10 The Class Trip (2/2)
Regardless, a captain's rank insignia sparkled on her collar. And although the awards and decorations common to most captains were
nowhere to be found on her chest, the girl, Teletha Testarossa (a.k.a. Tessa) was captain of the Tuatha de Danaan.
”Yes,” said Kalinin, handing her a few documents and a pen.
”The trip starts the next week. I propose we open a new confidential circuit for communications during the trip. Also, please sign this permission slip.”
She nodded and signed the document. ”What a strange school, taking a trip at this time of year. Where are they going, anyway?”
”Okinawa.”
”Oh.” Tessa quickly turned away, staring at a map in her forward display screen. ”Did you know that I used to live there?”
”No, ma'am.”
”My father wanted me to go to a Japanese elementary school,”
she said wistfully, ”but I never made any friends, and then I transferred to a school on the base.”
Commander Mardukas, the ship's executive officer, cleared his throat, snapping Tessa back to earth.
”I guess this isn't the right time and place for memories,” apologized the captain.
”Probably not, ma'am,” said Mardukas before returning to his personal duties.
Kalinin kept reading his report as though nothing had happened. ”We have new information.”
”About the Whispered?”
”Yes, ma'am. Apparently, the Khabarovsk facility still is conducting research. Take a look at this.”
....
Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan
Passenger Lobby
”Okay, Class Four!” announced Miss Shizuka. ”Have your tickets out and your IDs ready!”
JAL Flight 903.
The jumbo jet reached its cruising altitude.
Having never been on a plane before, Kyouko gripped the side of the window and pressed her face against the glass. It was a bright
and clear day, and she could see all of Tokyo.
”Wow, look! Hey, there's the Rainbow Bridge. Awesome!”
”There it is,” Kaname said halfheartedly.
”Are you even listening, Kana?”
”Of course.”
”Look, the Statue of Liberty!”
”Yep.”
”The Eiffel Tower!”
”Neato,” monotoned Kaname.
Kyouko nudged her. ”What's the matter? You've been acting really weird all day. What happened?”
Just when Kaname was talking with Kyouko, two ordinary men walked past her seeming like they were going to use the toilet. But when they walked past her, Kaname suddenly felt there was something not right.
She subconsciously looked at the two men and at this moment, one of them looked back. He immediately avoided her gaze. There was something wrong with these two.
Kaname quickly stood up and wanted to report this suspicious situation, but the moment she did, the middle-aged woman next to her suddenly pointed a gun at her and said softly, ”Mrs. Kaname, please don't move around; my gun isn't very obedient.”