July 18, 2199
Earth
Fussa City, Tokyo, Japanese Empire
Toshimichi Togo is a member of the International Federation Space Force's Lunar Area Force is and currently on secondment from the Imperial Japanese Space Force. Until the end of his secondment, he was assigned to work at the largest extraterrestrial military base on the moon, the Shackleton-Taketori Base, but coincidentally, he was mobilized for the mission of escorting the Union Queen's landing on Earth, which gave him the opportunity to temporarily return to Japan.
And now, he was spending a relaxing time with his family whom he hadn't seen in a long time at his home in Fussa City, where Yokota Air Base is located.
"Dad!! Look, look, it's a plane! It's the UF-4 Shooting Star!"
Toshimichi's son, Daiki, a fourth-grade elementary school student, looked up from the balcony and watched the atmospheric and space fighter UF-4 Shooting Star conducting its regular flight inspection over Yokota Air Base.
"Dad, you're flying that too on Taketori, right?"
"Yeah."
Sitting on the living room sofa, Toshimichi proudly replied while sipping his coffee. His role as a pilot of an atmospheric and space fighter was a source of pride and admiration for Daiki.
"I didn't expect you to come back so suddenly. What time are you leaving tomorrow?" said Yuka, Toshimichi's wife, as she placed a cake on the table to accompany the coffee.
Toshimichi took a fork and answered as he reached for the cake. "Tomorrow is the day the Space Drifters Union inspection group returns... The inspection group that moved from Okinawa to Tokyo will arrive at the spaceport in the evening. We'll take off from Yokota and head to the moon accordingly."
"...I see, it all happened so fast."
Yuka looked sullen. Although it was just under a week of being back home, the time spent together as a family was a precious memory for her.
"Don't worry, it's only another six months of assignment. Besides, I'll be transferred to Yokota next time, so we can live together again," Toshimichi smiled.
It was well known that due to the nature of being a military man, frequent transfers were inevitable. To avoid transferring schools for the children, Toshimichi has been traveling alone to various celestial bodies as part of his duty.
. . .
Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
At almost the same time, in the Teito Hotel in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, there were several government officials present. Seated on luxurious sofas in the splendid lobby was a diplomat named Niwatsukino.
"...Aah, I'm so tired."
"Honestly. We've been on edge for this whole week."
As they gazed up at the ceiling, they vented their frustrations to their colleagues. Currently, the Earth Inspection Group that had returned from Okinawa was staying at this hotel. Tomorrow, they were scheduled to move to the Tokyo Spaceport by shuttle and return to the Queen's Court on Mars. Queen Riza and about forty members of the inspection group were spending their last night on Earth in their respective rooms.
"But... the IF and the Japanese government's intentions seem to be working well. It seems the typhoon in Okinawa has taken quite a toll."
"The officials from the other side who came to Earth for this inspection probably won't want to come back to Earth again."
Hidden behind this inspection were the secret motives of the International Federation and the Japanese government. It was to implant the harshness of natural environments and the fear of natural disasters into the minds of these alien colonists who only saw Earth as an "ideal paradise." The choice of scheduling this inspection during the summer when typhoons and intense heat struck the Japanese archipelago was also for this purpose. As a result, in line with the Japanese government's intentions, many members of the Earth inspection group were worn out by the harshness of Earth.
"........."
Listening to his colleagues' conversation, Niwatsukino grimaced slightly and slowly stood up.
"...I'm going out for a bit."
"Oh, sure... take care."
His colleagues bid farewell to Niwatsukino as he headed outside. They couldn't help but feel a slight sense of unease about his demeanor.
Though it was summer, the night after the sun had set was cool, with a pleasant breeze. Niwatsukino loosened his tie and let out a deep sigh as he looked up at the night sky. He could hear the faint hustle and bustle of Tokyo's dazzling cityscape. At that moment, he suddenly heard his name being called.
"...Master Niwatsukino?"
When Niwatsukino turned toward the direction of the voice, he saw Chura, the Queen's attendant. The two had become familiar faces even before the Queen's arrival on Earth.
"Hey, Chura-san. What brings you out this late at night?"
Niwatsukino quickly put on a forced smile and asked Chura. Their conversation was instantly translated by an automatic translator and delivered to each other's ears via directional sound.
"...I couldn't sleep because I'm reluctant to leave Earth on our last night here."
Chura, who had an especially strong longing for Earth among the members of the Earth inspection group, hadn't changed even after experiencing the typhoon. Seeing her like this, Niwatsukino couldn't help but feel a faint sense of guilt.
"Chura-san... How do you find Earth?" Niwatsukino blurted, words coming out almost unconsciously.
Chura tilted her head as she carefully chose her words. "...I still want to live on this planet. I've heard that our ancestors' planet, Lainer, was once as rich in nature as Earth is said to be. Disasters, heat... the lives of the people rooted on this planet, I love all of it."
".........!"
Niwatsuki squinted his eyes and looked at Chura. At that moment, Niwatsukino felt his heart pounding stronger than ever.
After months of interaction, he had developed special feelings for this woman.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Same day
Mars
District 4, Suiryu
Meanwhile, the planet Mars, where 1,4 billion Earthlings reside, was still under the occupation rule of the Space Drifters Union. However, during the press conference held by the Union Queen on her last day in Japan, she announced the withdrawal from Mars within a month. As a result, the momentum of the people's protests dwindled, and life began to return to the days before the attacks. In an area where many Japanese immigrants lived, there stood a destroyed church and prefab houses erected in its place. This was where the pastor of the church, Sumiichiro, and his assistant, Itsuki, lived.
Itsuki was currently outside the prefab house, cleaning up the debris from the destroyed church. At that moment, Sumiichiro returned carrying shopping bags.
"...Ah, welcome back, Pastor-san."
"I'm home, Itsuki. You were out by the prefab again, even though I told you to be careful..." Sumiichiro said, prompting her to go back inside the house. Still being a fugitive, Itsuki was forced to live a life where she couldn't go outside.
"I'm sorry, but... this is all I can do right now," Itsuki apologized with a rueful smile. She felt guilty for causing trouble for Sumiichiro, her foster father, because of her inability to enjoy freedom.
Later, the two sat around the dining table. Since the automatic cooking device had been destroyed in the attack, they had to cook using the makeshift water source and ended up with poorly made dishes on the table.
"Is this... a bit too burnt?"
"Haha... as tasteless as ever!"
Sumiichiro wrinkled his nose at the taste of the vegetable stir-fry he had made. Meanwhile, Itsuki giggled happily.
Sumiichiro still hadn't told Itsuki the truth about her birth. Itsuki also didn't pursue the matter. The thought of it seemed to threaten the normalcy of their lives. Itsuki wished to continue living with Sumiichiro in the church as they had been doing.
However, shadows began creeping back into their daily lives. As the overture of the attack on Mars came to an end, a new calamity was about to descend upon the entire Solar System.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
July 19, 2199
Saturn
Far beyond Earth, on the sixth planet of the solar system characterized by its gas giant nature and mysterious rings, Saturn is the farthest place reached by humanity. In the "Saturn Sphere," there are currently 80 million people living. The primary spot is its sixth moon, Titan, covered with a thick atmosphere of nitrogen. Spread across the land of this star, with methane lakes and rivers, are seven cities covered by huge domes, where 70 million people live. Additionally, there are three cities scattered across the second moon, Enceladus, where 10 million people live. The capital of Titan, Titanian Frozen Field, is the capital of the developing Saturn Sphere, and also the place where the Space Drifters Union and humanity first made contact.
"...So that's the sixth planet, Saturnus."
At the farthest end of this human habitat, numerous unidentified flying objects crept closer. Gernid Ar Ambar, the Supreme Commander of the Space Drifters Union's 3rd Fleet, gazed at the giant gas planet that had appeared before him. Surrounding the flagship Rheinzur, on which they were aboard, were numerous unmanned combat ships. Gernid issued orders to the soldiers from the command seat of the first bridge.
"1st, 2nd, and 3rd Combat Units, as well as the 32nd Air Fleet, head toward the sixth moon. 5th and 6th Combat Units, head towards the second moon!"
"Yes, sir!"
Following the command from Gernid, a Tenkorl man, the soldiers on the bridge moved their respective units. This flagship was the only one manned with crewmen, while the other ships, including their aircraft, were controlled by AI.
"Smite those Earthlings with our fury! Commence the total assault!"
They set their sights on Titan and Enceladus. Thus began a new battle between Earth and the Space Drifters Union in space.
. . .
Titanian Frozen Field, capital of Titan
The approaching fleet had already been detected by the Earthlings. In the administrative office of the administrative building governing the Saturn Sphere, led by the Chief Administrator Zenji Sugihara, several officials were gathered, including the commander of the IFSF Saturnian Area Force, Alfonso David. They had established an emergency response headquarters and were gathering information from bases and various artificial satellites.
"Multiple unidentified flying objects approaching! Presumably the fleet of the Space Drifters Union!"
"Three units are approaching Titan, and two units are approaching Enceladus!"
"...What does this mean? Did negotiations on Earth collapse!?"
"No way! No such news has come in!"
They couldn't fathom the intentions of the other side. But the situation was eerily similar to the attack on Mars. There was no communication from Earth, yet the Space Drifters Union was clearly approaching Saturn with hostility. Sugihara made a decision under tension.
"Vice Admiral Alfonso! Mobilize the International Federation Space Force immediately! Send an emergency transmission to Earth!"
"...Understood!"
With the opponent's intentions unclear, they moved assuming the worst-case scenario. Sugihara had no choice but to order combat deployment.
Numerous warships and space fighters took off from IFSF bases on Titan and Enceladus. Emergency alarms echoed throughout the cities in the Saturn Sphere, accompanied by warnings from the Saturnian Administrative Office.
"Multiple unidentified flying objects approaching! All residents, evacuate to underground shelters! Repeat... Multiple unidentified flying objects approaching! All residents, evacuate to underground shelters!"
Despite the panic, the residents followed the instructions of the police forces and drones, evacuating one after another to the emergency underground shelters. Meanwhile, the Space Drifters Union's 3rd Fleet continued to approach relentlessly.
. . .
Titan's Gravity Sphere, Outer Space
The Space Drifters Union's 3rd Fleet and the IFSF Saturnian Area Force encountered each other in the space overlooking Titan. Rear Admiral Fuyuki Kawakami, the IFSF fleet commander, was taken aback by the sheer number of enemies displayed on the radar.
"This is the International Federation Space Force Saturnian Area Force. We have identified your fleet as the Space Drifters Union's fleet. Your fleet is trespassing into the territory of the Earthlings. Cease your advance immediately and retreat!"
The Earthlings' flagship, the space battleship Matsumae, demanded a withdrawal from the Space Drifters Union using radio communication. However, there was no response from the opposing side, and the distance between the two sides was rapidly closing.
"...Are they serious!?"
Kawakami broke into a cold sweat. Immediately afterward, a blinding flash was emitted from the opposing side. Shortly after, the turret of the destroyer Hatsuyuki, a member of the Saturnian Fleet, exploded and scattered.
"The Space Drifters Union fleet has opened fire! Second volley incoming!"
Starting with the first shot, a barrage of gunfire ensued. Saturnian Fleet's warships were being hit one after another.
"...Return fire! Open fire!"
"Firing!"
The Saturnian Area Force also began its counterattack. At Kawakami's command, the missile launchers of each ship began to move. They were automatically assigned targets by AI and simultaneously launched at supersonic speeds.
Space Drifters Union 3rd Fleet Flagship, Rheinzur
The Union side quickly sensed the Earthlings' counterattack. Although he was faced with numerous space missiles, Gernid's smile remained relaxed.
"Haven't they learned from the battle at Mazner... the Earthlings' attacks will do them no good!"
Just before the swarm of missiles hit the Union's ships, they exploded one after another in the seemingly empty void. In an instant, electromagnetic barriers appeared, visualized by the impact.
"Hahaha! Excellent! Crush the Earthling fleet underfoot!"
Ignoring the wave of missile attacks, the Union forces intensified their assault. Energy converged in the turrets of each ship, and particle cannons were fired simultaneously.
IFSF Saturnian Area Force Flagship, Space Battleship Matsumae
"Attack ineffective! The missiles did not hit!"
"High-energy reaction detected from enemy vessels! Incoming attack!"
Meanwhile, the Saturnian Fleet, despite their best efforts in the attack, found themselves easily countered, amidst confusion and agitation. Furthermore, the enemy's counterattack showed no signs of abating, as a wave of charged particle beam attacks began.
"The destroyer Fuyuzuki was hit!"
"The cruiser Cincinnati was heavily damaged!"
"The destroyer Minegumo was heavily damaged!"
"Our second bridge has been hit!"
"...What!?"
On the space battleship Matsumae leading the fleet, reports of damage from all directions continued to pour in. Rear Admiral Kawakami could only be distraught by the overwhelming discrepancy in strength between the two sides.
At the same time, the fighter unit stationed in the Saturn region, the 61st Air Group, began its operations to support the allied fleet. Led by Commander Kenji Sakamoto, piloting the atmospheric and space-capable combat aircraft UF-4 Shooting Star, the squadron closed on the enemy fleet that continued to harass their allies.
"They're acting recklessly...! This is our star system!"
One of the pilots belonging to the 61st Air Group vented his frustration. Before them loomed a fleet of spacecraft much larger than what the IFSF possessed.
"...Lock and load! 61st Air Group, engage!"
Sakamoto issued the order to begin the attack to his wingmen. He reached for the missile launch controls. Each fighter was equipped with hypersonic missiles designed for space combat.
"Duke 1, Fox 3!"
"Duke 3, Fox 3!"
"Duke 7, Fox 3!"
With the callsigns given, the missiles flew out in a group. Assigned targets by the fire control AI, they headed toward the Union fleet at Mach 55 speeds. And those missiles collided successively with enemy vessels.
"...It's no use!" Sakamoto exclaimed in despair. In his mind, he saw the fate of the Martian garrison, who was defeated without a chance. And the Union forces launched new reinforcements.
From the space aircraft carrier stationed in the rear of the fleet, countless unmanned combat aircraft were ejected. They approached the Earthlings' fighters like a swarm of bees, tracing erratic trajectories.
"Shit... There's too many of them!"
Immediately after, a fierce dogfight unfolded in space. Sakamoto's UF-4 was pursued by four enemy fighters.
"Captain, I'll provide cover! Duke 12, Fox 2!"
To cover Sakamoto, one of his wingmen targeted the enemy fighters chasing his aircraft. Then, they fired the Space Sidewinder, a short- to medium-range attack missile designed for space combat. However, the attack was repelled by the barrier and did not result in a successful hit.
"These bastards have shields too!"
"Duke 12, watch your six!"
"Huh? GAAAAAAHH!"
Immediately after, the aircraft piloted by the wingman was obliterated by the enemy's beam attack.
. . .
Saturnian Administrative Office, Titanian Frozen Field, Titan
Reports of combat in space and damage from various sources were constantly reaching the Saturnian Administrative Office on Titan.
"The 61st Air Group has been completely wiped out!"
"Only a few surviving vessels remain!"
"We need to retreat immediately!"
The enraged shout of Vice Admiral Alfonso, commander of the IFSF Saturn Area Force, echoed. However, issuing coherent orders to the chaotic Saturnian Fleet was proving to be difficult. Immediately after, enemy forces approached over Titanian Frozen Field. A tremendous tremor ran through the massive dome covering the city.
"Enemy air raid! Enceladus has already been destroyed!"
"The dome might be breached! It's dangerous for us to remain above ground!"
Under pressure from their subordinates, Vice Admiral Alfonso and Chief Administrator Sugihara were forced to make a decision.
"There's no choice...! Everyone, evacuate to the underground shelter!"
Sugihara made the decision to abandon combat command. They opened the hatch to the evacuation slope hidden in a corner of the office, crossed their arms in front of their chests, and one by one, they threw themselves into the shelter.
Immediately after, the enemy fleet descended upon the capital. Having overwhelmed the Saturnian Fleet, they proceeded to destroy and ravage the cities of Titan and Enceladus, which were the fruits of human labor and sweat. The 3rd Fleet of the Space Drifters Union, which had annihilated the IFSF Saturnian Area Force, occupied Titan and Enceladus. The refugees who had fled underground were gradually discovered and subjected to the plight of captivity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is additional information regarding the differences between the Earth and Union space forces' armaments.
Earth: Missiles and laser cannons for long-range attacks, with no barriers.
Union: Charged particle cannons for long-range attacks, barrier is a standard equipment.
- Bokutotsu Zen'u