I feel I need to explain that Akihito is supposed to be Kid. I was trying to find a name that might fit and this was the best I could do, but I like the name anyway.

An entire wall exploded, blowing away bioroid experts in the blast. Bioroids and humans alike began panicking, racing for any and all exits. Fire engulfed some of the incubating chambers. A mech lobbed a few more rockets into the air, and the ceiling came crumbling down instantly.

Maka and the rest of the members of Spartoi finally arrived at the care center, guns ready to fire. One of the enemy Landmates launched itself out of the building towards the group. As the group steadied their aim on the mech, another two snuck up behind them. They opened fire on Spartoi, destroying one of the mechs before picking up their partner and zooming past into the city.

"Follow me!" Maka called to Soul over the radio as she raced after them.

"Think you call the shots now, huh?" She could almost feel the smirk.

Helicopters also began to tail the enemy, but their guns were not strong enough to even slow them down. One enemy unit turned around and blew one of the helicopters right out of the sky. The mech was met with a blast from Maka as she finally figured out how to shoot her own guns. The three units split, Maka and Soul following two of them.

She followed her target to a parking garage, careful to hide behind the corner to plan her next move. A few more helicopters came to the area. "Get out of here!" she shouted at them over the radio, but it was too late. The enemy shot them both down. She whipped around the corner and opened fire. The damage it sustained stopped it long enough for her to get in range and rip one of the arms off. She knocked it over, weapons locked on the mech. "Dismount, now!" she ordered the pilot.

Before the pilot could do as she instructed, one of his comrades fired, destroying the mech and pilot inside. The second Landmate continued down the street, Maka hot on its trail. They exchanged fire as they maneuvered through the streets. She knew it had to end here or more civilians would get hurt. Hurling herself at the enemy, she was able to latch onto it. The mech scraped her against the wall of one of the buildings, but she wouldn't let go.

Up ahead, she heard Soul yell her name. She looked up to find him standing in the middle of the street, weapons aimed at them. She released the mech and he released a rocket. The shot missed, and the enemy knocked Soul away as it raced past. She hurried to his side, watching as the mech got away.

She reached a mechanical hand toward him. "You okay?" He pushed it away and got up on his own. "Guess we should head back and report, huh…?"

…

Black Star and Tsubaki stared in horror at the smoke coming off the bioroid care center. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. If she could feel immense sadness, she would then and there. He took her hand. Even bioroids could feel pain, he knew that. "Everything will be okay. Soul and Maka, and everyone else, they'll all be okay. We'll protect the bioroids. I promise."

She brought her free hand up to her temple, wincing slightly. "I… I don't feel so well…" she muttered before passing out.

Panic written on his face, he rushed to catch her in his arms. "Tsubaki! What's wrong?! Answer me!" He shook her in an attempt to wake her. A hologram appeared, circling around her wrist. "Overdue" flashed in red. "You were supposed to get your procedure done! You were due three days ago! Tsubaki! Tsubaki, don't leave me!"

…

Three figures walked into the remains of the bioroid care center. Ochre eyes scanned the charred incubators. The man sighed and ran a hand through his black hair. "Who could have done this…?"

The shorter of his two female companions spoke up first. "The third generation bioroids have all been destroyed… The fire also destroyed all original DNA for life-extension..." She stared sadly at the hologram circling her wrist, numbers counting down to what was once supposed to be an appointment reminder. Now they were the countdown to her demise.

The taller female stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on the other's shoulder. She turned to the man and continued the report. "It looks like they came from an underground elevator shaft. Mors' perimeter shows no sign of entry. The origin of the Landmates is unknown."

The man glared at the scene once more before turning abruptly to leave. "I want the perimeter around City Hall sealed off. No one gets close to D Tank without my permission, understood?" he ordered, the women following closely behind.

…

All of Mors stood still as every eye was on whatever television set was closest to them. Prime Minister Akihito appeared on the screen, face calm and collected. He had to keep the public from panicking. Taking a deep breath, he began to address the terrorist attack and what it meant for the future of bioroids. "We have not yet identified the Landmates who attacked the bioroid care center. We encourage all bioroids to remain calm during this trying time. We are currently exploring all alternative methods for life extension. Remember, panic will only worsen our cause." The camera panned to the members of Congress, waiting to see if any had something to add on the matter.

Carefully polished nails drummed next to a name plate reading "General Medusa Gorgon". She leaned forward, fingers laced and elbows propped on the desk in front of her. "Prime Minister, by having Spartoi seal City Hall, haven't you exceeded your authority as Prime Minister?"

Akihito stood his ground. "The situation calls for near Marshall Law conditions. What is most important now is the protection of Shibusen."

"And not the D Tank?"

"Shibusen must be secured."

Eyes glaring and words laced with venom, she pressed, "Without the aid of the Regular Army?"

"I stand by my decision."

She could not keep her cool demeanor any longer. Slamming her hands on the desk, she stood from her seat and shouted, "What are you saying? Are you trying to humiliate us?!"

Shinigami raised a hand, and the camera panned to him. "Now is not the time for arguing. The future of the bioroid race has been threatened, as this terrorist attack is a blatant attempt of genocide. It rocks the foundations of our society. As it stands now, it appears that there is no hope for bioroids." He took a dramatic pause and smiled into the camera. "But there is still hope. There is a way to permanently restore biologic reproductive cycles to the bioroids, allowing them to live without the need for life-extension processes. I have been discussing the pros and cons with Shibusen. And Shibusen has decided. We will restore all bioroid reproductive functions!"

The room exploded into discussion between Congress members about the reveal. The streets were filled with their own discussions as well. Medusa cleared her throat loudly to regain the attention of those in the room. "It was my understanding that Dr. Kami Albarn destroyed the data necessary for the restoration of bioroid reproductive functions."

Shinigami nodded. "It was supposed to have been destroyed by Dr. Albarn. However, it has recently come to my attention that this data, which had been named 'Resonance', is still in existence. I am confident that Resonance will be recovered and bioroid reproductive functions restored. They will become a new breed of man and be a shining light for our future!"

The room and the streets erupted in cheers from bioroids and many humans alike. General Gorgon and Colonel Free shared a scowl.

…

"Tsubaki!" Maka shouted, throwing open the hospital door. As soon as she and all of Spartoi had returned from their confrontation with the enemy Landmates, Black Star had informed her and Soul about Tsubaki and her life-extension procedure being overdue. While the rest of Spartoi had been stationed at City Hall's perimeter, Soul and Maka raced to the hospital to see Tsubaki. They found her lying in a bioroid incubator, Shinigami, Akihito, and his bodyguards all in the room as well. Maka fell to her knees next to her, hands pressed on the glass. She turned her attention to Shinigami. "Can you save her?"

He stared sadly at Tsubaki's still body. "If we can relocate Resonance, it should be able to save her life."

"And if we don't?"

The taller of Akihito's bodyguards stepped forward. "She'll die in twenty-four hours."

The shorter added, "It's the fate all bioroids will face soon, now…"

"There is still hope." Akihito stepped towards Maka, offering her a hand off the floor. She took it and rose to her feet. "I am Prime Minister Akihito," he introduced. "I worked alongside your mother in the early stages of her bioroid research. My bodyguards, Elizabeth and Patricia Thompson, are the first two bioroids to be created." Shock prevented her from replying. "Shibusen has made its decision to relocate Dr. Albarn's missing data. And… I may have the information you need to find it…"