Gundam Build Divers: Rise of the Crimson Seraphs
Chapter 6: A chaotic start
Gazing at the massive sand dune in front of him it almost looked real, even though he knew it wasn't part of the young man felt like he could feel it's scorching heat. Staring at the other members of his squad the young man couldn't resist grinning, everyone looked as if they were having fun despite going into a more or less unknown battlefield. Despite being fans of the series his ex didn't really know much about the battlefields, under different circumstances he would've gone into a lecture but it wasn't necessary right now. Much as he loved knowing about the countless battlefields discovering if their squad could function properly was more important, thankfully his new machine was flying perfectly which gave him a new sense of confidence.
Swinging his joysticks downward his machine quickly plunged towards a patch of sand, seconds before he would've crashed into the dune he flicked the control stick back up. Grinning as his machine's wings opened it slowly coasted into a relaxed glide, it's performance even better than he'd expected.
"Dude quit showing off." Blazing Ace explained as the young man grumbled in frustration at his friend's request, it was only a fraction of his machine's capabilities but it was kinda flashy. Much as he wanted to keep showing off the guy had a point, despite knowing his machine's capabilities that wasn't enough. Since the game was created with group battles in mind they needed to fight in perfect unison, even if they knew what each other's units were capable of it was still necessary for each one to play a specific role.
"What about your unit maybe they'd like a demonstration on what it can do?" Sarenthia questioned as the young man chuckled at her spitfire attitude, unlike his friend the young man didn't mind showing off but it was kinda fun seeing him caught off guard. Maybe it was just his shame at getting called out but the young man was now bright red, eventually it disappeared and he nodded that demonstrating its abilities would be okay. Opening a new screen on her window the young lady clicked a giant button, seconds later there were a good number of Dark Army soldiers lined up on the nearby sand dune.
"Dang they look idiotic." Angelica grumbled as both of the young men chuckled in reply, she'd never really cared for weird looking mobile suits and they definitely qualified. Green cyclops like machines they were nothing short of cannon fodder, even in their own series each machine was basically a throwaway unit. Despite this it was a perfect enemy for rookie players, since they didn't have much armor it was a great way of learning your unit.
"Cyclops enemies are pretty basic units in Gundam, in this particular case they make good practice dummies." Sarenthia explained as the young woman nodded in agreement, while she didn't like the idea of fighting weaklings understanding what their new machines could do was kinda important. Actually it was the same program her cousin used when first teaching her, ever since the young lady used it whenever she needed to get a better grasp on an individual's combat style.
Angelica decided to go first and broke off from the group selecting her machine's trademark weapon, clicking the right button it pulled out a giant beam scythe which despite being impractical was pretty epic. Rushing forward the young woman sliced into the opposing machine, it groaned a little before exploding as the scythe cleaved its waist into two pieces. Directing her gaze onto three clustered nearby by she raised her weapon, moving with an impressive speed the unit ripped each one apart.
Deciding they were going next his best friend rushed into the battle, unlike the rest of his groups machines it didn't need to rely on special weapons. Grabbing the right control stick he began moving it like he was punching something, copying his movements the unit began slamming its fist against the opposing unit. Swinging the control joystick his machine delivered a swift kick, catching the opposing machine off guard it nearly crushed his opponent.
"Dude you could've at least warned us, ya know instead of rushing off like a bunch of crazy people." Nefatari explained before flicking a switch on her cockpit, it made her unit rapidly descend before grabbing her control stick and pushing it upward. Selecting a ranged weapon the girl pulled out an impressive looking firearm, it was meant for ranged combat but if she used it properly it could even the odds. Grabbing it she pulled a trigger inside her cockpit unleashing a single beam, crashing into her opponent's machine it sputtered a little then exploded.
"Sorry but you needa be quick in this game." Ace replied before the young man's friend sighed, using bad grammar was a peeve of his and one the younger friend constantly ignored. Grabbing his own control stick the older friend quickly selected a pair of extremely sharp claws, dashing forward the machine's claws slammed into the opponent before he grinned. Swinging them downward it carved his opponent like a juicy steak, stumbling backwards the machine eventually fell over and exploded. Despite knowing it was cliche the older friend couldn't resist doing an epic pose, dropping into a fighting stance his companion's machine began using a come at me gesture.
Grabbing her own beam saber the younger female member of their group started hacking an opponent, it was doing anything possible in hopes of prolonging it's destruction. Sadly it proved meaningless when her machine's beam saber pierce their waist, groaning a little the machine eventually collapsed before going kaboom. Despite having just destroyed it's companion another machine rushed at her, it would've been a good attack if the older male hadn't seen it coming a mile away.
Selecting his own ranged weapon it quickly fired a set of two bursts from each claw, unlike a good number of mobile suits his didn't carry a beam rifle. During his research of the series it came from that ability stood out to him, it was almost like the pilot believed carrying a rifle was unnecessary. Before he could react there was a loud siren blaring in his machine, swinging his camera around there was a single machine launching itself at him. Grabbing his control stick the young man pushed it forward knowing his dodge would be incredible close to leaving him open, rolling onto the left side of his machine it was nearly clipped by a nasty looking spiked club.
"Wow nice dodge and then comes my giant fist." Ace explained before slamming his machine's fist into their opponent, based on the impact his machine's fist was extremely powerful. Groaning at the reference it was something his friend loved quoting, under different circumstances the older player would've been upset that he'd quoted it. Dropping onto a single knee the enemy machine looked dazed before his friend's machine lunged at it, slamming its fist into the enemy machine it punched a hole clean through it.
Dodging another clumsy blow his ex's machine's scythe bifurcated their opponent, it was a vicious move that felt rather uncharacteristic for her. She was normally pretty relaxed although during their failed courtship she'd revealed a dark side, it was something the woman didn't like about herself though in a game setting it might not be all that dangerous. Gripping it tighter her machine swirled it around before decapitating its partner, both machines quickly exploded before the young woman began laughing although in his opinion it didn't sound malicious.
"Somebody's fired up." Xepher joked before grabbing his machine's right joystick, slamming it forward his machine's arm extended grabbing another opponent. Crashing into the machine's waist its claws were embedded deep inside the opponent,yanking with an impressive display of strength the older male's unit pulled his opponent's machine over to him. Glaring at the machine he contemplated using a secret weapon before deciding against it, while cool the downside of a secret weapon laid in the knowledge it could only be used once. Shrugging inside his cockpit the young man began jerking his control stick in multiple directions, it probably looked crazy in his friend's eyes but it resulted in his machine carving it up like a thanksgiving turkey.
"Dang you guys weren't supposed to be a well oiled machine this early, alrighty then let's kick it up a notch." Sarenthia explained before opening her command screen, scrolling through her choices she eventually pressed an brand new option. Clicking it the enemy machines began disappearing before the entire group began questioning her intentions, seconds later a new opponent appeared this one resembled at least in her opinion a massive Gouf. According to her cousin it was a special unit designed with flight in mind, it wasn't normally this large but considering it was a semi-boss unit increasing the size felt appropriate. Despite knowing it would be a difficult battle the entire group looked excited, it would be very interesting to see how each one dealt with a much bigger opponent.
Giving his ex a quick wink the young lady pushed her control stick forward dashing at their new opponent, quickly flipping over their new enemy she before a quick cut at their ankle. Dashing at their opponent his friend's machine began pummeling it, each blow look powerful enough to destroy a much weaker opponent which made its refusal to explode more concerning. Before they could destroy any of its weapons the machine raised its Gatling-gun, it would've been enough to destroy any member of their group and everyone knew it.
"Shit didn't wanna use it just yet but you're leaving me with no choice buddy, everyone fall back." Xepher explained as the other players looked at him questioningly, before he could explain anything his friend's machine dashed behind a nearby cliff. Realizing it was probably better if they followed his example both women's machines joined him in retreating. After making sure everyone's unit was outside his secret weapon's range the young man clicked it, opening his machine's chest it began storing up an impressive and dangerous looking energy. Seconds into his charge the enemy machine realized it and raised the Gatling-gun's barrel at him, unfortunately it was too late as his machine unleashed an extremely powerful blast which destroyed its gun and the nearby cliff.
"Dude what the hell...just what the hell?" Nefatari questioned as the young man smiled before looking down at his cockpit, it was blinking letting him know moving would be impossible for a little while. Since it was from an entry only the men in his group knew about it was an understandable reaction, it was an extremely powerful weapon and if they didn't retreat its blast might've destroyed their machines as well. Before he could relax the alert popped up on his machine yet again, emerging from the smoke it revealed a machine which despite losing its right arm kept moving. Grabbing at his control stick the young man began jerking it forward, unfortunately moving was damn near impossible until his machine cooled down from his impressive blast.
Grimacing as the machine grabbed a powerful looking blade it rushed at him, since his machine couldn't dodge it was his opponent's best chance of destroying him. Cursing his overconfidence the young man prepared himself for a killing blow, seconds before it would've crashed into him a beam cut through its other arm. Descending in midair their instructor's machine had its wings open and several of their wings floated around his enemy. Swiveling its attention onto her it was just quick enough to get a single peak before her mobile weapon started firing, unlike his massive shot which poured everything into a single blow her wings fired multiple shots each one crashing into the opponent with pinpoint accuracy.
"Seems you're in need of rescue." Sarenthia explained grinning before clicking her machine's right joystick, grabbing her twin beam sabers it rushed at their opponent. Dodging the enemy's feeble strikes it reminded him of an powerful angelic warrior, in some regards it actually seemed like it was phasing through its feeble blows though he knew it wasn't possible. Considering her machine's abilities it would've been impossible for it to completely pass through solid objects, it was more likely she was controlling it with such an impressive command it resembled displacement.
"Damn that's one freaking epic machine." Angelica explained as the other players nodded in agreement, it was nothing short of amazing but he knew it wasn't just the machine. Gundam's were dangerous machines but they still needed competent pilots, in her case the young woman looked as if she'd been doing this for her entire life. Slicing through it's waist the machine grumbled a little before exploding while the angelic machine stepped down onto the ground, it was so impressive everyone in their group started clapping from pure instinct. Blushing a little the young woman clicked another button which caused a mission accomplished status to flash across everyone's machine, it made their entire group start cheering knowing they'd just finished an very difficult introductory mission.
Suddenly another warning blared in their cockpits, groaning in frustration the young man looked over at their instructor. Giving everyone a look which said "get ready" it became clear it wasn't her doing, it meant someone was barging into their mission which should've been impossible. Before long several machines decided in front of their group which made everyone feel nervous, it was just a matter of time before someone opened fire and considering their machine's current lack of ammunition combined with their exhaustion fighting wasn't a good idea.
"We're doing an introductory mission, it's supposed to be an invite only affair so please leave." Sarenthia explained via com-link before readying her sabers, it wasn't likely they'd start a fight but getting caught unprepared might prove troublesome. Minutes stretched on with no response from their new adversary, opening the coms yet again she repeated the message. Growling when the idiots refused to answer she readied herself for another battle, it wasn't long before the machine's started advancing on her. Before she could react the enemy machine raised a weapon the girl didn't recognize, squeezing its trigger an massive blast fired at the young woman's machine so close it was almost pointblank.
"Dude that's not cool, it clearly states in our manuals you're supposed to wait until everyone present accepts before starting a duel." Ace explained before the young woman glared at him, it was pretty clear she didn't believe it was duel. Dashing over to her it started firing countless blasts each one getting closer and closer to hitting the young woman's machine, it was almost like something was controlling them instead of being a player unit. Suddenly there was a loud ringing before a com-link was opened, it didn't show any kind of player or even an image which seemed unusual.
"Attention players you're in violation of the system, either surrender your units or face the consequences." A voice which sounded mechanical explained as the group questioned each other, based on everything they'd read nobody violated any rules. Suddenly it dawned on everyone present it was most likely a scam, it meant they were being punked and nobody in their group appreciated it. Despite their fatigue everyone readied themselves for battle, it was gonna be difficult since they were exhausted but nobody was gonna let some punk get their units.
"Bring it on jackass." Xepher explained as the other members of his group nodded in agreement, standing next to each other it was gonna be a difficult fight but they had each other's back. Giving their instructor a nod she quickly joined them, if they could just outlast their initial assault it would give them an opening. Clicking his right joystick the young man selected his machine's claws, they were his only means of fighting right now because using his secret weapon quickly proved costly.
"Dude we've gotta kick their asses." Ace explained before the older male friend nodded in affirmation, it wasn't like they'd come using anything particularly dangerous save for the gun. Gazing at it the young man couldn't help feeling a sense of dread, it was more powerful than any beam rifle he knew of which meant it was a custom rifle. Suddenly another warning blared in their cockpits before everyone in his group started complaining, dealing with a group of invaders was difficult enough without another pilot interfering in their mission.
"Get away from those machines, we're not sure if it's a glitch or what but they're not player units." A voice the young woman recognized as her cousin explained before his machine appeared, it was moving faster than normal its weapons already drawn. Something about his words concerned her though it didn't make any sense, it wasn't like someone could just hack an NPC for their own cowardly reasons. Before she could question it any further it raised a dangerous looking new weapon much larger than a rifle, aiming it upwards the machine squeezed its trigger causing a missile launch from its gun. Rocketing upwards it slammed into the atmosphere before a dark red light washed over their machines, glancing down at his control panel the young man nearly swore as he realized what they'd just done.
"What the hell...our machine's saying it can't log out." Xepher growled as the other player's confirmed it wasn't just his machine that was unable to log out, glaring back at the enemy mobile suits he realized it was part of their scheme. Dashing at him the young man cursed his luck before slamming his joystick in the opposite direction, engaging his machine's thruster it narrowly avoided what looked to be a killing blow. Selecting his machine's claws the young man lashed out at his enemy, dodging the blow his opponent was exhibiting a level of control previously unimaginable for a training dummy.
"Dude this joke isn't funny anymore, either back off or we're gonna destroy you." Angelica explained as both of the young men nodded in agreement, being unable to log out meant if their units were destroyed it would be problematic. Considering everything he'd learned about the game it wouldn't mean they couldn't play anymore but it could still be worrisome, if this game was anything like the other Gundam game he knew about letting your machine get destroyed meant you'd be running around in a flight suit.
Glaring at the enemy machines it was just a matter of time before one started rushing at them, it meant their only real chance was going on the offensive. Reaching for his control stick the young man pushed it forward just a little before sighing in relief when his machine started moving, using that powerful sonic cannon meant if he wasn't careful his unit might be disabled. Before he could do anything the enemy machine rushed at him with their beam saber out ready for a killing blow, dashing between their machines his friend's unit intercepted the attack. Catching the beam saber in his unit's palm it was glowing with a strange energy, seconds later the unit's palm closed around their opponent's face and squeezed until the head damn near exploded.
"Damn that was cool but it's my turn now." Xepher explained as the young man grabbed his control stick, selecting his units impressive claws it ripped into another machine. Gripping the control stick with both hands it was just a matter of deciding what move in his arsenal would cause the most damage, deciding on a simple yet effective maneuver he clicked it and the machine's powerful claws ripped the machine in half. Discarding the machine he looked at the remaining units like it was just a matter of time before each one laid broken at his group's feet, sure enough the girls were already on the move dashing at what remained of their opponents.
"Any guess on what's causing the interference?" Nefatari questioned before focusing her machine's rifle on the enemy, giving the control stick a quick flick it began firing several quick bursts into her opponent. Seconds later the enemy machine burst into a nice little explosion before she raised her gun once more, unleashing another series of quick bursts each one found their mark. Before long they'd downed a couple of enemy units but it seemed like their enemies just wouldn't give up, it was just a matter of time before endless numbers outweighed skill.
"Just keep fighting we'll figure something out." Angelica explained before the young woman's machine pulled out their really impressive scythe, dashing at her opponent she carved it up like a Halloween pumpkin. Grabbing both control sticks the young woman pushed it forward, swinging the weapon around repeatedly it carved her opponent into tiny little pieces. Seconds later a bright flash appeared in front of her machine, recoiling from it another machine based into her unit.
"Damn it there's a lot of these guys." Ace explained as his machine crushed yet another units head in their palm, it was kinda strange considering the enemy units should've run out by now. Despite their best efforts it seemed like they just keep coming, it was almost like someone knew their machines were in real danger. Gazing at the nearby hill the young man noticed an usual flicker and knew something wasn't right, it took him a little while but eventually the young man realized someone might be watching them.
"Get out here already you coward." Xepher screamed as his units claws ripped another machine into pieces, dropping the enemy machine it squirmed right before it exploded. Grinning at the young man's arrogance the enemy leader clicked a button, seconds later his machine began uncloaking itself.
"Seems you managed to figure it out, bout time it was getting annoying just sitting there waiting for y'all." Voices which sounded much older explained before looking at their machines, studying each one they were all pretty good builds. Sadly it wouldn't keep him from destroying their machines, actually it was gonna be a little more fun challenging them. Gazing down at his wristwatch the guy knew it was just a matter of time before his employer chimed in, until then he'd enjoy playing with his opponents. Clicking one last button his machine fully uncloaked and his opponents gasped, standing in front of them was an extremely powerful looking black mobile suit with devil wings.