The AX/AR-23 'Guard Dog'.

Housed within a support backpack is the AX/AR-23 'Guard Dog', an autonomous drone equipped with a modified AR-23 'Liberator'. Once deployed, the drone will hover above the Helldiver it is paired to, providing overwatch and cover fire.

An experimental version of its predecessor, the AD-334 'Guard Dog' MK3, the AX/AR-23 features four anti-gravity thrusters, as opposed to the AD-334's paltry two. This grants the AX/AR-23 greatly enhanced mobility, allowing it to turn on a dime and shift elevations swiftly should the situation call for it.

The AD-334 is also equipped with an integrated SMG-45 'Defender', loaded with Armor-Piercing Stun-Capable ammunition, perfect for keeping soft targets at bay, but leaves much to be desired when facing armored foes.

But unlike the AD-334, the AX/AR-23 is equipped with a modified AR-23 'Liberator' Assault Rifle. Thanks largely in part to the additional anti-gravity thrusters, the drone can fully handle the recoil of the Armor-Piercing Intermediate Cartridges fired from the rifle. Unfortunately, due to design constraints, the 'Liberator' onboard is limited to twenty-round magazines.

Fitted to the support backpack is six additional twenty-round magazines, which the 'Guard Dog' will utilize once its current magazine is empty, automatically ejecting the empty magazine to re-dock onto the backpack before being reloaded.

Due to the limited magazine size and low magazine count, Super Earth engineers and scientists sought ways to improve the firepower of the drone without compromising the weight of the backpack or altering the integrated 'Liberator'.

This came in the form of its bleeding edge artificial intelligence and upgraded targeting software, which allows the AX/AR-23 to target weak points on hostiles with extreme speed and infallible precision. With lock-on's only taking milliseconds to complete, the surgical accuracy of the A.I and targeting software only requires it to expend two-to-three rounds per target before eliminating them, effectively mitigating the ammunition constraints.

With the updated design, the AX/AR-23 'Guard Dog' is the perfect companion to provide three-hundred-sixty-degree cover, and with its integrated 'Liberator' loaded with AP rounds, it can effectively take on and eliminate armored foes with little effort.

Should a Helldiver need someone to watch their back, look no further than the 'Guard Dog'.

The AX/AR-23 'Guard Dog'.

"It's all bark and bite!" - 'Admiral Defense Contracting'.

Within the Abydos Courtyard

"What other things do you have up your sleeves... er, Hellpods?"

I turned my head to meet the small, pink-haired president with a grin as I tossed a strategem beacon into the air a few times.

"Well, Cadet Takanashi, you tell me what we need, and I'll do my best to provide!"

She raised a brow before turning towards her classmates, the same level of confusion shown on their face.

With a shrug, she turned back to me. "Well, for one, after that little fight, we do need more ammo now."

Inputting the pattern for a resupply beacon, I tossed it behind me, the beacon digging itself into the sand before its telltale blue pillar of light pierced the sky. "What else?"

They followed the pillar of light into the sky before continuing. "Uhhh..."

Then I cut them off with a wave. "Who am I kidding?" I say as I shook my head, grabbing another beacon. "Of course, you all need some firepower!"

They all give me a bewildered look.

'Down Left Down Up Up Left.' I repeat in my head as I went through the pattern.

Tossing the beacon to the side, I grab another.

"Uh... Sensei?" Ayane asked, worriedly looking at the beacons I'm suddenly taking out of my pockets.

Not exactly ignoring her, but not exactly acknowledging her either, I continued. 'Down Left Down Up Right.'

Throwing another beacon, the girls started backing off at the sight of three pillars of light suddenly populating the air.

"Sensei?" Hoshino began, the same worried look on her face as she glanced between the beacons and me.

I waved a hand in their direction. "Not now Cadets, can't have Freedom without firepower!"

Then another beacon. 'Down Left Up Left Down.'

With now four beacons planted near each other, the sky immediate to us was now lit up with a laser light show, granted, with only one color filling the sky.

I pointed at Nonomi. "With your minigun, I felt I didn't need to get you anything, is that alright with you?"

The blonde awkwardly laughed as she scratched her cheek. "I, uh, I'm fine with not getting anything, ah ha ha ha..."

I gave her a thumbs up as I stared at the pillars of blue light. "Now we wait."

Shiroko scratched her head. "What, uh, what exactly did you call in?"

I shrugged. "Oh, you know, just the bare minimum of equipment for delivering Freedom!"

Before she could say anything else, four Hellpods breaching the atmosphere came within earshot. As the Democratic payloads screamed towards the beacons, the girls, understandably concerned, backed off a few meters. With glances of the same worry, they looked at me as I stared at the pods.

One by one, the pods breached the sand in quick succession, before rhythmically popping their seals whilst lifting up their equipment.

I nodded at the weaponry. "Alright Cadets!" I exclaimed as I turned their way. "Take your pick!"

Slowly approaching the pods, they eyed the equipment with awe.

Shiroko pointed at one of the support weapons. "What's this one, Sensei?"

"This here is a MG-43 General-Purpose Machine Gun. Fitted with a one-hundred-seventy-five round box magazine, this'll be sure to give those dissenters a reason to think twice." I explained as I hoisted the support weapon.

I pointed at the fire selector on the side. "Not only that, but you have the option of three different rates of fire, right now in its stock configuration, it fires at a nominal seven-hundred-sixty rounds-per-minute."

Eyes still glued to the MG-43, the students nodded along.

With an audible click, I swapped its fire rate. "Right now, I swapped it to its slowest option, at six-hundred-thirty rounds-per-minute. Slow but steady, making it perfect for suppressing fire."

With a nod and another click, I grinned. "And onto my favorite of the three. This setting allows it to fire at a staggering nine-hundred rounds-per-minute, emptying the box in just under twelve seconds."

"Woah..." Shiroko exclaimed, her eyes glittering at the machine gun.

Unlatching the bipod, I set down the machine gun before walking over to the next Hellpod, grabbing the next support weapon.

"This one..." I trailed off before shrugging. "I guess you could call this the MG-43's little brother."

Serika raised a brow. "Why's that?"

"This here M-105 'Stalwart' fires smaller caliber rounds, making it not as effective at piercing armor or structures, as opposed to the MG-43."

Hefting the 'Stalwart' with one hand, I raised a finger with the other. "But, it shines when it comes to shredding anything less. With a huge box magazine holding two-hundred-fifty rounds-" This notably causes the girls to recoil in shock at the unheard-of magazine capacity. "-It can put down lead down range for an extended period of time, more so when you alter its rate of fire."

Hefting it back down into both arms, I continued. "Which brings me to my next point!" I pointed at the fire selector. "Much like its bigger brother, it has three options when it comes to fire rates. In its stock config, it comes out ready to rock at eight-hundred-fifty rounds per minute."

I nodded at the support weapon. "That, and with its huge magazine size, you can go toe-to-toe with entire squads without having to reload once."

Hoshino whistled at the weapon's specifications.

With another click, I continued. "Swapping it to its slowest rate of fire, it fires at a relatively slow seven-hundred rounds-per-minute. At this setting, it'll take ages before you need to reload."

With an evil grin, I swapped it to its fastest option. "And with this-" I shook my head and whistled. "-You'd make anyone run for the hills. At a whopping one-thousand-one-hundred-fifty rounds-per-minute, you can put lead in someone or something faster than they can even realize."

Their jaws dropped at my words, with Shiroko seemingly anxious to get her hands on one of the weapons.

Setting the 'Stalwart' down next to the MG-43, I walked over to the final support weapon.

Picking it up with one hand, I gestured towards it. "A Helldiver's favorite, the GL-21 Grenade Launcher."

Ayane waved her hands in denial before cutting in. "Hold on a minute, Sensei."

I cut my explanation short. "What's up?"

She pointed at the current weapon in my hand. "Grenade launchers aren't all that common to come by, and you just so happen to have one fall from the sky? Literally?"

I shrugged. "Hey, you've already seen the autocannon in action, so a grenade launcher isn't all too different."

Ayane opened her mouth to retort, but somehow found the words lost on her.

With a huff, she crossed her arms. "...Continue."

Clearing my throat, I did just that. "With this piece of hardware, you can launch ten high-explosive forty-millimeter grenades in extremely quick succession, making it the perfect weapon for clearing out just about anything."

Resting it on my shoulder, the action causing the belt of grenades to clink against each other, I placed my other hand on my hip.

"So-" I began, glancing at all the girls. "-Any questions?"

Hoshino raised her hand. "Plenty."

I point a finger at her. "Shoot."

She glanced at the machine guns and grenade launcher in my hand. "You're telling me we can just, uh, take one of those?"

"Yup." I answered with no hesitation.

She gave me a look. "Really?"

"Really." I nodded.

Shiroko jumped in, a glint in her eyes. "Really, really?"

I grinned. "Really, really, really."

Then I tossed the grenade launcher towards Serika, catching her off guard as she fumbled with the support weapon.

"Uwah!" She exclaimed as it slipped from her grasp a few times. Finally getting a good hold over it, she exhaled in relief.

"What the heck, Sensei!?"

I raised a thumb. "Now you're looking like a true Helldiver!" I turned towards the rest, ignoring the piercing glare from the black cat. "Arm up, Cadets! We've a long road to Freedom ahead of us!"

At my say, Shiroko practically tackled the M-105 'Stalwart' on the ground, hefting the machine gun into the air as she stared deeply at its details.

"Uhee~. I guess this Oji-san is stuck with this one~." Hoshino says as she lazily strode towards the MG-43, effortlessly picking up the machine gun with one hand and stowing the bipod with the other.

Ayane sighed. "Well, I suppose I should thank you, Sensei." Then she glanced at me. "This counts as resupplying, right?"

I nodded her way. "Of course!" Then I glanced between her and Nonomi. "You two sure I can't get you anything? I picked up another beacon. "I can think a few options that may suit you girls."

Ayane shook her head. "I'm not meant for the front lines, so the others will work better with them."

"Thanks for offering, Sensei!" The bubbly blonde exclaimed as she hugged her minigun. "But this one here is all I need!"

I gave her a thumbs up. "You let me know if you change your mind, then."

"Though, Sensei." Ayane called, her voice taking an edge for some reason.

A shiver is sent down my spine as I turned to face her. "Yeah?"

She then pointed at the Hellpods. "What're we going to do with these?"

I glanced back at the pods, then to her. "Uhhhhh..." I scratched the back of my head.

As the girls gathered their newly acquired weaponry and supplies, Ayane had me dig up the Hellpods lodged into the sand. Contrary to how they look, they are quite light and reuseable, when retrieved with the proper equipment, that is.

Armed with a shovel and a Helldiver's grit, I got to work digging around the Hellpods, dislodging them slowly, but surely.

Eventually, the sun had set as I had finally dug up the final Hellpod. Though not out of their holes, I had them loosened up enough to be taken out with proper equipment.

"Sensei?" Hoshino called out as she stepped out from the building's doorway.

I grunted as I speared the ground with the shovel. "What's up?"

Glancing between the mounds of sand and the now-loosened Hellpods, she locked back onto me. "You've been out here the entire time? I thought you'd left for SCHALE by now."

I shrugged. "Ayane had me dig up the Hellpods."

"I thought she was joking, aren't those things extremely heavy?"

I nodded. "Relatively speaking, as long as you have the proper equipment, or enough hands, these things can be hefted no problem. Also, I haven't really thought about it, but these pods can easily become a big mess unless cleaned up."

She raised a brow before nodding. "Makes sense."

Picking up the shovel and putting it over my shoulder, I glanced at the pods. "Might have to ask you all for some help though. I may be a Helldiver, but I'm certainly no General Brasch."

She snorted. "Yeah, well, we'll see. Also, Sensei?"

I glanced her way, noticing her tone changed to something somber. "Yes?"

She gave me a smile. "Thanks."

"What for?" I asked, confused at the sudden thanks.

She leaned against the courtyard door. "Thanks for helping us out, Sensei."

I waved a hand. "Ah, no need for that Hoshino, just doing what a Helldiver does!"

"Well, maybe as a Helldiver, but as a Sensei? Thanks for being here for us."

I nodded with a smile. "Well, you're very welcome."

Within the Abydos Clubroom

"You're still here, Sensei?" Ayane asked, looking up from her laptop.

I nodded. "That I am, just finished digging up the Hellpods, just need to proper equipment, or a few extra hands to help me lift them up."

She gave me a look. "You, uh, you actually dug them up?"

"Uh, yes?"

She turned her head towards Hoshino next to me, who simply shrugged. Looking back at me, she sighed. "Well, good work I suppose, Sensei."

Hoshino yawned as she rubbed her eyes before turning to me. "You're going to head out now, Sensei?"

I glanced at a clock on the wall. 10:34 PM. Way past work hours, and way past being able to call in a helicopter escort.

"Doesn't look like it." I answered with a shake of my head. "Past work hours back at SCHALE, and by extension, any helicopter services."

I glanced back at Hoshino. "Have anywhere for me to bunk for the night?"

Looking up as if thinking, she snapped her fingers before locking back to me. "I have a spot, here, follow me."

"We don't have any beds or cushions, but we have plenty of these soft mats."

Tossing a few rolls of said mats onto the floor, she began unravelling them.

"Certainly no five-star experience, but I like 'em. I use them for my naps from time to time."

With a few mats layered on top of each other, she got up before looking at me. "Well, here you go Sensei."

I nodded. "Thanks Hoshino."

She yawned my way. "Not a problem, Oji-san'll leave you to it then."

Heading for the door, she stopped before turning around. "Er, we don't have any blankets either..."

I tugged at the corner of my cape. "Already got one!"

A smile crosses her. "Looks like you have that covered, good night then, Sensei."

Closing the door behind her, I waited till her footsteps left earshot before getting my equipment off. Unlatching the locks on my armor, I set them aside neatly before taking up my cape.

Thankfully, in their infinite wisdom, Super Earth engineers designed the capes used by the Helldiver Corps to be usable in nearly any climate and weather. That just so happens to include the functionality of being a blanket.

Laying down onto the makeshift bed, I pulled my cape over me, the thermally-lined piece of equipment warming me up nicely. Lifting up the Shittim Chest, the screen lit up to life.

With a yawn, my trusty assistant appeared on screen. "Sensei?"

"Ah, sorry Arona, did I catch you in the middle of sleeping?"

She shook her head as she rubbed her eyes. "Nope! Not at all!"

I smiled. "Well alright then, think you can send Rinny a message?"

She nodded before pulling out a pen and notepad. "That I can do, what do you want to tell her?"

"Well, for one, probably need to inform her that I'll be helping Abydos out for a few days, or at least until we can resolve the dissident problem."

She nodded as she wrote into her notepad.

"Also, could you put in that I want to talk to her about the GSC and its responsibilities?"

She stopped writing before looking up at me. "Sensei?"

I nodded. "I've come across troubling information that I want to talk to her about."

Raising a brow, she shrugged before writing that down into her notepad. "Uh, anything else?"

I ahook my head. "Nope, that's it."

With a nod, she set aside the pen and notepad before yawning.

"And with that, it's time to hit the rack. Light's out, Arona."

"Mmm hmm!" She hummed. "Nighty night, Sensei!"

Within the Abydos Clubroom

Another day, another dive into work.

Passing the doors into the clubroom, I'm met with a sight that takes me back to the days of pre-operation checks. On the main table sat all of the support weapons I've requisitioned, including the still empty autocannon and its respective support backpack.

Surrounding the weapons are the girls, who're currently pouring over the details of each weapon, notably over the, to them at least, outrageous fire rates the machine guns are capable of. With a smile, I strode on over.

"Morning Cadets, you all are up early." I greeted them as I glanced at the clock on the wall. 7:34 AM.

With a yawn, Hoshino turned my way. "Mornin' Sensei, sleep well?"

I shrugged. "Reminds me of the bunks back home."

"Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?" Ayane asked, currently buried in her laptop doing... something.

"Mmm hmm." I hummed, not giving a proper answer.

Serika gave me a weird look after poking at the GL-21. "You slept... here?"

I nodded her way. "Stayed here after working hours, and way after being able to call a helicopter for escort."

For whatever reason, she gave me a disgusted look before going back to poking at the grenade launcher.

"Anyhow-" I began before giving a cough. "-How're the support weapons treating you all?"

Shiroko shouldered the M-105 'Stalwart' before lifting up the feed cover and showing clear. I nodded at her proper operational checks before she spoke up.

"You weren't lying, Sensei, the box really does hold two-hundred-fifty bullets." She noted as she shook the box magazine.

"Heh-" I chuckled as I pointed at the 'Stalwart'. "-Just wait till you shoot it at its fastest setting, then you'll think that amount isn't enough."

In the corner of my eye, I see Hoshino poking at the autocannon as she hefted the MG-43 with one hand.

"Missing the firepower of the AC-8?" I asked with a grin.

She recoiled slightly in surprise before pulling out the bipod on the MG-43 and setting it down.

"Uheee~, not really~." She replied unconvincingly.

I grinned. "Maybe one of these days I'll get you all one."

This turned heads my way.

"But-" I cut in, halting their surprising eagerness for an autocannon. "-Let's get you girls acquainted with these here armaments first, yeah?"