"Indeed. Riksent Principality."
"That's cost Neue DC their European foothold."
"No great loss for us, naturally."
"Quite the opposite—convenient, even."
"I'll relay that matter to Colonel Ban myself."
"Understood. Mission Harper's execution date?"
"Prior to Operation Plantagenet."
"Sensible timing."
"If all goes to plan, Hagane and Hiryu Kai will be pinned at Izu Base during the op."
"Who's holding Izu?"
"Major General Kenneth Garrett."
"That guy. Not my favorite, but no time for preferences."
"Either way, a golden opportunity for Shadow Mirror."
"No need to tell me."
"Finally... a breakthrough in negotiations with them."
"What? Truly?"
"Yes. I'll contact you once it's sealed. Farewell."
Vindel ended his call with Mitsuko Isurugi.
Lemon and I had hung back, not to eavesdrop but to avoid interrupting.
Lemon smirked wryly. "Roses have thorns, they say—but that girl's in a league of her own."
"Women like her breed corruption... or forge new worlds. Most crave power beyond their grasp and self-destruct. Not her."
"Rooted merchant through and through."
I'd felt Mitsuko Isurugi's cunning when we salvaged those mass-produced Huckebein Mk-IIs. Like Agilla or Archibald, she's no one to underestimate—but less likely to stab us in the back. At least while we're profitable.
"Project TD Axel's eyes caught? Just another Inspector sales pitch?"
"Bet so. It was armed when I saw it—ripe for the next phase by now."
Tesla Lab's raid halted development; Ibis already fielded Asterion. Wonder if Isurugi got the data.
"She's purely business. That's why we can show our hand—to a point. Aces up our sleeve, of course."
"System XN... Inspectors crave ambush transfers like that. Spy risk from Isurugi?"
"Too obvious. Mass-produced Ws are peaking—no sloppy leaks."
"Rose pulls off contact with them, our world gets real."
"Agreed."
"Then let's prep for Japan."
Vindel nodded, satisfied. Lemon, thoughtful, chimed in.
"First... secure our legs?"
"Legs?"
"Yup. Triceratops-class are our cubs. Rhinozerus, Killer Whale—clunky for ops ahead. Space Noah-class ideal. Shirogane'd do nicely."
"I'm in."
I backed her instantly.
"As field commander: Killer Whale's sea-bound, Rhinozerus a snail. Triceratops precious. With Inspector talks looming, snag Shirogane if we can."
"Hm, fair. But Space Noah-class? 'Captured it, took heavy losses'—not ideal."
"I started it—I'll deliver."
"Excuse me? My idea?"
"Ah—Lemon proposed, so her lover makes it real?"
"...Timing, place. Anyway, Shirogane approved. Contacting Ban for launch clearance."
Vindel headed to comms, chuckling. Lemon eyed me sternly, then serious.
"Launch—who tags along?"
"W16. Ops like this? W15's solo prowess irrelevant. Need command over mass-produced Ws."
"Plan ready?"
"Bait, simple. Shirogane rides Hagane's coattails, but Riksent was Hagane's glory. Captain Lee's同期 with Hagane's XO—rivalry burns. Poke it, she bites."
Lee loathes Tetsuya near-hate. Her hometown razed by Aerogaters—Hagane's 'traitor' delayed response. Exploiting that.
"Got it. Prepping W16. Other forces?"
"Can't overcommit after Vindel's nod. Five each mass-produced Gespenst Mk-IIs, Elains. One boarding craft—W16 leads breach."
"Copy. On it."
Talk wrapped; Vindel returned.
"Greenlit. But Neue DC observer aboard."
"Watcher?"
"Yeah. Speak of the devil—Project TD defector joined Neue."
Sleigh. Big-sis vibe, brother-complex twist—galling gap. Pride plus skill? Tricky.
"Ban sees our freelancing as suspect. Fair. Vindel, Rhinozerus okay?"
"Bring souvenirs."
"Captain Axel, Lieutenant Sleigh Presty. Pleased."
En route on Rhinozerus, Sleigh approached on the bridge. Saluted, but eyes probed—spy work.
Why do my female pilots—Ouka, Zeola, now her—always eye me like that?
"Briefed. Your role: rear-guard alert. Acting lieutenant or not, follow orders?"
"Yes, sir!"
To the mass-produced W at helm:
"Skirt Shirogane's radar edge. Bait'll bite soon."
"Acknowledged."
"Captain, Shirogane falls for this easily?"
"She will. No choice. Captain craves glory. Dangle it..."
Radar pinged—Shirogane turned our way. Smirked, ordered:
"Avoid Hagane issues. Lure to Tunisia vicinity. She'd rather solo glory than share."
Sleigh dubious, but minutes later: nailed it. Shirogane split, incoming.
"Good. Maintain distance—not too far, not too close. Target in ten. Sleigh—rear guard. Go."
"Understood."
Watched her leave. Prideful, capable—but self-centered. Couldn't predict Shirogane. Inexperience... or personal flaw. Waste—raw talent galore.
"Calion, launched."
Nodded at W report, focused on the hunt.
Ten minutes: scout W chimed.
"Target entering combat zone."
"Plan. Sleigh?"
"Reliably rear."
"Ban orders—watching us. W16, stand by boarding craft. Phase 3."
"Acknowledged."
Echidna—bridge corner, unobtrusive—led Ws out. Rest in hangar.
"Shirogane here."
"Reverse—fire surface-air missiles. Flip back, retreat. Reel 'em."
Missiles lanced; Shirogane's E-Field neutered most.
Confirmed, retreated Rhinozerus.
"Now she'll think we're baiting to hit Hagane—pure flight mode."
Lee's brilliance her trap. Schemer drowned.
As expected, fiercer barrage. Twin secondary cannons blasted around us—W helm unflinched.
"Phase 4. Glowseiver launch. Deploy Elains, mass-produced Gespensts. Low-yield weapons on enemy. Force E-Field drop, main guns."
"Roger."
Ordered, to hangar—launched Glowseiver. Ten units sortied, Split Missiles and G-Railguns peppering Shirogane.
Hits nullified. Finally—E-Field down for main barrage.
"Now! T-LINK full contact. Phantom!"
Twenty Phantoms erupted, laser blades out, slipping into E-Field toward main turrets.
"Devour Shirogane—Phantom!"
My will guided them: laser blades shredded AA guns like hounds on prey.
Seconds later: AA silenced.
"W16—go!"
Comm to Rhinozerus; boarding craft launched simultaneous.
But VLS homing missiles locked craft.
"Let 'em? Phantom!"
T-LINK again: Phantoms lasered warheads. Blasts nearby—craft breached.
Gap confirmed. Shirogane adrift, Echidna's Ws overtaking.
Five minutes' watch: Echidna commed.
"Captain Axel—Shirogane secured."
"Mobile now?"
"Mass-produced Ws learning helm."
"Hurry. Company... Project TD speed impressive."
"Captain?"
"...Incoming. Hagane's Asterion."
Dual shoulder Tesla Drives. Gariion-esque sans drives.
Asterion arrived—crimson fighter streaked rear: Sleigh's Calion.
-------------------------------
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