Full Metal Panic: Come Make My Day Chapter 3b
Note: My apologies for a slight confusion, but since LJ won't let me post this chapter in one single post, I was left with no choice but to split it up into two parts. If you want to read Chapter 3, please read the one below this post first (Chapter 3a). Again, apologies for the confusion.
Chapter 3b (continued from chapter 3a which is posted below)
When The former Information Department Hong Kong Branch head Gavin Hunter and the others were attacked, they were passing through the streets of Cantwell 60 kilometers moving on the road. Working on the frame works of the "Unit" frantically they ran away from Anchorage, heading straight for the workshop which they have prepared beforehand and were attacked along the way.
It was dawn with rain. With Conifer around the area.
Although it's already June, the mornings of Alaska were still unpleasantly cold. There are two trailers holding the unit. Hunter was on the passenger side of the leading car. Unlike any other convoy on the night, it is a place where no cars are going back and forth.
It was an ambush there.
In the path of their way there was a bluish phospherence floating in the air, at once a giant appeared. It's an Arm Slave. In addition it was not that one unit alone. There was also another behind Hunter and the others. And then 300 meters from the left at a small hill is another unit. As far as they can see, there were three units. In the silhouette they can see the distinction of the diamond faced head. Being astonished, the three units are all made up of type. Since they only have one armored troop guarding resistance is futile.
The in front opened his hands. and said "Stop"
"Do as he says. Stop."
Hunter said towards the driver who looked blankly when the AS suddenly appeared. The driver was employed locally and was an outsider, of course he would have no knowledge of what the contents are.
The two trailers stopped in the middle of the road, the external speakers of the said.
"Cut your engine and come out with both your hands up. If you resist we will shoot."
they obeyed.
From the thicket on the left side of the road appear 5 to 6 men, grasping immediately on the neck of Hunter and the others, lining them up in a row beside the trailer. Although wearing civilian clothes, there were suppressor in their submachine guns, their movement and cooperation were controlled. If there had been any kind of resistance, the members are in a good firing position. There is no mistake that they are professionals.
The drivers were frightened. Hunter pitied them for involving them. But he anticipated this situation and employed outsiders. He didn't want to expose his subordinates with high skills and experience in unnecessary dangers--- in other words, they stepped on a case where the employed drivers being killed would not make a large damage.
Then, why is he going along with them?
There are a number of logical reasons. He made calculations not to get himself killed, and to shift to escape if somehow captured, for arguments sake if he died there are no people who would be concerned. His relationship with his loving wife in the Hong Kong period, became a catastrophe when collapse.
Oh well. Being a woman who had pride being a former model, up hers. To be with a small fat person like him, she only wanted a Grand Cinq ring...that's what he thought.
But what was the largest, and most dangerous risk he took was not to be in agreement with the enemy.
"Gavin Hunter right?"
One of the attackers said without negligence of his gun. it was meaningless if he were to deny this, Hunter gave his affirmation. But even then the enemy had made deep preparations.
"Say your mothers name and you birthday"
So they were watching out for his substitute. He had difficulty with his memory---and his mother had died 20 years earlier----then answered the question.
"Debbie. June 4"
"Alright. Show me the load. Open it with the key you have."
Whether this was a protest of something else, Hunter hesitated. Wouldn't it be alright to irritate them for a bit? No, that attitude would rather give suspicion to his enemies. He rethinks, and calmly replied "I understand", raising both his hands and walked towards the rear of the trailer. There were two armed men, following him from behind.
No matter how he struggled, he could not resist here. They are much more trained, men armed with automatic rifles, and 3 units of Lambda Driver equipped AS. As long as Hunter knows, those who are much more stubbornly superior---the guys from the West Pacific Fleet, would not lose to these guys.
Removing the lock on the rear doors, the boorish metal fittings were unfastened. Opening the double doors, inside are a large quantity of cardboard boxes.
"It's smoked salmon."
Hunter said.
"We got it cheap from a trader. We plan on traveling along like this crossing Canada towards Utah---"
Not listening to his words, the man violently pulled down the cardboard box. The cardboard box falls to the ground, on the smashed box the smoke salmon were revealed in the vacuum pack. Hunter who was looking on, is in a mood to drink some beer.
"Keep quiet and just watch."
There are several cardboard boxes, inside them were a curved armor, a part of a large machine appeared.
For people on the military field would understand immediately. This is the head of a 3rd generation AS.
"Are these smoked salmon?"
The man snorted, and called on the digital communicator he had.
"This is Blue One. We have discovered Tango One. Blue One will proceed with Alpha protocol. There is a control on Tango Four. Request instructions----Blue One Roger"
The man concluded with the communication and order the attackers to withdraw.
At once, two Large helicopters equipped with ECS appeared, hovering in the skies about 10 meters, dropping a sturdy wire and hook. The men on the ground quickly acted on both hands connecting wire to the trailer.
And then another small helicopter flew over. It's an old model Gazelle. The small helicopter landed with rhythmical movement, around 30 meters away from the trailer.
A large built man in civilian clothes got off from the small helicopter.
Taking off the headset and leaving the seat, with energetic soldier like walking heads to this way. Because of the shadow created by the trees, the face of the man was not clearly seen. The gray coat fluttering in the wind. His hair and beard were also gray.
One of the attackers raced to this "Grey Man", bowing his head, reporting to him not losing to the roaring sound of the helicopter. Most probably this man is the commander.
Briefly instructing the subordinate, the gray man slowly walked near Hunter. His height is about 190 centimeters. His age can also be seen as roughly around his 50's.
"...........?"
The man came walking a few steps forward.
It was a face he knows. And also, a man who should not be here.
"impossible. you're..."
"In this industry that is possible"
Taking for granted the speechless gaze of Hunter, that man----Andrei Kalinin said.
"but---"
Hunter was usually a man who would not be surprised, but this is different. This is something that he did not see mistakenly, how many times he thinks it.
But this is certain.
Standing over there, the one who is leading the troops of , was the Russian who was responsible as the Operations Commander of the Western Pacific Fleet of , Andrei Kalinin.
He passed beside Hunter, confirming the contents of the trailer.
"This is the aforementioned unit"
"........"
"Building something like this, it changes nothing. it was a useless labor."
Hunter's fist suddenly gained strength.
"....Mister Kalinin. I didn't think that such words would come out of your mouth. Although we were not close, we were in numerous operations together. But, I didn't think you were the kind of person who would say that. Those young fellows trusted you. Is that not reason enough?"
"That's an overvalue."
"A lot of your allies were killed! On top of that, what sort of infamy---don't you at least feel a little pain in your heart!?"
Even with the sharp words of Hunter, Kalinin did not even move his eyebrows.
And then only said one word.
"Withdraw"
He ordered his subordinates.
"Wait, Mister Kalinin. Are you really---"
Hunter approaching defiantly, Kalinin fired his automatic gun casually. He felt a dull pain in his abdomen, and then a burning pain felt through his whole body.
"........!"
Pushing with both his hands, blood dyeing. During his poor childhood times in the streets of Glasgow, a memory of a quarrel came to his mind. Hunter fell on both his knees, and looked forward. On the corner of his narrowing field of vision, he only saw the wet road with the boots of Kalinin.
"If a human loses roughly around 30 percent of blood he will die"
Kalinin said.
"With that bleeding, you need to get emergency treatment within 30 minutes. The nearest medical facility is 63 kilometers from here. We will be withdrawing from here. With luck you have could get picked up in the car, even if you do your best to fly, it would be difficult to make it in time. And then my Helicopter has the necessary medical kit."
"............"
"Then here is the question, Mister Hunter. This unit ---- the ARX-8, who were the people who constructed this? And where are they?"
Hunter spitted at the boots of Kalinin with blood mixed in. It did not fly very well, and fell to the ground.
"Eat shit"
"Is that so"
Kalinin did not show even any signs of disappointment.
"Then enjoy the last 30 minutes"
The fallen Hunter stayed still, Kalinin left the place. His subordinates also started to withdraw, leaving the drivers kneeling.
The Helicopter in the skies left a fierce roar of the turbo shaft engine. The two trailers hanging on the helicopters started to ascend, climbing the skies accelerating towards the eastern sky. The helicopter Kalinin rode started to takeoff, and disappeared immediately.
After the 3 units of remained watching, lowered their weapons and activated the ECS and leaped from that location towards a distance. With the bluish white light remaining, the 3 units disappeared from the morning atmosphere.
"....how can this be."
In the returning silence, Hunter muttered. The drivers racing, they showered him with their worried jeers, those words no longer reached his ears.
Gentlemen of the Western Pacific Fleet.
With those kinds of toys----AS equipped with Lambda Drivers, you will be clashing with a tough enemy with problems.
(Having to train with the basics)
In the two days of his exercises, Sousuke was being evaluated against his competitors. There was nobody else but the subordinates of Lemon.
In selecting the search route, determine the encampment position, and the process of crossing the river, that is the ironclad rule concerning tracking. There is actually combat experience. But most probably, it is not the least on swampy areas?
Certainly there are different variations of large mosquitoes and ants, smearing your body with insecticide, no matter how many times a squall falls, there are water floating about everywhere. There are traces of rare man-made things.
No matter how much footprints remain, carefully avoiding the spider's web in the forest, it is proclaiming "We are going this way". The team was split into two groups of pursuit, but looking at the terrain, the search radius of the two teams are too far apart. If one side were to enter combat it would take too much time for the support to turn around. If the 4 men of the team were taken care off, the remaining hidden trap would be difficult.
(Well, how about time for emergency...)
Shall he gamble on this.
Sousuke was waiting for them to drop their concentration, and then attack. On the place where traces of meal was purposely left---- they reached the roots of a big tree, the point man noticed these traces, the tail of the team creeping up from the left wing. The traces might be purposely left there---with that contemplation he gets close to the man on the tail, grappling him without noise, putting his knife on the nape of the neck.
"You're dead"
He whispered in his ear, and in that place bowed down.
The remaining enemy is only 8 meter's far away, but the thick bush interrupts their field of vision.
Well, one more person. From here on is difficult.
Sousuke has to move forward, turning from the left wing he gets close to the enemy. The first person feeling the presence of "Murder", called out in warning to his surrounding comrades.
The opponents he is practicing with, it is impossible to kill them without any sound.
With that judgment, he shut off his knife and took on the sub-machine gun, he pushed at the enemy at once. Moving forward the leaves like a tabloid paper, the enemy is present only a few steps ahead. They were aiming their guns towards Sousuke. Sousuke fired first. The sound of gunfire resounds in the jungle. The paint bullet coming out of the weak cartridge hits the chest and head. With that there are suitable amount of pain, the opponent who got attacked cried out.
"Uoh, that hurts!"
"A corpse should sleep"
Sousuke immediately moved. The two remaining men who heard the gunfire and screams reacted and headed for the bush. Firing without delay. The successive gunfire echoes in the neighborhood.
If these were real bullets, they would have pierced the leaves and headed his way. Sousuke would have died. But unfortunately, the reduced gunpowder of the paint bullets does not have the destructive power to penetrate the thick bush. In addition the opponents were not able to get a foothold of the zone, moving is a curse. On the other hand Sousuke had grasped the terrain last night walking about, even if he closed his eyes running he would remember it, the match later would be a two on one.
Although he felt it was sly, Sousuke skillfully takes care of the remaining two. As expected the 4 men complained "Why don't you just quietly die", he showed the excitement of making a trap.
20 minutes after the first gunshot, the other 4 man team finally came.
5 minutes after that, everyone was "Killed in action", they were discontent with Sousuke afterall.
After the exercise, Sousuke and the other members returned to camp, Lemon and Courtney in front of the electric fan were caught in the middle of a game of chess.
"That's why! I did not cheat!"
"No! It's definitely a FUCKING Cheat! My Pawn was not there a while ago! You must have moved it while I was shitting! You cheating bastard!"
"Let me tell you, I have an IQ of 150 and graduated at Sorbonne. I'm a little intelligent and also young. There's no reason why I should lose to an eccentric old man like you! Please stop saying strange things!"
"How dare you say such things! My Uncle died in Omaha Beach. We save you weak French Bastards from FUCKING Hitler!"
"Haa! Then my ancestors gave weapons as presents to the poor people in the new continent 200 years ago!"
"That's a lie! Definitely a lie!"
"You were also lying aren't you?"
"What was that? If you want proof then I have one! The picture of the house in Arizona at that time---damn, wait from there tomorrow! I'm going to go back and get it!"
Is he seriously going 2500 kilometers to Arizona, raising the seat of the Courtney Name. Then from there, the two of them noticed Sousuke and the others.
"Hn. What's the matter with you?"
"The exercise had ended. All 8 mean defeated"
The Team Leader's Warrant Office spoke, Courtney circled his eyes.
"Hohou?"
"That's astounding. So we were training for that. You're really been wiped out by Sagara"
"No. If it were a real combat I would have been killed when I took down 3 men. I'm not yet in the normal condition"
Sousuke denies, Taking out the belt kit and the magazine and communicators and started their maintenance.
"What an extreme confidence"
Gazing at the back of Sousuke who is efficiently lining up the equipments, Lemon muttered.
"If you were in normal condition, you are saying that you would have annihilated all 8 of them in real battle"
"Affirmative. If I can't do that at least, I can't fight with "
Sousuke answered without any fighting mood.
"That may be true. But, it seems that you are recovering leisurely.
"?"
"It's Nickelo. One of the places that you mentioned. Because of that we've narrowed it down. Isn't this."
On top of the crude desk there was a Notebook PC opened, Lemon displayed a number of diagrams.
It's a satellite image. There is a small town in Pochutla, South of Mexico, projected a coast near Nickelo. There was no institution standing out at first sight, it was a lonely place. Facing the sea was a large mansion.
"It's a satellite photo 20 hours ago. Surveillance satellite of NATO---although it is a low resolution type, we managed to get a photo penetrated."
"Hm. How handy."
Courtney peeping on the display at the side, groaning.
"That's why I said I was intelligent. I don't cheat, I can win against you."
"Shut up. This and that are different!"
Interrupting Lemon's head poking at Courtney, Sousuke inquired.
"And then what about this mansion?"
"This is actually a property of a billionaire. A Mexican called Mendoza who profited from IT, his face shows up once in a while at the , he doesn't really use this place much. Yet there are capital funds being carried here. Take notice at the figures in the last year. His contract with the construction company and the agent, and look at the transfer of money in and out of the bank---"
After a little while, Lemon revealed a number of official documents and explained technically. The monetary circulation and laws were terms that Sousuke and the others could not understand.
"In other words?"
Everyone aside from Lemon who has no idea of how money works said in unison. Having explained with pride, he slowly answered in a dejected tone.
"In other words---this mansion in essence is being used by someone who has not revealed their true self."
"Is it related to "This [Special Seat] is somewhat similar to the program in the outskirts of Namsak, it's similar to 9 proportions."
"It might be gangs of Drug Cartels."
"Not so. There is too much security for a gang. Magnify the satellite photo."
The mansion being magnified, from the blur the form of people can be seen in the resolution.
This time everyone nodded.
"I see. It's secured."
At the very least there must probably be 16 sentries carrying mobile automatic weapons. The others are empty handed giants. There are 4 units of Light armored vehicles equipped with Heavy Machine Gun Turrets.
"What's the time frame?"
"Past 17:00 hours. It will be multiplied by dark. Roughly around one platoon. I think we can penetrate it in stealth."
"Impossible."
Sousuke said.
"These giants walking about as sentries are wearing trench coats. These are not humans. They are Super compact Autonomous mobile AS"
"....these are the robot called right?"
While living in this camp, Sousuke has told them of the equipments of and the details of his combat with them.
----leaving out that of Kaname.
"Unless it is a powerfully special warhead or at least a 50 caliber class bullet you cannot take down these opponents, If needed a self destruct of the scattered ball bearings. My unit also had difficulty with them."
"Hmm---. But, then this is clearly an establishment of then."
"Affirmative. There are still some problems."
Sousuke pointed at the satellite image.
"There are 6 containers in the premises. They look like storehouses, but they are camouflaged hangars for AS."
"What did you say?"
"It's what Sagara said."
Courtney nodded.
"I saw this before in the weapons show in Nevada. The roof opens. It's construction is very similar."
"That's it, Lt. commander. If we were to include the equipment and ammunitions, two containers have one unit. Most probably 3 units."
"Hahaa...."
Lemon scratched his temples.
"What about the type of unit? Is it a ?"
"If this is an important institution of , it won't be those kind of easy enemies. It's probably a type."
"Those Lambda Driver equipped AS..."
"This is too extreme, there is no means of countermeasure. Even if we have several good pilot on an M9, it's one unit that you can't easily take down. And we have to be prepared to accept exterior damages."
A gloomy silence hangs over the place.
"I give up. There are three of those monsters, we can't even lift a finger."
"If that guy were here, it would not be difficult to take them down...."
"That guy?"
"Al. The only Lambda Driver equipped AS in possession."
"The first generation Al right. The ARX-7."
The white Savage that blew in Namsak--- He must have thought about "Al II". Lemon narrowed his eyes in sadness.
Thinking about his physical and mental condition, the reason why Sousuke was attacked in Havi Oa island, he did not think it related to the explosion of the in Tokyo. There was no way that repairs could be made to the destroyed unit, but the form of the Lambda Driver system---there is a possibility that the AI included in the core unit would survive. And the one who is capable of operating that system in the world is only Sousuke. at that time, would be the only logical reason as to why he is being targeted like a stray dog.
Of course there is a possibility that is it for revenge. He has managed to kill Gauron, Kurama and a number members. But he could not think of it like that. Purposely setting things up with the DGSE, with that kind of hasty attack being tested, it was an unnatural appearance.
There might still be some other reason.
Do they hate the information offering of Lemon? Their command system in a state of chaos? The individual motive of Leonard Testarossa? Revenge from the remnants of Gauron and Kurama?
All of it are intertwined, is it a complex and complicated situation?
If he thinks about it there is no end. The initial suggestions---the relationship with Al, is the most fitting.
"....no, it can't be helped even if we think about a lost unit. Let's think up of a realistic operation."
Sousuke said throwing out various doubts.
Lemon let out a sigh.
"You say that. With this combat power attack is impossible. Capturing the managers or the VIP is impossible. These subordinates of mine are important, I don't want to send them out into an enemy not returning alive."
"I did not ask you to go that far. I plan to do it alone."
"Again, you're still like that----. Enough with your lone wolf airs!"
Lemon raising his voice, Lt. Commander Courtney knitted his brows.
"Ah- shut up. You shriek like a girl"
"I'm not screaming!"
"shut up, you cheating bastard!"
"That's..."
"The point. We just need to pile them up and deal with those FUCKING AS one way or another right?"
"Like I said, that's not possible so it's difficult!"
"Hmph. No matter what kind of unit it is, if it doesn't have a pilot then it's a FUCKING JUNK. We just have to trick the AS and attack them, before they move, we FUCK them with a 40mm shell."
Courtney said with a strange confidence.
"An AS. But, I'm currently in a situation where my organization can't support me. We can't even get a single AS."
"Then it would be alright as long as we have an AS?"
"Yeah. We can't have a junk like that in the countryside of South America or Namsak."
"Hmm. Sergeant, what do you think."
Courtney asked Sousuke.
"If it were to be an attack with an AS, we would need a second generation which is a little silent and has maneuverability. Weapons control system and communications systems have to be at least the level of what is currently used. The ability of a comparatively simple to obtain is insufficient."
After the answer to his question, there is no way to obtain that kind of AS. Infiltrating from the sea, they could settle it with C4 explosives. Being accompanied with an unreasonable difficulty, there is little hope for success---
However, Courtney nodded in agreement alone, and said.
"I see. Then we can do it."
"?"
Then, from far away there was a strange sound echoing. A faint sound of an engine, an intermittent sound chattering the air. This is the sound of an aircraft---a Helicopter. And it is getting near the camp.
"It's here"
Looking at the dubious faces, Courtney said "follow me" and went out of the lodging house. In there, the sound of the helicopter gradually increases, and finally transfigured into an exploding sound floating in the camp.
"Mr. Courtney, what is this---"
"Just take a look."
Swirling around the thicket of the camp, shaking violently with a strong wind, the leaves flies in the air, in that direction the shape of a giant helicopter can be seen.
A box type unit coated in gray. A customized CH-53. A previous generation from the transport aircraft MH-67
which was used by Sousuke while in . Under the giant helicopter, there was a shadow of an Arm Slave hanging in the wire below it.
With a dark grey armor, there was also a solid limbs. Donning a downjacket it looks like a man with short legs.
It's an M6 .
In addition this was an update for the special forces with the latest A3 model, a type which is called . Although not the next generation M9, it prides itself with its maneuverability, and for a short amount of time it can be silent with an electric driven engine.
Better than the first model, obtaining this unit is no simple matter---
"Well, it's easy."
Courtney said in front of Lemon and the others with their gaping mouth.
"...then you mean, the important matter that you wanted to get to Arizona was this"
"Hm, did I say something like that?"
Disembarking from the Helicopters hatch in the skies, there was a shadow of a man inside.
This is another old man. An old war buddy of Courtney, Colonel Roy Seals who was previously with him in a drinking bout. A former high official in the American Navy, Sousuke could only remember him as a guest in the banquet who had sexually harassed Tessa. Originally he has a considerable position.
After taking down the AS the helicopter landed, Seals walked immediately forward. He completely ignored Sousuke and Lemon, glancing here and there in the camp, and then shouted at Courtney.
"The documents were all taken care off! Well, where is Tessa?"
"Well about that, She's not here"
At Courtneys response, Seals fiercely turn his head looking around and stopped.
"What was that? Didn't you tell me that she was waiting here. I bought the M6A3 here, with her nightingale wind and a traditional nurse outfit, nursing me---"
"Sorry. I lied"
The main agenda of the online conference, is the [correction] of the military balance and supply balance in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Far East.
The Middle East accounted for a lot of interest in maintaining the status quo, in relation to the underground resources of Central Asia there was a need for a terrorist incident, while the Far East maintains the tension giving each nation to enlarge their war funds.
The estimated number of deaths and damages are expected, in the long run it will turn out that reports are positive. Considering their reports, from that expectations it revealed a proactive and passive endorsement.
The "World Conquest" is already over----
The people of the world no longer notices this fact. Of course, there is no need to notice it. This organization efficiently utilizes funds, technology and violence, to have a power to greatly get consent from the majority of the people.
The "World Conquest" is already over----
There is no need for all the fortune to fall under one hand. The carnivores in the Savanna don't have to eat the grass, while the herbivores increase in numbers they cannot decrease. What is most important is balance.
The "World Conquest" is already over----
This flow can no longer be changed. They themselves can no longer change. For the whole picture, not one of them understands this. The most important is that you do not infuriate your superiors. And then continue with the flow.
No, how stupid.
The world---
"Mister Ag (Silver), are you listening"
At the end stage of the conference, one of the managers called out to Leonard in an irritated voice. Of course he was listening, but he was out of it for a moment, showing a face like he noticed it first.
"Yes, what about?"
"About the project. The scale of this problem, we would need the cooperation of each of you."
The man who gave him a harsh voice was Mister Au (Gold). Although it is an ironclad rule to address each other like this, Leonard already knows his nationality and real name.
"As you say. As long as I can provide the information, I will share it with everyone."
"Then, how long will you be neglecting that girl. Do you also intend to finish the [Investigation]"
"My apologies. But, this approach could not detect the element."
"Still the [Organic Vegetable] theory"
A number of people laughed at Au's (gold) cynicism. Leonard calmly carried a smile.
"There is a demand for new [Black Technology]. Like the abstract case of the [Omni Sphere]. We want results."
"Is that so. Then I will give you enough results."
"I see. Then that might be the case."
On the man who is only on voice, snorted through the circuit line. In the tone of changing the topic, Au (Gold) said.
"Then there is the information. There are no specifics, but the organization has to make sure about the whereabouts of your girlfriend. It's about time that the place would no longer be safe."
"It's something I've heard for the first time. We have increased the security."
Of course he was not saying the truth. The observation satellite of NATO, from its inside----from someone who knows the system very well---intrudes, there was already someone who took a photograph of the greatest magnification of the mansion near Nickelo. Even the whitewashing relating to the funds. Although he doesn't know who, it seems like a capable hacker. Although they knew that it was someone related to the French DGSE, but the location was not yet captured.
Not only that. There was a continuous monitor from the net with these kind of intrusions, there is an existence of a person who secretly snatched the same information from the shelf. This is not a human. It is the work of a large scale Artificial intelligence.
To be able to accomplish this feat, there is no mistake that it is from that submarine's computer---the act of . Even for the first hacker's identity and location has not been found, in any case what is needed is to hold still.
Just like that. This mansion can no longer be said as safe.
Mister Au (gold) said.
"If it is the increase in security, we have already given you support. 3 units of [1502] and 3 units of [1059] are already headed there"
"That would help. They also had a great activity in Melidia."
There was a number of people who laughed at Leonard's Cynicism. But inside he though [it's finally here, what trouble], and clicked his tongue without anyone hearing.
Then after discussing the agenda of several security, the online conference ended.
Leaving the meeting room built on the basement of the Mansion---the Polish Sabina Refunio waited.
"The unit has arrived"
"The ARX-8"
"Yes. Mister K (Kalium) is also waiting."
"He's Kalinin right. Let's go."
Leonard went out of the mansion through a corridor, heading for the helicopter landing field. Close to the landing field, components of an AS is stored in a pallet, in front stands Andrei Kalinin.
The shirt he took off was gray, a coat of gray over his right arm. From Alaska, he would have traveled straight here like that.
"What's your impression of your first mission?"
Leonard asked Kalinin.
"Particular. What about the unit?"
"that's right. Just a moment."
On top of the large pallet is the AS, covered on top of it is a tarpaulin sheet. That sheet took several people to uncover, inside the AS came into view. No matter how different the part or armor, it looks extremely similar to 3rd generation AS, the M9 .
It was a boring unit.
"This is their trump card?"
"Yes"
Kalinin answered with an expressionless face.
"the outward appearance is different from the , and used the test type parts of the XM9. This unit is an ordinary M9----I heard that they used the parts of the E series. ....Can I see the core of the Lambda Driver?"
"then, please have a look."
Kalinin bowed, and signaled one of his men. Opening the armor at the back, it took a number of men to remove the hip armor, exposing the interior of the AS. Perpendicular to the cockpit---this originally should be the power source of the electrical equipments, this looks like an M9 type of a large refrigerator.
Leonard by chance looked up at the frame of the AS, raising the unit's hatch again. there was a cylinder of strong glass fixed in the buffer device, in the construction of the cylinder---let loose a metallic brilliance filled with fluids.
This cylinder is the circuit of the Lambda Driver nucleus. if a power source is given, it will operate with this [fluid logic element] emitting rainbow like lights like that of a DVD. This equipment is also installed on the and , the fluid processor in front is several times the capacity of the one made by .
"Is there no mistake"
Kalinin said.
Leonard touched the surface of the cylinder, and contemplated.
The real form of the circuit, the buffer system and the cooling system, the fiber optic cable on both ends of the cylinder, there is nothing strange.
But---
No, nobody knows. Thinking carefully in itself, this unit and that man's strong will. At a glance at that young man--- the thought of Bunny Morauta's face, he laughed with a sort of snorting.
"Aah. dispose of it."
"Understood."
Kalinin answered, and gave orders to his men.
After a few minutes, the power source of the captured unit was removed, burning off the joints of the limbs, and left in the site like that. with the car the chassis was detached, and the engine taken off.
The said cylinder was dismantled, being destroyed in the public. The fluid inside was scattered in the surrounding, the [heart] of the unit's wreckage washed away with buckets and mop.
During the work, Kalinin looked up in the window at the third floor of the mansion.
And he thought that she's here.
That girl, Chidori Kaname, with a pale face in the window, in the presence of the arm slave being dismantled, and looking at Kalinin being the supervisor, before being seen, she hid back to the inside of the mansion.
Clouds fill the southwestern skies.
Thundering, the short sound of thunder echoes. (A storm is coming---)
He can feel the gloominess, and thinks that a battle is being pushed about.
A terrible atmospheric pressure shakes the transport ship unforgivingly.
Upwards. Downwards. To the right. To the left.
This continued for a number of hours already. Having experienced bad weather like this, but did not upset his stomach.
Most of the people on board, were leaking out the voice of a dead man everytime they speak. The members of the Cargo Bay, who may vomit any time now, shouted at the headset.
"One Minute!!"
The landing point is drawing near.
Sousuke lightly grabs the joystick in the cockpit, making the last confirmation. There is no problem with the mechanism of the Parachute. Weapons Control? OK. Communications system? OK. Navigation? OK. Maneuver control? Ok. Everything is Ok.
Then shall we go---
A giant Cargo Hatch slowly opened in the rear of the transport ship. A violent storm rips inside the hangar. The M6A3 connected to the rail starts its engines, and started to prepare for the violent work.
Sousuke drew a large breath, and informed the crew of the transport ship.
"This is Urz 7. Descending to target destination. Thank you for the escort. This is my call sign, Urz 7. Starting Descent."
"Roger!"
The Captain of the transport ship shouted at the wireless radio.
"We pray for your luck, Urz 7!"
Fierce spark scattering.
The lock in the rail was unsealed, Sousuke's M6 was released into the sky.
Chapter 3b (continued from chapter 3a which is posted below)
When The former Information Department Hong Kong Branch head Gavin Hunter and the others were attacked, they were passing through the streets of Cantwell 60 kilometers moving on the road. Working on the frame works of the "Unit" frantically they ran away from Anchorage, heading straight for the workshop which they have prepared beforehand and were attacked along the way.
It was dawn with rain. With Conifer around the area.
Although it's already June, the mornings of Alaska were still unpleasantly cold. There are two trailers holding the unit. Hunter was on the passenger side of the leading car. Unlike any other convoy on the night, it is a place where no cars are going back and forth.
It was an ambush there.
In the path of their way there was a bluish phospherence floating in the air, at once a giant appeared. It's an Arm Slave. In addition it was not that one unit alone. There was also another behind Hunter and the others. And then 300 meters from the left at a small hill is another unit. As far as they can see, there were three units. In the silhouette they can see the distinction of the diamond faced head. Being astonished, the three units are all made up of type. Since they only have one armored troop guarding resistance is futile.
The in front opened his hands. and said "Stop"
"Do as he says. Stop."
Hunter said towards the driver who looked blankly when the AS suddenly appeared. The driver was employed locally and was an outsider, of course he would have no knowledge of what the contents are.
The two trailers stopped in the middle of the road, the external speakers of the said.
"Cut your engine and come out with both your hands up. If you resist we will shoot."
they obeyed.
From the thicket on the left side of the road appear 5 to 6 men, grasping immediately on the neck of Hunter and the others, lining them up in a row beside the trailer. Although wearing civilian clothes, there were suppressor in their submachine guns, their movement and cooperation were controlled. If there had been any kind of resistance, the members are in a good firing position. There is no mistake that they are professionals.
The drivers were frightened. Hunter pitied them for involving them. But he anticipated this situation and employed outsiders. He didn't want to expose his subordinates with high skills and experience in unnecessary dangers--- in other words, they stepped on a case where the employed drivers being killed would not make a large damage.
Then, why is he going along with them?
There are a number of logical reasons. He made calculations not to get himself killed, and to shift to escape if somehow captured, for arguments sake if he died there are no people who would be concerned. His relationship with his loving wife in the Hong Kong period, became a catastrophe when collapse.
Oh well. Being a woman who had pride being a former model, up hers. To be with a small fat person like him, she only wanted a Grand Cinq ring...that's what he thought.
But what was the largest, and most dangerous risk he took was not to be in agreement with the enemy.
"Gavin Hunter right?"
One of the attackers said without negligence of his gun. it was meaningless if he were to deny this, Hunter gave his affirmation. But even then the enemy had made deep preparations.
"Say your mothers name and you birthday"
So they were watching out for his substitute. He had difficulty with his memory---and his mother had died 20 years earlier----then answered the question.
"Debbie. June 4"
"Alright. Show me the load. Open it with the key you have."
Whether this was a protest of something else, Hunter hesitated. Wouldn't it be alright to irritate them for a bit? No, that attitude would rather give suspicion to his enemies. He rethinks, and calmly replied "I understand", raising both his hands and walked towards the rear of the trailer. There were two armed men, following him from behind.
No matter how he struggled, he could not resist here. They are much more trained, men armed with automatic rifles, and 3 units of Lambda Driver equipped AS. As long as Hunter knows, those who are much more stubbornly superior---the guys from the West Pacific Fleet, would not lose to these guys.
Removing the lock on the rear doors, the boorish metal fittings were unfastened. Opening the double doors, inside are a large quantity of cardboard boxes.
"It's smoked salmon."
Hunter said.
"We got it cheap from a trader. We plan on traveling along like this crossing Canada towards Utah---"
Not listening to his words, the man violently pulled down the cardboard box. The cardboard box falls to the ground, on the smashed box the smoke salmon were revealed in the vacuum pack. Hunter who was looking on, is in a mood to drink some beer.
"Keep quiet and just watch."
There are several cardboard boxes, inside them were a curved armor, a part of a large machine appeared.
For people on the military field would understand immediately. This is the head of a 3rd generation AS.
"Are these smoked salmon?"
The man snorted, and called on the digital communicator he had.
"This is Blue One. We have discovered Tango One. Blue One will proceed with Alpha protocol. There is a control on Tango Four. Request instructions----Blue One Roger"
The man concluded with the communication and order the attackers to withdraw.
At once, two Large helicopters equipped with ECS appeared, hovering in the skies about 10 meters, dropping a sturdy wire and hook. The men on the ground quickly acted on both hands connecting wire to the trailer.
And then another small helicopter flew over. It's an old model Gazelle. The small helicopter landed with rhythmical movement, around 30 meters away from the trailer.
A large built man in civilian clothes got off from the small helicopter.
Taking off the headset and leaving the seat, with energetic soldier like walking heads to this way. Because of the shadow created by the trees, the face of the man was not clearly seen. The gray coat fluttering in the wind. His hair and beard were also gray.
One of the attackers raced to this "Grey Man", bowing his head, reporting to him not losing to the roaring sound of the helicopter. Most probably this man is the commander.
Briefly instructing the subordinate, the gray man slowly walked near Hunter. His height is about 190 centimeters. His age can also be seen as roughly around his 50's.
"...........?"
The man came walking a few steps forward.
It was a face he knows. And also, a man who should not be here.
"impossible. you're..."
"In this industry that is possible"
Taking for granted the speechless gaze of Hunter, that man----Andrei Kalinin said.
"but---"
Hunter was usually a man who would not be surprised, but this is different. This is something that he did not see mistakenly, how many times he thinks it.
But this is certain.
Standing over there, the one who is leading the troops of , was the Russian who was responsible as the Operations Commander of the Western Pacific Fleet of , Andrei Kalinin.
He passed beside Hunter, confirming the contents of the trailer.
"This is the aforementioned unit"
"........"
"Building something like this, it changes nothing. it was a useless labor."
Hunter's fist suddenly gained strength.
"....Mister Kalinin. I didn't think that such words would come out of your mouth. Although we were not close, we were in numerous operations together. But, I didn't think you were the kind of person who would say that. Those young fellows trusted you. Is that not reason enough?"
"That's an overvalue."
"A lot of your allies were killed! On top of that, what sort of infamy---don't you at least feel a little pain in your heart!?"
Even with the sharp words of Hunter, Kalinin did not even move his eyebrows.
And then only said one word.
"Withdraw"
He ordered his subordinates.
"Wait, Mister Kalinin. Are you really---"
Hunter approaching defiantly, Kalinin fired his automatic gun casually. He felt a dull pain in his abdomen, and then a burning pain felt through his whole body.
"........!"
Pushing with both his hands, blood dyeing. During his poor childhood times in the streets of Glasgow, a memory of a quarrel came to his mind. Hunter fell on both his knees, and looked forward. On the corner of his narrowing field of vision, he only saw the wet road with the boots of Kalinin.
"If a human loses roughly around 30 percent of blood he will die"
Kalinin said.
"With that bleeding, you need to get emergency treatment within 30 minutes. The nearest medical facility is 63 kilometers from here. We will be withdrawing from here. With luck you have could get picked up in the car, even if you do your best to fly, it would be difficult to make it in time. And then my Helicopter has the necessary medical kit."
"............"
"Then here is the question, Mister Hunter. This unit ---- the ARX-8, who were the people who constructed this? And where are they?"
Hunter spitted at the boots of Kalinin with blood mixed in. It did not fly very well, and fell to the ground.
"Eat shit"
"Is that so"
Kalinin did not show even any signs of disappointment.
"Then enjoy the last 30 minutes"
The fallen Hunter stayed still, Kalinin left the place. His subordinates also started to withdraw, leaving the drivers kneeling.
The Helicopter in the skies left a fierce roar of the turbo shaft engine. The two trailers hanging on the helicopters started to ascend, climbing the skies accelerating towards the eastern sky. The helicopter Kalinin rode started to takeoff, and disappeared immediately.
After the 3 units of remained watching, lowered their weapons and activated the ECS and leaped from that location towards a distance. With the bluish white light remaining, the 3 units disappeared from the morning atmosphere.
"....how can this be."
In the returning silence, Hunter muttered. The drivers racing, they showered him with their worried jeers, those words no longer reached his ears.
Gentlemen of the Western Pacific Fleet.
With those kinds of toys----AS equipped with Lambda Drivers, you will be clashing with a tough enemy with problems.
(Having to train with the basics)
In the two days of his exercises, Sousuke was being evaluated against his competitors. There was nobody else but the subordinates of Lemon.
In selecting the search route, determine the encampment position, and the process of crossing the river, that is the ironclad rule concerning tracking. There is actually combat experience. But most probably, it is not the least on swampy areas?
Certainly there are different variations of large mosquitoes and ants, smearing your body with insecticide, no matter how many times a squall falls, there are water floating about everywhere. There are traces of rare man-made things.
No matter how much footprints remain, carefully avoiding the spider's web in the forest, it is proclaiming "We are going this way". The team was split into two groups of pursuit, but looking at the terrain, the search radius of the two teams are too far apart. If one side were to enter combat it would take too much time for the support to turn around. If the 4 men of the team were taken care off, the remaining hidden trap would be difficult.
(Well, how about time for emergency...)
Shall he gamble on this.
Sousuke was waiting for them to drop their concentration, and then attack. On the place where traces of meal was purposely left---- they reached the roots of a big tree, the point man noticed these traces, the tail of the team creeping up from the left wing. The traces might be purposely left there---with that contemplation he gets close to the man on the tail, grappling him without noise, putting his knife on the nape of the neck.
"You're dead"
He whispered in his ear, and in that place bowed down.
The remaining enemy is only 8 meter's far away, but the thick bush interrupts their field of vision.
Well, one more person. From here on is difficult.
Sousuke has to move forward, turning from the left wing he gets close to the enemy. The first person feeling the presence of "Murder", called out in warning to his surrounding comrades.
The opponents he is practicing with, it is impossible to kill them without any sound.
With that judgment, he shut off his knife and took on the sub-machine gun, he pushed at the enemy at once. Moving forward the leaves like a tabloid paper, the enemy is present only a few steps ahead. They were aiming their guns towards Sousuke. Sousuke fired first. The sound of gunfire resounds in the jungle. The paint bullet coming out of the weak cartridge hits the chest and head. With that there are suitable amount of pain, the opponent who got attacked cried out.
"Uoh, that hurts!"
"A corpse should sleep"
Sousuke immediately moved. The two remaining men who heard the gunfire and screams reacted and headed for the bush. Firing without delay. The successive gunfire echoes in the neighborhood.
If these were real bullets, they would have pierced the leaves and headed his way. Sousuke would have died. But unfortunately, the reduced gunpowder of the paint bullets does not have the destructive power to penetrate the thick bush. In addition the opponents were not able to get a foothold of the zone, moving is a curse. On the other hand Sousuke had grasped the terrain last night walking about, even if he closed his eyes running he would remember it, the match later would be a two on one.
Although he felt it was sly, Sousuke skillfully takes care of the remaining two. As expected the 4 men complained "Why don't you just quietly die", he showed the excitement of making a trap.
20 minutes after the first gunshot, the other 4 man team finally came.
5 minutes after that, everyone was "Killed in action", they were discontent with Sousuke afterall.
After the exercise, Sousuke and the other members returned to camp, Lemon and Courtney in front of the electric fan were caught in the middle of a game of chess.
"That's why! I did not cheat!"
"No! It's definitely a FUCKING Cheat! My Pawn was not there a while ago! You must have moved it while I was shitting! You cheating bastard!"
"Let me tell you, I have an IQ of 150 and graduated at Sorbonne. I'm a little intelligent and also young. There's no reason why I should lose to an eccentric old man like you! Please stop saying strange things!"
"How dare you say such things! My Uncle died in Omaha Beach. We save you weak French Bastards from FUCKING Hitler!"
"Haa! Then my ancestors gave weapons as presents to the poor people in the new continent 200 years ago!"
"That's a lie! Definitely a lie!"
"You were also lying aren't you?"
"What was that? If you want proof then I have one! The picture of the house in Arizona at that time---damn, wait from there tomorrow! I'm going to go back and get it!"
Is he seriously going 2500 kilometers to Arizona, raising the seat of the Courtney Name. Then from there, the two of them noticed Sousuke and the others.
"Hn. What's the matter with you?"
"The exercise had ended. All 8 mean defeated"
The Team Leader's Warrant Office spoke, Courtney circled his eyes.
"Hohou?"
"That's astounding. So we were training for that. You're really been wiped out by Sagara"
"No. If it were a real combat I would have been killed when I took down 3 men. I'm not yet in the normal condition"
Sousuke denies, Taking out the belt kit and the magazine and communicators and started their maintenance.
"What an extreme confidence"
Gazing at the back of Sousuke who is efficiently lining up the equipments, Lemon muttered.
"If you were in normal condition, you are saying that you would have annihilated all 8 of them in real battle"
"Affirmative. If I can't do that at least, I can't fight with "
Sousuke answered without any fighting mood.
"That may be true. But, it seems that you are recovering leisurely.
"?"
"It's Nickelo. One of the places that you mentioned. Because of that we've narrowed it down. Isn't this."
On top of the crude desk there was a Notebook PC opened, Lemon displayed a number of diagrams.
It's a satellite image. There is a small town in Pochutla, South of Mexico, projected a coast near Nickelo. There was no institution standing out at first sight, it was a lonely place. Facing the sea was a large mansion.
"It's a satellite photo 20 hours ago. Surveillance satellite of NATO---although it is a low resolution type, we managed to get a photo penetrated."
"Hm. How handy."
Courtney peeping on the display at the side, groaning.
"That's why I said I was intelligent. I don't cheat, I can win against you."
"Shut up. This and that are different!"
Interrupting Lemon's head poking at Courtney, Sousuke inquired.
"And then what about this mansion?"
"This is actually a property of a billionaire. A Mexican called Mendoza who profited from IT, his face shows up once in a while at the , he doesn't really use this place much. Yet there are capital funds being carried here. Take notice at the figures in the last year. His contract with the construction company and the agent, and look at the transfer of money in and out of the bank---"
After a little while, Lemon revealed a number of official documents and explained technically. The monetary circulation and laws were terms that Sousuke and the others could not understand.
"In other words?"
Everyone aside from Lemon who has no idea of how money works said in unison. Having explained with pride, he slowly answered in a dejected tone.
"In other words---this mansion in essence is being used by someone who has not revealed their true self."
"Is it related to "This [Special Seat] is somewhat similar to the program in the outskirts of Namsak, it's similar to 9 proportions."
"It might be gangs of Drug Cartels."
"Not so. There is too much security for a gang. Magnify the satellite photo."
The mansion being magnified, from the blur the form of people can be seen in the resolution.
This time everyone nodded.
"I see. It's secured."
At the very least there must probably be 16 sentries carrying mobile automatic weapons. The others are empty handed giants. There are 4 units of Light armored vehicles equipped with Heavy Machine Gun Turrets.
"What's the time frame?"
"Past 17:00 hours. It will be multiplied by dark. Roughly around one platoon. I think we can penetrate it in stealth."
"Impossible."
Sousuke said.
"These giants walking about as sentries are wearing trench coats. These are not humans. They are Super compact Autonomous mobile AS"
"....these are the robot called right?"
While living in this camp, Sousuke has told them of the equipments of and the details of his combat with them.
----leaving out that of Kaname.
"Unless it is a powerfully special warhead or at least a 50 caliber class bullet you cannot take down these opponents, If needed a self destruct of the scattered ball bearings. My unit also had difficulty with them."
"Hmm---. But, then this is clearly an establishment of then."
"Affirmative. There are still some problems."
Sousuke pointed at the satellite image.
"There are 6 containers in the premises. They look like storehouses, but they are camouflaged hangars for AS."
"What did you say?"
"It's what Sagara said."
Courtney nodded.
"I saw this before in the weapons show in Nevada. The roof opens. It's construction is very similar."
"That's it, Lt. commander. If we were to include the equipment and ammunitions, two containers have one unit. Most probably 3 units."
"Hahaa...."
Lemon scratched his temples.
"What about the type of unit? Is it a ?"
"If this is an important institution of , it won't be those kind of easy enemies. It's probably a type."
"Those Lambda Driver equipped AS..."
"This is too extreme, there is no means of countermeasure. Even if we have several good pilot on an M9, it's one unit that you can't easily take down. And we have to be prepared to accept exterior damages."
A gloomy silence hangs over the place.
"I give up. There are three of those monsters, we can't even lift a finger."
"If that guy were here, it would not be difficult to take them down...."
"That guy?"
"Al. The only Lambda Driver equipped AS in possession."
"The first generation Al right. The ARX-7."
The white Savage that blew in Namsak--- He must have thought about "Al II". Lemon narrowed his eyes in sadness.
Thinking about his physical and mental condition, the reason why Sousuke was attacked in Havi Oa island, he did not think it related to the explosion of the in Tokyo. There was no way that repairs could be made to the destroyed unit, but the form of the Lambda Driver system---there is a possibility that the AI included in the core unit would survive. And the one who is capable of operating that system in the world is only Sousuke. at that time, would be the only logical reason as to why he is being targeted like a stray dog.
Of course there is a possibility that is it for revenge. He has managed to kill Gauron, Kurama and a number members. But he could not think of it like that. Purposely setting things up with the DGSE, with that kind of hasty attack being tested, it was an unnatural appearance.
There might still be some other reason.
Do they hate the information offering of Lemon? Their command system in a state of chaos? The individual motive of Leonard Testarossa? Revenge from the remnants of Gauron and Kurama?
All of it are intertwined, is it a complex and complicated situation?
If he thinks about it there is no end. The initial suggestions---the relationship with Al, is the most fitting.
"....no, it can't be helped even if we think about a lost unit. Let's think up of a realistic operation."
Sousuke said throwing out various doubts.
Lemon let out a sigh.
"You say that. With this combat power attack is impossible. Capturing the managers or the VIP is impossible. These subordinates of mine are important, I don't want to send them out into an enemy not returning alive."
"I did not ask you to go that far. I plan to do it alone."
"Again, you're still like that----. Enough with your lone wolf airs!"
Lemon raising his voice, Lt. Commander Courtney knitted his brows.
"Ah- shut up. You shriek like a girl"
"I'm not screaming!"
"shut up, you cheating bastard!"
"That's..."
"The point. We just need to pile them up and deal with those FUCKING AS one way or another right?"
"Like I said, that's not possible so it's difficult!"
"Hmph. No matter what kind of unit it is, if it doesn't have a pilot then it's a FUCKING JUNK. We just have to trick the AS and attack them, before they move, we FUCK them with a 40mm shell."
Courtney said with a strange confidence.
"An AS. But, I'm currently in a situation where my organization can't support me. We can't even get a single AS."
"Then it would be alright as long as we have an AS?"
"Yeah. We can't have a junk like that in the countryside of South America or Namsak."
"Hmm. Sergeant, what do you think."
Courtney asked Sousuke.
"If it were to be an attack with an AS, we would need a second generation which is a little silent and has maneuverability. Weapons control system and communications systems have to be at least the level of what is currently used. The ability of a comparatively simple to obtain is insufficient."
After the answer to his question, there is no way to obtain that kind of AS. Infiltrating from the sea, they could settle it with C4 explosives. Being accompanied with an unreasonable difficulty, there is little hope for success---
However, Courtney nodded in agreement alone, and said.
"I see. Then we can do it."
"?"
Then, from far away there was a strange sound echoing. A faint sound of an engine, an intermittent sound chattering the air. This is the sound of an aircraft---a Helicopter. And it is getting near the camp.
"It's here"
Looking at the dubious faces, Courtney said "follow me" and went out of the lodging house. In there, the sound of the helicopter gradually increases, and finally transfigured into an exploding sound floating in the camp.
"Mr. Courtney, what is this---"
"Just take a look."
Swirling around the thicket of the camp, shaking violently with a strong wind, the leaves flies in the air, in that direction the shape of a giant helicopter can be seen.
A box type unit coated in gray. A customized CH-53. A previous generation from the transport aircraft MH-67
which was used by Sousuke while in . Under the giant helicopter, there was a shadow of an Arm Slave hanging in the wire below it.
With a dark grey armor, there was also a solid limbs. Donning a downjacket it looks like a man with short legs.
It's an M6 .
In addition this was an update for the special forces with the latest A3 model, a type which is called . Although not the next generation M9, it prides itself with its maneuverability, and for a short amount of time it can be silent with an electric driven engine.
Better than the first model, obtaining this unit is no simple matter---
"Well, it's easy."
Courtney said in front of Lemon and the others with their gaping mouth.
"...then you mean, the important matter that you wanted to get to Arizona was this"
"Hm, did I say something like that?"
Disembarking from the Helicopters hatch in the skies, there was a shadow of a man inside.
This is another old man. An old war buddy of Courtney, Colonel Roy Seals who was previously with him in a drinking bout. A former high official in the American Navy, Sousuke could only remember him as a guest in the banquet who had sexually harassed Tessa. Originally he has a considerable position.
After taking down the AS the helicopter landed, Seals walked immediately forward. He completely ignored Sousuke and Lemon, glancing here and there in the camp, and then shouted at Courtney.
"The documents were all taken care off! Well, where is Tessa?"
"Well about that, She's not here"
At Courtneys response, Seals fiercely turn his head looking around and stopped.
"What was that? Didn't you tell me that she was waiting here. I bought the M6A3 here, with her nightingale wind and a traditional nurse outfit, nursing me---"
"Sorry. I lied"
The main agenda of the online conference, is the [correction] of the military balance and supply balance in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Far East.
The Middle East accounted for a lot of interest in maintaining the status quo, in relation to the underground resources of Central Asia there was a need for a terrorist incident, while the Far East maintains the tension giving each nation to enlarge their war funds.
The estimated number of deaths and damages are expected, in the long run it will turn out that reports are positive. Considering their reports, from that expectations it revealed a proactive and passive endorsement.
The "World Conquest" is already over----
The people of the world no longer notices this fact. Of course, there is no need to notice it. This organization efficiently utilizes funds, technology and violence, to have a power to greatly get consent from the majority of the people.
The "World Conquest" is already over----
There is no need for all the fortune to fall under one hand. The carnivores in the Savanna don't have to eat the grass, while the herbivores increase in numbers they cannot decrease. What is most important is balance.
The "World Conquest" is already over----
This flow can no longer be changed. They themselves can no longer change. For the whole picture, not one of them understands this. The most important is that you do not infuriate your superiors. And then continue with the flow.
No, how stupid.
The world---
"Mister Ag (Silver), are you listening"
At the end stage of the conference, one of the managers called out to Leonard in an irritated voice. Of course he was listening, but he was out of it for a moment, showing a face like he noticed it first.
"Yes, what about?"
"About the project. The scale of this problem, we would need the cooperation of each of you."
The man who gave him a harsh voice was Mister Au (Gold). Although it is an ironclad rule to address each other like this, Leonard already knows his nationality and real name.
"As you say. As long as I can provide the information, I will share it with everyone."
"Then, how long will you be neglecting that girl. Do you also intend to finish the [Investigation]"
"My apologies. But, this approach could not detect the element."
"Still the [Organic Vegetable] theory"
A number of people laughed at Au's (gold) cynicism. Leonard calmly carried a smile.
"There is a demand for new [Black Technology]. Like the abstract case of the [Omni Sphere]. We want results."
"Is that so. Then I will give you enough results."
"I see. Then that might be the case."
On the man who is only on voice, snorted through the circuit line. In the tone of changing the topic, Au (Gold) said.
"Then there is the information. There are no specifics, but the organization has to make sure about the whereabouts of your girlfriend. It's about time that the place would no longer be safe."
"It's something I've heard for the first time. We have increased the security."
Of course he was not saying the truth. The observation satellite of NATO, from its inside----from someone who knows the system very well---intrudes, there was already someone who took a photograph of the greatest magnification of the mansion near Nickelo. Even the whitewashing relating to the funds. Although he doesn't know who, it seems like a capable hacker. Although they knew that it was someone related to the French DGSE, but the location was not yet captured.
Not only that. There was a continuous monitor from the net with these kind of intrusions, there is an existence of a person who secretly snatched the same information from the shelf. This is not a human. It is the work of a large scale Artificial intelligence.
To be able to accomplish this feat, there is no mistake that it is from that submarine's computer---the act of . Even for the first hacker's identity and location has not been found, in any case what is needed is to hold still.
Just like that. This mansion can no longer be said as safe.
Mister Au (gold) said.
"If it is the increase in security, we have already given you support. 3 units of [1502] and 3 units of [1059] are already headed there"
"That would help. They also had a great activity in Melidia."
There was a number of people who laughed at Leonard's Cynicism. But inside he though [it's finally here, what trouble], and clicked his tongue without anyone hearing.
Then after discussing the agenda of several security, the online conference ended.
Leaving the meeting room built on the basement of the Mansion---the Polish Sabina Refunio waited.
"The unit has arrived"
"The ARX-8"
"Yes. Mister K (Kalium) is also waiting."
"He's Kalinin right. Let's go."
Leonard went out of the mansion through a corridor, heading for the helicopter landing field. Close to the landing field, components of an AS is stored in a pallet, in front stands Andrei Kalinin.
The shirt he took off was gray, a coat of gray over his right arm. From Alaska, he would have traveled straight here like that.
"What's your impression of your first mission?"
Leonard asked Kalinin.
"Particular. What about the unit?"
"that's right. Just a moment."
On top of the large pallet is the AS, covered on top of it is a tarpaulin sheet. That sheet took several people to uncover, inside the AS came into view. No matter how different the part or armor, it looks extremely similar to 3rd generation AS, the M9 .
It was a boring unit.
"This is their trump card?"
"Yes"
Kalinin answered with an expressionless face.
"the outward appearance is different from the , and used the test type parts of the XM9. This unit is an ordinary M9----I heard that they used the parts of the E series. ....Can I see the core of the Lambda Driver?"
"then, please have a look."
Kalinin bowed, and signaled one of his men. Opening the armor at the back, it took a number of men to remove the hip armor, exposing the interior of the AS. Perpendicular to the cockpit---this originally should be the power source of the electrical equipments, this looks like an M9 type of a large refrigerator.
Leonard by chance looked up at the frame of the AS, raising the unit's hatch again. there was a cylinder of strong glass fixed in the buffer device, in the construction of the cylinder---let loose a metallic brilliance filled with fluids.
This cylinder is the circuit of the Lambda Driver nucleus. if a power source is given, it will operate with this [fluid logic element] emitting rainbow like lights like that of a DVD. This equipment is also installed on the and , the fluid processor in front is several times the capacity of the one made by .
"Is there no mistake"
Kalinin said.
Leonard touched the surface of the cylinder, and contemplated.
The real form of the circuit, the buffer system and the cooling system, the fiber optic cable on both ends of the cylinder, there is nothing strange.
But---
No, nobody knows. Thinking carefully in itself, this unit and that man's strong will. At a glance at that young man--- the thought of Bunny Morauta's face, he laughed with a sort of snorting.
"Aah. dispose of it."
"Understood."
Kalinin answered, and gave orders to his men.
After a few minutes, the power source of the captured unit was removed, burning off the joints of the limbs, and left in the site like that. with the car the chassis was detached, and the engine taken off.
The said cylinder was dismantled, being destroyed in the public. The fluid inside was scattered in the surrounding, the [heart] of the unit's wreckage washed away with buckets and mop.
During the work, Kalinin looked up in the window at the third floor of the mansion.
And he thought that she's here.
That girl, Chidori Kaname, with a pale face in the window, in the presence of the arm slave being dismantled, and looking at Kalinin being the supervisor, before being seen, she hid back to the inside of the mansion.
Clouds fill the southwestern skies.
Thundering, the short sound of thunder echoes. (A storm is coming---)
He can feel the gloominess, and thinks that a battle is being pushed about.
A terrible atmospheric pressure shakes the transport ship unforgivingly.
Upwards. Downwards. To the right. To the left.
This continued for a number of hours already. Having experienced bad weather like this, but did not upset his stomach.
Most of the people on board, were leaking out the voice of a dead man everytime they speak. The members of the Cargo Bay, who may vomit any time now, shouted at the headset.
"One Minute!!"
The landing point is drawing near.
Sousuke lightly grabs the joystick in the cockpit, making the last confirmation. There is no problem with the mechanism of the Parachute. Weapons Control? OK. Communications system? OK. Navigation? OK. Maneuver control? Ok. Everything is Ok.
Then shall we go---
A giant Cargo Hatch slowly opened in the rear of the transport ship. A violent storm rips inside the hangar. The M6A3 connected to the rail starts its engines, and started to prepare for the violent work.
Sousuke drew a large breath, and informed the crew of the transport ship.
"This is Urz 7. Descending to target destination. Thank you for the escort. This is my call sign, Urz 7. Starting Descent."
"Roger!"
The Captain of the transport ship shouted at the wireless radio.
"We pray for your luck, Urz 7!"
Fierce spark scattering.
The lock in the rail was unsealed, Sousuke's M6 was released into the sky.