Beta: None
Original release date: 8/2/15

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Borderlands and Infinite Stratos universe. Obviously this is Alternate Universe. This story includes characters from any of the Borderlands Games, some that may be in the Pre Sequel [and not everyone may have played it yet], and may contain spoilers. As almost always, this is Alternate Universe because of my imagination may run away with this.

Chapter Two – Modifications

Reviewing the data on her tablet, Gaige scrolls slowly through the data about her IS, Harbinger. Sighing, Gaige looks up and down Harbinger, trying to decide what to remove or modify to decrease the weight. Standing like a much larger version of a suit of armor, Harbinger, dark green all around, no wings, stands still.

"Operator, removing most of my chest plate and limiting available weapon slots from 64 to 16 should greatly increase aerial combat mobility" states Harbinger in a mechanical voice, clearly lacking any emotional tone.

Swiping and typing on the tablet, Gaige doesn't look up when Harbinger speaks again, "Operator, limiting overall shield capacity from 10,277 to approximately half would decrease the need for energy storage for secondary power system by 66%."

Exhaling loudly, Gaige replies angrily, "But I want you to be the most badass unit out there! Cutting your shields to even five thousand would—"

"Would still be far greater than all other observed unit's capacity of approximately eight hundred" replies Harbinger.

"Cutting shield capacity in half, and then prioritizing regeneration sectors based on the amount of recent hits, overall strength level, and location can cut another ten or fifteen percent off the needed capacity off" murmurs Gaige typing some.

"Operator—" begins Harbinger before Gaige interrupts, "Just call me Gaige."

Processing the information, Harbinger begins again, "Gaige, even with a decrease in weight, I will still require wings for more optimal flight."

Mind buzzing with thoughts, Gaige types out and sketches out objects on the screen intently for many minutes before murmuring, "This should work quite well. Removing your head should be enough compensation for some wings."

Looking at the multitude of spare parts, scrap metal, and tools, Gaige closes her IS cubicle off from the rest of the ward and begins the adrenaline fueled process of modifying Harbinger to have wings, lighter, and still competent in all aspects of combat.

Meanwhile, Ichika looks at the piece of paper in his hands and at the room number on the door, confirming that they do match before cautiously entering the room. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, not hearing anyone in the bathroom, Ichika sits on the bed nearest to the window, enjoying the peace and quiet. Readying for the next day, Ichika locks the door with the meager door lock and gets into bed, perplexed that his roommate, if he even has one, hadn't shown up yet.

Glancing at the clock screensaver on her tablet, Gaige notes the time before resuming her work, determined to finish before class begins. Hours later, Gaige finally sits down and looks over her work, happy at the results. Gathering up the parts left over that came with her from Helios Station, Gaige adds them to her magical pack, with the weight seeming to no longer be an issue. Setting up a full system scan with the heavily improved Harbinger, Gaige exits the room quietly, determined to use one of the public women's bathhouses before grabbing breakfast.

Grabbing some of whatever food was available, Gaige sits down at a small two or three person table, enjoying the current relative peace of only handful of students in the cafeteria yet. Focusing only on her thoughts and eating, Gaige misses Ichika speaking.

"Huh? Can you say that again?" states Gaige, finally shaken out of her thoughts.

"I asked, do you mind me sitting here?" repeats Ichika.

"Yeah, sure" replies Gaige before returning to what's left of her meal.

After two or three minutes of silence, Ichika asks uncertainly, "So, we're teammates in a class representative match. But I don't think I'll be much help, seeing as I barely know how to pilot an IS."

Eyebrow rising, Gaige snorts before replying, "Then you can learn with Harbinger. It can accept three different pilot's data before having to remove one from the system."

Deadpanning, Ichika blinks rapidly before finally saying, "And you're fine with letting me use your IS? Is that even possible?"

Finishing her meal, Gaige answers, "Of what I understand, most units can only handle a single pilot's data in their system at any given time, other than the default setting. However, Harbinger is different in that it has four overall settings, one of which being the default setting which can't be removed, and the second being my settings. That leaves two other slots, a total of three, for pilots to be entered and removed from the system at any given time. With that in mind, Harbinger isn't your standard IS, with a primary and auxiliary energy system, with the standard IS system, alongside a standalone system that operates with a missing IS core or an inoperable one. The computer can also assist in aiming weaponry, although I don't use that, so I'm not certain if it is really functional or not. There are also sixteen at maximum, weapon slots that you can use, assuming all sixteen have weapons."

Eyes widening in surprise, Ichika asks hesitantly, "Will you help me train after class ends?"

"Might as well. And if you need an IS, I can send a request to have one built similarly to Harbinger for you."

"Wait, you can get one built just like yours for me?" inquiries Ichika.

Smirking, Gaige answers, "Certainly. I have the schematics, all I need to do is upload them to the mainframe at the manufacturing station, and then it should be able to build you one in just twelve hours, unless there is a parts shortage. The only potential issue I foresee is the lack of a true IS core, but even the AI should be fine enough to operate the unit on. And if you create the data on mine, we can send a copy to your unit, making it fit for battle within minutes."

Smiling, Ichika says, "Then let's do that. Beats a training unit I bet."

"Do what?" inquiries a steely cold voice behind Ichika.

Turning around in surprise, Ichika and Gaige see Chifuyu standing behind Ichika, arms crossed.
"I'll say it again, do what?" repeats Chifuyu.
"To make a copy of Harbinger, my IS, and give it to Ichika to use" replies Gaige.

"And this would be with an IS core and not just some silly AI mode?" asks Chifuyu in a cold tone.

Pulling out her communicator, Gaige quickly gets an answer from the last person that Ichika and Chifuyu would have expected to hear, "Hihihihi, It's Tabane Shinonono! How are you, Gaige?"

Smirking at the disbelieving faces Gaige replies, "Just fine. I was wondering if we could build a second IS unit like mine within a few days for Ichika Orimura."

"For Ikkun? Certainly Gaige. Just send the updated specs of Harbinger, as I know you've been messing with the configuration" replies Tabane in a singsong voice.

Typing and tapping a few items on her tablet, Gaige says, "Sent. Mind setting three or four more SMG's to be made as well? Maybe redesign the sword I've got and give Ichika's unit two alongside the two SMG's. Maybe he will make good use of the Gunzerker mode."

"I expect great battle results from both of you. I'll send it via Moonshot Cannon when it's ready" teases Tabane, before ending the call.

In the time of speaking with Tabane, Chifuyu, Ichika, and Gaige hadn't realized how quiet the cafeteria had gotten, all very curious to listen in to the now very public conversation.

Looking at the time, Chifuyu barks, "Finish your meals immediately! You've got seven minutes before classes begin!" storming out of the cafeteria afterwards.

Standing up, Ichika takes Gaige's dishes alongside his back to the counter to be cleaned. "I'll get the dishes seeing as you're getting me my own personal IS."

Entering the classroom, Ichika and Gaige take their respective seats when Chifuyu and Maya enter, and Chifuyu states, "And to kick off this second day, I want to see a match example from Alcott and Smith. We will all make our way to Arena 4, the smallest arena, and watch how experienced, or not, our two personal IS unit holders are."

Checking the status of Harbinger, Gaige replies, "The last system check is all green lights. I'm game."

Not wanting to be beaten, Cecilia responds likewise, "I'm good at any time, ma'am."

Arriving at the arena, Gaige summons Harbinger, immediately connecting and flexing Harbinger's arms, verifying that mobility was as good as the report stated.

"Pilots, begin after the tone" announces Miss Yamada right before a loud tone is heard.

Shooting into the sky, Cecilia materializes her rifle, and in a message to Gaige taunts, "And prepare to be defeated, Smith."

Not bothering with a response, Gaige grins as Harbinger rockets into the air, while arming itself with the modified Torgue rocket launcher before stating, "And you underestimate the modifications that I did overnight", before firing three rounds in rapid succession.

Cecilia zooms out, dodging the rounds easily before taunting back, "Is that the best America has?"

Smirking, Gaige activates Gunzerker mode and with an SMG in her left hand and a laser weapon in her right before laughing, weapons firing and constantly discharging as she follows Cecilia, knocking off copious amounts of shield points, before stopping as the laser weapon's energy supplied had dwindled. Looking at both sides of Harbinger in the now removed chest plate, Gaige smiles as the wings are holding up, in addition to the secondary purpose of collecting solar energy to fuel the auxiliary energy system.

"Got you!" shouts Cecilia, having hit Gaige with the four roaming bits.

Smiling, Gaige replies, "And there goes my shield, restoring itself. Gotta hit me harder than that."

Hearing the announcement that Harbinger could restore its own shields, the class spectators begin to whisper to each other about this new development.

Noticing that the auxiliary power supply was at best half, Gaige aims the SMG towards Cecilia before zooming in another direction, keeping the pressure up on Cecilia. Flying away, Cecilia mutters to herself, 'Her shields automatically restore themselves?! What generation IS is she using? England needs this technology.' In talking to herself, Cecilia has failed to keep up with Gaige before hearing Gaige speak, "And it's over" before feeling a large impact behind her, causing Blue Tears to fall from the sky, tumbling over itself as it free falls towards the ground.

Growling that Cecilia could be injured because she had not paid attention to Gaige's position, Gaige hurriedly directs all possible power to the thrusters, rocketing towards the ground before engaging an impact lessening barrier from Harbinger's hands, catching Cecilia as gently as she could. Setting Blue Tears on the ground, Gaige jumps out and looks over Cecilia, while Harbinger holds an arm and moves it over Cecilia's form, before doing an entire IS scan.
"Gaige, no critical damage dealt to IS frame, pilot only unconscious" reports Harbinger.

"Stand back" shouts Chifuyu before being helped by Maya in taking Cecilia to the nurse's office. Passing by the gathered students, Chifuyu grunts, "Go the classroom and wait for me there. NOW!"

Arriving in the classroom, Chifuyu states, "And with that demonstration, I will base the rest of the time on what went right and what went wrong. And I expect EVERYONE to be taking thorough notes."

/*the next day*/

Entering the class, Chifuyu places her hands on the podium before announcing, "The teaching staff have decided that based on new advancements in IS technology, all IS units current and future will be placed under restrictions including but not limited to shield capacity and shield regeneration. Also, all weapons will be tested and either allowed or banned to be used in competitive matches. Everyone with a personal IS will be subject to this, in addition to all training models."

Stepping back, Chifuyu lets Maya begin teaching when the sound of a large object slamming into the ground, almost exactly the same place where Harbinger had landed, is heard. Rushing to the window, almost everyone, minus Gaige, stop and look at the similar looking IS unit exiting the Moonshot round. Different on more than just looks, which reveal a blue IS, trimmed with white and gold, the unit announces with Tabane's cheerful voice, "Ikkun! Your own IS is based on Gaige's Harbinger, but yours is called 'Sentinel'. With dual energy swords using the secondary power system designed by Gaige, Sentinel can be a heavy hitting close combat unit, armed with a pair of SMG's based on the Harbinger's arsenal, but with higher weaponry output using brief pulses of energy, also from the secondary power system."
Sentinel turns to the rough direction that Gaige is in before also announcing, "And Gaige, I tweaked your rifle design before creating two long distance rifles, just for you!~ But Ikkun might just beat you in combat, hehehe!"
Gaige's finger fly across the virtual keyboard as she begins hitting Harbinger and of course Helios Station to find out any information regarding any other tweaks that Tabane had made to Sentinel to make it different from Harbinger. Getting nothing back other than 'Access Denied' screens, Gaige's eyebrows furrow as she begins instructing Harbinger to learn everything it can about Sentinel, before activating the tertiary processing system, left out on purpose from her schematics sent to Tabane.

Class resume without any more interruptions, and throughout lunch, Gaige sits quietly as she contemplates the similarities and differences of her Harbinger, Ichika's Sentinel, and Cecilia's Blue Tears.

Author note: I'm not good at mimicking the dialogue patterns of the characters, especially Tabane. But I'll try to do so, without copying dialogue from the anime or any other source. I've had this idea since about the time I released 'Vault Hunting Hogwarts', but I didn't like the original first chapter, so I decided to rewrite it and it is now what it is.