I don't mean to take this much time to update. I'm sorry.

5: New choice

Walking with silent steps on the academy grounds, Mikhail could feel the cold night air biting his skin. It was after midnight that he deemed nobody would be awake or interested in following his movements, and so he could operate without unwanted witnesses.

To his knowledge, unit one had been left alone as instructed. Mikhail had ordered Renbokoji the pilot to monitor the cameras closest to the machine and report any too curious students to him. No reports had reached him, and while he was uneasy trusting this matter to anyone, he had no choice but to rely on Renbokoji's word.

He opened the hatch of the first unit and hopped on the pilot's seat. The cockpit lit up automatically and the screen in front of him flared to life.

"Hello, not-Haruto!" The woman on the screen waved at him cheerfully. The man also appeared, watching Mikhail skeptically with his arms crossed.

"It's Mikhail," he answered to the screen. "Can anyone else take control of this thing at the moment?"

"Yup!" Pino chirped, but then her face turned down to a pout. "Please get someone compatible here, we're hungry," she whined.

It meant that he could still utilize Hito without depending on Tokishima. This information was a relief and opened new paths for his future plans, and he felt some tension leave his shoulders.

"What happens to your connection with Tokishima?" he continued, not promising anything before he had all intel he could possibly gather.

"Nothing! I would provide him with runes if I could, but our connection goes only one way," Pino replied pouting, something like regret and pity in her voice.

Mikhail didn't know if this AI had any sort of capability for feelings, but if it didn't, it was still mimicking them convincingly. But he knew not to be fooled by the possible act, and didn't change his passive expression.

"I'll pick a pilot for you, if you can guarantee no turn for worse when it comes to Tokishima's current condition. Can he continue piloting when he wakes up?"

"You seem awfully sure he is going to make a comeback," the male version butted in, before Pino could answer. Prue's demeanor was reserved and doubtful of the human presence.

Mikhail, in turn, crossed his arms. "He is. I'm not going to let him sleep forever."

Pino stared at him with wide eyes for a second, before throwing her arms up with excitement. "Yay! Do your best, I miss him!"

Prue relaxed slightly, seemingly being more accepting of Mikhail and his quest, probably because his sister was rooting for him. "Fine. But hurry up with the new pilot, we're running low on runes," he conceded.

"Few things left," Mikhail stated. "Since you somehow were transferred from Cain's Valvrave to this one, could you do the same trick on one of the other machines?"

"No," was the immediate and defiant reply. "First, I can't because all the others are Mirror Engines, unlike this one. Second, I don't want to be separated from Pino again." Prue was now slightly glaring at Mikhail. Pino seemed to shrink into herself, also showing signs of uneasiness.

"Right, no separation. How about other pilots feeding and getting runes? Would you get any those?"

Prue pondered for a moment. "Some of it, yes, but it's not as effective. We wouldn't get enough to keep both units running at full power. We need a dedicated pilot."

It was most likely doubly inefficient, since there were now two entities requiring fuel inside the engine. Why the mirror engines had such a feature (more like a bug) implemented was a bit baffling, but Mikhail dismissed the information for now. His foremost worry now was to somehow hook a capable – and willing enough – student for the new job.

Deciding he had enough intel for now, Mikhail said his brief goodbyes and made his way out of the unit and back towards the dormitory building, walking on autopilot and in thought.

He still had the records of each student's proficiency, but even if he found the best one, there was a high chance they would need to be won over. He didn't need an amazing pilot who was against him or against fighting – he needed a good pilot who could to what they were told to do. It was ideal if he could pick them as soon as tomorrow, which meant his night would continue until the early morning.

Assured she was alone, Takahi let out a very unladylike yawn and stretched her free arm up. In the other hand she was holding a cup of hot coffee. She was walking towards one of the control rooms underground, where the module's safety was seen to. It was early morning and her observation shift was set to begin in few minutes.

Early rising wasn't her forte, and she couldn't say she was happy to get up and go to work, but even she in her self-serving mind knew now wasn't a good time to be selfish. They were all screwed if an enemy attacked, and Takahi certainly wasn't going to take blame if she wasn't at her appointed place when she was supposed to be.

"Ninomiya Takahi!"

Takahi was just about to open the door to her destination when a shout that came from behind startled her. Turning to see her addresser, she could see their leader striding towards her from the end of the empty corridor. Wondering what kind of job she would now receive, she slightly slumped her shoulders in response.

Mikhail was fast in his steps and was soon close enough to drop a bomb on her.

"Pilot the first unit."

Just for a little bit, Takahi could later swear her brain grinded to a halt. Her first thought was that today so wasn't worth waking up for.

She realized her mouth might have been hanging little more open than intended and snapped it shut before recoiling and snapping at Mikhail.

"What! Why me of all people?!"

His response was to merely cross his arms calmly. "You are my second best candidate when it comes to pure piloting ability. Your ability to follow orders ranks merely sixth, but it is outranked by your ability enough for me to overlook it. You know how to take command to an extent, but you are not ready to make necessary sacrifices, nor is your leadership —"

"Stop, stop!" Takahi screeched. This clearly insane man just walked up to her and started psychoanalyzing her right to her face. It would piss anyone off.

As if no outburst had happened Mikhail continued. "If you don't need the whole list, just say yes or no. It's not an order, at least at the moment. If all suitable candidates refuse, I have to appoint someone. There is a high chance I will pick you."

"Pick for what?"

The door to control room opened and Sashinami slipped into the corridor, door sliding shut behind her. Takahi could see how tired she was, the night shift schedule clearly getting to her.

They had had their disagreements before – Takahi could admit some fault lied in her for them – but she couldn't say her dislike had lessened in time. While she was not avoiding Sashinami actively, she had lowered her tolerance to the former prime minister's presence and had even ignored her at times. Seeing her tore open mental wounds that hadn't begun healing yet, making Takahi grind her teeth every so often.

Takahi crossed her arms (as best as she could with a coffee cup in one hand) and puffed her chest up with an air of barely concealed disdain. "None of your business, Sashinami. Go back to your post, I'm picking up your job after this talk is over."

"Ninomiya is a viable pilot for Unit I," Mikhail piped in, once again dismissing Takahi's voiced opinion. She turned to glare at him in irritation. She didn't wish to involve any people, much less Sashinami, in this conversation, when Mikhail evidently had no qualms about getting too personal. He just stared back evenly, before switching to watching Sashinami's reaction

Takahi saw how the latter was actually surprised. Since she didn't know, Takahi could surmise not many knew of the recruiting cruise Mikhail had going on. Sashinami was usually popular, and while that popularity has dimmed in the light of recent events, she still had connections to many students. It made Takahi wonder if she truly was the priority target here, or had a gag order been given to other students who had been asked to take up the job.

Sashinami suddenly straightened herself. "I should do it," she declared to Mikhail.

"You overall ranking is fifth," he countered as if expecting that reply. "I don't need a guilt-ridden underperformer desiring absolvent, I need a capable defender." Harsh words were spoken with no change in his voice.

Takahi felt a twinge at the jab. Brutal honesty was rarely her choice for dealing with people, and while Sashinami wasn't high on her list of favorites, she wouldn't have dished it out like that. But neither was she going to defend her.

Sashinami was taken aback for a second, but predictably remained stubborn. "I can defend! I should be the one to do it—it's not…" She trailed of, for once considering her wording.

"No one should throw their life into a gamble like that. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I saw what it did to Haruto, and… I could get those runes by asking someone, so it would not become a burden to anyone else."

Takahi didn't know if she was referring to piloting, feeding or immortality being a burden. She was conflicted on Sashinami's suitability. She was a fast learner, stubborn as hell and willing to throw herself at the task, so she was good choice, no?

Some spiteful part of her hoped Sashinami would pick the job and suffer the consequences.

Immediate pang of conscience followed the thought. Takahi hadn't been close to the late pilot, but she had seen his condition. She could share the way of thinking that the job is horrible for the one taking it.

Mikhail decidedly didn't budge. "I will mark your willingness down, but you still are the fifth candidate until I get enough answers. Ninomiya Takahi, will you pilot or not?"

His focus shifted back on her. Takahi had already forgotten she needed to answer and hadn't thought far. She could feel her lips turning down in doubt.

"I—I can't answer right now, alright? Let me think," she asked him. It was not a decision she wanted to jump straight into, unlike Sashinami did.

"Fine. You have until 1500 hours. Go to your post," he waved her off. Takahi didn't feel like arguing further, and passed Sashinami, who was still standing around, without a glance at her.

The door slid closed behind her, another male student greeting her in the room. She nodded at him and took a sip from her coffee cup. It had gone too lukewarm for her taste.

Saki felt more refreshed than she had in a while. A long bath had relaxed her tense muscles and given her time to actually think, away from the chatter of her schoolmates.

Not that there was a lot of chatter – it had been two days since the funeral and the start of a so called Empire. The mood was still somber and made interaction with others heavy, at least in Saki's opinion. She had opted to enter the public bath of the dormitory building after everyone else to avoid others. Sure, she could keep up an icy façade of the practiced actress she was, but it was exhausting. This way she could keep clear head.

Since Saki was a pilot, together with Akira-chan she had been named a Knight. Her post included being the leader of the Knights in a same sense the Unit I had been. New pilot is a work in progress was Mikhail's tight-lipped answer to any enquiries about Unit I. Therefore defense fell to the two Knights and to students who worked in shifts in the control center of the module. In a brief conversation with Mikhail all she had gotten out was that she was to expect a mission soon.

Saki sighed and laid on the lower bed of the bunk, glad in casual sleepwear. She had kept herself busy by doing repairs together with multiple people. She suspected Mikhail had appointed shifts to that job too, since different students came and went along time, taking over others' work. Akira-chan had helped her to get her unit's communications back online, but after that Saki hadn't seen her.

Saki admitted to herself she missed the company of another pilot. While it seemed that nobody was instigating an outright witch hunt for the immortal ones, she still got funny looks from few of the students who were assigned to work with Carmilla. Then again getting herself set against everyone was a frequent event, but now there was supposed to be a safety net to fall on. There would have been, had all the pilots been alive.

Thinking of the dead pilots made her heart ache. Shouting at Shoko-san and repairing Carmilla had brought her momentary relief, but tiredness dominated her mood. Saki took solace in things like long baths and sleep whenever she got it. Thank whatever that was watching over them for the silent period of late. It meant Saki didn't need to run about trying to defend the place and it left her time to think, such as this moment. She had ensured her dormitory room remained private and hadn't sought a roommate to fill the empty upper bunk bed.

A buzz interrupted her. Saki recognized her phone's vibration notification for a message, and slowly she rose from the bed to retrieve her phone from where it rested on a table across her room.

It was a message from Akira-chan. She was rooming with Shoko-san, and unsurprisingly found it easier to communicate via online methods rather than face to face.

We've got a mission tomorrow when your unit is ready, dunno what tho (o)

Saki's face fell into a confused frown - Dear Emperor was willing to risk their defense by tasking both Valvraves with this mysterious mission. Knowing him, he must have something up his sleeve or the benefits of the mission outweighed the risk. It meant more work for her and Akira-chan, requiring them to perform their duties with effort and precision they haven't needed before as much.

Feeling the stress creeping up on her once again made Saki sigh again with frustration. She let herself fall on her bed with a big "whomp" and held her phone over her head to type a reply.

I really want a smoothie now. Or a drink. Or both!

Not a moment went by before her phone buzzed again.

Me too... mix them? ^y^

Please don't tell me that was a food combo recommendation from Shoko-san.

"This is the Wolf, your target," Mikhail swiped his finger across the table with a graphical interface to bring an image of a white-red cargo space ship into focus. Around the table stood the two Knights, who weren't in their piloting suits yet. Next to them were all the students whose job was to monitor and instruct the Knights in the control room – Midori-san with two other females and one male student. Akira wished she remembered their names.

"It will be accompanied by a Walkit-class cruiser. That cruiser will be armed and it will contain mobile enemy units, since this supply line is regularly attacked by ARUS. My contact might have managed to lessen the military presence, but go in assuming you will have full-on resistance."

Akira pursed her lips. It was their first mission after the catastrophe, and uneasiness ate at her stomach. They were running straight into the enemy when they haven't had bothered the module for three days.

Along that fear was steadily growing anger. She was going against those who had taken precocious people from beside her. Akira had to admit payback was an appealing aspect of the mission.

Rukino-san, standing next to her, seemed just as tense, and seemed to have more than light anger lurking behind her eyes. The ice queen act certainly fit her now. Her rigidness did nothing to ease Akira's own mood.

"Rukino, you will first act as a distraction, flying in faster than Renbokoji," Mikhail instructed. "Their radar will detect you, but they aren't expecting any Valvraves. Dodge whatever they throw at you and do a hit-and-run attack at the Walkit cruiser. Try to hit hangar doors or outward weapon systems, and take their attention to yourself.

"Renbokoji's primary objective is to acquire control of the cargo ship, flanking from the blind side of the Walkit." The cargo ship in question wasn't the largest Akira had seen. Mikhail pointed to a part of the ship in the image and continued: "Hitting here will enable you to hack the controls. Put it on autopilot towards the module and disengage as fast as you can. Cover Rukino and both of you will retreat along the cargo ship. Don't worry about the people on board – they are just civilians, normal procedure for them is to evacuate the ship in an emergency."

"…what about those runes?"

All the occupants of the room turned their gazes at Akira, who felt her throat lock up. Years of isolation showed in these kind of situations, when she felt unsure of articulating herself and calling for attention. To her small relief, her voice was quiet, but not wavering.

She had to take small steps, such as being present here in the briefing and not just following from inside her unit. To make eye contact with at least few people, besides her friends and her brother.

Now Akira was (at least she hoped) looking a lot more like a person with actual resolution and cause, not like a bullied introverted kid. Mikhail of all people placed trust in her. She would try and do the same.

"It's been taken care of," Mikhail assured them.

Which was weird. There was no new pilot and the Knights hadn't done anything to supply runes. Akira shared a glance with Rukino-san, who had an equally dismayed expression.

"What does that mean? I really would like to know if I'm going to lose memories out there," Rukino-san turned to slightly scowl at Mikhail.

Akira shared the sentiment. She bit her lower lip and glanced nervously between Mikhail and other people in the room. They also were watching their leader expectantly.

"There is a new pilot. She is only stepping up if it looks like you are going to be followed by Dorssian reinforcements, but the chances of that happening is below 15 percent," he explained.

"Then who is it?" Rukino-san was just as impatient as Akira.

Mikhail's lips curled in a small smirk. "Your sempai, Ninomiya Takahi. Please get along with her."

Akira was surprised. She wasn't close to Ninomiya-san and knew about her through her brother, but she was in the opinion that her pompous persona wasn't exactly easiest to get along with. Was she only good choice left? Surprising was also that she had agreed to take "the blessing".

Rukino-san was also baffled, but after a moment of confusion she schooled her expression back to cool contempt. She also seemed to restrain herself from voicing her opinion, from what Akira could observe.

Seemingly Mikhail was expecting an outburst, but when it did not come, he went back to business. "This is the route the fleet follows." A map appeared on the table, with one point marked. "This is where you intercept them. It is farthest away from any known patrol route, meaning you are safe if you are quick. Any questions?"

The people remained silent, which Mikhail took as a no. "You have 24 minutes until launch. Go to your positions and get ready."

"C'mon," Rukino-san took a light hold of Akira's right arm and tugged her towards the door. Akira followed, guessing they were going to the locker room to change their outfits.

Her arm was let go when they exited the command room. Rukino-san wasn't looking at her and went forward like she was in thought or pre-occupied with something. Akira didn't know how to read people well, but Rukino-san managed to do it even more difficult now.

Few corridors and stairs later they reached their destination. Rukino-san used the command panel next to the door to open the lock in it. The door opened to reveal Ninomiya-san struggling with the front zipper of her pale turquoise suit. She was just as surprised as Akira was.

"Thank God! Help me with this, it won't go up anymore!"

While a more-than-modestly-busted girl fighting against a stubborn zipper was normally a comical sight, Akira was acutely aware of Rukino-san tightening her hands into fists and visibly bristling.

"Are you insane? Are you aware of what you're getting into?"

Ninomiya-san's face fell. "Why are you so angry? I already got this tirade from Satomi, I don't need you butting in."

Rukino-san looked frustrated at this. "Because you do know that if step into that machine, you are going to throw your humanity away, just like that!"

The admission shocked Akira. Not because Rukino-san was referring to her as something not human, but because of this pessimistic view. Akira had thought Rukino-san actively embraced the fact she was Novus and not merely Homo Sapiens.

Ninomiya-san didn't take kindly to the meddling. "Don't get so haughty! I'm the one who has to do the stuff like feeding!" She scoffed, straightening her back and glaring at Rukino-san. "Besides, I know what I'm doing. I'm not throwing anything away. I'm taking up a job only I'm capable of doing."

Akira didn't know if she should try and stop them before they escalated into a full-blown fight. Ninomiya wasn't the first one Akira would have nominated as a pilot, but she did have enough sense to take this seriously, it seemed.

"The fact that you are treating it as a job tells me enough," Rukino-san replied with cool tone and moved to her locker, now decidedly ignoring them both. Akira shifted nervously in her place, following her example.

From her corner of the eye Akira saw Ninomiya-san staring at Rukino-san's back silently, until she lowered her gaze at the floor.

"…I looked up to you, Rukino. All the pilots. I still do."

Rukino-san stilled, but didn't turn around. Akira held her breath.

"I don't—I don't want to be a plaything for aliens and then watch everyone around us die," she voiced uncharacteristically softly. "Mikhail asked me to. I'm done with sitting around."

At this, she zipped her suit fully up, picked up her helmet and quietly walked out of the door leading to the hangar.

Akira glanced warily at her friend, who was still. She couldn't see her face, but her shoulders were tense. A moment passed before she started moving again, methodically changing her clothes without a word.

Witnessing this exchange was somewhat of an eye-opener to Akira. She knew, in the back of her mind, that Rukino-san was an actress. She could put up a wall displaying what others wanted to see, so that even her friends could be deceived. At least Akira liked to think they were friends, since they had something very rare in common. But to think this was her belief when it came to immortality… it didn't fit in Akira's mind.

On autopilot she changed into her purple suit. When she was ready, she turned to find subdued Rukino-san waiting for her. Together they made their way to their Valvraves in silence.

A day earlier, the common room of the girl's dormitory building was empty save for Takahi, who was poking at her unappetizing lunch of rice and steamed vegetables. She knew she could eat together with others in the yard, where Sashinami was trying to raise the mood by grilling fish and chicken scavenged from convenience store freezers. But she required a moment of peace.

To think she was even considering piloting was a shock to herself. Takahi wouldn't have thought much about saying no to something as crazy and dangerous before the whole mess happened. Now she was sitting slumped and trying to piece her jumbled thoughts together.

Immortality was a thing with pros and cons – worst of cons being outliving her family and friends. Her friends had a chance of going immortal themselves, but her family was a thing she would have to watch fade away. If she ever got to meet them again, as she was basically confined to the module.

Mikhail had said her piloting skill – in theory, at least – was top-notch. How well Takahi could do it in practice was a whole another question, and not something she would try and find out while being under fire from Dorssia or ARUS. She had respect for the current and former pilots, and even though they were forced to do it, they performed fantastically in her opinion.

And fighting, even if she wouldn't die easily, was something scary.

But her biggest deterrent was the whole feeding thing. Jacking bodies sounded fun, but to fuel themselves like vampires was just disturbing and icky. In hindsight, she now understood the bouts of aggressiveness Tokishima went through. Losing control like that was obviously a huge con. On top of everything, she had seen the prejudice towards the pilots faced. Going berserk wouldn't win points from the people.

She understood she wouldn't be picked as the leader of the Knights. Mikhail wasn't so crazy. That job would go to Rukino. Taking orders went against Takahi's pride and would, no doubt, later come up and them all in the ass. Much less she liked taking those orders from Rukino of all people. The distaste made Takahi frown, as if her untouched lunch had offended her.

"Ah, Ninomiya-san!"

Takahi was jumbled out of her thoughts with the appearance of Nanami-sensei, who stumbled in from the door leading outside, carrying a large stack of clean sheets.

"What are you doing, eating here by yourself?" she asked, worry – and stress – evident on her face. Her appearance was generally untidy, as if she was too busy to take care of herself.

"Nothing wrong being alone, once in a while." Takahi knew she had taken a bit too long to answer.

Nanami-sensei, being ever so empathetic, picked it up immediately. She set the sheets down on a large armchair and came over to Takahi, taking a seat in front of her.

"Now, I'm not officially a teacher – or I never was, but I can't say I'm one now when you all are…" she gestured vaguely, searching for words. "I'm not your mentor, as much as I wanted to be. It's not really an option now, right?" She asked with hints of nervous laughter. "I'm trying to say that I am here. If you have anything you would like to talk about, I'm here and I will listen to you."

Takahi knew she was being goaded into opening up. The thought was appealing, but at the same time she knew this was something she wasn't supposed to share. It had been strongly implied in her latest confrontation with Mikhail.

She set her chopsticks next to her bowl of rice and kept her gaze low.

Maybe she could look for advice without giving too much information up.

"Do you miss your home, sensei?"

The teacher didn't seem surprised. "Of course I do," she admitted readily. "I want to see my family. I know they are alright, but I haven't seen them in months," she continued, looking a bit somber.

Takahi shared the sentiment. She missed her mother and their occasional shopping trips. Her father, who was almost always busy with work, but still made time to teach her some different handicrafts. She had few origami decorating her bookshelf in her room, and the art of making those she had learned from her dad.

The Wired was useful, but she wanted to see them.

Nanami-sensei smiled at her softly. "I know it's hard. You should call them if you feel homesick, I'm sure they would like it too."

Takahi bit her lip, contemplating her choices and her words.

"I'm about to do something stupid and I'm not sure if they approve of it, or want it to happen to me," she confessed.

Nanami-sensei's expression was one of confusion. "Something stupid?" She leaned back on her chair and looked upwards, frowning thoughtfully. "Well… do you think you shouldn't do it?"

"I don't know!" Takahi scoffed in frustration. "I was asked to. The more I think about it the more confused I feel," she hung her head.

The teacher didn't seem fazed by Takahi's answer. "Do you feel compelled to do… whatever it is you were asked to do?"

Compelled? In a way, it was her duty as a citizen of this parody of an empire to defend it. She wasn't the only one who could do it. One of the best candidates maybe, but not the only option.

But did she feel compelled? Yes.

"A bit," Takahi answered finally.

Nanami-sensei nodded. "And do you think it would be right to do it?"

There was nothing right about anything here, was her first bitter thought. But was it right for her to climb into Valvrave and be the nearly undying source of fuel for all the machines?

Takahi straightened up. Why wouldn't it be? All the students could do it, but she was among top ten choices, wasn't she? If she did it, she would be a defender. Someone who didn't need shying away, but who would stop their enemy from taking any more lives. Any more of her friends. Any more of her unlikely new family.

"Yes."