Shirogane Specter 1
Sumika Archer 1
Ayamine Archer 2
Mikoto Archer 3
Tamase Archer 4
Kasumi Stinger 1
Marimo Stinger 2
Meiya Stinger 3
Sakaki Stinger 4
—
Mitsurugi Meiya
05:01 Am
Izu Skyline, Near Sukumoyama
"—Hunter 1 to all units, the plan is as follows. Sixty seconds before the ceasefire ends, 1st Lt. Tsukuyomi will announce our intent to negotiate with the rebels on an open channel. If the enemy agrees, we continue to Plan A. If they refuse, we move straight to Plan B. Plan B is virtually identical to Plan A after Phase 2…"
Even for someone that should have nerves of steel, Meiya was still anxious and tense about the upcoming mission. She didn't fear death, she just cannot allow herself to die. Her hair was retied to mimic that of her sister's, which wasn't too different from her own style.
"…Now, for the rest of Plan A, starting with positions. Cadet Mitsurugi disguised as Her Highness will be in UN Army TSF Stinger 3. During negotiations, 1st Lt. Tsukuyomi's 1901 will accompany them as escort…"
The overall strategy had Hunter 2, 3 and Heat 5 to 8 covering from sniper positions on the surrounding mountain tops. The rest of the Hunter Battalion will form diamond one around the cadets.
"The time limit for negotiations will be twenty minutes, Cadet Mitsurugi. Buy us as much time as you can."
"—copy that!" Meiya answered when her assigned objective was ordered.
"Once the twenty minutes are up, Plan A will move to Phase 2. We will crush a portion of the insurgents and break through their formation. Also, if negotiations break down at any time, we will move immediately to Phase 2. Be aware of that." The lack of a real Shogun made their escape plan less complicated as a result.
"In that event, 173th Battalion will move to cover the cadet. Hunters 2, 3 and 4 will rendezvous with Heat team and ambush any enemies approaching the main unit. Once the fighting starts, all units will follow Hunter team and attempt to escape in the direction of Ajiro."
"Also, in order to prevent information leaks, data linking is prohibited during this operation. The success of this mission rests on everyone's ability to make accurate decisions. Don't forget that. I expect a hard fight from all of you."
"—copy that!" All Platoons responded to the workable plan.
"The operation will commence seven minutes from now. All units, get in position within the time limit —Walken out."
—
"—Capt. Sagiri. I am 1st Lt. Tsukuyomi of the Imperial Honour Guard 19th Independent Guard Unit. —Respond. I am 1st Lt, Tsukuyomi of the Imperial Honour Guard 19th Independent Guard Unit." Tsukuyomi's pronouncement was eventually answered by the Captain himself.
"—I am Capt. Sagiri of the Imperial Mainland Defense Army Capital Garrison Regiment. May I hear the results of Her Highness's deliberations?"
"Her Highness wishes to speak with you in person."
"I understand. How are we to meet?" It was agreed that the Shogun will converse with Captain after an hour of ceasefire.
"Two TSFs of the UN Army plus all four TSFs in my honour Guard will be escorting Her Highness in her TSF. Our desired meeting place is approximately five hundred meter East of Ono Shrine, by the plain field where the river ends. Is this acceptable?"
Meiya was even more nervous now when Tsukuyomi changed the numbers of escorts, then she quickly realized the reason and calmed herself.
" …Understood. I shall follow your plan. However… I request your Honour guard units to be the only ones guarding Her Highness." Having a total of seven TSF was too much of a risk for Capt. Sagiri.
"I understand your condition. However, I cannot accept it. Her Highness has directly asked for the two UN Eishis' presence. Her Highness does not desire any further conflict, she has expressed thanks and sympathy toward the UN and American Armies for their efforts to bring an end to this affair and decided to give honour to the two UN Eishi who accompanied her so far."
"…I retract the condition… and accept the UN Eishi's attendance." Meiya wished to believe that Capt. Sagiri didn't want to prolong this conflict as well.
"Understood. Then I shall escort her alone."
"Only one Honour Guard TSF? Does Her Highness really trust the UN Eishis that much?"
"She does. Her Highness has known them for quite a while now." That wasn't one hundred percent lie to Meiya's ears.
"I understand your proposal. I shall head there right away."
"I shall go there first with Her Highness following. You will wait for me to make contact."
"No, that is unchivalrous. I shall arrive first to meet Her Highness." Capt. Sagiri was a man of respect himself.
"I understand how you must feel. But I must ask you to let me ensure Her Highness's safety."
"…I see. Understood. I have no objections to letting you perform your duty. We will meet you with four TSFs as well, and await your transmission. Sagiri out."
While listening in on their transmission, Meiya pondered Sagiri's reason for not obeying Her Highness's order to stop fighting in the capital when her clearly trusted Tsukuyomi at this moment.
—
"—Your Highness. Capt. Sagiri and his escorts have arrived. Please move forward twenty meters, stop and only show yourself once Capt. Sagiri opens his hatch." Meiya silently obeyed.
The two Shiranuis executed their landing perfectly from a boost jump. Admiring the skills of the capital garrison which only served to worsen Meiya own mood, she cleared her head and patiently waited. Finally, the cockpits of the Type-94s opened, revealing Capt. Sagiri and his three guards.
"…Are you Sagiri?" Meiya released her own hatch and stood tall in front the four soldiers who all humbly lowered their heads.
"Yes, Ma'am. I am once again elated by the honour of receiving an audience with you. I am Captain Sagiri Naoya of the Imperial Mainland Defence Army 1st Division's 1st TSF Armoured Regiment." Meiya had already received this introduction during their first conversation.
"You may raise your head."
"Ma'am!"
"It is most unfortunate that we should have to meet in this manner." Capturing the grandeur of the one who led Meiya's country without her earlier tension, she would like to believe the years she spent training to act like the Shogun was not wasted.
"I am deeply distressed by the great pain and worry I have caused Your Highness. However… I beg of you to let me continue until all the traitors nesting in the capital are vanquished, and all the corruption drained from our government."
"…I regret forcing you all into such a position through my own incompetence." If she had a chance, Meiya also yearned to cease the dishonestly in the capital. But she was not in a position to do such a thing.
"Your Highness…"
"As you said in your broadcast, there is indeed a gap, and not a small one between the state of the Imperial Diet and Army and how I wish them to be. However, there is no doubt that those people have spent all of their strength in order to save our country, our people and our world. Because their feelings are pure, misunderstandings and conflicts are a frequent occurrence. And my inability to fully manage those conflicts is to blame for this."
"My apologies, Your Highness! But the fact that the government actions carried out in Your Highness's name differ from what you desire will not allow me to remain silent. Of course, there are no absolute when it comes to people. However, men and women who lack the will to resolve those misunderstandings are using Your Highness's words to shield themselves from responsibility."
"When conflicts arise, it is not Your Highness who should correct them, but the government and military themselves. But unfortunately, they no longer desire to perform such self-correction."
"During the fighting in the capital. The Sendai Provisional Government told me Your Highness had ordered an 'immediate and unconditional disarmament'. But looking back on it, by the time that order was given, Your Highness should no longer have been in the capital…" Capt. Sagiri's words carried truth that Meiya wasn't informed about.
"Perhaps their hopes were crushed when they learned of Your Highness's absence, and they created a false order. Thankfully, we had heard your true commands through a trustworthy source, and did not fall for their deception." Even if Meiya was unsure of the meaning behind his words, she didn't let such uncertainly show on her face.
"You gave me and my comrades in rebellion the order to cease combat… long before the false order they sent. However, for some reason, Your Highness's order was not conveyed to us… I am afraid those ones in the capital are the true traitors. There was not the slightest reason for them to leave Your Highness in pain!"
Meiya was soundless, the agony of her sister was her own suffering. Yet she couldn't do anything to change the end goal that depended on her negotiation.
"…Captain, I understand what you say. However, the way the Empire is now… remains my responsibility as the Shogun. As was allowing the American and UN Armies to intervene… hence, there is no need for you to spill blood on my behalf."
"Your Highness… I must thank you… touching upon Your Highness's noble and sublime heart is flooding me with emotions. I feel as though my heart is being cleansed."
"Still, that does not change the fact that the American and UN Armies' intervention into our internal affairs is a grave and barbaric threat to our sovereignty. Now that it has come to this, and we at long last have the opportunity to speak… Here is something I must tell Your Highness, even if it means putting aside my shame for having caused this situation."
"You may speak it." Meiya allowed Capt. Sagiri to reveal some information she had no access to. Part of her was curious as well, and if listening to the truth while not endangering the mission was possible; she would gladly lend her ears.
"This incident was plotted in order to fulfill American desires." After the initial moment of shock, Meiya's attention was focused solely by this disclosure.
Capt. Sagiri informed her of how the fighting in the capital was started by a single foot soldier who ignored his commander's order and fired upon the Honour Guards. It also wasn't the only case, many other places surrounding the Imperial Palace had the same incident.
The fact that those who opened fire were agents of the American intelligence agency added to Meiya's disbelief even further.
"The American government wants greater authority in the Far East, so they started the fighting in the capital to give the American Army an excuse for deployment. The American Army would then save her Highness from the fighting the capital and suppress the Japanese insurgency. All according the story the Americans wrote out."
"Also, this means the members of the Sendai Provisional Government who let the American Army intervene and hid Your Highness's order of surrender is the true culprits behind the fighting in the capital. And yet, I bear the sin of allowing it to happen… and understand full well that I cannot atone for it…"
The second time Meiya cried, it was for her country and the people of that country. Her feelings were torn between how she should act as the Shogun and her own beliefs.
"If you… if you feel that strongly… for the country… the people… and for myself, Koubuin Yuuhi… then why have you struck people down?!"
"…Your Highness." Meiya couldn't stand it, she couldn't stand the idea that this righteous will had caused for so much suffering to her people.
"Blood calls for more blood, and war begets yet more war. What you have done to bring about such a state of affairs… can you truly say… that it was done out of concern for the people or for myself?"
"Even if your true intention was to accurately convey my will, the Shogun's will to the people… does that grant you the right to destroy those who do not convey it, or even those who obstruct it… if you are allowed to do so, then by no means… do you have the right to blame to government for the effort it made to save the people at Mt. Tengen."
Capt. Sagiri quietly listened, maybe even reflecting upon his own actions.
"By no means do you have the right to speak of the people's will… our country. The country of Japan… lives within the people's hearts… and the Shogun is but a mirror… to reflect the Japan in their hearts, that is what I believe. If such a mirror were to reflect nothing, what sort of meaningless existence would that be?"
It was a belief that the people are what represented Japan, for that a country without its people doesn't exist.
"You understand that as well as any of us… and you still strayed from the path… however… you can still do the right thing. There still exists a path to wipe away your mistake… you must end this battle as soon as possible, and grant the people relief." Peace was still achievable even in this nation where the flames of war rose high.
"You lament where Japan is headed… have grasped that feeling, that will of yours. From now on, I shall give all I have for the sake of Japan, and its people, forever remembering the warnings of this incident. I swear that to you… on the name Koubuin Yuuhi." It was the only thing Meiya could do. For that, she also wished only the best for the people.
"Your Highness… I must apologize again, for that I had one last piece of information to share."
"You may speak it." It was unexpected, to say the least; for Capt. Sagiri to divert the topic at this point, but Meiya saw no reason to stop him.
"We were actually told by an undisclosed informant about the movements of the all of the armies. They notified us of your movements from the moment you escaped the capital, your heading and the units that you travelled with. It was someone that knew every movement of this battle, and leaked them to us."
"For what reason has you brought this up again? I understand that there are those who hope to reap the benefit from the blood of this country's people. That is why you must stop this conflict from spreading any further!"
At that time, no one; not a single person on site noticed the Eishis outermost in the back of Capt. Sagiri's side had retracted into their TSF.
"We are also told that… Your Highness is an imposter. And the real Shogun has already escaped this area. But after conversing with Your Highness, I can conclude that our informant was only attempting to manipulate the situation to their own advantage."
While Sagiri was blind to Meiya's thoughts, herself was utterly stunned by this. Someone knew of her false identity and had spread the words to Capt. Sagiri directly.
"Your Highness… I leave my comrade's fates… In your capable hands." The bombshell was so severe that Meiya didn't recover in time to answer Sagiri's request. Her lack of response also sealed the future events in stone.
Encrypted channel
"—Moses to all operatives. The situation has changed, all operatives are to execute phase nine with caution. Assistance from Trojan 2 will not available. The quality of the HVT no longer matters, complete the objective under any circumstances."
"—Envy actual, copy that."
"—Crash actual, roger."
"—Sphinx actual, understood."
Mitsurugi Meiya
"Your Highness? Is someth—" It took literally one second for the Type-94 that escorted Sagiri to lock onto Meiya's TSF and fire its deadly rounds with no delay.
"Wha—?!" Given no time to react, neither side prepared any feedback.
The metal slugs flew through the air, heading for Meiya's open cockpit. From where she stood, the bullets didn't appear to be advancing at all, instead it was only increasing in size.
If events were allowed to occur naturally, Meiya's body wouldn't be identifiable by the time the rounds impacted. Luckily, things never turn out normally for this special team of cadets.
"—Your Highness, please retreat! It's dangerous here!" The voice of the almost-never-serious Sumika reached Meiya as her Type-94 reflected the rounds with a PB-blade. Something that would typically never occur. For a sword to slash down metal as it crosses the air was only seen in old comic books before by Meiya.
"—Your Highness! Enter your TSF!"
"—YOU FOOL! Kuro 3, why did you fire?!" Hearing Capt. Sagiri's shout wasn't enough to stop the rouge Eishis from both sides.
"Why…! Why?!" Meiya shouted her thoughts, still exposed outside her Takemikazuchi.
"Your Highness! Please watch yourse—" Before Capt. Sagiri could start his unit, His TSF was knocked down by another of his escorts; throwing him off down to the ground.
The Captain's last wingman that came along to stop the rogue Eishi, only to be blown to pieces by shots from 173th Battalion's Sniper.
"—Heat 7! Cease fire, you are going to hit the cadet! Heat 7!" Commands from Maj. Walken fell on deaf ears.
As one of the most experienced soldier on field, Tsukuyomi rushed her surface fighter to cover for Meiya. Who still stood outside, unable to accept the breakdown of their consultation.
"—STOP! Stop this!" Meiya's screams were answered by long range marksman fire that rained down from the mountains to their sides. Tsukuyomi shield Meiya with her own TSF, taking multiple shots from all directions.
"Arg— Your Highness! Please get away!" The red Takemikazuchi lost its left main arm and half of its sub-arms in seconds.
This engagement was one of the worst Tsukuyomi had ever met in her life. Lacking a shield of any form and unable to evade the pouring metal from all sides without putting an unprepared Meiya in danger.
Nonetheless, such difficulties were never of concern for Tsukuyomi. With her remaining hand, she took her sword and deflected only the closest shots to Meiya's frame.
But no matter how skilled Tsukuyomi was as an Eishi. The American marksmen's accuracy was not something to be taken lightly, she had already parried over a dozen shells. The Type-00 of the Imperial Guard was starting to lose manoeuvrability from accumulated injuries.
"All units! We're moving to Phase 2 of the plan! You are cleared to engage all hostiles! Weapons free!"
"—On your left, Archer 1. Two incoming." From where Meiya's sight couldn't see, combat broke out all around her from where her hands couldn't reach .
"Urga! Good call, Stinger 1! Here they come, Kasumi-chan!"
Seeing the instant turn of the tide, all TSFs; Insurgents, Americans, UNs and Royal Guards all jumped into the fray with their own goal in mind. However, out of that chaos only one side would come out victorious.
"Damn it! They're too much! They're all rushing us!"
"Dodge down, I'll shoot." Following Kasumi's instruction on instinct, Sumika evaded backwards and gave Kasumi a spilt second of opportunity to fire all her weapons. The accuracy of her rounds was pitch perfect as three charging Shiranuis ate the shots head on and were no longer combat effective.
"Stinger 1, Archer 1! Clear the perimeter of all enemies! I'll cover Her Highness from their snipers!" It was unsure to anyone if Tsukuyomi's call at that time was a wise one, but as of this moment, nobody had the luxury to question her command.
"Copy! Let's go, Stinger 1!"
"Okay." With that, two Second Lieutenants flew off and joined the other forces on the frontline.
Ayamine Kei
"—this is Archer 2, moving to support!"
"—what!? Archer 2! Where are you heading!?" While disregarding order was something Kei had a habit of doing, it wasn't expected for her to foolishly rush in at her enemies.
"—Instructor! What should we do?!" Behind her, Chizuru shouted at their instructor for an order.
"Agaa! The rest of Archer team will provide supporting fire from behind! Stinger 4, come with me!" Jinguuji wasn't any less confused than the rest of her team, or the American team, for that matter. Nevertheless, fighting is what people are required to do on a battlefield.
"—Ma'am!"
—
Scrambling forward in first place was Kei and her Fubuki, ducking and dodging through skirmishes between the two forces at war.
For what reason was she fighting so hard, Kei wasn't sure herself. It was probably mostly just a feeling in her heart, when it all comes down to it. After her squad leader comforted her pain and guided her onto a new path, Kei's heart started to furnish with a sentiment she wasn't accustomed to. But there was one point she was very sure of, and that was the subject of her inner feelings.
She didn't know exactly how to put those feelings into words, it was difficult, really. And what Mitsurugi said back during the last minutes of the ceasefire only clouded her judgment even further. So Kei came to a final conclusion, albeit a stupid one. She decided she was jealous.
Was Kei really envious of the words spoken by Mitsurugi about her feelings? Maybe not; but as of now she wished for a motivation to fight for him, and this excuse of hers will do just fine.
"—Archer 2! Don't charge blindly without any order!" Chasing her rear was none other than her least favourite teammate and their instructor.
"—what're you doing, Ayamine!?" Opening fire on the insurgent frames as well, Chizuru caught up with Kei without drawing too many shots their way.
"…I have to do this." The rubbish answer she gave to her team was just like the answer that made no sense to herself.
"Don't be ridiculous, Cadet Ayamine! Work with your squad and complete the mission together!" Destroying another Third-gen Shiranui using her first gen, Jinguuji also closed the distance between her and the Fubuki.
"…I'm sorry."
"We'll discuss your punishment later, cadet. Since we're here now, we'll assist the bait team in their escape!"
"Ma'am!" Kei silently thanked her forgiving instructor and brought her focus back in the fight at hand.
Mitsurugi Meiya
"Ahaaa… why…?" Still not in the right set of mind, Meiya stood obtusely outside her fighter as all the bloodshed spread like a wild fire around her.
She wasn't mentally ready for this sort of situation. Everything ended so fast, too fast for her. It didn't feel like long in real time, only a minute had passed since the beginning of absolute mayhem. So to Meiya, it felt as if everything was thrown into anarchy in a fraction of a second.
"—Your Highness! Hurry and get goin—" The sentence of her most loyal retainer never got to change to finish when a particular 120mm shell found its way past all of the obstacles and Tsukuyomi's defence.
The bullet struck the scarlet TSF right in its lower back, below the cockpit. If the shot was made with a 120mm APCBCHE, a high explosive round, Tsukuyomi's carbon armour plate would still be resilient enough for her to barely shrug off the damage.
However, a kinetic penetrating SABOT shell was what had smashed Tsukuyomi's rear. An arrow like metal dart shredded the joint between the lower back and the legs, causing a sizable bright explosion below the waist of her Type-00. And finally, as the laws of physics dictated, the Takemikazuchi fell down from its two dislodged legs.
"…T-Tsukuyomi…?" A loud thud accompanied some dust as it gusted all around Tsukuyomi's collapsed surface fighter. Meiya felt a rush of helplessness which in turn, brought her sense back to this reality.
"TSUKUYOMI!" Giving Meiya only some brief seconds to react. Shiranui that used to belong to Capt. Sagiri's team emerged from nowhere and raised its sword, aiming for Meiya's unit.
To her rescue was Ayamine, of all people. She who reacted fast enough was somehow able to deflect the fatal attack with her own blade.
"—MANA-sama!" The three Royal Guard Eishis called the name of their commander in unison. Their attempt to reach her was cut off by additional incoming rebels.
"—Mitsurugi! Hurry up and start your unit! We can't go anywhere without you!" The 207th squadron's instructor yelled out her command from behind.
"—but Tsukuyomi…! She is still—!"
"We need to get you out of here right away, Mitsurugi!" Left with no alternative other to obey her instructor's words, Meiya clumsily entered her own Type-00 and started the engine.
Ayamine Kei
She saw them before anyone else did, so naturally she reacted before anyone else too. There were four Shiranuis charging her squad, each with their weapon hot and ready to dish out some death.
"—four incoming! Five O'clock!"
"—all units, scatter! Mitsurugi, hurry up and get out of here now! Stinger 4 and Archer 2, execute a pincer movement!"
"Copy that!"
—
It could have went better, because it certainly couldn't have been any worse. The only redemption for their failure was that they lasted long enough for Mitsurugi to miss their defeat, or she would certainly have turned back to their aid.
The fight was an uneven one from the beginning, four veteran Type-94 Eishis against two cadets in Fubukis and their experienced instructor in a first gen Gekishin. Their only hope was for the XM3 to even the odds. Unfortunately, their enemies were clearly aware of such an OS that boosted their movements.
Back to the current time, Chizuru's unit was disabled with a clean shot that took out her sensors. Instructor Jinguuji was busy engaging three Shiranuis in her damaged unit alone which left Kei alone to fend for her own life.
"Damn it this guy…!" Obviously, Kei's shot just didn't connect no matter how much she tried to improve her aim.
The hostile Shiranui dodged with precise boosts while closing the distance fast, its sword drawn and ready to see blood. On the other hand, Kei just emptied both magazines in her rifle and was forced to answer the incoming enemy with the blade equipped on her back as well.
There was no time for Kei to think. She had to act, or die. The Shiranui gunning for her didn't slow down its pace when it took a stance with its sword raised sideways across its chest. They would collide in another four seconds, she knew; everything, her dreams, her future, her life all depended on her performance in the following second.
—
Maybe the other Eishi got overly confident, maybe Kei was much more skillful than she would credit herself, or maybe it was pure luck that she somehow dodged under the swing of the Shiranui and gave it one strike back in return.
The remains of a Type-94 blazed in her Fubuki's shadow. The adrenaline was still being pumped in its entirely through Kei's veins, increasing her blood flow and speeding up her breathing.
Even if she did end another's life, it felt good. It felt amazing to come out on top and beat the opponent who was clearly more trained than she was. Now all there was left to do is just finishing the fight, Kei could do anything, nothing can stop her—
"—AYAMINE! BEHIND YOU!" And when she turned around, Kei was already on the ground. A classic supplemental Armour bash right to her front.
It was such an old cliché, that Kei couldn't believe she allowed it to happen to her. As demonstrated by the Eishi she took out just seconds ago, overconfidence leads to one's doom. Maybe if she actually thought about how dangerous it was to underestimate her opponents it wouldn't happen next time. But then again, there wouldn't be a next time.
Once her screen came back, all she could see was a single Shiranui standing above her with its sword raised high. With only seconds to spare, Kei frantically motioned her control stick in an attempt to reactivate her frame. It was useless, of course; her left arm wasn't attached anymore and her right one was pinned under the feet of the Type-94 above her.
A more skilled Eishi would tried to see if the Mount Pylons were still functional to bring up the extra rifles, obviously Kei was no such Eishi. Off to the sides, a helping hand from Instructor Jinguuji was nowhere in sight.
"No…! I…! NO!" Kei was sacred, possibly actually scared for the first time in her life.
Logical, too; since she was about to lose that very life in the next few seconds. She panicked, she lost every single part of her composure. Her mind froze and her thoughts just stopped, even unconsciously crying her eyes out, something she hadn't done since a small child.
"I… DON'T WANT TO DIE!" In the end, her plea was answered; one way or another.
Yashiro Kasumi
Kasumi adjusted her guns instantly and pinned down one of the Type-94s in a Flight of four, only to leave the second one unchecked. The Type-94 in question bolted past Sumika, who was engaging a US model, the F-15E Strike Eagle of the 173th Battalion, to be exact.
"—they slipped me, Sumika-san!"
"—Argha…! I can't! Meiya-san, be careful!"
Drawing its PB-blade that was attached to the TSF's back, the second Shiranui that found itself right in front of a purple Takemikazuchi raised its sword that was about to be used not for the protection of the country, instead as an attempt to end the supposed Shogun's life.
Yashiro and Sumika were good Eishis, just not as good as their Takeru. So when Tsukuyomi fell, they couldn't make it back in time to defend everyone. They got cut off from Kei and the rest of the Stinger team, the only recovery they made was Meiya. Who was just about to be offed in a few moments.
Mitsurugi Meiya
In her head, Meiya could think of about seventeen hundred things she could have improved on. The rounds from her weapon was casually dodged by the Type-94, it spun around Meiya's aim and shortened the distance until it came face to came with the Shogun's TSF.
There were many reasons for Meiya's underperformance; one of which was that against contrary belief, she actually saw the last engagement of her teammates and heard something.
While she didn't want to believe it, her rational side was assuming for it to be Ayamine's scream. And once her mind registered what had happened, her body no longer worked as she wished to. The guilt of failing Takeru's order overcame her senses and she just gave up.
So for obvious reasons, Meiya was too dumbfounded to remember the training taught to her by her Takeru.
"—MEIYA-SAN! WATCH OUT!" Sumika's yell was of no assistance to Meiya who didn't even have the strength to grip her control sticks tightly.
Meiya wasn't afraid of death, she only wished for her life to be used to the benefit of her nation and her friends. But that time was different. Her death here wouldn't help to end this conflict.
It would only escalate this war that already burned the lives of so many of her countrymen. However, instead of letting her final moment be spent mourning for Japan. What Meiya felt was only regret, regret that she couldn't keep a single promise.
A single promise that the man of her affection asked for her. There was nothing left, for a failure the likes of her.
"Takeru…" Yet she still called. The name of her lover was the only thing she found herself muttering before her fated demise. For a moment, she completely forgot her duty as the Shogun's shadow, her role as the night sky that was invented to befall the capital.
"Please…" A mere instant, as if the entire world's time had just slowed down for her sake alone. She dedicated her final flash to the man that placed her own life above his. Meiya didn't doubt the vow he took before her, but no man could protect something that they didn't know was in danger.
"Save me…" And yet, she still called out, she searched for a reply that wouldn't exist.
And found it.
The sparks of clashing metal brightened the screen in front of Meiya. The blade that was certain to put an end to her life was stopped by another edge. A sword that should not be present, but its wielder was not a man that allowed himself to be tied down by any logic.
Shirogane Takeru
"CHASER!"
Half a second, that was how much time I had left. If I was half a second slower, Meiya's corpse would be the only thing I was shouting to. The Shiranui I blocked pulled its sword back for a second strike, but such a slow machine was no match for my hijacked YF-23.
I cleaved that double-dealing Shiranui with two clean cuts down its mid-section, exploding the remains of my victim as I leaped away to destroy any insurgents not willing to back down.
"—impossible…! That Raptor did not appear on radar until it was a hundred meters out… how can it move like this?!" Somewhere in the communication mess, 2nd Lt. Irma remarked to no one.
"—unidentified TSF! Activate your IFF immediately! Announce your Battalion and unit!" Maj. Walken demanded my origin. I switched on my identification device to show him that I meant no harm.
"—this is 1st Lt. Shirogane of the 207th Battalion. I have returned by the order of Her Highness. This unit was given to me by the 54th Battalion as my Shiranui got destroyed by the rebels." What I reported technically wasn't a lie. I could hear chatters of all sorts over the comms.
"—Takeru! You came back!"
"—awaaa… it really is Takeru-san!" The flat chested combo was happy for my return.
"—Takeru-chan! A-A-Ayamine-san! You have to help her!"
"—and Chizuru-san too. We can't reach them." For clear reasons, Sumika and Kasumi were worried for their downed team members.
"You hear that, Ayamine? Want me to come back? Maybe you can cry in my care this time." And in a wonderfully Ayamine-like fashion, she covered her camera with one finger, the middle one, undeniably.
"—you really are like a hero, huh, squad leader?" The second ass I saved was Class rep's. I had no idea how she could be this exhausted when all she did was getting taken out.
"—that black TSF was you, 1st Lt. Shirogane?" Marimo-chan asked me very professionally after I made my appearance clear.
"Sure was, you're welcome. By the way."
"Thank you very much for your assistance, First Lieutenant. I am afraid I was done for without your aid." True that, Marimo-chan was swarmed by three Shiranuis. Impressive enough already for her to hold out that long.
"—Takeru… you really came."
"I never break my promises, Meiya." I briefly greeted Meiya, whose emotions were too much of a jumble for me to perceive accurately.
The rest of my team also shouted and cried into the comms, making a big mess out of everything.
"Hunter team! Rendezvous with Stinger 3 and 1901, destroy any enemies you encounter! We are moving to Phase 3!" Maj. Walken ordered for the continuation of the plan.
"—all Platoons! Cease fire and fall back! Do not open fire on Her Highness! Eliminate any traitors among us!" Finally an attempt by Capt. Sagiri to salvage the hectic condition, unsuccessfully; due to the battle being too chaotic.
The insurgent forces had Shiranuis firing toward us and the Americans in the dozen. Some were agents from the CIA. Others were just disordered by the conflict. Bunch of the American forces were also taking pot-shots at us, trying to hide it as misfire.
Two more Shiranui appeared to challenge my title. The first one put its shots down range while the other rushed across the battlefield in an attempt put the sword to better use.
I maneuvered my frame with precision, not permitting a single bullet to come in contact. The blade I held in my hand was outstretched with great speed to deflect the enemy's slash. I bounced its sword away and used that opening to cut down its limbs and body.
The second Type-94 raced toward me with the sword drawn as well. Its strike was interrupted by a hall of rounds that left my barrel. I closed the distance when the enemy dodged my shots only to have its arms and legs hacked apart from the cockpit.
"—both sides. Stop the meaningless battle this instant!" It was this moment when a new tone introduced itself to our war.
The voice that called out for peace carried a determination so strong, it felt as if anyone that disobeyed would be punished by the heaven itself. Against all odds, all TSFs on the field ceased their movement and focused on the single YF-23 where the order stemmed from.
"I will not allow another drop of blood to be wasted for this conflict that will bring about no result! As the Grand Shogun of this country! I demand all forces to lower their arms!"
"What…! Your Highness! Why have you returned?!" The first one to show her concern and anguish for the Shogun's presence was none other than the one who pretended to be the Shogun until now.
"1st Lt. Shirogane! Why did you bring back Her Highness?!"
"It is by my order, Maj. Walken. For I have a reason to turn back to this battlefield. Please check up on Tsukuyomi's condition, Shirogane." Yuuhi shut down Maj. Walken's disapproval before worrying for her servant that was injured in battle.
"Of course." I rode my surface fighter right beside where the fallen Honour Guard plummeted. A quick check of her vitals showed some minor internal bleeding and concussion. While unconscious right now, Tsukuyomi's life was not in danger.
"1st Lt. Tsukuyomi is unconscious, but she's fine. Her life isn't threatened." Hearing my announcement as a sign, the three idiots rushed to our location in seconds. As they found the current situation suitable enough to disobey the Major's order.
"Kamiyo, Tomoe, Ebisu. I will leave Tsukuyomi in your hands. Take good care of her."
"—yes, ma'am!" Surrounding the red Type-00. One of the three idiots disembarked their unit and went to care for Tsukuyomi.
"As I said before, I have returned due to my own will. Can you hear me, Sagiri?"
"Your Highness…?" Sagiri couldn't comprehend at first the idea of another Shogun. But the previous suggestion of there being an imposer cleared his train of thoughts.
"Sagiri. I returned because there is unfinished business that must be attended to. But first, the one that you were speaking with earlier is my other half. Her words carry the same weight as my own." Yuuhi addressed Capt. Sagiri next, who was confused by the situation at hand.
" Your Highness… please watch yourself! There are traitors amongst my ranks!"
"I know. And to all those who holds a different purpose here right now, if you are confident with your chances, do not hesitate and challenge me directly. I will be here waiting for your show of bravely." Yuuhi declared her intention to face all defiance head on.
The CIA agents weren't foolish enough to blow their own cover. But what Yuuhi did effectively put an end to the last skirmishes left.
Sumika, patch me through to their channel. The new, abnormal one.
"Huh…? Ahaa… wait, okay. I got it!" A different signal connected to my comms. I could hear panicking shouts of all kind in English.
"—damn it, Moses! This is Sphinx actual. We can't make any moves here! Requesting update!"
"—Moses to all operatives. Hold your current position until further notice. Operation Roswell in no longer in effect. All operative are on standby, await for further command." The CIA was cancelling their planned procedure when Yuuhi and I unpredictably interfered.
—
"This is it then? If anyone else wants to get it a go. I'll be here all week!" I kicked away the wreckage of a Shiranui's arms as the rest of its body laid on the ground, unmoving. Both sides couldn't do anything to stop the massacre that occurred under a minute.
"Captain Sagiri. Present yourself before me. Let us finish the discussion my other half had started."
"Your Highness! It is too dangerous! We do not know who else holds ill-will against you! It is too risky for you to show yourself!" The concern for Yuuhi's safety was shared by everyone that didn't turn their back on their causes.
"It will be fine. Shirogane, do not let any further combat transpire."
"I understand. —207th Platoon, Circle 1 around Her Highness. Keep your sights open for any hostiles." Sumika and Kasumi piloted their frames to our sides soon before the rest did the same. With Yuuhi's trust in the proficiency of my team, letting her down was not an option.
"All units, exit this area immediately. Anyone that remains will be branded as a defector to our nation." Capt. Sagiri ordered for all of his men to retreat. A wise decision considering our position.
"Maj. Walken. I ask for all American soldiers to withdraw as well." Seeing that all but Sagiri himself left the area. Yuuhi asked the Americans to do the same.
"But Your Highness. Their forces coul—"
"Major. The only force left that could do me harm would be from your army. I am very gratified to all American Eishis who fought in this battle for my protection. However, our current situation does not allow me to lower my guard. Please, exit your men before anymore accidents happen. You alone can stay, for I trust your sense of duty."
Yuuhi's stringent order didn't give the major any room for compensation.
"…I understand. Hunter 1 to all Platoons. Retreat right away, clear a five kilometer radius from this location."
"Heat Leader, copy that." Both American Battalions pulled back without questions.
"Shirogane, open the cockpit. Tell the escorts to back away." Sagiri was already outside his Type-94, waiting for Yuuhi to grant him reception.
"Of course." I freed the portal from the locks applied to it. Yuuhi stood under the night sky, her look illustrated her resolve. The units in front of our formation spread out and formed a line behind my TSF that was the platform for our Shogun.
"Your Highness. I have no excuse for my oversight. I allowed those whose objectives were to harm our nation within my ranks." Sagiri was facing a dozen TSFs by himself, but he didn't show any sign of discomfort,
"There is no need for you to apologize for what you could not control. Rise your head." Sagiri did as instructed and aligned his view with Yuuhi.
"Still, I cannot forgive myself for suc—"
"That is enough. Those that wish to sabotage our country have being amongst us for much longer than we could distinguish. On this matter, Maj. Walken, are you familiar with the schemes planned by the intelligence agency of your home nation?"
"…Unfortunately, I am not aware of such plans…" Maj. Walken had a hard time acknowledging the acts of espionage that Yuuhi was prosecuting America for.
"The faults of one's country do not fall upon its people. However, I have no intention of tolerating what your government has sought to implement in my country."
"Your Highness, I demand evidence of my nation's involvements in this affair. I have sworn my loyalty to the United States of America and I cannot accept your accusation without proof."
"Maj. Walken! How dare you order the Shogun of our—"
"Do not speak, Tomoe. This is one of my purposes in returning here. Shirogane, apply what you must." Yuuhi wasn't taking crap from anyone right now.
"—alright, Specter 1 to all units, activating electronic countermeasures. Archer 1, reinforce me with a pulse three. Don't let any radio signal escape the perimeter."
The second-generation of active stealth and hacking capability of this modified Black Widow— or Arondight, whatever; was much more effective than its regular counterpart. Sumika also backed me up with whatnot her mental superpower was.
"We're secure, Specter 1. Nothing will get through here for ten minutes."
"Please send the major our discovery, Shirogane." By Yuuhi's instruction, I distributed the list of CIA operatives to Maj. Walken's TSF.
"What… impossible…! For the CIA to have…!" After reading the leaked intel, Maj. Walken had no comeback to speak of.
"Major, can you understand the source of my allegation now? I believe that your loyalty to your nation does not extend out to the conspiracies it designed." Maj. Walken replied nothing into the radio.
"I plan to expose their actions that endangered the people for their own benefits. I will not stand for Japan to be taken lightly. However, this blame will be placed appropriately only to those who deserve condemnation." My victory was certain if Yuuhi brings to light what the CIA undertook.
"…I understand, Your Highness…"
"Thank you, Major. I have not forgotten what your men did for my safety. Like I said, the soldier of the country cannot be held responsible for its crimes." Yuuhi was decisive to not let Japan be pushed around by the leading nation. The Major still kept his mouth shut and positioned his TSF exactly where it was before.
"Sagiri. Let us bring the topic back on track. Remind me again of your objective."
"Yes, ma'am! I wished for Your Highness' permission to annihilate those that refuge within the capital until the corruption of our government is removed." Sagiri told Yuuhi the same reply that was given to Meiya.
"How will you remove them? Will you end the lives of all those that opposes my ideals?" Even without words, I noticed the squad was uneasy about the direction of this exchange.
"…Yes, that is my plan."
"I see. I have perceived what you had discussed with the one who represented me. Your aim to put an end to the corruption of the government and convey my will to the people is just. However, the method that you chose brought about this raging war and only more suffering to the people. I cannot permit the blood of the people to be spilled for that purpose."
There was nothing for Sagiri to defend himself with. Yuuhi's accusations were the same as Meiya's claims.
"During my time away from our capital. I have learned something that swayed my own opinion. Japan, as a nation, stands in the way of our true enemy's advance."
"As the Shogun, it is my responsibility to protect this nation from the invaders that threatens not only the people of this country, but mankind itself." A short pause from Yuuhi, but she had already decided on the future.
"Like you said, the current Imperial Diet and the Army are much different than what I wish them to be. I do not suspect their will to save this country, the people and this world. That is the justification for why I have left them be; for I trusted their effort is also for the prosperity Japan."
"However, I no longer have the time to waver. I still am not certain if all of Sendai only wishes to benefit themselves, but this country can no longer afford to wait for their result."
"Your Highness… you don't mean…" Sagiri was stunned. He wasn't prepared for what Yuuhi had in her mind.
"I, Koubuin Yuuhi, the Grand Shogun of the Empire of Japan. Announce my intention to dissolve the legislature of the Imperial Diet. With our current turmoil, an election with new political parties would most likely be in place. I plan to personally give my support to a newly formed party that will be selected by myself."
The bombshell that was dropped cannot be compared to any other. Not a word was said for two minutes straight, many were still doubting their eyes while others only stared in amazement.
"Your Highness! You— you can't just dissolve—" The first voice to be heard after two minutes showed disapproval to Yuuhi's choice.
"Meiya. Do you disagree with my decision?" I laughed silently at this great performance. Meiya's name was addressed, directly by the Shogun of Japan.
"Ane— Your Highness! Dissolving the government cannot be official without the Emperor's consent!"
"I will go to him personally once this incident has settled down. He will not oppose my decision." The power of the Shogun had not been wielded like this in decades.
"Still, Your Highness! To disband the Imperial Diet so simply. May I ask for at least a purpose?!" Meiya just wouldn't let this slide by.
"I have being too… relaxing… as the Shogun. I was unaware of the cries from the people. I ignored those that reached out for help. Such was how I have allowed all this war to happen without any effort to stop it. If the Shogun of this country could not stop its people from fighting, then how weak must that country be." Yuuhi held so much power, but she didn't bother to use them to their full extent.
"Your Highness, I cannot properly express my appreciation for your understanding!" Sagiri bowed his head toward Yuuhi again.
"Sagiri, you are a soldier that serves this country. However, soldiers are not educated in the stage of politics. I give you my word that I will never again push aside my duty to protect the people of Japan. So I ask you to accept the appropriate judgment for your actions."
"Of course, Your Highness. If Your Highness' hand can guide this nation to a prosperous future for the people, then the price of my life is nothing in comparison."
Sagiri's beliefs aided him so that he will leave no regret behind. If his wish was to be granted an honourable death before hearing Yuuhi's revelation, that should have changed significantly without a doubt.
"I believe your talent and skills will one day assist this country. Until the time when you have atoned for your crimes is here, your death will only be another life that is not fighting against our true enemy. But we shall discuss this at another time."
Sagiri was incapable of doing anything else other than keep his head low in front of Yuuhi's generosity.
"Then let us end this battle, for the lives that were lost are already too many."
—
Shirogane Specter 1
Sumika Archer 1
Ayamine Archer 2
Mikoto Archer 3
Tamase Archer 4
Kasumi Stinger 1
Marimo Stinger 2
Meiya Stinger 3
Sakaki Stinger 4
—
Author's note
What? I'm one day late? Yeah, I know. Things happen, okay? Be happy I'm not delaying my updates without explaining.
In all seriousness, thank you again for reading my newest chapter. I'll be more casual with everyone reading this fic from now on since I consider you all my internet buddies. At first I'm respectful and stuff because we don't know each other that well, but now you read this many chapters already, it's like our relationship developed. We good buddies, yes?
In other news, at the time of this post, November 1, 2015. The Muv-Luv Kickstarter just reached their 900.000 dollar strenchgoal! I don't know about you guys but I'm pretty excited to get my copy when they release it.
(Along with all the other stuff which I can buy elsewhere for a much cheaper price, it's the spirit that counts. Guess the exclusive are different, but details, details.) If you're uninformed about this, go search the kickstarter site for Muv-Luv or Google it, details are all there. The kickstarter ends on November 3, 2015 at 11 AM so just know that if you're interested.
After the beggary and free advertisement, this over length AN will end here. Again, favourite and follow if you so wish. PM me for any questions or just leave a review for it, all the normal stuff people write in the Author's note can be found here.
Thanks again and see you all next time.
This is a shout out to my BETA guy, chad001.
(See what I did there? Huh? BETA, right? Get it!? …what? The door is that way? …Okay, thanks.)