(Disclaimer: I do not own the Zoids franchise. Copyright goes to Tomy for making this fantastic series. All I own are this story, its characters and some concept Zoids that might appear.)
Zoids: Lost Eden
Chapter 17: True Colors
"Well, how about it? Think you can get it up and running before nightfall?"
Point X-5 was supposed to be the location of a hidden base north of the central mountain range once used by the Viscount to conceal their Iron Kong units during the initial days of servitude to the Neo-Zenebas Empire. All of the retreating remnant Zoids made their way there with the exception of the Hydrarchos. The damage to their wing inflicted by the Blade Liger Mirage was bad enough that they had to perform an emergency landing somewhere in the middle of the eastern desert. With the Republic securing a foothold in the east harbor and with Zenebas forces stationed nearby, they were right in the middle of hostile territory with only three Zoids left to defend them.
Gerard had accompanied Zhou outside the Whale King to inspect the damage to the wing. His Elephander had deployed, replacing its damaged main gun with the 3D radar mast used by the Scout configuration of his Zoid while retaining the Command version's head and ESCS. He is to patrol the perimeters; the radar mast giving him a wider detection range than the other Zoids they currently have.
"No good. This will take me over a day to repair." Zhou sighs, stepping back from the damaged wing which was being worked on by robotic drones small enough to get into the Zoid's inner workings.
"Can't we try limping it out of here? We're very vulnerable to attack in this place."
"No can do. Besides, we might just end up crashing near Neo-Zenebas territory. If what Ash assumes is true then we're done for if that happens."
Gerard sighed. "The Viscount's betrayal huh? Yeah, Muroa's not going to take that lying down. For all I know, he's already dispatched a force to search us out and destroy us."
"Yeah." Zhou finally jumps down from the Whale King's fin. "I'm prioritizing the repairs on this Zoid's wing. Your Elephander's gun turret will have to wait."
"Fine by me." The Elephander raises its ESCS. "I still have this to defend our transport should the need arise."
"Good." Zhou proceeds to head back inside the Hydrarchos. Pausing for a moment, she glances back at the Elephander. "If things get too hard, we can always rely on 'it'. I just hope the kid can manage when that happens."
Inside the Hydrarchos, the whole place had gone quieter despite the mechanics and technicians busying themselves with all the repairs. With Vishna's Sabre Tiger gone, the hangar seemed a lot more spacious. Seral's old Red Horn was still sitting in the back though a gloomy feeling now emanated from the Zoid as it continued to wait for a pilot who will never return.
Sakura was busy helping out with the repairs on Ash's Dark Spiner. She had ceased her sobbing a couple of hours ago and was now trying to keep herself busy so that she wouldn't think of her deceased friends. Nonetheless, she didn't seem to be in good shape. She lets out the occasional sniffle as she worked. Her constant eye-rubbing had caused a redness in her face to swell. Her eyes were completely bloodshot. Her concentration was shot. It was taking a lot of her mental strength to just patch up the exposed wiring on the Dark Spiner's right arm.
Ash noticed this all and sighed. He felt sorry for the young pilot. Perhaps she harbored some resentment over his orders? He was sure that if given the chance, she would've gone down with her friends in a blaze of glory. Nonetheless, the old captain felt his decision to leave her back at the carrier was the best. Especially given their current circumstances.
"How is it Lieutenant?" Ash descends to the hangar, immediately walking up to his damaged Zoid and calling out to the pilot working on it. She however, didn't seem to hear him immediately. Completely understandable, of course. "How's my Zoid doing?"
"Ah—!" Needless to say, the girl gave out a surprised yelp when the captain called over. "Captain—well…" Again, she rubbed her eyes with her gloves. "I-I can patch up the exposed wiring and circuitry but without p-parts, a complete repair is impossible…" She replied meekly, looking almost defeated even.
"Understood." Ash nodded. Seeing the old Captain, Zhou asks about their current status.
"Well Captain? Any word from the Viscount yet?" She asks. Ash just shook his head.
"No. Not from him, nor any of the Remnant Knights. I managed to establish some contact with Kong-7. Seems they made it out okay but like us, they have received no further instructions." The Captain sighed. "At this point, I'm inclined to believe Iris Daemon's words about the Helic and Guylos alliance."
"Assuming this 'alliance' is legitimate, it's not like you can just walk up to Akua Harbor city to talk to them." Zhou explained. "We had just engaged them a few hours ago. They'll shoot you on sight as soon as you got close. Especially in the Dark Spiner."
"I know that but I have to try. For their sake."
Sensing the conviction in their Captain's eyes, Zhou takes a step back. She glanced at the roof for a moment, thinking. "Alright. Well, who's going to defend the Hydrarchos? Should a Neo-Zenebas Chimera fleet come for us, Gerard would be hard-pressed to fight all by himself." The scientist asked but she already knows what the captain's answer is going to be. The two of them glanced up at Sakura. She must've felt them staring at her since she looked back at them.
"I understand…" She replied, almost looking resigned.
"I'm sorry. You're the only one we can count on." Ash takes a deep breath and looks away. Relying on a girl young enough to be his daughter wasn't exactly sitting too well with him.
"I've finished all of the necessary adjustments. However, I will still need you to practice." Zhou immediately returns to her usual cold tone of voice. "We don't want another disaster due to incompatibility issues."
"I've had that Zoid since I was fourteen. I don't think—" Sakura tries to protest but Zhou immediately shoots her a glare.
"No." The scientist shoots back with a stern voice. "We are not taking chances. The equipment must be completely attuned to your mental state if we are to get out of this alive."
"Well that's easier said than done, is it?!" Sakura shoots back in return; her voice growing hoarser as she felt like she was about to cry again. "I feel like shit! I—!"
"Lieutenant. No…Sakura." This time, it was Ash's turn to intervene. His tone of voice however, was a lot calmer, almost sympathetic. "Do you trust me Lieutenant? Do you trust my plan? Disregard the fact that I'm your captain in the meantime."
Deep in his mind, Ash felt a little guilty pressuring her like this. In the first place, it was his plan that got her friends killed after all. Her faith isn't something he can immediately recover by just waving his rank and authority in her face.
"I know it's been a hard day for you and I know that Seral and Vishna died under my orders. Believe me when I say it pains me as well. However, if I play my cards right, nobody else has to die." He was imploring her now, speaking to her like how a father speaks to his troubled child. "I know it's hard to believe but—"
"Captain…" Sakura muttered weakly. Ash closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, digging deep into his thoughts.
"Two days. After that, it will all be over." He now stared at her straight in the eye. "I'll bring all of you home. I promise."
Home. It's been a long time since Sakura had seen it. The Dark Continent isn't exactly a place one would remember fondly but it was the place she had grown up in. The place where she felt the love of a family for the first time. Again, she wipes away the tears in her eyes.
"Okay…I'll do it." She manages to reply. From where he was standing, Ash could swear he saw a sad yet faint smile.
Seeing this, Ash nodded with satisfaction. "Thank you…Sakura." He proceeds to climb the ladder to his Zoid's cockpit, strapping himself in as the support platforms moved away to allow the Dark Spiner to move out. Sakura moves away, removing the cabling that links up the theropod's amputated arm to her repair modules. "I'll negotiate with the Alexander, see if there's any truth to this alliance. Sakura! Gerard! I leave the defense of the Hydrarchos in your hands! And to the rest of you, well, you better follow me from now on! There's no saying who the Viscount will screw over next!"
Zhou gives the old Captain a salute. "Of course. After all, you're the one who called me here."
"Good luck, Captain." Sakura just nodded as she steps down from the platform.
"Captain Gregory Ash! Taking off in the Dark Spiner!" The Dark Spiner lets out a loud roar as it ran out into the desert. Its fins shone beautifully in the light of the setting sun as it activated its jamming array in order to conceal its movements from any nearby radar.
"Now!" Zhou's voice calls everyone's attention back to her. "Practice. It's a light sparring regimen. I just want to know if everything's working properly."
"Alright."
"Good." Zhou turns to call the Elephander pilot. "1st Lieutenant! I need your help with a little exercise."
"My own Zoid huh…" While the scientist talked on the phone, Sakura walks over to her now completed Zoid; the successor to the Geno Saurer. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Growl…
The Zoid gives out a low growl. It seemed to be glad to finally get some exercise. Still, Sakura felt a chill run down her spine just by looking at it. Like an omen of something terrible about to happen.
"We've been together for four years. Please don't be too hard on me now." She whispered, even if she wasn't certain if her upgraded machine can still understand her.
With all their attention concentrated on defense and repair, the remaining crew of the Hydrarchos failed to notice the Liger Zero X just watching them from the distance, lying low in the shadows of the dunes. Inside the cockpit, the Remnant Knight Caitlyn smiled. She immediately booted up her communications channel, entering in the Neo-Zenebas code given to her when they first started working for the Viscount.
"Bzzt! This is Amaryllis base. Who is this?" An officer's voice rang out through the intercom.
"Name's Anne-Marie, a moisture farmer. I wish to give an anonymous tip to Lady Vestige about the location of one of that masked man's transports…"
As the sun started to set, the Alexander's crew descended upon the ruins of Akua Harbor City. The massive Zoid was docked in-between giant Republican nurse frigates which had started patching up all the external and armor damage the Hammer Kaiser sustained in the city's defense. Despite the successful defense the harbor has mounted, the city itself was still ruined in combat. It would not make for a suitable base of operations.
Gojulas Giga patrolled the perimeter, serving as a deterrent to any Imperial force attempting an attack. Nothing short of a Seismosaurus can wipe out a Gojulas Giga straight-up and they would've seen that Zoid coming from a mile away thanks to the new aerial Zoids the landing forces have brought along.
With most of the holding bays for the Zoids destroyed in the initial assault, some have parked themselves outside. The Shield Ligers lined up neatly in rows just outside Hangar G, tended to by Gustavs carrying parts and supplies. Gojulas the Ogre was stored neatly back in the old hangar; its pilot descending to the ground to the cheers and bellows of the mechanics and the Gojulas Giga pilots.
"Buying time for us yet again!" One of the Giga pilots cheered as the Ogre pilot made his way to the coolers where booze was kept and brought out after a hard day of work.
Lacking any more structures to use for their meeting, the Republican officials have erected a small tent to serve as their temporary command center. Two Gojulas Giga stood as guards while the meeting went underway. Eleanor herself had gone on ahead, leaving Itsuki to supervise the loading of their new reinforcements on board their home carrier.
Alyx had already loaded her Liger Zero Panzer inside the hangar. The mechanics have patched up most of the damage and were now replenishing its ammunition stores. She felt a light tap on her shoulder while she waited and upon turning around, Naruse immediately greeted her with a hug.
"Yay! You're still alive!" The young Imperial envoy greeted.
"Naruse! WAAAAHHH! I missed you!" The Kalanes girl reciprocated the sentiment. "I had to face a Death Stinger! I thought I wouldn't make it out alive!"
"But you did!" Naruse smiled. "You're probably a better pilot than we initially thought."
"Well…I got a little help…" Turning back to her Zoid, she noticed Kiminari eyeing her suspiciously; his serious eyes looking at her with disapproval. "Okay! I got a lot of help. Without Kiminari's precise instructions I probably wouldn't have taken down a single Zoid!" Her expression suddenly turned a little glum. "Yeah. We shot them down alright…"
Sensing the conflict in her friend's eyes, Naruse holds her shaking hands. "I understand. I'm just happy that you're alive."
"Thanks…"
"So, you're the Liger Zero pilot!" Janus suddenly cuts in, tapping Alyx on the shoulder.
"Huh? I am, why?"
"The name's Janus! Janus Rez! I'll be working with you from now on!" Janus immediately greeted as he shook hands with the young Kalanes girl. "My partner there's the Blade Liger. Same as the boss'. Maybe we can spar sometime later!"
"Oh, cut it Janus, the girl's probably tired!" Rio cuts in, extending her own hand in greeting. "Hi, my name is Rio Castille. I'm a colleague of this reckless kid here." She smiles, causing Alyx to smile back.
"My name's Alyx Ledesma. Just Alyx will do…miss Rio and mister Janus."
"Just Rio and Janus will do." The enthusiastic Liger pilot corrected. "We're all around the same age. You look a little younger though."
"That's a relief!" Alyx cheered. "I was the youngest person here in the past few days! Even the operator's two years older than I am!"
"Hahaha! Well, you probably still are. Still—" Rio turns to look for her colleague who had already gone ahead to see the Zero Panzer up close. "You're probably more mature than Janus here."
"Hey! I resent that. Anyway, troops have brought in this brand new Zoid to help with reclaiming the capital. Want to see it up close?" Janus asks, wrapping his arms around Rio and Alyx's shoulders.
"Cool! I want to check it out!" Alyx perked up.
"You never change…" Rio sighed. "Alright, I'm in. If only so I can reel in Janus if he tries getting into the cockpit of one."
"Coming along Naruse?" Alyx asked but Naruse just shook her head, declining the invitation.
"No thanks. I still feel a little nauseous from the earlier battle."
"Come on, let's go!" Janus drags his new allies along. They pass Kiro along the way; the young man seemingly lost in thought as he paced back and forth around his Dibison. "That guy is Kiro Kanato and—hey, what's he doing anyway?" The Liger pilot wondered as they passed.
"Kiro!" Rio called out. "You want to come along?"
"Huh?" Kiro asked, seemingly snapped out of some kind of trance. "Y-Yeah, alright." As he joins the small entourage, a small thought bothered his mind. "I feel like I'm forgetting something…"
The four pilots descended from the massive Zoid's cavity and ran across to the eastern holding area where the new Zoids were kept. They ducked low near the massive supply containers, sneaking a peek at the blue and orange Tyrannosaurus-type parked at the hangar.
"A Tyrannosaurus. Looks like a mid-sized one rather than the giant body type we used for the Gojulas." Kiro whispered. As they leaned in for a closer look, they noticed Itsuki, Alta, Eleanor and a Republican pilot all standing by the blue Zoid, seemingly discussing something. Rio leans in even closer, interested in their conversation.
"The Retaliation Force is to work with the Disciplinary Force in spearheading the assault on Chimera City." The Republican pilot, Ray Gregg, briefs the Retaliation Force members.
"That's suicide. Chimera Fort City is barricaded by jagged cliffs and natural barriers. The only way in is through a clearing they use to deploy their Chimera BLOX—!" Itsuki was just about to protest when Ray cuts him off once more.
"Exactly. The Disciplinary Force will head in for a quick frontal assault with our Liger Zeroes and try to disrupt the Zenebas siege network in order to pave the path for the 2nd Gojulas Giga battalion to overpower the base." The Republican Leomaster explained. He turns to his own Zoid, the winged Liger Zero and through a remote command, the wings disengaged, transforming into a separate, different Zoid entirely. The display surprised the onlookers from the Retaliation force, especially Alyx.
"That's awesome…" She gasped in awe.
"This new B-CAS, the Liger Zero Phoenix, will be the key. The ground attack will be a feint, a diversion to catch their aerial units off-guard. When we reach a certain distance around five hundred meters away from the entrance, the Alexander is to deploy the Fire Phoenix units from above. They will not see it coming." Ray Gregg finishes.
"Seems to be a solid plan but—" Alta now cuts in, having been quiet for the rest of the meeting. She pulls out a portable hologram projector from her pocket, activating it to reveal a rough layout of Chimera City. "Our Black Hound mercenary outfit have been doing recon around the area. Even assuming you can close the distance, our scouts report a Seismosaurus docked in the base. After the initial attack catches them off-guard, I have no doubts that Zenebas will turn this weapon against us."
"That is where the Gairyuki comes in." A new voice suddenly cuts through their conversation, accompanied by the rumble of an approaching large Zoid. To the surprise of the eavesdropping entourage, the Zoid in question was a Guylos Saber Tigre, armed with a custom hybrid Vulcan gun. The Zoid's canopy opened, and an Imperial officer alighted to meet with their higher-ups.
"Colonel Schwarz…" Eleanor greets the Imperial officer, gesturing towards Itsuki and Alta. "I want you to meet the most competent of my troops, 1st Lieutenant Itsuki Touya and Alta Crowler of Black Hound. You two, this is Colonel Karl Liechen Schwarz of the Guylos Empire."
"Colonel Schwarz? That 'Colonel' Schwarz of Guylos?!" Rio asked, surprised at their sudden visitor.
"Yeah. I'd recognize that Sabre Tiger anywhere." Janus confirmed.
"Wait—what?" Alyx asked, being the only one not in the loop. "Aren't they supposed to be your enemies?"
"Apparently not anymore." Kiro replied. The four turns their attention back on the meeting.
"The Gairyuki is equipped with Condenser Panels, designed to counter the charged particle cannon by absorbing them rather than outright blocking like your conventional E-shield or neutralizing via the Blade Liger's laser blades. It has the advantage of being able to use the absorbed energy to fire back with a charged particle cannon of its own." Ray continues with the explanation.
"It has already been tested against a Zenebas Berserk Fuhrer." Colonel Schwarz added. "I believe it had been tested against a Death Stinger earlier in the battle as well."
"Since you know all this, is it safe to assume that this Zoid was created with the help from you guys?" Alta asked.
"The base Zoid came from us, the rest was from ZOITEC. It's up to you now how you intend on mass-producing the Gairyuki."
"This battle should serve as the Gairyuki's test run as well. If we can counter the Zenebas cannon, then we can finally turn the tide of the war in our favor. A platoon of Gairyuki will accompany us in this battle. We'll see how it fares against the Seismosaurus."
"Alright. I'm in." Itsuki finally relented. He turns to look at the Gairyuki once again. "Impressive Zoid. Beaten the Fuhrer in direct combat huh? Any chance you can spot me one of those Captain? I have a score to settle with the Viscount."
Eleanor just chuckled. "Don't look at me. Bring that up with the top brass back at the tent."
"Speaking of the Viscount—" Hearing the name, Colonel Schwarz speaks up once more. "The skirmishes between our soldiers for the last few years are truly regrettable. However, it has come to my attention that they were misled by a man calling himself the Viscount. He has taken advantage of Zenebas' jamming network to completely cut off transmissions from our continent. We have tried establishing contact but any attempts we make seems to be intercepted." The Colonel explained.
Itsuki can buy it. He has encountered Dark Spiners in the Viscount's possession after all. "So, what of the soldiers?"
The Colonel turns to face the Liger pilot. "I have already spoken to Herman about this. I am to bring them home to the Dark Continent. Valhalla is reorganizing. We'll need all the resources and manpower we can get."
"I see." Eleanor nodded. "However, there are still a great number of troops who managed to escape the battle. We might encounter more of them as time passes."
"I wish to bring those soldiers home as well Captain. Is there any way I could probably contact these troops? Have any names come up during your skirmishes with them?" The Colonel asked.
"We have encountered this certain convoy several times though it is only during their suspicious excursion to the desert town of Kalanes did we find out more about them. Their immediate commander is a man in his late fifties. Gregory Ash I think, was the name." Eleanor divulged. "Beyond that, I have nothing."
"Ahh…" Colonel Schwarz seemed deep in thought. "Captain Ash is a colleague of mine during the Europa campaign. He stayed on the Western Continent while I and the rest of the top brass returned to Nyx when we caught wind of Proitzen's intentions. He's got a sharp, rational mind. I'm sure I can reason with him. Very well. It seems I'll need to pay Guygalos a visit. Thank you for the time." Schwarz turns to leave but he was stopped by Itsuki.
"Colonel, there is one more thing." The Liger pilot started. "A few weeks ago, a girl came to us. Said she was privy to the Viscount's plans."
"Really?" The Colonel turns back. "And who might this person be?"
"She introduced herself as 'Naruse'. Her real name however was—"
"Iris Lilith Daemon." Naruse speaks up, surprising everyone with her sudden appearance in the hangar, having followed Alyx and the rest. Recognition registers on the Imperial colonel's face upon seeing her.
"You are—!"
Naruse smiled and gave a polite curtsy. "It's been a while Colonel Schwarz. I'm sure you have lots of questions for me."
Further up north was another harbor facing the Sheed Ocean. Lord Kimmel's army had deployed to intercept what was said to be a Helic landing operation in that area but the ships they intercepted contained nothing. No Zoids, munitions or even soldiers. They were just empty vessels. Then talks of the Republic securing a stronghold on the east rang out and their forces were too far away to make a difference. To top it off, the ships were sent from the Guylos Empire—a diversionary tactic to split Zenebas' massive Chimera army.
Kimmel had almost emptied his base in preparation to meet the attack. Legions of Demonshead, Flyscissors, Scissorstorm and Laserstorm were sent out, commanded by his Deantlers and Lord Gale. All for nothing.
"That traitor!" Kimmel cursed from inside his personal Lord Gale, leading a pack of unmanned Chimera back to their main headquarters. The march back to the base was long but he and his fellow commanders were finally able to breathe in peace when their command tower loomed in the distance. As the Lord Gale descended however, he was surprised to find a white Tyrannosaurus waiting by the entrance.
"You bastard!" Kimmel raises his Lord Gale's lances and pointed it accusingly at the Berserk Fuhrer. "The forces up north were just a diversion!"
"Hahaha! Why, were you expecting to bring home another victory for your Empire?" The Viscount shot back, laughing at the high lord.
"Laugh all you want but you're not getting away with this! I've got evidence! This time you're going down!"
"Evidence? You think I'm actually doing this for such a silly notion as the 'resurrection of the Guylos Empire'? Don't be a fool Kimmel." The Fuhrer takes a confident step forward. "I can't 'resurrect' something that didn't die in the first place, couldn't I? Your allegations are meaningless. Besides, I'm done with this joke of a war. My aspirations are for something far nobler than 'just another victory'." The Viscount's lips curl into a sadistic smile. "Unfortunately for you, my slippery friend—you won't be around to witness it."
"What?!" Kimmel asked, surprised.
"I'm in need of a new army. An army that will obey me with no question." The Fuhrer's buster claws sprung forward. "I'm taking yours."
"Hah! Fool!" Kimmel guffawed. "You may be a good Zoid pilot but this is my base! My army! We have you surrounded."
"Really?" The Viscount chuckled. "I think my little friend has something to say about that first." In that moment, another Lord Gale descended from the sky. Kimmel recognized it as his backup Lord Gale should his initial unit fall. The iron gargoyle lands beside the Berserk Fuhrer.
"Platoons one through nine hot and ready." The youngest Remnant Knight Arlene giggled as the command module in front of her showed multiple green signatures. An evil smile curls on her lips. "I have control."
"My lord! My platoon has stopped responding!" One of Kimmel's Deantler pilots cries out in panic.
"So is mine my lord!"
"Same here!"
The Deantler pilots soon descended into a mad panic, trying to regain control of their BLOX Chimeras. The drones were currently doing nothing but with the Fuhrer in front of them, seemingly lording its technological achievement, they started to fear the worst. Kimmel tries overriding the Deantler's control from his Lord Gale but was simply met with an error message.
"Bastard! What have you done?!" Kimmel asked though his Lord Gale has started to take a step back.
"Chimera systems are incredible—noble even." The Viscount sneered. "Yes, Emperor Muroa believed in them because they could help reduce human casualties in the war. But they're not loyal. They'll follow anyone savvy enough with a computer." In that instant, Arlene's face popped up on Kimmel's monitor, flashing him a peace sign.
"A kid?! You're telling me this kid stole my entire army from under my nose?!" Kimmel panicked, unable to accept what he's seeing.
"Oh, I agree with you. Any normal kid couldn't possibly enslave over a thousand operating systems." Arlene spat, her voice laced with sarcasm. "But as you can see—" Her fingers scrolled on the panel and as she did, all the Demonshead started to turn against the Deantlers and Kimmel's Lord Gale.
"I'm special."
Without warning, a Demonshead leapt up, burying its deadly fangs on the wings of Kimmel's Lord Gale. The gargoyle tries to shake it off by using its lance but another Demonshead makes for its arm, tearing at its hydraulics with its jaws. Then another one leapt for its breaker then another on its legs then another, then another. The Lord Gale was brought down to the ground as Demonshead started piling on it.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Kimmel screamed as he felt a Demonshead's jaws clamp down on his cockpit, shards of glass and pieces of electronics bursting around him. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
Outside, watching the silent massacre, the Berserk Fuhrer towered over the disgraced Zenebas commanders, killed by the very Zoids they amassed. As the massacre transpired, Arlene giggled while the Viscount merely sat back with a vicious expression on his face.
"Long live the new empire."
Writer's Note: Chapter 17 is here! And wow, sorry if it took so long. I had been very busy. New job, new career, new responsibilities. I was hired at the time when the company is undergoing lots of changes with their online stuff so I was always tired from working. Anyway, Christmas season is coming up so I hope to at least upload a couple more chapters. I just need to find the time to write again.
Anyway, pretty straightforward chapter. Not a lot of new revelations but I don't want to rush everything just yet. Things will be picking up again soon anyway. Again, thanks to everyone who is still following this story until now. Until then, see you next time~