Chapter 1: Helpless times I
{December 25, 2001}
"Alternative V." Kouzuki Yuuko muttered in bed, laying naked on her right side across from her young 'lover', Shirogane Takeru.
"Eh?" The brown-haired young man uttered, unsure of her words' meaning.
"It's the plan meant to succeed Alternative IV should it ever stumble," she explained. "They plan on dropping G-bombs onto every hive on earth, using that as a distraction."
"For what?" His golden eyes narrowed in.
"The evacuation of 100,000 people."
"What?" He sat up in horrified shock. "Just 100,000? Not even 110?"
"They located an Earth-like planet in the Lagrange system about 1.5 lightyears away. Once those colony ships above are complete, they'll select 100,000 lucky souls to travel the stars." Yuuko bluntly explained with disappointment embedded within.
"By the way, it'll be codenamed 'Operation Babylon' during briefings."
"No way…" Takeru muttered. "All those people left behind…is there-is there anything we can do?"
"We had our chance with Alternative IV," the violet-haired scientist stated. "Now there's nothing else to do."
"Sensei…what is Alternative IV?"
"What would you do if you knew?"
"..."
"Now ravish me even more. Then maybe I'll spill~."
(Later)
In a solemn room near Yokohama's cadet academy, Shirogane Takeru plops down onto the bed, face bearing crimson hotter than fire. Alcohol had taken over his mental being, reducing him to a whistling fool.
"Phew~!" He breathed out, expression lit with false joy. "I've never drank so much in my life. Man, sensei really knows her sake."
He rolled onto his right side, using his feet to remove his boots. The steel-toe shoes produced a slight echo as they dropped. "I should probably get some of my own. Although, would a dead guy like me be allowed to?"
Golden eyes closed and his expression shifted into that of shame and disappointment. "Fuck." He cursed to himself. "What the hell is wrong with me?"
Tears began streaming down his cheeks, the unsavory saltiness staining the sheets. "Honestly….what am I doing here?" He questioned without receiving an answer.
"Who or what sent me here?" Takeru wondered aloud. "Cause whoever decided I fit the bill made a terrible decision. I mean, I could've changed things. I could've prevented this."
His now-empty pupils opened again. "But there's nothing I can do to make this better. Right, Sumika?"
With his resolve broken and will dissolved, Takeru sleeps with dreams of a world free of calamity. A world without BETA.
A world without BETA….
A world with Kagami Sumika.
(Attention, Squad 207B. Please report to classroom 3-B for a special announcement. I repeat-)
{February 23, 2004}
The day had come. An event of mass retreat and broken spirits. A time when humanity truly realized the futility of their war.
For they alone never stood a chance against their extraterrestrial foes. For fate had deemed them ripe for extinction. As history leaps forward into an uncertain future, mankind grit their teeth to endure.
All of Squad 207B gazed upon the fleeting smoke trails preceding their owners, conflicted yet hopeful for those 100,000. Perhaps they could preserve humanity's will.
"…..And away they go."
"Now what?" Ayamine Kei and Tamase Miki remarked on their situation respectively.
"We hold the line till our last breath," Sakaki Chizuru replied, gripping her heart through the fortified suit.
"Can we even win?"
"Hope has not yet dissolved, Yoroi. Our task yields great benefits should we succeed," Yoroi Mikoto and Mitsurugi Meiya chimed in as well, eyes glued to the setting sky.
"Then let's make damn sure we win," Takeru said earnestly. "For their sake….for Earth's."
Even if they will knowingly bargain their lives with the grim reaper to ensure Humanity's survival, at least Humanity would live. At least the greater circle will prevail.
And many like them shall do the same.
{February 24, 2003}
Earth never looked so beautiful before. Humans have often deemed it a round blue dirtball inhabited by an imperfect species. Yet it never fails to impress with its beauty.
Kouzuki Yuuko felt this way as final preparations were undergone. She, alongside many others, had volunteered in a potentially fatal journey. Despite all the risks though, she doesn't feel uneasy, nor does she hold anxiety like others aboard.
Instead, she's content-almost happy to a bizarre degree. Freedom had been achieved. If fate allowed her survival after this trip, she may pursue endeavors without interference. Yet it wouldn't feel the same knowing that her efforts were done afterward. When humanity exhausted all their options and routed like cowards.
Ironic how the brave professor joined this group of fools, making her a coward too. Nevertheless, she felt her best was done on Earth, but perhaps her new home can surprise her.
Next to her sat a saddened Yashiro Kasumi, whose makeshift bunny ears always faced down. Her soft, pale face held black streamlines where tears made their mark. The standard UN uniform labeled with Alternative IV imagery was stained at the skirt.
Yuuko patted the young girl's head, forcing a warm smile on herself. Pain laid barren on her face, yet calm and composed she must remain. Even though she never birthed a child, Kasumi became an equivalent to her. She loved her very much, vowing an oath of protection. Since no one else will, obviously.
"Stay with me," Yuuko said softly. "It's safer that way."
Kasumi glanced to her left, giving a stiff nod in response. The professor leaned in, wrapping her arms around her former assistant, planting a motherly kiss on her forehead. She held her tight for another five minutes, caressing her back for comfort. Kasumi eventually reciprocated the hug, breaking down into unstoppable waterworks. Her agonizing wails were muffled by Yuuko's uniform, both of them ignoring the sight of Earth getting smaller in view.
There was nothing else to do. At this point, death had probably claimed their subordinates.
Now they simply waited and hoped for a better future.
{Earth, Hiiragi ruins}
"This is Guarder 1, requesting backup at my position! Grid coordinates 20-43-20," Takeru shouted over the radio while mowing down possibly hundreds of Tank-class.
His Gekishin scanned each corner of the area's crumbling buildings, finding BETA everywhere he went. Ammo levels were low, its numbers showing 540 rounds left. With no swords, knives, or a shield, every shot needed to count.
"AHHH! Help me! Somebody help!"
A comrade of his over the radio perished, yet he felt no incentive for a rescue. Every shot had to count.
"Damn it all, they're tearing me apart! Help!"
Two Grappler-class had occupied his attention, then four more entered the ring.
Surrounded, his bullets penetrated two of them, pulling off single headshots. The Jump-units boosted towards open space, giving the Gekishin's mount pylons free target practice. Another two had fallen, allowing ample time for a retreat.
"Guarder 1 to HQ, do you read me?"
(~STATIC~)
"Guarder 1 to HQ, can anyone hear me, over? Requesting reinforcements at grid coordinates 21-39-20!"
(~STATIC~)
"Damn it, is anyone still alive!?" At this point, pursuers in the form of Destroyer-class had joined the chase.
(~STATIC~~~BEEP~)
(~This is United Nations High Command transmitting to all active units within all vicinities~)
"What the hell?"
(~At this moment, all requests for reinforcements and resupply have been denied. Evacuation of civilians holds top priority. Any attempt to evacuate from the AO shall be met with desertion charges~)
"Huh?" Takeru uttered in shock, firing two 120mm rounds at his pursuers.
(~In just five mikes, Phase 3 of Operation Babylon will commence. Continue holding out until further notice. May fortune be with you. High Command out~~~STATIC~)
"You can't be….." the amber-haired young man pounded his fist onto the console, gritting his teeth in seething fury. "Not now…..why now!?"
Ammo levels read only five hundred twenty-nine 36mm rounds and two 120mm rounds remained. He needed a supply container fast, otherwise, he'll die in vain. No, he'll die regardless of the circumstances.
But that didn't mean standing down and accepting death. There wasn't a chance in hell of that outcome's possibility. Luckily, his fuel tank still held enough for at least a twenty-mile flight. All he needed now was ammo and lady luck on his side.
Maybe Kagami Sumika can answer his prayers, instead.
[-]
Earth is in danger.
Humanity has lost faith in its odds of victory against its foes known as the BETA, Beings of Exteristal Nature and Advisory of Mankind.
Now in this new tale of true love and courage, what will our hero endure to ensure our world's survival?
Find out in….
Muv-Luv: Victory.
[-]
Author's note
Hello, how are you? I'm well, thank you!
Man, it is weird to be back. Still, better now than never to return. Even though I said I was done with this franchise….
Anywho, hope you all enjoyed this first chapter. I'm extremely rusty, but I'll do my best.
Have a good day, everyone. Peace!