Episode 5: End of Prelude
"I guess I have to say I'm impressed that they manage to keep up with me. Well then, it's time for all of us to go all out!"
Kazumi said to himself, excited that he's finally facing some good ace pilots in combat. Like he expected, they're really interesting. Kazumi sharpened his focus and escaped from both Hayate and Mirrage's encirclement, finally using the full performance of his unit and the full extent of his skill. Mirage is of course ready to block his path but instead of slowing down, Kazumi goes full throttle and fly straight towards Mirage as he skillfully dodged the hails of bullets.
"I'm sorry guys but it's time to finish this!"
Getting very close until it looks like they're about to crash, Mirage with her unit in battroid mode spun in the air to avoid collision. But as she spun, her eyes widen when Kazumi's unit in battroid mode suddenly appear right in front of her face with its rifle pointed at her. She tries to evade but Kazumi's aim is both precise and quick. Once Kazumi pulls the trigger, her VF-31C is taken out.
"Mirage!"
Hayate shouted her name but it's too late. He is the last one of the Delta flight still flying. He can't believe that they're being taken out one-by-one. So Kazumi's skill level is on par with Messer and the White Knight. At least there won't be any doubt about his capability.
"So it's now one-on-one. Still want to continue?"
Hayate heard Kazumi's voice through the comms. Should they continue? Kazumi will most likely win. Hayate has no illusion that he can win against a top ranked ace who he guess is on par with White Knight and the old Delta 2, especially now without Mirage's support and Freyja's voice. So should he stop?
"…Of course we'll continue! I'll admit that you're good, probably as good as Messer, but that doesn't mean I have to backdown!"
Hayate could see Kazumi smirking under his helmet and then he shows a big grin.
"Then let's see how good you are alone, Hayate Immellmann!"
"Bring it on, Raven!"
So the duel continued between Hayate's VF-31J and Kazumi in his VF-31F. As expected, Hayate lost to Kazumi in 12 minutes. But Kazumi admits, Hayate put up more than just a good fight. If he keeps improving, Hayate could just reach the level of a top ace, equal to many legendary pilots.
Kazumi and Hayate's units came to a halt on Aether's deck after they concluded their duel. Kazumi did one final system check on his VF and he frowns a little. The unit's performance hadn't been entirely maximized and it seems the tuning had made the unit more energy-consuming.
It can't be helped. They're not his usual team of mechanics and had never dealt with any highly customized black ops unit. He can't expect them to get everything perfect. It took some time until his old mechanic team could tune his machine perfectly to his specification. In fact, the mechanic must be talented to be able to bring out the machine's performance to such degree in such a short time and install all additional parts that he requested along with doing what they can to tune it up.
Then again, they're already experienced in tuning a specialized machine. Hayate Immelman, his unit is also modified more than usual, especially his OS. Kazumi remove his helmet and jump down from his cockpit. The engineering team is already waiting for him.
"So how's the unit, captain?"
The lead mechanic asked. Kazumi decided to tell them outright.
"It's alright but it can still do better. It's a really high performance machine but that is compared only to the standard units."
The head mechanic frowns. From how Kazumi put it, the unit is only acceptable but fell short from his standard. If he were to be honest, it is quite hard to tune his unit to his preference even with data from his old VF-25F and the unit itself to serve as basis. The captain had really squeezed out every ounce of performance possible from his 25F. He can honestly say that even the high performance units like the Lucifer, Durandal, Kairos, and the Windermere's Draken III can't easily outperform the lieutenant's 25. Outgun, maybe, but not outperform.
"It mostly has to do with energy. Even with 31's reactor, the unit's energy consumption is above acceptable parameter."
"I see. Well, the additional thrusters set on the whole unit does cost energy and we have maximized the main engine's output and you also ask us to maximize the weapons' output. It would take a toll on the reactor."
"Since the Siegfried has more weapons than the Messiah including energy-based one, I suppose my old unit's configuration won't do."
"Don't worry captain, we'll figure it out. Anything else?"
"Nope. Other than that, it's a great unit. The main problem is just that. Once that's solved, everything should be better. You've done a great job chief. It took my old team a month and ten sorties to get it perfect."
"Thank you sir. You hear that lads! We got work to do!"
Kazumi chuckled as the mechanics scramble to work. Waiting for him is the rest of the Delta flight and Walkure. He noticed that Hayate is pouting like a child. It is an amusing sight. He could see the group's dynamic by how close they are. Hayate is flanked by both Mirage and Fleyja just like when he first met them and Arad is together with Kaname. Chuck is closer to Makina and Reina but not in the same way like Hayate and Arad to their girls. And then…
"Congratulation on your victory, Raven."
"It's Bloodraven actually, Mysterious Venus."
The duo chuckled with good humor. It is still a strange sight for everyone as Mikumo Guynemer rarely talks with anyone outside of Walkure, even if it is a member of the Delta flight, especially someone she barely knows. Kazumi went to Arad and salute.
"Major."
"Captain, great performance out there. I honestly think that I will never see my boys got their ass handed to them in a three on one fight again. So how about it?"
Kazumi know he's talking about the position of Delta 2, being Delta's second-in-command. It is not hard to guess that he should get that position. He holds the same rank of captain which is just below Arad and higher than the current Delta 2 and it has been proven that he is a top ace level like Messer.
He also has more experience and was the second-in-command of his first squadron. Hell, with his history, he should be commanding his own platoon. But he already got an answer for Arad and he hates to disappoint.
"I'm sorry major but I believe I will refuse the position."
"I see. But you do know that you outrank Mirage so why not?"
"Come on major. You do know that it will be more effective to have lieutenant Jenius continue being your second-in-command. She knew everyone better and most of all, I believe you know how I usually work."
"True. Well then, that will be all."
Kazumi saluted which is replied in kind by Arad as he and Kaname left the rest of them. There are still more work for both the leader of Delta platoon and Walkure but for the rest of them, they are dismissed.
"So…"
"What was that about?"
Hayate asked.
"Ahh that? The major offered me to become Delta 2 since I'm more experienced and hold a higher rank than lieutenant Jenius but as you can see, I refused. Besides, lieutenant Jenius knows about Delta flight more and I doubt you'll listen to me as much as you listen to her. It's more comfortable like this. I'm the newcomer and I don't want to spoil the dynamic."
Hayate doesn't reply since he knew that Kazumi is right. He'd be reluctant to follow Kazumi's order since he still has his reservations about replacing Messer. It won't go so far as insubordination but he won't be as willing to follow him as he will follow Mirage. Maybe when they get to know each other more but definitely not now.
"So with that said, why don't we party? Drinks on me! Ohh wait, we have minors here."
-Ragnyannyan-
Kazumi look down into his mug filled with beer with a melancholic look.
It feels… strange as he observes all the festivities all around him. It is very contrast to how he had been living for the last few years. An elite black ops operative like him doesn't get much chance to be festive. It's all missions day in and day out, alone in the depth of space or only together with acquaintances that will soon part ways with him after his job is done. The last time he had been part of a close-knit group was during Ouroboros.
Come to think of it, there is one thing he's wondering. It might just be a coincidence but he did wonder if the VF-31 was named Siegfried since the pilot of its prototype, the YF-30 Chronos, was piloted by Lyon Sakaki whose callsign is Siegfried 1. It's just a silly thought though. It is rather amusing in a way if that's why the VF-31 is called Siegfried. And maybe why the A and B type are called Kairos since it is also the greek word for time same as Kronos which YF-30 was named after.
Useless thoughts but it serves to amuse him even if only slightly.
"Not joining the crowd captain?"
Someone finally sat beside him and start a conversation. Of course, it is none other than Arad with Kaname on his other side. Kazumi had been wondering, what is their relationship? He had never seen Arad without Kaname unless they each have their own business like when Arad needs to take care of Delta flight or when Kaname needs to practice with Walkure. Other than those times, they're practically joined at the hip. He won't pry though. Asking too many questions is a quick way to get yourself into trouble and get yourself killed in his line of work, although that probably doesn't apply in this situation.
"Nope, at least, not yet. We'll have plenty of time to get to know each other."
Kazumi replied, downing more than half the content of his mug in one gulp.
"Don't drink so fast or you might choke, Kazumi."
"C'mon, let me drink to my heart's content! It's not like I'll be driving us back. Which reminds me, what's with that arrangement anyway?"
Kazumi turns to Arad and Kaname.
"I too would like to hear about that, Kaname."
Mikumo too follow suit. Although they don't have any problem living together and admits that it is convenient and so far have been enjoyable, they're still a little unhappy for not being given any forewarning. Both leaders only respond to their respective aces with a mischievous grin.
While the four of them are having their talk, the remaining members of the Delta and Walkure are having their own group gathering. The usual group of Hayate, Mirage, Freyja, Chuck, Makina, and Reina are gathered together in one table, casting glances at the leaders and aces of their respective team.
"Are you really sure about that? He doesn't look like one at all."
"Muu… Hayahaya doesn't believe us?"
Makina pouted. The Walkure group told the Delta group about what they know concerning Kazumi and a black ops operative is definitely not something that can be used to describe Shinomiya Kazumi. Hayate always imagined such operatives to be the silent and scary type who prefers to use violence and assassination to do their job. So far, Kazumi's action does not give him that impression. Hell, the guy is currently laughing together with the old man!
Mirage though is not so inclined to agree with Hayate even if she has her reservations.
"His attitude as far as I can see might not match what we expect… but his skill does."
Mirage still couldn't forget how he beat them all one-by-one. Certainly he didn't beat them as fast as Messer did but he WAS playing with them a little before going serious. They had improved much since they lost Messer but the fact that he could still beat them alone is testament that he is an extraordinary pilot.
But it does make sense. Mikumo is a clone of an ancient civilization singer dubbed as the Star Singer. Even if they don't care about it, Mikumo is pretty much a super weapon. Someone who is assigned to be her bodyguard can't be just anyone ordinary. A black ops operative guarding a classified super weapon, that's what it comes down to for the higher up.
But…
Mirage snuck a glance at the adults (?) of their group. They look like they're having fun, even Mikumo although she doesn't show it as much as the three others. And it is quite surprising how she seems to talk quite animatedly with Kazumi. Suddenly, Makina popped out from the corner of her vision.
"Wow, Kumokumo is actually sitting together with him. Reirei, do you think she's interested in Kazukazu?"
"Maybe."
"Mikumo-san is interested in Shinomiya-san?"
"You guys are making a big commotion about this. So what if she's close to him? He's supposed to be her bodyguard, right? It doesn't mean that she likes him, right?"
Chuck suddenly put his arm around Hayate.
"Man, you don't understand anything, Hayate, even when you already got flowers on both hands."
"Hayahaya is dense. Miramira and Frefre should teach you something during your nightly rendezvous."
Freyja and Mirage immediately blushed at Makina's not-so-subtle hint of nightly activities while Hayate himself tilted his head in confusion. Chuck facepalmed at Hayate's obliviousness or he's just that dense. How he managed to acknowledge his feeling for Mirage and Freyja is already miraculous if he's that dense. But maybe he's just not observant enough when it doesn't concern him.
Freyja suddenly tug on Hayate's shirt and point at something. Everyone immediately follow the direction where her finger is pointing and saw Kazumi and Mikumo leaving Ragnyanynyan together. Everyone nodded to each other. There's no need to say what they're going to do.
"So, what do you think of the Delta flight, mister Bloodraven?"
Mikumo asked, calling him by his infamous name. It's not surprising that she knew that name. It's not as much of a secret, especially since Walkure has high enough clearance to look him up in the database. Kazumi doesn't mind being called that by Mikumo as she is doing it in good humor, considering the history behind it.
"To be honest, they're good. They're very good that I could call them an equal to previous Skull Squadrons that I know."
And Kazumi is being honest. All of them deserves to be put on the same pedestal as the legendary Skull Squadrons. All of them are elite pilots who work so well together.
"I see. That's a great praise, calling them equal to the legendary Skulls."
The two of them continue to walk side-by-side. Meanwhile, not far from them hiding behind walls and shadows are the Delta and Walkure group minus Arad and Kaname. Curiosity got the better of them and the group follow the duo who went back together. Of course they would be curious. Mikumo had always gone home alone. Maybe it's because Kazumi is her bodyguard but knowing Mikumo, she would've ditched him or stay silent but the two of them appear to be making small talks.
"I've never seen Mikumo-san like that before."
"Ufufu, this is interesting. Kumokumo did mention that she found Kazukazu interesting."
"Really?"
"Psst, they're going somewhere!"
Chuck warned them and they saw both Mikumo and Kazumi got out from the main road. The girls, especially Freyja and Mirage's imagination began to run wild as they imagine what Kazumi and Mikumo are doing. They continue to tail the duo discreetly.
Kazumi and Mikumo though already knew that they're being followed. Mikumo is the most effective field operative in Walkure's covert operations and Kazumi is a former black ops operative. The two of them internally chuckled at their group's curiosity and attempt at spying.
"So tell me, why are you taking me to the beach where we first met?"
Kazumi asked, recognizing the path he took not a few days ago. They finally reached the shoreline and Kazumi has to admit that the sight of the beach at night is beautiful. At least it beats deep space where you need a clock to tell the difference between morning and night.
And of course there is the sight of the beautiful Mysterious Venus under the moonlight. No matter how many times he looked at her, Kazumi will admit over and over again that Mikumo is the most beautiful woman he had ever met, and he admits it wholeheartedly even when he knew people like Sheryl Nome and Lynn Minmay.
"I wish to speak to you. You are a curious person, Shinomiya Kazumi."
"Curious? In what way?"
"In various ways but those are just minor curiosity. I do need to know who my bodyguard is."
"True that but… you brought me here because you want to ask me something, right?"
"You are right. Kazumi… I saw your wings."
Kazumi did not react but he instantly knew what she meant. She's not talking about his skill, no, that is not what she is interested in. It is interesting though to know that she could read him just by seeing him fly. That is certainly a rare ability.
"I see… what did you see?"
"Kazumi… does it still hurt?"
"…Why do you say that?"
"Just like I reveal all my feelings on the stage, the way you fly reveals your true self. You're a man of the sky, Kazumi. Your words and action might be able to hide it but your wings cannot."
Kazumi chuckled weakly.
"Ehehe, true that. You're right. I sometimes miss them all, but I need to move on with life."
"How you fly, it is like someone who had flown alone for most of his life."
"You have sharp eyes, Mikumo."
The two of them stood in silence, gazing at the ocean. The others following them hidden behind some trees wonder what the two of them are doing. The silence continued for another minute until Kazumi finally spoke again.
"My life is a little complicated. But I guess the same can be said for you, miss Star Singer."
"That is… quite true."
Mikumo chuckled humorlessly. The two of them stood beside each other, gazing at the ocean. They stand in comfortable silence as both took in the sight. After a while, they continue walking.
"Since we will be around each other a lot, I wish to get to know you."
Mikumo said to him.
"Then I would like to get to know you too. We'll be stuck with each other for a long time."
Mikumo lightly chuckled.
"True. Shall we go home then?"
Kazumi smiled and nodded as the two of them walk back to Ragna's main road, the two of them now heading home. The trek home would've been done in relative silence until Mikumo suddenly sang. Kazumi recognized the song. It was one of Sheryl Nome's song, Diamon Crevasse.
"Kami-sama ni koi wo shiteta koro wa
Konna wakare ga kuru to wa omottenakatta yo
Mou nidoto furerarenai nara
Semete saigo ni mou ichido
Dakishimete hoshikatta yo
Oooo…
It's long long goodbye…
Sayonara dayonara nando date
Jibun ni mujou ni ikikasete
Te wo furu no wa yasashisa dayo ne?
Ima tsuyosa ga hoshii
Anata ni deai star kagayaite
Atashi ga umarete
Aisureba koso ai areba koso
Kibou no nai kiseki wo matte dou naru no?
Namida ni nijimu hoshi no matataki wa gone…"
Once Mikumo was done singing Diamond Crevasse, the two of them had arrived at the front door of their shared home. Kazumi opened the door for Mikumo as she got in first with him following from behind, leaving the Delta and Walkure group staring with jaws open wide at the two's shared home.
"Captain Shinomiya…"
"…and Mikumo-san…"
"""ARE LIVING TOGETHER?!"""
-Deep spcase, Brisingr Globular Cluster-
A large black warship defolded as it enters the globular cluster. A pitch black Macross Quarter with no insignia that shows its affiliation. No emblem of the NUNS or SMS or even Chaos. The Macross warship engaged its normal thrusters as it flew in space towards a certain planet.
On the bridge of the Quarter, a figure in black stood beside the captain's seat, silently gazing into deep space. The person is a woman wearing an all black coat and a hood and mask that obscured her face.
"The Brisingr Globular Cluster. This is the first time I came here."
The captain of the Quarter-class battleship, a man in his late twenties with brown hair and thin stubbles said. He also wore the same coat like the woman beside him but his face is not obscured by a hood, showing his face that has a large scar running across his left eye. He wore a captain's hat which he said is the greatest perk of being the captain of a ship.
"Remember, we're not here for sightseeing Joseph."
"I know Mary. The situation in this cluster is still unstable."
"The Windermere is not our concern at the moment. Remember the mission, colonel."
"Yes yes. You know, you could relax for a while major. It'll take a few days in order for us to sneak into Ragna's airspace without being detected."
"Hmph, I guess you're right. But the boys are looking forward to this mission."
"I'm not sure what to look forward to. I admit that facing the Delta flight will give you guys a good challenge but all of you are cybernetically enhanced soldiers with the best units available. Defeating the Delta flight and capturing the Star Singer won't be so hard for you guys. Thanatos squadron is the elite of elites after all."
"True but the latest intel we received might make things harder."
"Really? What did we get?"
"Apparently the Star Singer is well guarded. The Delta flight might proof to be a challenge but if we add this piece onto the board, things might change much."
The captain raised an eyebrow until commander Mary gave him a file she kept inside her coat. Joseph immediately took out the file and it took him only one second for his face to turn from curiosity to a wide, feral grin. Certainly if he is involved then things will become rather interesting.
"Well well well… so we have the infamous Bloodraven guarding the Star Singer huh."
"Yes. Now you know why my boys are getting excited."
"Stasis will probably just go ahead and ignore orders though he's more interested in the other one."
"Yes. Who I'm worried about is Reiter. But still, I'm looking forward to see how the little chick has grown. He is certainly a true raven by now."
"True."
The two of them chuckled, remembering their mutual acquaintance. Mary, the commander of Thanatos squadron is looking forward to when her squadron will finally come face-to-face with Delta platoon. Even if their orders were to capture Mikumo Guynemer, it wouldn't hurt to play with the Star Singer's protector for a while.
The face behind the mask smiles as she imagines how their inevitable encounter will be.
