{"id":27427,"date":"2018-09-16T22:00:54","date_gmt":"2018-09-17T05:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/?p=27427"},"modified":"2019-10-14T17:41:56","modified_gmt":"2019-10-15T00:41:56","slug":"420a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/420a\/","title":{"rendered":"Yamato Resurrection<\/em> Chapter 4"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The hope of humanity, Yamato<\/em><\/h2>\n

Kodai\u2019s heart remained empty with disappointment as he traveled to Earth for the first time in three years. Neither Omura nor anyone else on the crew could find words for him. Except for commands to warp, he was silent.<\/p>\n

Kodai headed to the ship\u2019s washroom to shave the beard that had grown over the course of the long voyage. He couldn\u2019t pass the Aquarius ice mass with a beard. When it was gone, Susumu Kodai\u2019s unchangeably handsome face looked back at him in the mirror despite him being a bit older than the last time he’d seen himself in full.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On a bookshelf to the right of the washroom sat a photo of three family members, taken just before launch. The faces of his wife and daughter looked lonely to Kodai now.<\/p>\n

Soon, the nostalgic sea of Aquarius could be seen out the side window. It was the tomb where Yamato<\/em> slept along with Captain Okita, who Kodai respected like a father. From the day they sank together, Kodai had lost his bearings and given in to self-doubt. He became troubled by nightmares.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It had been a battle to save Earth from destruction in which Captain Okita sacrificed himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cDevoting your heart and soul to your loved ones to make them happy can lead to making many people happy,\u201d Okita had said. \u201cThat is where true peace comes from. This is also an important fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had thought of Kodai and Yuki\u2019s happiness to the end. Up until then, many courageous people had given their lives in every battle. People of other worlds had given Yamato<\/em> and Earth a helping hand and cast away their own lives of love. The Queen of Aquarius explained that the blessings of love were another kind of trial. Space was made up of the infinite connections of life\u2026<\/p>\n

As Kodai stared out at the sea of Aquarius, those memories ran through him like lanterns.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is solar system traffic control. Warpout of cargo ship Yuki<\/em> has been detected.\u201d<\/p>\n

The words rang through the Space Science Bureau\u2019s observation room and a signal representing the ship appeared on a screen. Sanda and Shima glanced at it in surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cKodai! Have you come home?\u201d<\/p>\n

How long they had been waiting for Kodai\u2026<\/p>\n

A twinkle appeared in Sanada\u2019s eyes. Soon, Kodai\u2019s voice came over the speakers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard everything. I\u2019m coming home now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re waiting,\u201d was Sanada\u2019s only answer.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Kodai landed on Earth and immediately headed to the Space Science Bureau.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been waiting for you Kodai,\u201d Sanada said as he showed Kodai to the observation room. \u201cLook at this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kodai couldn\u2019t hide his surprise at the images displayed on the large video panel. A rift of red-black space blotted out the stars, glowing strangely from within.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is observational data that was colored and processed to speed it up for clarity,\u201d Shima explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Kodai gasped in astonishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething never seen in astronomical history,\u201d Sanada said. \u201cA moving black hole. We call it a Cascade Black Hole.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He issued an instruction to Maho Orihara, a young woman seated below and to his right. Her hands flew over a keyboard to send the black hole\u2019s trajectory on the display screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you certain that Earth will be swallowed?\u201d Kodai asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter how many times we\u2019ve recalculated its course, it passes right through the solar system. It\u2019s unavoidable\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

A window appeared on the panel that counted down the number of days and hours before it reached Earth.<\/p>\n

\u201cLess than 8 million seconds before it reaches Earth. We\u2019re predicting May 17th.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust three months until Earth\u2019s destruction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kodai couldn\u2019t believe it. The beautiful Earth that had survived so many crises was to be swallowed without a trace\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no way to save humanity other than emigration into space,\u201d Sanada sighed with regret.<\/p>\n

\u201cI appointed Shima as head of the emigration plan, and I\u2019ve been working to educate people to prepare for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard from Kamijo, who I rescued from an escort ship, that everyone is moving to Amal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Planet Amal of the Sairam system. We\u2019re moving to their moon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan it be made into a second Earth\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kodai stood for a while, at a loss for words, thinking of Yuki. She had embarked as the leader of the first emigration fleet. She must have been heartbroken, having to leave Earth without seeing him. Moreover, she now remained missing after being attacked by unidentified enemy ships.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere is the trajectory of the second emigration fleet.\u201d<\/p>\n

The panel shifted to a diagram of space, indicating the fleet\u2019s coordinates.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there any information on the attacking fleet,\u201d Kodai asked Sanada.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know who they are. There\u2019s no information. Come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sanada led Kodai out onto a terrace overlooking the city. Dusk was approaching. For a while, the two of them gazed out at the large city as night set in.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to vanish. Earth will vanish without a trace. The Earth that Yamato<\/em> protected\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The truly beautiful Earth, filled with variety\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve been waiting for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanada stared intensely at Kodai. \u201cI want you to serve as the escort fleet commander for the third emigration fleet. You\u2019re the only one who can save humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kodai shook his head painfully. \u201cIt\u2019s too much, Sanada.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was different from the days when he had boarded Yamato<\/em> with Sanada and the others, with his passion burning brightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a man who abandoned Earth and went wandering around for three years…\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanada had tried to stop him from boarding that cargo boat, tried to stop him from leaving Yuki and Miyaki alone. Such a man wasn\u2019t fit to command escort ships.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026it\u2019s not like those days.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But Sanada would not back down.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Yuki certainly did it,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cShe boarded an escort ship to command the first fleet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yuki\u2026.<\/p>\n

Kodai closed his eyes. What were her thoughts as she boarded her ship and left Earth? When he thought about her being missing, his heart ached.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d he suddenly snapped. \u201cDoes Miyuki know about the first fleet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanada went quiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to Miyuki!\u201d<\/p>\n

Kodai left the Space Science Bureau without answering Sanada\u2019s request.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Kodai\u2019s house was in Yokosuka, located on a hill near the Space Defense Academy. He stared up nostalgically at the mansion overlooking Tokyo Bay. Yuki had really liked this house. She had been so happy with the three of them living there together.<\/p>\n

Kodai had shattered that happiness when he ran off. Yuki showed understanding, but Kodai knew she wasn\u2019t being sincere. She must have felt so lonely she couldn\u2019t put it into words. Despite knowing this, Kodai became the captain of a cargo ship.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m back\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Those were the first words he spoke to his daughter Miyuki after returning home to Earth. Failing to save Yuki had made him into a failure as both a husband and a father. He was also responsible for the three empty years of wandering that had led her to accept that dangerous mission. Combat was not the only way to protect the Earth. There was also the important work of maintaining peace in case of an emergency, but\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cMiyuki\u2026I\u2019m back. About your mother\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Completely at a loss for words, Kodai was ready for a lashing from her. She just looked up at the Aquarius ice mass floating in the night sky. Her expression hardened.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s your fault,\u201d she said coldly.<\/p>\n

Searching for their next words, Kodai and Miyuki glanced around. The silent air flowing around them made them feel utterly empty. Even if they wanted to share each other\u2019s grief, they couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re tied to Yamato<\/em>,\u201d she said, pointing up from the veranda to the sea of Aquarius, shining in the moonlight. \u201cDo you understand? Yamato<\/em> was sunk! It\u2019s sleeping in that sea!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMother knew the truth. She was so lonely. When I remember her smile, it always looks lonely. I want to see my mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kodai\u2019s voice was rough when he spoke. \u201cMiyuki, don\u2019t give up on your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

He swore a vow to himself and his daughter. Yuki, stay alive for Miyuki.<\/p>\n

He looked around the living room, seeing a picture of the three of them, back when they were still in harmony. Was Miyuki six years old back then? He had loved her most when she was a child, but now the gap between them was widening. He looked around absent-mindedly for a while.<\/p>\n

Miyuki got up and retrieved a teacup from the kitchen cupboard. She warmed up the cup with a familiar gesture. There was a lemon in the refrigerator. Yuki had always prepared lemon tea for Kodai whenever he came back. As he watched Miyuki take tea leaves from a can and put them into the teapot he saw Yuki and his eyes almost overflowed with tears.<\/p>\n

Until three years ago, he\u2019d come home once a year. Whenever he came home, Yuki made him lemon tea.<\/p>\n

After a while, the teapot turned reddish brown and gave off an aroma. Miyuki held out the teacup for Kodai with a slice of lemon. He hadn\u2019t expected that.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. Miyuki\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong,\u201d her cold words came back. \u201cI haven\u2019t forgiven you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without answering, Kodai lifted the teacup to his mouth. Delicious. It tasted just like Yuki\u2019s. He honestly wanted to say this to Miyuki, but her face was turned away. Soon, the cup was empty.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I have another?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was an awkward conversation between awkward people who could no longer communicate with each other. Still, Miyuki took the empty cup with no expression.<\/p>\n

At that moment, a tone sounded from Kodai\u2019s military cell phone, followed by Sanada\u2019s urgent voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome to the Space Science Bureau right now! It\u2019s the second emigration fleet!\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The second fleet had also been attacked. It was easy to imagine the confusion at the science bureau.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Kodai responded, \u201cI\u2019ll be right there.\u201d <\/p>\n

He was startled to see Miyuki looking at him with an icy gaze. Seeing his puzzled expression, she glanced away.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you go\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Kodai had painfully learned to recognize insincere words. Miyuki now looked sad. Even if they couldn\u2019t talk, he wanted to stay with her. He was also in pain. But he had to leave her and go.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Her glance turned cold again, piercing his chest. He lowered his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then.\u201d Kodai hesitated to say even that much, and though her back was turned as he left the house, he gave a small wave.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Kodai arrived at the science bureau by air car in the middle of the night. Sanada immediately took him to the operation center.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Kodai!\u201d<\/p>\n

The big screen repeated the same tragic story as it had with the first fleet. As if springing from deep space, numerous unknown battleships had attacked the second fleet. Homing missiles launched and escort ships belched red flames from their tails. Approaching fighters fired beam weapons one after another.<\/p>\n

Arrows of fire and spears of flame dug into a ship\u2019s hull. A captain ordered a counterattack, but the enemy\u2019s power was overwhelming. Allied fighters burst apart one by one. The burning craft flew onward by pure inertia and scattered against the beautiful backdrop of a whirlpool nebula.<\/p>\n

The fierce enemy attacks were unrelenting. A fighter wing failed to dodge an attacking salvo of beams, then bloomed like bright red flowers to scatter apart.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis attack took place in the same area as the first fleet,\u201d Shima explained. \u201c17,000 light years from Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like an ambush,\u201d Sanada groaned. \u201cI\u2019m worried about another.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shima suddenly raised his eyebrows. \u201cThe form of this enemy fleet is different from the one that attacked the first emigration ships. It\u2019s probably from different planets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanada\u2019s eyes flashed sharply. \u201cThen multiple nations are attacking our fleets?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kodai had been staring silently at the screen, but couldn\u2019t remain silent any more.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can only assume that some great power is preventing migration.\u201d<\/p>\n

This can\u2019t happen to the third emigration fleet. If I have to do it\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSanada! Command of the third emigration fleet\u2026please give it to me!\u201d<\/p>\n

All doubt was gone now. Sanada was relieved.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Kodai\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor Yuki, and for the Earth\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

They shook hands firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve already prepared a ship for you,\u201d Sanada told him. <\/p>\n

\u201cEh?\u201d Kodai stared at Sanada in wonder.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpace Battleship Yamato<\/em>,\u201d Sanada said forcefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cYamato<\/em>!!\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Kodai glanced at Shima as if to ask if it was a joke. Shima looked him directly in the eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cYamato<\/em> has been waiting for your return.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanada put his hand on Kodai\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no time to waste, Kodai. I want you to come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanada put Kodai in his personal high-speed space shuttle, which quickly left the Space Science Bureau.<\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

It had been resurrected from the Battleship Yamato<\/em>, and was now resurrected again. Kodai was about to be reunited with Yamato<\/em> for the first time in 17 years.<\/p>\n

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