[ Claudia bridge / October 1, 0078 11:15 ]

"The Einherial just scored a direct hit, Admiral!"

Chrono peered at the data.

"Did they disable the AMF shields?"

"Yes! Wait… it seems like the AMF shields were dropped moments before impact!"

Chrono smiled. They had an ally inside the ship. A small but powerful ally.

"Another hit, Admiral! The Cradle is almost outside of Einherial's reach!"

"What did they get?"

"Seems like the main engine."

The Admiral's smile grew wider. Major Gaiz's tired face appeared on the communications screen to his right:

"The Cradle is outside of our reach now, Admiral. I hope we managed to do some damage."

"Good job, Major. It's not escaping from us now."

"It was too close, Admiral. We almost didn't make it."

"The battle has just begun, Major. Stay put."

"Aye, Sir. Gaiz out."

Chrono turned to the bridge.

"Status report."

"The Cradle is slowing down. It's almost over the Grand Cathedral Plaza. It's deploying Gadgets! Saint Olivie, I read thousands of signatures!"

"Looks like it's going all out," Chrono grinned. "Ground teams, are you reading this?"

"Aye, Sir," an elderly face he recognized to belong to Lt. Nakajima's father appeared on his left, among a dozen other commanding officers on the ground.

"Do not engage the Gadgets unless they attempt to breach the established perimeter, and wait for my orders."

"Yes, Sir."

"Knight Carim?"

Carim's face appeared on the right.

"Yes, Chrono?"

"How are things at the hospital?"

"All quiet right now. My knights are on the walls and patrolling the interior. Nothing will get into the wards."

"You are in the middle of the war zone. Take care of yourself."

"Thank you, I will. Gracia out."

"Fate?"

Fate's face appeared where Carim's just was.

"Nii-san."

"The Cradle has arrived. It's time to launch."

"Copy that. Forward StarS is moving out."