Part IV

Yamato returned to Laramie with the 97^th fleet, commanded by Admiral Makabe, in a final attempt to win back the outpost.  The battle continues for nearly two days as Ilydrian forces are continually replenished. They have made it difficult to initiate any kind of rescue mission and have systematically blown out nearly all of the docks.  At this point in the tale, Cosmo Tiger squadrons have engaged enemy fighters in a vicious brawl close to the station. 

"You bastard!" shouted Nakamura, as the enemy fighter she was chasing deftly barreled over to avoid his fire. She had been toying with it in a game of cat and mouse that had dragged on for nearly an hour.

Nakamura engaged her thrusters and began a fresh chase among Laramie’s outcroppings.  The pair wove a complex path for several minutes before the enemy shot back out into open space. 

"Got you now, asshole!" she said with delight as her laser fire clipped the enemy’s left wing. The pilot suddenly veered off, and with a projected path towards Yamato. Nakamura’s radio beeped.  She cursed and opened the channel to listen.

"You want to what?" she muttered, and radioed Yamato’s bridge.   

"Captain, we have a situation here," she said.

"Report."

"We received an SOS from one of their fighters. Says he wants to surrender.  He’s on a course heading your way, ETA three minutes."

"Incoming," said Aihara.  "We’re getting the message, too.  He wants to come aboard.  He said he’ll share military secrets if we let him in."

Mamoru jumped up to face the captain.  "Sounds like a Trojan horse to me, sir."

"Yet we could learn some valuable information," said Mr. Sanada. 

"Might be worth the risk if the quality of the information helps turn the tide of this war." "Sir?" prompted the squad leader.  "It’s dicey out here.  I really need to know if you want us to capture him or kill him."

Kodai weighed the options.  "Let’s risk it.  Nakamura, guide his plane to the hangar.  Aihara, radio that pilot and give him permission to board.  Tell him if he tries anything foolish we’ll take him out before he knows what hit him.  Nambu, prepare a welcoming party in the hangar.  I want him cuffed and shackled as soon as he’s off that plane."  Kodai motioned for Mamoru to accompany him and they left the bridge to go to the hangar.  

In sickbay, Yuki hung up the receiver.  She called for the team on duty to gather around her, Miyuki among them.

"We’re about to capture a POW.  Hideki, get Examination Room C ready.  There’ll be a heavy guard presence in here everyone, so be mindful of safety.  We’re going to conduct a full physical and scans to rule out biological contaminants and surgically implanted bombs.  Fuchida, prepare six vials of sedatives staggered by dosage and fresh needles.  Set out extra salve and bandages.  If the pilot’s wounded, we’ll tend to his injuries first." Suddenly, she broke off her tightly clipped orders and whirled,

"What is it, Lieutenant?"

Miyuki had been making faces and signaling to Yuki as she spoke.  "May I accompany you to the hangar?  We should bring a sedative in case he becomes violent." "Good thinking.  Permission granted." 

Inwardly, Yuki was smiling as she had planned on that particular medical intervention from the start.  She clapped her hands smartly to end the briefing and sent the crew into action. After instructing Miyuki on the appropriate tranquilizers and restraints to bring, they left for the hangar.

They arrived just as the enemy fighter taxied in.  A ring of armed crew stood around the perimeter and snipers crouched with their aimed rifles in the upper decks.  The air was wrought with heightened anticipation; all repairs and refueling were at a standstill. 

At a signal from Kodai, one of the crew reached up with his gun to tap the hatch.  After a moment, it lifted and the pilot stood up slowly.  Two crewmembers jumped up to disarm him and check the cockpit for weapons.  They guided the pilot to the floor and immediately secured him per the captain’s orders.

Kodai stepped through the line of guards and stood within arm’s length of the enemy pilot.  He ordered the helmet removed.  Behind them, Miyuki gasped and immediately clamped a hand on her mouth.  Ahead and a little to her right stood her brother, and it was all he could do to keep from turning around and confronting her about Alois’ sudden appearance on Yamato. 

"My name is Kodai, and I am the commander of this vessel.  What do you want?" 

Alois bowed slightly.  "My name is Alois, of the House of Etruvia.  I have come to request political asylum.  In exchange, I will tell you everything I know about the Ilydrian Empire’s military capabilities and strategy." 

Kodai grunted.  "Surely you understand that at this point, there is nothing about your request that I trust.  You are an enemy to us and a traitor to your people.  Why do you need asylum?"

Alois never flinched.  "This is a needless war," he replied.  "We hardly lack resources or planets, and should Earth continue to oppose us, does so only at her peril.  I disagree completely with our Emperor’s objectives. I feel that for us to persist in conquering the Milky Way and other nearby galaxies would be a heinous act.  I’m not privy to everything our Emperor intends, but there’s a significant amount of information I can share that will be to your advantage." 

"I will take your request under consideration," Kodai responded.  "My crew will accompany you to our medical team who will examine you thoroughly."  He leaned in closely.  The armed guards took a few steps forward.  Kodai eyed Alois with a rigid gaze.  "There will be no deception here."

"Understood," Alois said. Kodai stepped back.  "After the exam, you will remain in the brig until I call for you." 

To the others he said, "I’ll be on the bridge.  Doctor, report to me when you’re done with him."

"Yes, sir!" said Yuki.  She instructed several of the guards to escort Alois to sickbay.

Miyuki hurried alongside them and took up a position just ahead.  Her heart was pounding.  You’re here! You came for me. 

She risked a glance back at him, but either he had not noticed her or was deliberately avoiding looking in her direction.  The trip to sickbay was rather slow as the shackles hindered Alois’ feet.  Miyuki cringed to see him so.  Guards advanced ahead of them to clear the corridor and order back wayward crew who had come to watch the spectacle.

Once there, Miyuki took her mother aside and begged to assist in the exam.  ("I have to learn!  This is really important experience," she whispered in her ear)

"You can administer a mild sedative," Yuki conceded reluctantly. 

Miyuki placed the items on a tray and attached it to the exam table for easy access.  She asked Alois to sit, and made one of the guards release his hands.  Yuki’s back was to them as she had begun to log a report at one of the monitors. Miyuki spoke with a robot-like cadence,  "Roll up your sleeve and hold out your arm, please." At that moment, their eyes met.  Alois did as instructed. Miyuki flashed him a devilish grin. 

"No, like this," she said, and reached out to turn his arm palm side up. She let her fingers slide casually along his skin as she pulled back her hand.  Ever so slightly, Alois bent his fingertips to hers.  He stared ahead and kept his expression neutral.

Miyuki rubbed the crook of his elbow clean with rubbing alcohol.  She cleared the needle of air bubbles and positioned herself for the injection.  "This may sting a bit," she said.

When it was done, Alois risked another glance at her.  "That didn’t sting at all," he murmured.  "I wish our nurses had your gentle touch."

"Nobody asked you," said Yuki, who had come to take over.  "Take away the tray," she said to her daughter, and ordered two other nurses to help Alois lay on the examination table.  The sedative did not put him to sleep; rather, it made him a pliable and obedient patient. 

Yuki oversaw the blood draws but performed the scans herself.  The whole process took several hours.  Alois was still groggy when the guards escorted him to the brig.  He dropped onto the cot and fell asleep.  A guard was posted outside. Miyuki stayed to help her mother disinfect instruments and put sickbay back in order for the casualties that were incoming.  They stood side by side while the sterilizing equipment hummed. 

"What do you think will happen now?"  Miyuki asked.

Yuki looked up briefly then turned back to her task.  "Well, the Captain will certainly have a good long talk with this man.  Probably several."  The smile she gave Miyuki was tinged with weariness. "But that’s not for you to worry about.  You did very well today.  You’re past shift; you can go now." 

Yuki took the instrument that Miyuki was holding and put it down.  "I’ll finish up.  I need to report to your father—oops, how I forget!  I mean the Captain!"  Yuki threw out a sly wink as she walked over to her desk. 

Miyuki watched her go, and wanted nothing more than to spill the contents of her heart.  Momma, I met this wonderful man, and I’m in love!  I know you’d like him.  He’s sweet, courteous, and easy to talk to.  He’s beautiful, Momma!  His only flaw is that he’s our enemy right now.  So you and Papa would probably hate him.  Miyuki sighed.

She would bide her time, and wait until Alois built a clear level of trust between him and her father before revealing their relationship.  Oh dear, she thought.  Her eyes briefly crossed.  Alois will want to know who my father is!  She went to her quarters to rest, but found sleep elusive as she hatched ideas on how to contact her lover under her father’s watchful eyes. Yuki approached Kodai on the bridge. 

"Let’s go where it’s quiet," he told her. 

"Mamoru, you have the bridge."

"Yessir!"  Mamoru watched his parents left for the Captain’s quarters.  A twinge of panic plucked at his stomach.  I have to talk to Miyuki before she does anything stupid, he thought.The demands of the battle at hand drew his attention back.  He stood up and began to pace across the bridge.  "Report!"

Using the computer station in the quarters, Yuki pulled up the results of the various tests done on the prisoner, even though she knew Kodai would only give them a cursory glance.  He sat down in front of the monitor.

"So you didn’t find anything?" he asked after a few minutes.

Yuki shook her head.  "Completely healthy.  All the tests for contaminants were negative.  He’s well nourished and in good physical shape.  He has two scars on his left side and a faint one on his forehead, but they’re clearly battle wounds, nothing’s been implanted.  They could’ve stitched him up a little better, though.  When I asked him about it, he said that after being wounded, it was a awhile before he was able to seek proper medical care."

"So you’re assessment is that he’s clean?"

"Yes. He didn’t come aboard with anything in his body to harm us." "There wasn’t anything to be concerned about in his fighter, either, apart from its standard weapons," Kodai informed her."I’ll go ahead and make a report to Command.  I’m sure they’re going to be very interested in what he has to say.  But I just don’t know what to make of this sudden offer of his."  He rubbed at his eyes.  "There’s a piece missing, I’m sure of it."

Yuki walked over and stood behind him.  She began to massage his temples.  "Things will become more clear once you start the interrogation."

Kodai closed his eyes. "How’s our daughter doing?"

"Just fine," said Yuki.  "She showed a lot of initiative today."

"Good," said Kodai.  "And that’s good, too!" he added, in response to her massage. 

He swung around in the chair and pulled Yuki onto his lap. 

"How long has it been?" he said softly, and started to kiss her.

Suddenly, an alarm shattered the air. Mamoru’s voice blasted over the radio.  "Captain, I think you’d better come take a look at this!"  Yuki sprang up.

"I’ll be in sickbay," she said.

"Take a break instead," Kodai ordered. "Sounds like we may need you later."

They parted.

Kodai went down to the bridge.  An electrified state of apprehension hung about the crew.  Most were standing and peering intently at the video screen.  When Kodai arrived, Mamoru ran up to him.  "This just appeared," he said, and punched in some keys on the captain’s board while his father sat down.  "I’ll re-loop the footage we got earlier.  Very strange incident."

"What is it?" Kodai asked as he watched the monitor.  One of the Ilydrian battleships had launched a pod into the midst of the EDF fleet.  None of the ships were hit but the pod exploded briefly and disseminated into some kind of dark mass with a funnel extending below it.  Four of the vessels within its range suddenly disappeared from view.  The Ilydrian fleet had subsequently retreated, resulting in an unofficial cease-fire. 

"Some kind of artificial gravitational pull is exerting itself out there," said Mr. Sanada.  "We’re working on an analysis now.  What you see on the screen was generated when that pod exploded.  It’s growing larger."

"I have a feeling our guest might be able to enlighten us," Kodai said.  "Aihara, radio the brig and tell them to escort the prisoner to the bridge."

"Aye, sir!"

"One of their ships returned!" Ota shouted a few minutes later.  He tapped furiously at keys to get a reading.  "They launched another pod!"

Kodai looked up sharply.  "What?  Where?"

"Toward the far side of the fleet, where they were—two more ships just disappeared!"

Kodai’s brow furrowed.  "Hail the flagship and find out what’s going on over there.  Recall the fighter squadrons.  Tanaka, engage fore thrusters and get some distance between us and that mass."

"Aye, sir!"

The elevator door opened and two guards accompanied a freshly shackled Alois onto the bridge. 

Kodai showed him the footage and pointed to the video screen.  "What is that?" he asked.

Alois studied the screen a few moments.  He asked to see the footage again. A gleam of understanding lit his eyes. 

He turned to Kodai.  "Our military scientists call it the Super Dimensional Vortex weapon."

"Super Dimensional Vortex?" Mr. Sanada repeated.

Alois nodded.  "We’ve been experimenting with various incarnations of warp technology over the years.  The Vortex was in the development stages the last I’d heard.  I guess they’ve completed it."

"What does it do?" Kodai asked.

"It creates a swirling mass of gravitational pull, rather like a whirlpool. Anything in the vicinity gets drawn in."

"Where does it go?" Mamoru asked.

Alois shrugged his shoulders.  "No one knows."

"How do we stop it?" asked Mr. Sanada.

Alois turned to look at him.  "You don’t. Eventually it will slow down and spin itself out, but how long that takes depends on the size."

"Dammit!" Kodai muttered.  "What the hell kind of—"

"Captain! The second one just got bigger.  Another ship is going down!"

While Alois was being consulted, Ota had tracked the path of the second vortex.  It had suddenly widened and was beckoning an EDF ship into its path. Everyone turned to the screen.  Ota zoomed in on the Suzuya.  They watched as her anchor launched itself into the hull of the nearest ship.  The pull was too strong, though, and both ships were swept into its core.  Their images blinked off Ota’s radar screen.

Admiral Makabe radioed Yamato and informed them he was initiating a full retreat beyond the range of the vortexes before any more of his ships were lost. Briefly forgotten, Alois had been studying the image on the screen. 

"Captain," he said. 

At the science station, Kodai was busy consulting with Mr. Sanada about a way to combat the new threat.

"Captain!" Alois said more loudly.  Annoyed, Kodai looked over at him.  "What?"

"Your station," he said matter-of-factly,  "it’s in the path of the vortex."

Indeed, the wide brim of the mass lapped at Laramie’s edge. The station began to plummet down towards the vortex center.  The far end rose as it sank. 

Kodai strode back to where Alois stood.  He struggled to keep himself from grabbing him.  "Think, man! There’s got to be a way to stop it!  Surely your scientists developed a countermeasure?"

"The only defense is to stay clear of it.  We lost an entire fleet ourselves once when it was being tested."

One of my brothers went down with that fleet, he wanted to add.  

Kodai spun around.  "Sanada-san!  What about the Wave Motion Gun?"

Mr. Sanada shook his head.  "I think the discharge would only end up being consumed by the vortex.  I need more time to study this than we have. I think young Alois is correct; our best strategy is to avoid contact at all costs."

"Dammit! Aihara, contact Laramie on all frequencies.  Advise them to abandon the station. Tanaka, set a course for it.  We’ll make a pass above so any shuttles carrying survivors can board the hangar. Then we’ll rendezvous with the fleet.  Unless anyone has any other suggestions, I believe this is all we can do," he stared pointedly at Alois as he spoke.

More than a third of Laramie had sunk into the vortex when Yamato arrived.  She picked up eight shuttles.  Other vessels ejected as well.  Most left the sector altogether.  A few were absorbed by the vortex during take-off as the station dipped down even further. The bridge crew watched helplessly as the station rotated and was tossed about, as though it were a sea-faring ship of old in a turbulent ocean whirlpool.  The station’s power grid surged and waned, creating a pulsing, eerie glow.  Lights from explosions flickered briefly and went out as parts of the structure buckled under the pressure.  Nearly forty-five minutes passed before all of Laramie Station was absorbed. A grim mood circulated among the crew.  The Ilydrian fleet had long since departed.  Briefings were held, and repairs begun for Yamato and the 97^th fleet. The next day, Kodai began a series of interrogations with Alois while Sanada and his team studied the impact of the Vortex weapon. 

Three days passed after the Battle of Laramie before Mamoru could speak privately with his sister.  He cornered her in the observation port after their shifts ended.

Mamoru wasted no time.  "How did the two of you manage this little feat?"

Miyuki shook her head and grinned.  "I had no idea he would give himself up like that!  He’ll actually help us end the war."  She clasped her hands together.  "He must really like me!"

"Yeah, how terribly romantic," said Mamoru, his tone as dry as the Sahara. When were you planning on telling Mom and Dad?"

Miyuki assumed a more solemn expression.  "When he’s granted asylum.  They have to trust him enough first.Then the fact that I know him won’t seem so bad in comparison."

"That could take months.  You tell them in two weeks or I’ll go to them myself."

Miyuki opened her mouth to object.  The look on her brother’s face stopped her short. "Don’t do anything dumb while he’s on board, either.  I’m keeping an eye on you!"

Miyuki was about to debate the point but hesitated.  He’s only trying to look out for me, she thought.  She smiled sweetly at him and tucked her arm through his.  "I’ll be good!  You’ve been such a nice brother, let me buy you a cup of coffee!"

"It’s free here, you goof." She winked at him. "I know that," she purred, tossing him a doe-eyed look.  "But you’ll want to be able to account for my whereabouts!" Mamoru chuckled wryly as they left for the mess hall.

Alois proved to be a cooperative informant.  After the fourth day, the captain allowed him to move about freely in the senior officers’ conference room when they met.  Mr. Sanada and other officers frequently joined them.  Kodai grilled Alois about information ranging from base locations and fleet movement to the history of the Ilydrian race.  The crew gained a strong background of enemy vessel schematics and weaponry.  Kodai dispatched multiple coded reports to EDF command during the course of the interrogations.  EDF began to use the information to wage counterattacks against ongoing enemy assaults.

For her part, Miyuki found every possible excuse to pass by the brig.  Despite her promise to Mamoru, she missed Alois and ached with desire to see him. Being so near to him, she could hardly sleep, and felt distracted during work.  Her first opportunity to make contact came the evening following her conversation with her brother.  While in sickbay, she heard her mother being consulted about the allotted meal portion for Alois.  Miyuki’s shift had just ended.  While her mother did rounds, she swiped some medical supplies.

Miyuki breathlessly intercepted crewmember Tahei as he walked to the brig with a covered tray of food.  "I’ll take it from here," she said.  "The Doctor ordered me to administer a medication that has to be taken with food."He handed over the tray without question. 

At the entrance to the cell, Miyuki repeated her story to the guard and waved a pocket-sized med kit she had brought with her. "Do you want me to come in with you?" he asked. "Oh, goodness, no, I’ll be fine.  Just wait outside with the door open; this shouldn’t take long."

He unlocked the door and let her in.  Alois had been lying on his back.  He swung into a sitting position when the door opened.  He blanched in surprise when Miyuki walked toward him.  She put a finger to her lips.

"It’s okay," she whispered.  She remained standing with her back to the door.  "They think I’m giving you medication.  Here’s your supper," she added, and placed the tray on the shelf.  She uncovered the food and made him take a few bites.  "Are you all right?"

Alois nodded.  "Everyone is treating me well," he said in a low voice.  "They’re still very suspicious, but that’s to be expected.  Do you have any way of finding out if the captain will grant me asylum?"

Miyuki blushed.  She busied herself with the med kit.  "That’s what I came to talk to you about.  The Captain is…he’s my father!"

Alois stopped eating.  He was silent for a moment.  He risked a glance at her.  "And the ship’s doctor…?"

Miyuki nodded.  "My mom!"

Alois sat back as he processed the information.  He pretended to take the pill Miyuki gave him.  "It was wise of you to tell me.  That would be in our favor, I take it?"

Miyuki nodded a second time.  "The intelligence you share with the captain will earn you his trust.  Let’s give it a couple of weeks, then I’ll tell them everything.  I have to go!  I’ll come again as soon as I can." She packed up the med kit and left.  She flirted and chatted with the guard a few minutes to get a sense of the best time to risk a future visit.  Miyuki felt almost guilty at the amount of trust everyone had in her.  I really hope this works, she thought, and went back to her post.

Late in the afternoon of the ninth day of interrogations, there was a knock at the door.  Miyuki sauntered in carrying a tray with a pot of tea and some cups.  She set it on the table between Alois and her father.  Nambu and Mr. Sanada were seated at the opposite end.