“Yeah… the Intelligence Forces probably want to find out what’s going on in the SAF and maybe get some intel from us as well. I think Colonel Rombert sees our situation presenting itself to him as a chance to get some quid pro quo. Did he say anything like this guy he’s offering wouldn’t be an SAF transfer but just an Intelligence Forces member on loan to us?”
“Yeah, that’s basically the impression I got from him. Rombert’s attitude toward us will probably change depending on what moves we make. For now, though, he seems to be friendly to us,” General Cooley said.
“The colonel seems to be planning to start openly collecting intel on what goes on in the SAF. This personnel recommendation may just be a bluff. In any case, I think this is a declaration from him that the Intelligence Forces aren’t just going to leave the SAF to its own devices. We should take it as a warning.”
“I don’t want Colonel Rombert and his forces interfering with what we do here. The last thing we need is them breathing down our necks. I want to avoid anything that endangers our autonomy. Normally, I’d reject the offer out of hand, but right now, we’re really hurting for personnel, so I’m thinking of accepting it,” said Cooley.
“Accept an intel forces guy with strings attached, huh? All combat intel will end up getting passed straight to Colonel Rombert. Are you saying you’re okay with that?”
“So says the man who was just saying he wanted anyone, even a JAM.”
“That was just a figure of speech, General.”
“I didn’t think so. You sounded pretty serious to me when you said a JAM human could get us info on the JAM.”
“A JAM human. What Colonel Rombert refers to as a Jammy. Well, maybe this would be better. If the colonel’s recommending this guy, it’s pretty much a guarantee that he won’t be a Jammy,” Booker said.
“I can imagine that Colonel Rombert has been watching us for any strange moves ever since we told him that we’ve already been infiltrated by a duplicate once before. It’s only natural that he can’t disregard any actions the SAF takes now. We were prepared for that already.”
“True, but I figured he’d do it behind closed doors. I never expected him to openly send in a…well, spy may be too strong a word. How about observer?”
“No, Colonel Rombert sends in his right-hand man who will then report on what happens here to him. But at the same time, we’ll know about it. With that in mind, I want you to stay on your toes. This is also a good chance for us to learn about what the Intelligence Forces are up to. What I’d like to ask your opinion about is if you think we can do that, Major Booker.”
So, that’s what she wanted to consult me about, thought Major Booker as he sipped his cocoa. The general was right; they couldn’t just ignore Colonel Rombert’s activities and speculations. If they left this to lie, the Intelligence Forces would certainly be investigating the SAF in secret. But the colonel had shown his cards; he wanted to gather information through this guy they were sending over, so that the arrangement would be an exchange of information between the SAF and the Intelligence Forces. In that respect, Colonel Rombert had made a fair proposal.
But there was no mistaking that the colonel thought that he’d be getting the better end of the deal. Would Booker be able to handle this talented soldier Rombert was sending over? He was a spy, an expert in information warfare, while the major wasn’t. To be honest, Booker didn’t really want to take on any duties outside of the war with the JAM. Still, they weren’t going to get anywhere with the war unless they had the manpower to fight it.
“Colonel Rombert has good people working for him, and so do I,” said General Cooley as she looked at Major Booker. “I know you can handle this.”
“Hm. Well, I’d like some details on the man he’s recommending.”
“Colonel Rombert arranged to have a hard copy of his file sent over. It looks like he didn’t want the computers knowing about it.”
“He probably has the file memorized anyway. That’s the safest way. It’s kind of amazing how he’s able to do that.”
“The colonel’s abilities aren’t that praiseworthy. I have a feeling that you’d be able to tell me the detailed personal histories of our personnel and the current condition of their planes immediately if I asked you to,” the general said. “You’d do well not to overestimate the man.”
“It’s an objective evaluation of him, General. The fact that the colonel has his position in the Intelligence Forces is evidence of his ability in itself. My saying it’s dangerous to make light of him is another way for me to say I’m ready for anything he dishes out. It doesn’t mean he’s got me shaking in my boots.”
“As a member of the SAF, you know that we can’t let our guard down with Colonel Rombert, right?”
“The same way we can’t get sloppy with the JAM. Anyway, I want to know about this guy they’re sending before he gets here. He can’t be a total mystery man, can he?”
“We’re still waiting on his detailed personal file, but I’ve been given a brief précis of it.”
“Then could you please start by telling me what you know?” Major Booker asked. “Colonel Rombert may be distracting us with this guy while he thinks of some other measure to use against us, but I can’t make any judgments without data to work with. I want that data and some time to consider all this.”
“Very well. If you judge that he won’t fit our needs, then I’ll turn down the colonel’s offer. Don’t take too long, though. We should decide if we’re taking him as soon as we can.”
“What’s his name?”
“Akira Katsuragi. Second lieutenant, currently assigned to the electronic warfare analysis division of the Intelligence Forces. He comes from Japan and originally enlisted in the Japanese Air Force. So he’s Japanese, not a Jammy. Why don’t we pair him up with Captain Fukai?”
“You’re saying their coming from the same country will make them more compatible? That’s—”
“Compatibility has nothing to do with it. First of all, Yukikaze needs a flight officer. Second, we’ll need Rei’s and Yukikaze’s help if we’re going to outwit the colonel. Rei won’t let a new guy do as he pleases, and neither will Yukikaze. Particularly Yukikaze, since she’ll be recording every single thing the flight officer does while aboard her. He won’t be able to interfere with any SAF computer without her knowing about it.”
Booker paused a moment, considering his options.
“You know what, General? Let’s take Colonel Rombert up on his kind offer. Right now, figuring out the JAM’s strategy is more important than speculating on the Intelligence Forces’ intentions. After that is figuring out what our unit’s CIs are up to. I’m also interested in Yukikaze on that front, but I know what she’s doing from Rei’s reports. He’s working hard to get that information out of her. Compared to that, this little intrigue on Rombert’s part is a minor annoyance, and we’re going to let him know that through the new guy.”
“I’ll give you a little time to consider this.”
“Ma’am?”
“Take some time to enjoy your cocoa, Major. If you don’t want to do it here, you can take the cup to your office.”
Booker thought it over, then replied, “I’ll do it here, General.”
“I know you think you need a private secretary too, but there’s nobody qualified available. Getting a bad candidate in there will probably just cause more trouble for you, but I want to help you with that if I can.”
“I appreciate your concern, General. I’m fine, though. My coffee and cocoa tastes best when I fix it for myself.”
But as he slowly sipped his drink, Major Booker thought that cocoa made for you by another person didn’t taste so bad.