CHAPTER 11
UNITE! ALL FIERY SPIRITS
/ onboard Aeroscraft, en route to Las Vegas /
"So we cancel our Alaska tour and have to visit the world's gambling heaven instead," said Excellen. "How's that for Team ATX Tour?"
"Miss Excellen, you're worried that we may not be able to concentrate on our mission," Lamia said.
"Just calm down," Kyosuke told her. "There are reasons we're redirected to Las Vegas. We just need to wait for the news to come over."
"You're using that excuse to fulfil your gambling addict. Again," Excellen jeered, causing Kyosuke to cough slightly in unease at the statement. "But come to think about it, me and Kyosuke… together having wine for dinner…"
"Alright! Lunch's served," Sakura announced her arrival as she brought the dishes. "Sorry for the delay, but it was hard using cooking all the foods in quickest time." Everybody praised Sakura for the foods she was serving, and was pleased to have done some deeds to restore their morale.
"This is nice!" Excellen cooed after taking a bite of the steak. "It reminds me a lot of Rätsel-san's meal, but much simpler in looks."
Sakura smiled at the warm response. "Well, everyone, as my mother often says to her guests: bon appetite."
"That one looks quite tasty," Takeru asked when he saw a bowl containing never-seen-before meal. He took a piece of the macaroni-shaped meat, munched it and found himself liking it. "Tastes like chicken. A bit tough, but… what's this?"
With the most innocent smile anyone could see Sakura answered: "wood grubs." In an instant everyone at the dining hall fell off the table, apparently stunned by the "exotic dish" they were having. The Shura God found himself at loss of words; even so for the Pistoleros, except for Takeru who immediately feasted upon the meal ("exotic food? It's nothing; I'll eat anything as long as it tastes good," he answered Excellen's question on his debatable craving.)
"It's my family's specialty," Sakura added. "My grandmother learned it from her foster family in North Borneo. She said it's the best source of protein, and best of all:" She paused as to take a bite of the squishy meat. "It tastes likes fried chicken."
"How can people survive on grubs?" Amuro wondered and stared at the bowl in disbelief.
"We may need to dig in Sakura's files after this," Frieda said with silly giggles.
The diners' response became Sakura's concern. "Is the preparation not right?" she asked and noticed some of the people's weary expression. "Oh, dear. I might have put too much salt."
"How can I eat this?!" one of the crews interjected. "It's… horrible!!"
The exclamation made Sakura sulk. "You don't like the food I made…?" she murmured. "How… could… you? I've fought very hard to keep the ingredients as fresh as possible, and yet…"
"H-hold on! I didn't say I didn't like it!" The crew proved his words by eating a mouthful of the fried grubs, and he smiled widely at Sakura as he chewed on the seemingly indigestible food. "See? I like it so much I'm dying for more!" (A few seconds later he fell unconsciously, and had to be rushed to the medical room.)
Suzuki entered the dining hall but her presence was ignored by all but Lamia who wisely chose to constrain her appetite. "Save the meals for later, everyone," the eyeglasses doctor said. "We've received a distress signal from friendly units at Arizona desert. Kyosuke, can you lead your team to a rescue mission?"
Still reeling from the dish's effect, Kyosuke steadied his posture and shook his head. "Give me a couple of minutes to prepare Alt Eisen Riese," he answered with weary looks on his face.
Suzuki stared at Kyosuke, long enough for her to correct her eyeglasses and say: "you have a bad dining day from your look. Let me guess: Sakura's exotic dish."
"How did you know?" Excellen asked.
Suzuki corrected her eyeglasses again. "Trust me. Nobody expects Sakura's food inquisition."
"Nobody likes my food…" Sakura murmured. "Nobody…"
"More, please!" a delighted Takeru said. "I think I'm beginning to like Sakura's presence in the team."
"Really?" In an instant her face turned from gloomy to shiny, and her smile was as delightful as it was terrifying to the diners. "I promise I'll cook you the best meal in the whole world!"
"That only a mysterious gourmet will approve," Excellen pointed out.
-x-x-x-x-x-
/ ten minutes later /
The Aeroscraft arrived at the said location. Preparations were immediately done by all crews before the squads could be deployed. Everything was finished in record time, and Suzuki gave the awaiting squads the clearance signal.
"Assault 1, launching!"
"Assault 2, launching!"
"Hi-Nu Gundam, ikimasu!"
"Sylvia, ready!"
"Pistoleros 1, prepared to launch."
"Pistoleros 2, ready!"
The hatch door was opened, and Team ATX led the way as the squads left the Aeroscraft and headed to the desert. "Who would've thought we'd have a desert combat here of all places?" Excellen asked during the descent.
"(Aeroscraft to all units. We received distress signal from a friendly unit one click to the north of your current position. Do you have any readings on your radar?)"
"Negative, Aeroscraft," Amuro replied. "There's an intense radar jamming 500 metres ahead. We can't have clear readings."
"I spot them on my scope," Takeru reported. "Five heavy artillery units and seven mobile suits, confirmed to be Barrelions and Doms. They must be Green Sphere soldiers."
"(Attention to all units. Your mission is to have clear identification of the friendly unit. Don't let the enemy approach its position.)"
"Copy that," Kyosuke answered. "We'll split up. Excellen and I will flank the enemy from the right. Folka and Lamia will engage them from left side. Frieda, can you provide support fire?"
The Pistoleros withdrew their sniper rifles. "Leave it to us, Kyosuke," Frieda answered.
"Amuro and Sakura will attack the enemy from the above," Kyosuke instructed.
"Roger!" both Amuro and Sakura replied.
"Everyone," Kyosuke said and prepared the Alt Eisen Riese's Revolver Bunker. "Let's move!"
The team split into several squads. The Apotheosised Ialdabaoth charged up and immediately fired energy balls at the Barrelions while the Angelg fired multiple Shadow Lances at the Doms. The Alt Eisen Riese and the Weiss Ritter moved on, the former firing barrages of claymores at the remaining Barrelions and the latter zipping around while firing its Oxtongue rifle at targets.
Sakura stayed close with Amuro as they went airborne. "Hope I can get through this," she said and began arming the Sylvia's weapon.
"If Bright heard that he would've slapped you on the face," Amuro reminded. "You don't want to piss him with your pessimism."
"Sorry," Sakura apologized.
"Master, incoming attack at three o'clock."
"Dodge!" The Sylvia dodged (Amuro did the same), and Sakura responded by firing Raging Heart at the GS Gespenst Mark II-Ms. "That was close!"
"Master, I suggest that we eradicate the enemy before they can threaten us."
"I don't intend on letting them free anyway," Sakura answered as the Sylvia positioned itself in front of the grunts. "But Sylvia, what was that suggestion for?"
The Alt Eisen Riese and the Weiss Ritter approached the "friendly unit" they were instructed to meet. They could not be more surprised to learn it was the Daimos, and the giant robot was not in good condition after holding itself against the Green Sphere for almost half an hour/
"Assault 1 to Aeroscraft, we've approached target area," Kyosuke reported.
"Copy that, Assault 1." Suzuki contacted the Daimos. "This is Doctor Franklin from the Centaur-Hanagami Heavy Industries," she began the conversation. "Can you hear me?"
"Suzuki! I knew it was you," a surprised Kazuya Ryuzaki answered.
"Yes, I got your message," Suzuki replied. "Sorry to take that long. We've had to reschedule our flight."
"You know each other quite well," Excellen cooed. "Looks like we're going to have a massive reunion party after this."
"It's still too early to jump to the conclusions," Kyosuke reminded. "What happened?"
"Both Suzuki and I have been tracking the Green Sphere for three days," Kazuya said. "They stole a prototype from the research centre and we're given the order to retrieve it."
"The information is classified," Suzuki interfered before Kyosuke could ask. "But to be blunt, the Green Sphere learned of the company's new mecha line-up and they've since then tried to steal it."
"Another stealing?" Excellen asked. "When will the madness ever stop?"
"I only managed to recover the blueprints and the core, but they fled with the whole unit before I could retrieve it," Kazuya continued. "Suzuki, you sure you only need the blueprints and the core?"
"They can do whatever they want with the mecha, but they won't go anywhere with the core absent," Suzuki assured.
"I see. And who are these two, if I may ask?" Kazuya asked as he turned to Team ATX.
"I'm Excellen, and this is Kyosuke. Pleased to meet you." Their conversation was cut short when GS reinforcements were detected to the west of the position. "Aw! Why must they trash our chatters?" Excellen moaned.
"I'm not sure if Daimos can hold up after the long fight," Kazuya wondered.
"Then we don't have any excuse to stay," Kyosuke said.
"Kyosuke, can't we have fun for a while?" Excellen asked. "It wouldn't hurt to let Weissy shoot some stuffs, would it?"
"I won't be responsible for the damage you may create," Kyosuke warned.
"You're just being mean," Excellen mumbled.
-
The last of the GS Gespensts was left to explode in the air. The Sylvia and the Hi-Nu Gundam headed back to Team ATX's position, arriving about the same time the Angelg and the Apotheosised Ialdabaoth approaching them. "Miss Excellen! You okay?" Sakura asked.
"We're just getting warmed up," Excellen answered. "Give me some hands, will you?"
"Right away!"
"Some of us will have to escort Daimos back to Aeroscraft," Kyosuke said. "Sakura, Amuro, lead him back to the ship; we'll stay behind and delay the enemy. Frieda, we need every piece of firepower over here."
"Roger that," Frieda answered and reloaded the Beowulf's sniper rifle.
"I'm picking up several radar signatures to the south," Takeru reported. "They're heading towards the Aeroscraft!" None of the crews onboard Aeroscraft could respond because in less than seconds the aerial vessel was surrounded by Beastmen. Without any warning one of the Beastmen attacked Aeroscraft's bow gun turrets, while another Beastman attacked its ballast control.
"Doctor Franklin, we're losing altitudes!"
"Divert all power output to the shock absorbers!"
"Roger, Doctor. Preparing the shock absorbers…"
"All stations! Prepare for emergency landing!"
Aeroscraft landed on its belly with a loud bang. Before ATX Team could return to the grounded ship they were ambushed by Beastmen that came seemingly out of nowhere. The GS grunts were also attacked by the Beastmen, and all hell broke loose as the battle turned into a free-for-all.
"It's different from the grunts!" Takeru shouted and dodged a Beastman's attack. "Miss Frieda! Behind you!"
"These are not the Green Sphere! What are they?" Excellen gasped.
"Whatever the case is, they don't appear to like us or the Green Sphere," Kazuya said and kicked a Beastman out of the way.
"You piss me off!" Folka roared and began powering himself and the Apotheosised Ialdabaoth up. "I shall show you the path for eternal pain!!"
"The Aeroscraft has fallen! Capture it!" Disregarding the marauding Beastmen, the remaining GS grunts braved themselves to approach the damaged Aeroscraft but were blocked by the Sylvia. "You again! Back off, or we shoot!"
"I'll shoot you if you ever approach Aeroscraft!" Sakura replied and fired Raging Heart at the grunts. The rest of the grunts fired away, and the Sylvia dodged only to be struck by a spear tossed by a Beastman. The giant robot crashed but not before Sakura commanded it to fire a Divine Buster at the Beastman, instantly vaporizing it in thin air.
"Sakura!" Excellen gasped.
"I'm fine!" Sakura groaned. "I just don't like being treated like a total moron!"
"Damage status is minimal. I am still operational."
"I need every piece of your power," Sakura said. "Come on, Sylvia! Let's beat the crap out of them!"
"Yes, Master."
More and more Beastmen were spawning from all across the desert, and it seemed to be the end for the combatants' day as the unknowns aggressively ganged up at them from all directions possible. Realizing their tactical disadvantages due to the unexpected interference the Green Sphere had fled the battlefield, leaving ATX Team and the grounded Aeroscraft to face the Beastmen alone.
"Who the hell are they anyway?!" Folka barked and parried a Beastman's spear thrust. "Eat this! Shin! HAKOUKEN!!"
"Reppu! SEIKENZUKI!!" With a well-aimed uppercut (that followed Double Blizzard) the Daimos, despite its condition, managed to send one Beastman to its skyward end and it turned to the rest of the horde, armed to the teeth.
"If we can't beat them, be them!" Excellen said as she fired away the Oxtongue Rifle's E-Mode at a row of Beastmen. "What am I talking of anyway?"
"I'm picking up new radar signature!" Takeru reported. "It's headed towards us at bearing 225!"
"Is it the enemy?" Lamia asked.
Everybody's guess was wrong, because instead of more Beastmen they were greeted by the sight of the mighty Dancougar, flying fast towards the battlefield. Fujiwara Shinobu immediately manoeuvred the giant robot to attack the Beastmen from its position and-
"YAAAATTEYARUZE!"
The Dancougar fired the Dan-Kuu-Hou onto the Beastmen, blasting through them as if they were made of paper. The confusion created by the Beast Squad allowed the Alt Eisen Riese and the Apotheosised Ialdabaoth to launch decisive attack against the Beastmen, and Amuro deployed the Fin Funnels to push them further away.
"That attack missed!" a non-satisfied Yuuki Sara said.
"Missed? It was a direct hit," Shinobu answered. "You only said that to anger me, didn't you?"
"Wow! When I thought we'd be toast here," Excellen exclaimed.
"Doctor Franklin, we've repaired the ballast tank! We can now retreat!"
"Kyosuke! Tell everybody to get back to Aeroscraft," Suzuki informed. "We're out of here!"
"Are we going to break through the enemy perimeter?" Takeru asked.
"It seems so," Frieda answered.
"Not if I can help it!" The Sylvia walked to the front and started charging up Raging Heart. It at first started in small size but the magenta-coloured energy orb increased in size and intensity. "Ikuyo, Sylvia!"
"I am ready to be fired."
"Divine… BUSTER!!"
-x-x-x-x-x-
/ fifteen minutes later, back onboard Aeroscraft /
The whole Aeroscraft task force began to learn more about the Green Sphere's activities in North America. The organization had already established their stronghold in the continent and was awaiting cue signals from the supreme leaders to commence their operations (as the stealing of the prototype had proven). They also learned that the Beast Squad had been helping the North American resistance in campaigns against the Green Sphere, but lately the situation had not been favouring the resistance.
"To make matters worse, we were wiped out by the Green Sphere's General from the start," Alan Igor continued. "Only the Beast Squad and a handful of resistance managed to escape, and we have to take refuge in Arizona until it's safe to continue our operation."
"That doesn't sound very good," Frieda said.
"Indeed. We were going to leave when the Beastmen attacked," Shinobu continued. "None of the resistance ever made it in one piece."
"I don't like to hear that already," Takeru said.
"Anyway, I think this is the great time for all of us to have reunion party," Excellen said as to ease the atmosphere. "And thanks to Sakura, we all get to gather as one big group."
"That was the most intense attack I've seen," Amuro pointed out. "In one attack it wiped out practically everything on its path. None was spared, if I have to describe it."
Shinobu nodded. "It's roughly on par with the Dan-Kuu-Hou," he said.
"Yeah, but you missed," Sara jeered.
"It was a direct hit!" Shinobu insisted.
Sakura found herself at the centre of attention. "I… I don't know what else to say, though I'm flattered by the praises," she said. "I know! Let me show you my gratitude-"
"Sakura, you've done much for today," Suzuki said as she patted her shoulder. "Take a rest. You know you need it."
"But I thought Miss Excellen said we're going to have a party," Sakura inquired.
"The party can wait. Right now, all of us need to rest before we can continue our mission." Suzuki later turned to the Pistoleros who had earlier caught her intention. "Major Hartman, please kindly accompany Sakura to the restroom until she gets enough rest."
"With all my pleasures," Frieda nodded. "Takeru, come. I believe both of us also need to have adequate rest, aren't we?"
"Certainly, Miss Frieda!" the overjoyed Takeru answered.
The moment the Pistoleros brought Sakura out of the hangar all but Kazuya and the Beast Squad had a very deep sigh of relief. "Thanks a lot, you know," Excellen said.
"I just did what I could to prevent unwanted casualties onboard," Suzuki said and corrected her eyeglasses. "Can't afford to have the medical team occupied during unwanted situations."
"Wow, what did we miss?" Alan asked.
"It's best that you don't ask that right now," Lamia answered.