Shirogane Takeru
December 22, 2001
Briefing room
"First off, self-introductions for the Valkyries. My team haven't met all of your people yet, Isumi. Since they received their wounded back from the hospital, right now's a good time for everyone to know everyone." I waved at Isumi for her to go ahead.
"I'm Captain Isumi Michiru of A-01 9th Squadron Valkyries. I've seen all your handiwork during 12/5, the XM3 trial and Op Moon Smasher. Even though you all recently graduated from cadets, I can't say what you did was amateurish. So we'll treat you as proper members of A-01 from now on, no cutting slacks."
"Yes, ma'am." It was unpleasant to see Isumi get the salute normally reserved for me only, although she did do a good job helping us out until now.
"Let's start the introduction then. First in line is 1st Lt. Suzumiya Haruka, our CP officer. She'll also assist your team in organization since the Archangels don't have a Command Post."
That was the end of new information from my perspective. The gang talked a bit with each other and the Valks during their greetings, it was mostly things I already knew.
—
"Straight to the good stuff we go, today's training session will be our final anti-TSF mock battle for a while. Got a big op coming up and assets are being moved around. Because literally everyone on base is dying to know, we're figuring out which team is better once and for all." I passed the torch to Isumi after a quick giggle.
"If you haven't guessed by now, it's a simulated exercise between us the 9th Squadron and the 13th. We both have been busy cleaning up after Professor Kouzuki for a good while so this's an opportunity to finally settle our score, you excited, Hayase?"
"Hoorah, Captain! I can already taste their tears!" Hayase pumped her fists in a cheerful fashion.
"That's Marines, stupid. Don't go using other people's catchphrases." I already got a head-start on our insult game.
"I ain't taking shit from you, Shirogane! Just be ready to have an extra pair of diapers!"
"Oooohhh!" Everyone synced their encouraging yelps.
"I'm already prepared, put them on before we go in, Hayase. Try hard panties are so coming on."
"Jesus, enough! I swear to god you're all children. Being this excited is good, Hayase. Just don't completely ruin your chance at a first impression." Isumi cut our fire-splitting contest short.
"Get told, woman."
"Shut up, you!" Good times all around.
"For our mission, it'll be a game of head-hunter instead of regular TDM. Like chess, kill the other side's boss for victory; so that'll be either Isumi or me. Whichever team can bring down the other's king first wins. One life only, no respawns."
"Also, to balance out our teams. Archangel will use their set of specialized TSFs. To confirm again, Shirogane; that's your YF-23, Mitsurugi's Type-00 and Kagami's Su-47, right?" It was a smart move to inquiry us for intelligence even before the war begin, Isumi casually asked me to reaffirm the rules.
"Ah, those units will be present. And I won't use my wide-range hacking on the Arondight, proximity jamming only." It was important to make our battle as fair as possible.
"Good, our advantage is nine members and Suzumiya on CP. She can provide real-time updates and alter our formations. Anyone got a disagreement to make?" Isumi spoke to a crowd of silent soldiers.
"Okay then, what else do we have to go through?" I had a dribble of clue as to what we were doing, Yuuko-sensei told me very little before tossing my team in here.
"Time limit is one hundred twenty minutes on mission clock. In case of a draw, whichever team took the least damage wins. With JIVES, this'll be as close to real combat as we're gonna get." Isumi made a few more points for both teams to take in.
"Also, JIVES got a few more additional upgrades on top of the fancy configuration it always ran. It can now simulate armour damage down to .02 seconds of error on impact and detail to two millimetres." That was news I had no idea on.
"My team was the first to use this new model so that's another advantage for us. Overall though, the simulation is probably the realest thing next to actual combat. Paintball exercises are getting retired." Poor, poor paintballs shall never see the light of day ever again.
"What Block are we on now? Any OS update we should know?"
"Block 288 for XM3, rolled in three days ago, just before we left." Isumi answered again.
"We're on 288 already? My team's running with 269 for Yukon."
"I actually don't know how it's named, jumped straight from that to 288. Doesn't make sense." Some people really shouldn't name anything in their life.
"Alright, if that's it for explanation, we're good to go! The exercise will begin at 1:30 AM; all of Training Ground No.2 is set for us. Valkyries on me, move it fast, people!"
"Understood!" So merrily, the team of subtle lesbians (Minus Kashiwagi) left the briefing room fist.
"We're hopping out too then, Archangels. They can have the PX, gather by the hanger."
Suzumiya Haruka
PX
"What-cha looking for, Muuu~naaa~kaaa~taaa~?"
"Wha—! Ah! No-nothing at all!"
"Don't lie, don't lie! You were just looking for your boyfriend, weren't you!"
"N-NO! I know he's not around here!"
To Haruka, today must have been an unrevealed reversal day. Because never in the history of A-01 had Mitsuki ever went on the attack against Munakata, poor girl was flustered like never before and constantly avoiding eye-contact.
"Ara, ara~ Misae-san, when did you get somebody without telling me~? It's making me jealous, you see~" Relentlessly attacking wasn't reserved for Mitsuki alone, Kazama didn't let this chance slip.
"Emm…! Just what's happening…?" Many of the other Valkyries members were left in the dark much like Haruka.
"Listen people! Short version is Munakata has good reasons to believe her imaginary boyfriend is somewhere on this base, that's it. Stop snooping around and get thinking!" Capt. Isumi had a different idea for their activity during lunchtime.
The rest of the girls all eventually sat down and calmed down from their paparazzo mode. Once everyone gathered as a group on the table, Capt. Isumi did a quick headcount before turning on a PDA displaying a register of the 9th Squadron.
"First thing first, we'll make sure everyone knows what role they'll be playing. With nine members, it might be a bit difficult to balance out every role, so it's important to know your strength and weakness as to not cause trouble for the team. Hayase, what're you running with?"
"Classic Storm Vanguard, siiiir! That's why I'm Storm Vanguard 1!" Mitsuki said stirringly.
"Munakata, how about you?"
"Same as you, Capt. Isumi. Gun Interceptor." The team leader nodded, acknowledging her answer.
"C'mon everyone, report." She demanded for the rest to state as well.
"I'll go first, 2nd Lt. Kazama, role's Blast Guard."
"Kashiwagi here, I'm an Impact Guard, I snipe people."
"Er, 2nd Lt. Suzumiya, I'm on Gun Sweeper."
"2nd Lt. Ts-Tsukiji! I'm also Gun Sweeper!"
"Takahara, Strike Vanguard."
"Then I'm last, 2nd Lt. Asakura, Rush Guard."
Capt. Isumi smiled confidently, Haruka could see how she felt glad that all of her underlings were understanding of their duty. As for herself, it required no reminder for any of the Valkyries that she was their CP Operator.
"Good! That's the same role we'll be using this time. Now we can move on and consider the actual battle." The Captain then tapped around on her hand-held.
"First point to mention, this isn't like the last mock exercise we had. Last time it was a scenario where both teams played BETA and we trained like that, but… for this one, it's purely for the purpose of beating the other team." This was unlike the regular goal of A-01, Haruka realized how serious the Captain found this battle to be from her mood.
"No mercy! We're fighting for the win! It'll be shameful if us Valkyries lose to a Squad of less trained, newly graduated Eishis!" Mitsuki was still spreading around her condescending viewpoint.
"Anyway, with that said; we'll consider their formation based on the most strategic position possible, they'll do the same with us. Takahara, you haven't been around since Niigata, got an idea?" The Captain demanded one of their recently recovered members to brainstorm as she passed her tablet over.
"Errm… judging by their organization, the 13th Squadron have an equal number of close-range, crowd control, a bit heavy on middle to long range and only one artillery unit. So I believe their formation to be like this." The pony-tailed Second Lieutenant drew down what she supposed to be their most likely development.
"I see, I see. A well balanced strategy with Vanguards up front and recon behind back, that's a classic. Your thoughts, 1st Lt. Suzumiya?" Haruka was unexpectedly called to attention.
"…If they're any other team, this's probably the ideal formation to take." Speaking with confidence, Haruka knew things wouldn't be so easy.
"Eh? What do you mean, First Lieutenant?" Asakura, another Eishi freshly released from the hospital asked.
"Their team leader, that Shirogane is a nutjob."
"Seconded, asshole's totally insane. He absolutely won't do that." As per usual, Mitsuki and Munakata only agreed when the topic came to Shirogane.
"So, with that in mind; us not considering their formation at all is the best logical choice, because relying on a preconceived plan while fighting his team will bite us hard. We'll discuss their TSF instead." Capt. Isumi took back her device and clicked around some more.
"Look here, the modified American YF-23 Black Widow II, aka Arondight prototype. We went over its capabilities and how to best counter it last time. Make sure you remember to never let it out of your sight once spotted and never engage solo. He'll literally rip you apart."
Some of the new soldiers gulped fearfully at their Captain's warning as she swiped right to alter the slide for the showing of another TSF.
"Su-47 Berkut, Soviet origin. This unit is recovered by 1st Lt. Kagami from their Yukon Operation and is now her personal TSF. We don't have too much details on this machine since the mechanics haven't went through it yet, but remember it's melee centric and don't get in close." Another page flip displayed the 13th Squadron's last machine.
"Type-00R Takemikazuchi, belongs to 2nd Lt. Mitsurugi Meiya. Her background is still technically classified, although if you can't tell who she is there isn't much we can do. She is their third and probably last CQC fighter, not counting Shirogane."
"It was difficult to tell based on their unit organization but most of the Archangels are melee heavy fighters, aren't they?" Tsukiji popped up with a question.
"Looking at their TSF models would lead you to think that, wouldn't it? But now we should study their profiles. First up, 1st Lt. Yashiro Kasumi…"
For a very long time afterwards, they Valkyries were heavily engaged in debating and discussing the best potential tactic to use on the Archangels. Poor Haruka's meal was cold by the time they finished.
Shirogane Takeru
Hanger
"Tama… that's a giant box of giant senbei, like- that's fucking huuuuuge, girl." I couldn't hold one in one hand, they were the size of Frisbees, it was pure madness she clasped in her arms.
"This's a gift from papa! He sent it to me while we were away on the mission!"
"Huh, how nice. How much you got in there?"
"About sixteen pieces, and I still have five bags left!" That took care of my snacking problem for about half a year.
"You mind sharing some with everybody then?"
"Sure!"
—
"So-munom, a-nomonom wa-nomonom so-nomtthinnom?"
"wh-Munch, ar-munch? Muuunch, munnnnch."
"Nom, nom? Nom-nom-nom!"
"Crun, crun… crunch, crunch."
"Aha-Chomp-chomp-chomp— chaaamp!?"
"Moooo! Moooo!"
"Nuum~! Noooom~?"
This shit wasn't working. Also, was there a fucking cow? Because I swear I heard a cow.
—
"Okay, my parents may have had a point when they said to not talk and chew at the same time. Senbeis are great though, don't forget to thank Tama."
"—thaaank yooou, Taaamaaa!" Like kindergarteners, my girls all addressed our team cat-woman at once.
"Kasumi, time."
"T-minus three hours, thirty-five minutes and twenty-two seconds." That level of accuracy wasn't necessary, but appreciated nonetheless.
"Goddamn it, we gotta kill three and a half more. We already covered specs and weaponry, what else to talk about?"
"You sure we can use this, Takeru-san!? I-I mean- all this stuff is like really expensive gear, isn't?" Tama cutely asked for my permission again.
"Ayyyye! Y'all be using this from now on, get used to it."
"Awwwwseommme! I'm sooooo EXCITED!" As Mikoto should be.
"This is an anticipated fight, right?" Ayamine asked.
"Sure, we weren't around for most of it but many of the dudes on base are hyping it up like mad. Finally finding out which of the base's top-dogs are… topper… gets people thrilled."
"We should broadcast it."
"…We really should, that's genius." So I made preparations towards that.
—
"Yuuko-sensei, how's the vinyl on them? Give me a rating for those babies."
"Hummm… I say a 7/10, Americans make it better."
"I see, your fetish is none of my concern so I'll say no more. Although I really am shocked to see these ones here so early."
"That's a fact, ain't it? Yoroi did his magic on the Ministry of Technology for me and I got a good deal in with the US Defence, Soviets were also surprisingly fast on their delivery."
"All's right with the world then. Okaaaay! I'll file you the data after we take these beauties out for a test drive, you watching us or what?"
"Sure, I'll join Suzumiya in the mobile CP. See how things go."
Hayase Mitsuki
Training Ground No.2
"—Valkyries 2, where're you? We're behind schedule." Isumi issued a warning for the blue-haired girl.
"—just got done loading inventory, sorry for the delay." On her mark, Mitsuki's Shiranui touched down in her place. She was Storm Vanguard 1 of the Valkyries, the front most post had always belonged to her.
"—this's your Professor on neutral announcer duty here, all teams get in starting position. Combat simulation starting in fifty seconds, remember the rules of engagement. Other than that, go wild. I'm out." Vice-Commander Kouzuki dropped in to announce her message and left quickly after.
"—Valkyries Mum to all units; real-time data-link online, reaffirm your battle formation statistics. Updating unit status and marker."
"—Valkyries 1, copy. People, listen up! Formations will be just as we discussed earlier. A Platoon will be Akane, Tsukiji, Takahara led by Hayase. B Platoon will be Kazama, Kashiwagi and Asakura lead by Munakata. I'll patrol within our radar detection range."
"Their goal will obviously be to take me down, so either they'll engage our main unit to push through our defence or a flanker can come for me. If that happens, A Platoon can come to my aid and B Platoon can pick off their reinforcement."
"—playing soft defence isn't really that good of an idea, ahaa… I feel like they're already winning just because of that." Commented Munakata as she relocated herself to the front of her Flight. Mitsuki had the same feeling; Shirogane's team was too wild to be predicted.
"—that's the wrong way of thinking, Misae-san. If we let them beat us mentally, then there won't be any victory to speak of. Let's cheer up, everyone. Logistically, we're more likely to win." Sending in some needed boost to morale, Kazama praised up the team.
"Valkyries Mum to all units, combat simulation beginning in twenty seconds. I believe in you, everybody! Good luck!" Haruka was also there to provide spiritual support.
"Exactly, people! Don't forget the creed of the Valkyries! Recite our motto!"
"—achieve your mission with all your might! Despair not till your last breath! Make your death count!" In unison, every member of A-01 Valkyries shouted the lines that bound together their team.
"Simulation beginning in five… four… three… two… one! All units, weapons free, you have consent."
"Let's go kick some greenhorn asses! Valkyries, MOVE OUT!"
—
"—Valkyries 2, forward position secured. Reading nothing on sensor."
"—Valkyries Mum, copy. Updating map. Currently battlefield coverage is sixty-eight percent, still negative on hostile spotted." From her voice, even Haruka was getting a bit uneasy.
"—are they really playing hard defence? Like seriously, is nobody gonna leave their spawn?" Munakata protested about the lack of action she was getting.
This image of the Valkyries probing for targets was already very unnatural, especially since their opponent was the Archangels. Never in a million years would Mitsuki foresee her team gaining more than two-third map control and still not get a clue as to where the unfriendly TSFs were hiding.
"All units, keep your eyes peeled. It's impossible for them to run any further back, we should expect shots any second now, if they don't show up soon it'll be completely pointless to fall bac—"
"—sensors are picking something up! I'm reading tiny air waves! Somebody just fired by Sector J-12!" On cue, Mitsuki noticed a distortion in her mini-map. It was in the far-back of Archangel's starting location, proving how they never relocated too much.
"That's… ARTILLRY BARRAGE! Why isn't the AoE prediction coming through!?" Mitsuki's partner, Takahara shouted a warning.
And from the skies, it rained simulated death. Mortar missiles soared down, screaming furiously as they sliced open oxygen on their descend. There were many shells, too many to dodge.
And they multiplied; Mitsuki swore that's what she saw, every time the numbers doubled. Closer the bombs were, more bombs there were.
"What-the-fuck—! Get outta of the blast zone! MOVE IT!"
"No-not possible! They're just too much!"
"BRACE FOR IMPACT!"
The earth scorched, Mitsuki's view was burned to a crisp. Even if the fire was fake, she still felt like the skin of her body had melted away. Regardless, she pushed hard back on her sticks, ordering the Shiranui to charge ahead faster than the rest of the ordnance.
"Haa…! Haaa…! —Valkyries 1 to Valkyries Mum, give me a status report ASAP!" Haggardly came Isumi's voice, droplets of sweat were visible on her forehead.
"Valkyries Mum to all units, Valkyries 4 and 8 signals are lost, assumed K.I.A. Please check condition." Doing her absolute best to keep calm, Haruka spoke.
"This's Valkyries 3, can confirm. Fuck me, Kazama got toasted." Munakata didn't appear too happy to update her team.
"Same for Takahara, she's dead." Neither was Mitsuki when she announced what she saw to her right, a totally destroyed Type-94 laid in waste.
"All Platoons, spread out immediately. I'll stick with B team so get away from each other, we can't afford to get hit like that again, it was fortunate we only lost two."
"Hooooly shit, Captain. That wasn't a lucky shot, aright!? They clearly know where we are!" Storm Vanguard 1 found their situation to be unpleasant, not an exaggerated testimonial.
"Our HVT is within detection range, that's the only way for them to find us while we couldn't. Shirogane, bloody crazy bastard. Going solo like this, we'll make him pay." Isumi had a good understanding on how her team lost the first skirmish.
"What was that they shot!? It was like a hundred missiles!" Next in line for questioning was Akane.
"Not too sure. Looked like America's AIM-54 Phoenix, although there shouldn't be any units here capable of carrying that. Still, that was at least two-third a volley. Archangels only have one container, we shouldn't be hit like that again."
"Valkyries Mum to all units, friendly status confirmed; Valkyries 4 and 8 K.I.A. Hostile HVT is within two hundred metres radius, go for kill." And go for kill they did.
Shirogane Takeru
Mobile Command Post
"SURPRISE, MOTHERFUCKER! The great and mighty Shirogane-sama has arrived!"
"AHHHAAA! T-t-t-tthat! Ca-ca-c-CAPTAIN!?" Stunned out of her skin, Suzumiya smashed her jaw into the floor as she performed a backflip over her seat. Landing head first and creating a loud echo on impact. Russian judges were gonna have to give that one a 0/10.
"Heh, Shirogane. I almost thought you were joking." Yuuko-sensei, on the other hand was super nonchalant about my entrance, almost as if she prophesied my unbelievable action.
"You want publicity? I bring you publicity, let's get the stream started!"
"Right, did you setup the flat-screen in the PX beforehand?"
"Yeep, we're all ready to go!" I was personally a bit hyped to get some promotion for my team and myself.
"W-WAIT! P-p-please wait a minute, Capt. Shirogane! Er… Errrm…! Wha-w-what're you DOING HERE!?" Physically flustered Suzumiya was losing her shit, she stared at me with almost tear-filled eyes ready to cry. A finger was weakly pointed my way as the CP Operator fragilely stood back on her feet.
"I thought I'd drop by and see what's going on, spread some love your way."
"No— NO! That's not what I meant! You're the Archangel team's LEADEEEEER! You should be in your TSF instead of MESSING AROUND here!" Those were valid criticisms from Suzumiya.
"Naaah, my team's got this in the bag. They don't need me."
"Yes, THEY DO! Please go back to your machine! You're cheating the match by being here!" That was just a fat, flat lie.
"Not true, my machine is still in the combat area. I got out before the game started and have been around here ever since."
"Wha— w-w-what're you…! Why're you doing this!?"
"For the LOLs, that's good enough answer? Besides, my team is basically one man down like this, surely you wouldn't want me to join back into the fray, right? Seeing as… you know, we killed two of you already."
"B-b-but—" Being speechless was the proper action to take, and Suzumiya chose wisely.
"If I'm here, that means there's nobody controlling my 23, so it's pretty much a free kill for anyone who even sneezes on my machine. And I ain't even helping them here, that sounds like a good deal?"
"Errr… errr! V-Vice-Commander! Is this allowed!?"
"Sure, I don't see why not. Shirogane's handicapping his own people so it's not like you got anything to lose, maybe a bit of mental pressure, but that's it." Yuuko-sensei foresaw the potential of amusement from my action.
"Ehhhh!? Bu-b-but—"
"C'mon, Suzumiya! Update your team! Tell them I'm not even there! Let's GO! NOW!" My booming voice was enough to scare Suzumiya back to her job.
"—t-this is Valkyries Mum to all units! The HVT is not within your detection range! Repeat, the HVT has not moved since beginning of the match!"
"That was a short side-track, let's get this show going." Sensei had finished all preparations including her makeup for our face-cams. The time to represent was now.
"Three… two… one… we're live."
"—every bored asshole sitting in the PX! Welcome to the first ever live JIVES combat broadcast! I am Captain Shirogane Takeru of STF A-01 13th Squadron! Here with the approval and involvement of the one-and-only, Professor Kouzuki!"
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
"—thank you very much, everybody. Yokohama's Vice-Commander, Kouzuki Yuuko here. This mock battle commentary brought up you by Alternative IV, who pays for your everyday expenses. Now let's move on; what exactly are we showing the people, Captain?"
Smiling naturally, relaxingly and most of all, assuredly into the camera, sensei had a natural talent for public speaking. Although this shouldn't be remarkably at all, I still found it enjoyable how easily she fit in with my flow. Almost like we had done this routine many times in the past.
"Yes, yes! This's a simple game of head-hunter between the A-01 9th Squadron, commonly known as the Valkyries, against my own 13th. On that note, there's no need to worry about my absence, the game shall progress as is! Of which we're already late on!"
"Indeed, please give our audiences a quick rundown of the pervious engagement, Captain."
"Well, from fifteen minutes ago when this fight started, Valkyries had lost two units to long-range barrage. It was a dead accurate strike, delivered with perfection if I do say so myself." Brag rights were mine.
"But it should be wise to note that when the artillery strike hit, the area of coverage from that bombardment was much larger than standard Type-92 missiles. What was that about?"
"Good question, professor. While I'm sure you know, I'll say this again for our watchers. It's interesting that we employed a new, in development missile system imported from the US Army. And its effectiveness is—"
"EHHH?! CAPTAIN! You guys were using WHAT?!" Suzumiya felt like cutting me off as she pleased, jumping into the camera view and not properly doing her job.
"Everyone, this's Valkyries' CP Operator, 1st Lt. Suzumiya Haruka. Anyway, to answer your question, we were recently supplied with a new type of multipurpose cluster-munition warhead. They're meant to be the spiritual successor of the AIM-54 Phoenix, the AIM-144 Jericho." Yuuko-sensei explained.
I had to credit sensei solely for this one; I had no idea how she got the Americans to cough up their new prototype toy with one trip to Yukon, but she somehow brought us these new amazing looking weapons for testing. Seeing its effect from JIVES simulation was already making me satisfied, couldn't wait for actual usage.
"Although there's a small problem with these new warheads, they're meant to only be equipped by the US F-22A Raptors or F-35 Lighting II. Also the production cost is like suuuuper crazy high, making it only affordable to very limited factions." Sounded like something affordable for us.
"Wait… wait, Vice-Commander Kouzuki… did you just say… don't tell me—!" I was glad for Suzumiya when she picked up on that little detail of ours.
"You heard what I said, there was no mistake." In a spilt second, Suzumiya's face was shadowed by a sheet of perplexity and anxiety. And just in time, her earpiece buzzed with a message from her teammates.
"—to Valkyries 1! Did not copy, resay your last! They have WHAT on the field!?"
Isumi Michiru
Training Ground No.2
"—what the hell! That's a goddamn F-22 Raptor!"
"—this shit ain't fucking faiiiiir! This wasn't what they're supposed to have!"
"—Valkyries Mum, we're under sniper fire from a hostile F-22 Raptor. That's the scout unit." Constant sniper shots flying by Michiru's head were getting on her nerves; this definitely wasn't planned for ahead of time.
After losing Kazama and Takahara, the 9th went searching for what they thought was Shirogane's YF-23 hiding inside their radar range. What they found simply wasn't him, instead an US stealth fighter was retreating while trying to pick them off.
"—that guy's so accurate! Can you hit it, Haruko?" Suzumiya junior yelled at her friend to return fire.
"—it's moving too fast, and also running away as well. On my mark, suppressive fire at my designation, let me see if I can tag it with a tracer."
"Is that okay, Captain!?" Akane sought Michiru's approval.
"Good idea, Kashiwagi. Hit it fast."
"Akane, on me."
"Roger!" And the blue-haired sharpshooter fired.
"Dart out… yes! I got it." A good testament to her skills was put on perfect display as the team's Impact Guard only shot one round, which stuck itself to that Raptor's leg armour.
"Good mark! All units, here's what we're gonna do. We'll push up and hit it from three sides; A Platoon can spilt to two Elements and flank, my team will go up main street on Grid F-2 and suppress that shooter. Watch out for ambushes, move it!" Michiru sincerely hoped for her plan to work.
Shirogane Takeru
Mobile Command Post
"This's clearly cheating, Capt. Shirogane! You said there're only three specialized TSF!"
"No, no. That's what Isumi said, all I said was those three TSFs will be participating. I didn't promise rest of our unit will be 94s, you people assumed that." This was me being an absolute bitch as taught by Yuuko-sensei.
"Professor! This isn't fair at all!"
"Awww, are you a little upset, 1st Lt. Suzumiya? I'll say Shirogane's tactic is very underhanded, but it's also your team's fault for not asking thoroughly." And of course, sensei wouldn't go against her own logic.
"Then what else are you not telling us, Captain!?"
"Guess I can introduce you the pilot, that's 2nd Lt. Tamase Miki in the Raptor right there. You should really tell your teammates before another one may or may not show up."
"UUU…! You BULLY! —Valkyries Mum to all units! Hostile Raptor is confirmed to be Archangel 8! Additional stealth fighters are almost certainly present!" Defeated by me verbally, Suzumiya had no choice but to return to her duty.
"Well, that was a fun distraction, won't you agree, Professor Kouzuki?"
"Absolutely, Capt. Shirogane. And to all our viewers out there; yes, STF A-01 does own at least one F-22 unit. I'm not able to give out anymore details regarding the Raptor, but it belongs to the UN, don't worry about anything else." Sensei reassured our audience while also giving them a warning.
"And for its Eishi, 2nd Lt. Tamase Miki. Callsign Archangel 8 on my team, she plays the role of Rush Guard, this gives her two standard AMWS-21and one single-fire AMWS with extended barrel and stock. Her sniper rounds also come with gird-fin for increased stability and range." I was quick to fill everyone in.
"2nd Lt. Tamase is no doubt the designated marksman for your team, Captain. It's probably safe to say she's one of the top ten snipers in Japan. With the setting out of our way, let's get back to this fight." Sensei drove the focus back.
"Let us. It looks like the Valks are working up, they got three groups all moving in on Tamase. This's a valid tactic as long as they watch their backs carefully, a counter flank could ruin them instantly."
"Exactly, although tagging the lone Second lieutenant was a fantastic idea, the sticky beacon won't last forever. If team Valkyries don't kill her right away, their effort in rushing is gonna be pointless." Another good note by Yuuko-sensei.
"The overhead map shows us Hayase is very close to the sniper's position, she's also flying solo here since her Element partner, Takahara was killed during the artillery strike earlier."
"1st Lt. Hayase is a very talented individual, as I'm sure everyone on base knows about her, the infamous Storm Vanguard 1 of the Valkyries. So having a lone-wolf job shouldn't be that much of a bother for her. On the other hand, 2nd Lt. Tamase rarely fly solo, or ever. This'll be an interesting showdown."
"I do wonder how she'll do against the Raptor. They're about to make contact any seconds now…" Up here in the Command Centre, sensei and I were awaiting a good fight.
"C'mon… Hayase, round that cornnner… and Boom! Coming outta cover and greeted immediately by a 120 which she blocked with her reactive shield! That reaction! That speed! And now they both kicked into high gear and are dogfighting through the town!" I had to take a breather.
"The First Lieutenant is already chasing! She's got 2nd Lt. Tamase on defence, huh? That's quite a feat, but seeing how they're fighting it out, I can't say Valkyries 2 got the advantage here. In urban combat, Raptors still reign supreme with their advanced movement and mobility. She's got to really work for that kill if she wants to get back before hostile reinforcement pushes in."
"Indeed, indeed! Now both TSFs are lowering to the ground! Tama is laying down that coverage fire but Hayase just does not care! She's totally gunning for her! The Reactive Armour is soaking up the damage for her Shiranui!"
"Trying to use her environment as cover, it seems 2nd Lt. Tamase isn't simply running away. She is in fact getting farther and farther away from 1st Lt. Hayase's backup, at this rate she'll bait 1st Lt. Hayase right back to the Archangel controlled area." Sensei was pretty calm, as opposite to my ecstatic self.
"And she caught up! Hayase ditched her gun and drew her sword in an instant! Going for a stab on Tamase's machine! This isn't looking good for the Raptor, is it!? Tama's trying to get that distance but Hayase clearly knows how to put the pressu— WAIT! Wha—! Someone else fired!"
"Oh, wow! That was amazing! Just before her sword made contact, somebody shot a 120mm at the First Lieutenant. And she deflected it perfectly with her shield! Not just block; because that'll still kill her, she aimed the explosion away from herself using the shield's surface while also turning parallel to the shot's trajectory!"
"And she's not done yet! Straightaway after deflecting, Hayase threw her shield at the just-landed Tamase doing major frontal amour damage! If that shield was real, she just cost us half a Raptor! And would be charged with multiple count of property destruction! But since it isn't, that was fucking awesome!"
Neither Yuuko-sensei nor I was faking our enthusiasm, this was just like watching major league sports back in my old world, expect way more exciting and eye-popping. Also, Hayase was super good at what she does.
"You're right, Capt. Shirogane, this is fun."
"I know! It's great! Anyway, for some reason Hayase decides to not take cover and just keep going for Tama. How is she not worried about the shooter right now!? We need to switch to overhead view for a bette—"
"—MIIIITSSSURRRGIIII! You think I don't see your marker on my mini-map!? GET OVER HERE!" That wasn't one of us who just screamed at the top of her lung, no, absolutely not us.
"—1st Lt. Hayase, it is my honour to finally challenge you." And her opponent responded in the same manner.
"No…! WAY! Everybody in the PX! You heard that, all right!? That was spoken over the public channel! Hayase and Meiya have agreed to a duel! Ahhhha! I can't believe what I'm seeing!"
"Isn't this an interesting development!?"
"Hold on, hold on! I'm hearing someone in my earpiece! Ah! Mitsurugi just told Tamase to retire back to my TSF… and she agreed! This's a one-on-one in the truest sense! Mano-a-mano between two girls! What a good time to be alive!"
"Absolutely incredible, will our two fighters morally carry out their oaths or will they secretly call for help from their friends? No matter what outcome it could be, this's the beginning of a great swordfight no doubt!"
—
"—C'MON AND DIE! MITSURUGI!"
"—after you, 1st Lt. HAYASE!"
"Another heavy jab by Meiya! Bringing Hayase's effectiveness down to thirty-nine percent! Both fighters have sustained heavy damage to majority of their body parts! A few more solid hits are sure to bring down one of these TSF! The fight's so close to ending yet we still don't know who'll win!"
"She's charging in, 1st Lt. Hayase made the first move! And ready to answer that attack is of course 2nd Lt. Mitsurugi! They're going full speed at each other with no plans for intermission! This truly is their finale! Both sides are exhausted of options and armoury, a final showdown!"
"So close, SO CLOSE! They're about to cross each other! Any second– any second! NOW! —AND THEY'VE CUT! Both machines are unmoving and facing away just as you would expect from the end of any climax duel! And we wait… and wait… for JIVES to stop FUCKING LAGGING! AUUUGRRA!" Internet connection.
"Wa-w-wait! We can't say clearly from this angle! Rotate it! Get an adjacent of the Type-00!" Following sensei's advice, I turned out in-game camera to get a better view.
"Is that…?! Am I seeing this right!? Meiya's right arm is freaking gone! OUCH! And it's over there! Right by Hayase's feet! She's DONE IT! With only an empty rifle and her left retractable blade left, what else can Meiya do!?"
"—you're a good fighter, Mitsurugi! I'll acknowledge you! To beat me up this badly on your own is definitely an achievement in itself! Now don't move… so I can finish you off—"
"—it is my win." So fast, so swiftly, Meiya aimed.
"—ARRGGA! Did you jus—! FUCK! MITSURUGI—!"
"—I am honoured to have fought you." While I wasn't there to personally witness it, the PX probably erupted in screams of disbelief and astonishment. So did our Command Centre.
"Jesus. H. CHIRST! Get TURNED ON! Meiya's the fucking CHAMPION! Is this 911?! Because I would like to report a FUCKING MURDER!" I too, was completely in awe.
"Ahahahahahhahah! I didn't expect that! Hooo! What a reversal! Simply magnificent! Let's see that in slow-motion replay! Shall we?" Of course we were going to watch that again, I caught my breath as the buttons needed to rewind the recording was tapped.
"Oh… woooow! What do you even call this?! Brutal! Savage! Rekted! Professor Kouzuki. So what exactly transpired in those fractions of a second?"
"First, they're standing facing away from each other when 1st Lt. Hayase declared her win, because she saw the Takemikazuchi's arm on the ground. Now here, right here is when things changed. See that rifle on 2nd Lt. Mitsurugi's mount? It rose up and fired."
"How does that cause explosion which disorientated Hayase though? A single 120mm isn't that strong." By now, I did see what trick Meiya employed to pull off her win, but this explanation was for our listeners who couldn't see it live.
"One shell may not be enough, but a dozen 120s are good. See that? Concealed between her right arm and the retractable blade were a couple of 120mm mags, that's what she shot. She predicted 1st Lt. Hayase's strike to be targeted at her sword-holding hand and countered properly."
"Ahhhhhhh! So now it all makes sense. When her arm exploded and engulfed Hayase in fire, Mitsurugi rushed in and killed her with the hidden blade on her left hand, effectively ending the match."
"Precisely, all throughout their scuffle 1st Lt. Hayase was very determined to dismember 2nd Lt. Mitsurugi. Her plan could very well be deliberate ever since that moment."
"I see, I see! What a breathtaking game! And it's not over yet! Let's take a look at the rest of team Valkyries for more! What's going on here with Valkyries' rear unit and Archangel's Gun Interceptor Element!?"
Ayamine Kei
Training Ground No.2
"—breath in, breath out… breath in, breath out…"
"—haaaa… haaaa…" Kei saw Sakaki's serious face through her newly activated frame's monitor. For some reason, the glasses girl was wiping clean another pair of glasses.
"Isn't that your old pair? What… you are quadruple-eyes now?"
"Are you autistic? Quadruple is four elements."
"Then what's three elements?"
"…Triodruple…?" Apparently, Sakaki didn't know as well.
"Shut the fuck up, we're both stupid."
"You really are taking after Takeru these days, swearing that much isn't good!"
"…Up your tight ass."
"And sexual harassment isn't polite either!"
"…Dicks, balls… penis and vagina."
"Yoooooouuuuu…!"
"—Element C, sensors are captured inbound hostile targets. Permission is granted for K.I.A, action allowed."
"—Arc 4, roger. Moving to engage." Sakaki took a quick call with Kasumi about some incoming baddies.
"…'Permission granted for K.I.A'? Is she telling us to die?" Kei asked mockingly. Normally, an attack order wouldn't be worded like that.
"Ahh… Kasumi… isn't the greatest at using military words. Anyway, it's go time, Ayamine."
"Breath in, breath out… breath in, breath out…"
"I knoooow! We're in sync, I can feel it."
"It's weird… I thought… I hated working with you." It was supposed to be a casual remark Kei threw out, but it didn't feel anything but genuine.
"I know… when did we start… breathing as one?"
Shirogane Takeru
Mobile Command Post
"And another good juke by Sakaki! She's got Kashiwagi completely on the run from here! Cutting down centre E-2 with no care in the world, can Munakata mount a rescue fast enough from their three O'clock!?"
"I'm feeling it! The checkmate is so, so close! Team Valkyries still has a chance if they can take down 2nd Lt. Sakaki and Ayamine or else this game is as good as over!" Sensei and I were reacting over live footage of another exciting fight.
"Losing their Gun Sweeper element plus Rush Guard right off the bat was bad, but they brought enough time for Isumi to make a getaway! And during a crisis such as this one, where could Ayamine possibly be at!? Unless that Shiranui coming in from behind the Valkyries is her!"
"It is! It actually is the Second Lieutenant! Do they- do the Valkyries not see her!? And she's in the action! Oh that uppercut! Quick on the feet, yes! Very swift movements!"
"Oh, oh! Is this-?! Oh! Oh-oh, OHOHOH—! Wombo combo! WOMBO COMBOOOOO! OOH! Not good enough! Munakata's NOT GOOD ENOUGH!"
"Hoooooly…! 1st Lt. Munakata gets A for effort and a golden star but she DID NOT SURVIVE that double team! Is that move even legal!? A twin chain attack from both sides! She had no chance in hell!"
"So to bring us up-to-date on the broadcast! Team A-01 9th is down to their last and only combatant! Can Isumi pull a miracle out of her ass!? Just where is she now anyway!?"
"Right there in Sector Grid F-14, Capt. Isumi seemed to be going for a long route around the left side! And she could very well make this flank thanks to all her teammates buying her time! 2nd Lt. Ayamine and Sakaki won't make it back in time, nor will 2nd Lt. Yoroi or Mitsurugi!"
"However, Archangel team's second trump card is still in her way! What kind of defence will Kagami and Yashiro put up!?"
Sakaki Chizuru
Training Ground No.2
"—have we got that flow… or what?"
"—yeah, yeah we did have the flow this time. We did good, Ayamine."
"Teamwork… makes the dream work."
"Uggggh, shut the fuck up."
Kagami Sumika
"—Meiya-san, what's it called when you samurai people throw your sword like a boomerang?"
"—I am saddened to inform you, Sumika; but no self-respecting samurai would discard their steel for such a cheap strike."
"Ah, well, that's too bad." Sumika couldn't help but let out a sigh of disappointment.
"—actually… it's called Space Tornado Ayami—"
"Kei-san, please shut up."
"Now is not a good time for jokes, Ayamine." Poor Kei was shut down by two people at the same time.
"Thanks, assholes." And the stoic girl spoke no more.
"So, Meiya-san. If this move doesn't have a name, can I name it?"
"Huum… while I do not see a reason to refuse you, must you throw your sword no matter what, Sumika?"
"Ahehehe! It makes things easier, and flasher!" Meiya wordlessly shook her head.
"Well then, you are free to do as you see fit, Sumika."
"—Arc 3 reporting, we have target lock. Highest hit possibility calculation complete. Calculated statistics incoming, prepare to receive." By Kasumi's words, Sumika knew it was time to get to work.
"—Arc 2, ready." She responded seriously to her partner's information.
"Location; Sector Grid F-9, 23.558 to 45.884. Wind speed, 0.21 kilometres due east. Distance on impact, 734.21 metres. Optimal flight speed, 4.62 metres per second. Optimal flight duration, 159.61 seconds. Vector quantity statistics incoming, prepare to receive."
"Arc 2, ready."
"Direction, forty-eight degrees north of west; angle, forty-one degrees vertical; magnitude, eighty-one kilonewtons. Calculated statistics finalized, standby for launch."
"Arc 2, taking armoury."
"One shot, Sumika, do not miss your aim." In a cautioning voice, Meiya reminded the 00 unit as she picked up Meiya's leftover Type-74 CIWS in the Berkut's hand.
"Don't worry, I believe in math… and myself! —Arc 2, armoury loaded."
"Projectile launch in five… four… three…" Kasumi began the countdown which will conclude their game of war.
"Drill… Milky… shooooooot… Verrrrsion… two point zero…!"
"…Two… one. Fire on target."
"Suuupeer aweeesooome DELUXE PLUS ULTRA SMASHHHHHHH!"
Shirogane Takeru
"Professor, professor, what do you call a nervous javelin thrower?"
"What do you call it, Capt. Shirogane?"
"Shakespeare!"
"Ahahahahahaha!" We both laughed.
"Back on track though; MOTHER OF GOD! SHE FUCKING NAILED ISUMI! Like BAAAM! Right in the kisser! I mean— Isumi was just minding her own business, thinking about how to mount a comeback on the Archangels when suddenly; outta nowhere a melee halberd took off her FUCKING HEAD!"
"From downtown! That throw had a hang-time of two minutes and thirty seconds! Covering a distance of over seven hundred metres! I don't even know how that's possible!"
"Auuugga! I'm like… so hard right now from watching that! SEVEN HUNDRED METRES BULLS' EYE! Ahhhha! Are you KIDDING ME?! SUMIKA!"
"I don't need to know that detail, Capt. Shirogane. But I think everyone probably feel a little aroused from seeing that. This is madness! This is absolutely madness!"
"NO! This! IS! SPART— uuwga!" I was mercilessly slapped across the face before I could get my meme out.
"Shirogane, no! Bad boy, bad! Not allowed! Anyway, ending this heated match on her decisive throw, I now proclaim the winners of this simulated game to be STF A-01 13th Squadron, Archangels! Congratulations, Captain!" Cheering with my arms high, I nodded at both sensei and the camera in manner.
"Yes, yes. Thank you very much, Professor Kouzuki. And thank you too, our viewers! This is indeed a very exciting competition with many twists and turns, albeit y'all shouldn't be surprised that my team won. Isn't that right, Suzumiya?" I finally addressed Suzumiya who was still suffering from our endless screaming earlier.
"UUUUUU! Capt. Shirogane you MEANNNNIEEEEE!" And she ran off like a maiden in distress. Were we still in the middle of the training ground? Because Suzumiya didn't even care.
"…That is certain one way to finish our broadcast, so yeah, it's over now. We actually have lots of work cut out all of a sudden, gotta go quick. It has been your lovely Vice-Commander, Kouzuki Yuuko—"
"And the 13th's Captain, Shirogane Takeru—"
"Wishing you guys a good day, signing off!" We bid our goodbyes to the audience together as I shut off the monitor and camcorder.
Isumi Michiru
Hangar
"…So what happened to you, Captain? Something just looks off about that 94, think the head is a bit wonky." Munakata was surprisingly in a not-so-depressed mood when she greeted Michiru on the catwalk, even affording to crack a fast joke.
"Emmm… I caught a flying sword to the face, shit happens." Of which completely decapitated her unit in real life.
"Aaah, hit by a PB will do that to you. Try to avoid it next time, maybe?"
"Good tip, Munakata, will keep it in mind." And a wave of awkward silence washed over those two veterans contemplating their defeat.
"Capt. Shirogane's team cheated so hard."
"He absolutely did." Some form of agreement was reached.
"That over there, Captain, why is that Shiranui looking so… abnormal or is it just me?" Finally, Munakata found a new topic to discuss from a pair of Type-94s rolling into the hangar.
"That's 2nd Lt. Sakaki and Ayamine's units, they were flying them against us, right?"
"Uh-huh." Munakata nodded.
"I'm not confident, but I think those got shoulder and waist block thrusters, external ARH and… General Electronics's 140-GE-100." Michiru was quick to point out all the factors differing them from a regular 94.
"…Motherfucker…they were using Shiranui Seconds?"
"Seems like it, you didn't notice?" Michiru shot her companion a disorderly look, Munakata was the final survivor in face of Sakaki and Ayamine's onslaught.
"Was too busy getting my ass destroyed; so what now, nobody on their team is running good-old Type-94?"
"I don't know, do they still call Shiranui Second '94'?"
"—Actually, we call it TSF Type-02 Shiranui Second then brackets 'Test Type-01'. The tech ministry really wanted to call it TSF Type-01 for this year, but that'll be too confusing; besides, year's almost ended." That very informative voice belonged to the only professor on base.
"XO Kouzuki, ma'am." Swiftly, Michiru and Munakata both turned around and saluted their Vice-Commander. Professor Kouzuki seemed amused for a good minute; she waved off their show of respect much later than she normally does.
"You know, I do still think saluting and stuff is a waste of time but- that Shirogane and his team never salute me these days. I miss being valued a bit, I do have a PhD."
"Of course, ma'am. So for that TSF Type-02, is that what 2nd Lt. Sakaki and Ayamine used?" A confirmation for detail was submitted by Michiru.
"Yep, we got a couple of back-up units from the Ministry of Technology and modded it with data from the Phase 3. Thing's pretty good, raw stats are on-par with Royalty's 00. BTW, Test Type-02 is supposed to be F-15 Silent Eagle Gekkou, but that thing is still in development. So Test-01 will probably be adapted by the end of this year."
"We're really pushing for TSF development, huh? Is there a reason for that, ma'am?" Munakata took her turn to ask.
"Not really, more of a side-project of mine since that is all worked out. 21 is in three days." The two Eishis immediately understood what she meant.
"The future… does look bright."
"Sure does, bet Hayase'll be super excited to try out the Test-01. If she's done crying about being beat by Mitsurugi, that is." Michiru and Munakata commented on a few fun topics.
"—MUNAKATA! I HEARD THAT! I HEARD THAT!" A certain fun topic just happened to be nearby.
"Hey, it's our failure of a team-carry."
"What the fuck did you just say about me, you little bitch!? I'll have you know… uh— XO Kouzuki! I apologize, ma'am!" Seeing the Professor stopped Hayase dead in her tracks.
"Prffff…! Nice comeback, three hundred confirmed kills. Got taken out by an improvised explosive though, watch out for them roadside bombs." Relentlessly came Munakata's comeback.
"Geeh—! Well- at least I wasn't… gangbanged by… ah, fine! You have this one, Munakata!" She let loose a smug smile in victory.
"Ahem! You two, self-preservation is important." The trolling pair received a warning from their Captain.
"Sure, sure."
"Anyway, I do want to ask you three, what do you think about Shirogane's team's performance?" The seniors traded glances, debating whether to brush off their sense of anomaly or to come clean and seriously consider their options.
"Professor… I'm not saying this because we lost, but Shirogane's team is not normal. I can recognize talents when I see them, and while I do see very good talents in his Squadron; those people are more experienced than we are." There was something strange with his team that Michiru had to point out.
"Yeah, there's no way any pilot can look at that unit and think they recently graduated. Like- they know what they're doing too well, it's all instinct at this point; the shots, the acrobatics, it's like we were the newbies during that fight." And Munakata too, she could feel their power.
"Interesting… very interesting… oh well! I know what I need to know now, you all should take a break. Go watch Shirogane and my commentary during your match, I think I have a chance at acting. Dismissed, or whatever you call it." So the Professor left, simple as that.
"Hayase, don't you have an opinion on them?" After XO Kouzuki's departure, Michiru turned to her noiseless second-in-command.
"This isn't it yet, I can still get better! I'm eager, Captain! I can't wait!" What Hayase said caught Michiru off guard.
"So you're thinking like that, Hayase? Don't wanna mope around a bit more?" Munakata cut into their conversation.
"I always thought I was the very best, I reached the limit of man; the limit of what an Eishi is capable of. But I was shown that isn't the case! I can get better! I can still climb higher! Don't you know how powerful that is? I'm not done, I'm not done yet! WOOHOO! You first, Mitsurugi! Then Shirogane! I won't be BEAT!"
In her thrilled state, Hayase pumped her fists high above her head before slamming them on the railing, creating a loud bang. As Michiru watched, she felt relaxed and also a good sense of enthusiasm for their unknown future. Nothing was written in stone yet, so many paths, so much more potential.
"…And then I can avenge you… Takayuki. Until we have our important talk again… like insects, I'll put them down." What Michiru heard by the end, she decided to keep for herself.
Shirogane Takeru
Briefing room
"You saw that match, boi? How're your thoughts?"
"Captain, I find your excessive cursing to be highly discourteous."
"I didn't ask you a goddamn thing, Takamura! So shut up!" Shouting energetically at the Royal Guard, I threw my hand of cards at her, which she deflected with a bored look in her eyes.
"Calm down, Capt. Shirogane. So you done playing?" Bridges, the guy I actually was talking to blended his hand into the pile as well.
"Yeah, I had orders to review the current state of progression with you people; I don't even know what that means." Sensei was very unclear with her intention.
We sat in a circle; Bridges, Takamura, Barchenowa, Sestina and I were playing some decks when I realized it was almost time for dinner. Following my gang's very successful game of manhunt, they were dismissed until six-thirty O'clock, which was almost here.
"Huurm, alright then. Let me see your cards, Cryska… wow, you were about to win this one too." The American leaned over to his girlfriend for a quick inspection.
"Really? I don't know how to play this game too well." If Barchenowa couldn't big-two, I had no way of saving her from that.
"I'll teach you in time, you too, Inia."
"Okay!" The younger twin nodded happily.
"Let's put these desks back together, and take a seat."
"Alriighty." We did a bit of organization. Once that was done, I stood by the podium while Team Yukon all sat in the front row.
"Urmm… so we got two Soviet defectors, an American deserter and you, Takamura. You being a loyal girl kinda ruins the idea behind this title, but I'll just roll with it anyway. You all ready for this? It's your new unit name." Nobody seemed that moving for my big reveal.
"Let's get on with it, I actually do have reports to write." Inpatient Bridges.
"Ahhh, fuck you, motherfucker. As of now, the four of you'll be part of Alternative IV's PROMINENCE department, Sub-division XFJ, special Test Flight Defiance; Takamura's in lead." Four pairs of jaded eyes stared me back.
"So we're still with PROMINENCE?" Eventually, Bridges thought of something to ask.
"Except you're under Alternative IV's supervision."
"Then like how restaurants change its owner but still serve the same food?"
"Exactly."
"Got it, boss-man. What else?" Talking with this dude was fast though, I had to admit not bitching for hours sent a good sensation down my bones.
"Details will come tomorrow, but essentially you're joining us for Op 21 as reserve unit. So that means if the regular units eat shit you people will go in; don't eat shit, okay?"
"Fuck off, anything else?"
"You get a flight back to Yukon once we're done with your dumbasses where you'll continue flying new version of goodies."
"Up yours, that it?"
"That's it, jerkoff. Now go fuck yourselves, I'm out." American English was and still is the best English.
PX
"Takeru, I think the left booster-fin still needs some adjustment, I was flying NoE for eleven ticks earlier and the balance felt a bit off!"
"Is there not fucking food in my mouth? Send it to the mechanics!" I chopped Mikoto for her totally inappropriate and random comment.
"Takeru! Your recent unwarranted amount of cursing is increasing to noticeable degrees! I find it extremely unsettling." Meiya scolded me for being a big boy.
"Sorry, mom. I'll be more careful not to hurt your fragile heart."
"Haa… Takeru, why you must…" Acting just like my parents, mother sighed with a heavy dose of discontent.
"Hey, at least that commentary was fun to watch, right?"
"Ermm… I shall admit your style and speech was very… attractive to listen to. I laughed many times, it was a morbid form of entertainment." So I took it as Meiya meaning she was happy.
"Great, great. So! Everybody! What're your thoughts on this battle! I'm curious, why don't we start with the highest kill-count combo, Class rep and Ayamine!" Might as well find something to talk about, my group all turned to the two girls who I appointed by name.
"Ehh? What?" Class rep lifted her head with a mouthful of rice in a comedic fashion.
"Sakaki… that's disgusting." Instantly, Ayamine didn't miss a beat to abuse her partner.
"Shut up! I don't need this from someone who gulped down her food in seven seconds!"
"Yakisoba is world's justice… be punished… for that contempt."
"Please, just shut up and let me eat."
"So yeah… the Shiranui Second was good, like good… but good."
"That was— what? You just said 'good' three times without any adjective! It doesn't make sense! And we weren't done yet!"
"Because you're… not good."
Well, I had enough of this by the sixth run. Class rep and Ayamine worked wonders together in an Element. Like fire and water, they compensated for each other's weakness while improving their strong point; there probably was a better metaphor other than fire and water, not going to find it though.
"Anyway, Mikoto, Tama; your thoughts on the Raptors?"
"Oh, oh! They're very fast! And other people can't see us so we're very invisible! That's about it!" Yes, useful information, everything she said.
"Err… eeeerm! Miki really likes her new rifle! The Extended AMWS shoots very straight and hits very hard! The F-22 is also super amazing! I didn't know they're that manoeuvrable!" At least what Tama expressed could be interpreted.
Even now, I still had no clue how Yuuko-sensei got us some F-22As from the States. Although I definitely won't be questioning her method anytime soon, ignorance had never been more of a bliss.
As for the machines themselves, the selling point here surely were Mikoto's missiles and Tama's rifle. The AIM-144 Jericho, America's next line of guided shells, meant to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM for selected crafts. So it is pretty much a big missile which explodes into smaller missiles, which explodes.
Onto Tama's gun, there wasn't a real title attributed to this thing yet. Oddly resembling an old-world SR-25 DMR in design, her long-range rifle could fire two different calibres of rounds; 57mm and 107mm. Thinking about it now, this thing also took ideas from EU's Mk.57 Squad Support Gun, specially that bullet size.
"Moving onto you, Sumika. How's the Berkut?"
"It works great! I like it!" Simple and easy.
"You, Kasumi?"
"I like the Su-47 too, I have CQC alternatives, but I didn't have to use them this time." Kasumi's 47 shipped in along with a dozen other Berkuts from Russia. Not gonna lie, I was quite hyped to see Sumika's Prafka army in action.
So we sat around, talked a bit more about our TSFs. Meiya sounded really happy to defeat Hayase in battle, said despite contrary belief, she had gambled everything on her 120mm arm trap; if Hayase didn't bite, she'd be dead as the First Lieutenant landed more hits than her.
After that we dismissed and left, Sadogashima was so close we all needed a good night's rest.
Shirogane's room
"T-ta-Takeru-c-chan! Do-do-do you w-want to—"
"C'mon, you can do it, Sumika. 'Do you want to' what?"
"D-do yo-you want to spe-spend t-t-tonight… uumm—"
"You're doing it, girl. Say the rest, I believe in you."
"S-spend tonight… s-s-sm-smashing…?"
"I hear that, all I'm bringing is a GameSquare controller, not an erection. C'mon, woman, just say it. Smash what? Smash what!?"
"D-do you w-want to spend t-tonight S-SMAASHING T-THIS P-P-PUS-PUSS— THIS PUSS— THI-T-TH-THIS PU-PUS-SS-PUSS— AGGGGHAH! I CAN'T! TAKERU-CHAN YOU STUPID IDIIIIIIOOOOT! DIE-DIE-DIE-DIE! AGGGRRRRA! IDIOT! IDIOT! IDIOT!" Close enough.
"Pfffff…! AHAHAH-ahahahahaha! Get over here, I love you, Sumika."
"Awwaaa… I love you too, Takeru-chan."
Author's note
Another over 10000 words chapter, these things just kinda happens, you're welcome? I have this omake chapter I want to throw out but that'll make things way too long again, maybe next time.
Writing is seriously slowing down these days mostly just because I'm lazy as hell, I'll update when there's new stuff to update, can't really rush myself.
As always, please leave a review and stuff, hopefully it's about a mistake I made in this chapter so I can fix it. Mistakes really piss me off, after all.
BETA done by chad001, what do you call a nervous javelin thrower?
Shakejavelin.