Chapter 1
Diplomatic Crisis Counseling:
US Embassy Tokyo
One could cut the tension with a knife as four men met to discuss the latest source of tension between these two allies. "You have some explaining to do!" Kurikowa demanded from his American counterpart who just sat across from him with a neutral face his black moustache rustling as the fans kicked on to provide some ventilation in the humid Japanese summer. This young man who barely looked out of his thirties just continued Staring Kikouka down that man was Maj. Rossumn the new commander of American forces in Japan. "Your country men shot at my team, threatened to blow us up in a mushroom cloud and now you've kidnapped Rinko-san and Asuna-Chan!" Kurikowa snapped; All these accusations had to have gotten to the young commander as his brow started to twitch before beginning to speak; "Now you..."
"Don't say another word Rossumn..." The gentleman sitting next to him muttered. That man was Secretary Foust the United States Secretary of State.
After a brief pause the young short man dressed in all black pushed his glasses up and attempted to ease the tension with Kikouka and Prime Minister Mutsuba. "We won't deny what those goons the NSA sent after you had done Kurikowa, and while we are truly sorry about that; we have NO Knowledge of this Rinko and Asuna you speak of." The two Japanese men looked at each other before turning back to the American envoys with looks of skepticism.
The Major then continued on where secretary Foust left off; after the events of what the JSDF called "Project Alicization." Your government unexpectedly came out with everything that transpired. It caused the mother of all international incidents and an uproar in Washington the American public and Congress demanded heads roll over it; Our president, Secretaries of Defense, State, Navy as well as the director of NSA were all impeached by unanimous vote. A first in the nations history; Once Vice President Long took over he fired my predicessor and sent me and newly appointed Secretary Foust here to Japan with a mandate; repair the damage that had been done with arguably our most important stratigic ally in the Pacific. Our countries special relationship was set back almost 100 years just when this area of the world has become more contested why would we make things worse by kidnapping two Japanese Citizens."
"America just isn't into the whole kidnapping thing." Secretary Foust added.
The two Japanese envoys looked at one another before continuing on their high level discussions with their American counterparts. In the face of the Chinese who are on the warpath and North Koreans wanting to sink their island nation they had no choice but to cooperate with the Americans despite the growing mistrust between the two allies the fate of the world depends on it. Truth be told Alicization came about for fear of mistrust in old Uncle Sam and While the American Government denies being involved in this latest debacle it still doesn't look good for them when Rinko returned to San Francisco to continue her work at Caltech her and Asuna who she had brought along as her new assistant both went missing without a trace. The News however immediately drew the attention of US DOD and JSDF Intel officials; as both were involved in Alicization. So while DOD and FBI worked the case in the states Kikouka took the intiative and immediately worked out a a ruse to get Kirito and Alice back to underworld as a safety measure because if they were after the only True Bottom Up AI it would be easier to protect her there than in the real world. But it remains to be seen for how long Rinko and Asuna's disappearance can be kept from them. For right now at least until they know more Kikouka felt the less Kirito and to an extent Alice knew the better.
As the meeting continued an aid to Major Rossumn entered the room carrying an envelope which the Major opened. The Young American Army officer almost became as white as a bed sheet after reading the contents before passing it to Secretary Foust who gulped before sliding it across the table to the prime minister before ultimately winding up in front of Kikouka;
Report from FBI LA Field Office;
Ransom Note obtained regarding kidnapped Japanese Citizens on American Soil
Note reads:
We have the two women who were involved in project Alicization we will return them unharmed in exchange for the following;
1. Either Alice herself or a duplicate.
2. The surrender of ALL Akhiko Kayaba's research
These are to be surrendered to us at the Los Angeles International Airport LAX within 90 days Failure to comply will result in the death of both women. will contact again to confirm details.
Seeing this intel Made Kikouka's heart sink into his stomach. It was everyone's worst fears; Alicization was his idea and; These demands were about as unrealistic as they got. After all Alice was one of a kind and neither government would surrender the keys to the ultimate weapon for two women, but he knew he had to do something for Kirito before he finds out; he and Asuna stuck their necks out for him and countless others more times than he could count and he also considered Rinko a friend. A good soldier never leaves a man or woman behind the JSDF officer told himself and that's when an idea came to mind one that while it's ethics and morals were highly questionable. If it could be pulled off it could just be the thing to save the day but Kikouka would have to consult with Higa and his newest partner Ryoken to see if what he was thinking was even possible...
If they want a bottom up AI they'll get one alright...
Kikouka then informed the other gentleman gathered in the meeting of his intentions and they agreed to meet back in a few hours to go over the "game plan"Kikouka then excused himself and pulled out his satellite phone and brought up Higa and Ryoken on a video call to go over his plan and see if it would indeed be possible to rescue their friends before it was too late.
To Be Continued