บท 30: Chapter 5
"Well then, I'll explain the outline of the operation."
Hida Reiri looked over the Amaterasu members who were gathering in Nayuta Lab.
It was an emergency summon.
Kizuna, Aine, and Himekawa lent their ears to Reiri's story with obedient faces.
In contrast, it was only Yurishia who looked around at the surroundings with a face that looked as if she would break out humming anytime.
Reiri was not even much concerned with Yurishia's behavior, she turned to the console in the center of the room and called out.
"Kei, I'll let you explain."
In front of the console that looked like a cockpit, a petite girl was sitting.
She was the researcher in charge of this Nayuta Lab, the person in charge of Ataraxia's research department, Shikina Kei.
Her hair was held back with several pins, her eyes settled behind the glasses didn't show anything of what she was thinking about.
Kei didn't reply back and only moved her fingers with amazing speed. Thereupon, in the middle of the research room, several floating windows appeared.
A window each appeared in front of Kizuna and the others, displaying the text that Kei inputted.
{Yesterday, at 2.10 AM of Megafloat Japan's standard time, we caught a weak radio wave.}
On the floor surface, a map of the Pacific Ocean with Megafloat Japan as the center was displayed. Currently, the Megafloat was cruising between Papua New Guinea and Philippines. A red blinking line was stretching from Megafloat Japan on the map.
{When the radio wave was analyzed, we understood that it was undoubtedly something used by mankind for transmission. That dotted line is displaying the direction from where the radio wave was sent.}
The map was scrolled following the stretched dotted line.
Before long the scrolling of the screen was stopped at the end point of the line which was an island.
"...Guam?"
Yurishia raised a questioning voice.
"Correct. The transmission wave was delivered from around Guam. Yurishia, have you ever been to the American military base in Guam?"
"Only to the degree of stopping by there. It was before the 2nd Another Universe Conflict, so I didn't have any impression of it other than a normal resort area... but, naturally that place also has an Entrance right?"
The origin was unclear, but Entrances that occurred due to the collision of world space existed only above land. In addition, it only appeared on land with a certain degree of size, it wouldn't appear in a place like a small island.
But, Guam's land size was more than 500 square kilometers, it was a large island. There was a high chance that an Entrance with AU existed there.
{There is a record that an Entrance appeared there in the 2nd Alternate Universe Conflict and it turned into a battle. However, after that no one knows how it turned out there.}
Kei's words were not generated as sound, but conveyed to them as text on the window. It was not like she had a disability that made her unable to speak. She was just extremely poor in communicating with people.
"We don't know if there is anyone in Guam, or if it was the people of AU using human facility. However, in any case there was supposedly someone there sending us a transmission. The mission this time is to infiltrate an area under the control of AU, and to make clear of the source of the transmission. All of you are to land at Guam Island."
"What!?"
Kizuna reflexively raised his voice.
"There is an Entrance there right? That's too dangerous!"
"The situation won't change for the better if we keep getting scared of the enemy's shadow forever and only run around."
Reiri said flatly.
"Then, we are going to march into the enemy's controlled land...and start a full-blown war?"
Even until now they were using the phrase of war with AU, but in reality there was no battle or anything. Mankind was only one-sidedly exterminated, their countries stolen, and they escaped above the sea where the hand of the enemy couldn't reach.
And then even now, they were cowering from that shadow, running from place to place above the sea.
Certainly, they defeated the enemy's battleship with Zeros' Corruption Armament, but saying it in reverse, they were merely sinking one battleship after all this time.
"Before the war happens, we first need to know about the enemy. Our knowledge about the AU, is nonexistent."
The map projected under their feet began to move once more.
Kei manipulated the console and tapped the keyboard.
{The main objective of this mission is to collect information of the area that fell under the control of the enemy. Originally, we want to perform investigation of mainland Japan and the neighboring islands, but in the current situation the danger is great. From our experience until now, when we entered the range of two hundred until three hundred kilometers from the land, the possibility of the enemy detecting us is high. In other words, the more we are approaching a large land, the danger is also increasing. In that meaning, the land of Guam which doesn't have any other Entrance in it's vicinity is suitable as the first test.}
"First Megafloat Japan will approach Guam until 300 kilometers from it. Amaterasu will all take off from there. Separate into two groups, then investigate the center urban area Hagania and Tamon, and Andersen airbase at the north side. For the dividing of the group and the instruction on the actual scene...Kizuna, you take control."
"Eh! Me?"
Kizuna was shocked from the sudden appointment.
"N, no, it's impossible even if you suddenly told me to do it..."
The shoulder of the panicked Kizuna was lightly tapped.
"Fufufu, take care of us. Novice captain-san★"
Yurishia showed a wink from a close distance.
"No, really, there is no way me as a captain…"
"It's not impossible or anything, perhaps this can be said as the right man in the right place."
Aine unexpectedly talked as if in endorsement of Kizuna.
"Aine...no, I never thought that you will say that about me. Now I feel a little shy."
"Because, Kizuna usually doesn't have any combat ability, you are just being useless. That's why, I think it's fine for you to be the captain in a place far from the front line. So that you won't be a hindrance to us."
"So you are just getting rid of a nuisance!"
Having said that, what Aine said also made sense. Kizuna's Eros almost didn't have any combat ability, it had no redeeming feature other than its Life Saver.
However, even such Eros had a method to obtain a wonderful combat ability.
――[Climax Hybrid]
With that phenomenon which was even more superior than Heart Hybrid, it would bring result that was truly miraculous. It could power up the partner's Heart Hybrid Gear, and added a special weapon called the [Corruption Armament]. And then at the same time, Eros would copy the ability of the partner Heart Hybrid Gear, making it possible for Eros to exhibit similar combat ability.
"However, just by getting near, the enemy will quickly find us isn't it? Besides, if there is an amazing number of army stationed there, we are going to fall into a really bad situation..."
As if to flaunt off, Aine brushed off her silver hair that was shining from the lighting.
"Well, at that time I will show you how I exterminate the enemy with my Corruption Armament [Pulverizer]."
She was truly smug. Her face looked like it couldn't be more triumphant than that.
Yurishia chuckled mockingly 'fufun' to that.
"Myy, aren't you unable to use Pulverizer anymoree?"
"...u"
Aine's mouth was shut tightly.
"It disappeared when time passed correct? That prided Corruption Armament♪"
After that battle, Zeros was tested in Nayuta Lab. However, when Aine tried equipping Zeros, Zeros had returned to its default state and Pulverizer was also gone.
Kizuna's Eros was also the same, it was reversed back to the usual useless gear.
"The, then, I just need to do it one more time, the Climax Hybrid."
"My, this time I should be the one testing it though. Hey? How about around tonight? Let's go on a date, and together to a hotel――"
"Please stop! That's really shameless!"
Himekawa yelled with a bright red face.
"You all, stop playing around."
With a single sentence from Reiri, the place returned to dead silence.
"Well then, breakup. The operation will begin tomorrow night. Until then, study the necessary information like the local map."
Reiri said that and exited from the room.
Her head hurt from watching the three continuing to quarrel.
A window appeared in front of Kizuna who heaved a deep sigh.
{If you find yourself in need of a love hotel, say it anytime. I'll prepare it.}
...Shikina-san.
From the other side of the console, he could see Kei making a reserved thumbs up.
Part 2
The sunset of southern country was really beautiful, one wouldn't get tired of seeing it no matter how many times.
Standing at the edge of Ataraxia, Kizuna was gazing at the horizon that was dyed by the sunset.
The large sun was sinking on the sea, the curtain of night was gradually lowered down above the head. That state which kept changing moment by moment was exactly the showtime of mother nature.
This spot was the testing ground that was adjacent to Nayuta Lab. The width was close to a 400 hundred meters track-and-field running track. Since the past, this was the facility used for Heart Hybrid Gear activation experiments and the like. Kizuna too had his first flight in this place when he was a child.
At this time he had already finished wearing Eros. At the same time, Aine, Himekawa, and Yurishia too were also wearing their respective Heart Hybrid Gears.
In front of Kizuna, Kei's floating window appeared.
{The check of all gears is finished. There is no problem, you can go anytime.}
Kizuna raised his hand to Shikina Kei who was in a slightly separated place to show his acknowledging thought.
"Then, let's depart soon. We will separate into two groups, me and Himekawa, Aine and Yurishia. We are going to the urban area in the center, Hagania and Tamon, Aine and Yurishia are to investigate Andersen air force base in the north."
Yurishia nodded.
"Roger. I more or less know about that base."
"After separating on-site, start the investigation. Two hours after that, we are going to meet at the airport site in the center of the island. The enemy might be intercepting, so we basically won't use our communication. However, emergency situation doesn't count. That's all, any questions?"
Aine raised her hand.
"Why are Kizuna and Hayuru together?"
"Eh? No, it's better for Yurishia who has familiarity to go to the base right? If Yurishia and Himekawa are grouping together, then that means me and Aine will group together."
"Is there any problem I wonder? Though depending on your answer, your neck might break."
"Don't say anything scary! A group with me who doesn't have offensive power and you who is a specialist of super close range, the balance is just bad."
"If, if that's the problem, then it's fine if we just do Climax Hybrid isn't it?"
"Certainly Pulverizer has an amazing power, but it's big, just shooting it once will make a large commotion. It cannot be used in an infiltration investigation right? Even I will only get the ability of Zeros, so it will only become two people with the same ability."
"...What a useless man."
"Next, there is also a choice where I go to the base but..."
Aine compared the face of Yurishia and Himekawa.
"It can't be helped then..."
Aine faced away with an irritated face.
She looked dissatisfied, but for the time being it seems she understood the situation that Kizuna could be relieved inside his heart.
"Yosh, all gears take off!"
Together with Kizuna's command, the four Heart Hybrid Gears flew to the sky.
Light was ignited from the thrusters, four colors of light drew lines in the madder red sky. Before long those lights separated into two, becoming two streaks of blue-golden light and red-pink light.
After Amaterasu departed, Reiri and Kei were watching over the progress of the operation in Nayuta Lab.
Nonetheless, they couldn't understand the situation detail from Ataraxia. In the end, they were just waiting for contact. Reiri and Kei separated from the other staff and secluded themselves in the center control room.
"Re-ri, want a drink? There is also local beer you know?"
"Aah, that thing created in Ataraxia. Where, let's try drinking it."
Because both of them were best friends since their time as students, the atmosphere between them was amiable. They were supposedly in the middle of duty, but the atmosphere was actually relaxed.
Reiri took out a beer bottle with Ataraxia label on it from the refrigerator and opened the cork with the corkscrew that Kei handed to her.
Kei opened a bottle of cola and held it out towards Reiri.
"For the success of the operation."
"Cheers."
The bottles raised clanking sound.
The two put their mouth directly on the bottle. The cold carbonic acid stimulated the tongue, watering the throat.
"Fuh, it's unexpectedly good."
"Right?"
After drinking the bottle dry in the blink of an eye, Reiri opened a second bottle.
"Re-ri. That radio wave, what do you think of it?"
"Nine out of ten, it's just a coincidence. Something like an old communication facility malfunctioning...or something."
"I think that's a sensible judgment...but, by some chance, it might be human."
"Do you know something?"
"That radio wave is sending data. Some kind of theory and…..graphic file like a map."
Reiri raised her eyebrows.
"The detailed content?"
"That's still unknown. But, perhaps it's related to the Entrance."
"I see...however, the sender might be an AU person."
Kei nodded briefly.
"Re-ri...you don't think, that it might be Professor Nayuta?"
Reiri's hand that was carrying the bottle to her mouth stopped.
"..."
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