M****** M*****
Operation 21, 221 minutes in
Whiskey Unit, front line
"—keep up the pressure! Don't let any of those monsters get close! Squadron A, stop their advance! Squadron B, circle around the left side of those Destroyers! Go! GO! GO!"
"—Cracker 1 to HQ! Requesting artillery support at point Romeo six-two niner ASAP! They're gonna overrun us at this rate!"
He felt wetness in his glove covered palms, exhaustion was wearing out his eyes, and concentrating became more difficult as his muzzles flashed with every shot. He already fired so, so many shells. Killed so, so many beasts, still it wasn't enough.
"—HQ to Cracker 1, all artillery fire are occupied at this moment. Wait three hundred seconds."
"Goddamn it! Another three hundred seconds and we're gonna be dead! —Juncture 1 to Cracker 1! Hold our left flank!"
Chatters over his radio faded to nothingness by the time they reached his ears. A filter was stationed in his mind, it served to block out any noises unrelated to his mission.
And there was only one goal he had to complete, kill the BETA.
All around him, comrades were dying by every passing second. He thought they started off strong, enough soldiers to counter the aliens. But that wasn't the case. It was fourteen to thousands, two Squadrons from his Battalion and one of Cracker Regiment's Platoons. As for the rest of Juncture's people, there wasn't anything left.
"Captain! CAPTAIN! There's one more BETA Company RIGHT BEHIND US! SHIT- they're surrounding us!"
"Agrra, fuck! We have to break out NOW! Everyone, FALL BACK!"
"—Cracker 3! You're Storm Vanguard! Cut open a freaking path!"
"—bu-b-but! My Sword's—! FIRST LIEUTENANT! YOUR RIGHT!"
"Wha- the—! UGGRA—!"
Who had died? Was it her? He didn't know; he didn't even see how the event had unfolded. The BETA charged fast, and it killed faster. There was no hope, a Type-77 trampled to smithereens. There existed no opportunity to escape, the Destroyer-class didn't permit it.
"Ahh-AAHHHH! F-F-FI-FIRST LIEUTENANT!" Someone screamed vividly, a sound he couldn't shut out. Everyone was in danger at that time, but she was in so much deeper than the rest.
When he did turn around to see, the entire world slowed down in time for him alone. A sense of urgency overwhelmed him similar to how the BETA overwhelms their enemies, and for here, it was more fitting than most. He was too far from Akira's position, too late to rush to her rescue.
"Aaaa—" She swallowed her shriek, total fear overtaking her body.
The claw of a Grappler had never been closer to her Gekishin, any second now death would take her to the afterlife. There was nothing, he could do nothing to help. He wasn't even given the time to cry her name; everything they built together, all gone. So delicate was the human life, so easily would everything be lost.
Thus, somebody else had to take his place, for this once. Akira couldn't die here, not here, not in front of him.
A gaudy flash of purple flied across his sight immediately followed by another blue drift. They held no form to their momentum, for their speed was beyond what his eyes were capable of detecting. Two crafts scuttled pass, annihilating all those monsters which were posing as a threat but a moment ago.
"AAHHHAA! AAhh! Aaaaah! Haaaaa! Mi-Mi-Masaki…?! MASKIIII!" Akira lived, and not a minute later her Type-77 was shielding itself in his shadow.
Maejima Masaki chose to keep his quiet, there were no words he felt appropriate for their situation. He could have easily cried Akira's name back, but that was only shake his foundation as her pillar of protection. A sentence of reassurance most likely would be appreciated, if the man was mentally prepared to speak it, that is.
"—the Imperial Royal Guard TSF that saved you… that unit's colour… no way…" For now, he could only state the facts laid out before him. Just considering the possibility of losing her would shatter his heart to pieces.
"—Crest 2 of the IRG 16th Battalion to friendly IJA Whiskey Unit Battalion leader, respond." A tolerant voice announced itself as the adjutant to the commander of the Honour Guard's 16th Battalion, one of Japan's finest units, peerless in their work and proficiency.
However, it wasn't the first wave of Type-00s that stopped to greet them, instead another Takemikazuchi shaded in red stood itself majestically before him. Its stance seemed to be taking the credit for Akira's rescue. Masaki surveyed his surroundings, but the two purple and blue fighters had long since departed.
"—yes, 31st Tactical Armoured Battalion, Juncture. Along with 133rd Tactical Armoured Regiment Platoon, Cracker." Masaki's Captain reported their unit's origin and number.
A long silence later, the opposing TSF spoke back. The same female voice reappeared.
"On behave of Majo— excuse me, Lieutenant Colonel Ikaruga Takatsugu-sama; I ask of your unit to fall back and act as our support. Leave this front line to us, there is no need to worry." Even Masaki recognized that name, A Regent House of the Shogunate, someone from royalty contributed to their battlefield.
"Understood, ma'am. But there's at least a couple of BETA Battalions over there! Are you sure your team can take'em?!" The Royal Guards planned to face foes Masaki's team was too weak to defeat. With lesser numbers, their odds didn't appear any stronger.
"Only thousands…? That might only work as appetizers for those few… mind not, Juncture 1, we are capable." Whatever the IRG Eishi meant by appetizer, he didn't want to stick around to find out.
"Roger! Juncture and Cracker unit, backing away. —let's get asses moving, y'all! We're protecting the flanks now! Don't let up just because of that!" His Captain shouted after accepting the team's new order.
"Akira, it's time to go. Are you okay?"
"…Yeah, yeah they saved me. I-I was so scared, Masaki-chan!" On his monitor, Masaki spotted Akira's tear-filled face still leaking fluid from her sockets.
"It's alright, it's alright. We're going to the back now, you'll be safe. I promise to protect you, don't worry." For now, he could only offer words of confidence.
"Thank you, Masaki-chan… but that purple Takemikazuchi… it isn't possible, is it?" Akira stumbled in her words,
"I ain't got a clue either, it doesn't matter right now, just don't think about it." Masaki too, he wasn't sure what he saw.
Mitsurugi Meiya
Operation 21, 224 minutes in
Whiskey Unit, front line
"—Lieutenant Colonel, yes? Congratulations on your recent promotion, Ikaruga-dono." Meiya smiled in her camera as a cheerful encouragement for Ikaruga, he nodded back at her somewhat, not showing too much rejoice.
"—my promotion… was nothing but a ceremonial persuasion for me to join this battle. After that attack, the foundation of the Royal Houses has been shaken." His simple reply washed away Meiya's aspiration.
"Let us… not discuss such matters here. The warfare which lay before us is more protruding than what transpired behind."
"Indeed, speaking of which. Your skill with a halberd is an enchantment of beauty, Mitsurugi-dono."
What Ikaruga brought up next caught Meiya slightly unprepared, she yelped quietly to his proclamation as countless bodies of BETA stacked up to their sides.
"Eh? Such words of esteem is unlike you, Ikaruga-dono."
"Nonsense, I am merely making my appraisal known to all. Your ability in combat is what is truly appealing." Surprising her using admiration, Meiya was uncertain if that man concocted his belief or simply found her amazing.
"Ah… I am honoured, Ikaruga-dono. Your commendation please me."
"That is good, now let us focus on the immediate goal ahead." He suggested an end to their conversation which Meiya had no reason to disagree with.
Waves upon waves of BETA charged on, careless to their personal well-being as if acting in accordance to a hive mind. To meet the unstoppable surge head on, Meiya and Ikaruga restocked at the nearest supply drop in preparation for a new onslaught. Chasing closely behind them were Tsukuyomi and Kasumi, both recognized their desire for a duel and were wise to permit them independence.
With her rifles loaded and swords swapped, Meiya checked through her settings and smiled when she noticed no anomalies. Although, whenever she switched her view from one configuration on her screen to another, her eyes always lingered on the portrait of Ikaruga for a second too long.
Eventually the other man of Regent House detected her gaze, he shot back a charming smile. Meiya's response staggered too much to even surface, leaving her dumbfounded expression available for Ikaruga to observe.
And he laughed after seeing her face.
"Wha—! Y-you!" Meiya failed to mount a verbal comeback.
"…Hahaha… an interesting one you are, Mitsurugi. I find myself growing fond of you despite our few occasions at association." Immediately after his proposal, Meiya shut off her profile camera to conceal any further embarrassment from being recorded.
"C-cease your snicker at once, I-Ikaruga! I shall not sit here and accept such mockery!"
"Heh… hehe, your attitude has certainly taken a significant change compared to when you first spoken. Perhaps you have become rather less arrogant without the assistance from your speech adviser?" Meiya gulped her primitive reaction to yelp again, Ikaruga even seen through that plot somehow.
"Yoooou—! I d-dislike you, Ikaruga!" He only laughed more.
"Ahahaha…! Alas, those creatures in our way are becoming too much of an obstruction to our talk. Let us slay the animals first, Mitsurugi-dono." Suddenly sincere, Ikaruga recognized that the real threat inched too close for comfort.
"A-ah, yes. Allow me." The battlefield was business as usual for Meiya, but her mood just took a big tumble.
For reasons unclear to the samurai girl, a man other than Takeru caused her to blush uncontrollably red. This might be an incident to call for alarm, however Meiya was somewhat reluctant to correct her mindset.
Of course, in no way was the man known as Ikaruga Takatsugu deserving of her detestation. He was quite a captivating man, there was no denying the uncanny charm he emanated from merely existing. Meiya saw that as an excellent quality for any person to boast, similar yet different to Takeru's wide and loveable narcissism.
Frankly, Ikaruga and Takeru displayed many comparable characteristics in Meiya's eyes. But it was tough for the girl to find proper words fitting as a description to her feelings, they were very alike in many fashions. Takeru for the longest time was a mystery to her, to this day she was not privy to his true origin.
As for Ikaruga, he was a man she scarcely met save for the few times they encountered in the royal palace. According to her memory, or the few of them there was; Ikaruga for the longest time acted as he pleased within limits.
For a while, neither royalty said anything worth discussing. Until a slow, catchy tune was starting to call for Meiya's attention. And she could barely, just barely hear a singing voice.
"…~ue o muite~ arukou~…
~namida ga ~kobore~ …nai you~ ni~
~omoidasu ~haru~ no hi~
hitoribotchi…~ no yoru…~"
All her life, Meiya never suffered so much pain from holding back her laughter. There was Ikaruga, slaying BETA in his blue Takemikazuchi while humming the lyrics to 'Ue wo Muite Arukō'. A song popularly known as 'Sukiyaki' in the west, performed by Kyu Sakamoto.
For Ikaruga, out of everyone else on earth to be quietly singing this song was simply just too hilarious. While the man usually carried a mysterious manner wherever he went, Meiya knew a few times when she had to personally step in to prevent him from becoming too much of a nuisance…
How strange, this vivid image reoccurring to her wasn't about Takeru at all…
—
"—Mitsurugi! Mitsurugi, eyes forward!" Somebody's shout of her name pulled Meiya out of her delusion, that person being none other than Ikaruga himself.
While her mind wandered the uncertain past, her hands slowed down enough to be of a deterrent on her piloting. A couple of Grappler-class were given the drop on her as she botched to react in time, death inched in closer until Meiya's life was within grasp.
Fortunately, Meiya was not combating against the aliens alone. Ikaruga rushed just in time for her rescue, cutting apart the four monsters that surrounded her in an instant. Again, Meiya crippled herself in her worthless daze, a repeat of what took place during the 12/5 incident.
"Ikaruga… my apology, I was caught by an awful distraction."
"All is well as long as you are unhurt, Mitsurugi." She hated the way he was made to look at her, trapping herself in a stupor was all too shameful.
"Please… I must terminate from our duel for now, I am distressed in ways I cannot describe." Meiya shook in her seat, the confidence she built up thanks to Kasumi had all but left her.
"Very well, I see that you are feeling indisposed. I pray for a swift recovery, Mitsurugi-dono." Ikaruga nodded reflectively, his care towards her was a nice turnabout from their previous attitude.
"—Archangel 3, please take vanguard. I require a break." Kasumi spared no second in replacing Meiya as the frontline now that her and Ikaruga fell back from their push.
"—understood, is there something you require?"
"Please leave me, Kasumi. I only necessitate time."
"…Okay." An Eishi of few words, Meiya always saw Kasumi as such.
"—Meiya-sama, are you hurt anywhere?" Next was Tsukuyomi, Meiya's loyal servant came to provide her helping hand.
"—Tsukuyomi… where do your opinions of Ikaruga-dono lies?"
"Ikaruga-sama? He is a charming man, no doubt. Of course, also a capable leader and valiant fighter when the circumstances demand it." Tsukuyomi too saw him in a favourable light, her arguments aligned just fine with Meiya's.
"Indeed, I hold high respect for him… yes, only respect…"
"Meiya-sama? Are you perhaps feeling unwell?"
"Perhaps… my senses seem to be trembling…"
Never forget one's pledge, that was her resolution.
Operation 21, 226 minutes in
Whiskey Unit, support line
Newfound fatigue weighted heavily on Meiya's eyelids, her single pony-tail would ever so often lash her shoulders as she stretched in her seat. The Type-00 was on auto-pilot for the moment, its objective was to reach the resupply line established by Whiskey Unit.
Infrequently, a Flight of Su-47s would pass by Meiya on their way back or forth between the resupply line and front. Vice-Commander Kouzuki was remarkable in using these Berkut Squadrons, as according to the latest intel, their presence had kept Whiskey Unit's casualty ratio below twenty.
Thinking about the Berkuts somehow led Meiya back to thoughts about Ikaruga and his conversation with Tsukuyomi discussing those machines' root. This fact was upsetting to her, how that man was retained at the forefront of Meiya's mind without permission.
Still, when Meiya recalled memories that surfaced, she received another glance into Takeru's history. That was one positive to be born from such irresolute experience, and she smiled warmly at the idea.
That peace, it was so warm. He was so kind, so loving.
"—uh, uhmm… Y-Your Highness!" Suddenly, a girlish loud whisper interrupted Meiya's musing.
When her focus was turned back, a Squadron of Gekishins were all saluting sincerely to the Shogun's sister. Her lack of response must had worried whoever was most anxious about her company, leading to a young girl calling for her attention over the public channel.
"—at ease, the many of you have no cause to salute me." Meiya's training temporarily took over her speaking role.
Meiya surveyed around, none of the Type-77s were actively panicking, but that said nothing for its pilots. The Gekishins settled down a bit, their Eishis no doubt were still paranoid how the Shogun herself charged into battle.
"Everyone, do not be startled. While steering this purple frame, I am not Her Highness herself. So please, I ask of you all, to keep my appearance here a secret, as to not worry my sister during her busiest hour."
Accompanying her words, Meiya revealed her face onto their data-link. Many mutters of awe were logically heard, however it soon returned to business as usual for the Imperial soldiers. They had more important things to do than gawking at Meiya's machine.
"Errm… umm… K-Koubuin-sama! May I just have one minute of your time?" No reaction from Meiya as she wasn't used to her new name.
"Err-err… Koubuin-SAMA! Please May I just say one thing!?" Tilting her head up, only then Meiya realized she was being addressed.
"Umm? Ah, yes, what is it?" She saw a young girl's face projected onto her retina, a head of orange was shaking widely as the person calling for Meiya started to freak out when she actually receive her heed.
"Em, Koubuin-sama! Thank you very much for saving my life!"
"Hoo, you must be the Eishi of that one unit. I apologize, for not reaching our comrade in time." Meiya remembered, that one TSF she saved on her dash to the front with Ikaruga.
"No…! If you haven't been there, Koubuin-sama! I w-wouldn't have made it."
"Huhuhu, if that is the case. I must not solely take credit for your rescue. You must show equal gratitude to that other one who raced alongside me in battle, yes?" While thinking about that man was uncomfortable, it was still Meiya's duty to be fair to all.
"Yes! Of course!"
"Then I shall deliver your message to Ikaruga-dono. What is your name, brave soldier? I am pleased to have saved you."
"Er- I'm Isumi! Isumi Akira!" A slight surprise, Meiya leaned back and pondered for a quick second on her best reply to a friend's relative.
Nevertheless, what she did first was sending an invitation to her company for an encrypted channel using the Honour Guard's signal. Isumi looked bewildered at Meiya's offer, but she quickly accepted at the sight of Meiya's welcoming countenance.
"Is- is there something you'd like, Koubuin-sama…?" Still nervous, Isumi asked after their talk went private.
"…2nd Lt. Isumi, I presume?"
"Y-yes!"
"Do you happen to have a sister in the UN military?" Meiya's question caught Isumi junior off-guard, the girl reacted slowly, not understanding what she said.
"…Ah, yes! Michiru-nee is part of the United Nations… wait- how did Koubuin-sama know that!?" A quite giggle from Meiya for her reaction.
"Huhu, worry not. Were you told anything about her schedule on this paramount day?"
"Eh? Well, I asked about but- since she's with the UN and all, I don't think she's doing anything special today…"
"Huum, I see. So that is how that is." Meiya understood perfectly, Capt. Isumi didn't want to add any extra peril for her sister by making her anxious.
"Still… she must be quite fretted by your duty here today, this is humanity's largest counterattack in ages, after all." Similar to the way Meiya imagined her sister would vex, knowing the dread of possibly losing one's family member wasn't enjoyable.
"Em… I guess so, but it's easier for me… knowing that she isn't in danger." A wordless sigh from Meiya, the guilt of not revealing her knowledge was a thorn, but she must do what was best for the sister of her friend.
Nonetheless, that didn't mean there was no intention for Meiya to get to know the cute girl better.
"—Kasumi, what is our time?"
"—T-minus eighteen minutes until deadline." Meiya sought after an accurate report from Kasumi.
"That is abundant enough, thank you, Kasumi."
"You're welcome." She cut the line quickly when nothing else was required from her.
"What is your next mission task, Isumi?"
"We're guarding the resupply station right now, although the support line could need us elsewhere." Meiya glanced her surroundings, it was a well-fortified location they occupied.
"In that case, we have plentiful of time to communicate. Allow me to introduce myself formally; our name is Koubuin Meiya, closest kin to Her Highness the Grand shogun. I have not been active on the political field for… security reasons, however that is set to alter soon."
"Ahh… so that's why I never knew the Shogun has a twin!" Stating the obvious, Isumi seemed to finally be comfortable with her.
"Indeed, although I must ask you not to spread my existence too wild, for this is upcoming news not yet ready for our nation."
"Okay, okay!" Isumi nodded dynamically, the earlier fear she suffered appeared to have faded by.
"Also, if you do not refuse, I would like to address you by the name of Akira as of now. It would cause us less confusion down the line."
"Of course, ma'am!" A mild, but friendly smile from the samurai enticed Akira easily.
"Moving on, I am well acquainted with your sister. Capt. Isumi Michiru is by no fabrication a potent leader." Meiya praised Akira's older sister next, even though she wasn't too familiar with the Captain during this time, she believed her to be a kind and capable person at heart.
"…Does that mean you've served with the UN, Koubuin-sama?"
"Quite so, I am currently on loan to UN Army's specialized Armour unit. Perhaps you know the name of—" Carelessly, Meiya realized she was about to reveal classified information.
"Eh? Is there something…?" Akira displayed innocent alarm to Meiya's cut-off.
"…I have said too much, it is nothing to be skeptical about. Fear not, Akira. If this operation progresses smoothly, you shall hear my news from someone more familiar."
"I understand, can't really tell an Imperial Eishi everything, right? I'm already really honoured to have spoken with you, Koubuin-sama!"
"Huhu, it is my pleasure. I am fairly enjoying your company, Akira. Do you mind to tell me a little about yourself?" Taking this opportunity to relax, Meiya understood how much of a relieve she was to the girl besides her.
"Of course, ma'am! I… err… -hum? —ah, yes, sir!" Meiya tilted her head when her discussion partner sounded to be called on her end.
"Koubuin-sama, sorry but they want me to help with moving some crates."
"I see, allow me to offer some assistance." For Meiya, there was nothing else she could have hoped to do, seeing as how her mental condition wasn't exactly fit for combat.
"Eh?! But that's—!"
"No need for alarm, I have retreated back due to my inability to sustain on the frontline. I am not ashamed to rest, however being only a paperweight is personally insulting." She hoped her reassurance would lead Akira to realize both of them were on the same plain of existence, by no means did Meiya think she was superior.
"…Well, please help me move those crates, Koubuin-sama. They want the supply line moved up."
"Understood." So the two friendly girls got to work.
—
"—anyway, that's why I joined the Imperials. Michiru-nee and Yayoi-nee don't openly express it… but they aren't really close to each other. Michiru-nee joined the UN for that reason too, she didn't want Yayoi-nee to know everything about her through Ichigaya."
Ichigaya of Shinjuku, Tokyo, where the current headquarters of the Ministry of Defence was based in. Similar to how Langley was often associated with the CIA, both agencies were represented by their location.
Meiya reminded herself since she never addressed the Ministry by that common name.
"—a troubling family, that sounds to be."
"Me and Marika- our second youngest sister were fine with Yayoi-nee keeping tabs, but Michiru didn't like been spied on at all. I don't know if they're still fighting over him or something, but hopefully they'll stop once the news reaches them…" Meiya didn't comment on who that 'he' was, she waited for Akira to continue.
"And since Marika is back on the second defence line, I'm the only one in our family fighting here. So I thought I'll be here fighting for all my sisters' sake… but all I ended up doing is endangering my friends by being scared… and being such a bother for Masaki-chan…" That was a detail Meiya could cut in from.
"Masaki-chan'…? Could that be the man who protected you after our arrival?" Akira was unprepared to answer, she acted surprised when Meiya repeated the name.
"Ah-ahahh, he's… he's…!" For reason rapidly made clear, Akira flustered bright pink trying to think of a decent reply.
"Your lover?"
"-Yes! My love— AAGHHH! NO-NO-NO! He's not that—! UUUUUU-!" The embarrassed girl's reaction was priceless, this was the first glimpse Meiya got into Takeru's mind when he 'trolled' others. And to be fair, it was certainly fun.
"Ahahaha… have no shame, child! I can relate to your sentimentality. For love is a precious item, difficult to find in today's world. You should be overjoyed to know it, its sweet nectar shall sit well by you."
"…Thank you… Koubuin-sama…" Still finding it hard to face her, she dodged her eyes from the camera.
"Truly… to be sure of one's love life is a pleasure in of itself. Continue then." Meiya was eager to learn.
"So yeah… it's kinda weird how all of us are in love with the same guy but- with this, hopefully everyone can stop fighting now."
"I see how your situation is, this will take away your sisters' justification for discord. Congratulations, Isumi Akira. There is no indication of that the underdog cannot emerge victorious."
"Ah… thank you very much! As expected of Koubuin-sama… you already know what I mean." It wasn't too difficult to decode Akira's message through her story, the history Meiya was told helped her immensely.
"What did you say that man's name was again?"
"Masaki, Maejima Masaki."
"Huhu, for a man to be the centre of four ladies' attention is a feat in and out of itself. I wish to meet him some time, perhaps he shares traits similar to my beloved." It was interesting, the two images of Takeru that clearly formed in Meiya's head. They were so different, yet still the same man.
"Eh? Is Koubuin-sama in a relationship as well!?"
"Indeed, although mine is more of a… distribution type of affiliation."
"Errm…? So that means…?" Meiya reflected for a short period whether to be open with her status or not.
"Do I have your word that this information will not reach the ears of any other?"
"Of course, I promise not to tell!" Akira was a bit tense, but in the good way.
"Very well… with my… actually, how do you describe a relationship with a man of whom one shares a mutual romantic interest with each other?"
"Urrr… that would be… your boyfriend?" Very direct, way too direct.
"Ehh… hum, I shall accept that title for this once. Yes, I share a polygamous relationship with him." Meiya flashed red for the shortest of instant.
"Poly… gamers?"
"Polygamous, of which a man enjoys the company of multiple females."
"Hrrrm?" An adorable head tilt from Akira later.
"It means… I- err, share him with other girls in our unit." Still no response. Isumi junior's lack of understanding was causing Meiya embarrassment.
"We—! I'm part of his h-harem!"
"Oh, ooooh… OOOOOOHHHH! WHAAAAAAT!?" That was within expectation.
"Please, do not be so alarmed, Akir—"
"SO! So-sososo-SO—! T-t-that like—! But then- ho-hohow would you- EEEEEEEH?!"
"Akira. Control yourself." One of the few times Meiya spoke grievously, and it did just fine in shutting up the astounded girl. Coming to realization, Akira covered in own mouth with her hands.
"…Sorry."
"Now, now; my standing with him is little of your concern, I can relate to how you have complications in acknowledging me, but please do not think of my preference as abnormal."
"Of-of course, Koubuin-sama! I'm sorry, I was just surprised by it, that's all. I actually think it's very nice, for you to be so generous and s-share a man with others! Is everyone… happy with each other?" Meiya had to consider for a minute.
"Yes, mostly."
"Then it's all good! Honestly, I kinda hope Masaki-chan would be brave enough to ask us of this. That'll stop everyone from fighting and make us all happy instead…" Akira dampened their mood accidentally, it was a tough situation she found herself in.
"All shall be well, child. I believe in your blood's willingness to sort out your strife."
"Ahaha, hopefully that'll be the case. Well, I think that takes care of the supply line, Koubuin-sama. What'll you do now?" All around them TSFs were progressively disappearing, following the flow of battle forward.
"Hum, I shall head back as well. This conversation has been very insightful to me, I have learned a great deal from you, Akira." Meiya revved up her engines once more, this pleasant talk with an innocent girl cleared her mind of any impure ideas.
"Eh, really? I don't really think my stuff is anything impressive…"
"Huhuhu, underestimate yourself not. You are a splendid human being indeed, I owe you my gratitude, Isumi Akira." Was it not for her, Meiya might still be in a sulking spirit.
Nothing said by Akira directly gave Meiya the point, but it was her entire attitude that strengthened her will. The love she held dear for Takeru was grand, more spectacular than any other sensation. Meiya's role towards her country was her duty, so her feelings for Takeru were her true-self.
"Thank you very much, Koubuin-sama! Please stay safe out there!"
"Same to you, Akira. And I shall reunite with you again bearing a wonderful surprise."
Isumi Michiru
Operation 21, 238 minutes in
A-02 destination
"—Valkyries 4, Fox 3 loaded, firing." Warheads of equal sizes were launched and subsequently combusted on three Fort-class wandering in A-02's way.
"—good effect, Kazama! All BETA forces on site are dead! We're clear!" Hayase yelled back a report from the front, her unit waltzed out from under the behemoth's carcass covered in blood.
"—Valkyries 1 copy, I'll forward this. —to CP, A-02 destination point is cleared, XG-70 is free to advance."
"—CP copy, XG-70 advancing to initial firing location, firing run will begin in ten minutes." Command's update brought a sigh to Michiru, her team's gruelling campaign on Sadogashima was about to meet its end.
"All units, make room for Susanoo to approach. Also, has anyone seen Shirogane's people? They're supposed to rendezvous with us here, but I don't see any TSFs on radar."
"—think maybe they're all dead?" Munakata suggested a very unpleasant thought, leading to the Valkyries being overwhelmed by silence.
"—ahahahahahaha!" And then a collective laughter.
"Aheheh, I wish. Capt. Shirogane probably forgot to turn off his stealth tech, because whoever's killing that BETA Regiment over there is looking like his people." Kashiwagi was the first to spot A-01's other leader.
Steadily, a Platoon of an YF-23, a Su-47 Berkut and two F-22A Raptors wiped off BETA groups by the thousands as they hovered back to Michiru's location. Outside her calculation, instead of leading his team at the front, Kagami the one who flew her crimson Berkut the farthest forward.
Even over the shading of its red camo, Michiru couldn't help but wonder how many she slew with those Motor Blades for them to be painted in pure gore. Hayase defeated no small number of aliens on her own, but she definitely didn't take a dive in BETA blood.
"—ayy, Valkyries! Before we do anything you all should move from where you're standing, we're shooting down a restock station right there." The first words from Shirogane were a well mentioned warning, albeit carried out in his usual casual tone.
"Uh-huh, mind if we take some leftovers?" Michiru was also in need of ammunition.
"Actually, that might be a breach of our contract with the States and the Soviets… but fuuuuuccck that, help yourselves."
Not a minute later, a dozen resupply containers touched down. The Archangels made haste in reloading and switching out their used gear, which was all of their gear.
American CIWS swords, Russian Motor Blade belts; Shirogane and Kagami were dropping their old tools in favour of brand new melee weapons of destruction. Side by side, Yoroi and Tamase picked out their rifle magazines and guided shell containers respectively.
"Oooooh, Shiroganeeee! That Melee Halberd! Gimme, gimme!"
"Ahha! Muh sword! You thief!" While accusing Hayase, he did nothing to stop her robbery as she ran away swinging.
"Seriously though, you got some nice toys here lined up, Shirogane. Privilege for the elites?" Munakata asked, studying his treasure cove of goods.
"The best of the best, woman."
"Good shit, Shirogane." She raised him a thumb of approval.
"Where're the rest of your people? The attack will be starting any minute now." The professional Isumi was more troubled by their missing numbers than what he had in stock.
"Right, are all your girls here, Isumi?"
"Sure are, just waiting on you."
"Good, I'll gather them." And a couple of calls were made to the correct people. While she waited, two fast beeps on her comms let Isumi know someone from their CP had information to share.
"—Valkyries Mum to all STF units, emergency update. Detection on multiple BETA Divisions advancing on A-02's initial position, counter climbing past thirty thousand, confirmed Laser-class presence."
"—what?! They're more heading for us? We just killed a couple of Divisions! What happened to the distraction teams!? They're healthy as can be!" Yoroi made a reasonable observation.
"—bad time to ponder then, Mikoto-chan! Right now we just have to… actually, how fast are they coming at?" Kagami also took her turn to post a question.
"Hostile vanguard advancing at a steady sixty km/h, ETA twelve minutes."
"Pfff, ahaha! Then we're sweating for nothing, Susanoo'll shoot first." Being Shirogane, the team Captain declared the emergency to be resolved.
"You sure about that? We're still waiting on your team."
"You worry too much, Isumi. Thirty thousand is just a droplet anyway." This man was oozing with confidence as he brushed his hairstyle to pass the time.
Sakaki Chizuru
Operation 21, 242 minutes in
Hive gate
"—Ayamine, timer is up. We're leaving."
"—copy, copy. Think we're done here anyway."
Surely enough, Chizuru and Ayamine were surrounded by friendly Orbital Divers instead of man-eating BETA. The F-15s cooperating with them were setting up a siege around the Stab entrance in case anymore aliens crawl out in chase.
"—Aquila 1 to Archangel 4, we have received new orders. Stab infiltration will be handled by UN Special Forces, that's your people, right?" One of the Divers called Chizuru to restate his own instructions.
"—affirmative, STF A-01 will begin Hive assault run in ten minutes, stay clear of the designated area. Don't get caught by friendly fire, mind you."
"Copy that, will avoid. We lost lotta good soldiers down there, pay'em back for it." Chizuru nodded profoundly, that was the plan all along.
"You got it. Alright, Archangel Element exiting your AO, good luck, Divers." Merrily, Chizuru flew away along with Ayamine, leaving their previous battle for the next.
"Hey, you are pretty good." In the middle of their flight, Ayamine popped off a quick compliment.
"Thanks? Why say that to me now?"
"Just thought… you did good in commanding people, didn't choke." Ayamine's expression remained unchanged, the casual praise sounded kind enough though.
"Well, I was trying to control the situation and sound mature, but just ended up talking like Takeru for some reason."
"Guy's a good leader, no fault in copying him."
"Guess I can agree to that, sure."
The Element pair shared no more words after that, a strange atmosphere dwelled on between the two former rivals who couldn't stand each other's presence. Chizuru recalled back to all the times she went head to head against Ayamine over the smallest subject, perhaps they still did, but now the hostility no longer lingered.
"You know… this'll be our first time going under, right?"
"Under as in Hive infiltration? Then yes, unless you experienced a hive operation already, Ayamine." She clicked her tongue and followed after with a short moan, there appeared to be something the spiky-haired girl wanted to say.
"Think you can… die for his sake?" Ayamine's blunt question knocked around Chizuru's mental balance, it wasn't exactly the raise to morale she wished to get.
"Dying for Takeru?"
"Dying for Takeru." With her facts all checked, Chizuru deliberated assiduously on her true answer.
"…Yeah, if I have to… I think I'm at the point in life when someone else's is finally more important than mine." Her resolve was set if the worst came to be.
"Damn, that's a good line… cool sounding stuff."
"Heh, thanks weirdo." Chizuru's intentional sneer went unnoticed by Ayamine.
"I… don't wanna die, I seriously don't wanna die. Dying would be bad… really, really bad." Those few sentences had a sorrowful tone compared to the rest.
"Ayamine, you okay?"
"Yeah, no… I'm just acting like a bitch, don't worry." But her look was straining to watch, Ayamine didn't show any signs of being totally okay.
"C'mon, you think this's my first time meeting you? What's going on?" Voluntarily going out of her comfort-zone, Chizuru was caring for her odd partner.
"Shit… I'm getting really scared right now, like my-whole-body-is-trembling kind of scared. Dunno why… can't stop shaking…! Sakaki… I- I want to keep living…"
"Ayamine…" A quirky and stoic ally was opening her heart to Chizuru, her nemesis never displayed such weakness before. However, Archangel's Class rep couldn't retort, because that fear was an intuition she sealed away until now.
"It makes no sense… I see this- I see this vision. We were in the stab, the two of us… BETA were everywhere. Just mountains of bodies pouring in; kept shooting, kept killing, but not good enough; too much of them… then we just die, and that's the end… then there's nothing left…"
Chizuru didn't want to admit to this bone-chilling terror going down her spine, she would do anything right then to stop her angst. For she saw it too, her own death; many times in fact, a big flash of white to end her life on, the dreadful sweat she woke up to many nights all caused by the same illusion.
"Stop… just stop talking about it, you're bringing yourself down like this, dumbass. We'll be with everyone, we even got the Susanoo here this time. Just- stop thinking too much, alright?"
"This time'…? So you saw it too—" One slip-up revised everything's meaning.
"Enough, enough! You'll be fine, Ayamine! You'll live, I'll live! Honestly! Who want to die in that hell-hole down there!? Calm down and use your brain; we won't get separated like headless chickens, keep your guard up and stay alert! Then we'll be fine!" For the longest time, Ayamine said nothing.
"…What a death flag, you gotta be put on suicide watch." And now she was back, the regular Ayamine.
"Sure, sure, protect my back, alright?"
"Naaah… you'll be fine."
Shirogane Takeru
Operation 21, 246 minutes in
A-02 destination
"—look, look, Takeru-chan!"
"—you want something?"
"Look! Here comes dat boi!" I turned my gaze up.
"Wut."
"O shit waddup!"
"…Fucking… wut?" Icanteven. jpg
"Huh? Don't you get it? It's that unicycle riding frog joke!" I was honestly plain speechless.
"It's called a meme, you fucking stupid bitch… still that was pretty good, Sad Jordan/10."
"You're such a terrible person but thanks, Takeru-chan!" Her fighter waved energetically for me.
Honestly, this shit was too much to explain in words. It was an older meme too, but it checked out.
"—oh, look! Dat boi! Ahaha, I haven't seen it in soooo long!" Somehow, Mikoto also had memories connected to our frog here.
"Allllright then, guess everyone knows it. Seriously, is none of you remotely amazed by the XG? I am disappoint."
"—ahehe, Tama thinks the XG-70 looks amazing and powerful! I can't wait for it to shoot something! Dat boi is here to cheer us up too!" Apparently that was what a unicycle-riding frog meant to Tama.
"—Element B arrived… yo… isn't that dat boi? You legit, Takeru."
"—ah, you're right, it is dat boi. But… why?"
There was Ayamine and Class rep flying over in their Shiranui Seconds, all with their own input on this beautiful piece of art.
"Apparently you both know it as well! Why not, that's FUCKING GREAT!" I wasn't angry, really.
"Look how cute it is! It's super cute!"
"Yaaay, dat boi!" No problems from Tama and Mikoto.
"Ha-ha-ha! And you weren't happy with seeing dat boi on the XG! Takeru-chan you fool!" In the most retarded manner possible, Sumika laughed at me through telepathy; which was impossible, so she had to pronounce her laughter.
"Goddamn you bitch, how much time did it take to paint that thing?"
"About three days! I told sensei when we were at Yukon!" Look, if they were happy, I was happy. It didn't make any difference to me what boi was available.
—
"—Element A on station."
"—Takeru, we have returned, shall we begin… is that a… frog riding a unicycle?" Even Meiya noticed dat boi before noticing the Susanoo, this was incredible in so many ways.
"—SHUT UP! -I'm sorry, just don't ask." Too much meant too much.
"…I see? Anyway, shall we begin the attack run now? I see that Susanoo has arrived ahead of us." And had been waiting here for like an eternity, but we didn't need to mention that.
"Yee, get this shit done and over with fast. What's the score now, Kasumi? You updating?"
"Affirmative, Sumika-san in is lead with two thousand fifty-seven points." She was generous in sparing me from listening to the entire breakdown.
"Nice going, Sumika. For once I'll praise you on that great KD."
"—really!? That's a nonpareil praise from you!"
"…A what praise?" Did she- did she just outsmart me?
"Haha! A word Takeru-chan doesn't know! Suck it idioooot!" Then what did I witness next? A tongue being stuck out at me from my monitor, Sumika was about to be introduced to a whole new level of spanking.
"Get OVER HERE BITC—"
"—HQ to Archangel lead, private call from Professor Kouzuki." That spanking was getting stored up for a better aging like wine, not forgetting about it.
"—Arc lead copy, you want something, sensei?"
"Oh, I dunno, maybe I just wanna begin Susanoo's attack run and save the day!? But you obviously got more important plans lined up." The salty salt was overflowing.
"Hey… chilllllll. Besides, we agreed the run will start once XG is in position, you didn't have to wait."
"Yeah? Sorry that I have trouble calling it when I see two of your people in Whiskey's AO, two of your people in Echo's AO and the rest of you amongst BETA occupied area!"
"I'm kinda glad you didn't blast us with the BETA, good on you, sensei." Seriously, old-school Yuuko wouldn't even bat an eye if she had to kill us all for victory.
"…Look, kid. I'm trying- and trying very hard to trust your dreamily philosophy of 'leave no man behind'. I can order Kagami to launch up that fortress anytime and all we'd have is a bad relationship afterwards. So please, Shirogane, you gotta stop messing around like a child. Do your goddamn job, soldier."
"Yuuko-sensei… sorry."
This was a reminder I sorely required, yet a warning I didn't wish to hear. The decades I wasted roaming this dying world dulled my sense of urgency, I must admit. I hated being grave in any situation, no matter its significance. Because to me, treating a circumstance humourlessly meant I acknowledged its severity, and I didn't want to write anything down in ink.
"I'm not criticizing you, Shirogane. The tension's getting to me, sorry. It's fine if you understand, I'll give the 00 unit permission to engage. We'll also provide what artillery we can for those Laser-class amongst the wave. Go get'em."
"Yes, ma'am." Once a blue moon, sensei received my ever so exotic salute. For there was nothing to joke about a life-or-death battle like this.
"Good luck, saviour of time." Dropping that abstruse title on me, Yuuko-sensei departed from our call.
"—Archangel lead to all A-01 fireteams, sixty seconds until XG-70 attack run begins. Check all systems, update data-link." One by one, all of my unit's signals displayed as functional, they were ready for whatever adversity we must face ahead.
"—Valkyries 1 to Archangel lead, all units all green. Standing by for firing order, you have control." Isumi willingly offered her service to me.
"Arc lead roger. All units, thanks to our little side activities here and there, Susanoo is coming up a bit late on the timer. It ain't no problem as long as we keep the incoming BETA herd off her while she charges her super cannon, we all got that?"
"—roger!" So far so good.
"It shouldn't be too difficult, we'll split our two Squadrons to five Platoons and cover all angles of exposure. Laser-class are priority, but letting a few shots slip through is okay as long as Susanoo isn't hit too hard at once. Make sure that doesn't happen."
"—warning. Hostile BETA force approaching, confirmed Laser-class presence, contact imminent." Kasumi was good on reporting the essential in the fewest words.
"No time to explain, Valkyries, decide your vanguards, two Platoon up front and three behind. Let's go and fuck'em up."
—
"—Arc 5, sync. Cover my reload."
"—copy, switching to halberd!"
Trusting the mechanical parts of my YF-23, I handed an empty rifle to the Mount Pylon for a new magazine to be inserted. And sure enough, a fully loaded gun was retrieved a moment later as I watched Meiya skewer a bunch of BETA during my inactive period.
"—hoooo! Let me give you a love-tap you UGLY ASSHOLES!"
"—First Lieutenant, please. That's disgusting." Hayase was sorta in a world of her own at the time, listening to her cringe-worthy lines was bad for my mentality. As for Takahara, I kinda liked that kid, got a funny bone.
"—Arc 7 on me, focus down the marked enemies!"
"—sure… I'm okay with that."
"Ayamine, you go for the Fort-class's legs! I got cover!"
"Arc 7 copy, sync on you."
The award for most cooperative teammates seemed to be rolling towards Ayamine and Class rep's way again, they were really redeeming for the pain I suffered back when I tried to make them not kill each other.
For the three Squadrons to our rear who were tasked with long-range support, they were doing their jobs just dandy. Haruko and Tama were doing their best spitting hot lead at any monsters we missed, so were Mikoto and Kazama with their accurate barrages.
If anything was missing from this picture of perfect BETA slaughter, that would be Sumika and Kasumi's tag-team Berkuts. For technical reasons, they couldn't really participate in some old-fashioned TSF combat.
"—Moorcock-Lechte engine full activation confirmed, Rutherford Field online. Rutherford Field operating percentage; seven percent, increasing." How often I missed the times when I got to enjoy Sumika's voice in complete monotone.
"—Eclipse Unit synchronization decreasing; Eclipse Unit operation unsustainable; Eclipse Unit retracting from AO."
"—Kasumi, you sure pulling out the Berkuts is a good idea?" The Whiskey people might not like that.
"Negative disputation, Takeru-san. Sumika-san cannot sustain connecting to both Susanoo and the Esper system at once, her strain is greater than prediction. We will recall Eclipse Unit once the Moorcock-Lechte drive is stable."
"Fair enough. Just to check up again, she'll be fine, right? Nothing out of ordinary is going on here?"
"Yes, Sumika-san is capable of intended actions. No cause for concern." A reassurance from Kasumi was the best I could possibly hope for.
"Rutherford Field operating percentage; eighty-one percent, increasing. XG-70b stability established, charging particle cannon." How speedy the force barrier got to work, Sumika sure was doing a good job.
Hey, Sumika. You're not going mental on me again, right? Nevertheless, this unease in me was hard to let go.
"I'll be fine, Takeru-chan! I've grown accustomed to your dirty thoughts, they can't faze me anymore!"
Perfect, especially when you experienced most of them firsthand.
"Takeru-CHAN! Don't say that! Even if it's true!" That honesty has got to count for something, Sumika was making progress in her training.
"—Valkyries Mum to all units, artillery pattern is changing to accommodate BETA formation. A-02 firing in twenty seconds, evacuate the danger zone immediately."
"Arc 1 to fireteams, clear the firing line now! Move it, everyone!" None were disinclined to evade a foolish and unnecessary death.
The ticking of an invisible clock was resonating its signal note in the back of my head, the constant flow of seconds gave us no period of rest. But that was a problem no longer, for it was only her waiting on that perfect flash to unleash devastation forged from humanity's hope upon the monsters.
"Warning. Six detected laser sources converging on XG-70 position."
There were six of them, Kasumi's advisory was again perfect accurate as expected, excluding the fact that they served little to zero purpose. Like the first time I witnessed its power, the opening beams erupted a storm of dust and sand on impact, masking their deflection and delaying the awe of others.
Wordless was the common symptoms of both A-01 Squadrons on the field right now, eyes widened to the brim were stunned beyond belief by the performance of mankind's miracle. And by the way it emerged harmlessly from an arena of fire, I would bet Sumika's mount was worth every penny.
"Warning. Additional laser sources detected, counting three shooters converging." Kasumi's bad callouts were bad like always, funny how she never really fixed that habit of not speaking Japanese.
As for why I became distracted at the most principal moment, well… watching Sumika tanking shots was that much of an entertainment.
Can we just please shoot them back now?
"Geez, Takeru-chan! You see how I got this like- huuuge cannon here!? Yeah! This needs preparing!"
Then can you please hurr—
"It's done, XG-70b, beginning particle cannon firing sequence." This bitch.
"Particle cannon energy output stability."
"Confirmed."
"Moorcock-Lechte Engine levitation stability."
"Confirmed."
"Rutherford Field deactivation controls."
"Confirmed."
"Firing permission."
"Confirmed."
What a long shopping list Kasumi had to read off, was there always this much work involved in blowing up BETA?
"Cannon hatches opening, guidance targeting complete. Recoil concussion prevention set. All settings normal, zero anomaly detected." My angle wasn't the best for observing Sumika's long-life achievement, but from the light that was congregating at Susanoo's front, this was gonna be one hell of a firework.
"Pew-pew up the party, blast'em to pieces Sumika. Fire!"
"Boom-shakalaka!" What a fun phrase to say indeed, didn't think she would go for that one.
Kouzuki Yuuko
Operation 21, 253 minutes in
Mogami-class Heavy Cruiser, UN-Imperial 3rd Fleet Flagship, Mogami
For the longest time, Yuuko hated how people often misused the theory of relativity for their sensation of time dilation. Sure, the two were similar to almost exact principals, but there was still a bit of difference between time slowing down based on the overseers' perspective and seeing shit in slow-motion just because.
For now though, she accepted some occurrences truly were powerful enough to clearly alter one's perception of time, and she admitted on personal experience.
"…So…err, that worked."
"…Yes." The ship captain said even less than Yuuko herself.
Words failed to explain the pure wonderment of perceiving what the XG-70 had accomplished, it simply was all gone; the Monument that stood on behalf of humanity's failure, people's humiliation was wiped off the map in one shot. For all intents and purposes, this was another changing point in history, another rift in the sea of causality.
"Seventy seconds until A-02 particle cannon reaches critical energy point. Confirmation is true for Monument destruction. All but the base structure has crumbled." Per regulation, 1st Lt. Piatif updated Yuuko on their success.
"Piatif, you're pretty calm right… guess not, huh?" When she saw the First Lieutenant's face, there were teardrops secretly dribbling down her pink cheeks.
As for Yuuko, crying would be too much of an embarrassment, so she hid behind her usual smirk instead.
"Wonderful… simply magnificent power! …I am grateful, XO Kouzuki… this weapon, may be the one to lead us to survival."
"No, no, Captain. I believe the correct word here is victory." Yuuko knew he would appreciate that very much.
"Ahahaha…! Perhaps so, never before in the past has any human ever dealt this amount of damage to a Phase 4 hive. You have no doubt carved your name into humanity's history, Professor."
"History… huh? What good is something already set in stone, really? What I want… what we want is the future, this future here will lead to people's salvation. That is what we are after, our goal." The captain nodded, not further pursuing the topic of whomever Yuuko deemed to be her equal.
"I understand, once this operation is over, the time for celebration is nigh." She provided her answer with a fast grin.
Of course, there was already plenty of celebration as heard from within the bridge. Deafening screams of joy and excitement actually annoyed Yuuko a little, she just didn't like getting ear blasted even for a good cause.
"So 1st Lieutenant Silvio, wanna rain down some praises on me?" Next, the Vice-Commander turned her attention to the tag-along European.
"…What can I say, Professor. I'm just glad I wore these shades." The young man expressed as he pushed up his glasses, earning a laugh from Yuuko.
"Huhuhu, good for you then. Don't miss out after the commercial."
"Oh, I believe we already passed that part." Whether her joke went through fully or not, Yuuko constructed a concrete point to the Italian spy.
"-Valkyries Mum to all callsigns, one hundred twenty seconds until A-02 fires again, Move to rear support positions." Suzumiya too returned to her job.
"Let's keep watching, captain. Who knows what other tricks I got hidden."
"I agree, you never cease to amaze, XO Kouzuki."
Shirogane Takeru
Operation 21, 254 minutes in
A-02 firing route
"—Monument deconstruction confirmed, all hostiles eliminated on sector E-23-54 to Y-01-12." Just in case some of us went blind from its awesomeness, Kasumi reread a report for us.
"—resupply coming down, people… c'mon! Don't sit still, let's move it!" Isumi got her yell in before me.
"—ahh…" Collective stupor was always a sight to behold.
"—yes, yes! Amazing shit, I know! But if you're too busy crying we won't get time to restock! The containers are here so load up on any bullets you need, we won't get another chance until more lines are built underneath." I too had to add my encouragement.
The XG-70's cannon was pretty sweet, it shot a bunch of stuff and stuff. Yeah, it was alright. I didn't really have too much of an opinion, seen this shit way too many times to be surprised.
Although the same couldn't be said for my girls. Keen eyes stared unmoving towards the direction of XG-70's handiwork, there were locked in place for almost an entire minute after its shot, not muttering a single word and letting their expression do the talking.
"—this strength, this prowess… never on my life have I ever imagined … a milestone such as this shall surely go forever honoured in the river of time. Takeru… please lend me your ear and carry on my message to the Professor; speaking for the people of our empire, we thank you for this remission of our suffering."
"…Meiya… sorry but I'm gonna need you to write that one down, didn't copy." Being too solemn about all this, Meiya even leaked some tears as she bowed her head to the camera.
"Huhuhu, I must." Filled with recognition, she smiled again.
"—all units, A-02 will fire again in ten seconds. Beware of shockwave and flash exposure." That was Suzumiya calling for the start of round two.
"—Takeru-chan, Takeru-chan! Watch out! I'm shooting again!" Good for Sumika that she used an encrypted channel for its intended purpose.
"Don't let me stop you, fire!"
"Booooom- shakalaka!" She really liked that line.
—
And the Susanoo was like- PEEEEEEW! And them BETA were like- arrgggaaaa.
"—shot on target, good effect. Hive main shaft taken heavy damage." Kasumi, back at it again with the Captain Obvious.
"—Arc 4 resupply complete, switching out." Thanks to Isumi taking over temporary leader duty, I had some free time to mess around as we waited for our turn on the supply drops.
"—c'mon, Class rep. Why you no like particle cannon?"Class rep didn't even seem all that impressed by our literal robot-sized BFG, how could she not light up that hype?
"Where you get that idea from? Susanoo is freaking amazing!"
"You don't really look all that happy though." This was the part where I distract myself with petty chit-chat to not think about other girls' tits… and asses, I am fair to both.
"No, it's just hard to find a proper reaction after seeing… that. Never would I dream of something like this, Takeru."
"Huu… alright, I'll allow it."
"Hey, errm… listen, Takeru; What Mitsurugi said just now is probably way better than me but- I do want you to know that I appreciate everything as well, you know? Say thanks to the Vice-Commander for me, I'm sure father will think the same once he sees this." She was a bit timid when she revealed her gratefulness.
"No problem. You did well, Chizuru, keep that up."
"Ahha… yeah, okay." There was some degree of cute shyness when I called her real name.
"—you two done…? I need bullets too." Rudely cutting in as appointed by her nature, Ayamine was having none of this.
"Sup, you can go ahead."
"Cool. And hey, Takeru-" What I didn't predict was Ayamine wanting my attention as well.
"Yeah?"
"You da real MVP."
"Thanks."
And really, all we had to say was that. Communication never was a problem between Ayamine and I, without bitching we always got the most amount of detail through in the least amount of syllables. Why should this time be any different?
Also; God, that meme was ancient.
"—attention, all units. A-02 will now proceed outside of operation outline. After creating a slope leading up the ravine, Susanoo will open fire on remaining BETA forces to left and right of the Hive, eradicating the diverted groups currently engaging Whiskey and Echo. Both fireteams are to continue safeguard."
Suzumiya check up with us again, bringing a slight change to mission along. Apparently the main teams were still pretty shitty and needed Sumika's assistance, too bad they weren't L33t enough like us.
"—Valkyries 1 copy."
"—Arc lead copy." Happy with our response, Suzumiya departed the lovely fun-land of our comms.
"Shirogane, what does she mean by creating a slope? The walls here are pretty tall." Isumi was talking about the valley we were in, I would say the cliffs were around a hundred fifty metres-ish? Definitely not something to be scaled easily.
"She probably got a way, we'll wait and see."
"She?" Fuck me that was a slip of the tongue.
"…You know, the XG-70, like how ship people call their boats 'she'." Nice save, I was a clever boy.
"Ah, got you. Then guess we must wait, keep your eyes open." There went Isumi as well.
"—Sumika, how you planning on doing this?" Now onto the private call.
"—oh, oh! Watch, watch!"
As I stood beside the Susanoo unsure of its next step, the 00 unit suddenly ordered her giant fortress to unleash the full load of its railgun into the overhangs. By totally pure luck, this absurd strategy somehow resulted in zero friendly injury and instead shaped a makeshift ramp going alongside the ravine.
"Hooooly fucking… that's one way." To be fair, she said she would make a ramp, and she did.
I hopped back onto the open channel to discover all of my girls sharing the same bewilderment as me, not forgetting the Valkyries who were equally baffled. When their glares all converged on me like looking at the culprit behind bars, I could only raise my hands to implore for innocence.
Because I had absolutely no clue why in the fuck Sumika must fire her railgun to make an exit.
"See!? It worked perfectly!"
"I fucking hate you."
"Smooch! Love you too, Takeru-chan!" She blew me a kiss, quite a rare act of affection, although saying smooch out loud was just plain stupid.
So we attempted to cover Susanoo as it rode up the valley on the landslide it detonated seconds earlier. I was certain most my team members were all enduring pressure in their own way, seeing something like the XG mowing down a Hive's Monument in one shot was no way of easing the tension.
In fact, I could notice a bit of sweats of each and everyone's faces. The Eishis had undergone trials of different struggle to reach where they were today, all for the purpose of attaining the project for humanity's salvation. Alternative IV was our objective to meet, no matter the pain or the suffering.
Of course, I too was seriously hoping for nothing out of the ordinary. Ignoring how aliens crawling away at people's faces were a normal thing these days, it would be wonderfully nice and relaxing if shit didn't go south.
S******** T*****
Operation 21, 259 minutes in
A-02 firing route
"—caution, strange reading present on seismometer. Scanning for potential earthquake, standby." Ever so calmly, Kasumi noted a change.
"—earthquake? I'm not picking up anything, could it be the aftershock from Susanoo?"
"Negative… confirmed detection on Primary wave… seven minutes ago…! —emergency! Detected inbound large-scale earthquake! Epicentre predicted at…!" Abruptly ceasing her warning, there was a rush of panic and fear onto the Russian girl's face.
"Kasumi! What's going on here!?" Her immediate but cut-off alarm put our whole Squadron on full alert.
"Velocity equals square-root K plus three four Mu over P equals square-root 96 plus 3/4 0.44332 over 2.67…" Kasumi continued off muttering more math terms he had no business understanding in his life.
"Ay, hey! Kasumi, talk to me!"
"—Shirogane! There's an earthquake coming in!? When!?" Isumi shouted in a dense panic.
"I don't know! Kasumi's doing the calculation!"
"No…! 9.4 on the Richter scale… incoming at—"
At those exact words, the world trembled like never before.
—
"Brace, BRACE!"
"—shit-what the FUCK—! The ground's splitting up!"
"Off the ground! All units off the ground!"
"—arugga the hell's happenin-! TOUKO! WATCH OUT!"
"—Misae NO!"
"—HARUKO! HURRY! FLY UP!
"—DAMN IT! My booster-fin's stuck! Stop pulling me-just GO!"
"Watch out for the rocks! Boulders are dropping from the top!"
"—Capt. Isumi, stay clear!"
"—TAKERU-CHAN! Slope is breaking apart! I can't maintain altitude, Susanoo is FALLING DOWN!"
[GRAVITATIONAL DEVIATION ALERT]
"SHIT! All units, EVADE! A-02 is losing foothold!"
CAUTION, automatic evasive maneuver engaged
"—Aggruraa! This thing is—! Ayamine! Dodge left, we gotta get out!"
"—fucking auto-control! It's forcing us—!"
"What're you doing!? CHIZURU! KEI! PULL UP!"
"I-I can't! It's pushing us down into the hole! SHIT!"
"I throw you up, Sakaki! Get behind my—"
"I CAN'T MOVE OUT FROM UNDER HERE! Don't try to— arrhhgga—!"
"—CAUTION! Second wave incoming! BRACE!"
And like so, the earth opened, swallowing whole.
Author's note
Another update, yaaaaay.
Been playing a lotta GTA V on my new computer these days, finally have joined the /Pcmasterrace, feelsgoodman.
Edit: this chapter was originally uploaded with libreoffice, little did I know how much it fucked up the formatting on this site, now and will again use Word.
BETA done by chad001, really got nothing this time.