SUPER ROBOT WARS LW
CHAPTER 07

Please see: all characters in this story will be referred to with their first name preceding their family names, as to follow Western naming style.

For record, this chapter takes place roughly at the same time the Green Sphere attacked Pearl Harbour in the previous chapter.

-x-x-x-x-x-

The trip to Alaska was awfully long. Sakura found herself seated without anything useful to do throughout the journey. Her pet ferret Yuuno was sleeping on her lap, occasionally stirred when she scratched its earlobe and curled into a warm fur ball. Her mind was flying into an imaginary world where she was the only inhabitant in the world, her soul freely flying in the blue yonder with Yuuno and her friends. "What do you think, Yuuno?" she asked and continually scratched Yuuno's head. "I can do this, can't I? If I don't fight, then who'll avenge Suzuka-chan and Patricia-chan?"

"Still thinking of quitting?"

Sakura immediately stood up, startling Yuuno that started to take cover inside her bag. "No! I mean… I'm not sure if I should quit or not, Suzuki-san," she answered.

"The EFA may agree to recruit you as a soldier, but the final decision is still yours," Suzuki continued. "Of course, even if they decline, the Centaur-Hanagami will always accept your application."

Sakura was reluctant to accept the answer. "But even if they agree to let me in, what will… the rest think?"

"Now, now, Sakura," Excellen added as she and the rest of the people arrived. "We won't force you to join us. We can still turn back and send you home if you want."

"If you want to stay and be involved in the war, just remember that it's a cruel world out there," Kyosuke added and was immediately elbowed by a disgruntled Excellen. "What?"

"Don't say anything that can discourage her," Excellen stated. "That's not good, you know?"

"Kyosuke is speaking the truth, I'm afraid," Frieda said (Takeru nodded to agree). "If you doubt your own strength to survive the path you're going to take, then forget about fighting this war." Later she smiled and sat next to the uneasy Sakura. "But if you believe in you, you can achieve anything. So," she spoke and softly caressed Sakura's cheek. "I believe you can do it."

"(Doctor Franklin! The Russian Naval Force's base at Uel'Kal is under attack by the Green Sphere! They've requested for immediately reinforcement!)" Aeroscraft operator reported.

"That was so quick," Suzuki said. "How long it's going to take to go there?"

"(Ten minutes if we use maximum speed.)"

"When I thought we could have a welcoming party," Excellen grumbled. "But then, it may just be Sakura's best change to show us what she can do."

"She stays," Suzuki objected. "Under no circumstances shall she take part in any military operation until the viewing board agrees."

"But you saw it, didn't you? You saw how she handled the situation during the invasion?" Excellen replied. "Plus, she's already a part of Team ATX!"

Kyosuke slightly coughed. "She isn't a part of Team ATX. Yet."

"Her experience is still inadequate to allow her to participate in real combat," Suzuki stated. "She will have to stay until she's 100 percent ready."

"Both of you! Please!" Both Suzuki and Excellen stopped arguing and turned to see Sakura looking nervous and uneasy. "I know I'm still a rookie when it comes to actual combat, but!" She stood up and bowed to them. "I will not let you down! Please allow me to take part!"

"(ETA in seven minutes!)"

Suzuki stared at the former Burning PT champion in concern. Then, as she corrected her eyeglasses, she signalled some of the crews to prepare the Sylvia. "I don't want you to be a burden to their mission, but if this is your decision then let it be."

"So does this mean she can come with us?" Lamia asked.

"Under one condition: she must not let the terrorists capture the Sylvia," Suzuki answered. "That prototype is still in development. I don't want what had happened to the Roslyn to repeat itself." She turned to Sakura. "Got it, Sakura? You're the only one who can pilot the Sylvia. Do you understand?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes! I will take care of it!"

"Let's move out, everyone!" Kyosuke said.

-x-x-x-x-x-

// Uel'Kal, Russian Federation //

"SHINHA! GOU SHOUSEN!!!"

With a finishing blow, the Apotheosized Ialdabaoth sent the unfortunate GS Gespenst crashing into the mountains. The humanoid-looking mecha turned around and fired energy balls at the attacking GS Doms, knocking them out of commission. Folka Albark, the new Shura King, happened to be at the Kamanchatka Peninsula for meditation when the news of the attack reached his ear.

And he was terribly annoyed.

"You are no match against Ialdabaoth!" Folka roared. "SHINHA! KISHIN KEN!!!!" GS Doms around the Apotheosized Ialdabaoth were stunned by the "time-stopping" glare, and the Machine God pounced at the frozen enemies, punching and kicking them into pieces before everything returned to normal.

"You get out of our way!" a GS grunt shouted and fired his Dom's rocket bazooka at the Machine God. The Apotheosized Ialdabaoth dodged and counterattacked with Hakou Ken, sending the Dom into the mountains with a crash. Folka brought the mecha into the line of fire of several GS Barrelions and kicked through them in one attack.

"(Reinforcements are coming!)"

"(Did the Aeroscraft get our message?)"

"(Yes! They did!)"

"(Thank god!)"

Folka looked skywards. The arrival of Alt Eisen Riese and Weiss Ritter was a welcoming sight, and he knew he would not be alone in the new kind of war. "Well, well, look who's coming," he said and kicked an oncoming Dom out of the way.

"Hi! How about a welcoming gift from us?" Excellen asked and fired the Oxtongue Launcher at the Guarlions. The Alt Eisen Riese unleashed Avalanche Claymore at several more Barrelions, while the Hi-Nu Gundam and the Pistoleros broke through the defence line.

"Assault 1 to all units, let's split up!"

The reinforcements split: Kyosuke, Excellen and Amuro headed straight to the port while the Pistoleros approached the combat zone from the west. Lamia and Sakura were directed to the east corner of the area, and met up with Folka.

"(Sakura, this is Suzuki. If you can hear me, then you need to know a bit about the Sylvia.)"

"What do I need to know?" Sakura asked.

"(The Sylvia specializes in mid- and long-range combat. Don't let the enemy come close, since it doesn't do very well in close-range fight.)"

Sakura blinked. "…okay, I get it. What's next?"

"(I want you to access the weapon list. Quickly.)"

"Sylvia, show me the weapon list." The Sylvia complied and transmitted the information onto the screen to be seen by Sakura. "Let me see… so Raging Heart is a launcher? That's fitting. Then there's Fin Blade, and…" A GS Dom pounced at the Sylvia. "I don't have time for weapon check-up!" Sakura yelped and fired Raging Heart at the GS Dom, cutting its head off its body. "That was close…"

"Sakura! Don't lose your focus," Lamia reminded.

"I'm trying!" Sakura headed to another direction, only to face two GS Doms leaping towards her. She fired another shot from Raging Heart, but they dodged the attack. "Dodge? No way! Sylvia, Divine Shooter!!"

"Yes, Master."

Raging Heart switched mode, and the Sylvia opened fire: torrents of energy bullets were shot and sent the GS Doms out of commission. In stylish manner the caped mecha replaced the launcher's magazine clip and turned to the GS Barrelions. "Let's see if you can evade this!" she shouted and fired another Divine Shooters at the AM artilleries.

"Wow! Sakura is really good at shooting," Excellen complimented.

"Excellen! Dodge!" Excellen did what Kyosuke told and the Weiss Ritter evaded the GS Guarlion's Divine Blade. The Alt Eisen Riese charged at the Armoured Module and slammed its Revolving Bunker, discharging the stake six times into the mecha before tossing it into the sea. "You do that again, and I won't safe you next time," he warned.

"You don't have to be so mean, Kyosuke!" Excellen protested. "I was only a bit careless…"

Another GS Guarlion pounced, this time, at the Sylvia. Sakura got panicked and, in an unpredicted action, impaled Raging Heart into the Guarlion. "Target acquired. Accessing Armour-Piercing Mode." Raging Heart transformed the tip of itself into a bayonet and discharged a powerful energy blast into the Guarlion.

"Damn it! I'm ejecting!" the Guarlion pilot screamed.

"Hey! That attack looks a lot like Revolving Stake," the shocked Excellen exclaimed. "How did Sakura learn to do that?"

"(Sakura! What are you doing? That attack wasn't a part of the list!)"

The Sylvia pulled away from the destroyed Guarlion. "I didn't even do anything, Suzuki-san! Sylvia did it by itself." Sakura's attention was disrupted when a GS Rhinoceros hit the Sylvia with anti-air guns. "I didn't see that coming! I was careless!" The caped mecha crashed into the building, temporarily unable to move due to the impact.

"(Sakura! Are you alright?)"

"Somehow," Sakura answered and brought the Sylvia back to its posture. "I can do it! Let's go, Sylvia!" The caped mecha charged into the heat of battle, ignoring Suzuki's order to stay with Lamia, and before anyone could guess it Sakura was aggressively beating the hell out of the GS invaders.

"Someone needs to look after her!" Amuro shouted and followed Sakura from behind, his Hi-Nu Gundam repelling Green Sphere advances from all directions.

"(Second wave of enemy incoming!)" Aeroscraft radar operator announced.

"This is madness!" Folka barked and kicked a GS Dom back into the mountains. "Who the hell are we fighting against?!"

"It's the Green Sphere!" Excellen replied and fired the split missiles to keep the Guarlions at bay. "Or at least it's what they call themselves."

"They're bound to announce their agenda to the world soon enough," Frieda added and slashed through the GS Doms' arms with the Gun Blade. The Beowulf dodged an incoming shot, and the attacking Dom was later downed by Silberkugel's long-range shot. "And the worst has happened. The Green Sphere has attacked Pearl Harbours minutes ago. Their next target is here."

"So they've gone a step further by attacking Pearl Harbour," Kyosuke said. "Nice. Just another way to wage war."

"Aw! This is not a good day for us," Excellen moaned.

"Aeroscraft to all units! The enemy's outnumbering you! Please regroup!)"

"And then retreat? No! I will not!" Sakura reloaded Raging Heart and turned to the new enemy wave. "You told me this is a war I can't run away from! Then I'll show them I can make it through!"

"(Sakura! Stop acting on your instinct! Hold your ground!)" Sakura ignored the order and charged at the incoming horde, Raging Heart rapidly firing at the mechas. "(Sakura! You can't face them alone! Sakura!)"

"Come on, Kyosuke! Let's give her a hand!" Excellen stated and moved on to help Sakura. "You come with me too, Lamia!"

"I see them coming!" Takeru reported. "Loading Saunion Rifle with high-explosive projectiles!"

The Green Sphere commenced attack. Thousands of shells and rockets bombarded the naval base and the defenders were pinned down by the heavy bombardment, unable to counterattack. Sakura ignored the offensive move and relentlessly fired Divine Shooters at the invaders, whilst Excellen, Lamia, Amuro and Takeru provided extra firepower. (Kyosuke, Folka and Frieda stayed at ground level to cover the evacuating personnel.)

The Sylvia stopped firing. Sakura had been strained after overdoing herself in the firing spree. She tried ignoring her fatigue, even as she began losing concentration on the battle. "Not at this time! I must continue fighting!" she murmured, and reorganized her attacking plan when a shell exploded near the Sylvia's torso. The explosion knocked the caped mecha off the air and sent it into the ground with a loud crash.

"Sakura!!"

She did not answer. Her concern was on the Sylvia, afraid that the crash might damage its system. "Sylvia! Answer me! Are you alright?"

"I am alright, Master."

The answer was a relief. "Can you still fight?"

"Yes. All systems are functioning properly."

Sakura brought the Sylvia back to the sky, a bit dazed after experiencing two consecutive crashes in a day. "I hate being mocked like I'm a rookie," she groaned and took aim at the horde. "If I can't survive this war, I won't be able to see my friends and family again! I'll show you what I'm really made of! Sylvia!"

"Yes, Master. Linked Power Core Boost Driver on."

Raging Heart changed mode again and transformed into a shooting staff, its magenta orb glowing and vibrating in radiant energy. Sakura felt the energy flow reverberating intensely from inside the cockpit and kept herself steady, taking no attention of the power overload alarm that was setting off.

"I am ready to be fired."

"Yosh!"Sakura aimed Raging Heart at the horde. "Divine…" A magenta energy globe materialized in front of the shooting staff and grew into size."BUSTER!!!!"The energy globe turned into a bright energy beam that shot across the sky and disintegrated half of the GS units, scattering the rest into small skirmishes.

"Let's fire away!" Excellen announced and fired the Oxtongue Rifle's Dual Mode. "This moment of pain is brought to you by the letter D! I bet you don't know what the "D" means."

"Go! Fin Funnel!" Amuro announced and launched the Fin Funnels.

"Releasing all limiters…" The Angelg took aim. "Now! Phantom Phoenix!"

"Fire!!" The Silberkugel fired the loaded HE projectiles at the horde.

"(All enemies are retreating! No sign of further advance attempts are visible on radar.)"

"We did it?" Folka asked.

"It seems we did," Kyosuke answered.

Sakura slumped into the chair. She could not believe she had made through her first military action. "I can't believe I actually did it…" she murmured. "Sylvia, let's land."

"Yes, Master."

"Sakura, are you there?" Excellen asked.

"Yes, ma'am?" Sakura replied after the Sylvia made a soft land next to the battered Kirov-class battle cruiser.

Excellen giggled. "Your firing technique needs refinement. Fortunately I know what to do about it."

"You mean you're going to teach me, ma'am?" Sakura asked again.

"For starting, just call me Ms. Excel," Excellen added.

"I guess that means my expertise may come to its usefulness," Amuro said. "For a Burning PT champion, your skill surpasses any pilots I know."

"(This is Suzuki. Team ATX, can you hear me?)"

"Assault 1 here," Kyosuke replied.

"(We've been ordered to rendezvous with Archangel and the Aggressors at Pearl Harbour. Do whatever you need to do before we pick you up in 20 minutes.)"

"Is Kai alright?" Kyosuke asked.

"(Aggressor 1 informed us the situation is under control. He's awaiting your presence there. How is Sakura?)"

Kyosuke turned to the Sylvia; Sakura was seen helped by Lamia as she stepped out of the cockpit. "She's alright." He was not concerned of her condition; he was bothered by Sanger's last words before the Kurogane left Seto Inland Sea. It kept ringing inside his head ever since Sakura took part in the operation.

"Be very aware of her hidden strength. That girl… she can be either your strongest asset or the weakest link in your team."

Kyosuke glanced at Sakura, who was laughing like a silly child as Excellen, Amuro and Frieda teased her. He knew Sanger could see the potential inside someone he met, but would it mean he had to take extra precautions?

"Kyosuke."

Kyosuke turned to the Apotheosized Ialdabaoth. "Who's the girl? Your new team member?" Folka asked.

There was a faint grin carved upon his face as Kyosuke answered, "Not yet." He looked back at the shooting quartet and shrugged. "Not yet. She needs to prove herself further."

// to be continued //