12 Episode 3: Phantom Raid (Part 1)

_Present Time

_Planet Caldinus I / General Duvalle Military Hospital / Caldinus Interplanetary Army Base

"Ryuu." Rin called out.

"Hm?" I responded while in the middle of taking a few sips from the glass of water she handed over to me earlier.

"Is it just me, or is your story sounding more and more like some low budget B-grade action flick?" she asked with narrowed eyes. I snorted in amusement after hearing her question; almost spitting out the water in my mouth.

"I think so too lil' sis. I think so too." I hurriedly swallowed my drink and echoed her sentiment. "But it really did happen. I was present at the scene, and your bro guarantees that there really are people who act like they're part of some weekend popcorn afterthought." I followed up. Just thinking about how I actually took part in the whole mess makes me feel a little embarrassed.

"And Uncle Hal was a CIB agent? He was even getting called Chief by a beautiful female subordinate. I honestly find that part more unbelievable than the notion our parents are actually researchers secretly working for the military you know." Rin chimed skeptically. I wholeheartedly agree with her on this too.

Let's just say our impression of the guy doesn't exactly mesh with 'bad ass CIB operative'. Heck, they're poles apart. He always messed around with dad and did some incomprehensible stuff back when our parents were still alive. The contrast was honestly jarring.

"That just means my acting skills were the acme of perfection, my dear Rin-rin." a voice rang out.

The both of us looked towards the source of the voice, and found Uncle Hal smirking while carrying a basket filled with fruits. Nightingale was with him too, smiling beautifully like always.

"Speak of the devil." I blurted out. "Hey there Uncle Hal." I greeted blandly.

"Sup, Ryuu-ryuu? How are you feeling?" Uncle Hal nonchalantly asked after putting the basket of fruits on the table and pulling up another chair to sit beside Rin. Nightingale remained standing beside the door, leaning her back leisurely on the wall while crossing her arms underneath her abundant assets. I inadvertently gulped as my eyes got glued to them, but quickly composed myself after Rin shot me a death glare.

"Fine, I guess. I just survived a pirate attack, so I'm thankful just being in one piece." I finally responded; a hint of grievance lacing my voice. Uncle Hal threw his hands up in a theatrical manner after hearing my reply.

"Sorry kiddo. Believe it or not, we didn't expect that attack either." Uncle Hal responded. His expression then morphed into a stern one.

"Sorry? That's all I get?!" I cried out in agitation. "You told me you'd arrange for everything! I admit I was grasping at straws and I was panicking so I didn't really think things through. But I still chose to trust you because you were dad's friend."

"I mean, what could I do? I'm just your average guy. Until recently, the thing I was most worried about was finding a job for my sister's schooling. And all of a sudden, people try to kidnap or outright kill me! What was I supposed to do?"

"You said everything would be fine once I managed to get myself enlisted. You also said the sooner I get to join the military, the safer I and Rin would be, and persuaded me to board the transport cruiser with the other new trainees. You swore that you would protect Rin. But when I got on the ship, I nearly died up in space instead! And all I get is a measly 'sorry'?!" I gave a long ass rant in anger.

These weren't exactly what my current 'self' was thinking - especially after the 'transmigration' thing - and what I wanted most was to get more info in order to further familiarize myself with the situation I'm now caught up in. But I felt I owe it to the past 'Ryuu' to let all of his frustrations out, even if I thought 'he' was a little too gullible and admittedly careless in the decision making department.

I mean, I would have never thought it possible, but he was even more average than I was. I feel a real sense of kinship with the guy. But hey, I ended up inheriting all of his memories and attachments to this world, so we're essentially one in the same now. Doesn't this make it seem like I was disparaging myself? Ugh...

Uncle Hal looked me straight in the eye.

"Ryuu, I get where you're coming from. You have every right to be angry. And I know what I'm going to say would make it seem like I'm trying to find some sort of excuse for what happened, but we really were caught completely unawares." he began to explain. He paused to probe my reaction. I nodded slightly, urging him to continue. He sighed and resumed again.

"The route that the military transport cruiser you boarded took was one of the most secure ones in this sector of the galaxy. It was one of the main routes straight into the heart of the Caldinus Sector, where Caldinus Base is located, after all." he explained further.

"You do know about Caldinus Base, right?" he followed up.

"Yeah. It's a base known for admitting a lot of high profile personalities whenever they're slated to undergo mandatory military service once they turn 18. A lot of my classmates talk about how they would want to serve there when its their turn and meet kids of the rich and famous, galactic teen idols and up and coming movie stars." I answered with some surprise. So that's where they were sending me.

"That's the place. You're actually in a hospital within Caldinus base right now y'know." Uncle Hal informed.

'My former classmates would kill me if they knew.' I thought to myself and made a wry grin. I remembered one time when a wildly popular galactic teen idol went to serve here.

The terminal station was jam packed with legions of his adoring fans. In fact, my late mother in this world was one of them. She was even caught on camera, screaming and tearing her heart out along with the rest of the crowd.

Ugh... And I here I thought my parents back in 'that' world had individuality. What was that saying again? Heavens above the heavens or something?

"That being the case, every nook and cranny of the route is constantly combed by military and interstellar police patrols on a regular basis." Uncle Hal continued. "For decades, no pirate group - no matter how infamous - had dared intrude there. Until now that is."

"So how'd it happen Uncle? If the route is as secure as you claim, how were those pirates able to close in and initiate an attack on the ship?" I asked.

"That's the thing kid. We have no idea." Uncle Hal's shoulders slumped down in a dejected manner.

"How's that possible? You're with the CIB right? Even you guys are clueless?" I exclaimed in shock.

"We've investigated it thoroughly. We even managed to retrieve the destroyed ship's black boxes, which is kind of odd, considering how meticulous they were in covering the rest of their tracks. Anyway, the crew of the transport ship didn't seem to have detected the threat until the so called pirates were practically right under your noses. No sign of any jumps via Genion Drive either. Particle density measurements taken after the attack came up absolutely flat." Uncle Hal expounded.

"No traces at all. Zero. Zilch. Nada. It's like they weren't there first, and in the next moment they were, and then they're gone again. Just like that. Add the fact that the transport cruiser was actually equipped with all the latest stealth and cloaking detection systems the military currently has at its disposal, and the implications of this incident become quite horrifying." he concluded rather ominously.

I also felt a chill while thinking about the matter. A ship that's virtually undetectable by the Confederation's current tech would be an absolute nightmare in the hands of pirates. And if those guys weren't actually pirates at all...

"Yeah. If the Emperium has managed to develop that kind of tech, then the Confederation is in for a hell of a time once war finally breaks out." Uncle Hal voiced my fears.

"On that note, the reason why we're here is related to the ongoing investigation. We were hoping you could shed some more clues to the nature of your attackers. Could you tell us all that you saw during the attack?" he requested.

"Would my statement be enough? What about the rest of those onboard? Have you taken their statements as well?" I inquired, holding a bit of hope. Uncle Hal sighed and shook his head.

"There are no other survivors. You're the only one who managed to stay alive."

"Oh..."

I was taken aback. It's not like I didn't think about the possibility, but having it confirmed like this still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

I closed my eyes for a bit to gather my thoughts. Rin gripped my hand tight in a show of concern. I smiled and returned the gesture. Then I began recounting the incident.