Sword and Shield
Chapter 14: Arrivals
Article 6 of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan 1. n. A Status of Forces Agreement on the stationing of United States forces in Japan, with specifics on the provision of facilities and areas for their use and on the administration of Japanese citizens employed in the facilities. The Agreed Minutes to the treaty specified that the Japanese government must be consulted prior to major changes in United States force deployment in Japan or to the use of Japanese bases for combat operations other than in defense of Japan itself. Also covered are the limits of the two countries' jurisdictions over crimes committed in Japan by United States military personnel.
27 March 2000, 09:02 hrs
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Chuo Expressway
Sousuke turned off the Expressway and onto one of the dozens of side-streets. If he remembered right there was a park beside the airport. He picked up the phone from where Ono-D had laid it and ended the call. "Thanks."
He flicked a switch on the radio. "Urzu Seven to Miller and Al, how are you doing?"
"Just reached Tokyo's outskirts, those two F-16s are still chasing us."
"We are now five minutes out, on approach already." Al's steady voice relayed.
Driving down the road he glanced to his left and saw the park entrance. If he remembered right the paths were easily large enough to accommodate a car like this. He scowled at the metal barriers that had been put up and glanced at Ono-D. "Sorry about the car."
"What?" Ono-D said.
Sousuke spun the wheel and smashed through the barriers smirking as the Lancer bounced across an island of land and dropped onto the red brick of the walkway. He revved the engine and gunned it down the path, swerving to avoid pedestrians and bikers. Then at the end of the parkway a simple chain length fence stood between the park and the airport taxiway. Gritting his teeth he hammered the throttle and smashed through the fence.
The car bounced across the concrete and skidded for a moment before Sousuke straightened out. He roared down the taxiway to the end of the runway and flipped the channel on the radio to the general aviation channel. "To the two United States F-16s in pursuit of Mithril Gulfstream Nineteen. Cease your pursuit or be fired upon."
27 March 2000, 09:05 hrs
Over Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
14th Fighter Squadron "Samurais", 35th Fighter Wing
Robert glanced down at his display and scowled. "This is Samurai Seven, who is this?"
"This is Mithril Operative Uruz Seven, cease your pursuit now. You're chasing a civilian aircraft with a teenage girl onboard. Do you really want her death on your conscience?"
A second voice crackled to life in his helmet and Robert froze as the radar track warning began to beep in his cockpit. Glancing down at the threat display, he saw a pair of radar signals coming up from the six o'clock position.
"Samurai Seven and Eight this is JSDF Lieutenant Colonel Yoshida, you are ordered to return to base immediately. Fail to respond to this warning and we are authorized to shoot you down."
"Fuck, Yoshi? You'd actually shoot us down?" Samurai Eight's voice echoed across the radio.
"Those are my orders."
"Well screw this, Samurai Eight is RTB!" Robert's wingman said. Glancing over his shoulder Robert watched his wingman pull away.
"Logan, what the hell?"
"I've got a teenage daughter at home Rob, I'm not about to make Yoshi turn her into a bastard child." His wingman answered.
"Fine." Robert growled under his breath then turned his attention to the contact. "I'll finish this."
27 March 2000, 09:06 hrs
Over Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3rd Air Wing, Northern Air Defense Force
Yoshida grit his teeth together as he watched the radar display and began to throttle up the aircraft. Behind him, he heard the catch as the afterburners kicked on turning the hiss of the engine into a deafening roar.
"Repeating, Samurai Seven, this is JSDF Lieutenant Colonel Tadashi Yoshida, you are ordered to return to base immediately. Fail to respond to this warning and we are authorized to open fire."
"Then do it Yoshi, I've got my orders too." The voice answered.
Yoshida swallowed down a lump in his throat as he flicked the master arm switch on his controls and selected an AIM-120 AMRAAM.
27 March 2000, 09:07 hrs
Chofu Airport, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Northern end of the Tarmac
Sousuke glanced at Onodera and sighed. "Sounds like the JSDF is helping stop the Americans too, there's some interceptors on their tails."
"But… I thought the Americans were our allies." Ono-D said.
"Would you like it if they shot down a plane over your neighborhood?" Sousuke answered as he swerved to the end of the runway. Sagara threw the car into park and stepped to the back with the headset still on. He threw open the rear door and grabbed the case. Then dropped it beside the car and popped it open. Scowling he pulled out the launcher and tube and assembled them as quick as he could then swung it over his shoulder.
His headset crackled again as Al transmitted on the general aviation channel. "One minute out."
Sousuke swallowed as he activated the targeting computer. "Samurai Seven, if you do not cease your pursuit you're going to be dodging missiles. You're pursuing a teenage girl, a civilian! Turn back now." Sousuke swore under his breath as he lifted the Stinger over his shoulder, flipped open the battery powered sensor system, and looked down the sight aperture. A dull buzzing from the device told him that it could see the F-16's heat plume. Sarah was almost down, Al bringing the Gulfstream in with ECS on barely above stall speed. He could hear the Gulfstream as the F-16 turned in the distance, rolling toward the runway.
Ono-D knelt behind the car watching Sagara as he lined up his sights. "Sagara?"
"I'm no archer so I doubt I'll hit him. All I need to do is keep him from firing for the next few seconds." Sousuke muttered. He'd never been given a chance with a Stinger in Afghanistan, they were too valuable and required a bigger man, and his short young frame simply wasn't strong enough to wield the weapon. Plus the Americans had foolishly given the weapons to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar instead of Majhid.
Mithril had included training with the weapon in basic but that was years ago. He hoped he remembered how to use it.
"Ten seconds to touchdown." Sarah called out.
Sousuke watched the F-16's nose swing to the left and right like a dog sniffing for a trail, still in pursuit. Anger flooding his veins he centered the targeting reticle on the F-16 and pulled the trigger.
27 March 2000, 09:08 hrs
Over Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
14th Fighter Squadron "Samurais", 35th Fighter Wing
"Fuck!" Robert swore as a plume of smoke marked a missile launch just off the runway. His hand punched the flare dispenser and he hit the afterburner before tearing the craft into a break turn toward the missile.
27 March 2000, 09:08 hrs
Chofu Airport, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Northern end of the Tarmac
Ono-D watched the missile roar toward the F-16 as a volley of flares shot from its underside and it turned sharply. The missile charged toward the flares and exploded beside them missing cleanly. The movies never capture how damn loud and fast those are. He thought as he slowly lowered his hands from over his ears and looked at Sousuke.
"Told you I'd miss." He said as he dropped the tube in the case and slammed it shut. Then he grinned. "Now, let's go get Sarah." Sousuke shoved the case in the trunk and shut it before dropping behind the driver's seat. Ono-D blinked in surprise as he dropped into the passenger's side. Sousuke was happy he missed?
"Mithril HQ, we had a hangar at Chofu correct?" Sousuke asked as he clasped the headset with one hand and started the car. He paused for a moment then nodded flipping a switch on the communications channel. "Al, taxi to Hangar D-9, we'll meet you there."
Seconds later a pair of sonic boom echoed across the airport as two blue Mitsubishi F-2A fighters screamed overhead at just over five hundred meters, their afterburners lit.
27 March 2000, 09:08 hrs
Over Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3rd Air Wing, Northern Air Defense Force
Lieutenant Colonel Yoshida had blinked in shock as a missile launch warning screamed in his headset. With a glance down at the display, he'd watched a missile roar toward Samurai Seven just as he entered visual range. Some sort of help from the ground? He switched to AIM-9 Sidewinders and grit his teeth as he locked onto the F-16. "Robert, this is your last chance."
"Fuck, I lost them!" The American pilot growled. "What are you guys, in league with these people? Did you see what they did to—"
"Mithril saved hundreds, maybe thousands of lives. If we are in league with them, I'm glad. Now surrender and head back to base or you'll be testing that thing's ejection system and I'll be praying your plane doesn't kill anybody when it hits the ground."
"Shit…"
"Now, what will it be?"
"Samurai Seven is RTB…" The American replied.
27 March 2000, 09:11 hrs
Chofu Airport, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Hangar D-9, General Aviation Section
The drive to the hangar wasn't as stressful as the ride there, Ono-D thought to himself in the passenger's seat. "Damn it Sagara, I hope you know what you're doing and have got the money to repair any damage you did."
Sousuke actually smirked as he came to a stop at the hangar doors. "Money is not a problem."
"Really? How much do you get paid?" Ono-D asked as he stepped out of the car.
"My yearly salary in Mithril was two-hundred-and-fifty thousand United States Dollars."
Ono-D's jaw dropped. "That much?"
"Plus I didn't use that much of it." Sousuke observed as he walked into the hangar. Suddenly the air shimmered and Ono-D scowled at the smell of ozone. Then a jet appeared in the middle of the hangar. As they walked up to the front the side hatch opened and a woman stepped out holding a large case with both hands.
Her exaggerated bow of greeting made Ono-D laugh.
Sousuke smiled and gestured between them. "Sarah Miller meet Ono-D."
"Hi." She said grinning and Ono-D shook his head. Green eyes and long red hair screamed to the world just how foreign she was.
Sousuke shrugged. "Is that Al in the case?"
"Yes it is." She said with a giggle. "I don't think he likes being in it."
"You neglected to include visual pickups, so perhaps you should describe the scene to me Miss Miller?" Al answered and Ono-D stared at the case a bit perplexed.
That's… what the hell? Onodera glanced between the case and Sousuke. "Sagara, is that an AI or something?"
Sousuke scratched his head vigorously for a moment then nodded. It was a habit that he seemed to have picked up from Kaname through osmosis. "Well yes, Al is an AI."
"Sergeant Sagara, have you considered procuring a car for my new chassis. I am afraid we may have destroyed my last body." The AI asked.
"I've been a bit busy Al." Sousuke muttered as he glanced at the Gulfstream G. IV and furrowed his brow at the tail section where he could see the burn marks from countless flare launches by the plane. "I take it the flight over was rather… stressful."
"The Russians tried to shoot us down. Then the Americans tried to shoot us down…" Sarah sighed. "At least they won't be anywhere near me now…"
Sousuke actually flinched. "I'm afraid that's something we'll have to discuss in private."
Onodera glanced at his friend. What does that mean… is Sousuke being pursued or something? I really would feel better if I wasn't involved. He sighed. "Sagara, don't tell me my life is in danger now…"
"It shouldn't be, the Americans would gain nothing with the endangerment of civilians." Sousuke stepped up to Sarah and took Al's case gingerly then glared at it. "And you… we're going to Kaname's so you best behave or…"
"You'll scrap me." Al stated. "Perhaps she will be more appreciative of my abilities then you, partner."
"Right… let's get going." Sagara rolled his eyes and sighed. "I have an angry girlfriend to console." Sousuke muttered to himself as he gestured to the car.
26 March 2000, 19:15 hrs
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
White House Situation Room
Deputy Director of Intelligence, General Gordon stared at the tracking displays before him and sighed. "Damn, damn, damn…"
"She got away." Sandy Berger stated simply. "Now that's she's in Japan this may become much more difficult not to mention the mess Madeleine has to clean up now."
"We already have two Delta Force teams in country. If we can locate her we can move to retrieve her, though that will be difficult if the Japanese government elects to provide her with government protection." The General sighed. "Not to mention they already have a tasking."
"I suppose we can use this event to gauge Japanese reaction to that operation." Sandy Berger stated with a growl of frustration. "They're pissed now, if it was a Japanese citizen and daughter of a diplomat…"
"They'll be angrier. We'll just have to make sure they don't have any evidence to pin it on us. I'll make sure any operational plan they pass along includes plans to limit evidence that it's our nation. We could always frame the Soviets or another government, not to mention whatever remains of Amalgam." The General sighed. "Moreover we have to find out how they knew of this operation. There may be a leak or a line of communications for them from Mithril that we are unaware of."
27 March 2000, 09:18 hrs
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Room 404, Mansion K Apartments
Kaname sighed. The talk had helped. Somewhat, okay only a little. Part of her brain was still screaming in terror as she sat there on the couch. Kyoko watched her carefully, rubbing her back softly hoping to distract her.
"Shinji, now might be a good time to show Kaname those pictures." Kyoko said quietly.
"Pictures?" Kaname blinked as Shinji nodded and pulled a folder from his laptop case and set it on the coffee table.
"Kyoko and I have been trying to keep track of Sousuke over the last year." Shinji said. "It hasn't been easy. The online AS and military community is so full of rumors and people trying to sound important most of the time, but I did find some things. Plus someone in Mithril contacted me a couple of months ago and asked the class to put together a video for Sousuke. They said it would be loaded onto his new Arm Slave, though I didn't tell the class that." He glanced at Kyoko. "I think it was someone that we knew, or knew us… Mao-san or Weber-san maybe. Though they didn't say their name and the e-mail went to some account I've never heard of."
It would have to be someone that knew Shinji was Sousuke's friend, but I thought Kurz and Mao were out of communication most of the time… Maybe Tessa or… Kaname glanced out the window and blinked as she caught the glint of glass reflecting off a riflescope. Wraith? Would she have done that… she always seemed to have such a bizarre sense of humor.
"I could guess." Kaname said. "Tessa, Melissa, or Kurz are likely ones though there's one more that might have done it."
"Who?" Shinji asked.
"I don't think you've met her." Kaname smiled tightly. "Though she's been looking after Sagara and me for a long time."
"Anyway…" Shinji pulled out the first picture and set it before her. "I was looking up some information on the Second Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and stumble across this picture online… umm, the caption gave everyone's name so I'm not sure it's really Sousuke but it really looks like him."
He set it on the counter and Kaname blinked, her gaze flicking from face to face before it froze over the young boy sitting beside the smiling man. She felt her eyes widen. It really looks like Sousuke… his hair is longer and that cap looks kind of goofy on him, but the scar is there and so is the stoic look he used to have all the time.
"It really does look like him doesn't it?" Kyoko said beside her.
Kaname nodded. "Yeah, it does. Shinji, what the caption say his name was?"
"Uh, Kashim… adopted son of Ahmad Shah Massoud." Shinji said.
Kaname froze remembering the time in North Korea.
Sousuke's Rk-92 had been felled by Gauron in his Chodarl. The mech stood over him, the massive AS rifle pointed at Sousuke who was exposed. Gauron began to laugh, the slight movements of his body as he laughed translating into the mech as well. "This is a big surprise. Are you Kashim? I hadn't noticed. I never knew you were at Mithril. How's Lieutenant Commander Kalinin? Is that chicken doing alright?"
She shivered once at the memory. The man had once been their main enemy, a thorn in the side that they couldn't easily remove. After Hong Kong he was dead. Good riddance. She smiled faintly at that and ran her finger along the picture. "It's Sousuke."
"How do you know?" Shinji asked glancing at the picture.
"During the hijacking in Korea one of the terrorists taunted Sousuke, like he knew him. He called him Kashim and Sousuke answered to the name." Kaname sighed.
"So that really is Sagara-kun?" Kyoko stared at the picture a bit surprised at the confirmation.
"Yes, it's him." She smiled faintly. "I think Sousuke would like to see it."
"Well umm…" Kyoko glanced at the picture for a moment. "Can we keep it secret for a little while?"
"Why?" Kaname asked glancing at her friend.
"Well, I made scrapbooks for our classmates at graduation and… I was going to put this one in Sousuke's if it was him." She admitted shyly.
Scrapbooks? Suddenly she stiffened. "That's why you were following me and Sousuke while we were shopping isn't it!"
"Maybe…" Kyoko gave her a half smile. "You were gone for a year so I needed to fill it somehow! Plus, Shinji has more pictures to show you."
Kaname smiled. "Thanks Ky." She glanced over at Shinji as he pulled out another picture.
"This is newer, some AS fans had images from a bunch of AS competitions that were being held. I… I couldn't believe it when I saw it, but it's definitely Sousuke. He had a terrible alias." Shinji snickered as he pulled out an image of a group standing around a battered Rk-92 Savage.
She felt her heart tighten as she saw Sousuke leaning against one of the arms, clearly unhappy… more stoic and serious then she'd seen him since the first few weeks at Jindai. This must be before Mexico… Slowly she took a deep breath and glanced at the rest of the group.
The redheaded girl sitting on the Rk-92's arm jogged a memory. She was smiling with a wrench in her hand and… I know her, but how… could it be? Slowly Kaname tapped the image of the girl. "Shinji… was there a caption?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I know her…" Kaname said tapping the girl's image. "It's weird, like from a dream or something…"
"The caption said her name was Nami… no last or family name." Shinji pursed his lips.
She nodded slowly and glanced down at the picture.
27 March 2000, 08:32 hrs
Mithril Headquarters, Sydney, Australia
Headquarters Runway Tarmac
Tessa smiled as the MV-22 Osprey shimmered into existence mere seconds before touching down. Already she'd setup the decontamination shower that the crew would have to use, along with Kurz and Melissa. It'd taken a little while, and after she'd knocked it down once after a particularly embarrassing trip she'd had to repair a little bit of damage to the tarps that made up the exterior of the tent.
She'd also drawn a full set of class B equipment for Kurz and Melissa, and managed to scrounge up two tactical vests devoid of camouflage or unit identification. They weren't going to be as uniform oriented now… with so few of us now it's not really necessary, and a uniform is evidence… it can be tracked back to an organization.
The MV-22 settled onto the ground and it's massive twin rotors slowed to a stop as Kurz and Melissa clambered off the ramp still clad in their NBC suits. She could almost see Kurz's grin as he pantomimed a hug. "Tessa-chan!"
Melissa immediately dropped him onto his face with a swift sweep of her legs and Tessa could see her eyes rolling behind the clear glass. "No touching Tessa… not now, not ever!"
"Awww…" Kurz moaned under Melissa's booted foot. "But she's so huggable and cute!"
"It would be ill advised to hug me covered with radioactive ash." Tessa said. "I set up the decontamination shower, so I trust you can explain to Weber and the Osprey crew what to do?"
Melissa nodded. "Yeah." She sighed. "I'm afraid that we had to… eliminate some opposition on the way out. A patrol tried to stop us and then they sent a bunch of Humvees with ma deuce mounts, Kurz had to drop some of the gunners."
"Compared to what Sarah Miller pulled escaping Alaska…" Tessa sighed and shook her head. "Get showered up. I need to get back to the communications room and…"
She stopped as the clack of a heavy cane on the tarmac reached her ears and turned as the Admiral stepped toward them, holding a pair of large bottles of red wine. She smiled slightly. "Oh right… I almost forgot." Tessa giggled.
"No need to rush, Sarah is safely down in Chofu." The Admiral said. "It seems that the JSDF almost was forced to shoot down one of the American jets, but the situation is now resolved… save for the diplomatic repercussions." He chuckled slightly. "The Prime Minister is threatening to revoke the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan."
Tessa's eyes widened. "That… that would kick all American forces out of Japan, I had no idea that… they'd do something like that!"
"It's just a threat to let America know they grossly overstepped their bounds. They wouldn't go through with it, not with the threats of North China, North Korea, and Russia… not to mention continuing territorial disagreements between them." Admiral Borda sighed. "At least I don't think they will, perhaps they will find an alternative means to let their displeasure known."
"Such as?" Tessa asked.
"I'm not sure, but I've been asked to travel to Japan by their Foreign Affair's Minister to discuss the status of Mithril personnel among… other things." The Admiral ran a hand through his grey hair. "Mao, Weber. Listen up."
The two former SRT members snapped to attention and he smiled slightly. "I'll be taking Tessa to Japan with me. You are to follow with a full combat kit of class B equipment for yourselves using the Osprey as transport. Arrival point will be Chofu Airport. You will also transport a full kit of class B equipment for Sagara's use. Since I will likely be in consultations and the age of majority in japan is twenty years old, Tessa will be unable to sign documents or legal papers… Since normally I've acted as her guardian and will be busy with the diplomats, I'm afraid that Mao will be responsible for any such paperwork. Due to Sagara's current status as both being under age and without a legal guardian, Mao will also have to act as his guardian until another can be found or…" The Admiral sighed. "I know you're fond of him as a team mate… so if you want we could always offer you permanent guardianship."
Melissa laughed. "He'll be twenty soon enough, so if it came down to it I could handle that until he's an 'adult'."
Tessa glanced at the woman she'd grown to consider her big sister and smirked for a moment before her smile faded. "Unfortunately that means I won't be able to obtain a hotel room…" The smirk returned in a flash. "Unless…"
"Uh oh…" Melissa glanced at Tessa. "I know that look."
Kurz arched an eyebrow under the hood. "She looks devious… what could that mean?"
It would be easier to guard us if we're all in one location… The smirk turned toothy and she played with her braid. "Oh… I just had an idea."
Kurz waggled his brows enough for them to be visible despite the hood and glanced at Mao. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Kaname is going to have a few guests for a while." Mao snickered then let out a tired sigh. "Sousuke is going to have a heart attack."
"Oh… guess I was wrong about sharing a room with Tessa-chan." Kurz said just before Melissa jabbed him in the gut.
26 March 2000, 19:45 hrs
New York, State of New York, United States
Office of the High Commissioner on Environmental Issues, United Nations Building
Chidori Shunya rubbed his glasses as he listened to the discussion taking place. His presence there was a courtesy, one that had nothing to do with his position in the United Nations and every bit to do with his daughter.
Kaname is a whispered. He remembered back to the briefing he'd been given immediately after the attack on Jindai High. What he'd been told by the officials that had come to his home after the news had arrived was stunning and terrifying. To think that his daughter had been someone of such value, of such a hidden talent, but it had clarified much of the events of the previous year. The hijacking and seajacking had been put in new light with that information along with the existence of the organization Mithril and the agents it had put in place.
He'd heard the name of one of the agents before, often times when Kaname had to relay a funny or exciting story to Ayame. Sagara Sousuke, Kaname's assigned body guard and member of the Mithril Special Response Team. It certainly put all her stories of the 'crazy military otaku' at school in new light.
He rubbed his forehead idly for a long moment then sighed. His entire presence was due to one singular fact. If the Americans were willing to shoot down a jet in their borders to keep one whispered from escaping, would they go to similar lengths to capture known whispered? When she'd been taken he considered ending her lease at the apartment… he'd wanted her near him if she ever escaped, but with the actions America had taken he was glad he'd left things with the status quo. It would have made things all too easy for America to snatch her away. He'd liked his work in America and found that some of those he worked with looked to him as a friend, but it wasn't their decision what their nation did.
Nations have interests, not friendships.
The Ambassador of Japan to the United Nations sat across from him, leaning on the desk while the familiar voices of the Ambassador of Japan to the United States and the Minister of Foreign Affairs could be heard through the line. Suddenly, the Minister turned his attention to him. "Chidori-sama, I understand this is not normally a subject within your field of expertise, but considering your daughter, we were wondering if you had any advice on that front."
Shunya nodded slowly. "You are aware that I once served in the Defense Forces, but I must admit that I know little of commando or espionage operations. I am gravely concerned that if America was willing to take the actions it has that they will also be willing to take action to secure my daughter despite being both a Japanese citizen and a daughter to a High Commissioner of the United Nations." He closed his eyes. "I admit that I was once worried that my position would make her a target for terrorists, but now I'm praying that it offers her some form of protection. It would normally be around this time that I would be checking up on her but… this has priority."
"I admit these provocative actions taken by the United States requires some firm form of response, but I doubt that the Americans will believe we would seriously consider revoking the military alliance between our two nations." The Ambassador to the United States stated.
Across from Shunya the United Nations Ambassador Kiyotaka Akasakaslowly nodded. "Despite our massive presence and the work we have done within the United Nations, Britain would likely block any attempt to force an issue through the UN and the design of the Security Council would make action therefore impossible."
Shunya nodded slowly and glanced at Kiyotaka, the two men were of a similar stripe and had become friends during the Kyoto Conference on Climate Change. The treaty the conference produced had all but failed due to the same government they were now facing: the United States.
"We shouldn't be looking at something that has serious repercussions to our economic or strategic interests. Without American Military forces we would be vulnerable to encroachment by a number of strategic opponents." The Minister of Foreign Affairs said. "What they've done is a slap in the face. We should do something of equal measure in response."
"Mithril." Shunya said quietly. "They have given great assistance to our nation over the past two years. Perhaps we should do something for them. That would certainly be a slap in the face to the Americans. An offer amnesty or protection in our nation perhaps?"
"That is an interesting option, and one of the reasons that I have contacted Admiral Borda and relayed a request for a visit at his earliest convenience. He is currently arranging transit to Tokyo and will likely arrive by the end of the day." The Minister of Foreign Affairs stated. "Merely meeting with him publically would be a suitable response."
27 March 2000, 09:50 hrs
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Room 404, Mansion K Apartments
Kaname smiled as Shinji pulled out the last two photos and slid them across the table to her. She grinned widely as she recognized the massive red and white Arm Slave and Sousuke standing beside it or within it in the case of the second image.
"I saw this thing on the news this morning." Shinji said tapping it. "Apparently someone stole it in Alaska and used it to escape, and then set the thing to overload and self-destruct destroying the Alaskan base."
Her smile faded slightly. "Sousuke won't like that… the, AI aboard was a friend of his."
"The AI?" Shinji blinked. "So you know what this thing is?"
"Yeah… the ARX-8 Laevantein." Kaname wiped a tear from her face. "It was the AS they replaced the Arbalest with… you remember, the suit that was destroyed at Jindai High. It was how he saved me… this unit, it had something I made."
"You made?" Kyoko asked.
Kaname nodded. "Fairy Feather, it was a Lambda Driver jammer. Leonard's AS relied on the Lambda Driver for just about everything. With a bit of concentration Sousuke could simply shut it off." She smiled. "You remember hearing about a nuclear explosion in the South Pacific?"
Shinji nodded while Kyoko just watched her.
"Sousuke was there. The unit's Lambda Driver protected him from the blast." She closed her eyes. "The Americans picked him up and the unit then interrogated him in Okinawa about it… till he broke out. That was the day of graduation for you two." She smiled at the fresh and happy memory of that day.
"What is this Lambda Driver?" Shinji asked.
Kaname sighed. "Its… well… it's a force field generator keyed to the emotional state of the pilot. Becoming angry or an instinctive need to protect oneself can trigger offensive and defensive applications of the system. From structural reinforcement to defensive shielding to offensive sheathing of fired ammunition…" She closed her eyes. "No one really has a good handle on how to use it since being keyed to the emotional state of the pilot makes it so temperamental."
Shinji slowly nodded and tapped the picture. "So this thing had both the shield generator and the jammer? How could he loose?"
Kaname chuckled. "It was a close thing all the same… I think I know who the girl is…"
"Sarah Miller?" Shinji asked.
Kaname nodded. "That's right you were with me and Sousuke when we talked about that. I'm still trying to remember where I saw the girl." She sighed. "Normally daddy would call around now when I don't have school…"
"Maybe he's busy with something." Kyoko said. "Are you feeling better now?"
"A little." Kaname admitted sheepishly. Sousuke you better…
The door opened with a click and Sousuke walked in. Before she knew what was happening Kaname was out of the chair and running to him.
Kaname clung to him, holding him as tight as she could, her terrified mind calming at the scent of cordite and oil clinging to him. She smiled at the tiny hint of aftershave she smelled as she nuzzled him. "Sousuke, oh Sousuke." Tears swam down her cheeks as she looked up at his face and saw tears running down his cheeks as well.
"I'm sorry, I… I didn't mean to cause you this pain." His hold on her tightened and he bowed his head in shame. "I just didn't want to disturb your sleep."
"Baka!" She muttered burying her head in his chest. "I was terrified when I woke and you weren't there."
Kyoko watched the two of them, tears beginning to well up in her own eyes. She could see the pain they both bore. What Kaname had told her had been horrifying: hauled from one spot to another like cattle, possessed by Sophia, and forced to watch her own hand gun down Sousuke and Tessa. Seeing the two of them like this told her more than she ever had wanted to know. Nothing had cut the other so deep as finding each staring down the barrel of the other's weapon.
It had only been a few weeks since they'd found each other, saved each other. The year had ground the two of them down to the point that all that remained for them was the other. They were all they had.
It was no wonder they had found Kaname so distraught in her room, a baseball bat and a gun in her lap. The sheer terror of finding Sousuke gone, her protection elsewhere had been enough to make her an emotional wreck. The two of them would go through hell for each other, and they had. It showed.
"Ummm…" A girl with red curly hair sputtered from the doorway.
Kyoko lifted her finger to her lips and fixed the redheaded girl with death glare. Just leave them be. Then she froze and glanced between the girl and the pictures. Sarah Miller?
Sousuke smiled at Kaname and held her close. "It's not a problem. I am back. There are two people here I think you would like to meet." As he shifted to the side he gestured to the girl standing in the doorway, Ono-D just behind her. She held a case in her hands that looked vaguely like a metal suitcase, much like what one would see in a spy film or something similar for holding money.
"Kaname, meet Sarah Miller. I think you already know Al." Sousuke said.
"I believe my lack of visual sensors means I've missed a touching moment." Al stated from the case and Kaname flushed brightly.
"Al…" Sousuke grumbled.
"Ah yes, I will shut up now. I have no wish to be scrapped." The AI said quickly. Kaname smiled slightly and shook her head before glancing at Sarah and giving a curt bow.
"A pleasure to meet you." Sarah said in English, giving another exaggerated bow that left the Japanese in the room struggling to hold off laughing.
Kaname snickered and stepped past Sousuke and offered her hand. "Please, you're just embarrassing yourself."
"Oh…" Sarah smiled slightly as she straightened up and took her hand. "Sorry…"
"There is nothing to be sorry about. It is easy to make a mistake such as that when first introduced to another culture." Sousuke stated as he stepped to the couch and picked up the remote. Frowning slightly he turned on the television and sighed. "It's not yet noon and I've already spent several thousand dollars in ordinance."
"You what!" Kaname bellowed.
"I fired a missile at an F-16 pursuing Miss Miller. Kaname… I had no real choice. Fortunately the evasive action the pilot took saved his life and ensured he was unable to destroy the aircraft Miss Miller was within." Sousuke sighed as he glanced at the news. "It seems that the JSDF's interception of the American mission has not made the news. Perhaps they are trying to keep it quiet for the moment."
Shinji gaped at Sousuke. "The Self Defense Force acted against the Americans?"
"Yes, it was only logical considering they were attempting to shoot down an aircraft with a civilian registration over their air space. I do believe that would be a significant breach of Japanese sovereignty." Sousuke sighed. I hope this request will not upset her.
"Kaname, Miss Miller has no identification and like us is not of legal age. She will need someplace to stay, and protection if the Americans continue to pursue her."
Kaname sighed. "Alright, I suppose I owe her for making that red hunk of junk."
"If I was still installed within the ARX-8 Laevantein I might have felt insulted." Al stated.
Sarah giggled as Kaname smirked at the box. "Is he always that bad?"
"No, usually he is worse." Sousuke said.
"Uhm… I hate to mention this, but I don't have much in the way of clothes at the moment." Sarah said quietly.
"Shopping trip!" Kyoko said with a large grin.
Then the phone rang.
27 March 2000, 09:14 hrs
Mithril Headquarters, Sydney, Australia
Communications Room
Tessa tapped a pen against the table as the phone rang a tired smile on her lips. I can sleep on the plane for a few hours. There was a bang as the door opened and Kurz and Mao stumbled inside carrying a set of plastic cases containing equipment of different sorts. With a sigh Mao tossed one of the cases on the table and opened it.
"You'd think a supply sergeant would know how to organize a fucking armory!" Melissa groused as she picked up a P90 personal defense weapon from inside and started to check it. "You got the SLAMs?"
"Yeah, Sousuke loved these damn things. No matter how many we grab he'll go through all of them inside a month." Kurz said opening a large box and pulling out what looked like a small black speaker. "M3 and M4 models, got to say they're easy as fuck to disguise for bobby traps." He held it up and smirked. "Damn thing looks like a speaker."
"I wish they made a frag version of them, or an antipersonnel variant. Damn Claymores are still twist fuse detonate and they're damn obvious." Melissa said.
"Uhm… I'm on the phone!" Tessa hissed as she clasped the phone to her shoulder and glared at the two of them.
"Chidori Residence." A tired sounding girl's voice answered.
"Chidori-san!" Tessa almost squealed in delight at hearing the voice of her old friend. "It's so good to hear from you!"
"Tessa!"
27 March 2000, 10:15 hrs
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Room 404, Mansion K Apartments
Kaname felt the eyes of everyone in the room lock on her as she said that and a wicked smile slipped across her face. "So you were the one that sent Sousuke out on an errand!"
"Yes…" Tessa said, her voice suddenly getting nervous.
Oh boy… this is nostalgic. Kaname's grin widened as she sat down on the couch. "So are you calling to see if he completed his mission or is this something less… formal?"
"Well umm… Actually I need to ask a favor."
"Me? Ask me a favor, Tessa?" Kaname rolled her eyes as Sousuke started to sweat somewhat beside her. She glanced at him and squeezed his knee affectionately. Don't worry Sousuke…
"I'll be on my way to Japan in a few hours and… I need someplace to stay."
"Arrgh…" Kaname growled as she glared at the phone. What is this? Am I now running a hotel, maybe a hostel? Damn it! "Tessa! Can't Mithril set up something for you?"
"Not really since… well, Mithril disbanded." Tessa sighed. "I don't want to be forced to rent a room at a love hotel or something. Please, it'll just be a few nights. You could invite your friends and make it a sleep over!"
Oh I will… Kaname laughed hysterically and glanced at Kyoko and Shinji, a wide grin on her face. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea. When's your flight?"
"About an hour… it's almost a ten hour flight so it'll be really late when I get there." Tessa answered.
Kaname nodded and glanced at Ono-D by the door. "You mind giving us a ride to pick-up a friend?"
"Uh…" Ono-D glanced at Sousuke. "Does this have anything to do with…"
"Tessa is coming." Kaname said.
Ono-D brightened and gave a slight smile before nodding. "Sure, I could do that."
"Oh this is going to be fun!" Kyoko said with a big smile.
"We'll be there to pick you up Tessa… what's the flight number?" Kaname asked.
"JAL 297… I'll see you around nine o'clock tonight then?" Tessa giggled on the phone.
"Yeah, you'll see us then." Kaname grinned. "Is anyone else coming?"
"Well, Kurz and Melissa will be arriving tomorrow to help with security. Admiral Borda is supposed to be meeting with the Foreign Affair's Minister for consultations too…" Tessa sighed. "It will be easier to protect me, Sarah, and yourself if we're living together for the next few days."
"Yeah… despite America knowing you're here the moment you walk in the door." Kaname sighed. "Okay, I'll see you then Tessa." Kaname hung up the phone and blew at her bangs. "I just set myself up for a couple days from hell, didn't I?"
Sousuke looked at her confused while the others in the room watched for a long moment.
"Tessa is coming and will be living with us for a few days Sousuke." Kaname said. "She suggested…" A wide grin spread over her face as she glanced at Kyoko. "That we have a slumber party tonight. She really wants to see you again."
Sousuke began to sweat nervously. "Slumber party?"
"Yeah silly, where a bunch of people have a sleep over, we can watch TV and catch up. I bet we've got a lot to catch up on right?" Kaname grinned at Sousuke.
"Affirmative." Sousuke slumped in the chair.
"But first!" Kyoko said in a loud voice. "Sarah needs clothes!"
27 March 2000, 10:20 hrs
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Room 509, Lions Mansion Apartments
The CIA Agent swallowed down a lump in his throat as his fingers flew across the keys of the laptop. The audio log of the conversations he'd listened in was saved and readied for transmission, not to mention the two phone conversations.
Damn… this is big, huge even. What these kids did… who really knows all this stuff? The Mithril Office usually doesn't know jack and these two kids bared their souls about what happened over the last year. The young man had been nuked, it was unbelievable and yet… something I'm starting to expect from this assignment.
Taking a deep breath he glanced at the report and information requests that now filled his screen. The Delta Team would get a complete copy as well… Though he doubted they'd act on anything yet.
The operative suppressed a nervous laugh as he imagined the group of soldiers bursting in on the teens during their sleep over. It was so absurd, and something definitely worth telling his partner.