Episode 13: End of a Long Night

After putting Reiter back with their units, Gerald joined up with Mary to search for Kazumi and Mikumo. The commander of the Thanatos squadron is leaning on a black bike when Gerald arrived to their rendezvous point.

"How's she doing?"

Mary asked.

"She's fine but definitely in a bad mood."

Replied Gerald. Reiter had been muttering something darkly the last time he saw her which was when he put her in his unit's co-pilot seat after patching up her injuries.

Still, Gerald can't believe that Reiter could lose against Shinomiya Kazumi. Or rather, he's surprised that Kazumi could match a highly trained super soldier without much problem. His commander had told him that Kazumi is very capable and Reiter could be emotionally compromised so her defeat is certain but seeing is believing as they say.

"Not unexpected. Proceed as planned then. It's too bad that Reiter couldn't injure the Bloodraven some more but Mikumo Guynemer is heavily injured so their movement have been slowed down. We have only… two more hours until the jamming stopped. If we can't get them by then, we will retreat."

"Copy that commander. So now we find them?"

Mary nodded. Having got his order from Mary, Gerald began his search for the duo while the masked commander is left alone. Once Gerald is out of sight, Mary checked up on her probes that had infiltrated Elysion and hacked its system. It's nothing drastic, just jamming their frequency a little and downloading some data. She cannot mess up their systems or they'll be found out quickly.

She had been subtle and had spent a good part of the day downloading data pertaining the Delta flight, Walkure, and Mikumo. It's a slow process but it can't be helped because she had to make sure she's not found, especially with Reina Prowler around. Fortunately, Reina was busy with rehearsal so she had not found time to get into a console or she'd have to pull out before managing to find anything worthwhile.

"…I guess that should be enough. Well then, let's finish this hunt, shall we? I look forward to finally meeting you face-to-face, Kazumi."


Kazumi and Mikumo moved between buildings cautiously, making sure that they're not easily spotted. They are currently stopping under a house with Kazumi trying to call for backup. Unfortunately he's not getting through to anyone.

"I can't get through to anyone."

"They're jamming the signals. But why haven't anyone noticed?"

Mikumo wondered. Kazumi is also asking the same question. Kazumi also have the same thought. Why have nobody noticed? Maybe the jamming is specified? Whatever it is, it remains a fact that they won't be getting any backup and that annoys Kazumi, more because it will only cause more danger to Mikumo.

The duo continue to walk. There's a small base at the foot of the mountain below Elysion. That is their destination, the place where the cable car is and the only way to go to the Macross battleship towering above the city. Once they arrived there they are relatively safe.

Though in hindsight, it would've been better if they ran towards the beach after the fight with Wynn. From there they could've gone to Ragnyannyan or Island 1. Still, there's no use crying over spilled milk. What's done is done and it's too far to turn back now.

"Security is rather lax around here, don't you think?"

Kazumi commented because he had not seen any military personel around. And come to think of it, he didn't see any military officers around during the day too apart from those who are off duty.

"We never had someone infiltrating us like this."

That is all the explanation Kazumi needed. The few times any hostiles entered the planet it always ended up with frontal engagement. It's always straight up combat, never infiltration. But this team they're facing is special black ops team trained for this kind of infiltration mission. Walkure and the Delta flight had done lots of infiltration missions in the past. It's different when your base is the one being infiltrated.

Kazumi recheck his equipments. He still have four spare magazines for his gun, a butterfly knife, one more flash grenade and two frag grenades. It should be sufficient to fight their remaining opponent(s) but Kazumi would rather they don't fight at all. Still, hope for the best while prepare for the worst.

"When this is over, I'm getting us a bike."

Kazumi muttered while swearing that he'll really get one for them to use after this. A bike would've been useful right about now. Mikumo who heard him chuckled. That's very true. If they had a bike they could get away faster.

They got out from their cover to continue walking to their destination. But halfway to the next cover, Kazumi heard some heavy footsteps running closer. He pull Mikumo to him and carry her to a cover. He told her to hold her voice as he peeked out from their cover behind a barrel.

The footsteps belong to a male soldier with muscular build and short blonde hair. He wore a white shirt and a cargo pants as well as a military combat boots. Gerald Gendlin scanned the area with his cybernetic eyes and stopped right where Kazumi and Mikumo are hiding. He raised his gun and points it at the barrel.

"There you are, Shinomiya!"

'Ohh crap, I forgot that these guys have implants!'

Kazumi cursed himself for forgetting that fact. He had known that Wynn possess implants in her body so her allies most likely have them too. His eyes are also cybernetic and he could detect them with the built-in heat vision. Not wasting any time, Kazumi kicked the barrel towards Gerald, spilling the contents which are fresh fishes.

Gerald had to leap over the fishes because running through them will only cause him to slip with how slippery they are. His enhanced body allow him to jump easily over the pile of fishes and barrels.

But before he landed, he saw Kazumi already aiming his gun at him and pulled the trigger three times. Gerald quickly evade but with his size and the narrow space along with being in midair makes it hard. At least he had managed to dodge the bullet aimed at his head while the other two struck his right arm and his abdomen with the hit to his arm causing him to drop his gun.

"Ukh… damn."

Gerald cursed. He didn't expect that. It's like Kazumi had anticipated what he would do and even where he would be when he jumped. He's good, he's even better than most of his old trainer.

When a fourth and fifth shot came, Gerald had landed and crouched down. The bullets missed him by inches from his hair. He then spun on his feet, picking up his gun that he dropped earlier with his left hand. Once he spun a full three sixty degrees, he pulled the trigger.

To his surprise, Kazumi had gotten close to him and his head tilted to the right, avoiding the bullet that would've struck him in the head by inches which grazed his cheek.

Kazumi then stab the hand holding the gun with his butterfly knife and twist it inside his arm, causing Gerald to drop his gun again. Kazumi was about to finish him off with a bullet to the head but Gerald ignored the pain that would've made other men pause and push him away. Kazumi managed to pull the trigger but missed completely. Gerald backflipped and got out from the alley where they had been engaging each other while Kazumi walk out slowly with his gun trained on him.

Gerald is panting. It seems that Thanatos 4 was defeated not only due to her emotion but Bloodraven is just that good. He moves fast and he fights as if he could sometimes read his opponent's movements. Even with his cybernetic implants he could barely follow his movement. He had only fought one other person just as good as Kazumi or even better and that was the commander herself.

Kazumi empty his magazine at him but Gerald manage to dodge his bullets although with great difficulty. Kazumi's shots are accurate and fast. If he didn't have his enhanced senses, he would be killed for sure.

The ace pilot reloaded his gun and began shooting at him again while Mikumo stood behind him. Gerald began to consider his options. His only fire weapon is gone so all he has is his knife because heavy weapons are forbidden by the commander. He has no other choice but to engage him in close combat.

Gerald ran at Kazumi while dodging his bullets, pulling his knife along the way. Suddenly Kazumi throw his gun and also charge at him with his own knife. Gerald lunged at him but Kazumi managed to block his knife with his own, shifting the angel of the flat side of his blade so that Gerald's knife would slide on its surface and miss.

Kazumi kneed him in the gut after he slipped with his knife and punch him in the face, all in quick succession. He shifted his knife to a backhanded position and stabbed him in the chest, barely missing his heart because Gerald moved at the last moments to avoid a fatal injury.

"Is that all you got?"

Kazumi asked as he thrust his palm at him, pushing the man away. He switched his grip on his knife, holding it in upright position once again. His stance is relaxed like he didn't even consider Gerald as a threat which irritates the man.

"You know, I was holding back when I beat Wynn. We were planning to take her alive. But I have no more reservation with Mikumo injured. Now, just go back and I'll spare your life."

Kazumi told Gerald.

Gerald doesn't know if he should feel humiliated. He didn't even manage to injure him. In fact, the Bloodraven had had an easier time beating him than when he beat Reiter. His movement was also more fluid and aimed more to kill unlike with Reiter.

"I see you're having problem against Kazumi. I should've expected as much."

"Commander?!"

Kazumi's eyes suddenly widened when another person arrives on the scene. It is the masked commander of Thanatos squadron dressed in black. Kazumi became tense as his eyes narrowed at Mary. His stance is no longer relaxed as he carefully watched the commander who has a sheathed sword on her hip.

"Mary."

"Bloodraven."

Kazumi and Mary greeted each other. Mary smirked when she saw Gerald in a bad condition. She had anticipated as much. After all, Gerald is a conventional soldier and he fights like one. Although he's physically stronger than Wynn and herself, it makes him more predictable and being predictable is a massive weakness when facing someone like Kazumi.

"You're everything your reputation made you out to be."

Kazumi did not reply and instead tighten his grip on his knife. Mary chuckled… and then she struck.

She drew her sword and close the gap between them is a mere second. Kazumi widened his eyes and position his knife to block. He tried the same trick he did with Gerald when he struck with his knife… but it doesn't work on Mary.

Their respective blade met only for a second when Mary raise her leg and pivoted. Kazumi was taken by surprise by her kick and had to defend using his arm because there's no time to dodge. Mary's kick connect with Kazumi's arm. Kazumi winced as he felt her cybernetically enhanced kick almost breaking his bones.

Mary followed up with bringing her sword down on Kazumi who sidestepped it. But her blade changed direction just as it missed cleaving him. Kazumi brought up his knife, having expected that to happen. He managed to stop the sword but was almost caught in another kick if he didn't quickly disengage and fall back.

Suddenly Gerald ran past him because he was distracted by Mary. Thanatos 5 decided that he should complete the objective and leave Bloodraven to the commander so he went straight for Mikumo who is left unguarded.

Walkure's lead singer had picked up Kazumi's gun and began shooting at Gerald. Unfortunately, due to the pain from her wound, her aim is off and Gerald easily dodged the bullets.

"Mikumo!"

Just as Gerald was about to reach Mikumo, a shadow jump down from the roof above them and kicked him away. Kazumi, Mikumo, and Mary are surprised by the interference.

The person who interfered has his face obscured by a hood. When the person pulled down the hood, Mary knew immediately that they are trouble and Gerald won't be able to win.

The person who interfered is a man with long blonde hair and an eyepatch covering his left eye. He is a handsome young man who is around the same age as Kazumi himself. What they all took note though is the glowing accessory-like thing connected to his hair. It's a Rune, a special appendage that belongs to the people of Windermere.

"I will not let you touch the Star Singer."

The White Knight of Darwent, Keith Aero Windermere said, standing between Mikumo and Gerald. There's a short pause after Keith spoke until someone else broke the silence. Mary sheathed her sword.

"Noblesse, we're leaving."

Mary ordered, calling Gerald with his callsign. It looks like Mikumo will live for another day due to the unexpected development. Too bad that the White Knight of Darwent interfered or her fight with Kazumi could've gone longer. But Gerald wouldn't be able to handle Keith, especially after the injuries he received from Kazumi. Mary could handle each of them alone but if Kazumi were to team up with Keith then even she would be hard-pressed to defeat both of them which will happen if she let this continue.

Still, this is an interesting development. The White Knight of Darwent was supposedly killed inside Star Singer's shrine when he stayed behind to kill Roid Brehm according to reports. Apparently the reports are wrong. Seeing no other option, she has no other choice than to retreat.

"But commander!"

"We cannot win against both the Bloodraven and the White Knight."

Gerald grumbled but relented. Before they left though, Mary said one last thing to Kazumi.

"Ohh and I left you a little present. Have a blast."

The moment Mary finished speaking, the alarm suddenly blared from Macross Elysion. Kazumi naturally turn to look at Elysion that suddenly came to life but realize immediately that it's a distraction and when he turn back to the two Thanatos squadron members, they're already gone.