"Both of you, ready? Our goal isn't to destroy Hagane but to chip away at its forces. Don't risk your lives unnecessarily. Echidna's in command. Ouka, I know your objective, but follow orders."
"Understood," Ouka replies.
"Captain, Hagane sighted," Echidna reports.
The monitor shows Hagane, but something's off. After a moment, I realize: no Tronium Buster Cannon. Right, it's under repair.
"Captain, I suggest deploying mass-produced Gespenst Mk-IIs to probe their defenses," Echidna says.
"You've fought Hagane before. Why probe?" I ask.
"I have, but you and she haven't. Just to be safe."
Fair point. I haven't faced Hagane's unit directly. During the Huckebein Mk-II capture, I missed the ATX team. "Fine. You have command. Ouka, you good?"
"No objections," Ouka says.
"V1 to V17, attack Hagane. Losses are acceptable," Echidna orders.
Seventeen Gespenst Mk-IIs charge. Hagane responds, deploying Grungust, Angelg, mass-produced Gespenst Mk-IIs, Huckebein Mk-IIs, R-2 Powered, and Alteisen. Even split between space and ground, Hagane's lineup is formidable.
Hagane's pilots hesitate briefly at our Gespensts but quickly engage. Numbers favor us, but their quality—ace-level talent—outshines our top-tier but not elite pilots. Lemon's been trying to bridge that gap, without much luck.
As time passes, our forces are pushed back.
"Captain, may I ask something?" Ouka says.
"What?"
"Why send your subordinates to their deaths so calmly?"
"You don't know? They're artificial humans, like humanoid machines. Not so different from you."
"You call me a machine?" Her voice is calm, but her face flushes with anger.
"That's how it looks to me. Your will and memories, manipulated by others, absolute obedience demanded. How's that different from a machine?"
"That's—"
"Captain, the advance unit's wiped out," Echidna interrupts.
"We're up. Remember, our goal is to weaken Hagane," I say.
"Understood," Echidna replies.
"Got it," Ouka adds.
Five Gespenst Mk-IIs, Echidna's and Ouka's El Eins, and my Vaisaga—eight units face Hagane. They're not ready for our quality. Hagane's meant to defeat Ainst and Inspectors; they can't falter here, even shorthanded. Like Bian Zoldark or Maier V. Branstein, I need Hagane and Hiryu Kai to grow stronger.
"Captain, ready to engage?" Echidna asks.
"Go ahead. I'll test Vaisaga and fight freely. Signal for retreat."
"Understood."
Hagane's pilots falter at the El Eins—understandable, given its supposed non-existence.
"…Lat, if you hear me, respond," Ouka broadcasts openly.
"Ouka-neesama!" Latune's voice crackles from a Huckebein Mk-II.
"It's been a while, Lat. I'm glad you're alive."
"Neesama…"
"I know about Arado. I don't blame you."
"What?"
"You think you're fighting by choice, but you're wrong."
"Neesama, what do you mean?"
"You're not yourself. The Federation re-educated you, turned you into their weapon… Weapon? Why re-educate you?" Ouka falters, my earlier words echoing in her mind, sowing confusion.
"Neesama?" Latune presses.
"They've deceived you, made you fight Zeora… kill Arado."
"That was an accident! And Arado's alive!" Britt's voice cuts in, likely from the Huckebein Mk-II.
"Prove it," Ouka snaps.
"I… can't," Britt admits. Arado's in space with Excellen, no evidence handy.
Ouka turns to Latune. "Remember the School, our days with Arado and Zeora. Recall your true self. Come back. Mother and Zeora are waiting."
"No… I won't return. You're the ones deceived…"
"Why say what the Captain does?" Ouka demands.
"Captain?" Latune echoes.
"Have you forgotten Mother and Magus' care? Our time together?"
"I haven't forgotten… but the School stole my true self. Jada, Garnet, Ryusei, Princess Shine, Hagane, and Hiryu Kai helped me reclaim it. Neesama, I'll break the chains binding you."
"You too, like the Captain? You're too far gone. If you won't listen, I'll drag you back and make you remember."
"No! That's just like the School!" Britt shouts.
"Silence! You, an outsider, know nothing of our bond. You used Lat and killed Arado. I, Ouka Nagisa, eldest of the School, will avenge my brother."
Britt's accusations only enrage Ouka further, her brainwashing unyielding.
"W16, Ouka's persuasion failed. Contact W17 before combat," I say.
"Yes, sir," Echidna responds.
"Echidna, begin the attack. I'll handle Latune," Ouka says.
"Ouka, think about what you're saying," I warn. Her silence suggests doubt, her eyes lacking their usual hostility.
"W16, let's go!" I call.
"Understood. W18 to W21, follow me. Scatter the enemy."
Echidna leads the Gespensts toward Hagane. Scanning their forces, I spot a black Huckebein Mk-II—likely Britt's. A psychic resonance hits, mirrored by his charge toward me.
"Who are you!?" Britt demands over open frequency.
I ignore him, hurling Vaisaga's Rekkahajin kunai. He counters with head-mounted Vulcans. I draw Godaiken, slamming it into the ground to charge energy, then unleash it.
"Earth-Slashing Sky Blade!"
The energy surge races toward him, but Britt neutralizes it with his Photon Rifle.
"Listen for a second!" he pleads.
Resonance makes hiding pointless; we'll keep meeting like this. "What?"
"Who are you?"
"Your enemy. Nothing more."
"No, have we met before? Seeing your unit felt… familiar."
The resonance is a hassle. I've absorbed Ryoto, Aya, and Britt's psychic signatures. This will haunt me every encounter. "Beat me, and I'll answer."
"We should unite against aliens, not fight!"
"Win, and I'll talk."
"Fine. I'm Brooklyn Luckfield. Your name?"
"Enough! Fight first!" I hurl another kunai, resuming the clash.
Character: Axel Almer
LV: 25
PP: 25
Melee: 206
Shooting: 224
Skill: 216
Defense: 213
Evasion: 241
Accuracy: 263
SP: 342
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Enhances Slime performance with SP consumption)
Growth Type: All-Rounder/Special
Terrain: Air (S), Land (S), Sea (B), Space (A)
Spirits:
Accelerate (SP 4)
Effort (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 20)
Awaken (SP 32)
???
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up LV.9, SP Recovery, Focus)
Psychokinesis LV.10
Attacker
Gunfight LV.9
Infight LV.4
??? (x5)
Kill Count: 100