I hope that those who have picked up this copy of Yukikaze will continue on and read its sequel, Good Luck, Yukikaze. It epitomizes the whole history of the evolution of Kambayashi’s work. (I can’t call it “growth,” because it’s evolution for the purpose of survival.) From that perspective, you can truly call Yukikaze Chōhei Kambayashi’s life’s work.
In bringing the JAM threat to her readers’ attention, journalist Lynn Jackson says this: “The digital world seems to run counter to the very essence of our humanity. Our language as well. Our civilization itself. So what, exactly, are we doing turning over more and more of our existence to computers?” It’s true that “our civilization” may run counter to human nature. So is the answer to go back to nature? I have a feeling that’s what the JAM would want. Placing human beings on this grinding battlefield that dehumanizes them, repeating “People are necessary in battle” over and over is what allows us humans to remain human in the face of the JAM. Your weapons are the words and machines you couldn’t otherwise comprehend. When you tire of the battle, you would do well to listen to the words of a soldier from Good Luck, Yukikaze: “It’s not a question of what you should do, but rather what you want to do. That’s the answer.”
The truth is, Yukikaze is a declaration of war against the world, made by Chōhei Kambayashi and by you, the reader, as human beings. Engage!
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
ACS armament control system
ADAG Aerospace Defense Air Group
AAM air-to-air missile
ADC Aerospace Defense Corps
ACLS automatic carrier landing system
A/G-AS anti-ground attack system
AGM air-to-ground missile
AIM air intercept missile
ALS automatic landing system
AWACS airborne early warning and control system
BIT built-in test
CAP combat air patrol
CAS calibrated air speed
CDIP continuously displayed impact point
CIC combat information control
DLC direct lift control
ECM electronic countermeasures
ECCM electronic countercountermeasures
ECS environmental control system
EDF Earth Defense Force
EMI electromagnetic interference
EMP electromagnetic pulse
EWO electronic warfare officer
FAB Faery Air Base
FAF Faery Air Force
FCC fire control computer
FCR fire control radar
FCS fire control system
GHQ General Headquarters
GLOC G-induced loss of consciousness
GTGM ground-to-ground missiles
HAAM high-velocity air-to-air missile
HUD head-up display
HVM high-velocity missile
IFF Identification, Friend or Foe
JFS jet fuel starter
KIA killed in action
MAX maximum power
MFD multi-function display
MIL military power
MTI moving target indicator
RPM revolutions per minute
RPV remotely piloted vehicle
RTB return to base
RWR radar warning receiver
SAF Special Air Force
SAM surface-to-air missile
SOP standard operating procedure
SSL SAF Super Link
TAB tactical air base
TAF Tactical Air Force
TAISP tactical automated information sensor pod
TARPS tactical airborne reconnaissance pod system
TCG Tactical Combat Group
TCU tactical control unit
TD target designator
TDB tactical data bank
TDG Technology Development Center
UNEDO United Nations Earth Defense Organization
About the Author
Chōhei Kambayashi was born in 1953. In 1979 he won the 5th Hayakawa SF Contest with his debut work, the short story collection Kitsune to Odore (Dance with a Fox), and followed that with his first novel, Anata no Tamashii ni Yasuragiare (May Peace Be on Your Soul). His distinctive style and approach, and his thematic focus on the power of language and humanity’s relationship with machines quickly made him a fan favorite. The author of over twenty novels and ten short story collections, he has won the prestigious Seiun Award seven times. In 1999 he won the 16th Japan SF Award for Kototsubo (The Word Vessel). Also in 1999, Good Luck, Yukikaze, the first sequel to Yukikaze, was published, followed by Unbroken Arrow in 2009.
HAIKASORU
THE FUTURE IS JAPANESE
THE LORD OF THE SANDS OF TIME by Issui Ogawa
Only the past can save the future as the cyborg O travels from the 26th century to ancient Japan and beyond. With the help of the princess Miyo and a ragtag troop of warriors from across history, O has a chance to save humanity and his own soul, but will it be at the cost of his life?
ALL YOU NEED IS KILL by Hiroshi Sakurazaka
It’s battle armor versus aliens when the Mimics invade Earth. Private Kiriya dies in battle only to find himself reborn every day to fight again. Time is not on Kiriya’s side, but he does have one ally: the American super-soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch.