Chapter 39

Minutes. That's all it took. Minutes after Yumi had initiated the injection and fallen on the ridge, the Ryoshi erupted into fierce howls all around them. Being fully illuminated still, Sachiko was able to watch in vivid and horrifying clarity as a literal swarm of the creatures converged on Yumi's position.

Opening her mouth to order soldiers into action, she had to force the words back down as terrified nausea climbed up her throat. This was the plan. The plan. She had to let it happen. Gritting her teeth, she squeezed the stock of her rifle harder, her knuckles turning white under the pressure. "It might be the plan, but that doesn't mean we can't make this more believable." She muttered to herself. Raising her voice, she issued her order as she herself took aim. "Shoot! Kill as many of these alien fuckers as we can! Pepper that ridge until it's lined with their bodies!"

Needing no more encouragement, the line of squads behind the barricades opened fire, squad leaders repeating her order further down the line.

An instant later, Sachiko felt a presence at her side and looked up to find Yoko, a service pistol in her hand and a frantic determination in her eyes. She had seen more frontline battle than Sachiko ever would and it was obvious that that time had taken its toll. "Yoko, why are you here?"

"These are my squads and that's-" Yoko swallowed visibly and looked to the ridge. "That's our Yumi. I'm going to do my part, damn it!" Without waiting for her response, Yoko put her radio to her lips and issued an order. "I want every 50 cal. aimed and firing on that ridgeline. Now!" She herself then turned, crouched by Sachiko's side, and fired.

As if they had anticipated the order, moments later 50 cal. fire erupted from all around, from the backs of jeeps and tanks and the tops of hangars.

Bodies flew apart, seeming to explode under the bombardment from all around. While Sachiko knew Yumi's suit would protect her, she was still pleased to see that the other soldiers aimed away from their Valkyrie. Raising her rifle, she fired as quickly and efficiently as she could into the swarm that had reached Yumi. One by one, the Contin fell. Ryoshi were far harder to fell, though the .50 cals seemed to be more than effective against them.

Her focus was diverted when she noticed a flash of metal disappearing over the ridgeline, followed by a stream of enemies. Realization that Yumi was gone hit her hard, nearly driving the breath from her lungs.

"Sachiko, are you okay?" Yoko, with her gun still in hand though the slide indicated she was out of ammo, knelt by her side.

"Yeah," Sachiko gasped, resting her head against the cool material of the barricade.

Yoko was silent for a moment and all Sachiko could hear was the relentless cascade of bullets flying from the mounted guns, the unnatural screams of the Contin, and the yelling of the soldiers along the barricades.

"I can't believe it."

"What?" Sachiko asked, still trying to catch her breath.

"How single-mindedly they all converged on Yumi. Did you notice that they even stopped returning fire? We slaughtered dozens of them and yet none of them turned and fired on our soldiers." Yoko was shaking her head in utter amazement, but to Sachiko, the knowledge that so many Contin were focused solely on the woman she loved caused nausea to roil in her stomach and bile to rise up her throat. Was the suit actually working, keeping her safe? Was she in pain? Afraid? Even alive? In reality, Yuki had not known what an unmasked dose of that size would do to Yumi. There was the potential that the dose would be fatal, but Yumi had insisted that that wouldn't happen, as if her will could override the chemical compound being forced into her system.

Noticing how pale her sister had become, Yoko gripped her under the arm and raised her to her feet. Taking the rifle from her hands, she passed it to a nearby soldier, issuing orders for it to be sent to the armory where Sachiko would pick it up later.

With the battle winding down, the Contin having nearly vacated the base and the ridge, Yoko surreptitiously led Sachiko to a nearby truck. Depositing her in the passenger seat, Yoko quickly stepped into the driver's seat and tore off toward HQ and, hopefully, the answers Sachiko would need.

The battle was all but over as Sei stood and studied the ridgeline. Bodies lay unmoving, some human but mostly Contin. Soldiers from all the squads called out to their leaders, announcing that Valkyrie was down and requesting to go after her. It was incredible, the impact Yumi had on the lives and attitudes of the soldiers that surrounded her. Though they might tremble and cower in fear on their own, those same soldiers would rise up and fight for their Valkyrie.

When the all-clear siren sounded, Sei spoke into her radio. "Command, permission to discuss the mission with the troops."

A long pause was followed by the General herself speaking. "Permission granted, but Sergeant, use tact. Many will be unhappy with the risk to Valkyrie's life."

"Understood." Tact, huh?

Jogging to a nearby truck, Sei whistled harshly through her teeth and hauled herself up into the back. Standing in the truckbed, she waved and called for the soldiers to gather around. Many were still speaking frantically about Yumi's capture. "Quiet down, the lot of you!" Sei waited until their chatter had quieted and then decided to dive right into the deep end. "We planned for Valkyrie to be taken."

Cries of alarm and outrage rose from the gathered troops. "Quiet!" She yelled again, this time it taking longer for the soldiers to comply. "I know some of you have heard whispers, so I'll go ahead and tell it to you straight. The enemy has been gunning for Valkyrie for a while now. Systematically hunting her down because of the many - and I mean MANY - lives she has stolen back from their grasp. We don't even know the full count, but what we do know is that she fouled up their plans so much that she became enemy number one." She waited for that news to settle in before she continued. "We believe the Contin Queen has ordered that she be brought to her, alive. With that hope in mind, we planned for Lance Corporal Fukuzawa to get captured."

A voice from the crowd revealed something more, "You're hoping her capture will lead you to the Queen?"

"Damn right! It's time to end this fucking war!" Sei's response was loud and fierce, followed by a roaring agreement from many of the soldiers at her feet. "We are going to follow those swine and we are going to make them rue the day that they ever thought to cross that ocean of stars - that they ever decided to descend into our atmosphere - that they ever dared to land in our home of Japan!"

Cries of outrage at using Valkyrie in this manner fell away to cheers of agreement as Sei stabbed the air with her rifle, punctuating each statement with a fiery determination that would have roused the dead into action on her behalf.

"This fight is not over! But our next step is to hold the line! Dig a trench, fill it with their bodies, and burn them all to hell! Clear this field and the ridge of their filth and prepare for another assault. We will not underestimate this enemy." Sei shook her head, trying to meet the eyes of each soldier. "We will be prepared, we will fight smart and we will fight fiercely. Be prepared at all times! Until this is over, you go nowhere alone. You sleep with your rifle at your side and a pistol under your pillow. We will not lower our guard when we are this close to the end! We will shore up our defenses in every way possible! Double the patrols! Corporals, work with your squads to create a new duty roster. Squads that will be going on the mission, your Sergeants will inform you individually." Calls for them all to go rose and Sei wasted no time in squashing the demand. "We never put all of our troops on a single mission and this is no different! Some of you will stay here to hold this line. There are civilians in cities beyond our location that depend on our protection. We will not fail them! No matter our task we will make Valkyrie proud of us, right?" She looked around to nodding heads. "Right?!" She pressed harder, wanting to drive the belief of her words straight into their souls.

"Right!"

"Who will we go after?!"

"Valkyrie!"

"Who will we rescue?!"

"Valkyrie!"

"Who will we defeat?!"

"Valk-" Many young faces looked at each other, caught off guard by the question. "The Contin?" A tremulous voice spoke from the crowd.

"That's right! Just checking that you were actually paying attention." Sei smirked at the indignant looks on some of the older faces in the crowd. "Now, get to work and make Japan and Valkyrie proud!"

As the band of soldiers dispersed, Rei stepped to Sei's side, lowering her voice so that only her Sergeant could hear her. "What are the chances we actually find Yumi alive?"

"I don't deal in odds, Rei. You know that." Sei replied, jumping down and marching toward HQ.

"But Sarge," Rei fell into step at her side. "You have to have a thought about this. I mean, something, right? We aren't really leaving Yumi's survival to chance, are we?"

"Not hardly. We are depending on a lot of things to go our way during this mission, but chance has nothing to do with it. Yumi is depending on our successful completion of our assignments and that's what we are going to do." Sei moved swiftly as she spoke, entering the hangar and heading straight for the hall that would lead to the command center.

"Yes, sir." Rei was right on Sei's heels. "Should I get the squad prepped?"

"Yes." Before Rei could turn toward the squad room, Sei grabbed her by the shoulder and turned to face her. "And Rei?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Moriko-chan… Make sure her body is retrieved. I have a feeling that before this is all over we will have more friends to say goodbye to, but today isn't the day to start those farewells. Get the squad prepped, full advanced tactical gear. Include night scopes for Emi and Ichika. They will be on point recon. Understood?" Sei tightened her grip on Rei's elbow, knowing the younger woman would instinctively wish to argue about Moriko. She felt the same, but for the greater good, they could not spare the time or focus to mourn the dead while there were still living souls that needed to be saved.

Though reluctance was clear in Rei's eyes, she straightened and nodded her understanding. Sei had no doubt she would do what was necessary, regardless of how she felt about it. "Yes, sir."

Nodding, Sei released her Corporeal and watched for only a moment as the tall woman moved down the hall.

They were all torn by what to do. There were dead and injured soldiers that needed their attention, Yumi was in Maria-only-knew what state while in enemy hands, and still, despite everything, the most pressing instinct in her was to find Yoko and hold her. The feeling was alien to Sei, who had often prided herself on her own independence in her relationship with Yoko. She loved her, deeply and irrevocably, but had never felt the need to stay glued to Yoko's side. Now, after having seen her lover charge to the barricades with nothing but a handgun, she couldn't fight the panicked sensation that was squeezing her heart.

After years of fighting this battle by Yoko's side, Sei didn't know if she could handle seeing her lover in a situation like that again, where she would be at constant risk of harm or death. When Yoko had been promoted, Sei had felt a relief like none other, realizing that Yoko wouldn't have to be on the battlefield any longer. She would be safe. Tonight, with hundreds of aliens dead on their doorstep, Sei realized Yoko would never be truly safe. Not while the Contin Queen still lived and her minions were left to multiply at whim.

Slamming her way through the door of the command center, Sei's eyes scanned the room for any sign of her lover. Spotting her in the doorway to Sachiko's office, Sei let her heart guide her body and was at her side in an instant. She almost didn't notice the General at Yoko's side, obviously discussing something of import. Almost. "Apologies, General. May I steal the Sergeant Major for a moment?"

"Sei?"

"Of course not." General Ogasawara looked curiously between Yoko, who stared at Sei in open confusion, and Sei, who was clearly struggling to maintain her composure. "Is everything alright, Sergeant?"

With a shake of her head, Sei's eyes grew cold. "Not at all, General, but that's nothing new is it? I merely need to converse with my commanding officer about the upcoming mission."

Nodding, Sayako smiled reassuringly at her daughter. "It's okay. We can finish this discussion after you see to your squads. But," She turned to Sei. "Make it quick, soldier."

"Yes, sir." Without waiting for Yoko to follow voluntarily, Sei grasped her firmly by the hand and pulled her swiftly from the command center.

"Sei, what is this about?" When it became clear that Sei wasn't going to respond, Yoko readjusted Sei's grip so that they could securely hold each other's hand. After moving into an unoccupied hallway, she pulled Sei to a stop and turned to face her. Sei, however, wouldn't meet her eyes. "Sei? Look at me."

Slowly shaking her head, Sei turned to deliberately face the wall.

Moving closer, Yoko smoothly guided her lover back against the wall. Placing her hands securely on Sei's hips, she tucked herself close and gently guided Sei's head around with two soft fingers until they were nose to nose. "Hmmm, it seems my soldier is a bit upset with me."

Scoffing, Sei tried to turn her face away, but Yoko wouldn't have it. Grabbing Sei's wrists, Yoko positioned Sei's hands at her own hips and then reached up to rest her arms on Sei's shoulders. "No, no, Sei, my love. We have gone through too much for you to shut down on me now. Is this about the battle?"

Narrowing her eyes, Sei glared at her lover. "So, you knew going out there would fucking piss me off, huh?"

"Did I know you would be pissed at my putting myself in harm's way? Of course. It's no secret that you're possessive, overprotective." She stopped Sei's argument with a soft finger to her lips. "Don't try to deny it. How many soldiers have you warned away from me in the last decade, huh?"

Sei's look of surprise had Yoko shaking her head in fond amusement. "You thought I didn't know? Oh, lover," Inching closer, Yoko inserted her leg between Sei's, causing Sei's breath to catch. "You are so easy for me to read." Letting her finger glide over Sei's lips, Yoko's eyes flicked down to study those lips she loved so much.

Seeing the desire in her eyes, Sei captured Yoko's wondering finger between her lips and let her tongue caress the soft pad of her finger.

"Ehmmm…" Biting her lip, Yoko tried to fight back a moan at the sensual movement of Sei's tongue. It was difficult though, as instantly her mind returned to the last time Sei's talented tongue has worked her into a frantic state by relentlessly probing her sensitive clit post-second orgasm and pre-third and fourth. "Sei, love, we can't be d-"

With a low growl of frustration, Sei flipped their position, forcing Yoko's body against the wall with her leg now pressed firmly to Yoko's center. "I don't want to hear that we can't right now." Then her lips were on Yoko's and Yoko was surrendering to Sei's demanding body. Pulling back from her lips, Sei's attention turned to Yoko's neck. "Say it, Yoko."

"Sei - oh! - Please, Sei. We- ah!" Yoko's hands pushed her back one moment then the next pulled her back in. Yoko wanted nothing more than to give herself to Sei's indomitable demands. She knew exactly what Sei was feeling. It was the same as what she felt every time her lover led her squad into harm's way. Time was short though. Too short for all she wished to do to Sei and for Sei to do to her.

An announcement over the speaker system seemed to pull Sei from her heated state, but only minutely. Yoko could feel the reluctance emanating off of her as she slowed her hands and lips in their pursuit of Yoko's pleasure.

"I'm sorry, I just…" As Sei spoke, she rested her forehead against Yoko's, eyes searching the beautiful gaze of her lover.

"Shhh, I know. I know. I feel the same. We will have all the time in the world after this war is over. You can take me away and we can do nothing but revel in each other's body for days on end."

Groaning at the pleasurable thoughts that idea inspired, Sei grinned. "I'm already hard, love. You're going to finish me without a touch if you're not careful. Just the idea of taking you makes me wet. The idea of having you as many times as I want is dangerous."

Yoko couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, darling, you always were good for more than one." Lowering her voice to a sultry whisper she added, "I can't wait for a day when we are free to discover just how many times you can cum in a row. I will relish the opportunity to see what your limits truly are."

Taking a deep breath to settle her heart, Sei whispered her response, "It's a date." Opening her eyes, she studied Yoko for a moment before continuing. "Promise me you won't go on this mission."

Instantly, Yoko shook her head. "I won't promise that, Sei. You and many of my squads are going. Even Sachiko is going. No, I refuse. I will stay by your side, but I refuse to stay behind while everyone I love races toward danger." Before Sei could open her mouth to argue further, Yoko continued, "And if you love me as much as you say you do, you won't ask that of me again."

"You're absolutely infuriating, you realize that, right?" Sei growled though Yoko could tell she had already won.

"Of course I do, but that's part of why you love me."

Sei's eyes, both serious and loving, studied every angle and line of Yoko's face before she responded. "True. Yoko," Pulling her ever closer, Sei cupped Yoko's cheek in her strong, callused hand. "Anything can happen out there. So, I need my wife to be as careful as possible and return with me, okay?"

Eyes wide and her heart in her throat, Yoko searched Sei's face to see if there was any sign of doubt or hesitation. But, no, she only saw earnestness in those loving eyes. "S-Sei… Are you- A-asking me to-"

"Marry me? Yes." Sei responded simply.

"But we can't. Japan doesn't re-"

"Fuck the government. I don't care if they will refuse to recognize our love. I couldn't give a fuck if the whole world thinks we are too young and being brash in our love. As long as we can look into each other's eyes and devote ourselves to us, a life together, that's all that matters." Sei's emotions were thick in her throat. She was no emotional sap. No, she was simply eternally enamored by the woman in her arms and didn't want to go another moment without a promise of a future together.

With tears unshed and glistening in her eyes, Yoko nodded. "Yes."

"Yes?" Sei grinned, her own tears threatening to make an appearance.

"Yes!" Yoko cried, laughing and throwing her arms around Sei's neck. "I'll be your wife, Sei. Forevermore!"

Sei didn't care as the tears rimming her eyes began to trail down her cheeks. Yoko was all that mattered. "I swear, Yoko, you have my heart, my devotion, and my adoration until the day I die."

Tenderly, Yoko brushed Sei's lips with her own. "From this moment forward, you have mine as well."

They stood whispering of their love a few minutes longer before they heard their names paged with orders to return to the command center. Straightening, Sei immediately trailed her hand down to grasp Yoko's and they began their walk back to command. "Things will get hairy from this moment on."

Scoffing, Yoko raised an eyebrow at the statement. "Like it hasn't been already?"

"Well, okay, hairier. I just hope that we can track Yumi wherever they are taking her."

They entered the command center shortly after. Eriko, being the first to notice them, grimaced. "Sergeant Sato, you're not going to like this."

"What now?" They both moved forward, hands still securely in one another's. "Did we lose her?"

"Well, yes, but that's not actually the problem."

"How exactly is that not a problem?" Yoko pressed, concern evident in her tone.

"Well, Sergeant Major," Eriko turned her eyes back to the radar screen where the last known coordinates for Yumi were still blinking. "We know exactly where she is. It's her location that is the problem."

Sei looked up to study the radar as well and ironically felt her blood run cold. "Is that… Sakura Island?"

"More precisely," Sachiko appeared from across the room, her arms drawn protectively over her chest and a look of grim determination on her face. "It's Sakurajima, a currently dormant volcano to the South."

Turning to face Sachiko, Sei couldn't help but throw her free hand up as she explained how exactly she felt about this development. "The fuck?!"

A/N - I hope y'all enjoy this chapter from Sei's perspective! :) I'd love to hear your thoughts! Have a great evening and a wonderful week to come! - Forbidden