Chapter 28: Purpose
10th December 2001
"It's time" Shirogane Takeru muttered while donning his uniform.
It's only three days since he said goodbye to his old white uniform of a cadet. It maybe a small step for someone else, but it was a huge leap for Shirogane Takeru. The bluish uniform that he was coating at the moment was the proof of one of his successes in changing the predetermined future of this world as well as his own. Furthermore, this piece of bluish uniform was also the proof of his strength as the emblem of A01 the Valkyries was engraved on both side of Takeru's shirt. And that separate Shirogane Takeru apart from the rest of the other soldiers. He was already a part of the Yokohama UN Base strongest task force that only taking order from the base's XO Kouzuki Yuuko. And again, today was another day for Takeru to prove himself worthy of people's expectation and trust.
Suddenly, Takeru's room was filled with knocking sound as Takeru was taking his time to collect his own mental fortitude.
Takeru immediately headed toward his room entrance without a sliver of his usual laxness. Without opening the door, Takeru has already known the identity of the person who was knocking his door right now.
"Good morning 1st Lt. Hayase," trying his best to put a smile on his face, Takeru greeted the moment he opened the door.
"Oh… you were awake? It seemed that my presence here was unnecessary." Hayase answered with a surprise voice.
"No, I felt rather very refreshing to meet you so early in the morning like this. And beside, it was my own tardiness that force upon you such a labour," Takeru naturally said words that normally would never came out of his own mouth with a smile. He couldn't believe he was able to say something as disgusting as that easily.
"Hahaha, you don't have to worry about that. It's my duty to take care of my squad members as your direct superior" Hayase nonchalantly answered as she totally didn't realize the twitching and contorting expression on Takeru's face.
"Hahaha, if you keep on treating me like that, other people will start to complain of how you treat me with special regard." Takeru immediately realized that he was heading to his own doom if Hayase kept on visiting in early in the morning for real.
"Don't worry about that. I am not a person who care about what people were talking behind my back" Hayase light-heartedly waved her hand and denied Takeru's desperate plea.
"But I do" Takeru growled…inwardly and then laughed as though he was amused by Hayase earlier claim, or not. "Hahaha…"
Takeru's mouth was totally laughing but his soul and his eyes weren't. If this is a scene from some chinese kungfu movies, Takeru has already vomited blood as though he had some internal organ injury
Today marked the third day that Takeru became a member of the Valkyries also the third day that Hayase came to his room to wake him up as if it was a regular basis for her.
While Takeru has only his own laxness to blame for this tragedy, the honour of having the ace of the Valkyries waking him up every morning was clearly too much for Takeru. Though, Takeru must admit that it was the most effective method to wake him up in the morning. Just hearing the sound of Hayase's knocking, Takeru's adrenalin glands have already worked themselves with maximum capacity, pumping adrenalin into his blood at a substantial rate. As the result, before Takeru could open the door and greet his direct superior face to face, he was already wide awake.
That part aside, Hayase was surely famous around the base. Regarding the matter about Takeru's room door, it was settled within just an hour after Hayase went to meet the Facility officers. Before Takeru knew it, his damaged room door was already replaced. And it wasn't the normal wooden door that coated with metal alloy but a hundred percent metal alloy door which reminded Takeru of the time that he spent in the cold bridge over insubordination. Damn, his room doesn't look at least like a regular room anymore thank to that. It was more like a detention prison cell within the barrack compound. On the side note, those Facility officers were clearly looked at Takeru as though he was the most pitiful creature in the whole world when Hayase was patting his shoulder and laughing "Aren't you glad that I have got you a new door?" They must been through a lot with Hayase if they could understand Takeru's pain to that degree.
Anyway, Takeru must bow his head down to Hayase for stopping those knocking session after light out. For some reason, those knocking session completely stopped the moment Hayase replaced a new door for Takeru. Whatever the reason, Takeru was extremely thankful to her or perhaps he should direct his gratitude at his new door instead.
"Okay, I have decided," Hayase immediately brought Takeru back from his dreamland with a single sentence.
"Yes?" Takeru sweated profusely as he sensed only doom awaiting him.
"I will make sure to check you out every morning to make sure you wouldn't late for your duty. Aren't you glad?"
If Takeru could cry crimson tear and vomiting blood right now like a scene from some horror movies, he definitely would.
PX
"Aren't you awfully early today, Shirogane kun?" 1st Lt. Munakata greeted Takeru with a cheeky 'know it all' smirk on her face.
"She is definitely a S. Damn it, I have already known that she was a S. She is definitely enjoyed watching my suffering right now" Takeru mentally took note before he could mutter his reply "Good morning 1st Lieutenant"
Since Hayase has devoted herself in becoming Takeru's alarm clock, there is absolutely no way for Takeru to wake up late. Well, only God know of Takeru's fate if he was ever to miss that morning call from Hayase.
"Good morning 2nd Lt. Shirogane" a pink head greeted Takeru.
"Good morning 1st Lt. Suzumiya" Takeru returned the greeting as he put down his food tray and joined the table with his superiors.
"Eh? Where are Captain Isumi and the rest of the unit?" Takeru asked as he couldn't find the rest of his squad members.
"Isumi and everyone else were called by the XO a while ago. Though, Isumi should return to us before the event begin." Haruka answered.
"I see... So why did Yuuko sensei summon them and not us? Some kind of secret mission?" Takeru enquired with a nervous tone.
"Don't worry about that. They were required for formality stuffs, I heard" Haruka waved her hand and denied.
"Is that so…" Takeru muttered as he still smelled something wrong.
"Hey, what's going on? Where are Isumi and the rest?"
A blue head squeezed in the space between Munakata and Haruka as she put down her food tray on the table.
"Haruka, please explain" Munakata lazily gestured the pink head
"They were summoned by the XO for some formality. Captain Isumi will return with us right before the event begin," for the second time of the day, Haruka repeated exactly what she has told Takeru.
"I see … but why only them? Aren't we suppose to be involved as well if it's formality issue related?" Hayase inquired
"Well, it also bugs me as well. But, we will know about it after Captain Isumi returns" Haruka replied.
"Hey, what's going on over there?" Munakata asked as she pointed the chopstick on her hand to a certain direction.
Immediately, Takeru and everyone else turned their head at the direction where Munakata was pointing at.
"Aren't you half Japanese? Why can't you understand it?"
"That's precisely why I have already done half of the job"
"Anyone can do that half of the job since the PX is literally written as PX in English alphabetic letter"
"Can we get it done right now? There is quite a long queue after us"
A guy with spiky blond hair and well developed muscle, a golden hair woman with a frivolous look, an aged Caucasian man with tanned skin like fisherman and a black hair man with an arrogance look were at the centre of the commotion.
"Are those guys having trouble reading the menu?" Hayase asked.
"Look like it, since the menu is written in kanji" Munakata answered
"Shirogane, help them out" Haruka ordered.
"Me?" pointed at himself, Takeru idiotically asked
"That's right. Aren't you living in Hawaii until recently? It shouldn't be a problem for you, right?" Haruka said.
"Yes, help them out Shirogane. Be a man" Hayase put the conclusion to the topic
"Roger," like a puppy, Takeru answered as bead of sweat dropped down from his temple.
While forcing a fake smile on his face, Takeru was screaming inside, cursing his fake military profile for this. Screw it. His English was barely passable as he was always slacking during Marimo's English class in his original world, let alone making conversation and helping our some foreigners. At this rate, his guise will be uncovered.
"Common, this is a UN Base, right? Shouldn't there are someone who fluent with English taking this job instead?" Takeru silently lamented as he made his way to the heart of the commotion. "Damn, where is my real-time audio translator when I need it," Takeru has never felt that he need his multifunctional Exo suit as much as he is now.
Still, neither the people who are fluent with English appeared nor Takeru was wearing his state of art suit. Shirogane Takeru must be the one to make contact with those strangers.
"Hello, how may I help you?" Takeru asked in a nervous tone, unsure whether the other party could understand his broken English.
The commotion immediately died and four pairs of eyes hungrily directed at Takeru.
"Finally we meet someone who speaks English, I was scare that we might die starving."
"Wasn't that because you adamantly refuse to walk down here with your Exo suit?"
"Who would go to the PX wearing an Exo suit?"
"Sorry, please ignore them. They are always like that. Though, I am glad if you could help us out right here. We are totally clueless at what this menu is all about."
The golden hair woman spoke to Takeru in a friendly manner.
"I see"
Idiotically, Shirogane Takeru answered as he failed to catch up to everything that the blond woman telling him.
This spells nothing but trouble.
Shirogane Takeru once again regretted for not paying attention to Marimo's English class. Besides, why the heck Yuuko decided his residency to be Hawaiian in his military profile? If it wasn't for that, Takeru wouldn't have to go through this painful process.
Though, it wasn't nearly as painful as Takeru has expected.
"What's taking you so long? The food already turned cold"
Hayase inquired.
"This and that…"
Takeru answered with a dead pan look.
"So, these are your friends?"
A golden hair lady put down her food tray on the table as she playfully peered over Takeru's shoulder.
"Ah, sorry… Sit down please."
With his broken English, Takeru gestured the four foreigners to take the vacant seats next to his squad mates.
However, instead of promptly took the seat as they were told, the four simply stood after putting their food tray on the table.
"Thanks for taking care of us back then. I'm 1st Lt. Keith Blazer of the Infinities. Today is our second day staying here." The middle age tanned man introduced himself with a salute.
"Sharon Heim, 2nd Lt, nice to meet you," the golden hair lady waved her hand and said her greeting in a friendly manner.
"Leon Kuze, 2nd Lt, nice to meet you," the black hair man saluted.
"Guylos McCloud, 2nd Lt, nice to meet you," the muscular man followed suit.
…
Immediately, Takeru realized that he have seen these people along with his Yuuko sensei two day ago. He didn't really expect to meet them in this kind of situation though, especially when he is about to pitch against them in the next few hours. Fate surely worked in an amazing way.
Similar to Takeru, the rest of his present squad members were taken aback as well.
"1st Lt. Suzumiya Haruka of the Valkyries, glad to be your acquaintance" the pink head Haruka agilely stood up from her seat and returned the salute fluently in English.
…
With his eyes widened similarly to the members of the Infinities, Takeru stared at his superior, except that his was full of contempt whereas their stares were only surprise. Shouldn't Haruka come out and help these people instead of him if she is this fluent?
"1st Lt. Munakata Misae of the Valkyries, nice to meet you" the red hair Munakata followed her friend's lead, returned the salute with great fluency.
You too? Takeru murmured as he directed his hatred at the woman whose enjoyment is his own suffering. Shouldn't she help these people out instead of ordering him if she is this good?
"1st Lt. Hayase Mitsuki of the Valkyries, it's my pleasure to meet you" the blue hair Hayase warmly greeted with a role model salute.
You as well. Takeru mentally growled. However, he didn't direct his hostility toward Hayase as he did to Haruka or Munakata.
Reason? First, it's suicidal to direct hostility at Hayase. Not a single soul in this Yokohama dare to do that considering Hayase's beast like instinct. Second, it's rather unexpected to Takeru that his direct superior is that amazing. He didn't expect to find her English that fluent considering how she isn't any smarter than he is in his opinion. This totally make Takeru looked at Hayase in new light… or not.
Eh? Why is she looking at me? Takeru mentally cried as Hayase suddenly directed her gaze at him. Was she such kind of a beast? It's impossible that she was able to detect his rude thought of her.
"Shirogane…" the blue head glared at Takeru.
"Yes?" Bead of cold sweat formed on Taker's forehead as he still had no idea why he was being glared at.
"…"
Hayase's eyes desperately suggested Takeru to take the hint, shifting back and forth between the thickhead boy and the US soldiers.
It's only then, Takeru realized that everyone else were looking at him, waiting for his introduction.
"2nd Lt. Shirogane Takeru of the Valkyries, nice to meet you," hurriedly Takeru returned the salute.
"Eh?"
Sharon let out a small gasp as she and the rest of her squad stared at Takeru with widened eyes.
Takeru, too, watched the four members of the Infinities with equally perturbation as he got no idea why he was stared as if he was some sort of resurrected dinosaur or rare animal. While his pronunciation and fluency sucks, he surely didn't commit any grave mistake in that introduction that should make people stare at him like that.
"You are Shirogane Takeru?" Sharon asked unbelievably.
"Yes…" Takeru nodded his head to confirm that the other party is right.
"You look totally different from the picture in your career profile," Leon commented, look equally surprise as his girlfriend.
"?" still genuinely confused, Takeru looked around trying to find any sort of hint as to why these people staring at him like they saw an extinct specie walking.
"Forgive their rudeness, they were just too surprise to see you in person. And you are kind of different from what we were expected" 1st Lt. Keith explained with his widened eyes still fixed at Takeru.
"Yes, who would expected this runt is the one" Guylos said.
Forget about the language barrier, Takeru was too confused to throw a question at the US soldiers as to why they reacted to his name in such a way.
"What is this all about?"
Thankfully, Suzumiya Haruka immediately did what Takeru couldn't.
"My apologize, you may find the name Shirogane Takeru sort of famous on our side as well. We somehow had a completely different impression of him," Sharon explained
"Famous?"
In harmony, Haruka, Hayase, Munakata and Takeru parroted.
"Sure, one of the main reasons is because you are an explanation as to why we are here," 1st Lt. Keith continued to explain from where Sharon left. "You are the one who came up with this new OS along with the base's XO, aren't you?"
Takeru nodded his head to affirm Keith's information and paid extra effort to Keith's explanation as English is a language that he was not familiar with.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Is that so…" Isumi watched Takeru in amazement as Haruka retold everything that she had missed during the time that she was summoned by Yuuko.
"Aren't you glad, Shirogane? You are now just as famous as Professor Kouzuki" Munakata cackled as she savoured the surprise in Isumi's eyes as some heavenly liquor.
"Hah…"
Sighed like an old man, Takeru gave his replied.
He was shocked a moment ago, found out he was a topic of gossip not only in this Yokohama Base alone. It seemed that the old spy really blew everything out of the proportion, marketing Takeru's XM3 as some sort of miracle breakthrough technology all over the world. The old spy used Yuuko's reputation to attract attention from various parties. That part was within Takeru's expectation. But, the old spy also used this opportunity to make Takeru's name known around the world as a genius co-inventor and developer of this newly miracle product. And thank to his fake profile which was written by Yuuko and his short military profile, Shirogane Takeru became a topic of gossiping all over the place, regarding his mysterious background and his insane ingenuity.
Well, it's not that surprising if someone find that Takeru's military profile is shocking. Forget about his fake biography, while new enlisters took half a year to a year to pass their military evaluation exam, Takeru passed it after two weeks joining the squad 207B. Normally, cadets who passed their evaluation exam took at least a month to graduate from the Eishi training school whereas Takeru demolished the whole course in a matter of a single day, if not hours. That's also including the time for Takeru's graduation which was also another world record. Furthermore, the XM3 or what was marketing as a miracle product by the old spy Yoroi Sakon was developed during the time Takeru was still but a cadet to make everything became even more shocking.
Normally, if someone was to look at Takeru's short military record, ten out of ten that they believed his amazing achievements were all made up and farfetched. They all have no credibility at all. But, since his name was put on the same level as the one and only genius Kouzuki Yuuko, everything seemed real to everyone else. The genius of Kouzuki Yuuko was also that unrealistic and yet it was already proven time after time. Since it took a genius to understand a genius, it was no wonder some sort of miracle product was produce as a result. Therefore, people was rather find Takeru's profile shocking than they were suspecting of it.
No wonder Yuuko was so annoyed. Since people kept on harassing her who is this Shirogane Takeru all about. Damn, Yuuko clearly told Takeru to keep everything wrapped, especially his own existence. He didn't expect thing turned out this way either, leaving everything to the hand of the old spy.
Anyway, Takeru's status is now that of a celebrity on the same level as Yuuko. And neither Takeru nor Yuuko was happy about that for the same reason. His existence is something must remain a secret to public no matter what.
"Anyway, what's your impression about them?"
Isumi's question immediately bucked Takeru up from falling to the verge of depressing.
"They are undoubtedly a tough opponent for us," Munakata muttered.
"Those people are experienced and skilled without a doubt. Their muscle patterns and symmetrical clearly told me that they had years of piloting experience." Hayase commented with a hint of excitement on her face.
"They looked much levelled head to me," Takeru added while staring at Hayase, wondering if he has been underestimated Hayase's perception. He has always thought she was just as thickhead as him, though it seemed that he was clearly wrong in this matter. Considering how perceptive Hayase's observation is, Takeru must watch out for her in the near future.
"I see. So tell us the plan, Shirogane," Captain Isumi narrowed her eyes and expected an answer from the group's genius.
"What plan?"
Takeru's unexpected answer made Isumi wondered if he was really the genius Eishi that people were talking about.
"The one that you told us you would disclose only today. Wouldn't this is the time that you should start speaking about it?"
Isumi smiled her lips but not eyes. A vent clearly popped out on her temple, suggesting that she was getting impatient with Takeru's level of thickhead.
"Huh? Did I?"
Contrast to his status of a genius on the same level as Kouzuki Yuuko, Takeru dumbly asked.
XXXXXXXXXXX
"Good luck Takeru"
Meiya softly whispered as she looked intently at the wide screen on squad 207B's conference room.
It's only less than a minute since the first match began. Yet, Meiya's heart was beaten like crazy as she watched at the screen as though transfixed. She has barely any moment to look around the room only to see her friends having the same reaction just like she is now. The only thing in her mind was a vivid image of a certain foolish guy who was always her source of hope as well as worry.
Needless to check the Takeru's call sign in the command post, Meiya still somehow recognize which TSF that Shirogane Takeru was piloting at the moment the match begin. Even before Takeru actually pulled out his unfathomable piloting technique, Meiya has somehow determined which Shiranui belonged to Takeru, instinctively. That's must be the case for the rest of her squad mates who intently staring at the screen now.
People who watch this same footage over the base must be wondering themselves on what Shirogane Takeru trying to do with his strange getup. His Shiranui was mounted with an irregular pack that make the usual agile and imposing Shiranui looked like an oversize turtle. Both of his Shiranui's main arms were occupied with a pair of reactive armour shields. The Mount Pylon at the back of the TSF which usually carry extra packs of weapon was instead occupied with another reactive armour Shield on top of an assault rifle.
"What's with that getup?"
Meiya couldn't help but blurt out those words when she caught the sight of a turtle like Shiranui entered the battlefield. Strangely, Meiya trust that it could be nobody but the boy who was a part of her team until recently. Shirogane Takeru always came up with strangest ideas, especially at strange times. His method was always unconventional and crazily exceeded people's scope of imagination. And now, once again, he has just proved how unpredictable he could possibly be.
What could Takeru possibly hope to achieve with such irregular getup was not conveyed to Meiya. Nor why Takeru abandoned his specialty which was his speedy control and aerial acrobatics by donning those layers of armour upon his Shiranui.
Staring as though her soul was suck away by the screen was all Meiya could do.
One surprise came after another. As though it was shunned by its own kind for its ridiculousness, the turtle like TSF drifted through the ruin of Hiragi alone, leaving its companions at the back. No matter which angle that Meiya was looking at it, the turtle like TSF had totally no intention to participate in the match properly like it should. It calmly drifted above abandoned buildings like balloon without bother checking around the battlefield, as if the match was none of its concern.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Bandit 04 has arrived at C5," Guylos reported with a hint of anger in his tone
"They are messing around with us," Leon gritted his teeth in a frightful manner the moment he spotted the turtle like TSF on his HUD, "what he is doing right now isn't even scouting…"
"Bandit 01, 02 and 03 still stayed at their initial position. That's too far… It's not possible for them to provide support from their position," Sharon reported the situation with several thorough scans. Though her voice was completely devoid of emotion, her eyes told members of the Infinities otherwise.
"Calm down, all of you. I can't still figure out what is their intention, doing this sort of crap now of all time. However, that guy is most likely a walking trap. We should instead deal with the other three and save him for the last." Keith calmly analysed the situation with his eyes fixed at the turtle like TSF carelessly floating toward the Infinities' hunting ground.
"Command post to all units, you are to take out Bandit 04 immediately"
A single transmission was suddenly delivered to the enraging unit like adding fuel to fire.
"Infinities 01 to Command Post, rejected. I repeated 'rejected'. It's not logical to reveal our location to the enemies first hand in this situation. Furthermore, it is suicidal to walk right into our enemy's trap without any thorough understanding of what is the enemy capable of." Keith reasoned with a level tone.
Suddenly, a different voice aired through the Infinites' encrypted channel instead of the normal voice of the woman in charge of the CIC, "I will not repeat myself. This is an order First Lieutenant. Whatever the method, you are to take down that fucker immediately. We cannot let he walk away like that when he publicly threw such an insult at us. Do you want to drag down the name of the Infinites to mud with this many people watching?"
Whoever he was, the person who delivered the final order to the Infinities' test pilots surely has an air of important and arrogance within him.
"…Copied," exasperatedly came 1st Lt. Keith's reply while trying his best to keep his cool. He has no other option but to follow his superior's order.
"So what is the plan?" Guylos cracked his knuckle as he didn't bother to hide his eagerness to crush the turtle like machine.
"02 and 03, proceed to D7, prepare to ambush Bandit 04. 04 move to F11 and keep a close look at Bandit 01, 02 and 03, you are not to reveal your position until I authorize it. I will proceed to A9 to prepare the snipe."
"Copied"
"Copied"
"Copied"
1st Lt. Keith could not hide his anxiety at the soundly response from his unit members. He couldn't understand why his squad mates or his superior were so easily anger at some insult at this kind of level. That's also including himself who had done everything to keep his temper in check.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"They are responding to it," Kasumi reported in her usual emotionless tone.
"Good, so Sumika has successfully nailed it down," Takeru made a fist as he exclaimed.
"Am I playing too dirty?" Takeru mentally asked himself for an instance. But that was just how short the amount of time he spent to indulge himself with his sense of fairness. This match isn't any simple match. It is extremely important to him and the fate of this OS that he is promoting right now. He has no room for any failure. And besides, all fair in love and war. There is no way for anyone to accurse him of being underhanded regarding the method that he is using.
It is already an impressively understatement if people were to think that he simply hold an edge in this face-off. From XM3 OS that already scientifically made a laughing stock out of the current OS in every aspect to the battlefield that Takeru known the position of every corner, every alley as a part of his body to the mind linking system with Kasumi that is a bane to any kind of anti-TSF face-off, the advantage he hold over the Infinities is colossal. However, neither of them are truly Takeru's corner stone of confidence in the match against the US's best 3rd generation TSF. It was Sumika Kagami instead.
Yet, he has…totally forgotten about it until Kasumi told him 2 hours before the match begin.
"What do you mean by you could not remember?"
"Stop joking around"
"Stop messing around with us"
Blah blah blah.
If it wasn't for Kasumi's help, reminding him of his own plan, Takeru would not live to participate in this match.
Geh… he wasn't kidding about that. He was almost killed by his superiors back then, thanks to the amnesia he had as a result of overworking himself.
Anyway, Sumika Kagami was the most important factor in this farce that Takeru's trying to achieve.
"How do you so sure that they will be provoked by such thing?" Captain Isumi immediately inquired him regarding the plan he prepared.
"Even if they weren't provoked by such taunt, they do not have any other option to choose. Since I deliberately and publicly taunt them in front of the crowd in such manner, I couldn't imagine they weren't provoked by that. They could not let me disgrace and tarnish on their honour with such a farce and simply walk away" Takeru answered as a matter of fact.
"Even so, how are you so sure of it?" Munakata asked
"Intuition, I guess?" was Takeru's reply.
However, that's also another farce.
Just like how Takeru unable to disclose Kasumi's psychic ability, he couldn't do the same to Sumika. That's why he must cover it up with a lie.
Sumika Kagami, the 00 unit, Takeru's childhood friend had long transcended the realm of human's understanding. Aside from her unworldly hacking ability to any type of electronic device, Sumika Kagami also possessed psychic ability that would make even the world strongest esper that is Kasumi Yashiro paled to comparison.
While those sister espers of Kasumi struggled reading a person's emotion and thought or detecting people's presence, Kasumi was already on a level whereas she could read even the darkest and most hidden secret of multiple people at ease. And Sumika Kagami even transcended that level. She could even rewrite a person's emotion or awareness to a certain extend. It's close to brainwashing, in another word.
In the last loop, the reason why Hayase was so adamantly about blowing up the core reactor at the bottom of the base was related to this psychic ability of Sumika. Without making any direct contact with Hayase, Sumika filled Hayase with the knowledge and the importance of the core reactor to those invading BETA; including the determination to destroy the said core reactor at all cost which ultimately lead to the UN army victory. However, in the event, Hayase protected Takeru while blowing up her own S11 in a chain reaction with the core reactor and result in Sumika's fear of using her power against normal people.
It's thanks to Kasumi's gift from the previous loop, Takeru came to know about that.
This time, while using his farce of a half-ass taunt to cover up Sumika's deed at the background, Takeru intended to make himself the sole target for the wraith of the Infinities.
"Infinities 02, 279 meters at 7 hours, 12 degree. Infinites 03, 300 meters, 9 hours, 5 degree," Kasumi's in-depth report worked like a cold bucket of water that splash against Takeru's face, alerting him that he still in a midst of a match.
Normally, Kasumi won't able to sense them that accurately at that distance in real life. But, that distance is nothing but virtual distance that created by the JIVES system. That said, the actual distance between the simulation room that assigned to the Infinities and the Valkyries is only 200 meters away. So Kasumi's in-depth report was a result of her using her mind-reading ability on member of the Infinities, not her presence sensing ability.
"Thank you, Kasumi. But we have to wait until they attack first. Otherwise, it would make no sense as to why we were able to detect them," Takeru answered while preparing himself for the incoming attack.
All of sudden, the alarm inside Takeru's Shiranui rang, indicating that he was locked-on. Lesser than second, Takeru braced himself inside his rocking cockpit as a hail of bullet struck home at the reactive armour shield at the back of his Shiranui. Crash landing was all that Takeru could do against his stealthy enemy.
A veil of brilliant orange covered Takeru's vision as the reactive Shield repelled the rain of lead. If it wasn't for the reactive armour shield, that hail of bullets had ripped Takeru's Shiranui in halves.
It doesn't look good at all. Zero visibility, in a lock-on, pinned to the ground by the chain of chemical reaction explosion on the reactive plate at the back; the fate of Takeru's turtle like Shiranui was already on the hand of the bird of prey TSFs.
Takeru immediately reacted to a sudden blip on his radar from the distance of 50 meters to his right as the silhouette of another Raptor entered his vision. He barely shielded himself in time against the second salvo with his Tactical Shield. By the way, this is the second time that his TSF blipped. The first time it blipped was when Takeru was already under a shower of bullets and explosions. It's already too late when his radar blipped. There was little use of a radar against the Raptor.
Another hail of bullet pinned Takeru's Shiranui down to the ground with both of its front and back covered in brilliant orange.
The Shiranui's shields were sizzled with orange glow thanks to those continuous hails of bullet, barely able to defend the Shiranui from the murder of the Raptor's Assault Rifles.
The outcome was already clear to spectators. When those reactive Armour Shields gave, Takeru's Shiranui will be filled with holes.
Yet, the pinned down Shiranui performed the impossible. It leaped at the nearest Raptor with blinding speed, leaving behind two scorched Reactive Armour Shields and a trail of black smoke.
"Gotcha," Takeru exclaimed as he viciously smashed his remained Reactive Armour Shield against the stunned Raptor and subsequently sent it crashed through a nearby building.
Dust and rubble erupted as nobody understood how the Shiranui was able to move around in that fashion when its auto-balance system was working, much less its unexplained bizarre agility.
The first to react was the Raptor that scored first blood, pinning the turtle look alike Shiranui to the ground. Before Takeru finished deploying his Assault Rifle from his back Mount Pylon and subsequently finished off the immobilized Raptor, he was forced to dodge a hail of suppression fire from the other Raptor.
Glowing bullets danced through the atmosphere and razed down many abandoned buildings in the process as neither the Shiranui nor the Raptor could lock on to one another from the distance of 65 meter.
Takeru must admit that his opponent was top notch in this kind of mid range battle, not even himself or Hayase would able to execute those aerial manoeuvres while raining bullets with such ridiculously off-chart accuracy. Moreover, Takeru couldn't find a single opening to close in. The Infinities test pilot made best use of his TSF's agility and powerful thrusters to execute precise short distance boosts despite the cramp airspace of the Hiragi ruin. And then, that intriguing technique of that black hair test pilot, using the auxiliary arms that normally use for quick- remuneration or quick deployment of melee weapons for shooting purpose instead. Takeru was almost gotten himself killed, falling for that fake opening trick of the US test pilot if not for his reflex.
Takeru had once though that Hayase herself was already extremely crazy to use those secondary arms for combat purpose during a CQC. Well, for her case, the result was those auxiliary arms of her TSF busted during most of the case, unable to fulfil Hayase's crazed command. But, it wasn't really the case for the test pilot of the Infinities with the emblem Infinities 02. The way that test pilot used his auxiliary arms was completely unknown to Takeru. Without damaging his own TSF's secondary arms, the Infinities test pilot effortlessly used them as efficiently as his own main arms to cover up his blind spots, quick-drawing and shooting with his extra assault rifle.
Though, Takeru didn't have a free moment to spare, admiring and copying that unique technique. He detected a seismic reaction on his Shiranui's radar from the position of the supposed immobilized Raptor.
"Tch," Takeru couldn't help but smack his old tongue in regret, unable to finish off that Raptor even with the element of surprise on his hand.
Immediately, Takeru broke the chase with the other Raptor and dashed toward the supposed broken Raptor.
The Raptor with Infinities 02 label was a step behind in reading Takeru's intention. The moment he realized it, he was too late to intercept. Though, he persistently sprayed hails of 66mm while chasing after Takeru's Shiranui.
Loaded his assault rifle with sabot round with deftly avoiding bullets from the persistent Raptor, Takeru executed a twin-stage boost, leaving the chasing Raptor behind and arrived at the position where he earlier felled the US Raptor.
"Seven hour, 65 degree", "I know right," Takeru gave his reply at almost exactly the same time as Kasumi's warning as he hit a certain unique button on his command board.
A chilling impact torn apart the atmosphere subsequently the moment Shirogane Takeru hit that certain button.
A crater could be seen on the solid asphalt where Takeru's Shiranui was a tenth of a second ago.
Takeru sworn his team mates weren't the only one who gasped in surprise seeing the stunt that he just pulled.
Shiranui, sea fire, heat haze, an optical phenomenon on Ariake Sea was the name of Takeru's prideful TSF. The stunt that he pulled in less than a second ago surely made people realizing why this piece of TSF was name after such grandeur optical illusion.
The Random Evasive Manoeuvrer button could be a lifeline in such situation, push the Shiranui's agility and mobility to the utmost limit. From Takeru's most ridiculous high speed manoeuvres to the most advanced manoeuvrers copied from the Valkyries, people could immediately perform such feat just by hitting that certain button on their command board once they modified their TSF for XM3. Takeru won't go as far as claiming that sole button is a bane of all projectiles. But, he was confident that he could evade almost any projectile aimed at him with a precise timeframe.
"4 hour, 15 meters" "A trap within a trap, right?" Kasumi's monotonous warning came at the same time as Taker's confident response.
Within the dusty veil of rubble and smoke was a shadow of a Raptor whose gun pointing at Takeru's Shiranui.
Bang.
The chilling murderous sound of gunfire immediately killed off the howling wind that blew across the Hiragi ruin.
The Raptor that has hidden itself inside the smoke and dust was blasted away as though hit by an invisible sledgehammer. The broken TSF crumbled on the ground on its back with fore-abdomen armour completely deformed, a natural result of receiving a full blast of sabot at point blank.
"The result could have been different," Takeru thought as he looked at the image of the broken Raptor transmitted to him through the Shiranui's HUD. Who could have imagined that the Infinities have planned that far ahead, using the damaged Raptor as bait to lay traps for Takeru? If it wasn't for Kasumi's mind reading ability, Takeru wasn't confident that he could evade that shot with his instinct and reflex alone.
Doubt, fear, awe, stunned, astonishment were all directed at Takeru through Kasumi's mind reading ability. Spectators and trial matches participators alike were all blown away, watching the image of one of the world best TSF fell to ground.
Seizing the imitative, Takeru executed a boost toward the unknown sniper or rather the fly commander of the Infinities. Even though the target's position hasn't revealed to him, he could figure it out with the help of the OS. Figuring out the position of the sniper by calculating the angle and impact of the bullet wouldn't take less than 5 seconds with normal OS, and lesser than 3 seconds with the XM3.
"There you are," Takeru instantly released a piercing 120mm round at hidden Raptor the moment its calculated position was relayed to him through his retinal display.
"Damage calculation…0 percent" Kasumi warned just a moment before the hidden Raptor broke out of the thick smoke.
"I didn't expect that he would able to evade under that circumstance," Takeru replied while urging his TSF to chase.
Hails of lead from two different directions immediately followed Takeru's Shiranui as he persistently chased after the enemy's leader. There was no opening for Takeru to close the distance as the Raptor with the call sign Infinities 02 finally caught up.
"That's not enough to stop me," growled like a wound beast, Takeru slammed his throttle hard and executed a mid-air rocket boost, using a nearby building's wall as a platform.
The alarm on the Shiranui's cockpit urgently blipped and complained Takeru over just how reckless his decision was. Whereas he should continue his normal random dynamic aerobics to chase after the enemy's leader and free from the risk of getting himself lock-on at close range, Takeru wouldn't able to shorten the distance with such heavily suppression fire from his front and behind at the same time. But it is a different story with the massive acceleration and speed of a rocket boost. One single rocket boost was all it took for Takeru to cut short the chase between him and the enemy leader. Yet, it wasn't without a risk. During a rocket boost, most of the TSF control will be lock up which resulting in the simple straight line motion of Takeru's Shiranui. It would be extremely weird if Takeru wasn't got himself lock-on during such manoeuvre otherwise.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Decisive fire came forth toward the defenceless frame of the speeding Shiranui from its back and front.
Yet, it was 1st Lt. Keith Blazer of the Infinites who was surprise. His buckets of 66mm barely found their way to their intended destination. The Japanese TSF that charged straight at him like a shooting star suddenly shook all over while still plunging straight at him. The jerking Shiranui for some reason reminded Keith of a fallen leaf that was picked up by a gale of wind. Sparks and explosions covered the whole shaking frame of the Shiranui, yet the Shiranui didn't slow down one bit. Somehow, the Shiranui has survived through a rain of bullets with its Tactical Reactive Shield.
Reflex saved Keith from the crash against the reckless Shiranui as he barely evade that mass of steel came at him by a hair thread.
Just when Keith believe that his opponent's TSF will simply crash into the ground after its failed rocket boost, he realized that he was once again underestimating his enemy.
Right before the jerking Shiranui crashed to the ground, it stomped a nearby building and subsequently changed its flying course with an Albright turn.
It was extremely illogical to Keith regarding how the Shiranui could move around like that. Twice, it had defied normal logic. During crash landing and rocket boost, the Eishi control will be limited by the OS in other to prevent unnecessary strain and damage to the TSF itself. Yet, that Shiranui was clearly able to move around just fine. Worse, Keith didn't expect to find such a skilled pilot on that strange Shiranui.
It's not everyday that Keith was able to see people go head to head with Leon in an aerial TSF match or best Guylos at close range like that. Anywhere around the world, his fly mates could be easily considered as ace pilots. Keith couldn't even believe in his eyes that Guylos' Raptor actually was taken out of the fight that easily. It seemed that the military profile and reports of Shirogane Takeru held some true with them… if not lacking in information.
Without a sliver of hesitation, Keith compelled his Raptor to give chase.
"02 move to J9 and prepare a pincer attack with me," Keith ordered after a quick scanning on the battlefield map.
A window with Leon's face enlarged on the right side of Keith's HUD, "Roger". Leon was clearly trying to contain his anger as his voice was audibly trembling with rage.
Keith couldn't help but empathize with Leon's anger. He, too, was angry over himself, letting Guylos taken out by surprise twice. While he couldn't able to do anything over the irregularity of that Shiranui, he still couldn't believe that the enemy Eishi was able to see through his plan and ambush, then used it to his advantage and took out Guylos.
"04 to all units, Bandit 01, 02 and 03 are moving toward you," Sharon warned.
"02, cancel the attack. Moving to H6 and assemble with us over there," Keith immediately ordered to regroup as he sensed the tide of the battle turned against him.
XXXXXXXXXXX
"Well done, Shirogane"
Hayase's face popped up on Takeru's HUD.
"Thank you…" was Takeru's reply as he was unable to tell the meaning of that 'well done' actually, whether it because he succeeded with his plan or his inability to take out the Infinities team leader. Anyway, maybe it's the later since Hayase looked totally itching for a fight at the moment.
"You should have listened to all the commotion in the CIC's transmission just now. They're all crazy over the stunt you pulled." Munakata said her encouragement with a bewitched smile on her face.
"Ah… I don't think I had any time to spare, listening to some idle chat on the CIC,"
Takeru replied with a deadpan face. During the heat of battle, who would have any spare moment to tune his radio, listening to someone else's idle chat?
"Wow, how cheeky. As expect from a celebrity." Munakata feigned surprise.
"Okay, enough chitchat. Leave it after the match. Shirogane, well done" Isumi sent her compliment via the squad's transmission line.
"Thank you."
"How's the condition of your machine?" Isumi asked
"Ah… the TSF's left leg auxiliary has dropped to critical level after that Albright turn that I did during the rocket boost. Several ventral muscle packs were damaged because I received those salvos head on. Primary output reduced to 78 percent. Though, it shouldn't affect much to my overall performance"
"That's good to hear. We might proceed to plan B otherwise," Munakata nodded her head.
"Ah, before I forget… please copy my database while they are still regrouping. I managed to put wireless trackers on the enemy's leader and his vanguard. Though, I could not do the same to the last Raptor… It totally didn't appear at all."
"…" the air was frozen for a dozen of seconds.
"Seriously?"
Three pair of eyes fixed at Takeru with extreme astonishment.
"Why are you so surprise, Captain? Wasn't that the plan from the beginning? Put trackers on them to negate their stealth ability. That's your idea, Captain." Takeru asked confusedly.
"No, it's more like when did you put tracker on them." Isumi asked with her jaw totally slacken.
"When? During the time that I engaged with them in a melee. I am not confident in taking down anyone of them in CQC in that situation. So, I could only mark and label them with tracker when I had a chance" Takeru answered as a matter of fact.
"…"
"I meant why are you looking at me with such surprise look? It shouldn't difficult for any of you to do that," Takeru scratched his head, couldn't endure those bewildered stare that his superior throwing at him.
"Damn, you are really amazing."
Hayase exclaimed excitedly. Though, it made Takeru extremely unease.
"As expected from a genius Eishi,"
Munakata once again showered Takeru with another compliment. While any good pilot can perform that feat Takeru accomplished, nobody could manage it successfully. Using trackers to negate the Raptor's stealth ability, that's a sound plan of Captain Isumi; except, it has a fatal flaw. In order to unnoticeably latch those trackers on the Raptor, the first requirement is to engage with the Raptor in a melee. That single requirement is however as hard as asking a person to break a stone with an egg. Forget about the Raptor's monstrous speed, acceleration and its powerful thrusters, to force the Raptor into a CQC situation is almost impossible. The stealth ability of the Raptor guaranteed that nobody will able to survive and engage with it in a melee. Always the first to lock-on and initiative, the Raptor is extremely deadly in mid-range combat.
"Just how far you think ahead in that situation, Shirogane? Anyway, let's not waste our chance here. 02 and 04, you two will proceed to double-team Fox 01. Leave Fox 02 and Fox 04 to us. We will not let them interfere with your business. Our objective is to take down the enemy leader."
Isumi immediately ordered the moment she finished copying all of the data from Takeru's TSF database and shared them among her unit.
"Copied"
"Copied"
In an instant, the Yokohama UN army's strongest Flight scattered, leaving only Takeru and Hayase together.
"They are responding to our movement" Takeru looked at his HUD and analysed the situation. "Fox 02 is lying on our fly path. Should we avoid him?"
"Don't worry about being intercepted. Just follow my lead," Hayase replied as she increased her speed.
"Roger"
The word came out of Takeru's mouth was a product of his involuntary reflex rather than a result of his logical reasoning. It seemed that Takeru could not say no to his direct superior no matter what. If Hayase ordered him to fly, he will fly. If Hayase ordered him to jump, he will jump. And maybe even if she ordered him to go to hell with her, who know if he will have what it took to go against such order.
"Ignore the enemy's vanguard. Munakata will intercept him. Just to be safe, leaving your TSF in auto- evade mode." Hayase ordered when the distance between her TSF and the vanguard Raptor reduced to approximately 200 meters.
"Screw you. What do you mean 'just to be safe'? It's totally not safe at all. I am already reckless… but you are on another different dimension."
Despite his urge to rebuke, Takeru couldn't scream it aloud. Hayase's method is as crazy as ever. While his TSF will take auto-evasive manoeuvrer when detect lock-on and incoming projectile, it wouldn't make Takeru feel safe to leave the total control to the OS. It's an extraordinarily understatement if Takeru was to say storming through the enemy vanguard with auto-evasive system is a reckless method. It's suicidal.
Takeru couldn't help but wondering if Hayase was normally this reckless or just because she made this decision because she is pairing up with him.
Though, Takeru instantly realized that he was worried over nothing. Before the vanguard Raptor could intercept Hayase and Takeru, it was forced to take evasive measurement against a hail of explosive 120mm.
What timing. Takeru couldn't help but bewildered from that suppressive fire from Munakata. If the enemy Eishi was anything lesser than a first rate Eishi, he would have fell victim to that shot. After all, Munakata pulled out that crazy shot without using the laser designator assisting system.
Was Hayase counting on that shot of Munakata? Or perhaps Munakata was forced to make that shot because she understood Hayase's method? Takeru had no idea.
Takeru urged his Shiranui to increase the distance with Fox 02, taking advantage of Munakata's intervention.
"10 hour, 47 degree," Kasumi's emotionless warn occurred at the same time as Takeru's shout "Evade".
As though their movement was synchronized, both Hayase and Takeru promptly twisted their TSF and evaded a glowing 120mm shell aimed at them.
"Ara Shirogane, how reckless, you didn't even switch on your auto-evasive switch." Hayase arrogantly laughed after realising Takeru hasn't obey her order from the fact that his Shiranui's movement matched her so well.
"You are the last person that I want to hear it from. Beside you didn't put that switch on either," Takeru desperately fought against his urge to rebuke.
"Fox 04 sighted at D17" Hayase confirmed the location of the sniper through her retinal display and reported.
"Copied," Isumi's confident voice resound through the transmitter "02, 04 do not concern yourselves with this any longer. Focus on your objective, leave the small one to us."
"Aye Aye, Captain," Hayase playfully replied despite the tension on the battlefield.
"Roger"
Taker answered while observing the image of Captain Isumi pursuing the only unmarked Raptor through his HUD.
"Hey, out target is pulling away," Hayase's comment immediately jolted Takeru's attention right back at his task.
"Of course, he would. If he wouldn't realize something went wrong right here, something definitely wrong about him being a commander," Takeru answered while double checking Hayase's information through his HUD.
"Well said. Then, we should hurry up before he realized that he was bugged"
"Roger, I will distract him just like our practice simulation"
"Go ahead"
Permission granted. Takeru gripped his hand and smiled.
Immediately, Takeru recklessly executed a rocket boost toward the enemy leader's Raptor. He didn't bother about sheltering himself under the shade of nearby buildings or use them as screen from any nearby potential projectile aiming at him.
An expected hail of lead came straight at his speeding Shiranui from his target. It barely slowed Takeru down. Swinging his Shield upwardly while combining carbon actuator within the Shiranui's torso and arms, Takeru took advantage of the instability weight of his tactical reactive armour shield to skirt away from a fury of lead that could have easily torn his Shiranui apart.
However, Takeru immediately realized he was too foolish regarding that judgement of his. Right before his Shiranui started alarming of being lock-on, Takeru sensed a smile from the enemy leader through Kasumi's mind reading ability.
Another salvo of lead furiously nearly crippled Takeru if it wasn't for his unearthly reflex and his tactical shield. It seemed that the enemy leader has accounted the abnormal capability of Takeru's Shiranui through the earlier engage. Thus, the first salvo was only a greeting. The second salvo was shot immediately using another set of assault rifle once the propellant within the Shiranui's thrusters became exhausted.
"I will take note of this weakness," Takeru mentally recorded of the imperfection regarding his technique while bracing himself against the furious salvo of Fox 01.
Damaged percentage rose to 24 percent on the primary power. Left arm was in critical condition. Thrusters' capability reduced to 87 percent of the optimal ability. The reactive shield was sizzled orange from the heat of explosions that protected Takeru from his enemy's salvo. With a quick inspection, Takeru realized that he couldn't afford another reckless manoeuvre or mistake in front of the leader of the Infinities. His TSF won't hold until the end of the match at this rate.
Suddenly, the continuous salvo that was directed at Takeru stopped.
"Do a better job if you are going to distract him next time"
A complaint was directed at Takeru as he spotted a figure of Hayase's Shiranui.
Wow, as expected. Takeru scowled upon the sight of Hayase's Shiranui chased after Fox 01's Raptor. When Fox 01 took advantage of Takeru's mistake and gunning at Takeru with all his might, Hayase took advantage of Fox 01's distraction to lock with him in a CQC.
"Good luck," Takeru silently sent his best regard to Fox 01.
Even if Fox 01 was doing extremely well, keeping Hayase at bay with his blazing assault rifle, he won't last long against that berserker of a woman.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Hah?"
Shirogane Takeru made an unintelligent noise with his dumb struck face.
One and a half hour has passed since the first face off in the XM3 trial came to an end. The Valkyries walked away with a narrow victory in a time out. The Infinities lost two of their member during the fight whereas the Valkyries only suffer mechanical damage, zero casualties.
"Please proceed to venue 257 for your public speech. The broadcasting is about to start in 20 minutes" 1st Lt. Elena repeated with a level tone.
"Public speech? Broadcasting?" Takeru threw a look of 'what is this all about?' at Yuuko's personal secretary. He didn't hear anything about this from the old spy Yoroi's report nor did he actually intend to make one, a public speech that is.
"Please hurry up. We don't have much time." 1st Elena said with a serious look on her face ass she passed her headset to Takeru.
"Get your feet moving. We don't have time" Yuuko's irritated voice rang
"What's this all about sensei? I didn't plan anything like this"
"It's your responsibility. Do you thing you would get away that easily after publicly mocking everyone like that without a word?"
"But, it turned out…"
"No but. You either moved here or I will sent someone to get you"
"Roger, I'm on my way," Takeru could only meekly obeyed with his slacken jaw.
Immediately, Takeru followed after 1st Lt. Elena's hastily footstep under the doubtful gaze of his team mates. No, it was more like running than walking.
"Congratulation on your first match, it was really amazing"
A girl who Takeru has never met before congratulated him as he ran through the corridor.
"Thank you" was the only thing Takeru could manage to reply while dashing after 1st Lt. Elena's shadow.
"Congratulations…"
A Caucasian male soldier said his congratulation with a thumb up hand gesture.
"Thank you"
Takeru didn't help any spare time to listen to everything that soldier got to say, he nodded his head, showing his appreciation.
…
"What's wrong with you? Why are you out of breath like that?"
The voice of the mad scientist only served to Takeru's exhaustion. For some reason, she handed Takeru a towel.
"…nothing," Takeru tried to regulate his breathe while receiving the towel from his sensei with his widened eyes. While Takeru was surprise that there would be a day when Yuuko would hand him a towel, he was too tired to ask for the reason. After enduring one and half hour of exposure to G- Force and stress in the simulation, while his friends receiving their well deserved rest, he had to make a mad dash to meet up with Yuuko while exchanging word of appreciation to people along the way. Takeru has never realized that his name and face was known to so many people around the base.
What's wrong with Yuuko sensei? Was she always this nice?
While wiping away his sweat, Takeru pondered. Though, it wasn't long.
"At least watch out for your image, people are using you as a ruler to measure me. Therefore, don't say or do anything stupid,"
In the end, it's just on a whim or perhaps it was because of Yuuko's pride?
"I didn't prepare any speech nor did I intend to make a public speech. Besides, I will only embarrass myself and your name at this rate," Takeru complained and voiced his objection with the last ounce of strength that he could mutter "Shouldn't you be the one speaking instead of me?"
Yuuko darted Takeru an "I don't want to involve" look "…'cause I believe in you"
"Don't say it if you don't actually mean it," Takeru grumbled.
"XO, it's time," an officer whose name and face was hitherto unknown to Takeru said.
"Follow him and don't make a fool out of yourself," Yuuko nonchalantly ordered to which Takeru wordlessly obeyed.
…
Before Takeru knew it, he was already mounting a platform. How did he arrive at this situation? He had no idea. He was incredibly nervous that he totally forgot the whole process of how he was actually able to mount this platform. It seemed that the camera man has given him a signal to begin his speech a moment ago though. Still, no word escaped his vocal cord. Is this what people call stage fright? In front of Takeru was layers of people who gazed at him as though he was an UMA( unidentified moving animal).
"Hello"
Thanks god, he finally managed to say something. Still, what should he say after this? Takeru urged every brain cell that he possessed to work with earnest.
"I'm second Lieutenant Shirogane Takeru of the Valkyries. It's my pleasure to present this speech to you today."
Now what? That's already the end of the introduction. That's all the grey matter within his brain could manage.
Think of something.
Think
Think
'Takeru, think,' I inwardly ordered myself.
The XM3, right I should begin speaking about it.
"The new OS that we are putting into a trial here at a moment was christened as the XM3 by Professor Kouzuki, an OS that ran on a new concept."
Somehow, I began to speak without any sliver of hesitation and anxiety despite the crowd before me.
"As some of you may have already noticed it during our earlier demonstration, our TSFs were able to move around in situations that they normally wouldn't. The existing OS has an auto-control process that froze manual input while attempting to stabilize balance in the event the unit is about to fall. The XM3 introduced a new 'combo and cancel' feature, giving Eishis the ability to this process at their discretion. In doing this, the lag time resulting from the momentary loss of input control is significantly reduced. This is cancel."
Words naturally came out of my mouth. I didn't have to scramble my brain much before voiced them to the crowd.
"With the help of Professor Kouzuki's research, we were able to implement a larger amount of conductor in the operating circuit with the same space. By doing that, we improve the OS adaptability and mobility by 30% compare to the current OS. Also, the XM3 allowed for sequences of consecutive commands to be executed in fewer time frames and simpler input while sharing the data link function to synchronize movement control data. In other words, even inexperience Eishis can easily perform high level movements of that of a veteran Eishi. This is what we meant by combo."
My voice for some reason carried unexpected enthusiasm. I was speaking to the crow as though a child showing his new toy to his friends.
"That's all I can summarize about this XM3 at the moment. As for the rest, please have a look at the XM3's industrial feature report for more information."
The end… That's really all I could summarize about the XM3 to this crowd. If I was to talk about each and every unique feature of this OS, it would really take a full day.
Suddenly, I felt something strange about this whole situation.
…Anyone can easily say those words. Nay, anyone could have done better than me with proper preparation. Then… why Yuuko made me stand on this platform? Is it because I am the co-inventor of this product? Surely not… Is it because the disservice that I have done to the Infinities? No, that's also not the reason.
Even, it was a strange idea, yet I was sure that I was on the right track.
Why did Yuuko sensei made me mounting this platform and making this speech? There were reasons to each and every choice that Yuuko sensei made. She didn't do this for fun… What does she want me to hear? What does she want me to say?
…
Suddenly, I got my answer. Whether it was a work of my imagination, Kasumi's mind reading ability or it was actually a reality; I heard Yuuko whispered the answer to me.
'What do you want to convey to everyone here? What are you trying to achieve Shirogane?'
I am mounting this platform for a reason. And that reason had nothing to do with what Yuuko sensei wanted me to say or what she wanted to hear. It is what I desired to convey and share with every people here, the more the better, the earlier the better.
"Eight minutes"
Marimo chan's face suddenly came through my mind.
"Eight minutes"
I repeated while trying my best to suppress an unknown feeling that began to bubble and stir within my chest.
Several 'huh?' sounds came from the audience. People are having trouble with what am I talking about. Not that I really care about that.
"It was just the length for an Eishi to realize just how powerless we truly are against the might of the BETA. It was just the length for a newbie like me, fighting against the BETA in our first deploy; became a real soldier in the process or a mass of organic material instead."
A dreadful silence descended on the venue as the atmosphere turned heavier than ever when I touched upon that topic.
"The eight minutes of death, I was taught. It was just the length for a new Eishi to survive their first battle. Many people still consider it is a rite of passage even now. And I'm sure that, some of you have already had your fair of experience of the eight minutes of death."
I could barely remember how I survived my eight minutes of death. It was just terrible…
People called me genius. People kept telling me that I am one of the best Eishi. And the result? I was at the mercy of the BETA, barely survive my eight minutes of death if it wasn't for Meiya and Captain Isumi's help. And then, Marimo chan was killed in front of me.
"It was an undeniable and unmistakable reality to us decades ago. And now, after three decades, we mankind have made huge leaps in technology and wisdom. We have stronger and faster TSFs. We have more knowledge about our enemy. And still… the eight minutes of death is still a reality that none of us could shy away from."
It wasn't just my imagination. The atmosphere in the 257 venue really became unbreathable.
"It makes me wonder if it is just how strong the BETA is. In class, we were taught that there are many strands of BETA. Every single one of them has different appearances and body built. And yet, they moved and acted as one, like a machine or a single entity. They neither fear of their own death nor they felt pain despite constituting of blood and flesh just as we mankind. The Lux and Magnus Lux rendered mankind's attempt of aerial strike ineffective. The other large strands could easily destroy any TSF in existence with a few impacts. Any of the small strands easily overwhelmed the strongest man like an adult to a toddler. Their army number is a million of ours and they came at us without any merciless illogical patterns."
I easily repeated what Captain Isumi has taught me about the BETA.
"Even after three decades, we mankind still fought a losing battle to the BETA. I wonder why… They have amazingly strong physical trait; us human created insanely strong TSF. Their number is limitless; we had an inexhaustible amount of weapons. Their strategy is extremely illogical and couldn't be understood through human's mean; our imagination and creativity denied even the most illogical strategies of them from victory. Then why are we still losing?"
Yuuko's and Yuuhi's face suddenly appeared at the corner of my mind. And their words tolled a bell within my consciousness.
"A person who used to act as my mentor gave me an answer. The BETA moved as a single entity while us mankind moved as individuality. While BETA moved like machine, with unbelievably harmony… us human who is fighting a losing war is still conflicted, unable to put aside our differences and joined hands together. But, I believe we all couldn't help about that. You and I are different beings. In this world, there is no second Shirogane Takeru out there or a second you out there. There is only one of us in this vast universe. And that's what makes us mankind different from the BETA, our individuality defined our existence."
The proof to that individuality was right in front of my very eyes as I continued to spoke. Each and every one of the audiences clearly reacted in a different way to my speech.
"But, I hope… one day, despite the individuality that each and every one of us possesses, despite our differences, we mankind will move as one, fight and win this war as one. I hope there will be a day where we will stand and fight together side by side as a single entity despite our individuality. On that day, I hope there will be no Japanese, no Chinese, no Russian, no American, no European, no Asian, no African, nothing... but Earthling. The 'combo' feature of the XM3 existed with such hope, amassing the uniqueness of each of our individuality for the better of the entire community. That's said, the reason why you were invited here today wasn't because I arrogantly believe that this piece of OS will become the key to mankind's victory. I doubt it was the case. I called forth you here today for a different reason. This trial test wasn't meant to prove whose TSF is better, Japan, Chinese or America. Nor it was to prove whose Eishi was better. They meant nothing to me. I only hope that people could accept this piece of OS without any bias, so that we mankind will survive as a whole. At least, I hope this OS could save as many people as it could, even if it was but hundreds or thousands and it will continue to save as many people as it can in the future."
I sincerely believed what I had just said. We mankind will be unbeatable if we combined the strength of our individuality to forge the strongest weapon that prove the uniqueness of us mankind.
"That's all. Thank you,"
I bowed and ended my speech.