Safehouse Shuffle (Terra Sentinel)

[MitsukaiNoZenkai]

Terra Sentinel Safehouse "Hanabira"
Tokyo, Japan
One week after the fight at sea
0647 Local Time

The early morning sun was just beginning to rise majestically over the Tokyo skyline, but already the safehouse that a number of secretive Terra Sentinel personnel called home was bustling. Ostensibly the structure was something between an apartment complex and dormitory. The whole structure was - of course - funded and paid for by secretive hush moneys and black budgets and the like that all looked legitimate on paper and to most observers; just as the enigmatic Hyperion wanted it for one of it's major outposts. None of this really mattered to some of the residents as it was merely a means to an end.

In the dining area there was a setup like a fairly elegant trio of long wooden tables with real wooden seats (with comfy padding, of course!) set up and ready for anyone to come and sit down whenever they felt like. The aroma of various foodstuffs wafting from the complex's large central kitchen would probably be enough to draw all but the most deeply-sleeping residents from their slumber. Along the walls towards the ceilings were sets of strategically-placed monitors so that anyone sitting down to eat could glance up and follow programs on the screens without interrupting their attention to their food. Overall, the whole room gave off a sense of "high-class cafeteria" without reeking of ostentatious snobbery.

Anyone who was in said dining area would most likely note a steadily-moving and now-familiar sound flitting to and fro through the pathways of Hanabira. A steady and rapid tktktktktk accompanied by the soft rustle of fabric would warn anyone who was within earshot that a certain individual was on the move and Heaven help anyone who got caught in their path. As the sound reached it's climax and the source reached the room's main door it became immediately obvious which of the safehouse's residents was the source of the noise.

One could almost hear the screech of tires as Lunam seemed to lock into place fully in the middle of the doorway. She was bright-eyed and full of nothing but energy as usual, even though her too-pale-but-nowhere-near-albino skin made her look a little sick like usual. Her doll-like frame was covered by a cute knee-length dress in the "lolita" style and the source of the incessant tapping turned out to be brilliantly sparkling black mary janes on her feet. The outfit itself - considering the fabric patterns, accessories, messenger bag slung over her left shoulder to rest the bag at the right hip, and an antique-looking camera hanging from a sturdy strap at her neck - gave off an extremely strong "news reporter" vibe. Her blue eyes eagerly scanned the room for anything super interesting but upon failing this objective she huffed quietly to herself and moved over towards the window in the wall leading to the kitchen. It was a little creepy to see Lunam Lumine move if you didn't know her past; she seemed to move a bit too quickly for a normal person and far too fast for someone with her slender frame should be able to. The tktktktktk revealed itself to be the sound of her shoes on the floor as she rapidly swished her way to get a tray of food that had suddenly appeared on the ledge of the window opening to the kitchen.

"Thank you," the petite adolescent said cheerily to the small kitchen staff as she plucked the tray off the spot it was at and proceeded to the nearest seat on the closest of the tables. She pertly sat down and before she looked at her food produced a remote control from an external pocket of her messenger bag and pushed a button at one of the monitors she was facing. A news broadcast was suddenly displayed on the screen and the blonde turned up the volume on speakers cleverly hidden in the table itself right by her.

"..And in other news, the Directory today announced that civilians are encouraged to report any appearances of monstrous organisms to the nearest police forces so that the military can handle them with minimal casualties. But where are they coming from? Does this have anything to do with the sudden issue in the Middle East being covered in giant crystals? What about the mysterious lights on the surface of the Moon, and the subsequent lack of communications from the colony bunches at L5? Stay tuned for our exclusive coverage of these events and more on Special Report! I'm your news anchor David Wener alongside my co-host Xiaoling So-han, and we'll be right back after this commercial brea-"

Lunam clicked the remote with a look of disgust on her face, muting the news feed. "You talking heads wouldn't know news if it bit you on the tuchus with plasma blade teeth," she declared to the empty air in an adorable huff before looking down to her food. "Ah well, they'll learn soon enough. Itadakimasu!" With the traditional wording before a meal in Japan, Lunam dug in with a gusto like she'd been starved for a week but was trying to at least maintain some manners while she ravaged her trayful of food.

 

[Luca Cross]

“So...it's incredible and terrifying how much damage you dealt to that machine. Weren't you even the least bit worried about the outcome if the Custom C didn't survive that explosion? Death would've been the most likely outcome.” The mechanic thumbed through the documents he held, before tossing them onto the table between himself and the young woman. Luca continued eating the bowl of ramen she'd been given, before slurping loudly to increase the awkward silence between them. Setting both chopsticks across the bowl, the girl said a short word of thanks and looked at the man.

“So, what are the odds we can fix the Custom C?” The woman immediately asked the most pressing concern, completely ignoring the mechanic's question about her emotions. She wasn't ready to even recall that mission on the waves; after blacking out, the only thing Luca could remember was the chills and fear of possible death weighing down on her. The battle was hazy, and she could only watch the video-tapes and display feeds in numb silence. It hadn't been her piloting the Custom C during that battle; it had been 'it'.

“That's the unfortunate news. The Gespenst your Uncle gave you was already a damaged, custom-modded model that was going against every safety standard the Terra Sentinel currently has. So, repairs are going to be impossible at this time. There are Personal Troopers and other robots at this safe house and in bases nearby. With a recommendation from your Uncle and the video feeds from the Ocean Encounter, I'm confident any of them would be willing to enter into a deal with you.” The mechanic secured his papers and rose from his seat. Luca stared at her empty bowl, before speaking firmly.

“I'm not going to jump into any of the mercenary groups or the military willy-nilly. I need answers of my own before I simply sign away my future and life to any faction.”

“That's fair. Just don't expect support from Terra Sentinel or any of the private militia groups in finding these answers if you don't have something of your own to offer. The world isn't that kind. Your Uncle did send this, however.” The mechanic lifted a box from beside his seat, before setting it on the table. He then left, leaving Luca to stew in silence.

The college woman rose from her seat, dragging the box to her side. It was heavier than she expected, with extra tape to hold the contents in. Cracking one of the wooden chopsticks in half, the young woman drove it into the tape. Digging it apart, the woman forced the lid apart. There was four items within; a pistol, magazine, holster, and an envelope. Lifting the holster out, Luca discovered it was a chest holster, designed to allow for hiding a pistol on one's person under a jacket.. Ignoring those who might be watching, Luca shrugged off her jacket and slid the leather belts over her tanktop. Adjusting the straps properly, the woman pulled her jacket back on. The semi-automatic pistol she loaded in one motion, not bothering to chamber a round. She didn't want to shoot herself or anyone nearby. Slipping it into the holster, the woman tried to relax. It was a perfect fit, which bothered her more than anything.

“...hmm.” Picking the letter up, Luca glared at the innocent envelope. Slipping it into her pocket, she glanced across the small dining room in time to see the blonde girl from the ocean click the television off. The woman stared for a moment, before rising from her seat.

If I can, I'll just avoid that interrogation.​

 

[VeraC]

After parting ways with the two TS members after the fight over the pacific, Okuni took a leisurely detour to Kyoto, and fully immersed herself in the Japanese culture… In Japan. Despite shifting times, Kyoto remained one of the few remaining cities in Japan that held on to the Ancient culture, with a noticeable lack of modern buildings, among other technology that had been developed over the centuries. After her sojourn however, it was time to get back to work. She had come to Japan for other reasons as well. Riding the Linear up to Tokyo, It was a short hour and a half ride before she reached Shin-Tokyo Station. As she got off the train, it was almost as if she was out of time. In this modern world with all the fashion and technology people had, This lady wearing a traditional Kimono and a decorated hairstyle was almost jarring for some onlookers. The floral-patterned cloth flowed with the movement of her legs, their comfortable design allowed air to flow freely. Was she an actor? A model? No one knew; though many pulled out their phones and snapped pictures at her.

She walked with a grace unlike any other, the clacking sound of her geta followed a consistent rhythm, each step moving with purpose. With each step, the bells in her hairpiece chimed every so calmly, their iconic sound almost soothing to one’s ears. As she got off the platform, her chauffer had been waiting the station, a black sedan prepped and ready to go. She slowly entered the back seat and the door closed behind her. The safehouse was on the eastern edge of Tokyo, near the bay. The famous rising sun could be seen as they drove along the highway; thankfully the traffic was low at this time of day.

Regardless, within the hour, Okuni had arrived at the safehouse, where her Knight Frame had already been shipped, and had been going under repairs. Thankfully, the only damage sustained was on the surface. While the armor and frame of the Amaterasu could be repaired so long as materials and laborers were available, the inner-workings of the Orgone tech was more or less a blackbox, and could only be repaired back on the moon.. She showed her identification and entered the safehouse, making her way to the commander’s office. She finished official business, signed her contract, then made her way to the common area, and seemed to be the last of the three members to enter. She gave an order to the Kitchen staff and then went to work, cooking her meal. Within five minutes, the food had been prepared. An Asateishoku, traditional Japanese breakfast, with grilled mackerel, rice, natto, and miso soup. She picked up the tray of food and walked to the table, placing it down and then taking her seat.

The interior of this place was uncomforting. Okuni had been used to her traditional home back on the moon with tatami mats and manor-style layout; though this safehouse almost felt cramped. Urban living was not something for her, though she had to endure for these next few months…

And the people were loud too…

Okuni shifted her eyes to Lunam, and made a visible twitch with her face as she heard Lunam say ‘Itadakimasu’. Okuni cringed internally, trying to hold back a scowl at the ‘gaijin’ in the room.

The other two girls in the room were young. They were like toddlers to Okuni, though Luca seemed much more mature than Lunam -of course- but she could tolerate her more. Not that Okuni was old, just more mature. She held her chopsticks in between her thumbs and palm as she clapped her hands together and closed her eyes, slightly bowing her head.

“Itadakimasu.” There was meaning to these words.. They weren’t the hollowed words thrown by Lunam, they bore weight to them.

 

[Luca Cross]

The handful of people in the cafeteria stopped their daily routines when the kimono-wearing beauty entered the dining area. Even Luca, not one to be caught up in appearances, paused in scooping her tray up as the woman from a different era stole the scene. If one listened, you could almost hear the classic oriental music playing as the woman ordered her breakfast.

She has to be the one who piloted that crystal mech; it makes too much sense. By that logic...

Luca's gaze fell on the only other 'unique' person seated in the cafeteria, voraciously chowing down on her meal. Putting two and two together, the woman groaned loudly and waited till the Samurai found her seat. Waiting till she said her soft but firm prayer to some divine spirit, the college woman dropped her tray with a clatter across from the woman. Yanking the chair out and spinning it around so she could sit in it and lean against the back, Luca stared at the pilot of the mysterious mech. Taking a deep breath, the college student nodded towards the food and spoke.

“Enjoying the food? I'd like to know what part you're playing in this whole mess, and why you were so quick to cut down the Directory pilots yesterday. Preferably in that order...Okuni? I think that's what you said your name was during that engagement.”

 

[VeraC]

Okuni ate her food at a calm pace, almost isolated in her own world; her mind at ease. The food they were eating wasn’t superb by any means, though it was nostalgic, bringing back memories of her mother’s cooking from when she was a child. However, as she was enjoying her meal, something ‘popped’ her bubble, as she returned to reality, and looked across her to the young girl who took a seat. Okuni peered at the girl, taking note of her face, body, and physique.

It was… average, more or less. Okuni couldn’t see her as a warrior, and her eyes gave off a look of naivety. She was still young, and likely wasn’t raised as a warrior or pilot. Regardless, there was a small ember that smoldered in her eyes, a feeling of determination. Okuni dropped her chopsticks and took a sip of the barley tea that was on her tray. She delicately picked up the cup, and sipped it ever so elegantly, before resetting it back down on the tray.

She pulled out a fan from her obi and unfolded it in a quick motion, creating a brief ‘snap’. She waved it on her face lightly and relocked eyes with Luca.

“Aohara Okuni, but leave it at Aohara. It’d be rude otherwise.” Okuni didn’t hate Luca per-say, but she didn’t quite see her as a friend. Not yet. “The situation got… complicated.” With another quick motion, she folded the fan back in and placed the tip of it to her lips.

“I am from the Lunar Kingdom of Everglory… Though I’m not an official soldier so to speak. I moreso work as a close affiliate, providing assistance where needed. I am currently out on loan to Terra Sentinel for… whatever they have planned.” She set her fan down and took another sip of tea. “I don’t know what your situation is, but your Gespenst had a Terra Sentinel IFF attached to it, and in a show of good manners, I assisted you in deterring the pursuing Directory… Though it seemed there were other unknowns on the directory’s side too.” Her eyes grew sharp, and she looked sternly at Luca.

“Now how about you tell me about yourself, Little Miss Runaway?”

 

[Luca Cross]

The woman watched in silence, while the Samurai pulled out a fan. There was a brief pause, as both women locked eyes over the table. Then Okuni started speaking, making it known that Luca was to refer to her as Aohara. Then came the information that mattered. The college student had heard of the Lunar Kingdom, and the mysterious military and technology that lurked there. The conversation shifted to the Custom C and its technology. Luca hadn't realized her Uncle had outfitted the mech with a military IFF. The woman mused in silence as the Samurai's brief explanation reached an end. Then, the conversation shifted to Luca.

“There isn't much to say. I was attending college as a Business Major...but that was cut short when my Uncle told me we were moving. Since then I've been trying to track him down and get the rest of the answers he owes me. The Custom C, the mech you saw, was a clunker he put together for me to use. It served its purpose, but the explosion from the submarine completely wrecked the Gespenst. As for the runaway comment...I'm not running from my goals. I'm pursuing them.”

Grabbing the tray she dropped, Luca picked it up off the table. She turned towards the tray drop off and spoke over her shoulder.

“Other than that...thanks for the support in the ocean. I'm not sure I could've handled those monsters without your support and the other girl.”

 

[MKR]

There would be a knock on the door before it was opened, a man from what seemed southern European descent entered, looking down at a clipboard as he did so.
"Excuse me I'm looking for the owner of the Amaterasu. I heard they'd arrived." when he looked up and noticed the food on the table he spoke up again albeit more awkwardly than before.

"Oh sorry, I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

The man was dressed in a mechanic's uniform with a pencil propped up behind his ear, currently standing still just barely inside of the room. Seemingly waiting for confirmation whether he should wait or if he could do what he came here for.
His eyes went around the room, looking at everyone inside. All the women at the table were peculiar in their own way so it would be understandable for someone to not know who to address but nevertheless his eyes seemed to linger on Okuni longer than the others.

 

[VeraC]

The Knock on the door alerted Okuni, as she quickly set down her chopsticks and stood up from the table. She grabbed her fan and tucked it back in her Obi. The man entered on his own, and Okuni narrowed her eyes at him. The man had his eyes particularly trained on her, but his question more or less completed Okuni’s thought process. She elegantly walked towards the mechanic, each step causing the bells in her hairpiece to chime, almost hypnotically. She came closer until she was mere inches away from him. She looked down at him and gave a very irritated look.

“Just who do you think you are?” If one were able to feel it, Okuni gave off a tremendous killing intent in this moment, completely different from how she was mere seconds ago.

 

[Luca Cross]

Luca's gaze shot towards the doorway at the knock; it was strange for anyone to knock before entering, considering the nature of the building. Shifting her palm from under the tray to her chest, the woman gripped the handle of the pistol concealed in her jacket firmly. The man who entered stated he was looking for Aohara, glancing at his clipboard as he went.

From appearances, he is a mechanic. Why is he knocking if he's from this branch or building? Workers come and go without making such a public declaration. Unless he's from a different, more 'refined' section, that is strange by all accounts. Let's see how Aohara deals with this.

The woman continued her march towards the tray drop-off, but her gaze was still on the strange mechanic. She didn't speak, letting the Samurai address the man seeking her out.

 

[MKR]

The man would creep backwards to the door slightly as the woman with murderous intent approached, but he remained in the room despite her proximity. His eyes went up and down the woman as she stood in front of him.

"I'm someone who's really worried about some new guys thinking they run the show in the hangar or something and giving no answers to any questions."
He waved the notepad in the direction of the door as he spoke, before turning it toward Okuni when he continued.
"So I thought I'd ask the one who brought them here what's the deal. Suppose this is what I get for being polite."

"Now I know secrets aren't anything special around here, but at least those are still our people who keep them. So you mind clearing up who these guys are?" he answered in a disgruntled tone.

 

[VeraC]

Okuni listened to the man’s complaints and took a sigh, slightly relaxing her body. She still kept her eyes set on the man’s but the killing intent dissipated only slightly.

“I don’t think you understand your position.” She folded her arms under her chest and shifted her weight to one leg. “Did you not get the memo? For all intents and purposes, those “new guys” as you put it are your superiors for as long as they’re here. If you have a complaint, take it up with the commanding officer. The paperwork and all is in the contract.”

Orgone was the prized technology of Everglory, and its inner-workings were off-limits to anyone who wasn’t affiliated with Everglory. This was a part of the contract with Terra Sentinel that Okuni made clear when she signed on to assist them. They should be grateful that she’s even helping them.

 

[Luca Cross]

After listening to the intense conversation, the woman let her hand slip off the pistol in her jacket. She handed the plates to the kitchen worker, before accepting a mug of hot coffee. Walking to a nearby wall, the woman leaned against it and took a sip of the bitter brew. The Samurai had apparently brought her own entourage of mechanics with her, to work on that mysterious mech of hers. Whatever those crazy techniques she had been using on the battlefield were enabled by was probably top-level Lunar military secrets. Definitely shoot-on-sight worthy if the wrong person learned of them. The woman thought back to the display of other-worldly skill and techniques on the ocean that day, and suppressed a shiver. Looking back at Aohara, the woman's gaze narrowed.

What kind of monster are you? There's a monster within that mind and body, capable of destroying everything in this safehouse, myself included. Without the Custom C, I'm next to worthless in the face of such might. Might as well check the letter, since they're so engrossed in their conversation.

Pulling out the white envelope, Luca tore open the paper and pulled out the message within. It was a simple statement and code; her Uncle wasn't here either, urgent business had taken him to a different outpost in an undisclosed location. He had also left her an activation code for one of the bunkers nearby. Apparently her 'next step' was locked in there, assuming she had survived the trip to Tokyo in decent condition. Something else was written about contacts there, but the code names were absolute stupidity to the woman.

Who willingly calls themselves the Crimson Bastards and gives their unit the Blood Crest as their emblem? Either idiots or maniacs. Guess I should check out this bunker when I get an actual rundown of the activities that are happening here.

Pushing away from the wall, the woman walked towards Aohara and the still-unnamed mechanic who was being glared at by the Samurai. She waited to see if their conversation took any interesting shifts.

 

[MKR]

The man grumbled at the reply, looking as if he was going to say something until an alarm echoed throughout the room.

All combat able personnel, report to hangar. DAMONs have appeared nearby and have engaged with Shadow Mirror units, this is not a drill. I repeat:

The message would continue to loop as much of the people sitting around previously enjoying their food went for the doors.
Turning to look at the source of the voice, the mechanic's eyes went from the woman in front of him to the intercom attached to a corner of the room. He grit his teeth as he listened to the message before looking back to Okuni.

"Fine. But you better prove that your secrets are worth keeping." He said before melding into the crowd and right back through the door he came in through.

Outside there would indeed be three Gespenst MK-II M Kais fighting with a trio of Bull Damons in the distance, but the combat was being pushed ever closer to the safehouse as the DAMONs chargeda after the retreating Gespenst. During this game of cat and mouse both sides were still inflicting damage on one another as the Gespensts took potshots against their pursuers while the DAMONs charged after with their horns.
Out of this exchange it wasn't hard to see that the DAMONs were currently winning, their D-fault barriers absorbing a large portion of the hits while the Gespensts took the full force of a hit every time.

An estimation of 180 seconds was given until both DAMONs and Gespensts entered the compound's grounds by the voice over the intercoms.

 

[VeraC]

Despite the Alarms going off and the presence of DAMON, Okuni remained completely calm, unfazed by this continuity of events. She walked to the entrance of the room and passed the mechanic. As she did she spoke.

“I believe that is a given.” As she exited the room, she hustled to the hangar, running in her Kimono. She didn’t have time to change into her combat clothes so she would make due with what she was currently running. As she reached the Hangar, her mechanics greeted her in front of the black, knight-esque mobile weapon.

“Lady Aohara, Amaterasu has been repaired and is good to go.” They handed her a clipboard, but she shoved it aside.

“No time for specifics, I’m heading out.”

“O-Of course.”

She made her way to the cockpit of the mobile suit and entered the trace-system. The cockpit lights came to live and the panoramic monitor opened up, revealing the outside surroundings of the Amaterasu. She proceeded to the lift, and rose to the surface, the streets of Tokyo opening up as the exit to the Hangar. The radar quickly picked up on the DAMON and gespenst duking it out, though the Gespenst seemed to be on the defensive. Amaterasu bolted out in a sprint, running through the streets to rendezvous with the allies.

 

[Luca Cross]

Luca paused when the overhead intercom crackled to life. When the alarm started blaring, the woman was already in motion. Slipping past both the mechanic and the samurai, the woman began a mad sprint towards the far hallway. She faintly remembered the location of the nuclear bunkers in relation to the safehouse; if she recalled correctly, the code she'd been given was to the nearest bunker, within blocks of the building.

Sliding to a stop at the end of the hallway, the woman found herself staring through a large window at the bunkers in the distance. There was a long hallway to either side, leading to other parts of the building. The woman tried to decide which route to take, before the rumble of incoming mechs spurred her choice. Drawing her pistol from the holster, the woman stepped away from the glass. Firing five shots in a large circle, the woman stared at the cracks spider-lacing their way through the large pane. Grabbing the fire extinguisher from the nearby emergency box, she threw it towards the window, which exploded into the grass beyond.

The college girl vaulted the shattered window, ensuring she didn't cut herself on the broken shards that still hung in the frame. Sprinting towards the large bunkers, the woman glanced over her shoulder towards the battle ensuing behind her. There were three Gespenst fleeing the assault of monsters, the likes of which the girl had never seen before. She grimaced, focusing on her breathing and keeping her legs pumping. She arrived at the large bunker doors soon, trying not to throw up from the strain she was putting on her full stomach.

The woman leaned against the door, punching in the ten-digit code her Uncle had penned in the note. The door audibly hissed, before wind sucked into the darkness beyond as the large bay opened. She could barely see into the darkness, but the dust swirling across the ground didn't go unnoticed. Kneeling to drag her finger through the layer of dust, the woman held her finger up to observe the dust. It was thick, evidence the bay hadn't been opened in a long while. Dashing into the darkness, the college student tried to find what her Uncle had planned as the 'next step'. The battle still raged on outside, growing closer by the second.

 

[MKR]

As the two pairs of three entered the range of the base the Gespensts maneuvered to not be in the middle of DAMONs and the new combatants.
Now rotating around their pursuers instead of dodging the charge. Now that they were closer those on the battlefield would be able to identify that two of the Gespenst MK-II M Kais were equipped with the mixed frame, carrying a rifle in hand and with their plasma stakes still enabled while the third was the ranged configuration with twin cannons on its back.

After having put themselves out of the way of both groups for now the two mixed frame Gespensts both fired a beam at the DAMONs on the side while the ranged configuration Gespenst firmly placed itself onto the ground, the cannons on top of the unit beginning to aim.

The beasts that been brought here looked at the Terra Sentinel machines for a split second, one of them letting out a hellish roar. Its horns shifting into artillery like cannons before releasing a ranged barrage directed at the largest target provided, the Amaterasu. From the four horns four projectiles released, arcing upwards before raining down towards the machine from Everglory.

These projectiles, seemingly made of fire and with a bright blue core. Three of them struck the ground beneath, causing a small fire before an ice patch formed within mere moments. This ice patch then proceeded to burst outwards akin to an explosion, sending the affected pavement sky high in the process. Should the last projectile, which was in contrast to the other three actually on a collision course with the target, strike true the same effect would occur to the Amaterasu.

From the base a small group of MaskLions appeared with a varied assortment of ranged weaponry and other tools at their disposal, waiting for the enemy fire to pass before acting themselves.

 

[VeraC]

The Amaterasu continued its charge towards the enemy, not heeding the incoming projectile, as for when it did, a cloud of green particles condensed at the vector of the incoming attack, causing it to merely dissipate on contact. Following the Orgone Cloud’s activation, Amaterasu held its arms out at its sides, conjuring fourth six narrow green projectiles, with a peculiarly cone-shaped tip. The black mech’s arms swang forward, launching the spear-like projectiles, two at each DAMON. The spears, on impact detonated forward in a vibrant jade blast; the directed explosion hitting at the armor/flesh of the enemies.

 

[Luca Cross]

The woman came to a stop as she reached the back of the large bunker. There, hidden in the shadows, was a memory from the past. A figure she had never anticipated running into in real life, especially not here. Reaching out one hand as she came closer, the girl brushed the layer of dust off the huge robot. The sharp edges and unique design was unmistakable in the darkness; her own rival, a Personal Trooper of unmatched speed and destruction. It never mattered how many allies she brought into the simulation or how skewed she made the weapon load-out in her favor. This Phantom, along with his 4 companions, always surpassed her own attempts to shatter their strength in combat. She had come close in the past, destroying all of the Phantom's allies until only she and it remained. But it always prevailed in the end, crushing her and ending the simulation.

“So...you were real all along?” The college student paused as a blinking light caught her attention. Reaching up for it, she found a small indentation. Pressing against it made an audible click and hiss cross the open space, as the cockpit opened out. It was clean inside, from the angle she was looking into it. Grabbing the rails, the woman made her way up into the seat. Sitting down, the college student let herself relax into the seat. Her hands went naturally to the palm switches; it was the same controls her Uncle had given her when she started playing the simulations all those years ago, down to the response when she moved them. Pressing the hatch button from the inside, the cockpit closed with hiss. The screen came to life, as her Uncle entered the picture. He was standing in front of a window with the stars behind it; probably a colony or space station was where it had been taken.

“If you're watching this message, Luca, you've made it to the White Demon. You're as familiar with this Personal Trooper as I am. Where you were the enemy it cut down thousands of times, I was the pilot, pushing the Gesterben to its limits. You watched its every motion, action, and response, as it cut down you and your allies in those simulations. Where I only ever had one shot to succeed...you had thousands of attempts, all spent on trying to surpass this Demon which stood above you. But that wasn't the goal of the simulation.” Her uncle paused, as he set his hand against the glass window. “My unit was deactivated weeks before your parents died, and the White Demon was decommissioned. The other members of my units fled the service and I was pinned as a possible terrorist and military activist, despite my actions in the Directory. My old colleagues commandeered everything surrounding the White Demon, setting things up so that, on the day I took the controls, our unit would be achieve its former glory. But I've grown complacent and lost the edge that I had in the past. So I'm giving the White Demon to the only person with a larger chip on their shoulder than me.”

“The Directory stole my brother and sister, when all they wanted was to know the truth behind their research. But they stole your parents, the ones who loved and raised you from childhood. Never forget that, Luca. If you accept the gift of vengeance I'm giving to you...just activate the Gesterben. My allies, the Crimson Bastards, will find you soon. And Luca...”

The middle-aged man turned towards the screen, his blue eyes meeting the woman's. There was a soft smile on his face, as he finished his message.

“I love you. Never stop being amazing, my dearest niece.”
​

Her eyes were tearing up, as the woman began the start-up process on the Gesterben. The engine roared to life, as the controls closed around her palms. The on-board systems came online, various screens and notifications popping up across the dash. The most alarming thing the woman noted was the lack of any weapons or ammo on the immediate display or a quick skim through the menus. Her frustration was beginning to brim, as the woman bit her lip hard. Her uncle wouldn't leave her hanging this late in the game, right?!

---------​

“Look at that...The commander finally activated his clunker! Never thought the day would come, heh.” The messy old man scratched his beard as he kicked his rolling-chair down the long row of computers to the pop-up notification. James had left him with a simple request upon activation; since the Directory had refused to let the prior OGST trooper take any weapons when he deactivated his Gesterben Custom, the Personal Trooper was left defenseless in an emergency. If it was ever activated, the old drop-master was to drop the #36 pod for 'immediate threats' and standby for further requests. Cracking his knuckles, the old man began rapidly working his way across the multiple keyboards on the giant array of displays. Dialing in the coordinates, the old man grinned as he hit the 'DROP' button. “Here you go, old partner. Give them hell, show them why we wear the Blood Crest!”

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To any members of Terra Sentinel sprinting towards the active bunkers, the roar of a strange engine would have brought them to a puzzled stop. Then a flash from the heavens would bring their gaze up, seconds before a black object could be seen hurtling towards the ground below. There was a crack as the object broke the sound barrier, moments before it slammed into the road outside the open bunker. Dirt, debris, and dust sailed dozens of meters into the air with a tremendous boom, sending the staff to the ground as a 'space-based mortar strike' occurred on the unluckiest safehouse in Tokyo.

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Luca's puzzled gaze came up, as a new notification pinged in her map display. A blue circle had appeared a hundred feet in front of the Gesterben. Before she could analyze it further, a boom of a missile striking just in front of the bunker made the woman jerk the Personal Trooper to the side. Dust and dirt sailed into the open bay, kicking more dust up into the air. The girl looked through the display into the light beyond the door, before an ammo counter and weapon indicators appeared on her screen. The dust cleared further, revealing a large, metal coffin, buried a quarter of the way into the road outside the bunker. The metal front had split open, with a handle and rifle-stock protruding from within. A different explosion, this one further away, spurred the pilot into motion. Forcing the white Gesterben forward, Luca reached out with the robot's hands and yanked both weapons from the unorthodox container. In one hand she held a Blade Railgun, a hybrid weapon she'd been on the receiving end of more than once. With a flick of the Gesterben's arm, she extended the saw. In her other, she clutched a huge, white sword. It was forged of the same metal as the armor on the Personal Trooper, but sharpened for cutting. Holding it blade down just off the ground, the woman's gaze shot to the battle happening blocks from her location. She hooked the Blade Railgun onto a clip on the mech, ensuring it was stowed properly. Keying the communications channel, she spoke firmly to all radios monitoring the net.

“This is Luca Cross, preparing to engage. Do not shoot the Gesterben!” The on-board Tesla Drive activated, as the mech shot forward, sailing across the streets towards the battling robots. The Cold Metal Sword she held up in front of the mech, using its edge as a shield with one palm braced against the wide blade. Her gaze was on the enemy, trying to gauge the best way to destroy the powerful, new monsters.

 

[MKR]

The Gespensts that had readied itself earlier now made its move, twin energy cannons atop it firing at the left and center DAMON, while the D-fault ate most of the blast it did allow for the Amaterasu's weaponry to strike true to these two Damon.
The third took significantly less damage from the Amaterasu's attack and opted to begin a charge directly at the lunarian mech.
Fire beginning to form ahead of it as it built up speed and adjusted itself for a collision course with Okuni's mecha.

Once the green mist faded the newly made holes on the DAMON became clear and the two remaining Gespensts sought to take advantage of this by inserting their plasma stakes into the wounds. While the quicker of the two would implant the heated plasma weapon into the middle Bull Damon, the left bull Damon managed to side step the other one, slamming the side of its horns into the assailant and sending it flying into the direction of the approaching White Demon.

The comms crackled to life once more as all this happened.

This is tactical command, MaskLion squadron focus on escorting personnel to safety. Special units focus on eliminating the DAMONs and capturing the Shadow Mirror units if able.

The voice from the intercoms earlier now came through the regular comms system.

So far all Shadow Mirror units of the types fielded have been piloted by mass produced Bioroids with the ability to self destruct both the unit and themselves. As such instantly killing the pilot is the recommended capturing method. Good luck.

With the order in the MaskLions backed off and formed a defensive perimiter around the bunkers and the hangar, reading their rifles to shoot any approaching monstrosity or hostile.

 

[VeraC]

Amaterasu stopped in its tracks, now seeing the approaching DAMON charging at it. It clapped its hands together, then spread them apart, forming a long, narrow line of solidified Orgone. As it begun taking shape, it turned into a 30 meter-long spiraling spear, an embedded threading being carved through the front half of its length. It began rotating clockwise, faster and faster, now essentially becoming a giant, 30 meter screw. Amaterasu thrusted it forward, accelerating on a collision course to the DAMON, head on. Should it impact, it would drill itself through the enemy, skewering the DAMON whole. Once piercing, the spear would detonate inside the DAMON.

Okuni turned her head to see the new approaching mobile weapon, and deduced who was piloting it. She gave a slight grin and returned her focus to the enemies in front of her. She knew not where the other brat was, but she didn’t really care.