Jérémy Chapi
Everything had been going too well, and then it all flipped without warning.The Liberty's alarm blared, unleashing a burst of automatic flares that scattered around the ship like fireworks meant to throw off the missiles.The explosion shook the entire craft, deafening me and catching me off guard.I let go of the controls and instinctively covered my ears.A second detonation thundered beneath the ship, rattling me to my core.Excitement and fear collided inside me in uncontrollable chaos.
"I have to move out of here…" I muttered, regaining control of my trembling arms.
I set my hands on the joystick and throttle and pushed them forward little by little.Through the ship's vibrations, I could hear and feel the missiles detonating behind me.The flare reserve was draining at high speed.Worst of all, the rear camera still showed five missiles locked onto me without letting up.The counter hit zero — the reserve was empty.The ringing in my ears kept me from thinking straight as waves of heat washed over me.
I could shake them by pushing the Liberty's engines, but I risked repeating the mistake I'd made in Germany.I was thinking far too much while the Reaper was screaming behind me.I accelerated in desperation, like a child trying to flee punishment.That's when I noticed the blood on my hand and the metallic taste in my mouth.I was bleeding from my nose and ears.
"No, this can't be happening! It can't just end like this!" I shouted, slamming my hand against the dashboard."My daughter… I can't—this isn't possible! Not like this, not now!"
In that instant, I understood I was only human.My heart shattered at the thought of leaving my daughter alone in this world.Death was closing in, and my thoughts clung to those I loved who were waiting for my return.I had only two choices left: be crushed by the Liberty's acceleration or be pulverized by the missiles chasing me.
But before I could choose my fate, the missiles exploded one after another behind me.Two shadows streaked across my field of vision: fighters had just shot down my pursuers.They formed up on either side of the Liberty.On their wings and tails, a white rectangle adorned with a red dot stood out proudly: Japan.I had crossed into their airspace.
I slowed immediately.Putting my body through more strain after what I'd just endured would have been madness.One of the fighter pilots waved to check if I was alright.Despite the blood still running from my ears and nose, I signaled back that I was okay.He gestured for me to follow, and after what I'd just lived through, I obeyed without hesitation.
I grabbed the water bottle at my side and gulped down a mouthful, then poured some over my face to cool off.I took the cloth wedged in the door pocket and wiped away the mixture of blood and water that streaked my skin.My heart still pounded wildly as the pressure slowly ebbed.Bit by bit, I picked up the thread of the journey.
The missiles had likely come from Vorlensk.I should have paid more attention to my trajectory.I realized the Live was down and several of the Liberty's systems had paused after the shock of the explosion.I relaunched a full diagnostic and the debugging procedure.The report thankfully showed no critical systems damaged.Yes, we'd lost part of the shield, and the exterior paint had blackened, but overall, everything seemed to be functioning.I immediately re-established communication with my daughter, who must have been terrified.
Connecting… Connection established.
"My daughter, can you hear me?""Yes, Father, I hear you. Are you alright over there?"
Hearing her voice flooded me with relief. I was still alive.
"Yes… let's say it was a bit more eventful than expected. I didn't think we'd have to use the flares. And you—how is it on your end?""Dad…" I could hear her crying, which tightened my chest even more. "I was so scared for you…"
"I know, sweetheart. It's okay now."
I tried to reassure her as best I could while the video link came through.I saw her curled up, shoulders trembling with emotion.
"Hey, it's okay, don't worry. Please, stand up."
She straightened slowly, her eyes red.
"I'm sorry I scared you like that. It's going to be alright, I promise," I said softly, as she wiped away the last tears on her cheek.
"Yes… as long as you promise to come back, no matter what," she replied, fixing me with heartbreaking resolve.
"No matter what happens, my daughter, I'll do everything to always be by your side and never abandon you," I answered, placing my hand on the screen.
She did the same, our gestures meeting virtually before we regained our calm and focus.
"I had to cut the Live and announce a five-minute break. We have one minute left before resuming, but a lot of people are worried about the interruption.""Yes, the explosion caused a few system errors. Nothing serious, but I'll handle the full diagnostic.""Dad! Wipe your nose, you're still bleeding a little.""Ah—yes, you're right. Thank you."
I took the cloth and wiped the blood under my nose to look presentable when we went back on air.I had to pull myself together.This wasn't worthy of the father I wanted to be for her.It was my job to reassure her, not the other way around.On the Live return feed, I could see her keeping her cool and soothing the audience brilliantly, giving me time to catch my breath.
"Welcome back, dear viewers. As you saw, we ran into a few issues, but everything is now resolved. Without further delay, I can announce that I'm heading for Japan—more precisely, toward the Shibuya district. As you can see on the cameras, I'm accompanied by two fighters, and we're starting to catch sight of Kanazawa."
Once we left the sea behind, the fighters waved from their cockpits as if to say goodbye and were replaced by two heavily armed attack helicopters.The JSDF (Japan Self-Defense Forces) do not joke about protecting their territory, and I needed to be cautious and cooperative.I reduced speed to show good faith and let the helicopters escort me.This low-speed flight let me savor the magnificent landscape of the Land of the Rising Sun: mountains clad in autumn colors blending into dense forests, their golden and coppery tones merging in the morning light.
"I'd love to go to an onsen in the middle of nature one day," I said aloud."Maybe one day," my daughter replied."I certainly hope so.""Father, you should have a surprise waiting if it's confirmed."
I wondered what she meant.
"I hope this time it's a good surprise.""Yes, don't worry."
As we passed the mountain range, I noticed the sun already high in the sky, revealing a breathtaking view of the great city of Tokyo.The contrast between urban and rural was striking: traditional wooden houses mingled with towering skyscrapers.In the distance, I could even make out a structure that reminded me of the Eiffel Tower.Mount Fuji, on my right, revealed its snow-capped summit—an unforgettable sight.All of this unfolded before my eyes, and I couldn't hide my exhilaration at so much beauty.
The helicopters took the lead, indicating the path to follow.We skimmed over the giant buildings until the aircraft stopped above a massive intersection.I realized an enormous crowd was waiting for me, packed into the streets and on rooftops.The Live was even being rebroadcast on the district's giant screens, which made me smile in astonishment.I began a gradual descent to give spectators a better view, flying just above the streetlights.
I remained silent for a moment, overwhelmed by emotion.Then, through the roar of wind and engines, I heard the crowd chanting: "Liberty! Liberty!"
A little moved by the scene, I spoke again on the Live.
"Thank you, Land of the Rising Sun, for this welcome that goes straight to my heart. I hope you're enjoying the show I'm offering—and this is only the beginning. To thank you for your warm welcome, I can announce that the second part of my plan is to go into space, because the Liberty is not just a flying vessel but above all a space shuttle capable of leaving Earth's orbit and reaching the Global Space Station."
My daughter translated my words into Japanese over the Live, and the crowd's enthusiasm could be heard even inside my cockpit.I gave one last wave in farewell and resumed navigation, escorted by the Japanese military helicopters out to international waters.
I flew over the North Pacific, with nothing but that immense expanse of water ahead, the waves endlessly redrawing the landscape in their perpetual motion.The Live had resumed: my daughter was narrating the journey, answering audience questions, and describing the regions we passed over.As for me, I replied absent-mindedly, my mind elsewhere.Iris was handling it perfectly—and I noticed she had the audience enthralled.Dare I say she was becoming a star and stealing the show from me?
In truth, I didn't mind.I've never liked being the center of attention.What worried me more was that she might attract the Internet's darker gaze.I could already imagine some of the chat messages being filtered.My thoughts drifted back to the sea, and I regretted not spotting a whale.I straightened up to stabilize the Liberty and asked my daughter to pause the Live for a few minutes: I needed to speak with her privately.
"Are you alright, Father?""Yes, I'm fine. Sorry to interrupt the Live, but I needed to talk to you.""What do you want to talk about?" she asked gently.
The pressure eased inside me and I let out a long sigh.
"When I saw that huge crowd, I truly felt we'd made the right choice.""I think so too. The reactions from all over the world are incredible—messages keep pouring in."
Her words warmed my heart.
"But I'm just a man… I hope I can make it to the end."
I massaged my left arm, sore from the last explosion.
"I understand. If it were up to me, you would never have left. But to me, you're not just a man. You're my father first," she replied with a big smile."Yes, you're right. And I'm sure she's watching us from up there. You and she are my strength. I love you, sweetheart—and thank you."
Iris's gaze grew more tender. After a brief silence, she spoke again, more serious:
"There's something I need to tell you, Father.""What is it?""Dad, please… let me handle your security for the rest of the journey!" she said bluntly."The fear I felt when I lost your signal…""Riri…" I said, using the nickname I used to call her."I thought I'd lost you forever and would be left alone. I want to protect you, Father. I don't want to lose you."
Her words pierced my heart.
"I agree," I answered sincerely.
She widened her eyes.
"You really agree?""Yes. Ensure my safety by any means—so long as it doesn't endanger your own life. I'll take responsibility."
The bitter taste of the Vorlensk attack still lingered, and I knew disaster had been narrowly avoided.If I'd let her intervene earlier, maybe none of it would have happened.
"Thank you…" she breathed with a small smile.
I continued, more firmly:
"Please—if you have to intervene, do it in a way that avoids being detected. I don't want humanity to see you as a threat."
She nodded.
"Don't worry. I'll be careful. I'm going to resume the Live and monitor military movements. You're approaching the United States, Father.""Ah yes, now that you mention it… Is everything going smoothly on the Live?""Yes, all good. There are even fanarts of us already. The media are increasingly supportive.""Show me a few—I'd like to see.""Of course. Some are beautiful. And don't worry, there'll be some of you soon too, I promise."I chuckled softly. "My little celebrity… you'll soon surpass me."She blushed slightly. "Father, please… I'm resuming the Live. Enjoy your flight over America. Kiss."
The journey to America went off without incident.Upon arrival, fighter jets escorted me to Washington.They trailed smoke in the colors of the American flag, painting the sky with red, white, and blue.The welcome was grand: from above, I could see the crowd gathered around the Washington Monument.Despite the late hour, people had come out in large numbers.News helicopters circled the Liberty, filming every moment.
From my cockpit, I spotted the Lincoln Memorial lit up brilliantly, reflected in the mirror-pool perfectly aligned with the obelisk.It was an unforgettable scene.
I then set course for France, flying over the vast, calm Atlantic.I took the opportunity to deploy the forward shield — the iron umbrella — to protect against debris and potential impacts.Once open, it blocked all direct visibility, forcing me to pilot solely through the forward cameras.An effective protection… but a frustrating one for a dreamer like me, deprived of the sky's spectacle.
As I neared France, an alert message appeared:
"They found the barn."
My blood ran cold.They finally knew who I was.They would surely try to seize my work.
I drew a deep breath, tightened my grip on the controls, and opened the channel.
"My daughter, I'll let you handle the situation. I'm continuing with the plan."