So, here we go!
This chapter was more of an impromptu one, I didn't quite plan for it and so thusly, it might be a little... off, I guess? Either way, I thought it might be a nice addition and backstory giving.
Here we go!
Index 11: Work Vacation
"Even on vacation, you're still working."
"A Moment of Relaxation"
[[Classified Coordinates]]
Dunoa Safehouse
Sunday, May 24th
"Of course you'd be here."
I look up from the book I was reading, finding Charles in the doorway as he walks in with a small tray, two coffee cups on it. "Is it my turn for lookout duty?"
"No, no. Romeo and Mickey's shift doesn't end for quite a while. I was searching for you though, I thought we might have a chat."
"What about?" I ask, putting my book off to the side. "Oh, has E been getting along with Altec?"
"Yes, last I heard from him, they were having a rather cheery discussion. E seems to be a very friendly soul."
"That she is. Anyway, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Oh, just some idle conversation, to be honest. And I also wanted to ask about… what I'm probably going to have to deal with from now on."
"If you mean our enemies, it means you're probably not well read into the situation. We're dealing an elite shadow organization whose final objectives are not yet known. They have Infinite Stratos units under their control and are willing to resort to psychological warfare. Their leadership recently changed, so we're expecting a new modus operandi. I don't know how prepared you are to deal with horror, but I would advise you not to think of this as some glory war with heroes and villains.
"…To be honest, our actions will probably be similar. Subterfuge, kidnapping, assassinations as needed. Fighting secret battles, causing destruction. We won't be all that different from our enemies. But what separates us is the details of those means. We're aiming for efficiency. Anyone who doesn't have to necessarily be killed, we can spare. I don't want to break our enemies into shells. I just want them gone, dealt with, so we can go home."
"I see. I wanted to ask you back at the estate, but thank for telling me. I sort of figured it from the attack. Our enemies were indiscriminate, killing every single one of Father's precious employees. Regardless, I think I'll be okay. Is it okay to use you as a shoulder to lean on when times get tough?"
"Of course."
"Ah, I almost forgot. Coffee?"
"Yeah, I'll take some. Is it black?"
"Yes."
"All the better." I grin, taking one of the filled cups and downing it. "Ah, that's better. I'm pretty used to having to sleep in shifts because of D.C. but it's always nice to have coffee in the morning. Back during that battle it was more of gunshots in the morning to wake you up."
Giving a pretty deep exhale, I lean back in the chair. "Yeah… it's not going to be pretty, though. As you've already seen. And now we're going in circles."
"We are. What book were you reading?"
"Ah, just a book called Seals of Rebirth."
"Never heard of it. But then again, I suppose I wouldn't know of this place. Just how deep was my father into this sort of dealings…?"
"I would ask Tabane about that. I don't know if she'll give you a straight answer, but if anyone can answer that, it would be her. Or you could try asking your father directly, but I get a feeling you won't take that route."
Charles looks away, suddenly finding his coffee to be extremely interesting. "Y-yes… you'd be correct in that regard. Talking to my father is… well, it's not exactly comfortable."
"You don't have to say anything more if you don't want to."
He shakes his head. "It's just a feeling I get when I talk to him face to face. That day Charlotte died, he had gone on ahead to make it to a business meeting. That look in his eyes… it's as if… he blames himself. If he had taken us with him to the meeting, it wouldn't have happened."
"I see." I mutter, crossing my arms. "I can understand where you're coming from. I won't judge you or offer you advice. You do what you do to cope with things, I do what I do to cope with things."
"…Thank you." The almost silent whisper comes.
"It's just my motto with dealing with things. Everyone has their own ways of coping. Hell, I think I've actually tolerated Romeo swirling down a glass of wine every once in a while. Someone Mickey doesn't feel the need to do anything like that, but he's always been a pretty cheery guy."
Charles cracks a smile as he lifts his head back up. "It must be nice to have friends like that."
"Hey, you've already got them. Any friend of mine is a friend of theirs. It's how we've always rolled."
"Haha, thank you, Kira."
"Not a problem."
"You two doing okay?"
We both turn to the source of the new voice, finding Tabane poking her head in before stepping into the room. She waves to both of us with a smile before coming over.
"Just talking about recent events and what else might be upcoming, Tabane." I explain, stretching my legs. "What brings you here?"
"Just checking in on everyone, really. What are E and Altec up to?"
"Chatting on their own frequency. I haven't decided to bother them since."
"Hmm, okay. Well, we're going to be moving out soon, so—"
"Kira!"
E immediately snaps back into talking. That's Romeo.
"Alert to all estate forces, location has been compromised. We've spotted trucks moving up the road. Kira, do you want us to delay?"
"Let the mines do their thing. Just get back here for now. You're going to be toast out there if they've got trucks and you're not in your armor. Get back to where you won't be easily routed out here."
"Understood, Leader."
"Tabane, I assume you heard as well?"
"Of course. Thank E for patching it to all of us. Come on, let's move."
I nod, donning MJOLNIR and bringing out the SMG and pistol onto my sides and the Battle Rifle into my hands. "I'll cover the escape, as I've got an IS. Not to mention my guys are still out there. I'm not going to leave them out to dry on the battlefield. Charles, go with them. Just in case they need an IS to clear the way."
"Y-yes, of course." He says, his IS appearing around him. "…I'll see you on the way out, Kira."
"Of course."
With that, I pump myself into overdrive, racing out to the front of the mansion. The drivers and Priscilla are already up front, engaging the enemy.
"Monsieur Orthun, you should be evacuating!" Priscilla yells, emptying a clip of a pistol out into the hostiles.
"My men are out there. They were on guard duty when they found the invasion. I'm going in."
"…I see. Everyone, give him some covering fire."
"Romeo, Mickey, give me an estimate on your location."
"We're literally right next to their invasion force at the main entrance, per se. We can't move without getting out into the open. If you can get rid of the enemies here, we can make a break for it."
"Understood."
The Battle Rifle vanishes and in its place comes the rocket launcher. Alright, Energy Shield is fully charged. That should at least give me a decent amount of time to place a shot down.
"No need for covering fire, I can handle this shot. Romeo, keep your heads down. Firing a rocket at the main trucks here, danger close."
"Got it, Leader. Mickey, cover your ears. This is going to be loud."
"Shit, got it."
As our guys return fire, I easily line up the shot. With one pull of the trigger, I send the three trucks that our enemies are returning fire from ablaze in a fiery explosion.
In order to not risk it, I run forward, using my motion tracker to try to find my friends. The two orange dots run by me, with me pulling back just behind them.
Covering them, I drop a Deployable Cover before sprinting back with them, shooting off another rocket just to delay our enemies further. You stay back there!
Romeo dives behind cover, pulling a scoped rifle off the wall. He whips around and shoots three times, dropping a person each time. "Thought I'd repay the favor."
"Hmph. You're very well skilled, Monsieur Romeo." Priscilla notes with a grin. "You three should go now. We will cover your escape."
"I can hold out, Priscilla. Everyone can—"
She shakes her head, interrupting me. "No. We cannot risk that. You must go, Prototype Spartan. There are many people riding the fact you will escape. You may not know of it, but you are a beacon of hope to many who have dealt with Phantom Task and their new leaders."
"You…?"
"There is a good reason I was selected as an aide. All of us, actually." She smiles in a way that tells me I'm better off not knowing. "You are a light that must not be extinguished. We cannot risk that."
"Go, Prototype Spartan! We will cover your escape!" Another one calls out. "You must live!"
I… I…! I don't…!
"C-charles?!"
"Priscilla…"
"Wh-what are you doing here?! You should be in the trucks, getting out of here!"
"I… I'm sorry, I just wanted to see you one final time."
"Romeo, Mickey, go. Priscilla, I'll hold the line for you while you talk."
Bringing the Battle Rifle back into my hands, I join the ranks of those defending the estate. I can still hear them talking, though.
"Charles… there is just one thing you should know."
"Priscilla?"
"…I love you, Charles. I love you not just for what you show, but your true inner self that you have never forgotten."
"…I… I see…"
"So please, make our sacrifice count."
"I don't want to see you go."
"This is war, Charles. There will be many things you do not want to let go, but will be made to."
He's silent at this. I can hear a bit of cloth shuffling, so I assume they're hugging.
"Please Charles, no matter what happens, do not forget your true self. And most of all, do not forget that you are loved, by all of us here. We have known… who you really are for very long, and your choice was admirable. We love you for both what you chose to become and what you truly are."
"P-priscilla… all of you k-knew…?"
"Yes… it was quite easy to figure out."
"I see. Then… thank you. Thank you very much… for all you have done."
I hear the sound of a very light kiss. "Now you must go, Charles. Make us proud."
"…I will."
"Monsieur Orthun! It is time! Charles will lead you to the tunnels that you will escape through."
"A tunnel?"
"A very wide tunnel. You'll be taking armored SUVs."
"…You're a lot deeper in this than I gave you credit for." I mutter, walking past her. "Thank you. Give 'em hell."
"We intend to."
Rebuild of Prototype Spartan
"Times Long Ago"
Neo Phantom Task's or as Priscilla knew them, Shadow Task's, soldiers cried out in pain as she weaved through their ranks as the final line of defense.
All of her comrades had fallen one by one. She, the most elite of them all, given the duty of protecting the heir to the Dunoa line, fought without mercy.
She disarmed another soldier who had gotten too close to the trapdoor, even if her charge and the company had long been gone, taking his pistol as it flew through the air and emptying three shots into her skull before whipping around and firing off four more, each one finding their mark in the heads of her enemies.
A maniacal roar got her attention.
Another one…?! Just how many of my friends did these bastards mess with…?!
"Ronaldo…" Priscilla muttered as she saw the human and metal monstrosity. She had already dealt with twenty five of these… things. Half man. Half metal. All monster.
It had taken three rockets to the face before the first one's mask had broken off. As each one came in, she and her comrades had made sure to determine if this was the case.
It was exactly as they thought.
Somehow, Shadow Task had used the personnel who held out at the Dunoa Estate for some sort of sick experiment as far as she could tell. She knew what the case was with the Hybrids, she had long been far deeper in than what Orthun was led to believe.
Was it some sort progress towards Hybrid research?
Either way, she refused to forgive them. She'd never forgive Shadow Task for fucking with those she considered family.
I'll never forgive you! I'll never, ever forgive you!
It was many years ago.
"Priscilla, what do we do?" A young boy asked, shaking his soggy brown hair in a vain attempt to dry it.
The young girl looked at her pistol and sighed as the rain poured down on them before holstering it.
"We're supposed to link up with Second Eucrates Battalion by oh-six-hundred hours tomorrow." She muttered, shaking her head. "But the rain's coming down too hard. We'll never cross it in time to make it."
She looked at the seven hundred something other children with her in the ruins of a city. All of them armed like soldiers. Some of them with bandages on their arm. Some of them with eyepatches made of old, tattered cloth. Some of them on crutches. Some of them looking like they were about to die of thirst. Some of them bare bones.
"But Priscilla…" Ronaldo, a child of a businessman who had been kidnapped while his father was killed during a tour of the African wilderness, said as he pushed his wet blonde hair out of his eyes. "You know what'll happen if we show up late."
"…I know, Ronaldo. We… we'll have to come up with something."
She turned around and looked at her battalion. "Anyone who thinks they can still work, we need to gather wood and cloth from here. Doors, trees, anything. We're going to try to build rafts to make it across the old sewer area."
About a hundred stood up and shakily saluted.
"Meet back in sixty minutes. Everyone keep in contact with each other and if you feel sick, go back here. I don't… need anyone more dying."
With that, she led the scavengers into the city.
Doors, pallets, old construction shops. No stone was left unturned as they made their way through, searching for enough wood to form the rafts.
Anyone who somehow found food would put it in their bags. There were people who needed it more. All the selfish souls had already left, thinking they could stick it out on their own in the badlands of warfare.
They had all died long ago.
"Achoo!"
"Blanc?!" Priscilla yelled out, finding one of the company leaders on his ass. "Someone, get him—"
"N-no…!" Blanc muttered in a low growl, standing back up. "I gotta help! I gotta—"
"You're not going to help us if you're dying out here from the rain. Come on. Get back, Blanc. Someone help him get back to the hideout."
"But…!"
Priscilla gave her usual disarming smile. "Blanc, go."
"F-fine…"
"Ai, go with him."
"Yes ma'am." A blonde haired girl with light green eyes affirmed, leaving with the black haired and blue eyed boy.
It took four hours to gather enough wood and build all the needed rafts. Bringing them to the old sewer run took another thirty minutes.
Normally the old sewer river was still as a corpse. But with the torrent coming down upon them, it was comparable to a rapid. Dangerous, flowing… falling off your raft meant death.
"…Are you sure you want to go ahead with this, Priscilla?"
"There's no other choice. We have to…unless we all want to die as punishment."
"Then let's go. You heard her, everyone! We're crossing! We already sorted you out, so everyone get in your groups and let's go!"
And so they boarded. They had gotten on as far upriver as possible, so they wouldn't float down too far making the cross.
Of course, that wasn't the only danger.
No sooner had they launched the twentieth raft had another group of scavengers come and rained fire down on them.
"Covering fire!" Priscilla yelled, getting into her usual commanding persona, as she returned the shots with a rifle. "Come on, we've still got rafts to send across! Go, go!"
In the rain, they fought. No one could really see what they were shooting at, but that wasn't a problem for the far less numerous scavengers. Every once in a while an unlucky shot would hit someone on the raft, the already frail bodies of the children spilling off into the drink.
Every single time it happened, a tear rolled down Priscilla's face.
"Short range communicators?!" Ronaldo screamed over the shootout.
"Dead!" Blanc yelled, right before taking a bullet to the forehead and tumbling over, his body tipping into the sewer run. Priscilla could only watch as his body was carted off, brought back to her senses by Ai.
"Two more." Ai whispered.
"Ronaldo, Ai. Go." Priscilla said evenly back, taking Blanc's rifle that had been left behind. "I'll board the last one."
"But—!"
"Go, you two. That is an order."
Some of her two closest companions here. Two of those that had endured hell. Two of those that hadn't been completely broken. Somehow, somehow, some miracle allowed a friendship, some miracle hadn't destroyed them down to the very core.
Boarding the last raft, she began to row across, her fellow battalion members trying to cover their escape. No matter how hard it got, no matter the pain, she kept rowing.
She had to see them again. She had to get to the other side. She had to be there for everyone.
One by one…
…bodies fell around her.
There wasn't any protection left.
Staying on the raft was suicide.
If there is some deity out there…
…please forgive what I have done.
And with that final prayer in mind, Priscilla forgot all else and jumped into the water.
Ronaldo was the first to see her.
"PRISCILLA!" he screamed, holding out a hand. "Come on you fools, help me over here! Do we have any rope?!"
The blonde girl that led them, he reached his hand out to her.
She's swimming some frantic freestyle, trying not to be swept away to death's door.
As the others on the raft hold him steady with the rope, he edges out. His hand and her hand keep slipping.
Please…! Just let her liiiiive!
As Ronaldo's mental scream rang out, the two suddenly found the strength to grab onto each other.
"H-haaaaa!"
As soon as she's up, Priscilla starts coughing up water. Ai pats her on the back as she empties out the contents of her stomach into the river, breathing heavily.
And there the three of them embrace, thankful to be alive.
A few minutes later, they reach the other end of the river.
Not everyone made it. Dozens died trying to get across and in the end, they were only five hundred strong.
"…If we want to live, we… march." Priscilla said, the emotion heavy in her voice. She was the first to start walking, not a complaint in her soul. The pain of a march was nothing to what she just went through.
"S-sir… F-fourth Eucrates Battalion, reporting."
The African American man who clearly wasn't dressed like the others mercenaries looked up.
"…A-awaiting orders, sir."
Ronaldo Markov looked at Priscilla, a blonde haired girl who probably wasn't even fifteen, barely standing on her own two legs, holding three rifles on her back. And part of his heart, surrounded in a three foot mixture of hardened titanium and cynicism, broke.
"…Excuse me for one second."
He certainly wasn't crying as he placed the phone call.
"…Can we do it?"
"This is incredibly short notice."
"I know."
"You do realize you can never go back. That was always a possibility, but if you do this, you will be burning any bridges here."
"I'm well aware of that, Tabane."
"…It's possible, though. I'll have Epsilon on piloting bring it. It's just a test model with the stealth, but it'll have to do. Hm… there's a good landing zone not too far from there. Far enough away from the battle, though."
"Okay."
"Should I arrange for your departure as well?"
"Probably."
"What do you plan to do with them?"
"Find someplace better for them."
"Hmm… I think there's someone we can work with. Maybe it'll help him."
"Are you talking about Dunoa?"
"Just send them to these coordinates."
After receiving the coordinates, Ronaldo turned around and faced Priscilla, beckoning her forward.
She tensed, remember the last time she had seen that motion and been led into a dark room. Parts of her burned and screamed in phantom pains and the haunting laughter invaded her head again.
"Do you wish to live?"
Priscilla gulped. She had been asked that question twice at this point, in similar situations. Her mind ran through the memories of Io, who finally snapped and yelled at their commanding officers that no, she didn't want to live with this shit anymore.
…Priscilla had put a bullet through her skull to stop the broken, semen covered mess they left her in. If she had responded 'no' to that question before, she might have ended up the same. But it didn't stop what they did, nonetheless. The only thing saving her was that she was the voice that all in Eucrates Fourth listened to. If she didn't have that…
"Yes."
He stepped back and nodded. "Your orders are this, then."
"S-sir?"
He pulled out a map and pointed to a rather deserted area. "Go here."
"B-but sir—"
"Don't ask questions."
This is it. Priscilla thought. This is how they're going to get rid of us. Send us off in some wild order where we die.
She almost slapped him reflexively as he touched her wrist lightly, right before putting a phone into her hands. "There is a number there. The contact is Tabane, spelled T-A-B-A-N-E. If you have any doubt about your orders, call that number."
"Of… of course, sir."
"Good luck out there."
…So they did send us out to die.
That was the thought of all that was left of Priscilla's battalion as the massive ship rumbled overhead, no doubt alerting every single mercenary group in the area.
The middle area of the ship lowered, revealing massive platforms they could climb on.
"Climb aboard if you want to live. This is your pilot, Epsilon, sent here by the contact Tabane."
"Everyone, get aboard!" Priscilla screamed, helping out her more injured soldiers. As soon as they were all up, the platforms rose, bringing them into what was clearly a massive hangar.
"Welcome, Fourth Eucrates Battalion. You're in a better place now. Please standby for medical assistance, and do not be alarmed by the robots. They are here only to help you. If you could please put the safeties of your guns on and leave them aside, that would also help."
A circular drone flew over towards Priscilla, gleaming silver in the artificial light.
"Hello. I am Medical Examiner Ymir. Please state your name."
"P-priscilla… Priscilla Aubertin."
"Profile recorded as Priscilla Aubertin. Initiating medical scan…medical scan complete. Calling over—"
"No, no. Save it for someone more injured. I'm one of the least wounded here."
"You show signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Your leg will require surgery for a full repair and two of your ribs are broken. Tabane will have medical procedures enacted later, Miss Aubertin. Calling over Food and Water Distributor."
Priscilla's mouth almost hit the ground when what looked like a giant water tanker rolled over, weaving through the crowds of people. A slit opened, revealing a tray of miracles.
Fluffy, yellow scrambled eggs. A salad with walnuts. Bread. Butter. Water.
"R-ronaldo, Ai! H-here! There's so much, we have to share with every—"
"Please do not worry, Priscilla Aubertin." A female voice called out as another circular drone, this one with a slight purple glow, approached them. "There is more than enough for everyone. We will be distributing the food shortly, after those who require immediate medical attention receive it.
A miracle… it… is really a miracle…
"Priscilla… did that guy who told us to go here… did he know of this?"
"Hey, hey! Watch the needles! I'm fine, sheesh! I got all my vaccinations, anyways." A familiar voice growled, the source of said voice pushing away the robots near him.
"It's…"
"Ah, just the kid I was looking for. Priscilla, as the robots tell me. Mind if we have a chat?"
"Reginald, she is in no condition to—"
"This is important, Epsilon."
"…You will take full responsibility."
"Yeah, I know."
The man who had given her the order wagged a finger. Priscilla stood and followed him out into the lit hallway, where he sat down.
"So I bet you're wondering why I did it."
"…Yes, sir."
"Don't sir me."
"Y-yes."
"I did it… well, I guess I should thank you. I was having doubts about what I've been doing the past years of my life, but this really was the tipping point. Truth be told, I had no idea that the Fourth Eucrates was a bunch of children. I heard rumors, but… ugh.
"Today's operation was supposed to be getting some kids out of a place. I always set up the field so Tabane can try to round up the kids, get them to better lives, not here. Didn't know that the miraculous Fourth Eucrates were kids… God, to think I was about to send you into the most hellish battle I have ever laid my eyes on… It was the final card to be played.
"I've been thinking about leaving this field. Thank you, for getting me to do so. Name's Reginald Markov, by the way."
"P-priscilla Aubertin."
"Don't stammer. It's not good for you." Reginald warned, standing up. "Either way, you should get back with your people, I'm sure they need you."
Days, hours, however long it was later, they came face to face with Arthur Dunoa. The tears rolled down his face as he looked upon them, remembering the face of one of his kids.
"You rescued them… for me?"
"Originally the plan was to just start integrating them into society, maybe have them as aides to Tabane. But if you would be willing…"
"Yes… I think I have a plan."
Arthur Dunoa looked at all of the children, nodding. "All of you… come, let us go. We will be working together from now on."
And so he kept his word.
Instead of cutting their enemies to pieces, they cut meals and cooked. Instead of raiding for supplies, they learned to tend a crop and harvest. Instead of leaving a trail of blood, they learned to clean and leave a room spotless.
Some of them became guards on the estate, Priscilla still heading them. She opted to blend in with the maids, so that those who would visit the estate wouldn't suspect her.
She was the most trusted out of them all. Trusted to protect his remaining heir. Trusted enough to be offered a job as the Dunoa's pilot, which she declined. Trusted to the first to know about Phantom Task and how deep the Dunoas were into the world. Trusted enough to have leverage in letting the rest of her battalion know. Trusted enough to be sent into the fray, destroying Phantom Task.
She would not leave those she had lived with, something Arthur knew very well.
And so, after a year of service, she swore that she'd always serve the Dunoas, and the Dunoas alone—!
And that's why… I'll NEVER FORGIVE YOUUUUU!
The exploding knife dug into Ronaldo's skin before blowing up.
"S-sorry… Priscilla…" he mumbled before sinking. "Don't… let them take you… alive…"
She caught her old second in command in her arms, hugging him. "Of course I won't. Rest now, Ronaldo, and find the peace that all of us have long sought."
"How many more are there?" A new voice called, clearly not caring about if any resistance was left.
"One, sir. She's a feisty one. We've been trying to locate the escape room for about an hour but she's kept us busy."
"Then take her alive. Swap to darts."
Priscilla clenched her fist. Darts… they were going to do what they did to everyone else to her. Even… make her fight those she had sworn to protect at some point.
That is unacceptable.
She fought. Just as hard as an IS pilot with her pride to defend. The house was emptied out in just a few minutes.
—No!
Priscilla felt the tranquilizer dig into her back. She sank to her knees, feeling its effects at work.
"You gave us a lot of trouble. But not for much longer. Those are strong enough to take out a hor—"
I won't allow you to turn my loyalty so easily!
Luke's eyes widened when Priscilla reached into the remains of her bullet shredded dress and pulled out two knives. Despite the fact she should've been a crumpled mess on the ground by now, she stabbed both her neck and heart. Before Luke could move, both knives exploded, reducing Priscilla to bloody scraps.
",..Human spirit is not something to be so easily underestimated." Luka muttered, walking around the safehouse. "…Lucinda's going to punish me for this failure…"
Rebuild of Prototype Spartan
The marker for all those that died in getting us away is a temporary one for now, out here on a private island Tabane owns. Dunoa said he was going to be back to dig a grave for each one, later.
Tabane, Markov, and Dunoa all looked much more affected than us, which makes me think they had some sort of connection to them.
I won't pry, but yet… it feels like there's an even larger hole in everyone's hearts now.
Putting a hand on Charles' shoulder, I give him a nod as he gives a deep exhale. Charles walks away with me, back onto the Pelican we took to get here.
"You doing okay?"
"I suppose."
"…I don't want to say it, however, this is commonplace on the battlefield. I'm surprised that Romeo and Mickey are still with me."
"Yes… I know this, but yet… it doesn't help the pain. Does it go away?"
I think about Luke for a second. "…No, it doesn't. All it does is hurt less. You never get to forget the pain because… it becomes part of you. Becomes part of the reason you keep fighting."
"I see…"
"Anyways… we're going to need to IS Academy now. It's probably safer there, and we have other allies there. Shinjiro, take us out there."
"Understood, sir. We're on the way now."
One more for the count, huh…? I only hope Charles wasn't too read into it… or we're going to have an issue with Meusel.
That reminds me, did we ever tell Meusel what went down?
We did give her an update when we got attacked. I don't think we've contacted her since so we could maintain some radio silence.
Hmm… well, I guess we'll surprise her by showing up. Either way, it seems things are escalating very quickly…
So... that happened. Originally I was going to just stick with just going straight to IS Academy but that felt like too much of a jump, so I just threw this in.
Anyways, I don't exactly have a plan too far ahead. I might just put Rebuild on temporary hiatus and put up what I have of another project of mine while I sort out where exactly I want to go with this project XD It kinda depends on how much time I have, as I'll be heading off to college. Updates are going to be... ehhh, well, it honestly depends on how much free time I have and how much time I'm going to dedicate to my classes. I might let you guys know in my next update.
Well, if you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to send me a PM or leave a review!
Seeya all next chapter!
