A Rover at Rest
Chapter One: Life Debt
A warm, sunny day blessed the city of Jinzhou. Pillowy clouds drifting carefree through the skies in sparce pairings. After the past few days of heavy rain, it was all to welcome to the citizens. Children ran through the streets and parks, splashing at puddles or engaging each other in make believe games of combat. Passing a sight of the latter, the Director of Border Defense, Taoqi, let a kind smile grace her lips.
"One can only hope these fun games remain games for them." She says with melancholy.
It was hardly a month ago that the Retrograde Rain rose, the city assailed by Tacet Discords, entities of unknown origin of the Waveworn Phenomena, from all sides; but it was all thanks to her…that intriguing Rover that appeared out of the blue. Not only an inspiration, but alongside General Jiyan she had brought the Threnodian to heel, the city of Jinzhou emerging victorious from a war some had known all their lives.
Of course, one victory, even if momentous, did not solve the problem of the Lament. TDs still roamed the land and caused all manner of trouble. It was likely such a situation that Taoqi was called so early to the Academy, specifically the Department of Safety at the words of Mortefi, the rather irritable expert in Applied Tacetite Study. Taoqi walked up to the doors of the building.
"There had better be a good reason for interrupting my morning nap…" she sighs, yawning slightly. She walks in, making her way to Mortefi at his office.
"Ah, Taoqi." The crimson haired researcher rises from his chair at the desk, promptly bringing a data pad with him as he approaches her.
"Aah…. good morning Mr. Mortefi…" she stretches, "is something the matter? Your message was rather brief."
"My apologies, I've been getting pulled in every direction, but this warranted a prompt discussion with you." He says, "Lovely day, isn't it? Forecast says the whole countryside is blue as far as you can see up there." Taoqi raises a brow.
"I pray you didn't call me here so urgently to compliment the weather." She says with minor irritation. Mortefi hands her the data pad, which the Director looks over. It was a series of photos of the town at Taoyuan Vale, and the sky was far different than the one she had seen, dark and foreboding, "…I see, I assume the cause is believed to be a TD?"
"Yes, and given the data we've received from the beacons, no ordinary one." He brings a hand to his face, adjusting his glasses, "I've already contacted the Rover, who agreed to investigate the phenomenon."
"I understand. I will head there as well, if the citizens are in danger, a fast evacuation will need to be organized." While she was quite the sleepyhead, when it came to her people's wellbeing Taoqi was always on the job.
"Be careful, something feels off about this." Mortefi muses. Taoqi nods, handing the pad back.
"Always, I will see the situation firsthand and share any relevant data with you on my return." she says, excusing herself from the room to make her way to the town situated in the Vale.
After an hour-long trek, oddly void of stray Tacet Discords, Taoqi arrives at the settlement. Just like the pictures, a dark sky loomed above them. The air was full of unease and tension. She'd approach a young man nearby.
"Sir, where is the town leader currently? I'm here to investigate the circumstances at present." She states.
"He's at his home, another woman came and asked something similar, but she didn't look like she was with the Midnight Rangers or Patrollers, so I didn't tell her." He says, Rover must be here already.
"I see, my thanks sir. Please stay alert, if deemed necessary the town may need to be vacated." Taoqi informs him, displaying her credentials to him to ease any possible doubt. He nods.
"I-in that case, I'll spread the word?" He offered, to which the Director nods. She makes her way to the home of the head of the village, knocking at the door.
"Pardon me sir, I'm here about the trouble." She calls. The door opens, an elderly man looking her over.
"You are with the ministry?" He asks. She nods, showing her information once more, "Oh, thank you for coming Miss Taoqi. We've not a clue why these depressing clouds are hanging around the village." He sighs.
"When did this happen, how long ago?" She asks.
"We woke up to it this morning. We thought the storms were just persisting at first, but then we found out everywhere else is different." He says, "do we need to evacuate? Even if a precaution, we have a number of people that would need time to get moving."
"Your sense of concern is warranted." She says, and a loud bang was heard to the northwest, accompanied by a sharp, bright flash, "Ah!" Taoqi had been looking that way, barely able to shut her eyes in time to avoid being blinded.
"Gracious, that racket is getting worse by the hour!" The elder shouts, a hand on his ear. He looks at her, seeing she seemed more concerned about him than herself. He smiles and shakes his head, "Still, now that I heard another…I swear those strikes are all happening at the same place. I first noticed it about noon and sent out word that the field would be off limits for now." He explains.
"A good idea, if my gut sense is right, a TD is causing this." She says, more convinced now, "Please inform the villagers to evacuate, make your way to Jinzhou."
"Right away." He nods, Taoqi bowing and rushing off towards the field.
"This strange activity, accompanied by thunder and lightning in a localized area…this must be a Mephis at work." She huffs to herself as she sprints. The field was atop a hill nearby, and after climbing her worries were cemented, and expanded.
It was a Tempest Mephis, to say it was troubling to be so close to a settlement was an understatement. However, the more concerning situation was the Thundering Mephis opposing it, two Overlord class TDs apparently battling it out in the field. Among the flashing and lightning strikes, Taoqi spotted Rover engaged in a dance of evasion between them. Wasting no time, Taoqi draws her broadsword, entering the fray.
"Rover, on the right!" She calls out. Seemingly having been at this for some time, the stygian haired fighter barely ducked under a wide swing from the Tempest's powerful claws, Taoqi intercepting her comrade as the Thundering Mephis' blade swings down, clashing it with her own.
"Thanks!" Rover says, striking at the Tempest with her sword in a counter. Taoqi focuses her resonance, pushing back the powerful Discord's blade and lashing out with three hefty blows in quick succession.
Now, with more than one complication to their bout, the twin Mephis' appeared to focus on their respective opponents. The pair of Resonators lunge forward in reply. Blow after blow, they worked to wear down their foe's defenses.
It was then that Rover's opponent spied a brief opening in Taoqi's focus, darting past Rover towards the pink haired woman.
"Taoqi!" Rover fires her grapple, darting forward but skidding on her feet over the worn-down soil, taking a claw strike directly without the capacity to block.
"Rover!" Taoqi shouts as the wanderer was flung across the field, bouncing twice before laying there. Fueled with rage and the passion to protect, Taoqi grasps her weapon, twisting her body and flinging the broadsword full force with all the power she could muster in a single focused blow. Through their combined efforts, it proved enough to eliminate the Overlord duo, both evaporating as they perish.
Taoqi pants briefly before dismissing her weapon, hurrying over to Rover and kneeling, pulling her up gently.
"Nnn…" she winced, but that alone proved she still drew breath.
"Hah…thank Jue." The defender exhaled.
"T-Tao…" Rover began to groan out words, only for Taoqi to silence her with a finger to her lips.
"Shh…don't speak, I'll take care of you." She says, rising and picking up the black-haired fighter in a carry, "Let's get you some medical attention, that was quite a blow you endured."
The two make it back to the town, the townsfolk returning gradually as the sky had begun to clear. The local doctor escorts them to his workshop, giving Rover a thorough check up and giving her the green light to move on her own, but advises a few days of rest before going into the wilds again.
Rover emerges from the structure, seeing Taoqi waving farewell to the head of the village.
"Taoqi…" Rover approaches her.
"What did the doctor say?" She asks, looking roughed up from the fight but still in good health.
"To take it easy for a few days but…if you hadn't shown up when you did, I might not be here still." She says.
"Please, don't mention it, Rover." She dismisses it casually, but Rover shakes her head.
"No, I can't just let you off like that. I owe you my life, literally." She says, "I'd hate to leave such a debt unpaid, so please, let me do something for you."
There would be a flash of an idea in Taoqi's mind. Yes, this was the perfect opportunity. She smiles, doing her best to conceal her excitement.
"Very well. Once we get back to the city, I'll take you up on that. Do you think you're alright to walk that far?"
"A bit sore, but long as we don't encounter another Overlord class, I'll be fine." She says.
"Good, just stay close to me." Taoqi turns and beckons her to follow.
Rover couldn't see the malicious smirk on the Director's lips.