Clamoring voices filled the air of the main hall. Individuals moved and weaved around the crowd of people. A few persons from the maintenance unit, began setting up a table, near the monitor above, filled with communication equipment. Strands of cords were strewn all over the floor, speakers sat at both ends of the table or on the floor, as microphones were being plugged into the communication systems. Some members from the research unit were taking notes on their clipboards, while others helped set up the equipment.

Trying to get to the elevator, the first unit, criss-cross through. Kota and Lindow led the group, trying to make their way, as they gently moved other people out of their path. They finally arrived in front of the elevator.

"Damn, this is insane. I've never seen so many people gathering all at once, just for this one mission." sighed Lindow.

"Is this the first monitored mission?" asked Kota.

"No. There were a few other monitored ones. Though they were a lot more...quiet and passive compared to this." replied Lindow.

He glanced at Alisa, who wore a worried expression. She stared at the elevator, silent, ever since they came into the main hall. Drake was preparing himself, and was to meet with Sakaki. Not knowing what to say, Lindow scratched his head. He stared at Sakuya, who was standing next to her. With a short gesture, he pointed to Alisa. Sakuya, catching his action, nodded.

"I'm sure Drake will be fine. After all, he said he completed missions like this."

Alisa suddenly lifted her head, and pivoted it to Sakuya. The medical sniper smiled at her, trying to ease her best friend's anxiety. Alisa dropped her head down, still showing a troubled look.

"But...even so..."

Lindow breathed out wistfully. Backing up Sakuya's statement, with his best outward smile, he spoke, "Drake's always out-speeding his enemies. Almost nobody can catch that guy while he's endlessly running around and attacking. I doubt he could get hurt."

"..."

"That guy's hard to get to rid of. In more ways than one." commented Soma.

"Wow, Soma. Are you actually comforting someone?" joked Kota.

"Shut up you."

Interrupting their conversation, the elevator dinged. As they heard it, the floor indicator on the side, gradually changed from 'Executive Section', to 'Entrance'. It dinged once more, and the doors opened. There, the doors revealed Doctor Sakaki, and Drake. Everybody in the main hall placed their attention to the two men, as they stepped out of the elevator. Sakaki moved over to the door of the hangar, standing in front of it. Drake followed Sakaki, and they both faced the crowd. One of the members from the research unit handed Sakaki a plugged microphone. Showing his usual shifty-eyed face with a smile, Sakaki began his explanation of the situation.

"Sorry to keep you waiting everyone. As we all know, we are here to observe the lieutenant's battle plan. This mission is required to better the understanding on how to battle high-class powerful aragami for our God Eaters. The aragami he will be fighting will be the Dyaus Pita, a new-type Vajra."

As Sakaki announced the name, a picture of the Dyaus Pita appeared on the huge monitor above him.

"The Dyaus Pita is highly balanced in both power and speed. To add to this, the defense for this aragami is quite sturdy, making it difficult to land an attack on it. This aragami, is basically an electric-like tiger; if a God Eater were to get close to it as it emits electricity, the God Eater would most likely of get stunned. Furthermore..."

Sakaki continued his explanation on the Dyaus Pita. Alisa, however, just stared at Drake, ignoring Sakaki's speech, still disturbed and concerned. Drake noticed the silver-haired Russian girl's expression.

She's still worried I see. Well, it's only natural for her to be. After all, the Dyaus Pita did damage her, in more ways than one. Thought Drake.

Not wanting to attract the crowd's attention, Drake simply smiled at her. Alisa became surprised by the sudden change on his face. He continued showing that happy-go-lucky grin to her, until she finally smiled as well.

That's right. Worrying about his safety, would only mean doubting his strength. I need to believe in him. After all, he supported me. Everybody else as well.

With a sigh of relief, Alisa finally listened to Sakaki's speech. After a few minutes, he finally finished and enclosed, "Now, let's begin the test, shall we?"

No words were spoken between the others. The sounds of metal clanging and drills bolting in bolts reached their ears, as they stood in the hangar. Licca was preparing Drake's God Arc, as requested by him.

"Phew! Finally done. Drake! Your God Arc's done, just like you asked me."

"Thanks Licca."

Drake stood in front of the table holding his God Arc. He picked it up, raising it in the air. The silver short blade glistened under the lights, the white bow-gun hid itself under the blade, and a yellow shield with rune markings sat on top of it. The first unit, Tsubaki, and Sakaki, stared at Drake's God Arc, wondering his choice of weapons.

Sakaki, knowing what everyone else is thinking, asked Drake, "Well now. What kind of weapons did you have Licca apply on your God Arc, Drake?"

"The shield part is Seraphim G. Since the Dyaus Pita can occasionally stun its opponents, this shield will protect me from it. The gun part is the Ibaraki Bow EX. This gun is capable of piercing shots. It's quite balanced in elemental shots. And this... This blade is the Chevalier EX. The only thing this weapon has, is the sharpest tip. Meaning, it has the highest piercing power. It's the key to the Dyaus Pita."

"Hey, are you sure these weapons will work? The Dyaus Pita has a weakness to divine equipment." Questioned Kota, unsure by his choice of weaponry.

"Oh it is, Kota. You'd be surprised by the true weakness of the Dyaus Pita." chuckled Drake.

"Huh?"

As Kota became bewildered by Drake's statement, Sakaki wandered over to Drake, handing him an earpiece.

"The reasearch unit and I will be communicating you though this. The rest of the first unit will be backup, in case if you need any help. We'll be observing your battle through the monitor. You be careful out there, Drake."

"Thanks Sakaki." nodded Drake.

Kota, Lindow, and Sakuya walked over to Drake, telling him to be careful as well.

"Go get 'em." Kota gave out his fist to Drake. He bumped it in return.

"Remember those 3 orders I always gave you, all right? Or was that 4? Anyways, just come back alive, OK?" Lindow gave a high-five to Drake, and so did Sakuya.

Soma standing against the rails, gave a thumbs-up. Drake returned it.

He turned to Alisa, who was silent. Their eyes met, and they stared at each other for a moment. They didn't say anything. All she did was smile, and so did Drake.

"Well I'm off, you guys." beamed Drake.

With those last words, he left for the door, and out he went.

As the doors closed behind him, the sunlight shined down on his face, followed with a small gust of wind. Helicopters on helipads came into his vision. Drake digged into his pocket, producing a small golden amulet.

"The dreaded day is nearing. I just hope no one knows..." He looks up into the blue sky. "After I'm done, I'll go visit you...Clara."

End of Chapter 2: The Wheel of Fate is Turning