Walking close beside Kamiko, fully equipped with belts, a backpack laden with rations and survival supplies, and her PM-9 machine pistol slung around her shoulder, Suzuha's heart slowly throbbed with anticipation.

Almost ten o'clock at night... I can't believe its already come this quickly.

"Soldier Amane!"

Slowing from the unfamiliar voice, Suzuha stopped walking and turned, discerning a member of the armory staff jogging closer with a package wrapped in plastic film.

"That's me."

"It is imperative you take this."

Reaching her hands out, the package was gently set into her hands, and she looked it over, blinking in a slight startle from the contents within.

"Why do I need a block of plastic explosive...?"

"Master Kyouma specifically signed a request to the armory. We don't know the specifics, just that he intends for it to be in your possession."

Turning it over, her eyebrows furrowed.

Remote detonator too... What's the reason?

"I see. Thank you."

Turning to the commander beside her with mild confusion, she offered it to her as they resumed walking forwards.

"Why does your dad think I need Semtex?"

"It's M112... And he always has his reasons for things. Probably thinks you'll need to blow up something at some point."

"Lovely. I needed to brush up on my explosive terrorism skills anyway."

"All's fair in war, Suzu."

"Unless there is no war in twenty-twelve."

"It'll only be a few years afterwards. Might as well prevent a lot of big explosions with one little one."

"Yeah. We'll see."

"You have room in that backpack for this, right?"

"Pretty sure."

Drawing to a halt again, Kamiko swiftly unzipped the backpack and rummaged around in the contents for a moment, clearing space inside and then shoving the lump of plastic and its remote into it.

"Yes. There's room."

Tugging the zipper around the bag again, she then patted the back of it.

"Heavier?"

"Not really."

"Good. Should travel just fine with you."

"Hope so. I'll just pretend there isn't a bomb strapped to me and everything should be alright."

"That's the spirit."

After several quiet footsteps echoing down the nearly silent hallway, both girls burst into a fit of laughter and giggles, lifting the heaviness from their hearts for a few moments.

04/22/2036; Valkyrie Vehicle/Munitions Storage 01 'Anthill'; 9:51p.m.

Winding through stacks of crates and vehicles and numerous passerby, both teens shivered with excitement, inhaling from the cool draft of the distant fans as the aforementioned personnel carrier came into view. In front of it, the other four soldiers stood in line, and Okabe and Ruka stood together just beside them.

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

"Almost looks like we're late."

"Even if we were, this whole mission requires you to be present. Dad would order everyone to wait if you weren't."

"If you say so."

"He's waited almost ten years for this mission to even happen. I'm sure he's used to it by now."

Steadily approaching the group, all eyes focused on the two of them, and several expressions of interest were present across the faces of all six individuals.

We must be late. What time is it?

"Master Kyouma."

Kamiko swiftly lifted her hand to her forehead in salute, and Suzuha blinked, following suit, but Okabe simply chuckled.

"At ease, Commander. Now that all members of this expedition are present and ready, I'll keep this gathering short and sweet. Your mission, which all of you have accepted, is to escort Soldier Suzuha Amane to Minatogaoka Futo Park, alive, where she will commandeer the cylindrical machine waiting in the park. Once she has assimilated herself into said machine, the rest of you are to leave the premises and return to Stein's Gate as soon as possible, ideally not long after daybreak. Possible routes are included here in your documentation, but it is advisable to avoid surface streets as much as possible. Remain on the Daiichi-Keihin route if you can, and it should take you most of the way there and back."

Passing out several folders to the soldiers, all but Suzuha took a brief glimpse at the contents within them.

"Sir, we are to abandon Soldier Amane at the objective?"

"Indeed. Though rather than calling it abandonment, it is a strategic drop-off. Arriving at the park is simply the beginning of her task. Suzuha Amane has a much more involved mission awaiting her once she pilots the machine."

"Sir... What does this machine you speak of do exactly?"

Looking to the woman from her query, his chin rose slightly.

"It travels through time. Plain and simple."

Watching a variety of expressions change across their faces, Suzuha looked to Kamiko, and then to Okabe and Ruka, noticing their expressions were unwavering.

"Any other questions?"

Met with curious silence, he then put his hands together.

"Study the maps well, and keep your wits about you. Patrols are sparse as SERN has a continuously diminishing presence in Tokyo. You should not encounter much in the way of enemy forces, but do not hesitate to act with force."

"Understood."

"All of you are more than capable of this assignment, so I do not expect casualties. No lives are expendable, regardless of rank or importance."

"Yes sir."

Looking to Kamiko, he eyed his daughter with confidence.

"I trust as acting commander, you will be able to direct the team to a swift, low-cost completion of objectives."

Bowing her head, she became laden with responsibility.

"Of course."

"Excellent. As for you, Miss Amane, I advise you find a safe place for the papers in your hands. They are essential to everything you are heading towards."

Looking down from his face to the folder in hand, she pried it open, realizing with a discreet inhale that her father's will and FG204's documentation were present among the maps within.

"Yes. I will."

"Very well. I am fairly certain we have already passed the time for departure. Soldier Amane and Commander Urushibara, come aside with us. The rest of you know what to do."

Putting his hand out into the middle, Ruka and Kamiko's hands quickly outstretched, and in a manner much quicker than before, Suzuha put her hand out atop Kamiko's, watching as the other four soldiers consecutively placed their palms atop their hands.

"El, Psy, Kongroo!"

Hands retreated, and all eight individuals split in two separate groups, with both teens following Okabe and Ruka as they migrated a small distance away from the personnel carrier. Halting beside a stack of crates, Okabe took in an uneasy breath, and Ruka looked over both girls standing side by side, swallowing down heavy-hearted reluctance.

Look at you two. Suited up and armed, but still so young and lovely...

Looking aside at Okabe, his expression hardened as his eyes met those of his daughter again, and Kamiko lurched forward in response, wrapping her arms around both of their sides in an embrace of family.

"Oh, Kamiko."

"My child."

Brushing her digits through her daughter's hair with tender and gentle movements of her fingers, Ruka pressed a kiss into her head, and Okabe's palm tucked up against her chin, forcing a smile onto her lips.

"I'll return safely. I promise."

"I know. You've done it before."

"Please be careful out there. Both of you."

Watching all them look to Suzuha, she nodded as Kamiko turned around, putting her hands together.

"We will. Right Suzu?"

"Of course. This isn't my first adventure."

"Don't let it be your last."

"I don't plan to."

Okabe slowly smiled from her confidence, but Ruka then stepped forward, bringing Suzuha into an unexpected hug. Closing her eyes, she reveled in the familiar warmth and comfort of a motherly embrace, sighing from memory as they separated seconds later.

"Suzuha, my dear."

Looking up to Ruka, she blushed unexpectedly.

"I don't know what trials and challenges you are about to go through... But I hope you find success in everything you do. If that isn't possible, at least find happiness wherever you can."

"I'll try."

"And please... I hope you enjoy the rations I've provided. They're a bit better than the standard issue food we normally provide to troops."

Grinning from the home-cooked food tucked away in her backpack, Suzuha nodded.

"Thank you. I'll enjoy every bit of it."

Looking back towards Okabe, but noticing he was quietly speaking to Kamiko just behind them, she then put her hands onto Suzuha's shoulders.

"I know this implies an unfortunate outcome for this mission... But should you ever find the need to return here to our time, to Valkyrie... Please find us. Or Kamiko. We will bring you back in right away."

Heart sighing, Suzuha swallowed from the implication.

To return to Valkyrie would mean I failed... But at least I would come back to a safe place I know, and people that care about me.

"I don't wish to fail at this... But I thank you for the generosity anyway."

"Its just a possible scenario. Though I'm sure Kamiko would be beside herself if you returned."

Blushing from the intimate moment only a half hour earlier, Suzuha's eyes drifted over towards the girl as she passively looked on, noticing her with a small turn of her head.

"Yeah. She probably would. Maybe I can find her in a different future if this all works out."

Ruka smiled, contemplating the possible outcomes of their companionship.

That would be wonderful. "Maybe."

"We'll just have to see how this whole thing plays out."

"Indeed. I wish you the best of luck, Suzuha."

Hugging Ruka again, her arms gently surrounded the teen's sides, and a warm, soft hand rested upon the back of her neck.

A mother's touch... Just like I remember.

Separating, Ruka turned aside as Kamiko stepped over next to them, and both girls exchanged a nod of finality.

"You ready, Suzu?"

"Ready as I can be."

Eyes meeting, Kamiko released a silent exhale in a shiver.

Yes. As ready as I can be, to watch my friend disappear forever...

Turning towards the electric personnel carrier in the distance, both girls began a quiet pace forwards, only for Okabe to quickly catch up to them.

"Suzuha."

Placing his hand on her shoulder, Okabe watched her braids swing as her head turned to him, and then looked up to Kamiko, motioning her onward with his other hand.

"Oka-uh, Kyouma. Right?"

"Either one. Did you get the package?"

"I did. What's the reason?"

"Just in case. A little bit of mayhem can always be useful."

Seeing a mischievous smile rise on his face, her eyebrow rose.

"You sound like you've got experience with that."

"More than enough. Best of luck, Part-time girl."

Smiling, she then tilted her head slightly.

Part time... Where did that come from?

"Thanks. And thank you for allowing me to be here. Sure was nice while it lasted."

"It will always be my pleasure, Suzuha. Whether it be now, in the past, or in another future."

Smiling with a hint of a blush, her chest emptied in a seep as his hand lifted from her shoulder, continuing towards the rear of the personnel carrier.

I guess that's good to know. He's willing to provide shelter no matter when or where... But how would he even know who I am in the past?

Accepting Kamiko's outstretched hand in a familiar motion, she clambered up into the rear of the vehicle, taking several steps forwards towards the cab, and sitting beside the commander on the bench skirting the side walls of the vehicle, folder still in hand.

Oh well. That's probably going to be the least of my concerns for a while. Right now I have to focus on making it to the time machine alive in the first place.

04/23/2036; East Kawasaki Ghetto, SERN East-Asia Time, 22:17p.m.

Listening to the muted whir of electric motors among the hum of rubber tires, feeling each jostle and bounce of suspension, all eyes were on their unending urban surroundings as the soldiers observed the ghostly silhouettes of an abandoned city around them. Gripping the personnel carrier she sat in, eerie memories of dark and frightening skirmishes and encounters filtered through Suzuha's mind, causing her skin to crawl in a shiver, regardless of the muggy humidity of the coastal air.

This is why I don't like being out at night normally. Bad things and bad people lurk in the shadows. At least this time I'll have allies but... Who knows what's going to be out there by the harbor?

Looking down from the dimly lit stars peeking through the hazy sky, her eyes were warily wide as she observed the other four soldiers seated around her.

At least we have firepower. You can get through almost any situation with enough of that at your disposal... And I'm sure these guys are hardened by battle much more than Kamiko and I. Being out at night doesn't scare them. Or maybe it does, and they just know better than to show fear. I'm sure I looked a bit freaked out, and Kamiko...

Waiting as the commander's head turned, she noticed Suzuha, and a momentary hint of a smile lifted an otherwise uneasy expression, tempered by the fidgeting movement of her leg.

Yep. She is too. Emotions are already high, and we're hitching a ride somewhere unknown on the surface, with no clue how long it will be until bullets start flying towards us.

Body leaning from a turn, the vehicle tilted upwards as it ascended a ramp onto an elevated avenue, and all eyes peered ahead at the route stretching into the distance towards the Tokyo skyline, with hundreds of cars long-since cast to the sides, leaving a clear path down the middle of the two lanes.

I wonder if they brought that plow tank up here. Somebody took the time to shove everything out of the way... How would they even get away with doing stuff like this? Imagine all the noise of smashing thousands of cars around.

Vision passing between dozens of buildings of varying heights, the vehicle swiftly moved in and out of shadows, and her hand rested on the seat, thumb tucking under the flap of a pouch on her belt.

Obviously somebody got away with the ruckus at some point. Valkyrie seems to be good at that. They've lasted this long without being discovered... But then again, Okabe said that SERN's presence in Tokyo is vanishing anyway. There's obviously no battles going on, and probably even less people here. Nobody to oppress, so no reason for their troops to be standing around. SERN's probably moving everything south to Shizuoka where we're kicking their ass. But here we are, heading north to take them down with a silent, strategic blow.

Eyes sinking to the machine pistol resting against her bosom, she then scratched a momentary itch on her neck, brushing her finger against her braided hair. Looking to the rear of the vehicle, the outskirts of Kawasaki behind faded into the Minato precinct, and somewhere far in the distance, Valkyrie was now just a memory, hidden deep underground.

No turning back now. Not that that I was planning to... Not with everything that's been laid at my feet in the past couple of days.

Staring far away at the dark horizon, a rapid slideshow of memories played through her vision, but then ground to a halt when the soft warmth of fingertips settled atop her own.

Eyes closing from a surge of emotion bottled inside her chest, she spread her gloved hand apart, and the same fingers slipped through, tucking gently between her own. Then in a concise movement, they curled together in a steady grip, and her imagination wandered, distracting herself from the gloom surrounding them.

She must feel like I'm slipping away. Its only a matter of time, now that we're already headed towards my final destination...

Head turning, her vision rose from their hands to Kamiko sitting beside her, and she waited patiently as the young commander peeked at her bashfully, offering her a raise of an eyebrow, and then a warm smile.

Silly. I don't mind. Honestly.

Sharing unintended blushes, thankfully hidden by the darkness of night, both teens sat still, watching the other with utmost patience.

We're in this together, at least for a little while. And in this place, a little bit of something good is better than nothing at all.

Squeezing her friend's hand, and feeling her return the favor, a heavy-hearted breath left her nose.

A little bit of unexpected feelings between unexpected friends... Better than nothing at all.

04/23/2036; Valkyrie, 23:41p.m.

Shifting slightly, laying in a comfortable cuddle with Okabe, Ruka's head turned upright from his shoulder, eyes tiredly staring at the concrete ceiling above.

How long has it been... An hour? Two? Maybe they're within Tokyo's perimeter already. Hopefully they haven't encountered any hostile forces...

Inhaling a quiet, deep breath, Okabe stirred beside her, and she released it from her lungs as his hand delicately rested upon her side.

"Can't sleep?"

"Not at all."

"Haven't gotten much myself."

Turning his body towards her, they both shuffled together in an embrace underneath the covers of their bed, and she tucked her head under his unshaven chin, feeling his passive breath issue in and out through her hair.

"Thinking about the girls?"

"I can't help it."

His hand drifted up along her side, over the curve of her shoulder, and his fingers tucked up into her hair, bringing an expected murmur of comfort from her throat.

"I know."

"Every time Kamiko is out on assignment, I do nothing but worry for her. And now we have Suzuha, at long last, and she's out there too."

"She is. And the two of them together, along with four of our finest, should guarantee some manner of success."

"Do you not hope for complete success?"

"Of course I do. But half of this mission is what takes places once Suzuha goes back in time. We have no idea what will take place in the meantime, but once Suzuha departs our world line... The safe return of Kamiko and the others becomes our highest priority."

Laying still in the following silence, both of them anticipated embracing their daughter again.

"Hopefully they will return by sunrise."

"As long as their voyage encounters minimal issues, they should."

Legs curling closer to herself, Ruka's head turned slightly.

"Okabe."

"My love."

"In the event Suzuha isn't successful with her mission... Would you find it within yourself to allow her back to our time?"

"Of course."

Blinking unexpectedly, she swallowed.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely sure. Time travel tends to lead people to unfortunate circumstances, more often than it does them good. That's why I gave up years ago."

"Do you expect her to fail?"

"Not quite. She's had successes in the past. But with this mission, I cannot be entirely sure."

"I see."

"I cannot automatically fault her for failure either. She's going into the unknown, doubly so, and while I'm confident in her abilities, she's still a teenage girl... Not a miracle worker."

"I'm glad you feel that way... Because I spoke to her before they left, and told her she is more than welcome to return to Valkyrie... If need be."

A light chuckle left Okabe's throat.

"I'm not surprised. You're fond of that girl, as am I."

"As is Kamiko."

"True. Those two quickly found friendship."

"Among other things."

Laying still, Okabe's fingers continued brushing through her hair, gently running along her head.

"Yes. I know."

"You do?"

"Of course. I noticed how she began to act around Suzuha."

"You never made mention of it."

"I was simply observing. I'm sure she'll go to you about the matter first."

"You speak as if girls don't go to their fathers for emotional advice."

Okabe pressed his lips together in a hesitant pause.

"About boys, sure. But how would she feel talking to me about liking another girl?"

Ruka smiled unexpectedly from his bashful admittance.

"I'm sure she'll gladly talk to you about her feelings. Perhaps you should find time to talk to her about it."

"Perhaps I shall... Should I let her come to me first?"

Head turning, she pressed a kiss into his neck.

"Whatever you wish. It will mean a lot to her after tonight."

Free hands gently found their way together, arms resting on their sides, and Okabe lay in silent contemplation.

"Ruka."

"Yes?"

"...Is this why you've been hesitant about sending Suzuha away into the past?"

"Part of it. Its one thing to let go of a family friend we haven't seen for years, but to take away Kamiko's newfound companion... I'm sure its heartbreaking."

"Perhaps. But whether or not Suzuha is successful, I feel they'll reunite one way or another."

Ruka nudged her head up against his chin, finding no need to question his statement.

"I'd love to see that."

"Me too."

04/23/2036; North Shinagawa Precinct, Tokyo, SERN East-Asia Time, 00:03a.m.

Slowing to a halt, the quiet whine of regenerative brakes met the passenger's ears, and several stood, peering ahead at the mangled mess of concrete, steel, and numerous vehicles strewn before them on a collapsed portion of the elevated roadway, partially submerged into the canal below.

"Well, shit."

Stepping forward towards the cab, Kamiko ducked down by the rear window.

"Backtrack to the closest off-ramp. We'll find another entrance onto the avenue."

"We're close to the exit point anyway. The Ohi Racecourse is next to the curve up ahead, and the off-ramp was just beyond."

"Then we'll find a parallel route and dismount nearby. The park is just east of here."

"Alright. The battery monitor is showing sixty two percent charge left. We might have to lengthen the journey on foot to be safe."

"We should be fine."

Standing upright, she gripped the bed of the vehicle as it slowly backed in a three-point turn, heading back down the same road.

Minimal hindrances. We should be fine. If it gets below fifty-five percent then we're stopping immediately.

Looking to Suzuha seated nearby, she studied the weapon strapped against her chest, and her thumb tucked underneath the sling of her own rifle on her shoulder.

We'll get you to the park, Suzu. As much as I don't want you to go.

Crossing several lanes, and whizzing past a toll booth, the vehicle rounded another corner, heading west along a different avenue and rapidly approaching a large intersection ahead. Furrowing her eyebrows, Kamiko knelt down by the window again.

"Isn't that the Daiichi-Keihin?"

"I believe so."

"Weren't we originally on it?"

"We merged onto the Kannana Dori, which took us to the cloverleaf back that way. It was faster until we encountered the destroyed bridge a minute ago."

"Alright. After this turn, stay on this road. There shouldn't be any more bridges to foul us."

Holding on as the personnel carrier made a sweeping turn to the right, the vehicle rapidly accelerated from the four wide open lanes ahead, and Kamiko shuffled over, sitting besides Suzuha again and watching as a smiled lifted her cheeks from the unexpected speed tossing their hair around.

"Taking a detour?"

"Sort of!"

Whizzing past abandoned vehicles and several buses and a second toll booth, a row of multi-story apartments rose prominently alongside the nearby canal, and the Keikyu Rail line passed over the avenue on a lengthy viaduct, enveloping them in its shadow for a moment.

Another half kilometer or so... Almost there.

Heads turned in varying orbits of observation as their eyes scanned their surroundings for activity, and weapons were checked, but attentions then went forwards as the vehicle began to slow, nearing an intersection on their intended road. Approaching it with apprehension, two hands pointed to an open space on the right, and Kamiko moved back to the cab window.

"Go right."

"There?"

"Yes. Over by the playground."

Crossing several lanes and pulling into the concrete expanse of a corner park, they drew to a halt, parking under the shadow of the concrete railway bridge soaring above.

"Charge level?"

"Fifty nine percent."

Turning to the others, Kamiko produced a hesitant nod.

"We're on foot from here."

Rising to their feet, all five individuals began a procession of hopping down from the bed of the vehicle, joined by the soldier who was previously driving. Gathering in a circle, Kamiko looked to the man as he slipped a key chain around his neck, confirming the vehicle was now locked and unusable.

"Alright. According to the maps we've all studied, we're to head straight east on this road, cross the Shinagawa canal, and just beyond the railway yard will be Minatogaoka Futo Park. Its triangular in shape, so I imagine it won't be hard to recognize, even at this hour."

Looking to Suzuha, all eyes went to the teen in response.

"Once Miss Amane finds her way to the machine hidden somewhere in the park, we will bid her farewell and head back to our ride home, and hopefully find our way back to the Gate in one piece before the sun rises."

"Yes ma'am."

"Understood."

"Kyouma is trusting us all to survive this mission, and personally, I'd like to return home for breakfast. Lets make this one count."

Extending her hand, all six individuals put their palms in the center, and after a moment of silent acceptance, their arms all lifted upwards.

"Lets go."

Splitting into three pairs and bringing various rifles to their shoulders readily, Suzuha loosened the sling around her shoulder, fingers curling around the grips of her PM-9 readily. Just beside her, Kamiko brought her rifle to her hands, and they traded matching nods.

"You're with me, Suzu."

"Figured as much."

Moving in tandem, all six soldiers proceeded onto the street, spreading apart across the road and keeping in a constant pace, passing a variety of homes and shops lining the sidewalks, with passing glances into windows and doorways. Listening to the shuffle of her backpack's contents, Suzuha drew in a breath of anticipation, keeping a vigilant eye on the street ahead as Kamiko regularly glanced behind them, making sure they weren't being followed.

Always check your six. She knows. Everybody here knows that one.

Drawing to a halt at a smaller intersection, several glances and silent gestures were exchanged between the soldiers on opposite corners as they scrutinized the cross street, seeing nothing but vacant vehicles lining the narrow lane. Eying Kamiko as she motioned everyone forwards, they hustled across the street, continuing their pace.

Sure would be weird if we don't even encounter anybody. Packing tons of guns and not firing a shot... Yeah right.

Discovering a grove of trees lining the side of the road, Suzuha's heart then raced unexpectedly, only to realize it wasn't their objective as they drew closer.

Damn. For a moment I thought we already made it. But this one is... Shinagawa. And not a triangle next to a railway yard.

Tucking into the dark cover of the trees, all six soldiers slowed their pace, quieting their footfall upon realization of a light illuminating the street in the distance.

"Contact."

Skin crawling from the whisper, eyes strained through the tree cover towards the light, and the hum of a small generator met their ears.

"How many?"

"Three. Just beyond the highway."

"Do we engage?"

"At will. Find positions ahead. They probably can't see or hear us."

Sinking down onto her knee, Kamiko watched with approval as all four soldiers spread out, silently disappearing among the silhouettes of the trees ahead. After a few seconds, Suzuha hunched down beside her, looking around as the footfall ceased, fading into the distant hum of the generator.

*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*

Jumping from the startling quartet of gunshots, Suzuha stood to her feet as the distant generator sputtered to a halt, and the light shut off, cloaking three enemy bodies that now lay on the sidewalk in the distance.

Holy hell. That was fast.

Kamiko rose beside her, and both girls moved forward swiftly, rejoining the four soldiers as they resumed their paired movement, emerging from the trees, and passing underneath the highway bridge unfettered. Around them, several parking garages rose alongside the avenue, bringing eyes upwards in a vain scan for movement on the concrete structures.

So far, so good...

Looking further ahead however, the hurried bobbing of several high-power flashlights illuminated an upcoming intersection, and a distant crackle of radio chatter echoed for a brief moment, causing the group of soldiers to splinter apart, footfall slowing as they approached a pedestrian bridge over the road. Sinking to their knees again, several hand gestures and nods were traded back and forth, and the muzzles of six firearms rose towards the intersection, anxiously waiting as the beams of light grew narrower. Then, in a alarming realization, over a dozen SERN troops appeared in a mass of movement, toting numerous rifles with flashlights affixed to them.

That explains the erratic light...

Hands tightened around firearms as the cluster of enemies drew to a halt in the middle of the intersection, and then turned directly towards the group. Moving in a hurried march down the opposite lanes, a heart-racing moment of suspense began as they drew closer, seemingly unaware.

Lining up the iron sights on her PM-9, Suzuha held her breath, aiming at the torso of one enemy in particular.

*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*

An eruption of gunfire began, with Kamiko's rifle blasting a distinct report only a few meters away, and her index finger clenched around the trigger of the machine-pistol, beginning a volley of automatic fire erupting in front of her. In seconds, the man she aimed at dropped to the ground alongside five others, and another spun in whirl as his arm was riddled with several stray bullets, and the rest of the group scattered in surprise, with some returning fire haphazardly before being cut down in quick succession.

Gasping in alarm as several bullets whizzed past, ricocheting off the pavement around her and striking the buildings behind, Suzuha launched aside to her feet as the rest of the group swiftly began an evasive sprint towards the pedestrian bridge ahead, and numerous flashes lit up the street from the thunder of gunfire on both sides. Darting around a steel fence surrounding the concrete pillars of the structure, Suzuha spun around, peeking around the corner and letting loose
another stream of bullets in covering fire, ducking back behind the fencing as casings clattered to the sidewalk, and several bullets struck the steel with sharp impacts.

Heart racing as she scurried over behind the concrete, she looked around rapidly for Kamiko, pausing as another series of high-powered rifle reports pierced the air, answered by several shots returning from the distance.

"Four hostiles!"

*BANG*

*BANG*

"Two!"

Blinking as the Commander suddenly appeared beside her, she watched as Kamiko pried an empty magazine from her rifle, tugging another from a pouch, and shoving the empty one into its place.

"You alright?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Fine. Guess we're fighting our way to the park."

Shoving the loaded magazine home inside the rifle's receiver, the action slid forward in a sharp snap, and she turned her head aside, only to rise to her feet again and lean around the concrete pillar.

*BANG*

"One!"

*BANGBANGBANG*

Blinking as silence fell upon the area, punctuated by the clatter of a single brass casing, Suzuha rose to her feet, and Kamiko motioned her along as their footfall began just beyond, rejoining the forward progression.

"Keep moving!"

Breathing with a rush of adrenaline, the shadows of three large pale-colored buildings hung over both sides of the avenue, and Suzuha's vision distractedly rose up along them, eying the names adorning the sides of the structures as she jogged forwards.

Tri-Net, Tokibo... Tri-Net again... The air sure is getting cooler all of a sudden.

Passing under the twin elevated tracks of the long-abandoned Tokyo Monorail, a pleasantly cool breeze drifted across clothing and sweaty skin, and around the bridge they ran upon, the Shinagawa canal lazily flowed with murky water, reflecting the dim moonlight hidden under the overcast above.

Ah. That's why.

Ears perking from several distant gunshots from behind, the whistle of a bullet going past her head caused her to duck down and break into a dogged sprint, and several swears left soldier's mouths as they split apart again, migrating to both sides of the bridge as another unexpected battle began.

"More hostiles on our six!"

"Engaging!"

Watching one man turn around and fire several shots from his assault rifle, he suddenly lurched and sprawled out sideways onto the pavement, gun clattering aside next to him.

"Akamatsu!"

"Holy shit, get him off the road!"

Biting her lip, Suzuha rapidly turned around in a split-second decision, keeping herself low and screeching to a halt beside the man as he visibly writhed in pain.

"Oh man, are you alright?"

"My ribs hurt like hell... Help me up."

"Hold on."

Peering down the road as tracers of rifle fire whizzed back and forth, a tuft of dust appeared just before her as a bullet ricocheted between both of them, and Suzuha took a step aside, squeezing the trigger and blasting several short bursts of lead and fire downrange, watching as two distant individuals ran for cover from the hail of smaller-caliber bullets.

Additional stomps of boots approached, and the female soldier appeared, grabbing the wounded soldier's arm. In just the same motion, Suzuha curled her free arm around his other limb, and both women swiftly dragged him out of harm's way, teeth gritting from the weight and several bullets flying past uncomfortably close to the three of them. Ducking down behind a low concrete wall skirting the viaduct, they winced as a stray bullet struck the light pole beside them.

"God dammit Akama. We can't have casualties on this assignment!"

"Its not like I got shot on purpose!"

Watching the woman rap her knuckles against his chest, dull thuds of a chestplate met their ears.

"You're wearing Kevlar anyway!"

Heads turned as Kamiko rapidly descended down beside them, and she inspected the hole in his camouflage shirt for a moment.

"You'll be fine."

"Still hurts like a mother!"

"I'm sure it does, but you could've had a lethal hole in your lung instead. We need to keep going."

"Commander, they must have a concentration of troops somewhere back there."

"We've hopefully eliminated most of them. If we keep getting followed, we may have to find an alternate route back to the truck."

"Understood."

Looking to Suzuha with a nod, she stepped aside and leaned around the light pole, and a bright flash was followed by the jarring, loud report of her semi-automatic rifle. Head turning to the two soldiers across the road, numerous flashes and blasts ensued from their opposite position, and within a spare few moments, silence fell over the area again, replaced by the calm flowing of water beneath them.

Peeking around the fencing, nothing but a dark body-strewn street met her eyes in the distance, and she hesitantly stood upright, holding her machine pistol readily and staring in the distance as the others hurried back into a group behind. Then, a gloved hand set upon her shoulder, and with a turn of her head, Kamiko's face entered her vision, expression softening as their eyes met.

"Come on, Suzu."

Taking a breath, she moved back alongside the commander, boots kicking spent casings along the pavement as they rejoining the others, accelerating into a jog across the bridge.

"Once we cross the canal, we should be at least halfway to the objective. Ahead are two bridges spanning the Bayshore Expressway and the JR railway yard. Neither will have very much cover, so try to keep moving if possible. If we're lucky, we'll get to the park in a short period of time. Stay on your toes in the meantime!"

Peeking to Suzuha just beside her, watching the bob of her tied braids as she focused on the street ahead, Kamiko brought in a deeper breath, hiding a reluctant sigh.

And if we're really lucky, there actually will be a time machine in the park, and this whole mission won't be a dangerous expedition for nothing... And then I'll be the luckiest of all, watching my friend magically disappear into the past.

04/23/2036; South Minato Precinct, Tokyo, SERN East-Asia Time, 01:17a.m.

Diverting from the avenue as it rose uphill onto an elevated interchange, the group moved in line onto a pedestrian path that rose off the ground, paralleling the road that was littered with several dozen abandoned trucks, tractor trailers and other automobiles. Around them, several thick groves of overgrown trees surrounded the pavement and concrete, shrouding the area in an eerie, slow moving mass of dark leaves.

Heads turned as the distant rumbles of an engine and exhaust met their ears, and further ahead, an open-topped cargo truck turned onto the avenue with several men standing in the bed, and hearts raced from the potential encounter as it shifted gears, swiftly growing louder.

"Hit the dirt, now!"

Blinking from the hushed command, Suzuha dropped down along with the five others, laying still on the elevated pathway in an attempt to appear lifeless as the headlights of the vehicle drew near, and the truck coasted past, oblivious of their presence.

Heads rose and several eyes peered through the fence, watching the truck until it disappeared from sight behind several vehicles. Then the six of them rose in an unspoken command, breaking into a forward sprint, realizing their captive position on the narrow elevated pathway.

Better here than right there on the road when those guys rolled by... But we can only go one of two ways right now.

Peering across at the road towards the steel girders of a silhouetted radio tower, Suzuha's attention then joined the others as red brake lights reflected off vehicles in the distance, joined by the whine of high RPMs of a vehicle in reverse.

"Its coming back."

"Focus on the cab and take out the driver."

Hustling around the corner of the elevated pathway as it rejoined the avenue, positions were taken behind a low wall, and several guns hungrily awaited the appearance of the enemy vehicle.

Squinting from the flash of brake and reverse lights, a riot of gunfire began, and numerous bullets struck the side of the cab, destroying the window and side mirror and blowing out the front tire, causing it to swerve and smash into the barrier. After a moment of confusion from the empty vehicle, the group of SERN grunts previously riding on the truck began shooting errantly in suppressing fire, lighting up their position just down the road.

Clever assholes... Gave away our position before they revealed their own.

*BANG*
*BANG*

Shouldn't matter. They're exposed and we have cover.

*BANG*

Gripping her PM-9 and kneeling low against the wall behind, two quick moving grunts appeared, and she squeezed the trigger several times, firing off several rapid bursts of fire and cutting down one, only to gasp sharply as a bullet struck the concrete near her shoulder, sending fragments flying as the other grunt tumbled to the ground in the corner of her eye.

Watching another three targets appear, her machine-pistol spewed several more shots in rapid succession, only to halt in silence.

Ohhh crap.

*BANG*

Hopping out of sight, startled by the sudden vulnerability, she ejected the drum magazine from the receiver of the weapon, blinking at the lack of bullets sitting inside.

Man, fifty rounds already?

Shedding her backpack as gunfire continued around her, she ripped the zipper open, dropping the empty magazine inside and zipping it up, swinging the straps around her shoulders, and shakily prying a straight magazine from a pouch on her belt, shoving it inside the weapon and tugging back the action, loading it.

These little magazines won't last for shit. I just know it.

Brushing past standing and kneeling comrades, she peeked around the corner, grimacing as two constant flashes and reports of sub-machine gun fire riddled their surroundings. Poking the weapon around the corner, she pulled the trigger and blindly sent a stream of bullets downrange, hands jerking from the relentless rises of recoil. Then in a moment experienced seconds earlier, the gun clicked empty, and she rolled her eyes.

Stupid thing. I knew it.

Ejecting the magazine onto the ground below, she then plucked it off the rough concrete, stuffing it back inside the open pouch. Pulling another one from her belt and sliding it inside in just the same manner, she instead sat still against the wall, waiting as a blanket of silence fell over the area, and casings ceased falling.

"Should be all of them."

"Anyone hit, besides Akamatsu?"

"Nope."

"Negative."

Looking over, body shaking and hands sweaty from the firefight, Suzuha's eyes met Kamiko's outstretched arm.

"You good, Suzu?"

Accepting her hand and rising to her feet, she nodded, noticing the disheveled appearance of Kamiko, and then the others.

"Yeah. I'm alright."

"Good. Now that we've burned up half of our ammunition... Let's be on our way."

"Commander, there's numerous guns left behind by downed hostiles."

"We'll make use of them if need be. More than likely we'll return on this same path we've been taking."

"How do we deal with reinforcements?"

"Evasion, swift travel... Ideally, we've already eliminated any local opposition. If we're quick enough, we'll be back to the transport before SERN can dispatch any assistance to the area."

04/23/2036; South Minato Precinct, Tokyo, SERN East-Asia Time, 01:53a.m.

Walking in a brisk march, the group moved along an empty sidewalk on a large four-lane bridge spanning the previously mentioned railway yard. Alongside them, more trucks and vans sat, derelict and abandoned, and after a short time, Suzuha's eyes peered beyond the fencing next to them. Stretching into the distance, dozens of buildings and several long sheds sat among numerous lines of railway track, dotted with catenary masts and a complex maze of overhead wire. On several tracks, high speed Shinkansen train-sets and smaller commuter trains rested peacefully on the rusting rails, sitting untouched and abandoned for several years. Further in the distance, a large paved area hosted several lines of stacked containers, hinting at the massive coastal dockyards just beyond.

So the invasion of Tokyo... Left almost everything out here untouched. And yet somebody thought it would be fun to bomb Kawasaki and Yokohama.

Head turning towards a large paved on-ramp the approached, several large groups of vehicles sat smashed together, evident of a previous encounter with a much heavier tank.

Guess Tokyo is the capitol after all. All it took was wiping out the national government... Then SERN was free to take over the country.

Her heart raced from the thought that followed.

That is, unless somebody went back in time and prevented that from happening...

Vision panning from the railway yard, past a large white and blue striped building, she then noticed Kamiko focusing across the road, and her eyes shifted towards another large group of trees in the distance.

What's she seeing?

Holding her hand up, the soldiers drew to a halt behind the commander, and she pointed towards the silhouetted vegetation.

"Over there. That's our destination."

"The trees?"

"That's the park. Check your maps if you have to."

Swallowing as the commander hopped over the low barrier alongside the sidewalk, Suzuha's vision strained towards the dark mass in the distance, following the others as they shuffled over the barrier and began a procession across several lanes of the avenue.

No way. Somewhere in there, is my dad's time machine...?

Hustling up beside Kamiko, hesitant breath left her lungs as her hands gripped the opposite barrier, holding herself aloft as her legs vaulted her body over it.

"You think its there?"

"Has to be. Kyouma said its been sitting in Minatogaoka Futo park. Between the dockyard and the railway yard. We're between both, aren't we?"

"Yeah. I just can't believe... I mean, its just sitting somewhere ahead of us. Hopefully."

"We'll see, Suzu. We have to get there first."

"Then let's go!"

Quickening their pace, the group hurried along the sidewalk as the road slowly sank back down to surface level, giving an illusion of the trees growing taller beside them. Navigating around an overturned box-truck, their eyes discovered a small white police box shrouded by trees, and just beyond, a massive multi-lane intersection opened up ahead.

"On the left. Stay sharp."

Passing underneath a road sign, the trees ended, and a circular street corner appeared, adorned with a variety of signs, derelict vending machines, and a strange metal sculpture inset into a pit. Reading one of the signs, sighs and breaths of relief were released from the name visible, and the other four soldiers slowly took positions among the trees, disappearing into the surrounding darkness.

Standing beside Suzuha, Kamiko eyed the others, knowing they were preparing to keep watch on the park's entrance.

"Alright, Suzu."

Looking aside at her friend, and watching as her attention slowly turned to her, she exhaled as their eyes met.

"...Let's go find what we've been looking for."

With a hesitant nod, she proceeded forwards, approaching the first of several shallow sets of stairs and dry fountains, and listening to the shuffle and crunch of leaves beneath their boots.

We're actually here. Minatogaoka Futo, the triangle-shaped park surrounded by industry. And somewhere in these trees...

Walking side by side, both teens breathed heavily, laden with their supplies, weapons, and mysterious anticipation.

...Stands our parent's time machine. FG204.