YUKIKAZE (6 page)

Despite everything, Rei was able to successfully make his difficult case to General Cooley. Booker greeted the news with a handshake and a “Great job,” saying that she never would have gone for it had he been the one presenting the proposal. He said it was Rei’s “youthful zeal” that had convinced her, and while their moods were buoyed they set about analyzing how to turn their abstract idea into an actual success.

Naturally, the general’s condition for going along with the plan was that the dolls had to be well made. She had even told him that if the robots exceeded standards they would be used for honor guard duty from now on. The whole thing had quickly grown bigger and hairier than Rei had thought it would. “Leave it to me,” said Major Booker, spreading out his concept sketches. “No worries.” The project was already out of Rei’s hands. It may have been his idea originally, but he had the sense that it was growing into an enormous monster that he couldn’t control. They had two weeks to get it done.

General Cooley talked the polymer materials branch of the Systems Corps into promising to produce some synthetic skin on short notice. She even arranged to set up a direct data link between the air force factory production system and the computer in Booker’s workroom, which allowed him to use the CAD/CAM system remotely. Using just the computer’s graphical display and keyboard and a light pen, he could immediately direct parts to be made. Noting Booker’s skill as he worked, Rei once again wondered why he had broken his perfect boomerang. To be honest, the major seemed to be enjoying using the computer. Enjoying it a lot more than shaving down wood with a knife.

In the meantime, Rei acted as the pipeline between General Cooley and Major Booker, riding the automated monorail to the military manufacturing plant on errands, being the punching bag for the bitching from the plant team, and helping to put the prototype together. He thought he would die of boredom.

He wanted to be back in the air with Yukikaze as soon as possible. Each time he saw the general he would ask her when the next hearing would be.

“It seems they’ve been frustrated by the fact that they haven’t been able to find any evidence to support their position. You may as well consider yourself a full lieutenant now. Congratulations, Lieutenant,” she had said.

Every time after that when he tried to get a more concrete answer out of her, she’d duck the question. Rei suspected she was working secretly with the authorities of their huge organization to destroy the evidence. The chances of that were slight, but if it were true it would be convenient for Rei.

The frame of the prototype doll was completed five days before the commandant of the Japanese air force was due to arrive. Rei went to report this to the general. Walking into the SAF deputy commander’s spacious office, Rei saw a severed head sitting on the large desk and blanched in disgust. He knew it was a doll’s head, but it looked very lifelike. On top of that, it had the face of his former electronic warfare officer, the one who had got himself killed.

“That’s the height of bad taste, General.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. It’s an honor, sir,” said the head. “Yes, Your Excellency. It’s an honor, sir.”

The general unfolded her hands and pressed the nape of the doll’s neck to silence it.

“I’m making our honored dead into our honor guard. Don’t question my decision.”

“The body frames have some slight defects. I thought you’d want to know,” Rei said, still standing. “We’d planned to use stronger materials but ended up having to use cheaper ones.”

“It can’t be helped. For this batch, getting them ready in time has to take priority. Get them on the production line as soon as you can.”

“Roger that.”

“Wait. We’ll be receiving the preliminary hearing’s decision the day after tomorrow. I think you’re going to be all right.”

“If they’re saying that wasn’t a Sylph I shot down, then what—”

“If it wasn’t a Sylph, it was a bitch. It had to be a JAM. We’ll have a short meeting about it tomorrow. Dismissed.”

THE MILITARY JUDGE pronounced Rei clear of charges in the same conference room that the preliminary hearing had been held in.

“We have found no physical evidence of misconduct by the accused.”

“I’m innocent,” Rei said, standing. “I want that made clear. The site where that plane was shot down must be in the combat record. If you’d investigated the wreckage I’m sure you would’ve discovered that it was a JAM unit. So what are you playing at?”

“If you are making any accusations against this court, we are more than ready to address them.”

“We have no objections,” General Cooley said smoothly, rising to get Rei under control. “The lieutenant is currently in an emotionally unstable state.”

“Lieutenant Fukai, if you would please sign here of your own will and volition, we can end these proceedings.”

Although he wasn’t satisfied, Rei decided he’d rather not deal with any more of this annoying bullshit and signed the document they handed him.

“Court is adjourned,” the judge declared.

The general told him to come to her office, wherein she proceeded to chew him out for his behavior.

“I told you to say as little as possible, and you go and say that to them?!” She paused in mid-rant. “Coffee?”

“No, thanks.”

“I did tell you that, didn’t I?”

“But, General, why didn’t they make an onsite inspection?

It’s not that far away. If they found a piece, just one piece of that plane, it’d prove that I was innocent—”

“Shut up at once,” the general said in a tone of voice that was low but oddly charged with emotion. “It doesn’t concern you, Lieutenant Fukai. As of today, you are a first lieutenant. You may go now and resume your current duties. Any questions?”

“None,” he replied, and saluted.

WITH ONE DAY to go until the big show, they had completed thirty-six dolls. The birth of ghost soldiers, all in uniform. The robots had been brought from the factory to the maintenance floor for a test run. Major Booker attached a wireless mike to his breast to transmit his commands.

The Boomerang Squadron stood, or slouched, inside the glassed-in briefing room. Most of them regarded this strange corps without any expression, although some wore faint smiles. Rei walked along the standing ranks of the dolls, pushing the main power switch on the nape of their necks, and couldn’t help shuddering at the coldness of their skin as he did so.

“Salute!” the major ordered. The dolls obeyed.

This was met with applause, laughter, and catcalls.

“Controlling these guys is kinda hard… Column, right! Forward, march! Boomerang Squadron, how about showing some gratitude for our replacements?”

The dolls were taken up on the huge elevator to the surface, where they were bathed in sunlight for the first time.

Rei came along as well. The dolls marched out toward the side of the receiving hangar at the base of the runway. And then one fell. Its arms and legs continued their marching motion even after it had fallen. The dolls coming up behind it began to fall as well.

“No, no, no! Shit! All units, halt!”

Upon the major’s order, the chaos instantly ceased. Booker sighed and then sat down on a toolbox.

“Looks like we’ll have to cancel the march.”

Rei, who had watched all this without a word, let out a sigh as painful as the major’s.

“This world really is incomprehensible.”

“Did you say something?”

Rei shrugged his shoulders as he leaned against a power supply truck.

“I’m talking about the hearing. I just don’t get the general’s attitude. And I don’t get why she’s on my ass all the time.”

“It may not have been a Sylph or a JAM. I saw the pictures taken by your gun camera too, and although it looked like a Sylph, I can’t say for sure if it was one or not.”

“What do you mean?” asked Rei, still brooding.

“It’s possible it could have been a trespasser from Earth. A unit that entered the Passageway in violation of international law.”

“Why would they do that? What could they possibly be after in this place?”

“Look at this green land, this sweet air. If an Earth nation sent a spy plane, they couldn’t exactly complain about it being shot down. If it became public knowledge they’d have to face international censure. On the other hand, Faery isn’t a sovereign state, so if we make noise about shooting down a plane from Earth it would cause big trouble for us as well. We don’t know what the truth is. It probably was the JAM. You should just forget about it.”

“I don’t understand at all.”

“Don’t worry about it. Gimme a hand here. We need to get these dummies back up again.”

“Sure. The thing is, this scar on my forehead from shooting down that unknown hasn’t gone away. And my partner is dead.”

“How about this scar on my cheek? And everyone has to die sometime.”

THE FAF METEOROLOGICAL Corps had forecast that the weather would worsen soon but should hold out for the ceremony. The guest of honor came through the Passageway and arrived at Faery Base. The sudden change of environment was probably hard on his old body, but the commandant was known for his love of pomp and circumstance and wasn’t about to let it get the better of him.

Since Rei and Major Booker were in charge of preparations for the ceremony, they excused themselves from attendance and headed for the grassy field by the receiving hangar on the surface. Rei brought a portable broadcast monitor with him while Booker carried his hobby boomerang. The grass was soft and the air was warm. If you excused the lack of a blue sky, it was as perfect holiday weather as you could ask for. After dozing off for a bit, Rei was awakened by the major.

“What?”

“It’s about to start. Turn on the monitor.”

“What…? Oh!” Rei sat up.

The ceremony was apparently being held in the plaza near the control tower, far away from the field they were sitting in. The runway was huge. As they turned on the monitor, a recording of a military band playing the FAF march blared from it.

“Looks like a long opening act has just finished. Okay then, now the review is starting.”

The commandant of the Japanese air force walked out to the ghost troops, accompanied by a single Faery Air Force commissioned officer. He was a bantam of a man, walking with his chest puffed out, but did possess a certain dignity.

“Okay, if this works, it all will have been worth it.”

“Jack, that officer…”

“Who else would do it? It’s the least she could do. It’s her responsibility, after all.”

They heard voices now.

“You’re doing a fine job,” said the commandant to one of the dolls.

“Yes, Your Excellency. It’s an honor, sir,” replied the soldier.

“So, where are you from?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. It’s an honor, sir.”

White text was crawling along the bottom of the screen now.

This is a message from Faery Air Force TV service, with an explanation from Boomerang Squadron. These dolls can only say “Yes, Your Excellency. It’s an honor, sir.” This is a message from the Faery Air Force TV service…

“Who the hell did that?!” yelled Major Booker, leaning forward. But he soon relaxed. “Oh, well. Not my problem.”

They cut to a close-up of the commandant’s grave face.

“Truly remarkable!” he said. “Not a quiver from them!”

This prompted a laugh from the major.

“Present arms!” General Cooley called out.

The robot soldiers raised their rifles and presented them. At which point there was a motion in the rear. The view switched to a wide shot. Both arms, still tightly holding a rifle, had fallen off of a doll.

It looks like one of them was imperfectly adjusted. Fortunately, it wasn’t in the front row. This is the FAF TV service…

“Damn right it’s lucky,” said Rei.

Major Booker snorted a laugh.

“What’s that, General?” asked the visitor.

“Sir? Oh, that’s one of our Sylphids, which we’re quite proud of,” said General Cooley nonchalantly as she led the commandant away from the dolls. There was the sound of aircraft overhead. Rei looked up at the sky to see five drones flying by in a 5-Card formation.

Please enjoy this high-quality flight by our target training drones. They feature a turbo-prop power source with variable-pitch propellers. Naturally, they are all radio-controlled. This is the FAF TV service…

With a completely straight face, General Cooley began to describe the various abilities of the real Sylphid to their guest.

“Hm, mm, mm!” he said. “I’d like a few of those planes for my air force, too!”

The formation executed a perfect 5-Card loop.

Major Booker burst out laughing.

“Why…Why aren’t you laughing, Rei? Look, even the general’s smiling!”

“It’s not funny.”

“You need more calcium in your diet.”

“Would you just stop?!”

Rei suddenly snatched the boomerang from the major’s hands and stood up. Booker reflexively scrambled into a crouch, his knife out at the ready. But after a split second he shook his head, looking embarrassed. He lowered the knife and straightened up, stretching out his back.

The boomerang shook in Rei’s hand. He was enraged.

“A boomerang is a weapon! It doesn’t need to come back!”

He threw it at the monitor. It bounced off without breaking the screen. He sat down hard, arms clasping his knees as his whole body trembled.

“Rei…”

“I feel like I’m as blind as that commandant. I mean, what the hell are the JAM? We hit them and hit them and they still keep coming… Why don’t they just finish us off ? What are we even doing here? Why are we…”

“You’ll have plenty of time to think about that,” Major Booker said as he picked up the boomerang and lovingly brushed it off. “As long as you stay alive.”

“I’ve been on leave too long,” said Rei. “Way too long…”

REI RETURNED TO regular duty early the next morning. He entered the squadron briefing room wearing his flight suit. Prior to getting the details of the mission operation, he skimmed the general outline. Mission number, conditions for returning to base, Yukikaze’s duties, comm frequency and channel, call sign, nav support, weather and visibility, onboard armaments…