National Defense Base...
Ban: " eh? To the National Defense Base?"
Ban was mildly surprised by the sudden decision. Kaios' serious face didn't change the least as he elaborated.
Kaios: " the president is thinking of activating an extra Communication Satellite that we've kept for emergency in order to ask for help."
Odin: " if she is going there, then why not activating all the satellites?"
Jun'ichirou : " since all the satellites were taken over, we have to assume the enemy has a strong hacker that managed to get through the National Defense Base's network. It will be hard to retrieve A Nation's satellites all at once. There is a possibility they may cut off this extra one as well, so as soon as the president activates it, we will be calling Seekers."
That caught the players by surprise.
Elie: " Seekers!"
Kaios: " Tokio City managed to contain the situation out there, I'm sure Seekers had a hand in that."
Ban: " I see."
All of them exchanged relieved looks. That was one less thing to worry about.
Odin: " Ban."
Without saying anything, the brunette understood his partner's intention.
Ban: " ah. We should go with her."
Kaios: " that's what we were hoping for. Ban-kun, you will go with her. The other three is needed here."
Lilyan: " but... Just Ban-kun?!"
Kaios: " we don't have another choice, we're pushed into a corner here as well. We can't let most of our forces go."
Jessica folded her arms as she swallowed her disapproval.
Jessica: " true, we're the only defense line against those rampaging LBXs."
Lilyan's blue eyes wandered to the brunette worriedly but were met with an assuring smile.
Ban: " I will be fine, I have Odin Mk2 with me."
She pursed her lips in hesitation before staring back at both secretary and the professor.
Lilyan: " I want to go as well."
Ban: " eh!"
Elie: " Lilyan-san..."
Jun'ichirou narrowed his eyes at the blonde's unwavering determination. Something told him she would find a way to tag along even if they disagreed.
Jun'ichirou : " alright. Secretary Kaios, please allow her to go. She will be of use to Ban."
After scanning both Ban and his father's faces, the secretary finally relented.
Kaios: " very well then. Both of you, you have to be ready tomorrow morning."
Ban& Lilyan : " Roger!"...
That night, both Jessica and her father were overseeing the preparation to launch the Duck Shuttle once more. After all, their best bet to get to the defense base safely was it.
Jessica: " It will be going out again."
Kaios: " seems like the case."
Jeanne D: " how long have we been fighting?"
Jessica: " for so long. That I can say."
Kaios: " our fight will not end as long as there are people who want to harm our world."
Jessica: " that's right."
She clenched her hand on her CCM.
Jessica: " I will make sure to bring peace to this world along side my friends, Papa."
Kaios' eyes squinted slightly at her vow.
Kaios: " it won't be easy, but I'll believe in you all."...
Elie: " to think you jumped at the chance to go with Onii-Chan..."
She shut down the door of her cupboard and rounded towards Lilyan, sitting on her bed and seemingly deep in thoughts.
Lilyan: " I couldn't just let him go alone. I wanted to be by his side."
Elie: " I understand that you're worried. But it's Onii-Chan we are talking about. He will make sure to come back."
She said taking the spot by her side. Lilyan thought for a moment then her lips parted.
Lilyan: " what... If he didn't..."
Elie: " eh..."
The blonde's gaze swerved away as a certain memory went within her mind.
" I'm heading out, Lily. I will come back by the next vacation."
He said waving goodbye at her while passing the door's threshold. But he never came back. That was the last time she saw him face to face. She deeply regretted not holding on tightly to him back then, maybe if she did...
Lilyan: " I have to make sure Ban-kun will be back."
Elie's gaze softened as she guessed what was going on through her friend's mind. She gently smiled.
Elie: " actually I would have liked to go with him if I wasn't needed here."
Beargguy : " as Jessica said, we're basically the only hope for all those people taking refugee here."
Elie: " I know. That's why, Lilyan-san..."
The blue eyes looked at the dark green ones of the girl beaming at her.
Elie: " I'm leaving Onii-Chan to you. Take care of him."
The woman had a small smile and nodded. She won't let him disappear like her older brother...
Yuuya: " Jin-kun and the others... Are they safe?"
Ban and Yuuya were doing maintenance on their LBXs. After all, the long battles they went through should have damaged them one way or another and they need to be repaired.
Ban: " they will be fine. They have LBXs after all."
Yuuya chuckled at that and Ban tore his eye from Odin to Yuuya.
Yuuya: " you never change, Ban-kun."
He looked at his Liu Bei.
Yuuya: " isn't the power of LBXs awesome."
Ban blinked at that.
Yuuya: " they don't only give dreams and hope. They also give friends. If it wasn't for LBXs, we wouldn't have met, all of us. Just imagining that possibility makes me sad."
He strapped back the armor of Liu Bei and set him on the table so he can look at him.
Yuuya: " but you know, every time I look at Liu Bei, I remember the long path I walked, I remember the things I learned. I've grown up thanks to LBXs. So I don't want to see people using them for bad things, much like you and Jin-kun."
Ban: " Yuuya..."
Yuuya's face contorted into a frown.
Yuuya: " LBXs did nothing wrong. Who are to blame are the ones who control them. It's not the LBXs' fault that they're used to hurt others. Even without LBXs, those people would resort to something else to cause harm and chaos."
A flash of determination glinted through the black eyes as his objective became clear.
Yuuya: " I want to save LBXs. Not just during this incident, even in the future, I want to protect them."
Liu Bei: " I share the same feelings with you. Yuuya, I will help you make that dream come true."
The black head smiled at the yellow and green unit.
Yuuya: " that sounds promising."
Ban's eyes slightly widened. Of all people, for Yuuya to say that... Despite him, a grin crept on his face.
Ban: " you've grown up, Yuuya."
The boy blushed and rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish laugh.
Yuuya: " there is still a long way to go for me, but... I think I made it so far after all."
Ban nodded at that.
Liu Bei: " don't forget I was there for you at each step you took!"
Yuuya chuckled as he hunched over on his partner.
Yuuya: " nope. I won't forget that, Liu Bei. Thank you."...
Next Day...
They had already settled in their seats in the Duck Shuttle. Claudia turned up at NICS' HQ accompanied by two bodyguards.
Claudia: " I don't really know how to thank you for accepting to join me in this."
Ban: " you don't have to thank us."
Lilyan: " it's our duty after all."
The platform climbed up as the Duck Shuttle that was getting ready to fly off.
Kaios: " Duck Shuttle! Take off!"
Metamo R: " Duck Shuttle! Taking off!"
The huge jet flew up and soared through the clouds following its trajectory towards the the National Defense Base.
A hologram screen popped over head as Kaios called them.
Kaios: " Ban-kun, just in case the enemy was there. You will have to go through the same path you used to infiltrate before."
A map of the area and the rout they once trod showed up.
Ban: " understood."
Lilyan: " there is something that I kept wondering about."
Ban: " what's it?"
Lilyan: " why didn't we take the Duck Shuttle and flew off to Tokio City to bring the others with us?"
Ban had to stop himself from slapping his forehead.
Ban: " right, that would have been easier."
Claudia : " it's impossible if you don't contact them to inform them about the arrival of the Duck Shuttle."
Claudia explained.
Lilyan : " eh?"
Claudia: " you didn't notice it before, but while you were fighting in the past and the Duck Shuttle was flying from one place to another, the secretary was making contact with those countries informing them about the arrival of the jet, else, a jet that was spotted flying above a country without identification shall be considered a violation and should be taken down if the pilot doesn't land on his own."
Odin: " in other words, since we can't contact Tokio City, then we will be considered enemies if we enter their territory."
Lilyan held her chin as she thought about it.
Lilyan: " most importantly the enemy itself can take advantage of this and attack us."
Ban: " the same way, the other can't just come here."
Metamo R's voice suddenly was heard all over the bridge.
Metamo R: " we've approached the National Defense Base Mo~. Assume your seats and fasten your seatbelts Mo~"
They could feel the airplane lowering altitude is it wedged itself through the paths of the canyon.
Ban: " alright. It will be a rough ride so hang on."...
NICS HQ...
Operator: " it seems they reached the National Defense Base safely."
Jun'ichirou was relieved to here Ban's repport.
Kaios: " now all they have is to get in. What about the others?"
Operator: " Jessica and the others are fighting off the rampaging LBXs outside the safe area. Their number had quickly reduced."
Jun'ichirou : " they're doing a good job holding up out there."
Kaios: " but, for how long can they keep on..."...
They had been following Ban as he walked through the canyon, winding his way through the familiar road.
Lilyan: " you said the last time you went through the duct, right?"
Ban: " right."
Claudia: " there is no need to go through it this time."
Ban blinked as he looked back at the president who merely had a confident smile.
Claudia: " there is a more easier way."
Ban and Lilyan exchanged confused looks.
When they finally reached the duct, the president led them through another route. Following the huge wire situated there, they walked along until they reached a dead end. Cliffs at either sides and a wall blocking the way.
Lilyan: " President, the way you mentioned..."
Claudia: " it's here."
She said taking out some ID card. Placing it front of the wall, a consol hologram appeared, asking for a password. The president typed on a few buttons before a part of the wall in front of them disappeared like it wasn't there, revealing a door.
Ban: " a hologram?"
The president placed her hand on another consol on the door and it lit in green having accepted her biometric data before the door was opened.
Claudia: " if we go through this, we should find ourselves in the hanger in no time. Let's go."...
Yuuya: " Elie-kun, you look tired..."
He said with a wry smile as he saw the girl when she walked to the briefing room of NICS.
Elie: " I've been battling for six hours straight since 4 AM! Of course I will look horrible!"
She said thrusting her hands overhead and slumping on a chair.
Jessica walked in with three cans of juice in hand. Both player wondered on earth how she was still holding up and seeming energetic enough.
Jessica: " but at least we drove them away. We can have a break now."
She handed both Elie and Yuuya a can of juice each.
Elie: " I wonder how is Onii-Chan and Lilyan-san doing? We didn't see them off."
Yuuya: " we were obliged. We had to head out early as the attack occured."
He said pooping his can open while Jessica lowered hers.
Jessica: " Papa told me that they reached the National Defense Base already. I'm sure they will manage to pull through."
Liu Bei: " you still doubt that."
Elie: " of course not but..."
Liu Bei : " don't forget what we're dealing with is different from before."
Jeanne D: " I have to agree. You don't know what may go wrong."
Jessica scanned all of them before she spoke again.
Jessica: " there is no use brooding over it now. We should have faith in them."...
Once again, part of the wall disappeared, revealing the door that all of them came out through.
Lilyan: " so huge."
She stopped to take in the place. Ban pointed at one of the platforms there.
Ban: " we will get to the base through that."
They all nodded as they got on it. Claudia pressed on the consol and the platform moved, heading to the base. Odin flew around them, on guard for any ambush. It was then that it happened.
Odin: " watch out!"
He held up his shield, blocking off the missiles that were launched at them from above.
From the top of the surrounding buildings, Bulds were having their launchers pointed at the moving platform.
Ban: " Lilyan!"
Lilyan : " alright!"
Her SD Unicorn landed on the ground.
Ban: " we can't fight them. If the platform gets damaged we will fall down. Focus on blocking their attacks."
She nodded as she detached Unicorn's wings that flew around to support Odin. The LBX held up his shield in defense as more missiles lunged at them while the two jets were shooting down the ones that Odin couldn't block.
The platform finally reached to the base and it slid down the building, Odin blocked off the last missiles before he flew after the platform, Unicorn's wing jets in tow.
Ban: " hurry! We will use the emergency stairs to get to the control center!"
They all rushed to the stairs and climbed them up till the dome shaped building was visible. But they had to duck as bullets were shot over their heads, narrowly escaping them. Odin quickly shifted his attention to the LBXs behind them with their muzzles pointed at the humans.
Ban: " we will take care of those LBXs! President you go and activate the Satellite!"
Claudia nodded as she continued climbing up the stairs and running into the dome, protected by her bodyguards. Once in there, the door shut behind them.
Ban and Lilyan slowly backed till they reached the top of the stairs to avoid being caught in the crossfire. They ducked down while moving their fingers on their CCMs as their LBXs went for the attack.
Odin Mk2 zoomed between the enemies and slashed at them, trying to reduce their number as much as possible. A few explosions of light could be seen as he took down his targets.
Lilyan mostly relaying on her jets' beams and only moving Unicorn to defend itself or back when other LBXs target it.
Ban: " stand still, we have to protect the president."
Lilyan: " hai!"
Odin pivoted around as he was encircled, swiftly cutting his way out and keeping the infected units away from him.
He managed to get away and Unicorn's jet sped past him, shooting down the robots that tried catching up with him and stalling them. It was enough time for Odin to charge his attack Function.
" Attack Function: Gungnir!"
The stream of spiraling heat impaled through the opponent units, breaking most of them apart.
Lilyan: " Incredibly strong..."
Ban: " it's not over yet, Lilyan! Keep attacking!"
She snapped of her astonishment and focused on the battlefield again.
Lilyan: " right!"
Ban: " we have to protect president Claudia no matter what!"
Despite her, Lilyan's azure blue eyes flicked over at the brunette. Looking at his determined gaze and unwavering air, her eyes slightly widened.
Lilyan: ' they're alike.'
Her attention was all on Ban at that moment like if the whole world disappeared from existence. All she could see were his eyes glinting as he focused all his thoughts on his mission.
Lilyan: ' those eyes are the same as Onii-sama's back then...'
She found herself clenching her CCM firmly when recalling the last moment of her brother.
Lilyan: ' I have to protect him. I can't lose him too...'
Her screen suddenly lit up in a bright flash of white as an owl mark appeared on it.
" Himari Lilyan, is there someone you don't want to lose ?"
She looked back at the brunette who was glancing at her, slightly stunned and somehow hopeful.
Lilyan: " right. I have someone I don't want to lose. There is someone that I want to stay with forever."
Her finger pressed on the 'yes' button. The same voice from earlier spoke again.
" Chosen one who chose to fight, you shall receive a great power. Please use it wisely."
Unicorn's visors emitted a blue glint as he summoned back his wings. When they were attached, he flew up while holding his axe above his head.
He soon swung the axe down, creating a blue air slash with it that destroyed the units flying after him.
Odin: " awesome!"
Lilyan was watching with wide surprised eyes as her LBX was taking down their enemies with ease.
Ban: " Lilyan !"
She snapped when she was called.
Ban: " Lilyan, use an attack function now!"
She nodded and quickly typed on her CCM.
Lilyan: " Hissatsu Function!"
" Attack Function: Grand Wall!"
Unicorn smacked his axe on the ground, calling forth a wall of lava. He gathered the energy in the end of his axe and swayed it through the wall, flanging a ball of fire at enemies and causing them to explode when it hit them.
Odin: " yosh! My turn!"
" Attack Function: Glorious Ray!"
Odin spin the lance as a shower of light arrows flew in all directions, breaking the remaining of the enemies.
Ban: " we cleaned them off! Well done Lilyan!"
The blonde had a small blush as he gave her an amused smile before the LBXs landed in front of them.
Lilyan: " thanks for saving us, Unicorn."
Unicorn: " I will do anything for you, Lilyan."
Odin: " even though, that was a whole bunch of them."
He looked back at what was left of their fierce fight a moment ago.
Lilyan: " Ban-kun..."
Her eyes flicked back at the dome behind them and Ban's head bobbed . They stood up, both LBXs landing on their partners' shoulders, and made their way back.
Once confirming it was them, the bodyguards inside opened the doors and letting them into the dome. The first thing that caught their attention was the large earth hologram floating in the middle. The walls featured all of A Nation's Satellites stationed in outer space with and their information. All of which had a red hue to them and labelled ' Out of Service'.
Claudia was on the high platform, seating to a chair and typing away on a consol in front of her.
Claudia: " that should do it."
As she pressed the last button, Lilyan snapped when another satellite appeared on the display, blinking in blue, it soon got lines connecting to it from other ones.
Claudia: " we can communicate with the outside world using this satellite. Though I doubt it will be for so long, at least it can allow us to ask for
Seekers' help."
Ban: " no time to waste then. I'm calling dad and the secretary to inform them."
He said taking his CCM out and walking outside the dome...
