Miyuki somehow managed to distract her mind from the shock caused by using "Synchronized Linear Fusion", but she could not get rid of the thought that "people who cannot use magic" will consider magicians to be dangerous.
For an anti-magic movement, this can be an event that will help spread their countless complaints to society. Despite the fact that people were afraid of magical power, there were a large number of magicians controlled by the government. However, since the government has officially recognized the use of Strategic Class Magic, the fears of people who cannot use magic have come true.
The Japanese government did not disclose any details of the attack that destroyed the naval base of the Great Asian Alliance in late October 2095. And on official requests of other countries through diplomatic channels, and requests for disclosure of details from the media, the answer was a refusal with the same words: "military secrets."
From the situation it was obvious that Strategic Class Magic was used for this mass destruction, but the Japanese government did not recognize this. It was natural to hide the existence of the "Strategic Class Magician, a special officer named Ooguro Ryuuya," which could become a trump card in any war, but at the same time, in fact, there was no sense in justifying the use of the Magic of Mass Destruction / Mass Murder in a real war. If you confirm this, then likelihood of being attacked by Strategic Class Magic of other countries will also increase.
Even if it is such a "secret" that everyone knows, for the interested party it is still very important not to recognize it. Do not recognize officially -
then do not use it openly. Even on October 31, 2095, despite using it in an emergency, a strong psychological load was required to make a final decision.
Accordingly, similar officially opened weapons of mass destruction, too, there are similar obstacles to use. Like the principles "we do not want to use weapons of mass destruction." The use of Strategic Class Magic in real combat also obeyed these principles.
But this time, it is obvious that the Brazilian army used Strategic Class
Magic, with an attitude toward it, like any other weapon.
Although they themselves did not say this, such an easy recognition of the use of "Synchronized Linear Fusion" is equivalent to such a statement. And the decisive factor of agreement was the fact that this magic is difficult to hide. The Brazilian government simply decided that using Strategic Class Magic as a means of resolving disputes is acceptable. Therefore, they made an official statement recognizing the use of "Synchronized Linear Fusion".
"Scorched Halloween" greatly shattered the psychological barriers of the various armies of the world, preventing the use of Strategic Class Magic.
And in this particular case, political barriers finally collapsed. Those who understood this reacted more aggressively than before.
United States of North America (USNA), New Mexico, a neighborhood of the city of Roswell. Local time: 15:00, 1 April. In Japan, it's now 6:00, April 2.
"The uprising in Mexico!?" There was a cry of a young girl at the headquarters of "Stars", a magician's corps subordinated directly to the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the army of the USNA. "Even for an April Fools'
joke, the quality is very bad, Sylvie."
Major Angelina Sirius, the commander-in-chief of the Stars, with a strained smile looked at the assistant who had become her friend since the time of the secret operation in Japan, the warrant officer Sylvia Mercury First.
Lina hoped that Sylvia with an apologetic smile would say something like "oh, I was discovered?".
However, Sylvia did not smile at all, and with a serious face said:
"Commander-in-chief, it's true."
"...In fact?"
"At 9:50 local time, in Monterrey, North Mexico, there were riots caused by an anti-magic organization. The state troops were sent to suppress the
insurrection, but suddenly a part of them opened fire on their own. As I understand, they decided to join the rioters. However, the shots, as it turned out, were precautionary, and there were no casualties." Sylvia said in a business tone who was afraid to ask Lina.
Incidentally, "the state of Northern Mexico" is an administrative entity created when Mexico was absorbed by the USNA. The territory of the former Mexico was reorganized, forming three new states. South Mexico, located around the city of Mexico City. East Mexico, located from the isthmus of Tehuantepec to the Yucatán Peninsula. Northern Mexico, covering the rest of the territory in the north, including the California Peninsula.
"Government troops joined the rebels!? How did it come to this..."
"It seemed like a bad idea to send a detachment of Wiz Guard along with state troops."
"They sent a detachment of Wiz Guard, consisting of low-level magicians, to suppress the anti-magic mutiny!? Yes, this is how to add fuel to the fire!"
Regular National Guard troops of each state, maintaining security, do not have magician units in their composition. But on the other hand, the federal government established the internal security service "Wiz Guard", which gathered soldiers who were low-level magicians who did not qualify for "Stars". Because of this initial difference, the two organizations never got along well with each other. And in addition to this, they sent magicians of the "Wiz Guard" to eliminate the revolt against the magicians. Therefore, the question arose, did someone in the government consciously want to increase the turmoil?
"Who!" Who gave this order !? What was he thinking about !?"
"I do not know from what level the intention came to give the order to send the Wiz Guard. However, it is obvious to me that the situation has exceeded the expectations of these people."
"... In what sense?" Lina cooled slightly, continuing to respond in an uninterested tone to Sylvia.
After surprise and anger, she suddenly began to show a calm attitude to the issue.
"A group of soldiers who crossed over to the side of the rebels, from the very beginning were negatively inclined towards magicians. Initially sympathizing with the anti-magic organization, they wanted to solve this issue peacefully. It seems they came to an understanding with the party that organized this riot."
"The Wiz Guard dragged in there went to such measures only because ...?"
"Yes, unfortunately."
"Is the Commander of the Wiz Guard - an idiot, or what?"
Sylvia did not reproach Lina with her thoughts aloud. Because Sylvia herself had a similar opinion. Given that the name "Wiz Guard" was short for "Magician Guard", and the word magician bears the meaning of
"good sage", one could not deny their sense of losing their "name."
"Suppose that there was resistance from those outside of the Wiz Guard.
But at a point when the Wiz Guard squad crossed the line, not only the members of the anti-magic movement, but also the local citizens began to join the riots, and at the moment the large administrative body of Monterrey has already fallen into the hands of the insurgents."
Between Roswell and Monterrey there is a 1 hour time difference.
Monterrey is now 16 hours, that is, since the beginning of the riots, it has already been 6 hours. Both the National Guard and the Wiz Guard took about 4-5 hours to arrive in the field, so it appears that the administrative authorities were captured about an hour ago.
"How so..."
For some time, Lina could not accept Sylvia's last words.
"... So the Joint Chiefs of Staff wants us to suppress this insurrection?"
With a wary face, Lina asked about her mission, still gazing at Sylvia.
"No, as expected, the headquarters did not order anything reckless."
Hearing this, Lina slightly relaxed her tense face.
The stars are not a unit responsible for maintaining public security. Even if their job is to get rid of the magician-deserters, their main task is to confront foreign troops. Therefore, it is unlikely that they will be assigned such a task to suppress the uprising. Hearing this, Lina felt relieved that she would not have to harm the citizens of her own country, the USNA.
However, this small sense of relief immediately passed.
"The order of the main headquarters is to save the detachment from the rioting crowd, before everything becomes too bad for the Wiz Guard. At the same time, civilian damage, including rioters, is required to be minimized."
"As if it's so easy ... Thank you, though they do not make you harm your citizens."
Putting her hand to her forehead, Lina tried to console herself. She was glad that she would not need to send a muzzle or blade to the same Americans (they were former Mexicans, and now they are real Americans), although she was well aware that the complexity of the mission is significantly increasing.
"Commander Walker was ordered to immediately organize a meeting, which will also consider the candidates to send."
Colonel Paul Walker is the commander of this base. The Stars Commander-in-Chief is Lina, but Commander Walker can control the Stars from the point of view of non-magical subordination.
"Colonel? And where is he?"
"Waiting in the office of the commander of the base. Major Canopus is also due to arrive soon."
Canopus is the commander of the First Corps of the Stars, and next to Lina is the Second Number in the Stars.
"Has Ben called you yet? I understand. Tell the commander that I'll be there in 5 minutes."
Being a high-class magician, but not yet having enough experience and skills in her short career as a military leader, Lina relied heavily on Canopus in matters of command and control. Quite frankly, on such an important issue she could not have solved anything without his advice. If Walker did not do this, then Lina herself would have called Canopus.
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief." Sylvia saluted and left the locker room.
Having removed the dirty fighting clothes after training and left in a T-shirt, Lina hurried to continue dressing.
The capital of the German federation, Berlin. Local time: 10:30, April 3.
In Japan, it's 17:30 the same day.
At the University of Berlin (renamed from the Free University of Berlin), students formed two groups of demonstrators, a group for the boycott of magicians and a group for co-existence with magicians. These groups got involved in a conflict on campus territory.
The use of violence and brute force has not yet been reached. While both sides are relatively calm and simply insulting each other. But with their enthusiasm, this at any moment can turn into a fight. It cannot be denied that this could eventually evolve into a real armed clash. In addition, for the magicians themselves, it was inconvenient not only for the claims of the anti-magicians, but also for the defenders in the style of "we must accept the magicians."
Professor Karl Schmidt looked with bitterness on her face from her laboratory at this quarrel, which had no logical arguments. But she looked through the monitor, and not through the window. It is not known what would have happened, show it to their face in the window. It can come not only with a bullet, but with a gun shell. Professor Schmidt knew this from the personal experience of the past few months.
Immediately after she looked away from the monitor, the video call indicator blinked. Schmidt did not use the remote control of the voice, but pressed the answer button on the console with her hand.
"Good morning, Professor Schmidt. How are you?"
"Professor MacLeod ... I have not seen you for a long time. Thank God, you're still healthy."
A small pause after the name of the interlocutor emerged due to the surprise of a call from a person whom she had not seen for a long time.
However, she quickly regained her usual facial expression
"And you, Professor, how are you?"
"Age already affects me, but fortunately, there are no special problems yet. And by the way, Professor Schmidt, as I said before, my current place of work is not a university, so I'm now not a professor." MacLeod did not protest seriously. It was a kind of joke, and his face on the screen showed a polite smile.
"In our country, Herr MacLeod, your proficiency is still valid. I think that at this university professors will be happy to accept you at any time." However, Schmidt did not even smile and did not break her serious tone.
"I think our British University will also receive you at any time, madam." MacLeod did not try to offend. But in his straightforward phrase, there was a slight feeling of an admixture of some kind of anxiety, which had not existed before. "There seems to be something terrible happening at the University of Berlin."
"You already know?" As she said this Schmidt looked not surprised, but ashamed.
"The news has even reached here. Now even the broadcast from the scene of events."
"At the university, after all, they decided to refuse an interview..."
Schmidt expressed disagreement, not believing. However, people who are shooting cannot be connected with MacLeod, so there is no point in making a claim to him.
Freedom of access to information is one of the basic principles of democracy. Even if there is no way to interview, there are always many interesting things that the camera will see.
Schmidt sighed in front of the camera. She knew from the beginning that it was pointless to be angry with MacLeod.
"Professor. Have you called me to discuss the importance of the existence of the media? "However, Schmidt felt that valuable research time was groundlessly spent talking about the trouble she already knows about.
"I'm sorry. It looks like we are a little distracted by the empty chatter."
MacLeod understood that she was serious. His figure on the screen straightened."Professor Schmidt. Would you like to escape to Britain?"
"Professor..."
"This is not a joke. I seriously invite you." MacLeod interrupted Schmidt, speaking with concern, with a serious voice.
"You have a bad temper, if you are not joking. People like you or I cannot afford to flee to another country."
Carla Schmidt is the same as MacLeod, a Strategic Class Magician, officially open to the public. One of the Thirteen Apostles. It is the backbone of all defense of its country. After the events of "Scorched Halloween," its value was recognized even more. Until October 31, 2095, she might still have thought about fleeing. But now, when a year and a half has passed since this major incident, the government will not allow the departure of the Strategic Class Magician from the country to which he belongs.
"I think in Germany, madam, you are not very comfortable right now.
"...you are absolutely right, professor."
"Sorry. However, if you are aware of the situation, you must first think about yourself. Among young people, support for the principles of parties with racist ideas like "magicians are inferior people, and their rights should be limited"
MacLeod interrupted his speech, because he saw that Schmidt frowned.
She was unbearable with the idea that the citizens of her country, the Germans, in their stupid youth are being led to incitement and abandon logical thinking. But she did not stop MacLeod's speech.
"While the military is expanding its influence, under which magicians should be given in full for the sake of the country, and magic is considered an instrument, magic researchers seriously engaged in peaceful research, like you, Madame, lose their destiny, do they not?"
Schmidt could not object to what MacLeod said. Her silence meant agreement.
"Fortunately, in my country, extremist ideas against magic were sorted out at an early stage, and there is practically no conflict between citizens on this ground."
"Did not your country isolate the adherents of anti-magic ideas at the local level?"
"So it is. For those who cannot live together, the best solution is to change the place of residence."
For Schmidt her words were absolute sarcasm, but this did not work for MacLeod.
"But this is also a temporary measure. Once they accept coexistence, they can return to their original homes at any time. In our UK, the name of His Majesty the King, both magicians and non-magicians are given the same opportunities."
The proposal of MacLeod sounded very attractive for the current Karla Schmidt.
"...A wonderful story, however, I still cannot leave my country."
Probably, that's why she could refuse it. The stories with too good circumstances always have another, dark side. The situation that surrounded her, the world in which she lived, left such a lesson in the depths of her heart.
"I see. At the moment it's still okay, I guess. However, if your life as a researcher becomes really difficult, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. I will never think badly about your request."
"Thanks for your words. Well, then, all the best."
Avoiding to hear MacLeod's answer, Schmidt quickly turned off the videophone. On the way back to the table, her gaze fell on the monitor, showing the situation outside. Next to the building where her laboratory was located, the students have already begun to fight.
The new Soviet Union, the Black Sea base. Local Time: 11:00, 4 April.
In Japan, it's 17:00 the same day.
Lieutenant-General Leonid Kondrachenko met a special guest from Moscow.
"Your Excellency, we have not met each other."
"Welcome. Dr. Bezobrazzoff, glad to see you."
Kondrachenko's visitor was a man who, at a relatively young age (slightly over forty), had already been recognized as a leading researcher of magic at the Academy of Sciences of the New Soviet Union. It was Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazzoff, who was also one of the
"Thirteen Apostles", the officially disclosed Strategic Class Magicians . Although officially he was an ordinary scientist, it was rumored that his voice in the country is on par with the Minister of Defense.
Speaking about special people, Kondrachenko also took a unique position in the Black Sea base. He is authorized to freely use the personnel and supply of this base, while not being its commander. The commander of the base has the same as his rank of Lieutenant-General, therefore Kondrachenko is not obliged to obey him either.
According to the conventional military system, Kondrachenko must report directly to the Minister of Defense, but in reality only the Prime Minister can give him orders.
(The new Soviet Union did not adopt the presidential system, the supreme power is held by the Prime Minister of the Union government.)
Kondrachenko invited Bezobrazzoff to his private office. To be precise, it is in the reception room arranged on the basis of his personal residence. The Kondrachenko Residence possessed a luxurious layout and design comparable to the level of luxury rooms of first-class international hotels, and the service organized by the base's staff was at the level of the employees of the above-mentioned first-class hotels.
Although there was one inconvenience, the total absence of women.
Kondrachenko was not gay, and the pretty low-ranking subordinate bases, dressed up by servants, did not provoke him.
"The doctor after all that is not drinking?"
"I apologize for the mistake." With an apologetic face answered Bezobrazzoff on Kondrachenko's question.
"What do you like. I myself have not been very tolerant of alcohol lately."
He laughed, and Kondrachenko snapped his finger twice. Soon the subordinate appeared and brought a small samovar (kettle-water heater), two tea cups and two small bowls with jam (fruit broth with sugar).
Pouring the brewed tea from the tea pot set on the top of the samovar, the subordinate set the cup and bowl with jam to Bezobrazzoff. Serving Kondrachenko in the same way, putting the samovar between them, and having received an approving nod from his master, the subordinate retired from the waiting room.
Kondrachenko did not taste tea, poured hot water into a cup from a samovar, put a little jam in his mouth and took a sip of tea. Ugly, after having tasted the tea and jam on the palate, also added some hot water to the cup. Taking the cups in hand, the two looked at each other again.
"So ... Can I find out the reason for your visit, Doctor?"
"Perhaps this is exactly what you thought, Your Excellency."
When he heard Bezobrazzoff's answer, Kondrachenko frowned. He made this expression for the first time in his entire meeting with Bezobrazzoff today.
"Is it because of the riot that took place yesterday at our base? But we have already solved this problem."
"I know. If I was worried about this, I would have come to the commander of the base, not to your Excellency."
"Indeed so." Kondrachenko took off his gloomy expression from his face with a gray beard. "Then, I wonder, what did you want to ask?"
After Kondrachenko's question, Bezobrazzoff showed slight indecision.
"...I am a researcher of magic, not a policeman."
"Of course, I understand." Kondrachenko said to Bezobrazzoff who in a mournful tone, answered with a clear voice, unusual for his age.
Perhaps, here his special manner of speech affected. Bezobrazzoff got rid of the hesitation and moved on to the main topic.
"So, I'm not here because of the search for the perpetrators of the mutiny. I'm here to find out if magic was involved in yesterday's riots."
"In other words, do you suspect that this is the work of a foreign or opposition magician? Do you think the incitement of a mutiny, no, the insurrection was made with the help of psychic interference magic?"
"I would not say that I came to this conclusion. However, there is such a possibility, I suppose. Of the nine Strategic Class Magicians in our country, only two are open to the outside world: Your Excellency and I. In my opinion, it's hard to imagine a Strategic Class Magician, officially announced to the whole world who will stick to the base, to which he is affixed."
"I do not think I'm willing to accept the usefulness of those worsened clone copies that cannot even leave the sterile room without protective clothing, but I understand your concern. However, your suspicions are superfluous."
"True?" Accidentally escaped from Bezobrazzoff. Kondrachenko looked at him with a stern face.
"Do you want to say, my intuition cannot be trusted?"
"I apologize. I did not mean anything like that."
In response to the reprimand Kondrachenko, Bezobrazzoff guiltily lowered his head.
"...The reason for your suspicion doctor, is that you probably suspect the involvement of 'Dracula.'"
Since Bezobrazzoff instantly apologized, then Kondrachenko also went to meet him.
"What an insight, I'm surprised."
This was a hit in the top ten, and Bezobrazzoff could only raise the white flag. "Dracula", which Kondrachenko mentioned, is the code name of a Romanian magician specializing in secret murders and sabotage. He is not just an expert on illegal operations, even his real name is unknown. There are even rumors that he is a hidden Strategic Class Magician, but there is no confirmation. This Black Sea base was not far from the Romanian border (the Black Sea base and the base of the Black Sea Fleet are two different bases). Therefore, when Bezobrazzoff heard about the riots on the Black Sea base, the first idea was precisely the participation of Dracula.
"To be honest, I'm also surprised."
"What?" Bezobrazzoff opened his mouth in surprise. Seeing this, Kondrachenko grinned quite a bit.
"Thus, the soldiers who organized the riots were carefully studied for traces of the magic of mental intervention. As for the instigators of the riot, I personally conducted an investigation."
"I see... Apparently, I was unnecessarily worried."
"Please do not worry. I understand that the doctor is also under the influence of these Kremlin panties. ...Well, it's true, between us."
"I understand."
Kondrachenko and Bezobrazzoff had the same smiles of a mischievous child on their faces. A calm atmosphere returned between them.
"But your Excellency. If yesterday's riots are not connected with the sabotage of foreign forces or the opposition, should not they be afraid of repeating it?"
"This is a conflict between soldiers based on the relationship of magicians and non-magicians."
Bezobrazzoff nodded in agreement with Kondrachenko's words.
"In America and Japan, the anti-magic movement has spread, fueled by complaints and dissatisfaction with social inequality. However, in our Union there is no social inequality."
Actually, it was "not supposed to exist," but Kondrachenko and Bezobrazzoff themselves considered such reservations superfluous.
"There was another point in yesterday's riot of supporters of the anti-magic movement."
"Exactly. Soldiers who are not magicians feel uneasy. In the near future it is expected that only magicians will be active in the army, so they are afraid that they will become unnecessary."
With an understanding face, Bezobrazzoff expressed his agreement with Kondrachenko's words.
"In fact, it is impossible to organize an army consisting of magicians alone. Even if we organize a separate magical military unit, we will not be able to find as many magicians as possible to cover the entire personnel."
"But for soldiers to understand this, they need to go to the real battlefield." Bezobrazzoff again expressed his agreement with Kondrachenko's remarks. "Then, let's organize such an opportunity."
"Wow... Doctor, do you have a specific place to attack?"
Kondrachenko looked steadily at Bezobrazzoff's gaze, which you cannot tell what he is already over 70.
"Unfortunately, in Europe there is no suitable place for the transfer of soldiers."Under this look he apologized not only in words, but also cringed all over. But this turned out to be unnecessary worry.
"About the military situation in Europe, doctor, I know much better than you."
"Really. I'm sorry."
"In other words, if not Europe, then... Far East?"
"Yes." Bezobrazzoff cautiously agreed with Kondrachenko's suggestion. "Just the other day an incident occurred in which the junior officers of the Hong Kong army with a group of their subordinates deserted from the army and fled the Great Asian Alliance."
"Interesting. This is the first time I heard of it."
"I only recently found out myself. Further, in order to catch these deserters, the Great Asian Alliance cooperated with the army of Japan."
"Did deserters plan any kind of subversive activity in Japan...?"
"Correct. But they have already been defeated."
"That's it, that's understandable. Finally, having resolved their long-standing hostility, the Great Asian Alliance and Japan, showing each other and all the others their cooperation, use this to ease tensions. If you think so, then this is quite natural. There are no people or organizations that could live in a constant state of war.
We will use this."
Stroking his long gray beard, Kondrachenko nodded several times.
"I will suggest this to the Kremlin when I return to Moscow. If the operation is approved, I think I will be able to include in it the subordinates of your Excellency."
"This will be a good test for the soldiers."
"Doctor, then I ask you to do this for me."
Kondrachenko bowed slightly to Bezobrazzoff. It was difficult for him to walk, since his knee was damaged and he used a cane. Of course, Bezobrazzoff understood this well, and with a smile bowed in reply to the old general, showing his consent.
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