Chapter 13: Into the Fight Once More!
"NO!" shouted Orion in fear, as the huge S-class unit landed with force upon the glass dome of the city. However...
"It didn't break?!" said Hiro shocked looking at the glass dome that stood still without a single scratch. Or so it seemed until an automated voice said, "Warning! Structural damage received. 75% of integrity remaining." Everyone watched the glass in despair, fearing for what will happen if it broke.
"It is glass but a special one…" said Elise, "It has been fused with a nano-graphene cover that makes it tougher than titanium, therefore we have a little time before anything critical happens."
"Orion!" shouted Hatake as Orion snapped out of the shock, "We need to get the people to a safe place!"
"Y-Yeah!" said Orion, "Everyone to the underground shelters! Quickly!" he said as Hatake and Seraphime got busy helping everyone get to safety while Nana and Hachi took care of the kids.
"This will soon spiral out of control unless we do something!" thought Orion as he took out his phone and connected to a secure line, "This is the President to Compass Station! Code red alert! Ordering EMP salvo over Aztlan. Authorization code: 11472A0!"
"Authorization code accepted, firing EMP shells, estimated time of impact: 30 seconds." Replied the personnel on the phone.
In a matter of seconds, about 8 shells came flying over the glass dome and blasted in mid-air right over the center of Aztlan and near the VIRM attackers; the released shockwave disabled all the ship shields and the defense mechanisms of the S-Class unit.
"That should hold them for about 30 minutes…" said Orion, "Elise get squad Jian to battle! I will issue the order to scramble!"
"Sure!" replied Elise, "Squad 13 with me, quick!" she said as she ran towards the platform where the Franxx were standing.
Everyone made a quick stop towards their children who were standing with Nana and Hachi on the way.
"Hachi, Nana! Please take care of our children for now!" said Goro looking at their kids.
"We will!" said Nana, "Just promise all of us you will make it back safely!"
"We will do our best!" said Mitsuru hugging Ai, "I promise, my little starfighter."
The rest of the parents of the group hugged their children calmed them down and promised them they will return before finally making a run towards the platform while in the background, the sound of the defense turrets firing could be heard.
"So, what are we going to do?" asked Ichigo as the whole squad 13 ran with Elise.
"Defend, of course." Replied Elise, "Defend at least until everyone gets to safety…"
"So, battle time then?" asked Zorome.
"Indeed!" said Elise as they soon were at the feet of their Franxxs. "Listen!" continued Elise "Your Franxxs are equipped with emergency foldable ladders that lead directly to the cockpit. They are quite useful in emergency scrambles like these or when trying to abandon the Franxx!" she said as she pulled a keycard out of a pocket and continued, "In order to activate it, you're given special access cards that you MUST secure in your suits or in assigned pockets at ALL TIMES! They are your only tickets to get inside!"
As to show an example, she inserts her keycard into a hidden slot in Guan Yin's feet, which was brought into the platform as soon as the EMP was fired, and then a large set of stairs appeared on the Mecha's side. The whole group soon realized why they were used only for emergency; they exposed the pilots to exterior threats and could be deadly if one of them slipped.
"Don't worry about slipping off!" said Elise sensing their fear, "The suits have integrated magnets in the gloves and boots that will make sure you stick to the staircases! They also have integrated earbuds that show holographic lenses that contain the HUD so don't worry about the missing lectors. Now GO! HURRY!" She started to escalate the staircases of her mecha swiftly, to the surprise of the Jians. They soon followed her example and used their keycards to escalate the ladders.
"Time to fly again then!" said Ichigo looking at Delphinium with a proud grin as each pair stood in front of the entrance of their respective Franxxs.
"Excited?" asked Goro as he lent his hand to help Ichigo get onto Delphinium.
"Fearful and curious would be the right terms, I guess?" asked Ichigo sarcastically as Goro smiled and pulled her in.
"Alright! Let's see if this girl has some new tricks to become a "bad" girl!" said Zorome with a devilish grin on his face.
"Hey, you better go easy on me… otherwise… you know what will happen to you after the battle, right?" asked Miku with a devilish look that made sweat drops fall upon the face of Zorome.
"Y-Yeah…" replied Zorome scared.
"It feels a bit different; you know?" asked Mitsuru sitting inside Genista.
"What?" asked Kokoro as she sat in her seat and looked at Mitsuru with a happy face.
"N-Nothing…" replied Mitsuru with a smile as his thoughts changed looking at her happy face.
"Oh god, I'm so nervous!" said Kofuku as her hands shivered in fear.
"What's the matter?" asked Futoshi worried.
"Well," replied Kofuku, "I haven't piloted a specialized Franxx before…"
"Don't worry!" said Futoshi smiling, "Just remember what we did in the simulator and that will be enough. Just focus with me and we will be alright."
"Yeah," said Kofuku as she calmed down, "let's do this!"
"Say, darling!" said Zero Two as both of them took their seats.
"What is it?" asked Hiro.
"I want to go to the ocean…" she said looking towards the ceiling of the cockpit.
"Why are you saying that all of a sudden?" asked Hiro with a smile.
"Well," said Zero Two with a sad face as she leaned backward and held Hiro's hand, "whenever we think that it's all over... something…" she said as she burst into tears, "Something like this keeps happening and we are never able to live like we always wanted to… so… so, I… I just want to stay together again; I want to enjoy as we did that day before all of this happened…" she said as Hiro hugged her from the back.
"Don't worry…" said Hiro with a smile, "I'm sure that no matter what happens… we will find our way back, soon!"
"All systems are ready," said Elise over the intercom, "make sure you are all connected well with your partners and that the ladders are stored back into the franxx. And a little tip Zero Two, next time make sure that your comms' channel is set on "private" when you're talking personal subjects with your darling, alright?"
To the embarrassment of the two, they soon saw that their HUD's said that their comms were in the 'squad' channel rather than the 'private' one. To the rest of their group, it was something funny to see them like that.
"Alright! Enough with the chit-chat. Connect your Franxx and prepare to fly!" said Elise as everyone connected to their Franxxs and got ready to fly.
"Jian 345 and Jian 196, stand down." Said Elise as everyone looked at her shocked.
"What?! Why?!" asked Ikuno, her face showing an angry frown in the HUD while Titus was more of a confused one.
"The doctors have yet to give you the all-clear," said Elise, "therefore, you and Titus stay here. You two will only be called if there is an emergency."
"But…" said Ikuno with a sad expression.
"It's okay…" said Titus holding her in the right shoulder: "I don't want to risk you losing your legs again in this battle. I promise to you, however, that I will support whatever decision you make..." he said trying to cheer her up.
"Fine…" said Ikuno with a sigh, "But I can't promise you I will hold back, commander. As soon as my friends need help, I and Titus will be there."
"Alright, but I won't help you in the trouble you will get with Orion later." Said Elise "Alright Jians, time to fly!"
"Ganbatte!" shouted Titus.
** 'Ganbatte' in Japanese translates to 'good luck' in English. **
All the Franxx except Chlorophytum took off. While in the air, they could see the rest of Aztlan's air defenses acting up. Turrets started to point upwards along with radar stations powering up their guidance and tracking systems, other Franxx squads were soon starting to pour out from the Space Elevator hangars, and they saw that in a cliffside in the distance quite away from the city had its hangar gates open, revealing that it was a Starfighter hangar. Alarms were sounding very loud across the whole city and our pilots could see the people below proceeding into security vaults to avoid being caught on the crossfire. They also saw big ships moving towards the dome to protect the city.
"Oh, that's right!" said Ichigo, "Which units are going to be in the battle, Elise?"
"Before I tell you, remember that up here you need to call me by my callsign 'Origin 2'." Said Elise, "It's protocol! And as far as I can tell, the command is still assuring the situation, be on standby. However, one thing is confirmed. Pheonix, Meteorix and one more Franxx meant for Nana and Hachi will not be participating. Meteorix is still undergoing repairs and Pheonix upgrades on the weapon system make her unavailable to operate."
"This is Captain Teresa from the Cruiser 'Sky Explorer' AWACS callsign 'Treehouse'." Said a voice over the intercom, "Jian Squad, do you copy?"
"Ichigo, that's your call." Said Elise.
"Right," said Ichigo as she turned on the intercom, "This is Ichigo callsign "Jian 15", leader of Jian Squad along Jian 53. We read you loud and clear!"
"Excellent!" replied Captain Teresa, "Listen here, we are your assigned AWACS, the unit in charge of communicating you with HQ and their orders along with other nearby allied squadrons. We are just receiving their orders! Set your HUDs into 'Briefing mode'!"
Everyone did and soon their HUDS showed a 3D map of the city's airspace and a decoded voice started to narrate: "The capital city is being under attack by a total of 4 Gutenberg category VIRM cruisers along with their escorts and one S-class "Warhog" unit. In order to effectively counter this attack, our forces will be divided into three groups. Group A will be mainly composed of Klaxosaurs under command of Queen Sera and King Hatake assigned to protect at all times the civilians that are evacuating into the Space Elevator underground tunnels. Group B will be formed by the new "Jian Squad" and the "ACE" squadron, and their objective will be to destroy the S-class before it destroys the glass dome that protects the city. Group C will be conformed of all of the remaining air forces stationed to protect the capital and their work will be to contain and destroy the 4 G-units and their escorts until the S-class is eliminated. This will be your baptism of fire, Jian Squad. Good luck and godspeed."
"I hope they will be fine…" said Hatake worried as they stood outside a room from which they were supposed to command the Klaxosaurs.
"They have to be," said Seraphime, "they are Franxx pilots after all…"
"That is a fact but," said Hatake, "All this time they have been fighting Klaxosaurs and now suddenly there is a surprise attack by an enemy they don't even know correctly."
"That is true, but I'm sure everything will be alright…" said Seraphine as the light outside the door turned green.
"Alright then," said Hatake as he got up from the waiting seat, "let's get our ancestors to work!"
"The Klaxosaurs I suppose." said Seraphime.
"Yeah, of course…" he said as both of them took their seats inside the room, the room was located on the highest position of the outer belt of the Space Elevator called "the Halo", that gave a surprising wider view of the battlefield, other monitors inside the room showed the current position and view of the S-class unit.
"Alright, it will be alright!" whispered Ichigo sitting inside Delphinium as her body shivered in nervousness and fear, "It is going to all ok- ahhh!" she shouted as someone poked her from behind.
"Why are you so nervous?" asked Goro.
"It's just, I just remember that it was just not the two of us…" replied Ichigo, "Being the leader, I have to take responsibility for everyone, before it didn't matter much because we all thought that Papa would take care of everyone, but…"
"At last we are here to kill that bastard…" said Goro with a laugh, "What can be odder?"
"You guys ready?" asked Hatake over the Intercom.
"Yes," replied Ichigo, "yes we are!"
"Alright then!" said Orion, "Let us start!" he shouted.
"Sure!" said Hatake as he and Seraphime summoned hundreds of Klaxosaurs inside the capital that came together and formed a dome that was big enough to fit all the evacuated people, to protect them from any incoming damage.
"Alright we are done!" said Seraphime.
"Good," said Orion, "Group C, this is your call!"
"This is Red leader Paladin-1, starfighter commander for Group C," said a voice on the intercom, "engaging for combat, over!" he said as starfighters flew off towards the four Gutenberg ships. His transmission was soon followed by a female voice, "This is Galm 1 and Galm 2, leading the Franxx squads. We are counting on you, Jian Squad!"
"Roger, we will try our best Galm 1!" replied Goro.
"Alright, now listen!" said Orion, "The defense shields of the S-class unit were disabled thanks to those EMP shells, but still it won't be that easy to take it down, but again, the dome won't be able to take much more damage… Therefore, it all depends on you two, that is squad Jian and the ACE Squadron. So, do your best!"
"Don't worry general!" said Daichi as The ACE squadron took their seats, "We won't let you down!"
"Let's do this!" said Zorome as both the Jian squad and the ACE squadron flew engaged towards the S-class unit in full speed.
As they engaged it, the shape of the S class unit became more clear, it was resembling a giant mechanical lizard that was smashing the dome with the nails on its paws.
"Engaging from position Delta!" said Daichi as the ACE squad flew and attacked it from different directions as they circled around the S-Class unit. Making the unit stop attacking the dome and rather focus on eliminating the ACE squadron first.
"Alright," said Ichigo, "it's our turn now, let's do this!" she said as all the franxxs engaged towards the S-Class unit at full speed.
"I'm a little worried though…" said Orion looking at the fight.
"Why?" asked Elise.
"Currently, in their team, Genista is the only ranged attacker, right?" asked Orion.
"Yes…" replied Elise.
"But again, her ranged attacks are very slow and are most effective against groups of enemies… therefore, I'm not sure that they will be able to perform at their full capacity…"
"That is true," said Elise, "but they are our only hope if we are to save the city…"
"Everyone!" said Ichigo as they went towards the unit, "Maintain the closest position possible, shoot it's leg joints to make it fall. That's our objective!"
"Roger that!" shouted all the pilots.
"Don't take it that easily," said Hatake hearing their chat, "VIRM are stupid but not when performing of strategy!"
"What do you mean?" asked Hiro as the S-Unit stopped attacking the ACE squadrons as the 4 Gutemberg class ships turned towards the squadron and started firing towards them.
"What are they doing?" asked Zorome.
"I knew it!" said Hatake, "their goal is just not Aztlan but also to destroy the franxxs!"
"What is there to be so happy about it?!" said Mitsuru as they dodged the attack of the S-Class unit that now also started to use its tail as a weapon.
"Yeah, sorry I just love strategy!" said Hatake laughing.
"Hatake…" said Seraphime sitting beside him.
"What is it-" asked Hatake as Seraphime pinched him under his arm.
"That's not how a king should act like!" said Seraphime.
"Alright, I- I- I'm sorry! Please it hurts!" he said as he stood up in pain.
Meanwhile, the Jians were having trouble dodging the projectiles coming from the Gutenberg cruisers while also keeping an eye on the S-unit.
"Dammit, we need help!" Kokoro thought before talking on the comms: "This is Jian 556, requesting support with the Gutenberg cruisers! They are making our work hard here!"
"Treehouse," said the intercom, "This is Galm 1 and Galm 2! Jian 556, proceeding to assist you!"
On the distance, the Jians saw one of the cruisers getting pummeled by a group of Franxx before getting destroyed by the one that was colored in white, red and blue. It had an ionic hammer in one of his hands and on the other some sort of laser cannon. However, what called their attention was its design, it looked like a two-horned demon that it even had holographic wings. However, spectator time was over once they saw the Gutenbergs change focus on the new attackers, leaving the Jians in peace.
"Jian 556! Managed to get their eyes on us! Focus on your objective!" said Galm 1.
"Roger! Thanks, Galm 1!" said Kokoro.
"King Hatake! Any weak spots that the Jians can target?" asked Teresa.
"Try shooting its eyes!" Hatake said as Seraphime let go of his arm and he settled down.
"You all heard him!" said Ichigo, "We all will make distractions! Genista, you take the shot!"
"Roger that!" said everyone as all of the Franxxs flew in different directions as Genista rose to almost the same level of the eyes of the S-Class unit.
"Um, Mitsuru?" asked Zorome.
"Yeah?" asked Mitsuru as he tried to get a clear lock on the eyes.
"Please do it fast!" shouted Zorome as Argentea dodged through both the tail and the arm of the S-Class unit.
"Hey, go easy!" shouted Miku.
"Shut up!" said Zorome, "What's more important here? Going easy on you or surviving?!"
"What did you say?!" said Miku.
"Target locked! Engaging shells!" said Mitsuru as the shell went straight and landed directly on one of the eyes, but only slightly scratching the other one.
"Everyone back to formation!" said Ichigo as they all flew out of the Units' target area. The Unit in its defense swung its tail all over the place. As to take the Franxxs away from him.
"Looks like we angered it…" said Ichigo as all the movement of the S-Class unit suddenly stopped.
"What is happening?" asked Zero Two looking at the unit as the noises of different joints being released from the back of the unit could be heard.
"So, it is a lizard indeed!" said Orion as the tail of the Unit detached and the numerous needles that pointed outwards from the tail joined them shelves, giving the tail a very hard coat and at the same time making it stiff and straight.
"And that's VIRM engineering for you!" said Hatake with a grin as the tail had by now turned into a lance a weapon for the S-Class unit, "And, Seraphime?" asked Hatake.
"What is it?" Asked Seraphime. She had already got a hold of his arm by now.
"STOP PINCHING ME!" screamed Hatake in pain.
"I told you to behave like a king, stop being impressed by the enemy! Moreover," said Serphime looking at her fingers, "this just might be a new weapon to control you…" she said as she looked towards Hatake with a scary look.
"Is that what a princess supposed to be like-" Hatake asked as the S-Class unit used the lance to smash the dome instead of attacking the Franxxs.
"WARNING: Less than 5 percent of integrity remaining!" said the computer.
"One more shot and the dome will fall for sure!" said Orion looking at the unit worried, "Don't stand there, do something!" he shouted.
"But we are not in formation yet!" shouted Zorome as all the franxxs hurried towards Delphinium to get back into formation.
"They won't make it!" said Ichigo as she turned to her intercom off, "Goro, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" asked Ichigo looking at the distance between the lance and the dome.
"You sure about this?" asked Goro.
"Yes!" replied Ichigo as the S-Class unit raised it lance again, this time holding it like a knife as to stab it on the dome.
"No..." whispered Elise in fear as the lance came in full speed to break the dome as everyone turned their eyes away from the impact.
"WARNING: 1 percent of integrity remaining!" said the computer after the impact.
"It didn't break!?" asked Orion shocked, he zoomed in to the location of the impact, Delphinium had come in between the Lance and the dome to stop the impact.
"I see," said Hatake with a grin, "Delphinium knew that the others won't make it in time to complete the formation, therefore she, being in the closest position to the Unit, rushed in and tried to stop the lance by holding it and turning on her boosters to stop it. Well, at least it saved us from one impact! Wait!" shouted Hatake looking at Seraphime as he stood up in a position trying to defend himself, "You are not going to pinch me again are you?" he asked.
"Look at your arm!" said Seraphime. She had already got a hold of his arm.
"No, wait-" he said as this time she not only pinched but also twisted. A high-pitched scream followed soon after.
"Ah, damn it!" said Goro, "I'm hit!" He clutched his wounded arm, shrapnel fragments have flown into it because of the force of the smash.
"Bear with it for a little Goro..." said Ichigo, while trying to move Delphinium to no avail, "Dammit! The lance must have hit the movement circuits, we're stuck here!" said Ichigo as the S-Class unit once again picked up the lance to smash another blow.
"So, everything is going to go in vain?" thought Goro as he looked at the S-Class unit.
"Ichigo, Goro! Get out of there!" Yelled Futoshi.
"Ichigo…" said Goro, "We have to abandon Delphinium..."
"I know but...!" said Ichigo before seeing that it was too late to do anything. The S-Class unit was ready for another strike.
Feeling that their look ran out, Ichigo turned around with tears in her eyes and said, "Goro, I love you!"
Goro smiled sadly before responding: "Me too, Ichigo."
Then both kissed for what looked like the last time and waited for the embrace of death... which never came.
"Sorry for keeping you all waiting!" said a voice over the intercom of the franxxs.
"That voice…" said Futoshi shocked, as shells got bombarded over the other eye of the S-Class unit, as the unit lost control over visual, his knees got shot with high-kinetic railgun ammo, making it fall down sliding on the dome onto the ground outside the Capital, making the infertile soil fly up in the air; and through that dust, the last one of the Jians' Franxx came flying.
"Chlorophytum…" said Goro with a smile.
"I'm sure Orion's going to go all 'wild' on us for going against his orders…" said Nana as another franxx landed right beside the damaged Delphinium, it was mainly white colored with red colored stripes running all over it that clearly separated its different components. Nana soon continued, "Freiturnier! We need your skills over here!"
The only mecha of the group made entirely in the Federation soon approached and Kofuku asked, "Ichigo, Goro. You guys okay in there?"
"What? Oh, yeah! Yes, we're good. Although I have a wounded arm because of some shrapnel but I will be fine." answered Goro while Freiturnier installed new circuits and completely sealed off the opening caused by to the lance with a clear fluid that solidified within seconds.
"Ichigo," said Goro with a smile, "we survived for another day..."
Ichigo smiled while tears of happiness streaked her cheeks, "Yes... if we can today, we will survive throughout this damn war..." she said.
Meanwhile, the S-Class was struggling to get up, but the Federation was not going to have it...
"Get the unit!" ordered Orion.
"Yes, sir!" shouted all the ACE squadron pilots as they bombarded the unit with proton missiles until it exploded.
"S-Class unit confirmed destroyed! Group B objective has been completed!" said Teresa over the intercom.
Mr. President. The civilians have evacuated safely into the vaults. Group A's objective has been completed." Said the Space Elevator Headquarters.
"Perfect!" said Orion with a smile as he turned on a broadcast, "All receiving units, proceed to eliminate all remnant VIRM forces!"
"Now, it's time for the ships!" said Hiro as Strelizia aimed her spear towards the Gutenberg class ships to attack them with her ultimate. Of the 4 that joined the battle, only 2 remained.
"WARNING: Unidentified object coming through national airspace!" said the computer.
"What is that?" asked Futoshi looking at the sky as a white light could be seen coming towards them.
"It's coming too fast!" said Ichigo over comms, "Dodge it!" she shouted.
"Darling!" said Zero Two.
"Damn it!" said Hiro as Strelizia got out of the way just before the impact. Whatever was coming towards them, instead of crashing, fired its boosters at full speed and flew back into the hyper-speed portal that the rest of the VIRM ships used to escape. After that, all was silent until a new voice cut in…
"All military and civilian units in the capital." Said the Space Elevator Headquarters, "All of the attackers have been confirmed destroyed! We repeat! All of the VIRM forces had been kicked out of the city!"
Soon, cheers started to be heard all over the radio and in the city; for Jian squad, that was a relief and a few joined the celebration.
"Woohoo!" said Zorome, "It has been a long time since I felt alive like this!"
"Good work everyone." Said Ichigo, "It seems we still got it, even if I and Goro got into trouble."
"Don't worry." Said Titus, "That's the most expected thing that happens with newbies and returning veterans. Also, listen to these guys."
Simonizing the comms channel with the Federation's National Radio (FNR), everyone soon heard a song*:
~O'er azure skies
~And emerald plains
~Where freedom and life prevail!
In that part, all of the city soon joined in the singing.
~With union and strength
~We will fight till the end
~For the liberty of our home!
Hiro swore that he heard someone shout "Woohoo!" but there were too many voices to know who. Later on, HQ talked again, "All starfighter and Franxx units, RTB." Soon enough, Jian Squad followed suit, with Delphinium being carried by Freiturnier.
"Thanks to the combined efforts of all of Aztlan's defenses, the VIRM attack against the capital has been successfully neutralized." Said Orion over the broadcast, "Intel suggests that the attack had the objective to destroy or possess the Space Elevator once the Dome was broken. Fortunately, we won't have to worry about another attack like that for the rest of the war. After the VIRM forces retreated, the Space Elevator energy systems have been set into "Fully alert" meaning that next time VIRM performs an attack like that, it will be easily wiped out by specialized weaponry. Speaking of special, Jian squad, the high command is impressed by your performance in your baptism of fire. However, they have concluded that you're rustier than expected so you will be soon sent towards the OASIS camps on the West where you will perform training in the field along a couple of Federation mentors in order to get your practical skills back and running. It will also be a good opportunity to test out there the new power-ups you're Franxx have and to also learn how we manage to tame the still wild Klaxosaurs that are roaming on the wastes. Also, because SOME of you disobeyed orders, you will have to perform social service as punishment. Details will be given later. Dismissed."
A few moments later, at the Space Elevator medical ward...
"Papa!" said Nozumo crying as she hugged Goro who was on the hospital bed with his wounded arm bandaged and a minor head injury, "I was scared!"
"There, there my little girl." Said Goro while petting Nozumo's hair, "The bad guys will need to be stronger than this to hurt me."
"Really?" asked Ichigo, "Then how about those times wrestling with me?"
"Oh, like those times you wrestled at night?" asked Nozomu.
"What?! N-no! Well, in some way! But..." said Ichigo turning super-red.
"Um… Ichigo," said Goro, "Everyone's hearing!" he said as Ichigo suddenly blushed in embarrassment.
"So," said Seraphime, "Looks like everyone is fine then!"
"Yeah," said Kofuku, "but what happened to Hatake?" she asked looking at Hatake as he stood near Seraphime with a clear sign of being worn out from pain holding a pillow in between his arm and his waist.
"Nothing," said Seraphime, "I just taught him a few manners!" she said with a smile.
"Yeah whatever!" said Hatake as he walked out. Orion stood at the balcony looking at the recovery team repairing the dome. The citizens of the city were calm again now and, most importantly, prepared for the new war that had just unofficially begun with the attack.
"It was a lot of damage, wasn't it?" asked Hatake.
"Yeah it was…" replied Orion, "But what are you doing with that pillow?" he asked looking at it.
"Long story…" said Hatake with a sigh.
"Say Hatake," said Orion, "whatever came with that white light, you know about it, don't you?"
"I just have a guess…" replied Hatake, "Just pray that it doesn't become true…"
VIRM mothership 516
Location Unknown
"My lord," said a VIRM alien, "The attack against the Space Elevator has failed..."
Papa just released a heavy sigh and said, "And where is the captain?"
"Killed, my lord. He got destroyed by the Federation forces." Replied the VIRM alien.
"He had it deserved for his failure." Said Papa, "Seems that we will have to proceed to Plan B. Did you get the readings about their 'secret'?"
"Yes, my lord." Replied the alien, "We are right now triangulating their origin. The time of their doom will be closing soon."
"Good." Said Papa, "For now, stick to the "Diversion" plan and proceed to ran chaos among their units. The less they are for the moment, the better."
"Yes, my lord." Said the VIRM alien as he stood up to take his leave.
"Oh, also one more thing." Said Papa stopping him, "Who exactly finished the captain?"
"A group of Dr. Franxx creations along the infamous 'ACES' the Vice-chairman warned us about. Their units are called "the Jians". Replied the alien.
"Good, you may leave now." Said Papa as the alien took his leave.
The VIRM alien soon exited while Papa turned around in his chair looking at Earth. The place of his greatest success, after pulling out the greatest scheme in the history of humanity, making them follow him as if he was their god, giving him such power never obtained before; and at the same time, his biggest failure, because he underestimated the power of "emotions" and the power of change a little individual can cause in a whole group, forcing him to drop his act and to try to silence the planet only to fail again. When he abandoned it 15 years ago, it was a decaying planet which would have perished very soon if it wasn't for those damn Klaxosaurs. Now, in the time they were absent, it had gained back many of its lost strength and life, especially thanks to the Federation efforts who had learned of APE mistakes and progressed farther than his APE organization. They had tried to stop them a few years back, sending an expedition to destroy the nation while the main armada reorganized back at their last base. The Vice-chairman led that expedition; they didn't return. Now, the Federation had the help of the Klaxo sapiens, that damn civilization that stopped them before, along with many lessons learned from when they engaged the expedition force. It wouldn't be an easy war this time, but VIRM has and will always prevail.
Papa: "Enjoy your victory, for now, earth landers." Said Papa with a grin as he lifted his right hand in the air as if holding a wine glass, "In the end, our supreme evolution will triumph over yours."
-end of chapter-
*Song heavily inspired in "USEA National Anthem- Hymn of Liberty -" From Ace Combat 4.
PS: I'm sorry for not being able to keep up with the weekly schedule, though I assure you that if it's not weekly, it will be in the next week for sure!