Lynx of a certain Caliber

Arisawa Heavy Industries Yokohana Colony Base- Hangar 001

A blaring siren rang, as the roar of the boosters of Arathor overtook everything- the NEXT boosting out of the hangar, already engaging in combat as it took off. "Code 991"- Attack by unknown enemies. The most feared warning any pilot: Lynx Raven, or otherwise had to know. The warning was simple, the battlefield, wherever it may be was under attack by an enemy that which no one had any real information on. Adler turned back, grabbing Selene by the arm as she stumbled, preventing her from falling. She wasn't strong or graceful- her stamina was also subpar and she had to run from her room to the hangar in a matter of minutes.

"How the hell did we not see them coming?!" Adler exclaimed; his eyes panning out of the hangar as the blast doors shut once more. Outside had become a veritable hellscape- many areas of the base were aflame and the unknown biological enemies were fighting with the Normal units outside. Llad had successfully taken off, and Adler was also called upon- but he had not even boarded Zephiris yet. "All the detection equipment at this base, and we didn't know the Unknowns would hit us? What the hell were they thinking?!"

"It was an underground attack. Those things... They came from underground. They... came up right by the base." A soldier said, as he boarded his GA03-Solarwind Normal Unit. "I'll launch once you get Zephiris-" The Normal Pilot's words were rendered inaudible as a massive crash was heard from outside. The hangar was under direct attack- the unknowns wanted in.

"Adler...! Let's get moving...!" Selene exclaimed as she turned towards the navy-colored NEXT and briskly moved down the catwalk to its cockpit entry. "They need Zephy out there...!"

"Selene, I know...!" Adler said, following her. However, another crash, and everything shook- the blast door crumpled as one of the charging, green beetle-like unknowns smashed it open. Adler cringed. "They're..." He then took notice: the shaking had knocked Selene to the ground, and she had bashed her head against a guardrail, cutting her hands as well as she fell onto the jagged surface of the catwalk. Blood from her multiple injuries dripped down on to the floor below. "SELENE!" he exclaimed running to her. However, he took notice of something slightly more menacing than her crashing into the guardrail. A red unknown had taken sight of her, while the two Normal units still in the hangar, the Solarwind and the AW05-Zengame, were focusing on the beetle-like Unknown. It leapt straight at her as she stumbled to her feet, her right hand holding her head, which was covered in blood. Adler cringed, as he swung his HL1-Anti MT Rifle around and pulled the trigger, firing several .95 caliber armor-piercing explosive rounds at the creature, which caused it to explode in a splash of blood, however, there were several more of them entering the hangar.

"Adler...! Thank you...!" Selene wobbled, terrified. "Let's... Let's get going...!" She said as she opened the cockpit module of the NEXT. A brilliant green flash of an Assault Armor activation flooded the skies, illuminating the hangar as she did.

"Yes... but... you..." Adler said his primary concern not for the base, or the battle, but for Selene. "Of course, there are medical supplies in Zephy..." He said, as he helped her get into her part of the dual-pilot cockpit of the NEXT, and killing another red unknown that was climbing up the side of the Solarwind with his rifle before activating the closing sequence.

"Adler..." Selene said softly, before cringing as she connected to the NEXT's AMS. "NEXT Zephiris activating... Twelve seconds until she's ready to go."

"Hey, Normal Pilots...! Keep those unknowns off Zephy!" Adler called out, but it was useless. The two Normals had fallen, and the red unknowns, which were tearing away at their armor, were swarming them.

"Hey... Adler, where the heck are you? We really need backup out here!" Llad's voice came over the communicator.

"I'm on my way- but it's still a few seconds until she's ready...!" Adler replied. "Focus fire on the unknowns at the hangar...!"

"Three seconds remain. Primal Armor rectification beginning. Boosters on...! Launch procedure going normally... Adler...! Your AMS link is below fifty percent...! Get your mind on the task... Stop worrying so much about me. I'll be fine." Selene said, as the full display of the NEXT's sensors connected via slave optics, followed by the NEXT's standard HUD, which displayed several values. "AP at thirty-one-thousand, one-hundred forty-eight. Good. The unknowns didn't damage Zephiris during her start up... although PA won't be fully rectified for another ten seconds."

"Alright...! Our objective is the elimination of the unknowns at the Yokohana Colony… Starting here!" Adler said, as he turned towards the beetle-like unknown, and fired the right-hand blade directly at it, stabbing the creature's softer backside, causing a splash of blood to spray from it, vaporizing as it approached the super-heated plasma emanating from the arrow-shaped weapon on the wrists of the NEXT. Afterwards, Zephiris turned out of the hangar, and fired its boosters, rapidly entering the battle.

"Remember Adler, keep Zephy low. If they have any laser-class, we'll be fried. One Hundred Meters... only slightly higher than the tallest building here at this base."

"I know. I memorized the data we gathered from when May was killed. I won't fall victim to Omer's bio-weapon's Anti Air fire."

"...Target Unknowns: large type... we should focus on them. The Normals will have trouble with the defenses they have, and our blades can rip their legs off. Just watch out for that stinger. We don't quite have any details on the largest of the Unknowns yet."

"Right...!" Adler exclaimed as he fired his quick boosts toward a marked red target on his Radar. "It falls on us to destroy the largest of foes, no matter which mission we undertake. Be them these unknowns... or during a fight when a Arms Fort is involved..." he said, as he closed in on the massive chitinous creature, which seemed to stare at Zephiris as it approached, raising its leg, almost as if it was taking an attempt at skewering the NEXT, but it was far too slow. Zephiris's blades activated, slashing rapidly as the NEXT rotated, slicing the creature into bits with ease. A shower of blood rained down from it as it crumpled, drenching the surface of Zephiris.

"There's several others. They're all marked and displayed on your radar, Adler." Selene spoke quickly; her eyes straining as she quickly overlooked the inflow of data from Zephiris's sensors.

"Gotcha." Adler said, as he had Zephiris fire its boosters, floating out a few feet off the ground, sometimes even scraping its super-carbon feet across the ground in a shower of sparks, smashing a few red unknowns into bloody messes as it did. "Hey, Omer, I'm gonna kill every single one of your Bio-weapons...!"

"Enemy detected...! Watch out, it's...!" Selene cringed as a NEXT-sized white, crab-like unknown swung its claw down at Zephiris. However, Adler reacted swiftly, avoiding the claw- it's force absorbed by Zephiris's Primal Armor. "Primal Armor at 33% effectiveness, but no damage taken... you did well with that dodge, Adler."

"Thanks, Selene. I'll try to avoid the situation, but there's more dodging like that where that one came from." Adler chuckled as Zephiris's blades sliced thru the body of the unknown. "Hey, there's one of the green, charging ones."

"Target locked. It's weak from behind...!" Selene said, as Zephiris charged, the additional boosters flaring up as the NEXT charged at excessive speeds, its right blade glowing blue. The superheated plasma began to slice thru the unknown's shell, as Zephiris swung around. It executed a full, abrupt, quick boost assisted reversal, and immediately fired its left blade, creating a beautiful, if deadly spiral of superheated plasma around the NEXT. The beetle like unknown collapsed, blood pooling around were it fell. "There are a lot more basic enemies out there. There are plenty of targets to kill, Adler...! We should be focusing on the large ones. The Normal Units and MTs can eliminate the smaller ones...! There's one about a fifth of a kilometer to the east… that's just on the other side of that building there."

"Right...!" Adler said, as he caught sight of the target's head lurking over the side of the building. "But to hit it like that… we're going to have to strike from directly underneath it."

"That may not be the smartest idea, Adler. We have no idea how it may react."

"It's the only option we have. With any luck, we'll kill it in one blow, before it can do anything with that stinger." Adler looked over his shoulder at Selene, whose eyes were nearly blank, not reflecting any emotion. She was fully absorbed by the mission- her mind having become one with Zephiris's.

"If it's a risky maneuver or not, if you don't keep your mind on the battle, any move you make might be the wrong one. I'm— I'll be fine. Do not worry about me, Adler, I know you care, and I appreciate it, but..."

"Alright. Selene... The target's in range... here goes nothing." Adler said, as he had Zephiris leap into the air, gaining a few meters in altitude, as he approached the rear of the target large unknown. "The target is the stinger itself...! It's like a big, ten legged bee... I'm gonna sever the thing's stinger!" Zephiris's left blade lit up, glowing blue, as the NEXT slashed thru the thing's body, dropping the lower part, which contained the stinger to the ground. "Like I said, I fully plan on killing...!" Adler said, as he had Zephiris touchdown and fire another quick turn, placing the horrifically wounded creature back in Zephiris's attack path, and boosting straight at it, crossing the NEXT's blades in a direct attack, decapitating the thing "...It!"

Suddenly, Adler heard the thunderous roar of the main cannons of the three AF Giga Bases firing simultaneously. "Giga Base fire? Are they crazy? The Unknowns are in the base already! What are they trying to do? Burn our own base to the ground?!"

"No, they're targeting something else...Enemy Reinforcements inbound. I've got a Kojima reading... It's a NEXT... NEXT identified... it's a TYPE-SIONE... other than that, I can't tell."

"TYPE-SIONE?! That can't be..!" Adler exclaimed as he saw the approaching NEXT purge its Vanguard Overed Boost. It was a black NEXT and it looked as though it were a larger, bulkier, TYPE-Lahire. It's head unit had a peculiar wing-like feature to it, that had additional "eyes" along the side, while it, itself was mostly rounded. Six sensor eyes were present. It had a wing-like structure on its back, similar to the AALIYAH, but it was distinctly shaped, and it seemed different from any other core. The weapons of the black TYPE-Sione were standard however: Omer's ER-O705 Energy Cannon on its right arm, a Rayleonard Moonlight energy blade on its left. Dearborn03 VTF missile launchers and a Ogoto grenade cannon on the craft's back. Its shoulders appeared to be equipped with something unique: and Adler couldn't make it out at this distance. It's emblem was peculiar- A cross-armed woman holding two swords with a peculiar, winged headpiece. Nothing in Collared's database matched it.

"It- It really is… that NEXT… from that day…! The Black TYPE-Sione!... An Enemy Irregluar."

"...Omer. Those sick, twisted bastards. Unleashing those monsters... Doesn't matter. Ta... reinforce them. Target the two enemy NEXTs." a sharp female voice was heard over the communicator. "Target the mid-weight- Arathor. Force him to climb... arm the grenade cannon."

"That voice...! That's... No. It's not... It can't be...! That's..."

"Enemy Operator confirmed. It's Sumika. The enemy is..."

"It's Strayed."

"Llad...! Watch out. Enemy NEXT confirmed...! It's the Ex-Rank 1...! Strayed!"

"Wait...! They're not targeting Llad...! We've got trouble!"

"We'll turn this on them...!" Adler exclaimed as he proceeded to lock onto a black NEXT, the six sensor eyes on its head glowing a deep blue, as it fired several blasts from a ER-O705 towards him, striking the building behind him, however a shot did land on Zephiris, and the energy released resulted in an explosion which stalled the NEXT.

"We suffered a direct hit. Three-thousand, four-hundred sixty-eight AP lost... adding to damage from...! Oh no. We've got a red unknown- damage taken to several areas...! Missiles Incoming. He's armed an Ogoto grenade cannon… We can't dodge from this position...!"

Adler cringed as the shot was fired from Strayed, looking into the enemy's NEXT's eyes. Everything shook as the shot impacted directly, almost as if the Primal Armor wasn't even active. The HUD's AP display turned red. Zephiris only had three thousand AP left. However, the warning siren was momentarily over taken by a sharp cry of pain that was silenced, and followed by a direct thuwmp-sound as Selene had her Fortified Suit's Support and anti-G Force system fail, causing her to bash into the equipment in the NEXT, splitting her head wide open.

Adler turned back to see Selene lying slumped over in her seat, bleeding severely. "SELENE!"

Day 3- Break of Dawn
Arisawa Heavy Industries Yokohana Colony Base- Lynx Living Quarters

Adler woke up abruptly, breathing heavily. "It was just a dream...," he said to himself, looking around his room, which was strangely quiet. A dim, red-gray light shown thru the window from behind, the rising sun reflecting dully off the building, which stood behind him. As he turned to walk out of his room, he heard a deep rumbling sound and everything began to shake. "I hope that's just a Giga Base rolling out...," he said to himself."If I hear the Code 991 siren...," he muttered as he let out a wide yawn. "I don't suppose it will be though."

Adler looked back, "Ah, you're..." a smile coming to his face as he saw Selene walking towards him.

"Adler...!" Selene said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "I-I..."

"You know, don't you...?"

"Yes."

"Forget it; I was worrying only about a dream. There's more important things to worry about today. Surely GA isn't going to take the loss of May Greenfield with a grain of salt. With her death, everyone involved with the start of the New Sunshine Project is now dead... and she was the Rank 7." Adler said, "Besides, I'm so willing to take on those unknowns, even at a reduced fee. It's one thing for the enemy to kill someone I liked, and it's something else for them to do to them what those things did to her."

"But the other thing... You're thinking about it too, aren't you?"

"Ah, Takemikazuchi... I'm gonna take a look. I mean, the thing only warned of 'Laser-Class BETA' at one hundred meters, which according to the information we have, is the same altitude where the unknowns' EN capabilities become a threat."

"Also, that hangar was filled with blood, and the former pilot of the Takemikazuchi was half-eaten…"

"That too... But if the Unknowns are already this close to Yokohana colony…"

"It would be terrible. There's several million people living in that colony."

"And NEXTs can't fight in the colonies..."

"Of course, we don't know how old that hangar was. Takemikazuchi isn't in anyone's database, and with its distinctly Japanese name, it might be an Arisawa weapon, but even President Arisawa himself has never seen a machine anything like it."

"You asked President Arisawa about it, Selene?"

"Yes… That machine, it bothers me. If I knew what it was, I think I might be a bit more secure, but…"

"Ah. I see. But it's our only lead on any of the unknowns right now."

"I understand, but… it's got the scent of blood, and I can't stand it."

"We're Lynx. One way you look at it, we're in the business of killing— I'd think that you may have to get used to it. Especially the way you are…"

"No, it's not that. It's different. Something about that whole thing scares me. I just want it to go away."

"Well, I don't have any use for it, so I'm just gonna hand it over to command. I think if I'm right, the thing should have some kind of 'black box': if it's fought these unknowns that may be useful. Hell, its internal programming might shed some light on the enemy as well."

"You're right… but I've already told them about the warning it gave. They're sending a crew to probe it. They've also sanctioned off the training field for an investigation of the hangar... Ahh!" Selene spoke, but suddenly collapsed in pain as a man struck her from behind.

"...For what that bastard had done to my dear May, I should kill you, you damn—," a man in a New Sunshine Lynx uniform exclaimed.

"You really think you're gonna hurt Selene and get away with it?" Adler asked rhetorically, clenching his fists, and promptly throwing a swift punch towards the man's face. The man immediately blocked the punch, but Adler kneed him in the stomach. "I should kill you, you bastard." He said, kicking the man who had doubled over from the kneeing, in the face, and then grabbing hold of his neck. "In fact, I think I will. I suppose you're a bit unlucky I don't have my sidearm on me right this second, but I'm not sure I'd be too willing to give you a painless death even if I did."

"Adler...! Stop!" Selene had gotten back up. "Ow… Adler… please, don't kill him," she begged as Adler held the man, his thumbs depressed on the man's throat, him flailing to escape Adler's chokehold.

Adler looked back, and released the man, punching him once more. "Fine, but only because you asked." He turned back to face the man who had attacked them. "You blame me for what happened to May? And then you take that out on Selene?! You damn lowlife."

"It was your fault. She shouldn't have gone alone!" The man exclaimed, tears flowed from his eyes, whether that was due to pain from his short but brutal fight with Adler or due to the raw emotions he felt from the loss of May, "But no, you fell asleep the moment she came to ask you to deploy with her...!"

"Do you think I don't know what happened?! I know she came to ask me for deployment. I was not in proper mental state to pilot at that time...! And besides, rookie Lynx, where were you?" Adler's eyes were still full of rage as he spoke. "She was a Lynx, and a full-fledged one, not some half-wit dumbass like you. Dying is merely a reality of the battlefield. She knew that from the moment she signed up. She too was merely in the business of killing— despite whatever prideful romantics may be behind it, to be part of that business means the tables could turn on you at any time- that you could be the one killed, rather than being the one doing the killing."

"You cold, heartless bastard…!" The man exclaimed, "Do you care about anyone besides yourself and that girl?"

"No I don't. But that doesn't matter. Care about yourself, what you stand for, maybe those closest to you, and nothing else. Or else you'll die. And believe me, rookie Lynx, no one will actually care about you either...!"

The man merely collapsed in tears.

"I'm sure everyone here is going to be involved with killing those unknowns soon enough… If you want your damn revenge for the woman you never would've gotten, earn it there, or die trying. Don't take it out on me or Selene, especially not Selene, unless you want to die to an ally, because, believe me, hurt her again, and I will kill you...!" Adler kicked the man again, before walking off.

"Dammit!" the man cried. "Adler… he's right…"

Near Noon
Arisawa Heavy Industries Yokohana Colony Base— Hangar 001

When Adler entered the hangar, he looked around instinctively at the cores in the Hangar. His glance first panned over Repentence, which, due to the extensive repairs required on its head unit, was headless, and completely inoperable. He then took a direct look at the menacing Arathor, Llad's most notable NEXT. The stark combination of parts from various companies- from Algebra to the Union, to GA, and Omer— It's Head was the Soluh, core the Ekhazar, Legs were the Hogire, Arms: Latona. It was armed with a GA made large Gatling gun, an Eltanin, MSAC's Dearborn03 VTF missile launcher, and an Ogoto grenade cannon, and the Lamia AS missile shoulder units. Adding to the menace this NEXT put off was the array of stabilizers it had, adding sharp aerodynamic edges to many of the surfaces of the NEXT. The whole thing was painted jet black and it had been trimmed in red, with its sensor array glowing green once it took off. It was with this NEXT that Llad took on the three Lahires and an Eclipse at the Omer arsenal. It was also the only one of Llad's NEXTs that Adler had never been trialed against- typically, however, that was due to Llad never initially deploying in it, and much like what had occurred this time, the companies only order trials when they just had arrived.

After looking at Llad's NEXTs, Adler turned towards his own. Redeemer sat silent in its hangar. The black and red quad- a mostly algebra model armed with heavy machine guns. It made him cringe, for there was a time where he had once sided with the likes of Algebra, Omer, and Rosenthal, and Redeemer was proof of those days. It had a Latona core, with integrated Eklakh machine gun arms, on a Duskaror Core. Its head was the Algebra made Ekhazar model, and its additional weapons were GA's heavy Gatling Cannon and Arisawa's general-purpose grenade cannon, Ogoto. The core ran on a booster and generator load-out based on the concept of permanent flight while in combat, but due to the nature of such a core, instead that would simply be used for a large amounts of quick-boost, and as a final measure, the core was equipped with Omer's state-of-the-art Assault Armor Overed Booster, KRB-SOBRERO. For its time, this was Adler's main core of choice- until he and Selene started to operate his most well known core, the high-speed Zephiris, which stood silently next to the Redeemer.

But Adler knew he hadn't come to the hangar to stare at the NEXTs. His intent was the Takemikazuchi, but before he could get to it, he was approached by a member of the command staff.

"Hello, Adler." The officer had a very somber look on his face. His eyes narrowed behind his glasses. He had slicked back black hair, with a singular strand as an outshoot hanging over the edge of his glasses. While his uniform and badges gave him away as a member of Arisawa command, he was not anyone Adler was familiar with.

"Hello, sir." Adler replied.

"My name is Tadashiro Takashita. I am one of Arisawa's head research and development officers."

"Well then, sir, what do you have with a common Lynx such as myself?"

"You found something I've been looking for."

"And what would that be?"

"A functional Tactical Surface Fighter. By that I do mean the Type-00 Takemikazuchi that you uncovered in that hangar buried under what is now our training field."

"That core?" Adler looked over at the Blue and orange craft which stood silently in the hangar. "What does Arisawa want with it?"

"It's not a core. It predates the Armored Core by quite a few years. In fact, the Type-00 entered active service for the former Japanese Empire in 2000."

"So, this thing isn't a prototype NEXT then- it's before the Armored Core… why does it control so similar to one? And it's capabilities far and away outstrip the power of a standard Normal."

"That's to be expected. The Type-00, notably the Type-00R, the same variant of the Type-00 you've managed to obtain, is an extremely high performance machine. After a few tests, I've discerned it also has Alternative IV's XM3 Operating System— the very system that was redeveloped into the core of GA's New Sunshine computer-assisted AMS. What you found is truly an amazing relic."

"How do you know all this? No one, not even President Arisawa had any clue…"

"Of course he wouldn't. My Family is one the few who have managed to preserve the history of the Core, and until recent developments, this has been completely top secret— including the TSF. I have ancestors who were involved in the development of the Type-00. There may even be- no it will have data regarding the BETA- of course it's not much… that's why we need your Type-00."

"The BETA..?"

Tadashiro took in a deep breath. "Beings of the Extra Terrestrial origin which are Adversaries of the human race... I don't actually know a lot about them. All I know is that they were a enemy force that the whole of humanity battled during the late 1900s and early 2000s. The Tactical Surface Fighter, and later the Armored Core Normal were developed to fight them."

"Extra-Terrestrial? So they're alien?" Adler jokingly asked as he pictured a small green man holding a ray-gun in his head after hearing that description.

"Yes. I know that they were incredibly powerful. Yet somehow, despite over thirty years of war, we, as a species, won the war- the BETA were eliminated on Earth... Of course the possible continued existence of an alien force might destabilize the populace, so during his reign, 'Father' attempted to erase all information regarding them, including the TSF."

"Not like that did him any good- Fran's rebellion still occurred, and Father was killed."

"He also did it because he feared the Type-00- that was a weapon that could defeat him. While the modularity of the early core won it many battles- it was the force that toppled the United States, the Type-00R managed to hold its own against even some of the fiercest Ravens. He hunted those involved with the Type-00 down, and tried to erase the one TSF that could jeopardize his reign… But Fran's rebellion shut him down- using the very weapon he held in the highest regard, before he could eliminate everything- but even to my family, most of the Type-00's secrets are still hidden... The only thing I had to my side was the continued existence of XM3- which as you see, has become one of the most used systems on the modern day NEXT. Of course, what concerns me right now, is the possibility of data regarding the BETA."

"Well, apparently they have a 'Laser-Class', that seems to be an extreme danger during the time of the TSF. I somehow doubt it'd be much of a threat in this day and age- besides, it's not like we're fighting aliens out there."

"Unfortunately, if I'm correct, we are, Lynx." Tadashiro's tone grew very grave compared to the already serious tone his words were in naturally. "I'm sure you're aware of the events that occurred in Richland, correct?"

"What? You mean Omer's out of control bio-weapon?"

"Omer has other words on that. They have released an official statement to the League."

"Of course they would deny involvement in anything official. They always do."

"The Unknowns that overran the Richland base, shot down the Cloud of Eden, and killed May Greenfield— they appeared about the same time as the large-scale meteor showers did. This has lead Omer, and its subsidiaries to believe that they are, in fact, extra terrestrial in origin.

"Sounds like they're coming up with cheap excuses to mask their own problem of developing a bio-weapon and then losing control of it. Besides, even if they are alien, doesn't change the fact that they're enemy, and the fact that I still hate Omer."

"Whatever keeps you fighting, Lynx. Either way, given Omer's statement, and your discovery of an operational Type-00R, I think…"

"You have my official permission to do whatever you want with that machine, Tadashiro. It's mere presence is scaring Selene, so I'd be fine with being rid of it."

"Your attitude needs some adjusting, Lynx. Wouldn't you think it'd be more useful to have more information on your foe, than learning the way May did?"

"To be honest, Tadashiro, I'm not the one you should be talking to, regarding that detail, tell that to mission command- if they'd believe you. Like I said, I already knew what you wanted, so I gave it to you. The rest, doesn't concern me. Speak to me again if you've got a mission, but otherwise, leave the details to someone else. And my attitude, that's for me to care about, not you. Now excuse me, I've got to do some adjustments on Zephiris."

"I hope, for your sake, that means installing Assault Armor. I know you'll be part of tomorrow's large deployment." Tadashiro merely adjusted his glasses and shook his head as Adler walked away. "Typical Independents. They don't have a care in the world… Of course, what the hell is command thinking hiring another one. Adler is enough of a headache- and now they're bringing in Berlioz's… Of course, they're still pressuring tomorrow's deployment… This is all a headache. At least obtaining the Type-00R went smoothly."

Late Afternoon
Arisawa Heavy Industries Yokohana Colony Base— General Briefing Room

Adler walked into the room, and sat down in the back, next to Selene. "At last, details on our next mission. It's about damn time." He muttered to himself.

"Alright, as you are aware, this mission is in response to the loss of May Greenfield in yesterday's operation. In light of the 'Unknown Biological Enemies', we have deemed that a full scale attack, involving the use of two of our AF Giga Bases, a large number of Normals and MTs, as well as the available NEXT units, including the newly initiated NSS pilots, is our best course of action. This battle will be extremely widescale, so we have hired the aid of another NEXT, namely NEXT Double Heart."

"Double Heart? Victoria? Berlioz's adopted daughter? The heir of Line Ark?" Adler mentioned to himself.

"As you may be aware, NEXT Double Heart is a Rank 13 lightweight model, but considering it is Abe Marshe's latest, we can fully expect it to perform to an excessive degree. However, due to the circumstances of the battle, Double Heart will not be present until the operation is well underway."

"...So it is her. She's nearly as notable as Raven— White Glint. Why she's involved, I couldn't guess, although I'd think the fee GA and Arisawa had to shell out to get her to join this fight had to excessive, considering they had to reveal that she'd be up against the unknowns."

"As for the operations tasked to the NEXTs- they are as follows: Elimination of the largest of the unknowns falls to Adler. Elimination of the source of the high-intensity lasers, that falls to Llad. General fire support to the two NSS pilots. As a note, that involves weeding out the location of the lasers. With the kind of firepower that they have, not even our Giga Base units are safe from their EN Attacks- so the elimination of the lasers is the highest priority."

"Targeting the lasers? What a task for Llad. I hope he'll be ok with that. But the rookies got a mission that involves finding them? I hope they know what they're doing with that..."

"As a note, due to the unknown nature of the enemy, this operation will be extended and variable. It's an important mission for GA- and I'm sure it's an important mission for you all as well."

"Yeah, as long as I get to kill those unknowns, whatever they are..."Adler muttered to himself, half-asleep. "Now for the boring part. Funny that those suits always think they know battlefield strategy. You can't be taught that- you can only learn it thru experience... Raptor may have the experience, but he's not conducting the strategy for this operation- I can already tell. Besides, he was outright catatonic earlier today- still disturbed from May's death." Adler's thoughts tried to mask the fact that even he was still offset by the death of May Greenfield. "I doubt he'll be involved in any operating or strategizing jobs for a while… his first official one and he loses the Lynx in that manner. I don't know how the hell I'd handle it myself…"

"Adler…" Selene said his name quietly. "Tomorrow worries me. I don't think they're doing enough…"

"We'll be fine…"

Late Afternoon
Arisawa Heavy Industries Yokohana Colony Base— Main Facility

"Hey, Llad." Adler said, as his fellow Lynx walked down the hall towards him and Selene.

"Hey Adler, Selene..!" He responded.

"How's tomorrow looking for ya? Going after the lasers? Think you can handle that?"

"I've got Arathor ready for it. Changed out its Cougar Boost for an I-Rigel— or I'm having them do that today. Mission command is highly recommending Assault Armor, and I, for once, agree with them."

"Hmm…The I-Rigel? I'd use Sobrero myself."

"Speaking of, are you going to be equipping Zephiris with AA?"

"I'm not too sure. She doesn't work too well with it- Assault Armor is just too energy intensive. But dealing with those red unknowns…"

"I see what you mean. But, given, we know Assault Armor kills them outright- and that was from Merrygate's Cougar-Assault Armor- which is, as we know, to be a weak-and-inefficient AA."

"That gets me thinking, those rookies in their stock New Sunshine models… They're just going to be in our way."

"They shouldn't even be on this mission— they're a risk to everyone involved."

"…I kinda feel bad for them. Especially that one from earlier…" Selene spoke up. "He cared so much for May, and she's gone… he'll never see her again."

"I don't. That man hurt you Selene. I don't see why you'd feel bad for him. Yes, he lost May, but he'd never have gotten to be with her anyways: She's way above him."

"I-I'm not too sure, she may have. She had many admirers, but I could tell from the tone of his voice, he loved her, and she was, in a way, alone." Selene replied. "They may have been a wonderful couple."

"That still doesn't excuse the fact that he attacked you, when you had done nothing wrong- he may have been pissed off, but there was no excuse for his actions."

"Wait, you two were attacked by one of the rookies?" Llad asked. "Shouldn't command be notified?"

"No. I kicked his sorry ass. He wanted revenge for May…"

"You're thinking he should earn it on the battlefield?"

"Exactly."

"You know full well those who go into battle seeking revenge wind up dead."

"And those who hurt Selene wind up dead too. I think, that he's got a death wish- but I'm not the one to fulfill it. He should earn his death in battle, trying to claim his revenge, not by pissing me off."

"You've got a sadistic way of thinking, Adler."

"Do I? Either way, he should fight for everything that meant anything for him tomorrow. who knows, he may just earn his revenge. Or— he'll die, like the rest. Of course, those rookies… they're your help in weeding out the lasers."

"Well, you're right about that. We know they target anything that flies over one-hundred meters, so I assume those rookies are going to be using Wheeling03 out there."

"Probably."

"Seems easy enough once we've got the concept— I'd think you've got the harder job. There were hundreds of the large ones."

"Heh. From the looks of it, it's just another standard kill op for me— give me the biggest target."

"That's because you pilot a blader, Adler."

"Why they do it doesn't mean that they didn't. I'm always the one going for the largest targets."

"Anyways, we should head down to the mess hall- with tomorrow's operation being hungry should be the least of our concerns…"

Nighttime
Arisawa Heavy Industries Yokohana Colony Base— Lynx Living Quarters

"Everything seemed so down today. I guess the loss of May was really that hard on people." Adler said as he sat down next to Selene. "I don't get it though, Lynx fight and die. That's our way of life. Sure, the way she died was…sickening, but…"

"I suppose it's just everyone's attachment to May. She was always so happy and cheerful. Her just being around made people smile, so I suppose that's why, when she died, that everyone is well, sad."

"It doesn't matter, though. She was a Lynx. She undertook the risk that she could be killed on any given sortie. She knew it, and so did everyone else. We're just soldiers— we're not gods… I get what's wrong with Raptor- he, I suppose, has blamed himself for her death, and given his position, I can see why." Adler spoke with an odd, distinct calm in his voice. His mind fading to the sole time he saw Cristoph this day, sitting alone in the mess hall, drinking some hard alcohol and crying."At least Llad isn't that down about this whole thing…"

"He was. You've known him for long enough- you should've been able to tell, just from the way he talked. You're the only one in relatively high spirits, Adler… It's seeming like you just don't care. But…"

"That's well, because, in a way, I don't. Like I've said, she was a Lynx. Yes, her death came as a surprise- and indeed, I will miss her- you're right, her just being around did bring a smile to anyone's face, even mine. But the thing is, she, just like the rest of us, was just a soldier. We fight, and we die. That's it. Our life isn't glamorous… you of all people should know that, and don't forget, you're the way you are because of a wayward Lynx."

"But we were saved by a Lynx, too. And you're a Lynx, too."

"Doesn't mean much. There's still no reason for this much depression over loss of one Lynx."

"Stop trying to hide your feelings though, Adler. I know you're just acting that way…"

"I know.. I can't hide anything from you. But I'm serious, I…"

"You were upset beyond words yesterday. I know in your heart you still are— don't act like I can't tell. May was your friend, and losing her is…"

Adler shook as his eyes welled up with tears. "I know Selene… but we can't bring her back. She's gone. All we can do is hope for the best tomorrow— avenge her. And as much as I say it, you're right, I am distraught. She was a Lynx, her death was predictable, but…"

"It hurts, and there's nothing that can ease that pain… Adler, I…"

"…You know, Selene, to say the plainest, you, too, haven't shown any feelings in regards to May… not even yesterday."

"That's because I…"

"Don't worry, Selene. I know exactly why." Adler placed his right arm around Selene, "It's not something anyone should have to deal with…"

"Adler… Don't…"

"I know, I won't bring it up."

"Tomorrow worries me…"

"We'll be fighting those things, but it can't be any more than fighting what we already have." Adler placed his hand on hers. "There's no reason to be afraid— a bunch of unknown bioweapons aren't going to stop us. I won't be stopped until I see them dismantled. For what happened to you- for what happened to us…"

"Don't think— no don't worry about it…"

"But, Selene, after…"

"You said you wouldn't bring it up."

Adler sighed, "Besides…"

"…What if what Tadashiro was right? What if what we're fighting tomorrow isn't Omer's doing? What if the enemy is the BETA he spoke of?"

"If they're the BETA, or something else twisted created by Omer, I don't care. I'll obliterate them…" a sense of rage was conveyed from Adler's words, his free hand clenching into a tight fist. "Especially if it was Omer."

"Adler…" Selene's facial expression quivered, "I'm not sure…"

"Do you not trust me?"

"No- that's not it…"

"Are you doubting yourself?"

"No.. I can't do that…"

"Then Zephiris will do fine out there. We've made it this far— and we'll keep on living the way we have."

"I hope you're right, Adler… I don't want anyone else to die the way May did…" Selene said, getting up and turning towards the door. "I don't want to die that way…"

"You won't. I won't let it happen."

"If we fail tomorrow, Adler… kill me yourself."

"I couldn't do that, Selene. You know that…"

"I don't want to deal with that pain… It's more than I could possibly bear."

"Huh—? Oh. The answer then is simple- we don't fail."

"…Good night, Adler. But promise me, you won't let me go thru any more pain."

"I promise. But I'm not going to kill you. I'm not going hurt you— never again…" He spoke with a solid conviction as she walked out of his room, slowly shutting the door behind her. "Good night, Selene."

"I'm a thinker, I could break it down… I'm a shooter, trust me, baby… As we jump out, Feel it in the will..! Will you come, peacefully with me?"

Adler took note of the radio which cracked on and off in the corner of his room as he lay there, "Hm… it actually works..."

"Did you think this love would last you forever?"

"Thinker… hmm… that's an old song…" He muttered to himself as he rolled over to go to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a major operation, and he knew he wouldn't get much sleep before hand, so he tried his best to not think about anything as he closed his eyes. The song continued to play on in the background, it's second set of lyrics beginning to repeat.

"Did you think this love would last you forever?"

The radio's signal faded as a Normal walked past the building, returning the sound to a silence.

Author's Note: This fic needs more love/reviews..! Come on! Don't be shy! I'm not a BETA!