Muv luv-The last moment miracle

by huuduc

Takeru fell to despair as Kasumi informs him that:He wasn't a Casualty Conductor anymore. He want to rewrite the cursed and twisted fate yet find himself powerless to do so. What can he do to defy fate once again and save everyone he holds dear from their designed deaths.

16. Chapter 15:Hope and Shadow

Chapter 15: A glimpse of hope, a glint of shadow

December 05, 2001 (Briefing room of squad 207) Takeru POV

Takeru is waiting in the briefing room with the rest of his squad mate in a dreadful silence. It has been 30 minutes since the Yokohama base was declared DEFCON 2. The whole base was stirred up like a hornet nest ever since. The hangar became packed with combatants and mechanics that are busy mounting gears and weapon packs to TSFs, preparing for combat. Along the ground level corridor, officers of different rank could be seen rushing through their designed positions. The tense and busy atmosphere could be felt anywhere in the base. It could only expect this much from a military base, everything has to be fast and efficient before the combat begin. To make it worse, the American Fleet took over the control of the Yokohama base and only makes the Imperial Army direct their hostility at the UN army.

The moment Marimo briefed the basic of the situation, anxiety descended on the briefing room. The situation is dire, much direr than anyone could expect. A coup d'état is currently happened in the capital. The rebel has almost got the capital under their control at this moment. They had surrounded the Parliament House, the ministries, power plants, and media facilities. Sooner or later, they will march toward the Imperial Palace where the Shogun stays.

The briefing room became even tenser the moment everyone spotted Yuuko walked into the room with her personal secretary 1st Lt. Elena.

"Salute" Marimo ordered

"I keep telling you to quit it with the salutes. I am not into military regulation… Here you go; this is everything we know about the current situation." Yuuko frown while passing a file to Marimo.

"I've already brief them on the basics…" Marimo responded while receiving the file from her friend.

"Just look at it" Yuuko spoke adamantly.

Opened up the file, Marimo quickly skimmed through the detail. Her expression turned darker with every time she turned a page. "Professor, why would you brief the cadets…on these details?" she asked immediately without finish reading the whole file.

"What? It's not just any squadron of cadets, you know. It's the personal squad granted to me as the XO of the base. I need them to know this much." Came Yuuko's reply

"…understood" Marimo stepped back with an unease expression on her face. Then, shifting her gaze toward her trainees, she spoke.

"The UN has just decided how we are to deal with the situation. The United Nation Security Council has also decided to incorporate the American 7th Fleet currently in Sagami bay into emergency response. This will be officially announced approximately 3 hours from now at 7.00am. At the same time, the Yokohama base will receive the American army."

Takeru and his squad listened to that piece of information with mixed feeling. Each and every one of them was worried about the state of affair of their country. But moreover, they were somewhat related to the coup one way or another. As a result, they can't help but mixed their own personal feeling into it.

"As I explained before…the capital is nearly under the complete control of the coup d'état forces. The most recent information indicates that the Ministry of Defense has just surrendered. There is a possibility that the Honor Guard has engaged the coup d'état forces around the Imperial Palace, though it is still unconfirmed."

Chiruzu and Meiya let out a small gasped. That one sentence immediately made Meiya to worry about her sister the Shogun while Chiruzu thinking about her father the Prime Minister.

"According to the provisional government in Sendai, assault forces are being gathered to retake the Shogun and the capital. The ring leader of the coup d'état has been identified as Captain Sagiri Naoya from the Imperial Defense Army 1st Division's 1st TSF Armored Regiment."

Ayamine immediately clenched her fist tightly.

"Also…the provisional government has confirmed that the rebelled forces have assassinated a number of cabinet members. Apparently, Captain Sagiri killed them himself, calling them traitors to the nation."

Takeru's face turned grimace as much as everyone else. His heart sank. He just heard something he didn't expect at all. He had that old spy Yoroi Sakon informed about this assassination a week ago. He even stressed the old spy to have them evacuated before this coup d'état occurred. How could this still happen? Weren't they supposed to evacuate to Sendai by now? Takeru silently cursed himself and the old spy for letting this happened once again. Turned his gaze toward Chiruzu and Ayamine, he felt extremely guilty the moment he saw the distorted expression on their face.

"Fortunately, our Intelligence confirmed that the Prime Minister and few Cabinet members along with the heads of the Defense Ministry have been evacuated to a disclosed location before the coup began."

Takeru quietly sighed out in relief almost at the same timing as Chiruzu. 'Thank goodness', he silently muttered. If Chiruzu's dad, the Prime Minister was still assassinated this time even with his knowledge of the future, he probably could never bear himself to look at Chiruzu's face again. The invisible iron grip on his heart is slowly releasing. But then, he was still cursing himself for unable to save the others. He knew it was naïve to do so. Yet he could not bear to watch people dying when he has the power to save them. Most of all, he once again let Naoya who was supposed to be Ayamine's fiancé committed the crime of striking down his countrymen once again.

"XO, it's about time" 1st Lt. Elena called

"Open a channel. The coup d'état forces are going to make a public statement." Yuuko ordered.

The whole briefing room turned its attention to the flare up screen. Takeru immediately recognized the man in the screen could be no one else but Sagiri Naoya.

"My beloved countrymen, I am Captain Sagiri Naoya of the Imperial Mainland Defense Army's Imperial Garrison Regiment." Naoya began with a composed and resolute voice. "As you are all well aware, our empire is now the front line in a war against invaders who wish to eradicate humanity. My comrades and I risk our lives day and night fighting to protect Her Highness, our countrymen, and all of human society. That is the sacred duty entrusted to the government and to us, its soldiers, and a duty that must be fulfilled more than any other"

Even this is the second time Takeru watched it, he still couldn't help but overwhelmed by Naoya's determined present and his charismatic voice. Takeru fixed his eyes to the man on the screen. That is the same Naoya who he had met during the coup, the man who successfully called most of the Capital Imperial Corps to join his cause after this broadcast.

Not wanting to interrupt, we allowed him to continue. "However, despite that, can we truly say the government and the Imperial Army have fulfilled that duty? I am sure that you all remember the recent news on the disaster evacuation effort at Mt. Tengen. The report itself told a wonderful story of soldiers who volunteered to evacuate them, risking their lives to secure the safety of our people's lives and worldly possessions. Of course, there's no doubt that the operation was planned and executed in order to save their lives. However…"

Naoya paused shortly. Then his facial expression turned grim, his irises flared up with a color of anger.

"However, the true nature of the operation was no more than an efficient forced allocation, done with no regard of whatsoever to the rights and wishes of those who had returned to live there. In reality, those soldiers tranquilized the residents in their sleep, a method no different from kidnapping them, only to move them into a refugee shelter. They were crammed into temporary structure which barely protected them with rain and wind, not even given sufficient food, much less medical care…utterly blameless civilians were treated like common criminals…"

Naoya's voice elusively came louder and hinted his anger inside. His speech was getting more intense as it dragged on.

"Countrymen, this incident is merely the tip of the iceberg. A great many of the military operation carried out in her Highness's name are solely for the convenience and safety of the government and military, while ignoring the needs of the citizens they meant to protect. Not only that, the servants of the state who use it for their selfish gain have not even informed her Highness of this situation. If this continues, Her Highness's heart and the people will be broken apart, and Japan's days will be numbered. Therefore, the patriots who gathered with me in the nonpartisan strategic research group have joined with me in the rebellion to put this country back on the right track."

"That's enough, turn it off. I was curious about what he would say…but it's just depressing" Yuuko ordered 1st Lt. Elena with a hint of irritation in her voice.

The briefing room returned to its previous tensed silence state. Naoya's speech greatly affected everyone's resolve and morale. As an UN force, they supposed to stop this coup for the sake of maintaining the Far East Final Defense Line. But before they were part of UN army, they were Japanese, they could understand and somewhat sympathize with the rebel forces. Those feelings collided and conflicted, included with their mixed personal feeling. Since all of them are related to the coup to a certain extend. Mikoto's dad is making things happen behind the scene, Ayamine's fiancé rebelled and killed cabinets, Chiruzu's dad involved in the mess and labeled traitor, Tama's dad dragged the UN into the suppression and Meiya's sister is in danger.

"We may be UN Army soldiers, but we are also Japanese. It's only natural to be affected by this. However, it is our duty to serve more than just a country in this war if we are to ensure humanity's survival. Don't forget that" Marimo spoke strongly the moment she saw through those conflicted feeling of her students.

"…"

"Everyone, recite your enlistment oath" Marimo ordered as she could still see a hint of hesitation in the resolve of her students.

Without wasting a second, the squad resolutely recited their oath in harmony "I shall fulfill my duty to protect international peace and stability. By rigidly adhering to the code of conduct, by cultivating virtue, training my mind and body, polishing my skills, by not taking part in political actions, and by my undivided attention to complete the mission. I swear never to shrink from danger, but to risk my life and fulfill my responsibility toward humanity"

"Good…now think about those words. Understood?"

"Ma'am"

Then Marimo proceeded with the briefing "The 1st Armored Battalion and the 5th Airborne Support Battalion are on emergency standby. All other forces will stay on standby and defend this base. And now, it's been decided that we will receive the American Army…so there will probably no need to send out cadets. However, the possibility is not zero. Your TSFs should be ready to move out by now. Make sure that your training wasn't for nothing"

"Ma'am"

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The moment the briefing comes to an end, I trailed after a girl who has a grim look on her face while clenching her fist tightly as she quickly walked toward the hangar. She walked so fast that it was as if she tried to run and desired to be alone for a moment.

"Class rep…are you all right?" I called out to that girl when they were of a good distance from the rest of the squad

"Thank you…Sorry for worrying you. I must really look out of it…But, don't worry about it. I will be fine" Came Chiruzu's answer.

"You know… I was glad to hear your father is safe"

"…So do I" Chiruzu muttered that part in a volume that only she can hear. Then, she replied "Sorry for making you worry about me. It's my responsibility as the squad leader to take care of my squad members. Please don't let it worry you anymore. We are still on standby not off duty."

"Don't let Naoya's speech affect you. I won't argue that his cause is just or not. But, he is too zealot to his belief as a soldier. His view is thus only limited as a soldier. He will never able to understand the burden and the responsibilities of politicians or even what those politicians trying to achieve." I stated as resolutely as I could. "Naoya isn't wrong but it doesn't mean he is correct either. He did what he thought to be the best for the interest of Japan but so does the politicians who he labeled as traitors. That's what I believe."

"Takeru…" Chiruzu listened intently while fixed her eyes into mine.

"Sakaki Korechika is not a traitor. Also, don't take it wrongly. I said it not because I want to make you feel better. It is my own concreted assessment from what I have seen and learned. I believe that he did what he could and think is best to the interest for Japan as a whole. Before anyone could judge if Sakaki Korechika is a traitor or not, that person should try to understand what he tried to achieve as a politician."

"…"

"That's all I want to say. You shouldn't doubt your dad if you don't really understand about him. One day, perhaps when this mess up war is over, you should ask him. Nevertheless, you still have a home and a family to return to."

"Thank you Takeru…"

"No problem. I only tell you what I think is correct. Though, I glad it made you feel better." I spoke softly while tapping my hand on Chiruzu's shoulder. Her expression has now softened a great deal ever since that briefing. The usual class rep is the best. During the coup in the last loop, she was badly hurt due to the news of her dad's assassination. It was a heart-breaking sight. This girl threw a tantrum at her father for not taking care of her and her mother, decided to throw away her draft exemption and join the army. That tantrum is the proof that she loves her dad dearly, even it was clumsily shown. Since the moment she joined the army, she has yet to see her father a single time. Then suddenly, she lost him forever without a chance to make up. Nonetheless, she didn't even have the time to mourn for him. She became so edgy and fragile that it made I had an impression that she was made of glass. Nevertheless, the mission we were assigned after that force her to act strong, force her not to succumb to grieve for everybody in the squad. This girl faithfully and dutifully completed it while forcing herself to act strong and compose for the sake of everyone in the squad.

That kind of mental strength is really something incredible. Sakaki Chiruzu is a lot stronger than how she looks. She is a lot stronger than me who was almost gone insane the last time when Marimo chan was killed and when I hurt Sumika back in my former world. My reason was broken, my will to fight shattered and I acted like a spoilt brat after that. That's the reason why I really admire this strength of Chiruzu. With or without my consolation, Chiruzu would undoubtedly continue to remain headstrong even this time as well. But, it makes me feel better when she doesn't have to go through what she did once again.

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Standing in the hangar, I was almost suffocated with the stench of new paint on our TSF. All of them were repainted into dark gray color for better camouflaging instead the usual UN dark blue color. Our squad outfitted in the Exo suit and waited for the mechanics to mount live round onto our TSF. My Shiranui was mounted with the Storm Vanguard pack as I requested. Though, Yuuko sensei still refused to integrate the Russian twin seat system into my Shiranui. It hasn't finish, it's still classified, she reasoned.

"Something bad is happening outside" the squad's mascot rushed into the hangar while stammering with ill news. "Imperial Army is outside the base…"

"Class rep, I will have a quick look. Don't worry, I will be back soon before you know it" I said.

"Be right back. We are on standby" Chiruzu retorted

"I will accompany with him to make sure he will." Meiya sighed while approaching me.

"Please do"

Received Chiruzu's permission, we walked quickly toward the nearest gate. The moment we stepped outside the gate, squadrons of imperial TSFs are surrounding the base with their guns brandishing. A mixed company of Gekishin,F-15J Kagerou and Shiranui in grey color has the whole base surrounded.

"They have us completely surrounded"

"Yeah. They will probably stuck here until we received the permission to intervene with the coup from the provisional government"

"True. This may be an UN base. But another country's has landed on their shore without permission. Any sovereign state would act similarly"

"…Tsuk…1st Lt. Tsukuyomi" I uttered the moment I saw a lady in a red Exo suit with three of her subordinates in a far corner.

Meiya seemed shock to find Tsukuyomi is still here despite the coup in the capital. She ran toward the Royal Guard and asked "Tsukuyomi… what are you doing? If you know of Her Highness's peril, then why you are here?"

"Meiya sama…" Tsukuyomi was surprised for a moment "Yes, if I may speak. Guarding Meiya sama is the task Her Highness has bestowed us" Tsukuyomi then sadly answered in a voice full of resolution.

"You fool. Do not speak such nonsense. You must know what is going on in the Imperial Capital right now" Meiya angrily scowled

"I am fully aware of it. And that's why I can't leave you Meiya sama" The red outfitted Royal Guard answered with her strong and resolute demeanor.

"Do you fully understand the words you just spoke?" Meiya menaced while advancing to her guards.

"Meiya, stop it." I grabbed Meiya shoulder, trying to snap her out of the fury.

"Forget about me. Go already... Why will you not go?" Ignoring me, Meiya drew near to Tsukuyomi and ordered.

"I cannot…even if you order me otherwise, Meiya sama…I cannot do it" Tsukuyomi replied without a slightest hesitation.

"…You…" Meiya growled with frustration

"Our apologies, Meiya sama. Tsukuyomi sama is just as concerned for Her Highness's welfare as you are. But to us, you are just as much important" Tomoe butted in and came to Tsukuyomi defense.

"She is right. We are being torn apart by this situation. Meiya sama, please try to understand how Tsukuyomi sama feel" Kamiyo added

"We were name your attendants by Her Highness in person. How could we possibly abandon that role?" Came Ebisu's defense.

"Stop it" Tsukuyomi ordered her subordinates.

"…enough" Meiya said dejectedly with a conflicted look on her face. Then she stepped back and bowed her head to her trusted guard "Tsukuyomi, forgive me. I know not what came over me"

"No. I would never dare to think of…"

"It would be inconceivable for any of you to disobey her orders. I should know it full well, and yet…Please forgive me, Kamiyo,Ebisu, Tomoe"

The three girls stepped back and replied in unison "Think nothing of it. We should be the one asking for forgiveness"

"…"

"The three of you, leave us. Standby in the hangar" Tsukuyomi ordered

"Ma'am. Meiya sama, please excuse us" the trio saluted and walked away.

"It was unsightly. Please forgive me…" Meiya looked at me and apologized.

Shaking my head, I knew full well why Meiya acting that way without any explanation. "It's fine. More importantly, Lieutenant, is Her Highness safe?" I replied while directing the question at Tsukuyomi.

Meiya turned to look at Tsukuyomi with that same question clearly written on her face as well. "Is she?"

"As we speak, the Honor Guard 2nd Battalion and the rebel forces are setting up opposing position. For now, the rebels are facing away from the castle. So no weapons are being pointed toward Her Highness, but the numbers of troops encircling them continue to rise"

"So… she is still safe for time being" Meiya gingerly asked to ascertain the news.

"Yes. The 2nd Battalion guarding her is elite of elite. You have nothing to be worry about."

"But if you all remain here, what will the Honor Guard do?" Meiya asked

"That is…" Tsukuyomi looked at me in hesitation.

"The Imperial Household Department is within the Imperial Palace. Therefore, is in good condition. The Honor Guard is still in control of the area since the ringleader of the rebels appeared to have no wish in harming Her Highness the Shogun." I spoke. "I can only deduct that much without being told"

"…" Tsukuyomi widened her eyes as she looked incredulously at me as if she has just seen Albert Einstein stood up from his grave. It is only normal for her to have that expression, since the Royal Guard have yet to be disclosed this piece of information to public.

"More importantly, have any civilians in the capital been harmed?" Meiya asked while giving me a disbelieving look as well.

"No, not yet. Though, according to the Household Department Intel, most of the civilians in the capital were evacuated to the countryside for almost a week. It seemed there was a leak in the coup d'état's plan. The Ministry of Information seemed to get their cue on the coup and has secretly sent Arm Forces to evacuate civilians and cabinets from the capital." Tsukuyomi spoke as she darted me an icily look.

The Ministry of Information get their cue on the coup d'état's plan from nobody but that old spy Yoroi Sakon. With this much of creditability in his information and action, they wouldn't single that Yoroi Sakon out like last time. In the last loop, he was suspected to betray the country by working with the American as well as the UN delegate. Moreover, he was ordered by the Shogun to reveal her escape plan to the enemy so that the capital would not raze down in flame due to the fighting. That act marked him a traitor of the Empire. Worse, he got himself in a deep snake pit by selling out both of the CIA and the UN for the interest of Japan in this coup. He was then tracked down by three sides after the coup. That was probably a fate and ending nobody wants to go through. Hopefully, this time he would fare a better outcome with our plan in the gear.

Anyway, the XM3 disk I gifted to Tsukuyomi last time contains more than just the OS. I was kind of taking her pride into consideration. She would not put that gift into use knowing what it is, simply because it was given to her by the most suspicious man in her suspect list. Furthermore, she would not lower herself to receive something from someone who potentially an enemy of her liege. Though, that XM3 was nothing but a better sword I prepare for her out of precaution of unforeseen events in this coup. She might not need it with her undisputed skills as an Eishi and the spec of her Takemikazuchi. But, it is better safe than sorry. That is why; I included some of the sensitive information of the coup d'état in that disk I gave her. It wasn't anything much. I only hinted knowing there was unrest in the capital troop, the tie of our squad members toward political activities and finally the possibility of having deployed for important missions. I even played safe by lowered myself and begged her in that disk to make the XM3 to good use knowing she would accompany our squad in those missions to protect Meiya. Hence, Tsukuyomi and the idiot-trio must have an adequate experience with the new OS by now. Though, that act only causes her to be more wary of me and my connection.

Tsukuyomi continued her report while keeping her eyes fixed at me "In preparation for the fighting may take place in the capital, the Honor Guard Garrisons scattered in and around the capital are gathering at the Imperial Palace. Independent guards like mine are still tasked with protecting the relatives of the Shogun. That's all"

"Understood, I give you my thanks. You may leave now" Meiya said

"Yes. Do not hesitate to summon me if anything happens" Tsukuyomi respectfully bowed her head and replied. She then walked to the hangar but not without giving me a glare.

"Takeru, please forgive her. She is only being faithful to her duty" Meiya apologized after noticing that severely cold glare from Tsukuyomi.

"Don't worry. It is natural for her to do that giving her position. We should head back to the hangar and finish adjusting our cockpits or class rep gonna yell at us." I replied. To her, I am but a death guy who got suspicious connections and being close to Meiya to boost. It's almost miraculous she didn't do anything to me.

If it wasn't for this war torn and messed up world's fault and my suspicious profile, she would be the kind and sweet Tsukuyomi san that I knew. Though, she can be quite strict sometimes. But she always treated me like a foolish smaller brother in my former world. To have her treat me coldly like that is just unbearable…

"Good idea" Meiya replied impervious to my conflict expression.

5.32 PM (Briefing room's balcony)

"Ayamine, you have been acting strange since yesterday. Something wrong?" I asked the girl who stood alone on the balcony.

"Nothing…" Ayamine answered spiritlessly

"Get it together. You will not have me convince with that manner"

"Together…"

"You can tell me what's on your mind right now. It's better to throw it out than keep it to yourself during this hour"

"You will regret knowing" a tinge of sadness on Ayamine's eyes remind me of how she reacted when I discovered that she received letters from Naoya.

"I won't. You can trust me." this time, for sure. I will never doubt her anything for we are comrades and squad mates to death.

"…"

"Come, try me. Anything"

"You would never entrust your back to me again knowing this…"

"If you can't speak about it, it's fine. Then let me ask you in return, Ayamine. Can I trust you with my back?"

"…"

"Answer yes now, I will never doubting you" I say resolutely.

"…."

"You have but said yes and my back is yours. I will trust you my back no matter what happen"

"If I say yes now…Would you really believe me?"

"Of course"

"Then please keep your promise"

"Eh?"

"My answer is yes"

"Then, you can absolutely have my back and my trust Ayamine" said I.

"Takeru, Ayamine, we were called to the Hangar to readjust the firearm system of our TSF" Meiya called.

"Coming. Hey Ayamine, let's go" I took Ayamine's hand and pulled her to the hangar with me.

December 05, 2001, 8.57 PM Takeru POV

This time, squad 207 was tasked with the rearguard duties in the edge of New Hakone Road Ruins instead of the Tougashima Fortress. Though it was only a ruse, once we make it to New Hakone, I would be forced to deploy in a classified solo recon mission directed by Yuuko sensei while completely cut off from the network. Last time, the rebels tracked us down perfectly with sheer precision in tactic and timing once we secured the Shogun in my TSF. The only possible answer for that phenomenon is there were spies in our forces or our transmissions were intercepted by the enemies. Thus, this time, without reporting to HQ, once I secure the Shogun, I would silently retreat to our squad in New Hakone. By then, I will report the situation to HQ through Marimo chan and then further retreat with our squad to Yokohama base. The blank in distance travel from Ashinoko to New Hakone Road Ruin will ensure the secrecy of our movement. It also means we are less likely to encounter trackers and ambushers until we make it to New Atami Road Ruins and Izu Skyline ruins.

Yuuko sensei even has the Valkyries pre-deployed in secret days ago and laid their ambush in the New Atami Road Ruins to ensure our retreat. Since they are the UN special task forces only under direct command of Yuuko, nobody in the base had any data or a cue on their task. Furthermore, their special privilege given to them by the UN, allowed them to move around above the law even when the UN forces are stuck make it a perfect surprise for whoever tried to secure the New Atami Ruins for the rebels.

Last but not least, the US army as expected took control the Yokohama base and monopolizes the base's database like last time, if not even faster this time with the old spy and Yuuko sensei cleared the road for them. Those ALTERNATIVE V supporters must be laughing delightedly in their comfort seat and toasting with some expensive liquor right now. But soon, they will cry before they know it. They have messed with the wrong person and make light of Yuuko sensei. That also included all those opportunists from UN upper echelon and those corrupted politicians. They were clearly underestimated that Yoroi Sakon and my sensei. When this coup is over, none of those bastards will be able to laugh anymore.

Those were the only controllable factor in this chess board we were playing. But, since this is a screw up board, Yuuko sensei and I had more than just those bastards as the opponent. The other side of the chessboard clearly has more than just 5 main shadows looming; The ALTERNATIVE V, the anti –ALTERNATIVE, the US's CIA, the opportunists from UN and lastly the rebelled forces.

The imperial Army and the Royal Guard too, have a certain degree of suspicious movement in their track. A rebel foot soldier fired at the Honor Guard in the Imperial Palace not too long ago. Immediately, the Honor Guard 2nd Regiment responded with full force at the rebelled forces surrounds the Palace. That small arm fired by the foot soldier should not put even a dent on the Royal Guard's TSF or threaten the outbreak of the fight, and yet such outcome occurred. But since their priority is the Shogun and the capital civilians, which explain everything of their action, I am not so sure if it was just my speculation. Nonetheless, the last report that Yoroi Sakon sent make me feel unease with them. Even though, they suppose to be our ally…

"00 to 06, keep your eyes peeled. We are on a mission" a familiar voice derailed my train of thought.

"Sorry. This is 06, position cleared. I will begin the mission"

We finally arrived at New Hakone Road Ruins. It means I will begin the solo recon to the Tougashima Fortress now.

"Shirogane, be careful out there. You are alone. Pay close attention to your surrounding and stop that bad habit of day dreaming of yours. And do not step out of your TSF unless necessary. And came back immediately if you deem the situation worsen" Marimo anxiously warned like a caring mother.

"Roger that" I replied and continue to move my Shiranui toward the direction of the fortress.

Since the distance between the Tougashima Fortress and my squad's current position is approximately around 45 km, it makes a huge distance between me and my squad. Let that aside, the smallest combat unit is an element of 2 combat units while I was deployed there alone despite being a cadet. Worse, with the transmission line cut off from data link. Marimo was extremely worried. I heard from Kasumi that Marimo had a huge and heat up argument the moment she receive that order from Yuuko herself. She requested to send another with me but Yuuko menacingly denied using her authority. Poor her! She and the rest of my squad mate must worry sick about me. It is the same with Kasumi and Sumika. Before I deployed from the base, they sneaked out from Yuuko sensei's office to meet me even when they both are extremely busy with their tasks.

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It's freezing outside since the first flake of snow fell around 2 hours ago. The whole Ashinoko slowly turned white with every second pass. In another hour, snow will make the visibility of this area become so limited that even with sensor and camera, the TSF could only has the visibility range of around 50 meters. Now I think about it, it was really a sheer coincident that I was able to meet with Yuuhi the Shogun when she escaped the capital through a secret tunnel to Tougashima Fortress.

Out of many the escape routes, Yuuko sensei recklessly bet that Yuuhi would evacuate here. Somehow it turned out to be correct. It can only regard as a huge miracle. Furthermore, even so, we almost missed Yuuhi if not for another coincident. I was so tired and stressed staying inside the TSF during hours of guarding the place. As the result, I decided to walk out of my TSF and take some cool air outside to stay awake. That was when I spotted Yuuhi and her Chamberlain walked out of the fortress. We would definitely miss it if I remained in my Fubuki. The timing was extremely impeccable. If I decided to do it any earlier or later, I wouldn't able to meet Yuuhi at all.

With all of those miracles and coincident line up in our meeting, I am not sure whether it was a work of fate or not. It was like I was destined to meet Yuuhi here. Damn… if anyone other than me hears this, I would deserve an execution just for having that thought.

"Beep beep beep"

An alarm fully brought me from the dream land. Darn it. Marimo was correct about my daydream habit. I tend to stay out of track a lot. I previously prepared some thermal sensor in the place I had seen Yuuhi and her Chamberlain last time. This meant they are here already. Immediately, I opened the cockpit of the Shiranui and took with me the case contained the female Exo suit I prepared.

It was cold outside. The coldness in the air wasn't affecting me so much with the thermal regulation function of my Exo suit, with my face is the only exception. But it will help me to be awake. The only trouble is the visibility outside is really suck. The night is dark and included the falling snow, it can't be anything worse. Connecting my vision with the Shiranui night vision, I immediately saw two figures emerged from the darkness. Without delay, I approached them hastily.

"Excuse me. This is a highly unsafe area. Civilian trespassing is prohibited." I said a scripted line

"Wha…!?" The old chamberlain was shocked to see my sudden appearance. But then, she immediately recovered and fiercely shouted while stepping forward to shield the girl behind her in her own shadow "How dare you? Step back insolent man!"

"Please try to cooperate with me. I need the both of you to leave this place at once. There is possibility of fighting will take place here soon" I replied while feigning my ignorance. That's right. I have to act as natural as I could until that man appear.

"You are not in the Imperial Army, are you not? Answer me?" the old woman shouted.

Damn, she really sounds like a cranky oba san of her age. Without further regard to her cranky attitude, I quickly activated the remote control of the Shiranui and made it came out of its hiding place. Then I said "Please don't be alarmed. I will now assist you to evacuate from this area in a moment."

"Huh… that is …" the oba san was once again surprised by another sudden appearance of the giant.

"It is my TSF. It won't harm you. I am with the UN Army." said I.

"UN?" the oba san intrigued

"That's right, I am with the UN. This is currently an operational area of the UN. But I can't tell you anything else. Please kindly understand and cooperate with me. I will evacuate both of you quick in my TSF"

"Such insolence! Why are you…" the oba san uttered

"Please be silent" another voice emerged and stopped the oba san from finishing her line "The black Armored Suit proves that this man is a UN Army Eishi."

Stepped out of the shadow, a girl who looked exactly like a mirror image of Meiya, came forward.

"My lady, we cannot allow this man to…" the oba san stubbornly persisted

"It is all right, step back" the girl softly ordered her servant.

Not only her look, but the manners she speak also remind me of Meiya. They are more akin to each other than just the appearance.

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine, and my headed turn blank for a second. Dropping the case contained the Exo suit, I swiftly drew out my handgun from the waist while twisting my body forcefully in a crouch stance and point the muzzle at a shadow behind me.

"So it's you, Shirogane Takeru" the shadow talked

Damn. What am I doing? I was expecting him all along. I snapped back immediately the moment I recognize that voice. I didn't intend to draw out the gun or point it at that man at all. Perhaps it was an unintended reflex or something similar to that.

"Section Chief Yoroi" I uttered while the shadowy figure approaching me with his hand held high turn out to be the old spy I was expecting.

His movement is clearly beyond imagination. Walking among the garden full of dry leaves and snow like this without making a sound or presence, it was as if he completely killed off his presence. He was only 7 meters away from me from the moment I point my handgun at him. Damn it. This old man almost has my heart jump out of my mouth. But, that was one heck of a moment back then. If he was to release any bloodlust back then, I probably subconsciously pulled the trigger before having the chance to see his face. Darn it, what the hell was that? How on the earth I did it without conscious of his presence? That old spy almost got himself kill because of that.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked while leveling the handgun down. Gulping for air, I wearily glared at the old spy.

"For you of all the people to be waiting here…well, I don't know if I should thank Professor Kouzuki or you for that." The old man nonchalantly said without paying attention to my question at all.

"Then say thank you to Yuuko sensei next time you meet her" I tiredly said. Dealing with this guy is as tiring as ever. I could understand why Yuuko sensei hates this old spy so much even with his outstanding abilities.

"Hahaha, to suddenly have a handgun pointed at my head really make me feel alive" Still ignoring the content of my speech, he continued his own rambling.

"Yoroi…are you acquainted with this one?" the girl asked while cut the old spy from his usual rambling.

"Yes. He's called Shirogane Takeru. He may be rude and weird, but treat him fairly for he was the one saved your chief vassals from their death." The old spy said.

Wait, I don't remember the last part… well, I did change the future after all. Besides, it was annoying to have this king of troll to call me weird. It is obviously who is the weirdo here. If I was to ask the readers for a poll, he will definitely stand at the top of that poll.

"So it was him…" the girl softly muttered

"Wait, wait, wait a second. Is this girl who I am thinking she is?" I wearily asked despite knowing the answer. Talking with this old spy of a troll can really depleted one's lifetime energy. I really pitied his colleagues and employers. Anyone who get used to dealing with him is either someone with the benevolence as large as the Pacific Ocean or just another troll like him.

"You are amazing Shirogane Takeru. You just addressed the Grand Shogun, the woman who has full authority over the affairs in the Japan Empire as 'this girl'. You are probably the first to do so in her presence." The old spy still nonchalantly spoke with his carefree manner.

"…" Damn. Me and my mouth. What should I do now? Prostrate myself naked on the ground and apologize? I don't think Yuuhi will like it knowing her personality. "So, this girl is really the Grand Shogun that I was waiting for?" Ad-libbing, I feigned innocent and asked. Wait! Did I just call her 'this girl' once again? Damn it, my mouth may kill me one day at this rate.

"You are in the presence of Her Highness Koubuin Yuuhi! Ignorant man!" the oba san said irritatingly, I am not sure it was due to my foolishness or due to Chief Yoroi's antic.

"Sorry" I reflexively apologized. Then spinning my brain, I tried to think of an impromptu to get me out of this embarrassing position. Damn. It was because of this stupid old spy, my pace and scripted speech became void. Good god, it is so embarrassing to fool myself not once but twice in my first meeting with Yuuhi. I think I also make a fool of myself in front of my squad as well in my first day. What the hell with this loop. Am I reverting back to Shirogane the clown once again? Come on, me. Think of anything to get out of this mess. Think. Think.

Piiing. A light bulb illuminated inside my head, I said "She was dressed so casually, so I …"

"Camouflage of course. You cannot even figure that out, foolish man?" The oba san bickered irritatingly.

"…" Stop criticizing me already. It's enough embarrassing... Now I think about it, it seemed I just said the same thing last time as well. Damn, I wish Yuuko sensei could hurry up and create some miracle potion to make anyone drink it as smart as her.

"Is it truly…looks that strange?" the girl who dress in her white coat asked nervously.

"Not at all, it suits Your Highness wonderfully" the oba san replied immediately while throwing me a glacial glare.

"Yes, you look absolutely stunning in that dress" before I knew it, my mouth acted on its own with a forced smile on my lips. Did that oba san's look force me to do so?

"Hahaha…Please forgive this strange man. He is in the UN Army for god knows how long. And considering his company, manner is not his forth." Yoroi Sakon chuckled as if it was none of his business.

Damn it. It was because of him that I became such a fool.

"It is all right now, Yoroi" Yuuhi said

"That's right…Shirogane Takeru, where is your HQ?" the spy asked

"Odawara West Interchange Ruins." Damn. I almost forgot what I came here for.

"Not good…Command post?"

"New Hakone Road Ruins"

"Hmmm… My apologies, Your Highness, but please go with this man. He may be a bad escort (wait, that's too much) but since this is an emergency…" the old spy made a snap decision.

"I understand… I shall impose upon this Shirogane" Yuuhi nodded her head and answered.

"Chief Yoroi. What are you thinking?" the oba san muttered as if it was the craziest thing in the whole world.

Ignoring the oba san, Yoroi Sakon, the old spy looked at me and asked "Is it not possible to have Her Highness joins you in your TSF cockpit?"

"Yes, please. It was my duty to ensure her safety." Said I

"Your Highness, is that alright?" the spy ascertained.

"Yes, I trusted you decision" Yuuhi nodded.

"If you say so…" the oba san glared at me while grumbling. Then, she mumbled in a volume which only she could hear "If only I could pilot a TSF as well…"

I think I just heard something incredible. I then nervously spoke while handing the oba san the case "There is a female Exo suit inside this case. Please help her Highness outfit with it"

Grabbed the case, the oba san said "Your Highness, please follow me. You two stay there. If any of you move a single muscle, don't complain why this oba san is so cruel." She is then walked back into the fortress with Yuuhi but not without giving me a glare. Am I that distrustful of a man?

Then there is only me and the old spy stood waiting in our original place. That oba san is really amazing. I do not doubt that she was physically strong as 1st Lt. Hayase and mentally strong as 1st Lt. Suzumiya Haruka in her youth.

"How did you like my love letter Shirogane?" the old spy broke the silence.

"PFFT…What the hell was that for? If I didn't read those love letters one by one, I would have miss out your report. Where in the earth you get that idea from?" I snarled. This old spy latest report was camouflaging with a pink envelop and a can't be anymore girlish hand writing 'To Shirogane Takeru' on the cover.

"Ahaha, the last time I get into your room to hand the report, I saw those stacks of pink envelopes on your table. It was really a good idea, right? Nobody would suspect or question about the contain of my love letter right?" the old spy replied nonchalantly

Urg, hear it from this old man giving me creep. He is as cryptic and creepy as ever. Now, it's time for me to ask "Why were those cabinets killed in the capital? I thought you said that Her Highness vassals are all evacuated last time?"

"Those deserve to die died, those deserve to live still live" came the man replied

"What does it mean? So you are saying that those men who were killed by Naoya should die? You are saying that even if you could save them, you let them die?" my blood is approached its boiling point hearing that from the mouth of the old spy.

"I did what I see fit. Besides, does it matter? They are of no relationship to you or your friends. Unlike the Prime Minister, none of your friends hold ties with those who die at the eve of the coup?"

"But…I could have saved them. Doesn't it matter? I could have saved them. We could have saved them from being kills." I growled while grabbing the man's collar.

"Now I am intrigued." the old spy had a truthfully interested look on his face "How do you able to predict the coup d'état and the movement of the ALTERNATIVE V factions so accurately when neither I nor Professor Kouzuki can? I have always assumed that you perhaps had a connection with the American ALTERNATIVE IV supporters or the US rightwing party. Or at least you had an underworld intelligence network twice time as good as CIA. But it seemed I have mistaken."

"Does it matter? Why don't you answer me first? Damn it. Why didn't you save those cabinets from their death? Did you hold grudge against them?" I growled while clenching my fist so tight that blood could spurt out at any moment.

"Correction! It is not that I didn't save them from their death" the old spy calmly replied in contrast with my anger.

"Then what?"

"It was I who drive them to their death." Came the old spy's answer

"What?" I uttered unbelievingly.

"What I did was simply using Naoya's hand to kill them. In another words, I perfectly drove them to their death"

"What does it mean?" I clenched my fists and about to thud the man on his face.

"Why do you have to care about those corrupted insects who sell out their country, their people for their self interest? Why do you have to protect those traitors of mankind and of their own people?"

"What?" I asked

"I told you. They are the true agents of UN opportunists and henchmen of the ALTERNATIVE V. All of them were supposed to escape from the capital a day before the coup began. Waiting for the current cabinets to die and the coup to end, they will then proceed to put their own people into the vacant positions and took advantage of the situation. I simply did a nasty trick to delay their escape plan and handed them to Naoya."

"…" It is utterly crazy. Did this old spy do this as well in the last loop?

"Thanks to Professor Kouzuki's list, I managed to track down all the politicians who secretly working for opportunists instead of serving their country with the help of the empire intelligent network."

"Is it all true?" I asked incredulously at the spy while releasing his collar

"Every single words. But Shirogane, you have yet to answer my question. How did you foresee these events without knowing that? Is it truly a revelation just as you claimed? I found that is rather interesting."

Damn. Did this old man purposely provoke me in such way to confirm his doubt about me? This entire act was to test me? How much does he know about me? It shouldn't be anything more than my own fake profile, isn't it? I am not being careless and take him too lightly, am I? Yuuko sensei was correct on whom am I dealing with… Wait, did she know it would happen this way as well, knowing my naivety and his cunningness…? She definitely knew, since she was Kouzuki Yuuko. If that assumption of mine is correct, then…

"Does it matter Chief Yoroi?" I regained my composure and asked "Does it matter whether if I truthfully own a super intelligent network or if I had the power to foresee the future? Does it matter if a dead man walking and serving a mad scientist?"

Taken aback, the man seems surprised for a moment. Then he looked as if he even became more interested in me, he said "No, It doesn't really matter, Shirogane. I simply forgot that you were working for Professor Kouzuki all along. Of course, I don't want to have her erase me at this rate just because of my curiosity, do I? After all, unlike you, I am but one of her more important pawn."

"You're better not risk it. You are still Mikoto's old man after all. I rather not see you disappear and sadden her with such stupid reason... More importantly, what are you intend to do now?" I replied confidently after getting his answer.

"Ahaha, we get off quite far from the track, do we?"

Just as I was about to growl at the old man for his bad habit of ignoring the context, the chamberlain walked out of the tunnel again with Yuuhi who now outfitting in the Exo suit.

"Your Highness, you should make haste with Shirogane. The fight will soon take place here. Chamberlain, you should move to Yokohama base and wait for Her Highness there." The spy urged

"Shirogane, protect Her Highness, understand?" the oba san looked at me and ordered

"Yes"

"Yoroi. What will you do now?" Yuuhi asked

"Your Highness, I still have a job to finish. I will take my leave for a while. Shirogane Takeru, take care of Her Highness for me."

"Yes"

"Yoroi, I am greatly indebted to you…may fortune favor your mission" Yuuhi said

"Thank you very much" the old spy bowed his head and replied

"I do not wish for anymore of my retainers to perish. Please, take care"

"Those who do the cutting are loyal servants of yours and so does those who are fighting against them, so Your Highness must no doubt be in great pain. This affair is nothing more than young men and women who lamented the nation's troubles, but were unable to remain still and rose up to fix them. Even if they chose a wrong path, as long as people like them exist…this country has not yet been abandoned. Their effort to eradicate the parasites will allow Japan to reawaken. That's what I believe."

"Will that truly come to pass?" Yuuhi's voice contained a tinge of sadness and weakness for a moment, in contrast with her usual mannerism.

"Rest easy, Your Highness. The Empire will surely be reawakened in the hearts of the people. However, further conflict would not be desirable. I will return to the capital at once, and do what little I can to bring it under control"

"I would be grateful"

"Then go, Your Highness, to Yokohama Base. This man will protect you until then" the old spy once again looked at me with a hopeful color danced in his irises.

"Please make sure it is safe for her to come to the base first" I spoke.

"It's my job. The Chamberlain and I will go to the command post in the old checking station…tell them that we are coming"

"Understood" I replied

"Now then Your Highness…" the old spy stepped back and bowed his head down.

"Please take care of yourself" the oba san bowed in harmony and said.

"You take care as well, both of you…"

Then, the Chamberlain and the old spy disappeared quickly from our sight.

"Okay, Your Highness. Please come this way" said I.

"Yes, I will be in your care,"

I quickly pulled the girl's hand and walked to my Shiranui without wasting another second. The sound of gun fighting from Odawara could be heard even from here. The fight from the capital has come to a full stop and directed here instead. Since Yuuhi intentionally leaked her escape plan to Tougashima 30 minutes ago in order to stop the fighting in the capital.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX

"Sorry, there is no other way." I said with my face blushing red as I just place the Shogun on my laps.

"I am the one asking too much…you need not worry yourself so" Yuuhi kindly answered.

Damn it. It just almost the same as last time, the Shogun once again has no other choice but sitting on my lap in the cockpit of my Shiranui. It is a single seat cockpit after all. This is all because Yuuko sensei refused to integrate the Twin seat system cockpit to my Shiranui. Was that intentional?

"…is something matter?" the girl asked worriedly

Did I just stare blankly into her face while getting lost in my own thought? Crap. She must think that I am weird by now.

"Umm, here is your safety jacket. Please attach all the belts to it"

"I take it you mean this four point harness?" the girl look at the item in my hand and ascertained.

Crap. This is karma. I slept a lot in Marimo class and only paying attention to piloting lesson instead of the mechanic involved. Is it what this item call?

The girl received the harness and attached it with four safety belts in the cockpit without wasting another second.

"Yes, please swallow this as well, my Shiranui can move quite fast. These pills meant to prevent motion sickness" I handed her the pills. Though, I can't remember what the name of the medicine is with my memory. Scopulandmine or something similar if I wasn't wrong. This is once again due to my bad karma of sleeping a lot during Marimo class.

"Scopolamine…an anti-motion sickness pill. I am prepared for the shaking" Yuuhi said but still obediently swallow the pills.

Am I making a fool of myself again in front of this girl? She is as knowledgeable as far as I could remember. She even has piloting experience of around 96 hours if my brain serves me right. Took out a wireless earpiece, I put it in Yuuhi's ear. "With this, you are connected to our data and transmission. I am sure you are itching to know the situation at this moment. But at this moment, I am still cutting off from the data link. We will have to wait until I am back with my squad in New Hakone Ruins."

"…Thank you" Yuuhi seemed surprised of my action for some reason. Was that unnecessary?

It doesn't matter. I have to get back to my squad quick. Immediately, I made a boost jump toward the direction of the New Hakone Ruins.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX

"This is Tengu 03, we spotted a lone UN Shiranui is heading toward the Hakone Ruins from Tougashima Fortress. He is at D7 now. There is a high possibility he was the Shogun's escort. Requesting the permission to intercept the suspect." A man spoke into his mike the moment he spotted a dark grey Shiranui speeding across the Hakone Highway from his post.

"This is Tengu leader, you are allowed to intercept the object. No firearms are to point at the cockpit without further confirmation whether the Shogun inside it. I repeat, no firearms are allowed to point at the cockpit without confirmation of the Shogun inside it. You will proceed to disable the object from its power source or threaten it to stop. 03, stay in your post. 02, chase after the suspect from your position and proceed to maim the target down in a pincer attack at E17. 05, preparing for the ambush at E16"

"Roger that"

"05, 02, this is 03 we have gotten the permission, you better not fail it"

"Copy that 03"

In the dark alleys of the Ashinoko ruin, two F-15J Kagerou awaken from their slumber. Without delay, the two Eagles took flight after the unsuspected grey Shiranui.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The whole Tengu unit belonged to the Imperial Army from Atsugi Base. All the unit members decided to switch side after watching the broadcast of Sagiri Naoya speech. They were frustrated at what happen to the civilians who were treated poorly during the Mount Tengen incident. They were even more frustrated by the outraging lie from the report of the government of the success of the evacuation mission. But the reason they switched side weren't any of those two. They were with the Imperial Army long enough to realize that the Army was no longer what it once was. The Imperial Army existed in the name of the Shogun and yet only act for the interest of those corrupted higher ups and politicians. Using military resources to fulfill their own self interest while faking the Shogun's voice, those corrupted parasites eat the whole government system rotten. That's why, the Tengu sympathized with Sagiri Naoya's cause, they hope to secure the Shogun and listen to Her Highness's true voice while using this opportunity to wipe out the parasites in the system. However, since the Tengu unit abruptly joined the rebel without showing their intention to the Imperial Army, they were tasked to secure the supply route from Ashinoko to the capital. With such task given, they didn't expect to have a combat with any other units from the UN Army, the US or other Imperial Army's units. Nonetheless, they received a news that the Shogun has escaped to a fortress in Kantou area half an hour ago. That was when the lone UN Shiranui made its appearance. If their guessing turned out to be true, they will secure the Shogun before the rebel main army made their way to Hakone.

"Tengu 02 to Tengu 05, the object has sped up. He must detect me in his radar. 05, quickly get into your position and shut off your main engine to prepare the ambush" the aged pilot with the call sign Tengu 02 reported to his squad mate. There was high chance that the lone UN Shiranui is supposed to be the Shogun's escort at this rate. The manner that Eishi sped up when an Imperial Army ally unit's marker appears on his radar made it extremely suspicious.

"This is 05, copy that"

"This is Tengu 02 to unidentified UN craft, you are currently in our operation area. Stop your craft and drop your weapons. If you do not comply, we will open fire" The man spoke through an open channel while speeding up his Eagle to chase after the Shiranui.

"Damn it…" a voice could only belong to a male teenager not any older than twenty could be heard cursing through the open channel.

The aged Eishi continued to threaten "I repeat. You are currently in our operation area. Stop your craft and drop your weapons. If you remain unwilling to comply, we will open fire."

"Get real! I am your ally here. You had your mission and I had mine. Why the heck I have to follow your order?" the teen barked back irritably through the open channel.

How green this boy could be? The aged Eishi thought, if he can't even suspect that the Tengu unit has switched side with that piece of information, this boy is probably a new commission. But from the boy's reaction, there is a good chance that he is escorting the Shogun. The aged Eishi shook his head incredulously at the thought of trusting the safety of the Shogun to such green horn.

"This is 05, position secured. Laying ambush"

"Good. I will herd him toward your position."

Boosting toward the speeding Shiranui with maximum thrust, the Eagle drew out its assault rifle and poured suppressive fire at its prey. The aged Eishi held the trigger and drove the Shiranui to the ambush point that his friend has prepared.

Agilely, the Shiranui dodged the suppressive fire and headed toward its trap unknowingly. Gotcha. The aged Eishi thought. "05, now"

Out of a dark corner, a black Kagerou suddenly jumped out of its hiding place and smashed its Type-92 Supplemental Shield at the incoming Shiranui without warning.

'There is no way that green horn could dodge this attack.' The aged Eishi thought. He was speeding at cruise speed of approximately 320km/h while receiving a sudden attack from the opposite direction within the distance lesser than 6 meters. 'Not even I could dodge that.' The aged pilot solemnly thought. The ambusher's attack was perfectly executed.

Whoosh.

The Type-92 Supplemental Shield only met thin air as the expected collision didn't occur the way Tengu 02 expected. The Shiranui then continued its escape without as if nothing happened.

"Damn it…What the hell was that?" the teen's cursing could be heard through the open channel

'It was supposed to be my line' the aged Eishi thought while urging his Eagle and his friend to continue the chase.

In a blurry motion at sub sonic speed, the aged Eishi swore he saw the Shiranui hugged the ground and span horizontally out of the reach of his friend's TSF just right before the incoming shield smashed it to the ground. But the Shiranui did it so fast as if the UN Eishi was expecting the ambush rather than avoid the attack out of reflex.

"Damn it. What the hell was that?" Tengu 02 heard his friend cursed in amazement through his earpiece while pursuing the Shiranui.

Tengu 02 was now sure that his friend was unable to see anything from his position back then. To Tengu 05, when he struck down the shield at the incoming Shiranui, it was as if he was hitting a mirage. The collision he expected didn't happen. The last image he could see in his HUD through the main camera was a flash up thruster of the Shiranui facing his direction. (It was weird to see the Shiranui's thruster was facing his direction though. It was supposed to be in the opposite direction.) Then his shield passed through thin air and the Shiranui that supposed to be either still in front of him or on the ground, completely vaporized from his HUD.

'Ask God if you want to know what on the Earth that was.' The aged Eishi grimaced at that thought while forcing his Eagle's thruster to work at maximum limit. "Requesting backup, the target has passed through the checkpoint. I repeat, requesting back up, the target has passed through the checkpoint."

The two Eagles immediately poured suppressive fire at the flying Shiranui to prevent its acceleration while boost toward their prey at maximum thrust.

Using his combat experience to maximum, Tengu 02 accurately maimed down the target's moving pattern while his friend's suppressive fire continually disrupted the Shiranui from using its booster to greatest effect.

"He is one heck of a lucky green horn. That was probably one in a life time maneuver" Tengu 05 snarled irritatedly as he saw the Shiranui making clumsy effort to avoid the barrages.

Tengu 02 doubted it. That was too unrealistic for such maneuver turned out to be a fluke. If it was, the UN pilot could only be the luckiest human being in the whole universe. But it didn't matter; Tengu 02 and his friend will get the Shiranui down on the ground this time for sure.

The distance between the chasing Eagles and the grey Shiranui steadily reduced every second passed. From a distance of 50 meters, they reduced it into approximately 26 meters. And that distance is still reducing.

"Damn it. Chase after some girls instead, will you? I have no interest in guys. Are you two…homo or something?" the teen cursed through the open channel.

"Damn… I am going to have that kid killed" Tengu 02 heard his friend swore vehemently through the intercom.

"Now now, we still haven't confirmed the Shogun inside that craft or not. I can't have you do that" Tengu 02 chuckled.

Then a large and dark object suddenly appeared on Tengu 02's HUD. The aged Eishi barely twisted his Eagle out of its path and avoid the dark object in a nick of time. What the hell was that? The aged Eishi's heart beat crazily at the sudden appearance of the unidentified object that appeared in his path out of thin air.

Then the aged Eishi heard a loud crashing sound and his friend's scream "AAARRGGGG". He reflexively turned his main camera toward his friend's Eagle, only to see it is already on the ground with a Type-74 TB Blade stuck across the abdomen and the right shoulder of the fallen Eagle. In a far corner of his main camera, he could saw a grey Type-92 Supplemental Shield crashing down on the highway in his previous flight path.

Crap! The aged Eishi swore and immediately turned his main camera toward the escaping Shiranui. His HUD displayed a metallic palm for half a second and then blacked out. The F-15J shook uncontrollably for a moment and then resigned to gravity and crashed down to the ground like a black comet.

The aged Eishi moaned in pain as his vision blurred and his hearing worsen from the crashing impact. His HUD painted black without a shred of light. The only sound he could hear is the sound of the boosting Shiranui that getting further away in every second.

Damn, that kid got him. The aged Eishi couldn't see what happen at all during the instance he turned his attention at his friend's Eagle. The moment he turned back, the Shiranui was already next to him, using its hand to block his visual and then the Eagle was severed from its power in less than a second.

Damn. The aged Eishi cursed. With his main power cut off and his friend's Eagle struck down as well, nobody is left to report the situation back to his unit. Then the aged Eishi heard a moaning sound from his headset. Even with his TSF main power supply cut off and he can't transmit signal back to his HQ, his wireless intercom with his friend is still functioning.

"05, are you okay?"

"Still in one piece. Damn! That kid got you, too?"

"My power was cut off. You?"

"Same here, with the exception of a blade stuck in my you-know-what of course" he joked

"Hahaha" the aged pilot weakly laughed at his friend's twisted sense of humor. Then he tiredly said "That one was no green horn. He was a… monster. We were tricked…"

"Umm…" Tengu 05 silently nodded in frustration in his darkened cockpit.

Yuuhi POV (10 minutes ago)

"I am truly sorry for causing you such trouble" Yuuhi sadly said while the boy flying his Shiranui across the Hakone Highway.

"I'll bring you to Yokohama Base no matter what. Leave it to me" the boy answered without looking at her.

The boy's pilot technique can really stir up one's curiosity. That's all Yuuhi can tell from watching how he control his Shiranui. Yuuhi has many mentors and subordinates to teach her piloting a TSF. Each of them has their own style of course, but nonetheless, they all share similar moving and controlling pattern. In this sense, the boy could only be described as unique. His control is unheard and unseen of. From the way the boy does boosting, landing and changing direction, it is completely different to how Eishi normally did it. Not even elites of the Royal Guard have this kind of control. Moreover, his precision in movement is extremely good. The standard deviation of his movement from the prediction of the TSF is always a single digit. That's just how good the boy is.

But, from his look, Yuuhi was sure that he can't be much older than she is. He is about the same age as her at most. It meant he has either stayed with the UN Army long enough to have such skills or born with those talent. His Shiranui is the proof of that. Normally, new commissioners received Gekishin or Kagerou at best. Even now, many Imperial Army veterans still have the Gekishin or the Kagerou as their personal TSF due to the limitation of mass producing Shiranui to the whole army. If a boy this young and was assigned with the Shiranui, even Yuuhi could tell how much expectation his superiors have on him.

Then the radar beeped as an ally unit entered the range. The boy muttered "What are they doing here? They supposed to be in Odawara City Ruins…" Then without delay, he sped up toward the New Hakone direction.

"This is Tengu 02 to unidentified UN craft, you are currently in our operation area. Stop your craft and drop your weapons. If you do not comply, we will open fire" a voice rang through Yuuhi's earpiece.

"Damn it" the boy cursed while increasing the speed of his craft while focusing his rear camera at the Imperial Army TSF. A black Kagerou could be spotted chasing after the Shiranui with its thruster flared up brightly.

The Imperial Army Eishi continued to threaten "I repeat. You are currently in our operation area. Stop your craft and drop your weapons. If you remain unwilling to comply, we will open fire."

"Get real! I am your ally here. You had your mission and I had mine. Why the heck I have to follow your order?" the boy barked back irritably while tuning his communication to an open channel.

Then, the black Eagle started firing at the Shiranui immediately. Twisted its frame unnaturally, the Shiranui dodged the barrage in the nick of time. Even as her world was shaken up furiously, Yuuhi could still saw the boy aligned his Assault Rifle at the black Eagle without the help of the Lock-on firearm system during the evasion. But then, he didn't squeeze the trigger. He bended the control stick sideway to twist his Shiranui further to its track and continued escaping.

It is only expected, Yuuhi thought. The boy was trained to be an Eishi, to be humanity's blade. His only opponent should be the BETA, not another human being and absolutely not his countryman. It was due to her own incompetency that the coup d'état happened and this boy was pushed into this position. She wanted to apologize and yet, she can't do that now, for it will distract the boy from his duty.

Once again, a barrage of bullets accurately aimed at the position where the Shiranui about to land, the boy irritatedly yanked his control stick and forced his Shiranui to make an aerial barrel-roll and dodging the assaulting bullets. The offending Eagle seemed to aim at the outer frame and the flight path of the Shiranui rather at the cockpit. They were only suppressive fires. It seemed Yuuhi's guess was spot on, the Imperial Eishi must suspect that she is currently inside the Shiranui's cockpit

Then, out of nowhere, without any prior indication on the radar, another black Eagle suddenly appeared in front of the HUD, smashing down its Type-92 Shield toward the Shiranui. It was so close and so fast that Yuuhi flinched reflexively. Then Yuuhi watched her world spinning like she became the moon that orbiting the Earth. The Shiranui's HUD changed frame after frame at Godspeed. Before Yuuhi knew it, the rear camera shows her a black Kagerou stood frozen in its track with its shield brought down while showing the Shiranui its exposed back.

How did he escape that? Yuuhi silently questioned the boy. Completely obvious to how amazing his previous feat was, the boy continued to speed up toward his goal without paying any attention to both frozen Eagles. Then, after several seconds passed, the boy swore into his headset. "Damn it! What the hell was that?" It seemed that he pulled out that stunt subconsciously thanks to his reflex.

Then, the boy turned off the open channel while looking at Yuuhi and asked worriedly. "Your Highness, are you all right? No wound at all?"

"Please don't worry about me. Continue with your mission" Yuuhi ordered resolutely.

"Yes" the boy answered as he compelled his Shiranui to speed up, taking advantage of the enemy Eishi's confusion.

The two Eagles seemed to recover from their shock; they continued the chase without further delay. They are full pledged veterans after all. Those incredible accurate shootings prevent the Shiranui from its track before it could accelerate. One Eagle focused on limited the flight path of the Shiranui while the other disturbed the Shiranui from using its thruster to maximum capability. The two Eagles seemed to maim down the Shiranui perfectly. It is only natural since he boy's flight path is so narrow while he has to aim straight at his goal.

But, in Yuuhi's eyes, it wasn't because the opposing side became better with their advantage in number. For some unknown reasons, the boy's performance seemed to drop significantly. Yuuhi then stole a glance at the boy's face only to see him looking worriedly at her. That's the reason. Yuuhi recognized immediately.

"Don't worry about me. This little shaking meant nothing. Focus on your mission" Yuuhi said in a strong and dignified demeanor.

"…Yes" answered the boy.

Hail of bullets passed through the Shiranui as the distance between the pursuing Eagles and the running Shiranui steadily reduce. The boy's performance disappointedly continued to drop to another level. He clumsily compelled his steed to dodge the volleys coming from the pursuers in an awkward manner. Error and deviation indications stacked up in a corner of the HUD. But, the boy doesn't seem to worry about it one bit. He looked calm instead. Exceedingly calm. Fire danced in his irises while the boy lips formed a smile. This is not the face of someone who is pushed into corner or one who decided to give up. The game has only begun. That is what Yuuhi able to read from the boy's facial expression.

Once again, the boy tuned his com to an open channel. He barked "Damn it. Chase after some girls instead, will you? I have no interest in guys. Are you two…homo or something?"

"Eh!?"

Then, immediately, the boy turned off the channel while using his left hand to hug Yuuhi's waist tightly to his chest. "Excuse me, Your Highness. This thing is gonna shake a lot."

Without waiting for Yuuhi's answer, the boy yanked his Shiranui backward vehemently by reverting the direction of the Shiranui's thruster. Out of the corner of her eyes, Yuuhi saw the boy releasing the lock of his right melee halberd's Mount Pylon while tossing his Type-92 Shield into nowhere. The Shiranui jerked furiously due to the sudden change in inertia. It was as if the Shiranui was trapped in an invisible pincer trying to crush it to pieces. Then, the Shiranui forcefully drooped down to the ground the moment the invisible pincer reduced its iron grip.

Yuuhi then flinched to see the black Eagle which supposed to be at her back suddenly appeared right next to the drooping Shiranui. Then the boy aligned his TSF with the black Eagle instantaneously, the Shiranui ghostly glided to the back of its unwary opponent like a phantom. Afterward, in an instance, the Shiranui grabbed the head unit of the black Eagle with its right hand and knifed the main power source with its left. The attack forcefully stopped the Eagle from its flight. Matching with the momentum of the Eagle, the boy switched his Shiranui's position with the black F-15J in a spin, perfectly like that of a first rate dancer. Then leaving the Eagle crashed down to the ground like a black meteor, the Shiranui boosted toward the New Hakone direction without paying a look at the two fallen Eagles.

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Author note: Thanks goodness. I have finally made it to the arc of the 12/5 coup d'état. I thought it would take even longer than that.

WAI, WAI! (Kasumi's voice) Finally, Takeru's last raison d'être made her appearance. Though their meeting is fleeting but she is the third most impactful person to Takeru. If not for her, our MC would forever play the role of a victim while he supposed to be a hero whenever he got stuck.

Anyway, thanks for reading and supporting as always. Also, much appreciate to readers who spot out my mistake reverting Meiya and Tama call sign. That was quite shameful of me as a fan…(sweat drop)