In the end, wars never went away.
Every nook and cranny of the planet Earth had been developed.
High-powered lasers lobbed shuttles into space with casual ease.
And a certain segment of the powers-that-be
now built vacation homes on the moon, but even in that day and age...
Man still hadn't managed
to eliminate the mechanism of conflict from their psyches.
Yup.
But...
There was something that changed.
Even for them, intent on the worthless pursuit of killing one another,
change came.
The super-large-scale weapon--the Object.
Just the body of this new weapon alone
measured over 50 meters in length
and with its arrival,
it completely overwrote the conventions of warfare
that had existed up to that point.
This weapon, which was first introduced by a certain island nation,
took fire from the allied forces of fourteen nations.
But it fought them all off.
It had onion armor made of layers upon layers of armor
forged by mixing in a powder of high-performance anti-fire reactant
milligrams at a time.
And by laminating conductor and insulator materials together
onto those armor plates,
it had a printed power transmission system that could transfer power
from the reactor, located at its core, to the external armament
without laying a single line of cable.
Countless such innovative, cutting-edge technologies
and traditional craftsmanship-like precision machining technology
were poured unstintingly
into creating this warped culmination of the intelligence of man,
and when it had wreaked havoc in the worst imaginable way...
Ultimately,
it underwent a baptism by nuclear weapons on the Pacific Ocean,
but it withstood even that attack.
And with half its body melting like an ice cream,
it wiped out the allied fleet with what remained of its armament.
To this day, that spectacle can be found in our history textbooks.
Naturally, since then, Objects have become synonymous with war.
Since the break down of the United Nations
in the first half of the 21st century,
various nations that had existed up to that point have collapsed
or changed drastically.
And the world became largely divided into four coalitions.
But this division was as jumbled up as a broken stained glass window
and as a result of different powers sharing borders all over the world,
small-scale local wars were breaking out constantly and repeatedly.
Perhaps one could say that Objects were the ultimate warped product
that were born of the needs of such a world.
And today...
The fight for sovereignty on Earth between various nations
are now determined by "clean wars" conducted by Objects.
So, then, what about everybody else?
I quit! I quit! I'm a radar analyst!
I didn't join the army so I could shovel snow out here like this!
I think there's no helping it.
In this day and age, combat is left entirely up to Objects.
It's probably the trouble we have to go to.
To show we're doing at least some kind of work.
So, it's not a problem when we dime-a-dozen soldiers
freeze our butts off in the snow, huh?
Well, the ones who determine the course of war...
...are the Objects and the Elites who operate them, after all.
That's the thing!
Ultimately, I know that digging out the runway is totally useless,
which makes me feel all the less motivated!
True.
Against Objects equipped with anti-air lasers,
fighter planes aren't effective at all.
I think the kill ratio's something like 1-to-500, was it?
Pretty sure it's worse.
Up against Objects, never mind birds, they're more like flies.
And even armored units are about as good as ants, maybe beetles.
As far as how useless they are, they're neck-and-neck.
Ooh! No, it could be useful.
Right here.
If we stick a huge shovel on the front of an armored vehicle
and drive it straight down, wouldn't we be done in a flash?
What the heck are we doing right now?
But well, thanks to that, we don't have to see combat.
Isn't that a good thing?
Not something a soldier should be saying,
but I'd have to agree with you there.
There's nothing cool about getting killed in combat in this day and age.
Oh, yeah. Remind me again. You're nobility, Havia?
That's right.
If I don't scrape up some stupid meritorious achievements,
I was told I wouldn't have the stature to inherit the family estate.
Oh, thanks.
That's why I'm here...
...doing the soldier thing.
You sound like you've got your own troubles, though.
Coming way out here to study abroad when you're just a civilian?
I'm a commoner by birth, so...
I can't make it unless I learn a trade.
You want to become a licensed designer working with Objects, was it?
I hear learning on the job is the quickest way to become a millionaire.
But man, the army's food tastes so bad, it's just unacceptable.
We get to eat on the taxpayer's dime,
so I don't think we've got a right to complain.
But you're right. Compared to this stuff,
catching one of those deer out there
and grilling it up with some salt might be way better.
That's my student abroad on deployment!
You really are a genius!
Huh?
Hey, let's forget about it.
If we get caught, we'll catch hell from our CO.
Besides, can you even bring one down properly?
We're talking about a target that moves.
Oh, I made sure to load up on plenty of smart bullets.
As long as I aim right, the bullet will hit the target on its own,
and we'll have one order of juicy meat coming right up.
Good grief. Those are expensive rounds.
Even if the time for combat came around,
I guess the decorated senior officers
would do nothing but drink coffee in a warm room
and wait for the Object to come back, having rendered distinguished service.
How fine it must be for them.
Not that I'm any different.
Hey! Aren't you coming?
I'll try going after different game.
I'll leave the deer to you.
Leave it to me!
In this golden age of Objects, this sure is a waste of taxpayers' money.
There's Havia going at it.
If they learned that his scope was trained on deer instead of people,
I bet the taxpayers' would be displeased, but...
Thanks to that, today's another peaceful day.
What are you doing?
We're having barbeque tonight.
I'm on fish and Havia's on deer.
Since I suggested it, it might not be my place to worry,
but is deer meat tasty?
I've never had it, so I've got my misgivings.
If you do barbeques without any vegetables,
you'll eventually end up dead.
Where might you be off to, Princess?
The Object is in for maintenance.
I had time to kill, so I was wandering around outside,
when I started hearing these popping sounds.
Oh, crap! They can hear it inside the base?!
We're getting chewed out for sure now!
It's this frivolous attitude of yours that gets you scolded all the time.
You came to study Objects, didn't you?
That's right.
Why this base?
You know just what kind of Object I operate, don't you?
A first gen comprehensive multi-role Object.
In other words, it can be operated without restriction across the world
in any region and under any weather conditions.
Meaning, it's the most standard super-large-scale weapon, right?
"Standard" means that it's outdated.
Second gen Objects
don't greedily aim to operate anywhere and everywhere.
By being specialized for certain places or objectives...
...they outperform Objects that fight normally in those situations.
Damn deer!
Limited to this region of snow and ice...
My Object might not be able to win.
But you're going to continue to operate that Object,
the Baby Magnum, right?
It's because I have no other choice.
Wait, what am I getting all mesmerized for?!
Her eyes are only pale due to the laser irradiation she gets
from the eye-controlled input device.
Which is to say...
They're not something to be appreciated in terms of their beauty
is kind of the feeling that I feel like I wouldn't say I'm not feeling...
Plus, it's not good for her to be dressed so lightly.
So what if it's got a system to regulate body temperature.
I say it's questionable to go walking around in the snow in that skin-tight pilot suit!
As someone who actually conducts maintenance on the Object,
I'm sure you understand.
Why did you come to a place like this?
It's a difference in values.
Dwelling on if it's strong or weak are things a soldier thinks about.
But see, I'm a student.
Knowledge of a standard, basic unit will always come in handy later on.
In other words, in terms of getting an education,
it's a better bargain for me to go with your Object
than some specialized unit.
Don't you get people saying that you're tactless?
Of course, I do.
--But see, I'm a student. --...a student.
You won't live long if you're greedy on the battlefield.
Well, I'm aiming to move up with the get-rich-quick scheme,
so I'd better be prepared to face that much.
Huh. So you're prepared for what may come.
Yeah.
Are you really?
What was that about?
You two both know why you were summoned...
Don't you?
What're we going to do, Havia?!
This is why I said we should forget about it!
Shut up, damn it!
But like, is this lady seriously eighteen years old?!
She's got unbelievable boobs!
Qwenthur. Havia.
It may not compare to your days devoted to searching for provisions,
but I have a lot on my plate as well, you see.
While being permanently stationed at the Alaska base zone,
I also have to remotely direct operations
on a small island in the Pacific.
Uh, um...
If I mark up this board, an Object on standby
blows away the guerrilla bases with long-range artillery fire.
A truly simple operation, isn't it?
Say that it is!
Yes, ma'am!
In other words, I'm simultaneously in command of multiple base zones,
making me very busy, but...
It's at just such a time that two idiots made me even busier.
By the way, can you imagine how I'm feeling right now?
Yes, ma'am! Though, because I can, I'd really rather not dwell on it!
I can't help but see that you're extremely POed, Miss Frolaytia!
Very good. I am blessed to have such excellent subordinates.
Isn't that right?
Nod if you agree!
So? What about the fruits of your battle?
I'm sick of rations that are like gigantic edible erasers, too.
Very good! We're having barbeque tonight.
For your punishment, I'Il let you off with a 20km run.
Also, Qwenthur.
What?! There's more?!
Have you forgotten just what you are, student abroad on deployment?
If I don't hustle you over to the maintenance hangar for your studies,
I'm the one who gets yelled at by the old bat in charge of maintenance.
Come to think of it, I'd skipped out on that, too!
Havia, you continue with the snow shoveling by yourself.
Make sure the runway can be used by sundown.
Yay! That sounds tougher than the 20km run, darn it!
Now, get to it!
You here, boy? Grab the tools and get your butt up here!
Crap...
I'm sorry for being late! What's my punishment?
Get results! That's what we maintenance crew do!
I swear...
It's because we're busy and short-handed
that I'm using even a boy with a habit of playing hooky.
Be grateful!
You're finally here, Mr. Sleepyhead.
I have nothing I can say in response to that.
Here, this is your job, boy.
Do some maintenance work on the emergency evac equipment.
No one wants to do it, because they say it's bad luck.
Oh, roger that.
Come to think of it,
is the Object painted all white for superstitious reasons?
Or is it straight-up for camouflage in snow?
In the beginning, we used camouflage that matched our surroundings, but...
The king of beasts who knows no natural enemy
surely has no need to hide.
The cost of paint was deemed a waste, so now it's all white.
It's a gigantic 50m thing to begin with anyway.
I guess that technically makes it a practical reason...?
Oh, then what about the rapier hanging from the ceiling?
That's just a good-luck charm.
For certain victory and deadliness.
Huh.
That thing, huh?
At all times, on the battlefield--
I can't breathe...
Huh? Something's not looking right...
Oh, you idiot! Don't go messing with the belt adjustments!
It's tightening up on the Princess!
Crap!
I can't breathe...
What was it that I just did?!
Darn it! I'll go find something sharp!
Boy, you go yank on the belts
so the Princess doesn't suffocate before I get back.
Sorry.
I don't mind, so do something.
T-To pull on the belts, I'll have to worm my fingers in under them,
but that means I'll have to touch these soft-looking mounds.
Or rather, for all that she's slender, she actually seems pretty stacked.
I-I'm going to die...
That's right! This is no time to be hesitating!
This is about saving a life! This is a serious moment!
This was my mistake! This is where I've got to redeem myself!
But we're talking about a girl's boobs.
No, no, this isn't the time for that! A life's in danger!
Let's take this seriously. That's right! I have to save her!
I have to do whatever I can for this Princess!
Boobs!
N-No! I just can't do it!
I can't defile these innocent boobs!
E-Emergency protocol...
I swear...
This is the first time I've ever used this thing...
I hear you put on quite the show in the hangar.
My apologies. Am I looking at more disciplinary action again?
It looks like the old bat got you good anyway, so...
It's fine.
The meat I've been waiting for! And it stings the cuts inside my mouth!
You don't have to force yourself to eat that, you know, Qwenthur.
No, I'm eating it!
I went through the craziness of today all for this meat, after all!
True that.
You did good work as well, Havia.
The folks over in the Aviation Corp should be grateful to you.
Nah, it was no big deal.
Well, practically speaking,
we don't need the folks over in the Aviation Corp, though.
I knew that, but when I hear it coming from someone else,
it pisses me off all over again, darn it!
Damn it, I'm eating!
I'm getting back every single damn calorie I lost shoveling snow!
That reminds me, you spoke with the Princess outside the base zone?
Um, is there a problem with that? I was afraid of that...
--Yum! --I've occasionally talked to her in the maintenance hangar,
so I went with the same flow without thinking much about it.
I think it's fine.
It seems like it serves as a stress-reliever for her as well.
...might not be able to win.
Miss Frolaytia, have you ever lost?
Well, of course, I have.
What would you do if an Object got smashed up?
Easy.
You just have to raise the white flag.
Huh?
These days, we don't have all-out wars.
At the point where one of the Objects breaks, the battle is decided.
And no victor has the time to chase after helpless infantrymen.
It's not as if there's a formal treaty to that effect,
but if you promptly withdraw your troops and surrender the territory,
the theory goes that you won't get bogged down.
That's the essence of the safe and clean wars as conducted by Objects.
Thanks to that, our guns grow rusty
and I feel like my face is going to break out from overnutrition.
Nah, I'd say your nutrition is going somewhere completely different.
Want to shovel snow again tomorrow, Havia?
No... That's... What? Seriously?
--Makes sense... --No way! You're kidding, right?!
With an Object,
even someone spoiled by peace like me could wage war.
That's right.
As long as you have an Object...
So, then, what about everybody else?
Princess!
I'm sure it had never even occurred to anyone before...
Of course, it hadn't to me, either. There was no way...
...that I'd be up against those monsters in the flesh...
That I'd find myself in a fight against Objects...
The Little Soldiers Who Tie Down Gulliver
The Snowy Deep Winter Battle of Alaska II