The two pilots were standing together at the front of the planes, and both snapped to attention when they saw Takahashi approaching. There were no words spoken. None were necessary. He bowed deeply and then backed away to watch them climb into their cockpits.

Automation was the future of warfare, particularly for a country with as few resources as his own. It was a reality he both accepted and despised. There was a time when wars created heroes. When loyalty and courage rose to unparalleled heights. When men came to understand who they were and form bonds stronger than anything civilian life could ever hope to produce.

It was nothing more than nostalgia now. Let the Americans and Chinese bankrupt their countries with weapons and tactics that were nothing more than incremental improvements over those used against his own country so many decades ago. Neither he nor Japan could afford such childish illusions.

Another smaller crate had been opened behind him and Takahashi walked to it with the ever-silent Watanbe trailing close behind.

The next-generation missile it contained was finally small enough, though he frowned as he passed a hand over its titanium shell. At two meters, it was at the very limit of the guidelines he’d set out. The mantra “Small, cheap, and independent” had been coined by his mentor, and Takahashi had remained loyal to its spirit for more than thirty years now.

He moved around the weapon, careful not to interfere with the men preparing it for launch. There were two flexible forward wings and a set of oversized tail wings that allowed for the extremely high level of maneuverability the system demanded.

When all this began so long ago, Takahashi had wondered if he would see this class of weapon operational during his lifetime. It had been made a reality only by an advance in solid propellant that made it three times as energy dense for the weight as the most sophisticated fuel used by the Americans.

His people had focused first on an underwater version—a rocket-propelled torpedo that was crucial to the defense of an island nation and relatively easy to develop in secrecy. The air-to-air system they were testing today was based on that technology and, while not originally prioritized, would become a critical piece in the overhaul of Japan’s military capability.

Ultimately, the goal would be to shrink the projectiles down to a meter and reduce the cost to the point that he could unleash swarms numbering in the thousands. Japan’s enemies would have no answer.

Takahashi felt a hand on his shoulder. “I’m being told we’re nearly ready, Masao.”

He turned and smiled warmly at the captain. “Lead the way, old friend.”

When they reentered the bridge, Dr. Ito was rushing around with a level of nervous energy that belied his age and physical condition.

“Doctor,” Takahashi said. “I’m told we’re ready to proceed?”