Nothing. Absolutely nothing. That was what this mission had turned up so far.
That they had delved nearly to the bottom of this Klaxosaur nest and still hadn't found the princess was more than agitating. It was only a recon mission so they weren't to engage her regardless, but to Alpha the idea of testing himself against such a powerful foe was incredibly tempting.
The lead Nine exhales through his nose, sighing in the process at the lack of progress.
After having revealed herself by destroying a Garden single-handedly, the Nines were assigned to find the Klaxosaur Princess as quickly as possible. The rebellion presented a threat, but when compared to the raw destructive power of the humanoid Klaxosaur she'd ridden they were nothing. Hence, they were to be ignored by the elite soldiers for the time being.
Only he and Beta were present at this nest, the remaining Nines having been split between the other two holes the pests liked to crawl into.
"Hey Alpha," Beta calls from up ahead. "I believe we've found it."
M9 Prime moves to stand beside its comrade. The "it" Beta was referring to is the cavernous room all Klaxosaur nests possessed as their central chamber. It was never certain where exactly inside the nest it would be, though going further down increased the odds of finding it. Regardless of location, this chamber always housed the Klaxosaur responsible for the nest. If the princess were here, this is where she'd be.
The sprawling subterranean space is illuminated by a single large pillar near the center. It glows a phosphorescent blue stretching from the floor to the ceiling of the cavern, where it segments into what looks like the roots of a tree.
"Their choice in decor will never cease to amaze me," Beta muses as his FranXX steps over the ledge and drops the short distance to the earth below.
Alpha snickers. "They're beasts, what did you expect?"
Up to this point the Klaxosaurs encountered by the duo had been only of Conrad or Mohorovicic class. Calling them child's play to deal with would be an insult to children. The Klaxosaur Princess however would be a battle worth fighting, though another Brood Mother like the former Squad 13 had encountered in their mission to an abandoned magma mine would be of some interest at least.
As the two units make their way across the cavern there is a deafening screech. The FranXX pause and shoot one another a glance before drawing their weapons. Alpha readies his spear while Beta unslings the rifle stashed over his shoulder, plucked from the losers of Alpha's test match many months ago.
Chips of the glowing pillar come clattering down, knocked loose by something moving within the uppermost roots.
"Be ready to fire on my command," Alpha whispers. "Not a moment before."
More of the pillar crashes against the cavern floor. This time chunks as big as the head of a FranXX are among them.
Beta shoulders the rifle and takes aim at the top of the column. "Whatever is up there, it is not pleased to see us."
Another shriek pierces the air. Then a shadow appears, cast against the roots.
Alpha squints to make out the figure as it comes into view.
The large reptile's head is the first thing to become visible. It is thin and scaly, with a gaping maw housing two rows of razor-sharp teeth. Two horns protrude from the monster's head, but they would look more fitting on a deer or moose as antlers than on this creature.
Next is the torso, which is much wider than the head and neck with a pair of wings sprouting from its back.
Never before has Alpha seen a Klaxosaur with wings. Nor has he seen one that could fly. Judging by the muscle that can be seen, this one might really be capable of just that.
"Is that a… dragon?" Beta asks.
With the Klaxosaur now in full view it is hard to deny the resemblance. Horns, bright scales, and a tail make it out to be the very definition of the fantastical beast seen in numerous human mythologies.
The dragon lets out another cry directed at its unwelcome guests. Then it launches itself from its perch, and to the amazement of those present it succeeds in maintaining altitude with the help of its massive bat-like wings.
"Fire!" Alpha orders.
Beta had been nearly ready to do so without the order, so the elite soldier wastes no time in squeezing off the first shot in a volley of four. Each bounces harmlessly off the chitin-armored hide of the Klaxosaur, ricocheting into the dark expanse.
In response to this the dragon dives at them, spewing a thick mucus from its maw. Both FranXX are able to avoid the viscous liquid, and the sizzling of the cavern floor being eaten through becomes apparent from behind them.
"So it flies and shoots acid," Alpha murmurs to himself.
While Alpha is cool and collected his partner remains her usual animated self, waving the arms of M9 Prime back and forth while shouting, "Come down here so I can rip those scrawny wings from your back myself!"
"Temper, temper," Beta chuckles, training the rifle on the dragon as it prepares to make another pass.
Meanwhile Psi switches from her spear to the chain whip. The winged beast flies low on this attempt, giving Psi the opportunity she'd been looking for. In a flash the chain whip is locked around the left hind leg of the dragon. Pulling with all their combined might, Psi and Alpha are only able to slow the massive creature by a fraction of its speed before they are instead dragged along behind it.
After bouncing off the cavern floor several times, Psi releases the whip and skids to a stop.
As this occurred Beta had fired another series of shots, but achieved just as little for his effort as the first time. This Klaxosaur was large, fast, and armored, a rather troubling combination.
"We need a plan," Beta asks of his superior, filing more shells into the rifle's internal magazine.
Alpha studies the dragon, which has perched itself at the top of the pillar once again. "There has to be a way to ground it," he murmurs.
Then his keen eyes spot the weakness that would allow them to win this fight. The outer portions of the dragon's wings were armored but the underside was a soft leathery material, with visible arteries within. A single well-placed shot from Beta would be all that it took to force the beast from the air, and from there the advantage would fall squarely on the shoulders of the Nines.
"Beta," Alpha calls. "Do you see the ligaments in its wings? Can you hit them?"
A sight flips on the rifle, one of several modifications made to it since Beta's acquisition of the weapon. He peers down it, looking closely at the flapping wings that suspend the Klaxosaur.
"I can," he finally answers. "It will require perfect timing and a suitable opening be created for the shot to hit its mark."
Psi snarls, "Bring it down! I'll deal with it from there!"
With their plan made, the FranXX spring into action. Alpha and Psi charge toward the dragon to gather its attention while Beta kneels to provide a more stable firing position.
The Klaxosaur readily engages the first mech, rushing out to meet it halfway. Claws clash against steel as the combatants draw near.
The first blow is delivered by Alpha as his spear is dragged along the underside of the passing dragon. It is much less effective because of the armored plates lining its hide, but still manages to draw blood from a small cut to the abdomen.
As it passes the flying creature uses its powerful hind legs to grab hold of the FranXX and hoist it into the air. Together they fly higher and higher until reaching the ceiling of the chamber. Then the dragon swiftly changes course and dives toward the ground at a breakneck pace, still holding M9 Prime below it.
Dust and rock soar in all directions as the mech is crushed into the earth by the winged lizard.
Alpha and Psi collectively gasp as the air is forced from their lungs by the impact. There is little time to recover however as the dragon immediately snaps at their neck, only being held at bay by the spear shoved into its maw.
This draws a pained screech from the reptile and it rears back, flapping its wings and whipping up a dust cloud. Through the haze a pair of projectiles rocket toward the beast. The first strikes a claw as it flails, doing no damage. The second nearly finds its mark but just misses to the right, punching a hole in the wing while missing the artery.
Using this time to regain their feet, Alpha and Psi choose not to distance themselves from the beast but instead to draw closer. The underside of an armored creature was always the most vulnerable, and this Klaxosaur was no different. A single powerful thrust is enough to pierce through the lower plate, earning them another howl from the dragon.
The pair rolls to the side to dodge the feral swipe in response to their attack and await the next move of the winged lizard. It remains on the defensive due to another series of shots being fired at it from Beta, expending the last of his rifle's ammunition. In a fluid motion he slings the weapon over his shoulder and unholsters a six-shot handgun to take its place.
Now seeming to be injured, the dragon attempts to flee back to its lair at the top of the spire. Before it can, Psi flings the chain whip around the Klaxosaur and uses it to keep the monster grounded.
Beta fires three shots into the exposed arteries of the right wing, damaging it beyond repair. This sends the Klaxosaur into a frenzy now that its only means of escape have been blocked, and it lashes out with both claws and fangs at the offending mech.
The sudden burst of ferocity surprises Beta and he is unable to dodge the first sweep, being knocked from his feet in the process. Wasting no time the dragon attempts to bite the head of the FranXX clean off, but is instead met with the three remaining shots in Beta's revolver. While unable to kill the Klaxosaur they do succeed in knocking out more than one of its fangs and drawing blood, which seeps from its maw like a luminescent river.
With Beta still in danger Alpha acts quickly, pulling back on the chain whip and redirecting the attention of the drake to himself and Psi. It lashes out with another flurry of claws and fangs, but Psi's nature is so similar to the beast's that she can read its every move and counter them perfectly.
In turn, Psi responds with quick and invasive strikes of her own using the spear to carve up more of the dragon's underside. Blood is beginning to pool beneath the overgrown reptile and its movements have become noticeably sluggish. It won't be long now until the fight reaches its conclusion.
To bring it about the two FranXX work in tandem. Beta fires the reloaded shells of his revolver into the face of the dragon to keep its attention while Alpha and Psi sneak behind. The pair scale the armored back of the lizard as it spews more acid fog at their accomplice.
To reach the Klaxosaur's head a burst from their oversized leg thrusters is necessary. They overshoot, ending up above the flailing creature. With the experience Alpha has piloting M9 Prime, however, it is simple for him to adjust their course and fire another burst at full power. The spear they'd leveled at the head of the monster pierces through the plated armor thanks to the extra force, and both the dragon and M9 Prime end up disappearing in a cloud of dust.
As the haze settles Beta finds his squad leaders standing over the corpse of the dragon with their spear still firmly embedded in its skull.
"That was… a good… fight," Psi says through shallow breaths.
Alpha huffs. "She isn't here."
The FranXX turns to stare up at the pillar where the dragon had roosted.
"Come, Beta," Alpha instructs his subordinate. "Let us see if we can salvage something of value from this op."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"How long do you think they can hold out?" you ask Terra, staring at the site of the rail cannon in the distance.
Apocolysta makes a sound similar to a dismissive snort. "Against our combined forces it shall be no more than a quarter hour. Against you and I it would be only minutes."
"Need I remind you that we need the cannon intact to shoot down the space station?" you say with a hint of sarcasm. "When we attacked the Garden only two buildings were left, and that's because I managed to get through to you before you decimated them like everything else."
A smile creeps across Apocolysta's lips. "It is not my fault humans produce such unsound structures."
Her tone changes and she looks over her shoulder. "Come, we must address our soldiers."
The combined force of FranXX and Klaxosaurs is a sight to behold. Never before had these two factions known anything but contempt for one another. Even now any rebel asked would find it hard to call their arrangement "friendly terms," but if this alliance was the way forward then they would leave their quarrels in the past. This was more than worth it in order to win the war against APE and guarantee their freedom.
For the biomechanical machines that are the Klaxosaurs there is no such issue. As a whole they are tied directly to the will of their monarch and serve her absolute authority. If she ordered them to fight then they fought, regardless of the enemy or present danger.
"Brave souls, the hour of battle is upon us!" Apocolysta calls, thrusting her fist into the air. "Strike swiftly, strike deadly! Capture that cannon so we may pierce the heart of our foe and bring a decisive end to this war!"
The Klaxosaur turns swiftly on her heel and all six of her blades rise from their sheaths, creating a halo around her.
"Forward!"
Charging the open plain of cracked earth toward the cannon is a much safer affair than the attacks on the Third Garden or VIRM. This facility was hidden in plain sight by APE's experimental cloaking technology pioneered by Doctor Franxx. It was the very same technology in Sylvestris' "Coat of Many Colors," however on a much larger scale. There was no visual evidence of the facility itself, neither visible nor infrared. Only through radar could it be located, with the obtuse angles of such a weapon being impossible to hide from refractive sound waves.
Crossing the threshold of the cloaking field is a strange experience, not unlike stepping into another world. Where previously only a blank expanse had been now stands a colossal cannon aimed at the heavens. Aside from the supporting facilities, the guards are the only other surprise waiting to be revealed.
The garrison is small however, numbering far fewer than any standard complement in order to assist in maintaining stealth. While the numerical advantage may belong to the rebel and Klaxosaur attackers, the pillar of skill rests in the hand of the defenders save for several exceptions. These guards are members of another of APE's special forces, the Rangers, who were not as elite as the Nines but trained in much greater depth than run-of-the-mill plantation parasites.
Instead of crashing through the wall as she nears the facility, like she had at the Garden, Apocolysta deftly jumps the fortification. It is little more than a simple barricade, so the others follow suit.
While the combined force of Klaxosaurs and rebels takes on the defenders, Apocolysta heads directly toward the cannon to gain control of it as quickly as possible. Several FranXX get in her way but they are quickly dispatched before she enters the docking bay.
Once inside, she has nearly reached the elevator allowing access to the control room when something strikes her side. The damage is negligible at best but the surprise causes her to shuffle back several steps.
Looking all around for the assailant reveals nothing but an empty docking bay.
"What in the…"
A blunt object cracks against the back of Apocolysta's skull, forcing her to her knees. She responds by swinging wildly behind her but finds only vacant space.
"Something is here," the woman growls as she regains her feet. The six blades slide from their sheathes and assume the formidable halo behind her.
Simultaneously, a shot from an unseen gunner and another blow find purchase in her left knee. Once again there is no damage, but instead Terra's anger grows at an alarming rate.
"They hide in the shadows. Focus your mind," she orders you. "Allow me to guide us."
Allowing your sense to be taken over by her is incredible. Your vision is replaced by the world as Terra sees it through her mind's eye. The docking bay is empty, but you can feel the presence of five FranXX and their pilots shrouded by cloaking systems.
This time when they strike, you are able to feel where they will be targeting and react accordingly. Despite being hidden from view, spear thrusts and sword swipes alike are deflected. Some blows are even returned to the invisible attackers.
Finally they band together and execute a single coordinated maneuver. They clamp onto Apocolysta to hold her in place, creating an opening for one of their own to execute a coup de grâce.
"I am detecting a spike in power from the facility," Freya warns you. "The cannon is going to fire."
"Enough!" Apocolysta shouts, seething with rage and sending out a blast of force in all directions.
Her Rangerattackers are revealed as they slump against the wall, their cloaking systems damaged to the point of being inoperable.
The halo of blades ceases to spin and one breaks away, making a beeline for a nearby FranXX. It punches through the armor with ease and the faceplate winks out.
A second begins to rise when Apocolysta thrusts her hand in its direction. Cries of panic escape from the unit as it is lifted off the ground before being hurled at one of its nearby compatriots. Both units collapse in a heap.
While they struggle to rise a fourth fires a shot at range. It bounces harmlessly off the Klaxosaur, as every other had, but succeeds in getting her attention. Plates of steel from the walls on either side of the FranXX rumble and groan as they are pulled from their homes by Terra's telekinetic power.
Apocolysta roars and brings her outstretched hands together in a clapping motion. There is a loud crunch as the metal sheets collide, with the gunner crushed between them. No longer suspended by her power the plates fall away, revealing a FranXX which has been almost completely flattened.
With only two enemies remaining and her patience still worn dangerously thin, Apocolysta advances on the mechs that had been tangled together. By now they've managed to get themselves free of one another, but their weapons are out of reach and death marches toward them. In a show of either extreme bravery or foolishness one charges out to meet it head on. A wave of her right hand is all it takes for the monarch to send them hurtling toward the nearest wall, where they make a sizable dent before falling prostrate.
The blue figure extends her left hand to the spear of the final FranXX left idle on the ground. It lurches then takes flight just as the APE mech had taken hold, causing them to be pulled along before their grip is ultimately lost. With the spear firmly held against her side, Apocolysta reaches out with her remaining hand as though she were going to grab her opponent before swiftly clenching her fist and pulling back. Hardly a cry escapes the lips of the Ranger as she is flung forward and impaled on her own weapon as a result of Terra's supernatural power.
As the final enemy lies dead at her feet there is an earth-shattering crack. A rush of air threatens to toss Apocolysta into the wind like hay seeds in the spring, but she holds her ground by taking a knee. When the dust settles it becomes clear that the cannon has fired, its target unknown.
"We can't let them do that again!" you shout.
Before you can finish speaking Terra directs Apocolysta to the elevator shaft at the far wall of the docking bay, deactivating the Klaxosaur beside it.
You follow her as she rushes out and leaps from the opening at the nape of Apocolysta's neck, onto the roof of the stalled elevator below. By the time you manage to catch up she has already pried open the steel doors separating the shaft from the control room with the tendrils on her back.
The room has been cleared of hostiles when you enter. Blood drips from Terra's tentacles, as it appears she had used their pointed ends as daggers to pierce the breastplates of two guards before strangling the third.
"Cease the firing sequence before I end your wretched existences!" she orders the cluster of scared operators.
Paralyzed in fear, none of them dare to move.
Without hesitating the Klaxosaur Princess grabs the closest and bashes the unfortunate man's head into the nearest console. Red splatters across the keys and monitor. Only after an odd squelching sound can be heard does she stop, though he had long past expired.
"I'll kill you one by one if I must!"
Before you have the chance to stop her one of the scientists, a woman, rushes to the blood-soaked console and begins typing furiously. In a second the timer disappears.
The woman turns back to her captors and raises her hands in surrender. "It's stopped! Please don't kill us!"
Glances to the other personnel show similar subservient behavior, and you breathe a sigh of relief. Now that the battle itself has reached its conclusion, you radio back to Haven with the intent of sharing the good news.
"Freya, we've secured the site and will be ready for you to take control of the cannon shortly."
You watch as ten seconds tick off the mission clock without a reply. For the always punctual and incredibly business-like AI not to respond within that time was practically unheard of. It had been only minutes ago that she last messaged you.
"Freya. Freya, respond."
Even under direct order there is still no answer from Freya or the base at Haven.
"Your AI," Terra says with a cool voice. "Her response should have been immediate. That she has not is an ill omen."
Your companion perfectly voices the feeling of dread that has begun to creep over you. Something is very wrong at Haven and you are too far away to stop it.
