March 10, 2004
Combined Fleet
Takeru sat in the cockpit of the Takemikazuchi, the rain hammering against the TSF's hull with a relentless intensity. The storm outside matched the turmoil inside him, a swirling mass of emotions and thoughts that he struggled to keep in check. Each drop of rain felt like a reminder of the lives at stake, the countless people who were relying on him and his squad to maintain order during the chaos of Operation Babylon.
The wind howled as it whipped across the site, where civilians were desperately trying to board the ships that would take them away from the sinking mainland of Japan. The scene was one of pure desperation — families clinging to each other, faces contorted in fear, the knowledge that their homeland was going to sink. Military and industrial ships were given priority, leaving civilian vessels scrambling to accommodate as many people as possible.
Takeru's mind was a fractured mess of thoughts and voices, each one a fragment of the countless loops he had lived through. He knew he was a flawed combination of all the past Takerus, carrying the experiences and memories of his previous lives, but also the gaps, the things he couldn't remember. His muscle memory had accumulated over time, making him a formidable soldier and a lover, but his mind... his mind was broken, fragmented into voices that both guided and haunted him.
"It's the Takemikazuchi," the professional voice reminded him, its tone calm and calculating. "Every intelligence officer can see what it politically means to have someone like you, who isn't even part of the Imperial Royal Guard piloting this TSF. It means you're aligned with Her Highness, despite the UN colors you're wearing."
Takeru glanced at the readout on his screen, recalling the orders given by the higher-ups after Operation Babylon had commenced. The evacuation of mainland Japan was in full swing, but it was a chaotic, desperate effort. The priority was on military and industrial shipping — civilian ships were a distant second, their fate hanging by a thread.
The reality of the situation weighed heavily on him. He could see the frustration etched on the faces of his flight members — Chizuru, Kei, and the newly assigned Lieutenant Kashiwagi Haruko. They were stuck in the middle of this mess, tasked with maintaining order among the panicked civilians while the TSFs of the Imperial Japanese Army tried to keep the situation from spiraling out of control.
"They're not against us. That's good," Haruko observed, her voice strained as she watched the scene unfold.
"Shirogane scares them," Kei added, her tone blunt as always.
"Rude," Takeru muttered, though there was little humor in his voice. The title "Hero of Sadogashima" hung over him like a shadow. The stories of what he had done in Sadogashima, and later in Yokohama, had spread like wildfire. He had become a legend of sorts, but it was a legend he didn't want or need.
"And they won't dare to fire on a Takemikazuchi," the professional voice interjected. "When it means going against the Empire itself. Not when you're wearing UN colors too."
Takeru sighed, his grip tightening on the controls. The Takemikazuchi was more than just a machine — it was a symbol of her highness, and he was painfully aware of what it represented. He could see the civilians below, their eyes wide with fear as they pressed against the barriers, desperate to board the ships and escape the impending doom. The soldiers of the IJA were doing their best to maintain order, but the situation was deteriorating rapidly.
"Lieutenant Shirogane," came the voice of Lieutenant Matsukaze, one of the TSF flight leaders he was working with. "The civilians are getting more desperate."
Takeru took a deep breath, his mind racing. "Got it. I'll try again."
He maneuvered the Takemikazuchi forward, its massive form towering over the crowd. The TSF's loudspeakers crackled to life as Takeru addressed the civilians below.
"This is Oberon 1, of the UN's independent forces. Please remain where you are. People, I beg of you, do not cross the line. We will have you evacuated, but attempting to do so now will only slow down the process. Let us work."
His words hung in the air, but they did little to calm the panic. The civilians were too afraid, too anxious to listen. They pressed forward, their desperation driving them to the brink of madness.
"Flight, maintain a four-finger formation," Takeru ordered, his voice firm.
"Roger," came the synchronized response from his wingmates.
They moved into formation, their TSFs creating a barrier between the civilians and the ships. While the TSFs of the IJA were forced to fire live rounds over the heads of the rioters, a desperate attempt to maintain order. The sound of gunfire echoed through the storm, adding to the chaos.
"How could this happen? This is madness," Kashiwagi said, her voice filled with disbelief.
"Yokohama's base went better. The JFK managed to load everything, and we didn't have to deal with this," Chizuru added, her tone laced with frustration.
"What did you expect?" Kei muttered. "They don't know when Japan will sink. These people are terrified."
Takeru watched in horror as the situation continued to spiral out of control. His conscience was at war with itself, the voices in his head clashing with each other.
"We need to stop this," the idealistic voice urged, its tone filled with urgency.
"Dude, this is not right!" the bratty voice echoed, a note of desperation in its words.
"It's not," the professional voice acknowledged, its tone cold and calculating. "But it's the best course of action for us. We need that ship, and only by doing this dirty work will they deem us worthy enough to board."
"And even if we don't... our skills as pilots make our flight a valuable resource," the Eishi voice reasoned. "Suggestion: Remain in position."
"It's a tough job," the veteran voice added, its tone weary. "But even your wingmates understand that this is the way to survive."
"How can we live with this?" the idealistic voice whispered, its words laced with despair.
Takeru wasn't sure how. All he knew was that he needed to get Chizuru, Kei, and Haruko onto that ship. They might survive if they did. It was a grim, despicable task, but it was the only way to ensure their survival. He had to show that they were worth it, that they deserved to be among those who escaped.
The operator's voice crackled through the comms, breaking through his thoughts. "Command Post to Oberon Flight. Please board the Akagi and maintain sentry duty."
"This is Oberon Leader to Command Post, copy that," Takeru responded, his voice devoid of emotion.
He updated the data link and passed the new objectives to his flight. "This is Oberon Flight to TSFs. We'll be retreating to Akagi. Good luck and God bless."
"Good luck, Lieutenant," Matsukaze responded, his voice filled with resignation.
Takeru led his flight to the Akagi, the massive carrier looming over them as they landed on the deck. They began their sentry duty, their TSFs standing as silent sentinels, watching over the evacuation process. The rain continued to pour down, the storm showing no signs of abating.
From his vantage point, Takeru could see flights of TSFs being lowered below the deck, the scene a stark contrast to the chaos on the ground. The deck crew moved with practiced efficiency, their faces set in grim determination as they prepared the ship for departure.
"They're using us as Guardsmen," Chizuru observed, her voice laced with a hint of bitterness.
"Better than shooting people," Kei replied, her tone blunt. "They really shot the civilians"
"Lieutenant Shirogane, where will this ship take us?" Haruko asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Takeru took a moment to consider his response. "Hawaii, most likely. Most of the Imperial Forces are heading there. The UN combined fleet might also try to head there. If anything, we're lucky to be assigned this task."
"I don't feel lucky," Haruko muttered, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and resignation.
"We can discuss the morality of all this," Takeru said quietly, "but we can't escape the fact that we'll drown with the mainland if we don't leave. Hawaii is the staging point for efforts in the Pacific region. Units from every power in the region are beginning to head there."
It was a bitter truth, one that they all had to swallow if they wanted to survive. The world was collapsing around them, and the only way to stay alive was to keep moving forward, no matter the cost.
It was not the time to worry about the BETA when the very earth itself was doing its best to kill them.
The Akagi, Pacific Ocean
The days aboard the Akagi were a blur of exhaustion and despair. Takeru Shirogane and his squad — Chizuru, Kei, and Haruko — shared a cramped room deep within the bowels of the ship. The room was small and sparsely furnished, with two bunk beds squeezed into the narrow space. The walls were bare, the only decoration a single overhead light that cast a cold, sterile glow over the metal interior. There was no escape from the oppressive atmosphere of the ship, the constant hum of the engines, and the low murmur of soldiers and crew members moving about outside.
The mood was heavy, the air thick with unspoken fears and anxieties. Each of them had seen too much, experienced too much, to take comfort in their brief respite. The world outside was collapsing, and they were trapped in the middle of it, powerless to stop the destruction.
The news that trickled in from the command center was nothing short of apocalyptic. The low orbit photographs of the South American continent, taken from outer space, revealed a sight that none of them could have ever imagined. The atmosphere over the entire continent had been completely blown away, leaving a barren, lifeless landscape where once there had been lush jungles and vibrant cities. The Earth had shifted by 0.1%, approximately 13 kilometers — a small number on paper, but enough to move some regions out of the narrow 10-kilometer-high 'habitable zone' of the atmosphere.
The change was theorized to have been caused by the mass G-bombings that had taken place in the final desperate efforts to push back the BETA. The bombs had created super-dense masses that had affected the Earth's core and natural gravity field, shifting the planet itself. The consequences of this shift were catastrophic, with entire regions becoming uninhabitable, and weather patterns thrown into chaos.
The most horrifying news came with the arrival of the megatsunamis. From their room on the Akagi, Takeru and his squad watched in stunned silence as the live feeds displayed the devastation before the connections went away. The first megatsunami, tentatively named Alpha 1, was a monstrous wall of water over 1400 meters high. It crashed into the European mainland with unimaginable force, obliterating everything in its path. Ireland, the British Isles, and the Iberian Peninsula were the first to be hit, the water swallowing cities and towns whole. Thirty seconds later, Alpha 1 slammed into France, wiping out the coastal regions in a matter of moments.
But it didn't stop there. Just 600 seconds after Alpha 1, a second megatsunami, dubbed Alpha 2, followed. The destruction was total, entire countries wiped off the map, their populations reduced to nothing more than a tragic statistic.
Takeru could see the horror in his squadmates' faces as they watched the footage, the reality of their situation sinking in deeper with every passing second. The world was dying, and there was nothing they could do to stop it. It was mother nature responding to the pain it brought her.
"This is... this is unreal," Chizuru whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the ship. She sat on the lower bunk, her hands clasped tightly together, knuckles white. The normally composed and Class Rep was visibly shaken, her composure cracking under the weight of the news.
Kei sat on the bunk above her, her legs dangling over the edge. She stared at the screen with a blank expression, her usual sharp wit and biting humor nowhere to be found.
"It's like we're watching the end of the world," she muttered, her voice flat and devoid of emotion.
Haruko leaned against the wall, her arms crossed tightly over her bountiful chest. She was the newest member of their squad, but she had already seen more than most soldiers would in a lifetime. Yet even she looked pale, her eyes wide with disbelief as she took in the devastation.
"How... how do we survive something like this?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Takeru didn't have an answer. He stood by the small window, staring out at the dark, churning ocean beyond. The Akagi was cutting through the waves, but the knowledge of what lay behind them, and what was happening to the world around them, weighed heavily on his shoulders.
The news only grew bleaker. The U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier, the USS John F. Kennedy, had been en route to Hawaii when it was hit by one of the megatsunamis. The carrier had been carrying a platoon of U.S. Marine infantry and a flight of four U.S. Marine TSFs, escorting top-secret data from the U.N. Forces base at Yokohama to Hawaii. The megatsunami had stranded the massive ship in what was now a salt desert, a barren wasteland where the ocean had once been as they reported
The reports were grim. All of the ships escorting the carrier had been lost, and over 1,000 casualties had been reported — approximately a third of the carrier's crew. Half of the members of the TSF flight had been swept overboard, and the officer in charge of the mission, the infantry platoon commander, had been killed in action. Command had fallen to the leader of the TSF flight, who was now struggling to maintain order and complete the mission in a landscape that had been utterly transformed by the disaster.
After hearing their initial report, everyone feared the worst.
Takeru turned away from the window, his heart heavy with the weight of it all. He could see the fear in his squadmates' eyes, the uncertainty that gnawed at them as they tried to come to terms with the scale of the devastation. They were soldiers, trained to fight and survive, but this... this was beyond anything they had been prepared for.
"It's bad," Takeru finally said, his voice quiet but steady. He needed to be strong for them, even if he didn't feel strong himself. "But we're still here. We're still alive. And as long as we are, we have to keep going. We will reach Hawaii."
"What if we don't make it?" Kashiwagi asked, her voice small, almost childlike in its fear.
Takeru walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We will," he said firmly, meeting her eyes. "We've made it this far. We'll make it to Hawaii. We have to."
Kei let out a bitter laugh, though there was no humor in it. "I guess we're just lucky like that, huh? Lucky to survive one disaster after another, just so we can face the next one."
"It's not luck," Takeru replied, his voice growing stronger as he spoke. "It's because we don't give up. We keep fighting, no matter what. That's how we survive. If I… if we had given up… do you think we'd be here?"
Chizuru nodded slowly, her hands finally unclenching as she looked up at Takeru. "You're right. We can't afford to lose hope, not now. We've made it this far, and we'll make it through this too."
It felt like a lie, a prayer they wanted to repeat.
The room fell into a heavy silence as the weight of their situation settled over them. The world was crumbling, but here, in this small, cramped room, they still had each other. And that, at least, was something.
"We'll reach Hawaii," Takeru repeated, more for himself than for the others. "And when we do, we'll figure out what comes next."
But even as he spoke the words, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had taken root in his heart. The world was changing, collapsing under the weight of forces beyond their control. And no matter how hard they fought, there were some things that even the strongest couldn't survive.
He knew because he had seen and experienced it again and again.
Weeks aboard the Akagi were marked by a heavy stillness, a quiet tension that hung in the air like a shroud. The world outside was falling apart, but here, within the steel walls of the ship, time seemed to stretch out, each hour blurring into the next as they waited for whatever would come next.
Takeru spent most of his time trying to keep his squad focused and calm. The devastation they had witnessed was enough to break anyone, and he could see the strain it was putting on Chizuru, Kei, and Haruko. They were strong, wonderful women, but even the strongest could falter under the weight of the apocalypse.
He made it a point to speak with each of them, to offer what little comfort he could. It wasn't easy — his own mind was a fractured mess, filled with the voices of his past lives, the countless loops he had endured. But he had to be there for them, had to keep them together, even if it meant pushing aside his own fears and doubts.
One evening, as they sat together in their cramped room, the low hum of the ship's engines the only sound, Kei and Chizuru began to reminisce about their training days at Yokohama Base.
"Remember those days, Shirogane?" Kei asked, a small, wistful smile playing on her lips that was unlike her as she sat on the edge of her bunk. "Back when we were all just cadets, messing around in the PX after training?"
Chizuru nodded, a soft chuckle escaping her as she leaned back against the wall. "Those were the best days, weren't they? We thought we were so tough, but in reality, we were just kids trying to figure it all out."
Takeru smiled faintly, the memories of those days flickering to life in his mind. "Yeah, I remember. We were so full of energy back then, always pushing each other to do better."
"And always getting into trouble," Kei added with a grin. "You were always so bad, Shirogane, you couldn't resist getting involved in antics."
Takeru's smile widened, the warmth of those memories washing over him. It was a simpler time, a time when the world hadn't yet collapsed around them. They had been cadets, full of dreams and determination, unaware of the horrors that awaited them.
"It feels like those days were a lifetime ago," Chizuru said softly, her smile fading as the reality of the present intruded on their nostalgia. "Back then, we had no idea what we were really getting into."
Kei's expression turned serious as she looked at Takeru. "You've changed a lot since then, Shirogane. After what happened in Operation 21st... it's like you're a different person."
Takeru felt a pang in his chest at her words. He knew they were true. Operation 21st had been a turning point for all of them, a brutal reminder of the cost of war. But for Takeru, it had been more than that. It had been yet another loop, another cycle of suffering and loss that he had been forced to endure. Each time, he lost more of himself, each time, he became a little more detached, a little more resigned to the fate that awaited them.
"I had to change, I can't continue to be an idiot," Takeru said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I mean we all did. After everything we've been through... it's impossible to stay the same."
Chizuru's gaze softened as she reached out to place a hand on his arm. "We know, Shirogane. We've all been through hell together. But sometimes it feels like you're drifting away from us, like you're carrying a burden that you won't let us share."
Takeru looked down at his hands, the weight of their concern pressing down on him. They didn't know — couldn't know and feel the full extent of what he had experienced. The countless loops, the endless cycles of death and despair, had left him hollow inside, his emotions dulled by the sheer repetition of it all. But how could he explain that to them? How could he make them understand? No one will understand. Not when the Professor was gone. The only person who could possibly talk to me.
"I'm still here," he said finally, forcing himself to meet their eyes. "I'm still with you. But you're right — I've changed. I've had to, to survive. But I won't let that distance come between us. We're still a team, and we'll get through this together. I'm… not letting whatever happens in Sadogashima again."
Kei and Chizuru exchanged a glance, and for a moment, the tension in the room eased. The bond they had formed over the months, through training and battle, was still strong, even if it had been tested by the horrors they had faced.
"Just don't forget that we're here for you too, Shirogane," Kei said, her voice softening. "You don't have to carry everything on your own."
Takeru nodded, grateful for their understanding. He knew that they were right — he couldn't afford to push them away, not now, when they needed each other more than ever.
Later that night, as the others slept, Haruko approached him. She had been somewhat quiet when she can since joining their flight, still finding her place among them. But now, she seemed to want to talk, and Takeru welcomed the opportunity to connect with her.
"Lieutenant Shirogane," she began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Takeru nodded, gesturing for her to sit down on the edge of the bed across from him. "Of course, Kashiwagi. What's on your mind?"
She took a deep breath, her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap. "I just... I wanted to thank you. For being so composed through all of this. It's... it's been hard, after what happened in Operation 21st. I lost a lot of friends that day, and when I was reassigned to your flight, I wasn't sure how I'd take it, being under a new leader, a new team."
Takeru listened quietly, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what she had gone through. He understood her pain all too well — he had lost countless friends in countless loops, each loss chipping away at his soul.
"But you've been calm, even when the world is ending," Haruko continued, her voice trembling slightly. "It's... it's helped me, knowing that you're in control. That you're someone we can rely on."
Takeru felt a pang of guilt at her words. She saw him as a pillar of strength, someone who could remain composed in the face of the apocalypse. But the truth was far from that. It wasn't that he was calm — it was that he had seen it all before, again and again, until the feeling of dread had lost its sharpness, its ability to truly terrify him. He was numb to the horror, not because he was strong, but because he was broken.
"Haruko," he said softly, searching for the right words. "I appreciate what you're saying, but... I'm not as composed as you think. I've just... I've seen a lot, more than I'd like to admit. And it's left me... different."
She looked up at him, her eyes wide with concern. "What do you mean?"
Takeru sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's hard to explain. But just know that you're not alone in how you're feeling. We've all lost people we care about, and it's okay to feel scared, to feel uncertain. We're human, after all."
Haruko nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "I guess... I guess I just needed to hear that. That it's okay to feel this way."
"It is," Takeru reassured her, his voice gentle. "And you're doing great, Haruko. We all are, considering what we're up against. Just remember, we're in this together. You're part of this team now, and we've got your back. I got your back."
She offered him a small, grateful smile, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Thank you, Lieutenant. That means a lot."
Takeru returned her smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He could see the hope she placed in him, the trust that he would lead them through this nightmare. And he would do his best, for their sake. But deep down, he knew that the person they saw, the person they relied on, was just a facade. The real Takeru was fractured, a man held together by the fragments of countless lives, each one weighed down by loss and despair.
As Haruko settled back into her bunk, Takeru leaned back against the wall, staring up at the ceiling. The ship's engines hummed softly in the background, a constant reminder of the journey they were on, the uncertain future that awaited them.
He didn't know what the days ahead would bring. The world was changing, crumbling under the devastating consequences of the G-bombings. But for now, his squad was safe, and they had each other. And that, at least, was something to hold onto.
But as Takeru closed his eyes, the weight of the loops, the endless cycles of suffering, pressed down on him like a suffocating blanket. He could only hope that this time, somehow, they would find a way to break free.
Weeks had passed since the G-bombs had shattered the world as they knew it. The days on the Akagi had grown longer, the tension aboard the ship thickening with each passing hour. Takeru and his squad had settled into a routine, but it was a routine marked by unease, by the knowledge that the world outside was unraveling faster than they could comprehend.
The days were spent in drills, watching their TSFs, and trying to keep their minds occupied, but there was little they could do to distract themselves from the grim reality. The news that trickled in from the outside world was rarely good, and each new report seemed to chip away at the fragile hope they clung to.
It was on the seventeenth day after the Day that they received the news that would change everything.
Takeru and his squad were gathered in the mess hall, the small room filled with the quiet murmurs of other soldiers as they ate their meals in silence. The atmosphere was subdued, the usual banter and camaraderie absent as they all tried to process the enormity of what had happened to their world.
As they sat together, picking at their food, the ship's PA system crackled to life, the voice of the Akagi's captain filling the room.
"Attention all personnel," the captain's voice began, its tone grim. "We have just received word of a significant development in the European theater. A declaration of revolution has been made in France-Quebec, overthrowing the Fifth French Republic. The new government has named itself the Sixth French Republic and has declared war on the United States and its allies."
The mess hall fell into stunned silence. The words hung in the air like a heavy fog, suffocating and unreal. For a moment, no one moved, no one spoke, as the implications of the announcement sank in.
Chizuru was the first to break the silence. "A... revolution? But... why?" Her voice was a mixture of disbelief and confusion, her eyes wide as she looked to Takeru for answers.
Kei shook her head, her expression one of incredulous anger. "They're declaring war on the United States? Now, of all times? Are they insane?"
Haruko, who had been quietly listening, looked down at her tray, her hands trembling slightly. "We've been fighting the BETA all this time... and now they want us to fight other humans too?" Her voice was soft, almost lost in the chaos of their thoughts.
Takeru felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. The war against the BETA had been a fight for survival, a struggle against an inhuman enemy that threatened to wipe out all of humanity. But this... this was different. This was humans turning against each other, adding another layer of horror to an already unbearable situation. Not even the end of the world could stop humans from wanting to kill each other.
It was a sickening fact he had learned.
The voices in his head reacted instantly, each one offering its own opinion on the matter.
"This is madness," the idealistic voice murmured, its tone filled with sorrow. "We're supposed to be united against the BETA, not tearing each other apart."
"It's not our fight," the professional voice countered, its tone cold and pragmatic. "Our focus should remain on the BETA. Let the politicians sort out their own mess."
"But what if we're dragged into it?" the bratty voice chimed in, its usual bravado tinged with uncertainty. "We're already stretched thin. Can we really afford to fight on two fronts?"
"We can't ignore this," the veteran voice added, its tone grim. "This could destabilize the entire war effort. We might not have a choice."
Takeru's thoughts whirled as he tried to process the news. His squad was looking to him for guidance, for reassurance, but he wasn't sure what to say. The idea of fighting other humans, of turning their weapons against people instead of the BETA, was something he had never prepared for. It was unthinkable, and yet here it was, staring them in the face.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. His squad needed him to be strong, to be the leader they could rely on, even if he didn't have all the answers.
"I know this is hard to hear," Takeru began, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "We've been fighting the BETA for so long that it's hard to even imagine turning our weapons against other humans. But we have to stay focused. Our mission hasn't changed. We're here to protect each other, to survive."
Chizuru looked at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "But what if we're ordered to fight? What if we're sent to fight the French?"
Takeru met her gaze, his expression resolute. "If it comes to that, we'll deal with it. But right now, we need to stay calm and stick together. As long as we're united, we can get through this."
"United," Kei muttered, her tone bitter. "Easier said than done when the whole world's falling apart."
"I know it's hard," Takeru replied, his voice gentle but firm. "But we've faced impossible odds before. We've survived things that should have killed us a dozen times over. We'll get through this too."
He wasn't sure if he believed his own words, but he had to project confidence, and had to keep his squad from falling apart. The voices in his head were a chaotic mess, but he pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand.
"We have each other," Takeru continued, his voice growing stronger. "As long as I'm here, I'll do everything I can to take care of you. We've come this far together, and we'll keep going. I promise you that."
His words seemed to have an effect. Chizuru's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and Kei's expression softened, if only a little. Haruko looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and fear.
"You're... you're right," Chizuru said after a moment, her voice steadying. "We've faced worse than this. We just have to stay focused on what we can control."
Kei let out a small, humorless laugh. "You're too damn optimistic for your own good, Shirogane. But I guess that's what we need right now."
Takeru offered a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Blind optimism is better than despair. We have to keep moving forward, no matter what."
The voices in his head weren't so sure.
"You're charming them too much," the professional voice remarked, its tone critical. "They're relying on you, but can you really protect them from everything that's coming?"
"They need to rely on me," Takeru thought, his mind racing. "If I can keep them focused, if I can keep them together, then maybe we have a chance. But I can't let them see how much I'm struggling. They need me to be strong, even if I don't feel it."
"Is that really the best choice?" the veteran voice wondered, its tone tinged with doubt. "You can't carry all of this alone. Sooner or later, something's going to give."
Takeru pushed the voices aside, focusing on the present. His squad needed him now, and he couldn't afford to let them down. There would be time to deal with his own doubts later, but right now, he had to keep them moving forward.
"We'll get through this," Takeru repeated, his voice filled with determination. "No matter what happens, we'll get through it together."
They nodded, each of them taking comfort in his words, even if they were tinged with uncertainty. They had survived so much already, and they would survive this too. But as Takeru looked at the faces of his squad, he couldn't shake the feeling that the world was changing in ways they didn't know what they couldn't fully comprehend. The war against the BETA had been a nightmare, but this... this was something else entirely.
For now, all he could do was keep them together, keep them focused on the task at hand. But deep down, he knew that the real test was still to come. The world was falling apart, and they were all that stood between survival and oblivion.
And as long as he was still standing, he would do everything in his power to protect them — even if it meant sacrificing himself to do it.
Something that seems like he'd always do.
As The Akagi sailed through the dark, churning waters of the Pacific, part of a vast armada of ships struggling to stay afloat in a world that had been turned upside down. The remnants of the combined fleet were pushing toward Hawaii, the last bastion of hope in a world that was rapidly falling apart. Takeru and his squad continued their grim routine marked by drills, maintenance, and an underlying tension that seemed to permeate every corner of the ship.
It was late in the day, the sky outside a bleak, gray expanse, when the call came. The ship's PA system crackled to life, the voice of the Akagi's captain echoing through the corridors.
"All hands, brace for impact. Tsunami approaching from the southwest. This is not a drill. All personnel, secure your stations immediately."
Takeru froze mid-step, his heart skipping a beat as the words sank in. A tsunami. The news sent a chill down his spine, a cold dread settling in the pit of his stomach. He had faced death and experienced it countless times on, but the thought of being swallowed by the sea, of being helpless against the sheer force of nature, was something entirely different.
"Tsunami? Here?" Kei's voice crackled over the comms, the shock evident in her tone. "How the hell are we supposed to fight that?"
"We don't fight it," Takeru responded, his voice tight as he began moving toward the nearest exit. "We survive it. Get to the station, now."
He could hear the urgency in his own voice, the fear that he was trying to keep at bay. He had to stay calm, had to keep his squad together, but the truth was, he didn't know if they were going to make it through this.
As Takeru hurried through the after staterooms, the ship lurched beneath him, the deck tilting at a precarious angle. He stumbled, grabbing onto the nearest bulkhead to steady himself as the Akagi began to roll violently. The metal creaked and groaned under the strain, the ship tipping further and further to one side.
"This can't be happening," Haruko's voice whispered through the comms, her fear palpable.
"Stay calm," Takeru ordered, though his own heart was pounding in his chest. He could feel the ship tilting, the roll growing steeper with each passing second. He forced himself to move forward, each step a battle against the ship's violent motion.
The Akagi rolled to 30 degrees, then 35, and then to an alarming 47-degree angle. Takeru felt the weight of the ship shift beneath him, the entire vessel threatening to capsize. He could hear the roar of the ocean outside, the thunderous crash of waves battering the hull.
The lights flickered, the ship shuddering violently as it struggled to right itself. Takeru pushed forward, his body straining against the force of the roll. The corridor was a twisted, chaotic mess, items that had been secured flying loose and crashing to the deck. He could hear the panicked shouts of the crew, the sound of metal straining as the ship fought to stay upright.
Finally, with a groaning protest from its hull, the Akagi began to level out. The ship steadied, the roll easing as it righted itself, but the relief was short-lived. Takeru knew they weren't out of danger yet. The tsunami was still coming, and the worst was yet to come.
He made it to the station, bursting through the door to find Kei, Chizuru, and Haruko already there, their faces pale and drawn. The bridge crew was at their stations, their expressions tense as they monitored the incoming waves.
"Are you okay?" Chizuru asked, her voice shaky as she turned to Takeru and grabbed his face.
He nodded, trying to steady his breathing. "I'm fine. What's the situation?"
The older man with a weathered face and a steely resolve, glanced at Takeru before pointing to the viewports. "See for yourself, Lieutenant."
Takeru moved to the windows, his breath catching in his throat at the sight that greeted him. The sea was a boiling, heaving mass, the waves towering over the ship like mountains. As they crested one wave, the shadow of the next loomed over them, blocking out the light. The Akagi plunged down into the trough of the wave, the ship groaning as it was swallowed by the sea. The water was everywhere, surrounding them, pulling them down into the depths.
And then, as they began to climb the next wave, the ship's bow plunged under, the entire vessel shuddering as it fought to rise. Takeru watched in horror as the ship struggled to crest the wave, the water crashing over the deck, threatening to sweep everything away.
"We're not going to make it," Haruko whispered, her eyes wide with fear.
"We'll make it," Takeru said, though he wasn't sure he believed it himself. The ship was being battered mercilessly, the waves relentless in their assault. He could see several destroyers in the distance, their smaller frames no match for the fury of the sea. One by one, they were swallowed by the waves, their bows plunging under the water, their hulls crushed by the force of the tsunami.
The Akagi fared better, its massive size working to its advantage. But even a carrier wasn't invincible. Takeru could hear the hull straining, the metal creaking ominously as the ship was tossed about like a toy in the waves.
"Hold on!" the captain shouted in the PA, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Brace yourselves!"
The Akagi plunged down into another trough, the bow crashing into the water with a force that sent a shockwave through the entire ship. Takeru grabbed onto the nearest support, his knuckles white as he held on for dear life. The deck tilted again, the ship rolling dangerously as it fought to stay afloat.
It was a battle against nature itself, a fight for survival that left Takeru feeling helpless for the first time in a long while. There was no enemy to fight, no strategy to employ—just the raw, unstoppable force of the ocean, indifferent to their plight.
For what felt like an eternity, the Akagi was battered by the waves, each one threatening to capsize the ship, to drag them all down into the depths of the sea. The bridge crew worked furiously to keep the ship on course, their hands moving over the controls with practiced precision. But it was clear that they were at the mercy of the ocean, their fate out of their hands.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the waves began to subside. The Akagi crested the last massive wave, the ship shuddering as it finally leveled out. The sea was still rough, but the worst of the storm seemed to have passed.
Takeru let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, his body trembling with exhaustion. The bridge was silent, the crew members staring out at the ocean with a mixture of relief and disbelief.
"We made it," Kei muttered, her voice filled with awe. "We actually made it."
Chizuru slumped against the wall, her face pale. "I thought we were done for. I really did."
Haruko didn't say anything, her eyes fixed on the horizon, her hands still shaking. The terror of the last few hours had left its mark on all of them, a stark reminder of just how fragile their lives were in the face of nature's fury.
"Several destroyers were sunk," the captain reported, his voice heavy with the weight of the news. "We've lost a lot of good men and women today."
Takeru nodded silently, the loss weighing on him like a stone. The combined fleet had been dealt a devastating blow, their numbers dwindling with each new disaster. The Akagi had survived, but at what cost? The ship had developed a leak in the hull, the metal buckling under the strain of the waves. It was a small mercy that the damage had been confined to a storage area, but it was a reminder that even a carrier wasn't invulnerable.
For the next three days, the crew worked tirelessly to stabilize the Akagi, patching up the leaks and securing the damaged areas. The storm had left the ship battered and bruised, but it had survived. And as the sea finally calmed, as the waves receded and the horizon stretched out before them, Takeru allowed himself a moment of hope.
They were still alive. The Akagi was still afloat. And as long as they had that, there was still a chance — a chance to make it to Hawaii, to find some semblance of safety in a world gone mad.
July 02, 2004
Hawaii/Molokai Leasehold
The Akagi limped into port, the once - proud carrier now a battered survivor of the ocean's fury. The massive ship had held together through the storm, but the cost had been high—both in terms of lives lost and the damage sustained. The remaining members of the combined fleet had been scattered, many ships lost to the megatsunami, and those that survived were in dire need of repair.
Takeru and his squad stood on the deck, the salty breeze whipping through their hair as they gazed at the unfamiliar shores of Molokai. The island, part of the Hawaiian archipelago, was a stark contrast to the devastation they had left behind. Lush greenery stretched out before them, the blue waters of the Pacific lapping gently at the shore. It was almost surreal, a peaceful paradise in the midst of a world gone mad.
But Takeru knew better than to be lulled into a false sense of security. This was no vacation. They had been through hell to get here, and he knew that the challenges they faced were far from over.
"We've arrived," Chizuru murmured, her voice tinged with both relief and exhaustion. She stood beside Takeru, her usually sharp eyes softened by the sight of land.
Kei let out a low whistle, her gaze sweeping over the landscape. "Can't believe we made it here in one piece. After everything... It feels like a miracle. Guess you were right, Shirogane."
Haruko remained silent, her eyes fixed on the shoreline. The young pilot had been quiet since the storm, her usual nervous energy replaced by a somber stillness. Takeru couldn't blame her. The events of the past few weeks had taken a toll on all of them, and the loss of so many comrades weighed heavily on their minds.
"It's not over yet," Takeru said quietly, his eyes scanning the horizon. "This is just the next stage. We're still in the middle of a war."
They were then directed to Molokai, specifically to the Molokai Leasehold—territory seceded by the United States to the Empire of Japan. The Leasehold was a key military outpost, a staging ground for the defense of the Pacific, and now it was their new home, at least for the foreseeable future.
A small detachment of Imperial Japanese Army soldiers was waiting for them at the dock, their uniforms crisp and formal, a stark contrast to the ragged appearance of the survivors who disembarked from the Akagi. The commanding officer, a stern-looking man in his forties, stepped forward and saluted as Takeru and his squad approached.
"Lieutenant Shirogane, welcome to the Molokai Leasehold," the officer said, his voice clipped and formal. "I am Major Tanaka. I've been instructed to escort you and your squad to your debriefing."
Takeru returned the salute, nodding curtly. "Thank you, Major. We're ready."
The journey from the dock to the debriefing room was short, but it gave Takeru and his squad a glimpse of their new surroundings. The Leasehold was a bustling military installation, with TSFs and armored vehicles moving in and out of hangars, soldiers drilling in the open fields, and the hum of activity everywhere. It was clear that the Empire of Japan was taking the defense of the Pacific seriously.
They were led to a small, nondescript building near the center of the base. Inside, the air was cool and quiet, a stark contrast to the heat and noise outside. The debriefing room was simple—bare walls, a long table, and a few chairs. Waiting for them was a panel of officers, both Japanese and UN, their faces serious as they regarded the newcomers.
"Lieutenant Shirogane, Oberon Flight," one of the UN officers began, his tone grave. "You've been through a great deal, and we commend you for your service in Sadogashima and Yokohama. It seems that not even the waves of the Pacific Ocean could deal with the Hero of Operation Iceberg. But as you know, the situation is dire, and we must be prepared for what comes next."
Takeru nodded, his expression unreadable. He had heard similar speeches before, in countless loops, from countless officers. It was always the same—a reminder of the stakes, a call to duty, and the underlying truth that survival was never guaranteed.
"There are only a few TSF flights left," the officer continued. "Both from the remnants of the UN and the Empire of Japan. Your flight is one of the few that remains intact, and as such, you will be stationed here in the Molokai Leasehold. Your presence is vital to the defense of the Pacific theater."
"Understood, sir," Takeru replied, his voice steady. "Oberon Flight is battle-ready."
He could feel the weight of his squad's gaze on him, their trust and reliance on him palpable.
Major Tanaka spoke next, his tone firm. "You will be stationed in Kaunakakai, the primary settlement on Molokai. Accommodations have been arranged for you at the former Wavecrest Hotel. It's not much, but it will serve as your base of operations while you are here. Your TSFs will be housed in the nearby hangars, and you will be on standby for any further orders."
The debriefing continued for another hour, covering logistics, security protocols, and the current state of the world around them. Takeru listened carefully, absorbing the information, but his mind was also elsewhere, already thinking ahead to what they might face next.
When the debriefing finally concluded, Takeru and his squad were escorted to their new quarters. The Wavecrest Hotel was a modest building, nestled in the lush greenery of Kaunakakai. It was a far cry from the cold, sterile rooms of a military base or the cramped quarters in the Akagi, but it was clear that this was no ordinary deployment. The hotel had been repurposed for military personnel, the once vibrant resort now a quiet, guarded outpost.
"Private rooms," Kei remarked as they were shown to their quarters, her tone a mix of surprise and relief. "Feels like a luxury after what we've been through."
"I'll take it," Chizuru added, her voice tired. "Anything's better than sleeping in bunk beds."
"Let me sleep with you sometimes, Shirogane," Kei said nonchalantly.
"Okay," Takeru replied without much of a thought, the eyes of the girls turning to Kei's stoic expression as she then raised a V.
Takeru entered his room, the door closing softly behind him. The room was small but comfortable, with a bed, a desk, and a window that offered a view of the ocean. The gentle sound of the waves crashing against the shore was a stark contrast to the chaos they had just escaped.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, the exhaustion of the past few weeks finally catching up to him. It was hard to believe that they were actually here, in this quiet corner of the world, after everything they had been through. The storm, the tsunami, the battles — they had survived it all, but at what cost?
"It's not over," the professional voice reminded him, its tone cold and pragmatic. "This is just a brief respite. The war is still raging, and we're still in the thick of it."
"But for now, we're safe," the idealistic voice countered, a note of hope in its words. "We've earned this rest. We need it, all of us."
Takeru sighed, rubbing his temples. The voices were right, as they often were. This was a momentary lull, a chance to rest, but the war was far from over. If it wasn't the BETA, then they'd be facing people hostile against them. He could feel the weight of it pressing down on him, the knowledge that they would be called to fight again soon enough.
He heard a knock at the door and looked up to see Chizuru standing in the doorway, her expression unreadable.
"Shirogane," she said quietly, stepping into the room. "I just wanted to check in on you. It's... been a lot."
Takeru managed a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, it has. But we're here. We made it."
Chizuru nodded, her gaze softening. "We did. And that's thanks to you. You've kept us together, kept us focused. I don't know how you do it."
"I'm just doing what I have to Class Rep," Takeru replied, his voice weary. "We've all been through hell, but we're still standing. That's what matters."
"I suppose," Chizuru said, her tone thoughtful. She hesitated for a moment, then added, "Just... don't forget to take care of yourself too, Shirogane. We need you, but you're only human."
Takeru nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of her words. "I'll try, Class Rep. I'll try."
She gave him a small smile, then turned to leave, closing the door softly behind her. Takeru sat in the quiet of his room, the sound of the waves a constant reminder of the world outside.
He knew that this was only a temporary reprieve, a momentary pause in a war that was far from over. But for now, they were safe. And that, at least, was something.
As he lay back on the bed, closing his eyes, Takeru allowed himself a moment of peace.
The conflicts would come for them again soon enough, but tonight, they could rest.
And as long as he was still standing, Takeru would do everything in his power to keep his squad safe, to guide them through the darkness that lay ahead.
But deep down, he knew that the worst was still to come.
It always gets worse.