Chapter 44:
"My name is Shirogane Takeru; by the time you read this letter, I am probably no longer exist…"
That was probably the first paragraph of what would be my testament as I headed to meet my superiors. It may appear strange to many that I would write one now when I have never written once despite the many battlefields I have been to. Strange, isn't it? I thought so as well. Why now?
The underlying meaning within the fact that I have never filled my testament was probably very different from what other had in mind. People thought that since I was a very positive person as well as a genius with an ego, the scenario that I imagined myself dying on a battlefield must have never crossed my mind. But no, that wasn't the case… that was never the case. It was very simple. I didn't want to trigger what seem to be a death-flag. It rather superstitious of me, huh? Well, that's that but there was another reason. The other reason was… I still have lot of regrets. Therefore, not writing a will was a reminder to myself that I cannot die no matter what, that I must return.
But now, I was actually thinking about writing a testament. And it wasn't even a battlefield I'm heading to. Why now? I could not help but ponder.
I have acknowledged that I have wronged my units, betraying their many expectations and trusts on me. And, I am prepared for the punishments I deserved. But, considering the flash of anger within Hayase's eyes I saw a moment ago, I felt so very afraid of dying.
Nonsense… I wouldn't give a damn despite what people may think because it would be very illogical that Hayase would try to kill me as a punishment for what I did. Of course, it would be very illogical if that was the case. However, this was Hayase. This was definitely 1st Lt. Hayase I'm talking about. And she was notorious for her rage… her anger issue and her strength.
If by chance, hypothetically, that Hayase managed to keep her anger issue under control during my trial, not letting her fists loose and splitting my skull apart while turning to a blue giant screaming "Hayase smash", chances are she would tell me to stand still, receiving three hits from her and we would be settled. The thing is… I would most likely die within the very first hit… 'cause Hayase had almost no control over her strength just like a baby Hercules. She doesn't know how to hold back… in fact, her vocabulary probably doesn't ever register "hold back" as a proper word. And Hayase was known for her physical strength aside from her anger.
As testament to her strength, Hayase was a natural controller of the Type-89 Feedback Protector, aka the dress of steel or the miniature TSF. Almost, 300kg in weight, the Type-89 Feedback Protector was almost equal to a car in mass, being an enamored Ex-skeletal suit, commonly famous for its toughness, power, mobility and lethality as well as its difficulty of control. Unlike the UN issued Exo suit for Eishis which was more of the modernized Kevlar, Type-89 Feedback Protector was similar to the old medieval full-set plate-mail in design except that it was added with hydraulic motor. And to master over the dress of steel, one need a body of steel, a great feat of strength of both upper body and lower body as well as the natural aptitude. And the only thing that said to be worse than the mass of the Type 89 Protector was inertia and momentum that go side by side with its weight. It's not like people could just hit a brake to stop the that 300kg exoskeleton armor. It was considered a tough jerky to chew for even the strongest males so normally people would not expect much from a female. In fact, there was only a handful of guys in this Yokohama base can claim to have a good control over the dress of steel. However, the only person would dare to claim the mastery over the Type-89 Feedback Protector was probably Hayase alone.
Just imagine receiving a hit from a holder of that insane strength… people would not last after the first punch. And dying like that is not even funny…
If by chances, within the next few passages and I stopped being the narrator, you can probably count on that…
Forget it. I'm on my way to the execution ground now.
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Isumi, Isumi Michiru was one of the best graduates of Yokohama UN Army flight school. She did well during the majority of her training course and exceptional during the latter part of her training. She was given many nicknames, Isumi the superhuman, the perfectionist, and even genius. But no, Isumi believed that those were simply misplaced. Superhuman, no, she was no superhuman. She might be more able than most but no she was by no mean a superhuman. Spending times around a bunch of gifted friends who in possessed of incredible talents, Isumi realized that she was simply a normal human, definitely not a superhuman or genius or anything like that. Perfectionist, well, that one, Isumi's kind of like it. It described her personality pretty well.
Isumi was well known even among the old A01. A01 from back then wasn't just a single squad. It was a battalion of 12 Armored TSF squads. Valkyries was the 9th squad. After three major known operations and numerous unrevealed operations, all that remained of the A01 was Isumi's Valkyries.
People who caught a glimpse of Isumi's combat prowess on the battlefield both as a combatant and as a commander would say that she lived up to A01's name. The iron Isumi, the iron Valkyrie, they called her, for her cold and unflinching approach on the battlefield as well as her strength. She was truly a woman made out of steel, mental and physical.
But only Isumi knew, only she knew, the façade of the iron Valkyrie. It's not that she's fearless. She simply faced it many times, became exhausted and then numbed to it. Isumi wasn't aware of her 8 minute of death. She wasn't counting, forgot to count to be exact. She kept squeezing on the triggers, draining her cannons until the very last mag and then switched to sword. Got her sword stuck in a Grappler's flank, used her knives to kill as many BETA as she could. Got pounded times and times, but her TSF managed to hold on, and she kept on with the hacking and cutting job. It was a blur until Isumi's squad commander yelled at her to stop. Isumi stopped only to realize that she was hacking at a beheaded Fort Class carcass with her knives for god know how long. And even then, Isumi didn't realize that the battle has come to an end and she has long surpassed her own 8 minute of death.
Years passed since then, and Isumi was already the last of the 09th Valkyrie, a lone survivor. The roster kept changing, even as strong and battle-hardened as Isumi was, she could not stop the death count. It kept on rolling, lives of her subordinates and her own, like dices that were casted by the gods themselves. Nobody knew which face the dices would land on, odd or even, black or red.
Before she knew it, it was up to her to raise another generations of A01, teaching them and taking care of them just like her sempai did to her and her friends. At one point, Isumi was the only remaining A01 in service.
Hayase and Haruka was Isumi's very first Valkyries after the entire 9th Valkyrie was decimated to Isumi alone.
Haruka made a great second in command despite her inability to field. She's a great battle forecaster and a good tactician. A despite her look, Haruka was very calm, collected and reliable when it counted. Make no mistake, Haruka was crucial to the Valkyries. She's one of Isumi most trusted advisor.
If Haruka was already a great find, Hayase was a rare find. She was like an all-star player from the get go despite her many flaws. Isumi has seen a great score of great storm vanguards, but none was quite anything like Hayase. Hayase was a demon a close range and a great penetrator. Though, Hayase initially has trouble with long range and mid-range combat, being a specialist in CQC, Hayase worked extra hard to fix that under Isumi's tutelage after being pointed out. Now, she can crush just about any defensive tactics and formation with the tiniest amount of chance she was provided. Moreover, the worse the situation, the better Hayase performed. In situation when most people would have fumble to their own fear, Hayase seemed to find her source of strength through her battle lust and anger to dig her way through pinches. However, the most amazing aspect about Hayase was that not only she was able to remain calm and focus during the direst hours, it was that she could rally people around her to overcome their own fear. That's something people have to learn but it was a natural gift of Hayase. Among the rest of the Valkyries, Hayase was the most developed person under Isumi's wings.
Munakata and Kazama arrived later with their own squad of six. But now, it's just the two of them.
They are a set of two, inseparable; each one complimented the other's strength while covering each other's weakness. While Munakata seemed to be the more eye-catching and battle-able from the get go, being a natural leader, an all-around Eishi and a shrewd strategist, Kazama was the essential piece of the pair even though she didn't look the part. Kazama's battle style was not flashy like that of Munakata or Hayase. However, that is what make her one of the most interesting pieces of the Valkyries. She lurked around, either presented herself as an easy-to-pick-off target or erased her presence by allowing other to take the spot-light and severely punished her opponents for every mistake they made. The way Kazama fought was the very example of the phrase every rose has its thorn. For Kazama and Munakata, Isumi allowed them to develop on their own, only providing her opinion when she has to, believing that it would be the best for the development of the pair.
The 207A enrolled into the roster with their full squad of six, full of capable and interesting pieces and yet, all that remained of them now was Akane and Haruko. The rest of the 207A are currently hospitalized and probably wouldn't return to the unit any time soon.
Akane, she was a gifted child, both as a person and as a soldier. She was a hardworking perfectionist just like Isumi, a natural leader like Munakata, a natural fighter like Hayase, a super human in every sense unlike a fake that was Isumi. Though, Akane's idolization over Hayase affected her negatively as she was taking after Hayase zealously. The way Hayase speaks, the way Hayase fights, and the ways Hayase solves problems, Akane was copying them both knowingly and unknowingly. Isumi had to pluck Akane away from Hayase to herself and Munakata to allow Akane reaching her full potential.
Haruko was similar to Akane, being a great asset to the Valkyries. While she made her standing among the Valkyries by being a completed deadeye with impeccable accuracy, Haruko's most distinguished quality was being a contributor and a team player. Haruko was very flexible and adaptive, while being a sharpshooter, she could handle CQC and mid-range combat just as anybody. She could also form a unit with almost anyone, giving them the best kind of support. Also, she's a smart kid, learning from both Kazama and Munakata to step up from her game without anyone telling her.
Shirogane Takeru was the first of the 207B to join the Valkyries under special circumstances. Flaw as he was, being an ill-disciplined soldier, people would trade anything to have his service. He's able to function well in any position from vanguard to rear guard, an all-around type of Eishi. Though, without any doubt, Shirogane Takeru was a pure offensive type of Eishi, a nightmare matchup for any unprepared opponent if he was to assume either the position of Storm Vanguard or Strike Vanguard. He's of the same make-up as Hayase, albeit better from the get-go as he possessed more tools and range compare to Hayase. It's almost hard to believe that he's of the same age as Akane and Haruko with that kind of ability he possessed. But, the best thing about Takeru was that he's far from being completed despite being that great of an Eishi. He's far from reaching his full potential and is still developing. If only the situation didn't call for it, Isumi would have taken Shirogane under her direct tutelage, working as Gun interceptor like she did Hayase, then passed the baton to Munakata and Kazama after couple of years then finally Hayase. That way, Shirogane Takeru would be able develop his tools toward being a true all-around kind of Eishi rather than limiting himself toward being an all-offensive type of Eishi. But for the moment, Isumi has reluctantly left the matter with Shirogane to Hayase due to the complications he bore.
The newest recruit of A01 came from the remained of 207B. They were an intriguing bunch. Though they barely scratched the 100 flying hours mark, they were nothing like a bunch of graduates with only a couple of hundreds hours of TSF piloting at all. Even though it was not at an advanced level such as Shirogane Takeru, their proficiency would not lose to that of the 207A girls if not roughly better.
Ayamine, like the rest of the Valkyries, a gifted person. She's a natural fighter, a predator, a demon at close range. She's excellent at knife and un-armed combat while being fully capable of mid-range combat. She's also extremely adaptive and flexible when situations called. She's just as gifted as Akane or Takeru. Though, Ayamine's greatness suffered by her co-operation and communication skills or lack thereof. Isumi put Ayamine under Munakata to work on that missing piece of the puzzle, knowing Munakata would be of the best environment.
Currently, the best of Storm Vanguards would be either Shirogane or Hayase as it's depend on which criteria on would look at. However, it's clear that the strongest fighter among the Valkyries in the future would be Meiya if it's just one-on-one. Meiya had the perfect make-up of a fighter and a swordswoman. She's different from Hayase, Akane, Takeru or Ayamine to a sense that she had a different approach in a fight, being a very disciplined and methodological fighter. Though, as great of a fighter Meiya was, she need to work more on her control of TSF and her other tools if she wished to become that caliber of a fighter. Meiya's best position was undoubtedly under Hayase's command where she could watch and learn more from Hayase while brushing up her technique with the rest of the storm vanguards.
Tamase, compared to the rest of A01, was a different specimen. She's a deadeye through and through. There's probably no sharpshooter can do what she could and there probably won't be any in the future. And even with that kind of description, it wouldn't do Tamase's sharpshooting ability justice. Tamase's off-the-chart accuracy could be compared to that of the Laser class BETA except that she did that with ballistic projectiles, not optical weapons. Regrettably, at the moment, Tamase was merely a one-dimension kind of Eishi. Isumi left Tamase to partner with Haruko while being under Kazama's tutelage to develop her tools.
Mikoto, when compared to the rest of A01, including Isumi herself, was an extremely resourceful, sharp and adaptive person. Mikoto might not be gifted as a fighter, sharpshooter, or natural leader like the rest of A01. She might not have a shrewd mind or and is slightly behind most with her TSF's control skill. But make no mistake, Mikoto's a gem, a real asset. She can react to an unexpected crisis faster and better than anyone can. Furthermore, she had a good nose for danger and great eyes over terrain. Despite that, Mikoto suffered the same weakness as Ayamine that was her co-operation and communication. Haruka, Kazama and Munakata would provide the best environment for Mikoto to fix that weakness of hers. But for time being, Isumi had to leave it to Kazama alone.
Last but not least, Sakaki, the squad leader of 207B. To be honest, Sakaki reminded Isumi a little bit of herself. She's a workaholic, a perfectionist, an extremely disciplined and dedicated person that thought out of everybody before herself. Sakaki also possessed an unusual sharp mind and disposition of a leader as though they're part of her gene. Though, unlike Isumi, Sakaki was not quite as shrewd and flexible. But Isumi can teach her just that by taking Sakaki under her wings.
This roster Isumi has right now, might just be the strongest A01 squadron has ever assembled since its foundation.
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While I was in the depth of my slumber, the world has taken many great strides, apparently. Moreover, Yuuko sensei, the XM3 and I were the core of that.
I think that's the only reason why I'm still alive right now.
There was no interrogation. No, I wasn't dragged into some dark room, interrogated and tortured.
It was trial, unexpectedly, a very short one. Yuuko sensei has put the matter as classified and as the result, not even captain Isumi would be allowed to question me of that.
"Do you have any excuse for your behavior and the many military rules you have broken?" the judge questioned. The reason of my insubordination aside, the nature of my misdeed would classified me as a criminal, first class criminal and it was no joke. Though, I doubt I would be ordered to meet a firing squad due to my unique standing. But nonetheless, I would be punished accordingly to my own crime.
"I have none. I'm fully prepare to accept my punishment," I- the accused gave my reply.
With that, the judge put down her hammer and gave the verdict.
First, I'm no longer entitled to the special privilege that given to squad 207A. That meant I'm to share the quarter with the rest of the Valkyries from now onward, giving up my own private quarter.
Second, I'm to relinquished my common hour and to be under strict supervision 24/7 by my supervisor-direct superior…1st Lt Hayase. But since time is sort of running out for the squad, I won't be punished to hard labor but instead TSF overtime-training and discipline.
Third, I'm allowed to exercise my rank outside the unit but from within… I'm strictly now a …pet it seemed. By being a pet meant one have to give up his very own human rights, obey every wish of his masters and wearing his assigned pet collar (criminal tracking collar) around his neck at all time.
Why pet? Why pet collar? I could not help but felt an urge to curse 1st Lt. Munakata for such mess up punishment. Seriously, pet, serious… like…it's sort of a (lol) punishment and at the same time, the worst possible verdict anyone could possibly have. Really, only the sadistic head of 1st Lt. Munakata could possibly come up with such thing.
As I turned my head toward her direction, 1st Lt. Munakata grinned and explained.
Her argument for the dog collar like accessory that is to be fastened on my neck was "Since you already have a record of disappearing and escaping, a tracking collar is needed for 1st Lt. Hayase to have a full and complete authority over yoy at all time. However, since you are now sort of the general public image of the squad, we can't possibly put a criminal tracking collar on your neck like that. Therefore, this," Munakata explained whilst holding back her wide grin, pointing her thumb at the dog collar.
I could come up with a mountain of counter arguments toward Munakata's earlier ridiculous explanation. Tracker collars are usually worn on wrists or ankles, also there are collar of skin color and transparent material. Also, the part about being the public image of the squad, a dude putting a dog collar on his neck as some sort of accessory, what kind of image that dude intend to project?
Yet, my mouth bubbled with soundless words as I stared at her agape.
When I said that I would take any punishment accordingly to my crime, 'this' was not in my mind for the slightest. Being supervised by Hayase 24/7 aside and demoted within the squad aside, this kind of punishment is as bad and ridiculous as it could possibly be. It did not mean to instill discipline to me in the first place, merely to entertain Munakata's twisted taste to be precise.
"Devil, sadist, sexual harassment senpai…" I cursed Munakata inwardly, making sure no sound leaked out. Yet, it seemed that it only fueled to Munakata's sadistic side as her almond like lips pursed to an evil grin. She enjoyed my very expression it seemed.
I turned around the courtroom, searching for any potential ally. I'm a man, being a man, once given his word cannot take it back. Thus, I could not do anything but accept this unjust of a punishment that was catered to that sadist's fetish… unless someone else in this courtroom voiced his or her objection.
But no, the judge-captain Isumi avoided eye-contact with me, still looking at my direction but to some sort of faraway space behind me. Hayase casted her gaze downward, appearing to say, "I had it tough, now it's you."
As for the other two, the older Suzumiya showed no change within her expression, still with the same bright yet at the same time imposing smile, as though wording her opinion "You deserve that,"
Lastly, Munakata's longest and best friend, 1st Lt. Kazama, put on a timid and awkward smile toward the devil. Her expression seemed to say, "You did it again, Misae san…"
With that, the trial ended and I'm now a pet.
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Shortly after the trial ended, captain Isumi assembled the entire squad to A01's conferment room.
I stole a quick sidelong glance to see my old friends standing in the line along with the rest of the Valkyries. Though, when I said "the rest", it's only Akane and Haruko of the old 207A. With Asakura and Takehara out, injured and undergoing treatment inside the ICU, the Valkyries' roster went through a great change, albeit similarly to my memory of the previous loop with the new installment of the 207B squad into the formation.
It's now that their wish came truth, becoming Eishis for real. Yet, I could not be happy for them for being an A01 is like staring at death himself in the eyes.
If only words could be used to describe the expression they wore upon seeing me walk into the room alongside captain Isumi and the Valkyries big four…
It made me realized just what how nasty a man I am, pulling that kind of shit, almost got myself killed, no… I was prepared to die without knowing how painful it would be to others. The death of your cherished one is always painful. I have went through that many times. And yet, almost made these girls go through that kind of pain. It almost made me wonder just how much I meant to these girls.
Of course, they meant so much to me, every single one of them. They meant more to me than just comrades in arm or friends. They meant more than that. They were the very first connection I ever had to this world. They are home and family. They are all important to me since I have known of them for longer than a human's lifetime, an immeasurable amount of time. There was little memory of that within my conscious now, but definitely, I have known them for a very long time. I knew more about them than themselves. But while I knew them for so long, they knew so little about me. While they stay by my sides for eons, I stayed by their side for but weeks.
At times, I could not help but ask myself if it was absolutely arrogance on my part, thinking that I am someone of importance to the rest of the girls. That made me wonder, what kind of being I am right now?
All of sudden, I had a chill.
What kind of effect does an Expired Casualty Conductor has on this world? What's the different between the me right now and the me in the previous iteration? What did Sumika do? How did Sumika turn the previous me into the me right now? What am I?
The more I thought about that, the more I feared. The curse of being a Casualty conductor is mine and mine alone. Sure, but what's about now? Am I free from it? Like what Kasumi did told me before? Truly? That, I really am no longer a Casualty Conductor? Did Sumika of the previous iteration fully understand what she did? Or she just simply used the last of her power to grant my desperate wish?
Was the turn of events until now coincident? Marimo and I almost got ourselves killed. Takehara, Asakura, and Tae too, nearly got themselves killed…was that also a coincident?
I see white. All of sudden, my entire vision turned white.
"Handsome, did you seriously pay attention to what I just said?" Hayase's beautiful voice rang within the white world and forcefully pulled me out of it.
"Huh?"
Hayase's beautiful face was the first thing reflected upon my eyes. Close, very close, why does she have to position her face this close to mine?
"If only she doesn't have that dangerous scowl on her face…" I thought
Hayase's brows twitched suddenly and so did her lips, "Still dreaming?" changing her tone to a slightly threatened frequency.
I see white again.
"Snap out yet?" asked Hayase, wearing a savage smile.
"Sir, yes, sir", replied I in a hurry. The way Hayase had a conversation with me is more like of an old grandma fixing her old TV, slapping at it to make it work. The first once left me in a confuse state and the second one snap me out of it… so I couldn't really argue about its effectiveness. Though, I preferred if Hayase could have a less violence approach. But, then again, it's Hayase. She's violence in shape, violence dressed up as human, simply violence itself… when it related to me. According to Kashiwagi and 1st Lt. Suzumiya, Hayase treated her kouhais very sweetly though…
"Good, change into your Exo-suit and be at the usual garage for practice within the next 15 minute,"
"Sir, yes, sir," replied I, shooing Hayase off with a salute.
This woman is surely my nemesis, I thought, staring at Hayase's back as she walked out of the room. Only then, I heaved a sigh of relief.
"You don't see 1st Lt. Hayase acting violently like that normally," Kashiwagi Haruko commented in a subdued voice, whispering into my ears as though fearing Hayase to possess an ultra-hearing ability. You can't be too careful though, after all it's Hayase.
"I find that hard to believe… because she always resolves to force whenever I'm around." I shook my head in reply, distancing from Haruko as I felt uncomfortable with the distance between the two of us.
"She's only acting like that around you… I guess," Haruko laughed, patting my shoulders, then turned around, "You guys, come over here. We'll be late for the training session if we don't start walking now."
I turned reflexively along Haruko's sight line. There stood my friends, wearing awkward looks on their faces.
"Ooh," the girls replied in a strange harmony, restlessly walking over.
"Shirogane," Haruko whispered into my ears again, totally being comfortable with being touchy-and-feely with a guy like me…or perhaps, she just didn't realize that I'm a male to begin with, "I leave it all to you, okay. Just remember don't be late for the training", winked Haruko.
Before I could mutter a retort, Haruko rushed forth along my old squad mates, dragging Akane whose figure I failed to notice until now along with her.
"Guys, we are going first," Haruko said as she pushed Akane away hurriedly.
Only when Haruko's back disappeared behind the closing door of the conference room, I finally realized what Haruko has been up to and secretly thanked her. Not letting Haruko's goodwill go wasted, I tried to break the ice, "How's it going for you girls? Getting used to this squad yet?"
It was clear that it did not work quite well as I has expected. This ice was tough to break. None of the girls knew how to follow up with that one, not even Class rep.
But as the atmosphere between us could not even get weirder, Meiya stepped forward, walking closer to me, "Takeru, grit your teeth", warned.
Before I could make out the meaning of her word, Meiya's hand flew.
I took the slap, gritting my teeth reflexively at the very last moment. Meiya did not hold back and she went full force. It's sting. It's many more painful compare to that of Hayase's earlier.
"Do you know why I hit you?" asked Meiya.
I shook my head in silent, turned at Meiya.
Tears welled up as Meiya fought to hold them back. She gritted her teeth, "That one for breaking the promise, you said 'let's meet again once the test is over' and yet you did that, almost got yourself killed without thinking twice".
That's horrible…if I really died back then, it would be like a curse for Meiya and the rest.
Meiya's hand flew again, on the opposite side of the previous slap.
"This one… volunteer to the front with that kind of injury… your left shoulder came off when you was brought to the hospital on sketcher. You almost died due the loss of blood had it not for the medics," Meiya yelled, tears rolling down her cheeks, "And yet, what's with you? What's on your mind that make you volunteer to a mission with that kind of injury? Are you so eager to seek your own death?"
I fell silent, finding my own time decelerated and my gaze focused at Meiya's tears.
"Could you imagine how worried I am? I even had Ebisu to probe into classified information to learn of your whereabouts and condition. But no matter how much she went and looked, she got nothing… I had prepared for the worst…"
Meiya absolutely hated to exercise her authority as a member of the royalty more than anything… and yet resorting to it to go as far as probing on classified information. I couldn't even begin to imagine just how much it weighted on her mind back then.
"I'm sorry," murmured I, feeling hot on both of my cheeks, not sure whether it was pain or shame or something else.
Meiya didn't reply immediately. It looked as if she was swallowing her own tears, using her willpower and better judgment to suppress her urge to sob or cry. Sniffled softly, Meiya tried to a deep breath. After a short while, she exhaled, "Grit your teeth, Takeru. I'm not finish."
I immediately did as I was instructed and immediately, Meiya delivered her just anger once more. It took half a second for the pain to sink in, another full second for me to realize that Meiya went easy with that one and another two second for me to asked myself "why?".
Meiya wiped her tears with one hand, sniffling a bit then smiled, "That one, thank you for returning alive".
"Thank you for waiting, I'm back," I replied,
"Meiya san, that's not fair. You are totally stealing a march on us," Mikoto said, her eyes brimming with tears as she launched herself and hugged me in the waist, "Takeru, you had us worried,"
"I'm sorry,"
"Takeru san, Miki… Miki… Miki was really worried about you," Tama sniffled, eyes watering, burying her face into my back.
"I'm really sorry"
"Shirogane…massive idiot," Ayamine said, punching lightly on my shoulder.
"I can't make it up to you about that…sorry," I apologized then finding myself staring at a fidgeting girl standing a bit away from the group who apparently felt stuck of how should she join our group.
"What? It's not like I felt worry about you or anything," Chiruzu said, blushing bright red when she noticed my gaze.
"I'm very sorry for making you worried, class rep," I apologetically gave a condolence smile at Chiruzu. Among our group, she's the least honest with her own feeling.
"Takeru, don't believe her, she was beside herself with worry all this time."
"Yoroi!"
"She even went as far as coming up with different excuses to check the hospital log to search for you when you disappeared," Mikoto whispered in a small voice, though, there was almost no point of doing that since everyone could hear it.
Chiruzu tried to stop Mikoto but it's already too late. The damage was already done.
Chiruzu was very stiff and strict with regulation and rule. Unlike me who kept breaking rules left and right, she abided to rules and regulation as though her life depended on it. To think that she went as far as…
"What? What?" Chiruzu put on a bravado, challenging me with a face could not be any redder than it's already was.
"Sakaki," Ayamine abruptly called to class rep.
"What?"
Chiruzu still stuck with the "What?" and unable to come up with anything else due to the sheer embarrassment Mikoto subjected her to.
Ayamine remained silent, prompting another menacing "what?" from Chiruzu.
"Be honest with your feeling," said Ayamine with a mocking smile.
Immediately, Chiruzu and Ayamine locked themselves in a battle of taunts, insults and disclosing dark secrets of one another.
This is it, I thought. This is it. This is my place. This is where I meant to be.
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The training menu for the day was quite different from what I remembered…largely due to the arrival of the Type 00C units. The HIVEs operation, which should be on our A01's daily menu, was deferred to the next 16h. In the meanwhile, it's just simple maintenance where each and every one of us trying to get a good feel over our own Type 00C while messing around with its adjustment. Captain Isumi made it the priority for us to gain a good grip over our machine within the next 16h before moving to the real training.
It was quite a difficult task considering the time constrain. Also, the Type 00C was very different from the Fubuki and the Shiranui in term of design… and when I said design, I meant both interior and exterior, blueprint concept and performance.
In term of performance, the Type 00C left the Eagle, the Fubuki and Phantom in the dust with its propulsion, hydraulic power and maneuverability. And as good as a TSF the Shiranui is, it is an uphill battle against the Type 00C. Also, Type 00C like the rest of its family members possesses a full-body razor-edged armour, literally a body made out of blades according to the name suggested. With such design, Type 00C made itself a deadly combatant in CQC whether it against TSF or BETA.
As the machine itself is greatly different from our old unit, we had to get use to every little thing, adjusting ourselves to the machine's capability. It's a challenging task…or it's supposed to be for everyone else.
It's strange. It's a strange thing that I found myself handle the Type 00C better than expected, though, it's more on the sub-conscious level. It's a strange thing because unlike the Shiranui, the Fubuki and the F4 Phantom, I had no recollection of ever piloting a Takemikazuchi before. And yet, the biometric identification test which always run at the beginning whenever I tried to activate my 00C gave a familiar feeling. The dual control sticks that way different from that of other TSFs, forged like katana's tsuka didn't feel that out of place just like everyone else described. In fact, it's like an old friend of mine. I knew this machine so darn well on an instinctive level, subconscious.
Still, it took me 3 hours to complete to objective of the exercises though, mainly due to running adjustment on the Takemikazuchi and calibrating parameters. Regardless, it was a speed that make Captain Isumi questioned if I took the exercise seriously. But after checking, Captain Isumi sent me to solitary training with a "Seriously, how did you do that?" look, using the JIVES for practice since I was way ahead of everyone.
It's sweet. The Shiranui that I favoured was a beast but this 00C was something else. The more I pushed it, the better its performance. The more I tried to force its limit, the more resilient it became. It made me remembered how Tsukuyomi made short work of the assassins in those Eagles during the rebellions. Those guys never had a chance. It wasn't just Tsukuyomi's superior skills. It's also her Takemikazuchi.
The longer I played around with my 00C, the more addicted I became. I thought that it was almost a sin to be in possess of such a great machine. I felt envy toward the Imperial Royal Guards for able to play around with such great machine all this time. If the 00C was already such a beast, what's of its greater counterpart - the Type 00A, the 00F and the 00R would be like? I knew that they have better stats compare to the 00C…but…damn, I really die for a chance to pilot them.
Growing bored of simple target practice after 15 minutes, I switched to anti-TSF simulation under the direct supervision of 1st Lt. Suzumiya.
"The AIs in this simulation were created base on A01's parameters and stats," the older Suzumiya warned. It reminded me of the hidden training course in one of those simulators I hit off when I was making the XM3 at night with Kasumi. As I pointed it out, the older Suzumiya replied that it was she who designed that training course and it was she who programed these AIs.
"Wow," I said, finding myself speechless. The creator of that amazing training course was the older Suzumiya…wow…simply wow. I didn't know that…well, I didn't expect that it was her all this time. At one point I thought that it was Yuuko or a group of talented programmer created it out of boredom because despite it was such a great simulation, very difficult to clear, it felt incomplete. Now that I know it was just 1st Lt. Suzumiya involved in the project, it hit me that I knew almost nothing about her.
As I fitted the parameters of my 00C for the simulation, I chatted with 1st Lt. Suzumiya for a little while and discovered that Hayase was the reason 1st Lt. Suzumiya created this simulation. For some reasons, the older Suzumiya was in a chatty mood and leaked some old stories.
It was three years ago when it Hayase was still much immature compared to today. She felt the thirst to be tested, to know her limit and to challenge her limit. And the only people within the squad could keep up with Hayase at that time was Captain Isumi or the combination of 1st Lt. Munakata and 1st Lt. Kazama. But their duties and responsibilities with the squad would not allow them to stick around with Hayase in those mano-to-mano training sessions all the time since it would take a very lengthy hours before those sessions could come to a closure. Since their styles, strength and weakness were mismatched, not anyone can keep up with Hayase at CQC for long, even someone as good as Captain Isumi or Munakata, the fight therefore, was often if not always maintained at mid to long range combat. Thus, it always ended in a physical exhausting and mental punishing battles that could last more than 5 hours before the conclusion could be reached.
And even if they had all the time in the world to be Hayase's partner, their health would not allow. Not everyone had that kind of health and stamina like Hayase. After taking those demanded trainings from Captain Isumi for the entire days, the ones could muster the strength for such punishing exercise were Hayase and Captain Isumi. And even Captain Isumi could not do it day in day out like Hayase.
Nevertheless, Hayase was approaching her limit in those days. Not the limit as in one's strength limit, it's Hayase's breaking point that hitting the limit. She's breaking down.
The mental treatment did not work for her. The advices from various sources did not sit well with her. The anti-PTSD pills failed her. Her mind was too scarred for that. That haunting crimson nightmare was still as vivid as ever. She kept repeating the same words that she had to be stronger for her own sake, for the girls who died on that day and for Haruka. Even when Haruka told Hayase that it was not the latter's fault, it did not make a different. Hayase had never forgive herself.
Rest didn't come to Hayase easy. Many nights, Haruka shared bed with Hayase, cuddling her to chase away those endless nightmares. However, that was not Hayase's medicine. Hayase and Haruka both knew that. As long as Hayase still felt compelled to be tested, as long as she could not accept her own limit and as long as she could not forgive herself, there is nothing could be done.
It seemed that hypnotic treatment was the only way out for Hayase. Nevertheless, Hayase, Haruka and Captain Isumi tried to avoid doing that.
Haruka thought of what she could do for Hayase. And she came up with an idea. While she could not aboard a TSF or fight against Hayase on a ring, she could provide the medicine that Hayase need, tests, as many as Hayase needed and as long as Hayase needed.
As I listened and mused on the story, my fitting job was done for a long time. From the HUD, 1st Lt. Suzumiya saw that, commented that I managed to ride her on a chitty chatty mood while forcing the simulation to start on her end.
Then things turned differently from what I have expected from there. I have thought that it was weird, all this chain of strange events happened in this day. Nevertheless, it just became weirder.
"What are you doing Shirogane?" Haruka- the older Suzumiya asked via the intercom, questioning my decision-making.
"No, it's…" I tried to make a reply but instead found myself at a loss of word.
I am in the confused mode, unable to keep my thinking straight.
"Return Fire," First Lt. Suzumiya commandingly yelled into the com and compelled me to do just that.
I pull the trigger for the first time since the simulation started, draining my 33mm shells. The enemy Shiranui evaded the shot easily, dashing backward then sideway to shake off the incoming shells. And before I could get a proper lock-on with my assault cannons, the opposing Shiranui set its assault cannon on full auto, spitting fire at me while deploying its blade and at the same time trying to flank me with a series of deceptive acrobatics.
Purely by instinct, I was able to track my opponent down within a deep breath and keeping it at distance. No, it's more like I knew the exact location of that piece of stinking machine before I realized it. It stole my move. That stinking AI completely stole my move. I was completely caught unprepared and off-guard, losing track of it several times in a row when it tried to engage me in a melee. It was quick, almost blinding and far too smooth with those deceptive acrobatic moves stolen from mine.
Just as I thought I have managed to keep that stinking Shiranui at bay with several bursts of 33mm shells, it once again managed to get itself into an ideal position for commencing another offense, hitting the throttle and propelling toward me in a low dash.
I responded, hitting the throttle full-force. Type 00C dashed backward, spitting out 33mm shells in full auto then circling around the Shiranui to get its flank.
The opposing Shiranui made a backward flip, kicking up dirt to create an improvised cloud of smoke, temporarily masking its position.
It's one of my favorite moves and this stinking piece of AI stole it, using it against me. God, this is so freaking unbearable. It's making a joke of me using my own very move.
"Don't mess with me," I yelled, diving low and spinning toward the dust cloud in short but quick pirouettes.
The opposing AI controlled Shiranui reappeared almost immediately after a very short reposition, ripping off the entire combo of mine with a series of short paced boosted dash, blade went high and gun went ablaze. And I couldn't be happier, completed the third and final pirouette and sent that stinking Shiranui reeling with one giant shield swing.
The explosion born from the contact toss me backward, stripping me off my very own reactive armored shield. Even though it was CGI generated, the JIVES emulated the force of the explosion, tossing one massive jerk back at me. I thought I just got hit by a Destroyer head on at full speed, immediately hitting the pedal and regaining total control over the Type 00C once again while shaking off my dizziness without checking the condition of my new machine.
The opposing Shiranui went down hard, reeling on dried asphalt, screeching with sparks, bouncing off a building's wall and lay sprawling. I took the opportunity to chain a quick 33mm volley at the immobile target and finished it for good.
"Fox 2 obliterated," I reported
"Shirogane, incoming hostiles at your 6 and 7," 1st Lt. Haruka alerted via the intercom.
No time for resting, I scrambled, snatching the blade of the downed Shiranui which happened to lie a good five meters away from me since it's faster than deploying my own blade.
"Launching missiles detected from 6, get out of there,"
Peering at the back camera while repositioning myself, I saw the glimmer of tracking missiles in the air. I immediately released flares while diving along the city ruin, zigzagging streets from streets. Normally I preferred storing anti-laser chaff in the shoulder storages since I could do tons of tricks with them whether it's for offensive or defensive purpose. I guess I'm lucky this time, storing flares instead.
That one at my six, Fox 1, that AI controlled Shiranui styled after 1st Lt. Kazama herself nearly put a quick end to this JIVEs exercise within the very first 30s since the simulation starts in a combination attack with my AI counterpart. Had I not fighting against this AI many times before and failed to recognize it immediately, it would spell my defeat..
Now that I had that stinking AI counterpart of mine out of the game, that 1st Lt. Kazama wannabe AI is next on the list.
Really, had 1st Lt. Kazama participate in this exercise and not this phony AI, it would be very different. Just like my AI counterpart, this phony 1st Lt. Kazama, though completely managed to copy our every moves and tricks, was nowhere near as smart as us. Otherwise, I could never defeat that stinking AI like that. It almost made me wonder why my AI counterpart was so freaking stupid. It chased after me without thinking twice, leaving its allies a good 250 meters behind. Of course, there was also the fact that it got me cornered several times, catching me by surprise. But, it's seriously dumb. In contrast with that stinking piece of crap AI, 1st Lt. Kazama's AI counterpart was clearly smarter. It was able to bait me, lure me into its trap by faking leaving its rear unguarded.
Well, I would not blame the AI for being stupid though. 1st Lt. Haruka did a crazy job by creating these AIs base on our unit gathered combat data. Also, these AI was created to be Hayase's training partners rather than being a military exercise, so combat prowess was more important than decision making intelligence for these AIs.
However, knowing these AIs are dumber than their human counterpart didn't make it an easy home run against them. They are just as tough as hell despite being somewhat dumb and all. They are pretty challenging on their own right. Also, compare the last time I hit the SSS course, it was obvious that these AIs had been upgraded, getting tougher and smarter.
A volley of 33mm whizzed right after me, missed. The third AI controlled machine made its presence felt, spitting 33mm shell in bursts. It trying to route me to a less obstructive location to perform a pincer attack with Fox 1 -1st Lt. Kazama mimicking AI.
Realizing my opponents' intention, I plunged over a crumbled two floors building, making a quick turnaround, stabbing the picked up sword to the ground and settling for a sniping match against my opponents. While I'm confident that I can beat 1st Lt. Kazama in CQC, it's never that easy with her and so does her AI's counterpart. I was tricked by her for so many times during squad practices that I almost developed a phobia against her just like I did Hayase. Thing is… if it looks like 1st Lt. Kazama showed you a great opening, the kind that you could not say no to it no matter what, chances are…it's a trap. Also, there's time when she made you think that you are to brace yourself for a good beating, 1st Lt. Kazama was probably in difficult positions, trying to bluff her way through or buying times for reinforcement…but you never know. She's just as tricky as Captain Isumi and 1st Lt. Munakata, no, actually…1st Lt. Kazama could make the latter duo run for their money with her shrewd tricks. As the result, in a fight against 1st Lt. Kazama, the safest bet is to stick with mid-range and long range combat which unfortunately her strong forte.
The phony 1st Lt. Kazama was a bit late to react to my sudden change of tactic, still chasing while directing a pincer attack with the other Shiranui, got caught within my crosshair.
I pulled the trigger before the lock-on could kick in, hoping to deal some damage. I would not able to get a lock-on at that AI controlled Shiranui at this distance, dumber than the real counterpart as it may, it's not nearly as dumb as that, to be caught in a lock-on at this distance.
The 120mm shell impact, pulverized the head of phony 1st Lt. Kazama's Shiranui. I was lucky with that shot. Phony 1st Lt. Kazama did indeed made an emergency evasion, however it's unlucky for her that my shell gazed off a wall as it flew and changed its trajectory haft way, hitting the head instead of the right shoulder.
This should put a hammer on 1st Lt. Kazama wannabe AI's effectiveness in combat. Nevertheless, it might not make the AI nearly as helpless as a real Eishi would.
"Fox 1, head visor total destruction confirmed. Good shot," 1st Lt. Haruka announced via the com, "But, don't count it out of the game yet."
That announcement from the inventor and developer herself confirmed my suspect. Losing one's head portion of a TSF, which normally would spell doom to an Eishi in combat due to the sudden loss of sight. Of course, one could always switch to auxiliary internal camera installed on the main body…but it wouldn't help much. However, it didn't work like that for these AIs. Hopefully, 1st Lt. Suzumiya did programmed these things to work at a decreased performance once their head were blew off to keep things fair.
Before I could put another 120mm through the headless Shiranui, bucks of 33mm and 120mm hit, brought down the crumbled wall that I have used as a makeshift rampart. The final AI controlled unit persistently drained out its firepower at me, barely saving 1st Lt. Kazama's AI counterpart at the last second.
It was a mismatch. I could not retaliate due to the different in firepower. Strike Vanguard against Gun Sweeper, I'm at a disadvantage in a gunfight, especially at this range. Before 2 seconds had come to pass, the makeshift rampart which I used was no longer able to provide me any sort of protection. Ting ting ting, a couple of 33mm shells gazed off my shoulder armor just as I blew up some dust cloud and leapt out of the area using a long boost jump.
"Oh shit," I cursed, regretting my very decision as the HUD of my machine flashed warning. Amidst the trailing smoke cloud, 1st Lt. Kazama's AI counterpart stood, had its remained missiles locked on me, guns and missile launchers at ready.
I hit the release button on the flares and thruster pedals at the same time I saw light came out of the headless Shiranui's guns and missiles launchers. It's too late. The AI 1st Lt. Kazama wannabe beat the air out of my lungs with vengeance.
I was tossed back and forth, crushed within my own machine's cockpit. Within that haze, I struggled, fighting for the control of my machine almost blindly.
"Awk…awk", I choked, coughing for dear life, damn saliva entered the wrong pipe. My eyes blurred up with reflex tears as I coughed, fighting for oxygen.
Still no announcement to end the match or perhaps my hearing receptors went dulled due to the endless coughing battle on my end.
I'm still in, not out yet. I'm still in. It took me a longer than 2 seconds to realize that as my machine's still responding to my command.
Immediately, I made a quick roll with the Type 00C, using the force of explosion to move forward, zigzagging on both feet and trying to blend in among the ruin. It's almost bizarre that this TSF can still fly under my command and all.
"Awk awk"
The cough didn't die down, persisting. I faintly saw the reflection of the Shiranui stalked my machine thanks to a dusty window panel of a building by sheer lucks. I squeezed the gun triggers but only the back cannon that was still stored inside the Mount Pylon responded. Only then, I realized that I have lost the other gun. Doesn't matter, I can make do with that, I thought.
Fox 3 did an Albright turn over a corner which I just zigzagged by, evaded the shot. It didn't give me so much of a second to reposition myself properly, raining bucks of 33mm after me.
It's this moment that I knew the exact origin of this AI controlled Shiranui. It's Suzumiya Akane, the younger Suzumiya. Hell, it's going to be a damn tough fight.
In our squad, 1st Lt. Kazama, 1st Lt. Hayase and Captain Isumi were about the worst opponent you could possibly engage in a CQC due to their combat prowess and shrewdness. Akane was just a notch below them in term of her effectiveness in CQC. Even though Akane's best position at the moment is that of Gun Interceptor and Gun Sweeper, she probably would make a great Storm Vanguard in the near future once she's fully able to incorporate Hayase's skill into her own arsenal and directly translate them into her own style.
I kept trying to take cover and retaliated with few couples of 33mm volleys whenever I had a chance but the Gun Sweeper behind me did not make it easy for me to do so. It kept pressing its attack, overwhelming me with its firepower that is 4 times greater than mine. Normally, I would not afraid of prolonging this cat and mouse chasing game, sticking with it until my opponent ran out of ammo and then turning the battle around. However, this AI controlled Shiranui was obviously fought the same way Akane fought, smart and efficient. It stuck with burst shots and only switched to full auto mode when it had to, keeping its ammo reserve economically. It made me regretting storing flares over chaff that was my usual choice. Otherwise, I could have turn this match up around any time I wanted, making that Shiranui losing track of my position for a couple of second and taking it down from its blind spots. Even though inferior to the real person, this Faker of an AI proved to be just as tough.
Faking a vertical boost, I hopped down on the ground, killing off the force with the help of the legs' carbon actuators and crouching forward similarly to that of a sprinter on the starting line. Akane's AI counterpart reacted just the way Akane would, fast, biting to the bait and propelling itself forward to match my movement.
I hit a reverse boost, making the AI controlled Shiranui to overshoot itself toward nowhere. With a small window frame, I tried my luck, draining 33mm at the Shiranui's back, missed completely. Inferior to Akane, sure the AI was, but still it's just as tough and fast, evading with a lightening sidestep followed by an equally quick turn-around all out shooting.
But no, Akane's AI counterpart was still down below in my list of priority. I disengaged the shootout with it, making a full throttle boost toward the headless Shiranui's direction. It might be far from helpless despite being headless and all, but still made an easier target to pick off compare to the pristine strong Shiranui that mimicking Akane's pilot style. More importantly, that phony Kazama AI was lethal when left uncontested.
Within seconds, I spotted the headless Shiranui taking cover behind a building, without the missiles launcher on its shoulders, locking its gun at my TSF. It ran out of missiles…well… I hope it did and this is no trick.
Evading a rain of 33mm from the headless TSF, I forged my path ahead with several fake boost and acrobatic to confuse my target. And it did, confused. Without the head, which usually acted as the main camera, there is little that one can do with so little visibility. And Fox 3 is behind me, chasing, it could relay proper data to its ally. Fox 1- phony 1st Lt. Kazama was truly on its own.
Die, die, die.
I drained my cannon, exchanging shot with the headless TSF. It struggled, trying to track my movement but to no avail. I get a few shots in, hitting its chest, but the target refused to go down. It shot chaffs at me and its surrounding to buy it some extra minute, perhaps thinking that Fox 3 would able to overtake me from behind and save it ass. Seriously, 1st Lt. Kazama was not even that naïve.
Faking a left drive just before the headless TSF was out of sight due to the metal dust cloud, I moved right, entering the smoke. My blade went down on 1st Lt. Kazama's AI counterpart, or it should. It has already relocated itself just as the same time it lost sight of me. Good decision, I clicked my tongue. It got me. This metal cloud interfered with my TSF's tracking and communicating sensory while hammering down my vision. Good, but, not enough.
Immediately, I shifted my sight around to search for the headless TSF and managed to catch a seismic reaction at my three. Trusting my instinct, I hit the throttle, chasing. There it is, my target. My blade went down again, catching the headless TSF completely unguarded and bisecting it through the torso. Only one target remains.
Fox 3 caught me in its sight, locked and immediately raining 33mm shells volleys after volleys in full auto. It's time for you to go down, I smacked my lips and re-entered the metal dust cloud. The cloud's getting really dense after just a few seconds, the fake 1st Lt. Kazama must have released all of its chaff in one go.
The fake Akane tried to track my position through the smoke, tracing its cannons after me closely but eventually found the task impossible. Good, if it lost track of my position, all that mismatching firepower is nothing. Regardless, the AI made a dumb decision that Akane would never make, spraying at the cloud with a mix of 33mm and HESH 120mm. Is it trying to clear the cloud with explosion or testing its luck or is this a programming slip-up?
Few 33mm hit, gazing off my armor as I maneuvered around the smoke blindly for cover. Squashed down behind a two floors resident building, I took a deep breath. Keep firing, I said, keep firing your damn guns. That dumb AI would run out of ammo within minute if it's firing like that. On full auto, that's four hundred fifty 33mm shells per minute. However, just as I prayed that the blind-spray-and-pray session would last longer, it dies out. Seriously, if that dumb AI made a dumb decision, it should stick with it and making it easier for me.
I formulated a plan while taking cover within the metal dust cloud, testing the patience of the opposing TSF. There's not much that I could do against that fake Akane, especially when it had that much firepower at its liberty. Also, it must have relocated to a better location to prepare for the final confrontation between us.
The dreadful silent last a while before the metal dust cloud subsided then 1st Lt. Suzumiya contacted me through the com.
"Try not to do that the next time," she said, commenting on my decision to enter a metal dust cloud only to get my radio connection with her cut. But well, 1st Lt. Suzumiya Haruka didn't make any comment other than that so I guess, it's fine… probably. She prompted if I had a plan for my remaining opponent and I replied, "I did". The static transmission ended like that.
Akane was better than me at mid-range and currently have the advantage in close range due to the different in firepower between us. However, I still have an advantage over her at long range. I'm a better sharpshooter at range than she is. If I take this battle of attrition to a sniping match up, I can turn it around…hopefully.
I made a quick boost out of the subsiding metal cloud, taking the beeline to the tallest building in the area. With only 140 meter away, I should be able to make it there. But it seemed that the fake Akane had the same idea as I did, kneeling on top of the building 2 with its cannons readied.
The moment I spot a muzzle flash, I made an emergency evasion, an orange colored 120mm whizzed pass and brought down a building behind me. This shitty AI even denied the geographical advantage from me in this last confrontation. Yup, that's definitely exactly how Akane would fight, this fake Akane's god damn faithfully resemble the original. Great, if that's how you want to play… a handicap like this is nothing. I gritted my teeth, pulling away from the fake Akane.
Mixing among the ruined and abandoned infrastructures, I headed for the remain of that stinking AI counterpart of mine's whereabouts. I ran low on 120mm, only 3 left. I need to secure that stinking AI's guns to fight through this sniping match.
The fake Akane pulled a few volleys, 33mm and 120mm, missed. I set loose a quick bucket of 33mm of my own in retaliation, which the fake Akane sidestepped and evaded easily. It had no intention of moving from that spot any time soon. It was then a flash bulb lightened inside my head. Putting my attempt to restock my ammo on hold, I release my assault cannon on full auto, targeting the floors directly below the fake Akane's position.
Still having no idea what I'm trying to achieve, fake Akane draining its 33mm clips as well. Tink tink tink, couples of 33mm blasted right through my left shoulder armor, killing off the left arm.
"Yes, keep going like that. Stay right there and keep shooting, just like that," I inwardly mumbled the words while making shoddy evasion effort, baiting fake Akane to drain down her 33mm on me.
After successfully baiting the fake Akane to root her ground and exchange gunfire with me, I set loose three 120mm HESH in quick succession at the floor right below where the fake Akane kneeling. Immediately, I got to see what I wanted to see, the so call pancake collapse which also known as the progressive collapse.
The floor gave and the fake Akane that was slow to fire up its jet thrusters sank right through it, into the crumbled floor, sinking lower and lower through the collapsing floors. It started with the top floor, then the rooftop, floors down below the top floor and all the way to ground level, broke and washed down in a massive chain of reaction. Down goes the fake Akane.
A shockwave carried a cloud dust head toward me, blinding my vision with sooth and dust. It was then, 1st Lt. Suzumiya announced the end of the exercise.