Let's get right to it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Infinite Stratos.
As mysteries unravel, Thomas finds he can trust no-one with his discoveries.
However, he'll soon find trust issues to be the least of his problems. Tabane Shinonono decides to pay an unexpected visit! She brings along something Thomas had always wanted: A Personal IS Unit!
Her timing couldn't be better, as an out-of-control IS known as the Silver Gospel pops up out of nowhere!
With danger from above looming overhead, can Thomas get his act together and stop the Silver Gospel before it can cause some real damage?
The Present...
"Thomas..."
Who? The voice belonged to a woman, whom Thomas couldn't begin to identify.
"Thomas, sweetie..."
Who was saying that? She sounded so familiar...
"It's time to get up."
Thomas opened his eyes to pure white.
He couldn't feel solid ground under his feet, nor could he tell up from down. It was a white void, like that of what a dead person sees in their final moments.
Why was he so calm?
Any rational and normal person would freak out right about now.
Oh wait.
That's right.
Thomas wasn't normal at all.
Why did he feel different than he acted? On the outside, he was practically the ideal model human being, like an angel who took the form of a man. His heart could warm the iciest of chills, he glowed brighter than the sun, and he did good deeds and helped others as he went on his own merry way.
This was a contrast to his true colors.
Thomas had a secret jealousy of others. As long as Thomas thought of his family in his childhood, he couldn't help but feel he was being lied to. He had no siblings, nor did he have a mother. If he did, they either died or abandoned him without so much as a care in the world.
Then, of course, there was that unbearable noise.
Although Thomas had kept it hidden, his only known physical weakness was his sensitivity to noise. He never went to raves, since he'd already learned they would leave him temporarily hard of hearing. It felt like the weight of the world was bearing down on him, its omnipotent noise crushing him.
In this strange void, Thomas heard nothing.
It wasn't that he was now deaf, quite the opposite. He heard nothing, because there was nothing else.
Just him.
He hated being left all alone.
Suddenly, he could feel the pull of gravity once more. He was...flying upward?
No.
He was falling down.
His heart began to race. He could feel the violent air ripple as it pushed down on his head, and down to his toes. He could then feel other objects bumping into him from the sides.
It felt like...other people?
It was then Thomas felt a jolt, as though he hit the ground, and then felt nothing.
The Past...
Thomas woke up early. Again.
Even on a vacation, he'd always wake up before the sun had a chance to rise.
Once again, he woke up with a heavy heart. He was left with the jealousy of others being able to smile, and live blissfully without the burden he carried. He always envied others.
But he wouldn't let the depression get the best of him.
Thomas got out of bed, and put on his casual clothes. He had just finished changing into shorts as he suddenly shivered. Perhaps the night was a bit more chilly than desired, or that he was wearing nothing over his top. His face was still in a somber, almost dead expression. He decided to go for a morning walk.
After all, it usually helped him take time to push out the darker thoughts, and act in his usual demeanor.
"Damn," He thought, "I need to get some help."
Thomas walked through the hotel halls, shivering the chill out of his bones until he was room temperature. He then pulled out his phone, and began to gorge on memes until his heart felt as though it could lift the rest of his body into the sky.
He had prevented the "unstoppable evil" yet again.
That's when he remembered one of his exploits last night. He almost broke out in laughter, but forced himself to calm down.
Thomas then breathed briskly, and put an honest smile on his face. He closed the door behind him as he left his room, and began to explore the hotel, in search of his gaggle of friends.
He walked jovially through the hotel, greeting any other early-risers as he went.
To them, it seemed as though he was glowing with a light that could rival the sun. His smile was heartwarming, and could melt the coldest person's feelings if he willed it so. He had a spring in his step, and a purpose in his walk.
It seemed as though he was royalty.
All he needed to cure depression was a good laugh, and a warm blanket. It had served him well, ever since he started feeling those unwelcome sensations. He did it for the sake of his friends, who genuinely cared about him.
Besides, he couldn't find his mother if he was a miserable wreck.
He yawned. Instead of taking it as a sign of lacking sleep, he went to the vending and drinks machine instead.
It was then that Thomas realized he was very strange.
He somehow managed to confuse himself in the process.
Not that it mattered.
Thomas quickly purchased a whole breakfast made up of snacks and three bottles of soda.
"Breakfast of champions." He joked to himself.
During volleyball, it seemed as though Tomas had finally begun to enjoy his summer vacation. Although there were clearly some things happening that required his attention, he voted that he needed to have some decent fun on the school trip.
Thomas had then come across Houki in an open-air hallway, still dressed in her blue robes.
"Morning, Houki!"
"Oh. Morning."
"You're up early."
"I guess I am. What about you?"
"Me? No. I'm just waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
"Ichika usually gets up around this hour, right?"
"Yeah?"
Thomas's grin got bigger and brighter.
"You'll find out why right...about..."
Ichika's trademark rooster-screech could be heard quite audibly all over the hotel.
"THOMAAAAAS!"
"...now."
"What did you do?" Houki questioned, knowing full well Thomas was involved.
"I sneaked into his room last night and drew on his face with a marker."
"You did what?!"
"Well, it's his fault for not following through on saying he was going prank me."
The two then heard very audible stomping drawing near.
Ichika burst into the hall, a look of inextinguishable, burning rage on his face. He also had a marker mustache, monocle, inky-black blush, and one of his teeth covered in marker, to make it seem as though he was missing a tooth.
Thomas couldn't help but bust out laughing, and fell on the floor. He was laughing himself to tears and suffocation, and shook uncontrollably.
"You're gonna pay!"
"You didn't make good on pranking me before, this is your punishment!"
"I'LL SHOW YOU PUNISHMENT!" Shouted Ichika as he lunged for Thomas.
Thomas narrowly evaded, trying to keep himself from laughing to death. He wiped the tears from his eyes as his laughing slowed a little. Ichika then pulled out a marker of his own, waiting for the opportunity to use it on Thomas.
It was then that they both took notice of Houki.
Currently, she was ignoring the two boys, and observing a sign posted on the ground in front of the walkway. The two ceased their battle and peered over Houki's shoulders to see what she was seeing.
Not only was there a sign, but a pair of eerily familiar robotic bunny ears. The sign itself read, "Houki, please pull."
The three of them knew all too well whom they belonged to.
"You think we should?" Asked Thomas, "Personally, I wanna see what happens."
"Do you think we shou-!"
"Sometimes," Concluded Houki, "It's just better not to know."
Houki then stood up, and walked away. This left Ichika and Thomas to decide on what action they should take.
"Should we?" Said Thomas.
"I dunno..." Said Ichika.
"I mean, it would kinda be a waste of surprise."
"True..."
"Hold on, wasn't Houki's birthday tomorrow?"
"You don't think..."
"I mean, it makes sense."
"Well, you and Houki were born a few days apart..."
"To be fair, I think she's prioritizing her little sister over me...family matters, yeh?"
"Maybe she wants to celebrate both..."
Cecelia walked up to them.
"Just what are you two doing over here?"
"Well..." Said Thomas, gesturing to the bunny ears.
"I really don't think this is a good idea, Thomas..." Said Ichika.
"Eh, c'mon!" Thomas said, "What's the worst that could happen? I get shot down over the friggin' ocean?"
Thomas haphazardly grabbed the bunny ears, and began to uproot them. With a little more effort than originally anticipated, Thomas pulled them out, and wound up falling on his rear. Ichika and Cecelia quickly went to his side.
They all then heard a gradually increasing whistle in the sky above.
"On no..." Groaned Ichika.
"Hm? What?" Asked Cecelia.
"I knew it!"
The trio looked up, only to see an orange object falling like a bomb right for them.
"Never mind," Said Thomas, "I think I just screwed myself."
They all screamed as orange came down upon them, kicking an explosive cloud of dust. Miraculously, the trio emerged unharmed. They looked towards the object, only to discover it was a giant, metal carrot.
"That's new. Don't remember this gag before..." Observed Thomas.
Suddenly, the carrot popped and hissed as it sprang in two.
Suddenly, a very hyperactive woman with mechanical bunny ears popped out with a wide smile on her face.
"You fell for Tommy-Kun! Yay yay!" She cheered energetically, with her hands making peace signs.
"Nice to see you. It's been a while, Tabane..." Said Ichika, still dazed from the fast paced crash landing.
"Ichi-Kun! Long time no see big guys!" Cheered Tabane, as she zoomed up to hug both Thomas and Ichika.
"So," She inquired, "Where did little Houki go?"
"Uh..."
"Don't worry! I'll find her soon enough with my brand-new Houki-Tracking-Device I invented! I'll see you later, Tommy-Kun and Ichi-Kun!"
Tabane then bursted off in search of Houki.
Ichika got to his feet, absolutely dumbfounded. Thomas simply stared, his sympathies were sent to Houki. Cecelia was simply trying to process the fast-paced event that had just transpired.
"Ichika darling?"
"Yeah?"
"Who was that strange person just now?"
"Tabane Shinonono. Houki's big sister."
Cecelia quickly turned her attention to Ichika, flabbergasted and dumbstruck by his answer.
However, the trio didn't have very long to take in Tabane's entrance.
They were called by Chifuyu, for whatever purpose they had to find out.
"Everyone with a Personal IS Unit has been assembled here." Stated Chifuyu.
Charlotte, Lingyin, Thomas, Houki, Ichika, Cecelia, and Laura were standing in a shoulder-to-shoulder row...
...In the middle of nowhere.
"Um..." Lingyin took notice, "Ma'am? Houki and Thomas don't have their own units yet."
"Actually..." Started Houki, her voice quickly trailing off.
"It's fine. I'll explain everything now. Scott and Shinonono are here be-!"
"WEEEEE!"
A sudden new arrival making a charge right for them.
The newcomer being none other than Tabane.
Tabane was sliding down the side of a cliff, and suddenly launched into the air like a rocket, and she was aiming right for Chifuyu.
"CHIIII-CHAAAAAN!"
In what seemed like mere milliseconds, Chifuyu had managed to grab Tabane by the head, and bring the woman right to the ground. However, Tabane was relentless, and tried to push through Chifuyu's iron grip.
"Hello-hello-hello! I missed you sooo much, Chi-Chan! Gimme a hug and a kissy-wissy and confirm our love-!"
"Would'ja shaddup, Tabane?" Chifuyu asked impatiently.
It was then that Chifuyu further pressed her vice-like grip, and made Tabane feel it. Suddenly, Tabane burst out of Chifuyu's single-handed grip and turned her attention elsewhere.
That elsewhere being Houki, who was cowering behind a rock in the hopes of being hidden from her embarrassing older sister's antics.
"Well well, if it isn't my widdle sister?"
"Yeah...It is."
"How long has it been? You've grown so much! Especially your boo-!"
Houki promptly delivered a wooden switch to Tabane, and sent her flying before she could finish the sentence.
"I will hit you so hard if you finish that!" Houki snapped, thoroughly humiliated.
"Yet you say that after you hit me!" Whined Tabane, "You're so cruel! She's a real dominatrix, isn't she, Ichi-Kun?"
Ichika was at a loss for words, thankfully Chifuyu was able to pull the topic back on track. She then made Tabane quickly introduce herself. Everyone, save Ichika, Chifuyu, Thomas, and Houki, was in shock that they got to meet Tabane Shinonono.
"Now everyone look up to the sky!" Declared Tabane and she pointed heavenward.
Everyone looked up, to see a twinkling object in the sky. It was getting bigger, and more sparkly as seconds passed by.
It was then that everyone realized the object was falling right for them.
Everyone, save Thomas and Tabane scattered for cover. Thomas was knocked onto his rear by the object's impact with the ground before him. Tabane and Chifuyu, however, remained unfazed through the entire moment.
It was a large diamond-shaped thing.
Tabane gave a big smile as she unveiled the contents.
"Introducing; Houki's personal IS Unit: The Akatsubaki!" She cheered, as the container vaporized, revealing a very peculiar IS Unit in Inactive Mode.
"It's specs are way higher than the current models, and it's handmade by your truly! It's a 4th Generation-type IS Unit I made exclusively for Houki!"
"4th Generation?!" Awed Laura.
"Wait! Other countries have only just made the prototypes of the 3rd Generation!" Cried Cecelia.
"She's already...?" Charlotte was flabbergasted.
"Don't worry!" Consoled Tabane, "That's only because I'm Tabane the Genius! Okay then, Houki Pouki! Let's get you fitted and personalized with your brand-new IS!"
The genius clicked a remote, and opened up the IS Unit for Houki to climb inside.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Interrupted Chifuyu.
"Hm? Oh right! I just got so excited about giving Houki Pouki her present I nearly forgot Tommy-Kun's!"
"My what?"
"It's why you're here, numbnuts." Scolded Chifuyu, "You're getting a Personal Unit as well, seeing as you broke the only training model you ever used."
"But that was my seco-!"
"Spare me the details."
"Yes ma'am..."
Sure enough another giant diamond fell from the sky. Unlike the Akatsubaki, a generic-looking Refale Revive was the IS Unit sitting inside. The only difference was the headgear, which resembled 2 large antennae.
"That's just a generic Revive!" Blurted out Ichika.
"It just looks generic!" Corrected Tabane, "This bad-boy comes loaded head-to-toe with gear! The big guns! The works! All of it!"
"I'm almost afraid to ask, but..." Inquired Thomas, "What can it do?"
"Trust me," Tabane said, with a suggestive smug look on her face, "You'll figure out soon enough."
Both Houki and Thomas sat in the cockpits of their Units as Tabane simply entered all their data in a matter of seconds.
"Okay!" She declared, "The fitting's all done now! Well? Go ahead, go nuts!"
"What she means to say," Translated Chifuyu, "Is go ahead and test out your new Units."
Houki started with basic flight maneuvers, and Thomas simply performed a series of boxing moves. He was in awe, the lag from the Training Model was nonexistent, he could feel the IS was matching him speed-wise.
"Huh," He observed, "Can't tell if Revive's faster, or it's just synced."
He decided to bring things up a level. He quickly performed several acrobatic attacks, leaping around like Spider-Man.
"Funny," He said, "Never could do that before."
Houki shot off into the sky.
"That...was fast." Said Thomas.
"This is the speed of a 4th Generation Model?" Pondered Charlotte.
Houki pulled out her weapons, the Amatsuki and the Karaware, and pretended to attack the air as though it were her foe.
Her right blade sent out a pulse that burst right through a cloud.
"Very nicely done!" Cheered Tabane, "And now you can try dealing with these next!"
Suddenly, a missile rack materialized next to Tabane, and opened fire upon Houki with unnervingly excessive amounts of missiles.
"Dat's a lotta missiles!" Said Thomas.
"Good luck, Sis!"
Houki quickly went on the attack, and moved with speed and grace. She easily evaded the missiles, and made an energy slash to cut them down when she got tired of fleeing from them.
"Daaaaaamn!" Said Ichika and Thomas in unison.
And suddenly, Thomas saw it.
"It's perfect!" Marveled Houki, "This IS can do anything!"
There was a look in Houki's eye. A look as though she was riding a high of some kind. It didn't take a doctor to know what was going on in her brain.
The IS was going to her head.
"Okay Tommy-Kun!" Said Tabane, "Your turn!"
Without any more warning, the missile rack targeted Thomas.
He almost didn't react in time.
"OH FU-!" Thomas brought out shields.
Normally, he'd dodge. However, unlike most who'd just received their own personal war machine, Thomas had the mental fortitude to suppress the rush of feeling as though he was invincible. Thomas was not only a capable fighter, but he also learned in many games to take into account his surroundings. He chose block over dodge, since he was too close to the other pilots. If he dodged, the potshots would most certainly hit them.
He slowly moved away from the others, spreading out his shielded arms, making sure nothing slipped past him.
"Oh! Taking defense over evasion?"
"You know why!"
"Indeedy-doo I do! You're such a smart boy!"
When Thomas was a reasonable distance away, he took to the air, and take more evasive actions.
The missiles increased in frequency and intensity.
"Pfft! You look so weak right now!" Sneered Houki.
Thomas reminded himself to hit her later, when she didn't have a clear advantage of laser swords.
Wait! He had shoulder missiles!
Suddenly, Thomas shifted in a horizontal line, and the missiles chased without falter.
Thomas rolled, his head now pointed for the ground. Suddenly, the cladding on his shoulders hissed and rolled back to reveal two missile racks.
He fired his missiles in one big burst, effectively destroying all but 4 missiles.
Thomas quickly re-oriented himself.
Hold on! He had Charged Particle Cannons? Perfect.
Thomas rolled onto his back, and activated the cannons. The materialized on his hips, and rotated to lock onto the 4 missiles. He fired 4 times, with near-impeccable precision.
"I'm fuckin' surgical with these lasers." He said. As he shot down the last missile, he rolled back onto his front, and slowed to a stop.
"Don't get too cocky now!" Snickered Tabane, before deploying an excessive amount of combat drones.
"Oh." Said Thomas quietly.
Houki simply laughed and she rushed headlong into battle. Thomas deployed his Sniper Rifle, and took aim.
Suddenly, he shouted, "No-Scope!"
He then let go of the Sniper Rifle with one hand, and used it with the other. Whereas Houki met the drones head-on, Thomas kept at range, and fired from his hip. Somehow, he was able to fire without too much recoil, and shoot down several drones out of Houki's range, despite the supposed recoil of a Sniper Rifle.
Chifuyu took notice of Thomas's tactics.
"It looks like he prefers ranged over close-quarters. Considering what happened in his second fight, I don't blame him. However...This IS is capable of letting Thomas use his melee skills as well. You definitely built this specifically for him."
"Mhm!" Glorified Tabane, "His new IS comes with a better core, so he can do a lot more than he could with a Training Model! I may-or-may-not have added a few gimmicks to give him the edge~!"
"Those being?"
"Sh-sh-sh-ssshhhh! I want it to be a surprise!"
"MISS ORIMURA!" Cried Miss Yamada, as she ran up to them holding a phone.
She stopped in front of Chifuyu, and quickly gave her the phone.
"A Level A priority mission? The countermeasures are already activated-This test is suspended until further notice! Something's come up, and I'll need all of you for it."
"Ma'am?" Asked Miss Yamada, "Who's that strangely-dressed woman?" Pointing to Tabane.
"Oh, that's Tabane Shinonono."
Miss Yamada was left speechless.
"So," Asked Thomas, "What're we up against?"
"2 hours ago," Said Chifuyu, "The Silver Gospel, a joint IS Unit developed by America and Israel, went haywire. It's pilot went comatose and the IS went into a safety mode and broke out of its testing facility in Hawaii."
"And the pilot?"
"The pilot was Natasha Fairs, a Representative Cadet from the US. She went comatose, and they weren't able to extract her in time, the Gospel took over, and fought its way out. According to trajectory, it'll be passing through our airspace just about 2 kilometers from here. It will do so in about 50 minutes and counting. The Academy's Board of Directors just passed us orders making us responsible for the situation. As of right now, Instructors are using Training Models and locking down a perimeter. The rest will be handled by the students with Personal Units, I.e. You all."
"Wait-what?!"
"So, ve are zhe ones vho vill shtop zhe out-of-control IS..."
"US?!" Cried Ichika.
"Don't get so outta shape over m'man," Consoled Thomas, "It's just like fighting one of the girls, except it has a bigger drive to kill us if we get too close. Yeah, basically a typical fight with the girls."
"Hey!"
"What?"
"Before we begin the official mission brief," Redirected Chifuyu, "This is the only time you will have for questions you want answered."
Thomas opened his mouth, but quickly shut it.
The questions he would've asked weren't relevant to the situation, nor did he trust Chifuyu to actually give him an honest answer.
Cecelia raised her hand.
"Ma'am? I would like to have the full specs and data regarding the target IS."
"Good idea. However, if any of that information leaves this room, you will be arrested, tried in a court of inquiry, and placed under house arrest for a minimum of two years. Is that clear?"
"Understood, ma'am." Answered Cecelia, visibly shaken.
Quickly, the Sliver Gospel's data was displayed on a screen for the group to see.
"This IS is a special Artillery-Type designed for widespread target annihilation."
"'Course it is," Affirmed Thomas, "America had a hand in it. So it's bound to be blitzing."
"Looks like the Gospel is capable of all ranges of attack."
"All the more reason to pull out the pilot, and send that thing to kingdom come."
"Taking this Unit's gonna be tricky." Observed Lingyin.
"This Unit's weaponry is quite suspicious, n'est-ce pas?" Noticed Charlotte, "The continuous defense will be quite difficult."
"Zis data leaves its hand-to-hand capabilities unknown." Added Laura, "Can ve do preliminary recon?"
"No," Said Chifuyu, "There's no time. If we do anything other than the objective, we greatly risk letting the Silver Gospel slip past us."
"But," Joined Miss Yamada, "That means if we only have one chance, then only a Unit with a single-shot kill will have any chance of hitting it."
Ichika was currently processing the information.
"Wait!" He realized, "You mean me?!"
"Yes." Groaned Thomas, losing faith that Ichika would actually be capable of doing something.
"But..." Started Cecelia.
"How will we get Ichika to intercept the Gospel? He needs to conserve power for the attack, so how will we get him there?"
"Zat's difficult," Pondered Laura, "His Unit ishn't fasht enough to get to zhe target. He vill also need to be quick enough to land an attack on zhe target."
"Wait a minute!" Cried Ichika, "I'm the one who's going?!"
"Yes, yes, yes! Oh my god..." Thomas groaned as his head fell into his hand, embarrassed by Ichika's density.
"Scott, could you give Orimura a little pep-talk?"
"With pleasure." He growled.
Suddenly, Thomas went face-to-face with Ichika, and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders.
"Okay screwball, listen up!" Spoke Thomas, "There's abouta 99% chance you will die, You are incredibly dense, you are hardly capable of hitting the Gospel and saving the pilot smoothly, and-to top that-you aren't exactly proficient with your IS. You wanna back out? No-one's gonna force you. In fact, the only person in this room who's gonna judge you for it is yourself."
Ichika looked Thomas in eye with a determined look.
"I'll go, alright." He affirmed, "And I'll show you I can do this."
"Now that that's settled," Said Chifuyu, "As of now, the only IS Unit that can go fast enough is-!"
"HOLD IT! HOOOOLD IT!" Called a familiar voice.
Tabane busted out of the ceiling, spooking everyone save Chifuyu and Thomas.
"Just hold off on everything!" She cheered as she leapt down and rolled her way to the ground.
"Chi-Chan! Chi-Chan!" Piped up Tabane as she quickly came in contact with the woman, "Guess what? I have an even better plan that's in my head and now it's...printing! So, where's your printer?"
"Will you leave?!" Snarled Chifuyu.
"Just listen, 'kay? First off, it's the Akatsubaki's time to shine!"
"What?!"
Everyone in the room turned their attention to Tabane, as the self-proclaimed genius unveiled her secrets.
Quickly, the group went back to the clearing.
Houki deployed her IS, and mentally prepared herself for anything her older sister would throw at her.
"I don't understand," Said Miss Yamada, "Do the higher-ups even know that Dr. Shinonono is here right now?"
"I'll notify them later." Answered Chifuyu, "Stopping that runaway IS is our top priority."
"Okay, Houki!" Commanded Tabane, "Try out the Unfolding Armor!"
Suddenly, the Akatsubaki began to hiss as it unfolded, much like paper, and expanded its armor coverage.
"Unfolding Armor is a standard for all 4th Generation Models. What that means, is that the Akatsubaki is the next step of the Yukihira Nigata!"
"The next step?" Houki said, as though she were timid. Thomas assumed she was still getting used to her IS Unit.
"That's right, Houki Pouki!" Cheered Tabane, "And I used Unfolding Armor all over the Akatsubaki's body! Yay yay!"
"So, what can mine do?" Inquired Thomas.
"Hm? Well, since you have special needs, I had to compensate for input speed and response time. However, because I know you'd be jealous otherwise, I gave you a few new tricks up your giant robot sleeves to put yourself on fighting terms!"
"And that means?"
"You know them when you see 'em!"
"People have a nasty habit of saying that to me a lot."
"But unlike your mommy, you'll get the chance to find out the mystery!"
This put almost everyone in complete silence, Thomas was simply confused on how he felt, and took time to process the statement.
"Y'know, this place really reminds me of the Shirokishi Incident, doesn't it Chi-Chan?"
Chifuyu made a barely audible gasp, but played it off.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
10 years ago, Just a single month after the first discovery of the IS, 2341 missiles launched from all nations made a sudden and unprovoked attack upon Japan, all at once. It was narrowed down to a hacker that broke into the weapons systems and made total, worldwide simultaneous launches. A single IS Unit appeared from nowhere, and cut and shot down every single missile single-handed.
The IS was eventually dubbed, "The White Knight." Due to its silver, almost pure white color. The pilot and the IS quickly vanished not very long after it had stopped the attack, and neither were ever seen again.
"So," Asked Tabane, "Who do you all think was inside the IS, hm?"
"No idea..."
"Was it Instructor Orimura?"
"Nope!" Said Tabane, "The answer might be a bit too out-of-the-box right now..."
"I think I have an idea." Piped up Thomas.
"Oh? C'mon, share! Share!" Pressured Tabane.
"I think it could've been my mom...But that just sounds dumb and lazy..."
"Bingo!"
"Huh?!"
"You're absolutely right!"
"I am?!"
"That answer is absolutely wrong!"
"Oh..."
"But, since none of you kiddies can see it yet, I'll give you a hint!"
"Who? Was it you?"
"Nope! Tommy-Kun was almost right though! Y'see, You're close to the answer, and it's been with you all your life!" Tabane pointed to Thomas.
"It has?"
"Mhm! I think I just gave him the answer, but he might not get it now!"
Alright!" Snapped Chifuyu, "How long until you can adjust the Akatsubaki-?"
"Ma'am?" Asked Cecelia.
"Hm?"
"I'm sure that I can complete the objective with my Blue Tears. As you know, one of my high-maneuverability packages is on the way right now."
"Does that package operate of molecular exchange?"
"Well...No-!"
"Well, I can finish the Akatsubaki in 7 minutes no problem!"
"That's that then." Said Chifuyu, "The mission brief; Orimura, and Shinonono will engage the Gospel! She drives, he shoots, they get the pilot, and blow the Unit to hell. Let's get to it, people!"
"Wait just a minute!" Interrupted Tabane.
"What now?!" Chifuyu snarled, quite angry at the pestering scientist.
"I recommend Tommy-Kun should go with them!"
"Why?"
"Well, I made Tommy-Kun's IS capable of going supersonic speeds! That's riiight..."
"And?"
"Well, I was hoping to hold off on the surprise, but Tommy-Kun's IS comes with several settings!"
"Oh? How so?"
"Well, I know that Tommy-Kun loves giant robot fights, so I decided to make him an IS capable of doing nearly anything in combat! If Tommy-Kun gets the hang of it-and I know he will quite easily-He'll be able to blow up the Gospel without even trying!"
"Hm...Scott!"
"Yes, Ma'am?"
"You're on this. You'll be the immediate backup should things go wrong! If Tabane is be honest, then you should be able to hold the line, if the other two can't complete the objective."
"Understood."
"We launch in 30 minutes, ready or not!" Said Chifuyu, "Don't just stand there, get your asses moving!"
Houki took a breath, trying to calm down. She gave Ichika a grin, happy over the fact her life just got better.
"Wow..." Observed Tabane, "This has a really nice feeling to it~!"
"Huh-?! Wait, no! You've got it all wrong!" Disclaimed Houki, making a very terrifying face.
"Aw, don't be so frowny, baby sister!" Taunted Tabane, "You'll get stuck with it!"
"I was born with this face." Growled Houki through her grit teeth.
"Oh, right, forgot about that. Anywho! Let's finish up those adjustments!"
The other pilots all began to talk amongst themselves, leaving Thomas to his lonesome. He shot a subtle look to Houki, studying her face as though there was a mystery and the clues were on her face.
"At last..." She whispered, "You're finally mine..."
It was a good idea to put Thomas on the mission, he could tell the IS was in her head and making her screwy.
There were many things on Thomas's mind, and the pile just kept getting bigger and bigger. He took a look, and found he had a lot more to deal with than what he originally thought.
Many questions would be answered soon, but that would just leave him wanting more.
A/N: Yeesh! Giving Thomas his IS took a bit longer than expected!
Time to go into more detail the Thomas's IS Unit! His very own Refale Revive!
Thomas's Unit is not only designed to match him, but enhance him, despite the fact it appears as a generic green Revive. The IS is loaded with two Barrier Shields, two Assault Rifles, two Semi-Automatic Rifles, a Grenade Launcher, a Sniper Rifle, Missile Launchers, Shield Pierce, a Combat Knife, twin Hip-Mounted Charged Particle Cannons, and several unique abilities which makes it easily one of the most powerful IS Units!
The Revive also comes with more headgear than the standard Unit. The Unit has a tactical helmet to shield the pilots face from most attacks, and can shift from helmet to antennae similar to the Byakushki's Second Shift headgear, and much, much more. This also ties into one of the Revive's unique abilities.
I think I'll tell you the first ability.
The Refale Revive comes with a multiple-shift system. Unlike most IS Units, the Revive can shift its form to suit the situation at hand. This includes a Hyper-Velocity mode, a Heavy Combat mode, a Stealth Mode, and so much more.
Anyway, I think I'll take this time to talk about a future character!
Nana Andreas! I introduced her as Thomas's love interest, but she has yet to make an actual appearance. That changes! Nana is a US Representative Candidate, half-Latino, half-American. She has a slightly-above-average bust, black hair, green eyes, and an average build.
Her IS Unit? The War Buster (Name not final!), a heavy-duty Prototype 3rd Generation designed for heavy assault against multiple enemies. The designs follow Galaxy Convoy's Super Mode from Transformers Galaxy Force. The IS comes with twin Energy Blades, a Gatling gun, A heavy-duty handheld Beam Cannon, shoulder-mounted Concussive Pulse Cannons, Barrier Shields, two Missiles Racks, Twin ankle-mounted Bolt Blasters, two "Knuckleduster Claws," and the Headgear is designed to help the pilot's aim and tactical analysis.
She comes into the fold soon enough, so you won't have to wait forever!
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