Having recounted the ground ops, it was our turn to listen.
"So, what's the space situation?"
Vindel fielded my question.
"First off, Aerinst have started transferring around Dolm regularly. The Inspectors are in full scramble mode repelling them."
"Yeah, saw the debris—shattered Aerinst and wrecks—on approach."
"Exactly. Weirdly, no Aerinst hit the moon, colonies, or Skullhead. Dolm's taking concentrated heat."
"...Skullhead? It actually exists?"
In canon, it's the OG Gaiden battlefield production plant—I know it well. But in-universe, it's urban legend rumor, so the question slips out naturally.
"Yeah. Seems EOT Special Committee had Isurgi Heavy Industries build it. Details unclear, but Inspectors control it now."
"So Dolm's the hottest flashpoint?"
"Nah. Intel says Hiryu Kai's moving to retake Moon Cradle. Defended by Mekibos and Vigaji—we met 'em at Langley."
Right—Shu Shirakawa's virus bricks the Bio-roids. Vigaji falls to Hiryu Kai there.
"Think they can hold?"
Vindel shrugged at my query.
"Who knows. With their Earthling arrogance? Hiryu Kai might overrun 'em."
"Totally. Pride outstrips talent."
"Guys treating humans like plague germs. ...So, terms for allying with us germs?"
"System XN, obviously. Demanded it on arrival—got a week's grace promising delivery on completion. Handing over dev byproducts too."
"...You good?"
"Eh, we'll manage."
Lemon's casual vibe screamed hidden ace.
"That's space in a nutshell. You've been grinding battles—crash for a day or two. We know the endgame's brutal."
Nodding to Vindel, I rose.
"Roger. I'll take that R&R."
Trailing a mass-produced W to my quarters, I left the ops room.
Two days post-Dolm arrival. Moon Cradle fallen—I headed to ops.
Last one in: Vindel, Lemon, Lee seated. Echidna on standby nearby. Usual crew. Mass-produced Ws at tasks—routine.
"Mekibos back from the moon?"
"Yep."
Lemon's curt reply.
"So he did ditch Moon Cradle's defense?"
"Looks legit. Motives unclear."
"Inspectors aren't monolithic, huh."
"Buys us a little time."
"...Awfully chill."
"I didn't slack since Dolm. Prep's solid."
Vindel jumped in at Lemon's words.
"Lemon, mass-prototype unit dev status?"
"On schedule. Unit 1 rolls out tomorrow."
Mass-prototype in this mess? Flashback to Vindel's intel two days back. Meaning...
"You mass-produced System XN?"
"Heh, yep. ...Shocked?"
Lemon preened—I was floored. My face? Photo contest winner titled Stunned.
"How'd you pull that off so fast..."
"Mm, mass-prods are rough functionally. Had to rush 'em for the XN dev byproducts Vindel mentioned. Kinda unstable, but short-range transfers work. Plus, XN's Inspector-tech upgrades stabilized dimensional jumps way better. ...Still, uncertainties linger—far from perfect."
No wonder her smugness. Here, Lemon's genius hits god-tier again.
"But instability worries me. Weapons need reliable function. Will they buy it?"
Lee interjected reasonably. Stability's non-negotiable for arms.
"Fair, Lee—but Inspectors lack mobile-unit-sized transfer devices. Pitch that angle; they'll bite."
"Got it. Hitting that key point."
As Lee nodded, I probed.
"Incidental: Dimensional transfer on mass-prods?"
"...Seriously?"
Lemon eyed me exasperated, then sighed.
"Prime XN ain't flawless yet? No way we're slapping dimensional on mass-prods. Even if, it'd dump you in the void or random worlds—unusable."
"But our position's worsening. Aerinst attacks small-scale now, but Dolm could face all-out assault soon."
"True. Recent spawn rate? Could be imminent."
"Worst case, use Aguyieu's dimensional device. Rush stability tweaks."
"Got it."
As Lemon nodded, Echidna approached.
"Lord Vindel—Inspectors order forces to intercept fresh Aerinst transfer. Orders?"
"...Speak of the devil. Axel, you got this?"
"Obviously me. Roger."
Lemon's on XN tweaks and mass-prod dev. Vindel's Trinity Gain has XN—grounded. Leaves me, Echidna, Lee.
"Shirogane good to go?"
"Yeah. Colonel Lee—scramble."
"Roger."
Pre-exit, a thought hit; I pinged Lemon.
"Lemon, that XN mass-prod—Grow Saver compatible?"
"Yeah, Unit 1's for them, but 2+ onward. Earliest tomorrow, though."
"Fine by me. Endgame looming—stack every edge. Use or not, options rock."
"Roger. Unit 2 out? Slap it on Grow Saver. ...But current specs? Mid-battle use iffy—10 seconds for transfer field. No snap-dodges."
"No issue."
"Captain Axel, let's move."
Lee called—politely waiting. Echidna nearby.
"Right, Lemon—handle it."
Pinged her, headed to Lee.
"Sorry, kept you."
Light nod; we hustled to hangar.
"Lee, you're command vet—take point."
"Yeah. No prob."
"Tch, pains in the ass. Phantoms!"
Barely five minutes from Dolm launch—space swarmed with fresh Aerinst transfers. Battle raging.
Aft, Shirogane orchestrated mass-produced Ws, slamming twin shock cannons into clusters.
"Yo. Holding strong."
Hailing us: Greaterkin—Mekibos. Albatross-class nearby.
"Casual jaunt mid-hell? Ballsy... Haaah!"
Adamant Harper revved—scythe sheared Aerinst Greed vines. Chest plates flared—Fire Daggers finished it.
"Don't knock it. Moon loss—taking heat. Heading to hit Hiryu Kai and Kurogane next. Mega Beam Buster!"
Answering while parting-gift vaporizing a squad.
"Right. Watch your ass—they're tough."
Beam gatling shredded an approaching Knochen—bones to dust.
"Yeah. Misjudged Earthlings bad. Your skills? Crystal clear now."
"Even if you lose, crawl back alive. Fired or not, we'd hire talent like yours."
"Heh, talk big. I'll hire you lot."
"Later."
"Yeah."
Brief salute; he peeled to Albatross.
"Oh—forgot. Booze next time?"
"...Lightweight here. Tea's fine."
First post-reincarnation drink flashback? Hard pass on booze. Lemon learned my secret then—forgave, dated. But that embarrassment? Never again.
"Ha, lightweight? Works. Promise kept—don't flake!"
Comms cut; back to ship.
Canon: Mekibos survives here. Ultimately downed by brother Wendro. ...3rd Super Robotech lives, but this OGs—my OG Gaiden cutoff. Assume final goodbye.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 30 - 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!