Previous Chapter: Elan’s Goal | Masoukishin II Chapter List

Hringhorni – Hangar

Lune: Well, this is where I get off with Masaki and the others for Solatis Shrine.

Becky: Alright, take care of yourself.

Lune: Same to you. You won’t have any Masoukishin to back you up, so don’t get reckless.

Becky: I’ll keep that in mind.

Lune: Okay, see you later.

Hringhorni – Bridge

Sharian: Passage clear. Current altitude ten Zekgortz.

Holly: Shipboard air pressure normal, no output change in ether propulsion.

Bradroy: As expected of my ship. She can handle an emergency launch into the stratosphere like it’s nothing.

Sharian: …With all due respect, could you please stop referring to the Hringhorni as “your ship”?

Bradroy: I can call her whatever I want, Shirley.

Sharian: Alright, fine, but stop calling me by that name!

Bradroy: Okay, okay.

Simone: I’ve been wondering, why do you call her Shirley?

Bradroy: Ah, that’s a funny story…

Sharian: Captain! We’re in the middle of an operation. Please refrain from conducting private conversations.

Bradroy: Spoilsport.

La Gias’ Stratosphere

Guido: Quite an interesting view, this.

Tsurein: Huh? Sir Guido, have you never been to the stratosphere?

Guido: Yes, I skipped that part of training.

Tsurein: That’s not good. You need to take your training seriously.

Guido: I agree, I really missed out on seeing this view.

Tsurein: Come again?

Guido: The horizon looks different in the stratosphere than it does on the ground…I see, so this is what the inside of a sphere looks.

Tsurein: Is it different on the surface?

Guido: Yes, for one thing the horizon is round.

Tsurein: Wow…that’s something I’d like to see.

Guido: By the way, what happens if we try and go straight through the center of the exosphere?

Tsurein: We can’t.

Guido: We can’t? Does that space simply not exist?

Tsurein: No, it does exist…but there’s an impenetrable barrier at a height of 5,000 Zekgortz.

Guido: That’s well above the stratosphere…

Tsurein: Yes sir.

Guido: Did someone make that barrier?

Tsurein: Well…I’ve heard that it’s been there since the beginning of time…

Guido: It’s true that barriers are far from uncommon in this world…but can they form by themselves?

Tsurein: Um…I’m not really familiar with that sort of thing…

Wagner: Many theories have been created on the subject. It would take a long time to go over them, so let’s shelve this conversation for another time.

Wagner: Guido, would you please outline the operation for us?

Guido: Yes, of course. The goal of this mission is to escort a high-altitude airship.

Becky: Hold up. What exactly is that? The name rings a bell.

Guido: My knowledge is limited to reference materials, but think of it like this world’s version of a satellite.

Guido: Although their altitude of operation is lower than that of satellites, they orbit the stratosphere and transmit things like observation data and GPS signals.

Guido: The stratosphere is treated like the high seas and does not belong to any country, so these airships provide data to all countries equally.

Becky: The don’t use satellites here?

Guido: Think about the shape of this world. It’s impossible for objects to fly in a parabolic orbit.

Becky: Oh…the inside of a ball. I see, that would be impossible.

Guido: The intel we received indicates that one of these airships is being targeted by terrorists. Our mission is to prevent that from happening.

Becky: Okay, thanks for summing that up.

Sharian: We’re approaching our destination. All hands…

Bradroy: Wait, wait, that’s my line. All hands to battle stations!

---

Chapter 22:

From the Furthest Past to the Present Day, We Call Time; All Directions Around, Above, and Below us, We Call Space

AKA Time and Space

---

La Gias’ Stratosphere

Guido: There’s the high-altitude airship.

Becky: So we just need to protect it, right?

Sharian: Correct. But be careful. There are strong convection currents in the area, which means the airship will be swept along.

Sharian: Right now…it’s blowing from West to East, so be sure to take that into consideration.

Simone: With regards to what, exactly?

Sharian: If you don’t want the airship to move, just block it’s path with your Masouki. That will be enough to stop it.

Simone: And if we want it to continue onward, we just move out of the way?

Sharian: That’s right, but the enemy can just as easily block its path. If that happens, the airship will not move until the enemy is eliminated.

Sharian: The operation will conclude once all hostile forces are eliminated, or the airship departs from this area.

Becky: So if the airship gets destroyed, we lose? Man that’s heavy.

Wagner: Enemy approaching. I hereby grant the Antiras Squad permission to act.

Bradroy: All hands move to interception positions!

*Some familiar faces appear*

Erik: Geez it’s cold! Maybe my heater’s busted?

Zunelo: Now’s not the time for that, boss! Look who got here ahead of us!

Erik: What? Oh! It’s the good ol’ Antiras Squad! How’ve you been lately?

Tsurein: Our terrorist adversaries…are these guys again?

Erik: Huh? Is it my imagination, or are there fewer of them than normal?

Becky: Heh, wow, you can count. I’m impressed.

Erik: That’s nothing. I also know my multiplication tables!

Zunelo: Boss, I’d stop if I were you. You’ll just dig yourself a bigger hole.

Erik: Oh? What’s that? Are you making fun of me now?

Zunelo: No, I’m not. They’ll probably ask you to recite the sevens table.

Zunelo: So I think that you should stop before…

Erik: The sevens table? That’s easy! Listen up!

Erik: 7×2=12…

Zunelo: …That ain’t right, boss.

Erik: What!? 7×2 isn’t 12!?

Simone: …Am I the only one who feels more confident by watching them?

Becky: No, I’m right there with you. Think we should ask them some more questions before taking them down?

Erik: Eh? Are you making fun of me over there?

Becky: Whoa, he’s got some sharp ears.

Erik: I ain’t got time for this! I’m gonna crush you!

*Allies deploy, Conditions shown, Battle Starts*

Simone VS Zunelo

Simone: You’re Erik’s right-hand man, aren’t you?

Zunelo: Eh, I’m used to it. Besides, the Boss takes real good care of his gang.

Simone: …If you have at least that much good sense, why don’t you just quit this line of work?

Zunelo: A sense of obligation and kinship. That’s why I won’t. And this job suits me suprisingly well.

Simone: If you say so…

Simone VS Erik

Erik: You think you can make a fool out of me!?

Simone: Well, I wasn’t trying to make fun of you, I was just mildly amused.

Erik: In my position, you can’t let anyone ruin your street cred!

Becky VS Erik

Erik: I won’t forgive anyone who makes fun of me!

Becky: Then spend a little more time studying!

Erik: If I wanted to spend time studying, I wouldn’t be in this line of work!

Becky: Ah, good point.

Mefil VS Erik (w/Zunelo present)

Mefil: Umm…do you want me to teach you a trick to memorizing the sevens table?

Erik: WHAT!? You know something like that!?

Mefil: Uh-huh. It’s easier if you do it in reverse.

Mefil: For example, instead of 7×2, try 2×7.

Erik: 2×7=14…

Erik: WHOA!! It’s TRUE!! You’re amazing, miss!

Zunelo: …Boss, we’re in the middle of a battle.

Erik: Oops! Right, right, of course.

Mefil vs Erik (w/Zunelo shot down)

Mefil: Umm…do you want me to teach you a trick to memorizing the sevens table?

Erik: WHAT!? You know something like that!?

Mefil: Uh-huh. It’s easier if you do it in reverse.

Mefil: For example, instead of 7×2, try 2×7.

Erik: 2×7=14…

Erik: WHOA!! It’s TRUE!! You’re amazing, miss!

Mefil: No, I’m nothing special.

Erik: You’ve taught me something valuable today. But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna let you win this battle!

Defeat Zunelo…

{Before Erik}

Zunelo: Welp, I’m done here. Take care of the rest, Boss!

{After Erik}

Zunelo: Uh oh…they got me, too. Oh well, I’ll just let the monsters do as they please.

{As the last enemy}

Zunelo: They beat all of us? Guess we lose. I suppose there’s always next time.

Defeat Erik…

{Before Zunelo}

Erik: Hey, you’re defeating us in the wrong order! Zunelo, you’re in charge!

{After Zunelo}

Erik: Dang it! Zunelo’s down too, so the rest of you just do whatever you want!

{As the last enemy}

Erik: Now you’ve done it! I won’t forget this for as long as I remember…er, live!

If the airship reaches the escape point

Wagner: I believe the airship should be safe now.

Bradroy: Affirmative. It should be leaving any moment now.

*The airship leaves the battle area*

{If Erik is still present}

Erik: Dang! It got away! Oh well, no sense staying in this icebox any longer, right?

{If Zunelo is present, but Erik retreated}

Zunelo: Blast, it’s gone. Can’t be helped, we’ll have to retreat.

{If only monsters remain}

Sharian: Now all that’s left is to get rid of the monsters.

Bradroy: Yeah, now that their target’s gone, they’re gonna go on a rampage. Take them out, everyone.

Hringhorni – Bridge

Sharian: Mission Complete

{If the airship’s HP was below 50%}

Bradroy: This ain’t good…the airship’s pretty banged up.

Sharian: The cost of the airship’s repairs will be deducted from our fee.

Bradroy: I knew it…that’s our stingy government for ya.

{If it’s HP was above 50%}

Bradroy: The airship seems to have taken some damage, but not enough to be concerned about.

*Either way*

Becky: Well, in any case, our work here is done.

Wagner: True. I’m also concerned about the people we left in the Kingdom of Erial. Prepare to return there at once.

Hringhorni – Rec area

Becky: …And so she insisted people call her Shirley until she hit the age of fifteen.

Simone: So, what kind of story is the novel “Young Shirly Muffin”?

Becky: From what I read in the synopsis, it’s something like Anne of Green Gables.

Becky: The main character, Shirly, is a real day-dreamer.

Simone: Well…I believe many girls go through a phase like that.

Becky: I gave Anne of Green Gables a shot once, but I just couldn’t get into it. What’d you think of it, Simone?

Simone: I first read it when I was about twelve. I remember I really got into it, but not to the point where I wanted to be called Anne.

Becky: Ahaha, that’d be a pretty embarrassing story to come up later in your life.

Simone: I see…that’s why she gets so ticked off…

Sharian: …Precisely.

Becky: O-Oh…hey there, Sharian.

Simone: Umm, h-how long have you been standing there?

Sharian: …Since you mentioned the age of fifteen.

Becky: Ahaha, that’s, uh, just about from the beginning, heh…

Sharian: I did a lot of stupid things when I was a child.

Becky: There’s no need to feel ashamed of it. Everyone does things like that when they’re young.

Sharian: Yes, that’s what my father keeps telling me.

Becky: Alright, let’s do this!

Sharian: Let’s do…what, exactly?

Becky: This, what else?

Simone: Booze again?

Becky: Medication for our souls. Alcohol is like a broomstick that sweeps away one’s sorrows.

Sharian: Eh? Oh, no, I don’t drink…

Becky: You mean you can’t?

Sharian: Technically I can, but I abstain because alcohol isn’t good for my body.

Becky: Don’t be such a fuddy-duddy. Your job is stressful, right?

Sharian: I-I suppose…my father is my boss, so…

Becky: Then it’s settled. Alcohol is the best medicine for stress, and there’s no reason you can’t do it in moderation.

Sharian: I-I see…well, maybe just one drink, then.

Simone: Oh dear…another person has fallen to Becky’s sinister ways.

Becky: What’re you talking about? I just wanna make more drinking buddies.

Simone: Oh well. I may as well have one too.

Becky: That’s the spirit. Drinking with others is the only way to do it. Okay, cheers!

*Some time (probably a few hours) later…*

Precia: Hey guys, we’re needed in…

Precia: Bleugh!? What’s that alcohol smell!?

What in the world happened here?

Becky: Hey, Preshia. You wanna drink too?

Precia: I’m still a minor. But more importantly…what in the world happened here?

Simone: *hic* D’ya wanna ‘nother drink, Sharian? *hic*

Sharian: Ooh…oogh…

Precia: How did you get her to drink until she was that drunk?

Becky: Naw, she did that ‘erself. She’s been under a lotta stressh.

Precia: Okay…but why is she wearing that outfit?

Becky: Oh, dose? I don’t ekshactly remember, but she dresshed up in dose afta she got drunk.

Becky: I think she made ’em ‘erself.

Precia: Huh…I didn’t know Sharian could sew so well.

Becky: She ‘ad a lot more outfitsh like that, and tried to get ush to put ’em on too fer sum reason.

Precia: …Maybe because you’re underdressed, Becky?

Becky: Haha, wellll, maybe that’s it.

Precia: Ugh. We’ll be back on the ground in a little while, and then we’ll have a crew meeting. Try to sober up by then.

Becky: Fiiiine.

Hringhorni – Bridge

Holly: Re-entry speed decreasing. Aerodynamic heating is reduced.

Bradroy: Okay, drop the conical barrier.

Holly: Shutting down the conical barrier.

Guido: I didn’t think re-entry into the atmosphere would be so quick and easy…this ship is really something.

Bradroy: Heh heh heh…naturally.

Tsurein: Not even the aerodynamic heating was a problem.

Bradroy: That’s thanks to our conical barrier and overall reduced mass.

Bradroy: Well, it’s also a re-entry from the stratosphere, which means the time and distance are much shorter, so it’s easier as a result.

Guido: Still, it’s impressive that you were able to pull that off so smoothly without any previous experience, Captain.

Bradroy: Actually, my mother has performed several atmospheric re-entries. I was following the advice she gave me.

Guido: Ah yes, Miss Portia of the Midnight Shift. I hear she’s a brave woman who has fought many battles.

Bradroy: She’s still in active service, you know. I’ve yet to reach her level.

Tsurein: Will it still take some time before we’re back in Erial?

Holly: Yes, considering we touched down in Langran territory.

Tsurein: Do you think Princess Xenia and Lady Mio are okay?

Colette: We haven’t received any distress signals over open-wave communications.

Holly: They have Mr. Demeksa with them, and most importantly, the Adversary Squad is lending their assistance.

Holly: I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.

Tsurein: …I hope not.

Bradroy: Tsurein, you’re still worried about Gaen, aren’t you?

Tsurein: Er, yes…I just don’t trust him.

Bradroy: Relax. The guy’s more trustworthy than he looks.

Tsurein: I know that…but…

Wagner: Tsurein. Don’t start jumping at shadows. I’m not saying we should let our guard down, but let’s at least give him the benefit of the doubt.

Tsurein: Y-Yes. Of course, sir.

Wagner: I’m more worried about Xenia. That girl has enough curiosity to put any cat to shame.

Wagner: I just hope she’s not creating any unnessicary problems.

From the Furthest Past to the Present Day, We Call Time; All Directions Around, Above, and Below us, We Call Space *inhales deeply* End

Previous Chapter: Elan’s Goal | Masoukishin II Chapter List