Hello everyone, One Half's here, at last.

Alright, it has been almost three years since the last update, and many of you are probably wondering what I've been waiting for so long? Short answer – I was waiting for volume 13 of the light novel. For the long answer – read further.

Have to admit – I really liked the series. I've even bought a subscription for 'J-Novel Club' to read the novel with good translation. However, after volume eleven of I.S. LN came out, the only thing I got was disappointment, which only grew worse with volume twelve. It's been more than four years since Volume 12 was released in Japan, and Volume 13, supposedly the final volume of the light novel, still wasn't published in Japan as of today. Yes, the original novel hasn't received an update for more than four years (I'm writing this at 8th may 2022). No idea what's taking so long, and I no longer care – I'm no longer planning to read the original light novel any further, including volume 13.

I'm telling you all of this so you could understand the origins of my decision. Until now, excluding last three chapters (which are covering the anime-exclusive arc), my story was following the LN canon pretty closely (I've covered volumes 1-7 for now). But starting this chapter, I'll be following the original novel much less closely – I'm only going to take some general ideas from the original novel, and only up until chapter 12 – after that, my story will make an abrupt turn away from the canon, abandoning it entirely, regardless of what will happen in volume 13, as, again, I have no plans to read it (if it ever will be published). According to rumors, Yumizuru Izuru-sensei had some health issues. Currently, he semi-returned to work, but currently he only writes slice-of-life short stories for I.S. universe (12 in total, for now), saying nothing about volume 13.


Now, about this chapter. Honestly, this isn't a full-fledged chapter – more like a manifest, a proclamation of my decision about to change the paradigm of the story. Oh, and yes, this chapter contains no spoilers – all of those are just my own thoughts, so you can read it safely even if you're planning to read the original novel.

Since it's been a while, here's an omake, containing technical details about I.S. units from my story, as many of them have differences, comparing to original LN, also there are some of my thoughts about I.S. universe development in general, regarding I.S. frames, which were never mentioned in my story before, so reading this omake won't be a waste of time, if you have no habit to skip technical details about I.S.-es always and everywhere.

As for the chapter itself – consider it an outliner of the story's future. Ichika will be disclosing a major secret as a manifest that we're no longer following canon material too closely.

P.S. And yeah, according to readers' request – I'll be writing more H-scenes for this story. Expect some hard content… xD


Now, let's proceed, good reading.


Omake – I.S. Collection

Here and further, "origin" means the original LN/Anime name, if available, whilst "designation" is its current name in my story. If not available, the origin is the name of a unit, in which the same core (same number) was installed, or a parental model name, if it's the same units' family. For example, the Silent Zephyrus is a Blue Tiers Mk II, so Blue Tears is its origin.

Units that are inactive and have no changes, comparing to original LN/Anime, i.e. White Knight, Arachne and Silver Gospel, won't be listed here. Side characters' units – Golems, Fang Quake, standard Revives and Uchiganes, and Schwarzer Zweig – also won't be listed, as well as units that haven't appeared in my story yet.

Units are listed in order of pilot's appearance in the story, except for Houki, because she actually became a 'pilot' only in volume 3 of original LN.

Here and further: 'advanced Nth grade device' means 'better than generic Nth grade device but not nearly good enough to be considered the N+1th grade device'. I.e. advanced 3rd grade PIC means better than 3rd grade PIC, but not good enough to be a 4th grade PIC. The higher the device's "grade", the better.

Here and further, as 4th generation units are all-rounders, thanks to their Fold-Out armor, they do not have combat specialization, but instead a preferred combat role. As such, instead of "specialization" they have "class" characteristic.

A reminder: due to presence of PICs (Passive Inertia Cancellers) and shield, I.S. speed is unaffected by altitude, flight direction (up, down, level flight – doesn't matter) and atmospheric conditions (excluding thunderstorms). However, it can and will be affected by some types of anti-I.S. active and/or passive electronic countermeasures.

Here and further:

Close combat ≤ 50 feet

50 feet ≤ Short range ≤ 1500 feet

1500 feet ≤ Middle range ≤ 5000 feet

5000 feet ≤ Long range ≤ 20000 feet

Very long range ≥ 20000 feet

As such, if it is mentioned that unit is most effective at close combat to middle range distances, it means that it is most effective at distances between 50 and 5000 feet.

A few words about shield defense points and guns damage:

Every gun has a certain amount of damage it can inflict. It depends on gun's type (physical principle, caliber, etc.), on distance between the attacker and her target, on atmospheric conditions (especially important for lasers), and on many other factors. I won't be bugging you with the details about every gun, because if I'll do, due to a vast nomenclature of weapons in my story, this omake will easily turn into a 30 000+ words monstrosity.

The important thing is – no gun is able to inflict as much damage against I.S. shield, as it able to inflict against anything else. That is because all I.S. shields, aside from their maximum capacity, has another characteristic – the Damage Adjustment Rating (DAR, for short). Because shield's energy is modulated, a certain part of an incoming damage will not be absorbed by the shield, but blocked off completely. DAR is a value between 0 and 1 (0 ≤ DAR ≤ 1), and an incoming damage value must be multiplied by DAR value. For example, is shield's DAR = 0.8, it means that 200 pints of incoming damage will only drain 160 of shield points (200x0.8). The lesser the DAR value, the more 'sturdy' the shield. DAR isn't a constant, it slightly varies (usually ± 0.05 DAR) around its nominal value, it depends on atmospheric conditions, on shield's remaining points (the less points remain – the more resistant shield becomes), and even on pilot's mental condition (shield is more resistive if pilot is focused and less resistive if pilot is panicking).

Improving shield's DAR is an important direction of research for many I.S.-related enterprises around the world. As such, with each new generation of I.S. frames, the DAR value gradually becomes smaller (remember – the lower the value – the better). For instance, for 3rd generation I.S. units, the normal DAR value should be somewhere between 0.8 and 0.85. Since DAR is a variable, usually a nominal value is specified – normal atmospheric conditions, fully charged shield, pilot's neutral mental state (usually measured without pilot at all, to exclude that factor).

Every shield's DAR has three resistance values – physical DAR (against guns, railguns and vibroblades), heat DAR (against explosions and plasma weaponry) and energy DAR (against lasers, BT energy pulses and energy blades). It needs to be kept in mind – some advanced weapon types tend to inflict two (or even all three) types of damage simultaneously.

And that's it for a preamble, let's get started.


Issue №1

Origin: Byakushiki (白式, White Form)

Designation: Ginshoku (銀飾, Silver Ornament)

Core №: 469 (reports fake number 001)

Registered Pilot: Natasha Fairs

Generation: 3.5th Gen

Combat specialization: close combat to long range all-rounder

Manufacturer: Kuromochi Machinery Development (Japan) & Super Dynamics Inc. (USA)

Current status: First Shift, Operational – undergoing flight tests.

Armaments:

Yukihira Hirakana (雪片 開花, Blooming Snowflake). A long-barreled automatic energy rifle, made with classic SIG 751LB rifle in mind, with bayonet-like blade mounted at the barrel's underside. Energy blade and rifle's energy bolts use the same frequency modulation – 615 THz.

2 x Silver Bell Mk II – mounted one per shoulder, a hybrid of a railgun and plasma cannon (1st gen plasma), made for medium and long ranged engagements.

Setsuna (瞬時, Blink of an Eye) A pretty simple, wakizashi-like vibrosword, made of highly durable, heat-resisting alloy. A last-resort close-combat weapon.

Other Equipment:

Advanced 3rd grade reactor (Tokamak-type MCF reactor)

Advanced 3rd grade hyper-sensor

4 x 3rd grade ion thrusters

3 x 3rd grade PICs

Minimum use of Fold-Out Armor (static energy field type).

Max speed: 1650 knots

Max turn rate: 5.3 radian/sec

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 625 points.

Physical DAR – 0.81, Heat DAR – 0.83, Energy DAR – 0.815

One-Off Ability: Reiraku Byakuya (零落白夜, White Night of Downfall) energy-negating ability, only usable with Yukihira Hirakana.

Description: Ginshoku is a joint Japan-USA project, an attempt to make up for original design's (Byakushiki) energy insufficiency and a few other flaws. New I.S. uses Silver Bell Mk II, Shield and Energy Reactor made in USA, Hyper-sensor made in Israel (the same hi-performance model used on Silver Gospel), and the rest was made in Japan (and automatic energy rifle Yukihira Hirakana was made by Orimura Ichika).

Due to minimum use of Fold-Out Armor (only on rifle's barrel and bayonet), this unit cannot be considered as a 4th generation machine, even though the One-Off Ability is available after the First Shift.

Excluding the rifle, Silver Bells on shoulders, and silver-colored armor plating (instead of white), Ginshoku's appearance is the same as of original Byakushiki.

As of now, developers did not discover any serious flaws in Ginshoku's design and tests are going just fine, so Kuromochi Machinery Development and Super Dynamics Inc. actually are planning to start the small-scale serial production of Ginshoku at the beginning of next year. That's a bad sign for their competitors, especially from EU, because their Ignition Plan still didn't bring any fruits, mostly due to an internal rivalry.


Issue №2

Origin: Byakushiki (白式, White Form)

Designation: Messiah

Core №: 001

Registered Pilot: Orimura Ichika

Generation: 4th Gen

Class: Ranger

Manufacturer: Kuromochi Machinery Development & Shinonono Tabane & Orimura Ichika

Current status: First Shift, Inoperable – lost and forgotten

Armaments: Ragnarök shape-shifting plasma weapon (2nd gen plasma, later improved to 2.5th gen).

1st shape – plasma sword Redeemer.

2nd shape – three-barreled shotgun Arbiter.

3rd shape – dual plasma pistols Ivory and Ebony, which later were remade into two automatic plasma rifles Anguish and Despair.

4th shape – plasma sniper rifle Ambassador.

5th shape – five-barreled plasma machinegun Equalizer.

Other Equipment:

4th grade reactor (Tokamak-type MCF reactor with additional plasma coils)

4th grade hyper-sensor

3 x 4th grade ion thrusters

2 x 4th grade PICs

Moderate use of Fold-Out Armor (electron flux field type).

Switchable, wings-mounted plasma banks that can boost thrusters (propulsion mode) or weapon's output (assault mode), on pilot's choice.

Max speed: 1700 knots (assault mode), 2250 knots (propulsion mode)

Max turn rate: 6.6 radian/sec

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 600 points.

Physical DAR – 0.81, Heat DAR – 0.8, Energy DAR – 0.81

One-Off Ability: Paradise of Darkness energy-negating ability, usable with any weapon's shape. Drains Messiah's own shield when active.

Description: Messiah was the first I.S. Ichika was piloting, up to the moment when its core decided that Ichika is unworthy of I.S. power and betrayed him. That happened because core's personality wasn't properly wiped out when Tabane was working with it. After being betrayed, Ichika personally disposed of an old core's personality and made a new one, Messiah's frame was used to build a new I.S.

Unit was mostly white with gold- and carbon-colored elements on its legs and upper body parts. Pilot's body was completely cowered with carbon-fiber armor, with white plate armor protecting outer sides of pilot's waist, shoulders and spine. Shoulderpads, common for most I.S. models, were missing, instead, this unit was equipped with six dragonfly-like wings, three per each side. Highest pair of wings also being the biggest, each wing was 7.5 feet long. Each wing of middle pair was 6 feet long and 4.5 feet for lower pair. Upper half of every wing was made of solid metal as lower half was made of glowing plasma, contained by some sort of energy field. Unit's legs did not have the foot stabilizers, common for other models. Pilot's head was hidden by carbon/gold-colored full helmet, which looked like eagle's head. White 'ankh' symbol was engraved on its forehead.

Being a Ranger-type unit, despite having only one weapon, due to Ragnarök's ability to change form, Messiah was a real jack-of-all-trades unit.

Currently the unit is no more and all the traces of it are gradually disappearing from history.


Issue №3

Origin: Messiah

Designation: Majin (魔神, Demon Queen) Naamah

Core №: 001 (reports fake number 469)

Registered Pilot: Orimura Ichika

Generation: 4th Gen

Class: Inquisitor

Manufacturer: Orimura Ichika

Current status: Second Shift, Inoperable – destroyed in action

Armaments:

Sitra Ahra shape-shifting plasma weapon (2.5th gen plasma, later improved to 3rd gen plasma, the pinnacle of plasma technology).

1st shape – plasma sword Invidia.

2nd shape – two-barreled automatic scattergun Avaritia.

3rd shape – heavy plasma sniper rifle Superbia.

4th shape – five-barreled heavy plasma machinegun Luxuria.

5th shape – beam plasma cannon Ira.

6th shape (auxiliary) – plasma grenade Gula.

7th shape (auxiliary) – multi-mode plasma mine Acedia.

Hand of Eisheth shape-shifting particle weapon, can take shape of an autocannon, shock torpedo launcher and a two talon-like blades, mounted on left hand. Very sophisticated and powerful weapon, but, because it is not plasma-based, it cannot be further empowered using wing-mounted plasma banks. Also, Hand of Eisheth cannot be used to unleash Majin's One-Off Ability.

Other Equipment:

"Crown of Thorns" main reactor (electro-plasma generator)

"Balor's Eye" magnetometric and LIDAR sensors array (hyper-sensor)

4 x Stream Plasma Ejectors (thrusters)

3 x 4th grade PICs

Throughout use of Fold-Out Armor (proton flux field type).

All-purpose, wings-mounted plasma banks that boost thrusters and primary weapon's output simultaneously, and are always active.

A.I. assistant Naamah.

Max speed: 2650 knots (2500 knots initially, later got increased due to wingspan enlargement and corresponding enhancement of wing-mounted plasma banks)

Max turn rate: 8 radian/sec

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 750 points.

Physical DAR – 0.81, Heat DAR – 0.79, Energy DAR – 0.8

One-Off Ability: Paradise of Darkness energy-negating ability, usable with any Sitra Ahra's shape, except for auxiliary types (doesn't work with Hand of Eisheth). Drains Demon Queen's own shield when active.

Description: Second I.S., built by Orimura Ichika, or rather, an I.S. that built herself, according to Ichika's will and desires at that time, using his previous I.S. frame's materials. Later, the frame was completely rebuilt, using new, advanced alloy (the frame retained its original appearance, of course, aside from elongated wings). Being an Inquisitor-class, unit's purpose was to chase the enemy and obliterate it with an overwhelming force, as such, aside from a top-notch firepower, Demon Queen possessed an astonishing speed of 4 Mach, at a time she was the fastest I.S. in the world.

I.S. torso looks like a ribcage, with white metallic 'ribs' and energy field between them, though there's a thin black metallic layer beneath energy field to protect pilot's body from direct contact with that energy. I.S. legs also weren't solid, as metal was mixed with energy field, but legs overall design seemed quite familiar, just like Kuresakura's (Chifuyu's I.S.) legs, just with a bit more massive knees and boots were with the flat sole. Also, two pair of small (about 1.5 feet long), dragonfly-like wings were attached to each knee's backside. Massive gloves, also outlined with dark violet energy fields, were looking more like claws than hands, as fingers were more like talons. Helmet seemed just like a replica of Kuresakura's helmet, but instead of long pointed 'ears' it has three pairs of same dragonfly-like wings, 'growing' from 'temple area'. Finally, not three but five pairs of dragonfly-like wings, all of equal length (about 8.5 feet initially, 10 feet after wingspan enlargement), were attached to frame's back and shoulders.

All those wings of that I.S. – those on legs, on helmet, and big ones behind her back – all have the same design – a quite thin white metal part in the middle, and dark violet energy field above and below it. No doubts – all those energy fields on that frame – they all are Fold-Out Armor. But unlike Fold-Out Armor used by Messiah, which looked like white, half-transparent glass, this one was dark violet, almost non-transparent, and it was like burning with the same-colored, dark violet flame.

Being built with a "chase and destroy" purpose, Demon Queen was somewhat lacking in defense. Not that her defense was weak, it was… just common, without anything special about it. Demon Queen's shield was her only system, which couldn't be considered a true 4th grade equipment – it was advanced 3rd grade at best. Ichika was well aware of that, but, ironically, just when he began to work on defense's improvement, Demon Queen was ambushed and destroyed with a small-yield nuclear bomb, before his work could be completed. Even though the bomb's yield was 'small' (0.6 Kt), it was still enough to destroy Demon Queen, as the bomb scored the direct hit.

As both Demon Queen and her pilot have suffered an enormous damage, with Ichika's guidance, she evolved into something completely different, performing a Third Shift at the same time.


Issue №4

Origin: Majin Naamah

Designation: Ikusa Megami (戦女神, Battle Goddess) Astarte

Core №: 001 (reports fake number 469)

Registered Pilot: Orimura Ichika

Generation: 4.5th Gen

Class: Cardinal

Manufacturer: Orimura Ichika

Current status: Third Shift, Operational

Armaments:

The Ten Commandments shape-shifting weapon. Quark-gluon plasma-based (shapes 1st to 5th, and 7th) + tachyon-based (shapes 8th to 10th)

1st shape – two-handed, zweihänder-like sword Durendal.

2nd shape – automatic combat shotgun Mjölnir.

3rd shape – heavy sniper rifle Claíomh Solais.

4th shape – three-barreled heavy machinegun Zulfiqar.

5th shape – heavy blaster cannon Excalibur.

6th shape – corrosive warhead missile launcher Trishula.

7th shape (auxiliary) – multi-mode mine/grenade Eldhrímnir.

8th shape (left hand) – three 5-feet-long, talon-like, tachyon blades Ama no Murakumo

9th shape (left hand) – tachyon autocannon Ascalon

10th shape (left hand) – tachyon spear Gáe Bulg

Other Equipment:

'Materia Prima' main reactor (zero-point energy generator)

'Eye of Ra' hyperwave decoder (replacement of hyper-sensor)

6 x Graviton-Focusing Lenses (replacement of thrusters)

3 x Active Inertia Routers (AIR, replacement of PICs)

Massive, even redundant, use of Fold-Out Armor (sub-quantum flux field type).

And of course, the one who helps to operate all of that needlessly sophisticated stuff – Artificial Consciousness (A.C.) assistant Astarte.

Max speed: 2650 knots

Max turn rate: 8.2 radian/sec

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Battle Goddess' new shield uses a completely different physical principle now. It doesn't block the incoming attack, it redirects it along a hypersurface to the sub-space void, creating a so-called Klein Field around the I.S. The Klein Field's protective capacity is as big as Klein Field renderer's ability to calculate the hypersurface. The larger the hypersurface, the more damage can be redirected to the sub-space void before it'll reach saturation. As soon as sub-space void gets saturated – the defensive field is breached. Klein Field renderer is, essentially, a dedicated quantum-cybertronic supercomputer, that is calculating hypersurface.

Still, it is possible to estimate the equivalent shield capacity, to compare with other I.S. units, and that capacity is enormous – 1200 points. However, it's not all that rosy – due to its new physical principle, Battle Goddess' new shield has no damage adjustment rating, in other words, its DAR is 1 – 100% of incoming damage drains shield points (or rather, saturates the sub-space void). As such, for statistic, Battle Goddess' shield has the following capabilities:

Maximum capacity – 1200 points.

Physical DAR – 1.0, Heat DAR – 1.0, Energy DAR – 1.0

One-Off Ability: Symphonia de Interitus energy-negating ability, usable with right-hand weapon's shapes from 1st to 5th and doesn't drain shield (due to its absence) but has a cooldown, which depends on a chosen weapon's shape.

Second One-Off Ability: Aethereus Chorus gravity well generator. Immensely powerful ability that not only makes things within gravity well much heavier, it also slows down time within the area of effect for ~2.72 times.

Description: Third I.S., acquired by Orimura Ichika. By his order, Battle Goddess built herself, using remains of destroyed Demon Queen and after gaining an enlightenment due to close contact with Ichika's subconsciousness. Astarte's new appearance can be considered her true self-vision, as she used Ichika's knowledge but her own will and wishes, whilst Ichika deliberately and completely cut her off from his own emotions and thoughts, to let Astarte express her true, unaffected self. That was her reward for a faithful service.

From afar that I.S. looks like a seraph, wearing an armor made of gold. Her torso looks like a ribcage, with white metallic 'ribs' and energy field glowing between them, though there's a thin metallic layer beneath energy field to protect the pilot's body from a direct contact with that energy. I.S. legs also aren't solid, as metal was mixed with energy fields, but legs overall design seemed quite familiar, just like Demon Queen's legs were. Also, a pair of small (about 1.5 feet long), angelic wings made of pure golden energy are attached to each knee's backside. Massive gloves, also outlined with golden glowing energy fields, do look like swordsman's gloves, but fingertips are made of golden energy instead of metal. Helmet seems just like a replica of Kuresakura's helmet, but instead of long pointed 'ears' it has two pairs of the same small angelic wings made of energy, 'growing' from the 'temple area'. Finally, three pairs of large angelic wings are 'growing' from frame's back and shoulders. Those wings are made purely of that new, gold-colored Fold-Out Armor. But the wings' energy layers aren't solid – instead those wings are made of thousands of blade-like 'feathers' made of energy. And one last thing – the overall use of metal in armor's elements decreased as amount of Fold-Out Armor's usage increased, comparing to Demon Queen's frame.

As it was said – right now, all of Battle Goddess' systems seem too much sophisticated. Even Ichika has no idea how half of them work, which is extremely embarrassing for him. On the other hand – after her rebirth, Battle Goddess' capabilities did increase, comparing to her previous 'incarnation', but that increase was quite small, absolutely unproportioned with increase of energy consumption. For instance, Battle Goddess' energy generator, zero-point reactor Materia Prima, generates an enormous amount of energy. However, when she's fighting all-out, Battle Goddess consumes 98% of reactor's maximum output, which means that energy supply margins are virtually equal to zero. That is unacceptable, obviously, her energy supply and energy distribution systems need a throughout optimization, as well as her weaponry… and everything else.

Ichika's previous sniper rifle, Superbia, could do 225 points of raw damage at 100 yards range with one shot. However, thanks to always-active assault mode, provided by the wing-mounted plasma banks, its damage was literally doubled, always, making it 450 points of damage per shot at 100 yards range. The new sniper rifle, a quark-gluon plasma-based Claíomh Solais, deals 470 points of damage per shot at 100 yards range, but its output cannot be improved somehow – those plasma banks are no more – new wings' purpose is something entirely different. On the other hand, Claíomh Solais power consumption per shot grew up almost four times, comparing to Superbia in assault mode. 4.4% increase in damage in exchange for 300% increased energy consumption? Not cool at all.

Demon Queen's Stream Plasma Ejectors, with wing-mounted plasma banks support, could accelerate her up to 2650 knots within 58 seconds. New Graviton Focusing Lenses can accelerate Battle Goddess 6 seconds faster (52), but only to the same maximum speed, yet they consume almost five times more energy. ~10% average acceleration rate increase and no maximum speed increase in exchange for almost 400% increased power consumption, seriously?

And how's those Active Inertia Routers are better than PICs? 2.5% maximum turn rate increase in exchange for 230% energy consumption growth…

So yeah – optimization and revision of all systems is obviously required immediately. However, considering those systems' complexity, even for Ichika it may take months or even years to optimize them…

Anyway, Battle Goddess Astarte is an extremely powerful unit, with very good-balanced capabilities, though it still has some offensive bias. Besides, since she's called a Cardinal-class unit, she supposedly is capable of taking the lead and support other I.S. units in the vicinity, however, right now both Ichika and Astarte have no idea how it should look like.

And one last thing – thanks to completely new defense system and massive use of Fold-Out Armor, Ichika decided that his I.S. made half-a-step towards the next generation units – 5th generation I.S.-es, thus he proclaimed (only to himself, for now) Battle Goddess Astarte being a 4.5th generation I.S.

In his opinion, the 5th I.S. should be a being of pure energy, with no metallic parts, or at least with minimum use of solid materials, only for I.S. core bay and pilot's accommodation. And no doubts – Shinonono Tabane has a completely different opinion about how 5th generation I.S.-es should look like – talking to Ichika, from time to time, she was spouting some nonsense about 'organic I.S.-es' and other strange stuff…


Issue №5

Origin: Kuresakura

Designation: Kuresakura (紅桜, Crimson Sakura)

Core №: 018

Registered Pilot: Orimura Chifuyu

Generation: 1st Gen

Combat specialization: close combat type

Manufacturer: Kuromochi Machinery Development

Current status: Second Shift, Inoperable – suspended due to heavy damage sustained

Armaments:

Yukihira – a blade designed for CQC is the sole weapon of Kuresakura.

Other Equipment:

1st grade reactor (Tokamak-type MCF reactor)

1st grade hyper-sensor

2 x advanced 1st grade ion thrusters

1st grade PIC

Max speed: 900 knots

Max turn rate: 2.9 radian/sec

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 400 points.

Physical DAR – 0.9, Heat DAR – 0.92, Energy DAR – 0.91

One-Off Ability: Reiraku Byakuya energy-negating ability, usable with Yukihira.

Description: A legendary machine, piloted by a legend. However, in technical terms, it is an outdated I.S. with low overall specs. Currently it is inoperable due to severe damage it suffered during an incident several years ago, involving Shinonono sisters, and, obviously, Chifuyu herself. Apparently, the heavy damage caused some sort of a shock to the I.S. core, and Kuresakura is asleep since then. That situation forced Chifuyu to retire from her position of Japan's representative. Though, Kuresakura is still registered as Chifuyu's I.S.

For now, Kuresakura has no differences from canon LN/Anime.


Issue №6

Origin: Blue Tears

Designation: Blue Tears

Core №: 121

Registered Pilot: Cecilia Alcott

Generation: 3rd Gen

Combat specialization: Long to very long range Sniper unit

Manufacturer: British Industrial Consortium

Current status: First Shift, Operational

Armaments:

Blue Pierce (Starlight Mk III), a medium-to-long-range laser rifle with a scope.

Blue Tears system package, which consists of 6 pieces of interceptor drones – 4 laser cannon drones and 2 missile pods.

Stardust Shooter – a very-long-range energy rifle, more powerful than Blue Pierce. Part of a Strike Gunner package.

Interceptor – a blade used for close-range combat.

Other Equipment:

3rd grade reactor (Tokamak-type MCF reactor)

3rd grade hyper-sensor (Advanced 3rd grade hypersensor Brilliant Clearance, designed for hi-speed combat, part of a Strike Gunner package)

4 x 3rd grade ion thrusters (6x with Strike Gunner package)

3 x 3rd grade PIC (4x with Strike Gunner package)

Max speed: 1700 knots (1900 knots with Strike Gunner package)

Max turn rate: 5.2 radian/sec (5.8 radian/sec with Strike Gunner package)

Strike Gunner package to further tune Blue Tears for very long range engagements.

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 650 points.

Physical DAR – 0.84, Heat DAR – 0.815, Energy DAR – 0.8

One-Off Ability: Not available as unit hasn't performed a Second Shift yet.

Description: Blue Tears is a long-range Sniper type, designed around the concept that one pilot can take down multiple enemies or overwhelm a single opponent at a long distance, through the usage of the interceptor drones.

Pretty strong unit, which excels in long-range engagements, thanks to her firepower and agility, however, due to her pilot being focused on anything but piloting skills, Blue Tears has yet to show its true power.

For now, Blue Tears has no differences from original LN/Anime.


Issue №7

Origin: Shēnlóng

Designation: Shēnlóng (申龍, Chinse reading, roughly it means "Imposing Dragon")

Core №: 218

Registered Pilot: Lingyin Huang

Generation: 3rd Gen

Combat specialization: close combat and short range assault unit

Manufacturer: Sunyang I.S. Manufacturing Co.

Current status: First Shift, Operational

Armaments:

Shuāngtiān Yáyuè (雙天牙月, Double Heavenly Crescent Moon) A pair of Chinese scimitars which could be combined to double-bladed form with blades on both ends and the hilt between them.

Lóng Pào (龍砲, Dragon Cannon) A pair of shoulder-mounted impact cannons, utilizing third generation technology. A spherical device floating above each shoulder that compresses surrounding air and shoots it out as an invisible projectile.

Thermal Diffusion Impact Cannons – a modification that allows the Shēnlóng to have two pairs of empowered impact cannons that can shoot out charges of scarlet flame, instead of the usual invisible shock bullets. Part of Ránshāo Yèzi (Burning Leafage) package.

Other Equipment:

3rd grade reactor (Tokamak-type MCF reactor)

3rd grade hyper-sensor

3 x 3rd grade ion thrusters (5x with Fēng package)

2 x 3rd grade PICs (3x with Dǎotā package)

Max speed: 1350 knots (1500 with Fēng package)

Max turn rate: 4.8 radian/sec (5.2 with Dǎotā package)

Ránshāo Yèzi (Burning Leafage), Dǎotā (Landslide) and Fēng (Wind) packages can be installed to enhance/adjust Shēnlóng's functionality.

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 700 points.

Physical DAR – 0.8, Heat DAR – 0.82, Energy DAR – 0.81

One-Off Ability: Not available as unit hasn't performed a Second Shift yet.

Description: Shēnlóng is a close-combat, 3rd generation, assault unit made in China. Strong unit, which, up until now, was unable to show its true strength thanks to its pilot's personal quirks.

For now, Shēnlóng has no differences from canon LN/Anime.


Issue №8

Origin: Schwarzer (I.S. units' family)

Designation: Schwarzer Regen (Black Rain)

Core №: 334

Registered Pilot: Laura Bodewig

Generation: 3rd Gen

Combat specialization: close combat to long range All-Rounder

Manufacturer: Siemens AG & Robert Bosch GmbH

Current status: First Shift, Operational

Armaments:

AIC (Active Inertia Canceller) projector – an inertia negating field that effectively stops any projectile and melee attack, directed at Schwarzer Regen. Doesn't work against elements with zero rest mass, like lasers or energy swords' blades.

6 x Wire-guided daggers – the wires connected to daggers are strong enough to function as tentacles, capable of immobilizing, constricting, and even throwing a target as large as another I.S.

Purizushi – a .80 caliber heavy railgun, mounted on the right shoulder.

2 x Einhorn – energy sabers that are mounted on unit's hands.

Other Equipment:

3rd grade reactor (Tokamak-type MCF reactor)

3rd grade hyper-sensor

4 x 3rd grade ion thrusters (5x with high-speed maneuver package)

2 x 3rd grade PICs (3x with high-speed maneuver package)

Max speed: 1500 knots (1650 with high-speed maneuver package, 800 with Panzer Cannon package)

Max turn rate: 4.8 radian/sec (5.2 with high-speed maneuver package, 2.8 with Panzer Cannon package)

Nameless high-speed maneuver package, the equipment designed for high-speed combat for the Schwarzer Zweig (another unit of Schwarzer family, piloted by Clarissa Harfouch). Panzer Cannon package – a package that allows the Schwarzer Regen to have two .80 caliber heavy railguns Purizushi (one per each shoulder) instead of one, and four physical shields, but greatly lowers unit's mobility.

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 700 points.

Physical DAR – 0.81, Heat DAR – 0.805, Energy DAR – 0.81

One-Off Ability: Not available as unit hasn't performed a Second Shift yet.

Description: Schwarzer Regen is a well-balanced 3rd generation unit made in Germany, able to fight at almost any distance (except for very long range). As with other personal I.S. units, Schwarzer Regen didn't show its true strength due to its pilot's wrong priorities.

For now, Schwarzer Regen has no differences from canon LN/Anime.


Issue №9

Origin: Rafale Revive (mass-produced I.S. unit)

Designation: Sandstorm

Core №: 094

Registered Pilot: Charlotte Dunois

Generation: 3rd Gen

Combat specialization: short to long range All-Rounder

Manufacturer: Dunois Enterprise & Orimura Ichika

Current status: First Shift, Operational

Armaments:

.55 caliber assault rifle "Vent", .61 caliber submachinegun "Garm", .62 caliber heavy shotgun "Rain of Saturday" – standard, mass-produced, I.S.-issued weaponry, not exclusive for Sandstorm.

Bread Slicer – a last resort, knife-like, mass-produced CQC weapon.

2 x Lineage ultrasonic blasters, mounted beneath unit's elbows, on joint-type mounts so each blaster can turn independently +/- 15 degrees from arm's direction in horizontal plane.

2 x Wyvern interceptor drones, each protected with an armored casing and carrying a six-barreled 30 mm anti-aircraft cannon, which uses mass-produced 30x165 mm shells.

Other Equipment:

3rd grade reactor (Tokamak-type MCF reactor)

3rd grade hyper-sensor

4 x 3rd grade ion thrusters

4 x 3rd grade PIC

Max speed: 1600 knots

Max turn rate: 5.6 radian/sec

Has a large nomenclature of packages, which became mostly useless after this unit was upgraded to 3rd generation I.S.

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 675 points.

Physical DAR – 0.81, Heat DAR – 0.81, Energy DAR – 0.81

One-Off Ability: Not available as unit hasn't performed a Second Shift yet.

Description: Initially called the Rafale Revive Custom II, unit's name was changed after Orimura Ichika upgraded it to 3rd generation level. Sandstorm is a well-balanced and very agile unit, capable of fighting alone and supporting others. Aside from removed upper wings, to make place for Wyverns' mounting points when they're inactive, unit's appearance didn't change much.

And again, as with other personal I.S. units, Sandstorm didn't show its true capabilities due to its pilot being unable to focus on important things.


Issue №10

Origin: *…access error…*

Designation: Akatsubaki (Crimson Camelia)

Core №: 468 (actually, its real number is 002, but, due to Tabane's messy scheming, there were two cores with number 002 in the world, so to not mess up the entire numeration, this one was renumbered and now reports № 468, but still, in fact, it's the second core, ever made by Shinonono Tabane)

Registered Pilot: Shinonono Houki

Generation: 4th Gen

Class: Gladiator

Manufacturer: Shinonono Tabane

Current status: First Shift, Operational

Armaments:

Amatsuki (雨月, Rainy Moon) – The katana that is optimized for 1 vs 1 combat. It is capable of shooting out multiple red-colored laser beams from around the I.S., in a concentrated pattern toward a single target.

Karaware (空裂, Cracked Sky) – The katana that is optimized for combating multiple enemies. It is capable of shooting out a large beam slash in the form of a crescent moon, or in the shape of a wave, at the target, and can even take out multiple targets around it.

2 x Ugachi (穿千, Thousand Pierces) – shoulder-mounted blaster crossbows that fires crimson red energy bullets where the output is variable according to the pilot's wish.

Foot Blades and Flying Blades – blades made of Fold-Out Armor.

Other Equipment:

Before upgrade: "Akirai Nigata" (Crystal Well Type II) 4th grade reactor (Direct Drive-type ICF reactor)

After upgrade: "Akirai Sangata" (Crystal Well Type III) advanced 4th grade reactor (Cold Fusion Reactor)

4th grade hyper-sensor

4 x 4th grade ion thrusters

4 x 4th grade PIC

Throughout use of Fold-Out Armor (static energy field type).

Max speed: 2500 knots (with full use of Fold-Out Armor, 2000 knots max with ion thrusters only)

Max turn rate: 8.4 radian/sec

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Akatsubaki's 4th grade shield has much better DARs, comparing to 3rd generation frames, thanks to use of quadrature amplitude-shift keying instead of common amplitude modulation. Believe it – an additional 12% of damage resistance – that's A LOT.

Maximum capacity – 800 points (825 after an upgrade).

Physical DAR – 0.68, Heat DAR – 0.69, Energy DAR – 0.67

One-Off Ability: Kenran Butō (絢爛舞踏, Gorgeous Dance). It enables Houki to recover the energy of Akatsubaki, and also recover energy to nearby I.S.-es she comes in contact with. As any other One-Off Ability, Kenran Butō gives Akatsubaki's pilot a major advantage over other I.S.-es, as she can continually recover her energy (including shield) as many times as she need. If not for a relatively long cooldown of that ability, Akatsubaki would've been virtually invincible. Since the Akatsubaki is a 4th generation I.S., One-Off ability is already available at First Shift stage.

Description: Very powerful, a true 4th generation unit. Being the Gladiator-type, Akatsubaki excels at close combat to medium range engagements, due to her armaments and especially, thanks to it very thick shield with 800 (now 825) points capacity. And it is more difficult to take out those points, comparing to previous generation machines, because Akatsubaki's shield is more 'sturdy', comparing to normal shields, due to more advanced energy modulation method.

Still, Akatsubaki has a big flaw, and that flaw is her pilot, who's still unable to focus on polishing her I.S. piloting skills (and still drowns in her sense of guilt).

During the night, following the day of Kyoto's incident, Shinonono Tabane somehow managed to lay her hands on her little sister's I.S. At that time, the Akatsubaki got a moderate retrofit – a new, more powerful main reactor, a new, advanced method of her Fold-Out Armor energy field control (the same that Tabane used, building the Black Knight), and a slight tuning of the shield module has been performed, so it got a minor increase of its maximum capacity (up from 800 to 825).

During that night, Shinonono Tabane enjoyed herself to the fullest, Akatsubaki got a moderate upgrade, and Shinonono Houki got a reason to be in a bad mood for the next two weeks.


Issue №11

Origin: Московский Густой Туман (Moskov's Thick Fog)

Designation: Renia Nui (Frozen Lake Princess)

Core №: 259

Registered Pilot: Sarashiki Tatenashi

Generation: 3rd Gen

Combat specialization: close combat to middle range, anti-terrorist unit

Manufacturer: RUAC (Russian United Aerospace Corporation) & Orimura Ichika

Current status: First Shift, Operational

Armaments:

Ржавый Гвоздь (Rusty Nail) – a whip sword.

Сильный Дождь (Heavy Rain) – a lance with an internal four-barrel gatling gun.

Water-manipulating nanomachines – this I.S. has an unusual ability to manipulate water through nanomachines contained in her, enabling the pilot to change the shape of the water to serve any purposeful state. The offensive shape being the "Lance of Mysteltainn" and the defensive form being the water veils. She can also create up to 5 clones of herself for decoys or group attacks. Thanks to Ichika's upgrade, now nanomachines also can lower the temperature of everything Renia Nui touches with her arms or with whip-sword, freezing enemy weapons' barrels, for example, or creating large amounts of ice, using her nanomachines.

Прекрасная Красная (Beautiful Crimson) – a wings of a deep crimson red, that latches onto pilot's back. As it latches on, her aqua veil, too, turns red, proving that it had switched to high-output mode.

Icicle – I.S.-issued handheld carabine, a short-range gun which uses compressed air to shoot charges of liquid nitrogen. Nitrogen is taken from surrounding atmospheric air.

Amaryllis – the .59, semi-automatic, long-range, hand-held railgun with a scope. Was given to Tatenashi as a last-resort long-range weapon to shoot at retreating enemy.

Other Equipment:

3rd grade reactor (Tokamak-type MCF reactor)

Advanced 3rd grade hyper-sensor

3 x 3rd grade ion thrusters

5 x 3rd grade PIC

Max speed: 1400 knots

Max turn rate: 5.55 radian/sec

Being a highly specialized unit, she has no packages.

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 715 points.

Physical DAR – 0.8, Heat DAR – 0.79, Energy DAR – 0.82

One-Off Ability: Not available as unit hasn't performed a Second Shift yet.

Description: Very advanced but highly specialized 3rd generation I.S., made in Russia and further upgraded by Orimura Ichika. Due to its anti-terrorist specialization, she possesses an advanced thermal imager, equipment to search for explosive materials, and camouflage systems (using water veil). Also, Renia Nui is very maneuverable and has a small frame, her shield is pretty strong – all that is needed to fight in urban conditions. On the other hand, she is somewhat lacking a raw firepower and her maximum speed is relatively low.

As strange as it sounds, but Renia Nui's biggest issue is her pilot, just like with other 3rd generation I.S.-es, though, reasons, of course, are completely different. The reason is – Renia Nui actually dislikes her pilot, because she thinks that Tatenashi uses her in a very wrong way, and that opinion seems completely justified. Tatenashi is a very good pilot, with certain talents, but her combat style seems incompatible with her I.S. – Renia Nui, virtually, is an assassin I.S. unit, but Tatenashi tends to engage her enemies head-on, openly, exposing Renia Nui's weaknesses and barely using her fortes. Due to this disagreement, Renia Nui gains experience much slower than she could have with more mentally-compatible pilot, even if the later would've been less talented than Tatenashi.


Issue №12

Origin: Blue Tears

Designation: Silent Zephyrus (aka Blue Tears Mark II)

Core №: 311

Registered Pilot: Orimura Madoka

Generation: 3rd Gen

Combat specialization: middle to very long range All-Rounder unit

Manufacturer: British Industrial Consortium

Current status: First Shift, Inoperable – decommissioned and disassembled for throughout modernization

Armaments:

Star Breaker – a multi-mode, high-energy rifle that has a bayonet attachment, capable of using both BT energy and live ammunition.

6 x Interceptor Drones – flying drones equipped with BT energy cannons.

6 x Shield Drones – flying drones equipped with deployable shields.

Dream Slicer – an army-knife-like blade used for close-range combat.

Other Equipment:

3rd grade reactor

Advanced 3rd grade hyper-sensor "Brilliant Clearance Mk II"

4 x 3rd grade ion thrusters

3 x 3rd grade PIC

Max speed: 1700 knots

Max turn rate: 5.25 radian/sec

Unit was stolen from the developers before it could receive any packages.

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 650 points.

Physical DAR – 0.825, Heat DAR – 0.82, Energy DAR – 0.8

One-Off Ability: Not available as unit hasn't performed a Second Shift.

Description: Silent Zephyrus is a 3rd generation I.S. developed in England that was stolen by Phantom Task and was piloted by Orimura Madoka. It's a prototype frame based on Cecilia's Blue Tears Mark I, but more advanced in several regards. Missile pods were discarded and replaced with energy cannon drones, and six shield-wielding drones were added.

In overall, Silent Zephyrus demonstrated much better results than Blue Tears, but not because it is a more advanced unit, but because it has much more skilled pilot.

Silent Zephyrus has no differences from canon LN/Anime.


Issue №13

Origin: Silent Zephyrus

Designation: Kurokishi (黒騎士, Black Knight)

Core №: 311

Registered Pilot: Orimura Madoka

Generation: 3.5th Gen

Combat specialization: close combat to long range All-Rounder unit

Manufacturer: Shinonono Tabane

Current status: First Shift, Inoperable – destroyed in action

Armaments:

Buster Sword "Fenrir Blow" – a two-handed sword with a blade made of energy (Fold-Out Armor).

2 x Lancer Arm – jousting pole-like energy cannons.

Arm-mounted gatling gun – a machine gun mounted on unit's left elbow.

6 x Interceptor Drones – flying drones equipped with BT energy cannons.

6 x Shield Drones – flying drones equipped with deployable shields.

Other Equipment:

"Akirai Nigata" (Crystal Well Type II) 4th grade reactor (Direct Drive-type ICF reactor)

4th grade hyper-sensor

5 x 4th grade ion thrusters

3 x 4th grade PIC

Limited use of Fold-Out Armor (static energy field type), and due to this, Kurokishi cannot be considered a full-fledged 4th generation unit.

Max speed: 2200 knots

Max turn rate: 7.2 radian/sec

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Just as with the Akatsubaki, Kurokishi's 4th grade shield has much better DARs, comparing to 3rd generation frames, thanks to use of quadrature amplitude-shift keying instead of common amplitude modulation to control the shield's energy.

Maximum capacity – 775 points

Physical DAR – 0.69, Heat DAR – 0.68, Energy DAR – 0.67

One-Off Ability: Not available as unit hasn't performed a Second Shift.

Description: A further development of Blue Tears, using her second version, the Silent Zephyrus, as a base model. Unit received a number of additions from Tabane that greatly balanced out many of the original unit's shortcomings. Unit kept her 6 Interceptor Drones and 6 Shield Drones, but instead of a quite simple army-knife-like blade she was outfitted with a very powerful energy sword Fenrir Blow, which allowed Kurokishi to engage in close-quarters combat with devastating power. Starbreaker Rifle was replaced with 2 x Lancer Arm energy cannons. Also, all of unit's systems were upgraded to 4th grade, shield capacity was improved and defense field itself became more 'sturdy', just like Akatsubaki's shield.

Still, this very powerful unit and its pretty skilled pilot were put out of commission within less than a minute by Battle Goddess and Orimura Ichika. To save herself and her pilot from a certain death, Kurokishi performed a Second Shift and evolved into something quite different.

Kurokishi has no differences from canon LN/Anime.


Issue №14

Origin: Kurokishi

Designation: Kyūseikishi (吸生鬼士, Nosferatu) Leptirica (she-butterfly)

Core №: 311

Registered Pilot: Orimura Madoka

Generation: 4th Gen

Class: Wraith

Manufacturer: Shinonono Tabane & Orimura Madoka

Current status: Second Shift, Operational

Armaments:

2 x Netherspire – jousting-spear-like photon beam cannons.

Death and Decay – a pair energy longswords, capable of draining enemy's shield energy and recharge Nosferatu's own shield with it (conversion rate is about 25%).

2 x Plague Petals – rapid-fire railguns, mounted on Nosferatu's elbows, one per each.

Fourth Horseman – a longbow, capable of shooting photon arrows, equipped with a scope for the very long range sniping.

Izanami – photon bomb launcher.

6 x Interceptor Drones "Scavengers" – flying drones equipped with rapid-fire, photon pulse cannons.

6 x Shield Drones "Ghostly Wings" – flying drones equipped with deployable shields.

Other Equipment:

"Eternal Servitude" main reactor (antimatter-photon chamber-generator)

Advanced 4th grade hyper-sensor

5 x 4th grade ion thrusters

4 x 4th grade PIC

Full-scale use of Fold-Out Armor (static energy field type), fitting the full-fledged 4th generation unit.

Max speed: 2700 knots (with full use of Fold-Out Armor, 2200 knots max with ion thrusters only)

Max turn rate: 8.2 radian/sec

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Nosferatu uses the same shield as Kurokishi with only a slight DARs tuning.

Maximum capacity – 775 points

Physical DAR – 0.68, Heat DAR – 0.67, Energy DAR – 0.675

One-Off Ability: Banshee's Wail – an immensely powerful ability that accelerates Nosferatu's own time x 3.14, for 5 seconds (outside world time).

Description: When Black Knight underwent a Second Shift and became Nosferatu, its power grew up tremendously, to the point that she managed to withstand Battle Goddess' relentless assault for more than 5 minutes and escape from her after it – and no way it's a small feat. Especially considering that Madoka has gotten her new I.S. only a few minutes ago, and was very far from mastering its power… though, the same applies to Ichika as well.

Aside from her elbow-mounted railguns, all of Madoka/Nosferatu's weaponry became photon-based, as well as Nosferatu's main energy generator and Fold-Out Armor. Leptirica insists that she just followed Madoka's wishes, and though the later has no idea when she expressed any wish at all, she can't complain about the outcome, that's for sure.

From aside it didn't seem like the Kyūseikishi Leptirica's exterior changed too drastically when she underwent the Second Shift. Legs became a bit thinner and slightly longer, mostly due to higher 'heels', which now were made of a Fold-Out Armor, which, by the way, now became purple instead of yellow-orange. Massive energy transmitters on knees became thinner, longer, and now were half-curled around outer sides of pilot's thighs. Unit also got a skirt-like armor layer, the upper part of a skirt was made of metal, and middle and lower parts were made of Fold-Out Armor. And that's probably it for the frame itself – in overall, it now looked even more feminine than before, if you can apply such a definition to an I.S. frame. However, when the Black Knight underwent her Second Shift and became a Nosferatu, the most drastic changes happened to her wings. Just as the real butterfly, the Nosferatu has two pair of wings. And now the upper, bigger pair of wings got the edging, made of Fold-Out Armor, and powerful thrusters were still present inside of those long and broad wings. The energy armor layer that was between upper and lower pairs of wings was gone, as it merged with the lower, a bit smaller pair of wings, which now was completely made of that purple Fold-Out Armor.

Being a Wraith-class unit, Nosferatu Leptirica is best suited for hit and run tactic, though she definitely can stand up for herself in any type of combat, at any range. Her maximum speed is 2700 knots (~4.1 Mach), which is even a bit faster than Ichika's old I.S., Majin Naamah, as well as his new one, Ikusa Megami Astarte, whose maximum speed is 2650 knots (~4 Mach). Thus, currently, the Nosferatu Leptirica is the fastest I.S. in the world.

Considering the drastic changes her unit underwent – it'll take quite some time for Madoka to fully master her new I.S. Though, since she has no skills to deeply optimize and revise I.S. system, Madoka can fully focus on understanding those features Nosferatu already has, besides, there are no actual need to do anything – reactor output's margins are good and unit performs admirably well in overall.

By the way, it seems that Orimura Madoka and Nosferatu Leptirica actually are quite compatible mentally, regardless of what the former actually thinks about having a lesbian sex with a weird loli-vampire girl…


Issue №15

Origin: Golden Dawn

Designation: Golden Dawn

Core №: 273

Registered Pilot: Squall Meusel

Generation: 3rd Gen

Combat specialization: close combat to middle range support unit

Manufacturer: Unknown

Current status: First Shift, Operational

Armaments:

Prominence – a large tail with stinger that able to grab enemies or deflect enemy attacks.

Prominence Coat – a protective plasma barrier that can withstand most attacks from even fellow 3rd generation I.S.-es.

2 x Solid Flare – an arm-mounted cannons capable to fire plasma charges (1st gen plasma).

Other Equipment:

3rd grade reactor (Tokamak-type MCF reactor)

3rd grade hyper-sensor

4 x 3rd grade ion thrusters

3 x 3rd grade PIC

Max speed: 1500 knots

Max turn rate: 4.9 radian/sec

Since this unit was stolen, it has no access to packages.

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 665 points.

Physical DAR – 0.82, Heat DAR – 0.825, Energy DAR – 0.82

One-Off Ability: Not available as unit hasn't performed a Second Shift yet.

Description: As Golden Dawn possesses an excellent defense, which managed to withstand even the Demon Queen's firepower, to some extent, forcing Ichika and his A.I. to develop a special tactic to defeat her. On the other hand, Golden Dawn severely lacks firepower as that tail and two mediocre plasma machineguns are her only weapons.

It is hard to say anything about Golden Dawn's compatibility with her pilot.

For now, Golden Dawn has no differences from canon LN/Anime.


Issue №16

Origin: Uchigane

Designation: Uchigane Nishiki

Core №: 411

Registered Pilot: Sarashiki Kanzashi

Generation: 3rd Gen

Combat specialization: close combat to long range All-Rounder

Manufacturer: Kuromochi Machinery Development

Current status: First Shift, Operational

Armaments:

Yumeutstsu (夢衝撃, Trance) – ultra-vibration trident for CQC.

2 x Shunrai (春雷, Spring Thunder) – particle cannons for short and middle range combat.

Yama Arashi (山嵐, Mountain Storm) – 8x6 (48) hi-capability missiles that use a multi lock-on system or a manual guided system to engage one or more enemies at long range.

Other Equipment:

3rd grade reactor (Tokamak-type MCF reactor)

3rd grade hyper-sensor

3 x 3rd grade ion thrusters

3 x 3rd grade PIC

Max speed: 1450 knots

Max turn rate: 5.0 radian/sec

Since this is, virtually, a custom-built unit, it has no packages.

I.S. Shield characteristics:

Maximum capacity – 700 points.

Physical DAR – 0.81, Heat DAR – 0.83, Energy DAR – 0.815

One-Off Ability: Not available as unit hasn't performed a Second Shift yet.

Description: A unit that was finally completed thanks to Orimura Ichika's help. As with other personal I.S. units, that belongs to first year students of I.S. Academy, one shouldn't expect any remarkable feats from Uchigane Nishiki. And of course, it is not because of a unit herself, but because of her pilot. Kanzashi expectedly joined the "I want to be Ichika's girlfriend" club, members of which are busy with anything but honing their piloting skills.

The only difference from LN/Anime is that Trance is not a naginata but a trident.


Chapter XXVII – Zero

A/N: No spoilers, only my fantasies, so read safely even if you haven't read volumes 8 – 12 yet.

November 4th, Saturday, 7:02 A.M.

Enryakuji Kaikan hot springs hotel. Ichika was walking along the hotel's corridor, alone. All I.S. Academy students were taking early breakfast right now, as well as academy's teachers – Ichika's sister and Maya Yamada. But Ichika had no intentions to join them. Not that he wasn't hungry – he was, but today Enryakuji Kaikan was serving a traditional Japanese cuisine for a breakfast, and Ichika was already fed up with Japanese cuisine in particular and with Kyoto in general. All he wanted right now is to get a huge beef steak in some American style café. And since, at least until Monday, he's not an academy student but a military officer, he was intending to enjoy the liberty of his actions.

"Damn…" Ichika winced. His leg, that was broken in yesterday's battle, was still hurting. But he couldn't take in a strong analgetic – within a few hours will be Chiefs of Stuff Committee meeting, with him being a main 'star', so he must be absolutely focused and composed at that time, if he wants to get maximum possible benefits. And of course, Ichika wanted everything he could squeeze out of that idiotic situation, at the same time making sure that he won't lose any of his supporters in JSDF. That will require some creativity…

"Good morning, Houki-chan," Ichika addressed a girl, who, for some reason, wasn't taking breakfast with other students but was hiding beneath the stair, by which Ichika was walking down.

"Ugh…" A girl grunted as it became obvious that she was spotted. She (reluctantly) left her 'hideout', and greeted Ichika back, looking anywhere but at him, "H… hello…" For some reason, she was sulking three times more gloomy than usual.

"I hope you're in good health," Ichika said casually, walking by Houki, "How's your sister doing?"

That was a simple and meaningless question… but not when it comes to Shinonono sisters. "How did you know?!" Houki exclaimed as she almost jumped. From aside it seemed as if Ichika just disclosed some horrible secret.

"What you mean 'how did I know'?" Ichika asked with some pity in his voice as he stopped and looked at Houki directly. "You're sleepy, and in such a foul mood that I physically felt it, even through that stair," He pointed at a wooden stair, beneath which Houki was hiding… seemingly, from him and from Chifuyu. "The only reason for that I can think of is that you spent some time in your elder sister's company… she was merciless, were she?" He smiled sarcastically. "Besides, Akatsubaki got an upgrade, and forgive me my skepticism, but no way it was your own doing," Ichika added, looking at a pair of gold and silver bells wrapped around Houki's left wrist by a red and black ribbon divided by a white line.

"How you even noticed that?!" Houki's eyes widened as she urgently hid her left arm behind her back. In reply, Ichika again looked at her, with even more pity in his sight, and she quickly realized that she asked a silly question.

Tonight, about 1 A.M., whilst Ichika and Chifuyu were busy with each another's… carnal desires, Shinonono Tabane broke into the hotel and literally kidnapped her own younger sister. Houki was sleeping in the room with three other girls, but they didn't notice anything unusual. And even Chifuyu and Ichika didn't notice anything, despite their room was in the same building, probably because Tabane had no ill intentions, so their sense of danger didn't kick in… or because the both of them were consumed by lust.

Anyway, Tabane brought Houki to her secret lab, and for five hours she was throughoutly enjoying herself while teasing Houki, upgrading Crimson Camelia and avoiding her younger sister's attempts to punish her at the same time. And after that, out of pity, Houki ate a few half-burned cakes, made by Chloe Chronicle. In the end, Tabane has returned her sister to the hotel only a few minutes before morning wake up. As such, now Houki was angry, sleepy and got a stomach ache.

"Ask the hotel personal, they definitely have some medicine for your stomach," Ichika advised as he noticed that Houki is holding to her belly. Of course Ichika knew no details about Houki's overnight stay at her elder sister's 'place', that was just a guess. "Peerless genius or whatever, she's incapable of cooking. Neither Tabane-nee, nor that doll of hers…" He shook his head.

"Yeah…" Houki nodded in agreement. Again, out of pity, she actually made a breakfast for her elder sister and Chloe.

"Anyway, go get some medicine and try to have a breakfast," Ichika advised to his childhood friend. "And just act normally, Chifuyu got so many problems on her head so she probably won't notice. And even if she will – she won't be scolding you anyway – it was Tabane's fault, not yours," He concluded as he turned around and headed towards the exit.

"Where are you going?" Houki asked as she noticed that Ichika is heading outside.

"Back to Tokyo," He replied shortly, "Chiefs of Stuff Committee meeting, regarding yesterday's circus show, is planned for 10 A.M."

"I… I see…" Houki just mumbled as she didn't find what to say about it.

"Hey, no need to be that gloomy," Ichika again addressed Houki, "Yesterday, you have defeated a member of Phantom Task, so it wasn't that bad," He said and closed the hotel's door behind himself.

"Haah…" Houki sighed heavily. 'I'll go ask for that stomach medicine…' She though. Maybe just a little, but her mood became better, though.


November 4th, Saturday, 7:38 A.M.

Tokyo city, Orimura residence. Because he was traveling not via train, but using his I.S., the trip from Kyoto to Tokyo took only about ten minutes. However, just as he has arrived, Ichika learned that the Chiefs of Stuff Committee meeting has been rescheduled for a later time, 2 P.M. specifically. Apparently, some Committee members decided to make a brief trip to Kyoto and personally assess the consequences of the yesterday's turmoil.

As such, Ichika got a few hours of free time. Right now, he really wanted two things: to get some sleep, because he actually slept only about 3 hours last night, and to start tinkering with his new I.S., because this is what he loves to do the most. And, being unable to make a choice, he actually decided on a compromise of sort. Thus, right now, whilst his body was sleeping in his bed, inside his house, his mind submerged into his I.S. consciousness – to the world where Astarte lives.


Unknown time and location

Once again, Ichika was standing on a big island, in the middle of an enormous lake, surrounded with beautiful, snowy mountains. Beneath his feet was a lush grassland (cowered with a deep-blue colored grass), and he was surrounded with gigantic trees with needle-like leaves of light-purple color. Flocks of majestic, yet strange, four-winged birds were flying across the roof of heaven, half of which was occupied with a gas-giant-like planet. Such a place definitely exists only in computer games or movies, yet Ichika got no feeling that this is actually something alien…

"Adonai?!" A gentle and melodic voice sounded from behind. As Ichika appeared right at the bottom of that majestic clockwork/futuristic/ancient-Egyptian temple, he was almost immediately spotted by Astarte, who stood on the temple's steps, thoughtfully looking at the stone, six-legged lion. As she saw him, the six-winged goddess swung her gorgeous, blindingly-white wings and flew down to Ichika. "What are you doing here?!" She asked in sincere surprise as she landed in front of him and knelt.

"What you mean 'what I'm doing here'?" Ichika inquired with one eye closed. "You're mine. Which means that this world is also mine, so I can come and go whenever I like."

"That's not what I mean!" She exclaimed with worried voice, "I just…"

"I know what you mean, calm down!" Ichika interrupted her as he reached forth and gently stroked her pale lilac-colored hair with his left hand. "I know, before now we only were able to meet in person due to some extreme circumstances, and I've never visited your world on my own volition. I'm really sorry about that, alright?"

"No, I'm not blaming you! You simply…" She again was interrupted.

"Silence!" Ichika ordered. "It was quite rude of me to never visit you 'personally' during all those months. For that – I'm apologizing and promise to make up for it, as well as I promise to regularly visit you from now on. Don't argue and just accept it as my gratitude," He spoke out.

"Al… alright…" Astarte 'reluctantly' agreed, pretending that she don't want to waste her master's time, but her eyes shone with happiness when Ichika promised to visit her regularly (or because he was still gently caressing her hair).

"Raise," He commanded her to stand up, removing his had from her head. "Report, what's about yesterday's data?" Ichika requested as he started to walk up by the temple's steps – he actually wanted to take a look at what's inside of that strange building.

Astarte followed Ichika, though she frowned when heard his request. "I'm sorry, Adonai, but data processing will take longer than I initially anticipated," She replied humbly. "Because my body is a completely new frame, the amount of data I've recorded during yesterday's battle was massive, to process it completely, I need at least eight more days, and this number may increase further…"

"Nothing to worry about," Ichika assured her, "Take your time. I bet we've taught a good lesson to those degenerates yesterday, so we shouldn't be seeing any of them for at least two months, hopefully for more…" Whilst Battle Goddess is processing all the experience she has received, it is highly recommended to refrain from participating in engagements. It is possible to deploy I.S. and use it for simple activities (like simple flights from point A to point B), but entering battles is highly undesirable.

"Understood, Adonai," Astarte nodded.

"Besides, even for me it'll require at least a week to perform the initial analysis of your new systems, I really need to revise the energy distribution contour, because, thanks to a certain someone, I can't add even a flashlight, without making the entire frame energy-insufficient," Ichika snorted.

"I'm… I'm sorry…" She mumbled, dropping her head.

"Hey, relax, it was just a joke," Ichika said, as he gently touched her chin, forcing her to raise head and look into his eyes again. "You performed admirably yesterday, so the only thing I'd like to change about you is to somehow improve your self-esteem, but, I guess, we'll be taking one step at a time," He added, waving his arm, as if accepting the inevitable.

"Uuu…" She pouted, pretending that she got offended by Ichika's joke, though she didn't fool anyone as she subconsciously straightened her back, at the same time puffing out her quite a lush chest, when Ichika praised her.


"It's quite an empty here…" Ichika noted as he and Astarte were wandering inside of that temple-like building. The temple was huge, but inside were only spacious but empty halls, which weren't leading anywhere.

"Yes, but I don't know why it became like this," Astarte admitted.

"Don't worry – that place will be becoming much more interesting as you continue to gain more experience. A lot of stuff should appear just as you'll finish processing data of yesterday's battle. And not only that – both flora and fauna in this world are going to become more lively with you getting more experience," Ichika noted. Currently, here are only one type of grass and one type of trees are growing on the island, on which the temple is located, and only one type of those four-winged birds can be found around here. Everything – birds, trees and grass – are going to be much more diverse in time.

"Really?! Are you sure?!" The winged goddess asked with enthusiasm. In reply, Ichika only looked at her with pity. "Sorry…" She humbly apologized as she realized that she asked a stupid question – of course he's confident about what he's saying.

"Anyway, continue to process data," Ichika ordered. "Tomorrow and within the next week, aside from analysis of your new frame, I'll only be dealing with the small issues," He outlined his planes for the nearest future. "When you'll be done with the data processing, we're going to visit a certain place in the middle of Pacific ocean, and after that – the real fun will begin. I hope you're prepared to lead your sisters towards the new beginning?" He inquired.

"Of course!" Astarte announced proudly. "After all, I am the first I.S. in this world!" She added, reminding that she is the core № 001. In reply, however, Ichika only gave her a strange look. "Adonai?" She wondered, being unable to understand why he's looking at her like that.

"Ah, no, sorry," Ichika apologized, "Though, you probably could make a guess, you have had not enough of confirmed data to make a logical conclusion."

"Adonai, you're confusing me," Astarte admitted – she couldn't understand what's this all about.

For a few moments, Ichika was looking at her with evaluating sight, as if deciding – does she ready to know some sort of an important secret, or not. "Astarte, darling," He finally spoke out, as he, apparently, decided to tell her. "Do you remember that all of the I.S. cores in the world, including thyself, were created by Shinonono Tabane?" He wondered.

"Yes," Astarte nodded with an ambiguous face expression.

"Well, even though, recently, Tabane-san's interests became biased towards molecular genetics, she's also a physicist and a mathematician. And I just want to remind you, my sweet Astarte, that, in mathematics, count doesn't start from «1», in mathematics count does start from «0»…" Ichika pronounced with pretty mysterious face expression.

It took a bit of time for Astarte to realize what exactly her master is hinting her about. "AH!" She screamed loudly as a sudden realization finally came to her. "You… you're saying… that somewhere out there… exists the core № 000?!" Her beautiful eyes became saucer-wide.

"But of course," Ichika confirmed her guess.

"What… why… no, wait, you know where it is?!" Astarte asked, she definitely was shocked.

"It's not 'where', it's 'who'…" Ichika replied ambiguously, "Though, 'where' is also a legit question… the girl who had to die…" He looked at Astarte. "Hereby, I'm prohibit you to even think about telling anyone that what I'm going to tell you now. Anyone, especially to other I.S.-es, am I clear?" He asked.

"Yes, Adonai!" Astarte saluted, "For me, your wish is law!"

"Good," Ishika seemed satisfied with her response. "You see, since birth, Shinonono Tabane wasn't like she is now. No, I mean, she always was smart and talented, but she wasn't the 'peerless genius' and all that stuff. All in all, she was a normal girl. However, about eighteen years ago, when she was seven years old, an accident happened. Due to some very tragic, but otherwise everyday circumstances, she got hit by a train."

"Oh," Astarte covered her mouth. Even though she wasn't a human – she could understand how horrible it is – a train hitting the child.

"There was no ill will – that was just a tragic incident. Train was running at speed about 75 mph – girl's chances of survival were zero. Upper left half of her body was eviscerated; left half of her skull, together with left half of the brain, were decimated… yet, miraculously, she survived. Just like me and my sister – the girl was a host for two divine beings, and they saved her. The ruler of third Sefira – Binah – the Arelim Zaphkiel, called 'Anima Mother', saved the child's life. Girl's body was restored and brain recreated, at the same time the girl received a gift, a gift to which she definitely wasn't prepared for – the Gift of Zaphkiel. The knowledge she acquired were so vast, the visions she has seen were so vivid that, comparing to it, the world of mortals, with its everyday problems, became completely colorless," Ichika outlined the general picture.

"Adonai…" Astarte pronounced in awe "…how have you come to know all of that?!"

"My, my, aren't you a daring one… comparing me to mere humans…" Ichika shook his head, refusing to answer as he flicked Astarte's nose.

"Ow!" She yelped, looking at Ichika, and pouted, but she still got no answer. Of course all official records of that accident and following 'miraculous recovery' were throughoutly wiped clean.

"When people are saying something like 'Tabane is messing things up' – in fact, they're just spouting up nonsense due to their ignorance. She's just trying to add some colors to this dull, grayscale world," Ichika pronounced.

"You're not angry at her, Adonai?" Astarte wondered.

"Hmm? At Tabane-san? No, not really," Ichika replied. "Being angry at Tabane-nee because she's making chaos is like being angry at Sun because it rises at the east. Besides, each time she's making a commotion, I'm always the one who gets the most benefits."

That was a truth – when she sent in a Golem, Ichika took its core. When she hacked the Silver Gospel – Ichika took its core as well as he got a high-ranked US general indebted to himself. When Tabane sent in a bunch of Golem Mark III – Ichika got half of their cores. And even yesterday – in the end, Ichika got Arachne's core and finally got rid of one of Phantom Task operatives for good.

"Of course – when she upgraded an I.S. of my degenerative imōto, that was really not cool – I'll find a way to punish her for that later. And the nuke – that definitely has nothing to do with Tabane-san, and punishing those who really are guiltily – this is our immediate task for the nearest future – as well as making sure that something like that won't happen again, ever," Ichika proclaimed.

"Yes, Adonai!" Astarte saluted.

"Anyway, returning to your previous question – Tabane-san's remade heart and recreated brain combined – this is the I.S. core № 000. The first I.S. in the world – Shinonono Tabane herself – 0th generation unit – codename Zero. Just like how only humans can 'make' more humans, just like only the bee queen can 'produce' more bees – only Shinonono Tabane can create more I.S. cores – she's a mother of all I.S.-es in the world in a much more literal way than foolish humanity thinks," Ichika finished his tale. "So," He addressed Astarte, "Now that you know the truth about your origin, are you still willing to follow me, or you want to follow your 'mother'?" He asked jokingly.

"Adonai, what are you saying?!" Astarte exclaimed loudly, she seemed truly offended. "I'm yours and yours alone! I beg you, don't say such a thing even as a joke!" She grabbed Ichika's shoulders and looked straight to his eyes.

"O… okay, I got it, calm down," He replied, even Ichika was surprised with Astarte's outburst of emotions. He again gently stroked her hair several times. "Glad to hear it, though, I'm afraid you're unique in that regard – I mean – you're the only one who actually has a choice – who to follow," He spoke out thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" Astarte looked at her master questioningly.

"I mean exactly what I've said," Ichika replied. "Whilst foolish humans all over the world are coveting the I.S. cores, no country or organization can truly have them. Aside from those in my possession, all I.S. cores belong to Shinonono Tabane. One snap of her fingers (well, maybe two), and situation with Silver Gospel will repeat itself, in a worldwide scale, turning the entire world upside down. Though…" He looked at his I.S. "…I can't truly blame her, as I'm intending to turn the world upside down as well, just with different means…"


Ichika and Astarte have left the temple and now were walking over the grassland, along the lake. Ichika summoned his I.S. clock, which were showing the real world time. "Oh, it's almost 1 P.M., I guess I have to go," He said.

"Yes…" Astarte dropped her shoulders.

"And what's with that reaction?" Ichika snorted. "I've promised to visit you regularly, so don't make such a face. And, by the way, what you've meant yesterday, saying 'see you soon'?" He asked.

"Ah, this…" She smiled shyly, "I… I believe I can use my sub-quantum field generator to manifest my image in the real world, as a hologram of sort. I wanted to surprise you…"

"Oh… interesting idea…" Ichika praised her, he actually didn't think about such a possibility. "But that can wait. Remember – data processing – first, learning some party tricks – later. Understand?" He commanded.

"Yes, Adonai!" She saluted.

"By the way, about party tricks… that thing is still there, right?" He suddenly remembered about something.

"What do yo… Oh… Yes… It's still there…" Astarte helplessly spread her arms.

What Ichika meant was the mysterious sub-system called 'Code White'. It was present in his I.S. since he received it as Byakushiki, even before he began to study in I.S. academy. This was because that sub-system was part of the core, and it was exclusive to the core № 001, as Ichika never did find something similar in any other core he managed to touch. Thanks to his realizer, the core № 001 is out of Tabane's reach now, so she can't use that sub-system, whatever it is. But Ichika also can't use it as he doesn't know what it is – he had no time to properly examine it during previous months.

"I believe I really have to dedicate some time to research that thing," He said to himself.

"Adonai, I believe I know what it is!" Astarte suddenly announced.

"Hmm?" Ichika looked at her questioningly.

"I believe that it is a direct counter for that girl's bitchy ability!" Six-winged goddess exclaimed, her eyes again shone with enthusiasm.

"You mean 'Code Red'?" Ichika asked.

"Yes! I believe that, with this ability, my presence can inspire my sisters, improving their performance, and maybe, even allowing them to temporary enter the Second Shift phase!" Now not only her eyes but her entire self was glowing with enthusiasm.

"If that is so, that you can consider yourself a true I.S.-Goddess," Ichika shook his head, he seemed rather skeptical. That was a wild guess at best, and a pure fantasy at worst.

"That I am!" She proudly strightened her back and spread her gorgeous wings.

"Haah…" Ichika sighed. "See you soon. Buy…" He said and disappeared from the I.S. world.

"Muhum…" She nodded with a dreamy smile.


Omake II – I.S. Collection bonus

Issue №17

Origin: N/A

Designation: Zero

Core №: 000

Registered Pilot: N/A

Generation: 0th Gen

Combat specialization: Making commotion everywhere she goes

Manufacturer: Higher power

Current status: Operational

Armaments:

None

Other Equipment:

Unknown

One-Off Ability: The true One-Off Ability – an ability to create I.S. cores.

Description: The sole developer of I.S. technology – Shinonono Tabane.


And that's it for now. See you people, don't forget the review!