Call[]
Dawn, inside the pilot restroom next to the hangar in the refit plant, the shape of Captain Salpen and Sergeant Pronger could be seen. Outside, workers were busy with the reclaimed and repaired RAIDENs.
"BELGDORs are useless now." Said Salpen shaking her head, "they’re just rubbish."
The skirmish with RNA meant that the DNA force in area 3 lost most of their VRs. Replacements are necessary, but the type of VR they need is another problem.
"If possible I would perfer DORKAS."
"HBV-10 are hard to come by," the reply from Pronger showed his sense of helplessness "DNA don’t have any left themselves."
"No reserves at all?"
"Since O.M.G., DNA didn’t order any new units, what was left has already gone."
"How come?"
"Because no effective way of using the VR has been found. You are also partly responsible for this, Captain Salpen."
"Me?"
"Yeah. During O.M.G, using only a company of VRs, under the most difficult conditions, your special force was able to wipe out a full battalion of enemy. Most of them HBV-10."
"We had no other choices at the time!"
"Yeah well the executives at the top started doubting the effectiveness of HBV-10. Although the pilots where able to come up with good reasons to keep the VRs, the heads of the company were only interested in cost. Compared to HBV-10, SAV-07 was a lot cheaper. The rest is history."
Salpen covered her head in despair.
"I don’t want to face that reality either, but whatever the reason, our priority now is to refit our division’s lost VRs. We don’t have any other choice but to use BELGDORs, right?"
"Yes."
"Oh well, I know there’s no hope of getting any RAIDENs, I’ve heard that the assembly lines for RAIDEN have been closed down… Even if we have all the existing DORKAS at hand, we don’t know if they will be effective against those guys.
Salpen recalls the fight with RNA, their new type APHARMD exceeds predicted combat performance. Even though Salpen had more than four times their number, the division barely survived. The S.H.B.V.D have few front line machines left. A sense of helplessness engulfed her and would not leave her alone.
"Lieutenant Salpen" cried out one of the communication infantry," the Supreme Field Commander of this engagement, Major General Molato is calling for you."
"Really? Finally we have communication back on line?"
"No, we still haven’t come to an agreement with the satellite company. No communication lines can be established with DNA headquarters. The general came himself in person, please report to him in the field command center."
"Understood, I’ll go as soon as possible."
"Please do."
The communication infantry left, Pronger stared at his back with a worried expression on his face.
"I have a bad feeling about this."
"Bad feeling?"
"Umm, because of this encounter DNA now knows for sure that RNA exist, but the reaction from the top seem so sluggish, maybe they’re having problems inside the organization."
"So what?"
"But now that the general came himself and wanted to meet the commander of the outside party S.H.B.V.D – you. If I’m not mistaken, you’ll be handed some pretty messy responsibilities.
"Hey don’t scare me, it’s probably no big deal." Salpen stood up and stretched her body, "we’ll find out soon enough."
After Salpen left, Pronger stood up and took out his handheld terminal, he walked to the command console table next to the wall and attached the terminal to it. After inputted some commands, the image of an annoyed female communication officer came on the screen.
"Dania, can we be a bit more polite here?"
"Ahhh, long time no see Dash!" Dania replied playfully.
"Quickly, I want a link with the 5th plant ‘DEADLY – DUDLEY.’"
"Other side of the moon… Very expansive!"
"I thought so."
"Well then pay first."
"Done as we speak."
Dania turned her head to confirm the transaction, then she looked back at Pronger "OK, who do you want to call?"
"…Bimoruv, Sargent Piezo Bimoruv. He must reply in person."
Strike[]
When Salpen entered the command center, three men were already waiting for her. The man in the middle has DNA Major General’s epaulet. With out even giving her a glance, he spoke.
"Lieutenant Salpen, I have heard your request for replacement VRs. We have here one division of MBVs (Main Battle Virtuaroid), one support attack VR division equipped with SAVs (Support Attack Virtuaroid) and one division of combat infantry and communication infantry each… These will all be placed under your command. Combined with S.H.B.V.D, these troops will form your battalion from now on.
"Please wait." Salpen felt nervous, "I can’t take command of an army of such size."
"Please explain."
"General Molato, I’m not from DNA, I really don’t have the authority to be entrusted with such power."
"This is the current situation," said the general "This interference by RNA was not predicted. In the fields, essentially among lower ranking officers, our troops have started to show strong objections to work under the current situation. They claim that this does not coincide with their work contracts. So with the current danger faced with fighting the RNA, many have gone as far as fail to report in to avoid fighting."
"To put it in simple terms, we have a strike problem." The man on the left opened his mouth, "because of this, our field officer positions are undermanned. Even in the troops we gave you…"
"Shut up! Colonel Maluget!" General Molato shouted, "This is the best time to improve the financial situation of DNA! A major war of this scale between VRs is what we’ve been hoping for. Whatever the cost, the only acceptable outcome of this war for us is total victory!"
"But General Molato," Colonel Maluget once again interrupts, "the appearance of RNA is an accident, the situation we face now is vastly different, shouldn’t we review and change the rules and contracts of this limited warfare?"
"That’s not possible!" the general spoke with an impassioned tone, "profit margin of DNA continual to fall. Colonel Maluget, you know very well that if we don’t follow and complete the original plan of this war, the total revenue of the first half financial year will be in the negatives, and that will be our third year in the reds. That’s nothing to joke about!"
"Excuse me…" Salpen interrupted the two with uninterested tones, "I don’t think I know what you’re saying."
"Then let me explain." The man on the general’s right, who have been observing quietly all along opened his mouth, "this war was organized by DNA, the loan for the battlefield T.A.I was paid by our 8th plant (FLASH REFOE), the mortgage is due in two weeks. Under these conditions, if we can not boost the earning of DNA during this war, we will be facing massive financial loss."
"But Sub-Commander Angus" Colonel Maluget rebuts, "the appearance of RNA, and the fact that the satellite company terminated their contract with us can be seen as unpreventable violations against the rules directed at us. Can’t we be allowed some time to discuss those outside conditions and pressures?"
"No, not possible. When the International Warfare Company signed this contract, they tried their best to avoid risks. There are 12 statements concerning outside interference on the contracts. You don’t have any solid reasons to object to the contract. Following the contract and finishing this war are your only choices."
With out any emotional portrayal on his face, General Molato turned his head to face Salpen.
"Lieutenant Salpen, you have been assigned to 103 VR battalion. You will lead the battalion to join Operation Sand Scythe at 0400 hours the day after."
"But…!" Salpen tried desperately to decline, "I’m very proud to be assigned such honor, but I don’t have the power to make decisions on such matters. About assignments, I have to contact the GM (General Manager) of S.H.B.V.D and get her permission first."
"Umm, that will not be necessary." Replied General Molato, "We’ve already contracted the GM of the S.H.B.V.D and she have already given permission for you to be assigned to DNA during this operation. The details of this operation will be given to you in due time. Before that please return to your division and await your orders."
There is no room for any resistance.
Back Stage[]
"Hey! Pronger." Sargent Piezo Bimoruv appeared on the screen with a frivolous look, "was my present useful?" That smiling face radiates an aura of annoyance. Pronger is not the type of person to only deal with people he liked, but he does understand that most people have a bad impression of Bimoruv. Bimoruv himself don’t realize what other people think of him, and he can’t help himself causing all sorts of trouble for those around him. Pronger exhaled a deep breath and replied "About the Flat-Launchers? They aren’t performing too bad, but the interaction with the FCS on unit 207 isn’t perfect, it will be best if we get a new OS."
"Well then, you want us to send it? We’re not sure if it will work on HBV-05 yet."
"Send it to the ‘library’ then, it will help us more or less."
"Err, sending it to the ‘library’ will be a bit of problem, it’s still an industrial secret!"
"It’s for your side… Aren’t you already there?"
"Nothing too messy on this side, but nothing good happened either."
"Can the ‘New Type’ make it?"
"Progress is good, but slow. The development plant is full of ‘scrupulous’ guys, as we thought."
"We’re in pretty rough times here too."
"I know!"
"There’re good things to be seen, as long as you’re alive."
"Hmm, can’t be helped…"
"It’s urgent here…Don’t lose it before the arranged time."
"That could be a problem…"
"Those RNA guys don’t understand the meaning of mercy, they do things with out thinking about the consequences, if they keep this up, I’ll be needing more than 9 lives."
"Have they reached the predetermined rendezvous point?"
"Don’t know, probably very close."
"Not reliable…"
"In the worst case scenario, they might even attack this way."
"If that’s the case, we’ll need compensations."
"We don’t have that kind of time, Salpen has already been asked to go to DNA HQ."
"WHAT?" A serious expression this time "that’s not good, it’s a trick!"
"I warned her."
"She has no ability to notice and avoid messy things like. You know this, why didn’t you go with her? This time it’s gone."
"Really?"
"Of course, what else? DNA is escaping responsibility. As soon as RNA appears they just dump all responsibilities and run for it…You can tell just by looking."
"There are movements at the 8th plant too."
"REFOE can’t be trusted either. They don’t care if it’s RNA or otherwise, the only thing they care about is money!"
"There’re not enough VRs on this side."
"Just tell them, you only need to borrow them, this way the risks are smaller. Damn the International Warfare Company… Or in the last resort separate from DNA, we’re not taking any losses. Then those guys won’t have a clue what to do.
"Umm…Really?" Pronger said, "Might as well. It’s very expensive talking to you, but I guess it’s worth it, Bimoruv."
"Hehe~! Is that all?" Pronger turned away from Bimoruv to look at the time "It’s about time, my hostess is about to return."
"Can I say hi to her?"
"No. Things are okay now, but if you appear there will be troubles, I’ll get in touch with you again soon."
After that the communication link was cut…
"Pronger!" Salpen said in an exasperated fashion, "Nothing worth noting happened while I was gone?"
Unit Regroup[]
Originally a rear base, the refit factory of area 3 has become the primary base of operation, because of this the factory have been greatly expanded. Over time, with the arrival of VR forces, especially the main battle division and the support attack division, the surroundings have become even more crowed. Onboard the RAIDEN unit 207, while looking down at the VR army, many different emotions threatens to engulf Salpen.
"Very impressive! Standard VR forces with all full ranks. It’s been a very long time since I saw one." During those two years, S.H.B.V.D has never had a day with all full VR lineups.
"Lieutenant, I understand that feeling."
From the control tower, Pronger’s voice came though the communication links with a sense of mockery, "we’re no longer that poor."
At that point, with the distinct rumbling of giant machine bodies, the main battle division kneeled down in perfect formations in front of unit 207. Salpen turned her head to face those brand new machines.
"That’s…TEMJIN…what…what’s happening?"
"It’s 10/18" Pronger replied.
"TEN-EIGHTY?"
"Umm, the serial number is MBV-04… but this is the new OEM version developed by the 3rd plant after they acquired the rights for TEMJIN.
"OEM…"
"It’s not a bad as we thought, it even out performs BELGDOR. This time there’s plenty of them, despite the rookie pilots what comes with the package, they still have formidable combat power."
"I hope so, what are those VRs over there?"
"Support attack division’s VRs. A new type machine called BELMATE. If you just glance at it, it looks like SAV-07 series, but it’s a bit bigger."
"Just from looking at the product manual, you will think it’s Ms BELGDOR (Belgdor Mademoiselle, shorten to Bel-Made ?!)…"
"Company Commander Salpen?" while the two where talking, someone cut in with a outside line "Ah, sorry! I am Captain Miclean Nas of the intelligence infantry division. Just call me Mickey!"
"…?" Salpen was dumbfounded by the intruder.
"My main job is the transmissions for DNA. In short that’s just advertisement services. Though by ranking I’m pretty high, you’re the actual commander. Pleased to meet you." Salpen frowned at that.
"Transmission of live combat scenes, this is the first time I’ve heard of it…"
"Ah," said Captain Nas, "but I’m very proud we are in this operation together!"
"Why?"
"Cause you’re a hero!"
"Hero?"
"Yeah! Ever since O.M.G, becoming a VR pilot has become the dream of many people. The combat records of you and those under your command are the goals of many hopefuls. This time because you’ve been promoted to lead this operation, people have become a lot more interested in this war, and the chance of those combat scenes becoming pop culture are even higher. But you know why I’ve been sent here? What people are most interested in is the beautiful, smart and highly skilled ace female pilot: Ms Mimmy Salpen. Just looking at her combat records and it speaks for itself. The betting odds are 3:7 with most people being your supporters! My job is to use this warfare to portray your true self realistically and dramatically to the viewers! For the excitement and entertainment of this limited warfare, we will try our best."
This time Salpen is really lost for words…
Just like this, Salpen was sucked in. With the on-going speech by the communication captain in the background, Pronger observed the surroundings calmly. Whatever happens next, one thing’s for sure, the burden on their shoulders will be heavy.
[To Be Continued]