Went for some length of this chapter. Although it began as a tank operation chapter… I did feel I skimped out on it, since something hit me later on in the chapter that I thought should have been of greater importance. Ah well, it turned out okay in the end.

Sorry for taking so long, but well… I dunno. There were a lot of times I knew I should write for this story but just couldn't really get myself into the mood for. I might be losing my touch on this story, but don't think I'm going to give it up. I try to complete any project I start that wasn't an automatically catastrophic failure. Unless I just lose like... all motivation to finish, updates might keep coming out, albeit very slowly. But this is a project I had been looking forward to writing for a long time, so chances are it's going to get finished.

With that… well, here we go.

Index Fourteen: Knowledge

"Know thy enemy. Know thyself."

"The Legends"

Tabane's Base, Hangar 1

Sunday, June 7th, 0600 Hours

"ATTEN-SHUN! VIPS ON THE DECK!" I yell out, all five Spartans snapping to attention in a sharp salute as one of the most legendary Tankery commanders, Miho Nishizumi, walks into the loading bay followed by several of her officers such as Noriko Isobe and Takako Suzuki.

"O-oh that's not necessary." Nishizumi says as she continues walking up to us, dressed in what appears to be an adult version of the original Oarai Academy uniform. "Please, relax."

"Aaaat ease! As you were."

Mickey lets out a sigh of relief. "All right. I'll get back to making sure we're properly stocked, sir."

I nod. "Gambit, help him out."

"Understood, Checkmate." With that, Xavier leaves in his standard Recon lookalike armor.

"Ma'am." I say, extending my hand.

"Nishizumi will be fine, Orthun Kira." She says as she shakes my hand. Nishizumi stands taller than me, though when I'm in full armor, I'd estimate that she's about three inches shorter than me.

"Kira will do. Anyways, we're about ready to commence the operation. And, Nishizumi-san, if I may say, from all of us, it is grand and great honor to work alongside you."

"The same goes for you."

"Anyways, I assume you've just been briefed?"

"Mhm. Five M808B Battle Tanks through the canyon. Three of my teams will be piloting the base variant, however your Spartan team will be piloting the B2 variant in the event of need for anti-aircraft. The main assault campaign will be to reach their main facility. From there, we will be extracted while you infiltrate."

"Sounds about right."

Yeah, we're not bringing them in. It's already a risk bringing them from the outside, but they were a contact that we could at least put a stake on not being blown to the public. If we went to another mercenary group, there's a larger chance Shadow Task could've infiltrated them. But since we have just normal people that don't really do a lot today, there's a smaller chance of that. Plus, they're civillians, technically, so it was easier for Tabane to investigate them.

Anyways, the tanks today are different. I can pilot them myself because of my neural link with E and using IS Equalizers to load in tank shells. Everyone else is working in squads of five, save for the Spartans since their armor and the tech in it allows them to effectively eliminate the need for one person.

Of course, the only problem will be getting there. To get the five tanks there, we need to land the Pelicans close by, but that requires five pilots. The Spartans will be piloting, which solves that. However… extraction is tricky. Tabane volunteered to fly in to pick up the Tankery squad, but as for us, getting out is difficult. We know that by the time we finish up destroying the place, there might be reinforcements. We're expecting our rides to be discovered, which means getting out is… not pretty.

E however, came up with a solution. Shinjiro's going to have to be on standby, which is why the Spartans get the autocannon version of the Scorpions. That way, they can still fight but won't be hampered by a lack of personnel. However, I'll have to fill in his role during the base invasion as heavy weapons.

But enough about that.

"Attention, all personnel on Operation Sacred Storm, prepare for sortie. I repeat, all personnel on Operation Sacred Storm, prepare for sortie."

Ah, Tabane's alerting them. Okay, let's go.

E, it's time.

Of course.

My suit forms around me as I walk to the Pelican I'd be piloting, Nishizumi and her tank squad climbing in afterwards. I've been cleared to pilot, seeing that I my headache spills have calmed down.

I flip several switches before turning my head around. "Everyone good back there? Strapped down and everything?"

"Hai!"

"Closing the hatch."

The mechanical grinding of gears fills the air before being drowned out by thrusters flaring to life.

"This is Utopia Leader, do you copy? Report status."

"Utopia Two copies." Mickey says over the comm unit. "Clear to go."

"Utopia Three copies." Romeo replies. "Ready for action."

"Utopia Four, checking in!" Shinjiro half-yells. "Let's blow 'em to smithereens!"

"Utopia Five, I copy." Xavier says, wrapping up. "We are ready to go."

"Utopia Leader to Purple Tide, we are ready for sortie."

"Then, travel to the side and execute Operation Sacred Storm!"

With that, I watch as the others take off ahead of us. After Mickey takes off, I take the controls and have us rise up above the ground, then move us forward, going out of the hangar and the door shutting behind us.

Let's get to work.

[Classified Coordinates]

[Classified Location]

1900 Hours

Operation: Sacred Storm

REC: 0:00:06

"Operation start."

I hit the switch to drop the Scorpion down to the ground and open the hatch up. Anglerfish Squad immediately bails out, dropping into the tank while I go land the Pelican. It only takes me a small bit of time, since I'm already cutting the engines and flipping the switches that turn on the security system. It should alert us to if there's anyone that discovers this place with the Pelicans and if they attempt to take them, will blow them to shreds.

"Okay, this is Utopia Four. I'll put out and find a more subtle area to land. Call when you have the base in sight, I'll prepare for you evac."

"Understood, Utopia Four." I say, climbing into my own tank. My vision on the visor changes, revealing a bunch of camera views all around the tank. Good, I can see everything.

Setting main vision to aiming view.

I see the aiming reticule come up on my HUD, letting my look where I want to place my shots. Is this synced to my movements?

I'll be functioning as your spotter and comm manager. Focus on the battle and firing.

Understood, E. Open comm channels.

Got it.

"This is Index One, all teams, do you copy?"

I get back a positive series of replies.

"Then, all teams, move forward! Let's take 'em by surprise!"

The scans of the canyon were fairly simple. It looks like they're entrenched rather heavily, but the five tanks we brought along should be enough to punch through their line. Also, they've got some heavy weapons of their own, so that's another reason we brought along the legends from Oriai. They were given our equipment, but their skills far outstrip our own in tank battles. We're trusting them to help us punch a hole in their heavy weapons defenses while the Spartans focus on taking out the entrenchments.

"Index Three to Index One. Three, Four, and Five will form the front guard in a delta formation."

"Understood. Index Two, stay in the middle. I'll form the rear guard. Alert us to when you spot hostiles. If it's entrenchments, let us blow a hole."

"Understood, Index One."

It's not even ten minutes of cruising through the rocks and dirt before we get the engagement call.

"Enemy located at eleven o'clock! Four medium armored tanks."

"All units, prepare to engage!" E, do you detect any entrenchments?

There is a machine gun tower facing this area at about a two o'clock angle.

"Be advised, there is a machine gun nest over to the right. I'll take it out."

Even as we move forward, I start aiming to the right. E marks the waypoint on my HUD so I know where to look. It starts opening fire on us in the canyon for all of four seconds before getting blasted by my cannon.

"This is Index Two, be advised Index Three, Four, and Five, we'll wrap around and flank their light escort. We'll focus on their infantry before they can pull anything."

I take to providing backline support and draw fire and attention away from our tank killers. It'd be best not to interrupt their teamwork, which is on a whole new level. The three tanks move seamlessly as a unit, beautifully navigating the battlefield. Damn, if only our squad could move like them.

Even at a technical disadvantage with numbers, they swiftly move and take out the four medium tanks.

"All units, they'll know we're here. Prepare to encounter heavy resistance from now on."

And heavy resistance we encounter.

It seems they're pulling out the stops since there's very few people who would dare think of such a brazen attack. And at the top of this list is probably us.

The first wave isn't bad. We punch through that checkpoint area and take cover behind a rock formation. I see Romeo get out of his tank and activate Active Camoflauge, moving forward with his sniper rifle and binoculars to scout out ahead.

"Whhheeeeeeew. Index One, we're looking at ten heavy armored tanks." Romeo says over the comms. "But we've also got three towers overlooking the area. They might be ready for us if we advance."

I forward that information to the others. Looks like we'll need to devise a plan.

"Utopia Leader, I'm thinking we're going to have to bail on the autocannon tank for now. I'll maintain a sniping position and take out the tower guards. Two and Five will blow the towers out. Once those are down, I will take the autocannon Scorpion in and regroup. Failing that, we'll simply ride the tank."

"…Hm, that might work. Okay, I'll leave it to you. On your mark, Utopia Three, we'll head in and charge."

"Understood."

"This is Index One to Index Three, Four, and Five. Index Two will not be sortieing with us for this engagement. They're down to personnel and are providing infantry support. On their mark, we'll rush in to draw fire while Utopia Two takes out the towers."

I get affirmative replies back. We make ready, positioning ourselves to roll out as Romeo climbs up the rock formation and aims down the sight. Meanwhile, Mickey and Xavier hang nearby the walls of the canyon, staying low in the shadows as they ready to blitz towards the towers.

"Utopia One, taking the shot in ten seconds."

"Attention all units, prepare for imminent engagement."

I mentally count down the seconds.

As soon as we hit zero, the loud CRZACK of the sniper rifle going off is followed by the roar of engines as all four Scorpion tanks move out, moving to take out the armor.

"Index One, this is Utopia Three and Five, we're eliminating the closest tower."

"Understood. All units, be advised, we have friendly infantry taking out the tower closest to the canyon walls. Aim accordingly. Utopia Three and Five, I'll save you the trouble of the far tower. Utopia Two, as soon as Three and Five enter the tower, focus on the middle tower."

"Copy that."

I start driving while starting to aim on the furthest tower. E, get me some firing assistance!

Got it. Steady... NOW!

FIRE!

The machine gun turrets and several infantry with anti-tank weapons go flying off in a massive explosion. That takes care of the imminent threat. Let's knock it out in one go.

I bring my aim lower and fixate on the base of the tower. Firing at it as fast as possible, I knock out the base and cause the tower to collapse. Screams fill the air as I swivel the turret over to the middle tower, hearing another explosion. Holy damn, closest tower eliminated too.

"Index One, this is Utopia Five. We've blown the closest tower."

Judging by how it's falling, it looks like Xavier had the same idea by blowing out the supports for the tower and causing a collapse.

"Copy that. Utopia Two, you can stop sniping support. Three, Five, find cover and wait to reboard the autocannon Scorpion. I'll knock out the middle tower."

"Understood."

Three well-placed shots take care of the middle tower, which collapses in a tornado of twisted metal and debris. Looks like our hired tankery experts are wrapping us as well.

"Index Three, Four, Five, how are you holding up?"

"We're all good."

"Copy that. According to satellite scans, I don't know if we're going to be encountering too much armor from this point. It's going to get a little narrow from here. It might be a good time to pull out for extraction."

"We'll wait on your advisement."

E?

They could still pull out after assaulting the main compound, however that would leave them in a more vulnerable position.

"We'll take what help we can get. Be prepared to be extracted." I switch channels and radio Shinjiro. "Utopia Four, prepare to extract the VIPs. We're about to hit the main base."

"Copy. Bringing the big guns."

"All units, move ahead." I call back out as I start moving on ahead. "We'll stick with the usual formation, but adjust as needed."

It gets incredibly narrow, but fortunately there aren't any encounters. It looks like the final area of our assault will be a rather tricky one.

We had a plan, but still… this isn't going to be easy.

We once again, hide ourselves. This time we're using the foliage here as natural camoflauge.

"Index Two, prepare for a blitz. Three, Four, Five. Cover us from the armor. We're going to blow a hole." I then switch to talking to Shinjiro. "Utopia Four, what is your ETA?"

"Well if you want me going through the canyon, give me about five minutes to navigate through this place."

"Got it. We'll try to minimize AA."

"Understood."

"Everyone ready?"

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

"GO!"

The autocannon Scorpion is the first to go. It lays down a withering spray of suppressive fire as I provide a barrage of high explosive shots. As the enemy armor moves out to engage us, the Tankery trio opens fire on them, breaking from their camo.

"Leader, get a shot by the front gate!"

"Blowing a hole open!"

A shell comes flying out of my turret, blasting the front door. No dice.

A second shell.

A third shell.

With that third shot, the metal gate finally flies open. Two's Scorpion immediately rolls in, opening fire on everyone inside. It seems Romeo's in charge of the turret, as Mickey and Xavier pop out and start shooting any stragglers.

"Index One, coming in to support." I call out as I wrap around to flank the enemy armor, having E drive us in while I focus on turning the turret to get two blasts off on the towers that might be for AA.

"Eyes in the sky, Utopia Five coming in for aerial support."

The gunship version of the Pelican that Shinjiro usually pilots comes roaring in, helping us take out the ground armor so we can start shelling the building itself.

"Go, go, go!" I yell, blasting open an entrance in. "Index Three, Four, and Five, get to the extraction point! Index Two, cover them!"

I pull back with the tank, feeling the rumbling as I pass over a bunch of craters while shooting any stragglers that might get a shot off on our VIPs. Similarly, the other three tanks start forming a defensive perimeter around the tank while each one unloads their crew one at a time.

"Index Three, Four, and Five," I say as the Pelican lifts up into the air. "It was a pleasure. Godspeed, and thank you."

"I'll return to extract you. Now hurry."

The rest of us drive over to the front door and bail. E, set Scorpions to self-destruct if they detect unknown presences.

Everyone gets ready for a breaching maneuver by the entrance we blew open. Romeo's exchanged his sniper rifle for a DMR while Mickey's got his usual Assault Rifle. Xavier's packing the dual SMGs with some other weapons on his back.

"Three. Two. One."

Taking out my shotgun, I kick down the debris and shine the flashlight in, blinding anyone who would be in here as we all enter and spread out.

"Stick together, let's move out into the deeper areas of this compound. Try to find a place where they'd store data and also where any weapons are. We're here for two things, to blow it the hell up, and to steal any data. Assume we're on a clock."

"How long we got?" Xavier asks.

"Three seconds. Now let's go."

The four of us scramble through the hallways, eliminating any opposition. Their common footsoldiers, now in a uniform composed of black combat jackets and black tight pants along with combat boots and a mask with a visor, are nothing for us other than a use for our ammo. Blood runs through the dimly lit metallic hallways like rivers as we make our way through.

"Well," Xavier says, ripping off another pair of masks off the goons. "At least we're not dealing with a clone army. Now that would've been scary."

"Hmph. Any brands on them?"

"Can't see right now unless you want me to strip them down."

"That won't be necessary. Get a keycard if possible."

"No pockets, though. All these pouches are just for ammo, so I guess they use something other than cards for their entrance points."

"Ready the explosives, then. If these signs are right, we're heading towards the data storage area."

"Got it, sir."

"Pick up the pace, Utopia Team. We're probably running behind the clock."

"Sir, yes sir!"

With a hurried pace, we stick rushing forward due to the fact we have rechargeable shields, even though mine are weaker. Even though we don't like having to risk it, time's a constraint here. The faster we get out of here, the more likely we are to survive.

E, any IS units in the area?

None detected so far.

Good. Keep me updated on that.

If we find a proper terminal, I can alert you to whether or not we have incoming based on not just our scans, but their own communications.

We'll search for one along the way.

"Found the door!"

"Blow it open and find a terminal. Tabane gave everyone cracking tools, I'll find somewhere to get E to start scanning for incoming."

Fortunately, it seems that for critical infrastructure, they're close by. It's roughly ten minutes if one was walking, but for an all out sprint, it's less than two minutes distance.

Alright E, get cracking.

Got it. By the way, once I'm in, I can repurpose this as a data transfer relay. It should allow us to bug out with a little more time than if we made a copy. We'll have to defend the place, obviously, but as long as we can hold them off long enough for the transfer to complete, well, if we can get out with precise timing, a few seconds might save our lives.

We could also just blow the ceiling and make it harder for them to access this stuff, right?

That too, though we risk damaging any cables.

Damn. Forward that to the team, about the data transfer, we'll decide if we need to blow the ceiling or not later.

I'll also begin linking you here for potential incoming. You're not going to like it, though.

…Oh boy.

This must've had something critical to them. They're not holding back anything. Hell, I don't know if Shinjiro's going to be able to pilot here. We're going to be making one hell of a close escape.

Shit. Get Shinjiro on the comms and we'll try to formulate something.

I'll try accessing the cameras and breaking through into their chatter.

Got it. I'll speak with the team.

With a burst of speed, I run down the hall and find everyone at terminals, using the cracking tools we were given. "Utopia, we've got a situation."

"Give it to us straight, Leader." Romeo says, looking up from the computer.

"We've got a hell of a lot of incoming. It doesn't look good for us."

"I've broken into the cameras, though. It doesn't look like a lot of vehicles. More like a mass swarm of infantry. They want to make sure and confirm you're dead." E says over our comm channel.

"Savvy, huh?" Xavier chuckles. "Well… things'd be different if you had flight. But… E, confirm an IS reading?"

"…Energy scans… match a previous signature. Pilot is Lucas Delorean."

All of us are quiet for a minute. Luke…

"Well, I guess that settles that. I'll step up to bat today. Everyone else get the hell out, there's bound to be some way out of here." Xavier says out loud, breaking the heavy silence.

"No."

"But you know it has to be done. Someone's gotta stop the advance. I'm the best suited for holding off enemies. I'm trained in explosives and demolition. I can keep them from getting to the data link. And you know I can do it. Let me do it, Kira."

"We don't leave men behind, Xavier!"

"I know you don't. But you're not leaving me; I'm staying behind. This thing's got too much riding on it. They sent a fucking Infinite Stratos here, and let's be honest, do you think that in their base, with our backs against the wall, that we can all defend the data transfer unit and fight the IS and all still make it out alive? What's to stop you from diving into another flashback? If you do—"

"Gah…"

Damn, he still remembered that…

"Let me do it, Kira. You know it has to be done. Besides… I was already dying."

Xavier takes off his helmet and sets it on one of the tables.

"Internal wounds during my fighting with the invasion. Tabane knew after a medical exam, but she let me get on anyways. Didn't tell you since well… I was hoping to die from that before this, but tough shit, am I right? Lemme just see your face, buddy."

E…

I don't finish the command, but my helmet slides away. I look into Xavier's eyes, seeing he's… he's ready. I know that face. It's the same one I make all the time.

Of a man who's ready to die.

"You were… the finest man I ever knew. It was a pleasure to be your friend, ally, and soldier. I… I love you, man."

"I…"

"Nah, not romantically. Like a brother, dude. Like a brother that I'll never forget. 'sides, like I could steal a man from his loving wife."

Xavier gives me a crushing hug. I… I don't react, not even bothering to correct him about Meusel. Knowingly sending someone… a soldier, a friend, a brother… to die leaves me in catatonia.

"Now get the fuck out of here. I'm going to fuck this place up and take 'em down with me. I'll see you another time, Leader. Make me count, awright?"

[Operation: Sacred Storm]

[SPTN 005 – GAMBIT]

[REC LIVE: 1:07:46]

I see the others off. Kira… you have to get stronger. Learn to fight Luke. Or… or save him, at the least. Maybe. It depends if he's completely a bastard or not.

Opening up a comm channel, I talk to E.

"E, I need you to link my mission recordings to the broadcast signal. It'll go second so we get the data first, but you know what I want to do."

"…You're going to confront Lucas?"

"Damn straight. I need to see, and Kira needs to see, if he's still worth thinking over."

"I understand."

"No need to tell me when it's set. Just set it up and then focus on getting Kira out of here."

"Understood. It's not difficult to set up, now that I'm in their system. Patching you in."

"Good."

On the tables are all the various explosives I had with me. Even in this suit, there's an explosive. Think something of a miniature nuke. So if Lucas ends up still being a fuck, I can try to take him with me. Fighting an IS in my state… it's a pitiable joke.

Everyone left me their various weapons, since Kira can hand them his. However, I'll be relying on my own.

First and foremost though, I doubt they're expecting snipers. The tanks can still be used, so I think they'll land the invasion force further out.

Double timing it, I run out for the tanks and get every single one ready. Fortunately our mercenaries did leave them loaded for me.

I'll only get one shot with each one since I can't reload the tanks without a full crew fast enough. Fortunately, there's only so many places they can come out of. I can at least aim the turrets to make it look like we're covered.

I'd like to have more time to rig the hallways and everything with explosives, but I guess I'll just have to blow them out as I go. Force them down hallways and all that.

Ugh… Well, I guess all soldiers that go out like this wish for a more dignified way of going out. Looks like Lady Luck's not on my side. So much for being Gambit, eh?

I sit in the last tank, preparing to fire. I take a few breaths, calming myself. Anyone would be terrified in this situation… knowing that they will die. No matter how much one prepares for or seeks death, there's a natural feeling of fear when one's close to it.

My fingers twitch on the controls. I see the movement.

KAWHPHOOOOM!

The shot goes off. That's one group taken care of. I immediately pile out of the tank and make my way to the next one. I fire again. This should at least keep them busy for a little bit.

Either way, I doubt that they'll be fooled for longer. I should get back inside.

I run back through the hole we blew open and deeper into the base, locking every door behind me and also blowing out the consoles. They probably have the passcodes, so I'll simply make it that they'll need to use brute force. It won't do much, but it'll buy me time.

And time is all I need.

Once I get several layers of doors deep, I start laying down the explosives. Traps, tripwires—both ones that are real and ones that are simply fakes to trick people, remote explosives, cameras, and everything like that…

…well, I wasn't the explosives expert on this team for nothing. This is how I survived when America got hit. I used streaming services when I could get internet, remote viewing using devices like smartwatches that connected to phones, and everything like that to see people who would've shot me and survive their assaults.

I deliberately engineer the path of explosives away from the broadcasting room of sorts. I want them to think where I'll be and misdirect them. Clearly I'll be holding a final stand to protect what we're after. So let's make them think it's somewhere else.

After all, it doesn't seem like we're dealing with someone who has a lot of experience in warfare. If Lucinda… if her psyche profile is correct, she's more just after Kira. She'll just keep throwing stuff until she gets him. The only person who really stands a chance is Luke. He might see past the illusion and go straight for the broadcasting room. But on the other hand, he knows I'm here. We knew each other, so he might try to talk with me.

I take the assault rifle that Mickey left behind off the table and ready up. I run over to where the first hallway and get ready. They'll be coming in any second now.

The door gets blown off. I open fire right away and then throw a grenade. I hear two yells, meaning I've injured them. Injuries are better, if they're treating each other like actual soldiers or if they're just reserves.

I manage to nick two more before running out of ammo in the current clip, a loud click resounding in my ears. I run back, avoiding all of my tripwires and watching my shield bar tick away with all the shots. Judging by my motion tracker, they'll be here… NOW!

The first set of explosives detonates. It doesn't collapse the hallway, but that hallway wasn't one that I needed to collapse.

Sliding in a fresh clip, I cover my retreat from the now advancing troops.

I repeat this process again and again, slowly wearing out their troops. I start looting their guns and their ammo in order to keep up the fight. Hallways collapse, screams are heard, people die and bullets fly for I don't know how long. I'm pretty sure Kira and the others are already gone by the time I've been pushed back three-fourths of the way, but I can't let go now.

Eventually, they make it to the broadcast room. Our data that we needed has already been transmitted a while back, but…

"Ha… ha… ha…" I breathe, dropping the empty pistol on the ground. I walk over to the table and pull up Mickey's shotgun. "Ugh… guess I'm not really the frontliner type, huh…"

"You've done well to hold us off this long."

"Hey, Delorean… what's up? Can't believe this is how we meet, you fuck."

He looks at me with piercing eyes. Still got a bit of a human element in them, hm?

The warning siren goes off in my HUD as his IS actives, looking just like a Venom unit from Full Metal Panic. Heh, embracing the villain role already, Luke? You could've at least went with a unit from one of the heroes.

His eyes are soon hidden behind his helmet that has a single red eye behind it. Hmph.

I turn off the alarm as he draws a pistol and sword.

"Heh, trying to look like the hero?" I laugh as I put the shotgun on my back and reach for the SMG. "I guess when you're a fuck, you've gotta try to act that way."

"Six hundred soldiers. You killed six hundred of Shadow Task's finest."

"Six hundred? Fuck me, I wasn't counting but I'm sure it wasn't that much. Then again, explosives make it tricky to count." I say, getting into a combat position. "So Delorean, tell me. Why are you on their side?"

"Shadow Task is on the right side of things, Xavier. Look, even with the Infinite Stratos, equality still is a pipe dream. So we will bring it. We will bring equality to everyone. Clearly humanity can't be trusted to do it alone. So they must have a guide."

"And so a girl who fucking raped Kira and broke him into pieces to the point he's barely a shell held together by countless layers of duct tape is going to lead humanity to equality?"

Luke remains silent.

Ah.

"Aaahahahaha! I see… I see it now! You want… you want to usurp her. You're using her… hahaha. How pitiful." I glare at him as best I can through my helmet. "Pathetic. If you think that'll help, you're wrong. Delorean, look at who the fuck you're working with! Come on, it's still not too late. Everyone might think you're a fuck right now, but I know their opinions might change. Come on, Delorean… open your goddamn eyes, man."

He shakes his head, getting into a combat position as well. It looks like we've got to go this way. You're past redemption, Delorean.

"You wouldn't understand."

Let's try a different approach. You know what makes Kira tick… so let's even the playing field, shall we?

I act as if I've stumbled upon the truth. "Oh. Ohhh, I see. Hmm, lemme guess, B-cup? Nah, A. I guess you're jealous of Kira and the fact he hangs around some quite bountiful ladies, hm? Or you're probably getting the 'squeeze so they get bigger' treatment, right?"

I see his hands clench. Looks like I've hit a nerve.

"Never took you for the lolicon type, to be honest. I have nothing against 'em, but I guess I see you in a different light. Is that it, Delorean? Just pissy at Kira? What, were you angry at always playing second fiddle? 'Cause that's a load of crap. The man always put you first, dude. Hahaha, he'd never take credit if he could help it. What, pissed off that because he always took second place he won in the women department? How disgusting, Delo—"

I easily dodge the angry strike meant to cleave me in two. Luke doesn't attempt another.

"Oh, looks like I've struck a nerve! Did I hit it right on the head? I think sooo~oooo."

"Shut up!"

"Alright, well I've realized there are probably two options. One, you really believe you can usurp Queen Bitch Lucinda and somehow, after spending all that time under her, not be influenced by her thoughts and actions and thus somehow be the person who will lead the forceful equality movement or whatever. Which of course, makes you fucking crazy. The second option is that you just believe that bullshit because you for whatever reason, are so goddamn madly in love with her that you can't see what you're doing. Which of course, makes you fucking stupid. So pick one, Delorean. You wanna be fucking crazy, or fucking stupid?"

"So crude. It looks like being around Kira has influenced you just as much."

"Yeah but at least the man's a good guy. Like crude, rough around the edges in his speech but eh, beats being insane. Still though, hehheh, wouldn't have expected you to be the crusading lover type. Fits Kira much better. Shame that he's held back by the emotional baggage your little queen bitch left on him."

"Silence! Don't you dare address her like that!"

"Oh, well, I'm not any better than her in that department. I bet when you two are all alone you curse the fuck out of Meusel, huh? Well, I guess that's enough talk. I'm getting tired of chewing out your beloved or whatever."

Well, I know I can't win against you here. But you've made my job of stalling you and finishing all the transmissions much, much easier. That's probably already been broadcasted out, so Kira just needs to see this and know that Luke is a irredeemable son of a bitch, and fight him. I'm sure that once Kira realizes that Luke isn't his friend now, he can fight him.

…Eh, it'll probably take more work than that. But this'll be a good first step. Even if it takes my life… well… Kira, you saved mine a long time ago…!

"Radiant Stars"

Years Ago…

It was silent in the house. Normally that wasn't ever the case. But right now, mom was crying as she helped dad treat his injuries.

Dad had been in the Marines for a long time, but now he was just working a normal desk job at some company I never asked about, though we still got moved around a lot. I grew up a military kid. Learned respect, honor, dignity, how to carry yourself. It had been ingrained into me for a long time.

Today had been a test for Dad. In the shopping mall, some woman had apparently crashed into Dad and started yelling at him about it. Mom came in and stopped her. That woman apparently had a lot of friends, who were about to gang up on Mom to make her "control her pet", something Mom took offense to.

But Dad walked in front of her and defended Mom. Used his training to take the blows and never fought back. It wasn't anything serious, but still…

"Dad, why didn't you fight back?" I had asked, not really knowing better at the time.

"Because son, it would've meant more trouble for your mom. And as her husband, it's my job to protect her."

"But everyone keeps saying that women don't need a man to protect themselves since they're more powerful. Even the teachers at school, too."

"Heh." Dad chuckled, earning a smile from mom. "Xavier, listen to me. Man, woman, it doesn't matter. Anyone can be powerful. Anyone can be weak. Most people today… well, the weak ones just like to hide behind the Infinite Stratos because they can't do it themselves. But take away that power, and think about what would happen in a normal scenario. I bump into her, I apologize. If she didn't have society to hide behind, then well… this probably wouldn't have happened. Besides, it's the duty of a man to protect the women he cares for. Ain't no society going to change that."

"I'll go prepare dinner." Mom then rubbed me on the head. "I'll make your favorite, spaghetti along with pineapple cake."

After that day, things like this kept happening. No matter where we went. I kept trying to change things, I kept wanting things to be different, but it never worked out.

At one point, I had taken dad's pistol and planned on blasting myself with it. It… I just couldn't live in that kind of world.

But someone stopped me.

"Back against the wall? Better to point the gun at those backing you there rather than at yourself."

I don't know if it was Kira who said that, or someone else. It looked just like Kira, but the demeanor, the way he talked, and the way he carried himself on that day we met was different than the Kira I would come to know.

Needless to say, Kira is the one that brought me back… or perhaps he simply was the one who helped me pick myself back up.

At first, we were rather distant friends. But over time, upon meeting the others, I came to know him like a brother. Eventually, my family had to move away, but I'd never forget him.

The next school I went to was high school. Freshman year wasn't so bad, but then… well, I met a girl. She was like me. I knew exactly what her condition was the day I first talked to her. A wide smile, big… glossed over eyes, and something only slightly uncanny about her enthusiasm. She was like me before I met Kira. A really good fake.

I endured quite a bit of teasing when I displayed my original curiosity towards her. Well… I don't think it's stalking, but I did watch her. I wanted to understand her, sort of what Kira, or at least the person behind the identity of Kira Orthun, did for me.

She, that is to say, Mei and I, were very similar. She had grown up in a pretty traditional family, or at least, one that wasn't so bullrushing with the IS as others. Her mother and father treated each other as equals, she had actually been raised around three other brothers. She loved them all pretty dearly and took major offense when they were hurt.

And like I had been, she too was on the verge of collapse. She was about to through with it too, if I hadn't caught the edge of her skirt on the bridge that night.

"Foot over the edge? Better to turn around and kick the people about to shove you off than take a step yourself."

It sounded better in my head, to be honest. But I couldn't help wanting to parallel the words that saved me.

"X… xavier?" Mei asked without turning around, probably knowing my voice. "How did you… Are you stalking me?!"

"Let's just say I know what it's like to be you. First, come on down. I'll explain then." I reply, seeing her short black hair blow in the wind, her blue eyes piercing through mine as she came down.

The explanation didn't take long, in fact the walk to get the ice cream I had been partially craving earlier that day was longer. Knowing that I wasn't stalking her, Mei let her guard down much more easily. And knowing that there was someone out there that felt the same pain she did was very comforting as well.

"You know, I nearly blew my head off," I had told her. "A friend stopped me. And now, as he helped me save my life, I'll help you save yours."

"Don't you mean he saved your life?"

"No, actually. After telling me to put the gun down, he talked to me. He then walked far enough away to where he could still talk to me, but the gun would be far enough out of reach. 'Go ahead, I can't stop you if you really want to go through with it.' Can you believe the guy was freaking fourteen at the time he did this?"

"Maybe you're mistaking his age?"

That was one thing I could never understand with Kira. There'd be the kid, Kira Orthun, the teenager that I knew as my friend. But sometimes, sometimes I felt like there was someone else. Someone who would slip in under the mask that was Kira Orthun. It was small things, really. His words, his attitude, the way he carried himself, or the smile that he made.

Perhaps it actually wasn't Kira Orthun who saved my life that day, but someone simply wearing his name and skin.

"I don't know. It's been so long that I'd feel awkward calling about it. Anyways, it's getting late. Think about tonight and what you want to do. I won't stop you a second time. But of course, can you muster the resolve for a second time?"

Of course, I hadn't really been thinking of anything else, which is why I had thumped very loudly on her front door. I didn't occur to me (or Mei) what the consequences would be until the door opened, revealing her ridiculously built father.

Fortunately, dad taught me a lot about quick thinking.

"There you go, Karana. Back home in one piece. Don't fall asleep in the library next time, it's a real pain for when they have to lock up." I said, after having remembered I had an acquaintance working in the local library. "Oh, my apologies. Good evening, sir."

"You are…" He said, rough and low voice being as intimidating it could be, seeing that his daughter just came back with what to him, was a complete stranger.

"Xavier Xanatos, classmate of your daughter in Biology. I was staying late at the library reading some mythology when they announced closing time and I spotted her on the way out, sleeping over a book. I woke her up and told her I'd walk her back home considering that I wasn't about to leave a young woman like your daughter alone at night, no matter how good this town is. Anyways, I should head home. Don't forget your library card next time, and sheesh, look at a clock every now and then. Or at least, don't fall asleep in the library. 'Sides, the chairs aren't even that comfortable."

Before anyone could get a second word in, I left the house, thankful for on-the-spot thinking.

Over time, we became friends and eventually, a couple. Then we had the trip out to Boston… and everything went to hell when the Russians hit.

I was really confused when my parents called, telling me they were always proud of who I was and that they were sure I'd make it out and be happy with Mei. Dad's final words were "Never forget what I taught you" before I heard the explosions.

With that, I took Mei and we ran off. I was in the middle of telling her what was going on when the shots began. The two of us ran through the city, with me helping her learn how to fight.

One time, we got caught out in a house and part of it fell down, separating us. She… was on the side the Russians were going to find first.

"Go."

"I won't."

"You'll die otherwise."

"But—"

I then saw her kiss her hand and stick it out through the rubble. I put my lips on her hand, causing a laugh.

"Xavier… go. I won't let them hurt you."

"Mei…"

"All this time, and I never said it, but I'm… I… thank you, Xavier."

"Don't thank me. Thank Kira Orthun."

"Then…" I heard her readying her gun. "Then thank you, Xavier, and thank you Kira! Now go, Xavier! Go and keep fighting… for the both of us!"

That's right. I'll keep fighting. For the both of us. So that the lives that Kira saved won't be in vain.

I'll be damned if I don't do this and shake Delorean up for you. Besides, I've got one last ace in the hole.

"If you don't resist and take back those words, I'll grant you a quick death."

Looks like playtime and talking is over.

"Fuck you."

"…I see, that's how it's going to—"

He's interrupted as I start shooting him. The more damage I can inflict on his shields, the better.

Luke closes the distance between us, attempting a clean bisecting vertical strike. However, I step back and then forward, striking him in the face with my fist.

Luke attempts to kick me, but I'm faster. I toss my gun into the air and pull out my shotgun while stepping back. His kick misses, leaving him off balance. I blast his leg and then switch to a one handed grip before catching my SMG.

You don't know what love is, Delorean. I know what it is. Kira knows what it is. But your love is just sick obsession.

"You're sloppy."

I leap back, putting the shotgun on my back, avoiding Luke's horizontal cut. I take a hit from his pistol, but the energy shields are still up. I then dodge left as he goes for a diagonal cut from my right, avoiding the blade. I quickly bring my left leg up and turn, kicking him across the face, spinning further until I can put my foot on the ground and bounce away.

"It doesn't matter, I'll win in the end."

Heh, you forgot about The Art of War, huh? A cornered opponent will fight fiercer by nature of not having an out. I'll absolutely fucking take you down a notch!

I only smile from behind my visor as I flip Delorean off, getting a scoff from him. Before he can do anything else, I empty my clip of SMG at Luke, who deflects some of the bullets with his sword before returning fire.

Luke closes the distance again, attacking with a thrust. I dodge, though my shields take a hit and go down immediately. However, I reach out and yank his wrist regardless, getting him off balance before I smack the butt of my SMG into his face. However, Delorean then reaches out to grab my wrist and force my into a lock. Going for your sword, huh?

I throw myself back, yanking hard so his grip gets loosened. I drive my right foot upward, but he catches it this time and tries a hack right through my leg. Activating the thrusters packs, I throw off his strike by hurtling us straight for the ceiling. He crashes into the ceiling, but my energy shields go down as well.

As we fall down, the smash having shaken him off, I reach for my shotgun after dropping my SMG and let loose. Brace for impact…!

My legs take on the impact of hitting the ground, but in this suit it doesn't matter as much.

Two more shotgun shells are fired, but then I'm out. Looks like there's only one way to settle this.

"I'll enjoy cutting you…" Luke seethes as he puts away his gun. "…and you'll learn how wrong you were to stand where you do."

I flip him off again. "Like hell I will. Go ahead and try to break me."

Mei, stand with me!

He charges forward with the sword. It glows brightly, as if bringing forth a heroic victory. That's right… keep telling yourself that you're heroes. Kira knows the truth. We're not really heroes… we're just doing what we think is right. We know that we'll lay waste to anyone who stands against us, but we'll never say that we're better. After all, everyone on our side… has done some pretty shitty things in their lives, to the point you couldn't really call any of us "good people".

After all, when you break it down, Tabane's just a freelancer scientist cleaning up something creating from her work, the head of the Dunoas and our military adviser were people who were involved in the bloody PMC wars, Shinjiro's a merc, Meusel and Madoka were involved in one of the largest and darkest secret organizations, and the rest of us are kids that fought and killed our way to survive. Heh, none of us… are exactly squeaky clean.

So keep telling yourself that you're a hero, Luke. That you're on the side of justice and righteousness. As for us… we're just doing what we think needs to be done. Or so I hope we'll remain that way.

My HUD blares out a warning that the sword is superheated. Looks like it might melt through my armor. It'll chew through the energy shield as well, so I can't block it effectively.

I punch with my right hand, purposely leaving myself open. Luke attacks that opening, but I dodge and counter with yet another opening. Luke sees it and once against attacks.

After thirty seconds, his glowing sword fades away. Looks like you can only keep it powered for so long, hm?

I bring both hands up into a defensive position as if I were boxing as Luke slices horizontally three times. The first hit breaks down the energy shields, but my armor weathers through the second two hits. As soon as that third hit finishes, I lunge forward and punch him in the face with my right hand.

Not giving him time to rest, I keep moving forward. Jab head, jab body, right uppercut. As my shields come back up, I purposely move into his sword, making sure to interrupt up before it can reach full speed and thus reducing its energy. With that, I chain a series of punches to force him back. Looks like he's not going for an immediately counterattack again.

"You're making this harder than it has to be… Fine. If you're going to be this stubborn… I've already let my quarry get away. I've no time to waste with you."

Everything in my body tells me that I'm fucked. Moreso than before.

"One Off Ability, Iron Extension of Lone Resolve!"

My sensors detect a sudden drop in shield power. Immense, too, roughly about ten percent…? No, it's greater than that since I dealt damage to him already. How much power does this thing take? He's sacrificing his own shields… for what?!

Luke's right hand armor suddenly unfolds. This extends to even his sword. Locking eyes with me, I can sense the immense hate behind them.

It's come to this…!

I reach behind me and grab my last resort. A flashbang.

"I'll kill you!"

Hurling it forward at Luke, I then brace myself for whatever this is. It goes off, blinding both of us as I throw myself left. But it seems that wasn't effective, as I feel my right arm… melt.

When the white dies down and the ringing stops, I'm still up on my feet, albeit without my right arm. The proper word to describe how it looks is molten, as the metal has been warped.

Holy shit…

My shock lasts just enough time…

…for him to stab me in the chest.

"Geah…"

"I win. I'm surprised you were able to survive that, but you got unlucky with your flashbang."

I sink to my knees, tightening my left fist.

"But you know…" I mutter, flopping over and looking him in the eyes.

Truth's Embrace. Release code Cristo Severing.

The timer starts ticking. Twenty seconds.

"…we're going to win, for one reason."

Luke takes his time before punching off my helmet, eventually ripping it off. "Oh? What is that?"

I force a smile while giving him a middle finger with my left hand. "You're really easy to stall."

White consumes everything as the explosive in my suit—one made that would blow apart this facility and leave one hell of a crater—goes off in his face.

Rebuild of Prototype Spartan

The footage from Xavier's feed finishes.

Luke…

You're… goddammit.

Kira…

I'll be okay, E. At the very least… Xavier secured us valuable intel. Luke… there's no saving him. We have to take him out. And Tabane can analyze whatever that ability was…

"Kira…"

I don't tense up as a hug from behind, courtesy of Meusel, is given to me. The one person who my mind won't activate and thrash around… thank you…

"I can't say it'll be all right… but I'm sure he's in a better place."

"Free from all this hell… I guess he's back with that girl he mentioned before we left. I'm sure he and his family are back together, too."

The hug grows tighter.

"You aren't allowed to leave. Not yet. You won't leave me alone, right? I…"

"…won't leave you alone, Meusel. That's a promise. I won't leave anyone behind on the battlefield…" My fists clench as I nearly hunch over, holding back the tears. "…for every drop of his blood spilt today, I will mow down a thousand of their believers."

"Kira," Meusel whispers, holding me closer. "Don't say something like that. You're… a soldier, not a murderer."

"Yeah… but Xavier was my pal. I don't get mad, I get even. Boy oh boy, do I get even…"

"Kira, you're better than that. You're not a mad berserker nor are you a child. You are a young man, capable of rational thought and action."

"Heh, but rational thought is telling me to gun all of those fucks down. Every single one of them's going to pay for siding with those bastards. I don't know if you think of me as someone who merely dips in the dark to serve a lighter purpose, Meusel… because I'm not. That childishness, that berserk rage? It's not part of me. I am ready to kill them all and pull the trigger to do so."

"You're not a machine, Kira. You're human."

"I know. And it's damn human of me to want to destroy them. Something I plan on doing…"

I take a deep breath, calming myself. I can't run. I won't run. I refuse to show my back to those bastards…

…so I'll show them the barrel of my gun.

Rebuild of Prototype Spartan

"My, my, my. How careless of you."

The girl moved through the wreckage, seeing the broken sword stuck in the ground. Lazily kicking around the debris, she found what she was looking for.

"Tut, tut. It seems that you hesitated, didn't you?"

There was no response from the charred man, kept barely alive only the machinery in him and the fact IS Shields were incredibly tough and so too, was his armor.

"Hmhmhmhm, well… we can always rebuild you. Come now, we have much to do."

That was fun.

The slight Girls Und Panzer reference was just sprinkled for fun. Nothing will come out of it, they were just there for some flavor. And to show more effects the Infinite Stratos would've had. Seriously, considering how much it was said to have shifted the world, you could've written one hell of an economics novel out of the IS world.

Writing Xavier vs Luke was pretty awesome. I decided to off him since I didn't… really have a lot of plans for him. He seemed a little redundant with Mickey as a character later on and well, I wanted every character to sort of be unique. Seeing that Xavier was the one who came in last and also wasn't exactly too keen about fighting, I thought he might go out this way.

Still, this doesn't mean I'll just keep killing off people left and right. Xavier's death happened for multiple reasons. Yeah, it might've seemed a little shoehorned in, but at this point they weren't looking to defeat Luke, they were looking just to stall for time and get Kira out since if they were looking to beat Luke, Kira's their best shot as far as they know.

Also, we got to see Luke's One Off! Hehe, it was a little fun designing since well… you'll find out when it comes up. I thought the battle might also be used to highlight the difference between the two sides. You have what we think are "the good guys" i.e. Kira and company, but they are… not exactly the best people. But you don't see themselves proclaiming themselves as heroes. Kira isn't parading around thinking "I'll be the one to save everyone", he's just fighting because that's what he wants to do, because there's people he wants to protect, just like most people would do.

And of course, this also shows how insane Shadow Task is. You have Lucinda, in her introduction, pretty much say "Yeah I'm taking over Phantom Task and we're going to become the shadows", but Luke sees his side as the heroes, bringing equality to where it doesn't exist. There's infighting within the ranks, which I'm trying out for the first time. Should be amusing.

Xavier's taunts were amusing to write. He's not really doing it maliciously (…sort of), he's more just trying to get Luke mentally off-balance and figure out what makes him tick.

Anyways, if something didn't really flow right with you, don't hesitate to send me a PM or a review. Again, sorry about the mega delay!