Meeting Major
As I expected, the invitation for his escorts to meet aboard the Spirit of Adventure came the next day from Captain Garland. It was extended courteously to all members of the crew, though of course not everyone would be able to go. I did not attend. When Grimrock returned from the freighter, he informed me that the Scarlet Lightning remained onboard to await my arrival.
“Should I go, Captain?” I ask, knowing that what Grimrock has to say would not really change my decision.
“I'm in no habit of poking a nose into my crew's personal lives as long as they don't start any drama on my watch. If you ask me, though, the more you know about your enemy, the better you can deal with them.”
“You cannot fight what you do not understand.” I recite.
“That's right. The Military Precepts of Ean,” grins the captain. “Good to know you've at least read the classics.”
Judging from the game I'd gotten from Shulgi, I had my doubts that the real Ean was the one who wrote down those precepts. It's more likely some unknown tactician cobbled it together with some slight inspiration from the First Emperor's military exploits, real or imagined, and Ean was granted writer's credit because things sound more authoritative when coming from a god.
I smile. “I have my plans regarding the Scarlet Lightning, Captain. Rest assured they will not endanger this ship.”
Grimrock looks at me intently for a moment, as if there's something off about me. Then, he walks off, nodding. “See that it doesn't, Ensign. I'm sure you know what to do.”
The old man is sharp, I'll give him that. Is it his wealth of experience? All his encouragement and lessons appear to be nudging me towards developing my ability in military strategy and tactics, yet he continues to keep a critical eye on me, as if I cannot yet be fully trusted. I have managed to keep up to his expectations so far, but if I do mess up, I am not under the impression that he will give me any special treatment. Well, no matter. I have to focus on the Scarlet Lightning for now...
I wait for four more days, as we draw ever closer to Moon L4. All the while, I keep an eye on the freighter. The rest of the Mehrgahr's crew have returned to the carrier, but the Major is still onboard, waiting for me – the red Vizala II is anchored to its side like a large mechanical bug.
Finally, as I see activity around the Vizala II, indicating that it is being prepped to depart, I signal the freighter that I am arriving to meet her. At this distance from Moon L4, if the Mehgahr gets into a battle they will immediately draw attention from our allies. If they come along any further they'd be sailing into the arms of Fifth Fleet. They should have left the escort a day ago – it looks like Captain Raviputra was only willing to let the Major drag out the wait for one day before leaving. They've lost their chance to defeat us, though that was probably not her aim in coming here in the first place.
“Did you have to come along, though?” I ask Kyrie. The cockpit of the Anhur is not designed for two, making it awkwardly cramped as she squirms around on my lap. Thankfully, she's not too big. I keep that observation to myself though.
“I haven't been to the freighter yet. Besides, who knows what'll happen if I don't keep an eye on you.” she replies with a wicked smile.
***
Kyrie is almost mobbed as soon as she steps aboard. It looks like she's quite the celebrity amongst the Higashi refugees. If I remember correctly, it is something about the Shinar imperial family being the last prominent royalty of our world, the remnants of an ancient bloodline. There's something romantic about that notion that struck the fancy of Higashi citizens. Most of them are probably more worshipful of the Shinar royalty than the Shinari themselves. Soon she's playing the part of the perfect princess, waving, smiling and nodding her head with kind words for everyone. I'm amazed at the ease at which she falls into that particular public persona. “Go on ahead. I'll catch up as soon as I can.” she whispers.
Not unsurprisingly, I find that the Scarlet Lightning had not been allowed to walk freely about the ship. The guard at the door of her room told me that there had been an altercation on the first day of her arrival. A Higashi man had spat on her, calling her a traitor, and a few blows were exchanged. She decided not to leave, however, and accepted confinement in the room – for her own safety, says the guard – to await my arrival.
I see her for the first time as I enter the room. She rises up from her chair to greet me. In person, the Scarlet Lightning is almost as tall as I am, with her black hair gathered in a short ponytail at the base of her neck. Her face is striking and she appears to be about twenty – perhaps a few years older than I am, but it's hard to tell. I see no familiar features that would mark her as a sibling of mine. Then again, siblings may look entirely different from one another. She is dressed in the ornate military outfit of the Indus, with beads and sashes all over a loose red jacket. The Major gives me a precise military salute. I believe she outranks me, but I'm not one to let proper protocol stand in the way of my act, and settle for a wave. A casual approach should disarm her more easily. I am, after all, a civilian.
“It's a pleasure to finally meet you at last, pilot of the black frame.” she says stiffly. It looks like she is nervous, and wondering if I am indeed the person she has been looking for.
“I'll say the same,” I reply. “That was a pretty decent workout we had.”
At the same time, Kyrie enters, excusing herself. “Sorry, Senya, they were really insistent I sang them a song.”
“I didn't know you could sing,” I mutter. “And you just used my name.” That's part one of my plan in flames. Hopefully the other parts will hold up. An uncharacteristically girlish laugh escapes the Major's lips as she trembles in excitement.
“I knew it!” she mutters happily. “It is you. It couldn't have been anyone else in that frame.”
“So, you're the Scarlet Lightning?” asks Kyrie, interrupting the Major. She regains her composure almost immediately, though it's funny seeing her struggle to keep her eyes on Kyrie instead of me.
“Y-yes. Who might you be?”
“I am Kyrie Francesca de Shinar, Crown Princess of the Neo Shinar Empire.” says Kyrie haughtily. She can put on a show when she thinks it'll impress people... and she manages to get it right on this occasion. The Major steps backwards, surprised.
“My apologies, Your Highness. It is an honour to meet you here.” She's back in full military mode, speaking in a formal tone.
“It's a funny thing, isn't it?” I smile. “A foreign princess is more popular than you are. Everyone was trying to kiss her hand when we came in just now.”
She turns to me and frowns. “That is...”
I pose a question immediately. “I wonder... do you think what you are fighting for is worth being hated by your own people?”
“It is a burden I carry willingly. The independence of the Indus is of greater importance.”
“Why is that?”
“We should not rule over one another, be it in the light or the dark.” she explains. From the tone of her recital, it is probably one of the teachings of the Apostles. “All life is equal before the Goddess. The Indus deserve their independence from the Higashi. If that means fighting against my own people, that is what I have to do, to show the world that equality can be achieved-”
“At the point of a sword?” remarks Kyrie caustically. “Do you think that sort of peace will last?”
“That is precisely why I fight, Your Highness. I do not expect you to understand, but I fight to end the war as soon as possible. A long war strains the world and increases suffering. A swift victory will show the Higashi the injustice of their ideals.” retorts Rei.
“We are already preparing to negotiate peace with all factions. The Higashi are prepared to grant the Indus Confederation full independence.” returns Kyrie with a smug smile. “What else do you have to fight for? Your goal has been achieved.”
“I... I had heard about that, but...” All of a sudden, the Major appears unsure. Then, she regains her composure and replies strongly, “I do not trust it. There must be something else that your governments are plotting. Independence must be negotiated on our terms, not granted by the Higashi. The act of granting show that the Higashi government still displays a mindset in which the Indus are subservient lessers to be bestowed a gift. That thinking must change, or history will repeat itself.”
Kyrie appears ready to lash out, but I put a hand on her shoulder. Her temper really has a short fuse.
“You really are an idealist, aren't you?” I say.
“Ideals are the only thing that justify fighting. Do you not fight because you believe in the Higashi and the Empire?”
“Well, no.” I admit. “I'm doing it just because.”
She appears to be flabbergasted by my admission. What an honest girl. Still, I've heard enough to be certain about one thing; what the Scarlet Lightning thinks she is fighting for is probably not what the Apostles want from her. Her slight naivety and honourable streak are all hallmarks of a hero... if I had to make a guess, I would say the Great Mother is the one behind her upbringing. They want to create a war hero, someone who would have a fair reputation, ready to lead the world with their particular brand of justice. Of course, looking at the way things are playing out, they might not be in full control of their little scenario. For one, their control over the Indus and UNS government is probably not absolute. If Kyrie and the Emperor are confident the Indus will come to the table, it means the war will end soon. The Apostles do not want this. They will try something, but what? Will the ISC get involved, with their famously untrustworthy fingers muddling the situation?
No matter. The collision of their multiple plots will create flaws in the execution which I can exploit, as long as I can foresee it. I have a chance, no matter how small. Thinking that, I smile.
“Think back to before the war started, Major.” I say. “Would the Higashi government have entertained the thought of freeing the Indus from being their puppet?”
She shakes her head. “Of course not.”
“This is a great concession on their behalf.” I shrug. “Little steps bring about great changes.”
“As I said, it is their arrogant mindset that-”
I interrupt her. “It doesn't matter what they think. All life is equal before the Goddess. Though they may have their ulterior motives for granting independence, they are only a small minority. The worldly power these men wield mean nothing to the Goddess's ideals... they are but living beings like us. Equal, not above. By agreeing to independence, they have given power to the idea that the people of the Indus deserve their equality as peers on the stage of nations. The masses will see this, and understand, and be convinced. Is that not what you want? To convince the world that all are equal, and that even the most powerful of men can have their minds changed by the lowliest of nations?”
I'm spewing total nonsense, but it's kinda fun watching Rei's face turn paler as she tries to find the words she wants to say. She really is sheltered. If I'd tried something like this with Kyrie or even Erika... well, I probably wouldn't. It wouldn't be as easy. When the Apostles tried to raise a hero, they seem to have done too good of a job in making her an idealist. That might make her impressionable towards the cult's teachings, but it also leaves an opening for other people to manipulate her with the right words. It seems that so far her combat prowess and formal demeanour, combined with the cult's watchful eye, have kept harmful influences away.
“If that's the case... then Lothal...” she mutters.
“Lothal?” I ask.
“No, it's nothing.” She seems dejected. I make a note to check on the word later. If I recall correctly, it's a place of some sorts.
“Well, I don't think you asked me here so that we could argue about politics,” I say, attempting to change the conversation. It's not too good to press her too hard so fast.
“Ah, that is right. Actually, I have something to confess, Senya.” she replies apologetically.
“You are my sister, and you belong to the Apostles of Hiranyagarbha.” I reply promptly.
“You figured that out, huh?” smiles Rei. “I suppose you were always the smart one.”
“Were... how well did we know each other before we were separated? To be frank, I can't remember a thing.”
A pained look crosses her face. “Well, that's not a surprise. I won't bring up the memories... not now, but trust me on this – I won't let Mother know that you are alive. You will be safe.” She must be referring to Saeko Wakayama.
“Why would Mother want to do me harm?” I ask.
“It's not that she wants to harm you,” says Rei defensively. “You're just not supposed to be alive.”
That means the Great Mother will try to make me the way I'm supposed to be, if she finds out about my continued existence – dead.
Rei continues, “I didn't think I'd see you again when we parted, but I was always searching.”
“That's why you sent Keiko out.”
“She's my handmaiden and closest friend, after you left. Because of her parents she tends to move from place to place, so I had her keep an eye out. I didn't actually hope to find you – if I did it meant that you somehow awakened, despite what happened. If you did, I wanted you to come to me so we could work things out together. Just like when we were kids back in the old Shangjing facility.”
“We would be... the unstoppable duo.” A fragment of a sentence, a long destroyed memory, floats into my mind, and I unwittingly whisper the words. Her eyes widen.
“That's right. We'd be the unstoppable Dynamic Duo, the two of us! My strength and your smarts! Do you remember?”
I shake my head. “It's just something that crossed my mind. A bit cheesy, isn't it?”
She appears to be crestfallen. “I see.”
“What happened when we were kids?” I continue asking. She shakes her head again. “I can't tell you right now. I don't know what you will do if you find out... I don't really know if you are still you.”
I sigh. “Fair enough.” I know when I've hit a stonewall, but there's probably enough for me to start an investigation on my own. The old Shangjing facility... the incident at Shangjing was 18 years ago, a year before I was born. I'll check it out later. A sudden beep sounds urgently, coming from Rei's wrist.
“I'll have to leave now, brother,” smiles Rei sadly, as she looks at her wrist-mounted military issue comm device. “The Mehrgahr is getting impatient.”
“Well, I'm sure I will see you soon. Go easy on me the next time.”
She laughs. “I think the old you would never have said that. I was the one who had to beg for mercy after our sessions... Anyway, I'm really glad we had the chance to talk.”
With that, she leaves, still with a sad look on her face, leaving me with a few answers and a lot more questions.
***
It does not take me long to find out what Lothal is – a sturdy Indus colony about 20 km in length. Imperial intelligence reports indicate that the Lothal is being moved from Moon L1 to Moon L3, ostensibly because of the war. There is something wrong with the information, however; they are transporting the Lothal dangerously close to the Earth. The closest approach occurs three days before the proposed signature of the peace treaty. This can't be a coincidence... this is bad.
“Captain, what do you think would happen if the enemy crashed a space colony into the Earth?” I ask, somewhat rhetorically. I know what will happen, having gone over the simulations repeatedly. The sheer amount of debris in the fallout from crashing a colony of the Lothal's size would have an effect similar to that of nuclear winter, not to mention the death toll if it hits a populated area... like, say, Ankida...
Grimrock's brow furrows, the craggy lines on his face deepening. “You don't really think they are going to do that, are you?”
I don't know. It doesn't really make sense. If they want to build Rei up as a war hero, this is the worst thing they can do. It would destroy her reputation just by association with the same faction that is about to do something utterly insane. At the same time, I don't think they would abandon their supposed Messiah plan. It goes against everything they believe in. Either they are somehow confident Rei would be able to emerge from this untarnished, or someone else is pulling the Indus Confederation's strings besides the cult.
“It is better to prepare for the worst,” I mutter. “This is unprecedented.”
Grimrock sighs. “I agree. Unfortunately, we have a dispatch from Fifth Fleet. Upon our arrival at the L4 base in two days' time we are to come directly under Admiral Langorn's command. Both the Kaguya-hime and the Anhur are to be put through extensive maintenance procedures. We'll be stuck in dock for at least three days.”
“That's not good at all. If they're going to drop the Lothal, it'll happen in a week. If all of Fifth Fleet rushes over to the intercept point when we arrive we can make it there before the Lothal arrives.”
“I know Langorn. He will categorically refuse to listen to anything we say until he has checked through the proof.” says Grimrock. “The proof is there, but by the time he agrees to leave we will be playing catch-up... and it just so happens that Fifth Fleet is the closest available fleet we have. The others won't get there anywhere in time.”
I ponder our situation. Regardless of what we do, we can transmit the information to Admiral Langorn, who will likely make a move just in case the worst comes to pass. Should we head there ourselves, however? The reports say that the Indus's Special Independent Task Force and the UNS's First Fleet are escorting the colony, with its inhabitants of 4 million. There appear to have been some evacuations, but not many. I am not sure what will happen to the people living in the colony. Combined, the UNS-Indus forces have more than thirty warships and perhaps close to fifty CFs. Fifth Fleet itself has eighteen warships, thirty five fighters and twenty of the new Onuris frames.
***
A. The Kaguya-hime will disobey orders once they drop off the refugee freighter at Fifth Fleet, and make a dash for the intercept point. The colony must be stopped no matter what.
B. We will move together with Admiral Langorn. Safety in numbers – I can't take on two fleets by myself, even with a barrier. Even if playing catch-up, we still have a chance at succeeding.
C. I might be overthinking things. Let's not jump to conclusions – if we attack a escorted colony and it turns out we were jumping the gun, it would be a propaganda disaster. Best to repair and recuperate now that we're finally so close to Earth.
