Chapter 2: [Infiltration into the USNA (1)]
Orbiting the Earth at an altitude of about 6,400 kilometers was the orbital residence [Takachiho]. This huge artificial satellite, measuring approximately 180 meters in length and up to 20 meters in width, was neither meant for military nor research purposes, but rather to provide a home for a pair — a man and a woman that could no longer live on Earth.
The man's name was Kudou Minoru.
The woman's name was Sakurai Minami.
After becoming Parasites, those two were offered a home in space by none other than Shiba Tatsuya.
Tatsuya had given Takachiho to Minoru and Minami for the sake of relieving the anguish of the woman he loves more than anyone, Miyuki. However, he wasn't solely motivated by emotions when he gave Takachiho to Minoru and Minami.
Tatsuya regarded Minoru's skills highly. And that hadn't changed even after he had renounced his humanity and became a Parasite. There was a clear intention in Tatsuya's mind to secure him as an ally due to his high potential for covert operations.
Minoru was aware of this fact as well. So, he didn't plan to just indulge in idleness either.
Even though he was no longer human and had become a Parasite, he still needed food, water, and air. While Takachiho was able to recycle water and air, he still had to rely on the surface to provide him with food.
Moreover, clothing was also included as consumables. While Minoru didn't mind wearing the same clothes over and over again, he couldn't afford to let his male vanity cause inconvenience to Minami, a young woman in her own right.
Minoru had abandoned humanity to become a Parasite of his own volition, but he had no intention of becoming a Parasite on Tatsuya's wallet. Minoru wanted to be of use to Tatsuya.
As he was asked by Tatsuya to investigate [FAIR] a radical magic supremacist organization that was based in San Francisco, California Minoru quietly burned with fighting spirit as he prepared for his infiltration.
Friday, May 14th. Current time was seven o'clock in the evening.
Tatsuya sat in his lab on Miyakijima, facing the communication device.
[Tatsuya-san, everything is ready here.]
He looked at Minoru's face on the monitor's screen, not of the videophone, but of the infrared laser communication receiver.
Tatsuya and Minoru were about to experiment with moving Takachiho.
Takachiho was embedded with a flight system which utilized the same principle as the AirCar by utilizing the Earth's gravity. But it wasn't possible to use that system to move freely in space. Supposedly, the system would be able to remain stationary, accelerate, and change course at will as long as the satellite orbit was within range of Earth's gravity. However, in reality, the defining principle of "without thrust, satellites would remain in the same orbit as long as they weren't subjected to the gravity of celestial bodies other than its home planet" was just too strong. Therefore, so far, they had only been able to modify the trajectory to the extent that would be regarded as a margin of error.
However, as a result of Minoru's intensive trial and error in a short period of time, the possibility of being able to move around freely with some conditions attached came to light. He calculated that if Takachiho could maintain its ground altitude and return to its original orbit in a short time, it would be possible to shift the orbit by up to 30 degrees to the north or south.
Tatsuya designed an activation sequence based on Minoru's calculations that satisfied the necessary requirements in about two weeks. They were now about to experiment with it.
"Takachiho's tracing status is in order. Minoru, you can begin."
[Okay.]
Minoru's eyes closed halfway on the monitor, and any expression he had before had vanished from his face. Minoru had always had an unusually good appearance, even before he resigned his humanity and became a Parasite, but the lack of expression brought about by his intense mental concentration gave his appearance an even more mysterious 6 quality.
As soon as he began to mentally focus, more specifically, about three seconds later, the monitor suddenly blacked out. Takachiho had moved out of range of the laser communication. Besides being able to transmit a large amount of information, laser communication had the advantage of having a narrow area of coverage and therefore, a low risk of being intercepted. But when the other side was moving at high speeds, the laser wouldn't be able to reach them, and this very same factor would become a disadvantage. For the purpose of maintaining stealth, the infrared laser used to communicate with Takachiho had been made with a higher degree of focus than that of ordinary lasers.
The laser transmitter on the roof of the Miyakijima branch of the Yotsuba family's communications facility tilted it's head slightly. Tatsuya's claim on the tracing of Takachiho's movements wasn't a lie. The antennae caught Takachiho’s position within a second after the disconnection, and communication was restored.
[Tatsuya-san, how was it?]
"……I see a movement of about one degree on the celestial sphere in the past forty seconds. In a twenty minute interval, it will move to 30 degrees. As expected of Minoru, that's right on the mark. Precisely as specified in the Activation Sequence."
[Thank you.]
The activation sequence was the blueprint for the construction of the magic sequence. In regards to modern magic, it could be said that the construction of the magic sequence was the process of compiling the source code which was the activation sequence into an object code that was called the magic sequence. In that sense, the activation of magic was the same process as executing the object code on a computer.
Incidentally, just as the performance of the same source code varied depending on the performance of the hardware used to run it, the performance of a given magic may vary depending on the mageist executing it, even if the activation sequence remained the same. To execute a magic just as it was specified in the activation sequence demanded a high level of skill on the part of the mageist.
In regard to that, Minoru just demonstrated his ability by moving the giant body of Takachiho, which was 180 meters long and 20 meters wide, at the speed of 7.9 kilometers per second just as it was specified in the Activation Sequence. By modern magic standards, Tatsuya's praise of him was rather modest.
[It will take twenty minutes to complete the orbital shift, the satellite will remain in the revised orbit for twenty minutes, and then it will return to its original course in twenty minutes…… It will be about an hour until we get the results of the experiment.]
Minoru recapped the schedule of the experiment in a calm tone, but he couldn't hide the grin on his face. During his human days, even if he had to remain on bedrest due to his physical condition, his talent was something that everyone recognized, so he was used to the shower of praise, but it was a different story when Tatsuya was the one giving him praise. Tatsuya was one of the few mageists that Minoru recognized as superior to himself.
"I'll keep observing from here as well to prevent any problems. I need you, Minoru, to keep an eye on things from the inside."
Tatsuya didn't address Minoru's embarrassment.
[Understood.]
Minoru was aware of Tatsuya's concern, but he didn't mention it either.
Tatsuya nodded towards the monitor screen and then cut off the communication.
Thirty minutes later, Tatsuya reestablished communications with Takachiho. Miyakijima could only communicate with Takachiho up to five times a day, for up to two hours each session. This was due to Takachiho's orbit and the degree of focus required for the communication's lasers necessary to maintain the stealth aspect.
"Minoru, is everything all right over there?"
[So far, so good.]
"I don't see any problems on my end either."
[That's good……. By the way, Tatsuya-san. Can we talk about something a bit unrelated to this?]
"Unrelated to this?"
Tatsuya made a quizzical expression at Minoru's sudden suggestion.
[Ah, no, it's just that it's not directly related to this experiment, but it's not completely unrelated either.]
As the camera conveyed Tatsuya's expression, Minoru hurriedly uttered an excuse.
"I don't mind."
The puzzled look on Tatsuya's face was very brief. As he returned to his placid expression, he gave a small nod.
[Thank you very much. It's about the investigation of FAIR you asked me to do the other day.]
"Ah, that matter."
Tatsuya chimed a back-channeling and urged Minoru to continue with his eyes.
[After this experiment is over, I'm going to land in America.]
"As long as there are no problems in this experiment."
Minoru had an expression on his face that said, "What is this guy talking about?". Which was the opposite of the confidence Minoru had in him, that said "like something you made would ever fail".
[……I'm speaking under the assumption that it will be successful.]
Minoru quickly regained his serious look.
"Go on, then."
Tatsuya obliged, with his unchanging, expressionless face from earlier.
[While I'm down on the surface, Minami-san will be alone, won't she?]
"That's true……. So you want to take Minami to the surface with you because otherwise, you would feel sad for her?"
[……Exactly. You understand it well, don't you?]
Minoru couldn't hide his surprise. Although Minoru was aware that Tatsuya wasn't entirely a heartless person, he didn't think of him as understanding before the sentimentalism he expressed in his previous remark.
"But I wasn't considering that Minami would be left alone. It was you who thought that. Also, you don't plan to be away from Takachiho that long, do you?"
[Of course, I intend to return every day. But if I were the only one who got to come down to the surface, that would be…..]
Minoru couldn't finish his answer to Tatsuya's query.
"You would feel guilty?"
[……Yes]
Minoru nodded hesitantly. He understood that they, as Parasites, were frowned upon by people in general. And, aware of this fact, he was the one who had turned Minami into a Parasite, and thus had no right to speak of such things.
"……I understand that feeling very well. So, Minoru, what do you want from me? Should I keep Minami here with us while you are infiltrating the USNA?"
[You can do that?!]
Minoru's astonishment was evident. Considering the underlying circumstances which made Takachiho the only place they could live, his surprise was justified.
"We can harbor her if it's only for a short time. And, as you would imagine, any other place beyond this island is out of the question."
Miyakijima is a sort of extraterritorial territory. There are certain hidden authorities in Japan that do not tolerate the existence of Youma 7 in the country, but as long as they remained on the island for a short period of time, those hidden authorities would refrain from interfering. Currently, it wouldn’t be difficult for Tatsuya to allow her a sojourn 8 on the island for a couple of days.
[I'm sure Minami-san will be happy if you do… but what I was going to ask of you, Tatsuya-san, is something a little different.]
"If it is something I can't do, I'll say it, so you don't have to worry — just say it."
At Tatsuya's rather heartless words, Minoru almost involuntarily nodded and said, "That's true, isn't it?".
[Thank you very much.]
But instead, he actually just gave a safe reply.
[Actually, I was just thinking of letting Minami-san step on American soil with me.]
"I don't see why not. With the skill you both have, I'm sure there will be no danger."
Tatsuya immediately agreed.
Minoru had already gotten over being surprised.
"But in that case, there will be no one taking care of 9 Takachiho."
"Is that what you're worried about? Well, the risk of an attack is certainly not zero."
From the viewpoint of other countries, Takachiho was a giant artificial object with no affiliation nor identity. Moreover, it was originally a ballistic missile submarine. Despite taking all possible measures to ensure all aspects of its stealth, if it were to be spotted, there was a good chance that it would be mistaken for a military satellite and therefore attacked.
[That's just one thing, if we both go down to the surface, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong with Takachiho itself, we won't be able to respond.]
"I see. We should surely take that risk into account."
Takachiho was a former New Soviet Union submarine that Tatsuya had refitted himself, but he didn't have the hubris to believe that something he had built would never break down.
[So, could you have someone stationed at Takachiho while both of us are on the surface?]
"You mean having someone house-sit?"
[Ah, no… well, in a nutshell, yes.]
Minoru mumbled awkwardly, then acknowledged Tatsuya's words.
"All right. I will have someone in charge of Takachiho's safeguarding when you're both away, as you suggested."
[I would really appreciate it.]
Assuming that the matter was now settled, Minoru bowed his head looking relieved.
However, it was premature of him.
"I'll send you the latest battery-powered gynoid that will serve as the primer for a Parasite Doll, and a doll with a sealed Parasite from three years ago."
[Huh……?]
Minoru didn't immediately understand the meaning behind this unexpected conclusion.
[You want me to make a Parasite Doll?]
"I think it would be most suitable for Minoru's intended purpose."
[……Well, it would.]
If it was a battery-powered gynoid, it wouldn't consume the limited oxygen and water, and it could be charged at any time from the onboard stellar reactor or even from the solar panels that were deployed outside the ship. Moreover, it wouldn't require any sleep, rest, or food.
And this wouldn't be Minoru's first time creating and subjugating 10 a Parasite Doll under his control. Three years ago, he even controlled several at once. The chances of him losing control of his Parasite Doll were slim to none.
A servant that he could use tirelessly and without any worry of betrayal.
It certainly fit Minoru's needs to a tee.
[……Don't tell me you'd anticipated my request?]
Still, Minoru couldn't help but feel everything was happening too fast, and he couldn't help but ask him such a question.
"Not exactly, but……."
Tatsuya let out a wry smile.
"The Parasite Doll is a useful tool as long as you don't misuse it. I was planning on having you try some things with them eventually, so it's like hitting two birds with one stone."
While Minoru didn't feel like all his questions (worries) were answered, he still bowed his head once more, saying, "Thank you very much."
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