It's been a few months. Sixth of June was last update. Summer has been productive for me.
Not for this fic, however.
It's been a few months. Why I took so long?
Cause I had some other fics to write out. Luckily, I got that all done. So when I was done then, I went for this fic.
Openings song. Afraid to shoot strangers.
Ichika's mouth was dry as he looked at the woman. She looked really like Reiri.
And with that, she looked like Chifuyu.
'Would my mother like this?' He thought out as he turned to Kizuna. For some reason, Kizuna looked a bit angry. They were here all now. Himekawa, Ichika, Kizuna.
And for some reason, Brigit. She had gone insane until they felt the energy flowing by. They saw Mattheus kneeling to the fallen body of the American Pilot.
But there was something weird.
He had taken out two large buds and placed on his wrist. Like a watch.
And another on his back.
That was not all. He took up a cap and put up his head.
"Manual activation. Agent Adjzof." It was like he droned something off.
"Security code." There was something from his watch.
Ichika's mouth had fallen open and it was like they forgot they were on the battlefield.
"Hunter's Faith. Hotel, Uniform, November, Tango, Echo, Romeo, apostrophe, Sierra, space, Foxtrot, Alpha, India, Tango, Hotel. Hunter's Faith. Customized Hackers Program. Design. Support Infinite Stratos Unit. Damaged Core. Former Core 82."
"Recognize. Manual activation nearly completed. System bypassed. Last confirmation." Kizuna wanted to speak until Mattheus held up his hand.
Strolling up his sweater, Mattheus opened his left hand and from that, the energy was lifted. Piercing through his right arm, he pulled the cable through.
The three could only wonder what he had planned but found that he was kneeling next to the body of Brigit. He put his cable in her and from his right arm, he ticked like he was on a computer.
"Joel. You are a genius. We're nearly done."
"Roger that brother. But not out the woods yet."
The Hunter nodded and looked at Kizuna. "Kizuna, I need you to make a circle around me. Keep off any attacks."
"What? Mattheus, what are you doing?" The glare he received made Kizuna gulp.
"Saving our lives." With that, the energy skyrocketed and it was like a skull rose up. "Adjzof-san, what's the meaning of this?"
Hayuru shouted while Mattheus took a deep breath. "I'll give the chat later. For now, listen up. That woman there. I don't think she is here to kill us or hurt us, right?" They looked up to see that Nayuta face's had gotten into a raised eyebrow.
"Male pilots? And with the strange energy? Fascinating. I need to do more on you."
It was clear she wanted to get closer to them but found a barrier. She bumped in and walked again. Again, she bumped in the barrier.
"Yeah, like I'm going to let you come close to us." They could only see how Mattheus was the one who made that barrier.
"Oi. Mattheus, what are you doing? That is my mother." Kizuna protested as Ichika shared a look with his brother.
"You're a Nanite Hacker, aren't you?" Ichika asked and there were some bits in his voice that made it clear to Kizuna and Hayuru that it was something Mattheus brought from their world.
"Yep. I'll give you the whole story when we're out the woods. As for this, everyone. I am thinking that you came here for a reason. But no way I'm letting you in this."
He hoped Kizuna, Ichika and Hayuru would stop looking at him like they were fishes in a bowl and worry about the fact that danger was staring them right in the face.
They turned back to Nayuta.
"Valdy. Break this barrier." She addressed the supposed woman who was their bodyguard.
"Yes, Nayuta-sama." But before she could act on that, there was a blast that flung her back. Ichika's double barrels smoked as the Knight had pulled the trigger.
"I don't think so. Mattheus, we can give ranged attack from this barrier, right?"
"Yep, from in, it goes out, but not from out to in. At least, if I can keep this up. That reminds me." Mattheus materialized his handgun and gave it to Kizuna.
"Use this. I can't move." Kizuna blinked owlishly on the request but took the gun from Mattheus.
"Kaa-san, I'm going to ask you to stop and come with me to Ataraxia." He said as he aimed Chasseur to the woman who caused this.
"That can not happen. I don't have the time for this."
{Kizuna! Absolutely don't let her get away!}
The angry voice of Reiri sounded over the comms. Mattheus was sure that she was acting in the correct way.
Pissed off.
"Oh, Reiri. You're still here. Why are you so flustered?"
Ichika turned back to Mattheus who made the barrier and who also kept Brigit alive. When their eyes met, they nodded.
This woman was fucked up.
{What's the matter, you are asking? Do you have any idea what the hell you are doing?}
"Do you want to say that I'm of unsound mind like that? Or else, do you doubt that my actions created a result that is not in accordance with my own actions I wonder?"
{That goes without saying. But if you ask me, you're fucked seven ways into Sunday and that is now running for understatement of the century?}
The voice didn't come from Kizuna's communication but it was from the watch. They all were sure that was Joel.
{But I think I speak for every soul, sides yourself cause I think you don't have one, that we got no flying fucking clue what the Goddamned hell you are doing here?}
Mattheus was pretty sure that Joel was antsy. Which was not great.
"I do not wish to talk to someone who got a mouth that foul. But Reiri. You couldn't possibly understand what I want. After all."
The woman made a troubled face and propped her cheek up with her hand.
"Reiri. You are an idiot."
Mattheus was sure that now this woman was indeed fucked up.
Ichika, on the other hand, was sure that he was never going to let anyone call Tabane insane. This woman was ten times crazier than Tabane could ever hope to be.
And yet again, they got one confirmation that Reiri was Chifuyu's counterpart.
{Kizuna. Bring that woman back even if you have to put a rope around her neck!}
They heard that anger from Reiri and Mattheus couldn't help but gulp. Ichika and Hayuru were the same.
"No can do, commander. We are stretched thin and I can't keep this barrier up. This goes down, we're all dead." Mattheus told them and Hayuru turned him.
"I can fight. So leave this to me." She turned the point of the sword to Valdy. She was ready to attack with her claws. Mattheus could only snort as the boys leveled their ranged weapons.
"Just fucking leave." Mattheus ragged breath came out.
"Indeed. I don't think we can fight in this. So we are leaving. Kizuna, you can find us in Tokyo." With that, Valdy carried the woman like she was a princess and they flew away while Mattheus kept the barrier up. He was sure that his body was going to give out.
When he checked Brigit, she was breathing and she had a pulse. He was about to put down the barrier.
Damn, this was already taking a toll on him.
And that point, the four could see how the two left to the Entrance. But it changed and from it came a new threat.
It was a giant rectangle that might reach even a kilometer vertically and horizontally. The door to AU, Entrance once again displayed its appearance.
At that point, they heard a voice
{This is Aine! The sealing system was destroyed! Just when I thought that the enemy had been exterminated, at the gap when we were going to collect Yurishia and Scarlet…Kizuna! Be careful! It was going to your side!}
What the hell went on, they couldn't now and from that point, a giant lump of steel went to them. A fist.
That was aimed at them.
The shockwave felt like an earthquake. It was good they had that barrier up as the entire place was destroyed.
Buildings crumbled, asphalt paved and cracked. Mattheus gritted his teeth. That shockwave was felt also by the others as they were protected by Mattheus. Still, the wind was knocked out of them.
They could only see what it was.
"Oh, you managed to stop me? The power of Ragrus-sama's magic armor, the Demon!"
Whatever it was, it was huge.
But the person who piloted it. She was small.
Ichika could guess that even Joel was taller. She had twin tails and she spoke in a haughty tone.
"Oh, great more of those AU? Haven't you guys done enough here?"
The displeasure was painted over her face.
"Don't place me with them. You hear me. Valdy is my underline and Gravel and Aldea are from the subjugation army. They are not like me, an Imperial Guard. Their strength makes it clear if they can lose to someone like me." Ragrus was not even 1,5 meters.
But the machine made it so she could talk down to the group. With her arms, she picked up Gravel who laid around.
If Kizuna could see the face of Mattheus, he could see that the Hunter was ready to make her talk. That last line ticked him off.
She knew something about Yellow Flowers.
But he kept the barrier up.
"The fact you could stop me is astonishing but Zelshione-sama requested her back. That's why I will not fight you today. If she dies too bad, but she has to compensate for her sin. Same about Aldea. She must be around her."
With a window like they had, she found Aldea's location.
"I won't let you go."
Hayuru found Ichika's hand around her wrist. The Knight shook his head. They had made it out barely alive. They couldn't go on further. They had to cut their losses and get out. From that point, Ragrus turned back and she flew away.
"That's a good stroke of luck," Kizuna said and Mattheus scoffed.
"Been making our luck. But for now, we get the hell out."
They saw Hayuru collapsing, her legs giving out and her machine dissembling.
"Hida-kun. I am out. Can you carry me?"
Kizuna gave her a nod. By kneeling, she got in his arms.
The order went out.
"Everyone, fall back. The Masters, Amaterasu. Fall back." He turned to Mattheus and Ichika.
Byakushiki was close to Lavathenian.
"Can we move her?" Mattheus nodded on the question. "If you carry her, yep. We can get her out. We don't have time to wait for a chopper. But Ichika, for the love of God, doesn't fly too far. This is not going to be easy and stretching the cable, means, she's gone."
There was a solemn nod.
"Okay, brother but when we get back."
"Yeah, yeah. I get it. Got a story to tell."
It was a difficult ride and Mattheus was happy that Ichika kept his mouth shut. Or that he wasn't angry.
But he wanted questions and God help him, Ichika would drag those out of him.
He would even get help for that.
But Mattheus would speak.
On the base, Brigit was taken to the hospital wings.
It was confirmed she was in a coma but she was still alive.
The frightening thing was that if Mattheus didn't save her, she would have been dead.
Speaking about him, he hadn't left her side. Sure, he disabled his machine but he went with her all the way.
Meaning that he was in the same clothes.
Which wasn't bad for him. Did that before.
He was hungry and thirsty and he could deal with that.
But he felt a desperate need to see the smallest room.
Turning his head, he looked to Kei. "How long till you got this machine running? Cause not that I want to complain but I am in desperate need to take a piss."
Looking up, she threw him a bottle. The guy rolled his eyes but zipped open his pants.
"Don't have the gut to peek. If you do, I'll blow your head clean off." Kei nodded and worked on the machines. When Mattheus was sure, he zipped open his pants. Luckily, he could work with his two hands so it wasn't too difficult.
When he was sure that he got set, an immense relief filled him as his water left him. When he was done, Kei turned back to him.
{It will take two hours until you can go for that matter. In the meantime, why don't you explain to me what happened on Okinawa and what you are doing right now?}
The petite woman said but Mattheus shook his head.
"Nope. I think you aren't the only one who wants to hear what I got to say. So get Amaterasu, the Masters, Headmaster Reiri, Chifuyu-sensei, the Infinite Stratos girls in this. Pretty much everyone. I think they all want to hear it."
{Headmaster Reiri and the HHG pilots are sure allowed to hear this but the others aren't needed. So I think that you}
A nuzzle from a gun is a great way to shut someone up. Mattheus was not in the mood for people who didn't listen.
"Get the others in this. Oh and don't forget Joel and Natasha. The kid got more talent to get this running."
Diplomatic indeed so the scientist listened. She had seen the damage of Mattheus guns and was no way looking forward to getting one of the bullets in her skull.
So when she left, Mattheus focused. He needed to let Joel look after him. The kid knew enough of the Nanites and he could be sure that everything went well.
There might still be something.
A shot in the dark and there was no telling where his bullet landed.
He faced Brigit. "Caused a whole lot of shit. Christ girl, if you stayed." Mattheus could stabilize her and then the machines could take over. But till then, he had a story to tell.
So when the doors opened, he saw the entire group walking in. The HHG pilots were looking a bit intrigued by Mattheus and what he was doing.
This was something new.
The angry glares from the Infinite Stratos Pilots. Yeah, he saw that coming. Joel was the first to greet him.
The two shared a fistbump and Joel showed him a bag.
"I think you can use some food. So I packed a few sweets in this." Mattheus gratefully began to eat the pastries. He was starving so he just had to eat first.
He was sure that he would eat a whole lot more. When the first chocolate cake went down, he turned to the group.
"Okay. I think that I got a lot to explain but come on, Chifuyu, Natasha. You can figure out what happened back there."
Natasha touched his face, she was sad and was that disappointment?
"You're a Nanite Hacker, right?" Her voice tore on his heart but didn't break it. She caught Joel who nodded as the boy looked over the machines.
"Yep. Sleeping one. Joel activated me as I had a good idea that she wouldn't survive if I didn't do something." Natasha gulped.
"How…" She found her mouth dry as she was cracking up. "How long have you been a Sleeper?"
Chifuyu crossed her arms and Mattheus could see how the others looked at him. They were angry and wanted answers.
"Sleeper? After well, I lost you two. When I couldn't do anything to help you."
A wry grin got over his face.
"But if you're wondering how long I have been working for Kerlongsj-Orlejov? Ever since Kid got out of control."
Chifuyu pinched her nose and Ichika only had more questions.
"I should have known. Your kick punch is nothing more but your own version of Kerlongsj's move with Anaton. For all who aren't getting this. The Nanite Hackers is an organization from our world. Consisting of those who were denied access by the Infinite Stratos and cast asides who found a new goal. I suppose that from my pupils you all have heard from them, right?"
They all nodded and turned back to Mattheus.
"But why did you become one?" Houki asked.
"If those guys are against the Infinite Stratos, why did you become a Hacker?" Laura asked and Mattheus looked to the ceiling.
Mulling over his words, he could only think of the truth.
"Protection. All of you got persons watching over you or owing to you. I don't have that sort of protection and being a slave isn't really for me. Got the offer at Graspop when Joel became know to you guys. Kerlongsj contacted me and well. He offered me a relatively good deal. It works for me. Kerlongsj even allowed me to stay as a Pilot. But after the events, well, I couldn't just stay like that."
Mattheus gave as answer.
"He pushed a gun under Kerlongsj's nose, told him if he would ever put me through such danger, he would try to kill him," Joel told the group as he went to stand next to Mattheus. He was done with the machine and the arm of the man went over the neck of the boy.
"Try to kill?" Kizuna wondered aloud as the HHG group looked up from that.
"Yep. Try to kill." Mattheus told the astound group as he confirmed the words.
Chifuyu broke the silence. "Kerlongsj Orlejov is not just a name or a man. On the age of fifteen, he united the Hackers plus he recruited a lot more men that the Hackers grew to a military powerhouse. Mind you. He had lost his own family and even so, he managed to pull that off. His own power, which has only grown over the course of the years, has given him the nickname, The Flemish Devil. If you ask me, he's no longer man but more a force of nature" Mattheus nodded.
"Yep. I don't want to exaggerate but if you got him in this place, well. We no longer would have an apocalypse on our hands."
"Indeed. I mean. I have just witnessed a small part. I mean. All the ships you guys were all barely putting down. He can do that in one attack and without breaking a sweat." Joel told the group and the Infinite Stratos Pilots could only gulp.
Sure, they had heard stories about the Hackers but getting those rumors confirmed by Mattheus and Chifuyu. That took them by surprise as they saw the faces were deadly serious.
"I daresay he is about the only person who can hold his own against me. Or who I can fight without worrying about killing him. And you might not believe me but I have wished more times than I can count that he would be around." Chifuyu told the group airily.
There was not that much they needed to know.
"Same here. We both have seen do things that you'd say are impossible. If he was here, I can tell you. Brigit would be up and running and we had cleaned this up really fast. So that's why I said I would try to kill him if he would ever put Joel in that much danger. After that, I chose to take a program and that is what I did now. For now, I can't save her but she is not dead. That is a win." Mattheus solemnly told the group.
The Infinite Stratos Pilots were taking the news pretty well. The Hunter guessed that it must have been because when he explained why he did it.
The Heart Hybrid Gear Pilots weren't too sure about it all but from what Mattheus guessed, they were grateful the life of Brigit was saved.
Without him, she was a goner. That was for sure.
"I activated him. I wasn't in favor of it but there was all that could be done. That barrier protected them. Let's just say that it wasn't easy."
Blown away by what Joel told them, they landed on the floor. Mattheus pulled him up on his lap. "Normally, you can only be activated by another Hacker. Joel managed to bypass my system. So in this case, he pretty much managed to do the impossible." Joel just shrugged on that and that was another reason for shock.
Sure, they knew that Joel was an engineer and a wizard with technology. Sure, he could do a lot of incredible stuff like the weapons he had been making for the Infinite Stratos girls.
Despite the fact he hated to be called a genius, Joel had an aptitude for machinery. He was maybe even for a few months but he had managed to improve the Technical Gear and even the Heart Hybrid Gears.
There was one thing for damn sure.
He couldn't beat Nayuta and Tabane.
But besides those two, nope. There was nothing else out there. Sure, Kei might have some information and the stats to prove it. Sure, Maya might have the titles on her name standing and she had proven herself.
But they didn't have the versatility, the aptitude, the ease that Joel had.
They couldn't make the weapons he had made.
And now that little boy who had fallen asleep in the lap of Mattheus had managed to pull off impossible feats.
"So there you go. I had this program after I came back. I hoped that I would never have to use it. But push comes to shove, I did. And that's about it."
His face was solemn and it was overly clear that apologizing was not on his mind. Kizuna sighed on that matter.
"Mattheus, that program. What does it do?" The older guy could only think about it.
Ten seconds later, he shrugged. "Don't know much about it. Captain told me it was meant as basic healing as I did with Brigit. Plus the barrier I made. Other than that, it can be used to complement Lavathenian. But you have to ask Joel for more info."
The boy was fast asleep and so far, that was about it.
More questions to him would be for tomorrow.
"Why didn't you ask us for help?" Charlotte asked and Mattheus could only ponder on that. Why didn't he do that?
"Cause, Charlotte. I'm a grownup. Clean up your own mess. That's one of the things you gotta do when you grow up. Plus, I gotta keep watch over Joel. Keep him safe. Meaning that I had to find a person who would watch over me. Everyone, I don't know if you all realized it but me and Ichika, we are the only male Pilots in our place."
After some silence and a few blank stares, the guy shook his head.
"We're about the rarest and most sought after commodity in the last century. Unlike you, Ichika, I don't have a big sister with an impressive repertoire to keep vultures away from tearing me apart. I have to look for my own protection. So yeah, I turned to the Hackers. The chance of me becoming a sperm factory and being locked away in a casket so they can bisect me while I am still breathing went pretty much down to non-existent. That's something they won't do."
Mattheus growled which made the girls paused, they were sure it wouldn't happen. Until they began to think.
And knew of the stories of males.
What Mattheus said was nothing more than a truth they had been shielded from. Which had now come out?
"Not to mention. You've seen what Joel did. What he pulled off today, Christ. And before we got here, you have seen what they made him do. Don't tell me that they wouldn't put a twelve-year-old boy through that." He scoffed and talked again.
"Governments are not a shit bit better than the assholes who put you all through hell."
They turned to the boy. Joel had pushed himself up to the older man so he laid more comfortable on the man. With his free arm, Mattheus comforted the boy.
"That is what it means to look after another human being. Now, there are only two here who knows that compels."
Chifuyu and Reiri shared a look and back to their brothers. Yeah, they knew what that meant.
"And both of you, well. You would go through hell and back to keep them safe, right? Same goes for me. So either, shout at me all you want or just use your brain. There is some shit you gotta do as a grownup."
With that, none of them could say a word so they all understood.
The Masters left first after they thanked Mattheus for saving their friend.
Amaterasu also gave their thanks to him. Kizuna shook his hand when he left.
The Infinite Stratos Pilots also told him goodnight. On their faces, Mattheus could read they would need time to get used to the news.
Ichika was the second to shake his hand. It was clear it wasn't over with him but that would be for in private.
Chifuyu and Reiri were both saying goodnight to him. Chifuyu was the same as her brother.
They would talk to Mattheus later in private. Especially because Mattheus knew about Kerlongsj and her.
Reiri also wanted to a talk with him later.
Kei nodded to him as she would come back in ninety minutes to make sure that Mattheus could leave.
Natasha took the other bed next to him.
"You're not leaving?" Mattheus asked the Ace.
"No."
"If you're angry. I can sure understand that."
Natasha was ready to shout and scream and cuss and tear him through the street.
Calling him the filth of the street.
Something did stop her.
"You can." She said. That was the hard part.
"Yep."
"Mattheus, why did you do that? Why did you decide to become one of those Hackers? Why decide to work for Kerlongsj Orlejov? You sold your soul to him."
"Perhaps. But I am gonna ask you a question. All of you sides Ichika. You all went with the Infinite Stratos. Willingly. Me and Joel. We didn't have much of a choice. Either I piloted it or I would have gotten idiots after me. The machine worked for me. With Joel's skill, that would just ours. France and Germany pulled their hands back. Both to blame for the fact sis died. So in any choice. The Infinite Stratos was a thing I got pulled into. I sold my soul to Kerlongsj. Yours to the US of A. So in any case, well. We both know the score. And believe me. If you think about the stuff the United States do. I am not even in this and I can think of several things."
Natasha closed her eyes and laid herself on the bed.
"Indeed. You are not wrong on that, Mattheus."
They found Joel stifling but he went back to sleep. "Want to take him over? He's going to lie more comfortable with you than with me. And this is gonna take a while, right?" Natasha could only curse but she had to agree.
The fact Joel didn't even move or made a sound when she pulled him next to her body where the boy fell asleep as the face was on her shoulder, made it clear how much Joel loved her.
"Go on."
"Joel pulled out some bits. We looked up some shit from when his IRA days. Hit squad on his uncle. Carried out by the US. They were working on a weapon on the US from his mother. The lasers you got on the Silver Gospel. Joel thinks the early test signs come from his uncle's work. That's just one thing. Natasha. The things that the Dragon put Joel through. He believed that Joel could do that. So with that, Joel found more info. Eventually, we both stopped looking. Sick to our stomachs, we decided it was not worth to find more filth. The US likes to keep clean appearances yet if you look it all over. You wonder what the fuck it is worth. But in any case. It is just this." Mattheus looked to the roof.
"You gotta wonder about it. I took that program in case but in the hope to never to use it. Yet, here we are. I didn't think I'd use it here. But Natasha. Think about it. We lay in a sickbay, I hooked to this girl in the hope she might not die. That is one thing. But this sickbay is on an artificial island laying in the middle of the fucking ocean. And while our machines are similar. Think about it. Without me, we would have a dead person. So we are pretty much in a world that doesn't have a government. Freakily enough, this apocalypse. In this world, we are all free. Me, you, Ichika, Houki, Rin, Laura, Cecilia, Charlotte, Kanzashi, Tatenashi. We all have freedom because we aren't worth much. Think about it. Did you have anyone on your back? Sure, there is something left of a government but what is that worth?"
She had to agree with the Hunter. A wry smile came over her face.
"This place is our freedom. With even death looming over our shoulders, an enemy unknown, we are free. You are right. Even with everything said and done, this place allows us to move freely. But even in that case. We can't just sit here." Natasha sighed.
"They're going to Tokyo back. You can be sure of that. And I hate to ask. You girls are ready by now?" Mattheus hoped it was positive but the silence spoke for itself.
He would have hoped she would have been around.
The other girls as well.
"Nope. Which means that it's just going to be like now. And even so, Tokyo is not going to be easy. Especially with Kizuna's mother revealed. They know about us and we know nothing about them." Natasha told the truth.
"Couple that with everything else, you have one recipe for disaster. And we won't be allowed to help you guys out. Meaning, you guys will have one hard time there. And there is something else. Mattheus. That woman you fought. With blond hair and brown skin. What was going on?" Mattheus sighed.
"There was something she said. About the Yellow Flower. If you recall, that was the name of Freya's Infinite Stratos. In any case, we got some time for now. But in any case, this is just not looking good."
"Wishing your captain was around, Mattheus?" Nod.
"Natasha. You have to keep in mind. If Tokyo turns into a disaster. You do know you are the ones who gonna keep this safe."
"Shit."
"Indeed. Shit. So I think that the time we got left is time we will enjoy. But for now, we just gotta wait till I can leave."
Natasha tossed his MP3 player to Mattheus.
"Listen to this. Take your mind off it. Joel put up some new numbers. I'm going to sleep. It is way beyond late." Mattheus nodded and plugged in his ears. Closing his eyes.
All You Can Bleed played through. "Yeah, I'm going to bleed."
On the AU
A blond-haired woman could only look in disgust on the show in front of her. It had taken long enough and she had to admit that it cost Zelshione a lot to break Gravel. The others had joined in.
But she didn't. She had crossed her arms as she looked to the display. The women were all over Gravel and there was some pity she felt for the hero. But yet, it was wisest for her not to interfere. She had seen what Zelshione did and the fact that this woman could have her way with so many others made her skin crawl.
Unlike the others, she was wearing clothes that would be something that a woman could walk when she crossed the street.
A long sweater covering her arms, yet there was some show off her generous assets that shined through her clothes. Her pants were long and covered her legs yet they made clear how shapely they were.
The sweater was a color not often wore. Black. It was simple and it did the trick.
Still, it was more hiding than showing if one could ask her.
It always made her stand out among the others. Those who wore clothes that left nothing to the imagination were always talking about it.
She was not ashamed of it. The fact she came from Lemuria was one thing. She had one of the best skills of the entire planet. There were few who could out against her.
So those who tried had often met defeat. Even Zelshione who was thought to be one of the best pilots.
"Ah, you are here, my little flower. I was almost thinking you wouldn't show up." The disgust was to read from her face.
What this woman did was just sick. She had no love for Gravel sure but the fact that this was done to her just to make a point made it moronic.
Although, she wouldn't know if she could out as long as the Hero did.
"A part of me wasn't looking forward to this. But I had enough people telling me to come. So what do you want from me?"
"I have nothing for you, darling. But this woman here, she had something to say. Maybe hear it from her before her mind shatters." The woman walked closer and it was clear she was not affected by the debauchery.
Some kindness came over her face although only Gravel could see it. "What?"
After a few ragged breaths came out, Gravel could speak again.
"Adjzof. On the fight. There was an Adjzof." Emotion was hardly shown to her. Yet, she could only gulp.
"Adjzof. Are you sure? Not misheard?"
Just one shake of the head.
"No. I think you would call it a he. A man. He was there. Piloted one of those things." Gravel could only speak as the face of the requested one fell away.
"His name? Full name."
"Mattheus." She breathed until unconsciousness took her and she was taken away.
The woman could only look at the fact Gravel spoke those words. Zelshione shook her head.
"I believe that it is just rubbish. There was nothing that this savage could tell that made sense."
The blonde had her mouth fallen open.
"If you are wondering. She was defeated by one of those Lemurians who defeated Gravel. If I find him, that will end the life of that savage."
Smashed against the wall, Zelshione felt a knife under her throat.
And fear in her system.
"If you fight him, you bring him to me. Understood? Because I don't have the patience for this." Zelshione was let go.
"A pity that you didn't want to join me. You would have made an excellent subordinate."
"Fuck you."
With that, the woman walked away. While her face was impassive, she could only look up the sky and wonder.
"Mattheus. Kleine broer."
Yep, I admit that this chapter had serious amounts of dialogue installed and was a heavy focus on Mattheus.
Wrote this down in a few evenings. Record time for a change.
The idea of hacker Mattheus was actually something I would do back in 2017. But I never got to it.
I found it fitting to use it here.
But one question answered another one opened. Although you can guess in my reviews.
Skipped over the lemon scene with Gravel because I found it not my thing. But I wanted to have this new Pilot in it.
Also, the next chapters have some lighter stuff like the performance of the idols plus Silvia. About that, I got a question.
She is gonna be part of Amaterasu. That is not on the table.
What is on the table is the Heart Hybrid scenes, oh fuck. The lemons with her.
But her installation and all other stuff. Let's just say, it depends on you guys.
Want me to include them in this fic or not?
I am just asking. Personally, there is a lot that happens on the term of character building in this. But. It is still pretty much lolicon. Which isn't my thing.
And once I open this door, well. No going back.
So either let me know. I grew resistant to it but I can imagine some don't want this.
You have plenty of time to let me know.
It is going to take a while before you guys get an update.
Circle of updates will be from now.
Stories Told.
Brave New World.
En Route.
Back to Afraid To Shoot Strangers.
Maybe the Graduated Student in between.
Let me know but once the next chapter is out, there is no going back.
Next chapter is a breather and a lot more lighthearted but this had to go down.
Thanks for the support everyone and till next update.
Saluut.