The next day was wheels up for the operation. The girls had spent most of the morning bringing Neru up to speed on everything. While Wilkens and Neru were off getting synced up, the rest of the girls and the team and I held an impromptu funeral for Dr. Kagamine. It wasn't much, but we felt that it was the right thing to do. I saw Rin sink to her knees in front of Kagamine's grave a shed a few tears as she reminisced on the father she once had. I knelt down next to her and took her in my arms to comfort her. She smiled weakly, and put her head on my shoulder. "I'm truly sorry for this Rin. Maybe if I had been faster and killed Cho in the first place, maybe this wouldn't have happened…" I said looking down. "No, it's not your fault." She said teary eyed. "I don't think anything could have stopped this. In all truth, I think he knew this was coming, and that's why he brought us together." She said gripping me tighter. "Just please be careful out there…" Rin pleaded with me. "You're all I have left now…." She added burying her head into my chest. "I will be. I promise." I said gently kissing her on the cheek. We spent the next few hours preparing for the operation, and finally 2000 hit, and we headed to the C-130. Rin and I walked together up the ramp and sat down beside one another and readied for take-off. Rogers as well as the other three androids were also present. After dropping Rogers and I, the C-130 would orbit well out of range of any anti-air defense to allow the girls to monitor our mission. Wilkens and Howard were the only ones not present as they had already headed for a submarine that would insert them underwater for their recon of Mt. Surabachi. Once the C-130 was airborne, I stood and checked my gear one last time. I then checked my weapons and ammo, and made sure my chute was set. Rin took my hand worried with that same look of concern on her face. I hugged her tight in response to attempt to comfort her. "Don't worry babe, this'll all be over before you know it." I said comfortingly. Rogers and Teto shared a final embrace as well before we were given the thirty second warning. Rin released me, and then gave me one last kiss before setting my helmet on my head. "Be safe." She said with a smile. "Ten seconds!" the jump master called as the door opened. "I will. I love you Rin." I said "I love you too John." She said with that same glow in her eyes that made them seem like blue sapphires. "Go! Go! Go!" the jump master yelled. Rogers and I looked one last time at the girls, then nodded to one another, and dove out into the night sky.