[FIC] Whispered Reign (pt. 5)

[Sgt. Sagara Sousuke]

Whispered Reign: Part 5

November 4th, 1912 Hours (GMT -03:00)
Northern Atlantic Ocean

Mithril Department of Intelligence
Merida Island, Australia

4 November 2004
CONFIDENTIAL

From: Mithril Department of Intelligence

To: Lieutenant Commander of Special Response Team

Subject: Casualty Report, U.S. Base on Virgin Island

Encl: Satellite photos, Surveillance photos, details of Vice Admiral Rajendran Palash

On the 3rd of November 2004, at approximately 2000 Hours (New York Standard Time), the U.S. Base on Virgin Island was attacked by multiple Shadow class ASes and armored vehicles. The number of ASes is estimated to be eight while armored vehicles are estimated to be three. Roughly 200 insurgents have stormed the base.

IMPORTANT: At least one AS is believed to be Lambda Driver equipped. Venom class.

Considering the satellite images of an AS suspected to be Venom class, Amalgam involvement is a high possibility. Casualty report:

1. All U.S. ASes confirmed destroyed. 10 in total.
2. 15 U.S. armored vehicles destroyed.
3. 50 U.S. personnel alleged killed.

In a separate incident, the Vice Admiral Rajendran Palash was kidnapped from his yacht at approximately 1700 Hours (New York Standard Time). The Vice Admiral was taken against his will by numerous heavily armed assailants. They appear to be professionals. Two witnesses saw the entire occurrence but none could identify any of the attackers. All four bodyguards and Rajendran’s friend were executed. The yacht was destroyed in an explosion set of by the attackers.

The Vice Admiral was transported by plane to Puerto Rico where he was taken to the U.S. base mentioned earlier by water.

The enemy holds at least 30 other U.S. officers hostage and also the Vice Admiral Rajendran.



The report went on for a full three more pages and was ended with a signature from one of the officers at the Intelligence Department. Pushing away the papers, Kalinin picked up some photos taken by the spy satellite and some other surveillance photos. The first two presented a bird’s eye view of the entire U.S. base. Where M6A3s used to be, Shadows were now in their place. The remaining photos were of the base from various angles, shot from boats or on the island itself save for the last which was rather disturbing; it was probably the last photo the camera man would ever take. It was a blur picture of the Venom pointing at the camera. There was a white spot on the photo where the tip of the finger is.

Kalinin studied the snapshots intently. There were no demands made nor did the group identify themselves. But the Venom would suggest that Amalgam’s involvement was definite. Or it could be another incident like what happened in Hong Kong the month before; a splinter faction with conflicting interest to that of Amalgam’s.

However, the might of the hostage-takers were much stronger to be a part of a splinter faction. He sensed that this would be some sort of trap. Or they could have taken the base so it’ll be easier to defend themselves from Mithril’s forces. No, it didn’t make sense. They could’ve interrogated the Vice Admiral aboard his own yacht. Kalinin wondered what the Captain and Commander Mardukas have speculated from their own copy if the report.

There was a knock at the door. He was fairly sure that it was Sergeant Sousuke at the door. Sousuke hadn’t reported in earlier because Kalinin was in a meeting with Captain Tessa.

“Come in.”

The metal door swung open and a young man in uniform walked stiffly in, turned sharply to his left to face the Lt. Cmdr. and stated his rank and full name.

“Sergeant. Take a seat.”

“Thank you, sir. What is the situation?”

“Take a look at these photos. What do you make of it?” Kalinin slid the photos across the desk to Sousuke.

He picked up and examined the photographs. After a few seconds, he left them on Kalinin’s desk.

“Amalgam. Have the U.S. reacted yet?”

“No. We are considering the option of carrying this rescue mission before the U.S. does.”

“Hmmm… That seems like a wise choice. They would not have a chance against Venom or Codarl M as Gauron says it.” He frowned when he said the beast’s name.

“That’s not the point. The same group have Vice Admiral Rajendran hostage.”

“I see. When do we attack?”

“That is the problem, Sergeant. The situation is too suspicious.”

“I agree, sir. But they have the Vice Admiral. He might leak sensitive information to them.”

“I will discuss this with the Captain and Commander. What of Operation Guardian Angel?”

“It is going smoothly, sir.”

“Good to hear that. I suppose there is nothing else - you are dismissed.”

“Yes, sir.” And he walked out of the cabin in the same manner he entered, stiffly.



Sousuke decided to refine his skills and try some AS training modules. Even though he hadn’t been out of the field for too long, he felt that he needed to undergo some training simulations to convince himself of his own abilities.

“Where do you think you’re going?” a familiar voice greeted him from behind.

Sousuke turned around to see a tall young man with long blond hair and a woman with short black hair standing behind the man, her arms crossed.

“Kurz! Mao!”

“Why do you look so surprised to see us? And don’t tell me you were going to sneak off to train?”

“It pays to constantly test one’s skills.”

“Without seeing us first? Shame on you. We need your popularity.”

The next minute, Kurz was rubbing his sore head. Mao had struck him on the top of his head.

“BAKA! Speak for yourself!” Then she spoke to Sousuke, smiling sweetly, “It’s good to have you back with us.”

“Thank you. But what popularity?”

Kurz chose the wrong time to speak. “Ever since you talked down General Amitt, you’re practically a star. Everyone wants to know the brave soul who spoke up to the General.”

That earned him another knock on the head by Mao’s tightened fist. “They wouldn’t have known if you knew how to keep your mouth in line!”

“But sis, it’s a great story to tell the girls at the bar,” Kurz was nearly whining.

His intuition told him that he was about to receive another blow to his cranium and he hurriedly put an arm around Sousuke’s neck and lead him to the cafeteria. “Let’s go catch up in the cafeteria.”

Sousuke followed. He hadn’t seen much of them at all after he left the Arbalest in Hong Kong. He had only saw them once when he was called back to answer to the executives of Mithril’s Operation Department. It would be nice to go over the recent happenings aboard TDD-1 with them while he was back in Tokyo.


************
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“What do you think, Captain?” Mardukas asked Tessa after she had finished reading the report presented to her.

“It looks like a trap.” Kalinin warned Tessa beforehand.

“Ms. Lemmings, the ECCS readings?” Tessa had to make sure of certain things before coming to a decision.

Lieutenant Lemmings answered a negative and Tessa spoke again, “Yes, it might be a trap. But command wants us to rescue the Vice Admiral as soon as possible. I really don’t have much of a choice.”

“I understand, Captain.”

“Besides, the ECCS shows that no other ASes are around. I believe our ASes can handle them.”

“What of the Venom?” it was Mardukas’s turn to speak.

“Sagara and the Arbalest should be able to handle it. He did manage to defeat five Venoms before.”

“Just because he prevailed once doesn’t mean that he is absolutely reliable.” The Commander showed his displease openly. To strengthen his point, he added, “And he abandoned the Arbalest. Can we truly trust him with the Arbalest again?”

Tessa gave him a stern glare. “Haven’t we discussed this before… After everything that has happened, you still don’t trust him?”

Mardukas did not answer the question and merely sighed. Ignoring her previous question, he informed “We’ll be in position in three hours.”

“Please understand. He is crucial in this mission.” She did not want the Commander to feel offended.

“Yes- you’re right. The Arbalest is required.”

Kalinin had remained quiet during their short argument. It was their issue- they will work it out on their own. He wasn’t sure why Mardukas was so disapproving of the soldier though. Perhaps he feels threatened by the fact that Sousuke is efficient at what he does even at such a young age.

“Kalinin san, Mardukas san, should we discuss battle plan immediately?”

“Yes, Captain.”


************
************


There was no bar aboard the TDD-1, only Mithril Headquarters on Merida Island has a bar where soldiers, officers and the likes go to hang out. Aboard the TDD-1, the cafeteria will have to do if they wanted to chat.

Kurz marched Sousuke off to the cafeteria and sat him down. He pulled out a chair on the other side of the table for Mao and sat down on another chair.

“So, how are things going on for you and Kaname?” Kurz said with a big grin.

“Chidori is fine. There has been no terrorist attempt on her so far.”

“Well, it doesn’t have to be a terrorist attempt… Heh heh.” Kurz chuckled. There was a hint of mischief in his voice.

He winced when Mao pinched his lap under the table. “Go get us some drinks, would you?”
She pinched harder for some good measure before letting go.

“Alright, alright… Sheesh.” Kurz went to the counter bending over a little to massage the sore thigh.

Mao continued, “So, is everything back to normal? You know- when they ‘permanently’ transferred you from guarding Kaname…”

“Affirmative. The general has allowed me to continue the operation and Wraith will still be around.”

“That’s not what I mean. Baka… I’m talking between you and Kaname.”

“Well… almost normal. I believe she’s still worried that I might not return.”

“So, did she give you something before leaving? Know what I mean?” Kurz had returned with two cups of coffee.

Mao was tempted to trip him over but then thought better of it. She was trying to have a serious conversation with Sousuke; she had to know if he was emotionally affected. She did not want his judgment to be impaired and yet she did not want to sound too intrusive.

Kurz placed a cup in front of Sousuke and sat down, an impish look on his face.

Mao looked, there were only two cups. “Kurz, where’s mine?”

“Pinch me again. Maybe then, I’ll go get you one.” Kurz was being sarcastic.

Mao’s blood was just about to boil. What would she do to this fellow? Kick him in the shin? No, too merciful. Pour the hot coffee onto his groin area? That sounds better than her last idea. But she had a better idea that would make much of a scene and wipe that smirk of Kurz face at the same time.

Before Kurz could sip on his coffee, Mao took it from his hands and thanked him politely. That put his hands loosely around her neck; he didn’t dare squeeze and she knows it. So, she let him be and sipped on HER coffee.

After a while, Kurz calmed down and released his grip on Mao’s neck. Putting an arm around Mao, he said to Sousuke “Girls, they’re always like that…”

“You’re really asking for it, aren’t you?”

Quickly retreating his arm, he uttered a short apology. “Sorry, sorry. I was just joking, sis.”

Sousuke’s cell phone chimed. He was rather astonished- he wasn’t expecting a call. Who could it be?

“Hello? Chidori?”

“Err… no. Is there something wrong?”

“I see… Yes, I’m free to talk now.”

Mao and Kurz were looking at him closely, straining to listen in on the conversation. They looked like a pack of hungry wolves. No, correction: Kurz looked like a hungry wolf.

“Ooo… Girlfriend called, huh? Don’t mind us.” He was grinning madly.

“Err… Hold on, Chidori.” Sousuke inched his chair backwards, stood up and walked calmly out the door. From the look Kurz was giving him, he would’ve bolted out the door but he was a specialist. Such action would only draw unwanted attention to him.

Kurz followed Sousuke out the door. He was determined to find out what they were talking about. But Mao grabbed his collar and dragged him back into the cafeteria. She knew enough when a person demanded privacy and she would respect that wish.

“Aww… Come on, sis. Don’t be like that.”

“Can’t you see Sousuke wants to be alone?”

“Ahh… It’s nearly dinner time anyway.” And he grumbled on.

Sousuke decided on his heading- the hangar was a good place. Almost no one would pay him any heed there. They would have their hands full.

“Yes, Chidori. I’m back. There was something you wanted to speak to me about?”

“It’s not really anything. Err… When are you coming back?” Kaname said timidly, unlike her character.

“I do not know. If all goes well, probably tomorrow evening. Why?”

“Well, um… Our exam results will be out next week. I just wanted to know if you could make it back by then.”

“Oh, I believe so. You’re stammering a lot.”

She laughed nervously and exclaimed “I was distracted by the music.”

“Hmm… I’ve noticed that. Are… you… in my apartment?”

“Eh! How’d you figure that out?”

“The CD you’re playing now- you borrowed it to me a few days ago.”

“Did I? Umm… yes. I just wanted to check if the CD is with you.” Another nervous laugh.

“Chidori?”

“And to check if you’ve run away like the LAST time!”

“Chidori, I promised to return. I will.” She was feeling insecure. He needed to get that point through. A specialist will stick to his word.

“Well…, I have to go to school now. Bye.” And she hung up.

Sousuke looked at his time. It showed 8.15 p.m. which would mean that it was around 7.00 in the morning in Japan halfway around the world from where he is. He pocketed the phone and went back to the cafeteria where his friends were undoubtedly waiting for him. He needed to perform some last-minute preparations.

[Kelek]

SSS, nice.

Sousuke and Kalinin interaction was good.

Sousuke and Mao interaction was accurate.

Sousuke and Chidori interaction was nice.

Sousuke and Kurz interaction was pretty
accurate--except for when he tried to pry in
Sousuke's business too much.

Mao and Kurz interaction was off. If you've
noticed, they don't irritate each other that
much in canon. In fact, they get along pretty
well, unless Kurz is acting either vain,
perverted, or stupid and she has to clock him
for it.

Overall, I enjoyed it.

[Sgt. Sagara Sousuke]

Sousuke and Kurz interaction was pretty
accurate--except for when he tried to pry in
Sousuke's business too much.

Mao and Kurz interaction was off. If you've
noticed, they don't irritate each other that
much in canon. In fact, they get along pretty
well, unless Kurz is acting either vain,
perverted, or stupid and she has to clock him
for it.

Got it... I actually realize that but I wanted it to be funny but I don't have spare resources for longer conversation to introduce all these elements. The story will NOT be novel length- that's why...
Anyway, glad you enjoyed it.

Reading again: you're right. It's too much. Must tone down next time... Thanks, Kel...