Good Luck, Yukikaze

by Chohei Kambayashi

  “That’s practically the same as what we have now. Nothing would change.”

  “That wouldn’t be true for the FAF and the people of Earth,” Captain Foss continued. “I predict that, since the JAM will have completed their information gathering from the humans here on Faery, the probability is high that they’ll decide that the war here is no longer necessary and initiate a full-scale invasion of their main target: Earth.”

  “They’ll just ignore us?”

  “The JAM were sounding you and Yukikaze out as possible allies on this mission, but their objective wasn’t to gain a strategic advantage in battle. For them, Yukikaze and the SAF are the only things that they don’t understand, meaning that they’ve judged you to represent anomalies compared to the rest of the humanoid beings in the FAF, which they do understand. The JAM wanted to confirm that before they begin the full-scale invasion of Earth. If they decide that the SAF are just normal humanoids as well, then I believe that they’ll immediately begin their final attack. No, actually, that wouldn’t even be necessary. I think the war here on Faery could go on for the time being while they realize their original goal without us humans even knowing it.”

  “And what was their original goal?” asked Lieutenant Katsuragi.

  “That, I don’t know. But if that happens, the war here on Faery will become completely meaningless and we humans would never know it. It’s possible that’s already happened. But the JAM didn’t get their answer about Captain Fukai. Therefore, their questions about the SAF remain.”

  “According to Captain Foss, developing a new strategy against the JAM is going to be a nightmare,” said Major Booker. “Even a huge JAM attack on the FAF might just have as its tactical goal intel on us as a prelude for their final attack. It won’t be the sort of localized war we’ve seen here. It’ll be the full might of the JAM hitting all of our forces everywhere on this planet simultaneously.”

  Neither Rei nor Lieutenant Katsuragi could say a single word.

  “It doesn’t matter if the SAF stood down against the JAM or even joined forces with them. They’ll still end up attacking us. I’m convinced that’s what they’ll do. Our choice is to kill or be killed, the same as it always was. But the meaning of the battle will be different. And there you have it.”

  “How much time do we have, Captain Foss?” Lieutenant Katsuragi asked. “Do we have enough time to think this over carefully?”

  “The time needed to rethink the meaning of why they’re fighting and find that answer is different for each of us,” she replied in an objective tone, then continued. “But I think the JAM have completed their preparations for the all-out attack. There’s no mystery about when they did it—they’ve been ready ever since they abandoned Richwar. I can rightly guess that they were ready to put their plan into action once they’d seen Captain Fukai’s attitude. Cookie base was a chess piece they sacrificed to lure Yukikaze to them.”

  “You’re saying I was the trigger for the full-scale attack?”

  “Yukikaze was the one who cocked it,” said Major Booker. “All you did was follow the mission.”

  “So did Yukikaze.”

  “I know. Yeah, if I’d just been aware of her combat awareness, I might have been able to do something about it. If Captain Foss’s prediction is correct and the final attack is now imminent, I would be the one responsible,” Major Booker said

  “Excuse me, sir,” Captain Foss said. “There was nothing you could have done, Major. You can’t stop Yukikaze. And we can’t negotiate with the JAM. This is as pointless as standing in front of an erupting volcano and arguing about who ignited it. That’s what I think, at least.”

  “Speaking of a full-scale attack by the JAM, it’d exceed the expectations of the FAF, wouldn’t it?” Rei said. “They wouldn’t have time to evacuate everyone back to Earth. The FAF will have to fight. But that’s natural, since it’s an organization created to fight. The same goes for us.”

  “We have no chance of winning,” said Lieutenant Katsuragi. “And we can’t surrender. I doubt a white flag would work with the JAM.”

  “I have hope,” Foss said.

  “You think the JAM will spare you if you act like you like them, Captain Foss? That’s naive,” said Lieutenant Katsuragi.

  “I mean we have a strategy to avoid defeat,” she replied. “Become composite life-forms. That’s the only way to keep the JAM from beating us.”

  “The FAF will never be able to do that,” Major Booker replied. “The FAF battle computers see humans as a hindrance that they’ll cut loose when things go to hell. If the humans can’t retreat back to Earth, then we’ll have to deal with it. But not by becoming this new composite species or whatever the hell you want to call it.”

  “But I think that the SAF could do it the same way that Yukikaze and Captain Fukai have,” said Lieutenant Katsuragi. “You are literally a special force.”

  “In short, it’s a way to not lose to the JAM even if they kill us. But it’s just a theory,” Rei replied. “Logically, I understand. When I’m with Yukikaze, I have no regrets. But what about you? Could you allow yourself to die in battle based on your theory?”

  “Well…I won’t know that till it happens,” said Captain Foss. “But at least when it does, it’ll be after feeling the satisfaction of knowing that my prediction was correct.”

  “Maybe the JAM might even pay some respect for your pride.”

  “I don’t want to lose, not to anyone. Not to the JAM, to the SAF, or even to myself. That’s all. Besides, I didn’t predict that we’re going to lose. The JAM will cope with the composite life-forms by changing themselves. I believe that the JAM themselves will evolve to become more like us so that they can achieve competitive coexistence. In that case, I can even think that the SAF will end up capturing a JAM and forming a composite life-form with it. Rei…Captain Fukai, if hearing my prediction now about the JAM’s all-out attack makes you think only about wanting to die with Yukikaze, then I’ve misdiagnosed you. You’ll need a bit more counseling.”

  “Jack,” began Rei as he climbed out of bed, “give me clearance to see Yukikaze. Input my report into the tactical computer, along with Captain Foss’s prediction.”

  “What do you plan to do?”

  “I want to see Yukikaze’s reaction. I have a feeling she’s searching for me, and she won’t stop accessing the FAF network till I go to her. She can’t understand the differences between the personalities and nature of the people in the SAF and other humans. It’s dangerous to leave her as she is. I’m going to go and explain it to her. Edith, you come too. And don’t say that all she and I think about is dying.”

  “All right,” said Major Booker. He checked his wristwatch. “I’ll give you thirty minutes. Get back here within that time, then eat and get some rest. We’ve got a meeting with General Cooley tomorrow at 08:00. Lieutenant Katsuragi, stay here. You have a report to write.”

  “Yes, Major.”

  “Then deliver your report to me orally, based on it.”

  “Roger.”

  “Where is Yukikaze?” Rei asked. “Is she being serviced?”

  “In the hangar. She wanted it that way. She doesn’t want anybody to touch her until she’s sure you’re all right. We’ll never get her repaired at this rate. So go, you have thirty minutes. I’ll lend you my watch.”

  Taking the major’s watch, Rei went to see Yukikaze, still clad in his sweatsuit.

  HER CANOPY WAS shut tight. Pulling out the folding ladder, his feet shod only in white cloth med center slippers, he climbed up and turned the exterior canopy handle. Then, after helping Captain Foss into the rear seat, Rei settled into the front.

  “You’re really sweaty,” Captain Foss said. “You’re amazingly lively considering what you’ve been through. I have a feeling you think my prediction is just a theory.”

  Without answering her, Rei plugged in the headset he’d brought with him from the prep room and switched on the main power to the instruments. On the main display appeared
a scrolling list showing the network types and discrete computer IDs Yukikaze was accessing. He knew that the SAF’s tactical computer was acting as the intermediary. Suddenly, the display cleared.

  “It went out. Like it broke.”

  “No, Yukikaze just cut the connection with the tactical computer. —Yukikaze, this is Captain Fukai. Were you looking for me?”

  Yukikaze didn’t answer. The display remained dark.

  “It looks like she still can’t understand human speech, Captain Fukai.”

  Ignoring her, Rei continued.

  “Yukikaze, if you’ve learned anything through the FAF computer network, then report it to me now. Do you understand?”

  No answer. It was as if Yukikaze was asleep. Rei felt as though his body was shrinking. He softened his voice, as if telling her to relax, that it was okay to sleep here.

  “What’s wrong, Yukikaze…? Why won’t you answer me?”

  Rei thought about her consciousness, then came to his senses. Yukikaze wouldn’t rest. She didn’t sleep. She was always fighting. He had to be like that too, even here. He had to get through to her, not with words, but with his own fighting spirit. Yes, this wasn’t a bed. This was a place of combat.

  Rei flipped the master arm switch to ON. Initiate search for the enemy.

  “Switch the power on back there too, Captain Foss. Set it to electronic warfare mode.”

  “Roger.”

  Just as he’d expected, Yukikaze reacted immediately. A diagram appeared on the main display, followed by a message from Yukikaze. Rei and Captain Foss read it, completely speechless.

  JAM are here/attack this point…Capt.

  “What?” whispered Captain Foss. “Where are they?” The diagram indicated a section of Faery base. One section was highlighted with a square mark indicating the enemy. Captain Foss recognized it even faster than Yukikaze could display the area name.

  “That’s the Systems Corps, where my last job was.”

  “There are JAM in the Systems Corps?”

  “I think it’s the retraining unit. Major Booker mentioned that it’s been set up as a lower branch of Systems Corps. It’s already been gathered together. Or maybe she’s telling us that Colonel Rombert is there.”

  “I need more details. Edith, start up the T-FACPro II software. Yukikaze can use it to communicate more clearly.”

  This wasn’t going to be done in thirty minutes. There’d be no eating and no sleeping. Rei was already regretting how little sleep he’d gotten as he explained to Captain Foss how to start the program. For the Special Air Force, it was the beginning of a long, restless night. A night during which they couldn’t afford to waste a single moment.

  VIII

  GOOD LUCK

  1

  IT WASN’T MY fault that I lost my plane in combat, the man thought. So no, being sent to some retraining unit wasn’t something he’d go along with. Why the hell did he need to be retrained? What was the FAF retraining him to do?

  The man, Lieutenant Gavin Mayle, formerly of the 505th Tactical Fighter Squadron attached to Tactical Air Base 15, had been ordered to transfer to the retraining unit and now stood inside a Systems Corps’ barracks.

  The barracks were a six-person room in a converted warehouse, and one of the three light panels in the ceiling wouldn’t turn on. Must have been a rush job. Not the appropriate sort of greeting for a top-class pilot. Lieutenant Mayle angrily unpacked his belongings, not speaking to the other five people sharing his quarters.

  It had been explained to Lieutenant Mayle that the retraining unit was established for those who had been shot down by the JAM. They were to receive advanced tactical air combat training to prevent a recurrence. At least, that was what his commanding officer at TAB-15 had told him.

  And when exactly had he been shot down by the JAM? he’d asked his CO when he’d received his orders to transfer.

  “When Lieutenant Lancome was killed by that SAF fighter,” his commander had said. “Your assault unit was wiped out then.”

  “And you’re pinning the blame for that on me? Now? That was two months ago!” After Lancome’s death, the 505th TFS had waited a long time before being resupplied with one, and then two, new planes, finally bringing them back up to full strength. That had been a long, difficult time for team leader Lieutenant Mayle. Even without their full complement of planes, they’d still been expected to get the same results in combat.

  “Well, it’s not directly related to that.”

  “Well then, why is this happening?”

  “Orders from above. My speculations don’t matter.”

  “Who above ordered this?” Mayle asked. “Was it someone in the advanced tactical air corps? Please tell me so that I can file a direct protest to these orders.”

  “The orders came through ATAC, and as you’d expect, this transfer is pretty major. I checked into this too, Lieutenant. This has got central command stirred up like a hornet’s nest. These orders come from the very top of the FAF. They seem to be collecting all pilots who’ve been shot down by the JAM into one unit, and it isn’t just guys in ATAC. It’s affecting all of our forces,” the CO said.

  “But I wasn’t shot down by the JAM! It was an engine fault. I couldn’t get full thrust. Same as everyone else’s plane. The JAM didn’t do that. We didn’t detect any kind of interference like that from them. It must have been a bad load of fuel or poor maintenance. The maintenance team should be the ones retrained. Don’t you think? It’s crazy to transfer me!”

  “I tried telling them that you weren’t directly shot down by the JAM, but it didn’t matter. Their selection criteria are classified. Basically, it’s a military secret. The guys in central don’t understand how hard things are for us here on the front. They say whatever suits them and nothing we say about it matters. We’re in no position to say no, so I can’t refuse these orders.”

  “What the hell are those guys at Faery base thinking?”

  “I think the Systems Corps may be trying to assert dominance,” the commander answered, clasping his hands together and twiddling his thumbs as he talked. “As far as you’re concerned, I suppose they’re trying to find the cause of the fault that brought down all of your planes at the same time. We also investigated the matter, but never found a clear cause for it.”

  “If we couldn’t figure it out while it was happening to us, what do the guys in Systems Corps think they can learn by re-examining it at this point?” Mayle said.

  “Central doesn’t trust our investigation abilities.”

  “And they’re gonna find out the cause if I report there? Even as they’re basically saying that they don’t believe us anyway?”

  “If you go to Faery base and become one of them, you’ll probably end up not believing what I say too.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “People change according to their situation. This transfer won’t be such a bad thing for you. Once you complete this retraining program, they’ve promised you a promotion. You’re a captain now.”

  “If I’m being promoted, then I’d like some acknowledgment of how hard I worked to rebuild the 505th.”

  When he’d ejected from his falling plane, Lieutenant Mayle had thought he’d never want to fly again, but he’d forgotten all about that by the time he made it back to the rescue station. First of all, he was worried about the safety of his men. Lieutenant Mayle was among the first to be rescued, so he didn’t know then what had become of his subordinates. As team leader, Lieutenant Mayle felt responsible for his subordinates and had personally participated in the rescue operations.

  “I fully appreciate all the effort you put into that. You did well, but no matter how many times I say it, I can’t go against the higher-ups. I don’t know the details of this transfer, but I don’t think it’s a bad deal for you. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Just think of it as executive candidate training. Maybe in the not-too-distant future, you’ll be giving me orders.”

  “Can you guarantee that I can come bac
k here?”

  “No, but they didn’t tell me you couldn’t, so it’s possible. Maybe the higher-ups think you’re being wasted just being used as a squadron-level leader. I have no idea what they’re thinking in this.”

  “I’m a fighter pilot. They’re probably gonna ground me because I’m a screwup. What happens to my squadron once I’m gone?”

  “The squadron will stay in operation, even without you,” the CO said. “Why wouldn’t it? I promise, I’ll keep it going.”

  “My squadron is like family to me.”

  “I’ll throw you a farewell party. But in lieu of a farewell gift, I’ll tell you something.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve been giving some thought to what destroyed your plane. Don’t tell anyone this, especially the higher-ups. I don’t dare say anything since I have no evidence of this—”

  “What are you trying to tell me? That I was the cause? You sound exactly like you want to get rid of me.”

  “Lieutenant Mayle, look… I think your man Lancome did it. I’m saying that he sabotaged your plane somehow. He’s the only suspect that came up out of the entire maintenance crew.”

  “What, like Lancome mixed sugar into our planes’ fuel? A fighter isn’t a car, sir!” Mayle exclaimed.

  “He probably messed with your flight software. Apparently, it is possible to cause what happened to you using the maintenance chief’s access code.”

  “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”

  “There’s no proof. We couldn’t find anything in the wreckage of the downed planes we recovered. And yet Lieutenant Lancome died in that friendly fire incident with that unmanned SAF plane,” the commanding officer explained. “They claim it was an accidental weapons discharge, but you know how they are. Who can say if that’s true? I’m wondering if that wasn’t an accident, that the SAF somehow found out that Lieutenant Lancome was sabotaging the planes.”

  “You mean they had him do it and then silenced him?”

  “No, probably not. Even if they had, there’d be no benefit to the SAF.”