ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (2)

Final Battle Over Fukuoka 3

Iwakuni Air Base Ground-Based ATC, Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

At this Iwakuni Air Base, a total of 75 fighters, including refurbished J-MSIP aircraft of the F-15J/DJ in active service (known as F-15J Kai), F-15J/DJ pre-MSIP planes, and F-4EJ that had been restored from mothball storage, were on standby in a warzone. At other air bases, fighter jets such as the F-2 and F-3, as well as dragon riders from the Altian Empire and the Seiren Kingdom, are preparing for takeoff. In addition, the 1st and 4th Escort Groups, which had been chasing the Laskant, had finally returned to the vicinity of the mainland, and the 33 F-35C planes on board the aircraft carrier Amagi had already begun takeoff.

"All aircraft, begin takeoff!"

At Iwakuni Air Base, too, the tower relayed the takeoff order to the planes waiting on the runway after receiving a report from the Special Operations Group. The mixed unit of old soldiers and active-duty soldiers was led to the runway one after another.

"Old Boy 1, cleared for takeoff!"

The unit given the callsign "Old Boy" was the first to take off. They were a unit comprised of SDF officers and retired pilots who flew retired planes such as the unmodified F-15J/DJ and F-4EJ Kai. Its members were not only Japanese, but also a mix of retired pilots from other countries with backgrounds in the US Air Force and Navy, Russian Aerospace Forces, and Republic of Korea Air Force.

Leading them was Kengo Kuraba, who had resigned as Minister of Defense four days earlier to return to his position as a reserve SDF officer. The F-15J piloted by him was the leader of the group, followed by other retired pilots. The active pilots followed them and took off one after another. They headed for Fukuoka, the site of the decisive battle, in a single bound.

"........."

The base commander, Rear Admiral Miyoshi, was deeply moved as he watched the swarm of fighter planes takes off.

. . .

Laskant, Engine and Power Compartment

At the same time, inside the Laskant, which continued its descent to Fukuoka, the queen of the ancient empire and the Special Operations Group encountered each other in the corridor connecting the human magic power collection room and the magic power amplification device. The queen appeared to block the way of the team members and Nagahachirou, who were hurrying back down the corridor to get away from the device with explosives, and they were separated from Captain Shimazaki, who was waiting at the end of the corridor.

"She knows Nagahachirou... she must have received immortality magic too if she hasn't aged in 1.500 years."

Staff Sergeant Akino stared at the woman who suddenly appeared in front of them. But she was grinning cheekily.

"Hachirou-san, who is this pretty lady...?" Staff Sergeant Kisanuki whispered to Nagahachirou's ear.

"My former master... the first princess of the Sharhyde Imperial House of Promshuno, Levain. And currently, the only surviving member of the Sharhyde Empire's imperial family..."

"!!"

Hearing Nagahachirou's words, the team members were shocked. The only surviving imperial princess of the Sharhyde Empire is, to them, the very equivalent of an enemy's commander-in-chief.

"Haah, so she's an enemy, then let's end this quick."

One of Shimazaki's men, First Sergeant Gen Omine, aimed the muzzle of his Type 89 rifle at Levain.

"Princess Levain, is it? ...We have to leave here as soon as possible, so why don't you let us cross over to the other side?"

"!"