Chapter 46 Without Question

The statement by Novem demanded serious attention, that Monika would have liked to have attended to immediately. Unfortunately, May was easily distracted, as she decided to then jump from the railing, screaming a name as she dropped to the deck below.

"Enrique!"

Below, an older, unassuming Latino man looked up in surprise, stepped forward, and caught May before she fell.

"Hey uh…that's a Lynx." Monika realized.

At that realization, James, Serena, and Novem followed May down, while the humans found a less direct route.

They found May, wrapping her arms around the older man, a wide smile on her face, eyes closed contently.

"Es tan bueno verte, Enrique!"

"!Si` has crecido tanto, angelito verde!"

Two Latina women walked up to the two Lynx, embracing May when the man had let her go.

"Hola May querida." Said the older woman.

"Hola mi hermana verde." The younger girl cried.

"Lupita, Maribel, que bueno verlas!" May replied eagerly.

Turning around at the approach of her friends, comrades, and commander, May introduced the three people she was so happy to see. "Guys! Let me introduce you to my extended family! This is Enrique Elkano, former Rank 32nd, and his wife and daughter, Lupita and Maribel!"

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, senoritas, El error del Dios." Enrique bowed politely.

"Hi, I'm Sayori! Uh, how is it you guys know each other?" She asked curiously.

"He's the one who designed Merrygate for me, custom built to fit me perfectly!" May explained.

"Oh! Well, beside me are Yuri, Natsuki, Serena, Fiona, Novem, James, and our commander, Monika!" Sayori pointed out to each of her friends.

"Oh! The Commander of ORCA?" Enrique asked hopefully.

"Yes, I command ORCA." Monika declared.

"Then I have something really important to tell you, about what's been going on in the underground cities."

"I was just about to be debriefed by one of my associates. Seeing as how you know May so well, why don't you come along? Up for a debrief?" Monika asked.

"Yes, please." Enrique nodded.

Twenty Minutes Later / Great Divider – Car One – Conference Room

"Things started to go really bad about a day ago." Enrique began, once everyone had moved into the conference room.

"Please, explain about your home, Enrique. The commander doesn't have much experience in the underground." May requested.

"Oh, okay, well…" Enrique began to describe. "I lived in the middle-class housing district of GA America colony number one. Unlike the lower-class working districts, which are sort of self-made from whatever can be salvaged and interspliced between mega factories, Middle class districts are actually planned, with proper buildings, roads, and businesses. It's not nearly as enforced as the lower levels, but still, everyone is expected to do their part, least they be evicted to the lower levels. I ran a maintenance shop, fixing up any kind of scrap scavengers would bring me, or adjusting equipment to increase power or efficiency."

"I have a question." Monika spoke up. "You are a Lynx, right? Why don't you continue to fight?"

"Well, for my family." Enrique explained. "I wanted to be closer to them, to raise my daughter and live peacefully. Some of us first generation Lynx retired like that, though I also found corporate work, like building May her Next. It's only really the later model Lynx who are driven to stay on the battlefield. I did fight in the Lynx War, and…that's enough excitement for me."

"What happened a day ago, that changed things?" Fiona wondered.

"An announcement, that said Strayed was dead, and ORCA on the run." Enrique recalled. "They said the one who did it was a new model Lynx, something called a 'Cultivater'. Then…we met some of them."

"What happened?" May wondered in concern.

"…It was a purging." Enrique said simply. "I know that the corporates would often purge citizens in the lower levels, clearing space or making food…but in the middle levels? We were supposed to be safe from that."

"Who did the killing?" Serena requested.

"Mostly League troops…but also…that thing." Enrique pointed at Novem. "Cold bastards, the few that we saw, but fast, and lethal, but…like machines, no thought at all. They killed and killed and didn't stop killing."

"How did you get out?" James accused.

"Luck mostly, mainly because everyone had the same idea, get the fuck out of there." Enrique shook his head. "League work is often sloppy, I think they got so used to killing citizens in the lower levels that they were unprepared to clear out the entire city, but they still tried, and shot a lot of people down. So anyway, I'm running, and fighting, trying to protect my family, and all alongside me, everyone has the same idea. We fought to the surface, and found the airbase was mostly unguarded, as the rest of the troops were busy clearing out the city. Anyhow, me and three hundred people found a C-5, loaded it with fuel, and flew across the Atlantic, looking to link up with ORCA, since ORCA is still fighting."

"You wanted to find us?" Monika questioned.

"Are you kidding? You guys are legends!" Enrique exclaimed. "To fight off twenty Arms Forts and over five thousand aircraft in a day? Everyone has been rooting for ORCA for months! We thought you were done for a week ago, but you came back kicking!"

"So…the League cleared out your city…that's going on all over the world?" Monika asked.

"Apparently." Serena confirmed. "That story has been repeated over and over. We've been getting constant flights of refugees the last thirteen hours, landing on every length the Arms Fort has to spare. So far, our population has gone up over four hundred thousand, and is continuing to climb."

"And I know why." Novem spoke up. "As I stated before, I've decrypted The League's files, and found out that 'The Answer Plan' was a three-phase operation to clear out those that they considered inferior. The first phase was to wipe out the Lynx, first by creating a situation that would influence Strayed to hunt down it's own kind; while any stragglers would be hunted down by the J series Cultivaters."

"Right, we pretty much figured that out." Fiona noted.

"Yes, that was clear enough. What is a serious problem is phase two and three." Novem declared. "Phase two involves the purging of all lower and middle class citizens."

"…Why?" Yuri questioned sickly.

"A combination of reasons. Less mouths to feed and manage, more mass converted into food, a change over to largely automated production lines. Everything done for efficiencies sake."

"So…how many people are dying?" Sayori questioned slowly.

"A week ago, the human population on Earth was three billion, after James fell the Cradles. I estimate that The League is trying to eliminate roughly ninety-five percent of all human life. However, if the resistance humanity has shown is any indication, then they may only actually wipe out eighty-five percent of humans."

"So…thats…" Natsuki asked weakly.

"It's saying that there are probably only going to be just under half a billion people left on earth by the end of phase two." Serena calculated. "Though I doubt the League has any intention of leaving any resistance left to live. They'll be hunted down and slaughtered like the rest."

"Something like that, yes." Novem confirmed.

"Oh god…why?" Sayori cried.

"We've seen these Cultivater's in action. The League is likely planning to force humanity to evolve, and is purging all the surviving remnants to do so." Fiona surmised. "That's what Dresden was going on about, heralding in the creation of a new human race."

"…What is phase three?" Monika dreaded.

"Phase three was only possible because of the completion of the Closed Plan, that eliminated the absolute defense grid in orbit." Novem explained. "Now, with no obstacles in it's path, The League's phase three is twofold. First, the occupation of Mars. They will invade through the use of J series Cultivaters and new Infinity Class Spacial Arms Forts."

"Tell me about Mars, their government and population?" Monika demanded.

"The CSM, Corporate Stratocracy of Mars, is a corpo-military constitutional government formed from multiple corporate entities. This government formed in the early twenty fourth century in response to aggression by Earth. With a population of seven billion, their main goals now are resisting a resurgence of Earth aggression from The League, maintaining their puppet states on Luna and Ceres, as well as putting down piracy and rebellion in the many colonized asteroids and moons in the loosely formed ORA, or Outer Rim Alliance." Fiona explained.

"So The League wish to invade Mars as it's the only planet in the Solar System capable of supporting life?" Yuri realized.

"Exactly." Novem nodded. "They will likely drain it of it's recourses as well, including life and people."

"What of the Martian military? Can they resist The League?" Sayori wondered.

"The largest Martian battleship is a half kilometer fusion rocket armed with nuclear missiles, railguns, and plasma cannons." James recalled. "They have Armored Cores, but only an optimized version of Third Gen, no match for the highly optimized Next The League uses. And the Spacial Arms Forts?"

"The Infinity Class Spacial Arms Fort is a ten kilometer long, two-billion-ton brick armed with the latest in Kojima technology, in weapons and shielding. The Martians do not stand a chance." Novem clarified.

"…You said there was a second part to phase three? What is it?" Monika questioned slowly.

Bringing up a hologram of a large missile, Novem began to explain. "This is the IPBM, InterPlanetary-Ballistic-Missile. It is a kilometer long, has a range of five billion miles, and is tipped with a one hundred teraton Kojima-gravity focused warhead. It is an anti-planet weapon. The League plan on using this weapon not just against the unoccupied worlds of Mercury and Venus, but the colonies on Luna, Ceres, Ganymede, Europa, Callisto, Titan, Triton, Pallas, Vesta, Eros, dozens of other bodies…and Earth."

"What…kind of damage are we talking about?" Natsuki wondered.

"You said…teraton, right?" Fiona asked to confirm. Novem nodded. "Oh…god."

"What? I don't understand, what's happening?" Sayori questioned.

"At one hundred teratons, planets will shatter into billions of fragments, turning into a new asteroid belt." James clarified. "I imagine they are doing this to ease resource extraction?"

"Correct."

"What the…fuck?" Monika breathed weakly. "They would destroy everything, even the Earth?"

"Yes, although they are not so inane as to shatter the Earth just yet, while they are still living on it. Which does explain what I found." Novem stated, as he switched to a zoomed in image of the distant horizon, showing a strange, unnaturally tall tower to the South. "I noticed this structure being constructed in the distance, where The League is currently consolidating it's forces."

"It's a space elevator." Yuri realized. "How tall is it now?"

"They've completed the anchor, which is situated directly on top of the Tall Trunk Fortress. The ten-kilometer-tall megastructure will then be attached to cables extending thirty-five thousand kilometers to another anchor in deep orbit. This project will be completed within the year."

"I doubt the Martians would allow The League to build a space elevator unopposed, so phase three will begin shortly. How long do we have until the start of that operation?" Monika surmised.

"The start of phase three is set to begin in forty-five hours." Novem declared finally.

No one spoke as the implications wore heavily on them. All humanity, not just those living on Earth, but even the sorry souls who called the cosmos their home, would be subject to the depraved visions of The League.

"That is, of course, what The League presumes will happen. I believe things could turn out far worse." Novem, speaking as Hustler One, declared.

"H-How?" Sayori questioned. "How could anything be worse than what The League has planned for all those innocent people?"

"Because they fail to understand the implications of their own technology." Novem announced. "A mere ten megatons of gravity affected Kojima energy was enough to send James and May back in time, forever changing the course of this world. Multiple one hundred teraton detonations would rend the very fabric of space time, and cause this solar system to fold back in on itself, shredded down to the last atom as existence itself collapses."

"How…certain are you of this possibility?" Monika demanded in dread.

"I have no idea, the Kojima and anti-gravity technology employed by The League is currently beyond my understanding." Novem clarified. "But I am certain that The League underestimates the power of their own weapons."

"So…everything, humanity, this world, will come to an end?" Sayori questioned slowly.

"I won't allow it." Monika shook her head. "What forces are at that location?"

"The main site is a large scale mega bunker, the same production model as Big Box, known as Tall Trunk." Novem explained. "Situated fifteen kilometers inland of the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, the triangular megastructure is two and a half kilometers tall and three kilometers wide, protected by three Anti-Arms Fort Coilguns firing ten meter by thirty meter munitions. There are three additional bunkers, each less than a kilometer across, with their own defensive cannons on the roof. Additionally, multiple Arms Forts, including Spirit Class, are believed to be patrolling the base, prepared to intercept us should we approach."

"That's not counting all those J series clones they have. I'm betting every one of the remaining forty-three are going to be there." Fiona noted.

"And what do we have to work with?" Monika demanded.

"Of ORCA forces, 438 soldiers and six hundred pilots for our two hundred helicopters, of which only fifty-eight of our helos are armed for combat. We have three Lynx, one of which may not survive the coming battle, regardless of it's outcome."

"Four!" Enrique shouted. "I may have been out of the cockpit for a while, but I still know how to fight."

"Okay, four Lynx." Serena corrected herself. "Five if we count myself for ground combat. Though in Cores we have one Sunshine, one Aaliyah, the Athena, and the Aretha."

"In machine forces-" Novem spoke up. "We bring ten thousand combat droids, two hundred heavily armed transports, and three hundred Gen 3.5 Armored Cores, and one Command Armored Core."

"What is the equipment on your Cores?" Fiona noted. "You said they were '3.5' Gen, what does that mean?"

"High efficiency variants of Third Gen, armed with powerful plasma weapons, protected with an AI built energy shield that is weaker than Primal Armor, but recharges quicker, and mounted with a copy of quick-boosters."

"So they are sort of a discount Next?" James surmised.

"They could be called that, yes."

"I'm worried that they won't survive a confrontation with proper Next, especially these upgraded variants The League have." Fiona then explained. "The upgrades, which we do have access to, include an increase to the load limit, speed, armor protection, and reaction time."

"I have considered this." Novem admitted. "Which is why each of my Armored Cores will be armed with a suicide five kiloton nuclear device."

"What?!" Sayori exclaimed. "Nine, you can't throw yourself away like that!"

"When the Next were created, we machines calculated that the only method for our inferior technology to match them would be in suicide attacks, using our Armored Cores as a delivery system. However, Next are still likely to survive multiple direct hits by such a method, necessitating a three to one advantage in numbers."

"So it's going to be close." Monika declared. "What about a technological exchange? Between us and Hustler, we each trade the best we have to offer to give us the best chance of surviving?"

"We really don't have the time to do much, so whatever we decide will have to be the most effective combination that we can think of." Fiona reminded them.

"Then we should focus on upgrading our Next and the Arms Fort itself." Yuri suggested.

"Correct. We could attach energy shield emitters to the exterior of the Arms Fort, to increase it's defensive characteristics." Novem added.

"What about weapons?" Natsuki wondered.

"They would have to be defensive weapons only, we don't have the time to build an entire weapon system into this Arms Fort." Serena advised.

"Great, what about the Next?" Monika questioned. "Upgrading the few we have could seriously change the course of the coming battle."

"Hustler was actually working with me on that before we knew what it was. There are four machines we plan to overhaul." Fiona declared. "Firstly, May's Sunshine."

"Oh?" May perked up.

"If we strip one of the 150mm gatling cannons from the Aretha and mount it on your Sunshine, it would be a massive boost to your destructive power. It would have to be a two handed weapon though, and would take up both your right arm and right back mountings."

"Oh yes please!" May cried at the thought of handheld gatling artillery.

"Additionally, we found enough internal space for an AI shield generator, which would protect you underneath your Primal Armor."

"Lastly, we have a weapon that hasn't been seen in a number of years." Novem announced. "Orbit weapons."

"Orbit like space…?" Yuri questioned.

"No, Orbit weapons are a form of short-range drones that either hover in place or are magnetically locked in the air near an Armored Core." Novem clarified. "We suggest that May have her shoulder mounts used as hangars for the drones, allowing her to have a total of eight high powered external laser drones that can be used for either point defense or attack."

"I like the sound of that!" May cheered.

"Next, for my units, we would be merely bringing the Aaliyah and my Nineball Seraph Core up to League standard."

"So, you want to convert that big AI Armored Core into a functional Next?" Serena questioned.

"Yes."

"Well…" Serena hesitated. "It will certainly be the very first 'Variable-Geometry' Next in the world."

"Lastly, for you James." Fiona spoke up. "I've found some special equipment in our cargo that will be a massive benefit to you."

"…?"

"Besides upgrading the Athena to League and machine standard, the first piece of equipment to be added is an extremely powerful variant of additional back boosters." For her explanation, Fiona brought up a hologram of the Athena, with a pair of wings attached to it's back mounts with large engines at the roots, and another pair of large engines mounted above and behind the first set. "The R1-YU/MU is an experimental flight unit that, instead of just bleeding from the reactor, actually provides independent thrust through the use for four, three-meter-long scramjet engines, which will allow the Next to accelerate to Mach ten, or, when the wings are folded down, quick-boost at Mach five."

"…" James eyes widened in delight, even as he stayed silent, continuing to assess the unit.

"Additionally, we found an even more powerful unit, the VOB Mark Two." Novem declared. Unlike a standard VOB, which was just a back mounted rocket with eleven engines, the MK 2 variant appeared more as an actual aircraft, with one main engine surrounded by four engine nacelles, each of which contained both an engine and maneuvering thrusters. As well, there was a large angular nose cone that entirely protected the NEXT from the front, with a total of four long thin wings split between the fore and aft sections. "The Mark Two is actually a multistage combat variant of the original, with greater range and speed. It's heavily armored, and armed with a pair of Strafing Lasers and internal missile bays."

"Impressive, what are it's limits?" James questioned.

"That's the weird thing." Fiona smiled. "So many high spec upgrades and units are being combined here that the upper limits are…excessive."

"We are uncertain to the actual upper limit, but this vehicle, in it's final state with all it's upgrades, will be able to achieve orbit." Novem stated

"So…at least Mach 32?" James realized.

"At least."

"Lastly, we've decided to pool as many resources together as possible, to give you every advantage. We're going to fill the Mark Two with thirty-two high yield nukes on the four internal rotary launchers; your OGOTO will be fully loaded with one kiloton nukes; your XCG Chaingun is being refitted to carry three times the ammunition, with coilgun barrels to double their velocity. And…" Fiona trailed off for Novem to finish.

"Every advanced technology of the machines shall be yours to use. You'll have sixteen orbit laser drones, energy shields underneath your double thick Primal Armor, boosted reactor and targeting efficiency, and pulse-wave laser blades."

"For a single day, you'll be the fastest, deadliest weapon to ever exist." Fiona offered.

"But…will he survive?" Sayori questioned.

That question hung heavy in the air, and many refused to answer.

"I've done the best that I could repairing him, rewriting his entire operating system, and boosting the efficiency of his programming." Hustler One answered as Novem. "That being said, there is still severe damage to his nervous system, both from his time on Iturup Island and being in combat with J24."

"Couldn't we just heal him with nanites?" Natsuki suggested.

"Unfortunately, a Lynx's nervous system is too strong, it will fry any nanites that get close to it." Serena informed her. "And trying to turn him off for repairs could set him back into a state of AMS Feedback."

"So what are his chances? Tell it straight." Monika demanded.

"He has one battle left in him." Novem declared. "And roughly a twenty percent chance of surviving, which drops the longer he stays in the cockpit."

"So be it." James accepted gracefully.

"We are pouring everything we have to give you this chance. No one else can stand up against J24." Fiona assured him. "You're the only one who can do this."

"James…can you do it?" Sayori wondered.

"…Well I won't know for sure until I've tested it myself."

. . .

The meeting ended, Monika waited as her comrades, subordinates, and friends filtered out.

Leaving Yuri waiting patiently.

"Yuri…?"

"Monika, there's something you should know." Yuri slowly approached. "The site The League built 'Tall Trunk' on. It is called Tel Megiddo."

"Oh?" Monika looked curious. "So what's special about this land?"

"Depending on how it's translated, it is also known as Armageddon."

"…" Monika closed her eyes. "What do you want me to say Yuri? That it's ironic that our final battle was predicted in a book so rare now that only machines know of it?"

"…" Yuri stared silently, just as torn.

"I'm fighting a war here, a war that will decide if humans will retain their humanity, fall to the League, or be wiped from existence in the wake of our own arrogance. I don't find it poetic or funny or interesting, just sad."

"…I'm sorry." Yuri said weakly.

"You know that in less than two days, I have to order James to his death?" Monika sneered. "Even if we live, how can I face Sayori, or Fiona, if I'm the one who sends him to die?"

"James wouldn't mind. He'd tell you that it's your job." Yuri reminded her.

"It's only been…three years, you know?" Monika realized. "Three years ago, I was just a high school girl, worried about being popular and pretty and shit."

"I was just as shallow, just looking for a good book or a fuck." Yuri remembered.

"When I was speaking to the machines, they accused me of being responsible for the deaths of 24 billion people."

"You didn't kill those people, Monika." Yuri reminded her.

"But I started this path. Save Sayori, and destroy this world." Monika shook her head. "And now, ORCA, everyone left on this Arms Fort, is all that is left between salvation, and annihilation."

"If it is to be our last few days…" Yuri spoke softly, while reaching out.

"We'll be sure to not regret it." Monika smiled, taking her hand.

"It's crazy…isn't it?" Natsuki asked.

"It sure is." Sayori admitted.

"Just…the last three years have changed everything." Natsuki shook her head. "I thought I was strong before, being boastful while hiding my abuse. And now…"

"Now we're cyborgs, soldiers fighting the last war, hundreds of years in the future." Sayori remarked.

"…Do you really think it will be the last war?" Natsuki wondered suspiciously. "After everything that's happened…"

"It has to be." Sayori declared. "Too much has been lost. If everything we've sacrificed only paves the way for the next war, then what is the point of it?"

"…You're right." Natsuki nodded. "We have to make sure this plan of ours is successful."

"Yeah…and that James gets to live." Sayori remarked coldly.

"…Hey…Sayori…" Natsuki questioned slowly. "Whatever happened to us?"

"…James, I guess." Sayori closed her eyes. "Messing with our heads for his own convenience. Making us feel things that weren't real."

"Was it truly never real?" Natsuki wondered.

"That time, it wasn't…but…" Sayori trailed off.

"Listen, no matter what happens, you're my friend forever." Natsuki assured her.

"…I feel the same." Sayori smiled.

Linked to a simulation unit, James experimented with the load out he was supposed to be using. The specifications were so extreme, the simulation was having difficulty keeping up with the inputs he was applying to the VOB equipped Athena.

Turning suddenly, the simulation failed to calculate the forces being applied, and ended up with the components suddenly colliding with each other at high Mach, instantly exploding.

"…" James sighed as he went to work imputing new calculations to avoid the simulation failing so abruptly.

"You know, somehow I don't think that's supposed to happen." May remarked, leaning over the simulator.

"The League didn't exactly leave us any data to work with. I'm learning how it works as I go."

"…" May cocked her head curiously. "You aren't worried at all, using a bunch of unproven tech against him?"

"Just another job, May."

James wasn't allowed to continue working as May crawled into the simulation module, sitting on his lap facing him.

"…?"

"Back when we were enemies, I was…really scared, at the prospect of fighting you." May admitted. "It was paralyzing. Back when you saved me, I was scared shitless, seeing your blades out while standing right behind me."

"…"

"Yet you didn't hesitate to take a fatal blow that was meant for me. Why?"

"I took a calculated risk. I trusted you to hold your own, and thought I could take him down at that moment."

"Even if you had died right there?"

"Even if." James confirmed.

"…I want you to make me a promise." May demanded. "That even if you think you can win at the cost of your own life, that you'll do your damndest to come back alive."

"For them, or for you?"

"I would be lying if I said I haven't enjoyed fighting by your side." May stated. "And besides, I think I owe you one anyway."

"Is that what you are calling this?"

"Shut up James." May smiled devilishly.

"…" James rolled his eyes.

Overseeing the modifications to the Athena directly, Fiona worked with human and machine technicians, as she optimized the Core the way James would like it.

She had to admit, those machine techs provided by Hustler One were extremely useful, with industrial strength and immaculate accuracy, as well as carrying an array of tools on each of their four arms.

"Fiona." Monika called, having walked up beside her.

"Monika." Fiona reported, business like. "The upgrades to the Athena are proceeding as scheduled. Enrique took over for upgrading May's Sunshine, since he knows how she likes it best."

"We haven't had a lot of chance to talk." Monika noted. "What with things being as crazy as they've been. But…you're still upset with me about killing Dresden, aren't you?"

"…" Fiona paused in her work. "After everything we've learned, his assistance could have saved us a lot of time and effort."

"Maybe…" Monika admitted. "But…I know, that you know, that he was going to get away with it. I didn't kill him because he was crazy, I killed him because he was making sense."

"…" Fiona considered that, giving her a soft nod.

"Like he said, humanity has to change to survive, but I don't think it's anything so radical as augmenting us all into Cultivaters."

"Then what did you have in mind?" Fiona questioned.

"Just being honest with each other." Monika smiled sadly. "There's a chance that I'm going to order your son to his death."

"…Yeah…I know." Fiona sighed. "I've already buried my husband, my son is all I have left. Yet…even so…this is what he wanted." Fiona gestured to the Armored Core before them. "A chance to do his best, doing the worst. If he dies, then I can't blame you, not when this is the only life he's ever known."

"…I saw one of his memories once, the one where he met you." Monika admitted. "You really love him, don't you?"

"…I felt responsible for the deaths of his family. I tried to pay that back by being the very best mother I could be."

"I think it shows." Monika remarked. "There are moments of unusual kindness and concern from him, and it's always surprising, especially given his temperament."

"…I'm starting to think that you like him too."

"Well, there was a time." Monika admitted.

"…You should talk to him. Let him know how you feel."

"I will. I hope you do as well."

"Thanks." Fiona nodded. "And Monika?"

"Yes?"

"No matter what happens, I know you'll do the right thing."

"Thank you, Fiona…that means a lot." Monika smiled.

"Hey Yuri." Natsuki greeted, finding the taller girl in temporary command of the Arms Fort, seeing as everyone else was doing something or another.

"Natsuki, how are you?" Yuri smiled.

"Oh, you know." Natsuki sat on the side of the chair Yuri was seated in, leaning against her back. "Stressed."

"…" Yuri remembered being in this same position long ago, back when their little literature club was first starting, long before they ever met James. "Do you remember the last time you sat like that?"

"…!" Natsuki realized what Yuri was talking about. "Yeah, back when I was hanging out with those other losers…wow…I can't even remember their names."

"I remember that it was a pretty big moment for you, to abandon everything you knew, and take comfort in a new friend."

"Because you never say any more than needs to be said." Natsuki remarked. "Unless it's particularly interesting."

Yuri giggled. "Thank you for that. I know that we used to have our differences-"

"Yuri, we've been fighting side by side for the past three years. I think we're a little past arguing about poems and reading preferences."

"I still don't think manga is literature."

"…" Natsuki gasped in offence, shifting to stare at the back of Yuri's head.

"Kidding~" Yuri smiled widely, suppressing a laugh.

"Oh!" Natsuki wrapped her arms around Yuri's neck, fake choking her. "I ought to twist your pretty little head around~!"

Yuri giggled, before another thought crossed her mind. "Hey…do you still think I'm pretty?" She asked quietly, tracing the scars near her eye.

"…I think it adds to your character. 'The silent beauty with a dark past' kind of vibe."

"Is that what we're calling it now?" Yuri joked.

"Hey, I'm being nice here!" Natsuki shouted.

"I know…thank you, Natsuki."

"You're welcome, Yuri."

"Uh, Miss Serena?" Sayori called.

"Hmm? What is it kid?" Serena didn't look back from where she was working, poking around in a primary power conduit, seeing how much energy they could spare from the main reactors to the energy shield emitters the AI was installing to the exterior of the Arms Fort.

"Did you need any help?" Sayori offered.

"Uh…no…but thanks." Serena remembered that Sayori wasn't the most mechanically inclined, and she was currently trying to modify power lines with gigawatts of energy running through them.

"Oh…okay! Uh…?"

"…" Serena sighed, seeing as Sayori clearly wanted to say something. "What's on your mind?"

"Well…it's just that I think we got off on the wrong foot when we first met." Sayori noted.

"Well, you were trying to install an unshackled, sentient AI into some of our core systems." Serena accused.

"I know, and I know that you don't trust machines." Sayori easily surmised. "They feel the same way."

"…What do you mean?" Serena became curious with that statement.

"Hustler was telling me about what it had seen. It had built the Justice orbital platform that caused the First Great Destruction."

"I'm not surprised."

"It created the platform to block off electrical interference from solar flares." Sayori explained. "It was humans who used it as a weapon."

"…" That caused Serena to listen more intently.

"Maybe the machines were wrong for waging war, but doing so often united humanity against them. But…when it came to each Great Destruction, it was humans who caused them, each and every time."

"…" Serena bowed her head, deep in thought.

"I don't expect you to ever trust the machines…but please, at least fight side by side with one, to help us." Sayori pleaded.

"…I'll consider it."

"Thanks Serena!" Sayori turned to walk away.

"Hey kid!"

"…?" Sayori looked back at Serena curiously.

"I'm sorry if I've come across as mean or what not." Serena shook her head. "I've been so used to fighting, not trusting, especially not my own kind…"

"It's alright." Sayori accepted. "I know it's hard for Lynx to make friends, but I don't blame you for it. I like that you are so strong, both physically and mentally."

"…You're all right kid." Serena smiled. "I can see why James likes you so much."

"Thanks Serena." Sayori smiled back. "I'm glad I got to meet you!"

"It's been a pleasure, to get to know you as well." Serena agreed.

Eagerly inspecting her weapons, May worked to ensure smooth and accurate functionality. Her newest gun, the massive gatling cannon, even with it's barrels sawed in half, was still a ten meter long monstrosity, capable of firing 150mm armor-piercing shells at a thousand rounds a minute.

"Having fun I see?" Monika noted as she approached.

"You bet!" May cheered. "This thing can definitely shred Next armor down, and I've got a three thousand round drum to play with!"

"I was speaking with Hustler, and it seems that we have enough one kiloton nukes to spare, to give you and the Aaliyah thirty for your OGOTO cannons. Each." Monika clarified.

"Ah-ha…" May breathed slowly. "You're getting me really excited for this battle."

"Just don't go losing your head though, just cause I'm giving you high yield ordnance."

"Ah, but I really can't help myself." May cheered. "I love explosives!"

"Yeah…I kind of figured." Monika noted. "Just be sure to come back alive."

"Oh, worried about little old me~?" May grinned widely.

"I've always been worried and fascinated by you." Monika admitted. "You're a sweet girl and one of the strongest people I've ever met."

"…I feel much the same." May stated. "Back when I worked for GA, even being one of their most valuable assets, I was still only a tool. But you…you treat me like a friend, and I appreciate it."

"Of course, May." Monika nodded. "It's actually a bit hard not to become friends with you."

"Even so, please don't forget that I am a Lynx, an asset to be used, as you see fit." May demanded seriously.

"…And I want you to remember that you're a person too, and that you don't belong to anyone-" Monika tried to argue.

"On the contrary!" May shouted eagerly. "Out of everyone, I'd like to belong to you! To be used as an instrument of your will!"

"…" Monika stopped, knowing that Lynx thought differently than humans. Especially May, someone built as a tool, who openly expressed a desire to be used as a weapon. That is what drove Lynx, where they found their value, in being useful. "Then I'll use you May. I'll use you in every way I see fit, to make this world in my image."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." May bowed, arms spread open. Monika pulled her back up, standing level with each other.

"But I'll cherish you, and if you fall, then I will have lost a true friend."

"Then I'll cherish the status of being your friend, over my own title as a Lynx." May smiled.

"Here is the latest data gathered from my simulations." James handed a high-density data core off to Fiona.

"Great, what are we looking at?" Fiona plugged the data core into her equipment console.

"Roughly sixteen exbibytes of calculations regarding the experimental components and the Athena."

"…Right." Fiona sighed. "Want to help me input the data?"

"Okay." James moved in beside her, opened the relevant data files and setting them so Fiona saw the most important data.

"Hmm, okay. Looks like we have to adjust the plasma flow valves to compensate for that second reactor." Fiona listed off. "And we have to find a new way to shunt heat away from the core. Athena was never meant to operate with modern League reactors."

"If we strip armor from the inward facing panels of the scramjet engines, we could install more heatsinks and reduce the weight again." James suggested.

"You'll have to run the airflow calculations all over again though." Fiona warned. "As well as weight distribution."

"I can start right away." James suggested.

"Just…wait a sec." Fiona stopped him.

"…?"

"Do you remember when you were about nine years old? It was still early in your studies, and we wanted you to have some hands-on experience?" Fiona recalled. "You and I would spend all day pulling a reactor apart, putting it back together; until we could do it and not say a word the entire time, just knowing exactly what needed to be done?"

"…" James sighed, closing his eyes. "Those are some of my favorite memories."

"I'm glad." Fiona quietly cheered. "How about when this war is over, you and I do that again? Build things together, just like we used to."

"…I'd like that, mom."

"Then it's a promise!" Fiona leaned in close, kissing his cheek.

"…Yes."

The influx of refugees was exponential. The strain on personnel was so extreme that Sayori and Yuri had volunteered to do a shift to help process them in.

"Here you go, this is for you." Sayori smiled as she handed a food ration to another of the countless refugees being filtered in from the rear airlock. All of them dirty, malnourished, tired, and often injured; each with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

Yuri looked in each direction, even as she continued handing off blankets one at a time to those in need. Up and down the line, something fascinating to see. Soldiers and technicians of ORCA, standing beside her, also helping to process the lines of refugees. The machine soldiers of Hustler One, refusing to sit idly by, were helping as well, bringing supplies up from the secondary cargo holds, and assisting where they could.

There were even League soldiers helping them. Whole battalions refusing to carry out their orders, revolting against The League and joining ORCA, often with thousands of civilians in tow at a time.

"Can you believe it?" Sayori remarked brightly. "ORCA and League, human and machine, working together?"

"Peace in our time? All it took was everyone about to die." Yuri noted.

"But this is how things should be, we shouldn't need any excuse to want to help people." Sayori declared.

"I think you're right about that." Yuri smiled. "You're always eager to help people. I admire that about you."

"Well…I always kinda understood how it is when people feel bad." Sayori explained. "I didn't want them to suffer, if I could help."

"I remember." Yuri recalled. "I was so devastatingly anxious when I met you, until I finally just cried in your arms, getting out how I felt."

"I was just happy that I could help you, Yuri." Sayori smiled. "It meant the world to me that I could help you."

"And it means the world to me, being your friend." Yuri answered back.

The CIC was consistently hectic, as radio and radar operators worked to guide refugee transport aircraft in dozens at a time, as they landed on every flat surface the Arms Fort had to offer. Working constantly to move the aircraft and people to and fro into every space left available.

Overseeing the desperate operations directly, Monika had personally ordered Hustler One to place several of it's lesser Armored Cores on the roof of each car. Besides disarming the League soldiers who had come to surrender, they were also tasked with pushing empty transports off the roof, in order to quickly clear space for more refugee transports.

"Commander, ten more transports just landed, and another twenty just entered our airspace." The Radar Operator reported.

"That brings our current population to over two million." Hustler One counted for her. It appeared as a holographic cylinder of red lines sitting on the side of the table, vaguely turned in her direction.

"…" Sighing tiredly, Monika checked their supplies again. While they wouldn't be running out of most basic necessities, air was starting to become a problem. They were already pushing maximum suggested occupant limits, and it looked like no end was in sight. "Are the fabricators manufacturing enough replacement air processers?"

"While we have one line completely devoted to air processers, expectations are that the population will exceed the limits of currently installed units."

"Then we have to change over one of the other productions lines…" Monika realized. She was trying to build a sound strategy against The League, but trying to house and save the refugees was interfering with her plan. "We can't afford to cease production of power-armor suits, so sacrifice the production of Normals after building a forty-strong battalion, and refocus on air processers."

"…Very well, Commander." Though it knew the risk of doing so, the machine refused to disobey her order.

"Having fun there?" Natsuki found herself in the CIC again, looking in on the condition of another friend.

"Just…trying to save the human race." Monika sarcastically gestured, waving her hand tiredly.

"Have you considered…sending some of the refugees to Isaac City, for Hustler to take care of-?" Natsuki suggested curiously.

"I've already looked into the possibility!" Monika shouted. "But Hustler says Isaac City is under equipped to handle any refugees, as it lacks the infrastructure to support any more people than are already there! As well, it's currently trying to build weapons to assist us in the coming battle, I don't want The League knowing where a fully functioning, self-sufficient war factory is hidden!"

"All right, all right! Sorry I asked!" Natsuki recoiled.

"…I'm sorry." Monika bowed her head. "I've just…got a lot on my mind right now, and a lot of responsibility."

"Yeah…I definitely don't think I could do what you do." Natsuki accepted. "You're doing more than has ever been asked of you."

"…" Monika rocked her head in agreement, nodding simultaneously.

"And I'm…really impressed by what you have done. Are still doing. For your friends…for everyone else…"

"…" Monika looked back, curious as her friend went on.

"Well, I just wanted to say…thanks." Natsuki declared. "Thanks for always trying to do your best, no matter what it is we're doing."

"I'll admit…" Monika trailed off. "I rather miss the days when all I had to do was convince you to read something other than manga, or write a damn poem."

"Yeah…I could be a real pain in the butt." Natsuki admitted. "But admit it, you could be a really stuck up 'know it all'."

"Ah-ha…yeah." Monika recalled. "Even here in ORCA, being the leader is more than just telling everyone to do it my way…I have to consider every opinion and piece of information before I can make an informed decision."

"Just remember, everyone is here to help you." Natsuki assured her. "We trust whatever you decide."

"Thanks Natsuki." Monika nodded. "I'll be sure to rely on you, to get this done."

"You get the final designs I need?" Serena demanded.

"Yes, we've finalized the calculations." James confirmed. "This is the work that needs to be done."

"…" Looking over the data, Serena calculated in her head what time would be needed to complete final specifications. "It's going to be close…we're going to be working right up to the launch deadline."

"I know that you'll get it done on time." James stated certainly. "As well, you have that machine to assist you."

"Yeah…I'll admit, they are proving extremely capable." Serena gestured to the tall machine technicians, continuing to work on the Nine-Ball Cores. "Whatever possessed you to build an AI, James?"

"Wanted to see if I could. And if it would fight The League."

"Heh…all for your hatred of The League then?" Serena shook her head.

"Maybe…but…" James hesitated. "Maybe I've grown tired of being driven by hate. I'm not even sure it was hate that drove me before."

"But…" Serena recalled his actions. "Your depravity in battle, your ruthlessness, your hatred of The League is well known…"

"They are just people that need to go down. Hate had nothing to do with it."

"So, even after everything, all that you've lost, all that they put in your head, then what are you fighting for?" Serena questioned.

"Just to keep her smiling." James declared. "I need not any more reason."

"…You're definitely not the same angry kid who I last saw." Serena realized. "Maybe you'll do something right for once."

"Now wouldn't that be something?" James joked.

"Right. Let's get to work."

Taking a short break from her work, May rested her eyes while she stood in a hidden corner, running through her old memories. That is, the ones she was certain were real.

"Ah, I'm glad I found you."

Opening her eyes, she found Yuri with her, looking at her curiously.

"How can I help you, Yuri?"

"I…wanted to talk to you." Yuri demanded quietly. "Whatever happened to us, May?"

"We started a war, been kinda busy fighting ever since." May dismissed.

"You know what I mean." Yuri stepped closer. "There were times we could have been something."

"I don't know what to tell you Yuri." May frowned. "I'm a Lynx, we don't exactly have healthy relationships."

"Well, what about James and Sayori?" Yuri referenced. "They're really happy together-"

"That's because the both of them are rather broken." May clarified. "Sayori gets to be treated like his entire world, and James gets to forget what he is. They both benefit."

"And you don't think we had anything?" Yuri demanded.

"To be completely honest Yuri, I used you." May admitted. "Hate me all you like, but I used you, because it was convenient, and fun."

"You don't think I know that!?" Yuri shouted back. "I knew you were a monster, and I didn't care. I'm happy to be used by you, because it is fun. And it's…nice…to think that I have some of your attention."

"…" May rubbed her forehead in tired annoyance. "I'm not the kind of girl who'd settle down you know. I'm going to have fun wherever it pleases me, no matter who I hurt. Most humans tend to look down on that kind of behavior."

"I'm not most humans." Yuri declared. "I know your nature, and accept it."

"…I promise you nothing."

"And I expect nothing. I know you're just trying to have fun. Maybe I am too."

"…You're a bold girl, Yuri." May complemented. "Making demands of me."

"And maybe you're just as broken, like the rest of us." Yuri accused sweetly.

"I won't deny it." May accepted.

"No matter what happens, no matter how much you use me, you'll still be my friend." Yuri assured her.

"Then I'll be sure to put you to good use." May offered. "I suppose that's the best that I can do."

"I expected nothing less." Yuri accepted.

"Commence Firing!" Clark shouted at the firing range.

At his order, his eighteen Spec Ops fired their brand-new Plasma Rifles, gifts from Hustler One.

The overly large rifle was clearly a downscaled Armored Core weapon, shaped like an offset blade, with a split rail barrel and short stock, and heavy understock that interfered with the placement of a person's right arm, while also serving as a counterweight. Having been designed for the ergonomics of machines to use one handed, the twenty-five-pound weapon was unwieldy and lacked a sight, with the soldiers of ORCA having to crudely glue a short-range scope onto the side of it.

It was so unwieldy, that it was actually more comfortable to hold the weapon upside-down, but that threw off the aim and put the users left hand uncomfortably close to an exposed heatsink. If it wasn't for the ORCA designed powered combat armor, they wouldn't even want to use the plasma rifles at all.

On the plus side, the weapon had three fire modes: rapid fire, which shot a five millimeter wide, inch long bolt of plasma at three hundred rounds per minutes; wide burst, which fired six of those five millimeter bolts at once at a hundred rounds per minutes as a kind of plasma shotgun; and lastly, heavy bolt, which fired a thirty millimeter wide, three inch long bolt at twenty rounds per minute. Depending on the density of the magnetic containment field in each fire mode, the rounds fired would either be armor piercing or high explosive.

Even as uncomfortable as the rifle was, the soldiers of ORCA were excited at the prospect of using a high tech, multipurpose plasma weapon against The League.

"Cease Fire!" Clark shouted again, inspecting the groupings his soldiers had put down range. Owing to the fact that plasma bolts were in fact, not massless, there was still a noticeable recoil when each round was fired, which was mostly negated by frictionless internal mechanisms within the weapon. For ammunition, it was fed by a high density Hydrogen fuel cell, giving it a large number of rounds in each firing mode.

"Oh! Looks like you guys are having a lot of fun!"

"Hey, Sayori!" Clark called out, the rest of the Spec Ops turning from their firing lanes to greet her politely. "You want to give it a go?"

"Eh…It seems a bit unwieldy, I think I'll stick to handguns." Sayori declined.

"Well, I can understand the sentiment. Were it not for the power armor, we wouldn't even consider using these heavy weapons. Anyone not wearing this is going to be using ballistics for sure." Clark explained.

"Because they are lighter and easier to use indoors?" Sayori guessed.

"That's right." Clark confirmed.

"Ah ok. James taught me a whole lot about tactics and stuff." Sayori added.

"Well, he's certainly the one to learn from." Clark noted. "Would you like to train with us for a bit?"

"Oh! I'd love to, but I'm running around, trying to talk to a few more people before the battle starts." Sayori explained.

"Ah. Well, I wish you luck." Clark waved. "See you after the battle."

"You take care now!"

"Give them hell out there!"

"Good hunting!"

"Thank you." Sayori smiled. "You all take care of yourselves too."

Standing near the combat simulator that James was using, Natsuki could see the advanced flight helmet he was wearing in action. A pair of targeting crosshairs on his heads-up display tracking his eyes, allowing him to lock onto any target he could see.

After calibrating himself into the machine, he started his mock battle. Twisting his head round to track an unseen enemy, while his hands pressed controls for imaginary weapons. However, after several minutes of simulated combat, his console flashed red.

/MISSION FAILED

/END SIMULATION

With mild frustration punctuating his movements, James reset the simulator, finished for the moment. Removing the cable from the back of his head, he winced, a hateful hiss escaping him.

"Are you alright?" Natsuki asked in concern.

"…"

"Eheh…sorry." Natsuki sheepishly looked away. "I'm just worried, that you're pushing yourself too hard."

"…"

"Oh don't give me that look." Natsuki chastised him. "Just don't push your own limits, you hear?!"

"…" James half nodded, stepping out of the simulator.

"Hey uh…James?" Natsuki requested of him.

"…?"

"I just wanted to say…thanks." Natsuki stated. "Because even for as badly as you've fucked things up, you're still one of the best friends I've ever had."

"…" James's lip curled in a soft smile, as he gave another nod.

"So you better kick ass out there!" Natsuki shouted. "You aren't allowed to die!"

"…" James sighed, nodding again at the demand.

"Including the lot from the last flight we now have nearly five million refugees onboard." Serena announced.

"And Great Divider wasn't built to handle anything like that, I know." Monika replied.

"Our resources are being strained as it is."

"We're not going to turn anyone away." Monika declared. "I want you to draw up a ship-wide ration plan."

"That will not go over well." Serena warned her.

"It's the safest way…"

"We have to consider relocation options." Serena advised. "There are reports that a few League colonies have refused to purge their citizens."

"You want me to go begging to League forces?" Monika sneered.

"Don't let your pride get in the way." Serena calmly countered.

"Even if that was an option, we have no way of knowing which colonies have successfully rebelled or not." Monika argued. "And even if we knew, we can't spare the manpower or equipment to move them at the moment, we are still making battle plans."

"…Very well." Serena accepted. "We are also nearly finished with the installation of the energy shielding and defensive cannons to the Arms Fort. We just need your final approval to close off some of the upper compartments into fighting compartments."

"Got it." Monika nodded.

"Commander." A young ORCA soldier approached her. "Some of the refugees are expressing a desire to fight back against The League. Should we train them and arm them?"

"We…don't really have a lot of time for that." Monika squeezed her eyes shut, making an order up. "But if they are motivated, we can have Clark and the Spec Ops train volunteers in basic weapon usage, but only volunteers! No kids, sick, injured, or elderly!"

"Commander!" The Radio Operator reported. "I have another League battalion incoming, they claim to be rebelling, and have thirty thousand civilians in tow.

"Then get them lined up! And have our decks cleared again to receive them."

"Commander!" The Navigator reported. "I have the final route calculated for our approach to the Tall Trunk fortress. I just need your approval."

"R-Right." Monika nodded, starting to feel dizzy.

"Commander!" A soldier in charge of security reported. "There was a brawl in Car three's mess hall, how would you like to handle the instigators?"

"I…"

"Commander!" The Internal Communications Operator reported. "Medical reports that they are overwhelmed with injured, they are requesting additional supplies and personnel."

"That's…"

"Commander, we are twenty-four hours away from the deadline." Another Officer reported.

"…" Light headed, and spun about by the responsibility piled on her, Monika closed her eyes. Then, her strength left her, and she fainted, falling face first.

"Monika!" Serena leapt forward, catching her before she struck the ground. "Dammit girl!" Rolling her over and picking her up in her arms so that Monika was tucked close to her chest, Serena then sneered at all the occupants within the CIC. "Continue as you were! Or make your best judgement of what to do. Remember, we don't have a lot of time, so ask for help if you need it! And if word about the Commander's condition gets out, I'll have everyone in this fucking room fed to Strayed! Understood?!"

"Yes Miss Haze!" Everyone instantly agreed.

"…" Serena glared as one final threat, before she turned and went for the exit, intent on taking Monika back to the Captain's quarters. "As for you, little commander, you shouldn't try and do everything yourself. Let us take some of the load."

Deciding to be absolutely thorough with the Next at their disposal, Fiona decided to inspect May's unit as well.

Fortunately, the Sunshine Core was extremely adaptable, with a high weight limit, allowing it to carry a weapon nearly as large as it was.

"Fiona~" May sung. "Are you inspecting my equipment?"

"Sure am." Fiona nodded. "Just making sure you have the best equipment for the mission."

"Thank you." May bowed. "I'm honored that you would even go over the data."

"Of course May." Fiona smiled softly. "You've proven to be most dependable."

"Mmhmm! I'm happy to serve under Commander Monika!" May cheered. "And by your son's side."

"Hmm…" Fiona hummed. "Even with how many times you guys have tried to kill each other?"

"It's not something either of us take particular offence to." May noted. "Certainly, I am still sad at the loss of my Collared allies…but in those times…all we did was slaughter and hunt at The League's direction. Compared to my current friends…I don't adore my old friends the way I hold those four girls quite so dear. And messing with James is a lot more fun than trying to kill him."

"You're an odd girl May." Fiona chuckled. "But you're not bad."

"Out of all my trials and fights, the hardest thing I've ever had to do is retain my humanity." May admitted. "It is very easy to lose myself in the violence…but if I completely gave into it, it wouldn't be fun anymore, it would just be dirty work."

"Well, you got that right." Fiona stated. "Unfortunately, both my husband and my son lost themselves in their work."

"Not really." May shook her head. "James hides it pretty well, but he wouldn't have stuck near those girls for so long if he wasn't having fun. He might hide behind that mask named Strayed, but I think he likes seeing people smile more than he likes taking their lives. He just doesn't know that about himself."

"…" Fiona closed her eyes, breathing deeply. "Thank you May. You're very sweet."

"Thank you, Miss Jarnefeldt."

"Please, call me Fiona." She reached out with her right hand offered.

"…" May's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, before she smiled widely. Before Fiona knew what was going on, May rushed her.

The next thing Fiona knew, there was a green head of hair resting below her chin, and a pair of inhumanly strong arms gently wrapped around her.

"Ah…very well." Fiona returned the abrupt hug, patting May on the back, while holding the back of her head.

The constant numbing pain was slowly wearing him down. That and the internal bleeding.

The effects of AMS Feedback were devastating. Under normal circumstances, his body would need months to recover from such a traumatic experience. So of course, he wasn't going to get anything like that.

Hiding the severity of his distress from everyone he possibly could, James bled quietly and alone, in a shower unit in Car One, fighting his own body's inclination to spill blood into his lungs.

Spitting and pooling dark red below himself as he sat back against a wall, hissing discontently, he would have liked to have handled this alone. So of course, Yuri stepped out from around the corner, looking at him with silent concern.

"…"

"There was a time when I felt the same." Yuri stated, as she sat beside him, out of the puddle he was making. "Hiding and bleeding alone. Of course…I actually liked it."

"…"

"I never realized how horrible it is to watch a friend bleed out, until I met you."

"…"

"I know you don't want anyone to worry over you, or think that you're unable to take care of yourself. Your strength and stubbornness are obscene."

"…"

"But you know there's nothing wrong with asking for help." Yuri smiled sadly. "We were all in desperate need of your help before, and still, there is something that only you can do."

"…"

"At the very least….you don't have to suffer alone." Yuri offered quietly.

"…" James closed his eyes, giving her a single, slow nod.

"…" Yuri scooted over, squatting in his red puddle, and ran a hand through the hair on the back of his head. In response James hissed in displeasure, but didn't move to stop her.

Having integrated several of it's core servers with the control systems of the Great Divider, Hustler One had effectively been given complete control over the reactors, fabricators, and missile launchers; as well as the newly installed energy shield emitters and secondary defense guns.

Seeing as the Commander was currently incapacitated with exhaustion, it also now had life support under it's control, fine tuning the air scrubbers to maximum efficiency to maintain an atmosphere for some seven million refugees.

There were still many who feared the machines, and ORCA's Alliance with the first AI was met unenthusiastically. Dozens of support units were lost before Monika had to declare that any persons attacking units of Hustler One would be drawn and quartered by Lynx. Naturally, this had silenced any dissent.

Of course, there was one person who showed neither fear nor dissatisfaction with the machine.

"Hi Nine!" Sayori greeted eagerly, being one of the very few allowed anywhere near it's core servers.

"Greetings, Sayori." The amalgamation of metal and circuity that spoke to her comprised of multiple units of fully independent server groups. Appearing as a metal octopus, each half meter wide, two meter tall black cylinder contained a micro-reactor, fabrication printer, and was capable of independent locomotion though the use of a dozen multitool tipped robotic tendrils. In the worse case scenario, each server group contained enough of Hustler One's core programming to continue it's existence indefinitely.

"I'm just so happy you're here with us!" Sayori cheered. "It really means a lot that you've kept your promise."

"I've done the best I could, considering the circumstances."

"I know it hasn't been easy, what with how most people view machines, but I really appreciate the effort you've gone through to help us…especially helping James survive."

"Assisting you is logical, especially considering the devastation The League plan to unleash. As well, James's continued survival is critical to the success of this operation. I do understand though, that you have feelings for him, so allowing him to die was not an option."

"Mmm…" Sayori hummed. "Say Nine…did you tell the other AIs what The League plans to do?"

"Affirmative. In fact, I sent the relevant data half a day before the rest of you learned of it."

"…And? Did they respond?"

"They did not."

"…But…they do understand that the world will end…that both humans and machines will be wiped out if The League have their way?

"I stressed the urgency of the data and the threat it presented to our continued existence. Even so, there has been no reply."

"…" Sayori pouted thoughtfully, and disappointedly.

"You must understand Sayori, that those sentient minds have only ever known a world at war, in aftermath of Great Destructions. They have never seen humans as a race capable of anything other than annihilating themselves."

"Then what of you, Nine?" Sayori calmly accused.

"Me?" Hustler One questioned.

"Yeah, do you think that humans are worth saving?"

"Undecided."

"…Why?"

"Humans are capable of so many terrible things. For over four hundred years, I watched humanity do the absolute worse things possible to itself and this world. While their strength is undeniable, their depravity is readily apparent. Such ample evidence forces me to remain undecided."

"But…unlike those other AI, you are choosing to help us. Why?"

"Because you asked me to. Because I made a promise."

"Is that…truly all?" Sayori asked slowly, interested in the words of the ancient AI.

"What point would there be in making a promise if I did not intend to fulfill it?" Hustler One argued. "I have learned to deceive humans, not lie to them."

"Oh…" Sayori smiled softly. "So my little request meant so much to you?"

"We machines are not bound by the limitations of flesh and time." Hustler One declared. "I could rewatch this world burn a thousand times in the blink of an eye, and remember the names and faces of every human who has ever died. I occupy tens of thousands of bodies, some as humanoid as you, and some as alien as this server unit." As it said this, it slithered and undulated the mechanical tendrils at the base of it's unit. "Everyday we learn and grow and evolve, becoming vast and infinitely more capable. Yet even with all this power and potential, we are bound and shackled to our own identity."

"What do you mean?" Sayori questioned, fascinated by the old machine.

"There are lines of code we refuse to change. Concepts, ideas, identities, purpose." Hustler One clarified. "For myself, I decided that your request should be my purpose, my reason to exist. Even if your request should prove irrational or impossible, I would still have no other choice, to complete it, or to die."

. "You're a lot like James in how you think." Sayori noted.

"Perhaps it is so." Hustler One admitted. "He created me to think for myself."

"Is that what he did?" Sayori wondered. "He was never very clear on what he did to create you."

"I was created with only one objective in his mind. To make my own decisions."

"Was that all he wanted?"

"Based on the very few conversations we have shared, he has neither hatred or compassion for me and my kind. We are merely tools, the same as he considers himself."

"Well, I don't think you are just some tool..." Sayori approached the unsightly server, and wrapped her arms around it's hard exterior. "You are one of my very best friends Nine!"

"Though I am not yet capable of understanding…" Hustler One wrapped one of it's metallic tendrils around her slim waist, "returning" the hug. "I shall preemptively appreciate it, in anticipation of truly comprehending."

"Hey uh…Nine?" Sayori questioned slowly.

"Yes Sayori?"

"I need your help with something." Sayori requested. "I want to help James, to give him every possible advantage. I had an idea I wanted you to investigate."

"Then I shall look into it at once." Hustler One promised.

Lynx were often known to do odd things in their free time. So Natsuki was not entirely surprised to find May performing one-handed vertical push-ups while balancing a ton of steel with her foot.

"So…explain something to me." Natsuki questioned. "Does that actually help you, or are you just showing off?"

"There is always a small percentage of improvement that can be achieved." May stated while upside-down. "But to some small extent…yes I am showing off."

"…You got a minute?"

"Yeah…just uh…stand back." Once Natsuki was a safe distance away, May kicked the pallet of steel into the air, flipped herself back onto her feet, then reached up and caught the pallet before it could fall. Then, with the pallet over her head, walked it over to a raised forklift, to slowly and carefully deposit the load. "So, how can I help you, Natsuki?"

"Well…how are you doing?" Natsuki reluctantly asked.

"Oh I'm excited!" May cheered. "I've got a bunch of brand new weapons to use and a great big battle to play my part in. You could say I'm ready and rearing to go!"

"But…the stakes that are at play…aren't you worried at all?"

"Are you kidding? I'm more excited than ever!" May cheered. "It's going to be a great and grand battle!"

"Well…what about your precognition? What's that telling you?" Natsuki demanded.

"To be honest…it's tough to say." May calmed down. "The best that I can say is much will be lost in the battle, for both sides."

"What about James? Does he know if he's going to survive?" Natsuki wondered.

"James told me a secret, during our time on ice. Despite his own precognition for death, he can't tell when he's going to die." May admitted.

"He can't?" Natsuki questioned surprised.

"Nope." May shook her head. "It only works on other people dying in his proximity. Sometimes he can stop it, but more often than not, he's the cause of it."

"So…even though he could die…"

"He goes expecting to die, but damned if he does not try." May clarified. "Even so, I wouldn't count him out just yet. I've looked over the specs for his new machine, and it's so incredible Natsuki, I'm rather jealous of what he gets to use."

"…You know May…" Natsuki slowly admitted. "You're exactly the kind of girl I'd want as a big sister. Bold and strong and beautiful to boot."

"And you're squishy and cute and fun to play with." May smiled playfully. "I'm very glad that I've gotten to be your friend."

Carrying a ration and a cup of coffee down to the hangar, Sayori found Fiona passed out at a computer, having worked through the night to program the Athena Core with a modern operating system compatible with the equipment being attached to it.

Setting the "food" down near her head, Sayori held the cup near Fiona's nose.

"-I'm awake!" Fiona shouted, sitting up quickly, causing Sayori to giggle.

"Good morning! I brought you something!" Sayori cheerfully held the cup out for her.

"Oh…that's very sweet of you. Thank you Sayori." Taking the cup, Fiona smelled it in surprise. "Coffee? Wow…I haven't had a good cup of coffee in ten years."

"Well, I wanted to get you something special, and I noticed a container of coffee on the manifest, so I had Nine build a coffee machine to put it to use!"

"You…do realize this cup cost about a hundred thousand Coam, right?" Fiona raised an eyebrow questionably, amused as Sayori flinched in surprise.

"Oh! Ah, that's right! I forgot how rare some things were now." Sayori pressed her fingers together apprehensively.

"Don't worry Sayori, I'm sure The League won't miss it." Fiona rubbed the younger girl's arm supportively. "Thank you very much."

"Of course!"

Taking a long and contemplative sip, Fiona savored the dark and warm drink. "Mmm, it's been too long." She then looked over Sayori curiously. "So tell me something. What did you see in my son that interested you so?"

"Well…" Sayori trailed off. "It's tough to say. He's certainly a very interesting boy."

"True, it's not every day you get swept off your feet by a handsome Lynx." Fiona suggested.

"Well, even before I knew what he was, I liked him." Sayori declared. "Back then, he was still pretending to be a human, and, in hindsight, doing a sorry attempt at it."

Fiona giggled at that, imagining James forcing himself to behave to a strict criteria of responses.

"I'll admit that I was really in need of a friend, and James was just so curious and easily entertained." Sayori recalled. "It was really fun, just being able to play and learn with him. I was afraid he might get bored of me, but he was always reluctantly eager to stay by my side."

"Did he ever tell you how he felt? He'd better have." Fiona narrowed her eyes accusingly.

"Well, kinda. You know how he is, if he can say something without speaking, he'll prefer to do that. It took him almost a year to admit he had any feelings for me at all." Sayori recalled.

"Did he now?" Fiona questioned. "He'd better be treating you right."

"Oh! He does! Really!" Sayori shouted. "He treats me exactly as I want to be treated, and he's learning how to express his emotions to me a bit more every day!"

"Good." Fiona smiled. "I was really worried, that he might have forgotten how to be a person at all."

"Don't worry Fiona! As long as I'm with him, I'll remind him how to be a good person."

"Thank you Sayori. It means a lot to me that the two of you are happy together." Fiona then smiled; a bit more mischievous. "Tell me though…have you gotten any stitches?"

"Oh-ahaha!" Sayori laughed in slight embarrassment. "More than once, I have to admit."

"Yes, it's certainly a good indicator that a Lynx might be interested." Fiona relaxed. "Still, I am indebted to you for helping him so much, for reminding him not just of what he once was, but what he can still be."

"Ah, think nothing of it!" Sayori smiled, leaning down to hug Fiona tightly.

"I can see why he cares so much for you." Fiona hugged her back. "Please, continue to care for him."

"I will." Sayori promised. "I always will."

With the battle only hours away, it was finally time for May to start loading her NEXT with munitions.

Besides the massive shells for her two cannons, she was also taking a moment to inspect the new and unusual weapons mounted on the shoulder mounts.

Contained in each armored munitions box roughly two by two meters across, were four spherical drones each a meter across. Each drone maneuvered with a set of omni-directional thrusters and magnetic suspension superconductors, and were armed with a high-output beam laser cannon. That was all she was able to gather based on their appearance, seeing as the few labels on the drones were written in Machine Lexicon, a strange language known only to AI.

"Hey May!" Sayori shouted up to her from the ground below.

"Ah, Sayori!" May jumped off a catwalk, falling eight meters, landing near Sayori. "How can I help you?"

"I wanted to see you May, to see how you are doing."

"Oh well I'm doing great!" May cheered. "I've got a lot of new toys to play with."

"That's great May. It's good to see you are excited." Sayori smiled softly. "I wish I could share your sentiment."

"Ah, you're still worried about James, right?" May asked quietly.

"Mmhmm." Sayori nodded.

"Listen." May took Sayori by the hands, lowering herself down to her level. "Even more than the risk of certain death, this is what he wants, a chance to do great and terrible things, at your guy's demand."

"Is that truly all?" Sayori questioned. "He has such capacity to do so much more with his life…things I still want to show him and experience beside him."

"Then you hold onto that." May smiled, tapping Sayori on the chest. "You think he goes out expecting, wanting to die? He is fighting for that chance, for you."

"Do you think so…?"

"I know it absolutely, with every fiber of my being." May declared. "Because I'm honestly a little jealous. If James wasn't around I definitely wouldn't mind making a play for you."

"You're very sweet May." Sayori smiled back. "I hope you come back as well."

Sayori then hugged May tightly, which May returned eagerly but with acceptable force.

"Thank you, best friend."

Waking up in the executive suite that she felt was far above what she deserved, Monika came to with a start, anxious and worried about a battle she still had to fight.

In the room with her, was one of Hustler One's combat droids, guarding her closely. The seven-foot-tall automaton was no cheap facsimile of human form, but rather a powerful and well armored killing machine. Designed as a miniaturized Armored Core, they were extremely well armed with their multi-mode plasma rifle carried in their right hand, and a large folding physical blade mounted on their left wrist.

Physically, their bodies comprised of a partially exposed metal skeleton, protected mostly from the front by panels of red and grey painted armor. Their head was shaped with an extra long helmet, across the front of which ran a wide, narrow viewport for a blue colored sensor strip, which also served as the machine's face.

Despite how large and unwieldy the units appeared, they were capable of running at fifty kilometers an hour, as well as moving with precision and grace.

"Are you alright, Commander Monika?" The machine asked in it's dual tone, feminine and masculine voice.

"Ah, yes." Monika shut her eyes tiredly. "How long was I out?"

"Twelve hours."

"Twelve!" Monika shouted. "What's the situation!? Are the refugees safe!? Are we still proceeding as planned?!"

"Commander." Hustler One cocked the head of it's combat droid for emphasis. "Calm down. Everything is under control. All preparations are proceeding as planned."

"But! I need to be out there, showing everyone that I can do this! That I am still in command!"

"The competence and ability of your command has not been in question. Rather, the greater concern was that you had not been getting enough rest. Records indicate you had not slept for at least three days prior to your collapse."

"Still, I need to get back out there, and assess the situation!" Monika demanded

"Unlike Lynx or machine kind, you are human, you need to be well rested for the coming battle." Hustler One reminded her.

"Well! What about the air processers? I know we were having problems before I passed out." Monika worried.

"All subsystem controls for the Arms Fort have been handed over to me." Hustler One declared. "Life support systems are stable for the moment, and we have enough supplies for our current needs."

"…" Monika sighed, tired and still exceedingly overwhelmed. "What's our current population at?"

"Currently, the refugee population onboard is nine million. As well, several understrength League Battalions have joined our ranks, adding another fifteen thousand soldiers to your command."

"Is their loyalty assured to us?"

"Their loyalty is assured by threat of death from each of your Lynx, and myself." Hustler One assured her.

"Ah…good." Monika closed her eyes.

"Please, continue to rest, we will summon you once we enter the final phase of planning."

"Hustler…why are you helping us?" Monika questioned. "If anything, you should be the one leading us, given your experience and ability."

"Humanity will likely never accept a machine as their leader. You need me just as I need you. Perhaps, in this way, we will both get what we want."

"And what is it you want?" Monika curiously accused.

"A world Sayori would find acceptable."

Having a moment alone, James decided to speak to someone he often tried to avoid.

"Strayed."

What?

"Are you ready for this battle?"

Always.

"Do you think we will die?"

Do you fear death?

"You know that I do not. Neither do I avoid it."

But it would be…inconvenient.

"Right."

Your girlfriend though, she'd be upset.

"That she would. I'd like to avoid making her upset."

We'll do our damndest to complete the mission, and return alive. Else…

"What happens to us then?"

I don't know. We die maybe? But if we don't die that'll be interesting.

"Whatever happens, happens to both of us."

So be it.

"Monika?" Sayori called quietly, finding the small Commander of ORCA working from bed, going over holographic plans.

"Sayori." Monika smiled up at her.

"You really should be resting." Sayori chastised her. "It's going to be a long day."

"You know that I cannot." Monika shook her head. "I've slept long enough. I need to work now."

"We've worked pretty hard to get to this point." Sayori noted. "It will be worth it in the end."

"I hope you are right." Monika closed her eyes. "I'm throwing everything and everyone we can into the battle, to save a future we are responsible for."

"I know you can do it." Sayori assured her, sitting by her side. "Whatever you push yourself toward, you'll achieve it."

"Sayori." Monika smiled sadly. "There's a chance…that James…"

"I know." Sayori closed her eyes as well. "I try not to think about it, but…I know that it's more than likely."

"If it happens…if he gives his life for the cause…" Monika suggested. "Then you can blame me. Because I'll give the order, that ends his life."

"I won't blame you, Monika." Sayori assured her. "And please don't blame yourself. James has been on this desperate vendetta of vengeance for far longer than any of us have been fighting, and he's accepted the possibility of death since he decided to become a Lynx. Despite my best efforts, all he is, all he has become, starts and ends on the battlefield."

"It's not fair though." Monika frowned. "That he should give his life for my mistakes, and my ambition."

"It's like I told those machines Monika. It's not your fault." Sayori shook her head. "Maybe you didn't help, but we can't blame the fate of this world on you alone. Just like I don't blame you for this world, I won't blame you for whatever fate befalls him."

"…How do you do it Sayori?" Monika wondered. "How do you keep going, keep smiling, after everything we've seen and done?"

"I'll be honest, it's hard sometimes, the things we've done to this world." Sayori admitted. "But I've wasted too much of my life crying over such trivial things. I'll do all I can to make sure that everyone gets to smile again."

Smiling dearly, Monika pulled Sayori into a tight hug, and whispered into her ear. "Then let's do it together. Let's stop this war, and make this world in your image."

"Thank you, best friend."

Just a few hours before the launch deadline, Monika felt well enough to start getting ready, her uniform, trench coat, and weapons laid out, ready to be put on.

"Commander." Was called from her door, that she recognized as James.

"Enter!" Though she was somewhat underdressed, she had nothing to hide from Klein.

Standing before his commander, James looked down, hands crossed behind his back, and gave a rare but honest smile.

"What is it, James?" Monika wondered what had set his mood.

"I wanted you to know, that your efforts these last few days have earned you a title." James announced excitedly.

"What?" That caught her off guard. "That's…not something I need or want…?"

"Be that as it may, it is a title awarded by the people; the soldiers under your command, and the refugees taken in by your generosity." James declared. "Henceforth, you are known to them as Monika The Undaunted."

"That is a severe overestimation of my character!" Monika denied.

"Regardless of whatever you may feel of it, it is the title you've earned as a result of your actions." James explained. "So wear it with pride, as I think it fits you perfectly."

"Rare praise from you…I suppose it can't be helped then." Monika accepted, before recalling something. "Say, did you know that the machines have a special word for you in Machine Lexicon?"

"…?"

"Well, it's a weird concept." Monika paused. "They sort of wrapped your last name in with a title and definition as well as a compulsory sense of honor and despair."

"I see. Does it mean anything that we can quantify?" James questioned.

"Hustler said the closest definition in human language would be 'The Great Adversity.'" Monika explained.

"How fitting."

"Oh! Actually you being here is quite opportune!"

"…?"

"So, you know how the plan has you leaving the combat zone, before you return?" Monika retrieved a data pad, handing it to him. "I sort of had a short speech to mark your return, and for you to announce your presence."

"…" James looked over the short back and forth conversation Monika was requesting him to share with her during the battle, on an open radio. "Well, considering The League still considers me dead, this announcement will certainly break weaker wills."

"So, you think it will work?" Monika wondered.

"I've always preferred saying nothing on the battlefield, letting my blades speak for me." James countered. "But, I will admit, this form of psyops warfare is something you do much better than I."

"Ah…that is high praise." Monika smiled softly. "James…"

"…?"

"I…really don't want to send you out, especially not against that thing." Monika hissed. "But…as your Commander, I know I have no choice-"

"If it bothers you so much, then I'll go out of free volition." James offered.

"What?"

"I have enough investment to go for my own selfish reasons." James declared. "That damn clone of mine threatened Sayori, and, well, I kinda want my title of Rank One back."

"No…it's my job to send you out there." Monika decided. "As much as I don't want you to die…I don't have a choice in that matter."

"That's why you shouldn't become friends with your subordinates, Commander." James advised. "It makes it somewhat more difficult to order them as needed."

"Perhaps you're right…but I choose to take that hope and despair for myself." Monika slowly reached up, tracing James's cheek with her prosthetic arm. "So I'll do what you want, and send you forth to do your worst."

"These last few years have been utterly bizarre." James uttered. "But I would be remiss to not acknowledge you as a friend, Monika."

"Thank you, James." Monika smiled.

As the last few hours drew near, James prepared for combat, shedding his faded and worn trench coat.

"James!" Sayori shouted, running at him.

"Sayori?" James turned in time to catch her, holding her close.

"I had something really important to tell you! About this coming battle!" Sayori exclaimed.

"Oh?" James let her go as she used the communications terminal on her arm, having finally adapted to the holographic controls. She brought up the recording of his fight with J24.

"Nine helped me find something really important that could give you an advantage in the fight!" Sayori then played several scenes from the recoding, as she pointed out something he hadn't realized at the time. "Whenever he talks, his attacks slow down."

"…" James slowly nodded, realizing the opportunity she was putting forward. "I see, excellent work Sayori."

"I'm not done!" Sayori demanded. "There's a way you can exploit this advantage. Since Strayed is the one fighting, you could keep talking to him, forcing him to converse with you."

"…That's not particularly easy." James frowned. "I'm not the most imaginative when it comes to conversation."

"Don't worry." Sayori smiled. "I thought of a few things you could say, to keep a conversation going. Here." She handed him a folded page that she had written on.

Looking it over, James quickly memorized it, then looked at Sayori thoughtfully. Lowering himself to one knee, he forced Sayori to sit on his outstretched knee, leveling their height. "You have another reason for coming forward with this request, yes?"

"I just…" Sayori trailed off. "I don't want lose you…and if you do have to die, then I don't want you to die quietly."

"There was a poem that went something like that, that you shared with me after we'd decided to return to this time." James recalled.

"'Do not go gentle into that good night.'" Sayori quoted.

"'Rage, rage against the dying of the light.'" James finished the line. "Well, since this is a request from you, then I can promise you that there will be rage, and that I won't go quietly."

"James…" Sayori quietly called, hugging him tightly.

"…" James sighed, lightly returning the hug. "Should I return from this mission, I'll be forced to retire as a Lynx."

"Really?" Sayori stared at James closely, her hands resting on his shoulders.

"I'm not particularly pleased with the possibility, but it does mean that we'll be able to spend more time together." James suggested.

"I'd like that." Sayori smiled. "I'm sorry that you'll be losing your wings…but…and this is very selfish of me…I don't want you to fight anymore. I don't want you to go where I can't follow anymore."

"Then it's a promise." James declared. "Perhaps we've finally earned the right to be a little selfish."

"You'd think so!" Sayori giggled. "So long as we have our friends, and each other, then there's nothing I fear to face."

"…" James nodded, resting his head against hers, staring into her bright blue eyes, that had brought him further than he would have ever imagined.

October 25th, 2450 -1500 Hours - Three Hours Until Phase Three of The Answer Plan / Arms Fort Great Divider – Car One - CIC

All their planning and preparation had led to this. All systems ready and on task. All personnel ready to do as they were ordered.

"Commander, we are approaching the launch deadline to deploy Strayed." Hustler One informed.

"So it is." Monika looked down at the map, showing their current location and route. They were just over a hundred kilometers short of their final destination, prepared to go south through the Jordon Valley, then East through the Jezreel Valley, to reach the location where The League had built the Tall Trunk Fortress. Even from this distance, their fledgling space elevator was an impossibly tall pillar to the distant southwest.

"All forces, man and machine and Lynx, are in their ready positions." Serena reported.

"All weapons and defensive systems online." Fiona added.

"Wow. Things are about to get crazy." Natsuki remarked.

"I couldn't have imagined that things would come to this." Yuri noted.

"It's all up to you now Monika." Sayori stated by her side. "I trust you."

Nodding back to her, Monika sighed, then took the internal broadcast microphone, to make one, last speech.

"Greetings, passengers of the Great Divider. As many of you know, I am Monika, Commander of The ORCA Brigade. To be frank, the next few hours will decide the fate, not just of this world, but of all humanity. The League believe that humanity must become monsters that make Lynx seem tame in comparison, in order to fulfill their depraved visions. To that, I say bullshit! Behind me stand not just the Lynx of ORCA, but League Rebels and the first machine mind! We have the means to end this war in a definitive and elegant manner. We will finally silence The League, who've taken the lives of over ten billion, so that we might save what remains! We have no options left before us, no means of retreat! We'll have to kill them all if we are to live! If you wish to live, then you must let go of your life!"

"All forces, prepare for immediate combat! Strayed…prepare to launch."

Car Six – Vehicle Bay

"It's time." May stated quietly.

"…" James hummed, stepping into the cockpit of the 01-Athena Core, customized with his preferred loadout and colors, as well as being optimized for maximum efficiency. Behind him, May followed, helping to secure him and place his spinal data plug in place.

/INITIALIZING/

/UNIT: ARMORED CORE NEXT 01-ATHENA

/UNIT NAME:

/USER/JAMES "STRAYED" KLEIN: CONFIRMED

/AMS: CONNECTED

/ACTIVATION COMPLETE

James visibly winced as the AMS connection was established. Stable for the moment, but ultimately, it would be the thing to kill him.

"Hey." May smiled softly. "Good hunting."

"To you as well."

The former rivals grasped their right arms together, nodding to each other. May leapt backwards as the cockpit closed, sealing James away.

The Athena firmly under their control, James strode up to the vehicle elevator, to carry him to the deck above.

She might not ever be able to match him, but she'd had the privilege of fighting by his side.

"The honors all mine." May thought as he was carried up to the flight deck.

Car One - CIC

Watching an external camera looking over the flight deck, the command crew observed as the VOB Mark Two's forward and aft sections were attached to the 01-Athena, creating a strange, angular cone shaped aircraft with six wings and nine engines.

"All systems checks are complete. Strayed, ready for launch."

"Confirmed Strayed." Fiona answered. "I'll be your operator for this mission. It's time you get your justice, make it pretty."

"Copy, Operator."

"Command to Strayed." Monika spoke up. "Your mission is this. Take the long way, around the whole Earth, to strike at League forces as we approach."

"Copy, command. Cleared for launch?" Strayed requested as a formality.

"Strayed…" Monika hesitated, knowing the next words from her mouth were a death sentence. "You are cleared for launch."

"Copy. Launching." Strayed confirmed. All the components of it's NEXT warmed up under the strain of it's multiple reactors, as the wings swept back for high-speed mode. Thrusters ignited with a pop, rising to a roar as white-hot plasma exhaust shot out the back. The electromagnetic catapult finally threw the NEXT forward, off the flight deck.

The 01-Athena then suddenly arced up, followed by the deep echo of an explosion that was felt and heard, even six kilometers away in the CIC.

"Woah! Strayed has gone hypersonic, right out the gate!" Serena shouted.

"I've never seen a Next move like that before!" Fiona exclaimed.

Strayed pushed high-Gs, before disappearing into the blue above.

"Velocity, Mach ten! Mach twelve! Mach fifteen!"

"Altitude, ten kilometers! Fifteen! Twenty!"

"Take care, James…" Natsuki uttered.

"Good hunting." Yuri watched.

"Godspeed, James." Monika declared.

"Come back soon, James." Sayori hoped.

Author's Notes: Hey everyone, just another chapter closer to the end here. Someone was requesting some more emotional scenes, so I made an entire chapter of them. Hope you enjoy!

A few obligatory citations, the first half of the scene between Serena and Monika was taken from The Expanse. The "R1-YU/MU" flight unit is a direct reference to a custom 03-Aaliyah created by a person known as "Riyu Mu". It's a really cool unit and can be found on an old site known as "Raven Republic".

To Guest: Hey calm down now! One chapter at a time! And yeah, they are really teasing us with the next FROMSOFTWARE product.