Intermission: Battle Preparations

Transcript – Excerpt from speech delivered to the Eastern Hemisphere Diplomatic League

Retired General Caroline Sinclair

April 16th, 487 NE – 30 years before the Fifth Cosmo War

Ladies and gentlemen. Representatives of Orange Star, Green Earth, Yellow Comet, Red Cluster.

I have come today to address the concerns of the Peace Commission regarding the anomalous occurrences that marked the most violent incidents of what has popularly been called the Great World War.

My part in the kindling of this crisis has become the domain of rumors and speculation among independent media outlets. As the conflict is drawing to a close, Orange Star High Command has chosen to declassify the details, in order to take the first step towards a lasting peace.

It is true that I supervised a top-secret weapons program aimed at harnessing a newly discovered form of energy based on quantum theories, including the recently-confirmed Edinoff Effect. Several prototype "X-Bombs" were built and tested by Orange Star in the deserts. Others were used against Green Earth and Yellow Comet at the height of the war, in the summer of the year 482.

However, these and other Orange Star secret weapons were not the cause of the widespread, almost supernatural events reported by observers and soldiers during the latter half of the war. Particularly, the rumored "Command Network" is real, but is not the result of a mechanical or electronic device. Rather, this phenomenon is the creation of certain individuals that have suddenly and inexplicably developed as-of-yet unexplained abilities.

Yes. The anomalous destructive events across our nations are due to the actions, intended or unintended, of certain individuals. These individuals have the ability to interface with some yet unknown potential field and cause widespread changes in the environment, though the possibilities and limitations of these people are yet unknown.

This anomaly has been called Biological Radiative Entropy Acceleration Kinesis, nicknamed "Break" for its destructive capacity. I think we can all agree that this power seems almost as if it was engineered for war. In the case of the Command Network, for instance, affected individuals have been able to coordinate networks of soldiers within close range, allowing near-instant information exchange between them. This results in vastly increased performance for soldiers in attached units.

As we come to understand more about this new phenomenon, the face of war may well change forever. This war was merely a preview for the destruction that is to come if we do not keep these abilities in check. I have come before the League to argue that our concept of war must change with the times. If the specific cause of Break enhancement were to be determined, then a nation might be able to mass-produce "super commanders" of this variety, and the world would be drowned in the tides of blood to come.

I come to you not only as a General of the Orange Star Military, not only as a citizen of this world, but as a Break-enhanced individual myself. I can attest to the fact that our minds have been affected by our abilities; I would not think twice about using them to the fullest possible extent if it were necessary to protect the nation of Orange Star. The same applies to the deployment of soldiers; any amount of losses are expected and acceptable in one part of my mind, as long as it is the most efficient route to accomplishing the mission. Another part of my mind, one which still clings to humanity, is appalled at these thoughts.

I do not mean to say that all Break-enhanced individuals think this way; however, preliminary results from military psychiatrists have yet found nothing to contradict this line of thought. Therefore, the minimum step that the League absolutely must take would be the enactment of a set of laws and protections for the common soldier, not only to protect them against Break-enhanced individuals, but also to right the countless injustices inherent in our system of war.

For many of the atrocities committed on all sides were not ordered or carried out by Break Commanders, but by normal soldiers, carrying out the orders they were given by normal commanding officers. The devastation of this war speaks for itself. How many more civilians must be targeted before we say enough is enough? How many more prisoners of war must be tormented before we say these inhumane practices must end?

I may appear a hypocrite, speaking of this when I myself gave the orders to develop such a horrific weapon as the X-Bomb. Nevertheless, I speak to you all from the bottom of my heart... from the heart of our shared humanity. War is an inevitable fact of the human condition; philosophers and researchers throughout history have agreed upon it. That does not mean our wars must torment and kill as a matter of course. When these options are available to a calculating strategist, the most brutal, efficient method will be chosen if there is no humanity to inhibit it. When these options are not available, then the strategist will adapt.

Ladies and gentlemen, representatives of Orange Star, Green Earth, Yellow Comet, Red Cluster. We stand on the brink of a new era, an era that has opened our eyes to the destructive potential of humanity, to the destruction we have already caused throughout history. It is time for us to take a step towards controlling that power and ensure that it does not touch more lives than necessary.

We have already begun the process through technology: the miracle cure Emeraldine developed at the League is an excellent example. Soon, cures for the mental ravages of war may follow, perhaps from study of Break-enhanced individuals. However, we cannot be satisfied with just that. The time has come; we must formalize laws and directions for the conduct of war and the treatment of civilians and prisoners. I also urge the League to enact restrictions on the usage of Break abilities and protections for Break-enhanced individuals who do not wish to contribute their talents to the military.

Ladies and gentlemen of the League... of the world. We stand at the crossroads of history. One path leads to destruction – not just of our ideas of morality – not just of our species – but perhaps our entire planet. The other leads to a new era of enlightenment. It leads to an era of stability. It leads to an era where the common man can look at our civilizations and declare that we have abolished the crimes of war.

I place my trust in your judgment today. Thank you for your time.

December 13, 8:10 PM

"A little light reading while you travel?" David almost jumped out of his seat in the APC at the sound of that voice. He was alone in the APC aside from the driver, so...

Nell giggled from over the transceiver on his laptop. "Sorry. It's good for commanders to read up on our nation's real history."

"Don't you have something better to do?" ...was what David wanted to ask. Instead,

"That General there." David couldn't quite put his finger on it, but... something about her, based on the picture attached to the file... she kind of resembled Nell a little.

"You could say she was my predecessor during the Great World War." Nell's tone was neutral. "That meeting of the Diplomatic League eventually lead to the adoption of the Houston Accords."

"It sounds like only a little of what she was talking about was actually ratified," David observed.

"Specifically, the provisions protecting the rights of Breakcoms were completely omitted," finished Nell.

David's body flinched as a painful scene came back to his vision. That group of men in suits and dark glasses, his brother waving a lazy goodbye with a grin, the limousine driving off...

That image warned him away from asking the question it brought up: was his brother even given a choice about whether to leave? Nell may act friendly, but as David reminded himself, she's still his commander, and he didn't need her thinking he might go rogue or anything. Did he even really want to know the answer?

"Do you know how you feel about being a Projector yet?"

David didn't answer, instead switching to another file on the computer: a battle report from the Great World War.

"I'll ask later, then. Though I'd advise you to start thinking about the next engagement soon. It's not going as well as we expected."

Nell's tone said "order," not "suggestion." David closed the file and opened his secure e-mail; Nell had sent him shots of the satellite overview and information on the situation.

The face on the other end of the transceiver shifted to a neutral, yet commanding arrangement. "The Lost Fortress is southeast of our front lines. Your task is to take the Blue Moon outpost across the rivers to the east, then use it as a staging point for our attack on the Lost Fortress. However, we ran into more resistance than expected on the way."

"Those tank groups don't look like much..." David paused, staring at the map. "How'd our tanks get thrashed so badly?"

"Our tanks should have been able to break through, but we had bad luck: the enemy commander relocated to the Lost Fortress, and the Blue Moon company in this area is within the range of her Command Network."

David's pulse beat faster, and he scrolled down to the enemy commander's dossier.

OF-Major Petrine. Specialized in defending natural terrain. Able to activate an OF Power, Fortress Wall, which blocks attacks coming from one direction. Tactical suggestion: flank attack.

"Let me guess: she used her OF Power, and we didn't have enough Mech infantry in the area, so our tanks alone couldn't do anything about her tanks on the bridges." David's vision narrowed; with an OF Power like that, this terrain was perfect for her.

"Exactly. Without infantry, it's impossible to flank her on a river. Thankfully, a company of them is on the way here, ETA 0500 hours, tomorrow morning."

"Roger that. So I just have to hold position until then?"

Nell smiled. "That's the idea. We have a couple anti-tank squads already in the area. Order them to hold the near bridge while the tanks retreat; our base in the area is well-supplied, so we'll be able to conduct field repairs at the industrial areas."

"And by the time morning comes, we'll be able to counterattack." David looked around. "Actually, I had a question. This APC convoy... according to the schedule, they're staying at our outpost with me."

"Ah, yes. You won't have access to them immediately, I'm afraid, but they'll be ready for you during the final push on the Lost Fortress." Nell leaned forward. "I'm putting my trust in you. Success in this operation may allow us to eliminate the enemy OF from the picture."

Something in David's expression must have been funny, because Nell's thin smile widened and her frame visibly relaxed. "Don't be intimidated by the prospect of facing her, by the way. She may be a Major, but very few of her command operations have been against other Break-enhanced commanders."

"I'll act like the last operation, then."

"That's the spirit. Oh, excuse me." A few moments of silence, as Nell turned her head and exchanged words with someone offscreen. When she turned back-

"It looks like I have to go. Call if you need something."

"Got it. Oh..." David remembered the question he'd wanted to ask before he was distracted by the records. "Where's OF Andy?"

"Still north, at the very edges of Petrine's Comnet radius. He was at your destination earlier, but had to return to the main front earlier than planned." Nell sighed, then muttered something to herself:

"Though I wasn't expecting the enemy OF to be capable of projecting such a large Comnet..."

Spire Hills HQ

Floor B2

One hour ago

7:09 PM

Staff Sergeant Matvei Shevsky burst into the generator room, shotgun at the ready. Three targets, from his sight. His gun stopped; the three of them were unarmed, gestering wildly, with hands in the air.

"We surrender!" Well, that was what it sounded like, anyways.

"Finally. Someone here understands their position." He kept his gun trained on the one with the most distinctive uniform, just in case. "You guys janitors or something?"

"We're with Engineering," stammered one of the soldiers. The fractured bodies in the hallway seemed to drain what was left of their will to fight.

Skip strode over to the generator and removed a small object attached to it, with wires hanging off. "Looks like they had the same idea we did. Maybe we should've just let 'em go through with it."

"Keep that bomb for now. We'll need to use it if and when Blue Moon gets back here, except we'll be doing it right this time. Skip, Hops, secure the prisoners; we'll have Team B bring 'em in after we've switched the breakers."

7:15 PM

"Thaner here. We've got satmaps of the HQ, sending them to the team's goggles."

Shevsky was leaning against the wall in the stairwell. "My goggles are fried, Kelly. Can you tell me what we're up against?"

"No more Moonies down where you are. There's a group of 'em on the top floor, mostly unarmed, probably support personnel. They may be going for heli evac."

"They got choppers nearby?"

"Not to our knowledge. Maybe in the Dark Spot to the south. Maybe they're just hoping."

Shevsky grinned. "Awesome. How many combat troops?"

"Looks like about 23 armed soldiers left, spread out on the top five floors."

"How many on our end? My squad's taken two hits." Team A had run into some trouble, but thankfully, no injuries that Emeraldine couldn't fix.

"Aside from your squad, we've got three other squads still on the first three floors, ready to sweep upwards. They've got six wounded between them, and one bread." Bread, not toast, so brain-dead, but savable.

"More than enough to frag some Moonies. Let's get this done real quick, then. ETA on the enemy reinforcements?"

"Still two and a half hours out. As in, don't expect sleep tonight."

Shevsky grinned. "Send me a new pair o' goggles and it's a deal."

"Hell no, Shevsky. That's your job."

"Fine, fine, I'll just borrow 'em from Chaser or Staller." He much preferred the two of them didn't try to fight in the state they were in.

"You'd better do it fast, because you're leading the sweep. Med camp's in the west wing, first floor. Thaner out."

Blue Moon Forward HQ (Coral Fortress), Alara Region

December 13, 7:30 PM

"We lost Spire Hills?" The clipped tones belonged to a Blue Moon officer seated at a finished wooden table, one which looked quite out of place in the bright rotunda of the Command Room. Behind him, in the Break Amplifier, slumped a pale woman wearing a thick brown jacket, straight blond hair sloppily slipping from her cossack-style hat.

The officer at the desk adjusted his thick spectacles. "I will deliver your request for further reinforcements to Major Petrine. The OF is currently engaged with the central fighting, so if I were you, I would not count on receiving further support. The company arriving in just a few hours should be more than sufficient to dislodge them."

"With due respect, sir..." The voice on the other end hissed. "Most of our soldiers on the lower HQ floors have been wiped out, with only one confirmed kill by our troops. Additionally, there is the issue of the friendly fire incident earlier..."

The officer at the desk looked up slightly. "I will be honest with you, Lieutenant. Losing your position for a couple hours will not inconvenience our other fronts. Even if the incoming company cannot dislodge them, they will tie them to that position and our main front will not have to worry about being flanked."

"Yes... sir. I will adhere to the battle plan. Spire HQ Out."

The officer leaned back, using the Comnet to send his data to the woman behind him. 'Your thoughts, Major Petrine?'

The OF frowned slightly, despite her trance. 'I'd prefer not to lose that HQ, but so be it. Have them follow standard procedure for departing an HQ.'

Standard procedure was to steal or destroy as much equipment as possible. 'Very well.'

'Anything else to report, Captain Bashmet?'

Bashmet looked back down at his screen, scrolling down the reports his support officers had sent. One in particular stood out:

'There is one thing that could be a problem. Satellites show a small force, perhaps a company, of Bowlheads making camp near the central front. Based on their movements, there's a prediction that they aim to reinforce the front attacking the Lost Fortress.'

A slight ripple of annoyance came through the Comnet. 'Where is Orange Star getting all this equipment? Haven't we destroyed most of their factories?'

'It's... just infantry. The advance forces have some heavy weapons.'

'An infantry company, you say.' The Comnet's consistency shimmered in Bashmet's mind; the gleam of tiny crystals buried in the rock.

'They must be trying to delay us, then. There isn't much that infantry can do against the tank groups we have down there, and their own tanks on that front have been all but wiped out. The enemy commander's interference was unexpected, but nonetheless, their decision to press the attack will prove fatal within hours.'

Bashmet didn't feel so certain, but he trusted his superior's judgment, and in terms of defense, she was the best mind Blue Moon had. There was one worry; it had only been a couple months since her promotion. She wasn't used to coordinating a Command Network this large, so would it be possible that she might miss something?

Petrine spoke again through the Comnet. 'I want to concentrate my attention on that Orange Star OF in the Creshburn Hills. After all, he's the reason we haven't secured even the central front yet. If we can take him captive or kill him...'

Ah. That was her plan. Well, Bashmet could get behind that. 'Very well. No reinforcements for the other fronts, then?'

'Exactly. In any case, I don't intend on letting them past my tanks at the river.'

Orange Star Temporary Field Camp

8:20 PM

Gordon Tebowski, formerly known as "Turd," followed the lead of the other recruits and disembarked from the APC; not a word had emerged from his mouth throughout the journey to the field HQ. The others around him in the APC had been stone-faced and grim – not his ideal environment at all. No, what greeted him as he emerged was something he was more used to dealing with.

The recruits were massed around a makeshift podium, formed from a pile of scraps and tables. From atop the mound, a Sergeant with a scar under his eye yelled down at the newcomers. "Welcome to the 25th Infantry, Company A, Second Platoon! This is where the Army really starts!"

Great; another Levins. Just what he needed.

"Report immediately to your assigned squad, and get cozy with 'em, 'cause you're going straight to the action come tomorrow! Now, I can't have any of you jokers screwing around when that happens – you're going to be a professional unit. You're going to be working like cogs with your squad. I can't make this more clear."

Gordon looked down at his assignment: 2nd Platoon, Squad 3. Squad Leader: Sergeant Emilia Hartgrove. According to the map next to the shouting soldier, that was at the far end of the camp. Better start walking.

Why were his hands shaking? Perhaps it was the atmosphere around the camp; he'd thought the Golden Fortress was tense after the attack, but this place had an even nastier feel to it. Despite the lack of dead or dying soldiers nearby, the stench of death was still dominant in the atmosphere. It was just like that ambush, and Gordon found himself tense, wary of the shadows that flickered in the dimly lit area.

Was it his imagination, or were the soldiers that sat around the crates and vehicles staring at him? No, they were staring at the recruits in general. Gordon could feel the contrast; even if he had actually managed to become the top dog among the recruits, he was still a fledgling among these wounded eagles. The wound he could see across their bodies was not anything physical, but a sort of general hopelessness even beyond that of his home city during the Green Earth occupation.

When he looked closer, he saw that his initial impression had been correct; some of them were looking at him in particular, as well as another recruit. He recognized that one from the ambush. Perhaps it was that trial by fire these veterans could see in them.

Were his shoulders slumped like theirs?

Sergeant Hartgrove was within view. Short military cut, sharp ears, creased uniform, arguing with one of the commissioned quartermasters. From behind him, two other newcomers arrived; one light-haired, weary male, one dark-haired, sullen female. Gordon had seen one of them at the Golden Fortress, perhaps...

"I understand." The Sergeant's conversation ended and the officer walked away, as the three of them stood waiting. When the officer got just out of earshot, Hartgrove scoffed.

"Jeez, how did Levi deal with you people?" The Sergeant turned, then jumped a little, noticing them for the first time. "Are you the freshies from the Golden Fortress?"

Gordon spoke first. "Yes, Sergeant. Private Gordon Tebowski reporting for duty."

"Noted. And you two must be Folger and Tayless."

"Sergeant." The two behind him nodded.

"Alrighty. From your stances, I'm guessing the two of you know each other, and Gordon here doesn't know you. Is that right?" Gordon nodded.

"In that case, I'll have you two assigned to Fireteam A. That one's led by Boss. Gordon, you're in B. Pound's your go-to guy, unless it's me. Understood?"

Odd names. Or perhaps they had a nicknames here too?

"Well, I think the Sergeant would think more highly of you if you called him Boss instead of Sergeant Crumrine."

Straight to the point. Gordon felt a little more at ease.

"Oh, and my callsign's Lead, not Heart. Make that mistake and you're our squad's new mine-forager. Got it?"

"Understood." Gordon waited, while Lead looked around like she'd forgotten something.

"Oh yeah, seems we're moving out tomorrow. I'd get just comfy enough to bond or whatever, but... well, you get the point."

She didn't seem much like a squad leader, but Gordon didn't tell her that, despite his fevered wondering on what that would end up meaning in the field. Also, how did that bode for what the rest of his new squad? What would they be like?

8:35 PM

"Captain Jerry Stoneham, sir." The moustached armored company's commander greeted David at the front of the makeshift HQ, which appeared to be a low-quality prefabricated unit with wires and electronics strewn all over the place; David could see the support officers inside making sure to watch where they stepped.

"Captain." David returned the greeting. "Situation report?"

The Captain laughed bitterly. "Could be worse. Thanks to OF-Captain Andy's earlier supervision, our advance units managed to avoid destruction. However, we'll need some time to regroup and repair. Do you have a plan, sir?"

"There's an anti-tank platoon in the area, right?" David had mentally rehearsed this. "We fall back to the near bridge and hold with anti-tank. The Moonies will have to wait for their infantry to catch up if they want to cross, but by then, it'll be morning and our infantry will have arrived.

"At that point, we'll outnumber them." The Captain nodded. "What about my tanks?"

"Fall back to the industrial areas; the mechanized platoons will cover your retreat. If the Moonies try to chase, they'd better be prepared to lose their tanks too."

"Hm." Stoneham didn't seem entirely convinced. "General Nell said you had some other talents that might be useful. For protecting my men more directly."

What did he mean by that? Did Nell tell him about David's Threat Sight? And how would that be helpful in such a fast-moving situation? Well, it was obvious she at least wanted him to try.

"True. I'm to take supervisory control over the furthest-advanced platoon to ensure their safe return."

"Very well." Stoneham headed back into the command building. "Mind the mess down here. Some fool didn't watch his footing earlier and almost took down the whole system. The engineers are still green, I'm afraid, and had to set this place up in a hurry."

David followed. "No HQ Towers nearby?"

"None functional. Only one down here was abandoned long ago and top brass couldn't be bothered to do anything with it." The Captain sped up. "This whole area is far from strategic, but I suppose you can't really choose where to hold your last stand."

"Not that bad yet."

"Tell that to the guys at the front," Stoneham spat. "All the Emeraldine in the world can't glue you back together if your skull's become a fifty-piece puzzle. High-caliber fire tends to do that sometimes."

Another flash back to the ambush at the store. "Sorry," David sputtered.

"Sure. Well, that's what we get for expecting some peace after the Moon Revolts five years ago." Stoneham sat at the large console in the room's center and entered a password. "We should have gone after them instead of leaving them be."

The Captain finished his motions at the computer within seconds. "System's yours now. Lemme tell my boys you're legit."

"Charlie Command to Charlie Third. Moses has returned with the tablets. Don't make him break 'em, now."

David wasn't quite sure he got the reference. Stoneham tapped the desk, squinting. "That's your cue, kid."

This guy was starting to annoy him, but it really didn't seem like a good time to get into a power struggle. One look at the satellite maps, and he could see why Nell had told him to hurry. Four of the five tanks from the platoon were still moving, retreating from the bridge, but only one of them was still in any condition to fight. After scrolling through the damage reports, it was clear that the platoon was just steps away from annihilation.

Tactical mindset on. "Damage" here could also be self-inflicted, so he couldn't tell the crews to do anything particularly fancy. The platoon is to retreat from the far bridge to just across the near bridge, but between those two points is an open highway; great for the tanks in their current condition, but there would be no way to shake off the enemy.

All he could do was keep the crews informed and gauge the enemy's intent. No need to stress about remote possibilities. The threat lines made it quite obvious what the enemy's plan was, anyways.

"HQ to Charlie. Keep an eye out for shelling from across the river; they've got tanks in elevated places and they're gonna fire erratically." David's fingers stormed around the keyboard. "I'll be marking sites to avoid on your tacmaps."

"Charlie Actual here, acknowledged. As for the tanks in pursuit?"

That was a hard one. The truth was, he couldn't guarantee anything there, just warn. "Two are pursuing you in particular, Actual. Three are after Charlie 4, the healthy one."

"Any plan?"

"I'm marking their routes. Do what you do best."

"Understood. Charlie out."

The trance ended, and David's arms and legs gave out; he slumped forward and his head stopped just inches away from the screen before being jerked back with his body.

"I guess Nell knew what she was doing in sending you." Captain Stoneham let go of David's collar. "Tired?"

"I'm fine." David turned and glared for a second, then returned to marking the locations where the shells from across the river would hit. When the second barrage was all marked, David turned to continue responding, but Stoneham had backed away and was leaning against the wall.

"I won't disturb you any more. Just tell me if you need a break." His fingers fidgeted around his uniform's pocket; David had seen his father do that whenever he didn't have smokes handy.

"Appreciated, Captain." A third barrage marked, then a fourth half a minute later. David didn't have the presence of mind to be surprised by his speed; it was automatic, trancelike. Each time, he got a little better at catching himself when it ended, only to slip back in again before the minute passed.

8:53 PM

Finally; the tanks were out of range of the bombardment, but their pursuers were gaining, and one of the tanks had gone down. David froze; that's right. His thoughts drifted back, and a memory emerged from the muddled heap and replayed itself. The vehicle had wandered into the threat line, just like the others did occasionally, but it was bad timing, and the piercing shell had torn straight through the armor and hit something nasty, possible the ammo stocks. The tank went up in flames instantly. This time, there hadn't been any screams over the transceiver, just swearing from the platoon leader and a query on whether orders had changed.

"No change. Just keep an eye out for updates on enemy movement. HQ out," David had said.

Four more men were dead under his command, and there was no change, nothing new. But there had been casualties at the Spire Hills as well, and [Recheck threat lines, mark new enemy routes. "Be advised, Charlie Actual, the road is blocked about a mile up. I'm marking you a detour." Recheck threat lines, no updates needed.] he hadn't thought about it then, either. Was it because this was more of a rescue mission? That line of thought didn't make any [Recheck threat lines. No updates needed.] sense, so that meant his mind had better shut up already before it got in the way.

Block out perception of time. Block out doubt, everything else. It won't be good for you if you fail, either, because you still have something to live for. You can still kill the bastard who murdered your brother.

So for his sake, focus and succeed.

Jefferson Tower

9:00 PM

"General Vance." Nell responded to the call on her console's transceiver. "The enemy is mobilizing?"

"Sure, put it that way!" Perhaps it was her imagination, but the screech in his voice seemed to grow by the day. "It's snowing outside again, and this one isn't from Olaf's CO Power!"

"Hm." That wasn't good news. Nell's luck had held so far; despite the brutal cold around the capital this time of year, snowfall had been at a record low. She would have known if her luck had failed this time, so that meant only one thing.

"Tell Colonel Jackal and Captain Allen to remain on standby for Comnet duties. I will be needed elsewhere tonight."

"Then..." She could tell by his tone that Vance also knew.

"Yes. Olaf will be at the head of his army tonight." Nell walked over to her closet and removed a rather thick winter coat, complete with faux-fur hood. "Very well, General Olaf. Challenge accepted."

OF Petrine

Rank: Major

Affiliation: Blue Moon

Skill: Standard OF-level attack planning, CO-level defense. Particularly skilled in defending on natural terrain.

Power: FORTRESS WALL ******

Enemy attacks are nullified unless another enemy unit aside from the attacker is adjacent to Petrine's unit.

Blue Moon's defense specialist. Lives in the moment rather than "what if" situations.

Hit: Diamond

Miss: Calcite

"Not one step back."