Episode 10: The Past
-Macross Elysion, the day after-
Kazumi and the rest of the Delta flight are gathered in the hangar. The ace pilot looks a little exasperated as he face the other three members of the Delta flight. He's feeling slightly irritated at the moment and everyone noticed it.
The reason for his irritation is simple. He had just finished a battle simulation with his fellow pilots and is now giving them his assessment of their skill. He is annoyed because it's not supposed to be his job since he's not the second-in-command even if he is their ace pilot although he should technically be since he is the second highest ranking member. The hangover and irritation from not being able to participate in last night's skirmish also doesn't help.
"Alright guys, let's just get this over with. This is supposed to be Jenius' job, not mine. Anyway let's start with Chuck first."
"Yes Sir!"
Chuck stood to attention when Kazumi stood in front of him. He is the only member of the squad who is a native of planet Ragna. Kazumi didn't find any significant fault with him but there is also nothing in his piloting that makes him stand out like Hayate and himself, and even Mirage. Chuck is the perfect definition of a reglar ace in his opinion. He is great but not overly special. He pilots a recon-type unit although he's more of a front-line pilot.
"Chuck, you have your basics down solid. But there are still a lot of points to improve. Learn some new tricks and improve your reaction time. As you are now, you can fight against most pilots and even skilled ones but against a true ace pilot you'll be shot down just like in our battle with Thanatos squadron."
"Ugh, yes sir."
Chuck deflated at being reminded of his defeat. But Kazumi is not done yet and continue to elaborate what he saw from Chuck and his performance.
"The main problem with you is actually you and your unit's compatibility. You can make use of your unit's systems like most pilots with recon and electronic warfare unit but that's it. If I were Arad, I would put you in the standard fighter variant but unfortunately we need a sensor unit so it can't be helped. My suggestion is you should learn how to use your unit more effectively in combat. Check out SMS Frontier Skull Squadron's Luka Angeloni. He used the same type of fighter like you and he used it to great effect during the Vajra War. I won't expect you to be like him but you can learn a few things about how to utilize your unit by learning from him."
"Thank you sir! I will follow your suggestion."
Kazumi nodded and turn to Mirage next. He won't be mincing his words in their assessment.
"Next we have lieutenant Jenius. You're improving bit by bit, but you're still too rigid and your habit of using textbook maneuver makes you predictable. Still, you're working on that so I can cut you some slack. My advice is you must learn to improvise, it can save your life. "
"I see."
Mirage had expected as much. Old habits die hard. She had been trying to fly more freely but it will be a while until she can truly fly like how she wanted to be. Mirage also takes Kazumi's advice to heart. She knew it's a good advice. Kazumi certainly improvised a lot and that's how he handled all three of them with relative ease.
Kazumi now turn to Hayate who stood to attention. The two of them stare at each other for a few second. Kazumi kept his silence and nodded to him as he turn away to leave. A tick mark appeared on Hayate's forehead.
"Oi, what about me?!"
This reminded Hayate of Messer very much. Kazumi will probably say something about him slacking off and being the worst pilot of the team or something demoralizing. His answer surprised Hayate.
"Ehh? What can I say? You're already on ace-class if you put your mind into it. You have some nice tricks and a good sense. What you're lacking is experience. You and Mirage as a combination can match a high-class ace pilot. Just keep improving steadily, no pressure. Make new tricks and pull some stunts, those kinds of stuff."
That was… unexpected. Instead of chewing him out like Messer did, Kazumi pretty much praised Hayate. By now they should've learned that Kazumi is much different from Messer that they are a contrast to each other. Where Messer is strict, Kazumi is laid back. Where Messer is grumpy and serious, Kazumi is relaxed. Hell, Hayate had heard from Mirage that he comes home drunk yesterday after he went drinking with the commander! He even chased Mikumo around like a crazy drunkard! Messer will never be caught dead being drunk.
"That's all I have to say, I guess. Anyway, if there's nothing else then I'm leaving."
-Ragnyannyan-
"Ugh, I hate my job."
Kazumi slump down onto the table as he groaned and complained like a bored salaryman. Mikumo chucked while stirring her drink. They had just left Elysion and decided since they have nothing better to do they would visit Ragnyannyan. Kazumi and Mikumo took the outdoor table facing the sea. Inside are the other members of Walkure and Delta chatting together like they usually do in their reserved table.
"This is the first time you ever complain like this. What is with you?"
Mikumo asked. Kazumi hadn't been like his usual self lately. Usually he'd be laid back but he'll do his work without much complain and any complain was made under his breath. He's a professional. But he had been voicing his complains out loud and is being very lazy since fighting the Thanatos squadron.
"It's a side effect. I'm currently irritated at pretty much everything. Haven't gotten all the alcohol out of my system. This is basically the aftermath of my hangover."
"Then you shouldn't have drunk in the first place if you can't hold your alcohol."
Mikumo chided. She still remembers clearly that embarrassing scene when Kazumi was chasing her around while laughing like a crazy drunkard… which he was at that moment. If Walkure were a normal idol group and Ragna was like Earth, then that scene would've been captured by the paparazzi and gossip about her and Kazumi will go around, although even if it does, Mikumo thought that it would be amusing. Even if she doesn't care as long as she can sing, she did wonder how it feels to be a normal idol. Walkure is certainly not a normal idol group in every sense of way
"I can handle the first ten shots."
"You shouldn't drink so much. It's bad for your health!"
Mikumo scolded him again while sighing. She never thought that Kazumi would be a heavy drinker, especially since she never saw him drink more than one glass at a time. Clearly the appearance of new enemies is the cause of his 'drinking problem'.
"Oooh, is the Mysterious Venus worried about me?"
Kazumi teased with a somewhat cocky grin. Mikumo stare at him in deadpan.
"Of course I'm worried about you. I can't have my… friend kill himself due to alcohol poisoning and fail his job."
Kazumi grunted in response. By now he's supposed to be sober but he's irritable for a whole day whenever he got a hangover. Which is why he did not particularly noticed the brief pause Mikumo had when she spoke. Or perhaps he noticed but doesn't know what it means and didn't particularly care.
"Yeah yeah, don't worry, it takes more than alcohol poisoning to kill me."
Kazumi dismisses Mikumo's concern with a lazy wave. The Mysterious Venus huffed. Kazumi's attitude is annoying. But… after looking back at Kazumi who's now lazily lying on the table, Mikumo finds that she doesn't mind it too much. She still prefers his usual self but him acting like an unruly child is also interesting. Kazumi suddenly shifted his position so he would look to the side and towards the door leading to the restaurant.
"Anyway, why don't you guys join us instead of spying on us?"
There was a yelp and a few seconds later the head of the rest of the Walkure minus Kaname popped out along with Mirage and Hayate, Freyja looking especially nervous. Really, haven't they learned their lesson not to spy on them? Don't they have anything better to do?
Apparently not.
"Ahaha, sorry."
"How long have you noticed, Kazukazu?"
Makina asked as the rest of the group joined them.
"Right from the start, and so does Mikumo."
"No wonder you can get along with Mikumo-san so quickly, captain. Both of you are perceptive."
Kazumi replied to Mirage's praise with a grunt and got back to his previous position.
"Kazukazu, are you okay?"
"Just ignore him Makina. He'll be back to normal by tomorrow."
Again Kazumi simply grunted in response. Mikumo began playing with Kazumi's hair while he's lying facedown on the table. She twirled a lock of his hair with her finger. Surprisingly, the irritable Kazumi is not annoyed and let her play with his hair for three minutes before raising his head looking all serious as he address the singer he is most familiar with.
"Kumokumo…
"Since when did you start using my nickname?"
"…I was thinking for a bit…"
"I thought you lost all ability to think until you wake up tomorrow."
"…and I just need to ask about your hair."
"What is wrong with my hair?"
Now he has her full attention. Mikumo look at her long hair and touch the bun on top of her head. Everyone is also curious why Kazumi brought up the subject of Mikumo's hair, the hair she took great care of everyday and is one of her pride and joy. Then with a completely serious expression, he said.
"Now that I take a good look at it, your hair looks like jellyfish tentacles."
The next second everything was so silent that you could hear a pin drop.
"Kazumi, what are you saying about my hair just now?"
"Looks like jellyfish tentacles. Is it because Ragna is famous for its jellyfish? And isn't it hard for you to move around with such a long hair? Unless… yes, does it look like tentacles because your hair can move and wrap around stuff and even punch people?"
"…Kazumi, you watch too many anime."
"Maybe."
Mikumo and Kazumi kept on bantering while the rest of them watch in utter amazement at Mikumo actually speaking in full sentences with someone, or even willing to participate in such a silly banter. Makina pulled Freyja closer and whisper to her.
"Are they always like this?"
Makina and Reina had never hung around Kazumi and Mikumo for a long time. Makina is surprised that Mikumo would speak more than a few words and even took jabs on Kazumi. It's just different from the Mikumo they usually know. Freyja though laughed nervously as she had seen this kind of interaction between Kazumi and Mikumo before. The one who answered Makina is Hayate though.
"It's a usual thing for them and I still find it strange even after seeing it more than enough times."
Mirage nodded along with Freyja. Even after seeing it a few times themselves, they still find Kazumi and Mikumo's interaction as strange. They're definitely livelier around each other than with anyone else. There's even a bet going around on when Kazumi and Mikumo will get together but the pair themselves did not admit to being more than friends… even if they are living together.
Unnoticed by the group, someone was watching them form the distance. A masked woman wearing all black is watching the group while remaining hidden. Beside her is a young man with short blonde hair and slightly muscular build. He wore a plain white shirt and brown cargo pants and boots. From his built and his looks alone, one could guess that he is a military man.
"So that's the Bloodraven? I thought he would look more impressive."
The young man said. With their cybernetic implant, the two of them can see from a great distance without needing a binocular. The young man is Gerald Gendlin, one of the two new members of the Thanatos squadron. He is Thanatos 5 bearing the codename Noblesse.
"Don't let his appearance fool you. Anyone who managed to gain a reputation like his in black ops business is not someone to underestimate."
"I've read about him. He's good but we're cybernetically enhanced and we're Thanatos squadron, the best of the best in the business. He wouldn't be able to take all of us on."
Mary chuckled at her subordinate's naivety. That attitude is what gets so many of their recruits killed. Gerald is more of a traditional soldier that prefers direct confrontation. That is not a good fit for a black ops squadron like the Thanatos. Mary had to shake her head in dismay. All their younger recruits are so eager.
But that's exactly why she picked them for this mission instead of Supplice and Stasis. If she were to take her fellow veterans, she has no doubt that they could kidnap Mikumo even if they have to do a stakeout for months first. Plus none of them are emotionally compromised.
And she can't have that, not yet. That is why she picked this team. They must FAIL. Mikumo cannot be captured. She must not be captured. There are only two ways she can have this mission ends and that is either Mikumo Guynemer becoming a corpse or…
'Heh, I wonder, do you remember who you truly are, Kazumi?'
Mary knew that tonight will be an interesting night. She had made sure it will be so. After all, Reiter is already out for Kazumi's blood and their reunion will be a blast. Now, while waiting for the show to start, she should probably focus on getting that one information first.
'Probe number four, seven, eight and ten had infiltrated Elysion. Now, where can I find a terminal to access?'
Meanwhile, further away in the open sea of Ragna, a small ship is slowly approaching the mainland. A hooded man stood at the helm of the ship with the Captain, the ragged brown cloak he wore concealing his whole body.
"We're about to approach the mainland. We should be there around nightfall."
"Thank you Captain."
The man said. The hooded man then turns to look into the direction where the mainland is, to the direction where the Star Singer lives.
