User blog:Seieireppa/God Eater:Universitas, chapter 51: Into the Void

“Alright, so here’s how it’s going to go down.”

Nanako had everyone gathered in the God Arc storage room of the Liverpool Branch. Normally, for briefings, they’d be in the lounge, but today was a special occasion.

For on this day, at this moment, the anti-Feldman task force was about to take the first step in pursuit of Feldman, kicking off this war for real.

“With Sigma gone,” Nanako spoke, “Idenn is now the only one who can travel through time and transport others similarly. Therefore, the success of this operation will hinge on her. Is that clear?”

Idenn nodded. She, perhaps more than anyone, knew what would have to be done—she came from the future to kill Feldman and she would not stop until he was dead.

“In that case, let me explain what we’re going to do. In all likelihood, Feldman will have fled across time to one of a number of locations. It’s up to us to defeat him at one of these locations.”

Bal spoke up. “And these locations are…?”

“I’m glad you asked,” Nanako shot back. “Through careful elimination, by which I mean educated guessing, I’ve narrowed down the list of locations to which Feldman is likely to have fled to a very small list, based on time periods during which he played a key role. Let me lay it out.”

Nanako took out a whiteboard and began drawing with a marker.

“First on the list is 2074, specifically his arrival at Fenrir’s Far East Branch to assume the role of branch commander in former Director Shicksal’s absence. It was likely here that Feldman first began to formulate his plans of conquest.”

“Next,” Nanako continued, sketching further on the whiteboard, “is this very year: 2081, on January 1st, at the moment of his arrival in this time. And finally…”

Nanako finished her sketching, capping the marker.

“Finally… is the year 2117. This is the year in which Idenn confronted Feldman in person for the first time, banishing both Feldman and herself to the year 2081. If we can intercept him at any of these points, we should have a shot at defeating him.”

“And what happens if we can’t?” chimed in Ken.

“In that case,” answered Nanako, “he’ll likely just flee to the next point on the list. Basically, whichever team finds him first will defeat him there, forcing him to flee to the next point, where the next team will be waiting, and the process will repeat.”

Beoblade stepped forward. “Wait a second… you said ‘team?’  What’s this about teams?”

“Why,” Nanako countered, “I should have thought that was obvious.”

Nanako stood up straight, putting the whiteboard away.

“From here on out, we’ll be splitting into teams, with each team tackling a different point in time on the list. Ken, C, and Lyrr, the three of you will go to 2074 and intercept Feldman on his way to Fenrir. Bal, Nia, Beo, Arthur, and Kaitlin, the five of you will meet him upon his arrival in 2081. And finally… myself, Idenn, Blake, and Jack will travel to 2117 and fight him there. Any objections?”

Ken stepped forward. “You and I were paired together in training,” he spoke, “so why aren’t we in the same group?”

“Because,” answered Nanako, “I’m still not able to call on my Horizon power at will, so the team tactics we formulated won’t be usable. I made these assignments based on my best possible assessments of the current situation and who would be best suited to fighting in each time period.”

“In that case,” spoke up Idenn, “why are you coming to 2117?”

“Because, Nanako countered, “2117 is the most crucial time period, something you should know all too well. My combat potential aside, if my power activates during battle with Feldman, 2117 is where… pardon me, when it would be most useful.”

Nanako stood there, having said her piece.

“Anyone else?”

No one said a word. Everyone was ready to do whatever it took to destroy Feldman once and for all.

“In that case,” Nanako continued, “if everyone’s ready… let’s mosey!”

The first group, comprised of Ken, C, and Lyrr, stepped forward. They linked hands as Idenn approached them.

“Say, Nanako,” began C, “d’you think they’ll react strangely to me back in 2074?"

“The hell kind of question is that?” shot back Nanako. “You lived through that time the same as me. You’ll be fine… ‘Ednich.’”

“Haha…” C let out a little laugh. “True enough, Kawashima.”

C smiled a determined smile to herself as Idenn placed her hand on Lyrr.

“We had some good times together, eh, Art?” exclaimed Lyrr. “Here’s hoping that we make it out of this alive.”

Arthur shared a light-hearted grin with Lyrr—and in a blink, the three of them were gone.

“Next!”  Nanako beckoned for the second group, made up of Bal, Nia, Beo, Kaitlin, and Arthur, to come forward. They linked hands as Idenn approached them.

“Sis,” Bal began, “we’ve been through so, so much together. In case one of us, well… in case one of us doesn’t make it through this alive, let’s both promise not to grieve. Let’s live our lives how the other would have wanted it. Promise?”

“Of course, brother,” came Nia’s reply. “Come what may… let’s make the most of what fate hands us.”

Bal smiled to himself, a strange sort of grin. “Heh… fate, huh? What a funny response.”

“She’s right, you know,” shot back Kaitlin. “There’s no way of knowing what exactly awaits us on the other side… so it’s best to just keep your cool and face your destiny head-on.”

Beo flashed a hearty grin in Kaitlin’s direction. “Ahahaha! That’s my Kaitlin. Ever the cool-headed soldier.”

A slight blush crept across Kaitlin’s face. “‘My’ Kaitlin? Sir, what do you—”

But before she could finish, Idenn placed her hand on Kaitlin’s back, and in an instant, the five of them had vanished to parts of time and space unknown.

Nanako sighed. “I guess it’s just the four of us now, huh?” she spoke to the rest of the room, now containing only her, Idenn, Blake, and Jack. “Jack… Jack Johnson,” she continued. “What you’re about to see is the future you and your grandson have worked so hard to prevent. I want the both of you to promise me that, no matter what happens, you won’t do anything extreme. Our objective is to kill Feldman and nothing more. Understand?”

Blake and Jack looked at each other, then simultaneously smiled, turning their gaze to Nanako.

“Miss Kawashima,” responded Jack, “you know full well that neither of us can make any promises. This is my grandson we’re talking about. I’d lay down my life in a heartbeat to ensure his safety.”

Nanako sighed, scratching her head. “I suppose, well… I guess I can’t ask for anything more, honestly. Anyway, everyone, link hands.”

The four of them grasped the hands of those on either side of them.

“Let’s not waste any time here,” Nanako exclaimed. “Idenn, if you would?”

Idenn nodded. “Feldman…” she spoke, “…we’re coming for you.”

And in that instant, a flash—

—and they were gone.

-

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