Chapter 13: Isara and Base Busting.

No one knew what to say after the outburst. I mean, what could they say? How do you even begin to talk to a model that just spoke to you like it was always like that?

"Can you all stop staring at me like that? It's creeping me out." Edelweiss ask, seeing everyone look at her with expressions of shock.

"H—How is this possible?" Makoto asks, shaking her head. "When did the Edelweiss become sentient? How did it become sentient?"

"Ever since we came here." Edelweiss replies, turning her turret to Makoto. "Although, I couldn't really do anything until Inari patched me up." She turns her turret towards Yusuke, nodding the guns up and down. "Thank you for that, by the way! You did a good job!"

"Um… You are welcome?" Yusuke replies, still shocked that the model was actually talking to them.

"Can someone explain to me HOW this even happened?" Ryuji asks, shaking his head. "And WHY it sounds like Futaba?" Stepping back a bit as Edelweiss turns her guns towards him.

"I identify as female, Skull. And I am not an 'it'." Edelweiss snarks back. "As for how this even happened, I'll let my creator explain." She turned her turret to Futaba, who was blinking like an owl, before suddenly remembering something.

"Ohhhh…. That. After everything that happened, I completely forgot about it." Futaba says, smacking her forehead with her hand.

"Forgot what?" Ren asks, tilting his head.

"It was before we arrived at Leblanc. I was busy working on my PC to create an A.I. to help me with getting ready for school." Futaba reveals. "And I had just finished a prototype of it that I wanted to show you guys, so I brought it with me in a flash drive. I guess that when we came here, the proto A.I. that was in it somehow got transferred into Edelweiss."

"Yep!" Edelweiss replies, lights flashing. "That's what happened! And you have no IDEA how irritating it was when those Legionnaires were painting all over me! It was coarse, rough and irritating! They were getting everywhere! And when they tied those ribbons on me, stuffing flowers into my pods, I was so frustrated! Honeymoon tank, my ass! I am NOT a glorified mount!"

"She really does act like Futaba, doesn't she?" Haru comments, with a smile, watching the model tank do the equivalent of a rant. Running over the Yoshiki merchandise in a mini road rage.

"But, won't she need batteries to keep her running?" Mishima asks, watching the model.

"Something tells me she won't need any when we're in here…" Ann comments nervously. This was a… strange situation to be in, certainly. Especially as all the older members were shaking their heads in dismay.

"But still…" Futaba says, walking over to Edelweiss as she grins widely. "I actually managed to make a fully sentient A.I.! I am a genius!" She shouts, grabbing the model and hugging it close as Edelweiss squeaks in alarm.

"Hey! You're crushing me!" She shouts as Futaba gives her a guilty look, putting her back on the bar table before turning to look at Ren. "Anyway, you can still count on me to help! I may be a model tank here, but you can leave any enemy tanks out there to me! I'll show them who is the superior model! Mweheheh!"

"You haven't let us down at any point yet. So we'll hold you to that, Edelweiss." Ren replies, giving the model tank a nod as his world darkness once more, with Lavenza speaking into his mind again.

I am thou, thou art I…

Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion

That breaketh thy chain of captivity.

With the birth of the Aeon Persona,

I have obtained the winds of blessing that

Shall lead to freedom and new power…

Just how many Arcana cards are there? Ren thinks to himself, seeing the card form above Edelweiss. Curious, he activated his Third Eye, seeing everyone around him with tarot cards, apart from Yuki. But what surprised him was seeing Toshiro and Erina both with the Eclipse Arcana at rank two. And that Tao was already maxed out while Edelweiss was at rank five. Not that he was complaining.

"You know, shouldn't we give her a new name?" Shiho suddenly asks, looking at the model. "Edelweiss can be her codename, but I think she could have a new one for conversations."

"Then how about Isara?" Chihaya offers. "To fit with her codename?" The group let it bounce around in their mind as Ren glances at the model.

"How about it?" He asks, leaving the decision with her. As the tank lights up and bobs the turret up and down.

"I like that! From now on, call me Isara when I'm like this!" Edelweiss—Isara replies, lights glowing in acceptance as Sojiro gives out a sigh.

"Did I just find myself with another daughter? Or would it be a grandniece in this case?" Futaba blanches at him at the remark while Yuki giggles at them. Announcing her presence.

"Oh, Yuki-san! When did you get back?" Sumire asks as all eyes turn to her.

"Just as your friend revealed herself, as you finished discussing something important." Yuki replies, motioning to Isara.

"Oh, I should explain things to you, too, Yuki-san." Toshiro comments, but Yuki holds her hand up.

"It's all right. I only heard a little bit, but I was listening. Although I may not understand the finer details of your world, I know you want to win against your father, correct? Then we have the same goal."

"So, what should we target next?" Mishima asks as Yoshida brings out a map onto a table. Everyone gathers around while Futaba picks up Isara so she can look.

"While I would love to continue rescuing people, many of them are being held underground at Yoshiki's Castle. And as we currently are, getting inside is near impossible. But still, my only wish it to get inside and rescue them from their suffering."

"Then I suppose our next course of action is to weaken Yoshiki's forces so we can gain access inside." Akechi remarks, glancing at Isara. "Without blasting our way in."

"Awww…."

"Leave the strategy to us." Hifumi remarks, motioning to herself, Toshiro and Yoshida. "Everyone else should rest up while they can."

"Lucky for all of you, I have coffee and curry ready to hand out." Sojiro remarks as Kawakami helps serve the others. After everything they had managed, it was a welcome break as they began to relax. Although one of them was still bitter.

"Can't believe that asshole ran away before we could fight." Ohya remarks, swallowing some curry. "Just as Diane was ready to tear into him."

"What did he leave for again? A 'late-night poetry slam' or something?" Tao asks, not caring one bit.

"I think it was 'I love Haiku'." Makoto replies, shaking her head. "But still, it is a strange reason for him to just drop out like that before we could even fight."

"Maybe he is doing that right now?" Haru asks as Yusuke turns the T.V. on. It was surprising that it even did turn on. And indeed, on the screen was Yoshiki reading poems to a camera, looking quite pleased with himself.

"Ohoho! Let's take a look at the next poem, shall we?" Yoshiki asks, picking up a piece of paper. "Let's see… Next is a poem but a Mr. Hopelessly in Love with Lord Yoshiki."

"Bleurgh." Futaba and Isara comment at the same time.

"That is so dumb…" Shinya remarks, shaking his head.

"Looks like we found out where all his money went." Iwai remarks, glaring at the golden set Yoshiki is on.

"Oh Lord Yoshiki.

My dearest Lord Yoshiki.

Oh Lord Yoshiki.

Oh Lord Yoshiki.

My dearest Lord Yoshiki.

Oh Lord Yoshiki….

Oho… How very interesting, indeed."

"That's…not a Haiku…" Sae remarks, shaking her head.

"Somehow, I don't think he even knows what a Haiku is." Morgana comments, shaking his head as well.

"I see… you are expressing your utmost love and respect for me by continually repeating my name. Hoho, how wonderful… Is that what you thought I'd say, you IDIOT!?" Yoshiki slams, slamming his hand on the table as everyone in the café steps back from the T.V. "Do you think I'm a fool!? This is nothing more than empty flattery! Utterly meaningless! Love! There is no love to be found in such a poem! It doesn't even rhyme!" The feed cuts out after that as everyone sweat-drops at the screen.

"Well… I got told…" Morgana remarks with a wince.

"Damn…he's really slammin' their poetry…" Ryuji remarks.

"At this rate, he might even burst a blood vessel before we even get to him." Ohya remarks before glancing at Chihaya. "Will he?" Chihaya pulls out a tarot card, shaking her head before revealing the Chariot in reverse position.

"Unfortunately, no. It would seem we will be heading to a tough fight." Everyone groans at the reply, their hopes for a quick fight evaporating.

"Still, why is he getting upset anyway? If it's Haiku, then it doesn't have to rhyme." Shiho points out.

"Somehow, I don't think that the problem here." Sojiro remarks.

"Well, if we want to get into details, Haiku have three lines with a 5, 7, 5 syllable structure." Yusuke comments. "It's the art of fitting your feelings into a 17-syllable microcosm. And this is an excellent importunity for us! Let's craft poems of our own, shall we?"

"You're up first, Ryuji." Kawakami volunteers, much to the boys' dismay.

"Huh? Why me?" Ryuji asks until a strange sound echoes through the café. "Uhhh… We're the Phantom Thieves. And we're here in this Kingdom…. And we're here in this Kingdom…" Ryuji thinks, trying to find an ending verse, but comes up empty. "Nope, I got nothing. Baton Pass to you, Ren!"

"Huh?" Ren blurts out before recomposing himself. "Okay…

We're the Phantom Thieves.

And we're here in this Kingdom.

To end a great tyranny."

Silence fills the café as they judge the impromptu Haiku.

"A good attempt to save it, Ren, but the start was rather plain, Ryuji." Yusuke comments.

"Hey, it's not like I had anything else to say!" Ryuji defends himself before glancing at Morgana. "How bout you give it a try?"

"Me? Seriously?" Morgana asks as all eyes turn to him. "Man, I can't believe you guys are this worked up over a stupid show. But I suppose I can give it a try." Once more, the strange sound echoes through the café as Morgana folds his arms.

"A true Phantom Thief.

Will always elegantly.

Complete the mission.

Each and every day.

Whether sleeping or awake.

My skills are unmatched.

Oh, I must be a genius!" Morgana shouts after performing two haikus. While Erina looks around with a nervous look. Maybe she shouldn't tell them what hers is…

"Well, I suppose we are well rested now…" Toshiro remarks as he, Yoshida and Hifumi stand to attention. "For we have finished creating a plan. But before we get into details, though, we have to go over the current situation. Sakura-kun, please tell everyone what we found."

"With pleasure." Futaba replies, standing up. "Back at the base, I was able to hack into the cameras and disable them. But the main control system is in Yoshiki's castle, so I couldn't bring the entire system down. So the town cameras are down, but they will be back up and running again soon."

"Unfortunately, as much as this could give us an opportunity to charge the castle, it will not be as easy as that." Yoshida takes over with arms folded. "If we attack now, we would be falling into a trap. After all, the castle has its own cameras as well, as well as the size of the Aizen Squad."

"And so, our main objective at the moment is taking down the remaining bases and rescuing the citizens trapped with them before moving on to Yoshiki and those trapped in the castle's basement." Hifumi adds, pointing at two areas on the map. "Once we have dealt with the bases, we can focus on the castle."

"Ultimately, it all comes down to how we fool Yoshiki's cameras." Toshiro takes over. "So long as those remain active, even after we take down the bases, we cannot enter without being spotted. I do have a plan for that. However, it will take a considerable amount of manpower."

"Yuki-san." Yoshida says, looking at her. "Your words carry a great deal of weight with the townspeople. Can you ask those we have freed to help us? If they are willing." Yuki is surprised at the request, looking down at the ground instead of answering.

"Well, asking them won't be a problem, of course, but…" She takes a sigh, glancing outside. "Perhaps it would be quicker to show you. It should be safe so long as the cameras are down. Please, follow me." Everyone follows her outside, with Futaba carrying Isara along with them, despite her protests that she could drive herself. Following Yuki, they soon find a large group of citizens, rescued from the base and resting.

"Lady Yuki!" One of the citizens shouts before looking nervously at the ones behind her. "And… those people behind you are…?"

"These are the travellers responsible for your freedom." Yuki tells them, with all of the citizens immediately thanking them for saving them from that fate. Yuki takes a breath, getting their attention as she looks at them. "There something I wanted to mention…"

"Yuki-san, if I may?" Erina says, placing a hand on her shoulder, seeing the unease in Yuki's face. With a nod, Yuki stands to the side as Erina steps forward.

"I'm truly glad you are all safe. You have my word that this will never happen to you or your families ever again. And to do that, I would like to ask for your help to defeat Yoshiki once and for all." But the responses she got were not what she was expecting. Instead of agreeing with her, they shudder away, claiming that the Aizen squad would have their heads.

Erina tries to reassure them that they will protect them from the Aizen Squad, but even then, they still can't decide if they should help or not. Even though their current lives are not easy, and they live in fear each day from Yoshiki's 'love', they would rather hide their heads in the sand and bear with it. No matter what. Because at least this way, they could still continue to live without worry of reprisal if they fail. A response that almost shattered Erina's resolve.

"So, this is what you were talking about, huh?" Gecko asks Yuki, pulling his hat down.

"Yes. They accept the pain in their lives, that resisting would only make their lives worse. Yoshiki has taken control of their minds to control them…"

"No… this isn't right." Erina says defiantly, gripping her hands. "Suppressing all of your hopes and dreams, living in fear, crying every day… how can anyone call that living?" Toshiro looks at her, seeing her determination to convince these people no matter what. But while her message was being heard, it just wasn't sinking in. Taking a breath, Toshiro steps up and places a hand on Erina's shoulder, taking over.

"Erina, would you let me?" He tells her, stepping forward and grabbing the attention of the citizens. "My friend here is quite dependable, but she has a tendency to be quick to passion. Look, I am afraid of fighting as well. And being told to do so when in a position of powerlessness is an absurd thing to do. Those who already possess strength will tell you not to be afraid and that you need to stand up for yourselves. I understand very well how you all feel."

"That's not what Erina said…" Outlaw comments before Sensei places a hand on his shoulder.

"Let him speak, son." He tells him gently, looking at Toshiro with proud eyes.

"For a long time, I was more of a coward than anyone. I was always looking for an excuse not to fight. In fact, the fear is still there. And if I'm being perfectly honest with you, I would rather prefer not to fight. But then…! I decided to take a stand! Because no matter how badly I wanted to run from my fear, I would not lie to myself anymore." Toshiro's words echoed over the gathered citizens as the Thieves watched on in silence.

"I'm not telling you to be strong, and there may even be a need for you to fight beyond your means. But at the very least, why not make an attempt to stop lying to yourselves? And after…. If you still feel a desire to change the present, we're ready to do so alongside you." He turns to face the others, a small fire behind his eyes. "Those you see here with me have hearts of great strength. They will grieve and rage and give their all to fight for those who suffer. If you help us today, I promise you they will do the same. Right, Joker?"

"Without a doubt." Joker replies, nodding confidently. "We will never turn our back on those who are suffering, regardless of what happens to us. We will always march forward to a brighter future."

"Yeah! No way are we losing to this!" Skull shouts, slamming his hands together.

"Trust us. If you think Yoshiki is scary, we have some people on our team who will make him look tame." Outlaw remarks before feeling a cold sweat go down his spine as Queen, Athena and Devil stare at him.

"Anyone you are speaking of in particular?" Queen asks, with Outlaw rapidly shaking his head in response.

"Heheh. Queen, Athena and Devil are good people to have on your side." Noir comments with a smile.

"Yeah. You guys don't have to be afraid of big 'ol Uncle Love." Panther remarks with a grin. Toshiro nods at them, turning back to face the citizens before ending his speech.

"That is all I wanted to say. The rest, I leave in your capable hands to decide on your own accord. There is no need to make a decision right now. But I would like for you to give it some thought. I appreciate you taking the trouble to come out here. Now, I'm sure that you are all quite exhausted, so please rest up and—"

"I want to help!" The silk shop owner suddenly shouts, drawing all eyes to her. "I…I'm afraid of fighting, too… But like that gentleman said, I don't want to go on living a lie anymore! If we don't take the opportunity given to us now, I don't see us getting another one. And I am more afraid of that than the pain that I might be put through by Yoshiki!" The owner's voice rings out, and one by one, the citizens start to cheer in agreement. They had finally started to come around to help them despite their fear.

Eventually, the crowd disperses, leaving the Thieves by themselves as they duck into an alleyway. The cameras may be down, but Aizen Squad members could still be patrolling nearby.

"Not bad, Toshiro." Guernica remarks with a grin. "You had some spine after all."

"I can see why Sensei holds you in high regard. You had us hooked on your every word." Spring remarks with a smile.

"Please… I'm the type of politician who reads off the script given to him." Toshiro denies. "What I said just now was me speaking my mind."

"Something that I think politicians should do more, rather than say sugar-coated words." Boss remarks. "Not everyone wants to hear a sugar-coated speech. Just cold hard facts."

"And that just shows how you managed to connect with them." Yuki adds with a motherly smile. While Erina stays silent.

"So, what is our next move?" Crow asks. "Shall we head for one of the bases?" Toshiro looks at him before glancing at Sensei and Shadow. Before, all three of them smirk at once.

"What makes you think we are taking them out one at a time?" Shadow replies. "We are attacking them simultaneously."

"For real?" King asks in surprise while Skull glances at him.

"Hey! That's my line!"

"We don't know how long we have until the cameras come back online. It is better for us to strike both now." Sensei replies, glancing around. "For that, we have decided on two groups. Joker and Queen, you will be the leaders of each team."

"That's fair." Joker remarks as Queen nods in acceptance.

"As for who will be with them." Toshiro remarks, bringing a piece of paper out. "In Joker's team, Mona, Shadow, Oracle, Boss, Fox, Noir, Crow, King, Teach, Gecko and Violet will be with him. And since she has just joined us, Isara as well."

"Thank you for not ignoring me." Isara comments in Oracle's arms.

"As for Queen's team." Shadow takes over. "Erina, Devil, Medic, Skull, Panther, Spring, Outlaw, Athena, Fortune, Sensei, Toshiro and Yuki will go with her."

"Once we have taken down the two bases and freed everyone inside, we fall back t Leblanc and prepare our next moves. The cameras should come back online once we are in the safety of Leblanc's walls." Sensei ends, as Joker and Queen nod their head at Sensei before turning around and flashing a smirk at the Thieves and speaking to them as one.

"It's Showtime."


"Huh, it's not fixed!? Hurry up and get it back online! If we don't do anything, Lord Yoshiki's hammer of love will come crashing down on us!" A trooper shouts as members of the squad rush around like headless chickens, flustered as they try everything to turn the cameras back on.

So focused were they on the cameras, that none of them realised that they were being watched from the entrance to their base.

"So this is the base? It looks very hectic." Violet comments, watching as a drummer rushes across the ground.

"It looks like they are panicking due to the cameras still being down." Noir comments. "This is our chance to strike."

"We're all ready, Joker." King comments. Joker nods to him, pulling his gun out before glancing at the team.

"Let's go in hard and fast. Wipe them all out and take the base in one go." Joker tells them before rushing around the corner, lining up a shot on a trooper and letting a round fly. The trooper falls to the ground instantly as the rest of the members turn to the entrance.

"Who the—? Inrtu—" One of the troopers tries to shout but is gunned down by Gecko as Noir fires a grenade at a cluster of troopers. A brute leaps towards them as its brother is frozen in place by Fox, only to land just short of them, allowing Crow to fling them back with his laser sword.

Violet jumps onto some boxes, tearing her mask off and blasting at the frozen brute with light, shattering it and eliminating the brute. Shadow grapples onto the wall, using the elevation to give her sniper rifle an advantage against the Aizen Squad.

"Come one! Let me at them!" Isara shouts from inside Al Azif, but Oracle shakes her head.

"There's no room to send you in! And you might hit the citizens!" She replies, causing Isara to pout. Well, as much as a model can pout anyway. Two more brutes rush out from the central building towards them, only to be met by a rocket from Teach and curse magic from Boss. King showed once more why he was called that, sniping any trooper running along the roofs around them with his twin laser guns.

A couple of drummers try to boss the speed on a few troopers so they can escape, but they are gunned down by Fox as Noir drags them over to her with her psi magic, with Shadow sniping the drummers as they try to make a run for it.

"Rebel scum! Don't think you'll get away with this!" A trooper shouts, aiming a blunderbuss at them before they are enveloped by curse magic from Joker.

"I think we will." Joker replies, watching as the last few members of the Squad try to form a last line of defence at the entrance to the building. It was cute to see, but they had an answer for that.

"Megidola!" Crow shouts, blasting the barricade with Almighty magic and forcing a way in. "Well, now, that was easy." He remarks, dusting his hands.

"Let's head in and find the citizens!" Mona shouts, already rushing forward on cartoonish feet. Everyone else quickly followed while Gecko, Fox and Violet stood outside to guard the way in. They were not having any surprise attacks today.

Inside, citizens were chained to the floor, waiting for whatever fate Yoshiki had in store for them. Only for their chains to be suddenly broken apart as they open their eyes to find their saviours.

"W—We're safe now?" One of them asks as Teach helps them stand as Noir and Boss cast healing spells on the wounded citizens. Healing them of their injuries and any ailments they had gotten.

"I—I can't believe this. Who are you people?" Another one asks as King helps them up.

"Our names aren't not important." Joker tells them as they all look at him. "Let's just say we are part of a group who are taking a stand against this country's ruler, Yoshiki. And we were hoping you would lend us a helping hand if you agree with our goal."

"D—Defy our lord? We couldn't possibly do such a thing…" One of them replies as Joker takes a moment to sigh. Time to channel all the lessons Sensei taught him.

"What made you think we were going to force you into it? We have no intention of doing that to anyone." Joker tells them. "However, if any of you feel the courage to stand, then come to Yuki-san's teahouse. That is where we will prepare for battle. If you ever have a change of heart, we will wait for you there." The citizens looked at each other as they were quickly escorted out of the Aizen base and sent free, taking the time to thank them for freeing them.

"Wow, Joker, that was impressive." Oracle remarks as the last of the citizens vanishes, with Isara rolling along on the ground next to her.

"You were almost like an actual politician there." Joker chuckles at them, rubbing Oracle's head with a free hand.

"What can I say? I have a good role model or two." Joker replies with a grin before turning to the others. "Let's head back to Leblanc. The others should be done with their mission as well." With silent feet, the Thieves head back to Leblanc, leaving behind an empty fort. Just as a lone camera turns on, absorbing the carnage left behind.


"Take them down!" Queen shouts as he leaps over a barrier, bashing a trooper in the face as her team follows after her. Shooting at any Aizen member in their sights or letting spells go far and wide.

"Yes! Show them what we can do!" Toshiro remarks from safety as Queen jumps back towards him, letting off six shots from her revolver. "By the way, I've been meaning to ask this, but your outfit reminds me of something." Queen glances at him, wondering why he is bringing this up here of all places. "It reminds me of a manga that fell into trouble with the PIC. I think it was called Fits of the N—"

"You want to finish saying that?" Queen asks, giving him a Nijima-Amamiya. Toshiro wisely decided to shut up just as Queen backhanded a brute into the wall behind her.

"Best you don't say anymore, Toshiro! Least you want to get pummelled!" Skull shouts, blasting his shotgun into a group of troopers. While Erina laid down some fire at a drummer, ducking back into cover before giving a sigh of her own. Drawing the attention of Sensei.

"What is the matter?"

"Perhaps my heart isn't big enough to consider everyone's feelings…" She suddenly admits. "I end up saying whatever is on my mind. I can't hold back and choose my words like Toshiro can. Or you and Joker can."

"Everyone is different, Erina." Sensei replies, leaning out and sending a volley of bullets down the hall as Medic sends out a blast of light. "Not everyone needs to hear carefully crafted speeches like what we can do. Sometimes, people need blunt and direct words like what you can do. The same with Joker. You are fine the way you are. There is no need to change."

"You really think so?" Erina asks, putting on a small smile. "I can see why Joker thinks so highly of you, Sensei. Thanks for the reassurance, I needed to hear that." She tells him, faying down some more fire before her eye catches a sight at the far back. Citizens were being rounded up and beaten by a brute, with two troopers guarding as they pushed more into the room. "They're hurt!" Her call grabs the attention of the others, narrowing their eyes as they see the brutality.

"Those bastards." Athena snarls, firing her twin guns at a nearby brute as Fortune peppers it with bullets.

"But how will we get over to them!? Those two troopers on guard will shoot us if we rush in too recklessly!" Outlaw comments, firing his rifle before launching a Triple Down.

"We won't need to. I'll cut down the lines myself, with Medic and Spring following with me." Erina remarks, drawing their attention. "Everyone else covers us with supporting fire. Once I've made sure they are safe, Spring and Medic can heal them up while everyone else mops up the rest."

"Such recklessness yet again…" Toshiro deadpans before smirking at her. "I'm assuming you won't take no for an answer?"

"You know me so well, commander." Erina snarks back, clocking her pistol.

"Well, if it's supporting fire, you need." Devil remarks, spinning the barrel of her minigun. "I can give you that."

"Just make sure you don't hit the room where the citizens are." Panther remarks, firing her gun before blasting a brute with fire. "You can easily shoot through these walls."

"Don't we get a say in this?" Spring asks Medic, who shrugs in response.

"Don't worry, you two, I won't mess up." Devil remarks, glancing at Erina. "On your mark." Erina nods back, mentally counting down before jumping to her feet, pistol firing.

"NOW!" She shouts, with Devil spinning around from her cover and sending down a stream of rounds at the Squad members. Instantly, the two troopers duck behind cover as Erina sprints forward. Medic and Spring are right behind her as everyone else lays down covering fire. Reaching the two troopers, Spring slams her spear through the cover while Medic swings her scythe around the edge of the box. The two weapons easily slam into the hiding troopers as Erina charges forward.

"Great Partisan!" She shouts, sending a spear slamming into the brute just as it was about to slam two citizens under its hands. Forgetting what it was going to do, it turned around only to have its chest perforated by fire from Erina. Medic joins in with her own rifle as Spring fires an arrow right into its head. Dissolving into darkness, the three rush into the room as the rest of the team spread out into the building.

"Hey, can you hear me! We're here to rescue you!" Erina shouts, shaking a citizen awake as Medic and Spring got work healing the badly beaten civilians.

"Who are you?" One of them asks as their injuries heal up before being slowly helped up by Erina.

"Someone doing what is right." Erina replies, just as Queen enters the room.

"We've cleared out the base and rescued the other citizens inside. We're clear to go." She tells them, flicking some hair back with them, slowly escorting the citizens outside.

"That's another base taken care of." Outlaw remarks, shouldering his rifle as the last citizen disappears down the street. "I'm glad it went well." Spring agrees with him before a beeping from Toshiro's wrist alerts them with Toshiro going pale at the noise.

"Oh no. The cameras are about to start coming back online! We need to get back to the hideout now!"

"Then lest hurry up and de-ass the area!" Skull shouts, rushing for an alleyway with the others close behind. Vanishing from sight just as a camera turns back on. Finding a very empty base for its optical lens to see.