Episode 332: Flight Squad
Yuma and the others arrived at what looked like a wide airfield.
He was surprised that there was such a place underground, but he headed towards the aircraft where many people were gathered. It was a strangely shaped aircraft, but Yuma recognized it.
“That plane, the Self-Defense Forces have it too.”
As Yuma muttered, Rui looked at the aircraft and nodded.
“It’s a V-22 ‘Osprey.’ Certainly, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces also have this transport aircraft deployed.”
There were a total of five aircraft with helicopter-like rotors lined up. The three of them approached one of them.
Mia was also there, next to the soldiers loading luggage.
“Mia-san.”
When Rui called out, Mia turned around and shifted her gaze to Yuma and the others.
“You guys are planning to go too? You can wait here, you know.”
“Don’t be stupid! What do you think we came all the way to America for? Of course, we’re going!”
When Akito raised his voice, Mia gave a curt reply, “I see.”
“If you come, you have to accept the risks. I won’t have the余裕 to protect you and fight.”
“Fine by me! Don’t underestimate our power!”
While calming the enraged Akito, the three of them were urged to board the aircraft. Each aircraft was carrying many soldiers and Seekers.
All the Seekers seemed to be members of “Prometheus.”
“Even so, to suddenly end up fighting the 【Yellow King】. As expected of America’s intelligence network… this might end quickly this time.”
Rui’s words were met with Akito’s agreement, “Yeah.”
“Well, if it’s going to be settled quickly, there’s nothing better. It’s been quite a while since we left Japan.”
Akito turned to Yuma, saying, “Right?” but Yuma only muttered in a small voice, “Yeah.”
Rui and Akito exchanged puzzled looks at Yuma, who had been acting strangely since coming to America.
About ten minutes later, preparations were complete, and the Ospreys entered takeoff mode.
Yuma and the others fastened their seatbelts tightly, preparing for takeoff.
After the aircraft jolted, they felt a sensation of rising. It seemed the floor was rising up.
The ceiling of the underground shelter opened, and the Ospreys took off one by one.
The aircraft Yuma and the others were on took off last, and all five departed for Salt Lake City.
◇◇◇
“Hey, you. I saw your fight with Albert. I’ve never seen anything so amazing! I was so excited…”
Five Seekers were sitting across from Yuma and the others. They were all members of Prometheus, but one of them spoke up.
“I’m Peter. It’s reassuring to know we’ll be fighting together! Nice to meet you.”
The one who introduced himself as Peter was a white man with sunglasses. He had a black crew cut and was a very cheerful Seeker.
When Yuma replied, “Yes, nice to meet you,” Peter gave a thumbs up and smiled.
Yuma looked again at the five Seekers sitting across from him. They were all wearing strange military uniforms and sunglasses.
Were all the members of Prometheus like this? Yuma wondered, but the alarm that suddenly sounded in the aircraft erased his thoughts.
“What?! What’s that sound?”
Akito squinted and looked around. Tension ran across Yuma and Rui’s faces as well, but Peter and the others remained calm.
“Ah, it’s okay. It’s a signal that there are Monsters ahead.”
“Monsters… could it be!”
Rui turned pale. Seeing this, Peter raised both hands and shrugged.
“That’s right, it’s the Gold Dragon. When moving through the sky, they are the biggest obstacle.”
“What are you saying so calmly! If we don’t intercept them quickly, we’ll be shot down with this plane!”
Akito hurriedly tried to unfasten his seatbelt. But Peter remained calm and soothed Akito, saying, “Now, now, don’t panic.”
“That’s why we’re here.”
“Huh?”
As Yuma let out a bewildered voice, the Seekers unfastened their seatbelts and all headed towards the rear hatch.
“Hey, open it up!”
When Peter shouted towards the cockpit, the soldier in the cockpit gave a thumbs up.
The rear hatch slowly opened, and the air inside the aircraft escaped to the outside. A fierce wind blew, threatening to carry them away.
However, Yuma and the others were wearing seatbelts, so they managed to endure.
As Yuma endured the wind and looked out, the five Seekers jumped out of the rear hatch one after another.
Once everyone was outside the aircraft, the hatch closed, and the fierce wind disappeared.
Yuma and the others immediately unfastened their seatbelts and rushed to the cockpit.
“What happened to those people!? Why did they jump out?”
To Yuma, who seemed completely bewildered, the soldier holding the control stick gave a smile.
“There’s no need to worry. Take a look at that.”
The soldier gestured with his chin, pointing outside. When Yuma and the others looked out through the windshield, they saw five people gliding ahead.
Wings like gliders grew from their backs, and they were flying like Birds.
“That military uniform, it had a “Sky Suit”-like function.”
Rui raised his voice in admiration. Yuma also exclaimed, “Cool~” with shining eyes. Apparently, they were all Wind Magic users.
The formation of five people visible through the windshield was heading straight for the Gold Dragon far ahead.
If it’s “Wind” versus “Lightning,” Wind has the advantage.
Although it was too far to see clearly, they would somehow manage. Yuma hoped for Peter and the others to fight well.
◇◇◇
“Flight squad, sortie complete.”
Mia, who was on the lead Osprey, reported to Albert.
“It should be fine to leave it to them. About how many more minutes until we reach our destination?”
Albert looked out the round window, checking the surroundings.
Asked, Mia straightened her posture and replied.
“If we proceed smoothly, about twenty more minutes.”
“I see… we can’t let our guard down when we get to Salt Lake City. We don’t know where he’ll come from.”
Albert grinned and looked at Mia.
At that moment, the pilot in the cockpit raised his voice.
“We have a radar response! It seems to be a Monster separate from the 【Gold Dragon】.”
“Separate individual?”
Albert approached the cockpit and frowned as he peered at the radar.
“It’s big. It’s approaching the point where the flight squad and the Gold Dragon are engaging… it will be difficult for Peter and the others to handle it alone.”
“What do we do?”
At Mia’s words, Albert’s lips curved into a smile.
“It can’t be helped. I’ll go too. Can I ask for your support?”
“Of course.”
Mia replied expressionlessly. The rear hatch of the Osprey they were on was opened, and Albert’s hair and clothes were fluttering in the wind as he stood at the boarding entrance.
“Well then, let’s go.”
Albert threw his body into the air. Seeing this, Mia also activated her magic.
A thin path made of ice appeared in the air, and Mia jumped onto it, gliding through the sky as if sliding.