The forces inside the research lab were stronger than the standard security automatons, but they were sparsely deployed.
For Arius Squad, they were hardly a challenge.
With Himari having blocked all external reinforcements, the only enemies the squad had to face were the support units pressing in from the factory.
In this situation, it was Azusa's traps that shone the brightest.
At first, she had been regulating the power of her traps to avoid collapsing the tunnel, but once Himari confirmed the existence of a separate escape route, all restraints were gone.
Did the tunnel collapse, and did the repeated explosions weaken the ground, causing the factory itself to cave in later?
That was no concern of Arius Squad, who would be long gone by then.
While the factory security's advance was delayed, the squad moved through the research facility as if it were their own home, collecting classified data.
Even the higher-grade security robots were no match for them; their armaments were limited by the research lab environment, and Saori and Azusa dealt with them easily, so they were not much of a burden.
Some of this data pertained to perfectly normal research, such as the development of firearms and tank cannons, but…
"So the Kaiser bastards really are insane. Biochemical weapons…
this is far beyond crossing the line".
`[If it were non-lethal biochemical weapons, that would be one thing, but not only white phosphorus but also a toxic gas powerful enough to leave permanent disabilities.
If Kaiser had been left unchecked, this could have escalated into an uncontrollable disaster in another five years.]`
"To have been conducting this kind of research in secret… it wouldn't be strange to say they were planning to overthrow the current system itself".
`[Mika-chan foresaw all of this. An insight worthy of an angel descended from the heavens… As a fellow pretty girl sharing the same level of perception.
I can't help but feel a sense of rivalry. Fufu.]`
"Of course, Mika knows everything.
This was all within her grasp".
The reality was completely different, and Himari was well aware of that fact.
She was simply observing the squad's interesting reactions whenever she praised Mika.
However, Atsuko's response made Himari tilt her head.
Such a serious reaction to what was said in jest. It seemed there was a backstory she didn't know.
In that moment, a spark of interest was kindled in the heart of the Super Genius Frail Pretty Girl.
[Atsuko, was it? You say Mika-chan knows everything, what exactly do you mean by that? Could you elaborate—]
"Enough. There's a limit to idle chatter during a mission. If this situation feels like a game to you, then we will carry out the rest of the mission on our own.
Thanks to the data we found in this lab, we have already fulfilled what Mika wanted, so there would be no problem in terminating the operation now and declaring our withdrawal from the field.
I express my gratitude for your assistance up to this point, but if you intend to continue disrupting the mission's progress in such a manner…".
[…Ahem. I understand. I will bury my curiosity and provide proper support. I've been promised a payment I can't back out of now, after all… It seems it is time to show you the true power of this Super Genius Pretty Girl Hacker.]
Having finally lost her patience, Saori's outburst made Himari back down.
and the operation's pace quickened.
Himari first took control of the lab's internal security, manipulating the blast doors at will to control the movement of security forces, and identified the sectors where legitimate research was being conducted, relaying the information to the squad.
As the mission finally began to proceed smoothly without internal interference, Saori's tense mood also eased slightly.
Aided by her perfect support, the squad followed the optimized route, collected all the necessary data, and entered the emergency passage.
The mission was as good as a success.
`[Oh my, this is rather interesting. I recall the Defense Office has a history of a related party getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar…
but this time, it's a bribery case involving the Defense Director herself.]`
Himari, wearing a leisurely smile, didn't miss a single opportunity, even at the very end.
While Arius Squad was easily raiding Kaiser's research lab with Himari's deus ex machina-like assistance.
FOX Squad, having exited the factory, had to face a new ordeal.
The characteristic sound of helicopter propellers echoed from above.
And it wasn't just one.
"…That's not our chopper. I guess getting spotted before we even got inside.
was the problem. Their reinforcement speed is ridiculously fast".
"Still, it doesn't look like they have the spare capacity to send support anywhere else.
Then the story is simple".
"Fufu, you're right, aren't you? Let's just push through a little longer. When we get back to HQ, we can have some inarizushi.
and have a little healing time".
Two transport helicopters lowered their altitude, illuminating FOX Squad with their searchlights.
The Kaiser PMC logo emblazoned on their sides announced their presence.
Thud!
Thud! Thud!
A rain of figures followed. Like true automatons, they dropped without ropes, landing with heavy thuds.
An army of jet-black automatons blocked FOX Squad's path.
The deployment continued until a wall of over fifty automatons had been formed.
"Your rampage ends here, FOX Squad".
[Hmm, they don't look like ordinary PMC soldiers.]
"This is a model we've never seen before, Operator".
Even in the face of fifty enemies appearing at once, Yukino.
of course, and not a single member of FOX Squad showed any change in expression.
Seeing their opponents' complete lack of intimidation, the automaton that appeared to be the commander spoke again.
"We are a newly established special operations unit, created to capture you foxes.
So… we will now commence the fox hunt".
The automatons, who had been aiming their guns at FOX Squad, momentarily flinched.
The distinct sound of automaton footsteps was approaching from inside the factory.
"If you've come all this way simply to capture FOX Squad, then I must express my sympathies.
As it happens, we have a rather useful ally".
`[Sigh… have I only just now been promoted to 'rather useful'?.
I still have a long way to go.]`
Control of the factory's systems was still in Chihiro's hands.
And that meant the factory's security forces moved.
like FOX Squad's own limbs.
The number of troops that joined FOX Squad from inside the factory.
was, at a glance, not far behind Kaiser's special operations unit.
"Fufu. For a hunt, don't you think you're a little short on numbers.
huh?"
"Well, it's not like we would have been hunted even without them."
"Otogi, seeing your marksmanship today, you kind of deserve to be hunted. You wasted more than half your magazine".
"What kind of performance did you expect after throwing a submachine gun at a sniper?.
Even for a cu~te sniper like me, a weapon that doesn't fit is a weapon that doesn't fit, Kurumi".
"Stop making excuses".
"Otogi-chan, Kurumi-chan. Even so, fighting in front of the enemy is…"
"Enough. FOX 3, to your position. We have secured the objective;.
all that remains is a swift retreat".
"Got it, Squad Leader. Let's get back quickly and have some inarizushi".
At Yukino's command, Kurumi's lips twisted into a smirk.
as she raised her shield.
"But we're going to turn all these tin cans into scrap metal before we retreat.
right? The operation name is Can Opening, after all".
FLASH!
With a flash of light from the front of her shield.
the roles of hunter and fox were reversed.
The hunter, now facing the danger of being devoured.
The fox bared its teeth to deliver the final blow.
And that morning, the Kaiser President, upon confirming the simultaneous disasters that had befallen Kaiser Industries.
collapsed from a sudden bout of anemia.