Chapter 6: Execution Overskill - Lost Sanctuary! Part Two!
Episode 18 - The Forbidden Star
After the Sousenkyo, the forty elected members out of the hundreds of members that were present would represent AKB0048 for their first single in four years.
The forty idols were split into groups of ten according to the rankings in ascending order. Four groups were formed just as the original AKB48 did - Senbatsu, Undergirls, Next Girls, and the Future Girls.
Baltistar, a planet heavily guarded by the Entertainment Ban despite its residence being pro-entertainment, would be the elected members' next performance.
Vegastar, a small artificial moon-like planet half the size of Baltistar, guarded the planet. Like Akibastar, Vegastar's city, military bases, and casinos were built deep within the planet's 'core' itself with artificial atmosphere.
Tsubasa, Chris, and Alito decided to send in the Undergirls - Nagisa, Suzuko, Orine, Yuka, Kanata, Sonata, the ninth Rie Kitahara, the 7.5th Yui Yokoyama, and Megumi to infiltrate Vegastar's main military base to investigate anything of interest.
Makoto inadvertently blew the Undergirls' cover but thanks to Chris and Alito's intervention, they managed to escape the pursuing DES's squad.
While escaping from the pursuit units, Chris and Alito received a rather pleasant surprise in the form of Higashino - a DES soldier - who assisted them in their escape. The defected DES soldier then led them towards a huge nuclear reactor inside the main casino, which turned out to be the Vegastar's 'Core'.
Though suspicious at first, the Maidens found out that Higashino was not as merciless as they thought he would be.
"Idols are humans too, weren't they? Humans have flaws in which they strived to overcome, right? The times where you have tried to overcome stage frights, the times where you fell down and repeatedly crawl back up just to try again, it really made me feel as if I'm not completely alone. That I have someone whom I can relate to is a wonderful feeling indeed, as cheesy as it may be. Those are the times where I grew to appreciate you not as an idol, but as a human being who is free to love; free to sing; to dance; to perform, and to give in her very best no matter the flaws she incurred!" Higashino smiled.
"H...Higashino-san..." Makoto stammered.
"Chris...Alito...thanks for taking care of Makoto during the time you have been in Akibastar. You earned my utmost respect since you two and Tsubasa have guided her through the tough times she has been..." Higashino simpered.
"Higashino...why do you join DES? People like you should not be in DES at all..." Chris frowned in concern, detecting truth in his words thanks to the Social Enhancement.
"It's my duty...Ever since I signed up for DES to save my parents and grandparents - who were pro-entertainment - from being accused of supporting entertainment, I swore to bide until the time where I will make my escape with my relatives from Naniwastar to Akibastar. That is where we can continue to fully show our support to AKB0048 and Makoto!" Higashino clenched his fists in determination as he made his firm statement.
"This man...this man isn't like the heartless DES. He should not be here. He takes his job in guarding seriously, but he don't indulge in merciless killing and still love humanity because he knows he is one too...Honor, this man has honor..." Chris frowned.
"But, my Lady...that would means a high chance of Higashino dying should we shut the reactor down!" Alito frowned as she communicated with the sub-vocal augments.
Chris inputted Higashino's DNA signature into the three satellite tracking systems that she had launched earlier during her ventures in AKB0048's dimension.
Every adventurer would have satellite trackers launched into whatever world they ventured into; used for referential purposes.
Project Tundra's energy signature scan - Higashino's DNA sample taken...
Projecting DNA Sample to Cross-Dimensional Satellites placed in Akibastar Galaxy System...
Tracking Naniwastar...done.
Triangulating Higashino's home and relatives based on DNA, blood, and biological signatures...found.
Destination: Naniwastar - Oyodokita Area
Return Destination: Akibastar
Extra Note: Destroy DES, AT ANY COST. WEAPONRY SYSTEMS: NO HOLDS BARRED.
"We have to rescue him...he must live...His relatives must live...they MUST." Chris frowned as she inputted several commands into the few R8 stationed back at the Flying Get. Her left eye glowed as the Project Tubdra's rune symbol combined with Team Muse's 'U' symbol flared up.
Project Tundra Arcana Core X-35IS's Command Prompt L689-05A: Activating the strongest R8's - Audi R8 GT Full Pro Edition, Audi R8 LMS Ultra, and Audi R8 V10 Plus NFS Edition (992 BHP Edition).
Engine ready...
Launch control set...
Advanced Weaponry and Countermeasures uploaded to Arcane Transmitter.
Geography tracker and Environmental Terrain function uploaded to Multi Media Interfaces. Driving functions transferred to MMI's Database.
Wireless link set up and all functions...ONLINE. (0.2 seconds)
Adventurers Republic Dimensional Bridge System's next destination - Naniwastar's Oyodokita Area...
"Thanks...Team Muse..." Chris whispered her thanks softly in to the air.
After Makoto materialised her blue, blob-like Kirara and shut the reactor down for Chris's self-destruction reprogramming...
"Once Alito and I activate the self destruct program, the Reactor will be in overdrive. We will have twenty minutes to escape Vegastar before it blows every heartless business beings in this area." Chris frowned.
"But why would you do that?" Higashino wondered.
"First rule of warfare: Take out Command and Control. Vegastar is the main planet that takes watch over Balitistar; if we destroy Vegastar, it will be easy to destroy the DES stationed in Baltistar. Besides, if we destroy some of the DGTO's major weapon dealers here...we would have cut off 30% of DES's major weapon supply temporarily." Chris replied calmly.
"But they might escape!" Nagisa shot out in worry.
"The reactor also controls all hydraulics to the entrances and exits of Vegastar altogether; no one can escape by any means unless we commanded them to, or through the airlock which connects a large detachable compartment room behind the reactor. It will make sure that it detached itself from Vegastar permanently." Alito reassured.
"Nagisa, Makoto, Orine, Suzuko, Yuka, Kanata, Rie, Yui, Megumi, you all are part of the Undergirls Group as the Sousenkyo stated, so you have to escape the facility quickly. Your performances in Baltistar will start in about twenty minutes as arranged by Tsubasa, who will be picking you up via the Flying Get after the compartment detached itself." Chris followed firmly.
As the footsteps of alerted DES's soldiers became louder and louder, Higashino flicked on the airlock's switch without hesitation.
"I will give the self-destruction signal after I led you all in; you gals make your escape!" Higashino shot out.
"But the DES troops will persecute and execute you!" Makoto shot out in worry.
"I wouldn't mind...I rather face responsibility for what I have done and take the consequences! At least even if I die, I will die not as a coward, but as someone who will support entertainment and you - Makoto - to the end! Just remember...I will always be your biggest fan no matter my fate after!" Higashino gave a warm smile.
Chris grabbed Higashino's hand. "Go!"
"What?" Higashino wondered.
"People like you do not deserve to die. A man of honor and care for others deserves a second chance. You have taught us well about the values of humanity, Higashino, and so we want to help your relatives as well; they are heading towards Akibastar via the R8s that I have wirelessly controlled via my Arcane Reactor as we speak." Chris frowned.
"So we will help you; follow Makoto and company, GO!" Chris shot out as she gave a short, harmless ice blast to push Higashino into the compartment along with the Undergirls.
"But you will die, Chris and Alito-sempai!" Nozomi shot out in worry.
Chris and Alito slammed the close button upon the airlock compartment.
"No worries...We got this covered; we will never let any heartless DES, business person, or DGTO weapons' dealer in this facility get out alive..." Chris and Alito nodded softly as they activated the self-destruction signals.
Core Reactor at Overdrive - explosion imminent in twenty minutes.
"Chris! Alito!" Higashino shot out just as the airtight compartment began the detaching process.
Just as the two maidens looked back, they saw Higashino giving a firm nod and shouting, "THANK YOU!" with tears streaming down from his eyes.
Since Vegastar was small, Chris and Alito calculated ten minutes was all they needed to kill every being in Vegastar and make their escape, with the remaining ten minutes just enough time to catch up with AKB0048 for the 'fireworks'.
The two Maidens managed to lure the trapped DES's troops out of the factory and into a big plain field that was near the Casino-cum-factory area.
Remembering the smiles of their friends that they had helped so far, Chris and Alito's eyes glowed as a huge burst of torrential aura blast through their foes - all FOUR THOUSAND of them...
The maidens felt a familiar surge of power as a peculiar aura surrounded them, similar to the ones they felt during the rescue mission at Lancastar, and during their battle against Samael and Longinus; back at the Four Horsemen's dimension years ago...
"We will find the meaning of Humanity..."
"We will protect the innocent beings from heartless morons..."
"We will protect their freedom...their smiles...and the happiness one can derived from families and life!"
"You who slay the innocent human beings...ACCEPT YOUR JUDGEMENT; DEATH TO ALL SINNERS!"
Sunder's Ability: Shielding - ACTVATED.
Tranquillity Orb: Fire - Fire Resistance up by 70%
Operational Mode: ENGAGED.
Overdrive System: ONLINE.
All weapons: MAX
Driver Level: 300%
Processing Level: Maximum
Tranquil Fury - On!
Using Operational Mode will allow you to use the EXL Skill at full power, but your weaponry systems will go down by a certain amount. Despite adaptability mastery over the two years back at your world, recovery time after unleashing EXL still applies.
Estimated time of recovery: Two and a half hours
(Inclusive of ten minutes due to EXL's cooldown.)
Are you sure, you want to go ahead with this function? Y/N
Without hesitation, Chris and Alito entered the 'Y' command and summoned four hundred ice skeletons and four hundred wind skeletons.
Remaining Duration of Operational Form: Until all DES stationed in Baltistar and Vegastar are destroyed.
Two huge halos of ice and wind pierced through Vegastar's artificial crust and even the skies at Baltistar.
"Impossible...Chris and Alito were unleashing the same powers back at Lancastar during the rescue mission!" Mamoru, Yuka's boyfriend, gasped and his eyes widened at the sighting.
Hikari's Kirara shone brightly with the near radiance of Katagiri Atsuko, who was the former Center Novae four years ago in Akibastar. Hikari, the ninth Yuko Ooshima, looked up to the skies; towards Baltistar, and frowned.
"This is...this is impossible! How can they achieve near radiance like Nagisa and Chieri did?!" the brunette gritted her teeth.
Even the Flying Get, who had rescued the Undergirls and Higashino, could feel the shockwaves from miles away in Baltistar's atmosphere.
"Those same powers again...incredible..." Tsubasa looked on in amazement.
"So this...this is their true power that could only manifest as their temporary form because of their guilt. Imagine if they enter their awakened state permanently..." Megumi looked on in awe.
Higashino clenched his fists and gave a look of confidence despite his goofy looking face...
"Go get them, Chris and Alito! Make Humanity proud!"
Katagiri Atsuko, who was watching with the other Center Novae idols upon the Kirara clusters, simpered as she clasped her hands near her chest.
"Chris...Alito...you're getting there. I know it; I believe in you!"
Overdrive Meter - MAX.
EXECUTION OVERSKILL - ENGAGED.
Chris and Alito's aura became as large as the world's biggest blizzard in Mount Everest...
"Thy sins shall be frozen and purged...ABSOLUTE TUNDRA FORMULAE - LOST SANCTUARY!"
Before long, innumerable high-speed, energy icicle aura-like slashes rained down from Vegastar's atmosphere, slicing of the mechas and aerial units. Huge icicle spikes erupted from the grounds itself, shattered, and transformed into icicle javelins and blades to kill off the ground units.
The skeletons, with their powers buffed from the icy storm, roared as they charged upon their enemies. They slaughtered, sliced, diced, impaled, dismember, disembowelled, snapped, smashed, crushed, and even stomp upon the DES's heartless skulls.
With a final slash upon their wave of enemies, Chris and Alito's systems went into absolute overdrive as they unleashed a powerful wedge-shaped energy wave through their enemies. After two seconds of delay, multiple ice thrones as tall as the Tower of Babel erupted from the ground within and killed the entire Vegastar's DES troops.
Imminent explosion in ten minutes.
Despite the Deep Galaxy Trade Organization weapon dealers and the executives' best attempt to escape through the mechanical gates of Vegastar, Chris and Alito's control over the core rendered their attempts moot.
The Maidens escaped through the airtight portal just behind the self-destructing reactor and it exploded shortly after Chris and Alito's Operational Mode form made its way towards Baltistar's atmosphere through their Genesis Flight systems.
The explosion killed everyone in Vegastar - consisting of nothing more than DES soldiers, heartless executives, and several major DGTO's weapon suppliers.
The DES troops stationed in Baltistar were caught off guard by the turn of events; AKB0048, Baltistar's residence, and the Maidens' Operational Mode unleashing their Execution Overdrive Skill - Lost Sanctuary - swiftly defeated them soon after.
Baltistar was liberated and the citizens rejoiced, for their pro-entertainment efforts had not gone to waste.
All weaponry systems down by 65% - Flight Systems will resume in two hours and other functions will restore full power after two hours and thirty minutes, as per forewarned.
Chris and Alito descended down to Earth; their Operational Mode's aura faded as they stumbled on the ground for a few moments before collapsing from exhaustion.
Shiori, Nagisa, Kanata, and Chieri managed to hold Chris and Alito before they could knock their head upon the ground.
"We need medic, NOW! MEDIC!" Nagisa shot out.
Two hours later...
Flight systems - Recovered to full power and available at anytime.
Remaining Time to restore full power - Thirty Minutes
Basic Functions rebooted - Project Programmes Online - consciousness regained.
Welcome back, Chris 'Quattro' Fuschia/Alito 'Ventus' Gnade
"Uhhhh..." Chris groaned, rubbing her head as she felt a huge rush of blood and liquid nitrogen rushing to her brain and biochip area. Her visions blurred and in a spiral as she breathed in deep.
"Chris-sempai! Alito-sempai! You okay there?"
"H...Hang on..." Chris sighed as she refocused her HUD's vision upon the caller's source - Makoto. "Yeah...I'm still in the middle of recovery, though."
"Thank goodness...We thought that you have lost it back there...Orine and Makoto were crying when they thought that you won't be able to escape on time..." Tsubasa heaved in relief.
"Heh...could be worst. Have some old faith in us next time, yes?" Chris simpered weakly.
"You sure got some explaining to do when we found out that you completely annihilated the DES forces in Vegastar...Just...what the hell?!" Shiori's eyes widened in amusement.
"Long story, Shiori...Just be glad that's one less planet to worry about regarding DES's administration." Chris gave a small thumb up.
"CHRIS-SEMPAI! ALITO-SEMPAI!" Orine and Makoto threw themselves on Chris's chest and cry...
"It's okay...it's all over now..." Chris consoled as she stroked their hairs softly.
"The R8s have transported Higashino's parents and grandparents safely to Akibastar as your R8 through the commands given via the Arcane Transmitter. That should be a huge breather for now." Tsubasa gave a small chuckle.
Higashino, who was beside Makoto earlier, saluted both Chris and Alito. "Thanks, Chris and Alito! Thanks for giving me a second chance to start anew without the DES's influences!"
"Trust me...you are never meant to be with DES in the first place. You just joined DES to protect your loves ones from those heartless morons, but no more...We will help you, mark our words..." Chris nodded softly.
"To be honest, after hearing your name mentioned several times on the news along with AKB0048 during your several fights with DES, I thought you will kill me when I helped you into the reactor's control room after the cover is blown in Vegastar." Higashino replied, sighing in relief.
"Oh, ye of little faith...What do you think we are armed with the latest Social Enhancement Augmentations for? Fun?" Chris sighed softly.
"If you want to lie, you have to work way harder than that mister..." Alito smiled calmly.
"But seriously...many thanks! Now...I can fully support AKB0048 and Makoto without any regrets!" Higashino saluted once more.
"As long as you and your loved ones live, it doesn't matter. You have honor where those morons don't." Chris nodded firmly.
"But you do know that there might be some troops stationed at other planets that joined DES to prevent any prosecution like I do?" Higashino wondered.
"Yeah, we know...Our advanced Social Enhancer can detect when they do not give damnation about innocent beings, or when they joined DES to prevent their pro-entertainment families from being detected." Alito explained calmly.
"Prior to meeting you, Alito and I have not met any DES members who are in your predicament. I am hazarding a guess; your friends are of the same ranking as you, right?" Chris wondered.
"Yeah...Most DES sadly are heartless from the get go. My friends and I do not involve ourselves in the people who are persecuted - the high-ranking officials do those dirty jobs. We only serve to patrol around areas. We managed to find excuses as to why we refuse higher-ranking jobs, but I fear our excuses are running dry." Higashino took out a chip from his DES's communicator.
"Inside this chip lies the database of my squad members, they are sent to different planets - four of them - to patrol. I am afraid the excuses to reject high-ranking jobs are running thin, please...help them." Higashino frowned in worry.
"We will, Higashino...Rest assured." Chris simpered. "For now...welcome back to the realm of Humans, Higashino..."
"You seem to be slightly more cheerful than before..." Mimori noted.
"Really? Maybe...I can take something out of this incident..." Chris replied.
"What do you mean, Chris-sempai?" Suzuko wondered.
"We are our worst enemies...I could have let my heart rule over my head, ignored my social enhancement augmentations warnings, and killed Higashino without thinking that he's does not deserve to be in DES. I could have been too engrossed with humanity's negativity, blocking out all hopes of even seeing the light within the darkness..." Chris explained.
She continued, "Initially, I have wondered why Humanity is worth protecting. At first, I did so because I love my parents and relatives. Through the years, though, I have seen the smiles of people whom I had helped; people's encouragements telling me that I was never alone, the people that are willing to help me find the meaning of Humanity, and telling me that the Fuschia's death was no fault of mine. It's at this point that I start to wonder if the problem does not lie with the people...so much as it's about me."
"It's like looking into a mirror, and constantly reminding myself, 'Look, Chris, enough with this moping; enough with wallowing in self-pity.'. I realized that for every tear Alito and I shed, dozens need our help. Humanity has its shares of boo-boo, but after helping out the innocent beings; helping Team Muse; helping you all...I realized..." Chris gave a small smile.
"Maybe...maybe, I am not alone..."
Tsubasa simpered as she adjusted her spectacles. The 77th Generation's Kenkyuseis, Kanata, and Mimori sat on the side of Chris's ward bed, smiling brightly. The 76th Generation's Kenkyuseis grinned and Higashino gave a soft chuckle.