"Hagane and Hiryu Kai split into two groups?"
In the Earth Cradle's Shadow Mirror operations room, assigned to our sector, I listened to Vindel's intel.
"Yeah. Word from our infiltrator in the Federation. Solid info."
"And how'd they split? North America?"
"No—Hiryu Kai's headed to the Izu Base in the Far East. Hagane's linking up with Shirogane, bound for Europe."
Vindel answered Lemon's question, stirring memories of the original plot.
"The Principality of Riksent."
"...I see. Yeah, that tracks."
Vindel nodded at the map on the monitor. But with my canon knowledge, I knew who guarded Riksent—and it made me grimace.
In the original, Archibald traps civilians in a shelter with bombs, remote-detonated by his switch. Yuuki rigs it to fail... but after all my interventions, things could go sideways. Can't leave it to chance.
Hell, shoving the bombs into my spatial storage kills any signal. Safest bet there is.
Vindel's dream is a world in endless war—but that doesn't mean slaughtering civilians willy-nilly. Kids who could become soldiers later? Bad for business. He honors warriors, not scum who looks down on innocents.
"...Vindel, know who's defending Riksent?"
"No, Ban didn't mention. Why?"
"Archibald."
Vindel's brow twitched at the name. Lemon's face twisted in disgust.
"Archibald 'defending' Riksent. Hagane and Shirogane show up. If he holds, fine. But..."
"If he can't? Who knows what he'll pull."
"Right. Hostages, meat shields—par for the course with him. Not evil, just Tuesday."
"Knew it, but still can't stand the guy."
"Vindel, mind if I take some leave?"
He blinked at the abrupt request, then smirked.
"Yeah. You've been grinding nonstop. Vacation sounds perfect—head out, unwind."
Lemon caught on, grinning mischievously.
"Riksent's a top pick for vacation. Mild climate, tourist hotspot."
"You bet. Vindel, lending me a Sol Pressa."
"Fine... but Shadow Mirror jumping into this—against Neue DC no less—stirs trouble. No PTs or AMs. Just transport like Sol Pressa."
Fair point. Our "allies" turning on Neue DC risks civil war in the Cradle.
"Got it. I'll keep it stealthy."
Waved casually to Vindel and Lemon, then headed to the hangar.
"This do?"
In a Riksent shop, I grabbed a hat, sunglasses, jacket—disguised up. Isurgi Heavy Industries goon once called me "memorable," good or bad. Simple fix.
"Hey! Battlefield incoming. Civilians to shelters—move!"
Neue DC soldier herded staff and customers. Me included.
"Hurry! Get this in the shelter before enemies hit!"
En route, that shout caught my ear. Ignored it at first—until the voice's owner. I froze.
"Oi, what's up?"
Lead soldier asked, but I ignored him, calling out.
"Yuuki!"
He scanned around, puzzled—no familiar faces.
"Sorry, soldier. Buddy over there. Go ahead."
Decent guy from his vibe, so I ditched them, closing on Yuuki.
"Yuuki. Long time."
"Who're you?"
Suspicious glare softened to shock when I ditched the hat and shades. No wonder—me here? Total curveball.
"Captain!? What're you doing here?"
"...That container's why."
"Container?"
Brushed off his question, hailed the nearby Neue DC grunt.
"This Archibald's orders?"
"Uh, yeah. Emergency rations if fighting drags."
"Rations, huh...?"
Smirked at the lame lie—peak Archibald—then turned to Yuuki.
"Remember what I said before?"
"Before? What?"
"You'd learn what Archibald's really like."
"..."
He fell silent. Chiyouzhuka battle, his attitude toward Arado and Zeola—he'd felt it firsthand.
"Question: Think kind-hearted Archibald leaves 'rations' in a civilian shelter?"
"No, but..."
Knocked the container lightly.
"Answer's no."
"..."
"And placing it with evacuees? Bombs or gas inside."
"No way—Major Archibald wouldn't..."
Needed one more nudge.
"Elpis Incident. Ring a bell?"
"Huh? Yeah—terrorists gassing a colony. Major Elzam stopped it."
"Right. Culprit? That guy. Archibald."
"...For real?"
"Yeah. Doubt me? Dig later—or ask him; he'll brag. Second question: Man who's gassed before hesitates on bombs or gas here?"
"...No."
"Bingo. Hey, you."
Addressed the transport grunt. Pale as a ghost—he'd overheard.
"Y-Yes?"
"Heard that? How many containers like this?"
"Six total with this. Different spots..."
"Yuuki—spot to stash 'em all?"
He snapped out, eyes shut thinking.
"Straight down this road—abandoned warehouse."
"Perfect. Gather 'em there. Leave disposal to me—safe as houses. This one too—move!"
Urged the soldier and Yuuki.
"Right away!"
"I'll call other squads!"
"All here?"
Warehouse echoed empty, six hulking containers oddly forlorn despite their bulk.
"Captain Almer, sir—recall order. You good here?"
"Yeah. I'll handle safe. Go."
"Understood."
Saluted, left with the grunts who'd hauled them.
Watched 'em go, then touched one.
"Spatial storage—store."
First one in. List read: Container (Bomb). Called it. Tough luck, Archibald. Plot foiled.
No face like his? Disappointing, but whatever.
Stowed the rest, slipped out.
"Hagane's here."
Their squad baited Land Greizers on the outskirts—no city push, just picks.
All down—then two blurs screamed in.
Fairlion. Tesla Lab geniuses' hobby project. Obvious from the look.
"Angurg's lineage, in a way?"
Velsione'd be the ancestor.
"But performance? Top-tier."
Impossible acrobatics dodged Neue DC fire from the city. Shine's precog feeds Latune, who flies... Ace-level nightmare for grunts.
"Can't let Hagane or Neue spot me. Time to bail."
Sidestepped the ongoing clash, trekked to my hidden Sol Pressa in the burbs.
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