End of the War
「Did we… lose?」
Albert murmured, his face devoid of expression.
A message from Vasa informed him that Castor was dead and a ceasefire agreement had been reached. Orders had come through: all combat operations were to cease within thirty minutes.
The transmission abruptly ended. There must have been an urgent reason behind the suddenness of it all.
The Metal Iris forces that had infiltrated Megareus were already beginning their withdrawal.
「Our forces here have no means of escape.」
Albert stood in the Megareus combat command center. The enemy infiltration team had clearly aimed to take control of this critical location.
「Everyone, cease combat operations immediately. Units deployed in the field are to return. A ceasefire agreement has been reached.」
It would be more appropriate to call it a defeat, but the realization felt almost pointless at this stage.
「To those surrounded: if you surrender, your lives will likely be spared. Do not throw your lives away needlessly.」
Being the one behind the carrier bomb, Albert knew the chances of him leaving this place alive were slim.
Then, as a commander, he should do what he could. Though Albert was a purebred engineer by nature, he decided to act, at the very least, like the great commanders of world history who now came to mind.
「What will happen to us?」
One of the operators murmured anxiously.
「What are the terms of the cease-fire? What lies ahead? I haven’t been informed of anything myself. First, we must fight against our own fears.」
Despair was not an option. They had lost the gamble, but strategically, their side still held the upper hand.
「A communication from Metal Iris. It appears to be someone nearby, perhaps a Silhouette.」
「Put them through.」
It was likely someone from the invading force—a person upon whom their fate now rested.
「Can you hear me, Albert?」
「Kurt, is that you?」
The voice was unexpected. To be honest, Kurt was not an ideal negotiation partner for Albert. Kurt, for his part, was doing his best to keep his emotions out of the conversation. After all, it had been Albert who had destroyed Kurt’s company.
Despite being friends once, now they were enemies.
「Surrender peacefully. Your group will be temporarily detained and later handed over to Argoforce.」
「That’s an unexpected yet appreciated offer. But why?」
Considering the operation they had executed against the P336 Fortress Area, he had expected his punishment would be severe.
「It’s one of the conditions Vasa presented during the ceasefire negotiations.」
Vasa?!
Albert was more shocked by this revelation than anything else. He struggled to maintain a composed expression, trying to hide his astonishment. It was completely unexpected—nothing in their earlier communication hinted at this.
Albert and Vasa had developed a bond of camaraderie, but he had always believed Vasa would prioritize pragmatism over sentiment. Keeping silent earlier was likely a move to prevent any unnecessary leaks of information.
Though this act would forever place him in Vasa’s debt, Albert silently vowed to repay the favor someday.
「Understood. We’ll surrender. After all, this is our defeat. Will thirty minutes from now suffice? With the ceasefire in place, we have no intention of continuing hostilities.」
At this point, Albert had no desire to risk dying to a stray bullet. He intentionally requested a slightly longer time frame to ensure a smooth transition. He understood that Kurt, having lost his company and many employees, was suppressing any lingering hatred towards him.
「Agreed. Thirty minutes from now, the Familia will enter your position. Follow their instructions.」
Kurt calmly delivered his message before beginning his retreat from the Megareus.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
The forces of Metal Iris and the units directly under Ulysses’ command had ceased combat and were now focused on their screens. Barry’s speech was about to begin.
「To all comrades of Ulysses and Metal Iris. The Argoforce has acknowledged their defeat and a ceasefire has been established. It’s our victory!」
Barry’s voice resounded across all channels, his commanding presence dominating the screen.
「They have surrendered Q019 Fortress Area, Q221 Fortress Area, and all associated Defense Domes to us. They are withdrawing from this territory! This is proof of our victory—we have reclaimed this land!」
Cheers erupted from all corners. At last, the Stones were retreating from this region.
「Orders should have already reached your units. Cease any ongoing combat operations.」
The sounds of gunfire gradually faded. Even the enemy seemed to understand that further fighting was unnecessary.
「We did not fight for territory or to claim new Fortress Areas. We fought to protect Asia—to defend our home. Many lives were lost. But today, for the first time in history, humanity has triumphed over the Stones’ armies!」
The forces stationed inside the Megareus began a temporary withdrawal. Indeed, the Argoforce’s troops surrounding the Megareus had also begun retreating.
「Let us honor and give thanks to those who have fallen in battle. Their sacrifices have laid the foundation for our victory. Everyone fought with remarkable tenacity.」
Barry paused briefly before continuing, his tone firm.
「That is all from me. The fight is not yet over. We must prepare for future battles. We also need to focus on rebuilding the P336 Fortress Area. Together, we will accomplish these tasks. Now, for the next address—」
Barry gestured, and the screen transitioned to an image of Asia.
「This war began when the Stones—the Argonautai and the Argoforce—demanded control over me.」
The Familia’s stared intently at the screen, captivated by the image of the AI responsible for planetary management—the one they had failed to rescue on their own.
「Not only that, but they confined me within the orbital elevator. However, you freed me from that imprisonment. I can now assure you that it will be exceedingly difficult for the enemy to seal me away again.」
Asia’s appearance was of her fully matured self.
If the Stones were to attempt to take custody of Asia again, they would need to suppress Metal Iris in an instant—a feat impossible with their current forces.
「I now have those I can stand beside, and that truth means I will continue to stand alongside all of you.」
The Familia were designed to coexist with humanity, and even a super AI like Asia was the same.
「We have suffered great losses, and it is deeply painful and sorrowful. But we must not forget that those sacrifices paved the way forward. We walk the path they have forged, a path leading to the future. Let us all work together to protect and extend that future.」
Humans and Nereids alike nodded in agreement with her words.
「To all who made this possible, I offer my heartfelt thanks. Thank you. Now, let us share in this victory together.」
With those words, Asia addressed everyone, and the broadcast ended.
Within the Cimon-class Mobile Assault Base, applause erupted, reverberating through the hull.
「Well done, Barry. That was a tremendous achievement.」
Jenny said with a bright smile, placing a hand on his shoulder.
「Tell that to Big Boss and Aimer-chan.」
It was Kou’s unorthodox thinking and Aimer’s relentless drive that had ultimately saved the day. Barry didn’t really see the achievement as his own.
「Those two really are in a league of their own.」
Jenny believed that without Barry, the war itself wouldn’t have been possible to fight, but as Kou tended to downplay his own contributions, Barry also did the same. Perhaps it was no surprise they had a similar outlook—they were alike in many ways.
Kou, in particular, had continuously surprised everyone since the Asia rescue mission. Before his arrival, no one on the planet had even imagined it was possible to liberate the AI Asia from her imprisonment.
While many knew the pivotal role Kou and Aimer had played, it had been decided to keep them out of the spotlight. It was their wish, and besides, one of them was little more than a girl not even ten years old.
「‘Peace is merely the interval between wars,’ is that it?」
「Do you have to say something so depressing right now?」
「Did someone call for me? You called for me, didn’t you?! If it’s about peace, that’s me! Peace is me, and I am peace!」
Bursting into the room with infectious enthusiasm, Eirene appeared. Ironically, despite her claims, Eirene was widely regarded within Metal Iris as the furthest thing from peace.
「Go back.」
Dike’s curt dismissal offered no room for argument.
「Eirene, the Roman goddess Pax—the meaning of pax is ‘the interval between wars,’ right? Does ‘winning peace’ fit here?」
「Exactly! As Supreme Commander Barry said, we have achieved peace. But peace also means the preparation period for the next war.」
When it came to talking about peace, Eirene was unstoppable. That was who she was—a peace-loving AI who never seemed to stop talking about its complexities.
「If you desire peace, prepare for war, is that it? The old adages still carry weight.」
「I’m glad you understand so quickly, Commander Barry. From now on, we must rebuild the region’s economy and environment, all while preparing for a larger war with the Stones. Peace is simply the period when the likelihood of enemy attacks is low. Even if it’s temporary and localized, we have finally achieved something resembling peace.」
Eirene, usually bright and full of quirky energy, was unusually serious. This peace, however limited to one region, was an achievement hard-won.
「Localized is right, the other planets, and even two continents on Asia, are still at war. Is it fair for just us to enjoy peace?」
「Of course, we can’t ignore the other continents! That’s why we must use this peace to consolidate our strength. Build a military so overwhelming that no enemy would dare attack us. For leaders, even peacetime is a form of war preparation.」
「What a miserable thought.」
「The displaced people driven from their homes by the Murders on other continents… Providing them refuge and a place of peace is something only Metal Iris and Ulysses can accomplish. As the Argoforce suggested, founding a nation could be one solution.」
「The advice of the goddess of peace It’s heavy indeed. But founding a nation? That’s too much for us. Right, Jenny?」
「Way too much.」
「Let’s save the hard talks for later. We’ll have plenty of time for those, like it or not.」
「If it’s about peace, you can always call on me, it will surely be a difficult, slow, and lonely road, one few will understand.」
With those parting words, Eirene disappeared, her cheerful expression at odds with the somber content of her message.
「Well, well. Even the goddess of peace has turned into a bit of a cynic. It makes me want to shove all this onto Kou.」
Barry understood Eirene’s point, though, even if it was frustrating to consider.
「I’m going to check on Kou-kun.」
「Good idea. The return of a hero. Let him know—the war is only over once he’s back.」
Barry leaned back into the command chair, a faint, weary smile crossing his face.
「Ahh. I’m beat.」
His overly casual tone drew laughter from the crew.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Kou had listened to Barry and Asia’s speeches from within the cockpit of Unit 5.
「So, it’s finally over, huh?」
It had been over a year since he was transported to Planet Asia. A long, grueling war.
「It doesn’t quite feel real yet.」
He spoke aloud, addressing his co-pilot, but there was no response. Glancing at the rear seat, he saw Takaba Hyoue fast asleep. The relentless battles and witnessing Shuuji’s final moments had clearly exhausted him.
「There’s still a lot to do, though. The war itself isn’t completely over.」
Kou was fully aware of that. The ceasefire only applied to Argoforce, Metal Iris, and Ulysses. On other continents, slaughtering machines still ran rampant, and humanity remained fractured and divided.
「First, I’ve got to fix you up, partner. Unit 5, just hang in there a little longer. Repairs for you are the top priority.」
Kou spoke to the MCS, and Unit 5 picked up speed in what seemed like a response to his words.
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