10 Military Tribunal

"Given the circumstances above, the response to the group of humanoid ASIDs infiltrating Ship 5 was urgent, and there was no opportunity to await instructions from command—this is clear."

The judge reads the statement without pause.

"Furthermore, considering the lack of validity in the prior revocation of authorization—"

The recent large-scale assault by humanoid ASIDs.

The unauthorized operation committed by Jin during that incident.

A military tribunal was convened here to address the matter.

Jin recalls that the sergeant should be facing similar proceedings on the same date.

"Unauthorized operation by Lieutenant Jin Shōgō shall not be prosecuted."

At hearing those words, Jin exhaled quietly.

He had expected it to happen—nine out of ten chances—but relief still comes with the confirmation.

He bows his head toward the lieutenant who took on his defense.

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

"There is no need to concern yourself, Lieutenant. It was simply a matter of me not revoking my permission in the first place."

That is true enough.

Yet he does not believe the captain’s words were wrong.

Indeed, he had once considered ending it all then and there—satisfied.

"Still... thank you."

"...I have received a corrective recommendation regarding this matter. Your piloting qualification is restored as of today."

That is welcome news for Jin.

Being stripped of operational clearance was akin to losing one wing.

"How do you wish to proceed?"

He cannot grasp the intent behind the question.

"What do you mean by 'how'?"

"Whether you wish to return to your original unit. Given your current state, you would not recklessly endanger life."

That would have been exactly the kind of statement Jin would have eagerly accepted just moments ago.

A lingering attachment remains to the front lines.

It is only when engaged in combat that he feels most like himself.

He grew stronger to protect someone within the convoy.

But now—.

He gently touched the distorted ring worn close to his skin.

"Forgive me. I must decline."

He bowed his head.

Jin could not see it, but the lieutenant’s face was frozen in surprise.

"May I ask why?"

"I have a daughter. I cannot leave home for an extended period."

This time, Jin saw the lieutenant’s expression of shock.

Strange. Even this person has unexpected events.

He had always seemed to move everything like a puppet on the palm of his hand.

No—certainly, he could see at least one move ahead, two or three steps in advance.

Jin simply could not peer into that depth.

"A daughter…?"

"Yes. I took her in recently through circumstances… anything wrong?"

"No. Just somewhat unexpected. So… a daughter."

The lieutenant placed a hand to his mouth, deep in thought.

Perhaps it's just my imagination.

He seems, in some way, restless.

"Major?"

"Nothing. To be honest, I was surprised you didn't wish to return to your original unit. People change—unexpected, but not unwelcome."

Jin agrees. He understands the sentiment.

He, too, is surprised.

"...Though I suppose it's odd of me to say, after all, is it truly acceptable?"

"I've only just realized, recently."

Jin smiles, recalling the faces of the three troublemakers.

"Beating them only makes them grow—there's a certain pleasure in that."

"Is that so."

The Major seems, in some way, relieved... or perhaps that’s just how it appears to Jin.

"Then do your best, Lieutenant. I look forward to the day your trained pilots serve on the front lines."

"I will strive. Major."

He departs from the Major.

Then he searches for another.

Finds her. A golden-haired head.

It is only natural to find her wearing a uniform instead of the usual flight suit unusual.

"Corporal."

"Ah, Lieutenant! Please listen! I got yelled at for something completely unrelated!"

The urge to make a huffing sound was nearly irresistible.

From her demeanor, it seemed the matter had not escalated seriously. A small relief.

It would be unfortunate indeed if she were punished for something she had no part in.

"Stuff like parts inventory management—those are things I can't be expected to handle!"

"That's true, certainly..."

According to reports.

The old cockpit module in question had been slated for disposal but had slipped through inventory checks and remained dormant in storage.

The Corporal had known of its existence but, unable to determine the responsible party, had left it untouched—until now, when she seized the opportunity to use it.

...On reflection, it was unlikely to even function.

"So, regarding that matter—no repercussions?"

"Technically speaking. My superior gave me no end of grief about it, though!"

The damage was extensive—maintenance crews were swamped.

Under those circumstances, one might well be tempted to complain about having to deal with such matters.

"Utterly heartless, that person is!"

"You'd be the one to say that, wouldn't you...?"

Walking side by side, the sergeant's idle remarks trailing behind them as they exited the building.

Stepping out from the imposing structure of the Defense Headquarters, the pressure weighing on their bodies seemed to ease.

"Ah, I always get tense here, no matter who shows up."

"You're only tense when you're being reprimanded..."

"What about you, Lieutenant? How do you handle it?"

"Me? Usually when I'm being praised—so no particular discomfort."

Medals, commendations.

Given his reputation as an ace, he had plenty of experience with such things.

Though, ceremonies did make him nervous—just like the sergeant, in fact.

"That's why you're such a medal-wielding ace!"

"Jealous? A good portion of those accolades are thanks to you, really."

Not flattery—though not entirely without truth either.

Without the corporal's adjustments to the unit, Jin's record would have been far less impressive.

Still, he was confident the fleet's top position had not been relinquished.

"Ah... well, I suppose I can't complain when put that way."

His cheeks relax, his step lightens—clearly visible.

Jin thinks it's obvious.

A fellow trainee from training school—once, he'd genuinely cared only for machines.

That was why Jake and he had caused so much trouble.

Back then, Jin had never imagined they'd grow so close.

"Shā—Corporal. Keep your eyes forward."

He nearly calls out the old nickname, remembering the usual distance between them.

"Then, Lieutenant, walk backward."

"Why would I?"

"Because you always tell your subordinates to keep an eye behind them, don't you?"

"...I do say that."

How do you know?

No, actually—thinking back, I think I've said that since training school.

"Then show me the example, if you're going to ask."

Jin glares at the sergeant, who grins with teeth exposed.

"Can you do that while stepping down from a frame? You know that, don't you?"

You know the truth, yet you're asking me to do the impossible. You're a bad one, that's for sure.

"Yes. Of course I know."

Seeing a second ahead. Keeping an eye behind.

Both are beyond human capability.

That's why the assault frame has organs to compensate.

"In the end, both are things you can see only by directly receiving FBE ether communication data. I know very well, Lieutenant, that once you're off the frame, you're just a person."

The assault frame's control system: Flyby Ether.

A control system that has evolved from wires, electrical signals, and optical signals.

Current units are controlled through ether communication.

Honestly, the principle behind it is completely incomprehensible to Jin.

One fact remains: ether communication enables instantaneous transmission—no latency.

Information reaches faster than light.

This allows the frame's response speed to improve dramatically—along with unforeseen side effects.

This is the true nature of the world the aces perceive.

"Various things come to mind—how humans directly receive ether communication, for instance. But I shouldn't pry into the bodies of Lieutenants."

"Cut it out. You don't get to dissect someone just because you're curious."

"Haha... I won't do it again."

A repeat offender's laugh carries no credibility.

Even Jin is at a disadvantage when caught off guard by a stun baton.

"Then, Lieutenant. Are you free after this?"

"Supposedly. I’ve already handed the training school over to an instructor."

The possibility of wasting an entire day had been too great to risk. He’d entrusted the troublesome student to his mentor instead.

One might say Jin had dragged himself into this, unwilling to let another stand aside as an observer from the heights.

Mio is at school at this hour.

Meaning she is free until evening.

"Then let’s grab lunch. I won’t let you off the hook on that promise to treat me."

"Alright, alright. Let’s get it over with."

"Treating a meal with someone like it’s some tedious chore!"

Occasionally, sharing a meal with a peer isn’t so bad.

Jin lightens his pace slightly, beginning to scout for a place nearby where they might eat out.