Chapter Text
In the middle of the chaos, a boy falls to his knees.
His fingers are stained with blood.
His screams ring through the air.
With quick, familiar movements, he draws his 9 mm pistol and aims it at the side of his head.
It’s all my fault , he thinks.
What’s the point of a world without her in it?
—————————
5 hours earlier
It was just a reconnaissance mission.
Or rather, it was supposed to be.
Shin grit his teeth as Undertaker moved to dodge a 120 mm cannon shell fired by the Löwe in front of him. The Löwe that was not supposed to be there.
The Eighty-Sixth Strike Package was preparing to launch an important operation on a critical Legion base east of the Federacy. The said operation was supposed to happen in two months’ time using both the 1st and 2nd Armored Groups, but Siri and his squadrons were set to join them after their current operation ended in a few weeks.
A few hours ago, the 1st Armored Group arrived and started setting up the base while some members of the Spearhead squadron left for a reconnaissance mission. It was their duty to scout the surrounding area, evaluate the terrain, observe the enemy stronghold if possible, and eliminate any threats to their and the base’s safety. The location was already scouted prior to their arrival, but there was no harm in taking precautions.
Although Shin could not hear any Legion within their direct vicinity, an ominous feeling of dread settled in his stomach, and he could neither explain nor shake it. It did not make sense—there was no Legion nearby, so why did this dark premonition linger? Choosing to trust his instincts, Shin agreed to the reconnaissance mission and set out with the Spearhead squadron. The remaining artillery and advance squadrons remained at the base to defend it should anything happen.
They moved a few kilometers away from the base and began investigating the perimeter around it. Initially, they only came across trees and the rocky terrain, as well as some rivers moving through the forest. The afternoon sun shone brightly against the clear blue sky, casting shadows on the forest floor. As the group neared the Legion’s base, they stopped a few kilometers from the edge of the forest, observing the area ahead through specialized binoculars and their Reginleif’s advanced cameras. Kurena noted various spots that would be advantageous for snipers, and Raiden pointed out possible escape routes and areas vulnerable to ambushes. There were already a few tall rock formations in the forest, after all, and the open space leading up to the Legion’s headquarters was the perfect place to launch an attack.
Shin listened to their comments quietly while focusing his attention on the Legion. He could hear them from their base and nowhere else, yet why did that foreboding feeling persist? Closing his eyes for a moment, he heaved a sigh and leaned back in Undertaker’s cockpit. The few members of the Spearhead squadron who disembarked their units to observe the surroundings returned inside, and he could distantly hear them talking about dinner plans over the Para-RAID. As Shin opened his eyes, he perceived something shining at the edge of his vision. Intrigued, he leaned forward and peered into the thick undergrowth on the forest floor. The harsh sunlight reflected off some surface a couple hundred meters away from them, but as far as he could see, there was nothing but trees, rocks, and shrubbery here.
Realization dawned on Shin in that moment, and an immeasurable amount of fear rose in him. What he saw only confirmed his fearful apprehensions.
The forest ahead was not level ground from where they stood; it was slightly lower, but the disparity was imperceptible due to the taller shrubs, giving the illusion of a level ground. And hidden among the thick shrubbery…
“Legion!” yelled Shin into the Para-RAID.
Not even a second after Shin blurted his warning, countless mechanical voices from directly ahead assaulted his ears, causing him to flinch and grasp his head for a few seconds. The Legion units that were previously in stasis mode roared to life with a violent tenacity, and they rained down on the startled Eighty-Six with all the force of a tsunami wave.
Ameise and Grauwolf fired and charged on them relentlessly, and in the distance, a few Löwe could be seen joining the fray. The Processors had no choice but to fight back, outnumbered and unprepared.
~~~~
“Undertaker to HQ. Legion ambush at our location south-west of the enemy base. Ameise, Grauwolf, and Löwe. Requesting immediate support, ASAP.”
The moment Lena’s Para-RAID lit up and conveyed this message from Shin, she rushed to Vanadis, the control officers close behind her. They were nowhere near finished setting up the base, so its control room was inadequate to provide proper tactical support. More than half of the remaining squadrons that were left at the base were preparing for deployment.
“Understood, Captain Nouzen. Sending reinforcements. Please hold on as best you can and retreat if possible.”
“Negative. They’d chase us down until we reach the base, and they’re already trying to cut off our escape route as is.”
Lena grit her teeth as Vanadis’ main screen hummed to life. Several dots appeared on the map, indicating the locations of both the Spearhead squadron and the enemy forces. From her connection with Shin through the Resonance, she could faintly hear the Legion’s cries and desperate wailings.
“The Scythe, Stinger, Sarissa, and Fulminata squadrons will serve as reinforcements to the Spearhead squadron. The Archer squadron will also join the fight as artillery support. Set out as soon as you’re ready and prepare for battle. Nordlicht and Quarrel, remain at base as defense and reserve forces.”
“Roger.”
“Scythe squadron, enroute.”
“Understood.”
“Copy that.”
Lena’s chime-like voice echoed through the Para-RAID, and the members of the Eighty-Sixth Strike Package leaped into action at their Queen’s command.
Lena bit her lip as she studied the map. The Spearhead squadron was clearly outnumbered, but it seemed like they were holding out fairly well despite the surprise attack. They managed to keep an escape route open, and the incoming reinforcements would greatly increase their chances of survival. No casualties have been reported so far, but traces of doubt lingered in Lena’s mind.
First and foremost, Shin did not notice the Legion until they were directly in front of him. This never happened—unless the Legion units were collectively in stasis mode and lying in wait. They deceived Shin’s ability and managed to launch an ambush on the unsuspecting squadron. But to do so, an enemy commander would have had to be observing the reconnaissance team to know they were there in the first place and to signal the Legion to begin attacking. Not to mention that for them to go unnoticed by Shin, they would have had to be in position and in stasis mode before the Strike Package arrived at the base.
How did they know? That Spearhead would be there in that exact spot—that they would be doing reconnaissance? How did they hide their units in plain sight, unnoticeable until they were out of stasis mode?
And more importantly, what was the goal of this attack? Was it merely to run their forces down, or was this strategy a precaution now employed in all Legion bases as an added protection? If so, the entire military would need to know. The latter motive seemed more feasible than the former, unless there was a new factor at play prompting the Legion to take these risky gambles.
However, the Legion’s objectives have always been straightforward and logical. Eliminate enemy forces, defend the base, capture high-priority targets. All of their actions thus far have been done in an effort to achieve these objectives, one way or another. Thus, it was likely that this particular trap had a very specific and unambiguous objective as well. She had to figure out what.
These thoughts raced through Lena’s mind at breakneck speed, but she did not have the leisure to lose herself entirely in contemplation. Right now, her focus was on keeping everyone alive.
The Bloodstained Queen, after all, would do everything to ensure victory at the cost of not a single Processor’s life.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
What a shame that the Queen herself is not a Processor.