a/n: Old wine in new wineskins. #herewego
Revolutionary Operation, Type Zero
Kinetic Sky
17. The Suns of Liberty, Act 1
Kiriko adjusted her seatbelt as she looked over the Tornado's flight controls. She slid a pair of goggles over her eyes and inserted a Chaos Emerald into the custom-made slot on her right side.
"Ready for takeoff, Miles."
"Alright. Be careful out there, Kiriko."
"Understood. First Lieutenant Kiriko Hoshikira, call sign Tornado-3. Requesting takeoff clearance."
"This is Wanderer, you're cleared for takeoff, Tornado-3."
"Acknowledged. All systems operational."
The hangar doors quickly slid open as the small plane's propeller started to spin into a blur.
"Launching."
With a small lurch, the plane rolled forward and out past the doors. They slid closed as the Tornado escaped the shadow of Wanderer, moving through the pitch black skies. In the distance was a massive circle of light, reaching into the heavens and separating clear blue skies from the choking darkness. Clouds roamed in circles within the barrier, creating rotating patterns in the sky.
Kiriko typed into the on-board computer and waited.
"KSRAF, this is Tornado-3 requesting permission to enter your airspace," she spoke.
"Tornado-3, this is KSRAF Air Control. Please identify so that we can further confirm your presence," a warm voice replied.
"Understood. G.U.N Special Forces Operative, Lieutenant Kiriko Hoshikira. NATO registration number 2011-10."
"Special Operations Force Neutron Star."
"Correct. Aircraft is registered to Miles Prower. Call sign Tornado-3."
"Affirm. We have the aircraft in our database from prior requests. Lieutenant Hoshikira, you are cleared for entry and landing. An escort will be at the landing zone to receive you."
"Thank you, Air Control."
"The pleasure is ours, Lieutenant. Welcome to Soleanna."
Kiriko eased the plane forward and towards the barrier enveloping the kingdom. She adjusted the plane's speed as the air changed and prepared for her descent.
"Blue skies...I realize how much I take Earth's beauty for granted sometimes," she said to herself. The plane dipped below the swirling clouds and she felt moisture gather on her fur. It was a welcome, long forgotten sensation. Everything in the darkness was unusually sterile...though one would forget about it as time wore on. She looked down at the wind whipping through Kingdom Valley and at the well-preserved castle that rested within it. Nearing her destination, she could see the many, many waterways that connected all parts of the kingdom and ran through each of its cities.
She steered the plane well past the crown jewel of the kingdom, the royal palace.
There was definitely something about it, she knew. Someone was emitting a very large amount of energy and spiritual power, though it wouldn't be apparent to any of the regular citizens. More than anything else, it was likely to be the work of the Queen.
Kiriko spotted the runway of the Air Force base and brought the Tornado down to land. She took off her goggles and stashed the Chaos Emerald in the space behind her back, then took up her black katana and attached it to her side. She hopped out of the plane, making sure her uniform was still neat before walking up to the humans ahead.
Four women in crisp white blouses and matching skirts saluted her. She planted her feet firmly and saluted back.
"Lieutenant Hoshikira?"
"Ma'am. Yes, this is Lieutenant Hoshikira reporting in, ma'am."
The woman who stepped forward was of an average size, and stout. She had light freckles coupled with hazel eyes and light brown hair. There was a sword at her side, looking more ceremonial than anything. Kiriko however understood that these people were trained extensively in sword arts, much like she was.
"I am Major Louise Viera, KSAF Special Forces. I've been selected as your escort to the palace and the Queen," she said with a firm tone. She eyed the smaller woman's badges. "Ranger?"
"No, ma'am. I only attended Ranger School, ma'am."
"Hm. President's Hundred, too. Hot shot, are you?"
"No, ma'am."
"That's what I like to hear. At ease, Lieutenant. Have you eaten?"
"Not recently, ma'am."
"I did say at ease, didn't I?"
"Ah, my apologies. Force of habit, ma'am."
Louise gave her a smile. "I understand. You seem like a good kid. Let's grab you something on the way to the palace. We've already got you a scarf. Her Highness likes all of her visitors to look fashionable."
"Is that right...I understand. Do I look okay?"
"You look fine, it's nothing to worry about."
"Yes, alright."
Louise and Kiriko saluted the other three women once more before leaving.
"The entire planet is in disarray. I'm surprised that anyone's shown up from the outside...then again, you do hang out with rugged types from what I understand."
Kiriko and Louise rode down the finely paved streets in a horse-drawn carriage. The vibrancy of the small town was certainly a change, in stark contrast to the lurching robots that filled the cities outside of the barrier. People were laughing and chatting without a care, it seemed. Did they understand, or just not care?
"Your CO is Shadow, right?"
"Yes, ma'am." Kiriko started to adjust her red silk scarf, and Louise lent her a hand until it looked satisfactory.
"Hard to work with?"
"Not at all. He's actually quite caring. He looks out for each of his team members at all times and places faith in us, as he did this time when sending me on this mission."
"That sounds about right. You know, it's always the hard-nosed types that treat their comrades with the most care," Louise said. "But like I said, you're a good and well-cut kid. He seems like the type that really likes that in a person."
"I never thought of it like that."
"It's something you learn from spending time as a CO. You learn to appreciate the little things. Kiriko...did I say that right?"
"You did, ma'am."
"Alright. Kiriko...if it's not breaching protocol, do you mind telling me what's actually going on out there?"
"Metal Sonic's lust for revenge seems to have made him all-powerful. He returned from destruction at Sonic's hands and now has spread this darkness over the planet. It's why I'm here. Since Soleanna is resisting the effects of the planet's transformation, I'm going to ask the Queen about her method of protecting the kingdom."
"Metal...Sonic?"
"He was a robot doppelganger created by Doctor Robotnik."
"I heard rumours, but I didn't think they were real," Louise said. "Hm. I suppose this runs deeper than anyone could imagine...you said a lust for revenge? So this is a matter of souls, then..."
"Yes..."
"Well, our Queen is intimate with such matters. To be truthful, until I joined the military, I thought it was all superstition and garbage. But...after seeing all that I've seen, I understand it now. The Queen is exerting herself as we speak, and none of us know how it will affect her health. We all love her and believe in her dearly. If you can figure out a way to stop this darkness, I hope you can do it soon."
"All of us are working as hard as we can, I can assure you of that much. And I will do my part as best as I can."
Louise nodded and smiled. "I know you will. Good luck, Kiriko."
"Thank you, Miss Louise," Kiriko said with her own smile.
The carriage stopped and the two women stepped out in short order. They walked up to the wide front steps where soldiers lined both sides all the way up to the entrance. Kiriko and Louise saluted and the two rows of women saluted back, holding their positions as they ascended the palace steps. Two doormen dressed in white pulled open the large wooden doors as they walked inside.
Kiriko looked around at the interior of the long hallway as she walked behind Louise. There was the soft carpet, coloured a rich red. Paintings and glass cases of sculptures lined the walls. Lamps burned brightly, their light filtering through crystal chandeliers from above. They reached the main hall where a platoon of women stood on either side of three figures. A serious looking blonde woman with glasses and an immaculate white pantsuit on one side, with another white-haired woman in full officer's dress on the other, her hat obscuring her eyes. Badges, bars, and medals covered the right side of her uniform as she stood with her arms folded.
The woman in the middle walked forward, the other two following her. A sparkling dress reached down to her ankles and swirled around her just above the ground. Dull red hair reached down to her back and spilled down her front, swept to one side neatly above her bright blue eyes.
The clicks of her heels stopped as she reached Kiriko and Louise, who both saluted and held their poses.
"Be at ease, both of you," the woman said tenderly. They nodded and lowered their hands. "Is this our visitor?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Louise nodded for Kiriko to speak.
"Your Highness, I am First Lieutenant Kiriko Hoshikira of the Guardian Units of Nations. I have been sent here on a special mission by my commanding officer and current head of G.U.N operations, Major Shadow the Hedgehog. I am...honoured to meet you."
"Rather tidy. But sincere, all the same. You do look...familiar. Yes, much like him..."
"..."
"Do you know him? Sonic, I mean."
"He served as my Captain during his contract time with G.U.N several years ago. He is my mentor...and..." She paused. "He is someone very dear to me."
"I see..." The woman gave Kiriko a warm smile. "Then allow me to introduce myself formally." She placed a hand on her chest, and the hall immediately brightened.
"I am the ruler of the Kingdom of Soleanna, and the guardian of its sacred flames. My name is Queen Elise Astra Solaris the Third. I welcome you to our small and humble kingdom, Kiriko Hoshikira."
"Thank you...Your Highness," Kiriko said, blushing.
"It is my pleasure, my dear. You said that Sonic...he was dear to you, yes? I can tell that you carry much of his determination and conviction. I want to ask, on behalf of this kingdom, for your help. I will tell you everything I know, in order to put this madness at an end once and for all."
"Yes, understood. I'll become an instrument for your justice as well, Your Highness."
Elise smiled and nodded. "Bless you, Kiriko. Follow me, and we can begin."