Off the Coast of Ishikari Bay, a Battle of Attrition.... No, We're On the Defensive
The Mobile Battleship Ama no Murakumo slowly approached the designated coordinates off the coast of Ishikari Bay, maintaining an altitude of 150m. Meanwhile, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' patrol aircraft and TV news helicopters followed closely behind.
"*beep*.... Arrived 500m off the coast of Ishikari Bay. Maintaining an altitude of 150m. Launching D-Anchor."
"Okay.... wait, what's that?"
"*beep*.... D-Anchor Launched."
Anchors were launched horizontally from the left and right bow and the left and right stern. They flew about 300m and then pierced into space, forming cracks. The cracks slowly closed as the anchors stabilized, fixing the battleship in the air.
"That was crazy.... I just answered without thinking, but is that how D-Anchors works?"
"Yes. Dimension Anchor is a piece of equipment used to secure the ship in space."
"That's right. By the way, Octa One, what powers this ship?"
"*beep*.... It's a Saraswati series magic generator. It's made up of four main reactors, eight sub-reactors, and four space submarine generators."
"Yeah, I shouldn't have asked. I already have all the information related to this ship in my head. Now then, what should we do next...."
I sat cross-legged in the captain's seat. On the monitor, a patrol aircraft was flying in a large arc, while TV news helicopters were flying around the D-Anchors, filming. Then one of the Self-Defense Force's helicopter flew over, slowly hovering above Ama no Murakumo.
"Octa One, what happens if the helicopter tries to land on this ship?"
"*beep*.... It will be blocked by the force field barrier that surrounds the entire ship. Therefore, it will land in the space 20 meters above the ship."
"Will there be any damage to the helicopter or its passenger?"
"*beep*.... No. However, if hostile acts or attacks are performed, Shock Bolts will be fired by the automated defense system --- Truss One."
Isn't that a pretty strong defense system? From the information in my head, Shock Bolts are countless bolts of lightning that run through the force field. Hold on, that could kill people instantly!
"Truss One, I prohibit firing Shock Bolts. Or at least weaken its power to static electricity level."
"*beep*.... This is Truss One, understood."
"*beep*.... In case of battle, we will use the appropriate attack pattern to annihilate the enemy."
"That's no good either, Octa One. Why are you so determined to annihilate those who attack us?"
"*beep*.... It's to protect Captain Misaki."
"That's excessive even for a self-defense. Just increase the strength of the force field to a level that completely blocks the impact. You can do that much, right?”
If I leave them unchecked, Ama no Murakumo might take over the world. Before it gets to that point, I should at least set the system to a full defense mode. In the first place, Earth's current weaponry should not be able to penetrate our defense.
“*beep*.... Yes, understood.”
"Good. I'm going to rest for a bit. Too much has happened in a short amount of time, and my thoughts are getting scattered."
"*beep*.... I think that’s a good idea."
Okay, okay, please handle the rest.
I left the bridge and headed to the hot spring inn in the residential area, to enjoy the open-air bath.
I haven't been to a hot spring bath since my last company's recreational trip. At that time, we were taken to Jozankei hot spring resort by the company car right after work, and then we immediately had a drinking party in the name of 'entertaining’ the higher-ups.
When the higher-ups were using the hot spring, we weren't allowed to enter due to 'seniority' reasons, and had to wait outside. On top of that, after we had just finished our bath, we had to accompany the higher-ups playing mahjong.
Do you know how stressful it was to play mahjong, which you were not allowed to win? This continued until late at night, and it was only after the higher-ups went to bed that we could finally rest. Then morning came, we greeted the higher-ups, and went straight to work.
That was when I learned that company's recreational trips were something we did to entertain the higher-ups
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An open-air bath. Floating cypress tub, cold sake, and salted fish.
"Kuhh~ Delicious! And it's a treat for the eyes!"
I finally remembered after getting into the bath. My body had become something incredible. About 150cm tall body, with a baby face and straight black hair. Plus 94cm F cup.
This is bad. I really like this body!
Well, I say that, but I'm not aroused by my own body. No, in reality, I would be extremely aroused and I would want to sneak into my room to do this and that, but.... my mind and body are just exhausted.
"Oh, they are floating! Maybe I can try doing a tokkuri challenge instead of a tapioca challenge with these."
With a pounding heart, I gently place the tokkuri on my floating boobs.
"*beep*.... I'm sorry for interrupting your fun, but sixteen unidentified aircraft are approaching Ama no Murakumo."
"I-I'm not doing anything strange! It's just a man's curiosity."
"*beep*.... I don't have a body, so I don't understand. Please return to the bridge immediately."
"Okay, I’m coming, I’m coming."
I poured hot water over my head and get out of the bath. I was too lazy to change into my clothes, so I put on a yukata and wrapped a towel around my head.
This will do.
There is no one else but me on this ship, after all.
Now then, let's get back to work.
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The US Department of Defense contacted Misawa Air Base 10 minutes after the Japanese government issued a statement regarding the unidentified flying object. Then, equipped with ground bombs, the F-15X Lighting II fighter jets that were on standby there immediately took off. Simultaneously, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force dispatched their F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jets from Chitose Air Base.
"*beep*.... Bear One to all units. No attack orders have been issued. Make a wide turn and continue to observe the situation."
"Copy that!!"
However, such an order was not transmitted to the US' side, so as a result, they immediately initiated an attack on the gigantic flying object in front of them.
"Alan One to all units. Commencing the attack. Bravo One to Bravo Four will begin bombing from the rear, and Charlie One to Charlie Four will begin bombing from above. This combat action is within the scope of the Japan-US Security Treaty, I repeat...."
"Copy that!!"
The eight Lighting IIs began to make wide turns. Four made a wide turn to circle around the rear, while the other four began to climb rapidly.
"Engage!!"
At the captain's command, a simultaneous attack was launched on the rear boosters and the gun ports on the top of Ama no Murakumo.
*boom* *boom* *boom* *boom*
Dozens of explosions hit Ama no Murakumo. Following that, a US Navy V-107 Sea Knight approached the bombing point. The plan was to infiltrate the ship through the destroyed part once the flames had subsided.
"Impossible.... It should have been a direct hit, right? What the hell is going on here?"
There wasn't even a single scratch on Ama no Murakumo because the force field had nullified all the damage. However, neither the US military nor the Japanese Self-Defense Forces had any way of knowing this fact. All they knew was that it was strong enough to withstand attacks from the US’ prided strategic bombers.
"Commence landing operation. Blow up the enemy ship's armor and infiltrate."
Following the order from their superior officer, they attempted to land the Sea Knight on Ame no Murakumo. However, they collided with an invisible wall 20 meters from the surface and was forced to ascend rapidly.
"What the hell!? Are you telling me that there's an invisible wall protecting that gigantic battleship? Something that even our bombing attacks cannot break through?"
"Your next command, sir!"
"........ we will retreat for now.."
It was a bitter decision. Even the US' most cutting-edge military forces were unable to even get close to this gigantic, unidentified object, let alone leave a scratch on it.
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Meanwhile, on the main bridge of the Ama no Murakumo, Misaki Tendou was sitting cross-legged in the captain's seat, panicking.
"Hey, hey, I know that the barrier is invisible, but don't just carelessly approach something that even your bombing attack couldn't scratch it. The helicopter was knocked off balance because of that. Please keep your distance because it's very dangerous."
"*beep*.... We can warn them through the communication system."
"Let's do that! Ummm.... please tell them that we came in peace, so do not attack us.”
"*beep*.... Understood. Do you want to contact the US military or the Japanese military?"
"Japan doesn't have a military. It's called a Self-Defense Force. Well, I think they'll be more likely to listen to us."
"*beep*.... Understood. Hacking into Japan's communication lines.... Success. Initiating a communication...."
"I will let you handle the talk."
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Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort ship, Myoko. Having received information that an unidentified flying object was moving toward the coast of Ishikari Bay, the ship hastily headed there.
"*beep*...."
"Captain. There's a transmission from an unidentified code."
"What!? Are you saying that someone interfered with the Self-Defense Forces' encrypted communication line?"
"Yes, what should we do?"
"Intercepted them.... no, wait, I will answer it."
The Myoko's captain took the headset from from the radio operator and then put it on his head.
"The line is open."
"This is the escort ship Myoko of JMSDF. Please state your country affiliation and registration code."
"*beep*.... We don’t belong to any country nor have a registration code. I am Octa-One, the Magical Brain of the Mobile Battleship Ama no Murakumo. We came in peace, so do not attack us. I repeat, we came in peace, so do not attack us."
To his surprise, the speaker spoke fluent Japanese and mentioned Mobile Battleship Ama no Murakumo.
Could this be a communication from that unidentified flying object? But what does not belong to any country mean?
"I will ask once more, which country are you affiliated to?"
"*beep*.... We --- [Just tell him that we're going to create one or something.] --- don’t belong to any country, but we are planning to create our own country in the near future."
Maybe due to the sensitivity of their microphone was pretty high, the captain could hear another voice speaking in Japanese from the background.
Surely, a Japanese citizen would not possess something like a mobile battleship, right? That would be a serious crime, not just a violation of the constitution.
"To the captain of the Ama no Murakumo, it is prohibited by Japanese law for an individual to own weapons. I don't know how you managed to get your hands on such a weapon, but please surrender immediately."
"*beep*.... You seems to be under some kind of misunderstanding. The captain of Ama no Murakume is not Japanese, nor she holds a Japanese citizenship. Not in the past, the present, or the future. Instead of talking about such foolish things, you should use that time to convey our message to the whole world --- [What are you getting angry for?]."
Hold on, could it be that I'm not talking to the captain of Ama no Murakumo right now?
"I want to talk to your captain directly."
"I refuse!! My captain is easily fooled, so I'll negotiate on her behalf. --- [Hey, who's easily fooled?] Now, now, just leave this to me. --- I will say this once more, we came in peace, so do not attack us."
"Understood. I'll pass on your message to my superiors."
"Thank you for your cooperation."
"The transmission has been cut, Captain."
"Contact the Ministry of Defense immediately. Forward the recording as is."
Things are getting even more complicated....
Currently, the order to attack the 'unidentified flying object' that violated the territorial integrity of Japan has been issued. The US is eager to deploy their military forces, citing the Japan-US Security Treaty. In addition, the Chinese government has just issued a statement, declaring the ownership of the flying object.
It's something that Japan doesn't want to get involved in carelessly, but from what I've learned from the communication earlier, the other party speaks fluent Japanese. Based on this, Japan should have a higher chance of opening the negotiation table than other countries.
"Phew~ Call me when you get a hold of the Defense Minister. I'm going to take a little rest."
"Yes, sir."
This is a headache-inducing case.
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The bridge of Ama no Murakumo
"Hey, Octa One, what's with your condescending attitude during the talk earlier?"
"*beep*.... You are too kind, Captain. With that kind of personality, you will be deceived into handing over Ama no Murakumo. You should not shy away and believe that you have the upper hand in negotiations."
"You have a point, but...."
"*beep*.... Being too kind is a sin. You also have such a low self-esteem, so even if you date a woman, she always says, 'You are a good man. Let's just be friends.' in the end."
*stab*
"Guahhh!!"
"When your coworkers are in trouble because they have to work overtime, you will volunteer yourself to finish their work so they can go home on time. They think you're a good person.... a good person to push work onto."
*slash*
"T-That's not true...."
"*beep*.... From analyzing your personality, I can come up with about 25 other examples of your 'kind-hearted behavior'. I don't know about the events in your past, but I can predict to some extent that some of these examples did happen."
*bang*
"I'm sorry.... I will do better tomorrow, so please spare me today."
"*beep*.... I have a bio-activation magic circle, would you like to use it? It will recover fatigue in just five minutes and compensate for the reduced sleep."
"No, let me sleep in bed. I'm going to take a moment to reflect on myself."
"*beep*.... There is no son to look at. Only a brand new daughter."
"That was not a dirty joke! Octa One, can you really be that flexible with your answer?"
"*beep*.... It's the Magic Brain's job to give the crews peace of mind."
"You stressed me out, though. Anyway, wake me up in the morning."
I chose a house of an appropriate size in the residential area. Luckily, the house was already furnished and ready to be lived in.
It's a nightmare....
I'm sure it's a nightmare.
Please wake me up and bring me back to reality.