Captain Johnson was still at sea when the troops of Kazama and Chen Xiangshan completed their operation of taking control of the submarine and the disguised dock. Arriving at the meeting point at noon, he descended from the mini-submarine into the sea and surfaced in a wet suit. Seeing that there, as expected, was an anchored ship disguised as a private yacht, Johnson gave a sigh of relief.
His partner, Captain Jasmine Williams, was waiting on board.
"Jas! Did something happen?"
According to the plan, she had to wait in the shelter on the island of Kuma. Jasmine was not such a person who would back away from the plan on a personal whim. Johnson asked about the reasons for changing plans with a serious face, not giving himself any reason to joke.
"Do not you know? ...No, you don't seem to know."
From Jasmine's response, Johnson's unpleasant premonition grew stronger. Unfortunately, it was not an unnecessary fear.
"The main forces of tomorrow's operation were captured by the Japanese army. Therefore, I want to hold a meeting as soon as possible to organize everything from the very beginning."
Johnson only thought for a short time, which was less than a second.
"...Understood. I'm going to change my clothes."
"I will be waiting in the dining room."
Watching the departed Jasmine, Johnson went to a cabin.
In the dining room (the mess-room) Jasmine was waiting at the table with one of the leaders of the detachment of deserters from the Great Asian Alliance, Bradley Zhang.
Zhang often looked at Jasmine, apparently because he could not believe in her real personality.
Jasmine tried to avoid the deserters, except Liu. The meeting with Zhang was inevitable, because Liu had just been captured.
Today, Zhang first saw her face. Naturally, with her 12-13-year-old appearance, it was hard to convince him that she is a magician of the rank of captain.
The place where they waited, though beingcalled the dining room, only had a mini-kitchen and a small table with chairs. With the giant Zhang here it seemed to be very crowded, but there was not even a hint of complaint on his part. As with Johnson.
"So they were caught... was it an inspection? The mobile dock was supposed to be in international waters."
"This was not an inspection. I do not know all the details, but it seems that it was an illegal surprise attack."
"Piracy by the regular army!" Johnson spat in anger.
"It's not for us to condemn the Japanese army in this regard." Jasmine did not reassure him, but said to look at what they themselves did.
"...Do you know anything else?"
A little, after calming down, Johnson asked this in a more subdued tone.
"It seems that the search party of the Great Asian Alliance also participated in the attack."
"I though that the Japanese army would be cooperating with the army of the Great Asian Alliance, this is bad. Does this mean that there was a leak of information about tomorrow's operation?"
"The other party has already resorted to illegal operations. I have no doubt that they are now resorting to truth serum." There was no reproach or disgust in Jasmine's words. Brainwashing and torture were not unusual for her, who specializing in covert operations. This meant that the operation itself, had all but failed.
In the current operation, the Australian army plays the role of a reserve for the faction of opponents of reconciliation from the Great Asian Alliance. They had to remain for direct physical support, but now the Jasmine and Johnson pair is the only available fighting force.
They did not plan to participate as the basis of the force in the sabotage operation. In the agreed plan, Australia supported a faction of opponents of reconciliation, provided that the main task is to monitor the situation to the last, and intervene only in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Of course, the Australian army did not forbid them to engage in battle entirely. If they did not want a battle, they would not send these two.
This intention reflected British influence, without it Australia would not have gone to these actions.
Nevertheless, Australia would not go for an operation with such a low chance of success. This time Australia acted as a secret ally of Britain, which organized this operation to stop Japan's growing global presence.
"The operation must be carried out. It will be a sacrifice in vain if we stop now."
But Bradley Zhang's position was different. He insisted on conducting sabotage at any cost.
Naturally, Zhang had such a point of view. They deserted from the army of Hong Kong, part of the Great Asian Alliance and engaged in this operation.
It's no secret that Hong Kong is under the political influence of Britain.
And yet the country to which they belong, is still the Great Asian Alliance.
Zhang cannot return to Hong Kong, there he is already considered a criminal. The punishment that awaits him there, as a highly qualified combat magician, will at best be in the form of heavy correctional labor, but more likely he will be turned into a puppet soldier with brainwashing... that is, degradation to the state of a living weapon without free will.
Although brainwashing leads to a deterioration in magical skills, and despite the fact that the variety of magic is limited, the army of the Great Asian Alliance has put into practice the brainwashing of soldiers for absolute obedience. This technology was derived from magic (or better call it occultism) by Gu Jie through the organization of No-Head Dragon.
For a magician, being turned into such a puppet was equivalent to the death penalty. Deprived of free will, a thing that will be used and thrown out when it breaks down. And a person does not even have the mind to realize his suffering, this horror is stronger than the death penalty.
The only way left for Zhang is to successfully sabotage and abolish the peace treaty with Japan. He will turn this crime into a feat. Even if he cannot rehabilitate the faction of opponents of reconciliation with this achievement, he can try to gain asylum in Britain or Australia as a reward for the success of the sabotage. He will not have a future if the operation is unsuccessful during tomorrow's party in honor of the construction of the artificial island.
Therefore, he could not agree with the cancellation of the operation.
"But we lost the submarine, which is the main force of the operation."
As Jasmine noted, tomorrow's operation consisted of the fact that Zhang with a detached detachment would distract the attention of the guard, while the attack from the submarine follows from the sea. In addition, it was not planned to launch a direct attack with missiles or torpedoes, but secretly dispatch agents who, having approached, would install bombs on the pontoons holding the island afloat.
"There is still a small boat left. In principle, because we just need to get under water imperceptibly the presence of a submarine is not absolutely necessary for the operation."
"Will this work out?"
"In our detachment there are magicians who are well versed in underwater activities. Although our number has decreased, this will not be an obstacle to the operation.”
After listening to Zhang's confident speech, Jasmine looked at Johnson.
"We cannot make a decision on our own. Please give me time to contact our country." Instead of Jasmine Johnson, he suggested this to Zhang. It was not an attempt to delay time. It was an indisputable fact that they would need to get permission from Australia first.
"...I understand. I expect a good answer." Zhang also understood this.
Suppressing his haste, he nodded.
Johnson contacted his senior officer via wireless communication, aiming the radio wave at the British military communications satellite.
It was unnecessary to say that the communication channel was protected from listening. However, unfortunately for him, even now his message was intercepted by the Japanese army.
"Senior Lieutenant Fujibayashi, good work."
"Thank you, Commander."
Fujibayashi's second name, Electron Sorceress, was obtained mainly for her ingenious hacking skills, but also reflected her magician skills. She is a skilled user of the magic of systems for scattering, concentration and oscillation, by which she interferes with electromagnetic signals. Instead of using an electromagnetic wave as a means of attack or intelligence, this "sorceress" specializes in magic interfering with communication, whether wireless or wired. The optical component is also included in the area of its influence, since it is still ultimately converted to an electrical signal. In addition, Fujibayashi has special skills not only able to intercept actual transmissions, but also data from rewritable and erasable magnetic, electronic and optical media.
Despite the fact that there are messages that she cannot decipher, there are practically no messages that she cannot intercept. The satellite communication session of Captain Johnson also entered the receiver of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion with the help of Fujibayashi.
"Sanada, did you decrypt it?"
"Yes. The cipher was not so complicated."
Sanada could crack most ciphers that were difficult even for Fujibayashi. Sanada is not only excellent in magical engineering, but also an expert in cryptography.
"And what does it say?"
"A question was asked whether the operation scheduled for tomorrow should be stopped. The Australian army postponed the response."
"Seeing their position, I would be grateful if they would continue..."
If Tatsuya were here, he would dispute the words of Kazama. For him, the incident was far from over. However, from the point of view of Kazama, some victims are inevitable for obtaining a favorable result, no, rather, he believed that these were the necessary costs to achieve the goal. A detachment of deserters from the Great Asian Alliance has already lost the ability to be active. Kazama and his entourage analyzed this situation. The probability that they will be able to replenish their forces during the day is zero.
It is predicted that even if they decide to conduct sabotage, they will not cause much damage.
"And if they slipped a fake answer... No, thats impossible."
Sanada with a smile of regret replied to the murmur of Kazama:
"Substitution of communication flow is technically possible. However, it is difficult to block others from reading the real answer."
"Really."
Because Kazama himself understood this, he cut short his thought halfway. In addition, the enemy did not have time to organize a false signal.
"The response of the Australian army came."
Kazama, still thinking about the possible deception listened to Fujibayashi who reported on the interception of the message.
"And what do they say?"
As expected, the same encryption key was used from the last decrypted message, so automatic machine decryption was possible.
"It says: 'It is permitted for the operation to continue tomorrow. To successfully complete the assignment, cooperate with the faction of opponents of reconciliation from the Great Asian Alliance.'"
"I see. Yanagi." Having answered "Yes", Yanagi came up from the corner of the room.
"Inform Chen Xiangshan about this and form a detachment with him. I entrust you with the details of the interception."
"I got it." Having given honor to Kazama, Yanagi left the room. His gait a bit easier than usual.
"Despite everything, Australia seems to be self-confident. Maybe they have some new weapons?" Sanada turned to Kazama in a tone that did not seem serious.
"No, I do not think that they will achieve serious success." However, the answer from Kazama contained no signs that he took it as a joke.
"Truly?"
"I also think that this was a somewhat irresponsible order, hoping for a serious success. As the situation worsens for them, if they really wanted to succeed in the sabotage, they would send detailed instructions on the strategy."
In response to a question from Sanada, Fujibayashi expressed her own assumptions. Fujibayashi's answer was close to the thoughts of Kazama.
"Such thinking is for the big bosses who usually stands behind such matters. In addition, instructions issued from afar often will not match the situation on the ground, and management always wants to control the situation as accurately as possible."
Kazama, speaking with sarcasm, had in mind a more general case, applicable not only to the military. Due to the fact that he was treated with a cool attitude because of false accusations for arbitrary actions, even if he was eventually promoted a rank, he still had a tendency to make vicious expressions with respect to his superiors. Naturally, given that they will not hear it.
"And vice versa, when no specific instructions are given, it often means foreseeing failure and unwillingness to take responsibility. In our case, this seems to have occurred."
"The commander's opinion can be understood, but do you not think that if the operation is considered to be a failure beforehand, then they are willing to expose their agents to danger?" Since he is someone who does not agree with Kazama, Sanada expressed his opinion.
"Naturally, I understand this. My opinion is that the Australian army thinks that everything is in order."
Sanada could not hide his surprise at this bold conclusion.
"Will they just throw their magician agents away?"
In contrast to the surprised Sanada, Kazama nodded with an unflappable face.
"If they really did not want to lose their magicians, they would not have put them on such a dangerous operation. This is not just a big risk. It's like walking on a rope without a safety net."
"They were considered one-time garbage from the very beginning...?"
The voice of Fujibayashi, who asked instead Sanada, who was speechless, was trembling slightly.
"Suppose a magician appeared in the USNA, who was recognized as an immediate threat to Japan. Would you send Tatsuya alone to the USNA?"
"No... at least I think that you need to organize enough support."
Fujibayashi nodded understandingly in response to the specific example given.
"Even though there are shortcomings in abilities, or in physical terms they were assigned to a mission of penetration. I think, even though they are competent, that their loss will not be pitied."
Kazama picked up the tablet terminal from the table. It was the same one used during the meeting with Tatsuya on the second floor of the steak house. He brought on screen the same thing as at that moment. A photograph of a mustached man and a girl 12-13 years old in a straw hat.
"For example. What if the look of this 'girl' is not due to taking medications, but because of a genetic anomaly that appeared as a side effect of adjustment?"
"Commander, this is…" The phrase "side effect of adjustment"
paralyzed the language of Fujibayashi.
"It's only a guess. But do you not think that this is possible?"
"And the truth," Instead of Fujibayashi, Sanada became again the opponent of Kazama. "Very much can be this. Moreover, it is not surprising that, if this is an improved magician, her body can burn at any time. The likelihood that Australia conducts research, similar to the said commander, is very high."
After Sanada's conclusion, there were no more comments.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login