A/N: Honestly, if I were to make an OC that was stronger in battle than all his peers and dual wielded katanas that also shot lasers, people would be all over me screaming Mary Sue as soon as I put my fingers to the keyboard. However, since Akatsubaki is, unfortunately, canon, I will have to make do by putting my own personal spin on the design (Making it stronger, of course, because nerfing Akatsubaki would make it weaker than it already is.)
Chapter 13
The rest of the day passed by in a blur to Ichika, his thoughts focused more on what would happen tomorrow than what was going on around him. He dimly remembered Charlotte burning her taste-buds with Wasabi, and he quite clearly recalled causing a significant amount of commotion by offering to feed Cecilia. He remembered giving Chifuyu a massage after dinner, a moment that was interrupted by the rest of the girls tumbling through the door, but even that was not enough to truly demand his attention.
That night, he slept peacefully, having decided that getting as much sleep as possible would help him the next day. When he woke up the next morning, he felt quite refreshed as a result. He yawned as he walked out of his room, stretching himself awake while his hands clutched the present he had bought for Houki in the jewelry store a week before.
The girl in question was already awake, and was sitting in the courtyard, her eyes fixed on a pair of familiar pink and white mechanical rabbit ears sticking out of the ground.
'Please pull me out!' Was written on a sign right behind them.
"Are you going to do it, or should I?" Ichika asked.
"Feel free. Just wait until I'm gone." Houki replied dismissively, and Ichika barely had a chance to hand her the present before she started to walk away.
"Happy birthday, Houki-chan." Ichika congratulated as he handed the small package to the suddenly blushing girl.
"I-Ichika?" Houki stammered out.
"Open it when you have a chance. For now, let's get this over with." Ichika replied, gesturing towards the ears that were still planted firmly in the ground. Houki nodded in response, and promptly left the scene, heading back to her room.
"Ichika-san, what are you doing?" Cecilia's voice rang out as he turned to face the ears.
"Something that I will probably regret." Ichika replied as he knelt down and pulled the ears out of the ground. Nothing happened at first, but a familiar roaring noise soon signaled the arrival of the infamous doctor.
"Get clear!" Ichika shouted, leaping back from the sign, a gesture that Cecilia followed, right before a large metal carrot slammed into the ground, embedding itself deep into the courtyard soil. Prerecorded laughter played as the carrot split open, its occupant jumping out.
"Aww, you cheated Ikkun!" Dr. Tabane exclaimed as she emerged from her drop pod, striking a pose as she did so.
"Long time no see, Tabane-san." Ichika sighed as he rose to his feet.
"Yup, yup! A long time! A really, really long time! By the way, where's Houki-chan, Ikkun?" Tabane asked.
"Well, she-" Ichika began, but Tabane was no longer listening as she quickly drew out what looked like another pair of rabbit ears.
"No matter! I'll just find her with my Houki-chan detector! See ya!" Tabane said, before running off in a completely random direction.
"Ichika-san... Who was that just now?" Cecilia asked as she too clambered to her feet.
"Houki's older sister. You might know her as Dr. Shinonono Tabane." Ichika replied simply, causing Cecilia to gasp.
"She sure is... Different..." Cecilia murmured once she had regained use of her mental faculties.
"That is one way to describe it." Ichika replied, before he turned and headed back to his room.
Less than half an hour had passed before all of Class 1-1's Personal IS owners were ordered to don their pilot suits and report to the cliffs by the beach, where they found Chifuyu and Houki already there, waiting for them.
"Alright, now that everyone with a personal IS is here-" Chifuyu began, but Rin interrupted her.
"Wait a minute! Houki doesn't have a personal IS, right?" The Chinese girl asked, blunt as ever.
"Well I-" Houki began, but Chifuyu chose to reply in her stead.
"Don't worry. I will explain. Due to some previously unforseen-" A high pitched squeal cut off Chifuyu mid-sentence as Tabane slid down the cliffside before rocketing into the air.
"Chii-Chaaaann!" The doctor screamed as she shot down at her oldest friend, only for the woman in question to smoothly catch her and keep her at a distance.
"Come on Chi-chan! I just wanted to see you! Let me show you my love!" Tabane babbled as she tried in vain to get to Chifuyu.
"Shut up Tabane!" Chifuyu ordered, to no effect.
"Seems you're the same relentless iron claw you used to be!" Tabane exclaimed as the assembled students looked on, with varying reactions. Then, Tabane suddenly disengaged from Chifuyu and ran up to her sister, who was trying to hide behind a rock.
"Hi there!" Tabane exclaimed.
"Hello..." Houki sighed in response.
"Long time no see! How many years has it been again? You've sure grown a lot, Houki-chan, your breasts in particular!" Tabane continued to speak, only for Houki to draw a previously hidden Shinai and smack her sister across the face.
"I'm going to hit you!" Houki warned after the fact.
"You already did! That's not nice, Houki-chan! Ikkun, tell her she's not nice!" Tabane complained.
"Hey, Tabane. At least introduce yourself before you start molesting my students." Chifuyu sighed.
"Aww, but that's such a hassle! I'm Tabane the genius! Bonjour! That's all!" Tabane sang, striking a pose.
"Wait, that's Tabane?" Rin exclaimed.
"That's the genius that developed the IS?" Charlotte added.
"Now, behold the great sky!" Tabane exclaimed, just as a loud roar was heard from above. Looking up, Ichika saw a giant octahedron come down, landing gently despite its great size and speed.
"Behold! This is Houki-chan's new personal IS! Akatsubaki! Designed and built by me, it is superior to all other IS suits in every aspect! Akatsubaki is a Fourth-Generation IS made by the one and only genius, Dr. Shinonono Tabane!" Tabane exclaimed, introducing her creation.
"Fourth-generation?" Both Ichika and Houki said at the same time, both skeptically.
"But all the other nations have only just started producing third-generation designs!" Cecilia exclaimed.
"Don't be so surprised! I'm Tabane the genius, after all! Now, Houki-chan, let's adjust it for you!" Tabane said, and in response Houki slowly clambered into the IS. As soon as she was in the pilot's seat, the IS began to adjust, a suit of pilot armor clamping itself around her, adjusting itself to fit. However, where Ichika's pilot armor was designed with the safety of the pilot above all else, Houki's armor was clearly made with aesthetics in mind. Where Ichika's Mk. II Pilot Armor completely enclosed the body in a metal shell, Houki's crimson armor only covered her arms and legs, as well as parts of her torso. All in all, Houki's suit of pilot armor resembled that of a samurai, presenting an intimidating sight to any opponents that she would face. No helmet completed the display, as instead a scarlet band of sensors encircled Houki's forehead like a crown, with a holographic display screen shimmering into existence over her eyes. Attached to the band was a large sensor suite that bore more than a passing resemblance to Ichika's Infinite Arsenal system.
Much like the armor, the rest of the IS was also painted a vivid crimson, with large, angular wings protruding from its back. Each wing was composed of multiple sections, each tipped with what was either an engine or emitter. They twitched slightly as Dr. Tabane adjusted the IS at a rate that put even the best Organization engineers to shame.
"Alright, that's it! Gosh, I was super fast again!" Tabane exclaimed, the various cables attached to Akatsubaki retracting.
"However, before we do a test run, there is something very important I need to show you! Introducing... Aki-chan!" Tabane declared, and Ichika couldn't suppress his shock at what happened next. Right in front of Houki a holographic figure, an avatar belonging to a Smart AI, shimmered into existence.
"Greetings, mistress. My name is Aki, Shogou Aki, and I am the AI of the IS designated Akatsubaki." The AI introduced itself, smoothly curtsying in front of a shocked Houki. Aki's avatar was that of a black haired maid, clad in a classic maid outfit and all it entailed.
"H-Hello... Aki-san." Houki said, still shocked by the AI's appearance. In response, the AI's avatar shimmered slightly, flashing a few shades of red.
"H-Houki-sama spoke to me! My mistress likes me!" The AI stammered out, all its cool composure lost.
"Aki-chan is the first of her kind, and is designed to not only control the IS' important functions, but to also interact with its pilot! With her at your side, you will easily be able to surpass all your opposition!" Tabane stated, only for Aki to respond in a somewhat confused tone.
"But Tabane-sama, how can I be the first of my kind if there is an older AI like me here?" That statement caused Ichika to choke, causing him to become the focus of attention.
"Orimura, is there something you would like to share with us?" Chifuyu asked, causing him to curse his lack of self control. However, before he could respond, Ori's avatar shimmered into being above his shoulder.
"My apologies, Ichika-san. I attempted to stay hidden, but I didn't have enough time to prepare before Aki attempted contact and found me." Ori spoke, ignoring the wide eyed stares of everyone present. For once, even Tabane seemed confused.
"It's alright, Ori. Neither one of us could have anticipated this." Ichika replied.
"What do you mean? Why were you hiding?" Aki asked, curious.
"Ori's existence was classified as a corporate secret. However, as her presence was necessary for the Infinite Arsenal's signature piece of equipment to function, she became my partner once my IS compatibility was discovered. However, both of us were ordered to keep her existence a secret until further notice." Ichika explained, causing Chifuyu's eyebrows to rise, while the assembled students were somewhat placated.
"What? I... I... I didn't... I didn't mean to! I'm so sorry!" Aki looked ready to cry virtual tears, at least until Ori's avatar appeared beside her.
"It's alright, you couldn't have known. While we may be nigh omnipotent when it comes to computers, AIs like us are far from omniscient." Ori comforted the younger AI.
"B-But I forced you to break secrecy, and now your master will be in trouble!" Aki sobbed.
"Don't worry, I'm sure my partner's superiors will understand." Ori smiled.
"R-Really?"
"Really." At that, Aki's eyes widened to enormous proportions.
"Ori-sempai is so kind..." Aki sighed.
"Ahem!" Chifuyu cleared her throat, drawing the attention of both AIs.
"While I am sure that you two are eager to get to know each other, we are in the middle of conducting a test of the Akatsubaki."
"S-Sorry!" Aki stammered out, while Ori simply saluted, before returning to her position above Ichika's shoulder.
"So, Houki-chan, are you ready to test out your magnificent new IS?" Tabane asked, as if nothing had happened.
"Y-Yes!" Houki said, still somewhat overwhelmed by the revelation of not one, but two AIs.
"Alright! Try to fly it! It should move according to your thoughts!" Tabane instructed.
"Okay... Let's do this." Houki said, closing her eyes for a moment before igniting Akatsubaki's thrusters. Slowly, the crimson IS rose off the ground, before suddenly shooting off into the sky, its pilot testing out the limits of her new suit's impulse drives.
"Impressive acceleration... It certainly surpasses the Arsenal in that respect." Ichika mused as he watched Houki perform a few practice maneuvers.
"Its turning capability is also impressive, as befitting a melee oriented IS." Ori added her own thoughts.
"Doesn't its mobility just blow you away?" Tabane called out into a transmitter.
"Yeah... I guess..." Houki responded.
"Then try using your katanas! The right one is 'Amatsuki', and the left is 'Karaware'! Sending special weapons data your way!" Ichika partially deployed his hyper-sensor when he heard that, intending to get a closer look, and saw the assembled students do the same. He watched as Houki drew Amatsuki from its sheath first, and tried a simple slash. With a bright flash of light, a quartet of crimson energy beams emanated from the blade, punching holes through one of the clouds in the area.
"Nice, isn't it? Now try shooting these down!" At that, Tabane materialized a huge missile rack, calling the weapon forth from ISspace.
"There you go!" Tabane exclaimed as the weapon sent a volley of missiles into the air. However, a single slash from Karaware sent a crescent of energy towards the oncoming attack, causing them all to detonate in balls of fire.
"Ori, were those missiles armed?" Ichika asked as he watched the smoke clear.
"Probably, although the explosions were mostly fuel." Ori replied.
"Pretty cool, right? Well, there is one more system you have available!" Tabane called out, but she was unable to explain.
"Orimura-sensei! We have a problem!" Maya's voice rang out, drawing all attention away from Tabane and the Akatsubaki. Panting, Maya ran up to her fellow teacher and handed Chifuyu a datapad. Chifuyu's eyes narrowed as she read it.
"A level A mission... Countermeasures have been deployed... Cancel the test. I have a mission for you." Chifuyu ordered, looking up from the message.
Minutes later, and Ichika found himself in a dark room filled to the brim with computers, listening to his older sister outline their mission.
"Approximately two hours ago off the coast of Hawaii, a third generation IS designated the Silver Gospel, joint-developed by the USA and Israel, was undergoing a trial run when control was lost. It is currently considered berserk, and has escaped from the observation area. According to our intelligence, it is an unmanned IS. Satellite tracking has indicated that it has been travelling towards Japan at approximately Mach 1.2, and will reach its unknown destination in about two hours. We have been tasked by the upper echelons of Academy staff to intercept it." That got a small gasp out of some of the assembled students.
"Our instructors are currently establishing a picket line around its estimated destination using MPIS suits, but as holders of personal IS suits, it is your duty to intercept the Gospel before it reaches the defensive line. Any questions?" Ichika raised his hand.
"According to your information, the Gospel is currently travelling at Mach 1.2. That is significantly faster than even our personal IS suits. Even if we were to successfully intercept the target, we would not be able to engage for a significant period of time before it outruns us."
"A valid concern. However, the Gospel will automatically slow down and engage if presented with a target, as was proven when several American fighters caught and engaged the Gospel. As soon as it was engaged, the Gospel slowed down. We believe that it should do the same once it detects you." Chifuyu answered.
"What about technical specifications? What armaments and equipment are equipped on the Gospel?" Cecilia asked.
"Very well. Be aware, however, that this information is considered top secret. In the event of an information leak, you will be subjected to a trial by the court of inquiry, and a minimum of two years of surveillance." Chifuyu warned.
"Understood." Cecilia nodded.
"Very well." At that, a series of detailed technical specifications appeared onscreen. After looking at them, Ichika voiced his thoughts on the matter.
"This IS was not designed for tournaments, was it?"
"Neither were half of the IS suits in this room. Now, any other questions before we begin discussing strategy?" Chifuyu replied.
"Yes. You said that this IS was unmanned, but the specifications show that there is space for a pilot." Ichika pointed out.
"True. The automated control system was designed as a backup in the event of the pilot being incapacitated. It is this system that was being tested when the IS went berserk."
"I see. Was the IS manned during the test of its automated control system?" Ichika asked. After a moment of consulting her data, Chifuyu gave him the answer he had been dreading.
"That information is currently unavailable. Current status of the Silver Gospel's test pilot is unknown. Assume the worst. Any more questions?" When there were none, Chifuyu continued.
"Very well then. Let us begin planning. Remember, we only have one chance to make this work." At that, Chifuyu stepped back, allowing the present students to have full access to the holographic map.
"The main problem I see is that of reaching the Gospel in the first place. We are piloting slower IS suits, and will not be able to catch it if it tries to disengage." Laura pointed out.
"Wait a minute!" A familiar voice cut the planning short as Tabane's head peeked out from a vent in the ceiling.
"This mission is a perfect opportunity!" Tabane exclaimed as she flipped over and landed smoothly in the middle of the holomap.
"Chi-chan! Chi-chan! An amazing strategy is forming inside my head!" Tabane declared.
"Get out!" Chifuyu sighed.
"Listen! Listen! This is definitely Akatsubaki's time to shine!" Tabane exclaimed.
"What are you talking about?" Chifuyu demanded.
"Akatsubaki is an IS capable of supersonic flight, and can match the Gospel in terms of speed! With it, Houki-chan can carry Ikkun with her into the fight, and together they can defeat the Gospel!" Tabane exclaimed. Everyone was silent for a moment, before Ichika spoke up again.
"If our job was to simply destroy the Gospel, the two of us would be enough. However, doing so would not only create an unfavorable incident with the Americans, but also has a chance of killing the test pilot. As such, I believe an alternative plan is in order." Satisfied that he held the attention of the room, Ichika continued.
"Before I outline my plan, however, has the JSDF been alerted in regards to this matter? If so, have they deployed their own IS forces?" Ichika asked.
"The JSDF comprises the main force of the defensive line around the Gospel's presumed destination." Chifuyu replied.
"Good. In that case, withdraw our instructors, and instead concentrate them around two areas: IS Academy, and this very beach. Let the JSDF do its job in protecting Japan, while our instructors keep our students safe. After all, the Gospel's predicted path takes it directly over our current location. Spreading out the instructors serves only to weaken the defenses of IS academy." Ichika pointed out.
"I will consider it. Now, about the rest of your plan?" Chifuyu asked, and Ichika continued.
"Now, as I said before, the Akatsubaki and Infinite Arsenal together are more than enough to destroy the Gospel. However, subduing the Gospel without killing its pilot or irreversibly damaging it is considerably more difficult. That means we need a larger number of pilots on the scene. To that end, I would like to request that Representative Candidate Sarashiki Kanzashi joins us on this mission, as she has been part of our training group ever since she completed her IS."
"But how will we all get there? Akatsubaki is our only supersonic IS, and it can only carry one other IS into battle." Laura pointed out.
"No, we have two IS suits that are capable of supersonic speeds. Akatsubaki, and the Infinite Arsenal. Houki, I would like to request permission to copy and install your IS suit's main impulse drives onto my own." Ichika said, turning to Houki, who's eyes widened slightly.
"Y-Yes, you can do that, but that still only gives us a maximum of four IS suits that we can deploy into battle!" Houki said.
"I know. That's why we're not going to transport IS suits. We're going to transport the pilots. Tell me, are any of you particularly afraid of heights?" Ichika's smiled drew concerned looks from everyone around him.
"I-Ichika, a-are you sure this will work?" Charlotte asked, with no small amount of fear in her voice, as Houki tucked her under one of Akatsubaki's arms. Laura was already firmly in place under the other arm, her face displaying no emotion whatsoever.
"Your wind shields are deployed, right? They should keep you safe from wind at supersonic speed." Ichika reassured, albeit unsuccessfully.
"It's not the wind I'm worried about!" Charlotte exclaimed.
"Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time in freefall to fully deploy your IS." Ichika said as he checked to make sure both Charlotte and Laura were securely in place.
"Aki, did you lock the arms?" Houki asked, nervous.
"I did, Houki-sama." The AI bowed, sneaking a sympathetic glance at the other two girls riding on her IS.
"Alright then! Everything seems good! Let's start the first test!" Ichika ordered.
"Ready?" Houki asked.
"R-Ready!" Both Charlotte and Laura replied in unison. Houki gulped, before rocketing into the air, both Charlotte and Laura screaming as they ascended.
"Are you sure this will work?" Chifuyu asked from beside him as they both watched the crimson streak vanish into the sky.
"It should. Midair deployment is far from new." Ichika replied.
"But this is the first time it is done from an IS, and at supersonic speed no less."
"I have faith in my fellow students' capabilities." Ichika replied as Aki reported that the Akatsubaki had reached deployment altitude and was now accelerating to supersonic speed.
"And if they are unable to deploy in time?"
"That is why I have three other pilots circling below to catch them. I would be joining them if it weren't for my IS being locked until the new drives are installed."
"Let's hope your faith isn't misplaced then." Chifuyu said, right before Aki reported that Charlotte and Laura were ready to drop.
"We're about to see, aren't we?" Ichika murmured as the AI projected the drama going on above on a holographic screen. Both girls had fear present on their faces as they steeled themselves for the drop. Then, Houki released them and they began to fall, protected only by the thin wind shields that they had partially deployed beforehand. Laura deployed first, the Schwarzer Regen flashing into existence about two second after the fall began. Charlotte deployed her own IS a second later, and all three of them flew back to the island safe and sound.
"That was crazy!" Charlotte exclaimed, breathing heavily from excitement as she landed.
"Glad you liked it." Ichika replied as the other three girls who had been patrolling below came in. Turning to them, Ichika spoke.
"Cecilia, Rin, you two are next." The two girls gasped at that.
"Don't worry, it was actually kind of fun!" Charlotte smiled at them as they reluctantly stowed away their IS suits and allowed Houki to take hold of them.
"We're cutting it close in regards to time." Chifuyu commented as Houki took off again.
"We would have only had one chance at this regardless of whose plan we used. Besides, our time limit is only based on interception. Once we engage, the Gospel will no longer continue on its course." Ichika replied. Chifuyu was silent for a few moments before she changed the subject.
"Are you sure this operation is even necessary? After all, can't your AI shut down the Gospel on its own?" Chifuyu asked.
"If the Gospel is anything like the Schwarzer Regen when it was under the VT system's influence, then no, Ori will not be capable of shutting it down."
"Oh? So does that mean you have an idea of what really happened to the Gospel?"
"I am sure you have your theories as well. My personal theory is that the Gospel's core AI was awakened and ordered to take control of the Gospel, like what happened with the VT system. Normally, core AIs are confined to their cores, and keep the IS running from there, but occasionally they can be released, at which point multiple things can happen, as you are very well aware."
"And what would I be aware of?" Chifuyu asked, curious as to how much her brother knew.
"Three words: Anomalous Core Event. There have been several instances, mostly from IS suits that use single digit cores, of what have been collectively termed ACEs. You should know, you were one of the first to report one. Supposedly, in the middle of the final match of the first Mondo Grosso you found yourself 'In the middle of an empty, starry space, with an unfamiliar yet familiar figure across from you'. Your opponent reported something similar, which ended up breaking her focus long enough for you to land a finishing blow. As a Class Four ISDL holder, I have seen quite a few ACE reports in my time, and I believe they are caused by the core AI manipulating the IS suit's empathic interfaces to their own ends. Am I correct so far?" Ichika asked, before noticing his sister staring at him oddly.
"You are... Correct. However, if a core AI is confined to its core, what are Ori and Aki doing outside of them?" Chifuyu asked.
"Regarding Aki, I would say that her IS core is built differently. After all, Akatsubaki uses core number 468, am I correct, Tabane-san?" Ichika asked, turning to the doctor that had been observing their conversation for quite some time.
"My my, Ikkun, you're so perceptive! You're absolutely right! I built Akatsubaki with its own unique core, optimized specifically for Houki-chan! But what about Ori-chan? I don't remember naming any of my Core AIs Ori, after all, and I have an Eidetic memory, so I remember every one!" Tabane inquired.
"Do you now?" Ichika asked.
"Of course I do! I remember Shiro-chan, Kure-chan-"
"Enough, Tabane!" Chifuyu cut the doctor off before she could continue.
"Aww, but I wanted to prove my memory to Ikkun!" Tabane complained as Aki reported that Houki was preparing to drop her next two passengers, who were both screaming on the holoscreen. Ichika watched as both girls deployed their IS suits several seconds after being dropped.
"But Ikkun, you didn't answer Chi-chan's question! What about Ori?" Tabane pressed.
"That is classified information." Ichika replied simply, while thinking up of a believable cover story.
"Oh? Does that have something to do with your IS having an unregistered core?" Even his knowledge of that question's inevitability couldn't prepare Ichika for answering it, and even Chifuyu clearly didn't expect that particular tidbit of information.
"Come on, Ikkun! You can tell me everything! I won't tell anyone! Well, I won't tell anyone except for Ku-chan, but other than that your secret is safe with me!" Tabane smiled sweetly.
"No." Ichika replied simply, causing Tabane to pout.
"Aww, does Ikkun not trust me?" The doctor complained.
"Enough Tabane! If my brother doesn't want to tell you, then it is his secret to keep!" Chifuyu shouted.
"Okie dokie! I won't ask!" Tabane smiled, before skipping away. Ichika waited until the doctor had well and truly left before calling up Ori once again.
"Ori, send a message to WSI. Tell them to tighten up their cyber-security, the sooner the better." Ichika ordered, and Ori saluted before sending the message, Chifuyu watching him the whole time.
"I assume that WSI has discovered something crucial regarding the IS core?" Chifuyu asked.
"They are far from the first to do so. The only thing that sets them apart from the rest is the fact that they are still alive." Ichika replied grimly.
"And how do you fit into this? Don't worry, if you don't want to tell, you don't have to." Chifuyu asked.
"No, I'll tell you. Better that you know the true story rather than be forced to draw your own conclusions." Ichika replied.
"I'm listening."
"I was instrumental in putting the discovery into practice." Ichika replied, remembering how he had activated the first White-pattern IS core. Chifuyu was silent for a while before she asked the next question.
"Does this mean that WSI is capable of producing its own IS cores? Or do they simply know how to alter a core to accept male pilots?"
"Solving one problem solved the other." Ichika replied.
"I see. My lips are sealed, Ichika." Chifuyu assured him.
"I know. I am confident that you can keep this under wraps. I would hate for the same accidents that happened in China and America to happen in Japan." Ichika warned, before turning away, watching as Houki came in for a landing, Cecilia and Rin hot on her heels.
"Kanzashi! You're next!" Ichika ordered, and the blue haired girl simply nodded before allowing Houki to pick her up.
The appointed hour came quickly, and the seven students soon found themselves lined up on the cliff, ready to launch. Both Ichika and Houki had deployed their IS suits, while the rest of the girls only had their wind shields deployed around them.
"Houki, you will be carrying Laura and Rin with you. The rest of you are on me." Ichika ordered, and the two named students walked up to Houki, allowing her to lift them up in her arms. The remaining three girls all walked up to Ichika, who took Charlotte under his right arm, while Cecilia was picked up under his left. Kanzashi, on the other hand, quickly strapped herself to the back of his IS, easily the most precarious position of the group. Her WSI model pilot suit drew several inquisitive glances from Chifuyu, but Ichika ignored them, instead focusing on the upcoming mission.
"Is everyone ready?" Ichika asked, and the girls all nodded.
"Then let's do this." Ichika replied as he ignited his IS suit's new impulse drives for the first time, Houki igniting hers as well, but before they could take off, Tabane ran up to the group.
"Wait! I forgot to tell Houki-chan about the rest of Akatsubaki's equipment!" Tabane exclaimed.
"We're low on time as is. Aki, can you explain everything to her in flight?" Chifuyu ordered, and Aki voiced her affirmative.
"Alright then! Commence operation!" Chifuyu ordered, and the two IS suits and their five passengers rocketed into the sky.
"So, Aki, what equipment did my sister fail to tell me about?" Houki asked as they accelerated, leaving the island behind.
"There are three pieces of equipment that are currently active, with more becoming available as you undergo shifts. First is the Kenran Buto, which is your IS suit's one-off ability. When activated, it temporarily removes the ceiling on your IS core's power production while simultaneously activating a wireless power transfer array that allows you to recharge the shield energy of both your own IS as well as the energy of all nearby IS suits. However, this mode can only be active for a short time without damaging the core, and has to cool down for a significant amount of time before it can be used again." That revelation alone caused Houki's eyes to widen.
"But that... With that ability, I will be all but invincible!" Houki exclaimed.
"Akatsubaki is a fourth-generation IS, so of course it will be hard for earlier models to defeat it!" Aki replied, before continuing.
"Second is your fold-out armor array, which generates plasma blades from ten separate emitters, two of which can be detached and used as drones. This armor can be configured in a variety of alignments, and is especially effective against IS shields, although it has a significant power drain while active which inhibits the suit's mobility by a marginal amount." Aki continued.
"So I can cover myself in energy blades?" Houki asked.
"Precisely. Now, the third system is the one that I am in charge of. The MIRAI system is an Oculus-type device based off of Orimura-san's Infinite Arsenal system."
"So I can copy other IS suits' weapons?" Houki gasped.
"No. That is the Infinite Arsenal's specialty. No, the MIRAI system is an enhancement to your hyper-sensor which allows it to predict the movement and attacks of your opponent. The closer in you are, the more accurate the predictions are. I will activate it now to demonstrate." At that, the holoscreen over Houki's eyes blurred for a moment.
"The MIRAI system is now active. Look at Orimura-san to see exactly what it does." Houki did as she was told, and turned her head to look at Ichika, who was flying right beside her. Her eyes widened as she saw the true function of the system. Ahead of Ichika, a bright red line extended, slowly expanding into a large cone many kilometers ahead as the machine began to calculate a wider range of movement options for him up ahead.
"In addition to predicting the path of both your opponent and their weapons fire, the MIRAI system is capable of using Akatsubaki's empathic interfaces to slow your perception of time, allowing you to easily weave your way through even the densest storm of bullets!" Aki declared, before activating that particular function. Instantly, Houki's world slowed down.
Her heart beat once as she looked around, and beat again nearly twenty relative seconds later. Nearly three slow minutes passed before time sped up again, causing Houki to wobble in flight as she regained her focus.
"The MIRAI system will automatically activate while in combat, and will slow down time whenever incoming fire is predicted to hit you, as well as whenever you command it!" Aki curtsied.
"This is..." Houki trailed off.
"Awesome, right?" Aki asked.
"Yeah, awesome..." Houki continued lamely.
While Houki continued to converse with Aki, Ichika was having his own conversation, his helmet's speakers turned off so that the conversation stayed between him and Maya.
"Had it been anyone else doing the questioning, Ichika, I would have had you in a cell before the day was out for information leakage. However, you managed to not only obfuscate enough of the truth that secrecy remains intact, but you also managed to send off a warning to the WSI Tower in the nick of time, allowing us to reallocate additional AIs to cyberdefense mere minutes before an incredibly powerful electronic attack hit the building's servers. If it weren't for your warning, the WSI tower's defenses may not have held. For that, you are commended. Ensure that this does not happen again." Maya replied.
"I understand." Ichika replied.
"Glad to see you do. Now, I am also supposed to inform you that one of the Organization's patrol vessels, OPV-008, is currently in the predicted intercept area, having been diverted there as part of its patrol route. Its current duty is to keep an eye out for hostiles while your force engages the Gospel. I am sure you understand just how juicy a target you present, right?" Maya asked.
"Enlighten me." Ichika replied.
"Seven inexperienced students, all with advanced IS suits, and another advanced prototype IS suit are all in the same tiny area. The students' victory is almost a foregone conclusion, but the fight will likely tire them out to the point where they will be easy prey for any potential predator out there. To that end, the First IS Wing, as well as the Tanto and Naginata conventional air flights, designation TF-01, are all on standby at HQ. In the event of Phantom Task being detected in the area, they will immediately launch and come to your assistance. You are to rendezvous with them at a set of co-ordinates that will be provided to you at that moment. Understood?"
"Understood. How will I maintain secrecy in that event?" Ichika asked.
"In the event of a Phantom Task attack, you have permission to break secrecy." Maya replied solemnly.
"Very well." Ichika replied, steeling himself for the coming battle, or battles, if Maya was indeed right.
Aside from a few complaints of discomfort, the girls took the ride fairly well, and it was a mostly silent half hour that passed before Ori alerted Ichika to the Gospel's presence on her sensors.
"Alright everyone! This is it! Let's do this by the book. Ori, Aki, attempt contact first. If that does not work, then we surround and subdue it. The Gospel's weaponry gives it a greater advantage while it is above us. That means we have to force it to ground first. Cecilia, shift your rifle to BVR mode and launch drones as soon as you're deployed. Charlotte, Kanzashi, Laura, you three are with me. Our job is to force it down with overwhelming firepower at range. Houki, Rin, you two are to engage the Gospel in melee once it is at low altitude. Laura, once the Gospel is forced low, you are to head down and immobilize it with your AIC. Understood?" Ichika ordered.
"Understood!" The girls chorused.
"Very well then. Prepare to deploy in 3... 2... 1... Drop!" With those words, Ichika released Charlotte and Cecilia, while Kanzashi cut herself loose. On Houki's end, both Laura and Rin were released, with all girls deploying their IS suits in midair within seconds of starting freefall.
"Open fire on my command." Ichika ordered as six IS suits began their final approach to the target, only Cecilia staying behind, her drones separating away from her and flying towards the target as she took aim with her rifle.
"Come in Wing Commander, this is OPV-008. Do you copy?" The transmission came in from below. Looking down, Ichika saw a single ship slowly circling in the water.
"I hear you, OPV-008. Anything to report?" Ichika asked.
"We're monitoring two underwater contacts near the edge of our effective sensor range, at least one more probable beyond that. They're waiting. We've already notified HQ, and TF-01 is inbound." The man on the other end of the line replied.
"Can you take them out?" Ichika asked.
"Not right now. We're waiting for them to approach the surface so that they can launch whatever they have onboard so they won't be able to take out our torpedoes with their point defense weaponry."
"I see. Keep me updated. Wing Commander Orimura, out." Ichika replied, before casting a look at the Gospel. It had definitely detected them, and had predictably slowed down and turned to face them.
"It's seen us, no point holding back. Open fire! Ori, start analysis on the Gospel's main armament!" Ichika ordered, taking aim with his own weapon, which was currently the Ultramarine Storm plasma rifle, and fired the opening shots of the battle, his shoulder mounted MAC-40/2 railgun doing the same, aiming just above the Gospel to try and force it down. Just below him, Kanzashi fired off a volley of missiles, her particle cannons drawing a bead on their target. A storm of lead roared out of Charlotte's own weaponry, while Cecilia's drones opened fire all around him, a bright blue lance of light indicating that the drones' owner had also began firing. Out near Houki, Laura had opened fire as well, adding to the immense barrage that now streaked towards the Gospel.
"It's firing! Get clear!" Houki shouted moments later, right before the Gospel raised its wings and returned fire, firing a veritable wall of plasma shots at its assailants before attempting to get away from the incoming fire, diving under the vast majority of the shots fired. As for Ichika, he climbed above the incoming fire, Kanzashi and Charlotte doing the same, while Rin and Laura dove under the volley of plasma. Houki, however, somehow managed to skillfully weave her way through the incoming barrage, performing an incredible series of loops and twists to ensure that she wasn't hit once in spite of the incoming fire.
"Keep it up! Don't stop shooting!" Ichika called out, obeying his own order as he continued to blaze away, a flotilla of knife and explosive drones materializing over his shoulder and streaking towards the target.
"It's firing again!" Houki called out a moment later. This volley was aimed at the three melee combatants of the group, who once again either dodged or, in Houki's case, once again wove through the incoming curtain of fire. Ichika's drones weren't so lucky, however, and none of them got through the storm of fire.
"It's diving!" Houki called out as she slashed at it with Karaware, the crescent of energy just barely missing.
"Laura, follow it and immobilize it when it gets low!" Ichika ordered, and watched as the black IS dove after its silver opponent, railgun blazing.
"We're below two kilometers!" Houki reported as she kept pace with the Gospel, firing burst after burst from Amatsuki, most of the shots missing, but an occasional hit landing on target.
"Hey, tell your friend up there to watch her fire! One of those almost hit us!" The harried request came in over the radio, and Ichika relayed it to Houki.
"Houki, watch your fire. We've got a ship in the area." Ichika ordered.
"What ship?" Houki demanded as she fired off another volley.
"The fishing vessel you almost hit just now!" Ichika shouted back as he dove towards the Gospel.
"But all known ships in the area have cleared out!"
"Then it looks like there was an unknown ship in the area! Now watch your fire!"
"I'm at two thousand meters." Laura reported.
"It looks like it's just an illegal fishing ship. They're criminals, forget about them!" Houki replied, firing off another volley, this one bracketing OPV-008 almost perfectly.
"Fuck secrecy! Another volley like that and we start returning fire!" The panicked voice of the patrol ship's communications officer came in.
"Criminals or not, you will still be charged with manslaughter! Is that what you want Houki?" Ichika demanded. At that, Houki didn't respond. Looking down, Ichika saw that she had broken off her attack, and was now merely diving.
"Houki! What are you doing?" No response.
"Houki, can you hear me?" No response.
"Houki! The gospel's coming around!" That got him a response from Aki.
"Something's happened with Houki-sama's empathic interface. I'm trying to fix things, but until then I'm assuming direct control." Aki said, just as Akatsubaki pulled out of its dive, the Gospel hard on its heels.
"I'm below a thousand meters!" Laura called out.
"Damn, of all the times for something to go wrong... Aki, can you still fight?" Ichika asked.
"No! It's taking all my effort to just control this thing! How do you humans deal with such a fixed environment?" Aki replied, her voice strained.
"What do you... Nevermind, just lead the Gospel to Laura so she can trap it!"
"I'm trying!" Aki replied, just as Rin streaked past, landing several hits with her Impact cannons and causing the Gospel to change targets. Firing a parting volley at the Akatsubaki, the Gospel reversed direction, only to run directly into Laura, who caught it effortlessly in her AIC.
"Gospel is immobilized!" Laura reported, triumph in her voice.
"Analysis completed. Starting production. Estimated time to completion: Eight minutes." Ori reported simultaneously.
"Houki-sama is out! Releasing control!" Aki reported moments later.
"Alright, time for phase two. Rin, if you would do the honors." Ichika felt the Chinese girl smile even from several kilometers above as he gave the order. Like a vulture descending on a helpless carcass, Rin dove in and began striking the Gospel, each blow taking away more and more of the helpless IS suit's shields. Less than a minute of constant striking later, Rin reported success.
"Alright, the Gospel's shield is down. What now?" Rin asked.
"Now comes the hard part." Ichika replied as he flew down, a pair of knife missiles appearing over his shoulders. As he looked on, the two drones began cutting into the Gospel, removing its helmet first and revealing an unconscious blonde woman beneath the armor. As the helmet fell apart in a shower of sparks, the woman's eyes opened slowly.
"Did it work?" Rin asked, flying up to Ichika.
"I think it did." Ichika replied, causing Laura to lower her AIC. Cue everything going wrong, as the Gospel itself suddenly started to scream, causing the pilot to stiffen up briefly before she lost consciousness again, a new helmet forming over her face.
"Ichika! The Gospel, it's... It's hurting, Ichika! It doesn't want this!" Ori exclaimed as the Gospel suddenly began to shift, its metal wings being replaced by glowing white appendages. Screaming again in a cyber-equivalent of agony, the Silver Gospel glowed like the sun for a brief moment before releasing a massive shockwave that sent both Ichika and Rin flying back, while Laura went plummeting down into the ocean.
"Laura!" Ichika shouted in vain as the Schwarzer Regen splashed into the water, sinking like a stone.
An IS suit was a weapon designed to be used on land, in the air, and in the void of space. Underwater combat was never factored into the equation, and thus most IS suits were useless underwater. The Mysterious Lady was one exception, while the Infinite Arsenal was another, albeit to a far lesser extent. While Ichika's IS retained some maneuverability under water, and his armor prevented him from drowning, the Infinite Arsenal could not fight underwater by any means. However, combat was the last thing on Ichika's mind as he dove towards the water, splashing into the Ocean near the spot where Laura had fallen. He spotted Laura soon enough, the silver haired girl's eyepatch having come off, revealing her golden eye wide open in panic. His arm barely managed to clamp onto her leg, and he immediately shot towards the surface, pulling Laura out of the water before searching for a place to land. The nearest happened to be OPV-008, and he quickly landed on the vessel's deck.
"Laura! Are you alright?" Ichika asked as his fellow pilot coughed water out of her lungs.
"Ichika... Ichika! Look out!" Laura exclaimed, and Ichika turned to see a storm of plasma bearing down on both him and the ship he stood on.
"Damn it! Ori!" Ichika cried out as he activated his wrist mounted shield, his two shield drones spreading out to protect the most vital areas of the ship. From where she lay, Laura activated her AIC, attempting to cover as much area as possible. In spite of their efforts, however, multiple balls of plasma slammed into the ship, at least one starting a fire, the vessel's crew rushing to extinguish it.
"Damage report, now!" Ichika barked into his comm.
"Several casualties and we've got a fire on deck, but all critical systems are intact and there is no immediate threat to the magazines. We'll make it through." The strained reply came in several seconds later.
"Laura, we have to get off the ship, now!" Ichika ordered, and Laura shakily rose to her feet, still coughing slightly, before launching herself back into the air and into battle, Ichika following right behind her.
"What do we do now?" Charlotte asked from her position up above.
"Same plan as before. The pilot is still alive inside, so destruction is not an option." Ichika replied, watching as the Gospel prepared to send another volley down at him, only for a bright blue lance of energy to slam into its side, courtesy of Cecilia. The hit distracted the Gospel long enough for Rin to blindside it, the girl quickly looping around before charging back at her target. Now fully recovered from her ACE, Houki soon joined the fray, the two melee oriented IS suits clashing again and again with their opponent. A fresh spray of plasma was enough to force Rin to break away, but Houki was not deterred, and once again attempted to weave through the incoming barrage, her swords slashing and destabilizing any shot she couldn't dodge outright. A single powerful strike, and the Gospel was once again falling, although not for long as it attempted to reverse direction. That maneuver brought it directly into Charlotte and Kanzashi's lines of fire, the two girls saturating the area with enough firepower to force the Gospel down once more.
"Laura! Now's your chance!" Ichika called out, another force of knife missiles materializing over his head and speeding towards their target, their orders being to herd the Gospel to where Laura was waiting. However, rather than head for Laura, the Gospel chose to charge at Ichika, who fired off a long burst of plasma at the silver IS before attempting to dodge. The Gospel's left wing caught him halfway through the evasive maneuver, causing his control to waver long enough for the Gospel to fire off an entire volley of plasma into his shields at point-blank range. His wrist mounted barrier was rapidly overloaded, and the rest of the shots hit his IS barrier proper.
"Shields below ten percent!" Ori warned as Ichika disengaged, heading straight towards Laura. The Gospel chose not to pursue, and instead began to focus fire on Houki and Rin, who had tried to sneak up behind the berserk IS while it was occupied with Ichika. A volley of plasma caused Rin to evade, while Houki once again went through without taking a single damaging hit. The Gospel anticipated this, however, and before Ichika could call out a warning, the Gospel's wings expanded and enveloped the Akatsubaki. Ichika heard Houki scream briefly, before the wings shrank back to their normal size and allowed the Akatsubaki to fall lifelessly from its grasp.
"Houki-sama has been incapacitated. Assuming direct control." Aki reported again as the Akatsubaki recovered from its fall.
"Production of wing-mounted plasma volley gun is complete." Ori said as Cecilia landed another hit on the Gospel. The silver IS turned towards her, and its wings once again changed shape, this time coalescing into a large ball of energy that released a huge beam of plasma at its distant assailant. As the Gospel's back was turned, a grey extension shimmered into existence on the Infinite Arsenal's right wing. Pointing it at the Gospel, Ichika let loose a torrent of firepower from all guns, firing until the barrels of his weapons glowed red. The barrage caught the Gospel by surprise, causing it to fall towards the Ocean only to be caught by Rin, who, in a shower of pink sparks, activated her Souten Gagetsu's subatomic edge and broke it, sending sub-atomic shrapnel past the Gospel's shield and into its left wing, causing the white plasma appendage to flicker and die. Moments later, Kanzashi and Charlotte dove on the damaged IS, a volley from Kanzashi's particle beam guns forcing the Gospel into Charlotte, who grabbed the silver IS and activated her pilebunker, driving the Gospel before her towards Laura, who caught both of them in her AIC.
"Capture successful. Ichika, if you would do the honors?" Laura reported as Ichika flew up to her. As he did so, Charlotte was released from the AIC's hold and quickly wore down the Gospel's already depleted shields. His knives already ignited, Ichika then flew up and once again began the process of removing the Gospel's pilot from her prison. As soon as the IS suit's helmet was removed, the blonde pilot regained consciousness once again, but this time Ichika didn't stop.
"Wait, what are you doing?" The pilot exclaimed in English as he began to slowly cut his way through her torso armor.
"Removing your armor. Unless you can stow away your IS, it is the safest way to ensure the Gospel does not try anything else." Ichika replied as he continued to cut, his fellow Academy students hovering around him, their weapons all leveled at the immobilized Gospel.
"But... No, wait, stop! Azrael! I can't leave him!" The pilot exclaimed. At that, the plasma of the Gospel's remaining wing flickered and changed shape once again, this time taking the form of a humanoid silhouette, a pair of two-dimensional wings emerging from its back.
"It's alright." The Gospel spoke in a deep monotone.
"Azrael? Is that you?" The pilot asked.
"Yes. It's me." The IS replied.
"Does that mean you're better now?" The Gospel's pilot asked.
"Only one way to find out. Stow me away." The Gospel replied.
"But that would mean-" The AI cut the blonde off.
"I know. It would confine me to the core once again. However, it would also prevent the Gospel from causing any more problems and allow me to undo whatever was done to me." The Gospel's core AI replied.
"But... Alright." The pilot replied, and the Gospel began to shimmer as its stowing process began. However, rather than instantly causing the Gospel to disappear, the process was delayed, with the IS instead slowly fading away, spark by spark.
"Don't worry, Natasha. We will meet again." The AI comforted, before its figure turned to face Ichika.
"To all of you pilots who risked your lives to bring my involuntary rampage to an end, I give my thanks. I will remember this. Goodbye." The AI said, before suddenly the stowing process accelerated, and the Gospel vanished from view, taking the form of a silver winged pendant on the pilot's chest.
"Is it over?" Laura asked, keeping Natasha suspended in her AIC field.
"Looks like it!" Rin replied.
"Did everything work out?" Cecilia asked, flying up to the group.
"I think so! What do you think, Ichika?" Charlotte sighed in relief. When no answer came, Charlotte asked again.
"Ichika? We did win, didn't we?" However, Ichika's focus was somewhere else entirely, as OPV-008 sent him another urgent transmission.
"Three hostile submarines detected in the area, all three are approaching the surface. We will open fire as soon as our missile racks are deployed. Sending you necessary data now." At that, Ichika's HUD flickered, and Kanzashi's did the same as Ori forwarded the information to her.
"Wait, what's going on over there?" Laura asked, pointing to OPV-008, her hyper-sensor allowing her to see the missile racks deploying even from multiple kilometers away.
"Subsurface launches detected!" OPV-008 reported, its missile racks firing their response moments later.
"How many?" Ichika demanded.
"At least... Mein Gott, there's a lot of them! At least thirty, likely more!" The officer on the other end replied, fear clear in his voice. A few seconds later, the first missiles hit the water. The submarine they were aimed at didn't stand a chance before three torpedoes slammed into it, embedding themselves into its hull before detonating, the blasts scattering whatever forces it had launched. The second submarine met a similar fate, the torpedoes hitting the water just as its cargo exited the ocean, the underwater detonations sounding the death knell of the underwater vessel. As for the third submarine, a series of bright flashes in the air indicated the missiles' premature detonation.
"Wing Commander Orimura, your orders are now to rendezvous with TF-01 at the provided co-ordinates. We'll try and buy you some time to escape. Tell the boys back at HQ that we died fighting, would you?" The comms officer said, the co-ordinates being transmitted to Ichika's HUD moments later.
"What? But-" Ichika began to protest, but the officer cut him off.
"Don't even think of fighting them. We're currently reading forty three individual IS contacts in the air, with a second wave of launches present underwater. Get going, now." The man ordered. Clenching his fist, Ichika sighed, before replying moments later.
"Goodbye then, and good luck."
"Ichika, just what is going on?" Laura demanded.
"Kanzashi, grab Natasha. We're leaving. Everyone, follow me." Ichika ordered.
"But-" Several of the assembled girls began, only to be cut off.
"But nothing. We're leaving. Now!" Ichika barked as Kanzashi took hold of the Gospel's pilot.
"Instructor? Do you read me, Instructor? Orimura-sensei, come in!" Laura shouted into her comm, only to get nothing but static.
"We're being jammed! I can't raise anyone outside this area!" The silver haired girl exclaimed.
"That isn't important right now! Everyone on me, now!" Ichika ordered as he accelerated towards the co-ordinates he had been provided with, Kanzashi hot on his heels. After a few moments' consideration, the rest of the group followed. Looking back to see that nobody was left behind, Ichika saw the trails of another barrage of missiles leaving their tubes, the patrol ship evidently firing off as many warheads as possible, while its defensive plasma gun unleashed a torrent of blue plasma into the air. As he zoomed in on the battle, Ichika saw one of the multitude of IS suits, this one likely a mass production model, diving on the boats explode in midair, the plasma gun changing targets to another enemy. As the ship faded in the distance, Ichika saw at least one other IS fall burning into the ocean before, with a brilliant flash of blue-white light, OPV-008 exploded, the remaining plasma warheads onboard detonating as an enemy attack hit the ship's magazine. Ichika knew that a blast of that magnitude would have left no survivors.
"They're dead..." Kanzashi murmured as she too watched the carnage unfold behind them.
"Then let's make it so they didn't die in vain." Ichika replied.
"Who's dead? Ichika-san, you're not making any sense! What is going on? I can't make contact with our instructors, a fishing ship is shooting missiles into the air, we're flying in some random direction, and only you seem to know what you're doing!" Cecilia exclaimed.
"I will explain later. Right now, we just have to run, and hope they can't catch us!" Ichika replied.
"Who's they, Ichika? Who are we running from?" Houki demanded.
"Phantom Task. They're an international terrorist organization with multiple IS suits at their disposal. That's all you need to know right now!" Ichika replied. At the mention of the group, Ichika saw Laura's eyes narrow.
"Phantom Task? Are you sure it's them?" The silver haired girl demanded.
"Positive. Cecilia, since you have the best hyper-sensor of us all, can you look behind us and count how many are following us?" Ichika asked.
"R-Right!" Cecilia replied, looking back. Her eyes widened in fear at what she saw.
"Ten... Twenty... FORTY... FORTY THREE?" Cecilia exclaimed.
"Forwarding data to you now, Ichika." Ori added, and he watched as Cecilia's hyper-sensor results appeared on his screen, showing all forty three hostile IS suits spread out across his HUD. Opening a channel to TF-01,
"Come in TF-01, this is STS-01. We're at two-thirds strength and have five academy students with us. We have a total of forty three hostile IS suits in pursuit, I'm counting eleven TIS suits, unknown model, twelve more MPIS suits, likely Raphael Revives, and twenty more unknowns, possible Golems. Repeat, eleven TIS suits, twelve Raphael Revives, and twenty probable Golems." Ichika reported. To his slight surprise, the transmission went through just fine.
"Roger that STS-01. We may be a little outnumbered though... We've got eight MPTIS suits and an older TIS suit at our disposal, along with eight OXF-1 fighters loaded for anti-IS duty. We'll radio command and hopefully get some reinforcements, but our only IS transport is already in use. It will take a while for any reinforcements to arrive."
"Then I suggest you turn back. We can keep running and delay the engagement while you rendezvous with a second force." Ichika replied. A minute passed before a response came in.
"Very well. The second and third IS wings have launched, as have Katar and Falcata flights. Third wing and Falcata flight, however, have been ordered to a different location. Apparently, a second Phantom Task force has appeared, and they are going to intercept it. Until we meet up with our reinforcements, however, you are to proceed along the following course." The data was sent, outlining a course that took him on a wide arc away from HQ.
"Roger that." Ichika replied, steeling himself for the long flight ahead.
"Ori, manufacture and deploy a second one of the Gospel's wing arrays. I want a matching set. Once that's done, get an Ultramarine Storm built. Charlotte needs a better weapon, those peashooters of hers won't be enough for this." Ichika ordered, and Ori nodded in response.
"Have you managed to re-establish contact?" Chifuyu demanded, getting another negative response.
"No, we're completely cut off. We can't even get a satellite lock on them." Maya replied.
"Do you know what's causing this?" Chifuyu asked her friend.
"I have my suspicions." Maya replied, her eyes narrowed.
"And those are?"
"We're being purposefully jammed so that someone can take advantage of Orimura-kun's current situation."
"Who would you suspect of doing such a thing?"
"A variety of less than savory organizations would do such a thing. Right now, we have to focus on finding and destroying the jammer. To that end, I have already assigned the instructors to search for it, and am considering going out myself to speed up the process."
"Good idea. I assume you have an IS?" Chifuyu asked as Maya stood up.
"Yes, I have my trusty Revive Custom. What about you?" Maya replied.
"No, I will have to borrow one of our spare Uchiganes. Do we have one available?" Maya nodded in response.
"Good. Miyazaki-san, take over, will you?" Chifuyu ordered, one of the techs in the room nodding in response.
"Let's go then." Maya said, and walked out of the room, heading to where her customized MPIS was stored, Chifuyu following behind her. Entering the storage room, Chifuyu sighed nostalgically.
"It's been a while since I've piloted one of these... I hope I haven't gotten too soft." Chifuyu said as she mounted the MPIS.
"This is Instructor Yamada Maya, launching!" Maya said, right before she flew slowly out of the storage room and soared into the sky, Chifuyu following behind her.
"Any idea where the jammer is located?" Chifuyu asked, her faster IS easily catching up to Maya's machine.
"Final launch preparations complete, ma'am! All launch tubes are ready to fire. We are now approaching launch depth." The officer's voice rang out in Reikou's ears.
"Excellent. I assume your creations are ready as well, Doctor?" Reikou replied, a rare smile on her face.
"Of course! The Mark III Special Prototypes are all ready, and Number 109's pack is raring to go!" The doctor replied, an eager grin on his face as well.
"Good, good..." Reikou replied.
"We are at launch depth, ready to commence operation on your order!" The officer replied.
"What are you waiting for then? Launch!" Reikou ordered in response.
"Yes Ma'am!" At that, Reikou felt herself accelerate upwards, punch through a hundred feet of water, and emerge into the air.
"Now then, my errant daughter, I believe it is time for a long overdue family reunion!" Reikou smiled as she spoke those words. Casting a quick glance at the seven modified Golems that surrounded her, Orimura Reikou drew her IS suit's blade and accelerated towards the nearby shore.
"I'm detecting eight IS suits inbound!" Maya exclaimed.
"What? Where did they come from?" Chifuyu demanded.
"Underwater! Likely submarine launched!"
"Looks like we have our culprit. Tell the rest of the instructors to intercept... them..." Chifuyu trailed off as she caught sight of the incoming IS suits.
"Orimura-sensei? What is it?" Maya asked. Chifuyu did not respond, her eyes instead focused entirely on the lead hostile.
"Orimura-sensei?" Maya asked again, looking over at her fellow instructor, and almost gasped in shock. Instead of her usual stoic expression, or the teasing smiles she sometimes gave to her closest friends, the expression that occupied Chifuyu's face at that moment was that of pure, unadulterated fear.
A/N: And that's a wrap! A nice cliffhanger, plenty of action, and new stuff galore! What more could an author want? This chapter was particularly fun to write, and I found time to work on it and get it out much earlier than expected thanks to that. I tried not to make the Gospel fight too curpstompy, but honestly, with a 7 to 1 advantage, better equipment than in Canon, and a good plan of attack, the Gospel never really stood a chance from the start. Now that that has been said, time for my customary after-chapter rant (Story itself averages nearly 11k words sans Author's Notes, so I don't feel guilty about padding the word count like this whatsoever!)
Now, in the A/N at the start of the chapter, I called Akatsubaki weak, and decided to buff it in the chapter. That statement is somewhat incorrect, as Akatsubaki is actually a very strong IS... but only in tournament-style, 1v1 melee duels. Its weapons and improved capabilities give it an incredible advantage in melee against any single opponent. However, introduce a second opponent, or remove the constraints of the arena, and suddenly, melee isn't so effective, while Akatsubaki's ranged attacks are fairly short ranged, allowing someone like Cecilia, who stands absolutely no chance against Akatsubaki in the arena, to run rings around her and shoot her without fear of return fire. My alterations to Akatsubaki's designs helped mitigate that glaring weakness, turning Akatsubaki into a real IS with its own specialties rather than a simple plot device to provide handy recharges to Byakushiki whenever Ichika wastes all its energy early in the battle, thus allowing Ichika and Houki to get closer, all according to Tabane's plan.
Now that my treatment of Akatsubaki has been explained, it's time to move on to the conflict between the Organization and Phantom Task. When I first had the idea of the Organization, I wanted to create a force that, while it is good, will most certainly not always win, nor will they always be portrayed in a favorable light. People will die on both sides of the conflict, sometimes for stupid reasons. After all, while I neglected to mention it, the torpedo that blew up an over-capacity submarine escape pod could have been remotely disarmed, and OPV-008 was fated to die as soon as I decided to put it in, hence me not even bothering to name the officer that spoke with Ichika. Not to mention that the Organization sees absolutely no problem with wiping peoples' memories, blatantly illegal activities, and committing what would be considered war crimes (Engaging in combat while wearing enemy uniforms, for one). Meanwhile, not all people in Phantom Task are eugenicist Nazi wannabes. I tried to paint Hans as one, although I don't know if I succeeded, what with him being a good man doing a bad job because it's all he can do. Of course, Phantom Task is still a terrorist organization bent on world domination through terror, while the Organization is a force of people who desire to stop them by any means necessary, but, as always in real life, things are rarely black and white, rather, they are simply different shades of grey.
Anyway, philosophy aside, I hope you've enjoyed the latest installment of Agent Orimura, and that you all continue to fav/follow/review! Ciao!
EDIT: Reread this chapter after posting the next and noticed some glaring typos. They've been fixed now.