Hello again people! Here I am with the next chapter. It took some time to write it, but this is summer vacation time, isn't it? Whatever…
Now, some talk with those who wrote a review.
Imperial-samaB, kristoper21, Darkkon27, FateBurn, Anikong, DarkBladerZX, Zarroc789, meirmamuka, killjoytommy, Alex2909: thanks for support people; 'Archangels' will be explained further, have no doubts about it.
InTheYearOfTheCat: I remember all my promises. If next chapter won't become too big, lemon will be there.
huntergo123: Well, thanks for your opinion nonetheless, though Ichika's character is the main contradiction in this story. Though, he becomes that sociopathic because of 'Archangels' influence.
Apex85: of course not, more likely he'll benefit from those things in that case as well. And yes, he needed to shock her, she's not that slutty.
Now, let's proceed to chapter.
Chapter XVII – Silver Feather
…
Even though convincing Charlotte to give her precious personal I.S. to a 'crazy scientist' wasn't easy, in the end she gave up, Ichika didn't even have to use his Realizer on her. Moreover, he personally informed Rin, Cecilia, Houki and Laura about Charlotte's situation, but only to give them strict order to no pity her, but instead to give her any support in her new role, if needed… though, it was mostly just for show. Besides, he 'forgot' to mention that he's going to upgrade her I.S.
So, while Charlotte was getting accustomed to her new position, Ichika managed to lay his hands on Rafale Revive Custom II. Of course, helping Frenchwoman was in fact his secondary objective… His main goal was to try a few experimental designs, because he didn't want to experiment on his own I.N. with completely 'allogenic' technologies.
Main goal of 3rd generation I.S. was creation of advanced imaging interface, that would allow pilots to use their 'imagination' to control sophisticated weapons, like BITs, Shock Cannons, AIC, array of rapid-fire plasma throwers, etc… Installation of this interface took about three hours (3D hypersensor, holographic imager, etc., – a complete set). Two more hours Ichika spent upgrading thrusters and servo systems, PIC system, as well as shield generator. A bit more time he spent to made few tweaks to I.S. power source. Rest of the time Ichika spent experimenting with different types of weapons.
September, 28th, Thursday, 7:42 P.M.
"Sorry that it took so much time," Ichika said as he met Charlotte at 3rd arena. "Arena will be closed at 9 P.M., so let's waste no more time," He added as he handed over Charlotte's pendant, which actually was her I.S. in passive mode.
"No… no, it's fine, I actually…" She actually didn't know what to say – Ichika made a 3rd generation I.S. for her, for free, and it took only two days to upgrade her unit. In passive mode her I.S. hasn't changed at all, it looked exactly as it was.
"Later," Ichika urged her. "Hurry up and deploy your unit, you need to get acquainted with your new systems, c'mon."
"Alright," Charlotte replied with determination, "Let's go, Revive!" She shouted… and nothing happened. "Huh?!" Girl seemed flabbergasted.
"Ah, yes, about that," Ichika remembered something, "Your unit's name now is Sandstorm. It's a new generation, after all, modification level exceeded 40%…"
Charlotte sighed. Well, she was aware of Ichika's habit to give new names to everything he touches, though she never could understand that. But, in the end, he's a genius, who made full-fledged 3rd generation I.S. for her, so name change of her unit is quite small price to pay. "Alright," Charlotte said again as she closed her eyes, "Let's go, Sandstorm!" And this time everything worked as intended, she was engulfed with big sheaf of white particles, and her new unit was deployed.
From aside it looked mostly as it was before, slightly changed stabilizers form, thrusters' nozzles, and few other small details. Two most distinct differences were two additional 'wings', which were pointed upward (and they were longer and more massive that others four, which were just thrusters), and some sort of energy guns, mounted beneath both of Charlotte's arms, its emitters ware glowing with turquoise light.
"Now, let's go through your new armament and equipment," Ichika said while Charlotte's I.S. was readjusting parameters. "Your old I.S. was an All-Purpose Type unit, which utilizes its speed and maneuverability, combined with considerable and diverse firepower. I tried to keep that overall paradigm, so you don't need to repudiate your customary tactics. So, your PIC and thrusters were all upgraded to roughly match general characteristics of other 3rd generation units. Until now, Cecilia's Blue Tears was fastest and most agile unit amongst all 3rd generation units in the academy. With new passive inertia cancellers and thrusters, Sandstorm has a bit lower maximum speed than Blue Tears, but surpasses it in terms of maneuverability, which makes Sandstorm the most maneuverable 3rd generation unit in I.S. Academy by now."
Charlotte tried to say something (she seemingly was impressed), but Ichika raised his arm to prompt her to keep silence, as he continued the 'review'. "Now, I also made few tweaks to your I.S. main reactor and power circuits. As you can see – your maximum shield capacity now is 675 points (up from 650). But still, since all modifications of Rafale Revive frames were designed to work with armament that uses live ammunition, I couldn't replace all your weaponry with energy-based analogs without turning entire power supply system inside-out, and I had no time for that. So, I've added only one energy-based weapon system, you can see it right beneath your elbows."
Ichika sighed, "Sorry to say that, but I had to remove your Gray Scale [CQC pilebunker-type weapon]. But don't you worry, new weapon has the same damage and stopping power, but now there are two of them, and they can be used not only for point-plank attacks but in middle-to-close range combat as well. This is Lineage ultrasonic blasters – effective range about 1300 yards, fall-off range – 2200 yards. Featuring a custom-built ultrasonic oscillator, reverberation chamber and coherent waves emitter it can annihilate any type of target by distorting I.S. shields or literally vibrating its armor's molecular bonds apart. Both blasters mounted on joint-type mounts, so each blaster can turn independently, +/- 15 degrees from your arm's direction in horizontal plane, you can control their direction via your new advanced imaging interface."
"And finally," Ichika came to most interesting part, "Those two massive things behind your back. They are Wyverns – independent weapon platforms, something like Blue Tears BITs, however, each platform has one six-barreled 30 mm rotary anti-aircraft autocannon. Each cannon uses electromagnetic contactless drive for rotation, and electrically primed shells. Cannons use 30x165 mm ammunition type, which I chose due to its availability and vast nomenclature of types."
"Each cannon has four presets of ammunition; each preset may contain up to 20 000 shells, which you can change at any time, using your new imaging interface in conjunction with your Rapid Switch skills. As such, each cannon can have up to 80 000 shells ready to fire, which makes it 160 000 shells in total. For now, each cannon loaded with only one preset, consider it as my gift. Preset contains this sequence: 2xAPFSDS → HVHE-T → 2xHEAT → SAPHEI-T. Remember, each Wyvern can be controlled independently, and Wyvern's cannon is protected with an armored casing, so they cannot be destroyed as easily as Blue Tears BITs, for example. Maximum range of operation (i.e. how far each Wyvern can fly away from your I.S.) is 900 yards. Each cannon equipped with active heat sink, so it can fire until it's out of ammo. Oh, and each cannon's rate of fire fixed at 4800 shots per minute, which means two of them together can make 160 shots per second. Effective range – 3300 yards, fall-off range – 4600 yards. With muzzle velocity of 900 m/s it should be quite effective middle-to-long range weapon."
"And a reminder, if you don't mind – it is important since you're no longer a representative candidate. The current presets contain relatively expensive ammo, especially APFSDS and HEAT charges. Academy will compensate you the cost of ammo that you will use during official practice lessons and matches, without conditions. But cost of ammo that you will use during your solo training session should be compensated by your country, or by academy if you're not a country representative, but for such cases academy has a monthly limit, which is not too big… So, during your solo training, I'd suggest you to use old Soviet AP and HE shells, they're much cheaper. Just an advice," Ichika concluded. "Now, we still have about an hour, so why don't you try your new toys?" He suggested. "Charlotte?" Ichika asked again as he got no reaction on his suggestion, but she just continued to stare at him with her eyes and mouth wide-open, Charlotte looked like a fish that was thrown on the shore.
"Oh, come on," Ichika facepalmed, "My engineering skills are that new for you?" Really, her amazement was quite frustrating, "Who do you think I am?". Besides, Ichika actually didn't invent anything new. Advanced imaging interface and hypersensor, PIC unit and thrusters were just slightly modified copies of those systems, installed on Ichika's old I.S. – Byakushiki. Reactor and shield's upgrades weren't too difficult to make, either. Independent flying weapon platforms, Wyverns – they are just a simple adaptation of Blue Tears BITs' technology, Ichika saw them in action so many times… Autocannon, which was installed on each Wyvern, actually it is a modified version of AO-18 naval autocannon, it just was equipped with I.S.-compatible control system and electromagnetic contactless drive to provide rotation. Ichika's only real invention was Lineage ultrasonic blasters, but they were ready long ago, he just didn't want to commit experiments with them using his own unit… though, Charlotte had no idea about all that…
September, 28th, Thursday, 9:18 P.M.
Well, Charlotte was a quite capable pilot, so when she finally closed her mouth and tried her new I.S., everything went pretty smoothly. She familiarized herself with her I.S. new capabilities pretty quickly, though, mastering control over Lineage ultrasonic blasters and, especially, Wyvern Independent flying weapon platforms definitely will take some time.
Besides, when she left arena with happy smile and glittering eyes, Ichika 'got suspicions' that she's so happy not only because she got a full-fledged 3rd generation I.S., but also because she 'slightly' misunderstood Ichika's reasons to make that I.S. for her.
*Sigh* Ichika sighed, as he closed his dorm room's door behind himself. "Anyway, that was a useful experience," He concluded.
"Adonai, why you spent so many efforts upgrading that girl's frame?" A.I. Naamah suddenly asked.
"Hmm? Oh, c'mon, don't tell me you're jealous," Ichika rolled his eyes. "She's a good girl, among all of my fangirls Charlotte is the least annoying one. Besides, to try a few things – I wanted those thoughts out of my mind, they were bothering me. I wanted to commit several experiments with weapon systems that I don't need for myself, you wanted me to experiment on you instead?"
"No…" A.I. replied. "But, Adonai, I understand about ultrasonic weapon, but why you don't want Wyvern-like system for us?"
"Humph, for instance, because you have no bus-slots for it," Ichika replied. "That Rafale Revive frame has an interesting feature – due to its overall simplicity, number of bus-slots, which that frame has, is quite scalable. When I removed the Gray Scale, made a few tweaks to unit's reactor and power circuits, I got just enough of free bus-slots to install two sonic cannons and two Wyverns. But in terms of complexity, Wyvern is pretty simple thing. It uses live ammunition, so cannon itself doesn't need complex control system, each Wyvern requires only three bus-slots, two of which are used for flight control."
"On the other hand, imagine 3rd generation plasma autocannon… plasma generation chamber, two-dimensional EM-accelerator, particle oscillator, overload mode and Paradise of Darkness support, not one but three active heat sinks and, finally, wireless power supply system for all of that or a separate power source – such a platform will require at least eight buss slots. And we need at least two such things to use them effectively. Do you have sixteen free bus-slots?" Ichika asked, perfectly knowing that all Demon Queen's bus-slots are already in use.
"I apologize, Adonai," A.I. said humbly.
"Don't worry, it's nothing bad in asking," Ichika replied. "But currently we have more than enough of raw firepower, it's not an issue now. No, we need to focus on other systems now – new magnetometric sensor is almost ready, I'm planning to finalize and install it tomorrow, right after lessons, and we shall test it during Saturday, it must be ready before Sunday's event. Then I'll have to finish with our new Eyes of Azazel hypersensor array, right after Cannonball Fast. And after that, I think it will be the right time to get to revise your main and auxiliary electro-plasma conductors, I think we got enough experience, don't you think?" Ichika wondered.
"As you wish, Adonai," Naamah agreed.
"And then I think I can make a few tweaks to Fold Out Armor… ah, so much things to take care of…" Ichika thought aloud.
September, 28th, Thursday, 10:27 PM (Local time, JST).
September, 28th, Thursday, 5:27 AM (US Pacific time).
United States, Oregon, about 90 miles southeast from Portland. While in I.S. Academy it was already pretty late evening, here, at US West Coast, was an early morning. But no one was sleeping here right now… Strategic Defense Point No. 16, nicknamed 'Erased', a place which even people with connections in the military would not know about, was filled with the echo of gunfire.
"Intruder Spotted! Urgent backup requested in area 6-D! I repeat, intruder spotted! Urgent backup requested in area 6-D!" The echoes of firing assault rifles, the angry roar of sturdy men, the chorus of army boots: they were all directed at a sole intruder.
A lone girl walked along the steel passage. That's right, the intruder was just a girl, a teenager, whose body seemed very petite even for her age. The girl neither laughed nor scoffed at the approaching men; she just looked down at them.
"…Deploy." At the sound of her unconcerned voice, rings of light started to gather around her whole body. Those rings of light gathered substance, and in a few seconds, the girl's whole body was covered with metallic, light-purple armor.
"I.S.!?" One of the soldiers exclaimed.
"That bitch, is she a member of the organization that was mentioned in the report!?" Another one shouted.
The girl whose body was covered with the I.S. Silent Zephyrs, M, aimed her long rifle using only her right hand. That gun, which could use both Blue Tears energy and live ammo, was named Star Breaker. Right there, right then, there was no one besides this girl who knew that name.
"What's your plan!? Doing things like this to the U.S. Army, don't think you'll get away with it!" That was an angry roar which wasn't expected to get any particular answer.
But M hid her face using the Visor-model Hyper Sensor, and stated her intentions, something that nobody expected. "I came for the I.S. that is sealed in this base – Silver Gospel."
Ah, that's right. Since the each lost I.S. (mainly its core) means significant blow to national defense, no country will admit willingly that they have lost an I.S. Same happened after Silver Gospel incident – US officials convinced the entire world that rogue I.S. was retrieved and sealed inside of some secret base. Only selected few (literally, less than dozen of people) knew that Silver Gospel was destroyed along with its core… and only one man in the world knew that frame was destroyed, but core's still intact… and maybe even better than before. But right now, that was irrelevant…
"What!?" One of the soldiers roared angrily, "How did you learn that it's sealed here?!"
But girl said nothing more. In a few, short moments, the soldiers collapsed one after another from the deadly bullets shot by M. But the strange thing was, regardless whether it was possible or not, M didn't kill any of the soldiers. Of course she was using real bullets, but she aimed to just barely avoid a fatal shot.
What a hassle… to not kill. But M, willing or not, had to obey the restriction she was given by her Phantom Task squad commander, Squall, when she was granted the use of I.S., Silent Zephyrs: nobody gets killed.
Not that M was so obedient by herself. In her body, a surveillance nano-machine had been inserted, and if she'll disobey her orders, within a few seconds the core of her brain will be fried. This was also a condition that Squall gave, so for now M should obey that order.
"Guaa!"
"Gyaa!"
"Damn! HQ! HQ! Requesting urgent backup! I repeat, requesting urgent back… Gahh!"
Screams of the soldiers were echoing in the corridor. Before long, when locking onto her targets started to become difficult, M casually floated into the air, and started to charge and move down the enemy, using rough movements.
Based on the map that was sent directly to her field of vision, the passage was to turn right, go down, then go up. At the exit of the rather tall passage – it was roughly 165 feet to the top – M located a new shadow above the route. From the silhouette, it was a woman.
'How would it feel breaking, breaking those ribs?' At the instant when that evil thought visited M's mind, an arrow of light pierced her right shoulder. "Wh…at?!" She screamed. At the moment she tried to pull out the feather-shaped energy arrow, it exploded spectacularly. "Che!?" Girl screamed again. Right before hitting the wall from the shock of the explosion, M rotated her body, and fired her thruster the other way.
But the enemy didn't miss that half-second of stillness. The next arrow attack was launched and exploded at her feet this time. Even M, who was used to high-altitude high-speed braking mechanisms, couldn't completely evade this attack. It was a mistake caused by her self-conceit.
"You…" Girl growled angrily.
"Natasha Fairs, citizen of the USA, I.S. test pilot. And also Silver Gospel's registered pilot," Unknown attacker introduced herself, though, even while talking, the counter-attack didn't slow down even a bit. Both her hands held something that looked like a wing, and had a clear silver coating. That was Silver Bell Mark II prototype, hand cannon version.
Natasha was using only her own strength to shoot the weapon over and over again, which, when looked at in terms of output only, surpasses even the latest armament provided with the Silver Gospel. While releasing Energy Shot, her beautiful blond hairs were waving from the strength of the recoil, dancing intensely and beautifully. "I won't let you close to that child…!" Just like a mother protecting her daughter, her desperate attack continued.
But, even with all that, she was just using her own strength after all. She could no longer hit M, who started concentrating her senses fully. "You're in my way," Girl said as she knocked out the silver wing-like weapon from Natasha's hands, and then hit her with left hand. *Clamp!* With a loud thump, Natasha's body slammed against the wall, "Small fry."
Natasha, unable to move from the intense pain on her whole body, was held by M in a headlock. Their heights were different but it made no difference to M, who was floating in the air. Natasha's arms and legs were hanging and swinging. Her bones were broken in at least two places. She had more than twice that many fractures scattered through her body. Her limbs were powerless and swinging. But… "Ha ha…" US pilot laughed. The spirit that dwelt in Natasha's eyes had not weakened even one bit. "Hah hah…"
"What's so funny?" M asked emotionlessly.
"I can only go this far. But, I've achieved my objective," Natasha said, still smiling, despite intense pain.
"…?" While M was still unable to understand the meaning of the words, the passage floor started to give a roaring sound and crumbled, "What!?"
"I'm taking Nathalie back, Phantom Task," From inside the smoke, a tiger-striped I.S. had just appeared, snatched Natasha away from M's hand, and then stabbed a throwing knife into Silent Zephyr's chest. [A/N: For some reason Iris uses French pronunciation of Natasha's full name, 'Nathalie', instead of English pronunciation 'Natalie'.]
Against an enemy that suddenly appeared, even M had to back off a bit, "So, this is America's 3rd Generation unit Fang Quake…"
"Alright, Phantom Task, you're well informed, I give you that. I am US representative Iris Calling. I'll make sure you pay me back this debt for hurting Nathalie." While saying that, she threw Natasha, who would have hindered close-quarters combat, to the ground.
"Iris…?!" Natasha screamed.
"What?" Iris asked as if she did nothing wrong.
"Can't you see I'm injured?" Blonde moaned.
"I know. Just wait, I'll return the favor instead of you, and hit her twice as hard," Iris announced.
"That's… not what I meant..." Natasha sighed heavily. Iris was looking curiously at the sighing Natasha; it seemed she really didn't understand what Natasha meant, seemingly she was quite a simple-hearted woman.
"I'll take that unit too, thank you!" While saying that, M attacked, holding the knife backhand.
"Hey hey, have you not watched it in the movies before? When the hero is giving a speech, you're supposed to stand and wait quietly, you know!?" *Bam!* With the loud sound and flying sparks, Iris broke the knife with her fist. The blade, broken from the handle at the base, spun away quickly and stuck in the ceiling. "Just for the record, I'm strong, you know? Are you ready to be beaten to death? That machine you stole from England, it's still an experimental unit, right? There's no way you can win using that against me."
Although the machine she was using at the moment, Fang Quake, was also an experimental unit, judging from its abilities, it had the same concept as Shen Long, which meant that it also stressed the stability and efficiency aspects of the machine.
"M, can you hear me?" Squall's voice was echoing through M's head from the I.S. private channel. Although M, who was in front of her enemy, didn't answer, Squall still kept talking, just like the rainstorm she was. "I've already monitored the situation. Back off for now. We can't afford to lose the machine that took a lot of our efforts to finally get."
Although M didn't think she would lose, it could still take a while to finish the fight. If the fight dragged on, other I.S. reinforcement might come too. "Roger," With that consideration, M silently and coldly answered.
"I won't let you run!" While saying that, Iris used the Ignition Boost to approach M.
But at the same time, M directed all her thrusters forward, and started a Reverse Ignition Boost.
"You're a clever one, aren't you!" Although Iris said that admiringly, there's actually no such margin of advantage.
That's because, while M was doing Reverse Ignition Boost she was intently shooting Iris at high speed. She was sniping during high speed movement using BT energy, and at the same time using maximum speed to retreat along the complex passageway of the underground base without losing her way.
"Stop right there!" Iris, while chasing, also had to evade the energy shots that were constantly targeted at her joints. Because of that, the distance between her and M was gradually increasing. When there was only around 300 feet to the end of the underground passage, there was already a distance of about 150 feet between them.
'This is bad! If I don't end it now, she'll escape!' Iris concentrated her senses in order to invoke Revolver Ignition Boost using the machine 4 base thruster. Although she felt uneasy about the 40% success rate, there was no point if she didn't use it now, 'Let's go!'
M, who realized what Iris was doing, immediately released her BITs and increased her continuous attack firepower.
"Uryaaa!" Iris, who was no was longer concerned about receiving some damage, increased her speed. Her armor was damaged, her shield energy was decreasing, but Iris didn't stop. "Got you!" The distance was shrinking, and she extended her arm.
She got her. At the moment she thought that, Iris arm was obstructed by the Shield BIT's Energy Umbrella. Furthermore, it self-destructed with an explosion force even greater than a high-powered bomb.
"Whaat!?" Iris definitely didn't expect something like that.
Stalling her with the Shield Bit, with the force of the explosion and the sudden stop from supersonic flight, M managed to escape from Iris. When she saw the light of the sun, she disappeared into a faraway cloud on the other side, only Silent Zephyr's back side projected in the zoomed view mode.
"Ah, damn it!" She punched herself in vexation. When the Iris's fist, armed with Fang Quake, collided with her other palm, the loud thick metallic sound echoed all around.
When Iris returned to the place where she left Natasha, medical brigade already has arrived. Former Silver Gospel pilot was sitting on stretcher, and paramedic was examining her. "Are you alright?" Iris asked.
"It's been better…" Natasha sighed.
"I'm sorry to say that, but she's escaped…" Iris reluctantly admitted. Natasha sighed again and looked somewhere aside. "Hey, what's on your mind?" Iris asked as she looked on Natasha's face. Blonde didn't reply, but Iris persisted, "Oh, come on, I know that expression. You're definitely thinking of something crazy…"
Once more, Natasha sighed. Then she looked at paramedic who was examining her. He nodded and stepped aside, as he understood that Natasha wants to talk to Iris privately. As it was said, most people on this base were sure that Silver Gospel was actually sealed here somewhere. When all unauthorized personal was far enough, blonde looked at her friend. "Right now I'm thinking that it's really frustrating – being an I.S.-less I.S. pilot," Natasha admitted.
"I understand, but… wait!" Iris suddenly understood about what Natasha is talking, "Nathalie, don't tell me you're actually considering those people's proposition?!"
"I am," Natasha admitted. "When I came to visit my father, right after my return from Japan, I overheard him talking with a certain person. Though their conversation was pretty meaningless, I remembered one phrase, said by that person: 'If you really devoted to your cause, but God refuses to help you, you shouldn't hesitate to ask Devil for help'."
"Hah," Iris snorted. "The 'certain person' is that Japanese boy of yours?" She asked teasingly.
"What's with this 'of yours'?" Natasha asked, pretending that she really don't understand what Iris is talking about, though her cheeks flushed, just a bit. "But I'm seriously thinking about Kuromochi Machinery's offer. While it's still on, I think I should at least talk to them…"
Iris remained silent as she didn't know what to say in that situation. She was certain about one thing though – Nathalie is a born I.S. pilot, and without I.S. she really feels herself out of place.
September, 29th, Friday, 11:23 PM
As Ichika had no reasons to stay in I.S. Academy during upcoming weekend, he now was in his room, in Orimura residence. His elder sister went to sleep about half an hour ago, and now she was peacefully sleeping in the next-door room. Ichika was about to go to sleep as well, this day was quite saturated with events.
First of all, Charlotte's upgraded I.S. caused quite a stir, as many other girls (all of them, in fact) were interested to know why Charlotte earned such a privilege – to get her personal I.S. upgraded by Ichika himself; especially personal I.S. pilots were interested; most of all – Rin. Lying about that was of no use as rumors in this school spreads like a wildfire, and by now everyone knew that Charlotte isn't a representative candidate anymore. As such – no way her country could be behind those upgrades, which leaves only one option.
Fortunately, Ichika was prepared for that situation, and he prepared proper speech beforehand. Besides, he warned Chifuyu about possibilities; of course he was lectured about 'troubles he causes', but naturally, she couldn't prohibit him to upgrade someone's I.S… On the other hand, Chifuyu also came to practice lesson prepared to deal with too active students. This morning, during joint practice lesson of classes 1-1 and 1-2, Houki and Laura got hit by attendance book several times, Cecilia and Rin, expectedly, earned more severe punishment… All of them were blaming Ichika, but he couldn't care less, because, as it was said, he had his own goals to achieve via that upgrade, and he achieved them.
After lessons, Ichika spent several hours installing new magnetometric sensors array on his I.N., since Demon Queen is an Inquisitor-type frame, it was just the thing… Magnetometric sensor is capable of detecting distortions, caused by I.S. ion thrusters.
Normal I.S. thrusters suck in atmospheric air, heating it up to the state of ionized gas (cold, non-thermal plasma), and then throwing it out through thrusters' nozzles like a jet stream (so it got a name 'ion stream'). But since ionized gas creates electrostatic and electromagnetic field around itself – its source can be easily localized. No radar and optical camouflage can hide those magnetic field distortions. The more powerful thrusters the enemy I.S. has – the better magnetometric scanner can see it.
Of course, no I.S. can have infinite amount of detection systems, as such, Ichika had to replace common radar. So, by now, Demon Queen was equipped with two type of long-range (effective range up to 50 miles) detection systems – LADAR-based sensor as general-purpose detection system and magnetometric sensors array, which was created for I.S.-detection purpose specifically. Common radar and long-range biometric scanner had to be dismantled, though short-range (effective range about 2000 yards) biometric sensor was built-in into Ichika's helmet.
For tomorrow, Ichika already planned to test new scanner at his 'personal test field' aka old JSDF test site. Houki was also invited, for two purposes: so she could continue her training in use of I.S. navigation and automatic control system and so Ichika could use her I.S. to calibrate his new magnetometric sensor's upper limit – among all I.S. frames in existence Crimson Camellia possesses the most powerful, 4th grade ion thrusters.
On a side note, Demon Queen uses stream plasma ejectors (SPE) instead of ion thrusters. The difference is – SPE uses hot, thermal plasma made of heavy element (thorium) and active electromagnetic compressor-accelerator to gain thrust. SPE's advantage – better control of thrust vector, disadvantage – it requires fuel (thorium cells). Though, naturally, I.S. ion thrusters also can use stored fuel (liquid hydrogen) instead of atmospheric air, because I.S. was created for space exploration to begin with.
Ichika looked into the window. Last gleams of sunset disappeared from the horizon several hours ago. Autumnal equinox has passed – one of the most notable signs that his birthday's approaching. Not that his birthdays ever were significant events for Ichika, people around him (i.e. Ichika admirers and/or lickspittles) usually tried to use that day to show off, thus trying to win some favors. No point to think that this year will be different, more likely, it will be much worse. *Sigh* Ichika sighed – no point to think about that anyway.
Suddenly, right when Ichika was about to turn off the light in his room, he got a message via his smartphone. "Hmm? That late?" He thought aloud. Doesn't seem like that message was from his JSDF superiors, they'd use I.S. secure channel. "Oh, really?" Ichika was a bit surprised since message was from Kuromochi Machinery Development company, Ichika didn't expect to hear anything from that company since he returned the Byakushiki to them. Yet they wanted to meet with him, or rather, they wanted his presence as a 'consultant' during their meeting with some third party. Place and time also seemed strange – on the roof of Kuromochi MD HQ, tomorrow at 11 PM… Offer seemed odd, but… Ichika got feeling that some good money is involved, so it worth considering, at least…
September, 30th, Saturday, 2:20 PM
While Ichika and Houki were still at JSDF test site, Rin was preparing for a date, no less.
That happened yesterday, right after last practice lesson. Believe it or not, but Rin managed to invite Ichika for a 'small walk across the City'. Of course, actually she invited him for a date, and that was… pretty clumsy. But well, Rin was just a fifteen-years-old-girl-in-love, so… she was flushing heavily, stuttering, and trying to avoid looking directly into Ichika's eyes at all costs.
And most funny thing was that Ichika actually had no real reasons to refuse. Until 3 P.M. he'll be busy at JSDF test site, but after that and until meeting with Kuromichi he had no particular plans, i.e. between 5 P.M. and 10 P.M. he was planning to rest a bit, and he just might do it in Rin's company. Of course, wasting almost half a day like that was quite strange, but tomorrow will be a very busy day, and he can't be worn-out.
"Hi hi…" Rin giggled to herself.
Seeing Rin, who's been in high spirits through all morning, her roommate Tina muttered "Again?" By the way, what she was holding in her hand was a cup of deluxe, high-calorie ice cream.
'Today I'm going shopping with Ichika! In other words, it's a date, isn't it? A date!' Despite the circumstances, she was only thinking about herself. That is the special privilege of a maiden-in-love.
"Okay, I've decided!" Rin, who had finally finished deciding which clothes to wear, sternly picked at her choice up and immediately started to change. As for Tina, she was already tired of watching Rin and is now enjoying the afternoon variety show on the holographic projector display. "Then, I'm going now!" Rin waved her goodbye, despite there were more than two hours until appointed time.
"Okayyy, have a safe trip..." Tina said lazily as Rin closed the door behind herself.
*Clamp!* One second after the door closed, the person that appeared before Rin's eyes struck her speechless. "Good morning, Representative Candidate Huang Lingyin." The woman was somewhere in her mid-twenties. She wore a formal suit, with those long, sharp eyes, covered by a pair of cat-eye glasses.
"G-Good morning…" Rin greeted her, stuttering. Looking only at her ambiance, she kinda resembled Chifuyu, but the always-irritated-at-something face she always wears is the critical difference between the two of them. "I-Is there anything I can help you with… Candidate Supervisor Yang?" An unpleasant premonition was sending chills up Rin's back. Why is the supervisor who should still be in China here in Japan right now!?
That premonition surely turned into reality. Yang LeiLei pushed her glasses up with her right hand. "I'm here to inform you that the high-speed maneuver package Fēng [Wind], that is gonna be used for the Cannonball Fast, has been prepared and delivered. Do the Implementation and Quantum Conversion at once, then start the trial. You have to begin preparations, now."
"Wha… What!? But they said it won't be ready in time! Cannonball Fast is going to happen tomorrow! There's too little time for testing! Besides… today, there's something…" Rin tried to protest.
But Yang's eyes only became even sharper, "Don't make me repeat myself."
"R-Roger…" Rin replied obediently as she dropped her shoulders, took out her cellphone and quickly tapped out a message: 'Sorry, an emergency has come up.' That was all she wrote – or rather, writing that was all her feelings could handle – and then she sent that message to Ichika.
Then she made a deep breath and asked, "Will the package this time also use the impact cannon?"
"The output level will be decreased and the scattering method for close range use will also be changed, but basically it will still be used. New technology will be used for the added thruster. Get used to it as soon as possible," Yang LeiLei ordered.
"Roger," Rin nodded. As expected of a representative candidate, Rin flipped the switch controlling her mood quickly. She confirmed the upgrade package's specifications on her computer, then headed toward the personal I.S. hangar while asking questions here and there.
The development team did quite a good job on the completion work, didn't they? Despite that previously Rin was told that, unfortunately, package won't be ready in time, seemingly, engineers got a good kick from their superiors, so they managed to finish it at the last moment.
Rin's eyes were quite sharp as she thought about Fēng package application method. Those eyes that could be mistaken for a big cat's eyes were shining brightly. But even so, she just couldn't completely rid of certain thoughts, 'Ah, I'm actually super out of luck aren't I…?' Her plans to go shopping with Ichika had gone down the drain. 'Kuu! Ichika, I'm absolutely gonna get compensation for this from you!' The computer terminal that she gripped strongly, began to flash 'Alert!' two seconds later.
September, 30th, Saturday, 4:18 P.M.
"One, two! One, two!"
"Target confirmed! Fire!"
I.S. arena №3. There, unaffected by the fact that today was a day-off, those strong students who aim to go even higher were spending all of their time doing I.S. training.
"Hah... hah..." The one in that corner and out of breath was Cecilia Alcott. She was trying to make BITs do a linked high-speed rolling shot, in order to make the laser trajectory bend many times over. However, she hasn't been successful in doing the Deviate FireBT Flexible even once, and with each passing time, the fatigue showing on her face was getting more and more obvious.
*Deep breath* Once again, she concentrated her senses, and she took a stance with her BT rifle Starlight Mark III. Cecilia put the image of water in her mind, and then fired above the balloon. 'Now, bend!' She gave a mental command. But Cecilia's efforts ware in vain. The laser plunged straight ahead, hit the screen shield and dispersed.
"Ah, let's end it here for today…" She sighed, but naturally, she couldn't continue. She has to take good rest before tomorrow's event. Cecilia put away her rifle while trying to catch her breath. The gun barrel in her right hand changed into light particles and disappeared.
'I'm tired…' Returning to the waiting room, nothing but gloomy things were showing on that face, only irritation and fatigue could be perceived there. "Blue Tears, standby mode." Shrouded by light, Cecilia's feet slowly touched the ground as her I.S. turned off the PIC.
'For the time being, I'll take a hot shower and at least change my mood…' While thinking that, she opened the door of the dressing room. There, an unexpected person was standing.
"Huh? Cecilia? What are you doing, training?" Girl with twin ponytails asked.
"Rin-san… Well, it's something like that," For some reason, Cecilia answered with an artificial smile towards Rin, whom she often hung around with. It was different from just a display; it could be said that it was an action born from her pride.
Whether she knew about thoughtfulness toward someone she considered her equal or not, Rin smoothly let it slide and continued the conversation. "I am going to do deployment training for the new equipment model starting now. Actually, I wanted to use I.S. arena №5, but unfortunately, it is completely booked right now." For instance, Laura and Charlotte were there…
"New equipment model, is it the high speed package as expected?" Cecilia wondered.
"Fufun, that's right. Just wait for it, Cecilia. Let's fight a good match tomorrow," Rin pointed at blonde, challenging her.
"Yeah. I'll hold you to that," Receiving the finger pointing at her rival, Cecilia's fighting spirit was burning.
Rin's 'throwing a written challenge'-like attitude could have been because she felt Cecilia's mental fatigue. Rin has always been sharp in noticing the subtleties of other people's feelings.
"Then, see you."
"Yeah, see you."
Rin waved her hand, and Cecilia returned it, not with an artificial smile, but with a genuine one, and then they passed each other.
'I won't lose. Not to Rin-san, not to any other of my rivals!' Cecilia, her feelings renewed, entered the dressing room with quick steps. Yes, she knew that she probably won't win against Ichika, but that wasn't her aim right now.
September, 30th, Saturday, 4:32 P.M.
Two I.S. units landed in the middle of the residential area, right in front of Orimura residence. "Alright Houki, thanks for your help," Ichika said as Demon Queen and Crimson Camellia disappeared with big sheaves of white quantum sparks.
"I… It's nothing, really…" Houki replied as her cheeks flushed a bit. She did a good job today – she not only helped Ichika to tune his new sensors array, she also made good progress with her own task – during only seven hours-long training session her reactor output passed 34% mark (34.1%, +0.9% increase).
By the way, Ichika noticed interesting thing – Houki's I.S. aptitude actually reached 'A+' rank… Not that it was something very abnormal – it can change with time as pilot gathers experience, due to change in pilot's mental condition, etc. But Houki's changes seemed too big and too abrupt, during her academy entrance test she scored a pretty average 'C' rank, and now she's already 'A+', after less than half a year…? 'I'm wondering… Is that possible that Crimson Camellia also changes Houki's genetics?' Ichika thought, looking at his childhood friend. Of course it's impossible for an I.S. to modify its pilot's body… but not for I.S. made by Shinonono Tabane. 'And since building I.S. that can change pilot's genetic code is insanity – that's why it is quite likely…' But Ichika definitely not going to tell Houki about his wild guesses, as well as he's not going to teach Shinonono Tabane how to treat her younger sister. Besides, he's not the one to talk about body modifications…
Houki waved her goodbye to Ichika and headed home, which was quite nearby, she wanted to rest properly before tomorrow's event.
Ichika got the message from Rin so he knew that she won't come. But still, his I.N.-related plans for today were fulfilled, so he decided to walk around the City alone, just to relax a little after several hours of hard work.
September, 30th, Saturday, 5:12 P.M.
"…Hey, careful!" Suddenly, a young girl almost crashed into Ichika as she was walking out of the store, looking around and not looking where she was going, Ichika managed to avoid collision with her thanks to his 360° field of vision. "Oh, Ran, it's you…" Ichika recognized the girl, who, by the way, just came out of lingerie store.
"I… I… Ichika-sama?!" Ran almost jumped as she recognized the person in front of her. 'Oh no! The place where I usually choose my p-panties… has been seen!?' She was caught red-handed… Furthermore, it was the long awaited meeting after not seeing each other lately. As a maiden-in-love, the feeling that 'if there was a hole right here, I would bury herself in there' dyed her face completely red.
She clenched to paper-bag she was carrying, she mustn't let Ichika see its content at all costs – the black and white striped panties that she just bought. The goods, which she found right during the stock change bargain sale, were of high quality and priced at only 1000 yen for three. It was a very good bargain, but wasn't something that makes you happy when you are seen with it by the person you like.
'It's okay! It's fine! We haven't seen each other for a while, I need to speak to him!' The small Ran (x5) in her head yelled. 'That's right. In the first place, because of that stupid brother of mine, I lost my chance to go to the school festival too. This much is just a natural privilege to me… probably.'
After the festival, according to the info that she got from Teens Network (Girls-Only Information Network), it seems that it was a big event where Ichika was wearing a senior manager suit to greet the guests. One time for when she found out that Dan had the ticket. Another one for when she saw Ichika's photo. She had planned to beat Dan twice, but what's here is the innocent heart of a maiden-in-love. There's no way just that much would be able to compensate.
'But, it's okay! This month is Ichika's birthday! I plan to properly join the party!' Today she went shopping to scope out possible gifts, but buying herself clothes and general goods, especially panties, while she's looking around was a big failure. She was being forcibly suppressed by the self-conscious feeling of being seen during an embarrassing moment, but from the maiden-heart squad's splendid activity, the suppressed territory was gradually being released.
She clutched her hand and looked at Ichika. That appearance was the resolute appearance worthy of Private Academy Saint Marianne Girls Middle School Student Council President Gotanda Ran. "Good evening, Ichika-sama," She forced herself to smile.
"Good evening indeed," Ichika replied politely, "You're alone today?"
"Ah, yes. Strolling and shopping," Ran nodded.
"Not using Dan as a personal helper?" Ichika wondered. In reply, he got Ran's resentful sight. "Don't tell me that you're still angry at him because of that matter from before? Honestly, your fury is aimed at a wrong person. I should've known that for you that ticked would be more useful since you want to enroll into I.S. Academy next year."
"No, no, it's not your fault!" Ran assured him, "Ichika-sama no doubts have important things to attend to. I'd just like to ask – if possible, it would be nice if I'm prioritized next time you're giving out tickets…" She added uncertainly as she bowed 90 degrees straight, and then raised her head up, slightly dizzy.
"Of course, I understand," Ichika nodded. "Oh, by the way, I have one free ticket to I.S.-related event right now," He remembered. "It's so called 'Cannonball Fast', I.S. race of sort. It won't be on academy's territory, but still may be interesting," He said.
Ran almost jumped in excitement, "Of course!"
"All right, I should still be able to hand you that ticket. Ran, did you bring a cellphone?" Ichika asked.
"Y-Yesh!" Ran mispronounced a word due to her enthusiasm, and immediately regretted about that, 'Ah, I failed! So embarrassing…'
The cellphone that was just taken out was switched into direct connection mode, and then the ticket data got transferred.
"All right, Cannonball Fast's special reserved seat ticket. That will do?" Ichika wondered.
"Ah, yes! Of course!" Ran replied excitedly.
"But, just like the school festival, each person only gets one invitation card. Sorry that you can't bring your friends with you…" Ichika added, but of course he couldn't care less about Ran's friends.
"The… There's nothing to be sorry about! It's completely okay! All of my friends are the type who are satisfied with just watching the relay broadcast," Ran assured him.
"As you say," Ichika replied indifferently.
In the meantime, Ran found another thing to be worried about, 'Uh, if only I'd taken the character sticker off of my cellphone. He must have thought I'm childish…' Of course Ichika didn't even notice such a trifle, but for Ran who wants to be seen as a lover material, this was also one small failure.
After seeing the 'Sending Complete' message, Ichika closed his cellphone.
"Tomorrow?!" Ran suddenly exclaimed as she examined the ticked data.
"Yes, at 10 AM," Ichika nodded. "What's wrong? You already had plans for tomorrow?" He asked, wondering how's that possible that Ran didn't hear about Cannonball Fast until now. "Anyway, about that Cannonball Fast tomorrow, as you can see, it's going to coincide with my birthday. So that means the birthday party that is planned could end pretty late. Is that okay?"
"N-No problem! Not at all!" Ran assured him. No, she didn't forget about Ichika's birthday, Dan was talking about it pretty often. "On that day, that stupid... sorry, I mean my brother will also be there…" And as she said that, Ran realized a big problem there, "Ah, will the people from I.S. Academy also come!?"
"Oh? Yes, of course I had to invite a few people," Ichika replied as it was pretty obvious.
"Ho… How many people will come?" Ran asked cautiously.
"Hmm… six people from I.S. Academy, I think… also a few people from JSDF will come… I guess there will be about fifteen people in total. That's why I decided to move party out of my house, it will happen on the highest roof of Izumi Garden Tower…" Ichika explained, "I guess Dan already told you about that."
"Fifteen?!" Ran exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know, it's even more than I expected, though, my colleagues are from Yokosuka and Yokohama, so they probably won't stay for too long," Ichika explained.
"Ah, I see…" Ran nodded. But still, Ichika's coworkers weren't her biggest concern – six people from I.S. Academy were. That's an all-girls school, which means six people = six girls! By the way, Ichika didn't invite Tatenashi, but she most likely will show up nonetheless, so that's why he said that it'll be six people…
Ran was attacked by something resembling giddiness. Even just Rin and Houki are already powerful rivals, but to have even more rivals beside those two made her increasingly anxious. 'And there are four of them?! This is bad, this is bad. For a birthday present, hand-made cakes and small things won't cut it…' Suddenly, her self-confidence vanished. Ran had some pride on her moderate cooking skills, but in the first place, Ichika is also a good cook, but more importantly… Cooking seems just pathetic in Ichika's case – he's a JMSDF special forces commander, not some average schoolboy! Which present can be considered worthy? Genuine Swiss wristwatch? Collectional historical weapon? A schoolgirl, whose income consists of pocket-money from parents and small salary from part-time job, she can't afford any of those things!
Thinking about those things, Ran suddenly remembered about Rin. 'Wha… What will Rin-san do I wonder… If I remember correctly, Rin-san is also a representative candidate. Then, that means she's getting military funding, doesn't she?' Rin and Ran, the two girls who had seen each other as rivals during Ichika's middle school days. It also could have been because of the competition between Japanese and Chinese style food. 'Haaa… There are too many rivals…' Ran became a little disheartened.
"Ran, are you okay?" She heard Ichika's voice.
"Oh!? I'm alright!" Ran hurriedly assured him, 'Uhh, I did it again…' Usually, Student Council President Gotanda Ran would never show this kind of unsightly appearance. But right now she is only a girl in love that you can find anywhere, who wants to be in front of the person she likes.
But even though she said that, she wasn't alright, not at all, she couldn't stop thinking. Rin-san is representative candidate… Something like that is really unfair… But, more importantly, could it be that there are more representative candidates among those girls Ichika mentioned?
Ran, who was planning to take the entrance examination for I.S. Academy next year, starting from this summer had hurriedly investigated I.S.-related things. She knew that about in eight or nine cases out of ten, nation representative candidates who got into I.S. Academy, are the users of personal I.S. She also knew that they were elite of elites. On the news they also showed that Houki-san received a personal I.S. Furthermore, they said that her unit was built by Professor Shinonono herself… Right now, she thought that everyone is really unfair.
She remembered the first time she met with Orimura Ichika. That day when she fell in love in 0.1 second. 'There's no way the love at first sight exists. Are you stupid or something?' That day was when she started thinking how unbelievably stupid she was because she thought like that. To put it simply, people do fall in love. The reason can always be added after, and the impression is always vivid. And also, once it starts, it can no longer be stopped…
"Ran? Are you sure you're okay? Maybe you need medical attention?" Ichika asked, though he perfectly knew which kind of help she actually needs – all her emotions were written on her face…
"No, of course not!" Ran assured him, though she actually had some. "It's just… please excuse me, Ichika-sama, I have to go now… do few preparations before tomorrow's event… goodbye!" And as she said that, Ran almost ran away.
*Sigh* Ichika sighed. 'What preparations you have to do… you're not going to pilot an I.S…' He thought, mentally facepalming.
September, 30th, Saturday, 10:58 PM
Kuromochi Machinery Development HQ building, roof. Pretty unusual people have gathered there. At one side – five people from Kuromichi – director of science department, director of engineering department, two top managers, and some high-ranked man from Japanese government. At another side – five people from United States – two women in their early twenties – Natasha Fairs and Iris Calling, US Airforce deputy chief of staff, civilian R&D representative, and State Department representative. And no matter how you look at those two parties – they were negotiating about something.
And then, 'third side' has finally arrived. An I.S., which was glowing with ominous dark violet lights, landed on the roof.
"Oh, so this is…" Iris tried to say as she saw the Demon Queen, but she was interrupted by a quite loud whisper.
"Hey! What's he doing here?!" Natasha's voice sounded quite agitated, she was addressing Kuromichi's representatives, "You haven't mentioned anything about him!"
"Nathalie?" Iris looked at Natasha with surprise, "What's wrong? I thought he saved you or something… hey, he's handsome…" She added as Demon Queen disappeared and she could see the pilot.
"He did, but… that guy's just…" Natasha sighed "…I mean, if this one is going to be involved, then it really begins to look like a deal with the devil…"
All US delegation now was waiting for the explanation from Japanese side, seemingly none of them was informed that Kuromichi was intending to invite Ichika.
To make the long story short, that was a collaboration offer. Unlike the rest of the world, Japanese side (actually, very few people, but still) was aware of Silver Gospel's destruction (JSDF was looking for it, after all), which means that US side has good but jobless I.S. Pilot, and no platform to test new versions of Silver Bell-class weaponry. On the other hand, Kuromichi got problems with new weaponry development. As such, they came with an offer – make Byakushiki into a joint project. US side's going to provide the pilot, the Silver Bell Mark II and a high power output reactor, Japan's going to provide the rest – an I.S.
However, US side wanted to install two shoulder-mounted Silver Bell Mark II cannons, and not instead of Byakushiki's current weapon – semi-automatic rifle Yukihira Hirakana [Blooming Snowflake] – but in addition to it. But no matter how much those people from Kuromichi and US R&D department didn't want to admit it – they couldn't quickly adjust Byakushiki's power distribution system to ensure correct functioning of new power source and weapon, that's laborious process. That became quite clear during preliminary talks. Though, Kuromichi promised to solve that issue quickly, but they didn't tell that they simply want to hire a certain someone to solve the aforementioned issue…
Negotiations took about an hour. Honestly, no one was too happy about Ichika's involvement (mostly because of the pricetag for his assistance), but they all knew that they lose much more time and money if they'll try to resolve all technical issues themselves.
"I knew that he's an arrogant and impudent, but couldn't imagine that he's also so greedy…" Natasha whispered, she was slightly shocked with amount of money, which Ichika asked for his services.
"Greedy?" Ichika asked indifferently, as he lip-read Natasha's words, "Not at all. Money itself has little value to me, but I'm maintaining my own I.S., as you know. Of course, I have access to military findings, but they're not going to pay for my every experimental design…" He commented as he was examining Silver Bell Mark II.
"Major Fairs, behave yourself," State Department representative shushed at her, "Their financial affairs don't concern us…" In the end, Kuromichi promised to pay Ichika… Natasha seemed offended – not only Ichika somehow managed to hear her, despite she was whispering very quietly, but she also was scolded for that.
"Very well," Ichika concluded, "I'm taking the job, though, there's one more condition – I'll change external design of this weapon. This wing-like form looks cool and all, but if I'll leave them as they are now it will require counterbalancing, which is clearly unnecessary…"
"Hey, hey, wait!" US civilian R&D representative interfered, "Every part of this weapon's design is crucial for its functionality! This is very sophisticated, experimental device, if you change anything it definitely will have negative effect on its functionality!"
Unlike those 'wings' of original Silver Gospel, Silver Bell Mark II wasn't a plasma thrower, which uses compressed air to accelerate plasma charges, but 'normal' plasma cannon with electromagnetic compressor-accelerator. It was still 1st generation plasma cannon, but with an interesting addition… though, it wasn't a step toward generation 1.5, more likely it was a step aside…
"Really?" Ichika looked at that guy with pity. "Sophisticated? It uses fin-stabilized tungsten 'arrow' with iron core. Magnetic field magnetizes arrow's iron core, which forces compressed plasma gas to stick to it, after that, cannon shoots like some sort of a hybrid of plasma cannon and railgun. Of course, tungsten arrow makes plasma charge's trajectory much more stable, and gives it that silver arrow-like look, but really, to call it sophisticated…"
Seemingly, due to inability to make a plasma generation chamber, capable of creating thermal plasma, US scientists decided to fuse plasma gun with railgun, in order to increase destructive power. However, it doesn't seem like a good sign, because, if they won't be able to make genuine 1.5 generation plasma generation chamber (and they probably won't), research of plasma weapon soon will be abandoned and they will concentrate on railguns, or switch to energy ray-based weapon technology.
In the meantime, US civilian R&D representative seemed speechless. And he wasn't the only one…
"He… he learned how our newest, top secret weapon works… just by looking at it for a few minutes…?" Iris asked in disbelief.
"Chifuyu-san said that he has very special eyes… I guess I now realize what she meant…" Natasha also could barely understand what just happened.
"The entire work will take two weeks," Ichika announced, "I'll start as soon as I get prepayment, just as we agreed. I'll contact you at Monday's morning to discuss delivery details. Now, if you excuse me, I'll take my leave, I have to wake up early tomorrow…"
When Ichika, entire US delegation, Japanese government representative and Kuromichi MD top managers left the roof, only two people were still there. They were company's science and engineering departments' heads, and both looked quite displeased…
"Orimura Ichika – uncontrollable, arrogant sociopath; Shinonono Tabane – irresponsible and unpredictable bitch; how is it come to that that we need one of them just to combine existing technologies in one frame?" One of them asked.
"I agree," Another man nodded. "We could do it ourselves, I told that to those idiots many times…"
But both managers were united in their opinion: Ichika said he only need two weeks, while combining Byakushiki with US techs, using Kuromichi's own resources, would take more than two months, and that definitely would cost more money than 'compensation', which Kuromichi agreed to pay to Ichika.
"Those idiots… they don't understand…" Science department head sighed. "If we stop investing money into our own R&D… If we stop letting our own people do the real job…"
"What will happen if those 'extraordinary people' won't be willing to help anymore…" Engineering department head ended his colleague's phrase.
"Adonai, why have you agreed to do that job?" Ichika heard a question in his head. He literally could feel Naamah's displeasure because he agreed to work with Byakushiki once again… Well, it was Demon Queen's well-known trait – she doesn't like when Ichika's working with any other I.S. frames.
"Oh, not this again…" Ichika snorted. "I told you many times – money don't smell. And don't ask why I need them. Even I can't know everything in this world. Take this new alloy, of which your armor is made, as an example…"
Initially, Demon Queen's frame was made of the same alloy as Messiah, because Demon Queen literally built herself, using Messiah's frame. But during summer holydays she got her frame rebuilt, using new alloy, but Ichika didn't get alloy's formula as a present…
"…That Australian science division tried to develop new alloy for their own I.S. units. They failed, yes, and I succeeded in completing their job, but knowing history of their failures helped a lot," Ichika explained. "But that science division had separated internal network, which couldn't be accessed from outside the facility, hacking it wasn't an option. So there was an alternative – assault the facility or bribe its staff. And assault on foreign facility would be… an improper action."
"So don't complain," Ichika concluded as he landed in front of his house, "The money I'll get for that simple job will be put to good use…" With sheaf of quantum particles his I.N. disappeared, it was already quite late. Cannonball Fast will be tomorrow…
And this is it for now. Battle in the middle of the town awaits us in next chapter.
