Early evening. December 28, 2032AD.
"BOTH prototypes?" Brian Mason uttered, then scowled. "BOTH prototypes were destroyed, D?"
"Hai Mason-sama," D nodded, then handed Mason a report. "The first one had its cranial unit caved in. Then it was cleaved in half. The second unit lost its left arm, then received multiple blows to the chest and head."
"Who is doing this?" He muttered, then gazed at D. "Was it the Knight Sabers?"
"Iie," D shook her head. "The Knight Sabers were not present at that time."
Mason was a loss for words. He still didn't know who was stopping most of his prototypes at every turn. Well no more. At that moment, Mason vowed to find who was responsible and deal with them accordingly.
"Alright," Mason hummed, then stared at D. "I want you to find out who is doing this. In the mean time....I'll accept full responsibility for sending out the Bu 10X's. To make up for it...let's send out Two 55C's this time. We'll release them in three days. After that....we'll use a Bu-12B."
"Understood," D nodded, then sighed. "Is there anything else?"
"Un," Mason nodded, then relaxed in his chair. "What's the latest word about the fighting in Mongolia?"
"Quite a bit actually," D mused. "The Mongolian Army, supported by the People's Liberation Army, will attempt another offensive tomorrow morning. It won't be a piecemeal affair. Instead, it'll be a full fledged assault to recapture the rest of Mongolia. They're massing their troops and deploying reconnaissance drones as we speak, Mason-sama."
"I see," Mason hummed, then nodded. "Its to be expected, really. The politicians of both countries are under fire from their constituents to wrap the war up. I assume were still getting orders for battle and combat boomers from our factories in Hong Kong and Shanghi, right?"
"Hai," D nodded to Mason. "Most of the orders are for Chinese/Russian versions of the Bu-11Ds, Anti-armor and Anti-air variants of the Bu-12Bs. The rest are Bu-15E Infantry battle boomers and Bu-12Bs. Also, they have made a request for more Bu-55R reconnaissance boomers. That particular order, however, was for only two squadrons. No more, no less. It seems that the PLA still has faith in the un-manned aerial and land based drones which are produced by the Zhongguo-Hindra Group, sir."
"I see," Mason murmured, then nodded. "We could work on that, given the fact that most of their drones are still remote controlled by the more stable AI's in northern and central China. It's quite possible that some of them could suffer from some instability."
"Un," D nodded, then stared at him. "Shall I pursue this matter, Mason-sama?"
"Hai," Mason nodded. "Report back to me as soon as you can about that matter."
"Hai," D nodded to him, then walked away from the desk. "Good day, Mason-sama."
"Un," Brian nodded, watched her leave, then looked thoughtful. "Damn. I should have asked her about our progress with the Diet, especially about that antiquated anti-boomer rifle...and the status of district 3 itself."
* * *
Chapter Six. Early Riser....
Daybreak. December 29, 2032AD.
Fifty miles due east of Sayr Usa, Mongolia.
As the sun rose in the east, A small unmanned aerial vehicle hovered over the sand dunes of the Gobi Desert. It was a petite, tan, mushroom shaped thing. The UAV had a tiny rotor for propulsion, a single cyber eye, and a pair of retractable antenna on its head.
The little cyclops kicked up some sand as it went low and darted around a sickly looking shrub. It dutifully avoided a small tree, hid among a patch of healthy shrubs, then flitted around a few boulders.
High above the desert floor, a bird shaped reconnaissance boomer was flying through the clear morning sky. This vehicle, unlike the mushroom shaped UAV, had long, thin wings and a elongated fuselage. It had a turbo jet engine in its rear and a single tail. One the ventral side was a sensor pod and a retracted weapons pod.
The reconnaissance boomer was loitering in the area when it caught sight of the little bugger with its sensor suite. It mentally arched an eyebrow then hummed to itself.
*Well well,* The boomer thought, called up its war book, then hummed when it found a match. *what do we have here? A Zhonggou-Hindra Zero One Gee Ef Recon drone? Looks like its scoping out the front line before its bigger brothers get here.*
Moments later, another bird like reconnaissance boomer joined the the first.
(Greetings Five Five Ar Two Ef Six Nine,) The second reconnaissance boomer hummed over a cellular link. (So....have you found anything interesting to report back to headquarters?)
(Ohayo Five Five Ar One Sea Nine Three,) The 55R reconnaissance boomer replied. (Hai, I have. It's a Zero One Gee Ef recon drone produced by the Zhonggou-Hindra group. Shall I proceed to identify its alligences? Don't want to shoot up friendlies you know.)
(True,) One Sea Nine Three responded. (Alright, do it.)
(Working. Working.) Two Ef Six Nine hummed in a monotone voice, then spoke up a minute later. (Its a Tango, One Sea Nine Three. Its job
is to locate and keep track of the the main battle force.)
(I see,) One Sea Nine Three hummed. (Alright, you know our orders. Target the little bugger and fire, Two Ef Six Nine.)
(Yokai!) Two Ef Six Nine chirped, then sighed when weapons pod, a small laser gun, was deployed. (Weapon pod down and locked. Now targeting.)
The turret and gun pod swept to the left, then began to track the little UAV.
(Targeting...Targeting...) Two Ef Six Nine hummed, then grinned to itself as the UAV settled down in the midst of a thicket of brushes. (Target locked.)
(Fire!) Sea Nine Three blurted.
Moments later, the gun pod fired and a thin energy beam lanched through the UAV's cranial unit. The Z-H produced UAV lurched, then exploded in a small ball of light. Fragments and shrapnel from the UAV were spread out as the blasts shockwave disturbed the ground.
(Target destroyed.) The 55R signaled to its wingman. (Do you copy One Sea Nine Three?)
(Hai,) Sea Nine Three responded. (I copy and verify Two Ef Six Nine. Alright, let's report back to HQ and return to base.)
(Rocking.) Two Ef Six Nine chirped, increased the throttle just a bit, then rolled to the left. (See you there.)
(Ja matte ne.) Sea Nine Three responded.
* * *
8:00AM. Nerima, Greenwood Apartments.
Sandy stepped into the modestly decorated Master bedroom. The T'N'T employee was dressed in silky black housecoat. A lively bundle of joy was in her arms. The bundle of joy had strawberry blonde hair, blue eyes and was swaddled in a plaid blanket.
In the middle of the room was a queen-sized bed. It was occupied her soul mate and spouse; a petite woman with long brown hair and slender yet muscular limbs. The petite woman had another bundle of joy in her arms. This one had brown hair and was suckling on her left breast. The petite woman was smiling beatifically at Sandy.
Sandy smiled in return, then walked up as her spouse flipped open the covers. She eased into the bed, snuggled up against her spouse, then allowed the newborn child to feed from her own breast. Sandy sighed contentedly as the child went to work.
"This..." Sandy hummed, then nodded. "This is the life. Wouldn't you agree, Akari-chan."
"Un," Akari hummed, then nodded. "It seems perfect now, doesn't it. Demo,it won't always be a bed of roses."
"It'll be a lot of work," Sandy hummed, then nodded. "Demo...I'm sure we can handle it."
"Un," Akari nodded, then sighed. "Ano...what do we do when they're naughty?"
"Eh..." Sandy uttered, thought for a moment, then gazed at her. "I'm ...really not sure. What did your mother do when you did something wrong?"
"Okaa-sama?" Akari uttered, blinked, then shook her head. "Okaa-sama didn't punish me. She just patted me on the head. That's all she ever did. Even when I wet the mattress to my futon."
"Eh?" Sandy blinked, then sagged. "I...see."
"Hai," Akari uttered, then gazed at Sandy. "Do you know how to raise them Sandy-chan?"
"Well...." Sandy hummed, then looked up at the ceiling. "I have read a few texts on this sort of thing. Also, I am good with children. On the other hand I haven't had any experience in raising them."
"I see." Akari hummed, then sighed. "Sandy-chan..."
"Yes?" Sandy answered. "What is it Akari-chan?"
"I'm scared," Akari uttered quietly, then looked down at her offspring. The child was now fast asleep. "I...I'm scared for Joy and Noel. I really don't know what I'm doing."
"Neither am I," Sandy replied, winked to Akari, then nodded. "But, we'll figure this out. Just don't run away from this. OK, Akari-chan?"
"Hai!" Akari cried jubilantly, then began to fuss when the child began to bawl its eyes out. She looked for Sandy for moral support. "Ano..... "Sandy-chan...what do I do?"
"No running away." Sandy reminded, then nodded. "Especially to a large box...or any type of box for that matter. It's better to face you're fears then run away, Akari-chan."
"H...hai." Akari nodded to her, then sighed as she tried to placitate her newborn babe.
* * *
9:00AM. Toratotaka Tower. Floor One Hundred Sixty Six.
"There," A short woman sighed, stepped back from the bed, then gazed to Danielle's now feminine figure. She was in a semi-concious state and breathing slow, shallow breaths. "Danielle-chan should be okay now. Lets make her feel as comfortable as possible, okay?"
"Hai, Nokoko ojou-sama." The nurses slipped up to the bed, then went to work. Nokoko Moroboshi, Co-chairwoman of Toratotaka International, shook her head in disgust before running a hand through her short brown hair. A shorter woman with evergreen hair and horn buds walked up, then embraced the brown haired woman from behind.
"Why?" She asked herself. "Why on earth would they do this, Mal?!"
"Why do you think, Beloved?" Mal quietly hummed. "Tripades is a devil-shark...as is the woman who has allied itself with that particular entity."
"Un." Nokoko thoughtfuly nodded, then made a face when a meaty-like odor reached her nose. "Sweet Mother....!"
"Ano..." One of the nurses spoke up. "Ano...Nokoko ojou-sama, there's copius amount vaginal discharge here. Ano...do you think...."
"Hai, Hai," Nokoko hummed, then nodded. "I know already. Look...if anyone feels uncomfortable about it...I'll report this directly to Yukari chan, okay? Now go and make her feel as comfortable as possible."
"Hai!" The nurses cried, helped Danielle get out of bed, into a robe, then into in a nearby wheelchair.
* * *
9:30AM. The CMCO's office.
"Computer," Yukari quietly hummed, then smiled when the workstation beeped. "Open personal journal to today's date."
Moments later a blank page appeared on the screen. Yukari sighed, then nodded.
"'No one expected it. Not even Yuina or myself expected it.'" She began, then sagged in her chair. "'Daniel-kun, or should I say Danielle-chan's transformation is now complete. What's more, it was completed in a matter of days...not weeks like we once thought. Frankly, I've never seen anything like it.'"
"'On a clinical level, Danielle is now a fully grown female,'" She continued, then sighed. "'As strange as it may sounds she's fully capable of carrying a child within her body. Whether she has viable eggs is another story. There is one irksome detail. Her body is producing some hormononal compound i've never seen before. I believe its due to the transformation but I'm not so sure what this will lead to. Unfortunately this alteration is completly irreversible. To do so would lead to Danielle's demise. We learned this fact from a prior circumstance with a now deceased employee who visited the Jusenkyo Springs.'"
"'Also,'" Yukari hummed, then cleared her throat. "I think it would be safe to say that Danielle will be very unstable for the next few weeks. Its my proffesional opinion that we, for now, have to watch Danielle closely. She must be out of her mind right now. I don't blame her, to be honest with you. Her sense of self has now been thrown off kilter by this transformation. Especially after she experimented with her gentialia. I and Nokoko Moroboshi believe that is what put her over ther edge.'"
"'Even so,'" She concluded. "'I believe Danielle-chan is emotionally mature enough to bounce back from this. He's accepted the fate of his own world readily. However, I am not sure when this process will begin. Or what will initiate it. So in conculsion its safe to say that we have a long way to go with her.'"
The CMCO gazed at the screen, then nodded at the results. She could have given a more detailed description about the transformation but she chose not to.
"'End journal entry.'" The CMCO sighed, then nodded. "Save Journal entry."
The workstation beeped, just before Yukari shut it down with a click of the mouse.
* * *
Noon. Mega Tokyo, District Three.
*AMP had its hands full this time around.* Lieutenant Clarissa McGovern thought to herself as she and several other troopers knelt on the roof of a ten story building. *I hope it doesn't cause to much property damage either. That could kill the AMP altogether.*
A blue and white prop-driven version of the Bu-55R made the same observation as it loitered in the sky.
The problem in question was a lowly category three entitey. It was a fat, sickly white, snake-like thing. Therefore they thought it would be an easy kill. Yet, for a lowly third class entity, this one was quite troublesome. One trooper was already dead...his head was bitten off. Three others were seriously injured.
Kiddy swore as the Lucifer Hawk dove at her. She ducked to the left, rolled to the right as someone fired back at it, then ran for cover as the damned thing tried to make another attempt. She ran towards a cruiser, ran around it aft, then gasped when someone gripped her right arm and hauled her down to the pavement.
Meanwhile, the entity landed 10 feet away and coiled up on itself as AMP fired round after round at its fat, lumpy hide. The impacts were of no consequence. Merely grazes and flesh wounds. The creature raised its head and bared its teeth in defiance as if to say 'Is that all you have?'
"Who the hell..." Kiddy began to say, then stopped when she saw Katsumi draw her Bombradier-Clarskon, took aim and fired off three plasma charged rounds at the beast. "Katsumi..."
The first round went wild and made a small crater in the ground. The second grazed the entities left side, causing small gouts of blood and steam. The third round slammed home, severely wounding the creature. The creature howled, faced Katsumi, then reared up as it prepared to end her life.
The entity was discouraged by laser machinegun fire from above. The salvo left bloody, steaming welts in its dorsal side. Moments later a thin, needle shaped blue and white wingless aircraft whizzed overhead. The Entity howled again, turned its attention towards the aircraft, then began to track it.
"Kastumi-junsa?! 'Freeze' that sucker!" Lieutenant Sasha McGovern bellowed over their headsets as Katsumi holstered her handgun. "Nami! Provide backup with your wards! Lebia-Bachou! Cover them with you're spinner. One-sama and I'll take it out. I'll use the Caster, she'll use the Bee-Two!"
Katsumi wordlessly nodded, then unsheathed her short sword. At that same moment, Lebia brought the spinner around. After doing so she aimed the spinners nose at the wounded entity.
Sasha, in the meantime, ran behind a parked car, unholstered a medium sized hand cannon, then pulled out a greyish, walnut sized round. The round had a Chinese letter on it. She chambered the round, then aimed the caster at the entity.
Around that same time, Katsumi aimed her short sword at the creature. Katsumi concentrated for a moment, then sighed as she felt the spell taking form. At that moment, greenish light sprang up from the pavement and encompassed the snake like thing in a five pointed star which was surrounded by a circle.
"In front of me Raphael. Behind me Gabriel. On my right Michael. On my Left Uriel." Katsumi began the incantation, then paid no mind as the snake like thing tried to break free. "Five shining stars surrounding my four side raise flare. Six shining stars shine in the light pillar."
At that moment, everyone takes aim at the creature. Clarissa McGovern already had the creature's hide in her sights.
"Ater malkt va geblar ve deduler lu aurlam amen!!!" Katsumi bellowed. The circle flared to life and the snake like thing writhed in pain. Katsumi brought the knife down in a slashing motion. Moments later, two discs of light streaked away from the weapon. The discs splashed against the lowly entity and howled before seizing up.
"You did it!" Kiddy grunted.
"Not over yet!" Katsumi yelled back as she tightened her grip on her blade, then glanced at Nami who had several wards at the ready.
The McGovern sisters pulled the triggers on their respective weapons. Both weapons bark, and two balls of energy streaked toward the entity. Both rounds hit home and the being dies in a gory, steamy explosion. A light breeze blows the steam away, revealing that the entity is no more.
"Phew." Katsumi uttered, then grinned when Kiddy laid a hand on her shoulder. "Kiddy-bachou..."
"Like I said," Kiddy smiled. "You did it."
"Un." Katsumi sighed, then nodded. "Its over."
"Good job everyone," Sasha said happily over the headsets. "All right, pack up your stuff and head back to the Airwolf. Were going home!"
"Hai!" Everyone cried, stood up from their positions, then trotted back to medium sized, unarmed helicopter that was waiting for them.
Clarissa watched them each of them go, sighted Katsumi for a moment, then sighed to herself.
"Maybe they have a chance after all." Clarissa clicked her tongue, then gestured to her troops. "All right lets go, and expect a oh-so warm welcome from the staff and the press, ne?"
* * *
The Spiral, a few minutes later.
Chikage sat in seiza in the living room. A textbook was in her left hand. Her right hand hung at her side. She turned a page when a soft, subdued warble echoed around her. Chikage took a moment to translate that, then looked up to the ceiling in anticipation.
"So...its over?" Chikage hummed, Then nodded when a warble echoed back. "Is everyone alright?"
A soft negative answered her question. It was followed by a soft garble.
"I see," Chikage hummed, then nodded at the soft negative and warble. "Several wounded with one dead. Was Katsumi ani-kun among them?"
"That's reassuring." Chikage hummed when they responded with a firmer negative. "Did she at least do well?"
"I see," Chikage nodded at the contented upbeat warble, then gazed up at the ceiling. "Well, at least she won't be depressed this time around."
"I...see." Chikage sighed, then hummed when she heard a painful warble. "All right. I'll tell her that Daniel has undergone this....dramatic change. Is that all for now?"
"As always," Chikage hummed, blinked when someone knocked on the front door, then smiled after consulting her chronometer. She stood up, then walked up to the door. She opened it, then smiled at a dark haired, teenaged boy. "Ah, Tenchi, you're as puctual as ever. Do you have you're boken with you?"
"Er..." Tenchi Masaki began, then nodded at the budding sorceress. "Yeah I have. But I thought we were just going to study."
"Oh we are," Chikage nodded, then hummed. "But I've determined that martial arts training should also be a part of our studies. Do you object to that?"
"Er...." Tenchi hummed, then shook his head. "No I don't."
"Good," Chikage smiled, then gestured to the family room. "Then please come on in. We wouldn't want you to catch cold."
Tenchi nodded and strolled into Chikage's apartment. Chikage sighed wistfully and shut the door behind her.
* * *
2:00PM. Press room. AD POLICE Headquarters.
Katsumi sighed, smoothed out her dress uniform, then stood up. She took the podium from Sasha, who had just finished justifying the use of the Barrett "Bee-Two" M82A2 sniper rifle against the offending entity. She cleared her throat, then gazed at her co-workers. Lebia, Nami and Yuki who were silently urging her to go on. Rally looked call and collected, while Kiddy, as usual, looked bored. Katsumi took a deep breath, then sighed as she gazed at the crowd who were waiting to here her speak.
"I am Corporal Katsumi Liquer," Katsumi stated to press, then nodded to the crowd of reporters. "Daughter of Gigelf and Fuyuka Liquer."
The pressroom fell silent, which was to be expected. Thirty-seven years ago, Gigelf was a world re-knowned expert on the occult. Not only that, but he almost caused the demise of entire human race. The crowd digested that, then jotted down some notes or took photos of Gigelf's and Fuyuka's daughter.
"You may wonder," She began, then nodded. "Why I'm here. You may wonder why has the daughter of a world re-knowned magic user has joined AMP. First and foremost...I was a police officer once before. So I know what it's like to put your life on the line. Secondly I know what my father was trying to accomplish. To protect the citizens of this world from horrifying creatures that we put down earlier today. I want to continue his work."
More flashes were their response. Moments later, a short female reporter raised her hand.
"Sumimasen," The reporter called out, stood up then nodded to Katsumi. "Do you have any intention of continuing your father's research?"
"Of course," Katsumi nodded to her, then paid no mind when everyone took in a breath. "I do intend to keep studying the art of magic and occult."
"Sumimasen," The reporter hummed, then shook her head. "But I'm not asking about that, Liquer-Junsa. I'm talking about the ill fated project that nearly destroyed us all."
"You mean Project GAIA?" Katsumi hummed.
"Un." The reporter nodded. "Will you continue his work? If so why?"
Katsumi was silent for a moment. It was a tense moment. Everyone wanted to hear her answer.
"Iie," She said with a firm shake of the head. "Its not necessary."
"Its not?" The reporter asked. "May I ask why?"
"It's dangerous," Katsumi hummed, grinned, then nodded to the crowd. "Besides we've got better ways to deal with the pollution situation now, right?"
The crowd laughed at her admission, then became silent when she raised a hand.
"However," Katsumi murmured, then sighed. "It could happen again. Not that I'd want it to happen, mind you."
"Could you stop it?" The reporter hummed.
"Now?" Katsumi hummed, then shook her head. "Not really, to be honest with you."
"I see," She hummed, sighed, then sat down in her seat. "Thanks for responding anyway."
"Don't mention it," Katsumi hummed, then nodded. "So, do you have any more questions?"
Moments later, she was barraged with a series of questions from other freelance, TV station, newspaper and internet reporters. Nami, Yuki, Lebia, Kiddy and Sasha let out a collective sigh as their new teammate tried endured the deluge.
* * *
Northeast of Sayr Usa, Mongolia.
Four 55R reconnaissance boomers loitered over the heart of sector 10. They were in the area to keep an eye on the PLA's 12th armored battalion. They were also here to keep an eye out for viable air and land targets in Meung Mian Eyung-sea's Second mobile strike force.
There was little banter this time around. One of their wing mates was brought down deep in the AIs territory earlier this morning. The good news was that its life wasn't ended right then and there. The bad news was that the it was recovered by the AI's drones. Worse yet it was taken to an autofactory for 'repairs'....or so the AI's subordinates had told the 55R enroute.
Fortunately, the Generals of the Chinese/Mongolian task force made a priorty call to the Tianjin Annex. The generals asked for Toratotaka's assistance. Upon hearing this, the Annex Matriarch promised that they would bring their lost airman back.
The squadron made a lazy turn, then flew westward. A mile out they detected and photographed a mass of armor that was kicking up a lot of dust and sand. Believing that this was the AI's strike force, the group leader sent the information battalion's mobile HQ.
Within minutes, the battalion's Main Battle Tanks wheeled about, then reformed into Echelon Right and Echelon left formations. At the same time, the nimble hovercrafts and infantry boomers formed defensive diamond formations. High above, the 55Rs loitered around while keeping their sensor pods trained the AI's strike force.
Around that time, the strike force's "Oni" infantry droids marched across the sand. They were tall, ungangly things with slender limbs, thin shoulder pauldrons and a squarish cranial unit. Each infantry droid had a 20mm anti-tank carbine rifles in their hands. Two companies of autotanks were escorting the strike forces infantry droids and six legged combat robots.
Ten miles out, the 12th Battalion's hovercrafts launched the first volley in the battle for Sayr Usa. Three minutes later, the salvo of medium ranged missiles rained down on the first and third infantry droid squads. Most were killed outright by anti-armor warheads. Others were torn up by 'claymore' sub munitions.
The auto tanks responded by launching a volley of their own missiles at the hover tanks. A few of the missiles reached their targets. Yet most of the missiles were destroyed thin laser beams from the Hovercraft's active protective system. The others, which relied on optic lasers the hone in on the target, were confused by kicked up dust and plumes of laser refracting aerosols.
In the meantime, the nimble combat robots and the remaining infantry droids scampered across the battlefield. They ignored the MBTs and charged the first wave of Bu-15E infantry boomers and Bu-12B battle boomers. The boomers scattered, paired up in twos, then opened fire upon the combat droids. Meanwhile, the Chinese and Mongolian MBTs danced a deadly waltz with the AI's Autotanks as they sniped at each other.
* * *
Noon. December 30th, 2032AD.
Toratotaka Tower, Recovery Ward. Room Twenty One.
Danielle Wisner tearfully sat in her private room. She was dressed in a yellow sweatshirt and blue sweatpants. She had a head of neck length bouffant curly brown hair, with a pair of three inch long side bangs which were draped down both sides of her face.
Despite the new hairstyle, Danielle looked miserable. Her eyes were red, her expression was downcast and cheeks were blotchy. Not only did she look it, but she felt miserable, too. She was very uncomfortable with her new proportions, surprised at the fact that she was indeed now a woman, wondering who did this and why, was worried about her goals. Finally she was also worried about how her friends would perceive her.
Would the treat her just the same? Would they shun her?
There was a knock on the door. Danielle hesitated, as if she was unsure of herself or what her visitor would say to her, then relented and, in a subdued voice, told whomever it was to come in.
The door quietly swung open and Angela Hirosaki stepped into the room. She was dressed a burgundy sweater and a blue ankle length skirt. She had a polite, beautific smile on her face. Moments later Utena waltzed in, looking very much like a tomboy. She was dressed in a pair of slacks, white button shirt and a black blazer.
"Afternoon," Utena hummed and gazed at her. Utena then smiled when her fiancée walked up and pecked Danielle on the cheek. "So? How are you holding up, Wisner?"
"Not sure," Danielle uttered. "I'm at a loss for words....and confused as well."
"As are we," Utena clicked her tongue, stared at her, then grinned. "But I've gotta say you're lookin' good, girl."
"Stop it," Danielle hummed, then shook her head. "You're just saying that, Utena."
"Iie!" Utena shook her head, got into a catcher's crouch, then stared at her close associate. "Look! I'm not just saying that, Wisner. That serum turned you into a very beautiful woman. If you don't believe me then look in the mirror. You'll see that for yourself."
"Un," Angela nodded, then gazed at Danielle. "You're hairstyle is a nice touch too, Danielle-chan. The hairstylists must have teased it
a lot to get it to be that way."
"It's nothing." Danielle hummed, then shook her head. "It was just something I picked out, really."
"If you say so," Utena shrugged, then nodded to her. "But I have to admit you're a mess too. I don't blame you for bawling your eyes out over this. Or freaking out, for that matter. I'd freak out to if I was turned into a man."
Angela smiled at her fiancée's blunt honesty, then laid her hands on Danielle's shoulders. She jerked, then stared at Angela.
"Diajobu, Diajobu," Angela smiled innocently at Danielle, then gestured to her. "You look tense. I was going to help you relax."
"S...sorry." Danielle uttered softy, then sat back as a noisy breath escaped her lips. "This whole thing has got me all wound up, y'know."
"I see," Utena noisily clicked her tongue, then cupped Danielle's left foot in her hands. "Then would you mind if we give you a massage to help you unwind? There's nothing better than the Tenou/Hirosaki special to call a person's nerves."
"Well...." Danielle, uttered uncertainly, thought for a minute or two, then reluctantly acquiesced to their suggestion. "All right. Go ahead."
Utena and Angela grinned simultaneously, then went to work on Danielle's tense body. Utena began with the lower extremities. At the same time, Angela began at the temples. Danielle visibly relaxed as their delicate hands caressed her taut muscles and skin.
"Well?" Utena hummed several minutes later. "How do you feel?"
"Better." Danielle uttered, then shook her head. "Slightly better. Can you work on me some more?"
Utena thinks for a moment, looked to Angela who still had a beautific smile on her face, then gazed at her co-worker and impromptu patient.
"Well..." Utena hummed quietly, then grinned at her. "Alright."
"Thank you..." Danielle quietly hummed. With that, Angela and Utena continued to caress and knead her well-toned body. Thirty minutes later, Utena and Angela pulled away from the chair.
"So?" Angela hummed. "How do you feel?"
"Much better." Danielle quietly intoned.
"Good." Utena noddded, then shrugged. "Wanna go shopping with us, Wisner? I'm sure it'll also take your mind off of your transformation."
A pause.
"Well?" Utena hummed.
"Er....." Danielle uttered, then acquiesced. "All right."
* * *
Early evening. The Spiral.
Katsumi entered her new home, then smiled as Chikage approached her.
"Hi, Chikage-chan," Katsumi grinned, then nodded. "How are you?"
"I'm well, thank you," Chikage breathily hummed, then removed an short object wrapped in paper from her yukuta. "Here. Consider this a belated Christmas present, Katsumi ani-kun."
"Eh?" Katsumi hummed out loud, unwrapped it, then gasped. "A...another short sword?"
"Hai," Chikage hummed, then nodded. "But this one's special. You'll see why when you unsheathe it, Katsumi ani-kun."
Katsumi hummed, unsheathed it, then gasped as she gazed at its finely polished blade.
"This..." Katsumi uttered "This is..."
"The blade is made of duranium." Chikage hummed, then nodded. "The blade also has slivers of diamond meson imbedded within the blade. This will allow you to focus you're energies better. Because of that, it's become quite powerful. So do be careful with it, ani-kun."
"I see..." Katsumi chuckled nervously, then sheathed the weapon. "Thank you for the present."
"You're welcome," Chikage hummed. "What will you name her?"
Katsumi hummed to herself, then smiled when she came up with a name.
"I'll..." Katsumi began, looked at the weapon in her hand, then nodded to herself. "I'll call her Medium."
"Interesting name..." Chikage hummed.
End Chapter Six.
"BOTH prototypes?" Brian Mason uttered, then scowled. "BOTH prototypes were destroyed, D?"
"Hai Mason-sama," D nodded, then handed Mason a report. "The first one had its cranial unit caved in. Then it was cleaved in half. The second unit lost its left arm, then received multiple blows to the chest and head."
"Who is doing this?" He muttered, then gazed at D. "Was it the Knight Sabers?"
"Iie," D shook her head. "The Knight Sabers were not present at that time."
Mason was a loss for words. He still didn't know who was stopping most of his prototypes at every turn. Well no more. At that moment, Mason vowed to find who was responsible and deal with them accordingly.
"Alright," Mason hummed, then stared at D. "I want you to find out who is doing this. In the mean time....I'll accept full responsibility for sending out the Bu 10X's. To make up for it...let's send out Two 55C's this time. We'll release them in three days. After that....we'll use a Bu-12B."
"Understood," D nodded, then sighed. "Is there anything else?"
"Un," Mason nodded, then relaxed in his chair. "What's the latest word about the fighting in Mongolia?"
"Quite a bit actually," D mused. "The Mongolian Army, supported by the People's Liberation Army, will attempt another offensive tomorrow morning. It won't be a piecemeal affair. Instead, it'll be a full fledged assault to recapture the rest of Mongolia. They're massing their troops and deploying reconnaissance drones as we speak, Mason-sama."
"I see," Mason hummed, then nodded. "Its to be expected, really. The politicians of both countries are under fire from their constituents to wrap the war up. I assume were still getting orders for battle and combat boomers from our factories in Hong Kong and Shanghi, right?"
"Hai," D nodded to Mason. "Most of the orders are for Chinese/Russian versions of the Bu-11Ds, Anti-armor and Anti-air variants of the Bu-12Bs. The rest are Bu-15E Infantry battle boomers and Bu-12Bs. Also, they have made a request for more Bu-55R reconnaissance boomers. That particular order, however, was for only two squadrons. No more, no less. It seems that the PLA still has faith in the un-manned aerial and land based drones which are produced by the Zhongguo-Hindra Group, sir."
"I see," Mason murmured, then nodded. "We could work on that, given the fact that most of their drones are still remote controlled by the more stable AI's in northern and central China. It's quite possible that some of them could suffer from some instability."
"Un," D nodded, then stared at him. "Shall I pursue this matter, Mason-sama?"
"Hai," Mason nodded. "Report back to me as soon as you can about that matter."
"Hai," D nodded to him, then walked away from the desk. "Good day, Mason-sama."
"Un," Brian nodded, watched her leave, then looked thoughtful. "Damn. I should have asked her about our progress with the Diet, especially about that antiquated anti-boomer rifle...and the status of district 3 itself."
* * *
Chapter Six. Early Riser....
Daybreak. December 29, 2032AD.
Fifty miles due east of Sayr Usa, Mongolia.
As the sun rose in the east, A small unmanned aerial vehicle hovered over the sand dunes of the Gobi Desert. It was a petite, tan, mushroom shaped thing. The UAV had a tiny rotor for propulsion, a single cyber eye, and a pair of retractable antenna on its head.
The little cyclops kicked up some sand as it went low and darted around a sickly looking shrub. It dutifully avoided a small tree, hid among a patch of healthy shrubs, then flitted around a few boulders.
High above the desert floor, a bird shaped reconnaissance boomer was flying through the clear morning sky. This vehicle, unlike the mushroom shaped UAV, had long, thin wings and a elongated fuselage. It had a turbo jet engine in its rear and a single tail. One the ventral side was a sensor pod and a retracted weapons pod.
The reconnaissance boomer was loitering in the area when it caught sight of the little bugger with its sensor suite. It mentally arched an eyebrow then hummed to itself.
*Well well,* The boomer thought, called up its war book, then hummed when it found a match. *what do we have here? A Zhonggou-Hindra Zero One Gee Ef Recon drone? Looks like its scoping out the front line before its bigger brothers get here.*
Moments later, another bird like reconnaissance boomer joined the the first.
(Greetings Five Five Ar Two Ef Six Nine,) The second reconnaissance boomer hummed over a cellular link. (So....have you found anything interesting to report back to headquarters?)
(Ohayo Five Five Ar One Sea Nine Three,) The 55R reconnaissance boomer replied. (Hai, I have. It's a Zero One Gee Ef recon drone produced by the Zhonggou-Hindra group. Shall I proceed to identify its alligences? Don't want to shoot up friendlies you know.)
(True,) One Sea Nine Three responded. (Alright, do it.)
(Working. Working.) Two Ef Six Nine hummed in a monotone voice, then spoke up a minute later. (Its a Tango, One Sea Nine Three. Its job
is to locate and keep track of the the main battle force.)
(I see,) One Sea Nine Three hummed. (Alright, you know our orders. Target the little bugger and fire, Two Ef Six Nine.)
(Yokai!) Two Ef Six Nine chirped, then sighed when weapons pod, a small laser gun, was deployed. (Weapon pod down and locked. Now targeting.)
The turret and gun pod swept to the left, then began to track the little UAV.
(Targeting...Targeting...) Two Ef Six Nine hummed, then grinned to itself as the UAV settled down in the midst of a thicket of brushes. (Target locked.)
(Fire!) Sea Nine Three blurted.
Moments later, the gun pod fired and a thin energy beam lanched through the UAV's cranial unit. The Z-H produced UAV lurched, then exploded in a small ball of light. Fragments and shrapnel from the UAV were spread out as the blasts shockwave disturbed the ground.
(Target destroyed.) The 55R signaled to its wingman. (Do you copy One Sea Nine Three?)
(Hai,) Sea Nine Three responded. (I copy and verify Two Ef Six Nine. Alright, let's report back to HQ and return to base.)
(Rocking.) Two Ef Six Nine chirped, increased the throttle just a bit, then rolled to the left. (See you there.)
(Ja matte ne.) Sea Nine Three responded.
* * *
8:00AM. Nerima, Greenwood Apartments.
Sandy stepped into the modestly decorated Master bedroom. The T'N'T employee was dressed in silky black housecoat. A lively bundle of joy was in her arms. The bundle of joy had strawberry blonde hair, blue eyes and was swaddled in a plaid blanket.
In the middle of the room was a queen-sized bed. It was occupied her soul mate and spouse; a petite woman with long brown hair and slender yet muscular limbs. The petite woman had another bundle of joy in her arms. This one had brown hair and was suckling on her left breast. The petite woman was smiling beatifically at Sandy.
Sandy smiled in return, then walked up as her spouse flipped open the covers. She eased into the bed, snuggled up against her spouse, then allowed the newborn child to feed from her own breast. Sandy sighed contentedly as the child went to work.
"This..." Sandy hummed, then nodded. "This is the life. Wouldn't you agree, Akari-chan."
"Un," Akari hummed, then nodded. "It seems perfect now, doesn't it. Demo,it won't always be a bed of roses."
"It'll be a lot of work," Sandy hummed, then nodded. "Demo...I'm sure we can handle it."
"Un," Akari nodded, then sighed. "Ano...what do we do when they're naughty?"
"Eh..." Sandy uttered, thought for a moment, then gazed at her. "I'm ...really not sure. What did your mother do when you did something wrong?"
"Okaa-sama?" Akari uttered, blinked, then shook her head. "Okaa-sama didn't punish me. She just patted me on the head. That's all she ever did. Even when I wet the mattress to my futon."
"Eh?" Sandy blinked, then sagged. "I...see."
"Hai," Akari uttered, then gazed at Sandy. "Do you know how to raise them Sandy-chan?"
"Well...." Sandy hummed, then looked up at the ceiling. "I have read a few texts on this sort of thing. Also, I am good with children. On the other hand I haven't had any experience in raising them."
"I see." Akari hummed, then sighed. "Sandy-chan..."
"Yes?" Sandy answered. "What is it Akari-chan?"
"I'm scared," Akari uttered quietly, then looked down at her offspring. The child was now fast asleep. "I...I'm scared for Joy and Noel. I really don't know what I'm doing."
"Neither am I," Sandy replied, winked to Akari, then nodded. "But, we'll figure this out. Just don't run away from this. OK, Akari-chan?"
"Hai!" Akari cried jubilantly, then began to fuss when the child began to bawl its eyes out. She looked for Sandy for moral support. "Ano..... "Sandy-chan...what do I do?"
"No running away." Sandy reminded, then nodded. "Especially to a large box...or any type of box for that matter. It's better to face you're fears then run away, Akari-chan."
"H...hai." Akari nodded to her, then sighed as she tried to placitate her newborn babe.
* * *
9:00AM. Toratotaka Tower. Floor One Hundred Sixty Six.
"There," A short woman sighed, stepped back from the bed, then gazed to Danielle's now feminine figure. She was in a semi-concious state and breathing slow, shallow breaths. "Danielle-chan should be okay now. Lets make her feel as comfortable as possible, okay?"
"Hai, Nokoko ojou-sama." The nurses slipped up to the bed, then went to work. Nokoko Moroboshi, Co-chairwoman of Toratotaka International, shook her head in disgust before running a hand through her short brown hair. A shorter woman with evergreen hair and horn buds walked up, then embraced the brown haired woman from behind.
"Why?" She asked herself. "Why on earth would they do this, Mal?!"
"Why do you think, Beloved?" Mal quietly hummed. "Tripades is a devil-shark...as is the woman who has allied itself with that particular entity."
"Un." Nokoko thoughtfuly nodded, then made a face when a meaty-like odor reached her nose. "Sweet Mother....!"
"Ano..." One of the nurses spoke up. "Ano...Nokoko ojou-sama, there's copius amount vaginal discharge here. Ano...do you think...."
"Hai, Hai," Nokoko hummed, then nodded. "I know already. Look...if anyone feels uncomfortable about it...I'll report this directly to Yukari chan, okay? Now go and make her feel as comfortable as possible."
"Hai!" The nurses cried, helped Danielle get out of bed, into a robe, then into in a nearby wheelchair.
* * *
9:30AM. The CMCO's office.
"Computer," Yukari quietly hummed, then smiled when the workstation beeped. "Open personal journal to today's date."
Moments later a blank page appeared on the screen. Yukari sighed, then nodded.
"'No one expected it. Not even Yuina or myself expected it.'" She began, then sagged in her chair. "'Daniel-kun, or should I say Danielle-chan's transformation is now complete. What's more, it was completed in a matter of days...not weeks like we once thought. Frankly, I've never seen anything like it.'"
"'On a clinical level, Danielle is now a fully grown female,'" She continued, then sighed. "'As strange as it may sounds she's fully capable of carrying a child within her body. Whether she has viable eggs is another story. There is one irksome detail. Her body is producing some hormononal compound i've never seen before. I believe its due to the transformation but I'm not so sure what this will lead to. Unfortunately this alteration is completly irreversible. To do so would lead to Danielle's demise. We learned this fact from a prior circumstance with a now deceased employee who visited the Jusenkyo Springs.'"
"'Also,'" Yukari hummed, then cleared her throat. "I think it would be safe to say that Danielle will be very unstable for the next few weeks. Its my proffesional opinion that we, for now, have to watch Danielle closely. She must be out of her mind right now. I don't blame her, to be honest with you. Her sense of self has now been thrown off kilter by this transformation. Especially after she experimented with her gentialia. I and Nokoko Moroboshi believe that is what put her over ther edge.'"
"'Even so,'" She concluded. "'I believe Danielle-chan is emotionally mature enough to bounce back from this. He's accepted the fate of his own world readily. However, I am not sure when this process will begin. Or what will initiate it. So in conculsion its safe to say that we have a long way to go with her.'"
The CMCO gazed at the screen, then nodded at the results. She could have given a more detailed description about the transformation but she chose not to.
"'End journal entry.'" The CMCO sighed, then nodded. "Save Journal entry."
The workstation beeped, just before Yukari shut it down with a click of the mouse.
* * *
Noon. Mega Tokyo, District Three.
*AMP had its hands full this time around.* Lieutenant Clarissa McGovern thought to herself as she and several other troopers knelt on the roof of a ten story building. *I hope it doesn't cause to much property damage either. That could kill the AMP altogether.*
A blue and white prop-driven version of the Bu-55R made the same observation as it loitered in the sky.
The problem in question was a lowly category three entitey. It was a fat, sickly white, snake-like thing. Therefore they thought it would be an easy kill. Yet, for a lowly third class entity, this one was quite troublesome. One trooper was already dead...his head was bitten off. Three others were seriously injured.
Kiddy swore as the Lucifer Hawk dove at her. She ducked to the left, rolled to the right as someone fired back at it, then ran for cover as the damned thing tried to make another attempt. She ran towards a cruiser, ran around it aft, then gasped when someone gripped her right arm and hauled her down to the pavement.
Meanwhile, the entity landed 10 feet away and coiled up on itself as AMP fired round after round at its fat, lumpy hide. The impacts were of no consequence. Merely grazes and flesh wounds. The creature raised its head and bared its teeth in defiance as if to say 'Is that all you have?'
"Who the hell..." Kiddy began to say, then stopped when she saw Katsumi draw her Bombradier-Clarskon, took aim and fired off three plasma charged rounds at the beast. "Katsumi..."
The first round went wild and made a small crater in the ground. The second grazed the entities left side, causing small gouts of blood and steam. The third round slammed home, severely wounding the creature. The creature howled, faced Katsumi, then reared up as it prepared to end her life.
The entity was discouraged by laser machinegun fire from above. The salvo left bloody, steaming welts in its dorsal side. Moments later a thin, needle shaped blue and white wingless aircraft whizzed overhead. The Entity howled again, turned its attention towards the aircraft, then began to track it.
"Kastumi-junsa?! 'Freeze' that sucker!" Lieutenant Sasha McGovern bellowed over their headsets as Katsumi holstered her handgun. "Nami! Provide backup with your wards! Lebia-Bachou! Cover them with you're spinner. One-sama and I'll take it out. I'll use the Caster, she'll use the Bee-Two!"
Katsumi wordlessly nodded, then unsheathed her short sword. At that same moment, Lebia brought the spinner around. After doing so she aimed the spinners nose at the wounded entity.
Sasha, in the meantime, ran behind a parked car, unholstered a medium sized hand cannon, then pulled out a greyish, walnut sized round. The round had a Chinese letter on it. She chambered the round, then aimed the caster at the entity.
Around that same time, Katsumi aimed her short sword at the creature. Katsumi concentrated for a moment, then sighed as she felt the spell taking form. At that moment, greenish light sprang up from the pavement and encompassed the snake like thing in a five pointed star which was surrounded by a circle.
"In front of me Raphael. Behind me Gabriel. On my right Michael. On my Left Uriel." Katsumi began the incantation, then paid no mind as the snake like thing tried to break free. "Five shining stars surrounding my four side raise flare. Six shining stars shine in the light pillar."
At that moment, everyone takes aim at the creature. Clarissa McGovern already had the creature's hide in her sights.
"Ater malkt va geblar ve deduler lu aurlam amen!!!" Katsumi bellowed. The circle flared to life and the snake like thing writhed in pain. Katsumi brought the knife down in a slashing motion. Moments later, two discs of light streaked away from the weapon. The discs splashed against the lowly entity and howled before seizing up.
"You did it!" Kiddy grunted.
"Not over yet!" Katsumi yelled back as she tightened her grip on her blade, then glanced at Nami who had several wards at the ready.
The McGovern sisters pulled the triggers on their respective weapons. Both weapons bark, and two balls of energy streaked toward the entity. Both rounds hit home and the being dies in a gory, steamy explosion. A light breeze blows the steam away, revealing that the entity is no more.
"Phew." Katsumi uttered, then grinned when Kiddy laid a hand on her shoulder. "Kiddy-bachou..."
"Like I said," Kiddy smiled. "You did it."
"Un." Katsumi sighed, then nodded. "Its over."
"Good job everyone," Sasha said happily over the headsets. "All right, pack up your stuff and head back to the Airwolf. Were going home!"
"Hai!" Everyone cried, stood up from their positions, then trotted back to medium sized, unarmed helicopter that was waiting for them.
Clarissa watched them each of them go, sighted Katsumi for a moment, then sighed to herself.
"Maybe they have a chance after all." Clarissa clicked her tongue, then gestured to her troops. "All right lets go, and expect a oh-so warm welcome from the staff and the press, ne?"
* * *
The Spiral, a few minutes later.
Chikage sat in seiza in the living room. A textbook was in her left hand. Her right hand hung at her side. She turned a page when a soft, subdued warble echoed around her. Chikage took a moment to translate that, then looked up to the ceiling in anticipation.
"So...its over?" Chikage hummed, Then nodded when a warble echoed back. "Is everyone alright?"
A soft negative answered her question. It was followed by a soft garble.
"I see," Chikage hummed, then nodded at the soft negative and warble. "Several wounded with one dead. Was Katsumi ani-kun among them?"
"That's reassuring." Chikage hummed when they responded with a firmer negative. "Did she at least do well?"
"I see," Chikage nodded at the contented upbeat warble, then gazed up at the ceiling. "Well, at least she won't be depressed this time around."
"I...see." Chikage sighed, then hummed when she heard a painful warble. "All right. I'll tell her that Daniel has undergone this....dramatic change. Is that all for now?"
"As always," Chikage hummed, blinked when someone knocked on the front door, then smiled after consulting her chronometer. She stood up, then walked up to the door. She opened it, then smiled at a dark haired, teenaged boy. "Ah, Tenchi, you're as puctual as ever. Do you have you're boken with you?"
"Er..." Tenchi Masaki began, then nodded at the budding sorceress. "Yeah I have. But I thought we were just going to study."
"Oh we are," Chikage nodded, then hummed. "But I've determined that martial arts training should also be a part of our studies. Do you object to that?"
"Er...." Tenchi hummed, then shook his head. "No I don't."
"Good," Chikage smiled, then gestured to the family room. "Then please come on in. We wouldn't want you to catch cold."
Tenchi nodded and strolled into Chikage's apartment. Chikage sighed wistfully and shut the door behind her.
* * *
2:00PM. Press room. AD POLICE Headquarters.
Katsumi sighed, smoothed out her dress uniform, then stood up. She took the podium from Sasha, who had just finished justifying the use of the Barrett "Bee-Two" M82A2 sniper rifle against the offending entity. She cleared her throat, then gazed at her co-workers. Lebia, Nami and Yuki who were silently urging her to go on. Rally looked call and collected, while Kiddy, as usual, looked bored. Katsumi took a deep breath, then sighed as she gazed at the crowd who were waiting to here her speak.
"I am Corporal Katsumi Liquer," Katsumi stated to press, then nodded to the crowd of reporters. "Daughter of Gigelf and Fuyuka Liquer."
The pressroom fell silent, which was to be expected. Thirty-seven years ago, Gigelf was a world re-knowned expert on the occult. Not only that, but he almost caused the demise of entire human race. The crowd digested that, then jotted down some notes or took photos of Gigelf's and Fuyuka's daughter.
"You may wonder," She began, then nodded. "Why I'm here. You may wonder why has the daughter of a world re-knowned magic user has joined AMP. First and foremost...I was a police officer once before. So I know what it's like to put your life on the line. Secondly I know what my father was trying to accomplish. To protect the citizens of this world from horrifying creatures that we put down earlier today. I want to continue his work."
More flashes were their response. Moments later, a short female reporter raised her hand.
"Sumimasen," The reporter called out, stood up then nodded to Katsumi. "Do you have any intention of continuing your father's research?"
"Of course," Katsumi nodded to her, then paid no mind when everyone took in a breath. "I do intend to keep studying the art of magic and occult."
"Sumimasen," The reporter hummed, then shook her head. "But I'm not asking about that, Liquer-Junsa. I'm talking about the ill fated project that nearly destroyed us all."
"You mean Project GAIA?" Katsumi hummed.
"Un." The reporter nodded. "Will you continue his work? If so why?"
Katsumi was silent for a moment. It was a tense moment. Everyone wanted to hear her answer.
"Iie," She said with a firm shake of the head. "Its not necessary."
"Its not?" The reporter asked. "May I ask why?"
"It's dangerous," Katsumi hummed, grinned, then nodded to the crowd. "Besides we've got better ways to deal with the pollution situation now, right?"
The crowd laughed at her admission, then became silent when she raised a hand.
"However," Katsumi murmured, then sighed. "It could happen again. Not that I'd want it to happen, mind you."
"Could you stop it?" The reporter hummed.
"Now?" Katsumi hummed, then shook her head. "Not really, to be honest with you."
"I see," She hummed, sighed, then sat down in her seat. "Thanks for responding anyway."
"Don't mention it," Katsumi hummed, then nodded. "So, do you have any more questions?"
Moments later, she was barraged with a series of questions from other freelance, TV station, newspaper and internet reporters. Nami, Yuki, Lebia, Kiddy and Sasha let out a collective sigh as their new teammate tried endured the deluge.
* * *
Northeast of Sayr Usa, Mongolia.
Four 55R reconnaissance boomers loitered over the heart of sector 10. They were in the area to keep an eye on the PLA's 12th armored battalion. They were also here to keep an eye out for viable air and land targets in Meung Mian Eyung-sea's Second mobile strike force.
There was little banter this time around. One of their wing mates was brought down deep in the AIs territory earlier this morning. The good news was that its life wasn't ended right then and there. The bad news was that the it was recovered by the AI's drones. Worse yet it was taken to an autofactory for 'repairs'....or so the AI's subordinates had told the 55R enroute.
Fortunately, the Generals of the Chinese/Mongolian task force made a priorty call to the Tianjin Annex. The generals asked for Toratotaka's assistance. Upon hearing this, the Annex Matriarch promised that they would bring their lost airman back.
The squadron made a lazy turn, then flew westward. A mile out they detected and photographed a mass of armor that was kicking up a lot of dust and sand. Believing that this was the AI's strike force, the group leader sent the information battalion's mobile HQ.
Within minutes, the battalion's Main Battle Tanks wheeled about, then reformed into Echelon Right and Echelon left formations. At the same time, the nimble hovercrafts and infantry boomers formed defensive diamond formations. High above, the 55Rs loitered around while keeping their sensor pods trained the AI's strike force.
Around that time, the strike force's "Oni" infantry droids marched across the sand. They were tall, ungangly things with slender limbs, thin shoulder pauldrons and a squarish cranial unit. Each infantry droid had a 20mm anti-tank carbine rifles in their hands. Two companies of autotanks were escorting the strike forces infantry droids and six legged combat robots.
Ten miles out, the 12th Battalion's hovercrafts launched the first volley in the battle for Sayr Usa. Three minutes later, the salvo of medium ranged missiles rained down on the first and third infantry droid squads. Most were killed outright by anti-armor warheads. Others were torn up by 'claymore' sub munitions.
The auto tanks responded by launching a volley of their own missiles at the hover tanks. A few of the missiles reached their targets. Yet most of the missiles were destroyed thin laser beams from the Hovercraft's active protective system. The others, which relied on optic lasers the hone in on the target, were confused by kicked up dust and plumes of laser refracting aerosols.
In the meantime, the nimble combat robots and the remaining infantry droids scampered across the battlefield. They ignored the MBTs and charged the first wave of Bu-15E infantry boomers and Bu-12B battle boomers. The boomers scattered, paired up in twos, then opened fire upon the combat droids. Meanwhile, the Chinese and Mongolian MBTs danced a deadly waltz with the AI's Autotanks as they sniped at each other.
* * *
Noon. December 30th, 2032AD.
Toratotaka Tower, Recovery Ward. Room Twenty One.
Danielle Wisner tearfully sat in her private room. She was dressed in a yellow sweatshirt and blue sweatpants. She had a head of neck length bouffant curly brown hair, with a pair of three inch long side bangs which were draped down both sides of her face.
Despite the new hairstyle, Danielle looked miserable. Her eyes were red, her expression was downcast and cheeks were blotchy. Not only did she look it, but she felt miserable, too. She was very uncomfortable with her new proportions, surprised at the fact that she was indeed now a woman, wondering who did this and why, was worried about her goals. Finally she was also worried about how her friends would perceive her.
Would the treat her just the same? Would they shun her?
There was a knock on the door. Danielle hesitated, as if she was unsure of herself or what her visitor would say to her, then relented and, in a subdued voice, told whomever it was to come in.
The door quietly swung open and Angela Hirosaki stepped into the room. She was dressed a burgundy sweater and a blue ankle length skirt. She had a polite, beautific smile on her face. Moments later Utena waltzed in, looking very much like a tomboy. She was dressed in a pair of slacks, white button shirt and a black blazer.
"Afternoon," Utena hummed and gazed at her. Utena then smiled when her fiancée walked up and pecked Danielle on the cheek. "So? How are you holding up, Wisner?"
"Not sure," Danielle uttered. "I'm at a loss for words....and confused as well."
"As are we," Utena clicked her tongue, stared at her, then grinned. "But I've gotta say you're lookin' good, girl."
"Stop it," Danielle hummed, then shook her head. "You're just saying that, Utena."
"Iie!" Utena shook her head, got into a catcher's crouch, then stared at her close associate. "Look! I'm not just saying that, Wisner. That serum turned you into a very beautiful woman. If you don't believe me then look in the mirror. You'll see that for yourself."
"Un," Angela nodded, then gazed at Danielle. "You're hairstyle is a nice touch too, Danielle-chan. The hairstylists must have teased it
a lot to get it to be that way."
"It's nothing." Danielle hummed, then shook her head. "It was just something I picked out, really."
"If you say so," Utena shrugged, then nodded to her. "But I have to admit you're a mess too. I don't blame you for bawling your eyes out over this. Or freaking out, for that matter. I'd freak out to if I was turned into a man."
Angela smiled at her fiancée's blunt honesty, then laid her hands on Danielle's shoulders. She jerked, then stared at Angela.
"Diajobu, Diajobu," Angela smiled innocently at Danielle, then gestured to her. "You look tense. I was going to help you relax."
"S...sorry." Danielle uttered softy, then sat back as a noisy breath escaped her lips. "This whole thing has got me all wound up, y'know."
"I see," Utena noisily clicked her tongue, then cupped Danielle's left foot in her hands. "Then would you mind if we give you a massage to help you unwind? There's nothing better than the Tenou/Hirosaki special to call a person's nerves."
"Well...." Danielle, uttered uncertainly, thought for a minute or two, then reluctantly acquiesced to their suggestion. "All right. Go ahead."
Utena and Angela grinned simultaneously, then went to work on Danielle's tense body. Utena began with the lower extremities. At the same time, Angela began at the temples. Danielle visibly relaxed as their delicate hands caressed her taut muscles and skin.
"Well?" Utena hummed several minutes later. "How do you feel?"
"Better." Danielle uttered, then shook her head. "Slightly better. Can you work on me some more?"
Utena thinks for a moment, looked to Angela who still had a beautific smile on her face, then gazed at her co-worker and impromptu patient.
"Well..." Utena hummed quietly, then grinned at her. "Alright."
"Thank you..." Danielle quietly hummed. With that, Angela and Utena continued to caress and knead her well-toned body. Thirty minutes later, Utena and Angela pulled away from the chair.
"So?" Angela hummed. "How do you feel?"
"Much better." Danielle quietly intoned.
"Good." Utena noddded, then shrugged. "Wanna go shopping with us, Wisner? I'm sure it'll also take your mind off of your transformation."
A pause.
"Well?" Utena hummed.
"Er....." Danielle uttered, then acquiesced. "All right."
* * *
Early evening. The Spiral.
Katsumi entered her new home, then smiled as Chikage approached her.
"Hi, Chikage-chan," Katsumi grinned, then nodded. "How are you?"
"I'm well, thank you," Chikage breathily hummed, then removed an short object wrapped in paper from her yukuta. "Here. Consider this a belated Christmas present, Katsumi ani-kun."
"Eh?" Katsumi hummed out loud, unwrapped it, then gasped. "A...another short sword?"
"Hai," Chikage hummed, then nodded. "But this one's special. You'll see why when you unsheathe it, Katsumi ani-kun."
Katsumi hummed, unsheathed it, then gasped as she gazed at its finely polished blade.
"This..." Katsumi uttered "This is..."
"The blade is made of duranium." Chikage hummed, then nodded. "The blade also has slivers of diamond meson imbedded within the blade. This will allow you to focus you're energies better. Because of that, it's become quite powerful. So do be careful with it, ani-kun."
"I see..." Katsumi chuckled nervously, then sheathed the weapon. "Thank you for the present."
"You're welcome," Chikage hummed. "What will you name her?"
Katsumi hummed to herself, then smiled when she came up with a name.
"I'll..." Katsumi began, looked at the weapon in her hand, then nodded to herself. "I'll call her Medium."
"Interesting name..." Chikage hummed.
End Chapter Six.