Living with Memory of Steel (Part 1) Read online

  Between the gap of his closing eyes, Sekiba sees Cradle break in half.

  *****

  --- My heart becomes steel.

  I live with a memory of steel. I carry the memory of steel on my back.

  If that's my karma, I understand, but this burden was thrown on me. This isn't my karma, fate nor compensation for something. It's merely a coincidental fact.

  Some people say it's bad luck. Others say I have chosen this path.

  Neither is wrong.

  But, I can't accept this. I can't accept the fact that has been given to me.

  My spirit is hard as steel with hatred and regret. I can stay sane by rejecting the current situation.

  So, I'll keep this memory as a record.

  This is my steel memory.

  Chapter 1

  Friday night at Tokyo is a little bit noisy.

  Earthlight, a government organization that usually hides in a city is carrying out their regular protest demonstration. They ostentatiously drive around their armed propaganda car and yell out with a speaker. This has been going on for years.

  "Light of the earth for everyone"

  I have no idea what they are talking about, but to put it briefly, their main argument is that they would like to go to the space as well". They seem to be somehow frustrated with the fact that only a small number of scientists are engaged with the recent aggressive development. That started their endless yell of complaint of the politics of the nation which have been providing a preferential treatment to scientists since MoSE (Meister of Science and Engineering) certification system had established.

  The target of the protest demonstration could be somewhere in the middle of the city and research centers of a company or the government. The government research facilities are their perfect victims. These facilities are officially separated from the government, but practically they are still deeply connected with the supervisory authorities regarding the budget and the leadership. They are suitable as an outlet of the dissatisfaction of Earthlight.

  However, the government did have a counter strategy.

  They have established the Riot Police with Powered Exoskeleton and put pressure on Earthlight. Their job is guard and defense.

  All they do is defense even when stones are being thrown at them.

  They defense even if they get shot by model guns.

  They repress their opponent only when the civilians are in danger.

  In the tensed situation, general citizens are ---including people who work for those targeted research facilities---doing their best not to get caught up in the affair.

  Everyone is slightly more careful when they go out on Friday night, thinking it's a little noisy tonight as usual.

  They have no doubt that it's just being a little noisy.

  *****

  A boy, Reji Kogure stops his motor bicycle.

  He meets up with his usual partner at a usual bar at a usual time.

  Under the illuminated billboard that glows in the dusk, he pushes the heavy door to enter the bar. There is Islamic solemn music echoing with intense beats. This is a decent bar, so they don't do things like playing an arranged version of the Koran. The song is originally a kind of religious music, but no one cares about its origin. God doesn't exist in this country.

  It's not right. God surely exists, but when the number of God has reached over 8 million, it became impossible for anyone to know where they are. In that sense, Japanese people have had the consistent attitude for two thousand years.

  Akimichi Kasuga sits at the further end of the counter. Reji sits next to him and signals the bartender. A cup of tea with strong flavor of cardamom, cinnamon and ginger is served.

  "This must be Ceylon."

  "This is Assam. Not good enough, man."

  The bartender treats him lightheartedly.

  At the back of the bar, a guy who seemed to have just come back from Chiang Mai is telling his experience of his trip with a boastful expression on his face. It seems like there was love and peace in the country. I chime in with a muffled remark, "that's nice". There is nothing better than valuing love and peace. People realize their importance when they lose it. I don't know how much he paid for the love and peace, but it's too late to buy once they are gone. I'm sick of grown-up guys.

  I take a sneak look at Akimichi and see he's not angry. I call out.

  "Thank you for waiting, Akimichi-san."

  He has a glass of black liquid in his hand. He continues.

  "Congratulations. I've heard the news. You passed the technical specialist test."

  Akimichi laughs a little. He moves his glass of tea to Akimichi's glass. They make a dry noise.

  Akimichi is in the third year of his high school and older than Reji by two years. His grade of technology class is good, which helps him to work for a research facility in Haneda while going to school. After passing the technology specialist exam that is a stepping stone as an engineer, he is going to enter university on a recommendation next year.

  A prospective elite, Akimichi and Reji met though their hobby, motor bikes. Their happened to live close to each other, so they decided to meet up. Oder but friendly Rejj!!and Akimichi hit it off completely. It was after a while when Reji told him that he was going to be a technology specialist.

  "What's up? You look a little gloomy."

  Akimichi sips his drink and plays with the glass for a little while before opening his mouth.

  "How about we hit the Bay line linear highway. It's been a while, you know?"

  The Bay line starts at Kawasaki, goes past Maihama, looking at an offshore airport on the right and ends at Makuhari. The 70 % of the roads have been reclaimed from the sea and the rest are above the ocean. It's fun to drive through winding roads, but racing through a highway at high speed is also refreshing.

  When Akimichi had a bad day, he often says things like this. In this kind of situation, Reji always stay next to him without asking anything. After the run, they sip at sweet canned coffee as per usual.

  "You know, Wakako."

  Akimichi continues.

  "She wants to break up with me."

  "Seriously? You were so in love."

  He's seen a lot of pictures of them looking happy together.

  "I know."

  Akimichi shows a smile that is mixed with embarrassment, self-ridicule and acceptance.

  Wakako is one of the members of Akimichi's bike circle and his girlfriend.

  "I don't get it. She said she was no longer in love with me and wanted to break up. It was so out of the blue that it hasn't sunk in yet."

  "What's the heck. What is she not happy about you? I think you are awesome and cool. If I was a girl, I'd date you. Not that I'd want to do that now. It's amazing that you can psy-connect. You can invade into the American base camp if you want to."

  "That' stupid. That kind of attack doesn't use psy-connect. They try to get a password by going through a rubbish bin or do things like that."

  "You're going to become a technology specialist for god sake. That would always keep you employed and promoted. I can't believe a girl would break up with someone like that. Girls like guys with money, right?"

  "Yeah... I wish Wakako was more of a calculating type."

  He takes a sip.

  "I'm kind of lost now. I'm happy that I passed the technology specialist exam, but I got dumped by Wakako. I don't know if I'm lucky or unlucky."

  "W, well, but you can own the qualification of the job for the rest of your life. I'm sure... y, you can find a new girlfriend soon. So, I guess you should think you're on the lucky side."

  "You think so?"

  Akimichi keeps on sipping with tilting his head.

  "Yeah. Plenty of girls would like to date you. I'm sure of it. For instance, you can be with that stunning girl at your high school, you know, the one with a long hair..."

  "Hmm? Oh, Akari Nakazato. She is.... Well, everyone in my high school acts like they are all rivals regardless of the gender."
/>
  "I see."

  He might get attracted to Wakako who has the same hobby and doesn't have any of the tensed feelings."

  The guy who's back from Chiang Mai is laughing out loud. Jesus, he's ignorant. He can buy his love with money, but money doesn't fix Akimichi's issue.

  While Reji stays quiet, Akimichi stands up. Reji follows after him.

  They go outside the bar.

  They hop on their motorbikes at a parking lot, wear helmets and starts the mortors. Their motorbikes make small spinning sounds and start off.

  Reji isn't in the motorbike circle. It's not like he likes being alone, but their relationship seems quite superficial. It looks like Akimichi is getting on with everyone and his girlfriend is also in the group. Maybe that kind of relationship isn't that bad. It's weird that he doesn't get their common interest. It seems to be difficult to maintain the group if it has become a meeting place of opposite sex, and a breakup like this happens.

  Their motorbikes enter the highway. They change the gears from the motor to linear drive. The speed instantly goes up and gives sharp air on their necks.

  Highways goes through in the middle of the Industrial area. There are silhouetted chimneys from the previous generation among the contemporary factories on each side. The position of factory workers has improved and evened out in factories, but still there are more people who prefer working at new facilities. Small and medium business owners have been troubled by successor issue. However, there are intermediary agents that take advantages of the situation. They take specific orders from research facilities and distribute the work to those small and mid-scale factories. It seems like there are still several ways to survive. That said, only privileged group of people like technology specialists can compete in the new business world. A normal person like Reji has to work at a ordinary factory.

  If that's the case, Reji wants to work at a clean place. Since he doesn't have any extraordinary skills, he's going to work at a mid-sized company and spend his life without any drama. Then, it's better to have a life that is more comfortable.

  The problem with linear drive is that he can start to think those things that he doesn't normally care when he drives slowly. He might end up feeling more depressed than Akimichi when they get to the Bay line. He speeds up his bike to catch up with Akimichi.

  After the industrial area, they enter the entrance of the Bay line. There are almost no cars driving around this time of the day. He can see the straight road disappearing toward the vanishing point like a scenery picture. This road leads from the land filled area to area to the ocean. Chiba prefecture is further ahead.

  Akimichi raises his hand to give a signal to Reji. They go onto the linear highway and hack the traffic control system with the program that Akimichi made to get the manual navigation and remove the limiter.

  All they have to do is to run on the magnetic flux.

  The scenery is going past so fast that it becomes impossible to recognize each part as the speed goes up. The flowing scenery changes into the flow of noise. The flow of the noise and the air that presses against their bodies making them lose their sensation. This can make them not only provide ecstasies and intoxication but also time to forget everything.

  Rumbling deep sound move above their heads. The vibration shakes the motorbikes and their buttocks to backs. The international airport, new Haneda airport is on the ocean and operates 24 hours. The sound is coming from the engine of the airplane that is flying low to land. The airplane looks like a toy from this distance, but the sound is showing its existence of the gigantic body.

  There is a hemispherical building in front of the airport. It's a brand new Bay dome. The dome can hold various events. The ceiling is gaining public attention. It's supported by the repulsion force of magnetic "linear module", which is introduced for the first time in the world.

  There is more white color in the scenery of the left side. Many government and private research facilities are built in this area. The tall white walls of these buildings are lined up.

  Reji wonders what kind of people are working in such places. Perhaps there would be people with cold eyes are wandering around in their white robes. Those people would go to universities to become technology specialists and probably enter graduate schools... it's above imagination. Reji's high school wouldn't have that kind of people. However, some of his friends are trying hard to improve their grades. What are they studying for? They wouldn't be able to go up to this level. What they can do including Reji is to drive their bikes, taking a side glance at those guys who are stuck in tall buildings and working hard.

  The light of the lumps among white color is stretching behind them. It's in the middle of the night, but there are still people working in the research facility.

  Small howling of the speaker comes into the helmet. The speaker continues to talk with lengthening the end of his sentences for nor reason.

  Yes, today is Friday. The target of the government organization would be that research center over there. Not that it matters to them who are running on the Bay line.

  The area of white walls fall behind them.

  The vision goes wide. The ocean section is coming up. They can smell the ocean a little through their helmets.

  *****

  The first commander of the fourth troops of the sixth Riot Police with Powered Exoskeleton is Masato Morihara. His name, given by his grandfather shows that he fights for justice. He doesn't know which one of these leads him to get his job, his name or his intention, but working for the Riot Police w/ P.E. seems very reasonable. He has never had any doubt about his life choices.

  Morihara is on a good mood tonight. First, the pork lunch meal was doubled the size since the restaurant owner's favorite soccer team had won. On top of that, extra side dish of the cabbage was served for free. With that, he ate four bowls of rice. He doesn't have any interest in soccer, but he thought about rooting for the team with a Western name, which seemed impossible to remember.

  Second, when he was doing some boring paper work in the afternoon. One of the female co-workers was giving chocolate everyone as 3 PM treat. For some reason, she gave him extra chocolate. He thought she must have liked him, even though he didn't even remember her name. He had no idea that she is Yuko Kaneda, 25 years old, who has a boyfriend, and the chocolate was expired, so she gave it to him.

  Third, the thing that will please Morihara the most, was the party of Earthlight tonight. They are famous for the intelligent strategy and the aggressive action style. Any fuss that they cause involves dynamic gun shoot. It's safe to say that Morihara works for a day like this.

  At 17:30. The alert of the device pops up on the desk. The big monitor on the wall shows the arrangement. It's time to gather up.

  Morihara is a commander of a small troop. He puts on a standard equipment for the Riot Police and Powered Exoskeleton Type-2. The equipment is defense focused with outfit of the security riot police and supplementary Type-2 armor, but it doesn't discourage his fighting spirit.

  Earthlight will make a fuss tonight as well.

  He stands up with a slight hope that they would make a scene that worth his power of controlling them.

  The target of Earthlight tonight is a research factory in the head office of ASIT - Agency of Science, Industry and Technology. The place is along the Bayline that is a little further away from Haneda. The area that surround the Bayline is sorted into Areas from A to F.

  The first troop including Morihara waits at Area C. he fifth troop await at Area E.

  It'd be the best to arrange the members in all the sections, but they can't afford dispatching a large number of members for the weekly fuss. The head office of ASIT is a section of ex-territoriality for researchers. They don't like outsiders wandering around in the area.

  The first troop has three separate groups under the leadership of the commander. Each group consists of 5 to 6 members with an armed vehicle. Morihara stops the armed car for the commander and waits for the moment.
/>   When he takes a look at the back seat, he can see five subordinates with the second type armors. They are "today's" subordinates to be more precise. The operating groups are disposable. Five of them have the same spacey expression. It seems like their consciousness was floating around 3 meters above them. It's understandable, considering the fact that they are not official members of the army.

  Morihara doesn't like looking after his subordinates. He thinks it's better to carry out the mission by himself with weapons rather than taking care of these guys. However, the duty of an official member of the army is to give instructions. Being in the same line as the troop members is the same as throwing the human right.

  Morihara sighs and falls his head on the wheel.

  *****

  Akimichi raises his hand. This is a short sign language of motorbike riders. It means "there is someone". Members in his circle send messages like this way instead of using a radio messenger.

  They park their motorbikes on the side road.

  There is a shadow of a person on the Bayline that no one should be walking. A person with a long hair sits on one of the concrete blocks that are covered with organic plastic. Reji instantly notices that it's a lady by the silhouette in the duck and realizes the familiar face. He takes a sneak look at Akimichi and sees his disgusted face.

  "What's the girl doing.... She's Ms. Nakazato."

  She's the person that they were talking about. Her long hair was cut around the shoulder in a messy way and waving in the wind.

  "I was wondering why there weren't any cars on this road. This was the trick by you, Kasuga-kun. It's quite a good program."

  "How did you come in, Nakazato?"

  "How? You didn't expect someone would come here on FOOT, did you?"

  "On FOOT? Here?"

  "This place is in the neighborhood."

  The girl, Ms. Akari Nakazato, jumps off from the block and walks to Reji with light footsteps.