[ Belkan ruins vicinity, Walder / September 20, 0078 07:28 ]

The first Gadget they encountered almost killed them.

Lying in ambush on the roadside, it sprung into their path a few meters ahead. A little too late, Subaru realized that their cloaking couldn't conceal the dust trail they picked up.

"Look out!" Tea voice ringed in her ear.

Subaru made a sharp curve to the right. As she evaded the black crescent blade, she felt Tea's arms around her neck weaken. The next moment, her weight was gone.

Subaru braked and looked around frantically. The Gadget turned towards her.

"I am alright, Subaru! Watch the Gadget!"

The drone advanced towards her position. The air around it flickered.

"It has AMF," Mach Caliber informed.

The AMF would dispel Tea's cloaking if it got close. Subaru rolled in a wide arc, away from Tea. She regretted not having Revolver Knuckle with her.

The Gadget didn't change course. It didn't see her.

"Tea, I will hit it from behind."

"Don't! We were told not to engage them!"

"But…"

"I am casting an illusion. Don't even think of messing it up!"

"Yes, Tea…"

Once again, she felt useless. Her excitement drowned in the gloomy thoughts. Tea was a universal agent. What use to her was someone who was only good at bashing things?

A vague silhouette appeared a hundred meters behind them. In the weak light of the sunrise, even Subaru's enhanced eyes could barely distinguish it.

That was probably what the two of them looked like under the Optic Hide. The Gadget fell for it.

"It will come back. Let's get out of here."

Tea's invisible hand found hers. Subaru didn't answer.