The Aegis, an escort ship of the Odyseia Maritime School.
As soon as Wakamo's movements were detected, I was summoned by the FOX Squad, and we were transported here via helicopter.
The first thing I requested from Odyseia was a full report on the armament of the Nereus, the ship Wakamo was occupying, so we could form a detailed infiltration plan. A high-speed boat insertion was realistically too difficult, so if the ship lacked a proper anti-air defense system, a helicopter insertion would be easier.
Even without anti-air missiles, attempting an aerial insertion isn't the safest option, but if we were to proceed with the assumption that we might lose a helicopter in the process and just push through with our tough bodies, wouldn't that be a better option than a high-speed boat?
"…Fundamentally, this information is a classified secret that should not be leaked, but as we have caused you trouble through our own carelessness, we have decided to disclose it without reservation. Please ensure that this information is not relayed to anyone outside of those present here."
"Captain, as members of the SRT Special Academy, we in the FOX Squad are in a position to view a great deal of military intelligence. This includes information on your academy's ship-to-surface missiles and other such weaponry that straddles the line between legal and illegal. Therefore, the information you are providing does not hold any great significance for us."
"…Ahem. W-Well, I suppose that's true. However, that does not apply to the Tea Party Host."
"Hmm. Well, don't worry so much. It's not as if Trinity has any reason to be hostile toward Odyseia. I have no need to record your military intelligence."
The armament status of the Nereus provided by the captain of the Aegis was something that should not have existed on a cargo ship, but it was considerably less formidable than we had anticipated.
The ship-to-surface missiles operated by the Nereus were estimated to have a maximum range of 150km. However, as they were generally intended to be fired within 100km, we had to execute our infiltration and neutralize Wakamo before the Nereus reached a distance from which it could strike the coastline.
According to the captain, the Nereus was not equipped with a proper anti-air defense system. At this point, the plan shifted from a high-speed boat insertion to one using SRT's helicopter.
However, among the mercenaries hired by Wakamo, there would surely be some using rocket launchers. Therefore, we had to succeed in landing on the cargo ship, even if it meant assuming the helicopter would be shot down. Of course, any damages incurred in the process would be covered by Odyseia.
"…The Tea Party Host has presumably never undergone fast-rope training, correct?"
"Well, of course she hasn't. You can tell she's a pampered young lady just by looking at her."
"Hmm. We know she's strong in a fight, but given her status, she's not in a position to receive full-scale military training."
One by one, the members of the FOX Squad—Niko, Kurumi, and Otogi—posed the question and then answered it themselves. It was true, so I had no grounds to object.
"Hmm. I doubt it's even necessary, but… more importantly, we can't just call her 'Tea Party Host' during the operation. Shouldn't we figure out a callsign first? We could call you Mika-san, like Yukino-chan does, or since we're all the same age, Mika-chan would be fine too."
"…Eek, isn't that a little too familiar? It's embarrassing."
"Hmm. In that case, using a codename just for this operation seems like a good idea. Like a one-day FOX Squad experience. Codename: FOX 5! I think that has a nice ring to it. What do you think, Tea Party Host?"
Hearing Niko's words, I glanced over the members of the FOX Squad. Each of them had large, perky fox ears atop their heads.
"But unlike you guys, I don't have fox ears."
"I believe we can assist you with that."
"…Eh?"
At the captain's sudden interjection, the FOX Squad members and I all tilted our heads in confusion. I had no idea how he could possibly help, but the unhinged captain then produced a headband with white fox ears attached to it and offered it to me.
"…Hey, don't mess with me. That's not funny. Why do you even have something like that in the first place?"
"Ooh, that's a great idea!"
Niko, exclaiming, practically snatched the headband from the captain. She then presented it to me, a sly, foxy smile playing on her lips.
"Here, go on. We'll be counting on you in this operation, FOX 5."
Hey, why does my opinion not matter here?
I shot a desperate, help-me look at Yukino, and thankfully, she nodded as if she understood.
"We are counting on you, Mika-san. No… I am counting on you, FOX 5."
Hey, that wasn't me giving my permission! I was asking for help, so why did you give your permission?!
"…Hmph. For one day, I suppose. It's not like she'll just be dead weight."
"Wait a minute! Then what's her position? She uses a submachine gun, so she'll overlap with Kurumi. And her gun has no attachments at all. Shouldn't you at least put on a suppressor or a flash hider? I'm sure we could find a compatible model if we looked."
"Now, now, please take it. If you keep this up, my arm might fall off."
Wow… they're all having completely different conversations.
It made me wonder if they could even cooperate properly, but the fact that the General Student Council President trusted them so much completely shut down that possibility.
"Ahaha… maybe I shouldn't have come along. I should have just left this to you guys and stayed back."
"This won't do. I'll just have to put it on for you."
"No, wait…! If it comes to that, I'll put it on myself!"
I snatched the somewhat blocky fox-ear headband from Niko and placed it on my head, squeezing my eyes shut. There was a motherly force emanating from Niko's smile that made it impossible for me to refuse her.
However, letting her put it on for me was… well, it was embarrassing, but it was also a matter of my last shred of conscience.
"Ah, Mika-san, first, let's get you a spare tactical headset…"
Why was I here, wearing a fox-ear headband, instead of watching the competition I had been looking forward to the most? It was a moment of renewed resentment.
Following the route provided by Odyseia, the SRT helicopter flew over the sea.
"I've explained the theory, but in the end, the execution is up to you, Mika-san. Just observing our posture should be helpful."
I don't know about that. If worse comes to worst, I'm just going to let go of the rope and jump. From what I'd heard, it didn't sound particularly difficult or strenuous, and I knew from experience that jumping from a moderate height wouldn't be an issue.
"We haven't received any communications about a change in the Nereus's course, so it should be coming into view soon… Ah, there it is."
It was too far to see clearly at first, but as we got closer, the shape of a cargo ship laden with containers became visible.
"They seem to be very slow in noticing our approach. They should have already detected us on their radar and finished their preparations by now…"
That's true… is what I would say, but no.
"That's not it, Yukino-chan. Think about it. Do you really think the mercenaries hired by the Fox of Calamity can operate one of Odyseia's school ships by themselves? Of course, the Odyseia crew is still on the bridge, and the mercenaries are probably just watching over them. So… let's say an unidentified aircraft is detected on the radar. Do you really think the crew would have any obligation to report that to them?"
"It is true that the Odyseia crew would have no reason to cooperate with terrorists in such an unexpected situation, but the Fox of Calamity has been identified as having a very meticulous personality. It would not be strange for her to have prepared for such a situation by ordering the crew to report any information in advance. That is what raised my suspicions."
"Well, even if they received such an order, they could just choose to disobey it, right? At this point, an aircraft approaching their school ship so openly would be an ally a hundred times out of a hundred. In a situation like that, I think it would be normal to keep quiet rather than report it… right?"
"Hey, is this really that important right now? The point is they aren't ready for us yet, and they're going to notice us soon enough because of the helicopter noise. So instead of this, shouldn't we be getting ready to descend?"
Kurumi, twirling her hair, threw a wrench into the conversation between me and Yukino. She wasn't wrong, so all of us—the FOX Squad and me, the one-day fox—began to prepare for the descent.
"It seems they've noticed us now from the sound… By the way, Mika-san. Back on the Aegis."
"Yeah, Niko-chan? What about it?"
"That shutter sound… I was just wondering…"
"…You know, Niko-chan. It's not nice to tease someone right before an operation begins."
"Fufut. What can I do? A fox's ears hear everything. We all pretended not to notice, but to think you'd actually wear it on a mission…"
Fine, I took a few selfies. What of it? Is it a crime for me to enjoy my hobbies?
"Shh. That's enough chatter. I will give a quick briefing before insertion. We will descend onto the stacked containers to minimize the risk of the helicopter being shot down. The descent order will normally follow our codename numbers, but as an exception today, I will remain last to cover FOX 5."
Yukino, nonchalantly tossing me a pair of gloves, tapped her headset and then approached me and did the same.
"FOX 5, press this when you need to transmit. During this operation, as previously decided, FOX 5 will eliminate enemies on the deck. FOX 2 and FOX 4 will form one team, and FOX 3 and I will form another to enter the ship's interior first. Upon spotting the Fox of Calamity, your first priority is to relay her position to the squad. Do not forget."
The helicopter lowered its altitude directly above the ship, and a rope was thrown down.
"FOX Squad, commencing operation."
…Mommy, I'm a baby fox. I'm a little scared, so can you lower us down a bit more?
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