Hey, been a while since I made a chapter for this story, eh? Well, I got distracted with other stuff, but now I'm back, and I got Lucia Pyroath plus Nanami Startrail too! Also, that Alpha mafia skin is just about a must for me. (Rip my black cards…) So yeah, I hope you all are having fun with this patch as I am because man does Lucia and Nanami feel good to play as!
Anyway, I think that's all from me, and time for a comment before we begin. A bit lacking on it, but that's alright. Though more would be nice. (Minus those shitty bot spams. Waste of everyone's time.)
Dasosiglord2.0: Well, Lamia is definitely going to be a pain to deal with, that's for sure, but if Atlas executes their plan efficiently. After all, they will be supported by Atlas knights made to be waterproof and some personal joining in. Also, BARK! BARK!
Besides that, Penny as the Tank of the team is rather fitting, I think among others… Beyond that, what "Black Tide?" What are you talking about? There is no "Black Tide" Going to happen in this story! Why would it? After all, who would mess with such a sample? Also, Heh… Nugget boi. Never got tired of that name for Vonnegut. And that dude's challenging to fight against!
Now that we're done with the comments from the last chapter, let's get this chapter on the road!
As always, I do not own RWBY, it belongs to Viz Media nor own anything from Punishing Gray Raven under Kuro Games. Only the OCs in the story are of my creation.
Creating Personal Data Log 45678….
User logged in: Lucia Alpha
Send Data Log to Users: None. Data Log is CLASSIFIED
Personal Report 116…
Subject: Emergency Protocols prepared for the worst
With the days passing, and the eventual date for Atlas intervention and raid on Merlot and Racher's underwater Laboratory grows ever closer. Precautions for it are required, just in case the worst were to ever happen. The most likely cases should either I, Luna or Penny should cease functioning by any means. Either from combat against BPB-26 and ATL-01 or from other means like corruption from exposure to the Grimm Virus.
Thus, I have prepared a backup memory of myself back in Atlas should anything happen to me with up-to-date data transfer updates daily. While this is the case for me, it is not the case for my little sisters, who lack a backup should anything happen to the both of them. A scenario that I hope to address before the raid commences. Understandably, this has brought up some… Philosophical questions that I never thought of here.
In the world in which Aura and the idea of a soul exists, then what does that make the memories I had as a backup should I be suddenly terminated without my core being retrieved? Should a new body be built up, and I am put back onto the field, does that make me me? Or is the new Lucia becoming a different entity altogether, but the only similarities are our shared memories?
Whatever's the case, this would no doubt be rather… difficult to imagine myself as being made thanks to our ability to back up our memories. Does that make me theoretically disposable, despite worth a fortune to be made all those years back? If we could just keep being brought back to the field again, and again should we die, then what's next? Luna, Penny and I (Plus Liv) are basically machines strong enough to challenge anything thrown at us.
But the presence of BPB-26 and ATL-01 created by Dr Merlot and Racher respectively had already changed the power dynamics of the world of Remnant, and they alone have shown capable of rivalling us in power. And I fear that as the years go by, we might require to utilise more of those Construct Frames to challenge anything that threatens Remnant. Liv is already one example that it is possible to transfer the human mind and soul into the body of a machine.
Though this was done out of desperation to save her life, calculations suggest that the General intends to exploit such technology to give the Winter Maiden. Fria, a second chance and a way to fulfil her duties as the Winter Maiden while also cheating death. In addition to that, procedures have suggested that Headmaster Ozpin intends on using those Construct Frames to inhabit the Fall Maiden's incomplete soul within herself.
Amber is her name.
What the outcome of that scenario remains unknown, with different potential results.
Next topic of concern. Salem. With Grimmified machines being brought to the field thanks to those rogue scientists, likely Merlot based on all backgrounds on him, I fear what would happen should Salem learn and gain access to such corruptive and infectious Grimm Nanomachines. Even more than that, intel has shown that Cinder Fall has been in contact with Merlot and Racher, though it should be noted that the partnership is on the scientist's side.
I suspect they may have used gunboat diplomacy to get her on their side for both manpower and Dust supplies. Either way, their threat level has gone up with their cooperation with an agent of Salem. But I am unable to reveal such data without compromising my autonomy.
In addition to ATL-01 specifically designed for aquatic combat and Racher's hatred for sentient machines, specifically me. And BPB-26 has proven to be dangerous in the past with its unpredictable nature in combat, which is fitting with Merlot as its creator. It is likely that once the raid begins, both scientists will use whatever is in their arsenal to render our operation a failure.
However, failure is not an option, and only time will tell where our story will head next.
Once the raid is concluded a success, priority targets will shift to focus on dealing with Salem's followers, Cinder has been showing unusual movements and I intend to investigate as soon as possible with time before the assault begins.
User Disconnected.
Days have passed since team RWBY, JNPR as well as Lucia, Luna, Liv and Penny visited the beach and the events that happened were both relaxing and rather amusing. As expected from the swimsuits Lucia, Liv and Penny received from Luna, they earned the most attention from everyone as soon as the crowd arrived.
In fact, most of the struggle mostly stems from countless guys trying to flirt with team RWBY, NP and Lucia's group except Ren and Jaune. During that time, Lucia could only silently swear that everyone on Remnant looked like supermodels with their chiselled abs and beauty. She even has to admit to herself that if she's human again and in this world, she might have been swooned by their looks alone.
The funny part, of course, is that her, Luna, Liv and Penny's almost perfect looks thanks to their Construct bodies, even by Remnant standards, made them the star of the attraction in the beach along with their eye-catching swimwear and poor Liv spends most of her time shying away while Lucia and Luna simply tolerate the glazes, they were getting. Penny, on the other hand, was simply confused about the whole thing.
Which was expected since she doesn't fully grasp the whole beauty aspect and how it's appealing to young guys trying to woo a hot girlfriend. This also made Lucia and Luna murderously protective of their younger sister when some guys tried to flirt with her. Of course, the reasons were varied between the sisters.
Lucia was more concerned about Penny's well-being and bears no wish for her to be exploited for her naivety, while Luna's more concerned about her accidentally leaking her Construct nature when they're attempting to relax with team RWBY and JNPR. Still, they put that guy in his place in a volleyball match, in which the sisters dominated that guy and his friends while outnumbered two to six in a decisive victory.
As a whole, everyone enjoyed their time at the beach and even Luna had a small smile on her lips after the whole day at the beach, and they're on their way back to Beacon. And just like that, this time with team RWBY and JNPR will certainly be cherished by Lucia and her group for a long time.
With that out of the way and plenty of time before Atlas's assault on Merlot and Racher's underwater base, Lucia has taken the opportunity to track down Cinder mainly because she's been acting strangely in addition to picking up transmissions between her and Hazel, of all people.
In fact, from what she has listened through Cinder's scroll, it appears that the half Fall Maiden needs to depart Vale and return to Salem for whatever the reason, which is completely out of what Lucia knows of her. Cinder is supposed to be infiltrating Beacon soon, but something's off if she needs to leave Vale and return to her master.
Further on to that, it also annoys Lucia to no end that Cinder's transmission to her collaborator has been incredibly vague and thus left plenty of questions on why she intends to leave so soon. Only that she does. Of course, Luna and Liv were made aware of this information and the urgency to intercept before Cinder could escape and with that, Lucia left around the middle of the night to track her target down.
It's time to fulfil one of her earlier plans to stop Cinder before she could get any of her schemes off, and perhaps even stop the Fall of Beacon months before it was supposed to happen. Despite knowing that, it will throw what she knew out of the window.
Stalking through the night, in her orange jacket disguise, Lucia hops from roof to roof while maintaining a lock on onto Cinder's scroll signature tracked not too far from her current location. Further diggings into it had revealed that she had multiple safehouses all over Vale in its districts just for emergencies should one of them be compromised and discovered.
Her paranoia must be that great to require that many safehouses be prepared in all of Vale's districts. Or perhaps this is why she managed to remain hidden for such a long time. Either way, it is not significant, since Lucia knows exactly where Cinder is hiding through her scroll. Jumping onto another roof section deep in the Agricultural district, Lucia leapt off it and onto the road upon ensuring that there was no one near her.
[Scanning… No major movement detected in a 5 click radius.]
[Cinder Fall's scroll signature is within a click south from the current location.]
Her internal Hud read before muttering internally to herself, "Alright… Let's see what you have in stall, Cinder… I wonder what's so important that you need to see Salem… Whatever it is, I have no intention of letting you escape Vale." Lucia soon after broke into full sprint at such speeds that it took less than ten minutes to reach her designated target, which happened to be a relatively intact house.
Or at least that's how it is perceived at first glance.
But activating her X-ray filters in her optics reveals so much more about the place. At the back of the house, down a hatch hidden by plant matter and several well-placed bushes, is a staircase that leads several meters down under to a separate underground room. And down there she can see a skeleton walking around before coming to a stop, then from the looks of it, the skeleton appears to be holding something small in its hand.
"There you are, Cinder…" Lucia mutters softly before frowning as her optics zoom closer onto the skeleton's hand. "Looks like you're holding some sort of vial? Whatever it is, it must be important, I assume…"
Gently moving towards the hatch and pushing the bush in the way aside, Lucia slowly reached for the hatch's handle, only for an alert to ring out through her Hud!
[Warning! Detecting Bullhead on course towards current location!]
[BPB-26 signatures detected! Recommend clear the area and observe.]
Lucia immediately breaks from the scene and cuts out all communication with the local CCTS to prevent BPB-26 from tracking her signal before finding a good signal. Cursing silently at the sheer coincidence of seeing a familiar face just about as she's about to get the jump on her target and then, shortly after that, a bullhead flew over the before BPB-26 jumped from it and landed on the ground while his ride flew off.
Lucia swore for a moment that she saw him turn his head towards her location, which her Hud also calculates that he did, but that may not be the case as BPB-26 immediately looks away then opens the hatch and then jumps down. Despite this, she did not move immediately and was inclined to stay put and watch through her X-ray optics. Or else her target suddenly acts thanks to BPB-26 informing her.
Another advantage of her X-ray filters active in her optics is Lucia's ability to peer into BPB-26 inner workings, and what she saw stuns her briefly while the machine part of her begins recording what she's seeing. BPB-26's insides appear to be a mishmash of what used to be his bones with all sorts of prosthetic attachments all over his body and even his major organs appear to have pieces of metal and, horrifyingly, wires and tubes grafted onto them.
In fact, it looks as if BPB-26 has significant cyber enhancements or Merlot has the liberty to rip him off his limbs and graft new prosthetic limbs onto them. In addition to detecting Grimm nanobots flowing through his heavily modified circulatory system that is clearly more synthetic than organic.
How those Grimm nanomachines aren't killing him on the inside remains to be seen.
"Gods… What did Merlot do to you? I am aware you were forcefully turned into that, but this? It looks as if Merlot ripped everything that made an actual human being a person and twisted them beyond recognition…" Lucia could only blanch silently in horror. If she was human again, Lucia was sure that she would puke on the spot at the grotesque details she's reviewing through her optics.
Thankfully for her, it was only because of her active emotion suppressors that Lucia didn't visibly show any emotion to this horrible fact. Though that changes nothing, and she still needs to analyse this… data in more detail and let Luna know of this… If Merlot is already twisting people into Grimm machine hybrids, then who knows how many have already suffered through this?
How many were 'discarded' because they died of whatever Merlot did to them, and the possibility that BPB-26 was his first successful creation? Whatever the case, Merlot will have his due to pay for his grotesque war crimes and crime against humanity and Faunuskind. Speaking of war crimes, Remnant appears to have its own version of the Geneva Conventions under the name of the Vytal Accords set up after the end of the Great War, which was fascinating to read through in seconds through the CCTs.
If Merlot were to be charged under the Vytal Accords, he would be spending life in prison for various violations he violated just by creating BPB-26. Though if he is to be captured and sent to Court Atlas, there is a high chance above eighty percentile he would be executed instead of life in prison.
Glancing down at what is clearly an x-ray view of Cinder and BPB-26 talking it out in her bunker, Lucia could only change her plans with new conditions to take note.
[The presence of BPB-26 has changed the nature of this operation.]
[Evaluating options.]
{Option 1: Recommend ambushing techniques to be utilised at a 53.872% success rate.]
[Success rate is lower due to BPB-26 presence in Cinder's favour and unknown factors in play.]
[Option 2: Initiate the assault and attack both targets. Close space combat in Cinder's safehouse inhibits combat potential. Success rate at 46.675%]
[Option 3: Call in reinforcements. Luna Laurel's assistance increases success rate of raid by 50%]
[However, the distance from Beacon to current location means it will take minutes before she arrives. Many unknown factors can happen during this duration.]
Looks like there's no straightforward solution here. Thus, against what her Hud suggests, Lucia came to the conclusion, for now at least, she will continue observing the both of them closely for more data and perhaps piggybacking through Cinder's scroll to hear the conversation. Though, that is likely to earn BPB-26's attention.
Despite all that, there's a part of Lucia that feels that she walked into an ambush… while her machine side doesn't recognise it, the human side of her is getting a gut feeling that her choice to go after Cinder was planned.
Not by her, but Merlot and Racher…
"What you're saying is that it's up there, waiting for me within your sight, and you didn't even bother to deal with it?" Cinder asked ludicrously with a hint of disbelief at the thing talking to her as if they were having a casual chat. Unfortunately, for the half-Fall Maiden, BPB-26 still has his smug look on his face.
"Amiga, calm down." BPB-26 raises a finger up before shaking it. "This was bound to happen when my creator requests me to pass your… compensation gift. This is all going according to the script, you see?" The Grimm human machine hybrid points out with his eyes, looking at the vial of Grimm nanomachines on the table.
"Your creator planned for this?" Cinder mutters in disbelief before swiftly becoming outraged with fire erupting from her hand. "You used me as bait to lure that thing to my location?!" The half-fall maiden was barely able to keep it together from sending a fireball straight for BPB-26 face at the thought that those two scientists used her to lure out that machine to her doorsteps.
"Bait is such a rude word, Miss Fall. Tut tut. I prefer an attraction." BPB-26 continues to grin with amusement. "Besides, our dear has fallen right into our trap. She's been watching you for some time and your sudden actions earned you an unwelcome visit, you see. We just need to keep her occupied for the time being…"
"So, what do you suggest?" Cinder grits through her teeth before placing the vial back on to the table behind her before looking back at the monster spreading his arms out with his back facing her.
"We must play our part in this show, you see! The plot demands we engage her and keep her pinned while reinforcements arrive in about six minutes from now. They're equipped with a new technology to hide their presence from her detection, especially of Dr Racher's creation. The Stealth Field Generator." BPB-26 rambles on before turning his head and resting a finger on his grin. "Her communications will also be cut off and isolated by yours truly! And then the stage shall set, and we'll capture her while you go free with my master's gift."
"You really have it all thought out, huh?" Cinder had to begrudgingly admit that this was smart of them. To give her the Grimm Nanomachines, knowing that Lucia will notice her sudden change of plans and lure her to an ambush while isolating her? That's smart and has to be acknowledged as a good plan. Even if she was left out of the picture and got played as well.
"Yes! After all, we are all just dolls dancing to the will of our controllers, are we not? And the world is so boring and a little bit of a plot twist would be fun for our unwanted guest, don't you agree?" BPB-26 asks, only to get an incredibly dry response from Cinder.
"Right… Next time, I hope you or your master would at least have the decency to inform me of any plots of yours in the future. Because this agreement between you masters and I grow less appealing by the moment." However, that just earned laughter from BPB-26.
"Is that so? Last, I recall, we had you by the neck before my masters made a deal with you. So, this 'agreement' you're talking about isn't in the plot you speak of, amiga." He says while earning a burning glare from Cinder. "Besides, as the story moves on, there are opportunities for betrayal you seek against my masters, and I'm all for that..." He admits softly. And for the first time since ever, Cinder was left baffled by BPB-26's words.
"What?"
"You hear me. As a doll, I have to come from somewhere ¿Sí?" And for the first time since ever, the theatrical BPB-26 always has faded away to utter seriousness. "Frankly, I have no love for my creator for turning me into who I am now and the whole, working for a crazy mad scientist is so boring and counterproductive to my intentions." He admits before earning a frown from the half fall maiden.
"Then what do you desire out of this?"
"Desire you say?" BPB-26 soberly chuckles before sounding dangerous, which puts Cinder on edge. "Dr Merlot destroyed my entire being and reforged me into nothing more than a play doll. So, what I desire most right now is purpose. Something to live for instead of serving the monster who twisted me into an abomination and destroyed my survival instinct…"
BPB-26 proceeds to pause for a bit of dramatic flair as he learns over Cinder's ears. "And when the time comes, I'll make him regret making me who I am…" Then, as if a switch were flipped, BPB-26 returns to his theatrical self again. "Alas, this is not the time for my dark story, not when tonight's events will be momentous! Where the predator becomes the prey! Miss Fall, the stage is set, and the actors are ready, let the show begin!"
He announces as BPB-26 begins walking towards the stairs hidden behind some cabinets. Though, Cinder herself simply frowns and follows her 'ally' while cursing in her own mind. "This plot of theirs better go as intended, I have no intention of dying to a soulless machine. And when the time's right, I'll make you regret using me as a pawn, Merlot and Racher! Not when I still have so much to gain."
BPB-26 POV
Oh, I can tell the next few moments of our dear plot twist on Alpha will be delightful on so many levels. I hoped she learned from our previous encounters, or else she will be in for a bad time. Last I picked up, it wasn't my creator who planned all this, but his partner Racher. Such an angry man. I wonder how keeps himself sane and alive with the maddening grudges he has for Lucia and all intelligent machines.
Speaking of intelligent machines, wouldn't that make me one of them?
Naaa… I'm nothing like them, just a doll yearning for purpose. A twisted monster with no place to call home…
Besides, from what I heard, Racher intends to study her internals before dismantling her while she's still conscious. Honestly, why would he do that when the dance can go on for much longer? It makes everything so much interesting with her origins and rather withering attempts at redemption. Humanity will never fully accept sentient machines as equals. If can't even do that with Faunuses? What chance if something made of metal would achieve the same equality?
Humanity as a whole is a flawed piece in this world, we call a story. But perhaps that's what makes it all so fascinating, seeing their struggles and the stories they weave together, or against one another. And speaking of Humanity, Miss Fall is such an interesting woman. Egotistical and prideful, yes.
And predictable.
It is clear to me that she believes she's the main protagonist of her own story, perhaps that is true for her. But I can tell she loathes being used as a pawn. Perhaps she's comfortable being the doll master instead of the doll. Or perhaps… it is tied to her origins that she fears being used and discarded perhaps… And yet, despite all this. I wonder what she's going with that Grimm nanomachine sample?
She's clearly serving a greater purpose than she claims, but it is clear that Merlot and Racher do not know what she intends to do with that stuff. How could such genius scientists be so short-sighted? A woman having a terrorist cell and criminal mastermind under her heel? Along with some adorable servants who follow her around like pets. It is clear that there's a more in-depth meaning in this story we live in.
I wonder if this is the case of a plot-twist within a plot-twist! Oh, this will be so fascinating to witness first hand! But as a doll, we play the roles given to us, no matter if we like our roles or not. Only the spectacle of the show matters! So, it's time my dance with Lucia resumes, and we'll see what the story writes!
Lucia POV
"They're coming out now…" I whisper in my own mind as I watch as the hatch to the secret room slowly opens, and I see both BPB-26 and Cinder walking out of it. They've been down there for some time and were clearly talking about something until now and even then. That gut feeling that something is wrong still gnaws my every thought.
The way BPB-26 was dramatizing his talk with Cinder down there puts me no ease because, everything from my systems to my own thoughts suspect that they're planning something. And what I suspect appears to be true that he did spot me earlier was that as soon as he and Cinder were out, BPB-26 immediately drew his shotgun and fired in my general direction, which automatically made me jump out of my cover to avoid getting shot.
"What are you doing waiting in that bush? Are you trying to start our dance on your terms?" BPB-26 rhetorically asked while I land back on the ground and immediately draw out Benizakura while Cinder behind him draws her glass swords. What were their names again? Oh, right. Midnight.
"I would ask you the same thing." I mutter loud enough for the three of us to hear. "Your intervention here is unexpected, I will not deny. But you will not stop me from fulfilling my objective." I gave a glare first at him, then to Cinder, who remained quiet the whole time. How strange… Normally, Cinder would be the one taking the lead, but here? She's not, though, looking incredibly annoyed instead while occasionally glaring at BPB-26.
[Past data suggest that Cinder Fall's power-hungry personality stems from a life of powerlessness and having nothing in her youth.]
[Suggestion. It is likely at 78.463% that Cinder Fall is being coerced to follow against her will by Doctor Merlot and Racher. This would complement past data gathered.]
[Caution advised. The Likeness that the current operation is threatened and is now a trap has risen by 48.367%]
I see…
"Unexpected to see you cooperating with them. Of all people to do so." I mutter out, only to see Cinder glaring and snarling at my question.
"I have nothing to say to you. Machine."
Fine. Be that way. Bitch.
"Now now Miss Fall, why do we have to insult our dance partner? Not when the show's just beginning." His eyes were on Cinder before looking at me with an enthusiastic grin. Seriously, the way he treats everything like a damn show is unnerving as hell. "Not when there are many unexpected events to show her…"
[Warning! Jamming frequency detected emitting from BPB-26!]
[All communications to the CCTs disrupted.]
[Deploying jamming countermeasures! Time before jamming frequency is cut through.]
[5 minutes.]
[Combat protocols enabled.]
I knew you were going to do that BPB-26 ever since our last encounter. I couldn't help but let out a smirk as soon as BPB-26 blinked with surprise at what I'm doing. "Countering my jamming frequency, huh?" A smile began to grow on his face as he chuckled out. "Looks like the show has got much. More. Interesting…" And just like that, he swung his sword down vertically onto me as it became a whip, while I reacted swiftly by swerving to the side and sending a slash wave attack at him while moving close to engage.
Seeing that the fight has officially begun, Cinder quickly changes midnight into a bow and draws an arrow at me, while BPB-26 takes a side step to avoid my attack before pointing his shotgun at me again and firing it. Seeing it coming, I automatically hit the floor and slid underneath his attack, and it was at that moment, Cinder fired her arrow at me.
Bad move woman…
Seeing the arrow coming at me in seconds and knowing it could explode, matrix mode came into effect and everything slowed into a crawl as I kicked myself up and charged at her. And once I was within punching distance, I swiftly wind my fist up and was about to give a haymaker to Cinder's chest when an alarm rang in my head.
[Alert! BPB-26 has activated Matrix mode! Incoming attack from the right!]
Feeling my body moving on its own, it twists almost immediately to parry BPB-26's attack heading for my back with Benizakura with the force of our blades clashing, sending us (and Cinder) back skiing right as our Matrix mode goes into cooldown. "Ah ah ha! I can't let you hurt my ally now, can I?" BPB-26 says casually before Cinder's arrow exploded in the background while the half Fall-maiden herself was scrambling onto her feet while scowling in bafflement about what happened.
I think she's starting to realise how out classed she is compared to us…
"Not when the show's getting much more interesting…" BPB-26 continues on with this sudden ominous feeling I'm getting before he looks to the skies, and then I hear it. Bullhead engines heading to our location! Wait, what?! How did they get so close without me detecting them?!
My eyes shot open as my head swerved towards where they were coming from, and I saw it! Two Bullheads rapidly approaching our position! How did my radar systems not detect them? What tech are they using to hide away from my sensors?
[Processing…]
[Error… unknown factor beyond operations detected.]
[Theory: Bullheads are equipped with unknown technology that hides them from radar-based detection.]
[Warning! Hostile forces have developed intelligence-based radar coverage. Classified as Counter Intel for future references.]
[Mission failure rate has risen to 80%]
[Lucia is isolated and soon to be outnumbered. Recommend immediate withdrawal.]
"Withdrawal? Are you kidding me now?" I thought as plan after plan went through my mind. But the main problem is that I'm lacking data, and the only conclusion I can make is that all this was a carefully created ambush to lure me out here alone and in the open. And I walked into it without realising it…
I don't even know what the hell Merlot or Racher are reinforcing BPB-26 and Cinder with, but I can't identify them thanks to some sort of cloaking tech, and I doubt that either of them would just let me leave. Nor can I go all in without destroying a chunk of the agricultural district in Vale and waking everyone up.
Damn it, what can I do right now?
[Processing solutions...]
[Priority objective: Hold them off for this instant until opportunity presents itself.]
Those were what my Hud read before I snapped my body into position and just like that, I moved into combat and slashed BPB-26 who reacted instantly to my attack and parries it before attempting to blast me in face if it wasn't for the fact I twist my body and kicked it down into the as it discharges and send dirt and dust all over the place.
Though before I had the chance to exploit the few seconds of visual coverage, another warning blared on my left and I tilted back just in time as an arrow flew past where my head would be and blew up a tree! Okay! That was too close for comfort. Sure, I doubt any major damage would occur thanks to my aura, but there is no doubt such a hit followed by an explosion would deplete a chunk of it.
Also, at this rate, we might draw unwanted attention just like the docks if this happens.
Actually…
I may not be able to directly call for help, but with Beacon in the distance, I just might be able to alert Luna or Liv about the current situation! Yes!
[Option found! Digit communications are still disrupted.]
[However, a projectile would be viable.]
[Calculations for trajectory required started…]
Though the split, hesitation cost me as I jumped into the air to reposition myself, only to feel a tug on my right leg to see that BPB-26 had managed to have his whip sword wrap around my leg! "Oh, that ain't good…" I could only think internally before the feeling of being dragged from the air overtook me before I was slammed face first onto the ground before thrown off the ground again into the air!
Even though it took only a picosecond to reorient myself, I had to bring up Benizakura to block an arrow just as it blew up in my face! Did Cinder just air shoot me?!
[Notice. Aura levels at 80%]
Thank you, but I fail to see how that helps me right now!
Feeling dragged again, BPB-26 soon slammed me onto the ground once more before he stepped on my chest and straight up shot me in the face before getting off me and walking off! Asshole! "Oi oi! Lucia! You're performing much poorer than last time, what is going on in that head of yours?" He asked out before the rumbling of Bullheads filled our ears as soon began hovering over us and out came androids.
They bear a resemblance to how they look in that RWBY game… What was it? Grimm Eclipse if I'm right? But they're clearly Grimm tainted, with all of them having a much darker shade that almost makes them blend in with the night, well, that and some are developing Grimm like traits? What the hell?
Also, ATL-01 is here.
Crap.
[Warning! Threat levels increase! Mission success levels dropped to 3.657%!]
[Failure predicted!]
[Immediate withdrawal required!]
In a stomp that shook the earth somewhat, ATL-01 landed just before me and thrust its spear at me. However, snapping myself back to reality, I quickly roll to the side to avoid it before jumping off the ground and elbow striking it in the face and sending it away. Though it still doesn't matter when I'm surrounded, I got into my stance again.
"This is quite poetic, don't you think? Hmm? The story of a hunter who becomes the hunted. What a shame, here I thought you were going to change how this dance's going to end, Lucia." BPB-26 hums out almost disappointedly while Cinder sneers next with her bow drawn.
"I tire of your games, why don't you be done with her right now?" Only for ATL-01 to speak next.
"Affirmative." It says out as it brings it's spear up while every single of Merlot's androids brings their weapons up and point at me with my internal alert systems crying out at where they're targeting. "Doctor Racher insists on Lucia Alpha's capture. You may cease your games, clown…" ATL-01 says only for what soundly like a pouty scoff came out of BPB-26's mouth.
"Pfft! Why must you ruin such a climactic moment?"
Time's running out, and I don't know what the doctor wants with me intact, and I have no intention to find out! Activating Matrix mode again, I began cutting down Merlot's bots, since their numbers would be a distraction when dealing with the major threat and easy to rid of the fight. Of course, soon after in what is only a second, BPB-26 and ATL-01 activated their own Matrix mode, and I was immediately forced into the defensive, which was irritating with only two minutes on the clock before I broke through BPB-26's jamming.
I can't afford to waste time; I need to alert them now!
Breaking off my clash against my opponents, I reached for the nearest object I could grab, which happened to be an androids' head, and pouring more power into my arm, I threw it towards Beacon with such force it left behind a shockwave! It was so strong in fact that it threw those who weren't expecting me to do that to the ground, which also included Cinder as well.
Soon after, I got into my stance again, ready to fight with everything I got! I will not go down without a fight, even if my machine side says otherwise! "If you all think I will surrender this quickly without a fight. Then you are incorrect. Come to me! I'll take you all on!" I yell with everything I got before BPB-26 laughs at my defiance.
"Hah ha ha ha! WONDERFUL! Then let us get into the climax of the play then!" And just like that, parts of BPB-26 body began glowing blood-red while his whip sword as well as his shotgun burst into flames and charged into the fray first. Before I did the same and engage.
[Priories altered. Withdrawal plan rejected.]
[Accelerating jamming countermeasures. Breakthrough in 1 minute.]
[New objective: Stand and fight.]
Luna POV
"Something is not right now…" I mutter out while gazing out into the stars with the shattered moon among them. Hours have passed since Lucia departed to hunt down this woman called Cinder, but… I am unable to send a transmission to her. As if… something's blocking her mine or her signal from reaching the other. While it is a small chance, calculations suggest that her mission is compromised, but I lack more evidence to prove that theory.
"Not right in what way, Luna?" Liv asked me on her bed to the right, as I turned to see her in her usual uniform. It has become something of a pattern for Liv to wear this chosen outfit whenever she doesn't need to wear an alternative one, and the reason is that she has grown fond of it. "Is it about Lucia?" She continued, while I gave a small nod and looked out again into the city of Vale in the distance.
"Confirmed." Is a signal jammer in use right now? My sister had used it to cut off Roman and Torchwick from assistance and rendered them isolated for capture. It would explain why I cannot contact her, but it is unlikely. She has shared the jamming frequency she uses, and the frequency needed to pierce through hers, with all of us. Thus, we should be able to remain in contact despite it.
[Notice. Unlikely as it may, and against her wishes. Intervention would be advised to confirm theory.]
Yes… This would be the case, but unless things go horribly wrong, it is unlikely my sister would be defeated by a human. "I am unable to contact her." I continued before hearing an alarm from Liv.
"That's… not good, Luna. Should you get involved then?" She asked while I remained silent for the time being. But then, I saw it, something's flying at inhuman speeds towards me!
[Alert! Unknown object detected flying at high speeds at current location!]
Without any hesitation, I brought my hand out and willed my Semblance to slow down what was heading for me, and what I saw confused me. It's a machine head? It looks more humanoid, therefore, an android's head? Why was that flying towards us? And based on the trajectory it came from, this head came from the Agricultural district. But that's where Lucia was headed…
"Is that a head?" I heard Liv asking while I grasped upon the android's head.
[Warning! Detecting Grimm Nanomachines within the head!]
[Enabling kill switch to neutralise Grimmified Nanomachines.]
Merlot…
"Lucia's in trouble." Those were the only words I uttered before purging it of corruption and laying it on the table. I then began levitating off the ground while my combat outfit formed over me at the same time.
"Eh?! Lucia's needs help?" Liv squeaked out as noticed her from the side of my optics getting off her bed and rushing off to her cabinet to retrieve her gear, I predict. "Then we have to help her!"
"Agreed." Those were the words I said before resting two fingers on my temple.
[Sending urgent transmission to Penny Polendina]
Instantly, upon seeing what was on my Hud, Penny accepts the transmission. "Sister Luna! What's going on? Why are you sending an urgent transmission to me when it's close to midnight?"
"Priority alert sister. Lucia is cut out from us and needs our assistance."
"What? Lucia's in trouble?! Then let me help too! Where are they and why can't I contact her?" My little sister asked as I narrowed my eyes out the window before turning to see Liv back with her Levi-Guns (Levitation Guns) floating near her as well as a sword on her hip.
"She is located in the Agricultural District of Vale, and all data suggests that our sister's communications are jammed as we speak." I explained before addressing Liv. "Climb on my back, I can get us there in minutes."
"Okay." She said as she slowly climbed onto me before my little sister contacted me again through our connection.
"Luna! I'll head there as soon as I can!"
"Understood, Liv and I are about to leave. See you there."
"Okay!"
[Transmission lost.]
With Liv now on my back, I begin to float out of our dorm before blasting off towards where our sister is located with a stream of green ahead of us. That must be Penny, ahead of us. Whatever's happening right now, sister.
Hold on.
Reinforcements are approaching.
And we are done. It has been a while, eh? But I'm glad to see this done since I got distracted with… other stuff. Anyway, here's a cliff-hanger for you all because it's rather appropriate, yeah? So, overall, what do you think of it so far? I thought of spicing it up by making Lucia someone who is the Hunter who becomes the Hunted.
And yes, that Grimm sample given to Cinder was a bait to lure Lucia in. And it worked! That and, as you can no doubt tell, Cinder isn't happy at all being played and used like a pawn. Hell, me writing about her getting side-lined is an intention to show how outclassed she is compared to Lucia, BPB-26 and ATL-01.
I also figured it's time to show a glimpse into BPB-26 thoughts, and I hope you enjoy his thinking and the utter wildcard he can be when the time comes. After all, a man who sees the world as a story is quite a terrifying foe. And of course, ATL-01 joining the fight makes things more complicated with what Racher cooked up with his stealth field tech.
And lastly, the sisters (and Liv) rushing to aid Lucia's call for help, this is going to shake things up and should the ambush go out of control (Which its kind of already has) and how Vale would react to such chaos within the Kingdom itself.
With that, I don't have much to say either. If you enjoy this story, do follow and favourite it, so I know you want more in the future! And while at it, do leave a review of what you think of this chapter, as I enjoy reading it and replying to it!
I will see you people in the next chapter!
RGQC out!