Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 9 Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 3===

-- Taking advantage of Hikami Kyouya's rebellion every trace of the <Phoenix cells> had to be completely erased.
 
It was the only option for Japan to survive for their own betrayal.
 
A few hours ago Prime Minister Sasagawa Shinya decided to send troops to the special autonomous region.
 
It was currently around midnight, and the Prime Minister's official residence was enveloped in a heavy pressure.
 
The source came from the mood between Sasagawa and the collective members of the cabinet in the cabinet meeting room.
 
"Following phantom 01, phantom 02 and phantom 03 signal was lost. It seems they were most likely shot down from the ground...... and none of the pilots can be reached at present."
 
"The latest cutting-edge stealth fighters were annihilated that easily......"
 
A real time report came from the unification headquarters to the Minister of Defense as he angrily spat.
 
The new stealth fighters that were scrambled to suppress JPN-Babel were personally established by the Minister of Defense himself. He believed this force could share the burden of the national defense of Japan. Moreover, huge sums of money and countless man-hours of research were invested to be developed by the air force.
 
Seeing years of effort mercilessly destroyed the old face of the minister of defense minister couldn't help but become red because of anger,
 
"Staff chief! What about the combat helicopters and the ground forces?"
 
"Yes sir! Out of the five combat helicopters three were shot down, the remaining are continuing on mission.
At the present time the enemy forces have not yet been eliminated within JPN-Babel's grounds......"
 
The Staff chief was reporting the current situation over a monitor with a very bitter expression,
 
"...... The ground forces tried to neutralize the enemy with gas, but unfortunately it ended in failure. Thereupon the second teem and third teem were sent in to overwhelm them with numerical superiority, but they were pin down by the enemy forces within the grounds. And according to the third team's report, the second team has been annihilated -- Sorry, please wait me a moment."
 
It seemed new information had become available as a subordinate of the Staff chief whispered something into his ear and,
 
"...... Just received news that the remaining two combat helicopters have been shot down, and it is likely that the teams still on the ground have also been suppressed."
 
"What? Was it enemy reinforcements?"
 
"No -- there seemed to be only four people from beginning to the end. I'm afraid the war potential of those Babel students are particularly outstanding."
 
"Damn...... those monsters!"
 
The Minister of Defense slammed his fist on the desk.
 
"I can appreciate your feelings, but please pay attention to your words."
 
And Sasagawa calmly said,
 
"Although those returnees that are residing in special autonomous regions are now enemies to us, do not forget that most of them are people of our country who have Japanese nationality."
 
"...... I'm sorry. It was a slip of the tongue, but Prime Minister the way things are going --"
 
The Minister of Defense was exposing his inner anxiety as,
 
"I understand..... Staff chief, I would like to hear your opinion."
 
Sasagawa's line of sight move to the huge monitor of the wall,
 
"Apart from the fighters, the combat helicopters and the ground troops mobilized only made up about 30 percent of the military's strength, or so I was informed?"
 
"Yes, Prime Minister. Currently, the fourth through sixth team of marines are off Babel's campus awaiting orders."
 
"Then, is there any possibility of success if all the remaining troops are mobilized?"
 
"......"
 
After Sasagawa's question the Staff chief took a moment of silence.
 
After a while......
 
"...... I think that it would be extremely difficult even if all of our military's strength is deployed. Please forgive me for saying this..... but our forces can't compete against them. If we use our number advantage to wear them out, then perhaps there is a slight chance of winning --"
 
"No, unfortunately I can not do that."
 
Sasagawa shook his head because,
 
"The European Foreign Minister informed us a little while ago that Michael Arcwood and Letiah Crisis (Changed from Retia) have finished with their negotiations with the European Union on behalf of COCOON and are on the way to London's Heathrow Airport. I believe that you are also aware that...... it will only take two hours for their plane to reach Japan."
 
This was also one of the reasons why COCOON could maintain their control on the world.
 
The technology COCOON had developed from other worlds had made them able to control the earth's sky.
 
However, Sasagawa did not want to give up hope.
 
"Then --"
 
And Sasagawa decided to go with the last-resort measure,
 
"Staff chief...... what is the current position of our nuclear submarine?"
 
"It is on standby in the Pacific Ocean, about 100 km from the island."
 
"Are the cluster-type nuclear warheads ready to fire?"
 
"...... Yes, Prime Minister."
 
The tone of the Staff chief became very heavy and,
 
"As soon as you give the order -- It is ready to be launched."
 
Everyone present was well aware that the special autonomous region was heading towards a tragic end.
 
The chain reactions of the nuclear explosions would not only raze JPN-Babel to the ground, but the whole artificial island.
 
The Staff chief and the other top officials expressions were all grim, but Sasagawa remained determined.
 
"Issue the command for all the troops within the special autonomous region to immediately withdraw."
 
"-- Prime Minister!"
 
A secretary who was waiting off the side could not help but raise her voice.
 
"There isn't any time...... this is the only way."
 
Sasagawa Shinya said indifferently.
 
In order to protect Japan, this was a necessary evil.
 
"As soon as all of the soldiers are safety out to sea -- launch the nuclear missiles."