Chapter 15; Assault

Pacing back and forth in the living room of her suite, Chifuyu silently fumed as Tabane sat on the couch, sifting through her papers on the coffee table and her computer. She had just been briefing Chifuyu on what she had learned after analyzing the remains of the machines that attacked the Academy. So far, there had been frustratingly little data available to them. The machines had an automatic function that fried their physical memory when they died, making Tabane's job much more difficult. She also had several broken spheres in front of her; the largest pieces of the cores those machines had been using. Their design was disturbing to her, although she made an effort not to let it show. They were very close to the design of her own IS cores, though they were still inferior to them. Still, it was close enough to make her feel uneasy, considering how long it took her to design and create a single core. To think they could mass-produce such a close copy so quickly she thought as she examined one of the fragments.

"Okay, let's go over it again," Chifuyu said, straining to keep her emotions in check, "Clearly, the machines that attacked the Academy belong to the group that sent those two IS after some of our pilots previously. They also set the Gospel free and sent it towards the resort we were staying at." "When you say it like that, Chifu-ni," Tabane said, placing the core fragment back on the table, "It sounds like someone's targeting these kids specifically. In fact, I would guess that they are after Si-kun. They all seemed to focus on him when he appeared in each incident." "I know, and that's what worries me. I know the boy has talent, but why would they want him specifically?" They couldn't come to a reasonable explanation for this seeming fixation on Simon, especially since he had neglected to tell them about his personal connection to the Gospel. "Well, let's assume that is what they want. Now that they have him, what will they do?" Chifuyu asked, trying to keep the ball rolling.

"Judging from what I've learned from these cores, I don't think it will end well for him," Tabane said. "Why?" "Well, I tested one of the larger fragments earlier and powered it up. It exploded after a few seconds," she said, flinching slightly at the look she got from Chifuyu, "But I managed to record some feedback before it exploded. But, I can't explain what it's doing there." Turning the screen so Chifuyu could read it, Tabane brought up the readings she had recorded. It was a series of waves undulating on the screen, and it tugged at something in Chifuyu's memory. "I feel like I've seen this before." "And you have, every time you were in a hospital. They're EEG waves, brainwaves." Chifuyu just stood there as she digested that.

"But," she began, feeling her confidence starting to waver, "What's that doing in a machine?" "I don't know," Tabane responded, turning the screen back, "I can't think of any methods that would give this kind of results." "So, how is this bad news for Simon?" "Maybe I should have been clearer," Tabane said, "When I said I can't think of any methods, I meant that I can't think of any official methods to create these kinds of cores. But I can guess at it." "By all means, guess," Chifuyu said, feeling her patience starting to wear thin. "Well, I would guess that the method for activating the cores require a human brain. That's the only thing I can think of that would produce this kind of data." They looked at each other, the full implications dawning on them. Human brains are required to manufacture these cores, and they have Simon and his core.

As he quickly worked through the mound of parts and limbs that was his IS, Simon breathed a quick prayer of thanks that he had been left in the bay. It hadn't taken much to convince the Gospel that he wasn't going to try and escape, at least without specifically saying that. His exact words were, "You have my word that I won't use my IS' weapons to escape." Technically not a lie, since he wouldn't need the weapons to get out of there. It wouldn't do him much good, anyways, since he was reduced to his gauntlet swords and a pair of fangs. Besides, he didn't plan on escaping just yet. There was more he wanted to learn about this group first. As he brought the left shoulder guard up and started attaching it to the chest plate, he heard the door behind him open. Continuing his work, he had to fight the urge to turn around and face whoever it was. Regardless of their treatment of him, he was still in an enemy base.

"And why are you putting that machine back together?" Judging from the voice, he could tell it was the Fairy. It was the only machine that had an undertone of smugness in its voice, which was odd for a machine. "Because I slaved for almost a year to build this thing, and I won't stand by while it lays in pieces," he responded, trying to keep his tone neutral, "Or did my sister not tell you what I do?" "That's good, you're calling her 'sister' now," it responded, circling the IS so it was in front of him, "And yes, she told me. She also said that the choice over conversion was ultimately up to you, that she will respect your decision." He thought about that as he finished attaching the guard. Moving to the wings, he began to reattach the feathers. "Well, what's your opinion on it?" he asked. "Personally, I think you're too valuable an asset to lose, regardless of your personal feelings on the matter," it responded, dropping the smug tone and sounding deathly serious. "You sound like a soldier." "I was, until I volunteered for a 'special assignment.' Little did I know that it would be more permanent than I would have liked."

"So why not try and change back?" he asked. Maybe I can help these people he hoped. "Because the process destroys the brain, remember?" it said, sounding offended, "And besides, why would I want to go back? I'm so much more now." "And how's that?" Leaning over the suit so they were face to face, it said, "I understand so much more. I can do so much more than any human ever could. I have more power now than I could have ever hoped to gain." Its tone was one of awe, clearly was pleased with the change. "As for you," it continued, "You are far too fascinating to just allow you to leave. I've never seen someone do what you did during our battle." "You've never seen someone protect another person?" he asked, skeptical. "I've seen that. What I meant was how you sacrificed yourself to protect them," it said, walking around the IS and standing next to him, "You surrendered yourself to us, no questions, no demands. You couldn't have known what we would do, but you did it anyway."

Standing up so he could be ready for whatever this thing was doing, he turned and faced it. "Is it really that shocking?" he asked. "Who is she to you?" it asked, ignoring his question, "Clearly someone precious. A lover, perhaps?" Simon felt his fists tighten at that. Moving closer, it brought its hand up to his face. "Perhaps she is your greatest link to this existence," it mussed, cupping his chin like it was examining him, "I wonder what would happen if it was severed…" "Don't you dare," he growled. This thing was on dangerous ground, whether it knew it or not. "I do what I please now, human," it said, releasing him and stepping back, "You should seriously consider taking the Gospel's offer. I would hate for you to waste such an opportunity. You show much promise." Without another word, it turned and walked away, leaving a trembling Simon behind.

Making the decision he had been putting off till now, he turned back to his IS and continued reassembling it. Fuck this place, I need to get out of here he thought as he finished putting the left wing together. What ticked him off the most was there was a small voice in the back of his head telling him to do it. Just imagine what you can do it said, all the power, all the knowledge, it can be yours. SHUT UP he kept screaming back at it, but it wouldn't. He couldn't stop the thoughts running through his head. Regardless of what it would cost him, the prospect of becoming one of them was enticing enough that he couldn't dismiss it outright. And he was worried that deep down, he really did want to.

Sitting in the command room, the Gospel went through the most recent update for their forces. They had been forced to process some of their initiates early to replace loses they had suffered during the raid, and as a result they had lost more to excessive fragmenting than she would have liked. But it was worth it, because Simon is back she thought. "We should step up the production of the new assault ship, Gospel," Widow, the spider IS, suggested, bringing up the blueprints for the new ship, "We may need it before too long." "I told you, my name is Sarah," she said with a sigh. No matter how many times she reminded them, the others refused to use her proper name. "We're machines now. We should be true to that," Fairy had told her once. While that may be true, it doesn't mean I can stop being me. "Besides, why would we need the assault ship? They don't even know where we are," she continued.

"That's not necessarily true, Gospel," Fairy said as she walked into the room, "We don't know if we disabled any trackers aboard his IS. Tabane is a crafty woman." While that was true, between the four of them, they had a nearly complete understanding of the IS technology. They hadn't yet managed to create true cores, but their version was easily replicated. At Crusade's recommendation, they had even gone so far as to mount IS weapons on a ship, giving them a decisive advantage in combat. They had even managed to secure a submarine for more covert actions. While Sarah didn't agree with this build-up of arms, she understood that it was necessary should any of the researchers that created them decide to try and reclaim them. She was sure that they had dealt with that problem when they escaped from the facility and commandeered this one, but like Tabane they could be extremely resourceful. It was the only way they had managed to carry out their little 'project' under their superior's nose for so long.

"I would think that if he had a beacon we would have detected the signal by now, Fairy," Widow said dismissively, "And besides, the only ones stupid enough to attack us, if they knew where we are, would be his idiot friends." "About that," Fairy said, turning to Sarah, "Did he tell you about his 'connection' to them?" Thinking about it a moment, Sarah responded, "They're his friends, so of course he's connected to them." "Oh, so he doesn't trust you enough to tell you that?" Fairy asked, amused. "And just what is it that I should know, Fairy?" she demanded, walking over to face her.

"Did you ever notice how protective he is of that British girl?" she asked, tilting her head, "He's rather attached to her. I confronted him about it, and his reaction was very telling. She's precious to him." "What of it?" "Well, I was just thinking," Fairy said, "If she's his strongest link, then what would happen if it was severed?" "You want to kill her?" Sarah asked, stunned. How could she even suggest that, especially if she's close to Simon? "I was just thinking that she might be the reason he hasn't made a decision," Fairy reasoned, turning away, "Maybe he needs some encouragement." Sarah just stood there as she processed this new information.

She hated to admit it, but she immediately ran several simulations as she wondered if it would work out that way. She liked to think she knew her brother well enough to know what he would decide, but she had never seen him in love. And that is clearly what this had to be, considering what she had seen after reviewing the footage from the surviving units and what Fairy had just told her. That lack of information was frustrating, and caused her simulations to come up with a wide variety of possibilities, almost none of them what she would have wanted. "You just ran through the possibilities, didn't you, Gospel?" Fairy asked, looking back at her. "Maybe I did. What of it, Fairy?" Sarah asked back in a challenging tone. Regardless of what the ex-solider felt, she was still the one in charge. "Nothing, Gospel, nothing at all," she said as she turned and walked away. As Sarah returned to her seat, she wondered if she would have to act on Fairy's suggestion. She didn't want to lose her brother again, not so long as she could help it.

Standing on the beach, Cecilia took a moment to steel herself for what they were about to do. True to form, Rin and Laura had jumped at the chance of striking back. What had surprised them was that Tatenashi and Kanzashi had been waiting for them as they left the hospital. "So, where are you off to looking so determined?" Tatenashi asked, smiling sweetly. "W-well, we were thinking of going to grab a bite to eat," Cecilia said, hoping to distract the girls. "Really, because I thought you were going to get Simon back," she countered, causing everyone to flinch. Before they could try and deny it, Kanzashi stepped forward. "I-if you're going to rescue him, p-please let us come with you," she begged, looking desperate to do something.

When she wouldn't go on, Tatenashi continued for her. "We owe that boy a lot," she explained, "He helped me with something I could never have done myself, and he helped my sister. We'd like the opportunity to repay him." "Then we go together!" Rin said, all fired up. She had been practically climbing the walls after they had arrived, and she wasn't about to let her pseudo-brother be held captive by those things. "We'll knock those things flat!" "I like the confidence you show," Maylin said, "However, this is an enemy you do not wish to underestimate. You can trust me on that." The group split up to make their preparations to leave, agreeing to meet down at the beach in two hours.

Now, standing there with Rin, she waited for the others to arrive. "So, we're finally going after your man, huh?" Rin asked, smiling at how it made Cecilia blush. She didn't deny it, though, which was exactly what Rin had been looking for. Those two had spent enough time dancing around each other, and if this wasn't enough to get them to get over it, nothing would be. "I just don't like the thought of him being held by that bitch of a machine," she responded, looking away. "You don't have to keep that tough-girl act up, Cecilia," Rin said, softening her tone. She knew full well how soft this girl was on the inside, regardless of how tough she tried to act. "It's okay to admit that you care. I mean, you already admitted it in front of Charlotte and Ichika." "I-I, what? How?" she stammered, turning back to face her and turning a brighter red. Rin just smiled fiendishly as her friend stuttered like a moron before saying, "Relax, I won't spread it around. At least, not yet."

Before Cecilia could think of a response, Maylin and the Sarashiki sisters joined them. They spent the next half hour in idle chatter as they waited for the others. They discussed virtually everything they could think of, except their current actions. They were all nervous about going into battle; even Tatenashi had felt a bit shaky when she had stopped to think about it. It wasn't like the raid, where it had just happened and they were forced to react. This was a conscious decision to start a fight, and with an enemy that had caused them more damage than they were willing to admit. While she couldn't speak for any of the others, Cecilia was constantly remembering how one of the enemy IS had taken on Ichika and Houki single-handed and had managed to hospitalize the girl, despite the fact that she had been using a 4th generation IS.

When the rest of them had arrived, Cecilia felt that she had to say something. "Everyone, I just want to say thank you," she said, fighting down the tremble in her voice, "Truly, it means a lot. But, if you don't want to do this, you don't have to. I'm going, but I don't expect you to risk-" "You can stop right there, Cecilia," Rin said, sensing her unease, "We wouldn't be here if we weren't committed to this. We're with you, all the way." Looking between the faces of her friends, she saw determination, and it was almost enough to bring her to tears. "Alright, let's do this," she said as they summoned their IS. As one, they took off from the beach and set a course for the island base.

Standing before his complete IS, Simon quickly brought up a diagnostic on the computer station nearby. It wouldn't do him any good to suit up if they had screwed with its systems. Considering the conversation he had just had with the Fairy, it was something he wouldn't put past it. Setting it to run automatically, he walked in a slow circle around the IS, making sure he had put everything back properly. He had been forced to make short-cuts in some of the connections, which would work well in the short term, but would fail under sustained loads. Let's just hope that won't be necessary he thought as he checked over the wings. Before he could finish his visual inspection, the knight IS, Crusade, came into the room and walked right up to him.

"Can I help you with something?" he asked, trying to sound brave. This IS, more than the others, scared him. It had taken a 3.5 and a 4th gen IS single-handed and won. He had no illusions about how it would end up if he fought it, even if his IS had been in peak condition. After staring at him for a few minutes, it leaned down and asked, "Why are you still here?" "W-what do you mean?" he responded, taken back by the sudden question. "If you wished to join us, you would have," it reasoned, "If you didn't, then you would have left before now. So again, why are you still here?" "You aren't a big believer in foreplay, are you, Crusade?" he asked, slightly amused. It was almost like he was talking with Laura.

"I don't see the point in avoiding what people should confront," it told him, standing up again, "If you wish to leave this place, than do so. I won't stop you." Smiling, he turned back to continue working on his IS. Before he could move, though, it placed a hand on his shoulder and stopped him. "But know this," it continued, "The second you do, you will be my enemy. There will be no mercy the next time." "Thank you for the warning. I'll try and remember it," he said, flashing a smile with absolutely no warmth to it. He could almost imagine an answering smile on its helmet as Crusade turned and left him. As he continued his examination, he noticed that his IS' standby was nowhere to be found. Crap, I need that watch, and fast he thought as he started to search through the rest of the room.

After turning the last box of parts upside down, he sighed in frustration. It wasn't there, which meant that activating his IS remotely was going to be an issue. His choices were now down to a manual activation or leaving the bay and trying to locate it, without drawing too much attention. Damnit, why now? Sighing, he turned to leave before he spotted a familiar green loop on the table that held the computer. Walking over to it, he stopped and slapped himself for being so damned stupid. They had left it out in the freaking open, and why not? His IS had been in pieces at the time, so there was no need to keep it hidden. Always the last place you look he thought as he walked over and picked it up. As he put it on, the feeling he got was one of completion. He hadn't realized how vulnerable he felt without it on, and it was comforting to have it back. Now, to get out of here he thought as an alarm blared.

After a three hour flight, they arrived at the island Maylin had identified. Flying low to avoid detection till the last possible moment, they split up in their agreed upon battle plan. Laura, Tatenashi, Kanzashi and Rin stayed on course, while Maylin and Cecilia broke right and Ichika and Charlotte went left. As they neared the island, Laura activated a pulse scan, essentially an IS version of active sonar for ships, to try and locate any structures. "Three buildings confirmed," she reported, charging her cannon, "There also appears to be a door in the inlet to our left, possibly a dock for their ship." "We're on it," Ichika said, his voice crackling with anticipation. He was itching for a chance to find that knight IS. The others could only hope that Charlotte would be able to keep him under control.

Stopping just offshore, Laura and Kanzashi primed their weapons and fired at the main building Laura had marked, blowing away armor and concrete with a cannon round and missile storm. As the smoke began to clear, Harpies came screaming out of several hidden bays, firing on the four pilots they could see. While they prepared their next salvo, Rin and Tatenashi moved between them and the oncoming machines. Cutting loose with their weapons, they blew away the first few Harpies with very little resistance. The rest of them, however, scattered and began engaging them from multiple directions. Soon, Laura and Kanzashi were forced to turn their attention to them, and missiles, energy blasts and bullets filled the air.

Ichika and Charlotte kept on their course and found the door in short order. Bringing out her rifle, Charlotte shot out the main locks on the door and, with each of them taking a side, they forced them open. Once inside, they found the assault ship that had attacked them not too long ago. And standing on top of the ship's nose with javelins in hand was the Fairy. "Well, if it isn't the little samurai boy," it mocked, "Where's your girlfriend?" "You're not the IS I want," he said, raising his sword, "But you'll do." At this, he charged.

After blowing a hole through one of the Harpy launch hatches, Maylin and Cecilia began moving into the complex. Before they could even reach the first turn, however, a group of those cyber cats appeared from around said corner and immediately opened fire. Moving in front of Cecilia, Maylin raised her rifles as the rounds impacted her shields. Firing steadily, she whittled down the enemy as Cecilia came around her right side. Raising her own rifle, she opened fire and quickly picked off the remaining cats. Moving up to the intersection, they quickly checked both passages for enemies. "Do you have any idea where they might be holding him?" Cecilia asked. "No. One direction will be as good as the next." "Then we go right." Taking the right passage, they ran into two more groups of cats before finding themselves in a large maintenance bay.

Taking the time to examine their surroundings for enemies, they noticed a large spider standing in the center of the room. "You have some nerve barging in like this," Widow said, bringing her weapons online, "It looks like I'm going to have to teach you some manners." "I will take this one," Maylin said, stepping forward and closing her helmet, "You go find Simon." "You sure you'll be alright?" Cecilia asked. In response, Maylin switched her right rifle to its sword and charged the IS, firing as she went. For a brief moment, Cecilia was torn between helping her friend, and finding Simon. It didn't last long as she watched Maylin drive the spider back, forcing it to keep on the move or risk destruction. She's definitely my daughter she thought as she turned and blew out one of the doors leading deeper into the facility. Two more turns and she suddenly ran into the Gospel, the machine she had been both hoping and dreading to find.

Before she could raise her rifle, or even think of attacking, it unleashed a wave of energy bombs, forcing her back around the corner. "I know why you're here, Cecilia," it said, walking forward. "Then just hand him over, and I'll be on my way," Cecilia responded. As she leapt around the corner and took aim, she realized how close the Gospel had come. Reaching up, it grabbed the end of her rifle and turned it aside as she reflexively pulled the trigger, sending a bolt into the wall. "I'm afraid I can't do that," it said, raising a hand with a charged beam in it, "I will not lose my brother again. Not to you, or anyone else." It fired the beam straight into her chest, taking a good chunk of her shields out and throwing her back a couple meters. "He's mine now, do you hear me? Mine," it continued, calmly walking towards her, "I don't care what kind of bond you two share, I will not let you take him." This thing's crazy Cecilia realized as she dodged another blast and returned fire. The Gospel just raised one of its wings and deflected the bolt, almost as if it was sneering at her. "If killing you is what it takes to keep him here and safe, then so be it," it finally said before charging Cecilia.

Aannd, cliffhanger! What will happen to our brave pilots now? Can Ichika and Charlotte survive their encounter with their 'fated' killer? Will the Gospel kill our beloved Cecilia before she even finds Simon? I still feel like such a bastard for this, but till next chapter, folks.
Sorry that it's kinda cut to pieces, but this one, and the next chapter, are at that point where there's a lot going on in several places at once.