remember is that I was one of the few survivors of the troops that were sent in the first collaboration of the Empire with COSEAN to defend mainland Asia. That's why I went double hard on all my Cadets, I wanted them to experience just a tiny bit of the hell that would befall Japan, so that those who had the guts to fight would come out stronger, and those who didn't could avoid wasting their or their comrades' lives.
Looking back on it, I was a monster. How many children did I break during those days? Just remembering what I did to Isumi is enough to make me wanna hit myself. But… It was all pointless. My freshly commissioned students would soon die on the missions Yuuko sent them to on Korea, but we still managed to 'offset' our losses with the fresh officers coming out of the 207th Training School. Until that fateful year that was 1998.
Half of the STF was then killed during the first days of the Invasion of the '98, more died during the Battles of Kyoto, Yokohama and Honshu. After we got relocated, the numbers just kept going down and down, after Lucifer only two squads with ten members each remained.
Back in the day, I trained squads until the letter M a year, with four members each. From all of those only three are still alive. All of the rest are dead. From the ones I trained on the '99 and 2000, only one from each generation remains. I thought that… Maybe I had the wrong idea. Maybe we didn't need a calm Marimo, maybe we needed the Reaper to come back. That's why this year I returned to how I used to be. We need more Isumis, more Hayases. I can't… I don't want to keep seeing my squads get decimated only a few months after being commissioned. The BETA probably can spawn thousands of them a day, but we need so much more time and resources to bring a couple of people to the basic level of aptitude. I can't keep being so lenient. My goal is to make them survive, not to turn them into blind killing machines.
That's why I was so glad when Shirogane arrived, someone who could take my training regiments, someone who could keep up with the Reaper. He's the best, he's my star Cadet. No one could ever compare, not Narumi, not Hayase, not Sakuma, not Isumi. If he could show the rest that he could do it, all of them would start trying their hardest to keep up. If only he had arrived at the start of the year…
This generation of Cadets is much more skilled than the last ones. Mitsurugi, Ayamine, Tamase, Suzumiya, Takahara. All of you have the making of great pilots, so long as you survive long enough to leave a mark. And yet, I had to bear with these stupid political ploys. All of them should have graduated already, but if that's how you wanna play fine by me. I gave them the hardest training I could ever come up with, and they endured it. Sure, they weren't doing it like Shirogane but he's an outlier, I can't even see where his limits may lie. But all of you should be proud, I gave you hell and you braved through it. The fact that you fought against commissioned soldiers and won is enough to prove my point. We don't need a gentle Marimo, we need the Reaper.
However, to think you'll leave him behind. Abandoning Shirogane, despite how much he tried to fit in, despite how much he ignored your insults and kept smiling through the trainings, despite the fact that he shielded Mitsurugi from their first shot? If he had failed because of this, I would have made you all fail as well. I thought that, just like me and Arai became better after clashing with each other for so long, letting you all clash and flare up a rivalry between you and him would make you all grow more. But it seems that when push came to shove, you forgot all about what I taught you about teamwork and fighting in adverse situations. And yet going by the mics Shirogane forgave them and is traveling with alongside those two. That boy is too kind for his own good, though it's hard to blame him. Going by what little I could see of his records, he lost everything he had twice and is just looking for a place to be.
He had the bravery to fatally wound the soldiers, it's true that he overdid it but, if we go by the book, he fulfilled his mission perfectly. He took care of his enemies without giving them a chance to retaliate. Honestly, I cringe just to think how these people got trained. To abuse their power against those girls, when I confronted them they started blabbering about how poor they are, how they deserve better, and a lot of crap. Hmph, they made a grave mistake and paid for it. If Mitsurugi and Sakaki had chosen to fight back during their first encounter, we could have avoided this whole mess.
I yawn, rubbing my eyes. For a moment, my heads sways backwards, wishing to meet a soft surface. Inhaling sharply, I shudder the cold away and blink fast in quick succession. I truly would like to just lay down for a moment…
Sigh… Still, I can't go to sleep yet. Where are you three?! The others are already sleeping after a good dinner, we won't have enough time to properly heal your wounds if you take too long. Stop making me worry and get here already!
…Hm? What's that?
I heard a sound, then it happened again. And then I heard it clearly, a voice through the night.
"C'mon guys, it's… just… right… there!" Shirogane's voice echoed through the air as I saw him climbing his way into the island.
Instead of throwing himself into the grass, he went back near the edge and helped Mitsurugi up as Sakaki finished climbing her way as well. So they used the boat, huh?
"Congratulations you three, you have finished your CCSE." I say as I approach them.
Mitsurugi looks like she just took a dip in the sea, she slowly wipes the sweat of her face. Sakaki's eyes look dim as she rubs her right leg with a frown on her face. Shirogane is bending forward holding his knees.
"Instructor… We have arrived." Sakaki gives me a salute as she regained her composure. Mitsurugi does the same, meanwhile Shirogane is still hunched over.
"What is it, Shirogane? Ran out of energy?" I try to taunt him but he remains in the same position, breathing heavily.
"I think… I'm gonna keel over and faint any minute now. Fucking cliff…" Mitsurugi and Sakaki nod to his words instead of scolding him. They must be exhausted, let's get this over with so that they can get their well earned rest.
"Alright, I'll announce your score." Shirogane slowly stands upright in attention as he hears my words. "All of you dealt with your first targets quite admirably, wasted no time and got to the point immediately. However, from then on you have different scores for what you did." All of them grimace. Sakaki holds one elbow with her palm, Mitsurugi grabs the edge of her pants quite strongly, and Shirogane is biting his lips. "Mitsurugi, Sakaki. You abandoned one of your squadmates when you met the chasers. While there is no rule that states that this can't be done, I'd like to tell you something. When I enlisted, no more than ten years ago, to pass the CCSE all members of the squad had to survive. However your bet didn't work and you got captured, you should have had to pay the ultimate price for it. Ironically, you were saved by the one you abandoned, you couldn't even protect yourselves. We don't need soldiers like you in our army, you're just dead weight." Their faces twist upon hearing my words, their eyes are open wide, their mouths open and close as their lips tremble.
"Instructor, if I may, at the time we-"
"Sakaki, I already heard enough pitiful excuses from Ayamine. That is not the worst of it at all, not only Shirogane had to go save your sorry asses but he also had to take care of everything himself. We have mics on the island scattered around and we know he got in charge of the fight with your captors and took care of most of the traps afterwards. What were you two doing exactly? Were you too busy staring at his abs to do jack shit?!"
Their faces contort again, lips twisted and eyes almost closing. They look to the ground, Shirogane is staring right back at me with hints of a frown in his face. He's holding a retort for now, it seems.
"Then, during the second chase he was the one who noticed the ambush, the one who told you to run and the one who fought back. Honestly, what did you do? Did you do anything? At all? So much time and resources wasted on two useless fucktards that can't even save their own asses when it counts. You only brought Shirogane down in this test, but I suppose that's an achievement in and of itself." Despite the low light I can tell their faces are growing pale, Mitsurugi can't even look up from the ground as she quivers in place, Sakaki is trying to stare back but keeps looking elsewhere as soon as we make eye contact.
"Instructor, they did help me. I did not do all the work."
"Shirogane, I do not remember giving you permission to-"
"And I don't remember when trash talking my squad became part of our evaluation, with due respect. They were not useless, they helped me with many traps that I couldn't have dealt with, they shared their medical supplies with me to heal my wounds, and most importantly kept one of our chasers at bay when we had to fight them. There was no way I could have dealt with both at the same time. You also shouldn't leave out of your judgment that fact that we did not know of the chasers presence, nor that four of them assaulted my squadmates, while I had the advantage of ambushing them while they were distracted. So, even if I totally understand your anger, could you please stop badmouthing them?"
You got balls, Shirogane. You're the first that talks back when I'm the Reaper with actual arguments since Isumi, without faltering as well. It's not like I didn't knew what you just said, I was going to mention it, but let's roll with it. I can see why Yuuko holds you in such high regard.
"Alright, let's move on then. You caused more trouble than you're worth, but one could say that you mended it by regrouping with Shirogane and cooperating with him from then on. Sakaki, Mitsurugi, you both get a Seventy in your CCSE." Their eyes light up, they got a passing grade. Mitsurugi's knees betray her and she falls to the ground. Sakaki hugs her sides as she struggles to not cry. "Now then, Shirogane…"
"Yes?"
"You killed two of your pursuers, gravely harmed another three. We lost five pilots because of you. You also made the foolish choice of trusting in those that had abandoned you once." He frowns at me but doesn't retort. "They could have abandoned you while you were asleep and you would have failed the test, you also should have prioritized your own security during the chase instead of staying back with them, since they were nothing but a hindrance to you at that point. That could have costed you the CCSE. However, you defended yourself admirably, dealt with most traps by yourself, neutralized your enemies with fast and lethal force, and guided your team to victory. It's clear that you're the biggest reason you three are here right now. However, you did get captured when you first encountered the chasers and barely managed to escape. You also had luck on your side, you escaped by a hair from your first pursuers without serious injuries, you got lucky that the girls didn't betray you twice, you also got lucky that the second chasers didn't immediately capture you and forced you to use your radios to give up. You made many mistakes, add that to the blood you spilled… And you can imagine what your score is, right?"
"Instructor, if we passed the test then he should-"
"Silence, Mitsurugi."
"But he saved our lives! I was unconscious when he found me, they could-"
"Do you have any proof of that?"
"Eh?" Eyes wide open she struggles to retort. You're so naive, do you really think people will believe your words all the time?
"Where is the proof that you were unconscious? Or in any danger?" I know she's telling the truth, but I have to pressure them. So that they know what will happen when they screw up once they get commissioned.
"Proof? I… My scars would-"
"That only implies there was a fight, nothing about some bruises says mortal danger." She sharpens her eyes and takes a step forward.
"However, if you had microphones all over you should-"
"Meiya, it's fine. Let it go. Please continue, Instructor." I thought he would be the most angry one, yet he calmed Mitsurugi down with only a gaze. She stares at him for a second, lowers her gaze while wringing her hands, and takes a step back.
"Cadet Shirogane, you have scored a Sixty Five on your CCSE. That is the lowest score one can get while also passing the test, you managed to arrive here before dawn so that worked in your favor. You avoided climbing the cliff during daylight, that was your saving grace. Congratulations, you all barely passed the CCSE maggots!"
I thought he would scream in joy, drop to his knees or something, but he kept standing in place with his ice stare. Only then I noticed he was not staring at me, but rather at the two green haired figures that were some meters behind me. They were staring at him with those hawkish eyes. After I noticed them, they turned around and made their way to the command post.
"Instructor… About those two soldiers…"
"Mitsurugi, there will be a time to discuss that. For now, let us go to the command post. You all have earned a long shower and a plentiful dinner. Tomorrow at two in the afternoon we're leaving, just so you know. That is all." I march towards the command post, but I take a glance at them after some steps.
The girls were trying to cheer Shirogane up, smiling at him and probably saying some cheesy lines since he did pass the test. Whatever happened in these days seems to have changed the opinion they had of him, or they're just pretending.
However, Shirogane does not smile. I don't know if he's tired but he looks dead inside. His eyes are unfocused as he walks, his lips are pursed tightly into a bitter expression. I suppose it has to do with those two Guards.
During dinner he did not change his attitude and went to sleep without uttering a word, more than a few thanks towards the girls when they spoke to him. They seemed worried about him, and Mitsurugi went to talk with the Guards but they didn't even answer the door.
Now that I finally got this squad to pass their CCSE I won't allow anyone to harm them, I should call Yuuko for advice on how to deal with these Guards.