Chapter 1: The Soldier from Beyond Time

Takeru slowed down as he reached Yokohoma base. A feeling of nostalgia swelled in Takeru's heart when the base's radar dish crested over the hill. As expected, the two UN guards stopped him. "Oi, are you done with your stroll, kid? Don't know why you'd walk out there, though. Nothing but broken down buildings left."

"Yeah, guess I just felt nostalgic, is all," Takeru shrugged and stepped towards the gate.

"Ho, hold on, what's your unit, and where's your off-base permit." The pencil-thin mustache guard held up his hand.

"Oh, right, not from the base. I'm here on business with Professor Kouzuki. Tell her I'm Shirogane Takeru, and Babylon's gates are in danger of opening. She'll know the countersign."

"Right, hold on, and hands where I can see 'em," The second guard unslung his rifle as a precaution. His friend went into the guard house and, after a few minutes, came out disgruntled.

"The Professor asked us to bring him in," the mustache guard placed a hand on Takeru's shoulder and nudged him forward.

An hour later, much to Takeru's chagrining, he was finally placed before the woman destined to save the world with him. He knew he would be tested from memory, but did they have to do the cavity search? Takeru shuddered as he entered Yukko's office. She was typing away at her computer, she gestured for him to sit, and Takeru did so.

"Now, I want to know who you are and why you mentioned what you said." Yuuko stopped typing and turned her lilac eyes at him.

"Straight to the point as always, Yuuko Sensei," Takeru chuckled, but she did not share in the mirth.

"Well, what I'm about to say is gonna sound absurd, hell, downright crazy." Takeru leaned forward on the desk. "But all I ask is you keep an open mind because everything I'm about to tell you is straight out of sci-fi."

Yuuko glared at Takeru quietly before nodding slowly and opening a drawer in her desk. Takeru nodded and sighed. "I'm from the future; well, technically, I'm from a parallel world and from the future."

"Well, you certainly beat my expectations… keep talking." Yuuko raised a brow but nodded to Takeru to continue.

"On December 25th, 2001, Alternative IV will be canceled, and Alternative V will be enacted." Takeru was prepared when Yuuko leveled a gun to his head, standing up behind her desk.

"You know something then, who are you really? Records indicate Shirogane Takeru to be dead." Yuuko nudged her head to the computer on her desk.

"He is; I'm from another world, like I told you. I came here originally….shit, I don't even know anymore." Takeru held his head, feeling a migraine coming on. "Point is I know about Alternative V because I lived through it…a whole damn 20 years of it." Takeru gritted his teeth. "On December 25th, Alternative V will be enacted because you couldn't fit 15 million semiconductors in the palm of your hand." Takeru crossed his arms, feeling the despair of watching those shuttles launch with the woman he loved aboard. "Then, after Five years, when the fleet is ready, about a hundred thousand of earth's population will escape into the void, followed by a saturated G-Bomb bombardment. We, that is to say, humanity on earth, are left on the brink of extinction."

"Enough. Do you really expect me to believe this fanciful tale?" Yuuko felt the grip on her gun tighten. There was only one thing Kouzuki Yuuko feared in life: failure. Takeru knew this; that's why she hadn't shot him already.

"Because you're the one who helped find a place in this world." Takeru closed his eyes, remembering Yuuko guiding him through this brave new world. "Alternative IV is currently stalled, isn't it?"

"Shut up," Yuuko gritted her teeth.

Takeru sighed and looked behind the professor seeing a board with a familiar equation. "Huh?"

"This is ultimately a fundamentally wrong way of thinking; I learned something while playing an old Playstallion RPG." Yuuko Sensei eagerly crossed out her equation and substituted it for a new one.

"You haven't fixed it," Takeru muttered.

"Huh?" Yuuko glanced behind her at her equation.

Takeru stood up, and she snapped back, aiming the gun at his head, "Hey!"

"Please, I know an unloaded gun when I see one. Besides, you don't have any weapons training Sensei; you probably couldn't hit water if you fell out of a boat." Takeru grabbed the eraser at the bottom of the board and erased the equation.

Right then and there, Yuuko wished she had the bullets to shoot him for such an action. But before she could protest, Takeru started writing, writing, and writing as more letters and numbers were placed, Yuuko's eyes widened. Finally, Takeru finished and put the piece of chalk back on the board. This was her work, she would recognize it anywhere, but she never made this. "Who are you, Shirogane Takeru?"

Takeru grinned, but even Yuuko noticed it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just a man who lost everything and wants to get it back."

"Wait, this is incomplete. Where's the rest?" Yuuko stalked up to Takeru and held him by the collar.

"Sorry, that's all I actually remember from your lesson. Actually, that was all you put down. You said something like you can't just force more conductors into a brain. That it's a stupid way of thinking about it." Takeru shrugged, "it's all above my paygrade, sorry."

"I see," Yuuko let go and pinched her chin in thought, ideas racing around a mile a minute. "Very well, Shirogane, I've decided to give you the benefit of the doubt. This equation you gave me is incomplete, but it's more than I had a second ago."

"Well, I'm here to help, and I think my knowledge of the future could come in handy. But you also told me dumping everything on you in one go could have disastrous consequences. But I promise to reveal things as they get closer to happening."

Yuuko looked back at Takeru and quietly measured the young man before her. However, when she stared into his eyes. Those weren't the eyes of a young man. Instead, they held a steel-like resolve and, dare she say it, a melancholy only of those who've lived troubled lives. "Then we have a common goal," Yuuko walked around the desk, placing the gun on the desk. She instantly started typing away, doing what she needed doing. "As of today, you will be working for me. You'll be assigned to training squad 207B and will report to me whenever I need you. Is that clear?" Yuuko finished up her work and looked at Takeru with a smirk.

"Alright, sounds good; I wanted to end up in squad 207B anyways."

"Ho~?" Yuuko smirked; she knew well the squad members and their relations.

"It's not what you think," Takeru put his arms up in an x. "Besides, I prefer older curvy women like you, Sensei," Takeru commented. "But the members of that squad were the people I held closest to my heart. So I'm gonna do everything in my power to save them."

"Ah, too bad for you. I don't like younger men," Yuuko smirked and fished out a security pass. She tossed it to Takeru, who caught it.

"Ah, that's cold, Sensei; I'll have you know I was 31 before I returned here." Takeru took the pass and put it in his pocket.

"Then I suppose you'll have to prove to me you really are a grown man." She laced her fingers and rested her chin on them. A white-haired girl in a modified UN uniform entered from an adjacent door. "Yashiro, be a dear and show Shirogane to his new room, won't you?"

The small girl looked at Takeru, and tears prickled in his eyes again. He couldn't help the warm smile that made its way onto his face. "It's good to see you again, Kasumi."

"…" Yashiro looked down slightly before walking to the door, and Takeru followed her. Once inside, she turned and made to leave.

"Ah, wait, Kasumi," Takeru knelt down to her height, and she took a step back.

"Sorry, I promise I'm not a scary guy, but when you leave someone, it's polite to say bye-bye, you know?"

"…" Kasumi looked down before looking at him again, "bye-bye." She said barely above a whisper and left. Takeru watched the young girl leave and smiled; this time around, he would do his best to get Kasumi out of her shell.

Later, Takeru was told to report to Sargeant Jinguuji Marimo, and seeing his old instructor again made his eyes water. Marimo looked at him and raised a brow in concern, "are you okay, Cadet Shirogane?"

"Ah, yeah, sorry, just allergies, I think." Takeru wiped his tears and stood at parade rest next to Marimo on the training field. She blew her whistle and called for the attention of squad 207.

"Sakkaki, Ayamine, Tamase come front and center!" Marimo's drill sergeant voice was still as strong as ever.

"Yes, Mam!" the girls all stood at attention before Marimo.

"Where's Mitsurugi?" Marimo eyed the field

"Forgive me, Instructor Jinguuji. I was coming around the bend." The voice was regal and soothing as he remembered. Mitsurugi Meiya jogged up to the line of girls and stood at attention. Takeru felt a wave of emotions crash against him. Loss, happiness, sorrow, and longing all swirling inside, remembering the last time he was before this woman. She had been his guiding light, a moral compass, and the voice of reason in a turbulent sea of emotions. But this wasn't the woman he loved, not yet. Takeru felt his hands clench into a fist behind his back and force down all the emotions threatening to burst out of his chest.

"Understood, now listen up." Marimo stepped aside and motioned toward Takeru. "This is Cadet Shirogane Takeru, a special recruit brought in by Professor Kouzuki. Cadet Shirogane had immigrated to the United States and served a brief stint with the US Army." Marimo explained to Takeru's bewilderment. But, then again, he supposed not everything had to be exactly as he remembered. He wasn't sure where he had read this before, but causality wasn't a circle but a spiral. Similar patterns lead to an ultimately similar outcome. "So even though Shirogane served in the European front lines, his injuries had him discharged before he moved back to Japan. As such, it was decided he would join you all to see if he still qualifies as fit for service."

Right, I did tell Yuuko Sensei I lived through 20 years of hell. It wouldn't have made sense if I showed up a civi with all my skills. I should have known she would have thought of everything.

"Shirogane!" Marimo's voice jolted him out of his thoughts.

Agh, twenty years, and I never kicked this damn habit.

"Yes, Mam!" Takeru straightened to attention.

"I see; all that time off must have made you forget to pay attention," Marimo smirked, and he could practically tell what she was thinking.

"Yes, Mam! the soft beds and hot food got to me!" Takeru sounded off smartly.

"Let's fix that; you're joining the rest on the morning run followed by the hike." Marimo gestured to the girls. "With that said, if you all finished before Shirogane, you'll all be running laps until he finishes, understood?" Marimo smirked in the Cadets direction.

"Yes, Mam!" They all shouted in unison.

Not ten minutes later, Marimo watched, amazed, as Takeru caught and overlapped the girls. She called him out once, but he ignored or didn't hear her. As soon as he came her way, she added an octive to her voice to ensure he heard her. "Shirogane!"

Takeru snapped out of his trance and stopped before Marimo. "Yes, Mam!" Takeru snapped to attention with barely a sweat running down his cheek.

"You already finished the laps twice over; you can rest if you want."

"Ah, do you mind if I keep running, Mam? I still fill jittery." Takeru hummed.

"Sure, once the girls finish, move on to the hike," Marimo said.

"Yes, Mam!" Takeru resumed his lap, and they all went to grab their gear a few minutes later.

Takeru picked up his pack and frowned at how light it felt. "Only half gear Mam?" Takeru asked the Sargeant.

"Still full of energy, huh, Shirogane?" Marimo raised a brow. "Well, you heard Shirogane; everyone get your full kit, Shirogane; since you're so full of energy, you're carrying the SAW."

"Yes, Mam!" Takeru eagerly grabbed the gear, and the hike began.

PX Later that day

Chizuru led Takeru to their shared table, where the rest of the girls gave them a queer look. "Oh, back already?" Meiya blinked in surprise.

"Shirogane barely needed a tour; it's like he's lived here before." Chizuru shrugged and took her seat between Meiya and Tamase.

"Sorry, Yuuko Sensei showed me around a little when I arrived." Takeru rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Yuuko Sensei? Is Professor Kouzuki your mentor Shirogane-Kun?" Meiya questioned.

Shit, I really am just falling back on old habits.

"Ah, something like that; let's just say I owe her a lot," Takeru thought of the last time he saw Yuuko Sensei.

"Come on, if you ravage me more, I might let something slip." Yuuko traced her fingers down his bare stomach to his-

"Shirogane?" Meiya's voice cut through the vivid memory, and Takeru felt reality rush back.

W-what the hell was that? When did I ever? "Sorry, maybe I just overdid it today, is all." Takeru shook his head and leaned back on his chair.

"Ah, but you were amazing, Shirogane-san," Tama chirped in. "I guess those Americans really worked you hard, huh?"

"You have no idea," Takeru grinned, thinking of how many sorties he did for the sake of the USA. Not that he had been dissatisfied. Helping one another had slowly but surely become the norm between the Empire and the USA.

"Shirogane, may I ask you a personal question?" Chizuru suddenly spoke up seriously.

"What's up?" Takeru crossed his arms on the table.

"Why did you leave the United States? Even if you did serve in the Army, you would have been an American citizen once you finished." Chizuru rubbed her arm and stared Takeru down.

"Hmm, honestly, it wasn't my choice to come here." Takeru shrugged, "but with both parents gone and nowhere to go, the UN seemed like a good place as any to go." Takeru threaded his fingers together and looked down at his fingers. "Besides, when you've spent your whole life fighting, finding a new way to live is hard."

"…" Chizuku gasped slightly and then looked away, embarrassed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to come off rude."

"Ah, no, my bad I think I just thought too deeply about it." Takeru waved her apology away. "What about you, Class Rep?"

"Huh?" Chizuru blinked, surprised, "Class Rep?"

"Ah, you kinda look like my old class rep from high school," Takeru laughed.

"A-alright, but why did I join, huh?" Chizuru thought about her life and her father. "I guess I want to choose my own future."

"That's an admirable goal, Class Rep," Takeru nodded approvingly.

"Ah, again, with that," Chizuru sighed but did not protest the name.

"What about you, Tama?" Takeru looked at the pink-haired girl.

"T-Tama?" Tamase blinked in a cat-like manner, "that makes me sound kinda like a cat, doesn't it?"

"Really?" Takeru remembered the old buried memories of his time as a high school boy. "I think it suits you; in fact, I think you should call me Takeru-san!"

"Nyah?" Tama jumped in her seat a little. "O-okay, T-Takeru-san," Tama laughed shyly. "B-but I wanted to make my papa proud."

"Ayamine?" Takeru looked to his right to his stoic squad mate.

"Pass," she answered simply.

"Ah, mysterious one, aren't we?" Takeru chuckled.

"Part of my charm," she agreed.

"Alright, alright, I won't pry. Do you mind if I ask you the same, Meiya?" Takeru turned to Meiya

"Oh, you really are a forward type of man, aren't you?" Meiya raised a thin brow.

"Picked up a lot of American habits, sorry." Takeru grinned sheepishly.

"You don't seem all that apologetic," Meiya sighed but didn't miss a beat, "I would say I'm fighting to protect this planet, this country, and Japan as a nation."

Same ol' Meiya Takeru nodded, "hmm, a good reason, but want me to tell you something about my time at the front?"

"Oh, please, if you have any insight, we would greatly appreciate it, Shirogane." Meiya crossed her arms and nodded.

"Fighting for your country and for lofty ideals are all well and good." Takeru jabbed his thumb over his heart. "But you should also fight for something closer to home. Because out there, when fighting, the big picture can become blurry and distant. But finding that personal reason to fight is something you can always hold on to." Takeru looked at everyone, though he wouldn't lie that his eyes lingered on Meiya.

"Huh?" Meiya blinked, noticing his stare.

"If you find that reason, you'll find the strength to keep fighting beyond your limits." Takeru adverted his eyes, feeling his cheek warm up.

"What about you, Shirogane? What do you fight for?" Meiya closed her eyes, waiting for his response.

"Ah, right; I guess I should introduce myself formally." Takeru straightened in his chair and puffed out his chest. "My name is Shirogane Takeru, and I want to fight for the people I care about. Oh, and I also like older curvy women!"

"W-what?" Chizuru glared at Takeru, blushing lightly. "Why would we want to know that!?" Chizuru crossed her arms.

"Ah, Shirogane, you dog," Ayamine crossed her arms and shook her head in mock disapproval.

"S-Shirogane, that's a bit too personal, isn't it?" Meiya blushed and looked away. Tama Meanwhile blushed madly but seemed fixated on something behind Takeru.

"Ahh, if you wanna eventually fight for Japan on the front lines, you guys have to let the small stuff like this go." Takeru crossed his arms and nodded sagely. "That was hardly personal; personal would be talking about the women who fit in that category. Like Marimo-chan, I look forward to having Marimo-chan see me as a dependable man!"

"Oh, is that so, Shirogane?"

"Gek!" Takeru felt a shiver go up his spine at the voice. He turned around to see Instructor Jinguuji. "H-hello Instructor Jinguuji. How lovely to see you, Mam." Takeru had been through many battles, but he could not recall genuine fear like he was feeling now. For her part, Marimo only smirked with devilish intent down at Takeru.

09:00 PM Practice Field

Taker sighed, stretching and preparing for the four Kilometer run he was handed by Marimo during lunchtime. Worst if he didn't finish before lights out. Takeru shuddered at the thought. Ah, Marimo-Chan, I meant it as a compliment, I swear! Takeru sighed, resigned to his fate, and prepared to start his run.

"Shirogane, do you mind if I join you?"

"Oh?" Takeru turned around to see Meiya approach him.

"Meiya, you coming to run?" Takeru blinked, confused.

"I do so every night as part of my conditioning, but it looks like I'll have to work twice as hard to catch up with you, Shirogane." Meiya crossed her arms, smiling at Takeru.

"Ah, you take your training very seriously, Meiya." Takeru now remembered she did this often. "Well then, whenever you're ready."

"Let us go," Meiya began jogging, and Takeru fell in right next to her at an even pace. They jogged in silence for several minutes before Meiya spoke up again. "Takeru, about what you said in the PX."

"Ah, I see. Don't fret, Meiya; my stance on older women isn't so exclusive." Takeru teased.

Meiya blushed brightly and actually missed a step for a second. "N-no, not about your proclivities Shirogane!" She sighed, "honestly, you almost act like an American."

"Sorry, sorry,' Takeru laughed.

"What I wanted to ask about was what you said about a personal reason to fight." Meiya looked off into the distance. Takeru remembered at the beginning of their relationship how Meiay had confided in him about her identity as the Shogun of Japan's body double. Meiya also said she feared for her sister as Alternative V started ramping up, and the end was neigh.

"Hm," Takeru hummed his acknowledgment.

"Do you believe it possible to fight for somebody you've never met more than once?" Meiya's vulnerability caught him off guard. This was only their third meeting, and she had let her guard around him so easily.

"I believe if a person has the power to impact someone from just one meeting, then holding on to that feeling is a worthwhile endeavor," Takeru spoke from experience. Even though he got to have five years with Meiya, he spent the next twenty with nothing but her memory.

"Takeru," Yuuhi lay below him, her body covered in a shin of sweat. She reached up, and her hand caressed his cheek. His heart beat faster, and he leaned down to catch her lips.

What the hell?" Takeru pursed his lips together. He and Yuuhi had never had this kind of relationship!

"Shirogane, you sound wise beyond your years," Meiya threw a smile his way.

Takeru shook his head and filed the thoughts for later. Though Meiya's words had made his heart flutter. Damn, my younger self's hormones, Takeru was reacting like a love-sick fool. "I also have a lofty goal of my own, too, you know."

"Might I ask what that might be?" Meiya asked.

"I want to save mankind," Takeru let the steel of his voice ring true with his words.

"Shirogane…" Meiya looked at him in a new light. "You really are special, Shirogane."

"Ah, come on, you can call me Takeru; it seems only fair since I keep calling you Meiya." Takeru chuckled.

"Hm," Meiya smiled, "very well, I suppose it is only fair." With that, a friendship was formed, and Takeru felt his heart beat a mile a minute. After all, how many men get to fall in love with the woman of their dreams all over again.

October 31st 2001

Man, it's been a whole week, huh? Takeru sighed, looking out the classroom window. He met Mikoto like before, and she was just as he remembered her. You just never know when her selective hearing kicks in. Takeru smiled; they were making good progress; if they kept this up, they could pass the CCE and start TSF training. Hmm, there's a thought, Yuuko Sensei has been busy with Alternative IV since I gave her that equation. I'm not a scientist, but I think I could do more to help mankind. Now that I think about it, I'm only suitable for piloting a TSF. Maybe there's something I could do to help improve that. I still remember Watanabe and Yuki trying to keep up with my moves. Though they weren't nearly as what I could do in Velgren-On. I mean, I know that was a video game, but. Hmm, I wonder…what if I could find a way to transfer that to a TSF? Whoa, I think that's an idea and a half there. I need to write down some notes ASAP!

"Shirogane, I'm beginning to think you like having me make you run 4k Laps in the middle of the night!"

"Gah, s-sorry, Marimo-chan!" Takeru flinched with Marimo's glare sharpened. "I-I mean Instructor Jinguuji Mam!"

"Ara," Marimo sighed exasperatedly. "I'm beginning to think you enjoy my punishments Shirogane." Instructor Jinguuji frowned in Takeru's direction.

"S-sorry, Mam," Takeru straightened, paying attention to the lecture on base infiltration tactics.

"If you're sorry, pay attention, Shirogane," Marimo grabbed her booklet and continued her lecture.

"Blue Boy 1 here, got the canuck bastards on my sights."

"This is Ronin 1; infiltration successful dumb bastards didn't even check the flatbeds. We'll give these snail-eating son of a bitches something to cry about."

"Understood, commence distraction; I'll take down the personnel building, and we'll capture this comms base." Takeru gripped his TSF controls and took a deep breath. Like before, just like every time since this damn war started, Takeru shed himself of all emotions and hardened his heart to the pleads of mercy and any who asked for it. This was the 7th year of the Canadian French Alliance war on the United States and the Empire of Japan Seattle Alliance. Takeru was growing increasingly tired of killing his fellow man.

Takeru closed his eyes, the memory fading into the back of his mind. These tactics, even if only theoretical at this point, left a sour taste in his mouth. Marimo looked at Takeru and was stumped for a second. Marimo figured maybe it had just been her mind playing tricks on her. But she saw the look of a thousand yards in Takeru's eyes. The very same look pilots who've seen too much war get at times. "Shirogane, since you said you'd pay attention. How would you deal with this enemy radar installation?"

"Three canucks down, Ronin squadron; begin your attack!" Takeru ordered as he cut a European Rafale in two at the cockpit.

"Use the cover of night to infiltrate special forces if viable," Takeru replied in a detached, almost apathetic voice.

"S-stop, I su-" Takeru bisected the Rafale down the middle before pushing off and firing his 36mm autocannon at the advancing reinforcements. They dispersed but were intercepted by Takeru's Royal Guard Squadron. Takeru brought his Type-74 blade up in a defensive position. His eyes caught blood on the sword's edge, but Takeru gave no visible reaction to it.

"Once infiltration is successful, deploy a diversionary attack on critical facilities." Takeru closed his eyes.

"Barracks."

Explosions and screams reached deaf ears as Takeru fired a 120mm shell into the personnel building.

"Communications."

Takeru watched a fireball erupt and the base perimeter lights flicker off in the distance.

"Infiltration units should then be able to apprehend or kill command staff."

Takeru's Type-00 Takemikazuchi titled its head up at the control tower. He zoomed in to see gun muzzle flashes cast short shadows of the inhabitants inside. Their last moments are etched in a pantomime of shadow. "Ronin 1, all command personnel neutralized. Mop up survivors; this base is ours."

"A mop-up operation of survivors is to follow." Takeru finished, but as he did, his vision blurred as tears welled in his eyes. "Ah, sorry." Takeru wiped the tears away, "damn allergies, man." He grinned at them like nothing terrible in the world had ever happened.

Takeru's squad looked at him, impressed yet a bit perturbed by the once cold voice of the boisterous boy the girls had come to know. "Takeru," Meiya muttered, feeling something tug at her heart. She looked at the others, and something of a silent agreement happened. They decided not to ask Takeru about his experience at the front lines; valuable insight be damned.

Takeru wasn't a fool; he felt everyone get tenser after his answer. Damn, I gotta really watch myself. Takeru sighed inwardly, and the rest of the lesson went without problems. Though perhaps more subdued than he would have wanted it.

The PX later that day

Takeru took his seat with his food and saw everyone greet him in a friendly enough manner. Takeru glanced at everyone and took a deep breath. Takeru sighed and clapped his hands once. "Alright, please excuse my behavior earlier today in the lecture." Takeru bowed his head.

"T-Takeru, we don't blame you for anything"! Mikoto shook her head and clasped her hands together.

"Shiroagne, you're stronger than us." Ayamine, in a rare moment of seriousness, patted Takeru's shoulder.

"Y-yeah, Takeru-San, if anything, I feel a little guilty for wanting to ask you about your time at the front lines." Tama looked down, and Takeru felt his heartstrings plucked at such a sight.

"Yeah, if anything, let us know if there's something you need to talk about," Chiuru looked at him, her usual glare softening.

"Oi, if even Class Prez is feeling worried, I really gotta apologize now," Takeru rubbed the back of his neck, blushing a little. Jeez, they still know how to make me feel like an idiot.

"It is only natural, Takeru, that is to say, we are all comrades in arms, aren't we? We only want what's best for you." Meiya nodded and smiled warmly.

"Meiya…" Takeru felt his lips tug upward. There she goes again, making my heart beat a mile a minute. Please, one more time, let her love me one more time in this pitiful life of mine. Takeru cleared his throat and hummed. "I feel I know what I must say then," Takeru clenched his fists and took a deep breath. "If you guys want any insight from my combat experience. Please don't hesitate to ask."

"Shirogane," Class Rep looked down at her trey, but her expression was clear as day. This was precisely what they had all been thinking about.

"I learned keeping things inside doesn't help. But an old friend once told me you find good friends, share your life with them so they may share theirs with you. No greater feeling in the world than that."

"Takeru-San, you really are amazing," Tama smiled, her eyes shining with admiration.

"Well, now that I think about it, maybe there would be one thing better." Takeru crossed his arms and pinched his cheeks in thought. "Yes, asking Marimo-Chan out and having her say yes!"

Ayamine placed a hand on Takeru's shoulder, "dude, your luck is the worst," she pointed behind her.

Takeru turned to the already becoming fast familiar glare of Instructor Jinguuji. "Ah, I see you're as full of energy as ever, Shirogane."

"Guh!" Takeru jumped to his feet and saluted her promptly. "Yes, Mam, youthful vigor is wonderful!"

As the words left his mouth, Takeru heard thunder crack outside, and rain began pattering against the PX windows. Takeru saw Miramo's eyes look behind him before a sly smirk crossed her lips. Ayamine is right; I rolled zero luck on my stats.

Barracks later that night.

Takeru, soaked to the bone, tiredly walked to his room. "6k run, oi Marimo-Chan, please cut a poor out-of-luck soul like mine some slack next time, please?" Takeru, like a zombie, just strolled into his room straight to his bathroom to remove his clothes. He hopped in the shower for a quick scrub and exited his bathroom, drying his hair. Though had Takeru been more observant, he would have noticed the amused Kouzuki Yuuko, who had watched him go into the bathroom and waited patiently for him to come out. "My, you're a bold one to assume that's why I came here."

"Huh?" Takeru dumbly said as he finally focused on Yuuko while he stood before her bare as the day he was born.

"Y-Yuuko sensei," Takeru felt his entire body heat up.

"My, I must be letting myself go. I would have thought you'd be standing at attention at the sight of me sitting on your bed waiting for you." Yuuko teased and, for good measure, crossed her leg over the other, allowing her skirt to ride up to reveal more of her stocking-clad thighs.

"AGH!" Takeru finally covered his shame and rushed back into the bathroom. Sure enough, after Yuuko's teasing, he was now firmly at attention. "O-oi Yuuko Sensei, how about a warning next time!"

"I greeted you when you entered the door; it's certainly not my fault your head was in the clouds."

Shit, she's got me there, Takeru groaned, and thankfully, he already had underwear and a pair of pants laid out. So he made himself decent and exited the bathroom to meet with Yuuko. "A-alright, sorry about that. What can I do for you, Sensei?"

"Well, I was going to ask you some questions, but how can I concentrate with a body like that before me?" Yuuko gave him a coy smile. "My, with a body like that, I might relax my stance on younger men."

"Y-you tease too much, Yuuko sensei." Takeru blushed, dug a shirt out of his drawer, and threw it on. "Besides, I must perceive to have Marimo-Chan see me as a man!" Takeru crossed his arms and took a seat next to Yuuko.

"Oh?" Yuuko said, her eyes narrowed slightly, and her smirk grew. For some reason, Takeru felt he just made things worse for himself.

"Right, right," Yuuko finally let him off the hook. "I wanted to ask you something," Yuuko instantly grew serious. "You said you lived for twenty years after Alternative V. I can only assume Alternative V's aftermath was not what its supporters hoped for." Takeru felt his eyes widen slightly before he nodded grimly. Yuuko leaned back on Takeru's bed and looked up at the ceiling. "Tell me what happened to humanity."

Takeru pressed his lips together into a thin line. "You sure you want to know? I know we're going to stop this future. But it's depressing as hell to talk about it." Takeru bent over, resting his elbows on his thighs.

"Yes, I've only theorized what could happen for so long." Yuuko hummed. "I want you to tell me what my failure meant for mankind."

So, this has been eating at you, huh, Yuuko Sensei? Takeru looked at his teacher and partner in this endeavor to save mankind. "Alright, let me start with what I'm sure you already figured out."

"Operation Babylon was a failure," Takeru glared at the dull grey ground. "Hell, it was a disaster of biblical proportion." Takeru looked at Yuuko's profile as she kept her eyes on the ceiling. "The saturated G-bomb bombardment triggered an apocalyptic event. Shit, it triggered several, in fact."

"First, a tsunami the likes mankind has only ever read in the bible hit us. The entire continent of Eurasia was sunk beneath the ocean." Takeru thought of Meiya and Yuuhi. "Japan was swallowed by the ocean as well. The whole thing was called an Oceanic Inversion event. What little land was left was covered in goddamn salt. Entire landmasses of pure salt covered the earth, and to make matters worse massive decompression events occurred across several areas."

Takeru snorted. "There are parts of the United States you can't cross without a hard suit or inside a TSF." Takeru gritted his teeth, "this caused expected tensions, and much as expected of human nature, we started killing each other for what little was left livable. The last bastions of mankind are Seattle, Hawaii, and wherever the hell the Canadian-French Alliance planted their flags. The US and the Empire maintained our alliance and leased an area of Seattle for Japan to colonize. From there, we began a long bloody war with the Canadian-French Alliance." Takeru abruptly stood and snorted in derisive laughter. "But you know what the kicker is?"

Takeru turned to Yuuko and smiled mirthlessly, "It didn't work; we drove ourselves to near extinction for nothing. The BETA, the alien bastards, were still alive!" Takeru felt tears sting his eyes. "Last we hypothesized, there was still one Hive left out there. But even after 20 years, we barely managed to get back on our feet. We still have no idea where the fucking thing is. But don't worry if nothing else, humanity is predictable." Takeru took a deep calming breath. "The Americans had one last G-bomb, and last I heard, they were planning on using it on the last Hive." Takeru looked into Yuuko's eyes. He didn't bother hiding it from her; he let her see the eyes of a man at his breaking point. "We killed more than a quarter of our population, and then we spent years slowly killing thousands more." Takeru crushed the air with his fist. "Yuuko Sensei, I know you still don't believe me, but even if you don't, I promise to do everything I can to help you finish Alternative IV."

Takeru sighed, "because frankly, I don't think I'll make it another 20 years if we fail again." Takeru gave Yuuko a crooked grin.

Yuuko stood up and pinched her chin in thought, "Tell me, what was the situation of the earth's rotation around the sun?"

"It shifted, but the margin didn't do more than add an hour to the day." Takeru frowned, "No, worse was the gravitational shift; the atmosphere was decaying. Nevertheless, we built a vast terraforming plant by some miracle." Takeru smiled slightly, "I'll admit, building that thing was the one project humanity came together to make after the war."

"How did that war end?"

"The French were much more desperate; the Canadians ended up being the voice of reason. But not before a final battle at America's NORAD base. The Coalition forces took control of OSP 1400 and its nuclear arsenal." Takeru snorted a laugh, "I had to outrun a Nuke in my TSF."

"But the American and Imperial forces won?" Yuuko paced in his room before she sat back down at Takeru's side.

"Yeah, but that wasn't the end of our problems." Takeru pursed his lips, "The BETA had begun building a Hive to Seattle's Southeast." Takeru sighed, "We launched an operation to take the damn thing, a joint operation involving all four remaining countries. We pulled it off by the skin of our teeth and secured Seattle for the foreseeable future."

"But the planet wasn't getting better?" Yuuko crossed her arms and looked at Takeru.

"Not quite," Takeru sighed, "I don't know if the plant had anything to do with it, but the sea levels started to drop. Slowly but surely, Eurasia was rising out of the sea." Takeru sighed, "but like always, something bad always followed the good. So for the next 20 years, we suffered BETA incursions from Seattle Bay. We still didn't know where the bastards had their final Hive."

Takeru watched Yuuko stand back up and look at her reflection in his sink mirror. She turned to Takeru, and a mad smile spread across her face. "Shirogane Takeru, you really are from the future!" She laughed, though cackling madly felt more appropriate to Takeru. Takeru stood up, but in her excitement, Yuuko threw her arms around Takeru's neck and knocked them both down to his bed. "Oi, Sensei." Takeru blushed, feeling her ample chest pressed against his.

"It all happens precisely as theorized," Yuuko laughed, but Takeru felt her tremble. Takeru gasped quietly at the revelation. Sensei, you're afraid because you KNOW what will happen if you fail. You've always known, and I just confirmed it.

"S-Sensei," Taker wrapped his arms around her waist. Yuuko froze for a fraction of a second before she relaxed in his grip and let her full weight rest on Takeru.

"The burden of knowledge," Yuuko sighed, her head now buried in the crook of his neck. "I envy the ignorant at times, Shirogane." She mumbled.

"Sensei," Takeru slid one hand up and rubbed small circles on her back. "You aren't alone anymore; my eyes are wide open. I know how it all ends. So please, use me as you will. For the sake of humanity, for the people I love, I'll help you complete Alternative IV."

Yuuko was quiet for a moment and allowed herself to be comforted. What am I doing? She thought to herself, am I really letting this boy comfort me right now? I must be more tired than I thought. She felt a warm feeling in her chest, something she had never expected to feel in a million years, certainly not for a boy she had just met. Maybe I'll make an exception about same-aged men. Feeling her resolve and composure return, Yuuko decided to regain control of the situation.

"Chu~"

"S-Sensei," Takeru froze in place, feeling Yuuko's lips on his collarbone. "S-stop oi, if you do that!" then something happened that Takeru decided he would take to the grave and let nobody know about! "N-nyah," Takeru moaned.

With that, Yuuko stopped her assault and sat up, straddling his waist. "Oh, what an unmanly sound that was, Shirogane," Yuuko teased, her usual smirk back in place.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" Takeru denied it with every fiber of his being!

"Well, look at that," Yuuko saw she had already left a purple mark. "Let's call it a reward for your valuable information today." Yuuko stood back up and made her way to the exit.

"W-wait, Yuuko Sensei!" Takeru stood and rushed to stop her.

"Shirogane, you're insatiable; I still haven't fully relaxed my policy, you know." Yuuko turned, smirking evilly.

"Ravage me more," Yuuko bit her lip, letting the thin white blanket covering her naked body fall.

Takeru shook the memory off, blushing madly. "N-no, damn it, get your mind out of the gutter." Takeru groaned.

"Says the one blushing like he was caught in the act." Yuuko pinched her chin, eyes narrowed in amusement.

"Oi, just listen," Takeru sighed. He cleared his throat and brought up his idea, "I have an idea for a new TSF operating system. I was wondering if you would make it for me."

"Hmm," Yuuko raised a brow, "elaborate."

"Well, I'm basing the idea on a video game in my old world. The idea is to allow us to use cancels and combos." Takeru explained.

"What does that mean exactly?" Yuuko leaned on the wall next to the door.

"Right, so you are aware a TSF has specific safety measures that freeze pilot input." Takeru put his hands on his hips and took a step back from Yuuko. "Well, this system allows a Surface Pilot to cancel the preemptive measures to allow for greater control."

"Hm, you realize that would mean the righting system and the automatic laser doge would not work as intended." Yuuko raised a brow.

"Not entirely, the system will work, but thanks to the combos I mentioned, Surface Pilots can input commands to avoid the refractory period that would typically happen. Plus, the more data the TSF collects, the more seamless these actions become."

"What about the bracing system?"

"Honestly, it makes us more vulnerable. We're sitting ducks for a few seconds on the battlefield; those seconds can mean life and death." Takeru shook his head.

"That sounds like it will put a bigger strain on the electronics and frame." Yuuko closed her eyes, ideas forming in her head as Takeru spoke.

"Well, I think the maintenance crew would rather do more maintenance than mourn a Surface Pilot that didn't make it." Takeru grimaced, thinking of so many comrades lost.

Yuuko gazed into Takeru's almost golden-brown eyes and smiled. I seem to be growing a soft spot for you, Shirogane. Yuuko shrugged, "alright, give me a few days; I think I can come up with something."

"Ah, thanks, Yuuko Sensei. Oh, wait, hold on." Takeru rushed to his drawer and grabbed the notebook he had been detailing notes on. "Here are all the notes I wrote; maybe they can help you somehow."

Yuuko gave the notes a quick flip through and smirked, "I see you're more than just muscles and cheesy speeches." Yuuko admittedly was impressed by Takeru's meticulous notes.

"Yeah, yeah," Takeru rolled his eyes.

"Give me two days," Yuuko snapped Takeru's notes with a clap.

"For real?" Takeru blinked, impressed, though he supposed he should have expected it from the prodigy herself.

"I said so, didn't I?" Yuuko turned around and took her leave, "ciao~."

First chapter baaybee, some light spoilers for the day after VN's, and stuff I added to Takeru's journey. Things are moving slightly faster, and Yuuko seems more willing to trust Takeru now. Welp do tell me what you think lads and lasses.