Episode 345: Departure
San Diego Naval Base, California.
Home to the Pacific Fleet, it serves as home port to over fifty vessels, including cruisers, destroyers, landing ships, and combat ships.
Akito, Mia, and Rui, pushing a wheelchair, walked through the unimaginably large naval port.
Yuma was in the wheelchair, wearing an oxygen mask. He had been gradually recovering since then, to the point where he could communicate.
Because his brain had also suffered serious damage, the doctors had told him it was a “miraculous recovery.”
“Yuma, are you okay? We’ll be there soon.”
“…Ah…thank…you…”
His voice was hoarse, but Rui’s cheeks relaxed at Yuma’s recovery. Ignoring Rui and Yuma, Akito was frolicking like a child.
“Look at that! It’s huge!”
At the end of Akito’s pointing finger, there were several protruding mooring quays, and large ships were lined up next to them.
Yuma and Rui widened their eyes at the spectacular sight they had never seen before.
All three of them were getting excited, but Mia, who was walking in front, sighed and urged them on in a cold voice, “This way.”
Rui turned his gaze to Mia, who was walking in front.
“Is Albert-san not coming today?”
Asked, Mia turned slightly as she walked.
“Albert can’t come due to other business. That’s why I came instead.”
“I see… I guess so. Albert-san must be busy.”
Rui drooped his shoulders, looking a little disappointed.
“What, did you want to say goodbye to that old man or something?”
“It’s not like that… Besides, there’s no need for a farewell. We’re coming back again.”
Rui looked at Akito with a sullen face. But Akito didn’t seem to care, and shaded his eyes with his hand, asking, “Where’s the Submarine we’re riding on?”
After walking for a while, they saw a Submarine docked at the mooring quay.
“This is the Nuclear Submarine ‘Louisiana’. It was moved from Kitsap Naval Base to take you on board.”
“Hee, it’s bigger than I thought.”
Akito said, impressed. Rui thought the same way.
Even the visible part was probably over 100 meters in length. Rui pushed the wheelchair towards the docking area of the Submarine.
Several military personnel were on the levee, waiting for them to arrive.
“We have been waiting for you. I am Brace Coverno, Lieutenant Commander of the Pacific Fleet. I have been ordered to escort you to Australia.”
A young white man in his thirties saluted Mia.
Mia nodded slightly and met Brace’s gaze.
“Lieutenant Commander Brace, I know this will be a difficult mission, but the fate of the United States rests on it. Please, I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Brace released his salute and turned his gaze to Yuma and the others.
“I will deliver you all to your destination. Please board immediately.”
“Understood.”
Rui nodded, and together with Akito, lifted Yuma’s body. The wheelchair could not be brought on board because the passageways in the Submarine were narrow. They had no choice but to carry him.
They proceeded along the narrow bridge that had been extended to the Submarine and entered through the round hatch at the top.
It was difficult to carry Yuma because they had to climb down a ladder. With the help of the soldiers, they managed to get on board.
“It’s so cramped.”
“It can’t be helped. We should just be grateful that they’re letting us on.”
Akito grumbled, scolded by Rui. Even so, Akito was the most proactive in carrying Yuma. They proceeded through the ship and entered the cabin assigned to them.
It was a small room with two sets of bunk beds.
As Rui and Akito were taking a breather after laying Yuma down on the lower bed, Captain Brace showed his face. Behind him was a woman in a white uniform.
“I apologize. I know it will feel quite cramped, but I ask you to bear with it for a while.”
“It’s certainly cramped. Isn’t there a slightly bigger room?”
When Akito asked, Brace closed his eyes and shook his head.
“This room is actually one of the larger ones. The cabins for the general crew members are even worse. Well, it’s only for Two Weeks.”
“Two Weeks!?”
Akito’s eyes widened at Brace’s words.
“It takes Two Weeks to get to Australia!?”
“Yes, if all goes well. Submarines aren’t that fast to begin with… You’ll just have to endure for Two Weeks.”
Ignoring the dumbfounded Akito, Brace introduced the woman behind him.
“She is Alicia, Prometheus’s Messiah, who will be joining us. The treatment of Mitaka Yuma is entrusted to her. Those are the orders from above.”
Brace smiled, called out to Alicia, “I’m counting on you,” and left the scene. Akito was left in a daze.
Alicia entered the room in place of Brace.
Her hair was black, and she was a petite woman with two pigtails. Rui thought that she had Asian features, and somehow resembled an Indian.
Alicia bowed her head bashfully and looked alternately at Rui and Akito.
“I’ve been dispatched from Prometheus. My name is Alicia. I will do my best to treat Mitaka-san, so, p-please take care of me.”
Rui smiled and replied to Alicia, who bowed her head deeply.
“We should be the ones saying that. Alicia-san, we met in the treatment room at McConnell Air Force Base, right?”
“O-oh, you remembered me. At that time, everyone did their best to cast Recovery Magic, but we couldn’t completely heal Mitaka-san…”
Rui waved his hand and denied it, saying, “No, no.”
“Yuma owes his life to Alicia-san and the others. I can’t thank you enough. I’m sorry for making you accompany us on this dangerous journey.”
This time, Alicia shook her head, saying, “Not at all!”
“It is a great honor to be able to accompany Mitaka-san and the others. Mia-san told me that it is an important mission, and I want to do everything I can!”
Rui smiled naturally at Alicia, who was full of enthusiasm. After that, Alicia began treating Yuma with Recovery Magic.
She had been using magic continuously for more than an hour, so Rui was worried that she was tired, but she acted strong, saying, “I’m totally fine.”
And the Submarine, having completed all preparations, began to move.
Brace was making a broadcast throughout the ship, conveying the destination of the ship, the duration of the voyage, and instructions regarding daily life.
All the while, Akito, who was lying on the bed, kept muttering, “Two Weeks… It takes Two Weeks…”