The Albatross's radar blinked three times before establishing contact.
—Movements in the rear quadrant— warned Marianne, who was at the auxiliary console at that moment. —The Minovsky particles look unstable… These guys are coming straight for us.
Vivian didn't hesitate.
—We don't have much distance to cover; we just need to hold out a little longer until we reach the station. From there, we'll move quickly to the shuttle. Charlie, get ready to deploy your equipment. I need time to get to the shuttle.
Charlie nodded, though his expression said it all: he was afraid, but determined. —Come on, guys. It's up to us to hold them back.
The four Nemos were lined up on the launch pad, engines vibrating and glowing amidst the hangar smoke.
Charlie Buck, squadron leader, took the lead.
Marianne Rosé He adjusted his visor, his breathing short but steady.
Stephanie Goodluck He tapped his knuckles on the dashboard to calm his nerves.
Christopher Laios He checked his ammunition for the third time.
—Listen carefully,— Charlie said over the internal channel. —It's not about winning. We just have to slow their advance until Lawrence and Kiriko finish off the Black Gundam. If these Titans catch up to us before then... they'll take us all down.
The hangar door opened and a gust of wind rushed in like a roar.
—Albatross to Team Nemo—Vivian's voice sounded almost clinical, but there was urgency behind it—. Clearing the track. Good hunt.
The four vehicles shot out into the cloudy sky, forming a barrier between the ship and the advancing enemies.
Marianne gained altitude to keep watch.
—Visual confirmed… Three Hizacks on patrol and a Marasai behind, keeping their distance. You can tell who the commander is.
Charlie grunted.
—They also know we're going to the shuttle. They're not going to give us a break.
Stephanie entered the channel:
—Delta formation, boss?
—Negative. Keep your distance. If they group us together, the Marasai will wipe us out with a single shot. Christopher, cover the right flank. Marianne, stay up top. I'll open fire.
The Hizacks accelerated as soon as they spotted the defensive line. Their trails flashed as they charged toward the Nemos.
Charlie fired first: an accurate burst forced the leading Hizack to break formation.
—Now! Put pressure on them!
Christopher followed up with a second, more aggressive shot, forcing the enemy to scatter.
Marianne swooped down and grazed a Hizack, hitting him with a short burst in the shoulder joint.
—One was damaged. I didn't finish it off.
Stephanie tensed up.
—Watch out for the Marasai! It's moving… I think it's trying to flank us.
In the distance, the Marasai ignited its side thrusters and began to trace a wide, calculated arc.
Charlie saw it on the screen and gritted his teeth.
—That's the boss. If he surrounds us, he'll be at the Albatross in seconds... Christopher, with me, now! Stephanie and Marianne, keep the Hizacks at bay. Don't let them near us!
The Nemos split up to intercept the Marasai, but he responded with a clean, precise shot that forced Charlie to take cover behind a cloud of dust.
—Damn… it almost ripped me in two.
Christopher exhaled sharply.
—These guys didn't come here to test us out. They want to take us down.
—I know— Charlie said. —That's why we're not going to back down.
Behind them, in the distance, flashes of light could be seen: the duel between Lawrence and Kiriko against Unit 03 was still underway. One wrong move, and everything would fall apart.
Vivian spoke again, her voice serious:
—Team Nemo, hold position. I need five more minutes to get to the shuttle. Five. That's all.
Five minutes against three Hizacks, one Marasai and no support.
Charlie took a deep breath.
—Team… prepare for the worst. This is just the beginning.