I hope this chapter goes out first but we will see where we get.

I thought about it last night and I think I can make it work until we are done. I am going to be happy when I am done with this volume. Cause those have been serious pains.

And I hope I can get it done, today. Sixth of June, 2019.

75 years after D-Day.

Also, this is going to change huge bits from canon.

After they were done, their Gears had changed. With more armor attached to the limbs. And the Frames were reinforced. The output had taken up a notch. The article of the canon was magnified and its destructive power had been raised.

Ares missiles were on its back enlarged and its firepower was drastically improved.

"So this is the power of the Connective Hybrid."

"Indeed. Let's get out of here. Taking the subway and get out on the surface with the next station." One could wonder why they just didn't blast their way out.

When they reached out, they went up in the sky.

And no one was out there.

"W… Where the hell are they?" Scarlet yelled vigorously but she noticed the situation was just strange.

"The battle is not happening?"

"Hey, Kizuna. Hold on this." Yurishia looked at Kizuna and in that time, Reiri pipped in.

{Kizuna. Looked like it worked.}

"Indeed it did. Like you promised, Nee-chan. We can launch our surprise attack."

{The others are waiting impatiently. If I were you, I would leave.}

With those words, the signal came and from over the place, HHG launched themselves.

And two others. Ichika had said his girlfriends' goodbye with a hug and a promise he would come back. His sister had no training and they could see the fight. Mattheus had said goodbye to Natasha who had taken Joel over. Between him and Joel, a message transpired.

But with Kizuna, he had some issues to resolve.

"Kizuna! This was a trick!"

"Yeah. I know, I'm not a great guy. But it was an emergency. There was a need to make you two do Connective Hybrid. Of course, I'll accept all of your grievances."

Just when Scarlet wanted to go on and tear him a new one, Yurishia stopped her.

"Just as I thought. I had to see this one coming."

"What do you meant?"

"You still want to know. It was a strange thing. It's not in you to invite us on a date. You used a bit too much force with how we bumped heads. And the empty station even though today is a weekday. There was also no one at the platform. And it was also strange for a train without anyone on it to come, most of all, when the enemy came attacking, there was that kind of coach connected on the train so conveniently, even that was strange. In the first place, will a piece of new equipment be connected to the coach of a train to be transported? Even Scarlet noticed that much right?"

Scarlet's eyes swam around.

"Sure. I knew that much." She didn't sell that lie. Not to Kizuna. Not one bit.

Then you don't need to get angry. You need to cut him some slack for his state of being. He was desperate, so when you get angry at him, you won't be able to become a good woman you know."

The redhead sighed. "Fine."

And from that point, Yurishia suddenly enveloped Kizuna from behind.

"But that much force. Really, Kizuna?" Her lips got dangerously close to his ear.

"Well, we needed to launch this attack before the enemy does it for us."

"Is this for Aine's sake? Or else. Because my Cross is using my life as energy?"

His breath was taken away by him.

"Yurishia. Why do you think that?" She touched his lips with her index finger.

"No. don't worry about it. Don't say it."

"Yurishia."

She turned to a few noises.

"The others have finally caught up." Amaterasu, the four remaining members, and the Masters. They joined the three with a mixture of shock and awe.

The Masters had only sent in Clementine and Sharon.

"Yurishia-san, Scarlet-san! You are not going to tell me that you two have succeeded in the Connective Hybrid." Of course, Hayuru would be blowing a gasket. Her round eyes made it even worse.

"Exactly. With this, the countermeasure for Gravel is complete! You can leave everything to us!"

Ichika wondered when women would stop being like this.

Clementine looked at Scarlet with a bit of admiration. She had been boasting about her power. Even so, Ichika found it lacking compared to what he had seen before.

Must have been because of the Gear.

"Scarlet, this is a surprise. The way your HHG is remodeled. Unbelievable."

Sharon looked at Scarlet, a lot more chilly.

"You did erotic things."

Which caused her to lit up like a Christmas Tree.

"Ju. Ju. Just shut up."

Mattheus barked a laugh. "Don't tease her. You gotta do the same thing to just keep your count up. Btw. Congrats, Kizuna. But can we now."

The rifle he took out was Chasseur and Mattheus twitching fingers made clear how much wanted to fight, shoot and go out.

Kizuna looked in his face.

In everyone's face.

"Everyone listen to me. This is sudden, but today Amaterasu and Masters will seal the Entrance at Okinawa with this mixed team. After that, we are going to repel the enemy of the AU stationed at Okinawa."

"It's certainly so sudden. What about the details of the operation?"

"I'll explain while we head to Okinawa. Each of you is to download the outline of the operation and the manual of the sealing system of the Entrance. Then, we are going!"

They followed him. Mattheus and Ichika had gotten their orders earlier due not being on the network. Mattheus was to help Clementine survive given the fact he also used long range tactics. He had been pleading and begging Reiri to place behind. His energy shotgun would only be good for later.

Scarlet few behind Yurishia. Her head lost in thoughts.

"Hey, Yurishia."

"What's up? Something wrong?"

Scarlet opened her mouth in resolve.

"I hate to say it. But if you want, you can be leader of the Masters." She shook her head with a wry smile.

"What are you saying? That is your spot, right? You need to have some confidence. Besides. I'm Yurishia Farandole of Amaterasu." She looked at Kizuna, Hayuru, Aine, Ichika and Mattheus."

Eventually, they reached the place.

Naha of Okinawa. The Shuri Castle that was once the castle of Ryukyu Kingdom had now become a castle of Vatlantis Empire.

Surrounded by a thick and solidly built stone wall, the buildings were built in the hybrid style of Japan and China. A temporary fortress of AU which was lined up with those buildings was giving off distinctiveness. A gothic-style construction with a dome shape that stood at the height of fifty meters was built from white half-transparent stone as the material, making it look like transparent glass, several thin and slender spires were standing in line from the building.

The way those guys treated buildings. Like they fucking owned this world.

Gravel and Aldea were sitting behind and they were going through documents. Until Aldea could see something coming through.

"Hey Gravel. Look outside."

They both turned to the outside.

"What is wrong, Aldea?"

"The Entrance is vanishing."

"What?"

They could see it outside and indeed. The Entrance that was for the sake of coming and going to Vatlantis got out. Like it was never even there.

"Besides this, there was also an Entrance that vanished. Is this the same?"

"If that is the case, we can't go back to Vatlantis, right?" Gravel looked from the window and she opened the curtains with a heavy pull.

From the distance, she could see the robots falling down.

"Gravel. You are telling me, this is the enemy attack."

"They finally are here. Let's give them a welcome." Gravel made her way out and could see how the place looked. And the figure she saw, she was more than happy to see.

"Aine. We have been waiting for you."

"You said your name is Gravel. There is something, I want to ask you."

"Ask away."

Aldea looked at the two and she wasn't as calm as Gravel. If anything happened, she could prevent it from happening.

"Why are you two trying to take me away? Are you after Zeros' Core?"

"That is one of our objectives yes. But you yourself is another one."

"What are you saying I am?"

"Silver hair and red eyes. And then Zeros. You are without a doubt."

A shockwave came out and cut her off. An explosion occurred in front of Gravel and Aldea, raising up a fierce flame explosion. The cluster of flame spread and crimson flame rushed through the plaza.

{Aine, are you okay?}

Yurishia's voice came out and when Aine looked at the sky. She could see her, Kizuna and Scarlet out there.

"If I have to say. Scarlet's missile was dangerous to me. You don't have to be a hint of subtleness."

In Ataraxia. Seven girls looked at the screen, bemused and conflicted.

'Like you're one to talk.' Chorused through their heads.

But back at the fight.

The communication was smooth between them. Her body had been protected by the Life Saver.

Kizuna came down from the sky, in front of Aine's eyes.

"You're one to talk. I had told you to stay behind at the rear, you rushed to this place alone. What the hell?"

"I was a little bothered. Rather than that, what about Gravel and Aldea? They aren't supposed to be opponents that can be defeated just with this much."

Warning displays went off. And they looked up to see two figures. One emitted green light, it was Aldea's [Zeel]. The other one was emitting orange light, it was Gravel's [Zoros].

A transmission came through from Scarlet who was high in the sky.

{Kizuna, leave fighting those two to this me!}

{We are going to pay back the debt from before. Kizuna and others protect the sealing system of the Entrance. It will be a little troublesome if enemy reinforcements come.}

When he looked, there were Albatrosses who came to the place where the Entrance again came out. They were nearly done with the sealing of it and they can start all over again.

"Got it Aine and I will protect the sealing system. Go wild on this place." The two went off with the two assailants at their heels.

They found Scarlet and Yurishia in their way.

"Scarlet."

"Roger."

The missiles units folded on Scarlet's back and deployed like spreading wings.

With the single word "Fire!" those were launched at once. Flying to Gravel and Aldea, pulling white smoke behind them. The moment they approached near, the missiles emitted dazzling flash, and then with an explosive sound that could tear the eardrum, they produced a shockwave that shook the body. Explosive flames that were spreading in circle piled up in layers, blocking Gravel and Aldea from view.

From inside those flames, green and orange streaks of light flew out. Flames of the explosion were occurring in succession as they were chasing behind them.

"Not yet. You got another wave coming."

And the second time, it was launched. In a normal case, she'd be out for the count. But now, she wasn't. The ammo she could carry had gone up by the Connective Hybrid.

Gravel was shooting down the missiles with her canon but she had a hard time. Speed and high in the order. Just great.

For her that was.

"You have quite a few."

"Even with that, the shockwave is too much. We need to get out of here."

Aldea also blocked the missiles with her shields but without distance, the explosion would do a lot of damage.

Ares fired and it became quiet. The heat came out from the firing entrance. Like it was cooling down in the air.

"Great. I'm out for now. Yurishia, you're up."

"Leave it to me."

Yurishia drew particle rifles from both her hands and aimed the muzzle of the Differential Frame to Gravel and Aldea.

"Now, this time I'll have you two dancing with my bombardment."

It had become larger and the caliber was increased. Like it was charging, particles of light were absorbed in the muzzle, amassing energy for the shooting.

"Scatter!"

Together with her yell, the filled up energy was liberated. The light was spread from the muzzle and golden light ran through its center.

"Labyrinth Cube!"

Aldea formed a cube shape with her six shields and slid them in front of Gravel.

Despite one heavy hit, the Cube took it in without too much damage for the ones it was aimed at.

"As expected. It doesn't seem like we can make a solid hit with a solid weapon."

Golden light ran across Yurishia's eyes."

"The corrupting destruction power sleeping inside me. And then, the weapon possessing brutality. Right now is the time for you to exhibit your power. Now come out."

When Yurishia stretched out both her hands forward, several layers of rings of light were spreading, a pattern like a magic circle appeared. She spread her palms and obtained something inside her hands. And then, she grasped an unseen something. From the space where there was nothing, it felt like she could pull out something.

And then, from the pattern that looked like a magic circle, a thick, long tube showed its appearance.

It also looked like the barrel of a cannon, but the figure of its whole body hadn't really appeared. And then, the tip that finally appeared wasn't a cannon muzzle.

It was not a cannon. It was a large caliber rifle. She had taken some ideas from Mattheus Chasseur.

At the tip wasn't a muzzle to shot bullets, the tip was narrowed down and sharply tapering to a point. It was a terrifyingly huge nail. With a diameter of 30 centimeters, and length that could even reach one meter from what could be seen. This thing was like an anti-tank rifle from World War 2.

That figure filled with cold and callous radiance looked like a huge monument that proclaimed massacre and destruction. The length of the whole weapon was nearly three meters. The base of the extremely thick nail was covered by an even thicker steel tube, the whole shape of the nail couldn't be seen. The part behind it even looked similar to Gravel's gunsword, a large cylinder. And then the mainframe was largely protruding out at the top and bottom, the whole volume was forming a cross shape.

That was Cross's Corruption Armament, Crosshead.

The instant she held it, she could read over the weapon and was shocked to see what this bad boy was actually capable of.

"I see now. it crooked the space with the nail, where the particle cannon will strike from zero distance along with shockwave, that's how this work. It's really a nasty piece of weaponry."

Scarlet's eyes lit up when she saw the weapon.

"Amazing. So this is the so-called Corruption Armament. If we use this, we can destroy."

But cold sweat flowed down Yurishia's cheeks.

"Looks like we have an issue with it. Despite its appearance, this thing can only hit its target in one meter."

"You've gotta be taking a piss. The weapon of you is this. Come on."

"It is useless unless I approached the enemy. But I'll win as long if I can hit it." From one meter, even a child could hit its target.

"The problem is that they need to be stationary. Scarlet?"

"Leave that to me. I'll make sure they won't move one inch."

Yurishia face took the same daring smile.

"Of course. For something on this chance, once is enough."

Yurishia readied Crosshead and put its power to the absolute max. Making a mental note to visit Joel to help her with this weapon was something she would do soon.

Scarlet was also ready and without too much, she launched her weapons. They couldn't keep up with them and the shoe was placed on the other foot.

With flames coming out of the Gear, she made on beeline and aimed from it.

Aldea had protected Gravel with the Cube but it stopped the missiles but it stopped them from moving.

When she was one meter from her opponents, she fired the bullet and it flew to them. But unlike a conventional cartridge, the ammo exploded inside the cartridge. It pierced through the shields like they were made from tissue power. Sparks came out from it as Yurishia had destroyed it.

If she counted out the long-range, this thing was an ACR. Anti Cube Rifle.

Snorting on the pun she made in her head, the cube was destroyed.

And the two were falling down. Looking at the bodies who left craters in the place, they left one hell of collateral damage.

Yurishia raised her voice of joy. Her arms followed those.

"We did it! We did it, Yurishia!"

All parts of Crosshead opened up and it was clear that it was ventilating. Thank some for inventing air cooling rifles.

Yurishia shook her head and lowered her cannon.

"Yes with this, we accomplished the vindication of our honor. I hate to keep losing after all."

Scarlet looked at her.

"Come on. You did this like it was easy."

"Back at you. Without you, I wouldn't be able to do this. This is your victory as much it is mine."

Yurishia shut down her weapon. Particles of light dragged away by the wind.

"You remember that Dragre. I would have been killed by it."

Scarlet's eyes went wide open.

"Not enough energy to equip Cross. Never have I felt in danger until that time. Never. But that time, I had resigned myself to death. And you know who saved me?"

"He was weak, ignorant, powerless. No experience. Yet, he saved my life. You know who, right?"

'I can think of who you mean.'

"He saved me. My mood went up crazy. My sense of values changed. My way of thinking."

Scarlet had figured it out. She was looking at a girl in love.

"That's why I am thinking to try trusting people, right now. I cannot do that though. Even in someone that I think as not having the ability, in actuality that person might have something that I cannot do."

She as stopped by a giggle from Scarlet.

"Is something the matter Scarlet?"

"Just thinking that I might be like you."

It was like a question mark flew above Yurishia's head.

"He remodeled your heart. How scary Eros really is." The muttering wasn't caught by Yurishia.

"What is that? If you have something to say, please speak up."

"Nothing really. Although, now, I have a new target that I have to compete with." The smile fell from her face and fell down on the stones as they looked up. Gravel had fallen down.

But she had risen back up. The smoke had gone back up and the orange particles had gone back up.

The two trembled as it looked like she was really angry.

"I thought that here in Lemuria, I shouldn't have to use it but alas. I'll face with my power"."

Gravel made a symbolic gesture with her left hand and concentrated her mind. Light particles came from her body. It was a beautiful sight even it was horrifying for the girls.

When she made her left hand, it went into a magical circle. And when it came out, a sword handle was the first thing to see.

Orange light ran through her eyes. She lightly brandished her new weapon.

"This is my true weapon, Sword Gatling!" She shouted.

To call that as a gunsword was something. Six large caliber barrels lined up in round shape. At the inside of that circle, a cross-shaped sword with a form like the tip of a plus screwdriver was emitting dull light.

All too many times, sweat ran down Yurishia's cheeks.

"No, no, no, nononono. Just no. Just, please no. You're not telling that is a Corruption Armament?"

"What are we going to do? Can you use your Corruption Armament?"

Yurishia shook her head. "I'm out for energy. I have nothing left."

"Than what do we do?"

Gravel readier her Sword Gatling. Light particles were absorbed in the dark gun like it was ready for the bombardment.

The girls made their resolve as they couldn't do anything.

But an extremely loud and familiar bang went off. The two girls turned to the source and saw two sights for sore eyes.

Kizuna and Mattheus.

"Through the gates of hell. As we make we our way to heaven. Through the Nazi Lines." Mattheus sang as Chasseur's barrel was smoking. He and Kizuna made the trip and the song was stuck in his head.

From what Kizuna learned, it was from a Power metal band that Mattheus adored and the song was about D-Day.

"Primo Victoria."

"Why are you singing that?" Kizuna asked. He had gone after the two girls and Mattheus had tagged along.

"Reminds me of this. Without the huge bloodbath. Didn't take a few thousand lives today. Besides." The Hunter pulled his bolt straight.

"I have issues to work out." Kizuna wanted to stop him and fight but Mattheus stopped him.

"No, Kizuna. You had your fun. I have been out for too long. Didn't get to do scouting, didn't get to do more action. This woman ticks me off and I want to have a real fight."

Kizuna gulped but he understood.

"I'll go after Yurishia and Scarlet. When things are okay, I'll help out." Mattheus nodded and he looked at Gravel who walked over to him.

"You were here. Last time. Yet, you don't pilot a Magical Armor. What do call your machine?" Kizuna raced behind her while she was focused on Mattheus.

"My machine is called an Infinite Stratos. Don't try to understand it cause I don't do it either. Its name is Lavathenian." Mattheus and she looked at each other.

Joel who had been looking at the sigh wondered about something.

'Take away the style, tits, and skin. Why do I see Mattheus there?'

"What is your name? Mine is Gravel. Commander of the Sixth Siege Captain of the Vatlantis Empire."

"Only fair I'll give you mine now. My name is Mattheus Adjzof. No titles. Yet." Mattheus had his rifle aimed at her but he was ready to move.

What he didn't expect was the face of Gravel to fall open.

"Adjzof? You're Adjzof." Mattheus raised an eyebrow.

"I am. That's my last name. Given one Mattheus. Nickname. Hunter." He said while Gravel looked at him.

"No. No. No. Your name is like hers. You can't be here. That is impossible. Where is your family?" Mattheus' eyes grew hard.

"I don't have any. At least, not those carrying my name." Mattheus wanted to move but he was stopped by Joel."Brother. Hold on. My transfer is done. I have a new thing on one of the rings you got from me." Mattheus had three more rings on his face. It gave Joel the time to work on the weapon.

"Name?"

"Ghost. You're gonna love it." Mattheus deployed a rifle and it became clear what it was. It looked like Chasseur but when Mattheus fired, he didn't hear anything. The bullets were fired in semi-auto fashion.

"Joel?"

"This thing is silent as hell. Yet, the bullets hit its targets. A bit smaller than Chasseur but much more useable on shorter fights." Mattheus grinned as he and Gravel took off.

"Based on?"

"Tip. Ghost of the Trenches." Mattheus smirked. Of course. The other sniper.

Kizuna had gotten the two of the way. Thanks to Mattheus, he could play the hero for now. And Mattheus would take care of Gravel. And he couldn't help but drop his mouth.

Even with his machine being dangerously outclassed, Mattheus could fight like he was staring in the eyes of death.

And flipped the Grimm Reaper off.

His trigger finger was generous as Ghost was really nice. He fired his gun and fought with Gravel who aimed at him and the bullets of it couldn't hit him. And while the girls were down, Kizuna looked at the fight and he understood.

Mattheus wanted this fight. It wasn't his but Kizuna wasn't going to stop him. He was going to let Mattheus take care of this.

The man got a better shot and he had to get those girls away. But he couldn't move them at the same time. So he just stayed put to see how the man just moved and switched back to Chasseur.

Shot per shot, Mattheus just enjoyed this bit.

Because Gravel had no chance of hitting him. Despite the fact he was not as powerful as Gravel, she just couldn't hit him.

She was trying to hit him but yet, his IS moved and it was like hitting a Ghost. Mattheus just fired his gun and while Kizuna wanted to help, something told him that he should stay back.

But when he made himself ready, he heard a voice.

"Don't."

He turned to the source. Which wasn't surprising who stood there.

Given the fact, the voice was male and young.

"Ichika."

"Better not move, Kizuna. Cause when you get in his way, he is not going to save it." Kizuna stood up as the two girls were relatively safe. But they just looked up and see Mattheus.

"Overlord." Mattheus sang as his bullets hit their mark.

Yurishia and Scarlet did some damage and he was just taking care of the rest. And she couldn't do more as Mattheus just fought her.

"Damn it, you. Adjzof. You are like her." Mattheus smirked as Gravel stopped with her barrage.

In long-range, unlike Kizuna, he was just better. His rifle did its best and it did enough. Kizuna wouldn't know how he should fight Mattheus but he saw how he fought Gravel. With distance and changing firing location while avoiding fire.

"Adjzof. Do you have a sister?" Mattheus paused and his face got hard.

"What the fuck is that to you?" He shouted at her while he got Ghost back. With aiming at the bits, he could destroy the bits of Gravel. Eventually, she raced up to him.

He had plenty of time for taking out his Blastergun. With a couple of energy shots, coming from a private source, thank you, Joel, he stopped her.

"Your sister. You are like her. Yellow flowers on it."

"Shut up. You don't know squat." Mattheus had tried not to lose his cool yet the barrel flung on Gravel's side.

The force that he had was something as Gravel fired back. It was back to firing.

"Ichika. What is wrong? What is going on?"

The Knight gulped. "Mattheus had a sister back home. She was called Adjzof Freya. And her IS, our machine, was called the Yellow Flower."

"But how can Gravel know her? You are not from this world. And we don't have your counterparts." Ichika nodded on that.

"Yeah. Ours not. But for Mattheus, that can be different."

They looked at Mattheus wasn't calming down.

"Hida-kun." Third one.

"What are you doing? You should fight."

"Himekawa-san. No. Let Mattheus take care of that. Believe me. At this point, we let him do it. Don't get in his way. And look at him, it's not him who needed help." Gravel had felt never so much pain in her body. Let alone terror.

That guy. What was he? A Devil?

"That's enough. You don't move a muscle." With his handgun, a knockout came clean.

He turned to the others with a nod.

"I think we are good. I have subdued her. We can interrogate her and."

He felt a bullet crossing his cheek. They all saw one person there. Someone who shouldn't be there in the first place.

Hayuru, Ichika, and Kizuna wanted to move but for whatever reason, they were frozen stiff as they saw Brigit coming to him.

"What are you doing here?" Mattheus asked and the eyes. Oh, god her eyes. And that smile. That wasn't good news for him.

"What are you doing? She is subdued and you nearly killed me." For some reason, the others now got out their shock.

There was something off. Like she had lost something.

"We have orders to exterminate. We don't take prisoners. We need to take them out."

"But we have questions. And they can be answers."

Before he could react, his body was swept asides. This wasn't like with Gravel.

His adrenaline came kicking down and his body felt like it was horrible. The others jumped in now it was over but they were swept asides like flies.

"I am just doing my duty. Humiliated. Wounded. I do not stand for that. I will kill anyone getting in my way."

"Christ on bikes. She has gone insane." Ichika just wanted to help but his shield points were too low to fight. And with Kizuna, he could but it was like he would kill her.

And from one point, they looked at Brigit. Who had stopped moving at the time.

They looked down and a hand came clean through her chest. And from what they could see, a small metallic lump was out there.

"That's a Heart Hybrid Gear Core." The arm came out and nothing showed that Brigit carried a wound.

Their assailant fell down but still, there was one shock. A timid voice was hurt. Not something you would expect from someone who had been freaking inside someone else's body.

Two people were seen there. The person who held the core was a tall girl with a slender body.

"I guess that the user will die if the Core is extracted, I got good data."

The voice that came out. It caused Ichika and Mattheus to tense. He had made his way back to the group.

They weren't the only ones who were tense.

'I know this voice. I will never be able to forget it.'

That person wore a lab coat. White skin and long black hair. For a second, Ichika saw his older sister or Reiri in that place.

"It has been a while, hasn't it, Kizuna?" The voice carried no emotion. Nothing at all. Just like the eyes. Mattheus' hand moved to his ear. "Joel. I think now is as a good a time as ever to activate me."

"Mom," Kizuna said. Even if he had not said that, the others could get the idea who this woman was.

It was his mother. And that of Reiri.

The inventor of the Heart Hybrid Gear.

OMAKE:

This omake came from an idea I had when I was on the bus. And with everything in mind, I had some good ideas on it. It also fits in with the chapter and I could just go for an omake like I have done with Stories Told but I have too many of those already.

So with this, I kill several birds with one stone.

For the umpteenth time, several Hackers in a hotel in Japan were wondering how long their sanity could withstand this.

They have been there ever since their leader told them why and how they were here.

500 young Hackers had to investigate the disappearance of the ISA. Till that all nice and good.

They had to make preparations, look up stuff, make laws and be addressed in the public for why they all did that.

For the normal soldiers, which four of them were in their room, wasn't their thing. They were there for a job. But that wasn't the problem. They had been used to wait and kill time.

The hotel had swimming pools, bars, lounges, internet cafes, and all the other comfortable stuff. So the Hackers had found it peaceable to be there. They had nothing else to do but to know each other.

With drinks, pools and enough entertainment, the Hackers were taking this as the good life. But that wasn't allowed anymore.

For four days or ninety-six hours, everyone below captain was forced in their rooms. And that wouldn't be the bad thing.

But for four days straight, J-pop blasted through the hotel. And there was shit you could do about it.

Nothing you did could stop the songs coming through. Now, the Hackers weren't close-minded but given their lives, it shouldn't come as a surprise that quite a few of them were fans of the heavier stuff. And there was something like too much J-pop, especially if you had to listen to it for four days straight.

In your hotel room.

Without drinks or anything else to do.

In June.

For four days.

Some were near breaking point.

That some were 99% of the Hackers.

So when things weren't calming down, the four Hackers turned to the door as it was knocked on. Without waiting for an answer, lieutenant Janousek walked in.

The four boys sprung up and saluted their CO.

"Sir."

"At ease, guys. At ease. Captain Orlejov has requested your presence in the rooms." The officers and under officers were allowed to use a room to coordinate their mission but for the most part, they were locked in the same place.

And some of the officers and of them was lieutenant Jozek Janousek had been working for four weeks straight.

And while they had been used to some stuff, they had also reached a breaking point.

If the fact that their officer looked like shit. So when the Hackers could come down, they were joined by their friends.

It had been four days since they could see other faces than their roommates and some of them talked. The four in the initial room were part of a group of friends to which Janousek once belonged. It had been years since they saw him so a bit of familiarity was found.

"Sir. Can you explain to us why the fuck we have been hearing J-pop for the last days and why the flying fuck we weren't allowed to leave?"

The bravest of the four asked.

"I will tell you downstairs. Most of us are there." Before long, they reached the common room the Hackers had been using as a base for now.

It smelled like hell in the place. Four days without any washing and working had made the room stink. The rooms were now open so ventilation could set in.

When all the Hackers were in the room, they turned to their captain, who like them, had a certain weariness.

He wasn't wearing the sweater as usual but wore a shirt with a certain group on and shorts. Like he was a boy.

Kerlongsj opened his mouth with a sigh.

"Now, I think you're all pretty fucking pissed. And the same goes for me as for any of you. No matter if you're a soldier or officer. I can tell you why the hotel locked you in your rooms and us in here. I can also tell why the fuck we have been hearing J-pop. Those things are related." The group waited.

"This hotel was booked as some sort of spectacle or idol show a couple of months before the ISA went off the map. And they have the right to use this place to rehearse and that's why you heard J-pop all day. They have their show tonight so I can say that by tonight, you won't be hearing any shit."

One of the men in the room raised his right hand. "Yes."

"Sir, permission to speak freely?" Kerlongsj had a good idea that there was swearing coming.

He didn't blame the boy.

He would do the same thing.

"Granted."

"What the flying goddamned fuck has a fucking show of underaged girls who sell their fucking sex appeal to do with the fact we have been fucking locked in our rooms?"

"Because private, they believe that interacting with males will cause them to lose clients. That's why you guys have been locked in your rooms. Hotel staff threatened to throw us out if I let you walk out. And outside, we are a goner." Kerlongsj turned to the windows and they could see hundred if not thousands of fans.

Those guys would be ripped to pieces if they so much set a foot outside. Even if they were Hackers.

"Sir. We know you ain't the fucking reason but do tell me that we have something to pay them back for the favor?" Kerlongsj smiled and it was shared with his men.

"Yes. I told the staff that it is okay to lock you up and that despite the fact I paid for the hotel and much more than this whole idol bullshit, I would allow every bit of those idiots. If they'd allow me one big favor."

He turned to the four boys in the room who Janousek had to get.

"Janousek told me that you guys can play instruments. I owe you guys a lot for the patience you got here and I lost a bet to the point that one of you would snap. So tell me. Do you know what day today is?"

The loudmouth smiled as he knew today was the sixth of June. D-Day. And the shirt his boss wore was clear to what he wanted to do.

"Yes, sir. And I think that we haven't forgotten how we have to play Primo Victoria."

Kerlongsj sighed. This was gonna be one for the books.

That night.

After the last idol group went form the stage.

The Hackers had been around the stage and in the back. Kerlongsj cracked his neck. He had still been wearing his shirt of Sabaton plus he was wearing camo pants. The others in the group had chosen for loose fitting pants and either sleeveless shirts or like Kerlongsj.

They looked a good bit tougher than the idols.

Their clothes were a lot more conventional compared to what they wore. How the fuck could they dance like that?

Singing was out as well.

As the group came from the sage, Kerlongsj walked in from behind the stage. The attention of the idols and of their fans got onto him.

"Now. If you're wondering why I am pipping in and taking up time. That's cause I am going to tell you guys something. We have been to this hotel and we have been locked in our rooms. And we are pretty fed up with it. So before you're wondering who I am. That ain't your business. But given the date, I and a couple of my boys are going to play one hell of a song. One btw that we at our place celebrate after all those years"

Kerlongsj opened his mouth. And the grin could have been one someone else's face. The idols, on the other hand, were shocked.

"So will you sing with us? And will you jump with us?"

Through the gates of hell

He began to sing and the Hackers around the stage pipped in.
As we make our way to heaven
Through the Nazi lines
Primo Victoria.

Jump!

He shouted and the five, Janousek included walked onto the stage. They jumped up and down like maniacs with a crazy grin.

He moved his leg along the music and for one moment, he forgot the world.

Those on stage did the same.

The other Hackers in the crowd, who have moved along, just rocked their bodies.

They weren't alone, the Hackers moved their bodies in tandem as they saw their leader, their big Flemish Devil jumping up and down like a madman.

When he was done with jumping, the music moved along and from back and ford.

We've been training for years
Now we're ready to strike
As the great operation begins
We're the first wave on the shore
We're the first ones to fall
Yet soldiers have fallen before

He paused and the Hackers that knew the song just gran as they saw their leader like this.

Kerlongsj hated the fact that the Hackers were quiet but he made a debt he would perform this song. So he did.

You could do worse.

In the dawn they will pay
With their lives as the price
History's written today
In this burning inferno
Know that nothing remains
As our forces advance on the beach

The violence in the lyrics was a contrast to the crowd. No shoving, no pushing. The bodies moved along and it drove them mad.

They sang along over the microphone.

Aiming for heaven though serving in hell
Victory is ours.

The Devil showed the crowd the mic.

Their forces will fall.

Jump.

Through the gates of hell
As we make our way to heaven
Through the Nazi lines
Primo Victoria

Kerlongsj paused to take a breath. He just looked around and with a smile, he looked at how the initial shock of the Idol audience was growing away.

On the 6th of June. Today.
On the shores of western Europe 1944
D-day upon us

They stopped for a bit. He could see Anaton on the front stage, pointing a thumb.

Using his Nanites, he made a stage over to the boy.

What was the point of hiding the fact he was here? It didn't matter.

With his mic down, Anaton lifted himself up on the arm.

"Kid!"

We've been here before
Used to this kind of war
Crossfire grind through the sand
Our orders were easy

The older man pulled back
It's kill or be killed

It was back to Anaton.
Blood on both sides will be spilled

The two sang along for the next. Anaton's soft boyish voice mixed with the grittier voice of his brother.

In the dawn they will pay
With their lives as the price
History's written today
Now that we are at war
With the axis again
This time we know what will come

And the Hackers just smiled and with a bit of luck, the first crowd surfers were out there. Good thing he deployed his own guys for security.

He stood back and walked to the stage.

Aiming for heaven though serving in hell
Victory is ours their forces will fall

Jump!

And this time, a large part jumped in. Moving along, they forgot every bit. There was a part of this as well.

Through the gates of hell
As we make our way to heaven
Through the Nazi lines
Primo Victoria

The sound of those guys singing was just great.

On 6th of June
On the shores of western Europe 1944
D-day upon us

Okay, guys. You're up.

He stopped for a bit and moved back. The guitar players jumped in and played their bit.

There was no dancing, no intricate moves. Nothing like that.

Yet, the way they played. It was just awesome to hear the music. Two of the guitar players saw a couple of girls winking at them.

With a smile, the guys just played at them. Kerlongsj just shook his head as he saw the display. Of course, they would do it like that.

But even so, the bit went on and quite a few characters moved along.

I want to see your hand.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Kerlongsj wasn't disappointed.

There wasn't a single idol whose hands weren't up in the sky.

For some reason, when he closed his eyes, why was he imagining himself with those guys on a bigger stage? And he could see so many things.

6th of June 1944
Allies are turning the war
Normandy state of anarchy
Overlord

Thank you.

He was back in the hotel.

Aiming for heaven though serving in hell
Victory is ours their forces will fall

Jump.

Through the gates of hell
As we make our way to heaven
Through the Nazi lines
Primo Victoria

On 6th of June
On the shores of western Europe 1944
D-day upon us

One more time. I want to hear from you.

Through the gates of hell
As we make our way to heaven
Through the Nazi lines
Primo Victoria

On 6th of June
On the shores of western Europe 1944
Primo Victoria

He ended it and instead of a shell-shocked audience, they got a standing ovation. Several of the idols looked at the Hackers with a new look.

"Thanks. Know that this is the day where it took place. I hope you enjoyed this but I think we are done tonight?"

It was clear that they have done something. Kerlongsj shrugged.

"Fucking hell. We'll do more. Are you ready?"

It was one hell of a night. The contest was forgotten as the Hackers played for hours straight. It was even so that they switched others as some of the younger men weren't able to keep up. The entire night was just played away.

At least, the Hackers had one hell of a party and the tension was gone.

And with this, I end my chapter. Maybe not the most orthodox way to honor D-Day but the chapter fitted in and I liked the idea. So hey and we have a new chapter here. So that's a good thing.

Also, there was some foreshadowing. You have to find it.

We had Primo Victoria.

And now, I'm off to see Sabaton's Plzeň 2019 (Concert film)

Saluut.