( This Chapter was Brought to Your By YAMATO DAMASHII!!!)
*October 23, 2001*
*7:30 AM*
Before the start of the Yokohama Conference, members of the Japanese Imperial Diet convened in secrecy. Allowing further foreign forces within Japan. This decision could shape Japan's future for better or worse.
"Has Japan truly fallen so low to allow such an intrusion?" one cabinet member asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.
The concern was palpable. The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and the Imperial Japanese Maritime Defense Force (IJMDF) were likely to react violently. Many within the military clung to their idealism, often overlooking the increasingly dire situation. Prime Minister Sasaki spoke with resolute determination, "We must face the truth that many have ignored. The Beta are at our doorstep, and Alternative IV has yet to yield any results."
The room fell silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in. They were gambling on an unknown entity, the United Nations Space Command (UNSC). The best-case scenario would be their resemblance to UN forces; the worst, they might act like the Americans.
"You should know, Prime Minister Sasaki, the military won't take kindly to this decision, especially with the arrival of more foreign presence," the Minister of Defense stated bluntly.
"Did we at least gain the blessings of both the Shogun and the Emperor? At this rate, they might just rebel," another cabinet member asked, his voice filled with concern.
"The lack of results from Alternative IV forces our hand," another member pointed out, pausing to consider the implications.
Prime Minister Sasaki Korechika nodded, "Alternative V would be rendered useless with the arrival of the UNSC. This gives us a chance, until December, to at least save Japan." The cabinet members began to murmur amongst themselves, their uncertainty and fear evident.
"Our options are limited, Prime Minister, but with the blessings of the Emperor and Shogun, we could possibly host the UNSC forces. Otherwise, they might choose Europe," another member stated, as whispers of doubt and hope brewed among the cabinet.
Finally, a sense of clarity began to form. "Either way, we must take this risk. The chances of Japan's survival are far higher with this course of action," the Prime Minister declared firmly. Even if it meant swallowing their dignity and pride, Japan's survival remained their utmost priority.
--
*October 23, 2001*
*Tokyo, Shogun's Palace*
*8:00 AM*
"Your Highness, Yuuhi-sama, are you certain you should go in person? Couldn't the Foreign Minister or the Prime Minister attend instead?" The question came from one of the Shogun's blue-haired retainers, her voice laced with concern.
The Shogun, Yuuhi, replied with a voice full of grace and softness. "This conference may prove to be far more crucial than any we have attended before. It is an opportunity granted to us by the Under Secretary."
"Couldn't you have at least delegated it to someone else, Yuuhi-sama?" Her retainer pressed on, worry evident in her tone due to the sheer uncertainty surrounding the UNSC.
"Why do you doubt me, Maya-san?" Yuuhi inquired gently.
Maya fell silent, finally sighing in resignation. "Isn't this opportunity given to us one that could entirely change Japan?" Her question hung in the air, a reflection of the gravity of their situation.
Yuuhi's retainer, standing by her side, nodded before offering her opinion. "While that may be true, Yuuhi-sama, there is still the mystery of their true nature," she warned, her voice steady but cautious.
"So we shall see, Maya-san," Yuuhi replied, her resolve unshaken despite the looming uncertainty.
--
*October 23, 2001*
*1:00 PM*
*Yokohama Base*
Captain Isumi Michiru left her XO office, the news she had expected finally confirmed. With the arrival of the UNSC, changes were inevitable, and this was one of the steps to be taken.
She had already ordered her squad to gather in the briefing room. As she entered, she heard the voice of First Lieutenant Hayase Mitsuki, "Squad, salute!" The squad saluted in unison.
Lieutenant Hayase returned to her place among the squad. Taking the remote from its placeholder, Captain Isumi addressed them with seriousness. "As you have already been informed, the UNSC has been invited to the Yokohama conference." The screen displayed the first interactions between both sides, showing the UNSC Longsword squadron encircling Explore One.
"They are expected to enter Japanese airspace by 1:30 PM this afternoon. We are assigned to be their escort. You are now dismissed. Report back to your stations by 1:10 PM!"
"Roger!" the members of A0-1 shouted in unison, beginning to discuss the upcoming mission among themselves.
"Captain Isumi! Is there anything more besides the fact that they LITERALLY CAME OUT OF NOWHERE?" Second Lieutenant Suzumiya Akane's hyper question caused Captain Isumi to cringe slightly.
"No, I have nothing more besides what I've already told you," Captain Isumi replied. The second lieutenant turned away, visibly disappointed.
"What do you think, Munatakata, about the 'UNSC'?" First Lieutenant Hayase asked curiously.
Munatakata hummed before giving a vague answer, "Don't know."
"We don't know anything besides what they say about themselves and their history," Munatakata continued. The other girl nodded, uncertain about this mysterious entity.
"Isn't it eerie that they suddenly stopped at 2525 even though their current date says it's 2552?" The sudden question spooked the blue-haired girl.
Munatakata chuckled slightly. The green-haired girl, Second Lieutenant Kazama Touko, spoke up, "I'm right, aren't I? In any meeting, they've virtually avoided it or there wasn't any mention."
Agreeing with that, Munatakata nodded as Hayase angrily asked, "What the hell was that for, kazama?" The green-haired girl moved closer to her.
The sudden invasion of her personal space made Hayase step back. Her face remained passive as Munatakata commented in a teasing voice, "Don't be like that to our dear Mitsuki."
Hearing that, First Lieutenant Hayase decided not to be dragged into the conversation any further and ran off towards her station. "See, you scared her away, Kazama," Munatakata chuckled as they too moved to their stations.
--
*October 23, 2001*
*1:28pm*
*Yokohama Base*
Just after suiting up
After finishing suiting up in their tight, sealed, latex su-, fortified suits, the ladies immediately headed towards their Type-94 Shiranui. They entered the cockpits, powering up the bipedal machines as a voice rang through their comms, "This is Valkyrie Mum. To all Valkyrie, requesting status. Over!" An image of First Lieutenant Suzumiya Haruka appeared.
"This is Valkyrie-1. All systems good. Over," Captain Isumi's image blared to life on the screen.
"This is Valkyrie-2. All systems good here. Over," First Lieutenant Hayase's image appeared next.
This would be the first mission for Second Lieutenant Usuki Sakura, who was slightly nervous but reassured that they were only there for show.
"This is Valkyrie-3. All systems good. Over," reported First Lieutenant Munakata, another senior officer.
"This is Valkyrie-4. All systems are great. Over," said the green-haired, somewhat emotionless Second Lieutenant Kazama.
"This is Valkyrie-5. All systems are good, Nee-san," chimed in the light auburn-haired Second Lieutenant Suzumiya Akane.
"This is Valkyrie-6. All systems are set. Let's get this show on the road!" declared Second Lieutenant Kashiwagi.
Next was Usuki's turn. She checked the console, confirming all systems were green. "This is Valkyrie-7. All systems are good!"
Valkyrie Mum spoke again, "All units are green!"
The image of Captain Isumi enlarged, taking up half the screen. "Our mission is to escort the United Nations Space Command's delegation. We will maintain a diamond-shaped defense. The set route has been uploaded to your data. This is Valkyrie-1, over and out." With Captain Isumi's image disappearing, it was replaced by the route data. Usuki felt her TSF come to life as the bipedal weapon powered up, modified to stay in the air longer than the standard Type-94 Shiranui.
It was her turn to launch. Her jump jets propelled her into the skies. Her Type-94 Shiranui maintained position at the back of their formation. "All units, maintain course," Captain Isumi's voice came over the comms.
As Second Lieutenant Usuki Sakura continued, she heard something over the comms, unsure of who spoke. "Whoa, that thing's huge!"
Captain Isumi's image enlarged again. "To all flights, continue to maintain a defensive position around the VIP."
"Course updated," came from Valkyrie Mum as the new course appeared on Usuki's map. A flight of aircraft approached. "This is Valkyrie-1 to Kilo 195, over?"
As they neared their VIP, they saw it escorted by massive fighters, comparable in size to transport aircraft like the C-2 or even the An-225, questioning their maneuverability. "That's one hell of an aircraft they got there," First Lieutenant Hayase broke the silence.
"We copy you, Valkyrie-1," the leading Pelican mission commander spoke. "We have been tasked with escorting you, Kilo 195." After a moment of silence, as the Shiranui tried to keep up, "We copy you, Valkyrie-1, loud and clear. This is Kilo 195, over and out."
Five aircrafts pulled out of formation as they headed back. The transport aircraft slowed to match their pace. "What was our point anyway if they had that kind of thing?" asked a doubtful Valkyrie-5.
The auburn-haired girl was swiftly answered by Valkyrie-2, "Don't you know? It was for pleasantry. Can't you see they still have one of those huge aircraft around?"
Looking through the camera, Usuki saw another formation of those large fighters shadowing them from high above, barely noticeable.
Wondering about it, Usuki decided to ask but nearly crashed into one of the transport planes as it ascended to avoid her.
She quickly received a reprimand, forgetting what she had meant to ask, knowing well the punishment for such a dangerous mistake.
--
*October 23,2001*
*Unknown*
*Unknown*
"Comrade, how do you think this will affect us?" The voice belonged to a man wearing the rank of colonel. His tone was tense, filled with unspoken concerns.
The man he addressed was a lieutenant general. "It presents an opportunity. With their arrival, it completely invalidates the need for Alternative Five."
The lieutenant general turned towards another officer, a lieutenant colonel, with a critical question. "Have we analyzed the footage observed by the satellite?"
The lieutenant colonel nodded. "Comrade Lieutenant General, the satellite footage confirms the monstrous capabilities of the 'UNSC'." He handed over a detailed report. The older man scrutinized the documents before asking another question. "And what is the stance of the party?"
"They have yet to issue a stated opinion, Comrade Lieutenant General."
This time, the lieutenant general turned to the colonel, his voice carrying a slight warning. "Comrade Colonel, you better not pull that exact same stunt again."
--
October 23,2001*
Japan*
Unknown*
"What is the Prime Minister doing, allowing more gaijins without even consulting us officers?" a voice demanded, emanating from a man in an officer's uniform. Other voices quickly joined in dissent.
"What have they done to Japan, making us so reliant on gaijins? Haven't we proven ourselves?"
"They have forsaken Japan's pride!"
"How could they? The Empire was far better off, but this action crosses the line!"
A new voice rose above the clamor, silencing the room with its respect and authority. "My fellows, the time will come when we shall strike down this head of corruption. Until then, we must wait and bide our time. He will get what he deserves."
The military men fell silent, then erupted in agreement, shouting praises for the man and his resolute statement.