I've been absent from this story for a long time. I WANT to write more so I am releasing this chapter, which was part of the original release on 'Sufficient velocity' here to see if there is still interest. I am making no promises. The Janus Campaign is my primary work right now. But I DO want to work on other stories as well.

Once again, I own neither Space Battleship Yamato Or Arpeggio of Blue Steel. This story, such as it is, is mine.

So! Once more into the fray!

Blue Steel 2199 Chapter 26: Perceptions

Commander Konauer Kluth of the Gamilas Imperial Space Fleet paused a moment. His status was both exalted and repugnant. Exalted with the honor of being in service to She of Iscandar, yet repugnant with the shame of being captured by the Terron savages. Now he was charged by Princess Sasha to challenge his perceptions. At the time it had seemed like being asked to test the truth of gravity. For what other than barbarians could have fired upon the exploratory squadron that had first discovered this backwater system? Who other than the truly mad would keep hopelessly fighting? Who other than the insane would condemn their world to ash?

And so he stood here, both agent and prisoner to this "Mental Model". This being who he found indecipherable. What exactly was she? Both guard and guide. His protector and jailer. It was so laughably insane.

Across the Far Eastern District, other Gamilon soldiers, all Zaltzi such as himself, were being escorted about at the request of Princess Sasha. Naturally, the Terrons would be very careful about what they would be allowed to see. Yet there still might be things that an alert eye might discern. But right now Kluth's attention was fully upon his escort. The Mental Model who was practically buried under her huge coat.

Haruna for her part was somewhat perplexed by Yamato's request for her involvement in this project. Princess Sasha had requested guides to assist the Gamilon soldiers who had pledged to her service. The intent was for them to observe the working daily lives of Earth's inhabitants. In the end, it was deemed necessary for mental models to act as guides since they would also be required to act as protection for their charges for obvious reasons. Haruna supposed that her duties with the battle fleet would take precedence but it would take time for enough of the Fog heavy units to undergo conversion. Kongo was working with Admiral Hijikata and the rest of combined fleet staff to formulate the first offensives of this war but that too would take time. As a result, Haruna supposed she had time to carry out the Supreme Flagship's request.

As she looked across to the bustling marketplace, Haruna addressed the Gamilon, "Why?"

The question took Kluth by surprise. "I don't understand?"

"Why did you come here?" Haruna repeated her question quietly.

"We came as explorers." He eyed her carefully. The Terrons had started the war. That was a simple fact. He failed to see the point in arguing the matter to those who could not or would not see either fact or reason.

"Explore: To traverse for the purpose of discovery," Haruna recited. "I was not aware that discovery required murder."

Kluth inhaled sharply. "Terrons chose to fire upon our ships and Terrons choose to continue this war. "

"And if Earth had not fired the first shots?" Haruna asked.

"Then Gamilas would have offered your world peace and security in the Empire."

"Either submission or destruction then. That is why you cannot understand." Haruna turned to face Kluth squarely. "You assume there can be no other choice. And that is why it does not matter how this war started."

"Between civilization and barbarism. What other choice can there be? I fight to protect the peace on all the civilized worlds of the Empire."

"A Terron once wrote that 'Peace without Freedom is Slavery'," Haruna replied. Her voice went very quiet as she added, "That is why we will fight."

Kluth considered this but shook his head. Zaltz had resisted for a time but they had come to see the inevitable. In accepting this, his people had adapted and survived. His son would have a life. What sort of life did these people expect for their children? Still, that was not the only question in his mind.

"You asked me 'why'. Now I ask a question."

"Yes?"

"Who? Who are you? You are obviously not Terron. So are your kind their servants or their masters?"

A thin smile played on Haruna's lips. "The Fog are of Earth. And we are neither slave or master. We are equals." She saw his confusion at her answer. "On the day your people understand this truth, then this war will end."