Rune Troopers: Volume 1 Chapter 1

Expeditionary Fleet Sails

On that day in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture the cloudy weather looked like it might rain.

For a ship leaving port it was somewhat depressing weather.

Hiroyuki Kuze of the Ground Self-Defense Force, lined up in perfect order at the railing with a subordinate, and looked down at the Yokosuka Maritime Self-Defense Force base before their eyes.

Because the deck of the transport was almost the same height as a four story building they had a commanding view of the wharves.

Drizzle lightly hit his cheek.

From the wharf could be heard the shrill voice of a female reporter for a TV station.

"Yes! This is the Yokosuka Maritime Self-Defense Forces base! Right now the fleet is sailing. Although called international cooperation, the fleet is sailing to join a so-called UN Peacekeeping force!"

She was speaking in a purposely tense voice that was well understood by Kuze.

Probably in the evening news, with heavy BGM, it will portray the Self-Defence force as "Dispatching Troops" to foreign countries.

"Sailing at this time is a transport vessel, and supply ships, defended by a state-of-the-art Aegis class Destroyer of the Maritime Self-Defense Force for a total of 5 ships. The transport vessel is said to have state-of-the-art tanks and military helicopters, and it is an 'operational unit' unlike any force dispatched in the past."

The female reporter, wearing a raincoat, looking back at the fleet sailing away was captured on camera.

"The flagship 'Ibuki' is a state-of-the-art Aegis destroyer and was built as a ballistic missle interception warship, and the Self-Defense Forces have fully armed it for its overseas deployment. In it's deployment in Africa there's the possibility of the rebel army using ballistic missles and 'Ibuki' has a duty by international law to shoot them down."

The reporter flipped open a flip diagram showing an explanation, via a rough sketch, of how ballistic missle interceptions worked.

And then discussed the differences of this deployment tensely.

"The dispatch of the Aegis destroyer 'Ibuki' is said to be part of a certain plan of the government and top echelon of the military. It-----"

The reporter turned over the flip and showed a photograph from last years public military parade, by The North, of it's mobile ballistic launch system.

"The North's nuclear armament is ready for combat and showed in the background."

The reporter lowered the flip display and looked at the stern of the Aegis Destroyer that was out in the open sea.

"The Aegis destroyer with its nuclear missile interception ability is sent as an emergency reponse to intercept any ballistic missles launched by the rebel army. As a result Japan can advertise to the world it has an effective defense against nuclear attacks. Behind the shadow of internation collaboration is the government's plan, which isn't unrelated to how tense the military picture of Far Eastern Asia has become......"

He couldn't hear the reporters voice anymore.

They too far from land now.

In Kuze's mind he had the feeling that they were now leaving Japan. And with that came an euphoric mixture of fear of the unknown and something mysterious.

Kuze raised the visor of his camoflage work cap a bit and looked for a certain face in the crowd of families and concerned people who came to see them off at the wharf.

After a moment Kuze's, who will honestly turn twenty-four this year, softhearted face became as cloudy as the weather.

Though young, an officer's insignia was shown at his collar, a cherry blossom and a bar. Three steps below a major, or in other armies a second lieutenant.

The young officer was looking for the lover who had seperated from him several days ago.

Even though they had seperated he had expected her to come see him off.

However, coming to see an ex-boyfriend off sounds funny when said.

Afterall, his expectation didn't come true.

Having expected it was regretful.

Kuze was disappointed and looked up into the sky.

The light drizzle turned to large rain drops.

"Are you crying Platoon leader Kuze?" Standing next to him the new young subordinate, who could only be described as looking very young, asked that. "Ichinose" was embroidered on the breast pocket of his camoflage uniform.

He was a bad brat of a private with a suggestive laugh, and even though Kuze was his superior officer they got along well for some reason. Possibly because of his boldness to say without hesitation which is the opposite of me, Kuze thought.

"I'm not crying."

Honestly it was a bluff.

"Liar, you are crying. It seems she's not here?"

"Stupid ex-girlfriend."

"All the more reason not to cry......"

After he let out a sign and smiled wryly, Kuze put on a serious look like a commander and looked at the people on the wharf.

It was like a hollywood movie with people hugging, kissing and saying "I pray you come back safely". I won't ask for that type of extravagance.

However, wanting the one you want to protect by your side, I don't think that's too extravagent for a Self-Defence officer.

That there's no one to see you off, there shouldn't be a "Serviceman" who has that complaint.

Translator's Notes and References

Back to Prologue

Return to Main Page

Forward to Chapter 2