The helicopter that left for recon returned to the vessel without the officers, and the crew on the vessel was confused. On the deck of the transport vessel, they were servicing the helicopter and refueling it. They regretted having to leave the others behind, but the pilots followed orders to fly even in dangerous circ.u.mstances.
"…I think your decision was appropriate."
On the "Ibuki" destroyer’s bridge was a seated officer. Sitting there was Kaburagi, who answered such after hearing the report from the pilots on the radio. He had no intention of accusing them of causing danger of their group’s annihilation.
"After refueling and maintenance, please fly off once more! Please go again!"
"Understood….we’ll wait on your orders."
Kaburagi finished the transmission. They sympathized with their feelings, and their chests hurt. The subordinates too would not likely give any criticism of their actions. Attacked by a monster, staying there and shooting it standing by the troops above ground could result in the whole troop being destroyed.
Continuing, switching channels, they hear Katou’s report. Kaburagi moved to quickly and calmly answer. For their highest commander to lose his cool in front of the subordinates would affect the morale.
"…Then, to gather the injured including the private citizens, you’d need an emergency helicopter, right?"
From now on, Kaburagi would deal with this urgent situation. The crash of the one helicopter and the injuries of the pilots. Add to that the surgery for the huge injuries of that little girl from the Eastern Sea Mariisua United Kingdom in this parallel world. There were severe choices to consider and simulate.
"Commander Kaburagi, we are in a very difficult position. How do we move on the battlefield: we may have to make decisions in these matters."
Kaburagi looked down. Even for the greatest commander, it was hard to make these kinds of decisions.
"What do you think about this?"
"With the photographic data from the camera, we should be able to confirm what’s happening over there."
"Ah. It’s terrible here."
Everything is confirmed if you include the film data from the helicopter that escaped. What reflected into the camera lens was a one-sided invasion and ma.s.sacre.
To call it a sense of justice would be dangerous, but any normal, decent person seeing what was transpiring would feel a sense of righteous indignation at the scene. But, despite all this, Kaburagi needed to endure it given his position.
"I, as a member of the military, have decided to stop the fighting."
Hearing Katou’s words, Kaburagi became silent. That was the right response, but for the organization where you need permission for so much known as the j.a.panese Self-Defense Force, it was not so simple. In the past, the SDF was dispatched overseas.
However, still, there is no regulation for making decisions on the off chance they run into a battle aside from "surely that won’t happen, so it’ll be OK," but that is what is happening on those sh.o.r.es right now. According to the SDF battle rules, talking about it at least is taboo.
"For the SDF, is this right?"
Kaburagi certainly asked. Katou would have expected a sort of loophole.
"Say it frankly, even if it seems wrong."
Kaburagi sighed.
"Then…"
"To begin with, Commander Kaburagi,"
"What?"
"As the military, we are in a position to protect those suddenly under unjust aggression. Though there is no resolution on it from the security council. But, Mariisua and this empire are not members of the United Nations."
"…So, we can permit action beyond the scope of the law?"
"The SDF has always sacrificed at the scene of the crime. Probably, this is also the time to do such. That, and if we abandon the nation here, we could become true drifters."
Kaburagi felt some pressure from katou’s forceful tone.
"Drifters?"
"Yes. So long as we do nothing to return to our original world and do nothing to get a good footing in this new one, we could get dragged into a war outside of our pace and could die."
"You’re thinking too much."
"The one who can see the current situation and not over think things is just an idiot."
Katou said with an air of conviction. Just knowing about the scene of the fighting created a sense of impending danger. Kaburagi also understood this. In the past, there was an incident involving mine-sweeping at the Persian coast.
One wrong step and not only his but his whole unit’s lives would be gone—that’s what kind of operation it was. There, such an easygoing thought as "you’re thinking too much" never came. The form was different, but that Persian coast was also a battlefield.
"What should we do?"
He was not merely wondering, Kaburagi was asking as the head chief. Katou took a deep breath, decided upon his thoughts, and spoke.
"We will protect this castle. We must do what is possible, to protect their lives as well. As the SDF, I have decidedn that this is right."
Silence floated about the two of them.
"Understood, what you say. Besides, you are a couple step ahead, aren’t you?"
"Well, I do have a thorough plan."
"That’s enough. As a commander of the SDF and a statesman, a guy who can’t-do at least that much is too much to handle."
To Kaburagi’s sarcasm, Katou bitterly smiled.
"Please switch with Second Lieutenant Kuze."
Kaburagi thought he should speak with one more commander.
"Yes, this is Second Lieutenant Kuze."
It was the voice of a young man still 24 years old. When Kaburagi was his age, there was probably a situation which pushed the envelope like this one.
But, he didn’t have such a ridiculous job to do as a commander in the SDF back then. He is a higher cla.s.s. But, he had the maximum amount of respect possible and ordered that way.
"Second Lieutenant Kuze, give an order to your land SDF troops."
"Yes?"
"Ensure the Seiroad heliport. Again, this is as a military order to protect the front lines and citizens. I will bear all the responsibility for using that weapon."
"Roger."
In reality, it was battle instructions. Since there were orders, Kuze must follow them. Kaburagi held at least his feeling of guilt. And, he added one last thing.
"…Please, Second Lieutenant Kuze. Beyond hurting people, protect as many people as you can."
"Understood. Protect the Seiroad castle and those citizens who welcomed us to the bitter end."