A Trap on All Sides; Montana's early Farewell?
"Son, you don't have to follow your old man's footsteps. I chose this path because I must. You are free to choose whatever you want and not be burdened by my legacy. I know that you, Kodai, and everyone else on this ship will do great things in the coming future."
'Grandpa, I hope you are proud of the path I've chosen.', Abraham thought, a tear leaking from his eye. 'It's like you said, you chose this because you need to. I chose to follow yours because I want to.'
15 February 2199
Pluto Frontline Base
"Montana, do you copy? Emergency! Emergency!"
Shultz, Ganz, and Jarletora all stand from a large screen, reviewing the video footage transmitted by the assault tanks. General Goer joins them through a hologram, listening in to a female voice of an intercepted transmission.
"I see. So the Terron Ship is called the Montana.", Goer says, hands on his hips. He doesn't seem impressed, commenting on the ship's appearance.
"However...What an ugly ship that is. Not a bit of grace to it!"
Shultz turns to face the general. "The Montana is probably on its way here, to Plat. We'll lure it in and destroy it."
"Is there any guarantee they'll come here?"
"The planet bombs used that turned their planet into a red husk were launched here.", Shultz explained, the video ending behind him.
"I see. Then this is a splendid opportunity for your inferior race, of differently colored skin, to demonstrate your loyalty to Gamilas!", Goer says with a smile.
"We're every bit as loyal to the Empire as pure-blooded Gamilans!", Shultz declared, stern and resolute.
Goer laughs, "Hahaha! That's what I like to see in a great Gamilas soldier. I shall expect results. Garle Dessler! Hail to our leader!"
"Hail to our leader!", Shultz repeated, he and those present put their hand up in salute. Goer's feed then hangs up.
"...I long for the days when I fought for General Domel.", Shultz commented.
"Indeed. Ruthless in battle, yet equal to his men.", Jarletora added.
"How is the scheduled strike coming?"
"Planet bomb 103 will launch shortly.", Ganz reports.
Up in Pluto's orbit, a dance of precision begins. Several dozen satellites are stationed as part of the planet bombing system. A few of them open up to reveal panels that rotate as per instructions received from the surface.
"Reflecting satellite 4. Deploying reflectors. Correcting angle plus 5 degrees."
"Reflecting satellite 8. Deploying reflectors. Correcting angle plus 4 degrees."
"Reflecting satellite 10. Deploying reflectors. Correcting angle minus 8 degrees."
"Reflecting satellite 2. Deploying reflectors. Correcting angle minus 6 degrees."
"Target sighted. Reflecting Satellite Cannon charging.", the gunner officer reported, Jarletora standing behind watching an asteroid being targeted. "Chamber pressure rising."
A safe distance away underneath the ice, an enormous cannon is charged with energy as per command, with purple light emanating from the barrel.
"Reflecting Satellite Cannon charging complete.", the officer said. Jarletora then gave the order to fire.
"Fire!"
A torrent of purple energy is unleashed, breaking through the ice and streaming forth into the air.
Hitting the satellite reflectors, the energy is redirected to another satellite, then another, and another. Until it flies off into space and onto its pre-designated target.
A floating asteroid of the Edgeworth-Kupiter Belt is struck by the beam, igniting it with flames emitting from pores before it is propelled into the direction of Earth. A new Planet Bomb has been born.
"103 has been ignited. Angle proper.", the base officer reports, having tracked the progress of the Cannon's beam and a video feed now shows the flaming asteroid heading away. "Accelerating at a speed of 17 Gat."
"103 is on a collision course for the planet Terron.", another says, a map showing the trajectory of the asteroid intersecting with Earth's orbit.
"Ganz, do you think we can use this?", Shultz asked his subordinate, referring to the Reflecting Satellite Cannon.
"I believe so, Commander."
Shultz only chuckles, a plan cooking in his head.
Montana, Main bridge
"Radar detects Edgeworth-Kupiter Belt object, EKB 637, has deviated from its course.", Yuria Misaki reported, acting for Mori's position as the radar operator with Sasha teaching her the ropes. The radar itself displays a blue blip forward from the side of the ship. "It's a planet bomb."
"Sigh, those bastards.", Abraham tiredly sighs.
"No enemies detected within 500k Kilometers of us."
"So, you're standing in for Mori?", Ota tries to start a conversation with Misaki. "It's nice to have another girl around..."
"Keep the staring down. It's rude, you know?", Shima lightly chastises Ota, who laughs a little.
"Hehe, sorry sorry. Hmm?"
Ota then turns to see Sanada's seat is empty, and turning his head around he sees that Kodai is missing as well.
"So XO Sanada and Kodai are both off duty now, right?", he asked.
"They're at the lab right now, looking at that Garmila soldier.", Misaki explained.
"Ah...so Mori's there as well?", Nambu spoke up, taking Kodai's seat beside Shima. 'Lucky bastard."
"How does it feel to sit there?", Shima asked him.
"...It's alright, nothing spectacular.", the chief gunner simply replied, visibility annoyed that his love rival was there with Mori.
"Nambu!", Abraham spoke out, the Gunner turning around.
"Yes, sir?"
"We'll destroy the planet bomb before it ever reaches Earth. Open the bow torpedo tubes."
Mood improving, Nambu briefly forgets about his rivalry with Kodai and busies his hands with the console.
"Yes, sir! Load bow torpedos, the target is the Planet Bomb EKB 635!"
"EKB 635 is now approximately 200,000km away from our position.", Misaki spoke.
"Target locked on.", Nambu said as a targeting reticule moved to a faint glowing dot on his display. "Bow torpedos, UTE!"
Out in Montana's bow, two of the six forward-facing torpedo ports open launching two torpedos.
"Torpedos away. ETA to target impact, 11 seconds.", Misaki said, the radar showing two dots moving away from Montana's bow and heading to the Planet Bomb.
Everyone onboard waits with baited breaths as they watch the torpedos fire away into the distance, none so more than Nambu.
'Come on, please hit!', he thought with a sweatdrop.
Several seconds pass. The crew's heartbeats can be heard within their ears.
"Five seconds to impact.", Misaki said as the two dots moved closer and closer to the target.
"Yon, san, ni." ("Four, three, two.")
'Please hit!', Nambu cried in his head.
"Ichi." ("One.")
The three dots converge into one another, then disappear off the radar screen. Out in the distance, a small flash comes through the forward windows before going dark.
"No objects detected. Planet bomb has been destroyed."
Everyone lets out a breath They have been holding, with Nambu having felt more relieved the ever.
"Good work, Nambu. You helped the people of Earth from any further suffering.", Abraham praised the gunner, who only nodded his head.
"Thank you, sir."
"How does it feel now, Chief Gunner?", Shima asked Nambu once again.
"It feels...good, I guess."
Laboratory
Inside, Sanada and Niimi are busy typing away on their keyboards as the analyzing computer reveals windows and windows of raw data and information from the Garmillian robot that're hooked on. Joining them is Kodai and Mori, as well as Monty assisting the two scientists.
"This technology is amazing!", Niimi said in absolute awe, her computer showing a scan of an artificial brain with "neurons" and internal schematics. "Nanomachines comprise this artificial organelle. This is not anything we have seen before in our robotics!"
"Do you know the composition of its epidermis?", Sanada asked, thumb and finger rubbing his chin and his eyes scanning his computer screen.
"The skin is composed of a soft tektite rubber material.", Monty replied, his eyes scanning the material in his hands. "The texture and elasticity are similar to human skin and flesh. One could easily mistake it for a human if not given a second thought."
Fumbling with a damaged helmet, Kodai takes a look at the robot, offline and visibly damaged with wires strapped to its body.
"So, they are a race of machines?"
"Why do you think of that?", Sanada asked, irritating Kodai.
"Well, what else are they supposed to be? Garmilliods? Gamibots? Hell, Garmillian cyborgs?"
"Funnily enough, they are called Garmilloids by their internal designation.", Monty spoke up.
"Garmilloids?", Mori wondered.
"A portmanteau of Garmilla and androids. They're also called Gamilioids, using Gamilans instead.
"Well, here's your answer.", Kodai said, holding the Gamiloid helmet to his face.
"What Sanada meant is that we can't tell if they are self-replicating machines, or simply weapons modeled after humanoid beings by the Gamilans.", Niimi clarified.
"Mmm, thank you.", Sanada said.
"But.."
"Kodai, why don't we leave them be? Our report's over anyway.", Mori cuts in before Kodai can continue, taking the helmet off his hands and putting it on a nearby desk.
"Come on, let's go.", the blonde woman then leads Kodai away to the elevator doors.
"Kodai. You're sure you are alright after that ordeal?", Sanada asked the brunette, his eyes still scanning his computer screen.
"...Yes."
"Very well. Thank you."
"Excuse me."
The blonde and brunette enter the elevator, the doors closing as both scientists and android are left alone.
"You're concerned about him, aren't you sensei?", Niimi asked, pushing up her glasses. With a small smile, she faces her senior, "I like that about you."
Sanada remains silent, his eyes focused on his computer.
Elevator
"I don't get it with Sanada. One moment, he's perfectly straightforward, and the next he goes all cryptic and stuff."
Inside the elevator, Kodai lets out his anger, crossing his arms as he leans back while ranting about Sanada's way of speaking. All the while Mori patiently listens to.
"Why do you think of that?" Like, what do you mean?! Which one is the android here?! He's like, I dunno. A human-computer! A cyborg even!"
"That's just the way Sanada is.", Mori says, gently placating the man. "Try not to be too hard on him."
"I guess."
"Oh! By the way, Kodai..."
"What?"
Mori turns to face the man, face blushing red like a flustered schoolgirl. Kodai finds this rather adorable.
"...Thanks. For everything back at Enceladus. You protected us."
"Well, yeah. It was my mission."
"Oh, right! Of course...", Mori loses her blush, feeling disappointed.
"Oh! Did you know about the Cosmo Zero that came to help us? Someone named Yamamoto from accounting piloted it."
"Really? Then why haven't they signed up for the fighter squad?"
"Dunno, maybe he or she doesn't want to?"
Air-wing room
Standing before a row of lockers, Kato stares hard down at Yamamoto in calm anger, giving the young woman a piece of his mind.
"Since when are you a pilot?"
"I've completed the necessary training needed to be one."
"Why didn't you...sigh, I'll let it slide this time. But if you ever try that again-"
"It was the optimal course of action under these conditions. Let me transfer to the pilot squad."
Not satisfied, Kato narrows his eyes and puts down his metaphorical hammer. "Are you going to try and avenge Aiko?"
The woman's silence speaks enough and Kato's already short temper erupts past its boiling point.
"I refuse!"
*Slam!*
Fist clenched and punching the locker to his right, Kato then takes a deep breath and closes his eyes to try and calm down. Releasing his fist from the dented locker and bleeding from his knuckles, he opened his eyes and spoke calmly to his sister.
"... I have no right to decide that. Only the captain does."
All the while Shinohara was listening in, hidden from view behind a door sighing as he's used to the two's conversation.
Medical Ward
Exiting the locker room and arriving at the Medical Ward, Harada once again applies some bandages to Kato's treated knuckles.
"A locker this time?", Harada asks as she finishes with the bandaging.
"Yeah, she just won't listen.", Kato said.
"What a stubborn locker, that's for sure."
Flexing his bandaged hand, Kato gave the nurse a thankful bow and excused himself from the ward.
"Lieutenant Kato!", Harada catches up to the pilot who was about to turn a corner. Tapping her fingers together, she gives a bashful thanks to the man.
"Um, if it weren't for that pilot. I think it would have been really bad for us. I think they have saved our lives."
'...Maybe I've been too harsh on her? All she wanted was to be like her brother in the air.', Kota thought, looking at his bandaged knuckles. 'Ah, screw it.'
"Oh, fine...", and with that the pilot waved goodbye to the nurse, leaving her confused as an announcement played overhead.
"Attention all division leaders, please meet in the main operations room."
Harada watches in silence as Kato walks past a door and out of sight. She turns to Dr Sado who, once again, is drinking sake.
"Did I say something strange?"
"Heck if I know! Hic!", The slightly intoxicated doctor responds, drinking another cup.
"...Men sure are strange."
"gulp BWEHEHEHEHE!"
Operations Room
In the dark operations room, illuminated by a green hologram map projected from the floor, Abraham and all the division leaders stand forth as Abraham announces his next course of action.
"I had initially planned to avoid all unnecessary combat with the enemy to reach Iscandar as soon as possible.", Abraham began, face stern and hands behind his back. "But we cannot allow the continued existence of the Pluto base whose planet bombs rendered Earth a wasteland."
"We shall destroy that base with everything we have! After the Gamilans captured Pluto seven years ago, they changed its environment from dry icy plains to a dwarf planet with icy oceans and an atmosphere."
"The UN has analyzed and detected, using still-working long-range telescopes, the movement of surface hot spots, each being possible locations of the Pluto base.", Abraham finished, a topographic map of Pluto renders with dots scattered about to show the possible base locations.
"We can't identify the exact location?", Aihara asked.
"Unfortunately, no. The telescopes used were already pretty old by the time these scans were taken, made worse because we can't maintain them.", Niimi replied.
"It's also possible that they were using some form of stealth technology around the base.", Sanada added.
"They aren't making this easy, huh?", Tokugawa rubbed his head in annoyance.
"It is a major enemy base. We can expect heavy resistance.", pointed out Shima.
Sanda then spoke, "In terms of defense, we have the duel Wave Motion Shields. Activating both would, in theory, render us impervious to all forms of enemy attack. Though-"
"Hang on. If activating both Shields makes us invincible, as you're saying, why don't we just charge right in with them on?", Nambu cuts the scientist off.
"That's what I am just about to say. They only have a maximum endurance of about 30 minutes. That time could be extended by supplying energy from both Engines, but it would leave nothing for weapons and thrusters.", Sanada says, his voice dead serious. "We can compromise by only activating one of the Shields, as it should provide sufficient protection against positron beams while still retaining the use of the beforementioned systems."
Kodai then gave the battle plan, "We'll launch the fighters before Montana breaches their warning zone. Montana will as a decoy, drawing away the enemy fleet we'll be anticipating."
Behind him, a map of Pluto's orbit loads in from a wall screen showing the dotted path of Montana and her fighters toward the dwarf planet and its moons.
"The fighters will set a course through Nyx's orbit, going around Charon, then down low to search for the base. Once they find the base, they'll destroy it."
The fighter's path takes them to the moon Hydra, then turns to fly around Nix, heading off the coast of Charon, and then to Pluto.
"After Montana breaks through the enemy fleet and arrives off the coast of Pluto, it will provide cover fire from above to support the fighters."
Nambu piped up with a raised hand.
"I propose another plan! A long-range attack with the Wave Motion Gun would destroy the base easily."
Kodai's eyes narrow in response. "We will not use the Wave Motion Gun."
"Why the hell not? It'll be a waste of time and resources if we go with the fighters!", Nambu clamored in surprise.
"Using it would destroy not only the base but Pluto itself. Just like with the Jupiter floating continent.", Kodai spoke, shaking his head. "I cannot do that."
"Why not? What's a planet or two?!", Nambu loudly said, frustrated.
Mori tried to calm the bespectacled gunner down, "Nambu.."
"I will not!", Kodai exclaimed, standing his ground.
"Listen to the Tactical Officer, why not?", Kota defended Kodai, but Nambu turned his sights on the pilot instead.
"I'm telling you, this will keep the pilots from suffering any losses, as well.", Nambu said to Kato, then his tone turned haughty. "Of course, I don't even know if Montana needs a fighter squadron..."
Kato's brows furrow in anger at this. "What was that?"
"It's true. Montana's firepower is more than enough to make your squad redundant."
This sets off Kato's short fuse, his eyes seeing red and taking a step forward in rage.
"You little sonnova-!"
"ENOUGH!"
Abraham's commanding voice, the loudest it has been so far, is enough to put an order in the room and save Kato from his rage. His furrowed brows and narrowed eyes in controlled anger and disappointment at both parties' behavior are enough to instill some fear in them.
"As I agree with Kodai, we will commence the attack on the Pluto base without using the Wave Motion Gun. And that decision is final.", the captain declared, his resolution leaving no argument.
"Yes, sir.", Nambu lowly affirmed, miffed at his idea being thrown out.
Abraham turned to his Chief Tactical. "Kodai, you are in charge of the fighter squadron."
"Eh? I-I am?"/"He is?", both Kodai and Kato spoke at the same time in surprise then turned to look at each other.
"You are. And I'm granting you access to a pair of experimental fighter aircraft for this mission."
The young officer then stands straight, the heels of his feet hitting together. "Yes, sir! I, Tactical Officer Susumu Kodai, will take command of the fighter squadron!"
With that declaration, Kato nods at his superior officer in acknowledgment. Kodai, briefly surprised at the respect from the hot-tempered pilot, only nodded back.
"We'll lead the operation from Bridge 2's CIC. Tokugawa, head over to the combat bridge and look over the engine."
"Understood.", the engineer nodded.
"Then that'll be all. Any questions?", Abraham asked everyone. After a second, Nambu raised his hand.
"Um, sir? What is this new fighter you're talking about?"
"Well, let me ask you this. Do you know about General Dynamics?"
"That American aerospace company? Yeah, my family's familiar with them and others. I thought they went under when the planet bombs fell.", Nambu answered, confused about where this was going.
"That's what they say on paper. In reality, they along with other giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin are liquidated into the American government. And they've been trying to make weapons to fight back against the Gamilans behind the public eyes."
"So, what are you saying?"
"General Dynamics' own space division, simply dubbed "Space Dynamics" (original, I know), have made two successful prototype space fighters that they donated out to us for an impromptu trial run. And they are said to surpass our current fleet of fighters in every possible way, including the Zeros."
"A new fighter, huh?", Kato said, his interest peaked. "Even better than the Zeros?"
"Wow, I didn't know that.", Nambu uttered in shock and awe.
"That's understandable, it is kept secret after all. If nothing else, you are all dismissed.", Abraham saluted.
"Yes, sir!"
Exiting the Operation Room, Kodai was walking down a hallway, his mind racing as he thought about what his captain revealed.
'A new fighter that surpasses everything else? And he counts on me to pilot it. Okay, I won't let you down. Captain!'
His musing is broken when to his right a white-haired woman calling for him.
"Lieutenant Kodai! Just a moment?"
Kodai turns to the unknown woman. "Oh, hello there. You're...uh, what's your name, sorry?"
"Yamamoto, from accounting. I won't take up much of your time."
"Yamamoto...Yamamoto..."
'Where have I heard of that name?', Kodai thought, then a lightbulb switches on in his brain. 'Wait!'
"You're that pilot, right? The one who flew that Zero!"
"That's right. I want to make a request."
Meanwhile, walking through another hallway, Mori and Nambu have left the operation room with the latter less the happy about what happened in there.
"I don't know nor care enough if he is the pilot squad's ace, but that Kato's such a jerk.", the bespectacled man gave out.
Approaching a junction, Mori's attention is caught by something up ahead and pulls Nambu to hide behind a bulkhead door with her. Looking over, she spots Kodai with another woman speaking rather animatedly with a smile.
"Team 5 to Hanger 1. Repeat, Team 5 to Hanger 1."
"Ohhh, I see.", Nambu whispered with a realizing smile. 'If Kodai becomes interested in another woman, then Mori is fully available!'
Captain's Quarters, Outside
Walking upstairs, Shima was about to arrive before the Captain's Quarters when Kodai walked out the door.
"Thanks for considering, Captain. Now, if you'll excuse me.", Kodai saluted before closing the door and spots Shima down below.
"Oh, Shima!"
"Hey! Now you can avenge your brother."
"I'll do what I can, but that's it. Take care of Montana for me, will ya?"
"No problem."
As Kodai passed down Shima, both men exchanged a high-five with each other. Shina then heads up and knocks on the metal door.
*thump thump thump!*
"Who is it?", Abraham asked behind the door.
"It's Navigation Officer Shima, sir."
"Come in."
Opening the door, Shima enters the room and spots the captain looking at a tablet though unable to discern what its content is.
"Is there anything you want to say to me?", Abraham asked, his eyes leaving the tablet and to his Chief Navigator.
"We are almost at the mission zone. Please report to the CIC as soon as possible.", Shima reported, closing the door behind him.
"I see. Thanks for the reminder. Though I suspect there's another reason why you came here."
"Your grandfather is a hero of the Second Battle of Mars. And though your father lost his life, he's still brave for trying to fight for humanity. As such I have always admired the Okitas as sailors. Earlier, at the Navigation Room, I understood Kodai's outburst as I had lost my father in these seas when they first attacked."
"So I agree with your plan to attack Pluto. And as Navigation Officer I swear to make up for any lost time!"
'You don't know the truth of it all, Shima.' the young captain thought in his head. Outwardly, he spoke. "Then I hope you keep your word for that. Anything else?"
"I will. And that's everything I want to say."
"Then you're free to leave."
"Thank you for listening, Abraham. If you excuse me."
Shima gave the captain a bow, then turned and left the room. Once he was alone, Abraham picked up a phone and dialed in.
"*click* This is Chief Purser Hajime Hirata."
"Ah, Hirata. Sorry for calling in unannounced, but I need you to do me a favor."
"Oh, Captain! Don't worry, you're not interrupting anything. What do you need?"
Air-wing meeting room
All the pilots are present in the meeting room, taking their seats on rows of elevated platforms similar to those in a college lecture room.
The pilot's chatters are broken when a loud whistling sound is heard. Kodai walks into the front, wearing the pilot's jacket and holding a tablet in his hands.
"Tactical Officer, I realize the mission briefing is about to commence but I must speak with you briefly.", Kato told the brunette.
"Sure, but that can wait until the end as there's something I'd like you all to hear."
Kodai turns to address the pilots, their curiosity captured.
"We have a transfer, from accounting to the fighter squadron. Come in."
He gestured a person, hidden in the shadows, to come forward. When their familiar snow-white hair is illuminated, everyone in the room, sans Kodai, looks in "Ooohh!" and "Awww!"s.
"My name is Yamamoto, and I've been transferred to the fighter squadron. Nice to meet you all.", the woman introduced herself with a bow.
Many in the room all feel motivated, some even wolf-whistling and catcalling, which Yamamoto ignored.
"Whoo, now I feel I must work twice as hard!", one male pilot says, hand on his heart.
"Twice as hard at what, Sugiyama? Flirting?", another pilot jabbed, promptly everyone to laugh hard.
"Welcome to the club, Yamamoto!"
"Will you go out with me when this is over?"
The last comment got Kato to glare hard at the offending pilot. Shaking his head, he addressed the metaphorical elephant in the room.
"Akira, you got..."
"Akira?", Kodai said, confused. "But aren't you Rei?"
"Excuse me.", the woman took the tablet off Kodai, giving a few taps before turning around.
"This is read as Akira."
"I see. I didn't realize."
"Don't worry. Everyone calls me Rei anyways, so it's fine."
Confusion cleared up, Kodai turns to face the crowd. "Captain Okita has approved of the transfer. Made the call himself."
Kato's surprise is returned with Yamamoto's side-eyed smug wink. "Ah, jeez..", he muttered with a small smile.
"I'll be handling the pilot and fighter end of the operation. Alpha team will take the northern hemisphere. Bravo team, the southern hemisphere. After the descent to Pluto, we'll split into two groups to begin the operation."
Kodai then faced Yamamoto, "Yamamoto, you're with me."
"Yes, sir. We'll be taking the Zeros?", the woman asked, confusion on her face.
"No, we'll be taking a new fighter instead."
"I see. Understood."
"I'm sure everyone here has lost family and friends to enemy attacks.", Kodai told everyone, his eyes narrowing afterward. But by no means do consider dying to avenge them. Come back alive, and that's an order!"
Kodai then performs a salute, everyone following suit and standing up before leaving the room. With nearly everyone gone, Kodai turned to face the chief pilot.
"Kato, you wanted to speak with me about something?"
"Nah, it's okay. You already answered what's on my mind."
And with that, Kato patted Kodai's shoulder before leaving the room, leaving behind a confused Tactical Officer.
Hanger Bay 1
Below, the hanger is bustling with activity as pilots rush to the Falcons, with ground crews helping them in. Shinohara and Kato float into their fighters, both with custom paint jobs. The former has a shark mouth and eyes painted on its nose and the latter has a gray and white paint job with the character for "Sincerity" on its tail fin.
"Lieutenant Kato, good luck out there!", a ground staff told Kato as he took his seat.
"Right!", the pilot replied, fastening his seatbelts and spooling up the Falcon's engines as the canopy closed above his head.
Hanger Bay 2
Up above, a pair of fighter aircraft concealed by shadow slowly move across railings as they are moved to the elevators, the Cosmo Zeros already rolled out of the way. The sounds of engines spooling up can be heard as their pilots start up the aircraft.
Inside one of the fighters, Kodai in his white pilot suit, flips some switches as the instrument cluster comes to life, illuminating his helmet.
"Lieutenant Kodai."
Yamamoto's voice speaks out to the brunette through the radio embedded in his helmet. He turns over to his left, seeing his wing woman inside the cockpit of the other fighter.
"Thank you for the transfer. And for giving me a chance.", Yamamoto spoke sincerely.
"I was impressed by your skills on Enceladus.", Kodai said back. "Don't die out there."
"Don't worry, I don't plan to."
And with that, the side doors open up to reveal the black void of space, the cockpit shaking as they are being rolled to the elevators.
Flashback, Air-Wing locker room
"What aircraft are we flying, Lieutenant?", Yamamoto asked, he and Kodai zipping up their pilot suits.
"It's called the F/A/B-1 Arwing.", Kodai responded, holding his helmet under his arm as he and the woman left the locker room. "Our friends at America have donated it to us for a test run."
"The Arwing? What is it capable of?"
"Well, to be honest, I don't know much. But if the papers I'm given were right, they are better than even the Zeros in every way. Faster, more maneuverable, more powerful, everything.", Kodai answered as they walked down a hallway.
"What are its weapons? Shields?", Yamamoto asked, her eyes almost sparkling.
"Freaking twin laser cannons within the wings and a homing micro-missile system. These missiles are coated with energy that can follow whatever target it's locked on. For shields? Oh boy, get this. It uses this thing called a Gravity Diffusion system that projects negative Gs that acts as a force shield from enemy fire."
"Is this G-Diffuser thing the reason why we aren't wearing G suits? Because they directly counter the G forces we would normally experience during dogfighting?"
"Yep. Sounds amazing, I know. Abraham must have pulled some strings to get them here."
"The captain wanted them for this voyage?"
"Oh, yeah. I heard during boarding that Abraham wanted them on board, and he even pulled the Okita card to get them. I don't know if it's true, but that's the word on the halls. We're here."
Entering the second hanger bay, bright lights turn on to unveil the new pair of fighters in question. Yamamoto gives an appreciative whistle.
"Woo! Now that is a spacefighter! My respect for the captain has gone up a bit more. He sure knows how to pick his ships.", Yamamoto said in awe, Kodai nodding his head.
"I agree. Now come on, let's go!"
"Right behind you!"
As Kodai and Yamamoto are raised to the catapults, the light from the distant sun gleams off the Arwing's body.
A white narrow triangular fuselage with an air intake that doubles as a missile launcher, two angular blocky fins housing the G-Diffuser units and twin laser cannons, sharp variable geometric wings fitted with flaperons and air brakes. This is the ultimate pinnacle of an ultra-high-performance air and space superiority fighter design.
As the two Arwings rise to the catapults, their G-Diffuser fins change colors to match their pilot's uniforms. Kodai's has red fins while Yamamoto's has black ones.
"Begin Arwing Start-up sequence checks.", Kodai said as his digital instrument screen displayed a checklist of systems to be turned on. "Hydrogen fuel supply to enable."
"Hydrogen fuel supply enabled.", Yamamoto confirmed, she and Kodai both completing their checks.
"Twin laser cannons to enable."
"Twin laser cannons enabled."
"Micro missiles to armed and primed."
"Micro missiles armed and primed."
"Astronavigation systems to enable."
"Astronavigation systems enabled."
"Life support to enable."
"Life support enabled."
"Deflector shields to armed and primed."
"Deflector shields armed and primed."
"Targeting systems to enable."
"Targeting systems enabled."
"Heads up display interface to enabled."
"HUD interface enabled."
"Space and atmosphere flight mode to enable."
"Space and atmosphere flight mode enabled."
"All range mode to enable."
"All range mode enabled."
"Start-up checks complete. All systems go."
"Roger, all systems go."
Everything is all ticked and cleared, the checklist disappears to display an attitude indicator and engine instruments, as well as other miscellaneous information. The landing skids retract into the fuselage as the Arwings are moved onto the electromagnetic catapults.
"Lieutenant Kodai, go and avenge Earth for us.", the air master told Kodai who nodded back.
The two catapults rotate to face forward of Montana's bow, the Arwing's engines glowing white as they begin to ignite.
Combat Bridge 2, CIC
Below the main bridge and more cramped inside, Abraham and his chief staff excluding Kodai have taken their stations in the CIC as they begin their assault on Pluto.
"We're almost to the mission zone.", Ota reports from the front right.
"Deploy the Wave Motion Shields. Set output to maximum.", Sanada orders from Abrahams left.
"Deploying Wave Motion Shields.", Nambu confirmed from just forward of the captain's seat. "Maximum output confirmed."
"Fighters are now ready for launch.", Mori spoke from the right.
"Now commencing Operation M-2. Launch the Hayabusas!", Abraham declared, their plan begins now.
At the bow and after the aftmost kneel gun, the bay door for Hanger 1 lowers down into space as the first Falcon is picked up from the rotating carousel and launched backward off the door as a ramp. After that, it flies off ahead and the next Falcon is picked up and launched. This process then repeats again and again until Kato's and Shinohara's are finally launched last, after testing their maneuvering thrusters.
On the catapults, Kodai and Yamamoto are given the green light to launch after the Falcons.
"Montana to Arwings 1 and 2, you are cleared for take off. Good luck!"
"Clear for take-off, Arwing 1.", Kodai spoke back, a HUD lighting up in his helmet
"Clear for takeoff, Arwing 2.", Yamamoto repeated back, her too having a HUD.
Both pilots push their throttles forward, the Arwings engines emitting white to blue flames, and the catapults launch both fighters forward leaving Montana behind them.
"Arwing 1 to all fighters. Maintain radio silence until the target is located. Active ECM and stay alert.", Kodai ordered the Falcons via radio, having caught up and taking the lead position. "Good luck out there!"
And with that, the mixed fleet of Arwings and Falcons fly off and head straight for the dwarf planet in the distance, with Montana slowly following behind.
Unfortunately, a spy drone reveals itself from behind the battleship and begins to transmit its camera feed.
Bridge 2
"Now passing through Nix's orbit.", Ota reports.
"It's so quiet...Is this really enemy space?", Shima wondered, the silence feeling offputting to him.
"You're right, it's quiet...Too quiet.", Abraham said in suspicion. Turning to his right, he asked, "Mori, Sasha. Anything on the radar?"
"No enemy ships sighted.", Mori replied.
"No energy signatures detected within 200k kilometers.", Sasha added.
"Maybe they were frightened of Montana?", Ota confidently wondered.
"No, this silence feels more threatening than reassuring.", Sanada dismissed Ota's ideas, an empty feeling in his heart.
"Sanada's right. This feels off.", Abraham said, his tone serious. "Sasha, set the radar to its maximum range. Mori, set the EWS to its earliest configuration. I want nothing to surprise us as we get to Pluto."
"Yes, sir."
"Captain, if we make it to Charon's orbit and get Pluto in our sights, all we need is Montana's-"
"Nambu, my decision on that matter is final. We will not use the Wave Motion Gun.", Abraham sternly cuts into Nambu's suggestion, still trying to convince the captain to use their trump card. "This operation depends on our ability to work with the fighter squad. We'll wait for Kodai's signal."
Suddenly, a loud continuous beep is heard from the radar. Mori then exclaims in alarm, "Captain, incoming energy signature heading from our port side!"
Reflecting off a few satellites, a powerful purple beam strikes the Montana off its port side. A blue hue glows as the battleship's Wave Motion Shield absorbs the blow, though not without suffering some superficial damage.
Slightly shaken about, Abraham calls out for the ship's status.
"Report!"
"Likely an enemy long-range attack.", Mori deduced.
"Where did they fire from?", Shima asked.
"No enemy ships are being detected. The attack seems to be coming from Pluto itself.", Sasha provided her conclusion.
"No severe damage to Montana, though the Inertial Systems have been knocked offline. Wave Motion Shields at 50 percent and recharging.", Sanada reports to the captain.
"Ship interior at zero-G. Attempting to reboot Inertial Systems now.", Aihara says as loose objects now float around in the air.
After doing some calculations on his console, Sanada turns to Abraham. "Captain. The attack came from 10 o'clock, port side somewhere off Pluto's orbit."
"Evasive maneuvers! Hard to starboard and into their blind spot.", Abraham ordered.
"Evasive maneuvers. Hard to starboard!", Shima repeated, turning the controls to the right. The ship leans towards the commanded direction as it begins to head to starboard.
Pluto Frontline Base
At the Pluto base, Shultz, Ganz, and Jarletora are all watching Montana on the big screen above as nearby staff reports the status of their target.
"First shot has hit. Impact confirmed."
"Montana is commencing in evasive maneuvers."
"Splendid, Commander Shultz! Even I, Ganz, had never imagined using the Planet Bomb launch system as a weapon.", Ganz praised the base commander, having been the one who fired the weapon.
"You must consider things from different angles. On the battlefield, the ability to adapt on the fly is always critical.", Shultz spoke wisely.
"General Domel thought us that.", Jarletora said, and then his face changed to that of disappointment. "However, it's unfortunate that the first strike didn't finish them."
"A hunt is something to be savored, Jarletora. Prepare reflecting satellites for the next volley!"
"Charging Reflecting Satellite Cannon! 40 seconds until recharge complete."
Montana, Bridge 2
Hidden within the dark side of Pluto, Sanada relays his findings of the attack against Montana.
"Based on the analysis of the attack's flight plan, this area puts us in their blind spot.", Sanada spoke, giving the crew a sense of safety.
"We are safe.", Ota wiped his forehead of his sweat.
"Everyone, keep your guard up. They now know where Montana is, and they are sure to strike again.", Abraham warned, still on edge. "Maintain geostationary orbit."
Sanada, meanwhile, took thus moment to run a scan on their surroundings. And what he finds makes him feeling curious.
"There's a lot of debris here...", he muttered as his scans picked up several unidentified objects.
Pluto Frontline Base
"Do you think yourselves hidden?", Shultz mockingly asked, a spy camera showing the view of Montana in Pluto's shadow.
"Reflecting satellites 7, 13, 28, deploying reflectors.", an officer spoke as a new path of fire was planned for their target.
"Reflecting Satellite Cannon, fire!"
A beam of purple energy shoots out of the cannon as it breaks past the ice, hitting off several satellites before landing on the now not-so-hidden Montana's starboard side. This time, though the Shields still tanked the blast, more severe damage was inflicted as smoke began to emit from the hull and the ship began to fall from orbit.
The bridge shakes harder as the crew lets out cries of surprise. Aren't they supposed to be in the safe zone?
"It's the same attack as before!", Sanada shouted.
"Were we supposed to be in the blind spot? How did we get targeted?!", Nambu cried in shock.
"Radar, where did the attack originate?", Abraham asked.
"I can't pinpoint the launch point. Though it's definitely from somewhere on Pluto!", Mori reports.
"Captain! We're losing propulsion and falling from orbit!", Shima yelled out as the white surface of Pluto etched closer and closer.
"Our main Engine is down and the Secondary is now on emergency low power mode.", Sanada informs.
"Shima, land us in the seas of Pluto!"
"Aye aye, Captain!"
"Open bow thrusters! Level this ship!"
The bow thrusters ignite, jets of blue flames pitching the ship upright and level with Pluto's surface as it descends down and fires once again in an attempt to slow the ship down.
"Altitude, 500. Preparing to land. Raise the guns!", Shima called out.
"Raising guns! Three green, guns secure!", Nammbu says back.
"Guns raised! Altitude 400! 300! 200! 100!"
Montana is now closer to the icy surface than ever before, the lower third bridge barely scraping above some ice formations.
"50! 40! 30!"
Abraham quickly grabs the PA microphone.
"All crew, BRACE FOR IMPACT!"
"20! 10! Contact!"
Montana's immense mass slams down hard against the ice stern first, the multi-thousand-tonne ship breaking through and tearing through the thick freezing surface like tissue paper with its pointed bow and momentum.
Traveling forward a couple of hundred feet, the battleship finds itself safely to a stop from its harder-than-hard landing.
"Landing complete...", tiredly spoke Shima, his arms flopping to his sides as he released the controls. Everyone else let out a breath of relief they'd been holding.
"Everyone, stay on guard!", Abragsm barked, everybody snapping back to attention.
"Captain, the Wave Motion Shields at 20 percent. One more of those attacks and the Shields done for.", Sanada warned, his console flashing red in a warning.
"Understood. Have the ship repaired ASAP. Aihara, got anything from the fighters."
"Still nothing yet, sir.", the Communications Officer said.
"Captain."
"Hmm?"
"May I make a suggestion?"
"What is it, Sanada?"
Pluto Frontline Base
"Persistent bastards...", Ganz spoke, surprised at Montana's resilience as it remained afloat on the big screen.
"Don't give them a chance to rest. Ready the next round from the Reflection Satellite Cannon!", Shultz ordered, unwilling to give his target any respite.
"Reflecting satellites deployed and in position."
"Reflecting Satellite Cannon charged."
"Montana, you have fought well.", Shultz praised, his hands holding the trigger button. "However, this is the end."
"Saraba, Montana!"
*click*
The Satellite Cannon fires once again, its blast reflecting off satellites once more as they deflect to the location of Montana.
Montana, Bridge 2
"Massive energy readings directly overhead!!, Mori exclaimed in fear as the radar displayed a massive alert warning above their ship's location.
Suddenly, a massive rumble and loud noises can be heard as the bridge begins to lean sideways and then upside down.
The purple blast makes impact on top of Montana, creating a massive explosion that sinks the ship stern first. The icy water is displaced as the bow raises 90 degrees upright before it slowly sinks and disappears below the surface.
Leaving nothing but a plume of water in its wake.
Omake:
Montana: *lands hard on Pluto's surface*
Ryanair: "Finally, a worthy opponent!"