A/N : Back after the month long hiatus! heres a brand new chapter, enjoy!
Also, as some may have already noticed, my pen name has indeed changed from ATOTSINYOU to YuttoAsino due to personal reasons, but that's not impt so just continue to the story
The room was full of tension as both sides convened to discuss the situation. Thomas successfully convinced Dr. Aoi and Sister Maria to meet his CO. Although they themselves decided not to contact their leaders, there must have been a spy, because a day before the decided meeting date, a pair of Chevalier representatives appeared on campus and demanded to be brought along under the pretense of "National Security". Thomas understood their sentiments, a military force suddenly appearing out of nowhere, it would bring the world to chaos. With no choice and the decision of Dr. Aoi, he brought the total group of four to the place decided upon, Dr. Aoi's mansion.
"Yes sir. Let's get straight to business then shall we?" said the commander's 's side had brought a portable projector inside to allow for the meeting. "Let's review what information we have then." continued the hologram.
"Very well, we'll begin." Replied Dr. Aoi. "40 years ago the extradimensional creatures we call Nova appeared here. To this day we have no idea what they truly are, where they come from and what they are after. The first time we encountered them was devastating to humanity's side and only with the miraculous appearance and sacrifice of "Maria Lancelot" were we able to avert the crisis."
"Furthermore, using her genes, we were able to create the only weapons capable of combating them. Those would be the stigmata which were then implanted into our fighters known as the pandora. Other attempts such as the recent e-pandora project, have not been met with as much success as the pandora project." he added. "In addition, since the 1st encounter, they have appeared in eight year intervals... however, during these past few years, the timespan has dramatically decreased, leaving our troops severely depleted." he continued. "That concludes the basic overview from our side."
"I see" replied the Malvione commander. "We'll begin our side then."
"The creatures you call Nova are indeed form another dimension. As to their orgins, we believe they are beings known to us as 'Aragami'."
Thomas shuddered slightly at the mention of the word. He knew what those beings were capable of, what monstrosities occurred before they had a chance to escape from it all.
"To give you a brief summary of the creatures in question, Thomas, if you would?" continued his CO."
"Yes sir. The aragami are clusters of a substance called 'Oracle cells'. We too do not understand them completely but we believe their origins began from the world that they were discovered."
Thomas paused for a moment then continued.
"The aragami are monsters who devour, as per say, literally eat anything. Furthermore, they transform into whatever they ingest. When we first encountered them, conventional weapons were completly useless. The human population in that world was decreased to 1% in a matter of a year. The aragami were looked upon as a force that could not be stopped that somewhere along the line, they began to be called 'gods'. Humanity stood on the brink of extinction if it weren't for the development of the bias factor. Similar to the stigmata, it was implanted into compatible fighters who were then known as 'gods eaters', the only ones capable of stemming the tide. However, oracle cells could not be trully destroyed, the gods eaters could only disrupt the bonds of the cell clusters and disperse them, leaving the aragami to eventually reform and mutate into more powerful forms. Eventually, even our best fighters, entire bases, began to fall prey to those monsters."
Thomas paused again to allow the Chevalier party to let the information sink in.
"Wait, no offense intended but, if the aragami were getting stronger why are you still alive?" asked Sister Margaret.
"I was about to get to that sister." replied Thomas
"Back then the gods eaters were headed by a group known as 'Fenrir'. We were being wiped out to the point that less than 5 bases remained operational by the time my current workplace, the Malvione Corps, discovered and rescued us. In other words, we abandoned that world after rescuing everyone still alive at that point." said the young officer sadly.
"Thank you Thomas." said the Malvione CO "I'll take it from here." The latter nodded and sat down as his commander continued.
"Well, to continue from where my subordinate left off, somewhere along the line the aragami somehow managed to get an ability to cross dimensions. Also, based on data some of your reports, it appears they've lost the ability to devour and transform into what they eat. Although whether they've lost the ability to regenerate is still under question." he added. "Now if there are no questions, I suggest we move into countermeasures."
"Hold on just one minute." one of the chevalier personnel blurted. "What is the point of all this? You're just trying to find out our military strength! For all we know you're planning to take over! Hell! You might even be behind the Nova!" he shouted at the hologram.
"I see. What's your name son?" asked the hologram
"It's Capt. Evans of the Chevalier military forces. and I refuse to allow any more vital information to be leaked out without prior knowledge of my superiors." replied the other.
"Very well Captain Evans. Do tell me, do you really think that you can hold down the line forever?" began the Malvione commander. "Dr. Aoi has just mentioned that your forces are severely depleted and the time interval is getting shorter. Can you prove to us here that you can keep this world from falling?" he added, leaving the whole room speechless. This one of the very few times that Thomas had seen his superior get emotional. Perhaps a deeper meaning? he thought. Thankfully Dr. Aoi faked a cough, setting the group tone once more.
"We see your point Vice Admiral Augustus." said Sister Margaret, directing herself to the hologram. "And that is why we are all here is it not? to prevent anymore unnecessary death and destruction on this 'world'. Therefore, would you please continue?" she asked. Augustus's hologram nodded and resumed his piece.
"Very well. So, as we've compiled our effective weapons, specifically the volt weapons of the pandorass and the plasma based weaponry of our arsenal, what other alternatives could be pursued?"
"Sir if I may add." began Thomas "The prototype rail cannon you sent to my company for field testing was also effective, although inconvenient for a regyular human to wield alone. It' also highly possible that the god arcs could be employed once more?"
"Indeed. We'll look into those possibilities Thomas. Thank you." replied his superior. "Dr. Aoi, is there anything you may want to add?" he added
"Doctor Aoi! you cannot give any more information to these 'guizi'*... began Capt. Evans. However, Dr. Aoi stopped him.
"Enough Captain, the situation is dire and in case you have forgotten, I am of authority when it comes to stigma related matters. The possibility that there may be more effective ways to combat the nova merits my say would it not?" retorted the doctor. Again the chevalier captain was silenced. Dr. Aoi, seeing no other willing to contest, continued.
"We have a prototype system that, much like the e-pandoras, will use normal humans as a base. Utilizing disposable forms of stigmata, there is minimal to no risk on it's users. However, the system is still in development despite the fact that there are already suitable candidates for testing." stated the doctor. "Known as Project Valkyrie, it's a system that allows normal humans to be on equal or more superior in terms of fighting ability to those of the pandoras under certain conditions. The only would be drawback is the limited time the stigma will hold before ejecting itself from the user." he added.
"I see, I'll send some of our Engineers to give you a hand, if you would prefer." said Vice Admiral Augustus. "Perhaps a shared knowledge of information could accelerate the process?"
"It would be much obliged Vice Admiral." replied the doctor. "Now is there any other points we should discuss? I believe all of us still have our duties to perform after this meeting."
"I have one matter." said Captain Evans. "You all speak of countermeasures, but what about taking the fight to them? Doctor Aoi as you may already know, one of our objectives is not only to combat the nova but also to put a stop to the invasions."
"An excellent question Mister Evans" answered the hologram. "But I believe that that topic cannot be discussed without proper planning. Technicalities aside, I agree we need to eventually combat them in their world but without the right forces, we would be decimated."
"So what can you do at the moment?" asked the former, already irritated.
"The best we can do for you right now is to send engineers. Lieutenant Shubaltz over here will remain to supervise on our behalf. As for the rest of our forces, we must return for the time being to resupply and stock up on necessities before other substantial support can be offered." replied the latter.
"Sir, one thing." began Thomas. "Permission for the rest of my squad to remain. There still lies the threat of another attack before you return."
"You have a point." began his superior. "Let's see..."
"I cannot allow you to land any more forces necessary!" retorted Captain Evans, interrupting the conversation once again
"Shut up Evans!" his partner silenced him. "The man has a point. I may have questions about their altruistic manner but I believe that the best course of action would be to allow them such actions." he added.
"Don't worry, we won't betray your trust." answered Augustus in response. "Orpheus, calculate the next probable occurrence of a nova attack. Use their dates as reference. Substitute values from the 'Kaiju incident**' if necessary."
Within 20 seconds, the AI responded. "Sir, based on my readings, the next possible attack would be anytime within 2-3 months."
"That soon... It seems we have less time than we thought" said Sister Margaret.
"That is short." echoed the Malvione CO. "Thomas, permission granted. I can't send you your whole team due to protocol but I'll instruct Captain Riley to send you any equipment you need that they have on board."
"Thank you sir. Would that include Strike Package 071?" asked a slightly elated Thomas.
"Provided they have it." repeated his superior. "Now, the question is where can they be deployed? Dr. Aoi, Sister Margaret, can West Genetics provide enough space to house extra units?"
"Certainly." answered the woman. The doctor as well agreed, telling the Chevalier personnel that it was necessary for 'that'. Thomas didn't know what he referred to but no doubt it was important. The meeting ended with no other issues at hand.
/2 hours later (West Genetics outskirts)/
Thomas was standing outside the hangar, watching his requested equipment roll down the landing platform.
"Someone's overcompensating." a voice behind him said. The former turned around and saw both Alex and Wringe. The pair apparently walking up to him while he was distracted by the event.
"Glad to know you guys are stuck with me on this one." said the foxtrot leader.
"Dont mention it." replied Alex. "Still, don't you think this is too much out of the poor captain's cargo?" he added, looking at the items being brought down.
"This is the minimum if we're gonna have a chance of keeping losses to a minimum." replied Thomas. "The damage you saw when you guys got me out was caused by 3 main targets and around 50 grunts." he added, recalling the events in Alaska. Still, strike package 071 was a big loadout. The requested set had 2 pelicans, 2 banshees, 3 warthhogs, 2 ghosts, a pair of wraith tanks, and to back it up, a covenant Scarab. Thomas also requested for plasma based weaponry for the troops being deployed. He also had 2 hogs outfitted with the gauss turret and the remaining dedicated to troop transport. It was a lot of equipment for the 19 Foxtrot and 12 Delta company members stationed to stay with him but he felt they would need the extra firepower.
Well lieutenant, now that you've up and raided our stores, anything else you need before we set off?" Said Captain Riley appearing on Thomas' HUD "It'll take a while before we can return with reinforcements not to mention the resupply bill will be huge." added Deuteronomy's captain.
"That'll be all cap'." replied Thomas. "Thanks for everything."
The captain smirked before closing the uplink. Soon after, the Deuteronomy fired her engines and sailed off into sky. It would be a while before any contact with HQ would connect. Thomas sighed as he saw the last vestiges of the slipstream portal disappear. Looking at his crew, he wondered how he would have to explain to his new comrades in this world about them
'It's gonna be a long evening...' he sighed.
TL: well, one exposition heavy chapter, the chapter signalling the prelude and advent of the Valkyrie Arc. Hope it wasn't too heavy-ish anyway...
results are in, the scarab takes the lead expect it to have it's fair share of action in the chapters to come
2. My usual 'review reply corner'
Dudewithanm4a1: he wasn't beat up much by that time ( due to the white particle effect) but exhaustion and mental fatigue did him in
Kyondakogon: yup still the same person writing. Reasons for doing so are personal.
3. some terms that may need clarification
guizi*- Chinese term for foreigner attributed to military enemy (taken from wikipedia)
kaiju incident**- see pacific rim
Aragami, gods eaters, etc: look up the Gods Eaters wiki
4. I needed to recognize two users who inspired me to write this fanfic: SeraphOmega (fanfic: A tale of two) and Nyan-rolled (fanfic: Freezing White Night)
5. well, I guess that's it from me for this chapter. to my readers, hope you enjoyed and hope to see you again soon. Don't hesitate to leave a review or a PM.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any titles above. THis work is purely fictional, any similarities to real life people events and otherwise are purely coincidental.
