Sword Art Online Vol. 15 – Alicization Invading Chapter 14 - Subtilizer (The One Who Steals Souls) 17 | P a g e Putting aside from the Aegis-equipped warship, he heard the mega-float was an oceanic research ship without any arms. And the order this time was to let those armed thugs invade that. Not to mention how it was a ship from Japan, an allied nation. It hardly seemed like a legitimate operation with the approval of the President and Secretary of Defense. The words from those men in black suits who brought the directive directly from the Pentagon resurfaced in Giuliani’s mind. —Japan is conducting research on that mega-float for reigniting war on the states. There is no choice but to bury that research in order to maintain the friendship between our two countries. Giuliani was no youngling capable of eating up their words at face value. Still, he was already old enough to understand he had no choice but to obey those orders. ―Are our guests prepared?‖ The executive officer standing at his side confirmed in a deep voice. ―They are standing by in the ASDS.‖ ―Alright… maintain this speed and bring her up to a hundred feet!‖ Compressed air pushed the ocean water out from the ballast tank and the produced buoyancy lifted Jimmy Carter’s gigantic frame. The distance from the light points gently yet surely decreased. Would there be casualties among the Japanese researchers? That seemed likely. He would probably carry the memory of cooperating in such an operation until his deathbed. ―Five miles to the objective!‖ Shaking off his hesitation, Giuliani commanded with resolution. ―Release the ASDS!‖