A***** F*****
D******* 0* 2***
CIA headquarters. Langley, United States of America.
"No, sir, that's a no go. The current condition isn't favourable. The higher ups are calling off this operation."
Within a dark office, sat a single man in his forties. A nice suit, pale looks and anger management helped hide his fury behind a professional mask, the man was on the phone with another equally upset individual who couldn't accept their failure.
"We can't have that. Too much of our agents are at risk if we discontinue this mission." The man in his office was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He was in the process of reviewing their newest update with his secretary.
"But there's no way for us to contain the leak. Our infiltration of the Yokohama database was compromised. They hid fake intel behind layers of firewall as a trick for our hackers." With a secure line as their platform of communication, both men revealed some highly classified information about their plot.
"We lost contact with the special clearance team that was tasked with outing the HVT, and the current state of our prototype is still unclear."
"Those damn Japs… whatever IV did with their data is out of our hands. But if the media gets tipped off about our involvement in this affair. Congress will demand responsibility to be taken." And that will likely devastate the agency beyond repair.
"What do you suggest, director?" Desperate times calls for desperate measures. The director of the CIA had only one card left to play.
"…We'll clean them up, hard measure, no other way."
"Sir… I am not sure if such means are truly necessary." Even for the CIA, such actions were still normally too unethical for them to implement.
"There is no choice here, son. We have to do what we have to do to ensure V's success. Those IV supporters and their pipe dreams will not save us. This is all for our beautiful planet, if we are to be serious about bring peace. Sacrifices must be made."
The contradicting philosophy was so awful that no sane person would think of it as anything other than pure madness. But no man in this world could be one hundred percent certain of their own sanity anymore.
"…I understand, I'll be making the arrangements immediately."
"Thank you, Alex. We'll see through this gruelling time. Contact the stations, as of December 06, 2001 at 0547 hours. Operation Dustfall is a go. May god guide us in our path to freedom."
Within those twisted words, the existence of their own truth could not be denied. After all, it made the most sense to prioritize one's own merit before others. Be it for a single person, a squadron of soldiers, or a nation of earth for that matter.
Shirogane Takeru
06:30 AM
Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture
To whoever said that silence is golden, I would like to have my money right now. Or else I'll see this guy in court for his bullshit.
After Yuuhi demonstrated her dominance as the Shogun to all parties involved in the earlier faceoff, no one that dared to disagree with her decisions spoke up so I repositioned our formation when Yuuhi ordered for our return.
As of now, the team leading the way was actually the subordinates of Sagiri. Their weapon system was manually disabled and their weapons confiscated. The two insurgent Battalions were also walking two kilometres ahead with the rest going another direction to avoid a cluster of former rebels, just in case they change their minds half way through.
Behind them were my unit and the 19th Independent Royal Guards. The eight UN Eishis surrounded me within Circle 1, each of them cleared the comms and chose to maintain our quietness. While Class rep and Ayamine's units got beaten up rather bad, it wasn't severe enough to take them out of the battle.
As for the three idiots, they borrowed one of the IJA's spare armoured vehicles and transported the still unconscious Tsukuyomi with that. Her Takemikazuchi had to be left behind as we saw no method of carrying a damaged surface fighter. Finally, the Americans were behind us with a distance of five klicks, the gap between our two armies was insurance to avert a repeat of our previous 'accident'.
"So… anyone wants to play shiritori (Japanese word game) or something?" That was my best conversation starter for this terribly weird atmosphere.
07:32 AM
"Kasumi, give me a sitrep."
"Current time is 0732 hours. Negative on hostile activity within ten klicks." She shortened the report when there was nothing to be reported.
Our train just reached Shirahama coast, from here on out it should be only a forty minutes until we meet up with the Yokosuka fleet. The earlier pastime of shiritori took off with only half of our current population, I couldn't force those who were in their own world to play our games.
Yuuhi would charm and listen to the day-to-day conversation I held with team bunnies and team shorties. Marimo-chan and Class rep were too serious to join in our pastime and Ayamine just wouldn't say a word to anyone. Finally, Meiya kept herself occupied by sheer mental power as our icebreakers were mercilessly ignored.
—
"How is Meiya's condition?"
"Well, she's still alive, right?"
"Please do not make a joke about this subject, Shirogane." Ouch, Yuuhi just wasn't taking anyone's shit now.
"Sorry, Yuuhi-sama. Meiya is most likely depressed over her earlier performance. Now that the shock wore off and she had plenty of time to reconsider her acts. She probably is feeling quite disheartened by what happened before."
I checked on Meiya once more, her camera showed an awfully disturbed girl whose gaze wafted all over with nothing to focus on.
"If she is ever in need of aid, please be to her assistance." Yuuhi seemingly didn't mean for the immediate future in her request.
"I'll do my best, Meiya is an important teammate."
"Tell me, Shirogane. What is your exact relationship with Meiya?" Why this question of all things? The peer Yuuhi shot me made it extremely hard to dodge this unfavourable inquiry.
"How about I say she's my partner?"
"Eh…? T-that's… ah…" Aww, so cute, Yuuhi got embarrassed in a matter of seconds. She flushed a slight red and turned her head to avoid it showing.
"Hehe, are you—" A sudden radio noise once again, cut me off from further teasing.
"—this is Yokohama Base headquarters to the 207th Armoured Platoon leader. Specter 1, we have an emergency situation. Encrypted channel will be in effect." Everyone and everything had a habit of interrupting me today. But this one was special.
"Sorry, Yuuhi-sama. But I will have to disconnect your earpiece."
"That is alright. I understand your requirement for privacy." Cutting Yuuhi's receiver off with her permission, I entered the encrypted channel for my briefing.
"—Specter 1 copy, go ahead headquarters." It was 1st Lt. Piatif who was on the line with me. Her attitude left no doubt about the severity of her report.
"A recent update from our 3rd HSST Fleet has informed us of three unidentified HSSTs currently on its final re-entry sequence. The three HSSTs have been marked as a hostile attack of unknown nature by the Yokohama high command. The visual representation will be transmitted shortly." And not a second later, the new images were dispatched to my screen.
"The attack occurred seventy five minutes ago. As of 0730 hours, we have confirmed the trajectory of the first two re-entry destroyers. The first HSST, titled decoy 1, is currently bearing 23 degrees south of east. The second HSST, titled decoy 2, is currently bearing 35 degrees south of west."
"The projected final impaction location of both HSSTs will be on Sadogashima Island, thus we have concluded both decoys are only a distraction for the BETA Laser-class." I had already predicted the rest of her debrief and was only keeping an eye out for unexpected turns.
"The last HSST, titled Bogey 1. Is currently bearing 13 degrees north of west. The HSST is set on a collision course with Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture." For the uninformed, that was right on top of our heads.
"All of our attempts at hacking or changing its trajectory have ended in failure. We have no method of stopping Bogey 1 from descending into the atmosphere."
"Can we not reverse our heading and just exit the blast zone?" While I knew the answer, any other person would have asked this question.
"Negative, the content of its cargo is unclear. However, we have reasons to believe that Bogey 1 is carrying a high density of Semtex. Its exact weight is unknown, but it should be safe to assume for there to be over a thousand ton of explosive aboard."
"Oh, wow. That's like… a lot of explosives!" Even without seeing her, 1st Lt. Piatif's sigh still somehow reached me.
Their final trump card was obvious thanks to the power of time-travel, the card being just bombing the shit out of everyone here with a HSST. Although with that much explosive, we must have forced the CIA into a dead corner for them to use such extreme measure. My last run in with this case was us just high-tailing away from the kill zone. But this time that method was thrown out the window.
"After monitoring the craft's navigation systems it has been determined that Bogey 1 will be on an acceleration course after re-entering the ionosphere, the speed will reach up to Mach 40. Based on the kinetic energy, heat-resistance and bulletproof nature of an armoured military destroyer. The blast radius will expand to twenty kilometres." That'll wipe the entire area off the map. Just how desperate were those CIA dudes?
"If they're sending in decoys, that must mean the Laser-class from Sado could also hit Bogey 1, right? Can I believe in the BETA's aiming?"
"Negative, by the time Bogey 1 comes in range of the Laser-class it'll be too late. The Professor has a counterplan to this attack. I'll explain it now." People kept crediting Yuuko-sensei with everything that I came up with, quite upsetting, actually.
07:41 AM
"—Specter 1 to all units, cease movement. There is going to a one final mission before we can evac. But first, we have friendlies approaching from our 3 O'clock." As the words left my mouth. About seven TSFs emerged from the thick forest to the right of us.
"—this is Captain Isumi of A-01's 9th squadron. We have arrived to provide your squadron with the needed equipment." Isumi's message was announced over the public channel. The Royal Guards behind us caught up quickly and kept their weapons ready.
"UN support? What is your purpose here!?" Ignoring the three idiots' questioning, Isumi guided her Company directly in front of ours. One of the surface fighters, Munakata's from the looks of it, was lugging a huge crate behind its back.
"—your hostility is unnecessary, Kamiyo, Tomoe, Ebisu. Allow them to explain." Being told by Yuuhi shut the three idiots up for good. They must had been worried by any newcomers thanks to the betrayal of our American buddies.
"The Professor ordered for us to deliver a 1200mm OTH Cannon to the 207th Platoon. It is right here, —bring it over, Munakata." As I guessed, Munakata's damaged Shiranui dropped off the same massive crate and opened it for us to inspect. The content was one 1200mm as Isumi claimed, and some other attachments for adjusting many factors of the sniper itself.
"Does this package come with any other orders, Captain?"
"Negative, we were only told to bring this to your Platoon." Then Isumi got trolled hard as well, the chance of losing her life right now was real.
"Alright then, it'll take the Americans behind us about thirty minutes to reach our position at this rate. And the Insurgents even longer to reach the Yokosuka Fleet. I think I have time to give you all one last scare."
—
"And that's what'll be happening twenty one minutes from now. Any questions?" I just told them the set course of history for the next quarter of an hour. After the leading wave of absolute eye-opener, the squad showed some colourful variety of astonishment.
"No…! You can't be serious!" Class rep was the first to react after my big reveal about the eventual drop of three HSSTs.
"But why would they attack us like this?" Marimo-chan posted the second most popular concern.
"They claim the attack to be of unclear origin. But there is only two fractions left in this world that processes a HSST Fleet…" Second reaction from Meiya connected the obvious dots.
"…Are we going boom?"
"Ahaaa! Don't say that. Kei-san! Because it sounds super real right now!" Lucky for us, Mikoto stopped Ayamine's jinx.
"Awawawa… what are we gonna do, Takeru-channnn!?"
"Will we be shooting it down?" Two good questions from Kasumi and Sumika.
"That's the plan, right, Takeru-san? Right?" All my squad mates focused solely on me alone, but they weren't the only ones who heard my breakdown of the dreadful situation.
"Yuuhi-sama, anything you would like to add?" Switching away from the public channel, I pasted an ill-timed smirk over my face as I asked Yuuhi for her input.
"I have no opinion to share. As this event currently stands, my power is incapable of being of any assistance. So I will leave this matter in your hands, Shirogane. This is the time to show me again, the true strength of the UN. I pray that my faith placed in you is not for naught." After stating her view, Yuuhi remained motionless with her eyelids lowered.
"How about you, Captain? You heard about this?"
"No." Isumi gave me the simplest of answers.
"Anyone else want to say something?" No one else had the leisure to crack a bad joke or make a dumb comment. The rest of the Valkyries kept their mouths shut, knowing whatever they say wouldn't affect the final outcome anyway. The same thoughts suffused in the heads of the three idiots.
"As most of you would have guessed. We are going to have to shoot it down. Our position right now is the best we can hope for. With the Americans far behind us and the insurgents far ahead. Since we're all in the same boat here. This hopefully short operation will be kept as a secret between the UN army and the Royal Guards, that alright?"
"Tastelessly, I don't see another option." Kamiyo of the three idiots represented her unit and replied to me.
"Good, I'm gonna assume we all know what a 1200 OTH is, so no explanation for that. Once the Bogey 1 re-enters the over Antarctica, it'll break through the ionosphere a minute later over the Philippine Sea. There will be a period of time, roughly thirty seconds when the air current the Philippine Sea is only about 10 km/h. That's our golden time." I showed everyone whose data was linked with mine the coordinates to help them better understand our strategy.
"The PHILIPPINE SEA!? That spot is 2400 Kilometres from here!" Very good geographical knowledge from Marimo-chan, as expected.
"I'm not the one with the measuring tape. Per the speed and the low orbit acceleration of Bogey 1, that's when it'll be in the perfect spot for interception. I know this distance is ludicrous and probably logically impossible. I mean, it'll take our supersonic shell two minutes and thirty eight seconds to impact the target. And since we'll be tuning the cannon's functions to insure maximum velocity. We'll have only one shot, before the gun literally explodes. And if we miss, we'll be burned to a crisp along with the entire Shimoda coast in the following ten minutes, give or take." All odds were stacked sky-high against us. On the other hand, that was what made everything even more exciting, or devastating.
"No… this is impossible, it's simply just impossible…"
"This's a joke, right? Can't we just evac out of here…?" Tama and Mikoto were starting to lose it, couldn't blame them for not seeing any hope.
"I wish I hold up a sign that said 'fooled you!'. But I'm very serious. And unless you can cover 20 klicks in the next seventeen minutes, I don't see a way out of this."
"Now someone here has to do it. Someone has to carry the burden of all our lives in a gamble that would shape the course of history. I can't force any one of you to take that duty. I'll be the one to shoot if nobody volunteers, so don't come crying at me if I miss. Actually, you could do that, just not for very long, hehe. Alright, that's it, I'll give you all some time to think it over. Captain, I need your help setting up this gun."
The squad was left in the dust, each and every one of them was in pain from a wretched future. And the ones that recovered a bit faster were in hardship over this dilemma.
—
"Hayase and Suzumiya, set up the bipods by the top of that hill. Tsukiji and Munakata, clear the sightline of any obstructions. Kazama and Kashiwagi will work on connecting the cannon with the spotter satellite." Each of the called members rushed to their corresponding roles and begun the work as a step in ensuring our survival.
"You sure this will work, Shirogane?"
"Yeah, thirty percent of the time it'll work a hundred percent of the time." Isumi let out a dry laughter to gesture her loss of words and interest.
"You sure are relaxing. If that thing hits us not a scrap will be left, you know?"
"Then no one can blame us for messing up. Not too bad of a deal." Our chat was fruitless even to the very end. As veterans in our field, one sometime just knows when the time is up. Maybe that was what Isumi was feeling at this moment, or maybe she wasn't satisfied with dying having not accomplished anything.
"Let me shoot the gun, Shirogane." Her request might had been the only sane one, or it may very well ruin our chance at making it back in one piece.
"If no one from my squad volunteers, I don't see why not."
"It's all down to this then, huh? Never thought I go out by a drop ship out of all things…"
"Don't be stupid, Captain. We're going to survive this, no matter what."
"Hehe, I'll trust you on this one. Shirogane. Since ten minutes are plenty of time to get you if you lie."
—
I surveyed each of the faces shown on my screen. Meiya's appearance was calm, still and frozen. The same could be said for Yuuhi who still chose to rest in my lap. Whatever emotions the twins felt was not unveiled to the outside.
Sumika was forcing a smile on her strained face, she was never let in on any of the details of my past operations. Since she was too stupid to understand anyway. But right now, our supercomputer was powerless to brighten the mood when almost everyone she ever known could just perish in another dozen minutes.
Beside the video of her was Kasumi, the Russian girl that never removed her poker face. I had given up on forcing an expression out of Kasumi long ago. There were times when she smiled and times when she cried. But if her expression was that of nothing, that only meant she had nothing to convey. That also stood true for Ayamine, my Yakisoba addicted pet was cold down to her blood. She stared purposeless ahead, clouding her thoughts in mystery with that manner of indifference.
Class rep and Marimo-chan were similar in some aspects. Both tried to hide their worry inside, and both failed terribly. I would like to think Marimo-chan's age helped her control her distress just a bit better than Class rep. But to someone like me, their signs of anxiety could be picked up miles away.
Mikoto, on the other hand. Wasn't too bothered with hiding her panic. But that could also just be her way of relieving the others of their own fear and uncertainty. She may appear to be simply scared at first sight, but knowing her, she probably was acting this way on purpose to calm others down and letting them express their own stress.
But the last person, the only person that mattered the most, was Tama. After all, she was my first pick when it comes to anything sniping related.
"So anyone want to do it?" I broke the sombre silence without a care. But it only returned more solemn and grim than before.
"…I… I'll do it." Other than a single, quite, easily overlooked answer. No one else dared to speak.
"Cadet Tamase, can I confirm your answer?"
"…I said… I said I'll shoot it down!" Out of everyone that gathered around us, nobody was supposing for any other soldier to take that role.
"That's my girl. I knew you would be the one to accept that responsibility." Her soft blush brought well needed relaxation to our tension. Her smile was much more valuable when it very well could be her last.
—
"We still have some time so I'll go over it once more. The data is inputted into your fire control system. It'll constantly auto-correct for atmospheric conditions. Data from three spotting satellites and the airborne early-warning system will be providing real time holographic images for you. It should be just like normal, everyday sniping. Other than the fact you're shooting something about forty times the speed of sound."
After finding her convection, Tama's Fubuki linked up with the prepared 1200mm over a small hill. Her line of sight was cleared, the posture of the TSF was adjusted without issues. And now we wait, for the moment when everything could end.
"The shell is specifically modified to withstand high pressure, reduce air resistance and capable of reaching up to 7000 kilometres in range and a velocity of Mach 9. But at the cost of the entire weapon. When the shell is first fired, the inbuilt firing charges are set to maximum effectiveness. So as the shell passes through the barrel the explosive chambers within the weapon will all detonate one by one without limiters in place. So the gun will explode right after firing, it's a one and done. We don't have a second chance at this."
"What'll happen when the gun explodes?"
"To you? Nothing. Your TSF would probably just eat the shrapnel, nothing a new paintjob can't fix."
"…But what'll happen if I miss?" Tama was uncomfortable for a completely understandable reason.
"We all be dead in another nine minutes." Maybe the truth was too much, but even with the reality sinking in, Tama still held her resolve and nodded back to me without a word.
"Can I… ask you something in private?"
"Sure. We still have some time." Receiving permission from Yuuhi, I left my cockpit for her and elevated down.
—
Meeting outside of our TSFs since the start of this coup. I saw Tama reluctantly making her way closer.
"Hey, you okay, Tama?"
"I… yeah. I'm just… a little scared, I guess." Speaking her inner emotions was quite a feat for the always shy cat girl.
"That isn't irregular, I can assure you this much." I rubbed her hair around a little, she responded in a very feline like fashion by shaking her entire body.
"If I miss, will everyone really die?"
"Yeeep, all blown away." I probably was being too harsh, but the facts won't change based on my attitude.
"But… I still have to do it, right?" Her follow up came sometime later, but it was different. Her demeanor was so unwavering this time around.
"That's… debateable. I could take the shot in your place instead. I can't force you to shoot it while doubting yourself. Having second thoughts?" Such heavy burden might still be too much for Tama.
"No… it's just, somehow I feel, I'm the only one who can hit it."
"Really now?" If I just dig down to her bare feelings, her hardship may just lessen a bit. That was what I wished when I asked those counterproductive questions.
"Yes, I actually get some pretty bad panic attacks, you know? Before Takeru-san arrived here, I just forced myself to be our team's sniper. I used to be very afraid all the time, my hands shake a lot, I can't think of anything and stuff like that." She paused, surveyed around our standing and resumed to her unspoken lines.
"But after you came here, I got better. I no longer get that panicky and my shots improved greatly too. And now I think I can finally pay you back, Takeru-san. You did so much for us, so much for me too. It wouldn't be right if we rely on you any further. So I'll shoot this, because that's the only thing I can do here, because that won't leave any regret behind." For someone who carried such a gentle and weak aspect, Tama was so much more on the inside.
"Then my prayer goes out to this newfound resolve of yours, Tamase. Our fate tonight, will be yours to control."
07: 49 AM
"Excuse me, Yuuhi-sama."
"Welcome back, Shirogane." Climbing back into my TSF, Yuuhi gracefully moved out of the way for me to sit down. Having her remain in my TSF surely wasn't the smartest idea. But with the wreck that was Tsukuyomi's frame, Meiya being our bait and herself uneasy. My newly found YF-23 was the best out of our choices.
"I know you understand this already, but I must rephrase this for a final time."
"If you so wish, Yuuhi-sama."
"I have no plan on dying here, Shirogane. Maybe it is more appropriate to say that I will not breathe my last yet. My unconditional faith in you and your team, do not fail me; not here, not ever." With the labyrinth of Yuuhi's mind, a supreme decision was made whiles back. She had already placed her uttermost trust in me and my squadron who I trained personally, the time to waver had since long passed.
"Your Highness, believe me. Failure has never been viable on my stage."
—
"—Specter 1 to all units. T-minus two minutes until Bogey 1 enters the target zone. Archer 4, current condition?"
"—shell loaded, safety off, weapon sight aligned and waiting to fire." Tama's reply was that of a professional sharpshooter.
"Copy that. All units on standby clear the line of fire. Archer 4, calm down and await firing command."
My TSF was standing over Tama's left shoulder while Sumika was over her left. Our roles were team leader and tactical spotter respectively. The morning sun just recently peeked its bright head over the horizon, with its beaming sunshine raining down upon those whose lives were on the doorstep of the after world. Our final struggle against this misfortune that was our fate begun with no grand opening of any kind.
"Archer 1, are you connected with the spotting satellite?"
"—I just got it, uploading the real time images now." Now, others didn't know this, but Sumika's superpower of hacking electronics was applied here to directly link us with the satellite. Instead of redirecting it through other networks, marking our usage as first priority provided the data with less delay.
The first two decoys became visual around the 70 seconds mark. They fell and fell, coming from different origins but aiming for the same objective, Sadogashima. As they glided toward the home to Japan's most hated enemy.
Pure, unadulterated energy beams light illuminated the dawning sky. It only took mere seconds for both HSSTs to be burnt down to its very core, but only the HSSTs. From inside the wreckage burst out dozens of re-entry Shells, some earlier than others. Viewing those as the next priority targets. Another light show underwent, resulting in even more wasted military fund by the Americans.
Funny enough, no one here cared the slightest, for the weapon that would begin on our doom has yet to appear.
"T-minus sixty seconds until Bogey 1 reaches target zone. Prepare for interception." Slowly and slowly, seconds passed us by as the team's stress level reached an all-time high.
"T-minus thirty seconds until interception." The pressure in the air was so tense for a few seconds I swear it metalized right before my eyes. Everything we ever fought for, everything we'll ever fight for here on out depended on Tama's performance. But there was never doubt in my mind that she will never disappoint us, not here nor in the distant future.
"T-minus eleven seconds, ten… nine… eight… seven… six… five… four… three… two… one."
—
"SHOT OUT!"
With Tama's soul filled yell. The cannon exploded from the back to the tip. Pieces of newly formed scrap metals ruptured everywhere. The gun reduced down to hundreds of small pieces that no doubt will leave a lot of cleaning work if we didn't properly warp it. But before its destruction, the weapon served its final purpose. Launching the single shell out of its barrel and toward a lone, tiny target up in the heavens.
And now we wait, to turn three minutes into an eternity was just this easy.
"Takeru-chan, do you think she'll hit it?" Sumika requested me answer a question that I honestly had no way to solve.
"Everyone, don't worry. It'll hit." As if Tama could understand our mental conversion. The response Sumika sought after came from none other than the sniper herself.
"…Tamase, how can you be…" Being the most down to earth person, Class rep showed a minor sign of uncertainty.
"I know, I just know." Tama's confidence originated within her own heart, there was no use questioning something as pure and powerful as her very will.
—
"Shell impact in five, four, three, two, one… Target destroyed! No sign on radar! YES! We did it, Takeru-chan!" Sumika shouted, no, screamed her giant head off right into her microphone.
"Shut up, woman! I know!"
"Ehehe, I did it, Takeru-san!" Cries of cerebration rang within the headphones of everyone around, but no one cared about the feasible danger to their hearing when their lives were saved by the skin of their teeth. Or maybe it was never in danger in the first place.
"There was never a doubt in my mind, Tama. Now let's go home."
"Okay, Takeru-san!"
Yokohama Base 08:34 AM
The rest of our journey was lackluster in comparison. Both the former rebels and the Americans asked about the sudden noise and the falling HSSTs. But with no evidence on their hands, playing dumb was never easier.
December 6, 2001
Yokohama Base, Conference room
"It's my honour to meet Your Highness. I am Kouzuki Yuuko, Vice-Commander of Yokohama Base."
"Kouzuki, are you the one behind Alternative IV?"
"Yes, I'm the director of the fourth Alternative plan."
"It is to my understanding that you are the one who constructed core of this project."
"Yes, allow me to clarify…"
—
"I see. Thank you for your explanation. I am glad that my faith in this project has not been wasted."
"Thank you very much, Your Highness."
Shirogane Takeru
Shirogane's room
"Ahha… this is life…" Nothing unknots the body like a cold shower after half a day of intense fighting.
Around six in the morning was when we finally returned to our good-old base located at Yokohama. The moment I exited my TSF with Yuuhi, mountains of guards, escorts and medical personnel rushed to her aid. Only to be called off by Yuuhi herself, saying that there was much more important matters at hand. She then proceeds to ask for an immediate appointment with whoever was in charge of this base before disappearing into the hallways. Couldn't call it disappearing, actually, considering the waves of people chasing after her.
Our squad was relieved of duty as well. Seeing the fatigue of my team was on a quite high level, I dismissed them right after a short speech. The current time is about eight-ish. Once I changed clothes and returned to my own room, a shower was the most logical step to take.
"Is someone present?" Said a person outside my room as the door was lightly knocked.
"Yeah! Just give me a minute!" Quickly wiping myself dry and donning a pair of trousers over my boxer shorts. I opened the day with a towel over my shoulders.
"I am here t—" And who decided to drop in while I was only wearing my pants? Yuuhi, of course.
"…Ahhaa…" Her face flustered with crimson red. The eyes that used to be filled with confidence and determination was now scrambling with panic, unsure of where to lay her gaze.
"Your Highness, please come in." Acting absolutely unbothered by my body, I invited Yuuhi inside.
"But you are… then… if you do not mind." Yuuhi's hesitance here would just made her look foolish and unprepared. So she sucked in her conscious toward me and entered.
"Sorry, I don't have any tea and stuff ready."
"Do not worry yourself over such small matter. My visit is unannounced, after all." I led her to a chair in my room. For me, I just opted to sit on the bed.
"So then, to what honour do I owe for this visit, Yuuhi-sama?"
"Ah… yes. I was just… thinking about… coming and calling you to our meeting…" Yuuhi was extremely distracted by my naked chest. Normally, this would be embarrassing even for me. But my inner troll was screaming within my mind, telling me to enjoy this moment to its fullest.
"Well, I got nothing else going on so let's get going. Or is there something else you would like, Yuuhi-sama?"
"Emm… yes. I…" Without noticing it herself, Yuuhi stretched her hand and tried to touch my stomach. It was amusing how absorbed she was with my body. Her hand rubbed my belly region, around my abs and over the aged scar left by the primary target.
"Such a…" I wouldn't say I was the most muscular person on earth, far from it, actually. But my muscles were very balanced with my body size, they were normally not obvious through my clothes. But without any cover, I would like to think they serve the role of a great attraction.
"Having fun, Yuuhi-sama?" Calling her name suddenly had brought her attention back to reality.
"Ahh…! No! I was just… I was just pondering the reason behind your scars." That was the best excuse for such a desperate situation, I mentally applauded Yuuhi for it.
"I would like to think of these as prove, evidence that I am a soldier. Although it also reminds me of my failure." Not counting the mark left by that octopus, I was still covered in wounds and cuts from all of my past traumas and deaths.
"I see, you also have a difficult history behind yourself. I apologize."
"No need, Yuuhi-sama. That's just who I am, everyone in this world have memories like that, right? Nothing makes me special." Yuuhi showed some expression of grief. But the state of this world was nothing she could change in any form.
"Em, yes. As I was saying before, I came here to inform you that your presence is required by the Vice-Commander. You are to attend our meeting as soon as possible."
"Alright then, let me get changed." Again, Yuuhi blushed burning red at my statement.
"Ah… wait! …Allow me to excuse myself first!"
"Nah, it's fine. I won't be taking anything off."
Conference room
"Kurechika-dono. I am grateful for your safety above all else."
"No, I should be the one to rejoice for your Highness's wellbeing." Well, this certainly was an awkward session we have going on here.
"Psst, so why did Yuuhi come and got me personally?"
"Don't ask me, the Professor was going to send a guard or something. But she insisted to do it herself." Standing in the corner was me and Isumi, two leaders of our Special Task Force units. Mine team may have yet to be formalized, but those were mere details.
"Since our time here is short, I will only ask you this one question. Your passion toward the people of my country and your sense of duty does not appear to be a lie. Are you willing to reform our nation together with myself?" And sitting on the sofas were Yuuhi, Prime Minister Sakaki and Yuuko-sensei. No doubt discussing some top secret stuff that I had no interest in.
"Of course, Your Highness." It appeared that things were going well, Yuuhi took my side long ago and the Prime Minister had no reason to refuse our offer that aligned with his own belief.
—
"Allow me to introduce the two commanders of A-01. This is Captain Isumi Michiru, the Platoon leader of A-01's 9th squadron." Finally done with whatever crap they had to converse about, the attention of the three adults by age shifted to us.
Pointing to Isumi first, Yuuko-sensei briefly went over her role as the team captain.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Capt. Isumi." Taking Yuuhi's hand and shaking it adamantly, Isumi let off a very professional smile of confidence and humbleness.
"I am extremely honoured by your words, Your Highness."
"And I'm sure you know 1st Lt. Shirogane."
"I am very grateful for your assistance in this entire affair." Shaking her hand with more leisure than Isumi. I smiled back genuinely at her generous words.
"It is my honour to be granted such a role, Your Highness."
"Please, just address me as Yuuhi." How bold, asking me to address her by her name in front of Yuuko-sensei and the Prime Minister. But this could mean Yuuhi was getting more comfortable with me.
"As Your Highness already knows, the A-01 Task Force is the main muscle for Alternative IV. Their high casualty rate stemming from high-risk missions doesn't place us in a good spot. As I'm not some sort of politician who sugar-coats her words all day, I'll be very blunt in my request. When the necessary time comes, can we depend on support from the Imperials?" So that must have been Yuuko-sensei's wish all this time. Receiving help from the country that we resided in certainly would be a tremendous boost to our efficiency.
"Of course, as the Shogun of Japan. I plan on fully supporting this project to its realization." Yuuhi unquestionably changed ever since the coup. She no longer withholds her own thoughts, instead opting to directly accepting or denying other's demand.
"How about you, Prime Minister Sakaki?"
"I have no objection as well."
Hallway
"Do you have a minute, 1st Lt. Shirogane?"
"Huh? Yes, sir." I was called by Class rep's old man after the meeting wrapped up. I was just on my way back to my room when he caught me in one of the corridors.
"It is to my knowledge that my daughter is part of your squad."
"Indeed she is, sir." Conversions between men should be as straight to the point as possible. Talking with a normal male other than Yoroi really reminded me of that trait.
"Here, give this to her." A small case was passed on to me. From its shape, no doubt it was for contentment of a pair of glasses.
"Glasses, sir? For Cadet Sakaki?" My covert involvement in inviting Prime Minister Sakaki mustn't be made public, hence the act of playing dumb.
"Yes, is she wearing a pair as of now?"
"Have you not met her yourself, sir?" Class rep's father looked off in the distance for some time.
"…No, I have not."
"That's… unfortunate. But to answer your question, sir. She is currently donning a different pair provided by the Professor. They're of higher quality than her old frame, or so I heard." Of course actual American made glasses was are better than two big circles.
"Is that so. Then do as you see fit with these. My schedule is tight so I will be taking my leave now."
"Goodbye, sir."
Koubuin Yuuhi
Yokohama Base, Medical bay
"Tsukuyomi, how are you faring?" Entering the medical bay alone, Yuuhi visited Tsukuyomi. Who was calmly resting on a white bed wearing a hospital gown and bandage on her head.
"—Your Highness! I—" Tsukuyomi move instantly to pay respect, only to have her movement limited by the pain of sudden motion.
"Do not worry yourself with manner, Tsukuyomi. Stay still and recover to the best of your ability, I cannot afford the risk of further wounding you." Putting her hands on the patient's shoulders, Yuuhi slowly relaxed her retainer.
"Ma'am. I am extremely sorry for my action. I must atone for my unforgivable crime of leaving Meiya-sama unattended." Lowering her head as much as possible, Tsukuyomi did everything she was capable of at the moment to show her repent.
"There is no need for such offset. You have performed your duty with uttermost excellence. What ought be prepared naturally should be your reward. However, I cannot grant your deserved honour until this distress is sorted." A slight, but warm smile from Yuuhi cleared Tsukuyomi of any guilt.
"Ma'am. But I am afraid such honour is wasted on me…"
"Nonsense. Taking yourself lightly is equal to taking the trust I have placed in you lightly as well."
"Your Highness, I… apologize for having such a thought." Finally coming to terms with herself, Tsukuyomi was able to truly accept her action as just.
"I may not be the best person to inform you of this. Nevertheless, your TSF is being transported to a factory that belongs to the Fugaku Heavy Industries for repair. In the meantime, another Takemikazuchi, a Fudai yellow Type-00F will be delivered here in a few days for your usage."
"Thank you very much, Your Highness."
"Your duty has not changed, 1st Lt. Tsukuyomi. Continue to protect my precious sister from any harm that might befall her. Your new TSF is a symbol of my conviction in you, do not disappoint me." Spoken like a true leader, Tsukuyomi was exposed to a side of Yuuhi she didn't think existed before.
"Thank you very much. My life is dedicated to your command, Your Highness."
"One more before my departure, keep your eyes out for that Shirogane."
"…Is there something dangerous about that man, Your Highness?" Seeing Tsukuyomi taking her words the wrong way caused Yuuhi a little panic.
"No, that is not the case. He is… a man of great interest, to me personally… please watch him as well."
"Your Highness… you don't mean…?" Afraid of Tsukuyomi guessing her true intent, Yuuhi averted her gaze by rotating her body in haste.
"…D-do not misunderstand! I-I am simply intrigued by his abilities, that is all."
"Huhu… of course, Your Highness." Hearing Tsukuyomi's quite giggle turned Yuuhi back around; but by that time, Tsukuyomi's entertained side was already long gone.
"Very well, I pray for your fast recovery to good health."
"Thank you very much, Your Highness."
Shirogane Takeru
Yokohama Base, Port
"At 10:56 hours, all insurgent forces had willingly surrendered. Also the same time, the Sendai Provisional Government declared the coup d'état over. A few moments ago, martial law in the capital was lifted. It is also worth noting that the Kantou area is undergoing recovery as we speak."
We were waiting for Yuuhi by the piers. The time was about one in the afternoon, we saved around five hours compared to my first loop. The crew lined up on the docks by the battleship which Yuuhi will soon embark to return to the capital.
"—Atten-tioooon!" The soldiers were doing their whole ceremonial bullet wasting thing so I kept my mouth shut. Yuuhi was slowly making progress to where my squad stood.
"—Training Squad 207! Attention! —salute the Japanese Imperial Grand Shogun, Her Highness Koubuin Yuuhi!" The squad jumped to a strict posture and elevated their right arm to their forehead.
"You may relax."
"—at ease, squad." I had done my share of shouting earlier this day.
"I, Yuuhi Koubuin, give you my greatest thanks for your efforts this day. This incident has carved deep sadness into the hearts of our country, and of the world. However, from this I learned a precious lesson. You who stand here today are the proof that my choice is not a mistake. Your squad, with all its connections to this tragedy, came together and performed with selfless courage to overcome this hardship. Such wills are to be revered."
We stood still while Yuuhi spoke to us as a group. It was unfortunate that I couldn't introduce the rest of my squad to Yuuhi specifically. But as long as we exist, there will be many other chances.
"I will remember this incident as when my eyes finally opened to this reality. This painful reality that I will change. The UN, the Empire and all individuals may value different things. But I believe their goals… their fundamental wishes are one and the same."
"So I will bring all their wishes together, to prevent any more misunderstandings and calamities from occurring. This is a promise that I give to all those brave soldiers who fought for their own beliefs in this battle. I may not be able to foresee the future when we defeat our enemy. So I trust you all… with humanity's future."
"Ma'am!" Then for the first time, in front of all. Yuuhi bowed her head down toward us ordinary cadets of the UN. The group panicked quickly, not knowing the proper procedure for when the Shogun takes a bow.
"Thank you, Shirogane Takeru. I believe that you are a man capable of shaping this world. For without you, I would still be lost within my own haven." Yuuhi took my hands and shook them firmly. Much to the awe of the rest of my team.
"Yuuhi-sama. We will be the ones to create our own future. A tomorrow where humanity can finally welcome peace. A tomorrow where nothing can stop our victory." She was standing before me, peering with a gentle resolution.
"That attribute of you must be what makes you so attractive as a leader. However, as the Shogun myself, I must show my own resolve with actions." Following those words, Yuuhi's two feet placed her right in front of Meiya, who was utterly unsure of the Shogun's intentions.
"Meiya, I have for the longest time, hoped to one day speak with you without formality of our roles. Please, give me this one chance… see me as who I am."
"Your… Your Highn— Your Hig— Aneue… but I—" Meiya was barely strong enough to hold back the river of tears that was on the verge of leaking from her eyes. Her hands were clenched tight by Yuuhi's own.
"Meiya… at last, I will not allow anything to come between us from here on out. I may be incompetent in being your sister, for I have forced this fate upon you… but No longer. Please remember, my love for you will never diminish." Yuuhi brought her arms around to held Meiya tightly in a firm, family embrace.
"…Aneue… Aneue!" Meiya's teardrops could no longer be clogged with her muscles alone.
"…Meiya, I wish for you to take this."
"Aneue… this is…" The same colourless doll was passed from Yuuhi to Meiya's hands.
"Even if I cannot be next to you. Don't forget your sister who always loves you deeply."
"Aneue… this doll… will accompany me throughout this life." Meiya gripped the doll firmly. Her first real gift from the one who should be with her since the beginning.
"Thank you, Meiya. With this, you shall live for yourself. My only younger sibling also has her own life, does she not? The dark night will forever match to the dawn. Each will protect the other, caring for their counterpart."
"Even if the chance of encounter is low. One cannot be without the other…" The symbolic speech probably suited them better than any farewell.
And with that, Yuuhi departed to pursue the duty that she alone can achieve. The ship might have sailed for now, but I never doubt for a second that the day of our reunion won't arrive.
—
"Mikoto, the 11th Army Military Police Corps has subpoenaed you." I called for Mikoto after a brief rundown with the cops.
"—Eh!?"
"It probably has something to do with your dad. Whatever happens, just remember that your father is doing everything he can for our country, ok?" I couldn't help Mikoto anymore than reassuring her of Yoroi's innocence.
—
"To all the people of my beloved Japan… I sincerely apologize for forcing such lengthy and demanding trials upon all of you. This incident, this rebellion, took place because young lives sought to correct the faults of the state, my own imperfections. While their deeds are surely not ones which may be forgiven. It is with their effort, and the sacrifice of Japan's people. That I have awakened to the situation which demanded my attention for such a long time."
"The price you all paid was high, it is a price that I should be paying for in your place. My own blindness has given birth to this disastrous misunderstanding which should have been prevented. I will not allow those lives that were lost to be wasted. The soldiers and the people of this country paved the road ahead, so that I can carry their dying wills to a better tomorrow. A future that is only possible because the people of Japan brought strength and pride back into our own hearts."
"The ending of this prolonged war remains out of reach, a fact that surely brings great anxiety to all of you. However, the seeds of hope have already been laid. The goal of a better tomorrow may not be so far. So I ask for you all, the people of Japan. To trust me, as your Shogun. I vow here that I will give my everything, for the future of our nation."
Author's note
And here ends the 12/5 incident arc, hopefully everyone enjoyed it somewhat. Not much else to say, really. Following this will be the next arc, (obviously) and following that will be the next, next arc.
Speaking of arcs, the Total Eclipse arc is definitely happening so, that's that. I would like to think of everyone as fans of the Muv-Luv series, and if you're a fan, you probably watched the TE anime at some point. (And you probably didn't like it too much.)
So to anyone that haven't seen the anime yet, I would tell you to go watch it since you won't understand my next arc if you don't watch it. I know it's not too good and all that, but try just turning off a bit of your brain and try to enjoy the CG TSF fights. (Which also could be better...) Anyway, go watch the anime if you have time or further reading of this story may lead to absolute confusion.
I won't explain the anime plot for TE but will touch base on what happens after that, so it should make sense as long as you understand the anime plot. And to the VN players, you just to deal with some change in details, sorry. Then again, with the Muv-Luv universe based on world branches and parallel worlds and stuff, I'll just say it's the world's fault for inaccuracies to VN.
One last thing, I have no confidence on the proper terms for the part when the direction of the HSST was told to Shirogane. So to military people out there, sorry and if you can tell me the proper method of saying the heading of an aircraft, I'll appreciate it.
BETA done by chad001, because chad1 to 99 are all taken.