The Ladybird's hatch opens, and my Ashsaver leaps out. The other Ladybird deploys Martin's mass-produced Ashsaver and three Gespenst Mk-IIs. Gespensts fly with Tesla Drives, but Ashsavers, built for ground combat, can't. Thrusters soften landings, though.
"Gotta ask Lemon for a Tesla Drive after this," I mutter.
"Axel, Lemon and I will handle rear support. Target elimination's on you," Vindel's Gespenst Mk-II Kai transmits.
As commander and tech lead, they're staying back. Fair.
"Got it. Watch Shadow-Mirror's first op from the rear," I reply, landing with thrusters.
"Axel here. Martin, Al, Bobby, Frost—no one tried a no-rope bungee, right?"
"All safe, Captain," Martin responds.
Relieved, I continue. "Target's in a cave deep in this forest, expanded as their hideout. Enemy's outdated fighters and tanks. Tanks won't maneuver well here. Let's move!"
I lead with Ashsaver's hover thrusters, following a rough path used by the terrorists. Minutes later, Frost, at the rear, radios.
"Captain, five enemy fighters spotted. Two are advancing."
Frost's Gespenst Mk-II, modified for recon, is our eyes and ears.
"Roger. All units, combat ready. Weapons free. Engage on sight."
They nod, prepping. I ready my Ashsaver's Gun Rapier, with Fire Daggers, Halberd Launcher, Laser Blade, and Sword Breakers on standby.
"Greeting gift!" I fire Fire Daggers at a blue Messer, then use Effort and shoot Gun Rapier. The laser pierces, exploding the fighter.
"One down."
Martin's Ashsaver charges another Messer, leaping and slashing with a Laser Blade, using TC-OS motions—likely custom. It explodes.
"Nice, Martin."
"Can't let you hog the spotlight, Captain," he retorts.
Three more Messers appear. "Al, use Split Missiles to disrupt their formation. Bobby, take one out with Slash Ripper. Martin, follow. Frost, locate the Baldongs. Old tanks, but their cannons can down PTs."
Al's Split Missiles scatter the Messers. Bobby's Slash Ripper slices one. Martin leaps, cutting another with his Laser Blade. I use Effort, launch a Sword Breaker, and shoot a laser from behind, destroying the last.
"Messers down. Frost, found the tanks?"
"Sorry, nothing. They're well-camouflaged."
DC dropouts, yet this skilled at hiding? "I'll bait them at their cave. They'll have to attack. Don't miss their firing lines."
"Captain, that's risky! I'll do it!" Martin protests.
"I'm the best pilot here—proven in training. I'm the bait."
"But if you go down, who commands?"
"I'm not weak enough to fall to these guys. Stay sharp."
I break off, using Accelerate to speed through the forest. Three minutes later, the cave appears on my monitor. No attacks.
"Are the Baldongs a mistake?" I wonder.
Suddenly, shells fly from three directions—right-front, left, right. "Crossfire! Accelerate!"
I max thrusters, using Accelerate again, dodging left-front. Spotting a camouflaged Baldong, I confirm Accelerate's effect and charge its flank. It aims its machine gun, but I'm in range.
"Effort!"
At point-blank, I unleash all Fire Daggers, then pull back with Accelerate. The Baldong explodes.
"Three down."
Al's Mega Beam Rifle and Bobby's Neo Plasma Cutter destroy the others. I radio Frost. "Any more enemies?"
"Radar's clear, but it missed the tanks, so no guarantees."
Interrogating cave terrorists might yield nothing trustworthy. Better let Vindel decide. I radio him. "Vindel, we've likely taken out all enemy forces."
"Likely?"
"Baldongs were hidden. Frost's recon missed them. I baited and destroyed them, but more could be hiding. Cave terrorists might know something. Interrogate?"
Vindel pauses. "No need. You've crushed most of them. Return."
"What about the cave?"
"Lemon and I will handle it. We're in range. See us?"
I spot their Gespenst Mk-II Kai and Laz Angriff. "Confirmed. We're pulling out?"
"Go ahead."
I relay to the team. "Good work, everyone. First mission complete. Vindel's team will finish the cave. Withdraw."
"Roger," they reply.
We head to the Ladybirds. Passing Vindel and Lemon, she radios. "Great work, Axel. Impressive."
"It's nothing. Sure you can handle cleanup?"
"Gotta earn my keep. It's just cleanup."
Lemon's Laz Angriff raises its F Solid Cannon, and Vindel's F2W Cannon deploys. Both fire max power, vaporizing the cave.
Character Profile: Axel Almer
Level: 10
PP: 60
Melee: 146
Shooting: 164
Skill: 156
Defense: 153
Evasion: 181
Accuracy: 203
SP: 222
Ace Bonus: Unknown
Growth Type: All-Rounder/Special
Air: A
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: A
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4)
Effort (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
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Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9, SP Recovery, Focus)
Telekinesis Lv.7
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Kills: 8