[ Walder airspace / September 20, 0078 07:38 ]

Her technique was perfect, but Testarossa has always been faster. And over the last three years, she picked up even more strength.

Using the gleaming golden armor stripes of the Cradle to conceal her approach and diving into the AMF to attack from below, Testarossa forced her on the defensive.

"Auf sieben Uhr!"[1] Agito's voice inside her head warned.

If she didn't have a second pair of eyes, she would have already been plummeting to the ground.

Guided by instinct, she turned around and deflected the energy blade. Her eyes could no longer track Testarossa.

"Gleich kommt sie wieder."[2]

"Sie nimmt diesmal mehr Anlauf… Wir können sie auffangen."[3]

The position she chose to defend was right above the hatch Shamal found. She would have already entered it but Shamal and Zafira still hadn't arrived, so she had to hold on.

Signum began to move while the golden lightning was still turning around. Her loop was much tighter than Testarossa's. She always had the advantage of technique.

But Testarossa was faster.

Bardiche's energy blade changed direction in the last moment, bypassing Laevatein and hitting Signum squarely in the stomach. She landed hard on the Cradle's armor and didn't stir for a few moments.

"Signum! Signum, hörst du mich?"[4] Agito's voice was muffed. It didn't come from inside her anymore.

"Ja, ich kann aufstehen,"[5] she shook her head to get rid of the haze before her eyes and looked around. The bad news was the AMF broke their Unison.

The good news was, they were still next to the hatch, and if Testarossa wanted to reach it, she'd have to fight them on equal terms.

Signum looked up and raised her sword, inviting Testarossa to continue the fight. A moment later, she dove into the AMF.

[1] "Seven o'clock!"

[2] "She is making another pass."

[3] "She takes a wider curve this time… We can intercept her."

[4] "Signum! Signum, can you hear me?"

[5] "Yes, I can stand up."