The place was larger than he had imagined. Even the tower was an impressive size. And to think they grow boomers here. Jacob continued on. With the communicator in hand he neared the first corner. Wiping sweat away from his forehead he grunted.

"That coolant isn't doing much of a good job if I'm sweating my ass off…"

The sounds of machinery humming all but drowned out his footsteps. It was both comforting and annoying. It wasn't nearly as bad as setting his arm back into place. He had promised himself to get it checked out once this was over. Reaching the corner he brought himself to the wall. Slowly he peeked. Nothing except more pipes and other things he couldn't quite put his finger on.

He breathed out a sigh. "Lucky me," he muttered.

Stepping out from the corner he began once again. Reaching another junction he looked down each of the hallways. The lights were dead and he couldn't see much. The noise wasn't helping much either.

"So which way do I go now?"

"Right, there's a stairwell not too far from there. Take it down 2 floors," he heard Cynitha say.

"Roger that"

Moving quickly down the right hallway Jacob found the stairwell. Moving down he suddenly felt a tremor shake though the building and him. Stopping in the middle of the stairs Jacob tensed up. Please don't collapse. Oh please don't collapse!.

"Jacob, what's wrong?" Cyintha had noticed he had stopped.

Jacob shuddered. "Was that you plowing your way in?"

"Yeah, now get moving"

"I'm moving. Don't get ya hair in a knot" Jacob then continued on down the stairs.

With the knight sabers.

The scans were rough to put it lightly. They weren't sure of the exact numbers they were dealing with. Even with the added motorslave's power did little to ease her. If she had it her way the whole building would've been blown to hell but with Jacob inside it was far too risky. Priss couldn't help but wonder if Sylia would've done it if it meant losing him. No, Priss told herself. She's not that cold. Checking her power levels she felt a bit more comfortable. 98% charge.

Sylia donned her motorslave hearing the clamps lock her in place. Readouts flashed green on her hud. She did a quick system check. Everything flashes green once again. She took a calming breath to ease herself. Mason knew that she wanted vengeance, she was planning on giving it to him one way or another. It was not for just herself but for the others Mason affected as well.

She then turned her attention to the others. They two had donned their motorslaves. Suddenly the truck shook violently.

"We're through the outer wall!" Mackie announced from the front cabin.

Not much time for a speech isn't there. Sylvia thought as she nodded at the news. She then turned to Linna.

"Linna get Jacob back here. If he's too banged up sedate him" Sylia told her.

Linna nodded in agreement.

The reasoning behind it was dead simple. If Jacob was far too injured to get into a hardsuit then she would not permit him to fight. He could lead him or others getting killed if he did fight while injured. It was a risk none of them were willing to take. Both side doors slid aside. Time to face the music. Sylia thought, stepping towards the exit.

"Make sure your shots hit," She advised them. "Knight sabers, roll out!"

With Jacob.

Finally reaching the bottom of the stairs he also reached better lighting conditions. Finally I can see again. He thought, looking up and down the corridor. Pulling the communicator up he stepped back two steps.

"Alright, which way?"

"Right. Go 50 feet and then you'll reach another stairwell" Cynitha told him.

"Got it" Jacob peeked around the corner.

Nothing jumped out to greet him as he slowly stepped out. Jacob then began down the hall with light steps. The complex's humming drowned out any footsteps. Maybe I should get a cat. He pondered out of the blue.

With the Knight Sabers.

Leaping back from a strike, Nene landed 9 feet away. The C-55 glared at her as she deployed a 16 inch blade. Her computers picked out a few weak points. She bit her lower lip. Not much to work with. She thought as the boomer charged her. Nene sidestepped the boomer and plunged her blade into a weak point on the back just underneath one of the booster rockets, using the motorslave's strength to tear as deep as she could. Jet fuel began leaking from the newly formed wound. Nene yanked the blade out and backed away. The boomer glared at her with glowing red optics. From the hud she could see Sylia and Priss engaging two 12B's. Linna was currently dodging gunfire as she jetted towards her entrance point.

"Mason's really pulling out all the stops today" Nene then returned her attention back to the boomer.

The C-55 reached behind, feeling the fuel spill out. "Ohh now you've done it" it grumbled in anger.

Nene felt a cold shiver go up her spine. This is gonna get rough. She noticed on the boomers left was a pair of fire suppression pipes. Cold and enough to handle jet fuel bursting into flames. Nene felt her stomach twisting into a knot.

She brought her arm cannon up squeezing the phantom trigger. "So long boomer!"

A bust of bullets tore into the pipes directly next to the boomer sending a geyser of white gasses into the large robot. The bommer howled as it was hit by the sudden cold. Nene blind fired into the cloud ending the howling. Then a thud sounded and a hand clattered out or the cloud. Nene grinned. She then checked her radar. It was fuzzy and indistinct. This mission wasn't gonna be easy.

The entrance point wasn't as large as she would have liked. It was 4 feet wide and Linna could just barely squeeze in while clad in both a hardsuit and motorslave. Landing she saw the hallway completely empty. Jacob wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"Cynthia's, where's Jacob?" She asked, worry creeping into her voice.

"He's near the western cooling tower's. I'm trying to raise him but he's not responding. I'm getting worried about him."

Linna suddenly felt cold. "Can I squeeze through there?"

"I'm not sure," Cynthia checked the map. "Definitely not with your motorslave"

That would leave her at a disadvantage if she encountered a 12B. She would still have a chance unlike Jacob who was practically naked. Fuck it. She wasn't gonna lose him, not to the bastard Mason.

"Sylia I'm going in after hi…" Linna said before being cut off.

"Linna wait he's moving again!," Cynthia said. "Patching him in now"

There was a quiet chuckling among the noises of machinery. "Sorry, I had a close call with a skinhead" he apologized.

Linna processed what he said for a moment. Just about everyone heard it.

"Are you sure about that?" Priss inquired skeptically.

Jacob grunted. "Of course it was a C-55. The damn thing was so close I could almost kiss it's feet"

Linna felt even worse knowing that. A vivid image of Jacob Up against the wall on his gut underneath pipes. A large boomer moving past him paying little attention. Shaking her head she pushed the thoughts from her mind.

Jacob then rounded the corner moving quickly up to Linna. She hugged him softly. Mark embraced her as well.

"God you had me so worried"

Jacob could tell. God if only it were a better day. Looking up at the home he felt a cold shiver run through him. This was his first combat mission. If only he had more time training. Linna glanced down at him, nervousness and unease behind his eyes. For a brief second she was tempted to ask him if he wanted to be incapacitated. She left the idea and positioned herself at the opening.

"Hang on to me. If you see anything, call it out" Linna told him.

Jacob took a short breath. "Gotcha, ready when you are"

Linna looked up. Her visor made out several stars in the night sky. Jacob branched himself. Before he knew it they blasted through the gap. Wind tore at Jacob as he clung to Linna. Glancing down he saw the ground dozens of feet below. Below was the complex. In the exposed areas he saw Sylia and Nene tangoing with a few C-55's. Neither of them were using they're gun's. Priss was somewhere else but he couldn't see it. Hopefully she's alright. Jacob hoped. Linna landed next to the truck pushing up dust and dirt with the motorslave's thrusters. Linna let go and so did Jacob. Opening the door he glanced back.

"No peeking." he teased.

Linna giggled. "Oh I'll have plenty of opportunity tonight"

Jacob winked, pulling himself up and closing the door. Cynitha got up and moved up Into the front cabin with Mackie, not before closing the door behind her. Both she and Jacob met eyes before she exited. Thanks for the words of encouragement. He sarcastically thought. Slipping off his shirt he tossed it onto the hidden camera. Best to be safe.

With Mason.

With the flip of a switch his powerful mecha activated. The suit's gauges brightened as the display took shape. A sly grin took shape. I'll be seeing you soon Sylia. Mason thought, getting reacquainted with the controls. Those funds he put into this suit was about to pay off. Today would be the end of the biggest problem in his backside. Smiling, he began running through a system's check. Let the boomers wear her down and then he'll make his move.

"Lead the others away from Stingray," he instructed over the comm. "I want no interruptions"

Switching the comm off he continued the warm up procedure. The thought of overpowering Sylia made him grin even more. It was so close you can almost taste the victory. He wanted to savor the moment and hold onto it for as long as possible. Make the brat Wilson suffer for his defiance. Make them all suffer for the trouble they caused.

With Jacob.

He had too little training with the motorslave to even attempt to use it properly. The softsuit was like an old glove he wore, fitting him perfectly. The hardsuit felt the same in that regard. Every time he was in this thing it felt weird to put it lightly. It felt like an extra layer of clothes rather than an armored suit. It was something he was still having trouble getting used to. Now he was using high powered flechette rounds and a simple 17 inch blade. God if only I had more time. Biting his lower lip he stepped to the door. Into the unknown I go. With the thrusters built into the suit he figured he could get there in a minute or two.

With Sylia.

Reaching an opening, Sylia stepped in. Her scanners picked up on multiple cooling pipes under the plated wall's. A stray shot would do some serious damage here. She then picked up on the twin C-55's that stood on both the left and right side. Sylia looked at her damage report. Nothing too bad, minor damage to her motorslave. There was a minor hydraulic leak but she could easily compensate for it. Suddenly a proximity alarm went off. It was coming from above!. Engaging her thrusters she rocketed into the middle of the room. The boomer landed where she had been, the ground cracking beneath its weight. Sylia saw it on the tiny rear camera. Three against one, not good at all. At least there weren't any 12B's.

She keyed the comm. "Cynthia, can you send Jacob my way…"

"Roger, he's on his way now"

Good, She saw the boomers beginning to circle around her. He'd better hurry. She tightened her fists. If only she could use her motorslave's cannon. At least she had her long sword.

One of the boomers rushed her, throwing all of its weight forwards. Sylia leapt over it slicing through its neck with her sword. The body stumbled forward for a few steps before slumping dead on the ground. The others knew they couldn't use their primary weapons. It was far too great a risk to end up destroying the entire building in the process.

"Impressive," the boomer moved to the front of Sylia. "I'm gonna enjoy this"

The other was more level headed. "Watch yourself brother. Remember our orders"

What is Mason planning?. Sylia mused as she kept an eye on the back scanner. Keeping her blade ready she could feel her heart rate climbing. Whatever Mason had in mind it wasn't gonna be good.

"Blast it Jacob, where are you?" she whispered.

The one infront leapt at her. Sylia jumped right when the second lumbering boomer intercepted her. It grasped both of her thrusters and ripped them away. The motorslave shuddered and warning lights brightened on her display. They're in sync. Sylia thrust her elbow back nailing her attacker in the midsection. The larger figure jolted back. She quickly put some distance and turned to face both. Fluid was spilling rapidly from her motorslave. Glancing at the gauges she grimaced. Hydraulic would only last another minute before it bled out. Without it moving would be almost impossible. With a clack her motorslave ejected her from its shell. All that protected her was the hardsuit. Both boomers shared a look, it was impossible to tell what they were even thinking.

"Cynthia, where is he?"

"Just another minute, he had to deal with a C-55 and got mixed up" the little boomer repiled.

At least he killed it. Sylia thought as the two boomers kept their distance. One in front and one in the back. If she could have used her gun's this wouldn't have happened. Mason chose his ambush well, she had to give it to him for being cunning. Going after the weakest link to break the chain. Bastard. She grimaced. Deploying her wings she took note of the ceiling height. Twenty feet tops. It was nice to know she had wiggle room to work with.

"Sorry I'm late," Jacob's voice sounded on the shortwave. "I ran into some old friends"

Then Jacob rocked in, the rear boomer turned to face him. Three bangs rang out. The three rounds tore into the midsection causing fluid to spill onto the ground.

"Jacob hold your fire!" Sylia told him over comm.

Jacob looked confused. "It's not like I'm packing rockets" he replied.

"Unless you wanna become a popsicle then use your blade"

Jacob then realized it when he pulled up the scan results. "Fuck that's cold" was all he could say.

The boomer infront of Sylia looked her over. She was only a human in a suit of armor. Nothing too special from a glance. Unfortunately they're job was done, destroy the motorslave and leave her to Mason. Then larger footsteps began thudding into the large room. Without warning the boomer mockingly saluted her.

"Good luck" the boomer said before jetting into the opposite tunnel.

The boomer facing Jacob didn't budge, overcome with a psychotic rage. Jacob beached himself as he deployed his blade. Sylia watched as the lumbering mecha entered the room with its single optic locking on her. Biting her lip she hadn't expected to see it.

"Jacob you're right," She admitted. "It is big"

Suddenly the boomer rushed Jacob.

"I'm kinda busy right now," he replied, his tone becoming agitated. "I'll get back to ya after I deal with this one"

Jacob jetted over the attacking boomer but it quickly turned using its thrusters to match his movement. Jacob cut his thrusters letting it get close. Gritting his teeth he let the boomer draw closer. Come on just a bit closer. He trusted himself towards the boomer. He needed to end this fast. Slamming his fist underneath its chin up the boomer staggered back.

"Come on fucker let's dance!"

Mason drew closer as Sylia began scanning his battle armor. It was dense and made her suit look like a toy. Mason stopped only a few feet away. Sylia felt her heart pounding in his chest.

"Hello Sylia," Mason's voice filtered through her comm speakers.

Sylia felt a wave of anger come over her as she stared at him. She wanted nothing more than to rip him from his armor and strangle him for murdering her father. He even almost undid her work in helping Jacob gain a sense of belonging and stability. Use him for god knows what Mason had in his sick and twisted mind.

"Mason," she flatly said, trying to keep her tone neutral. "It's been a long time"

Mason chuckled at her. "It has. You're as stubborn as your father" he remarked.

Sylia's left fist clenched her nails digging into the skin. "Fuck you!" she hissed as she began charging him.

Mason's computer predicted her path and a tight grin formed on her face. She jumped with the aid of her thrusters. Coming down upon him with her blade at the ready. Mason leapt up slamming his fist in her chest area. Sylia went flying back hitting the nearby wall. Her hardsuit shuddered as she dropped down to her feet. It took everything in her power to keep herself up right. She began catching her breath from it being knocked out of her.

"Sylia you alright?" Jacob worryingly said only to yelp.

From the corner of her eye she saw Jacob getting decked in the helmet. She winced at the sight. Jacob then retaliated grabbing the boomer and switched to his firearm. Ramming his weapon in one of the wounds he pointed the gun upwards. Feathering the trigger he unloaded into the boomer. The boomer howled in a mix of pain and rage. The rounds tore through its insides as it wrapped his hands around Jacob's neck. However there was no pressure. The boomers' optics dimmed before flickering out. It doubled over falling dead on the ground.

"Not bad Wilson," Mason mockingly congratulated. "I'm almost impressed"

Jacob heard him over his own heavy breathing. Glaring at the man he saw him approaching. Jacob then began moving over to Sylia.

"Go fuck yourself" Jacob coldly replied.

Reaching Sylia he saw her damaged back. It wasn't too bad, just a few dents and scrapes. Thank god. Jacob breathed a sigh. Turning to face Mason he deployed his blade.

He began approaching the executive. "Oh I've been waiting for this," he grumbled. "I've got a score to settle with you Mason"

Sylia switched over to another channel and a notification flashed onto Jacob's screen. Jacob then switched over. As he did he kept an eye on Mason.

"Jacob, how much ammo do you have left?" Sylia inquired.

Jacob checked. "8 rounds. Whatcha got in mind?"

That wasn't much, but it could be enough. Could I send him to do it?. She glanced up and shivered. He wasn't gonna like this.

"Above us is a coolant tank. It would be enough to… you know"

Jacob felt himself go cold. "It'd be an average winter back home. I don't think our hardsuits can handle that type of cold" he replied softly.

"Neither can he, but we've got maneuverability on her side. I'll do it"

Jacob bit his lower lip. "Now I'll do it. Just get ready to run"

Jacob didn't feel any better. At least Mason would get bumped off and probably save god knows how many lives. Should've fucking watched the whole thing. He lamented.

Jacob kept himself between Mason and Sylia. She moved up to him. "Good luck" she told him.

Jacob nodded. Suddenly he jetted upwards. Then Sylia blasted on a left arc aiming for Mason's side. Mason's computer tracked both. Jacob wasn't even aiming for Mason. What is that idiot doing?. He saw Sylia moving in fast. Before he could even blink she leapt onto him stabbing her blade into his armor. It didn't go too deep, it cut wires and hydronic lines. Mason couldn't help but laugh.

"You've gotta do better than that!" he taunted.

Sylia jetted around moving to his back. The whole thing has such dense armour it would be impossible to puncher it with a blade alone. Sometimes I hate being right. She thought.

"Jacob any day now"

"Trust me this isn't as easy as it looks" he responded.

Moving into position he lined his weapon to the weakest point. Looking down he saw Mason was in position. This was gonna be cold as hell.

"Sylia run, now!" He said, taking a breath.

Sylia immediately jetted away much to

Mason's confusion.

"Giving up already?" He laughed.

Switching to full auto Jacob squeezed the trigger. 8 holes then took shape and coolant began gushing from the holes. It wasn't enough. Fucking hell!. Jacob winced as he hovered. Fluid began splashing onto Mason's armour. The top of his suit began to rapidly cool. Drops of the icy cold liquid began seeping into the armour. Warning lights immediately began flashing.

"What the hell is going on?," looking up he saw the holes in the ceiling. "Oh you little bastard!"

Sylia then saw her motorslave and its cannon laying on the opposite side of the room. She began over towards it.

"Jacob get outta there, I'm gonna finish him" she ordered him.

Jacob saw her moving to her broken motorslave. "Roger"

Killing thrust he dropped lower. Jacob began to exit. Mason lunged at him screaming like a mad man. Jacob saw the warning light flash. Before he could even react he was grabbed and thrown into the ground. The ground rushed up in a blurr. Suddenly his visor went dead.

"You're not going anywhere you little shit!" his voice bellowed.

Jacob suddenly felt very cold. Then it hit him. Fucker's gonna freeze me!. He realized in horror. He clawed at Mason's hand in vain. Something, anything to get him to let go.

"You'll kill us both!" Jacob warned him.

Mason grinned, completely mad in rage and insanity. Only faintly did he hear Jacob. It didn't matter anymore. The other knight sabers were outside and if he exited in his weakened state, they would just finish the job.

"I'm gonna finish what those boomers should have ended. At least I'll live longer than you ever will!"

Suddenly a high powered round nailed Mason in the back. Shrapnel exploded out and fluids began leaking from the blast. Mason was unharmed. Jacob managed to deploy his blade and jammed it into the wrist. Hitting a hydraulic line the hands grip loosened. Scrambling out he swung his helmet up to see through the glass. His chest and legs were ice cold and it was harder to move. Great, I am freezing. He stumbled over towards the exit. Without the hud he couldn't even tell what was even operational.

Sylia saw Mason turned to face her. She then aimed the cannon towards the ceiling.

"For your father Sylvia?" Mason asked.

Sylia's finger tightened on the trigger. "No, for myself" She then fired.

With Priss.

The whole building shook like hell, catching Priss by surprise. What was it?. Self destruct, a coolant tank going up or something else?.

"I think it's time to split" Nene's voice filtered through the speaker.

"Guys I'm picking up a massive cold spike near the building centre. Temperature's dropping like hell!"

Priss then figured it was a coolant tank. "What about Sylia and Jacob?" she inquired.

"Moving fast, gonna be out in a minute" Cynitha cut in.

That's good. Priss thought, now moving towards the exit. She planned on asking what happened to the bastard Mason. Hopefully he was dead.

With Linna.

She entered the truck, everyone was there. Linna then saw Jacob out of his hardsuit under a thermal blanket with Sylia. Confusion swept over her as she swung her helmet up. Jacob waved sheepishly.

Nene closed the doors and took off her helmet. "Ready to go Mackie" she called to the front.

"Gotcha" he replied, backing the truck into the street.

Linna took off her helmet and sat down close to her boyfriend. She saw he was shivering.

Jacob smiled at her. "Never take a swim in coolant" he chuckled.

"Mason did this?" Linna inquired.

Jacob and Sylia nodded. "He tried to take Jacob with him," Sylia explained. "Do you wanna switch?" she offered.

Linna nodded. Standing she unlatched her hardsuit and climbed out. Sylia climbed out and swapped with Linna. Jacob hugged Linna and nuzzled his head on her shoulder. Linna felt his coldness touching her skin.

"Keep it PG" Priss teased.

Jacob and Linna looked at her. Both looked unamused.

"Not funny Priss" Linna said calmly.

Priss smiled slyly. "Just save the kinky stuff till ya get home" she told them.

Jacob's face turned red. Biting his lip he turned his look away from Priss. "Let's just go home" he said weakly.

END CHAPTER.