This is my longest chapter yet, I noticed. About 7000 words long. Summer classes and my summer job have unfortunately begun, so my updating ability will be limited. However, I will do my best to keep the time between updates to a minimum, so don't count me out of the running to finish this story just yet.
And just FYI, The cyber elf names I have listed in the story are taken from MMZ1 and MMZ3.
As an added bonus, you get my take on how the elemental system works. Enjoy the chapter.
-Ainrhyr-
Disclaimer: See previous page.
Rise of the Chosen
Chapter Twelve
Cold Reception
Turns out that Nuppie hadn't forgotten her. Aile had taken off somewhere when she'd been told she could go and rest, while the cyber elves were guided to Prairie's room. And the second the 60 or so elves entered, at least 8 detached themselves from the rest and, for lack of a better word, tackled the poor commander, all yelling, "Alouette!!"
Prairie was so happy to see so many old faces, she didn't immediately register the fact that they only remembered her as Alouette. "Wow! So many of you are still alive!?"
She didn't remember all eight of them, but she did recognize at least three, not counting Nuppie herself, who had somewhat established herself as the leader.
"The resistance let us all go free after Ragnarok was destroyed, and most of us stuck together." A small hacker-type elf she recalled as Ilethas informed her. "Some of us were captured and placed in the power plant that Miss Aile broke us out of. The rest are hiding out somewhere. We'll have to find them eventually."
"Well, I'm glad that most of you are safe." Prairie frowned. "But I really don't want to risk you getting captured again. Can I ask you to stay here at Guardian HQ? It's probably safer if you hide out here, and I can try to get some teams together to find your friends."
"Why? We should be out helping your soldiers, or Aile."
Nuppie glared at the cyber elf that spoke. "How exactly could we help them? Most of us can't use our powers without dying, which Alouette won't allow, and I won't either for that matter. As for Aile, she's human, and there's only one or two of us that are compatible with humans. Besides, she's got both Zero and Master X looking after her; I highly doubt she needs any other help."
Prairie blinked. "Nuppie, since when did you become a leader?"
The fae flashed her a smirk. "Hanging out with Zero for a year or so does that to ya. Not to mention that someone had to take charge of these guys."
"Well, when you put it that way…"
Okay, ready?
Aile carefully looked over the edge of the small cliff. "Sure, why not."
Alright, jump.
It had taken Aile a few short moments to figure out how to merge with Model H in unison with Model X. Now, she was in the forest of Area A, testing the new boosters and twin beam rondels (long daggers, see A.N. at bottom) that came with the Hx-Armor.
Aile jumped off the low cliff and activated her four hover jets, located on her boots and in the two giant thrusters on her back. However, she didn't quite hover, instead floating downwards at a very slow pace, much like a dropped feather.
Model H had a major problem: He had been severely damaged by years of misuse, not to mention the methods that Serpent had used to extract his password. His aerial thrusters had been damaged as a result, so his flight ability was severely limited. In addition, the blueprints necessary to repair the units were concealed in both his sealed memories, and in the missing half of his data. Model H knew that he was capable of permanent flight, but in his condition, all he could manage was short aerial dashes and slow descents.
"Eh, it's better than nothing." Was Aile's response to this information. "Short air dashes and slow descents? X and Z can't do that, so you have something I can use. The only real problem is that you don't have an actual ranged weapon. Well, that and I have to memorize three different attack patterns based on each of your armors."
At this point, X had recovered enough for Aile to use the X-Armor, so Aile had access to three different weapon systems: the long range X-Buster, the multipurpose Zx-Buster/Saber, and now the melee Hx-Rondels. The long daggers were different enough from the Zx-Saber that she needed to learn how to use them virtually from scratch, as the Zx-Saber was a slashing weapon, while these were more multipurpose for both slashing and stabbing.
If nothing else, you'll practically be a weapons master once this is done. If memory serves, Model L has a spear or halberd, F uses heavy cannons, and P… actually I don't remember P's weapons, but I do know they're different from the rest.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, X, but I don't see you having to master all of these techniques."
I did mention once that all I need is the X-Buster. Although… I can't exactly remember why. Maybe some kind of elemental variation system, or something.
Speaking of, Aile… Model H spoke up. My systems contain an energy projector that can project electrical attacks. It will give you an advantage against enemies that use a fire-based element in their systems.
"Wait, what? I never understood this whole 'elemental triangle', what-beats-what thing. Could you explain that?"
Model X spoke up. I believe I can answer that, Aile. There are two general types of combat reploids: Those that can manipulate an element, and those that cannot. Machines that use an element must be built of special components to resist or amplify those particular elements, which in turn, make them weak against other elements. You get that so far?
"That makes sense. But what defeats what, and why?"
Well, the element triangle goes something like this: Fire beats ice, ice beats electricity, and electricity beats fire. The main reason for this is the components. Electricity-using reploids are typically flying reploids. For the most part, their systems are designed to allow continuous electrical current to enhance their power. In addition, they are made of lightweight components to allow flight. But ice-based weapons not only slow down that current flow and weaken them, but they can also cause ice buildup, hindering flight.
"Okay, I can understand that."
Ice-based reploids could also be called aquatic reploids. For the most part, their components are designed to withstand high levels of pressure and low temperatures, in the case of deep-sea reploids. But the major part of this is their hydraulic systems. They use a special fluid that will not freeze in low temperatures, to allow continuous operation in very cold environments like the bottom of the ocean, not to mention that they are immune to the effects of their own attacks. But this fluid is a double-edged sword in that it evaporates at fairly low temperatures. A fire-based attack can cause this fluid to evaporate, and a gas is absolutely useless in a hydraulic system, leaving the reploid defenseless and unable to move.
"That makes perfect sense. And the last is electricity beats fire, right?"
Exactly. Fire-based reploids are the opposite of ice-based ones, in that they are designed to withstand immense levels of heat. However, there are very few alloys that are capable of withstanding such temperatures. And those particular alloys are unfortunately very, verygood conductors. An electrical attack can send an immense level of electricity through the armor of a reploid not designed for such impulses, and they can overload the reploid's systems.
"I see…" Aile paused. "Wait a minute! Does this mean that I'll be vulnerable to a particular element in each armor?"
Umm… Model H began, but Model X interrupted him. Fortunately, each of these armors is united with me, and I am very resilient to all elemental weapons. I've run simulations, and although Model H himself may become…uncomfortable…in cold environments and against ice-based weapons, you and your performance will be unaffected, more or less.
That's good news, since our next mission is in such an environment.
Model Z, who'd been floating nearby, came over. Prairie just called. She's picked up a distress signal and a Biometal signature in Area F. She also said that it's snowing over there, so it's bound to be cold.
Aile started for the transerver, which wasn't too far. "And did you ask her how Nuppie and the rest are settling in?"
No, but I did hear some of them in the background.
"And?"
Model Z gave her a mental smirk. I'd have to call it, 'organized chaos'.
"Gah, go away!"
The operator Gardenia swatted at the cyber elves hovering next to her head for the umpteenth time, which they easily dodged, all while giggling the whole time. The operator removed her gaze from the console to glare at the little miscreants.
The cyber elves were staying on the ship, and a fairly sizeable number of them, wanting to be near the caring Prairie (Who asked them not to refer to her as Alouette), had invaded the bridge, much to Gardenia's dismay. She didn't like to be distracted.
"Doesn't this bother you, Tulip?" She asked the purple-haired operator next to her. Tulip shook her head, as she simply ignored the little balls of light whirling around and/or settling on her head.
Marguerite, on the other hand, was enjoying herself. A hacker-type elf named Totten, who looked like a kid with giant glasses, was pointing out several things on her console she could alter to improve its usefulness, while a couple other elves dozed on her headset.
Finally, a couple elves that had gone to explore the ship had unfortunately encountered the eccentric Cedre, and were currently cowering under Prairie's chair.
Prairie was trying her best to restore order when the console beeped. Gardenia shot the elves near her one more scathing look before turning back to her console. "Prairie, Aile has entered Area F. She's asking where the distress signal came from."
"Tell her that we can't pinpoint the exact location due to the snowstorm, and that she should use her own judgment in finding it."
"Gee, thanks." Aile muttered into the unresponsive comm. All around her, snow was falling. Even in the Zx-Armor, she was having problems.
"X, please tell me this thing has a heating system or something."
Well, kind of. It's not perfect though, so expect some cold to seep through.
"Swell…"
The snow was falling fiercely. It was a blizzard of epic proportions. Normally, she wouldn't have even dreamed of heading into such weather. Now, with everything on the line, she hadn't even thought twice about it, and charged into the storm.
Naturally, she was regretting her decision in about five minutes. Five minutes of slashing/shooting mavericks, and dealing with the sheer, unrelenting cold!
To make things worse, her head injury was starting to feel weird, and it was making Aile uncomfortable. She didn't know what the feeling was, but she knew the cold was causing it, and it was giving her a bad feeling.
Plus, the mental feeling of Model H hiding 'behind' her and shivering was starting to annoy her.
Aile, there's some kind of opening in the ground in front of us. And I'm detecting some kind of electronics beyond this point. Model X informed her.
"M-must be the level c-controls for the lake u-under us. M-maybe there's an opening n-near there."
Cold?
"N-no, I've suddenly d-developed a s-stutter, Model Z. Of c-course it's cold!"
R-r-right. W-what she s-said.
Aile felt a small stab of pity for Model H. He sounded absolutely miserable. The sooner they got out of this weather, the better.
She jumped into the opening, which mercifully separated her from the raging blizzard overhead, and defeated a bunch of mechaniloids that resembled face sculptures. "Okay, if memory serves, there's an underground lake that extends into the mountains, where there's a bunch of data storage centers. I can't tell for certain, but the distress signal seems to have come from that general direction. So if I can find the maintenance ducts for the lake's level control systems, we should be able to get there."
However, she couldn't find the blasted ducts, even with Model H's dedicated analysis systems.
I guess we'll just have to take the alternate route.
Aile blinked. "Um, what alternate route?"
Model Z directed her to a door, which she entered, and her eyes widened.
Why, go through the lake, of course.
Right in front of her was the massive underground lake, which spanned for miles in any direction. Nobody was sure if it was a natural formation or not, but it was obvious that it was huge.
"U-um…"
Model Z nudged her gently. Now Aile, don't tell me you're afraid of the water.
"Uh, not exactly…"
Z had been joking, but she was deadly serious.
X noticed her hesitation, not to mention the look in her eyes. Aile, what's the matter?
"I, uh…"
Aile sighed.
"I can't swim."
Silence reigned for the moment, while the Biometals shared a collective blink.
Finally, Model Z laughed. What? And you thought we were going to let you swim through that unprotected? You'd freeze to death! Not to mention that the mavericks would probably get you.
Aile, our armors are far too heavy to float with. You'd sink like a rock.
Aile's face contorted into an expression of horror, but Model X continued.
However, we all have a simplified hazard protection system, which protects you from natural hazards. A water environment is no problem. We can produce air for you to breathe, so you can stay underwater for a very long time. Granted, Model L is best for aquatic environments, but you'll be fine with us for now.
Aile looked unconvinced, and Model X sighed. Look, that area just on your left isn't that deep. Just lower yourself in, and if you have any problems, you can jump right back out, okay? Just give it a try. Trust me.
"A-Alright…"
She had no reason not to trust Model X, but she still hesitated as she lowered herself into the water. Just as the water touched her helm, the Zx-Armor responded, and a mask of some kind appeared over her mouth and nose, while some sort of transparent material kept the water out of her eyes. She cautiously breathed in, and was greatly relieved when air filtered into her lungs. In addition, she noticed that her armor's shields were briefly flaring to life, keeping the near-frozen water from making her colder, which was a relief.
See? Nothing to worry about. Now the only real problem is navigating through this lake.
Aile immediately noticed that her movements were dramatically slowed while in the water. In addition, due to the nature of her superheated plasma-based weapons, nearly all of her weapons lost a bit of power while submerged. The X-Buster was the best off, since it was designed for any environment, with the Zx-Saber coming in a close second for the same reason. Fortunately for her, the only mavericks she had to deal with were simple aquatic-based mechaniloids and galleon hunters with diving equipment, both of which were easy to kill.
"Hmm. I wonder how Prairie and the rest are doing."
Fortunately for Prairie and the operators, they had finally found a temporary caretaker for the cyber elves, since most of them were now playing with Sardine. Some were still on the bridge, and some were being given a tour of the ship by Carrelet. A couple, Nuppie included, had holed up in Aile's room with the intention of surprising the transporter when she got back.
Unfortunately, there were still a couple wandering aimlessly around the ship. Another cyber elf curiously wandered into the armory, only to flee as Cedre took a potshot at it with her rocket launcher. She hadn't hit anything explosive yet, but who knew how long that would last.
"Eh, they're probably fine."
Working her way through the underwater labyrinth of passages and ice, Aile finally emerged at the base of the mountains northeast of Innerpeace. Right in front of her, built right into the side of the mountain, was a complex of indeterminable height and size.
"If memory serves, this is the data processing center for the computer systems that maintain the environment in Innerpeace, or something linked to it. It's located here because of convenience: it never goes above 30 degrees Celsius, so there's no need for a cooling system. The distress signal came from somewhere in there…"
Suddenly, a wave of static washed over her comm. unit, as though someone had opened a line to her, but wasn't speaking. "Hello? Is someone there?"
Silence greeted her. "Hmm… X, isolate that signal's direction and open the line to Prairie." He did so. She heard mild pandemonium on the other end of the line, but she ignored it. "Prairie? I've got a directional fix on the distress signal. Can you triangulate it's exact position?"
"Yes, just give me a moment."
Prairie turned to Tulip, who was still dutifully working. "Tulip, use the data Aile sent us and triangulate the signal's position using the initial location data, and our current location."
Tulip set to work, skillfully ignoring the couple cyber elves still hanging around. "Done Ma'am. Should I send Aile the coordinates?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Transmitting coordinates…"
In her mind's eye, Aile observed the three spikes of directional fix data, two from Guardian HQ, one from her, as they crossed at a single point not 12 feet in front of her, but about 50 feet up. It was at the top of the complex. "Okay, got the coordinates. I'm moving towards that location."
"Roger that Aile. Oh, and we've pinpointed the Biometal signature."
"And?"
"It's located somewhere beneath you. There's a hatch nearby that leads straight to it, but it's locked. We can hack the lock from here, but that will take a bit of time. In the meanwhile, find the source of the distress signal."
"Can do Prairie. Aile out."
Aile entered the complex, which looked as though it had been unoccupied for years. There was snow and ice on nearly every surface. Oh, and there were mavericks aplenty.
I'm willing to bet that these are the remnants of the maverick force that the Guardians defeated while we were in Area D. They seem to be blocking the stairs Aile.
"Swell." Aile shifted to the Hx-Armor, and used the armor's limited boosters to climb through the complex, ignoring the stairs and cutting the occasional maverick apart with the twin blades. "See H? Even without permanent flight, You're still useful."
G-glad to be of se-service.
"Oh for all the-" Aile paused to liberate a polar bear mechaniloid of it's arms, shortly followed by it's head. "H, it is not that cold in here, so stop shivering already."
As if to prove her point, she dismissed the Hx-Armor so she could crawl through a narrow duct too small for the somewhat bulky armors, and while it was slightly chilly, it was endurable.
"See? It's fine H."
I-it's more the area, not the t-temperature.
In her mind, Aile could see Model Z rolling his eyes.
Ignore him. You even mention the words 'cold' or 'ice' in his vicinity, he gets just like this. It's just something you have to get used to, I'm afraid.
Model H gave an indignant growl, but Aile interrupted them. "You know, you seem to know how H was back then, and you and X mentioned something about how X lived back when he was still alive. How do you know that when your memory blocks are still on?"
They were silent. Finally, Model H spoke. Perhaps with their memory blocks eroding, it's possible that some of these blocks are loosening reflexively when they refer to something familiar to them. In this way, it is likely that they will reflexively open wider until they disappear altogether. Barring any event that forces them open, of course. Oh, and you might want to engage the X or Zx armor at this point Aile.
"Why?"
A muted roar echoed through the room Aile had just stepped into. Right there was the same model crushpactor as the one she had encountered in the power plant.
"Oh. That's why."
(About five minutes of shooting later)
"X, where's that distress beacon at?"
About eight yards directly in front of us.
Aile walked past the remains of the behemoth mechaniloid and entered the door beyond it. She was greeted by a massive computer terminal. But there was nobody there.
"Prairie? Come in please."
The second the comm. came to life, she heard a distant 'boom'. Then, Aile cringed as a loud voice echoed through the comm. In fact, it almost sounded like Prairie.
"DAMN IT CEDRE! STOP SHOOTING AT THE CYBER ELVES, OR I WILL PERSONALLY TAKE YOUR ROCKET LAUNCHER AND -"
Aile swiftly cut the connection. Had she been able to look at her face, she might have been surprised that she could make such an expression.
"Uh, I think I'll call back later."
Before the Biometals could comment, Aile heard the same static through her comm. as she did earlier. But this time, the terminal in front of her flashed at the same time.
"This terminal must be the source of the distress call."
Aile and the three Biometals examined it.
Aile, there's a data disk in this slot here. Model X called.
There's one here too. Fairly well encrypted too, as far as I can tell. Model H reported.
"Well, they're hooked up to this computer terminal right? Let's take a look."
Aile accessed the first disk. The first item was a log of some kind, which she accessed.
DATA LOG 23448-19290
-July 23, 2258-
Reconnaissance team 20 dispatched to location g-23x regarding an unusual energy signature. It was located deep underground. We arrived at the site and started a low-scale excavation. We will report when we have unearthed anything.
-August 2, 2258-
We've unearthed something unusual. It's just a piece of metal, about the size of an outstretched hand, but it's emitting some unknown type of energy. In addition, the energy waves seem to be fluctuating. It's almost like it's… alive. We've reported this to the base, but we haven't heard a reply yet. In the meantime, we'll conduct research on the metal fragment, and continue excavating for anything else like it.
-August 3, 2258-
A communiqué from the base came through. Apparently, the commander has been looking for something like this for some time. She's coming to investigate the object herself, and she's ordered us to keep our distance from the object at all costs. Something is going on, that's for sure.
-August 9, 2258-
The commander arrived yesterday, and immediately went to work on identifying the metal fragment. She called it a 'Biometal', and designated it as, 'Model W'. Apparently, she knows what it is. Soon after she completed her analysis, which took about 20 minutes, she gave us the order to quarantine the fragment as best as possible, and to keep a sharp eye out for unusual behavior among our number. Then, she left for the base.
-August 11, 2258-
Our first problem arose today. One of the newer members, reploid by the name of Serpent, collapsed when he passed within 10 feet of Model W, clutching his head. We've quarantined him, and placed him as far from the Biometal as possible. We've also received word that HQ is sending some serious quarantine gear to contain this thing.
END LOG 23448-19290
"That's the end of the log." Aile looked it over again. "Wait a minute, Serpent!? This log was dated more than a century ago, how could he possibly be around!?"
Aile, there's an audio file here, too. Perhaps it can explain this.
Aile accessed the file. A hissing static entered the room, and Aile realized that the terminal's speakers were completely wrecked. So she located a cable near the terminal, plugged it in, and re-ran the file. It must have worked, since a tinny voice spoke through her helmet's speakers.
"I-I don't have much time left. I can only pray this reaches the correct ears. We uncovered an unknown metal in this area. It seems…alive. Commander Ciel called it Biometal Model W. We were ordered to quarantine it, but our efforts were for nothing, it seems. One of our own went mad and destroyed the entire unit, then erased the research data and vanished with the Biometal. I believe his name was Serpent. Using what data we have, I will attempt to decipher the cause of his insanity below…"
There was a gentle click, alerting Aile to the fact that the file had ended. She searched for the next file, but to her surprise, there wasn't one.
Model Z issued a startled sound. commander...Ciel? Ugh, I know that name...but I don't remember it! But...why do I feel like I want to remember it?
"Relax Model Z. Maybe there's a clue on the second disk. Hang on..."
She went to access the second data disk, but she was blocked. The screen of the terminal gave her the reason why.
-ACCESS DENIED-
-ENCRYPTION DEVICE TYPE CL-X REQUIRED-
-ENCRYPTION DEVICE TYPE CL-H REQUIRED-
-ENCRYPTION DEVICE TYPE CL-L REQUIRED-
-ENCRYPTION DEVICE TYPE CL-P REQUIRED-
-ENCRYPTION DEVICE TYPE CL-Z REQUIRED-
-ENCRYPTION DEVICE TYPE CL-F REQUIRED-
Type CL? Aile, that's an encryption drive used exclusively by Biometals! CL-X, CL-Z, CL-H… It's asking for the combined encryptions of all six Biometals!
"What does that mean, X?"
It means that all six of these drives had to be present when this encryption was set up. It must have been made at the same time as we were. Those drives are solely for use by us: only we can use them. Model Z told her.
"Hmm…" Aile poked around the computer a bit more, and found something interesting. The computer's registry had recorded that several files had been removed from the first data disk.
"Someone beat us to the data. It's probably not here then... sorry Model Z. I guess there isn't another clue here."
It's alright... I'll find out sooner or later anyways. Let's go after the Biometal signature; there's a chance the pseudoroid might have the missing data. And take those disks with you; we can examine them later.
"Got it, Z." She plucked the drives out of the terminal and stashed them away, heading out the door and back into the complex. "So, I can only examine that one disk if I've got all six of you Biometals?"
All six complete Biometals. Remember, H's data is split in half. He can't defeat his memory blocks or use his encryptions without that data. It's likely that all of the Biometals will have the same problem.
"I guess we'll have to wait on that data then."
Aile located the aforementioned hatch, which was now unlocked, and jumped down.
Right back into the underground lake.
"Ugh… not again."
"Hm?" Gardenia noticed something on her monitor. "Prairie, The distress beacon has vanished. Also, Aile's moving away from the distress signal's location towards the Biometal reading."
"She must have reached the distress beacon point already. Why didn't she inform us?"
Marguerite spoke up. "I've got a record of a contact with Aile about 13 minutes ago, which lasted about 9 seconds. Apparently, she established a comm. link just as you were, uh, chewing out Cedre, Ma'am."
"Oh..." Prairie gnawed on her lip for a second. "Just tell her to head back when she recovers the Biometal. We can discuss what she found then."
"Aile, you there?"
Aile blinked as her comm. came to life. "You're one of the operators… Marguerite, right?"
"That's me. Prairie wants you to know that you'll have to discuss what you found at the distress beacon when you get back, okay?"
"Tell her that I've got a data disk she can look at. The Biometal signature is close, so I'll see you when I get back."
"Okay, bye."
Aile headed through a thick door, into a huge submerged area, engaging the X-Armor as she did, since the X-Buster was the most effective weapon underwater.
"Model X, is it close?"
Very. I can sense it… somewhere in front of us.
"Oh my! Who do we have here?"
Aile blinked as a small form came into view. It looked for all the world like a little doll, hanging from a cable. Where the cable went, Aile couldn't tell.
"Human? Ahh, you must be one of those horrid interlopers trying to stop poor Lord Serpent's plan. Oh, and you have a disk? I thought I told those worthless mavericks to leave anything of importance with me! Worthless fools."
"You must have the other half of the disk! Where is it!?"
The pseudoroid, and Aile had no doubt that was what the thing was, leered at her. The leer was somewhat offset by the thing's tiny voice.
"Well hmph! You're so rude! I'm not telling you anything, so how do you like that!?"
Aile gaped at the little pseudoroid. Sure, the pseudoroids were chatty, but Hivolt hadn't been anywhere near this childish. Eventually, though, anger beat out surprise.
"Well, how about I beat you, and then you tell me?"
"Ooh, you're so mean! That's it, I'll tear you into pieces little girl!"
Aile smirked. In perfect honesty, she'd been unhappy about the missing data, and the fact that Serpent was in it, and she needed something to take her frustration out on. "Do your worst, you little…uh…" Aile paused. "Which one are you, by the way?"
"You're so ignorant! It's no wonder Lord Serpent is having such a hard time with you! I am the lovely Model L pseudoroid, Lurerre! Now scream for me, you little pest!"
Lurerre shot a handful of ice arrows at Aile. Aile dove to the side, but gasped in pain as a couple hit her right in the chest, and her entire upper body went numb with cold. Fortunately, they didn't penetrate the X-Armor, but she knew she couldn't take too many attacks like that.
Aile, the water slows your movements! Be careful, and react ahead of time.
"I'll try X, but I don't know if I can dodge that fast."
Model Z spoke up. Aile, you jump much higher underwater, thanks to the buoyant force of the water. Try jumping over her attacks if you can.
Lurerre fired more ice arrows at Aile. This time, Aile jumped, and the buoyant force of the water seemed to lift her over the attacks.
"Oh, aren't you clever. Then try this!" Lurerre fired a chunk of ice over Aile's head, which scattered small flakes of itself as it passed over her.
Ice mines! They'll freeze you solid if they touch you! Aile, MOVE!!
Aile discovered, much to her relief, that the Rapid Mobility (Dash) System still worked underwater, although somewhat slowed. She easily boosted out of harms way, and unloaded a few shots at the little doll. Lurerre dodged her fire though, and counterattacked with more ice arrows, which missed.
"H, can you do an analysis?"
I can try, but it won't be as effective, since I'm not currently active.
Model H started scanning Lurerre with his powerful analytical system.
The pseudoroid lowered herself level to Aile, and fired an ice beam at Aile. Aile figured it was an ice beam because as it came towards her, it froze the water in front of it, until a sheer wall of ice was shooting at her.
Aile leveled the X-Buster at the ice wall, and fired as rapidly as she could in an attempt to push the beam to one side. Rather than that, the ice wall was pushed back slightly with every attack.
If I can time this right…Aile pushed it back far enough, then charged the X-Buster. She barely hit the wall in time with a full power blast, and though the wall melted slightly, it didn't break. Aile mentally held the X-Buster's stored second shot in reserve, firing standard fire at the wall and pushing it back, all while mentally gauging the distance to Lurerre. She guessed when the wall was close enough, and fired.
The blast hammered the ice wall, blasted through it, and still had enough energy to splash across the pseudoroid directly behind it.
Lurerre screamed, and the doll disappeared in a tiny flash.
Model H completed his scan, and gasped. Aile, get back!!
She reflexively threw herself backwards, just in time.
A giant fish suddenly charged from behind where Lurerre had been, it's enormous jaws clamping shut around where she'd been. Aile's eyes went wide.
"She's based on an angler fish… only ten times my size…"
The cable on top of the fish's head sparkled, and reformed into the doll again. "Ooh, you're fast! But you can't evade me forever, you know!"
Aile, the exterior of that mechaniloid is invulnerable to damage. Model H reported. And although you dealt some damage to Lurerre's 'lure', I'm afraid that Model L is located in that doll's head. I recommend an attack on the mechaniloid's interior, but I don't know how.
Without warning, the fish's mouth opened, and Aile found herself being pulled towards it. Overhead, she could see Lurerre preparing to throw ice arrows. She reflexively fired a low-powered shot at the fish's open mouth, but the pseudoroid shut the fish's mouth before it hit, and Aile's attack bounced off.
"Oh my, did you honestly think I would let you do that?"
Aile, we're at a disadvantage here. We need some way to level the playing field.
"Hang on, I'll think of something…"
"Ooh, stop hiding over there! I'll blow you apart!" The fish's mouth opened again, revealing a massive torpedo nearly a third as big as the mechaniloid itself. Aile immediately formulated a plan, but it would not be pretty.
"Gotcha!" Aile dashed right towards the fish, much to the surprise of both Lurerre and the Biometals.
Aile, what are you doing!?
"Z, H, lend X any power you have, now!!" Aile mentally focused the X-Armor's shields right in front of her, and dashed as fast as she could.
Lurerre saw her plan, and frantically tried to close the fish's jaws, but the torpedo was already launching.
Aile hit the torpedo head on, while it was still inside the fish. The resulting explosion tore the mechaniloid apart.
Lurerre screamed as she was torn off her mechaniloid counterpart. "Ahh! How could you do this to my precious body!? Even your death wasn't worth it! Ahhhh!!" She exploded violently.
When the smoke cleared, a delicate, somewhat feminine, blue Biometal was visible. Said Biometal glanced left and right in confusion. Huh? Where'd she go? Is she alright?
Model L finally heard a voice. She floated towards it.
Aile, are you alright!? Speak to me!
"…"
Model H ran a quick scan. She's alive. The concussion from the explosion must have her head spinning, but she's otherwise unharmed. That was very clever of her, you know.
WHAT!? Model X rounded fiercely on the green Biometal. She may have very well killed herself, H! She should be lucky she's alive! She probably has a concussion, for all we know!
She obviously realized that the torpedo, by design, would transmit it's concussive force physically through the water, rather than a conventional energy-based explosion. And since our personal shields are oriented to resist physical impacts and forces more than energy-based attacks, she realized that the shield would diffuse enough damage to prevent fatal injury. Simple, really.
"A-actually, I didn't know that the shield resisted physical impacts, H. I just guessed that the shield would hold off any fatal damage, that's all."
Aile finally managed to hear something other than a piercing whine in her head. But her comment didn't seem to help things.
X mentally glared daggers at her. You mean to tell me that you dove headlong at an enormous explosive torpedo based on a guess!? Are you insane, Aile!?
Model Z, on the other hand, shrugged. I guess we got lucky. And X, sometimes you have to improvise. Take a look over there. That's Model L, I believe. Meaning, we beat the pseudoroid. And Aile will live to fight another day. Sure, it was a gamble, but it paid off in the end, right?
X said nothing, but he did continue to alter his mental glare between Model Z and Aile. Model Z ignored his companion. Aile, do promise me that you'll at least let us know before you try something like that again, okay? I swear, if I'd had a heart, it would have leapt out right then. Oh, and you might want to swap armors: the X-armor looks pretty bad.
"Gotcha. And I promise, Z." Aile engaged the Zx-Armor, and wearily stood upright.
Right in front of her, the Biometal that was apparently Model L was giving her an amused glance. I'd say you're either brave or reckless, but you managed to free me from that annoying Lurerre. Thank you very much.
"You're Model L, right?"
That I am. Model L, Biometal of the Ice. I already know about you, Aile… and I know about you as well, Model Z.
Aile swapped with Model H, letting Z appear in front of her.
What do you know about me, L?
Model L gave the impression of narrowing her eyes. I heard that you let your own chosen get killed by Serpent.
Aile felt a stab of pain and guilt in her heart, but Model Z flinched as though she'd struck him.
…Yes. My failure led to the death of a good man named Giro…
"Model Z…"
He turned to regard her. Aile, regardless of the fact that you blame yourself for his death, it was ultimately my inability, my failure to defeat Model W's control over Giro, that forced you to damage him beyond repair. Aile's eyes widened. Had I been stronger, he would still be alive, and things would be different. But I couldn't… And now Giro is dead, and you have a wound that will likely never heal, all because of my weakness!
Aile realized that while she'd been blaming herself, Z had been probably been doing the same thing. Maybe even more than she had.
But you're wrong. You're absolutely, completely wrong.
"Model Z, if I hadn't run off into Area D, none of that would have happened in the first place. I went off alone, and you and Giro came after me. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine, and mine alone." She spoke slowly, ignoring the lancing pain that cut through her heart with every word.
Whatever may have happened, it's already happened, and placing blame won't change that. Model L said, catching their attention. All you can do now is look forward, and face what's coming. Looking back only causes you to trip and fall, and you'll never accomplish anything. So you both got him killed. She ignored the fact that they both flinched heavily as she said it. Looking back and deciding how things could have gone differently will not make it happen. But if you look forward and do what he asked you to do, then you can make his death worth something, regardless of whose fault it is.
Aile and Model Z gazed at the ground silently. For a moment, nobody spoke.
Besides, if you don't move forward, then I'll never get a chance to battle Serpent! It should be an interesting challenge to take on the one who bested the mighty Model Z!
Aile blinked at L's abrupt change in attitude. "Uh…"
Despite the situation, Model H almost smirked. Yes, unfortunately, she's always like that.
AN: Regarding Model H's weapons, I decided not to go with the generic description of 'beam sabers' or 'beam gladii', and opted for something that actually looks like what the weapons themselves are. I did some research, and came up with the 'Rondel'. It's a long, round dagger that can be 30 to 50 centimeters in length, roughly 1-2 feet. Typically used as a stabbing weapon, it was designed to penetrate chain main and the joints in thick plate mail.
As a beam weapon, my rondel resembles a short lightsaber 50cm, or half a meter, in length. As I pointed out above, the beam rondel is multipurpose, and can be used as either a stabbing weapon, or a slashing weapon, given it's energy-based blade.
And although in the game it's sole purpose is slashing attacks, I believe it should be more multipurpose. Therefore, for this story, the Hx-Armor's primary weapons will be twin beam rondels.
