"Therefore, please remain where you are until the time of your release comes. The plane is equipped to accommodate you until your release. Thank you for your cooperation."
"We've been had," said Teletha Testarossa. "They've tricked our intelligence."
The command center's forward screen looked like a swirly finger-painting of information. Red, green, and yellow characters danced, complicated figures overlapped. Several different countries were mobilizing military units, and intercepted communications flew in from every angle.
"We're always a step behind," she lamented. "It's pathetic."
Reassuringly, Kalinin said, "Think of it as playing Whac-a–Mole. Sometimes, there's nothing you can do but wait until one shows its ugly head."
Tessa knew that Kalinin must have been at least a little suspicious, seeing as it was his idea for Sousuke to go on the trip. But even he seemed surprised by such a brazen and audacious move.
"Whoever is behind this, it sure doesn't seem like the KGB," determined Kalinin.
"Yes, and despite their location, I don't think North Korea's behind it, either," said Tessa.
"Right, ma'am. They're both just along for the ride with whoever masterminded this whole escapade."
Although they thought the research data was obliterated completely, someone must have salvaged it somehow. And whoever made off with the data had to have some kind of ties to North Korean military circles, as well as a research facility to exploit Kaname.
"Any guesses who Mister X and friends might be?"
"No idea at this stage."
"The North Korean government issued a statement that it is not responsible for this hijacking, as if it just fell into their laps. However, they seem pleased to have some leverage to stop the U.S.– South Korea joint maneuvers," reported Tessa as she finished reading the latest transmission from Sweden. She was quite adept at reading incredibly fast while talking about something entirely unrelated—a feat impossible for an average brain.
"So, Lieutenant Commander," she began, "what do you think are the chances the hostages will be released peacefully?"
"Excepting Chidori, you mean?"
Tessa nodded. "Right. If we don't make any bad moves, we might be able to negotiate the return of the other four hundred people on board."
"Yes. I suppose the North Korean government certainly doesn't want to add to the tension here. I mean, they had an abundant harvest last year, just started working on a palladium reactor, and have started to dig their economy out of the basement. They really don't have anything to gain by letting several hundred Japanese students die."
"Right. We should let their leaders deal with returning the hostages. Then, we can find and rescue Chidori."
Even if, for argument's sake, that plan would work, they knew exactly what kind of treatment Kaname would be subject to until that rescue.
Kalinin noticed the faint look of self-loathing that appeared on Tessa's face, but he pretended he hadn't.
"This makes sense, however—"
"We'll watch over things for now," interrupted Tessa.
"Very good. We still have some time. What should we do about combat standby?"
"Put transport planes on standby at the Merida Island base—three C-17s. And get a KC-I0 in the air in two hours or less. We'll come up with the flight plans as necessary."
"Aye aye, ma'am," responded the communications officer before getting to work.
"Remember, Lieutenant Commander, we still have Mao and Weber," reminded Tessa. "Let's have six M9 Gernsbacks and three FAV-8 Super Harriers prepped and ready by oh-seven hundred. And—"
Tessa weighed the final decision in her mind before speaking. "Let's get the Arbalest into a usable state."
"Aye aye, ma'am."
"Let's not worry ourselves, now. We are prepared for situations like this."
Kalinin nodded and said, "Plus, the enemy's unaware of his deadly cargo."
Indeed, in a situation like this, Sousuke was undeniably dangerous.
"True. Let's wait for him to contact us," decided Tessa. "Keep the ship at periscope depth."
Despite the gravity of the situation, the students on the plane were abuzz with excitement.
The other passengers on the aircraft sat gravely awaiting new developments, but the Jindai High School students revolted against boredom with all kinds of raucous behavior.
Intense Hanafuda and mahjong card battles erupted. LIFE and Monopoly spread out across some of the seats.
