At a rest area in Earth Cradle's urban zone, I met Ouka and Zeola.
"Captain Axel, I deeply apologize for my past disrespect," Ouka said, bowing. Zeola mirrored her.
"Looks like the brainwashing's lifted."
"Yes, thanks to Dr. Cero—and your help," Ouka replied.
"Did it for my own reasons. Don't sweat it."
"But…"
"Save the thanks for when you reunite with your brothers."
"If you say so, Captain…"
Ouka's guilt lingered, so I patted her head.
"Uh, that's… troublesome, Captain."
"Oh? Didn't like it?"
"No, it's just…" Ouka flushed.
"Big sis is blushing!" Zeola teased.
"Zeola!" Ouka snapped.
Watching them, I felt disposing of Agilla was worth it. Next: send them to Hagane. Canon says Lee kills Captain Daitetsu during Operation Plantagenet. I plan to stop that, but my meddling's made things fluid.
Canon had Ouka dying to the Geim System, and Zeola's memory of Arado surfacing later. Some errors are worth fixing.
"Captain?" Ouka peered, worried by my silence.
"Nothing, just thinking. Your bodies okay?"
"Yes. I was nearly adjusted for the Geim System, but Dr. Cero saved me," Ouka said.
"My memory was tampered, but my body's fine," Zeola added.
"Good—hold on."
A comm interrupted. I stepped away.
"Axel? Come to the ops room. Feff has a request," Vindel said.
"Feff? On my way."
To Ouka and Zeola: "Feff's calling. Gotta go."
"Is it… about us?" Ouka asked.
"Vindel's tone says no. Probably a mission."
"Come back safe," Ouka said, smiling worriedly.
Headed to the ops room.
"What's up?"
The usual crew—Vindel, Lemon, Echidna, Lee—gathered. Lee's settling in, less out of place.
"Ask him," Vindel said, activating the comm.
Eagret Feff appeared, looking like a wandering martial artist.
"Captain Axel, I need you to retrieve my children from Sama Base."
His "children"—Machinery Children. Emotional wrecks despite their "new humanity" label.
"Federation attacking Sama?"
"Hagane's hitting it. My three sons went to crush them. Bring them back."
"Force if they resist?"
"No issue."
He's using me to test their strength—or give them combat experience.
"And if you do this, I'll overlook Agilla Setome's matter."
Noticed her absence, huh? Gotta deflect.
"What's Agilla got to do with me?"
"Think that if you want. Will you take the job?"
Glanced at Vindel; he nodded.
"Fine. But rough handling might endanger them."
"As long as Uruz survives, no complaints. Don't let him die."
"I'll try."
"Do it."
Comm cut.
"Gotta hit Sama fast. Lee, Shirogane ready?"
"Still under repair," Lee replied.
Rhinozerus is too slow, Ganland's out. "Ladybird it is. Vindel, okay?"
"Go. Ladybird's ready."
"Axel, taking anyone? W15's out, but W16's free," Lemon asked.
"Nah, solo's better. Mass-produced W for Ladybird's enough."
"Got it. Prepping now," Lemon said, leaving.
I followed.
"Captain, Sama Base in sight," the mass-produced W reported, relaying visuals to Glowseiver.
A brown Bergelmir was blasting what looked like the base's command center with its rifle.
"Tch, as expected."
Hagane's squad versus three Machinery Children's Bergelmirs. I'd rather spectate, but Feff tasked me with saving Uruz. Hagane alone—without Hiryu Kai—will struggle.
To the W: "I'm going in. Stay hidden, retreat."
"Acknowledged."
"Glowseiver, Axel Almer, launching!"
Ladybird's hatch opened; Tesla Drive flared, propelling me toward Sama.
Hagane's squad and Bergelmirs faced off, seconds from combat.
"No choice."
Deployed both Lanze Kanone barrels, firing beams between them, and opened comms.
"Both sides, stand down!"
"Who're you!?" A belligerent voice—likely Thurisuz's Bergelmir.
"Invisible Man himself? What's your play?" Irm, from Hagane, sounded wary. Understandable—he thinks I'm Neue DC, like the Machinery Children. We're not, but he doesn't know.
"I'm here on Dr. Eagret Feff's orders to retrieve those three charging idiots."
"Charging idiots!? You dare mock us, inferior human!?" Thurisuz snapped.
Ignoring him, I addressed Irm: "Hagane's goal is seizing Sama, right? No need for a pointless fight."
"Maybe. But with you, four enemies—tricky ones. Could take you down now," Irm mused.
"Try it. Don't regret it."
"Fine. Invisible Man's deal accepted," Captain Daitetsu Minase cut in.
"Our goal's Sama's recapture. No need for senseless combat."
"As Hagane's commander?"
"Affirmative."
Good—Hagane's handled. Now the Bergelmirs.
"You heard? Fight's over. Back to Earth Cradle."
"Think I'll obey a pathetic human!?" Thurisuz aimed his rifle.
"Your dad sent me. Defying me is defying Feff—cool with that?"
"Thurisuz, stop. If he's telling the truth…" Uruz interjected.
"Uruz, quiet. No proof he's honest. Arrogant for a lowlife—needs discipline. Worried? Go back. Ansuz?"
"I'm neutral… but I'll watch your 'discipline,'" Ansuz replied.
"Both of you…" Uruz sighed.
"Useless humans need culling. Any objections to our agreement?" Thurisuz taunted.
"Fine. I'll head back," Uruz said, leaving.
Just Thurisuz, raring to fight, and Ansuz, spectating.
"Fighting me's fine, but you're okay showing Hagane your units' specs?"
Their laughter answered.
"Ansuz, hear that? He thinks he's our equal!"
"Pathetic. Just a lesser human, not Papa."
"Spoiled brats. Time to learn your place."
"Talking like that to us, Machinery Children, the new humanity? Discipline it is."
Thurisuz's Bergelmir aimed again; Ansuz's drifted to watch.
"Let's teach this base human our superiority. Geim System, full contact!"
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