Shirogane Takeru
December 09, 2001
Kouzuki Yuuko's office
"Emmuuum… Yuukooo… pleasssee… get off me." Like I said, couldn't move.
"Shirogneeee… you freaking savage…" A great way to start our morning.
"At least it was enjoyable, right?"
"…Yeah… I never thought someone could dominate me… by this much." What transpired that night was a one-sided massacre.
"Then would you please get up now, Yuuko-sensei?" Our current position did not represent our relationship status.
"Aahahh… What time is it?"
"Like… eight, or something? How long did we actually sleep for?" The alcohol-rich night wasn't the best time for resting.
"…It's… eight fourteen. Good guess." Yuuko-sensei somehow perceived the time while still laying above me.
"Then please get off, Yuuko-sensei! I'm already late for roll-call!" Sensei only made a few muffled noises.
"…Did you find Takeru-san in the PX?" A terribly unwelcoming voice reached my ears through the door.
"…No, this is the only place left. I can also feel them here." My attendants had finally isolated the last possible location.
"Sensei! Sensei! Please get up!" As Sumika knocked on the doors, Yuuko-sensei was deeper in her nap than earlier, somehow.
"Takeru-channn! Yuuko-senseiiii! Are you in there?" Sumika's relentless banging was not interested in ceasing anytime soon.
"What should we do, Sumika-san?"
"They're definitely in here, I trust my sense! It's a bit rude, but… I will have to unlock this door by force!" That woman had disregarded the meaning of a locked door her whole life, and she certainly wasn't going to change right there.
"Sensei! Come on, get up!"
"Muuun… don't worry, Shirogane… it's fine…" I was about to be so screwed, and not in the good way either.
"Alright! Let's go in and find Takeru— Huh? Meiya-san? Morning!"
"Good morning, Sumika. Good morning Kasumi." Meiya just saved my dumbass for the thousandth time.
"Good morning, Meiya-san."
"Why have you two gathered in front of the professor's office?"
"We're looking for Takeru-chan and this is the last place we haven't search yet!" If Meiya was a true friend, she would tell my escorts not to enter the office without permission.
"Sumika, Kasumi. You should not enter the Professor's office without her consent." Meiya was the best girl.
"However, it is suspicious that his presence cannot be perceived anywhere else…"
"I know, right? Takeru-chan is definitely in here!" Nevermind, Meiya was like the Benedict Arnold of my time. That merciless betrayal stabbed me right in the feels.
"Yuuko-sensei, don't blame me for this." I flipped sensei off the couch. She was surprisingly light in contrast to her body size, but I already knew that long time ago.
"Agrh! Shirogane! Why did you do that?"
"Look, Yuuko. There is a mob gathering outside and I prefer not to be the subject of their fury. So let's just put on our clothes and pretend we were doing professional shit, alright?" I donned my uniform without delay. Yuuko-sensei also began moving to collect her garments as well.
"Should we enter then, Sumika?"
"Takeru-chan! Are you here…?" Sumika's dumb face was frozen with an aspect of disbelief.
"Huh? Sumika, what is the matter? Is Takeru here or not…"
"Takeru-san… why?" I felt that my innocence could be faked if Yuuko-sensei dressed herself fully, instead of showing off her body in her underwear. She was looking for her own uniform while pacing around the room with minimal clothing.
"Look… we were… like… talking about science stuff… right…? And then, sensei was talking about how her… I don't know, I got nothing for this. Yuuko-sensei, you wanna try?" I passed the ball of excuse and blame to sensei, who finally found her attire.
"Huh…? Ah, we were just sharing a room for the night."
"Yuuko! Why you got to… fucking fuck me." I was forced to submit to my fate.
"Taaaaakeeeeruuu-channnnn…" Sumika's super-duper disappointed stare brought me no sense of shame.
"…What!?"
"Takeru-chan is such a man-slut. Unbelievable!" I was about to burst out laughing at her terrible use of words.
"It's not called that! I'm more of a playboy! And I don't want to hear this from you, Slutmika!" This is Command Center, shots fired. I repeat, shots have been fired.
"AAAhaa! THAT'S SOOOOO MEANNN!"
"Not if it's the truth! Here, see!?" I waved a fistful of Yen right in her face that I pulled from my 4th-dimensional pocket.
"You're holding NOTHING!"
"Ah, I forgot idiots can't see my cash."
"AHHHHA! Takeru-chan! I hate you!"
"Does it look like I care? Why don't you—"
"What… is happening now, Takeru?" It was at this moment that I realized what a huge fuckup this argument had been. Meiya crudely stumbled backwards until she stabilized herself on the wall, a totally shocked expression over her face.
"Emm… Meiya… listen—"
"Ah… I understand… please… excuse me."
"Meiya!" My shout was too late to reach the girl that wasn't informed about my personality when it came to females. Meiya turned and walked as fast as she could without breaking into a run.
"…Takeru-chan… it can't be that… you didn't tell her, did you?"
"Ahha… shit!" I was speechless at my own stupidity. Sumika's previous anger disappeared, leaving no trace behind of our quarrel.
"I'll go talk with her, Takeru-chan."
"Sumika… thank you, please go do that." Sumika led Kasumi by her hand and left me alone in Yuuko-sensei's office.
"Shirogane… sorry about that." Another rarity took place in the shape of Yuuko-sensei's apology.
"It's fine, sensei. I never deserved girls like them anyway. They might be better off without me holding them back."
"Ahhaa… you teenagers should have a lot of drama going on these days."
"Yuuko-sensei, no! You're still the one that started it! Don't go relaxing right afterwards!" Sensei also had no sense of guilt built in.
"Hehe, I did apologize, did I not? You just can't seem to handle this many girls surrounding you."
"That's nowhere near the truth, you should know that the most I did at once was seven, but now is not the time for a story. Today's December 9, right? Got the squad's promotion today." Normally, we all will get promoted to Second Lieutenant for our achievement during the coup. Maybe I'll get another rank up from this.
"True, you should head to the auditorium now. Have some faith in Kagami, she'll watch your back."
"I know, I know she will."
Kagami Sumika
Rooftop
"Meiya-san, this is normally Kei-san's territory, you know?" The girl that Sumika was speaking to turned around. Her face showed no emotion, but Sumika could see the leftover tear marks that represented her sadness.
"Is that so? I must apologize to Ayamine at a later date."
"That's silly, it's not like she owns the roof or anything."
"It is quite funny. Your speech does sound like Takeru's from time to time." Meiya concluded the small talk by bringing up the name of the one man that was the target for both girls' passion.
"Haha… We have been together for a long time, after all."
"…I realized, I must apologize for stepping in the way then." Sumika inadvertently harmed Meiya without grasping it herself.
"No, no! It's not like that. I know that Takeru-chan loves you just as much." Sumika recognized better than anyone what Takeru had went through, but she also understood that she only knew so little compared to himself.
"There is no reason to lie, Sumika. I… I just need some time… to overcome this." The tears had a habit of leaking out of Meiya's eyes without consent these days.
"It's not true. He said you're his partner, right? And I know that he meant every word of his confession."
"What… is that what he said?" Seeing Meiya play dumb was unsettling enough for Sumika to close the distance between herself and her old rival in love.
"You might not know this, but… this isn't Takeru-chan's first time meeting you, nor mine or Kasumi-chan's first. We have been here for a long time, it's not as long as Takeru-chan's first time. But we can understand his suffering to some degree."
"He also told me something similar. How much… has that man suffered before now?" Meiya recalled the first time Takeru's heart opened to her, and she gave him the courage to continue his journey.
"I don't know, I don't think we can truly understand him as long as he keeps on fighting. But that's okay, isn't it…? Now that I remembered, I never thanked you for helping Takeru-chan when he was wavering, during the second night." Sumika lightly bowed her head to Meiya.
"It… it was my duty to assist a squad mate in need…"
"But then he changed, didn't he? He became more than a member on your team. Meiya-san, I know that you love him as well. Just like how he loved you through all this time." Meiya couldn't deny it.
Ever since that night, she had strange dreams, or memories of another time and a different place, a different world. There were locations that she never seen before, many things that made no sense to her within the dreams. Nevertheless, those memories all had one resemblance; they all included Takeru, she was always with him. She was so happy, being by his side.
"I… I don't know… I cannot tell the reason for my own feelings. It felt as if it is my destiny to meet that man, to fall in love with him…"
"I think that Takeru-chan thinks the same thing. I'm sorry that I can't tell you everything because of what could happen. But even so, I'm sure that Takeru-chan loves you just as much as you do."
"But still… do you not hold the same affection for him as well? I cannot come between the two of you who have been together for much longer than me." The reason for Meiya's withdraw was a solid one.
"That is also not true. The first person he ever picked was you. I'm glad to be with him through his hardships. But Takeru-chan's feeling for you maybe even stronger than what he feels about me." Within her heart, Sumika was insecure about Takeru's favourite.
"This cannot be, Sumika! You are the one that accompanied him through all this time."
"Then we are even, right? We both love him and he loves us back equally."
"However… he must choose between the two of us."
"Is that what you want, Meiya-san? Because I'm fine with sharing him." Sumika announced her conclusion which shocked Meiya that she would be this generous.
"That is absurd! I-I…"
"Do you wish him for only yourself? Not like there is anything wrong with that. It is how things are supposed to be, normally." In a peaceful world where only ordinary events took place. The girls wouldn't receive their chance to have the same man.
"I… I cannot be selfish for such a reason. And I was asked to stop neglecting my own wellbeing…" Meiya came to her answer after some minutes of silence.
"Then you agree?"
"Sumika, are you sure it is okay for him to accept my feelings as well?"
"Of course! I'm sure that Takeru-chan would be much happier if his love can reach you!"
"I mean you, Sumika. Are you sure that you are fine with not having him to yourself?" The question caused Sumika some hesitation. But it was nothing that she hadn't solved before.
"I guess it would be the best for me if Takeru-chan would only look at me. But like you said, Meiya-san, we can't be selfish like this. If we can make him happier with the two of us, then there wouldn't be anything for us to regret about, right?" Sumika viewed Takeru's happiness as more important than her own, or perhaps his joy was her happiness as well.
"Sumika… I am sure that if it was not for this. We would have been great friends."
"That's not right. Aren't we already great friends?"
"…Yeah. Yeah, I suppose we are."
Shirogane Takeru
Yokohama Base, the Auditorium.
This place never changes. With the lines already drawn, why didn't they just add some hoops for basketball here? It would been a great opportunity— nevermind. The image of Sumika's wounded body resurfaced in my mind. Her arm, the arm that got bent at an impossible angle… and the blood… it was everywhere…it dyed her yellow ribbon and her attires with the bright red of her gore…
"Takeru-san…? Takeru-san!?"
"Huh…? Ah, Tama… thanks, saved me from some bad memories right there." I couldn't believe I was still having episodes about the death of my friends when I should have seen it many times with many different methods… like the time when Tama got chomped in half… or when she got eaten, over and over again…
"Hey, Takeru! Can you hear us?"
"Aaahh…! Holy crap, what're we talking about, Class rep?" I needed to stop being such a traumatized bitch and recalling old times.
"You are really… we're talking about why they summoned us here, First Lieutenant."
"Squad leader… incompetent." Ayamine was just showering me in praises.
"That's nice, Ayamine. Your squad leader may just feel the need to order ten klicks from you later."
"Takeru, best team leader ever." This girl could change her mood at the drop of a hat.
"Anyway, why have we been called here? Takeru, do you know?"
"Yeah, but this is a surprise so I'll not tell for now. Don't worry, it's nothing bad." The team will be overjoyed once they realize the promotion that will be taking place soon.
"Although, we're missing a lot of people, aren't we?" Tama noticed the four members of my squad that hadn't attended.
"I'm here!" Mikoto made an energetic entry.
"Yoroi-san!"
"…You came back."
"It's good to see you, Yoroi." We all gave her a warm welcome, having Mikoto amongst our ranks once more was surely worth celebration.
"Welcome back, Mikoto."
"Thanks everyone! It was uncomfortable in the cell they put me in, but nothing ended up happening so I got released." The MPs kept her even though Yoroi Sakon should have Yuuhi's backing. Guess that's just how things operate with those guys.
"Now we're only missing Meiya-san and Sumika-san!"
"Wait, Kasumi is here?"
"I'm right here, Takeru-san." I literally didn't notice the bunny girl hidden behind her taller teammates.
"Oh, hey Kasumi."
"Hello, Takeru-san."
"Takeru-chan! Apologize to Kasumi-chan now!" Sumika barged into the room and made a scene without delay.
"Shut up, woman. I'm not going to just because you told me to do it."
"Still, Takeru. That must be quite insulting to Kasumi. You failed to acknowledge her until after she called for your attention." Meiya was the last member of my team to gather.
"…Meiya… You okay now?"
"Of course… I can comprehend your justification. We shall discuss this another time, now is not a good occasion for our topic." I found Meiya's reasoning to be very acceptable. Our squad stood around and chitchatted until Marino-chan and the General made themselves seen.
"—Attention!"
"—Squad, form up!" The four actual cadets lined themselves in front of the stage. Marino-chan signalled for me and my escorts to approach her.
"Lieutenants. Please observe the squad's graduation." We couldn't graduate again for obvious reasons. The three of us lined up besides Marino-chan as the instructors of the 207th squad.
"Salute General Radhabinod!" They performed as ordered. Some were a bit unsettled while others were oblivious to the impending event.
"—at ease! I know this is rather sudden, but we will now carry out the graduation ceremony for the 207th Eishi Cadet Squadron of the UN 11th Pacific Army's Yokohama Base Eishi Training School. —the base CO will begin the ceremony!" Interestingly enough, they somehow dragged Capt. Isumi into all this. She was the one who announced the intention of the summoning.
"—Attention!" I called one last time before the General started his speech.
"At ease… it is worthy of celebration when cadets complete their training and earn the right to be commissioned. Normally, we would do just that for your graduation… but given recent events, we must allow the Japanese people time to mourn." The lecture by General Radhabinod was on the topics of strength, power and courage. To orate an idea to the next generation of Eishis sounded easy on paper, but the General was a man who practiced his preaching with all his might.
"Young cadets of Eishi Training Squadron 207. I am convinced that you all believe in the same things we do." Our objective never changed to this day, and it will never change as our ambitious journey for a tomorrow when this earth will once again greet peace continues.
"…Look at your hands. What will you grasp with those hands? What will you protect with those hands? Clench your fists. What will you destroy with those fists? What will you defeat with those fists?" Our answer may differ from one another, however our hearts will never sway. The solution could vary between person to person, but there will ever be only one end that we strive for.
"Finally… although it is very exceptional… We were sent a message in time with your commissioning. Take to heart this congratulatory letter from the Grand Shogun of the Japanese Empire, Her Highness Koubuin Yuuhi." My squad was taken aback that Yuuhi would address them personally with a letter.
"Your recent labours have been truly arduous. I was glad for the opportunity to know firsthand the strong wills of those young men and women who sought to correct my mistakes…" Yuuhi's message didn't fluctuate too much from what I remembered. She grieved for those that lost their lives protecting this land. It was just like how she was, her hope in us and our power didn't show signs of fading away.
"I earnestly wish that you all manage to walk down the right path. And my heart will forever be with you all."
The sermon on the stage was brought to an end with the General's final words about our contribution the saving Yuuhi was a major cause for the promotion.
"—Attention! Salute general Radhabinod!"
"I will now give you your Eishi insignia." Capt. Isumi followed the General and handed out the emblems of an Eishi for my team.
"Cadet Sakaki Chizuru!"
"Sir!" The General walked over to Class rep. Their eye communication was enough to deliver any message.
"As of now, you are a UN Army Eishi… Congratulations, Second Lieutenant.
"Thank you, sir." The Salute was delivered and the General progressed until the cadets were finally given the right to stand on the battlefield as true comrades in arms.
—
"—that concludes the graduation ceremony for the 207th Eishi Cadet Squadron of the UN 11th Pacific Army's Yokohama Base Eishi Training School." Capt. Isumi ended the formality for my squad.
"The next event is the promotion of the Special Task Force A-01 temporary squadron! —the base CO will begin the ceremony! —Attention!" Us time-travellers also got our share of glory. We formed a single file off to the side of the auditorium and saluted the General.
"At ease… I do not believe it is necessary for me to recap the duties that you all dedicated your life on. I can only show the gratitude as the commander of Yokohama Base and a member of the human race. The path ahead may be even more precipitous and strenuous than what you have left behind. But I trust that will not stop those who carries our hope for tomorrow upon their backs and those who endeavour to conquer such challenges."
"—Attention! Salute General Radhabinod!" A great burden had been place upon us once more. My failures before this time will only motivate me to push forward without leaving behind any regrets.
"First Lieutenant Shirogane Takeru!"
"Sir!"
"As of now, you are a Captain of the UN Army… congratulations."
"Thank you, sir." The title of a Captain was a stepping stone for me to construct the future of mankind. There was no reason to stop here, my path was a path that stretched to infinity, forever pursuing the road that will lead us to victory.
"Second Lieutenant Yashiro Kasumi!"
"Sir."
"As of now, you are a First Lieutenant of the UN Army… Congratulations."
"Thank you, sir." Even if Kasumi didn't show any emotions above her features, I still concluded that she was delighted to receive the power necessary to further protect my back.
"Second Lieutenant Kagami Sumika!"
"Sir!" The sentiment that engrossed Sumika was much easier to guess, her comical happy smile from ear to ear told her mood just fine.
"As of now, you are a First Lieutenant of the UN Army… Congratulations."
"Thank you, sir!" And they stared at each other for a hilarious few seconds.
"…I understand your joy, First Lieutenant. But you're supposed to salute now." In her blissful moment, Sumika forgot her manners as part of the army.
"A-aha… S-sir! Excuse me! Sir!" My best poker face almost cracked under Sumika's display of slow-wittedness.
"—Attention! Salute General Radhabinod!" Isumi was just there, doing her whole Captain thing.
"…Do your very best. The future of our world depends on you." We will change it, no matter what obstruction stands in our way.
"That concludes both ceremonies!"
"—Thank you very much!" My team showed their gratitude from the bottom of their hearts.
"Your afternoon schedule is as follows. Assemble in the No. 7 Briefing Room at 13:00 hours. Your new unit assignments, means of procuring new uniforms. And other logistical details will be provided there— that is all." Marimo-chan and the other officers left to leave the newly promoted members some time alone. I did the same with my escorts, but we only excused ourselves to the side of the gym.
The girls stood in a badly formed circle and showered in the glory of victory, it was a paramount moment for them all, finally achieving success after month of hardship.
—
"Takeru, Sumika, Kasumi… your guidance to our squadron has been a gift that I have no method of repaying you." Meiya took the first opportunity to express her gratitude.
"Takeru… thank you. Kasumi and Sumika as well. Your enlistment helped us reach where we're today." With a formal bow, Class rep showed her appreciation.
"Takeru-sannnn…! Kasumi-sannn…! And Sumika-sannn…! Miki… Miki is very thankful for all that you have done for us!" Tama cried tears of joy for our assistance.
"I can't believe how sudden this is… but Takeru, Sumika-san and Kasumi-san… Thanks for everything. I really mean it!" A Mikoto with tears hanging on her eyes reached out for my escorts' hands.
"…The truth is… I'm very grateful for what you all have done… you all taught me so much…" The few words spoken by Ayamine were enough for her feelings to reach me.
"Heh, I don't accept bribes, you know…?" I only joked to avoid the oversensitive mood, since I was not that skilled in dealing with these kinds of moments without losing my cool.
"Everyone did very good."
"I'm also very happy to have worked with all of you! Let's continue to be good friends and help each other!" They weren't the only ones to rejoice over our graduation and promotion. We fought so hard, after all. It was inevitable to feel such pride and indulgence over our success.
"Captain Takeru…! Thank you very much…!" The old cadets lined up one more time and saluted to me as one. Their shout of gratefulness stirred my long frozen sentiments.
"You… girls… your feelings are received in full… I will always… always be here with you all so… let's work even harder for the future!"
"Yes, sir! Captain Takeru!" I was truly happy that the only trail for me still had its moments of solace and merriment.
—
The one waiting for us outside was Marino-chan, the former instructor of my squad.
"Sgt. Jinguuji… You have done a great deal for all of us."
"Second Lieutenant, congratulations on your promotion! I pray that you may find fortune on the battlefield!"
—
Marimo-chan complimented everyone for their qualification of the rank Second Lieutenant. It was still somewhat uncomfortable for our Drill Sergeant to speak so formally now that the team outranked her in an instant. One by one, the members of the now retired training squad showed their indebtedness. Marimo-chan could only reply properly due to the rank gap that was present.
"Sgt. Jinguuji, I thank you for your guidance of the 207th squad. Without you, they might not have reach the achievement they gained today."
"Thank you, Sgt. Jinguuji."
"Jinguuji-sense— Sgt. Jinguuji! Thank you very much!" Until the very end, it was Marimo-chan that raised the crew to their current standard. We could only take so much credit for her work.
"I am honoured, sirs. However, it was your exceptional supervision that led the squad to where they are today. I have done little of importance."
"The Army's manners can be a real pain in the ass, huh? Marimo-chan, you were the mentor of this squad until the 12/5. You have no reason to push away your accomplishment. I know that the rules and regulations have to be followed. But the crew must also want to hear you true opinion." Marimo-chan considered my point carefully. Likewise, she must wished to speak with the team without the forced stiffness.
"Everyone! Sgt. Jinguuji would like a final word with you all!" I wasn't patient enough to wait this long for her decision.
"Eh…? Shirogane— Captain!"
"Come on now, they're making their way back here. You'll look quite foolish if you don't say something fast." The girls returned and waited for Marimo-chan is last address.
"…Second Lieutenants, it may be disrespectful for me to speak to you all like this, however… you have improved so much since when we first met. It was your dedication and willpower that led you all to your attainment as Second Lieutenants today. Like the General said, the battlefield is an unforgiving place. But… as your former instructor, I am very proud to know that this squad will never falter under the threat of the enemy… you all have gained the strength to defeat the enemy of mankind. And I know you will use it wisely to protect this planet."
"Sgt. Jinguuji… thank you very much for your instruction!" In accordance to one another. The team all yelled their absolute gratitude to their teacher throughout all this time.
Briefing Room
"And this is it. Your new Type-C uniforms are going to be late. But everything else is ready for you." I was getting my squad an overview for the next step in their career.
"So this'll finally be the last day of these cadet uniforms. We've even gotten our white Fortified Suits replaced already." Starting with Mikoto, they chatted about their excitement and nostalgia for both the old and the new.
"—and now we move onto your new assignments." I interrupted their discussion on the meaningless of gender roles in combat.
"Very unfortunately, all you girls are stuck with me here, your old squad leader. So go ahead and let out your irritation and bitterness. Because I won't take that crap once we are out there." They only giggled at my ill-tasted joke. Their untainted smiles assured me of my favour with these girls who mattered more than this world.
"We will be joining the Special Task Force Unit A-01, under the direct control of the Yokohama Base commanders. But mostly just the Vice-Commander, as she is the one that formed the Task Force to begin with. It used to be an entire wing, but then everybody died so we're down to a squad… RIP." It was a bit moody around the room. The girls knew without me saying that the survival rate for the Special Task Force was nothing to write home about.
"Anyway, the other active company, the 9th Squadron, also known as Isumi's Valkyries is currently away doing a mission. They call themselves the Valkyries because it's a chick party over there. No dudes allowed." Some snickers from below me travelled to my ears.
"But that's not all. We'll be forming our own squadron under my personal command. Since it pisses me off to take orders from others and I don't want to ruin the great Yuri atmospheres going on over there." I was shot some doubtful glares which were all properly reflected.
"Our own Squadron?! Isn't that like, really awesome and stuff!?" Mikoto nailed that point head-on.
"Absolutely, we're super cool and stuff. I had a long talk with the professor for this, she was going to just chuck us in with team Scissoring but I said no."
"Nice, I see what you did there." Ayamine almost jumped for joy, some other girls blushed bright red at my implication while the flats were clueless, all was normal with that sense.
"Takeru-chan is really just a kid… urrggg." I made another mental note to get Sumika in on some of that action later, who will be lucky enough to be her partner was still up for grabs.
"In any case, I will announce the founding of the 13th squadron of the Special Task Force, the eight of us will be known as the Archangel squadron!" The callsign was just a name I pulled out of a hat. At that time, I had no clue as to how people will see us from that point onwards.
"Ohhh, such a cool name!"
"It's like we're going to save everybody!" I was in no mood to discuss the origin of this somewhat childish name.
"The Captain will be me, second-in-command is Sumika or Kasumi, whoever is available at the time. After that, Class rep takes over command if we all happen to be unavailable. That's all, we clear?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Alright, alright. But now that the fun part is over, we do have to talk about actual military stuff. There'll be an evaluation exercise coming up soon. This was called by Professor Kouzuki but was postponed because the coup."
"The exercise is mainly for showing off the XM3, but we can also use this as a debut for us as Archangel Squad. All of your Shiranuis have already arrived but we shouldn't use them since they're too advanced for our opponents. Our options left are Gekishins and Fubukis, so the choice here is obvious…" The explanation ended once all important points were covered.
"And the final thing before we dismiss. Here, come and grab one each." I dropped some paper and envelopes on the first desk in front of me.
"What are these for, Takeru?"
"They're to write down what you wish for Christmas… that's not true. They're for writing your will." It suddenly got very difficult to break the ominous mood that befell the room.
"We'll be in constant combat from now on, won't we?"
"Sorry, Class rep. We didn't sign up to be community managers." It was a hard fact, but the most essential reality.
"It is our duty to prepare for the worst possibility. As soldiers, we must risk our lives to defend what matters to us the most. And death closely follows those whose obligation is to bring protection to the ones that cannot defend themselves. However, I have no plan of dying, as I also have the duty to continue living."
"Meiya…" She was still willing to live for me, even after what I hid from her.
"Meiya-san… that's right! We'll defend what is important to us and live!"
"Yeah! And we'll all make it until the end!"
"No one… can die until then." It was heart-warming to see the team filled with energy and hope.
"Heh… Alright! That's it for today! A-01 13th squad, Archangels, dismiss!"
"Yes, sir!"
Kouzuki Yuuko's office
"Hey, Captain. Liking your new rank?"
"Always good to level up, sensei. Thanks for the recommendation." Yuuko-sensei was the first one to advocate for me and my escorts' promotion. My own achievement during the coup also was a leading cause for my status.
"Huhu, then what do you want today?"
"It's about the XM3 trial you set up, what are you planning on doing for this? The BETA you got from Niigata… will be used here, right?" There was no need to beat around the bush.
"You should know, Shirogane."
"So it will still happen, huh…" Then I suppose the BETA we had locked up will see the sun after all.
"Hey, you went through a lot of time loops, right?"
"Yeah, you could say that."
"Is there a way… to do what I need here without using it?" Yuuko-sensei turned our conversation to a sorrowful one, the past that I couldn't change was another thorn in my side.
"…No, there're other measures. I tried, I tried every single one of them. In the end, letting the BETA out was too effective." Years I spent trying to work around the XM3 incident, nothing. My effort was rewarded with failure after failure.
"There're… probably ways around it. However, we came too far… to take this risk." Some plans were too slow, others weren't effective enough. People refused to take the XM3 seriously even after all this, the one lesson I learned here was that this world was truly a stubborn place.
"I see… hehe, than I really am a genius, my first solution does work, after all." With that said, sensei turned her chair away from my sight. The back of her seat buried her mood just enough for me.
"There are sacrifices, there always have to be."
"Truly a mature man, Shirogane…"
"This is all for humanity's future. No regrets, sensei." I could never save everyone. That was just an impossible dream of a child.
"Alright, that was enough depression for one day. At least there is some good news around. It's about your American TSF." Now that sounded exciting after a minute of downheartedness.
"Show me what you got." Yuuko-sensei comforted herself before her computer as she typed away on the keyboard.
"So after a bit of digging around, I discovered some news for you. First, your YF-23 Arondight or whatever is constructed by Boening, not Northrock or Doglam."
"What? That shouldn't be right, is my history wrong?" And I thought I was an A-student too.
"I won't blame you for this, you mentioned the guy last time, right? Northrock had a developer who transferred to Boening, and he was one of the head executives during the ATSF Program."
"So I was right! Then this guy must helped the CIA develop my unit."
"Not quite, here, take a look." The computer screen was rotated in my direction to reveal the face of a white haired man with round glasses just like Class rep.
"Oh, yeah. I know that guy, maybe?"
"Frank Heinemann, current Boening profit executive. He is part of the XFJ Program, you know about that?"
"Yep, yep. Yukon Base, I went there once, it was fun." Those were the good old days when I just travelled the world for my personal enjoyment.
"You went to Yukon? What happened with that? Were you part of their PROMINENCE Project then?" Three rapid-fired questions took me some time to process.
"Wow, wow. Slow down now, sensei. I did go to Yukon some time during my travel., I remember it was after the Yukon Base Incident, but I recall nothing else for now, my memory degeneration problem is quite a pain."
"I see, sorry to hear that." Sensei showed me some rare sympathy for once.
"Doesn't matter, continue."
"Alright, here is the interesting part, the XFJ-01 Shiranui Second is a product of the Project PROMINENCE and its namesake; the XFJ Program. On paper, XFJ's purpose is to further develop the Type-94 Shiranui for the IJA. The Program got indefinitely postponed until further evaluation thanks to a terrorist attack two months ago." Yaay, history.
"However, our little developer here decided to build a new upgraded vision of that frame called Shiranui Second Phase 3. So then everything went south when the CIA found out about this, especially since he used actual parts from the YF-23 itself." Yeah, I would be upset too if someone took apart the nation's property without asking.
"Now, listen carefully; there were two Phase 3s. XFJ-01a Shiranui Second Phase 3 and the XFJ-01b Phase 3, you got that? Only 01a had all that high-tech hacking, resupply and second-gen stealth BS, the 01b didn't have all that. Until the CIA demanded them to be built in, that is." Well, that was plain foolish.
"So that's what I took home? Are the CIA retarded or something? They sent out a test unit armed with all that tech to a foreign nation?" While insulting them, I quietly praised the CIA for letting their million dollar toy fall gracefully into my hands.
"Apparently so, they were pressed by Boening for it and had to use it in the coup as a field test. It wasn't meant to run into you, accidents happened, they improvised terribly and hey. Lucky catch, right?"
"Nice, lucky indeed. Still, why do they even have it built in the first place!? Didn't they get angry BECAUSE Boening made the first one?" I failed to understand their logic.
"Just, calm down and listen. It was for only one reason they modified that machine so heavily, so the newly constructed YF-23 can beat the XFJ-01a Phase 3."
"What…? Why? Aren't they on the same side?"
"You see, because the Phase 3 got stolen by its test pilot." Hearing that, I burst our full blast laughter at the CIA's display of stupidity.
"Stolen!? Hahaha, what is America doing these days? So where is it now?" Uncle Sam really should really hire someone better for their HR department.
"Well, the CIA wanted to know that too. Regrettably, they don't have any proof of its trace other than the parts that got ripped off from the YF-23."
"Hahaha, what a fuckup! So Boening build a super awesome TSF just for it to be stolen, then the CIA tried to chase it down with an equally awesome machine which I took." The degree of CIA's error could not be calculated on a scale.
"Unfortunately, this is where the good part ends. When I called Boening earlier today, they patched me through to the Defence Intelligence Agency who is currently trying to salvage this mess; since, you know, the CIA just got put down." After CIA was DIA, Americans certainly had no creativity.
"Due to the fact that we got the CIA's number one toy here, they tried to cut us a deal: They want the Alternative IV Task Force to capture or destroy the Phase 3 and apprehend its pilots. In exchange, Boening will supply us with any equipment and maintenance need for the Custom YF-23 while the DIA will open up export for its parts to Yokohama Base and grant us official permission to use that unit. To show their sign of goodwill, they agreed to send over some weapon and armour parts if we cooperate right now. "
"That… is a surprisingly good deal. Those Americans really want their stuff back or gone, huh?" As we all knew, America doesn't negotiate too well with others.
"So you'll accept the mission, then?"
"Give me some details first." Sensei nodded slightly and activated the monitor to the side of our room.
"First, do you know about the 331st Special Experimental Development Squadron? It's a Soviet unit."
"The fucking who?" With a tilt of my head, I lost sensei halfway through that tediously long name.
"It's okay if you don't. The important part is this here…" With a click of her mouse, sensei changed the showing slide to two profiles that looked oddly familiar.
"Wait… aren't these the…" I knew by the next second exactly who those two were; no, that wasn't right. I didn't know them, what I understood was their breed.
Two girls, one about nineteen and another about fifteen. Silver hair was the first eye-catching feature; the taller female had it down to her shoulders with a messy fringe up top while the shorter girl opted for a cleaner cut. Both had irises shining in a purple light as if it could stare down a person to their soul. Finally, it was the same; those strange headbands, or more fittingly I should call them headgear. They were the same, the three were the same species.
"These two are who we're after. Known as the Scarlet Twins of Russia, Barchenowa Cryska and Sestina Inia. Former Second Lieutenants of the Idar Flight." Oh, and also, nice ass and tits.
"Russian espers… are they the same as Kasumi?"
"Yeah, the intel suggests that Barchenowa is a generation before Sestina; who shares the same generation name as Kasumi before I changed it." So Kasumi's long-lost sister, Sumika will be quite disappointed by that; or happy, who knows?
"Welp, I certainly heard of the Scarlet Twins. They based in Yukon about a week before I arrived on the 22nd, never met them though."
"That doesn't matter, both the CIA and the Soviets have them listed as defectors to the United States. That's probably why the DIA wants these two so bad." On the other hand, that wasn't good news.
"So are we just gonna hand two espers to the Americans? Just like that?"
"Let me finish. The third target they wanted us to hunt is this man, the US Army's test pilot for the XFJ Program, Bridges Yuuya. Also the pilot who allegedly stole the Phase 3 before going AWOL." The screen flashed again, this time to array the image of a Japanese looking guy about my age.
I don't describe dudes.
"Bridges…? I know this guy from my Yukon loop... Argos Flight, yeah, that's right. Now I remember, Bridges was a good buddy of mine when I joined the America Army. Ah, shit. You're telling me—"
"Yup, your good friend is currently one of the most wanted deserters of the United States. After he ran off with the Scarlet Twins and the Phase 3, he now got marked out for being a terrorist remnant. So…" Quite an interesting update if I do say so myself.
"The fuck… urgga. What a dumbass! Whatever, so we just tag and bag them, right?"
"You're really out for blood these days. The DIA don't care about Bridges but they do want the twins unharmed." Shout out to America's fetish for Russian chicks.
"Alright, let me rephrase this mess. We go to wherever they're hiding, get rid of Bridges, get his TSF, grab the Russians and RTB. That about right?"
"Here, you want a sticker?" With a casual laugh, Yuuko-sensei threw me a paper ball.
"This's ridiculous, no way we can just say yes to this. We don't even know what they're planning to do to these poor, probably highly aggressive girls."
"My thoughts exactly, changing the letter from C to D doesn't make them any less shady. We should accept the terms for now, reach their location and evaluate the situation accordingly and make plans from there." What sensei suggested was much more of a correct method.
"Agreed, send me their files. I'll study this case. I'm not gonna to lie down and be America's janitors."
"That's good, then I'll let them know of our involvement."
"Alright, to the next topic we go." And moved on we did.
—
"Since we're on the topic of PROMINENCE. You know about the EML-99X, right? The Electromagnetic Induction Launcher that is helmed by the Weapons Technology Development Authority. Funny enough, also field tested by Bridges in Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Lucklessly, it got infinitely delayed too after the Yukon Base Incident." Sensei rolled out that tongue twister of a sentence with no slurring of any kind.
"Oh, yeah… we got eight of those on the XG-70d, well, supposed to during the first loop anyway. Then as usual, the BETA fucked us and I didn't see the aftermath of that thing. I probably saw it some other loop, but I can't remember that for now."
"Really, eight? So we did get that project revived. Whatever, that doesn't matter right now. We're planning on putting two of those on the XG-70b, but since we can't attach what we don't have. The Ministry of Defence just finished the construction of them and will be directing us two railguns in few days' time." Being the humanity's last hope came with its benefits.
"That's amazing, sensei! We're going to have two of those for the Susanoo II? That'll be really helpful, I'm sure."
"Your future looks pretty bright, Shirogane. All in all, one of the head officers of that project who just happened to be in Japan will be coming over to deliver the weaponry and also inspect the Alternative IV's progress. As the direct Task Force leaders, you and Captain Isumi will be greeting her as formality once she arrives." What a goddamn pain in the ass.
"Welp, guess respect is still required. That's fine. I'm used to waving off inspections."
"Actually, she also happened to be one of the head directors of the XFJ Program. We can definitely squeeze some intelligence out of her as well." Funny how we suddenly got a rush of things from Alaska just like that.
"Now I think about it, you were there, right? How is the Shiranui Second? Give me something here." What a weird question to ask.
"Emm, I remember it was powerful, much more so than the normal Type-94. It felt almost the same as the Type-00 in raw power output, good handling and manoeuvrability paired with faster reaction and uptime makes it a pretty good machine. I sat it's just a step below the regular top-three of TSFs." Those three being the Raptor, Takemikazuchi and the Su-47; like I said, regular listing, Arondight not included.
"Huh, a machine worthy of your praise is rare. I might reconsider some plans."
"What're you up to, sensei?" I felt a little uneasy knowing another secret plot.
"Don't worry, Shirogane. I'm just thinking about the value of PROMINENCE."
"Guess that's okay. I have another topic then." I had no desire to waste time any longer.
"You don't want to know the person?"
"I don't care at all." I had no specific interest in whoever wanted to come over and check to see if we're up to no good.
"Then I'll just tell you the day she comes over, what did you want to say?"
"To the final subject. I will be the one to take responsibility for this incident…" This was the true reason I visited sensei today. It was a hard issue to discuss, but a talk that must be had.
—
"Shirogane… the blood of your fellow men will stain your hands should you choose to bear this blame."
"Then let their blood tighten my grip on the triggers of my weapon."
"This is not your responsibility, let me do this."
"Yuuko-sensei, the child in me died long ago. All that is left here in its place is an empty shell without a heart. You are a scientist, and I am a soldier." The argument was never established ended without a conclusion.
December 10, 2001
Shirogane's room
Marimo-chan, you got to stop moving around like that. I can't replace your parts if your head keeps on swaying. Let me see here… this is…the left eye, right? That should go in this socket. The side of her skull is completely crushed, but I'll just fix that with some tape or something. Is this a piece of the brain? The left hemisphere is too chewed up for me to recognize. That's okay. I can probably mush it back together and just reattach it somehow. Now if I just stabilize her cranium from falling off. I can fix this in no time…
—
"…AAAAAAH!" A scream I didn't perceive echoed within my bedroom, it was my own cold sweat that drenched my shirt and the blanket.
"…What the fuck…? That was… arghhh…!" I sat up from my stiff bed and rubbed crudely above my eyes. A nightmare, something that I had the fortune of avoiding until now just took place in my sleep.
'…Marimo-chan… shit! It's only four in the fucking morning, I need a shower.' I quickly paced over to my bathroom. The cold running water helped me calm down and reassess my condition. It was too real to be called a mere dream, I could see the body in front of me, I could feel her warm blood and flesh that was freshly tore off from the rest of her body. And what did I try to do? I attempted to fix her up like a child placing back a piece of ripped paper.
'Why… is that happening now…? I never recalled anything this realistically before.' I was there, wherever Marimo-chan was brutally murdered. The memories of my first failure only resurfaced more vividly than ever. I didn't want to remember it. It was cruel, it was vicious and it was mostly my own fault that Marimo-chan was robbed of her young life in such a disgusting fashion.
—
"Takeru-san. Are you awake?"
"Kasumi… sorry for taking your job today." I climbed out of my bed and only sat on the chair beside me. I couldn't sleep after that surreal image was painted so brightly into my mind.
"What happened, Takeru-san? Your colour is very cold and disturbed right now." During my moment of vulnerability, Kasumi was unable to decrypt a vibrant picture from me.
"It was just the past, And I thought my PTSD was cured when I was unfazed by anymore trauma."
"Takeru-san. It's alright, you are safe with us. You'll protect everyone here, and we'll protect you back." Kasumi wrapped her tiny arms around my head and pulled me to her chest. An action that brought instant feeling of warmth and confidence to my distressed heart.
"Yeah, there's no question what I'll do. Don't worry, Kasumi. I'm fine now. It was only a long faded memory." I was taught to laugh about my past. Even if it pained me to my very bone. I'll laugh at it, and then change the future from its original outcome.
PX
I decided to erase my more than unpleasant thoughts by shoving some food down my throat. So it was ironic that Marimo-chan was enjoying her own breakfast when I approached the café.
"Marimo-chan, mind if I join you?"
"Shirogane —Captain, make yourself comfortable." I lowered my plate beside Marimo-chan's and took the seat with only inches between us. Marimo-chan was a little aware of that fact but could only dismiss it as her rank didn't allow rebuttal.
"So, what's going on then, Marimo-chan?"
"Captain, you are informed of today's XM3 exercise, right? I'll be preparing for that after my meal." We chitchatted about random topics as we ingest our food. The friendly atmosphere was greatly appreciated by myself. It wasn't awkward to hold a normal conversation with Marimo-chan now, unlike the many other times that I tried before.
"…I'm starting to feel sorry for that bread." After some time, Marimo-chan finished her main dish and was furiously biting a loaf of bread to pieces.
"Huh…? Ah… I didn't even notice." Her movements were very extreme for eating a wheat product. It was almost like she was driving her anger and madness into the very core of that bread.
"Marimo-chan… are you taking medical substances?"
"What… no! But this's quite strange. I'm feeling weird since this morning… it's just that… I'm somewhat uneasy about this whole thing." I literally couldn't think of a comeback for what she revealed.
"Why's that?" She shuffled in her seat, not sure how to best explain herself.
"I probably shouldn't bother you with this but… it feels as if… today is just a very… tasty day? Sorry Captain, I shouldn't trouble you with my own delusions." Now that was funny, not the good funny, but still funny.
"You feel that way? That's… indeed very strange." It shouldn't be happening. Marimo-chan may have died during my first loop. But most other times she was just fine and dandy after the incident. The episodes I had were also mostly from my very first loop, it seemed that memories from my later ones were harder to recall.
"I'm probably just tired these days. I haven't been reassigned after 207th— it's the A-01 13th now right?"
"Yep, the Archangel Squadron is what we're calling ourselves. Don't ask me how I came up with that name." Marimo-chan ultimately stopped torturing the loaf and gulped it all down.
"Anyway, now that the squad graduated. I don't know what I'll be ordered to do next. It's perhaps just the change in my schedule that's bringing this tension. Please pay no mind to what I said, Captain."
"Sure, just take good care of yourself then, Sergeant Jinguuji. You're a very important mentor to everyone in my squad. I'm most likely the one most indebted to you." Marimo-chan flustered a little before finding her composure.
"Your words honour me, Captain. But I'm afraid I did nothing to justify such respect."
"You don't know this, Marimo. But I could never repay you for what you had taught me. Even now, your lessons are craved deeply within my own heart." Marimo-chan was the best instructor I could ever hope for.
"Eh? What do you mean by that, Captain?! Have we met somewhere else…?" Her sentence drifted off by the end.
"Don't worry about my rambling. Come on then, We still have some work left in groundwork for the trials, right?"
"Ahh… of course, Captain." With that, we exited the PX and went to set up today's exercise.
Author's note
I continued reading the Alternative manga these days, the Chinese scan, that is. The English scan's latest is during the coup when they got airdropped on, after that, nothing. The Chinese one goes all the way to Isumi's Kamikaze which is just sooo much further. (Chinese world power) Now, I do understand Chinese, on an elementary level, so reading that thing is quite a pain, like seriously. It is very fruitful though, there are a lot of details that wasn't in the VN which was partly included in this fic, it also talked a bit about Sagiri's backstory and what exactly happened to Ayamine's father. (Might do an short arc on this later, fill some people in) Overall, the manga is quite great as a source for extra information, now if only it's fully translated.
Again, it hasn't happened yet but this story could get slowed down at any time without warning due to personal issues so do beware. I try to keep a constant update timetable but it's a bit hard with all my personal life. (which I don't even have, where's all my time at!?) I apologize in advance, although I feel like I said this sometime before.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Thank you for reading another chapter and don't forget to like and subscribe… that's not right. If you feel that this story deserves it, feel free to Favourite, follow and review. Although I know most of you just lurks all over the place. (Don't worry, I do that often as well. Just look at my fav and follow page.) But I digressed, you're free to do as you wish. Of course, I'll be happy when someone leaves me a little something by the end of reading.
BETA done by chad001, you see this? This is long enough, your weekly joke thread is cancelled, don't look here for anything else.
BETA edit: my BETA here is not too familiar with the great Fanfic link censorship in his review. The link starts with youtube dot com and you need to add and equal sign between the v and w. If you have no idea what I'm talking about… don't worry about it. Just PTSD stuff.