Chapter 14: The last of the innocent days
November 27, 2001 (Classroom) Takeru POV
"It's sudden but the UN Undersecretary will be inspecting Yokohama base tomorrow. Everyone must be present for the section chief's arrival tomorrow. Hence, all tomorrow training will be postponed until the inspection is over. This is it for the announcement. Shirogane, you will stay back. The rest will be dismissed." Marimo finished her announcement while looking at my direction.
"Salute" Chiruzu ordered
While waiting for the girls to walk out of the class, I could clearly notice several worried glances casting at me. The girls probably expected that I would receive some scolding… It would be really unnatural if I don't get one with my performance lately.
"Shirogane" Marimo called out while approaching me after the last of my squad mates were out of the eyeshot. "You must have some idea why I asked you to stay back, right?"
"Yes, Ma'am"
"Then I will cut the chase. What is with your results during the last mock battles? Why are you holding back?" Marimo glanced meaningfully at me and asked.
"…" I shifted my eyes away from Marimo's gaze and remained in silence. There is just no way that I could answer that question.
"Was it because of that incident?" Marimo unhesitatingly went straight to the main topic.
"…" How true. That incident she referring to is none other than the one that I sent Marimo's Gekishin flying. Ever since that incident, I tried my best to avoid a close quarter combat with anyone. All I did was simply engaging the opposing TSFs at range and provided support for class rep and Ayamine.
"Didn't I tell you not to worry about it and focus on refining those skills of yours?"
"…" if it was that simple, I totally had no problem at all. I had no control of myself or whatsoever during I entered that mode. "Murasame" was the name that I came up with several days ago after discovering it. Just like the name suggest, I possessed totally no control or self awareness while entering that mode. Though, I had vague memory of what I did. Like a cursed katana, I would strike down anything on the path regardless of who or what. In contrast with those polished movements produced during the time I stayed in that mode, those movements I unconsciously exerted could consider being exceedingly reckless, illogical and deadly in nature if one would observe them long enough.
The element of reckless in this mode would simply dwarf that of Hayase's style or my original moving pattern. If one observed long enough, they would notice that there were very few complex movement patterns exerted in this Murasame mode. Normally, Hayase and I simply relied on high speed movements and complex maneuvers to avoid getting hit. Those high G movements could only be regarded as foolhardy despite no matter what results they produce due to the strain we exerted on the TSF's joints. However, in the Murasame mode, I didn't act like that. I waited to be attacked by my opponents, stayed motionlessly until the right moment, slipped through their attacks with minimal movement and finally go for the kill.
It's scary. It was madness. This is entirely different from martial art or some heroic grandeur Hollywood movies. The concept of minimal movement just doesn't always applicable with piloting a TSF. Firstly, in order to dodge an attack with the least movement, the person is forced to observe his opponent carefully without missing any single slightest details and achieve total control of his own body. Only by fulfilling those requirements, he would able to accomplish such feat. In any anti TSF battle, we are dealing with projectiles at sub sonic speed. The pilot could only dodge bullets by reading the line of firing or by reacting to the auto lock-on sensor. The moment the bullets came out of the muzzle, it is already too late to do anything. That's why, the ideal fighting style is to fight speed with speed. Move faster than your enemy, approach your enemy faster than they can anticipate and finally go for the kill when they were confused. The same argument for close quarter combat, in a constant moving battlefield at high G movement, mobility is a must. Without mobility, a TSF is nothing but a sitting duck. That's the reason why researchers and armed forces scrapped those tank-like first generation TSFs away for the third generation TSFs with higher mobility performance and cruise speed. The XM3 I invented was made with that intention in mind as well. Maneuverability is everything for piloting a TSF.
That's why, I am shuddered by imagining what kind of people could piloting a TSF in such suicidal manner as the Murasame mode. What kind of nerve does such person have to come up and develop such an unrealistic and illogical style? To deny the modern combat theory and real combat data without a slightest hint of hesitation, the person who developed this style could be no longer a normal human. What we are fighting is a war, not a one on one battle. In a constant moving battlefield, the number of opponents aiming at his own TSF isn't just one. How could he manage to stay alive through battles and develop such an unrealistic fighting style? As the number of people one could observe is rather limited on a real war zone, you won't guarantee to able to see all of your enemies, let alone not missing out any of your opponents moving patterns or dodging them. Furthermore, this is a TSF, not someone else's body which they were born with. It means in order to move his TSF in such manner on the battlefield, that person has either forced to completely merge with his personal TSF like his own body or simply doesn't care about his own life.
Secondly, this is a war against the BETA. This Murasame is an illogical and inefficient method of fighting. The number of the BETA fighting forces in a single hive is vastly outnumbered even the combination of the whole world's military power. They are strong, hideous, merciless and completely unafraid of their own death. In battles where the least number of the BETA forces is tens or hundreds of a thousand, Eishis were unavoidably got swarmed by BETA. How could one still survived among forests of BETA with that kind of maneuverability? How could a person develop such style of fighting? Chill ran down my spine just merely thinking about it. Does he not feel any fear at all? The kind of paralyzing fear which even seeped through the core of the toughest human when one is completely surrounded by tons of those hideous creatures. The kind of fear of being eaten alive slowly and painfully with even a slightest error he made.
Even so, where could that person possibly find a safe moving space for his TSF with that kind of mobility during combat? I couldn't imagine one would actually able to 100% dodging all of the attacks with the minimal movement when swarmed by BETA. Arguably, high G movements and complex maneuvers like Hayase's fashion and mine is undoubtedly put several stresses on numerous of our TSF's joints. However, the safe moving space between our TSF and the BETA keeps our Shiranui in one piece. On the other hand, one who moved like my own Murasame mode doesn't actually prevent stress on his TSF at all. His minimal movement style doesn't necessary better or safer than ours. Without a safe moving space, he could only unavoidably make one or two mistakes no matter how good he is. To completely dodge an attack, one must able to fully grasp the entire trajectory and the force involved in that attack. Thus, when one was constantly barraged by different kind of enemies from all 360 degree and without a safe moving space, not even a super computer could avoid making a mistake or two. And with such kind of style, there is no room for error. That's why, there is no way for any practitioners of this style to survive in real combat against either human or BETA. It's too unrealistic to accomplish such feat.
Lastly, I could never able to comprehend how one could fight with such a method in this kind of war. Where were his comrades? Where were his friends? Why didn't they stop him or at least warn him from developing such method of fighting? The way one fought as my Murasame mode is that of those who have a death wish. There is no trace of fear can be found on the blade nor the will to live. It is a kind of fighting style that didn't even consider support from one own allies from the beginning. It is as if it doesn't matter if he was to be cut off from allies. It is as if he wouldn't mind dying as a lone wolf. It is as if he has become nothing but an empty shell and a cursed blade.
What's scarier than the recklessness factor in Murasame mode is its deadliness. To my horror, every time I brought down my blade, I have yet to see anyone on its path remain. Unrealistic as it is. But whenever I entered this trance like Murasame mode, all opposing offenders were decimated in one and only one attack up until now… How one could survive the war regarding such odds in battles and hone such illogical and unrealistic skills to this extend? I could probably never able to figure it out. Just by watching the footages of previous mock battles, those movements which imprinted deeply in my own body were probably copied from someone else. I knew my personality only too well. I am too hot blood of a person to able to devise and master those skills on my own. They just didn't sit well with me to begin with. Somehow, I must have probably adopted it from someone in one of my forgotten loops. Even so, I still don't possess any memories of when and whom I learn those skills from. Perhaps, unless I am able to meet that person in question face to face or in a TSF, those memories might not return to me obediently.
Finally, the scariest thing is how I copied this fighting style with such perfection and how I was controlled against my own will in battles. It is just plain creepy. I don't remember anyone close to me had such a crazy fighting method. Even so, it would take great years of training and practicing in order to perfect such frightening fighting method. It means that reckless of a person is clearly closed to me to the point that I had unknowingly adopted his or her style. On the other hand, I couldn't tell if I was possessed by some unscientifically vengeful ghost or I had a personality disorder during the time I entered the Murasame mode. It feels like how I first came back to my former world with Yuuko sensei help. I was there, I remember of what I did even though I couldn't do anything else different from the Shirogane Takeru of that world.
"Shirogane …" Marimo chan's voice suddenly rang in my head and forcefully dragged me back from dreamland.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Answer my question, why did you hold back?" Marimo asked
"…" To her, it's a matter of honor and pride as an Instructor. If I become afraid of pulling the trigger or holding back on a battlefield because of that incident, it would only lead to my own death. I'm sure that the last thing that Marimo chan want to see is that I would be killed due to the fear of hurting her after that incident.
However, it is totally another matter for me. What makes me hesitate and hold myself back is the fear of entering the Murasame mode. It was nothing but a machine designed to kill and an epitome of death. I couldn't imagine who could I protect the moment that monster was to unleash. Since the activation timing and the duration of the Murasame mode is still completely random to me until now, I am more afraid of the safety of the people around me rather than my enemies. It is a good thing that we use Styrofoam blades and paint balls during our mock battles. If not, it takes a sheer miracle that Marimo chan and the girls are still in one piece.
On a side note, I haven't found out the condition of activation and de-activation of this mode even after doing thorough checking of my own vital data during combat. There was no notable pattern showing there is a relationship between my own emotional status and vitalities toward that Murasame mode.
"I didn't hold back or anything. I was testing the effectiveness of some of my maneuvers in battle. After all, I have no real battle experience yet."
"Shirogane, that's a poor excuse." Marimo glared
"It wasn't really a lie. I was really doing some experimenting and testing in the mock battles in the last few days." I replied instantly, as earnestly as possible. It wasn't necessary a lie since I did some testing to that Murasame mode.
"…"
"And besides, I am an Eishi. I will not wavering or hold myself back from killing the BETA"
"Shirogane, I only hope it is not just an excuse. Hesitation on the battlefield not only brings your own death but also your comrades."
Yes Ma'am"
"And I have been noticed that you weren't in your room after light out lately."
"Ah yes…" To be exact, I haven't slept in my room the last 3 days. I have been busy working with Yuuko sensei on the pilot system of the twin seat cockpit, reading Sumika's progress report, checking my own condition with Kasumi and Sumika's reading ability and avoiding some minor particular problems.
"Don't misunderstand me. I'm not criticizing you. I just want to know if you are okay"
"…Yes…"
"Is Professor Kouzuki calling you out late at night again?"
"That's…right" Well technically it's not a lie. Sorry Yuuko sensei.
"Ha…" Marimo sighed "Not that I can do anything about it. I know that you have special mission with Professor Kouzuki. But you are worrying everyone. Make sure your body doesn't suffer for it."
"Yes, Ma'am"
PX
I had a dream, a very realistic dream. Or should I say it was a very realistic nightmare instead? Nevertheless, I couldn't recall most of the details of that nightmare after waking up. In that nightmare, my vision was always clouded with a crimson veil. Under that fuzzy vision, I continuously fought against hordes of enemy and yet I couldn't remember who or what I fought against. Were they human beings or BETA? I couldn't tell at all. During the endless and sickening battles, my comrades slowly disappeared one by one in front of me, yet I shred neither tears nor enragement nor compassion for any of them. Cut off from allies and swarmed by masses of enemies, yet I neither feel fear nor despair. I became nothing but a hollow shell and a killing machine devoid of any trace of human being's emotion. Cutting down my enemies till the last one was the only thing existed in my mind. My whole existence became more of a blade than a human being. After all, a true blade needs no emotion. It was born for a single purpose. Cutting and killing…
"Why or when did I become like that? Where is everyone else?" I have long forgotten about it. "What did I fight for? Why am I still fighting?" It really didn't matter. Nothing else really matters… Not even my own life matters. Everything just felt strangely empty and meaningless…
And every time when that realistic yet hazy dream comes to an end, I am always alone in the midst of a battlefield deprived of life. Lying inside a dark TSF's cockpit, I am all alone by myself under a scorched blacken sky and a crimson ravaged earth scatter with corpses and TSF's remains.
Whenever I tried to recall details of that nightmare, intense headache assaults me to no end. That kind of brain splitting headache was something I had never experience before. It was as if my own brain refused to recall that nightmare with every ounce of strength it possessed. To my surprise, not even Sumika could read out those details with her ability…Nevertheless, after witnessing how realistic it was, I wasn't sure whether it was simply just a nightmare or a piece of my own memory or someone else's memory. But one thing is certain, that nightmare is undoubtedly related to the monster inside me.
"Hey Takeru." a voice calls out to me and cuts me off from my train of thought.
"Hey what's it? You girls are still here?" it was Mikoto and the rest of my squad. They seemed to wait for me. Grabbed a chair next to Mikoto, I sat down and asked.
"How did it go? Did Instructor scold you or something? You looked awful Takeru" Mikoto worriedly looked at me.
"Don't worry… It's nothing like that. She was just giving me some advices toward my practice and health."
"It's good to hear that" Chiruzu spoke
"More importantly, we need your advice Takeru" Meiya folded her arms and looked at me expectantly.
"You do?"
"The truth is, the Undersecretary is coming here tomorrow…" Meiya seemed to struggle to find words to continue.
"Is Tama's papa?" I cut in knowing what this whole conversation is all about. I was almost forgotten about the incoming problem with Tama's dad. The HSST problem, the evacuation of Mount Tengen, the coup d'état,… So many problems that the make visit of Tama's papa wasn't such a big deal anymore. I kind of understand the stress level that of Yuuko sensei in the last loop.
The girls looked surprised. Mikoto immediately questioned "You knew?"
"Sort of…"
"So we were wondering what to do about…" Meiya closed her eyes trying to find the right words to continue the topic
Tama blushed brightly and muttered incoherent words while looking at Meiya "A..uuuuu"
"In any case, it seems that Tamase's father misunderstand that she is a squad leader from her letter" Chiruzu spoke
'A..uuu. Sorry, I'm so sorry." The group's mascot mumbled.
"Then let's make Tama a squad leader for a day"
"Make her a squad leader for a single day?" Meiya asked innocently
"Pretending, of course"
"Haa…so predictable. I have nothing to say" Chiruzu sighed
"Okay, now I will announce the items we need and the person in charge of it"
"Wait, are you really suggesting we would do that?" Chiruzu looked extremely doubtful for some reason. She must think that I was only joking.
"Of course, I am serious about this. Beside the item we need happened to be…"
"Excuse us. May we have a moment?"
I turned my head toward the direction of that voice and saw two girls. From the way it looks, the previous voice belonged to the tall, slim onee san with ebony color pony tail hair style. She looks pretty affable and sociable. In contrast, the other girl looks kind of meek and docile. With a curly hair style and a short and slim figure, she looks almost like a squirrel of some sort. However, the insignia on their uniform make it clear that they were both commissioned Eishi rank 2nd Lieutenant. I don't recall have met them or spoken to them in any of my previous loop though. "How may I help you, lieutenants?" I asked politely.
"You must be Shirogane Takeru." the onee san with the embodiment of Yamato Nadeshiko asked me with a charming smile on her lips.
"Yes, Ma'am"
"Ahaha, you don't have to be so stiff. We don't intend to pull rank here… Can I borrow you just for a moment? It would be quick." The onee san giggled and asked politely
"…Ah...Sure" I had a bad feeling about this
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It's scary. The girls in my squad were staring icily at me. Chiiiichiii. I could even hear the sound effect of their chilling stare. They must either follow me just now or possessed incredible woman intuition.
The moment I followed those two lieutenants to an empty corridor, I received an unexpected double love confession from the squirrel girl and the Yamato Nadeshiko onee san. However, I was kind of able to guess that much from the moment we met in the PX…
That was one of the reasons why I didn't come back to my room after light out. November 24, 2001. 9.31pm. I received a love confession from a girl who I not even remember meeting her or even knowing her name for the first time in my life. Faltered from the unexpected event, I was stunned for several minutes. After that, I did my best to turn her down in the nicest way I could think of to avoid hurting her feeling. The girl quickly left in tear after that. 9.47 pm, another girl knocked my door. I had another unexpected love confession. I turned her down with a distraught heart. What the heck is going on? I didn't remember raising this kind of flags at all. I who was just a plain looking guy, a dime in dozen, suddenly become popular like Mikoto the bishounen in the former world? That was too good to be true.
10.03pm, another one knocked my room. What the heck? Are they really queuing up waiting in front of my door or something? If I think about it, most of the officers were relieved from their duty after light out; hence, this is probably the best time slot for stuffs like this.
After receiving another four more unexpected confessions, I promptly made my escape into Yuuko sensei's lab. Sumika and Kasumi was glaring dagger at me while accusing me for being a philanderer. It's hurt. The silver hair girl ignored me, covered her ears and pouted without bother listening to any of my explanations. She looked like a cute little sister whose brother was stolen by someone else. On another hand, the red hair idiot didn't even bother to listen, the moment I opened my mouth, she delivered a liver strike. My consciousness turned hazy as I was closed to see my ancestors in Styx River. Before I could even to voice out my innocent, that idiot followed with another Sumika Drill Milky Way punch to shut me up.
November 25, 2001. I came back to my room in the morning to grab a change of clothes. To my surprise, the moment I opened the door, I could see many pink envelopes lying on my table. No need to open any of those envelopes, I could figure out the content immediately. From that moment onward, I officially make Yuuko sensei's lab into my bedroom.
CHIIIIIIICHIIIIII
The stares suddenly intensified. A chill ran down my spine. My squad mates were staring sharply at me. If they won't stop it sooner or later, I may become Swiss cheese just by having those stares on me.
"Girls, can you stop… doing that? It's not like I did something wrong." I meekly said while stuffing down a large chunk of saliva down my throat.
"Was that the reason you wasn't in our room recently after light out?" Chiruzu asked. She asked with a slightly trembling voice and a forced smile on her face.
It was really scary class rep. How did you know that? I can feel the intensified murderous intent in the air. Your smile is even scarier. It is a smile that can kill.
"Ah, that's right…where were you?" Mikoto inquired
Same goes for you Mikoto. That tick mark on your forehead really worried me. Your smile is forced as well. I am really bothered.
"…he went out a lot at night" Ayamine muttered
You are really scary as well Ayamine. Did you stalk me just like class rep or something? I could see a nerve popping up on your temple as well. And that poker face of yours really makes you even scarier than ever.
"It is hard to condone Takeru" Meiya folded her arms and said
Princess, you are the scariest of the bunch. Your eyes have lost their light. They look as cold as those of dead fishes. It feels extremely suffocating to have you look at me in such a way. My intuition tells me that if this is not a public facility, you have probably sliced me up like sashimi with or without your katana.
"Uwawawawa…" Tama's eyes are spinning as she looked back and ford between the girls and me
You may be the least scary of the bunch Tama. But that conflicted expression on your face between is also bothering me. I am not sure whether you are trying to prevent a bloodbath here or joining their side.
"Shirogane" Chiruzu called out
"Yes Ma'am"
"Answer my question. Was that the reason you never come back to your room recently?" Chiruzu inputted intonations into her question and make it look more like a threat.
"Yes"
"…I can't ignore that" Meiya muttered while looking at me with her dead fish's eyes.
"No, I'm not doing anything wrong. It's not like I… spend the night in another girl's room or anything. I swear"
"Really?" the girls focused the accusing eyes at me and asked
"Really"
"Really really?"
"Really really" I sweated profusely from the doubting stare of the girls
"…It was none of my business… but where did you stay?"
"Yuuko sensei's…"
"Hah?" the girls had an utterly shocked expression on their face for a moment. Then, the dispersing killing intent once again rose up significantly.
"No, I meant her lab room. Definitely not her bed chamber" I immediately dispel the misunderstanding as fast as I could
"Hahhh…" the girls sighed out in relief and withdrew their accusing look from me.
"Hahhh…" I, too, sighed out in relief after miraculously escape from my impending doom.
November 28, 2001 (PX) Takeru POV
Yawn~ yawn~
"You only just woke up, why do you seem so tired?" Meiya asked with a tinge of worry on her face.
"Good morning Meiya. Just feel out of the place" I wearily answered while continue yawning. That crimson nightmare reappeared just this early morning. When I woke up, it was only around 4.00 am. My body is completely soaked with sweat. My limbs were in pain and tired as if I really participated in those countless battles in that nightmare. I guess I really make Sumika and Kasumi worried this morning.
"I feel bad for you Takeru" Mikoto said
"Salute" Meiya suddenly ordered as she spotted someone behind me. Everyone else immediately followed her order. Since class rep is busy escorting the UN undersecretary and the inspectors as our squad representative, Meiya, the second in command took over her responsibility.
I quickly turned back only to see Marimo chan and Tama's dad. Geh! Immediately, I saluted them on reflex.
"Undersecretary, this is the Yokohama base Eishi training school Cafeteria" Marimo introduced
"Oh?" the old man muttered while looking at us.
"I hereby introduce you to the cadets of Eishi training Squad 207" Marimo continued
"Humanity's fate rests on your shoulders. Can we count on you?" the old man looked at us and said
"Sir, yes sir" we replied in unison
Marimo called. "From now on, Cadet Tamase will guide you. Cadet Tamase." Yesterday, we already confirmed to make Tama become our squad leader just for today. Well, we already prepared to accept our punishment for faking rank, after Tama's dad go away, it surely come our punishment. It doesn't matter anyway, since it Marimo chan, she will just punish us slightly by an order of clean toilet for a week.
"Ah, Right this way sir" Tama stammered the moment she heard Marimo chan mentioned her name.
"Yes, yes, how dependable…I'm a little bit sad you won't call me papa" the old man looked proudly at our group's mascot with some tears in his eyes.
"Papa…uuuu…but I'm a cadet now"
"Oh…so brave and dependable. I really wanted to show mama too"
"Th…this is the barrack" Tama stuttered while she shown her papa our quarter. No matter how much we looked at it, she isn't a commanding material at all. She is as timid and docile as a mouse. It was lucky that her old man was able to look through our white lie and played along with it. Well, class rep has already finished her job; she has already waited in front of the barrack quarter with Ayamine before long.
Crap, the girl hasn't get use to her new position yet. I have to remind her quietly "Tama, the salute"
"Ah, salute…" Tama faltered while issuing order
"We have been awaiting your arrival, sir" Chiruzu and Ayamine saluted
"At ease. Yes, yes, so you are Tama's subordinates?" the old man asked
"…you are Tama too…" Ayamine muttered. I don't know what the hell is going on in your head Ayamine. Can you at least act normal in front of the undersecretary? "…Tama papa…mustache" and why do you have to say that?
"H-hold your tongue!" Tama stammered and made her command. "Don't just stand there, step aside." Woa, you've really done it now Tama. This will be a trigger of series of unfortunate events which only lead to hell.
"My apologies, squad leader" Ayamine, even if your face is as expressionless as ever, I know you are boiling inside. Damn, I have to make my escape soon.
"That was so dignified. Well done Tama" the old man is clearly busy doting her child. " Such a good girl. Tama. Come on, there there~" he hugged and patted Tama's head like chiding a cat. "Papa wants to see you issue more order."
Good, I have been waiting for this. Come Tama, follow the script we had prepare yesterday.
"Th…then you…if you've got nothing to do, then clean the latrines" Tama pointed at me and order. Good, I will have an excuse to escape this tour to hell now.
"Yes squad leader" I saluted and made my escape. My apologies, Tama. I don't want to have my own share of beating like last time.
"Wait a minute, young man. I don't mind if you do that later" Tama's papa smiled at me like a sunflower.
Crap. Old man, do you really want to kill me? Escape plan failed. Uuuu, I am really scared of my own fate now.
"Hm? You were with us earlier." Tama papa looked at class rep and pondered
"I am cadet Sakaki Chiruzu"
"You must really tired, dealing with those bureaucrats earlier…good work" Tama papa commended.
"No, absolutely not sir"
"Sakaki kun, you're one of Tama's subordinate?"
"Sir, I could never repay our squad leader for what she has done for me." Her answer was as… expected of our real squad leader. But…
Tama papa replied "Yes, I know. I've heard that you are stubborn, won't listen to people and easily misunderstand things, just like your father."
Crap. That old man just sealed his daughter fate and my own fate as well. Old man, can you see class rep's eyes were twitching with anger or you daughter who is shivering in terror? I know it the carnage here is because of that letter Tama sent to him. But he is clearly busy doting Tama without realize he's blowing it all out of proportion…
"Don't cause my Tama too much trouble"
"…S-sir" Chiruzu swallowed her anger and replied.
The old man moved on and looked at Mikoto direction "Hm? You are…"
"Sir, I am cadet Yoroi Mikoto"
"Oh-hoo, you are that Yoroi kun whose chest is flatter than Tama's?"
Another victim was created. Mikoto's eyes were twitching in shock and watering like broken faucet.
"I…I hate you. You know I am sensitive about thaaaat" Mikoto cried out and ran away
"Takeru san, help me" Tama darted her eyes at me and begged. No way Tama, may you be fine on your own after this. But, the girls will vent their pended up anger on me instead.
Tama papa then turned to Meiya "Hm? And you are…"
"I am cadet Mitsurugi Meiya"
"I see, so you are…" then the old man come to a long silence.
"…hm? You have nothing to say regarding me?" Meiya asked out of curiosity. But, it sound more like a challenging than a question.
Tama papa casted his eyes away "…it is a matter of life and death." He is speaking to the Grand Shogun's relative after all. In fact, she is the Shogun's twin sister. One wrong word and…
"…I see" Meiya responded coolly.
Tama, you shouldn't sigh out in relief yet. Meiya can still infer how bad it was. There, can you feel the rising killing intent yet? These days, I can't help but get sensitive to sense that murderous vibe.
Tama papa approached me and asked "…and you must be Shirogane Takeru kun?"
Darn. I am not going down without a fight. "Sir, you made a mistake, Shirogane Takeru is currently occupied with another task and unable to show up. My name is Kurogane Linebarrel sir"
"…" the old man stood petrified for several seconds. The rest of my squad mates looked at me with a question clearly written on their face 'What the hell are you doing?' Sorry, it is for the sake of my survival.
"Ahahaha, to think that you are not just a decent looking man but also possessed such a unique sense of humor. You are really interesting Shirogane kun. "
Crap, was it backfired? Don't give me any more trouble than you already had old man. You are directing everyone rage at me.
"I heard that you are outstanding in knowledge and training, and that you are calm and reliable. Good, good. It's hard to find someone like you nowadays Shirogane kun" Tama papa spoke cheerfully. Please stop, your praising is killing me. That kind of praising is overboard.
Tapping my shoulder, the old man continued "You'd do fine. Take care of Tama for me. I want you to continue standing by Tama's side, just like you always have"
God, do you really want to repeat this part of history so much? I am shivering right now. The girls in my squad with the exception of Tama looked extremely dangerous right now. Anymore nonsense from this old man and my fate will be sealed.
"I can't wait to see my grandkids in the near future… wahahaha" still busy tapping my shoulders, the old man continued his rattle.
God, I think the air just freeze for a moment back then. Damn it, don't jump to grandkid making all of a sudden. I have to make a dash now.
Huh? Why can't I run away? "…can I talk to you?" class rep grabbed my shoulders tightly and asked with a trembling voice.
Don't think something like this could stop my escape. Full power…huh? "Takeru, we need to talk. Don't worry, it will be over in an instant." The azure princess locked her arms to my elbow tightly.
"Talking lasts in an instant. What the hell you are trying to do?" I am extremely terrified hime sama.
"Huh?" Why am I floating?
"Good Ayamine, we shall transport him like that" Meiya spoke. She is visibly shaken with rage.
"Please let me go, Ayamine. I beg you"
"…I'll never let go of you" Ayamine replied monotonously.
It may sound like a cheesy line from a romantic drama, but it is incredibly scary in this situation. "Calm down, girls"
"There are things…in life that you can't do anything about. Fate is a cruel thing." Damn it Mikoto. That is the first thing you say after coming back? Why don't you try to do something more helpful like saving me for example?
"Okay full speed ahead" Chiruzu ordered my execution.
"Someone help me"
(Hangar) Takeru POV
"What happened to your face?" Yuuko sensei asked while darting her eyes at me.
"I appreciate it if you refrain from asking…"
"It looks like you had a good time sleeping in a toilet or something."
Urg, she is right on the mark. Those tile mark printed on my face just won't get off. Those girls were serious about killing me back then. "Forget about it sensei. How are you doing with the twin seat system of that cockpit?" I changed the subject and pointed at the Russian twin seat cockpit.
"No good, I have figured out that they had tweaked a thing or two with the ESP projection unit. But, this stuff is not quite my field. Though, I may able to fix it with more time." Yuuko sensei went on running the engine of pilot system while tapping at the brainwave reading device.
"That's my sensei for you"
"Enough flatter. How's the deal with that guy coming?" Yuuko inquired.
'That guy' that sensei refer to is probably none other than Yoroi Sakon. "According to his report, he already laid out the traps to preempt our enemies during the coup in advance. Though, I must say that he is really amazing. He got his ass checked by the Intelligent Agency Department, the UN upper echelon and the US Alternative V supporters. Yet, he still found a way to slip through their guard undetected."
"Didn't I tell you? No matter how annoying that man is, his ability is guarantee. Besides, how did you convince him with that terrible acting skill of yours?"
"Well, not much. Just a little bit of an oracle. Right now, he must be convinced that I am either a prophet or someone who own a much better intelligent network compares to the empire or US's CIA."
"Just do not attract too much attention to yourself now. It's not the time yet"
"I know. Until you give me a go, I won't do anything unnecessary. Besides, I am quite surprise that you haven't announce the success creation of the 00 unit to the UN yet. I always thought that you would do that immediately when chief Yoroi told you about the XG deal."
"Heh? I can't quite believe it that Yoroi Sakon of all the people would actually let you on with that piece of information. You are really something Shirogane. Maybe your acting skill is even better than I expected."
"Ahaha… It's nothing like that sensei. That's something I deducted from how the US Alternative V supporters are reacting to this coup. Besides, when it comes to acting, I still need to learn more from you. You totally let the UN upper echelons by the nose."
Grinning evilly, Yuuko sensei darted me a mischievous look "It's still too early to say that yet. Though, I can't wait to see their reaction when they found out they had been played. Oh, Shirogane, connect this cord to your exo suit."
"Are you sure that device is safe? It almost spliced my brain into two the last time we test it" Holding the cable on my hand, I nervously asked.
"…It's safe"
"That pause is really worrying me. At least look into my eyes when you say it."
"Shut up… you either do it or you don't. Besides, you won't die. Didn't we prove it? "
Swallowing a chunk of saliva, I gingerly connected the cable to my Exo suit. It's not fair if you put it in such a way sensei. "Ok, done"
"I'm going to increase the output of the ESP projection device, you can just relax"
How am I going to relax? I am testing an untested device here. The way she conducted this kind of experiment on a human being (me) first hand is really inhuman. Am I your lab rat sensei? The sensei in her mad scientist mode can really be extremely scary…
December 05, 2001 (Yuuko's Lab)
"Takeru chan, wake up"
"…Morning, Sumika, Kasumi…" I groggily opened my eyes as someone yanked my blanket away. I looked at the blanket in Sumika's hands and the clock with mixed feeling. This lab room is just too cold at night. The feeling of indulging oneself in his warm blanket can be really irresistible.
"Takeru chan, are you okay? You look horrible." The red head brought her face near to mine and said.
"Nothing, don't worry about it" I waved my hand and sat straight on the sofa. Ever since that day, I have fully made sensei's lab my bedroom. I had even furnished it with my own wardrobe and the sofa from sensei's office to make this place habitable. Yuuko sensei didn't complain it, in fact, it is better this way since Sumika wouldn't have to travel to my barrack and wake me up. Since her identity is still a secret, it is better for her to avoid contact with others until Yuuko sensei gives it a go.
"Did you see that nightmare again?" Kasumi asked
"…Yeah" I answered. There is no point in hiding it. These two could read them out whether I want to hide it or not. That crimson nightmare reappeared yesterday night and even the days before.
"You should tell Yuuko sensei about it. It's better that way. Maybe she can do something about it." Sumika said.
"Don't worry too much. I am fine. Besides, there is no way I could tell her about that now, couldn't I? I can't afford to attract too much of her attention on me at this moment. My own scheme has long begun…and the coup will begin today. I can't let everyone worry about me now of all time."
"…" the two girls stood still in silence. Their face is as filled with anxiety.
"I am fine… It took more than just some nightmare to take me down"
"Takeru chan, you shouldn't push yourself…" Sumika muttered.
"Don't think too much. I am as healthy as an ox"
(Barrack)
There is something that I want to rectify. Even a healthy ox may succumb to those nightmares of mine. My muscles screamed in pained the moment I woke up as if I actually participated in those killing in that nightmare. It's just sickening when seeing how I keep hacking and chopping at those blurry enemies without knowing who they were or what are they in the nightmare.
Then, I slapped my cheeks with both hands, forcefully made myself stop thinking about that nightmare. This is not the time to stay and selfishly thinking about such depressing things. This whole base will be declared under DEFCON 2 soon. And in a few hours later, our squad will be assigned to our respected mission in Hakone soon. Since all the girls in this squad are affected to a great extend by this coup d'état giving their own birthplace and position. More than ever, I need to remain calm and strong. If I couldn't do something like that and supported them through this time, I am not worthy being a soldier and moreover, a guy.
By now, Chief Yoroi is surely finished his job. The report he sneaked to me last time make it clear that we had already ditched opponents several miles in this coup. Though, there is nothing can be say for sure. Even if we didn't make any mistake, the wheel of fate is merciless and unpredictable. That's more reason for me to be more alerting and strong during this hour.
"DEFCON 2! DEFCON 2! All combat units remain on standby in full gear. Repeat! DEFCON 2! All combat units remain on standby in full gear"
An alarm tore away the peaceful atmosphere and stirred up a whole base like an ant nest. This is it. The coup has finally started. This is where history will change. This is the moment I will defy against my own cursed destiny and the world's malice.