Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to IS: Infinite Stratos or any content/references that're used. This Fanfic is made just for entertainment and not for commercial use in anyway.

Author's Note:

Be adviced; for this particular chapter, there's a slight spoiler for Vol. 7 of the IS Light Novels. It's an IS that makes its first appearance in that Vol.


7:52 PM, August 15 2021. Tezla's Lab, Thunder Crash Base.

All of us were finishing our clean up in the firing range as our training sessions for the day are done. Usually the clean up process can take a while; mainly because of the round casings littered the whole range, but not with these weapons. These ones are energy and plasma based, and they don't need physical rounds and casings. Aside from Ratchet's energy incased Flak Shells.

"Alright, that's all of the data from today."

Tezla's analyzing the last but of data as we finished cleaning the firing range. But as he's analyzing the data, I noticed that he had a very concerned look in his eyes. And it's not just from today; he had it since those near encounters with those ISes back in early July.

"So, what do you guys want to do now?"

"All I want to do is just hit the showers and relax in the bath. Right now I smell even fouler than the air of a fitness center."

"Come on, man. That's adrenaline you smell. It's what gets you going in crazy situations."

"Hot Shot, are you joining us?"

Sideswipe, Ratchet and Scourge were heading on over to the shower room. I normally join them but after seeing that look on Tezla's face just now, I'll have to make this an exception.

"I'll hit the showers when you guys are done; right now, I got something else to do."

"Suit yourself, man."

Sideswipe then turned towards the shower room, following Ratchet and Scourge. They ought to be in the shower room for a while, which is good because this is something that I don't want them to hear.

It's not as if that I don't want them be part of it. It's that they already know what I've been going through.

And besides, with virtually non-stop training that we've been doing since we've began and him doing his work on the Silverbacks, I never found the time to talk to him. Now that we're done for the day, now should be the good time to talk.

As Sideswipe, Ratchet and Scourge are heading to the shower room, I went up to Tezla's desk as he's doing his work.

Since we've started this training, he looked as though that something's weighing heavily on his mind. And that's rare of him; I doubt that it has something to do with his work. No matter how much he has to do, he just keeps his professional front up. But right now, it seems that there's something going on with him.

Not only that, maybe he could help me with my current issues that I've been having lately. With these flashbacks I've been getting at least…

Even though I've said that he has too much on his plate, I don't think there's anyone I can go to right now for help.

"Tezla..."

"Yes, Eric?"

Tezla looked up, trying to put his professional front up.

"You okay?"

"I'm… doing just fine, Eric."

Tezla continued his work as he replied.

"I'm just a little tired, that's all."

I know that a shitload of work can be exhausting, with the live demo coming up soon. But he really doesn't look tired at all.

"Tezla, come on… You've helped me out when I had issues when Thunder Crash was in active service. So, what's going on?"

He then stopped doing his work and put his hands together, palms down on his desktop.

"Well?"

Letting out a sigh, he began to talk.

"It's you, Eric…"

"!..."

Me? Why is he concerned about me? Is that why he's been like that since we've started the training? All because of what's going on with me?

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Look, I don't know exactly what, but I feel that something's 'haunting you', so to speak."

Damn… Instead of asking him if he's having a problem, I should've gone up to him straight. Oh well, might as well spit it out.

"Well, you got one thing right."

I've pulled up a chair that was close by under a work bench and sat on it, resting both of my arms crossed on the backrest, and leaned on it.

"What do you think, Tezla?"

"I don't know for sure, unless if you tell."

Tezla then turned towards me, and the look on his face is still the same concerned look I spotted earlier, before I asked.

"And how long have you know?"

"Since we've met in Tokyo Tower. Remember that I asked you if you guys despise the current hierarchy with the IS in the picture? I sensed some hatred in your response."

"…"

"…"

Thinking back on that now, he's right...

The IS is what put women on top of the hierarchy over men in society, but even though I responded that way back then, it really wasn't towards women in general or the IS itself. When it was, it was before we were informed of who were the real culprits of that attack on the night of Thunder Crash's disbandment.

We thought it was the government who did it, with the Japan Self Defense Force. But when Tezla said that it was actually Phantom Task, who disguised themselves as the JSDF, we thought otherwise.

Yeah, Phantom Task…

They're the ones who kidnapped Tezla, but he managed to escape, the ones who deliberately killed our allies.

Deliberately killed Derrick…

"Aw… And you're such a handsome one."

"Tch…"

That woman…

Hearing the voice of that woman who killed Derrick in my head began to make my blood boil.

All of the anger that has built up in me began to seep out as I began to clench both of my fists. Right now, I just want to tear that bitch to shreds…

"Eric? Eric!"

"!..."

I shook my head to snap myself out, to see Tezla sitting down with his hands up and doing a gesture with them.

"Calm down…"

"…"

Now I remember why I wanted to talk to Tezla, to ask him for help.

"Sorry about that."

"Its okay, Eric."

Telza put both of his hands down before he continued speaking.

"Seeing you like that just now tells me that you're looking for vengeance. But not against the IS itself, but towards Phantom Task. And I can help you out on that."

"Which is why you made the Silverbacks?"

"Yes. But Eddie, Brian and Clayton; they know about this, too?"

"Yeah, they've know since the night of the attack."

Tezla then had the same look on his face he had earlier.

"I didn't ask them. And I've told them that they don't have to do this if they don't want to, but they decided to be part of it."

"Well, that's to be expected from developing a brotherhood with your squad, right?"

Throughout the time we've been together in Thunder Crash, we all gotten closer to one another. Till eventually, we became like brothers to each other.

Not only on the warzones, but off the warzones as well.

"Yeah. Yeah, Tezla, that's what normally happens."

"Which is why I've built 4 Silverbacks instead of 1."

The Silverbacks are a vital asset if we're going to go up against Phantom Task. But it brings me to one question…

"Tezla, exactly why are you unveiling the Silverbacks to the public? With the live demo coming up soon."

"It's to show the world of what the Silverbacks are capable of doing. The world has the right to know about this. And this kind of technology really isn't the kind that you can keep a secret. This is all just a step forward on getting to Phantom Task."

"You do know that these can cause a huge disruption in the balance of power, right?"

"Yes, that's been on my mind since I first started making the Silverbacks. But I have some things up my sleeve."

"Uh-huh."

So all in all, the main purpose of these Silverbacks is to help us in bringing down Phantom Task. But with it being like a Hybrid-IS for guys, something should be done with these if they were to actually surpass the IS.

"Tezla, if we're to bring down Phantom Task, can you do a favor?"

"Yeah, I can…"

I got up from my seat and approached Tezla, and whispered into his left ear.

"Yeah, if it were to come down to it, yes."

He nodded and there was no hesitation in his voice upon hearing the favor I've asked him.

"And I'll make sure that it'll get done right."

"Yeah, you do that…"

I nodded back at Tezla in an agreement as I started walking towards the shower room.

This whole thing basically started on the night of Thunder Crash's disbandment. We thought it was the government who launched that attack with the JSDF, and then vengeance came into mind. And I swore upon it with the help of Sideswipe, Ratchet and Scourge. But the only thing we could do is to lay low and start attending high school.

Since starting high school, the thought of vengeance slowly began to slip out of my mind. But then, Magnus dropped us a visit and gave us an encrypted disc that contains Tezla's message. And after listening to the message, we've met up with Tezla in Tokyo Tower for the first time since before Thunder Crash disbanded.

During that meeting in Tokyo Tower is where we're informed of the ones responsible for the attack on Thunder Crash's disbandment; Phantom Task. Since then, the desire for vengeance came back to me. As if a fire had been light up again. Now we know who to get our vengeance from.

After our meeting in Tokyo Tower, we fought our way through the ruined base to get the Silverbacks so Tezla can complete it. And since then, we've been doing our training to this day.

All of the things we've done until now have been going through my head as I stripped down and turned on the shower, with the whole room being empty.

As water rained down on me, the voice of a particular woman echoed in my head.

"Tch..."

Anger slowly builds up in me again as I grit my teeth and clenched my right fist.

"Let's get to the fun part before you die…"

*THUD!*

I slammed my fist against the shower wall out of hate towards that woman.

Autumn…

"…"

Reiko "Autumn" Makigami… That bitch will get what she deserves… I'll make sure of it.

Even if it kills me…


11:57 AM, August 17 2021. Ishiyama High, Odaiba, Japan.

Late morning fills the air over the high school campus, which sports an all-male student body.

Right now, it's summer vacation and the campus is normally empty around this time.

The only exception to having students on campus is remedial class.

"So, what are you going to do after class?"

"I'm probably just going to study; you know how my parents are."

The students are currently on their lunch break, chatting away as if they're on a regular school day.

"You really think that 'Silverback' as they called it can match up to an IS?"

"Just from the looks of it, I'll say no."

A small group of students are on the rooftop of the west building, just blowing off some steam they've got from the lessons they've received.

"They said that they're going to broadcast a live demo for it in a few days. How are they going to do that?"

"It could possibly be a fight with an IS."

"Yeah, as if IS Academy will send one of their ISes for something like that."

"If they actually did, I wouldn't be surprised if it won't last more than a second."

"With the IS being the victor, of course."

One of the students looked up towards the sky that's partly cloudy.

"Yeah, and for the rest of our lives, it'll be female supremacy..."


While the students are having their chatter, unaware to them was an IS high up in the sky, observing them.

The IS has a blue-grey color to it with black on various ends on its parts and gold on the accents of the legs and side skirts with broad looking wing thrusters and shoulders that gives it the impression that it's heavy weaponry.

Flashing on its visor is a holographic time display, beeping while flashing the time [1200]

*Zhn-n* *Ti* *Ti*

Scanning the whole campus, the IS's combat systems quickly determined its first target on the campus.

The IS slowly slid open its wing thrusters and shoulders while its visor's targeting system locks on a moderate size shed.

Switching to infrared, the drone notices the shed that it's locked on is dispersing heat via cables connected to the rest of the buildings on the campus. The IS assumed the shed its initial target, marking it for its weapon system.

*DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!*

Multiple missiles burst out of the IS's wing thrusters and shoulders, rushing towards their target.

The missiles came down roaring, just flying over the track and field of the campus.

*BOOM!*

The first missile blew the shed, soon the others followed, completely obliterating the shed.

The sudden thunderous noise startled the students on the campus.

"Whoa!"

"What in the!-?..."

The students on the rooftop quickly went up to the side rail, to see fiery debris from the shed littering the field.

"What the hell's going here!-?"

"I don't know, but it isn't good. We got to let a—!"

One of the students saw the IS hovering just above the residential area around the school.

"Up there!"

The student pointed out towards the IS, which is now launching a small barrage of missiles.

"Let's get out of here!"

One of the students urged the group as he began to bolt towards the stairway to get back inside the school's west building, with the missiles heading their way.

The missiles barley missed the rooftop the students were on and hit the school's gymnasium, causing the roof to collapse.

As the roof collapsed, the IS flew over to the gymnasium and scanned it.


Fire alarms are blaring throughout the campus, alerting the students and faculty to evacuate.

"Damn it, power's out!"

The students were running down the stairs to evacuate.

"How are the fire alarms going off with the power out?"

"These must have its own power source."

"We can worry about that later, but what the hell's an IS doing here?"

"How are we supposed to know!-?"

"Come on, where are the other students?"

"They should be out of here by now, so let's get out of here!"

"I can't! I'm the student council president; I'm responsible for what happens to the students."

Realizing what he said, the group then had a serious look on their face.

"Come on, I need your help guys."

Noticing the fierce look on his face, they all gave a nod, waiting for their instructions.

"Alright, we just have to look for any students who're left behind. Let's split up into pairs, we can cover more ground that way."

"""Right!"""

"Be sure to thoroughly search each room, let's move!"


After searching the whole building, the group met at the foot of the stairs on the first floor.

"Are they all who you've found?"

A pair of students was leading another group of 5 students as they met up with the Student Council President.

"Yeah, this is all of them."

"Alright then, let's get them out!"

"Wait, what about the main and south buildings?"

"For Summer classes, only the west building's used. So the main and south buildings should be empty."

*BOOM!*

Rushing through the dark hallways, a tremor coursed through the building.

"""Ugh!"""

"Get down!"

Everyone squatted down to the ground to prevent from getting an injury from falling.

*Krck…* *Clang.*

A florescent light shade fell from one of its ends from the ceiling and hung above the students by its wires.

Once the tremor stopped, the Student Council president gave the go ahead to keep going.

"Go!"

Without hesitation, the students bolt through the hallway and they've reached the central court yard, bolting towards the main building.

"Where'd it go?"

"Last time I saw it, it was heading towards the gymnasium."

"That was about 20 minutes ago; you guys have any idea on where it went?"

"I don't know, prez. It could be anywhere by now."

*DON!*

"Watch out!"

Just as they mentioned the IS, it's on the south building and launched a missile at them.

*BOOM!*

The missile hits the walkway's cover, causing it to collapse on them…


11:57 AM, August 17, 2012. Tezla's Lab, Thunder Crash Base.

"We've got a situation here guys."

All of us are looking at a holographic screen floating in the center of the lab.

"A few minutes ago, I've received a satellite feed about an IS going rogue from a testing facility up north."

Hearing Tezla's sudden explaination, Sideswipe, Ratchet and Scourge are looking serious.

An IS going rouge? And how exactly does this affect us?

"After receiving that feed, I've tracked down that IS down to Odaiba."

"What does this have to do with us? Isn't IS Academy suppose handle it?"

"While I was keeping track of the IS, I picked up multiple signals from IS Academy, Eddie. Supposedly these are ISes that were dispatched to deal with the situation."

"And what happened to them?"

"They were downed…"

"Wow, that's a first."

Ratchet bluntly jumped into the conversation.

"So much for IS Academy being the place for the elite of the elite."

Tezla then zoomed in the live video feed of Odaiba to see the rogue IS's activities.

What the video feed's giving us is something that we didn't expect.

"The IS has begun to attack Ishiyama High."

"What!-? Why the hell is it attacking a school that isn't even associated with the IS?"

Sideswipe burst out in slight anger.

I'm a bit ticked at this as well.

"And an all-boys school I might add."

"I don't know why. But seeing as IS Academy had failed to stop it…"

Tezla paused mid-sentence.

"Come on, out with it."

Scourge, as well as all of us, are getting anxious as to what he's about to say next.

"I think you should be the ones to stop it…"

"…"

"..."

The whole room fell into tense silence after Tezla finished his sentence. We have to go face to face with an IS sooner or later, particularly from Phantom Task, but sooner?

"…"

"Doc…"

Ratchet broke the silence.

"You happen to have any intel on that IS?"

"I don't have much on it, Brian. This is the first time I've seen that IS. But…"

Tezla went into thought while looking at the live video feed.

"All I know that it's most likely to be a long range IS; with its weapons being missile pods on its wing thrusters and shoulders. As for a melee weapon, that's unknown."

"So the best way to take it down is in melee combat, huh?"

"That's if it doesn't have a melee weapon, Clayton."

"And the only way to find out is to face it in combat."

"Right, Eric."

Tezla backed away from the holographic screen and went to one of his computer consoles.

"Alright, I know that the live demo's in 4 days, but given the situation; why not bump it up?"

As soon as Tezla asked, another holographic screen came up.

"This is the live broadcast from NHK News. If it's on the NHK News, it's most likely on the other major news networks around the world."

Since the IS has been introduced, the whole world has practically revolved around it. It wouldn't really be a huge surprise if it actually is being broadcasted around the world.

"…"

I tightened my fist at the damages the IS is causing to the high school.

Since its holding remedial lessons there, students are bound to be there.

And they're bound to get caught in the IS's crosshair.

I've seen too many people get killed by an IS…

The last person I've witnessed getting killed by one, was my Big Bro…

"Tezla…"

I've asked a big question.

"Are the Silverbacks ready?"

Tezla had real a serious look on his face.

So did Sideswipe, Ratchet and Scourge.

"Yeah…"

*Da-duh* *Ps-s-s-s-s-s-sh…*

A door on the side of the lab opened and coming out of it are the 4 Silverbacks in the Seiza position, carried on a platform.

*Dah.*

All 4 of us went up our Silverbacks…

"You guys ready?"

"No, man."

Sideswipe had replied in a serious tone.

"Question is, are you ready... Captain?"

I looked at Sideswipe, then Ratchet, and then Scourge…

All of us understand how serious this is.

"You know it…"

Sideswipe gave me a sharp nod.

After seeing this, I turned to Tezla with a sharp look.

Noticing it, he gave me a sharp nod and activated the Silverbacks.

Sounds of metal folding echoed out as the Silverbacks began to rise up from their Seiza sitting position with blue neon lighting on their linings/accents flickering on and off at the same time.

Once in full standing position, they set their arms off from their sides and legs shoulder width apart.

With their lights fully on, they've open up from the back.

"Alright, armor up and load up!"

All of us slipped into the Silverbacks, and after incasing us, the Silverbacks are fully activated.

After the Silverbacks are active, all of us got up to the weapons rack to equip our weapons.

The only weapons available for use right now are the Desert Ranger, Saber Assualt Rifle, Shockburst, and Concussion grenades.

Sideswipe, Scourge and I are using the Sabers, and Shockbursts.

I especially equipped mine with 2 Desert Rangers.

Ratchet on the other hand took a Saber and his Flak Cannon.

As for the Concussion grenades, we have them as well.

Now, I feel that that I'm missing something; one thing that I can use for Melee combat…

And they're mounted on both of my forearms…

*Shee-ew!* *Shee-ew!*

Sideswipe, Ratchet and Scourge stepped back a bit.

I looked at both of my forearms and they both have a combat blade deployed on each of them.

"Well well, that's certainly interesting."

Tezla was observing what just happened.

"It seems that your Silverback is getting an understanding of you, Eric."

I took a closer look at the blades I just got; they look exactly the same as the ones on my Thunder Crash armor.

So this is what Tezla means by being one with your Silverback.

"Theoretically, understanding the wearer's preferred weapons and fighting style normally occurs after being used in combat for the first time. And actually 'providing' the melee weapons is not to occur until it gets out of the Beta Phase."

Interesting is right, cause since we've started our training, all of our Silverbacks have been in the Beta Phase. They won't be any more after this encounter with the IS.

Speaking of which…

I looked at Sideswipe, Ratchet and Scourge, noticing that they have their weapons ready and equipped.

"Hold on guys, there are some last few things I need to explain to you. First is the energy shield; remember that there's an energy shield around your Silverbacks. If you look at your visors, you'll notice that there's nothing on it, even though you're weapons are equipped; no meters, gauges or indicators. The reason for this is so that they won't distract you or obscure your vision."

"Then how the hell can we tell if our energy shields are running low?"

"When you take damage; the more damage you take, the more color your vision looses and the more blur it becomes. But if it doesn't gain any more damage after a short time, the Silverback Spark will fully regenerate the energy shield and the vision will be fully restored. However, if it takes constant damage and your visions all grey and blurred, that means your energy shield's about to break."

I took a quick look at our Silverbacks before asking.

"And what happens if the energy shield breaks?"

"A huge 3-way crack will appear across the visor and the vision will slowly turn from grey to a red hue; indicating that the shield's been broken and the Silverback Spark will shutdown all functions, and will concentrate on restoring the energy shield. While doing so, the combat armor will remain down, but not out. You can do two things; let the Silverback Spark restore the energy shield itself, or pick each other up."

"Pick each other up? How does that restore our energy shields?"

"If you pick up a Silverback that's down, the Spark in your Silverback will generate extra energy and it'll transfer it to the Spark of the downed Silverback, and the downed Silverback will use that extra energy to restore its energy shield and its back in the fight."

Interesting, I heard that ISes automatically shutdown the moment it's energy shield's depleted.

But that doesn't really seem to be the case with these Silverbacks.

"Even though the energy shield's restored, a crack will be on your visor to indicate that the energy shield's been broken once. Two cracks to show that it's been broken twice. However, those cracks are not real, they're just there as indications."

"And what will happen if it breaks the third time?"

"The Silverback will shutdown altogether. But the armor will remain out to protect the wearer. It may not look like it, but the Silverbacks armor far surpasses that of the IS. But as for the energy shields, the IS beats the Silverback."

"So Doc, the energy shield is weaker on the Silverbacks. But to compensate for it, it can regenerate and restore. It can regenerate an infinite amount of times as long as the shield doesn't break."

Ratchet was basically getting the overall workings of the energy shield.

"So technically, the Silverback can rejoin the fight after getting its shield restored twice. As opposed to the IS where if its energy shield's depleted, it's out of the fight."

"And to even add more compensation, you've made the armor on the Silverback stronger than the IS's."

With me finishing Ratchet's 'overview', Tezla responded…

"You guys basically got it."

I looked back at Tezla and noticed him typing something on his computer console.

A few seconds later, a small window opened up next to the weapons rack and 2 small cyan colored canisters and a red discus-shaped patch on the rack.

"Those tactical devices there will help you on fighting that IS, and when you have to get out after dealing with it."

I picked up the 2 cyan canisters to have a better look at those.

"Those 2 cyan canisters are cryo grenades. Those grenades don't freeze anything when they go off, but they're perfect against infrared vision."

"Exactly how?"

"When they go off, they immediately drop the surrounding air to freezing temperature (32 degrees Fahrenheit, or 0 degrees Celsius). If you're anywhere in that area, you'll be invisible to any infrared vision; conventional or IS."

Sideswipe picked up the red discus-shaped patch with a keen look on his face.

"And what exactly is this?"

"That's what I call an IO Charge."

"IO Charge?"

"Inertia Override Charge."

I don't know much about that. Ratchet, maybe. But for sure Tezla must know.

"When I was working on Phantom Task's ISes, one of the things I've learned is that all ISes have something called a PIC; Passive Inertia Control. It's what allows an IS to fly and perform extreme agility and mobility without its pilot being affected by gravity induced redouts and blackouts."

"And the reason why you're providing this for us is because…"

"These Silverbacks can't fly as of now. The best possible chance of you to bring down the rogue IS is to plant that on her. When it goes off, it'll override and shut down the PIC."

"Clipping the bird's wings with that, huh? Nice."

ISes are extremely fast and agile for their size, and of course, can fly. But despite those factors, there's one person who has the best shot out of all of us who can plant that charge on the IS.

"Sideswipe, you are to plant that charge on that IS."

"If you say so."

Sideswipe equipped the IO Charge, placing it on the right side of his lower back.

"There's something that you should know about that IS…"

Tezla is still typing on his computer console, and a display screen appeared on the visors of our Silverbacks.

"That rogue IS is an unmanned drone. There's no pilot in it, so you don't have to worry about holding back."

"Good to know."

That's a good piece of Intel to have about that IS, it means that we don't have to worry about the safety of the IS's pilot. But then again, what pilot does it have if it's an unmanned drone?

It seems that we're ready, but to make sure…

"Are you guys good? Sideswipe?"

"Good to go."

"Ratchet?"

"Ready…"

"Scourge?"

"Armed and ready…"

Even though we have the Intel we need, and equipped, there's one thing that we've overlooked.

"Anybody know how are we getting to Odaiba? You know that its 2 hours away from here, right?"

"Chill, Eddie. I've got something that'll get you there in an instant…"

At the other end of the lab, a large pedestal rose up from the ground with 4 pillars around it and an overhead lowering above the pedestal.

"What is that, Doc?"

"You can call it a teleportation device, Brian. That's how you're going to Odaiba."

I've seen Tezla use something this once every now and then topside to send emergency supplies to our fellow mercenaries.

Obviously, I've never seen him teleport live human beings.

But there's a first time for everything.

All 4 of us rushed to the pedestal, but Ratchet appears to be a little 'antsy' about this.

"Hot Shot, I'm not too sure about this."

I can't really blame him for being nervous right now. But now's not the time to worry about it.

"We got no choice, Ratchet."

All of us are on the pedestal, waiting for Tezla.

"Fire it up, Tezla."

After a few hits on the keyboard, a deep humming sound filled the air of the lab as holographic panels began to float and circle us at the boundaries of the pedestal.

"And one more thing; since this problem involves an IS, IS Academy will most likely send out more ISes to stop the rogue."

"Aren't we technically helping them?"

"We are helping them technically, but will they see it that way as well? Anyway, try to stop that rogue IS and get out before IS Academy gets there."

"Copy that."

"Alright, keep all body parts away from the panels. Good hunting, Alpha."

The speed of the panels circling us increased with every passing second.

*Pzzt* *Pzzt*

Electrical arcs are coursing across the space we're in, sometimes hitting us and surprisingly, they're harmless.

Soon a gravitational pull began to pull all 4 of us towards the center.

"Oh shit!"

"We're not going to make it!"

"Here we go!"

The pull's getting stronger and stronger, and soon we're getting sucked into a small vortex.

*Pzzt**Pzzt* *Pzzt*

*Vrr-r-r-r-r-r-VOOM!..*

In an instant, we've been pulled into the vortex.


12:12 PM, August 17, 2021. Venus Fort Shopping Mall, Odaiba, Japan.

Sirens echoed throughout the air as people are evacuating in an orderly fashion.

In a parking lot on the opposite side of the shopping mall, abandoned cars littered the lot as the summer breeze blows on through; like the whole place is a ghost town.

*Pzzt*

*Pzzt* *Pzzt*

Electricity began arcing in the middle of the lot, disrupting the parking lot's empty silence.

*Pzzt* *Pzzt!*

*Vr-r-r-r-r-r*

A deep 'humming' began to sound through the lot as electricity continues to arc faster and faster, creating a mini lightning storm.

*R-r-r-r-VOOM!*

**Klunk.* *Klunk**

*Klunk!*

*Klunk.* *Klunk.* *Klunk…*

A thunderous sound echoed through the air and the lightning storm dissipated soon afterwards. When its all clear, in the center of it were 4 suits of silver colored and blue neon light armor; lying completely motionless in the middle of the parking lot.

A few seconds later, they all began to slowly move and recover from what has happened.


"Uh…"

That 'trip' left a slight churning feeling in my gut. Now I know what getting squashed into a tiny box feels like.

"Ah…"

I slowly began to sit up as I check if my brothers are still with me.

""Ugh…""

Sideswipe and Ratchet were just coming around and Scourge lying on his back, struggling to get up.

"Oh, man. Everybody in one piece?"

Sideswipe and Ratchet slowly began to get on their feet and Scourge still appears to be affected.

"Uh... I'll get back to you on that…"

I got up and checked the status on my Silverback and everyone's.

Even though we've gotten banged up from that 'trip', our Silverbacks are okay.

"Come on, Scourge. Up and at'em."

I picked Scourge up as Sideswipe and Ratchet seemed to have fully recovered and looking at the surrounding area.

"Where did Tezla sent us?"

"Venus Fort, Sideswipe."

"He could've sent us directly to Ishiyama High."

"If Tezla would've sent us directly to Ishiyama High with the IS attacking, it might look like that we're there to assist it instead of stopping it. Tezla, come in. Tezla, come in."

"…"

"Ah, shit. Ratchet, how do we look on long-range radio?"

"We're looking like shit on it right now, must've been damaged on the way here. Now we're limited to short-range."

"Great, there goes our communications with Tezla."

If we had Hawkeye with us, then this wouldn't be a problem. He's equipped with a radio uplink to relay long-range radio signals to and from Tezla.

Freakin terrific time for him to be out…

But that aside, there are some other things I need to check…

[Saber Assault Rifle: Online]

[Shockburst: Online]

[Desert Ranger (x2): Online]

[Concussion Grenades: Online]

[Cryo Grenades: Online]

[Forearm Blades: Online]

[All Weapons: Nominal]

The feed I got on the visor at least showed me that something's going right…

I looked back at my bros to see that they're all checking their weapons.

Just like me, they want to make sure everything's functioning properly.

"Alright, since we're at Venus Fort, we ought to be about 3 Kilometers (1.8 Miles) southwest of Ishiyama."

"Yeah, and I can see the IS causing a lot of havoc from up here."

Sideswipe, clinging on the wall above the shopping mall's sign, is looking off towards the high school's direction.

"And that's our signal to get moving. Sideswipe, you take the roof tops; keeps us posted on the IS's activities."

"Right!"

Sideswipe climbed up to the roof top and went ahead towards high school.

Time for us to get going.

"Ratchet, Scourge you're with me."

We began to make our way out of the parking lot and onto the streets.

This street we're taking has a train line in the center and it goes to a station that's just a 5 minute walk away from Ishiyama High's Dormitories.

This'll make it faster to get to the high school.

"We'll follow the train tracks. Let's move!"


12:16 PM, August 17 2021. Ishiyama High, Odaiba, Japan.

The rogue IS rose from the gymnasium and began to scan the campus for its next target.

Unable to find one, she began to circle around the whole campus; getting a better view to scan for another target.

Scanning the west building, she picked up multiple life signs coming from inside the building.

Her wing thrusters slid open as its targeting system marked the targets.

*DON DON DON!*

3 missiles were launched, tracking down their targets down like a pack of wolves.

*BOOM!*

All 3 missiles hit the rooftop simultaneously, rocking the whole building.


Sprinting through the suburban streets, just outside of the school area, we can hear the damage the IS just did to the high school.

Hope the students got out of the whole mess.

"Hot Shot, it seems the whole area's been evacuated. If you got a plan, now's the time to let us in."

Ratchet began to get his Saber ready as we're getting closer and closer to the campus.

Okay, with Sideswipe having the IO Charge, he can't go on and attack it alone; even if he manages to get close enough.

He's going to need some help on planting it on the IS if we're to stop it.

Tezla said that the IO Charge can override the IS's PIC system and shut it down; disabling its main source of flight. Basically, this whole fight depends on it; seeing as how the Silverbacks in their current state can't fly.

Scourge was getting his Shockburst ready as well and Sideswipe's off somewhere close by.

"Okay…"

I pulled out my Shockburst.

"Here's the plan; Scourge, you and I are going in and grab that IS's attention. Ratchet, stay back and provide support. Sideswipe, while we got her attention, you're to jump it and plant that IO Charge. Once it goes off, we're to bring that bitch down by any means necessary. Got it?"

"Got it."

"Whatever you say, Boss Man."

"You got it."

Ratchet, Scourge and I got off of the street and entered a small ally way, this is a shortcut that some of the students use in case if they're running late.

According to them, this'll lead to the campus's track and field.

But blocking our way is a fence that separates the residential area and the campus.

"Huh!"

We've all launched ourselves up and over the fence and onto the track and field.

"Oh, shit! There goes the power shed."

Ratchet had noticed that upon getting onto the campus grounds, fiery debris littered the field that lead back to where the school's power source once stood.

As we're making our way to the school buildings, Sideswipe contacted me through the radio comm.

"Hot Shot, I'm picking up multiple life signs coming from the west building."

"Oh, great. Just great! We got stragglers thrown into the mix."

As if things can get any better; thanks with remedial lessons going on this summer, now we got some left behind students to evac.

"Alright, slight change in plans."

I reluctantly put my Shockburst away.

"Sideswipe, you hold back. Ratchet, Scourge we're to get the students out to safety. Come on, move!"

We've cleared passed the track and field and reached the south building.

As we got to the south building, my visor began picking up multiple life signs close by. They got to be the students Sideswipe picked up earlier.

"Hot Shot, the students in the central courtyard."

Ratchet readied his Saber in case if the IS comes in.

"Then let's get in there."

Whipping around the corner and entering the court yard from the southwest, we've spotted the students, bolting towards the main building.

6, 7, 8—9 of them to be exact.

*DON!*

Upon seeing them a sound boomed through the air, coming from the top of the south building.

"Ah, shit!"

A missile is flying down towards the students.

"Ratchet, Scourge!"

We all made a mad sprint to the students, as the missile got closer and closer.

Shit! Come on, faster, faster!

*BOOM!*

The missile hit the concrete overhead that's covering the walkway, right above the students.

Upon impact, all the students squatted down covering their heads with their arms as the overhead began to collapse from the hit it took.

With a slight bit of space in between the students and the collapsing overhead…

*DUHD!* "Du-ugh!"

*DUHD!*

*DUHD!*

At this moment, Ratchet, Scourge and I caught the falling overhead, narrowly saving the students.

"Ugh… agh!" *Duhd!* *Duhd*

"Hu-ah!" *Duhd!* *Duhd*

"Shr-rgh…" *Duhd!* *Duhd*

As we threw the overhead pieces aside the students slowly got up, looking appalled at what saved them.

But one particular student's attempting to keep a front.

"Thanks. I thought it was over…"

The other students were brushing the dust off that got on them. But this particular student who's thanking me is the student council president. Better alter the com's voice tone…

"You're welcome. Now get your asses out of here, this entire campus is becoming a small warzone."

*DUHN!*

""""Ugh!""""

The students collapsed on the ground from the thunderous tremor, and a huge cloud of dust was picked up beside us.

Through the dust, my visor recognized what's in the middle of it all.

*Klunk! *Klunk.*

"Shit!"

It's the rogue IS. Instinctively, Scourge and I pulled out our Sabers and Ratchet with his Flak Cannon, taking aim at her.

"Go on! Get the fuck out of here!"

The students then began to take off towards the main building and soon, off of the campus.

Now with the students out of the way, we can focus on our main objective; and it's to stop that IS.

But with us being in the central court yard, all of the madness and chaos is going to ensure in here and the surrounding buildings are going to contain it.

It may sound good, but it's not; because the damages are going to be on the school buildings.

And we're here to stop the IS from doing more damage to the school.

"She has already caused enough damage to the school, we have get her out to the track and field!"

We all began to fire in short bursts on the IS to grab her attention, the best thing to do is to get her out on open ground and then we can take her down.

As we're firing, she began to fire up her wing thrusters.

Next, she began to ascend; flying in closer on us.

"Go, go, go!"

We bolted out of the central court yard with the IS continuing it's ascend.

"Sideswipe, you still got the IO Charge?"

"I still have it and I'm right by the main building on the campus."

"Well hold back and wait for the right opportunity to jump it."

*DON DON DON DON DON!*

Missiles were launched as she hovers above the ground when we got to the track and field.

But they're not heading towards the school buildings; they're heading for us.

"Tch…"

I brought up my Saber and took aim at the missiles in an attempt to shoot them down.

"Get down, Hot Shot!"

"?"

Ratchet launched a canister right out of his Flak Cannon.

*Beephew!*

"Uh!"

An ear piercing sound rang through my ears as I dove down.

The missiles were sent into disarray and set off in mid air.

I got back up as the IS was about to launch another barrage of missiles at us.

"Okay, we got her out of the court yard, now what?"

Ratchet switched to his Saber.

"Now we keep her attention on us long enough for Sideswipe to get the jump on her."

*Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh!*

Firing my Saber at the IS, Ratchet began to fall back a bit while Scourge began to fire his Shockburst at it.

"With the her hyper sensors, we need to make sure that she remains fixated on us for Sideswipe."

*DON DON DON DON DON!*

Another barrage of missiles was launched.

"We're an easy target with us all bunched up like this, split up!"

To dodge the oncoming missiles, Ratchet backed off and Scourge dove above the missiles, towards the IS.

I dove right, just in time before the missiles impact the ground.

*Pephee-ew!* *Pephee-ew!* *Pephee-ew!*

"Damn, this is one tough ass bitch!"

Scourge hit the IS square in the chest, knocking it back a bit.

The IS took a few steps back to recover from the shots it took. I don't know how much damage those shots did to it but they sure got her disoriented for a bit.

"Ratchet, have you got any way we can get around her attacks?"

"I'm working on it, get off of my back!"

The IS launched another barrage of missiles towards Scourge.

"Goddamn! How many missiles does this bitch have!-?"

I fired my Saber to shoot down the missiles before they reached Scourge, and he's doing the same thing as well.

"Oh, shit!"

Some of the missiles passed through our counter fire, making Scourge dodge them.

Despite his huge size, he's fast and agile; dodging each missile coming in left, right, forward, and back.

"!"

One remaining missile flew towards Scourge from his right side, but it also happens to be his blind spot right now.

I immediately pulled out one of my Desert Rangers on instinct…

*PA!*

*BOOM!*

"Ba-agh!"

"Scourge!"

The missile detonated prematurely after getting hit by the shot, right next to Scourge and the smoke covered him.

But then he jumped out of the small smoke cloud, but he didn't get out of it unscathed.

It looks like that a layer on his Silverback's armor is about to break, with it looking as though it's cracked glass. This whole pattern's all over his armor.

"You okay, Scourge?"

"Yeah, it's just that the vision on my visor lost some color and a bit blurred."

Tezla told us that the more damage the Silverback's energy shield takes, the more blur and color loss our vision becomes on the visors. But if the energy shield stops taking damage, the energy shield will regenerate and the vision on the visors will restore itself, thus indicating that the energy shield's fully regenerated.

And it seems that he left one thing out about the energy shield; the damage on the energy shield itself. I'm guessing it's a sign telling us the status of another's Silverback's energy shield.

Even though Scourge's Silverback's energy shield's about to break, the IS didn't follow up with another attack to break his energy shield and down him. Unless if she can't see it…

Maybe the only way you can see the damage on the Silverback's energy shield is through the Silverback's visor.

Looking at Scourge's Silverback, the cracked patterns that are all over it are slowly vanishing until there isn't a single crack on his armor. This could mean one thing…

"Oh yeah, I'm back in the fight!"

Scourge's energy shield has fully regenerated and now he's re-engaging the IS, but she began to ascend to avoid the oncoming fire.

"We can't let her take to the skies! Get some concussions up there!"

These concussion grenades are basically stun grenades, but more. It has the effects of a flash bang, can emit electrical jamming waves, and it also can burst a cloud of smoke out at the moment of detonation.

The IS was ascending close to the south building of the campus as we hurled some concussion grenades at it.

But as we threw the grenades, she launched a small group of missiles.

"Look out!"

Scourge dove back and I dove right to avoid the missiles.

A stray missile flew above and went right towards Ratchet.

"Tch.."

Ratchet aimed his Flak Cannon after getting a bit of distance.

*BAM!* *Click* *Clack*

*BOOM!*

The flak shells he fired shot the missile down as the smoke cloud barely reaching him.

"Uh…"

"Ratchet, you okay?"

"Yeah, this is getting fun…"

*Beephew!*

An ear piercing sound ringed throughout the campus, coming from above next to the south building.

We all looked up to see a puff of white smoke was next to the IS, with her looking a bit disoriented.

*Beephew!* *Beephew!*

The other two concussion grenades went off, one in front, and the other in between the IS and the south building.

With multiple grenades going off, she's been engulfed in the cloud of smoke.

But the IS emerged out shortly after, still a bit disoriented.

I dashed right to flank the IS's leftt side, Saber in hand, about to take aim at her.

But as I was about to shoot, I spotted a silver figure scaling the side of the south building like a ninja behind her.

There's only one person here who has tendencies of doing things like this…

"Sideswipe!"

And as he came close to the IS, he leapt off of the building, grabbed hold of her right arm, swung up and flung himself over her like a gymnast.

"Ha! Come on, Infinite Skank!"

*PAM!* *PAM!*

Sideswipe smacked the IS's head twice as he got on her back, following up with attacking her wing thrusters.

*Mrr-rr* *Tink*

The IS immediately reached for her back, got a hold of Sideswipe, and threw him down.

*Klunk!* "Ugh!"

Sideswipe was thrown to the base of the south building, causing a massive hole in the wall.

"Sideswipe! You okay?"

"I'm fine… uh."

She was about to launch some missiles where Sideswipe crashed.

*Pephee-ew!* *Pephee-ew!*

Scourge fired his Shockburst at the IS to get her attention.

"How's the IO Charge?"

I couldn't tell if he managed to plant the charge on her, seeing that she's still airborne and aiming towards Scourge.

*Pzzt*

"?"

A small electrical arc coursed through her.

"About that…"

*Pzzt* *Pzzt*

"It's planted."

***Pzz-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-zt!***

Multiple arcs of electricity are coursing in and out of the IS as she fell.

*DUHN!*

The IS didn't collapse upon impacting the ground, but she wasn't hovering like it was before and electrical arcs are still coursing through her.

"Hold your fire..."

Electricity stopped coursing through her as Ratchet and Scourge are about to fire from a small distance.

*DON DON DON DON DON!*

"!"

Great, more of those damn things!-? She's going to wreck the whole track and field if she keeps this up.

I threw another concussion grenade at the cluster of missiles.

"Whoa!"

Seeing the grenade cut in front of the missiles, Scourge made a huge dive back away from the explosives.

*Beephew!*

The missiles all went off prematurely in mid-air and no damage has been done to the field.

*Pephee-ew!* *Pephee-ew!*

*Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh!*

Ratchet and Scourge re-engaged the IS, hitting her multiple times.

*Shee-ew!* *Shee-ew!*

Seeing that she's occupied on them, I sprint towards her with both of my combat blades deployed.

The IS stepped back a bit from the hits she received, but as she was doing that Sideswipe dashed out of the south building from her right side and slid in front of her like a baseball player sliding into base, firing his Saber.

*Pher Pher Pher Pher Pher!*

Multiple shots hit her head, disorienting her in the process.

As I got up to the IS on her left side, I launched myself up, crossed my arms, performed multiple twist flips as I got high above her...

*Clash!*

I swung both blades in a scissor-like fashion on the IS's wings, that ought to keep her on the ground for good.

"Ugh!"

I rolled into my landing and saw the IS's wings cracking electricity as I got back up, standing behind her.

Now I'm in between her and the south building, if she were to attack me, she'll cause more collateral damage.

"—"

The IS turned towards me as I began to sprint back to the track and field, retracting my combat blades.

"Cover, Hot Shot guys!"

Sideswipe, Ratchet and Scourge are providing covering fire so I can get back to them, might as well help them out as well.

*PA PA PA PA PA PA!*

As I fired one of my Desert Rangers at the IS, I was able to re-group with the squad.

"Okay, what now boss?"

Ratchet's checking his Saber and Flak Cannon as Scourge and Sideswipe are still engaging on her.

"Alright, now that she can't fly with her wings damaged and PIC disabled, the only thing to do now is to bring this bitch down!"

I primed my Shockbust and clenched its handle.

"If we're going to do it, we have to do it now."

*DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!*

The booming sound echoed as the missiles flew out at the same time from the IS's shoulders and wings.

"Incoming!"

The missiles rushed at us.

"Disperse!"

We all broke off as the missiles closed in.

"Oh shit! They're locked on us!"

*BAM!* *Click clack!*

*BAM!* *Click clack!*

*BAM!* *Click clack!*

Ratchet's continuously firing his Flak Cannon at the missiles homing in on him.

With its very wide shotgun pattern on every shot at close range, multiple missiles prematurely went off from getting hit by the barrage of energy-covered flak shells.

"Tch…"

I had my share of missiles homing on me.

But unlike Ratchet, I didn't equip my Silverback with a Flak Cannon to counter them.

The best I can do is to avoid them at all costs.

I sprinted left, heading for the soccer field with the missiles still following me from behind, roaring like a pack of wolves.

Getting closer and closer to the field, the missiles were slowly approaching right behind me.

There's only one thing that I have that could get me out of this mess.

"—"

Like a last ditch effort, I burst myself backwards into the air; jumping over the missiles that are locked on to me in a back flip fashion.

I threw out a Concussion grenade ahead of the hoard of missiles as they began to pull up towards back at me.

*Beephew!*

The Concussion grenade went off; throwing the missiles off their course and into total disarray.

Some of them went off by crashing into each other in mid-air, while the rest blew up as they crashed into the ground.

"Ha-ha-ha…"

"Hot Shot, you okay?"

Landing to recover from that ordeal, Sideswipe contacted me through the radio comms.

"I'm alright. What about Ratchet and Scourge?"

"They're okay. Although, she managed to down Scourge's Silverback with those missiles, but Ratchet restored his energy shield."

I got back up and spotted the IS at the school's track and field, engaging on Scourge.

*Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh Perh!*

Scourge retaliates with his Saber assault rifle.

"Come on, bitch! Is that all you got?"

"—"

Her shoulder wings began to slide open as I made a mad rush towards the IS to assist Scourge.

But before I can get a shot off from my Saber, she launched another barrage of missiles at me and Scourge.

Scourge was still firing his Saber her, dodging each missile right before they hit him.

These missiles were not lock-on, so dodging them is a whole lot easier.

"Hah!"

I dove forward towards the oncoming missiles through the gaps, and hit the ground rolling towards the IS.

Getting out of my roll, I deployed both of my forearm mounted combat blades and lunged at her.

*KLANG!*

The sound of heaving metal clashing echoed throughout the school grounds.

The IS pulled out a halberd at the last second to deflect my strike, knocking me back.

"—"

"Tch. So you do have a melee weapon."

Trying to regain my balance, she was about to strike her Halberd down right at me.

"Ugh!"

I dove right to dodge the first strike, but she wasn't done; she soon followed up with a series of swings.

*Whooph!*

Going left…

*Whooph!*

Then right...

And while I was avoiding the swings, Sideswipe then came on the radio comms.

"Hot Shot, I'm picking up 6 bogies heading our way."

"How far are they away from us?"

"They're about 10 kilometer (6.2 miles) away from here and closing in fast."

"Well, check on them once every now and then."

"You got it."

Great, as if things aren't tough enough as it is…

The IS held her halberd up about to do an overhead swing.

On reaction, I raised my both my arms up and crossed my blades to block the downward strike.

"Gr-r-r-r-g-gh!"

A deadlock, but one where the IS has the advantage because she's applying her weight down on me.

"Gr-r. Er-r-r-r-rghh!"

I can feel the ground collapsing from underneath me; I won't last much longer…

"Guys, I can use some help here!"

Scourge and Sideswipe were frantically aiming their Sabers precisely to avoid hitting me.

"Bro, we can't get a clear shot off with you in that deadlock."

"Ratchet…"

"You want to blow up the whole school? Anyway, those bogies Sideswipe have spotted had stopped about 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) from here."

"Well, wha- what are they doing- if they have to stop?"

"I don't know for sure, but it looks like that they're just hovering there."

"Tch..."

"—"

The IS continues to apply more force on me, forcing me further into the ground.

*Tick-tack!*

I heard a sharp metallic cracking sound from above and looked at my blades.

Oh, shit…

A crack began to form on both blades from where the blade of the IS's Halberd in contact with.

"Gr-er-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r…"

As a last ditch effort to break the lock, I shift my crossed blades to the left…

"HYA-AGH!"

And suddenly swung them sideways to the right, diverting the IS's strike.

The sudden jolt threw her off balance.

With the current conditions of my blades, I have to retract them and go bare handed.

And just as I was about to make a strike towards the IS, someone blared through the radio comms.

"INCOMING!"

"!"

**BOOM!**

***BOOM!***

Something struck both me and the rogue IS; knocking her down and knocking me away from her.

"Dagh! Ugh!... Ugh…"

The visor has a huge 3-way crack in the center of it, with all 3 cracks reaching the edges of the visor. As for the vision, it lost its color and blurred as I hit the ground from that attack.

"Ugh…"

I tried to get myself up, but it feels like that I have a huge weight throughout my body, preventing me from getting up.

I can faintly hear Sideswipe in the raido comms to alert Ratchet and Scourge…

"Hot Shot's down! Hot Shot, Hot Shot!"

"UO-O-O-O-O-H-H-H-H! Stop this at once!"

"Who are you guys? And why are you attacking that IS?"

The radio comms are flooding with constant chatter from multiple sources; making it difficult to make out who's saying what.

All the while my helmet's vision began to slowly turn from grey to red hue.


12:29 PM, August 17 2021. Odaiba, Japan Airspace.

Soaring through the skies over Odaiba is a small group of ISes, flying in the direction of Ishiyama High.

This group of ISes consists of the Byakushiki, Blue Tears, Shenlong, Raphael-Revie Custom II, Schwarzer Regen and Akatsubaki.

The Byakushiki, piloted by Ichika Orimura, is at the front of the group, leading the way. Entering range of their optical systems, Ichika is observing the ongoing skirmish ahead of them through a magnified live video feed.

"What are those things!-?"

Cecilia Alcott, pilot of the Blue Tear's, noticed the rogue IS and the Silverbacks don't resemble anything of what they've encountered before. As well as the size difference between the IS and the Silverbacks

"Whatever they are, they sure are not on good terms with each other."

Laura's watching two Silverbacks, one picking up another as the smoke around them began to clear. As the Silverback that got picked up stood up, it re-engaged the rogue IS. Charlotte, the Raphael-Revive Custom II's pilot, noticed the surrounding area around Ishiyama High.

"Well, at least the area around the high school's evacuated."

"That's good. Wait a minute…"

Ichika took a closer look at one of the Silverbacks through the video feed. The Silverback he's watching made a charge towards the IS, evading through the gaps of the oncoming missiles the IS launched and lunged at her with both forearm mounted combat blades deployed.

"Are those the Silverbacks!-?"

"Silverbacks? Weren't those recently unveiled?"

Rin, the ShenLong's pilot, watches one of the Silverbacks dodge the rogue IS's halberd, as they got closer to the high school.

"It said during its unveiling that it can rival the 3rd generation ISes..."

"That I would like to see."

Cecilia and Rin looks as though that a small fire has been lit up inside them. All the while, Houki continues to watch one of the Silverbacks get into a deadlock with the rogue IS while the other Silverbacks are having a tough time getting a steady aim.

"No matter what, we have to put an end to that."

""""""Right!""""""

Ichika called up his main weapon, the Yukihira, and Houki with her twin katanas, the Amatsuki and Karaware as the whole group stopped mid-air 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) away from the high school.

Charlotte called up her Garm SMG and Rin pulled out one of her scimitar blades.

Cecilia pulled out her Blue Pierce laser rifle and dispatched 4 bits from the Blue Tears's wings. Laura began to deploy support struts behind her, at the same time deploying her right shoulder mounted rail gun and both took aim at the IS and Silverback in their deadlock.

Ichika, Houki, Charlote and Rin are holding back behind Cecilia and Laura, waiting for them to take their shots.

*Zrr-r-r-r-r-r…*

Laura began to charge up her Railgun and Cecilia got a lock on her target.

Watching the Silverback break the deadlock by suddenly swinging his crossed arms right, the sudden jolt threw the IS off balance causing it to stumble. The gap in between the rogue IS and the Silverback gave the 2 IS pilots the opportunity.

*BOOM!*

*Bhew-!*

****Bhew—!****

The charged shot from Laura's rail gun and the laser beams from Cecilia's Blue Pierce laser rifle and bits were fired simultaneously. Impacting their targets near the south building of the high school

The rail gunshot and one of the bit's lasers made a direct hit on the rogue IS, and the Blue Pierce and the other 3 bits laser struck the Silverback that's in a middle of a mid air, pre-emptive strike towards the IS and he falls to the ground.

"Target's have been hit! Keep hitting them! Keep hitting them!"

"Tch!"

Ichika, tightly gripped the Yukihira, increased the thrusters power on the Byakushiki and flew towards the rogue IS and the Silverbacks.

Houki was startled at his abrupt yet reckless maneuver.

"Hey! Ichika!... Oh, he's always like this…"

With her calls unable to reach him, she and the rest of the IS pilots follow suit, amplifying their thruster's power output to catch up to the Byakushiki as they're heading towards Ishiyama High School.


Author's Note:

We're getting closer to the end of the first story arc for Project Silverback. And I hate to say this; but Chapter 9's going to take a long while. The main reason for this is because of important personal matters offline, mainly, college classes. I'm sorry to put it on hold here, guys. Especially where the story is right now.

If you have any thoughts, or feedbacks, please write them as reviews. Remember, I use them as referances for future chapters.