Yoru no Angel: Welcome to the second chapter!
Arion: Technically, it's chapter 10. Don't ask me, it's her screw up.
Yoru no Angel: Heeey…don't be a meanie Arion-san!
Arion: Meanie!? You haven't seen anythin' yet…*growls*
Yoru no Angel: Nyaaah! :-P Don't make me let the muses out!
Arion: Whatever. As usual, Sakura Wars belongs to me…
Yoru no Angel: ...Suuure....
Arion: Okay Miss Smarty-Pants, you say it then. Hmph.
Yoru no Angel: Yosha! Once again, Sakura Taisen doesn't belong to me or him, so no suing! But sue Arion-san all you like for all I care...
Arion: What? How dare you! Meanwhile, enjoy the fic. If you don't, it's her fault... now you get back here or I'll...
Yoru no Angel: ...Nyaa! Ya can't catch me~!
In our previous installment, the newly assembled Hikarigumi were introduced to each other. Just as their confusion on why they were there was being settled, the imposing Colonel Dornen threw in a thinly veiled challenge, the best of the Hikarigumi would be the team captain!
Chapter 2: Steam-Powered Steel Giants
By Arion Wong and Yoru no Angel
"Geez Lauranna, that's like an invitation for them to fight each other," Henry muttered.
"Hm. Conflict brings strength," Lauranna replied coldly.
"That's very cruel, Laura," Henry commented.
"Don't Americanize my name," Lauranna warned him. Henry nodded, a wry smile on his lips.
The Hikarigumi were oblivious to their new commanders brief exchange. Each of the six scanned each other, trying to assess and compare themselves.
"So…Abby…" Tom began, earning himself a nice abhorring glare from the respectable American. Siti couldn't help but strain her ears to listen in; anything involving Thomas and Abigail was undoubtedly going to be entertaining.
The fifteen-year-old grinned widely, casually folding his arms over his chest as he continued, "You think you have a chance at becoming the big boss?"
"Certainly Mr. McPherson," She replied haughtily, lifting her head up high, "Unlike some people on this team, I have class and, not to mention, great skills in leadership…"
"Class…Riiight…" Tom said, rolling his eyes. Siti giggled and he flashed a smile at her, "You mean how many times you have tripped on those ridiculous dresses of yours…"
"W-What was that?" Abigail said through her gritted teeth.
"You heard me…"
Katrina snorted, folding her arms across her chest. The conversation of the younger troops was steadily beginning to get louder and louder.
"You'd think this was playschool, not an attack team…" The woman nicknamed Red Eyes grumbled under her breath to no one in particular, "The way those three act, we do not stand a chance…"
"They are merely expressing their true natures…" Veraiho said breezily, "An interesting concept actually…"
"Rule out captaincy possibilities by observing the true nature of ones mind…very interesting indeed…" Isaac interjected quietly. He and Veraiho exchanged the smallest of smiles.
"Do you think she planned it?" Isaac questioned quietly, eyeing the commander suspiciously.
"I do not know…." Veraiho replied.
The younger troops' argument reached the peak of it loudness.
"This ain't going anywhere," Henry sighed. He strode forward clapped his massive hands together. The thunderous clap caused them to jump up in surprise.
Lauranna adjusted her military cap. "Show them around," she said curtly and left.
"All right boys and girls, it's time for the base tour!" the African-American said with relish.
Henry began to lead them down from the briefing room.
As he opened the door to leave, his eyes widened in astonishment.
"Ah, so you two managed to arrive here after all!" Henry said cheerfully. One by one, the Hikarigumi all craned their necks or stood on their tiptoes to catch a glimpse of whomever the burly man was speaking to. Leaning against the rightmost wall was a bespectacled young woman with straight mousy-brown hair; she wore a nurse's uniform. At the sound of Henry's voice the woman glanced up for a mere second, her mouth breaking out into an uncontrollable grin."Oooh Henry!" She squealed in a high-pitched voice, latching onto one of his large arms, "Fancy meeting you here!"
As the two continued to speak with each other, the Hikarigumi couldn't help but raise their eyebrows in perplexity. Who was this woman?
"So, Henry, are you going to introduce me to your little friends?" The woman said, her glasses glinting strangely. Thomas felt the hairs on the back his neck prickle with fear as the woman laid eyes on him; it was like she was up to something.
"Ah yes…" The tall
man said, "This is the Hikarigumi…" He gestured to the various females and
males in the doorway, "Everyone, this is Sarah Arquette, one of the infirmary
staff…But where is-?"
Sarah ignored Henry's questioning; instead she sauntered forward, eyeing Isaac with a great interest. The Englishman stepped back slightly as she moved closer and closer…
"And who might you be…?" The bespectacled woman asked breathlessly, her hands clasped tightly to her chest, "You're so…so tall and healthy looking-"
Abigail cleared her throat loudly, her green eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Excuse me, Miss Arquette, is it?" She said in a haughty voice. Her eyes darted nervously between the two, "It is obvious you do not know who I am, because, if you did, you wouldn't have ignored me so…"
Abigail could feel her temper rise, not only because the older woman was ignoring her. In fact, she was so close to Isaac the tip of her nose was just touching his.
"Oooooh!" Sarah squealed, clasping her hands tightly around both of Isaac's, "You must let me examine you some time…I'm sure it will be…a memorable experience…"
Isaac's eyes grew wider and he weakly chuckled, he could feel a bead of sweat slowly running down his forehead. But to his great relief, Sarah had released him, immediately pouncing onto her next victim.
Tom attempted to hide behind Veraiho, hoping his shortness may come in use for once but the eyes of Sarah Arquette were much to quick for him.
"And who is this adorable young man here?" She asked eagerly.
Katrina tried hard to suppress a snort of laughter as she watched the anxiety of her younger teammate. Siti felt her eyebrows contract together in worry and she bit the bottom of her lip while on the other hand, Abigail was much too busy worrying over Isaac to notice.
"…I…er…" Thomas stuttered, slowly pacing backwards.
He shut his eyes and waited. And waited…five seconds had passed and Thomas finally decided it would be safe to open his eye, just for a few seconds.
Instead of staring the crazy nurse straight in the eyes, the back of Veraiho's head blocked his view. He peered around the taller woman; the Russian had outstretched her arm to refrain Sarah from stepping any nearer.
"He's afraid of you," Veraiho said, her purple eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Oh, but there's nothing to be afraid of," Sarah said eagerly.
"Leave him alone for now, give him time to adjust to this place," Veraiho replied simply.
Sarah sighed dramatically and gave Tom a less-than-innocent wink. She shook her head in mock disappointment and shuffled off to the corner to pout.
"…Hey, Vera thanks a bunch!" Tom whispered, standing on his tiptoes just to reach her ear.
Veraiho gave him a faint smile. "Next time you want help, ask. Don't hide behind me."
"Will do," Tom grinned.
Then a male voice shouted.
"I told you not to go off on your own!!"
Automatically the heads of all six Hikarigumi troops turned towards the owner of the new voice. Sarah had instantly straightened up. The eye-glassed woman glared icily at the new man; she moved forwards, poking him in the chest as she spoke.
"What are you, my mother?!" She snapped, "It took you long enough to get here! If you had just listened to me-"
"I did!" The man interjected resentfully, "It was nag, nag, nag all the way here!"
"-We wouldn't have been so late! But nooo…Mr. I-have-perfect-sense-of-direction here didn't pay any attention to me, did he??"
"Oh, shut up you stupid woman!"
"You shut up!"
Henry shook his head with a pained sigh. He moved forward to stop the pair killing each other.
The Hikarigumi watched in utter disbelief.
"This!" Henry said loudly over the shouts of the doctor and nurse, "Is Brian Russell, the doctor of the infirmary!
Abigail made a face in disgust, "This man, a doctor? Are you serious??" She complained. She was obviously referring to Brian's scruffiness; his long light brown hair was untidily done up in a ponytail and his face was unkempt and unshaven.
"So…how about we head to the hangar, eh?" Henry suggested, quickly ushering the Hikarigumi down the hall.
---
The hangar was a large hall of steel pillars, welded structures and the taste of industrial work hung in the air. Heavy machinery lined the walls; thick wires coiled and snaked across the steel floor.
"Welcome, to the hangar area," Henry said, his arms wide open in a grand gesture.
The Hikarigumi were unimpressed. Sure, it was a large building, the thought of it being built underground was astonishing, but from the inside, it looked just like any factory.
Henry coughed. "As you can see, we're still in the testing phase. Everything ain't fully operational…"
"I resent that!" a voice with a thick Scottish accent interrupted angrily.
They turned to see a man with a shock of white beard and dressed in simple work clothes that were spotted with grease and other industrial fluids. A flat Scottish hat on his thinning hair, a pair of safety goggles around his neck and a large wrench in a beefy hand completed his ensemble.
"Ah. Allow me to introduce our Chief Engineer, the honorable Mr. Robert Feulgen!" Henry introduced heartily.
"Don't yur 'honorable' me, yur big Colossus!" the Scottish man snapped, "I heard what yur said, and I don't like it one bit!"
"What did I say?" Henry asked in an exaggerated manner.
"Yur said that this facility isn't one hundred percent, that's what yur said!" the fiery man said.
"Now, did I really say that?" Henry asked the Hikarigumi.
"Nope, you sure didn't!" Tom said dutifully with a wide grin. He liked Henry's character. The others said nothing, hiding their various grins and smirks.
"Bah, yur all be a bunch of liars," Robert grumbled in his thick Scottish burr.
"Why don't you show them around, Rob?" Henry suggested.
"What? I'm an engineer, not a baby-sitter! Do it yurself!" Robert yelled in outrage.
"Now children, follow the nice old man alright? I'll be in the briefing room if you need anything," Henry said breezily, totally ignoring the Scot's protest. Despite his bulk, Henry quickly and easily scampered off and away before Robert could say anything.
The engineer visibly trembled with anger. "Old man!? Me!?"
"I don't think you're an old man," Siti said honestly.
Immediately Robert's demeanor changed. "Well now, young lass, yur have a good eye for things, unlike that big goof just now," he said, obviously pleased with her comment.
Siti wasn't sure what he meant due to his thick Scottish accent, but she beamed and smiled anyway. "Thank you very much, sir!"
"Ahh, just call me Mr. Feulgen," he replied and rubbed her hair affectionately. Straightening up, he gave the others a glare. "Alright yur whipper-snappers, follow me," he said gruffly.
"His attitude changes quicker than the weather," Veraiho said dryly.
"I suppose we all would have to learn to get on his good side then," Isaac smiled.
Katrina snorted in contempt. "Hmph. He dared to disobey Captain Henry's order. What kind of an engineer is he?"
"Ah, lighten up! He's not a soldier anyway," Tom said.
The engineer led them deeper into the hangar. As they progressed, the mess became more prominent. Tools strewn about, spots of oil and grease stained the floor.
Abigail slowly tiptoed her way through the mess. "This is not a place for ladies!" Abigail complained as she gathered her long skirt in bunches to avoid the stains.
Veraiho smirked when she saw the American heiress' dainty walk. She increased her own pace and overtook Abigail.
"Having trouble?" Veraiho asked Katrina as she walked past the German who easily kicked aside the tools and nonchalantly stepped into any puddle of oil. Both were wearing sensible footwear: Veraiho in tough and well-worn leather shoes, Katrina in her customary tall combat boots.
"I'm made of sterner stuff," Katrina stated and kept in pace with the longhaired Russian. Being soldiers, war was common to them. A dirty factory was nothing. They shared a look with each other, understanding that the other was more than mere women.
"-They- are obviously not ladies," Abigail muttered snidely. Even so, she wished she had not worn her fashionable high heels down here.
Eventually, they reached a place with two metallic cradles of sorts. Each stood twice the height of a man, and was three times as wide.
"Behold, the spiritual armor!" Robert said grandly as he pulled down a lever. Lights came up and shone into the cradle.
There were two metal giants, with rounded armor plates. They stood silently in the light, without paint, without arms. Their legs were relatively short, and their rounded profile gave it a stout look.
"Oh, they are cute!" Siti gushed.
Robert grimaced. "Well, that be a first," he muttered. Then in a louder voice, "This is what you'll be riding into battle. The Koubu Mark III! The original design was developed in Japan and we combined it with the best of western technology. This is what yur youngster will use in fighting those demons."
He patted the knee of the steel machine lovingly.
"That one looks different," Veraiho noted as she compared the two armless robots. The second one had a more geometric look, and instead of two grooves running parallel across the 'face', it had a cross-shaped line for the optical eye.
"Ah, this one be an Eisenkleid," Robert nodded at it. "This here was made totally in Europe for the old Hoshigumi team. Why they broke up, I have no idea. But I can tell ye this, these machines are perfect!"
"Perfect? Why don't they have arms and hands?" Isaac asked.
"That's because I don't know what yur capable of," Robert explained. "These machines can be easily fitted with claws, guns… or basic hands that can use swords, spears and so on."
Then he grinned. "And how do I know what ye want? Well now, we can give ye a simulation…"
---
They drew straws, and Veraiho got the first ride. Without showing a sign of being delighted or disappointed, she shrugged and accepted a contraption given to her by the engineer.
"This here be a connector harness. You will need to wear this to power up the machines," he said, and pointed at the big ports that lined the shoulder and arms. It looked like the frame of a medieval plate of armor. He placed it around Veraiho like a mountain-climbing gear.
"You can't be serious! It's ugly!" Abigail said in horror.
"Don't worry lass, this is just a simulation harness. The real ones would be built into ye uniforms, and they be very fancy and pretty uniforms they are," Robert assured her.
"I hope it would be more comfortable than this one," Veraiho muttered as she strapped herself into the pod. There were six simulation pods in all. Robert explained that each pod contained an exact replica of the interiors of a Koubu or an Eisenkleid. She chose a Koubu pod for her simulation.
Cables snaked out from her seat and attached themselves onto the ports on her harness. As the hatch of the pod closed, the cockpit lit up as dials, gauges and the main screen came to life.
"Can ye hear me lass?" Robert's voice came through a speaker.
"Loud and clear. What do I do?"
"Ye see those big holes on each side? Slide yur arms into them."
She did so and was surprised to feel her arms and hands enveloped by a velvety glove-like sensation.
"Ye move the Koubu's arms and hands just like ye be moving normally. The legs and ye speed are controlled by the foot pedals…"
As the simulation continued, Robert became more impressed with the Russian woman's quick learning. He greeted her as she came out of the pod at the end of the simulation.
"Ye sure this is ye first time in a Koubu?" he asked.
"We don't have much cars in Russia, let alone machines like this," Veraiho said nonchalantly.
---
Each had their first simulation that day. Being a trained tank driver, Katrina had no real problems, except for the usage of independent feet rather than the usual fixed tank treads she was used to. Siti was nervous and completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of controls available. Abigail complained about the mechanical smell and Spartan functionality of the interior, while Tom and Isaac, being more of free spirits, felt congested by the enclosed hatch.
All realized that they would have to get used to being inside such a machine quickly. Their lives depend on it, one mistake can be fatal.
After they all had a turn each on the simulation, Robert then gave them an aptitude test.
"This is for us to know what manner of weapons yur prefers on the spiritual armor. We will also determine who would be using the Koubu Mark IIIs and Eisenkleids," he explained.
"You mean there would be a mix?" Isaac asked thoughtfully.
"Aye. The squad would have three Koubus and three Eisenkleids. That's why we have here this test. Just do your best, there be no points," Robert grinned.
"'Question: Your teammate is under attack by three melee opponents. Would you rush forward to engage them or call for your teammate to withdraw?'" Tom read aloud.
"Keep quiet, McPherson!" Abigail hissed.
Tom gave her a glare, then resolutely picked up his pencil and scribbled furiously. 'If my teammate is a bloody idiot who believes that she is right all the time, then I'll happily let her take them on by herself,' he mentally laughed.
"State your ideal unit/weapon of warfare and explain." Isaac read the question with a smile. Without hesitation, he wrote: 'My preference is something that is agile but yet does not sacrifice armor or weaponry. I am also a firm believer that a melee weapon is the best, for you can be sure of any hits you would make.'
Veraiho's answer for the same question was just as vague and yet similar. 'Any weapon is ideal depending on the situation. However, a mobile unit with a long-ranged weapon and suitably heavy armor is the best. But much would depend on the user as well.'
"State your martial training (if any) and your preferred weapon." Siti frowned as she wrote: 'I am trained in silat, an unarmed martial art. I am also proficient with using the keris (dagger). I do not like guns or shooting of any kind. One must see the enemy to know what he or she is fighting against.' She chuckled. 'Father would be proud,' she thought wistfully.
"You have an assignment choice between a secretive covert operation, and an official and publicized frontal attack. Which would you prefer?" Abigail rolled her eyes when she saw the question. She answered: "I would prefer the frontal assault. What's the use of hiding around and sneaking? It is better to gain glory and strike fear into the enemy directly."
"Your teammates are stranded behind enemy lines. The commander of the operation has decreed that they be considered missing and killed in action. Would you accept such a decision?" For Katrina, there was no doubt: 'The commander's orders are absolute. Personal feelings should never interfere with the military chain of command. To sacrifice the few for the good of the many is but a small price to pay for ultimate victory.'
After they had completed the rather lengthy questionnaire, Robert collected their papers.
"That's it for today, lads and lasses. We will have a report out for all of yur soon. For now, we'll have to do something about yuir uniform."
"A uniform!?" Tom groaned.
"Aye. Don't worry lad, it will all be good and shiny," Robert laughed.
---
Over the next few days, the team had their measurements taken, did several more simulations, more tests and even more tests.
Finally, they found themselves assembled at the briefing room in their uniforms for the first time.
Each uniform consisted of a white turtle-necked shirt that was overlapped by a double-breasted, swallow-tailed jacket. Black trimmings outlined the jacket; the male's sleeves were outlined by the design of a butterfly and likewise for the females, only on the abdomen. A pair of black, form fitting pants with nearly calf-length boots, white fingerless gloves and a brown leather belt completed their outfit.
The uniforms were similar and yet differently colored: Tom's was red, Katrina's deep blue, Isaac's paler azure, Abigail's magenta, Siti's green and Veraiho's a pale shade of grey.
They couldn't help but admire themselves and each other over the uniforms. They fingered the thick, round ports on the shoulders and torso that would allow them direct connection to the cables inside their Koubus and Eisenkleids.
"Well, you're really a lovely bunch," Henry said with a wide grin.
"I still think it's too flashy," Lauranna muttered.
"Oh come now, don't be an old stick in the mud," Henry said, "You're just jealous."
Lauranna gave him a glare, but the damage was done. The Hikarigumi grinned at her expense. Avoiding their eyes, Lauranna angrily waved.
"Get them out of my sight. Just show them their machines," she said gruffly.
"Aye, commander," Henry saluted and led the team down to the hangar.
Several days ago, they only saw one Koubu and one Eisenkleid, armless, weaponless and uninspiring.
Now, a totally different vision awaited them. Robert stood before them and opened his arms grandly.
"Now these are my pride and joy," he said with real feeling.
Three Koubus and three Eisenkleids stood before them proudly, fully armed and gloriously painted in their respective colors. Their armor glinted and shone in the light, each standing silently as the Hikarigumi stared in awe.
The three Eisenkleids were painted in magenta, green and red, corresponding to Abigail, Siti and Tom. Abigail's magenta Eisenkleid gripped a single baton on one claw-like hand.
"Miss Sinclair, your Eisenkleid is armed with an energy baton. When in combat, yur can actually use the steel baton as a physical weapon, but with yur can activate the energy ribbon trail with yur physic powers. The length and density of it depends on yur own power."
"My very own..." Abigail whispered.
Siti's Eisenkleid was painted in forest green. At first glance, there wasn't any visible weapon. But when Siti looked at the hands, there were two medium-length triangular daggers on each hand.
"This be yours, lass. We determined that since yur have a martial arts training and dagger expertise, we figured that you will be happy with this," Robert said.
"Oh, thank you!" Siti gushed.
Robert then moved on to Tom's. The scarlet Eisenkleid had a scabbard attached to its waist, the pommel and handle of a sword stood out proudly. "And this is yurs, lad. As you requested: a quick machine and a short-sword. This one is one fast slashing and dicing Eisenkleid. I'm sure you'll make us all proud with it."
Tom nodded, a grin on his face as his eyes lit up with excitement.
The three Koubus were colored azure, white and dark blue. Isaac's Koubu gripped a double-bladed sword with both of its claw-like hands.
"Magnificent," Isaac breathed.
Robert nodded proudly. "Make sure you take care of it, sir."
Next, Veraiho's white Koubu was armed with an incredibly long-barreled gun. It had three barrels like a machine gun, and yet long enough to be a sniper rifle.
"Miss Veraiho, this is yur Koubu. Attached is a customized gun. The firing and targeting are directly linked to your controls, with two modes of fire. It can fire like a machine gun up to 60 rounds per second, or you can change the ammo into a long-ranged sniper. We trust you will know when to use which."
Veraiho smiled with satisfaction.
Finally, Robert motioned at Katrina's Prussian blue Koubu. Like Tom's it too had a scabbard, but instead of a conventional sword pommel, it had the make and shape of a cavalry saber. And it had two of them.
"And due to yur skills, Miss Katrina, we decided to arm ye with twin sabers."
"It will do," Katrina said curtly. Even so, a light smile was on her lips.
Lauranna's boot steps interrupted their thoughts. They turned around to see her standing with arms crossed.
"Take a very good look at those machines, Hikarigumi," she said sternly. "From this day on, you will learn how to use them, train in combat tactics and fight as a team. There can be no mistakes in the battlefield."
All six Hikarigumi snapped into attention and gave her a salute.
"Sir, yes sir!" they chorused.
For the first time they can remember, Lauranna smiled.
--End Chapter 2: Steam Powered Steel Giants--
Endnotes:
[1] Robert Feulgen suggested by Freelancer
[2] Sarah Arquette and Brian Russell created by Yoru no Angel
---Anti-Demon Divison Character Profile---
Name: Sarah Arquette
Age: 26
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Resident Nurse
Previous Occupation: ???
Height: 162cm
Weight: 49kg
Preferred Weapon: Lethal Syringe ^^
Name: Brian Russell
Age: 27
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Resident Doctor
Previous Occupation: ???
Height: 186cm
Weight: 76kg
Preferred Weapon: Scalpel
Name: Robert Feulgen
Age: 57
Nationality: Scottish
Rank: Chief Engineer
Previous Occupation: Engineer
Height: 174cm
Weight: 67kg
Preferred Weapon: Monkey wrench
---
Arion: Huh huh... I ... can't... catch... her.... *collapses*